this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. i'm lewis vaughan jones. dozens of people have been killed in north—east mozambique in an attack by islamist insurgents. thousands have been forced to flee. the mexican government admits the true number of its coronavirus deaths is 60 % higher than previously reported. protests in myanmar continue , as security forces open fire at a funeral. the case that shook america and reverberated around the world — we have a special report as the man accused of george floyd's murder goes on trial.

it is difficult to comprehend the horror that engulfed the northern—eastern region on mozambique this weekend. islamist militants linked to islamic state began attacking the town of palma on wednesday. since then, they have killed dozens, and thousands of people have been forced to flee the assault. foreign staff working on a nearby natural gas project have also been caught up in the violence. survivors describe headless bodies strewn across the town. they say they were forced to fend for themselves. the bbc�*s africa correspondent, catherine byaruhanga, reports. a desperate journey for many who had been trapped in the far north—eastern corner of mozambique. on the gangway, you can see some of the people who've finally made it to safety. civilians risk their lives

to charter boats and ships for the rescue mission in parma. but many are still missing. sonia omar is worried for her brother is safety. and describes this as a horrible in unfair situation. live rounds and mortar shells have been let loose in parma since wednesday. local islamist link to isis to have wage a brutal insurgency in this region sense 2017. its people, already terrorised by the violence, have had eyewitnesses describe seeing dead bodies, some of them beheaded, on roadsides and on beaches.

south african meryl knox's son adrian was killed as he tried to escape. her husband and a younger son made it out of palma. but she says they were left to their own defenses. you can imagine, no army to protect them. none of them having weapons. so it was a matter of run for your life. this could've been avoided, my son could still be alive today. after days of silence, the mozambique army confirmed the deaths of civilians, including foreign nationals, and said it was focused on restoring peace to palma. but the government is criticised for failing to tackle an insurgency that has seen 2,000 people killed and over 500,000 displaced. this latest attack, so close to lucrative natural gas projects will put it under even more pressure.

catherine byaruhanga, bbc news, nairobi. emily estelle is a senior research associate at the american enterprise institute think tank. she's in evanston north of chicago. let us try and understand a bit of the context. how is it that these groups of islamist militants have become so powerful in this region? sure. so this part — powerful in this region? sure. so this part of _ powerful in this region? sure. so this part of northern - so this part of northern mozambique is part of a group that includes many islamist factions. this group is a combination of long standing jihadist networks in eastern africa which have global goals with local mobilisation focused on issues and grievances. the injection of expertise from those networks is made this group more deadly as it became active since 2017 and that explains some of the extreme violence were seeing now. it

seems, at the moment, government forces are simply no match. ., . , government forces are simply no match. ., ., , ., , match. unfortunately that is the case- — match. unfortunately that is the case. and _ match. unfortunately that is the case. and its _ match. unfortunately that is the case. and its forces - match. unfortunately that is the case. and its forces face face a number of challenges. 0ne face a number of challenges. one is the size and capability of the military against an insurgency that is remote but other challenges include thoughts that there have been abuses by security forces and possibly by private military contractors against civilians which with an insurgency like this, strengthens the underlying fact is that make it harder to defeat the group ultimately.— ultimately. what are some of the recruiting tactics - the recruiting tactics of this group? 50 the recruiting tactics of this u-rou? ., ,, ~ the recruiting tactics of this ”rou? ., ,, ~' , the recruiting tactics of this a-rou? ., ,, ~ , ., ~ group? so groups like this work by inserting _ group? so groups like this work by inserting themselves - group? so groups like this work by inserting themselves into - by inserting themselves into combustible local situations. in this case, background grievances between religious communities, ethnic groups, economic grievances against foreign resource extraction and simply a failing economy that is not allowing particularly young men to move into the next

stages of adulthood. that means this group can recruit, in some cases by attracting people and providing a cause and livelihood. but we've also seen this group just forcing people tojoin this group just forcing people to join with the extreme level of brutality reported out. select combination of brutality and capitalising on local circumstances. as i mentioned at the beginning, the area this is happening, the natural gas, with foreign workers. is this just a coincidence of location? what is the —— relationship there? i what is the -- relationship there? ~ �* , , ., what is the -- relationship there? ~ �*, , ., there? i think it's been a goal of this grow) _ there? i think it's been a goal of this group for _ there? i think it's been a goal of this group for a _ there? i think it's been a goal of this group for a while - there? i think it's been a goal of this group for a while to i of this group for a while to try and drive out and is generally and that's a theme we see across groups like this in africa and elsewhere. while this group hasn't directly targeted the natural gas infrastructure, it's gotten close enough to have this effect, targeting both foreigners that are present in the area and local civilians. this group is also been driving out civilians in the thousands.

