this is bbc news. i'm tom donkin. our top stories: after a bitterly fought presidential campaign, french voters choose between the political outsider emmanuel macron and the far—right‘s marine le pen. 82 nigerian schoolgirls kidnapped by islamist militants three years ago have now been freed. 6,000 migrants are rescued in the mediterranean in just two days, in dozens of operations by the italian coast guard. firefighters rescue dozens of elderly tourists after flash floods hit eastern china. and as prince philip prepares to leave the royal spotlight, his family says he won't be "putting his feet up." french voters will chose their new president today. polls open in just two hours. after a bitterly fought campaign

which saw candidates from the traditional parties rejected, voters have a straight choice between the pro—european centrist emmanuel macron and the far—right candidate marine le pen. in a moment karin gianone looks at how the final round of voting works, but first here's richard slee on the election battle. today's vote is eating scene is the most important in france for decades. a schmidt is being seen. the two candidates have different views about europe and the future of front in the wider world. the national front‘s marine le pen would close borders and quit the euro. emmanuel macron wants closer european cooperation and an open economy. he is a former economic minister who last year quit the current socialist government to concentrate on his new independent political movement. this campaign

was the last victim of a hacking attack which saw an online leak of thousands of emails and documents. the french election watchdog has advised the media not to publish details from the documents, warning it could lead to criminal charges, and that some of the documents are probably fake. polls are open today until early evening, but some french nationals living abroad were able to cast their vote from yesterday, including about 100,000 people who live in the uk. the winner is expected to be announced later tonight. in this final round of france's presidential election, voters only have to candidates left to choose from. but under french electoral law, they also have three other options. first of all, there are substantial. the french can choose not to vote, either out of and support out of apathy. this can affect turnout, which is

traditionally very high in france. in the last round it was 77.8%. in 2012 it was over 80%. there are some who think that this time around could be the lowest turnout ever. voters do have to other choices. 0ne is to vote nul, to simply spoiled ballot paper rather than to one candidate over another. for the first time in french presidential elections, there is another choice. the third option is the vote blanc, the blank vote. that means that you wa nted the blank vote. that means that you wanted to take part in the election, but you reject all the candidates on offer. you can do that by dropping an empty envelope were a blank ballot paper into the box. under new rules introduced last year, these votes are counted, so while neither candidate can claim them in their total, we will see those figures show up at the end of all this. and you can keep up—to—date on this

and all the other stories we are following on our website. and just a quick reminder, there'll be a special french presidential results programme here on bbc news from 17:30, with christian fraser taking us through the developments as they happen, so tune in for that. islamist militants have released 82 schoolgirls who were kidnapped from chibok in nigeria. a government official said the girls were freed following negotiations with boko haram. the girls were among almost 300 abducted from their school three years ago. stephanie hegarty has the latest from nigeria. they were taken three years ago as schoolgirls, but they will be coming back as young women. after lengthy negotiations between government and militants, 82 of the chibok girls have been released. it was essentially a prisoner swap. the president said in a statement that some boko haram suspects were freed in exchange for the girls. the young women are now in the care of the nigerian army,

and are expected to be brought to the capital, abuja, today. it is the second time that the government has successfully rescued a group of chibok girls. last october, 21 young women were returned to their families. the chibok girls were taken from their school by islamist militants in 2014, just as they were about to sit theirfinal exams. their kidnapping inspired a global campaign calling for their release. many families in chibok will be rejoicing today, but of the 276 girls taken that night, over 100 are yet to be returned. while chibok is by far the most high—profile case, thousands of people have been kidnapped by boko haram in the eight years of this insurgency. fighting has eased in parts of syria

