a nigeria, we been to provo from staff in this class who she saw this as my, and my role africa direct on al jazeera. ah, france chooses if next president voters are deciding between incumbent emanuel mac or and far right. candidates. my in le pen. ah. play you're watching al jazeera alive from door. how with me for lead back. people also ahead. ukraine's president again, requests a meeting with dr. mayer fulton, even as russia intensifies its bombardment and voted me zalinski, renews his call for more weapons. as ukraine says,

the us is top diplomat and defense chief are doing keith, but washington has not contrived hen fed up with high taxes, farmers in argentina ride their tractor to, to the presidential palace in the capital to drive home their discontent. ah. so voters in france are casting balance in the final round of the presidential election incumbent emanuel michael and marine defend the leader of the national valley party. are competing for the top job. mccoy is hoping to secure a 2nd term turnout so far is slightly lower than the last election in 20. 17 bernice smith reports and pears. photos of face a stark choice in front of the 2 presidential candidates or centrist pro european union, emanuel macro, 44 year old incumbent cast his vote, and look to k on sunday morning, or they can vote for the fall. right? euro sceptic marine le pen. it's the 2nd time they've gone head to head in

a run us in 2017, a so called republican front helped micron when voters who agreed on little else came together to stop the far right. taking the presidency this year, both candidates want the votes of supporters, a far left candidate, john luke melon, shaun he won just one percent less of the vote. i'm the pen in the 1st round. last i city. she's here at the matters and the fact that we never tried marrying the pen . i'm not going to hide it. you for me. there were 2 options. it was either survive in europe with micron or leave in france with marine le pen. the choice was crystal clear for me, concierge, why? i think there is an important choice to be made to day. on the one hand we have a president, that is what it is. and on the other hand, a woman with does not share the same values of democracy. so we must vote against her brothers before somali, the longer with our democracy. i think everybody can feel that we are in trouble times are in the world in france. and it's important to remember that if we have

our one duty and one rights is the rights micron has struggled to shake off a perception he's aloof. the label president of the rich a stock that's even though data shows or but the poorest 5 percent of french households a better off than they were 5 years ago. the pan has focused on the rise and cost of living, one of the main concerns of french voters. she says to prioritize french citizens over immigrants for public housing and jobs. and la pan has played down her promise to ban muslim women from wearing head, scarves and public. this is the closest the far right is come to winning power in france. turn out will be important. it's the middle of easter holidays here. many people are away from the place where they need to cast their vote at midday 26.4 percent of those registered to vote cast a ballot. i compare that to 2017 where i turn out at this time was about 28 percent . burnett's with al jazeera hats and live now to natasha butler. neither my

correspondence in pies. so is that appalling station all eyes on the turn out are right now. natasha, how's the voting been going so far? so we've got another 3 or 4 hours of voting left here in france, depending on which region you are, which town you are in here. i have to say we're seeing more people coming in. that's pretty normal, is getting towards the end of the day. people fat spin out enjoying a sunday afternoon and now coming to cast their ballots. what we know is the picture across the country at noon no call time though 26 percent of eligible voters cast their ballot. there are 47000000 eligible voters in france now about a figure of the amount to people who come out to vote is actually lower than it was in previous elections 5 years ago, 10 years ago. but it's pretty much the same as it was in the 1st round, a fraction, a higher. so that means that people are still continuing to come out. it's

something that many people were concerned about over the last 2 weeks. whether or not people would abstain will stay away from the ballot box because they don't relate to either of the 2 candidates. well, those 2 candidates, we know who they are by now. 2 very different visions of france. emanuel michael, the centrist, looking for another term. he wants to continue with his pro e u, his reformist agenda, his rival, marine the pen, the far right alida, anti immigration, and to you she wants to pan, was my head scarf in public. she wants to referendum on national identity. if she is to be elected, we will know though, which of those 2 candidates will be the next presence of france by the end of the evening. and so what are the most important issues for voters, natasha as their cas valid? while the big issue of this election has been the cost of living and where ever you go in france, whether it's in a marketplace, whether you're talking to business owners to teachers,

