who say almost 300 people were also admitted to hospitals. they say dozens are �*still in critical condition�*. armenia says more 13,000 people — or about 10% of the territory's population, have crossed the border, armenia says more 13,000 people, or about 10% of the territory's population, have crossed the border, fearing persecution and ethnic cleansing. armenia and azerbaijan are due to meet in brussels tuesday for eu—backed talks. it'll be the first such meeting between the countries since azerbaijan seized the enclave last week. nagorno—karabakh is at the heart of one of the world's longest—running territorial and ethnic conflicts. it's recognised internationally as part of azerbaijan, but has been controlled by ethnic armenians for three decades. 0ur reporter 0lga ivshina is in, and she sent us this update. thousands and thousands of karabakh armenians are still trying to cross into armenia on what turns out to be another dramatic day of this conflict. yesterday, there was an explosion in stepanakert, and the news are coming that at least 200 people were injured and 20 dead. officials in baku are saying that they have sent a car with emergency medical supplies to stepanakert, but it's currently unclear whether that help was accepted by the other side. today when we see the dramatic pictures of people leaving everything behind and crossing into armenia, many here remember very similar pictures which we were able to see 30 years ago. back then, thousands and thousands of azeris had to leave everything behind and leave karabakh at a very short notice. that doesn't make today's tragedy any less, grief any less, but itjust reminds us how long and painful this conflict has been. it is still unclear how many people are trapped within stepanakert, but we are in constant communication with some of them, they say the situation is critical. azerbaijan continues to say that they are ready to provide help, they are ready to provide security guarantees for all civilians in nagorno—karabakh, however, there is very little mutual trust and armenians prefer to leave everything behind rather than to stay under azeri rule. live now to konul khalilova, the editor of the bbc azerberjaini service. the exodus of refugees started late sunday night. some arrived in the border town in ambulances, exhausted, too weak to walk on their own. there were few belongings they could transport. families that had crossed lost all hope of ever returning. crossed lost all hope of ever returning-— crossed lost all hope of ever returnina. ~ ., ., ,., returning. we went to the airport. eve one returning. we went to the airport. everyone is _ returning. we went to the airport. everyone is collected _ returning. we went to the airport. everyone is collected in _ returning. we went to the airport. everyone is collected in one - returning. we went to the airport. everyone is collected in one spot. | everyone is collected in one spot. everyone is collected in one spot. everyone was in a terrible state. stressed out, children crying, old people crying, hungry, cold, without enough clothes.— enough clothes. getting closer to the armenian _ enough clothes. getting closer to the armenian border— enough clothes. getting closer to the armenian border with - the armenian border with nagorno—karabakh the next morning the skill of the evacuation became clear. russian peacekeepers we saw were helping refugees cross the border and unloading their bags. this is the main road leading from nagorno—karabakh to armenia. and we have seen dozens of cars with refugees coming. and they are welcomed with basic supplies. temporary tents have popped up at the border to register at the new arrivals. aid workers told as people are in need of food, clothes education. the impact of one day's were under nine months blockade imposed on the territory by our bashers abidjan. they say it was to prevent arms been taken into the region. how did you cook meals? might be only picked what we had in the garden. potatoes, beans, we didn't have bread, flour, nothing. people are malnourished from being an blockade for nine months. they are crushed — an blockade for nine months. they are crushed because they have lost their homes. we see people who come in unsuitable _ their homes. we see people who come in unsuitable footwear and just the clothes _ in unsuitable footwear and just the clothes they had on. in unsuitable footwear and 'ust the clothes they had omh clothes they had on. armenia says that it will take _ clothes they had on. armenia says that it will take all _ clothes they had on. armenia says that it will take all refugees - clothes they had on. armenia says that it will take all refugees from | that it will take all refugees from nagorno—karabakh, potentially up to 120,000 people. in the 1990s, different ethnic group fled nagorno—karabakh who, having lived alongside ethnic armenians for centuries, felt threatened after the region decided to secede. they headed to azerbaijan for many still live in dismal accommodation. for these armenians, it is not clear what the future holds. the priority today are sheltering themselves and the very little belongings they have from the rain. one of the leading figures in