hello, i'm ros atkins. this is outside source. pakistan's prime minister says floods there are the worst in the country's history. and the un has launched an emergency appeal. the pakistani people are facing a monsoon on steroids, the relentless impact of epic levels of rain and flooding. we'll get the latest from our correspondents in both the north and south of pakistan. also on outside source: there's a tense calm in baghdad after two days of deadly fighting, sparked by a powerful cleric�*s decision to withdraw from iraqi politics. we will explain how that fits into the dynamics of the region. and we'll have the story of this

australian man who was the subject of a crime podcast and has now been convicted of his wife's murder, a0 years after she disappeared. we begin with the floods in pakistan. the prime minister has called these floods "the worst in the history of pakistan". we know every province has been affected. but the worst affected are in the south — the water is still flowing down the overflowing indus river. mountainous regions in khyber pakhtunkhwa are also badly hit. we're going to bring you reports from across pakistan. un secretary—general antonio guterres will travel to pakistan next week. wer�*ve already heard from him. the pakistani people are facing a monsoon on steroids, the relentless impact of epic levels of rain and flooding. the scale of the need is

rising like the floodwaters, and it requires the world's collective and prioritised attention. the united nations is issuing a request for 160 us million dollars. so the un has launched an aid appeal. and a lot of aid is needed. it's been raining solidly since the monsoon season began injune. more than 1,000 people have been killed. an estimated 33 million people have been affected. that's one in seven people. authorities say at least $10 billion worth of damage has been caused. flooding is not uncommon during monsoon season. but pakistan's climate minister told the bbc how this is different. right now, what we are seeing is a devastating monsoon that is inundating more than one third of

the country, and the volume and scale of water that has come down is so consistent and without gaps for eight weeks that there has been no where to put the water. when we drain it out, where do put it? the southis drain it out, where do put it? the south is like one large ocean. south pakistan described there as "one large ocean". 0ur correspondent pumza fihlani is at a displacement camp in sindh province. 0fficials officials say about 60% of pakistan is underwater. they've also reported that 33 million people have been affected by this year's floods. the numbers on the whole are alarming, but it is when you get to the ground and you realise that these are not numbers, these are people, and especially poor people have been the most affected. this community were fine a few weeks ago, they were in their homes, they could feed their children, they had clothes, and when the floods came, their homes were

destroyed. a number of them lived just across the road. under that waters were their homes used to be. they have told me they have gone without days out food and they don't not know how it is coming at all. local aid agencies are saying they're doing everything he can train feed everyone, but they are overstretched and under resourced. —— everything they can to try and feed. they also relying on it to national donors. when people arrive, anyone brings any little thing, it creates panic, it creates desperation in people, because they do not know what else it will bring for them. do not know what else it will bring forthem. it do not know what else it will bring for them. it has created a sense of desperation and uncertainty for poorer communities, and at these sorts of images, people worry, we'll continue on for least months. they don't know when things will return to normal. now let's go to north pakistan. 0ur correspondent secunder kermani

in the town of nowshera. along one of pakistan's busiest motorways, a makeshift camp. poor families forced from their homes, floodwater submerging everything they own. "i'm in so much pain, i can't even express it," says this woman. "we've even lost our honour. where else can we go?" wading through the suburbs of the northern city of nowshera, families trying to reach their homes. "we haven't been able to get to our house. just look at the road," says this woman. "how can we get there? no—one is helping us." this man, a chef, hasjust returned to his home for the first time. will you be able to buy all of these things again, rebuild this house? "no," he says, "i'm just asking god to help us get enough food for now. we've got nothing left. we couldn't save anything, just our children's lives. look at all of this."

floods happen during the monsoon here every year, but not like this. next, let's go to punjab province in central pakistan. the bbc�*s tarhub asghar visited a medical camp there. he is in this camp... translation: he is in this camp... tuna/mom- he is in this camp... translation: g ., , ., translation: my dogs with me. now, i miss him so much. _ translation: my dogs with me. now, i miss him so much. this _ translation: my dogs with me. now, i miss him so much. this woman's - translation: my dogs with me. now, i miss him so much. this woman's 1 - miss him so much. this woman's1 euro has fallen _ miss him so much. this woman's1 euro has fallen sick. _ euro has fallen sick. translation: ~ , , translation: when we were sleeping, n into our homes _ translation: when we were sleeping, n into our homes -- _ translation: when we were sleeping, n into our homes -- one-year-old. - translation: when we were sleeping, n into our homes -- one-year-old. we | n into our homes —— one—year—old. we were _ n into our homes —— one—year—old. we were left— n into our homes —— one—year—old. we were left with _ n into our homes —— one—year—old. we were left with nothing. _ n into our homes —— one—year—old. we were left with nothing. nearby, - were left with nothing. nearby, there _ were left with nothing. nearby, there was— were left with nothing. nearby, there was highroad. _ were left with nothing. nearby, there was highroad. we - were left with nothing. nearby, there was highroad. we went. were left with nothing. nearby, - there was highroad. we went there with our— there was highroad. we went there with our children, _ there was highroad. we went there with our children, then— there was highroad. we went there with our children, then we - there was highroad. we went there with our children, then we came i with our children, then we came here _ with our children, then we came here. ., . ,, ., with our children, then we came

here. ., . ~' ., . ., with our children, then we came here. ., . ., ., , , here. lack of clean water is causing illness in children. _ here. lack of clean water is causing illness in children. women - here. lack of clean water is causing illness in children. women are - illness in children. women are coming to doctors with signs of depression. tote coming to doctors with signs of depression-— coming to doctors with signs of deression. ~ ., , ., , , depression. we are trying our best to rovide depression. we are trying our best to provide all— depression. we are trying our best to provide all the _ depression. we are trying our best to provide all the medicines - depression. we are trying our best to provide all the medicines and i depression. we are trying our best. to provide all the medicines and the clothes _ to provide all the medicines and the clothes and other things.— to provide all the medicines and the clothes and other things. women and children have — clothes and other things. women and children have been _ clothes and other things. women and children have been affected _ clothes and other things. women and children have been affected the - children have been affected the most. a lot of women here told me they still have not received enough help. but they are fortunate to have access to medical camps. there are thousands of others who are still stuck in far—flung villages of pakistan. pakistan's government says rebuilding lives is a priority. the minister in charge of flood relief spoke to the bbc. what we need is immediate help and assistance, to rebuild the infrastructure, to help these people rebuild their homes, and most importantly help these millions of people rebuild their livelihoods,

