welcome to bbc news — i'm lucy grey. our top stories... imran khan is removed as prime minister of pakistan — after losing a vote of confidence in parliament. armoured vehicles and new missiles — borisjohnson pledges more british support for ukraine — after talks with president zelensky in kyiv. there is a huge amount to do to make sure that ukraine is successful, that ukraine wins and that putin must fail. campaigning ends in the first round of france's presidential election — polls are due to open in a few hours. commander tom marshall making his way down, and there we are.

mission accomplished — as the first all—private astronaut team ever launched to the international space station completes docking. imran khan has been removed as pakistan's prime minister, after losing a confidence vote in parliament following weeks of political turmoil. mr khan had earlier said he would not recognise any new opposition government, claiming that there was a us—led conspiracy to remove him. the vote took place in dramatic circumstances with parliament sitting in the early hours after it initially appeared khan's party would not allow it to take place. the assembly will now meet on monday to choose a new prime minister. here's the moment the speaker of the house announced the result. 174 members have recorded a vote in favour of the resolution. consequently, the resolution of a vote of no confidence

against mr imran khan, the prime minister of islamic republic of pakistan, has been passed by a majority of the total membership of the national assembly. cheering our pakistan correspondent secunder kermani says the vote was an opportunistic move from his rivals. the forces of what used to be the opposition have been celebrating. you can perhaps hear them in the background. for a while it looked as though this vote of no confidence against imran khan would not happen, his party would block it from taking place for a second time despite an order from the supreme court, but instead after a day of delays in parliament and meandering speeches by imran khan's allies, shortly before midnight, mps from imran khan's party walked out of parliament and a new speaker of the house said that the voting would start, and once it was clear that the voting was going to begin, the result was a foregone conclusion,

and that is because a number of imran khan's political coalition allies had already publicly deserted him, giving the opposition a majority in parliament. they will now get to select and nominate their own candidate as prime minister. that will happen in the next day or two, and he will face real challenges in government, not least from imran khan, because imran khan still insists he is the victim of an international conspiracy, orchestrated by the united states in conjunction with his domestic political opponents, because of his foreign policy decisions, including a recent trip to russia. most analysts dismiss that. american officials and his political opponents deny there is any truth in the allegation but it is a narrative that is resonating with imran khan's voters. he says he will not accept any kind of imported government. he has called for his supporters to take to the streets in peaceful protest from sunday evening.

retired ambassador teresita schaffer worked in pakistan for many years with the us government. shejoins in washington. thank you very much for your company. just tell me your reaction to the removal of imran khan and his claims of us led conspiracy to get rid of him. �* r' , led conspiracy to get rid of him. �* ,~ , ., ., .,, him. asked his removal it has been considered _ him. asked his removal it has been considered highly - him. asked his removal it has been considered highly likely| been considered highly likely for some time. the fact that the supreme court ruled as it did and imran khan accepted the ruling is actually a boost for the rule of law in pakistan. i don't believe the conspiracy story. don't believe the conspiracy sto . ., ., �* don't believe the conspiracy sto . ., , story. you don't believe it. this is what _ story. you don't believe it. this is what he _ story. you don't believe it. this is what he is - story. you don't believe it. this is what he is arguing, | this is what he is arguing, that forces beyond pakistan are trying to get rid of him, that is what he is blaming for his unpopularity, perhaps. i can understand _ unpopularity, perhaps. i can understand why _ unpopularity, perhaps. i can understand why he - unpopularity, perhaps. i can understand why he would i unpopularity, perhaps. it€�*u understand why he would reach for that argument. it is not the first time in pakistan. he

has never been terribly enthusiastic about the united states. and in spite of the fact that he was in moscow the day that russia invaded ukraine, i do not see that as something that would link to manoeuvring around the removal of head of government. we exect of head of government. we meet that _ of head of government. we expect that the _ of head of government. we expect that the new government will be formed by shabaz sharif. . , , . , sharif. he has been in politics 'ust as sharif. he has been in politics just as long — sharif. he has been in politics just as long as _ sharif. he has been in politics just as long as his _ sharif. he has been in politics just as long as his brother. i just as long as his brother. the brother took priority because he is older, and this is the pakistan way, but shabaz sharif has always been part of that entourage, and extremely an influential guy. he has

