live from london. this is bbc news with the headlines. the israeli military says about 300,000 palestinians have left the city of rafah since they've been ordered to evacuate on monday. but the un warns they're moving to an area which lacks basic infrastructure. more than 10,000 people protest against israel's involvement in the eurovision song contest in malmo, sweden, ahead of tonight's grand final. iam i am alive here in malmo outside the main arena where in a few hours�* time the eurovision song contest final will be taking place. this week�*s contest has been mired in controversy, protests and problems for the european ebu. we�*ll have all the latest in a minute�*s time. —— in a few minutes�* time. hundreds of people have been killed

and thousands of homes destroyed by majorflooding in northern afghanistan. thousands of demonstrators in georgia have again taken to the streets of tbilisi in the latest protest against legislation that would force organisations to declare foreign funding. and the most powerful solar storm in 21 years triggers celestial light shows in many parts of the world, with scientists expecting another display later this evening. hello, i�*m samantha simmonds. the israeli military says about 300,00 palestinians have left the city of rafah since monday, when israel told them to move to a nearby district of gaza. the israel defence forces have declared a narrow coastal strip at al—mawasi to be a safe humanitarian zone, but the un says it has no running water or proper sanitation. israel is planning an assault on hamas fighters in rafah and has ordered tens of thousands more residents from eastern districts of the city to leave.

residents from eastern districts evacuation orders have also been issued for thousands of people in parts of northern gaza. last night, a us government report criticised israel�*s use of american—supplied weapons in the gaza war, saying it�*s reasonable to assess they have been used in breach of international humanitarian law in some instances. israel launched it�*s war on hamas following their attack in israel on october 7th. from jerusalem, here�*s our middle east correspondent, yollande knell. another desperate exodus. palestinians fleeing in the thousands as israel signals it is now set to push further into gaza�*s southernmost city, issuing new evacuation orders. what should we do, she asks? shall we wait until we all die on top of each other? we have decided it�*s better to leave. israel have decided to take action against hamas in one of its last strongholds, and to try to bring

hostages home. with israel�*s capture of one main border crossing and another blocked off by fighting, this is the 50 day of no aid getting into some gaza. —— the fifth day. there are now severe shortages of food, deepening humanitarian crisis. israel has described the assault on rafah as limited, but now the world is watching to see if this turns into the full—scale invasion that allies have warned against. and there has been another strong statement from washington. it says with some of it strikes on gaza, israel may have used american supplied weapons in breach of international law. israel has consistently denied any violations. and yet the new report may have an impact on plans back here in rafah, where there is already a growing sense of emergency.

i want to take utilised pictures coming into us from tel aviv from hostage square where there is another rally taking place to demand the release of more than 130 hostages still being held by hamas. there have been intense negotiations over the past ten days, with negotiators from israel, hamas, the us, qatar and egypt taking place in cairo but they broke up a day ago without an agreement. hamas said they will not budge from an already rejected hostage deal offer as those cairo talks break up. as well as those protests taking place in tel aviv to demand hostages coming home, there are also anti—government protests taking place as well. at the eurovision song contest in the swedish city of malmo, thousands of people are protesting about israel�*s involvement.

the israeli performer, eden golan, is in tonight�*s final, but was met with booing when she performed her song, hurricane, yesterday. the israeli prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, has wished her success, saying she had already won against an "ugly wave of anti—semitism". a norwegianjury spokesperson has resigned over the war and the french contestant stopped singing mon amour during the dress rehearsals to call for peace. meanwhile, the dutch artist joost klein has been disqualified from the contest after a backstage incident. an allegation of intimidation was made to swedish police by a female member of the production crew. let�*s cross now to my colleague mariam moshiri in malmo. semantic, thank you, i�*m outside the arena, it�*s noisy, full of fans. —— samantha. there is lots of cheer and excitement ahead of the european song contest. down the road on the other side of the city, there are protests taking place against the involvement of israel in this year�*s eurovision song contest. there are

