hello, i'm ros atkins, this is outside source. over a thousand people have died in heavy flooding in pakistan. the community that we found these to be on the banks of the river. there aren't any tenancy in a clean drinking water, there isn't even any food and they don't know why they've been neglected. scientists are blaming climate change — with pakistan suffering multiple weather extremes — from record breaking drought — to early monsoon rains. also in the programme: liz truss — the favourite to win the tory leadership race — and become the next uk prime minister — is criticised over her economic proposals to help with the cost of living crisis.

we'll be live in westminster. and nasa postpones its mission to the moon after engine issues emerge on its huge rocket during countdown. pakistani authorities say a third of the country is underwater. and that a majority of the country is affected. this map shows the regions that are worst hit. international aid has begun to arrive. pakistan's foreign minister gave the bbc this update. international the bbc this update. organisations are working international organisations are working on the ground in our own ngos are working on the ground, but i think everyone�*s resources are stretched to the limit. everyone�*s capacity is stressed to the limit and we look at the human resources of those involved in rescue and relief, those teams involved in

waterfrom relief, those teams involved in water from various areas, they're exhausted, they their own homes there are also devastated. there is a calamity that everyone is facing a experiencing of same time. we're getting more detail all the time on the situation. more than a thousand people have been killed. an estimated 33 million people have been affected. over 11 billion dollars�* worth of damage has been caused. and 9.5 million houses and buildings have been destroyed. are houses of collapse because the floods. we have all her belongings are buried between 12 and 13 feet of water. i saw my house collapse. now the rain is forecast to pause for the next few days. but flood warnings remain. that's because water is still flowing down the indus river. that's expected to bring more flooding to the southern sindh province — which is already the

worst affected place. these are just some of the people there who've already been displaced. to put this in context — sindh has produced nearly nine times its usual rainfall for august. our correspondent pumza fuhlani is in one village there. the floods have been cool —— cruel to the people of pakistan. the people — —— cruel to the people of pakistan. the people in this community usually worked _ the people in this community usually worked as_ the people in this community usually worked as extra pairs of hands on farmlano — worked as extra pairs of hands on farmlano a— worked as extra pairs of hands on farmland. a lot of the farmland it's been _ farmland. a lot of the farmland it's been destroyed and so, many of them are out— been destroyed and so, many of them are out of— been destroyed and so, many of them are out of work. they travel to columbus _ are out of work. they travel to columbus to try to get to higher ground~ — columbus to try to get to higher ground. this is really sober for the time _ ground. this is really sober for the time being — ground. this is really sober for the time being for about two weeks since some _ time being for about two weeks since some of— time being for about two weeks since some of them say they have been living _ some of them say they have been living here — some of them say they have been living here out in the opened on the side of— living here out in the opened on the side of the — living here out in the opened on the side of the road, they have not received — side of the road, they have not received any relief they have not received — received any relief they have not received any relief they have not received any aid in their many

children— received any aid in their many children and they do not know what they're _ children and they do not know what they're going to be fed. these have been _ they're going to be fed. these have been devastating because they've taken _ been devastating because they've taken whatever little means of survival— taken whatever little means of survival that had in late that completely to waste. they do not know _ completely to waste. they do not know how — completely to waste. they do not know how long they will be here they do not _ know how long they will be here they do not know when the help is coming. let's look at the goverment response. rescue efforts are ongoing. lots of videos are being posted on social media. this is a young boy, stranded on a rock, thankfully being lifted up to safety by a hellicopter. and evacuations are still happening. the bbc�*s sahar baloch has more on that. we got to know from the national disaster management authority that the next week, the coming weeks are going to be a big trite but at the same time, all of those neighbouring areas and towns that are literally built right next to the river, that they be evacuated and so recently, they be evacuated and so recently, the province of pakistan evacuated on 50,000 people in there on the way to evacuate others living right next

to evacuate others living right next to the river and so, the efforts are being made and the evacuations are in process but it's also a challenge to reach those people right now. next we'll focus on central pakistan. this drone footage is from punjab province. you can see the scale of the flooding. and you can see the damage from satellite pictures too. this is rajanpur in punjab province before. and now now. the devastation is close to total. and then this is the coe sulaiman mountain range — it stretches into south punjab. there's been a lot of flash flooding there. and only now some roads have been re—opened is aid starting to arrive. bbc urdu's toor—harb as—gar is there. they don't have anything to eat because relief operation could not reach here because of the area that you can see behind me. we have one of the affected of this flood. we will try to talk to him. translation: our- problems are enormous. the whole area has been wiped off.

we didn't get any food, not even a single onion or a grain of salt. 25 people spent the night under a tent, the whole night, and the children kept crying. they're claiming that we are in this situation for last one month. a lot of people who actually said, "we travelled approximately four hours by foot to reach here just to get some kind of relief." translation: we left behind the kids and came here. - i have been coming here for three days, and no one here _ has anything to eat. my toenails have broken, - and they're bleeding from climbing the mountains to get here. i spent15 years in - the army before retiring. translation: i have around 13 children. i we don't have anyone looking out for us, and we don't know any of the officials to refer to. we only have god to watch over us.

