this is bbc news. welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. our top stories... ukrainian soldiers defending mariupol, ignore the russian deadline to surrender in order to save their lives. elsewhere in ukraine, five people are reported to have been killed in russian shelling of the city of kharkiv. pope francis urges the call of peace to be heard, in what he called, an "easter of war". translation: may there be peace for war—torn ukraine, so sorely tried by the violence and destruction of a cruel and senseless war into which it was drowned. the archbishop of canterbury, the most senior cleric in the anglican church,

condemns uk government plans to send asylum seekers to rwanda. and the death toll rises in south africa following heavy flooding, with a warning of more rain on the way. there's no sign yet that fighting has stopped in the beseiged ukrainian city of mariupol, despite russia's ultimatum that remaining ukrainian forces there surrender or be killed. ukraine's deputy prime minister has demanded that russian forces open humanitarian corridors from mariupol today to allow citizens and wounded ukrainian troops to be brought out. and in this afternoon, there have been reports that a series of strikes in the northern city of kharkiv has killed at least five people and injured 13 more. this report from anna foster, in ukraine's capital, kyiv. kharkiv has been the scene

of fierce fighting for weeks. i have spoken to families who have managed to flee and described spending weeks underground, hiding in basement. there was one family where the mother said they had spent five weeks in the basement of a school which was being shelled by russian forces. kharkiv is, again, strategically important, it is in the northeast of ukraine and it is in that band which russia really are focusing on, really pummeling to try and take that area as they have moved away from places like kyiv. of course, after the sinking of the russian flagship, there is a feeling that russia might be deciding what their next steps will be, how they will respond to the symbolic blow that ukraine has struck. the city of mariupol is important. today, there were suggestions that russia would let ukrainian forces surrender, perhaps. that was due to happen this morning. let's hear the latest.

ukrainian soldiers have fought for mariupol for weeks. this morning, russia gave them just hours to surrender. it said local fighters could choose to admit defeat and leave the city alive, but there is no sign yet the defending forces did that. translation: | want| to be heard right now. there has not been a single day since the blockade of mariupol that we have not sought a solution, military or diplomatic, anything to save people. finding this solution is extremely difficult. ukraine's east is still being pummelled by russian attacks. since pulling its forces back from kyiv, it's focused its fire on the donbas region, but it hasn't forgotten the rest of ukraine. here in the capital, there's been a third night of strikes. russia says it destroyed an ammunition factory in brovary early this morning. and that is one reason why the mayor, vitali klitschko, is warning people not to come back

to this cityjust yet. east of the capital, this is what safety looks like. entire families moved underground. lives for now put on hold as the battle for ukraine rages above. well, the word from mariupol seems to be that the ukrainian forces still remaining there, still hold up in the factory. they did not take the russian invitation to surrender it. it would have been strange if they did. they have said throughout this conflict that they would push on to the very last. volodymyr zelensky has described mariupol as really the heart of this conflict now for ukrainians. they really want to hold onto it. it has become incredibly symbolic in the last few weeks.

of course, for russia, it is strategically important. you might wonder why russia are so keen to hold a city which they have frankly razed to the ground over the last few weeks. we have seen the pictures of mariupol, so many buildings destroyed, so many civilians trapped in terrible conditions, but for russia it would create essentially a land corridor between russia and annexed crimea. that is why they are fighting so hard for mariupol. that is why they are coming up with these new suggestions like surrender to try and really bring that city under their control. it would be important for their land corridor, it would also be important in terms of the economy of ukraine. it would mean that russia controlled a lot of the ukrainian coastline, those important cities. it would make it very difficult for ukraine to export things like iron, steel, corn, much of which comes from mariupol. so, even though we had that ultimatum from russia, it would be, i think, very surprising if ukrainian forces did choose to surrender.