protesters, we are estimating about 10,000 through the city, and my colleagues with them now. sarah rainsford is in central malmo for us. the protest is finished now, this is the tail end of the protest dispersing, people heading home. it was a large march, around 10,000 protesters, that is more or less the same as thursday. they marched through the heart of malmo, waving palestinian flags and chanting their main chance, theirfundamental palestinian flags and chanting their main chance, their fundamental ones, free palestine and boycott israel. lots of passionate feelings. they do not believe israel should be taking part in this year�*s eurovision while gazais part in this year�*s eurovision while gaza is being bombed by the israeli military and they wanted their voices heard. it was peaceful, there were lots of children, people came to drape flags over pushchairs, they were bicycles, pets, people with dogs, and there were also lots of

police. there was lots of plain clothes policeman deepening and eye on things, riot police hanging back and dialogue police, the liaison officers, oralong and dialogue police, the liaison officers, or along the route. but it was an authorised, controlled protest. strong voices, strong opinions being shouted out across malmo today but it all has passed off peacefully. this is very different to the usual eurovision party weekend. the atmosphere very different here in malmo and i was talking earlier to win israeli fan who has come to malmo for the eurovision song contest despite concerns before this week about security. he said he felt israel had a right to be represented, saying he was cautious, he is not covering his face in blue—and—white face paint as he normally would, he cold himself a super fan, he normally would, he cold himself a superfan, and he is feeling tension here and animosity from other eurovision fans. he was also very

upset people inside the arena were turning their back when eden golan goes onstage and did not like the fact people were walking out and protesting. it was only in the arena he felt he could wave his israeli flag safely. he he felt safe but he doesn�*t like the tension and the protests. but it was a peaceful protest. a few stragglers now just heading home. protest. a few stragglers now “ust heading homafi protest. a few stragglers now 'ust heading hemefi protest. a few stragglers now 'ust headini home. ., ,, g, heading home. thank you, sarah. the nrotests heading home. thank you, sarah. the protests are — heading home. thank you, sarah. the protests are over. _ heading home. thank you, sarah. the protests are over. in _ heading home. thank you, sarah. the protests are over. in a _ heading home. thank you, sarah. the protests are over. in a few _ heading home. thank you, sarah. the protests are over. in a few hours' - protests are over. in a few hours�* time, the main event will take place, the 68 european song contest, the third in the city of malmo and the third in the city of malmo and the seventh to be held in sweden. this year�*s competition is open but it has been mired in controversy. as we have mentioned, the netherlands�* actjoost klein has been disqualified after an incident that happened a few days ago behind—the—scenes head of the dress rehearsal, and we have seen a type

of protest from bambie thug, the irish actor did not attend the final dress rehearsal, and also the french actor, who stopped his performance to read out a protest versa. 0ur arts correspondent, david sillito, reports from malmo. joost klein. with just hours to go, his eurovision dream is over. his team says they�*re shocked by his disqualification. fans realised something was wrong when it was announced he wouldn�*t be taking part in yesterday�*s rehearsal. and it�*s now been confirmed he won�*t be competing tonight after an incident now being investigated by police. it�*s been an eventful build—up to this year�*s contest. the presence of israel has provoked protest from those angry about events in gaza. the song, however, is second favourite to win. events have continued to unfold this

afternoon. ireland�*s bambie thug has skipped a dress rehearsal because of what was described as a situation backstage. the norway�*sjury spokesperson has withdrawn citing the ongoing controversy around the contest. but inside the arena, it has continued almost as normal. the uk�*s 0lly alexander is at number 11 in the odds, but the frontrunner is the czech republic�*s entrance. they may have been politics and drama in the run up, but the hope is that tonight the eurovision spirit will prevail in all its cheerful, moving, daft, crowd pleasing glory. david sillitoe, bbc news, malmo. here are some eurovision fans. and this is what it is all about, the different countries come together to celebrate music, so let�*s start with

