hello, i'm nuala mcgovern. this is outside source. the taliban abruptly orders girls�* secondary schools in afghanistan to stay shut on the day they were due to re—open. the taliban abruptly orders girls�* secondary schools in afghanistan to stay shut on the day they were due to re—open. the girls that literallyjust sat down at their desks and the head teacher got a whatsapp message from the local taliban in charge saying that, actually, teenage girls can't come back to class just yet. and the girls are just devastated. as many girls are left in tears, we ask whether they'll ever be allowed an education under the taliban. also in the programme — in ukraine, the city of mariupol is devastated by russian shelling.

ahead of summits to discuss the crisis, a warning from the eu. two these are crimes _ crisis, a warning from the eu. two these are crimes and _ crisis, a warning from the eu. twr these are crimes and those responsible will face international justice. no impunity.— justice. no impunity. president biden is on _ justice. no impunity. president biden is on his _ justice. no impunity. president biden is on his way _ justice. no impunity. president biden is on his way to - justice. no impunity. president biden is on his way to the - justice. no impunity. president biden is on his way to the natoj justice. no impunity. president. biden is on his way to the nato g7 summits aimed at boosting support from ukraine and tightening sanctions against russia. the taliban have reversed a decision to allow afghan girls madeleine albright has died at the age of 8a. she served as secretary of state from 1997—2001 under president bill clinton, and made history. she was the first woman to take on that post. she arrived in the us as a refugee in 1948, so what we will do is turn to washington, dc

later in the programme and talk about the significance and legacy. you the new york times speaking about the ukraine— russia conflict and her dealings with putin, but we will talk about her diplomatic career and her life with my colleague a little later. let me turn to the taliban. they have reversed a decision to allow afghan girls to return to high schools. it says it's because a ruling is still to be made on the uniforms they must wear. the us has condemned the move. many girls were in tears as they left the classroom after the abrupt decision. here's what one of them said. translation: when i heard the news yesterday, i was thrilled. _ i swear to god, i wept. but today, i'm devastated. she sobs. what should i say? i can't say anything. what should i say to them? we are girls, we are human beings,

we are from this country, too. why shouldn't we go to school? our hearts are bleeding. it's been 186 days since the ban on our education. what crime have we committed? i don't know what to ask for, what to say. we have no choice but to do what they say. my request for the emirates is to please open schools as soon as possible. secondary schools for girls were set to open nationwide after months of restrictions since the taliban seized power in august. it seems not any more. the bbc�*s secunder kermani has this report. dusting the desks. the morning began full of smiles and hope. for these students in the west of kabul, returning to school felt particularly poignant. last year, more than 90 were killed here in an attack by the local branch of the islamic state group. "we want to be successful

so we can fulfil the dreams of our martyred classmates," says zikina. "that will be our revenge on those who were responsible." not long after they've arrived, there's unexpected bad news. the girls that literallyjust sat down at their desks and the head teacher got a whatsapp message from the local taliban in charge saying that, actually, teenage girls can't come back to class just yet. and the girls are just devastated. "we just want to learn and to serve our country," says fatima. "what is our sin?" she asks the taliban. "you're always talking about islam. "does islam say to harm women like this? "it doesn't. "i want to address the girls of afghanistan. "please don't give up fighting for your rights." the taliban's ministry of education pressed ahead

with a ceremony marking the start of the new academic year, but seemed at a loss to explain what had gone wrong. "the central leadership has said, until a plan is developed "on the basis of sharia and afghan culture, girls�* secondary schools "will remain closed," a spokesman told us. we were in a school in the west of kabul today. there were teenage girls in tears because they have been told that they have to go home again. who should they blame for this? "i work for the ministry of education," he says. "we made our preparations. "you need to ask someone representing the leadership." the students filed home, just an hour or so after having arrived. in private, taliban members admit hardline elements within the group still find the idea of female education controversial, even though schools are already segregated. that leaves these young women deeply worried for their future.

secunder kermani, bbc news, kabul. shaharzad akbar is the former chair of the afghanistan independent human rights commission. here�*s what she made of the last—minute reversal from the taliban. partly, we expected it because we know that there are divisions within taliban and we know that some of them at the top believe in absolute gender apartheid, they believe the only place for women and girls is home. but still, they have made a public promise to the international community — more importantly, to afghan girls, to afghan people — and then turning them back from the school like this. and this is completely un—islamic. this doesn�*t happen in any other islamic country, and this is completely against the wishes of the afghan public, because afghan public, all their men and women and younger people have repeatedly asked taliban to reopen girls�* schools across the country. nobel peace prize winner malala yousafzai survived

republican congressman mike waltz is also a former white house and pentagon advisor. this is his analysis. the previous afghan government failed _ the previous afghan government failed them and so did the international community. you had an entire _ international community. you had an entire generation that had a taste of a more — entire generation that had a taste of a more prosperous future and freedom. — of a more prosperous future and freedom, and just a basic human rights _ freedom, and just a basic human rights that— freedom, and just a basic human rights that come with girls education. they are now having those doors _ education. they are now having those doors literally shut in their face. this isn't— doors literally shut in their face. this isn'tjust a humanitarian issue. — this isn'tjust a humanitarian issue. it's _ this isn'tjust a humanitarian issue. it's a _ this isn'tjust a humanitarian issue, it's a national security issue. — issue, it's a national security issue, where girls are educated, where _ issue, where girls are educated, where women are in power, where they thrive in _ where women are in power, where they thrive in civil_ where women are in power, where they thrive in civil society, business and politics around the world, extremism doesn't. when the opposite happens. _ extremism doesn't. when the opposite happens, when women are repressed, we see _ happens, when women are repressed, we see extremism thrive, so the taliban— we see extremism thrive, so the taliban broke their promise and lied. _ taliban broke their promise and lied. and — taliban broke their promise and lied. and if— taliban broke their promise and lied, and if they are willing to break their promises when it comes to the _ break their promises when it comes to the basics of letting girls go to

school, _ to the basics of letting girls go to school, i— to the basics of letting girls go to school, i don't trust them for a second when it comes to standing in front of— second when it comes to standing in front of isis — second when it comes to standing in front of isis or al-qaeda or other international terrorist groups that clearly _ international terrorist groups that clearly intended to attack the west again— clearly intended to attack the west again and — clearly intended to attack the west again and are building the capability to do so. this fallacy that we — capability to do so. this fallacy that we can trust the good terrorists how the man to oppose the bad terrorist as they rebuild their capability to attack our homelands again— capability to attack our homelands again -- _ capability to attack our homelands again —— trust to the taliban, is a policy— again —— trust to the taliban, is a policy the — again —— trust to the taliban, is a policy the biden administration has to walk— policy the biden administration has to walk away from and our european governments have to walk away from. the taliban _ governments have to walk away from. the taliban cannot be trusted, and they witt— the taliban cannot be trusted, and they will hit us again. i want to turn to our royal correspondent, who is able to bring us some news. good to have you with

us. tell us a little of what you are hearing. i know you have been travelling with prince william and kate middleton.— travelling with prince william and kate middleton. we've been abroad for a few days- _ kate middleton. we've been abroad for a few days. it _ kate middleton. we've been abroad for a few days. it was _ kate middleton. we've been abroad for a few days. it was very - for a few days. it was very successful yesterday and they had a very enthusiastic welcome. maybe thousands turning out. huge amount of shoving and delight they were there. this morning, a little more politics. the prime minister said to them in front of the cameras that it was his intention and the intention of the country to become independent. it�*s what calls a realm. it is independent from the united kingdom for 50 odd years. but the queen is still the head of state

there, and there are still various constitutional links. back in 2016, he said in a film statement to william and kate that he wanted that to happen and he would pursue the country�*s independence. the to happen and he would pursue the country's independence. the timing of it, talk me _ country's independence. the timing of it, talk me through _ country's independence. the timing of it, talk me through a _ country's independence. the timing of it, talk me through a little, - country's independence. the timing of it, talk me through a little, if- of it, talk me through a little, if any reaction so far. was it expected? i any reaction so far. was it “netted?— any reaction so far. was it exected? ., �* ~ ., ., expected? i don't know whether or not it was expected. _ expected? i don't know whether or not it was expected. it's _ expected? i don't know whether or not it was expected. it's not - expected? i don't know whether or not it was expected. it's not quite l not it was expected. it�*s not quite a political statement in that it was made directly to the duke and duchessin made directly to the duke and duchess in full view of the cameras. this is a well—known political position. if nothing —— is nothing new he�*s saying. he did so in front

of the cameras. it was something that was meant for the public as well as the royal family. that was meant for the public as well as the royalfamily. no reaction as yet and no reaction from the royal family. reaction as yet and no reaction from the royalfamily. i was reaction as yet and no reaction from the royal family. i was very surprised. their attitude has always been... whether having the queen as head of the state, it�*s up to individual countries to decide that. the statement comes hard on the heels —— hot on the heels of the country of barbados. then there were suggestions that this might be the first of the romans to take independence. —— the realms. no legal moves have been made yet in

jamaica. but he made that statement pretty clear that he wanted... johnny, think you are coming on very short notice —— on very short notice. no reaction from the royal couple. i want to turn to some other news. anthony zurcher is in washington and we are hearing about the death of the first female secretary of state in the us, madeleine albright. for some of our younger viewers, they may not be as aware of what a trailblazer she was and some of the significance of her life and legacy. how would you describe it?— life and legacy. how would you describe it? ,, ., , ., describe it? she was an instrumental fi . ure in describe it? she was an instrumental figure in forming _ describe it? she was an instrumental figure in forming us _ describe it? she was an instrumental figure in forming us foreign - describe it? she was an instrumental figure in forming us foreign policy i figure in forming us foreign policy after the fall of the soviet union. she was instrumental in bill clinton�*s foreign policy team, first as us ambassador to the united

nations, then as the first woman secretary of state from 1997—2001. not only was she the first woman secretary of state, but the secretary of state, but the secretary of state in the us is fourth in line for the president, so she was the most powerful woman figure and us administration up until that point. she was very involved in us policy towards the former soviet state. she was big on expanding nato. she called for a robust but pragmatic force policy in places like iraq. she wasn�*t afraid to use us military might and encourage its use when diplomacy failed. she was definitely a towering figure, not only of her time, but she was an influence in us foreign policy for decades after. it foreign policy for decades after. it seems she was writing in the new york times a month ago talking about putin making a historic mistake if

he invaded ukraine, which has happened since then. something else i was reading about madeline, her seven—year—old granddaughter turned to her mother and observed only girls are secretary of state. hillary clinton, i think it kind of puts in those milestones she created in us politics. what do you think were some of her diplomatic successes or challenges that people will remember? i successes or challenges that people will remember?— will remember? i think if she herself had — will remember? i think if she herself had said _ will remember? i think if she herself had said that - will remember? i think if she herself had said that one - will remember? i think if she herself had said that one of l will remember? i think if she i herself had said that one of her biggest regrets was not responding quickly enough to the genocide in rwanda in africa and not labelling it genocide quickly enough. i think she would point towards the the way the us was able to expand nato in

the us was able to expand nato in the years after the fall of the soviet union, particularly in hindsight. it�*s been a very important foreign policy success, and i think the way that she was able to encourage nato to find a way after the fall of the soviet union to use nato to attempt to solve the dispute and the balkan state. i think that would be something she would havejust think that would be something she would have just pride". think that would be something she would havejust pride". although think that would be something she would have just pride". although she was also criticised for what people viewed as human rights abuses, both in the balkans and in iraq. there was a famous interview she had on american network with the interviewer pointed out how many children had died in iraq because of the united states�*s bombing campaigns. they asked if she was worth it, and she said it was. —— it

was worth it. come across as somewhat cold, but i think she realised that there was a cost to any kind of us military actions. aha, any kind of us military actions. a couple of things i remember her. she discovered herjewish heritage at the age of 59, and was often known for the pins she would wear. she said these brooches and sometimes would represent how she was feeling about a diplomatic meeting. apparently vladimir putin himself said he could tell madeleine our break�*s mood by her pins. it was revealed that her offices were bugged, she wore a pen that had inset. there were messages she tried to send it —— an insect.. you have to send it —— an insect.. you have to look at her story is quintessentially american. she came from the united states from czechoslovakia as a child, and then

through education and hard work, she became one of the prominent figures in us foreign policy. winner of the medal of freedom, the highest civilian honour in the us, given to her by barack 0bama in 2012. a remarkable life story for someone who, like many people these days, their early days are defined by unrest and fleeing persecution. thank you so much. madeleine albright, who has died at 8a. let�*s turn to the situation on the ground in ukraine. it�*s only been four weeks since the conflict broke out, and in the last few hours, we�*ve heard that russia has destroyed a key bridge over the desna river. that cuts off a vital route between the northern city of chernihiv and the capital kyiv, which had been crucial to getting aid supplies into the city.

