this is bbc news, i'm rebecca jones. the headlines at 8pm. as bp profits double in the first three months of this year, the prime minister says the government can do more to help with the rising cost of living, but rules out a windfall tax on energy companies. i'm not going to pretend that every family is going to have a magic solution from the government overnight. i simply can't pretend that we can do that, but we can be as ingenious and compassionate as possible. a convoy of civilians escaping a steel plant in eastern mariupol reach safety, but hundreds more lay trapped underneath the industrial complex. a leaked document suggests the us supreme court may overturn the nationwide legal right to abortion. president biden says a woman's right

to choose is fundamental. and as people across the uk prepare to go to the polls on thursday, we hear how the race for power at stormont could bring seismic change in northern ireland. hello and welcome to bbc news. the prime minister has hinted he may be prepared to do more to address the rising cost of living — but he has dismissed fresh calls for a windfall tax on energy companies. it comes as bp announced it made almost five billion pounds in underlying profits for the first quarter of the year — more than double the figure for the same period last year. rising prices and energy bills

are expected to be a big issue in the elections across the uk this week. here's our business editor simonjack. bp has driven straight into the middle of a political and economic storm is the soaring cost of fuel and energy has emptied the pockets of consumers and filled the coffers of those who sell it. bp recorded its highest profits in the decade, adding fuel to the far over whether to introduce a windfall tax to fund help for people who work struggling. hard to determine whether its energy or food i'm picking so that is why i need help because you cannot pick one or the other. i used to enjoy going to the beach but i cannot afford not been fuelled now so we just do little things like this, sometimes we get the bus instead. the prime minister said more help was coming but taxing companies making investments was not the answer. what you achieve if you take that money away in tax? do you deter them from making

the big changes we need in our energy market because we need investment. the prices are being driven by global supply and demand factors including the war in ukraine. in the first three months of this year bp has made nearly £5 billion, more than double the amount of last year as the price of oil and gas rocketed, meanwhile they promised to invest £18 billion by the end of 2030 in the uk, mainly in renewables but some in oil and gas to keep the uk's energy supply secure, and they also think that they will pay £1 billion in tax. they paid none in the last year because their profits were lower. the government says windfall taxes might deter that investment but opposition parties site windfall taxes are essential to fund extra

help for those struggling with the cost of living. we should have a windfall tax on oil and gas companies who have made more profit than they expected, and use that tax to help people with their energy bills, up to £600 for those who need it most. the liberal democrats are arguing for a vat tax worth £600 to the average family and we would fund up to a windfall tax. the oil and gas companies are making obscene profits so we need to tax - those profits and put that money into supporting people now. - we need to make sure the government is taxing notjust bp but other companies that are making access profits, and that those proceeds should be reinvested back into making sure that those who are suffering from the cost of living

crisis get some help. bp has written off a £19 billion stake in a russian oil giant but still intends to increase payouts to shareholders which includes millions of uk pension savers. the argument over how and how much to tax the energy giant will continue this week as a rival shell is expected to announce even bigger profits on thursday. simon jack, bbc news. 0ur political correspondent iain watson is at westminster. the government has ruled out a windfall tax, but what more support could be made available to help people struggling with their energy bills? a, people struggling with their energy bills? �* �* �* people struggling with their energy bills? �* “ ., bills? a bbc interview said today, rebecca, the _ bills? a bbc interview said today, rebecca, the prime _ bills? a bbc interview said today, rebecca, the prime minister - bills? a bbc interview said today, rebecca, the prime minister is i rebecca, the prime minister is stressing with the government has already done, this £9 billion in the form of effectively loans to help ease the pain of increased fuel bills, the discount on the council tax for many people in england and in addition to that, of their help worth a total of £22 billion. he

said he was making no new announcements today, so what we did get where some soft words, some encouraging words, the same ingenuity would to be used, as was the case during the covid crisis and furlough, but i don't think anything like the same resources will be made available. he did point out that there is a limit to what the government could do, that money has to come from the taxpayer, so there is some hints that in due course after the local elections are out of the way before bills go up again in the way before bills go up again in the autumn, the government was willing to take a look at final measures but was not willing to quantify them. interesting in the run—up to those elections, local councils get no say over corporate taxation, but nonetheless, the opposition parties think they got a really good dividing line with government, all arguing for a version of the windfall tax on the oil and energy companies, some a one—off case, the greens, they want to see that sustained for a longer period, but they think that is a divining line, because it's an easy

answer, as they would see it, take the money from the bigger companies and help people with their fuel sales, in some cases, and that would therefore look like government in action, so what borisjohnson has been trying to emphasise today is that help is already here and more help on the way. there will be the budget in the autumn, but in terms of new initiatives, absolutely none have been announced ahead of thursday and we will have to see if that has some impact on opinion polls, impact on actual poles when people vote on thursday or whether in fact they will in the end be swayed more by local issues rather than the national cost crisis. you mentioned _ than the national cost crisis. you mentioned these _ than the national cost crisis. you mentioned these local elections on thursday, and i wonder how much the wider cost of living question well dominate not only those elections but politics in the coming months. thinks what's interesting is i was speaking to have a senior figure thinks what's interesting is i was speaking to have a seniorfigure in the conservative campaign, for example, and at that time, of course, there was lots of talk about the party gate and whether that was

affecting the standing in the polls conservatives have tried to counter with beer gate with what scared starmer might have been up to endure them, but he said the biggest fear that people had was this big jug or not, as he called that, of cost of living that is coming right at them. injuly, for example, government is going to mitigate its national insurance rise for many people, what they will also be seen as a cumulative effect on household bills, on their own take—home pay and people may continue to feel worse and worse off. it tends to be much more politically volatile environment when people cannot go into elections saying they feel better off than they did the last time that they voted. good to talk to you. our political correspondent at westminster, thanks. and we'll find out how this story, and many others, are covered in tomorrow's front pages at 10:30 and 11:30 this evening in the papers. 0ur guestsjoining me tonight are katy balls, who's deputy political editor at the spectator, and the broadcaster, penny smith. now to ukraine, where more than 100

