this is bbc news. welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. i'm david eades. our top stories: the bbc sees more evidence of apparent war crimes by russian forces in bucha. ukrainian civilians are found to have been deliberately shot. the evidence we found underground here, it is clear they were executed. nato says it's confident sweden and finland willjoin the alliance — after public opinion in both countries is transformed by russia's invasion. a gunman opens fire at a church in california. one person is dead and four others wounded before he's overpowered by members of the congregation. and north korea's covid crisis.

a further 400,000 cases and eight deaths from a mysterious fever are reported. a bbc team has uncovered further evidence of potential war crimes committed by russian forces in ukraine. since russian soldiers were pushed back from kyiv at the end of march, the bodies of more than 1,000 civilians have been discovered in the bucha region, just outside the capital. the local police chief has said that more than half of the dead were shot, in what has been described as executions. 0ur east europe correspondent, sarah rainsford, has been investigating one case in particular. and a warning — her report contains some distressing details.

this is a place where dark acts were committed. civilians tortured and killed by russian soldiers fighting a war in which they break all the rules, like they do not know them or even care. we were shown underground to where five men were held captive, then shot in the head. in the gloom, we saw the chilling evidence. the men's bodies were found kneeling here, beaten, their hands tied behind their backs. it is cold, it's damp and it is dark down here, where the five men must�*ve spent the most terrifying moments of their lives. and we still don't have a full picture of exactly what happened but, from the evidence that we found underground here, it is clear that they were executed. we counted more than a dozen bullet holes. translation: the soldiers

were based upstairs. - the headquarters were in a medical centre. here was a torture room. they were torturing and killing civilians. it was all happening at a children's camp. its name means �*radiant�*, �*a place of sunshine'. but when the town of bucha was occupied, russian troops set up base here. aliona showed me pictures of her brother in happy times. but vlodymyr was one of the men found in that basement. his death has shattered her. when they last spoke, he told her that he loved her. but she heard a voice full of fear. weeping translation: it's so hard. i hate them with every cell of my body. i know that it's wrong

to say about people, but they are not human. how could they torture those men? there wasn't a patch on their bodies that was not beaten. when russian troops retreated from bucha, they left streets filled with death. moscow claims all of this was staged. and yet, weeks on, the hard evidence is piled up here. the cars of civilians covered in bullet holes. investigating it all is overwhelming and shocking, even for the police officer in charge. translation: more than half of the people killed _ in the bucha region were shot — not killed by mines or shrapnel orfound under the ruins — but shot with guns, more than 650. that shows the russians' cruelty, their crimes against humanity.

it feels like every house, every yard in bucha was witness to that cruelty. just opposite of the children's camp, we heard of another man who was held prisoner there. air siren wails viktor is in western ukraine now, but he told me he'd been thrown in a cellar at the camp, his legs soaked in water so he'd freeze, and a gun held to his head. translation: they kept saying, "where is the fascists? _ "where is the nazis? "where is zelensky?" they said, "you have until the morning "to remember what you've seen, and if not, you'll be shot." viktor escaped because there was shelling and his captors scattered. but vlodymyr is now buried in the grave with no date for his death. his family don't know

when he was shot, but this town does know that civilians are not only caught up in this war, they're being targeted. sarah rainsford, bbc news, bucha. the actions of russia and ukraine are having a large effect on the geopolitical make up effect on the geopolitical make up of europe. finland and sweden have announced their intention tojoin nato, in response to russia's invasion of ukraine. the alliance's secretary generaljens stoltenberg has described the move, which amounts to the abandoning of their military non—alignment, as historic — while president putin, talking about finland, described the plan as "a mistake". the north atlantic treaty organization was created back in 1949 by 12 countries — including the us, the uk, canada and france. after the soviet union's collapse in 1991, many former eastern bloc countries joined nato, and it now numbers 30 member states. finland, which has a border of more than 1,300 kilometres with russia, and sweden, would bring that number to 32,

and would more than double nato's land border with russia. 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 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 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. with me now is dr christine ages, who is an associate professor of politics and international relations at swinburne university of technology in melbourne.

