�*welcome to newsday, reporting live from singapore, i'm karishma vaswani. the headlines. the us accuses russian fighterjets of forcing one of its surveillance drones to crash into the black sea. president biden orders tougher background checks on gun purchases, to try to reduce the number of mass shootings in the us. supporters of pakistan's main opposition leader imran khan clash with police outside his home as officers try to arrest him. britain's chancellor, jeremy hunt, is expected announce a significant it is the the jungle. it is the law of the jungle. britain's chancellor, jeremy hunt, is expected announce a significant

expansion of free childcare provision in england in his budget on wednesday. it's seven in the morning in singapore, and 7pm in washington dc in the united states where the us military has said that a russian fighterjet has collided with an american military drone over the black sea. officials said the plane was struck in what it called a "reckless and unprofessional" action. russia's ambassador to the us has been summoned to the state department to explain the incident. the us says the drone was involved in a routine operation in international airspace when the russianjets tried to intercept it. at a press conference, a pentagon spokesman gave more detail. at spokesman gave more detail. approximately 7:03 i the at approximately 7:03 a:m., one of the russian aircraft struck the

propeller of the m2 nine causing forces them to bring it down in international waters. several times before the collision, the dumped fuel on influent front of the m2 nine and a reckless and unprofessional manner. this incident demonstrates a lack of competence in addition to being unsafe and unprofessional. brigadier general speaking from the pentagon and our washington correspondent. 0ur washington correspondent gary 0'donoghue has been following this story for us and explained the picture so far. russian fighters came into contact with an american man surveillance aircraft over what the americans were saying international waters and the black sea. these drones as they are sometimes called conduct spying missions and americans insist he of international water and it seems to have happened is one of these russian planes collided was struck the drone, damaging its propeller

and the americans had to then bring that there aircraft down into the sea. we have been learning some fascinating detail in the last few minutes and it seems that this encounter between these two 27, these pretty old russian planes in this drone went on for about 30 or 40 this drone went on for about 30 or a0 minutes in the americans said they flew in front of the drone and that they apparently dumped fuel on top of it as well, presumably to try top of it as well, presumably to try to disorient the drone, etc before this collision took place and the drone had to be brought down. as far as we know, the pentagon is saying there's been no contact with the russians military on this. we do know the state department here in washington have summoned the ambassador to an audience. it's a pretty stiff diplomatic measure and it might not sound like much but thatis

it might not sound like much but that is what happens when countries have serious diplomatic problems with one another. and we are learning more details and promised by the pentagon that perhaps some imagery of what happened in this collision over the black sea is going to the process of declassification and we make it the video of what happened later on. we can now speak to professor matthew schmidt from the university of new haven in connecticut. he's an expert in strategic analysis on politics and the military, and has recently returned from travelling throughout ukraine. great to get you on the programme and in the first instance, what do you think of what happened to date? deliberate or an accident? absolutely. the pentagon is engaging in diplomatic speak here but if you're flying in from the drone, slowing down the speed and dumping fuel on it, that this is a

deliberate attempt to bring down the drone, absolutely. the deliberate attempt to bring down the drone, absolutely.— drone, absolutely. the russian ambassador— drone, absolutely. the russian ambassador gary _ drone, absolutely. the russian ambassador gary o'donoghuel drone, absolutely. the russian i ambassador gary o'donoghue was ambassador gary 0'donoghue was reporting there and how much of an escalation is this episode? the penta . on escalation is this episode? tue: pentagon announced escalation is this episode? tte: pentagon announced that this is not the first time they've had these kinds of incidents but there seems to be the worst some of the first time the really attempted to bring the drone all the way down instead of just the drone all the way down instead ofjust harassing it. i think this is a serious escalation at this point, calling in the ambassador is a sign of that. i don't think you'll see these drones flying solo any more that i've met escorts with them. ~ ., , more that i've met escorts with them. ~ . , , . ., them. what is the significance of this and what _ them. what is the significance of this and what does _ them. what is the significance of this and what does it _ them. what is the significance of this and what does it mean - them. what is the significance of this and what does it mean in - them. what is the significance of. this and what does it mean in terms of operations going forward for the us as it tries to re—evaluate its response here? us as it tries to re-evaluate its response here?— us as it tries to re-evaluate its response here? us as it tries to re-evaluate its resonse here? , , ., response here? the response next to this drone is — response here? the response next to this drone is a — response here? the response next to this drone is a warning _ response here? the response next to this drone is a warning that _ response here? the response next to this drone is a warning that if- this drone is a warning that if you're going to come near the drone that you're going to have to risk engaging with american pilots. so,