spent a lot of time as chief minister of punjab, the largest state in pakistan. he is a good administrator.— administrator. what about his relationship — administrator. what about his relationship with _ administrator. what about his relationship with the - administrator. what about his| relationship with the military? that seems to be key. historically, it has been key. historically, it has been key. his relationship with the military is better than his brother because mac, but his brother because mac, but his brother did start out as a creature of the military, so these things are not set in stone. . . , these things are not set in stone. . ., , ., these things are not set in stone. . ., ., stone. that was one of the reasons — stone. that was one of the reasons for _ stone. that was one of the reasons for imran - stone. that was one of the reasons for imran khan's l reasons for imran khan's demise, it was blamed on his situation with the military, wasn't it?— situation with the military, wasn't it? . ,., ., wasn't it? that i find somewhat more plausible, _ wasn't it? that i find somewhat more plausible, because - wasn't it? that i find somewhat more plausible, because there | more plausible, because there had been some visible differences between the military on issues on which the military on issues on which the military should be —— has been

excruciatingly sensitive, in terms of who should be the next head of the intelligence services. head of the intelligence services-— head of the intelligence services. ~ , ., services. will this move get -o - ular services. will this move get popular support? _ services. will this move get popular support? will- services. will this move getl popular support? will people get behind it? i popular support? will people get behind it?— popular support? will people get behind it? i think there is a aood get behind it? i think there is a good chance _ get behind it? i think there is a good chance of— get behind it? i think there is a good chance of that - get behind it? i think there is a good chance of that but - get behind it? i think there is| a good chance of that but they are likely to have elections relatively soon, and that is something that becomes a little harder to predict until you know what has happened in the meantime because imran khan, he is one of those larger personalities, and he is going to attract a certain number of votes just because he is to attract a certain number of votesjust because he is imran khan, some of those will be cricket fans but some will be people who just wanted a change, and shabaz does not represent a change in that sense and it was interesting that one of his coalition members, in making a speech in parliament after the votes were

counted said, welcome back to old pakistan.— old pakistan. and he still has all the issues _ old pakistan. and he still has all the issues of _ old pakistan. and he still has all the issues of the - old pakistan. and he still hasj all the issues of the economy to deal with as well. thank you forjoining us, we will have to leave it there, but we appreciate it, the former ambassador to pakistan, teresita schaeffer. borisjohnson has become the latest western leader to hold face to face talks with ukraine's president, volodymyr zelensky. during the meeting in kyiv, the british prime minister praised what he called the mr zelensky�*s "resolute leadership" and the "invincible heroism" of the ukrainian people. he also set out a new package of financial and military aid, including an offer of 120 armoured vehicles and new anti—ship missile systems, for the war with russia. how are you? you know how! little time for the niceties when you are a leader at war. volodymyr zelensky hosting boris johnson today. pressing the flesh of a key western backer.

you are looking well. unbelievable considering which you have been through. you are strong. the strength of the underdog, ukraine's president battling for the survival of his country, welcoming and pleading for the outside world to fight russian aggression. the unannounced talks came as britain pledged 120 armoured vehicles and new anti—ship missile systems. the two men were keen to suggest ukraine is on the front foot, a walkabout in kyiv inconceivable a fortnight ago. borisjohnson basking in praise for his support from the public and the president. translation: we have to exert pressure in the form of sanctions and i'm grateful to the united kingdom that continues and intensifies sanctions and also provides significant support to ukraine by reinforcing our defence capacity.

the other democratic western countries should follow the example of the united kingdom. from borisjohnson, arriving as horrors are unearthed from neighbouring towns, warm words for a leader he called a lion. i thank you for what you have been able to do. i think your leadership has been extraordinary. i think what putin has done in places like bucha and irpin, his war crimes have permanently polluted his reputation and the reputation of his government. borisjohnson was long keen to come here to kyiv but was waiting for the security situation to stabilise following the withdrawal of russian troops in the area and while this city has calmed, the renewed offensive in the east has made ukraine push even harder for more military aid. russian tanks pushed on today as a governor in the east urged civilians to flee immediately, warning of troops massing nearby.

bucha near kyiv, now free of russian troops, shows what might lie in store elsewhere. 360 people are said to have died here. ukraine, david against goliath, is still crying out for help. mark lowen, bbc news, kyiv. john herbst, former us ambassador to ukraine and director of the eurasia center at the atlantic council — joins me now from washington. we heard in that piece that borisjohnson and president boris johnson and president zelensky borisjohnson and president zelensky are keen to say that ukraine is on the front foot. what would your assessment be? i think they are absolutely right. put in's huge offensive from february 2a to see the capital kyiv has failed. the number of russian deaths may be

