reasons for why we need to take a chance on someone stop. live from london, this is bbc news. russian authorities say the wagner boss yevgeny prigozhin is dead after a plane crash near moscow. japan will start releasing treated radioactive water from the wrecked fukushima nuclear power plant, into the pacific ocean. lam here i am here at fukushima, i've been gauging the reaction from locals worried about what the water release will do to their fishing industry and the reputation of their area. the first republican presidential debate saw passionate clashes between eight rivals vying to displace the absent frontrunner donald trump — we'll get the latest from the us. students in england, wales and northern ireland are due to recieve their gcse results. hospital patients in england are due to face disruption as consultants begin a forty—eight hour walkout. hello and welcome,

i'm samantha simmonds. two months after he led a failed mutiny against vladimir putin, russian mercenary leader evegeny prigozhin is reported to have been killed. this footage, verified by the bbc, shows the moment his wagner group's private jet hurtled to earth about 300 kilometers or 200 miles northwest of moscow. pictures have emerged of the aftermath of the crash, which happened about halfway through the flight from moscow to st petersburg, while the plane was at its cruising altitude. trajectory data suggest the aircraft essentially dropped out of the sky. russia's aviation agency shared what it claimed was a list of the passengers on the doomed flight — among them, mr prigozhin and key wagner commander dmitry utkin. as police cordoned off the crash site, russia's emergency ministry claimed that ten bodies has been recovered from the wreckage. the bbc has not been able to independently verify this information yet.

but outside the wagner group headquarters in st petersburg, mourners have been laying flowers and lighting candles. if mr prigozhin is indeed dead, it would be an abrupt end, but it's not totally unexpected, as will vernon explains from moscow. i don't think this news has surprised anyone here today. around an hour after that plane crash, the russian federal aviation authority released a statement confirming yevgeny prigozhin�*s name was on the passenger manifest of that plane. that is very fast for that particular agency. it usually takes much longer to respond to incidents like this. that already raised a few eyebrows here because after all, speculation has been swirling for some time now just exactly about what fate would await yevgeny prigozhin. when yevgeny prigozhin launched his mutiny exactly two months ago, his wagner

mercenary is these are major russian city and even marched on moscow. that was hugely humiliating for the kremlin and vladimir putin is not the kind of man to forget that. if pregozhin was killed in the plane crash today which seems likely, it will come as no shock whatsoever to most people here. most people will probably be surprised it did not happen sooner. we don't know what exactly caused that crash, russian media are saying investigators are looking into a number of different possibilities, including what they are calling external actions. meanwhile, ukraine observes its independence day today. the day celebrates ukraine's declaration of independence from the soviet union in 1991 and is usually marked by a military parade, but that hasn't taken place since the war began last year. however, destroyed russian tanks and military vehicles were lined up in central kyiv on monday.

united nations security council members are also due to meet in new york today to discuss the conflict. to japan, where in the next few moments over a million tonnes of waste water from the fukushima nuclear power plant is due to be released into the pacific ocean. the decision to discharge water used to cool damaged reactors was approved by the united nations�* nuclear watchdog last month. the move has sparked protests and criticism byjapan�*s neighbours, with hong kong's leaderjohn lee instructing his government to restrict some japanese seafood imports in response. japan maintains that the process is safe, saying it will have removed most radioactive elements from the water before it's released. our reporter nicky schiller takes a look into why the water is being released and how the plant will do so. water that will be released into the ocean has been stored in these, 1000 steel

tanks, since the disaster in march 2011. indeed, there is 1.34 million tonnes of water stored in them. that is the equivalent of around 500 olympic—sized swimming pools. now, japan says a maximum of 500,000 litres will be released each day. however, it will be a lot less than that at the start of the process. now, the plant operator has been filtering the water. the reason for that is to remove more than 60 radioactive substances. however, two will remain, tritium and carbon 1a, they are the radioactive forms of hydrogen and carbon and are hard to separate from water. japan, though, says all the levels meet the regulations needed internationally. indeed, the un nuclear watchdog approved the plan it said would have a negligible radiological impact on people and the environment. indeed, experts say once the water hits the ocean, it will be massively diluted. however, there have been fears, particularly around marine life and seafood.

