Plus: Why Kamala Harris is taking Tim Walz to her big interview, and all eyes on Norway's royal wedding ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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| Hello. In seeking to avoid escalating the conflict in Ukraine, Nato allies have resisted letting Kyiv use their munitions to strike inside Russia. But Western technology and finance are powering Ukraine's long-range drone strikes, report Jonathan Beale and Thomas Spencer. In the UK, an interview with a serial shoplifter sheds light on a huge increase in retail crime. Plus, scroll down for stunning wildlife images, mouthwatering barbecues and a royal wedding. | |
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QUESTIONS ANSWERED | The drones bringing war home to Russia |
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| | It takes an hour to build a drone's fuselage and half that time to add electronics, motor and explosives. Credit: Terminal Autonomy | Backed by Western tech and finance, Ukrainian firms are making hundreds of cheap one-way attack drones every month. They are enabling long-range strikes on air force bases, oil and ammunition depots, and command centres inside Russia. The BBC has been briefed by a number of those involved. |
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| | Jonathan Beale, defence correspondent & Thomas Spencer, BBC Verify |
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| What's happening? | Terminal Autonomy is producing more than 100 AQ400 Scythe long-range drones a month, with a range of 750km (465 miles). The company also makes hundreds of shorter range AQ100 Bayonet drones a month. It is one of at least three companies now producing drones in Ukraine at scale. | How are they made? | The drones are made of wood and assembled in former furniture factories. Francisco Serra-Martins, a former Australian Army Royal Engineer, set up the company with his Ukrainian co-founder, backed by US finance. He describes his drones as "basically flying furniture - we assemble it like Ikea". The Bayonet drone costs a few thousand dollars. A Russian air defence missile used to shoot it down can cost more than $1m (£750,000). | And what's the effect? | Prof Justin Bronk, of the Royal United Services Institute, says targeting Russian airbases has so far been the only effective way Ukraine has to respond to Russia's glide bombs. It has forced Russia to move aircraft to bases further away and reduce the frequency of their attacks. | | | War report: Russian forces are about 10km (six miles) from the crucial logistics hub of Pokrovsk, in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region. Vitaly Shevchenko hears why the town is so important. In maps: See how far invading forces have advanced into Ukraine, and how much territory has been taken by Kyiv's counter-offensive into Russia. Viewpoints: This week, Nick Beake heard from Ukrainians marking Independence Day in Kyiv, defending Pokrovsk and advancing into Russia. Read what they told him. | |
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| How stealing to order fuels shop theft | | Ross told the BBC he had been banned from most shops in Leeds city centre. Credit: Jim Connolly/BBC | More than 430,000 shoplifting offences were recorded in England and Wales last year, the most since current police records began in 2003. And the British Retail Consortium reports a growing trend in "unscrupulous businesses taking on local product that has been stolen to order". |
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| | Jim Connolly, NJ Convery & Steve Jones, BBC News |
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| | Ross, who has 15 convictions for shoplifting but has never been to prison, estimated he stole goods worth £300 ($395) every day, which he would then sell on to fund his crack cocaine and heroin addiction. He said perfume, cosmetics, alcohol and food were among the items he would regularly steal and sell on "as the cheapest wholesaler". "If I had a bag full of stuff, I would know which shop to go to," said Ross. "They'd take me into the back room, I'd lay it out on the floor and we would discuss a price."
Ross's most recent shoplifting conviction came in May, when he received a suspended sentence at Leeds Magistrates' Court. That hearing was told that Ross had stolen more than £4,000 worth of goods from Urban Outfitters in Leeds over a two-year period. The store stopped displaying vinyl records on its shelves because of how often Ross was stealing them. Ross, 39, told the BBC he had been clean of drugs for five months and was "ashamed" of his actions, which he blamed on the "desperation" of his addiction. |
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| | | Changing the law: Thefts of goods valued at under £200 are subject to less serious punishment than those of higher-cost items, allowing people such as Ross to avoid jail. The UK government plans to reverse the policy. | | Organised crime: Police have teamed up with retailers to gather intelligence on the gangs they say fuel much of the theft. | | Personal accounts: Parts of Wales saw a 45% increase in shoplifting last year. Shopkeepers describe their experiences. Meanwhile, a police chief in eastern England offers his view on what forces can do to help. |
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THE BIG PICTURE | Wildlife images impress judges |
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| | | Dr Gulley said he had hoped to capture the inquisitive nature of manatees - known as sea cows - on film. Credit: Jason Gulley | This manatee and calf were enjoying restored eelgrass beds in Hunter Springs, Florida, when captured on film by Dr Jason Gulley. His shot has been highly commended in this year's Wildlife Photographer of the Year contest. The winners will be announced on 8 October, with an exhibition at London's Natural History Museum. My favourite features tawny owlets in Munich. |
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FOR YOUR DOWNTIME | Taking the brisket | A BBQ expert gives her tips on the best joints in Houston. | |
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And finally... in Norway | Festivities have begun ahead of Saturday's wedding of Norwegian Princess Märtha Louise and her American partner, self-styled shaman Durek Verrett. Hundreds of guests, including personalities such as US reality star and model Cynthia Bailey, are arriving in the western town of Alesund for a "meet and greet". Laura Gozzi has the lowdown on the nuptials of the controversial royal, who has previously described herself as clairvoyant and later ran a school she said taught students to "create miracles". | |
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Football Extra | Get all the latest news, insights and gossip from the Premier League, weekdays to your inbox. | |
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