welcome to newsday, reporting live from singapore. i'm karishma vaswani. the headlines. donald trump has flown back to florida after being charged with criminal offences in a court in manhattan. he pleads not guilty to sa charges of falsifying business records to conceal criminal conduct from us voters. the legal team representing the first us president to face felony charges say their client is being unjustly singled out. everyone is not above the law, no—one�*s below it either, and if this man's name was not donald] trump, there is no scenario we'd all be here today. new york's district attorney defended his decision to treat mr trump like any

other potential criminal. these are felony crimes in new york state, no matter who you are. we cannot and will not normalise serious criminal conduct. live from our studio in singapore... this is bbc news. it's newsday. it's seven in the morning in singapore and seven in the evening in florida, where donald trump hasjust flown back from manhattan. he made us legal history there becoming the first person ever to have served as president to be charged in a criminal court. i could take you to the seen live. there is a flurry of vehicles that are awaiting the scene there, but he did make us

legal history becoming the first person ever to have served as president to be charged in a criminal court. he entered not guilty pleas to sa indictments. the car execution plans he repeatedly falsified business rafter to conceal crimes during the 2216 election —— claims. —— of the prosecution claims. payments to two women with whom mr trump is said to have had a relationship. to effectively buy their silence. you can see the streets in florida to the lead up to the arrival of donald trump with supporter waving flags. the indictment last week, supporters who believe this is a political witch hunt, who believe this is unfair, and that we have seen a relative amount of support in the lead

up amount of support in the lead up to this arrival. the political situation has been a boost for trump's election campaign. a lot of analysis about how this has divided the united even further, given the sides of the political spectrum. it is worth pumping out that donald trump has consistently denied these allegations. he pled not guilty in court. the new yorkjudge said the criminal trial could get under way as early as january. we understand that what he also talked about in that courtroom was he urged both sides to be mindful of their language and rhetoric. we've heard from several... kevin mccarthy accused the

prosecutors of an acute hearing in the process. —— interfering. but you can see the wealth of support from people who back donald trump. he has a huge base amongst republican followers, and we've heard from various of our correspondents today, many who have been following donald trump's career for the last few years and talking to his supporters, and they've been saying to them that this is a moment in history, this is unprecedented, given what we're seeing play out on american real time. a lot of people feel very disappointed, those who support donald trump and feel he's become a target of what they say is political persecution, echoing his words, in fact, at the time the indictment was first announced. donald trump came out and said that this was

political persecution, electoral interference, and something that he is expected to fight quite consistently. now, it is worth saying, just to remind people, what indeed he has been accused of. he's been charged in a criminal court and entered not guilty pleas to sa indictments. he's made us legal history, becoming the first person ever to have served as president to be charged in a criminal court. according to the prosecution, donald trump repeatedly and fraudulently falsified business records to conceal crimes during the 2016 presidential election campaign. a little earlier, we heard from alvin bragg, the manhattan da, who defended his case, saying there had been a rigorous investigation. but it is worth

bearing in mind that when supporters of donald trump, who we see light lined up on the streets — even in the early hours, people started to stream out — small groups of people. they have been very vocal about their emotions and their feelings today, and you can see them waving their american flags and banners in support of donald trump. we're expecting donald trump. we're expecting donald trump's motorcade to come through this street any moment now, as i understand it. those motorcycles heralding the arrival of his motorcade and having him coming in from the airport as we've been reporting, the fact that he has arrived in the last few minutes. we are expecting him to head to a news conference a little later, where he will have a chance to address for the first time, some of the

things that have been said in court today. as you can see there, that motorcade arriving now. cheering lots of support from his supporters. cheering as his motorcade arrived. cheering. a real moment in history there. we are expecting donald trump to address his supporters a little later on today. we will be bringing you that coverage live on bbc news, so do stay tuned for that. that motorcade now makes its way to the mar—a—lago estate, as we understand, where donald trump will be addressing an increasingly packed room. he will be talking to his supporters. we start our coverage with this report from our north america editor, sarah smith. with his fist in the air, donald trump struck

a deliberately defiant pose at the left forecourt. —— as he left for court. his 15—car motorcade whisking him through new york is certainly attention—grabbing as trump continues to court publicity for his imminent arrest. on the way, he posted a social media statement saying... a wave to his supporters outside the courthouse, before surrendering himself into custody. us tv stations carried live coverage every moment. he stirred up a hornet�*s nest. these images of the scene in the corridors whilst trump was being fingerprinted and read his rights. just look at his face as he then moves towards the courtroom. and watch as the cops don't even bother to hold the door open for him. there are no presidential privileges here. will you come speak to us? tv cameras were banned inside the courtroom,

but photographers could catch trump's expressions. he appears sober, chastened and angry. the typical trump swagger seemed to falter as he listened to the 3a criminal charges against him. he entered a plea of not guilty to them all. we've nowjust seen the indictment against donald trump for the first time. all the charges accuse him of falsifying business records in the first degree, saying that on 3a occasions during 2017, he made false entries in business records with intent to defraud and intent to conceal the commission of another crime. i think it's a long time coming that people at that level are held to the same standards that the average citizen is altogether. it's something that people at that level of power have been able to evade for a long time. this is the first of many, so i think there's many crimes we can hopefully get him on. there's no crime against trump, but it doesn't matter. _ he's treated unfairly.