but we�*re also hearing that in some parts of the country, ukrainian soldiers are managing to fend off russian forces. this was the message from the pentagon. ukrainians are going a bit more on the offence — ukrainians are going a bit more on the offence now. they have been defending — the offence now. they have been defending very smartly, very nimbly and creatively in places they believe _ and creatively in places they believe were the right places to defend, — believe were the right places to defend, and we have seen them now in places— defend, and we have seen them now in places particularly in the south hear— places particularly in the south near kherson, they have tried to regain _ near kherson, they have tried to regain territory. there are reports that makariv, a town about a0 miles west of kyiv, is back under ukrainian control. the ukrainian armed forces posted on facebook, "the state flag of ukraine was raised over the city of makariv." and the regional chief of police there posted this video.

yesterday, we told you about how the southern town of voznesensk had seen off an attack by the russian army. the mayor of kyiv, vitali kitschko, has been speaking to reporters. three weeks ago to be in capital. to be here _ three weeks ago to be in capital. to be here. because _ three weeks ago to be in capital. to be here. because it's _ three weeks ago to be in capital. to be here. because it's the _ three weeks ago to be in capital. to be here. because it's the heart - three weeks ago to be in capital. to be here. because it's the heart of. be here. because it's the heart of the countrx — be here. because it's the heart of the country. and _ be here. because it's the heart of the country. and a _ be here. because it's the heart of the country. and a lot— be here. because it's the heart of the country. and a lot of- be here. because it's the heart of the country. and a lot of attack. the country. and a lot of attack from _ the country. and a lot of attack from north— the country. and a lot of attack from north and _ the country. and a lot of attack from north and east _ the country. and a lot of attack from north and east right - the country. and a lot of attack from north and east right now. the country. and a lot of attack. from north and east right now to our city. everybody's _ from north and east right now to our city. everybody's surprised - from north and east right now to our city. everybody's surprised how- city. everybody's surprised how tough _ city. everybody's surprised how tough ukrainian _ city. everybody's surprised how tough ukrainian army, - city. everybody's surprised how tough ukrainian army, how- city. everybody's surprised how. tough ukrainian army, how tough ukrainian — tough ukrainian army, how tough ukrainian soldiers, _ tough ukrainian army, how tough ukrainian soldiers, because - tough ukrainian army, how tough ukrainian soldiers, because we i tough ukrainian army, how tough - ukrainian soldiers, because we stand against _ ukrainian soldiers, because we stand against one _ ukrainian soldiers, because we stand against one of— ukrainian soldiers, because we stand against one of the _ ukrainian soldiers, because we stand against one of the strongest - ukrainian soldiers, because we stand against one of the strongest armies i against one of the strongest armies in the _ against one of the strongest armies in the world, — against one of the strongest armies in the world, russian _ against one of the strongest armies in the world, russian army. - elsewhere, though, the situation remains critical. ukraine says russia has agreed

to allow civilians to be evacuated from nine towns and cities today, but not from the devastated port of mariupol. it�*s a key port in southern ukraine. russia has been trying to take it for weeks. it�*s estimated that at least 100,000 people remain trapped there and that food and water has all but run out. you might also remember that, last wednesday, we saw a russian strike on this theatre. it was being used as a shelter for hundreds of women and children. the bbc has spoken to one survivor, maria, who�*d been volunteering with the red cross. translation: it happened around ten a:m.. i was near the main entrance. people were queuing to get hot water. someone from the field kitchen gave me fish remains to feed my dogs. they hadn�*t eaten anything for a long time. when

they finished, i tied them to my bags and was on my way outside to get them some water. when i got close to the main entrance, i heard a loud clap and the sound of breaking glass. a man pressed me to a wall and covered me with his body. it was so loud. i was stunned. one of my ears really hurt. i thought that my eardrum had split. i didn�*t lose consciousness and i think my eardrum was just slightly damaged because after the explosion, i could hear people screaming. i believe most of the people survived. i lived in the hall. it had a big chandelier. people tried not to let people be there as it was the most dangerous place inside the building. inside that whole, there were around 30 people, so i assume they all died. ., died. maria there in mariupol. let us turn to lyse — died. maria there in mariupol. let us turn to lyse doucet _ died. maria there in mariupol. let us turn to lyse doucet in - died. maria there in mariupol. let

us turn to lyse doucet in kyiv. - died. maria there in mariupol. let| us turn to lyse doucet in kyiv. the curfew lifted this morning. i wonder what this day has been like in the city. at what this day has been like in the ci . �* , ., _ what this day has been like in the ci .�* , what this day has been like in the city. a very noisy day. a lot of military activity when - city. a very noisy day. a lot of military activity when kyiv - city. a very noisy day. a lot of- military activity when kyiv emerged from what was its third 35—hour curfew. there was fire, much more than we heard any other morning. this is now almost a month long, and much more arms fire. it was also quite unusual. in the midst of all this, on what was a bright spring day, subzero temperatures gone, the mayor of the city and his brother, both former boxers, decided to hold a press conference. not inside a dry broom with sandbags. in a beautiful park on the river next to a statue

of saint michael, the patron saint, the protector of the city, to make it clear that russian troops will never make it to the heart of this city. vitali chose us —— told us three weeks ago, the russians had a plan to encircle the city. there was a sense of foreboding and this city. there are still on the outskirts. vitali admitted there was fierce fighting in the north and the west of the city, but he also mentioned they took back makariv, and 80% of they took back makariv, and 80% of the city had incessant �*s but most of that seems to be back and ukrainian hands. but russiastill has an awful lot of firepower, and right after that press conference, we

heard the sound of a multiple rocket launcher being used for the first time in this battle around kyiv, and it his rhetoric —— hit a area. time in this battle around kyiv, and it his rhetoric -- hit a area.- it his rhetoric -- hit a area. quite “arrinu , it his rhetoric -- hit a area. quite jarring. the _ it his rhetoric -- hit a area. quite jarring, the images. _ it his rhetoric -- hit a area. quite jarring, the images. the - it his rhetoric -- hit a area. quite | jarring, the images. the beautiful parks, and then these sounds you�*re hearing. i wonder, parks, and then these sounds you�*re hearing. iwonder, that parks, and then these sounds you�*re hearing. i wonder, that recapture of areas, how significant do you think it is? �* , areas, how significant do you think itis? ., it is? there's always a battle for the narrative. _ there�*s undoubtedly ukraine is winning the information wars with the people like vitaly klitschko, almost daily messages to some parliament around the world, speaking to a foreign thing leader. now they can say they actually...

it's now they can say they actually... it�*s important for the morale of the fighters and citizens, but it also sends a message to the ukrainians, when russia invaded ukraine, they were very much the defenders against an army which was far more powerful than them in every way, and here they are. they have it survived, they are. they have it survived, they are. they have it survived, they are going on a counterattack. but they are gaining ground around kyiv, gaining ground in kherson, and forces are reorganising to launch more offences. president putin, for all the talk of these negotiations, he has made it clear this isn�*t over until all his goals are met. nobody knows for sure what they are. itrui’e’iiii knows for sure what they are. we'll continue talking _ knows for sure what they are. we'll continue talking to _ knows for sure what they are. we'll continue talking to you. _

knows for sure what they are. we'll continue talking to you. thanks so much for speaking to us. hello. we�*re in the middle of a prolonged run of dry weather with lots of spring sunshine around and temperatures well above average. more to come over the next few days. this was scotland earlier today. on the satellite picture, not much cloud anywhere. or indeed across the majority of europe. it has been a sunny day. the reason the skies are clear is down to this big area of high pressure. most weather systems move from the west to east, over the next few days, this will go against the usual flow of traffic and push westwards eventually responsible for

these northerly winds feeding in cooler weather into next week. so, spring is a fiscal season. don�*t get used to warm weather yet. —— a fickle season. could be a few mist and balog patches —— fall patches. only a few patches of frost here and there, particularly in the countryside. i truly start on thursday, but a repeat performance. temperatures peaking at about 20 degrees in the warmest spots. one word of caution is we are starting to see high or even locally very high level of air pollution. this is partly caused by air coming from europe, but also the area of high pressure. to get the air to rise up words, we temperatures to reach or

exceed 19 celsius, which isn�*t happening for any length of time. instead of the air rising and those pollution particles dispersing through 12 km, instead, they get trapped in the lowest kilometre or two, bringing hazy size and very high levels of pollution. more to come. most of us enjoying the warm spells of sunshine. temperatures by teens to low 20s. more about this weekend as well. it�*s next week that the air turns a lot colder. there�*ll be some showers across the hills. that�*s elitist. —— the latest.

hello, i�*m nuala mcgovern, this is outside source. the taliban abruptly orders girls in secondary schools in afghanistan to say shot on the day they would do to reopen. the say shot on the day they would do to reo en. . say shot on the day they would do to reo en. , ., , , say shot on the day they would do to reoen. , ., , , ., reopen. the girls literally set out on the desk _ reopen. the girls literally set out on the desk and _ reopen. the girls literally set out on the desk and the _ reopen. the girls literally set out on the desk and the head - reopen. the girls literally set out| on the desk and the head teacher reopen. the girls literally set out - on the desk and the head teacher got a whatsapp message from the local taliban in charge saying that actually, teenage girls can�*t come back to class just yet. the girls are just devastated. this back to class just yet. the girls are just devastated.— back to class just yet. the girls are just devastated. are 'ust devastated. as many girls are just devastated. as many girls are left in tears _ are just devastated. as many girls are left in tears we _ are just devastated. as many girls are left in tears we asked - are just devastated. as many girls are left in tears we asked whetherj are left in tears we asked whether they�*ll ever be allowed in education under the taliban. also in the

program... in ukraine the city of mariupol is devastated by shelling ahead of some world leaders in brussels to discuss the two discuss the crisis is a warning from the eu. these are crimes and those responsible will face international justice _ responsible will face international justice. no responsible will face international 'ustice. ., , , , justice. no impunity. president biden is on _ justice. no impunity. president biden is on his _ justice. no impunity. president biden is on his way _ justice. no impunity. president biden is on his way to - justice. no impunity. president biden is on his way to the - justice. no impunity. president biden is on his way to the natoj justice. no impunity. president. biden is on his way to the nato eu and g—7 summits aimed at boosting some of our ukraine and tightening sanctions against russia. and madeleine albright the first female secretary of state has died at the age of 8a. an important story here in uk for us. the chancellor rishi sunak is sent out his plans to address the cost of living crisis in the spring statement to the comments. our political editor has the details. peering ahead there is threat all

around. rising prices and falling standards of living that could push some families to the edge. richie sunak is a man who has to manage the economy through to the other side. i do not have to help the people chancellor? tet do not have to help the people chancellor?— do not have to help the people chancellor? .. , , , , chancellor? yet can every step be certain when _ chancellor? yet can every step be certain when our— chancellor? yet can every step be certain when our world _ chancellor? yet can every step be certain when our world is - chancellor? yet can every step be| certain when our world is anything but? . certain when our world is anything but? , ,, ., ~' certain when our world is anything but? . ., .,~ in certain when our world is anything but?_ in the _ certain when our world is anything but?_ in the next - certain when our world is anything but?_ in the next half| but? rishi sunak. in the next half hour he had _ but? rishi sunak. in the next half hour he had the _ but? rishi sunak. in the next half hour he had the power— but? rishi sunak. in the next half hour he had the power to - but? rishi sunak. in the next half hour he had the power to change | hour he had the power to change what�*s in the countries pockets. the what's in the countries pockets. the invasion of what's in the countries pockets. tue: invasion of ukraine what's in the countries pockets. tt;e: invasion of ukraine prevent what's in the countries pockets. tt9 invasion of ukraine prevent two presents our country as it does to countries around the world. the wars most significant impact domestically is on the cost of living. people should know that we will stand by them as we have throughout the last two years. them as we have throughout the last two ears. ., :. them as we have throughout the last two ears. ,, ., _ , :, two years. standing by is not the same as supporting _ two years. standing by is not the same as supporting everyone's l same as supporting everyone�*s income. and help for drivers was 1st. income. and help for drivers was ist. i income. and help for drivers was 1st. :. income. and help for drivers was 1st. :, :, , , :, 1st. i want to help people now. toda i 1st. i want to help people now. today i can _ 1st. i want to help people now. today i can announce - 1st. i want to help people now. today i can announce for - 1st. i want to help people now. i today i can announce for only the second time in 20 years fuel duty

