a crane is deployed to help clear debris at the site of a baltimore bridge that was struck by a ship and collapsed. as us journalist evan gershkovich marks a year of russian imprisonment, we examine his case, and the challenges to reporting there. hello, i'm sumi somaskanda. thank you forjoining us. we begin the programme in the middle east — where the israeli defence minister says that israel will pursue hezbollah wherever the iran—backed militant group operates. yoav gallant issued the warning hours after air strikes on hezbollah in both syria and lebanon. the israeli military said they killed the deputy commander of hezbollah�*s missiles unit. meanwhile, israel's prime minister,

benjamin netanyahu, has agreed to send officials to egypt and qatar in the coming days for a new round of talks on a possible ceasefire in gaza. injerusalem, there is an uneasy calm, as palestinians mark easter and ramadan. our international editor jeremy bowen reports. injerusalem, where tension — and worse — are normal, there is always the consolation of religion. this ramadan, many of those ending a day of prayer at the aqsa mosque were palestinian israelis, around a fifth of israel's population. israel, citing security, restricts access to jerusalem for palestinians from the occupied west bank. just down the road, palestinian christians were deep in their celebration of easter, walking to the old city from the garden of gethsemane, where they believejesus prayed on the night before he was crucified. but in this city, sacred for christians, jews and muslims, religion and politics always mix. all the palestinian people are suffering today. they are suffering from occupation, they are suffering from apartheid, they are suffering from genocide. and today, what we are praying

is to stop this disaster situation here in the land of peace and the land of palestine. and we pray that, asjesus went to the golgotha, to the calvary, walking with a cross, but after that, there was the resurrection, so we are praying to have our own resurrection today, and the resurrection of our land. religion and conflict pervadejerusalem, and six months of war in gaza have deepened every division. this is the essence ofjerusalem — religion, faith and the passion it can generate. but in this city, religion has been linked inextricably with power and with identity for centuries, for millennia. and in more recent times, with the long conflict between palestinians and israelis. since october, reinforced and highly visible israeli security has imposed an uneasy quiet on the occupied eastern side ofjerusalem.

the good friday procession along via dolorosa, where christians believejesus carried his cross, was smaller than usual without foreign pilgrims who cancelled their trips because of the war. the people ofjerusalem of all faiths are locked in a crisis as bad as any since israel's independence war in 1948. religion offers certainty and answers, but in this holy city, prayers and peace plans have not put a dent in this immutable conflict. jeremy bowen, bbc news, jerusalem. us media are reporting that in recent days, the us authorised the transfer of billions of dollars�* worth of bombs and fighterjets to israel. it comes as the biden administration publicly expressed concern about the scale of israel's military operation in gaza. when contacted by the bbc, the us state department said they could not confirm the reports.

i spoke about efforts to increase aid flow into gaza with maryland senator chris van hollen. he's calling on israel to make it easier for civilians there to receive assistance. the washington post is reporting that the biden administration in recent days quietly authorised billions of dollars of military aid to israel. that is despite concerns about the humanitarian situation in gaza, which you've been very vocal about, of course, and despite concerns about a possible ground invasion and rafah, which appears imminent. what do you make of that? it's good to be with you. i think it's a mistake for the biden administration to be shipping more military assistance to the netanyahu government for use in gaza before getting the kind of assurances that president biden has been asking for. no major military operation in rafah, and to lift many of the

barriers to getting more humanitarian assistance into gaza to help people who are literally starving to death. so i've said that if this is a partnership, it needs to be a two—way street — and the netanyahu government needs to essentially agree to some of these very reasonable requests the biden administration has put forward before we issue a blank check for more weapons. find before we issue a blank check for more weapons.— before we issue a blank check for more weapons. and senator, you've said ou more weapons. and senator, you've said you think— more weapons. and senator, you've said you think the _ more weapons. and senator, you've said you think the biden _ said you think the biden administration should be using some of those levers of influence with the netanyahu government to change the netanyahu government to change the situation on the ground in gaza. why do you think that's not working? well, it's not clear to me by the biden administration thinks that talk alone will achieve their goals, because it hasn't, it hasn't for months. we've seen this pattern of president biden jawboning months. we've seen this pattern of president bidenjawboning prime minister netanyahu time and time again with very little to show for

