welcome to bbc news. i'm tim wilcox. our top stories: russian—occupied regions in ukraine hold referendums on whether tojoin the russian federation. ukraine says it's a sham which is doomed to fail. this is a spontaneous display of love for vladimir and choreographed z 5 choreographed error give the the whole country is that the whole country is behind the president.

markets around the world take dive as warnings of a recession are all but inevitable. and, a tearful farewell for one tennis�*s greats. roger federer plays his final competitive match. welcome to our viewers on pbs in america and around the globe. officials in four russian—occupied regions of ukraine have been holding self—declared referendums on whether to become part of the russian federation. the kremlin supports the votes, just as it did after the annexation of crimea, the ukrainian territory which was invaded in 2014. but the government in kyiv and western countries have condemned the referendums, saying they are just a sham, and that they will never be recognised. these are the four areas

where voting is being held. they include occupied parts of luhansk and donetsk in the east, and zaporizhzhia and kherson, in the south and cover around 15% of ukraine's territory. votes are are expected to run until tuesday, and the result seems almost certain to go in moscow's favour. the international community does not recognise the validity of the process. as you can see, these pictures, filmed in russian—occupied donetsk, show how polling cards are being taken to people in their own homes, with a yes or no answer on the ballot paper, and this form, at least, was not filled in secret. meanwhile, russia is continuing to mobilise its reserve troops, which isn't going entirely smoothly. with the latest, here's our russia editor, steve rosenberg. it was the moment the kremlin tried to show the people still back their president and what he's doing in ukraine. within days, vladimir putin

is expected to annex a huge swathe of ukrainian territory. there's international condemnation, but at home, the official picture is they trust putin. many of the people here, though, didn't trust us. when we asked the simple question, "why have you come to this rally?", there was a certain reluctance to answer. but they had something to say on the subject of mobilisation. "fighting is a proper man'sjob." this is not a spontaneous display of love for vladimir putin and his policies. it is a highly choreographed affair, designed to give the impression that the whole country is behind the president.

a lot of the people we've spoken to here today have been brought in specially from schools, from factories and other state organisations. in ukraine today, in those areas occupied by russia troops, self—styled referendums began onjoining russia. the west has denounced the votes as a sham, a smoke screen for annexation by moscow. car horn honks back in russia, more goodbyes, more men called up to fight in ukraine. there's growing concern here that the scale of mobilisation is far greater than the kremlin have let on. woman argues emotions are running high. "why have you taken our sons?", a mother is heard asking this officer. when he tells the audience that his own son isn't eligible for the call—up, listen to the reaction. crowd groans, shouts

for the president, this could become a problem. vladimir putin once promised russians stability. now, he's sending them to the front line. she's in washington. what do you make of the rationale for the timings of these referendums now, and indeed what the consequences are going to be? this indeed what the consequences are going to be?— are going to be? this is fairly transnarent _ are going to be? this is fairly transparent propaganda - are going to be? this is fairly transparent propaganda from are going to be? this is fairly - transparent propaganda from the russians to try and convince their population that continued investment in this war is worthwhile, and at a time when vladimir putin has doubled down on this conflict, at a time

when they are trying to call up some 300,000 reserve is burma, they are trying to convince people that their investment of time, money and literally blood is worthwhile and continuing to perpetuate the myth that the ukrainians have asked for this invasion, and russians will be welcomed when they get there. and these referendums are being held in a time of people asked, asked'to asked to vote you the ground about hearing on the ground about what is happening in these four areas? ~ , ,., , what is happening in these four areas? ~ , areas? absolutely, if you look at the context _ areas? absolutely, if you look at the context in _ areas? absolutely, if you look at the context in which - areas? absolutely, if you look at the context in which these l at the context in which these referenda are held in areas of active conflict and areas of military occupation there has been little adveeze is military occupation there has been little easier; referenda, . given about this referenda, little information available about it and its consequences. as you have said, the stories we have seen today of soldiers going door—to—door, compelling people to vote and try and coerce them to vote in a particular way, there simply no situation under which this

