as one of the chairs of the minsk group?n't think so, because on the one hand, it's both much more basic and simple, but also complicated, in terms of the paradox. russia, through a unilateral military deployment of peacekeepers in november, was able to stop the fighting. and even the west, even washington and brussels agree that it is this russian deployment that represents an accidental shared interest in post-war stability. and, in many ways, pressure is mounting against azerbaijan, which is still an open defiance of the moscow brokered ceasefire. and it's not just the border dispute. it's prisoners of war in azerbaijani captivity that have yet to be returned to armenia, making it much more of a state of war. but i am optimistic over the longer term, because in many ways, there is no military solution going forward. the return to diplomacy and moreover. -- the return to diplomacy. and moreover, armenia just accomplished yet another free and fair election, giving a rare degree of legitimacy to a democratically elected gove

sarah rainsford, bbc news, minsk. never mind life on mars — how about living on mars?r people who will do virtually that — spend a year in a martian habitat, designed to recreate the atmosphere and life that astronauts might experience on the red planet. they will live in mars dune alpha, a 1,700—square—foot habitat, placed inside a building at thejohnson space center in houston. earlier i spoke to melodie yashar, director of architecture and building performance at icon, the company which will help design and build the mars dune alpha habitat for nasa. i asked how on earth one builds up the credentials to work on such an amazing project. that's a great question. we are in a very fortunate position, working with a renowned architecture firm, and together we are synthesising the requirements compiled by nasa to put together the programme for this habitat. what does that mean in real terms? what are you having to accommodate? we had to accommodate living and working spaces for four crew members to be conducting research and tolerating one another for an entire year, and

despite everything. >> sarah joined us for minsk.se of this attempt to repatriate the olympic sprinter, the trial of the opposition leaders, the president is being accused of oppression by western leaders. does that have any impact within belarus itself? >> certainly at this point not on the belarusian leadership. it is a valid and justified crackdown, essentially on attempt to seize power. that was what we were se play out here in minsk today. we were not allowed inside the court but following what was happening, two key figures from the opposition protests here are facing extremely serious charges. up to 12 years in jail, they are accused of a major plot to over throw the government. this is for peaceful protests, they have spread across this country almost exactly a year ago. this was all western back ishe narrative. not genuine discontent but some kind of outside interference to try and unseat him. that's the way it is playing out officially here but despite the very real feel -- the real fear, particularly away from the cameras

sarah rainsford, bbc news, minsk.61 new infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period, which means on average there were 27,747 new cases per day in the last week. 37 deaths were recorded in the last 24 hours. that's an average of 88 a day in the last seven days. 89% of adults in the uk have now had theirfirstjab, and nearly 75% are fully vaccinated. almost all of scotland's remaining coronavirus restrictions have been lifted. it means an end to social distancing and limits on indoor gathering, although the wearing of masks is still compulsory in some public spaces. the first minister nicola sturgeon says it's the right moment to try to get back to normality. but she warned that the pandemic is not over. here's lorna gordon. a warning, her report contains flashing images. back on stage at the edinburgh fringe, and ready to welcome bigger crowds. it's a big day for the cast here, and the country, as nearly all of scotland's covid restrictions are lifted. this show expanding its audience overnight. if we were going t

bbc news, minsk. laura: how dissent is crushed.other news, andrew cuomo faces auncertain political future as governor of new york state after an investigation found he sexually harassed women while in office. the state attorney general the tisha james says the inquiry revealed the governor hassed many women, many of them young, by engaging in unwanted groping, kissing, hugging, and inappropriate comments. president biden has called on the governor to resign.mr. cuomo has respded by saying he never touched anyone inappropriately. an official examining a landmark amazon union in alabama has recommended a rerun. amazon had seemed to stop the union from forming, winning by a margin of two to one come up at the retail wholesale and department are unit alleged amazon illegally pressured workers.amazon says it plans to appeal. authorities and the chinese city of wuhan say its entire population, 11 million people, are going to be tested for covid. the announcement comes a day after seven cases of the highly infectious delta variant were re

sarah rainsford, bbc news, minsk.t on that story from our reporter in tokyo mariko oi. what can you tell us? several news agencies narraport that krystsina tsimanouskaya has arrived at tokyo airport early this morning. she has now arrived at narita airport, tokyo. there is a direct flight to warsaw in just over one hour. in poland she has been granted a humanitarian visa and she can choose to continue her training as an athlete according to the government there. this all started last week when she complained about being asked to participate in a competition and last—minute. she criticised the coach before she was then sent to haneda airport before she was attempted to send home. she didn't feel safe, was in police custody or protection, rather, before she was sent to the polish embassy, which is where she left this morning. the ioc has now started its official investigation. the belarus international olympic committee says the reason she was sent home was because of her emotional state, which she denies. she also says

