of the global economy given so many countries do so much trade with china. chinese government data shows that the value of exports fell 14.5% compared to the same month a year ago. that suggests the rest of the world is buying less stuff. the value of imports also fell by more than expected, down 12.4% onjuly a year ago. but that partly reflects a fall in the price of commodities such as crude oil. the figures will concern china's government, who are grappling with economic growth. the quarterly growth figure was just 0.8% in the april tojune period, as the country continued its post—covid recovery. and last month, china's struggles were cited as a key concern for the global economy when the international monetary fund updated its global growth forecast for this year to 3%. david woo is a former imf economist and wall street strategist and has been telling me what he makes of the numbers. you know, like some people are going to say, "well, this is just basically a reflection of the current global manufacturing slump. " but i suspect there is a lot more going on here. i think what's really going on is the impact of the reshoring of manufacturing back to the us and europe. right now it's difficult to prove this, but the fact is that while chinese exports are down, mexican exports are up, indonesian exports are up. i suspect china is hurting more from the relocation of supply chains than beijing would like to admit. and honestly, i suspect also that many people in washington will probably see today's numbers as a reason for celebration. not in china, with imports down there as well. what does it do? ithink, you know, obviously, this is hurting countries that are very dependent on their export to china, right? that is, of course, japan, south korea, taiwan and germany. let's not forget, you know, china is germany's largest export destination outside europe. and all these countries are also under pressure to reduce their trade relationship with china. you know, basically pressure coming from the us. so this is clearly a problem. but i think what this number today really highlights is the need for china to reduce its dependency on exports even more quickly. and this means that they have no choice but to undertake real economic reforms and deregulation to stimulate investment, domestic consumption, something that xijinping has been reluctant to do. but i think now this crisis literally risks burning down the house. i think finally, perhaps the reformers basically have a chance to basically push through some of their agenda they haven't been able to do for the last ten years. yeah, they haven't enacted any major stimulus, have they, since covid? it's really struggling internally, also in the property sector, aren't they? exactly. but i think there's a difference between stimulus and reform. like, you know, they haven't done stimulus because stimulus hasn't been really working. as you probably know, china now is sitting on more debt than the united states and even europe. that's the result of over stimulus of the last ten years. so from that point of view, they don't want to basically pump more fiscal stimulus in the economy. they don't want to give out more loans. what they need to do now is to basically open up the economy for competition, trying to basically level the playing field between state—owned enterprises and private industry to unleash basically the private entrepreneurship. and this is where there is some good news out of today's numbers. if you look at chinese car exports, they actually hit 437,000 units last month. this represents more than a 50% increase from a year ago. and this is because china, of course, is now emerging as a leader of electric vehicles. and what we're seeing is very, very strong overseas demand for dependable, affordable evs from china. the only question now is what the us is going to do next to stop china's basically, you know, export of evs. and i think this is going to be the million—dollar question in 202a. the share prices of italain banks have taken a battering the share prices of italian banks have taken a battering after they were by a 40% windfall tax on their profits for this year. the biggest, intesa sanpaolo, is down almost 9% and number two unicredit is down nearly 6%. the government says that collectively the banks have been making billions in extra profits, as interest rates have risen in the battle against inflation. the tax could bring in around $3 billion for the government, which it says it will use to help those who are struggling with the cost of living crisis, as our business editor simonjack explains. king at its root is a pretty basic business. banking at its root is a pretty basic business. banks make money on the difference between what they charge their borrowers in loans and mortgages and what they pay their savers. that difference is called the net interest margin, and that's banking 101. now, as interest rates have risen around the world in the battle against inflation, there's been a lot of countries who've said that banks have been quicker to charge more to their borrowers than they have to pay more to their savers. so that margin has increased, and we've seen big increases across europe and in the us of bank profits. so italy has taken the move, surprise move, which is why you saw those big share price falls in some of the italian banks, to tax some of that excess profit, as