this is bbc news. the headlines: military honours the president zelensky, he makes his first official visit to poland since russia invaded ukraine. the husband of the former scottish first minister nicola sturgeon is arrested over an investigation to be party finances. israeli police must 350 palestinian worshippers. the us is arresting donald trump for the first time. —— israeli police arrest 350.

and jacinda ardern makes her farewell. former new zealand prime minister jacinda ardern has bowed out of parliament with a standing ovation following her farewell speech earlier. the 42—year—old spoke about the honour she has felt representing her country and steering its people through some of the hardest times, including natural disasters, the covid—i9 pandemic and the 2019 christchurch mosque attack. she shocked the country earlier this year when she announced she was stepping down as prime minister and retiring from politics, saying she no longer had "enough in the tank". i do hope i have demonstrated something else entirely. that you can be anxious, sensitive, kind, and wear your heart on your sleeve. you can be a mother or not. you can be an ex—mormon or not. you can be a nerd, a crier, a hugger, you can be all of these things. and not only can you be here,

you can lead just like me. tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou. a standing ovation their in wellington. jacinda ardern wearing the traditional cloak and are using a greeting that where greeted ancestors and fully recruit that. live now to helen clark. she was new zealand's prime minister between 1999 and 2008. there must have been such a heightened sense of emotion today. it was an occasion not to risk, it was a sad occasion because leaders like her to look around all too

often but she isn't looking forward to a different kind of life and feels she has agreed to contribution that she could as a private minister and passing the baton on to others. —— is looking forward to a different kind of life. her decisions that led to a lot of lives being saved during the pandemic, but sadness to see her grow. the pandemic, but sadness to see her crow. . , ~' the pandemic, but sadness to see her i row. ., , ~' ., the pandemic, but sadness to see her crow. . , ~ ., ., the pandemic, but sadness to see her irow. ., , ~' ., ., _, grow. leaders like her to not come alon: grow. leaders like her to not come along very — grow. leaders like her to not come along very often. _ grow. leaders like her to not come along very often, but _ grow. leaders like her to not come along very often, but what - grow. leaders like her to not come along very often, but what do - grow. leaders like her to not come along very often, but what do you | along very often, but what do you think that hurt special —— read her special? think that hurt special -- read her secial? ,, . ~' think that hurt special -- read her secial? ,, ., ~ ., , special? she talked about being kind, the most _ special? she talked about being kind, the most to _ special? she talked about being kind, the most to each - special? she talked about being kind, the most to each other. special? she talked about being i kind, the most to each other which you do not care that much in politics which can be very combative, citing the kindness, empathy, ability to communicate, she had very special skills.— had very special skills. shows -o - ular had very special skills. shows popular internationally - had very special skills. shows popular internationally but. popular internationally but increasingly not so much at home. i

think as the pandemic has dragged on and we are still officially as a world in a state of handanovic people began to tire. —— state of pandemic. going by western countries are standard, we did pretty well, i think we are still on that negative mortality by pandemic measures we did not suffer a high rate of death, but over time people do not want restrictions that got traction. she was subject _ restrictions that got traction. she was subject to — restrictions that got traction. she was subject to a huge amount of toxic abuse online, misogyny, unprecedented level of hatred for a new zealand leader as well. how worried are you about the signals that this sends to other young women who might want to get involved in politics?

who might want to get involved in olitics? . , . who might want to get involved in olitics? ., . , politics? that is a concern but i susect politics? that is a concern but i suspect that — politics? that is a concern but i suspect that is _ politics? that is a concern but i suspect that is why _ politics? that is a concern but i suspect that is why in - politics? that is a concern but i suspect that is why in her - politics? that is a concern but i i suspect that is why in her speech politics? that is a concern but i - suspect that is why in her speech to date she addressed the issue of people needing to step up and then she said,, you can do this, you can be nice to people through the store, do not be put off, we can all play a here. i think the unpleasantness has reached new heights but there is elements were always there, but there was not facebook and other platforms to troll.— there was not facebook and other platforms to troll. when you return home ou platforms to troll. when you return home you often — platforms to troll. when you return home you often have _ platforms to troll. when you return home you often have a _ platforms to troll. when you return home you often have a perspective| platforms to troll. when you return i home you often have a perspective on how things are, do you feel new is more polarised than it has been before? ,.,

more polarised than it has been before? . ., , , before? got particularly, but part ofthe before? got particularly, but part of the population _ before? got particularly, but part of the population that _ before? got particularly, but part of the population that is - before? got particularly, but part of the population that is dropping out or stock just of the population that is dropping out or stockjust has more avenues on social media to gather at the rally so opinions that might not have much needed circulation get oxygen which enables them to organise not only online but it also facilitates rather horrific demonstrations which take weeks like the ones at the new zealand parliament for the ottawa parliament in canada, so that is the concern that this new age of communication enables these types of communities to strengthen. that enables these types of communities to strengthen-— to strengthen. that is something that definitely _ to strengthen. that is something that definitely needs _ to strengthen. that is something that definitely needs to - to strengthen. that is something that definitely needs to be - that definitely needs to be addressed around the world. thank you forjoining us. we are keeping a close eye on what is happening in

