live from london, this is bbc news. another day, another protest — demonstrations continue in france over controversial plans to raise the country's pension age. thousands are taking to the streets here in paris — one of hundreds of protests taking place across the country. handshakes and history — joe biden meets the irish prime minister, after earlier spending time with the country's president. and a potential �*world—changer�* in the fight against malaria — ghana becomes the first country to approve a promising new vaccine.

we start in france, where hundreds of thousands of protesters are gathering on the streets as part of the 12th day of nationwide strikes against pension reforms. on friday, the constitutional court is expected to rule on the legality of the draught pensions law which would raise the retirement age from 62 to 64. security is on high alert across several cities as over 250 protests are happening throughout the country. these are the live pictures on the streets of paris. this is the 12th day of protests against the pension reforms which president macron was criticised for pushing through parliament, you can

see levels of violence from 250 protests across the country. outside the constitutional court in paris, an important location tomorrow because this is where the decision will be taken tomorrow as to the legality of president macron�*s decision to push through this reform. we can go live now to our paris correspondent, hugh schofield. this will give us an afternoon of how widespread these protests are. yes, i'm right in the heart of paris. we have more attention and trouble as predicted, the movement of people has stopped, they should be heading in that direction but there is a stand—off with riot police around the corner. you can

hear banks of tear gas grenades going off and a lot of chanting, anti—police slogans being chanted. a moment of tension here so we will see how it develops. it is routine, this kind of moment and it will last a while and there will no doubt be more bangs before it moves on. it is part of the everyday seen on these protest days. this is the 12th day now. ' . , protest days. this is the 12th day now. ' ._ , ., ., protest days. this is the 12th day now. ' ., , now. the 12th day, you have been coverin: now. the 12th day, you have been covering most _ now. the 12th day, you have been covering most of _ now. the 12th day, you have been covering most of them. _ now. the 12th day, you have been covering most of them. do - now. the 12th day, you have been covering most of them. do you i now. the 12th day, you have been| covering most of them. do you get now. the 12th day, you have been i covering most of them. do you get a sense that the anger and frustration is dissipating? how does it compare to the other 11 days? you is dissipating? how does it compare to the other 11 days?— to the other 11 days? you talk about anuer, to the other 11 days? you talk about anaer, the to the other 11 days? you talk about anger, the predominant _ to the other 11 days? you talk about anger, the predominant feeling - to the other 11 days? you talk about anger, the predominant feeling you | anger, the predominant feeling you get on these matches is jubilation and a sense of ecstatic crowd further. that is the mood. i know the arguments behind the pension reform making people angry but the

mood is one of real crowd togetherness and confidence. and happiness, almost. in terms of numbers, yes, numbers are going down. but it is still a huge crowd out there. you wouldn't be able to judge whether there are more or less then a week ago. we are told it is going down and in terms of strikes and disruption of transport, this is not as big as a week ago and the week before that. so there is a sense of the duration of this movement beginning to wear people out. but he talked to anyone out here and they are very determined to see their campaign through and have their reform overturned. {guild see their campaign through and have their reform overturned.— their reform overturned. could you cive us an their reform overturned. could you give us an idea _ their reform overturned. could you give us an idea about _ their reform overturned. could you give us an idea about tomorrow? l give us an idea about tomorrow? potentially a very important day. the constitutional court will make its decision. can you explain what

you are expecting tomorrow? yes. you are expecting tomorrow? yes, it's a constitution _ you are expecting tomorrow? yes, it's a constitution council, - you are expecting tomorrow? yes it's a constitution council, not a court. they are notjudges but our political figures appointed to this body. they rule on the constitutionality of new laws. if they are appealed, they will talk about the new law and go through it text by text to see whether it is in conformity with the fifth republic constitution of 1958. that is what they are doing. they have been appealed by the opponents, the left broadly. and what they are hoping is that the constitution counsel will say there are problems based on things that are very technical, about how the law was pushed through or how the process was curtailed using certain procedures on how certain parts of the law are not