it. so when you've got a situation where the netanyahu government continues to thumb its nose at the united states, it does seem to be quite feckless to be sending more weapons for use in gaza. you know, weapons for use in gaza. you know, we should match our deeds to our words if we want to have an effective strategy. i words if we want to have an effective strategy.— words if we want to have an effective strategy. i should say, senator, effective strategy. i should say, senator. you — effective strategy. i should say, senator, you actually _ effective strategy. i should say, senator, you actually visited - effective strategy. i should say, | senator, you actually visited the region injanuary, you were on the egyptian side of one of the major crossings, and for that reason you've also been talking about the need to open more ground costings into gaza. but the white house has now confirmed that the netanyahu government has planned that a delegation will come to washington to talk about an operation in rafah —— ground crossings. i want to ask you about what the israelis have said here, because they say they have to defeat the significant hamas battalion in rafah to prevent

further terrorist attacks. what is your response to that?— your response to that? well, i su ort your response to that? well, i support the — your response to that? well, i support the goal— your response to that? well, i support the goal of _ your response to that? well, i support the goal of making . your response to that? well, i i support the goal of making sure hamas does not control or govern gaza. we need to make sure that we achieve that goal — but as cia director bill burns and many others have said, the way to make sure that hamas is no longer part of the future, when it comes to an agreement between palestinians and israel, is to provide some light at the end of the tunnel that would both ensure israel's security and provide dignity and self—determination to the palestinian people. and prime minister netanyahu has repeatedly said he will oppose a two state solution. so look, this is —— the biden administration, president biden administration, president biden himself said it would be a red line for israel to launch an invasion into rafah because of the

huge humanitarian cost, already desperate, would get even worse. so that's why i think the biden administration needs to make better use of its leverage. back here in the us — presidentjoe biden announced he will visit the site of the baltimore, maryland, bridge collapse next week. the largest crane on the eastern seaboard arrived at the port on friday, to help clear debris. it's unclear exactly when that work will begin, and the economic impact of the tragedy looms large. those involved in the operation must figure out how to cut debris from the bridge into pieces so they can be lifted by the crane. they must also ensure none of the hazardous material held in shipping containers atop the dali spills into the river. the us federal government is to allocate $60 million for emergency work. that's part of the government's "quick release" emergency relief funds to help restore essential transportation. with operations suspended at the port of baltimore, one of the largest in the country, it is losing up to an estimated $15 million a day. a new bridge is expected to cost at least $40 million, and would likely take several

years to rebuild. maryland governor wes moore shared an update on the response. ourteam our team went out with the coastguard just a few hours ago, including the coastguard commandant, to survey the damage. to see the wreckage up close. to see a freight thatis wreckage up close. to see a freight that is nearly the size of the eiffel tower. and to see that same freight with the key bridge resting on top of it. to see shipping containers that were ripped in half as if they were papier—mache. to know that out there, you have to navigate high winds and electric wires, and to go up there and see up close, you realise how daunting a task this is. you realise how difficult the work is ahead of us. with a salvage operation this close,

and frankly with a salvage operation this unprecedented, you need to plan for every single moment, and every time you take action to move a piece of wreckage, you understand that that requires you to reassess the situation. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's look at another story making news. the former wales rugby union star louis rees—zammit has signed a three—year deal with american football team, the kansas city chiefs. the decision comes after the 23—year—old impressed on a recent trial in the us. in a video posted on social media, he announced he "couldn't wait to go". he drew interest from several nfl franchises — having meetings with the new yorkjets, cleveland browns and denver broncos — but has signed with the reigning super bowl champions. a lot of people might look at it and think, "0h a lot of people might look at it and think, "oh my god, he's playing for the best team in the nfl. how can you break into that team?" is not really like that. this is the absolute perfect fit for him. there is no team that is set up for him to be able to make an impact,

potentially straightaway, then the kansas city chiefs. rees—zammit has targeted a hybrid role playing at both wide receiver and running—back, and his next task will be to try to earn a regular—season roster spot. rees—zammit, who was part of the 2024 international player pathway, joins the chiefs just ten weeks after quitting the welsh national side on the eve of this year's six nations tournament. you're live with bbc news. the leader of the uk's democratic unionist party, sirjeffrey donaldson, was charged with historical sexual offences on friday. he has resigned as party leader. sirjeffrey was arrested on friday, along with a 57—year—old woman who was also charged with aiding and abetting the alleged offences. both will appear in court next month. sirjeffrey said he will be strenuously contesting the charges. sirjeffrey is northern ireland's longest—serving mp at westminster, and has been leader of the dup since 2021. our political editor chris mason has this report. sirjeffrey donaldson, one of the biggest figures

in northern ireland politics of his generation, the linchpin of a vital breakthrough just two months ago which led to the return of devolved government at stormont. this agreement is something we have worked hard to deliver for the people of northern ireland. in late january, the pride of a breakthrough, jeffrey donaldson commanding the stage, his power and influence obvious. but at six o'clock yesterday morning he was arrested. by lunchtime today, a statement from his party: the man on the left here, gavin robinson, is the new interim leader. he was told what had happened in the middle of the night.