but the suggestions are that they are now outnumbered by russia and i think we will be watching very closely over the next few days what happens there in mariupol. earlier, i spoke with charles kupchan, a seniorfellow at the council on foreign relations and professor of international affairs at georgetown university. ifirst asked him if he thought mariupol would fall to russia. unfortunately, the situation there does not look good. unlike in other cities in eastern ukraine where the russians were rebuffed, here they have largely enveloped the city. there is a small contingent of ukrainian fighters left, many hunkered down in a steel factory. unfortunately, it only looks like a matter of time before the russians succeed in taking over the city. what do you think the consequences will be when you appear to think

it seems inevitable when it happens? those of us who have been watching this conflict since 2014 have always worried about this scenario and that is the russians have a chunk of land in donbas controlled by russian separatists. they have crimea in the south and many of us were worried they would try to connect these two territories together to get strategic continuity and that appears to be what is happening. russian forces have pushed upwards from crimea, downwards from donbas, and it looks like they want to connect their forces. that would enable russia to take a larger bite out of eastern ukraine, it would be easier to defend, and they would have control of the sea and the port in mariupol which gives him a strong strategic positions should they end up in a new frozen conflict with ukraine. it is so interesting if you think about that geographically. do you think it may return yet again to the capital

which was such a focus the first six weeks? we are now seeing people returning to their homes, trying to recreate their life there. do you think that kyiv is still in danger, for example? it is difficult to say. i spoke to a friend of mine who is there yesterday, and life is almost normal. the restaurants are opening. the cafes are open and that is in part because the russians have concentrated their attention on the far east of the country. one big question we do not know is if they succeed in consolidating the territory do they stop? or do they hunker down and start pushing towards the west? at this point we do not know the answer. yes, impossible to know, and of course hindsight is 2020 when we think about 2014 or crimea being annexed.

what do you think nato should do as they watch? it could be in the coming hours or days that there could be a change of power in the city of mariupol. i think nato is going to continue supplying significant weapons, qualitatively and quantitatively to ukraine. ukraine has done an amazing job of fighting back, much better than many people predicted. i think one question that will be before us is how much encouragement should we give to the ukrainians to push back and to go after russian forces in eastern ukraine? or should we encourage them to settle for a frozen conflict? obviously, one issue that looms on the horizon is escalation. if the ukrainians were to push back against russian troops in mariupol or in donbas, if nato were to supply fighter aeroplanes or other high—end

weaponry, could this turn into a bigger war between nato and russia? perhaps world war iii? that conversation is always in the back of people's minds. the archbishop of canterbury has strongly criticised the government's plan to send some people to rwanda who've arrived illegally in britain. in his easter sermon, justin welby said the policy did not stand the "judgment of god". the home office said the the uk has a proud history of supporting those in need and change was needed to prevent people smugglers putting lives at risk. our religion editor, aleem maqbool, has the latest. happy easter to all of you, lovely to see you. in his most important sermon of the year, the archbishop of canterbury dealt very directly with the issues of the day, drawing attention to the pressures felt by many here struggling with the cost of living and calling on russia to commit to a ceasefire and withdrawal from ukraine. but he also talked of serious ethical questions about the government plan to send

asylum seekers overseas. it cannot carry the weight of our national responsibility, as a country formed by christian values. because subcontracting out our responsibilities, even to a country that seeks to do well, like rwanda, is the opposite of the nature of god. in response tojustin welby�*s remarks, a home office spokesperson said "the uk has a proud history of supporting those in need of protection." but that "change is needed to prevent people smugglers putting lives at risk." it was the duke and duchess of cambridge who led the royals at the service at windsor. though in his easter message the prince of wales also talked of those forced to flee conflict and persecution, saying he had been profoundly moved by those ready to open their homes to people in need. the most celebrated scenes of the day were in a st peter's square

packed for the first public easter mass there since the pandemic began. but the pope's message focused on events in ukraine, criticising russia for what he called a cruel and senseless conflict. translation: our eyes, too, are incredulous - on this easter of war. we have seen all too much blood, all too much violence. our hearts, too, have been filled with fear and anguish as so many of our brothers and sisters have had to lock themselves away in order to be safe from bombing. tidings of hope this easter have undoubtedly been tinged with the sense that more compassion would be welcome, in an interconnected world. aleem maqbool, bbc news. i'm joined now by camille le coz, she's a senior policy analyst at the migration policy institute. shejoins me from mexico.

