welcome to bbc news, broadcasting to viewers my name is reged ahmad. our top stories: voting is underway in australia. it's a tight race as conservative prime minister scott morrison tries to stay in power, against a challenger from the centre—left. a united front — populist far right parties prepare for the upcoming european elections. building a "peaceful agenda" — venezuela's president nicolas maduro sends his envoy to norway to explore dialogue with the opposition. in an interview with the bbc britain's prince william reveals the immense pain he felt following the death of his mother, diana, princess of wales.

polls have opened in australia in a general election to choose potentially the country's sixth prime minister, in as many years. a tight race is predicted in the fierce political battleground of its federal politics, with climate change, the economy and immigration among the major issues. a record 96.8% of eligible voters are enrolled to cast their ballot. voting is compulsory and more than four million people have voted early. facing a tough fight to stay in hisjob, is the incumbent prime minister scott morrison of the liberal party. he took over the top job in august 2018 after the party ousted malcolm turnbull mid—term. standing against him is bill shorten of the labor party. he's been opposition leader since 2013. currently, the liberal party holds 58 seats of 150 in the country's lower house.

they're in coalition with the national party which holds an extra 16 seats. labor currently has 69 seats. they would need 76 seats if they were to form a government. phil mercer is with voters at a polling station in sydney. voting here in australia is compulsory. and this is the australia street polling station in the seat of sydney. this is very safe labor territory and opinion polls are suggesting a victory for the opposition, labor party. 16 million australians will have their say in this election. the two major parties are presenting a very different vision for the future of this country. the governing centre—right liberal national coalition says that the opposition can't be trusted with money and can't be trusted to manage the economy. on the other side of the ledger, we have the labor opposition

led by bill shorten, a former trade unionist and he is saying that he will spend billions on health and education. we've been speaking to voters here and this is what they've had to say. i am a nurse by trade, and so on the front line we see a lot of change, especially a constant change of the government policies. we have to enact them, it's important to me that we have a government that supports the healthcare system and our educational institutions. and that they do well for the community they're supposed to serve. for me, climate, public education, health. how do you think the major parties are tracking when it comes to those concerns? i think the present government isn't tracking. so, for me, labor certainly seems like it is a good option. one of the features of an australian election is the famous sausage sizzle, the democracy sausage that helps sustain voters while they are waiting in the queue to vote. this particular barbecue

at a school here in sydney expects to raise about $6,000 for the school during this election day, and not only sausages, but vegan sausages too. so never underestimate the power of the democracy sausage. well, i actually came to this particular polling booth because they have quite a gourmet democracy sausage. it has rocket, home—made sauerkraut, what more could a voter want? polling stations close at 6pm here in australia, results will be flowing in shortly afterwards. within a few hours australians will know who the next prime minister will be. as we said climate change is a key issue in this election. kelly o'shanassy is the ceo of the australian conservation foundation.

thank you for your time. it was not long ago we were watching the parliament pass around lumps of coal. why now is climate change becoming a defining issue for australians? this summer australians have experience of the heatwaves and drought for the last five years and 1 million fish died and the great barrier leaf has died three summers consecutively. people have experienced climate change and concern is now skyhigh. people are not buying that coal is good anymore. they understand that it feels global warming and a supporting renewable energy. given the concern, have the major parties created policies for climate change?

for the first time in australian elections we have had a strong narrative about climate change in this election. the labour party has met that. the liberal party has made fun of ‘s climate change. but it is an issue for everyone in our lives. that is a conversation we're having, kids future. you say that coalition have not necessarily embraced climate change policy but the polls are climate change policy but the polls a re really close climate change policy but the polls are really close so how much is climate change really going to present a key issue going forward given people are still willing to vote for the conservative party? look, it is going to be a close election perhaps. we actually do not really know. an election in the

state of victoria swung really hard towards a government that supported climate action. we will find out at around 6pm. we do know that climate change is the number one most googled issue in australia and 81% of people finding out information about parties say climate change is important. it is more important than terrorism which is the first time it has ever happened. i hope it turns into how people vote. we have rated the party on the policies and at the labour party are miles ahead of the opposition. —— labour. labour party are miles ahead of the opposition. -- labour. we will keep an eye on those results coming out of australia as the election continues. let's get some of the day's other news: sudanese protesters have gathered outside the army's headquarters after clearing

