we start in ukraine where president zelensky has announced that's he's replacing the country's defence minister, saying it's time for a new approach. oleksii reznikov had been in post since before the start of the full—scale russian invasion in february last year. his removal is thought to be part of mr zelensky�*s determination to tackle corruption in all government departments. president zelensky has nominated rustem umerov, who's currently in charge of ukraine's privatisation programme — as the new defence minister. here's mr zelensky giving that update. translation: this week, _ the parliament will be asked to make a staff related decision. i would like to outline it now. i have decided to replace the ministry of defence of ukraine.

oleksii reznikov has been through more than 550 days of full—scale war. i believe the ministry needs new approaches and other formats of interaction with both the military and society as a whole. asa as a nation, we are driven by one single _ as a nation, we are driven by one single objective and goal, which is to defeat— single objective and goal, which is to defeat the enemy on the battlefield and win this war, and restore — battlefield and win this war, and restore stability and security in europe — restore stability and security in europe and the world. the captain of our team _ europe and the world. the captain of our team is_ europe and the world. the captain of ourteam is our europe and the world. the captain of our team is our commander—in—chief, president _ our team is our commander—in—chief, president zelensky. so he makes decisions — president zelensky. so he makes decisions about how, in his view, is best to _ decisions about how, in his view, is best to achieve the goals that we have _ best to achieve the goals that we have ahead of us at this specific stage — have ahead of us at this specific stage 50. _ have ahead of us at this specific stage. so, the move that is announced now reflects the

president's vision. you mentioned that the _ president's vision. you mentioned that the ministry of defence was therefore over 550 days. somebody who works — therefore over 550 days. somebody who works with him closely, i can tell you _ who works with him closely, i can tell you that every single one of these _ tell you that every single one of these 550 days, he woke up and went to bed _ these 550 days, he woke up and went to bed with— these 550 days, he woke up and went to bed with one single thought on his mind, — to bed with one single thought on his mind, how to get the ukrainian army— his mind, how to get the ukrainian army more — his mind, how to get the ukrainian army more weapons, how to make sure the ukrainian— army more weapons, how to make sure the ukrainian defenders have the toots— the ukrainian defenders have the tools that — the ukrainian defenders have the tools that they need to protect our shared _ tools that they need to protect our shared values, protect our cities, protect— shared values, protect our cities, protect our— shared values, protect our cities, protect our sky, protect our people. and, _ protect our sky, protect our people. and. you _ protect our sky, protect our people. and, you know, we welcome that the decision— and, you know, we welcome that the decision wiii— and, you know, we welcome that the decision will be approved by parliament. i am sure the new defence — parliament. i am sure the new defence minister will continue on the path — defence minister will continue on the path of the transformation of the path of the transformation of the ukrainian ministry of defence, the ukrainian ministry of defence, the ukrainian ministry of defence, the ukrainian armed forces.

oleksii reznikov is convinced ministers of defence around the world _ ministers of defence around the world that the impossible is possible. it only takes a little bit longer — possible. it only takes a little bit longer it — possible. it only takes a little bit longer. it all began with the united states— longer. it all began with the united states telling oleksii reznikov in autumn— states telling oleksii reznikov in autumn 2021 that it is impossible for ukraine to even get stingers and javeiins _ for ukraine to even get stingers and javelins. and now we are getting f-ios _ javelins. and now we are getting f-ios this— javelins. and now we are getting f—16s. this is something that was not possible without his personal sacrifice — not possible without his personal sacrifice. . . , not possible without his personal sacrifice. ., ., , ., not possible without his personal sacrifice. ., ., ., , ., sacrifice. that was an adviser to the ukrainian _ sacrifice. that was an adviser to the ukrainian defence _ sacrifice. that was an adviser to the ukrainian defence ministry. | the ukrainian defence ministry. while the change at the top is happening, ukraine's generals are reporting significant progress in the counteroffensive against the russian invasion. they say their troops have breached the first line of russian defences in the south, near zaporizhzhia. the generals said extensive minefields had blocked troops for several weeks — leaving them vulnerable to russian shelling.

