welcome to bbc news. i'm chris rogers. our top stories: ukrainian fighters leave the azovstal steel plant in mariupol, escorted by pro—russian forces, as the bloodiest battle draws to a close and russia takes more territory in the south. russian forces are now fortifying those areas. and digging in. it is going to be very, very difficult for ukrainians to take them back. president biden visits buffalo after a racially motivated mass shooting and asks americans to reject the poison of white supremacy. defying the taliban to get an education — we've a special report from the secret schools of afghanistan. and alien spacecraft or secret spy planes? why america's politicians

and defence chiefs are taking unexplained aerial phenomena seriously. welcome to our viewers on pbs in america and around the globe. the evacuation of ukrainian troops from the azovstal steelworks in mariupol has continued, with a convoy of at least seven buses carrying soldiers escorted by pro—russian forces. more than than 260 soldiers left, after a negotiated surrender. they've been taken to areas held by russian—backed rebels. meanwhile, western military sources say, vladimir putin is now directly involved in the day—to—day running of the war, taking decisions normally made by senior military figures. our correspondent, laura bicker, reports. it has been a brutal

and bloody 83 days, but their battle is over for now. the wounded from azovstal are carried out of the vast steel plant filmed by the very force they've been fighting. russia will be keen to air these images which, they say, show surrender but the ukrainians say this deal is about survival. tonight, as more fighters lay down their arms and are taken into russian territory, ukrainian leaders are keen to stress this was a way to save the country's heroes. for more than two months, the russians have bombarded this industrial site. analysts believe the latest attack used phosphorus bombs, but a small fighting force refused to give up. they may have also helped prevent russia from pushing further north. translation: thanks to the mariupol - defenders the enemy

was prevented from deploying 20,000 personnel into other regions. and so was unable to rapidly take zaporizhzhya. civilians also used the site's vast network of tunnels as a refuge, aided by soldiers. but supplies dwindled and this cold and foetid bunker was cut off from the world, the situation became desperate. finally, after two months, women and children were allowed out into the light. as they arrived at the evacuation centre, i met katarina, who had escaped with her two children. the boys, aged six and 11, are adapting to being back outside and play much as they did in the dark. their games involved defeating the russians. their father is a fighter and remains at the plant.

translation: under the bombardment, i the bombs were so heavy it felt like the bunker walls were moving and the rooms themselves became smaller. sometimes there was an hour break and we would hope, that is it, that is maybe the end of it. her home city of mariupol has been hollowed out by the russian assault. this once vibrant port, now a shell, littered with death and destruction. from the depths of the steel plant, wounded ukrainian fighters made a plea for safe passage. many already have died from sepsis, they claim. the russians say those injured will be treated and there are reports of a prisoner swap, but it's not clear what will happen to the hundreds of fighters still at azovstal — among them is thought to be katarina's husband. translation: i really, really, really want to i

help them but i do not know how, i feel powerless. he's a very strong man, strong in spirit, and has been supporting me all my life. the azovstal fighters may have obeyed an order to save lives, but their resolve in the face of insurmountable odds has made them a symbol of ukrainian resistance. laura bicker, bbc news. 0ur chief international correspondent, lyse doucet, is in kyiv with this update. this is a major marker in the war, its bloodiest battle is all but over and the story of mariupol when now live in infamy as the place that russia lasted, bombed and besieged into submission. mariupol it is

now a byword for suffering. it is known the world over but it has also been a symbol of defiance and determination, of ukrainian fighters. defiance and determination, of ukrainianfighters. since defiance and determination, of ukrainian fighters. since early march, there were predictions the city would fall within days. ukrainianfighters the city would fall within days. ukrainian fighters held on. but now that mariupol has all but fallen, it has given the russians a significant strategic victory. for all the guessing game of what president putin wants to achieve in the invasion of ukraine, one thing has been clear. the minimum objective is to secure this land corridor before the crimean peninsula which russia occupied in 2014 and the east in ukraine, where it is now focusing its fighting power and it is fighting its forces. for all of russia's missteps in the war, the blunders, it is taking ground in the south and east of ukraine and tonight ukrainian military says that russian forces are now fortifying those areas and digging in. it will