to people in the supermarket, they all say the same thing. they are worried about prices, they are seeing that bills getting higher. they are seeing the cost of food products supplies every day. goods are getting high businesses are having to put their rates up of really concerned about where that is going because it is their reality. it is their daily life, so they've been very interested in knowing what the candidate is going to offer them both micro and the pen. so that say that they would do more to try and reduce inflation, reduce the impact of that cost of living crisis on people and consumers in, in the, the other main issues. all the warren, ukraine. i'm really has overshadowed the last a part of this election. but we've also seen other issues, immigration, the cove, it crisis, education, health care, so many things on people's minds as they go to the ballot box. but what is interesting in this round, as opposed to the 1st round, is people here are really looking at these are 2 candidates, not always for the issues,

but for what they represent. looking for the most presidential person, the person they believe would be the most comp competent. they don't necessarily always ness relate to the politics that they represent, but they are going to choose the person that they feel will be the best for france in the future. natasha, thank you for that. natasha butler live for i say in paris. early i spoke to political unless josephine star and she says, my co and le pen have changed since they ran off against each other in 2017 a man and like who has 5 years of presidency. and now he has things to be accountable for and not in the band is less radical, at least in her positions in her program political program. so it's 2 different candidates than 5 years ago, but still for the french citizens, it is the same game over and over again. and the same vision's 2 opposite visions of friends of the you and of the world. it is in

a way we friends or pro or against the you. it is. everybody knows now that the president and michael is pro you and has a vision of the power for you. and he has shown that in the previous 5 years. and on the other hand, we have a pen, was voters that show that they are concerned about the you about the use power over at the nation states. so it is 2 different visions of the you and of friends with in the you that are actually fighting today. my husband's program only is not an exit, but she wants to revise it, and it could provoke an institutional crisis at the local ukraine's president is asking allies for more weapons ahead of a meeting with top us officials. roady means lensky says,

the secretary of state and defense of the united states are expected in on sunday to discuss the country's need for more powerful arms. the white house has not confirmed the visit to lensky has again called for a meeting with me put in to stop the war. despite thing he doesn't try to russian leader. he's one that keep withdrawn from talk with moscow if ukrainian soldiers defending the city of variable are killed. mickery, we in principle, appeal to all leaders. we are not a country tragic selfies. we have a real war. so come to us. we will be happy to meet you, but please bring the help we've asked for. i do not consider the option that our partners will not give us the weapons. they promise. i do not consider this option at all. they have no alternative. we will not provide them with this opportunity. we have no other chance to win back. our land, or rush is not letting up on a bombing campaign in eastern ukraine. the defense ministry says it targeted

several people in need. car key reach and john stratford has more from the city of soviet skin, the east. this is of huge strategic importance to both sides of yancey and neighboring cremmit tours. 2 of the largest cities still under full ukrainian military control. we understand, well, we know that the russian forces are shelling areas of the city to the north, which is in the direction behind me from positions in a town called is you, which is around $45.00 kilometres north of sloppy answer. this area was taking control of by russian forces as they pushed se from called a cave, where reports overnight, certainly according to the material sources ukrainian military, all sorties in the region of the guns that at least 8 civilians were killed in shelling in various different areas a number of other people injured. we're also hearing of shilling this morning. around don't ask goes don't x is controlled by the pro russian separatists and has

been since 2015, but it's the areas around that city to the west of it. areas like div car and marian car, which we are hearing a lot of shelling, having taken place or taking place this morning. they've also been reports, the russian defense ministry saying that they have a number of what they describe as ukrainian military targets in the call cave region over nights. now of course, the russians say this, but as we saw yesterday, the heretic hit on those residential areas in odessa, resulting in those debts 8 people killed, including a baby. now, yesterday, we were in another area to the east of slavery and scan area called lucy chance with her a number of villages and towns that are being contested, heavy fighting in and around that area. the streets, the city of lucy chunks virtually deserted. however, there are still,

