tributes have been paid to the tv talk show host and journalist — sir michael parkinson. in a statement — his family said he died peacefully at home. he was 88. sir michael interviewed hundreds of the world's top stars of entertainment and sport — including muhamed ali, orson wells and meg ryan. let's talk to the tv critic and bbc podcaster — scott bryan. scott, it was viewing time in new zealand when i was growing up, to watch michael parkinson. was he part of your childhood as well? definitely, because his chat show was still on. the fact is, he has been on our screens now for more than five decades. of course, the peak of his career, in terms of his chat show, was in the 1970s. he then

came back on the bbc before moving to itv. it is a fact that he was, of course, such a presence on so many different forms of broadcasting for many years. everything from morning talk shows to the infamous ghost watch, which terrified the entire nation. i think his legacy is that he was able to have informative, intelligent conversation, with people who were anyone from a notable news figure to globalstar. and really managed to get them to open up and reveal a bit more of themselves. he was really a class act at coming up with the right questions, framing it in the right way, and, ithink, allowing the person who was being interviewed, to open up in a form they wouldn't do to any other interviewer. i think the amount of people who i have been reading and seeing talking about, in the last few hours, who have said

they had got into journalism and broadcasting because they were inspired by watching something on his show. that is the true legacy of a person, notjust the show they do, but the inspiration and influence to others. he but the inspiration and influence to others. . , ., ., ., , others. he was extraordinarily influential, _ others. he was extraordinarily influential, and _ others. he was extraordinarily influential, and i— others. he was extraordinarily influential, and i think- others. he was extraordinarily influential, and i think the - others. he was extraordinarily l influential, and i think the other thing people are paying tribute to, and it is a funny quality, really, when you think it should be obvious, but he was an incredible listener. he really responded to what the interviewee was saying. he made them the centre of attention, rather than himself. . �* ., , the centre of attention, rather than himself. . �* . , ., , himself. . and that is the hardest thin. he himself. . and that is the hardest thing- he had _ himself. . and that is the hardest thing. he had that _ himself. . and that is the hardest thing. he had that journalistic - thing. he had thatjournalistic background that allowed him to apply himself in that role. as you know, from hosting on the news channel, you are interviewing me, but you also have a gallery. you have other people in the studio. you have a million and other what things to be dealing with at the same time. michael parkinson had that too with an audience, with people having to do make up, with people in the gallery, people surrounding the

celebrity, and the celebrity themselves. he had that ability of, when he was interviewing that star, for all of that to go into the background and just be focusing on that start and that celebrity, and able to intrinsically listen to exactly what that person was saying, and have an intimate conversation on and have an intimate conversation on a tv shack show watched by millions. that is such a hard thing to do. it is something that is a testament to his ability. also just an incredibly modest man. i was reading an interview in the new statesman, one of his last interviews, where he was saying that a lot of his career had come down purely to what he says was luck. in my experience, you don't have a long media career unless you are incredibly talented. he had one for more than five decades. i think thatis for more than five decades. i think that is down to the fact that there was really nobody else who could do a chat show like kim. 50 was really nobody else who could do a chat show like kim.— a chat show like kim. so engaging, really brought _ a chat show like kim. so engaging, really brought out _ a chat show like kim. so engaging, really brought out the _ a chat show like kim. so engaging, really brought out the best - a chat show like kim. so engaging, really brought out the best in - a chat show like kim. so engaging, really brought out the best in his i really brought out the best in his guest and captivated people with his

interviews. scott, thank you so much forjoining us and paying tribute to him. here, its end of school results day — the moment thousands of teenagers in england, wales and northern ireland find out the results of their examinations. students are receiving the results of a—levels — as well as more technical btec and t—levels — which could decide whether they'll go to university, or an apprenticeship — or training course. this year, the number of pupils getting top grades is down — after a rise which followed the covid pandemic. how do this year's results compared with last year's, and is there a level playing field. earlier we heard from education sectretary gillian keegan who explained how this year's a—levels have been graded fairly, despite students having missed out on taking gcses because of the pandemic. you can't compare them to last year of the two years previous. we are comparing them to 2019 because it is the same grading system. in comparing them to 2019 because it is the same grading system.— comparing them to 2019 because it is the same grading system. in terms of a level playing — the same grading system. in terms of a level playing field, _ the same grading system. in terms of a level playing field, definitely. - a level playing field, definitely. exams are the fairest way. everybody