warsaw, the meeting between president zelensky and president so we are waiting to see what lies come out of that conference. it is mr zelensky�*s first visit to poland since the invasion. —— to see what lorraine the recruit lines, out of that conference. we will hear from him later in warsaw and i think there will be gratitude to the people for what they have done and for her and's great support when it comes to military and humanitarian aid to ukraine. the french president, emmanuel macron, and the head of the european commission, ursula von der leyen,

are on a three—day trip in china in hopes to reset relations. traveling with a 50 strong business delegation, on the agenda for the trip is talks around ukraine as beijing's refusal to condemn russia over its invasion of ukraine has soured relations with europe. but in a speech, macron warned that europe must not separate from china economically. have a listen. translation: we must not be naive. our european — translation: we must not be naive. our european union _ translation: we must not be naive. our european union are _ translation: we must not be naive. our european union are taking - translation: we must not be naive. our european union are taking this - 0ur european union are taking this step of sovereignty establishing trade events instruments that are necessary for our credibility to stop the eu must also be voluntarily committed to having a trade relationship with china and our economies must never be fully dependent and this is what china wants with the eu and us but we must

not separate ourselves that would separate the heat suggest that we do not want to do anything together any more. . , not want to do anything together any more. ., , .., ., , ,., more. that they can arresting you exectin: more. that they can arresting you exoecting you _ more. that they can arresting you exoecting you a — more. that they can arresting you expecting you a little _ more. that they can arresting you expecting you a little surprised? i more. that they can arresting you i expecting you a little surprised? -- expecting you a little surprised? —— was actually kind of messaging? mas was actually kind of messaging? was a little was actually kind of messaging? —" a little surprised, he has as massive business delegation with him. just before he travelled to china, china and france was a huge natural gas deal and we are also expecting big deals from edf, the energy giant and potentially a huge airbus plane deal, so we knew that was coming down the pipeline, but when the mist that says we still need to de—risk, which is echoing

language we heard last week from ursula von der leyen when she called on rivers to de—risk and limit access to sensitive technologies even though they will continued economic trade. is emphasising what she said but also saying we cannot decouple and need to continue building economic ties. i think that is the message we will hear going forward. ~ ., ., i. is the message we will hear going forward. ~ ., ., ,, ~' forward. what do you think xi jinin: is forward. what do you think xi jinping is hoping _ forward. what do you think xi jinping is hoping to _ forward. what do you think xi jinping is hoping to get - forward. what do you think xi jinping is hoping to get out i forward. what do you think xi jinping is hoping to get out ofj forward. what do you think xi - jinping is hoping to get out of this perfect? he jinping is hoping to get out of this erfect? . , jinping is hoping to get out of this erfect? ., , ., ., ., ., jinping is hoping to get out of this erfect? .,, ., ., ., ., ., perfect? he has a lot going on at reall . perfect? he has a lot going on at really- he _ perfect? he has a lot going on at really. he needs— perfect? he has a lot going on at really. he needs to _ perfect? he has a lot going on at really. he needs to revive - perfect? he has a lot going on at| really. he needs to revive china's quality. it is really still struggling after years of covid restrictions so he is under a lot of pressure dramatically to bring down unemployment, get those factors working again i get supply chains going again. however, he would like to build a bit of a wedge between

the eu and us. china us relations are really at a low point should have been thought, especially from the white house, private thoughts on the white house, private thoughts on the biden administration that they were not too thrilled that is making the three—day trip. before he travelled we had a phone call with the joe biden travelled we had a phone call with thejoe biden when it broke a greater china could play a key role. —— they both agreed. issued a joint statement saying that is what they would like to do, find an accelerated negotiated settlements that war in ukraine. 50 accelerated negotiated settlements that war in ukraine.— that war in ukraine. so you will be lookin: to that war in ukraine. so you will be looking to act _ that war in ukraine. so you will be looking to act as _ that war in ukraine. so you will be looking to act as a _ that war in ukraine. so you will be looking to act as a global - looking to act as a global settlement. trade deals, but what other avenues could be all agree on?

that are a few things on the agenda at the right to start with. climate change. both france and beijing have discussed these issues before and want to work towards the new cop27 goals and they are both interested in renewable energy, discussion of wind power, solar power. also food supply, both countries have expressed concern over threats to the global food supply and supply chains in general. until we can get them moving post—covid it will affect everyone's, which i think thatis affect everyone's, which i think that is what they will find common ground on. in afghanistan, the united nations says it's been told by the taliban government that local female staff will be stopped from working for the organisation across the country.

