channel repeatedly exposed the kremlin�*s corruption. it now has over 30 million followers. and so despised is he by the leadership in moscow, that mr putin never refers to him by name. so, it was an extremely brave thing to go back. but how he is paying for it? but how he is paying for it. alexei navalny was already serving nine years in a high—security prison for alleged fraud, a parole violation and contempt of court. today, a judge added another ten for alleged links to extremism, which his supporters say were entirely fabricated. our russia editor steve rosenberg was in court as mr navalny was sentenced — he sent this report. this is the closest we were allowed to get to russia's most famous prisoner. we'd been let inside the high—securityjail where alexei navalny is already incarcerated. but journalists weren't allowed into the makeshift courtroom. we had to watch on a screen. for the kremlin critic, this is a trial behind bars. he was found guilty on extremism charges. punishment — more jail time. he was handed a 19 year prison sentence. we may have been allowed in here to watch the verdict on a tv screen, but keep in mind that in this court case, the actual proceedings were closed to the press and to the public and held in a high security prison. describing this trial as "behind closed doors" feels like an understatement. ahead of the verdict, in a message online, mr navalny wrote that a long prison sentence for him was designed to scare russians. he revealed he'd soon be on trial again for terrorism. they chant. a charismatic protest leader and anti—corruption crusader, alexei navalny fell foul of the kremlin long ago. in 2020 in siberia, he was poisoned with a nerve agent and airlifted to germany. he claimed the kremlin tried to kill him. the russian authorities deny it. on his return to russia in 2021, he was arrested and jailed. ever since, he's faced trial after trial, punishment after punishment. it indicates that this regime is ready to be extremely cruel. it sends messages to the broader audience. we will not stop. the machine is working, and it means that they are ready to continue all possible trials against all possible dissidents. that includes this man. igor girkin is no pro—democracy liberal. the russian nationalist backs the war in ukraine but has criticised vladimir putin's handling of it. now he's under arrest, as the kremlin tries to crack down on any kind of criticism. back at the navalny trial, once the verdict was delivered, we were ushered off the penal colony premises. but after today's conviction, with possibly more charges against him to follow, alexei navalny looks set to remain locked away for years to come. steve rosenberg, bbc news, russia. in the last hour, we've had wordfrom alexei navalny in a post on x — in the last hour, we've had word from alexei navalny in a post on x — the app formerly known as twitter. he told his almost three million followers... "19 years in a maximum security penal colony. "the number of years does not matter. "i perfectly understand that, like many political prisoners, "i am sitting on a life sentence. "where life is measured by the term of my life or the term "of life of this regime. "the sentencing figure is not for me. "it is for you. "you, not me, are being frightened and deprived of the will to resist. "you are being forced to surrender your country of russia "without a fight to the gang of traitors, thieves, and scoundrels "who have seized power. "putin must not achieve his goal. "do not lose the will to resist." with us tonight daniel roher, the director of "navalny", the 2022 0scar—winning documentary about the opposition leader's poisoning — and aric toler, journalist from the investigative group bellingcat. writing in that tweet, yes he is the one facing 19 years and the maximum security prison, a sentence he might not survive but it is there to scare and intimidate anyone who follows him. , , , , , him. this regime is been consistent in what they — him. this regime is been consistent in what they want _ him. this regime is been consistent in what they want to _ him. this regime is been consistent in what they want to do _ him. this regime is been consistent in what they want to do in - him. this regime is been consistent| in what they want to do in squashing to send endured by any means necessary. since the invasion of ukraine and ramping up of this war, they can to completely destroy anyone who has any more so of this in russia and many of his colleagues at paying the price for that. i watch the documentary and the bit thatis watch the documentary and the bit that is very hard to watch is the moment he leaves germany with his wife and the flight back to moscow and you know any he stares out of the window and he knows exactly what is going back to when you consider what is happened today, with his purpose not of been better served lobbying in writing and campaigning as a dissident outside of russia? that is a very challenging question but it is one that i, like many people vests themselves many times. the decision to go back was a decision between himself and his higher power and anything that vladimir putin wanted was to get rid of alexei navalny, if not thrust him into exile and i think for alexei navalny, stink away was giving him too great a gift, you want to go back and he wanted to be the moral leader of the nation. some people call that saver _ leader of the nation. some people call that saver complex _ leader of the nation. some people call that saver complex and - leader of the nation. some people call that saver complex and some | call that saver complex and some people think it would be better served outside of the country, but no one can say that his courage is not admirable.