live from london. this is bbc news. the grand final of the eurovision song contest gets under way against a background of protests against israel's participation. the israeli military says about 300,000 palestinians have left the city of rafah since they've been ordered to evacuate on monday. but the un warns they're moving to an area which lacks basic infrastructure. thousands of demonstrators in georgia take to the streets of tbilisi, in the latest protest against legislation that would force organisations to declare foreign funding. and the most powerful solar storm in 21 years triggers celestial light—shows in many parts of the world, with scientists expecting another display later this evening. hello, i'm samantha simmonds.

we start with the eurovision song contest, which is now under way in sweden. throughout the day, an estimated 10,000 people marched through the city of malmo, protesting against israel's participation in the competition. these are live pictures outside the contest venue. let's cross now to my colleague mariam moshiri in malmo. always lovely to work with you, shame you are not here, it has been a lot of fun map as you have mentioned, there has been much controversy over the last week. but this is what it is about, the music, and fans are lining up in their droves to watch the grand final of the 68th eurovision song contest. it has been a controversial week, it has been a controversial week, it has been a controversial week, it has been different to await eurovision song contest two, with lots going on with protests, protest going on right now in the square in front of the arena. my colleague has all the latest.

joost klein. with just hours to go, his eurovision dream is over. his team says they're shocked by his disqualification. fans realised something was wrong when it was announced he wouldn't be taking part in yesterday's rehearsal. and it's now been confirmed he won't be competing tonight after a complain by from a female member of the production team about an incident on thursday. it's been an eventful build—up to this year's contest. the presence of israel has provoked protest from those angry about events in gaza. the song, however, is second favourite to win. the presence of israel has provoked protest from those angry

about events in gaza. the song, however, is second favourite to win. events have continued to unfold this afternoon. but inside the arena, it has continued almost as normal. the uk's 0lly alexander is at number 11 in the odds, but the frontrunner is the czech republic's entrant. but the hope is that on the night it'll be all about what happens in the arena with its giant cross stage and 200 tonne lighting cube and the people in charge of the spectacle, florian and frederick. i've got one word for this. wow. the new design with all the lights and technical wizardry, is there to give countries more options, something which ireland has truly embraced. and i think this is what makes this year's show so, so difficult and complex and challenging for the entire team, because there are so many different options of what you can potentially do with this. how long have they got to get on stage and get sorted? it's a very short time frame. 40 seconds. a0 seconds. have you said no to stuff? we have said no to stuff. what? i'm not going to tell you. and the odds on front runner rin tin tagi dim by croatia's baby lasagne.

there may have been politics and drama in the run up, but the hope is that tonight the eurovision spirit will prevail in all its cheerful, moving, daft, crowd pleasing glory. david sillitoe, bbc news, malmo. as david mentioned, it is hoped the european spirit will prevail, the ebu certainly hoped so. it has been criticised for its handling of the issues we have spoken about over the last few days here in malmo. i am joined now by someone who knows eurovision very well, he's a journalist and eurovision super fan, super knowledgeable, super historian. you have been coming to the eurovision for years, have you ever seen anything like this one? it's like my world cup, i get to do this every— it's like my world cup, i get to do this every yeah _ it's like my world cup, i get to do this every year. i've _ it's like my world cup, i get to do this every year. i've never- it's like my world cup, i get to do this every year. i've never knownl this every year. i've never known anything — this every year. i've never known anything like _ this every year. i've never known anything like this— this every year. i've never known anything like this year. _