this is a protest this week in south korea. it has banned fish imports from around fukushima. it is china, though, that is leading the charge, calling the plan unjust, unreasonable and unnecessary. indeed, it accused tokyo of using the ocean like a private sewer. hong kong has also put some limits on fish imports from japan. japanese fishermen are also worried about what the discharge of water will mean for their livelihoods. but the japanese government says it is needed as part of the plan to decommission the fukushima nuclear plant. these are live pictures from the fukushima nuclear plant with the water, millions of tons from the nuclear power plant are due to be released into the pacific ocean right now. live now to our tokyo correspondent shaimaa khalil who's in fukushima.

explain how significant this moment is? it explain how significant this moment is?— moment is? it is very significant _ moment is? it is very significant because i moment is? it is very . significant because there moment is? it is very - significant because there has been at least a two year build up been at least a two year build up to this very moment. japan has announced this water that has announced this water that has been used to cool these melted nuclear reactors has been loading up in huge tanks, more than a thousand and more than1 million tons more than a thousand and more than 1 million tons of contaminated water and essentially it has to go somewhere. space has been running out. two years ago japan has announced its plans to release the water into the ocean and it has caused a great deal of anger, anxiety and all through those two years it has been conducting prostheses, plans, tests but also seeking approvals from its nuclear watchdog here but the international nuclear watchdog. last month it got that greenlight and earlier this week prime minister gave the final nod in right now is the time the japanese authorities

the company running the plant will be releasing its first batch of water for the first amount. this is going to happen through a decade of many decades, actually, they are estimating 30 years for the whole amount to be released because it will be a controlled and gradual process. we know within those two weeks they are aiming to release 7.8 thousand tons, essentially eight tons of treated contaminated water. the government, and the iaea insist it is safe but the fishermen we have spoken to through the week and locals are all extremely worried, there is if you will a gap between facts and the fear factor here, the fact whatever assurances have been given they do nothing to reassure people that their livelihoods are not going to be addressed, especially the fishing industry and also that people here are going to be safe. fukushima has suffered a great deal of

reputational damage through the years many here feel that the releasing of the water will send them back to square one. this reputational damage is not just injapan but also across the region where many neighbouring countries have also been worried and angry. shaimaa khalil and fukushima, thank you. live pictures from the plant were 1 thank you. live pictures from the plant were1 million thank you. live pictures from the plant were 1 million tons of that wastewater, treated from the fukushima nuclear power plant are starting to be released today. the last day of the brics summit of leading developing countries takes place today. injohannesburg, the bloc have agreed mechanisms for considering new members. expansion could give global clout to the group, which consists of brazil, russia, india, china and south africa. the final day of the summit will see a press conference where a number of new countries will be given brics membership.

around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. i can't sit still for five minutes and this has probably hurt me over the years, i was breathless and getting arm pains i had a few angina attacks. i ended up going to the hospital. they came back and said, we really cannot do much with your stents, you have to go on the list for a bypass. two or three days later the consultant phoned me and said do you want to try this new procedure? that lays them open. what they do as they put a pipe up what they do as they put a pipe up there with a laser, a very minute laser that goes in through your artery and it lasers the clerk and to nothing. i thank them so much.

because they have given me my life back. ., ., , ., , life back. for more stories from across _ life back. for more stories from across the _ life back. for more stories from across the uk, - life back. for more stories from across the uk, head | life back. for more stories i from across the uk, head to life back. for more stories - from across the uk, head to the bbc website. you're live with bbc news. the first republican presidential debate took place in the last few hours. eight candidates clashed over the economy, abortion rights and the culture wars, but the event was overshadowed by the absence of frontrunner donald trump. the embattled former president instead chose to release an interview with former fox news anchor tucker carlson at the same time. it comes as trump's former lawyer rudy giuliani became the latest of his co—defendants in the georgia election interference case to surrender. joining me live is political strategist and commentator rina shah, and the chicago sun times' washington bureau chief lynn sweet. welcome to you both, rina shah if i could start with you. what stood out to from the debate and who stood out in