as fair the as fair the as fa of the credible in the eyes of the international . inter-15252??? shimmer-é? in the internatie—eeé’ “femur-k in the eyes internatieeeésfimmuh�*f in the eyes of the is in the eyes of the international but international community but what impact do you think this is having on the russian population itself? how many people will be convinced this is free and fair and will the kremlin on this? the kremlin on segment the population looking for of the population. looking for excuse to support this war an excuse to support this war effort and will this effort and will use this perception of new facts as effort and will use this perception iforew facts as effort and will use this perception iforew fac so is effort and will use this perception iforew fac so but justification for doing so but there is also a chances effort could putin, and in could backfire on putin, and in some areas where this is taking more than 50% of place more than 50% of the population has fled. of areas are under these areas are still under ukranian control. have heard ukranian control. we have heard of in story today of people hiding in the homes, closing the curtains, turning out the lights to avoid being forced to vote, so voter turnout may be very low, damaging the ability of the russians to convince people that the hour, represent the will of the people of these

regions. the will of the people of these reuions. �* the will of the people of these reaions.�* , , my the will of the people of these reaions.�* , , , .,. regions. and presumably once these are _ regions. and presumably once these are annexed _ regions. and presumably once these are annexed to - regions. and presumably once these are annexed to russia l these are annexed to russia this reinforces the threat that vladimir putin madejust a couple of days ago that if any of their territory is attacked, russia will respond with that veiled threat of nuclear weapons? there is certainly going to be an effort by russia to claim these territories as their own. the results of these referenda will certainly not impact the strategies of the ukrainians in defending their territory or the risk that ukraine receives. in terms of the facts on the ground, i expect this war will continue at pace regardless of the results of the referendum. on the point of mobilisation which seems to be deeply unpopular in some parts of russia, and it seems vladimir putin is calling for people in the far—off provinces, some as far as the chinese border, but that will take quite a few weeks if not months, wanted, to get those people to the front

line? it get those people to the front line? . r, , r, line? it certainly well and then there _ line? it certainly well and then there is _ line? it certainly well and then there is the - line? it certainly well and | then there is the question line? it certainly well and i then there is the question of how much training they will receive, how prepared they will be divided. this reeks of desperation by the russians to call up this level of reserve iss and the amount of time it will take to be able to sustain a war effort that at this point is failing. marti flacks, thank you. stocks continue to fall. oil prices stomped on friday, the pound crashed against the dollar and the darkjones index found to its lowest level since november 2020. found to its lowest level since november2020. == found to its lowest level since november 2020.— found to its lowest level since november 2020. -- dowjones. let's no november 2020. -- dowjones. let's go to _ november 2020. -- dowjones. let's go to washington. - let's go live to washington now to speak to our north america correspondent david willis. bankers may describe this as frothy but it is much more serious than that, the third straight fall in two weeks? and everything to do with inflation, resulting in large

part from russia's invasion to ukraine, pushing up energy prices, affecting the bigger coronary of europe, germany and others as well. resulting from that, rises in consumer goods in the shops, which is worrying a lot of the chairman of the central banks around the world, including the federal reserve, whose chairman, jerome powell, this week announced another rising interest rates to try and cool down of the economy and cool down of the economy and bring down prices. the fear though is that in cooling down the economy it could be pushed into recession, and fears of a global recession are speaking the financial markets right now. the dowjones closed today down i.6%, its lowest point this year, and as far as the prospects of a global recession are concerned, analysts of one of the main investment banks,

goldman sachs, forecasting today a recession is not only inevitable. they said the question isjust inevitable. they said the question is just the timing, magnitude or the length of such a global recession.— a global recession. david, thank yom _ here in the uk, the government has taken steps to boost the economy, with plans for the biggest tax cuts for half a century. among a package of measures announced on friday, the higher rate of income tax of 45% is to be abolished. a planned rise in corporation tax from i9% to 25% has been cancelled, that's the tax businesses pay on their profits. and the rules which cap bankers' bonuses to twice their annual salary have also been scrapped. the markets have not reacted well to the news, with the pound falling to a 37—year low against the dollar, dropping below $1.09. the opposition labour party has called the government �*desperate gamblers in a casino, �*chasing a losing run�*.