as is often the case in areas like this, still a number of people who either call or refusing to flee the area. the soldiers said there had been a law in shelling. so we drove into the sea chance slack heaps from one of the many coal mines in the dawn by region skull. the skyline military vehicles drive down virtually empty streets. splintered tree shows where a russian shell exploded. businesses bought it up or destroyed. the sign on the bunker door says children inside, but even the children are no longer here. russian force easy to control or fighting for control of numerous nearby towns and villages. but as is often the case, there are always a few who refuse or can't flee the fighting. sergey and his wife, ludmilla, have lived in lucy chance with their parents. for more than 20 years,

they play potatoes in the spring sunshine sergey shows his, his boarded broken windows and the damage a shell landing nearby did to his home. a hell no money i, he'll live here for years. my wife has had 2 strokes. me. where can i go without money except into slavery? our relatives have all fled, some to ne pro no some to live here for, for yourself. this shows just how much danger people who remain here are in line. dennis goes, the vehicle's been the vehicle round on the south gallon coming so we just drove in to lucy chance can as we were coming in through the outskirts here shelling now that incoming shows lighting very close to building. see,

there's very few civilians on the street. the military say that has been showing this morning, but there had been a gap in that showing that things had been quite. it certainly seems as if there is another escalation happening right now. later we walked back into town using the high walls as cover locals. tell us this home and business was hit the night before . russian forces won't control alicia chance they have failed so far. down a back street. we find 89 year old theodore year college are jo. yes. yes. why should i leave without her? i have no where to go there though, and my wife has left. if the were ands and i am still alive, she might come back. i dont know to blame for this, feared or stands at his gate as we leave sergey and ludmilla continue working in their garden. the shelling is worse, they say at night,

chance not al jazeera lucy chanced, easton ukraine still ahead on al jazeera. i will tell you why pharmacy margin. tina has recent window size with tractors and severe lives in south africa have reunited concerns that countries in the wider region i'm doing enough to combat climate change. ah, i know the season should be coming to an end of the ready season indonesia, but just the time being we got an increase in the likelihood of activity and sumatra and java and probably on the western side of bonia. so on sort of work in particular and was it was wet recently in cambodia that looks a little bit dry, but the shelves are increasing in the philippines. and we are watching the rain heading up out of sumatra into proper the bay of bengal. but the seas, the re,

would be bit early, were to be the case here in east asia, but it looks like it's developing. we've had some significant rain in western japan . there'll be more during monday in eastern china. it's hot soon or hot and dryer than you might expect in beijing at 29. and even hong kong up at 30. but the rain itself is the thing to watch because it's pulsing through south korea. then towards han shoe ha qaeda. now you might expect this in a month times a little early to see the season, right? it looks like that already developing. so expect some significant dam pause in southern china in the next few days and then weeks. whereas is quite dry and it is raining corolla, right? so should be on go. and quite a lot in sri lanka, the northern plains remain hot, dry and dusty and the still a chance of want to big thunderstorms in the northeast of india. but not many ah,

mainstream coverage of big stories can sometimes deliver more heat than lights in the baby waters scenario. there's always a place to simplify. narratives. nuance is always called for, even in the case of the growth of war, the listening post, delve into the news, narrative and dissect them. there is not a great deal of subtlety. we're talking about the fabric indicators, gainful dig, a common. how do you need? it's not unique covering the way the news is covered. on al jazeera lou. ah, i top stories on al jazeera, both contenders. entrance's presidential election have voted along with millions of

their supporters as he bids for a 2nd term present demand, and michael cast his valid in there to k in the north the far i challenger melinda, then also cast her vomiting northern france for to turn out. so far as just over 26 percent, 2 points lower than 5 years ago. and ukraine, surprising because again called for a meeting with dr. me a put in to stop the war. proteins zalinski says us secretaries of state and defense argue in key on sunday. while ukrainians have hell subdued celebrations to mock orthodox easter sunday church leaders were asked not to gather too many people together in case they became a target. alexia bryan reports he has an order. so we'll go and meet in the shadow of war. ukraine's president turned to a building signifying peace. keeps 1000 year old, thanked sophia cathedral, the setting for his latest video message lacking orthodox easter sunday will yours, christina crystal, his show symbol is louis, believe easter symbolizes the greatest victory of life over death. each of us is

