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&0 ferries should resign after he admitted the company broke the law in sacking 800 workers. brazen, breathtaking arrogance. he should resign now. pregnant women with suspected pre—eclampsia will be offered a life saving test on the nhs to detect the condition. hello and welcome if you re watching in the uk or around the world. the us and the eu have announced a major deal on liquified natural gas, in an attempt to reduce europe's reliance on russian energy. the agreement will see the us provide the eu with at least 15 billion additional cubic metres of the fuel, known as lng

by the end of the year. the bloc has already said it will cut russian gas use in response to russia's invasion of ukraine. more on that in a moment, but let's take a look at the latest developments. ukraine officials say 300 could have died in the strike which hit a theatre where hundreds of people were sheltering. the uk ministry of defence says ukraine is re—occupying some towns and defensive positions up to 35km east of kyiv. us presidentjoe biden has said nato would respond if russia uses chemical weapons in ukraine. but more now on the agreement between the us and the eu to reduce dependency on russia gas. here's presidentjoe biden speaking earlier. we are going to work to ensure an additional 15 billion cubic metres of liquefied natural gas, lng, for europe this year. and as the eu works to discontinue buying russian gas, well before 2030, we will also work to ensure

additional eu market demand for 50 billion m3 of lng from the united states annually by 2030. to accomplish this, the european commission is going to work with the member states to store gas across the continent, to build more infrastructure to receive lng and to take steps to increase the efficiency of gas. this build—out will occur in a way that is consistent, 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 that was built before the last decade. so we are going to have to make sure that families in europe get through this winter and the next while we are building infrastructure for a diversified, resilient and clean energy future. at the same time, this crisis also presents a opportunity.

it is a catalyst, a catalyst that will drive the investments that we need to double down on our clean energy goals and accelerate progress. meanwhile president von der leyen said the eu's cooperation with the us sends a "powerful message" of solidarity against vladimir putin and the war in ukraine. the transatlantic partnership stands stronger and more united than ever, and we are determined to stand up against russia's brutal war. this war will be a strategic failure for putin. 0ur cooperation on the four successive waves of sanctions against russia has been extraordinary and exceptional. the sanctions are now working their way deep into the russian system, draining putin's resources to finance this atrocious war. our work on sanctions also shows

that when we act together, we are stronger and we really can make a difference. we are continuing to reinforce our cooperation in many strategic ways. 0n humanitarian and security assistance to ukraine, on energy, on fighting the threats against our democracies, on solving outstanding issues in the eu — us cooperation, including on data protection and privacy. 0ur brussels correspondent jessica parker explains how this deal has been put together so quickly. 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 litres of liquefied natural gas to europe this year, and then build on those supplies over the coming years. and this is, of course, to try and help the eu win its self

—— wean itself off of russian gas supplies. why does the european union want to do that? well, of course, the reasons are rather obvious. one of them, russia is no longer necessarily 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 reasons at the moment is a deep, deep discomfort, particularly among 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 more towards the west, america, but of course, this is still a reliance for now to some extent on fossil fuels and i noticed that they are quite anxious in their announcement to talk about how they are going to try and 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 politial pressure to move away from russian energy supplies. let's speak to our business correspondent, ramzan karmali. how big a deal is this lng? 0n the face of it, 15 billion cubic metres sounds like a lot, and at the moment, america is exporting 22 billion cubic metres, so it is a fare increase, definitely. but the eu as a whole in 2020 took over 500 million cubic metres, so it is relatively small amount, so don't forget also, 4% of all lng comes from russia, so there is a mountain to climb here. but at the same time, what this war has told everyone is

that russia is not a reliable supplier of this. we wanted to be tough on them and tough on not letting them fund their war effort, then got to make some difficult decisions. in europe already, some cost saving things like putting the thermostat down, the eu reckon that will save around 15.5 billion cubic metres of energy as well. so there are things that are being done. it is a slow process, but it is a step in the right direction. that is what the americans and the eu are saying. a lot of energy commentators have been warning about the need for security of energy supplies for years, so how likely is it that europe can actually fully wean itself off russian gas question mark the numbers are eye watering. fiaer the numbers are eye watering. over 200 million — the numbers are eye watering. over 200 million cubic— the numbers are eye watering. or 200 million cubic metres comes from russia. the americans are hoping by 2030 to give us billion. that's only a quarter. the eu are saying they are trying to reduce our reliance on

lng, so they are trying to reduce what they need but at the same time they are trying to also increase supplies from other areas around the world. germany, interestingly, has said by 2024 they don't want any lng from russia at all, so that is a big statement. whether they will be able to achieve it is another question. joe biden made a big point to emphasise that, this is part of the journey towards net zero.- journey towards net zero. exactly, and that is — journey towards net zero. exactly, and that is a _ journey towards net zero. exactly, and that is a difficult _ journey towards net zero. exactly, and that is a difficult thing. - journey towards net zero. exactly, and that is a difficult thing. in - and that is a difficult thing. in the uk we have been hearing about our move to try and increase electric charge points, and things like that. we are trying to get away from being reliant on fossil fuels. at the weekend, the biggest exporter of fossil fuels which is a state owned by saudi arabia, they came out and said that is never going to happen, people will always need fossil fuels. happen, people will always need fossilfuels. for happen, people will always need fossil fuels-— happen, people will always need fossilfuels. ., ., ., ~ fossilfuels. for the moment, thank ou ve fossilfuels. for the moment, thank you very much- _ 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 positions in the south of the country before the front line, which is two kilometres away. it is very dangerous here — 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 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, shell them into virtual oblivion? we arejust we are just hearing from the un world food programme that they are deeply concerned about food stocks in mariupol, the besieged city that we were just hearing about. an official says no food aid has yet reached the city, and we know that food and water and heat has been in short supply for some time now.

with me now is dr patricia lewis, who leads the international security programme at chatham house. a nuclear physicist by background. dr lewis, thank you forjoining us. western intelligence would appear to have been pretty correct about president putin �*s actions in recent weeks, so these warnings then about the potential use of chemical weapons, surely we should take them very seriously?— very seriously? yes, i think we should. very seriously? yes, i think we should- we — very seriously? yes, i think we should. we don't _ very seriously? yes, i think we should. we don't seem - very seriously? yes, i think we should. we don't seem to - very seriously? yes, i think we should. we don't seem to be l very seriously? yes, i think we i should. we don't seem to be able very seriously? yes, i think we - should. we don't seem to be able to rule anything out when it comes to president putin. he has obvious he made a lot of decisions that have been based on misinformation and misinterpretation but he has taken high risks nonetheless. so every threat, i think, high risks nonetheless. so every threat, ithink, has high risks nonetheless. so every threat, i think, has to be taken seriously. i think, threat, i think, has to be taken seriously. ithink, when threat, i think, has to be taken seriously. i think, when it comes to chemical weapons, there is a lot of confusion but also concern. so in

2017, russia completed its destruction of all its chemical weapons stocks, and that was supervised by the organisation for the prohibition of chemical weapons. so it has a small stock that it is allowed under the treaty, to make sure it can defend itself and develop antidotes etc, what we have seen the use of these new types of chemical weapons, novichock, seen the use of these new types of chemicalweapons, novichock, in chemical weapons, novichock, in salisbury chemicalweapons, novichock, in salisbury and so on, and we have also seen the disinformation about chemical weapons use in syria, which was supported then by russia. so i think we have got a lot of concern about what might happen. we think we have got a lot of concern about what might happen. we were all led to believe — about what might happen. we were all led to believe that _ about what might happen. we were all led to believe that president _ about what might happen. we were all led to believe that president putin - led to believe that president putin thought this would be a quick wind in ukraine but it hasn't been. so what has that meant about how he has had to rethink his strategy? that’s had to rethink his strategy? that's a really good _ had to rethink his strategy? that's a really good question. _ had to rethink his strategy? that's a really good question. they - had to rethink his strategy? that's a really good question. they have | a really good question. they have obviously tried to regroup and that

hasn't quite worked out. they've got real problems with logistics and supply lines, so one of the worries again is, will that pushing further into taking a drastic action? 0ne again is, will that pushing further into taking a drastic action? one of the things that they might do is create what are called the false flag attacks, so they make it look as if it was ukraine that used chemical weapons, as if it was ukraine that used chemicalweapons, or as if it was ukraine that used chemical weapons, or ukraine that created a dirty bomb. 0ne chemical weapons, or ukraine that created a dirty bomb. one of the worries we have had is, have they been collecting radioactive isotopes from the nuclear centres where they have taken control? will they then create this dirty bomb, which would cause panic and fear, and then blame ukraine and then respond supposedly legitimately? that's the kind of thing president biden has been clever about, thing president biden has been cleverabout, in thing president biden has been clever about, in releasing information that they are picking up, so that they don't steal the advantage there, so that we can't just claim it was ukraine. because ukraine doesn't have these capabilities at all, and we know

that from inspections, we know that from everything that countries are doing with ukraine, this does not exist. anything that does happen will have been created by russia. talk to us a bit more about this idea of a dirty bomb. what is in it, and what sort of damage does it cause? , , ., and what sort of damage does it cause? , ,., . , and what sort of damage does it cause? , ., , , and what sort of damage does it cause? , _., ,, cause? yes, so a dirty bomb is different from _ cause? yes, so a dirty bomb is different from a _ cause? yes, so a dirty bomb is different from a nuclear - cause? yes, so a dirty bomb isj different from a nuclear bomb. cause? yes, so a dirty bomb is. different from a nuclear bomb. a nuclear bomb uses of nuclear material to cause the most enormous explosion, vaporising all the people and buildings in the region, and lots of radioactive fallout afterwards. a dirty bomb is more like a conventional bomb that is packed with normal explosives and then also added in radioactive material such as medical waste or radioactive isotopes from eight civil nuclear facility.

radioactive isotopes from eight civil nuclearfacility. so itjust spreads the radioactive material around. it really wouldn't cause that many deaths in comparison with an ordinary bomb, but people would be very frightened, and they would run. there would be a radioactive signature, which would be picked up. i think people would be very fearful about the long—term effects of such about the long—term effects of such a bomb. and it would just cross another threshold, a bomb. and it would just cross anotherthreshold, if a bomb. and it would just cross another threshold, if you like, towards more inhumane weapons that we are saying use all the time like cluster bombs, landmines, this would take it one step further. and the same if chemical weapons were used. i'm of that generation that grew up as a child worrying about a nuclear attack. you know, those documentaries and dramas that were made about it. it really felt like we had seen the back of that worry. how present is it now? well, you know, we never saw the back of that worry. we had an opportunity in the 19905 worry. we had an opportunity in the 1990s to completely eliminate it, but they got quite a low and they

went from tens of thousands of nuclear weapons in russia and america tojust a nuclear weapons in russia and america to just a few thousand. but it is still a few thousand. i shouldn't laugh, sorry. it is a real problem. it was decided then that russia was no longer an enemy and we didn't have to rush, but since then it has increased. we have had countries such as india and pakistan testing nuclear weapons stock we have seen north korea. so they have been rising up the agenda again. but the threat of the use of nuclear weapons, as you rightly say, is an extraordinary thing to happen in this post—cold war environment, and i think we really do need to take stock after all of this and look at the role of nuclear weapons, and how nuclear weapons in the hands of a despot, in the hands of a narcissistic dictatorial leader, it's not a good mix. if we can't avoid those types of leaders,

perhaps we should be avoiding nuclear weapons and going all out to get rid of them again. i nuclear weapons and going all out to get rid of them again.— get rid of them again. i think your life is one of _ get rid of them again. i think your life is one of incredulity _ get rid of them again. i think your life is one of incredulity because l life is one of incredulity because it is so hard to believe that we are in this position, isn't it? yes. you talk about his narcissism, his unpredictability, his despotic nature, what are the consequences of him not being surrounded by people who are telling him what's really going on, speaking plainly to him? yes, i think that's a very big problem. in all war we see misinformation, we see people interpreting true information wrongly. we see a miscalculation. it happens all the time. of course, this is made far worse when the leaders do not have access to all the information, and that could be because they just don't the information, and that could be because theyjust don't have access, but it is also often because they have a worldview, or if you of the situation which is, you know, we would say bubbled. it is a view from

that perspective and it doesn't give any challenge to that view. and people are just frightened of talking to president putin, telling him what is going on. he has this very specific worldview which we have heard from his speeches over many years, and they have been ratcheting up over recent months. so it is a real worry. we have a worry over the potential use of biological weapons as well, which russia has been accusing ukraine of possessing, which they don't. but, you know, we do worry whether russia has such weapons and what that might do. we have just weapons and what that might do. we havejust come weapons and what that might do. we have just come out of a pandemic, and we have seen the impact of pathogens and viruses that can cause world catastrophe, so the unleash of something like that would be horrendous. to something like that would be horrendous.— something like that would be horrendous. ., ., horrendous. to come back to the nuclear idea. _ horrendous. to come back to the nuclear idea, is _ horrendous. to come back to the nuclear idea, is it _ horrendous. to come back to the nuclear idea, is it possible - horrendous. to come back to the nuclear idea, is it possible to - nuclear idea, is it possible to reduce and therefore contain a small

nuclear bomb custom is sounds like a contradiction in terms because the devastation would still be enormous. right, so there are lots of different nuclear weapons. there is a short—range some people call tactical nuclear weapons. there are long—range, large strategic weapons, and there is a whole set of things in the middle. it is possible, we are —— with a small weapon in an unpopulated area, to cause instantaneous destruction on a much more minimal scale. but you would still get a large radioactive problem, and a large radioactive mushroom cloud, and the transfer of radioactive debris into countries all around. the problem with all of these weapons of mass destruction is that they have the potential not only to do damage when unleashed, but also they are very likely to transfer that damage across to other countries, in which case, they transfer into nato countries, and

thenit transfer into nato countries, and then it becomes something that has also attacked nato countries, and it becomes a completely different ball game in terms of the way the threat is being dealt with. when president biden said we will respond in kind, thatis biden said we will respond in kind, that is a very interesting thread. he hasn't actually said what it will be, which is very smart, but he has said there will be a response. it is very hard to know what that response might be, but i think it will be a severe response. so we would then enter into new territory. what do you mean by severe? {slate enter into new territory. what do you mean by severe? give us some options- — what do you mean by severe? give us some options- i _ what do you mean by severe? give us some options. i don't _ what do you mean by severe? give us some options. i don't think— what do you mean by severe? give us some options. i don't think it - what do you mean by severe? give us some options. i don't think it would i some options. i don't think it would be sanctions again. i think it will be sanctions again. i think it will be some form of engagement. i don't know what it would be. i hesitate to speculate, but you could imagine a response in kind... i don't think that the united states would use weapons of mass destruction. they have signed all the agreements, and

they have got rid of all of those types of weapons, apart from the nuclear, and i don't think the us would go to nuclear as a response, but it could be a massive cyber attack, for example. it could be that nato decides to engage in the war in some way, maybe with air support, and possibly with some support, and possibly with some support on the ground in terms of, you know, one of the things that that's not been supplied would be rockets that go from surface to surface, that could then take out battalions in russian territory. you would see a different engagement and i think that's what biden is trying to communicate.— i think that's what biden is trying to communicate. darkly fascinating, i ho -e we to communicate. darkly fascinating, i hope we will _ to communicate. darkly fascinating, i hope we will speak— to communicate. darkly fascinating, i hope we will speak again. - to communicate. darkly fascinating, i hope we will speak again. thank. i hope we will speak again. thank you for your time. i asked marie coulter at the london school of economics about the

prospect of putin using chemical weapons. prospect of putin using chemical wea ons. ~ . prospect of putin using chemical weaons. ~ . .., , prospect of putin using chemical weaons. . ., .., , , weapons. what he could use is chlorine- _ weapons. what he could use is chlorine. the _ weapons. what he could use is chlorine. the chemical- weapons. what he could use 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. and 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 novichok could be a way of doing 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? well, i don't know. because i really don't understand how deterrents are supposed to work. it is actually, this war is a lesson to us that years ago we should have been promoting nuclear disarmament, put 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? will nato need to intervene militarily? i doubt it, and probably putin doubts that. so, you know, what is 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 up with a world war? these are all terribly difficult questions to answer.