the search for survivors is continuing after a boat carrying migrants sank off the syrian coast. almost 80 people are now known to have drowned, among them many children. the boat set off from tripoli in northern lebanon on tuesday with more than 100 people on board. it sank near the city of tartus. the migrants are believed to have been lebanese, syrians, and palestinians heading for europe. our middle east correspondent lina sinjab sent this report. siren wails another boat sinking, another catastrophe, another failed attempt to change destiny. desperate migrants left lebanon earlier in the week, only to drown in the mediterranean in less than 2a hours. the rescue operation is ongoing on the syrian coast. some survivors made it safe. many more arrived dead. others are still missing.

their son, mustafa, and his three children were among the dead. the wife is still in critical condition in hospital in syria. 35 years old, mustafa worked as a taxi driver and dreamt of a better life for his family in europe. his mother is devastated. translation: my son tried to | escape the hunger and poverty. no water or electricity, nothing. but they sent him to the grave. his cousin says there is no hope left in the country. did you talk to his daughters before? did they want to go? did they know about going in the boat? no, his eldest daughter, she did not want to.

she cried and said, "i don't want to go because i don't want to die." unfortunately... the economy of lebanon has gone from bad to worse, to catastrophic, leaving many to unable even secure the basics. lebanese, syrian and palestinian nationals are all believed to have been on board the boat. this is one of several attempts of people trying to reach europe over the past weeks. we are at the border crossing between syria and lebanon. just a few metres away from the mediterranean water, are that people are trying to cross to reach europe. families have gathered here, anxiously waiting for news about their loved ones. some are fortunate — they will be waiting for survivors, but many others are just waiting for bodies to bury. at this point of the loss, the crowd are still calling to migrate.

believe he is better off trying because we we are hopeless. sirens wail stay with us on bbc news, still to come: italy news, still to come: heads to the poles this weekend. italy heads to the poles this weekend. we look at the pirate politician tip to beat weekend. we look at the pirate politician tip to i: prime if —— the country's were in theifihfimefi

this action, even after any adverse judgment in australia. this is bbc news. the latest headlines: russian—occupied regions in ukraine hold referendums on whether to join the russian federation. ukraine says it's a sham

which is doomed to fail. the kremlin organises rallies in moscow to support widespread damage in several caribbean nations, has caused power cuts in bermuda. these pictures past the island. the storm brought gusts in excess of 103 miles per hour — that's around 165 km/h — and heavy rain. the hurricane is set to gather more strength as it moves towards eastern canada. as protests grow over the death of a young woman detained by iran's morality police, the us is looking to ease restrictions on some american technology companies operating in the country. it's in a bid to allow iranians to communicate more freely as iranian authorities seek

to stifle the unrest to stop its attacks against government forces to help ceasefire talks. the offshoot of the farc guerilla movement had refused to join the peace agreement that farc rebels signed with the government in 2016. it's just a month after gustavo petro took office as president, a former guerrilla fighter who vowed to reach a settlement with all armed groups. the swiss tennis star

roger federer has played his final professional match, losing in the laver cup after playing doubles alongside his long—time rival rafael nadal against team world. the 20—time grand slam winner bid an emotionalfarwell to the game at the o2 arena in london to applause from fans, saying he had "so much fun". federer, who's a1, announced last week that he was retiring because of a persistent knee injury. italy's general election on sunday could make history, potentially giving the country its first female prime minister. giorgia meloni of the far—right brothers of italy party is seen as the frontrunner of a right—wing alliance that's predicted to win the vote. our europe editor, katya adler, reports from italy. italy's political earthquake travels in style these days.

to give rise for people. just surfaced on social media, we see a city councillor from meloni's party making the gesture with others at a family funeral. prosecutors are investigating. silvio berlusconi — remember him — italy's allies in the eu and nato should they? let's judge the future governor by facts. she voted in favour of the sanctions.

