welcome to bbc news, i'm chris rogers. our top stories: the bloodiest battle is all but over. ukraine calls mariupol a defiant resistance, the russians say it was a surrender as they take more territory in the south. russian forces are now fortifying those areas and decking and. it is going to be very, very difficult for ukrainians to take them back. president biden visits buffalo, the scene of a racially—motivated mass shooting, and urges americans to reject the poison of white supremacy. defying the taliban to get an education, we've a special report from the secret schools of afghanistan. and alien spacecraft or secret spy planes?

just why are america's politicians and defence chiefs taking unexplained aerial phenomena so seriously? welcome to our viewers on pbs in america and around the globe. 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, western military sources say, vladimir putin is now directly involved, in the day—to—day running of the war, taking decisions, normally made by senior military figures. 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 11, 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. president biden has travelled to buffalo in new york state, to meet the families of the 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 as the president spoke and she sent us 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. we can now speak to us domestic terrorism expert javed ali who has held senior counterterrorism positions at the fbi, the office of the director of national intelligence, and the national security council. thank you forjoining us. does this bear all the hallmarks of somebody involved in organised white supremacy?— somebody involved in organised white supremacy? good evening chris, that _ white supremacy? good evening chris, that is _ white supremacy? good evening chris, that is a _ white supremacy? good evening chris, that is a great _ white supremacy? good evening chris, that is a great question i chris, that is a great question and from what we know right now, what has been released publicly with the investigation, the shooter in buffalo doesn't look like he came from an organised network or was operating on behalf of

the group, perse, but or was operating on behalf of the group, per se, but appears very much to have been deeply rooted in the broader movement of white supremacy and neo— nazism and those appear to have been key factors that pushed him to conduct the attack over the weekend.— him to conduct the attack over the weekend. ~ , , the weekend. when we see these attacks in america, _ the weekend. when we see these attacks in america, and _ the weekend. when we see these attacks in america, and when - the weekend. when we see these attacks in america, and when we | attacks in america, and when we see we i am not talking about americans, i am talking about people across the world, we are incredibly shocked. i am not saying that americans aren't either but i'm talking about countries like the united kingdom where we have very few issues with guns, we have gun—control and it strikes me that no matter how many mothers and fathers lose their sons and daughters in these attacks, nothing seems to happen. is this somewhere where law enforcement could perhaps step in. not for more gun—control but to shut down these groups and stop them?— but to shut down these groups and stop them? another really interesting _ and stop them? another really interesting set _ and stop them? another really

interesting set of _ and stop them? another really interesting set of questions . interesting set of questions there, because it shows the challenges we have on this threat here, inside the united states. it is persistent, enduring, this attack is the latest in a stretch of other attacks also connected by what i would call lone wolf white supremacist attackers going back a decade now so this threat just continues and back a decade now so this threatjust continues and from the policy perspective, there is no—one single solution that is no—one single solution that is going to stop this threat in the future. so yes, do we need stronger gun—control laws linked to people with mental health issues or criminal background history is? absolutely, but that probably won't mitigate the threat entirely. there also needs to be some attention on the legal loopholes we have here in the united states. we have a definition of domestic terrorism and the law of a crime of domestic terrorism. the internet is a place where all of these ideas and beliefs and individuals can discuss them openly and there needs to be more enforcement either by

the social media companies or the social media companies or the tech companies or the government stepping in and i could go on and on and obviously law enforcement has a role and local communities has a role so then it would be a much more holistic, whole of government strategy that tries to tackle all these moving pieces but gun—control in and of itself won't mitigate the threat. �* , ., of itself won't mitigate the threat. �*, ., ., ., threat. it's not going to happen. _ threat. it's not going to happen. is _ threat. it's not going to happen, is it? - threat. it's not going to| happen, is it? president threat. it's not going to - happen, is it? president biden has pretty much said that. he is managing expectations when it comes to gun—control. just very briefly, are you saying that the fbi knows about these groups and some individuals but the legislation isn't there, the legislation isn't there, the law isn't clear enough for the law isn't clear enough for the yard to make arrest and charge people?— the yard to make arrest and charge people? well, this is one of the — charge people? well, this is one of the issues _ charge people? well, this is one of the issues we - charge people? well, this is one of the issues we have . charge people? well, this is. one of the issues we have here in the united states. you can openly post and discuss really toxic and incendiary beliefs like the ones the buffalo shooter did, and not be charged with a crime, unlike places in europe and certainly in england and britain, you can be charged with violating those country's