— no one can say that his courage is not admirable. what you think the kremlin invited _ not admirable. what you think the kremlin invited foreign _ not admirable. what you think the l kremlin invited foreign journalists? it gives an air of legitimacy because _ it gives an air of legitimacy because everyone knows this is a show_ because everyone knows this is a show trial, — because everyone knows this is a show trial, not to different the prison— show trial, not to different the prison sentencing install in's time. it, prison sentencing install in's time. it. almost — prison sentencing install in's time. it, almost like it's not a complete farce _ it, almost like it's not a complete farce i'm — it, almost like it's not a complete farce. i'm not exactly what the reasoning _ farce. i'm not exactly what the reasoning was but it would be a little _ reasoning was but it would be a little bit — reasoning was but it would be a little bit too obvious even though it is obvious enough, to signal the parallels— it is obvious enough, to signal the parallels of — it is obvious enough, to signal the parallels of the show trials install an's time — parallels of the show trials install an's time. —— stalin. parallels of the show trials install an's time. -- stalin.— parallels of the show trials install an's time. -- stalin. when alexei navalny was _ an's time. -- stalin. when alexei navalny was poisoned _ an's time. -- stalin. when alexei navalny was poisoned with - an's time. -- stalin. when alexei navalny was poisoned with the i an's time. -- stalin. when alexei. navalny was poisoned with the nerve agent because so much, watching what happened on the trip to siberia. do you think that the work done since enables you to say that this was without doubt, a poison and carried out by the state, ordered by vladimir putin?— out by the state, ordered by vladimir putin? ~ , , . vladimir putin? absolutely. we did not know exactly _ vladimir putin? absolutely. we did not know exactly who _ vladimir putin? absolutely. we did not know exactly who ordered - vladimir putin? absolutely. we did not know exactly who ordered it . vladimir putin? absolutely. we did | not know exactly who ordered it but we have _ not know exactly who ordered it but we have to — not know exactly who ordered it but we have to assume it was vladimir putin— we have to assume it was vladimir putin that — we have to assume it was vladimir putin that this point. you can imagine _ putin that this point. you can imagine this being done by some random _ imagine this being done by some random underling because as we know from the _ random underling because as we know from the documentary in the investigation that the team that trailed — investigation that the team that trailed alexei navalny and poisoned him wasn'tjust one random rogue gov, _ him wasn'tjust one random rogue guy, it _ him wasn'tjust one random rogue guy, it was — him wasn'tjust one random rogue guy, it was a full team. a dozen people — guy, it was a full team. a dozen people who are provided support and had a _ people who are provided support and had a soviet era chemical weapon is a judgment — had a soviet era chemical weapon is a judgment that he wasn'tjust someone _ a judgment that he wasn'tjust someone guys you poisoned him, it was a _ someone guys you poisoned him, it was a whole — someone guys you poisoned him, it was a whole team and it's hard to imagine _ was a whole team and it's hard to imagine it — was a whole team and it's hard to imagine it mapping the group the very top — imagine it mapping the group the very top. it imagine it mapping the group the ve to -. , ., , imagine it mapping the group the ve to. , ., , ., imagine it mapping the group the ve to. , , very top. it is one guy, a chemist was from the _ very top. it is one guy, a chemist was from the institute _ very top. it is one guy, a chemist was from the institute of - very top. it is one guy, a chemistj was from the institute of moscow produced the poison and very soon after this video that should produce after this video that should produce a shared, this documentary, he disappears. as kevin found? i a shared, this documentary, he disappears. as kevin found? i think eric may appear _ disappears. as kevin found? i think eric may appear to _ disappears. as kevin found? i think eric may appear to speak _ disappears. as kevin found? i think eric may appear to speak to - disappears. as kevin found? i think eric may appear to speak to the - eric may appear to speak to the journalist whose work fuels the investigation and are documentary fountain and the covid—19 database somewhere in siberia around 18 months after the events on the phone call depicted in the movie take place. my understanding is that he is still alive but probably relegated to some horrible deskjob that nobody wants. that relegated to some horrible desk 'ob that nobody wants.