this is bbc news, with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. a crackdown in georgia as police clash with demonstrators after parliament backed a draft law which critics say limits press freedom and civil liberties. this place outside georgia's parliament in at the capital tbilisi has been the scene of so many anti—government and anti—russia protests over the years, but this time the government may have gone too far. an investigation into the killing of breonna taylor concludes that a us police force routinely discriminated against black people. a major us train operator faces a senate panel following the toxic chemical

spill in east palestine. and it's a frustrating night for tottenham as they crash out of the champions league against milan. rat a very warm welcome to the programme. we begin in the former soviet republic of georgia, where large crowds have been protesting against new laws which critics say will limit freedoms. the biggest demonstrations took place in the capital tbilisi, where police used water cannon and tear gas to try to disperse the crowds. our correspondent rayhan demytrie is in tbilisi and she sent us this report. every big moment in history has its iconic image. this may be georgia's.

on tuesday, thousands of protesters stood for europe, and stood their ground against water cannons, tear—gas and pepper spray. and they even fought back. 55 police officers were injured. protesters have been outraged by what's been happening in parliament — pro—government mps spoiling for a fight with the opposition, and then backing a controversial foreign agents bill. the law would require ngos and media that get more than 20% of their funding from abroad to label themselves as agents of foreign influence. it's in the same spirit as russia's foreign agent law, which over the years has been used to stigmatise and silence critical voices.

the georgian government says that it wants more transparency, and that the bill has been copied from an american law, but in a statement the united states embassy in tbilisi described it as �*kremlin—inspired legislation�*, and said it was a dark day for georgian democracy. this place outside georgia's parliament in the capital of tbilisi has been the scene of so many anti—government and anti—russia protests over the years, but this time the government may have gone too far. the country's opposition is powerless to change things inside parliament because the government holds the majority of seats, but it doesn't mean that the people of georgia are ready to give up the fight for their country to have a future in europe. we belong to europe. we are europe. i am here, along with all these people, to guarantee that there will never be a russian rule here, ever. on the international stage,

georgia's authorities said they want to join the eu, but their actions back at home speak louder than their words abroad. this could be georgia's midan moment — the first stirrings of mass unrest against the government that appears increasingly out of sync with its own population. let's go live now. eka gigauri, who's the executive director at transparency international georgia, was among the protesters last night, and she joins us from tbilisi. talk us through what happened. thank you for having me. we were standing in front of the parliament. there were people addressing the crowd. we were very peaceful demonstrates there, and suddenly the police

started using the gas, so we had to find a way out from this place, and some people left but some people came back, and they continued protesting, and this continued protesting, and this continued for the whole night. some young people stayed in front of the parliament, and, yeah. so, there were some irregularities, for what we say is right from the beginning, the government, this is not the first day, right? we had demonstrations yesterday and they did the same, so, they do they did the same, so, they do the excessive force. it means that many people are arrested. our organisation, in —— are defending these people and we find difficulties in finding these people in the demonstrations. the government said they had arrested 60 people and we could not find

them throughout the whole night, so we were going to different police stations and could not find those who were arrested, so apparently their rights were violated as well. so, we are very concerned about what is going on. we knew that the government was ready to violate the law, and i am sure the georgian people will not stop here. they will protest against this bill again. how do ou see against this bill again. how do you see this — against this bill again. how do you see this playing _ against this bill again. how do you see this playing out, - against this bill again. how do you see this playing out, eka, | you see this playing out, eka, because as you say this is the second night of protest and the response from the government has been pretty strong with tear gas, water cannons and the rest. what do you think will happen next?— rest. what do you think will happen next? people are very u set happen next? people are very upset and _ happen next? people are very upset and angry. _ happen next? people are very upset and angry, you - happen next? people are very upset and angry, you know? l happen next? people are very i upset and angry, you know? and i think this is what the government knows, and this is what the government school is — they want to make a big crowd was so angry that the crowd will start — i don't know —