sits on the same place with the same content, with the same conditions, having to do the same exam. before we go into this, we have to congratulate this cohort. they have been through such a lot. they have shown massive resilience and they have taken their exams, they have really stepped up to the plate, and they are going to do great, because they are going to do great, because they will have access to as many opportunities, if not more, than ever. nicky shiller, is at the city college in leeds. are those celebratory balloons? yes they are, for the 2023 class. the guys have got the envelopes. you have just missed some of the students. there is a handshake for one of the students picking up his results. there were some cheers. i have to say, over the last few hours, most people have had smiles on their faces as they collect their results. i should say, in the united

kingdom, we sit both gcse is around 16 and a levels at 18. different from america, where you have that deployment that you build up the grades over time. different to the baccalaureate in france. i think it was the leaving certificate in new zealand that they have in new zealand. a are normally three subjects and a couple of the guys are here. tom, did you get what you needed? , ., ., ., needed? yes, i got what i needed to net into needed? yes, i got what i needed to get into the — needed? yes, i got what i needed to get into the uni _ needed? yes, i got what i needed to get into the uni that _ needed? yes, i got what i needed to get into the uni that i _ needed? yes, i got what i needed to get into the uni that i picked - needed? yes, i got what i needed to get into the uni that i picked and - get into the uni that i picked and wanted — get into the uni that i picked and wanted to— get into the uni that i picked and wanted to be in. i felt like i could have _ wanted to be in. i felt like i could have got— wanted to be in. i felt like i could have got better on one of them but i really _ have got better on one of them but i really pushed myself and i really -ot really pushed myself and i really got what — really pushed myself and i really got what i needed to get in, sol really pushed myself and i really got what i needed to get in, so i am happy— got what i needed to get in, so i am happy that_ got what i needed to get in, so i am happy that i— got what i needed to get in, so i am happy that i have finished it now. | happy that i have finished it now. i can imagine. how did you find out? i found out on the train on my e—mail. i opened _ found out on the train on my e—mail. i opened it— found out on the train on my e—mail. i opened it without knowing what it was and _ i opened it without knowing what it was and saw it there! i actually saw it before _ was and saw it there! i actually saw it before i _

