Julian Assange's last-ditch bid to avoid US extradition

Lawyers for the Wikileaks founder have launched what could be his final bid to avoid extradition to the US to face trial over disclosing military secrets. Supporters say he exposed wrongdoing, but the US says he put lives at risk. If his appeal is turned down, Mr Assange could be handed over within weeks. We explain the background to the story, and speak to our reporter outside the court.

We go to Cape Town in South Africa where since Sunday evening a nauseating stench has been engulfing the city. According to local officials, it comes from a ship docked in the port carrying 19,000 cows. The cows on the ship called the Al Kuwait are supposed to be transported from Brazil to Iraq. It docked in Cape Town to load feed for the cattle. Two local friends who live near the port join us on air.

With the war in Ukraine entering its third year, we hear a conversation with young Ukrainian men. Amongst other topics, they discuss the proposed changes to the country's conscription laws.

Our science reporter joins us to tell us about a interstellar quasar that has been detected by the Very Large Telescope in Chile. It has been described as the most luminous object ever detected has been spied in the distant universe.

Presenter: James Reynolds

(Photo: Julian Assange speaks from the balcony of the Ecuadorian embassy in London, 19/5/2017. Credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)