welcome to newsday. reporting live from singapore, i'm mariko oi. the headlines... president biden announces another $800 million of military help for ukraine. now, now we have to accelerate that assistance package to help we're ina we're in a critical window where they set the next phase of this war. as president putin claims to have taken control of mariupol, we report on how some civilians have managed to leave the besieged city. also on the programme, borisjohnson will become the first uk prime minister to be investigated for claims that he deliberately misled parliament. bonjour! we're on the chaotic campaign trail of marine le pen,

who's hoping to become president of france on sunday. it's always like this on campaign trail le pen. there's protectors, press and protesters wherever you look. live from our studio in singapore... this is bbc news. it's newsday. welcome to bbc news, broadcasting to viewers in the uk and around the world. president biden has announced $800 million of extra military aid for ukraine, saying, "we will never let russia win this conflict." he added, "we're in a critical window of time," with moscow launching a new offensive in the east of the country. earlier, president putin declared victory for russia in the besieged city of mariupol in south—eastern

ukraine and ordered his forces to blockade — rather than attack — the last pocket of ukrainian resistance. the russians say there are 2000 people inside a massive steel plant with underground tunnels. ukraine says half of them are civilians. mariupol has been under attack since the russians invaded in late february, with just a small area remaining under ukrainian control. some civilians have been able to leave, but thousands have been left behind. 0ur correspondent catherine byaru hanga reports. after a 24—hourjourney, they finally reached safety. from mariupol, one of the worst hit cities in this war. only 80 people escaped in this convoy. iryna is gently helped off the bus by her daughter, tatiana. translation: | couldn'ti leave at first because my mum can barely walk.

there is no way i would have left her behind. there was constant shelling. even as we were leaving the city, there was firing. and what of the people they have left behind? 100,000 civilians are believed to be trapped. there are food shortages, no running water or electricity. translation: it was a miracle that we found a radio wave - where we heard about the evacuation. that helped us to get out. there are pro—russian separatist vehicles that pull over, but they are not saying anything about evacuations. i think many people could have got out if they knew there was an evacuation planned. after days of negotiations, only a few dozen people have made it out of mariupol, a drop in the ocean in terms of the numbers of those needing help. and this is what they're fleeing — a full—scale russian assault to capture the donbas region in the east.

mariupol, devastated by bombardments. hundreds of civilians are believed to be trapped, alongside the last ukrainian forces at the azovstal steelworks. its bunkers and tunnels stretch for miles. tapping his feet as he listened to his defence minister hail what he called the liberation of the city, president putin ordered a halt to the attack on the industrial plant. translation: i consider the proposed storming i of the industrial zone unnecessary. i order you to cancel it. this is a case where we must think about preserving the lives and health of our soldiers and officers. there is no need to climb into these catacombs and crawl underground through these industrial facilities. block off this industrial area so that a fly cannot pass through. for those who have escaped severe fighting and a humanitarian crisis, perhaps an opportunity

to rebuild their lives. but the fear is more ukrainians will face a similar fate as this war spreads to more villages and cities. catherine byaruhanga, bbc news, zaporizhzhia. one of those still defending the steel factory in mariupol is sviatoslav palamar, the deputy commander of the azov regiment. the azov are a far—right volunteer military unit whose members are ultra—nationalists and have been accused of harbouring neo—nazi sympathies. but they've been incorporated in the ukrainian national guard. mr palamar has been appealling to the international community to rescue them. he has been speaking to the bbc�*s ukrainian service and urged the west not to believe �*russian lies'.

what is going on where you are now? translation: we are at the azov steel rolling plan _ we are at the azov steel rolling plan in — we are at the azov steel rolling plan. in the last couple days and nights, _ plan. in the last couple days and nights, russians made attempts to take her_ nights, russians made attempts to take her positions. the attacks were swported _ take her positions. the attacks were supported by artillery, dropped on us. supported by artillery, dropped on us we _ supported by artillery, dropped on us we are — supported by artillery, dropped on us. we are on the constant air from bombing _ us. we are on the constant air from bombing of— us. we are on the constant air from bombing of fire when multiple record launcbers— bombing of fire when multiple record launchers and gun artillery. there were _ launchers and gun artillery. there were attempts breaking the columns of armoured vehicles. infantry fighting — of armoured vehicles. infantry fighting vehicles and lots of infantry. all of that with the sunport _ infantry. all of that with the support of tanks. they all fail. translation: can you please clarify, you mean that there are people alive with you that there are people alive with you that are trapped and have no way out to? what exactly is happening? translation: of course. there are civilians, but

