welcome to newsday, reporting live from singapore, i'm karishma vaswani. the headlines.. us basketball star brittney griner is released from a russian prison colony — exchanged for a notorious arms dealer nicknamed the merchant of death. she is safe, she's on a plane, is on her way home, after months of being unjustly detained in russia. held under intolerable circumstances. in their much—hyped new documentary series — meghan and harry go into detail about their relationship, press intrusion and racism. widespread condemnation as iran carries out the first execution of a protester who took part in the recent anti—government demonstrations.

and the canadian singer celine dion has revealed she's been diagnosed with a rare auto—immune disease and has had to cancel her forthcoming shows. u nfortu nately. unfortunately. this affects every aspect of my daily life. it's 8am in singapore, and 3am in moscow — where the first part of the prisoner exchange between the us and russia has taken place. russia is releasing brittney griner — a basketball star who was jailed for cannabis possession. she's expected to return to the us on friday. but viktor bout — an arms dealer, known by some as the merchant of death,

has already arrived in moscow. the terms were signed off by president biden — leading to criticism that he could have helped other americans detained in russia. ms griner has been flown to abu dhabi — on the first leg of herjourney home. with the story — here's our north america editor sarah smith. still in the dark, brittney griner doesn't know why she's being led onto a plane. this footage, released by the russian authorities, shows her being given the news. you know where i'm heading to? no. no? no. you're flying back home, to the us.i she is safe, she's on a plane, is on her way home, after months of being unjustly detained in russia. here on the tarmac in abu dhabi, the handover. brittney griner, in the red jacket, being released, and swapped for a notorious russian arms dealer, viktor bout. the basketball star had been

detained in russia since february, when she was arrested at an airport in moscow for trying to smuggle vape cartridges containing marijuana into the country. something she described as an honest mistake. i understand everything that's being said against me, the charges that are against me, therefore i'm pleading guilty. after that guilty plea she was sentenced to nine years injail and last month was moved to an extremely harsh labour camp. viktor bout, the russian arms dealer known as the merchant of death, has been injail in america since 2011. he's now also free man. the white house offered to swap bout for ms griner and paul whelan. he's an american who is being held on charges of espionage which the us says are false. russia refused to include mr whelan in the exchange. britney greiner has become a real cause celebre in america and her freedom is being celebrated but the president is being criticised for releasing a man is clearly dangerous as viktor bout.

brittney griner�*s wife campaign tirelessly for her release. it's a happy day for myself and my family so i'm going to smile. brittney griner will soon arrive back in america after ten months in russia. sarah smith, bbc news, russia. earlier i spoke tojonathan franks from the campaign bring our families home. he said he was pleased about brittney griner�*s return but it was disgraceful that paul whelan was not freed. i very much feel like this is a mixed blessing. last night when i found out i was absolutely overjoyed for miss griner, for herfamily. anytime an american is repatriated after being held hostage it is a joyous occasion. however, i also felt sick to my stomach when i found out that paul whelan and was not included. this is now the third time he has been left behind by two successive american presidents. and i think it's disgraceful.

as you point out. paul whelan has not been released. what are your immediate concerns about his safety? and hopes and expectations about when he might be released? on his health and safety. he has been in hospital recently. in russia they have a different definition of hospital than we do in america or you do in the uk. but i think he's older. the conditions in mordovia where he are is being kept are squalid. and most people would contract significant illness in that environment. i'm actually quite worried if this continues and continues. and the us government continues not to bring him home that something horrible will happen. still to come a bit

later in the programme — we'll bring you the emotional announcement by the singer celine dion that she has a rare neurological disorder — which will have life—changing effects. but first. in their new documentary series, harry and meghan, the duke and duchess of sussex have heavily criticised the way they've been treated by the media and the royal family. the couple claim there were "racist overtones" in some of the press coverage. our royal correspondent nicholas witchell has been watching. it is the truth according to harry and meghan, the story of two people who fell in love but whose lives, in their view, were compromised by others conspiring against them. no—one knows the full truth. we know the full truth. the institution knows the full truth and the media know the full truth because they've been in on it. the behaviour of the press is a constant theme. harry believes there was a racial undertone to media coverage when it emerged that he was in a relationship with meghan markle, a woman of mixed race. the couple think the royal

family and buckingham palace should have done more to support them. it was almost like a rite of passage. and some of the members of the family was like, "but my wife had to go through "that so why should your girlfriend be treated any differently? "why should you get special treatment? "why should she be protected? i said the difference here is the race element. meghan too evidently believes she wasn't given a fair chance by the palace or the press. but truth be told. no matter how hard i tried or how good i was. no matter what i did. they were still going to find a way to destroy me. there is no explicit allegation against royal family members on the race issue, though harry says there is unconscious bias. in this family, sometimes you