arguably, the west has said there are certain red lines that it would not see crossed. and then they have been crossed and there has been no response. but when you are listening to that press conference just then from president biden and ursula von der leyen, talking about bypassing russian gas, draining him of the resources, to what extent has president putin been backed into a corner? well, he definitely is being 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 to just produce the disintegration of ukraine and a long war 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. we don't know whether he is mad or 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 refuse to fight? we've already had a few of these examples. at what point does the russian opposition, including very many establishment people try to stop putin? that is really the only way the war is going to end and we need to think about that. what precedent is there, remind us from history of when russian soldiers have independently refused...? 0bviously, 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? some are protesting. we have also been told, though, that nato is turning eastwards. there will be more nato exercises on the eastern flank of the bloc. to what extent, though,

is that a deterrent, or is it something that will just stoke the fires? i think it is... i think it is very important to distinguish between deterrents by defence and deterrents by retaliation. i think ukraine has shown how effective defence can be and that obviously, you know, obviously strengthening defences of nato is terribly important. what is dangerous is threatening to retaliate. it's really difficult to get that right. the authorities in mariupol say russian forces besieging the city are in the process of forcibly deporting 15,000 residents to russia from an eastern district they've managed to capture. for more on this, i'm joined by yasmine ahmed. she is the uk director of human rights watch.

thank you very much forjoining us. to what extent have we seen a tactic like this before? why would russia be doing this?— be doing this? well, i mean, certainly _ be doing this? well, i mean, certainly a — be doing this? well, i mean, certainly a tactic— be doing this? well, i mean, certainly a tactic of— be doing this? well, i mean, certainly a tactic of trying - be doing this? well, i mean, certainly a tactic of trying to | certainly a tactic of trying to intimidate the civilian population, and certainly cause harm to the civilian population, which would from a tactical perspective, have been undermining ukraine and their defence, but what is also extremely worrying is, not only the suggestions that dozens have been moved in mariupol, but we know that the russian government themselves have actually said that they have transferred over 60,000 ukrainians. that is theirfigure. transferred over 60,000 ukrainians. that is their figure. we know also that the ukrainians themselves have alleged that a number of individuals, thousands of

individuals, thousands of individuals, have been forcibly transferred. fist individuals, have been forcibly transferred.— individuals, have been forcibly transferred. �* ., ,, ., transferred. at one point russia was dressin: it transferred. at one point russia was dressing it no _ transferred. at one point russia was dressing it no as _ transferred. at one point russia was dressing it up as a _ transferred. at one point russia was dressing it up as a way _ transferred. at one point russia was dressing it up as a way of— transferred. at one point russia was dressing it up as a way of offering i dressing it up as a way of offering people safe passage out of ukraine. what does the international law say? what does the international law say? what does the international law say? what do human rights law say about this behaviour?— this behaviour? yes, will certainly it is clear under _ this behaviour? yes, will certainly it is clear under international- it is clear under international humanitarian law that the forcible transfer of populations in an area where an army, a military is occupying, is a war crime. so, while at the moment human rights watch are on the ground, documenting this, and it does seem that there are certainly allegations of this and we will be following up on that, but if this is the case, that these tens of thousands of individuals have, in fact, been forcibly transferred, then this reallyjust adds to the tally of war crimes that we have been documenting, that we can see there is very clear evidence that

russia is, in fact, there is very clear evidence that russia is, infact, committing. hagar russia is, in fact, committing. how difficult is it — russia is, in fact, committing. how difficult is it to — russia is, in fact, committing. how difficult is it to trace _ russia is, in fact, committing. how difficult is it to trace where they get taken to, and what happens to them once they are inside russia? it is incredibly difficult, and that's one of the things that human rights watch is facing now on the ground in ukraine and neighbouring countries. really trying to access and understand what is happening. as we know, mariupol itself is completely which not only affects the civilian population who don't have basic provisions, but also access to information in and out is extremely limited. certainly, those that are being taken to russia, i mean the repression that we are seeing in russia is unprecedented in terms of access to information and repression of individuals, who are seeking to speak out for themselves, even just accessing information. i mean, we

know now that media outlets, russian media outlets have been forced to close. we know that foreign media outlets are no longer able to operate because of the repressive laws in russia. and we know that, even internet spaces such as facebook, twitter and others, have also been forced to close. so trying to find out what's happening is incredibly difficult. 0bviously, extremely worrying in a situation where russia themselves have said that over 60,000 ukrainians have been , ., ., , that over 60,000 ukrainians have been , . ., , ., that over 60,000 ukrainians have been ., ,, been even if they are able to resist this forcible _ been even if they are able to resist this forcible movement, _ been even if they are able to resist this forcible movement, staying i been even if they are able to resist this forcible movement, staying in| this forcible movement, staying in ukraine and some parts of the country is not really a choice because the conditions are so bad. ihi, because the conditions are so bad. really important point is that the ongoing treatment and crimes or

evidence of crimes that we are seeing escalating in relation to civilians, as we see in mariupol, there is a besieging of the city, basic provision is not... basic resources are not being provided. we are also seeing evidence where it suggests that civilians are being targeted deliberately. the situation for civilians increasingly across ukraine, obviously, eastern ukraine, but cities across ukraine is extremely dire.— but cities across ukraine is extremel dire. ., ., extremely dire. you said human riihts extremely dire. you said human rights watch _ extremely dire. you said human rights watch is _ extremely dire. you said human rights watch is monitoring, - rights watch is monitoring, documenting, gathering evidence. what will happen to the evidence? ihit what will happen to the evidence? gift the moment what will happen to the evidence? git the moment there is an investigation open at the international criminal court in the hague, that was opened three weeks ago now, 38 states came to the international criminal court

asking them to open an investigation. there is certainly the possibility, hopefully the reality of accountability for those who have committed war crimes and other violations of international law. in terms of international criminaljustice we also know that states like germany and others have started to open up structural investigations, to gather information about the crimes that are being committed and the individuals themselves so that they can exercise what is known as universaljurisdiction so that means that if people pass through their territory who have committed war crimes they are able to try them. we have seen that very recently in relation to a relatively senior intelligence official from syria who was tried and found guilty in germany. we know that is the very real possibility. international accountability is really one of number one reason that we are on the ground but importantly, it is a part

of documenting what is happening and ensuring that information is getting out to diplomats, to other people, to urge international institutions to urge international institutions to keep on acting as they have, to be putting pressure on russia. thank you very much for talking to us. she joining me now isjoanna marshall in cirencester. she is trying to bring a ukrainian family of three to the uk. tell us about the people you are trying to help. it tell us about the people you are trying to help-— trying to help. it is a young famil , trying to help. it is a young family. who _ trying to help. it is a young family, who lived _ trying to help. it is a young family, who lived in - trying to help. it is a young family, who lived in kyiv, l trying to help. it is a young i family, who lived in kyiv, they trying to help. it is a young - family, who lived in kyiv, they have got out of the country, had been travelling for the last four weeks,

with two suitcases and two bags, we completed all the forms last week for them to come to the uk. we connected on a german notice board i found online and we are desperate to get them over to come to you have completed the forms, was that an onerous task? it you have completed the forms, was that an onerous task?— that an onerous task? it took a very loni that an onerous task? it took a very long time. — that an onerous task? it took a very long time. the _ that an onerous task? it took a very long time, the father _ that an onerous task? it took a very long time, the father is _ that an onerous task? it took a very long time, the father is a _ that an onerous task? it took a very long time, the father is a lawyer- long time, the father is a lawyer and he was sending me 20 screenshots of what i should say here and what this means. there were some questions asking if they had parking tickets on paid in the ukraine. we thought the government was going to make it easy. it does not seem to have been easy, and you have to fill a form for each person. it took about six hours in total to fill out all the forms.— about six hours in total to fill out all the forms. what does happen to we have confirmation _ all the forms. what does happen to we have confirmation that - all the forms. what does happen to we have confirmation that they - all the forms. what does happen to | we have confirmation that they have gonein

we have confirmation that they have gone in and that is as far as we have got. we cannot get through to anybody to find out the status, i cannot talk to anyone, the helpline is engaged. i have got on to my mp to get them to see if they can do anything. wejust cannot to get them to see if they can do anything. we just cannot get an answer as to what is going on and why the visa has not been issued. it has been one week. in why the visa has not been issued. it has been one week.— why the visa has not been issued. it has been one week. in the meantime, ou are has been one week. in the meantime, you are very — has been one week. in the meantime, you are very well— has been one week. in the meantime, you are very well prepared. _ has been one week. in the meantime, you are very well prepared. we - has been one week. in the meantime, you are very well prepared. we have l you are very well prepared. we have not a little you are very well prepared. we have got a little annex _ you are very well prepared. we have got a little annex and _ you are very well prepared. we have got a little annex and we _ you are very well prepared. we have got a little annex and we have - you are very well prepared. we have got a little annex and we have put . you are very well prepared. we have got a little annex and we have put a | got a little annex and we have put a flat together, we borrowed a car for them to use, i have spoken to the school, they are going take the little boy in. lots of people have sent us money for them. people have donated a laptop, from a local supplier. we have got an ipad for the little boy. we have got clothes and vouchers. we are ready to go. you need them to get here. i believe they are in germany. how are they? l

they are in germany. how are they? i think they are struggling a bit. they are starting to lose hope. they posted something on facebook yesterday after the one—month anniversary, and it is so to see lovely people with two suitcases, a little boy setting in basements and train stations when we are waiting. we have got it all set up. we are ready to go. what is your message to the government?— what is your message to the covernment? ., , , ,.,, what is your message to the covernment? ., , , ., government? you were supposed to make this easy. — government? you were supposed to make this easy, there _ government? you were supposed to make this easy, there are _ government? you were supposed to make this easy, there are lots - government? you were supposed to make this easy, there are lots of. make this easy, there are lots of people in this country who want to help, let us help, do it quickly! 0ne, why are you so keen to do this? we watched it on the news for a few nights, i was in tears, it is an awful situation, nights, i was in tears, it is an awfulsituation, it nights, i was in tears, it is an awful situation, it could be any of us, imagine your life being decimated like that. we can help. let us help is what we are saying. it sounds like you have got a

fantastic set up for them in incredibly difficult circumstances. like you, many people want to do something similar. good luck with that and let us know how you get on. thank you. the transport secretary grant shapps says the p80 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. speaking a short time ago, our political correspondent iain watson told me the reaction to mr hebblethwaite's appearance has done little to assuage frustrations. they were unimpressed, i think, to say the least. 0ne mp, the chair of the business committee, darren jones, suggested perhaps peter hebblethwaite was a shameless criminal. that gives you an idea ofjust the atmosphere and he said he should be prosecuted. the chair of the transport committee the conservative mp, hew merriman, suggested that he should resign. and those calls for the resignation of the chief executive of p80 have indeed been echoed today. what has angered mps

and many other people too, it was a range of things. first of all, there was the issue of whether the law was broken by not giving enough consultation to the workforce. two other things came up in that committee that people did not like either. first of all, because the ferries were flagged abroad in cyprus and the bahamas, he said it was not necessary to give the british government proper notification of p&0's intentions. but what really got the goat of some of the mps was the intention of p80 to take on agency staff at £5.50 an hour. peter hebblethwaite's own salary is £325,000 a year. but that £5.50 figure, of course, is far less than the minimum wage here. today, the transport secretary, grant shapps, fired off at peter hebblethwaite and suggested that he had both made a pigs ear and a dogs dinner of the sackings and he 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. grant shapps has said that he is going to try and force a u—turn from p&0, there will be a package of measures unveiled in parliament next week. he says with cross—party support. the most immediate term over the next few days is saying that p&0 ferries cannot sail in any case because he is making sure they are getting safety inspections, very detailed safety inspections. then we expect this package of measures, he was suggesting 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&0 from trying to undercut staff. it is very difficult to see how that would actually work in practice. we would have to see some of the detail. and i think the other thing we have to bear in mind is that p&0 have argued throughout that the business currently is unviable, it is losing £100 million, and if you were to take those claims at face value, then if the government were to say, look, you are going to have to pay your staff more cash, the question then is whether p&0 will continue to provide that service or try to withdraw entirely. i do not yet think their bluff has been called. i have tried to call p&0 or at least those who act on their behalf to find out how they react to what grant shapps was saying this morning. but they have not been in touch with me. that is still an open question. but what is definitely decided is the determination across political parties to try to take p&0

on and to try to at least, at the very least, put pressure on them to try and reinstate some of the staff who would wish to go back. many others are looking for and finding jobs elsewhere. one other aspect of this, of course, which people are also concerned about is if you go down the existing legal route, p&0 are saying they are only going to compensate workers for the lack of notice so long as they do not pursue any legal action against them. health officials in england say a new blood test can help detect the potentially dangerous condition pre—eclampsia in pregnant women. the plgf test checks the health of the placenta, which can give an early warning sign of a problem. the national institute for health and care excellence says the test should be offered on the nhs. let's speak to our health correspondent michelle roberts.

what is pre—eclampsia ? what is pre-eclampsia? eight fx 696 of pregnancies _ what is pre-eclampsia? eight fx 696 of pregnancies and _ what is pre-eclampsia? eight fx 696 of pregnancies and is _ what is pre-eclampsia? eight fx 696 of pregnancies and is a _ what is pre-eclampsia? eight fx 696 of pregnancies and is a condition - of pregnancies and is a condition that needs monitoring, the woman will have high blood pressure, and the concern is that it can be harmful for both her and the baby. if it goes on and gets worse, it can threaten the pregnancy. both of their lives. that is why it is important to identify early. at the moment they look at blood pressure and you're in checks to look for protein. the new test can do a blood check and at the normal antenatal check. you do not need to be in hospital and it seems to be a really good screen so it can reassure women that it good screen so it can reassure women thatitis good screen so it can reassure women that it is all clear and you should be fine for a while and we will keep, do your normal checks, or it has come back and we think we should do some more monitoring. some has come back and we think we should do some more monitoring.— has come back and we think we should do some more monitoring. some of the s mtoms do some more monitoring. some of the symptoms of— do some more monitoring. some of the symptoms of pre-eclampsia _ do some more monitoring. some of the symptoms of pre-eclampsia can - do some more monitoring. some of the symptoms of pre-eclampsia can be - symptoms of pre—eclampsia can be because of other things to you do not know whether you have got that

potential problem. how routine will this be? the potential problem. how routine will this be? th— this be? the hospitals have been triallin: this be? the hospitals have been trialling it. _ this be? the hospitals have been trialling it, not _ this be? the hospitals have been trialling it, not only _ this be? the hospitals have been trialling it, not only in _ this be? the hospitals have been trialling it, not only in the - this be? the hospitals have been trialling it, not only in the uk, i this be? the hospitals have been trialling it, not only in the uk, in| trialling it, not only in the uk, in different countries. it is something on the ground but what is new today the guidance going out to the nhs is very much that this is very useful and it is working so please offer it to women. it and it is working so please offer it to women-— and it is working so please offer it to women. , , , , ., to women. it seems simple to offer. it is to women. it seems simple to offer. it is cheap. — to women. it seems simple to offer. it is cheap. quick — to women. it seems simple to offer. it is cheap, quick turnaround - to women. it seems simple to offer. it is cheap, quick turnaround and - it is cheap, quick turnaround and effective and that is why the guidance of saying it is a very positive thing. it guidance of saying it is a very positive thing.— guidance of saying it is a very positive thing. it can cause real complications _ positive thing. it can cause real complications for _ positive thing. it can cause real complications for their - positive thing. it can cause real complications for their own - positive thing. it can cause real complications for their own in l positive thing. it can cause reall complications for their own in the pregnancy. it complications for their own in the pregnancy-— complications for their own in the pregnancy. it develops later on in ”renan pregnancy. it develops later on in pregnancy and — pregnancy. it develops later on in pregnancy and we _ pregnancy. it develops later on in pregnancy and we do _ pregnancy. it develops later on in pregnancy and we do not - pregnancy. it develops later on in pregnancy and we do not know. pregnancy. it develops later on in - pregnancy and we do not know exactly why it occurs. it appears to be linked to the placenta which is what this test is looking for, the health of the placenta which is the part that gives the baby of the nutrients and oxygen from the mother. you can see why it is so vital in pregnancy. at the moment, the only way to

manage is monitoring. unfortunately, it is delivery that is the way to help with the pre—eclampsia. you cannot do that too early at the baby is not fully developed yet. that is the quandary that people are in with this condition.— this condition. they are saying it should be offered _ this condition. they are saying it should be offered on _ this condition. they are saying it should be offered on the - this condition. they are saying it should be offered on the nhs. l this condition. they are saying it - should be offered on the nhs. what will happen next? it should be offered on the nhs. what will happen next?— will happen next? it will be. many hositals will happen next? it will be. many hospitals are _ will happen next? it will be. many hospitals are already _ will happen next? it will be. many hospitals are already doing - will happen next? it will be. many hospitals are already doing it - will happen next? it will be. many hospitals are already doing it but l hospitals are already doing it but this is the evidence showing it is really good. this is the evidence showing it is really good-— this is the evidence showing it is reall iood. . , . 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 theirfield. 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 tsarfor 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 tech will push against very, very heavily. 0bviously 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. an army of weather enthusiasts has helped to digitise more than 66,000 pages of handwritten uk rainfall records. the volunteers stepped up two years ago when the met office called on people to help as the first covid lockdown began. it's hoped the data will improve the accuracy of forecasting. 0ur climate editor, justin rowlatt has been finding out more. this is the professor of climate silence at reading university. i realise the only way to enable the data to be used by scientists was to recruit an army of volunteers to