it is as going to the point of having to manned aircraft pairing off against each other. it is worth noting that these drones are amazing pieces of intelligence equipment. they have almost over the entire peninsula of crimea. the russians are have a serious steak and stopping these drones from flying in international waters. find stopping these drones from flying in international waters.— international waters. and terms of surveillance _ international waters. and terms of surveillance operations _ international waters. and terms of surveillance operations as - international waters. and terms of surveillance operations as you - international waters. and terms of. surveillance operations as you point out, vital information in these drones, what if anything does it mean for future escalation given the fact that the things are so tense between the two? the operations about to begin — between the two? the operations about to begin on _ between the two? the operations about to begin on either- between the two? the operations about to begin on either the - between the two? the operations i about to begin on either the ukraine of the russian side and the russians of the russian side and the russians of claim from beginning at the provision of american intelligence to ukrainian forces is proof

positive that the war isn't between ukraine and russia but it's the united states and nato versus russia. these drones are bringing in valuable intelligence that you cringe and use of their offensive operations coming in the next few weeks and months and i think you're going to see the russians are going to get more and more serious as to trying to stop that. the to get more and more serious as to trying to stop that.— trying to stop that. the reaction from moscow. _ trying to stop that. the reaction from moscow, what _ trying to stop that. the reaction from moscow, what you - trying to stop that. the reaction from moscow, what you are - trying to stop that. the reaction - from moscow, what you are expecting their question or love though denied that this is a deliberate attempt and they'll say that the drone was not in international waters and the say that there pilots were flying professionally and does claim that certain things didn't happen like the fuel dumping. thank you so much forjoining us on newsday. president biden has signed an executive order to enforce tighter rules on gun sellers which moves the us a little closer to what might be considered universal background checks.

here he is arriving at los angeles a little earlier. he made the announcement in the suburb of monterrey park a community devastated by a mass shooting injanuary, that claimed 11 lives and injured nine other people. last year, last yea r, after last year, after the mass shooting in buffalo, new york involve the texas, i signed in buffalo, new york involve the texas, isigned into in buffalo, new york involve the texas, i signed into law after being in both places. most significant gun safety law in almost 30 years. thousand addition to me signing more executive actions and more than my predecessors. iam executive actions and more than my predecessors. i am announcing other executive orders. i will accelerate and intensify this attempt to save more lives more quickly. first, the executive order helps keep firearms out of dangerous hands. i continue to call on congress to require background checks for all firearms sales. in the meantime, my executive

order directs my attorney general would take every lawful action possible to move us as close as we can to universal background checks without new legislation. it's just common sense. check if someone is a felon, domestic abuse or, before they buy a gun. us department of homeland security and usesjoe biden is taking action himself because of the political polarisation washington. the fact thatjoe biden is doing this by executive order is a tacit admission that the real meeting measures that could be done cannot be passed because there is partisan gridlock in washington. look, the two big things that this executive order does, again, common sense measures because it bolsters background checks with which the

majority of americans approve of an red flag laws that make it harder for individuals who have been deemed mentally unfit to get their hands on a weapon. what this doesn't do is have any sort of massive increase on the problem that we are seeing in the problem that we are seeing in the united states of mass shootings that would require another act of congress in there just isn't the political will because of the partisan extremism that we are seeing in congress and the fact that biden is doing this by executive order is in the mission of that frustration that they're seeing in washington. stock markets in the united states and europe have rebounded following the collapse of silicon valley bank. however, moodys, one of the biggest credit rating agencies, warned of more pain ahead for the us banking system changing its outlook from "stable" to "negative". following the turmoil in the financial sector, president biden reassured investors he would do "whatever it takes" to keep the american banking system safe. police in pakistan have used tear