this every year. i've never known anything like this year. each - this every year. i've never knownl anything like this year. each year, there _ anything like this year. each year, there are — anything like this year. each year, there are some _ anything like this year. each year, there are some political— anything like this year. each year, there are some political events i there are some political events outside — there are some political events outside of— there are some political events outside of the _ there are some political events outside of the song _ there are some political events outside of the song contest - there are some political eventsl outside of the song contest that inevitably— outside of the song contest that inevitably make _ outside of the song contest that inevitably make their— outside of the song contest that inevitably make their way- outside of the song contest that inevitably make their way into l outside of the song contest that l inevitably make their way into the coverage — inevitably make their way into the coverage but— inevitably make their way into the coverage but this _ inevitably make their way into the coverage but this year _ inevitably make their way into the coverage but this year has - inevitably make their way into the coverage but this year has been . inevitably make their way into the . coverage but this year has been very tehse _ coverage but this year has been very tehse because — coverage but this year has been very tense because of— coverage but this year has been very tense because of where _ coverage but this year has been very tense because of where we - coverage but this year has been very tense because of where we are, - coverage but this year has been very tense because of where we are, we i tense because of where we are, we are irr— tense because of where we are, we are in metmo, _ tense because of where we are, we are in malmo, there _ tense because of where we are, we are in malmo, there is— tense because of where we are, we are in malmo, there is a _ are in malmo, there is a pro—palestinian- are in malmo, there is a pro—palestinian city, - are in malmo, there is aj pro—palestinian city, but are in malmo, there is a . pro—palestinian city, but it are in malmo, there is a - pro—palestinian city, but it was announced _ pro—palestinian city, but it was announced it _ pro—palestinian city, but it was announced it would _ pro—palestinian city, but it was announced it would be - pro—palestinian city, but it was announced it would be here - pro—palestinian city, but it wasl announced it would be here last sunrnrer — announced it would be here last summer. today's _ announced it would be here last summer. today's events - announced it would be here last summer. today's events with i announced it would be here last. summer. today's events with the rehearsats, — summer. today's events with the rehearsals, the _ summer. today's events with the rehearsals, the netherlands - summer. today's events with thel rehearsals, the netherlands being disqualified — rehearsals, the netherlands being disqualified hours _ rehearsals, the netherlands being disqualified hours before, - rehearsals, the netherlands being disqualified hours before, it - rehearsals, the netherlands being disqualified hours before, it has . disqualified hours before, it has never— disqualified hours before, it has never happened _ disqualified hours before, it has never happened before. - disqualified hours before, it has never happened before. ireland| disqualified hours before, it has - never happened before. ireland have not taken _ never happened before. ireland have not taken part— never happened before. ireland have not taken part in— never happened before. ireland have not taken part in the _ never happened before. ireland have not taken part in the rehearsal. - never happened before. ireland have not taken part in the rehearsal. 160. not taken part in the rehearsal. 160 million _ not taken part in the rehearsal. 160 million people _ not taken part in the rehearsal. 160 million people will— not taken part in the rehearsal. 160 million people will be _ not taken part in the rehearsal. 160 million people will be watching - not taken part in the rehearsal. 160 million people will be watching and | million people will be watching and that three — million people will be watching and that three minute _ million people will be watching and that three minute performance, . million people will be watching and i that three minute performance, they will not _ that three minute performance, they will not be _ that three minute performance, they will not be able _ that three minute performance, they will not be able to _ that three minute performance, they will not be able to perform _ that three minute performance, they will not be able to perform at - that three minute performance, they will not be able to perform at today. will not be able to perform at today because _ will not be able to perform at today because they — will not be able to perform at today because they have _ will not be able to perform at today because they have said _ will not be able to perform at today because they have said there - will not be able to perform at today because they have said there is - because they have said there is something _ because they have said there is something that _ because they have said there is something that has _ because they have said there is something that has happened i something that has happened backstage, _ something that has happened backstage, they— something that has happened backstage, they had - something that has happened backstage, they had a - something that has happened. backstage, they had a problem something that has happened - backstage, they had a problem of the ebu, backstage, they had a problem of the ebu. but _ backstage, they had a problem of the ebu. but things— backstage, they had a problem of the ebu, but things seem _ backstage, they had a problem of the ebu, but things seem to— backstage, they had a problem of the ebu, but things seem to have - backstage, they had a problem of the ebu, but things seem to have been l ebu, but things seem to have been resolved _ ebu, but things seem to have been resolved and — ebu, but things seem to have been resolved and they— ebu, but things seem to have been resolved and they will— ebu, but things seem to have been resolved and they will take - ebu, but things seem to have been resolved and they will take to - ebu, but things seem to have been resolved and they will take to the l resolved and they will take to the stage _ resolved and they will take to the stage france _ resolved and they will take to the stage. france towards _ resolved and they will take to the stage. france towards the - resolved and they will take to the stage. france towards the end i resolved and they will take to the stage. france towards the end of| stage. france towards the end of this rehearsal— stage. france towards the end of this rehearsal decided _ stage. france towards the end of this rehearsal decided to - stage. france towards the end of this rehearsal decided to stop . this rehearsal decided to stop singing — this rehearsal decided to stop singing and _ this rehearsal decided to stop singing and make _ this rehearsal decided to stop singing and make a _ this rehearsal decided to stop singing and make a speech. this rehearsal decided to stop| singing and make a speech on this rehearsal decided to stop - singing and make a speech on stage and it— singing and make a speech on stage and it was— singing and make a speech on stage and it was a — singing and make a speech on stage and it was a pack— singing and make a speech on stage and it was a pack arena. _ singing and make a speech on stage and it was a pack arena. the - and it was a pack arena. the rehearsals— and it was a pack arena. the rehearsals have _ and it was a pack arena. the rehearsals have a _ and it was a pack arena. the rehearsals have a live - and it was a pack arena. the i rehearsals have a live audience and it was a pack arena. the - rehearsals have a live audience and i've rehearsals have a live audience and i've never— rehearsals have a live audience and i've never known— rehearsals have a live audience and i've never known anything - rehearsals have a live audience and i've never known anything like - rehearsals have a live audience and i've never known anything like it. . i've never known anything like it. what _ i've never known anything like it. what you — i've never known anything like it. what you think _ i've never known anything like it. what you think it _ i've never known anything like it. what you think it has _ i've never known anything like it. what you think it has done - i've never known anything like it.