you. celebrate music, so let's start with ou. �* g, celebrate music, so let's start with ou. �* a, �* you. and tim from the uk, i'm here to support 0lly. support olly. what you think of his act? it's the _ support olly. what you think of his act? it's the best _ support olly. what you think of his act? it's the best uk _ support olly. what you think of his act? it's the best uk stage - act? it's the best uk stage production _ act? it's the best uk stage production we've - act? it's the best uk stage production we've ever- act? it's the best uk stage i production we've ever done. act? it's the best uk stage - production we've ever done. lovely to meet you- _ production we've ever done. lovely to meet you- can — production we've ever done. lovely to meet you. can we _ production we've ever done. lovely to meet you. can we speak- production we've ever done. lovely to meet you. can we speak to - production we've ever done. lovely to meet you. can we speak to you. | to meet you. can we speak to you. i�*m speaking italian, i don�*t speak spanish. i'm speaking italian, i don't speak s-anish. �* , , ,, i'm speaking italian, i don't speak i spanish-_ what spanish. i'm supporting spain! what is our spanish. i'm supporting spain! what is your favourite _ spanish. i'm supporting spain! what is your favourite thing _ spanish. i'm supporting spain! what is your favourite thing about - spanish. i'm supporting spain! what is your favourite thing about the - is your favourite thing about the song? its is your favourite thing about the soni ? , ,., is your favourite thing about the soni? , , g, is your favourite thing about the soni? , g, �*, is your favourite thing about the soht? , ., song? its so liberating, it's about freedom, song? its so liberating, it's about freedom. who — song? its so liberating, it's about freedom, who you _ song? its so liberating, it's about freedom, who you are, _ song? its so liberating, it's about freedom, who you are, and... - song? its so liberating, it's about. freedom, who you are, and... why song? its so liberating, it's about - freedom, who you are, and. .. why are freedom, who you are, and... why are ou freedom, who you are, and... why are you dressed — freedom, who you are, and... why are you dressed as — freedom, who you are, and... why are you dressed as a _ freedom, who you are, and... why are you dressed as a fox? _ freedom, who you are, and... why are you dressed as a fox? because - freedom, who you are, and... why are you dressed as a fox? because it - you dressed as a fox? because it means fox- _ you dressed as a fox? because it means fox. hello, _ you dressed as a fox? because it means fox. hello, boss, - you dressed as a fox? because it means fox. hello, boss, he- you dressed as a fox? because it means fox. hello, boss, he is. you dressed as a fox? because it i means fox. hello, boss, he is here dressed as— means fox. hello, boss, he is here dressed as a _ means fox. hello, boss, he is here dressed as a fox. _ means fox. hello, boss, he is here dressed as a fox. where _ means fox. hello, boss, he is here dressed as a fox. where are - means fox. hello, boss, he is here dressed as a fox. where are you i dressed as a fox. where are you from? �* , a, i dressed as a fox. where are you from?- i will— dressed as a fox. where are you from?- i will raid - dressed as a fox. where are you from?- i will raid as - dressed as a fox. where are you | from?- i will raid as well. from? austria. i will raid as well. it's a great _

from? austria. i will raid as well. it's a great song, _ from? austria. i will raid as well. it's a great song, the _ from? austria. i will raid as well. it's a great song, the last - from? austria. i will raid as well. it's a great song, the last one . it�*s a great song, the last one tonight, right? aha, it's a great song, the last one tonight. right?— it's a great song, the last one tonight, right? a good starting nosition. tonight, right? a good starting position. ladies, _ tonight, right? a good starting position. ladies, where - tonight, right? a good starting position. ladies, where are - tonight, right? a good starting| position. ladies, where are you from? sweden! _ position. ladies, where are you from? sweden! fantastic- position. ladies, where are you from? sweden! fantastic song | position. ladies, where are you l from? sweden! fantastic song by sweden, unforgettable! - from? sweden! fantastic song by sweden, unforgettable! tell- from? sweden! fantastic song by sweden, unforgettable! tell me, | from? sweden! fantastic song by - sweden, unforgettable! tell me, will the boys do well? they are first up, it�*s a tough spot. it�*s the boys do well? they are first up, it's a tough spot-— it's a tough spot. it's very tough. it's a great _ it's a tough spot. it's very tough. it's a great start _ it's a tough spot. it's very tough. it's a great start to _ it's a tough spot. it's very tough. it's a great start to the _ it's a tough spot. it's very tough. it's a great start to the show. - it's a tough spot. it's very tough. it's a great start to the show. it i it�*s a great start to the show. it will blow everyone away and it will start the atmosphere in the arena, a great start. i start the atmosphere in the arena, a ireat start. ,., , start the atmosphere in the arena, a great start-— great start. i will say goodbye to all of my viewers _ great start. i will say goodbye to all of my viewers at _ great start. i will say goodbye to all of my viewers at home - great start. i will say goodbye to all of my viewers at home and i great start. i will say goodbye to i all of my viewers at home and let's all of my viewers at home and let�*s do a song now for everyone. cheering back to you, samantha first.

