this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. a catastrophe on a scale never seen before — pakistan's foreign minister assesses the flooding that's swept across his country. flooding doesn't quite seem to encapsulate the ongoing devastation and disaster that we're still witnessing. mission to the moon — america prepares to test—launch a rocket heralding a new era of space exploration. un nuclear experts are on their way to inspect the russian—occupied zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in ukraine. the head of the institute for fiscal studies labels some of liz truss�*s tax cutting policies as "worrying" and inadequade for dealing with rising energy costs. french police launch

an investigation after former manchester united footballer paul pogba claims he's the victim of a blackmail plot by an organised gang. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. pakistan will launch a global appeal to help it deal with the flooding catastrophe that's killed more than a thousand people and affected 30 million. un member states will be asked to contribute. pakistan's foreign minister has estimated the financial impact at $4 billion. bilawal bhutto—zardari said he hoped the international community would grasp the sheer level of devastation in his country. and it's not over yet — water is still surging down

the mightly indus river and will flood the low—lying sindh province yet further over the next few days. azadeh moshiri reports. a young boy stranded on a rock as raging waters surround him. you can see a rescue worker edging out of the helicopter, lifting him up to safety. it's but one of the countless rescue efforts that are happening as pakistan faces one of the worst floods in years, with more than 1,000 people dead and millions affected. i find it very difficult to put into words. the phraseologies that we're used to, whether it's monsoon rains or flooding, doesn't quite seem to encapsulate the ongoing devastation and disaster that we're still witnessing. these satellite images show the sheer scale of the flooding. this is what rajanpur in pakistan's punjab province looked like before the flooding. its homes and fields clearly visible.

this is the situation now. 0verrun and overwhelmed. stepping away from the political turmoil surrounding his government, prime minister shahbaz sharif was seen distributing relief items. while poor planning and infrastructure has played a role in all this, climate change is also to blame. pakistan only produces i% of global emissions, yet the country is dealing with some of its worst consequences. facing monsoons and floods that are far more frequent and severe than the norm. sindh province has seen nearly nine times its usual august rainfall. so, the country is urgently asking others for help. we're working with 35 donors right now. but, you know, the responses are in principle very, very positive. but we do need technical assistance. we need a lot of mobilisation on the ground. pakistan was already

facing an economic crisis. so, these floods are coming at a difficult time. and with some areas bracing for torrents of water from swollen rivers, the damage is not over yet. azadeh moshiri, bbc news. as we've been hearing, one of the worst affected areas is sindh province. 0ur pakistan correspondent pumza fihlani has been to a community living in a make—shift shelter on the outskirts of sakkur. the floods have been cruel to the people of pakistan. they've been especially devastating for those who had little to start with. the people in this community usually worked as extra pairs of hands on farmland. a lot of that farmland has been destroyed, so, many of them are now out of work. they've travelled for kilometres to try and get to higher ground. this is where they've settled for the time being, for about two weeks, some of them say they've been living here out in the open on the side of the road, they have not received any relief,

they have not received any aid. there are many children and they don't know what they are going to feed them. these floods have been devastating because they've taken whatever little means of survival they had and laid that completely to waste. they say they don't know how long they will be here... car horn blares. ..and they don't know if help is even coming. joining us now adil shiraz, pakistan country directer for the charity care. welcome, thank you forjoining us. what work is your charity doing right now to support those affected? it is a very challenging time and i think all international organisations are playing their role, care is providing support of honourable communities in the flood affected areas. we are responding at the moment in balochistan, where our teens are providing temporary shelters to the affected families. we are also providing essential items which include cooking pots,

which include mosquito nets, and then basic essential items which are required for daily use. for the women in need we are also providing menstrual hygiene kits and we are also coordinating with the other people on the ground which are providing food supplies to these affected populations in the area. to be honest, the situation is very alarming, around 33 million people are affected across the country, and there are around 100 districts which are affected because of this flood, and it is still massive, the water still continues in some parts of the country, and more and more damage is reported on a daily basis. so, this is really a very challenging time in the country, and we really feel that this is a time where all the international community needs to play their part to support the affected population in the country. what are your aid workers telling you about what they are encountering on the ground? i

you about what they are encountering on the ground?— on the ground? i was talking to our team on the _ on the ground? i was talking to our team on the ground _ on the ground? i was talking to our team on the ground and _ on the ground? i was talking to our team on the ground and they - on the ground? i was talking to our team on the ground and they were | team on the ground and they were telling me, one of the biggest challenges at the moment is access, thatis challenges at the moment is access, that is because of the water which is still flowing in different parts of the country, bridges are washed away, roads are washed away, so, some areas are extremely challenging to access. when we are sending supplies to the field, because of the road access which is challenging in some parts, it takes a while to send these essential supplies to the affected communities on the ground. so, it is taking a while. i was talking to my team and they were telling me, especially the women and girls are worst—affected. they're under the sky, without any shelter, there is a large population in sindh which need temporary shelter so that they can secure themselves. there is reported diarrhoea and other challenging cases which are coming up challenging cases which are coming up now. and i think if the situation

and rain continues like this, there will be more and more areas which will be more and more areas which will be more and more areas which will be affected, and more population will require immediate support. the population will require immediate su . ort, , . ., population will require immediate su--ort. ., ,, population will require immediate suuort. ., , , ., support. the scale of this is hard to net support. the scale of this is hard to get your _ support. the scale of this is hard to get your head _ support. the scale of this is hard to get your head around, - support. the scale of this is hard to get your head around, but - support. the scale of this is hard to get your head around, but we| support. the scale of this is hard . to get your head around, but we are championship has which very clearly show the devastating impact, and you talk about millions and millions of people, many of home will have lost everything, 33 million, you mentioned the need for more help from the international community, what does that boil down to, is it money, is their need for more rescue workers? because although there is a good network already of rescue support in the country, presumably thatis support in the country, presumably that is being stretched to the limit? , , ., ., ~ , limit? indeed, yes, the aid workers are in the country _ limit? indeed, yes, the aid workers are in the country but _ limit? indeed, yes, the aid workers are in the country but at _ limit? indeed, yes, the aid workers are in the country but at the - limit? indeed, yes, the aid workers are in the country but at the same i are in the country but at the same time there is a limited capacity, but i think at the same time, pakistan has been dealing with many

different humanitarian crises in the last two or three decades, so there is enough human resources available at the moment, what is more challenging at this stage is really the financial support. the scale of the financial support. the scale of the emergency is so fast that not a single organisation of the government can cover the whole population, so at this stage, more financial support is required, the government of pakistan is raising an appealfor 160 government of pakistan is raising an appealfor160 million government of pakistan is raising an appeal for 160 million tomorrow, which, to be honest, is a bearing minimum they are asking. the damage which has happened, and what we are seeing in our organisation, the affected communities on the ground, they will need huge support in two phases, firstly, a life—saving support now, which is required today, because if we don't provide that support now, they will be facing another challenge sooner. and then, since these communities have lost everything, they've lost their

houses, shelter, livestock, skies, agriculture, and even in some areas they will not be able to plant for they will not be able to plant for the next season, so, in this challenging situation they will also need support for recovery. —— crops. so, this flooding is not having like a short—term impact but it will have a short—term impact but it will have a longer term impact on the community. and i would say very openly that if this disaster is not handled now, areas which are winter prone, another emergency is coming up prone, another emergency is coming up in two months' time, and then we will be dealing with a winter emergency. so, before the winter comes we really need to be very proactive and support them now. shadiii proactive and support them now. adil shiraz from care, thank you very much. nasa is to launch a new era of moon exploration. later today the most powerful rocket it's ever built will blast off from the kennedy space centre in florida. the artemis test flight will orbit the moon and it's hoped will help pave the way for a manned mission to the lunar surface in three years.

0ur science editor, rebecca morelle, reports. it's almost time. standing on launch pad 39b, the same one used by the apollo missions, the most powerful rocket nasa has ever built is ready for liftoff. the rocket is simply enormous. and it's only when you're standing here that you really get a sense of its size. and this is the last chance we'll see it up close. the launch pad is closing and fuelling is about to begin. because in just a few hours' time, this will be blasting off. the first step in our return to the moon for 50 years. we talk about moonshots as things that humans can do when we put our differences aside and we focus on the mission and do great things together. well, now we're going to have our own moonshot, right? and so this is our generation, like, we get to now say we did it. if we do this successfully monday,

we have sent something like that, a human rated spacecraft to the moon. for its maiden launch, the rocket will push a capsule called 0rion into deep space, where it will go into orbit around the moon before it returns to earth. no astronauts will be on board this time. this is a test flight. with such new technology, there are lots of things that could go wrong. we have done so much testing on this rocket. we've been through integrated testing. we've tested everything from the smallest material to every system. we've done everything we can do on the ground to eliminate the risk. from here, it'sjust a matter of testing it in flight. so much is riding on this. the next step is to get astronauts on board, and nasa's ultimate plan is to land the first woman and first person of colour on the lunar surface. along the causeways around cape canaveral, people are getting ready to watch the launch, setting up early to bag the best spot. hundreds of thousands are expected in the area.

