live from london. this is bbc news. dozens of towns and villages are flooded in ukraine after a major dam is breached. water levels are still rising. before, here was a passage. you could see the trees, the level of the trees. and here are the steps which are coming into the river. upstream, water levels have dropped sharply in the river that cools europe's largest nuclear power plant. the un says there's "no immediate risk to the safety". prince harry takes the witness stand in london's high court: the first senior royal in more than a century to do so. he is cross examined over his claims thatjournalists hacked his phone and voice mail messages. i'm nancy kacungira, live from outside the court — we'll bring you all the details in this trial.

hello, i'm ben thompson. welcome to bbc news now, three hours of live news, interviews and reaction. we start in ukraine — where the interior minister is quoted as saying 2a towns and villages have been flooded after a major dam was destroyed in the south of the country. ukraine blames russia for targeting the dam whereas russia says it is not responsible. this video, tweeted by ukraine's president zelensky, shows the breached kakhovka hydroelectric dam. mr zelensky says it "confirms for the whole world that the russians must be expelled from every corner of ukrainian land." but the two sides are blaming each other for its destruction. kyiv has accused russia of blowing up the dam to slow ukraine's offensive — by making it harder to cross the dnipro river. regardless of who or what caused the explosion — it has potentially deadly consequences for towns and villages in the path of the water.

bbc verify is working to establish the timeline of events and there was already some damage to the dam, before today's developments. we can see in these satellite images — shared by the space technology within the past hour or so the operator of the dam says the power station has been completely destroyed. these areas are from images downstream. these show the extent and damage of the flood. the water level could rise by more than 12 metres. meanwhile, people are being evacuated by the nearby city of her son where water levels have been rising steadily since the dam was breached. zelensky immediately convened the national security and defence council of ukraine. ukrainian law enforcement and emergency services are working hard to mitigate the consequences and save lives.

ukraine calls an emergency meeting of the united nations security council and brings the issue of the russian terrorist act to the international atomic energy agency's board of governors. we will also cooperate with the eu civil protection mechanism and other international mechanisms to mitigate consequences and bring russia to account. in light of developments on the battlefield, russia's deliberate and long—planned terrorist act turned the man—made flood into a weapon. live now to bbc�*s ukraine's viktoriia zhuhan, live in kyiv: there is claim and counterclaim here. ukraine blames russia, the kremlin blames kyiv. albion closer to knowing what happened to this dam? �* , ., to knowing what happened to this dam? �*, ., ., ., ., dam? let's go back to our team investigating —

dam? let's go back to our team investigating for _ dam? let's go back to our team investigating for many - dam? let's go back to our team investigating for many months. | dam? let's go back to our team - investigating for many months. since the russian army went to control this dam on the thursday of russian full—scale invasion. we know the dam is built family, the information from ukrainian engineers who had been working there, and we understand that in the full, there was a rocket strike or artillery strike into this area of the dam. what resulted was a fraction of it being damaged. media have been sharing old satellite images where you see some sort of treat stream going through the water that is what's a rocket could do. people are asking if ukrainian... to blow up something like that, one would need dozens of tonnes of explosives. there are not too many presidents to

compare but one time when soviets were retreating from germany nazi army, going to the territories, the soviets blew up another dam upstream. a huge dam. it was built before kakhovka dam. the soviets used 20 tonnes of explosives then. so compare how much explosives one would need to blow up something like that. so this is as close to analysis of as we can get is because ukrainian authorities and ukrainian media haven't had access to the dam for over a year now. the media haven't had access to the dam for over a year now.— for over a year now. the dam, we're lookin: at for over a year now. the dam, we're looking at at — for over a year now. the dam, we're looking at at the _ for over a year now. the dam, we're looking at at the images _ for over a year now. the dam, we're looking at at the images of- for over a year now. the dam, we're looking at at the images of the - looking at at the images of the discrete destruction right now. quite clearly there are two very important implications of where that water goes. downstream, we know that thousands of people are now having

