Diplomatic efforts to find a resolution to the crisis have stepped up a gear with a warning from washington. Speaking to the bbc, the us Secretary Of StateAntony Blinken has voiced his concern that nigersjunta might turn to the Russian Mercenary Group wagner for help. The group is active in neighbouring countries and its leader has welcomed the takeover. The coup leaders are currently Standing Firm against calls to restore democratic rule. Heres what mr blinken had to say about wagner a little earlier for sure we have concerns when we see Something Like the wagner group possibly manifesting itself in different parts of the sahel. And here is why we are concerned. Because every single place that this group, wagner group has gone, death, destruction and exploitation have followed. Insecurity has gone up, not down. It has not been a response to the needs of the countries in question for greater security. I think what happened and what continues to happen in niger was not instigated by russia or by wagner but to the extent that they try to take advantage of it and we see a repeat of what has happened in other countries where theyve brought nothing but bad things in their wake, that wouldnt be good. Niger has been a crucial staging post for us and other troops fighting islamists in the region. So will us troops stay if the junta continues to defy calls from the Regional Bloc Ecowas to step down . Heres what mr blinken had to say we strongly support the work that ecowas is doing to try to help restore the Constitutional Order in niger. Ive been in close touch with president bazoum and many colleagues in the region including the nigerian president , colleagues at the african union, and it is very important that that Constitutional Order be restored. And right now, i think ecowas is playing a very Important Role in moving the country back in that direction. Many observers are asking how niger reached this point. It has seen Military Coups in the past but has been relatively stable when compared to its neighbours, the Us State Department has described niger as an important linchpin in the region. Neighbouring countries have seen violence from Islamist Groups in recent years. The coup leaders from the president ial guard are more able to deal with growing Security Concerns than the previous democratically elected government. Mercenaries have been active in the region. You can see them here in the Central African republic. The president was deposed in the coup and complained of disinformation campaigns by wagner against his government. We have been hearing from the leader, he has released an Audio Message that refers to the coup in niger. The date and location cannot be independently verified of this message. Translation we are always on the site of goodness, justice and of those who fight for sovereignty and the rights of their people. Call us anytime. Lets talk about the significance of the interview with the un us significance of the interview with the un us Secretary Of State. The person who did that interview is bbc� s focus on Africa PresenterWaihiga Mwaura is with me now from nairobi. Can you explain any interest in an interview like this across africa . How much sweet does Antony Blinken have at the moment . An how much sweet does Antony Blinken have at the moment . Have at the moment . An interesting cuestion, have at the moment . An interesting question, someone have at the moment . An interesting question, someone who have at the moment . An interesting question, someone who speaks have at the moment . An interesting question, someone who speaks on l question, someone who speaks on behalf of the United States in that position of Secretary Of State, whatever he says is deemed as the voice of the us in matters of Food Security and the situation in niger. There is a lot of interest in what he had to say. His views on the president of niger who is under house arrest, the wagner group, a lot of interest, and also, a sense in which whilst he was speaking to the bbc yesterday, in that exclusive interest, focus on accuracy africa, the Secretary Of State was in miami trying to see. What speculation is that you are seeing eight us that are increasingly trying to assert itself, may be more prominent in terms of what happens moving forward in niger and we are monitoring that. Having Antony Blinken speak with us was definitely something to take note of. There blinken speak with us was definitely something to take note of. Something to take note of. There is a concern in something to take note of. There is a concern in niger something to take note of. There is a concern in niger that something to take note of. There is a concern in niger that america a concern in niger that america could remove some of its Military Support in niger and also a considerable amount of aid the gift of the country. No we have already heard that some of the aid has been withheld, not only america, but western countries, and this fund is up western countries, and this fund is up to 40 of the budget of the country. Up to 4096 of the budget of the count. ,. ,. , up to 4096 of the budget of the count. , i. ,. , country. Yes, you did that gathering at the stadium country. Yes, you did that gathering at the stadium on country. Yes, you did that gathering at the stadium on sunday country. Yes, you did that gathering at the stadium on sunday were country. Yes, you did that gathering. At the stadium on sunday were 30,000 people gathered, they were not referring to the us specifically about