let's look at why this flooding is happening. now floods aren't uncommon in pakistan — especially around this time of year because it's monsoon season. but this year, monsoon season began earlier than usual — and it's been raining f so it's been raining for longer — and it appears more intensely. as pumza reports "people here said these rains were different — more than anything that's ever been seen." extreme weather events are happening more often in pakistan. and it's notjust rainfall. remember — there were droughts and record breaking heatwaves there this year too — temperatures hit above 52 degrees celcius. and scientists are clear: this is all linked to climate change. asad rehman is the executive director of the anti—poverty and social justice organisation war on want. he was born in pakistan — and has spent years looking at its vulnerability to climate change. you could've it sounds like you could've seen or

predicted this coming.— it sounds like you could've seen or predicted this coming. everyone has resented predicted this coming. everyone has presented this. _ predicted this coming. everyone has presented this, these _ predicted this coming. everyone has presented this, these floods - predicted this coming. everyone has presented this, these floods are - predicted this coming. everyone has presented this, these floods are a i presented this, these floods are a hundred times more likely because of the climate crisis. they are happening sooner each year, the more extreme and they last longer. and just turning on our television screens literally every single day and we can see that these climate catastrophes are happening in every corner of the world. what catastrophes are happening in every corner of the world.— corner of the world. what could pakistan or _ corner of the world. what could pakistan or possibly _ corner of the world. what could pakistan or possibly done - corner of the world. what could pakistan or possibly done to - corner of the world. what could i pakistan or possibly done to better prepare to fend off the consequences of flooding on the scale? it’s prepare to fend off the consequences of flooding on the scale?— of flooding on the scale? it's very difficult because _ of flooding on the scale? it's very difficult because for— of flooding on the scale? it's very difficult because for a _ of flooding on the scale? it's very difficult because for a country - of flooding on the scale? it's veryj difficult because for a country like pakistan where let's remember, 75% of the population does not have access to proper nutrition, 30 of the population lives in extreme poverty, this is a toxic interplay between the climate crisis, hunger, structure and equality in economic system that leaves the poorest hanging by a thread in states like

pakistan simply overwhelmed. what could they have done? very little. like in other countries do? a lot because he was driving this crisis? we all know that this is because of burning fossil fuels and it's the richest countries in the world, including the uk, the us, canada, australia and the european union were all announcing a massive expansion of fossil fuels and climate scientists tell us we need to cut global omissions by half by 2030. ., ., , ., ., 2030. your right to see that all countries are _ 2030. your right to see that all countries are doing _ 2030. your right to see that all countries are doing this - 2030. your right to see that all countries are doing this and - 2030. your right to see that all| countries are doing this and the cost of living crisis but in the long term, or other countries that you risked there, have the chance to radically reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. let me tell you not just about the long—term considerations but the short term ones with funding and assistance from outside, other practical measures that pakistan could taken her could take now in order to fend off disasters like this in the short term? edi

off disasters like this in the short term? . ., , , ., term? of course, there is more the countries can _ term? of course, there is more the countries can do _ term? of course, there is more the countries can do we _ term? of course, there is more the countries can do we can _ term? of course, there is more the countries can do we can look - term? of course, there is more the countries can do we can look at - countries can do we can look at disaster relief look at humanitarian interventions but the reality is that the scale of these prices overwhelm any systems that could be in place. pakistan has thousands of this, and temperatures are rising and those glaciers are melting and those glaciers overflow as these torrential rains come down in the break their banks. it is estimated that two thirds of these glaciers will be lost today, what we're seeing these incredible floods is when these glaciers are gone, next problem pakistan could face as hundreds of thousands of people will have these, where were the fresh water come from? this is an existential crisis and we're seeing it happen again and again all around the world. large parts of the world are going to become inhospitable for people to be able to survive and not the only thing that can happen right now in terms of interventions is, of course, supporting pakistan to get through this crisis and again,

really providing the technology for countries to be able to adapt to this crisis that is beyond the ability of many countries and to be able to deal with the loss and damage that happens with these things, she quite rightly said, your story, the people who have been the most impacted are the people who have nothing already. so when they say they've lost everything, these people, how does pakistan rebuild their lives and governments are unable to cope with the cost of these catastrophes? the unable to cope with the cost of these catastrophes? unable to cope with the cost of these catastrohes? ., these catastrophes? the debate about these catastrophes? the debate about the im act these catastrophes? the debate about the impact of — these catastrophes? the debate about the impact of climate _ these catastrophes? the debate about the impact of climate change - these catastrophes? the debate about the impact of climate change in - these catastrophes? the debate about the impact of climate change in the i the impact of climate change in the developing world connecting discussions that we've seen on climate summit in recent years. its finance minister said it's considering importing further

vegetables from india to try to mitigate the floods fall out in the floods are impacting availability of food, pakistan looks like it's importing more than it would from india due to the situation there. there's just one week to go until the uk announces the next conservative party leader — who'll also become the country's new prime minister. and leading candidate liz truss has just pulled out of a bbc one television interview scheduled for tuesday evening. damian grammaticas. what is the story? well, the story, the bbc press _ what is the story? well, the story, the bbc press office _ what is the story? well, the story, the bbc press office is _ what is the story? well, the story, the bbc press office is saying i what is the story? well, the story, the bbc press office is saying thatl the bbc press office is saying that liz truss, the front runner to be the next prime minister has said that she does not or she could no longer spare the time and this was an interview that was arranged about ten days ago is meant to be a purposeit ten days ago is meant to be a purpose it down one—on—one, face—to—face interview and the other when she would do with the bbc about

her ambitions to be prime minister and her rival, rishi sunak, has done one and he did one and a half weeks ago or so after that, liz truss confirmed that she was doing it. she is now said that she is cancelling. that is one story considering liz truss and the other is his criticism of economic plans, the think tank says simplicity in their proposals to cut some of these taxes could crash the liz truss team does not agree. crash the liz truss team does not auree. , , . crash the liz truss team does not auree. ,,., ,_ crash the liz truss team does not auree. , ,,. ., . agree. this is a respected economic think tank the — agree. this is a respected economic think tank the scrutinised _ agree. this is a respected economic think tank the scrutinised economy, produce reports and analysis what they are the directors of said is that liz truss's plans which include cutting lots of taxes, she says she things that slid out people to the current situation and says that is simplistic because the idea that you cut taxes and you get economic growth as a result does not always