thank you forjoining us. what you make of this policy?— make of this policy? first, maybe, what we have _ make of this policy? first, maybe, what we have seen _ make of this policy? first, maybe, what we have seen is _ make of this policy? first, maybe, what we have seen is that - make of this policy? first, maybe, what we have seen is that several| what we have seen is that several organisations have already said that they are going to try in court, especially with this principle which guarantees that no one should be returned to a country where they would face torture, cruel, intimate or degrading treatment meant. —— inhumane. he keeps making this distinction between refugees who came to the uk legally and the others. while this is because there are two ways for refugees to get to the uk. these are the clement tree pathways and legal schemes for which the uk go to a country. they are like refugees, and the uk have been a champion in this area. that's been

a champion in this area. that's been a fact. but now there is another way for refugees to get to the uk which is to apply for asylum, as an asylum seeker, and to do so, there is no other wait for them to get to the uk regularly in the first place. i regularly in the first place. i understand that. it is specifically that way, particularly migrants in boats crossing the channel, that they're trying to deter people. when you look at this globally, has it been proven to be a deterrent? other policies like this is the third country waiting room as you call it? that's really this deterrence aspect that has been the objective of the uk government. taking back control of the uk border and getting rid of the threat that they may perceive to a real wonder. the threat that they may perceive to a realwonder. i the threat that they may perceive to a real wonder. iwould be the threat that they may perceive to a real wonder. i would be very cautious about how successful this deterrence would be. because in the past, we have seen that this type of

measure has very mixed results. in the short term, it leads to shifting the short term, it leads to shifting the demographically of the one who arrives. especially when there is not a clear message. here, if the uk is planning to send ukrainians who arrive, are they going to send the wonder —— miners to rwanda? i think this is going to have an effect on who comes moving forward, but i think there is also a second question which is once people get to rwanda, are they going to stay there? because what we have seen with similar experiences, israel also had an agreement in the past, that many people were sent there and did not stay and a sizeable number tried to migrate north again. my understanding of it is that it will be single men or women that would

primarily go to rwanda so a different policy for families. ukrainian refugees have been women and children in the majority. people i have spoken to in the past few days expect legal challenges to be raised. i would days expect legal challenges to be raised. iwould imagine days expect legal challenges to be raised. i would imagine that would go on for months if not years. yes. go on for months if not years. yes, so i think maybe _ go on for months if not years. yes, so i think maybe two _ go on for months if not years. 1&1: so i think maybe two obstacles to the implementation, the first as we said is that this is going to be donein said is that this is going to be done in the port, but then it is there an operational challenge. it is written that for the uk government to send somebody to rwanda, they first need to prove the transfer. but they may decide not to. based on gender or criteria. in that sense, we are seeing legal but also operational challenges in the implementation of that deal. just

briefl , implementation of that deal. just briefly. what _ implementation of that deal. just briefly, what do you think it means for rwanda? there government has spoken out lording it ready to welcome people saying it is a safe country, although others have concerns?— country, although others have concerns? ., ., concerns? rwanda is already hosting over 100,000 _ concerns? rwanda is already hosting over 100,000 refugees _ concerns? rwanda is already hosting over 100,000 refugees from - concerns? rwanda is already hosting | over 100,000 refugees from burundi for example. here, there is then motivation of money. it is a sizeable amount for a small country like rwanda. especially, since 200 and —— 2015, the european government have been sending billions to try to increase. regular migration is posted to an displacements. they have not benefited from these funding, so that is somewhat their way of getting a share in that migration by if you want to call it

