this is bbc news — i'm ben boulos. our top stories: ukraine says more mass graves have been unearthed in areas of the country recently liberated from russian forces. meanwhile in a bbc interview, ukraine's president zelensky urges russian civilians to make a stand against the war. translation: all that putin is afraid of, it's not even - a nuclear strike, he's afraid of his own society, he's afraid of his own people. grief beyond measure — families mourn the deaths of 36 people murdered at a nursery school in thailand. and, jubilation as liverpool is picked to host

deer the uvalde police district has suspended welcome to our viewers on pbs in america and around the globe. ukrainian authorities say they've located two burial sites in the eastern town of lyman which was recently liberated from russia. these images of the burial sites havejust come in. one site is believed to contain about 200 graves of civilians while another mass grave is believed to contain both civilians and soldiers. the discovery comes as president zelensky says the world must act now to stop

russia's nuclear threat. speaking in kyiv to our world affairs editorjohn simpson, ukraine's leader warns that russian officials have begun to prepare their society for the possible use of nuclear weapons, although he does not believe the country is ready to use them. here'sjohn�*s report. yesterday, president zelensky alarmed a lot of people by seeming to say he wanted a pre—emptive strike to stop russia using battlefield nuclear weapons. today, he was keen to say he'd just been talking about pre—emptive sanctions against russia, but he says that russia is preparing people for the use of nuclear weapons. they begin to prepare their society. that is very dangerous. they are not ready to do it, to use it, but they begin to communicate. what, you mean prepare society for using a nuclear weapon, you think? you know, it's. .. they don't know if they will use or they will not use. i think that it's dangerous

even to speak about it. i said, you have to do preventive kicks, not attacks — we are not terrorists, and we don't fight on another territory. even our attitude from our society, attitude to russians after this invasion, after all these eight years war, eight years blood tragedy, even after this, attitude from us, to them, to society, we are not ready to kill people, like russians do it. do you think that president putin is capable of launching nuclear weapons and using them? translation: |f| say, - for example, they are incapable of using nuclear weapons, then an inadequate person who has this power in his hands will say, "really? i can't?" "well, here, see how i can," and therefore use it.

now, if i say he can use it, it can cause panic moods in many countries, including ukraine. all that putin is afraid of, it's not even a nuclear strike, he's afraid of his own society, he is afraid of his own people, because only these people can replace him, strip him of his power and give it to another person. do you think they should stand up against him? translation: they shouldn't be afraid. | let them not fight against somebody, but for themselves. and he had a word for the russian soldiers who are sent here. translation: those mobilised kids now, well, they come - with nothing, without guns or body armour. they are being thrown here like cannon fodder, not people. if you do win, will vladimir putin survive?

translation: i don't care. you don't care whether he's still in power, whether he's thrown out? translation: not in the slightest. . mr zelensky has developed into an impressive war leader, but he knows that the war is now entering its most dangerous phase. john simpson, bbc news, kyiv. in moscow, president putin has been celebrating his 70th birthday, with rallies of support and praise from the head of the russian orthodox church, but there is now open criticism of the ukraine war on russian television. and this year's nobel peace prize has been awarded to human rights campaigners from russia, belarus and ukraine. our russia editor steve rosenberg reports from moscow. 70 today, vladimir putin was hosting regional leaders — a little summit in a large palace. his guests, of course, had brought him gifts, including, bizarrely, a mountain of melons.

out on the streets, a highly choreographed happy birthday. "putin's my president," they spell out. but apart from a little organised adoration, no widespread celebration. perhaps this is why. pro—kremlin commentators are now admitting that russia's doing badly in ukraine. "it's not going our way," the presenter says. "we must stop lying," says this mp and retired general. "certain leaders need to understand that." no present here for putin. in oslo, the nobel peace prize went to defenders of democracy and civil society. russian rights group, memorial, belarus activist ales bialiatski, and ukraine's centre for civil liberties. they have made an outstanding effort to document war crimes, human rights abuses

