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. we have again highlighted that should any extended need exist, we are there to help and

support, so again the question, what gap remains should they need that with china. head to head for the only time before sunday's french presidential election, marine le pen and emmanuel macron clash in a tough televised debate. and, 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, _ live from our studio in singapore, this - live from our studio in singapore, this is - live from our studio in singapore, this is bbc| live from our studio in- singapore, this is bbc news, it's newsdax _ 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 zelenskyy 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 100,000 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. explosion 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 10—1. 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 0lena nicolena, whose cousin max is one of the last fighters in the steel plant.

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 10—1. 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. 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 basllistic missile capable of carrying nuclear war—heads. 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 north—west and reached a target around 3,500 miles away in the country's far east. the pentagon said it had been informed of the test beforehand and described it as routine. 0ur russia editor steve rosenberg is in moscow and following developments. think of this is a not so subtle hint from the kremlin.

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 do we know about this weapon? the sarmat missile or satan ii as it is known in the west, has been in development for some time, so no big surprise for the west. the pentagon said it was notified ahead of the launch, didn't see it as a threat, but the fact remains this launch took place at a time when hostilities are going on in ukraine. that sends a clear message i think to rush your�*s opponents and vladimir putin made that clear today. he said that this missile would provide food for thought for those who in the heat of frenzied aggressive rhetoric try to threaten russia. threaten russia. this from a president who sent his troops into ukraine, who is attacking ukraine. vladimir putin still trying to create this alternative reality, turning everything upside down, making

out that it is russia that is under threat from ukraine, from nato, from britain, from america, and making out that he is acting in self defence. steve rosenberg reporting. 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 in jerusalem. 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 solomons explicitly, 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 lend 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? joining aukus, for instance? 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? explicitly 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 need. we can work together on those areas of natural 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 as an 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 new zealand takes. yes, china is a very important trading partner for us but it's also a mature relationship for us. we have always been consistent. where thereare areas that we can work together, we will. but there will always be areas where we will not necessarily agree. and where those areas arise, we are very 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. is there a diplomatic way out of this conflict? i think 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 and invested so heavily in ensuring that 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. so when you see that threatened, undermined and destroyed by the actions of another, that threatens everyone, including new zealand. so 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 autocracies?

and it's a choice between democracy and autocracy that our countries now 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 nation's territorial integrity. and that is at the hands of russia. i think we would exercise caution on being too quick to then alongside that to listen to a war of ideology. it is russia who has 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: prince harry says he wants to make sure the queen is protected, and surrounded

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. choir sings. 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, didn't believe it, he wasjust here on saturday. for millions of americans, j the death of richard nixon in a new york hospital has i meant conflicting emotions. a national day of mourning next wednesday sitting somehow- uneasily with the abiding i memories of the shame of watergate. and lift—off of the space shuttle discovery, with the huddle space telescope, our window on the universe.

this is newsday on the bbc. i'm karishma vaswani in singapore. 0ur headlines: ukrainian officials have offered to travel to mariupol for talks on the evacuation of civilians and military personnel. 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. a network of civilian militias in miramar on the way to try and restore democracy. it started in february last year, a massive military movement against the coup but has turned into an armed uprising. in central mid—march fighting unit, part of the unit trying to bring them down.

this is an all—female unit. wade shooting and killing people, we realised we needed to take up arms against them. this woman used to run a village store. now she is one of the group's leaders. joining the struggle meant to saying goodbye to her young boys. translation: i goodbye to her young boys. translation:— goodbye to her young boys. translation: i said to my two sons, sounds, _ translation: i said to my two sons, sounds, i'm _ translation: i said to my two sons, sounds, i'm going - translation: i said to my two sons, sounds, i'm going to - translation: i said to my two sons, sounds, i'm going to join| sons, sounds, i'm going tojoin the revolution. after that i can see you again. if i don't come back, don't feel sorry for me. be proud that your mother is a brave and noble woman who

made a choice that no other code. , , ., . , made a choice that no other code. , code. the resistance is largely funded by _ code. the resistance is largely funded by donations, - code. the resistance is largely funded by donations, so - funded by donations, so resources are tight. the women make bombs with whatever they can buy. these to destroy military infrastructure. —— they use them to destroy military infrastructure. general min aung hlaing has vowed to annihilate the resistance. the military is carrying out brutal raids on villages. they rely on local informers to tip them off about where the resistance is, and now she has been told that one is living nearby. she prepares a team to raid their house. they say they've already sent a number of warning letters. be careful, and don't do anything