will be cut. not by one, not even by two but by 5p per liter. ilrrui’ith will be cut. not by one, not even by two but by 5p per liter.— two but by 5p per liter. with the cost of fuel— two but by 5p per liter. with the cost of fuel for _ two but by 5p per liter. with the cost of fuel for your _ two but by 5p per liter. with the cost of fuel for your tank and . cost of fuel for your tank and heating your home spiralling vat will disappear in ways of making your home energy efficient and an extra £500 million for those who struggled most he paid bills. yet were drastic moves, the chance of holding back because... we were drastic moves, the chance of holding back because... we should be --reared holding back because... we should be prepared for — holding back because... we should be prepared for the _ holding back because... we should be prepared for the economy _ holding back because... we should be prepared for the economy and - holding back because... we should be prepared for the economy and public i prepared for the economy and public finances to worsen potentially significantly. finances to worsen potentially significantly-— finances to worsen potentially sianificantl . , :, , significantly. interest on debt will ti- £18 significantly. interest on debt will tip £18 billion. — significantly. interest on debt will tip £18 billion, more _ significantly. interest on debt will tip £18 billion, more than - significantly. interest on debt will tip £18 billion, more than the - tip £18 billion, more than the government spends day today on scores, schools, prisons and boarders put together. although money is tight rishi sunak vowed to undo some tax rises he�*s already put in place. undo some tax rises he's already put in lace. :, , g , undo some tax rises he's already put in lace. :, _ i, in place. from this july people will be able to earn _ in place. from this july people will be able to earn £12,570 _ in place. from this july people will be able to earn £12,570 a - in place. from this july people will be able to earn £12,570 a year - be able to earn £12,570 a year without paying a single penny of

income tax on national insurance. and then two more chairs on his own side he promised a penny of income tax but not now, in time for the next election is still two years away. next election is still two years awa . �* :, :, , away. before the end of this parliament _ away. before the end of this parliament in _ away. before the end of this parliament in 2024 - away. before the end of this parliament in 2024 for - away. before the end of this parliament in 2024 for the l away. before the end of this i parliament in 2024 for the first time in 16 years the basic rate of income tax will be cut from 2219p income tax will be cut from 2219p in the pound. my tax plan delivers the biggest not to personal tax in over a quarter of a century! but is the world and _ over a quarter of a century! but is the world and there? _ over a quarter of a century! but is the world and there? excitementl the world and there? excitement among how pathetic old tax cuts. in the world i would the economy proceed doing a promising only weeks lunch track with the family and firms are already struggling to make ends meet. shadow. for labourthe

ups and downs of textiles missed the point. ups and downs of textiles missed the oint. :, :, ups and downs of textiles missed the oint, :, .,y .,, ups and downs of textiles missed the oint. :, ._ .,, ._ ., point. today was the day that the chancellor could've _ point. today was the day that the chancellor could've put a - point. today was the day that the chancellor could've put a windfallj chancellor could�*ve put a windfall tax on oil and gas to provide real help to families. but he didn�*t. today was the day that chancellor could�*ve sent out a proper plan to support businesses and create good jobs but he didn�*t. today was the day that he could�*ve properly scrapped his national insurance hike he didn�*t. he blew that people are worried sick. for all his words it is clear that the chancellor does not understand the scale of the challenge. he talks about providing security for working families but his choices are making because of living crisis worse not better. the o- osition living crisis worse not better. the opposition parties accusing ministers of turning their backs.

the chancellor has not done nearly enough _ the chancellor has not done nearly enough to — the chancellor has not done nearly enough to help with the cost—of—living crisis for the people who are _ cost—of—living crisis for the people who are receiving their energy bills to the _ who are receiving their energy bills to the door— who are receiving their energy bills to the door isjust now who are receiving their energy bills to the door is just now there who are receiving their energy bills to the door isjust now there is really— to the door isjust now there is really nothing additional for them to do— really nothing additional for them to do other than the heat now pay later— to do other than the heat now pay later loan— to do other than the heat now pay later loan that the chancellor already — later loan that the chancellor already announced. a later loan that the chancellor already announced.— later loan that the chancellor already announced. a total swindle from the chancellor. _ already announced. a total swindle from the chancellor. he's - already announced. a total swindle from the chancellor. he's giving i from the chancellor. he's giving one-handed _ from the chancellor. he's giving one—handed checking _ from the chancellor. he's giving one—handed checking back- from the chancellor. he's giving one—handed checking back with| from the chancellor. he's giving. one—handed checking back with the other _ one—handed checking back with the other people — one—handed checking back with the other. people are _ one—handed checking back with the other. people are struggling, - one—handed checking back with the other. people are struggling, theyl other. people are struggling, they are drowning _ other. people are struggling, they are drowning in— other. people are struggling, they are drowning in higher— other. people are struggling, they are drowning in higher heating - are drowning in higher heating bills. — are drowning in higher heating bills, motoring _ are drowning in higher heating bills, motoring bills, - are drowning in higher heating bills, motoring bills, food - are drowning in higher heatingl bills, motoring bills, food bills. they— bills, motoring bills, food bills. they needed _ bills, motoring bills, food bills. they needed a _ bills, motoring bills, food bills. they needed a lifeboat - bills, motoring bills, food bills. they needed a lifeboat and - bills, motoring bills, food bills.| they needed a lifeboat and they didn't— they needed a lifeboat and they didn't get— they needed a lifeboat and they didn't get that _ they needed a lifeboat and they didn't get that from _ they needed a lifeboat and they didn't get that from the - they needed a lifeboat and they didn't get that from the today. i didn't get that from the today. there — didn't get that from the today. there is— didn't get that from the today. there is a _ didn't get that from the today. there is a climate _ didn't get that from the today. there is a climate shaped - didn't get that from the today. there is a climate shaped holej didn't get that from the today. . there is a climate shaped hole at the heart of the statement. you know the chancellor didn�*t even mention the chancellor didn�*t even mention the work climate even once? that is all the more unforgivable given that the solution to the climate crisis andindeed the solution to the climate crisis and indeed the cost—of—living crisis is the same for that what we need to see is eight home installation program. see is eight home installation rouram. . see is eight home installation rouram. , , :, see is eight home installation rouram. . , :, :, see is eight home installation rouram. , :, :, , see is eight home installation ”roram. , , :, :, , ., program. his focus for now is at the . um . program. his focus for now is at the -um- and program. his focus for now is at the pump and the _ program. his focus for now is at the pump and the promise _ program. his focus for now is at the pump and the promise and - program. his focus for now is at the pump and the promise and reality i program. his focus for now is at the | pump and the promise and reality of some tax cuts. hired on? for rishi sunak, for the government the

taxpayer cannot and should not pick up taxpayer cannot and should not pick up everyone�*s tab. �*president biden is due to arrive shortly in brussels, on the eve of a series of summits of world leaders to discuss the crisis in ukraine. as he left the white house, mr biden said little but did respond when asked by a reporter about the possibility of russia using chemical weapons in ukraine. how concerned are you about the threat of chemical warfare right now, that russia will use chemical weapons? how high is that threat? i think it�*s a real threat. thank you. among the gatherings mr biden will attend in brussels on thursday is a nato summit. here�*s what its secretary general had to say about russia potentially using chemical weapons. end the use of chemical weapons would totally change the nature of the conflict. and would be a blatant violation national law and will have far

reaching consequences. mr stoltenberg didn�*t specify the nature of the consequences. he did say allied leaders would agree more support for ukraine, including greater protection against the use of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. he also said nato would approve further increases in the forces deployed on nato�*s eastern flank, with four new battlegroups sent to eastern europe to slovakia, hungary, bulgaria and romania. he said this amounted to a major long—term increase in nato�*s presence in the region, doubling the existing number of battlegroups. there will be no early eu membership for ukraine but addressing parliament is to port the unit terribly and create a free and democratic future. you unit terribly and create a free and democratic future.— unit terribly and create a free and democratic future. you crane is part of our eur0pean _ democratic future. you crane is part of our european family. _ democratic future. you crane is part of our european family. we - democratic future. you crane is part of our european family. we agreed l democratic future. you crane is part l of our european family. we agreed to support the european choice of

ukraine and its right to choose its own destiny. we have decided to immediately strengthen and deepen our partnership and to support ukraine in pursuing its european path. we have proposed to launch a ukraine solidarity trust fund and an international to provide support to ukraine for its immediate needs and help rebuild a free and democratic ukraine. :, , , .,. help rebuild a free and democratic ukraine. :, ,, .. , , ukraine. one obstacle is the use dependence _ ukraine. one obstacle is the use dependence on _ ukraine. one obstacle is the use dependence on russian - ukraine. one obstacle is the use dependence on russian fossil. ukraine. one obstacle is the use | dependence on russian fossil fuel experts. the eu currently relies on russia for 40% of its gas. cutting paralysed by two thirds within a year. as the european commission president said it�*s helping the us can help with extra support plies of liquefied natural gas.— liquefied natural gas. tomorrow i will discuss _ liquefied natural gas. tomorrow i will discuss with _ liquefied natural gas. tomorrow i will discuss with president - liquefied natural gas. tomorrow i will discuss with president biden| will discuss with president biden how to _ will discuss with president biden how to present by from the united

states— how to present by from the united states to — how to present by from the united states to the european union in the coming _ states to the european union in the coming months. we are aiming at having _ coming months. we are aiming at having a _ coming months. we are aiming at having a commitment for additional supplies— having a commitment for additional supplies for the next two winters. let me _ supplies for the next two winters. let me bring you the assessment of our diplomatic correspondent of what to expect from president bidens presents tomorrow at the nato eu in 6-7 presents tomorrow at the nato eu in g—7 summits. tt is presents tomorrow at the nato eu in 6-7 summits-— g-7 summits. it is a key moment. i think american _ g-7 summits. it is a key moment. i think american folk... _ g-7 summits. it is a key moment. i think american folk... officials - g-7 summits. it is a key moment. i think american folk... officials are | think american folk... officials are keen that they should be an opportunity for the alliance to cement its commitment to ukraine in the knowledge that they�*re going to be in this for the long haul. we are going to hear probably another announcement about us sanctions tomorrow and also mechanisms to make sure that sanctions are enforced and that invasion is not possible. there also be lots of conversations at nato and also in the eu circles about what more can be done to support ukraine in its war effort. as we been hearing, this is

delicately balanced with some signs of ukrainians making progress overall a sense of russia�*s overwhelmingly large military machine grinding forward ever so slowly. machine grinding forward ever so slowl ., :, :, machine grinding forward ever so slowl . g :, :, , executive director of open society in new york. interesting today i thought they are putting forward resolution to try and protect civilians in ukraine there are lots of questions being asked about potential future use of chemical biological or indeed nuclear weapons. do you think their resolution from the un can stop something like that happening? weill. something like that happening? well, we've seen some _ something like that happening? well, we've seen some pretty _ something like that happening? -tt we've seen some pretty horrific we�*ve seen some pretty horrific actions already taken place. since the world during that war began we�*ve had numerous reports of indiscriminate attacks on civilians.