what you think it has done to - i've never known anything like it. j what you think it has done to the atmosphere? eurovision is normally about music, love, togetherness, and itjust about music, love, togetherness, and it just doesn't feel this about music, love, togetherness, and itjust doesn't feel this way about music, love, togetherness, and it just doesn't feel this way this time. ., ., ,._ , , time. now, and it says everywhere united by music, _ time. now, and it says everywhere united by music, because - time. now, and it says everywhere united by music, because that - time. now, and it says everywhere united by music, because that is i united by music, because that is eurovision's_ united by music, because that is eurovision's slogan, _ united by music, because that is eurovision's slogan, its - united by music, because that is eurovision's slogan, its aim, - united by music, because that is eurovision's slogan, its aim, to. eurovision's slogan, its aim, to united — eurovision's slogan, its aim, to united continent— eurovision's slogan, its aim, to united continent and _ eurovision's slogan, its aim, to united continent and beyond i eurovision's slogan, its aim, to- united continent and beyond through nrusic— united continent and beyond through music one _ united continent and beyond through music one night _ united continent and beyond through music one night a _ united continent and beyond through music one night a year. _ united continent and beyond through music one night a year. this - united continent and beyond through music one night a year. this time - united continent and beyond through music one night a year. this time it i music one night a year. this time it feels _ music one night a year. this time it feels like _ music one night a year. this time it feels like four— music one night a year. this time it feels like four months _ music one night a year. this time it feels like four months there - music one night a year. this time it feels like four months there have . feels like four months there have been _ feels like four months there have been petitions— feels like four months there have been petitions outside _ feels like four months there have been petitions outside the - feels like four months there have been petitions outside the arenal feels like four months there have i been petitions outside the arena of those _ been petitions outside the arena of those who— been petitions outside the arena of those who want _ been petitions outside the arena of those who want to _ been petitions outside the arena of those who want to boycott. - been petitions outside the arena of those who want to boycott. there i been petitions outside the arena of. those who want to boycott. there are thousands _ those who want to boycott. there are thousands of— those who want to boycott. there are thousands of fans _ those who want to boycott. there are thousands of fans wanting _ those who want to boycott. there are thousands of fans wanting to - those who want to boycott. there are thousands of fans wanting to enjoy. thousands of fans wanting to enjoy the show. — thousands of fans wanting to enjoy the show. some _ thousands of fans wanting to enjoy the show, some have _ thousands of fans wanting to enjoy the show, some have never- thousands of fans wanting to enjoy the show, some have never been i thousands of fans wanting to enjoyl the show, some have never been to eurovision— the show, some have never been to eurovision before, _ the show, some have never been to eurovision before, some _ the show, some have never been to eurovision before, some are - the show, some have never been to eurovision before, some are here i the show, some have never been tol eurovision before, some are here for a once—in—a—lifetime _ eurovision before, some are here for a once—in—a—lifetime opportunity, i eurovision before, some are here for a once—in—a—lifetime opportunity, toj a once—in—a—lifetime opportunity, to be in _ a once—in—a—lifetime opportunity, to be in a _ a once—in—a—lifetime opportunity, to be in a room — a once—in—a—lifetime opportunity, to be in a room where _ a once—in—a—lifetime opportunity, to be in a room where160 _ a once—in—a—lifetime opportunity, to be in a room where160 million- be in a room where160 million people — be in a room where160 million people at— be in a room where160 million people at home _ be in a room where160 million people at home will _ be in a room where160 million people at home will be - be in a room where160 million. people at home will be watching, be in a room where160 million- people at home will be watching, but 'ust people at home will be watching, but just further— people at home will be watching, but just further on— people at home will be watching, but just further on you _ people at home will be watching, but just further on you have _ just further on you have pro—palestinian- just further on you have - pro—palestinian protesters. just further on you have _ pro—palestinian protesters. whatever you think— pro—palestinian protesters. whatever you think of _ pro—palestinian protesters. whatever you think of eurovision _ pro—palestinian protesters. whatever you think of eurovision and _ pro—palestinian protesters. whatever you think of eurovision and the - you think of eurovision and the events— you think of eurovision and the events happening _ you think of eurovision and the events happening outside - you think of eurovision and the events happening outside of. you think of eurovision and the. events happening outside of the city, what — events happening outside of the city, what i _ events happening outside of the city, what i am _ events happening outside of the city, what i am seeing _ events happening outside of the city, what i am seeing is - events happening outside of the city, what i am seeing is a - events happening outside of the city, what i am seeing is a sea l events happening outside of thei city, what i am seeing is a sea of flags _ city, what i am seeing is a sea of flags you — city, what i am seeing is a sea of flags you have _ city, what i am seeing is a sea of flags. you have palestinian- city, what i am seeing is a sea of flags. you have palestinian flags| flags. you have palestinian flags over there. _ flags. you have palestinian flags over there, people _ flags. you have palestinian flags over there, people carrying - flags. you have palestinian flags| over there, people carrying them flags. you have palestinian flags . over there, people carrying them as they go— over there, people carrying them as they go into — over there, people carrying them as they go into the _ over there, people carrying them as they go into the song _ over there, people carrying them as they go into the song contest, - over there, people carrying them as they go into the song contest, and i they go into the song contest, and there _ they go into the song contest, and there are — they go into the song contest, and there are so — they go into the song contest, and there are so few— they go into the song contest, and there are so few events _ they go into the song contest, and there are so few events in - they go into the song contest, and there are so few events in the - they go into the song contest, and. there are so few events in the world that can _