and everyone knows it. it's going to make him more stronger and he's going to run for 202a. trump 202a. and you're going to support him? course i am, 100%. president trump, could you please come take some questions? as he left the court, donald trump, unusually, had no statement for his supporters outside, leaving it to his lawyers to talk to the press. today's unsealing of this indictment shows that the rule of law died in this country, because, while everyone is not above the law, no—one�*s below it either, and if this man's name was not donaldj trump, there is no scenario we would be here today — please understand that — based on these charges. alvin bragg is the new york district attorney bringing the prosecution against donald trump. these are felony crimes in new york state, no matter who you are. we cannot and will not normalise serious criminal conduct. the next court date is not set until december, leaving donald trump plenty of time to consider his next move. sarah smith,

bbc news, new york. live now to our correspondent barbara plett usher. in the very room where we are expecting a news conference, donald trump to address supporters, as i understand it. what have they been telling you where you are?— where you are? they have been sa in: where you are? they have been saying that _ where you are? they have been saying that the _ where you are? they have been saying that the court _ where you are? they have been saying that the court case - where you are? they have been saying that the court case has l saying that the court case has overreached the district attorney, that this is really about a political case by a democratic system against mr trump, that this is a way to silence him, and that they don't think it will. they have been pointing to the boosts in his support from the republican

voters. a number said his speech is important because his supporters will want to know that he's still ready to lead the nation, and perhaps this will be the sort of theme or template he'll have going forward as he continues to campaign for the presidency. it's a diverse group of people. it's a diverse group of people. i spoke to a number of commentators, also a woman who used to work on the shopping channel. there's members of the mar—a—lago club, there are bikers for trump, so it's quite a mix of people who come here to hear what mr trump is going to say. to hear what mr trump is going tosa. . , to hear what mr trump is going tosa. ., , ., to say. barbara, is there a sense amongst _ to say. barbara, is there a sense amongst any - to say. barbara, is there a - sense amongst any supporters that this case could hurt his political future, that this case could hurt his politicalfuture, that that this case could hurt his political future, that it might affect his presidential ambitions?—

affect his presidential ambitions? ., ambitions? no, quite the opposite- _ ambitions? no, quite the opposite- a _ ambitions? no, quite the opposite. a number- ambitions? no, quite the opposite. a number of i ambitions? no, quite the - opposite. a number of people said they miscalculated. i they, they mean the people who brought the case. they believe it's politically motivated. they think this is going to strengthen mr trump. they point to already the boost in his numbers. those are short—term, we don't know how that will play out. their belief is that this is actually going to be a benefit to him when it comes to his political campaign. certainly, the campaign is seeking to capitalise on it. it has already raised quite a lot of money, using the indictment. mr trump put of money, using the indictment. mrtrump put on of money, using the indictment. mr trump put on social media that it was up to $10 million, and there has been an increase of volunteers who had signed up to work with the republicans. when it comes to the first vote, which is the primary vote, which is the primary vote, that determines whether or not mr trump will be the republican nominee for the presidential election, the feeling here very much is that

he's been given a benefit, a bonus. 2, . he's been given a benefit, a bonus. �* . . . he's been given a benefit, a bonus. ., ., , , bonus. barbara, that puts the other candidates _ bonus. barbara, that puts the other candidates in _ bonus. barbara, that puts the other candidates in a - bonus. barbara, that puts the other candidates in a tricky i other candidates in a tricky position, because they sort of have to support him now to show that they are loyal, so to speak, but that puts their own bid injeopardy. it speak, but that puts their own bid in jeepardy-_ bid in 'eopardy. it was tricky to bid in jeopardy. it was tricky to beain bid in jeopardy. it was tricky to begin with _ bid in jeopardy. it was tricky to begin with because - bid in jeopardy. it was tricky to begin with because they i bid in jeopardy. it was tricky - to begin with because they have to begin with because they have to present themselves as somebody who would continue his policies but you better place to leave the movement —— better placed to lead. such a strong feeling amongst his base that this is, he is being victimised, they have fallen in line basically and said it is politically motivated. most of them indicated their support for his position on the criminal charges, so it makes it more difficult to

