to allegations of rape and sexual abuse is "insulting". three greek rescue workers are killed, travelling to libya's flood zone. it's believed about 10,000 people are still missing. hello, i'm lucy hockings. welcome to bbc news now, three hours of fast—moving news, interviews and reaction. five americans who've been held in iranianjails for years are expected to be freed today. it is part of a prisoner swap deal painstakingly mediated by qatar that will see $6 billion of iranian oil money sent to banks in doha. 0ur chief interntional correspondent, lyse doucet, is in doha for us now. where are you right now and do you know where the americans are? weill. know where the americans are? well, i think our viewers _

know where the americans are? well, i think our viewers can _ know where the americans are? well, i think our viewers can see _ know where the americans are? -ii i think our viewers can see just behind me a gate, an emergency gate leading to the tarmac. we are at the old international airport in doha, a very ordinary place. 0nly old international airport in doha, a very ordinary place. only a few flights land here every day. but it will be the scene of an extraordinary political moment. a rare moment of cooperation between iran and the united states. this is where we are expecting possibly in the next few hours for five american prisoners who also hold iranian passports touched down in a chartered qatari aircraft where they will be met on the tarmac by american and qatari officials, before finally going home to iran. we understand now that this morning, all going home to the united states. we understand that this morning, the last pieces were in place. the confirmation that $6 billion of money that is owed to iran through revenues of oil sales to south korea had been deposited here in doha

banks. and we heard that confirmation from the iranian foreign ministry spokesperson this morning. translation: based - on the information i have, the exchange of prisoners will be done today. five citizens of the islamic republic of iran will be released from prison. we haven't been given the full details of who will be on that plane and who exactly those five american citizens are. they are described as wrongfully detained by the united states, but they are widely regarded as hostages. we do know the identities of three of them. the most high—profile prisoner is siamak namazi. he is an iranian businessman who was detained in iran in 2015, when he was in the capital on a business trip. two years later, he was sentenced to ten years in prison

on spying charges. he is the longest detained iranian—american prisoner. emad shargi was travelling with his wife in iran in 2018 when he was detained. two years later, he was rearrested. 0n espionage charges. and there is morad tahbaz, a british—american conservationist and environmentalist, he was arrested five years ago. also jailed for ten years. and we understand that the fourth and the fifth prisoner have asked for their identities not to be released to the public. this is a very sensitive deal. the iranian mission in new york released the names of the five iranians who will be freed from american prisoners —— prisons today, there were all convicted of violating us sanctions. the term given for them will be they have been given clemency. this is a

very complex and controversial deal, so let's get more details and assessment from sanam vakil, the director of the north african programme at the london based think tank chatham house. in what terms would you describe this extraordinary deal between the united states and iran in direct talks mediated by qatar? i think this is an important _ talks mediated by qatar? i think this is an important confidence l this is an important confidence building — this is an important confidence building measure, a stepping stone, that the _ building measure, a stepping stone, that the us — building measure, a stepping stone, that the us administration has been working _ that the us administration has been working towards for many months. president — working towards for many months. president biden promised to bring unjustly— president biden promised to bring unjustly detained american prisoners home _ unjustly detained american prisoners home and _ unjustly detained american prisoners home and this is him fulfilling that promise _ home and this is him fulfilling that promise. as part of this deal, of course, — promise. as part of this deal, of course, it— promise. as part of this deal, of course, it requires him to release iran's_ course, it requires him to release irah's funds — course, it requires him to release iran's funds that have been held back— iran's funds that have been held back because of us sanctions and that witi— back because of us sanctions and that will raise controversy and criticism — that will raise controversy and criticism that the us government is paying _ criticism that the us government is paying ransom. important above all

is that— paying ransom. important above all is that american citizens that have been _ is that american citizens that have been held — is that american citizens that have been held for far too long in horrible _ been held for far too long in horrible conditions are coming home and we _ horrible conditions are coming home and we should celebrate that. the united and we should celebrate that. tie: united states and and we should celebrate that. ti9 united states and us officials have pushed back against the criticism by saying iran will not access these funds now in accounts here in doha, that they will only be accessed by third parties and to be used to purchase non—sanctioned goods. such as food and medicine. we have seen how iran has been able to deal with sanctions will they find a way around these new restrictions? well, qatar is the — around these new restrictions? well, qatar is the guarantor _ around these new restrictions? well, qatar is the guarantor of _ around these new restrictions? well, qatar is the guarantor of this deal and has _ qatar is the guarantor of this deal and has worked behind the scenes to mediate _ and has worked behind the scenes to mediate bringing both sides together and it is— mediate bringing both sides together and it is playing a role in monitoring the funds and making sure they wiii— monitoring the funds and making sure they will only be used for humanitarian purposes. for iran, i think— humanitarian purposes. for iran, i think the _ humanitarian purposes. for iran, i think the access to liquidity comes at an— think the access to liquidity comes at an important time. it has been

