discovery and a groundbreaking discovery in the fight against hiv. and we start with breaking news. julian assange has agreed to plead guilty to violating the espionage act, ending a court case that has lasted six years. he is set to plead guilty to one charge of conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defense information. a short while ago wikileaks said on x, formerly twitter, thejulian assange left belmarsh prison and flew out of the united kingdom. they showed this footage from 5pm local time as he made his way to the airport. the guilty plea, which is to be finalized on wednesday, will resolve mr assange�*s outstanding legal matters with the us government. as pa rt of as part of the deal, julian assange will not spend any time in custody because he will receive credit for the approximately five years he has spent in a british prison fighting extradition to the us. he was charged with conspiracy to disclose national defence information. foryears,

to disclose national defence information. for years, the us said the release of files around the iraq and afghanistan was endangered lives. wikileaks claims to have published more than 10 million documents in what the us government described as one of the largest compromises of classified information in the history of the united states. he and his lawyers have claimed that the case against him is politically motivated. i spoke to nomia iqbal. nomia, you have been following this.— following this. tell us about the agreement. _ following this. tell us about the agreement. it _ following this. tell us about the agreement. it is - the agreement. it is interesting. although he has been injail in the uk since 2019, the actual story ofjulian assange has been running for more than a decade, hasn't it? his wikileaks website rose to prominence in 2010. you mentioned this breach that the americans said was the largest of its kind in us military history. wikileaks released more than 90,000 classified military documents on the afghanistan war and also released more than 400,000

secret documents on the iraq war and he's long been accused of putting american operatives' lives at risk. as you mention, there, almost all the charges that he faced were under this espionage act, and he won't spend any time in the us, once again, as the plea, expected to be finalised later this week, because it is roughly equivalent to the amount of time that he has spent in the uk fighting extradition to the us. as you said, this has been running for a long time. we're notjust talking specifically about the court case. how significant is the agreement? i think it is a big moment. especially forjulian assange's advocates. he has a lot of allies who believe that he was just doing the job of a journalist by releasing all these documents. they believe he is a figurehead for free speech. i think it was slightly complicated back in 2016, if you remember, when wikileaks

released large volumes of e—mails from the democratic national committee, and the personal account ofjohn podesta, who was then presidential campaign leader for hillary clinton. many democrats accused him of collaborating with russians, which he denied. but it is a big moment. and it does put, i think, this saga to an end. the biden administration has been under pressure by the australians, which is — they're a key ally for the united states, a key security ally, to end the legal limbo. it looks like that will happen this week. take us through what happens next. we understand there will be a hearing in the mariana islands. why and what will happen? it is a twist, isn't it? it is an exotic venue. it is expected to be finalised on wednesday in the us district court in the mariana islands, a us territory in the pacific, around 2000 miles from australia. that is convenient because the department ofjustice has said they expect him to return

to his home in australia. but also, looking at the doj letter, they've also pretty much implied that is what he wants to do, that he doesn't want to voluntarily return to the continental us, and i think that is because, you know, he harbours this deep mistrust of america, —— of the us government, and he has spoken about that at length. at one point he accused the us and allies of allegedly trying to kill him with a drone, which the us denied. so that's why that particular venue has been chosen and the department ofjustice has said that they anticipate that he will appear in the court there on wednesday. i also spoke to monique riley an australian member of parliament who has been following the case.- parliament who has been following the case. first of all i want _ following the case. first of all i want to _ following the case. first of all i want to get _ following the case. first of all i want to get your - following the case. first of i all i want to get your reaction to this agreement. it is a source of significant relief to millions of australians that we understand today that there has been significant progress on the case ofjulian assange. we

don't have, at this point, confirmation of exactly where things are. we know things are under way in terms of ongoing legal proceedings. but millions of australians want him home. we have got concern for his welfare for many years and the news that his release or these proceedings, that there has been significant progress on them has been warmly welcomed in this country. we them has been warmly welcomed in this country.— in this country. we saw the video released _ in this country. we saw the video released by - in this country. we saw the | video released by wikileaks in this country. we saw the - video released by wikileaks on x, formerly twitter, appearing to showjulian assange boarding a flight in london. you did travel to the us previously to advocate on julian travel to the us previously to advocate onjulian assange's behalf to lawmakers here. i'm curious to hear what the reception was low. do you think there will be support for this agreement here?— there will be support for this agreement here? look, itravel to the us _ agreement here? look, itravel to the us at — agreement here? look, itravel to the us at the _ agreement here? look, itravel to the us at the end _ agreement here? look, itravel to the us at the end of- agreement here? look, itravel to the us at the end of last - to the us at the end of last year as part of the non—partisan delegation with a number of parliamentarians from across the political spectrum in australia. what we were doing was reflecting the desires of our constituents, which was that we advocate on behalf ofjulian assange and on