was and saw it there! i actually saw it before i came in. to was and saw it there! i actually saw it before i came in.— was and saw it there! i actually saw it before i came in. to know you are auoin to it before i came in. to know you are going to ring — it before i came in. to know you are going to ring the — it before i came in. to know you are going to ring the university? - it before i came in. to know you are going to ring the university? i'm - going to ring the university? i'm auoin to going to ring the university? i'm going to ring the university? i'm going to ring the university? i'm going to ring the university and check_ going to ring the university and check i — going to ring the university and check i have got the place i want, and hopefully it works out. i can go and hopefully it works out. i can go and study— and hopefully it works out. i can go and study law, then. we and hopefully it works out. i can go and study law, then.— and study law, then. we have a la er and study law, then. we have a lawyer on _ and study law, then. we have a lawyer on our— and study law, then. we have a lawyer on our hands! _ and study law, then. we have a lawyer on our hands! did - and study law, then. we have a lawyer on our hands! did you i and study law, then. we have a l lawyer on our hands! did you get what you wanted to? ida. so a bit of what you wanted to? no. so a bit of disappointment. why do you think that was? we have been talking about the fact that this year, the grades are based on pre—covid levels, going back to 2019, whereas in the years following the pandemic, when they went sitting exams, they were a bit more generous because the teachers were grading at. more generous because the teachers were grading at— were grading at. honestly, i think it de ends were grading at. honestly, i think it depends on _ were grading at. honestly, i think it depends on who _ were grading at. honestly, i think it depends on who you _ were grading at. honestly, i think it depends on who you are - were grading at. honestly, i think it depends on who you are as - were grading at. honestly, i think it depends on who you are as a i it depends on who you are as a person— it depends on who you are as a person in— it depends on who you are as a person in your— it depends on who you are as a person in your circumstances. i it depends on who you are as a i person in your circumstances. for me. _ person in your circumstances. for me. i_ person in your circumstances. for me. ithink— person in your circumstances. for me. ithink it— person in your circumstances. for me. ithink it was— person in your circumstances. for me, i think it wasjust _ person in your circumstances. for me, i think it wasjust my- person in your circumstances. for me, i think it wasjust my own - me, i think it wasjust my own personal— me, i think it wasjust my own personal thing _ me, i think it wasjust my own personalthing. i— me, i think it wasjust my own personal thing. i do _ me, i think it wasjust my ownl personal thing. i do understand me, i think it wasjust my own - personal thing. i do understand for a lot of— personal thing. i do understand for a lot of people _ personal thing. i do understand for a lot of people why— personal thing. i do understand for a lot of people why it _ personal thing. i do understand for a lot of people why it was - personal thing. i do understand for a lot of people why it was an - personal thing. i do understand for| a lot of people why it was an issue, because _ a lot of people why it was an issue, because i_ a lot of people why it was an issue, because i think— a lot of people why it was an issue,

because i think that _ a lot of people why it was an issue, because i think that might - a lot of people why it was an issue, because i think that might i'm - a lot of people why it was an issue, i because i think that might i'm going back to _ because i think that might i'm going back to 2019— because i think that might i'm going back to 2019 beyond _ because i think that might i'm going back to 2019 beyond that, _ because i think that might i'm going back to 2019 beyond that, i - because i think that might i'm going back to 2019 beyond that, i think. back to 2019 beyond that, i think the government— back to 2019 beyond that, i think the government needs _ back to 2019 beyond that, i think the government needs to - back to 2019 beyond that, i think the government needs to clarifyl the government needs to clarify where _ the government needs to clarify where it— the government needs to clarify where it is— the government needs to clarify where it is going. _ the government needs to clarify where it is going.— the government needs to clarify where it is going. that you think they should _ where it is going. that you think they should have _ where it is going. that you think they should have been - where it is going. that you think they should have been more - where it is going. that you think - they should have been more generous grading? i they should have been more generous irradin ? ~' ., they should have been more generous irradin ? ~ ., ., , they should have been more generous irradin ? ~ ., . , ., they should have been more generous irradin? ~ ., ., , ., ., grading? i think, not really. you do have to go — grading? i think, not really. you do have to go back— grading? i think, not really. you do have to go back to _ grading? i think, not really. you do have to go back to 2019, _ grading? i think, not really. you do have to go back to 2019, but - grading? i think, not really. you do have to go back to 2019, but it - grading? i think, not really. you do have to go back to 2019, but it has| have to go back to 2019, but it has to he _ have to go back to 2019, but it has to he slowly — have to go back to 2019, but it has to be slowly. you _ have to go back to 2019, but it has to be slowly. you don't _ have to go back to 2019, but it has to be slowly. you don'tjump- have to go back to 2019, but it has. to be slowly. you don'tjump grades lry to be slowly. you don'tjump grades by 10%~ _ to be slowly. you don'tjump grades by 10%~ 10%— to be slowly. you don'tjump grades by 10%~ 10% is— to be slowly. you don'tjump grades by 10%. 10% is a _ to be slowly. you don'tjump grades by 10%. 10% is a leap. _ to be slowly. you don't “ump grades by 10%. 1096 is a leap._ by 10%. 1096 is a leap. quickly, before by 1096. 1096 is a leap. quickly, before i leave. _ by 1096. 1096 is a leap. quickly, before i leave. i— by 1096. 1096 is a leap. quickly, before i leave. ijust _ by 1096. 1096 is a leap. quickly, before i leave. i just want - by 1096. 1096 is a leap. quickly, before i leave. i just want to i by 1096. 1096 is a leap. quickly, i before i leave. i just want to show before i leave. ijust want to show you the help and advice in the college. a lot of the lecturers and teachers have been here morning and ijust teachers have been here morning and i just want to get a word with david, the head of pastoral care here at the college. how tough has it been for the students with covid and then having to sit these exams? it has been a big deal. this is the