thailand's pro—democracy protests has been sentenced to four years' jail, after being convicted of insulting the royal family. ed human rights lawyer arnon nampa denies any wrongdoing. the charges were brought over a speech he made during the demonstrations of 2020, when he called for reforms to the monarchy. a short while ago we spoke to our south east asia correspondent, jonathan head, who is in bangkok. i think it's very important because arnon nampa was the very first activist to come out in public in a dominant demonstration in the heart of bangkok and say lots of you young people want change. at that stage, the protests were against a military—backed government and against various kind of human rights abuses. we can't have change unless we talk about the monarchy. now, the monarchy in thailand is a taboo subject. the monarchy is revered. it's held to be above politics. it's held to be officially a ceremonial monarchy. but in reality, everyone knows it's got enormous power, enormous wealth. and he said nothing is going to change in thailand unless we bring the monarchy into the discussion. and following that, that ground—breaking statement he made, we had months and months of increasingly bold protests here on the streets of thailand. young people, thousands of them, saying things that had never been said in public before, saying the king should be accountable. we should know how much money he's got. he should be like a european monarch. those protests petered out and he is among 257 people who've been charged under this draconian law, the famous lese majeste law. he's got 13 other charges apart from the one he was convicted for today. so he could be spending many, many years injail. but the conversation did change as a result. we had an election campaign this year in thailand when the party that won, a young reformist party called move forward also ran on a ticket of sweeping change and said, we need a conversation about the monarchy and we need this draconian law to be cut back to be amended. now, because of that, they were blocked from taking power. thailand's constitution allowed the unelected senate to do that, move forward and now in opposition. and nobody thinks there's going to be any discussion of either the monarchy or the law. and i think his conviction today is probably probably going to be one of many that we see. but we do know that attitudes have changed in thailand, that the millions of people who voted for move forward in the election clearly want change, and it's likely they'll push for it again, including at some point a revived call for the a discussion of the monarchy. exactly as he insisted should happen three years ago. jonathan, you said that on the face of it, the monarchy is fairly absent in the running of the country. so why is there such a fraught discussion about it? it's because it's so opaque and it's because the monarchy does have real power. remember, the king commands personally the top troops, army units, the ones in bangkok. the monarchy is the wealthiest institution in the country by far. and we've seen decisions made in the past where when the king wants something, isjust done. the constitution was amended because the king wanted it. people who want change in thailand think that the very conservative order here with the military near the top ultimately has the monarchy at the very top of it. and even if the monarchy is not seen to have any influence day to day, that that influence is there. they want it to be to be opened up so that people actually know what the monarchy�*s powers are, how that power is being used, and crucially, how much money it has and where it's coming from. that's the discussion they want. that's the discussion that they're not allowed to have at this stage. the uk home secretary, suella braverman, will today call for major changes to international rules on refugees, arguing �*simply being gay or a woman�* should not be enough to qualify for protection. in a speech to a right—wing think tank in washington, she is expected to say that the united nations refugee convention, drawn up after the second world, is no longer fit for the modern age. for more, here�*s our political correspondent, henry zeffman. suella braverman is in washington today, and she�*s basically arguing for a narrower definition of what a refugee is who can be classed as a refugee. her issue is not necessarily with the convention itself, although she is going to argue that the world has changed a lot since 1951, in the aftermath of the second world war when the convention was written. her main issue is with how the convention has been interpreted over the decades since 1951 by the courts, basically. and she will argue that they�*ve moved from protecting people who are fleeing persecution to protecting people who might be at risk of discrimination. and she believes that simply incorporates far more people under the potential definition of refugees than she believes should be. right. but it remains the case, though, that many people are fleeing their country simply because it�*s economically dysfunctional. so it doesn�*t change whatever the definition is. doesn�*t really change the underlying problem much, does