this is bbc news broadcasting to viewers in the uk and around the world. i m ben boulos. the headlines. russia claims its forces have captured the ukrainian town of soledar but kyiv insists severe fighting is still ongoing. the gas pipeline connecting lithuania and latvia has an explosion. lithuania and latvia has an expl°5i° - lithuania and latvia has an explosion. lithuania and latvia has an exlosion. f . . . explosion. they ve launched an investigation. footballer benjamin mendy is found not guilty of six counts of rape and one of sexual assault. but he faces a retrial on two other counts on which the jury failed to reach a verdict. also in the programme, how the world cup may have given a much needed boost to the uk s economy.