where a russian—led ceasefire has taken effect. the russian defence ministry says it has registered 15 violations since midnight on friday. meanwhile, russia and the united states have agreed to resume a bilateral agreement to prevent mid—air clashes over syrian skies. alex bolton reports. syrian government aircraft in action near the city of hama. there are reports of shelling and gunfire elsewhere in the country, but overall, the violence has eased following the international plan to create four de—escalation zones inside syria. another positive step — russian and us chiefs of general staff have agreed to reinstate the system preventing mid—air incidents over syria. in a phone call, russian general gerasimov and general dunford of the united states agreed to work on additional measures. russia says a new initiative to create demilitarised areas

in syria can help pave the way towards more substantive negotiations. translation: the most important thing is that the implementation of the memorandum can help cease the military action among conflicting factions, and therefore end the syrian crisis at the practical level. the initiative is of significant meaning to the political process in syria. the deal to create de—escalation zones in the major areas of conflict in western syria took effect at midnight on friday. the initiative was proposed by russia, president bashar al—assad's most powerful ally. it is backed by turkey and iran. with the deal coming from two strong backers of assad's regime, the main syrian opposition grouping have major misgivings about it. they say they are not too confident. translation: the revolution is very damaged. the revolution is strangled, and the syrian people are killed in these so—called de—escalation zones. the regime and the russians

are the only beneficiaries. failure of peace efforts and ceasefire deals are a familiar story in this conflict, that has claimed 300,000 lives since 2012, so how effective the current plan will prove to be is highly uncertain. alex bolton, bbc news. the bad blood between us president donald trump and the media has heated up even more, with four major television networks refusing to run an advertisement celebrating his first 100 days in office. the 30—second commercial highlights trump's accomplishments, but blames the mainstream media for ignoring them the former head of the palestinian militant group hamas in the gaza strip has been elected as overall leader. ismail haniyeh will take over from khaled meshaal, who has led the movement from abroad for two decades. the election took place

using a video link between delegates in gaza and qatar. the north german city of hannover is to evacuate 50,000 people, one tenth of its population, today, so that unexploded wartime bombs can be cleared. residents will leave their homes to allow disposal experts to make homes to allow disposal experts to ma ke safe homes to allow disposal experts to make safe at least five such bombs ona building make safe at least five such bombs on a building site. the bad blood between us president donald trump and the media has heated up even more, with four major television networks refusing to run an advertisement celebrating his first 100 days in office. the 30—second commercial highlights trump's accomplishments, but blames the mainstream media for ignoring them and peddling "fake news." 0ne network said the commercial didn't meet their guidelines. another said it would run the ad if the "fake news" part was deleted. joining me now from san francisco is mark follman, national affairs editor with motherjones magazine. how divisive has this phrase "fake

news" become? i think it how divisive has this phrase "fake news" become? ithink it has how divisive has this phrase "fake news" become? i think it has become quite divisive, though it is interesting to think about the way it has also started to become normal for a lot of people, hearing this day in and day out from the white house and president trump. in the first few months of his presidency he has attacked the media as fake news more than 50 times. primarily on social media, on twitter, but he has also done it on press conferences and in speeches at this campaign style rallies that he holds. i think people tend to be dismissive of it at this point, almost, as though it isjust dismissive of it at this point, almost, as though it is just trump being trump and sounding bombastic. they don't take it seriously. but i think it is quite serious and quite divisive. yes, i wonder, think it is quite serious and quite divisive. yes, iwonder, because before he was president, donald trump had a long relationship with the media. do you think is negative views towards some mainstream media, are they deeply held views that he has, or is itjust something that plays well to his base?”

