they are just about holding the front here in the kharkiv region, while the russians have launched this fresh assault. hello. i'm sumi somaskanda. israel says it has recovered the bodies of three hostages from gaza. the israeli defence forces said it believed they were killed during the october 7 hamas attacks with around 1,200 others. the victims are shani louk, amit buskila and itzik gelerenter, seen here from left to right. until now, it was hoped buskila and gelerenter were still alive. shani louk was confirmed dead at the end of october. they were among more than 250 hostages taken into gaza — of which roughly half are still unaccounted for. the idf expressed condolences

to the victims�* families. our hearts go out to them, to the families, at this difficult time. we will leave no stone unturned. we will do everything in our power to find our hostages and bring them home. we will not rest until we do. meanwhile lawyers for israel have told the international criminal court that south africa is making "a mockery of genocide". it comes after south africa implored the un's top court to order israel to stop its incursion in rafah, citing the genocide convention. now that both sides have presented arguments, it's up to the icj's judges to decide whether it is necessary to issue a ruling. from the hague, here's the bbc�*s anna holligan. well, israel described south africa's case as an inversion of reality, divorced from facts, and accused south africa of exploiting the genocide

convention by presenting outlandish allegations, such as accusing israel of creating extermination zones, using language reminiscent of the holocaust, and comparing the situation in rafah to the genocide in srebrenica. israel says a state wishing to commit genocide wouldn't provide aid, as israel has, and wouldn't have waited to commence a ground operation in rafah to give civilians time to evacuate. they said if the icj granted south africa's request for provisional measures and ordered idf troops to immediately withdraw, then it would be violating israel's right to defend itself, and enabling hamas to continue to commit crimes. israel said that if hostages were released and hamas laid down its arms, then hostilities would cease.

the us military confirmed that a temporary pier built by american and british troops was used for the first time on friday to deliver humanitarian aid to gaza. trucks began moving supplies ashore on friday morning. a top official for the un agency for palestinians told the bbc that, while it's a positive development, they don't believe it's a long—term solution. deliveries to gaza on the ground have essentially stopped since israeli forces took control of the gaza side of the rafah crossing last week. doctors say the extreme malnutrition and lack of access to clean water is pushing gaza's health system to near—collapse. al—aqsa hospital is one of the last functioning healthcare facilities — where doctors from around the world have been volunteering their services. professor nick maynard, a consultant surgeon, is one of them. here's part of a video diary he sent the bbc. it is very different to the first trip with had to al—aqsa. what we did see were the most appalling effects of the malnutrition that we're seeing

in gaza. severe malnutrition prevents wound—healing and will prevents wound—healing and will prevent these patients from recovering from injuries that otherwise they would recover easily from. and you get this vicious cycle, where they really rapidly deteriorate in their health. they will then die of that, if they're not treated. but these are often very young people, who, under normal circumstances, would recover fairly well from their operations but, because they have such severe malnutritions, their wounds will not heal properly at all. one of my patients was an 18—year—old girl who had significant explosive injuries. there's no doubt in my mind she would have survived these injuries if she had not been malnourished. very sadly, she died the day we left gaza. cctv footage has emerged, appearing to show the rap artist sean �*diddy�* combs physically assaulting his then—girlfriend cassie ventura in the corridor of a hotel

in 2016. ms ventura made allegations of rape and physical abuse against him in a lawsuit that was settled last year. mr combs is at the centre of several civil lawsuits accusing him of sex offences. a warning, this report by our correspondent emma vardy contains images which may distress you. cassie ventura claims she suffered years of abuse in her relationship with p diddy, one of the most influential artists in hip—hop. in the cctv footage, she is seen leaving a hotel room. sean combs appears to run after her before carrying out a violent assault. the full tape shows her being kicked as she lies on the ground. after taking her items, next, the rapper seems to be seen throwing an object towards her. the video — obtained by the american news channel cnn — has not been independently verified, but lawyers for cassie ventura, who has not

objected to it being shown, say it confirms p diddy�*s disturbing and predatory behaviour. last month, homes linked with sean combs were raided by police in what they said was an ongoing investigation into sex trafficking. officers searched properties in beverly hills, new york and miami associated with his production company. cassie ventura had previously brought a lawsuit against sean combs in relation to the incident in the video, said to be at a los angeles hotel. she reached an out—of—court settlement, but since then, several other women have come forward, accusing him of sexual abuse. sean combs has previously denied all the allegations. his lawyer is calling it a witch—hunt and saying he would fight to clear his name. but the video appears to corroborate one of the incidents described in cassie ventura's case. her accusations and others against p diddy — a self—proclaimed bad boy — now part of a dramatic downfall for one of