doing something illegal, which is not good, because we all want this. you know, we are peaceful people. we just want to ensure that the government will do the best to get the eu membership and that georgia will become an eu member in the future. so, definitely know wonder there was to violate the law, but, you know, when this is not organised by the political party or... shill political party or... all right--- _ political party or... all right... this _ political party or... all right... this is - political party or... all right... this is like, i political party or... all. right... this is like, you know. _ right... this is like, you know, this _ right... this is like, you know, this is _ right... this is like, you know, this is also - right... this is like, you know, this is also the l right... this is like, you - know, this is also the strength but also the weakness because... but also the weakness because. . ._ but also the weakness because. . .- on l but also the weakness l because. . .- on the because... ok... on the ground--- _ because... ok... on the ground... eka, - because... ok... on the ground... eka, thank- because... ok... on the| ground... eka, thank you because... ok... on the - ground... eka, thank you very much indeed. _ ground... eka, thank you very much indeed. eka _ ground... eka, thank you very much indeed. eka gigauri - ground... eka, thank you very | much indeed. eka gigauri from transparency international georgia and there is more on that story on the website as

well. a usjustice department investigation has concluded that the police department in louisville in kentucky routinely discriminated against black people, used excessive force, and conducted illegal searches. it follows the death of breonna taylor, a black woman who was shot dead by police during a raid on her home in 2020. here's our north america correspondent peter bowes. the botched armed raid on breonna taylor's home led to this. chanting: breonna taylor! say her name! breonna taylor! months of protests demanding the police officers involved to be held to account. the medical technician had been asleep with her boyfriend when officers burst into her apartment. she was hit with six bullets and died. the outcry that followed helped fuel the black lives matter protests. now a department of justice investigation into the louisville police has found that it engaged

in a pattern of civil rights violations, including: this conduct is unacceptable. it is heartbreaking. it erodes the community trust necessary for effective policing, and it is an affront to the vast majority of officers who put their lives on the line every day to serve louisville with honour. and it is an affront to the people of louisville who deserve better. he said louisville police agreed to the appointment of an independent monitor to oversee reforms within the force. breonna taylor's mother gave her response to the investigation�*s findings. reporter: does this give you the vindication you've| been waiting for? no.

it is heartbreaking to know that everything you've been saying from day one has to be said again through this manner. that it took this to even have somebody look into this department. it is... i don't know. three years after the killing of breonna taylor, the use of excessive force continues to call into question police tactics around the country. five black officers from the memphis police department are facing murder charges over the killing of tyre nichols, the 29—year—old black man whose violent arrest was caught on video in january. more of the footage is due to be made public, but a judge has blocked its release to allow lawyers for the officers to review the tapes. they've all pleaded not guilty. peter bowes, bbc news.

one of the biggest train operators in america is being questioned by lawmakers after a train carrying toxic chemicals derailed in the town of east palestine in ohio. norfolk southern boss alan shaw will testify before a senate paneljust days after unveiling a safety plan to address overheated bearings which is thought to have caused the derailment on 3 february which has caused a huge political row in the us. 0ur north america correspondent nomia iqbal explains. there are about 1700 train derailment in the us every year, so why is the one in ohio becoming national news? i was in is palestine in february, shortly after and train carrying hazardous material crashed. the town has about 5000 people and is on the ohio—pennsylvania border. the smell is not as bad as it was before. we are keeping safe by having a mask on. nobody was

