this is bbc news. i'm victoria fritz with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. the us says it's sending more advanced rocket systems and munitions to ukraine to fight against russian forces. it comes as russia pounds the key city of severodonetsk in the east, and as an air strike on a chemical plant releases dangerous gases. translation: given the presence of large-scale chemical _ production in donetsk, the russian army strikes there, including blind air—bombing, arejust crazy. in other news: the so—called mega drought shows no sign of abating as californians once again suffer

the strictest of water restrictions. a presidential visit: k—pop supergroup bts speak out against hate crimes in america. it's a great honour to be invited to the white house tonight to discuss important issues of anti—asian hate crimes, asian inclusion, and diversity. cheering and jubilant scenes in bradford as europe's youngest metropolis wins the contest to become the uk's next city of culture. hello and welcome. president biden has confirmed that the united states will provide ukraine with more advanced rocket systems, something the ukrainians have long been requesting. mr biden said it would enable ukraine

to strike russian targets more precisely. in the last 2a hours, a russian air strike hit a chemical plant in the eastern city of severodonetsk, releasing a cloud of dangerous gas. residents have been told to stay in bomb shelters to avoid the fumes. both sides are suffering heavy casualties here and the ukrainian command may decide on a tactical retreat. russia now occupies almost all of luhansk as it focuses on seizing it and neighbouring donetsk. tim allman reports. ever since russia invaded, ukraine has desperately wanted help. the united states has been among those offering support, donating billions of dollars in diplomatic, civilian and military aid. washington has gone one step further. writing in the new york times, president biden said...

weaponry includes 142 i am ability rockets system. missiles that have a range of around 80 kilometres or 50 miles. us officials have been given assurances they won't be used to strike targets inside russia stop the missiles will be welcomed in kyiv. the military is losing ground in the east. think black smoke would be seen in the skies above the city of severodonetsk. four weeks it has been a target for the russian military. now report of a strike on a chemical plant in a strike on a chemical plant in a city that has been almost completely destroyed. translation: completely destroyed. tuna/mom- completely destroyed. translation: . ., ., translation: the direction of the situation _ translation: the direction of the situation in _ translation: the direction of the situation in the _ translation: the direction of the situation in the donbas - translation: the direction of the situation in the donbas is l the situation in the donbas is very complicated. given the presence of large—scale chemical production in donetsk, the russian army strikes their including blind air bombing, i

just crazy. including blind air bombing, i just crazy-— just crazy. and it is not 'ust severodonetsk. * just crazy. and it is not 'ust severodonetsk. this h just crazy. and it is not 'ust severodonetsk. this is h just crazy. and it is notjust severodonetsk. this is the | severodonetsk. this is the nearby city of love the answer. 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: , ., , ., translation: liberators try to free us, translation: liberators try to free us. but _ translation: liberators try to free us, but it _ translation: liberators try to free us, but it is _ translation: liberators try to free us, but it is not _ translation: liberators try to free us, but it is not needed, i free us, but it is not needed, so this woman. we free us, but it is not needed, so this woman.— so this woman. we live in ukraine — so this woman. we live in ukraine stop _ so this woman. we live in ukraine stop my - so this woman. we live in ukraine stop my house i so this woman. we live in ukraine stop my house is| so this woman. we live in | ukraine stop my house is a ukrainian city. i want to live in ukraine. " as the 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 gas. —— guess. tim allman, bbc news. 0ur north america correspondent david willis has more on these weapons and what they can do.

this is all part of the latest military aid package for ukraine. the united states spending about $700 million in total. and this package, including these artillery rocket systems that are capable of hitting with greater precision targets than the ukrainians have been able to hit up to now, giving the ukrainian forces a range of about 80 kilometres — or 50 miles away. now, these were supplied or are to be supplied on the condition that they are not used to strike into russia. president biden says he got a commitment from the ukrainian president that would not be the case, but, nonetheless, this is going to worry the russians considerably and, of course, vladimir putin has warned before that he doesn't want to see more and more weapons supplied

