we'll bring you live analysis from across the country on one of the most significant french elections in years. i'm geeta guru—murthy, the other main stories this hour. new prime minister keir starmer tours the uk's nations. his first stop — edinburgh. demonstrations across israel, urging the government to reach a deal with hamas — the group is reported to have accepted a us proposal to begin talks of a hostage release. and four volunteers emerge from a small compound in texas, having spent more than a year living in conditions simulating those on mars.

very warm welcome to bbc news. we are coming to life paris today. polls are open in france as people across the country cast their ballots in the second round of parliamentary elections. earlier president macron cast his vote in le touquet. the opponents, horrified by the idea of a faris government are trying desperately to try dicke stop it. often uniting with candidates to black forest majority. turnout so far has been significantly higher than in the second round of the last election in 2022, according to the interior ministry. it's the highest since 1981. final opinion polls suggest marine le pen's far—right national rally will secure the most votes , but it's thought it's

unlikely to win an outright majority in the national assembly. such an outcome could plunge the country into a chaotic hung parliament, severely denting the authority of president macron. the anti—immigration national rally scored historic gains in last sunday's first—round vote, giving le pen and the party's 28—year—old leaderjordan bardella their first realistic chance of running the government and taking control of the national assembly. however, after hundreds of rival candidates from centrist and leftist parties dropped out to give their allies a better chance of defeating the far—right, le pen's hopes of winning an absolute majority seem less certain. this polling station, this constituency, in fact, this polling station, this constituency, infact, in this polling station, this constituency, in fact, in paris is interesting because it's the only one with the faris national rally have managed to make it through the second round. it's not the city that generally vote for the far right,

but in large part of the country, they do have a real stronghold with a hard line on immigration, attracting many voters and detoxified over the men if years, who once described nazi concentration camps is a detail of history. and his daughter, it has detoxified and put itself in a position where it tracks the support of large swathes of the country. i have been taking the temperature at this polling station this morning. rarely have france's fraternal founding values felt so strained. but in this polarised, angry country, they voted in the most crucial parliamentary election in decades. the far right national rally is at the gates of power for the first time since the second world war, eyeing a parliamentary majority. but across france, opposition candidates have dropped out in three way races, urging supporters

to unite behind a single figure who can stop the far right. its hard line on immigration attracts some horrifies others. we are completely invaded. they invade all the. everywhere you go in the provence. they are pretty beautiful towns. and they are completely not french any more. do you still believe in macron? um, i think i vote more to block the far right that vote for macron. many voters today are being asked to hold their noses and back. a candidate who could stop a far right majority. the question is whether enough will do it, or whether that will actually galvanise national rally supporters, furious at what they'll see as a stitch up to block them from power. the prime minister cast his ballot, knowing france has been plunged into uncertainty by president macron�*s snap poll, with probably either a far right majority or a hung parliament and paralysis. france, europe, ukraine and beyond are on edge. mark lowen, bbc news, paris.

that's fine a point is the one to hold on to hear. it's an election that will have implications far beyond sans�*s borders. the faris national rally has, during the invasion by russia of ukraine, has been largely pro—ukraine, but has been largely pro—ukraine, but has been much closer to moscow in the past. bring le pen went to moscow on 2017 to get the blessing of president putin before she launched her own presidential bid here. the party has received a large land from russian banks, and there will be big questions, not only for ukraine, but thatis questions, not only for ukraine, but that is just questions, not only for ukraine, but that isjust one questions, not only for ukraine, but that is just one of that most international issues that will come international issues that will come in the spotlight if the national rally were to get into government here. one area of the country where they are not a particularly strong is in the south—west of france, ranted to get into government here. one area of the country where they are not a particularly strong is in the south—west of france, around toulouse, where people have traditionally voted for coalition of

