this is bbc news broadcasting in the uk and around the globe — i'mjoanna gosling. our top stories... polls have opened in france in the first round of the french presidential election, with president macron facing a strong challenge from marine le pen. uk prime minister, borisjohnson, meets president zelensky in kyiv as britain says there's further evidence that russian troops have a deliberate strategy of targeting civilians in ukraine. he warns of a tough battle ahead against russia. iam in i am in odesa, a city under curfew, under threat from a missile strike.

the deadline has passed in pakistan for candidates to put their names forward to succeed imran khan, who has been ousted as prime minister. commander tom marshall, making his way down. and there we are. and mission accomplished — as the first all private astronaut team ever launched to the international space station completes docking. hello and welcome to bbc news. france is voting in the first round of its presidential election, with opinion polls suggesting president macron is narrowly ahead of the far—right candidate, marine le pen. these are live pictures from paris. polling stations are now open across the country. voters are choosing from 12 candidates in the first round, but only two will go through to the run—off in a fortnight s time. our europe correspondent

nick beake reports from paris. so the fate of the planet was the theme of this big climate rally in paris, but it's the temperature of the french public that's being taken this weekend, and many want something new. this election is absolutely key for our future. this is the motto of this march, and it's key for socialjustice, environmentaljustice. there's a feeling president macron spent too much time on the kremlin than the campaign trail. talking more to vladimir putin and not listening to the french people. all the while, the far right candidate marine le pen, has been gaining ground in this, her third presidential race, honing a softer image this time. but immigration and security are still at the heart of her agenda. retired secretary, janine, tells us le pen is now ready for the highest office.

and if you shut your eyes fora moment, can you imagine marine le pen in the elysee palace as your president? why not? i think she would be not so bad. not so bad as macron. with the very latest polls suggesting more support for marine le pen, more people are asking whether france is on the verge of its own brexit moment or trump moments. in other words, a political earthquake, something that has far reaching consequences, notjust here, notjust in europe, but beyond. but le pen appeals less in cosmopolitan paris, and emmanuel macron remains the frontrunner in the national polls. translation: i will vote for him. i've seen his values, what he can do at the geopolitical level, how he runs the country, how we listen to the french and took care of covid and dealt with protests. he's shown that he's a president up to the challenge.

in this first round the french have many candidates to choose from, but only to go through. meaning lots of voters will have to think again in a fortnight�*s time. if the polls are right and it's between macron and le pen, then what do you do? just not living in france anymore. seriously? yeah! no, really the worst thing that can happen. did you vote for macron last time? yeah, yeah, but never more. in france, unemployment is down, but the cost of living is rising fast. can emmanuel macron hang on as his appeal seems to wear thin? nick beake, bbc news, paris. our correspondent anna holligan is in paris for us. france is in paris for us. braced for a tight race?

absolutely. france braced for a tight race? absolutely. you can see we are in the heart of paris outside a polling station and voters have been coming ever since these doors open. we have been speaking to them as they go into get an idea what is on their minds as they cast their ballots. the first couple we spoke to said they were voting for president macron because they believed he deserves a second chance, he had covid, been dealing with the crisis in ukraine and they want him again, they want to see what he can really do for the country. they said if marine le pen does when they would actually leave in protest. others have said if it is, as nick has said, these two are at the front at the moment, if they make it into the final round, there are some that fear the feeling towards macron is so strong, so much animosity, the sense he was off performing on the world stage and not listening to the concerns of voters. marine le pen has been rebranding, trying to

detoxify, talking about being a single mother and breeding kittens than the far right policies she is famous for and that has started to soften her image. if they make it through to the final round, the fear is she will take the presidency, she is she will take the presidency, she is closer than she has ever been in the past. is closer than she has ever been in the ast. , ., ., the past. does it boil down to concerns _ the past. does it boil down to concerns in — the past. does it boil down to concerns in france, _ the past. does it boil down to concerns in france, as - the past. does it boil down to concerns in france, as there i the past. does it boil down to | concerns in france, as there is the past. does it boil down to i concerns in france, as there is in so many other countries, the cost of living and the day—to—day issues facing people? living and the day-to-day issues facing maple?— living and the day-to-day issues facin: --eole? ~ , , , facing people? absolutely, yes. the last erson facing people? absolutely, yes. the last person we _ facing people? absolutely, yes. the last person we spoke _ facing people? absolutely, yes. the last person we spoke to _ facing people? absolutely, yes. the last person we spoke to before - facing people? absolutely, yes. the last person we spoke to before we l last person we spoke to before we came on airwere last person we spoke to before we came on air were saying people have not been listening, they have not been listening when it say food is costing too much, fuel is costing too much. there was initially at the start of the campaign the focus on the conflict in ukraine. president macron was one of the few leaders still speaking to president putin as the invasion was happening. a lot of people here felt left behind, felt