they put it. so they think it'll raise around 3 billion euros, which they'll use to try and fund the cost of living crisis to those who are harder pressed. so they're not the first country to this. hungary has done it. there have been calls in other countries to do it as well. but it was a bit of a surprise, which is why you saw those share prices fall. we haven't made much money out of this for the last decade or so." "since the financial crisis, interest rates have been close to zero, so there's been almost no margin." "if you start taxing us the minute we start making money, then that will impair our ability to lend money into the economy." but it is a popular move in many countries and we've seen it, as i say, in spain as well. and there are calls in some other countries to do it. but this was a surprise. they talked about it for a while, then we thought it had gone cold, and then they popped it in just before the italian government goes on their summer recess. are we losing our appetite for meat alternatives? that's the worry for beyond meat as the leading maker of plant based burgers and sausages says its seen a 30% fall in sales in the april tojune period compared to a year ago. the new york stock exchange has just opened and beyond meat�*s shares are down about i7%. i remember covering it when beyond meat first came to the market and its share price popped on the first day of trading at the nasdaq stock exchange. and there was a lot of excitement around the idea that here was a product that not only was great for vegans, but also for meat eaters who perhaps wanted to do their bit to try and kind of reduce the emissions related to sort of the production of meat and switch to something that was plant—based. now, you fast forward a couple of years and here is this company that's reporting a 30% drop in sales. you know, i mean, a third of their sales have fallen. and so there is concern, is this unique to this company or does it reflect a bigger trend? are we seeing people's appetite change? and if you listen to what the ceo said, he talked about the fact that you have high inflation, which has meant that people have cut back. that is some of the reason they have switched in some cases. if you've got to choose, if you've got a limited budget, people are choosing meat instead of the kind of plant—based alternative. but there is another thing at play here also, and that is perception. there is a sense that perhaps, you know, the health benefits of these plant—based alternatives are not so great because they contain high levels of saturated fat, but they also contain very elevated levels of sodium. and so that also, i think, has turned people off. and then there is the question that maybe some people just aren't interested. so perhaps we have seen the last of the kind of growth in a sector that really has been exploding. that being said, if you look at other areas like plant based dairy products and milks, they're still doing very well. so this does seem very specific to the to the kind of alternative meat section. yeah, certainly seems it. michelle, there's another story that i know you're keeping your eye on. 11 wall street firms have been paying fines of nearly $300 million between them because of poor recordkeeping. what's that about? yeah. so we've all seen the rise of things like whatsapp or other messaging systems, whether it's imessage or signal. increasingly, that's creeping into the workplace and that is opening up employers to legal liability as these 11 banks have just found. now, part of it is specific to the industry. it is governed by the securities exchange act from 193a, which governs kind of record keeping for the industry. and so what these 11 banks have been found or have had to pay this penalty for is the idea that their employees were basically engaged in work chat, where there was kind of significant information shared on these messaging apps that then were not kept as records because by their nature they are more private and the employers don't necessarily have sight of that. so i think it goes to the sort of bigger question. obviously, there is legaljeopardy here for these firms, but it raises a broader question for employers and for employees about how we use these apps in the workplace and to discuss our work. one of the world's biggest computer chip makers says its going to open its first factory in europe. says it's going to open its first factory in europe. taiwan's tsmc says its board has approved plans for a $3.8 billion facility in germany. the company said it had strong support from the germany government and the eu, both of which have been pouring money into computer chips so that they become less reliant on china for supplies. tsmc�*s invesment in germany follows a similar announcement by us rival intel a few weeks ago. the video conferencing firm zoom has updated its terms of service because of concerns that it was training its artificial intelligence models on customer calls. in a blog post, the firm stressed that audio, video and chats were not used for al without consent. the video—calling app acted after users noticed changes to the firm's terms of service in march, which they worried enabled ai training. zoom launched new ai—powered features injune, one of which lets clients summarise meetings without having to record an entire session. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. lugging the weekly shop the long way round. no one will deliver here so sarah rogers and the other residents have to take this route every time they want to get from their cars to their homes. i do the shopping for my next neighbour who is disabled. if i didn't do his shopping, then he wouldn't have any stuff. for two years now, it's been like this. the bridge was closed in 2021 because of the concerns that it might collapse under its own weight. some repairs meant it could be reopened to pedestrians 18 months ago but newport council has no date for when things will be completely back to normal. all we get when we try to contact them is the fact that they are monitoring the bridge. i mean, how long does it take to monitor a bridge? newport council said work had proved complex and technically challenging. it said repairs were ongoing and thank the residents for their patients. it said all the emergency services had been given the code to the gate. you're live with bbc news. to ukraine now, where at least seven people have been killed in a russian missile attack on the eastern town of pokrovsk. dozens of others were injured in the strike. the head of the donetsk region said it damaged a hotel as well as shops and office buildings. 0ur correspondent in kyiv, james waterhouse, told us more about the attack and the town where it happened. rescue efforts are continuing today after having to be paused overnight because of the risk of shelling, we're told. but pokrovsk is one of many frontline towns where, after the population was hollowed out in the full scale invasion of last year, people in their thousands have been returning to cities like pokrovsk, despite the very real dangers. you've got authorities there saying, "stay away." "it's still not safe." there are reminders of the threat with damaged buildings dotted about. and this is the worst we've certainly seen for a while in the area where you have the hotel druzhba and the mafia—themed corleone restaurant. why do i know so much about it? well, me and countless other journalists, as well as civilians and soldiers, it's where you go and stay and eat when you go to places like this, there isn't much in the way of choice. but the people there are very friendly. it is a city that somehow learnt to cope, learnt how to live despite being around about 20 miles from the front line. and the reality is when you're that close to the front line, you are within range of more russian weaponry, such as grad missiles, such as artillery fire. so the risks really do go up. and there's no doubt that russia targeted it because lots of ukrainian soldiers go through there. but this is nevertheless a civilian location. it is a town, it is a small town. and here we are again with the familiar sight of two rescue teams lifting to through the rubble and trying to find who they can. and i think the fact that so many of the injured are made up of police officers, i think that reflects the strikes occurring within a0 minutes of each other. it suggests what's called a double tap, where we've seen russian forces do this before, where they hit a specific area, they let rescue teams come in and then they hit it again in a very deliberate act. in ireland, thousands of mourners have gathered for the funeral, of the singer sinead o'connor — who died last month at the age of 56. there was a huge turn out in the coastal town of bray, near dublin, to say farewell to the star. the procession passed her former home. from there — here's our reporter sara girvin. they have been singing, sharing memories of the singer. 0ne fan said she got up at 2am this morning to travel here. another couple have just stopped us to show us pictures of their grandchildren with the staff. this is how important it was for people to be here today. after a private service this morning, just after an hour ago, they pass through this coastal road, past her home. music had been playing up until that point. people had been singing. but when the car got here, you could have heard the pin drop after rounds of applause. people were throwing flowers at the vehicle. really emotional scenes. then the vehicle went all down this road. we know it went all down this road. we know it went on to a private burial. this was the only public part of the service. we know one of the attendees at the private part was the irish president. he has said sinead 0'connor�*s contribution to music was phenomenal but he said it came from incredible pain, perhaps too much for one to bear. people who have been really grateful that they got to say their final goodbyes. it was a day are very mixed emotions, of morning but of celebration two. it's been another big day at the women's world cup — with two more teams — colombia and france — making it through to the quarterfinals. earlier i spoke to our reporter mimi fawaz about france's comfortable win over debutants morocco. debbiejens marco debbie jens marco flashing debbiejens marco flashing them in that match by four goals to nil. morocco is the first arab country to qualify in this competition. the first time they're making afraid the last 16 in france just proved too much for them to deal with. they had lots of defensive errors. let's not forget, this is a fourth consecutive time that france have reached the quarterfinals of the women's world cup. quarterfinals of the women's world cu -. �* , quarterfinals of the women's