left—wing parties, because the new popularfriends, with hopes to left—wing parties, because the new popular friends, with hopes to do well again in the selection and possibly even may be the national rally. joining me now is chris bockman who's in toulouse. in the area where you are, of course it's a left—wing area. do you get the sense that as people fear the national rally getting into government, perhaps that could even drive the left—wing vote are even higher there? drive the left-wing vote are even higher there?— drive the left-wing vote are even higher there? drive the left-wing vote are even hiuher there? n, , ., , ., higher there? maybe, that is what i would say this _ higher there? maybe, that is what i would say this point. _ higher there? maybe, that is what i would say this point. the _ higher there? maybe, that is what i would say this point. the far- would say this point. the far right, the rassemblement national have made had a huge search here. if you go to competence out the big cities, toulouse and bordeaux, you see the ferrite it's making extraordinary games. in fact, they are getting 40, 40 5% in places where they never would have accepted. they are doing extremely well along the border. in city centres, the far left and the

traditionally more socialist alliance will do well. the question is how well with a do against the far right. as a lot of centrist mps, some of them still hanging in there, some of them still hanging in there, some have started to quit after the first round, including a government minister because she looked like she was going to strip the vote. yes, the far left and the centrist alliance will do better in city centres, but as i said, if you go a few kilometres outside the city centres, the far right, really extreme, really well, places where they never would have got double digits in the past ten years ago. if you go near the spanish border, all the way along to marseille, nice, the way along to marseille, nice, the ferrite is a real stronghold there. they have a stronghold for just there. at the moment, the far left and the centre—left coalition partners will do well, but necessarily not the big breakthroughs are hoping for. and

breakthroughs are hoping for. and what a day. _ breakthroughs are hoping for. and what a day, chris, manage to create some kind of alternative government, do you if certain national rally fall short of a majority. then the alternative looking is a hung parliament by the party that calls themselves the part of the republican friends, the left, the centre. do you think there is a viable alternative if the national rally don't get into government? hot rally don't get into government? not much. i'll rally don't get into government? iirrt much. i'll give you an example. just two hours north of toulouse is a county, and the former french president is running to be an mp again. he came top, but he's got the rassemblement national there as well, and another party that as well. there's a lot of people who support him, saying there is no way he can do a deal with the far left. evenif he can do a deal with the far left. even if you went, and he is part of the far left coalition along with the far left coalition along with the socialists, they are saying there's no way he can work with them. this will be a real bellwether

test tonight, and what people like him and his supporters are willing to do come monday morning if he wins. . , . . , to do come monday morning if he wins. . ,. . , . ~' to do come monday morning if he wins. . ,. . , . 4' ,., wins. fascinating, chris. thank you very much- — wins. fascinating, chris. thank you very much- a _ wins. fascinating, chris. thank you very much. a former _ wins. fascinating, chris. thank you very much. a former president - very much. a former president standing as an mp. it shows that uncharted territory this country is now in. if he is elected, perhaps you are trying to position himself as a more acceptable face of the pretentious premise that the four people perhaps leaders of the far left party in the coalition. one area with a national rally is very strong is in the south—east of paris. it is seeing rapid loss of industry, an area that has felt deprived and forgotten, really, today's france. public services are also struggling, and it's where the party does very well. it's also where one of our correspondence has been spending the morning. we're here in front of a polling station in auxerre in burgundy. the national rally has dominated

politics here, local politics, since 2020 and many people we've spoken to, like others across france, are hoping that the far right comes to power in an historic election and takes over the national assembly. now, it wasn't always this way. yes, daniel grenon, the incumbent national rally, has taken more than 40% of the vote in the first round. but before this used to be fertile ground for the left, auxerre had a socialist mayor for nearly two decades. but people decided, as we've spoken to them, that life has become too difficult and they needed change. that feeling is spreading like wildfire across france. and what about emmanuel macron's politics, his centrist project? well, his candidate didn't even make it to the second round here. here's what one resident, anne, had to say about the president. translation: and the fact is, he did not take into account. day to day hardships for families and people who are having trouble, especially in small towns and the rural areas.