i'm really excited because it's like one of the biggest rocket launches in 50 years. it's the largest so far that's going to be going up and it will be extremely loud. i've been watching this stuff ever since, well, i i watched the space landing of '69. so we live pretty close to where it's going to be launching. so we're probablyjust going to climb up on our roof and watch it from there. the weather might have other ideas, though. above the launch pad, the storms keep on coming. nasa will need a break in the clouds to get this rocket off the ground. rebecca morelle, bbc news, at the kennedy space center, florida. live now to our correspondent jonathan amos, who is at kennedy space center in florida. 0ver over to you, jonathan. over to you, jonathan. thanks, 10, it is building. _ over to you, jonathan. thanks, 10, it is building, it _ over to you, jonathan. thanks, 10, it is building, it really _ over to you, jonathan. thanks, 10, it is building, it really is. _ over to you, jonathan. thanks, 10, it is building, it really is. we - over to you, jonathan. thanks, 10, it is building, it really is. we are i it is building, it really is. we are a little under three under half hours until the scheduled lift off, they actually have two hours to get they actually have two hours to get the rocket off earth, they have had one or two issues of a have been

telling the great rocket with all of the liquid hydrogen and oxygen that they need to get it off the planet. but it does seem to be going 0k. and it is going to be quite an experience. i have been fortunate enough to see some shuttle launches here in the past, and it's an experience to see the lights from the engines as it climbs into the sky, to feel the sound go through your body. and this particular rocket is 20% more powerful than the older shuttle, so, it should be fantastic. if it happens. i've got with me libbyjackson, who is the director of exploration at the uk space agency. you've been following the technicals, how are we doing? better actually than i hoped, when we had _ better actually than i hoped, when we had the problem with the hydrogen fillin- we had the problem with the hydrogen filling about an hour or so ago, the word _ filling about an hour or so ago, the word around — filling about an hour or so ago, the word around the site was, it is not going _ word around the site was, it is not going to _ word around the site was, it is not going to go — word around the site was, it is not going to go. but the team have done a brilliant _ going to go. but the team have done a brilliantjob, we are back on track, — a brilliantjob, we are back on track, and _ a brilliantjob, we are back on track, and maybe it is starting to feel quietly optimistic again. but until it _ feel quietly optimistic again. but until it is — feel quietly optimistic again. but until it is up in space, i am not

going— until it is up in space, i am not going to— until it is up in space, i am not going to relax. until it is up in space, i am not going to relax— until it is up in space, i am not going to relax. this is the home of nasa, but going to relax. this is the home of nasa. but the _ going to relax. this is the home of nasa, but the european _ going to relax. this is the home of nasa, but the european space - going to relax. this is the home of. nasa, but the european space agency is here in force, the uk space agency is here in force, what has it got to do with you?— got to do with you? well, for the first time. _ got to do with you? well, for the first time, nasa _ got to do with you? well, for the first time, nasa not _ got to do with you? well, for the first time, nasa not going - got to do with you? well, for the first time, nasa not going to - got to do with you? well, for the first time, nasa not going to the| first time, nasa not going to the moon— first time, nasa not going to the moon alone, they are taking international partners with them, and the _ international partners with them, and the european space agency is on top of— and the european space agency is on top of that— and the european space agency is on top of that rocket, the service module — top of that rocket, the service module which has been built by countries — module which has been built by countries around europe is there, so without— countries around europe is there, so without the — countries around europe is there, so without the european project, nasa cannot— without the european project, nasa cannot get— without the european project, nasa cannot get to the moon. this is the start— cannot get to the moon. this is the start of— cannot get to the moon. this is the start of the — cannot get to the moon. this is the start of the artemis programme and the uk _ start of the artemis programme and the uk is _ start of the artemis programme and the uk is playing a role in that so we are _ the uk is playing a role in that so we are really excited about this, uk industry— we are really excited about this, uk industry and academia are playing a part in— industry and academia are playing a part in the — industry and academia are playing a part in the lunar gateway, the small space _ part in the lunar gateway, the small space station which this spacecraft is going _ space station which this spacecraft is going to — space station which this spacecraft is going to go and visit one day. no is going to go and visit one day. astronauts on is going to go and visit one day. i157 astronauts on board today, just some crash test dummies, but also shaun the sheep i understand is on top of that rocket, tell me about that. yes, this is the european space agency's— yes, this is the european space agency's efforts to do some outreach, because one big part of this is— outreach, because one big part of this is how— outreach, because one big part of

this is how much it inspires everybody, and a shaun the sheep is a bi- everybody, and a shaun the sheep is a big part _ everybody, and a shaun the sheep is a big part of— everybody, and a shaun the sheep is a big part of that, i know that dave parker_ a big part of that, i know that dave parker was— a big part of that, i know that dave parker was really very excited about that, the _ parker was really very excited about that, the head of expiration. we are likel to that, the head of expiration. we are likely to get — that, the head of expiration. we are likely to get some _ that, the head of expiration. we are likely to get some european - likely to get some european nationals on future missions, that is the plan?— is the plan? yes, european space auen is the plan? yes, european space agency have _ is the plan? yes, european space agency have already _ is the plan? yes, european space agency have already agreed - is the plan? yes, european space agency have already agreed with | is the plan? yes, european space - agency have already agreed with nasa that three _ agency have already agreed with nasa that three hour and will visit the lunar— that three hour and will visit the lunar gateway in times to come. what happens _ lunar gateway in times to come. what happens beyond that is up for discussion at the ministerial which happens _ discussion at the ministerial which happens in — discussion at the ministerial which happens in november, where the 22 countries _ happens in november, where the 22 countries which are part of esa, and the uk _ countries which are part of esa, and the uk is _ countries which are part of esa, and the uk is a — countries which are part of esa, and the uk is a proud one of those, that will decide _ the uk is a proud one of those, that will decide whether we might see a european _ will decide whether we might see a european war on them in one day. what _ european war on them in one day. what are — european war on them in one day. what are you expecting? you have seen a few european astronauts go into space on the shuttle, on soils as well, what are you expecting to see and feel? i as well, what are you expecting to see and feel?— see and feel? i can't wait for this, i crew u- see and feel? i can't wait for this, i grew up reading _ see and feel? i can't wait for this, i grew up reading about _ see and feel? i can't wait for this, i grew up reading about the - see and feel? i can't wait for this, | i grew up reading about the apollo missions — i grew up reading about the apollo missions -- — i grew up reading about the apollo missions. —— on soyuz. that was what inspired _ missions. —— on soyuz. that was what inspired me _ missions. —— on soyuz. that was what inspired me to— missions. —— on soyuz. that was what inspired me to my career today. the rocket _ inspired me to my career today. the rocket is _ inspired me to my career today. the rocket isjust— inspired me to my career today. the rocket isjust about inspired me to my career today. the

rocket is just about as tall as that saturn— rocket is just about as tall as that saturn five. — rocket is just about as tall as that saturn five, which went down in history — saturn five, which went down in history. the spectacle is going to be fantastic, but as well as that i am excited — be fantastic, but as well as that i am excited for what it means, that we are _ am excited for what it means, that we are returning to the moon, the science _ we are returning to the moon, the science that — we are returning to the moon, the science that that will do, and the technology that the uk is playing a part in— technology that the uk is playing a part in developing which will help everybody back here on earth. because — everybody back here on earth. because we have unfinished business on the moon, right?— on the moon, right? absolutely, the aollo on the moon, right? absolutely, the apollo missions _ on the moon, right? absolutely, the apollo missions were _ on the moon, right? absolutely, the apollo missions were somewhat - on the moon, right? absolutely, the apollo missions were somewhat of l on the moon, right? absolutely, the apollo missions were somewhat of a sprint, _ apollo missions were somewhat of a sprint, and _ apollo missions were somewhat of a sprint, and we got some fantastic rocks _ sprint, and we got some fantastic rocks hack, — sprint, and we got some fantastic rocks back, but some of the scientists _ rocks back, but some of the scientists would liken it to coming to earth, — scientists would liken it to coming to earth, landing in the sahara desert, — to earth, landing in the sahara desert, and going, great, we understand everything there is to know— understand everything there is to know about earth. the moon really is a cornerstone for understanding what happened _ a cornerstone for understanding what happened to the earth in the past, what _ happened to the earth in the past, what will— happened to the earth in the past, what will happen in the future, and it is all— what will happen in the future, and it is all about laying the groundwork for one day getting humans — groundwork for one day getting humans to mars. gk, groundwork for one day getting humans to mars.— groundwork for one day getting humans to mars. ., ., humans to mars. ok, we will wait for that. humans to mars. ok, we will wait for that- libby. — humans to mars. ok, we will wait for that- libby. stay _ humans to mars. ok, we will wait for that. libby, stay with _ humans to mars. ok, we will wait for that. libby, stay with us _ humans to mars. ok, we will wait for that. libby, stay with us through - that. libby, stay with us through the morning as we prepare for this liftoff. a little under three and a half hours. it may drift out a little bit, depending on any technical issues, glitches, which

may come up, but so far, jo, we are on track, so keep your fingers crossed. thank you, jonathan, do call mejoanna, by the way, my friends, joanna. thanks. let's bring you some information and what has been happening in pakistan, described by the foreign minister of pakistan saying that the word flooding does not seem to quite encapsulate the devastation, with 15% of the population impacted, so, the queen has sent a message to the president of pakistan, saying, i am deeply saddened to hear of the tragic loss of life and destruction caused by the floods in pakistan, my thoughts are with all of those affected as well as all of those working in difficult circumstances to support the recovery efforts. the united kingdom stands in solidarity with pakistan as you recover from the terrible events. so, that is a message from the queen to the president of pakistan.

