military intervention. news being reported by afp news agency, dozens of coup supporters have gathered near french basis in niger, you might remember at the start of the coup the french embassy was attacked by supporters of the coup which will be of concern, thousands of supporters gathering near the french base in niger. russia seeing military intervention would quote destabilisation, quote. interesting, their take on it. russia prepared to take maximum advantage, and the wagner group, all the worries about them in the whole region. a lot of new is dropping in on the last while, we are keeping an eye on the constantly moving story and will return to it. the government are calling the hawaii fire is the state's largest ever natural disaster. my gosh! the scale of what has happened on the island of maui has stunned all those living here. unbelievable. and the thousands of tourists who were on holiday. the wildfire is fanned by destroying almost everything in their path. and taking many lives. he was on holiday with his family from california and had a lucky escape from the flames. we left our vehicle and myself and my wife and ourfive kids got in the ocean, we found a floating board that we hung onto and we were out there floating and it was so surreal, everything was burning around us, explosions, cars blowing up. inevitably the airports have been crammed with people trying to get out of the area. we were stuck in our rooms for three days and finally got escorted out. it was very scary because there was no light, we couldn't use our phones, we couldn't call family. when you are trapped between fires other. things come to your feelings, - especially if you not with your own family. it looks like a war zone out there, it looks like something came along and bombed the whole town. it is completely devastated, it is burned down to the ground. finally, though, the fires are being put out, helped particularly by the wind is dropping. that will bring enormous relief for everyone involved. but the grim task of searching for bodies is ongoing. we will continue to see loss of life but we have extraordinary professionals working on thejob. we have also seen many hundreds of homes destroyed and that's going to take a great deal of time to recover from. the healing process will be long and difficult but this disaster will never be forgotten. richard galpin, bbc news. you heard a little bit from the governor of hawaii in richard galpin's report. later in the day the governor toured the devastated town of lahaina and sent this powerful message. take a listen. you can see the devastation behind me. ijust walked the entirety of this road, it is extraordinary, it is tragically gone. we know people are suffering, the fertility numbers will climb somewhat today. we'll have those numbers. everybody, love your neighbours, support them, because this is devastating for maui. we probably have well over 1000 buildings that have been destroyed, many hundreds of families have been displaced. we will rebuild. the president has in atjust six hours, authorised and approved our request for emergency support, but it will be a long haul. a short while ago, the cbs news correspondent, rudabeh shahbazi, gave us this update from kahului airport on maui. people have been sleeping here. a lot of them have been here for days, three days in some cases. it is a pretty peaceful atmosphere considering what is going on and the chaos outside the airport. a lot of volunteers. the spirit of the hawaiian people on full display here. people coming in, still showing up to work, volunteers are passing out blankets, pillows and food and toiletries. we even saw some people in the bathroom basically showering in the bathroom because they are homeless for all intents and purposes as they try to get out of this island. really, there is nowhere to go. the roads are blocked. it is a small island. some of the airlines have lowered prices for tickets to just $19 so people can evacuate off the island. people are being generous in spirit, they are getting along. you can see the airport is full of people sleeping here. they have their pillows, their blankets, and everyone is trying to make do. there is a police presence making sure that everything is ok, but it has been surprisingly organised given what is going on outside the airport. many hundreds more are still missing, and that is the latest number that the governor released. we don't have the latest numbers because they can't even get to some of those sites in some cases. in most cases they are surveying by helicopter, search and rescue teams are flying in from all over america to try to assist. we saw some search dogs here earlier as well. but they can't get to them. you can imagine if your loved ones are missing and the telephones are down, the internet is down and you can't reach them for days at a time, knowing what we have seen here. you showed some of the devastating pictures, just a complete catastrophe. you can imagine what these loved ones are feeling who are still missing people here. we don't know what the numbers are. the death toll is expected to rise. junior doctors in england have begun their latest round of strike action — as part of a long—running dispute about pay and conditions. the health secretary, steve barclay, has described the strike as reckless. the doctors' union — the bma — has asked for a 35 percent pay rise to make up for what it says are 15 years of below—inflation wage rises. none of us want to be on strike, doctors or patients, my family members are patients, they have had operations, appointments cancelled during the last strikes and the last set. full pay restoration over the course of the year would cost £1 billion net. we are after £1 billion every year, the straits of cost well over a billion. they are putting party politics over common sense and logic right now. earlier