sea. live from our studio in singapore, this is bbc news. we begin with the un general assembly and the topic of climate change. there, secretary—general antonio guterres implored policy—makers around the world to phase out climate—warming fossil fuels. humanity has opened the gates of hell. horrendous heat is having horrendous effects. distraught farmers watching crops carried away by floods, sweltering temperatures spawning disease, and thousands fleeing in fear as historic fires rage. climate action is dwarfed by the scale of the

challenge. if nothing changes, we are heading towards a 2.8—degree temperature rise towards a dangerous and unstable world. leading polluters china and the united states were absent from the talks, which was overshadowed by an announcement from britain, also not present. in a statement at downing street prime minister rishi sunak announced he was rolling back policies that would help achieve the uk's net zero goal. he said the uk will delay a ban on new petrol and diesel car sales until 2035 from the earlier target of 2030. the government will also slow the transition to heat pumps from gas boilers in homes and will not require homes to improve their insulation. sunak said previous governments had moved too quickly on setting unrealistic net zero targets without getting public support. the debate about how we get to net zero has thrown up a range of worrying proposals and today i want to confirm that under

this government, they will never happen. the proposalfor government to interfere in how many passengers you can have in your car — i've scrapped it. the proposal that we should force you to have seven different bins in your home, i've scrapped it. the proposal to make you change your diet and harm british farmers by taxing meat, or to create new taxes to discourage flying or going on holiday — i've scrapped those too. and nor will we ban new oil and gas in the north sea, which would simply leave us reliant on expensive imported energy from foreign dictators like putin. we will never impose these unnecessary and heavy—handed measures on you, the british people. but we will still meet our international commitments and hit net zero by 2050. and if we're going to change politics in the way i'm talking about, we can never allow carbon budgets to be set in the same way again.

here's how steve reed, the shadow secretary of state for environment, reacted to mr sunak�*s announcement. we had late—night speeches and then this rushed speech. i think the speech rishi sunak gave has sold out the biggest economic opportunity of the zist economic opportunity of the 21st century and that's for britain to lead the world in transitioning to the good, new jobs, well—paid, securejobs of the green economy and in doing that, he's undermining business confidence and he's deterring inward investment that will pay the wages of british workers in the wages of british workers in the future. and it's notjust me saying that. that comes from the chairman of ford, one of the chairman of ford, one of the captains of british industry. live now to our correspondent sumi somaskanda in new york. sumi, good to have you on the programme. we're look at the uk deciding to push back on climate targets sparking a lot

of conversation at the unga this time around. it of conversation at the unga this time around.— this time around. it really has, this time around. it really has. and _ this time around. it really has, and you _ this time around. it really has, and you have - this time around. it really has, and you have to - this time around. it really - has, and you have to remember that climate and climate change, combatting climate change, combatting climate change has been one of the main focuses of this united nations general assembly. focuses of this united nations generalassembly. from focuses of this united nations general assembly. from the beginning of the week, we saw this as the sustainable goals summit, we saw this during the general debate yesterday here, where world leaders touched on the need to work together on climate change, including us presidentjoe biden, who said the us and china, the two biggest polluters in the world, can find some common ground precisely on this issue. and because of this existential threat, as the secretary—general, antonio guterres, has put it, he convened this climate ambition summit today, precisely to try to move forward this topic. now, interesting to note that the secretary—general and his office decided not to invite countries or companies because business leaders were also invited that they deemed were not making enough of a commitment on climate change, so that means the united states was not present, china was not present — at least the leaders of those countries were not

present. that was seen as a bit of a barb at those countries. but instead, antonio guterres said he wanted to give a voice to those countries that are first movers, those that are really making a commitment to slash carbon emissions and to help developing countries. that's also important to note because developing countries here have long complained that they are bearing the brunt of climate change while richer nations have not paid their fair share in helping them mitigate climate change. that being said, you know, one of the countries that was present at the summit was scotland. and the first minister was there and he came out afterwards and spoke with us about how the uk's spoke with us about how the uk's decision actually was playing at that summit. well, it very firmly _ playing at that summit. well, it very firmly takes _ playing at that summit. well, it very firmly takes the - playing at that summit. well, it very firmly takes the uk - playing at that summit. well, | it very firmly takes the uk out of the — it very firmly takes the uk out of the global consensus. the global— of the global consensus. the global consensus is we need to do more — global consensus is we need to do more to tackle climate change _ do more to tackle climate change and the reason why scotland has been invited for the first _ scotland has been invited for the first time to the un for the first time to the un for the climate ambition summit is because — the climate ambition summit is because we are showing leadership. so the same day we are showing leadership, the same — are showing leadership, the same day the whole world is