it? well, perhaps that�*s right. i mean, i think i think as suella braverman would see it, the problem is that people are seeking asylum who she believes should be applying for immigration status and the sort of the boundary is being drawn at a point that she would not wish it to be drawn. now, i think one of the interesting questions absolutely, is how this speech interacts with the government�*s policy on illegal immigration and small boats. now, the wish to change the definition will put the government, no doubt, on a collision course course with the un refugee agency, which sort of governs the convention. but they�*re already in dispute with that agency over their plan to send illegal immigrants and asylum seekers to rwanda. so i think it actuallyjust magnifies the sort of distance between the government and some of the international bodies, and other countries over how to handle this issue. so other brother many speaking in washington a little bit later. the summer counter offensive in ukraine is drawing to a close without making the breakthroughs many had hoped for. newsnight�*s diplomatic editor mark urban secured rare access to one brigade, the 24th mechanized brigade, which is fighting in the east. the men and their families spoke candidly to him about how they are bracing themselves for a long war with no end in sight. in this war, there are the hunted and the hunters. the ukrainians say their russian enemy has far more drones, which makes camouflage and remaining unseen vital. it�*s up in the air. so we were expecting a fire mission within five minutes. and then word came down on the radio to stand down because a russian drone has been sighted somewhere near here. and that�*s really very typical of what�*s been happening. a constant battle of wits, a deadly battle of wits. this russian video shows what happens if you get it wrong. ukrainian self—propelled guns destroyed. we watched the artillery of the 24th mechanised brigade as its own drones searched for targets. then the order came through that they had won. 0nce they�*d fired, we were told to leave fast. a shell could soon be heading back in our direction. so let�*s go. yeah. we got an inkling of the stresses they�*re under, but soldiers live under it permanently. where was the incoming? oh, yeah. i�*ve seen the smoke. yeah. no date has been set for their demobilisation. it�*s extremely hard to live with that. just how hard, we saw at the medical centre where one casualty was being brought in. it was described as a panic attack, and even our presence was setting people on edge. we�*ve had to leave the medical centre because the doctors were worried that our presence at the medical centre might make it a target. but of course, just as this brigade is being hunted, it�*s also finding its own targets. we joined the drone company as it hunted russians, and they can respond immediately by dropping various kinds of munitions. a new machine called an fpv can target the russians even when they�*re taking cover inside buildings and trenches. here we have an assortment of hpv drones. so those are different manufacturers. some are ukrainian. two years ago, would you have ever imagined you would be doing this? oh, no, no. for god�*s sake, no. but what can we do? we can only fight and protect our land. i just want it to stop. and for our neighbours to go away. it�*s this ability to see so much more and target it, some call it the transparent battlefield, that�*s made it so hard to take ground here. so much so that the men in this brigade are preparing for the autumn and winter ahead. mark urban, bbc news in eastern ukraine. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let�*s look at some other stories making news. a hospital trust has blamed computer errorfor 211,000 letters not being sent to patients and their gps. newcastle hospitals apologised for the problem, which dates back to 2018. many of the letters explained what should happen when patients were discharged. but a significant number were written by specialist clinics, spelling out required care. hundreds of schools across scotland have closed because of a three—day strike by support staff. members of unison, who include teaching assistants, caterers and cleaners, have walked out over pay, after last—minute talks failed. johnna baxter, the local government negotiator for unison scotland, says her members need a serious pay offer. new research suggests that workers in the uk are taking more sick days than at any point in the last decade. staff took on average 7.8 sick days in the past year, up from 5.8 before the pandemic. the chartered institute for personnel and development said the rise was a "worry", and blamed stress, covid and the rising cost of living. you�*re live with bbc news. let�*s return to our top story now — a fuel depot explosion in the main city of nagorno—karabakh is now known to have killed at least 20 people and injured almost 300 others. it�*s happened as ethnic armenians flee the takeover of the contested territory by azerbaijan. live now to konul khalilova, the editor of the bbc azerberjaini service. what more can you tell us about this incident and the condition of the people there? incident and the condition of the peeple there?