this is bbc news. these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world... as president biden heads to poland to meet ukrainian refugees, the us is expected to announce a deal to help the eu reduce its reliance on russian energy. with russia blocking aid convoys in southern ukraine, warnings that thousands of trapped residents may soon be forcibly transferred to russia. protests and prayers — we meet the russians desperately seeking an end to the war. a national outpouring of sadness in afghanistan after the taliban backtracks on reopening high schools for girls. after controversy injamaica, the duke and duchess of cambridge arrive in the bahamas for the final leg of their caribbean tour. the uk transport secretary says the boss of p&0 ferries should resign after he admitted the company broke the law

in sacking 800 workers. brazen, breathtaking arrogance, and i think he should go. he should resign now? he should. as they beat european champions italy in the world cup play—offs. meanwhile, wales will now face scotland or ukraine after hello and welcome if you re watching in the uk or around the world. the united states is expected to announce a major deal to provide the european union with large quantities of liquified natural gas, to help reduce its reliance on russian energy.

the deal will see washington provide the eu with at least 15 billion cubic metres of the fuel by the end of the year. the block has already said it will cut russian gas used by two thirds of this year in response to moscow �*s invasion of ukraine. president biden will later travel to poland to meet ukrainian refugees. earlier, he said that any use of chemical weapons by russia would trigger a response from nato. the authorities in mariupol said russian forces besieging the city are in the process of forcibly deporting 15,000 residents to russia from an eastern district they have managed to capture. mark lobel reports on the suffering in the besieged city. even burying relatives lost in this war is a struggle. this mourner couldn't recover her dead family member for a while as the fighting went on. there is no good news in marry pole these days. these residents escaped after things got desperate.

translation: we drained waterfrom heating pipes and boiled tea with that, for children and the elderly first. for the tens of thousands that remain, this is their only salvation. with russia blocking humanitarian convoys, pro—russian troops have monopolised aid here. ukrainian authorities warn thousands of trapped residents may soon be forcibly transferred to russia. some that flee here could end up in america. the us says it will take in up to 100,000 ukrainian refugees ahead of president biden�*s visit to poland on friday, where over 2 million refugees have already arrived. on thursday, president biden was one of 30 world leaders in brussels. they agreed to move more nato forces closer to russia to put more sanctions on them, and supply more weapons to ukraine. nato has never, never been more united than it is today.

putin is getting exactly the opposite of what he intended to have as a consequence of going into ukraine. president biden also said a russian chemical or biological weapons attack in ukraine would receive a response in kind. 0n the battlefield, this russian landing ship was destroyed in the occupied ukrainian port city of berdansk. worryingly, the man in moscow dubs the most active anti—russian leader says he is not optimistic that putin wants peace. i think he has decided to double down and to try to take the great cities in ukraine in the way that he has always tried to do, and i think that is a tragic mistake. which means there may be more stories like this 15—year—old's. he was fleeing in a car when it hit

a mine in chernihiv. has mother didn't survive. he is left with a broken leg, brain injury and sleepless nights, holding his beloved guitar tight. as his fellow ukrainians hold out against a brutal russian onslaught, now into its second month. joining me now is professor mary kaldor, director of the conflict research programme at the london school of economics. thank you very much forjoining us. how great do you believe the threat is that president putin will resort to chemical weapons of some sort? well, he has already used chemical weapons. he used novichock in salisbury, and he used it against his opposition. he doesn't actually have much because he is a signatory to the chemical weapons invention. let me halt you there, we need to go

to the press conference with president biden.— to the press conference with president biden. let's listen in. comina president biden. let's listen in. coming together _ president biden. let's listen in. coming together to _ president biden. let's listen in. coming together to reduce - president biden. let's listen in. coming together to reduce the | coming together to reduce the dependency of europe on russian energy. britain is using it to manipulate his neighbours. he is using the profits to drive his war machines. that's why earlier this month i announced the united states would ban all imports of russian energy to make it clear that the american people would not be part of subsidising this unjustified war against ukraine. at the time, i noted that we were able to take this step when others could not because the us is a net exporter of energy with a strong domestic industry. the us welcomed the eu �*s powerful statement earlier this month, committing to rapidly reducing its dependence on russian gas. today, we have agreed on a joint game plan towards that goal, while accelerating our progress towards a

secure, clean energy future. this initiative focuses on two coalitions. 0ne, helping europe reduce its dependency on russian gas as quickly as possible. secondly, reducing in europe �*s demand for gas overall. to address the first point, the united states, together with our international partners, we are going to work to ensure an additional 15 billion cubic metres of liquefied natural gas for europe this year. and as the eu works to discontinue buying russian gas well before 2030, it will also work to make sure additional eu market demand for 50 billion cubic metres of us annually by 2030. to accomplish this, the european commission will work with member states to store gas across the continent, to build more infrastructure to receive the gas,

and take steps to increase the efficiency of gas. this will occur in a way that is consistent with not in a way that is consistent with not in conflict with the net zero climate goal that we are shooting for. it is going to take some time to adjust gas supply chains and infrastructure as it has been for the last decade, so we will have to make sure that families in europe can get through this winter and the next while we are building an infrastructure for a diversified, resilient, clean energy future. at the same time, this crisis also presents an opportunity. it is a catalyst that will drive the investments we need to double down on our clean energy goals and accelerate progress. that is the second part of this initiative, the united states and the european union are going to work together to take