be very, very difficult for the ukrainians to take them back but, armed with their resolve which seems to grow by the month, and the growing flow of ever more sophisticated and heavy from the west, ukrainian forces are certain to try. president biden has travelled to buffalo, in new york state, to meet the families of the ten people killed in a racially—motivated mass shooting at the weekend. mr biden called white supremacy a �*poison�* which is running through the us. the bbc�*s nada tawfik was there as the president spoke and she sent us this report. america has a long and troubled history with racism and guns. the city of buffalo is the latest deadly chapter. joe biden, the latest president to console a community in mourning. in an all too familiar ritual, mr biden and the first lady paid their respects to the victims who were massacred here as they were shopping for groceries. after meeting with family

members of the victims, he gave a forceful speech, calling the attack domestic terrorism and urging americans to reject white supremacy. white supremacy is a poison. it's a poison. it's running through... applause. it really is. running through our body politic, and that's been allowed to fester and grow right in front of our eyes. no more. i mean, no more. 20—year—old zaire goodman was working in the grocery store at the time. he survived after being shot by the gunman in the neck. his parents say they will never forgive the white supremacist who terrorised their son. zaire called me, that's how i found out. and he, he was screaming. and he said "mum, mum, get here now, get here now. "i've been shot." and i drove as fast as i possibly could.

zair stayed on the phone with me the whole time. i asked them what they wanted to see come out of this tragedy. i don't want to hear about unity. i don't want to hear that. i want to hear what laws are being draughted right now, that's what i want to hear. i want to hear how are we reshaping the curriculum in schools for these children so they can learn about the true history about african americans in this country? that's what i want to hear. the community is still trying to grasp how a hate born online could turn this 18—year—old into a violent extremist. and if red flags are ignored. authorities are still combing through the suspect�*s history of threatening statements and online posts. he remains in custody on suicide watch. buffalo will forever be marked by the memory of this mass shooting, as the people here try to cope and move forward together, the worry is america is headed in the opposite direction. nada tawfik, bbc news, buffalo.

aus a us domestic terrorist gave us his view on white supremacy and how it can be tackled. it is persistent and enduring and the attack is one in a stretch of other lethal attacks that have been conducted but what i call lone wolf white supremacist attackers going back a decade now. this threat continues and from the policy perspective, there is no—one single solution thatis there is no—one single solution that is going to stop this threat in the future, so, yes, do we need stronger gun—control laws linked to people with mental health issues or criminal background histories? absolutely. but that will not mitigate the threat entirely. there also needs to be attention on the legal loopholes we have here in the united states, we have a definition of domestic terrorism but no law of a crime of domestic terrorism. the internet is the place where all of these ideas and beliefs and

individuals can discuss them openly and there needs to be more enforcement either by law in such social involvement companies or companies stepping in and i can go on and on and law enforcement has more on the and local communities need to play a role. there needs to be a much more holistic, whole of government strategy, that tried to attack these pieces back on control itself will not mitigate the threat. in afghanistan, secret schools are being set up to educate girls, who the taliban are not allowing back into the classroom. the leadership continues to insist girls secondary schools will eventually re—open, but many afghans are losing hope. even some of those sympathetic to the taliban were left disappointed when hardline leaders overruled a decision to allow girls to resume lessons earlier this year. secunder kermani was able to visit a secret school and sent this report. hidden away, in a residential neighbourhood, a small but powerful

act of defiance. these teenage girls, like most in the country, have not been allowed back to school by the taliban so they are attending lessons secretly. today's class, trigonometry. for their security, we are not revealing anyone's name or identity. are you afraid of what could happen to you? if they harassed me, they beat me, but it is worth it to do that. it is worth it? of course, of course, it's worth it. back in march, it seemed girls at school were finally reopening, but at the last minute, the taliban leadership overruled the decision. for students here, the pain is still raw. translation: on the day we went to school, - they told us it is not clear if girls would be allowed or not. perhaps they will, later on. it has been two months now and it has not happened. it makes me so sad.

