this is bbc news — the headlines at 7:00pm: sweden's ruling social democrats have backed the countryjoining nato — it's after finland also confirmed it will apply for nato membership, in response to russia's invasion of ukraine. their membership in nato would increase our shared security, demonstrate that nato�*s door is open, and that aggression does not pay. a british military intelligence assessment suggests russia may have lost a third of its ground forces since the start of its invasion of ukraine. pictures have been released of buffalo supermarket shooting suspect payton gendro. president biden has been speaking about the attack... president biden has been speaking about the attack.

we must all work together to address the hate that remains a stain on the soul of america. our hearts are heavy once again, but our resolve must never, ever waver. ——payton gendro. the uk government says it wouldn't be deterred from taking action over post—brexit trading arrangements in northern ireland — to try to help restore power—sharing at stormont. and a triumphant ukraine wins the eurovision song contest after claiming the popular vote. good evening. in response to russia's invasion of ukraine — finland and sweden have abandoned their military neutrality and announced their intention to join nato.

the alliance�*s secretary general yens stoltenberg has described jens stoltenberg has described the move as historic — while president putin, talking of finland, called the plan "a mistake". nato — the north atlantic treaty organization — is a military alliance, formed in 1949 by 12 countries, including the us, uk, canada and france. after the soviet union's collapse in 1991, many former eastern bloc countriesjoined nato. sweden and finland — which has a more than 800—mile border with russia — now want to jointhe alliance soon — this follows nato foreign ministers, who are meeting in berlin, saying they wanted a rapid accession because of the ukrainian crisis. our europe correspondent, nick beake, reports. they claim vladimir putin's war has brought them closer together and made them stronger. now the nato family is set to get bigger. america's top diplomat, back in europe,

said the support for ukraine is for the long term. every member of the alliance wants to bring this war to an end as soon as possible. but we're equally determined to maintain our security assistance to ukraine, to continue our sanctions, export controls and diplomatic pressure on russia for as long as is necessary. the united states and our allies and partners on focused on giving ukraine as strong a hand as possible. over in stockholm this evening, an historic moment. sweden has stayed neutral for decades, like finland. not any more — both now want to join nato. we're now facing a fundamentally changed security environment in europe, and when we navigate in this new environment, the fundamental question for us is, how do we best protect sweden? and the kremlin has shown that they are prepared to use violence to achieve their political objectives. sweden and finland joining the western military alliance

is notjust about the symbolism of two more flags being planted here. it would double the length of the land borders between russia and nato countries. it's the sort of expansion that vladimir putin was desperate to avoid. but russia is keeping up its assault on ukraine — from air, land and sea, focusing on the donbas region, although moscow accused the west of waging a total war on the russian people and has promised there will be consequences if nato expands. the head of the organisation told the bbc the alliance was prepared. president putin doesn't understand that what we speak about is not nato aggressively moving east. this is about free, independent decisions by free, independent democratic nations — the baltic countries, poland, but also now most likely finland and sweden. and we respect those free,

independent decisions. finland and sweden's nato membership is not a done deal. all existing 30 members need to agree to it, and turkey could yet hold up the process. but many allies are now promising to fast—track these applications in the face of ongoing russian aggression. nick beake, bbc news, berlin. let's hear a little more from the nato secretary generaljens stoltenberg, at that news conference a little earlier. if they decide to apply, this would be a historic moment. this would be an historic moment. their membership in nato would increase our shared security, demonstrate that nato's door is open, and that aggression does not pay. today, allies discussed our strong support for ukraine, the further strengthening of nato's deterrence and the longer term

implications of the war, including our future stance towards russia. russia's war in ukraine is not going as moscow had planned. they have failed to take kyiv. they are pulling back from around kharkiv. their major offensive in donbas has stalled. russia is not achieving its strategic objectives. president putin wants ukraine defeated, nato down, north america and europe divided. but ukraine stands, nato is stronger than ever, europe and north america are solidly united.