concrete measures to reduce dependence on natural gas. and also to maximise the availability and use of renewable energy. we are going to accelerate widespread adoption of energy efficient technologies and equipment like smart thermostats that work to electrify heating systems all across europe. we will invest in innovative solutions and technologies to make the switch from fossil fuels, technologies to make the switch from fossilfuels, and technologies to make the switch from fossil fuels, and together, technologies to make the switch from fossilfuels, and together, we technologies to make the switch from fossil fuels, and together, we will advance the use of clean and renewable hydrogen to reduce our carbon emissions. these steps will increase energy security, economic security, and national security. we are going to have a joint task force to drive progress and implement these changes. it will be chaired by representatives from the white house and president of the european commission. i know that eliminating

russian gas will have costs for europe, but it is not only the right thing to do from a moral standpoint, it's going to put us on a much stronger strategic footing, and i am proud to announce that we have also reached another major breakthrough. privacy and security are key elements of my digital agenda, and today we have agreed to unprecedented protections for data privacy and security for our citizens. this new arrangement will handle a privacy shield framework. it will help companies, both small and large, compete in the digital economy, just as we did when we resolved the boeing airbus dispute. the eu and the us are finding creative new approaches to knit our economies and our people closer together, grounded on shared values. this framework underscores our

shared commitment to privacy, to data protection, and to the rule of law, and it is going to allow the european commission to once again authorise transatlantic data flows and help facilitate $7.1 trillion for the eu. so, and help facilitate $7.1 trillion forthe eu. so, thank and help facilitate $7.1 trillion for the eu. so, thank you again, madam president, for your personal friendship, for your partnership, and above all, your leadership. all of this is bringing the european union and united states closer together, and that is a wind for all of us. i thank you all, and i am now going to yield the podium to the president. let me pull this out. i am earning my salary here. is it out enough? there you go. thank you.

mr president, your presence here in brussels _ mr president, your presence here in brussels this week at the nato summit, — brussels this week at the nato summit, at the g7, and at our european— summit, at the g7, and at our european council, sends a very powerful— european council, sends a very powerful message to the world. the transatlantic partnership stands stronger— transatlantic partnership stands stronger and more united than ever, and we _ stronger and more united than ever, and we are _ stronger and more united than ever, and we are determined to stand up against _ and we are determined to stand up against russia '5 brutal war. this war will— against russia '5 brutal war. this war will be — against russia '5 brutal war. this war will be a strategic failure for putin _ war will be a strategic failure for putin our— war will be a strategic failure for putin. 0ur cooperation on the fourth successive _ putin. 0ur cooperation on the fourth successive waves of sanctions against — successive waves of sanctions against russia has been extraordinary and exceptional. the sanctions — extraordinary and exceptional. the sanctions are now working their way deep _ sanctions are now working their way deep into— sanctions are now working their way deep into the russian system, training — deep into the russian system, training putin 's deep into the russian system, training putin '5 resources to finance — training putin '5 resources to finance this atrocious war. i will work— finance this atrocious war. i will work on — finance this atrocious war. i will work on sanctions also shows that when _ work on sanctions also shows that when we — work on sanctions also shows that when we act together, we are stronger— when we act together, we are stronger and we really can make a difference — stronger and we really can make a difference. we are continuing to

reinforce — difference. we are continuing to reinforce our cooperation in many strategic— reinforce our cooperation in many strategic ways. 0n humanitarian and security— strategic ways. 0n humanitarian and security assistance to ukraine, on energy. _ security assistance to ukraine, on energy. on— security assistance to ukraine, on energy, on fighting the threats against — energy, on fighting the threats against our democracy is, on solving outstanding — against our democracy is, on solving outstanding issues in the eu — us cooperation, including on data protection and privacy. in a world faced _ protection and privacy. in a world faced with — protection and privacy. in a world faced with disorder, our transatlantic unity upholds the fundamental values and rules that our citizens believe in. let me focus — our citizens believe in. let me focus first— our citizens believe in. let me focus first on refugees. until now, around _ focus first on refugees. until now, around 35— focus first on refugees. until now, around 3.5 million people have left ukraine _ around 3.5 million people have left ukraine. half of them are children. every— ukraine. half of them are children. every second refugee is a child. the numbers— every second refugee is a child. the numbers will keep rising so together we are _ numbers will keep rising so together we are mobilising massive resources to support _ we are mobilising massive resources to support those displaced by the conflict, — to support those displaced by the conflict, be it in ukraine, or in neighbouring countries. just this week, _ neighbouring countries. just this

week, for— neighbouring countries. just this week, for example, iannounce neighbouring countries. just this week, for example, i announce that the european union will allocate an extra _ the european union will allocate an extra 54 _ the european union will allocate an extra 3.4 billion euros for this purpose. _ extra 3.4 billion euros for this purpose, and more will come. this demonstrates our deep support for ukraine _ demonstrates our deep support for ukraine and its citizens. i want to tell the _ ukraine and its citizens. i want to tell the american people how grateful europe is for their unwavering support. this support also extends to strengthening your '5 also extends to strengthening your 's energy— also extends to strengthening your '5 energy security and independence from russian fossil fuels. as you know, _ from russian fossil fuels. as you know. we — from russian fossil fuels. as you know, we aim to reduce this dependency on russian fossil fuels and to— dependency on russian fossil fuels and to get— dependency on russian fossil fuels and to get rid of it. this can only be achieved _ and to get rid of it. this can only be achieved through of course the first of— be achieved through of course the first of all— be achieved through of course the first of all investment in renewables, but also through additional gas supplies, including natural— additional gas supplies, including natural gas deliveries, so we want is your— natural gas deliveries, so we want is your peers to diversify away from russia _ is your peers to diversify away from russia towards suppliers that we trust _ russia towards suppliers that we trust that— russia towards suppliers that we trust that are our friends, and that are reliable —