but they say that painstaking mine clearance has now allowed the forces to advance. kyiv says its forces are making gains in the south of the country and has in recent weeks expanded its units towards the strategic town of tokmak — a logistical centre for russian forces. let's go live to peter dickinson from the eurasia centre at the atlantic council. thanks forjoining us. a significant change at the top, at a time of scandal and corruption accusations. just talk us through what has happened.— accusations. just talk us through what has happened. good morning. yes, it is probably _ what has happened. good morning. yes, it is probably the _ what has happened. good morning. yes, it is probably the largest - yes, it is probably the largest change in government since the full—scale invasion began just change in government since the full—scale invasion beganjust over 18 months ago. the charges, or rather the allegations against the outgoing ministry of defence, oleksii reznikov, are, in fairness,

not major in scale, if we take into consideration the volumes of military aid that ukraine is receiving. they generally relate to domestic procurement issues, they revolve around winter coats, eggs, food, things like this. it ukraine is really trying to demonstrate that it has a zero tolerance attitude to any form of corruption. and, of course, any suggestions of corruption within the security sector, within the military and defence sector of the country. it is particularly toxic at a time when it ukraine is trying to convince the world and international partners that they can trust ukraine, ukraine is a reliable partner in the aid they provide will go to the places it needs to get to.— they provide will go to the places it needs to get to. and, of course, we have a — it needs to get to. and, of course, we have a new _ it needs to get to. and, of course, we have a new defence _ it needs to get to. and, of course, we have a new defence minister i we have a new defence minister coming in, rustem umerov, as mr zelensky as saying he wants a fresh start at the top of the mod. what do we know about him? his history, and what he sees for the future of

ukraine? ~ , ., ., , ., ukraine? well, rustem umerov has a back round ukraine? well, rustem umerov has a background not _ ukraine? well, rustem umerov has a background not at _ ukraine? well, rustem umerov has a background not at ministerial - ukraine? well, rustem umerov has a background not at ministerial level, i background not at ministerial level, but in government. he currently leads the state property fund and is overseeing the privatisation programmes. there is a strong anti—corruption aspect in that role. he has previously been involved in negotiations for prisoner exchanges and also on the grain deal that was brokered last summer with russia, the united nations in turkey. he has been involved at high levels of government for some time. his brief will very much believe to continue cooperation with ukraine's international partners, while being seen to actively combat any form of corruption, orany seen to actively combat any form of corruption, or any grey areas within the ministry of defence, within the procurement systems, to make sure that they have the transparency they need. it's also worth noting that the candidate, mr umerov, is a member of ukraine's muslim minority.

his appointment undermines the diversity of the ukrainian government. we now have a jewish president and a muslim ministry of defence in waiting. this underlines the absurdity of russia's attempts to try to portray ukraine as some kind of an ethnic fascist nazi state. �* . , kind of an ethnic fascist nazi state. . ., , ., ., state. and we have been hearing from ukrainian generals, _ state. and we have been hearing from ukrainian generals, saying _ state. and we have been hearing from ukrainian generals, saying they - state. and we have been hearing from ukrainian generals, saying they have i ukrainian generals, saying they have broken through russian defences. do you think the new head of the mod is going to have an impact on the front line? h going to have an impact on the front line? ., �* ~' , line? i don't think there will be any immediate _ line? i don't think there will be any immediate impact. - line? i don't think there will be any immediate impact. i - line? i don't think there will be any immediate impact. i thinkl line? i don't think there will be i any immediate impact. i think the troops at the moment have what they need, the generals have their plans in place, they will proceed. it may actually provide a morale boost for soldiers on the front lines, that are suffering significant losses and of course are making enormous sacrifices. reports of corruption within the ministry, within the defence sector, behind the front