help us manually transcribe it from paper into computer. the digitalisation _ paper into computer. the digitalisation had - paper into computer. the digitalisation had been done and then do sort lockdown coming. trite then do sort lockdown coming. we sort then do sort lockdown coming. - sort lockdown coming and there was potential here that people would have spare time on their hands and wanted a distraction and they could help us transcribe this data into the computer.— help us transcribe this data into the computer. you are on a really iuick, the computer. you are on a really quick, lockdown, _ the computer. you are on a really quick, lockdown, 23rd _ the computer. you are on a really quick, lockdown, 23rd of- the computer. you are on a really quick, lockdown, 23rd of march, i quick, lockdown, 23rd of march, 2020, and on the 26th of march you did it shout out asking for help. what was the response like? was it as big as you expected? it what was the response like? was it as big as you expected?— as big as you expected? it was a hue as big as you expected? it was a huge amount — as big as you expected? it was a huge amount of— as big as you expected? it was a huge amount of data _ as big as you expected? it was a huge amount of data and - as big as you expected? it was a huge amount of data and we - as big as you expected? it was a - huge amount of data and we expected it to take months, but the response from the british public was incredible. 16 days later we had transcribed every number, 100 million keystrokes typed by 16,000 volunteers. that million keystrokes typed by 16,000 volunteers. . ., , million keystrokes typed by 16,000 volunteers. . ., ., volunteers. that was not the end of the process- _ volunteers. that was not the end of the process. for— volunteers. that was not the end of the process. for the _ volunteers. that was not the end of the process. for the last _ volunteers. that was not the end of the process. for the last 18 - volunteers. that was not the end of| the process. for the last 18 months, a small group— the process. for the last 18 months, a small group of— the process. for the last 18 months, a small group of volunteers - the process. for the last 18 months, a small group of volunteers have - a small group of volunteers have been helping us piece together the

data, do the quality control checks, work out where every range gauge what's situated in the country to make the data useful and pass over to the met office to update the national ring for statistics. we have the data on the system. how does it help us? we have the data on the system. how does it help us?— have the data on the system. how does it help us? we can extend very detailed records _ does it help us? we can extend very detailed records of _ does it help us? we can extend very detailed records of rainfall _ detailed records of rainfall variation to 1836, the year before queen victoria came to the throne, we can't map out rainfall, years like 1852, dry spring by floods in november and december, these extremes, we want to learn more about them to improve planning for the future. it about them to improve planning for the future. . , ., ., ., the future. if we are planning for a 100 ear the future. if we are planning for a 100 year flood _ the future. if we are planning for a 100 year flood or _ the future. if we are planning for a 100 year flood or drought - the future. if we are planning for a 100 year flood or drought event, l 100 yearflood or drought event, we need to know what has happened over the last few hundred years. the need to know what has happened over the last few hundred years.— the last few hundred years. the more data we have. — the last few hundred years. the more data we have, we _ the last few hundred years. the more data we have, we can _ the last few hundred years. the more data we have, we can characterise - data we have, we can characterise extreme weather events and inform people so they can make appropriate plans. people so they can make appropriate lans. . g people so they can make appropriate lans. . ~' ,. , people so they can make appropriate ilans. ., ~' , . people so they can make appropriate lans. . ,, y., , . ., people so they can make appropriate lans. . g , . ., ., , plans. thank you very much, a lovely

sunny day. — plans. thank you very much, a lovely sunny day. back _ plans. thank you very much, a lovely sunny day, back to _ plans. thank you very much, a lovely sunny day, back to the _ plans. thank you very much, a lovely sunny day, back to the studio. - 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. 0ur 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. the academy awards take place in la on sunday, and front runners for a golden statuette belfast, west side story, and the power of the dog have a surprising rival, the low—key comedy—drama coda, which has a largely deaf cast, and a lead character who plays a child of deaf adults. sophie long has been to meet some of the cast. # i've got a feeling # i have never had before.# i've been coaching for berklee college of music. i can help you get a scholarship. for ruby, following her dreams means leaving her struggling family at a time when they need her most. coda delves deep into the painful conflict faced by many children of deaf adults, when the cost of breaking free is cutting a much—needed line of communication with the outside world. a lot of people have asked me, "what was the challenge on, you know,

working and when you didn't all speak the same language?" but that's what filmmaking is about. you know, you're met with challenges and you find creative solutions, and this movie wasn't a challenge in that way. the challenge was getting six boats out at sea to fish and jumping off rocks at the quarry. and it was just such a special movie with such special people. you don't care if these guys regulate us to death. this low—budget, independent film bridges the gap between the hearing and deaf communities and has touched the hearts of both. i think about how hard i had to fight to make this movie and how many battles i had along the way over how i wanted to make it, over the fact that i wanted to use deaf actors to play these deaf roles. this is one story from this community. there are countless stories out there that haven't been told, and it's been a community that's been ignored. but i hope these projects get made now, and i hope that other filmmakers don't have to fight the way that i did. marlee matlin, who plays ruby's caring but conflicted mother...

marlee matlin. ..made history when she won the oscar for best actress. tut that was 35 years ago, and no deaf actor has triumphed since. but coda could change that. the fact that the film is all about representation and inclusion and accessibility. all that together, that's important. but what's great is that we can see artists at work. deaf artists showing off their craft, showing how they can jump into a character and create a film like this. troy kotsur, who fought for years to get a foothold in the film industry, could become the first deaf man to win an acting 0scar. it's really giving folks a new perspective. and this perspective is something that many have never thought of. when they see deaf people, they think, "oh, you can't." but actually, they're dead wrong. we can. we still work hard. we fight, we support our family, we can converse, and the only difference is our language. and so that's what's so beautiful about koda. 50 years ago... the deaf west theatre company

is where he started out, and his success is already inspiring young actors following in his footsteps. hello, everyone. to see a deaf actor nominated for an oscar, that me makes me feel like i can do this too. you know? there are so many people like me that should be included in the industry and it motivates me. it makes me feel, like, wow, i can do it too. #iwillgo...# so can coda cause this year's 0scars upset and win best picture? all will be revealed at the 94th academy awards on sunday. sophie long, bbc news, los angeles. and another one to add to the watch list. more on the situation in ukraine at 11 o'clock. you are watching bbc news.

hello. there are signs of weather change on the horizon but for the time being, as you work. dry and sunny and warm weather across most of the uk with some exceptions. high pressures is in charge. keeping things dry at the moment. rain clouds or to the north and west, one close to shetland. underneath the high—pressure, stagnant air, pollution levels creep up, england and wales to high levels of pollution which will improve at the weekend and into the start of next week. dry and sunny dawn to dusk for the majority. more cloud in the north and west of scotland and the

coast of northern ireland and in shetland it could rain. later on in southern scotland and northern england and northern ireland, an isolated shower. but in the sunshine, pleasantly warm, in yorkshire, 21 celsius. this evening and overnight, some rain close to shetland, a dry night for most. low cloud around the north—western coast of scotland and northern ireland. clear skies elsewhere, a touch of frost on saturday morning. the start of the weekend, lots of sunshine, a greater chance around the coast of northern ireland of low cloud, some cloud breaking up investors got in, gloomy in 0rkney and shetland. clear skies for the mass majority, a breeze in the english channel which will limit the temperature rise and means west wales and north—west england will see the highest

temperatures on saturday afternoon. 19 celsius. it changes on saturday night into sunday, the high—pressure shifts, more low cloud from the north sea, across england and wales and the east coast of scotland before clearing away. across england and wales, a grey and misty day, some sunshine later, it will feel cooler, mildest conditions in western scotland. 18 celsius. the will go forward. we go into british summer time, will go forward. we go into british summertime, colderair could return summer time, colder air could return next summertime, colderair could return next week. a word of caution, things may change, but at the moment, temperatures will be in single digits later in week for everyone.

this is bbc news. i'm ben brown live in lviv, as the war in ukraine enters its second month. the united states and european union announce a major deal on liquefied natural gas in an attempt to reduce europe's reliance on russian energy supplies. we are going to work to ensure an additional 15, 1—5, 15 billion cubic metres of liquefied natural gas, lng, for europe this year. western military analysis says ukrainian forces have recaptured towns and defensive positions up to 35 kilometres east of kyiv as russian troops fall back on overextended supply lines. with russia blocking aid convoys in southern ukraine,

there are warnings that thousands of trapped residents may soon be forcibly transferred to russia. and i'm lucy hockings in london. coming up on the programme... your questions answered on the war in ukraine. you can get in touch with any questions you want answered on twitter, using the hashtag #bbcyourquestions. the uk transport secretary says the boss of p80 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 resin and i think he should go. he should resign now? — and i think he should go. he should resign now? you _ and i think he should go. he should resign now? you should. _ and i think he should go. he should resign now? you should. -- - and i think he should go. he should resign now? you should. -- he - resign now? you should. -- he should. welcome from lviv, western ukraine.

well, as the war in this country grinds on into its second month, ukrainian forces are continuing to counter—attack and seize back lost territory around the capital kyiv. the latest british military analysis says ukrainian troops are reoccupying towns and defensive positions up to 35 kilometres east of the city. in other words, as we've known for a while now, the war is not going to plan as far as president putin is concerned. of course, the russians have even more devastating weapons in their arsenal, which is why president biden has warned the kremlin not to use chemical weapons in this conflict. if it does, he says nato will respond. joe biden has also announced a major deal with the european union to reduce its reliance on russian gas. he says the united states will step up its own supplies of liquefied natural gas to the eu this year. president biden will be

travelling later to poland to meet ukrainian refugees. we begin our coverage with this report from sancha berg. about 300 people were killed in the bombing of the theatre in mariupol, according to the city council this morning. the building where the word children had been written in giant letters on the ground outside. the assessment comes from witness accounts. the council had not been able to establish the exact number yet. in what is left of mariupol, there is little food, no water or electricity. but 100,000 people are said to be trapped in the city. ukraine's called for more military aid to fight the russians. the us and the eu are focused on economic war. last year, eu states used over 155 billion cubic metres of russian gas. this morning, president biden

announced the us would help europe and its dependence. the announced the us would help europe and its dependence.— and its dependence. the united states together _ and its dependence. the united states together with _ and its dependence. the united states together with our - states together with our international partners, we are going to work to ensure an additional 15, 1-5, 15 to work to ensure an additional 15, 1—5, 15 million cubic metres of liquefied natural gas for europe this year. as the eu works to discontinue buying russian gas well before 2030, we will also work to ensure additional eu market demand for 50 million cubic metres of lng from the united states by 2030. that liiuefied from the united states by 2030. that liquefied gas — from the united states by 2030. that liquefied gas carried by ship will not solve the problem, but it is a very welcome step.— not solve the problem, but it is a very welcome step. putin is trying to turn back _ very welcome step. putin is trying to turn back the _ very welcome step. putin is trying to turn back the clock _ very welcome step. putin is trying to turn back the clock to - very welcome step. putin is trying to turn back the clock to another i to turn back the clock to another erai _ to turn back the clock to another era. an — to turn back the clock to another era. an era — to turn back the clock to another era, an era of brutal use of force, of power— era, an era of brutal use of force, of power politics, of its of influence and internal repression. i am confident he will fail —— spheres

of influence — am confident he will fail —— spheres of influence. we are working togelher— of influence. we are working together to forge a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future, and i_ prosperous and sustainable future, and i know — prosperous and sustainable future, and i know we will succeed. thank you very— and i know we will succeed. thank you very much. the and i know we will succeed. thank you very much-— and i know we will succeed. thank you very much. the us is offering to help refugees. _ you very much. the us is offering to help refugees, too, _ you very much. the us is offering to help refugees, too, with _ you very much. the us is offering to help refugees, too, with $1- you very much. the us is offering to help refugees, too, with $1 billion i help refugees, too, with $1 billion of aid and permanent homes for 100,000 people. latertoday, president biden will travel to easter poland, not far from the border. more than 2 million ukrainians have crossed this frontier, half of them children. but there is no sign the conflict is likely to ease. but there is no sign vladimir putin wants peace. i think he has decided _ vladimir putin wants peace. i think he has decided to _ vladimir putin wants peace. i think he has decided to double - vladimir putin wants peace. i think he has decided to double down - vladimir putin wants peace. i think| he has decided to double down and vladimir putin wants peace. i try “ia; he has decided to double down and to try to grass and if i the great cities of ukraine in the way that he has always tried to do. and i think thatis has always tried to do. and i think that is a tragic mistake. ihihd has always tried to do. and i think that is a tragic mistake.— that is a tragic mistake. and the ukrainians _ that is a tragic mistake. and the ukrainians are _ that is a tragic mistake. and the ukrainians are fighting - that is a tragic mistake. and the ukrainians are fighting back. - that is a tragic mistake. and the i ukrainians are fighting back. india fancier in the occupied port city where they destroyed a russian

landing ship —— in kyiv. 0ur brussels correspondent jessica parker explains how the gas deal announced by president biden to reduce the eu's dependence on russian energy was put together so quickly. 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 to supply 15 billion cubic metres of liquefied natural gas to europe this year, and then build on those supplies over the coming years. and 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 reasons are rather obvious. one of them, russia no longer necessarily 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 reasons at the moment is a deep,

deep discomfort, particularly among 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 more towards the west, america. but of course, this is still a reliance for now to some extent on fossil fuels. and i notice that 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.

jessica parker in brussels. for more now on the deal to reduce europe's reliance on russian gas, let's speak to our business correspondent ramzan karmali. how big a deal is this? how do you assess it significance? 0n the face of it, especially if you look at the american side of this deal, they are going from 22 billion cubic metres of exports and adding another 15 billion, so it does seem significant on that side. but do not forget europe last year took over 500 million cubic metres of lng, and 40% of that came from russia. so the fact that they are still very reliant on russian gas is pretty evident. this is maybe not as significant, but it is a sign that this is where europe and the us want to go. in this is where europe and the us want to no. ., ., , , ., to go. in other words, it is going to go. in other words, it is going to be a lot _ to go. in other words, it is going to be a lot harder— to go. in other words, it is going to be a lot harder and _ to go. in other words, it is going to be a lot harder and take - to go. in other words, it is going to be a lot harder and take a - to go. in other words, it is going to be a lot harder and take a lot| to be a lot harder and take a lot longerfor europe to to be a lot harder and take a lot longer for europe to wean itself off russian energy supplies. i longer for europe to wean itself off russian energy supplies.— russian energy supplies. i think that is fair—

russian energy supplies. i think that is fair to _ russian energy supplies. i think that is fair to say. _ russian energy supplies. i think that is fair to say. do _ russian energy supplies. i think that is fair to say. do not - russian energy supplies. i think| that is fair to say. do not forget, germany for example took 18% of all russian exports of gas last year. they have come out and said by 2024, they want no export from russia at all, which is quite an ambitious statement to make. but the proof is in the pudding, really. we've also got to look at the infrastructure thatis got to look at the infrastructure that is in place at the moment, as well. it will be very difficult for that infrastructure to be in place, to increase those experts from the us into the eu, and both sides of the atlantic, notjust exporting it, it is a very expensive process just to chill the gas into liquid form and then reverse that process when it gets into europe. so this is a very ambitious statement. whether it can actually fulfil all of europe's needsis can actually fulfil all of europe's needs is another question. iloathed can actually fulfil all of europe's needs is another question. what you think it will mean _ needs is another question. what you think it will mean to _ needs is another question. what you think it will mean to russia, - needs is another question. what you think it will mean to russia, to - needs is another question. what you think it will mean to russia, to the l think it will mean to russia, to the kremlin? how worried will president putin be by this? {lin kremlin? how worried will president putin be by this?— putin be by this? on wednesday russia came _ putin be by this? on wednesday russia came out _ putin be by this? on wednesday russia came out and _ putin be by this? on wednesday russia came out and said - putin be by this? on wednesday russia came out and said they i putin be by this? on wednesday| russia came out and said they do putin be by this? on wednesday - russia came out and said they do not want to take du when they supplies