from the west. maria avdeeva is research director at the european expert association in ukraine. shejoins us now from 0desa. good to see you, maria. what difference to think believe these long—range weapons will make to the war? these long-range weapons will make to the war?— make to the war? ukraine needs them most _ make to the war? ukraine needs them most now— make to the war? ukraine needs them most now because - make to the war? ukraine needs them most now because to - make to the war? ukraine needs l them most now because to defend donbas on the first hand, and on the other hand, to effective counteroffensive operations to continue doing them on the directions i have already started to do so, for example, here on the south of ukraine in the region, ukrainian troops have managed to push russia back further for the distance of ten kilometres into the territory of the region, and if ukrainian artillery will have this long—range rocket system, it means this country of

interoperation will be more effective and it will mean that russia will have two bring more troops to combat their positions and they will not be able to attack as severely in the donbas region as they do now, and the same goes for kharkiv, where the russian artillery sill is located to allow them chilling of the city and long—range rockets will allow to put them further into the territory of russia. you have been _ the territory of russia. you have been documenting events since the conflict began travelling right across the country, and during your travels, you met the french journalist who was killed by shrapnel from a russian shell in the city of severodonetsk in eastern ukraine. how difficult is becoming forward journalists and researchers to cover this conflict? ~ ., ~

and researchers to cover this conflict? ~ . ~ ., ., conflict? we met a week ago, and he was there to _ conflict? we met a week ago, and he was there to cover- and he was there to cover the crimes that were committed by the russians there. the shop that we all here have after this terrible news that he was killed, and it is already more than 20 journalists and media workers were killed in ukraine during the time of this war, bringing the truth to the world, and the most cynical of russia is to not only attract a humanitarian convoy, but also to attack journalists, humanitarian convoy, but also to attackjournalists, which they do repeatedly, and we are advised not to wear marks on the vests because this will mean that if you have this mark on your vest, russian truth will attack you directly. figs will attack you directly. as russia tightened its grip on

both sides of the donbas region, how easy is it to establish what is going on? are people still open to talking to you and to sharing photographic images, orare you and to sharing photographic images, or are they worried about what will happen if they fall into russian hands at checkpoints?— fall into russian hands at checkpoints? they are afraid because that _ checkpoints? they are afraid because that is _ checkpoints? they are afraid because that is what - checkpoints? they are afraid j because that is what russian troops do immediately when they get into the village, i started looking through the people's phones and then checkpoints as well, and then people are terrified that the russian troops might try to take over the village that was recently liberated, and usually, they are terrified of the whole situation, so that is quite difficult. but most of them, i will say that the ukrainian victory is close and we are here to defend our land, for example, people have destroyed a column of 250 russian vehicles just by themselves

without the military support, local citizens and volunteers, territorial defence units. the local people, just ordinary people are ready to fight and defend their homeland. thank ou ve defend their homeland. thank you very much _ defend their homeland. thank you very much for _ defend their homeland. thank you very much for your- you very much for your continued efforts. maria in 0desa. let's get some of the day's other news. at least three people have died and eight are missing in southern mexico after hurricane agatha triggered landslides and flooding after heavy rain. it's the strongest hurricane to make landfall along mexico's pacific coast since records began in 1949. residents of shanghai, china's most populous city, have been celebrating the easing of covid lockdown restrictions. 25 million people were forced indoors for 65 days at home or lived in tents inside theirfactories to keep some production going. basic public transport services are resuming and shops are reopening. but dining out is still banned and most children

won't yet return to school. in the uk, the home office has begun formally notifying asylum seekers that they are to be relocated to rwanda. the first flight is expected to leave onjune 14, but could still be held up by legal challenges. 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. the coffin jere of 10—year—old ameriejo garza was borne —— here of 10—year—old ameriejo garza was borne into the sacred heart catholic church, across the road from her school. there are more funerals scheduled over the next two weeks. strict water restrictions come into effect for millions of californians today as the west coast of america continues to experience a crippling drought that many predict will get worse during the summer. people in california's agricultural heartland

who have been struggling with water shortages and contamination for years say it's time for people in metropolitan areas to conserve water and do their part. the bbc�*s sophie long reports this may look like a massive body of water, but the so—called mega drought is now in its 23rd year in this reservoir on the nevada arizona border is only 30% full. it is a lightest reservoir in the whole of the united states, 25 million people across three states and mexico rely on it for their water. states and mexico rely on it fortheirwater. but states and mexico rely on it for their water. but it has gone to its lowest level since it was filled in the 1930s. you can see what is known as the bathtub line. it has dropped 150 feet in the past 20 years. those that work on the lake have been documenting its decline. now it is a long walk to the restaurant that used to sit on the water's edge. this will cive sit on the water's edge. this will give us _ sit on the water's edge. this will give us information - sit on the water's edge. ti 3 will give us information about how water is changing in rivers