from minsk, sarah rainsford reports. alexander lukashenko calls this his "big conversation."f the talking. exactly a year after his controversial re—election as president, we were in minsk to question him on the mass protests and the repression that followed. and, on international sanctions, including new measures introduced today by the uk. translation: you can choke on your sanctions in britain. l we didn't know what britain was for a thousand years and we don't want to know now. you are american lapdogs. applause. but the punishment is for the vicious suppression of the protests and the torture of hundreds of detainees. after such brutality, i wanted to know how alexander lukashenko could possibly stay on as president. translation: it's fake, dear girl. - it's fake. why would they be tortured? they weren't even under investigation. if people had bruises, they got them on the streets when they threw themselves at riot police. well, that was quite a performance by lukashenko. obviously, very comfortable and very confident here, still in his presidential palace. he shrugged o

sarah rainsford, bbc news, minsk.is suing major us gun companies, accusing them of failing to stop the illegal flow of weapons across the border. thousands of murders in mexico have been linked to the trafficking of arms. mexican foreign minister, marcelo ebrard, says his country is seeking billions of dollars in compensation. translation: what is | the goal of this lawsuit? what is mexico trying to achieve? what is the objective? first, the defendant companies compensate the mexican government for the damages caused by the negligent practices. well, earlier i spoke to the loan grillo, a journalist and author covering the violence in mexico and asked whether this law suit was anything more than symbolic. i think it is, i think it's significant for two reasons. one is that — i mean, if you see a lot of changes in us industries over the years, a lot of it has — you know, like the tobacco industry, the pharmaceutical industry with opioids being described — a lot of the big chains have come from lawsuits. and this lawsuit

sarah rainsford, bbc news, minsk.is suing major us gun companies, accusing them of failing to stop the illegal flow of weapons across the border. thousands of murders in mexico have been linked to the trafficking of arms. mexican foreign minister, marcelo ebrard, says his country is seeking billions of dollars in compensation. translation: what is the goal of this lawsuit? _ translation: what is the goal of this lawsuit? what _ translation: what is the goal of this lawsuit? what is - translation: what is the goal of this lawsuit? what is mexico| of this lawsuit? what is mexico trying to achieve? what is the objective? first, the company compensated the mexican government for the damages caused by the negligent practices. we can now speak to the author and journalist ioan grillo. he recently covered this subject in his book blood gun money: how america arms gangs and cartels. it is good to have you with us. is this lawsuit anything more than symbolic? i think it is, i than symbolic? ithink it is, ithink it than symboli

from minsk, sarah rainsford reports.safety secured. the belarusian athlete says she just wants to run. her life was sports, not politics until a row with her coaches left her too scared to go home. but here inside belarus, state television has slammed her claims as cheap hype. "the only thing timanovskaya won in tokyo," this presenter says, "is a polish visa." on the streets of minsk, though, we did find sympathy for the sprinter who's fled because there's zero tolerance of dissent here now. "we're all afraid," dmitri says. "me, too, sometimes, because the situation is unstable." the danger is real. we passed the prison where opposition activists have been locked up since mass protests last year. but somehow maria kolesnikova is still smiling. the protest leader appeared in court today charged with plotting to seize power. she and a fellow activist are facing 12 years behind bars. maria's father brought her flowers. but had to pass them on via her lawyer. alexander hasn't been allowed to see his daughterfor ten months, a

sarah rainsford, bbc news, minsk.is the scene live at narita airport in tokyo where the belarus sprinter krystina simanovskaya is about to board a plane to warsaw. the 24—year—old had posted on social media a few days ago that she had been entered in competition by belarus and officials, she refused and they then tried to get her to fly home which she said she did not want to do. subsequently, poland offered her a humanitarian visa and that is where she is due to depart for the next 20 minutes or so. she spent the last night at the polish embassy injapan with police protection and that she was taken to the airport where we are expecting her flight to take off as i say in about 20 minutes. mariko oi is in tokyo. bring us up—to—date on developments. we saw her leaving the polish embassy this morning, she has arrived at narita airport, she is on the plane about to depart, there is a direct flight from tokyo to warsaw that leaves at 1020 local time in about 15 minutes�* time, in poland, she's been granted a humanitarian v