like that. but i think here it is also likely that rwanda after more than just the money. also likely that rwanda after more thanjust the money. the uk play a big role in africa. kigali is also hoping for some support. i hoping for some support. i understand. i know the rwandan government would say they are helping with the humanitarian situation, but of course there is a lot of money at stake too. thank you very much. let's return to ukraine, where despite warnings from the mayor of kyiv not to head back to the city, increasing numbers are returning — either to visit family or to go back to their homes. for the first time since the start of the war in ukraine, more people have come into the country from poland than have left. increasing numbers have been returning — either to visit relatives or go back to their homes. the latest figures from the polish border service show yesterday 19,200 people left ukraine but 22,000 went the other way. over 650,000 have crossed

from poland since the start of the invasion. danjohnson has been talking to some of those heading home. this is where millions have said goodbye. to their families, their country, and the life they knew. but some are now coming back, and being reunited. "my little boys," volodymyr says, after seven weeks apart. "no, dad," boris tells him, "we're grown up now." because children are already in polish schools, they have no education for a few days because of easter, and we decided to choose this chance to see our family. but it's a return not without trepidation. i'm really afraid. when i talk to the kids and say we are going to visit father, they were also shocked. but we promised them that we will not go into other regions. but others are going further.

this family back together and heading home to kyiv for good. yeah, we will go home. and we don't want to stay in poland for a long time. translation: it was a complicated decision but definitely, _ 100% we want to go home. in lviv, others are on the move, heading east, buying tickets against the tide. tatiana's ready to go home, close to dnipro, after more than a month here. translation: we miss our home very much and we need to do _ some work on the garden. this morning we woke up and thought, shall we go or not? but we really had the tickets. are you brave? i was when i was young. i used to do parachute jumps for sport, but this is completely different. i'm really afraid of what's happened and what could happen next.

and that's the point, these are journeys into the unknown. most aren't looking too far ahead. just being together, having it together, it's the best that we can have. what's it like to see your family again? it's a big value to have family, and to see each other today. sure, i love them. danjohnson, bbc news, on ukraine's border with poland. the death toll in the flooding in the south african province of kwa—zulu natal has risen to a43 — and that total now includes a rescuer. the south african president, cyril ramaphosa, has postponed an official visit to saudi arabia in order to focus on the devastation. more than 13,000 homes have been damaged in the disaster. vumani mkhize reports. a deadly flash flood swept through this informal settlement north of durban in the middle of the night on tuesday. people here ran for their lives as the rising floodwaters engulfed

everything in its path. the mangled remains of debris are what's left. sombre residents look on as a rescue team searches for the missing. a recovery operation is underway here at the informal settlement just north of durban. members here of the rescue team are essentially looking for two people, a youngster aged eight years old and someone who's also aged around 30. and as you can see over here, there are cars and debris that have been strewn all along along the river. and it'sjust an indication of the severity and the violence of the water that was cascading along here. the search and rescue team can't get heavy machinery into the area. they painstakingly use their bare hands. so currently we've got two community members missing in this area. we brought in canines because, as you can see, it's a very big debris pile. a lot of material to move. a lot of heavy logs, vehicles, household items so we can't exploit the whole area.

community members are traumatised by the floods and are finding it difficult to come to terms with what happened. translation: we are in pain. we can't even sleep properly at night. every time i close my eyes, i can just see the rain and water coming. i can't sleep and i can't eat. this woman who lost her house tells me she wants the government to help herfind shelter because she can't live here any more. up on the hill, this man shows me where the informal settlement used to be. the floodwaters swept through this area first, through this area first. and there were people that are also found there as well. right at the top? yeah. wow. there was something like seven people. seven people were found and they were found alive, though, right? yes. the search and rescue operations are continuing throughout the kwazulu—natal province as more