and the abuse of power. for more than 30 years, memorial has been cataloguing the victims ofjoseph stalin's terror and rights abuses in modern russia. the authorities have shut it down but it's still trying to operate. translation: will the prize lead to less pressure on us l from the authorities? no, it will only increase. i'm sure that in the current climate, our authorities will say, "right, theirfifth column, "and they also got a nobel prize. "we'll show you how we'll restore order in our country." a prestigious peace prize for a russian rights group will not impress russia's president. vladimir putin still seems determined to secure victory in ukraine and against the west. but at the very least, it's a show of solidarity to those inside this country who still believe it's possible to build here a civil society. don't expect

the kremlin to help. steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. in thailand, distraught families have been mourning the deaths of 36 people, including more than 20 children, murdered by a former police officer in their nursery school yesterday. the country's prime minister hasjoined grieving parents placing flowers on the steps of the centre in the town of uthai sawan, where the attack took place. jonathan head sent this report. wailing how do you deal with a loss like this? in this temple, not far from the school where so many young lives were ended in the most brutal way imaginable... wailing ..it was with heart—tearing howls of anguish. as mothers and grandmothers saw the undersized coffins —

and, for the first time, the little bodies they contained. sobbing, wailing what we've been witnessing at this temple is grief on an immeasurable scale, as the full impact of the inexplicable horror visited on this community has hit home. it is grief that's being shared among friends and neighbours and by much of the country. but it is still grief as raw and as harrowing as it gets. this couple rushed back here on news of the attack. jobs are scarce in this part of thailand, and they have to work far away. their three—year—old son, phubet, who lived with his grandmother, was one of the victims. this is a national tragedy for thailand, and the big names in thai politics came

to pay their respects at the gate of the nursery building where, just 2a hours before, the former police officer had gone on his mindless killing spree. the prime minister then handed out giant cheques to the bereaved — a sign, he said, that the state would take care of those who had lost so much. probably a welcome gesture in a poor region which usually gets little attention from the central government. wailing but this community has been profoundly shaken by a terrible event which as yet cannot be explained. jonathan head, bbc news, north—eastern thailand.

authorities say a 16—year—old appears to have been thrown from a building, possibly by workmen, but her mother so she had seen injuries on her daughter's body that contradict an official statement. meanwhile, unofficial forensic report has meanwhile, unofficialforensic report has said a woman'sdeath whose stuck the protest died from ill health. the family of mahsa amini, a 22—year—old, so she died of a result of being beaten by morality police. the school district in uvalde, texas, has suspended its police force that provides security for schools, five months after a mass shooting that killed 19 students and two teachers. the police department has been under investigation for its response to the shooting, including delays by officers in reaching the gunman, while he was holed up in a classroom. the bbc�*s azadeh moshiri has this report. as families try to make sense

of the violent loss of their children, with the uvalde school shooting, there was something they couldn't make, the police district response. this was the cctv footage that showed a police force simply waiting in the wings as an 18 year gunman killed children and staff in the robb elementary school. it was over an hour before police confronted the shooter. in the meantime, they stood by and periodically used hand sanitiser. during that time, 19 students and two teachers were killed. now, after months of pressure from grieving families, the district has suspended their entire police force.— has suspended their entire police force. since more and more information _ police force. since more and more information has - police force. since more and more information has come | police force. since more and i more information has come out as a result of the investigation into this, it really has shown there has really has shown there has really been a lax approach to a lot of these safety protocols, and really everyone needs to be retrained and new protocols need to be put into place. the

chief of the — need to be put into place. the chief of the police _ need to be put into place. the chief of the police department peter arrendondo had already been fired but for the victims clip as families, this is only the beginning. they are still demanding accountability by the local government as well as state and federal agencies. nobody wins in this case, there are no winners. the children can't come home. you know, people who have to retire early, this is something called transparency, something called accountability, so we are pleased with this but it isn't over yet. pleased with this but it isn't over yet-— over yet. the district has asked that _ over yet. the district has asked that taxes - over yet. the district has - asked that taxes department of public safety for more officers to fill in as families continue to fill in as families continue to pressure officials for answers and reform, because the question still hangs over them — could the deaths of their loved ones been avoidable? azadeh moshiri, bbc news. in new york, the mayor has declared a state of emergency, in response to the influx of asylum seekers being bused there by republican governors.