today i spoke with adam brimelow of nhs providers — which represents the 219 nhs trusts here in england. i asked him to assess the impact of these strikes. it is difficult to gauge the impact so far, hearing from trusts reporting there is disruption once again and we know that cumulatively over the course of recent months more than 800,000 appointments, procedures, operations have had to be rescheduled. unfortunately it does mean more disruption for patients. it is disruptive for staff as well as in terms of cover having to be brought across. affecting the quality of services across the piece, it is frustrating for the wider nhs which is so keen to get on with addressing backlogs which have built up and are such a priority. all in all in terms of strike action, no one wins. in all in all in terms of strike action, no one wins. in terms of what patients — action, no one wins. in terms of what patients are _ action, no one wins. in terms of what patients are being - action, no one wins. in terms of what patients are being told, i action, no one wins. in terms of i what patients are being told, how quickly generally are people going to be able to get a new appointment for either an operation, a procedure or some sort of check. is there an indication of how this works given previous strikes?— previous strikes? unfortunately, trusts have _ previous strikes? unfortunately, trusts have become _ previous strikes? unfortunately, trusts have become accustomed| previous strikes? unfortunately, i trusts have become accustomed to planning and preparing for strike action. it is all too familiar a process and they have become in many respects quite at that —— adapter trying to mitigate impacts but there is an impact for patients facing disruption. the guiding principle is for minimising to raise where is the greater clinical lead and work is being done. priority will be given to those who need care and treatment most urgently. to those who need care and treatment most urgently-— most urgently. briefly in terms of this question. _ most urgently. briefly in terms of this question, in _ most urgently. briefly in terms of this question, in some _ most urgently. briefly in terms of this question, in some cases - most urgently. briefly in terms of this question, in some cases we i most urgently. briefly in terms of- this question, in some cases we have heard consultants have been brought in to cover some of the junior doctors, the urgent care, does that create an additional cost for the nhs? ht create an additional cost for the nhs? . ., , .,, nhs? it creates in a significant additional cost. _ nhs? it creates in a significant additional cost. we _ nhs? it creates in a significant additional cost. we are - nhs? it creates in a significant additional cost. we are seeing | nhs? it creates in a significant l additional cost. we are seeing in terms of the added financial impact something in the region of £1 billion so farfrom something in the region of £1 billion so far from the stoppages and the longer they go on the greater the cost and the nhs can ill afford this additional expense when resources are already so severely stretched and the imperatives are so strong to actually catch up in terms of backlogs and in terms of... you will know the positions on both sides... what would you say the government? sides. .. what would you say the government?— sides... what would you say the government? , , ., government? both sides are saying the are government? both sides are saying they are ready... _ government? both sides are saying they are ready... it _ government? both sides are saying they are ready... it needs - government? both sides are saying they are ready... it needs a - government? both sides are saying they are ready... it needs a leap of| they are ready... it needs a leap of faith to engage with the other side in a constructive manner because patients are suffering.— patients are suffering. finally, everything _ patients are suffering. finally, everything you _ patients are suffering. finally, everything you have _ patients are suffering. finally, everything you have just - patients are suffering. finally, - everything you have just described in this interview i assumed simply gets worse with potentially other strike dates already written into the calendar.— strike dates already written into the calendar. . , ., the calendar. that is right and the wor in: the calendar. that is right and the worrying thing _ the calendar. that is right and the worrying thing is _ the calendar. that is right and the worrying thing is with _ the calendar. that is right and the worrying thing is with each - the calendar. that is right and the | worrying thing is with each passing week we move closer towards winter which we know presents an additional layer of complications and challenges for the nhs. it is so urgent that this is resolved before we get into that period, otherwise it is going to be very difficult and challenging time for the national health service in england. around the world and _ health service in england. around the world and across _ health service in england. around the world and across the - health service in england. around the world and across the uk, - health service in england. around the world and across the uk, you| health service in england. around i the world and across the uk, you are watching bbc news. the political crisis in west africa, reports from niger say thousands of people supporting the readers of last month double 03 see you have gathered near a french military base, as moscow has warned military intervention in niger with lead to a protracted confrontation and a sharp destabilisation of the whole region. equis said on thursday it was putting its military on standby, the forces on alert —— ecoas. 