different things in government than she's done in the opposition. most italians just want some stability. these ceramic workers' jobs are at risk because of spiralling energy costs. translation: we start work before dawn now because energy prices are cheaper then. our bills have gone up 1000%. ijust hope the next government has a stable majority so they can do katya adler, bbc news, rome. the celebrated author dame hilary mantel, widely regarded as one of the greatest

british novelists, has died at the age of 70. her publisher, harper collins, said she died suddenly, yet peacefully surrounded by close family and friends. our culture editor, katie razzall, looks back on her life. thomas cromwell is now 50 years old, the same small, quick eyes, the same thickset, imperturbable body... cromwell, why are you such a person? thomas cromwell and hilary mantel will be forever entwined. her trilogy about the life of henry viii's fixer became a bafta—winning tv series. her vivid novels conjured a tudor world of intrigue and violence that readers could feel and taste.

she won the booker prize twice, for wolf hall and bring up the bodies, the first woman to do so. mantel had been writing historical and contemporary fiction for years i hesitated for such a long time before beginning to write this book — actually, for about 20 years. the young hilary mantel had wanted to be a barrister, but her lack of connections and the endometriosis she struggled with all her life saw her turn to writing instead. the law's loss was humanity's gain. anywhere she chose to write about, at any time, any character, was the best anybody could have done. she's a classic writer, in the footsteps of dickens and mrs gaskell and george eliot, but she was writing in our time. she really is that important. get everything settled before europe — get everything settled before europe wakes up to what has happened. europe wakes up to what has happened-— happened. others are paying tribute. the _ happened. others are paying tribute. the royal _ happened. others are paying i tribute. the royal shakespeare

company played her characters. one of their actors said she was one of the greatest authors of their time. recognition of those searing talents got mantel a damehood, for services to literature, and she talked in recent years of her hopes for the future. there's so much i want to do, and it'sjust a question of, "how much stamina have i got, what time have i got left?" dame hilary mantel died from a stroke in a hospital in exeter, with her family beside her. the author dame hilary mantel who's died at the age of 70. you are watching bbc news. a reminder of our main story, and thatis reminder of our main story, and that is that officials in four russian occupied regions of ukraine have begun the self—declared referendums on part russian federation. rating opened on friday and will to j 77 to tuesday. 77 to tuesday. the 77 to tuesday. the kfemlin ' the iesday. the kfemlin

'the votes. the kfemlin 'the votes but e kfemlin 'the votes but kyivemlin ' the votes but kyiv and 1 supports the votes but kyiv and western have them, saying they condemned them, saying they are a sham. the g7, among many groups and organisations in the west say they will not be fl§§et§atcthey will not be on and �* stories �*stories on hello. and the temperatures ranging from close to freezing in the scottish glens, around ten in liverpool and 12 degrees in the south.

and across france early on saturday morning. in the extreme south—east. elsewhere across the country, we're waking up to sunny spells, and i think through the course of the afternoon, we'll see showers developing — quite well scattered across england and wales. but in scotland and northern ireland, it should be a predominantly dry day. here, temperatures will range from 12 degrees in the northern isles, 16 in glasgow, in the south, still around 18. that was saturday, this is sunday's weather forecast. a lot of sunshine, particularly across england and wales, but watch this cold front sweep into northern and western scotland later in the day. the winds will increase, and that heralds a change, a change into next week. we'll have a look at that in a second. first, i want to update you on hurricane fiona, which has just passed to the west of bermuda and it is heading towards nova scotia and also

system, but the strength of the wind will still be blowing at hurricane force, and waves around coastal areas are forecast to reach 10, even 12 metres of ferocious weather there, the other side of the atlantic. but over in our neck of the woods, we are expecting a colder plunge of air on monday following a cold front. if you look at the forecast here, 13 degrees in aberdeen and edinburgh probably as well, and cardiff, mid—teens expected and similar values there in london. have a good weekend.

this is bbc news. the headlines: officials in four russian—occupied regions the krer finance ports the votes the krerfinance minister votes the krerfinance minister has as defended the government's plans to boost the economy, insisting they are not to gamble. he said massive tax cuts aimed at boosting economic growth were fair for all,

boosting economic growth were fairforall, despite boosting economic growth were fairfor all, despite the highest earners gaining the most.