trust that are our friends, and that are reliable. therefore, the us commitment to provide the european union _ commitment to provide the european union with— commitment to provide the european union with additional, at least 15 trillion— union with additional, at least 15 billion cubic metres of liquid natural— billion cubic metres of liquid natural gas this year is a big step in this— natural gas this year is a big step in this direction because this will replace — in this direction because this will replace the lng supply we currently receive _ replace the lng supply we currently receive from russia. looking ahead, the united _ receive from russia. looking ahead, the united states and europe will make _ the united states and europe will make sure stable demand and supply for additional at least 50 billion cubic— for additional at least 50 billion cubic metres of us lng until 2030. if we cubic metres of us lng until 2030. if we look— cubic metres of us lng until 2030. if we look at that, this amount, 50 irillion— if we look at that, this amount, 50 billion cubic — if we look at that, this amount, 50 billion cubic metres per year, is replacing — billion cubic metres per year, is replacing one third already offer russian — replacing one third already offer russian gas going to europe today, so we _ russian gas going to europe today, so we are _ russian gas going to europe today, so we are right on track now to diversify— so we are right on track now to diversify away from russian gas, and towards _ diversify away from russian gas, and towards our— diversify away from russian gas, and towards our friends and partners reliable — towards our friends and partners reliable and trustworthy suppliers.

we need _ reliable and trustworthy suppliers. we need to secure our supplies, not 'ust we need to secure our supplies, not just for— we need to secure our supplies, not just for next — we need to secure our supplies, not just for next winter, but also for the years— just for next winter, but also for the years ahead, and this is an important _ the years ahead, and this is an important and big starting point to do that _ important and big starting point to do that. our partnership aims to do that. 0ur partnership aims to sustain— do that. 0ur partnership aims to sustain us— do that. our partnership aims to sustain us through this war, to work on our— sustain us through this war, to work on our independence from russian fossil— on our independence from russian fossil fuels, on our independence from russian fossilfuels, but on our independence from russian fossil fuels, but it also focuses on building _ fossil fuels, but it also focuses on building a — fossil fuels, but it also focuses on building a greener future with climate — building a greener future with climate neutrality. we will work together— climate neutrality. we will work together also with our energy intensive industry, and the good news _ intensive industry, and the good news is — intensive industry, and the good news is that the infrastructure that we use _ news is that the infrastructure that we use for— news is that the infrastructure that we use for gas today can be used for clean _ we use for gas today can be used for clean hydrogen in the future, so this investment we are doing right now is— this investment we are doing right now is also— this investment we are doing right now is also an investment in the decarbonising of our economy. the cooperation— decarbonising of our economy. the cooperation shows the power of our democracies. i particularly welcome that we _ democracies. i particularly welcome that we will step up our respective action— that we will step up our respective action on— that we will step up our respective action on strengthening democracy the rule _ action on strengthening democracy the rule of— action on strengthening democracy

the rule of law, the freedom of media — the rule of law, the freedom of media in— the rule of law, the freedom of media in the world, and we also need to continue _ media in the world, and we also need to continue adapting our own democracies to a changing world. this is— democracies to a changing world. this is particular true when it comes— this is particular true when it comes to _ this is particular true when it comes to digitalisation, in which the protection of personal data and privacy— the protection of personal data and privacy has — the protection of personal data and privacy has become so crucial. therefore. _ privacy has become so crucial. therefore, i am very pleased that we have found _ therefore, i am very pleased that we have found an agreement in principle on a new— have found an agreement in principle on a new framework for transatlantic data flows _ on a new framework for transatlantic data flows. this will enable predictable and trustworthy data flows _ predictable and trustworthy data flows between the eu and us, safeguarding privacy and civil liberties. i really want to thank the commissioner and secretary for their tireless efforts over the past month— their tireless efforts over the past month to — their tireless efforts over the past month to finish a balanced and effective — month to finish a balanced and effective solution. this is another step in— effective solution. this is another step in strengthening our partnership. we managed to balance

security— partnership. we managed to balance security and the right to privacy and data — security and the right to privacy and data protection. mr president, putin— and data protection. mr president, putin is— and data protection. mr president, putin is trying to turn back the clock— putin is trying to turn back the clock to — putin is trying to turn back the clock to another era. an era of brutal— clock to another era. an era of brutal use _ clock to another era. an era of brutal use of force, of power politics. _ brutal use of force, of power politics, of spheres of influence, and internal repression. i am confident— and internal repression. i am confident he will fail. we are working _ confident he will fail. we are working together to forge a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future _ peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future and _ peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future. and i know we will succeed. thank— future. and i know we will succeed. thank you _ future. and i know we will succeed. thank you very much. thank you. well, no questions. we thought they might answer one or two, but no, they have left the podium. we all noted president biden kindly put it in orderfor the noted president biden kindly put it in order for the president of the european commission, giving hera box to stand on. he said that

speaking of the deal where the us will help the european union reduce its reliance on russian gas and gas as a whole, as we head towards a hoped for future of net zero. he says this puts you around the us on a stronger strategic footing. ursula von the line for her part said that sanctions are working, and they are draining the resources that putin relies upon in his war and says we are confident that putin will fail. waiting very patiently is professor marie calder who we were talking to before that press conference started. thank you for hanging on. we were talking about what the options are, in terms of chemical weapons. you were saying that president putin does not have a lot