killed or crashed —— in the crash or the aftermath but it did make headlines because there was concerns this was becoming an environmental disaster. we went to a key town hall meeting where residents demanded answers about their safety and health risks. what safety and health risks. what rolls through _ safety and health risks. what rolls through on _ safety and health risks. what rolls through on those - safety and health risks. what rolls through on those tracks | rolls through on those tracks is of more value than the lives of the residents in this community.— of the residents in this communi . ., , ., community. the trains owner norfolk southern _ community. the trains owner norfolk southern did - community. the trains owner norfolk southern did not - community. the trains ownerl norfolk southern did not show up norfolk southern did not show up but it was not long before politicians did. east palestine is a predominantly white town and it is a swing state where lectures are decided. sure enough, former president donald trump who won the town in 2020, brodin, promisingjustice. trump who won the town in 2020, brodin, promising justice. this brodin, promising 'ustice. this is really america _ brodin, promisingjustice. ti 3 is really america right here. we are standing in america. share we are standing in america. are ou we are standing in america. are you shocked _ we are standing in america. are you shocked he has not come here — you shocked he has not come here yet? _ you shocked he has not come here yet?— you shocked he has not come here et? ., , ., ., , here yet? you should have been

here yet? you should have been here a long _ here yet? you should have been here a long time _ here yet? you should have been here a long time ago. _ here yet? you should have been here a long time ago. president| here a long time ago. president mounted on _ here a long time ago. president mounted on president - here a long time ago. president mounted on president biden . here a long time ago. president| mounted on president biden and his transportation secretary to visit. eventually, he did turn up visit. eventually, he did turn up but admitted he could have been there earlier.— been there earlier. there is more that _ been there earlier. there is more that we _ been there earlier. there is more that we could - been there earlier. there is more that we could do - been there earlier. there is more that we could do to i more that we could do to prevent more communities from going through this. this prevent more communities from going through this.— going through this. this rail line has become _ going through this. this rail line has become a - going through this. this rail line has become a frontline| going through this. this rail l line has become a frontline in and politicalfactors in a divided america but residents told us they were in no mood for politics. they say that their town needs help, not a political photo ops. still to come. the race is honourable cinematographer at this years 0scars honourable cinematographer at this years oscars and there are two brits the running. the numbers of dead and wounded defied belief. this the worst terrorist atrocity on european soil in modern times. in less than 24 hours then,

the soviet union lost an elderly sick leader and replaced him with a dynamic figure 20 years his junior. we heard these gunshots in the gym _ then he came outj through a fire exit and started firing at our huts. god, we were all petrified. james earl ray, aged a1, sentenced to 99 years and due for parole when he's 90, travelled from memphis jail to nashville state prison in an eight—car convoy. paul, what's it feel like to be married at last? it feels fine, thank you. what are you going to do now? is it going to change your life much, do you think? i don't know, really — _ i've never been married before. this is bbc news. the latest headlines: a crackdown in georgia as police clash with demonstrators after parliament

backed a draft law which critics say limits press freedom and civil liberties. an investigation into the killing of breonna taylor has concluded that a us police force routinely discriminated against lack people. —— black people. japanese scientists have created eggs from the cells of male mice by turning male xy sex chromosomes into female ones. the research is still in its early stages but it could lead to radical new fertility treatments on humans in the future. hank greely is professor and director of the center for law and the biosciences at stanford university and hejoins us now from california. welcome to the programme. can you just explain what this is

all about? you just explain what this is allabout? it you just explain what this is all about? it sounds like something out of a sci—fi movie. it something out of a sci-fi movie. , . , , movie. it is incredibly fascinating _ movie. it is incredibly fascinating and - movie. it is incredibly fascinating and i - movie. it is incredibly | fascinating and i think movie. it is incredibly - fascinating and i think for millions of couples around the world it is undoubtedly extremely exciting. it is important to recognise that right now the only things that i hoped to have rabies this way are gay mouse couples, not perhaps the world's most important constituency. what they have done is take skin cells from mice and turn them into induced pluripotent stem cells, stem cells that can become other types, turn those cells into gametes, the term we use for exams term at this time they took cells from male mice and managed to turn them into egg. the scientists injapan ten years ago had mouse pops warm from skin cells that had been turned into eggs from female mice and turned into sperm from male mice but this is the first time they have