generation— it has been a big deal. this is the generation that hasn't an exam since yes she _ generation that hasn't an exam since yes she this— generation that hasn't an exam since yes six. this is the first time getting — yes six. this is the first time getting involved in it and mentally that has— getting involved in it and mentally that has been hard, on top of all the resilience issues with covid. what _ the resilience issues with covid. what is — the resilience issues with covid. what is your message to them going forward, as they have been in here getting their results? it is forward, as they have been in here getting their results?— getting their results? it is well done, getting their results? it is well done. most — getting their results? it is well done, most have _ getting their results? it is well done, most have done - getting their results? it is well done, most have done well, i getting their results? it is well i done, most have done well, and getting their results? it is well - done, most have done well, and those who haven't. _ done, most have done well, and those who haven't, we will try to find something. there are options. there are apprenticeships, loads of decent courses— are apprenticeships, loads of decent courses that will get them to progress well in life. as courses that will get them to progress well in life.- courses that will get them to progress well in life. as you can see, the staff _ progress well in life. as you can see, the staff talking _ progress well in life. as you can see, the staff talking to - progress well in life. as you can | see, the staff talking to students with us. i should remind you that if you are in the united kingdom and have such exams and want help and advice, there is a lot on the bbc news website and app. did you pass your exams, lucy? news website and app. did you pass your exams. lucy?— your exams, lucy? yes, i did, although _ your exams, lucy? yes, i did, although it — your exams, lucy? yes, i did, although it was _ your exams, lucy? yes, i did, although it was a _ your exams, lucy? yes, i did, although it was a long - your exams, lucy? yes, i did, although it was a long time i your exams, lucy? yes, i did, i although it was a long time ago. your exams, lucy? yes, i did, - although it was a long time ago. i can remember the anxiety waiting for the exams and how relieved and happy some of the students must be feeling today to get those results. and at least have some certainty, or not,

if they are not sure they have got in, but to know what they are now dealing with. let's talk more. let's cross now to carl cullinane from the sutton trust, which supports young people from less advantaged backgrounds to access leading universities and careers. is it possible to know whether these results reflect the background of the students who have taken them? those trends have yet to become clear that there are some initial indications. we have some breakdowns by region as well as school type, that are starting to give indications as to what may have happened. in line with recent years we have seen that has been a widening of existing gaps. london has had the top grades for a long time, but they have stretched ahead this morning, and karen harrison to 2019. areas like the north—east and yorkshire and the humber have lower grades than they did in 2019.

particularly worrying from an equality point of view foss white the trends were already there, so it reflects the level of deprivation in those areas, the level of poverty. it also reflects the level of schools. london has a really excellent schools in different demographics to the rest of the country. what we have seen in general is an exacerbation of existing gaps, people are better off have gone ahead and those who are behind have fallen further behind. you can see that in the regional patterns. you can see that in the regional atterns. ~ . ~ ., , , you can see that in the regional atterns. ~ . ~ ., , patterns. what kind of support you and our patterns. what kind of support you and your team _ patterns. what kind of support you and your team of _ patterns. what kind of support you and your team of the _ patterns. what kind of support you and your team of the people - patterns. what kind of support you and your team of the people to - patterns. what kind of support you and your team of the people to try| and your team of the people to try to level the playing field, that you can see really does work? the trust works and people — can see really does work? the trust works and people of _ can see really does work? the trust works and people of lots _ can see really does work? the trust works and people of lots of - can see really does work? the trust works and people of lots of ages. i can see really does work? the trust l works and people of lots of ages. we are focus on national policy level and advocating for change. we are setting up a national tutoring programme during the pandemic to help give people the support they need so much disruption. we also