stockpiled. expand on that, if you would. ~ ., , �* , ., would. well, he doesn't, but what he can use, would. well, he doesn't, but what he can use. which _ would. well, he doesn't, but what he can use, which is _ would. well, he doesn't, but what he can use, which is what _ would. well, he doesn't, but what he can use, which is what president - can use, which is what president assad uses, is chlorine. the chemical weapons convention just four bids, it has something called the general purpose criterion, which forbids the use of chemicals for military purposes. so there are lots of industrial chemicals that could be used for military purposes. the most obvious one is chlorine, which assad used extensively in syria. the thing about chemical weapons is you can defend against them, so you don't really use them for military purposes against soldiers. they are purely against civilians. they are a terror weapon. the strategy in southern ukraine seems to be to empty the population and chemical weapons, the use of chlorine, the terrifying use of something like novichock, could be a way of doing that. , �* ., , ., that. president biden has said that an use of that. president biden has said that

any use of chemical _ that. president biden has said that any use of chemical weapons - that. president biden has said that| any use of chemical weapons would see a nato response. we don't know what that response will be. how much of a warning will that be to president putin, to step back from that idea? ~ ., �* ,, ., that idea? well, i don't know. i really don't _ that idea? well, i don't know. i really don't understand - that idea? well, i don't know. i really don't understand how - really don't understand how deterrence are supposed to work. this war is a lesson to us that years ago we should have been promoting nuclear disarmament on a much more ambitious scale, and that we need to uphold the norms in the chemical and biological weapons conventions because we really don't know, it is all a game of guess work. is putin mad question mark will nato intervene militarily? i doubt it, and probably putin doubts it. so, you know, what is the line? the line across which the west is prepared to cross in order to get involved militarily, and will that

produce an escalation, will we end “p produce an escalation, will we end up with a world war? these are all terribly difficult questions to answer. �* , ~ , terribly difficult questions to answer. . , . , answer. arguably, the west has said there are certain _ answer. arguably, the west has said there are certain red _ answer. arguably, the west has said there are certain red lines _ answer. arguably, the west has said there are certain red lines they - there are certain red lines they wouldn't see crossed, and then they have been crossed and there has been no response. when we were listening to that press conference just then from president biden and the european commissioner, talking about bypassing gas, draining him of the resources, to what extent is president putin being backed into a corner? ~ , , , corner? well, he definitely is being backed into — corner? well, he definitely is being backed into a _ corner? well, he definitely is being backed into a corner. _ corner? well, he definitely is being backed into a corner. he _ corner? well, he definitely is being backed into a corner. he was - corner? well, he definitely is being l backed into a corner. he was backed into a corner by his own actions because he totally miscalculated in invading ukraine, unless his aim was tojust produce the invading ukraine, unless his aim was to just produce the disintegration of ukraine and a long walk which is on the borders of europe, and that is possible. but certainly, you know, we don't know how much he has

been backed into a corner and we don't know whether he is mad or whether he is pretending to be mad because it serves his purposes. i think the most important point to make is at what point do russians react, at what point do russian soldiers refused to fight question what we have already had a few of these examples, but at what point does the russian opposition, including very merry deli macro —— very many establishment people, that's really when the war will end and we have to think about that. what president is there, remind us from history, when russian soldiers have independently refused? weill. have independently refused? well, obviously 1917 _ have independently refused? well, obviously 1917 when _ have independently refused? well, obviously 1917 when the _ have independently refused? -ii obviously 1917 when the russian revolution happened. but the first chechen war was stopped by russian opposition and by soldiers mothers. and we are seeing that now, aren't we, at some risk to them protesting? we are also being told that nato is

turning eastwards, that there will be more nato exercises on the eastern flank of the block. to what extent, though, is that a deterrent, or is it something that willjust stoke the fires? i or is it something that will 'ust stoke the firefli stoke the fires? i think it is important _ stoke the fires? i think it is important to _ stoke the fires? i think it is important to distinguish . stoke the fires? i think it is - important to distinguish between deterrence by defence and deterrence by retaliation. i think ukraine has shown how effective defence can be, and that obviously, you know, obviously strengthen defences of nato is important, but what's dangerous is threatening to retaliate. it's really difficult to get that right.— retaliate. it's really difficult to get that right. retaliate. it's really difficult to net that riuht. ., , ., ~' ,, get that right. professor, thank you ve much get that right. professor, thank you very much for— get that right. professor, thank you very much forjoining _ get that right. professor, thank you very much forjoining us _ get that right. professor, thank you very much forjoining us this - very much forjoining us this morning. thank you again for your patience. morning. thank you again for your atience. . ~ morning. thank you again for your atience. ., ,, , ., patience. 0k, thank you. b e. patience. 0k, thank you. we let's _ patience. 0k, thank you. bye. let's get _ patience. 0k, thank you. bye. let's get the - patience. 0k, thank you. bye. let's get the latest | patience. 0k, thank you. i bye. let's get the latest on patience. 0k, thank you. - bye. let's get the latest on your 's bye. let's get the latest on your �*s response to the war in ukraine. 0ur correspondentjessica parker

is in brussels where the gathering of western leaders goes on. we were hearing that press conference from joe biden and ursula von der leyen. conference from joe biden and ursula von der leyen— conference from joe biden and ursula von der leyen. remind us of what has been agreed- — von der leyen. remind us of what has been agreed. yes, _ von der leyen. remind us of what has been agreed. yes, so _ von der leyen. remind us of what has been agreed. yes, so this _ von der leyen. remind us of what has been agreed. yes, so this has - von der leyen. remind us of what has been agreed. yes, so this has been i been agreed. yes, so this has been building upfora been agreed. yes, so this has been building up for a few days, but what they have agreed to is that the us, alongside partners, they say, are going to try and supply 15 billion cubic metres of liquefied natural gas to europe this year, and then build on those supplies over the coming years. this is, of course, to try and help the eu wean itself off russian gas supplies. why does the european union want to do that? well, of course, the reason is a rather obvious. 0ne well, of course, the reason is a rather obvious. one of them, russian is no longer seen as a reliable supplier. another reason has been before all of this that they wanted to try and move off fossil fuels generally as they invest in renewables. but of course, one of the really big reason at the moment

