the riot, after he had been arrested and stopped from coming to the city two days earlier, the prosecution said enrique tarrio organised, orchestrated and took credit for what happened that day. the 39—year—old was dressed head to toe in a prison issue orange jumpsuit as he listened to his lawyers urged the judge for clemency. the state had asked for 33 years in jail clemency. the state had asked for 33 years injail but clemency. the state had asked for 33 years in jail but as tarrio himself took the stand, he sounded contrite, he apologised for his actions and said he was embarrassed by what he had done. he also said he now believed donald trump had lost the 2020 election. nonetheless, thejudge lost the 2020 election. nonetheless, the judge said lost the 2020 election. nonetheless, thejudge said he should be sentenced to 22 years in jail, should be sentenced to 22 years injail, and thus the most important and most senior member of the proud boys to take part in the riot of january the 6th will now serve the longest prison sentence yet handed down orchestrator is what happened that day. more than 1,100 people who participated in or plotted the events of january 6th have been arrested and around 500 of them have been sentenced to prison or house arrest. tarrio�*s lawyers said that they, quote, "will definitely" appeal the sentence. turning now to two developing stories, both involving russia's war in ukraine, and both involving old cold war ties. in a moment we'll look at reports that president vladimir putin may host north korea's kim jong—un for arms talks. moscow has refused to comment on whether or not it's happening. but first to cuba, where officials say they've uncovered a human trafficking ring out of russia aimed at recruiting cubans to fight for russia's war in ukraine. cuba's foreign ministry says that cubans living in russia, and even some still at home, have been incoporated into the military forces taking part in the war. russia has not yet responded to the claims, and cuba's foreign ministry did not specify who was behind the operation. russia and cuba have been forging an ever tighter relationship in recent months. cuba's prime minister met with putin in moscow as recently as june. but in a rare rebuke of russia, cuba's foreign minister issued a statement saying: let's bring in pascal fletcher from bbc monitoring for more on this. thank you for being here. what more do we know about this alleged operation, and how this trafficking might have worked? well, first of all i wouldn't have necessarily described it as a rebuke to russia. what the cubans have said is that they are treating this as a trafficking operation, human trafficking operation, human trafficking network, but of course this follows days, almost a week of news coming out of the cuban exile community which has been publishing information about two young cubans complaining they were duped, swindled into taking up a contract in russia and finding themselves on the ukraine front line. so this is if you like the official cuban response, it has been a while coming and they have chosen to present it in this form, as a trafficking operation but i would say there are still quite a lot of questions about who was exactly involved and whether those persons, cuban and russian or so we hear, and finally there are people who were wearing military uniforms and that's how these young cubans were received in russia, it is still not clear what links they might have with either the military in both countries, with state entities so there are still a lot of unanswered questions about this. , . , , ., this. diving a bit deeper into those unanswered _ this. diving a bit deeper into | those unanswered questions, cuba and the former soviet union obviously were cold war allies, what do you think is behind russia potentially operating this kind of scheme instead of being more open in recruiting cubans or seeking some other sort of military partnership?— some other sort of military partnership? well, i think it is still, partnership? well, i think it is still. as — partnership? well, i think it is still, as i _ partnership? well, i think it is still, as i say, _ partnership? well, i think it is still, as i say, not - partnership? well, i think it is still, as i say, not clear . is still, as i say, not clear how open this was. it seems to have been that the young people involved, or the young people who have been testifying to the cuban xl media have been saying they found these numbers on facebook and they made contact with a russian and a cuban woman in moscow, and they sorted it out, they then signed contracts in russian including life insurance in russian, they understood they were going to work as constructors, possibly cooks in russian military units, but then they say they were duped and found suddenly they were on the ukraine front line. that is their version, but as i say, the cubans are presenting it as a trafficking thing, they are presenting they are acting against it. they do make very clear that they do not form part of a war in ukraine, that was interesting that they would be so specific. but there is no suggestion necessarily that their political alliance is necessarily particularly damaged here... necessarily particularly damaaed here... . h . damaged here... that's what i wanted to _ damaged here... that's what i wanted to ask _ damaged here... that's what i wanted to ask you _ damaged here... that's what i wanted to ask you because - damaged here... that's what i wanted to ask you because we are looking at pictures of the previous meeting in moscow between a delegation of cubans, the promised land vladimir putin. where does this relationship stand right now and could we be seeing signs of russia reaching out to these former or current partners that were part of the cold war alliance?