behalf ofjulian assange and on behalf ofjulian assange and on behalf of press freedom globally, i would think. when we went to the us and we talk to our colleagues and our equivalent numbers in the congress, we had the same thing from them, that they were really concerned about this individual and how his case had become, i would say, politicised, to some extent, and about his personal welfare. and so we received a warm welcome when we went to washington because we thought that when we spoke about the importance of press freedom and about the australian american international alliance that the people we were speaking to were speaking the same language and heard what we had to say. [30 heard what we had to say. do ou heard what we had to say. do you think _ heard what we had to say. do you think that that relationship with australia did perhaps a difference? i relationship with australia did perhaps a difference?- perhaps a difference? i think it does. and _ perhaps a difference? i think it does. and i _ perhaps a difference? i think it does. and i think - perhaps a difference? i think it does. and i think the - perhaps a difference? i think it does. and i think the fact i it does. and i think the fact that australia the us have had very firm, warm political relations means that we should be able to have difficult conversations about issues with our citizens. i understand the australian government has been advocating on julian australian government has been advocating onjulian assange's barfor advocating onjulian assange's bar for a long advocating onjulian assange's barfor a long time. many of my

constituents have been asking for me to advocate to the prime minister and i understand he has been working with president biden on this because many australians have been saying, for years now, that enough is enough and it is time for julian assange to come home. i want to ask you about some of the criticisms ofjulian assange's actions. in february at a hearing assange's actions. in february ata hearing in assange's actions. in february at a hearing in london the us government had been arguing thatjulian assange put lives that julian assange put lives at thatjulian assange put lives at risk. we have and state department officials on the pase civilians in iraq and afghanistan, opposition figures, human rights activists, were forced into hiding and the actual impact of the lease could not really be quantified, but were significant. what is your response to that?- significant. what is your response to that? significant. what is your resonse to that? ~ , , response to that? well, i guess my resnonse — response to that? well, i guess my response would _ response to that? well, i guess my response would be - response to that? well, i guess my response would be that - response to that? well, i guess my response would be that in l my response would be that in 2013 the state department at chelsea manning's trial acknowledge that they had no specific evidence, in fact, that any individuals had been pose a significant risk by the wikileaks — the actions of wikileaks — the actions of wikileaks and mr assange. it is

difficult to reconcile that with things at the state department may have said more recently. i think you'll probably need to talk to representatives of that state department about that. but it comes back to, i think, for many australians, the importance of press freedom, which we see as being under threat in this country. we see it as being under threat in the uk and us as well. it is very important that journalists uk and us as well. it is very important thatjournalists have important that journalists have the important thatjournalists have the right to tell inconvenient truths and to bring to the public attention things which are perhaps not, you know, may not be perceived by politicians as being in their best interests or the interests of government. free press, the free media is under threat globally. and we saw this particular case is emblematic of that and so i think that many australians that i hope people globally will gain height from the fact that in this instance we have seen the freedom of the best be supported by, hopefully, as we

understand it, the us and australian governments. we have about 30 seconds _ australian governments. we have about 30 seconds left, _ australian governments. we have about 30 seconds left, money, i about 30 seconds left, money, but how significant you think the moment is, if you could sum it up for us? i the moment is, if you could sum it up for us?— it up for us? i knowjulian assange _ it up for us? i knowjulian assange was _ it up for us? i knowjulian assange was a _ it up for us? i knowjulian assange was a family, . it up for us? i knowjulian| assange was a family, and it up for us? i knowjulian - assange was a family, and have worked with them for some years. the news of his impending possible, hopefully, potential release, or the settlement of these proceedings, as brought tears to many australians. this is really going to be an emotional day for thousands of thousands of people who feel incredibly strongly about this in australia. and i give my support and love to all of those people who worked on his behalf and i think the australian and american governments for working towards resolution of proceedings which have gone on for too long. moving onto another top story tonight. the israeli defence minister, yoav gallant, was here in washington on monday for talks on the war in gaza and the escalating tensions with the lebanese armed group hezbollah. mr gallant vowed to bring back the remaining hostages from gaza,