it's been a devastating revelation and has caused a tremendous shock — not just for myself personally or my colleagues within the dup but for the community right across northern ireland. it came as a great shock. this is a nightmare for the dup and a big test for the new powers in government, isn't it? the power—sharing government has not only has been recognised positively in the last couple of weeks since its restoration, the power share. you can see and hear over the last few weeks the importance the people of northern ireland place upon it. the importance that we place upon it. that doesn't change. jeffrey donaldson became dup leader three years ago. # happy and glorious... the national anthem, the union flag — sirjeffrey donaldson has spent his adult life campaigning for northern ireland's place in the uk. # god save the king... here he was in the 1980s.

and what to do in return? you threw me out of the a form which i was elected! —— what did you do in return? and here he was in the 1990s. i've got the framework document here. he opposed the good friday peace agreement signed 26 years ago. sirjeffrey donaldson — a pivotalfigure in northern ireland's recent past, and now another pivotal moment with the capacity to mould its future, too. friday marks one year since wall streetjournal reporter evan gershkovich was detained in russia on spying allegations. he's the first american journalist to be arrested on espionage charges in russia since the end of the cold war. gershkovich, thejournal, and the us government all reject the allegations. in a statement, us president biden pledged to "continue working every day to denounce and impose costs for russia's appalling attempts to use americans as bargaining chips." and in protest to his ongoing detention, the wall streetjournal published a blank front page on friday with the headline "his story should be here".

the bbc�*s will vernon reported in moscow with gershkovich, and remains in contact with him. he joined my colleague caitriona perry a little earlier to share how his friend is doing. will, you are a friend of evan's, you reported together in russia. tell us, what was life like as far as journalists when you were there? well, life got much more difficult after the war started. you know, many foreign journalists and certainly many hundreds of russian journalists left the country after the war started. but then after a time, people started to come back. a lot of foreign journalists, although they were based outside of moscow, they were based outside of moscow, they started to make trips back into russia, and evan came back in the summer of 2022. and then of course, in march the next year, that was when he was detained. h0??? in march the next year, that was when he was detained.— in march the next year, that was when he was detained. how did you find out about _ when he was detained. how did you find out about his _ when he was detained. how did you find out about his detention? - when he was detained. how did you find out about his detention? well, | find out about his detention? well, he was detained _ find out about his detention? well, he was detained on _ find out about his detention? well, he was detained on 29 _ find out about his detention? -ii he was detained on 29 march. on the

30th, in the morning i was reading some local city reports from the city he was detained that he had district —— disappeared, which is very worrying and strange. a few hours later, up flashed a statement from the fsb, basically the secret police, saying evan had been detained on suspicion of espionage. and when i read that, my heartjust sank right down to my boots because espionage is an incredibly serious charge in russia, it's up to 20 years in prison. and we then heard that evan would appear in court later that day, so we jumped in the car, went to the courthouse. we weren't let into the courthouse because his whole case is classified as secret, it's close to everybody. but some others saw evan being bundled into the courthouse out of a police van. but i rememberfor a long time after that day, every night when i would go to sleep, i'd think about evan also going to sleep

in moscow, but in a prison cell, in the fort of a prison — just all. what he's obviously a foreign journalist in russia,— what he's obviously a foreign journalist in russia, what's it like for foreign _ journalist in russia, what's it like for foreign journalists _ journalist in russia, what's it like for foreign journalists there? - for foreign journalists there? firstly, we should say that the charges given to evan, espionage, is denied by his friends, the us government, the white house, the wall streetjournal, everyone says these are absurd. in terms of press freedom in russia, evan's caressed is another reminder that the situation for journalists is another reminder that the situation forjournalists is incredibly grim. every single independent mainstream news organisation has either been forced out of the country, shut down, or silenced. over20 out of the country, shut down, or silenced. over 20 russian journalists were in prison for their journalism, and many hundreds of others have been forced out of the country. just today on the one—year anniversary of evan's detention, one russian journalist was in court