translation: and what are those hardships? - translation: difficulty to make it to the end . of the month to pay electricity and gas bills. difficulty to find work. here it's really hard to find work. another told us he thought emmanuel macron was arrogant, thought he believed he was a king. sensing we were from britain, said he thinks he's charles iii. we'll see tonight whether that feeling, that rejection to such a scale of emmanuel macron's centrist project will be reflected in tonight's results. we were hearing about the huge amount of dislike for president macron, a man who came to power with a lot of goodwill, but now turned a lot of the country against him. let's get a sense of whether that is the view from two voters were joined by here. brian and marie, thank you for being with us here on bbc news.

brian, you voted for the national rally, the far right. explain why. today in france, we have an amazing and beautiful country, buti today in france, we have an amazing and beautiful country, but i think one of the main issues we have a safety. i've travelled myself, and this is something shared across the world. we need a little more safety. of world. we need a little more safety. of course, there are laws in a lot of the programmes, but what is the point of working and putting your soul into the country, i see my doctor working every night to come back and not be safe at the end of the day. my wife looking back, not being safe. then you get to the point we say, ok, i need something. i need my country at least to be safe. it's the main thing. marie, it is the sense _ safe. it's the main thing. marie, it is the sense of _ safe. it's the main thing. marie, it is the sense of security _ safe. it's the main thing. marie, it is the sense of security and - safe. it's the main thing. marie, it is the sense of security and law. safe. it's the main thing. marie, it. is the sense of security and law and order that the national rally are promising. do you worry about are some of the other promises? i worry

about the far-right _ some of the other promises? i worry about the far-right party, _ some of the other promises? i worry about the far-right party, yes. - some of the other promises? i worry about the far-right party, yes. i - about the far—right party, yes. i believe — about the far—right party, yes. i believe a — about the far—right party, yes. i believe a very racist movement, and i believe a very racist movement, and worry— believe a very racist movement, and i worry for— believe a very racist movement, and i worry for my fundamental rights and for— i worry for my fundamental rights and for the — i worry for my fundamental rights and for the fundamental rights of people _ and for the fundamental rights of peorrie of— and for the fundamental rights of people of colour, people of different origins, people of lgbt+, so i different origins, people of lgbt+, so i worry— different origins, people of lgbt+, so i worry about that. i believe it's a _ so i worry about that. i believe it's a danger for france. you voted for macron. _ it's a danger for france. you voted for macron, macrocosmic - it's a danger for france. you voted i for macron, macrocosmic candidates. do you feel frustrated with the president of calling a snap election that could backfire? yes. president of calling a snap election that could backfire?— that could backfire? yes. it was a decision i didn't _ that could backfire? yes. it was a decision i didn't really _ that could backfire? yes. it was a| decision i didn't really understand i decision i didn't really understand iwas _ decision i didn't really understand i was frustrated because i thought it was_ i was frustrated because i thought it was a _ i was frustrated because i thought it was a situation that could have been _ it was a situation that could have been dangerous if it was handing the election_ been dangerous if it was handing the election to _ been dangerous if it was handing the election to the national rally. i think_ election to the national rally. i think is— election to the national rally. i think is hoping to get a majority and have — think is hoping to get a majority and have a _ think is hoping to get a majority and have a renewed face from voters, but that _ and have a renewed face from voters, but that is _ and have a renewed face from voters, but that is not really what happened here _ but that is not really what happened here. . ' . but that is not really what happened here. , '. , ., ., here. yes, difficult situation. brian, marie _