particular. two things step left me speechless the number of times on dissenters talked about america being in decline and secondly so much talk about the southern border, it came up over and over.— the southern border, it came up over and over. there were many questions _ over and over. there were many questions asked _ over and over. there were many questions asked of— over and over. there were many questions asked of these - questions asked of these candidates everything ranging from biden onyx to cartels and fentanyl from biden onyx to cartels and fenta nyl even from biden onyx to cartels and fentanyl even education. it fenta nyl even education. it seems fentanyl even education. it seems so many of these candidates wanted to tie these issues back to not only the biden administration failures but essentially to talking about how these issues are so mishandled by democrats and should be trusted by republicans because again it is republicans because again it is republicans who seem to care about the borders. and so those were striking moments for me, truly it was governor nikki haley the former governor of south korea —— carolina and the un ambassador under donald trump who had the most breakout moments tonight, she seemed

very rational reasonable and not in any state to be auditioning for vice president. she quoted margaret thatcher with the famous quote about giving a task to a woman instead of a man.- giving a task to a woman instead of a man. lynn, did an one instead of a man. lynn, did anyone stand _ instead of a man. lynn, did anyone stand out _ instead of a man. lynn, did anyone stand out to - instead of a man. lynn, did anyone stand out to you, i instead of a man. lynn, did anyone stand out to you, a | anyone stand out to you, a front runner? i anyone stand out to you, a front runner?— anyone stand out to you, a front runner? i have to agree i wrote in my — front runner? i have to agree i wrote in my column _ front runner? i have to agree i wrote in my column that - front runner? i have to agree i wrote in my column that was l wrote in my column that was just posted that nikki haley was a big winner of the debate. the whole strategy of the debate though, was clear that the debate did not centre on the debate did not centre on the attack on the overwhelming frontrunner, donald trump, who is going to in a matter of hours surrender in atlanta, georgia, for criminal charges to overturn the 2020 election. nikki haley had a good night and for people who have not seen her, she came across as

pragmatic, and as someone looking for consensus. that may not be a popular message, however to the base of the republican party which is increasing part of the trump maga movement. but the campaign, the other takeaway or the mini takeaway is from the debate is that the florida governor ron desantis who is seen as the number two, is still behind donald trump by a long margin, he did nothing to do any kind of a reset or come out from ahead of the pack. those are some of the main takeaway is that the bottom line is, for my president trump really did not harm himself by not showing up. what is your view on that? how significant is that the donald trump was not there and what impact did he have on the debate even though he was not there? ., ., , there? there were not many moments — there? there were not many moments in _ there? there were not many moments in which _ there? there were not many moments in which it - there? there were not many moments in which it was - there? there were not many l

moments in which it was easy. people do not easily named check—in. governor christie was the first to bring him up and mentioning a former president under indictment. that was the moment where we were reawakened that, yes, we have a historic situation which we see the previous occupant of the white house facing 91 charges across four states. a humbling moment for anyone seeking the republican nomination because how you follow such big footsteps? tonight was not about auditioning for anyway for vp and i think that's what many people thought it would be. it was about stealing the spotlight and there were some people on stage tonight who were successful in doing so. nikki haley was quite masterful in her responses. particularly on abortion which she talked about consensus and was different from the pack of men who just beat their pro—life positions. also, when you looked at roma swami, a wealthy

businessman, 38 years old who called climate change a hoax tonight, i don't think that will be appealing to the many americans have the millennial generation orjens e. jens e putjoe biden in the white house to soda here are 38—year—old, again, saying the climate change was a hoax was astonishing. and let's not forget this man all the way at the side of the lineup but it was the dakota governor. when you are on the edge of the podium it is easy to be forgotten but i think he did a pretty good job of bringing up why he was in the race. he name checked china quite a bit but there were a new —— few people who disappointed me tonight, the florida governorfor the florida governor for example, giving vanilla answers in my opinion and also chris christie. he was thought to be an intellectual bully but i don't think he really meant

