this is bbc news with the latest headlines in self—styled referendums on whether to become part of russia. we meet those who have left russia and are now living in exile in lithuania. in preparations for the first ever terrorist attack and anger over violence against women in south korea after a shocking murder highlights the country's weak stalking laws.

hello and welcome. many russian citizens are trying to flee the country to escape the military mobilisation announced vladimir putin. tickets for direct flights between russia and serbia have sold out and there are long queues on other border crossings. they are holding referendums in one of four contested areas on whether they want to join the russian federation. the west describes these as a sham. this isjohn kirby. we believe that these will be sham referenda,

they will not be legitimate and they will not be free orfairand they are preordained to allow mr putin to say, "look, this is russian territory and now, ukrainian "attacks are on the motherland, not on ukrainian territory," which is, of course, not true. and as you heard jake sullivan, our national security adviser, say yesterday, we are not going to recognise that and so many other nations around the world aren't going to recognise that. this is nothing more than a ploy by vladimir putin to try to gain, through some legitimacy, through politics and electoral issues that which he cannot gain militarily, but it's not going to work. no—one�*s going to recognise it and what needs to happen is mr putin needs to leave ukraine, he needs to stop this war. but for those who want to flee russia, exit options are limited extremely limited. lithuania is one of several countries now barring most russians from entering, and it says that won't change, even for those escaping the draft.

sarah rainsford reports from lithuania. they call this a concert for a free russia. but the singer is banned there in this crowd have all been forced into exile. opponents of vladimir putin and his invasion ukraine are his invasion of ukraine are some of the thousands of left because dissent is dangerous. their songs soon became chance against the war. in russia, this alone can get you arrested. it is why this woman finally decided to leave with her family. finally decided to leave with herfamily. the finally decided to leave with herfansqueeze f"; s . finally decided to leave with herfan squeeze their h: . finally decided to leave with herfan squeeze their lives .,: . activist squeeze their lives into a couple of bags and they fled in the dead of night. to lithuania. that is where we met again. ifollowed her lithuania. that is where we met again. i followed her story since she spent years under in russia against ;sia for 7 against vladimir protesting against vladimir

putin. she has left because she hates the war on ukraine and could not stand being silenced. what is going on now in russia is a total fear. so many people are frightened because we know that they can do anything. it is not only prison and finds it is not only prison and finds it is also you could be killed or poisoned. is also you could be killed or poisoned-— is also you could be killed or poisoned. but when vladimir putin announced _ poisoned. but when vladimir putin announced the - poisoned. but when vladimir putin announced the partial. putin announced the partial mobilisation of ukraine, there was this. they do mobilisation of ukraine, there was thi�* die |ey do want, mobilisation of ukraine, there was thi�* die for do want, mobilisation of ukraine, there was thi�* die for his want, mobilisation of ukraine, there was thi�* die for his cause. it, served their then served their military call—up papers the call—up papers at the police station. in the options russia are now fleeing russia are now limited. lithuania has barred entry for russian tourists while the country wages war on ukraine. the feeling is clear but that

worries russian activists already a ball rolled. he worries russian activists already a ball rolled. he is a war and he _ already a ball rolled. he is a war and he is _ already a ball rolled. he is a war and he is killing - already a ball rolled. he is a war and he is killing people. but how can russians inside russia stop putin? it is impossible. so he really should be defeated in ukraine. his bi est be defeated in ukraine. his biggest whitaker still condemning warfrom prison. not only this week called it the bloodied crime of a man clinging to power. his team are in lithuania and they argue the key to stopping this war is more western pressure on russian officials, from judges to state journalists. fiur russian officials, from 'udges to state journalists._ to state 'ournalists. our hope is that to state journalists. our hope is that sanctioning _ to state journalists. our hope is that sanctioning all- to state journalists. our hope is that sanctioning all those l is that sanctioning all those people and tell them what they have to do to be taken off the sanction list. many of them willjump ship. ._ sanction list. many of them willjump ship. . will 'ump ship. . but the mood of willjump ship. . but the mood of russian _ willjump ship. . but the mood of russian activists _ willjump ship. . but the mood of russian activists is - willjump ship. . but the mood of russian activists is sombre. j of russian activists is sombre. despite this moment of release.