crossed gender lines and that is exciting. it crossed gender lines and that is exciting-— is exciting. it is exciting for same-sex _ is exciting. it is exciting for same-sex couples - is exciting. it is exciting for same-sex couples who - is exciting. it is exciting for| same-sex couples who wish is exciting. it is exciting for. same-sex couples who wish to same—sex couples who wish to have children but also for those heterosexual couples who struggle to make babies through regular treatments like ivf currently where it has not worked for them. could possibly help them to? this worked for them. could possibly help them to?— help them to? this is actually a side point — help them to? this is actually a side point of _ help them to? this is actually a side point of the _ help them to? this is actually a side point of the big - help them to? this is actually a side point of the big goal. a side point of the big goal which is to take skin cells from humans and turn those into safe and effective eggs and sperm that can make a healthy baby. no—one has done that yet. no—one has taken skin cells from humans and turned them into fully mature eggs and fully mature sperm, even if they take cells from women to make eggs and cells from men to make eggs and cells from men to make sperm. that is the big deal. there are hundreds of millions of couples around the world who would welcome the chance to have babies that they cannot have now because one of them does not make eggs or one

of them does not make sperm full stop this cross sex version adds another constituency to that in a and lesbian couples. the big prize will be being able to do it at all with humans and make it safe and effective.— all with humans and make it safe and effective. thank you so much for _ safe and effective. thank you so much for explaining - safe and effective. thank you so much for explaining that l so much for explaining that all. it is fascinating. and there are huge ethical challenges posed by all of this and it will take some time but it is interesting and in development right now. time now for a round up of all the latest sports news. hello i'm marc edwards with your sport. bayern munich and ac milan are through to the quarter—finals of the champions league. bayern beat big spending paris saint—germain 2—0 on the night — for a 3—0 aggregate victory. while 7—time winners ac milan are also into the last eight after seeing off tottenham hotspur. the two sides drew 0—0 in london, sending the italian champions through 1—0 on aggregate as spurs' season continues to unravel. ian dennis reports.

another season without silverware as the spurs crashed out of europe after an insipid display. builders the important game of their season, tottenham failed to grasp the opportunity and struggled to impose themselves. the italian champions were really stretched, the goalkeeper made two saves after 64 minutes and then a header in injury time. unfortunately created the better chances including hitting the post later on. ramiro was sent off to compound the misery of tottenham and antonio container with just 12 games left, questions remain over his future in the direction of the club. i think this is not the right day to speak about my future. but my future is not... i have a contract. i have a contract with tottenham and then tottenham know very well my

thoughts and at the end of the season and... we will meet and make a decision. golf — and most of the world's top players have gathered in florida for the players championship at sawgrass which gets underway on thursday. it's the biggest men's tournament outside of the four majors — and there's a blockbuster marquee group which brings together the current top three players in the world. rory mcilroy will be playing withjon rahm and scottie scheffler for the first two rounds. any one of them could be world number one come sunday night. the way i approach it is that i think it will be a lot of fun. rory and john are talented golfers and i look forward to watching them play and having a good time out there. it is fun to have three guys jostle for world number one and i am pleased to be one of them. rory and john are talented so anytime i can be spoken of in the same breath is special for me. especially growing up

watching someone like rory play golf for a long time. hopefully he will continue to play well and be able to keep that may compete for a long time out here. slovenian cyclist tadej pogacar won wednesday's fourth stage of the paris—nice race. the two—time tour de france champion — who rides for uae team emirates — edged out david gaudu on the line to claim his first stage win of the race. he leads by 10 seconds from gaudu — with four stages to go. that is all for now. but from me and the rest of the team, that's your sports news for now. well if you didn't already know — let me remind you that the 95th academy awards are happening this sunday. one of the most coveted prizes of the night is best cinematographer and two of the five nominees are british. 0ur los angeles correspondent sophie long reports on the race for this year's best cinematographer. there is a flaw in your nerve. if i there is a flaw in your nerve. if i run— there is a flaw in your nerve. if i run the _ there is a flaw in your nerve. if i run the film at 24 frames

