called the bibby stockholm — today. officials say it will be used to house up to 500 men while they await the outcome of their asylum applications. campaigners have expressed concern about the conditions on board, but the government insists the vessel is safe. danjohnson is in portland, where the barge is docked... what does this say about the welcome we extend to those seeking asylum? are these the first steps towards a tougher stance long overdue to reduce costs, or are these potentially traumatised refugees being dehumanized, now denied even this to the stability of dry land. these men carried the added weight of the government �*s resolve. of the government 's resolve. we successfully _ of the government 's resolve. - successfully onboard the first cohort today, we have had challenges but this is part of an ongoing structured process to bring a cohort of about 500 people on board. there have been some challenges, leaguer challenges, but accommodation is offered to all individuals on and no choice basis. sen; offered to all individuals on and no choice basis-— choice basis. say it loud say it clear refugees _ choice basis. say it loud say it clear refugees are _ choice basis. say it loud say it clear refugees are welcome i choice basis. say it loud say it. clear refugees are welcome here. even _ clear refugees are welcome here. even if— clear refugees are welcome here. even if they oppose their accommodation. we even if they oppose their accommodation. ~ ., ., , , accommodation. we wanted really 'ust to show we cared, fl accommodation. we wanted really 'ust to show we cared, we i accommodation. we wanted really 'ust to show we cared, we want i accommodation. we wanted really 'ust to show we cared, we want to i accommodation. we wanted reallyjust to show we cared, we want to show . accommodation. we wanted reallyjust to show we cared, we want to show it. to show we cared, we want to show it actually _ to show we cared, we want to show it actually there — to show we cared, we want to show it actually there is— to show we cared, we want to show it actually there is support _ to show we cared, we want to show it actually there is support from - to show we cared, we want to show it actually there is support from the - actually there is support from the local community, _ actually there is support from the local community, we _ actually there is support from the local community, we partly- actually there is support from the i local community, we partly wanted actually there is support from the - local community, we partly wanted to help them, _ local community, we partly wanted to help them, give— local community, we partly wanted to help them, give them _ local community, we partly wanted to help them, give them some - help them, give them some things they might — help them, give them some things they might need _ help them, give them some things they might need.— help them, give them some things they might need. weymouth, portland itself, i can they might need. weymouth, portland itself. i can see _ they might need. weymouth, portland itself, i can see that _ they might need. weymouth, portland itself, i can see that point _ they might need. weymouth, portland itself, i can see that point of— itself, i can see that point of view, but we have to welcome them, they're here, now, we have to welcome them. but they're here, now, we have to welcome them.— they're here, now, we have to welcome them. �* �*, , , ., welcome them. but it's impossible to ianore welcome them. but it's impossible to ignore here- — welcome them. but it's impossible to ignore here- a _ welcome them. but it's impossible to ignore here. a local— welcome them. but it's impossible to ignore here. a local guy _ welcome them. but it's impossible to ignore here. a local guy who - welcome them. but it's impossible to ignore here. a local guy who walked l ignore here. a local guy who walked portland port first. this ignore here. a local guy who walked portland port first.— portland port first. this isn't bein: portland port first. this isn't being racist, _ portland port first. this isn't being racist, that's - portland port first. this isn't being racist, that's just - portland port first. this isn't being racist, that'sjust us . portland port first. this isn't - being racist, that'sjust us saying we need — being racist, that'sjust us saying we need to— being racist, that'sjust us saying we need to look after ourselves. they— we need to look after ourselves. they get — we need to look after ourselves. they get showers, they get for three cooked _ they get showers, they get for three cooked meals a day. we need this to id cooked meals a day. we need this to go up _ cooked meals a day. we need this to go up to— cooked meals a day. we need this to go up to iri— cooked meals a day. we need this to go up to in portland. this cooked meals a day. we need this to go up to in portland.— go up to in portland. this is the welcome for — go up to in portland. this is the welcome for the _ go up to in portland. this is the l welcome for the asylum-seekers welcome for the asylum—seekers as they arrive, even if they are not quite clear of who is on board and where they're headed. the strength of feeling on both sides. it's been beset by delays and weighed down with argument. when journalists were shown around, we were told operational by the end ofjuly. but there were health and safety issues there were health and safety issues the fire service raised concerns and then the fire brigades union labelled it a death trap. safety record, housing oil rig workers and asylum sequels and other countries but bunk beds shared rooms to help double its capacity at worry. irate double its capacity at worry. we have to double its capacity at worry. - have to remember these are human beings, the is our people, they have dreams and aspirations just like everyone else. dreams and aspirations 'ust like eveeneryersefi dreams and aspirations 'ust like eve oneelse. ,, ., , everyone else. small boat crossings are dangerous- _ everyone else. small boat crossings are dangerous. yes. _ everyone else. small boat crossings are dangerous. yes. the _ everyone else. small boat crossings are dangerous. yes. the hotel- everyone else. small boat crossings are dangerous. yes. the hotel bills| are dangerous. yes. the hotel bills are dangerous. yes. the hotel bills are a normal enormous,...