this is bbc news the headlines at 8:00... 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. 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. and coming up — a full lunar eclipse, giving people the chance to see what's known as a super blood moon. 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 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 countries joined 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 a strong a hand as possible. over in stockholm this evening, an historic moment. sweden's stayed neutral for decades, like neighbour finland. not any more — both now want to join nato. we're now facing a fundamentally change 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 not just 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. we are going to bring you a bit know now what the native general secretary had to say at the news conference. if they decide to apply, this would be a 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 reaction to this, we can now speak to marcin przydacz, who is the deputy foreign minister of poland. he has been busy with nato summit preparations this week, and asked for an increase in permanent presence of nato troops in poland, he joins us now from brussels. thank you for taking the time to

speak to us. i want to ask about ukraine and nato membership before we talk about sweden and finland. do you think it was a mistake? we have seen how quickly sweden and finland seem to be accessing into nato, was it mistake not to get ukraine into the alliance sooner? fist it mistake not to get ukraine into the alliance sooner?— it mistake not to get ukraine into the alliance sooner? at the summit of nato, the alliance sooner? at the summit of nato. poland _ the alliance sooner? at the summit of nato, poland advocated - the alliance sooner? at the summit of nato, poland advocated for - of nato, poland advocated for ukraine to join nato. of nato, poland advocated for ukraine tojoin nato. it of nato, poland advocated for ukraine to join nato. it was of nato, poland advocated for ukraine tojoin nato. it was before the attack on georgia, before crimea, the dundas and this was started by russia this year. a different security situation. probably at that moment, allies would have taken another decision. we would be living in a better world. but unfortunately it was blocked by some of our allies, now we are living with this.

nevertheless, it is never too late. it is up to ukraine whether they want tojoin it is up to ukraine whether they want to join nato and when, it is up to ukraine whether they want tojoin nato and when, and whether they are already prepared. it is up to the allies, the allied countries to decide. it doesn't seem that it countries to decide. it doesn't seem thatitis countries to decide. it doesn't seem that it is going to be very, very soon, but it is possible in the case of finland and sweden shows we can do it very fast if we want to do. indeed, that leads nicely to my next question. we are seeing how fast this can be done. are you more fearful of security in poland and other parts of europe? are you more fearful of russia if sweden and finland tojoin or less fearful of russia if sweden and finland to join or less fearful of what russia could do next? {iii what russia could do next? of course, it is a good decision to have new allies in our club. it would have a very positive impact, not only on regional security in the baltic sea region which poland is part of, but for the entire nato. i

am absolutely not fearful, just opposite. we will be stronger, more united and ready to deter russia. this is unfortunately one of the main goals now, push back russia and defend our community, our nato community and finland and sweden would be added value to that. what would be added value to that. what more can you _ would be added value to that. what more can you tell— would be added value to that. what more can you tell us, _ would be added value to that. what more can you tell us, if— would be added value to that. what more can you tell us, if anything, but what can you tell us, we have got to be careful about what is happening on the polish border at the moment as we try to get more weapons from the alliance into ukraine to support the ukrainian army? are you coming across any kind of resistance all surveillance of what is happening there? i know there have been a number of arrests? i cannot go into detail of what has been happening at the border. what i can tell you is ukraine can count on

us, not only but entire nato. we have just discussed it in berlin, absolutely united position toward ukraine, every single ally is ready to support in different ways. financially, economically and in terms of receiving refugees or sending military equipment. poland is one of those which is doing everything, all of those activities and we will continue to do that. but of course there is a risk. russia has already been shooting some communication lines across the border and russia and belarus has been creating hybrid problems at the belarusian, polish border. if you remember, there was an artificial migration crisis a couple of months ago. probably they are ready to destroy our unity, but we are very

much committed to help our ukrainian partners, because they are the good side on this floor, it is unprovoked and unjustified aggression by russia and unjustified aggression by russia and ukraine must be supported by us. can i ask you, at the nato meeting in madrid, will you be asking for more support in poland from nato on your borders?— your borders? well, as you probably know in 2016 — your borders? well, as you probably know in 2016 there _ your borders? well, as you probably know in 2016 there was _ your borders? well, as you probably know in 2016 there was a _ your borders? well, as you probably know in 2016 there was a very - know in 2016 there was a very successful nato summit. the allies decided the deployment in poland on the eastern flank countries. there are already nato troops, ageing, canadian, british, german, french etc. but the situation has changed now. we believe there will be a joint united position of nato in