people who've been trapped for two months beneath the rubble of a steelworks in the south of the country have finally been brought to safety, after they were rescued on sunday. the evacuees have spent weeks — without seeing daylight — living in tunnels under the steelworks in the besieged city of mariupol. but the ceasefire that allowed them to escape was brief. fierce fighting has begun in mariupol again. and the red cross says there are still an unknown number of people trapped there. 0ur correspondent, laura bicker, watched as the first evacuees finally made it to safety in zaporizhzhia this afternoon. theirjourney from hell is over. two months of poor ends in exhaustion and relief. —— two months of horror ends in exhaustion and relief. katarina spent weeks in the depths of the azovstal steel plant as a russian bombs pounded

at the site. she tried to tell her children everything would be ok, even when she didn't believe it herself. translation: how we were living, well, to be honest, it was horrible. | from morning until night we were bombarded. artillery, air strikes, our children couldn't sleep they were crying, they scared and us as well. several times we lost hope we would ever get out. we are extremely glad to be in ukraine. for more than 60 days, these women and children were stuck in the darkness living on rations handed down by ukrainian soldiers. it's been a difficult opposition to free them. translation: we lived in hope that every date would be - the last day in this hell, that we would go home to a peaceful mariupol, but now it is nonexistent. this evacuation represents rare progress to ease the humanitarian cost of this war, but hundreds more did not make it on this bus.

they are thought to still be trapped within the steel plant, including around a dozen children and talks are still under way to freedom. just hours after the group left the azovstal plant, the russian bombardment continued. smoke billowed over mariupol, a city that is already a charred shell. there are thought to be nearly 100,000 people still here. translation: | don't know| where to go, i am not alone. everything is destroyed and broken. where should the people go now? here, they are sitting with small kids, with little ones. i have nowhere to go. for those who have made it out, finally they have fresh food and a little hope. lives have been saved today but many more hang in the balance. laura bicker, bbc news, zaporizhzhia.

let's cross over to the us now. joe biden is visiting a facility in troy alabama which manufactures the anti—tankjavelin missile. let's anti—tank javelin missile. let's hear a anti—tankjavelin missile. let's hear a little of what he has to say. make sure that there are no interruptions with the flow of liquid into ukraine. since russia invaded ukrainejust liquid into ukraine. since russia invaded ukraine just over liquid into ukraine. since russia invaded ukrainejust over two months ago, we have sent more than $3 billion in security assistance to ukraine, alone, us, not counting our allies. that money is a direct investment in defending freedom and democracy itself. because if you don't stand up to dictators, history has shown us they keep coming. they keep coming. their appetite for power continues to grow, and every worker in this facility and every american taxpayer who has directly contributed to the case for freedom, and that is something we can all be incredibly proud of, in my view. last week, i send congress an

exclusive point of personal privilege talking like an old senator and sent a supplemental budget, a fancy way of saying we need more money to make sure the united states can continue to send weapons directly to the front lines of freedom in ukraine, and to continue to provide economic and humanitarian assistance of the ukrainian people. i urge congress to pass this funding quickly to help you can continue to succeed against russia's aggression, just as they give and they won the battle of kyiv. make sure the united states and our allies can replenish our own stocks of weapons, to replace what we have sent to ukraine. as i said from the beginning, this fight is not going to be cheap. by escaping to aggression would be even more costly. we either backed the ukrainian people as they defend their country or we stand by as russia continues to its atrocities and aggression. i know what the answer is and i thank you all do too. but i know what the answer to this plan is. there is something else here to be understood. being

the arsenal of democracy also means good paying jobs for american workers. alabama and the states all across america where defensive women is manufactured and assembled, 265 people here at this plant are directly employed, working on the javelin programme. bringing nearly 3000 jobs to alabama. the armed forces of the united states of america will continue to be the best armed, most capable fighting force in the history of the world. in order to do that, we have to make sure our vital defensive plays are getting the input and supplies they need to produce and protect and provide the full capacity. i learned on the tour today that each of the javelin c produce includes more than 200 semiconductors. i've been a broken record as the press will tell you on our need to be able to produce my semiconductors in the united states. we invented it when we went to the moon, we, the united states, we are the one that

modernised that. we've done more than anybody else, but guess what, we stopped investing in ourselves, we stopped investing in ourselves, we stopped investing in ourselves, we stopped investing in ourselves. so now we are back in the game, making sure that we become, we become a prime —— primary producer of the semiconductors. computer chips that power much of our modern lives and our phones, our cars, almost anything that has an on—off switch. the semiconductor is critical to defence production capacity, as you all know better than ideal. that's why we are making it as hard as you can for russia to get a hold of the semiconductors with advanced technologies that could use to upgrade its military during this conflict. why we are taking steps to make it easier to source, but we need here in the united states during the global semiconductor shortage injust united states during the global semiconductor shortage in just one more, one more reason why congress must act closely —— quickly to provide the so—called chips act by passing a broader bipartisan act so

we can produce tens of millions of these chips. there is something we have to focus on.— have to focus on. let's leave president — have to focus on. let's leave president biden _ have to focus on. let's leave president biden air, - have to focus on. let's leave president biden air, making| have to focus on. let's leave _ president biden air, making comments about the us military support for ukraine. he's visiting a facility in alabama which manufactures the anti—tankjavelin missile, and as you heard him there, he is really using that as a to put pressure on congress, which he mentioned to approve his proposed $33 billion aid package for ukraine, including more than $20 billion in military aid. we will be turned to president biden over the course of the next hour, in the meantime, crossing over to the bbc sport centre, because tolson is there, not aware as possible start for liverpool, quintiq? no, it couldn't. liverpool are aiming to reach a third champions league final in the space of five years as they play villarreal in spain.