trying to take over generally and installed themselves more permanently. and installed themselves more permanently-— permanently. thank you for cominu permanently. thank you for coming on- _ the mexican government says that the actualfigure, of covid—related deaths in the country, is far higher than previously acknowledged. according to data on excess deaths — that's the number of people who've died over the expected number in any given year — the coronavirus has killed more than 320,000 people in mexico. 0ur correspondent will grant joins me now from mexico city. the original number we thought and why the big increase? just at the end _ and why the big increase? just at the end of _ and why the big increase? just at the end of last _ and why the big increase? jut at the end of last week, the government he has stated that officially 200,000 people had died from coronavirus related deaths. a shocking milestone and think of mexicans but over the weekend they've heard this

headline that in fact, that is a sort of 60% under estimate and as many as 320,000, above 320,000 people may have died when the access deaths are taken into account. what does that tell us? a lot of people are not finding icu beds, stayed at home, became unwell at home and died at home so when those numbers are taken into account it is a far grimmer picture than already known and that was an already very bleak situation. lots of reasons behind that including a lack of getting hold of the issue from the start, that is the key accusation act against the key accusation act against the government of president 0brador and a slow rollout of the vaccination. obrador and a slow rollout of the vaccination.— the vaccination. drawing on that, what _ the vaccination. drawing on that, what is _ the vaccination. drawing on that, what is the _ the vaccination. drawing on that, what is the general. that, what is the general assessment of the government's handling of the pandemic? it’s handling of the pandemic? it's difficult. they are attempting as best possible to get hold of

the vaccine. it would be churlish to suggest they are not. they are trying to get hold of that from china and the united states and cuba which has produced its own vaccine, to serve the island, and other parts of latin america if it's successful. nevertheless, the accusation that is sticking the most is that there has been a lack of water foresight and preparation, not only for the crisis but also this round of mass vaccination stop if anything, this 320,000 figure sharpens minds, it's difficult to know if mexico indeed has pulled ahead of brazil in these terrible charts of the highest number of coronavirus related deaths, given the actual figure in brazil is hard to know but what i would say is yes, it clarifies minds, both among ordinary people about the fact they still need to take great care social distance, and also hopefully among politicians and

decision—makers and the people running the big cities like this one, mexico city. myanmar security forces are reported to have opened fire on people gathered at a funeral on sunday. it was being held for some of the 114 people killed the previous day , the bloodiest since february's the united nations has led international condemnation of myanmar�*s military rulers. the us secretary of state, antony blinken, said washington was horrified by what he called the "reign of terror" , while president biden said, the bloodshed unleashed against the protesters was "absolutely outrageous". laura bicker reports. "my son, my son, why can't you hear me," she cries. the 13—year—old was playing in the street when he was shot and killed. witnesses say troops

opened fire, even though no protests were nearby. his family are now adding their voices to a chorus calling for revolution. these children, in this time of crisis, they are kept in the safest place, by theirfamily. these children are not on the street, not on the front, not even in the living rooms. they are hiding. even children are not safe, so that means no one is safe in burma. over 400 people have now died in myanmar since the military seized power last month. some protesters have started to fight back using home—made weapons. but they are no match against trained fighters and live rounds. the us has accused general min aung hlaing of presiding over a reign of terror. his regime has already been hit by some sanctions, but he still has powerful friends.

russia's deputy defence minister for yesterday's armed forces day. 0ther diplomats were also in the crowd, including from china. but 12 military leaders from around the world issued a rarejoint statement reminding the general that an army is supposed to protect its people. gunshot. not turn their guns on them. and yet the protests continue undeterred. the will of a defiant people determined to restore democracy has so far refused to bend, even under relentless fire. laura bicker, bbc news, bangkok. stay with us on bbc news, still to come: stay indoors — the warning from local authorities after severe weather wreaked havoc on the portugese island of madeira.