let's get some more analysis on this now. we can now connect to elisabeth braw, a senior fellow at the american enterprise institute specialising in defense, she joins us from washington dc. hello to you. we are seeing a massively developing story here, two countries that have always been militarily neutral now want to join a military alliance. i think a lot of people get what nato is, it is an alliance of military, so to speak, but i want to start by asking you a simple question because there are so much more to nato when you read up on it, the very fact it promotes peace rather than war. i want you to explain a bit more about what nato doesn't want to achieve. mata explain a bit more about what nato doesn't want to achieve.— doesn't want to achieve. nato is a very simple _ doesn't want to achieve. nato is a very simple concept. _ doesn't want to achieve. nato is a very simple concept. it _ doesn't want to achieve. nato is a very simple concept. it is - doesn't want to achieve. nato is a very simple concept. it is about i very simple concept. it is about countries teaming up, like—minded countries teaming up, like—minded countries teaming up, and saying alone we cannot defend ourselves very well but if we team up we

promise to help each other if one of us is attacked. if one is attacked everybody else insists that country. that is incredibly important because it has value, notjust if one country is attacked, and we should remember that the only time that a nato member state has been attacked on its territory was the united states on the 11th september 2001. but it has an incredibly important function before any country attacks, signalling to a prospective invader, don't even try it because we will be stronger than you, we are many countries together and we will defend the country that is attacked and that's what nato means about being a piece creating or peace enhancing organisation. fine being a piece creating or peace enhancing organisation. one wonders with ukraine — enhancing organisation. one wonders with ukraine being _ enhancing organisation. one wonders with ukraine being so _ enhancing organisation. one wonders with ukraine being so threatened, - with ukraine being so threatened, that was obvious in 2014 when crimea was annexed, why didn't they rush to get ukraine in nato to stop this

invasion in the first place, because it might have done, it might have made president putin think twice? it might. in fact, it is quite likely that would have been the case but nato is also not a charity. it operates to defend its members against aggression, so it is not in nato member states' selfish interests to receive a country that is virtually certain to be invaded and has in fact already been invaded. that was of course the problem with ukraine, the moment russian troops walked in to those eastern parts in the donbas, and the moment russia seized crimea, ukraine was a country at war and if you are a country at war you are not eligible for nato membership. even if nato member states wanted to help, which was clearly the case with ukraine, it was not possible to invite ukraine. so what has to happen is for ukraine to hopefully come from the ukrainian side, hopefully win this war, and i think that's what everybody wishes. and to

then apply for nato membership status. fist then apply for nato membership status. �* , ., ., status. at the start of the ukrainian _ status. at the start of the ukrainian invasion, - status. at the start of the | ukrainian invasion, russia status. at the start of the - ukrainian invasion, russia said, status. at the start of the _ ukrainian invasion, russia said, and warned sweden and finland, if you join nato we will invade you. they don't seem to be saying that now, that seems to have been watered down a bit. to that effect, is nato working? as the eastern bloc being protected because of its nato membership? is president putin to concerned about invading nato countries and what the consequences could be for him and russia? i countries and what the consequences could be for him and russia?- could be for him and russia? i think one can argue _ could be for him and russia? i think one can argue that _ could be for him and russia? i think one can argue that nato _ could be for him and russia? i think one can argue that nato has - could be for him and russia? i think one can argue that nato has been . one can argue that nato has been incredibly successful simply because no nato member state has ever been invaded, and of course 9/11wasn't exactly an invasion, it was a terrorist attack. but it stands to reason that the baltic states, poland and a certain other former warsaw pact states would have been vulnerable to russian aggression had there not managed to enter nato, and they see that as the one thing that has saved them from russian aggression. then of course, it is