back home, as it were, back home in kyiv and elsewhere, it is very damaging and sapping for morale. i would imagine that news of this change would be welcomed by the troops, who will see it as a step in the right direction. but i don't anticipate any major changes immediately. anticipate any ma'or changes immediately._ anticipate any ma'or changes immediatel . ., , , ., immediately. really interesting to net our immediately. really interesting to get your thoughts. _ immediately. really interesting to get your thoughts. eat _ immediately. really interesting to get your thoughts. eat dickinson l immediately. really interesting to | get your thoughts. eat dickinson on bbc news. let's get some of the day's other news now. taiwan's south—western coastline has been hit by heavy rain and powerful winds as typhoon haikui made landfall for a second time. roads were flooded and others were blocked by fallen trees. haikui initially made landfall on sunday. it was the first typhoon to hit the island in four years. many schools and businesses have remained closed. the spanish authorities have issued weather warnings the french government has reiterated its commitment to maintaining troops in niger and keeping its ambassador in place. the military leadership in niamey demanded the envoy�*s expulsion more than a week ago. thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of the capital

for a third consecutive day near a french military base. france has about 1500 soldiers stationed in niger. the spanish authorities have issued weather warnings in the regions around madrid, because of flooding caused by exceptionally heavy rain. a number of train services across the country have been cancelled. the floods brought by storm dana have caused mudslides and swept debris into the roads, making many impassable. more rain is expected on monday. over 100 schools in england and scotland will be closed or partially shut today over safety concerns about a concrete known to be at risk of crumbling. investigations are also under way in schools in wales and northern ireland. ministers have said the government will spend what it takes to make classrooms safe. louisa pilbeam reports. from the midlands to suffolk... and london...

more than 100 schools in england look like this today, with buildings roped off and closed on what for many should be the first day of the new term. the problem — crumbling concrete called raac, meaning many schools are unsafe. sarah, a mum of two who didn't want to be on camera, told us... the main issue for me is we don't have any certainty about when the children are going back to school. the lack of certainty right now is worrying for everyone. the school haven't been that specific about the actual scale of how many of the buildings are affected. possibly they don't know, but i think this is odd. meanwhile, on social media sites, including mumsnet, one parent said... i don't know if our school is affected yet, but i do know that we couldn't cope with a return to covid—style learning. my children were utterly failed during that period. the government has been criticised for not acting faster despite concerns being raised.

but some parents believe ministers are doing their best. safety is paramount at the end of the day. there's a reason why the schools are doing this. you know, they're being told by the government to close and to get it sorted and that's what they're doing. labour say if the government doesn't publish a full list of affected schools, they'll force a vote in the house of commons this week to make them. it's a scandal that parents are being left in the darkjust at the point of the new school term starting. ministers need to be upfront, publish that list and get a grip. schools in scotland, wales and northern ireland are also being assessed. in scotland, raac has been detected in 35 schools, but first minister humza yousaf said he had no plans to close any schools in the short term. some court buildings and hospitals are also impacted, with the scale of the problem yet to be fully realised. good morning, sir. chancellorjeremy hunt has said he will spend what it takes to make the schools affected safe.

as some parents try to juggle their children being kept away from school today after a turbulent time in their education, the government is under pressure to reveal precisely which schools are at risk and what they are going to do about it. louisa pilbeam, bbc news. speaking to the bbc, the education secretary, gillian keegan said the government was still waiting to hear back from some schools. i want to make sure every school had the capability to speak to parents. it's right that parents learn about what's going to happen with their children from their school, not from the bbc breakfast show or some other media outlet. but it will be published this week, once we've been reassured by the caseworkers that every school has had a chance and opportunity to speak to parents and put some early mitigations in place, and that's what we've