with gas and coal and oil, they do not want to take that money in euros and dollars, they want to take it in roubles. that has not gone down very well with the european union who have come out and said that it is impossible, the contacts were made in euros and dollars, this is unworkable. it is a big dealfor russia, as well. if we are not going to take any gas and oil or any energy from russia, then it will hurt their offers. not help them fund this war effort they are on at the moment. yes, they do take a lot of exports to china, but it does not make up for the fact that over 200 million cubic metres of russian gas was coming into europe. —— 200 million. was coming into europe. -- 200 million. . g was coming into europe. -- 200 million. . ~' , ., , was coming into europe. -- 200 million. ., ,, , . in mariupol, the humanitarian situation 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. well, after about four weeks of war, russia certainly would have thought it would have made more progress than this. and it is fair to say that in the last couple of days, neither side seems to have made too much progress on the ground. these are the last ukrainian defensive positions in the south of the country before the front line, which isjust a couple of kilometres away. and these are very dangerous positions, plenty of mortars and shells have been landing in this area over the last couple of days. and in the distance we have been hearing the sound of bombing and shelling of the city of mariupol, which isjust down the road here. but here they are dug in for the long haul. these are trenches on the defensive line of the ukrainian forces, so there is bedding here, there is food, water,

and there is arms, as well. plenty of guns and ammunition ready to defend these possessions. the question for the ukrainians is what do the russians do next? do they try to punch through on the ground, which so far hasn't been a tactic that has worked for russia, or do they start to bombard cities and towns like these? like they have done to mariupol, shell them into virtual oblivion. the un has told the bbc that ukrainians are being arbitrarily detained and subjected to enforced disappearances in russian—controlled areas. let's get more from 0lga ivshina from the bbc russian service. tell us more about what we think is happening. the tell us more about what we think is hauenini. ., , . . happening. the words which you cited b the happening. the words which you cited by the united — happening. the words which you cited by the united nations _ happening. the words which you cited by the united nations absolutely - by the united nations absolutely match the accounts me and my colleagues are getting from the

ground. so we managed to speak to quite a few resident in the city of curzan —— health son, in the south of ukraine —— kherson. many activists who were protesting against russians were being detained, were beaten, and some of them have disappeared. local activists say that they try to keep protesting despite that. for example, residents told us they were protesting for many, many days until almost all of them were beaten or detained. at the moment, they still do not surrender and the organise protests online. so they are determined to keep going bust up but they do report quite a lot of attacks and if you activists are being detained. they say they are treated 0k, they are still alive, but they are not free. ihihd

treated ok, they are still alive, but they are not free. and there are re orts of but they are not free. and there are reports of thousands _ but they are not free. and there are reports of thousands of _ but they are not free. and there are reports of thousands of people - but they are not free. and there are | reports of thousands of people being taken across into russia, effectively kidnapped by the russian forces. ~ ., . . ., ., ., forces. well, according to un, over 100,000 people — forces. well, according to un, over 100,000 people have _ forces. well, according to un, over 100,000 people have left - forces. well, according to un, over 100,000 people have left ukraine | forces. well, according to un, over. 100,000 people have left ukraine for russia. we do not know what percentage of people did that voluntarily and what percentage were put onto buses or other means of transport and transported to russia. we do get accounts that significant amount of people transferred from ukraine are currently held in russian health resorts. but they're being filtered, questioned by local security by police, and then russians claim they will be free. but we do not really know what destiny they will say and what destiny they will say and what destiny people who are considered to be a threat, what destiny will they

face. . g be a threat, what destiny will they face. . ,, ,., be a threat, what destiny will they face. . ~' ,. , be a threat, what destiny will they face. . ,, y., , . face. thank you very much indeed. let's talk more _ face. thank you very much indeed. let's talk more about _ face. thank you very much indeed. let's talk more about the - face. thank you very much indeed. let's talk more about the situation | let's talk more about the situation here in lviv, in western ukraine. joining me here in lviv is the chef and activist yevhen klopotenko. you are the sort ofjamie 0liver or gordon ramsay figure in ukraine you're the country's top chef, very famous on tv, and you have a restaurant where you are giving free food to people who have fled from their homes. it is food to people who have fled from their homes-— their homes. it is more like a bistro, their homes. it is more like a bistro. not — their homes. it is more like a bistro, not a _ their homes. it is more like a bistro, not a restaurant. - their homes. it is more like a bistro, not a restaurant. i- their homes. it is more like a - bistro, not a restaurant. i opened only seven days ago, open for four orfive days, so it only seven days ago, open for four or five days, so it is a place where people from all around ukraine can eat the food for free if they cannot pgy- eat the food for free if they cannot pay. it is how food should be, just food for saving lives, giving people

some nice feeling, like they are at home. they're eating food. it is very important. but i do not want to say it is food for refugees, it is just how it should be, it is a restaurant service for food in the way it should be. red with the idea is to welcome people who have had a nightmare, frankly. thea;r is to welcome people who have had a nightmare, frankly.— nightmare, frankly. they are traumatised _ nightmare, frankly. they are traumatised many _ nightmare, frankly. they are traumatised many of- nightmare, frankly. they are traumatised many of them. l nightmare, frankly. they are i traumatised many of them. our national dish, _ traumatised many of them. our national dish, a _ traumatised many of them. oi" national dish, a survey a lot of that. when you order this dish, you think everything is good, you feel like mother holding you in her arms. it is not only food for your stomach, it is food for to feel that everything is still 0k and everything is still 0k and everything is still 0k and everything is going to be ok. it is some mental help, a lot of things that are happening when you eat the food. i come to a lot of people, i am speaking with him, holding them, they know me because i am a tv chef. for them, they know me because i am a tv chef. forthem, it they know me because i am a tv chef. for them, it is a moment of happiness is up there reading the news, everything is bad, then when i

enter, it is good.— enter, it is good. what are your thou . hts enter, it is good. what are your thoughts about _ enter, it is good. what are your thoughts about the _ enter, it is good. what are your thoughts about the war? it i enter, it is good. what are your thoughts about the war? it is i thoughts about the war? it is entering its second month. what are yourfears entering its second month. what are your fears for this country that you love it so much?— love it so much? there is no more fear, love it so much? there is no more fear. you — love it so much? there is no more fear. you know- — love it so much? there is no more fear, you know. it— love it so much? there is no more fear, you know. it is— love it so much? there is no more fear, you know. it is still- love it so much? there is no more fear, you know. it is still fear, i fear, you know. it is still fear, but it has changed. i know and all of ukrainians know that we will definitely win. there is only one way how russia can when, kill millions of people, to kill 40 millions of people, to kill 40 million people, i do not think that they have opportunity to do this because we will be fighting until the end. it is our time, we will be the end. it is our time, we will be the not the best, but one of the best country in the world because we are showing the whole world that we are showing the whole world that we are ukrainians and we will definitely win. everyone is a a soldier. we do not have army and some civil army and some people who are not an army, no. now everyone is

soldier. someone is working on information, someone is working on food, someone is working on a voluntary level. everything... everyone is doing everything to support. the ukrainian army have all these tanks and missiles. it is hard to understand, but everyone is now in the army. we have 40 million in the army now in ukraine. it is the biggest army ever use. maybe officially we have 300 or 500 soldiers, but trust me on officially we have a near 40 million army. —— and officially. if russia knew that, the would never enter ukraine. ihire the would never enter ukraine. are ou the would never enter ukraine. are you surprised that the ukrainian troops have been performing so well, recapturing territory around kyiv, going on the counterattack? fournier, ourarmy, iam praying for our army.

fournier, ourarmy, iam praying for ourarmy. i fournier, ourarmy, iam praying for our army. i saw the film dunkirk when the plane was flying near dover and everyone was praying, saying there is the british plane. now we are doing the same. each ukrainian is a hero fighting for the future of ukraine. for me, i was a bit shocked at the ukrainian army is so strong. we would think that we are not such a strong army, but now we see that there was no information, we are a very strong army. now we are seeing what is happening. everyone is praying and we know that we are heroes. the guys who are fighting, they do not have fear. they know why they do not have fear. they know why they are doing it. it is a warfor the future of this country and for the future of this country and for the future of everyone. tier?r the future of this country and for the future of everyone. very good to talk to you- — the future of everyone. very good to talk to you. thank _ the future of everyone. very good to talk to you. thank you _ the future of everyone. very good to talk to you. thank you so _ the future of everyone. very good to talk to you. thank you so much. i talk to you. thank you so much. yevhen klopotenko, thank you so much for your time.

that's all from lviv at the moment. let's get some other news now from the studio in london. 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 hard—line 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. before starting this, i was dreaming in my sleep that we will be happy, be any class, study. when we heard this news, believe me, to store like a nightmare for to believe that we went back 20 years. a girl like me

cannot continue her way in order to realise her dream. 0nline, 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 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. britain's transport secretary grant shapps says the boss of p80 ferries should resign over

the no—notice sackings of 800 staff. peter hebblethwaite yesterday admitted that he broke the law when not consulting unions but said he would make the same decision again if he had to. grant shapps said his statement showed incredible arrogance. 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. 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 both ecstatic crowds and criticism from campaigners seeking reparations from the monarchy for slavery. 0ur 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. do stay with us here on bbc news.

coming up, your questions answered on the war in ukraine. see you in a few minutes. hello. there are signs of weather change on the horizon, but for the time being it is as you were. the dry, sunny and warm weather continues across most parts of the uk, although there will be a few exceptions here and there. high pressure is firmly in charge, that is what is keeping things tight at the moment. directing rain clouds off to the north and west. 0ne close to chip in. underneath that high pressure, with stagnant air, pollution levels have crept up. england and wales again medium to high levels of pollution, though this will gradually improve as we go to the end of the weekend and into the start of next week. as i said, it is dry and sunny. dawn to dusk for the massed majority. work out in the north and west of scotland, around some coast of northern ireland. there could be one or two

spots of rain in shetland. in southern scotland, northern england and northern ireland, we could catch and northern ireland, we could catch an isolated shower later on. in the sunshine, it what feel pleasantly warm. conditions today around the yorkshire area, 20 degrees likely. 0vernight, still some sponsoring close to shetland, dry night for most. look out wrong northern western coast of scotland. with clear skies elsewhere, tiptoes drop low enough for a touch of frost as we go into saturday morning. at the start of the weekend, we start a fine, lots of sunshine, may be a greater chance around the east coast of northern ireland of some low cloud. some cloud breaking up in the west of scotland, still a bit gloomy in 0rkney and shetland. blue skies foremost from dawn till dusk. like bench for the vast majority, more of a breeze blowing through the english channel, limiting the temperature rise there. parts of north wales and north—west england will see some of the highest temperatures on saturday afternoon, 18—19 for one or two. changes for saturday night into

sunday morning, the area of high pressure starts to shift a little bit and mondragon look out from the north sea. this is most likely across england and wales and the eastern coast of scotland for a time before clearing away. for some across england and wales, it will be across england and wales, it will be a bit grey and misty, some sunshine breaking through later, but it will cool colour. best conditions in western scotland, 17—18. it is clock change day as well, the clocks will go forward. as we go through to british summer time, it looks like colder air could make a return next week. there is a little bit of word of caution that things may change, but at the moment, instead of seeing temperatures close to 20, they will be in single digits later in the week for everyone.

welcome to your questions answered where, with a panel of experts, we try to answer as far as possible some of the many questions we've received on the war in ukraine. from north london, we arejoined by 0rysia lutsevych, the head of the ukraine forum at chatham house. professor sergey radchenko is from johns hopkins university in washington dc, butjoins us from cardiff in wales. from geneva, matthew saltmarsh, who is the global spokesperson for the united nations refugee agency, the unhcr. 0lga robinson is also in london, and is a disinformation expert at bbc monitoring. we will explain more about herjob shortly. here in the studio is the military analystjustin crump,

chief executive of the risk assessment company sibylline, and formerly a british army tank commander. let's start with a question from a young ukrainian, vitalina, who is sheltering near kyiv with her husband. i last spoke to her a few weeks ago, but we reached out to her and asked herfor a question. despite feeling super stressed, i am very proud of my brave country ukraine. right now we're trying to stop putin from spreading war all over the world but we do need some more weapons for this. what do you think? how can we ask the world to send us more weapons? in what way is that possible? and who must we ask and beg to provide us with more weapons to stop this crazy putin? let's start by asking 0rysia lutsevych from chatham house to respond to that plea — you yourself are ukrainian. you must hear similar voices all the

time, the anger, depression, the concern, does that truly reflect how people are feeling right across ukraine the moment?- people are feeling right across ukraine the moment? there is a lot of outrage. — ukraine the moment? there is a lot of outrage. and _ ukraine the moment? there is a lot of outrage, and i _ ukraine the moment? there is a lot of outrage, and i share _ ukraine the moment? there is a lot of outrage, and i share that - ukraine the moment? there is a lot of outrage, and i share that feeling | of outrage, and i share that feeling very much, but i think what has to happen is our anger has to turn into action. and we do see across europe massive solidarity with ukraine, people are marching, waving ukrainian flags, and here in north london icy stickers on lamp posts. so that means that politicians must be put under pressure to do more, because ukraine is the shield of europe, and it is quite an effective shield, in all honesty, if we see what kind of damage ukrainian armed forces are inflicting. for example, this weekend, there is a solidarity match with ukraine organised by sadiq khan the mayor of london. join in and show your support. write letters to your mps. ukraine is defending europe now. just letters to your mps. ukraine is defending europe now. just then, our iuns defending europe now. just then, our guns arriving —

defending europe now. just then, our guns arriving soon _ defending europe now. just then, our guns arriving soon from _ defending europe now. just then, our guns arriving soon from nato? i defending europe now. just then, our guns arriving soon from nato? -- i guns arriving soon from nato? —— justin. guns arriving soon from nato? -- justin. ., , , , ., justin. the weapons being sent are sliiht and justin. the weapons being sent are slight and glamorous _ justin. the weapons being sent are slight and glamorous compared i justin. the weapons being sent are slight and glamorous compared to | justin. the weapons being sent are i slight and glamorous compared to the quest for— slight and glamorous compared to the quest for fighters, what is modern metals _ quest for fighters, what is modern metals -- — quest for fighters, what is modern metals —— these modern missiles are doing _ metals —— these modern missiles are doing very— metals —— these modern missiles are doing very well especially in the hands _ doing very well especially in the hands of— doing very well especially in the hands of small groups of ukrainians who are _ hands of small groups of ukrainians who are operating well against the russian _ who are operating well against the russian supply chain, they are infiltrating russian positions like we are _ infiltrating russian positions like we are seeing around kyiv. their helping — we are seeing around kyiv. their helping in — we are seeing around kyiv. their helping in ukraine when the war, but they probably do need more more quickly, _ they probably do need more more quickly, and a few more other systems— quickly, and a few more other systems to stock with things like drones — systems to stock with things like drones. ~ ., systems to stock with things like drones. ~., ., systems to stock with things like drones. a, ., ., systems to stock with things like drones. ., ., ., , ., drones. more on that any minute. you can see the — drones. more on that any minute. you can see the nato _ drones. more on that any minute. you can see the nato leaders _ drones. more on that any minute. you can see the nato leaders who - can see the nato leaders who have been discussing supplying munitions to ukraine over the last few days. 0fomiyoan ejiro, nigeria asks, what war crimes have been committed in ukraine by russia so far?