younger girls have been allowed back to school but it is not clear when or if older girls will be. the taliban say the need to create the correct islamic environment, first. taliban officials admit that female education is a sensitive issue for them, with some influential hardliners apparently opposed to it. but in private, others within the group, have expressed their disappointment at the decision not to allow all girls schools to reopen. a number of religious scholars, linked to the taliban, have made public declarations in support of the right of girls to learn. sheikh rahimullah haqqani is an afghan cleric, well respected by the taliban, based in pakistan. on a recent trip to kabul, he met seniorfigures in the group. he's careful not to criticise the continued closure of girls school,

but has issued a religious decree stating they can and should be educated. translation: there is no | justification in sharia to say female education is not be allowed, no justification at all. all the religious books have stated female education is permissible and obligatory because, for example, if a woman to gets sick in an islamic environment, like afghanistan or pakistan, and needs treatment, it is much better if she is treated by a female doctor. boys of all ages are back in the classroom but the taliban have now formed a committee to debate what to do about girls secondary schools. for now, it seems, their most hardline elements are ones deciding what the country's future will look like. secunder kermani, bbc news, kabul.

0n still to come, the queen opens a new underground train station opened in her honour. this morning, an indian air force plane, carrying mr gandhi's body, landed in delhi. the president of india walked to the plane to solemnly witness mr gandhi's final return from the political battlefield. ireland has voted overwhelmingly in favour of gay marriage. in doing so, it has become the first country in the world to approve the change in a national referendum. it was a remarkable climax. to what was surely the most extraordinary funeral ever given to a pop singer. - it's been a peacefulfuneral demonstration so far, but suddenly, the police are tear—gassing the crowd. we don't yet know why. the pre—launch ritual is well—established here. helen was said to be in good spirits, but just a little apprehensive. in the last hour, east timor has become i the world's newest nation. it was a bloody birth for a poor country, i and the challengesl ahead are daunting. but for now, at least, i

it is time to celebrate. this is bbc news. the latest headlines — ukrainian fighters leave the azovstal steel plant in mariupol in buses, escorted by pro—russian forces, as the longest siege of the war draws to a close. president biden has visited buffalo, which witnessed a mass shooting at the weekend. he urged all americans to reject the "poison" of white supremacy. every week at this time, we take a look at matters affecting the environment, in our strand — climate critical. later on wednesday, the world meteorological 0rganisation will release its report, the state of the global climate 2021. this is a multi—agency report on climate indicators

and impacts, and says that four key climate change indicators, greenhouse gas concentrations, rising sea levels, ocean heat, and ocean acidification, all set new records in 2021. depressing stuff. to discuss how the changing climate impacts our lives, we'rejoined by rebecca carter, who is the acting director of the climate resilience practiceat the world resources institute. thank you forjoining us, rebecca. so all this extreme weather, all these extreme weather, all these extreme weather events all over the world right now, they have a massive impact on our lives. they also have a massive impact on the economy as well. what does this tell us know about the future and what we can expect? the future and what we can exect? . ,., the future and what we can exect? . . ,., expect? thanks so much, it is a leasure expect? thanks so much, it is a pleasure to _ expect? thanks so much, it is a pleasure to be _ expect? thanks so much, it is a pleasure to be here, _ expect? thanks so much, it is a pleasure to be here, and - expect? thanks so much, it is a pleasure to be here, and it - expect? thanks so much, it is a pleasure to be here, and it is i pleasure to be here, and it is indeed a pretty challenging topic in this new reportjust

makes it even more clear. it is just the latest evidence that tells us that climate change impacts are already occurring, that they are happening faster and more severely in more places around the world so the challenge i think itjust becomes clearer and clearer every day. i do think there are important messages as well about what we can do about that. shall we talk about those? ., , those? so are you saying it is robabl those? so are you saying it is probably time _ those? so are you saying it is probably time to _ those? so are you saying it is probably time to stop - those? so are you saying it is probably time to stop trying l those? so are you saying it is| probably time to stop trying to avoid this and just adapt to it, and our country is taking that seriously?— that seriously? yeah, i do think that _ that seriously? yeah, i do think that adaptation - that seriously? yeah, i do think that adaptation is i think that adaptation is absolutely critical at this point in time. the ipcc put out a reportjust back in february that provided a lot of strong evidence for the importance of adaptation, of that deeper assessment, greater understanding of what works for