�* that nobody wants. that suggests there's been _ that nobody wants. that suggests there's been a _ that nobody wants. that suggests there's been a clean-up - that nobody wants. that suggests| there's been a clean-up operation there's been a clean—up operation beyond evidence of what they have done to alexei navalny) in the living cup with a lot of operatives the poisonings of notjust alexei navalny the poisonings of not 'ust alexei navaln j ., ., , the poisonings of not 'ust alexei navaln ., .,, ., navalny and those involved in the oisonin: , navalny and those involved in the poisoning, sometimes _ navalny and those involved in the poisoning, sometimes they - navalny and those involved in the poisoning, sometimes they were | poisoning, sometimes they were reassigned and not so great digs and also presidential administrations in also presidential administrations in a few— also presidential administrations in a few weeks ago, the general in charge — a few weeks ago, the general in charge of— a few weeks ago, the general in charge of the operation to poison sergei _ charge of the operation to poison sergei and his daughter, he was in the african — sergei and his daughter, he was in the african summit and needed a speech— the african summit and needed a speech and was introduced there. it is like _ speech and was introduced there. it is like they're all being sent off to the — is like they're all being sent off to the golovkin disgrace. a lot of them are — to the golovkin disgrace. a lot of them are being promoted for their work _ them are being promoted for their work this — them are being promoted for their work. this is a necessarily a shameful— work. this is a necessarily a shameful thing. work. this is a necessarily a shamefulthing. maybe work. this is a necessarily a shameful thing. maybe shameful that it failed _ shameful thing. maybe shameful that it failed in _ shameful thing. maybe shameful that it failed in the underlings and the grunts _ it failed in the underlings and the grunts of— it failed in the underlings and the grunts of the bottom may be getting reassigned but the guys on top are not suffering any real consequences. the documentary that you produced starts with alexei navalny staring into the camera and the question is, if you're a kid with, what message when you leave behind for the russian people two he doesn't think in a moment that death is the outcome. but what he that question differently today? aha, outcome. but what he that question differently today?— differently today? a good question but we have _ differently today? a good question but we have to _ differently today? a good question but we have to pose _ differently today? a good question but we have to pose to _ differently today? a good question but we have to pose to alexei - but we have to pose to alexei navalny himself and i would say, i can't help but imagine but he would not have reconsidered his options had at the war been when he came back, it was only after he left that the war was launched i'm sure that we have changed the calculus but i'm not sure because of the end of the day, alexei navalny is deeply committed to his country and is very patriotic and did not feel comfortable staying in exile and it just goes to show what one man is willing to sacrifice for his beliefs in the future of his nation and his courage is stunning and it's a real tragedy that were not going to get to see him for a long time. he is been in a — to see him for a long time. he is been in a hunger— to see him for a long time. he is been in a hunger strike - to see him for a long time. he is been in a hunger strike and - to see him for a long time. he is been in a hunger strike and he i been in a hunger strike and he survived and he did, he did not look pretty today, a shadow of the man who left germany and you wonder why they keep them alive? it’s who left germany and you wonder why they keep them alive?— they keep them alive? it's hard to sa , the they keep them alive? it's hard to say. they have — they keep them alive? it's hard to say. they have a _ they keep them alive? it's hard to say, they have a habit _ they keep them alive? it's hard to say, they have a habit of- they keep them alive? it's hard to say, they have a habit of keeping| say, they have a habit of keeping trip to— say, they have a habit of keeping trip to connect political prisoners around _ trip to connect political prisoners around for— trip to connect political prisoners around for a long time and efforts of good _ around for a long time and efforts of good will come up prisoner swaps. and they— of good will come up prisoner swaps. and they are — of good will come up prisoner swaps. and they are released as an act of goodwill towards the west. he is not doing _ goodwill towards the west. he is not doing a _ goodwill towards the west. he is not doing a terrible amount of harm in prison— doing a terrible amount of harm in prison and — doing a terrible amount of harm in prison and he has his twitter account— prison and he has his twitter account but his organisation has been _ account but his organisation has been labelled extremist and scattered throughout europe and the caucuses— scattered throughout europe and the caucuses and they're not really a threat _ caucuses and they're not really a threat to — caucuses and they're not really a threat to the regime right now. and he could _ threat to the regime right now. and he could be — threat to the regime right now. and he could be useful down the road for high—profile prisoner swaps after the war— high—profile prisoner swaps after the war and used on the line, maybe he is _ the war and used on the line, maybe he is released as an effort of a token— he is released as an effort of a token of— he is released as an effort of a token of goodwill to the future. you cannot _ token of goodwill to the future. you cannot really do that if he is dead. i'm cannot really do that if he is dead. i'm just _ cannot really do that if he is dead. i'm just thinking, years in advance, as a future — i'm just thinking, years in advance, as a future chip to play.