this is bbc news with the latest headlines: oil companies are to be allowed to target petrol supplies to areas where they're most needed. the government is also understood to be considering using soldiers to drive tankers, following days of panic buying at petrol stations. germany's centre left social democrats narrowly beat the party of outgoing chancellor angela merkel, according to provisional election results, as the country's two biggest parties both insisted they can build a governing coalition. labour promises to scrap business rates in england to help struggling high street retailers as part of their plans for a major overhaul of business taxation. more people are feeling forced