this is bbc news. the headlines: a warning from washington about the wagner mercenary group taking advantage of the coup in niger. us secretary of state, antony blinken, speaks to the bbc: every single place that this group, this wagner group has gone, death, destruction and exploitation have followed. we'll be live in ireland as thousands gather on the streets of bray to pay their respects to the singer sinead o'connor, who died last month. after years of rampant deforestation in the world's biggest rainforest, leaders meet in brazil to find ways to save the amazon. some breaking news to bring you neu about the woman's world cup. you may well know with the —— know the name of laurenjames, the england star.

an incident in the game against nigeria, when the lioness is defeated the super falcons on penalties, you can see it happening here, this is when laurenjames, who has been a key player, got a red card against nigeria. she was shown a straight red for what was seen as stamping. you can see pictures of it here. it means you will not be able to play on the quarter final match on saturday. england will be playing colombia. we understand now that she has just apologised. she colombia. we understand now that she hasjust apologised. she is most distressed about what happened and hasissued distressed about what happened and has issued an apology. it does mean that you will not be playing in the quarterfinals. she scored the winner against denmark in the grip came and against denmark in the grip came and a couple of goals when they defeated

china 6—0. so, laurenjames out of the quarterfinals. more now on our main story. diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis in niger have stepped up a gear. speaking to the bbc, the us secretary of state, antony blinke, has said he's concerned that niger's junta might seek help from the russian mercenary group wagner. the group is active in neighbouring countries and its leader has welcomed the takeover. niger's coup leaders are resisting calls to restore democratic rule. here's what mr blinken had to say about wagner a little earlier. for sure we have concerns when we see something like the wagner group possibly manifesting itself in different parts of the sahel. and here is why we are concerned. because every single place that this group, wagner group has gone, death, destruction and exploitation have followed. insecurity has gone up, not down. it has not been a response to the needs of the countries in question for greater security.

i think what happened and what continues to happen in niger was not instigated by russia or by wagner but to the extent that they try to take advantage of it and we see a repeat of what has happened in other countries where they've brought nothing but bad things in their wake, that wouldn't be good. afoelobby ikiyojee is a researcher from the centre for democracy and development. he's in abuja. can you put into context who has influence in niche air at the moment? we are hearing concerns about russia and the magna group being there. there are the neighbouring countries as well who also have the military and control. who has the most sway? this is a unique situation. you have many powers in the share that are driving

the situation and trying to find a resolution. you have west africa, eco as he is trying to find a solution, you have other countries in the region, you have chad's. there is france, the united states, other old colonial powers. in terms of the actual influences on niche air, it is primarily domestic. you have the military groups within the country that are actively trying to find a solution.— country that are actively trying to find a solution. when we talk about a way forward _ find a solution. when we talk about a way forward and _ find a solution. when we talk about a way forward and a _ find a solution. when we talk about a way forward and a resolution, - find a solution. when we talk about | a way forward and a resolution, what exactly are we talking about now.

what is the compromise in this situation? ., what is the compromise in this situation?— what is the compromise in this situation? ., . , , situation? one of the concerns is that we have _ situation? one of the concerns is that we have two _ situation? one of the concerns is that we have two red _ situation? one of the concerns is that we have two red lines - situation? one of the concerns is that we have two red lines that i situation? one of the concerns is i that we have two red lines that are very far off. the winter in niche air is in a very strong position that the president should not belong —— should not return to power, whereas others say the president has to return for any compromise to go forward. what is likely to happen is a situation we might end up with a transition plan that tries to find a way to make sure that the different groups can move forward defined the outcome that want. we already know that niche air has a new prime minister,. he was not part of the previous two administrations. this

is a choice of somebody he is completely detached from the recent winners of the niche air. he is seen as a path forward. [30 winners of the niche air. he is seen as a path forward.— winners of the niche air. he is seen as a path forward. do you think that ecowas is moving _ as a path forward. do you think that ecowas is moving away _ as a path forward. do you think that ecowas is moving away from - as a path forward. do you think that ecowas is moving away from that i ecowas is moving away from that threat of military intervention? i think what is likely to happen is that will be more high authorisation of a diplomatic solution. one of the biggest issues is that domestic concerns of the member states. they don't all have our standard approach when it comes to military intervention. different governments... there are calls to focus on the different domestic problems that they cheer faces. —— niche air filters. they are going to