per second it creates an illusion _ per second it creates an illusion of motion. empire of liuht is illusion of motion. empire of light is a _ illusion of motion. empire of light is a tender _ illusion of motion. empire of light is a tender look - illusion of motion. empire of light is a tender look at - illusion of motion. empire of light is a tender look at life, j light is a tender look at life, love and the magic of movie theatres. love and the magic of movie theatres-— love and the magic of movie theatres. , , theatres. out there i 'ust see a beam of h theatres. out there i 'ust see a beam of light. _ theatres. out there i 'ust see a beam of light. no _ theatres. out there i just see a beam of light. no group - theatres. out there i just see a beam of light. no group is| a beam of light. no group is more inclined _ a beam of light. no group is more inclined to _ a beam of light. no group is more inclined to celebrate l a beam of light. no group is more inclined to celebrate aj more inclined to celebrate a film about the majesty of cinema than the academy. especially when it is sensitively assembled one of the industry's most revered cinematographers. is it as meaningful as the number clocks up meaningful as the number clocks up and up? it meaningful as the number clocks up and up?— up and up? it means i am still here and _ up and up? it means i am still here and still— up and up? it means i am still here and still doing _ up and up? it means i am still here and still doing it. - up and up? it means i am still here and still doing it. that i here and still doing it. that is the most meaningful thing about it. it is great. it is a celebration of movies and that is what i like about this. i don't know how you can judge what is best. ifeel a bit of don't know how you can judge what is best. i feel a bit of a fraud coming to these things and being nominated, i do. but someone makes a judgement, fine. but i don't know how you can. the direction of sam

managers and the cinematography was a winning combination three years ago with 1917. but he faces fierce competition from fellow brit and first—time nominee james friend for the harrowing and heart wrenching all quiet on the western front. it was challenging. all of that mode — it was challenging. all of that mode and the blood and guts and the environment. that was our set _ the environment. that was our set it— the environment. that was our set it was— the environment. that was our set. it was not like we had trailers— set. it was not like we had trailers where we could go and eat lunch — trailers where we could go and eat lunch in. we literally live and — eat lunch in. we literally live and breathe in this environment. i love watching the academy awards. i stay up all night — the academy awards. i stay up all night and watch them, even when _ all night and watch them, even when i — all night and watch them, even when i am _ all night and watch them, even when i am shooting stop it is something that has been so out of reach — something that has been so out of reach so it means the world. it of reach so it means the world. it is _ of reach so it means the world. it is the — of reach so it means the world. it is the greatest honour i have _ it is the greatest honour i have ever experienced. what do you think— have ever experienced. what do you think you are doing? you were not _ you think you are doing? you were not invited _ you think you are doing? you were not invited to _ you think you are doing? you were not invited to speak. it| were not invited to speak. cannot be all men droning

were not invited to speak.- cannot be all men droning on. when it comes to acceptance speech is the best cinematography, it has been a case for the entirety of the award 95 year history. no woman has ever won. at? award 95 year history. no woman has ever won-— has ever won. # as time goes b . # has ever won. # as time goes by- # so _ has ever won. # as time goes by. # so slowly. _ has ever won. # as time goes by. # so slowly. nobody - has ever won. # as time goes by. # so slowly. nobody is i by. # so slowly. nobody is auoin by. # so slowly. nobody is going to — by. # so slowly. nobody is going to remember - by. # so slowly. nobody is going to remember me. i by. # so slowly. nobody is i going to remember me. that could change _ going to remember me. that could change this _ going to remember me. that could change this year i going to remember me. trust could change this year with the nomination of mandy walker for elvis. l nomination of mandy walker for elvis. ., ., ., ., elvis. i am the third woman to be nominated _ elvis. i am the third woman to be nominated in _ elvis. i am the third woman to i be nominated in cinematography ever and ifeel that be nominated in cinematography ever and i feel that even onset now it is definitely changing. there is more women in my department and more women shooting film. it is slow and it is one of the areas that has been really slow in getting equality and diversity but it is definitely changing and it is definitely changing and it is fantastic. it is so exciting. it is my first time so i am enjoying every moment of it. so i am en'oying every moment of it. , ., of it. here is to the future. any advice _ of it. here is to the future. any advice from _ of it. here is to the future. any advice from an - of it. here is to the future. any advice from an old i of it. here is to the future. l any advice from an old timer of it. here is to the future. i any advice from an old timer to a first timer?— a first timer? don't worry about it- _ a first timer? don't worry