also true that at the moment sweden and finland are not members of nato but are likely to become nato members within the next few months and putin and other officials have said if you join there will be consequences. but at the moment, russia is so tied up in ukraine it would be very difficult for the russian government to spare many resources. so now is a perfect opportunity for sweden and finland tojoin nato while russia is so weakened militarily. to join nato while russia is so weakened militarily. fascinating talkinu weakened militarily. fascinating talkin: to weakened militarily. fascinating talking to you. _ weakened militarily. fascinating talking to you, thank— weakened militarily. fascinating talking to you, thank you - weakened militarily. fascinating talking to you, thank you for - weakened militarily. fascinating. talking to you, thank you for your time on bbc news, elisabeth braw joining us from washington, an expert in defence. what is the situation within ukraine itself? this is day number 81 of the war. reeta chakrabarti looks what has been happening at the war. in mariupol, besieged and bombarded for weeks, relentless russian attacks are continuing. in the city, here at the azovstal steelworks, incendiary weapons,

which produce burning elements, are used against ukrainian fighters holding off russian forces. in the east of the country, in donbas, intense fighting continues to take place. the us embassy in kyiv posted this footage of american—supplied howitzer guns in action — 90 have been sent to ukraine. and these pictures have emerged of surface—to—air missile launches in russian—controlled areas. reeta chakra barti. president biden has said the united states must do everything in its power to end what he called hate—filled domestic terrorism. that was his reaction to a gunman killing ten people in a supermarket. the shooting happened in new york state. most of the victims, in the city of buffalo, were black. an 18—year—old man, who is white, has been charged with first—degree murder. our correspondent will grant reports. once again, one man's deep—seated racism and easy access to semiautomatic weapons have combined to deadly effect in america.

18—year—old payton gendron drove for miles to reach this supermarket in a predominantly black neighbourhood of buffalo. heavily armed and dressed in tactical gear, he livestreamed his horrific attack. a security guard, a retired buffalo policeman, tried to stop him but was among those killed. most of the victims were black. we're still gathering the facts, but already the justice department has stated publicly that it is investigating the matter as a hate crime, a racially motivated act of white supremacy and violent extremism. as they do, we must all work together to address the hate that remains a stain on the soul of america. before the attack, the gunman posted a kind of manifesto online — a hate—filled screed laying bare his extremist views.

outside the supermarket, gendron was disarmed, taken into custody and charged with first—degree murder. in court, his lawyer entered a not guilty plea. meanwhile, a community has again been plunged into mourning, struggling to comprehend how a simple trip to the supermarket could end in a horror scene at the hands of a teenager with a gun. will grant, bbc news. a teacher in birmingham has been charged with sexually assaulting four teenage girls. it's alleged that some of the assaults happened while muhammad taimoor was at work. our reporter emily unia is here. emily, what can you tell us? west midlands police say the alleged victims were girls aged 14—16 years old, 28—year—old teacher muhammad taimoor named by west midlands police was arrested last monday on suspicion of sexual assault and then released on bail and rearrested yesterday morning. he is now in

police custody. he is facing charges involving sexual exploitation, sexual activity while in a position of trust, and trafficking within the uk. those trafficking charges relate to accusations that he drove girls around in his car with the intention of assaulting them. he's been suspended from hisjob of assaulting them. he's been suspended from his job and is appearing at birmingham magistrates' court tomorrow. a police spokesman has said trained officers are supporting pupils at the school involved. , ., ,, , ., supporting pupils at the school involved. , . ~' , ., ., involved. emily, thank you for the u date, involved. emily, thank you for the update. and _ involved. emily, thank you for the update. and if— involved. emily, thank you for the update, and if any _ involved. emily, thank you for the update, and if any more _ involved. emily, thank you for the l update, and if any more information comes in we will bring it to you at bbc news. the government has denied "playing politics" by seeking to change trading arrangements in northern ireland — insisting that the brexit treaty had to be reassessed. ministers are considering introducing legislation which would allow them to override parts of the deal to try to restore power sharing at stormont. ireland's foreign minister has warned that course of action would be deeply harmful. the prime minister will visit belfast tomorrow to hold talks with northern ireland's main parties.