whose livestock, cattle, has been lost by the flood, who have lost their grain which they have stored for the whole year to survive. that has been lost, so now the big challenge is how to recreate or re—provide them their livelihood. some have criticised the government for being slow to act. this was the prime minister's response to that earlier. we will certainly learn from our experience, but i think the global community should stand by us today. it is community should stand by us today. it is a _ community should stand by us today. it is a yawning gap between our requirements and what we have received — requirements and what we have received to this point in time. so the prime minister says more international aid is a priority. it's already arriving — this was today. most of it has been approved by global aid groups and from individual countries like the us, uk and turkey. but there's another issue here — getting aid to people who need it is difficult, because infrastructure has been damaged. here's one assessment

from a pakistani politician. eight is not getting to where it should — eight is not getting to where it should do _ eight is not getting to where it should do we _ eight is not getting to where it should go. we have _ eight is not getting to where it should go. we have seen- eight is not getting to where it should go. we have seen in. eight is not getting to where itl should go. we have seen in the eight is not getting to where it- should go. we have seen in the last months. _ should go. we have seen in the last months. we lost _ should go. we have seen in the last months, we lost about _ should go. we have seen in the last months, we lost about three - should go. we have seen in the last months, we lost about three underl months, we lost about three under 20,000 _ months, we lost about three under 20,000 bridges, _ months, we lost about three under 20,000 bridges, 40 _ months, we lost about three under 20,000 bridges, 40 different- months, we lost about three underl 20,000 bridges, 40 different dams have ireen— 20,000 bridges, 40 different dams have been damaged, _ 20,000 bridges, 40 different dams have been damaged, almost- 20,000 bridges, 40 different dams have been damaged, almost 5000 i 20,000 bridges, 40 different dams. have been damaged, almost 5000 km 20,000 bridges, 40 different dams- have been damaged, almost 5000 km of road has _ have been damaged, almost 5000 km of road has been _ have been damaged, almost 5000 km of road has been damaged. _ have been damaged, almost 5000 km of road has been damaged. it's— have been damaged, almost 5000 km of road has been damaged. it's an - have been damaged, almost 5000 km of road has been damaged. it's an plea - road has been damaged. it's an plea mearrs— road has been damaged. it's an plea means it _ road has been damaged. it's an plea means it is _ road has been damaged. it's an plea means it is impossible _ road has been damaged. it's an plea means it is impossible —— _ road has been damaged. it's an plea means it is impossible —— it- road has been damaged. it's an plea means it is impossible —— it simply. means it is impossible —— it simply meahsm — means it is impossible —— it simply meahsm we — means it is impossible —— it simply meahsm we do— means it is impossible —— it simply means... we do have _ means it is impossible —— it simply means... we do have navy, - means it is impossible —— it simply. means... we do have navy, air force and army— means... we do have navy, air force and army helicopters _ means... we do have navy, air force and army helicopters rescuing - means... we do have navy, air force and army helicopters rescuing the - and army helicopters rescuing the people. _ and army helicopters rescuing the peorrie. but— and army helicopters rescuing the people, but they're _ and army helicopters rescuing the people, but they're simply - and army helicopters rescuing the people, but they're simply not. people, but they're simply not enough — people, but they're simply not enough do _ people, but they're simply not enough do shipping _ people, but they're simply not enough do shipping or- people, but they're simply not enough do shipping or literally dropping — enough do shipping or literally dropping the _ enough do shipping or literally dropping the aid _ enough do shipping or literally dropping the aid to _ enough do shipping or literally dropping the aid to the - enough do shipping or literallyl dropping the aid to the people, enough do shipping or literally- dropping the aid to the people, so physical— dropping the aid to the people, so physical barriers— dropping the aid to the people, so physical barriers are _ dropping the aid to the people, so physical barriers are a _ dropping the aid to the people, so physical barriers are a huge - dropping the aid to the people, so physical barriers are a huge issuel physical barriers are a huge issue right— physical barriers are a huge issue right now — let's talk about infrastructure. and why these floods have been so destructive. here's one aid worker's view. we could have solved the problems by

building years ago. starting from ten years ago, if we have started building resilience against these kind of problems, we could have been in a much better position. and of course, climate change looms over all of this. a warming atmosphere makes extreme rainfall more likely. pakistan's climate minister spoke to the bbc — she's clear this is a climate disaster. this has been a climate linked disaster. _ this has been a climate linked disaster, for the simple reason... a cascade _ disaster, for the simple reason... a cascade of— disaster, for the simple reason... a cascade of climate events, the whole year _ cascade of climate events, the whole year 53 _ cascade of climate events, the whole year. 53 degrees — that is unlivable! floods tripling in their intensity. — unlivable! floods tripling in their intensity, coming down the mountains intensity, coming down the mountains in the _ intensity, coming down the mountains in the north, _ intensity, coming down the mountains in the north, the glacial melt, obviously— in the north, the glacial melt, obviously going up, because of the heat wave. — obviously going up, because of the heat wave, so we have heat wave

