this is bbc news with the latest headlines. for viewers in the uk and around the world. the commander of ukraine's azov regiment says his soldiers have finally ended their defence of the devastated port city of mariupol. russia intensifies its bombardment of the eastern donbas region. ukraine's president volodomyr zelensky says the area is completley destroyed. translation: the occupiers l are trying to further strengthen the pressure in the donbas. translation: the occupiers l are trying to further strengthen it is hell, and that is not an overstatement. polls have just opening in australia's general election, with the opposition labor party hoping to end nine years of conservative rule. after months of focus on ukraine, presidentjoe biden makes his first trip to asia as he tries to underscore his commitment to the region. we report from cuba, where an easing of us sanctions comes amid an exodus of cubans

trying to reach the us. the current dire economic circumstances meet this exodus is more acute than it had been for many years. the russian defence ministry says its forces are in complete control of the vast steelworks in the port of mariupol, following the surrender of the ukrainian soldiers defending it. fighters from the azov regiment were holed up inside the plant for weeks, while the city suffered constant bombardment. meanwhile, the president of ukraine volodymyr zelensky has said that the donbas region in the east of the country has been completely destroyed. he said it was like �*hell�*. jeremy bowen has the latest. explosions.

the russians are shelling severodonetsk, as they try to encircle it. more than 100,000 people lived in the city before the invasion. now, it's one of russia's biggest targets. this is russia using the methods it perfected in syria and chechnya. heavy bombardment to try to break the will of its opponents. ukrainian rescue crews can still operate to reach civilians who need to get out. day by day, family by family, russia is grinding forward. it is a long way to safety, down roads out of severodonetsk that the russians are shelling. they're trying to cut the city off from support, rescue and reinforcement. children here were born into a war.

ukrainians have been fighting russian—backed separatists in donbas since 2014. in moscow, sergei shoigu, the defence minister, held a made—for—tv briefing, designed to back the kremlin�*s message that russia is winning. the minister said their advancing forces would soon take all of luhansk, which is one half of donbas, including severodonetsk. ukrainian combat engineers are trying to slow down the russian advance, laying charges to blow this bridge on a strategic road. explosion. president zelensky started with his good news. translation: the ukrainian armed i forces continue to make progress. in liberating the kharkiv region,

but the occupiers are trying to further strengthen the pressure in the donbas. it's hell and that's not an overstatement. bombardment of severodonetsk is brutal and meaningless. ukraine's defences in donbas are creaking — they're still not breaking. away from the front lines, life goes on in ukrainian cities. in the end, the outcome of this war depends on ukrainian resilience, on the amount of help its army gets from nato, and president putin's determination to fight on — whatever the cost to russia. jeremy bowen, bbc news, dnipro. let's go to the port city of mariupol now where ukrainian soldiers holed up at the steel plant have now surrendered. their commander posted this message online. translation: the higher military leadership has given an order -

to save lives and preserve the well—being of the servicemen of the garrison and cease defending the city. despite heavy fighting, defending while being encircled and the lack of resupplying, we kept reiterating the three conditions most important to us — namely civilians, wounded, and those who have been killed in action. we managed to evacuate the civilians, the wounded received the necessary medical treatment. as for those fallen heroes, the process is ongoing. polls have just opened in australia's general election, to decide who will be the next prime minister. the race is between the incumbent scott morrison and his rival, the labor leader, anthony albanese. whoever wins has tough challenges

ahead, the cost of living crisis is squeezing households and many say climate change is making some parts of australia unliveable. more than 17 million people are enrolled to vote — which is compulsory for over 18s. we are told half of the boat and have already been copied. abc federal political reporter matthew doran is on the campaign bus with the opposition, who are hoping to form the first labor government in nearly a decade. how is the picture looking at the moment as far as the evidence so far we have? how tight is the contest? last time it was so tight many people predicted the wrong outcome. indeed, the opinion polls are saying

labour should be elected to government after three terms in opposition, however last time the polls said exactly the same thing, so there is still a of trauma in the opposition about last time, not wanting to get the hopes up despite being confident of their electoral appeal this time. the polls show they are in a stronger position this time. we expect a very close outcome when the polls close at six o'clock eastern time in australia. the issue playing into this election is what role the minor parties and independents will play. a lot of candidates targeting the current coalition in inner—city seats across the country. campaigning on platforms of more affirmative action on climate change and anti—corruption. this is an area where a lot of independents could