there have been resolutions today. there have been resolutions today. the one can always hope that the russian assault will end and the russian assault will end and the russian authorities will heed a resolution like the ones where you�*re speaking on. right now the picture in ukraine looks very bleak, i have to say from the perspective of human rights and international humanitarian law.— of human rights and international humanitarian law. there's also the ruestion humanitarian law. there's also the question of — humanitarian law. there's also the question of war _ humanitarian law. there's also the question of war crimes _ humanitarian law. there's also the question of war crimes raised - humanitarian law. there's also the| question of war crimes raised when it comes to this complex. just how difficult would that be to process, gather the evidence out when you look at what�*s happening? taste]!!! gather the evidence out when you look at what's happening? well we have seen unfortunately _ look at what's happening? well we have seen unfortunately the - look at what's happening? well we have seen unfortunately the kinds| look at what's happening? well we i have seen unfortunately the kinds of activities and alleged crimes being alleged in ukraine also committed in syria not long ago by russian other nurses. basically the test in terms of war crimes is whether the attacks were indiscriminate or deliberate

targeting of civilians. unfortunately, we see numerous reports of this destruction of civilian infrastructure including residential buildings, schools, hospitals, which seen the use of weapons which are really inherited into treatment cluster which spread over large area a football field. on civilian areas where it�*s really impossible to discriminate against civilians and others. also we�*ve seen the targeting of a hospital, targeting of a theatre in mariupol with over a thousand civilians inside. all of these are an issue that there is assault on civilian and a lot from the public available information and of course prosecutors ultimately would have other information available to them to build cases of war crimes prosecutions and potentially crimes against humanity. ilrlul’ith prosecutions and potentially crimes against humanity.— against humanity. with those otential against humanity. with those potential crimes _ against humanity. with those potential crimes against - against humanity. with those - potential crimes against humanity as it may be or war crimes, would it be

accusing the military for example or the commanders in this case or could it and vacco up the chain to president putin? qt it and vacco up the chain to president putin?— it and vacco up the chain to president putin? of course the evidence. _ president putin? of course the evidence, prosecutors - president putin? of course the evidence, prosecutors have . president putin? of course the evidence, prosecutors have to | president putin? of course the i evidence, prosecutors have to go with the evidence leads. of course they will generally start their investigating war crimes and crimes against humanity with the direct perpetrators of those crimes, those who have direct responsibility for launching weapons and making decisions to do that. ultimately, yes, responsibility for this kind of mass assault that we are witnessing over a period of weeks and an ending at this point, that responsibility does lead up the chain of military and ultimate political demand. investigators and prosecutors will be looking at that had a responsibility. particularly when you�*re talking about an institution like the international criminal court in the hague which has its responsibility and was set up to look at the perpetrators who had the

greatest degree of responsibility. i think that�*s where they�*ll be looking ultimately. think that's where they'll be looking ultimately.- think that's where they'll be looking ultimately. thank you so much forjoining _ looking ultimately. thank you so much forjoining us _ looking ultimately. thank you so much forjoining us here. - looking ultimately. thank you so much forjoining us here. good l looking ultimately. thank you so | much forjoining us here. good to have your analysis. one of president putin as justification is that he wants to detoxify the country ros atkins has been looking at the distortions and untruths that russia is spreading about nazis in ukraine including about the role of the regiment based in mariupoland a in mariupol and a part of ukraine�*s national guard. vladimir putin is given several reasons for his invasion of ukraine. this is one of them. : ,, : invasion of ukraine. this is one of them. : ,, ~ , ., them. translation: we will be aiming at the militarising _ them. translation: we will be aiming at the militarising and _ at the militarising and denazification of ukraine. pl, at the militarising and denazification of ukraine. a recent roducin: denazification of ukraine. a recent producing plea _ denazification of ukraine. a recent producing plea that _ denazification of ukraine. a recent producing plea that put _ denazification of ukraine. a recent producing plea that put ralia - denazification of ukraine. a recent producing plea that put ralia bana| producing plea that put ralia bana declared for a world without nazi —ism. and putin described a gang of drug addicts and neo—nazis that settled in kyiv that took the entire ukrainian people hostage. but russia�*s claims against nazis and ukraine are false and distorted. for

a start ukrainians are being held hostage by nazis but president zelensky is jewish hostage by nazis but president zelensky isjewish he has residents that died in the hall closet is president because he won 73% of the vote in 2019. the main far right candidate reach 1.6%. that result is part of a broader shift put it in the 2012 parliamentary election the main far—right party 110% for that in 2014 was 6%. in 2019 it was 2%. no far right groups of any formal political power in ukraine for that and based on filing a result the far right is much less popular in ukraine than the leader of the far right in france marie in the pen. far right groups do exist in ukraine. russia�*s focus on them is not new. ukraine. russia's focus on them is not new. :, :, :, , not new. the word do not survive, the idea that _ not new. the word do not survive, the idea that ukraine _ not new. the word do not survive, the idea that ukraine is _ not new. the word do not survive, the idea that ukraine is been - the idea that ukraine is been overrun by nazis and something that russian propaganda has been talking about the eight years. since the first in ukraine in 2014.- about the eight years. since the first in ukraine in 2014. ukraine is and it wasn't _ first in ukraine in 2014. ukraine is and it wasn't being _ first in ukraine in 2014. ukraine is and it wasn't being run _ first in ukraine in 2014. ukraine is

and it wasn't being run by - first in ukraine in 2014. ukraine is and it wasn't being run by nazis i first in ukraine in 2014. ukraine is i and it wasn't being run by nazis but and it wasn�*t being run by nazis but what happened eight years ago is relevant here. that�*s because in late 2013 under pressure from putin ukraine�*s then president backed out of a cooperation deal with the eu. huge protests followed as would a crackdown, in time he would flee to russia. this was a challenge to put in his ability to influence ukraine. and he retaliated. first russia and are described then it backed separatist and parts of eastern ukraine. this is where the story connects back to the far right. because in 2014 the ukrainian military was much smaller than it is now, it was struggling. brigades of volunteers joined the fight against the separatist. some of them had far right elements. the most high—profile was this one, the as off battalion. it was set up by this man who has a history of racist and anti—semitic views. in 2014 the bbc�*s steve rosenberg spoke to him.

this is the emblem being show to steve. it�*s a pagan symbol known as wolves angel. a version of it was used by some ss units in nazi germany. an expert on ukrainian nationalism has looked at this writing... that may be but back in 2015 he acknowledged that some of its fighters held nazi views. a spokesperson told usa today that... he sought to make a distinction using one fighters example. the

degree of nazis sentiment is impossible to verify. but this 2015 quote is relevant because by this time as all had become ukraine�*s national guard. it was under government command. and there was one main reason for that happening. and in 2014 with russia backing separatists urgent military consideration trumps all others. ukraine was under attack and it�*s then president or uchenko called azov our best warriors. but when in 2015 he was asked by the bbc�*s far right links his reply was blunt. translation: please don�*t use russian propaganda. they�*ve used for years and as we�*ve described in azov his role in ukraine context is vital. ukraine�*s forces total 250,000 plus 30,000 national guard.

azov is part of the national guard with around 1000 volunteer fighters. it's with around 1000 volunteer fighters. it�*s a tiny fraction of the ukrainian military. it�*s also not the same force as it was in 2014. translation: azov opened its recruitment to the whole of ukrainian society and eventually this radical call was drowned out by the massive newcomers whojoined this radical call was drowned out by the massive newcomers who joined the regiment because it was in elite unit. : , , , ., unit. and while the membership was a the founder also _ unit. and while the membership was a the founder also left _ unit. and while the membership was a the founder also left to _ unit. and while the membership was a the founder also left to start _ unit. and while the membership was a the founder also left to start a - unit. and while the membership was a the founder also left to start a new. the founder also left to start a new far right political party. a party which is to achieve any electoral success. but the azov regiment he left behind is high—profile and mainstream for the last few days president zelensky announced that azov commander in mariupol will receive the highest military award. despite its claim, despite the evolving membership, questions about neo—nazi links remain. injanuary buzz feed reported that they�*d seen in azov veteran wearing white

supremacist and nazi symbols. there is no evidence that sentiment is widespread. is no evidence that sentiment is widespread-— is no evidence that sentiment is widesread. h �* �* :, :, widespread. here's bbc monitoring. i was lookin: widespread. here's bbc monitoring. i was looking at _ widespread. here's bbc monitoring. i was looking at the _ widespread. here's bbc monitoring. i was looking at the azov _ widespread. here's bbc monitoring. i was looking at the azov battalion - was looking at the azov battalion social media activity at its website and all they talk about is fighting the russian forces and there is very little in terms of extremist anti—migrant or xenophobic rhetoric there. anti-migrant or xenophobic rhetoric there. : ,:, anti-migrant or xenophobic rhetoric there. : , , ~ :, there. and so it is this azov regiment — there. and so it is this azov regiment that _ there. and so it is this azov regiment that is _ there. and so it is this azov regiment that is part - there. and so it is this azov regiment that is part of - there. and so it is this azov - regiment that is part of ukraine's regiment that is part of ukraine�*s resistance. just as in 2014 it�*s focus is the donbas region, that includes it breakaway republics in the city of mariupol. it is close to the city of mariupol. it is close to the sea of azov which gives their regiment its name for the it�*s also where azov made its name, back in 2014 they successfully defended the city as bombarded along the russians now it is trying to do so again. it azov�*s presence in mariupol it makes

it central to russia�*s false narrative. rememberthe it central to russia�*s false narrative. remember the horror of russia bombing a maternity hospital in the city. afterwards a russian said this... in the city. afterwards a russian said this- - -_ in the city. afterwards a russian said this... : ,, ~ ., said this... translation: at the un securi said this. .. translation: at the un security council— said this... translation: at the un security council facts _ said this... translation: at the un security council facts were _ security council facts were proffered by our delegation saying that the maternity hospital had been taken over by azov battalion and other radicals. but taken over by azov battalion and other radicals.— other radicals. but there is no evidence that _ other radicals. but there is no evidence that azov _ other radicals. but there is no evidence that azov were - other radicals. but there is no | evidence that azov were based other radicals. but there is no - evidence that azov were based they are, no evidence it was a military facility. then as russia�*s attack on a theatre in mariupol so sunak sheltering civilians. russia accuses azov of doing this there�*s no evidence it is true. and so while any azov volunteers having nazis sympathy neo—nazi are not the threat that russia describes. perhaps this is not about an actual threat for them and rather about something else entirely. the new york times writes of how the word nazi appears geared towards russians for whom remembrance of the soviet unions victory over nazi germany remains perhaps this legal most powerful

element of unifying national identity. putin is looking to the past to create motivation in the present. this is an historian... putin has his reasons to do this but he doesn�*t have the facts. just after russia�*s invasion stories and studied genocide and genocide and nazis and the world war ii studied genocide and genocide and nazis and the world war i! released a statement put the minute they argued... the rhetoric is factually wrong. nazis don�*t hold ukraine hostage, they are not launching attacks on ukrainians. there is no evidence to support this kind of claim. mast support this kind of claim. most ukrainian hates _ support this kind of claim. most ukrainian hates neo-nazi - support this kind of claim. t�*j�*ifisii ukrainian hates neo—nazi groups and a pray for russia and for somebody else to liberate ukrainian society

from nazi group.— else to liberate ukrainian society from nazi group. ukrainians don't need liberating _ from nazi group. ukrainians don't need liberating from _ from nazi group. ukrainians don't need liberating from nazis. - from nazi group. ukrainians don't need liberating from nazis. to . from nazi group. ukrainians don't i need liberating from nazis. to their president this idea is pure affection. president this idea is pure affection-— president this idea is pure affection. : ,, ~ �*, president this idea is pure affection. : ., , affection. translation: it's already the 25th time — affection. translation: it's already the 25th time the — affection. translation: it's already the 25th time the russian _ affection. translation: it's already the 25th time the russian military i the 25th time the russian military tried in— the 25th time the russian military tried in vain to define nazis from whom _ tried in vain to define nazis from whom they allegedly want to defend our people. just as they're trying in vain— our people. just as they're trying in vain to — our people. just as they're trying in vain to find ukrainians who... that— in vain to find ukrainians who... that search _ in vain to find ukrainians who... that search will continue to be in vain while the evolution of azov regiment deserves scrutiny renew your nazis on the right to not play the role that russia falsely disguised. they didn�*t 2014, they don�*t now. lots more on the big issues of the day with ross atkins. a reminder of our breaking news. the first woman to become secretary of

state madeleine albright has at the age of 84. arriving in the us as a refugee in 1948 doctor albright rose to become one of the us most of political figures. she was appointed us ambassador to the un in 1993 and then secretary of state and bill clinton�*s administration. she was a tough talking diplomat, she championed human rights, the expansion of nato and also sought to reduce the spread of nuclear weapons but them in a statement family and said she was a tireless champion of democracy. talking about nato, want to bring you that line that the chief said the alliance will double the number of battle groups that are deployed on its eastern flank that was thursday�*s emergency summit on the ukraine war. there will be of course the eve of the summit that will be taking place also with eu groups, with nato and also the g7, the us presidentjoe biden is on his

way to brussels. stay with us here on outside source for that we will bring you up—to—date with all the latest stories. hello. we�*re in the middle of a prolonged run of dry weather with lots of spring sunshine around and temperatures well above average. more to come over the next few days. this was scotland earlier today. on the satellite picture, not much cloud anywhere. or indeed across the majority of europe. it has been a sunny day. the reason the skies are clear is down to this big area of high pressure. most weather systems move from the west to east, over the next few days, this will go against the usual flow of traffic and push westwards eventually responsible for

these northerly winds feeding in cooler weather into next week. so, spring is a fickle season. don�*t get used to warm weather yet. could be a few mist and balog patches —— fall patches. only a few patches of frost here and there, particularly in the countryside. a chilly start on thursday, but a repeat performance. temperatures peaking at about 20 degrees in the warmest spots. one word of caution is we are starting to see high or even locally very high level of air pollution. this is partly caused by air coming from europe, but also the area of high pressure. to get the air to rise upwards,

we temperatures to reach or exceed 19 celsius, which isn�*t happening for any length of time. instead of the air rising and those pollution particles dispersing through 12 km, instead, they get trapped in the lowest kilometre or two, bringing hazy size and very high levels of pollution. more to come. most of us enjoying the warm spells of sunshine. temperatures high teens to low 20s. more about this weekend as well. it�*s next week that the air turns a lot colder. there�*ll be some showers across the hills. that�*s the latest.