sarah rainsford, bbc news, minsk.e fighting in the past 24 hours, as the taliban and government forces battle for control of helmand's provincial capital. it said thousands of people in lashkar gah have been displaced. the un also highlighted concerns about peoples' homes being occupied by fighters. wildfires raging in southern parts of turkey are continuing to burn out of control. firefighters are struggling to deal with several blazes in coastal resorts like marmaris, where helicopters have been used to drop water on flames burning through trees and undergrowth. the huge container ship that disrupted global trade, when it got stuck across the suez canal in march, has now arrived at the port of felixstowe in suffolk. the ever given, owned by the evergreen corporation, finally set sail last month, after egypt signed a compensation deal with its owners and insurers. our correspondent theo leggett is in felixstowe. we know all about the headlines, but what lessons do you think have been learned? i what lessons do you th

sarah rainsford, bbc news, minsk.s is the scene live at narita airport in tokyo as this is the flight where krystsina tsimanouskaya has boarded. it is a flight that is heading to vienna, austria, not warsaw in poland as was originally thought. there was a degree of confusion around this because poland had offered krystsina tsimanouskaya a humanitarian visa. a lot of photographers and journalists arrived at the airport. there was a flurry of activity and then we saw her rushing to a different gate. and the meantime, the flight to warsaw had taken off without her on board. then they gathered at the gateway this plan was boarding, the plane heading to vienna. let's bring in our correspondent, mariko oi who is following this. what more do we know? it appears that there was a change of plans. as you said, there was a direct flight from tokyo to warsaw at 10:20am local time, tokyo to warsaw at 10:20am localtime, but tokyo to warsaw at 10:20am local time, but as you said, she was seen boarding another plane to vienna, austri

but stay in belarus now but turned to the trial in minsk.ion leader in the country. you could see her hair addressing reporters last year. she has spent the last ten months in custody awaiting trial along with a lawyer from the opposition. you could see them both here at the trial today. could see them both here at the trialtoday. let's could see them both here at the trial today. let's get more 110w more now from sarah rainsford outside the courtroom in minsk. we were outside the court this morning, just as the trial began, but we weren't allowed inside. the only people allowed to were the lawyers themselves. there was a small group of supporters and family members of both maria kolesnikova... they're accused of plotting to overthrow the state and another national security charge. that's why the officials here are saying the trial is closed, but what the family and friends have told us as they believe this is simply because there is a complete lack of evidence. here's the father of maria kolesnikova talking to sarah rainsford earlier today.

sarah rainsford, bbc news, minsk. battle over the whether a senior executive from the chinese industrial giant huawei can be extradited from canada to the us has reached a crucial stage. meng wanzhou, the company's chief financial officer, as well as the the daughter of its founder, has been held under effective house arrest in canada for almost three years. the us wants her to stand trial for breaking its sanctions on iran. she denies that and china says the allegations are a sham. the final extradition hearing is under way in vancouver, and barbara plett usher is following developments for us. well, it's quite complicated because it's about more than just meng wa nzhou. so, she was arrested in december 2018 on a us warrant. the americans wanted her extradited to the united states to face charges that her company — related to her company huawei violating american sanctions against iran. and those legal proceedings about the extradition have dragged on now for more than two years, and the first phase is wrapping up no

sarah rainsford, bbc news, minsk.estigating the suspected hijacking of an oil tanker off the coast of the united arab emirates. several other vessels nearby reported losing control of their steering. i'm joined now by our security correspondent frank gardner. yes, in the last few minutes the maritime intelligence have been confirming that indeed the hijack has taken place and that armed men believed to be from the iranian revolutionary guard corps have taken over control of a medium—sized tanker and awarded it to sail to iran. —— ordered it too. in the past they usually denied rules initially. this particular tanker was sailing from the portable and i've had a look at the maritime tracker and it's not moving very fast. currently under way but at less than one not it's on a stationary and it's kind of midway between the coast of the uae and iran, and it's been taken very seriously. senna, from the white house saying the us is taking this very serious indeed and a cup just five days after the fatal drone attack that kil

by winter, they retreated to downtown minsk. the risk of arrest was just too big. soon, the government was following them home as well. but dissenting voices cropped up. even now, they used a graduation speech to. the clip went viral and they were detained for two weeks. this is just one of many stories and they keep on coming. for all the intimidation over the past year, the regime has not managed to silence critics. there are still many in belarus who are willing to take the risk and speak out, irrespective of the costs to themselves. >> a marathon seven hour news conference. lukashenko spoke to journalists who had been chosen by the government in minsk. >> there were lots of guests from belarus and russia. the international journalists, he has been giving thea hard time and implying that all they are doing is serving the foreign powers interest. challenged about human rights abuses, beatings and protesters last year. he first said show me facts, the are n any, this is all made u a couple sennces further on, the millie contradicting them selves. -- themselves. no