the accident that happened here was of the sort that can produce a meltdown. in this case, the precautions worked but they didn't work quite well enough to prevent some old fears about the safety features of these stations from resurfacing.— of these stations from resurfacing. of these stations from resurfacinu. , , . ., resurfacing. the republic of ireland resurfacing. the republic of ireiand has _ resurfacing. the republic of ireland has become - resurfacing. the republic of ireland has become the - resurfacing. the republic ofj ireland has become the first country in the world to ban smoking in the work base. from today anyone biting up in offices, businesses, pubs and restaurants will face a heavy fine. , , ., , ., , fine. the president was on his wa out fine. the president was on his way out of _ fine. the president was on his way out of the _ fine. the president was on his way out of the washington - way out of the washington hiiton— way out of the washington hilton hotel where he had in addressing a trade union conference. a small crowd outside _ conference. a small crowd outside included his assailant. it outside included his assailant. it has — outside included his assailant. it has become a symbol of paris 100 _ it has become a symbol of paris. 100 years— it has become a symbol of paris. 100 years ago, - it has become a symbol ofl paris. 100 years ago, many prescience _ paris. 100 years ago, many prescience wished -

paris. 100 years ago, many prescience wished it - paris. 100 years ago, many prescience wished it had i paris. 100 years ago, many. prescience wished it had never been _ prescience wished it had never been built _ prescience wished it had never been built. the _ prescience wished it had never been built. the eiffel- prescience wished it had never been built. the eiffel towers. been built. the eiffel towers 's birthday— been built. the eiffel towers 's birthday is— been built. the eiffel towers 's birthday is being - been built. the eiffel towers 's birthday is being marked i been built. the eiffel towers. 's birthday is being marked by a re—enactment _ 's birthday is being marked by a re—enactment of— 's birthday is being marked by a re—enactment of the - 's birthday is being marked by a re—enactment of the first. 's birthday is being marked byi a re—enactment of the first are by gustave _ a re—enactment of the first are by gustave eiffel. _ this is bbc news, the latest headlines: security forces in mozambique say dozens of people were killed an attack by islamist militants on the town of palma — hundreds of others escaped to safety. the mexican government has admitted the true number of its coronavirus deaths is 60% higher than previously reported. on monday the trial begins of derek chauvin, the minneapolis police officer accused of murdering george floyd by kneeling on his neck for more than nine minutes in may last year. heavy security is in place outside the hennepin county courthouse. the video of his death was caught on camera and sparked

widespread protests for racial justice in america. 0ur north america correspondent, aleem maqbool, reports on what's being seen as one of the most important trials in us history. it sparked a mobilisation of people the likes of which has never been seen. the killing compelled americans to take a look not just at the issue of police brutality, but systemic racism in all its guises. "my daddy changed the world", said george floyd's daughter. and politicians and corporations promised to deliver. but when the spotlight shifted, what did change? so, a lot of people. people like to talk about change when things are burning down. and people are breaking into malls and there are protests every night and people are burning down restaurants. when all of that dies down, the call for change dies down too, unfortunately. and black men continued to die at the hands of police.

at this site, just two weeks after george floyd was killed... i don't want to refuse anything. rayshard brooks was reported sleeping in his vehicle in a restaurant car park. he was shot in the back by police and killed as he ran away. the case against the officer has faltered. for many activists, the focus of frustration became the government of donald trump, as george floyd's nephew told me last year. we demand change. so this is what is going to happen. we need to get out there and vote. vote him out. in the elections in georgia, for example, the turnout of black voters is credited with helping flip the state democratic. the killing of george floyd played a big role in that. we were all politicised at that moment and many people actually decided that we were going to turn that pain into power. and it started with a vote? for many people, part of it is, it starts with a vote but not a vote because we are asking people to believe in the system, but we're getting people to use their agency to believe

in themselves. but what of the police? some states did introduce changes to do with body cameras or banning the use of choke—holds. but this was no root and branch reform. well, many police here feel they have been unfairly targeted since last summer, insisting there aren't systemic issues with racism and excessive use of force. and speak to some of those who represent officers when they've killed — well, they question even the fundamentals of this case. because the central question here is not going to be whether he used a tactic that was not recognised by law enforcement. we've already condemned it. the question is, what caused george floyd's death? but there are very few people who would feel he would have died without having a knee on his neck? i don't agree with you. a sense, perhaps, of how derek chauvin's defence will play things over the coming weeks. george floyd, as his daughter said, did change things. eliciting emphatic calls for action. but even the trial itself is likely to expose the fact that not everyone has accepted anything needs to change at all.