— as a future chip to play. them to cive ou as a future chip to play. them to give you the _ as a future chip to play. them to give you the final _ as a future chip to play. them to give you the final word. - as a future chip to play. them to give you the final word. she - as a future chip to play. them to give you the final word. she is i give you the final word. she is waiting at the airport for the return of alexei navalny. she says she has come to see his return because he is a symbol of russian freedom and i wonder, if in the state of war that we are out at the moment, if that is actually true that his freedom is now inextricably linked to theirs? i that his freedom is now inextricably linked to theirs?— linked to theirs? i think alexei navalny sees _ linked to theirs? i think alexei navalny sees himself- linked to theirs? i think alexei navalny sees himself as - linked to theirs? i think alexei navalny sees himself as part l linked to theirs? i think alexei | navalny sees himself as part of linked to theirs? i think alexei i navalny sees himself as part of a movement. . at the end of the day, i don't think you can help be emblematic of the future of russia and it's tough to have hope but alexei navalny preaches hope and since we have to be optimistic and he talks about the happy rush of the future. the old adage that the night is darkestjust before the dawn it's my hope that alexei navalny�*s story is not going to end in prison and it'sjust not going is not going to end in prison and it's just not going to remember in this disgraced in would take a great deal of resilience to get to the end of this road and survive his prison sentence but if anyone can do it, it is him. thank you. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. eligibility for a vehicle scrappage scheme has been extended to all of london ahead of the expansion of the city's ultra low emission zone — or ulez. labour mayor of london sadiq khan has announced all londoners with a non—compliant car can access up to £2,000 to replace their vehicle. the partner of a pregnant woman killed by a driver who filmed himself speeding at 123mph has branded her killer's sentence "insulting". adil iqbal was jailed for 12 years after admitting to causing the death of frankiejules—hough outside greater manchester, in may. she had pulled over on the hard shoulder with a tyre puncture when she was hit by the speeding vehicle. a man who murdered his ten—month—old stepson at their home in derbyshire has beenjailed for life, with a minimum term of 28 years. jacob crouch was found dead in his cot with dozens of injuries in december 2020 after the assault by his stepfather, craig crouch. jacob's mother gemma barton has been given ten years for causing or allowing the death of a child. you're live with bbc news. here, the government has set out plans to expand the use of the private sector to tackle hospital waiting lists. 7.5 million people are currently waiting for treatment, in england alone. that's three million more than before the pandemic. in the uk the private sector already carries out hundreds of thousands of treatments and appointments for the nhs. but ministers believes it could do 30% more. and so, to unlock that potential, they are relaxing the rules on how contracts are awarded, to create more flexibility for nhs bosses. on top of tha, they have today announced eight new privately—run community diagnostic centres. apostolos tsiachristas is associate professor in health economics at the university of oxford. seven and a half million people in the waiting list, will this help? thank you and this is absolutely something we have to tackle what we've seen so far is where the performance systems across the country and now it is back to the question of whether this is a part of the solution, absolutely. 430 new diagnostic centres and testing which will speed up but diagnostic centres and testing which will speed u— will speed up but only eight will be rivatel will speed up but only eight will be privately run. _ will speed up but only eight will be privately run, not _ will speed up but only eight will be privately run, not the _ will speed up but only eight will be privately run, not the others. - will speed up but only eight will be j privately run, not the others. what is an make sense to have private and not the other?— not the other? that is a good question- _ not the other? that is a good question. the _ not the other? that is a good question. the context - not the other? that is a good question. the context of- not the other? that is a good question. the context of the | not the other? that is a good - question. the context of the local needs and capacity we have is one of the reasons and looking into this, but we have to do is make sure we do not create any geographical disparities between different areas of the country and we need to look into the outcomes of these diagnostic centres.- into the outcomes of these diagnostic centres. have done this story before- _ diagnostic centres. have done this story before. 20 _ diagnostic centres. have done this story before. 20 years _ diagnostic centres. have done this story before. 