are part of the problem rather than part of the solution. and there is a huge level of unconscious bias. the thing with unconscious bias is it is actually no—one�*s fault. but once it has been pointed out or identified within yourself, you then need to make it right. it is education, it's awareness. queen elizabeth, though, was warm and welcoming. meghan recalled their first meeting at windsor castle and her first curtsy. i curtsied as though i was like. "pleasure to meet you, your majesty! " so, have these programmes changed anything? this morning, king charles was out and about on an official visit. buckingham palace is saying nothing publicly, though privately, officials are growing weary. i think there is a sort _ of sense of both disappointment and exasperation in the palace that the couple feel _

the need to keep goingi on about how miserable they were in their royal existence. i at the same time, the couplej feel they need to keep telling the world why they left. i accept there will be people around the world who fundamentally disagree with what i've done and how i have done it. but i knew that i had to do everything i could to protect my family. three more hours of harry and meghan telling their truth will be released next week. especially after what happened to my mum. that's your grandma, diana. you know, i didn't want history to repeat itself. let's take a look at some other stories in the headlines. president putin has vowed to continue attacking ukraine's energy infrastructure. moscow's missile strikes have left millions of people without electricity as temperatures plummet. but he said growing global criticism would not interfere

with missions in ukraine. relatives of the british teenaged motorcyclist harry dunn have welcomed the suspended jail sentence given to an american woman who caused his death. ann sacoolas, who is the wife of a diplomat, was driving on the wrong side of the road when the collision happened in the english midlands in 2019. she left for the us shortly after the collision , claiming diplomatic immunity. she appeared in court by video link on thursday, more than a thousand new york times employees have gone on strike in the first industrial action of its kind at the newspaper in more than a0 years.journalists journalists and other workers at the media outlet, often referred to as �*america's paper of record' walked out for 2h hours after failing to reach an agreement with the company on a new round of contract negotiations. there has been widespread condemnation to the first execution of a protester in iran who took part in the recent anti—government

demonstrations. at least 11 protesters have so far been sentenced to death, with many more killed in the unrest which has gripped the country since september. tom brada reports. this is mohsen shekari. on thursday morning he was hanged. guilty according to a revolutionary court for enmity against god. he was accused of blocking a street in tehran and injuring a member of a paramilitary force with a machete. human rights groups have condemned the judicial process which decided he should be killed as a sham. the trial process lasted around several weeks without lawyers present. what is really worrisome is the even shorter time that it has taken the judiciary to issue and executes a sentence of this nature. more than 18,000 people have been detained since unrest began. sparked by the death of the 22—year—old mahsa amini in police custody.

the execution of this man has many people concerned that the brutality of the state could get worse. with this lawlessness that we see in the iranianjudiciary. they can sentence anyone they want to death and execute them unless the international community and people inside iran show a reaction. part of the international community have spoken out. the uk foreign secretary tweeted. .. the german foreign minister... later that day, they summoned the iranian ambassador. unsurprisingly the iranian regime disagrees. translation: the west thinks iran is like other l countries which might give into the rioters. here we have educated men and women. no, the iranian students

won't let the protesters do what they want. iran's leaders are taking a gamble. by executing a young protester they hope others will be too frightened to take the streets. but with each repressive act. they risk promoting more unrest and more outrage from many thousands of people are still desperate for change. tom brada, bbc news. in a watershed moment for the gay rights movement in the united states, the house of representatives has voted in favour of same sex marriage. the right will be protected nationwide, once president biden signs the bill into law. nomia iqbal reports. this is a real watershed moment for gay rights movements in the us. at the moment same—sex marriage is protected nationwide due to a supreme court ruling in 2015. however

if that ruling was overturned and same—sex marriage, the right to same—sex marriage would be left to the states in the same way that has happened to abortion rights following the overturning of rule if you wait over the summer. when it ruled v wade was overturned at the time one of the supreme courtjustices clarence thomas who was in favor of roe v wade being overturned said in his concurring opinion that other privacy based rights such as same—sex marriage could be reconsidered. that cause democrats to move swiftly to try and codify same—sex marriage. now they have done it. the important thing to note here it got bipartisan support. he got majority support in the house and the senate by both parties. and that's really important and significant it showsjust how much important and significant it shows just how much views have changed culturally. 0n shows just how much views have changed culturally. on an issue such as same—sex marriage which

was 0nce such as same—sex marriage which was once upon a time really contentious. the other thing to point out here is this is likely going to be the last significant legislative accomplishment that the house democrats meets before house republicans take over next year. the canadian singer celine dion has revealed she has been diagnosed with a rate auto—immune with a rare auto—immune disease, known as stiff person syndrome. it meant she has had to cancel her forthcoming shows — and has been unable to live life the way she wants. celine announced the news on her instagram channel — saying she still hoped to come to terms with the disorder — but that she was relieved to know what had been causing her long—term health issues. u nfortu nately unfortunately this affects every aspect of my daily life. sometimes causing difficulties