that moment for himself. i think he stood his ground and fought back but the fire exchanges tonight were unexpected between the former vice president mike pence and roma swami. remarkable, really, and there will be much written. biden fought back quite aggressively tonight. thank ou. aggressively tonight. thank you- lynn. _ aggressively tonight. thank you- lynn. of— aggressively tonight. thank you. lynn, of your- aggressively tonight. thank you. lynn, of your view, . aggressively tonight. thank. you. lynn, of your view, how you. lynn, of yourview, how significant was the first of these debates? we are still many months away from republican candidate being decided. . ., republican candidate being decided. , ., ., ., republican candidate being decided. ., ., ., decided. yes and no. part of the what _ decided. yes and no. part of the what was _ decided. yes and no. part of the what was going - decided. yes and no. part of the what was going on - decided. yes and no. part of the what was going on in - decided. yes and no. part of| the what was going on in this debate — the what was going on in this debate tonight is that in a practical way they were only talking _ practical way they were only talking to two groups of people, not most of us and certainly— people, not most of us and certainly not the world. it is to the — certainly not the world. it is to the voters in the early voting _ to the voters in the early voting states, iowa, new hampshire, south carolina and

the veda — hampshire, south carolina and the vada where, if you cannot -et the vada where, if you cannot get through these states, then you cannot survive to go on to the rest — you cannot survive to go on to the rest of— you cannot survive to go on to the rest of the nation to see if you — the rest of the nation to see if you can _ the rest of the nation to see if you can get enough support to become the nominee. the other— to become the nominee. the other thing you are doing is talking _ other thing you are doing is talking to big donors so that you can _ talking to big donors so that you can get a financial lifeline _ you can get a financial lifeline to stay in case, well, in case — lifeline to stay in case, well, in case lightning strikes, in case — in case lightning strikes, in case trump implodes. maybe the chance _ case trump implodes. maybe the chance of— case trump implodes. maybe the chance of lightning striking seems _ chance of lightning striking seems more likely because donald _ seems more likely because donald trump is so entrenched in his— donald trump is so entrenched in his popularity. remember, nothing — in his popularity. remember, nothing has made a dent. his ratings — nothing has made a dent. his ratings have gone up with each indictment. but there is no—one story— indictment. but there is no—one story when— indictment. but there is no—one story when you think of the american way to nominate a president. there are 50 stories that come _ president. there are 50 stories that come together, usually first— that come together, usually first off _ that come together, usually first off in the states that go first — first off in the states that go first so _ first off in the states that go first. so what you saw tonight, especially _

first. so what you saw tonight, especially with roma swami who is the _ especially with roma swami who is the up — especially with roma swami who is the up and,, he has had some increase — is the up and,, he has had some increase in— is the up and,, he has had some increase in the polls, he said things— increase in the polls, he said things that may appeal to the base — things that may appeal to the base he — things that may appeal to the base he also carved himself out of a general election race. 0ne of a general election race. one other— of a general election race. one other thing that wasjust illogical for a man who presents himself as logical, he praised — presents himself as logical, he praised donald trump as the best— praised donald trump as the best president of the 21st century. if you had the best president running again, then the question is to roma swami, why are — the question is to roma swami, why are you in it? find the question is to roma swami, why are you in it?— why are you in it? and there we will leave _ why are you in it? and there we will leave it. _ why are you in it? and there we will leave it. thank— why are you in it? and there we will leave it. thank you - why are you in it? and there we will leave it. thank you for - will leave it. thank you for your thoughts. here, thousands of students across england, wales and northern ireland will be opening their gcse results in just a couple of hours. grades are expected to drop for the second year in a row, bringing them back in line with pre—pandemic levels. results for some vocational courses are also being released. vanessa clarke reports.

results day is finally here. but for the class of 2023, the journey to get here has not been easy. journey to get here has not been easy-— journey to get here has not been eas . ~ ., . been easy. we are the children ofthe been easy. we are the children of the pandemic, _ been easy. we are the children of the pandemic, almost. - been easy. we are the children of the pandemic, almost. it - been easy. we are the children | of the pandemic, almost. it was quite shocking to adapt to a new environment and way of learning, online and sometimes it was quite confusing and chaotic. ., ., ., chaotic. having to learn knowledge _ chaotic. having to learn knowledge quickly - chaotic. having to learn . knowledge quickly affected chaotic. having to learn - knowledge quickly affected them and it— knowledge quickly affected them and it hit us like a ton of bricks _ and it hit us like a ton of bricks. . , ., and it hit us like a ton of bricks. , , ., ., , ., bricks. this year was more disruption _ bricks. this year was more disruption with _ bricks. this year was more disruption with teacher - bricks. this year was more - disruption with teacher strikes although many schools tried to limit the impact on exam students. limit the impact on exam students-— limit the impact on exam students. ~ ., ., , students. we had to be with su -l students. we had to be with supply teachers _ students. we had to be with supply teachers who - students. we had to be with supply teachers who other l supply teachers who other students thought might not know enough about the subject. that put us in a difficult position. this is how it looks in your exam _ this is how it looks in your exam. . this is how it looks in your exam, , ., , ., , . this is how it looks in your exam. , . ., exam. grades are expected to fall back in — exam. grades are expected to fall back in line _ exam. grades are expected to fall back in line with _ exam. grades are expected to fall back in line with pre- - fall back in line with pre— pandemic levels in england but in wales and northern ireland marking are still generous the grade should be a little higher. students will weigh of