after _ heat wave, so we have heat wave after heat — heat wave, so we have heat wave after heat wave, ruining our forest covei’, _ after heat wave, ruining our forest cover, fires— after heat wave, ruining our forest cover, fires and now this. we are already— cover, fires and now this. we are already reeling from a climate shock, — already reeling from a climate shock, since literally march, because _ shock, since literally march, because we never had a spring. we 'ust because we never had a spring. we just went _ because we never had a spring. we just went straight from winter into a scorching summer. we've seen those extreme weather events happen throughout this year in pakistan. as the country's former environment minister said... and the head of the un had this message to the world. people living in these hotspots are 15 times— people living in these hotspots are 15 times more _ people living in these hotspots are 15 times more likely _ people living in these hotspots are 15 times more likely deny - people living in these hotspots are 15 times more likely deny from - 15 times more likely deny from climate — 15 times more likely deny from climate events. _ 15 times more likely deny from climate events. as _ 15 times more likely deny from climate events. as we - 15 times more likely deny from | climate events. as we continue 15 times more likely deny from i climate events. as we continue to see more — climate events. as we continue to see more and _ climate events. as we continue to see more and more _ climate events. as we continue to see more and more extreme - climate events. as we continue to . see more and more extreme weather events— see more and more extreme weather events around — see more and more extreme weather events around the _ see more and more extreme weather events around the world, _ see more and more extreme weather events around the world, it _ see more and more extreme weather events around the world, it is... - events around the world, it is... climate — events around the world, it is... climate action— events around the world, it is... climate action is _ events around the world, it is... climate action is being - events around the world, it is... climate action is being put - events around the world, it is... climate action is being put on i events around the world, it is... i climate action is being put on the back burner— climate action is being put on the back burner as _ climate action is being put on the back burner as greenhouse - climate action is being put on the back burner as greenhouse gasesj climate action is being put on the - back burner as greenhouse gases are still rising. _ back burner as greenhouse gases are

still rising, putting _ back burner as greenhouse gases are still rising, putting all— back burner as greenhouse gases are still rising, putting all of _ back burner as greenhouse gases are still rising, putting all of us - still rising, putting all of us everywhere _ still rising, putting all of us everywhere in _ still rising, putting all of us everywhere in growing - still rising, putting all of us . everywhere in growing danger. next on outside source, we are going to turn to iraq. after two days of violent protests in baghdad, shia cleric moqtada al—sadr has called for his supporters to withdraw. these are the protesters leaving. mr sadr condemned the fighting between rival shia groups and iraq's security forces and apologised for the violence. this was outside the greenzone earlier this morning. you can see the gunshots and rocket fire. this area is heavily guarded and has government buildings and foreign embassies. and this was the scene in baghdad overnight — as you can see, more violence. at least 30 people are known to have died in the past 24 hours. these protests broke out on monday when moqtada al—sadr — one of iraq's most influential figures — announced his retirement from politics following months of political deadlock. here he is earlier today.

translation: i had hoped for eaceful translation: i had hoped for peaceful protests, _ translation: i had hoped for peaceful protests, with - translation: i had hoped for peaceful protests, with pure i translation: | had hoped for- peaceful protests, with pure hearts, hearts filled with love for their country, not ones that resort to gunfire. this saddened the revolution, as this revolution now resembles violence and killing. if in the next 16 minutes they do not withdraw, including from the city and in parliament, that even i will leave the movement. let's look at why moqtada al—sadr is so influential. the shia cleric shot to prominence after the 2003 invasion of iraq as a vocal opponent of the foreign occupation. he mobilized his followers into the mahdi army, which us commanders saw as their biggest threat. this militia has been rebranded the peace brigades. he's positioned himself as a nationalist who wants to end us

and iranian influence over iraq's internal affairs. his bloc won the most seats in october's elections but could not agree on the formation of a new government with the second largest bloc, comprised mainly of iran—backed parties. in response, back injune, muqtada al—sadr asked all of his mps to resign — which they did. injuly, mr sadr�*s supporters stormed the parliament building — and they've continued to hold a sit—in inside the green zone in baghdad ever since. this week's fighting took place between mr sadr�*s peace brigades, militias supported by iran and members of the iraqi security forces. here's bbc arabic�*s sajad jiyad. moqtada al—sadr comes from the sadr family, who have a rich history in iraq. his father—in—law was involved in setting up the political establishment that we have. he was executed under the regime. his father was assassinated in 1999

because, again, he was active. he... has participated in every government form since the fall of iraq, and he felt he should've had the right, due to the fact he won a majority of seats in parliament, to form a government without his opponents and rivals. he has been pressured by that and has therefore called his supporters to protest against that. unfortunately, it has turned to violence. that is what he is calling them back now. —— why he has called them back now. —— why he has called them back. to understand what's going on, it's important understand the wider context of the middle east, much of which is divided between the two main branches of islam — sunni and shia. saudi arabia is sunni—led, iran is shia. both seek to expand their sphere of inluence in the region — and the divide drives many of the region's proxy wars — for example, in yemen. iran and saudi arabia are on either side of the conflict there.

in the case of iraq, in 2003, the us invasion toppled saddam hussein's sunni regime. that opened the door for iran to exert its influence in what is now a mainly shia—dominated iraq. on this, here's retired general petraeus, who led us forces in iraq. keepin keep in mind that many of these political leaders are supported in some cases very heavily influenced by iran. recall that of course iran has sought to do in iraq what it did in lebanon. in other words, it is controlled very powerful militias or militia like has -- his —— commensurate power to what they had in beirut in parliament, preventing anything taking place they did not like, and they've like

to have the same in iraq. he liked to have the same in iraq. he liked to control even more. they have had some influence on prime ministers over the years. not the current one that much, nor his predecessor, but that much, nor his predecessor, but thatis that much, nor his predecessor, but that is what they are trying to achieve, and that keeps them at an impasse, because you have others who are truly iraqi nationalists, if you will. and sadr, for all of his machinations, is really more of a nationalist, certainly, then he is iranian influenced, so these are the dynamics that you have. laith kubbah is a former iraqi government adviser. thank you very much for your time. how precarious is the political situation in iraq at the moment? in the short term, it has been contained, but i think this is really short term, because the undercurrent is still there. the undercurrent is still there. the undercurrent is still there. the undercurrent is the political process that was set up 20 years ago