- are a normal enormous,... invest --roerl are a normal enormous,... invest properly in — are a normal enormous,... invest properly in this — are a normal enormous,... invest properly in this asylum _ are a normal enormous,... invest properly in this asylum and - properly in this asylum and immigration process. zf} properly in this asylum and immigration process. 20 men have refused to move _ immigration process. 20 men have refused to move here _ immigration process. 20 men have refused to move here out - immigration process. 20 men have refused to move here out of- immigration process. 20 men have refused to move here out of fear. immigration process. 20 men have| refused to move here out of fear of being left floating with 500 others. dan johnson being left floating with 500 others. danjohnson bbc news, portland. today we learnt that the number of asylum seekers in hotels in the uk, is at record levels, up 3,000 since march. our home editor, mark easton has been looking in more detail, at how the government is trying to solve the problem. why do we need a barge for a? the real problem lies elsewhere. the number of asylum applications have increased lately, now up for point 6000... backlog of people waiting for the home office to make a decision on their claim has risen by 130 7000, three times that number. the backlog was rising before the increase in applications and are still at record levels. every asylum—seekers stuck in the system need somewhere to live, and that, frankly, has proven a nightmare. the home office had to requisition hotels... there are around 50,500 asylum—seekers in hotel rooms. at a cost of about £6 million every day. and ministers agree that is unacceptable. so where to put all these people instead? the government increased payments to local authorities who accommodate asylum—seekers, but many councils are reluctant to take that. military and prison sites, skimped and in lincolnshire, east sussex, and even in the prime minister �*s constituency all talked about it. legal challenges as i speak only wethersfield has seen any asylum—seekers arrive and only 46 of them. which leads us to the bibby stockholm. ward and a private port with capacity for 500 people, the home office wants to move out of hotels. but remember there are 50,000 asylum—seekers in hotels, so we would need 100 barges to empty all those rooms. the government is pinning its hopes on stopping the flow of asylum—seekers. criminalise those who come by regular routes, detaining them, removing them possibly to rwanda. but the rwanda policy also stuck in the courts and ministers are getting increasingly concerned with the problem will get worse before it gets any better. that was mark easton reporting. 0ur correspondent ellie price — is in dorset for us now. i'v e i've been watching you report all day on this, the official number that we have is so far 50 people on board. 15 that we have is so far 50 people on board. ' , ., , that we have is so far 50 people on board. ' , .,, ., ., i: board. 15 people on board and 20 --eole board. 15 people on board and 20 people who _ board. 15 people on board and 20 people who refused _ board. 15 people on board and 20 people who refused to _ board. 15 people on board and 20 people who refused to get - board. 15 people on board and 20 people who refused to get on - people who refused to get on board, it gives you a sense really have quite why the home office in the uk was reluctant to put a figure on it this morning how many they wanted to come, it's clear how many of them didn't end up coming. it gives you an idea really of the issue at the government has in solving this issue. as mark was saying it's a very complex issue, almost all cases of how to deal with that there are always these legal challenges, and these legal challenges seem to crop up these legal challenges seem to crop up at the last minute. so it was very difficult to put a finger on it. we do have the official figure now but that's the sense of why it was you know they weren't committing to it this morning. fiend was you know they weren't committing to it this morning.— to it this morning. and ellie, we'll aet to it this morning. and ellie, we'll net to the to it this morning. and ellie, we'll get to the legal— to it this morning. and ellie, we'll get to the legal challenges - to it this morning. and ellie, we'll get to the legal challenges in - to it this morning. and ellie, we'll get to the legal challenges in a i get to the legal challenges in a moment, butjust tell us a little bit more about the criticism of the conditions. the bit more about the criticism of the conditions. ., ,., bit more about the criticism of the conditions-— conditions. the whole point about the barae conditions. the whole point about the barge is _ conditions. the whole point about the barge is that _ conditions. the whole point about the barge is that it _ conditions. the whole point about the barge is that it can _ conditions. the whole point about the barge is that it can house - conditions. the whole point about the barge is that it can house 500 people. another