as though their voices were not being heard. marine le pen has been working tirelessly over the last five weeks travelling around the country and making sure she has a connection with the people who she believes she can capitalise on their sense of being unheard at the polls. i think things will change quite dramatically over the next two weeks, in between this first round in the final vote on the 24th of april. because president macron is acutely aware, he needs to make more effort to try to connect with these people. otherwise this complacency could really affect the final vote. there is a lot of apathy here, about 28% of people are expected not to actually vote and that could affect him, too. because he really needs voters to come out if he is to maintain his position as the president of france.- maintain his position as the president of france. thank you very much, president of france. thank you very much. anna — president of france. thank you very much, anna holligan _ president of france. thank you very much, anna holligan in _ president of france. thank you very

much, anna holligan in paris. - the ukrainian president, volodymyr zelensky, has welcomed the uk's support for ukraine, describing it as "decisive and significant". during a surprise visit to kyiv yesterday, borisjohnson announced that britain was sending 120 armoured vehicles and new anti—ship missile systems, as well as guaranteeing further loans through the world bank. the prime minister is the first leader of a g7 country to travel to the ukrainian capital for talks since the start of the russian invasion. mark lowen has this report from kyiv. how are you? there's little time for niceties when you're a leader at war. volodymyr zelensky welcomed borisjohnson to kyiv as ukraine battling russian aggression pleads for more western help. you are strong. the strength of the underdog. ukraine's president battling for his country's survival, welcoming and pleading with the outside world to help 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 the sanctions and also provides significant support to ukraine by reinforcing our defence capacities. 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've been able to do. i think your leadership has been extraordinary and i think in what putin has done in places like bucha and in irpin, in 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 from the area. and while this city has calmed, the renewed russian offensive in the east has made ukraine push even harderfor more military aid. russian tanks pushed on 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 and ukraine, the david against the goliath, is still crying out for help. mark lowen, bbc news, kyiv. catherine byaruhanga is in odesa

for us with more on this. we canjoin we can join her there. we canjoin her there. odesa is under curfew amid fears of an attack, what is the latest situation there? ,., ., attack, what is the latest situation there? ., ~ , i. attack, what is the latest situation there? ., ~ , attack, what is the latest situation there? ., a , there? good morning. as you can see, we are on a — there? good morning. as you can see, we are on a rooftop _ there? good morning. as you can see, we are on a rooftop overlooking - there? good morning. as you can see, we are on a rooftop overlooking the i we are on a rooftop overlooking the city of odesa and we cannot hear much. the only thing you can hear are the birds flying past. there has been an order from the regional authorities asking people to stay home and they say there is a threat of a missile strike on the city. over the past three days we have been here, we have had about three explosions taking place in and around the city, so there is a lot of tension. what we're hearing from residents in different parts of odesa we cannot get it at the moment, people obeying this curfew. this is a curfew that will last for much of the day. sunday is a

significant date in odesa, it is when russian forces liberated the city when it was occupied by nazi germany. it is a significant day in the city's history, but also one in which people are full of fear. odesa is on the islack _ which people are full of fear. odesa is on the black sea _ which people are full of fear. odesa is on the black sea and _ which people are full of fear. odesa is on the black sea and there - which people are full of fear. odesa is on the black sea and there are i is on the black sea and there are concerns of an attack from odesa from the sea. britain is now giving ukraine anti—ship missile systems, what difference would that make? yes, just a few minutes walk in front of me is the black sea. what we know is that since russia began its invasion of ukraine there have been a number of ships just off the shoreline, about 25 to 30. another concern is that, as russian forces reorganise there may be more forces coming here to the south that could stage an amphibious landing. with this british support, the hope is that by having these anti—ship