the next steps.— the next steps. students are limited -- — the next steps. students are limited -- are _ the next steps. students are limited -- are not— the next steps. students are limited -- are not limited i the next steps. students are limited -- are not limited to| limited —— are not limited to just university or college but they are aware of a wide variety of options available and they pick what they know they will enjoy and what is best for them.— they will enjoy and what is best for them. after so much disruption. — best for them. after so much disruption, today _ best for them. after so much disruption, today marks - best for them. after so much disruption, today marks a - best for them. after so much i disruption, today marks a major milestone for these students. vanessa clarke, bbc news. a second round of strike action by nhs consultant doctors in england starts today with a 48—hour walk out that healthcare bosses say will cause major disruption. consultants say their take—home pay has fallen by more than a third since 2008, but new analysis concludes that earnngs for senior doctors in england are broadly similar to many rich countries. 0ur health correspondent dominic hughes has more. for the second time this summer, consultant doctors in england are taking to the picket lines. a 48—hour strike over pay that nhs bosses say has the potential to be extremely disruptive. unlike

whenjunior extremely disruptive. unlike when junior doctors strike, no—one else can cover for a consultant so almost all routine care will be suspended. morale in the health service currently is at an all—time low. currently is at an all-time low. �* , , currently is at an all-time low. �* ,, , ., currently is at an all-time low. �* , ., , low. but the say they have been left with no _ low. but the say they have been left with no choice _ low. but the say they have been left with no choice but _ low. but the say they have been left with no choice but to - low. but the say they have been left with no choice but to take . left with no choice but to take action. ~ ., ., , ., ., action. what does have to strike with _ action. what does have to strike with their _ action. what does have to strike with their backs - action. what does have to - strike with their backs against the wall. it is not they want to do. we are faced a significant pay cut over the last 15 years of almost 35%. so if anything has increased, it is our workload and we are doing three orfour is our workload and we are doing three or four months of work free of charge every year. inevitably there will be an impact on patient with a nest but that does not necessarily mean some of those affected not support the doctors. the mean some of those affected not support the doctors.— support the doctors. the more steve barclay _ support the doctors. the more steve barclay and _ support the doctors. the more steve barclay and the - steve barclay and the government will not negotiate, the more they are voting with their feet. the more they are voting with their feet-— their feet. carol are still waitin: their feet. carol are still waiting to _ their feet. carol are still waiting to be _ their feet. carol are still waiting to be given - their feet. carol are still waiting to be given the. their feet. carol are still. waiting to be given the all clear after cancer treatment. it had been delayed by previous strike action. a worrying time.

concerned that i was not quite sure how things would develop but feeling that i was now, personally involved with what has been going on for years with the nhs and it has actually washed up at my door. it is interesting that you are so sympathetic to the dock is, given that you have been so directly affected. mr; given that you have been so directly affected.— given that you have been so directly affected. my fight is m fiuht directly affected. my fight is my fight and _ directly affected. my fight is my fight and everybody - directly affected. my fight is i my fight and everybody else's fight. we have to save the nhs and we have to pay our doctors and we have to pay our doctors and our nurses what they are worth to stop them from going somewhere else.— somewhere else. this strike is fundamentally _ somewhere else. this strike is fundamentally about - somewhere else. this strike is fundamentally about pay. - somewhere else. this strike is fundamentally about pay. but| somewhere else. this strike is| fundamentally about pay. but a fresh analysis of senior doctor salaries and other wealthy nations reveals the pay for doctors in countries like ireland, germany and the netherlands is ahead of those in england. the average salary of a consultant is just over £212,000. but that is more than doctors earn in spain, italy

