welcome to newsday. reporting live from singapore, i'm karishma vaswani. the headlines... the actor alec baldwin is to be charged with involuntary manslaughter after a fatal shooting on the set of the film rust. the family of cinematographer halyna hutchins, who was shot dead, said they supported the filing of the charges. but alec baldwin's lawyer says it "represents a terrible miscarriage ofjustice". today, i'm announcing that i will not be seeking re—election. jacinda ardern steps down as new zealand's prime minister, saying she no longer has enough in the tank to do to the job. western allies announce what they describe as unprecedented new military help for ukraine, as they try to change the dynamic on the battlefield.

another ambulance strike — this time in wales — as nurses in england also stage more industrial action. and the harrowing anti—war epic all quiet on the western front leads the nominations for this year's british academy film awards. live from our studio in singapore. this is bbc news. it's newsday. it's 7am in singapore, and 3pm in los angeles — where we begin our programme, with the news that the hollywood actor alec baldwin is to be charged with the involuntary manslaughter of the cinematographer halyna hutchins, who was shot dead on the set of the film rust. the film's armourer — who was responsible for the weapon — will face the same charge, after a gun that the actor discharged on set was found

to contain live ammunition. sophie long has the latest from los angeles. the frantic efforts to save halyna hutchins in the moments after she was shot. it was during rehearsals on the set at the bonanza creek ranch in new mexico when the shootings and deaths depicted on the 19th century western they were filming became all too real. alec baldwin was holding the gun that discharged the bullet that killed her. how's it going, sir? he was also one of the film's producers. he now faces two charges of involuntary manslaughter. in a statement, the actor's lawyer said, "this decision distorts halyna "hutchins�* tragic death and represents a terrible "miscarriage ofjustice." "mr baldwin had no reason to believe there was a live bullet in the gun, "or anywhere on the movie set." the film's armourer, who loaded the gun, hannah gutierrez—reed, faces the same charges. the first assistant director dave halls has pled guilty to negligent discharge

of a deadly weapon. the santa fe district attorney said... halyna hutchins is survived by her young son and husband matthew hutchins. after he reached a settlement in his wrongful death lawsuit against the producers injanuary last year, he said filming of rust would resume. the criminal charges are a devastating development for baldwin, who is 64, and has said he was heartbroken by the incident. am i being charged with something? he's always denied responsibility for halyna's death, saying he had been told the gun was safe. his lawyer says they will fight the charges and they will win. sophie long reporting on that story for us. joining me now is former us federal prosecutor and president of la—based west coast trial lawyers, neama rahmani. thank you so much forjoining us on the programme. just talk us through with the charges actually mean at

this point? with the charges actually mean at this oint? , ., , with the charges actually mean at this oint? , . , , ., , this point? these are very serious and aggressive — this point? these are very serious and aggressive charges. - this point? these are very serious and aggressive charges. there - this point? these are very serious and aggressive charges. there is| this point? these are very serious i and aggressive charges. there is two separate manslaughter accounts — the first is a potential sentence of 18 months in prison for alec baldwin, but it's a second charge is most serious because it has a firearms incident that carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in a new mexico state prison. so if baldwin is convicted of that second count, a judge can't sentence him to below that five year number. indeed, and we have — below that five year number. indeed, and we have that _ below that five year number. indeed, and we have that statement - below that five year number. indeed, and we have that statement from - below that five year number. indeed, | and we have that statement from alec baldwin's attorney who has said that the decision distorts halyna hutchins's tragic death and they'll continue to fight these charges, and they're quite confident they'll win. but what will the prosecution have to prove in this case?— to prove in this case? well, they have to prove — to prove in this case? well, they have to prove that _ to prove in this case? well, they have to prove that it's _ to prove in this case? well, they have to prove that it's more - to prove in this case? well, they l have to prove that it's more than a mere accident — simple negligence just isn't enough for criminal liability here. so the district attorney today talked about alec baldwin independently needing to verify that the gun was safe and not