now, the taliban in afghanistan say more than 300 people are now known to have died in devastating flash floods in the north of the country. a spokesman for the interior ministry told the bbc that most of the casualties were in the province of baghlan. emergency teams have been sent to rescue those stranded by the floodwaters. on friday, a massive torrent of water swept away hundreds of houses in several villages. dozens of people are still missing. with me is our reporter sofia bettiza, who has been following the story. what more do we know about the floods and how many are affected? it's floods and how many are affected? it�*s been a devastating day for thousands of people in afghanistan and a state of emergency has now been declared in the part of the country in the north where the floods are taking place. what has happened is the northern part of the country has been hit with unusually heavy rain, and that has caused the flooding we are looking at now. the

bbc has been sent videos and images from people in the area and those show violent torrents of water sweeping through houses in several villages. there are people trapped in their homes, under the rubble, under the mud. we do not yet know the full scale of the damage, but as you mentioned, the un has confirmed that more than 300 people have died, more than 2000 houses have been destroyed, and many people have been left homeless. just destroyed, and many people have been left homeless-— left homeless. just how common are these kind of— left homeless. just how common are these kind of floods? _ left homeless. just how common are these kind of floods? are _ left homeless. just how common are these kind of floods? are there - these kind of floods? are there links to climate change? do we know? there are many factors that contribute to flooding but climate change is definitely one of them, because climate change makes extreme rainfall more likely. interestingly, experts say that afghanistan is one of the countries in the world that is most at risk when it comes to climate change. it has been a very

dry winter and that means that it was difficult for the soil to absorb such a huge amount of water. but also, we are talking about one of the poorest countries in the world that has been ravaged by decades of war. so when things like this happen, the country is not exactly well—equipped to deal with natural disasters. in terms of what happens next, there is a big search and rescue operation under way, but there are many people still missing. the fear is that the death toll could go up significantly. thank ou. russia says it�*s captured five settlements in the northeastern ukrainian region of kharkiv, since it sent troops over the border there on friday. ukraine disputes the claim. the local governor acknowledged heavy fighting was continuing, but described the situation as "under control." more than 1700 people have been evacuated. the us—based think tank the institute for the study of war reported that russia had likely

taken several villages. these are pictures of volunteers helping people in settlements around kharkiv evacuate. russia also claimed to have captured a village further south in the donetsk region. in the russian—occupied city of donetsk, the authorities say three civilians were killed and others injured in ukrainian missile strikes, one of which hit a restaurant. in georgia, protesters have taken to the streets to take part in the "march for europe", protesting against the government�*s plan to adopt a controversial law on foreign funding. it comes after nearly three weeks of continual protests, with critics describing it as the "russian—law", saying the legislation would target civil society and ultimately silence critical voices. the third and final reading of the bill will happen next monday. for more on the protests, giorgi tskhadaia joins me now, the professor of political science at caucasus university.

thank you for being with us. tell us more about this law and the fears around it. a, ., more about this law and the fears around it. ., ,, , g, more about this law and the fears around it. ., ~' , a, a, around it. thank you for inviting me. the foreign _ around it. thank you for inviting me. the foreign law— around it. thank you for inviting me. the foreign law will- around it. thank you for inviting me. the foreign law will label. me. the foreign law will label non—dormant agencies that receive 20% of their funding from foreign interests as a foreign state, so this was first introduced in russia in 2012 and most organisations after the introduction of this law in georgia will not register as foreign agents will close down. the others that register as foreign agents will be marginalised and disappear soon. many georgians took to the streets