0ur africa correspondence in this report. the fallout from niger's coup is already starting to hit ordinary people. sanctions have cut off imports, causing the prices of popular staples to go up. this woman owns a small business selling food in the capital, niamey. translation: the price of rice has increased, . but also that of cooking oil. an increase of $4 us injust one week. this causes us problems because if i prepare the rice, i can't sell it. no profit, only losses. niger's soldiers seized power two weeks ago. rallies like this one, at the national stadium, suggest they have widespread support. but there are other nigeriens who back the democratically—elected president, mohamed bazoum. he's still detained by the military. a country facing an islamist insurgency and faltering economy is divided. translation: i condemn this coup because currently, - we have no problem in the country. not only are services working well, but insecurity has decreased a lot. we don't need france. we don't need the euro. we don't need anything. we like russia. we like our country. the military takeover has unleashed anti—french sentiments. its embassy was attacked during demonstrations. some protesters carried russian flags, calling on moscow to step in as their preferred international ally. france sees its former colony niger as an important security partner, but it's accused of having too much influence in the country. cheering. similar anti—french sentiments are widespread across its former colonies on the continent. six countries — from guinea to sudan — have experienced coups since 2020. five of them are former french colonies. france has had a very hard time accepting to losing grip on those countries, maintaining anachronistic control over their common currency, while also having a highly inegalitarian relation with its african partner. the worry now is that should another coup in africa succeed, it will encourage other ambitious soldiers. catherine byaruhanga, bbc news. the premier league kicks off in just a few hours, the curtain raiser for what looks like another titanic struggle. can treble winners manchester city continue their domination? can arsenal — who pushed them so hard last season — go one better? they've been busy in the transfer market. speaking of transfers, harry kane's move to bayern munich looks imminent. and i haven't even mentioned newcastle, liverpool, and manchester united. lots to chew over. a mouthwatering prospect but can the new season ps exciting as the last one? 284 days arsenal topped the premier league but manchester city eventually won. no site has ever won six league titles in seven years which is what manchester city will be aiming to do this season, as you mentioned in your intro arsenal have strengthened effectively strengthened effectively and will be hoping to push them all the way. i will come back to that, lots of movement in the transfer market, no bigger than harry kane, england and tottenham captain, looking inevitable, the move to bayern munich. did you think that was inevitable given in a sense how spurs have gone into rewind in recent seasons? they have definitely regressed in recent years underjose mourinho and then antonio conte, but a new era with ange postecoglou brought in from celtic in the summer. harry kane didn't extend beyond his one year left on his deal. chairman daniel levy will be pleased to get 100 million and some add—ons. they managed to sign richarlison but he didn't hit the ground running but hopefully he can improve this season. arsenal bought rice. liverpool still doing record business, who do you think will be the main challengers? i still think it is arsenal. games down the stretch last year, liverpool, west ham and southampton games, it seemed to be depth was the issue. raya challenges ramsdale. declan rice is one of the most exciting mids recent years, versatile forward slash midfielder in kai havertz and also timber. they will be hoping to go one better under arteta. just five points last year. a federaljudge has said donald trump will be allowed to share some sensitive evidence regarding his trial. against the objections of prosecutors concerned trump will use details of controversial evidence to intimidate witnesses. the judge details of controversial evidence to intimidate witnesses. thejudge has warned donald trump not to make inflammatory statements about the 2020 election case, saying she will take whatever measures are necessary to safeguard the integrity of that election subversion case. those details just coming into us from the us. more here in the next few minutes on bbc news. there are developments today regarding the demise of the crooked house pub in the west midlands, which was bulldozed this week after a suspected arson attack. the mayor of the west midlands, andy street, has released a statement. 0ur correspondent phil mackie told us more about it. the crux of it as he said whoever has targeted this beloved landmark in this way has messed with the wrong pub, the wrong community and the wrong authorities. the building has stood for more than 250 years, it was still standing a week ago. the pub was empty by then, it had new owners and then there was a fire on saturday night. but the bulk of the building was still standing after that, the inside had been gutted. on monday, diggers came and knocked it down without permission and that has caused a massive outcry across the black country and across the country. 