for one country is clearly an what do you think might yet be at this stage it is quite unclear, russian has responded to the possibility of finland and swedenjoining nato and sweden joining nato negatively. and swedenjoining nato negatively. it and sweden “oining nato negatively._ negatively. it promises retaliation _ negatively. it promises retaliation in _ negatively. it promises retaliation in technicall negatively. it promises i retaliation in technical and military terms and this could take a number of different forms, it is anticipated that could involve cyber attacks, disinformation, violations of airspace with sweden in particular which is quite familiar with by now, hybrid attacks, over issues or instances short of war. it has been significant concern about the nuclear element, though. there has been a lot of nuclear posturing, russia has put its

nuclear forces on high alert, previously, and the balance in the region would have to be restored if finland and sweden join nato membership. but finnish and swedish membership haven't given this too much concern because they say this is nothing substantially new, russia has always had nuclear weapons in the vicinity and the question of escalation. d0 weapons in the vicinity and the question of escalation.- question of escalation. do you think this _ question of escalation. do you think this will _ question of escalation. do you think this will happen - question of escalation. do you think this will happen quickly, | think this will happen quickly, though, which might have some bearing on what response comes the other way as well. we know turkey have raised a few issues, notably about the possibility of people —— kurdish terrorists being harboured in finland and sweden?— harboured in finland and sweden? . ., ., sweden? the concern about how cuickl sweden? the concern about how quickly finland — sweden? the concern about how quickly finland and _ sweden? the concern about how quickly finland and sweden - sweden? the concern about how quickly finland and sweden can i quickly finland and sweden can be admitted to nato through the usual processes and they

promised to fast track that leaves the possibility of a year. it depends on all member states coming to unanimous agreement, turkey has signalled some little issues around this. the question here, i would think is that the big concern that sweden has as indicated by a security pact that recently signed with the uk because it's concerned of the russian reaction in the interim period, the transition period between announcing its decision to join nato and actually becoming a member of nato and therefore being able to enjoy mutual defence guarantees that nato brings. figs defence guarantees that nato brinus. �* , ., ., defence guarantees that nato brinus. a ., ., , ., brings. as we wait to see how fast that happens, _ brings. as we wait to see how fast that happens, and - brings. as we wait to see how fast that happens, and of- fast that happens, and of course we also have to wait to see how much concern president putin in particular might continue to race. christine, we will have to leave it there for now. thank you forjoining us.

north korea has deployed the military to stabilise the supply of medicines as the country battles an explosive coronavirus wave that's led to over a million people becoming ill in a matter of days. south korea says it will spare no effort to help its neighbours with the likes of vaccines and tests and has made an offer to pyongyang. the state news agency is reporting that kim—jong—un has ordered the military to help stabilise the supply of medicines in pyongyang. the report said he led an emergency politburo meeting, in which he criticised government and health officials as "irresponsible." north korea has little access to vaccines or testing, and has one of the weakest healthcare systems in the world. mason richey is an associate professor of international politics at hankuk university of foreign studies in south korea, and has been monitoring the covid situation in the north. he says pyongyang has been forced to publicly disclose the cases because of the rapidly increasing number of them.

most analysts agree what this primarily means there is no hiding the fact that there were covid—i9 cases, for a lot of reasons occluding the way the regime operates, the difficulty to travel between provinces and cities already in north korea and the quick border closure, that happened injanuary and the quick border closure, that happened in january 2020, north korea did apparently succeed in keeping the number of cases very very low, for a very long time, we were certain they had cases but they either went detected or very low because of the way the country operates internally. but this out break and then immunologically lively population with almost no vaccines are no artificially induced antibodies has clearly exploded and grown out of control which means.

lebanese officials say voter turnout was just 41% in the country's parliamentary election. it is the first vote since an explosion of a container ship in beirut�*s port which killed over 200 people in 2020 and a devastating economic collapse which has led to the currency losing 90% of its value. it is thought voters were put off by the country's complex power—sharing arrangements much in the hands of sectarian coalitions. stay with us on bbc news. still to come: a controversial american evangelist arrives in britain, drawing thousands of supporters, and also protesters. this morning, an indian air force 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's been a peacefulfuneral 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 i for a poor country and the challenges ahead are daunting. - but for now, at least, i it is time to celebrate. this is bbc world news. the latest headlines: the bbc sees more evidence of apparent war crimes committed against ukrainian civilians by russian forces,

where it's feared civilians were executed. nato is confident that finland and sweden will rapidly become the alliance's latest members, despite the misgivings of turkey. one person has been killed in a shooting at a church near los angeles in california. four others are critically wounded. the authorities said the gunman was tackled by members of the congregation and detained outside the presbyterian church in laguna woods, in orange county. police said an asian man in his 60s opened fire on the congregation, which was made up of 30—a0 mostly taiwanese people. these pictures have come into us of the church, and you can see a heavy police presence outside. authorities gave their first comments to media gathered there a short time ago.