follow that way and in fact, the current situation with high inflation, cutting tax rates could just push inflation even higher and make the problem worse. they also say is very worrying because cutting taxes, if you went through with all the things he talked about, there'll be tens of billions of pounds which means less money going to government and that is why it's rewarding, crash the public finances. they say no, this is challenging economic orthodox and it's a board plan that will help businesses create jobs and help people to deliver long—term economic growth. but in the light of her cancelling her tv interview and with others have said in her rival rishi sunak in the labour party and sat there trying to avoid scrutiny because her economic plans don't stand up to it, is what they say. quickly take us the process was of this contest has been going on for for a while now or at the home stretch. what happens between now

and next week. fine stretch. what happens between now and next week.— stretch. what happens between now and next week. ., ., and next week. one more face-to-face meetint and next week. one more face-to-face meeting with — and next week. one more face-to-face meeting with the _ and next week. one more face-to-face meeting with the candidates _ and next week. one more face-to-face meeting with the candidates where i meeting with the candidates where they go and meet more conservative members here in london. they are the electorate to choose, the members of the conservative party but hundreds 60,000 people are the people are choosing to become the prime ministerfor the choosing to become the prime minister for the whole country that last face—to—face meeting, the voting closes on friday and at the end of the week and on monday, we will learn who the winners are and they were basically moving in to coverfor they were basically moving in to cover for boris they were basically moving in to coverfor borisjohnson. they were basically moving in to cover for boris johnson.- they were basically moving in to cover for boris johnson. thank you very much — cover for boris johnson. thank you very much indeed. _ next, let's go to florida. fifty years after the apollo moon landings, today nasa attempted to take one small step towards getting humans back to the moon. but it wasn't to be. this is artemis launch control with an update and charlie thompson is called a scrub for today. what you're looking at here

is the �*space launch system', patiently waiting lift off at the kennedy space centre at cape canaveral. it would have been the most powerful rocket to ever launch from the centre. the rocket was scheduled to lift off at 8:33am local time. but forty minutes before, the countdown clock was put on hold. finally, just minutes after artemis 1 was due to launch, the news came. this tweet from nasa revealed more information: today's mission had been cancelled, as repair teams work to fix an engine bleed. this was the reaction from nasa boss, bill nelson: we do not launch until it is right and in fact, we do not launch until it is right and infact, if we do not launch until it is right and in fact, if they have a problem with the gas is going on the engine bleed on one of the engines, you cannot go, there are certain guidelines.

we have to formally condition them and there's a lot going on with you later rocket engine, left to make sure that the engines are ready for that. and they are not and so, we had to stop and figure with the problem is, then fix it inside when we can go fly. the space launch system has been dubbed the �*mega moon rocket�*. let's take a closer look: the structure is 98 metres high. 90 per cent of its weight is fuel, all of it necessary to get it off the ground. this diagram shows us more. it has two enormous rocket boosters, as well as four huge engines. at the top is the orion spacecraft. in future, that's where astronauts will sit as they're propelled towards the moon. today's artemis i mission was meant to be the start of a three—stage process. this animation shows the planned mission. the orion spacecraft was set to travel unmanned on a loop around the moon, controlled by experts on the ground. it could have lasted anywhere from 25 to a0 days, depending on how many loops

of the moon were done. before the postponement, astronaut stan love explained the purpose of the launch. you want to shake it down thoroughly and make sure every part of that spacecraft works and then bring it back to earth. and during atmospheric entry, and hopefully, everything went well and we will name a crew and start training. all of this comes at great financial cost. here's what we know: the s—l—s and orion projects have been in development for over a decade. up until now, more than $20 billion have been spent on each system. and there's more to come. the office of inspector general is responsible for auditing nasa programmes. it said in a recent assessment it expects the first four missions to each cost more than $4 billion dollars each. a figure, they warn, is �*unsustainable': at $4.1 billion per launch, you're going to be limited to one launch

perhaps every year and that cadence of launch is not going to solve the goal of having a permanent presence on the lunar surface. the overall spend on the artemis programme is expected to be around $93—billion, largely funded by the american government —— and by extension, the american taxpayer. here's bill nelson again. nasa is a civilian organisation, and the launch has been touted a huge moment in scientific achievement. but the us is not the only government with its sights on the skies. china is in the process of building its own permanent space station called tiangong. three �*taikonauts' have managed the site since 2021. and injuly we learned that russia would withdraw from the international space station after 2024 — to build its own version instead. but for now, in florida, the wait continues.

the artemis1 mission has two more windows in which to launch. with today's postponement, the pressure on those days builds. svetla ben—itzhak is an assistant professor of space seminar and international security at air university in alabama. thank you very much indeed for joining us. tell us why this is about politics as well as science. thank you for inviting me. first of all, i like to point out that nasa is a civilian agency so, its mission is a civilian agency so, its mission is to explore and for the benefit of humanity and inspire the world through discovery. so, nasa's mission is mainly scientific and there are many technological advantages to gain in developing and succeeding in this mission as well as during this mission activity and how those will be applied and

militarily remains to be seen. as you pointed out, the us through nasa's not the only country that is interested in reaching the lunar surface and we have also the russian agreement, dating back from 2019 and they also intend to reach a research station on the side of the moon by 2026 and so, we have two competing, what i call blocks on one side, you have china and russia and on the other hand you have the accords led by the united states and it is a block of 20 other countries that have joined the united states block of 20 other countries that havejoined the united states in these aspirations. i

