hello, i'm sally bundock. welcome to a very busy programme. we begin in ukraine, where an attack on the zaporizhzhia nuclear plant has sparked accusations from both moscow and kyiv. russia's state media that the main fire at the plant was extinguished in the early hours of monday. ukrainian president volodymyr zelensky shared these pictures on social media. he said russian officials who control the plant had deliberately started the fires. but the kremlin—installed governor of zaporizhia, claimed the fire erupted after shelling by ukrainian forces. the site has been under the control of russian troops and officials since 2022.

it has not produced power in more than two years and all six reactors have been in cold shutdown since april. in a statement posted to x, formerly known as twitter, the un's nuclear watchdog, the international atomic energy agency, said iaea experts witnessed strong dark smoke coming from zaporizhia nuclear power station's northern area following multiple explosions heard in the evening. the team was told of an alleged drone attack on one of the cooling towers located at the site. no impact has been reported for nuclear safety. this comes as ukraine continues their cross—border offensive. russia says its army will deliver a "tough response" and has acknowledged that ukrainian units have advanced deep into the western region of kursk, saying it's hit troops and equipment,

around 30 kilometres from the border. it's the most serious attack by a foreign army on russian territory, since the second world war. a senior ukrainian security official has reportedly said thousands of troops are taking part in the kursk incursion, now in its sixth day. in his nightly address, president zelensky said the incursion was a response to russia launching almost 2000 cross—border strikes at ukraine's sumy region over the summer. here's our security correspondent gordon corera. the russian flag is torn down and thrown on the ground, while that of ukraine rises in its place. for the first time since the second world war, russia has found its own territory invaded and occupied. in a move which caught moscow by surprise, ukraine has in the past week sent tanks and thousands of troops across the border, leaving destruction in theirwake, an operation its president acknowledged for the

first time last night. translation: i received several reports from commander - in chief syrskyii regarding the front lines and our actions to push the war onto the aggressor�*s territory. i am grateful to every unit of the defence forces, ensuring that ukraine is proving that it can indeed restore justice and ensure the necessary pressure on the aggressor. tens of thousands of russians are now being hurriedly evacuated from the areas close to where ukraine is operating. some expressed shock and anger at their government for allowing this to happen. a stern—faced vladimir putin met his top officials last week, and he has described the attack as a major provocation. this operation is a bold and maybe even risky gamble by ukraine. they've sent some of their best forces into russia here, you can see it in yellow. some are reported to be operating 20 miles over the border. the idea seems to be to force russia to respond by shifting its forces

away from the front lines inside ukraine, here in red, where moscow has recently been making advances. but it's not clear if ukraine simply wants to strike a psychological blow or really plans to try and hold the territory. russia's ministry of defence says it is repelling the attack. it's issued these pictures of ukrainian tanks being hit, although we've not been able to independently verify them. and overnight, ukraine said missiles fired by russia hitjust east of its capital, kyiv, killing two. but an intercepted ukrainian missile also fell on a russian apartment building in the city of kursk, injuring 15. that's another sign that a war launched by vladimir putin on ukraine is dramatically reaching into russia. gordon corera, bbc news. to speak about all this i'm joined by dr samir puri, a former ceasefire monitor in ukraine, visiting lecturer in war studies at kings college

london, and associate fellow at chathamhouse. if we start with what is happening at the zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, who do you think is responsible? thanks for having me i can't verify who is responsible but i think the very significant act as given where the ukraine forces have moved into the kursk region of russia, there is the separate kursk nuclear power plant the russians have and i wonder whether presuming that the russians are responsible for the attacks and the damage that the zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant this is a very clear act of signalling to remind ukrainians ukrainian forces make some kind of bid towards the kursk nuclear power plant russia has got the power to cause damage to the zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant even the russians have been controlling it is your package said for the best part