hello, i�*m nuala mcgovern, this is outside source. the taliban abruptly orders girls�* secondary schools in afghanistan to stay shut on the day they were due to re—open. the girls had literallyjust sat down at the desks and the head teacher got a whatsapp message from the local taliban in charge saying that, actually, teenage girls cannot come back to class just yet. and the girls are just devastated. as many girls are left in tears we ask whether they�*ll ever be allowed an education under the taliban. also in the programme. in ukraine, the city of mariupol is devastated by russian shelling. ahead of summits of world leaders

in brussels to discuss the crisis, a warning from the eu. these are crimes, and those responsible will face international justice. no impunity.— justice. no impunity. president biden is justice. no impunity. president ltiden is on _ justice. no impunity. president biden is on his _ justice. no impunity. president biden is on his way _ justice. no impunity. president biden is on his way to - justice. no impunity. president biden is on his way to the i justice. no impunity. president biden is on his way to the natoj justice. no impunity. president- biden is on his way to the nato and g7 summitaimed biden is on his way to the nato and g7 summit aimed at boosting support for ukraine and tightening sanctions against russia. and madeleine albright, the first female us secretary of state, has died at the age of 84. the jamaican prime minister tells prince william and catherine that his country wants independence from britain. the united nations has expressed disappointment that the taliban decision to again close secondary schools to girls in afghanistan. it says the decision is a betrayal of the afghan people. many girls were left in tears as i

left the classroom after the education ministry abruptly announced that the girls�* high schools which they shut. here is what one student had to say. when i heard the news yesterday i was thrilled, i wept, but today i am devastated. what should i say? i can�*t say anything. what shall i say to them? we are girls, we are human beings, we are from this country too, why shouldn�*t we go to school? our hearts are bleeding. it has been 186 days since the ban on our education. what crime have we committed? i don�*t know what to ask you what to say, we have no choice but to do what they say. my request is to please open schools as soon as possible. is to please open schools as soon as ossible. .. is to please open schools as soon as ossible. . ., :, is to please open schools as soon as ossible. .. :, ., possible. one girl came home and said mum. — possible. one girl came home and said mum. they — possible. one girl came home and said mum, they didn't _ possible. one girl came home and said mum, they didn't let - possible. one girl came home and said mum, they didn't let me i possible. one girl came home and| said mum, they didn't let me enter said mum, they didn�*t let me enter the school, they said that girls are not allowed. let�*s have a listen.

she sobs. the poor girl, so visibly upset. secondary schools for girls were set to open nationwide after months of restrictions since the taliban seized power in august. the bbc�*s secunder kermani has this report. dusting the desks. the morning began full of smiles and hope. for these students in the west of kabul, returning to school felt particularly poignant. last year, more than 90 were killed here in an attack by the local branch of the islamic state group. "we want to be successful so we can fulfil "the dreams of our martyred classmates," says zikina. "that will be our revenge on those

who were responsible." not long after they�*ve arrived, there�*s unexpected bad news. the girls had literallyjust sat down at their desks and the head teacher got a whatsapp message from the local taliban in charge saying that, actually, teenage girls can�*t come back to class just yet. and the girls are just devastated. "we just want to learn and to serve our country," says fatima. "what is our sin?" she asks the taliban. "you�*re always talking about islam. "does islam say to harm women like this? "it doesn�*t. "i want to address the girls of afghanistan. "please don�*t give up fighting for your rights." the taliban�*s ministry of education pressed ahead with a ceremony marking the start of the new academic year, but seemed at a loss to explain

what had gone wrong. "the central leadership has said, until a plan is developed "on the basis of sharia and afghan culture, girls�* secondary schools "will remain closed," a spokesman told us. we were at a school in the west of kabul today. there were teenage girls in tears because they have been told that they have to go home again. who should they blame for this? "i work for the ministry of education," he says. "we made our preparations. "you need to ask someone representing the leadership." the students filed home, just an hour or so after having arrived. in private, taliban members admit hardline elements within the group still find the idea of female education controversial, even though schools are already segregated. that leaves these young women deeply worried for the future. secunder kermani, bbc news, kabul. shaharzad akbar is the former chair

of the afghanistan independent human rights commission. here�*s what she made of the last— minute reversal. partly we expected it, because we know that there are divisions within the taliban and we know that some of them at the top of the leadership believe in an absolute gender apartheid. they believe that the only place for women and girls is at home. but still, they had made a public promise, to the international community and more importantly to afghan girls, to the afghan people and then turning them back from the school like this? and this is completely un—islamic, it does not happen in any other islamic country and this is completely against the wishes of the afghan public, because the afghan public, the afghan tribal elders, all the men and women, younger people, across afghanistan have repeatedly asked the taliban, to reopen schools for girls across the country. the nobel peace prize winner malala yousafzai survived an attack by taliban militants when she was 13.

she told the bbc then devastating for women and girls in afghanistan and shows that the group has no intention of letting them learn. tt is such a devastating day for them, for us, because the taliban made a promise that they would allow girls to go to school and most of us were sceptical about it, because we had heard these things previously, but the taliban continue to make excuses to prevent girls from learning. we are not unfamiliar with them. we are not new to them, we had it in the past, back in 1996, and even today in 2022, that they would prevent girls from their education and use the excuse of uniform, walking to school, separation and segregated classrooms and female teachers. these excuses are nothing new that we are hearing. these excuses are nothing new that we are hearing-— republican congressman mike waltz is also a former white house and pentagon advisor. this is his analysis.

the afghan government, the previous government failed them and so did the international community who had, as you have stated, an entire generation that had the taste of a more prosperous future, a taste of freedom, and just the basic human rights that come from a girl's education, that now are having those doors literally shut in their face and i will say, this isn'tjust a humanitarian issue, it is a national security issue, where girls are educated, where women are empowered, where women thrive in civil society, in business, in politics, in societies around the world, extremism doesn't and where the opposite happens, where women are repressed, we see extremism thrive, so the taliban broke their promise, they lied, and if they are willing to break their promises when it comes to the basics of letting girls go to school, i don't trust them for a second when it comes to standing in front of isis or al-qaeda or other international

terrorist groups that clearly intend to attack the west again and are building the capability to do so, so this fallacy that we can trust the good terrorists, the taliban, to oppose the bad terrorists, isis and al-qaeda, as they rebuild their capability to attack our homeland again and to attack europe again, is a policy the biden administration has to walk away from and european governments have to walk away from. the taliban cannot be trusted and they will hit us again. some news from the us — madeleine albright has died, she was 84. she served as secretary of state from 1997 to 2001 under president bill clinton. and she made history as the first woman to take on the post. she arrived in the united states as a refugee from prague in 1948. earlier i spoke to our north america correspondent anthony zurcher,

who explained what a trailblazer dr albright was. she was an instrumental figure in former us foreign policy after the fall of the soviet union, instrumental in bill clinton�*s foreign policy team as us ambassador to the united nations and then as the first woman secretary of state, from 1997-2001. the first woman secretary of state, from 1997—2001. not only was she the first woman secretary of state but you have to remember the secretary of state is fourth in line for the presidency so she was the most powerful woman figure in the us administration, up until that point. she obviously was very involved in setting us policy towards the former soviet states. she was big on expanding nato. she called for a robust but pragmatic us foreign policy in places like iraq and the us military intervention in the balkans. she was not afraid to use us military might, and to encourage its use when diplomacy failed. she

was definitely a towering figure not only of her time in the 1990s but she was an influence on us foreign policy for the decades after. she was writing _ policy for the decades after. she was writing in — policy for the decades after. she was writing in the new york times just a month ago talking about putin making an historic mistake, if he invaded ukraine which of course we know has happened since then. something else i was reading about madeleine albright, her granddaughter back in 2009 turned her mother and observed, only girls are secretary of state, seeing quantities to rice and then hillary clinton. it kind of puts it in context some of the master she created —— condoleeza rice. what do you think were some of her diplomatic successes or perhaps challenges that people will remember? tt challenges that people will remember?— challenges that people will remember? , , ., remember? if she herself had said that one of — remember? if she herself had said that one of her biggest _ remember? if she herself had said that one of her biggest regrets i that one of her biggest regrets while in the clinton administration was not responding quickly enough to

the genocide in rwanda in africa and not labelling a genocide quickly enough. she would point towards the way the united states handled the post—soviet world, the way that it was able to expand nato, set the groundwork for expanding nato in the years after the fall of the soviet union, particularly in hindsight at this moment, it has been a very important foreign policy success. and i think the way that she was able to encourage nato to find a way, find a path forward after the fall of the soviet union, to use nato, for instance, to attempt to solve the disputes in the balkan states, i think that would be something that she would have justifiable pride in, although she was also criticised in the decades afterwards, for what some people viewed as human rights abuses, from the bombing campaigns, both in the balkans and in a rock. there was a famous interview she had on an

american network —— in iraq. the interviewer pointed out how many children had died in iraq because of us bombing campaigns and she was askedif us bombing campaigns and she was asked if it was worth it and she said yes it was and she regretted saying that after the fact, that it came across as somewhat cold, and i think she realised in hindsight that there was a cost to any kind of us military actions whether it is in the world. pl, military actions whether it is in the world-— the world. a couple of things i remember. — the world. a couple of things i remember, that _ the world. a couple of things i remember, that she _ the world. a couple of things i i remember, that she discovered her jewish heritage at the age of 59 and she was often known for the pains that she would wear, these brooches, sometimes which would represent how she was feeling about a diplomatic meeting —— the pins she would wear. vladimir putin himself said that you could tell what her mood was by the pins she was wearing. when it was revealed that her offices had been bugged she wore a pin with an insect

on it! so, you have to look at madeleine albright�*s story as quintessentially american. she came to the united states from czechoslovakia as a child with her family as a refugee, and then through education and hard work, she became one of the prominent figures in us foreign policy and the winner of the presidential medal of freedom, the highest civilian honour in the united states, given to her by barack obama in 2012. a remarkable life story, for someone who, like many people in this world these days, their early days were defined by unrest and fleeing persecution. tote defined by unrest and fleeing persecution-— defined by unrest and fleeing ersecution. ~ . , , persecution. we are seen in the past moment or — persecution. we are seen in the past moment or so _ persecution. we are seen in the past moment or so that _ persecution. we are seen in the past moment or so that us _ persecution. we are seen in the past moment or so that us president i persecution. we are seen in the past moment or so that us president joel moment or so that us presidentjoe biden has landed in brussels, for

the nato and g7 summits on ukraine. let�*s turn to the situation on the ground in ukraine. it�*s only been four weeks since the conflict broke out. and in the last few hours, we�*ve heard that russia has destroyed a key bridge over the desna river. that cuts off a vital route between the northern city of chernihiv and the capital kyiv, which had been crucial to getting aid supplies into the city. but we�*re also hearing that in some parts of the country, ukrainian soldiers are managing to fend off russian forces. this was the message from the pentagon. ukrainians are going a bit more on the offence now. they have been defending very smartly, very nimbly, very creatively, in places that they believe are the right places to defend. we have seen them now, particularly in places in the south, near kherson, they have tried to regain territory. there are reports that makariv — a town about 40 miles west of kyiv — is back under ukrainian control. the ukrainian armed forces posted on facebook: "the state flag

of ukraine was raised over the city of makariv." and the regional chief of police there posted this video. yesterday we told you about how the southern town of voznesensk had seen off an attack by the russian army. the mayor of kyiv, vitali kitschko, has been speaking to reporters. russia had planned three weeks ago to be in the capital, to be here, because it is the heart of the country. and a lot of attack from

north and east right now to our city. everybody is surprised. hold tough, ukrainian army, hold tough, ukrainian soldier, because we stand in front against one of the strongest armies in the world, russian army. elsewhere though, the situation remains critical. ukraine says russia has agreed to allow civilians to be evacuated from nine towns and cities today — but not from the devastated port of mariupol. it�*s a key port in southern ukraine. russia has been trying to take it for weeks. it�*s estimated that at least 100,000 people remain trapped there. and that food and water has all but run out. you might also remember that last wednesday, we saw a russian strike on this theatre. it was being used as a shelter for hundreds of women and children. the bbc has spoken to one survivor — maria — who�*d been volunteering with the red cross. translation: it happened around