hip—hop�*s biggest names. emma vardy, bbc news, los angeles. volodymyr zelensky has given a wide—ranging interview with french news agency afp. the ukraininan president touched on a variety of topics. he said russia held a major advantage with air defense systems, and cast doubt on french president emmanual macron�*s proposalfor a truce during the upcoming paris olympics. however, mrzelensky said, with certain terms, a truce isn't out of the realm of possibility. translation: we are not against a truce and we are not against the end of the war, but we want a fair end to the war and we are againstany a fair end to the war and we are against any truce that plays into the hands of the enemy. that's what we are against. it's clear why. enemy. that's what we are against. it's clearwhy. ijust don't want to let them take more of our territory. as russian forces make advances in ukraine, president volodymyr zelensky has signed new laws to boost army recruitment. under the new legislation, some prisoners will be allowed to join the military. they'll be released on parole to enlist

under special contracts. certain prisoners, however — including rapists or convicts who have murdered two or more people — are not eligible. the new law also raises the penalty for men who ignore the draft to $650. it comes amid heavy fighting in the north—east of ukraine. while president putin has said he had no plans to capture the second largest city, kharkiv, russia is making its biggest terrioritial gains there in 18 months. our defence correspondent jonathan beale sent this special report from the front line. near the village of lyptsi, the russians are closing in. the fire from a recent rocket attack near a ukrainian position. we are told to immediately head to a bunker. taking shelter, recently arrived ukrainian reinforcements. a week ago, they were fighting elsewhere on the front. andrei tells me the situation

is dynamic and tense. from a drone feed, they are nervously watching and waiting for another attack. he says it's time to leave. they've just spotted enemy forces advancing. this is where they are directing artillery fire. they are telling us to get out. they've said this area is under threat, and we're going to go. at a field hospital further from the front, medics are treating victor. he has lost his fingers in a mortar explosion. he says he and his men were fending off wave after wave of russian attacks. they were outnumbered and also outgunned. translation: they have - everything, whatever they want,

and we have nothing to fight with, but we do what we can. ukraine's been starved of ammunition, but president zelensky says the shortage is now being addressed. at an artillery line outside the town of vovchansk, they've just received another batch of shells, for their old soviet—era gun. ukraine is just about holding the front here in the kharkiv region, while the russians have launched this fresh assault, but only by pulling units like this from elsewhere on the front, in places where the russians have been advancing. these guys have just been given a new target. but they are frustrated, too, that the russians were so easily able to cross the border. translation: we could have built some kind - of fortifications and lost less human lives, fewer villages. now, we will have to

fight for it again. we will need to use more resources. we could have used logs and concrete. now we will have to use shells and people to take this land back. kharkiv was fortified, but these defences were built well away from the border, beyond the range of russian artillery. too far to make a difference. explosions further east, where the russians are also gaining ground, ukraine is building more defences — a recognition it may have to pull back here too. but digging so close to russian lines is dangerous and difficult, as we're about to find out. johnny, johnny! johnny! get down! we are told to take cover... quick, quick, quick. ..as a russian armed drone hovers right above us,

scanning for potential targets. drone whirs there is palpable relief when it passes. this is a war in which it is getting harder to hide, where the enemy's watching your every move. yeah, let's go. jonathan beale, bbc news, kharkiv. a short while ago i spoke to kay bailey hutchinson, former us senator and permanent representative to nato. how serious do you deem the situation in kharkiv to be at the moment?— situation in kharkiv to be at the moment? well, thank you, sumi. i the moment? well, thank you, sumi- i am _ the moment? well, thank you, sumi. i am very _ the moment? well, thank you, sumi. i am very concerned, - the moment? well, thank you, sumi. i am very concerned, ofl sumi. i am very concerned, of course, that there has been such a russian offensive. i am hopeful that what our supreme

allied commander has said is that russia really doesn't have the troops to do the necessary events to take over kharkiv. however, i do hope that america will get its weapons to help the ukraine and certainly nato is doing that. and i hope that we will be able to allow the ukrainians to attack the areas in russia that are lobbing the bombs and the missiles and the glide bombs into ukraine from the russian side. i think that's the next step that needs to be taken. that's the next step that needs to be taken-— to be taken. you're talking about the _ to be taken. you're talking about the us _ to be taken. you're talking about the us providing - to be taken. you're talking - about the us providing weapons with which ukraine can attack into russia. is that not supremely risky, considered a provocation to vladimir putin? i do not think so. i think that when ukraine isjust a sitting duck and russia has virtually no constraints, then they can

