welcome to newsday, reporting live from singapore, i'm karishma vaswani. the headlines. ukraine's president appeals directly to the people of russia to prevent a war. the un security council has called an emergency session. more russian military hardware heads to the ukrainian border as the us secretary of state says he leaves russia will invade in the next few hours although aggression can still be avoided. separatists in the east ask for help from the kremlin in repelling what they claim is ukrainian aggression. we will bring you all the latest on the dynamic situation

in ukraine. also in the programme, the week that change the world. 50 years after us president richard nixon visited china with the economic and political impact of those talks. ~ ., ., political impact of those talks. ~ ., . talks. who are you under there? i am vengeance. _ talks. who are you under there? i am vengeance. and _ talks. who are you under there? i am vengeance. and the - talks. who are you under there? i am vengeance. and the stars i i am vengeance. and the stars ofthe i am vengeance. and the stars of the long-awaited _ i am vengeance. and the stars of the long-awaited batman . i am vengeance. and the stars i of the long-awaited batman film of the long—awaited batman film have been out at a special screening of the film which was delayed due to covid. hello and welcome to the programme. ukraine's

president volodymyr zelensky has appealed directly to the people of russia for peace, saying: "the possibility of war depends on you". switching to the russian language in a televised address, he said two hundred thousand russian troops president volodymyr zelensky has appealed directly to the people of russia for peace, saying: "the possibility of war depends on you". switching to the russian language in a televised address, he said two hundred thousand russian troops were standing on ukraine's border, and had been ordered to move forward. i'm joined now by our reporter mark lobel. we have had multiple warnings of war throughout this entire situation. but now, from the us secretary of state as well. figs secretary of state as well. as ou secretary of state as well. as you say. _ secretary of state as well. as you say. a — secretary of state as well. sis you say, a major secretary of state as well. is you say, a major moment potentially in this conflict here. the us secretary of state going on television to say that he believes russia will invade ukraine before the night is over. he was not specific about the time or the place but it is to be m local ukrainian time and so people are going to be watching developments there very closely. for him to come out and is quite a statement. he also said on nbc news there

were still an opportunity to avert a major aggression by russia. so that might be implying that the type of invasion that he is expecting to see may be taking place perhaps in the east of the country, or not on a major scale. are you saying very specifically that before than i deserve that he expects to see russia invading ukraine. that came just _ russia invading ukraine. that came just moments - russia invading ukraine. that came just moments after president volodymyr zelensky address not just president volodymyr zelensky address notjust the nation of ukraine but the russian people in an 11 minute broadcast. he also predicted there would be an invasion in the coming days. he said he had tried to call president putin but did not get a reply from the president so instead he was appealing to the russian people in russian and let's have a listen to what he said. ~ ., . let's have a listen to what he said. ., i: i: i: i: i: said. more than 200,000 soldiers. _ said. more than 200,000 soldiers, thousands - said. more than 200,000 soldiers, thousands of. said. more than 200,000 - soldiers, thousands of combat

vehicles. your leadership has approved it step forward into the territory of another country and the step could be the beginning of the big war on the beginning of the big war on the continent of europe. the whole world is talking about what may happen from day to day and it could start at any time without provocation. the ukrainian _ without provocation. the ukrainian president - without provocation. the ukrainian president there. there was also the un security council meeting happening later today and just a few hours. also, the fact that there are these increased tensions and activities in the east of the country. talk us through that. the meeting in and about one and have hours of the second time in three days really to make a public protest, to show her isolated russia is on the international stage over their plans, potential plans to invade speaking to the general assembly, the us ambassador to the un saying that they could