the un said the taliban had informed them verbally but there had not yet been written communication of the move. the un has told its afghan staff — men and women — not to report to work for 48 hours, until it has clarity on the matter. i've been speaking to cindy mccain, the head of the world food programme about a wide range of issues including this ban — here's what she had to say. for a top priority today as we have found out is afghan women and workers to the un agencies, the taliban have said they cannot work for the un any more so what this does as ours do not do ourjob is probably. cannot operate without

them and the taliban will make sure they cannot work. our afghan women are still on the payroll even though they are at home. continuing to remind the world that this is a serious issue with regard to treatment of women also have to consider the doubtful if we do not stay in afghanistan. williams will starve to death if we do not, so the former un agencies and there are very tight on this, we have the same message of this that we are saying. and you can hear my full interview with cindy mccain later in the programme. thanks forjoining us on bbc news. so, some of the most interesting stories that i've told the audiences, well, i can look back to the very beginning of my career, a junior reporter during 9/ii.

that was a huge story and it was so difficult to tell, particularly because i had to interview people who had lost colleagues and loved ones in those towers in new york. moving on, the economic crisis of 2008, that was a huge story both in the uk and globally. and i talked to so many people whose lives have been turned upside down by the then banking crisis and the subsequent economic fallout. i was the chief presenter during the covid pandemic and i was coming in to work trying to convey the story to viewers who are stuck at home during lockdown, not only in the uk but across the world. more recently, i was sent to windsor to cover the funeral of prince philip, the duke of edinburgh. and i was there getting a real sense of loss and sadness. you know, it was a great honour for me to be sent there by the bbc to cover a story like that. you are live with that bbc news.

that's returned to the us. according to the latest opinion polls, donald trump is the clear front runner in the race for the republican nomination for next year's presidential election. polling experts and commentators are busy debating how the latest events might affect voters' opinion of mr trump at such a crucial stage in the electoral cycle. 0ur correspondent sophie long reports from the state of arizona which was won by a narrow margin by president biden and the democrats in 2020. they may be nearly 2,500 miles from new york city, but they could still show solidarity with their former president. jorge and betty rivas say their support for donald trump has never been stronger. he might be imperfect, 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, el salvador, and he loves everybody. but the people say he's racist and this is not true. the clientele at their mexican restaurant near tucson tend to share their politics. it's kind of a prerequisite for getting served. we need to stand up and say, you know, "this is not ok. it is not ok for you to attack your political opponent by arresting them." i think his time had come and gone. this whole indictment is changing everybody's opinion and it's giving him more strength and more to run on — 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. ronald reagan. alberto gutier is a lifelong ultra—conservative republican. he voted for donald trump in 2016 and 2020, but even he's had enough. why wouldn't you vote for donald trump now? because i think that we need a change. we need to find someone else, others who are not as brash as donald trump, that can carry and rebuild the republican party, not only here in arizona, but nationwide. in a state where every vote counts, a criminal court case could, too. things are heating up for donald trump and, for some here, they're getting too hot to handle. sophie long, bbc news, arizona.

a new bbc investigation exposes a uk life—coaching organisation that is accused of being a cult. the group says it offers self—development, but people who've left say it's taken over their lives. people say they've been encouraged to hand over tens of thousands of dollars, separate from their families and have suffered extreme harassment. 0ne charity which helps people break free from abusive groups says it receives more calls about the organisation than any other in the uk. catrin nye has been working on the investigation. it's been 18 months since jeffrey leigh—jones left lighthouse international group, a life coaching company accused of being a cult. the 34—year—old sailor from portsmouth initially got involved with the organisation for business mentoring, but soon he was on the phone to his mentor at all hours of the day. i thoroughly enjoy the conversations you and i have. at first i was motivated, i was inspired and i started working hard. these calls then became more

frequent, longer, more intense, more about deeper parts of your life. in time, began to share traumatic things, things i found deeply painful. jeff was encouraged to become part of lighthouse full time. that meant being on group phone calls every day, often led by paul waugh, their charismatic leader. many people who don't know me very well think i'm a mystic because i'm able to sort of feel things no—one else can. all these calls were recorded, then painstakingly transcribed. they began to take overjeff�*s life. it got longer and longer as we went. so within six months, they're five to six hours. that's every day. every day. so i would listen in at times. the topics were getting more sinister — narcissists, toxic parents. and then that's when i started worrying because i thought he's literally being brainwashed all day, every day. people who have been part of lighthouse have become isolated from family.