there are so few events in the world that can bring — there are so few events in the world that can bring people _ there are so few events in the world that can bring people together, - there are so few events in the world that can bring people together, but| that can bring people together, but today— that can bring people together, but today there — that can bring people together, but today there has _ that can bring people together, but today there has been _ that can bring people together, but today there has been a _ that can bring people together, but today there has been a clear- that can bring people together, but| today there has been a clear vision. how damaging _ today there has been a clear vision. how damaging is— today there has been a clear vision. how damaging is this _ today there has been a clear vision. how damaging is this for _ today there has been a clear vision. how damaging is this for the - today there has been a clear vision. how damaging is this for the ebu? i how damaging is this for the ebu? they have been accused of a lack of communication— they have been accused of a lack of communication and _ they have been accused of a lack of communication and critics - they have been accused of a lack of communication and critics argue - they have been accused of a lack of communication and critics argue inl communication and critics argue in 2022, _ communication and critics argue in 2022, days— communication and critics argue in 2022, days after— communication and critics argue in 2022, days after russia's - communication and critics argue in| 2022, days after russia's invasion, they kicked — 2022, days after russia's invasion, they kicked russia _ 2022, days after russia's invasion, they kicked russia out _ 2022, days after russia's invasion, they kicked russia out after- 2022, days after russia's invasion, they kicked russia out after it - they kicked russia out after it invaded — they kicked russia out after it invaded ukraine. _ they kicked russia out after it invaded ukraine. this- they kicked russia out after it invaded ukraine. this time i they kicked russia out after it - invaded ukraine. this time around there _ invaded ukraine. this time around there has— invaded ukraine. this time around there has been— invaded ukraine. this time around there has been a _ invaded ukraine. this time around there has been a lot _ invaded ukraine. this time around there has been a lot of— invaded ukraine. this time aroundl there has been a lot of controversy around _ there has been a lot of controversy around israel's _ there has been a lot of controversy around israel's inclusion. - there has been a lot of controversy around israel's inclusion. the - there has been a lot of controversy around israel's inclusion. the ebui around israel's inclusion. the ebu says in— around israel's inclusion. the ebu says in 2022, _ around israel's inclusion. the ebu says in 2022, it _ around israel's inclusion. the ebu says in 2022, it kicked _ around israel's inclusion. the ebu says in 2022, it kicked russia - around israel's inclusion. the ebu says in 2022, it kicked russia out| says in 2022, it kicked russia out because — says in 2022, it kicked russia out because its — says in 2022, it kicked russia out because its broadcasters- says in 2022, it kicked russia out because its broadcasters broke i says in 2022, it kicked russia out| because its broadcasters broke its independence _ because its broadcasters broke its independence rules, _ because its broadcasters broke its independence rules, but - because its broadcasters broke its independence rules, but say- because its broadcasters broke its independence rules, but say this i independence rules, but say this time _ independence rules, but say this time with— independence rules, but say this time with israel, _ independence rules, but say this time with israel, the _ independence rules, but say this time with israel, the israeli - time with israel, the israeli broadcaster— time with israel, the israeli broadcaster has— time with israel, the israeli broadcaster has not - time with israel, the israeli broadcaster has not brokenj time with israel, the israeli i broadcaster has not broken its time with israel, the israeli - broadcaster has not broken its rule so there _ broadcaster has not broken its rule so there is— broadcaster has not broken its rule so there is no— broadcaster has not broken its rule so there is no reason— broadcaster has not broken its rule so there is no reason to _ broadcaster has not broken its rule so there is no reason to kick- broadcaster has not broken its rule so there is no reason to kick israel| so there is no reason to kick israel out~ _ so there is no reason to kick israel out~ 0ver— so there is no reason to kick israel out~ 0verthis— so there is no reason to kick israel out. over this past— so there is no reason to kick israel out. over this past two _ so there is no reason to kick israel out. over this past two year- so there is no reason to kick israel| out. over this past two year period, they have _ out. over this past two year period, they have not — out. over this past two year period, they have not been _ out. over this past two year period, they have not been clear— out. over this past two year period, they have not been clear with - they have not been clear with communication— they have not been clear with communication as _ they have not been clear with communication as to - they have not been clear with communication as to why - they have not been clear with| communication as to why they suspended _ communication as to why they suspended russia _ communication as to why they suspended russia two - communication as to why they suspended russia two years . communication as to why they. suspended russia two years ago. thank— suspended russia two years ago. thank you. — suspended russia two years ago. thank you. stay— suspended russia two years ago. thank you, stay with _ suspended russia two years ago. thank you, stay with us - suspended russia two years ago. l thank you, stay with us throughout this, because we want to get you