sarah rainsford in minsk.ater in the programme, we'll have the latest from kabul on those bomb attacks in the afghan capital. but first — let's take a look at some of the stories in the headlines in the uk. the number of drug—related deaths recorded in england and wales in 2020 was the highest since records began in 1993. the office for national statistics says there were more than a500 such deaths registered last year, with more than twice as many deaths among men as there were among women. scotland's first minister, nicola sturgeon, has confirmed she will end most coronavirus restrictions from monday. social distancing will no longer be required in most locations and larger crowds will be allowed at events, but face coverings will still be needed in some settings. a man who stabbed two people in south london before being shot dead by armed police had talked about his desire to "kill the queen" while in prison, his inquest heard today. he was released from hmp belmarsh just ten days before the attack. during

sarah rainsford, bbc news, minsk. the whether a senior executive from the chinese industrial giant huawei can be extradited from canada to the us has reached a crucial stage. meng wanzhou, the company's chief financial officer, as well as the the daughter of its founder, has been held on bail for almost three years. the us wants her to stand trial for financial impropriety. she denies that, and china says the allegations are a sham. the final extradition hearing is under way in vancouver, and barbara plett usher is following developments for us. barbara, what's the background to this case, and why is it so diplomatically sensitive? it's quite complicated because it's about more than just meng wanzhou. she was arrested in december 2018 on a us warrant. the americans wanted her extradited to the united states to face charges that her company, related to her company huawei violating american sanctions against iran. in those legal proceedings about the tradition have dragged on now for more than two years, and the first p

since the disputed elections, the mood in minsk has changed dramatically.er lukashenko now firmly back in control. a year ago, this entire square and all the streets around it were crammed full of protesters. it was opposition to president alexander lukashenko on a scale like he'd never seen before. but now there's no public sign at all of that challenge because so many people have been arrested since then that the others have been scared into silence. maria kolesnikov was one of the faces of the protests. touring the country, rallying mass crowds. tomorrow, she goes on trial accused of trying to overthrow the authorities. i met maria's father outside her old flat. alexander hasn't been allowed to see her since her arrest last september, but maria writes from her cell every day to reassure him. translation: i know my daughter is not guilty, and she's _ so brave that i can't be anything but positive. i she told me, "whatever sentence i get, i'm ready for that." - she writes to me all the time| that we'll meet against soon, that everything will be ok. but bel

sarah rainsford, bbc news, minsk. mariko oi is in tokyo.s may very quickly in the last couple of hours, talking through how these events unfolded?— unfolded? originally, we thou . ht unfolded? originally, we thought that _ unfolded? originally, we thought that she - unfolded? originally, we thought that she would l unfolded? originally, we. thought that she would be unfolded? originally, we - thought that she would be on a direct flight from tokyo to warsaw and there was a flight at 1020 in the morning so everyone is expecting her to board the plane. according to reports, has aborted to purchase a ticket to be on that plane but then they were told that their work security concerns so diplomats have decided to put her on another flight, to vienna, austria, instead, which is now left tokyo. of course, she is now on her way to austria and she will probably then go to poland which has granted her a humanitarian visa and her husband meanwhile has also fled belarus and is now in the ukraine although she has expressed concern about the rest of her

and all of a sudden the political decision was taken to grab her and take her back to minsk against herill. she managed to inform others. host: what do you fear is likely to happen to her family as a result of this? >> as far as i understand, her husband already left belarus, and he is in the ukraine. i just wanted to say that he is safe now in ukraine. however, we know the story about vitaly shishov, that he was found dead just several hours ago. he was hanged in the forest near kiev. it was also probably the result of actions of belarus's special forces, or somebody who cooperates with them in ukraine. so, i don't think that somehow they can influence that. however, we had the news they already approached their parents, trying to suede them, and t -- to persuade them, and then she would come back to minsk. they captured several peoples and they started to speak on camera that everything was fine, we have nothing to worry about in belarus. that happens when lukashenko hijacked an aircraft, and the same thing happened with an mma champion. also appears to be in their hands. he also star

sarah rainsford, bbc news, minsk.'s other news: the australian state of victoria has recorded its first day without a new locally acquired case of covid—19 in more than three weeks. both new south wales and south east queensland are currently in lockdown and the prime minister has said the country needs to get around three quarters of the country vaccinated before they can come out of recurring lockdowns. australia's current vaccination rates are under a fifth of the population at the moment. children who become ill with coronavirus are unlikely to suffer with the long—term effects of the virus. researchers at king's college london, found illness from the covid lasted, on average, no more than a week in people aged between five and 17. scientists say the news is reassuring. the premier league has confirmed that players will continue to take the knee before matches during the upcoming season. england stars, marcus rashford and raheem sterling were amongst the players abused on social media during this summers european