accused of links to alexei navalny�*s organisation. accused of links to alexei navalny's organisation-— organisation. now you're still in touch with _ organisation. now you're still in touch with evan, _ organisation. now you're still in touch with evan, writing - organisation. now you're still in touch with evan, writing letters| organisation. now you're still in - touch with evan, writing letters and so on — how is he? touch with evan, writing letters and so on - how is he?— so on - how is he? he's... well, beafini so on - how is he? he's... well, bearing in _ so on - how is he? he's... well, bearing in mind _ so on - how is he? he's... well, bearing in mind the _ so on - how is he? he's... well, i bearing in mind the circumstances, he's doing ok. he's still cracking jokes and letters, i write letters to him in russian and send them directly to the prison, and he replies in russian as well because you have to write in russian, because the prison authorities read all the letters like they do in many other countries, including the uk. so because the prison authorities read all the letters, you have to be a little bit careful about what you write about — i wouldn't write anything about the war in ukraine or about evan's case, for example. but he has said to other friends how much he values receiving these letters, so it's really important to carry on writing to him. how concerned — carry on writing to him. how concerned are _ carry on writing to him. how concerned are you _ carry on writing to him. how concerned are you about - carry on writing to him. how concerned are you about him and how he's doing, his state of mind? weill. he's doing, his state of mind? well, i mean he's doing, his state of mind? well, i mean he's — he's doing, his state of mind? well, i mean he's in _ he's doing, his state of mind? well, i mean he's in the _ he's doing, his state of mind? well, i mean he's in the four— he's doing, his state of mind? well, i mean he's in the four of— he's doing, his state of mind? well, i mean he's in the four of a - he's doing, his state of mind? -ii i mean he's in the four of a prison,

this is a notorious facility in moscow —— fort of a prison. for people who have been arrested by the security service, so spice and other national security inmates. of course, we are all incredibly worried about evan, the conditions and russian prisons are not good. he shouldn't be there because he's done nothing wrong, and he's been classed as wrongfully detained by the state department, which means that there are now more resources trying to get him out. but one year on, there doesn't seem to be an awful lot of movement. of course, everyone is hoping there'll be some sort of deal with the russians, some sort of prisoner exchange. but the moment, it's a pretty worrying situation. and as you say, he get some enjoyment, some small comfort from the letters that you and his other friend and family send. can anyone make contact with him?— friend and family send. can anyone make contact with him? anyone can send a letter _ make contact with him? anyone can send a letter to _ make contact with him? anyone can send a letter to evan, _ make contact with him? anyone can send a letter to evan, some - make contact with him? anyone can send a letter to evan, some friends| send a letter to evan, some friends

have set up a website — you can write to him in english, they then translate it and send it off to the prison. oryou translate it and send it off to the prison. or you can also send letters to him via the wall streetjournal website. to him via the wall street journal website. ~ ., ., ~', to him via the wall street journal website. ~ ., ., ., website. will vernon, thanks for “oinini website. will vernon, thanks for joining us- _ let's turn to some important news around the world. one week after a deadly attack at a concert hall near moscow, mourners continue to bring tributes to a memorial near the site. crocus city hall was set to host a rock concert when gunmen stormed the venue. the islamic state group claimed responsibility for the attack, which killed over 140 people. the 22 march attack was the deadliest in russia since the early 2000s. poland's conservative president andrzej duda has vetoed a bill that would have made emergency contraceptive pills available without a prescription to anyone over the age of 15. mr duda vetoed the bill over concerns the pill would be available to children. poland is one ofjust two eu countries that still require a prescription for the medication. uk members of parliament have warned that fire and the withholding of food are being used as weapons of war in sudan.

analysis shared with the bbc shows over a hundred villages burnt since the conflict began last year. there is also evidence that the two warring parties — the sudanese army and rsf paramilitary group — are restricting the flow of humanitarian aid. louis gossettjr, the first black man to win an oscar for best supporting actor, has died aged 87. he made his broadway debut as a teen, and went on to gain critical acclaim across a six—decade career, appearing in the tv series "roots" and the movie "an officer and a gentleman" — winning the academy award in 1982. mr gossett�*s family confirmed his passing to the bbc�*s us partner cbs. no cause of death was given. oppenheimer was one of last summer's biggest blockbuster movies, sweeping the awards season. up until now, people injapan have not been able to see the film. it opened in cinemas there on friday. the film tells the story of the scientist, j robert oppenheimer. he created the atomic bomb, which was later used against japan during world war ii, killing more than 200,000 people.

it was seen as too controversial and sensitive a topic for the people of japan. our tokyo correspondent shaimaa khalil reports from hiroshima. explosion this was the bomb, nevertheless, that foreshortened the war and prevented the further killing of hundreds of thousands. the first atomic bomb exploded almost directly above this building here in hiroshima. the city was flattened and the stone stands as a reminder of the devastation and carnage. oppenheimer may be this year's most celebrated film, but for the people here, the story cuts much deeper. you are the man who gave them the power to destroy themselves. and the world is not prepared. the biopic, based on the life, work and moral dilemma of the enigmatic scientist, is finally being shown injapan nearly a year after its initial release. but some criticized the film for not portraying the terror his invention unleashed on the city and its people.

