welcome to bbc news, i'm david eades. our top stories: russian forces pound the key city of severodonetsk in eastern ukraine — increasing their control of the area — as an air strike on a chemical plant there releases dangerous gases. translation: the directionl of the situation in the donbas given the presence of large—scale chemical production in donetsk, the russian army strikes there, including blind air—bombing, arejust crazy. one week after the mass school shooting in texas, we hearfrom parents grieving the loss of their daughter and paying tribute to her talents. cheering. after more than two months of full lockdown, shanghai eases its covid restrictions, and bts, south korea's k—pop supergroup, visits the white house to speak about anti—asian

hate crimes in america. it isa it is a great honour to be welcome to the white house to discuss the issues of antiaging hate crimes, inclusion and diversity. anti—asian. welcome to our viewers on pbs in america, and around the globe. we start with some breaking news out the us. president biden has confirmed that the united states will provide ukraine with more advanced rocket systems and munitions — something the ukrainians have long been requesting. writing in the new york times, mr biden said the weapons would enable ukraine to strike russian targets more precisely on the battlefield. he did not mention what weapons

would be provided, but a senior official said the m142 high mobility artillery rocket system would be provided, again pointing out that it would be used to strike on ukrainian territory, not on russian territory. the range for the missiles is around 80km or 50 miles. meanwhile, a russian airstrike has hit a chemical plant in the embattled city of severodonetsk, releasing a cloud of dangerous gas. residents have been told to stay in bomb shelters to avoid the fumes. the ukrainians say russian forces now control most of severodonetsk— the main focus of the russian offensive in the donbas region. tim allman reports thick, black smoke hangs over the city of severodonetsk. four

weeks, it has been a target for the russian military. now, reports of a strike on a chemical plant in the city that has almost been completely destroyed. translation: the direction of the situation and the donbas is very complicated. given the presence of large—scale chemical production in it the russian army strikes there, including blind air bombing are just crazy. and it's notjust and it's not just severodonetsk. and it's notjust severodonetsk. this is the nearby city of slovyansk. this building was hit by a russian missile. a young man was killed in this room. several others were wounded. the situation here is desperate, but the spirit of defiance is still strong. translation: liberators try to translation: liberators try trr free is but it is not needed, we live in ukraine, my house is in slovyansk, it is a ukrainian city and i want to live in

ukraine. the war has been raging for more than three months, with claims and counterclaims of war crimes. only a few days ago, a russian tank commander was sentenced to life in prison for killing an unarmed civilian. the international criminal court has begun its own investigation, claiming the whole country is now a crime scene. every day in ukraine, we have an extra 200—300 or crimes. for this moment, we have near 50,000 cases on war crimes. as fighting continues, so does the desperate exodus of civilians. the war has forced them to flee their homes. when, or even if they go back, is anyone's guess. tim allman, bbc news. let's focus on the apparent attack on the chemical plant.

aaron montgomery is the president of global chemical services and emergency response company, ouray. hejoins us now from south carolina. thank you very much forjoining us. a lot still to be verified, in fact, in terms of what we know about this attack but we know about this attack but we know that our nitric acid container has been hit, and this is a big plant, what would be the risk of that? nitric acid released is obviously toxic to humans and organic items. it's also incredibly corrosive to steal, so any other — many other chemicals within the plant, it is a nitrogen plant so it will have some ammonia, ammonium nitrate, fertilises for industrial and agricultural use, so additional releases may

occur. before we get onto the fertiliser side of things language brings in its own interest, what sort of effect would it have on people who were caught up in these gases and in the smoke?— and in the smoke? yes, it appears — and in the smoke? yes, it appears to _ and in the smoke? yes, it appears to be _ and in the smoke? yes, it appears to be a _ and in the smoke? yes, it appears to be a high - appears to be a high concentration nitric acid, so it is what is referred to as red fuming, fuming nitrate, it is what you see released from the facility, and that orange—red colour is a toxic, and combined with moisture in the air, it can rain down nitric acid on residence below. what would it do to them? it can cause corrosion of the skin. when inhaled, it can damage the lungs. even just a small amount will irritate the eyes, the lungs and your throat. largeramounts eyes, the lungs and your throat. larger amounts will be fatal. and i say larger amounts, it is still quite