let's get more from outside the courtroom in minsk. >> we were outside the court this morning just as. we were not allowed inside. the only people allowed in the process where the lawyers themselves. outside there was a small group of supporters and family members of both maria kolesnikova and maxim znak, who are on trial as of today for very serious charges. they are accused of plotting to overthrow the state, accused of extremism. that is why officials here are saying that the trial is closed. what family and friends have told us is they believe this is simply because there is a complete lack of evidence. >> here is the father of maria kolesnikova talking to sarah earlier today. >> i know my daughter is not guilty, and she is so brave. i cannot be anything but positive. she told me, whatever sentence i get, i am ready for it. she writes me all the time, we will meet again soon, everything will be ok. >> if you want to read more on the stores you been watching here on this addition of os, go to our website, bbc.com/news for those of you not watching in the u.k. you can get in touch w

and the new defense is a response to the so called hybrid war ways by minsk against this e neighbor, a conflict where migrants from iraq, syria and other countries are being used as political weapons. to let you in, the government says minsk is deliberately flying in people from abroad to send illegally into the european union in retaliation for sanctions against president. look a shank of leadership this year. more than 4000 people have entered lithuania from belarus, a 1000 in july alone. those who promise people and ease at that still the european union from bella was, ah, lying. people are being simply deceived and let into the trap to the bay falls on some dollars for nothing more but the european you and then me rush. you tried to do our best in order to assure to guarantee sufficient living standard living conditions, especially for them and for children for elderly people. but unfortunately, due to limited sources, the can not have to guarantee sufficient favorable living conditions for every one. the bell. irrational authorities are accused of state sanctioned people traffic

i think she will be secure and safe, but if she returns back to minsk that is a completely differenty have to forget about her sport career and will become one of those many victims of the repressions that happened that we have seen inside belarus, last year and this year. you say she would be safe if she is not within her own country, but we saw that extraordinary hijacking of the plane and kidnapping in recent months, and also of course her family is still in the country. that's correct, herfamily family is still in the country. that's correct, her family might become an object of pressure from the belarusian authorities. her friends would become... could become, you know, under the scrutiny from the russian authorities. we have seen that happen before with a journalist and with sportsmen. we have seen the mma fighter who was extradited from russia to belarus because he had to leave and any sportsman, any athletes in belarus who supported the protests against the elections that everyone considers wrecked last year, the presidential elections, which lukashenko insists that he has on

since the disputed elections, the mood in minsk has changed dramatically.er lukashenko now firmly back in control. a year ago, this entire square and all the streets around it were crammed full of protesters. it was opposition to president alexander lukashenko on a scale like he'd never seen before. but now there's no public sign at all of that challenge because so many people have been arrested since then that the others have been scared into silence. maria was one of the faces of the protests. touring the country, rallying mass crowds. tomorrow, she goes on trial accused of trying to overthrow the authorities. i met maria's father outside her old flat. alexander hasn't been allowed to see her since her arrest last september, but maria writes from her cell every day to reassure him. translation: i know my daughter's not guilty, and she's so brave that i i can't be anything but positive. she told me, "whatever sentence i get, i'm ready for that." - she writes to me all the time, that we'll meet against soon, | that everything will be ok. but belarus today f

the lit you a new government says minsk, is deliberately flying in people from abroad to send illegally into the european union in retaliation for you. sanctions against president? look a shank of leadership this year. more than 4000 people have entered lithuania from ballerina a 1000 in july alone. those who promise people and ease at the festival, the european union from bella was lying. people are being simply deceived and let into a trap to bay files and some dollars for nothing more but the european you and in mid rush, we tried to do our best in order to assure to guarantee sufficient living standard living conditions, especially for women for children for elderly people, but unfortunately, due to limited resources, the cannot just to guarantee a sufficient favorable living conditions for every bomb. the by the rational authorities, are accused of state sanctioned people trafficking of using social media to lose people into traveling to bella ruth. in the hope of reaching the you. there are dozens of facebook forums in arabic, allegedly created by bell russian internet trolls offe

sarah rainsford, bbc news, minsk.s, huge attention for the return of simone biles. lucy hockings in tokyo rounds up the action. hi, everyone, a well morgan back to tokyo. hi, everyone, a well morgan back to to 0. �* , . ., hi, everyone, a well morgan back to to 0. . ., .,~ tokyo. there's so much to talk about, tokyo. there's so much to talk about. but _ tokyo. there's so much to talk about, but let's _ tokyo. there's so much to talk about, but let's start _ tokyo. there's so much to talk about, but let's start with - tokyo. there's so much to talk l about, but let's start with what's been happening on the track, a massive triumph for the jamaican sprinter elaine thompson her own. five years ago in rio, she became the first woman in 28 years to achieve the 100 metre, 200 metre sprint double. now she's gone on to the double double. two golds in rio, two golds in tokyo, and look at her here crossing the finish line. looking happy but also making it look so easy. injune, she was barred by world athletics from running in t