lob these missiles and continue to kill the ukrainians people and destroy their infrastructure. i think the time has come that we say yes, we don't want to escalate the war, but that's what russia's doing. and you can'tjust be on defence all the time. you have to have the ability to take out the bombs that are being lobbed into your country from outside. you can't say... you can't take those out. i think we need to free the ukrainians to be able to take out those offensive weapons. i to take out those offensive weapons-— weapons. i know president zelensky — weapons. i know president zelensky would _ weapons. i know president zelensky would certainly i zelensky would certainly welcome that kind of support. he's been giving an interview to the french news agency afp, where he's expressed some frustration with the west as well. i want to play that clip now. here's what he said. translation: we now. here's what he said. translation:— now. here's what he said. translation: we are in a nonsense _ translation: we are in a nonsense situation, - translation: we are in a nonsense situation, where | translation: we are in a - nonsense situation, where the west _ nonsense situation, where the west is— nonsense situation, where the west is afraid that russia will lose — west is afraid that russia will lose the — west is afraid that russia will lose the war, and it does not want — lose the war, and it does not want ukraine to lose it, because _ want ukraine to lose it, because ukraine's final victory will lead —

because ukraine's final victory will lead to russia's defeat and — will lead to russia's defeat and the _ will lead to russia's defeat and the final victory of russia will lead _ and the final victory of russia will lead to ukraine's defeat. do you — will lead to ukraine's defeat. do you think that's a fair assessment, ambassador? that the west is afraid of russia losing the war?— losing the war? no. i think that america _ losing the war? no. i think that america wants - losing the war? no. i think| that america wants ukraine losing the war? no. i think i that america wants ukraine to win, but i do think we have been too timid to allow ukraine to do everything necessary to win, which is to take out the missiles that are being lobbed from russia and then go on an offensive to push the lines back where russia has invaded and to start pushing back toward the boundaries of ukraine. we know that russia is receiving help from its ally, china, and certainly financial help. we know china's being buying a lot of russian oil. we just saw president putin visiting president xi and, you know, ukrainian president zelensky wants china to take part in a peace summit that will take place in switzerland in june. will take place in switzerland injune. i mean do you think

china can realistically play a role here in somehow leading towards perhaps a ceasefire or some sort of resolution? well, of course. _ some sort of resolution? well, of course. we _ some sort of resolution? well, of course, we would _ some sort of resolution? well, of course, we would all - some sort of resolution? well, i of course, we would all welcome any entity that could do this, but i think the question is where do you start the boundary lines? we want to start the boundary lines where ukraine wants them, which is what is recognised as ukraine. but russia has taken over so much of the ukrainian donbas region that would china come in and say, yes, we'll broker peace, but we're going to start at russia's lines, not ukraine's lines? so that would be the question. lines? so that would be the question-— lines? so that would be the cuestion. ~ , ., question. well, the question that's asked _ question. well, the question that's asked by _ question. well, the question that's asked by some - that's asked by some republicans in particular here in washington is if that vision of ukraine's sovereignty is going to be realistic to pursue — that ukraine can regain all of its territory. what do you think of that?— think of that? well, i think that we have _ think of that? well, i think that we have to _ think of that? well, i think that we have to see. - think of that? well, i think that we have to see. i - think of that? well, i think| that we have to see. i think

let's give them the chance to win, first of all, let them go on the offence, and then let's negotiate where the lines are, where ukraine says the lines are. and that's where i think ukraine has to be the final word on that. maybe ukraine would be willing to make accommodations, but it is their decision to make and i think that having china be an arbiter would really have to be questioned if they would take the russian position, since they are helping russia in this way. so i think all of that is to be determined. there should be a negotiation. ukraine needs to start that process. then, i think, all of us that are helping ukraine would want to be helpful in every way, whether it's china or whoever

would be the right leader of that. i don't think we would quibble. but i think ukraine has to start the conversation about where the boundaries are. understood. find about where the boundaries are. understood-— understood. and not deal with a russian substitute _ understood. and not deal with a russian substitute in _ understood. and not deal with a russian substitute in china. - in georgia, thousands of supporters of the country's powerful orthodox church have marched in the capital tbilisi to mark family purity day. it was established by the country's orthodox church to counter international day against homophobia. it comes amidst the ongoing mass protests against a controversialforeign agents�* law, adopted by the georgian parliament earlier this week. here's rayhan demytrie. today, georgians are marking family values day. may the 17th is the international day against homophobia and transphobia in the rest of the world. here in georgia, some years ago, there were serious attacks against lgbt activists on this very day, 17th of may, and after that, the georgian orthodox church proclaimed it as family purity and family values day. so important to us to