chanting and tight france slogans and waving russian flags. Some analysts say they love one and hate the other in the deep sense of it, it is a question of looking at the historical legacy of certain countries in niger and a sense by some in the army that they would likely change in the status quo and when the us speaks out, putting a statement on the official social media accounts of her office stating that she was in niger in the push for a return to democratic rule, thatis for a return to democratic rule, that is something that Antony Blinken echoed, some in niger may be more vocal of the feeling that this is interference. There is a discussion around african countries determining their future and that could be part of the reason why some of the statements made by america could be viewed maybe with suspicion by some in niger, it depends on who youre talking to. What by some in niger, it depends on who youre talking to. Youre talking to. What did the us secretary of youre talking to. What did the us Secretary Of State youre talking to. What did the us Secretary Of State say youre talking to. What did the us Secretary Of State say about youre talking to. What did the us Secretary Of State say about the l Secretary Of State say about the collapse of the ukraine green deal . No he was categorical, there is a black sea green deal to begin with because of the Russia Ukraine war, he heap the blame on russia. He raised he heap the blame on russia. He raised concerns with the decision of russia to halt the deal stating it is the biggest threat to Food Insecurity at the moment with an estimated 250 Million People around the globe cover under any food insecure status as we speak. He also sought to the us against claims by russia, assertions by a rash out that they are Setting Sides of the deal that has not been met, the deal it was broken by the United States and turkey, russia is key in there with ukraine, the us is a key player. Antony blinken went on record to say there are no sanctions against russian grain, they have been able to flow away from the sanctions and he said he has written letters of comfort to american banks to tell them to facilitate any deals that involve the movement of russian food as well. For him, also mentioning, however, the un has a deal ready for russia, russia has not responded to this, he feels that russia is not being sincere and he did not mince his words about that. He also spoke to some of the allegations and assertions made by russia that in terms of Food Insecurity, it was an issue before the Russia Ukraine war, and russia blamed the western world for that. For the secretary, a 15. 5 billion shilling investment in Food Security from the United States, an investment in the World Food Programme was his statement that america is fully invested in Food Security and they would like russia to be on the same table in regards to be on the same table in regards to that conversation. Then . Its a great interview and im looking forward to seeing the full version as our viewers can on Focus On Africa later today. The leaders of eight South American nations that share the Amazon Rainforest are gathering in brazil to discuss how best to protect it. Scientists are concerned that deforestation in the amazon may be approaching an irreversible tipping point. Brazils president Lula Da Silva is seeking a coordinated regional approach to tackle illegal mining and logging, as well as other environmental crimes. Scientists say the amazon is a crucial buffer in the global fight against Climate Change and 60 of it is located in brazil. The rainforest acts as a major carbon sink absorbing Carbon Dioxide emissions, which are driving Climate Change. President lula has promised to end deforestation by 2030. Rainforest destruction had surged under his predecessor, jair bolsonaro. And it appears some progress is already being made. Injuly of this year, 500 Square Kilometres of rainforest was cleared in brazil 66 percent less than injuly of last year. The rainforest is home to 50 Million People, including hundreds of indigenous groups. Indigenous leaders have called for bold action to protect their rights as well as the ecosystem they depend on. Our South America Correspondent Katy Watson now reports from para, the most deforested state in brazil. Virgin forests still exist here in the amazon, but every day, the illegal loggers get closer. For those living under the rainforests canopy, its been a difficult few years. Translator you have no idea how much pressure there was in our community under the bolsonaro government. Landowners circling planes, soya farmers wanting to buy the land to deforest it. Hobson and his trees stood firm. Hes buying into a booming carbon credit industry, taking part in Sustainable Farming projects that sell Carbon Credits to companies wanting to offset their emissions. Its become so popular in this part of the amazon that authorities have accused carbon Credit Companies of harassment, pressuring communities to sign contracts. Bianca and herfamily, like many in the region, want better services, like schools and health centres. But theyre suspicious of these newcomers offering to help. Translator no, it is not that transparent. We cannot see how it would give us a secure life. We are always on the back foot and fear the consequences. Because of these stories we heard, we decided not to sign a contract. How to ensure the amazons future and how to provide for its people is the biggest dilemma facing leaders at this weeks summit in