welcome to newsday, reporting live from singapore, i'm karishma vaswani. the headlines. with the port city of mariupol still under heavy russian bombardment — ukraine offers to send negotiators into the city. a guarantee of safe passage for ukrainians is the condition for an exchange of russian prisoners of war as the people of mariupol try to flee to safety. also coming up on newsday... in an exclusive broadcast interview with the bbc, the prime minister of new zealand has expressed disappointment after the solomon islands signed a security pact with china. and we begin highlighted should any extending need exists we are there to help and support.

so that does then the question what remains that require such an agreement with china? head to head for the only time before sunday's french presidential election. marine le pen and emmanual macron clash in a tough televised debate. in a virginia courtroom — the actorjohnny depp says he felt driven to drugs and alcohol because of clashes with his then—partner amber heard. live from our studio in singapore, this is bbc news, it's news day. welcome to bbc news, broadcasting to viewers in the uk and around the world. in his latest initiative to save the lives of thousands of people trapped in the ukrainian city of mariupol, president zelensky has offered to exchange russian prisoners of war for a guarantee of safe passage for his fellow citizens.

the city is still under heavy bombardment — as russia intensifies attacks on the wider region of the donbas. it's believed 100 thousand people remain trapped there. the last of the ukrainian resistance can be found at the azovstal steel works — a massive industrial plant — as our correspondent mark lowen reports. in the fog of war, russia's ferocious firepower is unrelenting. mariupol, once a thriving port city, besieged and broken. the last bastion of ukraine's resistance is the azovstal steel plant, perhaps a few thousand soldiers and civilians in its bunkers and tunnels — a patch of land holding out against one of the world's biggest armies. and now a rare voice from inside the nightmare. translation: this is our appeal to the world. - it could be the last of our lives, we are probably

facing ourfinal days, if not hours. the enemy is outnumbering us io—i. but again today they refused russia's latest surrender deadline, and again an attempt at a humanitarian corridor failed. ukraine's president said he's offered moscow an exchange of russian prisoners—of—war for safe passage out of mariupol. translation: we are ready for different formats - of exchanging our people for the russian people, the russian military they left behind. they both left corpses scattered and abandoned wounded people. across the country, in kyiv, it's all quiet on the western front. so, from a volunteer centre, they send supplies to the east — first aid, food and preparations for battle to those repelling the russian assault. among the staff is olena nicolena, whose cousin max is one of the last fighters in the steel plant. the pride of russian

army here... they've gathered spoils of war from an invasion that has not gone moscow's way. this badge says that death is better than dishonour. olena hopes her cousin will return with more fragments of russian losses. do you feel proud of him? yeah, totally. i would never have imagined my cousin to become a true hero of ukraine and hero of mariupol. there is obviously a very bitter sense of pride, in the sense that he is in a life—threatening situation. but i am very proud of him. i dream of the day when he will return and we will be able to meet again and i will be able to tell this to him. if you could give a message to max now, what would you say? max, i know that you are very strong, and your family loves you a lot, and we are waiting for you, and we are sure that you will come back

and you will be our hero, and you will have a great life in the free ukraine after our victory. praying for that end are families across this nation — those like vladimir, whose only child, danilo, is also fighting in the steel plant. here in kyiv, they've fortified their monuments, but vladimir knows he can't protect what's most precious to him. translation: it's very hard there. i they are running out of ammunition but they don't want to surrender, because they can't abandon the civilians they're protecting. i used to prepare him for the army, so maybe it's my fault he joined. i'm pretty sure i'll see him again, but until then, i want to say, danilo, i love you and i'm waiting for you. 500 miles from the front line, the emotional distance

can seem further still. with the agony of helplessness comes the hope and dread of news. mark lowen, bbc news, kyiv. russia says it's conducted a successful test flight of a new intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads. president putin said the weapon — known as sarmat would make those who seek to threaten russia "think twice". the defence ministry said the missile was fired from a site in russia's northwest and reached a target around three and a half thousand miles away in the country's far east. the pentagon said it had been informed of the test beforehand and described it as "routine". our russia editor, steve rosenberg is in mosow and following developments. think this is about the kremlin dropping a not so subtle hint. basically, russia is saying to the west, look at us, guys, we have this very big, very powerful, very destructive new weapon, keep that in mind.