here. yes, difficult situation. brian, marie called _ here. yes, difficult situation. brian, marie called the - here. yes, difficult situation. brian, marie called the party| brian, marie called the party racist, would you accept that? i think what they are seen and say as racist, but i don't agree with it, and i'm not part of it. i think safety is then number one thing. when candidates are saying you have to and i'm pleased for them to be respected, i've travelled to the us. they've also got a lot of problems. from what i've seen in spain and the us, police are respected. i say hi to the police because i've grown up there. i have this respect and honour to the police come and i thank them for the service. here, it's totally the reverse. only say hi to the police, they want to stop you and say, is everything ok to stop safety is the main thing right now, and it's not about racism. racism isjust... theyjust use it as it can't affect. racism isjust. .. they 'ust use it as it can't affect._ as it can't affect. two very opposing _ as it can't affect. two very opposing views _ as it can't affect. two very opposing views there. - as it can't affect. two very i opposing views there. brian as it can't affect. two very - opposing views there. brian and marie, thank you very much. that

sense of law and order, as the national rally colours, is a big bang and authority which they want to impose in schools, getting rid of welfare benefits from parents of unruly children. that is what attracts many voters, but the other half of this country feels quite horrified by the idea, potentially, of the forehead coming to power here for the first time since the second world war. we'll continue to bring you all the courage and analysis of the story as it unfolds during the day, and after exit polls at hpn local time. these could have ramifications far beyond its borders. back to an end in it for now. much more from them throughout the day. yesterday the prime minister keir starmer held his first cabinet meeting, and spent his first full day in downing street. today he sets off on a tour of the four nations, travelling to edinburgh to meet first ministerjohn swinney. he'll then head to belfast and cardiff tomorrow, before meeting with regional mayors. here's our political correspondent harry farley.

last week's festival of democracy is over, and the clear—up is under way in westminster. for the new government, the difficult decisions begin. there are immediate questions about the future of steel production in port talbot after the previous conservative government agreed a rescue package that would keep the plant open but would mean losing thousands of jobs. the business secretary says it's an immediate priority. there is more money available for the steel industry under our plans for government, but that's about making sure we meet this transition with the private sector together. but there is a better deal available for port talbot and the steel industry as a whole, i'm sure of that. are you guaranteeing those jobs this morning? well, i'm going to make sure that job guarantees are part of the negotiation that we're having. but already there are signs of tensions with unions over the rules labour sets itself on how much it can borrow and spend. we are going to have to borrow to invest. we haven't got time to wait for growth. people are literally hurting out

there, and we're going to have to borrow to invest. and our crumbling public services need money. for the conservatives, the postmortem has started. two thought to be considering bids to lead the party, offering their analysis, but not quite their own ambitions. we didn't have a good enough diagnosis ofjust how broken some of our public services were, and we didn't have the willingness to take the tough decisions that were necessary to deliver for the british public. the reason i came on today was genuinely not to talk about leadership, because this is not the moment for this. we need to show the public that we understand, they have sent us some very, very loud messages that we are listening, that we are reflecting, and then we, as a party, need to get together to unite and work out what we want for the future. the tory leadership battle will take shape in the coming days. for labour, they face the tough decisions of government as they decide how to use their large majority.

with more on this is our politial correspondent harry farley. just sing on a website, removal van has been spotted in downing street. they don't offer if it's rishi sunak jeremy hunt's stuff that is being taken away, but obviously, times are changing. the new prime minister is doing a tour of the nations, obviously, labour did very well from their point of view in scotland. he is heading to edinburgh first. yes. is heading to edinburgh first. yes, no da of is heading to edinburgh first. yes, no day of rest _ is heading to edinburgh first. yes, no day of rest this _ is heading to edinburgh first. use: no day of rest this sunday for the new prime minister. i think he is keen to show that he is hitting the ground running with that large majority, as you say. one of the things we have spoken about is the relatively low proportion of votes at labour when given the scale of the majority, but what sickest time at agis as he won a majority of seats across england, wales, and scotland. particularly in scotland, as you say. he is using that to make the argument that there is an opportunity for a reset, a decent a