under— at an important time. it has been under extreme economic pressure because _ under extreme economic pressure because of— under extreme economic pressure because of sanctions. and of the past _ because of sanctions. and of the past year. — because of sanctions. and of the past year, we have seen waves and waves _ past year, we have seen waves and waves of _ past year, we have seen waves and waves of protests. so this is an important — waves of protests. so this is an important signal and perhaps a confidence building measure from tehran— confidence building measure from tehran that it can turn towards its favour _ tehran that it can turn towards its favour. in — tehran that it can turn towards its favour. :, , favour. in legalterms, the united states has — favour. in legalterms, the united states has described _ favour. in legalterms, the united states has described these - favour. in legalterms, the united i states has described these prisoners as wrongfully detained but as you know, they are widely regarded as hostages, is that the term that you would use? , hostages, is that the term that you would use?— would use? yes, that is the term i do use. ithink— would use? yes, that is the term i do use. i think the _ would use? yes, that is the term i do use. i think the islamic- would use? yes, that is the term i do use. i think the islamic is - would use? yes, that is the term i do use. i think the islamic is a - do use. i think the islamic is a hostage—takers. it has taken well over 40 _ hostage—takers. it has taken well over 40 people hostage. —— the islamic— over 40 people hostage. —— the islamic republic. many are lingering in iranian— islamic republic. many are lingering in iranianjails including in iranian jails including potentially in iranianjails including potentially other american cases, many— potentially other american cases, many europeans have been held hostage — many europeans have been held hostage and this is a business they have been— hostage and this is a business they have been in for well over two decades _ have been in for well over two decades. they also take their citizens— decades. they also take their citizens hostage through unfair judicial— citizens hostage through unfair judicial practices, disrespect for human— judicial practices, disrespect for

human rights. this is indeed a hostagetaking regime in tehran. sanam _ hostagetaking regime in tehran. sanam vakil, i know you will be taking —— watching all these events closely, thank you for taking time to speak with us here on bbc news. there will be many around the world, most of all the families and friends of the american prisoners, waiting to board the aircraft in tehran, hoping against hope that this time, the promises that they will be home soon and possibly by the end of the date will be realised. and of course, the iranians imprisoned in americanjails will also course, the iranians imprisoned in american jails will also be course, the iranians imprisoned in americanjails will also be happy course, the iranians imprisoned in american jails will also be happy to walk free. this will be the end of a deeply painful personal ordeal for these americans as we have heard held hostage by iran, but it is also a moment laced with profound trauma. and also with guilt, because they know they will leave tehran leaving friends behind who are still behind

iranian bars. friends behind who are still behind lranian bars— friends behind who are still behind iranian bars. :, , ., iranian bars. good to see you and we will be back— iranian bars. good to see you and we will be back with _ iranian bars. good to see you and we will be back with you _ iranian bars. good to see you and we will be back with you throughout - iranian bars. good to see you and we will be back with you throughout the | will be back with you throughout the day, thank you. a woman who has accused british comedian and presenter russell brand of sexual misconduct has described his response to the allegations "insulting." mr brand posted a video denying any wrongdoing hours before allegations of rape and sexual assault were published by uk news outlets channel 4 and the times newspaper. he also accused the "mainstream media" of carrying out a co—ordinated attack on him. the woman, who we're calling alice, has spoken to women's hour on radio 4. the presenter of that programme, emma barnett, is here with me. we are calling her alice, a brave interview for her to give but why did she decide to do it? it is interview for her to give but why did she decide to do it?- did she decide to do it? it is her first interview _ did she decide to do it? it is her first interview since _ did she decide to do it? it is her first interview since speaking i did she decide to do it? it is her first interview since speaking to | first interview since speaking to the sunday times of the uk talking about what happened in her relationship when she was 16 and the comedian was originally 30. he is