of two years. package said for the best part of two yew-— package said for the best part of two years. and for the best art of of two years. and for the best part of two — of two years. and for the best part of two years _ of two years. and for the best part of two years it _ of two years. and for the best part of two years it has - of two years. and for the best part of two years it has not. part of two years it has not been providing power but it is a huge risk isn't it because of course in significant damage, what risk that could cause to those around the area? absolutely and i think it's a really important moment to caution ourselves the word stalemate is often used around the ukraine — russia will because of the way in which it is bogged down over the last couple of years will drop the nuclear power plant vulnerability is one of the most grave aspects in which this conflict could escalate once again in yet unforeseen direction. i wonder whether the russians are quite desperate in terms of how ukrainians have moved on for nearly six or seven days now into kursk. the russians will be counting how long it will take them to evict those ukrainian forces and have probably started to think about the other areas they can escalate with regards to ukraine. in the risk of a nuclear catastrophe or any kind

of damage to that powerplant, is of huge concern to ukraine and the international community, given the iaea has clearly been monitoring what has been happening at zaporizhzhia for those two years. zaporizhzhia for those two ears. �* . ~' . zaporizhzhia for those two ears. 2 ~ , ., years. let's keep your take on the change — years. let's keep your take on the change in _ years. let's keep your take on the change in strategy - years. let's keep your take on the change in strategy on - years. let's keep your take on the change in strategy on the | the change in strategy on the part of ukraine, for the last six days moving into kursk, moving into russian territory, your take on that move on the part of ukraine and what it means for this conflict? taken everyone _ means for this conflict? taken everyone by — means for this conflict? taken everyone by surprise, - means for this conflict? taken everyone by surprise, the - everyone by surprise, the ukrainians achieve surprise one of the most vital commodities in war. partly to demonstrate ukraine has the capacity to make these advances, given the counteroffensive in 2023 failed very quickly and very dramatically. there is also a huge symbolic power moving into the kursk region in particular, very quickly the key battle in 1943 in world war ii on the eastern front was fought at

kursk, the biggest tank battle in history and the history of military counters, so that it is part of vladimir putin �*s red army meth, so that is a psychological blow to kursk, being partially occupied that the russians are having to deal with as well.— with as well. thank you for our with as well. thank you for your take _ with as well. thank you for your take on _ with as well. thank you for your take on that - with as well. thank you for your take on that ongoing l your take on that ongoing conflict. the latest on ukraine and russia. all good things must come to an end. that's certainly true for the paris 0lympics — which drew to a close on sunday night. more than two weeks of sporting excellence ending with a spectacular ceremony at the stade de france. there were fireworks, jubilant athletes, and even a hollywood cameo. our sports editor dan roan reports. the end of a games for which the world's one of the most beautiful cities provided

a vivid backdrop to a true sporting spectacle. as the sun set on these 0lympics, the closing ceremony symbolically beginning at the cauldron in the centre of paris. french swimming sensation leon marchand a four time gold medallist here carrying the flame on the start of its final journey, while at the stadium more than 70,000 enjoyed the start of proceedings. the presidents of france and the international committee introduced. before the true stars of the last 16 days of action began to arrive for the traditional parade. gold medal winning pair triathlete alex yee and trampoline list bryony page, team gb's flag—bearers. the hosts meanwhile able to celebrate their biggest medal haul since 1900. team gb also all smiles after another successful games. and after the parade came the performance. the golden voyager descending from the sky before taking

the audience on a journey that paid tribute to the greek origins of the olympics. the show then took a dramatic musical turn while the voyager and other explorers assembled the olympic rings which then lifted into the air. soon the athletes were treated to a performance by iconic french band phoenix. before the protocol of the speeches. with that it was time for paris to hand over to the host of the next summer games, the olympic flag ceremoniously transferred to the of los angeles. and then a chance for the world to get the sense of what the city would offer. actor tom cruise and appearing before living up to his reputation for performing his own stunts. the hollywood star making a memorable cameo to start the journey of the olympic flag to la. before performances by the red hot chili peppers in california and a fixture of the paris games, rapper snoop dogg. with the ceremony drawing to a conclusion and the torch

now safely delivered to the stadium, all that was left was for it to be extinguished, formally marking the end of these games. paris' grand party was over but the moments and memories it created will live on. dan roan, bbc news. there is so much more on the closing ceremony on our website and later on in business today we will look at the fact this was the greenest 0lympic we will look at the fact this was the greenest olympic games in history but can sustainability create a lasting legacy? we will be answering that question in around 20 minutes. let's move on to venezuela. the opposition leader in venezuela, maria corina machado, has called for nationwide and worldwide protests on saturday. she said the demonstration would support the opposition's claim of victory in the presidential elections two weeks ago. president nicolas maduro was declared the winner by the government—controlled electoral commission.

