hello, i'm maryam moshiri, welcome to bbc news now, three hours of fast—moving news, interviews and reaction. we begin in moscow, where a tower block in the centre of the city has come under attack for a second time. the building was first hit on sunday, these pictures were taken from a short distance away. this was the aftermath of the second attack last night. you can see some of the damage in these pictures. emergency services have been at the scene but there's no information yet about any possible injuries. several other drones were reportedly taken down by air defence systems. moscow has reported a number of drone attacks throughout the year at various locations —

as you can see in the red dots on this map — largely focused on the ukraine—russia border. in another development, russia says it's also destroyed three ukrainian unmanned boats that were trying to attack two russian naval ships in the black sea. ukraine has not commented, as our correspondent in kyiv james waterhouse explains. it's interesting standing here in a country where missile strikes and artillery attacks are a daily occurrence for cities and villages close to the front line or the border with russia. and yet here we are seeing once more unmanned drone strikes deep inside russian territory, 300 miles deep, in the capital itself. this is an incidence where we cannot say for sure who was behind it. there been occasions and

a passport appear to be ukraine because of a type of drone that was shot down. we have seen more than 100 drone attacks like this inside russia since the start of the year, and the targets include energy infrastructure, military sites, but of late we have seen moscow come into the firing line, resort they saw another unmanned drone of light across the kremlin back in may. what these do more than anything, at these do more than anything, at these attacks, supply psychological pressure, where the war comes to the doorsteps of thousands of russians who see these explosions and dell sees these moments as propaganda opportunities where they suggest that the war is coming to russia. what do they mean by that? i don't think they now think they will make a major incursion into russian territory, ukraine is the country under invasion here, but it forces people to engage with the war

weather previous stance might have been not to ask too many questions, to trust vladimir putin and the kremlin and their belief that this war is justified. that now directly challenges that ant is a definitely part of a broader ukrainian tactic. let's talk to vitaly shevchenko, russia editor with bbc monitoring. we have had a line from a presidential adviser in ukraine it saying that kyiv has not and will not attack civilian objects in the black sea and they called the russian statement fictitious. has been any reaction from russia to all at this? , , . been any reaction from russia to all at this? ,, . .,, been any reaction from russia to all atthis? ,, , at this? russia has consistently blamed ukraine _ at this? russia has consistently blamed ukraine for _ at this? russia has consistently blamed ukraine for such - at this? russia has consistently| blamed ukraine for such attacks at this? russia has consistently - blamed ukraine for such attacks and even though ukrainian officials have hiked denied involvement in that certain attacks or have denied involvement in other attacks, there

are several good reasons for ukraine to carry out something like that. one would be a demonstration of ability to strike right at the heart of the russian capital. as we have seenin of the russian capital. as we have seen in the last few days, it's russia's financial quotes are that was hit by drones. secondly, these are tanks may seek to create instability and chaos and possibly panic in russia. and thirdly, they will try and undermine vladimir putin's key stated objective for starting his so—called special military operation in ukraine. last

year, he said his goal was to make russia more secure. has that happened? as we have seen cost of the past two days, at the opposite has happened, numerous locations in moscow and closer to ukraine have been targeted by crude aerial vehicles and also naval for kooks targeting russian warships. while ukraine may not be involve the impact on russia's ability to conduct this war, this is what these attacks may be trying to achieve. thank you very much indeed. france says it will begin airlifting its citizens out of niger on tuesday. the foreign ministry in paris said the decision to carry out an evacuation was prompted by the worsening security situation in niger after last week's military coup. french ministers have held an emergency meeting in paris

to discuss the operation. france says it will also help other european nationals to leave. it comes after supporters of the coup burned french flags and attacked the french embassy on sunday. meanwhile, the militaryjuntas in neighbouring burkina faso and mali warned that any foreign military intervention in niger would be considered a declaration of war on them. the coup leaders in niger have accused france of preparing to attack. niger is a key part of africa's sahel region, which stretches from the atlantic, to the red sea. burkina faso and mali, which have also both seen recent military coups, say they would come to the defence of their neighbour. on sunday, the regional bloc ecowas gave the coup leaders in niger one week to restore democratic rule. chris ewcko is monitoring developments in neighbouring nigeria and hejoins us now.