also a hollywood actor, people will know him around the world and he has cultivated many fans online. he has strenuously denied all of these allegations. but she hasn't spoken since the response of russell brand, where he has issued these denials. and also, she hasn't spoken about the age that she was really in a bit more detail. i think she has reflected as an older woman on what she thought she was at 16 verse is what she is. and here in the uk, it differs around the at the age of sexual consent is 16. that rule was made the 1800s and she is asking for there to be a review at least of that. and talking about how even her mother, who tried to stop this relationship, and this was no she views a grooming situation, the law has changed since her relationship with russell brand, is an element of coercive control, she views it very differently, as well as the specific allegation of sexual assault. let’s

allegation of sexual assault. let's listen to alice _ allegation of sexual assault. let's listen to alice when _ allegation of sexual assault. let's listen to alice when you _ allegation of sexual assault. let's listen to alice when you ask - allegation of sexual assault. let's listen to alice when you ask her if russell brand knew that she was 16 when he first asked her out. he knew before we ever went on our first date, so when we met initially and he took my number and asked me out on a date, he hadn't asked me, but he didn't know, so i texted him prior to because he said to me he knew that i was stalling on agreeing on a date with him. and he said, "why aren't you?" he said, "what's going on? "like, why didn't you want to go out with me?" i said, "because i've got something to tell you." i said, "i'm16." and he just replied saying, "ok, so we're still on fordinnerat 7.30". and how old was he? he was 30. what do you want to say about that now, as an older woman? now that i'm in my 30s, looking at 16—year—olds, i can't even imagine finding them sexually attractive. i can't imagine even thinking of them as that, you know, a potential mate in any way. it just seems the only feelings

i have towards them are maternal protective feelings. i couldn't even imagine... you just don't even put them into that category in your head. as i became an older woman and began reaching the same age as him, that's when i really started to feel angry. and felt like what had happened wasn't "consensual", in inverted commas? or how would you describe that? because although it's technically legal, the power imbalance, which is what you're referring to there, is huge in this. yeah. and just because, you know, he was telling me that i'm a very intelligent woman, i'm mature... being intelligent doesn't mean that you're not naive and that you're not vulnerable and that you don't have the life experiences and your brain isn't fully developed. we've just had some reaction from downing street to describing his allegations against russell brand as being very serious and concerning. and we have also heard that the culture secretary is going to speak

to broadcasters about their investigations into russell brand at the very next opportunity that she has come of this is lucy frazer, of course. what are the allegations around the bbc? find course. what are the allegations around the bbc?— course. what are the allegations around the bbc? : , ., :, around the bbc? and i 'ust wanted to sa we around the bbc? and i 'ust wanted to say we used — around the bbc? and i 'ust wanted to say we used an h around the bbc? and i 'ust wanted to say we used an actor — around the bbc? and ijust wanted to say we used an actor to _ around the bbc? and ijust wanted to say we used an actor to voice - around the bbc? and ijust wanted to say we used an actor to voice alice, l say we used an actor to voice alice, it is not her actual voice. we spoke on account of her remaining anonymous. he worked for a number of broadcasters, channel 4 also looking into their relationship, a uk channel. but there is a specific allegation with the bbc that in the case of alice, she says that a bbc booked a car with a chauffeur picked up booked a car with a chauffeur picked up several times to get her to russell brand. so the idea of the car being paid for by the licence fee payer in this country and the idea of him using his workplace in that way and picking her up from school, picking her up from home, dropping her at his, she says she knew it was a bbc car because she had seen him use it before for his

radio work and his specific shows with the bbc. the bbc in a statement has talked about the fact it is investigating these allegations. harare investigating these allegations. how is she, investigating these allegations. how is she. what — investigating these allegations. how is she, what kind of toll has this relationship taken on her life? she talks about — relationship taken on her life? §i9 talks about the relationship taken on her life? 5i9 talks about the fact that she has reflected on it as she mentioned. and now looking at her relationship since, she has gravitated, she says, towards people who perhaps she doesn't need to may be feel as good around them, in a way that may be mirrored some of that feeling that was there. so it has had a toll on speaking out has also had a toll. thank you very much. let's now take a look at some other stories making the news here in the uk. people in england aged 65 and over are being urged to get a top—up covid booster vaccine. an increasing number of people are attending hospital with the virus, but while hospital numbers are up, intensive care admissions are low. the roll—out of the new booster has been brought forward

as a precaution against a highly—mutated new covid variant called ba.2.86. a woman will appear in court charged with the murder of two people in their 70s. virginia mccullough, who is 35 and from chelmsford in essex, is accused of killing the pair, whose bodies have not yet been found. police have described their investigation as "complex and in—depth". five metropolitan police officers are due to appear at a gross—misconduct hearing over the stop—and—search of the british sprinter bianca williams. she accused the force of racism after she and her partner were handcuffed and separated from their baby son during the search, injuly 2020. you are live with bbc news. officials in libya say at least three greek rescue workers have died in a road accident as they were travelling from benghazi to derna. the city devastated by the flooding.

