welcome to bbc news, broadcasting to viewers in north americaon pbs and around the globe. my name is nkem ifejika. our top stories: devastating floods kill more than 300 people in the indian state of kerala. prime minister modi makes an emergency visit. funeral preparations for victims of the genoa bridge collapse. the search goes on for five people still missing. in just a few hours, pakistan's former cricket captain imran khan will be sworn in as the country's new prime minister. and indonesia is about to host the asian games, the world's second—largest multi—sport event. the indian government says nearly 900 people have died since the start of the monsoon rainy season injune. the worst affected state is kerala, in the south, where more than 300 deaths have been recorded.

it is the region's most damaging monsoon season in a century. with more rain forecast over the coming days, emergency workers are scrambling to reach thousands of people who remain cut off by landslides. the bbc‘s yogita limaye reports from there. forced out of their homes by the floods, people are walking miles to safety. escaping surging water that has swallowed everything in its path. for many, this is the only way out. this pregnant woman was among several airlifted in kerala. she delivered just a short while later. dozens of helicopters are pulling out as many as they can. but tens of thousands

are still stuck. the monsoon always brings heavy rainfall to kerala, but this year is different. translation: after 36 years, it's the first time that such flooding is happening here. it's a disaster for the whole population. shelters have been set up wherever possible. locals are volunteering, cooking food and distributing supplies to people who have been left homeless. this is a public school which has been converted into a shelter. there are about 200 people here. the men are asleep in this room behind me, and the women are across on the other side. butjust behind this school is a river that is already quite close to breaching its banks. so, if it continues raining here, no—one quite knows for how long even this place will remain safe. cochin airport, the busiest

in kerala, is unrecognisable. its runway resembles a river. the government has been forced to open dam gates, and people are bracing themselves for worse. there is more rainfall expected. randeep kumar rana is from the indian disaster response force. earlier, he told us about the scale of the emergency operation and urged people to stay in their homes. around 55 teams of ndrf, as well as many columns from army, state disaster response force, navy. we are trying to reach out to the maximum number of people, day in and day out. 0n boats, they have rounded up people to go to the affected areas,

and we are trying to evacuate as many people who need to get evacuated and whose houses are flooded, and those people who are staying in safe houses, whose houses are double—story houses, we are appealing to them to stay put in their houses, and out of panic please do not try to come out to unsafe places. we understand the need for provisioning, water, vegetables, medicines. 0ur teams, they are equipped with medical officers they are equipped with paramedics, they are trying to take the necessary provisionings to the people in their houses. abnd, as of now, things would definitely start improving from tonight onwards. the rains will subside. tomorrow onwards, there will be some rains across the state, but the intensity of the rains will be much lesser. it will be lesser than half

what it was today, or a few days in the past. and things in the state would definitely start improving from tomorrow onwards. therefore our request to the people — please continue to stay put in your safe houses, where there is no floodwater, and as far as the necessary provisioning is concerned, we understand the need for water and vegetables and necessary medicines. 0ur teams, they are trying their level best to provide these necessities. devendra tak, head of communications at save the children india. we know that children have specific needs during these circumstances. first of all, children need to have food. they also need to have adequate protection, particularly because the families

might get separated during these times. and children are unlike adults in that they depend on others to support them, with food, with clothes, and with protection. and we also need to ensure that education is restored very quickly. as you know, in a humanitarian crisis like these, sometimes schools are used as temporary relief centres. so that puts education to a standstill. so save the childen, we try to launch a child—friendly space, which is a temporary space where it will have secure personnel who can look after children and ensure their education and learning continues in a safe environment. so education and protection of children is something that we want to look at carefully. something you see in india and around the world in such crises, we are able to give expert advice. so when we reach the ground tomorrow, one of my colleagues will be dealing exclusively with the state authorities to figure out how we can support them in their assessment,

