welcome to newsday, reporting live from singapore, i'm mariko oi. the headlines: president biden visits buffalo, where a gunman carried out a mass shooting at the weekend, and urges americans to reject the poison of white supremacy. also on newsday, after holding out for nearly three months, ukrainian forces leave their last refuge in mariupol. more than 200 of them are searched by the invading army, and taken to territory controlled by the russians. kimjong un hits out at health officials, as a huge wave of covid cases,

sweeps across north korea. and we've a special report from the secret schools of afghanistan, where girls are defying the taliban to get an education. it's eight in the morning in singapore, and eight in the evening in buffalo, new york where president biden has been meeting the families of ten people killed in a racially—motivated mass shooting at the weekend. mr biden called white supremacy a poison which is running through the us. the bbc�*s nada tawfik was there and sent this report. america has a long and troubled history with racism and guns. the city of buffalo is the latest deadly chapter.

joe biden, the latest president to console a community in mourning. in an all too familiar ritual, mr biden and the first lady paid their respects to the victims who were massacred here as they were shopping for groceries. after meeting with family members of the victims, he gave a forceful speech, calling the attack domestic terrorism and urging americans to reject white supremacy. white supremacy is a poison. it's a poison. it's running through... applause. it really is. running through our body politic, and that's been allowed to fester and grow right in front of our eyes. no more. i mean, no more. 20—year—old zaire goodman was working in the grocery store at the time. he survived after being shot by the gunman in the neck. his parents say they will never forgive the white supremacist who terrorised their son.

zaire called me, that's how i found out. and he, he was screaming. and he said "mom, mom, get here now, get here now. "i've been shot." and i drove as fast as i possibly could. zair stayed on the phone with me the whole time. i asked them what they wanted to see come out of this tragedy. i don't want to hear about unity. i don't want to hear that. i want to hear what laws are being draughted right now, that's what i want to hear. i want to hear how are we reshaping the curriculum in schools for these children so they can learn about the true history about african americans in this country? that's what i want to hear. the community is still trying to grasp how a hate born online could turn this 18—year—old into a violent extremist. and if red flags are ignored. authorities are still combing through the suspects history

of threatening statements and online posts. he remains in custody on suicide watch. buffalo will forever be marked by the memory of this mass shooting, as the people here try to cope and move forward together, the worry is america is headed in the opposite direction. nada tawfik, bbc news, buffalo. the evacuation of ukrainian troops from the azovstal steelworks in mariupol has continued, with a convoy of at least seven buses carrying soldiers escorted by pro—russian forces. more than than 260 soldiers left, after a negotiated surrender. they've been taken to areas held by russian—backed rebels. meanwhile, the international criminal court has despatched 42 investigators to ukraine, the largest deployment undertaken yet. our correspondent laura bicker, reports. it has been a brutal and bloody 83 days, but their battle is over for now. the wounded from azovstal

are carried out of the vast steel plant filmed by the very force they've been fighting. russia will be keen to air these images which they say show surrender. but the ukrainians say this deal is about survival. tonight, as more fighters lay down their arms and are taken into russian territory, ukrainian leaders are keen to stress this was a way to save the country's heroes. for more than two months the russians have bombarded this industrial site. analysts believe the latest attack used phosphorus bombs, but a small fighting force refused to give up. they may have also helped prevent russia from pushing further north. translation: thanks to the mariupol - defenders the enemy was prevented from deploying 20,000 personnel into other regions. and so was unable to

rapidly take zaporizhzhya. civilians also used the site's vast network of tunnels at the site as a refuge, aided by soldiers. but supplies dwindled and this cold and foetid bunker was cut off from the world, the situation became desperate. finally, after two months, women and children were allowed out into the light. as they arrived at the evacuation centre, i met katarina, who had escaped with her two children. the boys, aged six and ii, are adapting to being back outside and they play much as they did in the dark. their games involved defeating the russians. their father is a fighter and remains at the plant. translation: under the bombardment, i the bombs were so heavy it felt like the bunker walls were moving and the rooms themselves

became smaller. sometimes there was an hour break and we would hope, that is it, that is maybe the end of it. her home city of mariupol has been hollowed out by the russian assault. this once vibrant port, now a shell, littered with death and destruction. from the depths of the steel plant, wounded ukrainian fighters made a plea for safe passage. many already have died from sepsis, they claim. the russians say those injured will be treated and there are reports of a prisoner swap, but it's not clear what will happen to the hundreds of fighters still at azovstal — among them is thought to be katarina's husband. translation: i really want to help _ them but i do not know how, ifeel powerless. he's a very strong man,