adaptation. what types of approaches and solutions are most feasible and who stands to benefit the most for them, which i think is a really important point that may sometimes be a bit lost in the discussion. climate change does not impact everyone equally and it is often the people who did the least to cause the problem who bear the brunt of climate change impacts. so i think you're going to hear about that adaptation in cop27 in particular butjust more and more in the global conversation about climate change. fire more in the global conversation about climate change.— about climate change. are you optimistic _ about climate change. are you optimistic that _ about climate change. are you optimistic that we _ about climate change. are you optimistic that we can - about climate change. are you optimistic that we can reverse | optimistic that we can reverse climate change to a point, or to a degree, if you pardon the pun, and learn to adapt and live with climate change and survive it? i live with climate change and survive it?— live with climate change and survive it? i think there are a lot of signs — survive it? i think there are a lot of signs of _ survive it? i think there are a lot of signs of hope - survive it? i think there are a lot of signs of hope out - survive it? i think there are a | lot of signs of hope out there. there is a lot more evidence that there are things that, you know, measures that are being implemented that are helping, and they include things like strengthening homes, schools and public buildings like

hospitals to become heat shelters, for example, during extreme heat, so people have an opportunity to get out of the heat. things like improving our water management systems so we are getting the most out of the water that we do have available and also better protecting against floods so that systems are not washed out during the more severe storms that we are seeing. and also things like improving agriculture, improving agriculture, improving techniques for raising different types of crops, using varieties that can withstand droughts and floods. so i do think there are a lot of signs of hope around the world that people are actually trying and implementing. but i think it is also very clear that not enough is happening fast enough. we know more now about what does work. we just need to channel the resources, channel v knowledge to places that need to adapt as quickly so they could move more quickly towards building resilience. rebecca, you just rattled off a list of really quite exciting scientific breakthroughs there that seem to be absolutely

possible, like heat resistant hospitals and schools, we are talking about some extreme heat in some parts of the world. but is there a problem here? are they not being implemented, not being funded, not being taken seriously, not being adopted by governments that need to do it. it wasn't that long ago a number of scientists were threatening to resign and not work because they didn't feel like they were being listened to. ., like they were being listened to. . , ., like they were being listened to. . ,., ~ to. yeah, so i think the response _ to. yeah, so i think the response is _ to. yeah, so i think the response is very - to. yeah, so i think the| response is very various to. yeah, so i think the - response is very various across the world. for example, countries who are better off, wealthier, and they have more friends to deal with it, it might be a lower priority, but when you look at small island developing nations that are right at the forefront, that are seeing really severe impacts every day, you know, this is one of their number one priorities. so for a lot of countries, this really is absolutely critical right now. rebecca, fascinating talking to

you, and it is nice to see somebody in your shoes being optimistic about the future as well. thank you for talking to us. ., ~' well. thank you for talking to us. ., ~ , ., well. thank you for talking to us. . ~ i. well. thank you for talking to us. thank you. got to hold out some hepe- — us. thank you. got to hold out some hope. thank _ us. thank you. got to hold out some hope. thank you. - us. thank you. got to hold out. some hope. thank you. indeed. now, a lot of hope for conspiracies, i think. the us congress is holding its first hearing into ufos in more than half a century. thousands of sightings of unexplained lights or objects in the sky have been reported over the years, and now the pentagon has decided to establish a permanent office to gather information and look into the issue of unexplained aerial phenomena. well, earlier i spoke to robert powell, who's an executive board member of the scientific coalition for unidentified aerial phenomena studies. i asked with a now ufo sightings are going to be taken seriously by those who can investigate them properly? yes, that has been a problem, and the wonderful thing about this hearing is that this is the first time in 50 years where the us congress has had a hearing regarding ufos,

or what we now call uaps, but there is a big distinction in this hearing. 50 years ago, the hearing was an attempt to end the investigation of ufos by the air force. today, it is the navy and the department of defence, and they are much more open to looking into the question of uaps or ufos. robert, briefly, what are we talking about here? is it little green beings in spaceships from other planets, or is it perhaps threats from other countries spying on america in aircraft wejust can't identify and do not know anything about? it absolutely is not little green men, but the importance of this hearing was they made it clear that they are removing that stigma of little green men on this whole question and that is important, because now pilots, commercial pilots as well as military, and professionals, can feel better about reporting their incidents.