police believe a teenage boy who died after collapsing at the leeds festival had taken ecstasy. the 16—year—old fell ill on saturday night and died yesterday in hospital. west yorkshire police is investigating whether he had taken a particular type of ecstasy tablet described as a grey or black oblong. the former manchester united footballer paul pogba has told french police he's the victim of a blackmail plot. the midfielder who left united forjuventus this summer claims he's being targeted by an organised gang. it comes after his brother posted a video online in which he promised to publish "great revelations" about the player. french police are investigating. a week after nine—year—old 0livia pratt—korbel was fatally shot, police have issued a warning to anyone withholding information that they are protecting her killers. 0livia was killed last monday evening when a gunman fired into her home. his intended target was another man

who had forced his way into the house in liverpool. yesterday, 0livia was remembered at church services across the city. the un's nuclear watchdog, the international atomic energy agency, says an inspection team is on its way to the russian—occupied power plant at zaporizhzhia in ukraine. president zelensky requested the visit amid mounting global concern that fighting in the area could damage the facility and cause a nuclear accident. 0ur correspondent hugo bachega is in kyiv and told us what we know so far. we have a tweet from rafael grossi, who is the head of the international atomic energy agency, saying that the mission is now on its way. he said he was proud to lead this mission, which will be in zaporizhzhia later this week. he also said, we must protect the safety and security of this nuclear facility. he posted a picture of himself with 13 colleagues of the international atomic energy agency. now, we haven't had reaction from the ukrainians, we haven't had reaction from the russians as well. we understand that negotiations

to allow this visit to happen were complex, complicated. but it seems that this is confirmation that this visit is going ahead, and this could mark a deescalation in this crisis, because for weeks we've been talking about tensions there, with russia and ukraine trading accusations about who's to blame for shelling the complex, and obviously, these tensions have raised fears of a possible nuclear catastrophe. more than 1,000 palestinians could soon be evicted from their homes in the south of the occupied west bank by israel's army. in may, the israeli high court sanctioned plans to expel them to make way for israeli military training in an area known as masafer yatta. un experts have warned israel that if it goes ahead with the mass eviction it could amount to a war crime. 0ur middle east correspondent yolande knell has been to masafer yatta.

you see now, they are demolishing houses. it takes just seconds and a palestinian house is gone. a family is homeless. israel says they built here illegally. abu mohammed had pleaded with the israeli soldiers and police to stop. the family that was living in this house, abu mohammed's relatives, they don't even know that the house has been demolished because they were away at a wedding. no—one's been able to call them and get in touch. the routine is all too familiar in this part of the west bank under full israeli control. it's virtually impossible for palestinians to get a building permit here, so most people build without them. come, come, come. we realise today's demolitions aren't yet over. so we've raced up to the top of this hill, really breathless, because the roads have been closed off, and you can see

here it's animal pens that are being demolished. there's a big flock of sheep just over there. arguing. there are scuffles with anti—demolition activists, who are threatened with arrest. everything is going be confiscated so that the shepherds can't easily rebuild. and just look how many security forces there are up here, keeping us all back. but such losses aren't the only problem in masafer yatta — jewish settlements are expanding here. they're seen as illegal under international law, but israel disagrees. for basil, it's a double standard. these settlers come here, steal our land, there's palestinians digging on it, and build their homes. i mean, the state supports them doing that and providing the infrastructure for the settlers on my land, but the same state and the same government is, like, approaching us from here by demolishing our homes, schools and water well, and roads. the israeli army doesn't agree to an interview but has a large presence in masafer yatta.

this sign up here is telling us we are about to enter into a firing area and israeli military zone. it says, "danger." well, "entrance is forbidden." i see more demolitions along the road. israel's supreme court recently ruled that this army training area was legal. hundreds of palestinians now face eviction. this is where the family lives. i'm off to meet one couple who insist they won't move. they live in a cave created by na'aman's grandfather before his birth. "if the army sees the solar panels, they'll remove them," he tells me. they live under tight israeli restrictions. and suheir, who's days from giving birth, is afraid. what's the future for you? "what future?" she says. "we're living in fear. "we have no future, nothing."

if israel's mass eviction goes ahead, it will be one of the biggest in the west bank in decades. the international community's warned against it but for those trying to stay here, that is little help. yolande knell, bbc news, masafer yatta. the head of the institute for fiscal studies has criticised as "simplistic" and "worrying" some of the tax—cutting policies being put forward by the conservative leadership candidate, liz truss. pauljohnson says neither ms truss nor her rival rishi sunak have proposed adequate solutions for dealing with rising energy bills. let's get more on this with our political correspondent david wallace lockhart. so, what is the analysis, david? so, this is from — so, what is the analysis, david? so, this is from the _ so, what is the analysis, david? srr, this is from the director so, what is the analysis, david? so, this is from the director director of the highly respected economic think—tank, the organisation that when there is a budget, people pay attention to what they have got to say. for context, liz truss at this point appears to be the frontrunner

in the race to be prime minister. she is proposing a lot of tax cuts, she says she has not pulled anything on the table in terms of helping people with high energy bills, she believes tax cuts are the best way to do it, she wants to reverse the rise in national insurance, wants to abandon a planned rise in corporation tax and now her team are even discussing the idea of cutting vat sales tax. pauljohnson has written for the times newspaper this morning, and the director of the ifs has said it is a simplistic mantra to assume that cutting taxes automatically leads to a boom for the economy. he says this policy at a time of big deficit and high inflation is quite worrying. and he is critical of rishi sunak, the other candidate for prime minister, saying that neither of them in his view has adequate solutions to deal with the energy crisis we are seeing at the moment. rishi sunak of course wants to remove vat from energy bills and he is promising more targeted help in terms of welfare payments for the most vulnerable, but crucially he has not put a number on that yet. pauljohnson is

warning that these high energy costs will be problems for people on modest income is, he says if liz truss is to become prime minister, she will realise there are tough decisions to make which sometimes involve raising people's taxes, that is certainly something liz truss does not plan to do, she believes the best way to avoid a recession is to cut taxes, she thinks that will stem late growth. we have also heard today from alistair darling, who was the labour chancellor in 2000 and eight, when there was the financial crash across the global economies, he is saying that in his view, what the candidates are proposing right now is fiddling around at the edges, he says you need to act quickly, and you need to go further than people expect you to go, to put money in people's pockets, to get them to spend and to get them to prop up the economy. i'm not sure how much attention either of these conservative candidates will pay to a former labour chancellor, but that is the challenge he has posed them, we will have a new prime minister today.

the streets of west london will be a tad busy today as the notting hill carnival enters its final day. it's always a huge party but this year's event has been extra special as it's the first since the pandemic. megan 0wen went to soak up the atmosphere. music plays. a three—year silence has broken. carnival is back. euphoric. sensational. that's all i can say. i'm lost for words. it's amazing, man. last time i came here was in 2019, before the world shutdown. this is the first one in three years. all day long, dancing, all day long. and for some, their very first chance to party. this is my first time ever playing, like, in carnival before. usually i'm just with my mum and my sister. we're from paris and it's our first time in notting hill and we love it! it's very good. we think this could be one i of the biggest carnivals ever, if not the biggest.

it's up to two million - people today and tomorrow. residents, by and large, have embraced carnivall getting bigger and bigger. |the council's done a greatjob —j the council and the organisers — working with the residents to make sure we try and minimise _ the disruption for the residents. day one was full of colour and sound, but the launch of carnival was marked green for grenfell — with a moment of silence for the 72 victims. it was a very, very bad tragedy that happened in the community for us. and, actually, it shows that the community can come together. and that they did — kicking off carnival by running the parade route in tribute. the streets soon filled up, with many eager to get back to europe's largest street party. well, this morning, these... she laughs. these streets were empty this morning, and now they are swamped with crowds who are hungry to get back to carnival after three years. it's an energy local performers have been waiting for,

after carnival was forced online by covid for the last two years. tried to recreate the experience through different mediums, but it's not the same as coming to carnival — the experience of it, interacting with all the people, hearing the music, having the food. nothing compares. how does it feel to be back? it feels absolutely amazing. we have waited a long time forthis, being in lockdown, and we're just glad — as you can see — to be back on the street playing music, entertaining the crowds and celebrating culture. happy people, hands in the air! the pulse of west london has been revived. but, really, it's like the beat never really stopped. meghan 0wen, bbc news. i have spoken before with our reporter celestina 0lulode, who knows more about the plans for today's festival. hello and welcome to the second day of the notting hill carnival.

the warm—up was yesterday, now it's time for the adults' party. this is europe's biggest street party, and it is back, and i am going to introduce you to one of the stewards taking part, looking after things. tell me what you will be doing today, elle? today we will be coming together to keep the community safe, providing water, providing safe places for people to go to and enjoy themselves and have a jolly time at the carnival. we are here to ensure that people know what points of access to come to if they feel vulnerable, we want them to know that if they don't feel safe they can always come to us and have a chat with us and have a merry time. and what does the carnival mean to you? to me, the carnival is an opportunity for everybody from different islands, all the islands, to get together, to celebrate the differences, the struggles, the peace, and all of that, all the richness of all of those different islands,

that is what we are here to do today. and that's why it's really important for me as a member of the jamaican and brixton community, to represent! can i eta shout out, then? whistle blows. they shout. there you have it, carnival is back! there you go. carnival is back! more now on the floods in pakistan. the country's foreign minister says the floods which have killed more than a thousand people are a catastrophe on a scale he has never seen. joining us now from islambad, climate analytics regional lead for south asia and the middle east dr fahad saeed. welcome, thank you very much for

joining us. what is your analysis of what we are seeing here in terms of the amount of rainfall over such a prolonged period? thank you very much for having me. we had floods in pakistan in 2010 and they were locally regarded as massive floods in the history of the country. so one wonders what would be the appropriate words to use for this flood we are witnessing today. perhaps gigantic. there could be any word in the dictionary to describe it. it's protected 20 million people in pakistan. but the present flood are affecting over 30 million people

and the season is not over. if you consider the 2010 flood, the present floods are far bigger. also it costs or losses of $10 billion. but the present floods are likely to go beyond this. you can well imagine the devastation we are going through at the moment. the the devastation we are going through at the moment-— at the moment. the point has been made that it _ at the moment. the point has been made that it is _ at the moment. the point has been made that it is particularly - at the moment. the point has been made that it is particularly unusual| made that it is particularly unusual for baluchistan to have been hit by rain in this way. tell us more about baluchistan and what would typically be the situation there. yes. baluchistan and what would typically be the situation there.— be the situation there. yes, again i will make the _ be the situation there. yes, again i will make the comparison - be the situation there. yes, again i will make the comparison with - be the situation there. yes, again i i will make the comparison with 2010. the 2010 floods were regional