have joined the united states in these aspirations.— have joined the united states in these aspirations. i was interested in ou these aspirations. i was interested in you talking _ these aspirations. i was interested in you talking about _ these aspirations. i was interested in you talking about a _ these aspirations. i was interested in you talking about a military i in you talking about a military dimension. should they be considering space and security and how it happens in space fits into security considerations on earth? yes, absolutely. space is actually no longer the next frontier, it already is very relevant to our national security on the ground and so, as you know, space is utilised daily and heavily for both civilian and military purposes and some have called space the most vital domain for national security. people will depend heavily on space for everyday life. for example, we would not be able to watch her favourite tv shows were follow driving directions on her cell phones or even pull money from an atm machine without the help some satellite positions in orbit around the earth. and much of the rose critical infrastructure is heavily dependent on space for its daily functioning and essential systems such as communications, air

transport, financial services, weather monitoring and etc, rely on space infrastructure. this dependency, this dependency makes space assets essential targets for strategic adversaries, as well as criminal groups. but it is not surprising that it is becoming increasingly important demand for defence and national security operations as well. it is defence and national security operations as well. it is important for those of _ operations as well. it is important for those of for _ operations as well. it is important for those of for the _ operations as well. it is important for those of for the day _ operations as well. it is important for those of for the day today i operations as well. it is important for those of for the day today life | for those of for the day today life and security and military considerations that i'm listening to all of this and thinking, what is the moon have to do with this because some people would see could spend your money and space far better than by train to get back to the moon. . �* , better than by train to get back to the moon. ., �* , ., better than by train to get back to the moon. ., �*, ., , the moon. that's a very good question- _ the moon. that's a very good question. the _ the moon. that's a very good question. the moon, - the moon. that's a very good question. the moon, the i the moon. that's a very good i question. the moon, the mission to the moon is an attempt to actually establish a research base on the ground and then explore further to

mars and asteroids and etc. in trying to reach this goal, tremendous progress will be made and technological discoveries and space technologies and working together with other countries to cooperate in space. and so, yes? let with other countries to cooperate in space. and so, yes?— with other countries to cooperate in space. and so, yes? let me ask about the cost. space. and so, yes? let me ask about the cost- on — space. and so, yes? let me ask about the cost. on the _ space. and so, yes? let me ask about the cost. on the face _ space. and so, yes? let me ask about the cost. on the face of— space. and so, yes? let me ask about the cost. on the face of it, _ the cost. on the face of it, discussed is costing a huge amount of money, billions and billions of dollars. as i'm listening to you, i'm thinking, perhaps this is money that's with investing in countries, given what is at stake. how do you estimate the investment made? the cost is high- — estimate the investment made? tie: cost is high. are estimate the investment made? tie: cost is high. are their estimate the investment made? ti9 cost is high. are their two main points to be made here. number one, the cost that you quoted, $93

billion is the total estimated cost of the mission. the yearly cost is actually estimated from the single digit or the tens of billions of dollars and while it is still high, it isjust a dollars and while it is still high, it is just a fraction of the total cost for example, the allocated budget for next year for 2023 is 7.5 billion. and out of the total 26 or 27 billion budgets for nasa. and just to put this in perspective, some satellites in orbit do cost billions of dollars but this is a big mission and it does cost a lot. but the second point i would like to make. nasa is not alone. there 20 other countries that the members of the artemis accords also participating in this mission. i’m participating in this mission. i'm ttoin to participating in this mission. i'm going to have tojump in. it's been

fascinating talking to you in those space alliances notjust in space but security and cooperation on planet earth. thank you forjoining us. a very familiar ring to the forecast for the last few days in the meteorology will summer and places will be dry. few and far between. as we head into the start of autumn, there could be a greater chance of some rain, especially in the south in the west. any rain few and far between through the night and into tuesday, i pressure at the end of it in that's where we will get those conditions. and you'll bring some showers towards east anglia in the southeast as we go through the night and wanted to showers in scotland. the temptress and coming into much with some clear skies, particularly north and west of england and wales, rural parts will get around five or

6 degrees as we start tuesday morning. after that, 6 degrees as we start tuesday morning. afterthat, bright 6 degrees as we start tuesday morning. after that, bright start for many in scotland again with one or two showers towards the isle of man and greater chances of showers in the southeast but some sunny spells breaking through in some conditions in southwest england and wales, northwest england and eventually across east of scotland and then that keen breeze for the south and coming in off the north sea and temperature is still limited across some of the eastern coast from 15 to 17 degrees for some and “p from 15 to 17 degrees for some and up to around 24 celsius across the southwest of south wales. into tuesday and then through the wednesday, most will be dry and around with the chance of wanted to showers developing into for this time in northern england but with winds later in northern, chilean start and temperatures 17 in the afternoon and 2425 in the south as the wind starts to ease down further through thursday and temptress should lift a little bit through thursday and friday, the first

chance of some change of showers arriving in northern ireland later and that will link to this area of low pressure which will bring in some bigger changes the weekend, southwards and joining forces with one in france it's going to pick up the wind across scotland and northern ireland in northern england strong and gusty and we are likely to see outbreaks of heavy and thundering rain may be across the western areas, eastern areas should stay largely dry at this stage but we will see more rain across the site as we head into sunday with more of a breeze around, temperatures will be around 17 to 24 celsius.

around 17 to 24 celsius for most. bye for now.