have a family which is very strong, which has a strong base, based on georgian traditions, history, and mostly on georgia's religion. it's like family is love, i i think, and god is love. and we should - celebrate this day. a lot of people here, thousands and thousands of people, conservative groups that are affiliated with the church and traditionalists, they're marching towards the country's main cathedral. this rally is taking place amidst ongoing mass protests in georgia against a controversial law which the government passed earlier this week. it's called "on the transparency of foreign funding", and it targets non—governmental organisations and independent media. translation: of course i support this law. - we should have adopted it a long time ago. we don't know how these ngos are spending their money, and they are doing everything against the faith and

against the motherland. the people that are marching today are the ones that the government is trying to appeal to when they talk about the threat that is coming from non—governmental organisations that are being targeted by this controversial law. they accuse these non—governmental organisations of lgbt propaganda, for example, and that's what these people also oppose. they see their country's future as part of the eu, but they are absolutely adamant that georgia has to preserve its traditional conservative values. let's turn to some other important news around the world. a man who attacked the husband of nancy pelosi, the former speaker of the us house, was sentenced to 30 years in prison on friday. police body camera footage of the incident shows david depape breaking into the pelosi home and striking paul pelosi with a hammer in 2022. mr pelosi suffered a fractured

skull and other injuries. depape's lawyers say he was motivated by right—wing conspiracy theories. on thursday, texas governor greg abbott pardoned an army sergeant after an investigation into his shooting and killing of a racialjustice protester in 2020. daniel perry had been convicted for the murder of garrett foster. perry's lawyers said the sergeant acted in self—defence and was part of a political persecution. the republican governor issued perry's pardon after a unanimous recommendation by the texas board of pardon and paroles. french police killed a man after a synagogue was set on fire in the north—western city of rouen. reports say the suspect was algerian and was armed with a knife and a metallic tool at the time of the shooting. the damage inside the synagogue has been described as significant. france has seen a surge in antisemitism since the israel—gaza war broke out last october. the vatican is to present new guidelines on the reporting of apparitions and supernatural phenomena, which urge the catholic church to take a more cautious approach. some phenomena, including weeping statues, have been recognised by church officials to be credible.

but the vatican says social media means cases of disinformation have also soared. cubans are enduring some of their bleakest economic times since the cold war, amid worsening inflation, a scarcity of basic goods, and the decades—long us economic embargo. in an unexpected move, the country's economy minister, alejandro gil fernandez, was arrested in march for corruption. but many think it will take more than one ministerial head to roll to pull cuba from its economic woes. our correspondent will grant travelled to the heartland of one of cuba's most quintessential industries, sugar, to see how tough the situation has become. sugar is in cuba's dna. in fact, there's a saying on the island, "without sugar, there's no country." but this year's sugar cane harvest will be one of the poorest on record. sugar is supposed to be the mainstay of the cuban economy, as emblematic to the island as its tobacco, but a series of factors — principally the lack of available fuel and years of underinvestment — have made cuban

sugar an industry in near terminal decline. "there's not enough trucks. "and the fuel shortages mean sometimes we can't work "for days," says miguel guzman. it's a situation made worse by the decades—long us sanctions on the island. "still, cuba needs the sugar," he adds. it certainly does, in part for its famous rum. but the problems here aren't just the fault of the us embargo. they're also from mismanagement of cuba's centralised economy. this i9th—century sugar mill in cienfuegos runs on rusting, obsolete technology, and it's one ofjust two dozen working mills on the island. once unthinkable, cuba now imports sugar to meet domestic demand, a far cry from the glory days when cuban sugar was exported to the world. one man who can get his hands on enough sugar is martin nizarane. part of a new breed of cuban entrepreneur, his business produces yoghurt and ice cream.