gathered to talk about what more — gathered to talk about what more we can do, we have a uk prime — more we can do, we have a uk prime minister rolling back on commitments. fire prime minister rolling back on commitments.— commitments. are you saying that he's not _ commitments. are you saying that he's not showing - that he's not showing leadership?— that he's not showing leadership? that he's not showing leadershi? ., ., , ., leadership? not only he not showin: leadership? not only he not showing leadership, - leadership? not only he not showing leadership, i- leadership? not only he not showing leadership, i thinkl showing leadership, i think what — showing leadership, i think what he's doing is utterly unforgiveable. it is something that, — unforgiveable. it is something that, frankly, you would see on the fringes, not in the mainstream, in the fringes of politics — mainstream, in the fringes of politics. not in the mainstream. and what he's done is he's _ mainstream. and what he's done is he's taken the uk out of that— is he's taken the uk out of that global consensus. i've been — that global consensus. i've been speaking to heads of government. i've been talking to heads— government. i've been talking to heads of nations, and every single — to heads of nations, and every single one _ to heads of nations, and every single one i've spoken to, virtually— single one i've spoken to, virtually every single one, has asked — virtually every single one, has asked me _ virtually every single one, has asked me what on earth the prime — asked me what on earth the prime minister is doing. it's, frankly, _ prime minister is doing. it's, frankly, an _ prime minister is doing. it's, frankly, an embarrassment. what have ou frankly, an embarrassment. what have you answered? _ frankly, an embarrassment. what have you answered? i've - have you answered? i've answered _ have you answered? i've answered look, - have you answered? i've answered look, i'm - have you answered? i've answered look, i'm from scotland. i can only do what i can d0~ — scotland. i can only do what i can d0~ i_ scotland. i can only do what i can do. i promise we'll continue _ can do. i promise we'll continue to show leadership. we'tt— continue to show leadership. we'll transition away from fossil— we'll transition away from fossil fuels to renewables and commit — fossil fuels to renewables and commit to loss and damages. we'tt— commit to loss and damages. we'll continue to do everything we can— we'll continue to do everything we canto — we'll continue to do everything we can to get the uk government to u-turn, _ we can to get the uk government to u—turn, to change course. because — to u—turn, to change course. because it — to u—turn, to change course. because it is simply unforgiveable because our children and future generations will be — children and future generations will be the ones who will suffer— will be the ones who will suffer as a result. and the uk has lost — suffer as a result. and the uk has lost a _ suffer as a result. and the uk

has lost a lot of influence over— has lost a lot of influence over the _ has lost a lot of influence over the years post brexit. it's — over the years post brexit. it's now. _ over the years post brexit. it's now, i'm afraid, diminished, i think, it's now, i'm afraid, diminished, ithink, beyond recognition. if diminished, ithink, beyond recognition.— recognition. if you look at what rishi _ recognition. if you look at what rishi sunak - recognition. if you look at what rishi sunak has - recognition. if you look at | what rishi sunak has said, recognition. if you look at - what rishi sunak has said, he has said that people are struggling with cost of living and the uk will still be able to meet its climate goals. what's your response to that? just as a side, of course, people _ just as a side, of course, people are struggling with the cost—of—living crisis because he's — cost—of—living crisis because he's predecessor completely tanked — he's predecessor completely tanked the economy with a mini budget— tanked the economy with a mini budget that meant inflation went— budget that meant inflation went up beyond 10%. but let's put that— went up beyond 10%. but let's put that to the side for a moment, he's right. people are suffering — moment, he's right. people are suffering a _ moment, he's right. people are suffering a cost—of—living crisis. _ suffering a cost—of—living crisis. so _ suffering a cost—of—living crisis, so it's incumbent on government to step up and support— government to step up and support people. so in scotland, for example, when it comes to if you — for example, when it comes to if you want— for example, when it comes to if you want to provide —— buy an electric— if you want to provide —— buy an electric vehicle, we provide monetary— an electric vehicle, we provide monetary support. when it comes from _ monetary support. when it comes from changing your heating system _ from changing your heating system to a zero emission system, _ system to a zero emission system, we provide funding. with— system, we provide funding. with provide funding in order to transition away from oil and -as to transition away from oil and gas and — to transition away from oil and gas and towards renewables. governments have to step up, not step— governments have to step up, not step back. 35st governments have to step up, not step back.— not step back. at the same time, not step back. at the same time. it's — not step back. at the same time, it's going _ not step back. at the same time, it's going to -