back to talk about what has happened in the eurovision song contest outside the arena. my colleague charlotte gallagher is in the fan zone. about 20 minutes from here, charlotte, what is the atmosphere like before the contest is going to start? , , ., , ., start? this is actually the media zone, start? this is actually the media zone. this _ start? this is actually the media zone. this is _ start? this is actually the media zone, this is full _ start? this is actually the media zone, this is full of _ start? this is actually the media zone, this is full of the - start? this is actually the media| zone, this is full of the hundreds ofjournalists zone, this is full of the hundreds of journalists that are essentially covering eurovision, from right across europe and beyond. australian journalists, americanjournalists, and you also have got fans doing their blogs, instagrams, tiktoks and there has been a really fun atmosphere at times. for example when spain perform, we saw the spanish journalists when spain perform, we saw the spanishjournalistsjump when spain perform, we saw the spanish journalists jump up, when spain perform, we saw the spanishjournalistsjump up, waving spanish journalists jump up, waving their flags, spanishjournalistsjump up, waving theirflags, the greek spanishjournalistsjump up, waving their flags, the greekjournalists waving their greek flags. it has been a fun atmosphere. at times it has been quite tense, like when eden golan performed, it was fairly quiet

in here. the tensions outside the media zone have been reflected within this area with the press. definitely everyone is talking about how this is such a different atmosphere this year, even within the journalists, atmosphere this year, even within thejournalists, it is atmosphere this year, even within the journalists, it is a microcosm of what is happening outside with the protesters and the big supporters of eurovision. spending the day here, it feels that chaos has been the word many people have been talking about. it is one crisis being dealt with and then another just pops up and it is something else for the ebu to deal with. we saw one of the organisers being booed inside the arena by fans. that is unheard—of but it is the strength of feeling, people are cross, a lot of feeling, people are cross, a lot of fans are cross, especially when the decision was made to disqualify joost klein, that infuriated a lot of people inside the arena. charlotte, thank you. the fan zone

is 20 minutes away, charlotte is in the media centre, i will be watching a performance from their later on. where will you watch it? it started about 15 minutes, what do you plan to do? there are pubs around the uk and places around the world showing the eurovision song contest for fans who want watch it in a crowd. there are also many people who have organised watching parties in their own homes with dancing and drinks and snacks and whatnot own homes with dancing and drinks and snacks and what not to watch it together with friends. we can go live to one of those watching parties in ali alexander, the uk's entry, in his town of coleford. let's see if we can go live there and meet some people at the party. how is it all going?— how is it all going? yes, really rood! how is it all going? yes, really good! we _ how is it all going? yes, really good! we are _ how is it all going? yes, really good! we are just _ how is it all going? yes, really good! we are just setting - how is it all going? yes, really good! we are just setting up . how is it all going? yes, really i good! we are just setting up now how is it all going? yes, really - good! we are just setting up now in good! we are 'ust setting up now in the cinema good! we are just setting up now in the cinema ready _ good! we are just setting up now in the cinema ready for _ good! we are just setting up now in the cinema ready for our _ good! we are just setting up now in the cinema ready for our giant -