— were part of the cold war alliance? . , ~ alliance? certainly i think the relationship _ alliance? certainly i think the relationship is _ alliance? certainly i think the relationship is still _ alliance? certainly i think the relationship is still very - relationship is still very strong and there is no question that the cubans have made very clear that they support the russian position over the war in ukraine, the cuban state media because of the echo moscow's talking points and that has been specifically addressed by the cuban president saying they oppose nato expansion are basically agreeing with russia's reasons for going to the war. but that is one thing, that's their political position. we are no longer in the days where cuba sends troops with russian cooperation to parts of the world to fight against the us or the south africans in angola, let's remember, 35 years ago they sent 50,000 troops to angola who were equipped with russian weaponry and tanks so i think we quite a long way from that and that is a completely different thing and i don't think that is what we're seeing here. i do think that there seems to be some sort of contractor cubans can go and serve in some capacity, maybe constructors, maybe even as military if they are already in russia. as military if they are already in russia-— in russia. we will have to leave it — in russia. we will have to leave it there, _ in russia. we will have to leave it there, very - leave it there, very interesting stuff. thank you very much. cuba's accusation against russia comes as the us claims north korea's leader, kim jong—un, plans to visit russia this month for talks with vladimir putin. the pair are expected to negotiate supplying weapons to russia for its war in ukraine. it's not yet clear what mr kim would get in exchange. as mentioned earlier, russia has not commented on the reports, but the possible meeting is the latest sign that the two nations are open to a closer working relationship. the us says if north korea does supply weapons for use in ukraine, it will pay a price in the international community. i think it says a lot that russia is having to turn to a country like north korea to seek to bolster its defence capacity in a war that it expected would be over in a week, but in september 2023 it is going to north korea to get munitions to try to continue to grind it on the battlefield in ukraine. while russia is looking for extra support, ukraine's first lady is speaking out about the impact of the protracted war beyond the battlefield. olena zelenska will host the summit of first ladies and gentlemen on wednesday — dedicated to mental health. dozens of countries are expected to participate, although the exact number and names of the guests are kept secret for security reasons. she spoke to the bbc�*s yalda hakim. we can be sure about tomorrow, we don't have confidence in our future in a month or two. we have a huge help for victory but we don't know when it comes. and this long wait, constant stress, it has its toll. so everyone finds their own way here to deal with it. for me, such stimulate our work, including our interview, because when you have the reason to wake up and go to work, it doesn't leave you a chance to stop and think, why this is happening to us. and i'm very much supported by inspiring stories of ukrainians every day, because in every tragedy there is a story of saving, help, heroism and it inspires me a lot. i'm holding on due to that, and so are, i think, most of my colleagues and friends.— and friends. how do you deal with other — and friends. how do you deal with other strains _ and friends. how do you deal with other strains on - and friends. how do you deal with other strains on your. with other strains on your family? for example, husband being compared to winston churchill. how do you respond to that? translation: churchill. how do you respond to that? tuna/mom- churchill. how do you respond to that? translation: well, it de-ends to that? translation: well, it depends on — to that? translation: well, it depends on the _ to that? translation: well, it depends on the way _ to that? translation: well, it depends on the way you - to that? translation: well, it depends on the way you like - to that? translation: well, it depends on the way you like to | depends on the way you like to look at winston churchill. of course, he is a historical figure. i did not dream about my husband becoming a historic person. maybe it is selfish, but i need a husband, not a historicalfigure beside me. but on the other hand, if it is about a leader who loves his country through the difficulties of all, that kind of comparison would be a kid, i would love it. he really does have the energy, the willpower, the inspiration and stamina to go through this war. so we will finally see our long—awaited victory. i believe in him and i support him stop i know that he has enough strength for any other person i think it would be much harder to handle the situation. he really is a very strong and resilient person. and this resilience is what we all need right now. the us senate returned from its summer break tuesday with a critical agenda item — fund the government or risk a shutdown. a short—term funding measure is expected to be on the to—do list, alongside funding for ukraine and disaster relief aid. but time is running out to get those bills passed. if congress can't find a consensus, lawmakers could threaten a full or partial shutdown of the federal government. here's what that would mean. each federal agency develops its own shutdown plan — for which activities will not continue until funds a re restored. federal employees are told not to report for work — those deemed essential may continue to work without pay. shutdowns can also disrupt government processes such as applications, loans and benefit distribution. earlier, my colleague caitriona perry spoke with andrew desiderio, senior congressional reporter at punchbowl news, about what to expect in the weeks ahead. the clock is ticking, just 25 days and tell a potential shutdown if politicians don't agree appropriation bills to fund the federal government through the next fiscal year. is the senate bracing for that? yes, i would say absolutely that's the case. first and foremost, you have the senate versus house divide right now we have members of the house majority, for all these conditions to be added to a government funding bill, even a short—term one, whereas in the senate they just want to pass something clean to bide —— to buy themselves time. so you're really good to see this come to a head with senate republicans and house republicans are starting to increasingly speak out and make their views known on this stop of course senate republicans and house republicans and house republicans will not be in the same page here. 50 republicans will not be in the same page here.