been working with them. live now to our correspondent ellie price who's outside a school in eltham, south east london — what hapnning where you are? your just yourjust outside your just outside the yourjust outside the gates, have they opened, are they meant to open? they haven't opened, they are not meant to open today. it is a teacher training day here. but they are one of the 104 schools so far identified as having a problem with this issue of raac. the head teacher he wrote to parents on friday answered that there had been a survey done during there had been a survey done during the term, the last school year, and that there have been this raac concrete identified. they were told it wasn't going to be an issue, and it wasn't going to be an issue, and it would simply have to be monitored by engineers. they said the guidance change, that was the big news that we heard at the end of last week, this was four schools affected. the guidance changed, they were told it was completely unsafe and obviously the buildings where they had this

concrete would not be allowed to be used. yeah, it is an issue for the school hall, we are told, for the canteen, for the drama block, and, crucially, for the girls and boys toilets. you can probably see the blue portakabins behind me, we suspect those are the portaloos that have been put in place for when the school comes back, and we are told there might be a marquee structure put up so that children can eat their lunch and prepare food in an area. clearly this is a school that is going to be partially closed. it's due to open tomorrow to yes seven, and then on wednesday to the rest of the school. i think it illustrates exactly the pigments that these schools find themselves in, and exactly what to do, where to put people. if they don't have to close completely, obviously there are areas they can't use. what close completely, obviously there are areas they can't use.- close completely, obviously there are areas they can't use. what do we know about — are areas they can't use. what do we know about funding? _ are areas they can't use. what do we know about funding? the _ are areas they can't use. what do we know about funding? the comet - are areas they can't use. what do we j know about funding? the comet says the disruption will minimal, they will do whatever it takes to make sure schools are open and children are safe. is that funding getting through? because it started coming through? because it started coming

through? i through? because it started coming throu~h? ~ , ., through? because it started coming throu~h? ,, , ., , through? i think these are the big ruestions through? i think these are the big questions being _ through? i think these are the big questions being asked _ through? i think these are the big questions being asked today. - through? i think these are the big questions being asked today. andj through? i think these are the big - questions being asked today. and the timing of this is absolutely horrendous for all involved, with it being the beginning of the term, the beginning of the new school year. the government said it will pay for those mitigation issues, how to prop up those mitigation issues, how to prop up the buildings at that sort of thing. but the big question is there what about children that may be have to go to different sites? will it pay for transport costs? how about the different tables and chairs that need to be used in temporary buildings at that sort of thing? lots of questions being asked by school leaders and by the school leaders unions today about how the funding goes. government says it will pay is needed. yesterday you heard the chancellor is saying that it would pay everything it takes. the minutiae, the deeper question of how that plays out, that is yet to be revealed. you heard from gillian keegan today, this is a problem that is likely to get worse. there was a survey sent around to all the schools that could have been affected, 10% of the schools haven't

even applied yet to say whether they have this concrete in their buildings. the education secretary today admitting, conceding if you like, that there are likely to be more problems and more schools affected. bigger questions to be asked. at the government makos say that we have made a £15 billion worth of funding available in the last few years, and, frankly, at the moment, that should be enough. it's just a case of working out what the problem is, where it is and how to sort it out. i think there's issues of minutiae will be the ones that need answering today. absolutely, so many questions _ need answering today. absolutely, so many questions to _ need answering today. absolutely, so many questions to still— need answering today. absolutely, so many questions to still be _ need answering today. absolutely, so many questions to still be answered. | just to bring you some breaking news, a bullying complaint against former cabinet minister gavin williamson has been upheld by an expert panel in parliament. mr williamson, who quit a government after allegations emerged, has been told to apologise to the commons and

undergo training. the complaint was made by former government chief webb wendy morton, and independent expert panel ruled that mr williamson was guilty of offensive and intimidating behaviour. it ruled mr williamson was guilty of an abuse of power for sending messages relating to the allocation of seating at the queen's funeral. it raises questions for the prime minister, who appointed mr williamson in his first reshuffle. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. the parents of a teenager who died after failures in treating her sepsis are calling for patients to be given the right to an urgent second opinion, if they feel their concerns are not being taken seriously. martha mills, who would have been 16 today, died two years ago. an inquest said she could have