missile systems, they skim the sea and can hit their targets, the hope is it will force russian forces to push back and therefore, will not be able to stage an attack on odesa. that is what the authorities here are hoping for. that is what the authorities here are hoping for-— that is what the authorities here are hoinr for. ., ~ ,, , . ukrainian troops have been fighting on the front line against the russian invasion for weeks now — but a growing number of international volunteers have also signed up to fight. the uk government has warned people not to travel to the conflict — but that hasn't stopped some british recruits, as emma vardy has been finding out. a rallying call. this recruitment video for ukraine's newly—formed international legion appeals for people to join the fight from all over the world. there are times we get maybe 20 to 23 air raid sirens a day. and it's clear what's happening on ukraine's front lines is resonating with people much further afield. there's just too much to watch, you know, it's like asking

a firefighter to walk past a burning house and not do anything, you know? most ex veterans like myself probably feel exactly the same way, that they couldn't sit back and just watch the destruction, the attack and all the civilians and stuff like that. a], a former soldier with the british army, traveled here from belfast in northern ireland. following his previous military career, more recently, he'd been appearing in dramatic war scenes as an extra on game of thrones, but decided he wanted to return to the battlefield for real. due to my military background, i felt this would be the best place for me, helping the ukrainian troops with the weapons training and drills, what to do under fire and stuff like that. and i'm not i'm not like a war tourist or somebody like that. i was comfortable back home sitting with my cat. how have people reacted to you being there? i've got a pretty broad belfast accent, so when people, when i'm out and about people notice you and they tend to like, just come up, shake your hand. and i think they need to see things like that, you know, because they need to know the world behind them. the patch represents valhalla, that's our squad name. aj's now been on the front

lines for over a month. his is one of several battalions, with international volunteers fighting alongside the ukrainian army. we were surprised the number of people who wanted to come to us. there are hundreds of messages per day. what do british fighters bring to the war here? they have combat experience or military experience. a lot of these people have been to iraq, afghanistan, syria. i don't know if you guys know what this is behind me, - but that's a russian tank, which we've taken out. i of course, joining a foreign war isn't something to be done lightly. and the international legion invited us to meet some of its members, who are now helping to vet the many applicants that want to join. we turn away anyone who doesn't have combat experience and we turn away people who don't pass our individual assessments. do you worry at all this

could attract the wrong people with the wrong motivations? i won't lie to you, we've seen quite a lot of these, especially in the early days, and i hope that we've now been sufficiently clear in our communication that this is not call of duty, it's not a video game, it's a war and we need people that know their way around the battlefield. ukraine's armed forces are clearly very proud that they've had so many international fighters wanting to come and join them. and what they're saying here today is that the alleged war crimes that have been taking place show that ukraine's fight, they say, is everyone's fight and they're calling for more people like this to come and join them. we met sandra, who's had a pretty drastic change of scene, leaving behind herjob working on fishing boats in norway to come to ukraine. sandra, what made you decide to get involved? morally obligated. i'm european, this is home base.

as the world watches ukraine's conflict unfold, it's becoming clear that a powerful sense of international solidarity is helping to bolster ukraine's front lines. emma vardy, bbc news. the british defence ministry says there's further evidence that russian forces have adopted a deliberate strategy of targeting civilians in ukraine. the assessment says the russians have been using improvised explosive devices and attack infrastructure targets with a high risk of harming civilians. the governor of luhansk has warned that russia was increasing its shelling and preparing for a ground assault. nnine trains are being laid on for sunday to help evacuate civilians from the region. you are watching bbc world news, our top stories: polls have opened in france, for the first round of the french presidential race, with president macron facing a strong challenge from marine le pen of the far—right national rally.

uk prime minister, borisjohnson, meets president zelensky in kyiv as britain says there's further evidence that russian troops have a deliberate strategy of targeting civilians in ukraine. members of pakistan's parliament are due to decide on monday who should succeed imran khan, who was ousted as prime minister in a late—night confidence vote after he was deserted by coalition partners. they blame him for a crumbling economy and failure to deliver on campaign promises. analysts say the new prime minister is almost certain to be the opposition leader, shehbaz sharif. mr khan has said he is the victim of an international conspiracy. shelley phelps has the latest. amongst the crowds gathered outside pakistan's parliament, there wasjoy and anguish as the news of imran khan's removal came through. it was a night of intense political drama.