not step back. at the same time, it's going to be - time, it's going to be difficult to climate change. it's all about difficult choices. let's not pretend. let's — choices. let's not pretend. let's not _ choices. let's not pretend. let's not equivocate. this is going — let's not equivocate. this is going to _ let's not equivocate. this is going to be difficult. the climate catastrophe deserves difficult — climate catastrophe deserves difficult choices. we have to make — difficult choices. we have to make difficult choices. if we don't. — make difficult choices. if we don't, what we saw this summer, all of— don't, what we saw this summer, all of the — don't, what we saw this summer, all of the scenes of devastation across the world, including, of course, here in the — including, of course, here in the united states, it will be worse — the united states, it will be worse next year and worse the year _ worse next year and worse the year after _ worse next year and worse the year after and the year after and — year after and the year after and the _ year after and the year after and the year after. it's more expensive, both to economic costs. — expensive, both to economic costs. irut— expensive, both to economic costs, but human cost to do nothing _ costs, but human cost to do nothing i_ costs, but human cost to do nothinu. ., ., _, costs, but human cost to do nothin. ., ., . ,, costs, but human cost to do nothin.. . ., .., . ~' ., nothing. i want to come back to our nothing. i want to come back to your point _ nothing. i want to come back to your point about _ nothing. i want to come back to your point about the _ nothing. i want to come back to your point about the uk's - nothing. i want to come back to your point about the uk's place | your point about the uk's place in the world, because we spoke a little bit earlier to the former us vice—president al gore, and he said he was also befuddled. he doesn't, of course, have any thoughts on uk politics as he's not a citizen, but he's befuddled by the decision. he said the following. he said he has spoken to members of the conservative party "who have used the phrase utter disgust and contempt and young people feel really strongly about this". is that the sentiment in scotland as well?— scotland as well? they'll feel betrayed- _ scotland as well? they'll feel betrayed. the _ scotland as well? they'll feel betrayed. the difference - scotland as well? they'll feel

betrayed. the difference is i scotland as well? they'll feeli betrayed. the difference is at least — betrayed. the difference is at least people in scotland have a scottish — least people in scotland have a scottish government that can try to — scottish government that can try to prevent some of the harm that's— try to prevent some of the harm that's coming from westminster. but we _ that's coming from westminster. but we can't do all of it. we can't — but we can't do all of it. we can't protect them entirely because _ can't protect them entirely because the full levers are not in our— because the full levers are not in our hand. and al gore is absolutely right. there is utter— absolutely right. there is utter disgust, i think, absolutely right. there is utter disgust, ithink, at absolutely right. there is utter disgust, i think, at the uk government's u—turn, the prime _ uk government's u—turn, the prime minister's u—turn in dumbing _ prime minister's u—turn in dumping some of these pledges. i dumping some of these pledges. i don't _ dumping some of these pledges. i don't even think electorally, it's going _ i don't even think electorally, it's going to work for him either~ _ it's going to work for him either. ~ ., ., , ., ., _ either. what do you mean by that? i either. what do you mean by that? l think _ either. what do you mean by that? l think he's _ either. what do you mean by that? i think he's taken - either. what do you mean by that? i think he's taken a - that? i think he's taken a political _ that? i think he's taken a political calculation. - that? i think he's taken a political calculation. he'si political calculation. he's looked _ political calculation. he's looked at some number somewhere that's— looked at some number somewhere that's been— looked at some number somewhere that's been given to him that says— that's been given to him that says if— that's been given to him that says if you go on this issue, it will— says if you go on this issue, it will help you in the poll. i really — it will help you in the poll. i really don't think it will. i think— really don't think it will. i think most people out there see the news, — think most people out there see the news, see the pictures, see the news, see the pictures, see the devastation and what they don't — the devastation and what they don't want is their world leaders _ don't want is their world leaders or their heads of government, regardless of politics. _ government, regardless of politics, to roll back. they want — politics, to roll back. they want them to step up. that's what — want them to step up. that's what the _ want them to step up. that's what the scottish government will do — what the scottish government will do. it'sjust a shame that uk government, as i say, have further— uk government, as i say, have further diminished their standing in the world by this nonsensical announcement. again, _ nonsensical announcement. again, rishi sunak would make the argument that his constituents in the uk would say we need to bring down the costs of energy at a time when