hello, i'm ros atkins, this is outside source. un nuclear inspectors are enroute to the zaparhozhia power plant — the number of people who died in flooding in pakistan is now past a thousand. a third of the country is underwater and floods of 1—story homes, rosen was half of the countries crops. un nuclear inspectors en route to zaparhozhia occupied by russia, frequent attacks or raise fears of a possible nuclear catastrophe. but or raise fears of a possible nuclear catastrophe-— catastrophe. but without in exaggeration _ catastrophe. but without in exaggeration this - catastrophe. but without in exaggeration this mission i catastrophe. but without in i exaggeration this mission will be the hardest in the history of how i ate each given peak combat activities. ate each given peak combat activities-— ate each given peak combat activities. ,, :, , :,'

activities. ukraine is offering the ou and activities. ukraine is offering the you and gas _ activities. ukraine is offering the you and gas and _ activities. ukraine is offering the you and gas and wean _ activities. ukraine is offering the you and gas and wean itself i activities. ukraine is offering the you and gas and wean itself off. you and gas and wean itself off russian energy. seeing violence in the iraqi capital of baghdad after storm to government buildings. 12 people have so far died. we begin in ukraine — its military says it's launched a southern offensive against russian forces in an attempt to reverse some of russia's biggest territorial gains. the operation is particularly aimed at retaking the city of kherson. ukraine claims seperatist fighters in the self—proclaimed donetsk people's republic have retreated from their positions — and that russian troops who were supoporting them have fled. from kyiv, hugo bachega has the latest. for weeks we have been talking about the possibility of the ukrainian launching this counteroffensive to retake kherson.

we could be seeing the beginning of it. we had reports there is intense fighting in the south of the country. it seems ukrainian forces managed to break through the first line of russian defence around the city. there are reports that electricity has been cut off. there are reports that electricity has been cut off. for weeks, they have been targeting russian supply lines, infrastructure away from the front lines, deep inside russian—controlled territory. away from the front lines, using sophisticated weapons supplied by the west. croissant has been under russian occupation since the beginning of the war. one of the largest ukrainian cities under russian control. for quite some time we've been talking about —— kherson. this conference seemed to be added to deadlock with no changes in terms of military positions. a lot of activity in the city of arche. in other regions and in the south. we

could be seen perhaps the beginning of a change in terms of the military situation on the ground will stop keeping our focus on southern ukraine — a team of international inspectors from the un's nuclear watchdog is on its way to the zaparhozhia power plant. russia currently controls it but ukrainian staff operate it. you can imagine there are concerns. fourteen members of the iaea have left vienna and will arrive at the plant this week. they'll assess damage at the site, evaluate the conditions for the staff and perform what they call "urgent safeguard activities". the mission has taken weeks of negotiations — and ukraine is warning, that the visit remains dangerous. without an exaggeration this mission will be the hardest in the history of iaea given the activities undertaking by the russian federation on the ground and also the very blatant way that russia is

trying to legitimise its presence at the zaparhozhia nuclear power plant. we expect from the mission a clear statement of facts of violation of all nuclear safety protocols. we know that russia is putting not only ukraine but also the entire world at threat, at risk of nuclear accident. the plant sits on the south bank of the dnieper river — 200km away from crimea, which russia annexed from ukraine in 2014. the plant was a strategic prize for russia and it was seized in march in the first weeks of the war. ukraine says russia is using it as a military base with troops and heavy machinery based there. there is some evidence of that. the guardian posted this image last week of russian tanks inside a facility close to two operational reactors. also inside the facility are around 9,000 ukrainian workers — who are running the plant.

meanwhile, the site has come underfrequent fire — this is the aftermath of shelling last week. both sides blame each other. russia now says the un nuclear team will travel through ukrainian—held territory to get to the plant — and that it will guarantee their security once there. this is kremlin spokesman, dmitry peskov. translation: book, pressure on ukraine can help stop the shelling of the zaparhozhia and territories. russia is interested in this mission and took part in this. we are open for cooperation and engagement. the possibility of further action will be discussed on the spot. everything will be dependent on details. everything will be dependent on details. there are six nuclear reactors at zaparhozhia — which before the war produced a fifth of ukraine's electricity. right now, only two of them currently provide power to ukraine. shelling has already damaged a dry storage facility where used nuclear fuel is kept.

but there are other concerns. last week a fire damaged overhead power lines cutting the plant off from ukraine's electricity grid for the first time in history back—up generators kicked in to supply it with power. if the nuclear reactors did lose power supply — the pumps cooling the hot reactor core would stop working — which could lead to the fuel starting to melt. the iaea says its assessment of the site is urgent. here's its director rafael grossi speaking last week. now there is general recognition that we need to be there, we need to be there soon. kyiv accepted, moscow accepted. kyiv accepted, moscow accepted. there have been multiple warnings that an accident at the plant could be a catastrophe. people of course remember chernobyl — the site of the world's worst nuclear disaster in 1986. emergency workers are preparing for a possible nuclear leak. at this training session, workers are learning how to manage the risk of nuclear accidents and how to deactivate

radiation dust. here's another way they're preparing by handing out iodine tablets to residents within 50 kilometres of the plant. potassium iodine can block a type of radioactive material. but a nuclear accident could spread radiation farfurther afield into europe. here's the french president, emmanuel macron. translation: safety and security cannot be undermined by this war. so this mission is important. it must protect the plant and the safety and security of the whole region. the second concern is that ukrainian sovereignty over this plant must not be challenged. nuclear power should not be an object of war and it is important also to defend ukrainian sovereignty over this plant. lars van dassen is the executive director of the world institute for nuclear security — an ngo based in vienna. he's visited zaporizhia. very grateful for you joining us. can you give us your assessment

of how dangerous the site is right now? ican i can underline what has been said so far. it's a very dangerous situation. nuclear power plants are not made to be a place where you display weapons, where you ride around the tanks and where you store weapons. it can be that there is an intentional use of this weapon but it can also be accidental. and it's not only the weapons that are inside parameters of the nuclear power plant, it is also shelling from outside that can then hit buildings and critical infrastructure. this is extremely critical. nuclear power plants are inherently built to produce electricity, they are full of safety features and structures