survived had her care been better. the tesco chief executive said staff would be offered body cameras because of a rise in violent attacks. physical assaults have increased by a third since last year. earlierthis increased by a third since last year. earlier this year, the british retail consortium found abuse against retail staff had almost doubled compared to pre—covid levels. similaraction doubled compared to pre—covid levels. similar action has already been taken by sainsbury�*s, waitrose and the co—op. and westminster returns from the summer break today, and sir keir starmer is expected to reshuffle his shadow cabinet. he is not expected to swap his most senior shadow ministers such as chancellor rachel reeves. you're live with bbc news. kenya is hosting the inaugural africa climate summit, to discuss how the continent can take climate action. at least 23 african heads of state and government willjoin thousands of delegates to discuss a problem that is affecting the whole continent. ethiopia, kenya and somalia recently endured its worst drought in decades, with five consecutive failed rainy seasons.

one of the deadliest storms to hit africa in the last two decades, cyclone freddy ripped through malawi, mozambique andmadagascar in late february, killing over one thousand. west and central africa experienced one of the worst flooding disasters ever in 2022. more than 1,500 people were killed and 3.2 million displaced 0ur africa correspondent anne soy is following developments from nairobi — and i asked her to talk me through what the organisers of the summit hoped to achieve. at the end of this three—day summit, the kenyan president hopes that the delegates will have agreed on the solutions that they will be taking to the table during cop28, the un climate summit,

upcoming, in november in dubai. and so, as you say, he is trying to strike a positive tone to this and saying that they are not here to list grievances. they are not here to just talk about being a victim. this is a region that contributes least to climate change, but suffers the worst impact of it. and so they say everyone knows that. now, can they discuss solutions? and he saying that africa has much of the unused arable land. if it was turned into agricultural productive land, this is a continent that could feed itself and feed the rest of the world. he is looking at the minerals that are on the continent, coltan and lithium that are used to manufacture batteries for electric vehicles. that can leapfrog that revolution towards green energy. this is a country that is already a leader in that. 93% of energy in kenya is from renewable sources. however, it has also faced

controversies because it wanted to start exploiting cold war, because it's talking about wanting to get industrialised, and that is why we have activists here as well to just make sure that the political leaders who are showing some political will do not also back slide, so to speak. so, there is a lot of discussion that is going on here. the kenyan president wanted to be about solutions, rather than complaints. lets talk about those solutions. the continent, we were just saying, has been hit by some of the worst weather systems across the globe. it's such a vulnerable part of the world. what can be done to help nations there?— world. what can be done to help nations there? well, the leaders here have been _ nations there? well, the leaders here have been talking _ nations there? well, the leaders here have been talking about. nations there? well, the leaders i here have been talking about using the resources that they already have. they are also talking

critically about financing, because that has been the biggest challenge. a lot of the finances that were promised during previous summits have not come through. and so they are discussing how else can africa finance the fight against this climate crisis. there's a number of ideas on the table, including debt for nature swaps, which is controversial. we are looking forward to very vibrant discussions and see whether they will find consensus. it's not an easy thing for 54 countries to agree on one way forward, but that is the hope at the end of the summit. 0rganisers of the burning man festival in the us state of nevada have postponed the event's finale, the burning of a large wooden effigy, until monday. it's because of the treacherous weather conditions. heavy rain has turned nevada's black rock desert into a quagmire.