has reached an end or it is stuck. the state that was supposed to gradually build services and build public confidence in it is not doing that. there are less services than before. the wealth of weaponry is being stolen literally by the political elite, and it is for you have more freedom, but you have less state presents, some people feel less secure, less security, and on the other hand, the other thing that was not envisioned back 20 years ago is that iran will expand its influence so much insight iraq that they extend today. there are about 40,000 armed men who receive their salaries from the iraqi government, but they have their loyalty to iran

those two —— to iran. those treated big imbalance. the last election had less than 20% participation. the frustration has blown up in street protests back in 2019 that toppled the prime minister. this is the second large protest, and i think what moqtada al—sadr has done, he made himself a symbol of that protest against the whole political process. that seems to have reached a dead end, and unless some intervention is taken, nothing will change, and i think the country, from that perspective, is at a very precarious position. you from that perspective, is at a very precarious position.— precarious position. you paint a particularly _ precarious position. you paint a particularly bleak _ precarious position. you paint a particularly bleak picture, - precarious position. you paint a particularly bleak picture, and l precarious position. you paint a i particularly bleak picture, and you conclude that moqtada al—sadr for the moment has decided to walk away, but he is a hugely influential moment for the last 20 years. surely he isn't really walking away? surely he isn't really walking away? surely he will try and reshape iraqi politics once more. {lit he will try and reshape iraqi politics once more. of course he is

not walking _ politics once more. of course he is not walking away. _ politics once more. of course he is not walking away. again, - politics once more. of course he is not walking away. again, the - not walking away. again, the undercurrent is, from a shia point of view... from eight shia point of view, the shia in iraq do not approve iran's tendency to politicise shiism and use it as a tool in its foreign policy. there is a growing trend from the faithful to resist that tendency, and on the other hand, moqtada al—sadr knows there is a huge disapprove with the current political process and the public in iraq are seeking to assemble a leader, somebody to help them break thatjam. currently, what them break thatjam. currently, what the political parties are doing are asking for more time, but there is

no time, and they are repeating the same process and not getting any better results.— same process and not getting any better results. there will be people watchin: better results. there will be people watching us — better results. there will be people watching us in _ better results. there will be people watching us in countries _ better results. there will be people watching us in countries which - better results. there will be people j watching us in countries which were involved in that invasion of iraq almost 20 years ago, presumably there is no appetite within iraq for there is no appetite within iraq for the west or for the international community to become more involved in its democracy and how its institutions are billed? mar; its democracy and how its institutions are billed? may be, but i think the problem _ institutions are billed? may be, but i think the problem in _ institutions are billed? may be, but i think the problem in iraq, - institutions are billed? may be, but i think the problem in iraq, it - institutions are billed? may be, but i think the problem in iraq, it is - i think the problem in iraq, it is such a small country. i think what people watch what happened in afghanistan, what happened in ukraine with russia, and unless something is done in iraq, there could be trouble. the us can do other bit more, but i also believe, currently, there are negotiations between iran and the us about the nuclear deal, and with europe, and certainly this issue, so far, has not surfaced, but i think once a nuclear deal is signed, iran's

position will be different in the region. the international commentato us and europe cannot simply turn their back away, because if iraq breaks down, the system breaks down, it will affect stability in the region —— the international community and the us. international pressure can help put iraq back on the right track, certainly, and change and mend his political process. change and mend his political rocess. . , ., ., , , process. laith kubbah, that has been so helful. process. laith kubbah, that has been so helpful. thank _ process. laith kubbah, that has been so helpful. thank you _ process. laith kubbah, that has been so helpful. thank you for _ process. laith kubbah, that has been so helpful. thank you for sparing - so helpful. thank you for sparing the time. that is laith kubbah, former iraq government adviser. we started with the situation in pakistan, we turned to the situation in iraq too. now we go to australia. a man hasjust been convicted in a 40—year—old

murder case that inspired a true crime podcast. former teacher chris dawson was found guilty of murdering his wife lynette, who vanished from the family home on sydney's northern beaches in 1982. her body has never been found and her husband has always maintained his innocence. dawson was charged in 2018 after the true crime podcast called the teacher's pet attracted global attention, it racked up 30 million downloads. the judge heard the trial without a jury, deciding there was enough evidence — though all circumstantial— to convict him. here's thejudge handing down his verdict at a sydney court. christopher michael dawson, on the charge that on or about 8january 1982, at bayview, or elsewhere in the state of new south wales, you did murder lynette dawson, ifind you guilty. you may sit down. our correspondent phil mercer has more. for 40 years, chris dawson evaded justice, but today, here at the new south wales supreme court in sydney, he was found guilty of murdering

his wife lynette in 1982. thejudge, justice ian harrison, said although wholly circumstantial, the case against him was compelling and persuasive. chris dawson had always denied murder. a critical part of this case was the teacher's pet podcast. it first came out in 2018 and gave fresh impetus to a police investigation that, up until that point, had really stalled. later that year, chris dawson was arrested and charged. of course, for lynette dawson's family, today's guilty verdict will bring them some relief. but of course many questions remain unanswered. how and where was she killed? and where is her body? let's talk about an interview that plenty have been discussing in the last 24 hours.

the duchess of sussex has told an american magazine that she upset the dynamic of the hierarchy of the royal family just by existing. our royal correspondent nicholas witchell reports. it's the latest expression of the truth according to meghan — a 6,000 word article, based on an interview she's done with an american magazine called the cut in which she reflects on her departure from the british royal family. looking back to the few months she spent with the windsors as a working royal, she says of her and prince harry, "just by existing, we were upsetting the dynamic of the hierarchy." she doesn't explain what she meant. there was an ambiguous reference to family relationships. she told the interviewer, "harry said to me i lost my dad in this process." according to sources, meghan was there referring to her broken relationship with her own father, rather than to harry's relationship with prince charles. and then to forgiveness.