to evacuate their homes and towns and villages. upstream, there is concern for the nuclear plant which relies on water from the reservoir to call its facilities. talk to me about the evacuation, how new people are likely to be affected and where will they go? for are likely to be affected and where will they go?— will they go? for today, we understand _ will they go? for today, we understand for _ will they go? for today, we understand for ukrainian i will they go? for today, we - understand for ukrainian authorities that are bound 16 thousand residents are in immediate critical danger. we should understand that there are ukrainian citizens on the other bank of the river which is more shallow which means more water could go there. but the russian army has been occupying those territories and ukraine has no access there. we do not know what is going to happen to those people. we understand that the flooding is much worse there. to ukraine controlled western side of kherson region, here in kyiv, we are

waiting for the first trains to arrive, the evacuation trends. we know that such trains would go through several regions. we also informed that there would be evacuation buses. but i haven't seen information as to where exactly these people would go for tonight or tomorrow or what is going to happen tomorrow or what is going to happen to them. this part of ukraine, the west of ukraine have accepted thousands of refugees now and have been accepting them for every month of the ongoing conflict. it’s been accepting them for every month of the ongoing conflict.— of the ongoing conflict. it's really aood to of the ongoing conflict. it's really good to have _ of the ongoing conflict. it's really good to have you _ of the ongoing conflict. it's really good to have you with _ of the ongoing conflict. it's really good to have you with us. - of the ongoing conflict. it's really good to have you with us. as - good to have you with us. as victoria was telling us, there are concerns for the people who are being forced out of their homes. she was able to put a figure on it. 16,000 people on the banks of the river could now be forced to leave. we are getting a line from ukraine's

interior ministry which is accusing russia of selling parts of that region. they say that is happening while people are being evacuated after the dam collapsed. there is a suggestion that while 1000 people are being evacuated from settlements along the river, russian shelling is continuing. a very harrowing situation opening up as a result of not only the flooding but the accusations of russia shelling those who are trying to get to safety. what exactly is going on further down the river? we are talking about what is happening at the dam itself as it makes its way further south. earlier we spoke to a ukrainian mp who is in the flooded area at kherson. he has been scrubbing exactly what impact it could have on people there. in exactly what impact it could have on people there-— people there. in this direction is the dam of— people there. in this direction is the dam of the _ people there. in this direction is the dam of the hydro _ people there. in this direction is the dam of the hydro electric i the dam of the hydro electric station _ the dam of the hydro electric station. this is the black sea in

this direction and here is the river~ — this direction and here is the river~ the _ this direction and here is the river. the river is coming up because _ river. the river is coming up because of— river. the river is coming up because of all this huge amount of water— because of all this huge amount of water which was stopped by the dam which _ water which was stopped by the dam which is _ water which was stopped by the dam which is now moving to the sea. by the way, _ which is now moving to the sea. by the way, there is a smell of oil, machine — the way, there is a smell of oil, machine oil. _ the way, there is a smell of oil, machine oil, engine oil. more than 150 tonnes— machine oil, engine oil. more than 150 tonnes of engine oil is now in the water, — 150 tonnes of engine oil is now in the water, engine oil from the dam. there _ the water, engine oil from the dam. there may— the water, engine oil from the dam. there may be more coming because there _ there may be more coming because there is— there may be more coming because there is more than 300 tonnes. this is a huge _ there is more than 300 tonnes. this is a huge ecological catastrophe. adding _ is a huge ecological catastrophe. adding that to the consequences, it will last— adding that to the consequences, it will last for decades after what has happened. that is again according to geneva _ happened. that is again according to geneva convention, such attacks on hydroelectric stations is equal to using _ hydroelectric stations is equal to using weapons of mass destruction. that is— using weapons of mass destruction. that is from — using weapons of mass destruction. that is from kherson. as we said,

ukraine is blaming russia. so what does moscow say? 0ur russian editor has told us. it is does moscow say? our russian editor has told us. , 'j~:: does moscow say? our russian editor has told us. , 'j~:: , has told us. it is 180 degrees different- _ has told us. it is 180 degrees different. we _ has told us. it is 180 degrees different. we have _ has told us. it is 180 degrees different. we have heard - has told us. it is 180 degrees| different. we have heard that ukraine is brimming russia and accusing ukraine. for example, state television here in russia was describing what had happened as a ukrainian terrorist attack. a short while ago, we got a reaction from the president putin's spokesman said he strongly rejected the accusation that russia had blown up the dam. he described what had happened as a deliberate act of sabotage by the ukrainian side. he claims it was designed to deprive crimea of a water supply, designed to deprive crimea of a watersupply, in designed to deprive crimea of a water supply, in the ukrainian peninsula which russia annexed in 2014. he also suggests that this alleged sabotage was designed to distract attention from what was described as a faltering ukrainian