thank you forjoining us. what is the latest on all three developments? the latest on all three develoments? , �*, . developments? basically, it's a movin: developments? basically, it's a moving situation _ developments? basically, it's a moving situation and _ developments? basically, it's a moving situation and is - developments? basically, it's a moving situation and is tilting l moving situation and is tilting dangerously with the stakes are getting a higher. we have seen plans by france to evacuate its citizens and those of other european countries. we have seen a strong posture by the militaryjunta is in mali and burkina faso and guinea, who say they will defend their neighbour if there is a decision made to use force to reinstate the deposed government. there is a huge crackdown on members of that party, about 130 people have been arrested, and they are saying that the coup

leaders in new share are carrying out acts to establish a dictatorial regime in that country.— out acts to establish a dictatorial regime in that country. france are re arina regime in that country. france are preparing to _ regime in that country. france are preparing to get — regime in that country. france are preparing to get their _ regime in that country. france are preparing to get their citizens - regime in that country. france are preparing to get their citizens out| preparing to get their citizens out of the country and there is anger within france and the wider region as well? we within france and the wider region as well? ~ ., , within france and the wider region as well? ~ . , , ., , , within france and the wider region aswell? . , ,, as well? we have seen protests last week and on — as well? we have seen protests last week and on sunday _ as well? we have seen protests last week and on sunday when _ as well? we have seen protests last week and on sunday when people i as well? we have seen protests last week and on sunday when people it| week and on sunday when people it came out on the streets carrying both russia and a nice year flags and chanting anti—france and anti—west slogans. they started marching on the french embassy but were repelled by the police. there had been an allegation that french troops fired at the protesters which

france denied and what the french foreign minister said is that these accusations, including the one that france was planning to attack the presidential palace in order to free bazoum where all signs of destabilisation attempts by the new regime in niger. france has 1500 troops in niger as we speak and it's a former colonial power there, so it has been helping to fight insurgency. has been helping to fight insurgency-— james cleverly has been visiting the region and raising concerns about the rock faulkner mercenary group. at the moment it is too early to say with any certainty at all about the situation in niger. what we have seen for some time is the wagner

group, which we knew be an extension of putin's military ambition, having a very disruptive and malign influence in africa. uk house prices have dropped at their fastest annual pace for 1h years injuly, according to nationwide. prices fell by nearly 4% in the year tojuly, that's the biggest fall since 2009. what does it mean for the wider economy? let's ask nationwide's senior economist, andrew harvey. first of all, what are the reasons behind this huge fall in prices? what we have been seeing in the last few months is a gradual downward trend in house prices, they are now 1l5% trend in house prices, they are now 4.5% below their peak of august last year. in recent months, the reason

behind the weakness in prices has been the deterioration of affordability because mortgage rates have been increasing on the back of market expectations of the bank rate having increased and this has made it more challenging to afford a home because repayments are higher and also there is a challenge with raising a deposit as well. let's talk about _ raising a deposit as well. let's talk about first-time - raising a deposit as well. let's talk about first-time buyers, i raising a deposit as well. let's| talk about first-time buyers, if raising a deposit as well. let's talk about first—time buyers, if you look at this from the viewpoint of a first—time buyer, good news, prices are falling, and yet mortgage rates are falling, and yet mortgage rates are so high at the moment that a lot of them are being squeezed out of the market?— the market? that's right. unfortunate, _ the market? that's right. unfortunate, is _ the market? that's right. unfortunate, is a - the market? that's right. unfortunate, is a decline| the market? that's right. i unfortunate, is a decline in the market? that's right. - unfortunate, is a decline in prices is not enough to offset the higher mortgage rates. for a typical first—time buyer with a 20% deposit, for example, the rates have seen a considerable increase and it will