strong in spirit, and has been supporting me all my life. the azovstal fighters may have obeyed an order to save lives, but their resolve in the face of insurmountable odds has made them a symbol of ukrainian resistance. laura bicker, bbc news. the un human rights office says it's deeply concerned about the apparent rapid spread of covid—i9 in north korea. it believes around 700,000 people are ill — and that the country's �*very limited' healthcare system is not equipped to cope. the un said the apparent �*very strict lockdowns�* now in place could have a devastating effect on human rights in the country. 0ur correspondent jean mackenzie reports from neighbouring south korea. dressed as hand sanitisers, north korean children celebrate their country

being covid free. just weeks before 0micron finally breached its defences. the country has done little to prepare for what is now a nightmare scenario. people are unvaccinated, malnourished, and hospitals are not equipped to treat them. dr park works as a neurosurgeon in north korea. i've been there over 20 times since 2007 and i was working at a major hospital in pyongyang and i would have trouble seeing ventilators in the icus. they have trouble getting normal supplies, they reuse things like a scalpel. concerned about supplies, kimjong—un has been touring pharmacies. there isn't enough medicine, he says. he's ordered the army to distribute stockpiles but it's unlikely they have what people need. you need anti—virals. they don't have that.

i'm certain of it. it's a matter of incredible urgency that we get the pills to them as soon as possible because it has to be taken within five days. instead, state broadcasts have resorted to the most basic advice... drink water, rinse your mouth with salt water. "we were sick," this man says, "but every night and morning i made us gargle with salt water." north korea's leader thought he could shut the virus out. for years he has sealed his borders, cutting off food supplies. this man runs a network of sources in north korea. getting information is difficult but he is hearing the lockdown has made it even harder for people to get food. "in some areas where there are lots of infections, "people aren't allowed to leave their homes now," he tells me.

"in north korea, if you are stuck at home, there is no way to make money. "suddenly, i'm hearing more cases of people starving to death." kim jong—un has some difficult decisions to make. he has to decide how hard to lockdown and what is going to be more dangerous for his people, and his grip on power. is it for people to get sick or potentially starve to death? the world health organization has said it is ready to send vaccines and medicine but the north has yet to respond. soon, it might be too late. we should not wait for them to ask us to help them. have packages ready, have cargo ready to go, because each day we wait people are dying. how many will pay that price before this secretive state opens its doors to help? jean mackenzie, bbc news, seoul.

you're watching newsday on the bbc. still to come on the programme: a surprise arrival at a london train station — the queen opens a new underground line named in her honour. 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, but just a little apprehensive. in the last hour, east timor has become i the world's newest nation. it was a bloody birth for a poor country, i and the challengesl ahead are daunting. but for now, at least, i it is time to celebrate. this is newsday on the bbc. i'm mariko 0i, in singapore. 0ur headlines: president biden has visited buffalo which witnessed a mass shooting at the weekend. he urged all americans to reject the poison of white supremacy. ukrainian fighters leave the azovstal steel plant in mariupol in buses escorted by pro—russian forces, as the longest siege of the war draws to a close. in afghanistan, secret schools are being set up to educate girls,

who the taliban are not allowing back into the classroom. the leadership continues to insist girls secondary schools will eventually re—open, but many afghans are losing hope. even some of those sympathetic to the taliban were left disappointed when hardline leaders overruled a decision to allow girls to resume lessons earlier this year. secunder kermani has been to one secret school and sent this report. hidden away, in a residential neighbourhood, a small but powerful act of defiance. these teenage girls, like most in the country, have not been allowed back to school by the taliban so they are attending lessons secretly. today's class, trigonometry. fortheir trigonometry. for their security, we trigonometry. fortheir security, we are not revealing anyone's name or identity. you

afraid of what could happen to you? afraid of what could happen to ou? , . . ,, , you? they harassed me, they beat me but _ you? they harassed me, they beat me but it _ you? they harassed me, they beat me but it is _ you? they harassed me, they beat me but it is worth - you? they harassed me, they beat me but it is worth it - you? they harassed me, they beat me but it is worth it to i beat me but it is worth it to do that. it is worth it? of course, of course, of course. backin course, of course, of course. back in march it seemed girls at school were finally reopening at the last minute the taliban leadership overall the taliban leadership overall the decision. for students here, the pain is still raw. translation: fin here, the pain is still raw. translation:— here, the pain is still raw. translation: ., , translation: on the day we went to school, translation: on the day we went to school. they _ translation: on the day we went to school, they told _ translation: on the day we went to school, they told us _ translation: on the day we went to school, they told us it _ translation: on the day we went to school, they told us it is - to school, they told us it is not clear if girls would be allowed or not. perhaps it will later on. it has been two months now and it has not happened. it makes me so sad. younger girls have been allowed back to school but it is not clear when or older girls will be. the taliban say the need to create the proper environment first. they admit female education is a sensitive issue for them, with some influential