what we know about this weapon? satan to as is known in the west has been in development for some time. so this will not come as a big surprise and in fact the pentagon says that it was warned by moscow about the launch, it considers it routine, not a threat, but the launch now at a time of hostility in ukraine, this sends a clear message to russia's opponents and in fact the kremlin did not hide that fact because after congratulating his military chiefs on the test launch vladimir putin said the missile would provide food for thought for those who in the heat of frenzied aggressive rhetoric try to threaten russia. president putin also said this ballistic missile has no this from a president who sent his troops in to attack ukraine. vladimir putin still trying to create this reality

turning things upside down making out that it's russia that's under threat from ukraine, from britain, from un, from america and he's acting in self—defense. in other stories — authorities in fiji say — they have blocked a super yacht, reportedly owned by a sanctioned russian oligarch, from leaving the island nation's waters. the yacht has been linked to oligarch suleiman kerimov, who is a target of us and european union sanctions over russia's invasion of ukraine. the yacht is thought to be worth $325 million. governing bodies from the world of tennis have condemned the decision to ban all russian and belorussian players from this summer's wimbledon. the kremlin said it was "unacceptable" to make athletes what it called "hostages of political prejudice". the ban will affect the world number two mens player — and the womens world number four. the prime minister of new zealand jacinda ardern has stressed the importance of reinforcing the international world order in the face of russian

aggression, and the use of sanctions as a deterrence. speaking to me in an exclusive broadcast interview on a trip to singapore — she also touched on developments in this region — expressing her disappointment that the solomon islands has cemented a security deal with china, fuelling fears beijing could set up a military base on the island. one of the reasons we've expressed this disappointment at the fact that we have seen now this agreement emerge in support of both the solomons and china has been because through the declaration, declaration that a specific island foreign members we signed up to explicitly sets an expectation we look to provide our own security needs is a region. you can see we have done that.

the both new zealand and australia have heeded the call of the solomons for support during recent disruption. we begin highlighting that should any extended need exist we are there to help and support. so that does then the question what yet remains that require such an agreement with china? would you consider forging closer links, military links with the us the way australia has done? in an attempt to ward off the influence in the region from china? we've been clear that for some time now we have seen a growing assertiveness in our region, growing interest in our region. from china? specifically from china but also greater collaboration from an economic or humanitarian perspective from other nations as well. we have to look to the good that can be gained from greater collaboration in our region. there is in need. we can work together in those areas of mutual interest. has this been a wake—up call for you when it comes to beijing? i don't consider it a wake—up call at all. for some time we have been pointing to the fact

that we are in a highly contested region. the world is changing around us and our region is a manifestation of that. and for some time we've also been calling on the united states, the eu and others to ensure that they look to our region is in the area where as i say, we build those economic relationships as much as we bill those other relationships. on our specific relationship with china we have a fiercely independent foreign policy and i'm proud of the position china is a very important trading partner for us but it's also a mature relationship for us. we have always been consistent. there are areas that we can work together we will. but they will always be areas where we will not necessarily agree. and where those areas arise we are better to get very forthright and clear in opposition. the war in ukraine, new zealand has sent military and financial aid and more sanctions are now on russia.