better way for the stiffer part of the uk interacting with each other. he is visiting the first minister scotland today, offer scotland a seat back at the table, and put scotland back in the beating heart of everything the uk does. he is then off to northern ireland and wales tomorrow. tickets and is hoping to demonstrate that his labour government is hitting the ground running and making the most of that large majority they win last did week. with me is alex cairns, ceo and founder of the youth vote uk. thank you very much indeed, and you are all about getting younger people to vote. do you have any sense now of what the numbers were on young people voting, and was this fort on social media for them? absolutely, social media for them? absolutely, social media _ social media for them? absolutely, social media pulls _ social media for them? absolutely, social media pulls a _ social media for them? absolutely, social media pulls a big _ social media for them? absolutely, social media pulls a big part- social media for them? absolutely, social media pulls a big part to - social media pulls a big part to play. although the bigger parties credit tick—tock, they didn't have it before. definitely, social media was a big part to play. the youth

demographic didn't necessarily drop like other demographic, it's about 55% which is encouraging. i wanted to be higher but i'm not massively surprised. when we spoke to young people, a lot of them felt that they didn't need to vote because it was a done deal. �* . , . done deal. and that says the conservative _ done deal. and that says the conservative campaign - done deal. and that says the conservative campaign was l done deal. and that says the - conservative campaign was quite successful, in terms of what they want to do. in terms of the spread of the younger population vote, what have you seen? it is of the younger population vote, what have you seen?— have you seen? it is interesting. we saw a million _ have you seen? it is interesting. we saw a million people _ have you seen? it is interesting. we saw a million people definitely - saw a million people definitely switched to the green party, which is interesting. people who voted on 19 and 17 switched to green. waiting a lot of people who voted for the lib dems tactically, we asked why that was, and some like the policies but a big portion felt that they were the best decision for them to

keep the conservatives from coming. some people who voted for snp previously because they wanted independence decided they are disengaged with the snp now, and we saw probably 30% of that possibly switch to labour in scotland, helping live in scotland as well. taste helping live in scotland as well. we are out of time because we are focusing on france today. thank you very much for coming in. now it's time for a look at today's sport with gavin ramjaun. hello from the bbc sport centre. we start at wimbledon at the midpoint of the tournament. this time next week, we'll know the winner of the women's singles and be close to finding out the men's winner. only one british hope remains in emma raducanu. let's go to chetan pathak now at wimbledon for us. hi chetan, raducanu is in action later today — what can we expect, given she pulled out of the mixed doubles with andy murray? yes, she pulled out. she cited that stiffness in her wrist, very much divided opinion. we had a reaction from andy murray that it was disappointing he couldn't play that

mixed doubles. judy murray calling it astonishing. she later said she was being sarcastic, and walked it back a bit in the last few hours. we have seen emma reddick and its morning training the courts here come out with liam brody. she was in good spirits, smiling, and liam brodie making a turning cheek comment say she is better than frederick. she plays the new zealand qualifierfor frederick. she plays the new zealand qualifier for the quarterfinal spot in wimbledon later. emma has not been this far at a grand slam, and here she is, on the brink of a last date at wimbledon. she can get past san, who is having the tournament of her life at the moment, six wins to take into the match against emma later. coco gauff, a potential semifinal matchup. she has now dropped as ten games in three matches here. she looked pretty

formidable, up against fellow american emma navarro. she is looking for a second week at the grand slam for the first time in her career. we will then see all cries out on centre court later. we've been waiting a while for him to have a big moment at a grand slam. could it happen here? carlos alcaraz has been very impressive, and we're also going to see the men's top seat later. that is yannick senna up against ben shelton, who has placed almost every day. he has had an epic five set matches. paoli, against madison keys. that match is already under way. madison keys. that match is already underway. i'll madison keys. that match is already under way. i'll keep you updated, but right back to you for now.