small — the percentage of air. it is a highly toxic material. in heavy concentrations it can actually create fires with organic matters. it is a strong oxidiser. i don't know how over you are with the plant itself, but you mentioned fertiliser production, and they're far we can consider explosives as part of that package, potentially. i mean, is there an element which this plant works towards providing products for explosives?— providing products for exlosives? ., ~ providing products for exlosives? . ~ ., explosives? yeah, i think to the extent _ explosives? yeah, i think to the extent that _ explosives? yeah, i think to the extent that the - explosives? yeah, i think to the extent that the originall the extent that the original purpose of the plant was for explosives, for mining it could be. ammonium nitrate is widely used in a mining operations, strip mining operations, however, given the agriculture base, historical base in ukraine, the majority of the

material it probably goes for fertiliser, although it is impossible to know how much was stored at the facility at the time of the strike, the facility is a massive facility, it has on average £81,000 of ammonium nitrate per month, so ammonium nitrate per month, so a lot of material could potentially be there. —— 81,000 lbs. thank you very much indeed. thank you very much indeed. thank you. in another development, the prosecutor of the international criminal court has described ukraine as a crime scene, and said the tribunal was carrying out its largest ever investigation there, with plans to open an office in kyiv. our correspondent anna holligan at the hague has more details. thejoint the joint investigation team is working together to gather,

preserve and look at everything at the moment from cases of rape to the deliberate killing of civilians, to the forcible transfer of children. the ukrainian prosecutor here in the hague pointed out they didn't have access to some of these alleged crime scenes which are currently under russian occupation but they do have access to people — victims, witnesses, and two areas that have been liberated by the ukrainian forces. the icc prosecutor talked about the importance of sharing notjust evidence but the investigated skills, forensic techniques among the member states. he also talked about the importance of the icc�*s presence in the region, which is why they are working on setting up an office in at the capital, kyiv. beyond this, thousands of atrocities are now under investigation, 600 suspects have been identified, including within the military

and political circles according to the ukrainian prosecutor. the icc prosecutor pointed out this case wasn'tjust about protecting europeans or european values, but, he said, basic human standards in the zist basic human standards in the 21st century. anna holligan, the hauge. let's get some of the day's other news. taiwan has deployed fighter jets to ward off 30 warplanes sent by china into its air defence zone, the biggest incursion by beijing since january. monday's incident came after president biden warned china against invading taiwan. beijing claims the self—ruled island of taiwan as its own. actorjohnny depp made an unscheduled appearance at london concert as he awaits the verdict in the defamation trial involving his ex—wife amber heard. he appeared with british guitaristjeff beck at the royal albert hall. it's the pair's second appearance, after playing sheffield on sunday.

the first funerals for the 19 children and two adults killed in a school shooting in uvalde, texas, have taken place, one week on from the shooting. president biden vowed action on gun reform on sunday. will grant has been speaking to one of the families left to cope with scarcely imaginable grief. there is grief and then there is the grief of losing a child. quietly weeping. come on, ok. further still, the grief of losing a child in these most awful of circumstances. she was just loved. alithia ramirez was one of the 19 children killed by a gunman inside her classroom, as an ordinary school day at uvalde descended into horror. a week on, her parents, jess and ryan, are still struggling to comprehend their loss. i haven't able to, like, eat or sleep or drink and it's just affecting me really, really bad.

like, she's my— she was my best friend and she looked a lot like me. i would always tell her like, you know, she is my twin and she would always smile. and it'sjust been really, really hard on me. how can you move on from that? how can you get over that moment? this is a parent's nightmare. this is the worst of the worst. a talented artist, alithia's bedroom is full of her awards, especially for drawing. compounding her parents' grief is their anger over how the police let the gunman spend more than an hour in the school before they shot him. i don't understand how... you know, police officers, they're sworn to protect and they're outside the room and just hearing gunshots, kids screaming. you know, go in there, save those kids.