world cu, �* , ., ., ,y cup. and they are “oined by colombia. h cup. and they are “oined by colombia. that _ cup. and they are joined by colombia. that much - cup. and they are joined by colombia. that much was l cup. and they are joined by l colombia. that much was -- cup. and they are joined by - colombia. that much was -- that colombia. that much was —— that match was much tighter, wasn't it? indeed, colombia went through getting one goal againstjamaica. getting one goal against jamaica. jamaica getting one goal againstjamaica. jamaica were very strong defensively in the group stages, not conceding any goals, but colombia in a second half of the match, were able to break through the defence and get a goal. colombia looking very good. they had a shock win against the two—time champions germany in the group stages. so they will definitely be a very tough opponent for england who face the next in the quarterfinals on saturday.— quarterfinals on saturday. talking of england. _ quarterfinals on saturday. talking of england, lauren _ quarterfinals on saturday. talking of england, lauren james, - quarterfinals on saturday. talking of england, lauren james, she i quarterfinals on saturday. talking l of england, lauren james, she was of england, laurenjames, she was sent off in england's last match. she issued an apology today but she is out of england's quarterfinal, isn't she? , , , m is out of england's quarterfinal, isn't she? , , , a , is out of england's quarterfinal, isn't she? , , , , ., isn't she? yes, she picked up that red card in — isn't she? yes, she picked up that red card in the _ isn't she? yes, she picked up that red card in the nigeria _ isn't she? yes, she picked up that red card in the nigeria match - isn't she? yes, she picked up that| red card in the nigeria match when she stepped on the back of the nigerian defender. she came out on twitter today as well as the england fa, to apologise she did. and the nigeria defender as well has aborted and told people to leave her alone. of course, england fa have spoken of course, england fa have spoken about, it's herfirst time, she's very young the world stage and the emotions got the best of her but england will have to wait and see, well they must have the best of the tournament a fever review it and give her more, maybe possibly two or three match bans. it could be a big miss for england.— miss for england. let's turn to the sto . a miss for england. let's turn to the story- a german — miss for england. let's turn to the story. a german man _ miss for england. let's turn to the story. a german man has - miss for england. let's turn to the story. a german man has been - story. a german man has been arrested after his wife is kept captive for 12 years at their home in france. french prosecutors have just started press conference. more details coming out, the woman, also german was reported to be seminaked with her head shaved when they found her in a bedroom in the apartment. police have said the bedroom by the woman was found was closed off with a metal wire at the residence in a small town close the border with germany. the 55—year—old man is being held on suspicion of kidnap and other offences and in the last while, after an examination, her health was described as not good by local prosecutors. this news conference just giving the latest details on that story. we will keep an eye on that news conference and bring you any key bets here on bbc news in the next little while. let's head to scotland. across the day we've been getting a taste of some of the many acts to take the stage at the edinburgh fringe festival. 2023 marks the festival's 76th year, and over that time the event's grown from a handful of performances to a sprawling extravanganza. live now to our reporter courtney bembridge, who is there. i have been experiencing all of the fringe delights today and now we have two very special guests. 0ne have two very special guests. one from iceland and one from manchester. we will start the aunty ginger. mi; manchester. we will start the aunty auiner. y .,, manchester. we will start the aunty auiner. y , manchester. we will start the aunty auiner. g ,., , manchester. we will start the aunty auiner. g i, ., ginger. my “0b is at the -- my show is at the ginger. my job is at the -- my show is at the assembly _ ginger. my job is at the -- my show is at the assembly gardens. - ginger. my job is at the -- my show is at the assembly gardens. it's - ginger. my job is at the -- my show is at the assembly gardens. it's a i is at the assembly gardens. it's a really— is at the assembly gardens. it's a really funny show. there some education _ really funny show. there some education as well. i like to solve problems— education as well. i like to solve problems for people too. it's on now until the _ problems for people too. it's on now until the tenth. it is problems for people too. it's on now until the tenth.