is a deep, deep discomfort, particularly amongst some eu member states, about the amount of money the eu is effectively handing the kremlin to fund potentially its war in ukraine, by buying all of this russian gas, oil and coal. so what we are seeing here is this sort of shift of moving away from dependency, as much as it is trying to do at the moment, the eu, from the east, and moving towards the west, america. but of course, this is still a reliance to some extent on fossil fuels, and is still a reliance to some extent on fossilfuels, and i noticed they are quite anxious in their announcement to talk about how they are going to try to do all they can to reduce the greenhouse gas intensity of bringing all this lng to the european union. but this is the reality of the situation at the moment. the eu under a lot of political pressure to move away from russian energy supplies. and political pressure to move away from russian energy supplies.— russian energy supplies. and it is costl , it russian energy supplies. and it is costly. it has _ russian energy supplies. and it is costly, it has got _ russian energy supplies. and it is costly, it has got to _ russian energy supplies. and it is costly, it has got to be _ russian energy supplies. and it is costly, it has got to be shipped i russian energy supplies. and it is i costly, it has got to be shipped and then distributed.—

then distributed. yes, so it has to be shipped. _ then distributed. yes, so it has to be shipped. as — then distributed. yes, so it has to be shipped. as you _ then distributed. yes, so it has to be shipped, as you say, _ then distributed. yes, so it has to be shipped, as you say, across i then distributed. yes, so it has to be shipped, as you say, across a l be shipped, as you say, across a long distance. then there needs to be the infrastructure in place in order to absorb those supplies of lng. and then, the countries that don't have seaports, landlocked countries in europe, it does then got to be moved to supply them. so the kinds of details will be looking out for is exactly how they plan to do this, and what infrastructure really can be in place in order to match his ambitions up to 2030. so it is going to be expensive, i think. and that is when already european household like uk households are struggling with energy bills. households are struggling with energy bills-— energy bills. jessica park in brussels. _ energy bills. jessica park in brussels, thank _ energy bills. jessica park in brussels, thank you. - presidentjoe biden is due to meet ukrainian refugees on the polish—ukrainian border today. let's cross live to our correspondent mark lowen, who's in warsaw. millions of them, of course, now in poland, mark. millions of them, of course, now in poland, mark-— millions of them, of course, now in poland, mark. more than 2.2 million, and president — poland, mark. more than 2.2 million, and president biden _ poland, mark. more than 2.2 million, and president biden coming - poland, mark. more than 2.2 million, and president biden coming in - poland, mark. more than 2.2 million, and president biden coming in part i and president biden coming in part to thank the polish government and

the polish people for the welcome that they have shown to the ukrainian refugees. also coming with the promise that the us will take in 100,000 itself of the ukrainian refugees, and also will provide $1 billion in humanitarian aid. but his first stop is not here in warsaw. he first stop is not here in warsaw. he first prize to a city on the border overin first prize to a city on the border over in the east, and it is a city thatis over in the east, and it is a city that is beginning to feel on edge where the municipality is approaching the owners of private apartment buildings to see whether they can clean up and re—purpose of they can clean up and re—purpose of the cold war era shelters and basements in the bottom of apartment buildings to make them fit for purpose, in case of a russian attack. that shows you how on edge that city is. he will also meet american troops stationed there, some 9000 american troops in poland, shoring up the eastern flank. and he will meet some of the new arrivals. this is a visit of the guarantor of

european security, the president of the united states going to the eastern edge of a continent whose allusions about post—war peace have been shattered. allusions about post-war peace have been shattered.— been shattered. meeting the polish resident been shattered. meeting the polish president as _ been shattered. meeting the polish president as well, _ been shattered. meeting the polish president as well, what _ been shattered. meeting the polish president as well, what is - been shattered. meeting the polish president as well, what is he - been shattered. meeting the polish president as well, what is he likely| president as well, what is he likely to ask for? i president as well, what is he likely to ask for? ~ , to ask for? i think he will be askin: to ask for? i think he will be asking for — to ask for? i think he will be asking for more _ to ask for? i think he will be asking for more assistance i to ask for? i think he will be i asking for more assistance and to ask for? i think he will be - asking for more assistance and more burden sharing with the refugees. bearin burden sharing with the refugees. bear in mind that, even though the polish people have opened their hearts and homes to ukrainian refugees, this is now a crisis which is beginning to feel like a financial burden on poland as well. even though the refugees say they want to be able to go home soon, there was busily no sign of the war ending, so poland is having to now plan for long—term integration for these refugees, giving them school places, access to social security and the labour market. poland seems to be willing to do that for the time being, but also wants to be able to have more of the burden shared, and more financial aid.