asking god, only one thing. every one says the same words, the words of a great and united prayer. great lord, the save you crane. oh, sunday also marks 2 months since russian forces invaded ukrainian authorities urged those celebrating the christian festival to follow services on line. but some still made their way to church for easter blessings. oh, this is boucher outside cave town that scene some of the worst violence of this conflict and other parts of the country artillery fire could be heard as easter services were held. ukraine had joined to the un and pushing for an east, a truce, but with no success is saunter severe to mirror the sun is shining and the sky is clear. but there's no peace in my soul. i very, very much once ukraine to have liberty love and hope or years that the book is so

good. others in the eastern city of separation were too nervous to stay for math. 3rd one is one of them. we didn't enter the church and we did everything quickly. we received our blessings from the priest and we are now on our way home. the conflict has divided the orthodox church. the russian patriarch and ally of president vladimir putin. his throne, his support behind the war, and used his sermons to justify it. that's angered church ladies in ukraine and alice, across the orthodox faith. it's spiritual leader, his pushed for an end to the fighting, calling it an indescribable human tragedy. russia's annexation of crimea led to a part of ukraine's clergy splitting from the moscow lead branch in 2018. there are fears the war could further rupture. the wider church president for laudermill zalinski urged ukrainians not to let anger overwhelm them. vilegas felt as

a wooden you, today's great holiday gives us the great hope and belief that light will win over darkness. good will win over evil life or will win over death. so therefore ukraine will win inevitably, audra milt, mute ah, a prayer for peace and hope heard and felt across ukraine. alixia brian else's era at least 12 people have died in another 10 are missing after 4 boats carrying a 120 migrants and refugees sank near tunisia. the coast guard rescued at least 90 people off the coast of sparks. it's become a departure point for people seeking a better life in europe. the coast guard in nor than japan says 10 people i confirmed dead after sight. seeing boat went missing in bad weather. helicopters and patrol boat, so continuing to search off the coast of al qaeda island for the 16 others warn board. the crew sent out

a distress call on saturday saying the boat was sinking. i winds and waves had been reported and the water temperature hovers around 2 degrees. guffman safety inspectors are investigating the vessels owners. devastating floods in south africa have highlighted concerns about climate change and where the neighboring countries are doing enough to combat the threat. millions of africans have suffered both floods and drought in the last 6 months alone. for me, that miller has more from johannesburg, unimaginable destruction homes and lives destroyed or lost as floods ravaged parts of quizzes, due natal province in recent weeks. and in the aftermath, beaches streets aligned with debris and pollution. at least 443 people were killed in the floods described as the worst. in 60 years, when 2 months worth of rain fell in just 48 hours, causing mud and lance lights, we needs to increase our investment employment adaptation measures. to better

safeguard communities against the effects of climate change. the government is calling such natural disasters the new normal, attributing it mostly to climate change, but environment experts say the devastation may not have been as bad if the government had done more. here in the township of alexander and to hannah's bud, thousands of people live alongside river banks and flood prone areas. while the have been local and global, that is to reduce the effects of climate change. many of those promises have not been kept ex, let's say countries like south africa need to build better houses, road and drainage and transport systems to adapt to climate change and key people safe. x would say africa's west indian ocean region is vulnerable to extreme weather shocks. parts of madagascar recently been hit by intense tropical psych

loans. while south east of the island drought has decimated crops, killed animals, and displays thousands of people. closing widespread food shortages. drought has to ravaged parts of zambia, zimbabwe and south africa. in fountain, madagascar, for example, you have 1.5 to 2000000 people who suffered acute hunger because of drought issues. you have over a 1000000 carcasses from lice livestock heard us, etc. and now with the. busy stance that we have seen about 3 very significant storms happening in causal will natal in the space of about 7 years and who has suffered the most. it is really the poor and vulnerable who have only a dangerous places to put up their houses. him. we are going to continue to see