did she have room for forgiveness between her, the royal family and her own family? "it takes a lot of effort to forgive," meghan said. "i've really made active effort, especially knowing that i can say anything." so, how will this latest intervention go down? there is a huge amount of respect, particularly in america, for the queen. so, actually, there's an argument that this could backfire. america is a conservative country, it has a lot of respect for the monarchy and a lot of respect for the notion of family. so, this idea of constantly firing salvos at your in—laws doesn't prove universally popular. meghan's many fans will doubtless applaud her candour. others may hope for a period of dignified silence. nicholas witchell, bbc news. and i will see you in a couple of minutes' time. hello. a change in meteorological season and potentially a change in weather type on the way later this week.

we could see more rain more widely across the country this weekend. but before we get there, as you were, most places dry, a little bit breezy across southern areas. but as that breeze eases down, temperatures should start to rise a little, especially with more sunshine across scotland and northern ireland compared with the past few days. the cloud here continues to break through tonight, in fact, and a chilly night for some across parts of northern scotland, around the borders of northern england. we could see temperatures dip down to 4 or 5 degrees. head further south — with the breeze blowing, temperatures sitting in the low teens. biggest change, really, for tomorrow will be across parts of northern england, particularly across parts of yorkshire initially and in the northeast. we've also got high pressure in charge, keeping most things dry, windiest in the south. we're going to have a zone of cloud drift in across northern england. it may just affect the north midlands, north wales, but with it comes a greater chance

of one or two showers. many, though, will still stay dry in these regions. and away from that, any showers very new and far between. most will have a dry day. best of the sunshine in the morning, bit more cloud into the afternoon, but overall, sunny spells for many. and with more sunshine in scotland and northern ireland, it will feel warmer than today — as you were across the south, 24 or 25 the high. now, winds will start to ease down a little bit as we go through into thursday. a bit of morning cloud across england and wales. that will break up, and then some sunny spells to take most of you through into the afternoon. most places staying dry, temperatures rising a little bit, with winds that bit lighter, more widely in the mid to low 20s. but the first signs of change come in on friday. we'll see outbreaks of rain slide down into ireland, an area of low pressure combining forces with one in france to create a larger area of low pressure for the weekend. this will affect mainly southern and western areas but more especially the west. friday's that transition day. a few showers, maybe the odd rumble of thunder breaking out. outbreaks of rain western scotland and later into northern ireland, but many places staying dry at this

stage and still pleasantly warm in the sunshine. breeze picking up, though, across the far northeast of scotland, and the wind will pick up across many northern areas as we go into saturday — winds gusting 40, maybe 45 mph. outbreaks of rain here and there, some of which will be heavy and thundery, but notice there are still gaps around. some places won't see much, if any, rainfall, particularly to the north and east of scotland, where, as i said, it will be quite windy. and more of those downpours to come across the uk, especially for england and wales on sunday.

hello, i'm ros atkins,

this is outside source. pakistan's prime minister says floods there are the worst in the country's history. the un has launched an emergency appeal. the pakistani people are facing a monsoon on steroids, the relentless impact of epic levels of rain and flooding. fighting intensifies around the ukrainian city of kherson — as kyiv steps up its counter offensive to recapture the southern city from russian forces. here in the uk there's a warning that without government support the energy crisis could see the closure of pubs across the country. and in tennis all eyes are on serena williams at the us open. she's set to retire after the tournament and won herfirst match in new york. let's turn to ukraine. there are several strands to the story today. the first is a counter—offensive

launched by ukraine against russian troops in kherson, in the south of the country. the city and the region surrounding it has been occupied by russia since the beginning of march. on monday ukraine launched an operation to try and take it back. this is footage from kherson which was posted on twitter this morning. it has been verified by the bbc. listen to the sound. so that's the sound of gunshots close to kherson. it's difficult for us to know exactly what's happening. ukraine says it's broken through the first line of russia's defence in several places. russia says the operation has been a failure. this was the message from ukraine's president in his nightly address on monday. translation: if the russian military | wants to survive now is the time for| russian soldiers to flee to go home. if the occupiers are afraid to

return home to russia then let them surrender we guarantee them compliance with all geneva convention norms. if they do not listen to me then they will deal with our defenders. let's get more from kyiv. our correspondent hugo bachega is there. it's incredibly hard to verify the it's incredibly hard to verify the claims being made by the ukrainian army. the ukrainian military said that russian and diminishing depots, infrastructure had been hit, also bridges used by the russians to resupply troops based on the western side of the river. for weeks the ukrainians have been targeting russian infrastructure, positions away from the front lines deep inside russian control territory. this has only been possible because of the sophisticated weapons being provided by western countries. but for a very long time we've been talking about the possibility of the ukrainians going ahead with a massive counteroffensive to retake

kherson. but they are paying questions about the ukrainians capacity to go ahead with such in operation, in terms of manpower, in terms of weapons. but we could be seeing the beginning of this operation. kherson has been under russian occupation since the very beginning of the war. it is one of the largest ukrainian cities in russian hands. it is incredibly significant for both russia and ukraine. let's look more closely at what russia is saying about this counter—offensive. francis scarr watches russian media for bbc monitoring. good to have you back on. how is the situation in kherson being reported in russian media? 1ng situation in kherson being reported in russian media?— in russian media? as you said, the russians are _ in russian media? as you said, the russians are saying _ in russian media? as you said, the russians are saying it's _ in russian media? as you said, the russians are saying it's been - in russian media? as you said, the russians are saying it's been a - russians are saying it's been a complete failure. they described this as an ill—conceived operation which is already come to an end. and state tv has been particularly bullish on the subject. one permanent tv per centre declared the

beginning of a show that this had failed instantly and turned into a bloodied meat grinder for the ukrainian armed forces. she then went on to real off the alleged losses to personnel and equipment, which the russian defence ministry claims ukraine has suffered. on another show on state tv the present to even claim that ukrainians were circulating fake videos on social media to create the impression that russian soldiers were disorganised and fleeing the front in fear. d0 and fleeing the front in fear. do they ever in these broadcasts acknowledge setbacks? well, they very occasionally _ acknowledge setbacks? well, they very occasionally do. _ acknowledge setbacks? well, they very occasionally do. the - acknowledge setbacks? well, they very occasionally do. the talk - acknowledge setbacks? well, they very occasionally do. the talk is i very occasionally do. the talk is often bombastic. some military pendants might say from the front line or military correspondence that there is a stalemate as some have been sitting in the donbas recently that yes, ukrainians aren't advancing but either way. overall the tone is really quite bullish.