this was the moment the speaker of the house and announced the results. 174 members have recorded a vote in favour of the resolution. consequently, the resolution vote of no confidence, against mr imran khan has been passed by a majority of the total membership of the national assembly. cheering and applause. the opposition erupted. front runner is next prime minister, shehbaz sharif, is hailing the moment as a chance for a new beginning. forcedwhite translation: fix, chance for a new beginning. forcedwhite translation: �* forcedwhite translation: a new dawn has started, a forcedwhite translation: a new dawn has started. a new _ forcedwhite translation: a new dawn has started, a new day _ forcedwhite translation: a new dawn has started, a new day is _ forcedwhite translation: a new dawn has started, a new day is coming. - has started, a new day is coming. alah has answered the prayers of many. alah has answered the prayers of man . ., ., alah has answered the prayers of man. . ., alah has answered the prayers of man . . . ., many. imran khan says he will not recornise many. imran khan says he will not recognise the _ many. imran khan says he will not recognise the installation - many. imran khan says he will not recognise the installation of- many. imran khan says he will not recognise the installation of a - many. imran khan says he will not recognise the installation of a new government and says it is a us led

conspiracy. government and says it is a us led conspiracy-— conspiracy. imran khan has been removed through _ conspiracy. imran khan has been removed through a _ conspiracy. imran khan has been removed through a conspiracy. i conspiracy. imran khan has been i removed through a conspiracy. we will fight back and making prime minister again. we don't want these thieves as opposition politicians. this is a victory of democracy and pakistan needs an opportunity for growth and advancement and i pray for pakistan's progress. analysts warn things will not be easy for those who toppled imran khan from power. those who toppled imran khan from ower. ., those who toppled imran khan from ower. . ., power. that next government will face a lot of _ power. that next government will face a lot of challenges, - power. that next government will face a lot of challenges, it - power. that next government will face a lot of challenges, it will. face a lot of challenges, it will inherit a major economic crisis and resurgence of terrorist attacks and imran khan will go back to the opposition, a role he played for so long before he became prime minister and he will try to be disruptive. they meet to vote for the country's new leader on monday. let's go live to islamabad where we can speak to the bbc�*s pakistan correspondent, secunder kermani. quite an extraordinary moment, tell us more about the reaction to it?

yes, a day and long night of political drama. for much of the day it seemed the vote of no confidence against imran khan would not be held, as if imran khan's party would block it for a second time, in spite of the supreme order saying that it should go ahead. in fact, we were getting reports the supreme court was ready to open its doors at midnight, possibly to issue a contempt of court notice against imran khan's allies if they did not go ahead with that vote of no confidence. of course, it did and the result was a foregone conclusion because a number of imran khan's allies had already publicly deserted him. opinion is quite polarised. if you are a supporter of imran khan you are a supporter of imran khan you are a supporter of imran khan you are heartbroken. we were outside parliament late last night and a woman from a poor working class background came up to us. everyone

had pretty much left the scene at that stage, she just pulled out a heart saying she thought imran khan was the best thing that happened to pakistan and she did know how the country would continue without him. but if you are a supporter of the opposition, of what was until now the opposition, this is a great day for democracy. imran khan was endangering the constitution of pakistan by refusing to hold this vote of no confidence, refusing to accept the decision of parliament. even as you heard in that report, he said he will not accept any government that comes out of this process and has called on his supporters to come out onto the streets after evening prayer later tonight and register their protests peacefully. tonight and register their protests eacefull . ~ ., ., , ., ., ., peacefully. what does that mean for an sort of peacefully. what does that mean for any sort of peaceful— peacefully. what does that mean for any sort of peaceful transition - any sort of peaceful transition moving forward? the any sort of peaceful transition moving forward?— any sort of peaceful transition movin: forward? ., moving forward? the new government, when it is formed, _ moving forward? the new government, when it is formed, will— moving forward? the new government, when it is formed, will face _