have a significant outcome on the impact of the ballot today. that could divide _ impact of the ballot today. that could divide conservative votes, which presumably would make the labour task easier. what about climate change? for all the criticism of the incumbent government over action or inaction on climate change, some have been surprised that labour haven't talked more about this on the campaign trail. is it because they felt they got a shellacking last time when they did it under bill shorten? it is a difficult road for the labour party, because on the one hand it wants to sell cutting carbon emissions in metropolitan seats but trying to hold onto the blu collar boat it has in regional areas. those working in electricity

pla nts plants and the like. —— the blue—collar voting that it has in regional areas. blue—collar voting that it has in regionalareas. labour blue—collar voting that it has in regional areas. labour is trying to sell both messages at the same time. that was the concern in 2019, particularly in queensland, a coal—mining state which swung against labour because it struggled to sell that message to voters. labour says it will do more to

tackle climate change, but still not hitting the net zero target. still falling short of what scientists say needs to be done to tackle climate change. the purpose of his visit is to strengthen alliances in the region to counter china's rise. but his efforts are in danger of being overshadowed. china is holding military exercises in the disputed south china sea. and the white house is bracing itself for the possibility that north korea could launch a missile or nuclear test. i'm joined now by ellen kim. she's the deputy director of the korea chair at the center for strategic and international studies. people might have thought north korea would be distracted by the health crisis with covid than missile launches?— health crisis with covid than missile launches? yes, but so far north korea _ missile launches? yes, but so far north korea has— missile launches? yes, but so far north korea has not _ missile launches? yes, but so far north korea has not carried - missile launches? yes, but so far north korea has not carried out l north korea has not carried out any missile tests, which is good, but it could happen at any time. north

korea has a tendency to turn to provocation whenever there is a sign of domestic instability. the country going through a major health crisis, so the leaders might have a strong incentive to do a weapons test to divert public attention from the health crisis. i divert public attention from the health crisis.— health crisis. i suppose the military exercise _ health crisis. i suppose the military exercise by - health crisis. i suppose the military exercise by china | health crisis. i suppose the| military exercise by china is health crisis. i suppose the - military exercise by china is by far more significant and arguably of greater concern to the us, and presumably to south korea's new president too?— presumably to south korea's new president too? they are careful in terms of china. _ president too? they are careful in terms of china. south _ president too? they are careful in terms of china. south korea - president too? they are careful in terms of china. south korea tend| president too? they are careful in l terms of china. south korea tend to focus more on north korea rather than china, but given the emerging strategic competition between the us and china, south korea is in a difficult position. with the new

conservative government coming in, with plans to strengthen relations with plans to strengthen relations with the us, i think we are going to see a lot of different policies from south korea, in terms of its responses. south korea, in terms of its responses-_ south korea, in terms of its res-onses. . ., ., g ., responses. what do japan, south korea, responses. what do japan, south korea. perhaps — responses. what do japan, south korea, perhaps some _ responses. what do japan, south korea, perhaps some of - responses. what do japan, south korea, perhaps some of the - responses. what do japan, south | korea, perhaps some of the other nations near the south china sea, what do they need from president biden? what message does he need to convey to offer reassurance? he was vice president when barack 0bama was talking about an asia—pacific tilt away from europe by the united states. of course europe once again dominating american concerns now because of ukraine.— because of ukraine. president biden's trip — because of ukraine. president biden's trip to _ because of ukraine. president biden's trip to south - because of ukraine. president biden's trip to south korea i because of ukraine. presidentl biden's trip to south korea and biden�*s trip to south korea and japan is a very important opportunity for his administration

to demonstrate us commitment in the pacific. since the russian invasion of ukraine, the white house has spent more time on europe, but the pacific has to be a central focus for foreign pacific has to be a central focus forforeign policy pacific has to be a central focus for foreign policy because of the strategic competition with china and the us. so this is a very important trip will president biden to create a moment for his indo pacific strategy. he has a lot of things planned, he's going to meet leaders ofjapan, india and planned, he's going to meet leaders of japan, india and australia. planned, he's going to meet leaders ofjapan, india and australia. and launch a new initiative, called the us indo pacific economic framework to combat china poz might influence in the region. to combat china poz might influence in the region-—

here in the uk, a woman who was terrorised and abused by an m15 agent is taking legal action against the security service. the woman, who we are calling beth, has lodged a formal complaint with the watchdog which oversees the intelligence services. it follows a bbc investigation which revealed yesterday that her then partner used his status as an m15 agent as a means of threatening and controlling her. we can't name the agent, as the government went to court to prevent us from doing so, on the grounds of national security. 0ur correspondent daniel de simone reports. a violent m15 agent who used his position to abuse. ultimately, this position within the security services was used to terrorise me. last night, we revealed how the state informant attacked his girlfriend beth with a machete and threatened to kill her. the foreign agent, a right—wing extremist with a long history of abusing women, can't be named because the government obtained a court order keeping his identity secret. he attacked his british partner before leaving the uk while under police investigation, to work for a foreign intelligence agency.