that are meant to contain mishaps and incidents and accidents happening on the inside. but dealing with malevolent actions from the outside that is not what is foreseen in the entire makeup of these facilities. so this is very, very critical. it facilities. so this is very, very critical. , :, :, :, facilities. so this is very, very critical. :, :, ~ ~ critical. if you were on that iaea team going _ critical. if you were on that iaea team going into _ critical. if you were on that iaea team going into the _ critical. if you were on that iaea team going into the plant i critical. if you were on that iaea team going into the plant what i critical. if you were on that iaea i team going into the plant what would you want to know, what are the things you are looking forward to offer the world some reassurance? i can say that my first concerns would go to those that are working there. they are holding very, very thin defence line for not only ukraine but for the entire region. in fact actually for humanity. there's so much with nuclear energy and

production of energy that stands and falls with how things go in this context. i would care about their well—being. 14 inspectors cannot walk around with 9000 people working there and another 50,000 working in there and another 50,000 working in the adjacent town. but still, being able to be in contact with the ukrainian workers at the power plant i would see as absolutely paramount importance. and this could be done without interference by the russian occupiers. this is of course where we have to be very worried and where there is already evidence or indications out there that the russians are drilling the ukrainians to say certain things. that they call upon russians to be there, etc. we have to be very careful in terms

of what it is stage and what it is we can take as reliable input from them. :, , :, , ., them. finally, iwas mentioning chernobyl. _ them. finally, iwas mentioning chernobyl, lots _ them. finally, iwas mentioning chernobyl, lots of _ them. finally, iwas mentioning chernobyl, lots of people i them. finally, iwas mentioning chernobyl, lots of people are i chernobyl, lots of people are looking at the situation and referencing what happened in 1986. is that a valid comparison? is there a risk that something as serious as chernobyl could happen? thea;r a risk that something as serious as chernobyl could happen?— chernobyl could happen? they are actually two _ chernobyl could happen? they are actually two layers _ chernobyl could happen? they are actually two layers in _ chernobyl could happen? they are actually two layers in that - actually two layers in that question. the first one is, is this a nuclear power plant as chernobyl nuclear power plant was? the answer is no. the zaparhozhia nuclear power plant has containment at the core. it has a lot of safety features and makes it an accident of the same kind as chernobyl virtually impossible. again, here we don't really know because so much is related to malevolent intent and accidents that could happen. but one

thing where i do think that we should worry about a parallel is actually, right there in front of us. what we do see is that for many things that the russian occupiers have done there is a pattern that what they do in one place they will do again in another place in terms of looting and destroying and killing and so forth. and the way they left the chernobyl nuclear power plant in april, there they looted and rates everything they could come across. they stole equipment and destroyed immense amounts of critical infrastructure. if they want to do something different or are going to do something different when they come under pressure in zaparhozhia then we are back to a situation that is more critical than it was at chernobyl in april. that's why it is

critical that this a i ae can return questions. critical that this a i ae can return questions-— critical that this a i ae can return tuestions. :, ,, , :, , : :, questions. thank you very much for s-teakin questions. thank you very much for speaking to — questions. thank you very much for speaking to us- _ questions. thank you very much for speaking to us. and _ questions. thank you very much for speaking to us. and the _ questions. thank you very much for speaking to us. and the iaea i questions. thank you very much for speaking to us. and the iaea team | questions. thank you very much for. speaking to us. and the iaea team is going to reach the plant this week, we think. turning to europe's energy woes now — ukraine is offering to help european countries store gas to get them through the winter. here's president zelensky — who accuses russia of using energy as a weapon. translation: russia uses economic terror, pressured with price rises and poverty to weaken europe just when it needs its full strength to defend against the terror of the war russia has been conducting. the european union is seeing soaring energy prices — in part as it reduces its reliance on russian gas and concerns that russia is deliberately

tightening the taps. of all eu countries, germany relies the most on russian energy. before the war in ukraine, more than 50% of germany's gas came from russia. this has now dropped to 35%. in germany electricity prices are soaring. at the start of the war, electricity in germany was trading at 156 euros per megawatt hour. this morning, it went past 1000 euros for the first time. it has since stabilised after germany said it was ahead of its target for storing gas for the winter. the eu now says an "emergency intervention" is needed to reign in energy prices. here's ursula von der leyen speaking today. it is no more fit for purpose. and that's why we need the commission are working on an emergency intervention and a structural reform of the electricity market. but what could reform look like? belgium's energy minister says gas

prices should be frozen and no longer used to dictate the price of electricity. some member states have been pushing for a temporary cap on wholesale gas prices. the german chancellor is calling for a europe—wide solution. the german chancellor is calling for a europe-wide solution. translation: we have to become _ a europe-wide solution. translation: we have to become independent - a europe-wide solution. translation: we have to become independent of i we have to become independent of fossil fuels from russia. we have to become independent of fossilfuels from russia. the current energy prices are a big burden for households, consumers and our businesses. that's why it's our priority for that will do everything to be able to tackle this challenge with targeted help to our citizens, households and consumers. todd gillespie, bloomberg's energy reporter for the uk and europe. let's talk about the short—term and long—term, short—term first. what options are available to the european union to bring a halt to the increasing energy prices right now? pt. the increasing energy prices right now? : :, :, the increasing energy prices right now? :, :, , :, :, ,, now? a lot of people are talking about a solution _ now? a lot of people are talking about a solution that _ now? a lot of people are talking about a solution that has - now? a lot of people are talking about a solution that has been l now? a lot of people are talking i about a solution that has been tried in spain and portugal what they've done is essentially put a cap on the