good! we are just setting up now in| the cinema ready for our giant watch party, _ the cinema ready for our giant watch party, sponsored by coleford town council. _ party, sponsored by coleford town council, free entry to all our local residents — council, free entry to all our local residents. we have a pre—party going on in _ residents. we have a pre—party going on in the _ residents. we have a pre—party going on in the art — residents. we have a pre—party going on in the art of coffee as we speak, so the _ on in the art of coffee as we speak, so the sense — on in the art of coffee as we speak, so the sense of excitement and joy for 0llie _ so the sense of excitement and joy for 0llie representing us, the whole of the _ for 0llie representing us, the whole of the world, it is phenomenal. the community— of the world, it is phenomenal. the community has got behind this and we are buzzing _ community has got behind this and we are buzzing tonight. cheering. you are the mayor of coleford, you must be so proud of 0lly! taste you are the mayor of coleford, you must be so proud of olly!— must be so proud of olly! we are absolutely _ must be so proud of olly! we are absolutely over _ must be so proud of olly! we are absolutely over the _ must be so proud of olly! we are absolutely over the moon - must be so proud of olly! we are absolutely over the moon that. must be so proud of olly! we are i absolutely over the moon that ollie absolutely over the moon that 0llie is here _ absolutely over the moon that 0llie is here on— absolutely over the moon that 0llie is here on this global platform, his first public— is here on this global platform, his first public performance was here in the centre _ first public performance was here in the centre of our town at the music festival— the centre of our town at the music festival way — the centre of our town at the music festival way back in the early 2000, so it is— festival way back in the early 2000, so it is great we are able to do this tonight and we wish him the very best — this tonight and we wish him the very best of luck.—

this tonight and we wish him the very best of luck. thank you to all of ou very best of luck. thank you to all of you for— very best of luck. thank you to all of you forjoining _ very best of luck. thank you to all of you forjoining us. _ very best of luck. thank you to all of you forjoining us. it's - very best of luck. thank you to all of you forjoining us. it's not - very best of luck. thank you to all of you forjoining us. it's not too l of you forjoining us. it's not too long before he gets to sing in front of the whole world, 160—180,000,000 people will be tuning into the eurovision song contest globally. it is a global music phenomenon, the biggest music contest in the world. the city of malmo has a rich pedigree in hosting the eurovision song contest, this is the third time it has been the host and it is the seventh time. we. sweden of course are big into eurovision and 50 years ago this year, abba, the amazing super band, global superstars, won the eurovision song contest in brighton, in the uk that year. there will be some sort of celebration here to commemorate abba and their victory that year. you are watching bbc news.

back to our main story today. the israeli military says about 300,00 palestinians have left the city of rafah since monday, when israel told them to move to a nearby district of gaza. the israel defence forces have declared a narrow coastal strip at al—mawasi to be a safe humanitarian zone, but the un says it has no running water or proper sanitation. israel is planning an assault on hamas fighters in rafah and has ordered tens of thousands more residents from eastern districts of the city to leave. evacuation orders have also been issued for thousands of people in parts of northern gaza. last night, a us government report criticised israel's use of american—supplied weapons in the gaza war, saying it's reasonable to assess they have been used in breach of international humanitarian law in some instances. israel launched it's war on hamas following their attack in israel on october 7th. from jerusalem, here's our middle east correspondent, yollande knell. another desperate exodus. palestinians fleeing in their thousands

as israel signals it is now set to push further into gaza's southernmost city, issuing new evacuation orders. "what should we do?" she asks. "do we wait until we all die on top of each other? "we have decided it's better to leave." israel has decided to take action against hamas in one of its last strongholds, and try to bring hostages home. with israel's capture of one main border crossing and another blocked off by fighting, this is the fifth day with no aid getting into southern gaza. there are now severe shortages of food, deepening the humanitarian crisis. so far, israel's military has described the assault on rafah as limited, but now the world is watching to see if this turns into the full—scale invasion that allies have warned against. and there has been another strong statement from washington.

it says that with some of it strikes on gaza, israel may have used american—supplied weapons in breach of international law. israel has consistently denied any violations. and yet the new report may have an impact on plans back here in rafah, where there is already a growing sense of emergency. in georgia, thousand of protesters have taken to the streets to take part in the march for europe, demonstrating against the government's plan to adopt a controversial law on foreign funding. it comes after nearly three weeks of continual protests, with critics describing it as the "russian law", saying the legislation would target civil society and ultimately silence critical voices. the third and final reading of the bill will happen next monday. let's speak to our south caucasus and central asia correspondent rayhan demytrie, who's in tblisi for us. tell is what has been happening there today.