without an order, she tells them. they find the house empty, and destroy what's been left behind. it has now been six months since she has seen her sons. six months since she has seen hersons. 0n six months since she has seen her sons. 0n the phone, she tells them to wear warm clothes, as it's getting colder, and she asks her sons to be patient and wait for her. at the camp's shrine, she prays for her boys. at the camp's shrine, she prays for her bow-— at the camp's shrine, she prays for her beve— for her boys. everybody is scared about _ for her boys. everybody is scared about dying. - for her boys. everybody is scared about dying. no i for her boys. everybody is. scared about dying. no one wants to live apart from their family. but in myanmar, we cannot remain scared. she also ra s for cannot remain scared. she also prays for the — cannot remain scared. she also prays for the revolution - cannot remain scared. she also prays for the revolution to - cannot remain scared. she also prays for the revolution to be i prays for the revolution to be over, but this is likely to be a long fight. you can watch the full documentary, myanmar, inside the resistance, this

weekend on bbc world news and the bbc news channel. 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. 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 prepared than in 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 last time, but she's still too weak in comparison with macron. he is far stronger on every subject. 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 10 points separate them in the polls tonight. four days separates one of them from power. lucy williamson, bbc news, paris. in the uk, borisjohnson�*s government is calling for a vote on a parliamentary investigation into whether the prime minister misled parliament over lockdown parties to be delayed until the police inquiry has concluded. mps were set to vote later on thursday on an opposition plan for a house of commons committee to investigate the prime minister's past comments about downing street gatherings.

mrjohnson 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 $130,000, 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 0ctober. safety regulators in new mexico found the production company knew that firearms safety procedures were not being followed. 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 herfor 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. 0ur 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.

if he was asked if he had ever assaulted ms heard. no, he said. never. instead, he said, he would retreat from her. she squared off at me in the doorway of our bedroom, and i said, what do you want to do, hit me again, would you like to hit me again, would you like to hit me again, would you like to hit me again? and i said, go ahead, hit me. bang. the court was shown _ ahead, hit me. bang. the court was shown photographs, - ahead, hit me. bang. the court was shown photographs, one . ahead, hit me. bang. the court. was shown photographs, one from an an image of a severed finger, the court was then played a recording. i

finger, the court was then played a recording.- finger, the court was then played a recording. i did not -unch, played a recording. i did not punch. hit — played a recording. i did not punch. hit you _ played a recording. i did not punch, hit you like - played a recording. i did not punch, hit you like this, - played a recording. i did not punch, hit you like this, i i played a recording. i did not| punch, hit you like this, i did not _ punch, hit you like this, i did not take _ punch, hit you like this, i did not take you, i don't know what the mission of my actual hand was: — the mission of my actual hand was, you _ the mission of my actual hand was, you are fine, i did not hurt— was, you are fine, i did not hurt you. _ was, you are fine, i did not hurt you. i_ was, you are fine, i did not hurt you, i did not punch you, i was — hurt you, i did not punch you, i was hitting you. what am i supposed to do, do this? i am not sitting _ supposed to do, do this? i am not sitting here pitching about it, not sitting here pitching about it. it's — not sitting here pitching about it. it's the _ not sitting here pitching about it, it's the difference between you and — it, it's the difference between you and me, you are a baby. this— you and me, you are a baby. this was, _ you and me, you are a baby. this was, he says, typical, him retreating, trying to escape from a relationship that he said had become demeaning, aggressive, violent. throughout it all, his ex—wife watched. we will hear amber heard's version of events in the days to come. david sillitoe, bbc news, fairfax virginia. insect populations have fallen by about half in some parts of the world because of climate change and intensive agriculture. researchers at university couege 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. that is it, for newsday, thank you forjoining us. stay with bbc news for the latest. hello. for most of us, wednesday was a fine day, lots of spring sunshine around. temperatures widely 16 to 18 celsius. and 16 to 18 celsius. the warmest spot was southampton and the warmest spot was southampton where we had temperatures up to 20. 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 the temperatures through wednesday afternoon across the east side of scotland. not only was it cloudy and misty, it was chilly as well, with temperatures just around seven degrees. we still have that pretty big area of low cloud, mist and now fog affecting

eastern areas of scotland the cloud picking up for an occasional spit of drizzle and at times could affect the coast of north—eastern that is well. 0therwise, these are the kind of temperatures that we had to start the day on thursday. for the next day or so, we're 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, there could be an 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 further 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, potentially thick enough to bring 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 our south. for the most part, a lot of the weekend could be dry 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, the rain probably not amounting to too much.

this is bbc news. we will have the headlines and all the main news stories after this programme at the top of the hour. it's not fair, the boys never have to come home and help. i wonder if i had an arranged marriage, would i get someone who'd let me play football whenever i wanted? who are you talking to? move on up by curtis mayfield plays. bend it like beckham was a huge success and it made history as the highest grossing film about football. # hush now, child. my mum probably hates the film because we've watched it that many times. there are so many elements of it that are still true today. -