try to actively control the borders and stop citizens from leaving niche air. the impact that will have would be really high. that is what the discussions that started on thursday will really be trying to focus on. let's move on to that rainforest summit in brazil, where the leaders of eight nations are meeting to tackle pressing challenges facing the amazon. it's the first time in 45 years that there's been a meeting like this, on combating crime and deforestation, as well as climate change. let's talk to rachael garrett, moran professor of conservation and development at cambridge university. i wonderfirst if i wonder first if you could explain what changes have happened in brazil and the rainforest since president lula came back to power.- and the rainforest since president lula came back to power. well, it is too early to — lula came back to power. well, it is too early to tell _ lula came back to power. well, it is too early to tell in _ lula came back to power. well, it is

too early to tell in terms _ lula came back to power. well, it is too early to tell in terms of - too early to tell in terms of significant deforestation reductions, but it seems the initial signs are that already there has been less disparate —— deforestation, but there is a lot of excitement about what has become. lula has taken over after two presidents rolled back deforestation control in the region. lula has been a crucial leader in trying to gather together nations and promotes greater deforestation control and greater deforestation control and greater ecological integrity of the basin in which the entire world depends. basin in which the entire world de ends. , , , ., depends. there is still this great demand for _ depends. there is still this great demand for cattle, _ depends. there is still this great demand for cattle, for _ depends. there is still this great demand for cattle, for food - demand for cattle, for food products, agriculture in this region. how do you begin to overcome that demand? it is region. how do you begin to overcome that demand?— that demand? it is a bit of a false narrative. — that demand? it is a bit of a false narrative, actually, _ that demand? it is a bit of a false narrative, actually, that - that demand? it is a bit of a false narrative, actually, that we - that demand? it is a bit of a false narrative, actually, that we need | narrative, actually, that we need all of this land for food production because what is happening right now is the majority of the cleared area

goes to cattle ranching and the cattle ranching is very, very low productivity system. it doesn't actually earn brazilians or other amazonian is much money. it is linked to this broader very first development narrative that they need to clear this land to produce food and produce money because it is not doing that. you can greatly intensify existing cattle ranching intensify existing cattle ranching in the region and produce more than enough food for the global demand for cattle products. you can also continue to increase production for soybeans and things like that on already cleared areas. there are plenty of cleared areas. mining and energy can be done more sustainably. there is no need to clear more land because everything could be done better and what brazil needs now is a new economic development model because the existing approach is not bringing benefits to the region. i

have been listening to various voices over the last few days and a lot of people saying there is a different kind of excitement this time, there is a feeling that things might change. is that partly because there is a sense that there might be morejoined up thinking now, there is a different feeling of cooperation? i would is a different feeling of cooperation? iwould hope is a different feeling of cooperation? i would hope so. is a different feeling of cooperation? iwould hope so. i wasn't able to be there. i have heard really good things and what is really unique this time is that there is a new vision for what people actually want. it is not aboutjust people actually want. it is not about just about what is bad people actually want. it is not aboutjust about what is bad and what shouldn't be done, there is a greater clarity to what is needed. greater commitments from the international community in terms of carbon and biodiversity funding are essential and the amazon basin has a huge potential to increase restoration to achieve those benefits for the world. there is also a new vision of what we want the economy is to look like. what is the economy is to look like. what is

the future going to be. there is a lot of new ideas over how to build things like socio— bio economy that build on the unique values of the region across the entire basin. things that build on the cultural heritage and the unique cultural and biodiversity there to develop new value chains for both domestic and international markets, to create better urban and rural linkages, to take control of the waterways and keep them healthy and connected to grew this sustainably harvested use of fish in the region, and there are all sorts of potential medicinal values and cosmetic value chains and things like that, so all of a sudden you have less focus on just what is bad, but what is good out there and what is coming from the amazon and how the international community as well as the national actors can help be a part of that solution.