floods, so regions beside the river were protected by the floods. but here the floods started after the torrential rains which was experienced by the province of baluchistan and also another province. it went underwater. some of those areas are hard to reach. the organisations working in the field, it is even hard for them to reach these areas. so it is unprecedented rainfall for the people in baluchistan. unfortunately the region is one of the most backward regions in the country with a high level of poverty in the region. if you talk about climate justice, then those people have

almost nothing to create climate change, the main trigger of this massive rainfall, what they are experiencing at the moment. thank ou ve experiencing at the moment. thank you very much _ experiencing at the moment. thank you very much for _ experiencing at the moment. thank you very much forjoining _ experiencing at the moment. thank you very much forjoining us. - uk newspaper editors have expressed alarm at police guidance which has not been released publicly telling officers to declare any relationship with a journalist in the same way they would disclose links with a criminal. the advice was issued by the college of policing several years ago, but has only recently come to light. i'm joined now by the journalist and chief executive of byline times, peterjukes. thank you very much forjoining us. what is your reaction to this? i think it is a pastoral picture. there is a problem dealing with the police ever since the phone tapping scandal. if you were cold, it was notjust scandal. if you were cold, it was not just about phone scandal. if you were cold, it was notjust about phone tapping, it was about bribes, money, vast amounts of money pouring out of fleet street to

police officers and those police officers getting columns in the sunday tabloids like the news of the world and the sunday times. the problem is people say that is in the past and we know there are still ongoing hacking revelations and there seem to be for several decades, from the daniel morgan murder investigation, a proximity between police officers and the press, particularly almost exclusively in the metropolitan police where there was a trade in illicit information, that stories would go straight from the police to the national newspapers. now, i have dealt with the other side of that, whistle—blowers within the police force wanting to tell the truth and it is very difficult. i don't think it is very difficult. i don't think it is very difficult. i don't think it is a threat to police officers who want to whistle—blower, like recently we saw sexual misconduct in the met, poor handling of various cases, is going to put their name down on a register of interest. that will not change. the real heart of

the problem is the levenson inquiry. we had the levenson inquiry ten years ago and it is ten years ago since i started working on the daniel morgan story and there was always going to be a second inquiry. they were going to look at this relationship between the police and the press. it did not happen. theresa may scotched it. that is a huge problem for anyjournalist and any police officer because neither of them, nor the senior mainstream newspapers, wanted it to come out. rebekah brooks, chief executive of news uk, one of biggest publishers here, told parliament she paid police officers. she was found not guilty of doing that in court, or of any misconduct, but several police officers were prosecuted, and other public officials. i don't think the society of editors, who are very

close to newspapers, which were engaged in this trade news uk, the mirror group also involved in this illicit information network, until we have truth and reconciliation we cannot trust motor for either the press or the police. you cannot trust motor for either the press or the police.— cannot trust motor for either the press or the police. you are talking about the different _ press or the police. you are talking about the different relationships i about the different relationships that they have been police and journalists. i was interested in the aspect on whistle—blowing in particular because you say it will not stymie whistle—blowing because you say that you believe police who whistle—blower would not put themselves on the register. if they are on the register and submit comes along later in their career to blow the whistle on, could it have an impact? it the whistle on, could it have an imact? . ., , , ., impact? it certainly could, but that is the way the _ impact? it certainly could, but that is the way the press _ impact? it certainly could, but that is the way the press works. - impact? it certainly could, but that is the way the press works. i - impact? it certainly could, but that is the way the press works. i have l is the way the press works. i have known police officers get persecuted for whistle—blowing and it is that

protection that should be within the police force. as a journalist you are not persecuted for that. i will agree with the society of editors and every otherjournalist that locally this is a problem. when i talk about the metropolitan police there is a clamour of power and there is a clamour of power and there were closeness to the national newspapers. but the other is the kind of devastation of local journalists, partly thanks to the big internet giants, so locally we do not have people going to court. a lot of the good stuff that the police do is expose input cases. hagar police do is expose input cases. how many magistrates... sorry, we are out of time, but thank you for joining us. more now on the countdown for the first mission of nasa's artemis project to send astronauts back to the moon and beyond. a giant rocket is scheduled to blast off from cape canaveral in florida this afternoon. it will propel an uncrewed capsule around the moon and back in a six—week test flight.

if the mission is a success, astronauts will take the next flight in two years' time. i'm joined by drjenifer millard, extragalactic astronomer and presenter of the awesome astronomy podcast. extragalactic means beyond the milky way, so you are looking into the creation and further back. what are you feeling about this mission and what it can deliver? i am you feeling about this mission and what it can deliver?— you feeling about this mission and what it can deliver? i am so excited about artemis _ what it can deliver? i am so excited about artemis because _ what it can deliver? i am so excited about artemis because i _ what it can deliver? i am so excited about artemis because i was - what it can deliver? i am so excited about artemis because i was not i about artemis because i was not around for apollo and so for me and the people of my generation this is our apollo. the people of my generation this is ourapollo. in the people of my generation this is our apollo. in my lifetime we have not gone below lower earth orbit with astronauts, so a few hundred kilometres from the earth. the moon so kilometres from the earth. the moon s0 far away. you can think 30 earths between the earth and the moon and it is another level of complexity and danger because they are outside

of earth's protective field and it is preparing us for the next explanation and going to mars. you are not around for apollo, so does this feel a bit like back to the future? we were on the moon in 1969. there is that element of why are we going back to the moon when we have already done it? but we are going back with 50 years of scientific advancements, so we will be able to figure things out about our lunar history, which is intertwined with the earth's history, so it would help us find out how we got to where we are today. it is about building those skills and developing that technology to get to mars because we don't have it. we are not ready to go to mars and the moon is going to be our test ground with missions that don't just last day be our test ground with missions that don'tjust last day is like in apollo, but weeks and even months. why has it taken so long? it is

apollo, but weeks and even months. why has it taken so long?— why has it taken so long? it is a treat why has it taken so long? it is a great question. _ why has it taken so long? it is a great question. after _ why has it taken so long? it is a great question. after we - why has it taken so long? it is a great question. after we did - why has it taken so long? it is a i great question. after we did apollo and we focus on long distance exploration, we switched tack to do long duration exploration and that is where we focus on the space station, so skylab and the international space station. we really needed to develop skills to do long duration missions, so six months a year, even longer to see can humans survive and thrive that well in space for such an extended period? can our psyche cope with it? all the psychological problems of being there for extended periods. we focused on those skills and remaster them and it is time to combine the long duration and the long—distance and head back the moon. in long duration and the long-distance and head back the moon.— long duration and the long-distance and head back the moon. in terms of the work that — and head back the moon. in terms of the work that you _ and head back the moon. in terms of the work that you do, _ and head back the moon. in terms of the work that you do, how _ and head back the moon. in terms of the work that you do, how might - and head back the moon. in terms of the work that you do, how might it . the work that you do, how might it inform that? it the work that you do, how might it inform that?— inform that? it is not so much extragalactic— inform that? it is not so much extragalactic stuff _ inform that? it is not so much extragalactic stuff with - inform that? it is not so much i extragalactic stuff with exploring the moon, but you never know what

technologies will come from artemis and they will net themselves into different branches of science and then the real world as it were. there are always many technological spin offs from projects like this. we have kidney dialysis treatment, which was a spin off technology from nasa's lunar exploration, so it will be great. nasa's lunar exploration, so it will be treat. ., nasa's lunar exploration, so it will be great-- yes. _ nasa's lunar exploration, so it will be great.- yes, exactly, i nasa's lunar exploration, so it will. be great.- yes, exactly, and be great. teflon? yes, exactly, and white materials _ be great. teflon? yes, exactly, and white materials stretch _ be great. teflon? yes, exactly, and white materials stretch over - be great. teflon? yes, exactly, and white materials stretch over them l be great. teflon? yes, exactly, and| white materials stretch over them as part of the structure and that came from all of the apollo explorations. yes, there are all sorts. safety blankets i think, the silvery ones that keep you warm when you have been very cold. all sorts of amazing technology filters down into everyday life from stuff like this. thank you forjoining us, doctor jennifer millard.

roland mesnier, the famous white house pastry chef, has died at the age of 78. the french—born confectioner spent 27 years serving five us presidents. jeff weeks is a journalist who interviewed roland mesnier about a decade ago on his show conversations with jeff weeks on wsre pbs. he said that former first lady rosalind carter was influential in him getting hisjob. mrs carter played a huge part in it. he was working at a very exclusive resort in virginia, in hot springs, virginia. many of the people in the carter administration would visit that result from time to time and word got around that mrs carter was looking for a pastry chef. so at some point they invited him down for a tour of the white house. to hear him tell the story it was overwhelming because here is a kid from a small town in france, he said

the population was like 140 folks or something, and here he is at the white house in the united states of america. and it so happens on that particular day the prime minister margaret thatcher was giving a press conference, or there was something going on in the white house gardens, and so he had had an opportunity to see her as well and he was absolutely overwhelmed and amazed at how far he had come. anyway, to make a long story short, he eventually got an opportunity to sit down and speak with mrs carter and she talked about what it was that she was looking for and one of the things he told he could do what he could make the desserts and pastries very healthy because she was, and still is, a beautiful woman and she was very fit and he was playing off of that idea. he also said, i was pretty cute in those days as well, and he thought that helped as well.