and in providing support to the work they do. but the onus is on the government to really reach out, and ngos like us can provide models which we have carried out in the past, and hope to replicate them, keeping in mind our priority is for children. and children have specific needs, as we know. we have friends, luckily, through social media, who have been showing us videos of where they live. they have been living in kerala all their lives, and they've never seen anything like this. they've never seen their homes completely surrounded by water. kerala has a rich monsoon year, but this one has broken all records. they're saying now it's the biggest flood in 100 years in kerala. so it's going to be a daunting task for everybody involved to make sure that speedy relief is provided to those people who need it, and especially those who are in the most remote locations, and they are hardest to get. so to reach them

is our first priority. funerals have been held for some of those who died when a major road bridge collapsed in genoa in northern italy. the government had offered state funerals, but fewer than half of the families accepted the offer. anger towards the authorities has been growing because of suggestions the structure had not been properly maintained for years. from genoa, james reynolds reports. amid the heavy machinery and the tons of rubble, the search for survivors sometimes comes down to a single voice. "anybody there?" shouts a rescuer. there is no reply. but they will keep going for a while longer. it's difficult to say we will finish tomorrow, but i can tell you that probably in a couple of days we should finish. but it is really depending on how we can remove all the debris. parts of the operation are extremely delicate. here, firefighters reversed a truck abandoned right next to the edge of the collapse.

professor antonio brencich is on the official investigation commission. before he was appointed, he told me that the original engineer's bridge design was flawed. he made some decisions that produced a bridge, a new bridge, different from the others. the attempt to find a new way, a new structure orform, failed. it failed? it failed, si. this is the result of that collapse. the families of the dead gathered around their coffins. the victims will be given a state funeral. some families have chosen not to take part in the official ceremonies. instead, they are holding private burials elsewhere in italy. and, once all the ceremonies are over, the bitter arguments about the collapse of this bridge may re—intensify. james reynolds, bbc news, genoa.

stay with us on bbc news. still to come: the scars of war and the road to recovery. how art is helping veterans deal with memories of conflict. washington, the world's most political city, is today assessing the political health of the world's most powerful man. indeed, i did have a relationship with miss lewinsky that was not appropriate. in fact, it was wrong. in south africa, 97 people have been killed today, in one of the worst days of violence between rival black groups. over the last ten days, 500 have died. chanting: czechoslovakia must be free! russia is observing a national day of mourning for the 118 submariners who died on board the kursk. we're all with them now, within our hearts.

the pope has celebrated mass before a congregation of more than 2.5 million people, in his hometown of krakow. "stay with us, stay with us," chanted this ocean of humanity. "well, well," joked the pope, "so you want me to desert rome?" this is bbc news. the latest headlines: the southern indian state of kerala is facing the worst floods in 100 years, according to its chief minister. more than 300 people have been killed, most of them in the past few days. a state funeral for some of the people killed in the genoa bridge collapse will take place later on saturday. rescuers are still searching for five people thought to be missing. inflation in venezuela is expected to reach i,000,000% by the end of the year,

which means you need bags of cash to buy basic goods. to try to deal with the problem, the government is knocking five zeros off the national currency. the new money will be introduced on monday, but there are concerns about what will happen after the switchover. shops are closed and people have been stocking up on food and petrol. mark weisbrot is from the centre for economic and policy research and has written extensively on venezuela. he joins us from washington. thank you so much forjoining us. first of all, could you just start by explaining what exactly is going to happen. well, in terms of the currency, that is just something to deal with the currency problem. 0bviously when prices go up this high, this fast, you need a suitcase to buy a dinner, and the currency is not usable. so they have to recalibrate the currency. that's not really a measure to deal with the inflation. and so how exactly do