the semi—finals at euro 2024 are decided after england knocked switzerland out on penalties to progress. and they'll play the netherlands in dortmund on wednesday, after the dutch came back to beat turkey 2—1. spain and france the other teams left of course. former england defender micah richards told us, that he thinks, individually, gareth southgate's side are better than the netherlands. but that doesn't make them favourites. in terms of player for player, i think we have the better squad to netherlands. i think they are still aspects of our game, going forward, which we need to improve on. if we can build on how we played against switzerland, i do believe we've got enough to get to the final. where in the heart. i think in terms of, you don't want your best forgot to be at the start of the tournament. if you can build every time taught that final, who knows, but i wouldn't say we are favourites. the final, who knows, but i wouldn't say we are favourites.— we are favourites. the british grand prix nets we are favourites. the british grand prix gets under _ we are favourites. the british grand prix gets under way _ we are favourites. the british grand prix gets under way in _ we are favourites. the british grand prix gets under way in a _ we are favourites. the british grand prix gets under way in a few- we are favourites. the british grand prix gets under way in a few hours, | prix gets under way in a few hours, but that is over spot for now.

protesters in israel are demonstrating across the country — demanding the government reach a deal with hamas to ensure the release of the remaining hostages in gaza. demonstrators have been blocking roads and picketing the homes of government ministers. sources from hamas say the palestinian armed group has accepted washington's proposal to begin talks on releasing hostages — and have also dropped their demand that israel first commit to a permanent ceasefire. where back in about 30 minutes. the headlines soon. focus on the uk government and what is going on in france. this is bbc news. hello again. we've had some pretty heavy showers this morning — they are going to continue through the afternoon as well. some of those could be thundery in places, but really quite dramatic clouds in staffordshire this morning, some very dark and menacing clouds bringing those showers.

and you can see the showers are quite speckled and scattered across the uk this afternoon. look at some of the green blobs, indicative of the heaviest downpours, with the risk of some lightning and thunder. but there will be sunny spells in between the showers as they rattle through. maximum temperatures 15—17, maybe 18, so feeling quite cool for the time of year. at silverstone it could be interesting for some tyre choices, with showers moving through, some sunny spells in between. temperatures around 17 through the afternoon. tonight, the showers will gradually ease away and then we are looking at clear skies overnight. so with lighter winds and clear skies it could turn chilly — temperatures in the countryside down to around 5—8, in towns and cities 6—9. it means monday morning starts off chilly but plenty of sunshine

to start off the week. we will see heavy thundery showers for scotland, northern ireland, northern england, and with lighter winds these will be slow—moving. further south, cloud increasing from the south—west, with outbreaks of rain in southern england and south wales as the day goes on. maximum temperatures about 18—20, a degree or so higher than today, and it might feel more humid through into the early part of next week. low pressure moves north, the rain spreads into parts of central and southern scotland on tuesday and into northern ireland, being replaced by sunny spells and showers. but low pressure in charge means unsettled. keep the umbrella handy through tuesday. perhaps the north and west of scotland faring best, with the greatest amount of sunshine through the day. those showers could be heavy and thundery further south. maximum temperatures about 16—20, again below the average for the time of year. that continues through the week. but as we go through friday into next weekend, it looks a little more settled, with drier and brighter weather, so perhaps feeling

a bit more like summer.

this is bbc news, the headlines: voters cast their ballots in france, where a second round of parliamentary elections is under way. the turnout at midday is the highest in over 40 years. centrist and left—wing parties mount a joint effort to block

the far—right national rally. protests in israel — with demands the government reach a deal with hamas to ensure the release of the remaining hostages in gaza. the palestinian armed group is reported to have accepted a us proposal to begin talks of a release. the british prime minister, keir starmer, is travelling to scotland which is led by a pro—independence party. sir keir wants to improve relations between the central government and other parts of the united kingdom. and four volunteers have emerged from a small compound in texas where they've spent more than a year in conditions simulating those on mars. the american space agency nasa wants to find out how they've coped. now on bbc news — click: spencer kelly meets a team of teenage engineers building a robot of their own design.