i was almost like offended in some scenes. like they are talking about hiroshima again and again, but in the meeting room, not thinking about people. translation: we were often educated from the perspective _ of the japanese victims, - but in this film they say the use of atomic bombs saves lives. when i heard this, i felt - as if i had learned something new from the american point of view land from the world's point of view. i translation: what struck me - was the sense of excitement among people celebrating the experiment and the dropping of the atomic bomb. i felt disgusted. toshiyuki maki was three when hiroshima was hit. he still remembers seeing a bright light in the sky, ash flying around, and the bodies in the streets days after the bombing. translation: so i wish they'd shown

the burned ruins of hiroshima. - the museum here has displays of other children's heads were burned and their clothes were burnt. i wanted people in the us in particular to be able to see this. he continues to speak out against nuclear weapons. he says it's important for people here to watch the film like he did and keep the conversation going. translation: my biggest worry right now is that the us, russia, _ or china might test a nuclear device without us knowing. i think there are smaller and better performing nuclear weapons and there could be the next oppenheimer in the shadows now. hiroshima's peace memorial stands as a symbol of resilience, sounding the alarm from a city that knows first—hand the terrors of nuclear warfare. shaimaa khalil, bbc news, hiroshima. hiroshima survivor toshiyuki mimaki, ending that report from shaimaa khalil. and, as we heard from

jeremy bowen earlier, christians in the middle east and around the world have been preparing for easter observing ogood friday. at saint peter's basilica, in vatican city, pope francis presided over the traditional good friday service. but the 87—year old pontiff is skipping the traditional "way of the cross' ceremony and procession at rome's colosseum — to protect his health before other easter weekend engagements, the vatican said. the most sombre day in the christian calendar, good friday marks the day christians believejesus died by crucifixion. i'll leave you here but some images of the cherry blossoms in washington. enjoy these images, stay here on bbc news. hello there. the easter weekend will settle down a little — perhaps music to your ears, in comparison to the last few days. yes, there will be more sunshine

around and fewer showers — and as a result, it will be a little warmer. but there's more rain to come for some of us by easter monday. more on that in just a moment — for the moment, though, the low pressure is drifting its way westwards, the isobars are opening out. so saturday will be a quieter, less windy day for all of us. maybe a little more cloud across east anglia and that kent coast, and a few isolated showers out to the west — most frequent showers perhaps to northern ireland and scotland — but even so, few and far between in comparison to recent days. 11—15 celsius, with a little more sunshine coming through — that should feel quite pleasant. now, with those clear skies by day continuing through the night, though, temperatures are likely to fall away for some — the exception down to the south—west, where we could continue to see some showers pushing up through the channel isles and across cornwall. but low single figures, a touch of frost is likely through scotland and north—east england, and even some patchy fog. it's worth bearing in mind, as well, that we are springing

into british summertime on sunday. yes, we all lose an hour, but the clocks go forward and the daytimes get a little longer. so, sunday morning, then, the fog will lift quite readily away. a lot of dry settled weather for most of us on sunday. that rain down towards the southwest could still be a bit of a nuisance here, and temperatures generally between 10—14 celsius once again. now, as we move out of sunday into monday is when we start to see the potential for another spell of wet weather, as the low drifts its way eastwards once again and bring some rain for england and wales. not looking too bad — the best of the sunshine, perhaps through northern ireland and western scotland. more cloud coming in off the north sea, and the rain will be quite showery from time to time across england and wales. but, as a result of the change of wind direction, here a little cooler on those exposed east coast — 9—10 celsius, perhaps highest values of 12 celsius. and then, as we move out of monday into tuesday,

low pressure is set to dominate the weather story — you can see the next system waiting in the wings. and so, as we go through the week ahead, we'll see some showers or longer spells of rain from time to time.

this is bbc news. we'll have the headlines for you at the top of the hour, which is straight after this programme. coming up on this week's show... it looks like a flotation device. it does! you could probably get into that. here we go. bon appetit. skibbereen! thank you so much. so, i can taste the kind of familiarity, and then i'm waiting for the alcohol,

but it hasn't arrived. it's like wine light. now, one thing that gets most of us excited when planning a trip is the chance to tuck into tasty, authentic dishes from other parts of the globe, from traditional delicacies to spicy street food, and even maybe michelin—starred menus from some of the most celebrated chefs on the planet. well, this week we've got a feast for your eyes, with a menu full of some of our favourite travel show foodie adventures.

for starters, let's look back at that time i headed to glasgow,