they— of course. there are civilians, but they are _ of course. there are civilians, but they are staying in separate locations. we don't want to endanger them _ locations. we don't want to endanger them because if civilians are living together— them because if civilians are living together with the military, then the russian _ together with the military, then the russian propaganda will use it to cover— russian propaganda will use it to cover the — russian propaganda will use it to cover the civilian casualties while saving _ cover the civilian casualties while saying that they were firing at armed — saying that they were firing at armed fighters, not civilians. that's— armed fighters, not civilians. that's why we stayed away from civilians — that's why we stayed away from civilians. they live separately in groups — civilians. they live separately in u-rous. ~ groups. translation: the russian _ groups. translation: the russian defence i groups. translation: - the russian defence ministry groups. translation: _ the russian defence ministry said they have already taken of control of variable. is this true? —— mariupol. of variable. is this true? -- mariunol-— mariupol. translation: i alwa s mariupol. translation: i always say _ mariupol. translation: i always say that - mariupol. translation: i always say that while i mariupol. translation: i i always say that while we're mariupol. translation: - i always say that while we're here, mariupol— i always say that while we're here, mariupol remains under control of ukraine _ mariupol remains under control of ukraine. mariupol was and will stay ukrainian, — ukraine. mariupol was and will stay ukrainian, no matter what they say. the fighting — ukrainian, no matter what they say. the fighting continues. we are still in mariupol. i think it's pointless to comment on the words of russian fascists _ to comment on the words of russian fascists. everything they said is a lie. the united states is sending more military assistance to ukraine, including howitzer artillery pieces and phoenix ghosts drones

developed specifically for the ukraine conflict. president biden said the nature of the warfare on ukraine's eastern front meant different equipment was required. today, i'm announcing another $800 million to further augment ukraine's ability to fight in the east and the donbas region. this package includes heavy artillery weapons, dozens of howitzers and 144,000 rounds of ammunition to go with those howitzers. it also includes more tactical drones. in the past two months, we've moved weapons and equipment to ukraine at record speed. we sent thousands of anti—armour and antimissile helicopters, drones, grenade launchers, machine guns, rifles, radarsystems. more than 15 million rounds of ammunition have already been sent. the united states alone has provided ten anti—armour systems for every one russian tank that's in ukraine, a ten—to—one ratio. we're sharing and will continue

to share significant timely intelligence with ukraine to help defend them against russian aggression. i'm joined now by our washington correspondent, nomia iqbal. firstly, talk us through the special military equipment president biden was talking about, but also how the us is offering an unprecedented amount of financial aid ukraine. this is a huge amount of money that america's continuing to supply to ukraine. president biden said in that press conference today that he wants to keep the weapons and the ammunition flowing into the country. he paid tribute to ukrainian soldiers, to civilians, and didn't mince his words with president putin. he said he will not take over ukraine. in terms of the package, it's similar to the money announced last week for assistance. these are

weapons needed to fight this particular war that's going on on the eastern front. different weapons needed because the terrain is flat or there. needed because the terrain is flat orthere. if needed because the terrain is flat or there. if we look at how much money in total america spent since the war began, its just gone over $3 billion. in terms of how much money has been spent in helping ukraine since biden came into office, it's about $4 billion. it's worth pointing out that president biden, there's only so far he can go in terms of authorising this money. he is reaching a point where he will exhaust this drawdown authority, that he as president gets, where congress allows him to spend as much money. if he wants more, which he said he does, more weapons and ammunition to keep flowing in, he will need to get approval from congress, which he will ask for next