some of the tens of thousands of people there have managed to leave, despite orders to stay put. 0ur north america correspondent david willis reports from the festival site. # i want to know, have you ever seen the rain? they've seen it here. what's thought to be the longest, heaviest rainfall since this festival was launched 37 years ago. the day before people were due to start heading home, the dusty desert sand was transformed into a quagmire, prompting organisers to close the gates. a driving ban remains in force here but the organisers say it's too wet and muddy for people to leave and they're warning that heavy vehicles could end up getting bogged down in the mud. but for those who are desperate to get out of here, well, they're not stopping them. and this morning saw a steady stream of vehicles headed for the exit. the advice to those stranded in the ankle—deep mud is conserve food, fuel and water supplies,

because it's unclear how long you'll be here. for me and my husband, this is an escape from the hard things. and this is kind of hard. so i'm sad. it is hard, isn't it? when are we going to get out of here? oh, that's a really good question. everyone keeps saying your guess is as good as mine. what do you make of all this? i mean, i'm having a great time. is it going to spoil the fun? no, clearly not. this week—long festival transforms a remote area of northwestern nevada into a sprawling desert city. but even before the event got under way, organisers were dealing with flooding caused by the remnants of hurricane hilary. burning man culminates with a large wooden effigy being set alight. that has been delayed, and its timing now depends entirely on the weather. david willis, bbc news, in black rock city, nevada.

if you want to find out more about that, there is penty more on other website. stay with us here on bbc news. hello again. for most of us today it will be dry, sunny and warm. as you go through this week, if anything, it's going to turn warmer and also more humid from the middle of the week, notjust by day but also by night. plenty of sunshine. but there is some mist and fog patches to clear, first of all, especially first thing in the morning. high pressure firmly in charge of the weather at the moment. we are pulling up this one continental air, but we also have a week where across the north of scotland. it's been with us this weekend and it is weakening today. but you can still see the odd bit of drizzle coming

out of it in 0rkney, where it is also going to be breezy in the north—west, and also the south. but for much of england, wales and northern ireland and scotland, dry, sunny and warm warm sums it up. temperatures ranging from 18 in stornoway, 27 in liverpool, about 29 as we push down to the south—east. through this evening and overnight there will be clear skies, but we will see mist and fog patches forming across northern ireland, northern england and scotland. a few showers coming in from the north—west, and we will also have a week weather front across the far north the country. now, as we head on into tuesday, you can see the showers in the southwest. they will clear away. high pressure still firmly in charge. 0ur weak weather front is really dying in situ, so it's going to break up continuously through the course of the day. and what you'll find is there'll be bright spells of sunny intervals coming through. and when the mist and fog lifts, again, we're looking in another dry, sunny and warm day.

breezier along the north sea coastline. so temperatures here right on the coast won't be as high. but once again, we're looking at a range of 21 in aberdeen to about 28 or 29 in the south of england. now in the middle of the week, the wind changes to more of a southerly direction. so we're scooping up all this warm or hot air from the near continent. we're likely to start on wednesday with some low cloud, mist and fog in eastern scotland and eastern england, and the mist and fog across the southwest pushing northwards across the irish sea. but most will have a dry day and a sunny day, and if anything, a warmer day, up to 31 degrees somewhere in the southeast. then beyond that, into thursday, friday, saturday and sunday, we still remain fairly settled. still a lot of dry and sunny weather, but it's starting to break down at the weekend from the atlantic.

this is bbc news, the headlines... over a hundred schools in england and scotland will be closed or partially shut today over safety concerns about lightweight concrete. the labour leader, sir keir starmer, is expected to reshuffle his top team today — that coincides with mps returning to westminster from their summer break. a bbc investigation finds that at least five women have died after family courts allowed fathers accused of abuse to apply for contact with their children.

welcome back to the programme. the new term is getting underway in england with more than a hundred schools fully or partially closed, because of safety concerns about crumbling concrete. in scotland, 35 schools are affected and surveys are underway in wales and northern ireland. ministers have said the government will spend what it takes to make classrooms are safe. live now to westminster and our political correspondent nick eardley. a busy first day back and the focus will be on the crumbling concrete. this is a tough issue from the government, yes, there have been developments in the past few days as we have heard from ministers this morning, changes to the advice they were being given and had given in the past fortnight or so but there

is a pretty crucial question at the