today, britain, america, and canada imposed more sanctions on minsk.the uk. for a thousand years we did not even know great britain existed and we don't want to know now. you are america's lapdogs. it's dramas like this one that have cemented mr lukashenko's reputation as euroope's last dictator. in may, he forced a ryanairjet flying from greece to lithuania to land in minsk so he could arrest an opposition blogger. and last week, the death of a belarusian dissident in kyiv prompted more international scrutiny of mr lukashenko's government. he denies any connection to that death. he had this warning to the west. your accusations and your sanctions will end badly for you. you are risking starting world war iii, is that what you are trying to push us and the russians into? what do you want, do you want to win this war? there will be no winners and if there are, it would be not you. continued defiance from the leader who has made his country a pariah in the west. vodafone has become the second uk mobile phone network to reintroduce roaming charges for cus

migratorias >> los niÑos no son una visa y d dle las deportaciones terminar para todos >> el mas de 30 minskntes han sido deteportados y otra nueva caravana de inmigrantes volvio a emprender ahacia el norte >> sai todo el que gre regese antes de ser trasladados al lo hogares >> un tercer oficial que r respoporto y fue encontrad mouuerto en su rediencia y suicidio fallecimeiento se suma a los cuuic y otro oficial s sufrio un ataque cardiaco y murio un dia despues del as asaltantes >> asalto del capitolio de estados unidos >> nos vamos ayuta porque en e valle de salt lake city los resicentes se leanvaron con lo caminos bloqueados y mas de 200 vvi quedaron sumergidas, cientos fueron evacuados >> vi que llovia mucho y al asomarme por aqui fue peor y dije, pero hay que hacer algo porque se mete para adentro per fue que se metio igual apara adentro >> la policia pod pide que conductores no pasen por calles inundadas porque solo se re reuqreuqq requieren 6 pulgadas de agua para e queque un avehiculo flo >> la superestrella de estados unidos simone biles competira maÑana en una prueba de gi gimnasia

sarah rainsford is in the belarusian capital, minsk. sarah.anovskaya made those very public criticisms of the sporting authority, there has been a smear campaign on state media, they have been presenting her as arrogant, as letting down here team—mates by refusing to run in a race she says she wasn't prepared for. this scandal has become political and one state media presenter said the only thing that krystina timanovskaya won in the olympics was a visa to poland. no medals just olympics was a visa to poland. no medalsjust a olympics was a visa to poland. no medals just a visa. that is one of the reasons why she didn't feel safe to return here to minsk and today we are seeing another developing story, which is a sign of how little tolerance there, intolerance for dissent, one of the faces of the opposition protest that we saw here last year, she went on trial alongside another opposition activist, now the two of them are accused of extremely serious charges, they are accused of plotting to overthrow the authorities here, they are facing up to

she says they told her to pack her bags then they took her to the airport to put her on a plane to minsk. she reached out to police saying she's afraid she'll be jailed in belarus. here is the message to the international olympic committee. take a listen. >> translator: i asked the international olympic committee for help. i was put under pressure and they're trying to forcibly take me out of the country without my content. i asked the international olympic committee to intervene. >> reporter: japan's government, in the meantime, said they're, quote, "confirming her intention to confirm asylum." the ioc is determining the next steps. they won't reveal all the details. >> i can tell you she is being looked after and she's safe and secure. >> you told us she's in the hands of authorities and she's safe. but you're unable to tell us which authorities and who is keeping her safe. we're taking your word she's in the hands of -- >> okay that's fine. you'll have to take my word for it. thank you. >> as mentioned at the top, this story is fast developing. we are staying across it for you and kwo

sarah rainsford has this report from the belarusian capital minsk.scared for herself and for her family. translation: i can't go back to belarus now, of course. i it's definitely not safe for me. i have no idea when i can go back, it may be five or ten years. and came another reminder of danger for dissidents. in kyiv, a young belarusian activist was found hanging in a park. his friends don't believe it was suicide. vitaly shishov fled to ukraine last year to avoid arrest. he'd been helping flood of other opposition supporters, who followed. the opposition leader, sviatlana tsikhanouskaya, is in forced exile herself. she's been in london, part of a tour seeking international support. she wants tougher measures, more sanctions against alexander lukashenko, the man she tried to topple as president. this is our pain, belarusian pain. we think that much more can be done. much more pressure, much more assistance. braver decisions and stronger actions. since the disputed elections, the mood in minsk has changed dramatically. alexander lukashenko now firmly