aleem maqbool, bbc news in atlanta. i want to take you life to the united states now and show you these are from minneapolis. this is a schedule for george floyd taken this is a schedule for george floyd ta ken at this is a schedule for george floyd taken at the greater friendship missionary baptist church. members of his family, the reverend al sharpton and the reverend al sharpton and the attorney and other civil rights leaders are holding a visual right now for the memory of george floyd head of the start of that court case in the united states. let's take a look at some of the other stories making the news. angela merkel says she's not convinced that current restrictions in germany will stop a third wave of coronavirus. she warned state leaders to implement the so—callled �*emergency brake', or risk tougher measures being introduced. her comments come a day after the country's health minister said he'd like to see a full lockdown brought in.

two suspected suicide bombers have targeted roman catholic worshippers coming out of church in the indonesian city of makassar. at least 1a people were wounded in the explosion at the main gate to the church, including church officials who prevented the militants from entering the compound. another tug boat has arrived to help the growing effort to refloat the giant container ship which has been blocking the suez canal since last tuesday. there are now 12 tugs trying to dislodge the ever given, which has stopped all shipping along one of the world's most important trade routes. the egyptian government has ordered preparations to be made to lighten the load of the ship in case the current efforts to move it are unsuccessful. there have been clashes in bangladesh for three days in a row following the visit of indian prime minister narendra modi. a dozen protesters have died

and more have been injured. the bbc�*s azadeh moshiri reports. fla mes flames and violence in anger — in the wake of indian prime minister rand remotely�*s visit. he left on saturday but the chaosis he left on saturday but the chaos is still fresh and palpable — narendra modi. many were injured and some were killed with clashes against police where many fired rubber bullets against protesters. hindu temples were attacked and a train has been vandalised. translation:— a train has been vandalised. translation: bangladesh is a muslim country, _ translation: bangladesh is a muslim country, we _ translation: bangladesh is a muslim country, we do - translation: bangladesh is a muslim country, we do not - translation: bangladesh is a | muslim country, we do not want to see him on our soil!— to see him on our soil! prime minister narendra _ to see him on our soil! prime minister narendra modi's - to see him on our soil! prime | minister narendra modi's visit was meant to be a festive ones. he was there to mark bangladesh's 50 years of independence, as well as the bicentenary of the nation's founder and father of the current prime minister. but for

an islamist group in bangladesh, his two day visit was unwelcome. bangladesh is a country of on hundred and 68 million people and is mostly muslim. —— 168 million. the group accused him of stoking violence against muslims in his home country of india and are calling for more demonstrations. translation: the police force made this conspiracy to create turbulence in the country and fight against the islamic scholars unjustly fired on our innocent students. we protest the steps and demands justice. bangladesh's home and demandsjustice. bangladesh's home minister has warned tough action will be taken if the, quote, anarchy continues. but what he can't put an end to is the dark shadow cast over the country's goldenjubilee. azadeh moshiri, golden jubilee. azadeh moshiri, bbc goldenjubilee. azadeh moshiri, bbc news. lockdown rules have

been relaxed in our ago here in england. forthe been relaxed in our ago here in england. for the first time in september, groups can meet outside and open—air sports like golf and open—air swimming back. here's our political correspondent, chris mason. the green of windy west yorkshire in spring. the strides towards liberty are long, putting the preparations in place for the return of golf in england tomorrow. it's a good three months now. we've had members at home on facebook, posting things about what they're doing. they're chipping in the garden, putting in the garden, they are putting duvets over the washing line and hitting into it. theyjust want to get up here and start playing golf. they want to get out. as well as outdoor sport returning, from tomorrow in england, six people — or two households — can meet outside, including in private gardens. it'll be another fortnight at least before a haircut can be done by a professional. but...