roadblocks at the demand of the ruling military. talks to finalise the new body to govern sudan were suspended on wednesday after demonstrators put up roadblocks. this comes after the ousting of president omar al—bashir last month. in algeria, protestors clashed with police in the capital algiers during another friday of demonstrations, the 13th in a row. they're demanding the departure of key figures from the regime of the former president abdel—aziz bouteflika, of the former president abdelaziz bouteflika, who was ousted last month. new presidential elections are due to be held injuly. the united states and canada have dropped aluminium and steel tariffs that were imposed just under a year ago. it follows lengthy negotiations and a telephone call on friday between president trump and the canadian prime minister, justin trudeau. it could pave the way for the ratification of a new north american trade agreement. david willis reports. president trump broke the news that he was lifting tariffs on metal imports from neighbours mexico and canada in a speech in washington, dc. we have just reached an agreement

with canada and mexico and will be selling our product into those countries without the imposition of tariffs or major tariffs. big difference. president trump imposed tariffs on steel and aluminium imports last march, pitting the us against all its major trading partners including the european union. lifting them in regards to mexico and canada. he's expected to pave the way to the ratification of the united states, mexico, canada agreement. the trilateral replacement for nafta. these tariffs are representing significant barriers to moving forward with the new nafta agreement. now we've had a full lift on these tariffs, we are going to work with the united states on timing for ratification but we're very optimistic we're going to be able to move forward, move forward well in the coming weeks.

the us has also announced a pause in plans to levy tariffs of up to 25% on cars and car parts from the eu and japan. those tariffs on steel and aluminium remain. president trump is giving negotiators six months in which to reach agreement. he believes foreign competition is hurting us car sales and thereby hampering research and development which amounts to a threat to us national security. while it pushes forward with the trade deal close to home, the trump administration is holding the line with china. this week china announced retaliatory tariffs against the us and the next round of negotiation between the world's two largest economies are said to be in flux. mr trump has also declared a national emergency to protect us computer networks from foreign adversaries, an announcement thought to be directed at the chinese

telecoms giant, huawei. with china and the us locked in an escalating trade war, america may feel it needs its allies and someone saying peace on the trade frontier might even strengthen the president's hand in negotiations with the chinese. venezuela's president nicolas maduro says he sent envoys to norway this week to explore dialogue with the opposition. he says it was with the aim of building a "peaceful agenda" but it's not clear if any direct talks took place. guillermo olmo reports from caracas. for the first time in the four months that we have been witnessing the venezuelan crisis it seems both sides have an incentive to negotiate. the opposition has said

to achieve a goal of ousting president nicolas maduro whichjuan guaido promise when he declared himself president. but the economy is collapsing and from us sanctions. now, with the support of other nations, known to have helped with the most complex conflicts in the world, norway, things are starting to change. what are some of the issues that need to be overcome because there has been quite a lot of tension between the two? there area of tension between the two? there are a lot of issues and a lot of reasons to be sceptical, as experts are warning. presidents are not the best because the opposition has already engaged in negotiations with

the dominican republic and it failed in february 2018. both sides blamed each other. there are a lot of issues. there are issues of political prisoners, according to the opposition. fair elections which the opposition. fair elections which the opposition. fair elections which the opposition want to take place in venezuela. nicolas maduro has so far refused to call a new election and said he wants the right to stay as president since 2025. meanwhile, as the two sides start to talk, what is the two sides start to talk, what is the situation in venezuela? are we still seem protests? we are not seeing protests, at least not the massive protests we saw at the beginning of the year. things have

appeared to come down but we are still seeing the steep decline of the economy. the venezuelan people keep struggling. the economy has been badly affected, not only by government mismanagement but now also by the impact of us sanctions. a lot of experts say this is giving further punishment to an already hit population and they say that the worst is yet to come. stay with us on bbc news, still to come: will europe go dutch and hand the netherlands their first eurovision victory in 44 years? all eyes are on this weekend's song contest in tel aviv. agree with you this morning, an indian airforce

the plane carrying mr gandhi's body landed in delhi. the president of india walked to the plane to solemnly witness mr gandhi's final return from the political battlefield. ireland has voted overwhelmingly in favour of gay marriage. in doing so it has become the first country in the world to approve the change in a national referendum. it was a remarkable climax to what was surely the most extraordinary funeral ever given to a pop singer. it has been a peaceful funeral demonstration so far but suddenly the police are tear gassing the crowd. we don't yet know why. the pre—launch ritual is well established here. helen was said to be in good spirits butjust a little apprehensive. in the last hour, east timor has become the world's newest nation. it was a bloody birth for a poor country and the challenges ahead are daunting but for now, at least, it is time to celebrate.