the international community continues to invest energy and efforts into economic sanctions that continue to force and put pressure on dialogue. some may question why is it that new zealand at the bottom of the world has taken such an interest in invested so heavily and ensuring we are responding alongside others to the invasion of ukraine? the answer for us is simple, when you are a small nation as we are, you rely on the international world order. you rely on that being upheld, you rely on multi—lateral institutions enforcing and reinforcing that international order. when you see that threatened, undermined and destroyed by the actions of another, that threatens everyone, including new zealand. are we facing a world where it is being split into two sides, as you describe, one that follows the multilateral international

order and another that could be defined as autocrisies? and it's a choice between democracy and hypocrisies that our countries not need to take. let's not be quick to create a binary situation between two differing schisms in the world and instead actually focus in on the perpetrator of this violence, the perpetrator of the removal of another nations territorial integrity. that is at the hands of russia. we would exercise caution on being too quick to be alongside that to listen to a war of ideology. it is russia perpetrated this, it is russia that must be spoken firmly against. let's do everything we can diplomatically to ensure that doesn't grow beyond russia. you're watching newsday on the bbc. still to come on the programme... what prince harry told a us tv network about the relationship

he has with his grand—mother. the stars and stripes at half mast outside columbine high — the school sealed off, the bodies of the dead still inside. i never thought that they would actually go through with it. one of the most successful- singer—songwriters of all time, the american pop star prince, has died at the age of 57. - ijust couldn't believe it, i didn't believe it. we just. he was just here saturday. for millions of americans, the death of richard nixon in a new york hospital has meant conflicting emotions, a national day of mourning next wednesday sitting somehow uneasily with the abiding memories of the shame of watergate. and lift off of the space

shuttle discovery with the hubble space telescope, our window on the universe. this is newsday on the bbc. i'm karishma vaswani in singapore, our headlines. ukrainian officials have offered to travel to mariupol for talks on the evacuation of civilians and military personnel. the prime minister of new zealand has expressed disappointment after the solomon islands signed a security pact with china. the french president, emmanuel macron and his far—right opponent, marine le pen, have clashed over issues including russia and the cost of living in their only television debate ahead of sunday's election. mr macron accused mrs le pen of being "dependent" on the kremlin, while she said her policies would put more money back in the pockets of french workers.

polls suggest mr macron is on course to win this weekend's run off with 55% of the vote. from paris, lucy williamson reports. after weeks of sparring from a distance, tonight it's hand—to—hand combat. the first time in this election that emmanuel macron and marine le pen have fought face—to—face. bonsoir, marine le pen. bonsoir. with just two campaigning days left, and a quarter of voters saying the debate will shape their decision, they've been waiting for this. first up, the big one. rising prices and spending power is le pen's favourite subject. her slogan tonight, give the people their money back. mr macron lectures her on why her economic plans won't work. and then goes for the jugular. her relationship with russia.

you're dependent on vladimir putin, he says. when you speak to russia, you speak to your banker. but what do voters make of it? across the country in reims this evening, voters from all sides, many still undecided, were watching the drama unfold. we see a very different debate from 2017. it appears that marine le pen is much more well—prepa red than 2017. she is very calm. she decided to not attack frontally the president, emmanuel macron, and from my point of view, emmanuel macron seems a bit unstable. translation: so far, - it's a very balanced debate. i'm biased, but the arguments are good, and they may change my mind. she is much better than lastl time, but she's still too weak in comparison with macron. he is far stronger on every subject. j marine le pen�*sjob tonight

was to show that she was prepared for power. mr macron�*s task was to show that she was not without looking too arrogant and superior himself. around ten points separate them in the polls tonight. four days separates one of them from power. lucy williamson, bbc news, paris. the uk government is calling for a vote on a parliamentary investigation into whether borisjohnson misled parliament over lockdown parties to be delayed until the police inquiry has concluded. mps were set to vote later on thursday the prime minister will miss the vote as he will be on a two—day official trade visit to india. in other stories for you today — officials in the us state of new mexico have fined a film production company more than $130 thousand following the fatal shooting