laws, so even if the fbi may have been tipped off about this person and there's no suggestion in this case that there was with buffalo attacker, what authority with the fbi have had to make an arrest? because the person may not have broken the law. so this is another one of these issues that really has to be examined. issues that really has to be examined-— issues that really has to be examined. and they can't be sto ed examined. and they can't be stepped from _ examined. and they can't be stopped from buying - examined. and they can't be stopped from buying a - examined. and they can't be stopped from buying a gun l stopped from buying a gun either. we got delivered there but many thanks for speaking to the bbc. ., ~ but many thanks for speaking to the ssc. ., ~ , t, , 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 was able to visit a 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. for their security, we are not revealing anyone's name or identity. are you afraid of what could happen to you? if they harassed me, they beat me, but it is worth it to do that. it is worth it? of course, of course, it's worth it. back in march, it seemed girls at school were finally reopening, but at the last minute, the taliban leadership overruled the decision. for students here, the pain is still raw. translation: on the day we went to school, - they told us it is not clear if girls would be allowed or not. perhaps they 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 if older girls will be. the taliban say the need to create the correct islamic environment, first. taliban officials admit that female education is a sensitive issue for them, with some influential hardliners apparently opposed to it. but in private, others within the group, have expressed their disappointment at the decision not to allow all girls schools to reopen. a number of religious scholars, linked to the taliban, have made public declarations in support of the right of girls to learn. sheikh rahimullah haqqani is an afghan cleric, well respected by the taliban, based in pakistan. on a recent trip to kabul, he met seniorfigures in the group. he's careful not to criticise the continued closure of girls school, but has issued a religious

decree stating they can and should be educated. translation: there is no | justification in sharia to say female education is not be allowed, no justification at all. all the religious books have stated female education is permissible and obligatory because, for example, if a woman to gets sick in an islamic environment, like afghanistan or pakistan, and needs treatment, it is much better if she is treated by a female doctor. boys of all ages are back in the classroom but the taliban have now formed a committee to debate what to do about girls secondary schools. for now, it seems, their most hardline elements are ones deciding what the country's future will look like. secunder kermani, bbc news, kabul. kathy barnette stay with us on bbc news, still to come:

us congress holds its first hearing into ufos in more than half a century. 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 bbc news. the latest headlines: 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. president biden has visited buffalo which witnessed a mass shooting at the weekend. he urged all americans to reject the "poison" of white supremacy. let's take a look at pennsylvania and the two eventful primary races. first the republicans, where the contest is between david mccormick, who is married to former trump aide, dina powell, and backed by well—known

trump advisers. mehmet oz, backed by former president trump, or could it open up for kathy barnette, a far—right candidate, who has appealed to maga. make america great again voters. and for the democrats, the contest is between john fetterman, who is recovering from a stroke, but does have a solid lead in the polls. malcolm kenyatta, alexandria khalil and conor lamb. 0ur correspondent nomia iqbal is in pennsylvania. two years afterjoe biden becomes president, pr the midterm elections. —— here. what are they telling us about trump's influence? we what are they telling us about trump's influence?— what are they telling us about trump's influence? we are back

in electoral— trump's influence? we are back in electoral spam _ trump's influence? we are back in electoral spam and _ trump's influence? we are back in electoral spam and in - in electoral spam and in pennsylvania which is always a crucial state for nationwide elections. it is a swing state. just on the republican candidates. doctor mehmet oz is a famous celebrity doctor with a famous celebrity doctor with a tv show which is very successful. he is very close friends with donald trump, donald trump uses him as his doctor and donald trump has endorsed him to be candidate for the republican party in the midterm elections. underneath his sign it says, doctor mehmet oz, endorsed by donald trump. he does not have any political experience and if dr mehmet oz went this race, it will be seen as a test for donald trump and he wants to use the primary is to prove he is still very influential in the republican

party, especially if he decides to run for the white house again in 202a. it to run for the white house again in 2024.— again in 2024. it is quite normal. _ again in 2024. it is quite normal, isn't _ again in 2024. it is quite normal, isn't it, - again in 2024. it is quite normal, isn't it, for- again in 2024. it is quite | normal, isn't it, for those again in 2024. it is quite . normal, isn't it, for those in power at the white house not to do well into the midterms. it is there a danger we can read too much into the results of these elections?— too much into the results of these elections? yes, that is a fair thing _ these elections? yes, that is a fair thing to — these elections? yes, that is a fair thing to say. _ these elections? yes, that is a fair thing to say. the - these elections? yes, that is a fair thing to say. the party - these elections? yes, that is a fair thing to say. the party in l fair thing to say. the party in power always does badly enter the midterm. the only exception was after 9/11 when george w bush gained more seats. the general consensus is the democratic party really need to fight and the reason pennsylvania is crucial is because it is an open seat and the democrats really want to get this seed in order to hold on to the senate. in terms of the democratic party, i can let you know that it is being projected thatjohn fetterman, the progressive candidate, has one of the nomination. in a