take time for those levels to normalise. forfirst—time buyers, conditions are challenging at the moment. we have seen in the last week or two some signs that mortgage rates will come down but they are still relatively elevated and that's why activity it has been reduced. what will it take for providers to bring their rates are down quickly? as it literallyjust linked to what the bank of england does or are there otherfactors the bank of england does or are there other factors they are looking at? ~ there other factors they are looking at? , . ., ., , there other factors they are looking at? n. ., ., at? where expectations are for the bank rate that _ at? where expectations are for the bank rate that will _ at? where expectations are for the bank rate that will influence - bank rate that will influence mortgage rates, those expectations have moved around a lot in the last few months in response to economic data. backand may, markets move to 5% and that increased to 6.5% in july. they are now expected to peak and on thursday will see what the bank decides to do. there are some

more policies coming through in terms of underlying price pressures are starting to ease, that there is also sometimes like the labour market. ., ~ also sometimes like the labour market. ., ,, , ., around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's bring you some of our main stories in the uk. the price of some wines and spirits will rise from today while the cost of weaker drinks will fall after a major shakeup to alcohol taxation. the new system aims to simplify alcohol duties by taxing according to strength. taxes on draught pints will not change, a measure designed to support pubs. the uk's biggest farming insurer says criminals have laid siege to the countryside after it recorded a 22% increase in the cost of rural crime last year. nfu mutual says some thieves are using drones and social media to scope out

valuable agricultural equipment. it also believes organised crime is an increasing problem for the industry and was causing widespread concern. nigel farage says coutts bank has offered to reinstate his personal and business accounts after they were closed. last month, the former ukip leader accused the bank of shutting down his accounts, because it did not like his political views. you are watching bbc news. to northern china now, where the death toll from heavy rains and flooding has risen to 20. authorities say 19 people are also missing in beijing and hebei, as rescue efforts continue. storm doksuri hit the country on friday, bringing almost a month's rainfall to beijing injust a0 hours. military units and helicopters are now being used to deliver food and supplies to rail passengers who've been stranded by the flood waters.

forecasters have warned of the potential for more flash flooding and landslides in the coming days. 0ur china correspondent stephen mcdonell sent this update from beijing. i'll start with the good news, the rain has eased right up in beijing and the weather forecasts seem to be predicting a period with little or no rain. the second typhoon, due to hit in the coming 2a hours, may not actually reach landfall in the same place it was thought to be approaching, and that weather pattern also may not reach a beijing. meaning it would give the rescue teams here a bit of breathing space to get a real handle on this situation. the other thing that has been bouying them is that they have been finding many of the people who were missing. the big concerns are that that the death toll could go up quite a bit, but with every new person that's found, that is more good news. in the western suburbs of beijing, there are still areas cut off

where roads have collapsed, there's no electricity or water, and the army is flying in there, dropping in supplies from helicopters. that's also happening in neighbouring hebei province, where one town looks to have been hit very hard by the floodwaters. what's happened is there has been an attempt to take the pressure off beijing, to divert the floodwaters elsewhere, but that water has to go somewhere, of course, and as a result has hit smaller population centres. we're getting word that towns there have floodwaters up to the first storey of tower blocks and that residents have been stuck in those towers. so the military has again had to be sent in to rescue people and also drop off supplies using helicopters, because you can't reach these places, the connections are down so badly. also, they have been able to reach

the passengers stuck on a train, so more and more good news coming through. but as these floodwaters recede, you are also seeing the remnants of the earlier chaos. bodies of cars stuck in trees and, hopefully, as the conditions improve, the clean—up will start getting under way, but there is a lot of work to be done, including clearing roads, rebuilding roads, rebuilding bridges, and itjust shows what happens when a city like beijing, which is not as accustomed as the south of the country to this type of weather, is struck by the remnants of a typhoon. it has been quite deadly, because residents here are not used to it and despite the best efforts of the authorities to keep everyone indoors, sadly, it has been deadly in some cases. myanmar�*s military rulers have reduced the sentence of aung san suu kyi, the civilian leader they deposed