loaded, and she also discussed the live rounds and shootings onset were reckless and cavalier attitude of many of the staff numbers of production happening. there's also other basis for liability — perhaps baldwin should not have pointed the weapon at halyna hutchins, even though he believed it was unloaded. and he said he didn't pull the per worker, but the fbi says he did —— pull the trigger, and there's a question of if he cocked the hammer back. so whether it's a question of reckless behaviour, that's the district attorney public office will need to prove. in district attorney public office will need to prove.— need to prove. in terms of penalties. _ need to prove. in terms of penalties, what _ need to prove. in terms of penalties, what are - need to prove. in terms of penalties, what are we - need to prove. in terms of- penalties, what are we looking at? we are looking at potential years for baldwin, that's why i don't think a resolution will be reached. he really got a slap on the wrist with six months probation, i don't think the attorney's office can offer any deal that baldwin and his lawyers will accept. so this will go

to trial, baldwin has a defence that he didn't know and he didn't act negligently, but if he is convicted, especially of those more serious charges, he'll dupe time in prison. what's next at this point, and do you have an idea of what timeframe we're looking at?— we're looking at? well, baldwin won't be arrested, _ we're looking at? well, baldwin won't be arrested, he'll- we're looking at? well, baldwin won't be arrested, he'll be - we're looking at? well, baldwin| won't be arrested, he'll be given we're looking at? well, baldwin i won't be arrested, he'll be given a summons or notice to appear, and he'll be arraigned on these charges. and then new mexico has six months, approximately 100 day speedy trial. now they'll waive their right to a speedy trial and push this out, but we'll see the beginning of the criminal process, the first step being baldwin appearing in court and answering to the charges. i being baldwin appearing in court and answering to the charges.— answering to the charges. i should say former— answering to the charges. i should say former us _ answering to the charges. i should say former us prosecutor, - answering to the charges. i should say former us prosecutor, i - say former us prosecutor, i apologise, thank you so much for being on the programme is popular

thanks for having me. if you want more on alec baldwin's case, you can head to the bbc news website or download the bbc news app. that is of course if you haven't done so already. still to come a bit later in the programme: we will take a look at the weaponary support for ukraine. but first — world leaders have been reacting to the shock resignation of new zealand's prime minister, jacinda ardern. ms ardern will step down next month, after saying she no longer has "enough in the tank" to continue. she became the world's youngest female head of government in 2017, but will leave her post at the start of february and won't lead her party into 0ctober�*s general election. for more on this, i am joined now by shaimaa khalil from the capital, wellington. great to get you on the programme, you're on the ground now in new zealand. what have people been telling you in terms of their reaction to this shock announcement? well, the prime minister has been speaking a bit earlier in napier,

with the caucus of the labour party. this is the start of the lyrical year, and they were meaning to set out their plans— and of course, than they have a big, big change ahead of them, who will be the new leader and prime minister? jacinda ardern said she feels relieved this morning, that she slept well for the first time in a long time, and she did point out that she wasn't going to back any particular candidate. the centreleft labour party will meet here and that building behind me, the parliament building on sunday, and they'll decide who will be the next party leader. chris hit begins, the current education minister, is named as the favourite, but we still don't have confirmation. the reaction here in new zealand has been mixed. remember, jacinda ardern is somewhat of a global political superstar around the world — but here, it's a different picture. many people have said that in this last

year, but the cost—of—living crisis, the housing crisis which many feel her government has not delivered on, and the rising crime rates, and also what many people see as draconian measures of covid—19 with many families isolated with these lockdowns extended, and with the covid—19 vaccination mandate, wringing people to the streets actually, that her government failed in many ways. i was actually being to someone who said they were glad she resigned, they didn't think she handled the covid—19 crisis very well — mind you, she was praised in the beginning for that. others have said that this was simply a political tactic, that she stepped down before essentially being pushed out because there have been serious issues and questions about whether she could actually win the next election with her personal popularity here in new zealand at an all—time low, with the recent polls.

but with that decision, the way she did it and what she said — whether it was her supporters or critics — it took both by surprise. she's been at the forefront of politics in new zealand for nearly six years, becoming something of a globalfigurehead. but today, jacinda ardern shocked the nation and the world, announcing she's standing down. i will not be seeking re—election. it was an emotional press conference in which she said she no longer had the energy to go on as leader. i know what this job takes, and i know that i no longer have enough in the tank to do itjustice. her legacy today has been praised at home and abroad. this job takes a toll on you as a person and on your family as well, especially when you are a woman and there are maybe different standards for women. ms ardern was the youngest head of government in the world when she was elected prime minister in 2017 — just 37 years old at the time.