counteroffensive. it’s described as a faltering ukrainian counteroffensive.— counteroffensive. it's about lo . istics counteroffensive. it's about logistics perhaps _ counteroffensive. it's about logistics perhaps here, - counteroffensive. it's aboutj logistics perhaps here, too. counteroffensive. it's about - logistics perhaps here, too. we know that counteroffensive, ukraine will never confirm or deny that it has begun but it seems there has been more fighting in key areas. that part of ukraine are so vital given its strategic location along the east of the country. it could be about that being a key crossing point either to separate troops or facilitate their movement. it could be, there facilitate their movement. it could be. there is _ facilitate their movement. it could be. there is a _ facilitate their movement. it could be, there is a lot _ facilitate their movement. it could be, there is a lot of _ facilitate their movement. it could be, there is a lot of speculation i be, there is a lot of speculation about that. it is still unclear and russian officials are insisting that it wasn't them, they didn't do it. they are pointing the finger back. pointing the finger back is something that russia often does. usually does whenever this country is accused of anything, particularly by countries by which it is in conflict with. whether we're talking the doping in sports or the war in ukraine so on.—

ukraine so on. that is our editor from moscow. _ ukraine so on. that is our editor from moscow. this _ ukraine so on. that is our editor from moscow. this is _ ukraine so on. that is our editor from moscow. this is a - ukraine so on. that is our editor- from moscow. this is a fast-moving from moscow. this is a fast—moving story and we will keep you up to date with any developments as we get them here on bbc news. i want to show you the live page on the bbc website where you can see the latest images coming into the bbc, detailing the impact of that flooding further downstream. you can get a sense there of how damaging this could be and the humanitarian crisis that is likely to unfold as a result. 0ur correspondents telling us 16,000 people could be forced to evacuate. the article there you can see just gives you details about the other dams which are along the river and how important those dams are for electricity generation. of course the latest one we showed you is the destruction of that dam causing so many problems right now. you get a sense of how important those dams are in the electricity or provides for the whole country. we know in amongst that is the nuclear plant which now has big question marks

over its calling facilities given that water levels are rising in that area. —— falling. the website will be updated. you are watching bbc news. children's doctors have called for disposable e—cigarettes to banned, amid concerns they're damaging young people's health. the royal college of paediatrics and child health says youth vaping is fast becoming an "epidemic" but anti—smoking groups fear a ban would make it harderfor some adults to quit cigarettes. members of the royal college of nursing in wales are taking part in fresh strike action as part of a long—running dispute about pay. the walk—outs will last between seven in the morning and seven in the evening, today and tomorrow. ministers say they're disappointed that industrial action is continuing. the rcn voted last month to reject the welsh government's most recent pay offer. new figures show the number

of diagnosed cases of gonorrhoea in england, reached a record high last year. the uk health security agency, says there were more than 82 thousand infections in 2022. there were also more than 8.5 thousand cases of syphilis, the largest annual figure, since 1948. you're live with bbc news. prince harry has told a court he's �*experienced hostility from the press since he was born'. just one of the many accusations he's made while giving evidence against a newspaper group that he accuses of phone hacking. he says the uk's tabloid press had behaved in a "vile manner" and contributed to his "downward spiral." he also suggested some newspaper editors have �*blood on their hands'. he's the first senior british royal in 130 years to testify in court. the duke of sussex arrived at the high court earlier to begin his testimony.