80% of the city of mariupol is razed to the ground. some of the examples include shelling of the bomb shelter, where we have clearly seen in children, and now we have reports of 300 dead and that venue, horrific images of the bombing of the maternity hospital, pregnant women dying, children, and the sight of mariupol where basically civilians in a 400,000 city are not permitted to flee to safety and a convoy has been kidnapped with empty buses and we do not know whether drivers are. all of these constitute war crimes. there are examples of horrific sexual violence small villages around kyiv where small villages are trying so angrily to break ukraine's

defences. the special prosecutor from the international criminal court is sending his envoys to ukraine trying to investigate and have ukraine under the jurisdiction of the international criminal court. all of this is very serious and grave. all of this is very serious and rave. , . , ., grave. some pictures of the devastation _ grave. some pictures of the devastation that _ grave. some pictures of the devastation that has i grave. some pictures of the devastation that has been l grave. some pictures of the i devastation that has been caused. harold hecker, usa, asks, would/could russia be required to foot the bill for reconstruction of the damage they have done? could ukrainians be compensated by seizures of russian assets or through other means? 0bviously obviously the destruction and devastation are just in one month of this military campaign is very high, ukraine will need around 500 billion of funding, it is estimated to as what is happening today, and that bill will grow. i think there are ways, and one of the pathways could be the assets of russian central

bank that are being frozen in us dollars and euros. we have a precedent where for example the us is freezing caliban assets to taliban assets. another aspect is the oligarch assets, thought individuals linked to vladimir putin hiding in different offshore areas are now clear, and these assets, perhaps we need a special legislation to freeze them, because remember this money was often stolen from russian people. fitter; remember this money was often stolen from russian people.— from russian people. stay with us. we are going _ from russian people. stay with us. we are going to — from russian people. stay with us. we are going to bring _ from russian people. stay with us. we are going to bring in _ from russian people. stay with us. we are going to bring in justin i from russian people. stay with us. | we are going to bring in justin now, we are going to bring injustin now, some great questions on what is happening on the ground militarily, but can you give us a very quick update on where we are in all of the fronts? i update on where we are in all of the fronts? g . update on where we are in all of the fronts? ~ ., ., update on where we are in all of the fronts? ,, . ., ., fronts? i think we are at the end of the beginning _ fronts? i think we are at the end of the beginning rather— fronts? i think we are at the end of the beginning rather than - fronts? i think we are at the end of the beginning rather than the i the beginning rather than the beginning of the end, as churchill

said _ beginning of the end, as churchill said the — beginning of the end, as churchill said. the fighting has more or less slowed _ said. the fighting has more or less slowed down, some have stalled completely, the russians continue to make _ completely, the russians continue to make progress out of donbas and into the south, _ make progress out of donbas and into the south, that is where the best forces _ the south, that is where the best forces are, — the south, that is where the best forces are, and is probably the main area they— forces are, and is probably the main area they are focused on so they can recover— area they are focused on so they can recover dom — area they are focused on so they can recover dom bess, look up the south, because _ recover dom bess, look up the south, because they — recover dom bess, look up the south, because they want destroy the ukrainian army, that is largely in that area — ukrainian army, that is largely in that area. we see much more of you havei _ that area. we see much more of you have, but— that area. we see much more of you have, but that is more of a distraction for the russians, i think— distraction for the russians, i think they are more focused on the south-east, — think they are more focused on the south—east, we are more focused on kyiv because — south—east, we are more focused on kyiv because of the political dimension.— kyiv because of the political dimension. . ,, ., dimension. steve in stoke-on-trent asks, if russian _ dimension. steve in stoke-on-trent asks, if russian forces _ dimension. steve in stoke-on-trent asks, if russian forces use - asks, if russian forces use strategic or chemical weapons in ukraine, will the west respond with military force?— military force? great question. the red lines are _ military force? great question. the red lines are not _ military force? great question. the red lines are not known, _ military force? great question. the red lines are not known, we i military force? great question. the red lines are not known, we saw. military force? great question. the red lines are not known, we saw a| red lines are not known, we saw a statement — red lines are not known, we saw a statement yesterday from nato

worried — statement yesterday from nato worried that putin will bog down and russia _ worried that putin will bog down and russia escalates to win. they are increasing — russia escalates to win. they are increasing their aggression and decreasing the way they do things to win. decreasing the way they do things to win a_ decreasing the way they do things to win. a chemical, biological, nuclear, _ win. a chemical, biological, nuclear, all of it is on that spectrum. if you give the russians clear— spectrum. if you give the russians clear red _ spectrum. if you give the russians clear red lines which we sort of did _ clear red lines which we sort of did, or— clear red lines which we sort of did, or clear guidance, as we did before _ did, or clear guidance, as we did before the — did, or clear guidance, as we did before the invasion, we are telling the russians that actually this is ok to _ the russians that actually this is ok to do — the russians that actually this is ok to do what —— this is what it is 0k to do what —— this is what it is ok to _ 0k to do what —— this is what it is ok to do — 0k to do what —— this is what it is 0kto doand— 0k to do what —— this is what it is ok to do and this is what it is not. 0k to do and this is what it is not. if 0k to do and this is what it is not. if they— 0k to do and this is what it is not. if they want — 0k to do and this is what it is not. if they want to bring nato into the conflict, _ if they want to bring nato into the conflict, if— if they want to bring nato into the conflict, if they do not know for the lines — conflict, if they do not know for the lines are, it makes it much harder— the lines are, it makes it much harder for— the lines are, it makes it much harder for them to be sure they could _ harder for them to be sure they could use — harder for them to be sure they could use chemical weapons without any comeback but tactical nuclear weapons, — any comeback but tactical nuclear weapons, and there would be a response _ weapons, and there would be a response. so ambiguity helps, biden stressing _ response. so ambiguity helps, biden stressing the very fine line about not ignoring this but also not been sucked _ not ignoring this but also not been sucked into a conflict with russia. a question — sucked into a conflict with russia. a question about retaliation, does

ukraine have the capacity to send missiles to russian cities? ihshd ukraine have the capacity to send missiles to russian cities? and they have come actually, _ missiles to russian cities? and they have come actually, they _ missiles to russian cities? and they have come actually, they have i missiles to russian cities? and they have come actually, they have the l missiles to russian cities? and they. have come actually, they have the ss 21, a have come actually, they have the ss 21. a missile — have come actually, they have the ss 21, a missile system, ukraine has struck— 21, a missile system, ukraine has struck back— 21, a missile system, ukraine has struck back with that a few times. ukraine _ struck back with that a few times. ukraine claimed to have used it against — ukraine claimed to have used it against both the ships yesterday, but it— against both the ships yesterday, but it has— against both the ships yesterday, but it has been used against russian airfield _ but it has been used against russian airfield where ukraine has targeted military— airfield where ukraine has targeted military assets. but at the moment, ithink— military assets. but at the moment, ithink ukraine military assets. but at the moment, i think ukraine is much more interested in degrading russia's military— interested in degrading russia's military capability than launching attacks _ military capability than launching attacks on its own on russian cities — attacks on its own on russian cities. largely category out of date anyway, _ cities. largely category out of date anyway, but also ukraine only has a few missiles, they are targeting a railroad _ few missiles, they are targeting a railroad and airfields and things that really helped them win the war in their— that really helped them win the war in their country.— in their country. quickly, what have ou made in their country. quickly, what have you made of— in their country. quickly, what have you made of the — in their country. quickly, what have you made of the narrative - in their country. quickly, what have you made of the narrative this i in their country. quickly, what have| you made of the narrative this week that ukraine is actually on the front foot? it that ukraine is actually on the front foot?— front foot? it certainly is in localised — front foot? it certainly is in localised areas, _ front foot? it certainly is in localised areas, they i front foot? it certainly is in localised areas, they have| front foot? it certainly is in i localised areas, they have been effective — localised areas, they have been effective in small numbers, they have _ effective in small numbers, they have been— effective in small numbers, they have been very good at infiltrating

around _ have been very good at infiltrating around kyiv, they have certainly fought— around kyiv, they have certainly fought a — around kyiv, they have certainly fought a brilliant action on the battlefield, i think to the surprise of nato~ — battlefield, i think to the surprise of nato. but there is a long way to id i of nato. but there is a long way to go i think— of nato. but there is a long way to go i think before they can dislodge russian _ go i think before they can dislodge russian troops that have dug in with minefields _ russian troops that have dug in with minefields and things like that, so there _ minefields and things like that, so there a _ minefields and things like that, so there a pause at the moment, and ukraine _ there a pause at the moment, and ukraine is— there a pause at the moment, and ukraine is enduring, russia will try to escalate — ukraine is enduring, russia will try to escalate-— to escalate. thanks for that, justin. let's _ to escalate. thanks for that, justin. let's speak _ to escalate. thanks for that, justin. let's speak to i to escalate. thanks for that, justin. let's speak to sergey to escalate. thanks for that, i justin. let's speak to sergey in cardiff, i wanted to start by asking you, because that is so much bewilderment still coming through in some of the questions we are getting from people, best expressed perhaps by karen in nigeria, who still wants to know what is the motive behind the russian invasion?— to know what is the motive behind the russian invasion? putting things in a 19th-century _ the russian invasion? putting things in a 19th-century terms, _ the russian invasion? putting things in a 19th-century terms, he - the russian invasion? putting things in a 19th-century terms, he a i the russian invasion? putting things in a 19th-century terms, he a of- in a 19th—century terms, he a of recreating great russia —— vladimir putin sinks in 19th—century terms.

—— thinks. he thought perhaps that would not be much of the reaction from the west if you moved in on ukraine. he miscalculated, of course, but those were his calculation is to begin with. sergey, we have all watched a lot of action movies and read a lot of spy novels as well, and i think the next question was sent to us from jason thomas in wales, you will see a bit of that influence.— of that influence. what i would like to know is. — of that influence. what i would like to know is, are _ of that influence. what i would like to know is, are there _ of that influence. what i would like to know is, are there any _ of that influence. what i would like to know is, are there any special i to know is, are there any special forces _ to know is, are there any special forces operations in place at the moment— forces operations in place at the moment to try to assassinate putin? what _ moment to try to assassinate putin? what would — moment to try to assassinate putin? what would you say to that, sergey? right. so western operatives have historically done the sort of thing, when example which comes to mind as 1953 in iran, which didn't actually work out so well in the end, and it

also does not work out so well in 1979. but russia is not iran or afghanistan, so it would be difficult from a technical perspective to actually send a team to moscow to assassinate vladimir putin because his residences are well protected and well fortified, but this is only part of the problem, the technical part, the bigger part is that this sort of action would be tantamount to declaration of war against russia, which could result in retaliation and nuclear war, sol which could result in retaliation and nuclear war, so i would definitely not recommend this of action. ~ . ., ., definitely not recommend this of action. ~ . ., definitely not recommend this of action. . ., action. what about a palace coup? that is interesting, _ action. what about a palace coup? that is interesting, russia - action. what about a palace coup? that is interesting, russia does i that is interesting, russia does have a precedent for an internal coup, the assassination of nikita khrushchev by his colleagues when he was on vacation. if you look at the longer history of russian forces,

his colleagues were too afraid to move against him. but it was so incompetent and failed after three days. so that is the best thing to hope for from our perspective, it has happened before so it cannot be excluded, so it is a rare occurrence in russian history.— in russian history. mark wonders if it is possible _ in russian history. mark wonders if it is possible that _ in russian history. mark wonders if it is possible that president - in russian history. mark wonders if it is possible that president putin l it is possible that president putin wants a war with nato despite the likelihood of possibly turning into a nuclear war.— a nuclear war. justin alluded to that in his _ a nuclear war. justin alluded to that in his answer, _ a nuclear war. justin alluded to that in his answer, that - a nuclear war. justin alluded to that in his answer, that is - that in his answer, that is an interesting question. i think putin is used in nuclear threats so far in this conflict, he has reminded us that russia possesses nuclear weapons, and you have to ask what has this done for? my sense that it

is done for brinksmanship, in order to scare your opponent or make your opponent think you are crazy and you mightjust do anything, including the use of nuclear weapons. and i think that is what putin is doing. he is reminding the world that russia is a nuclear power, that if you are not careful, it could actually destroy the entire world, try he doing that? that is because he is hoping to gain advantage in terms of preventing for example nato from escalating in ukraine. i think he has done that quite effectively. putin is not the first moscow leader to do that, we know that during the cold war, they resorted to drugs and ship all the time for political purposes. ship all the time for political purposes-— ship all the time for political --uroses. ., ~ ,, y . let's look now at how the war is being reported. "fog of war" often applies, but none more so than in this war. olga robinson, bbc monitoring's specialist disinformtation reporter

is with us. what kind of material are you spending your days watching, olga? my myjob my job involves myjob involves reporting on disinformation that is spread deliberately to cause harm or deceive people, i have been watching a lot of russian state tv and the kind of misleading narratives they have been putting out about the situation in ukraine. that involves the recent attack on a maternity hospital in mariupol that was mentioned by one of the guests. here's a report from channel one, one of the top two channels in terms of popularity in russia, and it starts with the presenter talking about what he describes as information terrorism that the west is using against russia, and he lists the maternity hospital attack as one example. then the report

itself starts, and we can see this. the report claims a pregnant mariupol influencer called marianna vyshyhirskaya took part in staging photos of the aftermath of the attack on the maternity hospital, including by pretending to be another pregnant woman at the scene, and goes on to suggest that the hospital hasn't been operationalfor a long time and used by nationalists as a base. it suggests she was involved in an elaborate hoax, posing as another pregnant woman who was injured and sticking a picture which was spread into the western media. we looked into the western media. we looked into these claims. that is simply not true. the women captured in the photos are two different women and one of them, pictured on the stretcher, has sadly died.

marianna has given birth since. this is an example of the kind of reporting that russian audiences are seeing on state tv.— seeing on state tv. olga, can i brina seeing on state tv. olga, can i bring you _ seeing on state tv. olga, can i bring you a _ seeing on state tv. olga, can i bring you a question _ seeing on state tv. olga, can i bring you a question we - seeing on state tv. olga, can i bring you a question we have l seeing on state tv. olga, can i. bring you a question we have seen seeing on state tv. olga, can i - bring you a question we have seen a lot of, actually, lots of social media platforms? i have noticed a lot of the rhetoric used by putin on the russian government has been quite similar to some of the wording and phrasing of george w bush and the us government that they used when invading iraq. although the similarity is almost never mentioned on american news, has this been noticed elsewhere? how much of that was a deliberate choice from russia? and has it worked on legitimising this attack inside russia and other places? a lot to pick but briefly, what are your thoughts? bier? what are your thoughts? very interesting — what are your thoughts? very interesting that _ what are your thoughts? - interesting that members of the public have noticed some similarities in the rhetoric and the

wedding. i have to say that for years, russian officials and state media have been using examples of the rhetoric used in the us ahead of the rhetoric used in the us ahead of the invasion of iraq, particularly the invasion of iraq, particularly the claims around weapons of mass destruction in order to criticise the us and accuse it of being cynical and hypocritical. it is very interesting to see that right now, interesting to see that right now, in order to legitimise the invasion of ukraine for the russian population, state tv and officials have been using claims about, well, suggesting that ukraine is involved in developing bio weapons with the support of the us. we looked into these claims, absolutely nothing to suggest that there is any evidence of this happening, but it is very interesting that, i know anecdotally from people who i know back in russia, that some people do believe

this, and infact russia, that some people do believe this, and in fact some of the kind of older generation of people, that my friend stopped, they are seriously concerned about bio weapons that ukraine might use against russia.— against russia. olga, thanks for that. a moment _ against russia. olga, thanks for that. a moment now— against russia. olga, thanks for that. a moment now to - against russia. olga, thanks for that. a moment now to talk - against russia. olga, thanks for l that. a moment now to talk about this extraordinary humanitarian crisis we are seeing, millions of people leaving ukraine. matthew salt marsh is from the un refugee agency, and joins us now. matthew, one of the teams coming through in so many of the questions is what can we do to help? terence says, my wife and i are pensioners in the north midlands, we have clothing and bedding, what would you say to them? the outpouring of support from the public has been absolutely overwhelming, fantastic to see. i just got back from the border with poland, and obviously the biggest needs are inside ukraine, but a country like poland is hosting over