rachel garrett, thank you very much forjoining us. an incident was identified in october 2022 when suspicious activity was detected on the regulator's systems and it became clear that these systems had first been accessed in august of 2021. we have been told that the electoral commission has been working with external security experts and the national cyber security centre to investigate and secure its systems, but the electoral commission just announcing that they were the subject of a complex cyber attack, an incident identified back in october of 2022.

london's metropolitan police say a man has been arrested after a stabbingclose to the british museum. the incident led to the evacuation of one of the capital's most popular tourist attractions and police stress the incident is not terror related with "no outstanding risk to the public". the man, who was stabbed in the arm outside the famous building, has been taken to hospital. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. bbc news — bringing you different stories from across the uk. # when i take my sugar to tea, all the boys are jealous of me #. the blaise family are absolutely potty about teapots. they've spent £250,000 on the biggest collection in the uk — everything from politicians to pop culture, and some wild and wacky creations. i've got a favourite, which is the harley davidson teapot. i saw the man make it and i saw how

hard it was for him to make it. and your one is... diana, because diana was my favourite person. people say, "why collect teapots?" and i always say, "well, why not?" there's so many different, i weird and wonderful things. and once people get into the museum, and they can actually see _ the different things that we do, we've got ones that this size, l and we've got a 12 foot teapot in the garden. i you never can believe the things that people can make. _ for more stories from across the uk, head to the bbc news website. you're live with bbc news. the creator of the popular song cha cha slide, dj casper, has died at the age of 58. the us songwriterfrom chicago, whose real name is willie perrer, was diagnosed with kidney and liver cancer in 2016 and died from the illness. he orginally wrote the song in 2000, where it initially peaked at number 83 in the us charts.

however, it gained massive popularity over the years, topping uk singles charts in march 200a. to the women's world cup now and france have taken a commanding 3—0 lead over morocco in adelaide. the french side look to be well in control deep into the first half. the winner of this game will go on to face tournament hosts australia on saturday. earlier today, we saw a little more world cup history made with colombia advancing to the quarterfinals for the very first time. the south american side secured their spot in the final eight with 1—0 victory over jamaica in brisbane. forjamaica, it was a bit of history too. this was the first time they've made it out of the group stage. colombia will now meet england in the quarterfinals. the lionesses barely made it passed nigeria, securing a win in a penalty shoot—out. sports correspondent katie gornall has been following the day's action at a fan park in brisbane.

this was a huge moment for colombia. they have been one of the surprise packages of this tournament. remember, they beat germany on the way to topping the group to reach this stage and their fan base here have been absolutely loving every minute of it. there is a significant colombian expat community in australia and here in brisbane. there are around 2,000 fans who turned up here at this fan festival earlier, it all made for a cracking atmosphere. there were celebrating colombia's every move. in the first half there was not that much to cheer about. half there was not that much to cheerabout. it half there was not that much to cheer about. it was a nervous start to the game is the occasion seemed to the game is the occasion seemed to wake quite heavily on the colombian and jamaican players, but the game really came alive in the second half after that goal. a wonderful goal, made by the teenage defenderfrom colombia. a wonderful deep cross taken down by her captain and finished brilliantly into the

far corner. that was the first goal that jamaica have conceded at this tournament. it came after five hours and 20 minutes of football. jamaica have been so resolute. they exceeded expectations to reach this stage. they put colombia under pressure and the second half and there was a great chance with about ten minutes to go, but the header went wide from jamaica and they couldn't find a response, jamaica. colombia are through to the first—ever world cup quarterfinal, where they will face england. england are in recovery mode after that gruelling last 16 clash with nigeria then went to extra time and penalties. anyone watching the game against colombia and jamaica may well feel that england could well have their hands full in the quarterfinal on saturday. with more on this, let's cross to the newsroom, we can speak to bbc mundo'sjose carlos cueto.