criticism about that is this is a barge that was originally designed to have 220 people and it has home to those people, it's been temporary home to people, it's been temporary home to people who are oil and gas workers off the scottish coast, home to migrants and other countries. but in those cases there was the 220 people on board. the capacity has been doubled, that's me me down to bunk beds essentially shared rooms that were previously single occupancy. they invited a load of reporters onto the barge a few weeks ago to show them around, and i'm told the rooms are relatively spacious, they've got sweet facilities, showers, toilets, communal areas, recreational areas, rooms with tvs and sofas and quiet rooms for people to have meetings with their legal representatives. and of course the criticism is the right thing to do to put those extra people on board should migrants be sharing rooms, that sort of thing. the concern of some of the protesters here, weaving placards saying welcome to refugees, people who had very troubled grounds who may have come from conflict areas, may have been in prison, is that really an environment we want to invite them into? the government was say this is a safe and functional place to put these migrants and the whole point is to reduce the cost to the british government, cost of £6 million a day to home people, to house people in hotels across the uk at the moment and as we heard from mark there are those figures are only going up at the moment. so i think the british government very much trying to say, look, we're doing right then, we meeting our international obligations to help people who are seeking refuge and seeking asylum, i will meet those responsibilities but clearly we don't want to offer luxury because the whole point about this barge is that it needs to be some version says the government. thank you so much for bringing us up to date there. we can speak now to natasha tsangarides, who is associate director of advocacy at the freedom from torture — a charity providing therapeutic care for survivors of torture in the uk. thank you so much natasha for joining us on the programme. speaking there to our correspondent who is in dorset who pointed out some of the reasons behind the government �*s decision to send these asylum—seekers there. just your reaction. asylum-seekers there. just your reaction. ~ ., , , , reaction. we are deeply disappointed that the government _ reaction. we are deeply disappointed that the government has _ reaction. we are deeply disappointed that the government has decided - reaction. we are deeply disappointed that the government has decided to i that the government has decided to press ahead with the idea of placing people in barge accommodation. we have warned the government time and again that these types of accommodation facility whether they are barges, detention, or military barge, highly unsuitable for a population that is highly vulnerable and people who have crossed waters to, in search of safety. these are people who have played more —— fled persecution. people need access to a rehabilitation and an environment thatis rehabilitation and an environment that is conducive to that well—being. that is conducive to that well-being.— that is conducive to that well-beina. ~ ., ., well-being. while natasha, the government _ well-being. while natasha, the government is _ well-being. while natasha, the government is also _ well-being. while natasha, the government is also saying - well-being. while natasha, the government is also saying that| well-being. while natasha, the . government is also saying that this is not a prison. the people are free to come and go from the space and that it has an entertainment area for example, it has a classroom, it is wi—fi, there are spaces for them to be able to be in and relax and, without it costing the government £6 million a day. this without it costing the government £6 million a day-— million a day. this is a real pr campaign _ million a day. this is a real pr campaign on _ million a day. this is a real pr campaign on behalf _ million a day. this is a real pr campaign on behalf of - million a day. this is a real pr campaign on behalf of the - campaign on behalf of the government. at the end of the day these are people who have fled torture and war, they have crossed the channel crossings, the ign or the channel crossings, the ign or the mediterranean, and are now being placed on a floating prison surrounded by water. this is a traumatised population that is already experienced the horrors of all sorts. ., ., ., all sorts. the other thing a that the government _ all sorts. the other thing a that the government says _ all sorts. the other thing a that the government says is - all sorts. the other thing a that the government says is this - all sorts. the other thing a that the government says is this is l all sorts. the other thing a that. the government says is this is part of deterrence. they don't want to create too much of a luxurious environment, again to have people who are desperate to come, pay these people smugglers large sums of monies, to come here.- people smugglers large sums of monies, to come here. there isn't actually evidence _ monies, to come here. there isn't actually evidence that _ monies, to come here. there isn't actually evidence that these - monies, to come here. there isn't actually evidence that these sort l monies, to come here. there isn't| actually evidence that these sort of deterrent measures work, in fact what we see is that people risk their lives day in and day out taking absolutely horrendous journeys when they know that they are facing the risk of death. and so the idea that a barge will be a deterrent to people coming to the uk is frankly ridiculous. fight! deterrent to people coming to the uk is frankly ridiculous.