her premiership has been tested time and time again. she led the nation's grieving after the christchurch terror attacks in 2019, in which 51 people were killed, and was praised for her decisiveness and empathy. she also steered the country through the covid—19 pandemic. thanks to an early and strict lockdown, new zealand has had one of the lowest death rates globally — but it's also led to some criticism. this resignation was delivered in that trademark jacinda ardern style — personal and heartfelt. the prime minister said that, while the last five—and—a—half years were the most fulfilling of her life, she admitted that for her, it was now time. i think she's done an amazing job with the situation she's been put in. no, it was time for her to go, and no—one in their right mind would've voted for her, surely. overseas, she's definitely viewed very well, whereas i think- internally, she's probably maybe lost the public's _ acceptance a little bit. and let's keep moving!

her centre—left labour party will elect a new leader and new prime minister on sunday. they'll take over in february. politicians are human. we give all that we can for as long as we can, and then it's time. and for me, it's time. jacinda ardern has been a that of a rarity in politics and diplomacy. she was raised being a young female leader, but she never let that define her leadership. it's her style of kindness and empathy that made her stand out — and despite the criticism of what she and her government were not able to achieve, its that moment where she steered it's that moment where she steered her country from one crisis to another that will define her leadership and her legacy. indeed, thanks so much _ leadership and her legacy. indeed, thanks so much for— leadership and her legacy. indeed, thanks so much for keeping - leadership and her legacy. indeed, thanks so much for keeping us - thanks so much for keeping us up—to—date on that story. for more on this, i am joined now byjacinda ardern�*s

former senior adviser, clint smith, who currently works as a political strategist. great to get you on the programme. in the first instance, how surprised were you that she made that announcement that she's resigning? it was a surprise, and i think it was a surprise to the political establishment of new zealand and the public generally. jacinda ardern has looked tired recently — but she was startled dumb still far and away the most popular politician in new zealand —— but she was still far and away. she shot labour to reelection this year, even though labour is slightly trailing in the polls now. but i think we have to take her word for it— after leading the country through all these crises and a huge reform programme, ithink through all these crises and a huge reform programme, i think she'sjust exhausted and wants to have some time with her young daughter. find

time with her young daughter. and clint, as time with her young daughter. and clint. as you _ time with her young daughter. and clint, as you pointed out, she is well loved by so many people there — but is it worth considering as well that her popularity has fallen in new zealand recently, particularly over management of the pandemic? could that have had anything to do with this decision? i could that have had anything to do with this decision?— with this decision? i don't think she's done _ with this decision? i don't think she's done it — with this decision? i don't think she's done it on _ with this decision? i don't think she's done it on the _ with this decision? i don't think she's done it on the basis - with this decision? i don't think she's done it on the basis of. she's done it on the basis of popularity. her popularity has declined from the sky high positive it was during the hood of —— the height of the covid pandemic. but that's due more to a lack of direction forfrom the that's due more to a lack of direction for from the government after the pandemic, not her handling of covid, which remains very popular. after the last year, the government has been caught up in a number of bureaucratic pitfalls and seemed to have lost touch with people because my concerns about the cost—of—living crisis. —— with people plus my concerns. but i don't think that's why she left, one of

her trademarks is authenticity, and if she says she doesn't have anything in the tank. and also she's been subject to an incredible amount of vitriol and misogynistic attacks, and i think that weighs on her. indeed, clint smith, thank you so much forjoining us on the programme with your thoughts. if you want to get in touch with me i'm on twitter — @bbckarishma. you're watching newsday on the bbc. still to come on the programme: the harrowing anti—war epic all quiet on the western front leads the nominations for this year's british bafta film awards. donald trump is now the 45th president of the united states. he was sworn in before several hundred thousand people on the steps of capitol hill, in washington.

it's going to be only america first. america first. demonstrators waiting for mike gatting and his rebel cricket team were attacked with tear gas and set upon by police dogs. anti—apartheid campaigners say they will carry on the protests throughout the tour. they called him the butcher of lyon. klaus altmann is being heldj on a fraud charge in bolivia. the west germans want i to extradite him for crimes committed in wartime france. there, he was the gestapo chief, klaus barbie. - millions came to bathe as close as possible to this spot — a tide of humanity that's believed by officials to have broken all records. this is newsday on the bbc. i'm karishma vaswani in singapore. the headlines...