because the horrors in ukraine are being inflicted by their country and those who oppose that most feel powerless to make it stop. sarah rainsford, bbc news. vlodymyr ariev is a ukraine member of parliament and he joins me now from kyiv. it is clear that putin is looking to legitimise his attacks any which way he can on ukraine but who is there actually available to vote in these referenda? for russian tradition it _ these referenda? for russian tradition it doesn't _ these referenda? for russian tradition it doesn't matter- these referenda? for russianl tradition it doesn't matter who votes on these matters. so the same situation is now. so votes on these matters. so the same situation is now.- same situation is now. so you same situation is now. so you sa that same situation is now. so you say that all— same situation is now. so you say that all that _ same situation is now. so you say that all that matters - same situation is now. so you say that all that matters is . say that all that matters is that the referendums take place so, in fact, that the referendums take place so, infact, the that the referendums take place so, in fact, the result is irrelevant? i so, in fact, the result is irrelevant?— so, in fact, the result is irrelevant? i believe that everything _ irrelevant? i believe that everything that - irrelevant? i believe that everything that is - irrelevant? i believe that everything that is going l irrelevant? i believe that i everything that is going on

there is absolutely against international law and ukrainian law, any kind of law. this referenda is not legitimate as it goes on today, so people will probably vote there and, you know they can have the electronic voting that will be used to legitimise this voting and people could choose not to come, like in russia, but the result is already fixed on kremlin papers.- result is already fixed on kremlin papers. result is already fixed on kremlin --aers. �* ., , kremlin papers. but what is the alternative _ kremlin papers. but what is the alternative to _ kremlin papers. but what is the alternative to referendums - kremlin papers. but what is the alternative to referendums in i alternative to referendums in these areas, in the areas that are very much at the heart and focus of the attacks on ukraine?—

focus of the attacks on ukraine? ., ~' . focus of the attacks on ukraine? ., ~ ., ., , ukraine? for ukraine the only one way is _ ukraine? for ukraine the only one way is to _ ukraine? for ukraine the only one way is to go _ ukraine? for ukraine the only one way is to go and - ukraine? for ukraine the only one way is to go and liberate l one way is to go and liberate our territories. one way is to go and liberate ourterritories. i one way is to go and liberate our territories. i understand that after the retreating russian army vladimir putin needs to fix new borders. russia is not so strong as he wants to present. it is weak. so is oh it is like this is a desperate way for putin to claim form mobilisation, referendum and other things as well is losing. so his last argument is the usage of nuclear weapons but he understands this crosses a line with no way back and it depends on if he will you be using

tactical or other types of nuclear weapons. so he is now raising the stakes for maximum and we understand there are very difficult times to follow but for the uke that make for there is only one alternative, to follow the offence and push out russian troops from ukrainian territory. thank you very much _ ukrainian territory. thank you very much for— ukrainian territory. thank you very much forjoining - ukrainian territory. thank you very much forjoining me - ukrainian territory. thank you | very much forjoining me there from here. let's get some of the day's other news. early human trials of a new type of cancer therapy are showing promising results. the treatment involves a common virus to infect and destroy harmful cells. about a0 patients were administered a drug by direct injection into the tumour. one patient�*s cancer disappeared whilst several others saw tumours shrink. experts say the treatment could offer a lifeline to people with advanced cancers, but larger scale studies will be required. a brazilian study based on satellite observations of the amazon rainforest indicates a significant increase in carbon dioxide

emissions from the region. scientists say emissions in 2019 and 2020 more than doubled compared with the average of the previous eight years. the study connects the increase to the falloff in law enforcement in the same period. presidentjair bolsonaro has been accused of allowing the destruction of the amazon. province of neuquen.