on sunday, president biden came to uvalde to pay his respects and meet the victims' families. ryan told him alithia was an artist, and mr biden asked if he could have one of her pictures to hang in the white house. he did say that, "whenever we hang it up, we're "going to send you a picture where it's hanging, and you're "free to see it any time." there's something special that she put her heart into it, and it's there hanging in the white house. after the darkest week in its history, uvalde must now bury its victims, a community heartbroken over the senseless murder of alithia, 18 of her class—mates and her two teachers. will grant, bbc news, uvalde. let's go to shanghai now,

where there are scences of celebrations on the streets of china's biggest city after a significant lifting of covid restrictions. after more than two months of full lockdown, most people can now move more freely around the city. public transport and many offices are reopening, though life will remain restricted in many ways, and leaving shanghai is still difficult for many residents. our china correspondent robin brant has been one of the millions of residents locked down for the past two months. for the last 65 days, i've been coming up to this gate on the edge of the compound where i live. i've been filming myself and explaining what it's like to live under the restrictions this city has faced, what it's like to be confined to your home. and here i am again, by the gate, but it's different now. we're outside. let me just step over the barrier. we've been allowed some freedom for the last 48 hours, which has been a huge relief.

still, though, it's very, very quiet. this road will not be like this. this time tomorrow, when the bulk of the restrictions are being lifted. people are going to be able to walk around in and out of where they live, go to shops that are going to be opening but not to full capacity. there will be a basic service on public transport, the buses and the metro cars will be allowed to drive around. it is a significant easing of the restrictions, which obviously is hugely welcoming, because the city has been crippled, frankly — there's no two ways about it — by that full lockdown. but it is not a full lifting of the lockdown. over 500,000 people remain confined to their homes because they are still in areas classified as sealed. they can't come in or go out. also, people like me and the other 25 million or so people that live here are going to need three things

to go about your daily business now. you're going to need a green code on your smartphone to show you haven't been anywhere suspicious. you're going to need a certificate to show that you've had a pcr test, valid for, at the maximum, the last 72 hours. and you'll also need a mask if you want to get on a bus or a metro or, frankly, get close to anyone here. so it's not normal, in the sense of what was required before, but the other thing that remains — the crucial thing that remains — as we see the significant easing of restrictions is china's commitments to its zero covid policy. that is absolutely rock—solid. so the prospect, the threat, if you put it like that, of central quarantine for anyone who gets covid—19 here, that remains. robin brant there, almost free to roam again in shanghai. stay with us on bbc news. still to come: 70 years of queen elizabeth meeting her prime ministers.

we report on the mystique and mystery of the weekly audience. the queen and her husband began their royal progress to westminster. the moment of crowning, in accordance with the order of service, by a signal given, the great guns of the tower. tributes have been paid around the world to muhammad ali, who has died at the age of 74. outspoken but rarely outfought, ali transcended the sport of boxing, of which he was three times world champion. he was a good fighter. he fought all the way to the . end, even through his illness. yes, he did. uefa imposes an indefinite ban on english clubs playing in europe. today is the 20th anniversary of the release of the beatles'

lp sgt pepper's lonely hearts club band, a record described as the album of the century. this is bbc news. iam david eades. our main story this hour: president biden promises ukraine more advanced rocket systems and munitions after a russian airstrike hit a chemical plant in the embattled city of severodonetsk, releasing a cloud of dangerous gas. now to one of the biggest bands in the welds. and earlier the k—pop powerhouse bts came to the white house to raise the issue of hate crimes against asian—americans. we are we a re bts we are bts and it's a great honour to be invited to the white house to discuss the important issue of anti—asian hate crimes, asian inclusion