belem. Lulas ambitious, but its no easy task. Just to get to this part of the amazon, it took 13 hours overnight on a riverboat and now this smaller boat to get to the communities here. But if you look on a map, it all looks so close together, and itjust goes to show how vast the amazon is, but also how difficult it is to navigate and, ultimately, also how difficult it will be for lula to achieve his zero deforestation by 2030. This is hernandes plantation, the tools and training funded by a carbon credit company. Last year, the community had to drive out five illegal Sawmills Felling Trees from their land. But defending their territory from loggers is an Impossible Task on their own. Partnering with those who have the funds is the only option. For the company, empowering the community is key. So too is empowering the region as a whole. When global north comes to global south and says, i have the solution, were like, really . Have you been to the amazon . How do you know whats good for them . You dont have your boots on the ground. So its very easy to say, i have the solution. People here want south americas voice heard before its too late. Katy watson, bbc news in para. Lets get the latest from our science reporter georgina rannard. We often think of the amazon as being the lungs of the earth, that is how it is described. It is being the lungs of the earth, that is how it is described. Is how it is described. It is so important is how it is described. It is so important in is how it is described. It is so important in terms is how it is described. It is so important in terms of is how it is described. It is so important in terms of local. Important in terms of local ecosystems as well. Can you broadly explain the effect of deforestation on the amazon and what it means for us. ~. , , on the amazon and what it means for us, � , , on the amazon and what it means for us. ~. , us. The amazon is considered the lun. S of us. The amazon is considered the lungs of the us. The amazon is considered the lungs of the earth us. The amazon is considered the lungs of the earth and us. The amazon is considered the lungs of the earth and that us. The amazon is considered the lungs of the earth and that is lungs of the earth and that is because trees have a vital role in tackling Climate Change, they are a carbon sink and so the sop up the heat we pump into the atmosphere when we burn fossil fuels and create Greenhouse Gases and trees are really vital in sacking that up, and sign to say we need to get a handle on deforestation across the globe, not only in the amazon, but in other parts of the region. It has become so of our forests in amazon it is considered so important, you see that the leaders of these eight South American countries having this summit today to try and tackle that. There is a coordinated effort on this if we are to see some meaningful change. This if we are to see some meaninuful chance. ,. , ~. Meaningful change. Exactly. We have to sa in meaningful change. Exactly. We have to say in this meaningful change. Exactly. We have to say in this that meaningful change. Exactly. We have to say in this that president meaningful change. Exactly. We have to say in this that President Lula to say in this that President Lula desilva has made this a priority on a global level. He came to that Big Un Summit In Egypt Last year, it was built as his emergence back onto the global stage, built as his emergence back onto the globalstage, he built as his emergence back onto the global stage, he said brazil was back on the Climbing Agenda and you want to make it a very important issue. At home, he has a tricky challenge, he is in a minority, and a lot of supporters of the previous president , they remain in congress and they do not share his view that the amazon should be protected in the amazon should be protected in the same way. They also see it as a place for development for, for agribusiness, and at home, he faces agribusiness, and at home, he faces a lot of these challenges and may not be able to achieve those same very ambitious goals. That is maybe why we are seeing him meet these leaders so he can signal to the world he is still committed to this particularly as brazil wants to host cup in two years time in the amazon itself. And, thank you very much for joining us. Londons metropolitan police say a man has been arrested after a stabbing close to the british museum. The incident led to the evacuation of one of the capitals most popular tourist attractions. Police stress the incident is not terror related with no outstanding risk to the public. The man who was stabbed in the arm outside the Famous Building has been taken to hospital. Around the world and across the uk. This is bbc news. Lets look at some other stories making news in the uk. Nhs flu jabs and Covid Boosters will be scrapped for under 65s this winter. 