— same page here. so do you exect same page here. so do you exnect them _ same page here. so do you expect them to _ same page here. so do you expect them to be - same page here. so do you expect them to be able - same page here. so do you expect them to be able to i same page here. so do you - expect them to be able to make a deal? i expect them to be able to make a deal? ., , expect them to be able to make adeal? ~ , ., a deal? i think it is always possible- _ a deal? i think it is always possible. having - a deal? i think it is always possible. having a - a deal? i think it is always. possible. having a deadline always motivates people especially the last minute to reach some sort of agreement but as of right now nobody quite knows how to get there. we are in a situation where we know what the solution is, the solution is the stopgap short—term honeybell but nobody knows how to get to that point right now and once the house comes back into session, the senator is already back, those conversations will accelerate but they will need to do some sort of short—term patch in the meantime because they do not have enough time to pass all of the fiscal year appropriation bills before the end of this month, it'sjust not bills before the end of this month, it's just not realistic. the senate majority leader has been warning people against what he described as the brinkmanship and hostagetaking scene earlier this year but based on what you're saying, if any bit of a deal is to be done and it sounds like it would be right at the 11th hour?- right at the 11th hour? kevin mccarthy — right at the 11th hour? kevin mccarthy is _ right at the 11th hour? kevin mccarthy is in _ right at the 11th hour? kevin mccarthy is in a _ right at the 11th hour? kevin mccarthy is in a really - mccarthy is in a really difficult spot right now with his conference because he is the one basically saying, we need to keep —— kick the can down the road a bit more, give us more time to have an upper hand with the senate, whereas there are a lot of rabble rousing conservatives in the house that are saying they will not go along with that request and they will make it as painful as possible for him and as you mentioned, up until the last minute it could be a big issue. ,, ~ issue. do you think kevin mccarthy _ issue. do you think kevin mccarthy will _ issue. do you think kevin mccarthy will be - issue. do you think kevin mccarthy will be able - issue. do you think kevin mccarthy will be able to l issue. do you think kevin i mccarthy will be able to get that freedom caucus under control? ~ ., , that freedom caucus under control? ~ , ., ., control? well, he has shown a willingness — control? well, he has shown a willingness to _ control? well, he has shown a willingness to entertain - control? well, he has shown a willingness to entertain their l willingness to entertain their requests ever since he got elected as speaker injanuary but he hasn't shown much success in actually modifying a satisfying damn whites up another big issue is the farm bill, that are set to expire on the 30th of september, really important. d0 the 30th of september, really important-— important. do you think they will hit that _ important. do you think they will hit that deadline? - important. do you think they will hit that deadline? i - important. do you think they j will hit that deadline? i think ou have will hit that deadline? i think you have two _ will hit that deadline? i think you have two pair _ will hit that deadline? i think you have two pair that - will hit that deadline? i think you have two pair that built l you have two pair that built with faa reauthorisation. those are long—term authorisations, things that you can extend with a short—term patch. it's quite difficult to do so but it sounds like they are going to need to do that. the house has already cleared their version of the faa, another chamber has touched the farm bill so there is a lot of work to be done and as i mentioned it is not realistic to expect it all gets wrapped up before the end of this month, so they're going to need to do some sort of short—term patch mattered the most realistic way to do that would be to loop government funding, the faa, the farm bill and may be some of president biden's supplemental appropriation request into one piece of legislation. the latter part of that is disaster recovery money for the wildfires, the flooding in vermont, the hurricane wejust saw in florida, plus of course money for ukraine and for the us mexico border. so that will be something that if you're talking realistically, the waiter ran to get all this done in a timely matter is to put them together in one piece of legislation. == them together in one piece of legislation-— legislation. -- the way to get all this done. _ legislation. -- the way to get all this done. if— legislation. -- the way to get all this done. if i _ legislation. -- the way to get all this done. if i could - legislation. -- the way to get all this done. if i could ask. all this done. if i could ask briefly about management about mitch mcconnell, was the latest? i5 mitch mcconnell, was the latest? , . mitch mcconnell, was the latest? . , mitch mcconnell, was the latest? , ., mitch mcconnell, was the latest? , . , ., . latest? is office put out a letter saying _ latest? is office put out a letter saying that - latest? is office put out a letter saying that he - latest? is office put out a - letter saying that he consulted with mr mcconnell�*s neurology team and concluded there was no evidence of a seizure disorder or evidence he had suffered any sort of stroke or that he is suffering from tia or parkinson's, they said it was basically the normal course of his recovery from that foulquier had in a washington, dc hotel in march this year. —— that foulquier had, during which she had concussion and broken rib. he spent six weeks away from the capitol recovering from that injury and what the doctors are saying is basically this is something that can happen is you are recovering from this type of injury. the problem is that his office has not given much detail other than what i just outlined. a lot of republicans very quietly are wondering how much longer mr mcconnell can go on as senate minority leader and as leader of the senate republican conference knowing that so many critical stretches coming up, they will need someone who is in that they do a spot who is 100% there, ready to fight for what they say they're going to do in government.- they're going to do in government. they're going to do in covernment. ., ~ , ., ., government. thank you for “oininu government. thank you for joining us- _ around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. hong kong's top court issued a landmark ruling tuesday ordering the government to create a framework for recongising same—sex partnerships. the ruling did not grant full marriage rights to same—sex couples, but the case is still seen as a victory by equality advocates within hong kong. new analysis by the un suggests about six bil