let's get more from sarah rainsford outside the courtroom in minsk.'s why the officials here are saying the trial is closed, but what the family and friends have told us as they believe this is simply because there is a complete lack of evidence. here's the father of maria kolesnikova talking to sarah rainsford earlier today. translation: i know my daughter is not guilty and she's— i know my daughter is not guilty and she's so— i know my daughter is not guilty and she's so brave that i can't be anything _ she's so brave that i can't be anything but positive. she told me whatever— anything but positive. she told me whatever sentence she gets, she's ready~ _ whatever sentence she gets, she's ready~ she — whatever sentence she gets, she's ready. she writes to me all the time that we'll— ready. she writes to me all the time that we'll meet again soon, that everything will be ok.— that we'll meet again soon, that everything will be ok. let's take ou live everything will be ok. let's take you live to _ everything will be ok. let's take you live to warsaw _

for now, authorities in minsk have not reacted to this incident. >> china was among the first countries to get covid-19 last year after the virus emerged their. they have punted authorities to impose local lockdowns. with dozens of cities affected, some regional travel has been suspected. tourists have been banned from entering beijing. >> flights grounded, train travel suspended and mass testing currently underway. cases of covid-19 are on the up in at least 35 cities, 17 different regions and provinces in china. authorities are cracking down amid an outbreak of the delta variant lived to have started among clinic staff. other cases were flagged where residents are now under lockdown. >> on mony, they regtered 14 locally transmitted covid-19 cases. >>>> the virus has made a comeback in wuhan. all 11 million of the city residents are to be tested. one person tested positive for the virus following this end of your show at a holiday camp. employees of the children staying there as well as their relatives were all screened to check the status. >> there were three hundred one students and

said that she was removed from competition given one hour to pack her things in order to fly back to minskcized coaches a few days earlier on social media for being included on a list to run an event which she hasn't prepared for. while at the airport the sprinter asked the japanese police for protection and has since been flown to poland and offered humanitarian visa. she did that because she fears if she returned to bella rurks s belarus, she had likely be arrested. her grandmother had told her not to return because it is not safe for you. the imen mentioc has set up a c to look into the incident. the coaches will have an opportunity to tell their side of the story. but in the meantime the ioc says the coaches accreditation has been stripped and they have been removed to the olympic village and will return to the minsk. >> this is like an onion, we keep pulling back more bizarre details by the day. blake, thank you. when you earn a degree with university of phoenix, we support you with career coaching, including resume building, interview prep, personal branding and more, for your entire

correspondent: on ukraine both insisted the minsk agreement and the cease fire in the east of the countryt be observed. angela merkel would discuss that question in the ukrainian capital kyiv on sunday. they remained cordial, putin invited angela merkel to moscow once she is out of office. anchor: let's go through this with our moscow correspondent. welcome. this has been a long relationship. do you think vladimir putin will miss angela merkel? correspondent: you know, i think he will. i think there is mutual respect, even though i would not go as far to say there is personal sympathy. the two leaders have been working together for 16 years, and today he was almost effusive . he talked several times about the productive relationship that they have had, the constructive relationship, and invited her to russia after her time in office two times during those talks. he gave her flowers as well. i think angela merkel has been an equal sparring partner, someone he can work with, and someone as it is perceived in russia is not afraid of standing up to the u.s., for example, and also, angela merk

looked like she was effectively being marched to the airport in disgrace, to be put on a plane back to minskncertain future. now she is in the polish embassy, apparently on the way to a new life in europe. this whole story has very much of the width of history about it, because back in the cold war, the sorts of olympic defections were a regular event. the last one i could find was in los angeles in 1984. now we have someone defecting from a country that has been called t last dictatorship in europe, and she is going to poland, a country that was once part of the soviet bloc, but is now a part of the western alliance, deeply opposed to the regime in belarus and its sponsors in moscow. >> the incident has once again put the spotlight on belarus, a country where in recent years there have been an effort to silence opposition. the country has been ruled by president alexander lukashenko since 1994. last year, nationwide protests over his disputed reelection were violently put down by security forces and the leader of the opposition was forced to flee the country. some of those who joined the de

japan, as happened with krystsina tsimanouskaya, or the man on a flight which was forced to land in minskso this is all very scary and worrying. that's why more reaction is needed. as long as lukashenko feels impunity, he will continue escalating repression inside and outside the country. brent: journalist hanna liubakova, we appreciate your reporting tonight. thank you. at the olympic games in tokyo, candidate finally broke through to win a gold medal in the 200 meters after one bronze and two silvers. he madet to the top of t podium. it ended years of frustrating finishes behind the likes of usain bolt. earlier, the hundred meter hurdles on another world record in the women's event. sydney of the u.s. edged out her compatriot, defending champion. at the skateboard venue, youth ruled the day at the women's park skateboarding final. japan won the inaugural event. and at 19 years old, she was a veteran compared to the other winners. silver went to, who at just 12, is the youngest olympic medalist since 1936. and a 13-year-old britain won bronze. the winner's combined age is a right 44. cov