offer programmes to young people in terms of helping them get to university and get to the top universities, and give them the best chance of getting ahead in life and being successful. and also supporting them into the workplace and helping them to get greatjobs in law, in finance, and helping them to get greatjobs in law, infinance, in and helping them to get greatjobs in law, in finance, in medicine. there is a lot that needs to be done. the country faces huge problems in terms of level of inequality and lack of mobility. the trust does what we can for as many young people as we can. flail. trust does what we can for as many young people as we can.— trust does what we can for as many young people as we can. call, we are talkin: bi young people as we can. call, we are talking big picture. _ young people as we can. call, we are talking big picture. i— young people as we can. call, we are talking big picture. i am _ young people as we can. call, we are talking big picture. i am sure - young people as we can. call, we are talking big picture. i am sure there i talking big picture. i am sure there are some students whose very personal stories have stuck with you. can you share a success story with his? i you. can you share a success story with his? , , ., ., ,, with his? i suppose we have talked to a lot of young — with his? i suppose we have talked to a lot of young people _ with his? i suppose we have talked to a lot of young people over- with his? i suppose we have talked to a lot of young people over the i to a lot of young people over the last few months and heard their stories. some people, they have really felt the weight of the issues that they have faced over the last few years. there has been a

tremendous feeling of loss among some young people, in terms of missing out such crucial time in their lives and that is carried through to results day—to—day. 0ther through to results day—to—day. other people have shown huge resilience. we have talked to one young person has got the grades to go to university in america and has got full funding to do three years of couegein full funding to do three years of college in america. there are great stories of young people who have defied the odds and done fantastically. i think we need to keepin fantastically. i think we need to keep in mind everybody who has been getting results today and the variety of stories and experiences they have been through. ads, they have been through. a nerve—racking day for many and an exciting one as well. carl, thank you so much. singapore police have seized about $700 million — including luxury homes, cars and watches — in one of its biggest anti—money laundering probes.

police arrested ten people in the operation, all of whom held foreign passports. raids of this size are rare in singapore, which has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. military chiefs from the west african regional bloc, ecowas, are meeting in ghana to discuss the deployment of a standby force for possible military intervention in niger. at least 11 of the bloc�*s15—member states back a military deployment to reinstate the democratically elected president, mohamed bazoum, after diplomatic efforts failed to yield any positive result. ajudge in nicaragua has ordered the seizure of all assets belonging to a prestigious university run byjesuit priests, in the latest clampdown on dissent by the president daniel 0rtega. thejudge has described central american university as a centre for terrorism organised by criminal groups. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

the end of another busy panto season, but that doesn't work doesn't end there. this wig are made in his nottinghamshire workshop and the process starts in the winter. some people are brought back ones that are do years old to be refurbished. a lot of the first part of my year, from panto finishing, is refurbishing, re—spraying, and basically getting wigs back to look brilliant. it basically getting wigs back to look brilliant. . . basically getting wigs back to look brilliant. , . ., , ., brilliant. it is a full-time 'ob for david. the i brilliant. it is a full-time 'ob for david. he creates * brilliant. it is a full-time 'ob for david. he creates an _ brilliant. it is a full-time job for david. he creates an estimated| brilliant. it is a full-time job for. david. he creates an estimated 60 brilliant. it is a full-time job for- david. he creates an estimated 60 to 80 wigs a year, and repairs over 100 more. he says he is the only person in the country that still does it. he took over the business from his own supplies seven years ago. thea;r own supplies seven years ago. they said to me. — own supplies seven years ago. they said to me. we _ own supplies seven years ago. they said to me, we would _ own supplies seven years ago. he said to me, we would like own supplies seven years ago. iiez1. said to me, we would like to own supplies seven years ago. ii21 said to me, we would like to retire, and you are the only person we can think of who could take over the business.