this framed happening all across the african continent. it's estimated it will cost billions of dollars to fix the damage caused by the latest clothing in south africa and environmental groups. a severe weather has killed half a 1000000 people in southern africa. in the last 6 months alone for me, davila al jazeera johannesburg, south africa. argentinian farmers have branch, roads in the capital in protest against export taxes on agricultural products. they have to pay levies of up to 33 percent on exports of soybeans and grains, but they're worried that the government could raise them even higher. theresa bowl reports from venice ice and then come on site. lithium unified, with tractors from across the country, came to eigen tina's capital to protest against the government of a lot of the families and their families, travelled from the province of santa fe. he explained why he and others like him are at risk. not acquittals. he is on it,

we cannot produce like this. all of us end up renting our forums because small skill farmers end up renting their long term to national corporations who can afford to bear the enormous tax burden. we have food prices are rising worldwide driven up by the war in ukraine. this has put argentinian producers on alert. farmers say taxes, export taxes, drought, and exchange rate controls are hurting their capacity to produce and fear the government could increase taxes even more. 1000 people accompanied the farmers to the center of a city to protest against the administration of i'll write up a fight amended, they say they're tired of the inflation rate. it was close to 7 percent last month . end of their difficulties. they pay every month. they're saying that the government has no economic land and they will gras chrissy and the restrictions implemented by the administration building. 2 argentina's productive sector. last

march, the government increased export taxis and soybean flour, annoy, seeking to control local prices and stabilize the price of wheat to what it was before ukraine's conflict. it also says farmers are overreacting and there are no plans to increase export taxes again, at least for now we'll get an o 2 other than c on it. we have an increased export taxes on the producers. so they are marching just in case their margin against the project it on know, i imagine that could happen. so we have no doubt this is a political demonstration that, that the has to do with of interest than defendant device of the farm is looking. basically, journalists like might be along on he say, the situation in flames already long running tensions between the government and the agricultural sector, gamble, video, a narrative, or as the farming sick, as in a strange situation. because like most countries in the world where they produce more food than they consume, that is a chance to make a profit. argentina has a surplus of food and it could export more grain. milken meat pots and argentina's

case, the bitter prices, dont always benefit the farmer wants us as the constant trouble between produces and the government. and that's why farmers vowed to continue with their demands. they say government assistance would help them to produce more. something they say would benefit argentina's economy and the whole world is i will as a seat at one site if voting is underway in slovenia and was expected to be a type parliamentary election. the right wing populous party prime minister ayana's yansa has cast is valid, has been criticized for restricting media, freedom and civil liberties. during the pandemic, his challenger is renewable energy. businessman barbara call up from the freedom movement party. molina, savage h is in the capital, louisiana, with more on the election. a civilian society at the moment is very much divided. it radicalized and polarized. so for the new answer to the choosing between 2 different paths, 2 different versions of their future. one version,

this is future of their future is cooperation within european use institutions and the other one is more in venice for support in young, within the european union. this is the choice between the young as the answer from anyone democratic party or robert, goal of freedom movement party, janese answer for indian nationalist. he seeking his 4th term as for the union, prime minister yansa is a veteran politician, 3 decades in full union, fully fixed. he's a very much controversial politician. he's a strong ally of from gary and prime minister victor, oregon. and just like orbit is criticized for autocratic, done, this is an autocratic government. on the other side, we have it all ready to go over something completely different. different story, his businessman manager, he had this from union state power company, or 3 months ago he decided to enter politics, as he explained because he wants to leave a free and open society. he formed

a freedom movement party. unlike young shock, he doesn't want to talk about either ology left in the right division. he wants to talk about economy, about energy, green transformation, green politics, about sustainable development, about health care system, about building new apartments for young slovenia. ah, her again, i'm fully battle with the headlines on al jazeera. both contenders in frances presidential election have voted along with millions of their supporters as he bids for a 2nd term president, emmanuel, michael casts his ballot in la to k, on the northern coast. far right, challenge a minute then also cast her ballot in northern france voter turnout. so 5 just over 26 percent. 2 points lower than 5 years ago. natasha butler has more from paris 26 percent of.