— untilthe tenth. it is a late night show. untilthe tenth. it is a late night show there — untilthe tenth. it is a late night show. there are _ untilthe tenth. it is a late night show. there are shows - untilthe tenth. it is a late night show. there are shows across l until the tenth. it is a late night l show. there are shows across the until the tenth. it is a late night - show. there are shows across the day and aunty ginger did very well there to keep that very bbc friendly for us. tell us about your show, what is in entail? �* ., . ., ., in entail? i'm from iceland and the show is about _ in entail? i'm from iceland and the show is about me, _ in entail? i'm from iceland and the show is about me, it's _ in entail? i'm from iceland and the show is about me, it's my - in entail? i'm from iceland and the| show is about me, it's my favourite subject _ show is about me, it's my favourite subject i_ show is about me, it's my favourite subject i base— show is about me, it's my favourite subject. i base it _ show is about me, it's my favourite subject. i base it on _ show is about me, it's my favourite subject. i base it on my— show is about me, it's my favourite subject. i base it on my diaries - subject. i base it on my diaries that— subject. i base it on my diaries that i_ subject. i base it on my diaries that i have _ subject. i base it on my diaries that i have with _ subject. i base it on my diaries that i have with me _ subject. i base it on my diaries that i have with me on - subject. i base it on my diaries that i have with me on stage, i that i have with me on stage, letters— that i have with me on stage, letters between— that i have with me on stage, letters between me - that i have with me on stage, letters between me and - that i have with me on stage, letters between me and my. that i have with me on stage, - letters between me and my mother that i have with me on stage, _ letters between me and my mother and it's basically— letters between me and my mother and it's basically about _ letters between me and my mother and it's basically about the _ letters between me and my mother and it's basically about the period _ letters between me and my mother and it's basically about the period in - it's basically about the period in my life — it's basically about the period in my life where _ it's basically about the period in my life where i— it's basically about the period in my life where i came _ it's basically about the period in my life where i came out. - it's basically about the period in my life where i came out. i- it's basically about the period in my life where i came out. i was| my life where i came out. i was going _ my life where i came out. i was going to — my life where i came out. i was going to do _ my life where i came out. i was going to do a _ my life where i came out. i was going to do a drag _ my life where i came out. i was going to do a drag performance my life where i came out. i was i going to do a drag performance to begin— going to do a drag performance to begin within — going to do a drag performance to begin within the _ going to do a drag performance to begin within the show. _ going to do a drag performance to begin within the show. but - going to do a drag performance to begin within the show. but then . begin within the show. but then during _ begin within the show. but then during the — begin within the show. but then during the creative _ begin within the show. but then during the creative process, - begin within the show. but then during the creative process, i. begin within the show. but then - during the creative process, i ended up during the creative process, i ended up having _ during the creative process, i ended up having a — during the creative process, i ended up having a nervous— during the creative process, i ended up having a nervous breakdown- up having a nervous breakdown reading — up having a nervous breakdown reading all— up having a nervous breakdown reading all this _ up having a nervous breakdown reading all this old _ up having a nervous breakdown reading all this old material- up having a nervous breakdownl reading all this old material that up having a nervous breakdown. reading all this old material that i had written — reading all this old material that i had written as _ reading all this old material that i had written as a _ reading all this old material that i had written as a young _ reading all this old material that i had written as a young gay - reading all this old material that i had written as a young gay man l had written as a young gay man before — had written as a young gay man before that _ had written as a young gay man before that so _ had written as a young gay man before that so we _ had written as a young gay man before that so we did _ had written as a young gay man before that so we did a - had written as a young gay man before that so we did a big - had written as a young gay man . before that so we did a big u—turn and the _ before that so we did a big u—turn and the show— before that so we did a big u—turn and the show is _ before that so we did a big u—turn and the show isjust_ before that so we did a big u—turn and the show is just a _ before that so we did a big u—turn and the show isjust a very- and the show isjust a very vulnerable, _ and the show isjust a very vulnerable, full— and the show isjust a very vulnerable, full of- and the show isjust a very vulnerable, full of new. and the show isjust a very- vulnerable, full of new icelandic, musicat— vulnerable, full of new icelandic, musical songs _ vulnerable, full of new icelandic, musical songs can— vulnerable, full of new icelandic, musical songs can stand - vulnerable, full of new icelandic, musical songs can stand up - vulnerable, full of new icelandic, musical songs can stand up a - vulnerable, full of new icelandic, i musical songs can stand up a little bit