more than 60 people are feared dead after a boat carrying migrants was found off cape verde in west africa. 38 people, including children have been rescued. it's thought they were aiming to travel to europe via the spanish canary islands. the boat was found drifting about 300 kilometres from cape verde. those on board are thought to have come from senegal. let's talk to natasha tsangarides, associate director at the freedom from torture ngo. you can only imagine the conditions on board and what those people were going through. what reasons do you think many of them would have had for leaving senegal? just think many of them would have had for leaving senegal?— for leaving senegal? just to say first of all. _ for leaving senegal? just to say first of all. it — for leaving senegal? just to say first of all, it is _ for leaving senegal? just to say first of all, it is absolutely - first of all, it is absolutely devastating what has happened, because these deaths are entirely avoidable. we know from our clients that we see, that there are a multitude of reasons why people

flee. most of our clients are fleeing situations of war and persecution and torture. i am unable to speak of the individual cases on this boat, we are yet to learn the details of the people on board, but really, i think we know that nobody gets on a boat like that unless they are absolutely desperate. imilieu gets on a boat like that unless they are absolutely desperate. when you sa these are absolutely desperate. when you say these deaths _ are absolutely desperate. when you say these deaths are _ are absolutely desperate. when you say these deaths are preventable, l are absolutely desperate. when you | say these deaths are preventable, in what way? say these deaths are preventable, in what wa ? . say these deaths are preventable, in what wa ? , ., ., say these deaths are preventable, in what wa ? , . ., say these deaths are preventable, in what wa ? , ., ., ., what way? there is a real lack of le . al what way? there is a real lack of legal pathways — what way? there is a real lack of legal pathways into _ what way? there is a real lack of legal pathways into europe, - what way? there is a real lack of legal pathways into europe, and| what way? there is a real lack of i legal pathways into europe, and so what that means is people have absolutely no other real option, apart from to rely on smugglers and traffickers, to get them into europe. european migration policy, for a long time now, have been given by the principle of deterrence and externalisation. what that means is

they are shirking their responsibilities and not providing safe and legal pathways for migrants to reach europe in a safe and orderly manner.— to reach europe in a safe and orderly manner. natasha, you will know that deterrence _ orderly manner. natasha, you will know that deterrence is _ orderly manner. natasha, you will know that deterrence is quite - orderly manner. natasha, you will know that deterrence is quite a i orderly manner. natasha, you will| know that deterrence is quite a big part of what governments are trying to do when it comes to their migration policies. do you ever interview people who have been tortured, who are coming, particularly from africa, who say that they work, those deterrence, in any way? that they work, those deterrence, in an wa ? ., ., , . any way? from our experience deterrence — any way? from our experience deterrence absolutely - any way? from our experience deterrence absolutely does i any way? from our experience | deterrence absolutely does not any way? from our experience i deterrence absolutely does not work. we know that from looking at the greek ship wreck. the very next day people boarded boats, even the risk of life doesn't stop them. we have spoken to a number of our clients who say that when you are fleeing for your life, you're not thinking about anything. you are just looking for safety. we know that with the deterrence agenda, what happens with

deterrence agenda, what happens with deterrence as it makes the journey even more dangerous, and so, for example, people who are coming from sub saharan africa are coming through northern african countries such as libya, and ourfront line workers, who deal with clients on an everyday basis, describe libya as an armageddon, as complete hell on earth. clients that we know are auctioned off as slaves. they are tortured. it is absolutely horrific. what we need is a safe and legal pathway so that people are not fourth to live. take these journeys. thank you forjoining us. the family of travis king, the us soldier confirmed to be in north korea, has told bbc news that they have not heard from him. in an earlier statement, north korea said the american solider wanted to seek refuge in its territory because of the poor treatment and racism he said he had experienced in the us army. a us defense department spokesperson