price of gas that can be incorporated into an electricity price was up the way that works is electricity prices are set by what's called marginal pricing, whereby the most expensive type of making electricity, the most expensive way of making electricity, which is early gas at the moment. that sets the price for all electricity generation in a market. governments are talking about potentially capping the price of gap that generators can use to incorporate that price when they sell it on the market. that would bring down that price for everybody. help market. that would bring down that price for everybody.— price for everybody. help me understand _ price for everybody. help me understand this. _ price for everybody. help me understand this. if _ price for everybody. help me understand this. if you i price for everybody. help me i understand this. if you introduce a cap like that, who picks up the bill, does russia get less for its gas or dust states from european unions pay more rather than the consumer?— unions pay more rather than the consumer? :, :, :, consumer? the original wholesale - rice consumer? the original wholesale rice of consumer? the original wholesale price of gas _ consumer? the original wholesale price of gas would _ consumer? the original wholesale price of gas would really _ consumer? the original wholesale price of gas would really have i consumer? the original wholesale price of gas would really have to l consumer? the original wholesale | price of gas would really have to be the same because you're not increasing supply in a situation like that. the seller has to agree a price with you to sell it to you. so

in the situation in iberia, the government and the longer—term taxpayer is picking up that bill. in a situation on an eu wide scale you be talking about a mass intervention with a lot of eu subsidy that would have to go into this potentially from national governments as well. bearin from national governments as well. bear in mind you've also got match any markets, it is interconnected it but you're talking about different markets which play into one another. so a solution like this isn't really necessarily viable in the long term. but you are talking about billions per year every year down but like that you're going to do this. fit that you're going to do this. of heard me playing that clip saying we need to get off russian fossil fuel. they've know that for a wild, certainly since the start of this war for a certainly since the start of this warfor a wild, certainly certainly since the start of this war for a wild, certainly since the start of this? it’s war for a wild, certainly since the start of this?— war for a wild, certainly since the start of this? it's not 'ust russian fossil fuels * start of this? it's not 'ust russian fossil fuels that i start of this? it's not 'ust russian fossil fuels that set i start of this? it's notjust russian fossil fuels that set the _ start of this? it's notjust russian fossil fuels that set the price i start of this? it's notjust russian fossil fuels that set the price was| fossil fuels that set the price was up fossil fuels that set the price was up you have a global market here where buying liquefied natural gas and ships gets to live it as far as

australia. this is a very global market, whether somebody is willing to pay less in one place then produces will simply sell to other countries. there's a lot of competition here for that in the long run for them in an ideal net zero world people are saying we should have no gas—fired generation potentially whereby renewables or nuclear, clean generation would set the price that is a long way off. there's no realistic way to build that much capacity in the short to medium term to get you a point where gas wouldn't set that price. there are further interventions that people are trying to discuss about ending that type of pricing, the way that prices are set. that's not really been done before. all eyes are on the eu for later this week to put something on the table where we could actually see some sort of longer term structural intervention can look like. because ursula bought a line is saying what they are

proposing is some sort of longer term structuralform. irate proposing is some sort of longer term structural form.— proposing is some sort of longer term structural form. we know the eu ambition but — term structural form. we know the eu ambition but we don't _ term structural form. we know the eu ambition but we don't have _ term structural form. we know the eu ambition but we don't have the i ambition but we don't have the detail. we are waiting on that. stay with us on outside source — still to come... we will update you on the situation in baghdad. these powerful clerics to storm the palace after he announced he was retiring from politics. new figures show that chain store closures have dropped by 30% in the first six months of this year, compared with the previous 12 months. our business correspondent emma simpson reports. here is a high street that's seeing more openings than closures. from a new pizza chain, a furniture shop, and around the corner, cosy club has just arrived. a once empty unit getting a new lease of life. we believe we can open up pretty much on every high street across the uk. this business is motoring,

and now able to nab the best spots. we're moving from 25 new site openings a year to 30 new site openings a year, and one reason we're able to do that is because of the property market and because it has become more tenant—friendly and we are finding better opportunities right in the middle of high streets. you're brave? i don't think we're brave, it's all about discipline, ultimately. so, we are in a good position, but i think there are many, many other operators who won't be in such a strong position. in this city, there are still some big gaps to fill. the pandemic tipped many of our high streets into crisis. more than 1,000 clothing shops disappeared in just the first six months of last year alone, as a wave of retailers went under, like this one, or restructured. but there are now some signs of improvement. new figures show that in the first half of this year, 6,146 chain stores shut, including everything from retail to restaurants and gyms.

that's 30% down on a year ago, and the lowest number of closures for seven years. openings, though, are still sluggish, atjust under 4,000, meaning a net decline of more than 2,000 shops. well, there are still more closures than openings, but the nature of the closures has changed. they now tend to be more banks, betting shops, travel agencies, the sorts of things that you can do online rather than in person, this is outside source live from the bbc newsroom. our lead story is... pakistan where the number of people have died from flooding has now passed 1000. authorities say a third of the country is underwater. let's turn to iraq. medical sources there say 12 people have been shot dead in clashes in the highly protected green zone

in baghdad — with more than 80 others injured. these are the latest pictures we have. earlier in the day, supporters of the shia cleric muqtada al—sadr stormed the presidential palace. that was after he'd announcemed he was withdrawing from politics. these pictures are inside the palace — you can see protestersjumping in the swimming pool. in response to all of this — iraqi security forces have declared a total curfew in baghdad and ordered all protesters to leave the green zone. well — let's hear from some of the protesters. translation: some of the protesters. are demands are to dissolve translation: are demands are to dissolve parliament and hold to account for that and we save my master their pride is under your feet and we will sacrifice for you. victory is ours. feet and we will sacrifice for you. victory is ours-— feet and we will sacrifice for you. victory is ours. translation: our revolution is _ victory is ours. translation: our revolution is solely in _ victory is ours. translation: our revolution is solely in iraq - victory is ours. translation: our revolution is solely in iraq want, l revolution is solely in iraq want, it is not— revolution is solely in iraq want, it is not to — revolution is solely in iraq want, it is not to read. this is it iraqi revolution— it is not to read. this is it iraqi revolution for the rack should be returned to its people.