the actor alec baldwin is to be charged with involuntary manslaughter, after a fatal shooting on the set of the film rust. jacinda ardern steps down as new zealand's prime minister, saying she no longer has enough in the tank to do to the job. a meeting of 50 countries will take place in germany on friday, to discuss providing more weapons and support to ukraine. it comes after a european defence ministers meeting in estonia on thursday, in which the uk announced it would send 600 brimstone missiles to ukraine. 0ur defence correspondent jonathan beale reports. is this the week when the west finally delivered the weapons ukraine says it needs to win this war? britain is the first promising to send modern main battle tanks. the army's challengers are already parked in estonia to reassure a nato ally, also worried about russian aggression. ultimately this tank

was designed to fight russian tanks in eastern europe, and that's exactly what it's off to do. the troops who operate them here believe they will make a difference for ukrainian battle. at the start of the war, the west's focus was on providing weapons for ukraine to help it defend itself. that has now changed. britain is giving 1a of these challenger ii main battle tanks, as well as 30 of these massive self—propelled guns. used together, the hope is that ukraine will punch through russian lines and retake territory. from defence to offence. but ukraine says it still needs more. the uk's defence secretary today gathered allies to step up the pressure, and some are specifically hoping that germany will deliver. i hope that tomorrow in ramstein people will all hear the message that, you know, unlocking tanks is part of 2023. we've done our bit. it's not a battle—winning single change, 14 tanks.

but it shows that the glass ceiling can be broken and that we can put these vehicles in. it is the german—made leopard tank that could make the difference. hundreds built and operated by many european nations. but all would still require germany to give the green light to send them. germany may be looking to america. today, it's new defence minister met lloyd austin. we will renew our united commitment to support ukraine's self— defence for the long haul. the us, ukraine's biggest military backer, so far hasn't sent main battle tanks either. in berlin there are still lingering fears of russian escalation. moscow has once again warned the west against providing heavy weapons to ukraine. it's promised to hunt them down and destroy them. jonathan beale,

bbc news, tapa, estonia. to the uk now — and lancashire police have said they're looking into rishi sunak after the prime minsiter was filmed for social media, not wearing a seat belt while a passenger in a moving car. mr sunak�*s apologised for what downing street called a "brief error ofjudgment". the offence can be punished with fines of up to £500. i want to tell you now that there's been major disruption across france, as unions hold a day of strikes and protest marches against president macron�*s plans to overhaul the pension system. thousands of people hav been marching through paris and in more than 200 cities across france. strikes have crippled much of the rail network, and caused the cancellation of some flights. they've also hit schools and oil refineries and cut electricity production. well, across the channel, strikes have also been taking place on thursday. let's take a look at which areas were affected. nurses in england were on strike

for the second day in a row. bus drivers in parts of london staged a round of industrial action. teachers in parts of scotland have been continuing their 16—day wave of rolling strikes. and more than 1,000 ambulance workers across wales have been striking over pay and conditions, in the first day of action by the unite union. 0ur wales correspondent hywel griffith reports on the impact of that strike. fervent in freezing conditions. these workers say their fight isn't just for pay, but for the future of their ailing service. december saw the worst ever performance and the highest ever demand for the most urgent calls in wales. kerry says she's sick of being stuck outside hospitals, unable to hand over patients. sometimes we can be on the back of an ambulance for a whole shift. 0ur radios are constantly going, emergency calls which we cannot attend. by the end of the shift, we're still sitting with that same patient, waiting for cover. to settle the strikes, a wales—only deal has been discussed with the health unions, but ministers say they can't

afford their demands of a permanent inflation rate pay rise. that offer of a one—off patient from the welsh labour government last week didn't satisfy these ambulance workers or any of the other health workers around wales. nurses, midwives, physiotherapists are all planning further industrial action. these dispute shows no sign of settling. the offer is still on the table. the health minister said she wants to settle — and soon. what we're talking about is money that is in this year's budget, that we can't move into next year's budget. if it's not picked up, it will be lost. as they dispute rumbles on, people like victoria are left worrying whether they can still call on the ambulance service. in november, she dialled 999 when her daughter niamh, who has autism, suffered a seizure. no ambulance came, so a friend helped rush them to hospital. it's hard knowing that when you make that phone call, there is a chance that they won't be