they've been seeking to explain this by saying it some kind of pr war launched by ukraine in a desperate attempt to reignite interest in the west, which they say is faltering towards ukraine. one prominent defence analyst said today on state tv that he linked specifically to in upcoming meeting on the 8th of september, which is when prominent defence officials including the us defence secretary will meet at the mmp defence secretary will meet at the ramp sign airbase in germany and possibly discuss more military aid for ukraine. i’m possibly discuss more military aid for ukraine-— possibly discuss more military aid forukraine. �* . ., , ., ,, ., for ukraine. i'm curious to know the extent of coverage _ for ukraine. i'm curious to know the extent of coverage on _ for ukraine. i'm curious to know the extent of coverage on russian - for ukraine. i'm curious to know the i extent of coverage on russian media. is this still the dominant story or are they looking at elsewhere, given that russia has not achieved all of the goals it set out to achieve in february? the goals it set out to achieve in februa ? ~ . the goals it set out to achieve in february?— the goals it set out to achieve in februa ? ~ ., ., , ., february? what i would say is that the are february? what i would say is that they are still _ february? what i would say is that they are still very _ february? what i would say is that they are still very much _ february? what i would say is that they are still very much focusing i february? what i would say is that| they are still very much focusing on this as a confrontation between russia and the west foot of a broad confrontation almost on a civilisational level. rather than focusing exclusively on the front

line situation, which is what they were doing in the first months of the invasion, they are now starting to talk about the energy problems in europe. today they were talking about shortages of toilet paper in germany and how people in europe had been suffering. really about telling the russian domestic audience watching this programme that yes, they may be suffering as sanctions begin to bite but so are people in developed countries in europe. thank ou ve developed countries in europe. thank you very much _ developed countries in europe. thank you very much as _ developed countries in europe. thank you very much as always. _ next let's talk about the zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern ukraine. it's occupied by russia but being run by ukrainian staff. both sides blame the other for damage to the complex caused by shelling. a team of international inspectors from the un's nuclear watchdog is on its way there. here they are meeting president zelensky in kyiv today. the international atomic energy

agency posted this photo on twitter of the group preparing to travel to the power plant. the agency says they'll "ensure nuclear safety and security" and "undertake vital safeguard activities". we've already heard from hugo bachega in kyiv. he also spoke to ukraine's energy minister about setting up a permanent mission to the power plant. well, we hope that it would at least somehow influence the russians not to shell the station. and probably, and that could also reach some final conclusion widely discussed in the world by all countries. to press russia to leave. they've repeatedly rejected the wife do you think they're going to change their view,

their position up to now? i'm not sure that the russian during this message during this message should take weapon and leave station. also very important which should be leave the station is that our stuff operating under russia should see that there are some sources of communication for them especially international was very worried about them because they are physically and morally exhausted. that is also very important that they should see there are some people you could communicate with notably russian soldiers. ——not only again, you believe that as a result of this visit of permanent mission could be created to monitor what's happening there? i think that is the issue which should be discussed. do you think that if this visit goes ahead this could mark a turning point perhaps of de—escalation and the tensions there? well...

i'm not sure about this. it would be descalation. the most important it should underline the importance of nuclear security. and the russians should understand that they cannot play with this any games. the last update linked to ukraine is that its first shipment of grain to africa — since russia's invasion has arrived in djibouti. this is the ship, the mv brave commander, when it was loaded in odesa earlier this month. it's carrying 23 thousand tonnes of ukrainian wheat. it has now docked in djibouti, but its final destination is ethiopia. the war in ukraine and the cut in grain supplies has led to food shortages and rises in food prices there. before the war, 27% of ethiopia's

grain was imported from ukraine. and losing that supply is compounded by drought in east africa. our africa correspondent catherine byaruhanga reports. coming from war—torn southern ukraine, the cargo on this ship is destined to help people facing their own humanitarian crises. the mv brave commander took two weeks to get to this red sea port in djibouti. it's loaded with much needed wheat, which will feed 1.5 million people in ethiopia for a month. we will, over the course of the next couple of days, discharge this vessel, load it onto trucks and move it up into ethiopia. from there, we will be supporting northern ethiopia, the refugees, and then of course those affected by the drought. this shipment comes in as a lifeline for over a million people who don't have food in ethiopia right now. but this isn't enough.

this region is facing its worst drought for 40 years, and the un hopes that the private sector will take inspiration from this shipment and bring in more grain. across east africa, it's getting harderfor over 20 million people to find food after nearly two years of drought. a famine might be declared in parts of somalia. back in ethiopia, over 2 million livestock have died since the start of the year. even camels are dying. this man is trying to save his last one. translation: i'm a pasturalist. in fact, i was one of the successful pasturalists. i had 15 camels. 14 of them died one by one. and i'm only left with this one. this one is also very sick, as you can see. i don't know whether he will die or survive.