they established a wonderful rapport. however, at the end of the interview mrs carter said this is the guy i want and one of her aides came in and said, mrs carter we have a problem, he is not a united states citizen. i am a problem, he is not a united states citizen. iam not a problem, he is not a united states citizen. i am not sure if that is still the case, but at that time in order to work in the white house you had to be a us citizen. she said, never mind, i want him, hiring, had to be a us citizen. she said, never mind, iwant him, hiring, i will take care of that. he goes on to tell the story of a couple of weeks later how a mysterious black limousine showed up and whisked him around various parts of washington, dc and all of a sudden he was an american citizen. let's go back to the story about the former manchester united footballer paul pogba, who has told french police he's the victim of a blackmail plot. he claims he's being targeted by an organised gang. it comes after his brother posted a video online in which he promised to publish "great revelations" about the player. french police are investigating. joining me now is french football journalist sara menai. welcome. what can you tell us? good

mornint. welcome. what can you tell us? good morning- so — welcome. what can you tell us? good morning- so for— welcome. what can you tell us? good morning. so for now, _ welcome. what can you tell us? good morning. so for now, from _ welcome. what can you tell us? (13mg. morning. so for now, from what we know, as you said french prosecutors have opened up an investigation in paris at the beginning of august. paul pogba is understood to have said that he was trapped by childhood friends and two man armed with rifles during an incident that apparently took place in paris in march. the player today claims to be the victim of threats. he said to the victim of threats. he said to the french police officers who interviewed him that the gang demanded 30 million euros from him. apparently those people came to manchester, but also to turin where paul pogba plays now, to try and intimidate him. that is when, when he was at a training centre in italy, he recognised his brother among the suspects and that is when

they decided to notify the police about it. �* , , ., ., about it. and his brother posted a video online? _ about it. and his brother posted a video online? yes, _ about it. and his brother posted a video online? yes, it— about it. and his brother posted a video online? yes, it all— about it. and his brother posted a video online? yes, it all started i about it. and his brother posted a | video online? yes, it all started on saturday one _ video online? yes, it all started on saturday one paul _ video online? yes, it all started on saturday one paul pogba's - video online? yes, it all started on saturday one paul pogba's older i saturday one paul pogba's older brother posted a video on social media two minutes 40 seconds long, translated into french, english, italian and spanish, in which mattias pogba said he would expose major revelations about his brother. that is when yesterday his brother, paul, reacted. it was followed by an official statement from paul pogba's lawyer saying the player was currently the subject of a blackmail. 50 currently the sub'ect of a blackmaih currently the sub'ect of a blackmail. ,, ., . , blackmail. so where are things in terms of the _ blackmail. so where are things in terms of the police _ blackmail. so where are things in| terms of the police investigation? so, the investigations are still ongoing in paris and also in italy. for now we don't really know where it is. of course it is a secret for

now, but we understand that paul pogba has been interviewed by the french police a few times during this month. mattias pogba will probably be interviewed as well by the french police in the next few weeks or months. for now we are waiting. mattias pogba posted a few tweets again on social media yesterday saying this was not over and that he was going to reveal a few more things. for now we are waiting to see what this crazy story does. ., ~ waiting to see what this crazy story does. . ,, , ., waiting to see what this crazy story does. ., ~' , ., , waiting to see what this crazy story does. . ,, i. , . much of europe has seen wildfires, heatwaves and droughts over the last couple of months. scientists say it's on track to be the continent's driest summer in 500 years. one of the worst affected countries is spain which is a major global supplier of fruit and vegetables and climate change is forcing prices up. 0ur southern europe correspondent mark lowen reports from andalucia.

what spain calls its green gold should be blossoming before harvest, but it bears little fruit in this, the well�*s biggest olive oil producer, supplying half the well�*s stock, the yield is down by a third. in the bottling plants they are worried the flow is becoming a trickle. production in this factory that also exports to britain is dropping by a half, pushing up prices amidst a global food crisis. 0ur vital sector for spain and for consumers is in danger. our vital sector for spain and for consumers is in danger. translation: sho- ers consumers is in danger. translation: shoppers are — consumers is in danger. translation: shoppers are already _ consumers is in danger. translation: shoppers are already paying _ consumers is in danger. translation: shoppers are already paying a - consumers is in danger. translation: shoppers are already paying a third - shoppers are already paying a third higher than last year but the drought will increase that even more. with the downturn we may have to lay off some workers. another year like this would be a complete catastrophe. year like this would be a complete catastrophe-—

year like this would be a complete catastrohe. ., ,, , ., catastrophe. now spain is turning to its shores to — catastrophe. now spain is turning to its shores to help _ catastrophe. now spain is turning to its shores to help the _ catastrophe. now spain is turning to its shores to help the water - its shores to help the water shortage, expanding parts that desalinated sea water to compensate, the country forced to adapt to climate change. the country forced to adapt to climate chance. �* ,, �* ., , climate change. translation: plants like this one will _ climate change. translation: plants like this one will allow _ climate change. translation: plants like this one will allow us _ climate change. translation: plants like this one will allow us to _ like this one will allow us to secure business around here because this is an area that has lived on agriculture for years. the spanish government wants to expand our plants. this one will go up by 25%. the main problem here is clearly the drought, but there is another issue as well. half of the water coming out of this plant goes towards irrigating the fruit and vegetables growing in these kinds of greenhouses, spain producing the most in the eu. but perhaps with our climate heating this country can just no longer afford to be the garden of europe. with parts of spain the driest in 1200 years, this dystopian vision of a once bountiful

land is a glimpse into ourfuture. mark lowen, bbc news, andalusia. today marks ten years since the opening of the london 2012 paralympics. but what has been the long—term legacy of the games? kate gray has been finding out. this is going to tear up the record books. it is gold and silver for paralympics gb. she is going to do it, it is gold and a brand—new world record. the london 2012 paralympic games have left their mark on the queen elizabeth 0lympic games have left their mark on the queen elizabeth olympic park, celebrated as the greatest games ever, it packed out stadiums and memorable moments. jonnie peacock are stunning the crowd in the stadium. ellie simmonds raising the roof of the aquatics centre. and sarah storey unbeatable in the velodrome. but ten years on, what is the true legacy of the london

paralympic games? in the past year laura sugar has become a paralympic world and european champion. i can see the look— world and european champion. i can see the look on _ world and european champion. i can see the look on her— world and european champion. i can see the look on her face. _ world and european champion. i can see the look on her face. she is see the look on herface. she is absolutely delighted with that. but in 2012 she was just a spectator. that literally changed my life and since 2013! have been a para—athlete and i am literally the definition of the legacy from it, that i saw it and was inspired by it and i believed in it and i believe in myself and suddenly realised there was an opportunity there. here myself and suddenly realised there was an opportunity there.— was an opportunity there. here at the ark was an opportunity there. here at the park the _ was an opportunity there. here at the park the opportunities - was an opportunity there. here at the park the opportunities at - was an opportunity there. here at| the park the opportunities at grass roots for disabled people to access venues and sporting experiences are second to none. this all ability cycling club has been running since london hosted the games and it has been thriving ever since.— been thriving ever since. having a little bit on _ been thriving ever since. having a little bit on offer _ been thriving ever since. having a little bit on offer where _ been thriving ever since. having a little bit on offer where you - been thriving ever since. having a little bit on offer where you can i little bit on offer where you can actually start to inspire and connect people that would not typically come and use the assets on their doorstep was a really important thing for us to achieve

and i think we have done that. but for us i think connecting communities with the assets of the london 2012 games is hugely important. london 2012 games is hugely important-— london 2012 games is hugely im ortant. . ., ., , important. the impact of the games is clear to see. _ important. the impact of the games is clear to see, but _ important. the impact of the games is clear to see, but is _ important. the impact of the games is clear to see, but is it _ important. the impact of the games is clear to see, but is it enough? i is clear to see, but is it enough? we should absolutely massively celebrate 2012 as being stunning, incredible, but you can't expect a couple of weeks of the olympics and paralympics to change the world. years ago you knew that you had made it if you had a $1 million a year to contract. we are not even vaguely closely to that for a disabled athlete. celebrate the moment, but we cannot ever be complacent about where we are. we cannot ever be complacent about where we are-— we cannot ever be complacent about where we are. london 2012 raised the bar for paris — where we are. london 2012 raised the bar for paris was _ where we are. london 2012 raised the bar for paris was an _ where we are. london 2012 raised the bar for paris was an impacted - bar for paris was an impacted disabled people like no other. now is the time for the next game changing moment to keep pushing those boundaries. let's take you live to the kennedy space center where nasa is counting down to the

left off of its strange new moon rocket. it is due to go up at 8:33am local time. hello again. this week for the first half high pressure is in charge, so things are fairly quiet. for the second half low pressure moves in from the west and the south so there is a chance of rain. for most this week to start with it will be mostly dry. here is our high pressure anchored to the north and the air around it moves in a clockwise direction, so along the north sea coastline and english channel coast line there will be a brisk breeze and that will take the edge off the temperatures. today a fair bit of cloud in scotland, central and eastern england producing isolated showers, some getting into wales and northern ireland. the odd shower one in the highlands and grampian is.

brighter skies in south wales and south—west england. this is where we could see highs of about 24 degrees, but cooler along the north sea and channel coasts. this evening and overnight the showers in scotland sank further south. we still have quite a lot of cloud in eastern england, producing showers as well. 0ut towards the west we have clearer skies. these are the overnight lows. but under clear skies in shelter, some parts will see temperatures fall away to about seven or 8 degrees. into tuesday we still have a similar setup, degrees. into tuesday we still have a similarsetup, high degrees. into tuesday we still have a similar setup, high pressure to the north, so still brisk winds coming down the north sea and along the english channel coast, pegging back temperatures. still all this cloud in scotland with a few showers in western areas. showers coming in from the east will be blown further inland, so across the midlands and central and southern england. 0nce central and southern england. once again, west is best in terms of sunshine. temperatures 19 to 24 or

25. along the north sea coastline we are looking at 13 to 18. into wednesday and we still have that high pressure in charge, still a fair bit of cloud coming into the east with some showers at times, but it will break up across southern england. there will be more sunshine than we are looking at today and tomorrow. so temperatures will be that bit higher. but we are exposed to the breeze and the coast and it will be that bit cooler. towards the end of the week low pressure comes in from the west and the south, so some of us will see some rain and generally speaking the weather will turn more unsettled at the weekend.

this is bbc news. the headlines at 11: mission to the moon — america prepares to test—launch a rocket, heralding a new era of space exploration. these are live pictures from kennedy space center where lift off is due in the coming hours. join me at kennedy to see the biggest rocket to take off from earth in 50 years. a catastrophe on a scale never seen before — pakistan's foreign minister assesses the flooding that's swept across his country. flooding doesn't quite seem to encapsulate the ongoing devastation that we _ encapsulate the ongoing devastation that we are still witnessing.

the head of the institute for fiscal studies labels some of liz truss's tax cutting policies as worrying and inadequade for dealing with rising energy costs. french police launch an investigation after former manchester united footballer paul pogba claims he's the victim of a blackmail plot by an organised gang. and gibraltar can officially call itself a city, 180 years after it was first granted the status by queen victoria. good morning. nasa is to launch a new era of moon exploration. later today the most powerful rocket it's ever built will blast off from the kennedy space centre in florida. the artemis test flight will orbit the moon and it's hoped will help pave the way for a crewed mission to the lunar surface in three years.