in a coup two years ago. it's believed she's been pardoned on five charges, but more than a dozen others remain and she will stay in detention. the former civilian president win myint, who was also imprisoned after the coup, has had his sentence reduced as well. the announcement was part of an amnesty for 7,000 prisoners to mark a buddhist festival, but it's unclear why the burmese military has pardoned the top leaders. let's talk to our south east asia correspondentjonathan head. what does this mean? it's not exactly clear _ what does this mean? it's not exactly clear what _ what does this mean? it's not exactly clear what the - what does this mean? it's not exactly clear what the future | what does this mean? it's not - exactly clear what the future holds for her but the military does not do this out of the goodness of its heart. inside many amnesties, showing leniency around three times a year. do not forget, there are still around 20,000 opponents of the military still incarcerated, some

entire conditions. and young so she is such a potent symbol that there is such a potent symbol that there is no question that the military are sending a signal, what that signal is still has to be deciphered but it essentially appears that in the top of moving her to house arrest they are trying to show to the world that they are softening and are open to some kind of move out of the dire situation there and at the moment with a full—scale civil war against much of the population they are also signalling that aung san suu kyi, who has been completely isolated and no one has seen much of her apart from court appearances can now play a role. whatever it is that the military has about reaching out for some kind of compromise, but there are so many obstacles to that and on song so she's own thoughts about being used by the military like this is unclear. it is much guesswork as

to what will happen next. find is unclear. it is much guesswork as to what will happen next.— to what will happen next. and in terms of the _ to what will happen next. and in terms of the diplomatic - to what will happen next. and in i terms of the diplomatic movement to what will happen next. and in - terms of the diplomatic movement in the country, that are still continuing?— the country, that are still continuina? ., . ., the country, that are still continuin? ., . ., continuing? diplomatic movement has been painfully — continuing? diplomatic movement has been painfully slow _ continuing? diplomatic movement has been painfully slow ever _ continuing? diplomatic movement has been painfully slow ever since - continuing? diplomatic movement has been painfully slow ever since the - been painfully slow ever since the coup. diplomacy was left up to the asean group of countries to try and get them to sort it out, they came up get them to sort it out, they came up with a five—point plan that demanded both sides stop using violence and there was a dialogue between the military and the government data post. the military went back on that deal and refused to go along with it, upsetting their asean neighbours. be years on from that deal, the only diplomatic initiative that was in existence, neighbouring countries, like china, india and thailand, are now going individually to talk to the generals to try and find a way out of the civil war. the opposition injan moore do not accept this and say

they should be talking to them, they are the elected governments can country do not trust the military and the military has behaved so badly they are trying to keep it out of politics altogether. but some countries do you take this violence to end and it is risking becoming a failed state and it looks like the military rulers are leaping on these diplomatic efforts and they are pointing to their lenient treatment of aung san suu kyi as a reason for countries to deal with them. the women's world cup group d games are now under way with haiti facing denmark and england facing china. england only need one point to progress as winners of their group. and the latest score is that england are 1—0 up. this was a reaction of the fans in croydon, south london, as england scored. joe is what the fans there.