they plan to do this? what exactly is the mechanism? the mechanism for inflation? well, they have introduced some things that would be pa rt introduced some things that would be part ofan introduced some things that would be part of an overall project to reduce inflation. for example, just now, the government has apparently announced that they are going to have an exchange rate system. so we will see what that is like. it is going to be fixed to the pedro. they are talking about raising fuel prices. but all that is not enough. to get rid of hyperinflation they have to have a credible plan, so people don't think that any money they are holding in domestic currency is going to lose an enormous amount of value within weeks or days, even. so i think they will need a programme, but it is possible. i mean, bolivia, for example, got rid of hyperinflation just like this one in ten days in 1985. it can be done. i think the biggest obstacle that they are facing if they do come up with the

right programme is that the us has imposed financial sanctions on the country. and that makes everything much more difficult. so they would need to restructure the debt. they can't do that unless they have got money from china. they wouldn't be able to do that under the sanctions. they would need to monetise some of their hundreds of billions of dollars worth of assets, including oil and minerals. that is hard to do. just any kind of borrowing. so most of the things they need to do are made very, very difficult by the sanctions. and of course, the sanctions. and of course, the sanctions from the united states are illegal under the 0es charter, and also under conventions that the us isa also under conventions that the us is a signatory to. so other countries have been able to deal with the problem. you talked about bolivia there in the 1980s, zimbabwe has had to deal with a similar problem as well. but what does that mean for people in practice, and for the economy? well, the economy is a

wreck, of course. i mean, it has been shrinking at double—digit rates forfour been shrinking at double—digit rates for four years now. but been shrinking at double—digit rates forfour years now. but you've been shrinking at double—digit rates for four years now. but you've got to remember that the sanctions are designed to continue that. the sanctions are explicitly designed to make it impossible for them to recover, for the economy to recover, to get rid of the hyperinflation. the trump administration has been very explicit. they want to overthrow this government. trump has spoken, it was reported in the press, with his advisers about overthrow, about a military invasion, even, or military action. and of course, they have also openly supported a domestic military coup within venezuela. so all of these things are very explicit, and the object of the sanctions is to increase the suffering in venezuela so that people will rise up against

the government. that is the explicit goal of it. ok, just looking at this particular issue, which is the knocking off of the zeros. how will they affect people in practice, and what difference will it make between friday night and monday morning when they go to the shops on monday morning. what will it mean? well, most immediately they will have a new denominated currency. so instead of being, you know, 2 million bolivares of the current currency, to buy a cup of coffee, it would be 20. and then you could carry it in your pocket. that is the main difference, because right now it is very difficult, and hardly anyone is using cash for anything but really tiny transactions. but of course, as you were saying, if the problem persists then in a few weeks' time, inafew persists then in a few weeks' time, in a few months' time, but that will be 20 million bolivares again. that's right, they will have to keep

doing this unless they get rid of the hyperinflation. much appreciated, thank you forjoining us. it is a journey that has taken 22 years, but on friday the former captain of the pakistan cricket team, imran khan, was elected by parliament as the country's prime minister. his pti party gained the most seats in last month's elections, and he will be formally sworn into office in a ceremony on saturday. secunder kermani has been looking at some of the challenges he will face in office. imran... cheers for pakistan's next prime minister, but alongside them, angry chants from his rivals. they continued as he gave a fiery speech promising action against corrupt politicians. translation: those who stole the future of our children while in power, those who stole money and took it abroad, i will hold them all accountable. imran khan has promised to create a new pakistan,

improving education and healthcare for ordinary people. the country faces real challenges, amongst them the highest rate of newborn infant mortality in the world. a lack of facilities and trained staff are amongst the main causes. this government hospital in islamabad is better resourced the most, but they struggle to keep up with demand, with patients travelling from more remote regions. many a time, we are short of beds in the neonatal intensive care. we are short of beds in the paediatric intensive care. at the level of intensive care facilities, we need a lot of additional resources. does that mean sometimes you have to turn people away? yes, obviously. healthcare spending in pakistan has been far below international guidelines. if imran khan's new government wants to give these children a better chance in life, it will take both

investment and reform. but the country's poor economic situation means he will only have limited funds available. manufacturing has been one of pakistan's main sources of income. this company produces 600 million pairs of socks every year for some of the world's best—known brands. but, at the moment, imports are vastly outstripping exports and the country needs a loan of around $12 billion, making plans to increase spending difficult. for mr khan to sort of expand his budget for social protection or social safety nets, at least — it'll be difficult to do it in the first two years, at least. there has to be some belt—tightening, some fiscal discipline that has to go there. 0utside parliament, even the policemen ate the celebratory sweets. imran khan's supporters have high expectations of what he can deliver. with only a slim majority in parliament, he will have to do his best to live up to them.