12 Million People aged 50 to 64 who were eligible during the pandemic can no longer get the free jabs. The rollout of boosters is expected to start in october, a full month later than usual. Civil servants in the Scottish Government spent Tens Of Thousands of taxpayers money, including spending nearly £10,000 on vip airport services. Formerfirst minister nicola sturgeon, and her staff, were given fast track security and access to lounges at uk and european airports. Officials say all purchases were subject to robust authorisation. A man from leeds has been remanded into custody following the death of a 12 year old boy while crossing a motorway. Callum rycroft died on the m62 in West Yorkshire on saturday, after he was hit by a car. The 36 year old has also been charged with Dangerous Driving and failing to provide a specimen. Youre live with bbc news. In ireland, mourners have gathered for the funeral of the singer Sinead Oconnor, who died last month, aged 56. The Funeral Procession in the coastal town of bray, near dublin, passed the musicians former home. Thousands of people lined the route. Our reporter, sara girvin, is there for us now. Can you describe how it has been . Much of the crowd of thousands that has lined the streets here in bray since early this morning has now dispersed. Some fans do remain outside the singers farmer home here in bray. They are playing music, they have been singing, laying flowers and sharing memories of this thing out. One fan told us earlier that she got up at 2am this morning to travel here. Another couple had just stopped us to show us pictures with the singer. That is how much and how important it was for people to be here in bray today. After a private service this morning, one hour ago, after a private service this morning, one hourago, the after a private service this morning, one hour ago, the Funeral Cortege passed through this coastal road, past her home, music had been playing up until that point, people had been singing, when the vehicle got here, you could not have heard a pin drop. There was silence. But not for long because they were rounds of applause after rounds of applause as people were embracing each other and throwing flowers at the vehicle. Really emotional scenes. Then the vehicle went on down this road, it went on to a private burial. This is the only public part of the service. One of the attendees at the private was the irish president and he said not long ago, Sinead Oconnor� s contribution to music was phenomenal. He said it came from incredible pain. Perhaps too much for one to bear. Despite her international stardom, it is this place that Sinead Oconnor love to call home and enjoyed living for 15 years. Herfamily said previously she loved bray and the people here. For their part, the people here have been really grateful that they got to say their final goodbyes. It was a day of very mixed emotions, of morning and a celebration too. Thank ou ve morning and a celebration too. Thank you very much morning and a celebration too. Thank you very much for morning and a celebration too. Thank you very much forjoining morning and a celebration too. Thank you very much forjoining us, you very much forjoining us, updating us from bray, and describing what an incredible day it has been there as people mourn the loss of Sinead Oconnor and celebrate her life, her music and her activism. Here, 15 Asylum Seekers have spent theirfirst night on the governments controversial accommodation barge, after a series of delays over safety concerns. Ministers want to move hundreds more onto the � Bibby Stockholm docked off the south coast of england in the coming days. Some though, have refused launching legal challenges. This report from our Political Correspondent ellie price. Lets go live. This has been a Ctrl Version Move by the government, yesterday we saw protesters, how is it today . Yesterday we saw protesters, how is it toda . , , , it today . There are no sign of the protesters it today . There are no sign of the protesters from it today . There are no sign of the protesters from yesterday. It today . There are no sign of the protesters from yesterday. We i it today . There are no sign of the l protesters from yesterday. We saw it today . There are no sign of the i protesters from yesterday. We saw a number of people yesterday, locals who were both wanting to welcome refugees, welcome the Asylum Seekers who arrived yesterday and protest at them being housed on the Bibby Stockholm, the size of a football pitch. We saw others here yesterday who are concerned about the presence of Asylum Seekers here, the pressure on local services. Today, we have seen one boss similar to the one yesterday which pulled up bringing the first group of 15 Asylum Seekers, and other similar one arrived today, it went through the gates of the harbour and one person was carrying bags and going up the gangway onto the Bibby Stockholm. The home office would not confirm whether any new Asylum Seekers had boarded today but from what we have seen at least, one more has done so. Really, its very slow progress. Minnesota are hoping that 500 Asylum Seekers will eventually be housed here on the Bibby Stockholm, there will be made from hotels to be housed here, they say it offers better value for taxpayers. From what weve seen here, it is very slow progress. Maximum one, possibly two, have boarded this morning. Part of the reason for that slow progress, as you say, is the number of Asylum Seekers have refused to come. They have refused to leave the hotels where they are being housed to to the Bibby Stockholm, because they have taken legal action because they have taken legal action because they have taken legal action because they have a fear of water after seeing people dying at sea. The home office have written those who refuse to come with having their right to Government Support withdrawn. It is not clear yet whether that would be possible because the government does have a duty to make sure Asylum Seekers are not destitute. I suppose it gives you a sense of how difficult and controversial this Issueis Difficult and controversial this issue is here and from what we have seen