and diversity after a brief press conference, the group met president biden to discuss the issue. the k—pop phenomenon are well known for using their music and enormous fan base to speak out on important social issues. anti—asian racism has surged since the start of the pandemic in the us. in the past year alone, 1—in—10 asian americans have been coughed on or spat on, and nearly 1—in—3 have been told to "go back to your country." michelle tran is co—president and founder of soar over hate. it is new york based non—profit that supports asian pacific people dealing with hate crimes. michelle, thank you very much forjoining us. if you want to get profile for an issue, you can either go bigger and better than getting bts to the white house so you must be pleased about that. but the scale of these asian hate crimes beyond these asian hate crimes beyond the figures we just gave, can you give us a flavour ofjust how much worse things have become?— how much worse things have

become? , ,., ., ., become? yes, so i am here on the ground _ become? yes, so i am here on the ground in _ become? yes, so i am here on the ground in new _ become? yes, so i am here on the ground in new york- become? yes, so i am here on the ground in new york city. i | the ground in new york city. i lead soar over hate, a grassroots group and we've been giving up personal safety devices are like a personal safety alarm and pepper spray to asian pacific islanders in new york city and many of our events have brought out thousands of asians who are scared for their safety because of this escalation in anti—asian hate crimes. from march 2022 december 2021, there were 10,905 incidents of anti—asian hate to stop asian hate but all the incidents that were reported are included. is were reported are included. is the reporting becoming more current? are people coming forward now and saying this has happened to me? that's where you get more reliable figures that you can see large jobs. yes, i think that's a great question and something we

definitely hope your support and encourage through our work in the community. there is a generational divide that we see. many asians, to stay quiet and not cause harm are not cause problems. we've encountered many asians through our work who have been harassed on the street or chaste, called the names in english that they cannot understand and they it will come towards a report. is will come towards a report. is it as simple as saying that the bulk of this rising level of anti—asian hate is coming because of the pandemic? able eammon china? i because of the pandemic? able eammon china?— eammon china? i definitely think that _ eammon china? i definitely think that there _ eammon china? i definitely think that there is - eammon china? i definitely think that there is a - eammon china? i definitely think that there is a huge . think that there is a huge increase starting with the early 2020 with trump blaming china for starting the virus and widespread sentiment of asians harbouring the virus, which was unfounded in america

when we saw it in new york city. when we saw it in new york ci . ., �* ., when we saw it in new york ci . ., city. you've got some massive influences _ city. you've got some massive influences on _ city. you've got some massive influences on your— city. you've got some massive influences on your side. - city. you've got some massive influences on your side. i - city. you've got some massive j influences on your side. i hope that helps. influences on your side. i hope that helps-— that helps. michelle, thank ou. that helps. michelle, thank yon thank _ that helps. michelle, thank you. thank you. _ in a record 70 years on the throne, britain's queen elizabeth has dealt with no fewer than 1a prime ministers, starting with winston churchill, right through to borisjohnson. one aspect is the weekly audience between monarch and prime minister. vicki young reports. the queen and her prime ministers. this was a reunion organised in the 1990s. head of state and head of government appear side—by—side for dozens of public events, but the relationship is forged behind closed doors — weekly meetings at the palace... nice to see you again. lovely to see you again. ..that we only get a glimpse of. the queen's views are kept private, political neutrality carefully adhered to, her words written by her prime ministers. i pray that the blessing of almighty god may rest

upon your counsels. her first was winston churchill. he was protective of this new young sovereign who had so much to learn. archive: now, upon the shoulders of sir anthony falls the role of the queen's first minister. after churchill came anthony eden, whose decision to send troops to suez in 1956 brought national humiliation. in 1964, harold wilson became the queen's first labour prime minister. she does her homework, i hadn't done mine. i hadn't read a particular cabinet committee, which i didn't chair, and i was leaving for the weekend. she knew i hadn't done my homework, she was very nice about it. the queen's constitutional right is to be kept informed of government policy — she offers encouragement and advice. every prime minister, i would guess, from talking with other prime ministers and from my own experience, has the greatest friendliness from the queen. on rare occasions, the queen has very subtly aired her views, like this speech where mr callaghan's government was considering devolution. i cannot forget that i was crowned queen of the united kingdom of great britain and northern ireland.