differentiate from him and present themselves as someone who could succeed. it's early days, so we'll see how it plays out, but at the moment, mr trump is in the unusual position of having the people work planning to contest the election lining up behind him. truth is often stranger than fiction. barbara plett usher, it's great to get you on the programme with your thoughts. i'm sure we'll speak again, but for now, barbara flesher... around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

you're live with bbc news. let's just take a moment to concentrate on the charges being brought against mr trump. the court filing says the former president acted "with intent to defraud

and intent to commit another crime and aid and conceal the commission thereof, and made and caused a false entry in the business records of an enterprise". the charges against trump are all class e felonies. that is the lowest category of felony offence in new york and carries a maximum prison sentence of four years per count. falsifying business records is usually prosecuted as a misdemeanour. the manhattan district attorney's office is escalating the charge by alleging the offence was committed in order to conceal or commit another crime. and it's important to note mr trump has pleaded not guilty on all the charges i'm joined now by former federal prosecutor katie cherkasky in new york. great to get you on the programme. how strong is this case, in your view?— case, in your view? well, this is really not — case, in your view? well, this is really not a _

case, in your view? well, this is really not a strong - case, in your view? well, this is really not a strong case - is really not a strong case from a prosecutorial standpoint, and that's not a partisan position, it's illegal in terms of these charges. there are issues with potentially a statute of limitation, because the charges of the are typically misdemeanors, but in order to surpass the limitations that's expired, the district attorney had to essentially enhance those charges with the allegation that he committed another crime. we don't know what that crime is, it's not alleged, but this is a kind of carious legal case from the very beginning. so, i think it is surprising to many people to see this case brought, because it is legally a weak case and thatis it is legally a weak case and that is something that has a lot of... g , ., that is something that has a lotof... , ., , lot of... just to 'ump in their and ut lot of... just to 'ump in their and put to _ lot of... just to 'ump in their and put to you — lot of. .. just to jump in their and put to you what - lot of. .. just to jump in their and put to you what alvin i lot of. .. just to jump in their. and put to you what alvin bragg has said, he has insisted it's

been a thorough and liquorice investigation —— vigorous. he's been really upfront and said that the case was brought because it was ready to be brought. they looked like they are getting ready to fight this pretty strongly, katie. iwould hoe pretty strongly, katie. iwould hepe that— pretty strongly, katie. iwould hepe that he _ pretty strongly, katie. iwould hope that he does _ pretty strongly, katie. iwould hope that he does have i pretty strongly, katie. iwould hope that he does have an i hope that he does have an airtight case in this decision because it is a risk in my opinion, and we have to remember there were two federal prosecutors' offices that look at these allegations many years ago and declined to prosecute because of the very issues that exist. i think too many people, it's very surprising that alvin bragg is confident in the charges. the evidence is not anything other than we've expected. it rests primarily on the shoulders of michael cohen, who has significant credibility issues, to say the least, and has a significant bias against mr trump.

has a significant bias against mrtrump. in terms has a significant bias against mr trump. in terms of the prosecution of this case, it is incredibly difficult from a legal perspective, and i think in the eyes of the republican americans, it has been... they see it one way or the other, and that's dependent on their personal opinion of mr trump. look, what about the fact that alvin bragg says this case is about 3k false statements made to cover up crimes? he says donald trump repeatedly made those false statements on new york business records, caused others to make false statements. how serious is that in terms of the legal perspective?- in terms of the legal perspective? we have to remember _ perspective? we have to remember that - perspective? we have to remember that all i perspective? we have to i remember that all prosecutors, including alvin bragg, have discussion about which cases they take forward. alvin bragg has notoriously been known to not take many cases for that actually have evidence of significant criminal misconduct, so the idea that he is mr law & 0rder misconduct, so the idea that he is mr law & order is not very genuine. his prosecutorial

discretion has been used in a specific way as part of his campaign, and in terms of his case, it seems very political because he is not somebody to go after every alleged crime. that's a big allegation, katie, and to be fair to alvin bragg, he has talked about the fact this is based on a rigorous investigation. ijust this is based on a rigorous investigation. i just want to put to you, what happens next in the legal process to donald trump? what are we expecting to happen next?— happen next? well, in terms of what's going — happen next? well, in terms of what's going to _ happen next? well, in terms of what's going to happen - happen next? well, in terms of what's going to happen next, . what's going to happen next, thejudge has made a preliminary date in early december. there is a possibility that the judge could issue an order to schedule different filings required for the case and perhaps even hearings on this issue, but as of right now, the only date where the next formal step of the case in the courtroom is quite a ways out. so i believe the defence will file many motions to either get

the case dismissed, require the prosecution to provide more information in terms of the felony offence he committed, and things of this sort. it's going to perceive just as and things of this sort. it's going to perceivejust as many credible cases, and in terms of the deciding factors, this could be decisions utterly on that... that obviously remains to be seen. that... that obviously remains to be seen-— to be seen. indeed, katie cherkasky. _ to be seen. indeed, katie cherkasky, former - to be seen. indeed, katie| cherkasky, former federal cherkasky, formerfederal prosecutor. great to get you on the programme with your thoughts. the programme with your thoughts-— the programme with your thou~hts. ., ~' . according to the latest opinion polls, donald trump is the clear frontrunner in the race for the republican nomination for next year's presidential election. polling experts and commentators are busy debating how today's events might affect voters' opinion of mr trump at such a crucial stage in the electoral cycle. 0ur correspondent sophie long reports now from the state of arizona, which was won by a narrow margin by president biden and the democrats in 2020.