be millions of refugees as a result of elevation and there could be famine due to a disruption in the wheat production ukraine that could affect areas like yemen and libya. so really showing that there will be far—reaching effects of russia were to enter ukraine in this way. as you say, eu leaders are going to be meeting in brussels. g7 leaders are going to be meeting virtually all on thursday and it is an interesting shift from diplomacy when we were going to expect on thursday to see french and russian and american and russian meetings taking place over thursday and friday and instead, of that diplomatic move, there is now strategic moves between all these people looking on and willing russia to stop any plans for an invasion. but also, the focus, as you say, is on the east of ukraine now. if we show you this map of the east of ukraine, these are the two rebel —controlled areas that in recent days president putin has

declared independent. and if you look at the dividing line between the two, we have heard that there have been five explosions heard in the separatist area, the rebel —controlled area, in the early hours of thursday. for military trucks could be seen heading to the scene after. the big question is whether the president would send troops to defend notjust the area that is controlled currently by the separatist but the area controlled by the ukrainians. that of course would undoubtedly lead to a conflict between the two sides but if we can show you a letter, this is seen as part of the russian playbook, if you like, going to some analysts. this was a letter sent on tuesday to the russian president but released on wednesday by one of the leaders appearing to help from russia to repel what they call ukrainian aggression. by the exposures were heard in the

soap serious both urban claims are far more aggression being felt on already a war of words there. indeed. to provide safety for us civil aviation flights. a notice listed specific routes and altitudes to be avoided. as i say, that information coming through on the reuters news agency saying that it is partly closed airspace, russia has, in the flight information to the east of its border with ukraine. we will have much more on that story is and where we can get it. all of these developments come as a state of

emergency is now in force across ukraine because of what the authorities called intensified aggression from russia. our correspondent has beenin russia. our correspondent has been in the donbas region of eastern ukraine and sent this report. eastern ukraine and sent this report. more of moscow's military hardware on view today in the rostov region, close to the board with eastern ukraine. no movement here, but the fear is that russia is just biding its time before launching an invasion. and in ukraine, on the front lines in avdiivka, they are combat ready. they have been fighting kremlin—backed separatists for eight years. lieutenant ivan says things are heating up. in this region, a lot of snipers. a lot of enemy using a lot of types of grenade launchers. it's also really heavy weapon.

they can use it 2a hour per seven. now we are trying... ..like to stay in the shadows so if we have trenches, we move on with them. because the enemy also like to use drones. this destroyed hangar provides some cover from pro—moscow rebels. troops here call it the skeleton. we have been asked not to speak too loudly because russian separatist fighters are very nearby, near enough to hear us. since we have been here, there has been shelling and this front line has been more active in recent days. there is a real sense now that this conflict is building. so, it was just two days ago, it is only two hits from the whole of firing into us. it was like 12 hits in this region... ivan, who is 30, knows that death could come

raining down at any moment. i also think about it, it's very scary for me. as a simple guy, i'm also afraid to be hurt or die here. and that's why i'm stand here in the armour and try to do myjob as possible to stay alive. that's a daily battle. they scan for enemy snipers, who will also be scanning for them. if russian troops invade ukraine, there could be many young men lost, on both sides. and for the very young here, lessons in survival. this is school nmber one in the town of druzhkivka, a practice run taking children down to the bomb shelter, packing them to the rafters. normally, it happens

twice a year. today, an extra drill, as this nation faces a moment of grave danger. tonight, many ukrainians will sleep or try to not russia has been celebrating the day of the fatherland today, a national tribute to the armed forces. president putin, who took the leading part in the commemorations, says he's still open to direct dialogue with the west, about ukraine. but the west is increasingly sceptical, with france and america refusing to hold talks with russia's foreign minister. our correspondent caroline davies has this report from southern russia, near the border with donetsk. singing. young voices singing old melodies. a song from the second world war, on a public holiday in honour of the armed forces. in rostov—on—don, close to the border with ukraine, there are different views on what is happening less

than 100 kilometres away. "of course it is scary," tatiana tells me, "but what can we do? we can do nothing." alexander served in the russian fleet. "ukraine will stop shelling," he says, "and if they will not, as they said on tv, we will send in troops." as russia celebrates its military, the rest of the world is keeping a very close eye on what that military is doing, and its commander—in—chief, president putin, is keeping them guessing. there was wreath laying in moscow. president putin inspected the troops. he hasn't confirmed if he has already ordered any into ukraine.