— incident and the condition of the people there? incident and the condition of the --eole there? ., ,., , :: people there? yeah, reportedly, 20 --eole people there? yeah, reportedly, 20 peeple died — people there? yeah, reportedly, 20 peeple died and _ people there? yeah, reportedly, 20 people died and about _ people there? yeah, reportedly, 20 people died and about 300 - people there? yeah, reportedly, 20 people died and about 300 injured. | people died and about 300 injured. they are, there are people who are in need of help and they have sent ambulances last night and i sending more aid today. as abidjan says they are in regular contact with the red cross and representatives of the armenian community since yesterday. they say hospitals have been emptied to receive a substantial number of patients and these hospitals were reinforced with additional medical staff, they say. azerbaijan also says the helicopter with a medical team from armenia was taking people in need of medical support and provide medical care on the ground. white make the backdrop here is back you want to reclaim this region and the armenians within this region, which is part of azerbaijan, are recognised internationally as such, want to free because they fear persecution? we can see from coming from there, there is fear and panic among those freeing despite the fact that azerbaijan have called them to stay and become citizens. the armenian prime minister also said that karabakh armenians can be. also to remind the us ambassador to armenia said back injuly that she believes the nagorno—karabakh believes the nagorno—kara bakh armenians believes the nagorno—karabakh armenians can leave under azerbaijan. 0f armenians can leave under azerbaijan. of course it is up to them to decide and most are choosing to leave, for now. and, of course, russia wouldn�*t want many armenians to leave karabakh because, if all of them leave, there will be no need for the russian peacekeepers, who were stationed there at the moment. there are some videos shared on social media, chose communication between azerbaijani police and journalists and armenians of karabakh and it takes place in azerbaijan language. this is symbolic, as russian peacekeepers are there too, witnessing this, and seen that there is no need for the russian intervention if azerbaijanis and armenians want to communicate between themselves. let and armenians want to communicate between themselves.— between themselves. let me 'ust interrupted. �* between themselves. let me 'ust interrupted. to i between themselves. let me 'ust interrupted. to be i between themselves. let me 'ust interrupted. to be clear. �* between themselves. let me just interrupted. to be clear. talks i between themselves. let me just| interrupted. to be clear. talks are happening in brussels today and between armenia and azerbaijan but the underlying question is the role of russia, here, isn�*t it? yes. the underlying question is the role of russia, here, isn't it?— of russia, here, isn't it? yes. this meetin: of russia, here, isn't it? yes. this meeting is— of russia, here, isn't it? yes. this meeting is for— of russia, here, isn't it? yes. this meeting is for preparation - of russia, here, isn't it? yes. this. meeting is for preparation purposes between azerbaijan and armenia leaders meeting in grenada in early october and this meeting is happening under auspices of the western powers however, there are worries that, if these talks collapse, it would mean that we are back to where we are and the conflict and crisis will be extending, extended. meanwhile, russia is very angry with armenia yesterday, it gave a statement criticising armenia�*s prime minister for being close to the west. they said they have succumbed to western influence, that is a quote. it is seen as an open threat to the armenian government, especially after america, the military drills that happened. together with the... sorry. american... sorry. american... military drills happened together with the united states. and an mania is allegedly preparing to leave put in�*s military bloc. an mania is allegedly preparing to leave put in's military bloc.- leave put in's military bloc. thank ou ve leave put in's military bloc. thank you very much — leave put in's military bloc. thank you very much indeed _ leave put in's military bloc. thankj you very much indeed background leave put in's military bloc. thank you very much indeed background and updating us on the situation between armenia and azerbaijan. he moved continents now. he moved continents now. the bbc has gained rare access to niger, two months after the military coup which is threatening to further destabilise an already—volatile region, home to jihadists and wagner mercenaries. 