he alleges that mirror group newspapers used unlawful methods to gather personal information about him, including phone hacking, a claim the company denies. he claims theirjournalists exploited a security gap to access their voicemails and hear messages left by friends and family. before taking the stand, prince harry's witness statement was released. live to my colleague nancy kacungira at the high court in central london. nancy, there has been a lot for

everybody to get through. the first day of testimony. we know that prince harry is being cross—examined in what could be a brutal examination of these claims. yes, that's quite _ examination of these claims. yes, that's quite right. _ examination of these claims. yes, that's quite right. you _ examination of these claims. yes, that's quite right. you are - examination of these claims. yes that's quite right. you are reading the excerpts from his witness statement which was really quite broad, quite sweeping. he was talking about the impacts this press in britain had had on his life and setting out his reasons for standing in the witness box today. he said there had been a deep impact on his mental wellbeing as well as that of his family. what we have gotten to now, happening inside the court now is a project of getting into the granular. this cross—examination is about the details and they are picking apart a number of cases and articles and really getting down to is it possible that in this particular case, information was obtained unlawfully? an example of one of the cases that we have seen

being picked apart is an incident back 1996 where the press reported that princess diana had been in tears when visiting him on his 12th birthday. the lawyer for the newsgroup argue that prince harry hadn't had a phone into a 98 so how is it possible he could have been hacked? that is the level of granular they are getting into in this courtroom now. i have our news correspondent with me now. we knew it was not going to be an easy interrogation for prince harry in there. how's it going? we interrogation for prince harry in there. how's it going?- there. how's it going? we have colleagues _ there. how's it going? we have colleagues on _ there. how's it going? we have colleagues on the _ there. how's it going? we have colleagues on the court - there. how's it going? we have colleagues on the court room i colleagues on the court room watching _ colleagues on the court room watching proceedings. let's go back to after— watching proceedings. let's go back to after 1030 this morning when prince _ to after 1030 this morning when prince harry, a senior member of the royal— prince harry, a senior member of the royal family— prince harry, a senior member of the royal family went to the witness box. royal family went to the witness hon he — royal family went to the witness box. he swore to the truth, unprecedented he is being cross—examined at the moment. the hearing _

cross—examined at the moment. the hearing broke for about an hour for lunch— hearing broke for about an hour for lunch and _ hearing broke for about an hour for lunch and has now resumed. he has been _ lunch and has now resumed. he has been in _ lunch and has now resumed. he has been in the — lunch and has now resumed. he has been in the witness box for nearly three _ been in the witness box for nearly three hours— been in the witness box for nearly three hours facing some pretty tough questions _ three hours facing some pretty tough questions from the barrister for the minor— questions from the barrister for the mirror group. our colleague is in the annex— mirror group. our colleague is in the annex courtroom just behind us. he has— the annex courtroom just behind us. he has told — the annex courtroom just behind us. he has told us there have been no knockout — he has told us there have been no knockout blow so far in the case, had prince — knockout blow so far in the case, had prince harry appeared quite nervous — had prince harry appeared quite nervous to start with and are sitting — nervous to start with and are sitting on— nervous to start with and are sitting on the witness box with a computer— sitting on the witness box with a computer screen in front of him but he is _ computer screen in front of him but he is building in confidence. the mirror's — he is building in confidence. the mirror's barrister hat is becoming increasingly direct in his questions to prince _ increasingly direct in his questions to prince harry. what he is doing, the barrister, is going through the 33 articles— the barrister, is going through the 33 articles that prince harry is relying — 33 articles that prince harry is relying on— 33 articles that prince harry is relying on in this case. there are many— relying on in this case. there are many more — relying on in this case. there are many more but they have had to whittle _ many more but they have had to whittle them down to be heard and tested _ whittle them down to be heard and tested in _ whittle them down to be heard and tested in court. he is going through each of— tested in court. he is going through each of those and testing prince harry— each of those and testing prince harry in— each of those and testing prince harry in terms of the evidence. you mentioned — harry in terms of the evidence. you mentioned an example. there is