said they weren't able to verify king's comments, but his uncle says he received a text in which the soldier had indicated he was experiencing racism. private king's family spokesman has been talking to the bbc about the 23—year—old's detainment. i don't know exactly what to make of that statement. parts of it didn't make a lot of sense. and i would hesitate. i would caution folks against taking this at face value. the north koreans have a long history of trying to exploit racial issues in the united states. and, you know, we not having heard from travis, we don't know. we have not heard from him and no reports on his condition, although the empathetic... something about that statement suggested that perhaps to me at least, that perhaps he was being not treated terribly. but we don't know. and yes, his mother is terribly concerned and she wants her son back. i don't know what what he knew or what he thought at the time, because i'd never actually gotten to speak to him. but certainly i would imagine that

all us troops operating in the, the republic of korea, south korea, are briefed on the dangers of their neighbour to the north. one other piece of news about north korea — around fifty north koreans have left the country on a rare international trip which indicates pyongyang is relaxing its strict covid— era border rules. the group are believed to be taekwondo athletes heading to kazakhstan for a tournament. they were spotted leaving a beijing train station on buses bound for the north korean embassy. this is the first time the north has sent a sports team overseas since it sealed itself off from the world in 2020. saudi arabia's crown prince has been invited to visit the uk. that news has been confirmed by a government source. ida has been confirmed by a government source. ., q . . has been confirmed by a government source. ., . ., ., has been confirmed by a government source. ., ., , source. no official date has been said though _ source. no official date has been said though it — source. no official date has been said though it is _ source. no official date has been said though it is likely _ source. no official date has been said though it is likely to - source. no official date has been said though it is likely to be i source. no official date has been said though it is likely to be in i said though it is likely to be in october. this would be the first visit since the murder at the saudi

consulate in 2018. us intelligence agencies concluded the prince must have authorised the killing, despite him denying any involvement. what you make of this visit? let's ask our security correspondent. this will be a controversial visit. can you give us the context around it? this 0ctober, you give us the context around it? this october, this is when he is expected to come to the uk, will mark the fifth anniversary of that grisly murder and dismemberment of the saudi criticaljournalist in istanbul. eversince the saudi criticaljournalist in istanbul. ever since then, the saudi criticaljournalist in istanbul. eversince then, because of the investigation and conclusion by western intelligence agencies led by western intelligence agencies led by the cia, that the crown prince must have known about it, or authorised it, something he denies. because of that he has been something of a pariah for much of the west. not completely though, because injune, president micron of france invited him to visit, and in those intervening five years, saudi

arabia has become an absolutely massive player on the world stage in sport, in business, in construction, and even diplomacy. they have just finished hosting a big peace conference, trying to find ways to end the ukraine war. it didn't achieve anything, but it brought in 40 achieve anything, but it brought in a0 countries, including china. saudi arabia isjust a0 countries, including china. saudi arabia is just considered simply be too big a country to ignore, for countries like britain. it is partly about money, partly about diplomacy, about money, partly about diplomacy, about power. britain would like to get a slice of the massive trillion dollar plus investment programme. i think it is, despite the protests, pretty much a done deal. he will be coming to britain in early october. who is critical of the visit?- who is critical of the visit? human ri . hts who is critical of the visit? human rights organisations, _ who is critical of the visit? human rights organisations, amnesty i rights organisations, amnesty international, for a start, has issued a really angry rebuttal to this, saying that he absolutely should not. have the red carpet

rolled out for him because of saudi arabia's grisly human rights record. they say it is the treatment of prisoners, the locking up of people in imprisonment for many years, simply for tweets, the ongoing denying of access to lawyers for those who are charged, and so on. i think, frankly, a lot of countries are holding their nose and saying, yes, we know all that, but we are still going to do business with saudi arabia. it is the most important country, and the largest country, in the gulf cooperation council, the block of six countries in the gulf and arab states. britain wants to do business with them. it is looking to do a free trade deal and that is not going to happen, unless saudi arabia gives its agreement. i met him, before he became really powerful. in the intervening years he has managed to consolidate all the strings, all the reigns of power, into his hands. he