gas and water cannon to disperse supporters of the opposition leader, imran khan, from outside his residence in the city of lahore. the clashes broke out after police officers arrived, reportedly to arrest the former prime minister following a warrant issued by a court. he is facing allegations that he incorrectly declared gifts received from foreign dignitaries while in office. he says the case is politically motivated. 0ur pakistan correspondent caroline davies has been speaking to former prime minister imran khan who said he is ready to face jail time. what have you heard from sitting there today? t what have you heard from sitting there today?— what have you heard from sitting there toda ? . , ., ., there today? i have been following eve hinu there today? i have been following everything and _ there today? i have been following everything and for _ there today? i have been following everything and for us _ there today? i have been following everything and for us to _ there today? i have been following everything and for us to the - there today? i have been following everything and for us to the police | everything and for us to the police came _ everything and for us to the police came and — everything and for us to the police came and without any knowledge and suddenly— came and without any knowledge and suddenly we saw news of the police are coming — suddenly we saw news of the police are coming to arrest me we did not have _ are coming to arrest me we did not have that _ are coming to arrest me we did not have that many workers and so, immediately they've try to remove the workers they stood their ground and there _ the workers they stood their ground and there was freshwater tenants and

then tear— and there was freshwater tenants and then tear gas shelling. and inside my house — then tear gas shelling. and inside my house we were all eyes and washing — my house we were all eyes and washing her face is because it was right— washing her face is because it was right inside the house. and now, there _ right inside the house. and now, there is— right inside the house. and now, there is a — right inside the house. and now, there is a low of gathering more forces _ there is a low of gathering more forces and — there is a low of gathering more forces and i'm prepared that i'm going _ forces and i'm prepared that i'm going to — forces and i'm prepared that i'm going to be spending my night and is so how— going to be spending my night and is so how many nights but i'm already prepared _ so how many nights but i'm already prepared for that. but i thing that determines this time that it will not be — determines this time that it will not be behind bars. why determines this time that it will not be behind bars.— determines this time that it will not be behind bars. why are you resistin: not be behind bars. why are you resisting arrest _ not be behind bars. why are you resisting arrest and _ not be behind bars. why are you resisting arrest and the - not be behind bars. why are you resisting arrest and the police i not be behind bars. why are you | resisting arrest and the police are coming for you now? we resisting arrest and the police are coming for you now?— resisting arrest and the police are coming for you now? we had taken rotective coming for you now? we had taken protective belt _ coming for you now? we had taken protective belt to _ coming for you now? we had taken protective belt to the _ coming for you now? we had taken protective belt to the 18th. - coming for you now? we had taken protective belt to the 18th. so, - coming for you now? we had taken protective belt to the 18th. so, on | protective belt to the 18th. so, on the 14th, — protective belt to the 18th. so, on the 14th, there is no reason why the 1ath, there is no reason why they— the 14th, there is no reason why they should've come to arrest me and they should've come to arrest me and the worry— they should've come to arrest me and the worry is— they should've come to arrest me and the worry is that this is all, what i the worry is that this is all, what i would — the worry is that this is all, what i would want in pakistan is rule of law and _ i would want in pakistan is rule of law and rule of law means simply, whoever _ law and rule of law means simply, whoever breaks the law should be punished — whoever breaks the law should be punished now, whether it is someone in my— punished now, whether it is someone in my party—