2 million people. i think the most important thing that can be given at this point is cash. i met the mayor of a local town who had a big reception centre, and we toured around the reception centre in poland and there were just mountains of old clothes, broken prams, items that are of no use to them, to be honest. what he said was cash is king because it gives them the flexibility to intervene where it is needed, and when it is needed. those cash donations could be given to unhcr, other un agencies, other international ngos, but also other ngos that work in countries as well. and there are of other things people can do, once refugees have come to your country, people can help with hosting, they can help with volunteering, they can also advocate for support for refugees and for an easing of perhaps some draconian legislation that might be in place in certain countries, so there's a lot that can be done, but i think

for the urgent needs, it is cash which allows agencies to get into ukraine, to move those basic goods and basic needs and to ukraine and also to support neighbouring countries which are hosting the vast majority of the refugees.— majority of the refugees. matthew, chris has sent _ majority of the refugees. matthew, chris has sent as _ majority of the refugees. matthew, chris has sent as a _ majority of the refugees. matthew, chris has sent as a question - majority of the refugees. matthew, chris has sent as a question about. chris has sent as a question about the crisis in mariupol. the question i would like — the crisis in mariupol. the question i would like to _ the crisis in mariupol. the question i would like to know _ the crisis in mariupol. the question i would like to know is, _ the crisis in mariupol. the question i would like to know is, are - the crisis in mariupol. the question i would like to know is, are there i i would like to know is, are there any special— i would like to know is, are there any special forces operations in place _ any special forces operations in place at — any special forces operations in place at the moment to try to assassinate putin?— place at the moment to try to assassinate putin? that was a auestion assassinate putin? that was a question from _ assassinate putin? that was a question from earlier, - assassinate putin? that was a l question from earlier, actually. christmas editors, in case of severe humanitarian suffering such as the siege of mariupol, can we not air drop supplies to prevent the suffering of civilians? on what grounds could russia conceivably objected to this?— grounds could russia conceivably objected to this? airdrops have been used in the past _ objected to this? airdrops have been used in the past by _ objected to this? airdrops have been used in the past by humanitarian - used in the past by humanitarian actors to deliver food in particular. they have been done so rarely because it really needs a big open space below from which the goods can be received, and you also

need to have safety and the location. so it needs to be safer for the citizens to be able to go out and recuperate that food and tickets to safe place. and relate the calculation in mariupol at the moment as it has just been too dangerous. a lot of un convoys have been trying to get to hard to reach areas, they have been reached but actually setting up the safety and the structures for convoys to go in but also safe passage to get people out is very complicated. a number of steps needs to be taken in terms of getting the two sides on board, making sure the roots are in place, making sure the roots are in place, making sure the roots are in place, making sure all the communications are in place until the markings are there. i know there is a un team at there. i know there is a un team at the moment in moscow trying to further the negotiations on this, but it is not as simple as just dropping in aid orjust driving in to a conflict affected cities like

mariupol. to a conflict affected cities like mariu ol. , , ., .,, to a conflict affected cities like mariuol. , , ., , ., mariupol. this question was sent to us in many — mariupol. this question was sent to us in many forms, _ mariupol. this question was sent to us in many forms, orysia. - mariupol. this question was sent to us in many forms, orysia. is- us in many forms, orysia. is conceding eastern regions of ukraine the only way to stop the onslaught? we have heard from various question what kind of cynicism and inhumane enemy ukraine is dealing with, and of course there are some parts of ukraine occupied, i have looked at the most recent public opinion poll on 70% of ukrainians do not support it and temporarily cease fire without withdrawal of russian troops, and we see quite courageous resistance in occupied areas where people are facing all these occupiers. so i think there is no way at this point where ukraine will officially recognise these occupied territories as russian, because what is at stake is the preservation of

ukrainian state, and everybody understands what every land grab —— with every land grab, putin gets more and more appetite. that is why ukraine is standing so strong on the position of its territorial integrity. sergey, another question u nfortu nately, unfortunately, the russian government has a monopoly of the information inside the country, so it is very difficult to sayjust how many people in russia support this war. it is very difficult to conduct a proper— it is very difficult to conduct a proper opinion poll in russia. people — proper opinion poll in russia. people ask if you support putin and the war. _ people ask if you support putin and the war, you had better say yes if you are _ the war, you had better say yes if you are in — the war, you had better say yes if you are in a — the war, you had better say yes if you are in a totalitarian country or do not _ you are in a totalitarian country or do not answer your phone, so i'm sceptical— do not answer your phone, so i'm sceptical about the opinion polls. however. — sceptical about the opinion polls. however, it is clear that there is some _ however, it is clear that there is some public support for this war and people _ some public support for this war and people buy— some public support for this war and people buy into topic under about

nazis— people buy into topic under about nazis being in ukraine or whatever. how long _ nazis being in ukraine or whatever. how long will this last? it is very difficult — how long will this last? it is very difficult to — how long will this last? it is very difficult to say because people live in an echo — difficult to say because people live in an echo chamber, they listen to themselves, and they are disconnected from those narratives, but of _ disconnected from those narratives, but of course, as soldiers failed to return, _ but of course, as soldiers failed to return, having been killed in ukraine, _ return, having been killed in ukraine, and the sanctions continue biting, _ ukraine, and the sanctions continue biting, i_ ukraine, and the sanctions continue biting, i think eventually there's going _ biting, i think eventually there's going to — biting, i think eventually there's going to be a general conclusion being _ going to be a general conclusion being reached by the public. sergey, thank ou being reached by the public. sergey, thank you for— being reached by the public. sergey, thank you for that. _ thank you so much for your questions. and to our fantastic panel of experts. we'd like to leave you now with some images from the past few weeks from a country devastated by war but fortified by the courage and resilence of its people.

hello. there are signs of weather change on the horizon, but for the time being, as you are. the dry, sunny and warm weather continues across most parts of the uk, although there will be a few exceptions here and there. high pressure firmly in charge, keeping things dry at the moment, directing rain clouds after the north, but underneath the high pressure, with stagnant air, we have seen pollution levels creep up. england and wales again, medium to high levels of pollution, although those will gradually improve as we go to the end of the weekend and into the start of next week. as i said, dry and sunny, dawn to dusk for the vast majority. more clouds to the north and west of scotland, ram some coast of northern ireland, and in shetland, one or two spots of rain

possible. maybe later in some scotland and northern ireland and northern england, we catch an isolated shower, but in the sunshine, feeling pleasantly warm. almost conditions today around the yorkshire area probably, 20 or 21 celsius likely. this ceiling of overnight, still some spots of rain close to shetland, dry night for most, low cloud around northern and western coast of scotland and on to the north of northern ireland, meaning that was clear skies elsewhere, temperatures will drop, some frost into saturday morning. details for saturday, the start of the weekend, we start off fine, lots of sunshine around, perhaps a greater chance around the coast of northern ireland of some low cloud, some of the cloud breaking up in western scotland, still a bit gloomy in orkney and shetland, but blue skies for most all day. more please going down through the english channel, though. —— more of a breeze blowing down through the channel. higher temperatures on saturday afternoon. but saturday night into sunday, the area high pressure

starting to shift a little bit, and more at low cloud coming in from the north sea. most likely a crossing that in wales and around the eastern coast of scotland for a time before clearing away, so for some across england and wales come a bit of a grey and misty day, sunshine breaking through later but feeling cooler, west of scotland 17 or 18 celsius. it is of course clock change day as well, the cops will go forward, but as we go into british summer time, forward, but as we go into british summertime, colderair could make a return next week. word of caution that things may change, but at the moment, instead of temperatures close to 20 celsius, in single digits later in the week for all.

this is bbc news. i'm ben brown, live in lviv, as the war in ukraine enters its second month. the authorities in the embattled ukrainian city of mariupol say they now believe about 300 people died when russia bombed a theatre last week. the united states and european union announce a major deal on liquified natural gas, in an attempt to reduce europe's reliance on russian energy supplies. we are going to work to ensure an additional 15, 1—5, 15 billion cubic metres of liquefied natural gas, lng, for europe this year. western military analysis says ukrainian forces have recaptured towns and defensive positions up to 35 kilometres east of kyiv —

as russian troops fall back on overextended supply lines. with russia blocking aid convoys in southern ukraine, there are warnings that thousands of trapped residents may soon be forcibly transferred to russia. welcome from lviv, western ukraine. well, as the war in this country grinds on into its second month, ukrainian forces are continuing to counter attack and sieze back lost territory around and seize back lost territory around the capital kyiv. the latest british military analysis says ukrainian troops are reoccupying towns and defensive positions up to 35 kilmoetres east of the city. in other words, as we've

known for a while now, the war is not going to plan as far as president putin is concerned. but the humanitarian situation in some cities under russian attack is dire. in mariupol especially, where ukrainian officials now say some 300 people may have died in the bombing of a theatre last week where civilians were taking shelter, that number can't be independently verified. of course, the russians have even more devastating weapons in their arsenal, which is why president biden has warned the kremlin not to use chemical weapons in this conflict. if it does, he says, nato will respond. joe biden has also announced a major deal with the european union to reduce its reliance on russian gas. he says the united states will step up its own supplies of liquefied natural gas to the eu this year. president biden will be travelling later to poland to meet ukrainian refugees. we begin our coverage with this report from sancha berg.

about 300 people were killed in the bombing of the theatre in mariupol, according to the city council this morning, the building where the word "children" had been written in giant letters on the ground outside. the assessment comes from witness accounts. the council had not been able to establish the exact number yet. in what is left of mariupol, there is little food, no water or electricity. but 100,000 people are said to be trapped in the city. ukraine's called for more military aid to fight the russians. the us and the eu are focused on economic war. last year, eu states used over 155 billion cubic metres of russian gas. this morning, president biden announced the us would help europe end its dependence. the united states together with our international partners, we are going to work to ensure

an additional 15, 1—5, 15 billion cubic metres of liquefied natural gas, lng, for europe this year. as the eu works to discontinue buying russian gas well before 2030, we will also work to ensure additional eu market demand for 50 billion cubic metres of lng from the united states annually by 2030. that liquefied gas carried by ship will not solve the problem, but it is a very welcome step. putin is trying to turn back the clock to another era, an era of brutal use of force, of power politics, of spheres of influence and internal repression. i am confident he will fail. we are working together to forge a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future, and i know we will succeed.

thank you very much. the us is offering to help refugees, too, with $1 billion of aid and permanent homes for 100,000 people. later today, president biden will travel to eastern poland, not farfrom the border with ukraine. more than 2 million ukrainians have crossed this frontier, half of them children. but there is no sign vladimir putin wants peace. i think he has decided to double down and to try to gronzify the great cities of ukraine in the way that he has always tried to do. and i think that is a tragic mistake. and the ukrainians are fighting back. in kyiv and here in the occupied port city of berdyansk where they destroyed a russian landing ship. sancha berg, bbc news. lets talk more about that report

that 300 people may have died in the city of mariupol in that theatre where hundreds of people were taking shelter. with me now is my colleague, hugo bachega, to speak about what's going on in mariupol. you have been following what is going on in mariupol for days and days now and talking to people from there, it is difficult to be clear about the number of people may have died in that particular attack on the theatre.— died in that particular attack on the theatre. , , , ,., the theatre. this is the person we are getting _ the theatre. this is the person we are getting a _ the theatre. this is the person we are getting a figure _ the theatre. this is the person we are getting a figure of— the theatre. this is the person we are getting a figure of how - the theatre. this is the person we are getting a figure of how many. are getting a figure of how many people could have died, but we should say that this is based on eyewitness accounts, so this is not an official figure from the city council. based on interviews we did with city officials, people who had beenin with city officials, people who had been in the theatre before the attack, we understand that up to 1000 people were there days before the attack, so we still do not know if 1000 people, the attack, so we still do not know if1000 people, hundreds the attack, so we still do not know if 1000 people, hundreds of people were there at the moment of the attack. communication with mariupol is extremely difficult, so it is really hard to verify information. we did manage, though, to talk to two survivors of the attack, they describe some chaotic scenes in the

afferent mass of the attack. if you look at pictures from the aftermath of the attack, it is destroyed. this had been clearly marked as a civilian shelter with the word children written outside the building. children written outside the buildinu. ~ ., children written outside the buildinu. ~ . ., building. what about the wider situation in _ building. what about the wider situation in mariupol? - building. what about the wider situation in mariupol? it - building. what about the wider situation in mariupol? it is - situation in mariupol? it is desperate, isn't it? ice situation in mariupol? it is desperate, isn't it? ice spoke to the mayor _ desperate, isn't it? ice spoke to the mayor and _ desperate, isn't it? ice spoke to the mayor and he _ desperate, isn't it? ice spoke to the mayor and he described - desperate, isn't it? ice spoke to the mayor and he described a i desperate, isn't it? ice spoke to - the mayor and he described a chaotic situation. food supplies are running low, water supply is running low. he described relentless russian attacks with entire neighbourhoods now completely destroyed. we know that about 100,000 people remain trapped inside mariupol. mariupol has been a city where russian officials and ukrainian officials have been unable to create those humanitarian corridors to allow the evacuation of civilians. thousands have managed to escape in recent days, butjust because they have cars and means to do that. but tens of thousands remain trapped with no way of

getting out. ads, remain trapped with no way of getting out-— remain trapped with no way of getting out. remain trapped with no way of caettin out. �* ., . , ., ., getting out. a horrific situation in mariu ol. getting out. a horrific situation in mariupol. thank _ getting out. a horrific situation in mariupol. thank you _ getting out. a horrific situation in mariupol. thank you very - getting out. a horrific situation in mariupol. thank you very much i getting out. a horrific situation in - mariupol. thank you very much indeed for bringing us up—to—date on the situation. as we have been saying, the humanitarian situation continuing to deteriorate. an estimated 100,000 estimated 100 , 000 civilians estimated 100,000 civilians running out of basic food and water supplies. wyre davies reports from the southern road towards mariupol where defensive ukrainian positions are preparing for the next phase in the conflict. well, after about four weeks of war, russia certainly would have thought it would have made more progress than this. and it is fair to say that in the last couple of days, neither side seems to have made too much progress on the ground. these are the last ukrainian defensive positions in the south of the country before the front line, which isjust a couple of kilometres away. and these are very dangerous positions, plenty of mortars and shells have been landing in this area over the last couple of days. and in the distance we have been hearing the sound of bombing and shelling of the city of mariupol, which isjust

down the road here. but here they are dug in for the long haul. these are trenches on the defensive line of the ukrainian forces, so there is bedding here, there is food, water, and there is arms, as well. plenty of guns and ammunition ready to defend these possessions. —— plenty of guns and ammunition ready to defend these positions. the question for the ukrainians is what do the russians do next? do they try to punch through on the ground, which so far hasn't been a tactic that has worked for russia, or do they start to bombard cities and towns like these? like they have done to mariupol, shell them into virtual oblivion. let's talk about the situation with people who have fled their homes in their millions from the areas of fighting where the russian forces are in the east and the south of the country. many of them have come to

this city, lviv, in the west of ukraine where it is much safer, much more peaceful. oleh malets, head co—ordinator of the volunteers here in lviv, who are helping people who've fled from their homes. thank you very much for being with us. how many volunteers do you have who are helping these people? from the first day — who are helping these people? from the first day of _ who are helping these people? from the first day of work, _ who are helping these people? from the first day of work, we _ who are helping these people? fr'rrrn the first day of work, we create our main city volunteer centre, and there were days we work approximately with 1500 people, young people, who wake up in the morning of the 24th of february, and they understand that they must do something to help the people, help the refugees, and do something good. our victory is closer and closer. when these people come here from, who have left their homes, had to flee from their homes, what state

are they in? how are they? obviously they must have been terrified and they must have been terrified and they have had to travel a very long way, haven't they, from where they live? ~ ., . ., ., live? we have some direction of workin: , live? we have some direction of working. some _ live? we have some direction of working, some processes, - live? we have some direction of working, some processes, we . live? we have some direction of. working, some processes, we have live? we have some direction of- working, some processes, we have a hotline where people who come to lviv, who drive to lviv, they can call and ask something, there were volunteers give them some advice, some recommendation, some general information about the registration point or something like that. also we have a registration point, it is in different districts of leeds. what is the process of registration? before —— different districts of lviv. after registration, refugees come to the shelters, a place where

they are living. find come to the shelters, a place where they are living-— they are living. and they get food, they are living. and they get food, the net they are living. and they get food, they get water. — they are living. and they get food, they get water, they _ they are living. and they get food, they get water, they get _ they are living. and they get food, they get water, they get close - they are living. and they get food, they get water, they get close and j they get water, they get close and supplies? they get water, they get close and su--hes? �*,. they get water, they get close and su lies? ~ ,., ., ., ., ., supplies? also we have humanitarian aid oints supplies? also we have humanitarian aid points where _ supplies? also we have humanitarian aid points where refugees _ supplies? also we have humanitarian aid points where refugees can - supplies? also we have humanitarian aid points where refugees can come. aid points where refugees can come and get some humanitarian aid. for example, some medicine, food... different stuff. also, we have another process, we work also with the shelters. for example, something like a starter pack for the shelters. because a lot of shelters are in schools or kindergartens, so we make beds for refugees and also we make beds for refugees and also we make beds for refugees and also we make some dishes for them. ltrufhen we make some dishes for them. when ou see all

we make some dishes for them. when you see all these _ we make some dishes for them. when you see all these people _ we make some dishes for them. when you see all these people who have fled from their homes, how angry does it make you feel about the situation in your country? it is very important _ situation in your country? it is very important for— situation in your country? it is very important for our - situation in your country? it 3 very important for our volunteers, people who can talk with these people, who can say something good. in general, our mission is to make lviv safe, make shelter, for example, for these people's safety. thank you very much. the volunteers helping all those people who have fled their homes in this country. altogether 10 million people have fled from their homes. more than 3 million have left ukraine. 2 million of them have gone to poland. it is around about a quarter of the entire population of ukraine who have been forced out of their homes by this

work. now entering, of course, its second month. more coverage coming up, but we are just going to say goodbye to viewers who have been watching on bbc two. lets talk more about what president biden has been announcing in terms of a gas deal to reduce the european union's dependence on russian gas supplies. our brussels correspondent jessica parker explains how the gas deal announced by president biden to reduce the eu's dependence on russian energy was put together so quickly. 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 to supply 15 billion cubic metres of liquefied natural gas to europe this year, and then build on those supplies over the coming years. and 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 reasons are rather obvious. one of them, russia no longer necessarily 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 reasons at the moment is a deep, deep discomfort, particularly among 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 more towards the west, america. but of course, this is still a reliance for now to some extent on fossil fuels. and i notice that 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. jessica parker reporting. the un has told the bbc that ukrainians are being arbitrarily detained and subjected to enforced disappearances in russian—controlled areas. olga ivshina from the bbc russian service has more on this. the words which you cited by the united nations absolutely match the accounts me and my colleagues are getting from the ground. so we managed to speak to quite a few residents in the city of kherson and melitopol, both in the south of ukraine and are currently controlled by russian troops. people we spoke to say that many activists who were protesting against russians were being

detained, were beaten, and some of them have disappeared. local activists say that they try to keep protesting despite that. for example, residents of melitopol told us they were protesting for many, many days in a row until almost all of them were beaten or detained. at the moment, they still do not surrender and they think to organise protests online. so they are determined to keep going, but they do report quite a lot of attacks and the fact that a few activists are being detained. they say they are treated ok, they are still alive, but they are not free. and there are reports, olga, of thousands of people being taken across into russia, effectively kidnapped by the russian forces. well, according to un, over 100,000 people have left ukraine for russia. we do not know what percentage of people did that voluntarily,

consciously, and what percentage were put onto buses or other means of transport and transported to russia. we do get accounts that significant amount of people transferred from ukraine are currently held in russian — how it's called — health resorts. but they're being filtered, questioned by local security services, by police, and then russians claim they will be free. but we do not really know what destiny they will see and what destiny people who are considered to be a threat, what destiny will they face. us presidentjoe biden is travelling to poland later to meet refugees fleeing the war and us troops stationed there. let's cross live to our correspondent mark lowen who's in warsaw.