hardliners apparently opposed to stop but in private, others within the group, have expressed disappointment at the decision not to allow all girls school to reopen. a number of scholars have made public declarations in support of the right of girls to learn. sheikh rahimullah haqqani is well by the taliban, based in pakistan. 0n the taliban, based in pakistan. on a recent visit to kabul he met senior bishop of the group. is to criticise the continued closure of girls school but should a decree stating they can and should be educated. further to make there is not anything to say female education not be allowed. —— translation:. it education not be allowed. -- translation:.— education not be allowed. -- translation:. it is permissible and obligatory — translation:. it is permissible and obligatory because, - translation:. it is permissible and obligatory because, for- and obligatory because, for example, if a woman to get sick

in an environment like pakistan, it needs treatment and it is much better if she is treated by a female doctor. boys of all ages are back in the classroom and the taliban have now formed a committee to debate what to do about girls secondary schools. for now, it seems their most hardline elements other ones deciding what the country's future will look like. secunder kermani, bbc news, kabul. let's take a look at some other stories in the headlines: flooding and landslides in the indian state of assam have killed at least eleven people. more than 30,000 have been forced to leave their homes and many roads and bridges have been destroyed. most train services have also been cancelled, cutting off several areas. the spanish government has approved draft legislation that would see sixteen and seventeen year—old girls being allowed to terminate a pregnancy without parental consent.

the countr also aims to develop hormonal contraception for men, stressing that birth control was not the responsibility of women alone. anti—narcotics agents in the united states have found a tunnel linking the mexican city of tijuana to a warehouse in san diego, described as one of the longest and best built discovered so far. it's equipped with a rail track, electricity and a ventilation system. six people have been arrested, accused of conspiring to smuggle drugs into the us. bbc eye has investigated the disappearance of sophia huang xue—chin, a prominentjournalist who kick—started china's #metoo movement. in september 2021, sophia and a fellow activist were arrested en route to the airport to the uk, where sophia was meant to be studying on a british government scholarship. now, the two are expected

to face trial for "inciting subversion of state power." the bbc reveals what happened to sophia and why in the uk, there's been silence. jessie lau reports. translation: i am sophia. i was sexually harassed. this isjournalist huang xue—chin. translation: then he grabbed me, kissed me from the top - of my head to my forehead. a sexual assault drove her to kick—start china's #metoo movement. lastjune, she was awarded a scholarship to pursue gender studies at the university of sussex in the uk, but in september, sophia and another fellow activists were arrested. they are being held on suspicion of inciting subversion of state power — a serious charge that could see them facing behind bars. translation: when i found out she was missing and probably i arrested, i was super shocked. she just wrote reports on how to help victims

in the #metoo movement. in china, women's rights campaigners are being targeted in a wider state crackdown on freedom of speech. dozens of online accounts related to gender issues have been blocked. this person worked as a censor for one of china's largest social media platforms. translation: sophia - is a very famous reporter. in china, they use propaganda to attack her. it's difficult to differentiate between a state internet commentator and an ordinary user. this is a very scary phenomenon. sophia reported on some of china's most high profile #metoo cases, sparking a dialogue that encouraged more women to speak out. today, she would be here in brighton, at the university of sussex. at the time of sophia's disappearance, the university publicly stated its concerns about her safety, but

in an e—mail leaked to the bbc following our request for comment, students and staff were warned not to discuss her situation. translation: my first reaction | to the news was one of outrage, you claim to nurture future activists and leaders in feminism, but then you are instructing your students not to discuss this matter. it'sjust like being in china. the university told the bbc... "this is a sensitive matter and media requests should be dealt with by the press office citing data protection concerns." sophia has now been detained for over seven months. their cases have been handed to prosecutors and they are expected to face trial soon. the chinese embassy in the uk told the bbc it is committed to upholding social equity and justice. the wayboard didn't respond to the bbc�*s request for a statement. jessie lau, bbc news. now to the libel case involving coleen rooney

and rebekah va rdy. wayne rooney, speaking for the first time, says he was asked by the england manager during the euro 2016 tournament to speak to his then teammate jamie vardy about his wife's "media activities" because they were "causing problems and distractions". the former england captain's wife coleen is being sued for libel by rebekah vardy. 0ur correspondent colin paterson reports. day six and for the first time, leicester city footballer jamie vardy accompanied his wife rebekah vardy to court. but it was his former international team—mate wayne rooney who was facing the questions. england's all—time top goal—scorer is used to getting into the box. today, it was the witness box. while giving his evidence, he appeared confident and assured. he spoke about when he was england captain at the 2016 euros and how their manager,