remains are being found. virmani mkhize, bbc news, durban. for nearly two months now the people of ukraine have been dealing with life in a warzone. many have been killed — others have left the country. everyone else tries to make the best of things. in the city of dnipro, a group of local musicians are hoping to lift spirits, as tim allman reports. orchestra plays james bond theme. the people of this city and this country have been both shaken and stirred, so what better to meet the mood than a little james bond? these musicians, some from a local academy, have grouped together to form a street orchestra, bringing a little hope in these troubled times. translation: the idea came up that we need to play for people, | especially nowadays, to bring some positivity to people at a difficult time.

head north to the besieged city of kharkiv and the best place to be is underground. oleksandr and anton put on a puppet show for the children who have to shelter here. a distraction for a moment or two at least from the bombardment this city is having to endure. translation: for me, the exchange of emotion is very important. - we give the children our emotions and they give us theirs and that lifts our spirits. we can't name it, you have to feel it when you see the reaction. and in the capital, kyiv, an easter vigil takes place, another moment of normality in a country where that is now rare. they pray for salvation, they pray for an end to war. tim allman, bbc news.

thanks for watching us here on the bbc. hello there. it has been another glorious day for many places. we have a fine, dry, sunny day for easter sunday. a bit more of a breeze from the southeast, but we are seeing changes taking place out west. this low pressure seems to be pushing in through the day, bringing outbreaks of rain to western scotland, northern ireland. that is travelling across the irish sea into western parts of england and wales and moving across the rest of scotland as we move through this evening and overnight. but it will be a dying feature as it pushes towards the east, barely anything on it by the time it reaches the east coast. behind it, there is clear skies, but also a scattering of showers particularly across the northwest. it will remain quite breezy as well. temperatures falling to lows of around 4—6 celsius. our easter monday, a little bit

of a change to the weather. it will feel cooler for most of us and there will be some showers around, thanks to this area of low pressure which will be sitting to the northwest of the country. quite a few isobars around. it will be very breezy and even windy in the northwest. and it will introduce some cooler air to most of the country as you can see from the blue hue here. a fresher start to easter monday, barely anything on that band of cloud as it pushes its way into the north sea. and then it is sunny spells, variable cloud, one or two showers, most of the showers will be in the northwest of the country where they will be blustery because it will be windy there. a breezy day to come further south. and temperatures a little bit lower. the low teens in the north. we could see something in the mid—teens across the southeast, probably highs around 16 or 17. as we move out of easter monday into tuesday, that area of low pressure pulls away to the north and then we are in between weather systems. it could be quite a chilly start on tuesday. the winds will be lighter, we will see a bit of sunshine around for england and wales. variable cloud. one or two showers developing into the afternoon. it will be slow moving and some of them could be heavy as well.

for scotland, northern ireland here, weather fronts will bring more cloud and outbreaks of rain. temperatures 13—15 celsius. it will feel cooler particularly where you catch the showers. as we move beyond tuesday, high pressure wants to start to build in again across the north of europe and that should deflect this area of low pressure away towards the southwest of the country. i think from wednesday onwards, we will pick up more of an easterly breeze, variable cloud and a bit of sunshine. it will be cooler along the north sea coast. probably the best of the sunshine and warmth the further west that you are.

this is bbc news, the headlines ukrainian soldiers defending mariupol have ignored the russian deadline to lay down their arms in order to save their lives. ukrainian mp oleksiy goncharenko has told the bbc that ukrainian forces in mariupol won't surrender to russia. elsewhere in ukraine, five people are reported to have been killed, and 13 injured, in russian shelling of the city of kharkiv. a series of strikes were heard across the city. pope francis has urged the call of peace to be heard, in what he called, an "easter of war" — as he delivered his "urbi et orbi" address in st peter's square. the archbishop of canterbury — the most senior cleric in the anglican church — has condemed uk government plans to send asylum seekers to rwanda.