0ur west africa correspondent mayenijones report from the capital niamey driving across niger, the countryside appears peaceful. but despite the veneer of normality, this is one of the ten deadliest countries in the world for terrorism. in niamey, pro—junta protesters have been camped outside a french military base for weeks. they say the french have failed to stop the terror attacks. every friday since the military transition in this country, friday prayers have been held here right outside the french military base. hundreds of people are in attendance. and in today�*s sermon, the imam was preaching patience, saying that in a divorce between a man and a woman, things take time. similarly, he says, niger is divorcing france, and that�*s going to take time. for the imam, perceived french hypocrisy is to blame for the anger here. translation: why is emmanuel macron now saying he doesn't _ recognise our authorities, when he�*s recognised juntas in other countries like gabon and chad? that�*s what has made us angry. and we think france takes us for idiots. thejunta has seized on historical resentment of the french to argue niger can go it alone. i ask the newly appointed governor of niamey whether the junta can keep his country safe from terrorists. he replies, the nigerien forces have always ensured the safety of their people and can defend their country without foreign partners. but those opposed to the coup believed the departure of french troops could be dangerous. translation: in the fight against the terrorists, - france is a key partner that provides most of the intelligence that helps us beat the terrorists trying to attack niger. but many nigeriens are frustrated with the lack of progress when it comes to the war on terror. adama is originally from tillaberi, one of the regions worst affected byjihadi violence. she tells me her mother�*s cousin, a village chief, was assassinated by terrorists seven months ago. they killed him by slitting his throat. she doesn�*t believe the french have successfully reduced terrorism in the sahel. there has been some progress in the fight against extremism. last year, terror related deaths in nigerfell by 79%. no one critical of the junta will speak to us on the record and the military follow our every move. so it�*s unclear what proportion of the population wants the french to stay. but as france loses its last base in the sahel, its influence in the region has been dealt a blow. stay with us here on bbc news. hello again. today we�*ve got some rain which has been pushing up from the south of england and coming in across northern ireland. both these bands of rain are moving northeastwards. you can see them quite nicely here in the pressure chart, the isobars alone telling you that once again it is going to be a breezy day. and out in the atlantic, we�*ve got our next deepening area of low pressure. that is storm agnes, which will come our way tomorrow. so the rain continuing to move across scotland and northern england. this morning�*s rain clearing into the north sea. but behind all of that, we�*re looking at a mixture of sunshine and showers, temperatures 1a in lerwick to 23 in norwich and in london. now, as we head on through the evening and overnight, many of the showers will tend to fade. we�*ll have some clear skies, but in the second part of the night, the cloud will start to build across the south—west. this is a prerunner to storm agnes. and once again, the wind will strengthen here. overnight lows cooler than last night, seven to 12 degrees. but in sheltered glens, temperatures will fall away to between about three and four. so tomorrow, this area of low pressure, storm agnes, comes in from the south—west and really is producing a double whammy. we�*re looking at some heavy rain and some strong winds, gales for some of us, gales around the irish sea coastline, up to 60, maybe 75 miles an hour, inland, we�*re looking at up to about 60. and it�*s the same across the western fringes of england, wales and scotland. we�*re looking at gusts up to about 50 to 60 miles an hour. many of us will start off on a dry note, but the rain will already be coming in across northern ireland,in through south—west england, parts of wales, northern england and through the day moving up into scotland. this is going to be heavier rain. coupled with the wind, well, it could well cause some disruption to travel. there could be some damage and there could also be some localised flooding. into thursday, a quieter day, storm agnes now having moved away. a few showers in the west, some sunshine in the east. and then later a new weather front comes in from the west, introducing some more rain. temperatures ranging from 1a in the north to about 21 or 22 down in the south—east. then as we head on through the latter part of the week, there�*s some showers in the north and west on friday and saturday, some rain comes in from the south and sunday, but a lot of dry weather too. joe biden is set to join car industry workers at the picket lines in michigan, we look into what�*s at stake for the us president. and spotify�*s chief talks to the bbc about why the audio streaming giant has no plans to ban content created by artificial intelligence. welcome to world business report. i�*m samantha simmonds. we begin in the us and the strike action affecting the auto industry because the us presidentjoe biden is expected tojoin workers on the picket line in michigan later today. the industrial unrest has highlighted a clash between the president�*s support for unions and his push for clean energy as our north america business correspondent, michelle fleury explains.