of bishops current guidance on same—sex marriage. preparations for the first ever terrorist attack on the island. officers said the motives of the four people were as yet unknown. emily brown reports. iceland, considered to be one of the most peaceful places in the world. a country where violence is rare — until now. in an unprecedented operation, four men have been arrested after investigation into an alleged terrorist plot. up to 50 police officers took part in this huge operation. it saw semiautomatic weapons, as well as thousands of rounds of ammunition, seized. it is said to be the first time

an investigation of this type has been launched in iceland, which has a population ofjust 375,000. local media reports officers were exploring potential links to nordic far—right groups and that the police were the central target. translation: we have conducted larger operations but not _ like this one — and this is a factor. of course, we have looked at the fact that various things have been happening in europe, including the nature of terrorist acts. the four icelanders, who were arrested in a suburb of reykjavik, are said to be in their 20s. two have been remanded in custody. it is still unclear what their motive was, and police say more people could be brought in for questioning. for now, investigations continue into the biggest operation of its type this small nation has seen. emily brown, bbc news.

britain's chancellor kwasi kwarteng will later unveil a mini—budget that's likely to include several tax cuts aimed at boosting the economy. he's already reversed the decision to increase national insurance contributions for workers and employers, and this fiscal statement is expected to be the biggest tax—cutting event in more than a generation. critics argue that the moves will only serve to make the rich richer and the poor poorer. we'll be taking a look at the details and the truth behind those concerns in our business news in half an hour's time. stay with us on bbc news. still to come: federer�*s final farewell is fast approaching. we'll bring you the details of how the swiss star is teaming up with his great rival. benjohnson, the fastest man on earth, is flying home to canada in disgrace. all the athletes should be clean, going into the games.

were in their homes. tonight, those homes have been burnt down by serbian _ soldiers and police. it's no use having a secret service which cannot and so the british government has no option but to continue concorde have crossed the atlantic faster than any plane ever before, breaking the record by six minutes.

either. welcome back. several russian occupied regions of ukraine have begun voting in self—styled referendums on whether to become part of russia. in connection with what they believe to have been preparations for the first ever terrorist attack on the island. protests in iran have now spread to more than 80 cities and towns on the sixth day of unrest, triggered by the death of a young woman after she was arrested by the country's morality police. 23 people are reported to have been killed so far, but according to our correspondent, that figure could be higher. rana rahimpour has this report. women across iran are setting their hijabs on fire. they are tired of being beaten up by the morality police for not observing strict islamic dress code. cheering and applause

their anger was sparked by the death of this woman, mahsa amini. she wasjust 22. she was arrested by the morality police in tehran earlier this month. they said she wasn't wearing the mandatory hijab properly. they say she died of a heart condition, but eyewitnesses say she was beaten up in the police van. her father told me she was a healthy young woman with no medical condition. translation: i still cannot believe she's dead. - i don't want to believe she's not alive. iranian state media are saying she had health conditions before, but that's a lie. the medical report was full of lies. the government has cut the internet in much of the country, so it's hard to get accurate information at the moment. but last time they did this, three years ago, they killed hundreds of people. with thousands of people protesting across the country, there are fears that far more might be killed this time. cheering and applause

protests are quickly spreading across the country and they are no longer just about clothing — it's about regime change. now, men, next to women, are standing together, chanting "death to the dictator". but for iran, change comes slowly. the iranian president, who is at the un, insists that hijab is a personal choice. but even in new york, he demanded that the world—renowned broadcaster christiane amanpour wears a headscarffor an interview. this was refused. but the same refusal in iran is costing lives. rana rahimpour, bbc news. it's the final day of campaigning for italian politicians ahead of sunday's general election. in rome, the right—wing alliance that's predicted to win held their last rally on thursday night.