10am. i translation: it happened around ioam- l was _ translation: it happened around ioam- l was on _ translation: it happened around 10am. i was on the _ translation: it happened around 10am. i was on the main _ translation: it happened around 10am. i was on the main entrance. | 10am. i was on the main entrance. people _ 10am. i was on the main entrance. people queueing _ 10am. ! was on the main entrance. people queueing to— 10am. ! was on the main entrance. people queueing to get— 10am. ! was on the main entrance. people queueing to get hot- 10am. i was on the main entrance. people queueing to get hot water. | people queueing to get hot water. someone — people queueing to get hot water. someone from _ people queueing to get hot water. someone from the _ people queueing to get hot water. someone from the field _ people queueing to get hot water. someone from the field kitchen i people queueing to get hot water. i someone from the field kitchen gave me fish— someone from the field kitchen gave me fish remains— someone from the field kitchen gave me fish remains the _ someone from the field kitchen gave me fish remains the feed _ someone from the field kitchen gave me fish remains the feed my- someone from the field kitchen gave me fish remains the feed my dogs. they had _ me fish remains the feed my dogs. they had not— me fish remains the feed my dogs. they had not eaten _ me fish remains the feed my dogs. they had not eaten anything i me fish remains the feed my dogs. they had not eaten anything for i me fish remains the feed my dogs. they had not eaten anything for a i they had not eaten anything for a lon- they had not eaten anything for a long time — they had not eaten anything for a long time. when _ they had not eaten anything for a long time. when they— they had not eaten anything for a long time. when they finished i long time. when they finished outside — long time. when they finished outside the _ long time. when they finished outside the docks _ long time. when they finished outside the docks to - long time. when they finished outside the docks to my- long time. when they finished outside the docks to my bagsl long time. when they finished i outside the docks to my bags and long time. when they finished - outside the docks to my bags and was on my— outside the docks to my bags and was on my way— outside the docks to my bags and was on my way outside _ outside the docks to my bags and was on my way outside to _ outside the docks to my bags and was on my way outside to get _ outside the docks to my bags and was on my way outside to get them - outside the docks to my bags and was on my way outside to get them somei on my way outside to get them some water _ on my way outside to get them some water when— on my way outside to get them some water when i— on my way outside to get them some water when i got— on my way outside to get them some water. when i got close _ on my way outside to get them some water. when i got close to _ on my way outside to get them some water. when i got close to the - on my way outside to get them some water. when i got close to the main. water. when i got close to the main entrance _ water. when i got close to the main entrance i_ water. when i got close to the main entrance i heard _ water. when i got close to the main entrance i heard a _ water. when i got close to the main entrance i heard a loud _ water. when i got close to the main entrance i heard a loud clap- water. when i got close to the main entrance i heard a loud clap the i entrance i heard a loud clap the sound _ entrance i heard a loud clap the sound of— entrance i heard a loud clap the sound of breaking _ entrance i heard a loud clap the sound of breaking glass. - entrance i heard a loud clap the sound of breaking glass. a- entrance i heard a loud clap the sound of breaking glass. a man pressed — sound of breaking glass. a man pressed me _ sound of breaking glass. a man pressed me to _ sound of breaking glass. a man pressed me to a _ sound of breaking glass. a man pressed me to a wall— sound of breaking glass. a man pressed me to a wall and i sound of breaking glass. a man i pressed me to a wall and covered me with his _ pressed me to a wall and covered me with his body — pressed me to a wall and covered me with his body it— pressed me to a wall and covered me with his body. it was— pressed me to a wall and covered me with his body. it was so— pressed me to a wall and covered me with his body. it was so loud, - pressed me to a wall and covered me with his body. it was so loud, i- pressed me to a wall and covered me with his body. it was so loud, i was i with his body. it was so loud, i was stunned _ with his body. it was so loud, i was stunned 0ne — with his body. it was so loud, i was stunned. one of— with his body. it was so loud, i was stunned. one of my— with his body. it was so loud, i was stunned. one of my ears— with his body. it was so loud, i was stunned. one of my ears really- with his body. it was so loud, i was. stunned. one of my ears really hurt. ithought— stunned. one of my ears really hurt. i thought that — stunned. one of my ears really hurt. i thought that my— stunned. one of my ears really hurt. i thought that my eardrum _ stunned. one of my ears really hurt. i thought that my eardrum split. ii i thought that my eardrum split. i didn't— i thought that my eardrum split. i didn't lose — i thought that my eardrum split. i didn't lose consciousness - i thought that my eardrum split. i didn't lose consciousness and ii didn't lose consciousness and i think— didn't lose consciousness and i think my— didn't lose consciousness and i think my eardrum _ didn't lose consciousness and i think my eardrum was - didn't lose consciousness and i think my eardrum was quite i didn't lose consciousness and i- think my eardrum was quite slightly damaged _ think my eardrum was quite slightly damaged because _ think my eardrum was quite slightly damaged because after— think my eardrum was quite slightly damaged because after the - think my eardrum was quite slightly i damaged because after the explosion i damaged because after the explosion i could _ damaged because after the explosion i could hear— damaged because after the explosion i could hear people _ damaged because after the explosion i could hear people screaming. i- i could hear people screaming. i believe — i could hear people screaming. i believe most _ i could hear people screaming. i believe most of _ i could hear people screaming. i believe most of the _ i could hear people screaming. i believe most of the people i i could hear people screaming. i believe most of the people in. i could hear people screaming. ll believe most of the people in the drama _ believe most of the people in the drama theatre _ believe most of the people in the drama theatre survived. - believe most of the people in the drama theatre survived. i- believe most of the people in the drama theatre survived. i lived i believe most of the people in the| drama theatre survived. i lived in the hall — drama theatre survived. i lived in the hall it — drama theatre survived. i lived in the hall. it had — drama theatre survived. i lived in the hall. it had a _ drama theatre survived. i lived in the hall. it had a big chandelier. i the hall. it had a big chandelier. they— the hall. it had a big chandelier. they try— the hall. it had a big chandelier. they try to— the hall. it had a big chandelier. they try to not— the hall. it had a big chandelier. they try to not let _ the hall. it had a big chandelier. they try to not let people - the hall. it had a big chandelier. they try to not let people be i the hall. it had a big chandelier. i they try to not let people be there as it was _ they try to not let people be there as it was the — they try to not let people be there as it was the most _ they try to not let people be there as it was the most dangerous i they try to not let people be there | as it was the most dangerous place inside _ as it was the most dangerous place inside the — as it was the most dangerous place inside the building. _ as it was the most dangerous place inside the building. inside - as it was the most dangerous place inside the building. inside that i inside the building. inside that hall. _ inside the building. inside that hall. there _ inside the building. inside that

hall, there were _ inside the building. inside that hall, there were around - inside the building. inside that hall, there were around 30 i inside the building. inside that i hall, there were around 30 people, so i hall, there were around 30 people, so i assume — hall, there were around 30 people, so i assume that— hall, there were around 30 people, so i assume that they _ hall, there were around 30 people, so i assume that they had - hall, there were around 30 people, so i assume that they had all i hall, there were around 30 people, so i assume that they had all died. | so i assume that they had all died. that was— so i assume that they had all died. that was maria _ so i assume that they had all died. that was maria and _ so i assume that they had all died. that was maria and mariupol. i our chief international correspondent lyse doucet is in kyiv and told me about the past day in the city. very noisy day with a lot of activity when he if mr what was its third 35 archive you, and there was sustained artillery fire, more than we had heard any other morning in this invasion which was almost a month long, and much more small arms fire which went on for half an hour this morning which was also quite unusual. and then in the midst of all this, on what was a bright, spring day, the sub zero temperatures gone, the mayor of the city vitali klitschko and his brother vladimir, city vitali klitschko and his brotheeradimir, both city vitali klitschko and his brother vladimir, both of them former champion boxers decided to hold a press conference, not inside a drab room with sandbags, in the municipality, now, in a beautiful park on the river, next to a statue

of st michael, the patron saint, the protector of this city, to make it absolutely clear that russian troops will never make it to the heart of the city. vitali klitschko told us that, you heard a clip there, said three weeks ago the russians had a plan to encircle this city. and i have to say now there was a real sense of foreboding in this city, that it would be just a matter of time before russian troops reached here, but of course they are still on the outskirts. vitali klitschko admitted there was fierce fighting in the north and west of the city but he also mentioned that you have already said that they had taken back makariv in the west, 40 miles away, he also said that 80% of irpin which has been bitterly fought over with incessant rushing shelling for many weeks, but most of that seems to be back in ukrainian hands. but russia still has an awful lot of firepower including weapons it still hasn�*t used, and, right after that

press conference almost on cue we heard the sound of a multiple rocket launcher, a grad, being used for the first time in care and hitting a residential area causing extensive damage. b. residential area causing extensive damaue. : residential area causing extensive damate, : , residential area causing extensive damaue. : , ., damage. a contrast between that ima . e in damage. a contrast between that image in that _ damage. a contrast between that image in that beautiful _ damage. a contrast between that image in that beautiful park- damage. a contrast between that image in that beautiful park and i damage. a contrast between that i image in that beautiful park and the sounds that you�*re hearing but i wonder if that recapture of areas, how significant do you think it is, in despite? th how significant do you think it is, in despite?— how significant do you think it is, in despite? in war there is always the battle for _ in despite? in war there is always the battle for the _ in despite? in war there is always the battle for the narrative, i in despite? in war there is always the battle for the narrative, the l the battle for the narrative, the battle for perceptions of what is happening on the ground but also what actually happens, what is unfolding on the battlefield. there is undoubtedly, ukraine is winning the information war, with people like vitali klitschko, volodymyr zelensky president, his nightly addresses and almost daily messages either to some parliament around the world or speaking to a foreign leader, constantly putting out

messages now that they can say that it is happening on the ground it is important for the morale of fighters and citizens but it also sends a message to the ukrainians, when russia invaded ukraine, they were there, much the defenders, against an army which was far more powerful than them in every way, on land, sea and air, and here they are, they haven�*tjust and air, and here they are, they haven�*t just survived, and air, and here they are, they haven�*tjust survived, they and air, and here they are, they haven�*t just survived, they are going on the counterattack. but at the same time, we hear that they are gaining a little to the ground around kyiv, gaining some ground in kherson, the area of the south next to the crimean peninsula, the first to the crimean peninsula, the first to fall, that russian forces are regrouping, reorganising, to launch more large—scale offences. in war, a month is a long time but also a short time and president putin, for all of the talk of these negotiations, he has made it clear this isn�*t over until all of his goals are met and nobody knows for sure what all of his goals are. t

sure what all of his goals are. i want to bring you some live pictures from brussels, where presidentjoe biden has arrived on air force one. that is ahead of a series of summits with nato, the eu and g7, all to discuss the ukraine crisis. the duke and duchess of cambridge are on day two of a visit to jamaica, part of a caribbean tour. the tour has already been dogged by noisy protests in belize, which meant they had to cancel part of their trip. in jamaica yesterday they faced some more. and then today, in an official meeting with prime minister andrew holness, who said their visit has given the nation the opportunity address "unresolved" issues. our royal correspondentjonny dymond is injamaica, and gave me this update earlier. the second leg of their caribbean tour, yesterday was very successful, they had an enthusiastic welcome in

princetown, with a huge amount of cheering and shoving and the like that they were there but this morning, a bit more politics, they met the minister andrew holding who said in front of the camera is that it was his intention for his country to become independent, developed and prosperous. jamaica is what is called a realm. it is effectively independent from the united kingdom for 50 odd years, but the queen is still the head of state here, and there are still various constitutional links. mr hall in�*s campaign back in 2016 blames those constitutional links, he said in a filmed statement to william and kate, that he wanted, that he would pursue the country�*s independence.