more than 17,000 have arrived in the city from the southern border, since april. republican states like texas and florida have been sending migrants to democratic areas in recent months. earlier i spoke to the political analyst max kutner. i asked whether declaring a state of emergency will help the current situation. this opens up certain bonds, emergency funds for the city to use and also gives a signal to the state and federal government that they should also be opening up the coffers to help with the situation. and it is really interesting seeing the language being used today around the state of emergency with the new york city mayor and democrats in new york city saying that the immigrants aren't the problem, the migrants aren't the problem, this is about helping those people, not stopping them from coming. the republicans on the other hand i think this is essentially a state of

emergency declared against president biden�*s immigration policy. 50 president biden's immigration oli . ., , president biden's immigration oli ., , ., ,, policy. so how big an issue will this be _ policy. so how big an issue will this be in _ policy. so how big an issue will this be in the - policy. so how big an issue| will this be in the mid-term will this be in the mid—term elections, which are rapidly approaching?— elections, which are rapidly a- roachin: ? . ,, approaching? ride, we are less than one month _ approaching? ride, we are less than one month from _ approaching? ride, we are less than one month from the - than one month from the victims. of course president biden isn't on the ballot but faith —— date of so people will be looking closely at this immigration issue, what is happening in new york and what is happening in other states around the country. one area that comes to mind mind for me is arizona, where there is a very competitive us senate race happening, that one ascendancy could flip the entire senate. there are a few competitive races like that throughout the country, but really looking at arizona which is a border state, they are dealing with this immigration issue as well, so people they are probably going to be looking at what is happening in new york. now, that's why i think the new york city mayor, the democrats, again, they are being very careful with the language they are using. i spoke with a

former new york city councilmember collison and jack are about one hour ago. he told me this is a memberfor new york city to have — really be a leader in the whole nation in terms of dealing with the immigration crisis, so, again, that's how they are — the democrats are positioning this, when he was in council he was an expert on immigration, again, republicans are not making this about new york city but about the nation and about president biden, and they are saying this isn't about the governor's bossing people to places like new york city, this is about president biden, the policies, harmony people they are allowing again and how they are allowing again and how they are dealing with people coming across the border. the aviation industry has agreed a long—term goal of decarbonising air travel. the international civil aviation organisation, meeting in canada, has accepted a plan for net zero emissions by 2050. airlines have agreed to offset their carbon and develop greener fuels.

the bbc�*s tim allman has the story. when you look up to the skies, you can see the threat to our climate first hand. criss—crossing through the air, an industry that endangers the environment with every single flight. but now airline companies have agreed a deal that could perhaps make a difference. in a statement, luis felipe de oliveira, the head of airports council international said: and john kerry, president biden�*s climate envoy said: so what have they agreed? well, the aviation industry contributes around 2.5%—3% of global co2 emissions. the plan is to decarbonise,

with a target of net zero by 2050. the airlines say it will require an investment of more than $1.5 trillion. how will they do it? partly, they will use a system of carbon offsetting. for every flight, a certain number of trees will be planted which can absorb co2 from the air. the airline industry may also try to encourage the development of greener, more sustainable fuel. critics remain unconvinced, saying this is a non—binding goal that will fail to reduce carbon emissions to zero by 2050, but the airline industry insists it is a start, a step — even a flight — in the right direction. tim allman, bbc news. let's get some of the day's other news at least three people

have died following an explosion in county donegal in ireland. emergency services are continuing to search the area in case there are others trapped under debris. a number of others are being treated in hospital. the blast caused significant damage to a petrol station although it's not clear yet where the centre of the blast was from. an investigation has begun in spain after male university students were caught making sexually abusive threats to girls in a college dormitory. dozens of complutense university students join in the harrassment of the nearby santa monica all—girls dorm. spain's prime minister pedro sanchez has condemned the incident. a trade minister in the british government, conor burns has been sacked after a complaint of serious misconduct against him. he has also been suspended from the conservative parliamentary party. the mp says he has not been given any information about the allegation and that he looks forward to clearing his name.