another— mentioned an example. there is another example brought up in court else prince _ another example brought up in court else prince harry having gone to a pub in— else prince harry having gone to a pub in fulham with some friends. that got— pub in fulham with some friends. that got into one of the newspapers, prince _ that got into one of the newspapers, prince harry— that got into one of the newspapers, prince harry is questioning how they knew— prince harry is questioning how they knew about — prince harry is questioning how they knew about that. that was private and no _ knew about that. that was private and no one — knew about that. that was private and no one saw him go in or out. there _ and no one saw him go in or out. there was— and no one saw him go in or out. there was also detail in the article about— there was also detail in the article about how— there was also detail in the article about how he had asked his bodyguards to accompany him to win he went— bodyguards to accompany him to win he went out— bodyguards to accompany him to win he went out in the previous week to have a _ he went out in the previous week to have a pizza — he went out in the previous week to have a pizza. that is the level of detail— have a pizza. that is the level of detail we — have a pizza. that is the level of detail we are hearing at the moment. prince _ detail we are hearing at the moment. prince harry— detail we are hearing at the moment. prince harry is basically saying in the court — prince harry is basically saying in the court room, it is not me you should _ the court room, it is not me you should be — the court room, it is not me you should be asking these questions too, it— should be asking these questions too, it is— should be asking these questions too, it is the journalists who need too, it is the journalists who need to explain— too, it is the journalists who need to explain what was going on. the accusation— to explain what was going on. the accusation from prince harry is that in all— accusation from prince harry is that in all of— accusation from prince harry is that in all of these articles, it was either— in all of these articles, it was either phone hacking that they got the information, that's how they got it, the information, that's how they got it. or— the information, that's how they got it, or by— the information, that's how they got it, or by other unlawful means. so the cross— it, or by other unlawful means. so the cross examination is continuing, while _ the cross examination is continuing, while the _ the cross examination is continuing, while the pressure rises for prince harry, _ while the pressure rises for prince harry, he — while the pressure rises for prince harry, he is— while the pressure rises for prince harry, he is rising in confidence but more —

harry, he is rising in confidence but more tough questions from the barrister~ _ but more tough questions from the barrister. . ~' , ., but more tough questions from the barrister. ., ,, , ., ~ , _, barrister. thank you. as we continue to follow the — barrister. thank you. as we continue to follow the proceedings _ barrister. thank you. as we continue to follow the proceedings happening | to follow the proceedings happening inside this court, more pressure on prince harry as he is set to prove the allegations that he has been making. back to you. we the allegations that he has been making. back to you.— the allegations that he has been making. back to you. we will be back with ou if making. back to you. we will be back with you if there _ making. back to you. we will be back with you if there are _ making. back to you. we will be back with you if there are any _ making. back to you. we will be back with you if there are any further i with you if there are any further developments. let's take you to our journalist and commentator. you have been with us throughout the morning. there has been a brief lull for lunch but they are back in there. this can be explosive. i have seen is described as a royal drama and soap opera. but underlining that are some really serious issues. absolutely. that, this could be another netflix six parter. there are so much drama going on. there are so much drama going on. there are serious underlying issues and this for prince harry is about his life's work. it is about him be able

to hold accountable the great british press. saying to them, look, you cannot hide behind an institution or organisation and use what he says is illegal means to obtain stories. there is a very serious underlying issue. as we get back into this afternoon's session, prince harry has started off quite relaxed walking into court as the barrister is drilling down into the details. he needs to remain calm. sometimes he can have a bit of a temper so this is an opportunity for him to show he can be calm under pressure and needs to be cool but the lawyer will be drilling more down into the details and we will hear more about the particular story involving prince harry having glandularfever and involving prince harry having glandular fever and whether he is questioning the detail from the story came from. i5 questioning the detail from the story came from.— story came from. is this about approving _ story came from. is this about approving or _ story came from. is this about approving or disapproving i approving or disapproving delegations or is there a big thing at play here, his quest to reform the media? he wants to reform it,

creates more accountability and transparency. i wonder what victory will look like. at what point do you expect he will say, myjob here is done and i can walk away? he is deafening _ done and i can walk away? he is deafening about _ done and i can walk away? he is deafening about being _ done and i can walk away? he is deafening about being the i done and i can walk away? he: 3 deafening about being the disrupt at the moment. victory for him looks like these organisations, these newspapers taking accountability. saying, we did this, we are sorry, we were wrong. it is not about the money for him, he is shelling out bucketloads in lawyers fees at the moment because this is just one of a few cases he has going on. even if he does get damages or a payout, it probably won't cover the lawyers fees. it is not about the money and has never been about the money. for him is about the newspaper groups apologising for what they did and taking accountability for what they did and admitting what they did. for him, that is victory.— him, that is victory. really good to have our him, that is victory. really good to have your insight. _ him, that is victory. really good to have your insight. you _ him, that is victory. really good to have your insight. you will- him, that is victory. really good to have your insight. you will stay i have your insight. you will stay with us for a bit longer to assess