meanwhile, diplomatic efforts are under way to try to persuade the venezuelan president, nicolas maduro, to relinquish power. the wall streetjournal says the us has offered to lift drug trafficking charges against mr maduro in exchange for a peaceful transition. thousands of people in towns and villages outside the greek capital athens have been ordered to move to safer areas as wildfires are raging in the area. more than 30 of the blazes have been put under control, but hundreds of firefighters, as well as waterbombing planes and helicopters, are still battling a number of fires, some with flames as high as 25 metres, as nickjohnson reports. the greek capital, sweltering in temperatures nearing 40 celsius. nearby fires shrouding the country �*s most recognisable landmark in thick

smoke. dozens of fires had broken out across the country over the weekend, the prime minister has cut short his holiday to deal with the crisis. greece has experienced its hottestjune and july on record, the hot dry weather accompanied by strong wind to fan the flames. thousands of residents have been told to leave their homes in the region north of athens. including residents of the historic town of marathon. in the nearby area police go nearby near —— door by door to get people up. while many have led some can't bear to leave. ~ , ., , many have led some can't bear to leave. g ., , ., ., to leave. my family have all left, to leave. my family have all left. yana _ to leave. my family have all left, yana says _ to leave. my family have all left, yana says i _ to leave. my family have all left, yana says i am - to leave. my family have all left, yana says i am staying nearby so i can keep an eye on my house. nearby so i can keep an eye on my house-— my house. the army has also been on _ my house. the army has also been on hand _ my house. the army has also been on hand to _ my house. the army has also been on hand to help. - my house. the army has also

been on hand to help. the i been on hand to help. the situation _ been on hand to help. the situation is _ been on hand to help. the situation is chaotic. - been on hand to help. the situation is chaotic. 0ur military— situation is chaotic. 0ur military unit has been here from — military unit has been here from the _ military unit has been here from the beginning and we are trying — from the beginning and we are trying to— from the beginning and we are trying to help the fire unit and — trying to help the fire unit and the _ trying to help the fire unit and the volunteer teams. we are surrounded by fire here, the night — surrounded by fire here, the night will_ surrounded by fire here, the night will be very hard. as niuht night will be very hard. as night falls. _ night will be very hard. is night falls, fires continue night will be very hard. sis night falls, fires continue to rage. localfarmers coming to terms with the loss of their livelihoods.— terms with the loss of their livelihoods. the front of the fire is really _ livelihoods. the front of the fire is really huge _ livelihoods. the front of the fire is really huge and - livelihoods. the front of the fire is really huge and it's i fire is really huge and it's uncontrollable right now. behind these mountains are all the olive groves, all the olives are burnt. hundreds of wildfires have _ olives are burnt. hundreds of wildfires have broken - olives are burnt. hundreds of wildfires have broken out - wildfires have broken out across greece since may. some scientists are attributing their consent and intensity to climate change. there appears to be no respite in the hot, dry weather over the coming days. nickjohnson, bbc news. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

us defense secretary lloyd austin has ordered the deployment of a guided missile submarine to sail to the middle east more quickly amid escalating tensions in the region. the pentagon added in a statement that secretary austin has ordered the uss abraham lincoln to accelerate its transit to the central command area of responsibility, which includes the middle east. that deployment of additionalfighterjets and navy warships to the middle east was announced earlier this month, as washington seeks to bolster defenses following threats from iran and its allies hamas and hezbollah. meanwhile, as fresh talks for a ceasefire deal for gaza are slated for this week, hamas has urged mediators to implement an existing plan presented by president biden last month and has ruled out new rounds of negotiations over the terms of a deal. the latest push for a truce follows the killing of hamas's political leader,