let's get more from belfast with sarah given. tomorrow borisjohnson will hold private meetings with political leaders in an attempt to break the dormant stalemate. on friday the dup blocked the election of a new assembly speaker in protest at the northern ireland protocol, meaning this place can't function. there is increasing speculation that the uk government is poised to introduce legislation to strip away parts of the protocol, but the irish foreign minister says that isn't the right approach. foreign minister says that isn't the right approach-— right approach. what i see at the moment is _ right approach. what i see at the moment is a _ right approach. what i see at the moment is a british _ right approach. what i see at the moment is a british government| moment is a british government making statements, briefing against the eu and creating a lot of tension in my country, your closest neighbour, and also potentially being on the verge of making a decision that can fundamentally undermine the function of the institutions of the peace process in northern ireland.— institutions of the peace process in northern ireland. simon coveney also said there would _ northern ireland. simon coveney also said there would be _ northern ireland. simon coveney also said there would be a _ northern ireland. simon coveney also said there would be a consequence i northern ireland. simon coveney also said there would be a consequence if| said there would be a consequence if the uk's action created uncertainty

on the island of ireland, so if there is a plan to ditch parts of there is a plan to ditch parts of the protocol, could there be a trade war between the eu and the uk? we think war between the eu and the uk? - think it would be completely self—defeating if they went into a trade war but that is up to them. what i'm concerned about is a british minister is the political stability of northern ireland and that's what i'm working with colleagues in cabinet to preserve and if we feel, as we are inclined to, that the protocol is undermining political stability in northern ireland it is absolutely our duty to look at it again and see what we can do to change it. in a look at it again and see what we can do to change it— do to change it. in a statement this afternoon the _ do to change it. in a statement this afternoon the leader _ do to change it. in a statement this afternoon the leader of _ do to change it. in a statement this afternoon the leader of the - do to change it. in a statement this afternoon the leader of the dup - do to change it. in a statement this afternoon the leader of the dup sirj afternoon the leader of the dup sir jeffrey donaldson said his party wants action and not words on the protocol, but yesterday sinn fein said the protocol is here to stay. so with our political parties so far apart, can a visit from the prime minister end the stalemate at stormont? sara girvin, bbc newsline, stormont. let's get some analysis on

this now. joining me now is dr clare rice, political researcher at the university of liverpool focusing on politics in northern ireland. hello. you must be watching this with huge interest. ed miliband is among many who have told the bbc that boris johnson among many who have told the bbc that borisjohnson is in danger of playing politics with a done deal with the european union, and it is dangerous. do you agree with statements like that, or is it something perhaps thatjust needs to happen? i something perhaps that 'ust needs to ha--en? ~ something perhaps that 'ust needs to ha en? ., , something perhaps that 'ust needs to ha en? ~' , . ., , ., happen? i think it is certainly a very dangerous _ happen? i think it is certainly a very dangerous line _ happen? i think it is certainly a very dangerous line the - happen? i think it is certainly a very dangerous line the prime | very dangerous line the prime minister is treading at the moment in terms of ramping up the language around the northern ireland protocol and essentially agitating those ongoing conversations with the european union in such a way. i think also it needs to be taken into account that the very actions the prime minister chooses to take on this issue will have direct and very significant impact within northern ireland, not least in terms of whether or not our institutions are reinstated in a timely way. so i think certainly there is an issue with the way this is being

addressed. the uk of course has its reasons for generating those narratives in the way that it has, but at the same time we have the european union, an equal partner in those eu— uk conversations who are saying there is potentially a landing zone that can be found with these conversations. i think really what we are looking at is a situation where two as great an extent as possible the politics and conversations and narratives around the politics of the protocol need to be set aside to as great a degree as possible and the nitty—gritty of the details with regard to its operations need to come back to the forefront. . , , , forefront. that nitty-gritty is . uite forefront. that nitty-gritty is quite complex, _ forefront. that nitty-gritty is quite complex, isn't - forefront. that nitty-gritty is quite complex, isn't it? - forefront. that nitty-gritty is| quite complex, isn't it? could forefront. that nitty-gritty is - quite complex, isn't it? could you do as a favour and try and stripped down this protocol in layman's terms, what it means, and what boris johnson needs to do to maintain stability in northern ireland? the northern stability in northern ireland? iie: northern ireland stability in northern ireland? "iie: northern ireland protocol stability in northern ireland? i““ie: northern ireland protocol is stability in northern ireland? iie: northern ireland protocol is the aspect of the uk— eu arrangement that was reached to facilitate the uk leaving the european union as a member state. uk leaving the european union as a memberstate. it uk leaving the european union as a member state. it focuses