an amazing start for england, how are the fans feeling?— an amazing start for england, how are the fans feeling? pretty good so far, it onl are the fans feeling? pretty good so far. it only took— are the fans feeling? pretty good so far, it only took four _ are the fans feeling? pretty good so far, it only took four minutes - are the fans feeling? pretty good so far, it only took four minutes for- far, it only took four minutes for england to take the lead and that means as it stands they will be going through as group winners. denmark have also scored, at meaning they will go through second. i am in croydon and this is not the usual find that park experience that you might see at the men's world cup. there are games for the kids, free back massages taking place, a dedicated arts and crafts table and also hundreds and hundreds of england fans who have been enjoying quite a good game so far. i will go and say hi to a couple, if i can interrupt you. you first, how are you feeling about this so far? it could not got off to a better start, we have _ could not got off to a better start, we have not been scoring much recently— we have not been scoring much recently said that it is a big confidence boost and means we can enjoy— confidence boost and means we can

enjoy the _ confidence boost and means we can enjoy the match more. you confidence boost and means we can enjoy the match more.— enjoy the match more. you are tellin: enjoy the match more. you are telling me _ enjoy the match more. you are telling me you _ enjoy the match more. you are telling me you are _ enjoy the match more. you are telling me you are a _ enjoy the match more. you are telling me you are a long-term telling me you are a long—term supporter of women's football, how does it feel to see cross and reactions like this to the lionesses and? v reactions like this to the lionesses and? �* , , ., ., reactions like this to the lionesses and? �*, , ., ., _, and? it's been a long time coming, that they are _ and? it's been a long time coming, that they are amazing _ and? it's been a long time coming, | that they are amazing professionals and athletes so to finally see them in front_ and athletes so to finally see them in front of— and athletes so to finally see them in front of packed stadiums at 12pm on a tuesday, it's full here. you managed _ on a tuesday, it's full here. you managed to _ on a tuesday, it's full here. you managed to get _ on a tuesday, it's full here. you managed to get the _ on a tuesday, it's full here. ym. managed to get the day of work, how are you finding it so far?— are you finding it so far? nervous, we 'ust are you finding it so far? nervous, we just need _ are you finding it so far? nervous, we just need one _ are you finding it so far? nervous, we just need one more _ are you finding it so far? nervous, we just need one more goal - are you finding it so far? nervous, we just need one more goal to - are you finding it so far? nervous, i we just need one more goal to settle the nerves _ we just need one more goal to settle the nerves and— we just need one more goal to settle the nerves. �* , ., ., we just need one more goal to settle the nerves-— the nerves. and you are quite used to watching — the nerves. and you are quite used to watching women's _ the nerves. and you are quite used to watching women's football, - the nerves. and you are quite used to watching women's football, howj the nerves. and you are quite used i to watching women's football, how do you find it both in terms of the sport and the atmosphere compared to the men's game? i sport and the atmosphere compared to the men's game?— the men's game? i would not have exected the men's game? i would not have expected this _ the men's game? i would not have expected this place _ the men's game? i would not have expected this place to _ the men's game? i would not have expected this place to be - the men's game? i would not have expected this place to be less - the men's game? i would not have| expected this place to be less busy for a men's — expected this place to be less busy for a men's game. _ expected this place to be less busy for a men's game. the _ expected this place to be less busy for a men's game. the sport - expected this place to be less busyj for a men's game. the sport itself, i for a men's game. the sport itself, i find _ for a men's game. the sport itself, i find are _ for a men's game. the sport itself, i find are probably— for a men's game. the sport itself, i find are probably more _ for a men's game. the sport itself, i find are probably more exciting i i find are probably more exciting and aggressive _ i find are probably more exciting and aggressive than _ i find are probably more exciting and aggressive than the - i find are probably more exciting and aggressive than the men's l i find are probably more exciting - and aggressive than the men's game. more aggressive? _