— is frankly ridiculous. and natasha what would _ is frankly ridiculous. and natasha what would you _ is frankly ridiculous. and natasha what would you say _ is frankly ridiculous. and natasha what would you say the _ is frankly ridiculous. and natasha i what would you say the government should do then, because every country and every government has an asylum policy. and they say they can't have an open door policy. what is your suggestion?— is your suggestion? absolutely. this government — is your suggestion? absolutely. this government needs _ is your suggestion? absolutely. this government needs to _ is your suggestion? absolutely. this government needs to get _ is your suggestion? absolutely. this government needs to get a - is your suggestion? absolutely. this government needs to get a grip - is your suggestion? absolutely. this government needs to get a grip and | government needs to get a grip and take charge of the asylum system that it take charge of the asylum system thatitis take charge of the asylum system that it is wholly neglected the past decade. as your reporter said at the beginning, the backflow has spiralled from 7000 2/100 50,000 cases. and this is why we are in the mess we are in.— mess we are in. don't you think a s stem mess we are in. don't you think a system like _ mess we are in. don't you think a system like this _ mess we are in. don't you think a system like this will— mess we are in. don't you think a system like this will help - mess we are in. don't you think a system like this will help reduce l system like this will help reduce those numbers to be to process people, you know, whatever the outcome may be?— people, you know, whatever the outcome may be? people, you know, whatever the outcome ma be? ~ , , ., ., outcome may be? absolutely not, and if nothing else — outcome may be? absolutely not, and if nothing else with _ outcome may be? absolutely not, and if nothing else with the _ outcome may be? absolutely not, and if nothing else with the government i if nothing else with the government has done is introduced another piece of legislation recently which will add further complication and further, you know, cases of people with nowhere to go. {lilia further, you know, cases of people with nowhere to go.— further, you know, cases of people with nowhere to go. 0k, natasha, we have to leave — with nowhere to go. 0k, natasha, we have to leave it _ with nowhere to go. 0k, natasha, we have to leave it there, _ with nowhere to go. 0k, natasha, we have to leave it there, thank - with nowhere to go. 0k, natasha, we have to leave it there, thank you - have to leave it there, thank you very much forjoining us. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. new figures from the mortgage lender, halifax, says uk house prices have dropped for the fourth month in a row. they were down nought point three per cent between june and july. the cost of a typical home is now just over 285 thousand pounds. new research from the us suggests there could be a connection between the number of bird species in an area, and the mental health of the people living there. scientists compared figures from an online bird database with hospital admissions statistics from the state of michigan. majorflooding in alaska has triggered a state of emergency. an outbust of a glacial dam on saturday has prompted evacuations for some residents in the state capital. this is the moment a house collapsed into the mendenhall river. a glacial outburst flooding happens when trapped water escapes through cracks in thinning ice dams. you're live with bbc news. we begin with the major political crisis unfolding in west africa. on a day of fast—moving developments, military leaders in niger have closed the country's airspace and put their border forces on high alert. they say they are ready to defend themselves against any foreign aggression. the statement came a day after the generals — who seized power injuly — defied an ultimatum to reinstate the elected president — or face armed intervention in response the west african regional bloc ecowas says it will hold meanwhile, a delegation from the military governments of mali and burkina faso — is heading to niger to express solidarity with the junta. the military generals in niger say there is a continuing threat of outside intervention. translation: the planning of this war has been carried out. _ free deployment of forces to take part in this war has begun in two central african countries. niger's armed forces and all our defence and security forces, backed by the unfailing support our people, are ready to defend the integrity of our territory and the honour of our homeland. well france has advised against all travel to niger. and the crisis in the country is causing a headache for thousands of international travellers from europe to central and southern germany's lufthansa has become the latest major carrier to warn its passengers they could face up to three extra hours in the air — as planes have to re—route to avoid flying over niger. air france also warned of the extra flying time but has also cancelled flights connecting paris with mali and burkino faso. 0ur correspondent chris ewokor is in sokoto on the nigerian side of the border with niger and gave us this update the military junta leaders the militaryjunta leaders are not taking chances. they have alleged some form of military deployment, in preparation to invade the country, to central africa but he didn't mention the name. because of that flights are diverted and of course those who are flying even from within niger, that is a kind of disruption. beyond that, aside