specifically on northern ireland. one of the main contentions around it has been the trade aspects, which in part requires some checks to be completed on goods moving from great britain into northern ireland, so for borisjohnson, he is on one side hearing from the dup that the protocol in part related to this trade aspect operation of the protocol is differentiating and separating northern ireland from the rest of the united kingdom, and therefore, it is detrimental to the unionist interests within northern ireland. so it is for that reason borisjohnson is having to pay such close attention to what the dup is saying, and for the european union they are very much minded towards what is happening on the island of ireland with ireland being a member state of the european union. so the language there is very much focused around maintaining no border on the island of ireland in light of the good friday agreement arrangements. both sides, it is fair to say, emphasising the role of the good friday agreement and what needs to

happen with regards to northern ireland's place post—brexit, but from very different angles and that's part of the core contention we are starting to see play out now. briefly, the political landscape has changed slightly in northern ireland, particularly with sinn fein's success at the recent elections there. is there a chance for borisjohnson to get that executive back up and running, get stormont back up and running? it a ve stormont back up and running? if —. very difficult to determine at this stage, all eyes will be on the conversations happening in northern ireland tomorrow when the prime minister comes here. i think he will be treading a very difficult line between wanting to be seen to listen to the dup and their concerns, and their position with regard to the institutions and the protocol, while at the same time listening to sinn fein and the other parties who are in favour broadly of the protocol remaining in place, but with some adjustments as to how it works in practice. he will be treading a very difficult line but the dup have been very clear that words are one thing

addaction is another, and it is very much the actions that the prime minister chooses to take forward from those meetings tomorrow that will dictate how things progress here. idr will dictate how things progress here. , ., . ., here. dr clare rice from the university — here. dr clare rice from the university of _ here. dr clare rice from the university of liverpool, - here. dr clare rice from the | university of liverpool, thank here. dr clare rice from the - university of liverpool, thank you for your time and insight. a woman who was killed along with her three dogs whilst walking in west london has been named by police. olivia riley was struck by a car early yesterday morning. victoria hollins reports. flowers left in the spring rain. the only real sign of the tragedy here on cheyne walk early yesterday morning. olivia riley described herself as a dog lover. she was walking her three golden retrievers around 6:15 when they were all hit by a car. olivia and all the animals died at the scene. one of those paying tribute today was sarah phillips, who walks her dogs nearby. it's just the most terrible, terrible thing on such a beautiful, beautiful morning. and so i thought, i've got to come and lay some flowers, as to say not to forget her. olivia's death has had a big impact

on people in the area. the people i've spoken to, a lot of people have mentioned they're very sad. i mean, going for... taking your dogs for a walk and getting killed. this is a really busyjunction, but the whole road is covered by a 20 mile an hour zone. there's lots of traffic cameras as well, but police are still really keen to hear from anyone who might have seen what happened yesterday morning. they're particularly interested in any dash cam footage that people may have. the driver of a car, a 26—year—old man, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. meanwhile, the tributes grow to a woman who died with the pets she loved. victoria hollins, bbc london. eggs have been thrown at a statue of margaret thatcher within hours of it being put up in her home town of grantham in lincolnshire this morning. the bronze statue was offered to the town after plans to erect it in parliament square in london were rejected. from granthan, sharon edwards reports. delayed by the pandemic, the ten—foot bronze statue

was finally lowered into place — resting on a granite plinth in the town where she grew up. a controversial statue that divided opinion. her legacy as the country's first female prime minister never in doubt — but her policies still divide. we have got to recognise people in public office. we can't hide from our history. she was one of the longest running prime ministers in modern history and she is from grantham, she was the first female. so it's really important we recognise her. the statue of baroness thatcher had been been planned for london — but the plans were rejected amid fears of vandalism. so the £300,000 memorial was offered to grantham. but not everyone is happy. soon after the statue was unveiled, a small number of eggs were thrown. south kesteven council says cctv cameras are in place to protect the statue, but say it is right to remember baroness thatcher in her birthplace. people in the iron lady's home town were divided.