0ur science editor, rebecca morelle reports. it's almost time. standing on launch pad 39b, the same one used by the apollo missions, the most powerful rocket nasa has ever built is ready for liftoff. the rocket is simply enormous. and it's only when you're standing here that you really get a sense of its size. and this is the last chance we'll see it up close. the launch pad is closing and fuelling is about to begin. because in just a few hours' time, this will be blasting off. the first step in our return to the moon for 50 years. we talk about moonshots as things that humans can do when we put our differences aside and we focus on the mission and do great things together. well, now we're going to have our own moonshot, right? and so this is our generation, like, we get to now say we did it. if we do this successfully monday, we have sent something like that, a human rated spacecraft to the moon. for its maiden launch,

the rocket will push a capsule called 0rion into deep space, where it will go into orbit around the moon before it returns to earth. no astronauts will be on board this time. this is a test flight. with such new technology, there are lots of things that could go wrong. we have done so much testing on this rocket. we've been through integrated testing. we've tested everything from the smallest material to every system. we've done everything we can do on the ground to eliminate the risk. from here, it'sjust a matter of testing it in flight. so much is riding on this. the next step is to get astronauts on board, and nasa's ultimate plan is to land the first woman and first person of colour on the lunar surface. along the causeways around cape canaveral, people are getting ready to watch the launch, setting up early to bag the best spot. hundreds of thousands are expected in the area. i'm really excited because it's

like one of the biggest rocket launches in 50 years. it's the largest so far that's going to be going up and it will be extremely loud. i've been watching this stuff ever since, well, i i watched the space landing of '69. so we live pretty close to where it's going to be launching. so we're probablyjust going to climb up on our roof and watch it from there. the weather might have other ideas, though. above the launch pad, the storms keep on coming. nasa will need a break in the clouds to get this rocket off the ground. rebecca morelle, bbc news at the kennedy space center, florida. let's go live to the kennedy space centre, where the count down is under way. live now to our correspondentjonathan amos, who is at kennedy space center in florida. what is the atmosphere like? it's

re what is the atmosphere like? it�*s pretty exciting, i have to say. 0n the trip in, we were seeing all the camper vans setting up at the side of the cause ways along the water ways. everybody trying to grab that special position to see this remarkable rocket take to the skies later on. now, the count down clock is ticking. it make it two and a half hours to lift off. we have had one or two issues while they have been loading the tanks of the rocket, which have slowed matters. but we are back on track, but i think we may go deep of that scheduled lift—off at 1.33 your time. i have a few friends here. astronauts. 0ne time. i have a few friends here. astronauts. one is channon walker, who has been in space before. can you feel the excitement? you

who has been in space before. can you feel the excitement?— you feel the excitement? you can feel it in the _ you feel the excitement? you can feel it in the air, _ you feel the excitement? you can feel it in the air, it _ you feel the excitement? you can feel it in the air, it is _ you feel the excitement? you can feel it in the air, it is so _ feel it in the air, it is so ekciting, _ feel it in the air, it is so exciting, everything that is going on. exciting, everything that is going on~ it— exciting, everything that is going on it is— exciting, everything that is going on it is a — exciting, everything that is going on. it is a hard time finding words to describe — on. it is a hard time finding words to describe what we are feeling here _ to describe what we are feeling here. , , . to describe what we are feeling here. .. , , ., , to describe what we are feeling here. .. ,, ., , ., to describe what we are feeling here. ,, . , ., here. the capsule that is on the top ofthe here. the capsule that is on the top of the rocket _ here. the capsule that is on the top of the rocket is _ here. the capsule that is on the top of the rocket is uncrewed _ here. the capsule that is on the top of the rocket is uncrewed this - here. the capsule that is on the top of the rocket is uncrewed this time. but it will have people eventually. you want to be on board don't you? of course! i want to go to the moon. of course! i want to go to the moon. how will— of course! i want to go to the moon. how will that— of course! i want to go to the moon. how will that be chosen, who will decide who gets to go? the how will that be chosen, who will decide who gets to go?— how will that be chosen, who will decide who gets to go? the chief of the astronaut _ decide who gets to go? the chief of the astronaut office _ decide who gets to go? the chief of the astronaut office gets _ decide who gets to go? the chief of the astronaut office gets to - decide who gets to go? the chief of the astronaut office gets to decide. | the astronaut office gets to decide. we are _ the astronaut office gets to decide. we are hopeling, assuming this goes well and _ we are hopeling, assuming this goes well and the testing we are doing comes— well and the testing we are doing comes back that we are ready, maybe try comes back that we are ready, maybe by the _ comes back that we are ready, maybe by the end _ comes back that we are ready, maybe by the end of the year we will know who will— by the end of the year we will know who will be — by the end of the year we will know who will be on the first rocket. the timeline for— who will be on the first rocket. iia: timeline for the who will be on the first rocket. tia: timeline for the next couple of missions is, we will get a repeat of apollo 8, where they did a loop around the moon. when will that happen? i around the moon. when will that ha--en? ~ around the moon. when will that ha en? ~ , ,. around the moon. when will that ha . en? ~' , , . ., happen? i think it is scheduled for the middle of _ happen? i think it is scheduled for

the middle of 2024. _ happen? i think it is scheduled for the middle of 2024. to _ happen? i think it is scheduled for the middle of 2024. to go - happen? i think it is scheduled for the middle of 2024. to go down i happen? i think it is scheduled for| the middle of 2024. to go down to the middle of 2024. to go down to the surface? _ the middle of 2024. to go down to the surface? that _ the middle of 2024. to go down to the surface? that would _ the middle of 2024. to go down to the surface? that would be - the middle of 2024. to go down to| the surface? that would be artemis 3. the surface? that would be artemis 3, some the surface? that would be artemis 3. sometime. _ the surface? that would be artemis 3. some time. i— the surface? that would be artemis 3, some time, i don't— the surface? that would be artemis 3, some time, i don't even - the surface? that would be artemis 3, some time, i don't even know i the surface? that would be artemis i 3, some time, i don't even know when it is scheduled. 0ne 3, some time, i don't even know when it is scheduled. one step at a time. get one _ it is scheduled. one step at a time. get one step done and we can plan the next _ get one step done and we can plan the next one. why get one step done and we can plan the next one-— the next one. why go back to the moon? we _ the next one. why go back to the moon? we have _ the next one. why go back to the moon? we have been _ the next one. why go back to the moon? we have been there. - the next one. why go back to the j moon? we have been there. why the next one. why go back to the i moon? we have been there. why go back? ~ , ., moon? we have been there. why go back? t , ., . moon? we have been there. why go back? , ., �* , ., back? why go back? because we want to do more- — back? why go back? because we want to do more- we _ back? why go back? because we want to do more. we want _ back? why go back? because we want to do more. we want to _ back? why go back? because we want to do more. we want to explore - back? why go back? because we want to do more. we want to explore the i to do more. we want to explore the universe _ to do more. we want to explore the universe and — to do more. we want to explore the universe and understand our place in it. universe and understand our place in it we _ universe and understand our place in it we want — universe and understand our place in it. we want to understand how it was formed _ it. we want to understand how it was formed and _ it. we want to understand how it was formed and so going to the moon, its gives— formed and so going to the moon, its gives us— formed and so going to the moon, its gives us an _ formed and so going to the moon, its gives us an opportunity to live on another— gives us an opportunity to live on another body. we have been living on the space _ another body. we have been living on the space station for 22 years. now we want _ the space station for 22 years. now we want to— the space station for 22 years. now we want to build a habitat, live somewhere else and all in preparation for going to mars. that is the _ preparation for going to mars. that is the next — preparation for going to mars. that is the next big thing, going to mars — is the next big thing, going to mars. ., is the next big thing, going to mars. . ., is the next big thing, going to mars. . . . , , mars. that, when might that happen? is that a realistic _ mars. that, when might that happen? is that a realistic prospect, _ mars. that, when might that happen? is that a realistic prospect, i _ is that a realistic prospect, i don't know the next decade or two decades? i