order to have more nato troops in poland and border countries, more equipment. not to provoke anybody, just to deter and send a proper political message, don't even try, mr putin to go forward. us and nato are ready to defend and we are very much united and we are the strongest defensive alliance in the world. so just to clarify, are you still concerned? do you remain concerned that russia could include poland in its plans to expand into europe? you know, in its plans to expand into europe? ym. know, in 2008, during the invasion of russia to georgia, our former president was in tivoli sea at the time telling the georgians that he is there to defend and help georgia because he knows today's georgia,

thenit because he knows today's georgia, then it may be ukraine, baltic state and then poland. there is the kind of scenario for the kremlin, the political circles, this is a probable scenario. we don't know whether they have decided or not, but it is better to be prepared. we cannot exclude any scenario. but i doubt really now that russia will try to invade a nato country, a member of the most powerful alliance in the world. they have problems on the front line in ukraine. ukrainians are doing very well. it seems that russia is not absolutely ready to start anything, but we are not sure and it is better to be prepared and that is our position together with our nato allies. irate

together with our nato allies. we have got to leave it there, but many thanks for taking the time. i know you have got a lot to do, a lot of planning in madrid so we appreciate you speaking to the bbc this evening. thank you. the deputy foreign minister of poland taking the time out to tell us about:�*s needs and give his reaction to finland and sweden saying they will apply to join the nato alliance. more on that on the bbc news website. he said the ukrainian military seems to be doing well in recent days, so let's find out more about the situation within the country on this, day 81 of the war. reeta chakrabarti has this report. 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. the headlines on bbc news: 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. 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.

let's bring you more on that story now. 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 peyton 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 entire 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 stone 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. 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 — simon coveney — 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. from belfast, sara girvin reports. 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. what i see at the 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. simon coveney also 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 the protocol, could there be a trade war between the eu and the uk? we 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 statement this afternoon

the leader of the dup sirjeffrey 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. 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. emily unia told us more west midlands police say these alleged victims were girls aged between 1a and 16 years old. a 28—year—old teacher named by west midlands police was arrested last monday on suspicion of sexual assault. he was released on bail and rearrested yesterday morning. he is now in police custody. he is facing charges of sexual exploitation,

sexual activity while in a position of trust and trafficking within the uk. their track charges relate to accusations he drove girls around in his car with the intention of assaulting them. he has been suspended from hisjob assaulting them. he has been suspended from his job and is appearing at birmingham magistrates' court tomorrow. a police spokesman said trained officers are supporting pupils at the school involved. changes to national rail services and timetables have come into effect today. services which were suspended due to covid are being restored and there's a new station opening in the scottish borders. however, there's been criticism over cuts to the number of trains operating on some lines in the north of england. a pair of rare pangolins have made their debut at prague zoo. the pair — a male called guo bao and a female called run hou tang — were unveiled to the public after a month in quarantine following their arrival from taiwan. pangolins are the only mammals with scales entirely covering their bodies.

the animals' arrival is emblematic of a u—turn in czech foreign policy in recent years. the government had been making overtures to china with the expectation of a couple of pandas for prague zoo, but has since become more pro—taiwan. 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 now under attack, one member staying home to fight.

# 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. 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 the eurovision, and now this whole 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. 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 a 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? yes. definitely. hopefully this is the beginning of something and we shall continue to have success. and hopefully our country i 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 the 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 is what russia, too, will hear. mark lowen, bbc news, turin. for the only time this year, the earth will come between the sun and the moon tonight. it will create a type of full lunar eclipse — and we will see what's callled a super blood moon. joining me now from palm coast, florida, is astronomer and author tom kerss. thank you forjoining us. are you in florida because that is where we can get the best side of this blood moon? it get the best side of this blood moon? , ., ., . . get the best side of this blood moon? , ., ., .. ., moon? it is no accident i am here, it is a really _ moon? it is no accident i am here, it is a really good _ moon? it is no accident i am here, it is a really good place _ moon? it is no accident i am here, it is a really good place to - moon? it is no accident i am here, it is a really good place to view - it is a really good place to view this eclipse. today is my birthday so... . , , this eclipse. today is my birthday so... , this eclipse. today is my birthday so- - -_ thank - this eclipse. today is my birthday so. . ._ thank you | this eclipse. today is my birthday i so. . ._ thank you so so... happy birthday. thank you so much. it so... happy birthday. thank you so much- it is — so... happy birthday. thank you so much. it is great _ so... happy birthday. thank you so much. it is great thing _ so. .. happy birthday. thank you so much. it is great thing for- so... happy birthday. thank you so much. it is great thing for an - much. it is great thing for an astronomer to have an eclipse fall