20 years ago - diagnostic centres. have done this story before. 20 years ago they i diagnostic centres. have done this i story before. 20 years ago they were independent providers were providing the sort of treatment and i'm curious why we just stopped building on that. why did we abandon that strategy? on that. why did we abandon that strate: ? ., ., ~' on that. why did we abandon that strate: ? ., ., ,, ., on that. why did we abandon that strate: ? ., ., ~' ., ., ., ., strategy? looking into the data, and it was clear that _ strategy? looking into the data, and it was clear that the _ strategy? looking into the data, and it was clear that the contracts - it was clear that the contracts going to the independent sector has been crazy all these years and i don't think it's an idea we've abandoned, slowly in the nhs provision. abandoned, slowly in the nhs rovision. �* , abandoned, slowly in the nhs rovision. �*, ., abandoned, slowly in the nhs provision. abandoned, slowly in the nhs rovision. �*, ., ., ,, ., provision. there's an awkward debate and i think provision. there's an awkward debate and i think it — provision. there's an awkward debate and i think it is _ provision. there's an awkward debate and i think it is talking _ provision. there's an awkward debate and i think it is talking about - and i think it is talking about whenever the private sector gets involved, they are accused of not valuing the nhs and public health. is there a similar debate in europe and a week compare in terms of private provision?— and a week compare in terms of private provision? many times in olitical private provision? many times in political discussions _ private provision? many times in political discussions about i private provision? many times in political discussions about the i political discussions about the health care systems around the world and i was in the netherlands when this was happening and more crowds have been providing health care services and the question is do to admit is that if we go that way, senses and improved outcomes, who provides the services is of less importance for quality and population health. left importance for quality and population health.- importance for quality and population health. importance for quality and --oulation health. ., ., population health. left to leave it there and thank— population health. left to leave it there and thank you _ population health. left to leave it there and thank you very - population health. left to leave it there and thank you very much i population health. left to leave it| there and thank you very much for coming on. thank you. niger's newly—installed military government has promised an immediate response to any aggression or interference by its west african neighbours. the regional bloc ecowas says it has agreed a plan for a possible intervention — and has set a deadline of sunday for the country's president to be reinstated. today, an ecowas delegation travelled to niger to mediate, but left after only a few hours. the deposed president, mohammed bazoum, has written an article for the washington post. he said he is currently being held "hostage" by the militaryjunta, and he warned the entire sahel region could soon fall under russian influence. 0layinka ajala is a senior lecturer in politics and international relations at leeds beckett. you talk to us about this delegation and why did the division and so quickly? and why did the division and so cuickl ? . ~ and why did the division and so cuickl ? ., ~' ,, and why did the division and so cuickl ? ., ,, i. ., ., quickly? thank you for having me. the were quickly? thank you for having me. they were there _ quickly? thank you for having me. they were there to _ quickly? thank you for having me. they were there to try _ quickly? thank you for having me. they were there to try and - quickly? thank you for having me. they were there to try and see i they were there to try and see mediation and diplomacy to work and the ultimatum was given and michael to report if they did not restore within seven days —— junta. everyone understands the they would not favour any one so the whole idea of the delegation was to try and see if they can get some concession or try to secure the release but the report did not work in the delegation is now back in nigeria.— now back in nigeria. when the deadhne now back in nigeria. when the deadline passes _ now back in nigeria. when the deadline passes and _ now back in nigeria. when the deadline passes and the i now back in nigeria. when the i deadline passes and the legitimate government is not restored, what are they going to do to shallow the he said that the use of force is still on the table the logistics have been agreed and the resources by the time and place will not be announced and still going on to say that at the moment, the use of force is still very much on the table. bond is still very much on the table. and have a minute _ is still very much on the table. and have a minute left. i'm reading the presidents commentary piece in the washington post misses for and a mix of 40% of our national budget but it would not be delivered if the crew succeeds and they said they will cut ties with niger with bad intentions hundreds of millions of dollars and can they survive without it? no, there while the poorer countries in africa and in the world depends on a lot of aid from the region and their partners. lot of aid from the region and their artners. ., ., . ., , ., partners. two to the sanctions and the rice partners. two to the sanctions and the price of— partners. two to the sanctions and the price of basic _ partners. two to the sanctions and the price of basic needs _ partners. two to the sanctions and the price of basic needs to - partners. two to the sanctions and the price of basic needs to going i partners. two to the sanctions and | the price of basic needs to going up and that is what they cannotjust walk away. and that is what they cannot 'ust walk away.