what we hear in the afternoon session but for now, thank you. to development to bring you. the first is related to what happened in bournemouth last week. an update suggests that all boat operations have been suspended of bourton —— bournemouth pier. a17—year—old boy and a 12—year—old girl died and were treated by paramedics. they were suspected to be caught up in a riptide next to the pier. that was at the dorset seaside resort and may the 31st. the originally arrested a man in his 40s he was in the water at the time and was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. he was then later released. that is the latest from bournemouth. also to tell you the uk mp margaret ferrier

has been sitting as an independent in a current has been suspended for breaking covid rules. she was expeued breaking covid rules. she was expelled from the snp in 2020 when she when she knew she had the virus. and she went on the train. let us return to events in ukraine because president zelensky said they world must react to russia blowing up the dam. he is calling it a brutal ego side. let's take your life to the mp. thank you for being with us. both sides blaming each other but what is quite clear is regardless of what is quite clear is regardless of what is quite clear is regardless of what is going on, there is a humanitarian crisis going on. people having to evacuate and there is a risk of severe flooding.— risk of severe flooding. exactly, what russia _ risk of severe flooding. exactly, what russia has _ risk of severe flooding. exactly, what russia has committed i risk of severe flooding. exactly, what russia has committed is i risk of severe flooding. exactly, i what russia has committed is nothing short of ecocide, it is also a war

crime according to the geneva conventions. the consequences of this crime are being felt already but there will be long—term consequences which ukrainians will suffer but also the global community will suffer. if you think about what lands are affected, these are the rich agricultural lands which are now deprived of a water source. that means the agricultural produce that ukraine will be able to yield this year is likely to be reduced, leading to again, global food shortages. it is also likely that there will be the certification of there will be the certification of the land, meaning that once bountiful agricultural lands will turn into nothing more than empty deserts. this will lead to a rise in global temperatures and reinforcement or worsening of the climate change situation worldwide. it's good to have you with us. unfortunately there is a lot to fit

in but grateful for your time. you're watching bbc news. hello. the pause button is held firmly down on our weather across the uk at the moment. many of us have seen no significant rain so far this month and before the end of the week there's none to come. why is it so dry? the area of high pressure being held down across the uk currently. you can see it wobbles about a little bit in the next few days. that affects the wind direction somewhat and potentially where we'll see some of the thickest cloud, but it's not until we start to see this low, that's close to portugal at the moment, coming up from the south—west that we're likely to see any rain, and that is late on on friday. some big differences in the temperature, though, across the uk, despite us all being under that big area of high pressure. that's because of where we have the sun towards the west and where we have the thicker cloud in the east and the breeze off the north sea. through the evening, very little changes in that picture, but once the sun sets we'll tend to see our temperatures coming down

and then the cloud builds back westwards as any moisture condenses back out. clearer skies towards the west closest to the center of the high. quite a chilly night to come — lows of five or six degrees. through wednesday daytime, we see the sun getting to work as it comes up, burning that cloud back again towards the east coast and it'll look a very similar picture for wednesday afternoon to this afternoon. temperatures 15 or 16 adjacent to the north sea, warmest spots in the west where we could see highs of 23, maybe 24 or even 25. thursday, very little difference to speak of. we start off with a bit more cloud spread out across the uk and it burns back to the east coast as we go. wind direction perhaps just a shade different, a little bit more northerly than easterly could mean we see the odd degree added to our temperatures thanks to a bit more sunshine along the north sea coast. it's friday into saturday, though, that things start to get moving. friday night and particularly into saturday, the remnants of that storm 0scar, this band of rain pushing up towards the uk and ahead of it hooking in some much warmer,

more humid air. so for the weekend ahead, temperatures are going to come up, potentially even into the high 20s, but when we inject that moisture and that instability, thanks to the remnants of oscar moving in, it looks like we could see it as a pay—off for us getting that warmer weather certainly much higher humidity, but also the threat of some really meaty thunderstorms. for some areas, there's the potential of those storms bringing up to a month's worth of rain in a matter of hours.