jurgenn klopp's side held a 2—0 lead from the opening leg and villareal made it interesting. it made it less than three minutes to get one back. so it is now a 2—1 to liverpool on aggregates. what? about a few minutes played in the first half, very early stages and liverpool are in a bit of trouble at the moment as far as it goes in the night. almost 60 minutes played in that opening half, but they lead to— one on aggregates. manchester city are also in spain when they face real madrid at the bernabeu tomorrow night in their second leg holding a slender 11—3 lead. city are aiming for a second successive final in this competition having lost the final to chelsea last year, while 13 time winners real are fresh off winning the la liga title last weekend. i think it would change the perspective on our side. i don't think, obviously, as a player, you want to win the trophy sandy went to win this one. if you look back at

the weight be performed or i performed with the team for seven years, we did really well, but obviously we didn't win it, i think winning it would just change that narrative. they kept themselves in it in that last leg, partly through that there. confidence is high, but their manager is well aware of the threat posed by manchester city's young forward, phil foden. isa is a fantastic player. i think he is doing really well. i think he's going to have a fantastic career because i think he is a modern striker. he can play everywhere, really fast, really intelligent, really fast, really intelligent, really dangerous. in this moment, one of the best talents that england has in this moment. now to the championship where second placed bournemouth are hosting third placed nottingham forest with automatic promotion guaranteed for the cherries if they win.

scott parker's side would move six points clear of forest with a win but it is goalless and that one. so a half—hour left to play in that one between bournemouth nottingham forest. madrid and tennis, and erratic kind of explain her last match against ukraine's opponent, the 25—year—old ukrainian took the opening set 6—2, but am i led 11—2 in the second set with a place in the quarterfinals up for grabs. former world number one andy murray is facing canadian denis shapovalov as they both look for a place in the last 16. the 14th seeded shapovalov knocked wild card murray out of wimbledon last year and it's all the results on that and the other match on the bbc sport website, of course. new england captain ben stokes has been speaking to the media today — for the first time since being announced asjoe root�*s successor.

in 2018, he was found not guilty of affray after a fight outside a bristol nightclub, while last year he took a break to protect his mental health. he says that as a leader, he wants to make people feel valued — and wants to be his own man in the role, and to help instill a "winning mindset" after the side's poor recent run of results. i want selfless cricketers who make decisions that are based on winning the game of cricket. because at the end of the day, the most important thing for me is winning. you know, i want to be a part of a team that has battery mentality and isn't going to take a backward step. 1- 02 1— 02 villareal over liverpool. around 20 minutes played in that one, but liverpool do lead us on aggregates.

that's all the sport for now. let's return to the war in ukraine now. the prime minister has become the first foreign leader to address members of the ukrainian parliament since the russian invasion — describing the resistance to moscow as ukraine's finest hour. but speaking via video link from downing street, boris johnson acknowledged that the west had been too slow to act in 2014 when russia invaded crimea — and too slow to introduce sanctions on president putin. he said the same mistakes cannot be made again. 0ur eastern europe correspondent, sarah rainsford, reports from bucha on the outskirts of the capital kyiv — much of which has been destroyed by the russian attacks. this is ukraine's finest hour. boris johnson's been to kyiv in person. now came a virtual visit to ukraine's parliament. ukraine will win. there is genuine gratitude here for britain's support, both military and moral.

but there's criticism, too, that had the west been tougher on russia eight years ago when it annexed crimea, this devastating war might never have happened. and today, the prime minister acknowledged that. and the truth is that we were too slow to grasp what was really happening, and we collectively failed to impose the sanctions then that we should have put on vladimir putin. and we cannot make the same mistake again. but ukraine is paying a huge price. it's when you see all this that you realise just how fierce the fighting was around ukraine's capital and just how close russian troops came to kyiv. and even though they've been forced back from here, this war, with all its destruction, is still far from over. even in kyiv, life is still a long way from normal.

but diplomats who were quick to evacuate are now trickling back. we passed, you know, bombed out playgrounds, bombed out schools, hospitals, burned out trees, twisted metal in farmland. so obvious, really, that right from the beginning this was about hitting the ukrainian nation. nowhere says that more clearly than bucha — smashed and traumatised by a month under russian occupation. today we found a crowd queuing for hand—outs at the church. many here have lost everything. like galina, who says a missile came through her roof and hit her bed. she was next door at the time, feeding the dog. i sang to get through, she tells me. under fire, i ask? she says it calmed her nerves and everyone around her. it takes time to trust the quiet

again, that the russian threat won't return to a town that's now a crime scene, revealing stories of horror and their evidence. sarah rainsford, bbc news butcher. —— sarah rainsford, bbc news bucha. millions of women across the us could lose their legal right to abortion, according to a leaked document from the supreme court. a final decision is due by the summer. abortion has been a legal right across the united states for almost 50 years. but if that ruling is overturned — individual states would be free to set their own rules — meaning abortion could become illegal in more than 20 states. president biden says he wants to protect the law guaranteeing abortion rights. campaigners have already been protesting outside the court building in washington dc from where our north america editor sarah smith reports. an almost instant reaction with campaigners quickly gathering outside the supreme court,

demonstrating a miracle's deeply —— outside the supreme court, demonstrating america's deeply held views on abortion. from those who say the death of fundamental women's rights chanting: roe v wade has got to go! and those who believe lives will be saved if the supreme court reverses the controversial right to abortion known as roe versus wade. this will save lives. they are not going to get away with this. i don't care what i have to do but they will not do this to dc and they will not do it to america. there are more of us than there are of them. we are going to fight. the physical confrontation is a sign of how contentious this issue has been for over 50 years. president biden said today he believes a woman's right to choose is fundamental and he wants to pass a law guaranteeing this.