— and that is what they cannot 'ust walk awa . ., ~ , . ., walk away. thank you very much for cominl on walk away. thank you very much for coming on the _ walk away. thank you very much for coming on the programme. - walk away. thank you very much for coming on the programme. stay i walk away. thank you very much for| coming on the programme. stay with us and we are going to go to a short break and we'll talk about the warming oceans and new records being set all the time the summer here in the northern hemisphere ever going to talk about ukraine, some success from a military perspective with an attack on the russian naval ship but some news that they're being jammed. the equipment is being jammed on the front lines. stay with us. hello there. earlier today, we had a big line of thunderstorms that developed across parts of eastern england, and they brought some very heavy rain, like here in suffolk. further south, in parts of essex, they saw 9mm in just the space of one hour. so a really hefty downpour. and talking about rain, we've got more of that to come for saturday, i'm afraid, thanks to this area of low pressure that has been named by the met office as storm antoni. now antoni will bring outbreaks of rain quickly into northern ireland. the rain heavy and persistent here. some wet weatherjust edging into south west scotland, wales and western england. 0ur temperatures overnight holding up into double figures. but antoni could cause a few impacts weather—wise on saturday, accumulating rain for northern ireland, first of all, 20—40mm, maybe a bit more than that over the high ground in the mournes. it's enough to cause some localised flooding. and as our wet weather extends into england and wales, it comes with a punch. some very strong gusty winds affecting wales and south west england, where gusts could reach 50—65mph, strong enough to blow down a few trees. and given there's a lot of people out and about at the moment, given the summer holidays, well, there could be a few impacts, some disruption out and about. the wet weather extends eastwards through the day. the weather brightens up for scotland and northern ireland. just a few showers here. for some, it won'tjust be wet and windy, it'll be really cold for august as well, with temperatures around 14—15 celsius. that really is rubbish. 0n into sunday, it's a better day weather—wise, as the storm system moves offshore. we're looking at a day of sunshine and showers. the greatest risk of seeing showers and a few thunderstorms for scotland and eastern england, probably drier for wales and south west england with the best of the day's weather. temperatures still a little bit below average for the time of year. now heading beyond that and into monday, it's a better day again. there's a weak ridge of high pressure building in, and so a lot of fine weather for england and wales. fine start in northern ireland, but rain to end the day and in scotland, you'll get some fairly heavy showers, particularly across northern and western areas. the south and east of scotland probably staying dry with some sunshine. temperatures generally high teens to low 20s. but as we get towards the latter part of the week, an area of high pressure is going to be across the uk for the first time in some seven weeks, and that is set to bring some drier, sunnier and warmer weather. and for some of us, temperatures late in the week could reach at least the mid—20s, maybe the high—20s. hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. 0ceans hit their hottest ever recorded temperature, with grim implications on the planet. we speak to pakistan's climate change minister, who says a fund set up to help vulnerable countries is stuttering. i'll take you to the sport shortly. some breaking news now to do with donald trump's many legal cases. donald trump has entered a plea of not guilty in the last hour to new charges related to his handling of classified documents after he left the white house. these are the additional charges filed last week in that documents case. they involve the former president pressuring an employee to delete security footage sought by a grand jury subpoena, making false statements to the fbi and the unlawful retention of an additional document,which contained national defence information. trump waived his right to be present in court for his arraignment on the three additional charges on the 10th of august. so it not guilty to three further charges after the arraignment yesterday, the third one in four months. sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's chetan. hi christian, thank you. we start with the growing questions around the future of the commonwealth games, after the canadian province of alberta announced it's cancelling its bid to host the event in 2030. it follows victoria in australia who also pulled out of staging the next games in 2026. 0ur correspondent alex capstick has been following the story.