former prime minister silvio berlusconi and matteo salvini appeared alongside giorgia meloni. she could be italy's first female prime minister, and urged those at the rally not to be afraid. translation: among the people who are scared _ translation: among the people who are scared of— translation: among the people who are scared of us _ translation: among the people who are scared of us are - translation: among the people who are scared of us are drug - who are scared of us are drug dealers, thieves, rapists and members of the mafia. there are absolutely right to be scared because we will guarantee everyone's security by enabling ableist to work with dignity. we will guarantee justice by forming a system that is serious and guaranteed to respectjail serious and guaranteed to respect jail sentences serious and guaranteed to respectjail sentences by building new prisons. when you are found guilty, and handed a sentence, you need to be jailed. the israeli prime minister yair lapid has called for a two—state solution to the palestinian—israeli conflict. in a speech at the un general assembly, mr lapid said that an agreement with

the palestinians based on two states for two peoples was the right thing for israel's security, its economy and the future of its children. despite all the obstacles still today, large majority of israelis support the vision of the two—state solution. i am one of them. we have only one condition. that the future palestinian state will be a peaceful one. in south korea the murder of a young women last week has led to widespread anger after it highlighted the country's weak stalking laws. the man suspected of stabbing the subway worker to death had been stalking her for many years and was due to be sentenced the next day. the government has since made promises to strengthen the law to protect victims, but politicians have been criticised for not taking violence against women seriously enough. our seoul correspondent,

jean mackenzie, reports. what should be a safe space, now a shrine to a young subway worker stabbed to death here by a suspect who had been stalking her for years. horrified, people have come to express their anger, sorrow and fear. "where have we gone wrong?" writes this mother, now questioning whether to let her teenage daughter travel to school alone. jeonjoo—hwan was due to be sentenced for stalking the day after her murder. police had asked the courts to detain him while they investigated but their request was denied. this murder has exposed weaknesses in south korea stalking laws. it's proof, people write, korea isn't doing enough to protect young women. translation: i feel angry. women are continually

being stalked and attacked. and our politicians are ignoring it. people say south korea is safe, but as a woman in my 20s, i think it is very dangerous. flowers from remorseful politicians decorate the funeral home. her family tells us they never used to worry about their daughter — she was so smart and independent. she never told them what was happening. only her lawyer knew. she reveals how the victim had written to the judge, begging forjeon to be put in prison so he couldn't hurt her. was this woman failed by the current law? translation: yes, in part she was. - we were not able to protect her. this is now the eighth victim. we cannot miss this opportunity to act. but despite these promises, anger was rife.

"we will fight to the end," they shout. people here feel that this murder is symptomatic of a much bigger problem in korea. that women here are just not safe and violence against women is not being taken seriously enough. translation: we all feel| connected through this one death. we fear it could happen to any of us. this isn't about the law. what we need is to change the authorities�* patriarchal attitude towards victims. they are not hoping for a watershed moment. change has failed to materialise too many times before. instead, these ribbons symbolise a safety net. a promise to try and protect each other. jean mackenzie, bbc news, seoul. here's the latest sports news. hello, iam hello, i am your sport. roger

federer says it feels right that he is retiring before any of the other big four, speaking in london which stages the naver cup with better play for europe against the rest of the world. the 20 time grand slam singles and all paper the latest match when he partners rafa nadal in the double. but those in the english capital infantry on thursday as figueroa wasjoined by infantry on thursday as figueroa was joined by rafa nadal and novak djokovic and the demmery on court, the fastli treaty together to delight the crowd as they witnessed the winners of 66 grand slam titles between them, enjoying a friendly warmup. between them, en'oying a friendly warmup._ between them, en'oying a friendly warmup. you are on the side of the _ friendly warmup. you are on the side of the court, _ friendly warmup. you are on the side of the court, john _ side of the court, john mcenroe, rublev in the stands, it's gonna be a cool way to and an incredible career. so yes, i have thought about myself that i don't think there are many better ways to go out then like this. a, , ., �* ~' this. maybe one thing i'd like

to add. this. maybe one thing i'd like to add- i _ this. maybe one thing i'd like to add. i always _ this. maybe one thing i'd like to add. i always felt - this. maybe one thing i'd like to add. i always felt sitting . to add. i always felt sitting here, — to add. i always felt sitting here, it _ to add. i always felt sitting here, it feels good that i go first— here, it feels good that i go first from the guys. just feels right — first from the guys. just feels riuht. ,., ,, ., right. golf in the us made a solid start — right. golf in the us made a solid start of— right. golf in the us made a solid start of the _ right. golf in the us made a solid start of the defence i right. golf in the us made a solid start of the defence of| solid start of the defence of the presidents cup at quail hollow in north carolina, dominating the first day against internationals and lee 4-1. the against internationals and lee 4—1. the opening foursome came through with a comprehensive six and five win against adam scott and hideki matsuyama. the americans' most experienced pairing sort of competitors 2-1. the us pairing sort of competitors 2—1. the us went further ahead when cameron smith took down the south korean pair. it was by the same score. internationals managed to stop the lot when kim seaward and cameron davis beat world number one scottie scheffler and sam burns but they blew their