tell is what has been happening there today-— tell is what has been happening there toda . ~ ., , ., ,, there today. what is happening right now behind me _ there today. what is happening right now behind me is _ there today. what is happening right now behind me is this _ there today. what is happening right now behind me is this is _ there today. what is happening right now behind me is this is europe - now behind me is this is europe square, where thousands of people have gathered tonight in yet another attempt to tell their government they do not want this law, which has been dubbed the russian law, a controversial bill that would target civil society organisations. what people are concerned about is that it would shrink a democratic space in georgia, but they are worried that if it is adopted, georgette would lose an opportunity to join the european family, and that has been a national dream here for so many years. at the end of last year, georgette was granted new candidate status, and since this government started talking about introducing this law on foreign agents, the transparency of foreign funding,

most of georgia's institutions, washington, european states, have been urging the government to reconsider as it is inconsistent with european values and it might really affect the country's chances of joining really affect the country's chances ofjoining the eu.— ofjoining the eu. bank you. -- thank you- _ the taliban in afghanistan say more than 300 people are now known to have died in devastating flash floods in the north of the country. a spokesman for the interior ministry told the bbc that most of the casualties were in the province of baghlan. emergency teams have been sent to rescue those stranded by the floodwaters. on friday, a massive torrent of water swept away hundreds of houses in several villages. dozens of people are still missing. a little earlier i spoke to our reporter sofia bettiza, who's been following the story. she gave this update. a state of emergency has now been declared in the part of the country in the north where the floods are taking place. what has happened is the northern

part of the country has been hit by unusually heavy rain, and that has caused the flooding we are looking at now. the bbc has been sent videos and images from people in the area and those show violent torrents of water sweeping through houses in several villages. there are people trapped in their homes, under the rubble, under the mud. we do not yet know the full scale of the damage, but as you mentioned, the un has confirmed that more than 300 people have died, more than 2000 houses have been destroyed, and many people have been left homeless. just how common are these kind of floods? are there links to climate change? do we know? there are many factors that contribute to flooding but climate change is definitely one of them, because climate change makes extreme rainfall more likely. interestingly, experts say that afghanistan is one of the countries in the world that is most at risk

when it comes to climate change. it has been a very dry winter and that means that it was difficult for the soil to absorb such a huge amount of water. but also, we are talking about one of the poorest countries in the world that has been ravaged by decades of war. so when things like this happen, the country is not exactly well—equipped to deal with natural disasters. in terms of what happens next, there is a big search and rescue operation under way, but there are many people still missing. the fear is that the death toll could go up significantly. russia says it's captured five settlements in the northeastern ukrainian region of kharkiv, since it sent troops over the border there on friday. ukraine disputes the claim. the local governor acknowledged heavy fighting was continuing, but described the situation as "under control." more than 1700 people have been evacuated.

the us—based think tank the institute for the study of war reported that russia had likely taken several villages. these are pictures of volunteers helping people in settlements around kharkiv evacuate. russia also claimed to have captured a village further south in the donetsk region. in the russian—occupied city of donetsk, the authorities say three civilians were killed and others injured in ukrainian missile strikes, one of which hit a restaurant. prince harry and meghan are in nigeria this weekend as part of the duke's promotion of the invictus games. earlier, harry played a seated volleyball match with army veterans, many of whom were wounded in battles against the country's islamist insurgency. harry's team, dressed in yellow, took on a squad led by nigeria's chief of defence staff, the country's top commander. the prince's team took an early lead, but ending up losing the match 25—21. for more on the tour, i spoke earlier to our africa correspondent simi jolaoso in abuja.

well, the duke and duchess have had a pretty busy second day here in abuja. they started off by meeting members of a local organisation that they support called nigeria unconquered, which helps wounded and injured service members and veterans, of course, that we know is close to prince harry's heart. there he actually took part in a sitting volleyball game with the team and they were really enthusiastic. they were chanting "team harry, team harry!" and afterwards he and meghan spoke to the families of those athletes. one girl offered meghan a bouquet of roses, to which meghan gave her a rose back and said that she was really happy to be there. then afterwards, they attended a reception that was hosted by the ministry of defence. that ministry is behind their visit to nigeria in the first place there.