it goes far beyond the concern of whether or not right to choose, there is a basic right to marry, to determine a whole range of things. nine justices settled the supreme court. five, according to this leaked report, will vote to overturn abortion rights withjustice samuel alito saying the original decision to ensure an abortion was wrong. there are 13 us states that have so—called trigger laws which will lead to an immediate ban on abortion. another 13 will move quickly to ban or severely limit access, says a pro—choice group. it estimates 36 million women of reproductive age will live in states without abortion access. the supreme court is poised to inflict the greatest restriction of rights in the past 50 years. republicans who pushed for a more conservative supreme court welcomed the ruling but condemn the leak. one of the court's most central

features was smashed just to buy the outrage industrial complex a few extra days to scream nonsense about what the court might rule. the passions ignited by this issue will not be silenced when the court delivers its official ruling. everyone knew the supreme court was due to rule on abortion but such a dramatic change in the law has still come as a seismic shock that will be felt throughout american politics. sarah smith, bbc news. we speak with david now, very good to have you with us, thanks for joining us on bbc news. this leaked document, is there still a way to 90, document, is there still a way to go, or is the outcome certain in your view? go, or is the outcome certain in yourview? i go, or is the outcome certain in your view?— go, or is the outcome certain in our view? ~ ., , ~ your view? i think most of us think the outcome _ your view? i think most of us think the outcome is _ your view? i think most of us think the outcome is very _ your view? i think most of us think the outcome is very likely, - your view? i think most of us think the outcome is very likely, but - the outcome is very likely, but the leaked document came out yesterday

is from february, and the justices minds could have changed but they could change the exact wording of what they are thinking, there could be a softer opinion, this is a very strident opinion. we will not know until the final document comes out, and it's likely to look different from how different, we don't know. broadly, the committee think that about half the states in america will be able to ban abortion when it comes out?— comes out? yeah, i mean, it's lookin: comes out? yeah, i mean, it's looking like — comes out? yeah, i mean, it's looking like about _ comes out? yeah, i mean, it's looking like about half - comes out? yeah, i mean, it's looking like about half of - comes out? yeah, i mean, it's looking like about half of the l looking like about half of the states in the very near future will ban or seriously restrict abortion. we will go from a country where abortion is a right for everyone everywhere to half the states having this right to abortion. hour everywhere to half the states having this right to abortion.— this right to abortion. how unusual is that for the _ this right to abortion. how unusual is that for the supreme _ this right to abortion. how unusual is that for the supreme court - this right to abortion. how unusual is that for the supreme court to i is that for the supreme court to take away a constitutional rights like this? it’s take away a constitutional rights like this? �* , , , ., take away a constitutional rights like this? d , , ., ., like this? it's very unusual for the court to take _ like this? it's very unusual for the court to take away _ like this? it's very unusual for the court to take away constitutionall court to take away constitutional right like this. it's done this in the past, but nothing this

important, not this much of a flashpoint in politics and law. this has been a right for 50 years, and people have accepted it and relied on it, and to go back on this is a real sign that the court is willing to go back maybe on other rights to. really? such as what? itruiiiiii recently really? such as what? will recently they declared a right to same—sex marriage and privacy in same—sex relationships, and his based on the same idea in american law and american constitution, and it is possible the court could go back on that as well. the court has become more conservative since those rulings, and thus more conservative court could start saying that it wants to get rid of a right like that as well.— wants to get rid of a right like that as well. , ., that as well. interesting. so how ossible that as well. interesting. so how possible would _ that as well. interesting. so how possible would it _ that as well. interesting. so how possible would it be _ that as well. interesting. so how possible would it be that - that as well. interesting. so how| possible would it be that because this is such a radical change president biden could come under pressure to a plaintiff more justices to pack the court? i mean, he's auoin justices to pack the court? i mean, he's going to _ justices to pack the court? i mean, he's going to be — justices to pack the court? i mean, he's going to be under _ justices to pack the court? i mean, he's going to be under pressure . justices to pack the court? i mean, he's going to be under pressure to| he's going to be under pressure to do something. he cannot pack the

court himself without congress passing a law authorising new justices, but there are other things the president can do, and i think a lot of people are urging him to not just to concern but to actually... me because actions won't work, but to at least try something and to show some urgency to match his rhetoric. so show some urgency to match his rhetoric. . ~' show some urgency to match his rhetoric. ., ,, ., ., , rhetoric. so what kind of actions are ou rhetoric. so what kind of actions are you thinking _ rhetoric. so what kind of actions are you thinking about? - rhetoric. so what kind of actions are you thinking about? he - rhetoric. so what kind of actions| are you thinking about? he could rhetoric. so what kind of actions - are you thinking about? he could try to see who states _ are you thinking about? he could try to see who states that _ are you thinking about? he could try to see who states that ban _ are you thinking about? he could try to see who states that ban ashamed| to see who states that ban ashamed to see who states that ban ashamed to say that federal law, authorise abortion tail preempts state law. he could try to authorise abortion clinics on federal lands where state law may not apply come there are other things he could do with funding to try and expand training of people who provide abortions. there are a lot of things he could try, i'm not saying these things would necessarily work, but i think a lot of people really want him to just stop talking about this and do something. just stop talking about this and do somethina. ., ~ , , just stop talking about this and do somethina. ., ~' , , ., just stop talking about this and do somethina. ., ~ , , ., ., something. how likely is he to do something. how likely is he to do some of the _

something. how likely is he to do some of the things _ something. how likely is he to do some of the things you _ something. how likely is he to do some of the things you outlined, | something. how likely is he to do i some of the things you outlined, do you think? i some of the things you outlined, do ou think? ., �* ~ ., �*, ., you think? i don't know. it's an election year — you think? i don't know. it's an election year here _ you think? i don't know. it's an election year here in _ you think? i don't know. it's an election year here in the - you think? i don't know. it's an election year here in the us, i you think? i don't know. it's an i election year here in the us, and after president, but for other federal offices. he might see this as an issue that could motivate democratic voters and to be a successful one to help his party in the election later this year, but time will tell if he actually tries any of these things.— any of these things. professor, fascinating _ any of these things. professor, fascinating to _ any of these things. professor, fascinating to talk _ any of these things. professor, fascinating to talk to _ any of these things. professor, fascinating to talk to you, - any of these things. professor, | fascinating to talk to you, thank you for your thoughts and insights forjoining us on bbc news. thank you. forjoining us on bbc news. thank ou. . ~' forjoining us on bbc news. thank ou. . ~ , ., forjoining us on bbc news. thank ou. ., ~' i., ., forjoining us on bbc news. thank ou. ., ~ ., forjoining us on bbc news. thank ou. ., ., , now it's time for a look at the weather with susan powell: hello. there's been plenty of cloud across the uk this tuesday. we'll keep plenty across us overnight, as well — and, in fact, through the next few days i can't promise you it's all going to clear, but it has held our temperatures back to start the week. it does look like things, though, will get notably warmer, particularly by thursday and friday across the board. here we are, moving through the night with cloud spilling its way southwards, bringing some outbreaks of rain, courtesy of two quite weak weather fronts. under the cloud, temperatures holding up in double