he will pursue the country�*s independence. talk me through the timing of it, if there has been any reaction so far. was it expected? t reaction so far. was it expected? i don't know whether it was reaction so far. was it expected? t don't know whether it was expected don�*t know whether it was expected or not. i am not doing the prime minister down in any way, shape or form, but it seemed like a mistake that it was made to the duke and a sinful view of the cameras. this is a well—known political position of mr holden. it is not new, but this is his first opportunity to say it to senior members of the royal family to theirface to senior members of the royal family to their face but he did so in front of the cameras so it was clearly something that the public would notice as well as passing a message on to the royal family. no reaction yet from the royal family. i would be very surprised if there was any. their attitude has always been whether it be membership of the

commonwealth, or having the queen as head of state... abs, commonwealth, or having the queen as head of state. . ._ head of state... a reminder of our breakin: head of state... a reminder of our breaking story. — head of state... a reminder of our breaking story, the _ head of state... a reminder of our breaking story, the first _ head of state... a reminder of our breaking story, the first woman i head of state... a reminder of our breaking story, the first woman to become us secretary of state, madeleine albright, has died of cancer at the age of 84. hello. we�*re in the middle of a prolonged run of dry weather with lots of spring sunshine around and temperatures well above average. more to come over the next few days. this was plockton in highland scotland earlier today. on the satellite picture, not much cloud anywhere. or indeed across the majority of europe. it has been a sunny day. the reason the skies are clear is down to this big area of high pressure. most weather systems move from the west to east, over the next few days, this will go against the usual flow of traffic and push westwards eventually responsible for these northerly winds feeding

in cooler weather into next week. so, spring is a fickle season. don�*t get used to warm weather yet. could be a few mist and fog patches tponight. only a few patches of frost here and there, particularly in the countryside. a chilly start on thursday, but a repeat performance. most but a repeat performance. of us will have hazy sun all most of us will have hazy sunshine all day. temperatures peaking at about 20 degrees in the warmest spots. one word of caution is we are starting to see high or even locally very high levels of air pollution. this is partly caused by air coming from europe, but also the area of high pressure. to get the air to rise upwards, we need temperatures to reach or

exceed 19 celsius, which isn�*t happening for any length of time. instead of the air rising and those pollution particles dispersing through 12 km of the atmosphere, instead, they get trapped in the lowest kilometre or two, bringing hazy size and very high levels of pollution. more of that to come on friday. most of us enjoying the warm spells of sunshine. temperatures high teens to low 20s. more of that this weekend as well. it�*s next week that the air turns a lot colder. frost will become more widespread. there�*ll be some wintry showers across the hills. that�*s the latest.

1111 hello, i�*m nuala mcgovern, this is outside source. the taliban abruptly orders girls�* secondary schools in afghanistan to stay shut, on the day, they were due to re—open. the girls had literallyjust sat down at the desks and the head teacher got a whatsapp message from the local taliban in charge saying that, actually, teenage girls cannot come back to class just yet. and the girls are just devastated. as many girls are left in tears — we ask whether they�*ll ever be allowed an education under the taliban. also in the programme... in ukraine, the city of mariupol is devastated by russian shelling. ahead of summits of world leaders in brussels to discuss the crisis, a warning from the eu:

these are crimes! and those responsible will face internationaljustice. no impunity. president biden is on his way to the nato, eu and g7 summits, aimed at boosting support for ukraine and tightening sanctions against russia. and madeleine albright, the first female us secretary of state, has died at the age of 84. let�*s go to an important story here in the uk. the chancellor, rishi sunak, has set out his plans, to address the cost of living crisis, in his spring statement to the commons. our political editor, laura kuenssberg has the details. rishi sunak is the man who has to manage the economy through to the other side. are you doing enough to help working people?

yet can every step be certain, when our world is anything but? i now call the chancellor of the exchequer, rishi sunak. in the next half hour, he had the power to change what is in the country�*s pockets. the invasion of ukraine presents a risk to our recovery, _ as it does to countries around the world. i the war's most significant impact domestically- is on the cost of living. people should know that we should stand by them, as we have - throughout the last two years. standing by is not the same as supporting everyone�*s income and help for drivers was first. i want to help people now. today i can announce, for only the second time in 20 years, i fuel duty will be cut. not by one, not even by two, but by 5p per litre. _ with the cost of fuel for your tank and heating your home spiralling, vat will disappear on ways

of making your home energy efficient and there is an extra £500 million for those who struggle most to pay the bills, yet these were not drastic moves. the chancellor holding back because... we should be prepared for public finances — we should be prepared for public finances to— we should be prepared for public finances to worsen _ we should be prepared for public finances to worsen significantly. i interest on debt will tip £80 billion, more than the government spends day to day on schools, courts, prisons and borders put together. although money is tight, rishi sunak vowed to do some tax rises. vowed to undo some tax rises. he has already put in place. from this july, people will be able to earn £12,570 a year, _ without paying a single penny- of income tax or national insurance. and then to more cheers on his own side, he promised a penny of income tax, but not now. in time for the next election, still two years away. before the end of this

parliament, in 2024, i for the first time in 16 years, - the basic rate of income tax will be cut, from 20 to 19p in the pound. my tax plan delivers the biggest net cut for personal taxes in over- a quarter of a century and i commend it to this house! _ is the world in there, excitement among conservatives about hypothetical tax cuts and the world out here, the economy promising only weak sunshine. families and firms are already struggling to make ends meet. shadow chancellor of the exchequer, rachel_ shadow chancellor of the exchequer, rachel reeves. for labour, the ups and downs of tax vows miss the point. today was a day that the chancellor could have put a windfall tax on oil and gas producers to provide real help to families, but he did not. today was the day the chancellor

could have set out a proper plan to support businesses and create good jobs, but he didn't. today was the day that he could have properly scrapped his national insurance hike, he didn't. people are worried sick. for all his words, it is clear that the chancellor does not understand the scale of the challenge. he talks about providing security for working families, but his choices are making the cost—of—living crisis worse, not better. his focus, for now, though, is at the pump and the promise and reality of some tax cuts. for rishi sunak, for the government, the taxpayer cannot and should not pick up everyone's tab. laura kuenssberg, bbc news, westminster.

president biden is due to arrive shortly in brussels, on the eve of a series of summits of world leaders to discuss the crisis in ukraine. as he left the white house, mr biden said little but did respond when asked by a reporter about the possibility of russia using chemical weapons in ukraine: what about the threat of chemical warfare right now and the use of chemical weapons, how high is that threat? i think it is a real threat. thank you. among the gatherings mr biden will attend in brussels on thursday is a nato summit. here's what its secretary general had to say about russia potentially using chemical weapons: any use of chemical weapons would totally change the nature of the conflict and it would be a blatant violation of international law and would have far—reaching consequences. mr stoltenberg didn't specify the nature of the consequences. he did say allied leaders would agree more support for ukraine,

including greater protection against the use of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. he also said nato would approve further increases in the forces deployed on nato�*s eastern flank, with four new battlegroups sent to eastern europe to slovakia, hungary, bulgaria and romania. he said this amounted to a major long—term increase in nato�*s presence in the region, doubling the existing number of battlegroups. mr stoltenberg also said member states would consider china's role in russia's war: beijing hasjoined moscow and questioned the right of independent nations to choose their own path. china has provided or shared political support, including by spreading blatant lies and disinformation. and allies are concerned that china could provide material support for the russian invasion. i expect leaders will call on china to live up to its responsibilities

as a member of the un security council. but addressing the european parliament, the council president charles michel announced the launch of a new ukraine solidarity fund, mariupol, one month ago, a vibrant city and today, in ruins. dear colleagues, russia is responsible for this war. russia alone. targeting women, children, civilians, these are crimes and those responsible will face international justice, those responsible will face internationaljustice, no impunity. there'll be no early eu membership for ukraine. but addressing the european parliament, the council president

charles michel announced the launch of a new ukraine solidarity fund, to support the country militarily and help rebuild a free and democratic future. ukraine is part of our european family and we agreed to support the european choice of ukraine and its right to choose its own destiny. they have decided to immediately strengthen our bonds and our partnership and to support ukraine in pursuing its european past. we have proposed the launch a ukraine solidarity trust fund and an international conference to provide support for the immediate needs of ukraine and to help rebuild a democratic ukraine. one obstacle, as the west tries to tighten sanctions against russia, is the eu's dependence on russian fossil fuel exports. the eu currently relies on russia for 40% of its gas. but brussels has laid out

a strategy aimed at cutting that reliance by two thirds within a year. and as the european commission president told meps today, it's hoping the us can help with extra supplies of liquefied natural gas. tomorrow i will discuss with president biden how to prioritise deliveries from the united states to the european union in the coming months. we are aiming at having a commitment for additional supplies for the next two winters. there was another long standing ovation for ukraine's president volodymir zelensky, this time from french mps and senators, as he continued his series of virtual speeches to friendly parliaments around the world. he urged french companies to stop doing business in russia. let's have a listen: french companies must leave the russian market. renault, auchan, leroy merlin and others. they must cease to be sponsors of russia's military machine, sponsors of the killing of children and women, sponsors of rape, robbery and looting by the russian army.

renault has announced the immediate suspension of work at its moscow factory and in a statement the car giant said it is considering possible options for its russian affiliate. in new york the general assembly began. all in new york, the united nations general assembly began debating a draft resolution demanding protection for civilians and an end to russia's siege of cities. kyiv�*s ambassador to the un said thousands of ukrainians had lost their lives in the past month, because russia had decided to attack: every day of the russian war against ukraine aggravates the humanitarian situation further and further. in a nutshell, situation further and further. in a nutshell. it _ situation further and further. in a nutshell, it has _ situation further and further. in —. nutshell, it has already reached the level of humanitarian disaster. people are starving to death in the occupied or besieged areas. people are being killed in their attempt to flee from conflict affected areas and cities are raised to the ground

by shelling and air strikes. irate and cities are raised to the ground by shelling and air strikes.- by shelling and air strikes. we can seak to by shelling and air strikes. we can speak to our _ by shelling and air strikes. we can speak to our correspondence. - by shelling and air strikes. we can speak to our correspondence. tellj by shelling and air strikes. we can i speak to our correspondence. tell us a little bit more about what transpired today. there was the russian ambassador to begin early in the day. russian ambassador to begin early in the da . , , , . . russian ambassador to begin early in theda. , the day. yes. their special session ofthe the day. yes. their special session of the general _ the day. yes. their special session of the general assembly _ the day. yes. their special session of the general assembly is - of the general assembly is continuing as we speak and we still have dozens of speakers left before a vote and really what we have here is rival competing resolutions in the general assembly. the ukrainian ambassador there was speaking to introduce a resolution by ukraine and more than 80 other countries that calls for protection of civilians, medical staff, humanitarian staff, for protection of those fleeing the country and on the other hand, russia has proposed a rival draft in the security

council and south africa has produced one that is very similar to the russian draft in the general assembly and the russian ambassador spoke today to states urging them to support the south african draft and what is different about it? they both carry those key humanitarian demands, but crucially the ukrainian draft calls out russia as the aggressor in this war, demanding that they stop with their shelling, their bombardment of ukrainian cities and it also demands an end to the procedure meant of cities, in particular mariupol. those are the key differences between the resolutions, the one from south africa, does not name russia, it is meant to be more neutral, to try and get more countries that are nervous about taking a side in this conflict to more easily accept that resolution, but western nations say it is just incredulous that the