seven others were critically injured. a week after catastrophic floods ravaged the city, rescue teams are still pulling out bodies from ruined buildings and the sea. un agencies warned that derna faces the threat of disease outbreaks that could bring, what they call "a second devastating crisis". they say there are 30,000 homeless people in the city and there is a desperate need for clean water, food and basic supplies to mitigate the growing risk of cholera, diarrhoea, dehydration and malnutrition. we have live pictures right now from derna. you can see the city has been completely devastated by these floods. and the real concern is about the lack of infrastructure, the lack of access to clean drinking water. really hard for these aid agencies to get people on the ground because of damage to the roads and things as well. let's bring you what

the head of the protection unit has said about the situation from the unhcr, describing it as horrific. roads have been demolished, damaged and submerged underwater. some have lost a very big number of their loved ones, many are still missing. some have been split and others have been displaced. the search and rescue teams continue to try to save lives, but the situation is far from being stable at the moment. live now to benghazi to speak to tauhid pasha, the interim chief of mission in libya for the international organization for migration. very good to see you. do we have any idea of the numbers of displaced in derna? ~ �* , . idea of the numbers of displaced in derna? 9 �* , : ., , derna? we've 'ust received, released what we can — derna? we've 'ust received, released what we can a— derna? we've just received, released what we call a dtm _ derna? we've just received, released what we call a dtm coming _ what we call a dtm coming displacement flash report last night. the figures are standing, it is very difficult to say how many, we are getting reports of people dispersing to over 20 towns and

cities across libya. as you know, 30,000 plus, we are looking at displaced in derna alone currently. and on top of that, you have got 2,000 in other cities. 1,200. 3,000 in another major city. and we have got 2,500 where i am sitting now in a benghazi. you are probably looking at an estimate of about 50,000 plus people. but again, we are counting the numbers. we have got our colleagues who are trying to collect this data on the ground as we speak. those numbers are huge, does it also include the migrants, the refugees who are in libya as well who may have been impacted by this? thea;r who are in libya as well who may have been impacted by this? they do. it is very difficult _ have been impacted by this? they do. it is very difficult to _ have been impacted by this? they do. it is very difficult to say _ have been impacted by this? they do. it is very difficult to say how _ have been impacted by this? they do. it is very difficult to say how many - it is very difficult to say how many maggots have been affected. as you know, the migrant population in

libya is significant. —— how many migrants. they work in the population, it is also a transit country across the central mediterranean route. so these are factors we need to take into account. 0ne factors we need to take into account. one thing we need to bear in mind is migrants are typically living in very vulnerable situations in libya anyway. and in derna, we knew the migrant population was living in the part of the city that was most susceptible to flooding, in the low—lying areas. 50 was most susceptible to flooding, in the low-lying areas.— the low-lying areas. so we're talkin: the low-lying areas. so we're talking about _ the low-lying areas. so we're talking about tens _ the low-lying areas. so we're talking about tens of- the low-lying areas. so we're l talking about tens of thousands the low-lying areas. so we're - talking about tens of thousands of people now homeless and probably badly in need of clean drinking water, food and basic supplies. and they have been through this incredibly traumatic experience, how is it possible to try and reach some of these people and how are they getting help? 50 t of these people and how are they getting help?— getting help? so i was part of an interagency _ getting help? so i was part of an interagency mission _ getting help? so i was part of an interagency mission with - getting help? so i was part of an i interagency mission with colleagues from the unhcr and other un agencies

over the weekend. it was very difficult to access the places, to be honest. the road infrastructure has been damaged, the bridge infrastructure across derna has been damaged. having said that, the cities where we are seeing the displaced populations going to now are now actually living in cities more accessible. so our target now has to be two fold. it is to get help to the newly displaced people moving to these areas and to get, of course, the urgent relief that is going to be needed in derna and continue to do that. titer? continue to do that. very challenging _ continue to do that. very challenging task - continue to do that. very challenging task for i continue to do that. very challenging task for you | continue to do that. very i challenging task for you and the team, thank you very much for joining us and good luck. these are live pictures from derna. you can see as we see these pictures full frame bulldozer is trying to