what is the president going to be doing? what is the president going to be doinu ? ~ , . , doing? well, he is currently en route to a _ doing? well, he is currently en route to a city _ doing? well, he is currently en route to a city in _ doing? well, he is currently en route to a city in eastern - doing? well, he is currently en l route to a city in eastern poland, right on the border with ukraine, it is an area where we have spent the last month. to give you a sense of the mood in that city, the municipality is currently preparing to clear out and clear up the cold war era shelters and basements in buildings right across the city, to prepare them in case there could be a russian attack. that gives you a sense of the attackjittery mate in the east of poland. there he will be visiting some of the 9000 us troops that are now stationed in poland. this is a visit by the guarantor, relate, of european security, the leader of the us visiting the eastern edge of a continent whose allusions about post—war peace have been shattered by vladimir putin. he has been visiting the humanitarian front line, meeting some refugees from ukraine. poland has welcome and 2.2 million of them so far. you will

be expressing gratitude to the polish people for that. you will also meet the polish president to discuss what is unfolding right now. that is an extraordinary number, isn't it? 2.2 million refugees who have come from ukraine into poland. are those numbers, are large numbers of people still coming in across the border, is that exodus continuing? the numbers are beginning to drop daily now. for example, on wednesday, two days ago, there were 30,000 crossing the border, compared to more than 100,000 who were crossing over at the start of the invasion. what we are seeing now is there was that immediate rush, the panic in those first few days, couple of weeks of the war in which people tried to flee. and now you're getting people who are, he tried to stay basically, who were reluctant to flee, now they feel they need to read. it is almost like the second wave that is coming, but it is in

smaller numbers. of the 2.2 million, it is estimated about 1.5 million of them are still in poland. in warsaw, for example, which is where president biden will visit this afternoon and tomorrow, this population has gone up by a fifth almost due to be refugees coming. that gives you a sense of the magnitude of the numbers. absolutely extraordinary — magnitude of the numbers. absolutely extraordinary numbers. _ a group of ukrainian children seriously ill with cancer are being transported to six countries around the world. they have recieved offers of help from 200 hospitals in a major international push. the children will receive essential life—saving treatment as a result of this intiative. sophie hutchinson reports. they have cancer, they are catastrophically ill. unless treated, cancer is fatal, so they could all die with the interruption of treatment. lviv is where theirjourney begins.

all these families are used to the stress, but now they have like two wars, one against cancer and the other against russia. this doctor has spearheaded the mission, gathering together young cancer patients from hospitals all over ukraine, and organising their onward journey to safety. hundreds of patients with cancer, children, being evacuated in convoys from one country to another. this is something exceptional. this was the sixth major convoy of ambulances carrying a0 sick children and their families. the aim was to get out as quickly as possible before any russian attack. ifeelangry and mad. they will pay for this, in my opinion. ten hours later, they arrived in the middle of poland, and into the arms of the emergency services, doctors and volunteers. then, onto a modest roadside hotel, transformed into an international medical triage centre, a ray of hope for these children.

translation: it feels very tough. my husband is fighting. _ we met lesia and her 18—month—old son, pavlo, after theirfirst good night's sleep. he has a very rare bone cancer, but treatment in ukraine was hard, after they had to move to an air raid shelter. translation: because of air raids, we were running down _ to the shelter night and day. the chemo, the drips — there was no rest. it was a great stress for my boy. at night, he was scared. i would take him asleep in my arms and run down the stairs. he simply wakes up and cries several times at night. without treatment, childhood cancer is fatal. but with the right care, there's an 80% chance of being cured. these children have already faced the threat of cancer in their young lives. add to that a war, and the threat of life—saving medicines

and treatments being cut off, it's hard to overstate the importance to them of this rescue mission. natalia's son has a brain tumor. he was diagnosed just four days before the war, and was preparing for surgery as the bombing started. translation: we had an operation scheduled for that day. _ we were already at the hospital with my boy, and my husband called me in the morning and said the war has started, that dnipro, in the city where we live, and the airport, was being bombed. his older brother has travelled with him, but the rest of theirfamily is back in ukraine. natalia says she can't believe what has happened to them. translation: it simply doesn't stack up. - it doesn't sit right in my head. it's like some nightmare. in the weeks since the war started, around 600 young patients have been assessed here, and within just a couple of days,

matched with hospitals in europe and north america. the uk has taken in 21. i can understand their pain. ina, who is herself a ukrainian refugee, has been working to support the children and is in touch with some in the uk. they send me different short movies, constantly, where they stay. i can't imagine that in this dark, terrifying war, there is a light that our ukrainian kids have a chance to have treatment in such a nice place. this extraordinary rescue mission will continue. there are several thousand children with cancer in ukraine and, of course, countless others in need of hospital care in a place of safety. sophie hutchinson, bbc news, poland. and that is it from me and the team

here in lviv, in western ukraine. you'll have much more news and analysis on the work throughout the day. for now, you have been watching bbc news. good afternoon. we really are being spoiled with our weather at the moment, aren't we? plenty of spring sunshine out there once again. take a look at this picture in suffolk. i hope you can get out and enjoy it. there could be a little more cloud across the east coast of england as we go into the weekend. there is a little bit more cloud across the far north, as well. could produce showers into the northern isles. a sunny day generally through scotland. take a look at ireland, more sunshine around your over the last few hours in comparison to yesterday for top similar story for northern ireland and north—west england, as well. for the remainder of the afternoon, we will keep light winds, plenty of sunshine coming through, may bejust winds, plenty of sunshine coming through, may be just an outside chance of one or two isolated showers if you get some cloud bubbling up. top temperatures,

again, mid to high teens, could be 20 in eastern scotland somewhere this afternoon. as we go through the evening and overnight, more cloud filtering and across the western isles and still through the northern isles. where we have those clear skies, low single figures not out of the question once again. early light frost is possible, may be some messiness, as well. it is going to be another glorious day. we keep this low cloud for a time through the western isles, but that should improve a little and the northern isles in far north of scotland may be a little more overcast. lots of sunshine coming through. a bit more of a breeze on saturday. as a consequence, coming in off actually not say, it will not be quite as warm on those exposed east coast. around 15—16 here. we should see 18-19 around 15—16 here. we should see 18—19 perhaps further west with a little more shelter. do not forget, if you're heading to bed saturday into sunday morning, the clocks go forward. it is the start of a british summer time. what a surprise, for the start of summer time, we could see a little more cloud and a cooler feel for england

and wales, circulating and often i see you around at high pressure. here it could stay a little murky throughout mothering sunday. further north, we will keep lots of sunshine and that is where the highest temperatures are likely to be, with 17 degrees. underneath the cloud, stubbornly sits through the day, 13-14 stubbornly sits through the day, 13—14 and one or two spots. but the colder air looks set to return as we go through our week ahead. a northerly flow will start to drag that cooler story further south. it will take its time in arriving, so we start of the beginning of the week relatively mild. noticeably cooler by the end of the week.

this is bbc news. welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. our top stories — the authorities in the embattled ukrainian city of mariupol say they now believe about 300 people died when russia bombed a theatre last week. the united states and european union announce a major deal on liquified natural gas, in an attempt to reduce europe's reliance on russian energy supplies. we are going to work to ensure an additional 15, 1—5, 15 billion cubic metres of liquefied natural gas, lng, for europe this year. western military analysis says ukrainian forces have recaptured towns and defensive positions up to 35 kilometres east of kyiv — as russian troops fall back on overextended supply lines.

british prime minister borisjohnson has spoken to china's president xijinping about the situation in ukraine. let's go live to our political correspondent helen catt in westminster. the only details i can find as they spoke for 50 minutes, the anomaly discussed? this —— do you know what they discussed? brute discussed? this -- do you know what they discussed?— they discussed? we understand they have not spoken _ they discussed? we understand they have not spoken since _ they discussed? we understand they| have not spoken since november last year. the premise are set out the uk's position on ukraine and that pet out should be put on president vladimir putin to withdraw his strips. —— his troops. —— the prime

minister set out. the spokesman said that the prime minister has been talking with him at all world leaders quite regularly throughout the course of what has happened in ukraine, and that this was part of the prime minister's wider engagement with world leaders to set out what the uk's position is. of course we know that what boris johnson and other leaders have been pushing for is for china to come out and condemn what president putin has been doing in ukraine. brute and condemn what president putin has been doing in ukraine.— been doing in ukraine. we have at resent b been doing in ukraine. we have at present by the _ been doing in ukraine. we have at present by the medically - been doing in ukraine. we have at present by the medically to - present by the medically to president xi —— we heard that president xi —— we heard that president biden made it clear to president biden made it clear to president xi that there would be serious consequences if china supported russia. br; serious consequences if china supported russia.— serious consequences if china suuorted russia. j �*, ., ., ., supported russia. by then's national security adviser _ supported russia. by then's national security adviser warned _ supported russia. by then's national security adviser warned that - supported russia. by then's national security adviser warned that beijing | security adviser warned that beijing would absolutely face consequences

if it helped moscow evade western sanctions over the invasion of ukraine. there was also discussion of whether or not russia had asked china for military help, that had come from us sources, china talked about that being disinformation from the us. russia said it had not asked for any such assistance. quite a lot of these things in the last week or so. we know that president biden has been taking the lead in those discussions with beijing, but as we understand that borisjohnson was not raising sanctions, it was more about upping the pressure, as we have seen him do publicly in recent days, he singled out china at the weekend as being one of the countries who wanted to come off the fence and condemn president putin's actions. ., ~ fence and condemn president putin's actions. ., ,, , ., . authorities in the beseiged city of mariupol have told the bbc that they believe up to 300 people who were sheltering in theatre were killed in a russian missile strike. an advisor to the deputy mayor said they had not been able to start

the resuce operation as there was street fighting near the theatre. i'm joined now by alya shandra, editor in chief at euromaiden press, an independent english—language online news outlet launched in 2014. good to see you, alya. what are you and your team here and from mariupol? brute and your team here and from mariupol?— and your team here and from mariu ol? ~ . ., and your team here and from mariu ol? ~ . . , mariupol? we have had the same news, 300 --eole mariupol? we have had the same news, 300 people are — mariupol? we have had the same news, 300 people are reported _ mariupol? we have had the same news, 300 people are reported to _ mariupol? we have had the same news, 300 people are reported to be - mariupol? we have had the same news, 300 people are reported to be dead - 300 people are reported to be dead after the missile strike. we are also hearing reports that the russians are forcibly evacuating mariupol residents, and residents of other eastern ukrainian cities, to russia. the reason for this is ostensibly to create propaganda reports, because as you know, the russians were saying they were coming here to liberate ukrainians. since the picture was overwhelmingly against that, reality was against that, ukrainians are protesting against the russian occupation, they desperately need a propaganda picture to show that ukrainians are happy. and by starving these poor

residents, by shelling them and basically giving them a choice to either die or evacuate to russia, they are getting the pictures for their propaganda machine, that they are supposedly liberating ukrainians who want to come to russia. it is a war crime, it isjust criminal, and so cynical. war crime, it is 'ust criminal, and so cynical.— war crime, it is 'ust criminal, and so nical. . . , so cynical. we have been reporting on those forced _ so cynical. we have been reporting on those forced evacuations - so cynical. we have been reporting on those forced evacuations as - so cynical. we have been reporting i on those forced evacuations as well, but what you're describing is this war of attrition, and it is horrific to watch, particularly in mariupol. canady russians barman staff ukraine into submission? —— can the russians bomb and staff ukraine? l into submission? —— can the russians bomb and staff ukraine? i do into submission? -- can the russians bomb and staff ukraine?— bomb and staff ukraine? i do not think they can — bomb and staff ukraine? i do not think they can ever _ bomb and staff ukraine? i do not think they can ever do _ bomb and staff ukraine? i do not think they can ever do anything l bomb and staff ukraine? i do not| think they can ever do anything to get ukraine into submission, i think we are past that point. ukrainians just overwhelmingly will do anything, they will die standing rather than live on their knees. the

horrendous war russia has unleashed, it has really dispelled any doubts that ukrainians could have had about russia being a brotherly nation. and we are seeing that in the reports in the sociology right now. ukrainians are overwhelmingly supporting the ukrainian president, they are overwhelmingly believing that ukraine will win, and in the nearest time. all we need is a little help, we need a little help with the equipment that we cannot procure on our own. we need the heavy equipment to drive the russians out of our land. we are very grateful for the small arms, tactical ammunition that have enabled us to resist. but to really stop this horrendous war, we need to do weapons to drive russia out. we need to close the sky, anti—aircraft systems, heavy missiles in orderjust to stop the devastation. missiles in order 'ust to stop the devastation.— missiles in order 'ust to stop the devastation. ., ., ., ., ., devastation. you have had to leave our devastation. you have had to leave your home — devastation. you have had to leave your home in _ devastation. you have had to leave your home in kyiv _ devastation. you have had to leave your home in kyiv to _ devastation. you have had to leave your home in kyiv to go _ devastation. you have had to leave your home in kyiv to go to - devastation. you have had to leave your home in kyiv to go to lviv, - devastation. you have had to leave your home in kyiv to go to lviv, i i your home in kyiv to go to lviv, i know you are only weeks away, it

could be any moment that you have your baby, you must all be exhausted there. how are you getting through each day? how are people coping and staying resilient? loris; each day? how are people coping and staying resilient?— staying resilient? lviv is 'ust a -icture staying resilient? lviv is 'ust a picture of i staying resilient? lviv is 'ust a picture of the i staying resilient? lviv is 'ust a picture of the wonderfulh staying resilient? lviv isjust a picture of the wonderful life i staying resilient? lviv isjust a l picture of the wonderful life that maybe we did not prise enough, that russia is destroying in the east of our country, and honestly, i don't even think about myself or my baby, because i am just thinking about the pregnant women in mariupol maternity hospital killed in a russian bombing. i am thinking about the women that are right now in basements giving birth without doctors, and tabloids writing parenting advice, how to give birth in a bomb shelter without a doctor. i am just so ashamed that the world is watching right now, and choosing

to observe, although it could stop at this very moment. i was just trying to imagine howl at this very moment. i was just trying to imagine how i would give birth, in a bomb shelter without a doctor, it was terrifying. and so many of my sisters are forced to be doing this right now. but otherwise, i cannot tell you what the people in eastern ukraine are going through right now. it must be a living hell. the stories they are telling after they leave their occupied cities, they leave their occupied cities, they are just mind—boggling. we they leave their occupied cities, they arejust mind—boggling. we have stories of rape, looting, soldiers just barging in, killing the husband, and gang raping the wife and there will be so many stories like that. so far, ijust and there will be so many stories like that. so far, i just wish that the world would stop it and help stop all of this.— the world would stop it and help stop all of this. alya, what you're tellin: us stop all of this. alya, what you're telling us is _ stop all of this. alya, what you're telling us is so _ stop all of this. alya, what you're telling us is so horrific— stop all of this. alya, what you're telling us is so horrific and - telling us is so horrific and heartbreaking, we know what other women going through. but you have to look after yourself, you are going