from the closure of the airspace we are also, have a situation where borders are closed. junta leaders have opened the borders for some african countries, nigeria border with niger and the republic of benin remain closed. and of course benin republic. has sparked increase in prices of foodstuffs, nigeria has also cut electricity which is also affecting the nigerian households tremendously. earlier i spoke to the journalist alou mamane who's in niger's capital, niamey. in order to hand over power, currently the presidential in captivity under the control of the... since the announcement for subsection and also decision come from the ecowas, we have the demonstration locally here in niger where the young people, civilians, military also come out and carry out and contact a kind of demonstration to show their solidarity to the military, to the military of the timbuktu... military, to the military of the timbuktu. . .— military, to the military of the timbuktu... ., , , , timbuktu... not 'ust them but molly and buikim — faso, in support of the generals... currently we don't have official because you know that the issue is that only their own media, television and radio, has access at the presidential house. still according to some credible source, news also, said there are some delegation come from 10 three and burkina faso, allowed on the negotiation talks with niger military officers. you know the issue here, the issue is that, the issue here, the issue is that, the issueis issue here, the issue is that, the issue is that you know, niger and mali and burkina faso, they are all that, the 65 mali and burkina faso, they are all that, the g510 mali and burkina faso, they are all that, the 6510 one. three border areas. they have issues of security and i think now the first things to do in order to overcome all of challenges and the situation is to see how to tackle the insecurity, the security situation that is in the security situation that is in the area. ecowas says... president resumed the area. ecowas says... president presumed to — the area. ecowas says... president presumed to help — the area. ecowas says... president presumed to help in _ the area. ecowas says... president presumed to help in the _ the area. ecowas says... president presumed to help in the instability l presumed to help in the instability in the region. the presumed to help in the instability in the region-— in the region. the delegation from burkina in the region. the delegation from iiturkina faso. _ in the region. the delegation from burkina faso, to _ in the region. the delegation from burkina faso, to show— in the region. the delegation from burkina faso, to show their - burkina faso, to show their solidarity and also to accompany that niger public to challenge the threat comes from the 10 to, international organisation. i’sure threat comes from the 10 to, international organisation. i've got about a minute _ international organisation. i've got about a minute left _ international organisation. i've got about a minute left and _ international organisation. i've got about a minute left and i - international organisation. i've got about a minute left and i just - about a minute left and i just want to understand what you think and what those people who are in... or intervention earlier this week now they say they want diplomacy to work. do they think by closing the airspace that actually there may be some kind of large reaction. because now when you _ some kind of large reaction. because now when you go _ some kind of large reaction. because now when you go any _ some kind of large reaction. because now when you go any corner- some kind of large reaction. because now when you go any corner of- some kind of large reaction. because now when you go any corner of the i now when you go any corner of the capital of the nature republic, you will see people in the strategic position, organising, sitting to show that we are together in the military, we are ready to challenge and to face any kind of threat coming from that organisation. all scouts taking part in the world jamboree in south korea are to be evacuated from the campsite early, because of an incoming typhoon. four and a half thousand british scouts and volunteers had already pulled out of the twelve day event, blaming high temperatures and insanitary conditions at the camp, and saying it had become a health risk. jean mackenzie has the latest from the capital seoul. this is the unluckiestjamboree in scouting history. first came floods. then a heat wave. and now a typhoon. but it was not the extreme weather that calls the brits to pack up and leave, it was a lack of shade, food, and the filthy toilets and showers. we felt that it was not a safe environment to be in and we knew that we took that decision, how difficult that was going to be for young people who spent two years raising money and that's why we feel so let down. the raising money and that's why we feel so let down-— so let down. the organisers were unprepared _ so let down. the organisers were unprepared for— so let down. the organisers were unprepared for the _ so let down. the organisers were unprepared for the weather, - so let down. the organisers were unprepared for the weather, of. so let down. the organisers were i unprepared for the weather, of this scale. i unprepared for the weather, of this scale. ~ unprepared for the weather, of this scale. ,, ., ., ,., scale. i think for the next “amboree some questions * scale. i think for the next “amboree some questions need _ scale. i think for the next “amboree some questions need to h scale. i think for the next jamboree some questions need to be - scale. i think for the next jamboree some questions need to be asked l