chance of another point wayne taylor pen drift missed this birdie putt at the last, many are when for tony finau and max homa, therefore, advantage usa. on the european to there is early in the second run at the french open. the day and it looks to in the fourth european to a total of his career and shot a nine under par 62 to tie the course record. firing in ten birdies, just the one bogey, and a thursday leading ijy bogey, and a thursday leading by two shots overnight from sweden's player. benevolence people on thursday, putting them on the brink of quarter—finals for the european league finals, thejudge reading 2—0. stephen burke in the second half. benevolence are three points clear at the top of the group with one game top of the group with one game to play. france beat austria

2-0. to play. france beat austria 2—0. that's when champion was my first win in the group and keeps their hopes alive, avoiding relegation to the second tier. that's all your sport for me, mark edwards and from the rest of the team, goodbye. see you for meta business in five minutes. hello there, we had a real mixture of weather around on thursday. it was pleasantly warm across south—eastern areas. temperatures in hampshire and cambridgeshire reached 21 celsius, 70 fahrenheit. temperatures are going to be dropping over the next few days. it looks like it's going to turn particularly cold at night—time. we have the cooler air moving down from the north—west, it follows this band of cloud here that brought a lot of rain into cumbria. that rain is now sliding its way down towards the south—east and east anglia where we start the day with some rain. elsewhere, further north, clearer skies means it's going to be a much colder start here, particularly in eastern scotland and north east england where we will start with some sunshine.

it looks like it's going to be quite a cloudy day across east anglia and the south—east, some rain from time to time. it should cheer up in the midlands and much of england and wales away from the south—east will be dry with some sunshine, scattering of showers come in on the north—westerly breeze to scotland and northern ireland. and temperatures may struggle to around 15 or 16 degrees. still sitting at 18 or 19 though with that cloudy, damp weather towards the south east on that weather front there, which is only very slowly moving away. around this area of high pressure, we're going to drawn down that northerly breeze bringing in that cooler air and may be bringing in a scattering of showers this time on saturday for central and eastern parts of england. further west likely to be drier and it should be a dry day with some decent amount of sunshine for scotland and northern ireland. still the threat of a little rain in the far south—east of england but should be moving away and typical temperatures will be around 16 degrees or so on saturday afternoon. saturday night though could be quite cold around this area of high pressure. we've got that chilly air, never really establishes itself because this is going to be

quite a feature of the weather as we head through the latter part of the weekend and into the start of next week. a lot of dry weather to come on sunday but with that approaching deep low in scotland and northern ireland, the winds will be picking up and in the northwest we'll see some outbreaks of rain, sunny spells elsewhere, mind you. still on the cool side after quite a cold start, the temperatures around 15 or 16 degrees. i showed you that deep area of low pressure on the weather front that's going to be sliding southwards overnight and on monday it'll bring a spell of rain. but following on from that, we'll find the winds turning to distinctly a chilly direction and a much stronger northerly wind will drop the temperatures early next week.

all this is bbc news with the latest business headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. going for growth. the uk chancellor promises a 'new era for britain' — cutting taxes, ripping up rules and borrowing big to boost the economy. but will the gamble pay off? meanwhile — stagflation fears. the bank of england raises interest rates to a iii—year high to control soaring prices — but warns the uk could already be in recession. plus, the cost of zero—covid. after three years of lockdowns, mass testing and border closures for china's economy — is the cure worse than the disease? also coming up:

remote slacking? nine out of ten bosses are worred that working from home isn't productive. but most staff think it is. so who's right? we'll be hearing from the ceos of microsoft and linkedin.