all across the planet.— all across the planet. nasa, which monitors _ all across the planet. nasa, which monitors the - all across the planet. nasa,| which monitors the changing water levels, is warning the western united states is now entering one of the worst droughts ever seen.- droughts ever seen. with climate change, - droughts ever seen. with climate change, it - droughts ever seen. with climate change, it seems droughts ever seen. ii�*u climate change, it seems like the dominoes are beginning to fall, so we get warmer temperatures, we get less precipitation and snow, the reservoirs started drying up. and in a place like the west, we get wildfires. these consequences, they are beginning to have stronger and stronger impacts, and it is like watching the slow motion catastrophe kind of unfold. farmers are already feeling the pain. fields in california's central valley at this time of year should look like this. thousands of acres are now lying idle because they are unable to irrigate. warning signs now seem ironic. it doesn't get much more serious for the people on the ground that are living it, and we are afraid that the grocery store shelves are going to see it in the coming year because of products that we grow this year

on the shelves next year. it on the shelves next year. it will go hungry? i— on the shelves next year. it will go hungry? i can't- will go hungry? i can't say that. will go hungry? i can't say that- but _ will go hungry? i can't say that. but our _ will go hungry? i can't say that. but our president. will go hungry? i can't say - that. but our president biden, he said we're looking at food shortages. in the united states. ., ., , states. the government has ura ed states. the government has urged californians _ states. the government has urged californians to - states. the government has l urged californians to conserve water, but the first three months of the year with the driest on record, and as sprinklers rained down on lush lawns and wealthy urban areas, water use went up, down. we have to make _ water use went up, down. - have to make do to survive. but in the valley, that is difficult for people like fabian to understand. his well was running — fabian to understand. his well was running dry, _ fabian to understand. his well was running dry, now- fabian to understand. his well was running dry, now his - fabian to understand. his welll was running dry, now his family relies on tanks of water. it is relies on tanks of water. it is cuite relies on tanks of water. it is quite frightening, _ relies on tanks of water. it 3 quite frightening, because when i know at this point what situation will be within a month or two months, maybe not having water at all. find month or two months, maybe not having water at all.— having water at all. and so, as the sun sets — having water at all. and so, as the sun sets on _ having water at all. and so, as the sun sets on the _ having water at all. and so, as the sun sets on the central - the sun sets on the central valley, it will be another dry and sleepless night for some who live here. sophie long, bbc

news, california. stay with us on bbc news. still to come: we've all the sports news, including rafael nadal�*s marathon quarterfinal against novak djokevic in the french open. 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. the latest headlines: the us says it's sending more advanced rocket systems and munitions to ukraine, to fight against russian forces. it comes as russia pounds the key city of severodonetsk in the east, and as an air strike on a chemical plant releases dangerous gases. they are one of the biggest

bands in the world, and earlier the k—pop powerhouse, bts, came to the white house, to raise the issue of hate crimes against asian—americans. hi we are bts and it is a great honour to be invited to the white house today to discuss the important issues of anti—asian hate crimes, asian inclusion and diversity. after a brief news conference, the group met president biden, to discuss the issue. the k—pop phenomenon is well known for using their music, and enormous fan base to speak out on social issues. anti—asian racism in the us has surged since the start of the pandemic. in the past year alone, one in 10 asian americans have been coughed on or spat on, and nearly one in three have been told to "go back to your country." twee pham is a huge fan of bts, featured on mtv as a superfan.