another point to make is that president biden �*s visit comes on the back of a disagreement of some sorts between poland and the us. a couple of weeks ago, the polish government said it was going to send some polish fighterjets to an american base in germany, to then be deployed in ukraine. 0nly american base in germany, to then be deployed in ukraine. only for the americans to come out and say we were not consulted and we reject that because they were fearing that that because they were fearing that that would seem like a direct military confrontation between nato and russia. so what president biden wants to do is to smooth over the disagreement and present the western alliance has been totally united and totally, kind of, with a new resolve and new purpose, reinvigorated by russian aggression, knowing that of course any division amongst western nations could be exploited by gluten. nations could be exploited by aluten. . ~ nations could be exploited by aluten. .. ~' ,, nations could be exploited by ukrainian officials say they fear 300 people were killed in the russian strike on a theatre in mariupol. the humanitarian situation inside the besieged city is continuing to deteriorate, with an estimated 100,000 civilians running out

of food and basic supplies. wyre davies reports from the southern road towards mariupol where defensive ukrainian positions are preparing for the next phase in the conflict. after four weeks of war, russia will have thought it would have made more progress than this. in the last couple of days, neither side seems to have made too much progress on the ground. these are the last ukrainian defensive position south of the country before the front line which is two kilometres away. it is very dangerous, mortars and shells have been landing in this area over the last couple of days. in the distance, we have heard the sound of bombing and shelling in the city of mariupol which isjust bombing and shelling in the city of mariupol which is just down the road. here they are dug in for the long haul. these are trenches on the defensive line of the ukrainian forces. there is bedding, food and

water and weapons. guns and ammunition ready to defend these positions. the big question for the ukrainians is what do the russians do next? do they try and punch through on the ground which so far it has not been a tactic that has worked for russia, or do they bombard cities and towns like these? like they have done to mariupol, sheu like they have done to mariupol, shell into virtual oblivion? the us and the eu announce a major deal on liquified natural gas, in an attempt to reduce europe's reliance on russian energy. we are going to work to ensure an additional cubic metres of gas for europe this year? with russia blocking aid convoys in southern ukraine, warnings that thousands of trapped residents may soon be forcibly transferred to russia. protests and prayers — we meet the russians desperately seeking an end to the war.

a national outpouring of sadness in afghanistan after the taliban backtracks on reopening high schools for girls. after controversy injamaica, the duke and duchess of cambridge arrive in the bahamas for the final leg of their caribbean tour. the uk transport secretary says the boss of p&0 ferries should resign after he admitted the company broke the law in sacking 800 workers. brazen breathtaking arrogance and i think he should go. he should resign now? he should. football celebrations in north macedonia — as they beat european champions italy in the world cup play offs —— meanwhile wales will now face scotland or ukraine after beating austria. sport now, and we've a full round up from the bbc sport centre. good morning...

just 8 months after winning the european championship, italy have failed to reach the world cup finals for the second time running. they were beaten in palermo by north macedona, who scored the only goal of their play—off semi—final in added time. veteran italy defender giorgio chiellini said they were "crushed", but he admitted they'd been poor throughout qualifying. well, these were the scenes in skopyeh, the capital of north macedonia, as fans celebrated. they have one more hurdle to overcome — a play—off final against portugal — as they bid to reach the world cup for the first time. wales are one match away from a first world cup in 64 yea rs. captain gareth bale was the driving force in their 2—1 win over austria in cardiff, scoring both wales goals. they still have a final against scotland or ukraine to come but they feel anything is possible

with their captain. when you've got somebody like gareth and there are questions whether he was going to be fit or not, even if he is 60, 70% fit, he is going to play because you know he can win games for you and he steps up to the plate. aaron is the same. aaron ramsey has won games for us before, at home, to get us promoted from b to a. and when you've got big players like that, if there is a chance of them being fit, you play them because you know at any given time they can give a performance like that. portugal made it through with a 3—1 victory over turkey. and sweden's1—nilwin over the czech republic earns them a play—off final against poland. australia's dominance at the women's world cup continued, with victory over bangladesh. that kept their 100 percent record in the group stage in tact. they were given a scare though — chasing 136 to win, australia lost 3 wickets for 4 runs at one stage, but beth mooney hit 66 to help them

to a five wicket victory. as group winners, they'll meet the fourth—placed team in the quarterfinals. england's men's bowlers will take to a lively pitch later on friday, for day two of the third and deciding test against west indies in grenada. after another batting collapse, england were floundering on 114—9, before the tail enders came to the rescue with a last—wicket stand of 90 betweenjack leach and sackib mah—mood. they made 204 all out, just before the close. and finally some news in within the last hour. sebastian vettel will miss sunday's saudi arabian, grand prix — he's failed to recover from covid—19 in time. he missed the season—opener in bahrain last weekend, but his aston martin team, expect him to be fit, for round three in australia, on april the 10th. he'll again be replaced by reserve driver, nico hulkenberg in jeddah.

that's all the sport for now. the transport secretary grant shapps says the p&0 ferries boss should resign over the no—notice sackings of 800 staff. peter hebblethwaite yesterday admitted to mps that he broke the law when not consulting unions but said he would make the same decision again if he had to. let's speak to our political correspondent iain watson. the mps he appeared in front of were aghast at some of his answers. thea;r aghast at some of his answers. they were unimpressed _ aghast at some of his answers. they were unimpressed to _ aghast at some of his answers. tie: were unimpressed to say the aghast at some of his answers. ti9:1 were unimpressed to say the least. 0ne mp, the chair of the business committee said that perhaps peter hebblethwaite was a shameless criminal. that gives you an idea of the atmosphere and should be prosecuted, the chair of the transport committee, the conservative mp said he should resign. those calls for resignation, the chief executive of p&0 ferries

have been repeated today. what has angered mps and other people, a range of things. there was an issue of whether the law was broken by not giving enough consultation to the workforce but two other things came up workforce but two other things came up that people not like either. the fairies were flat abroad in cyprus and the bahamas, it was not necessary to give the british government proper notification of p80 government proper notification of p&0 ferries intentions. but what really annoyed the mps was the intention to take on agency staff at £5 50 an hour and the ceo salary is... that figure is far less than the minimum wage here. today, the transport secretary fired off at peter hebblethwaite and suggested that he had made a pigs ear and a dogs dinner of the sackings and called for his resignation.