translation: first, | i didn't say the troops would go straight there after our meeting and second, it's generally not possible to predict possible action, it depends on the situations that develop on the ground. but tonight the kremlin said that the two separatist regions had asked president putin to come in their words, assist in repelling the aggression of the ukrainian army. back at the border, the evacuation buses continue coming from the rebel—held areas. filling out paperwork, recent arrivals were feeling emotional about president putin's decision to recognise the areas they live in as independent. 74—year—old luba tells me that she had been waiting since the first day of the war for this decision. "how long can you hide in your basement from shelling," she says. translation: we hope that things will settle down - and there is no more war. do you want to be part of russia?

of course, we would like it because we love russia. outside, others wait in their cars. there is some concern about what this decision could mean. translation: we respect other countries and also respect - ukraine, because we used to live and study there, visited different cities, and have a lot of relatives from ukraine. so we wouldn't like the situation to develop into a conflict. the russian president has promised that this is a step towards peace. around the world, there are serious concerns that he has something else in mind. caroline davies, bbc news, in the rostov region of southern russia. away from russia's military build up, both moscow and kyiv are taking other steps in apparent preparations for a beginning of hostilities. russia says it will evacuate diplomatic personnel from ukraine — it says the measure is needed to �*protect their lives.�* you can see here how quiet its embassy in kyiv was on wednesday. meanwhile ukraine is to bring in compulsory military service

for all men of fighting age. reservists are also being called up tojoin the regular army. here's our europe correspondent nick beake. with the freedom of his country in the balance, ukraine's most famous singer takes to the stage. an impromptu concert at the most perilous of times. he tells us the world should now offer its support. the most important message is that ukraine is united. we are strong, we are optimistic and we are looking into the future with wide—open eyes and we shall overcome. there is no panic in the face of growing russian aggression. instead, a patriotic outpouring. these history students from kyiv university hope their armed forces will protect their future. i am not afraid. i think they will save us from this. we will fight for our nation, our city, our country. at this military charity,

they send extra equipment to soldiers on the front line. thermal vision? they say the ukrainian public has donated the equivalent of half a million in the past 2a hours, more than the whole of last year. this man promises ukrainians would fight until the last soldier and to the last civilian. it will not end well for russia, he says. victoria was the first woman in ukraine to serve as a front line commander before leaving active duty. the bullet went through? but now, 29 and a mum with a toddler, she has been called up, along with thousands of other reservists.

translation: if this - is going to be a large-scale war with an attack on kyiv, my family will move away and i will stay here to do whatever the army needs me to do. in the heart of kyiv, they proudly display russian weaponry they say they captured during the last eight years of fighting in the east. these are the only russian tanks that most ukrainians will tolerate on the streets of the capital. you are really struck by the defiance here, but there is undoubtedly growing unease, a fear that this long—running conflict with russia will soon move closer to home for millions more people. but for now, the theatres fill and the streets bustle. the city on alert, but not alarmed. if you want to get in touch with me i'm on twitter — @bbckarishma

prince charles has chosen his bride. the prince proposed the lady diana spencer three weeks ago. she accepted, she says, without hesitation. as revolutions go, this had its fair share of bullets. a climax in the night outside the gates of mr marcos' sanctuary, malacanang, the name itself symbolising one of the cruellest regimes of modern asia. the world's first clone has been produced i of an adult mammal. scientists in scotland i have produced a sheep called dolly using a cell from another sheep. i warren beatty and faye dunaway announced to the world that the winner of best film was la la land. the only trouble was it wasn't. the mistake was only put right in the middle of gushing speeches by the team behind the modern musical. not for 20 years have locusts been seen in this part of africa. some of the swarms have been ten miles long. this is the last time the public will see this pope. very soon, for the sake of the credibility and authority of the next pope, benedict xvi will, in his own words, be hidden from the world