week. the republicans, the opposition, want to be way more aggressive with russia. we can expect the pressure on biden to do more to ramp up significantly moving forward. ., ~ more to ramp up significantly moving forward. ., ,, , ., more to ramp up significantly moving forward. ., ,, i. more to ramp up significantly moving forward. ., ~' ,, . more to ramp up significantly moving forward. ., ,, . ., ., forward. thank you so much for that u date forward. thank you so much for that update from — forward. thank you so much for that update from washington. _ borisjohnson is to become the first british prime minister to be investigated for claims that he deliberately misled parliament. it's the latest stage in the controversy about lockdown gatherings held in downing street. the committee of privileges will investigate, and has the power to recommend sanctions if the allegations are upheld. mrjohnson is currently on a trade visit to india. 0ur political correspondent, ben wright, is travelling with him. a chance to change their tune. borisjohnson landed in the indian state in the indian state of gujarat brimming with talk of trade, investment and deals. looking out at the cheering crowds, the prime minister crowds, the prime minister might have

briefly forgotten the scandal he's bogged down in back home. bogged down in back home — lockdown—breaking parties and whether he has told the truth. let me just say, i'm very keen for every possible form of scrutiny, and if the house of commons can do whatever i think it wants to do... visiting a jcb factory, there was little sign borisjohnson was again digging himself into trouble with opposition parties pushing for an inquiry into whether the prime minister misled parliament, mrjohnson had told his mps to vote for a delay until the police had completed their investigations. but back in westminster, the prime minister's opponents were putting his previous words of promises in the spotlight. this is about honesty, integrity and telling the truth in this place. it is a principle we all share, but it is a principle under attack because the prime minister has been

accused of repeatedly, deliberately and routinely misleading this house. usually, there are things mps are not allowed to say in the commons chamber. that the prime minister of the united kingdom is allowed... of the united kingdom is a liar. but today, that word was allowed to pass. ithe fact he thought he could getl away with such absurd claims says clearly that this prime i minister takes the british people for granted. knowingly misleading parliament is a very serious matter, and today, borisjohnson insisted he hadn't. the pm does have a lot of support on his side... i support him because he was anointed by the people in 2019 to deliver a great mission, to unite and level up the country, and because he can make the big calls that are needed at this time. ...but it was clear

and for some, their patients snapped. and for some, their patience snapped. the prime minister now should be long gone and, deputy speaker, i certainly hope for this motion, but the prime minister should know the gig's up. by the time borisjohnson visited this temple number ten had backed down and ditched its plan. you seem to have completely misjudged the mood of your own party. i don't think it's sensible to have endless investigation and analysis now before the met have concluded their report. look, my view is, if the opposition really want to focus on this, that's all they want to talk about, that's fine, but what i want to talk about is the stuff we're doing to take forward the uk. talking about the most serious issues, whether a prime minister has lied to the house of commons, and you seem to be making up your approach to this question on an ad hoc, hour—by—hour basis, and that's proven by the chaos

around this vote. don't voters expect a bit more? i'm sorry, what voters, i think, will want to see is the conclusion of the investigation, and then i think the house of commons can decide what to do. steve baker, fellow brexiteer like you, senior tory, has said this afternoon you should resign. you're losing credibility in your parliamentary party. my point is... we had two hours on this i think on tuesday, quite a lot on wednesday. i don't think there's much more i can say on it. tomorrow, borisjohnson will hold talks with india's prime minister on ukraine, but he will return to face a commons investigation into claims he misled parliament into a party saga that over the party saga that saga that won't go away. ben wright, bbc news, delhi. you're watching newsday on the bbc. still to come on the programme — we will talk about the challenges ahead of manchester united's new manager.

nothing, it seemed, was too big to withstand the force of the tornado. the extent of the devastation will lead to renewed calls for government help to build better housing. internationally, there have already been protests. sweden says it received no warning of the accident. indeed, the russians at first denied anything had gone wrong. only when radioactivity levels began to increase outside russia where they forced to admit the accident. for the mujahideen, the mood here is of great celebration. this is the end of a 12—year war for them. they've taken the capital, which they've been fighting for for so long. i it was seven o'clock in the morning. on the day when power began to pass from the minority to the majority, when africa, after 300 years, -

reclaimed its last white colony. this is newsday on the bbc. i'm mariko 0i in singapore. 0ur headlines... presidentjoe biden announces an additional $800 million security assistance package for ukraine. as president putin claims to have taken control of mariupol, some civilians have managed to leave the besieged city. in france, it's the final stage of campaigning in the race for the presidency, which will be settled on sunday, when millions of voters will choose between the incumbent emmanuel macron and his rival, marine le pen. the two candidates faced each other last night in a nationwide televised debate, after which many french voters are still said to be undecided.