we believe a group of churchgoers detained him and hogtied his legs with an extension cord and confiscated at least two weapons from him. he was detained when the deputies arrived. that group of churchgoers displayed what we believe is exceptional heroism and bravery in intervening to stop the suspect. they undoubtedly prevented additional injuries and fatalities. this, of course, comesjust a day after a gunman killed ten people in a case of suspected racially—motivated domestic terrorism at a supermarket in the city of buffalo. president biden will visit the city in new york state on tuesday. an 18—year—old white man has been charged with first—degree murder. most of the victims were black. our correspondent will grant reports. once again, one man's deep—seated racism and easy access to semi—automatic 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. ——18—year—old payton gendron. the killing spree began in the car park where four people were killed, before he entered the building and continued his rampage. a security guard, a retired buffalo policeman, tried to stop him, but was among those killed. most of the victims were black. 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. now, new and difficult questions have emerged. after threatening such violence last year, the gunman was held by authorities for a mental health evaluation, then released.

a further blow to this tight—knit community torn apart by a teenager with a gun. will grant, bbc news. joe biden says he will go to buffalo on tuesday and he spoke about the stain on the soul of america in terms of hate crimes. i asked roland martin, host of the roland martin unfiltered daily digital show and author of a book called white fear, if he was encouraged by president biden�*s reaction to this event. his reaction is one thing, but the reality is the fbi directors testified numerous times over the past four years that the number one threat in america is white domestic terrorism. under donald trump, they actually pulled back the funding and shifted that over to watching muslims. the reality is this here. if muslims were killing americans like white men are in the united states, america would be up in arms, going crazy. but this is also american history.

black people have witnessed this for more than 400 years. we have been terrorised in this country for centuries and so, this is the latest example. and what you are seeing, you're seeing white americans who cannot stand the fact america that is changing, that the emerging majority are going to be latinos, african—americans, asians and native americans. and so, this is an evil that has persisted in this country forfar too long and it is time for white americans to wake up and confront their own. right, i mean, there are many white americans — as i'm sure you would accept — who are appalled by what they have heard and seen in buffalo and many other cases and who campaigned hard possibly against hate crime but also about gun control. i mean, how much is that the problem as much as the issue of hate? well, first of all, if you do not have the hate then you're not going to have a problem with the guns. guns are still a problem as well. but the issue has been this

year, there have been too many — if you look at what has happened in this country in the last four years — last six years, if you will — and this has really been — i have been yelling from the rooftops since 2009 because we were operating what i call a �*white minority resistance' — this notion that, "oh, my goodness, by 2043, "white americans are going to be in the minority." but let's also be honest — y'all have been dealing with this in europe. people have been complaining about african immigrants coming well, you have white populations decreasing with birth rates and so, these nations are changing, these western nations are changing, and folks do not like the fact that people of colour are increasing and so, all these things are coming together and, trust me, this is not going to be the last mass shooting, this is not going to be the last instance because we're seeing white folks in this country who are being radicalised because they're listening to fox news, they're listening to conservative radio and all they are hearing about is replacement theory, which says they are replacing us.