some questions need to be asked about— some questions need to be asked about making sure the location is right— about making sure the location is right and — about making sure the location is right and safe, the weather is right and safe, _ right and safe, the weather is right and safe, the season is right and safei _ and safe, the season is right and safe, and — and safe, the season is right and safe, and that all of the preparedness is done well in advance _ preparedness is done well in advance. i have no doubt the organisations have a checklist they io organisations have a checklist they go through to make sure everything is safe _ go through to make sure everything is safe and — go through to make sure everything is safe and ready, i think it will be is safe and ready, i think it will he added — is safe and ready, i think it will be added to after this event, i think— be added to after this event, i think that's the right thing to do. the world — think that's the right thing to do. the world scout body has been pushing the organisers to close the site for days. finally, they've decided it won't withstand the winds. 35,000 teenagers are being moved to schools and sports halls, activities are being rearranged. but for the brits who left early, it's cost them well over £1 million. participants are not going to pay more, they are not going to pay for more, they are not going to pay for more, they've already fund raised enough. 50 more, they've already fund raised enouth_ ., , more, they've already fund raised enouh. ., , ., more, they've already fund raised enouth_ ., , ., it enough. so who is paying for it? it will come out _ enough. so who is paying for it? it will come out of _ enough. so who is paying for it? it will come out of our _ enough. so who is paying for it? it will come out of our reserves, - enough. so who is paying for it? it will come out of our reserves, we | will come out of our reserves, we had commitments to these reserves which will of course mean that we can't now do things that we were going to do over the next three to five years. going to do over the next three to five ears. . going to do over the next three to five years-— going to do over the next three to five ears. , ., , five years. there will be an inquiry as to what — five years. there will be an inquiry as to what went _ five years. there will be an inquiry as to what went wrong, _ five years. there will be an inquiry as to what went wrong, for - five years. there will be an inquiry as to what went wrong, for now i five years. there will be an inquiry as to what went wrong, for now at j as to what went wrong, for now at the incoming typhoon is providing coverfor an event the incoming typhoon is providing cover for an event that is dangerously out of its steps. now to some extraordinary pictures from sweden, where heavy rain caused a train to derail after an embankment collapsed. more than 100 passengers were on board the service in the country's east. three people were injured. officials in sweden and norway warned the rain could become the most extreme wet weather system to hit the region in decades. the wind is starting to pick up here as we go through the night. we'll see some clear spells and the shower of zoning of cloud rolling in from the west affecting parts of wales in southwest england, bits and pieces of and missed murk, turning a little more muggy and humid here as well. the clear skies, actually a another fairly chilly night. it continues to swirl in northern europe, the isobars squeezing together over shetland, increasingly windy. through the south significantly weaker system feeding a lot of cloud eastwards across wales, into the midlands, and eventually east anglia, murky around the coast and spots of drizzle. much of northern england northern ireland and scotland extreme sanction showers. wind gusts of 50 mph and more in shetland where temperatures will only get to 12 degrees. elsewhere 17-20 only get to 12 degrees. elsewhere 17—20 so still a touch below par for the time of year. into wednesday i think we'll see a lot of cloud, mist and murk for coasts and hills, a bit of drizzle, feeding northeastward and spots of sunshine to eastern and northern part seeing the best of that. a little bit warmer for most of us in fact may be up to 24—25. but there is the is set to be the warmest day of all. the southerly winds bringing temperatures widely up winds bringing temperatures widely up into the 20s, many spots likely to get into the middle 20s celsius but will stay quite chilly in the northeast of scotland. where we do have the warmth and indeed some humidity, it won't last all that long because by friday we see this cold front pushing eastwards, a brakes of rain with that and behind it we change. the wind direction the wind �*s coming back in over the atlantic so it will start to feel cooler again as we hunt into the weekends and there will be some showers were longer spells of rain. this is bbc news, the headlines. lawyers for the former pakistan prime minister imran khan challenge a decision to jail him for three years. the russians trying to buy property in the ukrainian city of mariupol — destroyed in recent fighting. three hill walkers are found dead — after hiking in glen coe — in the scottish highlands. and we're live at the world's biggest arts festival — with hundreds of performers — in edinburgh. lawyers for the former pakistan prime minister, imran khan have been in court today challenging a decision over the weekend to jail him for three years. mr khan's legal team held a press conference after meeting with the former prime minister in prison. his lawyers say he is being held in "deplorable conditions" in jail but otherwise he remains in "good spirits".