has, or is itjust something that plays well to his base? i think is probably a bit of both. i think it is also a strategy coming from the white house. if you recall, his chief strategist, steve bannon, came out and called the media the opposition party, right off the bat in this administration. he said the media should keep its mouth shut. these are harsh words, and a very harsh way of framing the news media. it actually strikes me as ritchie rich that the trump campaign —— pretty rich that the trump campaign is calling its censorship that the mainstream media has rejected their advertised and, when in fact what they are really doing is attacking they are really doing is attacking the first amendment and attacking the first amendment and attacking the ability of the press to report on what the government is doing. so you would applaud the actions of cnn and others? i think so. there is a dynamic going on here which is complex, because the television media, in particular, has a vested interest in the conflict with the

white house and with donald trump is a persona. we saw that through the campaign. but at the end of the day there are very serious stories at play here. anything from the far ranging potential conflicts of interest that the trump family has, which could affect policy—making now, to this widening investigation of the russia scandal and the potential size between the trump campaign and interference in the election. —— potential ties. the white house has a lot of reasons to be worried about the media, and there are four reasons to undermine there are four reasons to undermine the media, and i think this is a deliberate strategy bayard doing to try to do that. —— strategy they are doing. at motherjones, is there anything that you have changed since the president has entered the white house? in a broad sense, we are really just doubling and house? in a broad sense, we are reallyjust doubling and tripling down on what we do, which is hard—hitting down on what we do, which is ha rd—hitting investigative journalism. there is so much to look

into with this administration already. we are really marshalling lots of new resources to go after these big stories which i think are of major importance and interest to the american public and to the world. we are more security conscious as well, with all of the activity that has gone on, with cyber attacks and the questions that will surround what happened in the 2016 election, which are enormous, and a very essential to maintaining the integrity of our electoral system. —— and very essential. there are system. —— and very essential. there a re lots of system. —— and very essential. there are lots of attacks against media institutions, intrusions into media institutions. that has affected our outlook as well. where do you see this going? we have seen some violent protests at the university of california berkely recently, which some call the birthplace of free speech. where do you see this in the country in the long—term, polarisation? i think the polarisation? i think the polarisation is already there in politics. but i think we are going

to see more testing of people's vidigal views under the banner of free speech, however authentic or not. —— political views. free speech, however authentic or not. —— politicalviews. it free speech, however authentic or not. —— political views. it is going to be an issue that is used in these political street fights going on, and in terms of the dynamic with the administration, attacking the press and attacking free speech and the first amendment. they have also spoken about weakening libel laws. traditionally we have very strong protection for the press, but that is now up for grabs as well, as the white house makes these threats about going after press protections. so this will definitely be an issue going forward. mark foreman, the national editor for motherjones magazine. 0ver over 600 migrants attempting to reach europe have been rescued in the mediterranean over the past 48 hours. the italian coastguard co—ordinated more than a0 separate

missions on friday and saturday. many of the migrants were trained to make the crossing from libya in makeshift vessels. rescued at sea a00 migrants arrive in an italian seaport. many need medical help. this is a stark reminder of the dangers they face. the body of a teenager allegedly shot by human traffickers because they wanted his baseball hat. they said that europe is a failing and not taking the responsibility of these humanitarian catastrophe that is unfolding in front of our eyes. people continue to die. people are desperate. they had been a pause of

migrants leaving libya since easter because of bad weather and rough seas but in the past a8th analyst italian cosco —— the italian curtis cup has rescued nearly 6000 people. translation: the patrol left this morning. a migrant boat with 162 migrants was rescued. they were being held at the naval base and have been given medical care. most of those attempting to make the perilous journey come from african countries. many seeking a better life and fleeing persecution.” countries. many seeking a better life and fleeing persecution. i am from gambia. today we entered the sea at a:00am towards italy. we went until we entered international seas. we were captured by these people.

just this weekend, the foreign minister of italy visited libya. according to official figures, so far this year more than a thousand people have died or are missing trying to cross the mediterranean. this is bbc news, the latest headlines: still to come, the family of prince philip says he will not be stopping for a minute. i, nelson rolihlahla mandela, do hereby serve to be faithful to the republic of south africa. after six years of construction and numerous delays, the channel tunnel has been formally opened by the queen and president mitterrand. the tunnel is still not yet ready for passengers and freight services to begin. for centuries, christianity and islam struggled for supremacy. now the pope's visit symbolises their willingness to coexist. roger bannister became the first man in the world to run a mile in under four minutes.