roy hodgson, asked him to speak to jamie vardy to see if he could get his wife to calm down because she was causing problems and distractions for the team in france. rebekah vardy was writing a column for the sun at the time. wayne rooney said he 100% remembered having the conversation and said jamie vardy agreed to talk to his wife. however, in a statement released outside court this afternoon, jamie vardy said that wayne rooney was talking nonsense and must be confused. today, coleen rooney's private instagram posts were released by the court, for the first time. also revealed were two fake stories coleen rooney created to try and deduce who was leaking information about her to the newspapers. she allegedly blocked every account, apart from rebekah vardy�*s. days later, the stories appeared in the sun. wayne rooney said he did not know about his wife's online detective work until she posted her accusation. he described the 2.5 years

since then as traumatic for coleen rooney, saying he watched her struggle, becoming a different mother, a different wife. so, up until now, it had been the wives giving evidence. today, the husbands came face to face. the va rdys left early while wayne rooney said he cannot wait for the trial to be over so they can all go on with their lives. colin paterson, bbc news, the high court. queen elizabeth has made an unexpected visit to paddington rail station in london, to see the new service, the elizabeth line, which starts running in a week, more than 3 years later than planned. the crossrail project which connects east and west london and extends to essex and berkshire it will carry her name for centuries to come. so there really was only one person to open it. all those mobility issues were put to one side as the queen came to see the elizabeth line for herself.

four billion over budget and more than three years late it may be, but today was a day to celebrate its formal completion. applause she walked slowly and carefully, leaning slightly on her stick, but without any obvious difficulty. at a ticket machine, she was presented with something called an 0yster card and shown where to place it. the elizabeth line will open to passengers next week, in time for the platinum jubilee celebrations. and judging by today, the person who'll be at the centre of those celebrations is getting ready herself. decisions will still be taken day by day about the queen's attendance at the different jubilee events, but there's clearly a determination to be seen as widely as possible. nicholas witchell, bbc news. that's all for now —

stay with bbc world news. thank you so much for watching. hello there. heavy rain, thunderstorms have been moving northwards and eastwards through the evening and overnight, after what was the warmest day of the year so far — 27.5 degrees celsius at heathrow airport. so that's in the warmth ahead of these weather systems, but this low pressure is driving those in, it's dragging that warmth and that moisture northwards and eastward. so a lot of that heavy rain will have cleared, except for the northern isles, by the end of the night. warmish, you can see, for most areas, but windier in the northwest. a little bit of fog first thing, particularly for england and wales, but plenty of dry, bright, sunny weather, strong sunshine. it looks like drier weather will be around for northern ireland. the early rain across northern and western parts of scotland, as well, clears for lengthy

spells of sunshine. but it is windy — gusts of wind potentially 50 mph in northern and western areas. that rain approaches later. the clouds gathering in the south. but ahead of that, 20—24 degrees celsius, i think, on the cards for wednesday. now, as we head through this evening, it looks like we could see some more thunderstorms dragging their way northwards. that heavy rain coming in from the west and it looks torrential. it could be very wet for a time, through this evening and overnight, before again, it clears out of the way. so we're watching that one. gusty winds, hail, thunder and lightning, but a warm end to the night, bringing us into a ridge of high pressure pushing in for thursday night. could be that we see some thundery showers, though, across southern and eastern areas, but otherwise it's looking like a drier day, too, after that overnight rain. a little bit of dampness, a little bit of gray weather, low cloud, and a risk of some rain for the west of scotland. and as i say, a risk of some thundery showers in southern and eastern areas. but with the sunshine elsewhere, temperatures once again in those high teens

to low, possibly mid 20s for many parts. the warmest in southern and eastern areas. that ridge of high pressure then builds through for a time as we go into thursday night, but again, i think more widely wet during the day on friday. the weekend then brings that high pressure into southern areas, with the weather fronts towards the north. so it looks as if friday will be more widely unsettled during the day this time, and then, the driest weather, but fresher weather, for the weekend in the south. a bit more unsettled further north as ever. you can keep up to date, including the warnings, on the website.

this is bbc news. we will have the main headlines and all the news stories for you at top of the hours straight this programme. —— straight after this programme. this week, spencer gets to grips with asteroid mining. it'll have the force required to crush your skull. if you are going to make an asteroid—climbing robot, make it a killer asteroid—climbing robot. he survived though.

just about, yeah. also paul is building a new home in space.