and _ musical songs can stand up a little bit and vulnerable _ musical songs can stand up a little bit and vulnerable moments. - musical songs can stand up a little bit and vulnerable moments. we l musical songs can stand up a little i bit and vulnerable moments. we just talk about— bit and vulnerable moments. we just talk about self—love _ bit and vulnerable moments. we just talk about self—love and _ bit and vulnerable moments. we just talk about self—love and self— hate. . talk about self—love and self— hate. this is _ talk about self—love and self— hate. this is your — talk about self—love and self— hate. this is your first _ talk about self—love and self— hate. this is your first time _ talk about self—love and self— hate. this is your first time at _ talk about self—love and self— hate. this is your first time at fringe. . this is your first time at fringe. iceland has a population of a00000 and you are now at the fringe were about 2 million people attend. how has that been for you? it is overwhelming _ has that been for you? it is overwhelming and - has that been for you? it is overwhelming and amazing. meeting amazing _ overwhelming and amazing. meeting amazing people _ overwhelming and amazing. meeting amazing people from _ overwhelming and amazing. meeting amazing people from all _ overwhelming and amazing. meeting amazing people from all over- overwhelming and amazing. meeting amazing people from all over the - amazing people from all over the world _ amazing people from all over the world and — amazing people from all over the world and i— amazing people from all over the world and i feel— amazing people from all over the world and i feel like _ amazing people from all over the world and i feel like an— amazing people from all over the world and i feel like an medium i amazing people from all over the i world and i feel like an medium fish in a huge _ world and i feel like an medium fish in a huge pond _ world and i feel like an medium fish in a huge pond. coming— world and i feel like an medium fish in a huge pond. coming from - world and i feel like an medium fish in a huge pond. coming from a - world and i feel like an medium fish in a huge pond. coming from a tinyl in a huge pond. coming from a tiny little _ in a huge pond. coming from a tiny little iceland, _ in a huge pond. coming from a tiny little iceland, it _ in a huge pond. coming from a tiny little iceland, it has _ in a huge pond. coming from a tiny little iceland, it has been _ in a huge pond. coming from a tiny little iceland, it has been great - little iceland, it has been great and it's— little iceland, it has been great and it's amazing _ little iceland, it has been great and it's amazing and _ little iceland, it has been great and it's amazing and so - little iceland, it has been great and it's amazing and so fun, i. little iceland, it has been great. and it's amazing and so fun, i love it. , ., and it's amazing and so fun, i love it. tell us about manchester. would ou it. tell us about manchester. would you describe — it. tell us about manchester. would you describe it _ it. tell us about manchester. would you describe it as _ it. tell us about manchester. would you describe it as a _ it. tell us about manchester. would you describe it as a big _ it. tell us about manchester. would you describe it as a big pond? - it. tell us about manchester. would you describe it as a big pond? i - you describe it as a big pond? i would say manchester is a city, over 2 million _ would say manchester is a city, over 2 million of— would say manchester is a city, over 2 million of them are drag queens. i say out _ 2 million of them are drag queens. i say out on _ 2 million of them are drag queens. i say put on your best way, your best dress. _ say put on your best way, your best dress. your— say put on your best way, your best dress, your best heels and get the trader— dress, your best heels and get the trader somewhere else. you dress, your best heels and get the trader somewhere else.— dress, your best heels and get the trader somewhere else. you have been sellin: out trader somewhere else. you have been selling out shows, _ trader somewhere else. you have been selling out shows, even _ trader somewhere else. you have been selling out shows, even with _ trader somewhere else. you have been selling out shows, even with a - trader somewhere else. you have been selling out shows, even with a late - selling out shows, even with a late night time slot. it is selling out shows, even with a late night time slot.— night time slot. it is really fun. there is a _ night time slot. it is really fun. there is a nice _ night time slot. it is really fun. there is a nice mix _ night time slot. it is really fun. there is a nice mix of- night time slot. it is really fun. there is a nice mix of people i night time slot. it is really fun. i there is a nice mix of people from all over— there is a nice mix of people from all over the — there is a nice mix of people from all over the world. we accept all life choices, everyone is welcome. people _ life choices, everyone is welcome. people come up with different stories— people come up with different stories and questions and as the show— stories and questions and as the show goes, you sense the fear moving away and _ show goes, you sense the fear moving away and people being more willing to share _ away and people being more willing to share. so really fun, always good to share. so really fun, always good to see _ to share. so really fun, always good to see more — to share. so really fun, always good to see more people there.