twist, he is currently in hospital having suffered a stroke and being fitted with a pacemaker. the question now is, which candidate will he face? will it be dr mehmet oz, an outsider, kathy barnette, a far—right candidate who is seen as more trump than trump himself. 0r as more trump than trump himself. or david mccormick. he is the guy republican party would like to see win tonight because they consider him someone that undecideds and independents in pennsylvania would vote for whereas i guess the democratic party would want someone considered a little bit more extreme end of the hope of their gate winning. we're still waiting the results. polls closed about an hour ago and we should find out later this evening who the republican candidate is.—

evening who the republican candidate is. ., ,, , ., ., candidate is. thank you for the u date candidate is. thank you for the update and _ candidate is. thank you for the update and we _ candidate is. thank you for the update and we will _ candidate is. thank you for the update and we will keep - candidate is. thank you for the update and we will keep you i update and we will keep you updated. much more analysis on the bbc website. us congress is holding its first hearing into ufos in more than half a century. thousands of sightings of unexplained lights or objects in the sky have been reported over the years and now the pentagon has decided to establish a permanent office to gather information and look into the issue of unexplained aerial phenomena. us representative, andrei carson, who's the chair of the committee looking into these sightings told congress they needed to be taken seriously. an identified aerial phenomena are a potential security threat and they need to be treated that way. for too long, the stigma associated with them has got in the way of good analysis. pilots avoided reporting or were laughed at when they did. 0fficials

reporting or were laughed at when they did. officials have relegated the issues to the back room or expected under rug entirely. today, we know better. uap's are unexplained they are real and they need to be investigated and need to be mitigated. we can now speak to robert powell who's an executive board member of the scientific coalition for unidentified aerial phenomena studies. is that the problem, that up until now, ufo's sightings have not been taken seriously by those who can investigate them properly? those who can investigate them ro erl ? , those who can investigate them --roerl ? , ., those who can investigate them --roerl ? , . , ., properly? yes, that has been a roblem properly? yes, that has been a problem in _ properly? yes, that has been a problem in the _ properly? yes, that has been a problem in the wonderful- properly? yes, that has been a problem in the wonderful thing j problem in the wonderful thing about this hearing is that this is the first time in 50 years with the us conference and had a hearing ——us congress about what we now call uaps that there is a big distinction stop 50 years ago, the hearing was an attempt to end the

investigation of ufo's the air force. today it is the navy and the department of defence and they are much more open to looking into the question of uaps or ufos. what are we talkin: uaps or ufos. what are we talking about _ uaps or ufos. what are we talking about here? - uaps or ufos. what are we talking about here? is - uaps or ufos. what are we talking about here? is it - talking about here? is it little green beans in spaceships from other planets or threats from other countries are spying on america in aircraft wejust cannot aircraft we just cannot identify and do not know anything about? it identify and do not know anything about?- anything about? it is absolutely _ anything about? it is absolutely not - anything about? it is absolutely not little | anything about? it is - absolutely not little green anything about? it 3 absolutely not little green men but the importance of this hearing is they made it clear they are removing that stigma of little green men on this whole question and that is important because now pilots, commercial pilots as well as military and professionals, can feel better about reporting their incidents. already, the number of reports have increased from 140 two 400 and

this removal of stigma is very important and will allow the scientific community to enter into this and investigate this phenomena. but into this and investigate this phenomena-— phenomena. but in its very nature, phenomena. but in its very nature. it _ phenomena. but in its very nature, it is _ phenomena. but in its very nature, it is really, - phenomena. but in its very nature, it is really, really l nature, it is really, really difficult to know what it is thatis difficult to know what it is that is being seen? how are they going to draw any conclusions?— they going to draw any conclusions? . , , conclusions? that is why we need equipment _ conclusions? that is why we need equipment to - conclusions? that is why we | need equipment to measure. conclusions? that is why we - need equipment to measure. in other words, we need infrared systems, visual system, ability to triangulate and know the exact speed of an object, radar, for example, which the military has obtained radar data on these objects and with that, you get some very good information.— information. absolutely fascinating _ information. absolutely fascinating talking - information. absolutely fascinating talking to i information. absolutely. fascinating talking to you information. absolutely - fascinating talking to you and we will watch with interest to see what comes out of this congressional hearing. and thank you to you as well for watching. if you see a ufo, i

would love to hear from you. you can reach me on twitter, i'm @chrisrogersnews. for all the latest information, had to the bbc news website. thank you 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. as ever, you can keep up to date, including the warnings, on the website.

this is bbc news, the headlines: 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. president biden visits buffalo, the scene of a racially—motivated mass shooting, and urges americans

to reject the poison of white supremacy.