as high as 15,000 out of a force of 200,000, that is enormous and they have retreated from kyiv, retreated in the north and they are trying to resupply their forces in the east. trying to resupply their forces in the east-— in the east. but, they are still there, _ in the east. but, they are still there, still— in the east. but, they are still there, still attacking | still there, still attacking areas in ukraine. we keep hearing president zelensky asking for more and more supplies, despite the promises that we have heard today and in recent days. what would be enough for him to be able to push russia are completely? we need to push russia are completely? - need to supply steadily all the equipment he is asking for. that means javelin is to kill tanks, stingers to take out helicopters, high altitude anti aircraft, to take out planes flying at 30,000 feet. the brits have sent anti—ship missiles to help protect 0desa and they are asking for multiple rocket launchers and mobile artillery and tanks and

armoured personnel carriers so that they can do —— deal with the russian offensive in eastern ukraine, we should give them all of that, this is essential for security of the best because if putin wins a ukraine his next target will be our baltic nato allies.- our baltic nato allies. which country in — our baltic nato allies. which country in particular- our baltic nato allies. which country in particular would l our baltic nato allies. which i country in particular would you like to see doing more? the united states _ like to see doing more? tie: united states which like to see doing more? tue: united states which has like to see doing more? tte: united states which has done like to see doing more? t'te: united states which has done a fair amount needs to step up and take leadership. i have to say that mrjohnson and the uk has been the most forward leading of countries in the west. the us has done 0k, needs to do better, and of course our other nato allies have to step up, germany, france, etc. what does rush — up, germany, france, etc. what does rush are's _ up, germany, france, etc. what does rush are's targeting - up, germany, france, etc. what does rush are's targeting of - does rush are's targeting of civilians, increasing targeting of civilians, in terms of their tactics? —— russia's targeting. it suggests that they have failed to deal with the ukrainian military so they cannot beat zelensky by beating the military they try to sap the military they try to sap the will of the ukrainian

people by attacking, intentionally, civilians, which is only making the ukrainians are more angry and less willing to make peace, especially on putin's terms.— putin's terms. you have not mentioned _ putin's terms. you have not mentioned sanctions, - putin's terms. you have not mentioned sanctions, are l putin's terms. you have not i mentioned sanctions, are your thoughts that they are not having the desired impact? t having the desired impact? i think the sanctions are very important. the critical importance is to make the russian economy stall and, over time, to thereby weaken the ability maintain a first class military, so the sanctions we are seeing today will make the russian people doubt whether this is all worth it and over 6-12 this is all worth it and over 6—12 months, weaken the russian military, and that is important because mr putin is a serial provocateur and aggressive. thank you for talking to us, john herbst, former us ambassador to ukraine. you are watching bbc news, the headlines:

imran khan is removed as prime minister of pakistan — after losing a vote of confidence in parliament. orisjohnson pledges more british support for ukraine — after meeting president zelensky in kyiv. thousands of people have gathered in the sri lankan capital, colombo, to protest against the country's deepening economic crisis. the demonstrators are calling for the president, gotabaya rajapaksa, to step down. so far, the president and his brother, the prime minister, mahinda rajapaksa, have refused to resign. 0ur correspondent, rajini vaidyanathan, was among the protesters. thousands have gathered here in the sri lankan capital colombo for a day of mass protest. there is a real strength of feeling here, lots of anger, almost all of it directed at sri lanka's government, in particular the country's president gotabaya rajapaksa. throughout the afternoon, protesters have been shouting, chanting, calling for him to step down. so far, the president and his brother, the prime minister, mahinda rajapaksa, are refusing to resign.

they say that they will continue in government and get sri lanka through this crisis. but people here are not convinced, and that crisis is continuing to impact millions of people across this island nation. i talked to many families here today, middle—class families who have good jobs who say they are struggling to put food on the table for their children. they say the value of their salaries has gone down because prices have risen so much. and also they say that even when things are available and affordable, they are struggling to get their hands on them because everything is in such short supply — food, fuel, gas, diesel, everything. and so they say this movement is going to continue. and it has brought this country together, people from all backgrounds, rich and poor, young and old, all united. they say they will not stop their protests until the rajapa ksa family leads power. a recall of some kinder chocolate products has expanded

from europe to the us. it comes as belgian health authorities ordered a factory making the products to close, after it was linked to dozens of salmonella cases. shelley phelps has more. coming off the shelves. a range of kinder chocolate treats have now been recalled in several countries over links to suspected salmonella cases. earlier this week people in the uk were told to return specific batches of kinder surprise eggs. but after that was extended to all products made at the ferrero factory in belgium, the authorities there ordered it to close. at the moment the firm have not been able to provide full information so we have no guarantee they are working on a food safe manner, that they're bringing safe products to the people and we absolutely cannot take any risks to the consumer which is why we have the