figures in many spots. here are the fronts as we look at wednesday. why are they so weedy? well, they're running into high pressure, and there's high pressure building in behind them. first thing wednesday — quite cloudy, i think, some drizzly outbreaks of rain drifting their way eastwards, but brightening from the west all the while. in the east, however, and across the midlands through the afternoon, as the sun comes out, we could spark off some heavier showers, perhaps with hail and thunder. but already warmer for wednesday — up to 17 celsius, warmer still through the rest of the week. hello this is bbc news, i'm rebecca jones, the headlines. on thursday, millions of people across the uk will go to the polls the prime minister as i can do more to help with the rise of cost of living. the windfall tax on energy companies. i’m

living. the windfall tax on energy companies-— living. the windfall tax on energy comanies. �* ., ., ., , companies. i'm not going to pretend that every family _ companies. i'm not going to pretend that every family has _ companies. i'm not going to pretend that every family has a _ companies. i'm not going to pretend that every family has a magic - that every family has a magic solution, i simply can't pick tent we can do that but we can be as ingenious and as compassionate as possible. a convoy of civilians escaping a steel plant in mariupol reach safety but hundreds more light trapped underneath the industrial complex. b. trapped underneath the industrial comlex. �* .,~ , , , complex. a leaked document suggests the us supreme _ complex. a leaked document suggests the us supreme court _ complex. a leaked document suggests the us supreme court may _ complex. a leaked document suggests the us supreme court may overturn i the us supreme court may overturn the us supreme court may overturn the nationwide legal right to abortion. president biden says a woman's right to choose is fundamental. as people across the uk prepared to go to the polls on thursday some election analysts suggest the race for power at stormont could bring seismic change in northern ireland. 0n stormont could bring seismic change in northern ireland. on thursday millions of people across the uk will go to the pole but local

elections. but in northern ireland more so than anywhere else could bring seismic change. the first time in northern islands 100 year existence of a nationalist party sinn fein could become the largest party. and sinn face the ultimate goal is to leave the united kingdom and become one country with the republic of ireland. whatever the result there is still uncertainty about whether a power—sharing government will be formed afterwards because of tensions over brexit and other issues. 0ur ireland colour respondent reports. 0ur ireland colour respondent reports. i have got a message tonight for sinn fein. you will never defeat the protestant people of ulster! never! the dominance of unionism through the decades is now in more jeopardy than ever before. the party opposed to northern ireland's existence may

now define its future. but in the race for stormont today, many voters have become tired of the old struggle between those who want to remain part of the uk and those who want a united ireland. i think we're stuck with green and orange tribalism. we can't continue with what we do because we're going to get exactly what we've always got. power sharing has been collapsed here for nearly as much time as it's been active and the election result could lead to months' more uncertainty. we seem to like crisis politics here and do nothing apart from crisis politics so even if sinn fein are the biggest party, the unionist parties, whatever, need to stand up and take a position and say ok, let's see what we can work with now. the frustrations mean a growing number of people are voting for cross—community parties but the top jobs will still be decided on whether a nationalist or unionist party wins the most seats. we haven't gone away, you know. sinn fein under gerry adams was known as the political wing

of the paramilitary group the ira. now, under the leadership of michelle 0'neill, the party is hoping to claim the first minister's role. it is a big, big thing still here. 0n the shankill road, for unionism a sinn fein victory would be a huge symbolic blow. what would that mean in an area like this? devastation, to be honest, because they want a united ireland which most people don't want. i wouldn't trust them as far as i could throw them. i really wouldn't trust them as far as i could throw them. why does that feeling still linger? i don't know, itjust boils down to my childhood and all too, so it does. for some who lived through the conflict, the memories of paramilitary activity on both sides still shapes the political culture of northern ireland today. if you come in one of the troubles tours of belfast, which is a big tourist attraction now, this is one of the places they will bring you and what it shows is that in some voters' minds it's very difficult to move

on from that connection between sinn fein and the violence of the past. butjust minutes away, on the falls road, young sinn fein supporters see a very different picture. sinn fein are actually putting out a positive message that young people want to hear. it feels like progress for someone like me. i was born in 1997 so obviously i'm opposed to all the guns and explosions and everything so i don't really know that kind of lifestyle, for me it's always been the spirit of cooperation and working together. knock knock. the party's image in some people's eyes has certainly come a long way. their messaging reflects the price of gas to heat the house - or the price of diesel. and in this election sinn fein has hardly mentioned a border poll, a referendum on whether northern ireland should leave the uk. how important is that goal of a united ireland? idon't think it's any secret that sinn fein are in favour- of a united ireland, - that's always part of the goal but in the here and now people need

help in their day—to—day lives. - the democratic unionist party has said a vote for them is the best way to safeguard the union, that only they can stop sinn fein winning, but because the dup walked out of the stormont executive in a protest over the brexit arrangements, no—one will be first minister here unless they return, no matter how decisive a result may be delivered. health has also been a very big issue in the election campaign in northern ireland. it has the longest hospital waiting lists in the uk with many people having to wait more than two years for an operation. northern ireland also has the highest proportion of its population on waiting lists compared to any other part of the uk. 0ur ireland correspondent chris page reports. hospitals in northern ireland can't get enough people through their doors quickly enough. around one in four adults are waiting for an appointment or to begin treatments.