linked to finance but are instituting social change. and it is not in how it should be pushed through. it is very technical. the left is hoping that the court will at least knock down certain parts of the law, if not all of it. they are optimistic on that front, but perhaps up overly optimistic. they are not ruling on whether it is a good or bad law but purely on whether the constitution has been followed and whether there are parts of the law that are conforming with the constitution.— of the law that are conforming with the constitution. thank you. we will be keein: the constitution. thank you. we will be keeping up _ the constitution. thank you. we will be keeping up with _ the constitution. thank you. we will be keeping up with the _ the constitution. thank you. we will be keeping up with the story - the constitution. thank you. we will be keeping up with the story as - the constitution. thank you. we will be keeping up with the story as it i be keeping up with the story as it develops. as you can see, looking again at those pictures in paris, hugh tells us there is perhaps not

as strong a protest as there has been but in concentrated pockets. you can see pictures on the street of paris. the strength and feeling amongst the french population and a reminder that this is about the raising of the pension age from 62 to 64 which has been a controversial move by the president. as humour saying there, the council is due to make decision tomorrow. let's turn to ireland now — where us presidentjoe biden has already had a busy day and where in the next hour he's expected to address a joint sitting of the irish parliament. in the past hour we've seen him arrive at farmleigh house in dublin for a meeting with the irish prime minister — leo varadkar. just before that,

he spent time at the official residence of the irish president, micheal d higgins. while there, he planted an oak tree in the grounds and rang the bell of peace. that bell of course, has huge significance for peace on the island of ireland. it was erected in 2008 to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the good friday agreement. mr biden also inspected a military guard of honour, and signed the visitors' book. he told reporters what he wrote... as the irish saying goes, "your feet will bring you where your heart is." and then i say, "it is an honour to return." i talk about returning to the home of my ancestors, to celebrate the things that bind ireland and the united states,

peace, equity, and i think the most irish of words used in my family was dignity. anyway, thank you all very much. i'm not going home, i'm staying here in this incredible place. all you american reporters, it is just like the white house, right? thank you. later this afternoon, mr biden will become the fourth us president to address a joint sitting of ireland's parliament. while speaking to leo varadkar he laid out some of his goals: there really is an opportunity to make serious progress. notjust because of the records we have signed, 25 years ago, but in terms of the way you lead ireland and ireland is moving in a way that is taking its place in the world and i think it

feels good to be able to have this merging and stronger relation between the united states and ireland. i'm joined now by our ireland correspondent, chris page, who is in dublin. thank you forjoining us. incredibly warm words from the president right from the beginning of his trip. this was personal as well as official. yes, it certainly is. we are told by white house officials that this is a trip the president has been excited about for some time. he has been exploring his irish roots, his great—great—grandfather, for example, set sail from great—great—grandfather, for example, set sailfrom county great—great—grandfather, for example, set sail from county louth in 1849 and emigrated to the us. that was a major theme of his visit to that part of ireland yesterday. today, as you say, it is more political than personal. those

engagements at the irish president's residents and to formally house a welcome for a distinguished foreign visitor. he has been having talks with the taoiseach, leo varadkar. 25 years after the peace agreement, they were discussing economic development, and the war in ukraine, ireland has taken many refugees from ukraine. he says the democracy in the world and shared values between the world and shared values between the us and europe, those values are under attack. we can expect those matters to be elaborated on when he arrives here in the parliament in

dublin's city centre to give an address to both houses of parliament, the oireachtas. the previous presidents, three of them before him, had irish ancestors like him. i'm sure he will talk about his forefathers, his ancestors who made the journey across the atlantic all those years ago and helped build the nation of america and how the relation between america and ireland matters to millions of americans given there are more than 30 million people in the us who trace their ancestry back to this island. three da s of ancestry back to this island. three days of engagement, _ ancestry back to this island. three days of engagement, he - ancestry back to this island. three days of engagement, he very - ancestry back to this island. three days of engagement, he very briefly stopped in northern ireland. how much is this underpinning the visit

because it was very brief? it is much is this underpinning the visit because it was very brief?- because it was very brief? it is the chief theme _ because it was very brief? it is the chief theme we _ because it was very brief? it is the chief theme we have _ because it was very brief? it is the chief theme we have seen. - because it was very brief? it is the chief theme we have seen. there l because it was very brief? it is the l chief theme we have seen. there is some activity by the front door of the parliament building. people are looking back to that a significant achievement of diplomacy involving the british and irish government and us administration, bill clinton at the time. something to be commemorated. saying they are committed to helping build the peace in northern ireland for the next 25 years. in northern ireland for the next 25 ears. ., ., ., ., years. you mention there are two former taoiseach. _ years. you mention there are two former taoiseach. president - years. you mention there are two i former taoiseach. president biden's sister, lots of people. a very significant address he is due to give in the next hour.—