they cheer. they may be nearly 2500 miles from new york city, but they could still show solidarity with their former president. this couple say their support for donald trump has never been stronger. he might be un—perfect, he might be someone who doesn't speak eloquently, who used to tweet so much, but at the same time, he says things the way they are. i am a mexican in salvador and he love everybody, but the people say he's racist and this is not true. arizona was once a reliably republican state, but in 2020, it elected a democratic president for the first time in a quarter of a century. then last year, voters here chose a democratic governor. the republican candidate who won donald trump's endorsement did not win the election. nor did other trump—backed,

election—denying candidates. are you in that picture withjohn mccain? yeah. many moderate republican and independent voters here want to move on. alberto is a lifelong ultra—conservative republican. he voted trump in 2016 and 2020, but even he's had enough. why wouldn't you vote for donald trump now? because i think. we need a change. we need to find someone else, others who are not as brash i as donald trump that can carry and rebuild the republican i party — not only here - in arizona, but nationwide. in a state where every vote counts, a criminal court case could as well. things are heating up for donald trump and for some here, they're getting too hot to handle. sophie long, bbc news, arizona.

this is the scene live in mar—a—lago — where donald trump will be holding a news conference in about an hour or so from now. you can see those live pictures of that room, increasingly packed, where we are expecting donald trump to adjust his supporters at 8:15pm in the evening local time. we are expecting him to talk to people there and address the charges that he has seen and a us court today. just a reminder that donald trump has pled not guilty to those 3a felony criminal charges during that court hearing in new york, as we've been reporting on bbc news. he has been accused of falsifying records to hide damaging information during the 2016 election. the charges focus on a hush money payment, and he has denied those allegations. lots more of course on the bbc website, as

always, and we will have live coverage of that speech right here on bbc news. for now, that's it. do stay with bbc news. hello there. at this time of year, with light winds and a little bit of shelter, you can just start to feel the strength of the sunshine, but clear skies overnight can still lead to substantial frost. we have —6 celsius in parts of 0xfordshire first thing on tuesday morning, lots of blue sky and sunshine stayed all day, and in kew gardens by the middle of the afternoon, 15 celsius was the high — very nice indeed. the story is changing, though, and it's because of these frontal systems that are pushing in from the northwest. the clearest of the skies over the next few hours will be in the southeast corner here. touch of light, frost possible, but with outbreaks of rain developing and more cloud around, it is going to be a much milder start to the day. but there will be some wet weather around, moving its way out of scotland, pushing into northern england and across wales.

showery rain to begin with, but another batch of wet weather will start to move in by the middle part of the afternoon. so, clouding over, but it should stay dry in east anglia for much of the day. highs here of 13 degrees. there'll be some showery outbreaks of rain and some heavier bursts pushing into wales and northwest england. a brighter afternoon, though, to close out the day in northern ireland and western scotland as the weather fronts start to drift their way steadily eastwards. still staying relatively mild for the time of year, that rain still has to clear away eastwards, and as it does so, well, we'll see clearer skies and temperatures will be a little bit lower out to the west by thursday morning. but thursday morning we'll see that rain easing away, and then a little ridge of high pressure will slowly start to build in from the west and quieten things down. so, yes, a cloudy, grey start across eastern areas, a few scattered showers remaining as we go through the day, but an improving picture. there will be some sunshine coming through. light

winds still coming from a northwesterly direction on thursday, so that will make it feeljust that little bit fresher. temperatures are likely to peak between 8—13 celsius. now, as we move out of thursday into the start of the long easter weekend, high pressure is set to build in for a couple of days at least. these weather fronts trying to push in from the atlantic, but they will take their time in doing so. so, not a bad start to the easter weekend — dry, settled and sunny before the risk of some rain arrives slowly but surely for easter sunday afternoon. take care.

johnson and johnson offers to pay almost $9 million to settle lawsuits alleging the talcum powder powders caused cancer. tenant gears up to welcome president of france emmanuel macron. 0n the agenda, trade and ukraine. welcome to asia business report. 0ur and ukraine. welcome to asia business report. our top story today and what could be one of the us largest product settlements. former giant

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