— to share. so really fun, always good to see more people there. thank you both are talking _ to see more people there. thank you both are talking to _ to see more people there. thank you both are talking to me. _ to see more people there. thank you both are talking to me. we _ to see more people there. thank you both are talking to me. we have - to see more people there. thank you | both are talking to me. we have been so lucky to speak to incredible guests. i'm going to get to make up tips from aunty ginger and i am going to go through the diary here. that is it from us for now. we going to go through the diary here. that is it from us for now.- that is it from us for now. we will be back to — that is it from us for now. we will be back to edinburgh _ that is it from us for now. we will be back to edinburgh in _ that is it from us for now. we will be back to edinburgh in about - that is it from us for now. we will be back to edinburgh in about an l be back to edinburgh in about an hour's time here. just a couple more stories to get very. the american red cross to get very. the american red cross to has announced it will allow gay and bisexual men to donate blood without restriction. the move comes after the federal food and drug administration further eased a longstanding policy that specifically targeted them over their sexual orientation. restrictions were introduced early in the aids epidemic, before blood screening for hiv infection was effective. the american red cross says a recent shortage of donations led to an appeal for more donors. the creator of the popular song cha cha slide, dj casper, has died at the age of 58. the us songwriterfrom chicago, whose real name is willie perrer, was diagnosed with kidney and liver cancer in 2016, and died from the illness. he orginally wrote the song in 2000, where it initially peaked at no 83 in the us charts. however, it gained massive popularity over the years, topping uk singles charts in march 200a. now it's time for a look at the weather with louise lear. hello there. i think most of us have had to manage our expectations a little with summer 2023 across the uk, and the next few days no exception, i'm afraid. so far today the best of the sunshine has been through the north — scotland, northern ireland and northern england. there has been a bit of a north—south divide. further south it was a cloudy, misty, murky, drizzly start to the day and that cloud and drizzle is pushing its way steadily east as we speak out of wales, out of south—west england, over towards the capital and along the kent coast for the remainder of the afternoon. in fact, we draw a line really from north wales over to lincolnshire. anywhere north of that will continue to see the best of the sunshine. a few scattered showers. the winds will strengthen close to gale force across the northern isles, tied in to storm hans that's affecting scandinavia at the moment. but one unifying factor is the feel of the weather — still disappointing for this time of year. high teens for most, maybe, if we're lucky, 20 or 21 degrees. now, as we go through the evening and overnight, we'll see that rain easing away from the kent coast. we keep some cloud filtering in across the south—west. where we've got the breaks in the cloud temperatures into single figures, but it feels quite humid down to the south—west by the end of the night as we're tapping in to that warmer air coming from the near continent. high pressure is building and we will start to see an improving picture on wednesday, but this warm front toppling across the high will still introduce more in the way of nuisance cloud and drizzle. quite murky conditions once again on those exposed west coasts. northern and eastern areas seeing the best of the sunshine and potentially the best of the warmth on wednesday, but all of us will be a degree or so up in comparison to of late, so low 20s, possibly as high as 2a or 25 degrees. that's the mid—70s fahrenheit. warmer still as we go into thursday. we're going to tap into some extreme heat that's pushing its way up from iberia. by the time it gets to us, it's not going to be, obviously, as hot. but nevertheless, thursday is likely to be the hottest day of the week as we see those temperatures widely into the mid—20s, possibly as high as 27 degrees. that's 80 fahrenheit. but it's not expected to last, as somewhat cooler and showery conditions are set to return from friday and into the weekend. that's it. take care. live from london — this is bbc news. saving the amazon — leaders from eight south american countries gather — to thrash out an urgent plan to protect the rainforest. a warning from washington about the wagner mercenary group taking advantage of the coup in niger. the us secretary of state speaks to the bbc. every single place that this group, wagner group has gone, death, destruction and exploitation have followed. the uk's elections watchdog reveals it's been the victim of a "complex cyber—attack" — potentially affecting millions of voters. make you through to the quarterfinals! —— make it. hello, i m matthew amroliwala, welcome to verified live, 3 hours of breaking stories, and checking out the truth behind them. and checking out