memories of victory as the ve celebrations reach their climax. this night is dedicated to everyone who believes in a future of peace and freedom. this is bbc news, the latest headlines: france's presidential election reaches its climax, amid concerns the hacking attack on emmanuel macron‘s campaign could affect the result. strong winds and rain have swept across parts of eastern china, bringing down trees and cutting off power lines. in some areas gales have reached force ten over the last two days. andy beatt reports.

as daylight faded, firefighters attached to safety ropes and waded through a torrent of raging water to rescue aa tourists. the group were visiting a waterfall in a rural part of fujian province when torrential rain triggered flash flooding. trapped for more than three hours, they were first given food and water before being taken to higher ground. further north, injilin province, it gale force ten winds ripped roofs off buildings. trees were uprooted and vehicles were crushed. translation: the roofs of the steel houses are flying everywhere. look at the billboard behind me, it was brand—new, just put up today, but was blown down by wind all the same. debris was strewn across roads and pavements, narrowly missing some pedestrians. at least 12 powerlines were damaged. engineers worked through the night to end the blackout.

beijing has not escaped the severe weather either. a pedestrian was trapped underneath a fallen fence but escaped without serious injury. the wind was so powerful it took anything not nailed down with it. commemorations take place this weekend to remember the role of a polish warship in helping to save the lives of residents on the isle of wight during the second world war. the blyskawica was instrumental in defending the people of the island in the channel from an air raid by 160 german bombers. kasia madera has more. polish destroyers are visited by the polish destroyers are visited by the polish president. blyskawica one of two destroyers built in cowes was the pride of pollen. the crew could not have foreseen the role they

would play in defending cowes against that devastating air raid. you're serving the cause of mankind. the last surviving crew recalls on how everybody had a critical role to play. transaction mac when it comes to the isle of wight how guns were blazing. i was down in the engine room making sure it was running so the bombers could keep fighting. tom was next to the ship on dry land. the bombers could keep fighting. tom was next to the ship on dry landm was next to the ship on dry landm was dangerous. the guns were so redhot, i could actually see them, they were redhot. they put water on them all the time. that decision to fire was controversial. while in guide dog, the blyskawica should not have had any live ammunition yet the

captain, wojciech francki, was convinced an attack was imminent. jill saw the same planes. -- jill's father. he could actually see the swastikas on them they were so low. he said to my mother, we are going to get it soon. the isle of wight was not used to coming under attack. the light reflected was used to attack cities on the mainland but that night the attack was unprecedented because they were aiming directly cowes at. captain wojciech francki was denied permission to arm the blyskawica and in doing so he risked court—martial. playing at his commemoration, his granddaughter said it took the initiative. when the bombing started, he said bomb screens out.

and they praised for. it was quite unhurt to do that, the disguised as ship. his action saved countless lives. today, a modern polish navy destroyer is anchored off the isle of wight not to defend but to honour the blyskawica's memory. here in the uk, prince edward says he doesn't believe his father, the duke of edinburgh, will "stop for a minute" when he retires from public life in the autumn. prince edward said "the show would go on" because the royal family worked as a team. 0ur royal correspondent, peter hunt, considers the first comments from a senior royal about the impending retirement of prince philip. prince philip, as we soon won't be seeing him, in public, on duty, by his wife's side. from the autumn, the soon to be 96—year—old will be giving up such engagements. retirement beckons but prince edward insists his father won't be inactive. i don't believe that he is going to be putting his feet up completely and disappearing into the background