urging a continued close cooperation with the us despite recent public disagreements. the defense minister first met with cia chief bill burns, who has been a key voice in ceasefire negotations between israel and hamas. mr gallant then met with us secretary of state antony blinken. speaking on that meeting, state department spokesperson matthew miller said that mr blinken emphasized the need for israel to avoid further escalation in gaza and to develop �*robust�* and �*realistic plans' for the next phase of the war. number one, our ongoing commitment to israel's security. numbertwo, commitment to israel's security. number two, the importance of israel developing robust, realistic plans for the day after the conflict, plans that include path towards governance, toward security, towards reconstruction. we have obviously been working on the same ideas with partners in the region and engaging in conversations with israel, but we think it is important israel put forward its own ideas. he will emphasise the need to avoid escalation of the conflict and the increase of humanitarian access. we have

seen a slowdown of access on the secretary will emphasise to the secretary will emphasise to the minister we want to see that situation reversed and he will hope to hear concrete commitments from him to work on that problem. and yoav gallant is _ on that problem. and yoav gallant is said _ on that problem. and yoav gallant is said to _ on that problem. and yoav gallant is said to meet - on that problem. and yoav| gallant is said to meet with secretary events lloyd austin on tuesday and national security adviserjake sullivan security adviser jake sullivan on security adviserjake sullivan on wednesday. —— secretary of defence lloyd austin. this is against the backdrop of continued hostility in different parts of the middle east. in gaza, medics said israeli strikes on monday killed 11 palestinians. israel has not commented on that strike, but did say an overnight strike killed a senior hamas commander. further north on israel's border with lebanon — tensions are growing between israel and hezbollah. prime minister netanyahu says israeli forces may shift its focus to the north — warning of a full—blown war between the two sides. 0ur middle east reporter sebastian usher has more on those tensions and mr gallant�*s visit to washington. there were perhaps three issues that the israeli defence minister yoav gallant will discuss with senior officials,

senior us officials, tonight, and over the next couple of days. they are what happens nextin days. they are what happens next in gaza. we have heard from benjamin netanyahu, israeli prime minister, in his words, that the intense phase of the fighting is coming to an end, but the war isn't. and what is going to happen with the ceasefire, the ceasefire that was laid out, the 3—phase proposal by president biden, several weeks ago. that an israeli proposal. what mr netanyahu has been saying goes against that, that he has no time for a permanent ceasefire. that goes against what potentially this proposal would result in. and the third issue is israel's northern border. we have been hearing in recent days a sense from both hezbollah and from the israeli military and israeli government that things which have already been escalating could get much worse. and it has created a real sense of concern and fear that the skirmishes that have been going on for months and months could now plays out into

an all—out conflict, which would have huge consequences for israel, lebanon, and the wider region. for more we can speak to the former senior middle east policy advisor at the us state department, laura blumenfeld. always good to have you on the programme. i want to start with what we have heard from you have gallant, say these meetings are important and impactfulfor the meetings are important and impactful for the future of the war in gaza, but what do you think is being achieved in these one—on—one meetings? == these one-on-one meetings? -- yoav gallant- _ these one—on—one meetings? » yoav gallant. well, these are such serious issues yet when you see images of defence minister yoav gallant in washington, he is smiling, because there is a seamless commandery or lack of tension between him and american officials. less than they had been between benjamin netanyahu and us officials. there has been so much attention. when he took off from israel, yoav gallant said "we are fighting a seven front wall" — what wasn't said was why would we open up

