prime minister benjamin netanyahu in an operation. asa as a power as a power vacuum as a power vacuum in haiti is filled by armed gangs, we have the special report. voice—over: live from our studio in singapore, this is bbc news. it's newsday. we start in the middle east where thousands of protesters have gathered in cities across israel to call for an election due to the government's handling of the ongoing crisis in gaza. prime minister benjamin netanyahu says that it would paralyse the country and stop efforts to beat hamas. he had surgery sunday night for a hernia and temporarily replaced by his deputy. mr netanyahu

said he'd be back to work soon. joe floater is a middle east bureau chief. he has this analysis on what benjamin netanyahu hoped to achieve. i think you are appearing as reassurance to his friends and critics that he was still in charge of government as he prepared to hand over the reins of power to his deputy and a warning to those converging on towns around israel particularly a few kilometres away outside the israeli parliament calling for new elections him to step down. let's break out really are. some groups of hostages with families and their supporters who believe he does not have the commitment to secure a ceasefire deal that would release their loved ones from gaza. their point of view is that it has been four months since the last deal that's saw

significant release of hostages and since then very little has happened in that regard. they have been joined happened in that regard. they have beenjoined by others happened in that regard. they have been joined by others who object to a mr netanyahu on political grounds and remember the last year hundreds of,000 people were paralysing the streets of israel every weekend testing against his planned constitutional reforms. they have now colonised to try and get this netanyahu to step down and call new elections. he is very unpopular in the pulsed but this war is still something that most israelis think is the right thing to be doing. now to turkey. turkish president erdogan�*s party is facing losses in municipal elections across much of the country, including istanbul, the nation's largest city. three quarters of the votes have been counted, with the main opposition chp well ahead of the president's ak party in many big urban centres. the opposition�*s leading figure — istanbul's current mayor, ekrem imamoglu — has declared victory after securing just over 50% of the vote.

this is significant because he's viewed as the best placed opposition candidate for the presidency in 2028. onur erem is from the bbc turkish service, and he gave us the latest. more than 80% of the votes have been counted, and the opposition is still leading in most of the cities, and especially the biggest cities. they've won six of the seven largest cities in turkey — and for the first time in the last 2a years, they've managed to win more municipalities than the government party, the akp. so what does this mean for president erdogan why have voters then flocked to the opposition in istanbul and ankara, and other major cities, as well? in the last few years, there's an economic crisis in turkey, and the cost—of—living crisis. so, this has been one of the key issues not only in the local elections, but the general elections

last year, as well. last year, the main opposition party, chp, was in an alliance with other opposition parties — and despite that, they couldn't be the first part in the elections, and they couldn't win the presidency. but this year, without that alliance on their own, they managed to be the biggest winner in the mayoral elections. and this is a very big morale boost for them after last yea r�*s loss. and the mayor of istanbul, ekrem imamoglu, in today's speech, he said, "this is not only an important day "for istanbul or turkey, but also for the "western world." he said that in the last decade, the authoritarian tendency was expanding in the world, and turkey showed that you can turn this around by democratic means with an authoritarian regime. and you mentioned that the chp didn't do so well in the presidential elections last year, so what's changed then since that's led to all these successes in these

municipal elections? well, the biggest change in the chp was their leader. their presidential candidate and leader last year lost the party election in the autumn to a reformist candidate, who is now leading the party. and he changed some key players in the party — and also, ekrem imamoglu, the mayor of istanbul, was supporting a change, as well, and now they have a different leadership of the party. the leading opposition figure, istanbul's current mayor, ekrem imamoglu, said this at the party headquarters. repeat the phrases are used only one 2019 election that we do not see these election results as the victory. there is no enemy against us. we are

all honourable members of this country. this city. 0ur political views may differ, our view of the world may be different, but now the election is over. we will take off our badges and computer server 6 million ankora residents without discrimination. he said this vote is _ without discrimination. he said this vote is not _ without discrimination. he said this vote is not the _ without discrimination. he said this vote is not the and - this vote is not the and debilitating point in front of a rather quiet crowd. earlier, we heard from rumeysa kadak, who's istanbul mp for president erdogan�*s ak party. she had this to say about the results. well, first of all, i would like to congratulate those who have been elected. i really hope that they will serve the people and fulfil their promises in the coming five years. and i also want to congratulate those who have campaigned on the ground from our political party, ak party,

mhb, and also from those different political parties, i believe we have shown the world how vibrant and robust a democracy we have in turkey. that's very magnanimous of you, but if we can focus on your party, the ak party, what do you put your party's poor showing down to? we do respect the decisions of people. we believe we receive their message, we will have our inside discussions in our own political party, and we just need to work harder to reach more people. and what does this result mean for the future of the ak party — and, by extension, president erdogan? well, we need to listen to the people — this is very early to make a speculation — about the results, about the reasons for the results. so we just need to listen to the people and get our inside discussions and work

harder to reach more people and get our messages, and tell them what we have done for the people of turkiye, and also what we can do in the future. king charles was not expected to mingle but he did, thanking well—wishers for meeting in the prince and princess of wales did and is and receives treatment. he has continued engagements as a diagnosis but privately. this will be seen as an encouraging sign about his health. charlotte gallagher has more. the king and queen arriving at the easter sunday service, and waves for the crowds at windsor castle.