and aggressive than the men's game. more aggressive?— more aggressive? there of been files here them to — more aggressive? there of been files here them to sing _ more aggressive? there of been files here them to sing whistles _ more aggressive? there of been files here them to sing whistles in - more aggressive? there of been files here them to sing whistles in the - here them to sing whistles in the men's _ here them to sing whistles in the men's game, _ here them to sing whistles in the men's game, fantastic. - here them to sing whistles in the men's game, fantastic. protection? sends a sign _ men's game, fantastic. protection? sends a sign if— men's game, fantastic. protection? sends a sign if we _ men's game, fantastic. protection? sends a sign if we can _ men's game, fantastic. protection? sends a sign if we can nick - men's game, fantastic. protection? sends a sign if we can nick another| sends a sign if we can nick another one before half—time and then another in the second half, i will work out 3—0. and what about the impact this will have on girls coming out and the wider game? their success at the euros was obviously a massive, what you think this will do if england go all the way? fans and sign i think for young girls to see women performing at this level is a huge inspiration and it is really great at that young women at know this is something that they can do and they can achieve. it's massive. thank you so much. bud and they can achieve. it's massive. thank you so much.— and they can achieve. it's massive. thank you so much. and client are a 1-0 u, thank you so much. and client are a 1-0 up. they — thank you so much. and client are a 1-0 up. they will— thank you so much. and client are a 1-0 up. they will go _ thank you so much. and client are a 1-0 up, they will go through - thank you so much. and client are a 1-0 up, they will go through as - 1—0 up, they will go through as group winners if it stays the same but there is still a fair bit to go and nothing is certain just yet.

before we go swipe at matt just time to show you some dramatic pictures of a plane, crashing into the sea by a busy new hampshire beach in the united states. a small plane was left floating nose—first in the water after an emergency landing caused it to flip over. officials say lifeguards rescued the pilot, who was not hurt. hello again. the weather for the next few days will remain pretty unsettled. it will be wet and windy at times and also cool, especially so on thursday, when the wind changes direction, and that in itself will pull in some showers. what we have today are showers across northern ireland and northern england. also scattered showers across northern scotland and southern england. by the end of the afternoon, more substantial rain showing its hands across the far southwest and the winds strengthening. temperatures 15 in lerwick, 17 in

newcastle, a high of 22 in london. 0vernight, the low pressure bringing this rain and windy conditions pushes northwards and eastwards. the driest conditions will be acroos the far north of scotland and the winds are strengthening from the southwestern approaches and also the english channel. as a result, it will not be a cold night, temperatures falling to between 11 and 17. through wednesday, low pressure moving across us taking these wet conditions with it. the strongest conditions across southern areas and the met office has a weather warning for this. gusts up to gale force and across the country, we will see the rain move steadily north and east. some could be heavy and also thundery. gusts up to 50mph in the south west and the english channel but with exposure they could be higher than that. temperatures up to 21 degrees but if you are in the wind

and the rain, it will feel cool. during wednesday evening and into thursday, that low pressure pulls away and the wind changes direction to a more northerly component, that is a cool direction for us, and it will pull in showers, especially in areas adjacent to the wind. it will drag in a fair bit cloud, some showers heavy, the odd rumble of thunder in eastern england and these are the temperatures, 15 up to 21 degrees. again, north to south. into thursday — friday, i should say — unsettled conditions through the course of the weekend and temperatures below average for the time of year.

this is bbc news, the headlines. russia blames ukraine as a moscow skyscraper is attacked by a drone — for the second time in two days. ukraine denies attacking civilian ships in the sea. france says it'll start evacuating its citizens from niger on tuesday — after last week's military coup. at least 20 people are killed — and 19 are missing — in the uk, we could be launching our

first rock into space from an island north of the scottish mainland. the land on unst, one of the shetland islands, was bought by a husband and wife team 15 years ago. now the site could now be just weeks away from securing a spaceport licence. 0ur correspondent laura goodwin has more details. this is the most northern tip of the united kingdom, unst, in the shetland isles. it's home to 700 people, plenty of sheep, even a pod of orca whales, and soon could also be the base for the uk's first vertical spaceport. this launch pad behind me, launch pad freda, could soon have a 29m rocket on top of it, carrying small satellites into space. it's one of three that have been built here at the saxavord space centre and their hope is that this could soon become a pivotal part of the uk's space programme. many people are wanting to get small satellites into space to help with connectivity and also weather and climate monitoring. they are awaiting final approvals

from the civil aviation authority. the hope is that, once that's complete, a suborbital launch