a lack of spent has been aimed at the uk prime minister. nicola sturgeon said that previous prime ministers had spoken to her only days after taking office. whereas liz truss had not done so. setting the stage for the next conference. the first minister told me she still had not had liz truss on the phone a month after becoming prime minister. i do not know whether that is arrogance, lack of respect or insecurity whatever it is it is not the right way to do government, in a grown—up way. a ruling comes in from the supreme court on whether the scottish government can legally hold an independence referendum stop the weight of legal opinion suggests the answer

will be no. nicola sturgeon another referendum next year. let's talk about priorities. 35% of people in scotland it is suggested what a referendum in the next year. is it the right priority for you to be talking about a constitutional question right now? i about a constitutional question right now?— right now? i was elected as first minister _ right now? i was elected as first minister on _ right now? i was elected as first minister on a - right now? i was elected as first minister on a very - right now? i was elected as| first minister on a very clear manifesto to have a referendum on the table.— on the table. any people would a . ree on the table. any people would agree you _ on the table. any people would agree you have _ on the table. any people would agree you have a _ on the table. any people would agree you have a compelling i agree you have a compelling case for a referendum, given the actual results of recent times but you everfear of running out of road to deliver it? if the legal right comes to nothing, you now talk about turning the general election into a referendum... turning the general election into a referendum. . .- turning the general election into a referendum... want a referendum _ into a referendum... want a referendum not _ into a referendum... want a referendum not a _ into a referendum... want a referendum not a general. referendum not a general election. referendum not a general election-— referendum not a general election. �* ,, ., ., election. but you worried about runnina election. but you worried about running out _ election. but you worried about running out of _ election. but you worried about running out of ways _ election. but you worried about running out of ways of- election. but you worried about running out of ways of getting i running out of ways of getting it? ., ., , ., ., ,

it? scotland is going to become independent — it? scotland is going to become independent i _ it? scotland is going to become independent i have _ it? scotland is going to become independent i have virtually - it? scotland is going to become independent i have virtually no | independent i have virtually no doubt in my mind... whether it is me that delivers it or somebody else, clearly i would prefer the former to the latter but that is not the most important question. in effect we have said we would want to work with labour in a progressive alliance. it is labour that turned its back on that. . ., ., ,, ., labour that turned its back on that. _, ., ,, ., , that. nicola sturgeon is embracing _ that. nicola sturgeon is embracing renewable . that. nicola sturgeon is - embracing renewable energy and is criticising the government in westminster. she rejects nuclear power outright. what we have not nuclear power outright. what we have got to _ nuclear power outright. what we have got to do — nuclear power outright. what we have got to do is _ nuclear power outright. what we have got to do is transition - have got to do is transition away from fossil fuel as quickly as possible but as justly as possible to protect the jobs and the economy back nuclear? it is a usually expensive form of energy right now. at a time in scotland when wind power is already cheaper... wind power is already cheaper. . .— wind power is already cheaper. . . wind power is already cheaer... �* ., , cheaper... but the wind does not always — cheaper... but the wind does not always blow... _ cheaper... but the wind does not always blow... but - cheaper... but the wind does not always blow... but that l cheaper... but the wind does| not always blow... but that is

what we need _ not always blow... but that is what we need to _ not always blow... but that is what we need to continue - not always blow... but that is l what we need to continue doing around energy storage systems. critics point to the state of the nhs and schools on the government's watch and what it sees as an obsession with its independence. they remain a dominant force in scottish politics, moulding this nation now is the very future of the uk. chris mason, bbc news. liverpool is celebrating another win but not on the football pitch. it's been revealed the city will host the eurovision song contest next year — beating its rival glasgow. britain is holding the competition in may after organisers decided the winning country from this year, ukraine, was unable to host in current cicumstances. our correspondent david sillito reports liverpool, and fingers were being crossed. the choice of which uk city would host eurovision was down to a battle between the mersey and the clyde.