don't know the next decade or two decades? ., , , decades? i hope it is in the next two decades- — decades? i hope it is in the next two decades. we _ decades? i hope it is in the next two decades. we are _ decades? i hope it is in the next two decades. we are subject - decades? i hope it is in the next two decades. we are subject to| decades? i hope it is in the next i two decades. we are subject to the winds— two decades. we are subject to the winds of— two decades. we are subject to the winds of world and congress and everything else. but i'm hoping that once we _ everything else. but i'm hoping that once we get artemis going, the progress — once we get artemis going, the progress will keep a steady march going _ progress will keep a steady march going on— progress will keep a steady march going on to mars. progress will keep a steady march going on to mars-— going on to mars. when i look at that rocket. _ going on to mars. when i look at that rocket, or _ going on to mars. when i look at that rocket, or when _ going on to mars. when i look at that rocket, or when people - going on to mars. when i look at that rocket, or when people look going on to mars. when i look at i that rocket, or when people look at the capsule, it kind of looks like the capsule, it kind of looks like the saturn five and the old apollo module, is it very different? it is bi aer module, is it very different? it is bigger and _ module, is it very different? it is bigger and better. module, is it very different? it is biggerand better. it is module, is it very different? it is bigger and better. it is not very different — bigger and better. it is not very different. when you're taking space craft to _ different. when you're taking space craft to the moon, they need to be a capsule _ craft to the moon, they need to be a capsule shape when they come back. you need _ capsule shape when they come back. you need to— capsule shape when they come back. you need to have that capsule to survive _ you need to have that capsule to survive the — you need to have that capsule to survive the re—entry. you need your rockets— survive the re—entry. you need your rockets to _ survive the re—entry. you need your rockets to be — survive the re—entry. you need your rockets to be big, this is a bigger rocket _ rockets to be big, this is a bigger rocket than — rockets to be big, this is a bigger rocket than we had for saturn 5. it will have _ rocket than we had for saturn 5. it will have more capability to lift heavier— will have more capability to lift heavier things, will have more capability to lift heavierthings, so will have more capability to lift heavier things, so we can take bigger— heavier things, so we can take bigger things to the moon. thank you and thank you — bigger things to the moon. thank you and thank you to _ bigger things to the moon. thank you and thank you to our _ bigger things to the moon. thank you and thank you to our friends. - bigger things to the moon. thank you and thank you to our friends. i - and thank you to our friends. i don't think i will become a

astronaut i'm too old now. back to you. i astronaut i'm too old now. back to ou. ., astronaut i'm too old now. back to oh. ., ., . astronaut i'm too old now. back to ou. ., .. ., you. i love the fact there are astronauts — you. i love the fact there are astronauts just _ you. i love the fact there are astronauts just wandering i you. i love the fact there are - astronauts just wandering around you. i love the fact there are - astronautsjust wandering around and astronauts just wandering around and we can see the fans behind. let's go back to the live pictures, because this is a big moment. it is a while away, the lift—off is expected 8.33am local time, that is 1.33pm bst. just watching this is causing huge excitement for all space watchers. we can talk to ken kremer a spacejournalist. hejoins watchers. we can talk to ken kremer a space journalist. he joins us live from florida. welcome, thank you for joining us. you look like you're in sort of a space seat there! tell us where you are and what you can see.

yeah, i'm sitting in my car, so i talk to you more calmly. i'm looking at the rocket right now, i'm at the kennedy space centre, about three and a half miles from the artemis rocket. it is night—time, so it is shining bright. it looks beautiful and spectacular. we are hoping for a launch in a few hours from now. and you know that will return america to the moon, return, sorry, will return humans to the moon after that. it is really exciting what is going on now. ., , ., ., ., now. returning humans to the moon, so lona now. returning humans to the moon, so long after— now. returning humans to the moon, so long after they _ now. returning humans to the moon, so long after they first _ now. returning humans to the moon, so long after they first went - now. returning humans to the moon, so long after they first went there - so long after they first went there in 1969. why now?— so long after they first went there in 1969. why now? yeah, well it's 50 ears in 1969. why now? yeah, well it's 50 years since — in 1969. why now? yeah, well it's 50 years since apollo _ in 1969. why now? yeah, well it's 50 years since apollo 17, _ in 1969. why now? yeah, well it's 50 years since apollo 17, the _ in 1969. why now? yeah, well it's 50 years since apollo 17, the last - years since apollo 17, the last humans walked on the moon, two of them. why now? because finally the political will and the funding is there. we could have kept exploring

there. we could have kept exploring the moon, we didn't have to stop, that was a purely political decision to do that. now the will power seems to do that. now the will power seems to be back and we can get a lot of beneficial science to the moon. a lot of advances in technology and we have the new rocket, the new capsule, more capable than apollo, the astronauts can land on the surface and stay there for a week. so we have a crew test flight with four astronauts, launching by end of 2024 and then humans would land on the moon, the first woman and the first person of colour. that will come in 2025 or 2026. after that, a moon base. what is exciting is we are going to the south pole of the moon. why that is that important? that is where the water is. water ice is there. if we can mine that ice, we can live off the land. you will split the water ice into

hydrogen and oxygen and you have rocket fuel and breathable air and water. and then you don't have to bring them from the earth. it is a programme for a sustained presence instead of a short trip from. apollo we learned tremendous science and we will learn more science when we go back to the moon. tell will learn more science when we go back to the moon.— will learn more science when we go back to the moon. tell us more about that in terms — back to the moon. tell us more about that in terms of— back to the moon. tell us more about that in terms of value _ back to the moon. tell us more about that in terms of value for _ back to the moon. tell us more about that in terms of value for money - back to the moon. tell us more about that in terms of value for money and l that in terms of value for money and what it delivers, i was talking to a guest a earlier who was saying some of the things that came from apollo, teflon, the silver blankets that you see to keep people warm, yeah, it is a list of things that obviously we just now take for granted in our daily lives. in terms of value for money and what that delivered and what might be delivered from this, how do you see that?— how do you see that? well, it will be a lot more _ how do you see that? well, it will be a lot more than _ how do you see that? well, it will be a lot more than that. - how do you see that? well, it will be a lot more than that. we - how do you see that? well, it will be a lot more than that. we got l how do you see that? well, it will. be a lot more than that. we got the cell phone that you're speaking to me on now. we didn't have them back then. it wasjust

me on now. we didn't have them back then. it was just the dawn of satellites, now you have instant communications. that is how you and i are communications. that is how you and iare speaking, communications. that is how you and i are speaking, through satellites and we don't have any delays. in the future we can do all kinds of research. now we have the international space station, which europeans are involved in, russian, canadians, and japanese, that is going to carry forward. we are going to use the moon as a proving ground, notjust to use the moon as a proving ground, not just for science, to use the moon as a proving ground, notjust for science, but to use the moon as a proving ground, not just for science, but as a proving ground for the technology to get to mars. we have to prove that we can land on mars, sorry, we have to prove we can land on the moon again, then we can do on to mars. that is the ultimate goal and we could search for life and searching for life beyond earth to find out if we are alone in the universe. you talk about — we are alone in the universe. you talk about how _ we are alone in the universe. you talk about how we _ we are alone in the universe. you talk about how we have to be clear, you talk about life on mars, you know those microscopic signs of life

oh no, we can't find out what you were thinking. we can still hear you. i were thinking. we can still hear ou. .., were thinking. we can still hear ou. . ., ., were thinking. we can still hear ou. . . . , ., were thinking. we can still hear ou. ., ., ., , hih you. i can hear you, i am not sure hith m you. i can hear you, i am not sure high my picture — you. i can hear you, i am not sure high my picture went _ you. i can hear you, i am not sure high my picture went out. - you. i can hear you, i am not sure high my picture went out. let - you. i can hear you, i am not sure high my picture went out. let me | high my picture went out. let me turn the car on.— turn the car on. what are you expectations? _ turn the car on. what are you expectations? yeah, - turn the car on. what are you expectations? yeah, that - turn the car on. what are you expectations? yeah, that is l expectations? yeah, that is microbes. _ expectations? yeah, that is microbes, we _ expectations? yeah, that is microbes, we are _ expectations? yeah, that is microbes, we are talks - expectations? yeah, that is. microbes, we are talks about microbial life, not intelligent life. and you know simple—celled organism, if we could find that and if there was life beyond earth, if we could think outside the box, what would be the origin of life, maybe we could make new medicines, for many decades i worked making new medicines to save people's lives. that is critical, practical research we could get out of going to mars if we could get out of going to mars if we find that. but we can only go to

mars if we land on the moon first. that is a three—year round trip. the technology has to be so up—to—date and so secure that it will work. it can't fail. you can't send anything to save those astronauts once they're left the earth and gone to mars. the systems to be 100% reliable. then hopefully we can two beyond that into the cosmos. before we let ou beyond that into the cosmos. before we let you to. _ beyond that into the cosmos. before we let you to. can — beyond that into the cosmos. before we let you to, can you _ beyond that into the cosmos. before we let you to, can you explain, - beyond that into the cosmos. before we let you to, can you explain, we i we let you to, can you explain, we can see the count down clock and it has one hundred 47 minutes after it on that clock. we are expecting the launch to be later than that about sort of 40 minutes after that. how does it work?—

does it work? well, you know, it took longer _ does it work? well, you know, it took longer to — does it work? well, you know, it took longer to start, _ does it work? well, you know, it took longer to start, because - does it work? well, you know, it took longer to start, because of| does it work? well, you know, it i took longer to start, because of the lightning we had, the delay of an hour and we had another delay. so theyjust hour and we had another delay. so they just gave a hour and we had another delay. so theyjust gave a briefing before i spoke with you, and they were still trying to figure out what exact time we would be able to launch this rocket. so they're still working through that, they lost some time, but trying to make up time. they have a two hour window, it goes to 10.33. it will be some point into the window. we don't know exactly when. i expect it will be a significant time. but it won't be the end of the window. so it is good there is a window. that give us still a chance to launch. they're working through those calculations and it is all related to the lightning and the hydrogen leak.

thank you. lightning and the hydrogen leak. thank ou. ., , , lightning and the hydrogen leak. thank ou. , �* lightning and the hydrogen leak. thank you-— thank you. hopefully you're still there. thank you. hopefully you're still there- just _ thank you. hopefully you're still there. just getting _ thank you. hopefully you're still there. just getting my _ thank you. hopefully you're still there. just getting my head - thank you. hopefully you're still. there. just getting my head around that count down _ there. just getting my head around that count down that _ there. just getting my head around that count down that may - there. just getting my head around that count down that may not - there. just getting my head around that count down that may not be i there. just getting my head around. that count down that may not be the exact down down we were anticipating. we will have to continue watching and thinking of you, i expect you're excited to see the moment that rocket goes off before your very eyes.- the moment that rocket goes off before your very eyes. looking at it ri . ht before your very eyes. looking at it riaht now. before your very eyes. looking at it right now. thank _ before your very eyes. looking at it right now. thank you _ before your very eyes. looking at it right now. thank you for _ before your very eyes. looking at it right now. thank you for having - before your very eyes. looking at it| right now. thank you for having me. thank you. pakistan will launch a global appeal to help it deal with the flooding catastrophe that's killed more than a thousand people and affected 30 million. un member states will be asked to contribute. pakistan's foreign minister has estimated the financial impact at $4 billion. bilawal bhutto—zardari said he hoped the international community would grasp the sheer level of devastation in his country. and it's not over yet — water is still surging down the mightly indus river and will flood the the low—lying sind province yet further over the next few days. azaday moshiri reports.