on their birthday. we are hoping the skies will clear. it is a bit stormy on the coast right now. i should mention this eclipse is also visible in the uk, it isjust mention this eclipse is also visible in the uk, it is just because you are on the eastern side of the atlantic you will have to get up pretty early in the morning to see it at its best. the pretty early in the morning to see it at its best-— it at its best. the weather is rubbish in — it at its best. the weather is rubbish in the _ it at its best. the weather is rubbish in the uk _ it at its best. the weather is rubbish in the uk at - it at its best. the weather is rubbish in the uk at the - it at its best. the weather is - rubbish in the uk at the moment. there might be a bit of cloud cover. does it change the light even if there is cloud cover, it will be getting red or orange?- there is cloud cover, it will be getting red or orange? since the moon is full— getting red or orange? since the moon is full tonight _ getting red or orange? since the moon is full tonight and - getting red or orange? since the moon is full tonight and into - moon is full tonight and into tomorrow morning, even with some cloud cover it is often possible to see a hint of the moon's light through the clouds. it is normally a pallet sort of white light, but as the moon passes into the shadow of the moon passes into the shadow of the earth as it will tomorrow morning in the uk, we see the light of every sunrise and sunset on earth falling onto the moon, it is flooding the shadow with this deep, orange light. even if the moon is not terribly clear, he will get a

hint of the red colour, particularly if you are out after about four o'clock in the morning when the moon is going into the deepest part of the shadow. that is worth looking out for and the moon will appear darker as well. it is always worth looking out for an eclipse that is low on the horizon, even if the clouds and the forecast doesn't look terribly great, because sometimes when the cloud is overhead, the horizon can be quite clear. in the uk you will want to look low, over to the west before sunrise defined the setting moon inside the earth's shadow. iii the setting moon inside the earth's shadow. , , ., ., ., shadow. if we miss it or we are not u n shadow. if we miss it or we are not u- at shadow. if we miss it or we are not up at four— shadow. if we miss it or we are not up at four o'clock _ shadow. if we miss it or we are not up at four o'clock in _ shadow. if we miss it or we are not up at four o'clock in the _ shadow. if we miss it or we are not up at four o'clock in the morning, | up at four o'clock in the morning, where can we find the best pictures of this? i am sure there is a whole load of people like you with very long lenses, where is the best places to go and find out more information?— places to go and find out more information? ., ., ., ., information? you are going to find ech-se information? you are going to find eclipse pictures — information? you are going to find eclipse pictures into _ information? you are going to find eclipse pictures into marrow's - eclipse pictures into marrow's papers, i hope, if they come in in time for the print. if not, you will find them online, i am on twitter

and i'm sure the bbc will have a fantastic round—up of photos submitted by photographers as well. notjust in europe but across the americas and in africa as well where the eclipse will be visible. you don't need _ the eclipse will be visible. you don't need a — the eclipse will be visible. you don't need a special _ the eclipse will be visible. you don't need a special lens or anything like that? it don't need a special lens or anything like that?- don't need a special lens or anything like that? it is perfectly esca ed anything like that? it is perfectly escaped to _ anything like that? it is perfectly escaped to observe. _ anything like that? it is perfectly escaped to observe. a _ anything like that? it is perfectly escaped to observe. a lunar - anything like that? it is perfectly i escaped to observe. a lunar eclipse is a dimming of the moon. if you go out tomorrow morning and you're out there at roughly four o'clock or so, you will see the moon deeply submerged into the penumbral shadow. it will be clear that something strange is happening because the moon will look like a crescent, even though it is officially a full moon at this time of may. that will be the indication you are seeing the eclipse and you can see that with your unaided eye. if you have binoculars you can get a more detailed view but an eclipse is more dramatic to the eye because of the colour and the unusual darkness. absolutely fascinating. i'm not too sure if i will be up at four o'clock

in the morning, so i will be looking at the newspapers and watching bbc news. but you have a fantastic lunar eclipse birthday. to news. but you have a fantastic lunar eclipse birthday-— news. but you have a fantastic lunar eclipse birthday. to anyone who does no out and eclipse birthday. to anyone who does go out and look. _ eclipse birthday. to anyone who does go out and look, i _ eclipse birthday. to anyone who does go out and look, i wish _ eclipse birthday. to anyone who does go out and look, i wish very - eclipse birthday. to anyone who does go out and look, i wish very clear - go out and look, i wish very clear skies, where ever you are. we are about to find _ skies, where ever you are. we are about to find out _ skies, where ever you are. we are about to find out because - skies, where ever you are. we are about to find out because i - skies, where ever you are. we are about to find out because i know l about to find out because i know somebody who has all the details, darren bett. 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.