of a cinematographer. halyna hutchins died after a prop gun held by the actor alec baldwin went—off during rehersals last october. safety regulators in new mexico found the production company "knew that firearms safety procedures were not being followed." our correspondent sophie long has the latest from los angeles. well, we haven't yet heard from the production company itself and that really was the organisation that was held responsible for halyna hutchins's death. her tragic death really rocked hollywood and left many people demanding to know how a young mother in one of the industries rising stars was shot dead on a movie set. the report today revealed that not only did the production company know that national safety standards regarding gun control on film sets were not being followed, they knew about that and they failed to do anything about it. so a damning report, a scathing report today and that is why the safety officers decided to find

the production company the maximum possible penalty under new mexico law which is of course with this tragedy happy. ——happened alec baldwin had been rehearsing a scene on a church just outside santa fe new mexico when the gun was discharged. he said that the gun was cold, meaning that it shouldn't discharge blank bullets or otherwise of course the gun did discharge and it killed halyna hutchins and also injured the director who is on the set at the same time. in virginia — the actor johnny depp has told a court that he felt driven to turn to drugs and alcohol because of constant clashes with his then partner, the actress amber heard. mr depp is suing her for defamation after an article in which she called herself a victim of domestic violence. he denies any abuse. he said in court that ms heard had a need for conflict. our correspondent david sillito has been following the case.

all right. are we ready for the jury? johnny depp, back on the witness stand for questions about a relationship that he says was controlling and belittling. as he settled down, there was only the briefest glance across the court towards where his ex—wife, amber heard, was watching. i was sort of not allowed to be right. not allowed to have a voice. so, at a certain point, what enters your mind is... you start to slowly realise that you are in a relationship with your mother. day one was all about the big picture. his childhood, his lifestyle, his personality, his drug use. day two is focused rather more on the specific allegations. good morning, mr depp. he was asked if he had struck amber heard in an argument over a tattoo. no, he said.

at one point acting out at what he said have during an argument.— he said have during an argument. he said have during an aruument. ,, , ., . argument. she squared off at me in the doorway — argument. she squared off at me in the doorway of— argument. she squared off at me in the doorway of our— argument. she squared off at me in the doorway of our bedroom i in the doorway of our bedroom and i_ in the doorway of our bedroom and i said. _ in the doorway of our bedroom and i said, what are you gonna do, and i said, what are you gonna do. hit — and i said, what are you gonna do. hit me _ and i said, what are you gonna do, hit me again, would you like — do, hit me again, would you like to— do, hit me again, would you like to him again? and i said, io like to him again? and i said, goahead _ like to him again? and i said, go ahead. it may. bam. the court — go ahead. it may. bam. the court was _ go ahead. it may. bam. the court was shown photographs one of the _ court was shown photographs one of the severed fingers and a bottle — of the severed fingers and a bottle she said she had thrown at him — bottle she said she had thrown at him. . ., ., , at him. the court was then -la ed at him. the court was then played a — at him. the court was then played a recording. - at him. the court was then played a recording. one i at him. the court was then played a recording. one of| at him. the court was then - played a recording. one of the conversations.— conversations. you can get punch, conversations. you can get punch. you _ conversations. you can get punch, you would - conversations. you can get punch, you would get - conversations. you can get punch, you would get hit. l conversations. you can getj punch, you would get hit. i hate like this. i did not punch you, i do not check you. i was hitting you. i don't know what the commotion of my actual hand was. you're fine. i do not hurt you, i did not punch you. you

are fine what my supposed to do this? i'm not sitting here pitching about it, you are. that's the difference between me and you. that's the difference between me and you— that's the difference between meand ou. .,�* ., , me and you. you're a baby. this was he said _ me and you. you're a baby. this was he said to _ me and you. you're a baby. this was he said to pegolo. - me and you. you're a baby. this was he said to pegolo. him - was he said to pegolo. him retreating, trying to reduce or escape of relationship he said it become demeaning, aggressive, violent. throughout it all his ex—wife watched. we will hear amber herds version of the events in the days to come. david sillitoe, bbc news, fairfax, virginia. israeli aircraft have reportedly struck gaza with multiple strikes, in response to a rocket the israel defence forces say was fired from the territory by palestinian militants. police said a fragment from the rocket had landed near a house in the southern israeli city of sderot, but there had been no injuries. there have been days of clashes between israeli police and palestinian protesters in and around the al aqsa mosque compound injerusalem — with many palestinians injured or detained.