people are really struggling to pay the bills at the end of the month and in the meantime, while meeting 2050 goals, it is important to make sure people can get by. important to make sure people can get by— can get by. and look, i agree that peeple _ can get by. and look, i agree that people are _ can get by. and look, i agree that people are struggling. . can get by. and look, i agree | that people are struggling. so the responsibility for the uk government is to make sure that they do— government is to make sure that they do energy market reform. why don't— they do energy market reform. why don't they make sure they price _ why don't they make sure they price renewable energy so that it is. _ price renewable energy so that it is, of— price renewable energy so that it is, of course, cheaper than electric— it is, of course, cheaper than electric and gas? look, on our west— electric and gas? look, on our west coast, _ electric and gas? look, on our west coast, we have the united states— west coast, we have the united states that have brought in the inflation — states that have brought in the inflation reduction act. they've _ inflation reduction act. they've shown that they're will to but — they've shown that they're will to put money to incentivise, to bring _ to put money to incentivise, to bring that— to put money to incentivise, to bring that investment in renewable technologies to their country — renewable technologies to their country. on our east coast, we have _ country. on our east coast, we have the — country. on our east coast, we have the eu, who's done a green deal— have the eu, who's done a green deal partnership. and what's the uk — deal partnership. and what's the uk done? they've twiddled their— the uk done? they've twiddled their thumbs, they've sat on their— their thumbs, they've sat on their hands, they've decided that— their hands, they've decided that they're not going to do anything. and that's bad for our planet but it's also really bad for — our planet but it's also really bad for the cost—of—living crisis _ bad for the cost—of—living crisis. scotland has an abundance of renewable technology. if you've been to scotland, which i know you have, — scotland, which i know you have, it's _ scotland, which i know you have, it's a windy plus, which is not — have, it's a windy plus, which is not grate for your tourist experience but is great for

renewables. but the uk government have never priced it properly— government have never priced it properly and it could mean cheaper— properly and it could mean cheaper energy for everyone in the uk — cheaper energy for everyone in the uk a— cheaper energy for everyone in the uk. �* cheaper energy for everyone in the uk. ~ ._ , cheaper energy for everyone in the uk. ~ , ., ., cheaper energy for everyone in the uk. ~ ., ., cheaper energy for everyone in theuk.~ the uk. a few days ago you said scotland would _ the uk. a few days ago you said scotland would transition - the uk. a few days ago you said scotland would transition to - the uk. a few days ago you said scotland would transition to be l scotland would transition to be the net zero capital and provide moral leadership on the climate crisis but can scotland actually still do that with the prime minister's announcement today? do prime minister's announcement toda ? ~ ., ., , today? do you know what? i wish i could today? do you know what? i wish i could give _ today? do you know what? i wish i could give you _ today? do you know what? i wish i could give you the _ today? do you know what? i wish i could give you the absolute - i could give you the absolute straight _ i could give you the absolute straight answer and say definitely. the difficulty is well— definitely. the difficulty is we'll need to look at what the uk government have done and whether— uk government have done and whether that impacts us because many— whether that impacts us because many of— whether that impacts us because many of the levers still exist with— many of the levers still exist with the _ many of the levers still exist with the uk government. the power— with the uk government. the power is _ with the uk government. the power is in their hands over a number— power is in their hands over a numberof— power is in their hands over a number of issues. sol power is in their hands over a number of issues. so i need to look— number of issues. so i need to look at — number of issues. so i need to look at the _ number of issues. so i need to look at the detail of that. what _ look at the detail of that. what i _ look at the detail of that. what i won't do is i won't step back— what i won't do is i won't step back on— what i won't do is i won't step back on my ambition. 0ur ambition— back on my ambition. 0ur ambition remains to be net zero five years— ambition remains to be net zero five years earlier than the uk in 2045 _ five years earlier than the uk in 2045. that remains the ambition— in 2045. that remains the ambition and even if the uk government put roadblock after roadblock, ourjob will be to find — roadblock, ourjob will be to find a — roadblock, ourjob will be to find a way to overcome that. i understand you have to go back and look at the details but what concrete steps you can take —— can you take, that is scotland, to move forward despite the restrictions from the uk? i despite the restrictions from the uk? , , ., ., the uk? i suppose one of the bi est the uk? i suppose one of the biggest things _ the uk? i suppose one of the biggest things is _ the uk? i suppose one of the biggest things is put - the uk? i suppose one of the biggest things is put up, - the uk? i suppose one of the biggest things is put up, as l the uk? i suppose one of the l biggest things is put up, as we have _ biggest things is put up, as we