the city...that will host the 67th eurovision song contest in 2023 is... and the winner, announced on this evening's one show... ..liverpool. congratulations! what fantastic news! i'm absolutely over the moon. when graham was opening that envelope, iwas like, "oh, my goodness, please, please!" oh, i'm ecstatic, it's marvellous! of course, this eurovision should be taking place in ukraine, and it is now for liverpool to prove that while it can't take place in ukraine, this is going to be a eurovision for ukraine. liverpool's already had the endorsement of its twin city, odesa, and this year's winner, the kalush orchestra have offered their congratulations to a city that wants eurovision to be a citywide party and a celebration of music and peace. wejust had a real moment, haven't we, in this city, where we've won eurovision? and it feels like the whole city

kind ofjumped in the air at exactly the same time tonight. and now we've got seven months to deliver something that will be truly astonishing, incredible for ukraine, our sister city odesa, but also incredible for the whole uk, so we are delighted. but tonight liverpool, it will be absolutely buzzing, it will be incredible. and in the bars, watching the announcement, you could see what this means. the place that prides itself on being a party city... # and celebrations... # ..now has a lot to organise. david sillito, bbc news, liverpool. before we go, we thought we'd bring you the official unveiling of a statue to honour a rescue dog called frida. known for her custom—made doggy goggles and boots, the yellow labrador became a social media star after her search and rescue efforts in mexico in the aftermath of the september 2017 earthquake, turning into a source of inspiration

and pride for mexicans. she is currently retired but posed for pictures against the statue with authorities and school children. hello there. brief respite on the horizon across the whole country to start the weekend, thanks to a ridge of high pressure building in. that'll settle things down to bring quite a lot of sunshine around and lighter winds on saturday for all areas. but it will be turning wet and windy again on sunday across scotland and northern ireland, tending to stay drier further south. so here it is, our area of high pressure, building in for saturday. fewer isobars on the charts as well, so winds will be lighter, as well. so it's a chilly start to saturday, maybe a little bit of mist and fog across southern areas, but plenty of sunshine around. however, the far north and west of scotland will tend to remain breezy. more cloud here with a few showers at times, and there could be the odd shower, northern ireland, north—west england too,

but most places dry — temperatures reaching 14—17 celsius. feeling quite pleasant in the south, with lighter winds. through saturday night, conditions start to deteriorate across the north and west of the country. winds pick up, cloud starts to push in, so temperatures recover, but central—southern eastern england could be really quite chilly by sunday morning with some mist and fog in places. well, the temperatures recover across the north and the west because we've got this area of low pressure sweeping into scotland and northern ireland throughout the day on sunday. so it turns much wetter here, winds picking up to gale force, maybe even severe gale force and exposure. few showers getting into the north and west of england, and into north—west wales at times, too. but for the rest of england, it'll stay dry with plenty of sunshine after that chilly start. a breezier day in the south, but very windy across the north and west with gales or even severe gales, like i mentioned. those temperatures ranging from around the mid teens in the north, again up to 17—18 celsius in the south. that band of rain spreads across all areas during sunday night, but into monday, it will eventually clear away from the south—east,

and then we're into another ridge of high pressure. so, many places will be dry across central and southern areas on monday. a bit more of a breeze, though, across scotland, perhaps northern ireland, the far north—west of england, one or two showers here. we've got the low teens here, quite a cool feel — in fact, up to 16 or 17 celsius further south. the area of high pressure continues to bring fine weather through tuesday and wednesday in the south—east. but areas of low pressure start to turn things more unsettled again in the north and the west as we move deeper into the week. so, i think by the end of the week, all areas will be turning cooler and more unsettled with wet and windy weather spreading in at times.

this is bbc news. the headlines: ukrainian authorities say they've located two burial sites in the eastern town of lyman, which was recently liberated from russia. one site is believed to contain about 200 graves of civilians, while another mass grave is believed to contain both civilians and soldiers. ukraine's president zelensky has told the bbc that he echoes president biden's warning that any use of nuclear weapons would lead to armageddon. he's urged russians to stand up against the war. it comes as ukrainian troops continue making steady progress in reclaiming land occupied by russian forces.

in thailand, distraught families have been mourning the deaths of 36 people, including more than 20 children, murdered by a former police officer in their nursery school.