able to respond to you, because there is only a certain amount that they can do over the phone. so i knew that... i knew that i had to get her there. not everyone supports these strikes. but there are plenty more coming, with these paramedics set to return to the picket line on monday. hywel griffith, bbc news, pontypridd. this year's bafta nominations have been announced, and one flick dominates — all quiet on the western front, a world war one epic adapted by netflix, leads the charge with 1a nominations. the banshees of inisherin — a tale of feuding friends in 1920s ireland — is up for ten awards. and elvis — with nine nods — could make history if its cinetograher becomes the first women to win that category. the winners will be annouced in a glittery ceremony on 19 february. and some sad news from the world of popular culture. musician david crosby has died at the age of 81.

sock immigration man, can i cross your line? musician david crosby has died at the age of 81. crosby co—founded both the byrds and crosby, stills and nash. he was a leading voice in the soft rock sounds of los angeles in the 1960s. he later struggled with drug and alcohol abuse. he was inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame twice. andy murray made an incredible late—night flight back to secure victory in a marathon australian open match. in one of the latest finishes and tennis history, the match lasted five hours and 45 minutes untiljust past 4am local time. murray won 4—6, 6—7, 7—6, 6—3, 7—5, in the longest match of the scotsman�*s career. it is the second latest finish,

in australian open history. and before we go, preparations have began ahead of the lunar new year this weekend. here's pictures from a market in southern china. it is one of the biggest events of the year for many east and south east asian people, and will be marked by communities all over the world. this year marks the year of the rabbit n china, or the year of the cat in other countries like vietnam. i'm sure there will be lots of celebration and scrumptious eating, as well. you can see some of the delights that are likely to be on many people's dinner tables over the course of the next couple of days already on your screens. stay with us — we'll be continuing our coverage of the actor alec baldwin, who is to be charged with involuntary manslaughter after a fatal shooting on the set of the film rust. lots more on that story on the bbc

website and we will continue our coverage of that on bbc news, as well. but for now, thanks for joining me, stay with us. hello there. quite a change of fortunes with our weather this week — it's been cold and frosty, has even been some snow showers around, as well. we'll close out the working week on a similar story — a frosty start, maybe some freezing fog around. but for many of us, it'll be sunny and cold. temperatures to greet us first thing below freezing in towns and city centres — so colder still in more rural spots, particularly where we've got that lying snow. but we've got this little brief ridge of high pressure that'll quieten things down and give us some sparkling sunshine throughout the day. weather fronts waiting in the wings — a change is on its way. now a brisk northerly breeze might just drive a few showers along that exposed east coast, it'll be fairly isolated. for many, after a frosty start, lots of sunshine.

freezing fog may linger in northern ireland for a time, but generally, those temperatures will peak for around 3—7 celsius, maybe a little bit milder in the southwest — the reason being this weather front that'll drive in this milder air. so a southwesterly wind starts to kick in to northern ireland and scotland for the start of the weekend — that will bring milder air with it, a rapid snow melt, as well, at times. you can see to greet us first thing on saturday morning, 3—4 celsius here, but across much of england and wales, still temperatures below freezing. it'll be another cold frosty start. lots of sunshine around across england and wales on saturday. but the cloud will push in through scotland, northern ireland, maybe northwest england, and there'll be some showery outbreaks of rain — not really amounting to too much, but a difference with the feel of the weather, 9—10 celsius here maybe temperatures around 3—7 across england and wales. still that weather front creeping in for the second half of the weekend, but the far southeast corner may well cling onto that colder air throughout the whole of the weekend,

so it's a slow process. certainly on sunday, there'll be more cloud around than we saw on saturday. there will be showery outbreaks of rain along west—facing coasts, some poor visibility here, the best of any brightness perhaps in the southeast — only around 3—4 celsius, out to the west, again, we could see double digits. the milder air will start to push in across the country, but it comes at a price, unfortunately — we'll lose that sparkling winter sunshine. there'll be a little more in the way of cloud around, but we'll see double figures for all.

this is bbc news. we'll have the headlines and all the main news stories for you at the top of the hour straight after this programme. she was just amazing. she had 26,000 followers. shows so much bravery, i think, to push through those really dark times.

she had this persona of being extrovert and adventurous,