this is an annual tradition but this hasn't been a normal yearfor the royalfamily, with both the king and the princess of wales diagnosed with cancer. prince william and catherine weren't at the service today. they are spending the easter holidays with their three children in private. this was the last time they were all seen together in public — christmas day at sandringham. today marks the king's first significant public duty since his diagnosis last month. happy easter. best wishes for the princess of wales. you are very brave to stand out here in the cold. a chance to say thank you to well—wishers. hello, how are you? many had travelled to windsor especially to see the royals. i hope you haven't got too cold standing here. happy easter, i hope you are doing well. they didn't expect to meet the king. happy easter, your majesty. remain strong. never give in.

thank you very much. he seemed in great spirits, - really, he seemed very humoured and i said to him, - would you give, you know, our best wishes from wales to the princess of wales, i and i spoke to her majesty- the queen camilla as well and, yes, it was a joyful occasion. it's hoped this could be the start of the king making a slow return to public duties. now, we are not expecting him to be immediately carrying out a full calendar of events. but we are perhaps expecting him to be seen more in public and you got a sense today that he has missed being out, meeting people, chatting, shaking hands, and doing a part of the job which he obviously enjoys. lovely to see you. this has been a difficult few months for the royal family, but today seemed a positive sign about the king's health and recovery. charlotte gallagher, bbc news.

around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

thousands of people have taken to the streets of haiti to mark easter weekend, the first major national holiday, since the country's government collapsed. the caribbean island has been gripped by gang violence, with more than 1,500 people killed so far this year, and tens of thousands left homeless. the united nations has described the situation as cataclysmic. nomia iqbal reports from cap haitien in haiti. as haiti spirals into violence, people try to hold on to their traditions. thousands of worshippers walk through narrow, dusty roads in cap—haitian praying for peace in a country whose capital in gang—controlled port—au—prince the city is still suffering with people fighting for basic supplies. most easter processions

were cancelled. there was a rare moment ofjoy, though, as children crafted colourful kites, an easter tradition. more than 100 miles away, nun checks in with her family every day to make sure they are still alive. her father says there was a shooting today, everyone is ok. he tells her he feels broken, though. nun left port—au—prince because of the violence. her cousin was killed by a gang in the capital last year. i have friends that after school they decided to open a business or things like that and after some time either they got killed or they got robbed, so its two ways. either you stay and you fight or you go. even though i go i'll come back because i have a plan, i have a dream and that dream is happening in haiti. the country is now waiting to see exactly who will take on the gangs in the fight for power.

a presidential transitional council is in the works and the group's main goal will be to restore order and democracy to a nation that is at a crucial turning point in history. one of the country's most powerful gang leaders, jimmy cherizier, has said he is open to a ceasefire. known as barbecue, he and his coalition control much of the capital right now, but he wants a seat at the negotiating table. it will be hard to convince many haitians though to accept violent gangsters as future political leaders. translation: when gangs attack, they are terrorising people - and they don't have any compassion, theyjust kill. the population is dying, it's true, because it's the country which is dying. when the port is dysfunctional, the airport is dysfunctional and the hospital is dysfunctional, people will definitely die. haiti is a country with a lot of faith, but constant, overlapping crises have pushed it to the brink and with little change so far, right

now hope is all people have. nomia iqbal, bbc news, haiti. 0n on wednesday thailand's parliament they were merely approved the marriage equality bill which means thailand is set to become the first country in southeast asia to recognise same—sex marriage. despite senate banking still meeting to approve and endorse the bill, it's widely expected to become law by the end of the more i am joined by a law by the end of the more i am joined bya man in law by the end of the more i am joined by a man in a same—sex relationship who lives in bangkok. thank you forjoining me. give us your reaction to the lower house passing the bill. it the lower house passing the bill. _, , ., bill. it comes with a little bit of practice, _ bill. it comes with a little bit of practice, however, | bill. it comes with a little| bit of practice, however, i don't really feel that i should be overjoyed about this because it is something that i consider