to have a baby one day soon, so take care and stay in contact. thank you so much forjoining us, look after yourself. so much for 'oining us, look after ourself. ., ~ so much for 'oining us, look after ourself. ., ,, , ., so much for 'oining us, look after ourself. ., ,, , , let's get more on this major gas deal that's been announced between the us and eu. ramzan is here. we know russia makes a lot of money through the energy supplies to the rest of the world. president biden has announced a major deal with the eu to reduce europe's reliance on russian gas. mr biden said the us would step up its own supplies of liquified natural gas to the eu this year, sending an additional 15 billion cubic metres. he said europe and the us would also accelerate efforts to reduce demand for gas overall and switch to renewable energy. for more on this, i'm joined now by our business correspondent theo leggett. how big a deal is this, really? it is significant in that it is a show of support from the united states. in practical terms, it will not make

a huge amount of difference straightaway. to put that into context, europe gets a phenomenal amount of its gas from russia, 40% of its needs, about 160 billion cubic metres a year. an extra 15 billion cubic metres, that might take the heat out of prices, but it will not take a big impact of russia supplies are disrupted in any way. the commitment by the eu to buy 50 billion cubic metres a year up until 2030, that is reasonably significant, it would not replace all the russian gas, but it would go some way towards reducing reliance on russia, which is the overall political objective here. there are still question marks over all of this. what price would that gas be? does the us have the facilities to produce it and export it at the moment? and the eu has already said it needs to build up its own lng processing facilities in order to receive it. so there are question

marks there. there is also as i said the question over price, because if you are shipping this stuff in a long way, if the price is high, it is profitable to do so, if the price is profitable to do so, if the price is lower, maybe it would not be. so there is a commitment within this agreement to buy gas at prices that reflect long—term market fundamentals. so it is a significant political gesture. it impact on the overall market, less so. there is still a lot that needs to be done in terms of the european union reducing its overall reliance on gas as a form of energy, as well as reducing the amount that it buys from russia and getting it from elsewhere. filth. and getting it from elsewhere. oh, excuse the — and getting it from elsewhere. oh, excuse the pun. — and getting it from elsewhere. on, excuse the pun, but as it'sjust a excuse the pun, but as it's just a pipe dream that europe will ever be able to wean itself off russian gas and oil? «a .. able to wean itself off russian gas and oil? .. , and oil? the eu thinks it can, but it has to get _ and oil? the eu thinks it can, but it has to get the _ and oil? the eu thinks it can, but it has to get the gas _ it has to get the gas from somewhere. it pipes on gas from norway, but those pipelines are already operating at maximum capacity. it is shipping and lng from places like algeria and qatar, but there's a lot of competition for

those supplies, so bring that information in the country like the united states, that is a step forward. but the eu's plans to reduce its reliance on russian gas also involve a major reduction in actual use of gas, so that is through generating power through other means, for example wind and solar, from energy efficiency measures, everything from using heat pumps to heat homes, through to into little more and even asking people to turn down the thermostat and where an extra jumper. the eu reckons that if it does that, over time, it could reduce consumption by 170 billion cubic metres a year, which is more than we currently get from russia, and that would make its targets are achievable but there are an awful lot of what—ifs in those targets. an awful lot of what-ifs in those taro ets. ., ., targets. there are indeed, theo, many thanks _ targets. there are indeed, theo, many thanks for _ targets. there are indeed, theo, many thanks for your _ targets. there are indeed, theo, many thanks for your time. - targets. there are indeed, theo, many thanks for your time. one | targets. there are indeed, theo, i many thanks for your time. one big energy provider that says it too will increase its gas production it to help the world cup with less supplies from russia is canada. ——

help the world cope. canada's natural resources minister jonathan wilkinson spoke to my colleague aaron heslehurst. he began by asking if there was a consensus amongst energy ministers around the world about weaning themselves off russian energy. i think there is a consensus. i think— i think there is a consensus. i think the _ i think there is a consensus. i think the only differences are and how fast— think the only differences are and how fast you can get away from it. i think— how fast you can get away from it. i think every— how fast you can get away from it. i think every body is committed to doing _ think every body is committed to doing that, and many of us are trying — doing that, and many of us are trying to— doing that, and many of us are trying to help as much as we can in terms _ trying to help as much as we can in terms of— trying to help as much as we can in terms of displacing the russian oil and gas, _ terms of displacing the russian oil and gas, but i there was also an emphasis — and gas, but i there was also an emphasis on driving renewables and hydrogen _ emphasis on driving renewables and h drooen. ., ., ., emphasis on driving renewables and h drooen. . ., ., ., emphasis on driving renewables and h drouen. . . . ., , , ., hydrogen. canada, fourth biggest oil -roducer on hydrogen. canada, fourth biggest oil producer on the _ hydrogen. canada, fourth biggest oil producer on the planet, _ hydrogen. canada, fourth biggest oil producer on the planet, so _ hydrogen. canada, fourth biggest oil producer on the planet, so can - hydrogen. canada, fourth biggest oil producer on the planet, so can you l producer on the planet, so can you and are you going to help the world to be less dependent on russian energy. we to be less dependent on russian enero . ~ ., to be less dependent on russian enero . . . ., to be less dependent on russian enero . ~ ., . ., to be less dependent on russian ener: . . ., ., ., ., energy. we are, and we will do that in the short — energy. we are, and we will do that in the short term _ energy. we are, and we will do that in the short term and _ energy. we are, and we will do that in the short term and also - energy. we are, and we will do that in the short term and also try - energy. we are, and we will do that in the short term and also try to - in the short term and also try to do that in— in the short term and also try to do that in the — in the short term and also try to do that in the long term. we will be increasing — that in the long term. we will be increasing our production and flow through— increasing our production and flow through the pipelines of oil of about— through the pipelines of oil of about 300,000 barrels a day by the end of— about 300,000 barrels a day by the end of the _ about 300,000 barrels a day by the end of the year. about 300,000 barrels a day by the end of the year-—

about 300,000 barrels a day by the end of the year.- extra, - about 300,000 barrels a day by the end of the year.- extra, in - end of the year. extra? extra, in line with what _ end of the year. extra? extra, in line with what the _ end of the year. extra? extra, in line with what the americans - end of the year. extra? extra, inj line with what the americans are doing _ line with what the americans are doing and — line with what the americans are doing and what the brazilians have announced. we are also looking at the potential for a couple of smaller— the potential for a couple of smaller lng facilities on the east coast _ smaller lng facilities on the east coast that might be able to change some _ coast that might be able to change some of— coast that might be able to change some of the supply to natural gas. but any— some of the supply to natural gas. but any facility rebuilding canada would _ but any facility rebuilding canada would need to be capable of converting new hydrogen, it would need _ converting new hydrogen, it would need to— converting new hydrogen, it would need to use technology that does not create _ need to use technology that does not create domestic emissions that will be difficult to reconcile with your climate — be difficult to reconcile with your climate agenda.— be difficult to reconcile with your climate agenda. be difficult to reconcile with your climate aaenda. ., ., i. , , ., climate agenda. how do you pump out an extra 300,000 — climate agenda. how do you pump out an extra 300,000 barrels _ climate agenda. how do you pump out an extra 300,000 barrels when - climate agenda. how do you pump out an extra 300,000 barrels when your | an extra 300,000 barrels when your pipes are nearly full? thea;r an extra 300,000 barrels when your pipes are nearly full?— pipes are nearly full? they are not ouite full, pipes are nearly full? they are not quite full. that _ pipes are nearly full? they are not quite full, that is _ pipes are nearly full? they are not quite full, that is the _ pipes are nearly full? they are not quite full, that is the exercise - pipes are nearly full? they are not quite full, that is the exercise we | quite full, that is the exercise we have _ quite full, that is the exercise we have gone — quite full, that is the exercise we have gone through with the producers, the pipeline companies, and the _ producers, the pipeline companies, and the provinces. we are a federation in canada, to try to identify— federation in canada, to try to identify how much capacity was there, and there's about 300,000 barrels— there, and there's about 300,000 barrels per— there, and there's about 300,000 barrels per day, 200,000 barrels of oil and _ barrels per day, 200,000 barrels of oil and 100,000 of natural gas, that we believe _ oil and 100,000 of natural gas, that we believe we can actually slow down to the _ we believe we can actually slow down to the united states. the united states— to the united states. the united states as — to the united states. the united states as a takeaway capacity to be able to _ states as a takeaway capacity to be able to take that to the gulf coast

and export it as a finished product. but let— and export it as a finished product. but let me — and export it as a finished product. but let me say that the long—term answer— but let me say that the long—term answer is — but let me say that the long—term answer is not significant increases in oil— answer is not significant increases in oil production. it has to go down a to meet— in oil production. it has to go down a to meet our climate goals. how ouickl a to meet our climate goals. how quickly can _ a to meet our climate goals. how quickly can you — a to meet our climate goals. how quickly can you get _ a to meet our climate goals. flow quickly can you get this oil out? a to meet our climate goals. how. quickly can you get this oil out? we will be ramping up over the course of the _ will be ramping up over the course of the next — will be ramping up over the course of the next few months. we expect by the end _ of the next few months. we expect by the end of— of the next few months. we expect by the end of the year we will be fully up the end of the year we will be fully up to— the end of the year we will be fully up to the _ the end of the year we will be fully up to the 300,000 barrels. and viewers on bbc world news can see more of that interview with canada's natural resources ministerjonathan wilkinson , on talking business with aaron heslehurst this weekend. the times are on your screen now with the first airing at 12.30 gmt on saturday. that is all your business news. thank you. let's get more from ukraine with a special report from inside the city of kharkiv in the east of ukraine, less than a0 kilometres from the russian border. it has faced relentless russian missile strikes and shelling. our correspondent quentin sommerville and cameraman darren conway have spent time with two fighters who have been on the front line in kharkiv from the very beginning.

a month of fighting alone. and russian guns still haven't silenced ukraine's cry for freedom. at the kharkiv philharmonic, maria baranovska may not have an audience, but this is not a city abandoned — only a city half gone. she remains here with her ten—month—old boy. staying is her duty. translation: i believe in our victory. _ i know that the armed forces of ukraine will protect their home. we just need to be a little bit more patient. standing united with the boys defending her and her son. a month ago, 22—year—old vlad said goodbye to his own mother and went off to fight.

he and fellow private marc have been here ever since. they have quickly grown comfortable with war�*s daily tempo. they have the upper hand in kharkiv. what are you fighting for? translation: for peace in ukraine. what about you, marc? translation: like my comrade 'ust said, for peace in ukraine. �* these people came to our land. no—one was waiting for them here, no—one asked them to come. and what do you want to tell the russian soldiers that are shelling you? run. we were not calling you here. run away. there is nothing else to say. either you stay here forever, in the ground, or you go back home and stop killing children and destroying homes and families. go back home while

you are still alive. their steady determination, and a little help from western weaponry, have got them this far. it is time to head out to the front again. this, they say, is their land. they know these fields and villages better than the invaders. and here, amid the melting winter snows, they cover every inch of ground. ukrainian mud is the defender�*s friend. marc's foxhole has room for one, and offers just about enough protection from exploding russian shells. suddenly, on the horizon, there is movement. an enemy scouting party spotted. gunfire

the russians shoot back. but the danger here is artillery. marc tells us we have to move. the russians will definitely respond, he says, 100%. it's time to seek better cover. what is it like, spending day and night out in those tiny, tiny little trenches? the shifts are longer during the day, but at night, when it's cold, we swap often. what about you, marc? it's ok, you get used to it. humans can adapt to... explosions humans can adapt to everything. what's going on right now?

they are targeting our position. explosions get down, get down. the shells begin to land all around us, only metres away. you can see what they are up against here. this is daily, but the steadfastness of these men has been felt notjust in kharkiv, but around the world. they have had four weeks of this and still they remain. the russians have not been able to break their lines and this invasion might have come as a surprise to the rest of the world, but this is what they have been expecting and training for for years. unable to move, the shelling is relentless.

these bombardments are endless. this is russia's tactic of choice. shouting we are told for the third time that day to get into a nearby underground shelter. the russians are pretty determined to break these lines. are they going to get past here? are they going to get past you and these men? i think no. we will not surrender kharkiv. our loved ones have got our backs. they won't get through here. quentin sommerville, bbc news, kharkiv. the irish foreign minister has been evacuated from a building in belfast due to a security alert. simon coveney was speaking at

an event in the north of the city. our correspondent chris page is there. what happened, chris? the irish foreion what happened, chris? the irish foreign minister _ what happened, chris? the irish foreign minister simon - what happened, chris? the irish foreign minister simon coveney| what happened, chris? the irish - foreign minister simon coveney was speaking at an event organised by a peace foundation set up in memory of the nobel peace prize winnerjohn hume, but what has happened here is that although the conflict in northern ireland said in a reminder that although the conflict in northern ireland largely ended 20 years ago, the reality of political violence is still here. he was speaking at an event is beyond the church you can see in the distant background. he spoke for a few minutes, then his security team ushered him out of the building. simon coveney had to end his speech in public and everybody else in the building was evacuated out of it as well, they have told us that they have been told a fan had been hijacked, it has been driven into the grounds of the building, and it was possible that an explosive device was in that van. as you can

see, police here have sealed off a long stretch of the road. a police helicopter circling overhead, and army bomb expert have been here, it is understood they have been examining the van. nobody has been hurt, there has been severe disruption, a funeral in the church grounds could not go ahead, a church service had to be held outside, so there has been condemnation from community leaders about an event that should have been all about reconciliation but instead has been a reminder of a very dark past in this part of the world. [30 a reminder of a very dark past in this part of the world. do ministers travel with security _ this part of the world. do ministers travel with security to _ this part of the world. do ministers travel with security to events - this part of the world. do ministers travel with security to events like l travel with security to events like this? it travel with security to events like this? ., , ., ., this? it would be normal, particularly _ this? it would be normal, particularly for _ this? it would be normal, particularly for any - this? it would be normal, i particularly for any members this? it would be normal, - particularly for any members of the irish government travelling across the border into this part of the united kingdom, into northern ireland. in particular, in recent years, the irish government has been

strongly criticised by loyalists, the people in northern ireland who strongly believe in a northern ireland's place in the united kingdom, and the reason the irish government has come in for particularly strong criticism is that the government has been a supporter of the new brexit trade deal, so that continues to be a source of great loyalists on a source of great loyalists on a source of great loyalists on a source of community tension, and while police have said they do not —— police have not said who they believe is behind this bomb threats today, that is the way it is going. in mariupol, an official has been speaking to the bbc, saying that 300 people, they believe, died in last

week's attack on a theatre. all the latest on the website for you. we like to leave you now with some images from the past few weeks from a country devastated by war but fortified by the courage and resilence of its people.

good afternoon. we really are being spoiled with our weather at the moment, aren't we? plenty of spring sunshine out there once again. take a look at this picture in suffolk. i hope you can get out and enjoy it. there could be a little more cloud across the east coast of england as we go into the weekend. there is a little bit more cloud across the far north, as well. could produce showers into the northern isles. a sunny day generally through scotland. take a look at highland, more sunshine around here over the last few hours in comparison to yesterday. similar story for northern ireland and north—west england, as well. for the remainder of the afternoon, we will keep light winds, plenty of sunshine coming through, may be just an outside chance of one or two isolated showers if you get

some cloud bubbling up. top temperatures, again, mid to high teens, could be 20 in eastern scotland somewhere this afternoon. as we go through the evening and overnight, more cloud filtering in across the western isles and still through the northern isles. where we have those clear skies, low single figures not out of the question once again. early light frost is possible, may be some messiness, as well. ——mistiness. but it is going to be another glorious day. we keep this low cloud for a time through the western isles, but that should improve a little, and the northern isles in far north of scotland may be a little more overcast. lots of sunshine coming through. a bit more of a breeze on saturday. as a consequence, coming in off that chilly north sea, it will not be quite as warm on those exposed east coasts. around 15—16 here. we should see 18—19 perhaps further west with a little more shelter. do not forget, if you're heading to bed saturday into sunday morning, the clocks go forward. it is the start of british summer time. what a surprise, for the start of summer time, we could see a little more cloud and a cooler

feel for england and wales, circulating in off the north sea, around that high pressure. here it could stay a little murky throughout mothering sunday. further north, we will keep lots of sunshine and that is where the highest temperatures are likely to be, with 17 degrees. underneath the cloud, which stubbornly sits through the day, 13—14 in one or two spots. but the colder air looks set to return as we go through our week ahead. a northerly flow will slowly start to drag that cooler story further south. it will take its time in arriving, so we start off at the beginning of the week relatively mild. noticeably cooler by the end of the week.

ukrainian forces are successfully driving back russian troops from around the capital kyiv, according to british military intelligence. ukrainian officials say they fear around 300 people may have died in a russian bomb attack on a theatre in the besieged city of mariupol. president biden warns that any russian use of chemical weapons in ukraine would trigger a response from nato, as he agrees a major deal with the eu to reduce europe's reliance on russian gas. 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 but it will

purchase on a much stronger strategic footing.