for the rest of his life. this is newsday on the bbc. it was the week that changed the world — or certainly the world as we knew it then. 50 years ago this week, the former us president, richard nixon visited china. the visit is remembered for an opening made possible by ping—pong matches between the us and china — and for the subsequent economic and political impact professor margaret macmillan — is the author of "nixon and mao: the week that changed the world" — and a foreign policy scholar. she put the visit from 50 years ago into context. it was very significant. it was a diplomatic revolution. the united states and china, united states a superpower and china not yet the power it was going to become but nonetheless very important had not had any relationship since 1949 when the communists overtook in china. the mere fact of nixon

going to china it was a clear fight something a change. there was an opening now between those two great powers and that, of course, made the position of the soviet union different and a lot of other countries reflect about how the world had changed so it was a tremendous moment and of course, gradually, it was going to open up the possibility of greater investment, trade, cultural exchanges between the two countries. we see the world today very much affected by what happened then. indeed. over the last 50 years or so, it is fair to say there have been periods of real positive relations between the us and china and also extremely tense times most recently under president trump but there has been a gateway conversation between the two sides. why do you think that is?— you think that is? they need to deal with each _ you think that is? they need to deal with each other. _ you think that is? they need to deal with each other. they - you think that is? they need to deal with each other. they are| deal with each other. they are both specific powers and they are competitors but they have more to gain. they probably have more to gain working with

each other, they are each other�*s great trading partners. they exchange technology. and so through cooperation, they can achieve a great deal. we have to hope that does not take the place of this competition, this cooperation.— this cooperation. that rivalry is takin: this cooperation. that rivalry is taking place _ this cooperation. that rivalry is taking place of _ this cooperation. that rivalry is taking place of that - is taking place of that possible cooperation and some estimates china will be the words largest economy. how do word's largest economy. how do you see cooperation between these two competitors playing out? it these two competitors playing out? , ., ., .,~ these two competitors playing out? , ., ., ., ., out? it is going to take a lot of goodwill _ out? it is going to take a lot of goodwill on _ out? it is going to take a lot of goodwill on both - out? it is going to take a lot of goodwill on both sides i out? it is going to take a lot| of goodwill on both sides and good leadership and diplomacy because what you have, and it has happened in the past, your one power that is not as great as it once was, the united states. so very powerful nation and the greatest military power but not as dominant as it once was and china which is asserting itself, seeing it self rising in the world and thatis self rising in the world and that is never easy. it can be

managed. the united states and britain had a similar relationship at the end of the 19th century and they managed to avoid a conflict and so it is possible. we must not be and say it is inevitable they will clash militarily. let's take a look at some other stories in the headlines. the canadian prime minister, justin trudeau, has revoked emergency powers — invoked nine days ago — that had been used to clear a mass protest against coronavirus restrictions from the capital, ottawa. mr trudeau said the crisis had been resolved and the emergencies act was no longer needed. the weeks—long protest was prompted by anger at a mandatory covid vaccination requirement to cross into the united states. madagascar has been hit by the fourth cyclone in a month. aid workers say there has been more damage to houses, and there are fears of more flooding in areas which have not yet recovered from the earlier extreme weather. at least one journalist

was killed and two others wounded when police opened fire on protestors in port—au—prince in haiti. the protestors are calling for a higher minimum wage than the one approved by the government earlier this week. the world health organisation is setting up a new hub in south korea to help train low— and middle—income countries to produce their own vaccines and therapies. the organisation also said five more countries — bangladesh, indonesia, pakistan, serbia and vietnam — will receive support from its mrna vaccine technology transfer hub in south africa. the long awaited batman film starring robert pattinson in the dual role of gotham city's vigilante detective and his alter ego, reclusive billionaire bruce wayne — had a special screening in london on wednesday. the film will be released next month after production was delayed due to covid. claudia redmond reports.