this is muqtada al—sadr. his political alliance won the largest number of seats in last year's election. but iraq's different factions have not been able to agree on how to form a government. in response, back injune, he asked all of his mps to resign — which they did. not long after that muqtada al—sadr�*s supporters stormed the parliament building and they've continued to hold a sit—in inside the green zone in baghdad ever since. which brings us to today. sebastian usher, bbc world service middle east editor. i was watching this play out in thinking, given this man a step down from politics why are his supporters storming the presidential palace? ihe storming the presidential palace? ti9 has stepped away from politics a number of times before. quite often at elections. this election last year where his alliance wasn't the most seats, there was a lot of chewing and throwing over whether he would have his alliance stand at the end. they did. i think the fact that

he says in his words it's his final retirement. i think a lot of people both supporters and others in iraq would not feel this is the end in any sense of his engagement and politics, it may be another strategic move. we don't know this for sure but it kind of looks that way. almost immediately after he made that announcement his supporters, who have you been saying have been staging a sit in within the green zone for the last few weeks made their move against the latest target which was the presidential palace and the compound. dave's sense been forced out of it or it may be left it to some extent on their own and are caught by security forces. there is some quiet in the streets. there's been quite a i talked both in terms of dozen casualties. there are still intermittent gunfire in the streets. don't his supporters have a reason to be frustrated given that they were the largest bloc in parliament?

is a reasonable expectation that the government would be for? titer;r is a reasonable expectation that the government would be for? they were the lartest government would be for? they were the largest bloc— government would be for? they were the largest bloc but _ government would be for? they were the largest bloc but had _ government would be for? they were the largest bloc but had no _ the largest bloc but had no majority. the way things work in iraq is that a lot of horse trading goes on and in the end of factions, however much they may be antagonistic to each other come to some sort of compromise, that hasn't happened this time because i think muqtada al—sadr wasn't getting his own way. he's tried several strategic moves to ensure that. he hasn't yet succeeded in doing that. he's pitted against another sian faction which is backed by iran which also has its own militia. creates the possibility of a serious new outburst of violence if the militias on both sides are barred into play. that hasn't happened yet but that is a possibility. the iraqi people themselves remain without a government more than ten months after the election put up a huge challenge facing the country are not being addressed. you challenge facing the country are not being addressed.— challenge facing the country are not being addressed. you wrapped up this

addition of outside _ being addressed. you wrapped up this addition of outside source. _ being addressed. you wrapped up this addition of outside source. thank i addition of outside source. thank you. we will speak to you soon, i'm sure. see you tomorrow at the usual time. bye—bye. hello. a very familiar ring to the forecast for the last few days in the meteorological summer. and that most places will be dry. showers, few and far between. quite breezy to begin with, warming up as that breeze eases down but as we head into the start of autumn, could be a greater chance of some rain, especially in the south and the west. any rain though few and far between through the night and into tuesday, high pressure dominant to the north of us. we are on the edge of it and that is what we have the breezy conditions blowing across the south but a little weakness into the atmosphere will bring some showers towards east anglia in the southeast as we go to the night. one or two showers in the cloud in scotland and

that's the potential of dropping too much here but with some clearer skies across particularly north and west of england and wales, rural parts to get down to run five or 6 degrees as we start tuesday morning. as for tuesday morning, bright start for many, a lot more cloud across scotland again. one or two more showers here may be towards the isle of man, greater chance of showers link and share in east anglia in the sight of these. —— south east. but some sunny spells breaking through. sun is conditions of all in southwest england and wales in northwest england and eventually across some parts of north and east of scotland, here, that keen breeze is coming in off the north sea with temperatures still limited across some of those eastern coasts in 15—17 degrees for some up to around 23 or 24 celsius. across south wales once again. tuesday evening and through to wednesday modes will be dry for that wednesday modes will be dry for that wednesday in fact a bit more sunshine around. still the chance of wanted or two showers developing the parts of northern england but with wins later in the north a chillier start for scotland, temperature to a 15 to 17 in the afternoon 25 in the south as the wind started is on. at least on further through thursday and temperature should lift a little

bit through thursday into friday. best chance of some change of showers arriving in northern ireland later in the day. that's going to the series of low pressure which will bring bigger changes for the weekend. drifting its way southwards, joining forces with one in france it will pick up the win across scotland, northern ireland, northern england strong gusts of 40 miles an hour at times. we are likely to see outbreaks of heavy and plenty rate mainly across western areas, eastern areas should say largely dry i think at this stage but we will see more rain across assault as we head into sunday. with more of a breeze around, will be around 17 to 24 celsius for most. bye for now.

this is bbc news, i'm martine croxall — the headlines at 8pm. devastating floods across pakistan — the government says a third of the country is now under water. over 1,000 people have died, and 33 million have been affected. translation: now all our| belongings are buried under 12 to 13 feet of water. when i left with my children, i saw my house collapsed. nasa postpones the launch of the artemis space rocket on its mission to the moon, due to last minute technical issues. liz truss pulls out of a planned bbc interview tomorrow. it comes as the foreign secretary's team hit back at criticism of her economic plans from the institute for fiscal studies. revelling in its return — the notting hill carnival comes back to london's streets for the first time in three years.