this is bbc world news. the latest headlines: the polls open in australia after a close—run election contest where climate policy became the defining campaign issue. the us and canada agree to drop tariffs on steel and aluminium imports after lengthy negotiations in a few days time the european elections will take place, with polls suggesting possible big gains for nationalist parties across the continent. ahead of the vote a rally is taking place in milan, where representatives from many of these groups will be in attendance. the bbc‘s tim allman reports. they have become the leading figures of the populist far right. their critics accused them of racism and bigotry. they say they represent those left behind in a europe that is changing all too fast. matteo salvini, italy's controversial interior minister, wants them to work together and fight back.

translation: finally, i can't wait. there will be the europe of hope, a changing europe, the europe of the future, compared to merkel‘s europe of finance. and macron. there will be at least 11 delegations. those that have joined up to now. many others are giving us support from other countries. therefore, we make history. another party hoping to make gains is germany's afd. a united front is by no means a sure thing. these groups do not agree on everything. but there is one subject where they are as one. translation: i believe that migration policies overall are the big issue, because there is widespread awareness of this kind of uncontrolled mass immigration into the eu, which is gradually destroying our society. you will find this in italy,

in france, in austria and with us. there is a connection, yes, no question about it. the signs talk about saving the homeland. that may be the aim. but by doing so, they could transform the european union. victory in the election would be a start. tim allman, bbc news. femicide — the killing of a woman or a girl on account of her gender — is a global issue. the un says nearly 70% of all women intentionally killed in africa in 2017 were murdered by intimate partners or other family members. activists in kenya say there has been an increase in violence against women in recent months, recording a0 women killed this year alone. the bbc‘s merchuma visited the county of busia in the western part of the country where women say they increasingly fear for their safety.

just a few steps away from their doorstep, a contours —— a constant reminder of their loss. a year ago, this couple buried their 16—year—old daughter. she was sexually assaulted, well pregnant and was later killed. the suspect, her boyfriend, is in custody and has denied murder charges. translation: when i wake up in the morning and look at the grave, i get scared. i never expected this. i knew my daughter would complete her education. it gave me a lot of hope. in another homestead about 30 minutes away, the family is gathering. two days before, this man discovered the body —— this woman discovered the body —— this woman discovered the body of her 17—year—old granddaughter dumped outside the family home. translation: they poured acid on

her. one hand was chopped. it was missing. you could not even tell it was my child. the acid had corroded her skin. localvillagers was my child. the acid had corroded her skin. local villagers are angry and frustrated. they say there is no system in place to log femicide is a specific type of murder and have decided to take the law into their own hands. the suspects were neighbours of the victim led and police say they are in pursuit of them. over the last few months, similar incidents of women being murdered because of gender—based violence have dominated local media. the quality now recorded seven femicides in busia county in a 3— week period in april. as a society, week period in april. as a society, we are patriarchal, we have not punished violations against women, asa punished violations against women, as a society, we have not responded to women being intimidated and violated and now it's coming to a

boil so we are only seeing the end of this gruesome, gruesome process. this is busia referral hospital. the main health facility in the area. over 15 women and men are brought in with injuries from physical and sexual abuse. a common complaint heard among canyons is that authorities aren't addressing the issues properly. activists say it's because there is an apparent indifference to femicide which is demonstrated by the lack of data can action —— collection on the specific crime. the bbc approached the police who disc —— declined to issue a statement. the second in line to the british throne, prince william, has spoken of the pain he felt following the death of his mother, diana, princess of wales. he made the comments in a bbc documentary about mental health. prince william also spoke about the pressures of his former job as an air ambulance pilot, saying he was often left with a very depressing feeling, thinking that death was always around the corner.

here's ramzan karmali. we have to relax a bit and be able to talk about our emotions because we are not robots. prince william in a frank discussion with footballers, former footballers, and the current england manager gareth southgate. william is the president of the football association, england's governing body for the sport. he was taking part in a bbc documentary, a royal team talk, tackling mental health. one topic he spoke about openly was the hurt he felt when his mother diana, princess of wales, died. william was just 15 at the time of her death in 1997. i think when you are bereaved at a very young age, any age, really, but particularly the young age, i can resonate closely to that, you feel pain like no other pain and you know that your life, it is going to be very difficult to come across something that is going to be even worse pain than us. but it also brings you so close to all those other people out there who have been bereaved.