authorisation. it won't be allowed to reopen until it proves the relevant regulations are being met. the product's abscence is being felt in stores. can the supplies, all of the children want it for easter so we will have to fall back on other brands. we have other brands in store, but kinder is one of the big sellers especially in the easter period. italian confectionary group ferrero has apologised and acknowledged "internal failyres". it previously described the recalls as "precautionary" and said none of its products had tested positive for salmonella. the company would normally expect a boost in sales around now, but this easter the shelves may be empty for all the wrong reasons. shelley phelps, bbc news. polls open in france on sunday for the first round of the presidential elections. recent polls have shown a dramatic fall

in president macron's lead over his main challenger, the far—right leader marine le pen. 0ur paris correspondent, lucy williamson says there's now not a lot between the two candidates. they are very close indeed there is two top contenders. 0ne opinion poll yesterday, the last day polls were allowed put them one point apart, and just two points ahead of marine le pen in the second round, other polls putting there may be a point or two further apart but it is very close indeed and what seems to have changed has coincided with the war in ukraine. president macron tied up ukraine. president macron tied up with that war, tied up with talking to president putin didn't start campaigning until about three weeks ago. his rival the far right leader marine le pen has been campaigning for much longer than that, and focusing on rising prices, something seen as close to the hearts of voters here, and something they are even more concerned about because of the war in ukraine. slightly strange because marine

le pen has quite close ties to russia but she has been quite nimble in shifting her position since the war began, and i think she has really gained from the fact that mr macron had a late start and the fact that her nationalist rival eric zemmour has not been as fast on his feet and he has lost a few votes that have now gone to her. the prime minister of australia scott morrison is meeting the government in canberra where he is expected to call for a general election. his ruling coalition holds 76 seats in the house of representatives, the minimum needed to retain power. polls suggest that there will be a change of government, with the opposition labour party tipped to take office. now — a moment of space history — as the first all—private crew has arrived at the international space station. this is their arrival earlier. the all male crew are

called the axiom—1. let's have a look at a few more details. the first all—private mission flight is being hailed as a milestone in the commercialisation of space flight. the four men are led by a former us space agency astronaut, michael lopez—alegria. passengers include a us real estate entrepreneur and aerobatic pilot larry connor; israeli investor eytan stibbe; and canadian entrepreneur, mark pathy. the mission set off from florida kennedy space centre and is expected to last eight days. and whilst on board the international space station — they'll undertake some scientific research as well as conduct a number of outreach projects. we can now speak to kathy lueders, an associate nasa administrator for space operations, where she leads nasa's human space flight programme. i like that they are being set to work on this tourist trip.

what will they be doing? thea;r what will they be doing? they have a tonne _ what will they be doing? they have a tonne of— what will they be doing? tte: have a tonne of experiments what will they be doing? tte have a tonne of experiments and different research and outreach that they have lined up. this astronaut crew is going to be working, they have a good ten hours of work every day lined up hours of work every day lined up to make sure that they are able to reach as many people as they can with the work that they can with the work that they are trying to do. bud they can with the work that they are trying to do.- they are trying to do. and i are paying _ they are trying to do. and i are paying $55 _ they are trying to do. and i are paying $55 million i they are trying to do. and i are paying $55 million for l they are trying to do. and i i are paying $55 million for the privilege of working those ten hour days. how do you feel about this commercialisation of space travel?— space travel? this is part of our plan — space travel? this is part of our plan. when _ space travel? this is part of our plan. when nasa i space travel? this is part of our plan. when nasa was i space travel? this is part of. our plan. when nasa was set space travel? this is part of- our plan. when nasa was set up it was about how you enable and use the space economy so here we are, 60 years later, embarking on herfirst full private astronaut mission to the international space station, flying cargo

commercially, lying crew commercially, lying crew commercially, and one day we are hoping after 2030, after we retire the space station, that we will become passengers on a commercial lead destination. i5 commercial lead destination. is it about the money? we were talking to one lady who was describing her space lego, micro—robots that would assemble themselves in space. things like that you would have to wait a long time to get approvalfor and you might not be selected for the next mission and that sort of thing, but these opportunities that come with the money are what it is all about. it come with the money are what it is all about-— is all about. it is 'ust like ou is all about. it is 'ust like you said. h is all about. it is 'ust like you said. t_ is all about. it is 'ust like you said, it isi is all about. it isjust like you said, it is about i is all about. it isjust like you said, it is about notl you said, it is about not having one ride, but about opening up the opportunity for multiple people, and so if you just have governments do this you are kind of limiting the opportunity, so, we are trying to be an accelerator, and enable the potential, maybe not next year or ten years from now but maybe 50—60 years from now we are not waiting so long for