when i walk and not allowing me to use my vocal cords to sing the way i'm used to. it's perhaps worth noting that while there is no cure for stiff person syndrome, there are treatments — including anti—anxiety medicines and muscle relaxants — that can slow down its progression. all of us here at newsday wish celine the best in the future. you're watching newsday on the bbc. still to come on the programme..p we billet deposit where french striker use the train. john lennon was shot at the entrance to the dakota building in the centre of new york. there has been a crowd here standing in more or less silent vigil, and the flowers have been piling up.

the 14th ceasefire of this war ended at the walls of the old city of dubrovnik. this morning, witnesses said shells were landing every 20 seconds. people are celebrating - the passing of a man they hold responsible for hundredsl of deaths and oppression. elsewhere, people have been. gathering to mourn his passing. imelda marcos, the widow of the former president of the philippines, has gone on trial in manila. she is facing seven charges of tax evasion, estimated at £120 million. she pleaded not guilty. the prince and princess of wales are to separate. a statement from buckingham palace said the decision had been reached amicably. this is newsday on the bbc.

the american actress selma blair became a household name after starring in box—office hits such as legally blonde and hellboy. after years of suffering from fatigue and speech disturbances, she was finally diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2018. selma has been named one of the bbc 100 women for 2022 — and in this exclusive interview with sophie long she reveals how the disease brought her acting career to a halt — and her reaction when she was given the diagnosis for the first time. when the doctor told me the night of the mri that i had ms. i cried. and it was an amazing comforting feeling even though i don't wish disease on anyone. it was a comforting feeling to know there was a whole community of chronic amosite and i did not feel it was the end of the world. for me i felt it was the beginning of

understanding and there would be some healing coming soon. i have a dog as a partner who can help me with a lots of counterbalance. just for balance i have my son i have a cane. i have a bike if i want to take a walk. i have all these aids to help with my balance issue.— these aids to help with my balance issue. what impact do ou think balance issue. what impact do you think ms _ balance issue. what impact do you think ms has _ balance issue. what impact do you think ms has had - balance issue. what impact do you think ms has had on - balance issue. what impact do you think ms has had on yourl you think ms has had on your career? i you think ms has had on your career? ~' ., you think ms has had on your career? ~ ., ~ ,, ., ., ~' you think ms has had on your career? ~ ., ~ ,, , career? i know ms took my career? i know ms took my career down. _ career? i know ms took my career down. i— career? i know ms took my career down. i had - career? i know ms took my career down. i had to - career? i know ms took my career down. i had to stopl career down. i had to stop working. this ability was taking me out of the workforce. when i talked about it. there was so much support but i never got a job again. i'm not bitter about that. i don't know how much i'm said i'm willing to be honest at all day. and i do want to go back to work. how would you _ want to go back to work. how would you describe _ want to go back to work. how would you describe hollywood and the entertainment industry relationship with people web challenges like the one you are experiencing? challenges like the one you are exoeriencing?_ challenges like the one you are experiencing? there are so many incredible people _ experiencing? there are so many incredible people that _ experiencing? there are so many incredible people that need - experiencing? there are so many incredible people that need to i incredible people that need to take pennies to catch up. i'm

here be a visible by. some people might see me with a visible disability that's not for me tojudge. visible disability that's not for me to judge. that's for whoever wants whatever encouragement.- whoever wants whatever encoura . ement. ., ., encouragement. your memoir. su er encouragement. your memoir. super candidate. _ encouragement. your memoir. super candidate. you - encouragement. your memoir. super candidate. you had - super candidate. you had dependency on alcohol. you got drunk at a very early age. just tell us about that. and how that sculpted your life really. i wanted to write a book for the little settlement is out there who were afraid. take away the stigma of not seeing your you have to be final attempt because saying fine all the time is what made me drink in the bathroom at the age of nine until i passed out. if there is any comfort or composition people could have with the charter of a great changes in their life of things they think they got themselves

into or had to keep to themselves and that shame kept creating unhealthy habits for and that's the least i could do. much more from the 100 women series on the special section on our website. you can find interviews and features — and this series about the rise of the virtual k—pop princess. just log on to bbc.com/news — or go via the bbc app let's turn to the qatar football world cup — and there are reports that a migrant worker has died while working at a world cup facility. the athletic website reported that a filipino nationalfell to his death while carrying out repair work at a resort where the saudia arabian team was staying. fifa has released a statement in response — saying that the organisation is deeply sadded by this tragedy, and our thoughts and sympathies are with the worker's family. western media investigations have claimed that as many as six and a half thousand migrants have died while