here it is a drip feed of people arriving to be housed on the Bibby Stockholm. . Thank you very much. Tens of thousands of pupils across scotland are getting their exam results this morning for their nationals, highers, and advanced highers. The Scottish Qualifications Authority has warned that the system still hasn tfully recovered from the covid pandemic. Pupils are finding out how theyve done by a combination of text, email and post. Our scotland correspondent, james shaw reports. Its The Moment Of Truth for thousands of pupils across scotland. Holly. Yeah, thats me. Thank you. Ok, and chloe. And the end of an educational experience hit hard by covid. But these pupils at Hamilton Grammar School have shown resilience in the face of difficulties that previous generations did not have to endure. It was a lot of hard work during the exams. It was definitely the most stressful period of my life, but its all paid off. Im very happy as well, actually. Some things, coming towards it, i was a bit unsure about what, like, actually could happen, but, yeah, im very happy. Feeling great. Into uni regardless. I got an unconditional offer. Exams have been quite. Theyve been all right. Crashed a few subjects, so its been a new experience for me. The Scottish Qualifications Authority cut out some elements of coursework and exams to make the return to normal more manageable. They are the first set of young people to sit exams post covid so they sat their nat 55 last year and their highers this year, so were really particularly proud of them because arguably theyve been the most disrupted at that senior academic level throughout the covid period. This is the last year that special measures have been in place because of covid. The plan is for everything to be back to normal during the coming academic year. Whatever the circumstances, results are not always as good as they might be. Helplines are up and running to give advice on how to deal with disappointing grades. This is one of the most important days in the year of course for this organisation who provide that National Offering in relation to advice and guidance and, yes, its absolutely key that we give young people the best advice and guidance in relation to their options. The Scottish Government will face questions about its aspiration to close the attainment gap between pupils in the most and least affluent areas and the extent to which this set of results indicates that progress is being made. We have some news from the womens world cup. The game under way at the moment, france are playing morocco, france are dominant, they are up three at the moment with 63 minutes played so far. The three at the moment with 63 minutes played so far played so far. The other development is that of lauren played so far. The other development is that of lauren janes, played so far. The other development is that of lauren janes, the played so far. The other development is that of lauren janes, the star is that of laurenjanes, the star striker for england, is that of laurenjanes, the star strikerfor england, she got is that of laurenjanes, the star striker for england, she got a is that of laurenjanes, the star strikerfor england, she got a red card against nigeria which went to penalties, england won the match and are now in quarterfinals. The statement has been released saying that she is very sorry for our actions which led to the red card and its full of remorse. It is wholly out of character for her and we will be supporting lauren throughout and will be putting representation on her behalf. We fill the x respect thelock� s disciplinary process and will not make any more comments until a decision has been made. We will not know she will not be playing in the quarterfinal because of the rate card taking place saturday against colombia. Hello. 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, im 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. 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 as tied in to storm hans. Thats 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 were lucky, 20 or 21 degrees. Now, as we go through the evening and overnight, well see that rain easing away from the kent coast. We keep some Cloud Filtering in across the southwest where weve got the breaks in the cloud, temperatures into single figures, but it feels quite humid down to the southwest by the end of the night as were tapping in to that warmer air coming from the near continent. So 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 coast. So 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 24 or 25 degrees. Thats the Mid 70s Fahrenheit warmer still. As we go into thursday, were going to tap into some extreme heat thats pushing its way up from iberia. By the time it gets to us, its 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. Thats 80 fahrenheit, but its not expected to last. As somewhat cooler and showery conditions are set to return from friday and into the weekend. Thats it. Take care. Hello and welcome to sportsday. Im tanya arnold. Colombia are through to the world cup quarterfinals for the first time and will face england next. France are on course for the quarterfinals theyre leading against morocco as they head into the closing stages. Slammin sam is coming home Warrington Wolves annouce sam burgess as their new head coach for 2024 colombia are through to their first world cup quarterfinal after beating jamaica 1 0 and will now face england. As David Brindle reports it was a tense and nervous game