the duke of sussex gave a kind of recap of his visit to a military rehab hospital yesterday. he said when he was there, he met 50 injured soldiers that were lying in their beds. and he said he could feel the sort of low morale in the room. but two of those soldiers stood out to him because they were smiling. he said one of them was even doing push ups. and that visit kind of reminded him of why he started the invictus games foundation. and afterwards, the duchess, meghan, she attended a women in leadership event where she co—hosted with the director—general of the world trade organization, dr ngozi 0konjo—iweala. and there she spoke about her nigerian heritage and the day she found out that she was 43% nigerian. she said she was really happy and the first thing she did was call her mother. and she just said that she was happy to be in the country and to find out more about her heritage as well as interact with other nigerians. when she was asked whether she would

come back, she said "absolutely." barron trump, the youngest son of the former us president, has declined to serve as a delegate at the republican national convention. the florida republican party had announced that the 18—year—old would be among those selecting donald trump as the party's presidential nominee, but the office of former first lady melania trump now appears to have shot down the idea, citing 'prior commitments'. the northern lights might be visible in some parts of the uk again tonight after a stunning array of colours lit up the sky for many of us last night. one of the strongest geomagnetic storms for years meant they could be seen across large swathes of the country, as our science correspondent pallab ghosh reports. technicolour skies not seen in parts of the uk for more than 20 years. this the scene injersey as a spectacular solar show was sent from the sun. the display is usually more visible in northern parts of britain,

but such is the power of the sun's current activity, it was seen in the south, even as far as padstow in cornwall. a more familiar sight further north in crosby beach, in liverpool, people gathered to watch. this was the fourth bridge in scotland. and in newry, in northern ireland, this was the scene. the colours are caused by solar storms on the surface of the sun. the story started 93 million miles away and two days ago. and what happened was the magnetic fields on the sun rearranged themselves, releasing a lot of energy and ejecting billions of tonnes of charged particles out from the sun. this is an actual video of the sun taken by nasa's spacecraft. when it's active, it emits really large clouds of particles called coronal mass ejections, like this one. when they reach the earth,

the particles energise the gases in the atmosphere, making them glow different colours. 0xygen glows green, while nitrogen emits purple, blue and pink light. those in scotland, northern ireland and the far north of england should be able to see the display again tonight. pallab ghosh, bbc news. the eurovision song contest final gets under way in just over half—an—hour's time. it has been marred by quite a few protests, pro—palestinian protesters, many thousands out on the streets today unhappy that israel is being allowed to take part in the grand final. do check out our qr code on your screen if you want to continue watching bbc coverage of the run up to the big final event. stay with us here on

bbc news, thanks for watching. hello. well, the show�*s not over yet. we have both a music spectacle on and, of course, a light display in the heavens. and once again, saturday night, a pretty good chance of catching a glimpse of the aurora borealis or the northern lights. the viewing conditions will be good, if not excellent, across much of the uk with the clear skies and try about 11pm onwards. get your eyes used to that dark sky, away from any bright city lights if you can. now, here's the probability of the aurora occurring. this is just an approximation. so the red colour is pretty much 90% to 100%, and then that chance drops off somewhat as you head southwards across the uk. but it really could happen almost anywhere and there's some uncertainty even with that. now, the weekend weather forecast, some uncertainty, too. and the weather is going to produce a spectacle of its own.

in fact, thunderstorms in the forecast for sunday. now, let's get the outlook, then, for the rest of the evening and into the overnight hours. so let's take a tour across the uk around about midnight where we are expecting the clear skies. so you can see much of scotland, the aurora should be visible easily here and certainly out of town. beautiful displays of green and purple and violet, also a chance of catching it further south. very little in the way of cloud. if you are unlucky, you mightjust have to wait for that bank of cloud to clear away. and remember, the aurora isn't just a brief occurrence. it can last over a couple of hours, so there'll be plenty of opportunity to go out and check again. now, the temperatures first thing in the morning, typically around 9 to 13 degrees. so a relatively mild start to sunday with a lot of sunshine. and on sunday we start with high pressure just about in charge of the weather. and thanks to this high pressure, we will have had the clear skies and the chance to catch glimpses of the aurora. but it is slipping away, that high,

low pressure is moving in as are weather fronts, and these weather fronts will be responsible for sparking off some thunderstorms during the course of sunday. and some of them could be heavy, indeed, pretty nasty across western areas of the uk. and the temperatures every bit as warm if not warmer. highs up to about 26 degrees in london. that's it from me. bye— bye.

this is bbc news — the headlines... the grand final of the eurovision song contest gets underway — against a background of protests against israel's participation. the israeli military says about 300,000 palestinians have left the city of rafah since it ordered them to evacuate on monday. but the un warns they're moving to an area which lacks basic infrastructure. thousands of demonstrators in georgia take to the streets of tbilisi in the latest protest against legislation that would force organisations to declare foreign funding. hundreds of people have been killed and thousands of homes destroyed by majorflooding in northern afghanistan. and the most powerful solar storm in 21 years triggers celestial light—shows in many parts of the world — with scientists expecting another display later this evening.

now on bbc news, it's sportsday.