move some of the rubble, it does still look like a tsunami has been through there and people describing the scene on the ground as being apocalyptic. and when you look at that, you can absolutely see why. the search going on now it seems for bodies and just trying to clear up the debris after the incredible flooding in derna. the former british prime minister liz truss has defended last year's mini—budget, saying she was trying to get the british economy on a better trajectory. in a speech this morning, she urged the government to cut taxes, shrink welfare spending and raise the retirement age. ms truss said there had been 25 years of "economic consensus" which needed to be "shattered". levels of tax and regulation are now too high to generate the amount of economic activity we need to help people's incomes get bigger and to fund government services, and that means our economy is now stagnating. people talk about the productivity

puzzle, but it is really not a puzzle. this is not enough incentive to go out and set up a business, to take risks, to compete or even work. that is the problem. rob watson, who was she making these remarks to, aside from the audience, who is she addressing these comments do and the wider public? i who is she addressing these comments do and the wider public?— do and the wider public? i don't think there _ do and the wider public? i don't think there was _ do and the wider public? i don't think there was any _ do and the wider public? i don't think there was any doubt i do and the wider public? i don't think there was any doubt that. do and the wider public? i don't l think there was any doubt that liz truss was addressing the entire world. and i mean that quite seriously. i mean, she is a genuine ideologue and i don't mean that in a pejorative way. i think she just genuinely does believe really what is holding back growth notjust in britain, but other western countries and no doubt beyond that, is that taxes are too high, that the state is too big and there is too much deregulation. i don't think there is any doubt about that. so anyone who had been expecting her to say that last year, i was wrong, absolutely

none of it. this was a speech saying, i was right, none of it. this was a speech saying, iwas right, i none of it. this was a speech saying, i was right, i was right last year and i will be right for the future and the world needs to wake up to that. it is notjust about this country, it is everywhere.— about this country, it is everywhere. about this country, it is eve here. �* :, ., , , , everywhere. but how many supporters does she still— everywhere. but how many supporters does she still have _ everywhere. but how many supporters does she still have within _ everywhere. but how many supporters does she still have within the - does she still have within the conservative party? the does she still have within the conservative party? the funny thing about politics _ conservative party? the funny thing about politics and _ conservative party? the funny thing about politics and i _ conservative party? the funny thing about politics and i think— conservative party? the funny thing about politics and i think it - conservative party? the funny thing about politics and i think it is i conservative party? the funny thing about politics and i think it is not i about politics and i think it is not just in this country, but everywhere, i think not only liz truss, but those people that supported her in the party and beyond, they think they were right. they generally think they were on the right side of history. and it is worth remembering that certainly in the governing conservative party, the governing conservative party, the majority of activists, they love her. they really believe in this stuff. they voted for her way ahead of rishi sunak. i mean, the problem that she has had really is that the electorate more widely thought of her as being a bit goofy, a bit odd and certainly that her policies whacked them in the pocket book. and as for the parliamentary conservative party, they got rid of her because they thought she was a

liability in the polls. can her because they thought she was a liability in the polls.— liability in the polls. can i also ask ou liability in the polls. can i also ask you about _ liability in the polls. can i also ask you about the _ liability in the polls. can i also ask you about the leader i liability in the polls. can i also ask you about the leader of i liability in the polls. can i also l ask you about the leader of the opposition today keir starmer saying 0pposition today keir starmer saying he will look for a much better brexit deal with the eu if labour wins the next general election, what is his strategy? i wins the next general election, what is his strategy?— is his strategy? i think it's fascinating _ is his strategy? i think it's fascinating because i is his strategy? i think it's fascinating because up i is his strategy? i think it's i fascinating because up until now, the labour party, a bit like the governing conservative party, just didn't want to talk about brexit, it is one of those issues where their massive, it gets everybody sighing and sacking their teeth. the fact he is prepared to talk about it shows a growing confidence he feels and i suspect also because he has been looking at the polling, which consistently suggests the majority british people think brexit has turned out to be a bit of a turkey and they would prefer to have better relations and certainly better trading relations with the european union, if not necessarily it. good to see you. _ union, if not necessarily it. good to see you, thanks _ union, if not necessarily it. good to see you, thanks so _ union, if not necessarily it. good to see you, thanks so much. i union, if not necessarily it. good| to see you, thanks so much. let's take you no to china. the country's foreign ministry has expressed