have agreed to do, £500 million for the _ have agreed to do, £500 million for the just transition from oil and _ for the just transition from oil and gas to renewables. because, look, ultimately, we don't— because, look, ultimately, we don't want to leave a single oil and _ don't want to leave a single oil and gas worker on the scrapheap. that's not fair. that's _ scrapheap. that's not fair. that's not _ scrapheap. that's not fair. that's not a just transition. so we _ that's not a just transition. so we have to invest. what i've said _ so we have to invest. what i've said to — so we have to invest. what i've said to the _ so we have to invest. what i've said to the uk government is, look. — said to the uk government is, look. you _ said to the uk government is, look, you have extracted billions _ look, you have extracted billions of pounds to the uk treasury, hundreds of billions, over— treasury, hundreds of billions, over the — treasury, hundreds of billions, over the decades, from oil and gas _ over the decades, from oil and gas put — over the decades, from oil and gas put a _ over the decades, from oil and gas. put a fraction of that back— gas. put a fraction of that back in— gas. put a fraction of that back in order to help us with a 'ust back in order to help us with a just transition and that's what i'd just transition and that's what i'd urge — just transition and that's what i'd urge the prime minister to do. i'd urge the prime minister to do, ., ., “ , i'd urge the prime minister to do. ., ., ~ , , do. so one of the key debates about the _ do. so one of the key debates about the uk's _ do. so one of the key debates about the uk's climate - do. so one of the key debates l about the uk's climate ambition is over rows bank, the largest oilfields, that is still untapped. now, with the prime minister's announcements, will you push for that to indeed remain untapped? i’m you push for that to indeed remain untapped?— you push for that to indeed remain untapped? i'm not at all convinced _ remain untapped? i'm not at all convinced that _ remain untapped? i'm not at all convinced that rosebank - remain untapped? i'm not at all convinced that rosebank should be going — convinced that rosebank should be going ahead for quite obvious reasons, i think, particularly the argument around _ particularly the argument around energy security, when the majority of rose bank as you rightly say is oil and that oil then— you rightly say is oil and that oil then gets exported. it doesn't _ oil then gets exported. it doesn't stay in scotland or indeed _ doesn't stay in scotland or indeed the uk. what i would say is if you — indeed the uk. what i would say is if you want another example of the — is if you want another example of the abdication of political responsibility from the prime

minister, he came up to scotland, i mean, a week, two weeks — scotland, i mean, a week, two weeks at — scotland, i mean, a week, two weeks at most after the secretary—general of the un said — secretary—general of the un said thatjuly was secretary—general of the un said that july was said to secretary—general of the un said thatjuly was said to be the hottest month in human history— the hottest month in human history -- _ the hottest month in human history —— set to be. and unlimited _ history —— set to be. and unlimited oil and gas extraction is not going to help scotland, the uk, and most importantly it isn't going to help— importantly it isn't going to help the planet.— importantly it isn't going to help the planet. what message are ou help the planet. what message are you taking _ help the planet. what message are you taking back _ help the planet. what message are you taking back from - help the planet. what message are you taking back from this i are you taking back from this un general assembly? particularly on climate, back to the uk?— to the uk? pretty simple message- _ to the uk? pretty simple message. we _ to the uk? pretty simple message. we all - to the uk? pretty simple message. we all have i to the uk? pretty simple message. we all have to j to the uk? pretty simple i message. we all have to do more — message. we all have to do more we _ message. we all have to do more. we have to do that with pace _ more. we have to do that with pace and — more. we have to do that with pace and urgency and let's stop overcomplicating the matter. we have _ overcomplicating the matter. we have to _ overcomplicating the matter. we have to put up the finance in order— have to put up the finance in order to _ have to put up the finance in order to transition. we have to make — order to transition. we have to make sure _ order to transition. we have to make sure that we work with the global— make sure that we work with the global south around loss and damages and we have to phase out oil— damages and we have to phase out oil and gas. it is actually pretty— out oil and gas. it is actually pretty simple when you boil it down — pretty simple when you boil it down and we have to take collective action and scotland is certainly willing to play her — is certainly willing to play her part. is certainly willing to play her part-— is certainly willing to play her art. , ~ , ., ~ her part. first minister, thank ou so her part. first minister, thank you so much _ her part. first minister, thank you so much for— her part. first minister, thank you so much forjoining - her part. first minister, thank you so much forjoining us. i you so much forjoining us. thank you for your time. so the first minister _ thank you for your time. so the first minister there _ thank you for your time. so the first minister there clearly i first minister there clearly and unsurprisingly very critical of the british prime minister rishi sunak and his