on wednesday israeli police blocked far right nationalists from marching in the city's muslim quarter. a study has shown that insect populations have fallen by about half in some parts of the world, because of climate change and intensive agriculture. researchers at university college london said the combined pressure of global heating and farming was driving a "substantial decline" in the number of insects across the globe. prince harry has said — he's trying to ensure queen elizabeth is protected and has the right people around her. speaking to the american tv network, nbc, the duke of sussex said — he and meghan had a "great" time with the queen, when they went to see her at windsor castle last week. it was just so nice to see her. you know, she's on great form. she has always got a great sense of humour with me. and i'm just making sure that she is protected and got the right people around her. you make her laugh — did you do it again? yes, idid. both meghan and i had tea

with her so it was really nice to catch up with her and, you know, home for me now, for the time being, is in the states. and it feels that way, as well. does it? yeah, we've been welcomed with open arms and it's got such a great community up in santa barbara, so... so you feel like that's home more for you? yeah. queen elizabeth's 96th birthday is being marked with the release of a photograph showing her passion for horses. the queen is pictured standing with two of her fell ponies, as the build—up begins for the royal windsor horse show, which commissioned the image. she has travelled from windsor to her sandringham estate to stay at a property loved by her late husband, the duke of edinburgh, for her birthday. we wish her a very happy birthday from all of us here at the bbc.

that's all for now — stay with bbc world news. hello. for most of us wednesday was a fine day, lots of spring sunshine around. temperatures widely 16 to 18 celsius and the warmest poppers southhampt ends where temperatures were to 20 foot up you can see the extent of the sunshine from the satellite picture from wednesday but look at this area of low cloud, that really limited to temperatures through wednesday afternoon across the east side of scotland. not only was a cloudy and misty it was chilly with temperature is just around seven degrees. we still have that pretty big area of low cloud, mist and now fog affecting eastern areas of scotland for the clout picking up for an occasional spit of drizzle and at times could affect the coast of northeastern that is well.

otherwise these are the kind of temperatures that we had to start the day on thursday. for the next day or so were going to see high pressure dominating our weather picture. the high pressures north of the uk, the winds around the high—pressure coming in from an easterly direction and will tend to strengthen over the next couple of days. as those winds blow across the cool north sea so temperatures will start to ease a little bit of the next couple days. nevertheless, thursday morning getting off to a sparkling, sunny start. for most could be in odd patch of cloud or mist across northeast scotland, slow to clear and maybe one or two more coming onto the coastline into the afternoon. where that happens temperatures just about seven celsius but otherwise, it's another pretty warm day for the time year. again, we are looking at some pretty high levels of pollen for those of you that suffer from hay fever, that is something to bear in mind. there will be for the changes in the weather picture on friday, subtle changes the winds will be blowing a bit more strongly. that will knock the temperatures down. also there's going to be more cloud across the south of the uk for the potentially thick enough to bring a few

patches of rain although not amounting to much at all. temperatures 1a or 15 degrees in the best of the sunshine across the northwest, maybe 16 in liverpool. some of the north sea coast 12 degrees would be close to what we will see. for this weekend, we've still got those easterly winds blowing, low pressure to ourselves. —— south for the most part a lot of the beginners could be dried with sunny spells but i wouldn't be surprised if we saw some thicker cloud at times moving into the south or the east of the uk to bring a few patches of rain. if we do see that probably not amounting to too much.

welcome to hardtalk, i'm stephen sackur. iran's rocky relations with the west have cost a host of individuals their freedom. the islamic republic has imprisoned citizens from the us, britain and a number of other countries for spying. now, the charges may be trumped up, but tehran�*s determination to use western prisoners for political purposes is very real.

my guest is the australian academic, kylie moore—gilbert,