i watched the gold from the captain, it was a beauty, a lovely strike from her. it was that moment of brilliance that won the game for them. ~ , , ., , brilliance that won the game for them. , , , ., brilliance that won the game for them. , , ., ., ., them. absolutely brilliant. colombia can be proud — them. absolutely brilliant. colombia can be proud of— them. absolutely brilliant. colombia can be proud of scoring _ them. absolutely brilliant. colombia can be proud of scoring two - them. absolutely brilliant. colombia can be proud of scoring two of - them. absolutely brilliant. colombia can be proud of scoring two of the l can be proud of scoring two of the most beautiful goals in the tournament so far. the one against germany was a fantastical, this one today, the way she controlled the ball inside the box, it looked like she had a pillow on her left foot. the way she finished it after that, she made it look so easy when it is so difficult. a brilliant moment for colombia, historical moment for this national team. colombia, historical moment for this nationalteam. equally, colombia, historical moment for this national team. equally, the best result of the men's football in 2014, they also then made it to the quarterfinals. 2014, they also then made it to the quarterfinals-— quarterfinals. how closely is all of this bein: quarterfinals. how closely is all of this being watched _ quarterfinals. how closely is all of this being watched back— quarterfinals. how closely is all of this being watched back at - quarterfinals. how closely is all of this being watched back at home | quarterfinals. how closely is all of| this being watched back at home in colombia? , ., ., ., colombia? there is a lot of exoectation _ colombia? there is a lot of expectation with _ colombia? there is a lot of expectation with the - colombia? there is a lot of l expectation with the national colombia? there is a lot of - expectation with the national team. we have to say that the national league in colombia, they have had a

lot of struggles in the last three years with lack of investment and players demanding better conditions, but we can say with confidence that the national team is one of the strongest squads in south america. three times they have got to the final of the corporate america, the most important regional tournament, they also made it to the final of they also made it to the final of the last under 17 world cup in 2022. there are a lot of expectations with this woman's national team. although it is very early in colombia, i'm sure the confidence and expectations will grow and grow, especially with the match against england next saturday. the match against england next saturda . ~ ., ., , the match against england next saturda . ~ ., ., . saturday. what time was the match on? the match _ saturday. what time was the match on? the match was _ saturday. what time was the match on? the match was at _ saturday. what time was the match | on? the match was at approximately about 3am- — on? the match was at approximately about 3am. right _ on? the match was at approximately about 3am. right now— on? the match was at approximately about 3am. right now it _ on? the match was at approximately about 3am. right now it is _ on? the match was at approximately about 3am. right now it is like - on? the match was at approximately about 3am. right now it is like 6am| about 3am. right now it is like 6am colombia. it is very early, but there was a lot of passion for this colombian national team. i'm sure

they will be celebrating. it would equal the celebration images that we are seeing from australia and new zealand were colombian fans have been some of the noisiest fans in this tournament. congratulations, to the team. this tournament. congratulations, to the team- what _ this tournament. congratulations, to the team. what a _ this tournament. congratulations, to the team. what a result. _ this tournament. congratulations, to the team. what a result. we - this tournament. congratulations, to the team. what a result. we are - the team. what a result. we are looking forward to seeing what they can come up with next, of course. france are still up in their match against morocco. it is still 3—0 in that game. we are into the second half now, i think. a whole cast of comedians, theatrical performers and other creatives have descended on edinburgh for this year's fringe festival. 2023 marks the festival's 76th year and, over that time, the event's grown from a handful of performances to a sprawling extravanganza. live now to our reporter courtney bembridge who is there.