— coach or an assistant coach in minsk.ther in a club career— regards my plans whether in a club career or— regards my plans whether in a club career or national representation career. _ career or national representation career. i— career or national representation career, i will ask my coach to continue _ continue. thank you, kristina ma... — thank you, kristina before cnnnue — thank you, kristina before this press — thank you, kristina before this press conference, i received a phone call from _ press conference, i received a phone call from the — press conference, i received a phone call from the general director from the polish — call from the general director from the polish ministry of culture and sport _ i had ihada i had a meeting with the minister of sport in poland and we will discuss continuing my career. the topic of the meeting is going to be help provided by polish authorities to kristina �*s continuing career. studio: we are going to leave that news conference in the polish capital where we've been hearing fr

today, britain, america and canada imposed more sanctions on minsk.w great britain existed, and we don't want to know now. you are america's lapdogs. it's dramas like this one that have cemented mr lukashenko's reputation as europe's last dictator. in may, he forced a ryanairjet flying from greece to lithuania to land in minsk so he could arrest an opposition blogger. and last week, the death of a belarusian dissident in kyiv prompted more international scrutiny of mr lukashenko's government. he denies any connection to that death. but he had this warning to the west. "your accusations and your sanctions will end badly for you." translation: you are risking starting world war iii. - is that what you are trying to push us and the russians into? is that what you are trying to push us and the russians into? what do you want? do you want to win this war? there will be no winners, and if there are, it would be not you. continued defiance from the leader who has made his country a pariah in the west. steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. about 30% of 18 to 29—

let's get more now from the bbc�*s sarah rainsford who is outside the courtroom in minsk.ren't allowed inside. the only people allowed into the process where the lawyers themselves. outside there was a small group of supporters and family members of both maria and maxine who are on trial as of today for very, very serious charges. they are accused of plotting to overthrow the state. there accused of extremism and other national security chart. that's why officials here are saying that the trial is closed but with the family and friends have told us is that i believe is simply a complete lack of evidence. believe is simply a complete lack of evidence. the head of the world health organization has called on a moratorium on covid—i9 �*vaccine boosters�* until at least the end of september. dr tedros said the move, was to enable that at least 10% of the population of every country was vaccinated. he said the focus needs to be on those people, who are most vulnerable and most at risk of severe disease and death, to get their first and second doses. stay with us on news, still t

fence along its border with belarus in response to a surge in migration that it says is organised by minsks denies allegations it's orchestrating the crisis in response to sanctions. hello and welcome to our look ahead to what the the papers will be bringing us tomorrow. with me are jason beattie, assistant editor of the daily mirror and sian griffiths, education editor of the sunday times. tomorrow's front pages, starting with... the guardian says britain has begun a last—ditch scramble to get people out of kabul amid warnings from the senior diplomat on the ground that staying past the 31st of august deadline may not be realistic and risks provoking the taliban. while the financial times sastoe biden the �*i' says the uk is pressurising president biden to extend the evacuation deadline, but the taliban are warning of �*consequences�* if western troops stay any longer to continue their refugee airlifts. the metro highlights a taliban spokesman warning that western forces would �*provoke a reaction�* if they were not gone by the end of the month, which he describes as a �*red line'. meanwh

conflict from the onset team and ask a claim that she would be put in prison straight up on arrival to minsk. and that has been some support online for the bell, the russian athlete. but there also have been those in strong disagreement with her actions. most surprisingly had happened within the battle, the russian athletic steam. hi jump maxime. yes, sir. cool. warm bronze medal on some date came out with strong criticism of human off because actions. i do not like christina to middle school. yeah. she behaved arrogantly towards the team and the management. i think we did the right thing. she talks a lot, but you have to take responsibility for what you say. interestingly enough, the usual morning press briefing at tokyo, which usually up until today was mostly dedicated to the matter of russia participation in the olympics. this time was fully dominated by c manascale story. shortly we are keeping track of everything happening during the summer games and tokyo and i will keep you updated on all the latest scandals and stories from the capital of japan. wildfires raging across southern euro