more than half have been on the list for at least a year, but for thousands of them, the wait is a lot longer. john from county tyrone says he was told six years ago that he needed surgery to remove his gall bladder. every couple of months, i was getting up in the morning and always being sick, bringing up bile and you are being sick the whole day and you ended up going to the hospital and then you were sitting in the hospital for several hours and they say, "it's your gall bladder. " but i know it's my gall bladder. how long have you been told you would have to wait for this? that was back in 2020 and that's two and a half years on the list, and that two and a half years must be up by now and it hasn't materialised. waiting times have become the worst in the uk for various reasons. over a number of years now, the devolved government has commissioned several reports about what is causing the problems in the health service. these have suggested that there are too many hospitals

in northern ireland given the size of the population, there should be more care in the community and there is an urgent need to train and retain more staff. reforms have been slowed, even stalled by political instability. there is another huge issue in health care here. northern ireland has a higher rate of mental illness and suicide than england, scotland and wales. this is a showing of a film remembering carl mooney, who took his own life. three of his school friends made it to help raise awareness. there were two main reasons, and the first one was that we wanted to pay tribute to carl's memory, and the second reason was that a lot of people in the younger generation need to know that it is ok to speak. it is absolute vital, mental health, especially for me what with carl passing and everything. it needs to be at the top of the list. i feel like people are -

prioritising physical health. it is a priority, obviously, i but i feel that mental health should fall under the same level of priority. _ soon voters will elect politicians to set priorities in the stormont assembly. fixing the health service may present the most challenging choices. chris page, bbc news, belfast. at the top of the hour out here on bbc news you can watch the latest debate before the polls open. jim fitzpatrick is the host studio audience in belfast but their questions about the key issues directly to the leaders of northern ireland's main parties. that vote 22 and and i leaders debate here on the bbc news channel. on this — world press freedom day — there's a warning that unregulated online content is spreading disinformation and propaganda, which have amplified political divisions worldwide and even

contributed to russia's invasion of ukraine. the warning came from reporters without borders, as it published an annual world press freedom index, ranking 180 countries based on the degree of freedom enjoyed by journalists. these are the lowest ranked nations — china, myanmar, iran, eritrea and north korea at the bottom. hong kong has plummeted in the index to 148, while russia comes in at 155, after the propaganda war which preceded its invasion of ukraine. the uk comes in at 24th. joining me is rebecca vincent, director of operations and campaigns at reporters without borders. good to have you with us. what stands out for you particularly this yearin stands out for you particularly this year in the index?— stands out for you particularly this year in the index? unfortunately, it has been another _ year in the index? unfortunately, it has been another troubled - year in the index? unfortunately, it has been another troubled years i year in the index? unfortunately, it| has been another troubled years for

press freedom. the findings of this years index show continued deterioration around the world. a staggering 28 countries are now ranked at the very worst category of having very bad press freedom situation. as a highest number we had in any year in the 20 years we've been doing this index. really across the world the main theme that we notice this year was an increased polarisation on various levels both polarisation on various levels both polarisation within countries and between countries with a back combined has really increased tensions and had a detrimental impact on media freedom around the world. tell impact on media freedom around the world. , . , impact on media freedom around the world. , ., , ., ., , world. tell us a bit more about why there is a record _ world. tell us a bit more about why there is a record number _ world. tell us a bit more about why there is a record number of - world. tell us a bit more about why there is a record number of very i world. tell us a bit more about why| there is a record number of very bad countries, 28 of them. what is it that's happening there? fiur countries, 28 of them. what is it that's happening there? our global score for a number— that's happening there? our global score for a number of— that's happening there? our global score for a number of years i that's happening there? our global score for a number of years has i that's happening there? our global. score for a number of years has been slipping. even our democracies, even countries we think of as being standard have been eroding in recent years. that has contributed really to a sort of race to the bottom. we

came out of an area two era of many lockdowns around the world during the pandemic which in itself had increased various forms of press freedom of violation into a period of a new conflict that will have global ramifications. frankly, there are other countries that are accelerating their own crackdowns, that's happening. 0f accelerating their own crackdowns, that's happening. of course a situation in ukraine and within russia as well are of global concern but we see other examples around the world. you mentioned how sharply hong kong has fallen, how sharply bmr has fallen. unfortunately, there are crises into many places around the world. tell are crises into many places around the world. , ., , ., the world. tell us a little bit more about how — the world. tell us a little bit more about how onion _ the world. tell us a little bit more about how onion regulated i the world. tell us a little bit more about how onion regulated online| about how onion regulated online content contributed to russia's invasion of ukraine. this content contributed to russia's invasion of ukraine.— content contributed to russia's invasion of ukraine. this is one of the clearest _ invasion of ukraine. this is one of the clearest examples _ invasion of ukraine. this is one of the clearest examples we - invasion of ukraine. this is one of the clearest examples we can i invasion of ukraine. this is one of the clearest examples we can see invasion of ukraine. this is one of- the clearest examples we can see now of how information wars and chaos do notjust of how information wars and chaos do not just always stay online of how information wars and chaos do notjust always stay online russia's invasion of ukraine was preceded by years of this propaganda approach. notjust