there are 3500 acts at the fringe this year and we are trying to meet as many of them as possible. this next axis from spain. we have eddie here to tell us about their show. they are an elderly couple. they have _ they are an elderly couple. they have been— they are an elderly couple. they have been living together for many years _ have been living together for many years and — have been living together for many years and they have fallen into a routine — years and they have fallen into a routine. suddenly doreen will start to have _ routine. suddenly doreen will start to have alzheimer's, and this fact will help— to have alzheimer's, and this fact will help them remember their love story, _ will help them remember their love story, rediscover each other again and their— story, rediscover each other again and their love for each other again. i and their love for each other again. i watched _ and their love for each other again. i watched this. i watch this clip while i was at work preparing for this deployment. i laughed, cried, and i was only watching about a

minute. we are watching pictures now of this performance. if we can reveal now with your masks, the people behind the mask. gapping, tell us about this role and this performance. you have performed all over the world. it is silent, so it transcends borders, or languages. the company was created in 2010 in spain _ the company was created in 2010 in spain this — the company was created in 2010 in spain. this was _ the company was created in 2010 in spain. this was our— the company was created in 2010 in spain. this was our first _ the company was created in 2010 in spain. this was our first show. - the company was created in 2010 in spain. this was our first show. we i spain. this was our first show. we have _ spain. this was our first show. we have done — spain. this was our first show. we have done approximately- spain. this was our first show. we have done approximately 800 - have done approximately 800 performances _ have done approximately 800 performances in— have done approximately 800 performances in 30 _ have done approximately 800 performances in 30 different. performances in 30 different countries, _ performances in 30 different countries, including - performances in 30 different countries, including long - performances in 30 differentl countries, including long runs performances in 30 different. countries, including long runs in new— countries, including long runs in new york, — countries, including long runs in new york, los— countries, including long runs in new york, los angeles, - countries, including long runs in| new york, los angeles, madrid, barcelona — new york, los angeles, madrid, barcelona with— new york, los angeles, madrid, barcelona with a _ new york, los angeles, madrid, barcelona with a very _ new york, los angeles, madrid, barcelona with a very good - new york, los angeles, madrid, - barcelona with a very good response from the _ barcelona with a very good response from the audience. _ barcelona with a very good response from the audience. you— barcelona with a very good response from the audience.— from the audience. you make these masks yourself. _ from the audience. you make these masks yourself, how _ from the audience. you make these masks yourself, how is _ from the audience. you make these masks yourself, how is that - from the audience. you make these i masks yourself, how is that process? they are made from a rigid material. you can— they are made from a rigid material. you can hear— they are made from a rigid material. you can hear the _ they are made from a rigid material. you can hear the material. _ they are made from a rigid material.

you can hear the material. at- they are made from a rigid material. you can hear the material. at the - you can hear the material. at the beautiful — you can hear the material. at the beautiful thing _ you can hear the material. at the beautiful thing about _ you can hear the material. at the beautiful thing about masks - you can hear the material. at the beautiful thing about masks is. you can hear the material. at the beautiful thing about masks is at| beautiful thing about masks is at the end — beautiful thing about masks is at the end of— beautiful thing about masks is at the end of the _ beautiful thing about masks is at the end of the show, _ beautiful thing about masks is at the end of the show, all- beautiful thing about masks is at the end of the show, all the - the end of the show, all the audience _ the end of the show, all the audience says— the end of the show, all the audience says how- the end of the show, all the audience says how is - the end of the show, all the audience says how is it- the end of the show, all the - audience says how is it possible because — audience says how is it possible because i— audience says how is it possible because i see _ audience says how is it possible because i see them _ audience says how is it possible because i see them crying, - audience says how is it possible because i see them crying, i- audience says how is it possiblel because i see them crying, i see them _ because i see them crying, i see them laughing. _ because i see them crying, i see them laughing. i_ because i see them crying, i see them laughing, i see _ because i see them crying, i see them laughing, i see them - because i see them crying, i see| them laughing, i see them alive. this is— them laughing, i see them alive. this is the — them laughing, i see them alive. this is the magic— them laughing, i see them alive. this is the magic of— them laughing, i see them alive. this is the magic of masks. - them laughing, i see them alive. this is the magic of masks. it. them laughing, i see them alive. this is the magic of masks. it isl them laughing, i see them alive. this is the magic of masks. it is so incredibly realistic _ this is the magic of masks. it is so incredibly realistic watching - this is the magic of masks. it is so incredibly realistic watching it, - incredibly realistic watching it, you can really feel those characters. even when you take the masks, it is funny to think you're young people underneath that. not so young! very young! tell us about the response of her. late young! very young! tell us about the response of her.— response of her. we started yesterday — response of her. we started yesterday and _ response of her. we started yesterday and we _ response of her. we started yesterday and we will - response of her. we started yesterday and we will stay i response of her. we started i yesterday and we will stay until response of her. we started - yesterday and we will stay until the 28 at 3:15 p m. we have a big audience and there has been a great response, fantastic experience to be here. in response, fantastic experience to be here. , ., ., ., ., here. in terms of wearing that mask for all that time, _ here. in terms of wearing that mask for all that time, it _ here. in terms of wearing that mask for all that time, it is _ here. in terms of wearing that mask for all that time, it is a _ here. in terms of wearing that mask for all that time, it is a very - for all that time, it is a very emotional performance, high taxing is that undue the performance? this an is that undue the performance? as an actor it is very —