injuly 2017, the prince left the east anglia air ambulance service. his 2—year experience as an air ambulance pilot had a profound influence on his outlook. in some cases, very raw, emotional day—to—day stuff, where you are dealing with families who are having the worst news they could ever possibly have on a day—to—day basis. it leaves you with a very depressing, negative feeling when you think that death is just around the corner everywhere i go. that is quite a burden to carry on the field. prince william has made mental health the cornerstone of his public work. by speaking so honestly, he hopes it will encourage others to take this issue much more seriously. ramzan karmali, bbc news. millions of people will tune in on saturday night to the final of the eurovision song contest. 26 countries are going to compete, and madonna will perform two songs at the event in tel aviv, from where our correspondent david sillito reports. welcome to the eurovision

song contest 2019. israel, and the week—long eurovision party is now in full swing. live from tel aviv, israel. but remember, all this is happening against a background of considerable political tension on the border with gaza, which raises issues of security. will there be protests and also, will people turn up? as you can see, the crowds are here, but even among some of the entrants, there are questions. # svallid var homlulaust... this is iceland's hatari, and they have qualms about israel, but have been told "no politics", on or off stage. we've been warned. we've been told we reached the limit of the ebu's tolerance regarding politics. but at the same time, we're told they can't change our views. indeed, eurovision bosses were today making their position more than clear. if a competitor staged a protest, what would you do? well, we would intervene immediately.

we have very strict rules and policies. you'd shut the performance down? yeah, for sure we'd be shutting it down, and they would be punished afterwards. meanwhile, the first brief glimpse of madonna. after a week of doubts, one eurovision insider is now confident that she will perform. i have heard madonna's voice in that arena, and it wasn't a cd. you're confident, saturday night? i'm quietly confident. i'd put a shekel or two on it. david sillito, bbc news, tel aviv. you can reach me on twitter. i'm @regedahmad. either one can't wait for the eurovision final on saturday. all theissues eurovision final on saturday. all the issues that matter including

climate change is on the bbc website. you can reach me on twitter. i'm @regedahmadbbc. much of this week has been gloriously sunny, dry and reasonably warm. things turned a bit cloudier and cooler later on friday. this was a picture taken by one of our weather watchers in mepham in kent. a bit of sunshine across scotland. through the course of the weekend the sunshine will be in shorter supply. quite an unsettled showery story. some sunny spells, especially across parts of the uk. scotland will see the bulk of the rain on saturday morning because we have got this frontal system, fairly weak front coming and which is introducing a lot of low cloud, mist and fog as well. outbreaks of rain across parts of scotland. a soggy start to saturday here. patchy rain affecting parts of northern ireland. a few showers popping up for northern england.

further south, dry weather through the morning, but you'll notice too, one or two of those showers just bubbling up in the afternoon. nowhere immune to catching a passing shower. in the afternoon. it will be hit and miss, some sunshine in between. temperatures in the south likely to hit 19 also. further north, just 13 or 1a celsius. a different feeling in scotland compared to what we have seen in the past few days. moving through into the early hours of sunday morning, quite a lot of cloud in general across the country, particularly cloudy in the north and patchy outbreaks of rain to scotland and northern ireland. drier further south and we're looking at a frost—free night with temperatures generally holding up into mid—single figures. so this is how we are heading into the second half of the weekend for sunday. a big area of low pressure across central parts of europe. we're drawing in the breeze around that. a bit of an easterly flow bringing that cloud off the north sea to parts of eastern scotland. eastern england could see one or two showers popping up, and some patchy rain moving into western scotland and northern ireland.

during the afternoon, more of these showers tending to bubble up. you will really notice that mix of sunny spells, scattered blustery showers, one or two on the heavy side, could be heavy hail and the odd rumble of thunder. a bit warmer, 20 degrees or so the top temperature by the time we get to sunday. heading on into the new working week, and there's not a great change in the pressure set—up. still got a bit of a slack flow, things not moving very quickly, patchy cloud around, some sunshine i think through the day on monday, and a lot of dry weather in the morning but again, the afternoon with the daytime heating we see those showers developing, particularly in eastern scotland and eastern england during the day on monday. temperatures not too bad. 14—20 degrees or so. outlook fairly settled through the week ahead. some showers around, spells of sunshine. temperatures typically 15—20 degrees. goodbye for now.

this is bbc news. the headlines: australians are voting in a tightly fought general election which could see the opposition labor party regain power. labor — led by bill shorten — has had a slender lead in opinion polls over the conservative liberal party of the current prime minister, scott morrison. the united states and canada have agreed to drop tariffs on steel and aluminium imports imposed just under a year ago. it follows lengthy negotiations. it could pave the way for the ratification of a new north american trade agreement. venezuela's president nicolas maduro has said he sent envoys to norway this week to explore dialogue with the opposition. he said it was with the aim of building a ‘peaceful agenda', but it's not clear if any direct talks took place. venezuela is in the middle of a power struggle between mr maduro and juan guaido that's seen weeks of street protests.