years of this propaganda approach. not just towards years of this propaganda approach. notjust towards ukraine but internationally. it's notjust pressure either, we fly for a number of years now the attempts of china to expand its model of information control outside of its own borders. which is taken hold in other places. 0ur democracies are not to be let off the hook either. we see within our democracies the proliferation of disinformation and social media and the fox news vocation of opinion media which is few polarisation even in countries like the united states. these have all combined to paint a very grim global picture when it comes to press freedom. what very grim global picture when it comes to press freedom. what are the wider consequences _ comes to press freedom. what are the wider consequences of _ comes to press freedom. what are the wider consequences of week _ comes to press freedom. what are the wider consequences of week press i wider consequences of week press freedom? ~ ., �* ., ., wider consequences of week press freedom? ., ., , freedom? when we don't have a robust ress freedom? when we don't have a robust press freedom — freedom? when we don't have a robust press freedom or _ freedom? when we don't have a robust press freedom or we _ freedom? when we don't have a robust press freedom or we don't _ freedom? when we don't have a robust press freedom or we don't do _ freedom? when we don't have a robust press freedom or we don't do enough l press freedom or we don't do enough in our democracies to alter states to account the impact is ultimately on us as the public. it's notjust about the right of individual journalists or the ability of specific media outlets to function. it's about public interest information for the end of course we do have the right to reliable information, we need journalists to be able to do theirjobs to keep us

as the global public and the public individual countries informed, to be able to then hold their own governments or account. here in the uk were on the cusp of another election, it's a very important time for that. election, it's a very important time forthat. even election, it's a very important time for that. even here we've noted restrictions on freedom of information. we noted attempts by the government to influence the appointment of the 0fcom chair last year. of course we have the detention of wikileaks publisher julian a sanch which is perhaps the most alarming press freedom case in the world at present even in the uk we have issues. we have to do more to hold our own countries to account and you to be able to promote true global press freedom because our information systems are interconnected globally. let's not aet into interconnected globally. let's not get into the _ interconnected globally. let's not get into the rights _ interconnected globally. let's not get into the rights and _ interconnected globally. let's not get into the rights and rules i interconnected globally. let's not get into the rights and rules of i interconnected globally. let's not| get into the rights and rules of the detention ofjulian asad. i do want to raise the fact that the winners of nobel peace prize this year where journalists with up to bat not help raise the issue of press freedom? lenovo committee recognising two journalists did a lot to promote the

idea thatjournalism is intra— goal to democracy and press freedom. but we've seen backlash against those winners was that we would hope that such a prize globally would offer them some protection. of course at them some protection. of course at the home which is embattled in the kremlin is battle to control information and russia recently been attacked by an attack with red paint and acetone which has damages isaiah. the philippinesjournals, isaiah. the philippines journals, although isaiah. the philippinesjournals, although some of the charges have been dropped just a few weeks ago we saw a filing of 1a new cyber libel cases with her battle in the philippines is not over either. this is really, no country, no state is perfect. good to talk to you. the headlines on bbc news... as bp profit to double in the first three months of this year the prime

minister says the government can do more to help with the rising cost of living but rules out a windfall tax on energy companies. a convoy of civilians escaping steelworks plant in east didn't marry 0pal reach safety but hundreds more lay trapped in the industrial complex. —— mario pole. a leaked document suggests the us supreme court may overturn the nation wide legal right to abortion. president biden says a woman's right to choose is fundamental. more now on our top story — the prime minister has once again dismissed calls by opposition parties for a windfall tax on the profits made by energy companies. that's despite the fact that bp today reported underlying profits

of almost £5 billion for the first three months of the year. one of the pm's concerns is that a one—off tax could harm the investment being made into low—carbon energy. we can speak now to lydia rainforth, who analyses the oil and gas industry for barclays. the government says a windfall tax could hit investment companies like bp into low carbon energy. can you give us a sense of what companies like bp are actually doing at the moment in that area?— like bp are actually doing at the moment in that area? over the last 18 months bp _ moment in that area? over the last 18 months bp and _ moment in that area? over the last 18 months bp and energy _ moment in that area? over the last| 18 months bp and energy companies have embraced the idea of wanting to meet net zero. it takes her to do. they are doing renewables we are seeing when investment and solo but were also seen a lot going on in biofuels and hydrogen, carbon capture, bv charges seeing. effectively about 4% of investment

by 2025 will be energy transition. that should lift in 2030. there's a lot going on. it is starting from a relatively low base at the moment. you raise some interesting points there. a0%, you said. it is more of their investment now going into those kinds of green energy that you outlined then oil and gas? hat those kinds of green energy that you outlined then oil and gas?— outlined then oil and gas? not yet. the idea that _ outlined then oil and gas? not yet. the idea that at _ outlined then oil and gas? not yet. the idea that at the _ outlined then oil and gas? not yet. the idea that at the moment i outlined then oil and gas? not yet. the idea that at the moment we i outlined then oil and gas? not yet. | the idea that at the moment we are starting in 20, 20 5% that is accelerating to go to the next four years. we've seen a pull—back globally and bv is no different. it's effectively standing on oil and gas projects has halved in the last few years. there's been a competition for capital and for investment globally. it's a lot of low carbon options out there. across the world, the uk is competing in that investment from arkadiusz, from shale, from others. you

that investment from arkadiusz, from shale, from others.— shale, from others. you said it takes time- — shale, from others. you said it takes time. i— shale, from others. you said it takes time. i suppose - shale, from others. you said it takes time. i suppose the i shale, from others. you said it i takes time. i suppose the question is, why haven't these companies be doing more over the last two decades?— doing more over the last two decades? ~ ., ., ., ., decades? what we are looking for at the moment — decades? what we are looking for at the moment is _ decades? what we are looking for at the moment is practicality _ decades? what we are looking for at the moment is practicality of- decades? what we are looking for at the moment is practicality of how i decades? what we are looking for at the moment is practicality of how do you do it. rings like chargers, there's actually a shortage of electricians to be able to install them. the hydrogen plant they are looking at building in teesside, thatis looking at building in teesside, that is going through that design phase at the moment. it's taking time to come through. what has changed over the last 20 years and particularly accelerated in the last 12 months since the pandemic is a willingness to pay for carbon from consumers. there is a sense of importance of how critical it is to start reducing carbon emissions and the willingness to pay for it is what's really changed and what's really starting to accelerate the investment process. fin really starting to accelerate the investment process.— really starting to accelerate the investment process. on the issue of the windfall — investment process. on the issue of the windfall tax, _ investment process. on the issue of the windfall tax, the _ investment process. on the issue of the windfall tax, the government i the windfall tax, the government says that that could hit investment