controls everything. the interior ministry, the army, the national guard, the police. if you remember, some years ago, he imprisoned a lot of powerful princes, strip them down, and he really runs the country, even though his father is still the king. country, even though his father is still the king-— country, even though his father is still the king. frank, thank you for “oininr still the king. frank, thank you for joining us- — still the king. frank, thank you for joining us- stay — still the king. frank, thank you for joining us. stay with _ still the king. frank, thank you for joining us. stay with us— still the king. frank, thank you for joining us. stay with us on - still the king. frank, thank you for joining us. stay with us on bbc- joining us. stay with us on bbc news. hello there. go to staying warm of the next few days, it will start to turn increasingly humid and we will start to see some thundery downpours pushing in off the atlantic. warm and humid for the next few days, little sunshine here and there, but an increasing threat of thundery downpours thanks to this area of low pressure. high pressure is anchored to the east of the uk. that is bringing a fresh south—easterly wind, tapping into the warm air of the continent, but the humidity will increase over the next few days. through the rest of this afternoon

there will be very crowd. some sunshine and the risk ofjust one or two showers for northern england and into scotland. most places should be dry. temperatures reaching highs of around 2a, maybe 25 degrees in the south—east. as we head through into this evening we start to see the first of a couple of weather fronts pushing into the south and west of the uk stop winds are starting to increase as well through the night. we can see some thunderstorms mixed into this band of rain in the south. quite warm in the south, a little fresher further north. quite warm in the south, a little fresherfurther north. still quite warm in the south, a little fresher further north. still we are in double figures across the board. for friday this first band of rain will be spreading northwards and eastwards. a line of thunderstorms perhaps embedded in it across england and wales. strong gusty winds around the irish sea, especially north—west wales, gusts up especially north—west wales, gusts up to 60 miles an hour. for the northern half of the country they should see the best of the conditions with some sunny spells. because there is more cloud around and showers, temperature is reached highs of around 23. humidity will increase. 0n highs of around 23. humidity will increase. on friday we see a more active band of thundery rain

spreading northwards across england and wales and northern ireland, and that will be across scotland as we start saturday morning. again some some thundery rain which would tend to clear away. most of the showers will be across western areas, quite blustery in the north and west. temperatures coming down here very slowly the humidity will drop across the south—east. what could have up to 25 or 26 degrees again. sunday, a similar story. a blustery day in the north and west with sunshine and showers. most of the showers in the north and west, dry across central, southern and eastern areas. those temperatures close to the mid 20s. less humidity, i think, for all areas by this point. as we head into next week it could turn very warm for a time across south—east england. further north and west we hold onto that theme of sunshine and

showers.

today at one... the legendary tv interviewer sir michael parkinson has died at the age of 88. parkinson theme tune. miss shirley maclaine... 0ver decades, his chat show featured the biggest stars of the day from showbusiness, music and sport. i interviewed everyone from henry kissinger to billy connolly to james cagney, to dame edith evans, all those people, and i'm only remembered for one thing. i was attacked by a sodding emu. he's not agressive.

don't. audience laughs. we'll have tributes to the man who's been called the king of the chat show. also on the programme: hundreds of thousands of students get their a—level results in england, wales and northern ireland, with the proportion of top grades falling. and i am here at the headquarters whether staff have been speaking to anxious students trying to get a university place through clearing. helping the survivors — after a boat carrying migrants was found drifting off west africa with more than 60 feared dead. and bringing back the water vole. we see the attempts to create a thriving population of the endangered creatures in the lake district. and coming up on bbc news, england's world cup semi—final win over australia was watched by more than seven million on the bbc, the most watched game of the tournament so far.