is that undue the performance? as an actor it is very challenging _ is that undue the performance? as an actor it is very challenging work. we don't — actor it is very challenging work. we don't have _ actor it is very challenging work. we don't have text, _ actor it is very challenging work. we don't have text, we - actor it is very challenging work. we don't have text, we don't - actor it is very challenging work. i we don't have text, we don't have dialogue. — we don't have text, we don't have dialogue. even_ we don't have text, we don't have dialogue, even if— we don't have text, we don't have dialogue, even if the _ we don't have text, we don't have dialogue, even if the audience - dialogue, even if the audience cannot— dialogue, even if the audience cannot see _ dialogue, even if the audience cannot see our— dialogue, even if the audience cannot see our faces, - dialogue, even if the audience cannot see our faces, we - dialogue, even if the audience cannot see our faces, we feell dialogue, even if the audience i cannot see our faces, we feel the emotion— cannot see our faces, we feel the emotion at— cannot see our faces, we feel the emotion at the _ cannot see our faces, we feel the emotion at the same _ cannot see our faces, we feel the emotion at the same time, - cannot see our faces, we feel the emotion at the same time, so i cannot see our faces, we feel the emotion at the same time, so if. cannot see our faces, we feel the l emotion at the same time, so if we took off— emotion at the same time, so if we took off the — emotion at the same time, so if we took off the mass _ emotion at the same time, so if we took off the mass during _ emotion at the same time, so if we took off the mass during the - emotion at the same time, so if we took off the mass during the showl emotion at the same time, so if we i took off the mass during the show we would _ took off the mass during the show we would he _ took off the mass during the show we would be crying — took off the mass during the show we would be crying and _ took off the mass during the show we would be crying and laughing - took off the mass during the show we would be crying and laughing like i would be crying and laughing like the characters, _ would be crying and laughing like the characters, because - would be crying and laughing like the characters, because even i would be crying and laughing like the characters, because even if. would be crying and laughing like the characters, because even if it is a very— the characters, because even if it is a very technical— the characters, because even if it is a very technical type _ the characters, because even if it is a very technical type of - the characters, because even if it. is a very technical type of working, you have _ is a very technical type of working, you have to— is a very technical type of working, you have to act— is a very technical type of working, you have to act like _ is a very technical type of working, you have to act like you _ is a very technical type of working, you have to act like you are - is a very technical type of working, j you have to act like you are feeling it. [it you have to act like you are feeling it. , , . ., f . you have to act like you are feeling it. it is such a difficult topic about alzheimer's, - it. it is such a difficult topic about alzheimer's, it i it. it is such a difficult topic about alzheimer's, it is i it. it is such a difficult topic i about alzheimer's, it is touch and many people. why did you select that topic? late many people. why did you select that toic? ~ .. ., many people. why did you select that toic? ~ ., ., . ., ., topic? we wanted to create a universal _ topic? we wanted to create a universal story _ topic? we wanted to create a universal story and _ topic? we wanted to create a universal story and we i topic? we wanted to create a l universal story and we thought topic? we wanted to create a i universal story and we thought that the universal language of masks would _ the universal language of masks would match with the story. finally, that's _ would match with the story. finally, that's the _ would match with the story. finally, that's the thing we are talking about— that's the thing we are talking about universal things. it is love, family. _ about universal things. it is love, family, disease, so i think that is may— family, disease, so i think that is may part — family, disease, so i think that is may part of— family, disease, so i think that is may part of its success.—