well, of course they could be delayed if the situation deteriorates but at the moment we are on track. so thanks to the work of the british people and the excellent vaccine roll—out, we are confident both in going ahead with the easings from tomorrow and the next stages. there is, then, the cautious prospect of the streets of hebden bridge and elsewhere slowly looking a little less e m pty. the hope, too, of normality, or near—normality, by the summer. but alongside hope, jitters from some. i have to say, i'm a little bit nervous about a full relaxation in june. obviously, we all want to relax as far as it is safe to do so, and it will be important that the government continues to be guided by the data in that respect to see — and this is the particularly important thing — exactly how well are the vaccines performing? if they go on at this rate, i think we can get quite close to a full release. and huge questions spring forth about the tools to help normality return, as

governments around the uk ponder whether it's possible, whether it's practical, to have some sort of passport that says we've been vaccinated, tested or had covid. i think there are definitely prizes to be won through practical and ethical challenges to face as well. the speed and specifics of unlocking vary around the uk. the stay local rule was scrapped here in wales yesterday. from friday, the instruction to stay local will begin in scotland, replacing the edict to stay at home. in northern ireland, six people from two households will be able to meet in private gardens from thursday. chris mason, bbc news. residents on the portuguese island of madeira have been asked by the regional government to stay indoors after huge thunderstorms twice blacked out electricity and caused widespread flooding. allison roberts

reports from lisbon. more than 20,000 flashes of lightning were recorded as the storm raged throughout saturday and into sunday. twice power was lost across the island due to lightning strikes. the storm brought heavy rain resulting in widespread flooding of streets, underground car parks and also some homes. no—one was reported injured but several dozen people were left homeless. the water came up above the sidewalk, i had to leave. there was nothing i could do. continuing unstable weather prompted the authorities to urge the island's quarter of a million residents to stay indoors. the power is now back on for most of the island's inhabitants but the electricity company has warned that it will take time to replace some

of the damaged equipment. you can reach me on twitter — i'm @lvaughanjones. iamat i am at lewis vaughan—jones and this is bbc news. goodbye. hello. it is going to feel like spring for the first part of the week for many of us. in fact, in some places you'd be forgiven for thinking summer had arrived early with values up to 22 or maybe 23 degrees. but by the end of the week it will feel more like winter has returned. much colder air digging its way southward just in time for the easter weekend. and in the shorter term, northwest scotland could see localised flooding over the next couple of days as this wriggling weather front brings heavy and persistent rain. to the south of that weather front that's where we're going to be importing the very warm air but notice there is something much colder up to the north. that will come into play by the end of the week. along the line of our weather

front, heavy rain particular for northern ireland and western scotland. very, very mild to start monday morning. 12 or 13 degrees in places. but it is going to be quite cloudy, misty and murky for many. rain pulling northwards out of northern ireland and continuing across western scotland all day long. heavy rain at that. some brightness for eastern scotland and certainly some brightest skies developing across england and wales. in the best of the sunshine here across parts of eastern england for example, we could get to 20 or 21 degrees, with a little bit cooler for some english channel coasts. through monday night and on into tuesday the rain continues across northwest scotland and it's the persistence of the rain that gives the potential for localised flooding. the further south and east you are on tuesday though, any early mist patch as you're clear, there will be lots of sunshine and tuesday is set to be a very warm day indeed. we could get as high as 23 degrees. pretty exceptional for this point in march. not as warm further north

where we keep cloud and rain. that cloud and rain on wednesday it will start to journey slowly southwards. the rain fizzling away but behind it some colder airdigging in. still some warmth towards the south on wednesday but up to the north, temperatures taking quite the tumble. and as we move out of wednesday towards the end of the week that frontal system in the north will finally journey its way southward. high—pressure building in behind so there there will still be a fair amount of dry weather but much colder weather sinking its way southwards for the end of the week. and for the easter weekend it is going to feel decidedly chilly. there could even be some wintry showers.

we are the this is bbc news, the headlines: authorities in mozambique have defended their response to an attack by islamist militants on the town of palma. a security spokesman said dozens of people had been killed by the insurgents, but hundreds of others — including foreign gas workers — had been rescued. the mexican government has acknowledged that the true number of coronavirus deaths in the country is sixty per cent higher than previously reported. based on excess mortality data, it's now thought that more than 320,000 mexicans have died as a result of the pandemic. troops opened fire at a funeral in myanmar. the european union and the united states have stepped up their criticism of the military government for using deadly force against protesters.

as of today, a number of lockdown restrictions