0ur europe editor, katya adler, has been taking the temperature with just three days to go. has been taking the temperature bonjour! has been taking the temperature could this be france's next president? marine le pen, patriotic woman of the people, visiting france's forgotten villages. 0r far—right nationalist hiding behind a carefully reinvented, softer image? "how radical are you?" i asked. translation: i'm not radical, sorry. i'm running for president to establish a government of the people for the people. giving back power to the people. but these people and plenty of others in france remain unconvinced. so close to the elections, emotions are running high. it's always like this

on campaign trail le pen. there's protectors, press and protesters wherever you look. marine le pen remains the outsider in this election, but her popularity has grown. she's focused on voters' number one concern — the spiralling cost of food and fuel here. translation: marine le pen goes to markets to meet - working people like us. she's down to earth. we've always liked her. translation: marine le pen, even if she tries to distance i herself from the extreme right, that's her background, - that's her party. i'm voting macron. to keep le pen out. in fact, both presidential candidates have a reputation problem. eu—obsessed and elitist is how emmanuel macron's critics describe him. so, at this campaign event in marseille, he ditched the designerjacket and appealed

across party lines to vote for him on sunday. translation: april24th is a referendum for or - against the environment, for or against young people. this election can be the start of a new french and european era, of great hopes and ambitious. of great hopes and ambition. brussels and washington are watching all this extremely carefully, especially with the raging russia—ukraine crisis. france has the eu's biggest military and second largest economy. macron wants to use that to boost eu, nato and transatlantic relations. le pen is euro— and us—sceptic with traditionally close ties to moscow. who becomes france's next president is as important abroad as it is at home for a number of reasons. marine le pen's programme would directly lead to a total collapse of the french economy,

which would hurt the other european countries. also very important economic partner, which is the uk. marine le pen defends her economic plans. but france's next president — she or he — won't be able to claim the heart of all french people. this is a divided country. katya adler, bbc news, paris. let's take a look at some other stories in the headlines. huan 0rlando hernandez, the former president of honduras has been extradited to the united states to face weapons and drug trafficking charges. he was arrested in february shortly after ending his second term in charge of the country. us prosecutors have previously accused him of funding his political rise with profits from drug traffickers. in afghanistan, there's been more violence against the hazara community.

afghan officials say at least 31 people have been killed in a powerful explosion at a mosque in the northern city of mazar—e—sharif. dozens of others were injured. the arab league has called on israel to end jewish prayers inside the al—aqsa mosque compound in occupied eastjerusalem, saying it could trigger wider conflict. in recent days, security forces in israel have used stun grenades, with some palestinians throwing stones and firecrackers by the mosque. after a meeting injordan, the arab league said israel had restricted muslims in their right of worship while allowing ultra—nationalist jews to enter the site. israel says it's enforcing a long—standing ban onjewish prayer at the compound. (manchester united fans all over have been reacting manchester united fans all over have been reacting to the appointment of erik ten

hag as manager. the man who's currently in charge of the dutch champions ajax will take overfrom interim boss ralf rangnick at the end of this season. ten hag becomes united's fifth boss since sir alex ferguson and fans are hoping he will be the one to reverse the decline at old trafford. for more on this, i'm joined now by natalie burrell, superfan and host of the only one united podcast. thank you so much forjoining us on newsday. are you happy with this appointment? is he the right person for thejob? {iii appointment? is he the right person for the “ob? .., , �* appointment? is he the right person forthe “ob? , �* ., , _ for the “ob? of course i'm happy. i think for the job? of course i'm happy. i think we've _ for the job? of course i'm happy. i think we've been _ for the job? of course i'm happy. i think we've been waiting for- for the job? of course i'm happy. i think we've been waiting for this i think we've been waiting for this appointment to be made for a long time. when he was first announced, quite excited. he's done great things that ajax, and i'm excited to see what he can do it manchester united. ~ ., ., ,, ~' see what he can do it manchester united. ~ ., ., i. ~ ., united. what do you think all the bi est united. what do you think all the biggest challenges for _