decision, his announcement today, saying that he has abdicated political responsibility. i should add that here at the un, the secretary—general, antonio guterres, was critical of all rich and developing countries that he says have not done enough and just one more note — he called on all of them to end fossilfuel subsidies, he called on all of them to end fossil fuel subsidies, saying the following — the naked greed of entrenched interests are raking in billions from fossil fuels. thank you very much for getting us all those updates from new york. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. now its current owners are reluctantly putting this remarkable piece of history back on the market. the one thing i do think about is the

size of the front door because it is a hinged door and if you look at the step it is so worn out. but yet i hope it will go into a good pair of hands. goodness, how close you are. the shop's beauty and its history has made it his featured in dramas watched by many across the world and residents are relieved that whoever buys it next we'll have to keep it as a shop and a post office. i to keep it as a shop and a post office. ., . to keep it as a shop and a post office. . , . ., office. i have been coming here for 36 years — office. i have been coming here for 36 years. it _ office. i have been coming here for 36 years. it was _ office. i have been coming here for 36 years. it was a _ office. i have been coming here for 36 years. it was a little i for 36 years. it was a little grocer�*s shop when i first came here. grocer's shop when i first came here. ., ., , ., here. for more stories from across the _ here. for more stories from across the uk, _ here. for more stories from across the uk, head - here. for more stories from across the uk, head to i here. for more stories from across the uk, head to the l here. for more stories from i across the uk, head to the bbc news website. you're live with bbc news. the latest on the conflict in azerbaijan. azerbaijan's president, ilham aliyev, says he has restored full sovereignty over the armenian—majority region of nagorno—karabakh, which has been ruled as an unrecognised breakaway republic since 1991. in a statement after accepting a ceasefire deal from the separatist forces,

mr aliyev insisted he had nothing against the ethnic armenian population, only what he called their "criminal leadership". mr aliev launched a military offensive two days ago, claiming that troops from neighbouring armenia were on ground in nagorno—karabakh. armenian officials denied those claims and said azerbaijan had carried out a clear violation of international law. despite those reassurances, many armenians appear to be fleeing the region. russian peacekeepers say they've already evacuated at least 2000 people. reports say hundreds, if not thousands, have headed to the region's main airport. some ethnic armenian officials say thousands more have been displaced. meanwhile, thousands of people have gathered in the armenian capital, yerevan, to protest about the government's perceived failure to support the breakaway republic. reyhan demetrie has more. the wednesday ceasefire agreement marks the failure of

agreement marks the failure of a 35 year struggle of the carramar comedians for self—determination. uncertainty now looms over their 120,000 ethnic armenians living in the region. almost everybody there is a family member who fought in wars with azerbaijan and many fear persecution. azerbaijan says that the rights of ethnic armenians will be guaranteed under its constitution but there is very little or no trust between the two communities. azerbaijan's anti—terror operation was the final push by barcoo to regain territory that lost in the 19905, territory that lost in the 1990s, with the aim to return hundreds of thousands of azerbaijani's displaced by the conflict. the republic of armenia, which supported karabakh armenians both financially and militarily, has suffered a bitter defeat and its relation with russia once a powerful ally have reached a new low.

let's take a look at some other stories in the headlines. poland's prime minister, mateusz morawiecki, has said his country will no longer send weapons to ukraine. a diplomatic dispute between warsaw and kyiv about grain exports has quickly escalated. poland has banned the sale of ukrainian grain overfears that large quantities of imports will hurt ——could hurt polish farmers. president biden and israeli prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, have pledged to work together to forge diplomatic relations between israel and saudi arabia. the joint declaration followed face—to—face talks between the two leaders at the un general assembly in new york. president biden reiterated his support for a two—state solution to the israeli—palestinian conflict. a policy saudi arabia considers essential for any normalisation of ties with israel. the indian government has introduced a bill guaranteeing a third of seats for women in the lower house of parliament and state assemblies. the contentious bill, first proposed in 1996, has been pending for decades amid opposition from some political parties.