secunder kermani, bbc news, islamabad. amnesty international has accused indonesia's security forces of using excessive force against suspected criminals ahead of this year's asian games. the sporting event opens on saturday, with athletes from 45 asian countries competing. police say they are breaking up organised rings of pick—pockets and bag—snatchers, ahead of what is the world's second—largest multi—sport event. andrew plant reports. bag scanners, body searches, even facial recognition software. indonesia has suffered several terrorist attacks over recent years, so this year's asian games will take place here amid tight security. so this year's asian games will take place here amid tight securitylj so this year's asian games will take place here amid tight security. i am not worried at all. we have been waiting for this event for a long time. we are not afraid of an attack. police have really cracked

down. i feel like indonesia attack. police have really cracked down. ifeel like indonesia has a relatively safe security situation. 17,000 athletes will take part, with 462 17,000 athletes will take part, with a62 gold medals up for grabs. and with tens of thousands of tourists expected, indonesia is determined to stamp out petty theft. but amnesty international says the crackdown on criminals has led to unnecessary violence, with 31 people killed in police raids and dozens injured. alongside security, pollution has been high on the list of concerns. despite attempts to take cars off the road, indonesia's traffic clogged capital is still shrouded in a thick layer of smog. the two week—long asian games —— asian games will take place in venues across the capital, sumatra, and the —— the

capital, sumatra, and the —— the capital, jakarta, and the sumatran city of palembang. 0n capital, jakarta, and the sumatran city of palembang. on friday, indonesian presidentjoko widodo ran with the torch, almost at the end of its month—long journey across the country. there will be a —— be around 100,000 police and army personnel guarding the games, tasked with stamping out pick pockets and bag snatchers. police say they have a duty to ensure the games go smoothly and take firm action against suspected criminal gangs. dozens of injured british veterans, who are using art to help them cope with their experiences of war, are having their work displayed at a special exhibition in london. the charity help for heroes is mounting the event, to showcase how personal battles against post traumatic stress, depression and the anxiety of combat, are being won. colleen harris went along to have a look. i couldn't walk very well. i was in a wheelchair at the time. i was emotionally numb back then, in 2014.

but i went into the art room, and we sat down and we was asked to have a go at drawing. i'm sure, if you spoke to my wife, she'd tell you that it's calmed me down quite a bit. the scars of war, immortalised in the art of soldiers. this is a road to recovery of an artistic kind. my name's tom stimpson. i served 26 years in the royal air force, and i'm now an artist. and that release, of being able to put down on paper something that may be traumatic to talk about — i mean, it still causes emotion now, but it's being able to recognise it. i think, back then, i couldn't even recognise it. i was so numb from coming back. 0nce discharged from the military and back to their families, isolation can kick in, so channelling trauma through talent is helping some veterans to adjust. i'm kevin preston. i served with the 1st battalion coldstream guards. i found it very difficult when i left. i couldn't handle civilian life at the time, and i hit the drink really hard.

i'm in constant pain, ‘cause i've had four spinal operations on my back, and i've had one on my neck, and i also suffered a stroke. but when i'm painting, sometimes it takes my mind off it, and i tend to forget about it. it is notjust visual art, it is poetry as well. 0ne brief moment in history is where this began... for corporal mark beckham, it is healing through words, but the memories linger. you're precious to me, like a bright, shining pearl. i'll neverforget you, my little kosovo girl. the funeral of the legendary soul singer a reek of them will be held august 31 in detroit. —— aretha franklin. fans will be able to pay their respects at an open casket of viewing footy days beforehand.