beth has launched a legal case against the security service, formally complaining to the intelligence watchdog about how m15 handled its agent. her lawyer says the case has a wider implication. i think this case raises issues about the state's protection of misogynists and men who pose violence to women. essentially, beth wants the truth. that's why she has made a complaint to the investigatory powers tribunal. she wants recognition of the damage that was done to her and her mental health, and she wants to ensure that this never happens again. the government gained legal anonymity for the informant because of a risk to him from extremists. labour have demanded action from ministers. well, the bbc report has shown very disturbing images of abuse, and domestic abuse is a horrible crime, and i think given the seriousness of this, the home secretary needs to make sure that there is an independent assessment of the handling of this

case, looking not just at the agent handling, but at the criminal investigation as well. speaking on the today programme, the deputy prime minister was asked about the failings we exposed. i've seen the bbc reporting of it, and no—one could find it anything other than harrowing and horrific. you know, mishal, that from the court case into this, as the judge made clear, that i can't comment on this because of the national security considerations. our investigation is generating serious questions about the value placed on women's safety by the state and m15. stay with us on bbc news. still to come. 100 instances of monkeypox have been

reported, we will talk to the man chairing the investigation. this morning, an indian airforce 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 been come 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 peaceful demonstration so far but suddenly the police are tear gassing the cloud, we don't yet know why. the prelaunch 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 for a poor country and the challenges ahead are daunting, but for now at least

it is time to celebrate. this is bbc news, the latest headlines. the commander of ukraine's azov regiment says his soldiers have finally ended their defence of the devastated port city of mariupol. the world health organization has convened a meeting to discuss a recent increase in monkeypox infections. more than 100 cases of the rare viral disease have been reported across 11 countries outside africa, where it's most common. a senior us administration official says additional cases of are likely to be detected in america in the coming days — and in the uk, a further 20 cases have been confirmed. joining me now is david heymann, a professor of infectious disease

epidemiology at the london school of hygiene and tropical medicine. you will be chairing the meeting, what is the benefit of bringing experts together on this particular illness? ., , illness? the meeting was held earlier today, _ illness? the meeting was held earlier today, and _ illness? the meeting was held earlier today, and it _ illness? the meeting was held earlier today, and it brought i earlier today, and it brought together what is called the scientific and technical advisory group of the infectious hazards programme, the programme actually dealing with the outbreak, the pandemic of covid—19. we discussed today the rapidly increasing number of cases of human monkeypox, which previously has been a disease mainly confined to africa, and has now found a population in which it is amplifying transmission, and at the same time spreading to places around the world. rah? same time spreading to places around the world. ~ , , ., , ., the world. why is it potentially or concern? any _ the world. why is it potentially or concern? any new _ the world. why is it potentially or concern? any new infection - the world. why is it potentially or concern? any new infection in - the world. why is it potentially or- concern? any new infection in humans is a concern —

concern? any new infection in humans is a concern this _ concern? any new infection in humans is a concern this because _ concern? any new infection in humans is a concern this because we _ concern? any new infection in humans is a concern this because we don't - is a concern this because we don't know the potential. we know it is a stable virus, unlike the coronavirus causing the current pandemic. it does not mutate easily. it has been stable since it first was identified in humans in 1970, and the west africa strain of the virus causes an infection which is not as serious as the one in the central african area, which causes a disease very much like smallpox. this virus causes a very mild infection, it causes a rash, sometimes a fever, muscle pains, and swollen glands. and occasionally it becomes very serious and can be fatal, but it's not a serious disease compared to its cousin in central africa. you have s - ent cousin in central africa. you have spent quite _ cousin in central africa. you have spent quite a _ cousin in central africa. you have spent quite a lot _ cousin in central africa. you have spent quite a lot of— cousin in central africa. you have spent quite a lot of time - cousin in central africa. you have spent quite a lot of time early - cousin in central africa. you have spent quite a lot of time early in | spent quite a lot of time early in your career in sub—saharan africa. did you come across this illness in humans? , ., , ,

humans? yes, it was first identified in humans in _ humans? yes, it was first identified in humans in 1970 _ humans? yes, it was first identified in humans in 1970 in _ humans? yes, it was first identified in humans in 1970 in the _ humans? yes, it was first identified in humans in 1970 in the congo, - humans? yes, it was first identified | in humans in 1970 in the congo, and since there have been many cases in sub—saharan africa, and the strain in central africa, the more serious one, and the one in western africa, the one spreading in europe, north america and australia at present. if people contracted, what symptoms can they expect and for how long? you can be infected from contact with someone who has the rash, and the virus on contact, the droplets can infect a person if it enters a crack infect a person if it enters a crack in the skin... inaudible. it is transmitted with close contact between humans. in time, the body can fight off this infection and that person will be immune after the