its revival is expected to boost the governing bharatiya janata pa rty�*s fortunes in general elections next may. ——next year a powerful... leaving a trail of destruction. footage of the open up shows powerlines on fire and cars overturned. according to the state media, five people are known to have died and hundreds of people were temporarily relocated because of the tornado. staying with more news from china. syria's president bashar al—assad will head to china later this week in his first visit to beijing since the start of his country's 12—year conflict during which china has been one of his main backers. china has been expanding its reach in the middle east after mediating a deal in march between saudi arabia and iran, and it continues to support assad in the syrian war. earlier i spoke to ibrahim

al—assil, a fellow at the middle east institute in washington, dc. i started by asking him how important this meeting is for both countries. aside of course needs any kind of help that it can get to regenerate his global legitimacy. but also it is clear that china is trying to challenge the american led world order by inviting somebody who has been — who has committed over a decade multiple crimes against humanity and killed over 500,000 civilians inside syria and displaced millions of refugees in the region and in other places around the world. those syrians are still suffering and this trip will not make their lives better but i think this comes as a very interesting time when china is trying to assert itself on the global stage as a competitor with the united states and also at the same time it is trying

to increase its influence in the region two in the middle east and of course syria is a place where it can show that influence and can try to find any opportunities where it can copy lies on. any opportunities where it can copy lies on-— copy lies on. and in your opinion. _ copy lies on. and in your opinion, how _ copy lies on. and in your opinion, how are - copy lies on. and in your opinion, how are the i copy lies on. and in your. opinion, how are the west copy lies on. and in your- opinion, how are the west be watching these developments? unfortunately, over the last few months we have not seen a strong response from the biden administration were talking about the united states. in particular, the biter administration... human rights at the centre of their policy. marine biologist at the university of plymouth have spent the last 20 years trying to identify the source of micro plastics, the tiny particles found on land and sea. it has long been known that many come from plastic bottles and bags, cosmetics and even clothing fibres but the team has now identified another kind of micro plastic polluting these waters and it has surprised them. you are the details.

millions of vehicles use our roads in britain are. every time their wheels turn, the ties leave something behind. tiny particles of rubber. now marine biologist are trying to find outjust how many of them are ending up in the sea. i’m are ending up in the sea. i'm holdin: are ending up in the sea. i'm holding a _ are ending up in the sea. i'm holding a bag _ are ending up in the sea. i'm holding a bag about four kilograms of tiny bits of rubber, _ kilograms of tiny bits of rubber, particles generated when — rubber, particles generated when you drive along the road. every _ when you drive along the road. every time _ when you drive along the road. every time he put the brake on the friction generates tiny particles which enter the environment, including the marine _ environment, including the marine environment here. beneath— marine environment here. beneath the surface even plymouth, amongst the cuttlefish and lobsters, the tieback particles are so small they are impossible to see. so they are impossible to see. so the scientists here have had to develop new test to try to measure how many are ending up in the sea. i measure how many are ending up in the sea-—

in the sea. i have been sampling _ in the sea. i have been sampling sediments i in the sea. i have been i sampling sediments from underneath and the s3 sampling sediments from underneath and the 53 such as where — underneath and the 53 such as where it— underneath and the 53 such as where it rains all the particles get washed into the waterway. we have also been looking — waterway. we have also been looking at the fallout from the atmosphere next to a road where and also — atmosphere next to a road where and also looking for tire particles in surface waters and seeing — particles in surface waters and seeing if— particles in surface waters and seeing if they get any taken out to— seeing if they get any taken out to sea. seeing if they get any taken out to sea-— seeing if they get any taken out to sea. let's see what we have got — out to sea. let's see what we have got in — out to sea. let's see what we have got in this _ out to sea. let's see what we have got in this first - out to sea. let's see what we have got in this first sample. | have got in this first sample. today they are skipping up mud from the tema s3.— today they are skipping up mud from the tema s3. when we get this back to _ from the tema s3. when we get this back to the _ from the tema s3. when we get this back to the lab _ from the tema s3. when we get this back to the lab we - from the tema s3. when we get this back to the lab we can i this back to the lab we can work out what the proportion of tire particles is amongst the natural, natural mud we expect to be on the seabed. find natural, natural mud we expect to be on the seabed.— to be on the seabed. and this is what they _ to be on the seabed. and this is what they will _ to be on the seabed. and this is what they will find - to be on the seabed. and this is what they will find under i is what they will find under the microscope — black, elongated rubber particles, finer than a grain of sand. new chemical test give the team are much better idea of how many there really are. we much better idea of how many there really are.— much better idea of how many there really are. we have been tracin: there really are. we have been tracing micro — there really are. we have been tracing micro plastics - there really are. we have been tracing micro plastics and i there really are. we have been tracing micro plastics and the l tracing micro plastics and the environment for 30 years. we have traced the sources, looked at the microfibres and from cosmetics and clothing, but i think the biggest proportion could be from tire particles. it might be as much as to