she came from here. we've got to recognise the fact. fantastic. i was personally never a thatcherite, and rather hostile to her. but nevertheless i feel that she was clearly a very significant person and so i have no objection to the statue because i feel that it generates ongoing discussion about her legacy. i don't think it's going to be for the best. - you know, i think it's- going to anger a lot of people. the statue was installed today without ceremony. that will happen at a later date. but today a tribute to one of grantham's most famous daughters is in place. sharon edwards, bbc look north, grantham. ukraine says it hopes to be able to host the eurovision song contest next year after the country's emotional triumph in last night's final in italy. their entry — the kalush orchestra — flew to the top of the leaderboard

after winning the popular vote. sam ryder, of the uk, finished second but topped the jury votes with his song space man. our correspondent, mark lowen, sent this report from turin. music: stefania by the kalush orchestra. in the end they had it all — the sound, the sympathy, the success. ukraine's kalush orchestra went into eurovision as the favourite with a folk and hip—hop anthem to the lead singer's mother and now to their motherland under attack, one member staying home to fight. # i'm up in space, man! it so almost went the uk's way, sam ryder�*s space man hoping to take his country to the galaxy of winners for the first time in 25 years. 183 points.

he did so well. there it is. but as the public votes went in he was brought down to earth and ukraine's star shone bright. cheering all the way to kyiv where the winning song warmed hearts broken by war. this meant so much more than music or eurovision kitsch. it was a continent rallying behind a country in darkness, defending its european identity. we won here in eurovision. and now this feeling is like, yes, and we will win also in the war with russia and all europe is with us, and it was feeling like we are all together. in ukraine we have war, i it is not a time to have fun. but we need to have fun, _ we need to live and we need to have understanding and feeling of life. back in turin, sore heads,

but pride for the brits too. has sam's result restored your faith in the uk's eurovision dream? definitely. hopefully this is the beginning of something and we shall continue to have success. and our country and the rest of europe starts to take us seriously again. italy hosted quite the party here. there was politics, too, with russia kicked out for taking europe back to war. but last night, at least, there was room for fun. thank you so much. and so the hopes of bringing peace and eurovision to ukraine next year both for now in doubt. but europe is dancing to ukraine's tune, and that's what russia too will hear. mark lowen, bbc news, turin. it really was a well a spirited event, wasn't it? now it's time for a look at the weather with darren. hello there. it really is a messy picture out there at the moment.

obviously we've seen a lot more cloud around today, some bursts of rain too. the rain in western scotland probably easing away, but further south into england the rain that we've seen developing here will continue to push its way northwards, could be heavy, possibly even thundery as well, working its way upwards into southern scotland. if you're hoping to see the super blood moon later in the night, the best chance i think will be in northern scotland with some clearer skies. very warm and muggy night, those are the minimum temperatures. we start off quite cloudy tomorrow with some mist around too and these bursts of rain. the wetter weather continues to work its way northwards, where it will come to rest in scotland. eventually some sunshine coming through in northern ireland and developing more widely in england and wales, but still maybe a few thundery showers here and there. warmer in the sunshine, 22 or 23 degrees. underneath the cloud and rain in scotland, it's going to be quite a bit chillier here. through the rest of this week, we will continue to have some warmth and sunshine at times. but still that continued threat of some heavy and thundery downpours.

hello, this is bbc news with chris rogers, the atlan ruling democrats in sweden have backed the application for nato. their membership in nato would decrease our share security. demonstrate that nato's door is open and that aggression does not pay. aha, and that aggression does not pay. a british military intelligence assessment suggests russia may have lost a third of its ground forces since the start of its invasion of ukraine. president biden says america must do all it can to end hate filled domestic terrorism, after ten people are killed in a shooting in buffalo. the uk government says it wouldn't be deterred from taking action over post—brexit trading arrangements in northern ireland to try to help restore power sharing at stormont.