she is studying political science and global studies at the university of california, santa barbara. thank you so much for speaking to us. first of a guess they will ask you this not in your experience, how pervasive is theissue experience, how pervasive is the issue of asian hate crime in the united states? frankly i think this issue _ in the united states? frankly i think this issue is _ in the united states? frankly i think this issue is a _ in the united states? frankly i think this issue is a very - think this issue is a very important issue that has not only spend as long as history can tell but as we take a look at the development of modern civilisation and the development of societies and how humans interact with each other, i think we have noticed that there is a lot of prejudice in different communities but now that we are seeing it with sources of different races and different issues such as the pandemic that brought this particular one on especially, i think it is important to recognise that being different, especially racially can really set people apart and even cause conflict in civilisations of.— in civilisations of. and has this been _ in civilisations of. and has this been a _ in civilisations of. and has this been a problem -

in civilisations of. and has this been a problem for. in civilisations of. and has i this been a problem for you? yes, growing up a grew up in a predominantly white community, so i wasn't around a lot of asian people and a experienced exclusion just because of the way i spoke, the way my family was different or even little things such as micro aggressions like how different my food smelled at lunch. find aggressions like how different my food smelled at lunch. and i su ose my food smelled at lunch. and i suppose over — my food smelled at lunch. and i suppose over time _ my food smelled at lunch. and i suppose over time all _ my food smelled at lunch. and i suppose over time all of - my food smelled at lunch. and i suppose over time all of these l suppose over time all of these things build up and make you feel different, don't they? now, bts, i know you are a huge fan. bts is no stranger to advocacy, routinely looking to mobilise its fan base on issues it finds important. a wonder how successful you think they are at doing that and what impact this group has had on the choices and decisions you have personally made? i have personally made? i think bts has had — have personally made? i think bts has had such _ have personally made? i think bts has had such a _ have personally made? i think bts has had such a positive i bts has had such a positive impact on my life but not only mine but also for so many people around the world. i have been a fan of bts for quite a

long time, with over eight years, and after hearing about their appearance at the white house i immediately to social media, i think it is so inspiring and how they have addressed so many different international conferences and summits on their take on international issues that very much matter, for instance their un address in the first is the —— and they served as the voice of hope at the general assembly and now they are even speaking on asian hate crimes in the united states which i think is quite big and with their voice and their skill they are just doing nothing but the best and they have truly inspired me to be a better person and really use my voice in the community that a live in currently to continue to expand on the message that they are spreading. message that they are spreading-— message that they are sreadina. �* ., , spreading. and also studying olitical spreading. and also studying political science? _ spreading. and also studying political science? yes, - spreading. and also studying | political science? yes, global studies of — political science? yes, global studies of my _

political science? yes, global studies of my first _ political science? yes, global studies of my first major - studies of my first major because of them and when they first went to the united nations and 2018 a joint my model un team out of that because they felt so inspired and now i am actively competing in the model un as the secretary general of my model un team. secretary general of my model unteam. ., ., ., ., ~ un team. congratulations, thank ou so un team. congratulations, thank you so much _ un team. congratulations, thank you so much for— un team. congratulations, thank you so much forjoining - un team. congratulations, thank you so much forjoining us - un team. congratulations, thank you so much forjoining us and i you so much forjoining us and taking us through all of that. it has been a pleasure to speak to you, thank you. let's catch—up with all the latest sports news. hello i'm tulsen tollett and this is your sports news where we start with tennis and rafael nadal remains on course for a record extending 14th french open title. the spaniard beat defending champion novak djokovic in their quarter final to move into the last four. the second set lasted almost an hour and a half at roland garros as the players spent more than four hours on court with nadal eventually claiming a three sets to one win. all the history that we have

together today was another one and two win against novak, there is only one way, it is to play at your best from the first point to the last and tonight has been one of these magic notes for me, an unexpected level but i am super happy so thank you very much. nadal will face alexander zverev after the german beat spain's carlos alacaraz in four sets. the 25—year—old third seed was a 6—4, 6—4, 4—6, 7—6 winner as he continues his bid for a maiden grand slam title. in the women's draw coco gauff is through to her first ever grand slam semi—final after a 7—5, 6—2 win over american compatriot sloane stephens. the 18—year—old has combined he studies with competing on the wta tour and graduated before the tournament started and she eased through to the last four. and gauff will face italian martina trevisan for a place in the final. the 28—year—old is also into