0ne local said today this can't keep happening, empty pubs keep getting burned down, something has to be done about this. there are two investigations about what happened to the crooked house, one is an enforcement investigation by the council and the other is a criminal investigation being led by staffordshire police who said they believe the cause of fire is arson. andy street has said they are all laser—focused on trying to get answers about what happened and they are still appealing and saying they hope it can be re—built brick by brick. that may not be possible, so many bricks have been taken away as souvenirs by people, but they do want to get the crooked house reinstated in some way. people in bristol have been watching the first mass ascent of dozens of hot air balloons as the international balloon fiesta gets properly under way. yesterday evening's flight was called off due to the windy conditions. the balloon fiesta is an important event for thousands of people, but for one family it will be a bittersweet time, as john maguire reports. if ever anyone was born to fly, it was pete gregory. a third—generation hot air balloonist, and also an airline pilot, he lived his life in the skies. since the age of three, pete and his brother dan often flew with their father, andrew. ballooning as a field, and he was passionate about aviation as a job, and ballooning as his hobby and his passion. the brothers took up competitive flying. here they are winning thejunior world championships in poland two years ago. they were both involved in a contest in worcestershire injune, when pete's balloon crashed and he was killed. dan's ground crew that day was andrew, with his wife, louise, doing the same for pete. losing your son is just... yeah, it's just horrific. people say, oh, he was doing something that he loved when he sort of left the planet, but that's sort of bittersweet, in reality. it really is. i mean, i think it's also a lot harderfor his mother because she was on the marker cross to actually... ..where they were all dropping the markers, and she was, yeah, basically there. so it's very, very raw. an air accident investigation will seek to discover what happened and crucially, what, ifany, lessons can be learned. dan is determined to carry on flying. i know for a fact if i was just sat on the sofa at home, pete would be there, like, knocking on my shoulder, being like, "why are you doing that, dan? _ you need to go out and compete and do the best you can." and hopefully, that's what i can do for him over this summer and, also, years ahead. but andrew has reservations. because pete can't fly any more, sort of, so why should i? if you know, in a way. i'd like to think i will get back into it, but i think it willjust be a bit, a bit longer. hot air balloons are more than a pastime for this family. it's their profession, their passion. so in pete's name, they've set up a trust to buy a balloon that trainee pilots will be able to use. encouraging the next generation of balloonists was an ambition of pete's. he aimed to become an instructor. but keeping his name alive, keeping pete gregory flying will at least offer the family some solace. jon maguire, bbc news, bristol. when we come back, the latest on the hawaii wildfires, the story coming over the last couple of hours... now it's time for a look at the weather with tomasz. the weekend is just around the corner, is it going to rain again? the rest of today is not looking too bad at all, we had some rain earlier but now a case of bright or sunny weather. however, low pressure will be very close by through the weekend, this is the satellite picture, you can see it spinning around here, just to the west of ireland, and here's the weather map, you can see the low pressure across the uk through the weekend, giving us that mixed bag. but it will not be too bad, i don't think we will have persistent rain, just a mixture of sunshine and showers. end of this afternoon, temperatures around 21 in belfast, 26 in norwich, plenty of dry and bright weather through the course of this evening, then later today we expect some rain into belfast, western parts of scotland, glasgow getting some rain, liverpool, perhaps western areas of wales by the early morning, so norwich, hull and newcastle waking up to some sunshine early on saturday and around 16 celsius. here's the forecast for saturday, fairly brisk around western coasts, this breeze around the area of low pressure, and for many of us, a mixture of those sunny spells and occasional showers, but also lengthy spells of sunshine are forecast. sunday, showers looking more frequent, so northern ireland, western parts of scotland, the south—west of england. drier weather the further east you are, and some parts of the south and south—east might actually get away with no showers at all. monday and into tuesday, low pressure starting to fizzle away, and by tuesday eventually we'll see high pressure building in. but monday i think a chance of some rain across the south, fine weather for wales, the north west of england, lancashire enjoying some fine weather, the lake district should have some sunshine, but scattered showers expected across parts of scotland. and a little cooler, 19 i think to 21 celsius on monday. the outlook, the weekend a bit of a mixed bag, showers and even the odd crack of thunder, but remember lengthy spells of sunshine too, and some time later next week, it could warm up once again. bye— bye. live from london. this is bbc news. the death toll from wildfires in hawaii rises to 55. about 1,000 people are missing. hawaii's governor says the fires are "catastrophic" and the largest in the state's history, with 80% of a historic coastal town gone. asylum seekers housed on a barge on the south coast of england are being moved off after legionella bacteria is found on board. junior doctors have begun another four—day strike in england in their dispute about pay. they say they've had 15 years of below inflation pay rises. thousands of appointments and procedures have been postponed. and ukraine's president sacks the heads of military enlistment in every region of the country, following corruption allegations. hello, i'm matthew amroliwala. welcome to verified live — three hours of breaking stories, and checking out the truth behind them. we start in hawaii, where 55 people are now known to have died in devastating wildfires.