family, disease, so i think that is may part of its success. thank you so much. this _ may part of its success. thank you so much. this is _ may part of its success. thank you so much. this is one _ may part of its success. thank you so much. this is one of— may part of its success. thank you so much. this is one of many i so much. this is one of many performances available at the fringe and it will also be travelling around the world. this is the best job in the world getting to meet people like these talented performers. people like these talented performers-— there has been an outpouring of tributes being paid from right around the world and definitely across ireland for sinead o'connor. herfuneral across ireland for sinead o'connor. her funeral quotation has across ireland for sinead o'connor. herfuneral quotation has been her funeral quotation has been passing herfuneral quotation has been passing through the irish town of bray and we have seen thousands of people lining the streets there. there has been music, clapping, some singing as well. at one point people broke into a rendition of nothing compares two u, her hit song from backin compares two u, her hit song from back in 1990. there will be a private service this afternoon.

hello. i think most of us have had to manage our expectations a little with summer 2023 across the uk and the next few days no exception, i'm afraid. so far today the best of the sunshine has been through the north scotland, northern ireland and northern england. there has been a bit of a north—south divide. further south it was a cloudy, misty, murky, drizzly start to the day, and that cloud and drizzle is pushing its way steadily east as we speak. out of wales, out of south—west england, over towards the capital and along the kent coast for the remainder of the afternoon. in fact, we draw a line really from north wales over to lincolnshire. anywhere north of that will continue to see the best of the sunshine. a few scattered showers. the winds will strengthen close to gale force across the northern isles as tied in to storm hans that's affecting scandinavia at the moment. but one unifying factor is the feel of the weather still disappointing for this time of year. high teens for most, maybe, if we're lucky, 20 or 21 degrees.

now, as we go through the evening and overnight, we'll see that rain easing away from the kent coast. we keep some cloud filtering in across the south—west and where we've got the breaks in the cloud, temperatures into single figures, but it feels quite humid down to the southwest by the end of the night as we're tapping in to that warmer air coming from the near continent. so high pressure is building and we will start to see an improving picture on wednesday. but this warm front toppling across the high will still introduce more in the way of nuisance cloud and drizzle. quite murky conditions once again on those exposed west coast. so northern and eastern areas seeing the best of the sunshine and potentially the best of the warmth on wednesday. but all of us will be a degree or so up in comparison to of late, so low 20s, possibly as high as 24 or 25 degrees. that's the mid—70s fahrenheit. warmer still as we go into thursday, we're going to tap into some extreme heat that's pushing its way up from iberia. by the time it gets to us, it's not

going to be obviously as hot. but nevertheless, thursday is likely to be the hottest day of the week as we see those temperatures widely into the mid 20s, possibly as high as 27 degrees. that's 80 fahrenheit. but it's not expected to last. somewhat cooler and showery conditions are set to return from friday and into the weekend. that's it. take care.

live from london. this is bbc news.

a warning from washington — about the wagner mercenary group — taking advantage of the coup in niger. us secretary of state, antony blinken, speaks to the bbc: every single place that this group, this wagner group has gone, death, destruction and exploitation have followed. south american leaders meet to discuss measures to save the amazon rainforest. and we're live in ireland as thousands gather on the streets of bray — to pay their respects to the singer sinead o'connor. fifteen asylum seekers spend their first night on board a barge off the south coast of england — as 20 others refuse to board. hello, welcome to bbc news now, 3 hours of fast—moving news, interviews and reaction. we begin with the major political emergency unfolding in west africa — following a military coup in niger.

diplomatic efforts to find a resolution to the crisis —