an aids front with the united states. there was also body language. he talked about fighting common enemies, side—by—side, with his fingers intertwined, the united states and israel, as opposed to benjamin netanyahu, who put out his own video in english, accusing the us of slow rolling out of weapons. his messages together we can overcome these challenges. an interesting point on the body language. glad you brought that up. what about the brass tacks? we saw that matthew miller from the state department, the spokesperson, saying that he expected robust plans for the next phase of the war. where do they meet on that? the next phase of the war. where do they meet on that?— they meet on that? the focus is on two thinqs: _ they meet on that? the focus is on two things: postwar- they meet on that? the focus is on two things: postwar gaza - they meet on that? the focus is| on two things: postwar gaza and prewar lebanon. yoav gallant has talked about the need it, and president netanyahu agrees that they have some civilian

structure in gaza, local palestinians, perhaps, that have reformulated. netanyahu have reformulated. neta nyahu opposes have reformulated. netanyahu opposes that. and with help from arab states. security, in israel it is security, security, security, stupid. security they are saying for the time being, it will have to be left in israel's hand. that be left in israel's hand. at the same _ be left in israel's hand. at the same time on the ground we are seeing the war moving, at least according to israel, to the north, and its conflict with hezbollah, the lebanese armed group. does that mean that israel is wrapping up operations in gaza? it that israel is wrapping up operations in gaza?- that israel is wrapping up operations in gaza? it is very interesting — operations in gaza? it is very interesting because - operations in gaza? it is very interesting because for- operations in gaza? it is very interesting because for his i interesting because for his ability to conflict is a link. 0n ability to conflict is a link. on october eight was when hezbollah started as low—level skirmishes with israel on the northern border. but if they wind down, today we heard three very important words from benjamin netanyahu which may be think that this is ideal which i thought was dead, i thought i heard a weak pulse today, because netanyahu said "we are

committed" — the first time he publicly embrace the ceasefire proposal by president biden. the chief of staff of the israel military said "we have pretty much dismantled the rafah brigades of hamas" so if they are done and winding down military operations in the south, in gaza, let's, you know, freely hostages — there was a hostage released today, that a hostage table is today, showing a bloodied situation. we can move towards peace, reintegration, get that back on track. the bind administration one quote because they want to focus on the election. that one quote because they want to focus on the election.— focus on the election. at the same time _ focus on the election. at the same time they _ focus on the election. at the same time they will- focus on the election. at the | same time they will certainly be more pressure on israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu which of the conflict opens up on the north of israel, doesn't have the potential to really spread? yes, absolutely. i was talking to a senior israeli intelligence official and i said is this war going to

happen? israel has been talking about it for months, almost like a season, there is strawberry season in israel, red poppy season, and fights to the north tend to happen between the end of may and september, when schools reopen. for israel, they want to send their kids back to school. i asked how likely this is. he said "logic would say no, nobody wants it, not the united states, not israel, not lebanon, not even hezbollah — the only people that wanted our hamas." but miscalculation risk is high. hamas." but miscalculation risk is hiuh. . . �* is high. laura blumenfeld. alwa s is high. laura blumenfeld. always good _ is high. laura blumenfeld. always good to _ is high. laura blumenfeld. always good to have - is high. laura blumenfeld. always good to have you l is high. laura blumenfeld. l always good to have you on is high. laura blumenfeld. - always good to have you on the programme. thank you for your time analysis tonight. thank you. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. now to some of the headlines. lucy letby has told a jury she has never intended, or tried to, harm any baby in her care. the former neonatal nurse is being re—tried over the alleged attempted

murder of a baby girl, known as child k, at a hospital in chester in 2016. a verdict could not be reached in the case last year. she was convicted of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder six others. leading economists have accused labour and the conservatives of not being transparent about the need to either raise taxes, cut spending, or increase debt in the next five years. the institute for fiscal studies said both parties had ignored the challenges to public finances in their election manifestos. labour and the conservatives both insisted their spending proposals were fully funded. the prime minister says he is "not aware of any other candidate" being investigated over alleged bets placed on the timing of a general election. four conservatives are being looked into by the gambling commission, including two standing in the general election. the former minister tobias ellwood has told the bbc rishi sunak should suspend the candidates involved. rishi sunak confirmed his party is carrying out its own internal enquiries. you are watching bbc news. now to some encouraging news on the globalfight against to some encouraging news on the