a young boy stranded on a rock as raging waters surround him. you can see a rescue worker edging out of the helicopter, lifting him up to safety. it's but one of the countless rescue efforts that are happening as pakistan faces one of the worst floods in years, with more than 1,000 people dead and millions affected. i find it very difficult to put into words. the phraseologies that we're used to, whether it's monsoon rains or flooding, doesn't quite seem to encapsulate the ongoing devastation and disaster that we're still witnessing. these satellite images show the sheer scale of the flooding. this is what rajanpur in pakistan's punjab province looked like before the flooding. its homes and fields clearly visible. this is the situation now. 0verrun and overwhelmed. stepping away from the political

turmoil surrounding his government, prime minister shahbaz sharif was seen distributing relief items. while poor planning and infrastructure has played a role in all this, climate change is also to blame. pakistan only produces 1% of global emissions, yet the country is dealing with some of its worst consequences. facing monsoons and floods that are far more frequent and severe than the norm. sindh province has seen nearly nine times its usual august rainfall. so the country is urgently asking others for help. we're working with 35 donors right now. but, you know, the responses are in principle very, very positive. but we do need technical assistance. we need a lot of mobilisation on the ground. pakistan was already facing an economic crisis. so these floods are coming at a difficult time. and with some areas bracing

for torrents of water from swollen rivers, the damage is not over yet. azadeh moshiri, bbc news. joining us now pakistan country directer for islamic relief asif sherazi. thank you forjoining us. what is the latest in terms of what your organisation is able to do? thank ou ve organisation is able to do? thank you very much- — organisation is able to do? thank you very much. i'm _ organisation is able to do? thank you very much. i'm i _ organisation is able to do? thank you very much. i'm i came - organisation is able to do? thank you very much. i'm i came from . organisation is able to do? thank. you very much. i'm i came from one of the worst affected areas. we were able to distribute some food among the people. and then we also started the people. and then we also started the water trucking to provide the clean drinking water and providing shelter material. because in the district you can see thousands of families on the roadside, either on

m1 motorway. and also the road that is leading to the motorway. it is like a lot of displacement and even the government buildings and other makeshift arrangements are not enough to accommodate this number of people. so some people have received some... ~ ., , people. so some people have received some... ., , ., , some... apologies for interrupting, ou some... apologies for interrupting, you describe _ some... apologies for interrupting, you describe thousands _ some... apologies for interrupting, you describe thousands of - some... apologies for interrupting, you describe thousands of people i you describe thousands of people that you were seeing, how many people were you actually able to help when you get to these areas? today, we were able to help around 1,200 people with the food assistance. tomorrow another 1,200 people. the clean drinking water, through water trucking, our three water trucks will be there providing the water 24/7._ the water 24”. obviously, absolutely _ the water 24”. obviously, absolutely valuable - the water 24”. obviously, absolutely valuable work i the water 24”. obviously, i absolutely valuable work that the water 24”. obviously, - absolutely valuable work that you're doing and giving rehe relief those

you can help. it must be extremely challenging to see so much need and to be, have those limitations on what you can do?— to be, have those limitations on what you can do? yes, you are very much right- — what you can do? yes, you are very much right- we _ what you can do? yes, you are very much right. we are _ what you can do? yes, you are very much right. we are reaching - what you can do? yes, you are very much right. we are reaching to - much right. we are reaching to 200,000 people in total across the pakistan, including sindh and elsewhere. but you're right, the needs are huge. and the funding is very small, even islamic relief prepared a plan in august, and we asked £50 million, but we can only collect 18% of the funding. with this funding, we are just reaching 42,000 people. so there a is gap in funding. it is not only the issue in the relief phase, the major

challenge will come hen there will be a recovery, especially when the people have lost their livelihood and shelter. so it is a long journey. i hope from tomorrow, when the appeal will be launched be i the prime minister and the un, there will be a good response the un member agency, will be a good response the un memberagency, because will be a good response the un member agency, because at this moment, pakistan needs the support from everyone. bud moment, pakistan needs the support from everyone-— from everyone. and there are warnings _ from everyone. and there are warnings that _ from everyone. and there are warnings that the _ from everyone. and there are warnings that the worst - from everyone. and there are warnings that the worst isn'tl from everyone. and there are - warnings that the worst isn't over? yes, the worst isn't over, because the rain pat patterns are different and there are predictions that maybe some more rain in september and this time the catastrophe will be more, because this, these rains are expected in the northern side of pakistan, which are the catchment areas of indus river system. if it will be a river outburst, then you

can imagine another 40 days of flooding starting from the north and “p flooding starting from the north and up to the sindh in the river system. thank you very much. now the sport. good morning. he started the tournament miles behind the leader and world number one. triple bogeyed his first hole but rory mcilroy defied the odds to win the pga tour's tour championship. itjust shows you anything is possible he said, overtaking scottie scheffler with two holes to go for a record breaking third fedex cup win. nick parrott has the story. a souvenir from a special day. little did this young fan know he was about to witness history. when rory mcilroy teed off for his final round, he was six shots behind scottie scheffler. catching the world number one was going to be a huge task —

but one the northern irishman was more than up for. fortunately for him, the american was giving him a helping hand by dropping shots on the fourth and sixth holes. while mcilroy was on song — a hat—trick of birdies, and he was finally level with scheffler. the pair swapped the lead more than once — this was going to be about who could hold their nerve in this intense battle. rory could. scheffler couldn't. that bogey on the 16th handed mcilroy a one—shot lead he wouldn't surrender. in the end, one of his hardest days had the easiest of finishes to secure a place in the record books. nick parrott, bbc news. mcilroy�*s bank balance is more than £15 million better off this morning. and in a season dominated by news of golfer�*s joining the breakaway liv golf series and the riches on offer there — the northern irishman said it wasn't all about the money.

i hate what it's doing to the game of golf. i hate it. i really do. imean... it's going to be hard for me to stomach going to wentworth in a couple of weeks' time and seeing 18 of them there — like, thatjust... itjust doesn't sit right with me. so... yeah, i feel strongly. i believe... i believe what i'm saying are the right things. and i think when you believe that what you're saying is the right things, you're... you're happy to stick your neck out on the line. transfer deadline day is fast approaching on thursday and manchester united are on the verge of the most expensive signing of the window so far. they've agreed a deal to sign brazilian winger anthony from ajax — meaning a reunion with his old boss erik ten hag. it would make him the fouth most expensive player in premier league history. the final major of the tennis calendar gets under way today — with all eyes on serena williams around midnight at the us open. she's playing in what will likely

be herfinal tournament, starting against montenegro's danka kovinic in the first round in thev early in the first round in the early hours, but is also teaming up with sister venus in the doubles. the tributes are already coming in. i honestly think that she's, like, the biggest force in the sport. and that's not, like, intentionally trying to, like, make federer and nadal smaller — ijust think, like, she is the biggest thing that will ever be in the sport. and...it'sjust really an honour just to watch her play. that's all the sport for now. you can find more on all those stories on the bbc sport website. the head of the institute for fiscal studies has criticised as �*simplistic�* and �*worrying' some of the tax—cutting policies being put forward by the conservative leadership candidate, liz truss.

pauljohnson says neither ms truss nor her rival, rishi sunak, have proposed adequate solutions for dealing with rising energy bills. david wallace lockhart has told us more. for context, liz truss appears to be the front runner in the race to be prime minister. she is proposing a lot of tax cuts. she said she has not pulled anything from the table in terms of helping with energy bill, but believes tax cuts are the way to do it, she wants to s to abandon a planned rise in corporation tax. paul thompson writes for the time and said it is a simplistic mantra to assume cutting taxes leads to a boom for the economy. he said the policy at the time of big deficit and high inflation is worrying and he is critical of rishi sunak too, saying neather of them had adequate solutions to deal with the energy

crisis. rishi sunak wants to remove vat from energy bills and it is promising more targeted help for the most vulnerable. but he has not put a number on that yet. pauljohnson is warning the high energy costs will be problems for people on modest incomes. he said if liz truss becomes prime minister, she will realise there are tough decisions to be made. that includes raising taxes. she believes the best way to avoid recession is to cut taxes. we have heard from alistair darling, the labour chancellor in 2008 when there was the financial crash, he is saying in his view what the candidates are proposing is pedalling around the edges. he said you need to act quickly and go further than people expect you to 90, further than people expect you to go, to put money in people's pockets

to get them to spend. i'm not sure how much attention the conservative candidates will way to a former labour chancellor. we will have a new prime minister a week today. police believe a teenage boy who died after collapsing at the leeds festival had taken ecstasy. the 16—year—old fell ill on saturday night and died yesterday in hospital. west yorkshire police is investigating whether he had taken a particular type of ecstasy tablet, described as a grey or black oblong. united nations nuclear experts are on their way to the zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in the south of ukraine. members of the iaea group will monitor the security and safety of the plant, which has been occupied by invading russian forces, since early march. (tx kyiv and moscow have repeatedly traded accusations kyiv and moscow have repeatedly traded accusations of shelling at the plant, and its operator has warned of the risks of a radioactive leak. the former manchester united footballer paul pogba has told french police he's the victim of a blackmail plot.