ismail haniyeh. israel said it will send a team of negotiators to take part in the meeting. sources told the bbc that the introduction of new israeli conditions, including screening displaced palestinians as they return to the north of gaza, and who controls parts of gaza's border with egypt, had been sticking points. mohamed taha from bbc arabic is with me in the studio. good morning to you. we will talk about ceasefire talks in a moment. first of all the deployment of warships, it looks like the us is upping the ante in terms of defences for israel? ., israel? indeed all the indications _ israel? indeed all the indications are - israel? indeed all the indications are saying israel? indeed all the - indications are saying there is an imminent iranian response to the killing of the hamas leader ismail haniyeh on a rainy and

soil, there are intelligence reports israeli intelligence reports, that this might happen soon. that is why the us is deploying this guided missile submarine in the region, it is coming with an italian, and other destroyer. previously us deployed uss theodore roosevelt carrier and the f—22 for the first time in the region. it looks like the us — israel are really preparing for a big moment in the middle east. however there are talks about ceasefire and negotiations. aha, ceasefire and negotiations. a new week begins on you and i often say this a new week starts can we hope, can we hope and pray there might be some kind of breakthrough on ceasefire talks? i kind of breakthrough on ceasefire talks?- kind of breakthrough on ceasefire talks? i think there are massive _ ceasefire talks? i think there are massive hopes, - ceasefire talks? i think there are massive hopes, all- ceasefire talks? i think there l are massive hopes, all parties now agree to go tojoe hart on

thursday for the ceasefire talks. israel, hamas in the mediators are keen to do that but... ~ ., mediators are keen to do that but... ~ . . ., mediators are keen to do that but... ~ . ., . ., ., but... what about the change of leadership _ but... what about the change of leadership in — but... what about the change of leadership in hamas, _ but... what about the change of leadership in hamas, there - but... what about the change of leadership in hamas, there was| leadership in hamas, there was real concern ismail haniyeh who was obviously assassinated he was obviously assassinated he was seen as the moderate negotiator not a peacemaker thatis negotiator not a peacemaker that is too far a statement but he was seen as a more moderate negotiator whereas the new leadership is not? it is astonishing _ leadership is not? it is astonishing what - leadership is not? it is astonishing what we . leadership is not? it is l astonishing what we saw overnight, when hamas managed to overcome what happened at the school yesterday in the killing of more than 70 people and this israeli shelling and they are talking about talks. they said, they said we want to sit at the table with president biden �*s proposal inaugurated by the g7, so they are open to that. the main concern now whether israel would come with new proposals and new

suggestions as you rightly said in your introduction, that talk about who would be read turning back to their homes, or who will be controlling some parts of gaza. so hamas is ready, this change of leadership did not show any reluctance in having peace and ceasefire. mohammed, thank you very much indeed. ., ., mohammed, thank you very much indeed. ., ,, , ., mohammed, thank you very much indeed. ., , the funeral has been held for alice da silva aguiar, one of the three young girls killed in a knife attack at a dance class in southport. family and friends were among the hundreds who gathered to mourn the nine—year—old at st patrick's catholic church. alice's parents paid their own moving tribute, describing her as their "perfect dream child". fiona trott watched the service. applause a public display of love. trying to ease

a parent's private pain. singing. alice's father carried her on his shoulder. but few fathers, or mothers, have the strength to speak on a day like this. instead, their words were read by alice's uncle. you moved our world with your confidence and empathy. being around you was a privilege. we cherished every milestone. you completed us. you were taken away from us too soon. and we often ask, "why? "why here? "why us? "why you?" we wonder if you ever thought of us, called for us. we wondered if you felt any pain. we hope not, my darling. little alice knew nothing about politics and division. how confronting it was

acknowledged here today. you have shown great courage in asking me to be here today, to speak, to give a message from you, alice's family, to say that you do not want there to be any more violence on the streets of the united kingdom, in the name of your daughter. i am ashamed, and i'm so sorry that you had to even consider this in the planning of the funeral of your beautiful daughter, alice. this is the last photograph taken of alice, the moment she went into the taylor swift dance class that day. but it's her love of dance, her outgoing personality that people are choosing to remember now. hey, guys. today it's me. i got my make—up on to test my teacher. look at this. and now, guys, thank

you for watching all my videos. mr bowen was alyssa's favourite teacher. she wished for mr bowen to be her teacher again and again. we are letting you go dancing now, alice. teach those angels a few dance moves. keep daydreaming, alice. it's a magical place to be, in your own thoughts. let your beaming smile guide you, alice, and shine brightly on us all. who would have imagined the tragic event that brought them all together? alice's life was too short, but it was celebrated here today. fiona trott, bbc news, southport. a seventh artwork by the elusive artist banksy has appeared on the streets of london.

