a trial of an american basketball star on drug charges has opened in russia. the kremlin has denied their detention is motivated by tensions over ukraine. now on bbc news it s time for global questions. hello, i m zeinab badawi. welcome to this edition of global questions from tbilisi, the capital of georgia. this country neighbours russia and there s a lot of concern here that moscow s invasion of ukraine could trigger putin s ambitions to try to control other parts of the former soviet union, like georgia. after all, just north of here are two russian backed separatist enclaves in georgia. in this programme, we ll be looking at what it s like to live in moscow s shadow and ask how real is putin s dream of a new imperialist russia? welcome to the magnificent garden hall in tbilisi. i m joined by a top panel from across the region who are going to be answering questions from our local audience here. but before they do that, let us give you this brief overview of why people
downpours in the south east, we see the influence about front pushing into scotland and northern ireland. a few more chilly spot under clear skies but otherwise in the teens for most. thursday will be quite cloudy and wet in northern and western areas, a bit drier on friday and increasing sunshine. that s it, back to. thanks, stav. and that s bbc news at six on tuesday the 16th of august. you can keep up with all the latest developments on bbc website. from the six team, it s goodbye. the news continues here on bbc one as now it s time to join our colleagues across the nations and regions for the news where you are. hello and welcome to sportsday i m jane dougall. time to see if dina asher smith s hamstring is holding up. the team gb star prepares to defend her european 100 metres title. a lot of money has been spent at nottingham forest, will it help them stay in the premier league? we ll discuss their new signings. and england captain ben stokes is ready to shine a light
and ask how real is putin s dream of a new imperialist russia? welcome to the magnificent garden hall in tbilisi. i m joined by a top panel from across the region who are going to be answering questions from our local audience here. but before they do that, let us give you this brief overview of why people in former soviet republics like georgia and moldova are feeling a bit vulnerable after putin s invasion of ukraine. georgia is probably the most exposed country in the world to russian aggression. moscow has troops stationed about 30km from where i m standing here in the heart of the capital, tbilisi. 1a years ago, russia gave military support to separatists in two regions, south ossetia and abkhazia. there was a five day war between these separatists and georgian forces in which hundreds died and thousands were displaced. moscow recognises both south ossetia and abkhazia as independent republics and is believed to keep thousands of troops there, much like the pro russian t
of why people in former soviet republics like georgia and moldova are feeling a bit vulnerable after putin s invasion of ukraine. georgia is probably the most exposed country in the world to russian aggression. moscow has troops stationed about 30km from where i m standing here in the heart of the capital, tbilisi. 1a years ago, russia gave military support to separatists in two regions, south ossetia and abkhazia. there was a five day war between these separatists and georgian forces in which hundreds died and thousands were displaced. moscow recognises both south ossetia and abkhazia as independent republics and is believed to keep thousands of troops there, much like the pro russian territory of transnistria in moldova. these are among europe s frozen conflicts, and there are fears that as long as the war continues in ukraine, especially in the breakaway republics of donetsk and luhansk, there ll be a risk of escalation. is president putin trying to build a new iron curtai
that she was the kindest, most compassionate and most tenacious person i have ever met . now it s time for a look at the weather with matt taylor. hello. a fine afternoon for the north of scotland and eastern england but even in central and western parts of the uk there will be dry weather around. the breeze is bringing passing showers. they will move quite quickly but the odd heavier one is possible. they are more frequent the further west you are. close to an area of low pressure off the coast of ireland and it is here across ireland, particularly western ireland, that we will see persistent areas of rain. 22 in northern ireland and eastern parts of england. only about 16 or 17 in the west. where the breeze continues to freshen for the night, cloud and longer spells of rain across ireland and south west scotland, north west england, north west wales by the end of the night. elsewhere, rain clears and clear skies to take us into start to sunday and some southern and eastern