already, the number of reports have increased from 140 to 400 and this removal of stigma is very important and it will allow the scientific community to enter into this field and investigate this phenomena. but in its very nature, it is really, really difficult to know what it is that is being seen? here in london, and the queen has made an unexpected visit to paddington train station to open the elizabeth line, a new underground service, connecting the east and west of the capital, named in her honour. 0ur royal correspondent nicholas witchell reports. it will carry her name for centuries to come. so there really was only one person to open it. all those mobility issues were put to one side as the queen came to see the elizabeth line for herself. four billion over budget, and more than three years late it may be, but today was a day to celebrate its formal completion. applause.

she walked slowly and carefully, leaning slightly on her stick, but without any obvious difficulty. at a ticket machine, she was presented with something called an 0yster card, and shown where to place it. the elizabeth line will open to passengers next week, in time for the platinum jubilee celebrations. and judging by today, the person who'll be at the centre of those celebrations is getting ready herself. decisions will still be taken, day by day, about the queen's attendance at the different jubilee events, but there's clearly a determination to be seen as widely as possible. nicholas witchell, bbc news. that is the latest from bbc

news. from me and all of the team, thanks for watching. hello, there. heavy rain, thunderstorms have been moving northwards and eastwards through the evening and overnight, after what was the warmest day of the year so far — 27.5 degrees celsius at heathrow airport. but this low pressure is driving those in, it's dragging that warmth and that moisture northwards and eastward. so a lot of that heavy rain will have cleared, except for the northern isles, by the end of the night. warm, as you can see, for most areas, but windier in the northwest. a little bit of fog first thing, particularly for england and wales, but plenty of dry, bright, sunny weather, strong sunshine. it looks like drier weather will be around for northern ireland. the early rain across northern and western parts of scotland,

as well, clears for lengthy spells of sunshine. but it is windy — gusts of wind potentially 50 mph in northern and western areas. that rain approaches later. the clouds gathering in the south. but ahead of that, 20—24 degrees celsius, i think, on the cards for wednesday. now, as we head through this evening, it looks like we could see some more thunderstorms dragging their way northwards. that heavy rain coming in from the west, and it looks torrential. it could be very wet for a time, through this evening and overnight, before again, it clears out of the way. so we're watching that one. gusty winds, hail, thunder and lightning, but a warm end to the night, bringing us into a ridge of high pressure pushing in for thursday night. could be that we see some thundery showers, though, across southern and eastern areas, but otherwise it's looking like a drier day, too, after that overnight rain. a little bit of dampness, a little bit of gray weather, low cloud, and a risk of some rain for the west of scotland. and as i say, a risk of some thundery showers in southern and eastern areas. but with the sunshine

elsewhere, temperatures once again in those high teens, to low, possibly mid, 20s for many parts. the warmest in southern and eastern areas. that ridge of high pressure then builds through for a time as we go into thursday night, but again, i think more widely wet during the day on friday. the weekend then brings that high pressure into southern areas, with the weather fronts towards the north. so it looks as if friday will be more widely unsettled during the day this time, and then, the driest weather, but fresher weather, for the weekend in the south. a bit more unsettled further north as ever. as ever, you can keep up to date, including the warnings, on the website.

this is bbc news, the headlines: the evacuation of ukrainian troops from the azovstal steelworks in mariupol has continued, with a convoy of at least seven buses carrying soldiers escorted by pro—russian forces. more than than 260 soldiers left after a negotiated surrender. they've been taken to areas held by russian—backed rebels. president biden has travelled to buffalo in new york state, to meet the families of the ten people killed in a racially—motivated mass shooting at the weekend. mr biden called white supremacy a �*poison�* which is running through the united states. the suspected gunman is now in police custody. in afghanistan, secret schools are being set up to educate girls, who the taliban are not allowing back into the classroom.

the leadership continues to insist girls secondary schools will eventually re—open, but hardline taliban leaders overruled a decision to allow girls to resume lessons earlier this year. now on bbc news, panorama. oh, so close. you keep hitting the post, harvs. tonight on panorama, how social workers make life—changing decisions about children's lives... no. wrong way! ..and what can happen if things go wrong. in my mind, they did not care. even when i used to get upset and emotional, they didn't really listen to me. where's the tickle spot? we hearfrom parents who have been given rare permission by the courts to tell their stories... it was clear that they weren't there to support me, the social workers. it was just about building a case against me and removing my children.