punished now, whether it is someone in my party is— punished now, whether it is someone in my party is summoned against me an opponent, they should all be subject— an opponent, they should all be subject to — an opponent, they should all be subject to the law of the land. the lawful lances _ subject to the law of the land. tt;e: lawful lances there an arrest warrant and you are resisting so, are you not following the law of the land? tt are you not following the law of the land? , ., ., ., land? it is not the law of the land because i land? it is not the law of the land because i had _ land? it is not the law of the land because i had protective - land? it is not the law of the land because i had protective bail- land? it is not the law of the land because i had protective bail till i because i had protective bail till the 18th, — because i had protective bail till the 18th, they have come four days earlien _ the 18th, they have come four days earlien it _ the18th, they have come four days earlien it is— the 18th, they have come four days earlier. it is not the law of the land. — earlier. it is not the law of the land. it— earlier. it is not the law of the land. it is— earlier. it is not the law of the land, it is the law of the jungle. 0ur pakistan correspondent caroline davies explains the politics behind what's happening. of course, that is the big question of course he is saying that the cases against them are politically motivated and the other side say that these two things that he has done wrong in cases that are relating back to his time in power and imran khan's parties is there any two cases against him in court at the moment and there's quite a lot of intricacies as he heard in that interview with imran khan, he is talking about the fact that in

his words, he is been given protective bail into the 18th and easing the police are coming early and assertive in his words, he is been given protective bail into the 18th and easing the police are coming early and observed the police inside that this was the court warrant was issued by the court yesterday saying that today is the issue date for him to be arrested. the basis of this court case being ongoing when mr imran khan is not showed up in court in the house to do with health issues and he was shot at last year when he was out at a rally and in subsequently, he has not gone to these cases because he is concerned about security as well. so come at the moment, this is an ongoing scenario between the government between the police forces and imran khan between the courts and imran khan between the courts and imran khan and at the moment, they refer to the pta supporters, they refer to the pta supporters, the party supporters and is currently allowing the police to be able to get close access to mr imran

khan at the time and he has not been arrested there waiting to hear if there any further developments and this is happened and the park which is his residence in the area it's the second time that he is said initially that they're planning to arrest him but at this stage, no stitches gone through. you're watching newsday on the bbc. still to come on the programme. china says it will resume issuing visas to foreign travellers on wednesday in a major easing of pandemic travel restrictions. today, we have closed the book on apartheid and that chapter. more than 3,000 subway passengers were affected. nausea, bleeding, headaches and a dimming of vision, all of this caused by

an apparently organised attack. the trophy itself was on the pedestal in the middle of the cabinet here. now, this was an international trophy, and we understand now that the search for it has become an international search. above all, this was a triumph for the christian democrats. of the west, offering reunification as quickly as possible. _ and that's what the voters wanted. this is newsday on the bbc. in singapore. 0ur headlines

china says it will resume issuing visas to foreign travellers on wednesday in a major easing of pandemic travel restrictions. the country welcomed more than 65 million tourists in 2019 and it's eager to reignite its languishing tourism sector. even after much of the world reopened, strict measures preventing chinese nationals from moving freely remained in place until late last year by which time, national frustration over lockdowns had turned into widespread protests. i'm joined now by gary bowerman, director of check in asia, a tourism intelligence and strategic marketing firm in kuala lumpur. this is a pretty big move given we have seen foreign tourists being out over the last few years and why is this happening now?— over the last few years and why is this happening now? you're right. this is a significant _ this happening now? you're right. this is a significant day, _ this happening now? you're right. this is a significant day, this - this happening now? you're right. this is a significant day, this is - this is a significant day, this is the reintegration of china and the international tourism forward. they will start to reissue tourist visas for foreign travellers to visit to

china and also today, there are a0 more countries added to the list of outbound destinations around the world for chinese travellers can visit and we are really starting to see the stepping up of china re—embracing global travel and tourism. t5 re-embracing global travel and tourism. , , , ., tourism. is this decision 'ust an economic fl tourism. is this decision 'ust an economic one is that _ tourism. is this decision just an | economic one is that something tourism. is this decision just an i economic one is that something is the play. politics play because we have seen the parliamentary congress in china in the last week priscilla you are right. the timing economics for sure. we note that consumption is going to drive its recovery and consumption whether that's domestic or inbound tourism. thea;r consumption whether that's domestic or inbound tourism.— or inbound tourism. they want to reintegrate _ or inbound tourism. they want to reintegrate with _ or inbound tourism. they want to reintegrate with the _ or inbound tourism. they want to reintegrate with the world - or inbound tourism. they want to reintegrate with the world for i or inbound tourism. they want to reintegrate with the world for its | reintegrate with the world for its outbound tourism market its been very clear about this in the past and uses as a soft power tool to have its own diplomatic negotiations. so, it's really