about it. it _ a first timer? don't worry about it. it is _ a first timer? don't worry about it. it is the - a first timer? don't worry about it. it is the work. a first timer? don't worry i about it. it is the work that matters. the films that last. people will remember films, they will not remember who got nominated. i was first nominated. i was first nominated for a film called shawshank redemption which kind of died completely at the box office now is the favourite movie of many people. so go figure. movie of many people. so go fiure. ,, ., , ., ~' movie of many people. so go fiaure. ,, ., , ., ,, , ., ., figure. shawshank redemption, a brilliant film. _ darius khondji, for "bardo, false chronicle of a handful of truths" and florian hoffmeister for "tar" are the two others in the running for best cinematographer at the oscars on sunday. this time on monday morning we will have all of the news for you from the oscars. we will know best film and all the winners and losers so join me for that. winners and losers so join me forthat. next winners and losers so join me for that. next we have all the top business stories. we will

be looking at all sorts of issues, not least whatjeremy hunt might have in his budget next week for business. i will see you in just a moment. hello, there. we have some disruptive weather on the way. certainly, the next 24 to 48 hours look very snowy indeed across a central swathe of the uk. the met office have issued an amber warning for heavy snow across northern england, particularly over the pennines, where we're likely to see up to 40 centimetres of snow by the time we move through thursday, thursday night and into friday morning. reason for it, this deep area of low pressure, with all its rains pushing into the cold air. so although we'll have rain south of the m4 corridor, some of this rain could be quite heavy across southern england, south wales, it will be turning readily to snow across the northern half of wales through thursday, into the midlands, certainly the north midlands, and across northern england where we'll see significant accumulations starting to pile up over the pennines and also for north wales.

a milder day to come, i think, across southern areas, ten to 13 degrees here. this is where we'll have the heavy rain. a chilly but sunny day across scotland, with a few snow showers around. now, as we head through thursday evening, thursday night, the snowfall continues across north wales, northern england, certainly over the pennines and developing into northern ireland, southern scotland, as well. again, to the north of here, it's likely to stay very cold with clear skies. but we have a widespread yellow snow warning for northern ireland, much of southern scotland, northern england, the midlands into north wales — two to ten centimetres at lower levels, up to 15 centimetres on the hills. but it's this amber warning we're most concerned about over the pennines — 25 to 40 centimetres likely, by the time we reach friday morning. so the snowfall continues in those similar areas through the early hours of friday, starting to pull away, though, from northern ireland and southern scotland. here, it's going to be another very cold night.

snow showers for northern scotland. that wintry mix of rain, sleet and snow will be affecting large parts of england and wales, as we start friday morning. that area of low pressure starts to pull away in towards the near continent, taking the snow with it. but also, we'll see a spell of strong northerly winds for a while on its back edge as it pulls away. so a cold, windy, snowy morning across central and eastern parts of england, in particular for friday, could see some drifting of snow as well. but it clears out quite quickly, and then we'll see plenty of sunshine moving in its place for friday afternoon, but it's going to be a cold day wherever you are. take care.

you are with the bbc news. time now for the top business stories. tough times for uk plc: bosses call for more government help as they face staff shortages, soaring energy bills and a looming rise in taxes. you have got energy support to businesses being radically scaled back. tax breaks on investment being phased out and if you do make a profit they are going to be taxed at 25 rather than 19%. also coming up: chipping away at china. the netherlandsjoins the us in its crackdown on exports of advanced semiconductor technology. plus: almost two job vacancies for every worker — a tight us labour market piles pressure on the fed to raise

interest rates higher.