my right from the beginning, but i don't have it. when i have it, do i have to be excited? i really don't think so. i am excited? i really don't think so. iam hopeful that excited? i really don't think so. i am hopeful that i will have this right, whether exercise it or not, but yes, i'm hopeful. if exercise it or not, but yes, i'm harmful-— exercise it or not, but yes, i'm hoeful. , , ., i'm hopeful. if it becomes law, would you _ i'm hopeful. if it becomes law, would you consider— i'm hopeful. if it becomes law, would you consider getting - would you consider getting married? if would you consider getting married?— would you consider getting married? , ., married? if it comes to some kind of legal— married? if it comes to some kind of legal consideration i kind of legal consideration that i need to do it, whether my partner needs my approval, this and that, yes, i will. but i don't really believe that being married is more committed to your love, so i am fine without but if i have to use some kind of legal power to do this and that in my marriage, in my relationship, yes, i'll get married.— in my relationship, yes, i'll aet married. , , ., , get married. give us a broader sense, get married. give us a broader sense. if—

get married. give us a broader sense. if you _ get married. give us a broader sense, if you could, _ get married. give us a broader sense, if you could, however. get married. give us a broader| sense, if you could, however it is thailand to same—sex relationships? it is thailand to same-sex relationships?— is thailand to same-sex relationshis? , , ., , relationships? it is very open. nowadays _ relationships? it is very open. nowadays i — relationships? it is very open. nowadays i have _ relationships? it is very open. nowadays i have seen - relationships? it is very open. nowadays i have seen lots - relationships? it is very open. nowadays i have seen lots of| nowadays i have seen lots of same—sex couples in the open, in public they hold hands and do this and that which heterosexual couples do. i think they are very open and now in mainstream media we see more same—sex, may be gay or lesbian. so i think they are very open. ifeel lesbian. so i think they are very open. i feel more accepted compared to the past.— very open. i feel more accepted compared to the past. could you elaborate more _ compared to the past. could you elaborate more about _ compared to the past. could you elaborate more about that - compared to the past. could you elaborate more about that and l elaborate more about that and what it was like growing up in thailand ? when i was young, i could not really exoress — ? when i was young, i could not really express myself. _

? when i was young, i could not really express myself. 0k, - ? when i was young, i could not really express myself. ok, i- really express myself. ok, i love men or i can do this and that with my true feelings. however, my parents are very accepting. they did not really talk about that but i think they knew and they let me be. however, people around me did not really accept it, except me like that. i think it is kind of hard but not as hard as others, that they got bullied, they got physically attacked, but i was lucky.— but i was lucky. thanks for talkinu but i was lucky. thanks for talking to _ but i was lucky. thanks for talking to us. _ supporters of india's main 0pposition alliance have held a major rally in the capital ahead of next month's general election. it's the first meeting

since the arrest of the chief minister of delhi, arvind kejriwal, on corruption charges 10 days ago. 0pposition parties accuse the governing bjp of using investigative agencies to detain their leaders and prevent them from campaigning. the government denies this. 0ur south asia editor anbarasan ethirajan has more. 0pposition supporters have gathered here and they are coming from delhi and other neighbouring states near the capital city. now they are calling for the release of the delhi chief minister. he was taken into custody ten days ago on corruption charges, which he denies. major leaders are addressing this rally, saying that india's democracy and constitution should be saved, and that is the motive of this major rally here. the congress party says its bank accounts have been frozen and they have been asked to pay more than $200 million in fines for allegedly violating tax rules. but the government denies any

political motive behind this action, saying the law will take its own course. india's elections are due to start on 19th april and will be held in several places. the campaign is going across the country for this mammoth exercise, but what the opposition is saying is that there is no level playing field. for example, they accuse the election commission of being biased towards the governing bjp and they said that investigating agencies are being used to cripple them, to stifle dissent, to prevent them from campaigning. however, the governing bjp denies these charges and the mammoth exercise of india's general election, in which prime minister mahendra modi is seeking a third straight term, is starting on 19th april. all romania and bulgaria have

become the newest members ll the newest members of the europe's schengen area of free movement — but only for air and sea crossings. land border controls will remain in place because of austria's opposition to the eastern european nations becoming full members of the zone. vienna fears an influx of asylum seekers if all border controls disappear. romania's interior minister, catalin predoiu, said joining schengen was an important moment for his country and its citizens. emer mccarthy has more from the newsroom. after a 13—year—long wait, romania and bulgaria have officiallyjoined the schengen area of free movement. but there is a catch. the free movement only applies to air and sea crossings. that's after austria opposed their full membership. it's concerned about an influx of asylum seekers if all border controls were to disappear. these are the scenes from sofia airport on sunday morning. it's extraordinary. what can i say? it's a special feeling. i took out my passport for nothing. it's nice to feel like a european citizen. it's very easy now

at the borders. i had no problems at all. the president of the european commission, ursula von der leyen, welcomed the news. she posted on x, "this is a great success for "the people of both countries. "it also benefits millions of eu citizens across europe, "making the schengen area even stronger." last month, the eu's border agency said it would triple the number of its officers in bulgaria to help stem the amount of people crossing into the bloc from turkey. both bulgaria and romania hope to complete the process forfull membership by the end of the year. the pope has delivered his traditional easter mass in the vatican, where he renewed his call for a ceasefire in gaza and the release of hostages being held there. pope francis also used his easter sunday message to warn countries against re—arming themselves. here's our religion editor aleem maqbool. when pope francis pulled out of some easter events, concerns about his health intensified.