infection is ended.— infection is ended. professor, thank ou. earlier this week, the biden administration announced that it's easing some sanctions on cuba and plans to increase consular services on the island. the move will mean that thousands of cubans should be able to obtain a family reunification visa and more flights between the us and cuba will be reinstated. it comes as the communist—run island is experiencing its biggest exodus since the cold war, with tens of thousands attempting to reach the united states every month. in havana, our cuba correspondent, will grant, met one man who has risked everything over and over again to flee. translation: i've experienced some bad, bad moments, - really bad, with no compass, no gps, almost knocked overboard. but thanks to god, i am still alive. ronald hernandez�*s story is one of grit, persistence and unwavering determination. 0n the seven different occasions, the cuban fisherman has attempted to reach the united states in boats barely more seaworthy

than the one he fishes in, made of polystyrene and wood. and seven times, he has been picked up at sea by the coastguard and returned to cuba. his latest attempt, his pregnant wife with him, was the closest yet. translation: two miles. about three months ago. | i was just a few kilometres from the shore at about ten o'clock at night. the sun came up and my motor gave out. you could almost smell the united states, it was so close. i've been as close as 300 metres from the shoreline on board the coastguard's boat. cubans have been leaving cuba for decades. the outward migration and the brain drain is nothing new for the island's communist leadership. but the current dire economic circumstances means that this exodus is more acute than it has been for many years, and authorities, both here and in the united states, are doing little to curtail it, including the most treacherous

journeys across the florida straits. with 16,500 cubans detained at the us southern border in february alone, many compare this exodus to the mariel boatlift in 1918 when fidel castro said anyone who wanted to leave in 1980 when fidel castro said anyone who wanted to leave the island could do. in total, 125,000 cubans flat that year. today, though, most aren't crossing by sea. rather, they are trying to reach nicaragua, which requires no entry visa for cubans, and then they make their dangerous trek over land to the us—mexico border. the cuban government recently held its first may day parade after the last two were suspended because of covid. but despite the chants and placards, the revolution is ailing, unable to provide for its people as months it could, weekend as once it could, weekend

unable to provide for its people as once it could, weakened by tougher us sanctions and deep government incompetence. thousands of young people see little option but to leave. the cuban government, unsurprisingly, blames washington for the current exodus. translation: with their policies | and propaganda, their legal tools j and their migration rules, the us government fuels illegal immigration by granting special status to undocumented cuban migrants. it is barefaced political manipulation. ronald hernandez personifies the length that so many thousands of cubans are prepared to go to in order to reach the us. even after seven failed attempts, desperate measures in what are certainly desperate times in cuba. will grant, bbc news, havana.

hello, the week ended with soggy scenes for some of us, a lot of rain in some of the uk, although many gardens did need it. and some sunshine as well. a beautiful picture. the cloud brought a lot of rain across england and east wales in the morning. cloud in from the west in the afternoon, bringing hefty downpours. but all of those systems now clearing eastwards, with some quieter and more dry weather to come overnight. still some showers, clear spells for the most part, temperatures not dropping far. many towns and cities between 8—11, it may get a little cooler for a few in the countryside. a lot of dry weather first thing saturday.

the countryside. a lot of dry weatherfirst thing saturday. cloud bringing rain across northern ireland, and getting into parts of western scotland. north—east scotland holding a bit of brightness. in the afternoon, the channel islands see plenty of sunshine. sunny spells across england and wales. the odd shower for south—west england, wales, the west midlands, they should be fairly light. temperatures 17 in liverpool. some showers across northern ireland, and rain drifting north—east across scotland. the far north east should hold on to something brighter, albeit with the odd shower. saturday night, the rain continues across the northern half of scotland. a lot of mist and merck and low cloud around western coasts and low cloud around western coasts and hills. some day, between the two weather fronts, and hills. some day, between the two weatherfronts, a and hills. some day, between the two weather fronts, a warm front here, a cold front here, and in between, a widdle humid air bringing mist and merck and low cloud, but also some

higher temperatures on sunday, especially down to the south—east corner. sunday, a lot of low cloud and mist and fog towards the west and mist and fog towards the west and the odd spot of rain. heavy rain likely into north—west scotland, and maybe northern ireland later in the day. the south and east, the best sunshine and the highest temperatures. 20 in hull, 23 the top temperatures. 20 in hull, 23 the top temperature in london. a bit cooler to start the new week, some rain at times, turning dry and warm towards the end of the week.