meanwhile, dozens of fans have been to be motown museum in detroit to leave personal messages in remembrance of aretha franklin. the mood was up eight, with people first queueing and then dancing as they filled books with notes of gratitude to the singer. —— mood was upbeat. astronomers say they have identified some of the oldest relics is in the universe, right on our cosmic doorstep. scientists analyse various galaxies and found one particular group of stars and planets close to the milky way, where we are, appear different to others. researchers from the university of durham in the uk and the university of harvard in the us used simulations like this one to study the stars. they believe this galaxy was one of the first to be formed after the big and, about 13 billion years ago. thank you very much for watching. goodbye. hello there.

this weekend, again, we look to the atlantic to see where our weather is coming from. we're going to add into the mix, just for good measure, the remnants of an old tropical storm. it will feel quite humid out there this weekend. for many it will be dry on saturday, more rain for some on sunday. there was a fair bit of dull, damp, cool and wet weather across some parts of the country on friday. a lot of that has moved through. this area of low pressure, though, contains remnants of tropical storm ernesto, to arrive in the second half of the weekend. still got some rain on that weather front there, though. that is strung out across central and southern scotland, the north of northern ireland, perhaps the north—west of england too. south of that, though, we're going to find it probably dry, sunshine at times, the best of which is likely to be in the south—east. temperatures likely to hit the mid—20s or so. north of our band of cloud, patchy, light rain and drizzle. northern scotland, after a windy start, should be dry with some sunshine. here comes ernesto, though. don't have to worry about the strength of the winds. it's more the rain. it'll be quite heavy for a while as it moves over the irish sea, into southern scotland, northern ireland and wales. 0vernight, once again those temperatures no lower than 17 degrees, but across some areas, some heavy rains on sunday —

central and southern scotland, northern england and wales. as the rain makes its way eastwards into the midlands, it becomes lighter, temperatures into the mid—20s. improvements in the weather in northern ireland. slightly cooler, fresher, but still cool weather in the far north of scotland, with some sunshine. so we see the remnants of tropical storm ernesto bringing a spell of rain during the second half of the weekend. it moves away into southern parts of scandinavia by monday, and things calm down just a little. a very flat ridge of high pressure, still a lot of cloud coming in from the atlantic, and developing through the day. the odd shower perhaps up towards the west. patchy light rain and drizzle in the north and west of the uk, but 21 degrees likely in belfast, and 25 or 26 in london and the south—east. that's our monday. as we look further ahead, we still have higher pressure across the south. it's not a dominant high, by any means, and a string of fronts arriving in the north—west, but very late on in the day on tuesday. ahead of that, increasing cloud

perhaps, but some sunshine for a while, and the odd shower in scotland and for northern ireland and england. a dry day, a bit more sunshine around as well, and those temperatures more widely into the mid—20s across east anglia and the south—east. the number is not changing too much for scotland and northern ireland. the weather fronts that arrive in the north—west push southwards. there won't be much rain on them at all. but a north—westerly breeze by thursday could drop the temperatures just a little. this is bbc news. the headlines — the indian prime minister, narendra modi, has arrived in the southern state of kerala to see the devastation caused by the worst floods there in a century. weeks of rain have triggered landslides and floods killing more than 300 people. a state funeral for some of the victims of the genoa bridge collapse will take place in the city later on saturday. 38 people are known to have been killed with the search

for another five continuing. the government has begun action against the motorway management company. the former cricket international, imran khan, will be sworn in as prime minister of pakistan in a few hours' time. he won last month's election on a pledge to fight corruption and to lift millions out of poverty. his opponents are continuing to claim that the voting was rigged. now on bbc news — more from the money & power season. this week's programme profiles the lives of three entrepreneurs on their way back from the brink.