the production of foodstuffs in private hands is a big change in cuba, yet it's been hailed by the cuban president as a model for the future. this is capitalism, pure and simple, no matter how much the businessmen behind it display their revolutionary credentials. translation: the government has never proposed anything _ that benefits me economically. it treats me like just another private entrepreneur — no special privileges whatsoever. amid spiralling inflation, cuba's government recently imposed a fivefold increase on subsidised fuel at the petrol pumps. ordinary cubans say they're suffering more than at any other time since the cold war, and the us election brings no hope of respite from washington, no matter who wins. but cuba's problems extend beyond the race for the white house. with its sugar plants barely operational, the island's in danger of losing part of its soul,

its once iconic trade now a ghost industry, a mere shadow of its former self. will grant, bbc news, cienfuegos, cuba. us zoos may soon be panda—less, as preparations are under way for the final zoo with the bears to say goodbye this fall. zoo atlanta said they're set to return parents lun lun and yang yang to china, along with their american—born twins. but not all hope is lost, as pandas could arrive at the san diego zoo as soon as this summer. stay with us here on bbc news. hello there. it was another day of contrasts across the uk on friday, with some of the bluest of the skies, the highest of the temperatures across northern scotland — 21t celsius in altnaharra. compare that to just 13, 1a degrees for some north sea—facing coasts, plenty of fret and haar lasting

for much of the day and a cool onshore breeze, too. now, there will be more mist and fog forming through the weekend, a weekend of sunny spells and some showers. but there will be plenty of dry weather, with a large area of high pressure out in the atlantic starting to nose in. low pressure over the near continent, and that's going to send some rain tracking westwards across southern england as we head through saturday morning. otherwise, a dry start to the day. it's mild. there'll be plenty of mist and fog, general murk and some sea fog, too, out towards those north sea coasts. now, all of that is going to be burnt back by the warm, strong may sunshine. plenty of that throughout the day, lots of dry weather, too. the rain in the south will gradually clear away, but some heavy, thundery downpours perhaps developing for western areas. more isolated showers further east. here, it should stay largely dry. and it's cloudier and cooler across northern ireland and northern scotland. still cool again for those north sea—facing coasts, maybe 21t degrees for the central belt of scotland. otherwise, temperatures just slightly above the seasonal average — high teens, low 20s.

and all of that mist and murk, sea fog willjust reform again as we head through saturday night into sunday morning, a slightly fresher feel to the morning. and again, that mist and the fog first thing is going to start to burn back with all of the sunshine developing. again, it's quite cloudy, i think, towards parts of northern scotland. some of that mist and fog could gradually sink southwards down towards parts of northeast england as we head throughout the day. but there will be a lot of sunshine around, a scattering of showers again, perhaps towards the south of england and again across southwest scotland. once again, it's cooler and cloudier for northern scotland. should be some sunny spells developing across northern ireland. monday is looking largely dry for most. again, some mist and fog, some isolated showers, but then this area of low pressure is going to start to move in from the near continent as we head through tuesday and wednesday. so through the middle parts of next week, it could turn rather unsettled and a little cooler again, but temperatures building again perhaps by the end of the week.

voice-over: this is bbc news. we will have the headlines for you at the top of the hour, which is straight after this programme. hello and welcome. this week we will talk about the heat

netflix series baby reindeer and a huge media controversy it has generated.— has generated. baby reindeer --urorts has generated. baby reindeer purports to — has generated. baby reindeer purports to be _ has generated. baby reindeer purports to be based - has generated. baby reindeer purports to be based on - has generated. baby reindeer purports to be based on a - has generated. baby reindeer| purports to be based on a true story about a woman has come forward to say it is about her and that she has been misrepresented. i and that she has been misrepresented. i have a feelinu misrepresented. i have a feeling you _ misrepresented. i have a feeling you might - misrepresented. i have a feeling you might be - misrepresented. i have a feeling you might be the | misrepresented. i have a - feeling you might be the death of me — feeling you might be the death of me. �* of me. and we will meet the reporter _ of me. and we will meet the reporter who _ of me. and we will meet the reporter who has _ of me. and we will meet the reporter who has uncovered | of me. and we will meet the - reporter who has uncovered how they are generators there been passed off as the work of human journalist. the articles had a byline and head shot but it was all ai. byline and head shot but it was allai. let's byline and head shot but it was all ai. let's start with baby reindeer. it tells the story of a scottish comedian richard gadd and how he was stopped after serving a a drink to a woman above.— after serving a a drink to a woman above. ,, g; :: ., , woman above. she left 350 hours of voicemails _ woman above. she left 350 hours of voicemails to _ woman above. she left 350 hours of voicemails to him. _ woman above. she left 350 hours

of voicemails to him. baby - of voicemails to him. baby reindeer— of voicemails to him. baby reindeer is _ of voicemails to him. baby reindeer is the _ of voicemails to him. baby reindeer is the nickname l of voicemails to him. baby reindeer is the nickname given. we are