working on construction projects in qatar in the run—up to the world cup. qatar disputes this — saying there have been just three work—related deaths, and 37 which were not related to work. qatar's spokesman say they will investigate and help the family of the man who died. and they called on the media to concentrate on the football: death is a natural part of life, whether it's at work, whether it's in your sleep. of course, a worker died, our condolences go to his family. there were no games in qatar on thursday — the quarter finals take place on friday and saturday — but that hasn't stopped the fans from partying ahead of the matches. this was the scene in the centre of doha on thursday evening — plenty of argentinian fans in evidence. they have a name for the pre—game festivities — �*banderazo' — it looks like quite a lot of fun. their team plays the netherlands for a semifinal spot.

thursday's other game sees brazil take on croatia. the game exciting our colleagues in london is saturday's quarter final between england and france. it will feature kylian m—bappay, the 23—year—old mbppae, the 23—year—old french striker, seen by many as the best player in the world. 0ur paris corr lucy williamson has been to his old training ground in the paris suburb of bondy, to find out what makes him the player he is.(tx it was once kylian mbappe practising his footwork here in bondy. he's now scoring goals in this year's world cup — five of them so far. they speak french. and there's fierce argument here over whether, at 23, he's already the best player in the world. translation: when i saw all those goals he - scored last sunday, i thought, "wow, france will win the world cup. with him, no—one can stop us".

mbappe trained here from the age of six. his former trainer, still a family friend, said he was already a phenomenon. translation: he was fast, | but not faster than the others because they were bigger and stronger than him. he was a little shrimp, a skinny little shrimp, but technically very strong. at 23, mbappe is already more thanjust a footballer for france. a star from the paris suburbs who takes a stand on social issues and is used to receiving phone calls direct from president macron. he speaks french. last year, president macron called mbappe while on a popular social media game show. he also urged him privately this year not to leave his french club for real madrid. now, with training underway for

saturday's match, his career goals are clear. the only objective for me is to win the world cup — now to to win the next game, quarterfinal is the most important thing, and that's what i dream. back in bondy, there's respect for the england squad too. they speak french. especially captain harry kane. and the predicted outcome — victory for france, of course. a decade after he trained on this patch of ground near paris, kylian mbappe, the "skinny shrimp" from bondy, has the hopes of a nation on his shoulders and the world at his feet. lucy williamson, bbc news, paris. that's all for now —

stay with bbc world news. it looks like this cold weather is going to stick around for quite a few more days. it's desperately cold during the day. it's a night time that is especially chilly with temperatures perhaps get in as low as —10 with few spots in the next dance. snow showers icy stretches and sharp frost. those are the main points as cold air arrives from the northern climes all the way from the arctic. we will see social changes in the wind direction over the coming days that means show showers over the coming days. so that means that snow showers will be affecting perhaps different areas. but the northerly winds have been bringing in quite

persistent snow showers to scotland. we've had some grazing the eastern counties of england as well, even reports of hail showers in places. and through the course of the night, icy stretches in some areas. it's also going to turn quite cloudy across parts of the midlands, east anglia, the south—east. maybe a few flakes of snow from that as well, but really not an awful lot. these are the inner city temperatures, so minus three, minus four. but in rural spots, as i indicated earlier on, it will be a good deal colder than that. so here's the morning — lots of sunshine right from the word go, but not necessarily in the south—east. could be really quite raw and dull for a time before the sun arrives. wintry showers continue in the north, in some western areas, northern ireland, too. and again, briefly in the afternoon, temperatures for most of us touching around about three to five celsius. and then the following night, so friday night into early saturday, again, these are the inner city values with lower temperatures expected in rural spots. so this weekend, of course, it's staying cold, but freezing fog, lingering freezing fog could be a problem. now, let's have a look at the forecast map, then.

and you can see a low pressure establishing itself across the uk. that means lighter winds if we're in the centre of the low. that will help the fog to form. and also notice that blobs of blue, white are starting to appear in other parts of the country. that's an indication of the winds shifting around the uk and perhaps pushing in some of the wintry showers to areas that haven't seen anything so far. so, yes, the outlook staying cold, not desperately cold by day, certainly not subzero for most of us, but chilly nights. and of course, you can track the weather as always on our fabulous weather app, bye—bye.

mrs bbc news, we will have the headlines and all the main story is at the top of welcome to hardtalk, from san francisco. i'm stephen sackur. california was the launchpad for america's tech revolution. the giants of our digital age, the likes of gates, jobs, and musk, built their empires from right here in california. their work has transformed our lives, but it hasn't always been for the better. well, my guest today

is the san francisco tech billionaire, dave friedberg.