stepping back into global tourism and basalt the travel and tourism became a much more political issue and continue into the future. t5 and continue into the future. is there an idea that covid—19 is under there an idea that covid—i9 is under control in china is ready to move forward and travel demand and tourism, all of that is very much welcome now back into china? t tourism, all of that is very much welcome now back into china? i think what we have — welcome now back into china? i think what we have seen _ welcome now back into china? i think what we have seen over _ welcome now back into china? i think what we have seen over the - welcome now back into china? i think what we have seen over the past i welcome now back into china? i think what we have seen over the past two | what we have seen over the past two months is china really starting to open its doors onjanuary the 8th. you see an increase in domestic travel volume which is really set the scene to see a confident chinese are to travel themselves and prepare for international travel and prepare and bound into the country which has not been possible. if you look at the curve now in terms of the infections, it is really flattened to where it was two months ago and so, in terms of under control, i don't think we know that around the world but certainly compared to where it was a few months ago, china is in a much better place, for sure.

thank you forjoining us. let's take a look at some other stories in the headlines. a state of emergency�*s been declared in malawi after tropical storm freddy struck the country for a second time, killing at least 190 people. rescue workers describe being completely overwhelmed by the rainfall and mudslides. the cyclone's one of the longest running in history and has caused havoc across parts of southern africa. meta the parent company of facebook has announced its cutting a further ten thousand jobs. it's the firm's second major round of recent lay—offs, with 11 thousand roles culled in an announcement in november. the latest cuts were revealed by ceo mark zuckerberg in an email to employees.

former uk prime minister, borisjohnson, will give evidence in public about whether he misled mps over parties held at downing street during covid lockdowns. he'll be questioned by a cross party committee in a televised session on wednesday. an initial report published earlier this month, said mrjohnson may have misled parliament multiple times. he's rejected this, saying he believes the process will "vindicate" him. the chancellor will present his first spring budget on wednesday. it is expected to have a significant expansion of childcare provisions in england. part of a strategy to get more people back to work given the shortage of staff and key sectors. scotland wales and northern ireland are expected to receive equivalent levels of funding. 0ur economics editor has more details. it is a back—to—work budget, that's the promise, and it will centre on one of the biggest expansions of childcare in england, with equivalent funding to other nations. parents of one and two—year—olds

will get the same 30 hours of support is currently extended to three and four—year—olds and more funding will go to providers that could see tens of thousands of parents helped back to work. we have already seen the chancellor is going to do something on child care for people on universal credit, people on low incomes, to support their move back into work. we might also see some additional support for everyone with young children. but will the plan helped end the strikes of public sector workers such asjodie, a nurse who's struggling with wage rises well below the high rate of inflation. being quite strict with the timer on the heating and only occasionally, if the house is really cold just putting it on for an extra hour. i'm just genuinely really looking forward to the warmer weather, not only because that will be lovely, but also because it means i don't have to worry about my bills as much. but there will be further help with energy bills,

the main driver of high inflation. you can see here where energy bills would have gone with no help — in the lighter shade. the government has spent tens of billionsjust to keep bills at £2,500 for a typical household. you can see that in october and january. while that was due to rise to £3,000 in a few weeks' time, we understand that will be postponed, effectively cancelling the further rise. eventually those prices will fall. what in the autumn was predicted to be a significant recession you can see here, will turn into a milder economic downturn, right now. but over the next few years, a smaller workforce and vacancies which have fallen back but are still well over a million risk holding the economy back. the government is sceptical of what many businesses and economists point to, loosening the post—brexit visa system for foreign workers in shortage sectors such as agriculture. there is still a shortage of people, and the consequence is we're

letting lots of local farmers, clients down. basically, they don't have enough staff to pick fruits in a certain time of the year. farms are actually closing because they can't get the workers? yes, they do. yes, they do close. i had a client in kent last year, and he had to close his farm which he had over 60 years because he didn't have enough labour to pick his apples in a certain time of the year. as the chancellor puts the finishing touches to what's expected to be a lengthy speech tomorrow, he will try to address two fundamental economic weaknesses — low investment by businesses and a workforce which is still well below full strength. he and his brother tristan have been detained since december and they are being investigated by romanian police on charges of rain and people trafficking which they both denied. entertained's lawyers says they will