dissatisfaction with remarks made by germany's foreign minister. referring to president xi jinping as a "dictator". a spokeswoman accused germany's annalena baerbock of political provocation for the comments she made in an interview in washington last week. the bodies of 14 people killed in a plane crash in brazil's amazonas state have been flown to the state capital, manaus, to be formally identified. the victims were two crew members and brazilian tourists who were travelling to the heart of the amazon rainforest, on a sport fishing trip. and an unusually well—preserved dinosaur skeleton — known as �*barry�* — is on display in paris, ahead of its sale at an auction in france next month. the camptosaurus, which is about 150—million years old, was discovered in the 19905 in the us. before we go, some incredible video from france. eyewitnesses have captured these pictures of a tornado swirling near a road.

the french national weather service has issued weather alerts for parts of the country. this small tornado was seen near the town of ernee, in the north—west. while europe does experience tornadoes, they're considered slightly less common in europe's west. so not often we see pictures like this and they are being widely shared at the moment. from france. stay with us here on bbc news. hello. there'll be some brighter skies this week, but yesterday, we saw a month's worth of rainfall in the space of six hours in parts of devon and somerset, overnight in the space of an hour near swindon. and you can see from our rainfall accumulation chart for the week, all of us will see yet further rain, brighter colours in the cumbrian fells, the west highlands, where we could see over 100 millimetres of rainfall before we get to friday. all being driven by these areas of cloud working its way in, pushed towards us by a deep area of low pressure

to the south of iceland. but that will help drive away the cloud and rain we've seen so far today. the second band, which has started the day in western areas, will clear away from the east coast, after some rumbles of thunder in east anglia and the south—east during the afternoon. it lingers on the far north—east of scotland. a bit of a blustery wind to go across the uk today, but lots more sunshine compared with the morning, especially in the west, where there will still be a few showers coming through in the breeze. those showers keep going into tonight, but to be replaced in ireland by some more persistent rain after midnight, and then later into central—southern scotland, north—west england, north and west wales. mild enough night in the south, not quite as mild as last night. a fresh start tomorrow in the far north of scotland, where we'll see some of the driest and the brightest of the weather. but an area of low pressure is there just to the north of us and it's on the southern edge. we're going to be driving in these weather fronts on strong to gale—force winds, particularly for england and wales. now, heavy rain to begin with. scotland, northern england will ease through, and rain will come and go, i think, through the day across the central swathe of the uk. maybe a few showers, east anglia, the south—east, one or two showers,

but some brighter weather in northern scotland. but the cloud will thin at times. we will see some glimmers of brightness, but to go with it, we've got winds around the hills and coasts of england and wales gusting 40, 50, maybe even 60 miles an hour. and even though the air is a little bit more humid, it will be tempered by the strength of that wind, which remains strong through the night and into wednesday. another batch of weather fronts will then work its way southwards through the day, only slowly, which will bring some fresher air to the north and the west of the country. but along that band, we'll see ripples of heavier rain, which could affect those saturated areas of the south—west of england, where we saw the flooding through yesterday. wednesday, though, bright enough towards the south and east, sunshine and showers to finish the day in the north and the west. it's going to feel like september this week. that continues a certainly fresh feel on friday. some of the driest weather uk—wide at the moment likely to be on saturday. take care.

this is bbc news. the headlines: a prisoner swap will see five americans jailed for several years fly home from iran. five iranians imprisoned in the united states will also be released. one of russell brand's accusers tells the bbc his response to allegations of rape and sexual abuse is "insulting." he denies the claims. three greek rescue workers die travelling to libya's flood zone. officials say more than 10,000 people are still missing.

could it be last orders for britain's pubs? a slump in business since covid means up to two a day are facing closure. the ukrainian government has sacked six deputy defence ministers, saying "a reboot of the system" is needed. six deputy defence ministers, saying it follows the appointment of a new defence minister less than two weeks ago. in recent months, the department had been accused of corruption over the procurement of some supplies. meantime, russia and ukraine are facing each other in court today. the case was brought by ukraine to the international court ofjustice in the hague just days after russia's invasion last year. ukraine argued that russia had falsely used international law tojustify its invasion by arguing it was necessary to prevent a genocide in ukraine. russia wants the case thrown out, insisting it falls outside the remit of the un court. ukraine's president zelensky says his forces have liberated another eastern village from the russians. in the south, ukraine's counter—offensive has broken

through the first line of russian defences.