global fight against hiv. a to some encouraging news on the globalfight against hiv. a new study, published this week, shows an injection given twice per year could protect against hiv infection. trials conducted in uganda and south africa showed zero cases of hiv infection among the more than 2000 women who received the drug. the drug is called the lack of air drug. the drug is called the lack ofairand drug. the drug is called the lack of air and it is being developed by gilead. the results haven't been peer—reviewed. i spoke to the us global aids co—ordinator. john, the findings of this data had not been subject to peer review, but it is pretty promising. could this drug be a game changer? the promising. could this drug be a game changer?— promising. could this drug be a game changer? the new findings ofthe game changer? the new findings of the clinical _ game changer? the new findings of the clinical trials _ game changer? the new findings of the clinical trials just - of the clinical trials just released by gilead on the outstanding performance of lenacapavir could truly be a game changer in our ability to enable us to increase the tools we have on our menu to fight hiv/aids, especially for

prevention, especially in areas where struggling with likely rates of new infections amongst adolescent girls and young women, amongst key populations, among those difficult to reach, and amongst mobile populations. there is a vast spectrum of what we can do with this new medicine. what we can do with this new medicine-— what we can do with this new medicine. ~ _, . ~ ., medicine. we will come back to some of those _ medicine. we will come back to some of those points. - medicine. we will come back to some of those points. but - some of those points. but practically help with this change how women currently get treatment?— treatment? there are two thins, treatment? there are two things, two _ treatment? there are two things, two main - treatment? there are two things, two main things i treatment? there are two| things, two main things in treatment? there are two - things, two main things in the fight against hiv. the first is prevention. but once people are infected, we try to test them and provide treatment. so lenacapavir provides that opportunity to enhance prevention where you can inject somebody for about six months, and you repeat that. so to injections for one year really provides an opportunity to

scale up prevention, which we have all struggled with.- have all struggled with. could this treatment _ have all struggled with. could this treatment be _ have all struggled with. could this treatment be effective i have all struggled with. could | this treatment be effective for men as well? it this treatment be effective for men as well?— men as well? it could be effective _ men as well? it could be effective for _ men as well? it could be effective for men, i men as well? it could be effective for men, but i men as well? it could be i effective for men, but we're still waiting for additional data to be published. there is nothing i have seen in these early results that doesn't suggest that it could be effective for men as well. the additional findings effective for men as well. the additionalfindings point to the broad application. it would transform the way we approach hiv prevention.— transform the way we approach hiv prevention. you know better than anyone _ hiv prevention. you know better than anyone when _ hiv prevention. you know better than anyone when it _ hiv prevention. you know better than anyone when it comes i hiv prevention. you know better than anyone when it comes to i than anyone when it comes to global health accesses was going to be a big question. the drug john bruni does make the drug john bruni does make the drug company is a will cost $42,000 per patient. how do you get around those barriers to access? , , ., get around those barriers to access? ,, ., ., .. ,, get around those barriers to access? ,, ., ,, ., access? the issue of access to hiv drugs _ access? the issue of access to hiv drugs is — access? the issue of access to hiv drugs is not _ access? the issue of access to hiv drugs is not new. - access? the issue of access to hiv drugs is not new. we i access? the issue of access to j hiv drugs is not new. we have come a long way, if you remember, to where we were in

2000, where it used to cost $10,000 per patient per year to treat an individual. but today you see where we are. the first thing i want to celebrate is this powerful new tool we have, which is lenacapavir, the ability to deploy that. then we should build the right partnerships, mobilise all stakeholders, including the company that has produced this drug, to come together, sit around the table with communities, and designed ways that we could bring down the price in such a way that we can scale it and reach the end goal, which is to bring hiv/aids to an end, by the year 2030. �* , ., ~ hiv/aids to an end, by the year 2030. �*, ., ~ ., ., 2030. let's talk about that, because we _ 2030. let's talk about that, because we have _ 2030. let's talk about that, because we have seen i 2030. let's talk about that, - because we have seen dramatic developments in moving towards eradicating aids and my coincidence report that they could happen 2030. what stands in the way?— in the way? was dense in the wa is a in the way? was dense in the way is a couple _ in the way? was dense in the way is a couple of _ in the way? was dense in the way is a couple of things. i