moving forward? the new government, when it is formed, will face a _ moving forward? the new government, when it is formed, will face a lot - when it is formed, will face a lot of challenges. the economy isn't a bad way and that is why there has been growing resentment against khan. sharp rises in the cost of living and food rises. that will be one of the first challenges. the other challenges imran khan and he could launch a campaign of street agitation and we are yet to see what his plan for going forward is. but he does seem to be doubling down on this narrative he is a victim of the us led conspiracy, even though most analysts say that is not true. his opponent here and american officials have dismissed the allegation. it does seem to be resonating with his supporters. another thing to note i think, is this opposition that is replacing imran khan is not united. it is united up until now, but it is made up of very disparate political elements. you have a centre—right party, a centre—left party, a

hardline ultraconservative islamic ha rdline ultraconservative islamic party. hardline ultraconservative islamic party. parties in the past that have frequently been at each other�*s throats. it may be one thing for them to beat united was fighting against imran khan, but governing together in this economic climate would be significant challenge. thank you. 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. our correspondent, rajini vaidyanathan was among the protestors. thousands have gathered initial lankan capital for a day of mass protest. there is a real strength of feeling here come a lot of anger and almost all of it directed at the government, in particular the country's president. throughout the afternoon protesters have been

chanting and shouting for him to step down. but so far he is refusing to resign. they say they will continue in government and get sri lanka through this crisis. people are not convinced. the is continuing to impact millions of people across this island nation. i talked to many families here today, middle families who have good jobs and they say they are struggling to put food on the table for their children. they say the value of their salaries have gone down because prices have risen so much. also when things are available and affordable, they struggle to get their hands on that because everything is in such short suopiy, because everything is in such short supply, food, fuel, gas, diesel, everything. they say this protest will continue. it has brought this country together, people from all backgrounds, rich and poor, young

and old, all united. they said they will not stop this process until rajapaksa leaves will not stop this process until rajapa ksa leaves tower. will not stop this process until rajapaksa leaves tower. thanks will not stop this process until rajapa ksa leaves tower. thanks for your company this hour, you are watching bbc news. lorry drivers say goods they are carrying are going down in price because they're being forced to sit in long queues at dover port. the meat processing association says some of its members are waiting a day or more to cross and perishable products are going to waste. here's our business correspondent katie prescott. dover this weekend. one giant lorry park as the easter getaway continues. and p&0 ferries�* routes are suspended. for those carrying goods with a short shelf life, sitting and waiting in this queue means products going off. this logistics boss says he's losing up to £800 a day. if you then have a delay quite easily now of 24 hours into that, not only have they got

the logistical issues, but you've also got the quality and the sale value of that product down the line, but it's effectively devaluing by every hour it's delayed. delays of 20 to 25 hours are frustrating drivers. you would sit for maybe two or three hours, and then you would get moved for 100 yards and then you're sitting for 40 minutes. you move 100 feet. ludicrous. there's no services. drivers having to go to the toilet as well, side of the road. yesterday midday, i stopped at 57 km from dover, for dover, sorry, - and i wait 26 hours. been hours, hours and hours in the traffic. really bad. where have you come from? portsmouth, beliveve it or not. we travelled down and yeah, hopefully we'll catch a train. if not, we're going to miss the race. the group that represents businesses which store and move chilled food says all this is stifling trade. if you're operating a perishable

supply chain, then you absolutely need to be able to move the goods through quickly. the evidence now that there are significant delays means business will stop trying to send goods into the uk and trying to send goods out, because you can't carry the risk of your load being lost and losing tens of thousands of pounds worth of value. in response, the department for transport said the traffic management measures are under regular review, but gave no indication that there would be a change made for those transporting perishable items. in a statement, they said: and as this disruption continues, there are fears that these delays are fanning the flames of driver shortages in an already stretched industry. katie prescott, bbc news.

this is bbc news. the headlines... polls have opened in france, for the first round of a french presidential race that could deliver a shock victory — after president macron's lead over his main challenger, the far—right leader marine le pen fell dramatically in recent weeks. uk pm borisjohnson meets president zelensky in kyiv — as britain says there's further evidence that russian troops have a deliberate strategy of targeting civilians in ukraine. pakistan's assembly will meet on monday to choose a new prime minister after imran khan was removed through a no—confidence vote. analysts say the new leader is almost certain to be opposition leader, shehbaz sharif. the uk finance minister rishi sunak is demanding a whitehall inquiry to find out who leaked details about his wife s tax arrangements. akshata murty has said

she will pay uk taxes on her overseas income, after a row about her