but the vatican said it was to conserve energy for today. and that seems to have worked. though a little out of breath, easter mass went smoothly. after which the 87—year—old went on a drive about to greet what police estimated to be around 60,000 people who'd come to saint peter's square. events culminated with the pope's easter message. in it he renewed calls for access to aid in gaza, for the return of hostages held there, and for an immediate ceasefire. he also focused on what children in gaza have been witnessing. translation: how much suffering we i see in the eyes of these children. those children in that area of war have forgotten how to smile. with those eyes

they ask us, why? why all this death? why all this destruction? war is always an absurdity and a defeat. celebrations in the holy land this year, including at the church of the holy sepulchre at the site where christians believe jesus was crucified, buried and rose from the dead, was scaled down. palestinian christians talked of an easter tinged with sadness and many foreign pilgrims stayed away. at canterbury cathedral, archbishopjustin welby did talk of foreign conflicts, but also prayed for the king and princess of wales and others he said were suffering the same way, and he talked of other struggles closer to home. whether it is the evil of people smugglers or county lines in our schools, or the pain and suffering in a family riven with grief or rage or substance abuse, jesus the god man who experienced

every pain and temptation is calling you and me to love in action. the archbishop talked of the easter story, giving hope of bringing light to darkness, and here at the vatican the pope ended by saying it was also a reminder of the value of every human life. aleem maqbool, bbc news, in rome. we will add with one of music's sensations of the air. but some people say they have a problem with beyonce's new country album cowboy carter. fans say five tracks are missing from the vinyl version of the record. they include some of the best—received songs — like ya ya and spaghetti. it's not clear whether all vinyls are affected. there is more on our website. goodbye for now. hello there. we saw mixed fortunes of weather on easter sunday. a lot of cloud across large parts of england and wales, best of the sunshine across scotland and northern ireland.

for easter monday, again, there will be some rain around through central parts of the uk, top and tail of the country should see some sunshine, but there will be further showers. central parts of the country affected by this weather front, that is where the rain will be through the day on monday. some of it fairly heavy at times, north wales, north midlands, northern england pushing into southern scotland as well, maybe across the irish sea into the isle of man and north northern ireland. much of northern scotland should be dry with some sunshine, best of it in the west. the rest of england and wales, sunny spells, scattered showers, some of these may be heavy and also slow—moving. we will see top temperatures of 1a—15 celsius in the southeast, still chilly across this northeast corner with a nagging north—easterly breeze coming in off the north sea. as we head through monday night, looks like the rain shifts northwards into much of scotland. could see a bit of snow on the mountaintops of scotland. elsewhere, largely dry with clear spells. again, a few showers dotted around southern parts of england. temperature—wise, 4—8 celsius for many, still quite chilly, though, across northern scotland. for tuesday,

we have a weakening area of low pressure, weather front moving northwards, but a new one arrives across southern areas later in the day. so it means that england and wales could see quite a bit of sunshine around for tuesday morning. northern parts of the country, particularly scotland, will see outbreaks of rain continuing. again, a little bit of winteriness over the higher ground, but showers will develop across england and wales into the afternoon as temperatures rise. wetter and windy weather arriving across the far south of the country later in the day. again, those temperatures mid—teens in the south, still quite chilly in the north. as we continue to move through the new week, low pressure system one after the other continue to hurtle in off the atlantic. that will bring spells of wet and windy weather, particularly windy towards the end of the week, you can see all the isobars here. in between there will be some sunshine and further showers. a very unsettled week ahead to come for much of the uk, like i mentioned, those areas of low pressure bringing spells of wet and windy weather. but it will be very mild on the flip side, particularly england and wales. towards the end of the week, we could be looking at highs of 17—18 celsius across southern

parts of the country, given a little bit of sunshine. but it is remaining unsettled.

the battle for steel. the battle for us steel.

japan's will not back down. plus the rise of hands—free driving, is the technology save or is it a threat to road safety? hello and welcome to asia business report. i'm steve lai. we begin with the purchase of us steel, japan's industrial giant has defended its proposed acquisition of the united states second biggest steel producer. the deal was agreed in december, but the white house said last month that the company should remain in domestic ownership. nippon steel�*s incoming president has called for its deep roots in the united states to be recognised. here is our business reporter. he is the new president. today and on the top of a tricky assignment

from a $14 billion purchase of us steel.