by companies into low carbon energy. i wondered if you know much about the history, has a windfall tax been imposed before and if it was, did we then see a knock on effect in investment in research and development? iii investment in research and development?— investment in research and development? investment in research and develoment? ~ ., ., development? if i think about a country where _ development? if i think about a country where you _ development? if i think about a country where you have a i development? if i think about a country where you have a very i development? if i think about a i country where you have a very stable regime in norway the investment there has been very stable throughout. you actually see it to continue to increase investment. in other areas where you've had windfall taxes command, the volatility and uncertainty has typically seen pull—backs in investment. you get much more volatility in the investment process as well. the stability in norway is an example as to where that has not putting taxes is helped in terms of encouraging investment long—term. but each country has to make their own decision. but each country has to make their

own decision-— but each country has to make their own decision. understood. good to talk to you- — own decision. understood. good to talk to you. thank _ own decision. understood. good to talk to you. thank you _ own decision. understood. good to talk to you. thank you so _ own decision. understood. good to talk to you. thank you so much. i a p&0 passenger ferry has left dover for the first time since march the 17th — when the company sacked nearly 800 workers. the spirit of britain set off at four o'clock — it's the only one of four p&0 ships based in dover allowed to sail — but it came as another — the pride of kent — failed its third safety inspection. piers hopkirk reports from dover. leaving dock with cross channel passengers on board for the first time in a month and a half. it was at just after four o'clock this afternoon that the spirit of britain cleared for travel by the maritime and coast guard agency left harbour bound for calais, staffed by its new cutprice crew. it is great news fight dover and the rest of east kent that p&0 is now back and sailing adding

to the capacity between the uk and continental europe. what remains to be seen is can p&0 actually make any money? where leisure travellers be put off because of the way that the company has treated its krill where will they as i suspect simply go for whatever the best deal happens to be? i'm sorry to report that this means your employment is terminated. it was on march the 17th that p&0 dismissed 800 of its workers replacing them with cheaper agency labor and the company says to keep the firm viable. today as it's three other cross channel ferries await clearence a small fragment of normal service was museum. they tried to lure passengers back by saying they will do the ferry crossings at half price, half price of the competitors and i don't know that will work. long—term i don't know i think they have got

a real uphill struggle. with freight transport resuming last week this is the spirit of britain's first and only passenger seating today. p&0 ferries says that vessel will return to its full timetable tomorrow and some say they will need to get back to full capacity soon. there is huge demand on the dover— calis run and if p&0 ferries goes on there and it's very possible, i am sure that irish ferries will get an extra ship on the routes in time and eventually get things back to normal. the demand is there. but while this ferry is sailing again for both passengers and freight it is a void that me —— leaves many questions trailing in its wake. piers hopkirk reporting there. sir billy connolly is to be given this year's bafta fellowship, in honour of a career spanning more than five decades.

the comedian and actor, who's 79, will receive the honour at the bafta television awards on sunday. sir billy was diagnosed with parkinson's in 2013. he retired from live performances five years later, but has continued to record programmes and make tv appearances. i guess we are all used to recycling bottles and cans. what about rockets? and new zealand based company has designed a way to catch the parts of rockets that get discarded into space after launch. as the booster reenters and falls towards the helicopters fly in to catch the parachuting objects mid flight. well, it's out this new method will help reduce the cost of space flight by allowing rockets to be re—used. just a reminder than a few minutes we will be joining jim fitzpatrick in belt asked for the northern island leaders debate with voters voting in their questions about key issues to ireland's leading politicians. don't go away.

don't go away. now it's time for a look at the weather with susan powell. hello. there's plenty of cloud across the uk at the moment. and, during the course of tuesday, it did suppress the temperatures for many of us, we only got into the mid—teens at best. next few days, can't promise you all the cloud will clear, but it does look like things will become warmer as we switch into a more south—westerly atlantic airstream. it's a northwesterly, though, that takes us through the night. we're pushing two weakening weather fronts south across the uk. there'll be some sporadic rain, nothing particularly intense or heavy. under the cloud, a very mild night — in some areas, temperatures staying in double figures. through the course of the day on wednesday, these fronts will gradually drift away eastwards, this high helping to push them through and weakening them all the while. first thing, quite gloomy, i think, quite dank, there will be some outbreaks of rain around, but it should start to brighten from the west as the day goes on. in the east and across the midlands, however, through the afternoon

where we do see the sun coming out, we are likely to start to develop some sharper showers, perhaps with hail and thunder. temperatures, however, up on tuesday, up to 17 celsius across eastern england. and then, for thursday, the high to the southwest starts to push itself further across the uk, curtailing any fronts really making their way southwards and pulling us into that south—westerly atlantic airstream. so, warmerair coming in across the board — despite cloud and some outbreaks of rain across scotland and northern ireland, our temperatures will lift up on those from earlier in the week. we could see up to 17 celsius in aberdeen, perhaps just 1a in glasgow, greater chance of more persistent rain here. i think, though, dry for england and wales under the high temperatures, 20—21 celsius. a front does have more success sinking its way south on friday. some wetter weather for northern england, for wales, perhaps the midlands, and the rain will again cap the temperatures somewhat, perhaps 15—16 celsius — here, further south, they're up to 20 celsius. again, behind the front,

some sunshine and, in the sunshine, it should feel pretty pleasant, a little fresher with highs of 15—16 celsius. as for the weekend, it's the high at the moment that looks like it's coming to dominate yet again. so, a lot of fine weather promised for the weekend. and we'll stay in that milder air — so, with a little bit more in the way of sunshine, i think temperatures creeping up further.

less tha n less than 36 hours before the polls openin less than 36 hours before the polls open in northern ireland's assembly election. the leaders of the five parties face questions from the studio audience here in belfast. welcome. applause good evening. 90 seats at stormont are up for good evening. 90 seats at stormont are upfor grabs

good evening. 90 seats at stormont are up for grabs and the leaders of the parties expected to