good evening, your majesty. you've had a very long day... when margaret thatcher became britain's first female prime minister, there were reports that the queen privately disapproved of the government's social agenda. but the iron lady played down suggestions of a serious rift. even if she did say it, all right, she may have felt something, but there was never any difficulty in saying anything to me. any difficulty at all. every year, there's a royal invitation to balmoral — matters of state discussed over a cup of tea. in the years that i came to know her as prime minister, prime ministers had private meetings with the queen each week, she invariably looks forward. tony blair certainly appreciated the queen's advice after his landslide victory for labour. even though i was the politician and she was the monarch, ifound her notjust useful, but sometimes deeply insightful.

it's very good to welcome you here... when you have to explain what you're trying to achieve, it's a very good form of therapy. imagine doing that to the world's greatest public servant who's seen it all and heard it all. there's really no better way of getting your head straight about what you're trying to do. 1a prime ministers — 1a very different politicians with their own visions, worries and agendas. for seven decades, the queen has worked with all of them, a monarch at the heart of a democratic constitution — advising, encouraging and warning, providing continuity as each new political tide swept in. vicki young, bbc news. that's some fascinating insights on 70 years of managing and dealing with british prime ministers. more of that and many of our other features on the website,

bbc.com/news as we embark on the extraordinary platinum jubilee festival here. that's the news here on the bbc. hello. a new month starts with very similar weather. after tuesday's big cloud, showers and thunderstorms, umbrellas at the ready for wednesday. the showers probably not as widespread, but there will still be some heavy ones around, with warmer sunny spells in between. low pressure's still close by. high pressure's trying to build in, and although that may be in time for the platinum jubilee weekend, there are some complications, as we'll see in a moment. this is how we start off wednesday morning, low single figures in the chilliest, clearest spots. an area of rain pulling out of wales, into the midlands, and then just turning into another batch of showers as it bears down on south—eastern areas. now, many other places will start the day dry with sunny spells. cloud's going to build, scattered and at times heavy showers break out

through central, southern parts of scotland, northern, central and eastern areas of england in particular, maybe with a rumble of thunder. not many showers at all for northern ireland, northern scotland and for wales and the south—west, becoming mainly dry at the end of the afternoon, and a day where temperatures are a little bit higher than they've been. and in fact, a lot of fine weather to end the day. overnight and into thursday, increasing cloud towards northern ireland here. there's a weather system from the atlantic trying to feed in. ahead of that, clear spells with some patchy fog around and another rather chilly start to the day for thursday, the first, of course, of this long holiday weekend. and outbreaks of rain look as if they're going to push in very gradually towards northern ireland on thursday. ahead of that, a few showers breaking out across scotland and northern england, whereas the further south you are in england and through wales, stays largely dry. temperatures are a bit higher than they've been — we're talking high teens and low 20s. in the sunshine, it will feel warmer. what's moved into northern ireland by friday will be a batch of showers across mainly central areas, but some breaking out towards wales and south—west england as well.

and away from these, still some pleasantly warm sunny spells to be had. keeping things a bit cooler along north sea coasts with an onshore breeze. it will get stronger over the weekend, as we look to the south, to an area of low pressure throwing in some heavy and thundery showers through parts of england and wales saturday into sunday, whereas closer to high pressure, northern ireland and scotland stay mainly dry with the sunniest and the warmest weather for saturday and sunday. so from thursday onwards, yes, warmer, sunny spells, but if you've got outdoor plans — and, of course, there are street parties to be had — factor in, there will be some occasional downpours here and there.

months.

this is bbc news. the headlines: president biden has confirmed that the united states will provide ukraine with more advanced rocket systems and munitions, something the ukrainians have long been requesting. meanwhile, a russian air strike has hit a chemical plant in the embattled city of severodonetsk in the east, releasing a cloud of dangerous gas. the prosecutor of the international criminal court karim khan, has described ukraine as a crime scene, and said the tribunal was carrying out its largest ever investigation there. he warned against sacrificing the rule of law, saying defending it was essential for peace and security throughout the world. the first funeral has taken place in the traumatised texas town of uvalde, a week after a teenage gunman killed 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school.