to protest the law because they consider it to be undemocratic and there is another reason why they protest against the law. it has very deep political indication. georgette received a new candidate status last year after the government gave up on its attempts to introduce a foreign agency law, and now if the law is adopted, georgia�*s status as a new country will lose its value. for georgia, it�*s very important, european membership is very important as a safeguard against russian aggression, because georgia alone cannot defend without the help of western allies, it cannot defend against russian aggression, so it requires support and assistance from the european union and other western entities. georgians labelled this

the russian law because of its geopolitical implications. because... geopolitical implications. because. . ._ geopolitical implications. because. . . geopolitical implications. because... �* ~ , because... but the prime minister there has denied _ because... but the prime minister there has denied these _ because... but the prime minister| there has denied these accusations and said that the country does want to move closer to the west. hide and said that the country does want to move closer to the west. we have a classic zero-sum _ to move closer to the west. we have a classic zero-sum game _ to move closer to the west. we have a classic zero-sum game in - to move closer to the west. we have a classic zero-sum game in this - a classic zero—sum game in this region, as i already mentioned, georgia alone cannot resist, cannot defeat russian aggression, so it requires western support and if georgia loses western support, it automatically means it would be drawn into the russian sphere of influence. many kremlin politicians and propagandists openly hailed georgia�*s foreign agents law because they understand that it plays into their interests and eventually georgia giving up on its

pro—european aspirations will contribute to georgia�*s, to drawing georgia into the russian territory. professor, thank you forjoining us. prince harry and meghan are in nigeria this weekend as part of the duke�*s promotion of the invictus games. earlier, harry played a seated volleyball match with army veterans, many of whom were wounded in battles against the country�*s islamist insurgency. harry�*s team , dressed in yellow , took on a squad led by nigeria�*s chief of defence staff, the country�*s top commander. the prince�*s team took an early lead — but ending up losing the match 25—21. for more on that, our africa correspondent simi jolaoso is in abuja for us. good to see you, take us through what has happened on this visit today. what has happened on this visit toda . , ,, g, what has happened on this visit toda. ., _ ,, what has happened on this visit toda. ., ,. ,,., what has happened on this visit toda. g, ,. ,, g, g, today. the duke and duchess have had a re today. the duke and duchess have had a pretty busy — today. the duke and duchess have had a pretty busy second — today. the duke and duchess have had a pretty busy second day _ today. the duke and duchess have had a pretty busy second day here, - today. the duke and duchess have had

a pretty busy second day here, they i a pretty busy second day here, they started by meeting members of a local organisation that they support cold nigeria unconquered, which helps wounded and injured servicemembers and veterans, and we know that is close to prince harry�*s heart. he took part then in a sitting volleyball game with a team and they were really enthusiastic, chanting team harry, team harry! afterwards, he and megan spoke to the families of those athletes, one girl offering the meghan her rows back saying she was really happy to be there. afterwards they attended a reception hosted by the ministry of defence, the ministry behind their visit to nigeria in the first place, and there the duke of sussex gave a recap of his visit to a military rehab hospital yesterday. he said when he was there he met 50 injured

soldiers that were lying in their beds and said he could feel low morale in the room but two of those soldiers stood out to him because they were smiling. he said one was even doing push—ups and that reminded him of why he started the invicta schemes foundation. afterwards, the duchess meghan, as she attended a women in leadership event, she co—hosted that with the director—general of the world trade organization, and there she spoke about her nigerian heritage and the day she found out she was 43% nigerian, she said she was really happy and the first thing she did was call her mother. she said she was call her mother. she said she was happy to be in the country and find out more about her heritage as well as interact with other nigerians. when asked if she would come back she said absolutely.