united. what do you think all the biggest challenges for the - united. what do you think all the biggest challenges for the job? l united. what do you think all the biggest challenges for the job? i | biggest challenges for the job? i think basically sorting out the dressing room, making sure that players want to play with the club, want to play for the badge. i think we've had a lot of issues well documented. layers unhappy. i think him sorting out the players, getting his players and, having a good style of play, we've not had that at manchester united for a while, so if you can bring an attacking style of play, that will be the firstjob you can bring an attacking style of play, that will be the first job for him. play, that will be the first 'ob for him. ., ., , ., play, that will be the first 'ob for him. ., ., i. ~' him. how do you think cristiano ronaldo will— him. how do you think cristiano ronaldo will feature _ him. how do you think cristiano ronaldo will feature in - him. how do you think cristiano ronaldo will feature in his - him. how do you think cristiano j ronaldo will feature in his plans for the club?— ronaldo will feature in his plans for the club? cristiano ronaldo is one of my _ for the club? cristiano ronaldo is one of my favourite _ for the club? cristiano ronaldo is one of my favourite players, - for the club? cristiano ronaldo is one of my favourite players, so l for the club? cristiano ronaldo is one of my favourite players, so i | one of my favourite players, so i hope that he stays, but he's not the christie and otto —— cristiano ronaldo of a couple years ago. i hope he does stay, but if we don't get champions league football, i

don't know. will erik ten hag have a younger player? may be. i still think cristiano will have a good place at man united.— think cristiano will have a good place at man united. what do you think the fans _ place at man united. what do you think the fans expect _ place at man united. what do you think the fans expect for - place at man united. what do you think the fans expect for the - place at man united. what do you think the fans expect for the next| think the fans expect for the next season? i think the fans expect for the next season? ., �* ~' think the fans expect for the next season? ., �* ~ ., , , ., season? i don't think fans should exnect the _ season? i don't think fans should expect the world. _ season? i don't think fans should expect the world. i _ season? i don't think fans should expect the world. i don't - season? i don't think fans should expect the world. i don't think i expect the world. i don't think we're going to challenge for the premier league title, but if we could maybe get a cup, even a league cup, and then qualify for europe in fourth place, i thinkjust seeing good style of football, consistent football, i think we haven't seen that for a while and if we do get consistent football and results and performances, people will be happy. thank you so much forjoining us on newsday. before we go tonight, let's turn to southern california, where a stunning annual scene is drawing in the crowds. at the carls—bad flower fields, tens of millions of flowers bloom between march and may.

from yellow to pink, the colourful layers make it the ideal place to stroll and snap a photo. hello. 0ur weather is going to be pretty settled over the next few days. it's fairly quiet out there right now and not much change for friday. one thing that we will notice is that cool breeze strengthening day by day. strengthening day by day, particularly noticeable on the north sea coast, and this often happens when we have high—pressure close low pressure to the south and that basically shunts quite a strong airstream from scandinavia across the north sea and cuts through the uk. particularly chilly on those north sea coasts. it will also drag in some cloud, some moisture particularly

to central and eastern parts of england, so a slow grey, breezy, chilly start to the day here, whereas out towards the west, still some sunshine. also, a few showers developing anywhere from london to the south midlands, southern wales, may be salisbury, also worth noting that the tree pollen levels will be generally moderate to high on friday. the weekend, that pattern continues, so the high across the north, low pressure to the south. you can see the rain across spain and france, so the rain across spain and france, so the bad weather to the south of us, but we still have that strong breeze and more showers. chilly on the north sea coast is the... cold when

out of the north sea, and all the bad weather staying way to the south of us. not making double figures in aberdeen. let's have a look at the output into non—day. the wind switches direction will be more of a norge 30, so the temperatures will drop next week, making around 10—11 across some northern towns and cities. bye—bye.

this is bbc news, the headlines. presidentjoe biden has announced an additional $800 million of military help for ukraine. biden says, the aid, including heavy artillery weapons, ammunition and tactical drones, will be sent directly to what he called "the frontlines of freedom". the mayor of mariupol has given a defiant response to russia's claims to have taken control of the city. vadym boychenko said it remained ukrainian, irrespective of any statements made about it. earlier, president putin congratulated his defence minister on having successfully taken the city. president volodymyr zelensky, in a virtual address to a world bank forum, said ukraine needs $7 billion a month to make up for

losses caused by russia.