a ride. $55 million, right, that would be great, too! share that would be great, too! are the a that would be great, too! are they a bit _ that would be great, too! are they a bit of— that would be great, too! are they a bit of a _ that would be great, too! are they a bit of a hindrance these people come on the iss? i know that they go through months of training back to the other people on the iss feel like they are having to carry them for a few days?— for a few days? first of all, i think they — for a few days? first of all, i think they are _ for a few days? first of all, i think they are happy - for a few days? first of all, i think they are happy to i for a few days? first of all, i think they are happy to see l think they are happy to see them. if you saw the welcome ceremony, the other seven were happy to bring four more crew members up on board. they have to figure out, we have had to plan very carefully the work that we are going to be doing with our government and astronauts who are doing critical work and making sure that we are fitting in where to do the private astronauts' work to make sure that it does not interfere with the work we need to do, but that is kind of part of what we do. we make sure that we can do hard stuff and figure it out and we are very excited to have them there. great to have new people to

talk to after all that time stuck with the same people! thank you, kathy lueder from nasa. the bestselling author of the eagle has landed, jack higgins, has died. it sold more than 50 million copies and was adapted into a film starring michael caine. the publisher said that the passing of jack caine. the publisher said that the passing ofjack ian's mark the passing ofjack ian's mark the passing of an eagle —— mark the passing of an eagle —— mark the passing, era. a reminder of our top story. imran khan has been removed as pakistan's prime minister, after losing a confidence vote in parliament following weeks of political turmoil. mr khan had earlier said he would not recognise any new opposition government, claiming that there was a us—led conspiracy to remove him. you can reach me on twitter —

i'm @lucyegrey thank you for watching. hello there. we've got a little ridge of high pressure moving in and that is killing off saturday's daytime showers, allowing those skies to clear and temperatures to fall away so do expect a frosty start to sunday, lots of blue sky and sunshine to begin with but quickly clouding over from the west. so here is that little ridge of high pressure moving over into europe and all eyes focused on this area of low out in the atlantic, this beautiful bass clef swirl of cloud which is going to gradually spill in cloud and eventually some rain from the west. so, enjoy the early morning sunshine, yes, a frosty start. unusual now for mid—april but as we push into the afternoon, the sunshine turning increasingly hazy, there will be showery outbreaks of rain into northern ireland, a bit more of a breeze here as well. highs in northern ireland, england and wales,

ten to 13 degrees. a little bit colder, still, in the far north—east of scotland and the northern isles. now, as we move through sunday evening and overnight, we will continue to see quite a lot of cloud pushing in. that low pressure is really taking its time before it brings in potentially heavy rain but nevertheless, that cloud acting like a blanket, preventing those temperatures from falling quite as far. so, monday morning won't be quite as chilly, we'll see overnight lows, generally, between three and seven degrees. so, a slightly greyer start to the day, and we will see some outbreaks of sharp, showery rain pushing in from south—west england, wales, into northern ireland. some of these showers could be quite heavy, with the odd rumble of thunder mixed in there but if you dodged the showers and keep some sunshine around that low pressure, the wind direction coming from the south—easterly, so not quite as cold, highs of 17 degrees. we still keep the cold air in place into the far north of scotland but not for long because that southerly wind driving around that low pressure will push milder air a little bit further north as we go through

the next few days. so, on tuesday, yes, still the risk of some showery outbreaks of rain, again some of it heavy, possibly even thundery, but if you dodged those showers and you keep that sunshine, particularly across east anglia and south—east england, once again we could see 19, possibly 20 degrees. so, the rain, the dividing line between that slightly colder air sitting in the far north of scotland but it will head in your direction. and you can see, as we head towards the easter weekend, once that rain eases away, it will be drier and relatively milder in comparison to the last few days.

this is bbc news. the headlines: imran khan has been removed as prime minister of pakistan after losing a confidence vote. mr khan said he wouldn't recognise a new opposition government, after claiming that there was a us—led conspiracy to remove him. an assembly will meet on monday to choose a new leader. the british prime minister, borisjohnson has pledged more support for ukraine after holding face to face talks with president zelensky in kyiv. mrjohnson praised what he called the "invincible heroism" of the ukrainian people. mr zelensky urged other western allies to intensify the pressure on moscow. campaigning has ended in the first round of france's presidential election. president emmanuel macron's lead over his main challenger, the far—right leader marine le pen has fallen dramatically in recent weeks. the polls are due to open

in a few hours time. analysts expect many voters to boycott the election.