resolution would not call out russia when it is russia that started this war. it when it is russia that started this war. , , ., , ,., war. it is interesting to see some ofthe war. it is interesting to see some of the riffs _ war. it is interesting to see some of the riffs that _ war. it is interesting to see some of the riffs that are _ war. it is interesting to see some of the riffs that are there, - war. it is interesting to see some of the riffs that are there, do - war. it is interesting to see some of the riffs that are there, do we | of the riffs that are there, do we have any idea on when people might be voting on the resolutions, the timeline? ., . , , be voting on the resolutions, the timeline? ., . ,, ., . timeline? the vote will happen once speakers are — timeline? the vote will happen once speakers are done, _ timeline? the vote will happen once speakers are done, that _ timeline? the vote will happen once speakers are done, that could - timeline? the vote will happen once speakers are done, that could be . speakers are done, that could be tonight, that could carry into tomorrow, the last general assembly session on march two, that was the one that denounced the military offensive. that went over two days along as well, many speakers wanting to get their say in what is happening and that resolution got 141 votes in support of the resolution. russia had only four countries on its side. many here at the un waiting to see for its humanitarian resolution, given how much the situation has deteriorated in the past few weeks, if they will be able to get those same numbers, the same number of countries and

support. we the same number of countries and su ort. ~ , the same number of countries and su ort, . , ., . support. we will be watching closel , support. we will be watching closely, thank _ support. we will be watching closely, thank you _ support. we will be watching closely, thank you for - support. we will be watching i closely, thank you for bringing support. we will be watching - closely, thank you for bringing us up closely, thank you for bringing us up to date. one of president putin s justifications for his invasion of ukraine is that he wants to denazify the country. my colleague ros atkins has been looking at the distortions and untruths that russia is spreading about nazis in ukraine including about the role of the a—zov regiment who are based in mariupol and are part of ukraine's national guard. vladimir putin has given several reasons for his invasion of ukraine and this is one of them. translation: we will be aiming at demilitarisation and denazification of ukraine. at a recent putin rally, a banner declared for a world without nazism and putin has described a group of drug addicts and neo—nazis who settled in cave and neo—nazis who settled in cave and took the entire ukrainian people hostage, but those claims are a mix of falsehoods and distortions. for a start ukrainian so not being held

hostage by nazis, the president is vladimir zielinski who isjewish and has relatives who died in the holocaust and its president because he won 73% of the vote in 2019. the main far he won 73% of the vote in 2019. the mainfar right he won 73% of the vote in 2019. the main far right candidate got i.6% main far right candidate got 1.6% and that result is part of a broader shift. in the 2012 parliamentary election the main far—right party one 10% at the 2014 it was 6% and in 2019 it was 2%. no far right groups have any for her political power in ukraine and based on polling and results, the far right is much less popular in ukraine than the leader of the far right in france, marine le pen. far right groups do exist in ukraine and the russian focus on them is not new. the ukraine and the russian focus on them is not new.— ukraine and the russian focus on them is not new. the word denazify, them is not new. the word denazify, the idea that — them is not new. the word denazify, the idea that ukraine _ them is not new. the word denazify, the idea that ukraine has _ them is not new. the word denazify, the idea that ukraine has been - the idea that ukraine has been overrun— the idea that ukraine has been overrun by nazis is something that russian _ overrun by nazis is something that russian propaganda has been talking about for— russian propaganda has been talking about for years, since the first invasion— about for years, since the first invasion in— about for years, since the first invasion in 2014.— about for years, since the first invasion in 2014. ukraine is not been overrun _ invasion in 2014. ukraine is not been overrun by _ invasion in 2014. ukraine is not been overrun by nazis - invasion in 2014. ukraine is not been overrun by nazis but - invasion in 2014. ukraine is notj been overrun by nazis but what happened eight years ago is relevant here, that is because in late 2013,

under pressure from putin, the then president backed out of a co—operation deal with the eu. huge protest followed, as would a crackdown and the time he would flee to russia and this was a challenge to russia and this was a challenge to putin's ability to influence ukraine and he retaliated. first, it annexed crimea and then backed separatists in the parts of eastern ukraine and this is where the story connects back to the far right, because in 2014, the ukrainian military was much smaller, it was struggling and brigades of volunteers joined the fight against the separatists. some of them had far right elements and the most high—profile was this one, azoz battalion which set up by this man who has a history of racist and anti—semitic views. in 2014, steve rosenberg spoke to him.

zelensky. this is the emblem been shown, it is a pagan symbol known as wolfs angel and a version of this was used by some ss units. an expert on ukrainian last nationalism said their. that maybe, but in 2015, he acknowledged that some of its fighters held nazi views and a spokesperson told usa today... he sought to make a decision. now, the degree of nazi sentiment in azoz is impossible to verify, but

this 2015 quote is relevant because by this time azoz had become part of the ukrainian national guard, it was under government command and there was one main reason for that... in 2014, with russia backing separatists, urgent military considerations trumps all others. ukraine was under attack and it's them president called azoz our best warriors. when in 2015 he was asked by the bbc about the group is michael far right links, his reply was blunt. translation: please, do not listen to russian propaganda. russia has used azoz in its propaganda for years and context is vital here. the ukrainian armed forces total 250,000, plus 50,000 national guard and azoz as part of the national guard with around 1000 volunteer

fighters. it is a tiny fraction of the ukrainian military. it is also not the same force as it was in 2014. translation: azoz opened its recruitment to the whole of ukrainian society and eventually this radical call was drowned out by the massive newcomers whojoined this radical call was drowned out by the massive newcomers who joined the restjudgment because it was an elite unit. while the member ship was evolving, the founder also left to start a new far right political party, a party that has failed to achieve any electoral success, but the azoz regiment he left behind is high—profile and mainstream. this is the view of the ukrainian government. translation: the only nazi elements on the territory of ukraine now are the russian fascist army. in the last few days president zelensky announced that the azoz commander in mariupol will receive the highest national military award but despite its acclaim and the evolving membership, questions about neo—nazi

links remain. injanuary, busby�*s christopher miller said he had seen a member where i nazi symbols. there is no evidence that that sentiment is no evidence that that sentiment is widespread. i is no evidence that that sentiment is widesnread-_ is no evidence that that sentiment is widespread-— is no evidence that that sentiment is widespread. i was looking at the azoz's is widespread. i was looking at the azozs social _ is widespread. i was looking at the azoz's social media _ is widespread. i was looking at the azoz's social media activity - is widespread. i was looking at the azoz's social media activity on - azoz's social media activity on website — azoz's social media activity on website and _ azoz's social media activity on website and all _ azoz's social media activity on website and all we _ azoz's social media activity on website and all we talk - azoz's social media activity on website and all we talk abouti azoz's social media activity on. website and all we talk about is fighting — website and all we talk about is fighting russian— website and all we talk about is fighting russian forces - website and all we talk about is fighting russian forces and - website and all we talk about is. fighting russian forces and there is very little _ fighting russian forces and there is very little in — fighting russian forces and there is very little in extremist _ very little in extremist anti—migrant- very little in extremist anti—migrant and - very little in extremist - anti—migrant and xenophobic very little in extremist _ anti—migrant and xenophobic rhetoric there _ anti-migrant and xenophobic rhetoric there. ,, ., , , anti-migrant and xenophobic rhetoric there. , , ~ ., there. so, it is this azoz regiment that is part _ there. so, it is this azoz regiment that is part of _ there. so, it is this azoz regiment that is part of the _ there. so, it is this azoz regiment that is part of the resistance - there. so, it is this azoz regiment that is part of the resistance and l that is part of the resistance and just as in 2014, its focus is the donbas region, that includes the two breakaway republics and the city of mariupol. it is close to the sea of azoz that gives the regiment its name and also where it made its name. back in 2014, they successfully defended the city as mariupol was bombarded by the russians now alongside other

ukrainian forces, it is trying to do so again. its presence in mariupol makes it central to russia's false narratives. you remember the horror of the maternity hospital bombing, afterwards the russian said this. translation: at the un security council, facts were proffered by our delegation saying that the maternity hospital had been taken over by azoz battalion and other radicals. there is no evidence that azoz were based there and no evidence it was a military facility. then there is the russian attack on a theatre in mariupol sheltering civilians. russia accuses azoz of doing this, there is no evidence this is true. while any azoz volunteers having nazi sympathies are shocking and worthy of note, neo—nazis are not the threat that russia describes, but perhaps this is not about an actual threat, and rather about something else entirely, the new york times writes about how the word nazi appears geared towards

russians, for him the victory over nazi germany remains the most unifying aspect of a national identity. putin is looking to the past to create motivation in the present. this is the historian, shane o'rourke. putin has his reasons to do this but he does not have the facts. the rhetoric is factually wrong, nazis do not hold ukraine hostage, they are not launching attacks on ukrainians, there is no evidence to support this kind of claim.

ukrainians pray for russia and for someone else to liberate ukrainian society from an absa group. ukrainians do not need liberating from nazis, to the president, this idea is pure fiction. translation: it is already the 25th day of the russian military trying in vain to find imaginary nazis from who they allegedly want to defend our people, just as they are trying in vain to find ukrainians who will greet them with flowers. but search will continue to be in vain because while the evolution of the azoz regiment deserve scrutiny, neo—nazis and the far right do not play the claim that russia falsely describes. they did not in 2014, they do not now. thank you very much. a reminder of our breaking news, the first woman to become us secretary of state, madeline albright has died of cancer at the age of 8a. after arriving in the us as a refugee from

prague, she rose to become one of america's senior political figures. barack obama has paid tribute, saying she helped bring peace to the balkans and was a champion of democratic values and said one of his favourite stories about her at a naturalisation 70, and if the open man came up to her and said, only in america could a refugee from africa mate the secretary of state and she said, only in america could a refugee from central europe become secretary of state. bill clinton has described her as a force for freedom and democracy. i want to let you know within the past hour president biden has arrived in brussels ahead of a series of summits. nato, eu and g7 summits that will take place to discuss the ukraine crisis. they will be considering how to strengthen sanctions against russia and also support ukraine military. we are also seeing defence official same as shipment from an $800 million arms package from ukraine

thatjoe biden authorise last week will start flying out from the united states in the next day or so. thank you so much for watching outside source, stay with bbc news. hello there. we are in the middle of a prolonged run of dry unsettled weather with lots of spring sunshine around and temperatures well above average. there is more of that to come over the next few days. this was in highland scotland earlier today, not much cloud here and on the satellite picture not much cloud anywhere in the uk, or indeed across the majority of europe. it has been a sunny day. the reason the skies are clear across a large expanse of europe is down to this big area of high pressure, whereas most weather systems moving from west to east, over the next few days, this is going to go against the usual flow of traffic and will push west, eventually it will be partly

responsible for these northerly winds feeding and much cooler weather in next week. spring being a fickle system, do not get used to the warm weatherjust yet. overnight tonight, we will keep those clear skies for most areas, could be a few mist and fog patches unlike recent nights, it will be a chilly night, with temperatures getting down in the low single figures, a few patches of frost here and there, particularly in the countryside. a chilly start the day on thursday, but a repeat performance in many respects, most of us will have hazy sunshine, pretty much all day and the temperatures will be very similar to those of wednesday as well, peaking at about 20 celsius in the warmer spots. one word of caution is that we are starting to say hi or even locally very high levels of pollution and this is partly caused by the air coming in from europe, we are adding to the pollution, but it is also something to do with the high pressure, to get the air to rise upwards, we need temperatures to reach or exceed 19

celsius and that is not happening for any length of time and instead of the arising and those pollution particles dispersing through the atmosphere, they will instead get trapped in the lowest kilometre two, bringing hazy skies and some high to very high levels of pollution. more of that as we go through friday, most of us enjoying the warm spells of sunshine, with temperatures in the high teens the low 20s, more of that this weekend, it is next week that this weekend, it is next week that the air turns a lot colder, frost becomes a lot more widespread and there will be some showers, perhaps wintry across the hills in the north. that is the latest.

i'm laura trevelyan in washington and this is bbc world news america. madeleine albright — america's first female secretary of state — has died from cancer. she came to america as a child, a refugee from czechoslovakia, and went on to become the country's top diplomat under president clinton. in ukraine, reports of a fightback against russian forces in a suburb west of kyiv — but ukraine says russia's destroyed a bridge that was vital for getting aid into the capital. president biden has landed in europe for an emergency nato summit — as the alliance announces plans to send more troops to eastern europe. the taliban abruptly orders girls�* secondary schools

in afghanistan to close on the day they were due to re—open. the girls had literallyjust sat down at the desks and the head