this first shipment of grain from ukraine is a symbolic step and offers some relief, but it's not clear yet if any other ships will follow its lead. catherine byaruhanga, bbc news, djibouti. here in the uk, six of the largest pub and brewing companies are warning that rising energy prices could force a wave of closures in the coming months. unlike households, businesses aren't covered by an energy price cap, and the fear is that their costs could rise by as much as 300%. our correspondent, danny savage reports from skipton. in the centre of skipton, there are more than 20 pubs and bars. this is one of the oldest. their plans for the winter are extraordinary. they include specially insulated boards to put up after dark to keep the draught out,

and a much bigger reliance on wood and coal rather than radiators. tom runs this and another pub. both have rising energy gusts. i don't believe we can pass any of it on any more. we've got to a stage that the customers themselves have got the same problem. and if we keep increasing the cost of beer and food, the customers won't come out any more. they can't afford it. at the other pub tom and jo own, energy prices have tripled. if that was reflected in the price of a pint, this would now be £14.85. do we stay open every day? do we close? jo is tom's mum and business partner. we'lljust have to hope the bills get better. that's all you can do is just hope that it gets better? yeah, it gets better, or we get some help, if the government help us and that's what brewery owners and pub companies say must now happen, or many pubs will go out of business.

we think there needs to be a small business energy price cap. consumers are benefiting from that cap, even though prices have increased, but unfortunately business is completely exposed to a market that's broken. and it's notjust pubs. other businesses are worried about rising energy bills as well. this sportswear shop is in an old mill, and a newly negotiated energy contract has just gone the opposite way to the ticket prices, by 50%. if people want to try clothes on, we can't have customers freezing, so we have to leave it on. also, we can't have both doors closed all the time because then it looks like the shop's closed, so we have to have at least one door open to show customers that we are open. and that is the nub of the issue for so many businesses. there's only so far you can go with turning lights off to when you look closed. people will stop coming in. in financially squeezed communities across britain, the pips are squeaking. help is coming, but stand by for difficult times. what the government is also

going to do is provide a further package of support to help people with the cost of energy. what we've got to do is get through the tough months ahead. i'm not going to, you know, shrink from this — it is going to be, it is going to be tough in, er, the months to come. many people here will be watching westminster next week for help, looking for anything to raise a glass to. danny savage, bbc news, skipton. stay with us on outside source — still to come... it's exactly a year since the last american troops left afghanistan. we've got an exclusive interview with the us general who oversaw the withdrawal from kabul. there's growing evidence that even a flagship programme like borisjohnson's commitment to level up,

as he puts it, could become a casualty of inflation. some councils are having to find money themselves to fund any shortfalls. alex forsyth reports. beeston's had a bit of a lift. with many high streets struggling, the council here has invested in a cinema, a social cafe and new business space. some projects of government monday but with inflation soaring cost for material and labour are shooting up putting pressure on stretched budgets even here the next phase of this game could cost tens of thousands more than planned. so, we are in a very strong position when it comes to financial resilience, but other communities and other councils, particularly in poorer areas, do not have that financial resilience, and they will find it pa rt part of what the government calls leveling up is about with a high streets transport links public facilities. the governments put millions into it with more to come. but if these projects don't come off it makes it hard for the next prime

minister to say they've delivered on promises. and it's notjust informal labour seems like this where it's a potential problem. in norfork this leisure centre is in line for a major upgrade but because of already risen by a third before a speed is in the ground. council leaders are determined to make it happen but says inflation is forcing councils around the country to rethink projects. around the country to rethink ro'ects. , ., ., projects. sadly, some of those who are havin: projects. sadly, some of those who are having to _ projects. sadly, some of those who are having to close _ projects. sadly, some of those who are having to close permanently i projects. sadly, some of those who l are having to close permanently what could be an indefinite period. for others to tough decision about what they set out to achieve and what they set out to achieve and what they can now realistically achieved. the government says £1.7 billion of investment has already been allocated for regeneration of growth. and it's working with all levels of government to deliver improvements. there is no escaping the impact of inflation, which has the country firmly in its grip. alex forsyth, bbc news. this is outside source live

from the bbc newsroom. our lead story is... pakistan's prime minister says floods which have killed more than thousand people are the worst in the country's history. let's turn to afghanistan. the last us troops left afghanistan one year ago today, ending 20 years of military involvement. the final troops to leave were part of the effort to evacuate over 120,000 americans and afghan allies out of the country before the mission ended. general frank mckenzie oversaw the withdrawal from kabul. he's been speaking to my colleague yalda hakin. when you think back to the us withdrawal and what happened just before, when the fall of kabul took place on the 15th of august, what comes to mind? i don't think the fall of kabul was inevitable. we made a series of decisions that brought us to that point, the most significant of which was to actually go to zero, effectively, in afghanistan. and that was actually the fundamental decision that

brought us to that point in august. would you say it was a massive intelligence failure? no, i wouldn't. i think we had predicted all along that if we withdrew all our forces from afghanistan and nato left with us, that the fall of the government of afghanistan was inevitable, that that would happen. if there was a failure, it was only a failure when that would occur. but we've been very clear that we saw that as an inevitable outcome of withdrawing our support, not only our forces on the ground, but also the ministerial support, if you will, the logistic support that helped the afghan supply chain work and provide their forces in the field with equipment to maintain their aeroplanes. we cut that off and reduced it to an over—the—horizon support relationship. and that led to what happened in august. would you say, then, that the united states is less safe now for leaving afghanistan? i believe that we were in afghanistan to prevent the development of violent extremist

organisations that would flourish there, particularly al-qaeda and isis. and i believe we have less capability now than we did before to monitor and suppress the development of those activities. so in that sense, yes, i believe we are less safe now than we were before. and what was your reaction then when the leader of al-anda, zawahiri, was found in downtown kabul? well, i was pleased, i was pleased that we got him. we've been looking for him for a long time. we've been out of afghanistan a year. that was one strike in a year. i've said publicly and in testimony that counterterrorism operations from over the horizon in afghanistan would be very hard, but not impossible. i'd say a strike in a year probably meets the criteria of very hard, but not impossible. there are a lot of other targets there and a lot of other organisations that aspire to do us ill. and we're going to have to continue to apply pressure, and that's going to be very difficult. that was yalda hakim speaking

to general frank mckenzie. now to the us open and this could be serena williams�* final tournament before the tennis champ retires from competition. she taught using the term retirement but that looks like what will happen when this tournament is done. fans packed in to arthur ashe stadium yesterday to watch the 23 time grand slam singles champion beat montenegro's danka kovinic in straight sets. you may remember williams caused a stir recently when she announced plans to retire from tennis. but now she's keeping everyone guessing about when exactly that might be. the 40—year—old told reporters she would keep her retirement plans �*vague' for now, saying...