way is a couple of things. firstly, we need to get people to know their status. if you don't know whether you are hiv infected or not, it becomes difficult to provide treatment. so i think as we have — we have worked very hard to bring many people to treatment, but we still have a large number of people, 9 million people come out there, that we still — that still need to know the status we can bring them to treatment. 0nce we can bring them to treatment. once we know people have treatment, we need them to stay on treatment. we need sustained response. we need to make sure that they stay on treatment. and those whose down treatment, we will need to ensure that they do her. those of the three things we can do simultaneously to get to 2030, which is to bring to the rate of new infections, to below the levels that we saw in 2010, then at least we can consider that we have controlled hiv. we will never be able to eradicate or eliminate hiv, but at least we

can control it. 0k, ok, let's get a quick look at some other headlines now. a lithium battery factory in south korea was set on fire on monday after a series of battery exploded inside a warehouse killing at least 22 people. 100 people were working inside the factory when the fire broke out. eight were injured, not too seriously. a fire official says it is unclear what caused the initial explosion. at least 47 deaths have been linked to severe flooding in southern china's one dong province. the rain triggered landslides and flooding, causing more than $1 billion of damage to buildings and roads in the region. every rains are set to continue for the rest of the week. —— guangdong. can you volunteered to lead an international force to lead an international force to haiti to help tackle violence in the caribbean nation and has been delayed by court challenges. 400 offices are going now and 600 willjoin

later. —— kenya volunteered. princess anne, king charles' sister, sustained a minor head injury and concussion on sunday. the cause of the injury is unconfirmed but sources suggest the concussion may have been caused by a horse accident. according to buckingham palace, she is expected to stay in the hospital for observation, but is expected to make a full and swift recovery. thank you for watching bbc news. we are back at the top of the next hour. stay with us. hello there. we saw the heat really building to start the new week in the sunshine. let me show you the picture from earlier on on monday in aberdeenshire. aboyne saw temperatures of 27 degrees on monday, making it the hottest day of the year so far in scotland. we also had our hottest day in northern ireland and in england — it was only wales that was missing out. temperatures reached 28 celsius in london — could get even hotter in the next few days. not so for scotland, northern ireland. tuesday will be cooler, and in the next few days, cooler, fresher air will push in from the northwest with a few showers.

but the heat and humidity will linger for longer in england and wales. and into tuesday, we've got more sunshine for england and wales. this cloud in the west tending to break up, but the cloud in northern england could trigger one or two showers over the pennines. looking mostly dry but cloudier in northern ireland. some rain or showers in scotland, some heavy showers in the afternoon in the east in particular. temperatures will be lower in scotland, but still could reach 22 in the central belt and the southeast. it's nearing 19 in northern ireland. hotter for england and wales, especially the midlands — towards the south east, potentially 30 degrees around london. more sunshine for england and wales on wednesday, this time a bit more cloud towards the east coast and some cloud in scotland but fewer showers here. should see a bit more sunshine in northern ireland, picking the temperatures up just a little. but again, the higher temperatures, the heat is going to be across england and wales. and again, london and the southeast in could hit 30 degrees. but we're all going to be changing by the end of the week.

this low pressure is going to drive this weather front eastwards. there's not much rain on that at all, but it's all about the timing because following that weather front, we've got cooler, fresher air coming in from the atlantic, pushing the heat and humidity into continental europe. so this is the picture for thursday. you can see our weather front here, is just a narrow band of cloud, little or no rain on it. sunshine follows, blustery showers coming into scotland and northern ireland, and making it feel cooler here. even with some sunshine for england and wales, temperatures will be lower, but there's still some heat across east anglia and the southeast — temperatures could be higher than 26 degrees here. but even here, things will change by the end of the week. cooler, fresher weather for all of us, i think, for friday and into the weekend, but mostly dry with some sunshine.

voice-over: this is bbc news. we'll have the headlines for you at the top of the hour, which is straight after this programme. hello, and welcome to the media show with me, ros atkins, and katie razzall. this week, we've been talking about news podcasting, how the industry has changed, and what the secret to the success is. and we've been hearing about what's happening at the washington post. there's an awful lot of pressure on its ceo and publisher, will lewis. we'll find out why and about the issues that it raises — not just about what's happening at the washington post but about american journalism and the differences between us and uk journalism. let us introduce you to our guests this week, and we've got some big hitters from the news podcast world. nick hilton is from

the production company podot.