the northern lights might be visible in some parts of the uk again tonight after a stunning array of colours lit up the sky for many of us last night. one of the strongest geomagnetic storms for years meant they could be seen across large swathes of the country as our science correspondent pallab ghosh reports. technicolour skies not seen in parts of the uk for more than 20 years. this the scene injersey as a spectacular solar show was sent from the sun. the display is usually more visible in northern parts of britain, but such is the power of the sun�*s current activity, it was seen in the south, even as far as padstow in cornwall. a more familiar sight further north in crosby beach, in liverpool, people gathered to watch. this was the fourth bridge in scotland. and in newry, in northern ireland, this was the scene. the colours are caused by solar

storms on the surface of the sun. the story started 93 million miles away and two days ago. and what happened was the magnetic fields on the sun rearranged themselves, releasing a lot of energy and ejecting billions of tonnes of charged particles out from the sun. this is an actual video of the sun taken by nasa�*s spacecraft. when it�*s active, it emits really large clouds of particles called coronal mass ejections, like this one. when they reach the earth, the particles energise the gases in the atmosphere, making them glow different colours. oxygen glows green, while nitrogen emits purple, blue and pink light. those in scotland, northern ireland and the far north of england should be able to see the display again tonight. pallab ghosh, bbc news. i want to show you these live pictures before we go live from

malmo in sweden as the countdown to the eurovision final is well and truly under way. that gets going in just over 35 minutes�* time there and it is pretty calm outside the hall where it will take place, although there has been a chaotic build—up to there has been a chaotic build—up to the grand final, with the dutch entry disqualified and another has withdrawn from it, another has had a speech and there has been a protest protesting against israel because my participation in the show. let�*s also show you these pictures live from tel aviv, where thousands of people are out on the streets in the israeli city demanding the release of more than 130 hostages still being held by hamas for more than six months in gaza. many also protesting against the israeli government stop in particular, the prime minister benjamin netanyahu. do stay with us here on bbc news.

hello. well, the show�*s not over yet. we have both a music spectacle on and, of course, a light display in the heavens. and once again, saturday night, a pretty good chance of catching a glimpse of the aurora borealis or the northern lights. the viewing conditions will be good, if not excellent, across much of the uk with the clear skies and try about 11pm onwards. get your eyes used to that dark sky, away from any bright city lights if you can. now, here�*s the probability of the aurora occurring. this is just an approximation. so the red colour is pretty much 90% to 100%, and then that chance drops off somewhat as you head southwards across the uk. but it really could happen almost anywhere and there�*s some uncertainty even with that. now, the weekend weather forecast, some uncertainty, too.

and the weather is going to produce a spectacle of its own. in fact, thunderstorms in the forecast for sunday. now, let�*s get the outlook, then, for the rest of the evening and into the overnight hours. so let�*s take a tour across the uk around about midnight where we are expecting the clear skies. so you can see much of scotland, the aurora should be visible easily here and certainly out of town. beautiful displays of green and purple and violet, also a chance of catching it further south. very little in the way of cloud. if you are unlucky, you mightjust have to wait for that bank of cloud to clear away. and remember, the aurora isn�*t just a brief occurrence. it can last over a couple of hours, so there�*ll be plenty of opportunity to go out and check again. now, the temperatures first thing in the morning, typically around 9 to 13 degrees. so a relatively mild start to sunday with a lot of sunshine. and on sunday we start with high pressure just about in charge of the weather. and thanks to this high pressure, we will have had the clear skies and the chance to catch

glimpses of the aurora. but it is slipping away, that high, low pressure is moving in as are weather fronts, and these weather fronts will be responsible for sparking off some thunderstorms during the course of sunday. and some of them could be heavy, indeed, pretty nasty across western areas of the uk. and the temperatures every bit as warm if not warmer. highs up to about 26 degrees in london. that�*s it from me. bye— bye.

this is bbc news — the headlines... the israeli military says about 300,000 palestinians have left the city of rafah since it ordered them to evacuate on monday — but the un warns they�*re moving to an area which lacks basic infrastructure. thousands protest against israel�*s involvement in the eurovision song contest in malmo, sweden ahead of tonight�*s grand final. the netherlands is out of the eurovision song contest, after the dutch singer joost klein is disqualified — police are investigating a complaint made against the singer. hundreds of people have been killed and thousands of homes destroyed by majorflooding in northern afghanistan. and, the most powerful solar storm in 21 years — triggers celestial light—shows in many parts of the world — with scientists expecting another display later this evening.