and never being seen again. i still think, he'll pick and choose what he wants to do and how he'll do it and what's sensible and what's practical. as i said, i don't think we'll see him completely disappear but he's making it absolutely clear to organisations, please don't come round asking me to do things and expect me to say yes, because the answer's going to be no. hopefully he can enjoy more of what he enjoys doing. this is an ancient institution adjusting to the fact that one of its key players will be on display a lot less. out and about, the queen relies on her husband. others will have to step up to the mark. it is always a team effort and that's what we do. the show goes on. if an actor retires from a show, guess what, the show goes on, everybody shuffles around and we fill in the spaces and keep it all going. and that's what we will do. it doesn't require any massive reorganisation, that's what we do, we support each other. such support is already happening. here, prince william was on hand, a grandson helping his grandmother,

the queen, as she met her guest, aung san suu kyi, myanmar‘s de facto leader. the windsors are in transition. this is a taste of the future. peter hunt, bbc news. the latest edition of the sunday times rich list has been published naming the uk's wealthiest people. and right at the top are two indian brothers sri and gopi hinduja. they made their money from banking and manufacturing and are said to be worth more than $20 billion. but, there was only one person in the top ten born in the uk, the duke of westminster. the duke's wealth comes largely from inherited land in london and is valued at over $12 billion. you can get in touch with me on twitter. for now, take care and goodbye. hello, good morning.

so near, yet so far away. we had some rain around during the first half of the weekend. it came in with this cloud front, just clipped the south—west of england, running through the english channel. that cloud is moving southward into the near continent. across the far north—east of scotland we have got some low cloud that will bring drizzle as we head into sunday. quite low cloud for northern and eastern scotland, perhaps filtering through the central lowlands, perhaps argyll and bute seeing more in the way of sunshine. sunny start after a chilly start across northern ireland, likewise north—west england. 0n the other side of the pennines there will be more cloud. wales, midland and southern england, temperatures start at 10 or 11 because of the cloud, but we should see things improving. you'll notice that if you are watching the cricket at lord's, england against ireland. skies brightening through the day. we will get some sunshine and it should feel quite warm in the afternoon despite the northerly breeze. the breeze stronger across north—east scotland

and england, all the way down to the wash, but further south the cloud should tend to break up and we should get more sunshine for southern parts of england and wales. mild temperatures along the coast, but in northern ireland who could be sitting at 21 in the afternoon, possibly 20 in south—east wales. not quite as warm as that at anfield, but not far off. most temperatures will climb in the afternoon in the sunshine, and eventually we will have sunshine in london as well. looking good as we head into the end of the afternoon. 0vernight we will see more cloud coming in off the north sea, and a good part of scotland. in the west we will have clearer skies and it could turn chilly in the countryside. generally, as we head into monday, it's an east/west split for many. eastern areas with that onshore chilly breeze, but even here it will break up at times. further west across the uk after a chilly start perhaps we will get more sunshine, boosting the temperatures into the mid teens, possibly higher than that towards the south—west. quite chilly for eastern scotland and north—east england once again. high pressure keeping it dry, at least into tuesday and wednesday. the centre of a high pressure ridge

coming all the way from southern greenland, extending a nose into the uk. on tuesday, the onshore breeze will cause more cloud for the eastern part of the uk. we will have more sunshine by the middle part of the week, boosting temperatures. but generally, the further west you go will see higher temperatures. and that is where we have the best of sunshine. this is bbc world news, the headlines. after a bitterly fought presidential campaign french voters will today choose between the political outsider emmanuel macron and the far—right‘s marine le pen.

meanwhile, french authorities have warned against anyone spreading documents hacked from macron‘s campaign team. at least 80 schoolgirls who were kidnapped by boko haram in the nigerian town of chibok have been freed. a government official said they had been released following negotiations with the islamist militant group. they're still thought to be holding more than 100 girls captive. 6,000 migrants have been rescued in the mediterranean in just two days in dozens of operations by the italian coastguard. italy and libya have stepped up operations in recent months in a bid to cut the number of people risking their lives by attempting the dangerous crossing. the teenage racing driver who lost both legs in a horrific crash says he's "lost for words" after well wishers raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for him.