a semi—final at a grand slam for the first time, the world number 59 overcoming canada's leylah fernandez 6-2, 6-7, 6-3. european champions italy will take on south american champions argentina at wembley stadium in london later on wednesday. the match many refer to as the finalissima will also see giorgio chiellini play his last match for the azurri as they look for a little redemption having failed to qualify for the world cup finals. but the italian manager is wary of argentina's captain lionel messi. we had the chance to show maradona and i think messi is like him, one of the best player, and probably he didn't score a lot of goals this year because he change after 20 years and he change team and may sometime he need to have

more time for improve his quality there, but i think he is the best. scotland face ukraine in glasgow later in their delayed world cup play off match. the match was due to be played in march but was postponed due to russia's invasion of ukraine, the winner will face wales on the weekend for a place in qatar. bradford is to take over from coventry as the uk's city of culture from 2025, after beating finalists county durham, southampton and wrexham country burough. the people behind the bid estimate the title could bring in an extra 700 million pounds to the area and create 3,000 jobs to the west yorkshire city. 0ur correspondent danny savage has this report. the uk city of culture 2025 is bradford. , . , the uk city of culture 2025 is

bradford-— bradford. this was yorkshire conurbation _ bradford. this was yorkshire conurbation to _ bradford. this was yorkshire conurbation to be _ bradford. this was yorkshire conurbation to be the - bradford. this was yorkshire conurbation to be the uk's i bradford. this was yorkshire l conurbation to be the uk's city of culture in 2025. me conurbation to be the uk's city of culture in 2025.— of culture in 2025. i've been here all my _ of culture in 2025. i've been here all my life _ of culture in 2025. i've been here all my life so _ of culture in 2025. i've been here all my life so this - of culture in 2025. i've been here all my life so this is - of culture in 2025. i've been | here all my life so this is one of the biggest most positive things that has happened to the city. things that has happened to the ci . �* ., ., things that has happened to the ci . �* . ., , ., things that has happened to the city. bradford is not here to define its — city. bradford is not here to define its identity, - city. bradford is not here to define its identity, its - define its identity, its identity is already solid, it is identity is already solid, it must— identity is already solid, it isjust here to show identity is already solid, it is just here to show the world how— is just here to show the world how awesome it is and that is what — how awesome it is and that is what is — how awesome it is and that is what is coming.— how awesome it is and that is what is coming. bradford is the ci of what is coming. bradford is the city of joy- _ what is coming. bradford is the city of joy. bradford _ city of joy. bradford campaigned - city of joy. bradford campaigned hard i city of joy. bradford | campaigned hard for city of joy. bradford - campaigned hard for the city of joy. bradford _ campaigned hard for the honour, a promotional video captured the diversity of the arts and culture seen and they got the gig- culture seen and they got the .|._ . culture seen and they got the .|. . . �* culture seen and they got the .|_. . . ~ 1: culture seen and they got the ,.,, . . ~ 1: , ., culture seen and they got the .|_.. . ~ 1: gig. when ice age 20, you say 25. 20! gig. when ice age 20, you say 25- 20! 25! — gig. when ice age 20, you say 25. 20! 25! we _ gig. when ice age 20, you say 25. 20! 25! we are _ gig. when ice age 20, you say 25. 20! 25! we are bradford i 25. 20! 25! we are bradford baby till we die.— baby till we die. the main thin is baby till we die. the main thing is will _ baby till we die. the main thing is will people - baby till we die. the main thing is will people be - baby till we die. the main | thing is will people be able baby till we die. the main - thing is will people be able to see stuff and find out because they— see stuff and find out because they have an opportunity to experience it and adjust the that— experience it and adjust the that has_ experience it and adjust the that has been such a long time coming — that has been such a long time coming and it is so important for our— coming and it is so important for our development as individuals and as a city. most cities hold _ individuals and as a city. most cities hold the _ individuals and as a city. most cities hold the culture - individuals and as a city. most cities hold the culture title - cities hold the culture title for a calendar year. bradford now has two and a half years to get everything ready.

amazing. you can reach me on twitter, i'm @vfritznews. 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. 0vernight 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.

hello. this is bbc news with the latest business headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. up and running: businesses in shanghai look to restart as the city eases out of a strict lockdown. we will have the very latest. tariffs be gone: the us lifts trump—era tariffs on uk steel, but is a free trade deal any closer? quickly going nowhere: unprecedented travel chaos in europe as airlines and airports fails to cope with the number of post—pandemic travellers.