some move into shared houses, and there's a financial cost too. in total, jeff paid £131,000 to the organisation. he sold his house to fund some of it. lighthouse says that any money paid is a self—investment. erin, anotherformer mentee, paid over £35,000. i took out an interest—free credit card and the idea came from my mentor. i started to feel as though i couldn't think anything unless my mentor said that it's a healthy thing to think. when people start to ask questions, things can turn nasty. i'm telling you now, you've got to stop doing it. it's not acceptable. treating us as if we're trying to do you over. you're a cynical little witch. lighthouse do not like criticism. people who have spoken out have been reported to the police. lighthouse even contacted the employer of another critic to tell them she was unfit

to do herjob. i consider lighthouse a very classic example of a cult. firstly, cults are started and led by a charismatic and authoritarian leader, but they're also bullies. the structure is steeply hierarchical, but it's heavily isolating. then you have this process of what i call brainwashing, or we could also call coercive control. if you do this to people, you can then exploit them. martin's daughter mel is still part of lighthouse. she no longer talks to herfamily. 0ne feels so powerless. you feel, "what can i do?" what's it like having a child in lighthouse? it's as if my daughter's died. because she's not my daughter that i know, is not there any more. i'm sorry. one week ago, lighthouse international group was shut down as a business by a court over a lack of financial transparency.

we put our allegations to their leader. how do you feel about the fact that so many people think you're running a cult? we're not running a cult, because they don't know what a cult is. if you ask them, "what's the difference with a cult and a community that supports people?" they wouldn't be able to tell you. why do you think so many people say it? because they're slurring us, they're smearing us, that's exactly what they do. are you going to carry on? yes, we are carrying on. thank you. we've had enough. no comment. catrin nye, bbc news. turning to rugby now — and the former england player luther burrell says he feels proud for speaking out after an rfu investigation found his claims of racist abuse during his time at newcastle falcons were true. burrell has been speaking to our sports editor dan roan. 0n the pitch, luther burrell was a powerful presence, but last year the former england centre made an impact off it, claiming he had experienced racism in rugby. the rfu took over an investigation that had been launched by his final

club newcastle falcons and an eight—month inquiry is now over. the rfu says its report finds... do you have a sense of relief at that finding? yes, i do, because it's been a tough 8—10 months. i was disappointed initially by the lack of support shown from some of my peers. it was as if my comments were being dismissed. so, it was almost like people needed proof and now this summary has come out, people will understand that. i'm proud of what i've done. what i said has been deemed to be the truth. newcastle says it didn't have access to the player's whatsapp group in which the racist language was posted and that the two

other incidents occurred on a night out an away trip. the inquiry which interviewed more than 90 past and present employees of the club said the abuse was hurtful and undermined burrell�*s dignity. calling anybody a slave is not funny. you know? so, yeah, as i said, it was abhorrent behaviour. it was something that affects my dignity as a player, it effects me as a human, as a father. in a statement, newcastle said... that was likely taking it back to walsall, one significant line, they

are trying to maintain additional security guarantees that will strengthen in ukraine when it comes to the nato summit being held in july. many of us enjoyed a beautiful bright day yesterday, a very different story through this afternoon. bottle of bacardi, outbreaks of rain and the next few days will be quite changeable. —— mostly cloudy. you can see on the satellite picture, extensive cloud has spread. 0ver satellite picture, extensive cloud has spread. over the front will be moving across the uk through the course of the day and into tomorrow. eventually tomorrow that will find itself in the north sea so should brighton. forecast for later, you can see outbreaks of rain pretty much anywhere across the country,

some spots are not making it 10 degrees weather cloud is thicker and rain heavier. tonight is that bad a rain heavier. tonight is that bad a rain that sweeps east and you can see it having the east coast and rewarding. 0utdoors debast clearer in the water is cold. —— not as a cold. here is the forecast and weather for thursday. still struggling eastern parts of the uk but very rewarding experience to the north sea. attempts to brighten but not dry out completely, we are expecting showers almost anywhere across the uk, maybe some heavy ones with the afternoon. temperature between the 214 celsius. it will be a much brighter day. —— neu hundred 14 celsius. a chance to pick a

eastern and central parts of england. the easter weekend, south—westerly, west south—westerly winds across the country, at times rather. illiterate caller her and it will stay on the wild side but temperatures typically in the teens. 0n the whole, not too bad. —— a little cooler here.

today at one, donald trump claims he's the victim of election interference, after an extraordinary day, after an extraordinary day in american history. he's the first former us president to appear in court on criminal charges, and is accused of multiple counts, of falsifying business records. the only crime that i have committed is to fearlessly defend our nation from those who seek to destroy it. also this lunchtime. nicola sturgeon's husband, peter murrell, the former chief executive of the snp, is arrested, over the party's finances. head teachers across england vote overwhelmingly to reject the government's latest pay offer.

israeli police clash with palestinians at the al—aqsa mosque in another flare up of tensions.