let's take a look at serena williams�* achievements over her career, which has spanned more than two decades. she was just 17 when she won the us open in 1999. she holds 23 grand slam titles, that's only one less than the female world record. fourteen womens doubles, two mixed doubles slams and four olympic gold medals. steph myles is a tennis journalist whojoins us from flushing meadows. steph, you attended serena's opening round victory yesterday — what was the atmosphere like? it was pretty electric which is often the case for the us open anyway. but then when you add the headliner and the fact that it was thousands more outside watching on the big screens, it was really basically shaking. thank goodness she won because they had a 15 to 20 minute ceremony planned for her after the match. only after the

match they'll know for sure should be there and they have the planet. if she had lost it would of been a little bit —— i think. luckily it was a happy occasion for her and in an emotional want for her. it’s an emotional want for her. it's funny saying — an emotional want for her. it's funny saying that as having listed all of her achievements but she hasn't always been on the receiving end of this kind of unqualified adoration. end of this kind of unqualified adoration-— end of this kind of unqualified adoration. . �* , .. , adoration. that's exactly right. certainly she — adoration. that's exactly right. certainly she is _ adoration. that's exactly right. certainly she is not _ adoration. that's exactly right. certainly she is not the - adoration. that's exactly right. certainly she is not the first i certainly she is not the first tennis superstar to have that happen. martin unnatural over through most of her career —— watching a natural logo. miss perfect christine everett and it was only really through she got the respect she was them for the vince arenas case it's been a similar thing. obviously, many other issues of race and all of this wrapped into it. so maybe part of wanting to announce it and wanting to be

celebrated for here was maybe to close the book on that in the way it should have been all along, really. just in the last minute. i should ask you about her fall because she still a professional tennis player fighting out. does she look like a woman that could go to the sharp end of the tournament? h0. woman that could go to the sharp end of the tournament?— of the tournament? no. partly because she — of the tournament? no. partly because she hasn't _ of the tournament? no. partly because she hasn't played - of the tournament? no. partly because she hasn't played for| of the tournament? no. partly - because she hasn't played for eight year until she come back in trade fiercely of the last two weeks with “p fiercely of the last two weeks with up also she's about to turn 41. she is not in great shape. i suspect two things will happen, either the body will betray her or her nurse will betray her. i would give a 50—50 chance either one of those things happening. —— nerves. maybe she can make a run so who knows where we might see her in the second week somewhere. taste might see her in the second week somewhere-— somewhere. we will see. she will be celebrated anyway. _ somewhere. we will see. she will be celebrated anyway. great _ somewhere. we will see. she will be celebrated anyway. great to - somewhere. we will see. she will be celebrated anyway. great to have i somewhere. we will see. she will be | celebrated anyway. great to have you on the programme. remember you can get all of the action from flushing meadows on the bbc website. bye—bye.

hello. a change in meteorological season and potentially a change in weather type on the way later this week. we could see more rain more widely across the country this weekend. but before we get there, as you were, most places dry, a little bit breezy across southern areas. but as that breeze eases down, temperatures should start to rise a little, especially with more sunshine across scotland and northern ireland compared with the past few days. the cloud here continues to break through tonight, in fact, amd a chilly night for some across parts of northern scotland, around the borders of northern england. we could see temperatures dip down to 4 or 5 degrees. head further south — with the breeze blowing, temperatures sitting in the low teens. biggest change, really, for tomorrow will be across parts of northern england, particularly across parts of yorkshire initially and in the northeast. we've also got high pressure in charge, keeping most things dry, windiest in the south.

we're going to have a zone of cloud drift in across northern england. it may just affect the north midlands, north wales, but with it comes a greater chance of one or two showers. many, though, will still stay dry in these regions. and away from that, any showers very new and far between. most will have a dry day. best of the sunshine in the morning, bit more cloud into the afternoon, but overall, sunny spells for many. and with more sunshine in scotland and northern ireland, it will feel warmer than today — as you were across the south, 24 or 25 the high. now, winds will start to ease down a little bit as we go through into thursday. a bit of morning cloud across england and wales. that will break up, and then some sunny spells to take most of you through into the afternoon. most places staying dry, temperatures rising a little bit, with winds that bit lighter, more widely in the mid to low 20s. but the first signs of change come in on friday. we'll see outbreaks of rain slide down into ireland, an area of low pressure combining forces with one in france to create a larger area of low pressure for the weekend. this will affect mainly southern and western areas but more especially the west. friday's that transition day. a few showers, maybe the odd rumble of thunder breaking out.

outbreaks of rain west of scotland and later into northern ireland, but many places staying dry at this stage and still pleasantly warm in the sunshine. breeze picking up, though, across the far northeast of scotland, and the wind will pick up across many northern areas as we go into saturday — winds gusting 40, maybe 45 mph. outbreaks of rain here and there, some of which will be heavy and thundery, but notice there are still gaps around. some places won't see much, if any, rainfall, particularly to the north and east of scotland, where, as i said, it will be quite windy. and more of those downpours to come across the uk, especially for england and wales on sunday.

this is bbc news. i'm ben brown. the headlines at 8pm. the worst floods in pakistan's history the un launches an emergency appeal its chief says the region is a climate crisis hotspot. pakistan is responsible for one a tiny proportion of global emissions, but its people here who are paying the price for climate change. hospitality bosses warn of mass pub and brewery closures across the uk within months unless there's government support to cope with the energy crisis. an inquest into the death of nine year old olivia pratt korbel hears how police officers tried to save her life. two 16—year—old boys die after getting into difficulty, in a lough in county londonderry.