this time, he's spray—painted swimming piranhas on a city of london police sentry box. it's the latest in his animal series as yasmin rufo reports. today, spray—painted piranhas on an old police sentry box. but what could it mean? i think he's definitely making a comment about policing, and i think what we've got at the moment in england is a real problem across all of these areas. we'lljust never really know because i don't think he ever really says. the fish follow a whole host of other animals that have popped up across the capital. is it art? well, i don't think the stencils are. i mean, that's advertising, isn't it? so what do you think he's advertising? he's advertising a brand — him. there has been speculation that these artworks are designed to cheer people up after the riots, or it may have an environmental angle, but banksy is yet to comment. i like the idea of bringing more nature, especially towards, you know, places

like the city of london and, you know, where you just have architecture, you see no single tree on the street, right? so, go, banksy — more of that, please! i think what i like is it helps bring us together as a community and enjoy and celebrate the art. is this the end? well, we'lljust have to wait and see what happens tomorrow. yasmin rufo, bbc news. business today is next. hello. a stormy night for some of us, and on top of that, it feels very warm and humid out there — almost tropical — with temperatures hovering around 20 degrees there on the south coast of england through the early hours of monday morning, and even in northern ireland, around 17 degrees. now, this is what the heatwave looks like across western europe. at the moment, temperatures well above the average for the time of the year. the temperatures will peak in england on monday. let's get to the forecast then, and that stormy picture developing to the west

of the british isles. you can see the storm clouds there, and the radar indicating the rainfall, flashes of lightning as well. more to come through the course of early monday. so, the weather front crossing northern ireland with the downpours through early monday morning, then reaching the west coast of scotland, spreading across scotland as it moves towards the northeast. a few showers in northern england, but south of that, the picture looks generally dry and sunny in the morning. now, this is the yellow warning from the met office — a chance of frequent lightning, hail and strong winds within this area. now, because it's a yellow warning, it's a relatively low risk for any one location, but when you get it, you'll know about it. so, the forecast then for the rest of monday then. well, the story is going to be the heat across england. in fact, from the southeast, through east anglia, into lincolnshire, temperatures well over 30 degrees celsius. cambridgeshire could well reach around 35 celsius. far more comfortable, i'm sure you'll agree, across western parts of the uk, with the low 20s. and it will freshen up as we go through

the course of the week, gradually. weather fronts are approaching us on tuesday. that does mean cloud and some rain. and here's the forecast for early on tuesday morning, with that cloud and rain spreading into western parts, but still a very warm southerly across eastern areas of the uk. so, from london, across east anglia, into lincolnshire, temperatures could still reach the high 20s, but more typically, it's going to be the low 20s or even the high teens further towards the west and north. and then on wednesday, a ridge of high pressure builds in between weather systems, so that means that the weather's looking fairly promising. many of us would call it a perfect summer's day, with fine weather midweek. towards the end of the week, there could be some rain, and then beyond that, the forecast is somewhat uncertain, with a little bit of rain, but also plenty of sunshine. bye— bye.

the greenest olympic games in history have come to an end. but can sustainability create a lasting legacy? the calm after the storm: markets open on a quieter note following last week's roller—coaster ride. but with us inflation data due this week, are investors out of the woods? also on the programme, swerving the potholes: why the state of british roads

are causing mounting costs for motorists. and from potholes to pot: as the legalisation of cannabis expands across the world, the marijuana industry still faces many challenges. we ask — can the so—called �*green rush' stay on a high? hello. live from london, this is business today. i'm sally bundock. a lot of questions there and we are hoping to find in this programme. we start with the 2024 paris olympic games that have officially ended with a spectacular closing ceremony. the olympic flag was handed over to the mayor of los angeles, where the games will be held in four years' time. the paris games will go down as the greenest in history, ran entirely on renewable energy, mostly local food was served and they relied heavily on existing and temporary venues. with 9 million tickets sold

and a record—breaking 34 million viewers —