music. what's black... ..and blue... ..and dead all over? stars of the latest superhero franchise, the batman, attended a special screening of the film at the bfi imax in london. laughter. i got you! robert pattison is following in the footsteps of christian bale, ben affleck, michael keaton and george clooney in the lead role of bruce wayne. the pressure was on to get into shape for the famous bulky batsuit, but hejoked that the training went further than that. people talk about you need to, like, work out all the time. really what you need to work out is your lips. laughter. you know, you have to kind of... you have to work out, like,

variations on a grimace, and everything's in your voice. it's so much more of a vocal part than i would ever have realised before. but, yeah, very satisfying. he wasjoined on the red carpet by costar zoe kravitz, who plays catwoman, and fellow british actor andy serkis, who's playing bruce wayne's loyal butler, alfred pennyworth. it's a beautifully written role in this version. it's slightly different to the way that alfred is normally portrayed in the sense that normally alfred and batman are kind of an ensemble and they're facing the foe together, but we actually meet him at a point of great tension. the killer left this for the batman. why is he writing to you? the reboot from director matt reeves focuses on the emotional connection between alfred and bruce wayne. why are you leaving? selina, don't throw your life away. don't worry, honey, i got nine of them. i the new incarnation of the batman will be in the cinemas next month. claudia redmond, bbc news.

hello there. high pressure's expected to build in across the country to end this week and into the weekend to settle things down, bring us some sunshine and lighter winds. but before that point, thursday looks very unsettled. it'll be cold and windy with sunshine and even wintry showers. now, the cold air�*s been moving in across the country during the overnight period behind this weather front, this band of rain, which is actually a cold front. it'll be lying across the south east of england and east anglia to start thursday morning. some heavy rain on that, bit of sleet on its back edge, but eventually it'll clear out during the mid to latter part of the morning, and then we're all into brighter skies, sunshine and blustery showers. these will be wintry across northern and western areas, particularly on the hills. frequent snow showers across scotland, northern ireland, mixed in with thunder and lightning. also start off with an ice risk

across northern scotland, too. it's going to be a windy day across the board, widespread gales across the northern half of the uk. and these temperatures much lower than they've been of late, 4—8 degrees across the south. factor in the wind, it'll feel even colder than those temperatures suggest. those showers with thunder and lightning and snow continue across the north of the uk during thursday night. the winds will start to turn light as a ridge of high pressure moves in, and that'll also help kill off some of the showers. temperature—wise, ranging from around freezing to five degrees across the south. so, you can see this ridge of high pressure building in for friday. it'll push the strong winds and the showers away from northern and eastern areas gradually through the day, so it could start quite windy across eastern england in towards the south east. one or two showers, but as that ridge of high pressure builds in, it'll settle things down, increasing amounts of sunshine, the winds falling lighter. so, temperatures will respond. highs of around 10—11, maybe 12 degrees across the south. a touch higher across the north, too. so, that's friday, then, a fine picture. we hold onto our area of high pressure into the weekend as well, particularly for england and wales, but you'll notice these weather fronts starting to push into the far north and the west, particularly as we head on into sunday,

so it will be going downhill there during part two of the weekend. so, plenty of dry weather around on saturday, particularly for england and wales. that lasts across england and wales on sunday, but it starts to turn breezier, cloudier and wetter across the north and the west.

we will have the headlines at the top of the hour on bbc news, straight after this

programme. yeah, the winds gone now. not a lot of wind, so we'll only work two dredges for the minute. we've had more bad years than good years. it's just a different problem, every different day, so... i won't be going if we can't get a living. you know, just ticking over is no good. january 2021, it stopped dead. i think the fishermen were promised the unpromiseable. if we lost the export markets, then the fishery would be under serious, serious trouble. worst—case scenario is we stop the business, we stop buying. two or three things go wrong, the whole show can collapse.

to see our oyster fishery collapse, it would be devastating.