the idea that you come to parliament, you deliberately... you admit that you deliberately set out to break the law, it's not some sort of accident, some mistake, deliberately do that in order to sack your staff and bring in below—minimum—wage people and that you will buy off the staff to do that is quite simply unacceptable, they've exploited loopholes, they've been completely disgraceful. and i am clear that is no way to behave and not the right individual to have at the top of a british business. he said he is going to try and force a u—turn from b and all. a package of measures unveiled next week. with cross party support. the most immediate term over the next few daysis immediate term over the next few days is saying that he and all fairly is cannot sail in any case because he has been ensuring they are getting safety inspections, very

detailed safety inspections. then we expect a package of measures that perhaps you could insist that boats which are in british waters would have to pay the minimum wage to the seafarers on board and that would stop p&o from trying to undercut british star. it is difficult to see how it would work in practice. we would have to see some of the detail. p&0 have argued throughout that the business is not viable, losing £100 million, and if you were to take those claims at face value, thenif to take those claims at face value, then if the government were to say you are going to have to pay your staff more cash, the question is whether p&0 would continue to provide the service or try and withdraw entirely. i do not think their bluff has been called, i tried to call p&0 to get a reaction to what will grant sharps was saying this morning but they have not been in touch with me. it is still an

open question. the determination across political parties to try and take p&0 on and at least at the very least put pressure on them to try and reinstate some of the staff who wish to go back, many others are looking for and finding jobs elsewhere. another aspect of this which people are also concerned about is if you go down existing legal routes, p&0 only saying they are going to compensate workers for the lack of notice as long as they do not pursue legal action against the company. ido i do not think we have heard the end of this. in russia, protesters have taken to the streets to protest against the war. life for many has changed dramatically because of the economic sanctions. 0ur russia editor, steve rosenberg reports from st petersberg. at the age of 76, she's a prolific artist but, for yelena 0sipova, the priority now isn't paintings, it's placards. they�* re anti—war and anti—putin.

"putin is war," this one says. "we don't want to die for putin." after russia attacked ukraine, yelena took to the streets of st petersburg. like many anti—war protests in russia, it ended like this. she describes one of her favourite placards the police haven't given back. translation: i'd been given some red tulips, beautiful young flowers. but very quickly, they died and wilted. they reminded me of young men falling into their graves, so i made a poster and wrote, "the people were being sent to their deaths." in vladimir putin's home city, home truths about ukraine... ..and deep concern. this human rights group

is taking calls from russian mothers worried that their conscript sons are in ukraine. under intense pressure from the authorities, the group is having to close down. translation: the authorities prefer to cover up problems, to give society a false picture that everything in the army's absolutely fine. they want soldiers' mothers to be patient and to be silent. for the staff, a moment of reflection and prayers for an end to the fighting. but, when this conflict does end, life here will never be the same. when vladimir putin came to power in russia more than 20 years ago, he promised russians security and stability. today, his army is suffering losses in ukraine, the economy here is suffering

from sanctions and russia is facing growing international isolation. but, from the kremlin, no hint of regret. quite the opposite. the authorities are rallying support for their offensive in ukraine. st petersburg riot police made this video to show they back it. the letter z has become the symbol for the kremlin's special operation. and many russians believe their president has got it right. "i trust him 100%," dennis says, "no, 150%." but then vladimir putin controls the media here and the messaging. without that, it would be much harder to convince his people that he is taking russia in the right direction. steve rosenberg, bbc news, st petersburg.

since the war in ukraine began, more than ten million people have been displaced. but without the country's trains many of them would have been trapped on the front line. our special correspondent fergal keane begins his report in the western city of lviv and looks at how the nation's trains have been rescuing millions. it is the sound of reassurance in a world of chaos. the rescue express. rolling through the night... ..and the day from lviv to the war zones of the east and back. keeping these trains running, running on time as they do, takes the work of so many people at all different levels on the railways. without them, it simply wouldn't have been possible to evacuate millions of people from the danger zone. many are railway veterans,

who started work in soviet times and are now rescuing people from their own home towns. it is really terrifying. i'm from kharkiv in my native city is being bombed. i can feel it and i can see it but i cannot believe it. this is what people are fleeing. home is no longer safe. the war has displaced over 10 million. and sent many fleeing onto trains heading west. dawn, and arrival at kyiv.

this family is heading to lviv. my heart is bleeding. i don't want to leave my home but it's my duty to keep my children safe. when we will win the war, i'll take them back home. this grandad hugs his wife but he must stay behind to care for an elderly relative. the women carry the burdens of exile. the family reached lviv

eight hours later. but they've already caught another rescue train. west to peace and exile. fergal keane, bbc news, lviv. eu officials have agreed a plan to clamp down on anti—competitive action by the world s largest technology platforms, in a move aimed at levelling the playing field across global digital markets. our technology correspondent, james clayton has more details. this law contains pretty much everything that big tech would not want in a law because for years and years and years companies like google, apple and meta have been accused of being gatekeepers in their field. that essentially they use their products to give themselves an unfair advantage for other products that they sell. for example, apple, with the app store and it can,

essentially, set the rules on who can and cannot sell apps in the store. they also charge up to 30% commission. those kinds of stories you have heard over and over again, criticism that they are not playing by fair rules. and many of these companies are colossal companies. they are companies with trillions of dollars and the question is how did they get to be so big? many people including the anti—trust tsar for the eu think they got there unfairly, that they are not playing by the rules that many other smaller companies play by and as a result they need their wings clipped. so this is a very significant law. if it were, indeed, to come into force and it is a law that big tech will push against very, very heavily. obviously they have a lot of money and

expensive lawyers that they will use to try and fight this. but this could be very damaging for a key sector for big tech. let s round—up some of the other main stories the us has charged four russian government employees with cyber—attacks on the global energy sector. they're accused of targeting hundreds of companies and organisations in around 135 countries over a six—year period. their activities are said to have caused two separate emergency shutdowns at one facility in saudi arabia. ethiopia has declared an indefinite humanitarian truce, which it says will allow aid to reach the tigray region. rebels there have not responded to the announcement. aid deliveries have been repeatedly blocked during 16 months of civil war. protestors have gathered outside the home of australian prime minister scott morrison in sydney to demand climate action. students held placards and rallied against the government's climate policies. police made a number of arrests for unauthorised protests elsewhere in the city.