and france. ministers describe and france. ministers describe a 6% pay offer as fair and reasonable.— a 696 pay offer as fair and reasonable. ~ ., . . , reasonable. we accepted in full the recommendations - reasonable. we accepted in full the recommendations and - reasonable. we accepted in full the recommendations and we l reasonable. we accepted in full. the recommendations and we call on the bma to end this because the strikes, ultimately, will impact patients and in particular those waiting for operations.— particular those waiting for oerations. ., , ., operations. consultants have already announced _ operations. consultants have already announced more - operations. consultants have i already announced more strike daysin already announced more strike days in early october and as with a morejunior days in early october and as with a more junior colleagues, there is little sign of compromise from either side in this dispute. a reminder now of our top story this hour. the russian mercenary leader yevgeny prigozhin is reported to have been killed. this footage verified by the bbc showed the moment his private jet hurtled to earth around 300 kilometres, 200 miles north—west of moscow. pictures have emerged of the aftermath of the crash that

happened about halfway through the flight from moscow to st petersburg. the plane was at a cruising altitude. the trajectory data suggests the aircraft essentially dropped out of the sky. let's just show you the scenes in full shimmer injapan where the nuclear waste water has begun to be released. the plant operator is broadcasting footage of the treated radioactive water release at the plant. this is the beginning of a decade—long discharge process into the pacific ocean. 12 years after the meltdown at the site. the un's atomic regulatorses the discharge meets safety standards and will have a negligible impact on humans and the environment. that continuing analysis of that story and i will be back very shortly with all the days business stories. stay with us.

hello. well, it has been quite warm in the last few days, but nothing compared to what's been happening south of the english channel in france and spain. temperatures recently hit 44 celsius. and for france, a record for august. this is the anomaly map, so the orange colours show temperatures higher than average, the blue colours lower than average. but watch what happens when that jet stream takesa dip. this trough develops and pushes the heat further towards the east of europe, and the temperatures tend to ease somewhat anyway. and we have cooler weather on the way over the next few days for our neck of the woods. in fact, right now, you can see the jet streams right over us, clouds circling, an area of low pressure bringing some showers. there could be some thunderstorms early in the morning. but with low pressure in charge and these northerly winds riding around this western flank of the low, the temperatures are set to drop by a few degrees by the time we get to friday and certainly the weekend. so the outlook is things turning a little bit cooler, but there'll be some sunshine around with occasional showers.

here's the forecast then for early thursday, some rain there across northern and eastern scotland, showers elsewhere and also eyes towards the south, thunderstorms could be breaking out early in the morning as well. but it's a very mild start to the day, 12 celsius in glasgow, possibly even 17 celsius on the south coast. now on these thunderstorms, really vicious storms for a time, potentially across the channel islands, crossing the channel, heading roughly to the isle of wight, and then affecting the east, the south east that is, of england. we do think that they will probably veer off towards the east—northeast, so missing most of the south east of england. and i think anyway, for many of us through the course of thursday, it is going to be a mixture of sunny spells and showers. so most of us will not get the storms on thursday. temperatures, 17 celsius in glasgow, about 18 celsius in liverpool. still holding onto some of that warmth there in the southeast, 2a celsius. and then on friday, if you look at the wind arrows, here's the clue, the air�*s coming in from the north. sunny spells and showers, those temperatures around 16—17 celsius in scotland. in the south, 19—21 celsius, and i think we'll lose some

of that humidity, so it won't feel quite as warm. and here is the outlook through the weekend and into next week — cooler. bye— bye.

all live from london, this is bbc news. all ws. artificial intelligence chip giant nvidia sees sales more than double and plans to buy back $25 billion of its stock. while some business districts are empty, one region has seen people return to the office more than most. and the right to repair. the european parliament agreed on new rules to make it easier for users to remove and replace batteries on their devices by 2027. what difference will this legislation make? i'm samantha simmonds and here's the latest business news. the chip designer nvidia says it will buy back $25 billion more of its shares, seeing its stock fly in after—hours trading. the company, which hit more than a trillion dollars

in value earlier this year, also forecast revenue