roland martin there. the controversial american preacher franklin graham has held an event attended by thousands of people in liverpool at the start of a uk tour. before the pandemic, british venues cancelled his appearances when rights groups protested he was politically extreme, islamophobic and homophobic. our religion editor aleem maqbool reports. # i still believe... for one night, the us evangelical mega—church experience came to liverpool. thousands wanted to see one of the most famous — some would say notorious — american preachers, franklin graham. he's the son of the late billy graham, who toured the uk for decades and filled stadia like anfield. have you ever thought to yourself, "i'd like to start "it all over again?" but unlike his father, franklin graham's been overtly political. and no man comes to the father but by me. in particular, his comments

condemning homosexuality led to british venues cancelling his appearances. but he agreed to keep his rhetoric in check and his tour�*s back on — to the dismay of some. at a counter event close by, the rector of liverpool and the mayor raised the pride flag at liverpool parish church. cheering and applause. those gathered here said it was important to oppose what they saw as a message of hate from franklin graham, saying his views fuelled hostility towards people on the grounds of their sexuality. # together! at no point have we argued that franklin graham has no right to speak. we would argue that he doesn't have a right to make people feel unsafe, he doesn't have a right to make people feel unwelcome, and that's what we need to fight against. the man himself is being very careful about what he says, though he disagrees with calls to be more inclusive. you can't be inclusive, as it relates to sin. we have to repent. the bible requires us

to repent, and that's to turn from our sins. and you're talking about things like homosexuality? i'm talking about all of us, our sins — the bible says we've all sinned. among those going forward to pray with franklin graham were many who appear to believe in his rigid interpretation of the bible. others had come in spite of aspects they were uncomfortable with. he's got his views — which, for me, are quite evangelical, and i'm more middle of the road — but i think, you know, his heart's in the right place. but it didn't put you off coming to see him? no. the fact that he's said in the past homosexuality�*s evil? no. that wasn't enough to put you off? no, no, �*cause i don't think it is evil. chanting. franklin graham is not welcome here! protesters outside the venue thought no—one should be going to see franklin graham, but over the coming weeks in the uk, thousands plan to do just that. aleem maqbool, bbc news, in liverpool. we have a bit of a treat for you. the first supermoon in two

years is currently travelling across the night sky. this may moon is called the flower moon and here, it is rising across the ancient temple of poseidon in greece. look at that as an opening gambit. this supermoon coincides with a total lunar eclipse. the moon will turn a deep coppery red as it drifts into the shadow of the earth and will be visible across the western hemisphere. that's the latest picture from the griffith observatory in los angeles as it had very close to them. ——it heads very close to there. a lot of cloud across the uk — not ideal viewing weather for the total lunar eclipse in the western sky before dawn — and, indeed, monday

is going to bring a lot of cloud but also some sunny spells and one or two downpours, some of them thundery. now, let's have a look at the picture on the satellite image and you can see a lot of cloud towards the south. these have showers and thunderstorms that have been drifting out of france, approaching the uk. i think through the early hours, the greatest risk of lightning across the south but clearly, you can see some heavier rain across northern england, scotland, parts of northern ireland, too. to the south, it's a mild start — 14, 15 degrees maybe in some spots in the north of scotland. where we'll have had some clear skies, perhaps as low as eight. so, the broad message, ithink, for monday is northern half of the uk often cloudy, outbreaks of rain possible almost at any time, both in the morning and in the afternoon. southern half of the uk, say from around about yorkshire southwards, i think there'll be lengthy spells of sunshine, but cloud, showers will brew during the daytime, some of them thundery. now, monday night into tuesday, big low pressure still out in the atlantic and around it, weatherfronts. this weather front is going

to brush western parts of the uk during the course of tuesday, so there will be a west—east split. in the west, you'll have the outbreaks of rain and cooler weather. out towards the east, it'll be much warmer — in fact, turning quite hot in london, 26 degrees celsius. it will be the warmest day of the week. now, the forecast for midweek still shows a large area of low pressure in the atlantic. around it, weatherfronts basically brushing the uk, so large gaps in the weather, for sure. there'll be lots of sunshine around but it's going to be very difficult to pinpoint where these areas of cloud and rain are going to sweep in — we think on wednesday reaching south—western parts of england and wales, but many northern and eastern parts should have a mostly sunny day, and it stays relatively warm as well. so, let's have a look at the outlook, then, for the week ahead and it is a mixed picture but staying on the warm side, particularly across southern parts of the uk, and relatively warm in the north, too, but you can see every weather

icon you can possibly think of. bye— bye.

this is bbc news. the headlines: a bbc team has uncovered further evidence of potential war crimes committed by russian forces in ukraine. the bodies of around a thousand civilians were discovered in the bucha region, when the russians left

in march. the local police chief has said