thirds of micro plastics entering the environment. what about the impact _ entering the environment. what about the impact on _ entering the environment. what about the impact on humans? it is a long way from getting the answers in terms of possible effects on human health and i do not want to ring the alarm bell on that but certainly the concern is there and that is why we are probing into those questions a bit more.- why we are probing into those questions a bit more. since the team started — questions a bit more. since the team started this _ questions a bit more. since the team started this research i questions a bit more. since the team started this research six i team started this research six years ago, they have been looking at ways to reduce this form of plastic pollution. taste form of plastic pollution. we are onlyjust _ form of plastic pollution. - are onlyjust learning about are only just learning about what are onlyjust learning about what the potential solutions to this emerging problem are. they are likely to lie in better driver behaviour, correct adjustment of the tyres, but probably most importantly you can help reduce emissions of plastic to the environment by better design.— plastic to the environment by better design. scientists have manaued better design. scientists have managed to — better design. scientists have managed to extract _ better design. scientists have managed to extract what i better design. scientists have managed to extract what is i managed to extract what is known as genetic messenger material from an extinct species the tasmanian tiger, the last known animal seen here in footage died in 1936. it is the first time scientists have

recovered... messenger molecules which read the code from animal's dna until source what to do with it. it raises hope that extinct animals likely will, woolly mammoth my day 21—day be brought back. that is all that on this edition of newsday. thank you for watching and do stay with bbc news. hello, there. wednesday was a wet and a windy day starting off across north—west wales, capel curig, where we had gusts of wind of 70 miles an hour. it was here where we also saw some very heavy rain. over the space of 36 hours, 133 millimetres fell — a good chunk of the september average. and so far this month, we've actually had 226 millimetres of rain, so it has already been a wetter september than average. and, of course, there's more of septemberjust around the corner. the same area of low pressure that brought all of us wet and windy weather conditions stays to the north of the uk over the next couple of days,

and certainly windy at the moment with rain in scotland. another rain band slowly pulling away from east anglia and south—east england. what follows essentially for england and wales is a day of sunny spells and showers. however, that low pressure will continue to bring strong winds to scotland and to northern ireland. and, infact, it's notjust windy — this band of rain will push its way southwards, so the rain does return to the central lowlands and to northern ireland after a sunny start. for england and wales, those showers really get going into the afternoon, and i think across parts of wales and south west england, some of the showers will merge together to give some really intense downpours. it could be pretty prolonged, as well. temperatures quite close to average, really — about 15 to 19 degrees celsius. 0n into friday, it's the same story. the low pressure is still there for northern scotland. these strong north—westerly winds bringing frequent showers to the north and western side of the uk, but into the afternoon there'll be showers popping up in the east, as well. some of them could be heavy — again, with the odd rumble of thunder — and the temperatures not really changing too much,

about 15 to 18 degrees celsius. feeling cool in the north, given those strong winds. now, heading into saturday, another change — we'll get a ridge of high pressure building in ahead of this next weather system. what all this means is that saturday, actually, is going to be an ok day. 0k, there'll be a few showers for northern scotland, but most of us will have a fine and sunny morning. make the most of that because cloud will tend to build in, and certainly into the afternoon we'll start to see some rain arriving in northern ireland, and perhaps fringe into western scotland, but that is towards the end of the day and, overall, saturday's looking 0k. by sunday, well, the low pressure in the atlanticjust nudges a bit closer, we've got another band of rain moving into the west, and so it does turn quite windy and increasingly unsettled with rain and showers around, and that's probably going to stay with us, as well, into the early part of next week.

higherfor longer — higher for longer — the higherfor longer — the us federal reserve holds steady on interest rates, but warns that the fight against inflation is far from over. and reviving tourism in the land of smiles. we look into why thailand is anxiously awaiting the return of chinese visitors. hello and welcome to asia business report.

we begin with the latest monetary policy decision by the us federal reserve, which is keeping rates unchanged. but not without leaving the door open to an increase, possibly before the end of the year. 0fficials before the end of the year. officials are feeling more optimistic about growth in the world's largest economy, but they are also saying that they expect rates to stay higher for a little longer. and this is how the wall street decided to the news. all the three major us stock indices retreated in the wake of the announcement. the bbc�*s correspondent has the latest from new york. the us federal reserve left interest rates steady between 5.25% and 5.5%, its highest level in over two decades, as it weighed up its next steps. now, officials at america's central bank signalled that they are prepared to hike one more time this year. they also don't expect to cut rates by as much next year as they have suggested perhaps in the past.

fed chairjerome powell explained why central