appeal against the latest. jumping forjoy, take a look at this. austrian police and before we go, there's just time to show you news of a rescue that had the survivorjumping forjoy. take a look at this. australian police officers rescued a kangaroo joey from floodwaters at the peak of a record breaking flood in the state of queensland. police said two large crocodiles were also spotted nearby. officers had to pull the young kangaroo from the waters and take it to safety. the flood was triggered by heavy rain over the past week. it's part of a multi—year weather event known as la nina, which has caused a number of floods elsewhere as well. and before we go, an early spring treat for visitors at tokyo's ueno park, who have been enjoying cherry flowers blooming early in the season. japan announced the official start of tokyo's cherry blossom season on tuesday, ten days earlier than usual. in past years, the country's meteorologists have linked the increasingly early blooms to climate change, and temperatures in tokyo have been unseasonably mild in recent days. you have been watching newsday.

hello. this week, we've got some very big swings in temperatures from one day to the next. yesterday, widely, we had temperatures double figures, whereas today, it's been about 9 celsius colder than that. for example, boulmer, ia yesterday, just five this afternoon — now, that's a drop. temperatures has brought with it much colder air, and in turn, we've seen some snowfall over the staffordshire moors again here and here at low levels in the carlisle area. so, across parts of northern ireland, southern scotland, northern england, we have seen some snow getting down to quite low elevations, risk of a few showers pushing across the midlands, east anglia, south east england, but clearing later in the night with clear skies, then following. well, we are looking at a widespread and sharp frost in our towns and cities.

temperatures widely between —2 and —6 celsius, and where we've seen those showers, there is a risk of some icy stretches to start the day on wednesday. otherwise, it should be a fine start with lots of sunshine. now, in the west, we'll see cloud quickly thicken in northern ireland, outbreaks of rain spreading in here. you might even see a little bit of snowjust on the forward edge of this weather system. but ultimately, the air is turning milder in northern ireland, so any snow will be transient, it will turn back to rain. however, during wednesday evening time, we could well see some more troublesome snow just for a time across parts of northern england and scotland. the snow potentially could come down to quite low elevations, but it's across the hills and particularly to the north of the central belt, where we'll probably see the snow lasting longest. but as we go through wednesday night, again, we are going to see milder air push in from the southwest, so by the end of the night, most places will have temperatures above freezing. now, for thursday, friday and the weekend beyond, this area of low pressure is going to be in charge, the weather unsettled, and with those south—westerly winds feeding in, it will be turning a lot milder. that milder air will be arriving for most parts of the united kingdom on thursday, although it will be

accompanied by brisk winds and some heavy outbreaks of rain. temperatures will be climbing to around i2—ia degrees pretty widely, so very mild for the time of year. but the cold air hasn't quite left our shores — lerwick, just three celsius. through friday, generally it is going to be on the mild side with outbreaks of rain at times, but the cold air never far away across the north of scotland, and there are signs it could start moving southwards again early next week.

good evening, i'm tulsen tollett and this is your sports news, where we start with football. and erling haaland has broken manchester city's goals in a season record, moving to 39.

he scored five on the evening against rb leipzig as city were 7—0 winners to move through to the champions league quarterfinals 8—1 on aggregate, and the norwegian moves past a record that's stood for 9a years. it was 1—1 from the first leg in germany and haaland put city ahead with a penalty, and just over a minute later, he made it 2—0. there was time for another before half—time, when the 22—year—old claimed his hat trick, bundling the ball over the line to make it 3—0. there was more misery for leipzig after the break. ilkay gundogan scored the fourth before haaland claimed his fourth and it was 5—0. but the norwegian wasn't quite done, as city went 6—0 up thanks to his fifth goal. he was then substituted with half an hour remaining to a standing ovation before kevin de bruyne made it 7—0 in stoppage time.

inter milan are also through to the quarterfinals.