the us and other western countries have condemned the taliban's decision to shut girls secondary schools in afghanistan just hours after reopening them, and urged the hardline islamist movement to open them. they said the decision harms the group's prospects for legitimacy. secunder karmani reports from the afghan capital, kabul. when the taliban closed her school last year, this girl began to draw at home. it has been more than six months now and her portfolio is filling up. this week she and her sister, like so many others, thought girls' secondary schools would finally reopen. i was dreaming for many nights that we would be back in class and happy. and believe me when we heard the news, it was hard to believe, it is like a nightmare for me. we've gone back 20 years

and a girl like me cannot continue to realise her dream. online, afghans have been sharing videos of sobbing teenage pupils. they arrived at school in the morning only to find out it is closing again. here, a tv presenter chokes up during a live segment. the western—backed government that used to be in power here was blighted by corruption. but one of the most significant gains you can point to over the past two decades, even if it was not perfect, was real improvement in girls access to education. and now with this abrupt and confusing u—turn by the taliban on schools reopening, it feels as if there has been a national outpouring of grief.

this man runs a charity promoting education in some of the most remote regions of afghanistan. he says even there some people are now thinking of leaving the country to ensure their daughters can go to school. thousands of people say that education is our right. it is not 1996, this is a new afghanistan and all people want to send their daughters and sisters in school. even in more conservative in rural areas? yes. the majority of people. they want these activities in remote areas. protesting against the taliban is dangerous. this small group of women gathered at an undisclosed location. "you have taken work and food away from us," they say, "do not take education as well." secunder kermani, bbc news.

the duke and duchess of cambridge, william and kate, have arrived in the bahamas for the final leg of their caribbean tour. the jamaican section attracted ecstatic crowds and criticism from campaigners seeking reparations from the monarchy for slavery. our royal correspondent, jonny dymond, is travelling with the couple. a farewell to jamaica in a traditional style. in his tropical uniform, prince william watched an international group of cadets mark the end of their training. for the best students, awards, and words of encouragement from a man who remembered his days as an officer. being asked to lead men and women through uncertainty and danger is daunting. you never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice. and then a drive down memory lane in the land rover the queen

and the duke of edinburgh rode in when they were here back in the �*60s. this ceremonial, thejoyful reception that william and kate got in downtown kingston, so far, so royal tour. but there's been real meat to this visit, too, when william addressed the legacy of britain's role in the enslavement of hundreds of thousands of people here injamaica when it was a british colony. at a reception later, kate met officers old and new, whilst william in his finery caught the eye of some. goodbye, jamaica, hello, the bahamas. this is the last stop of the couple's caribbean tour. another band, another guard of honour, and something a little different from an eight—year—old

girl — flowers to welcome the duchess. jonny dymond, bbc news, the bahamas. you are watching bbc news. lets ta ke lets take a look at the weather forecast. good morning. more like this today across much of the uk. a speu this today across much of the uk. a spell of fine spring weather continues and that means another day of sunny skies from dawn till dusk and a bit of warmth with that as well. the dry where there is still with the area of high pressure setting across at the moment. the weather front is almost in shetland but there are light winds and pollution levels have crept up throughout the week across the uk. across england and wales, medium are very high pollution levels but they

will improve as the wind changes direction at the weekend and next week. a gentle breeze, a bed of cloud, not everyone in the sunshine today, patchy cloud across the west of scotland and northern ireland. i rent shetland, a little bit of rain from the weather front we saw on the chart. blue skies, light winds for most of us. 21 celsius, warmest in yorkshire. this evening and overnight, the nights are chilly, low cloud across western scotland and northern ireland, mostly clear skies, patchy mist and fog and a chilly start to the weekend. some frost here and there to start saturday. little changes as far as sky colour, however, there will be low cloud in northern ireland and north and west scotland. brighter in shetland. the winds are light, a

breeze in the english channel. a drop in the temperature in the south, warmest in west wales and west of scotland. 19 celsius is a possibility. as you go through saturday night into sunday, the first signs of change, the clocks go forward one hour, and the arrival of grey skies in england and wales. low cloud over the north sea, it could linger during the day, the best of the sunshine across scotland and northern ireland. a cooler day across england and wales. it starts across england and wales. it starts a chain of events which brings different conditions next week. north—easterly winds will develop, the temperatures, approaching 20 degrees this week, next week, by the end of the week, single figures for all. that is how it is looking. see you soon.

this is bbc news. these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. the us and the eu announce a major deal on liquified natural gas, in an attempt to reduce europe's reliance on russian energy. we are going to work to ensure an additional 15 billion cubic metres of liquefied natural gas, lng, for europe this year. ukraine officials say it's thought 300 people died in last week's russian strike on a mariupol theatre where hundreds were sheltering. ukraine retakes towns and defensive positions up to 35 kilometres east of kyiv, as russian forces fall back on overextended supply lines. with russia blocking aid convoys in southern ukraine, warnings that thousands of trapped residents may soon be forcibly transferred to russia.

the uk transport secretary says the boss of p&o ferries should