significant address he is due to give in the next hour. yes, this is a ma'or give in the next hour. yes, this is a major national _ give in the next hour. yes, this is a major national event _ give in the next hour. yes, this is a major national event and - give in the next hour. yes, this is a major national event and this i a major national event and this country is generally enjoying the relationship it has with the president. there are four out of about 160 people objecting to us foreign policy. but many are there to savour a moment in history. a us president addressing members of the parliament. it isn't something that happens in many countries around the world so ireland believes it is punching above its weight diplomatically.— punching above its weight diplomatically. punching above its weight dilomaticall . ., ~ ~ diplomatically. thank you. we will return to chris _ diplomatically. thank you. we will return to chris for _ diplomatically. thank you. we will return to chris for updates. - diplomatically. thank you. we will return to chris for updates. they l return to chris for updates. they are due to give an address to both

houses of parliament and he is only the fourth us president to do this. waiting to see his movements. he has had a busy morning so far, meeting the president and ringing the peace bell and meeting prime minister varadkar and having a demonstration of sports. and some down time before he gets back into the presidential vehicle known as the beast. he will make his way across to irish parliament and give this historic address. we were talking about some of the people listening to that address. obviously the parliamentarians themselves but also nine members of us congress, senator, the prime minister's sister, his son. that will be coming up sister, his son. that will be coming up in the next hour.

another story we are keeping up with this afternoon, this is paris. you will remember there are 12 days of protests so far to do with this pension reform. 12 days of protests, this is the 12th day. we are talking to our correspondent hugh who says this comes before an important decision by the constitution counsel he will decide on the legality of president macron's decision to push through the pension reforms of raising the pension age from 62 to 64. today, the headquarters of the luxury brand lvmh were infiltrated.

notjust luxury brand lvmh were infiltrated. not just across luxury brand lvmh were infiltrated. notjust across paris but also across france. we will give you updates. we move to ghana now, which is the first country to approve a new malaria vaccine that has been described as a "world—changer" by scientists. the vaccine is called r21, and appears to be hugely effective. for more, our health and science correspondent, james gallagher. here you have it. the game changer. this is the malaria vaccine described by the university of oxford team of scientists. it is called r21 and we have the first country in the world to have approved it in ghana and other countries are likely to follow suit. the world health organization is assessing it, too. the way that it works is it tackles the first stage after you are bitten by a mosquito. as i am sure you know, malaria is spread by the bite

of infected mosquitoes. it is right here, at the first moment when the parasite is injected into your bloodstream that the vaccine starts working. it protects your body in order to prevent a full bloodstream infection. that is what causes the deadly symptoms of malaria. despite the huge progress, and there has genuinely been huge progress in tackling malaria around the world, we still live on a planet where nearly 250 million people are infected with malaria each year and 620,000 die from it. nearly all of those are young children under the age of five living in africa. there is a need for new tools for tackling this deadly disease. that is where the vaccine comes in. early trials have suggested that it gives up to 77% protection against the disease but they are small trials withjust 409 children. so, really, the world has been waiting for the big data. that was due to be published at the end of last year and is now some point this year. that takes these trials up from 409 up to nearly 5000 children. that will be the definitive piece

of information that decides whether other countries follow in ghana's footsteps. but i can give you a big clue as to whether we are anticipating this vaccine to go around the world. the serum institute of india, the world's biggest vaccine manufacturing company has already put it in place plans for 200 million doses a year of this vaccine. clearly, there is the potential here for this to become a significant new tool in the global efforts to tackle malaria. and maybe, a lot more countries will be using a vaccine like this. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. ukrainian youngsters and their english friends, just being children. i am so glad that i am here. and i am safe here, and it's so nice. the easter camp has been organised by the change foundation. it is about seeing them just hanging

out with their friends and having conversations. rewind a year, we were all on our phones, using google translate. now, it is like we're actually getting more interaction. they are teaching us things. it'sjust amazing seeing how it develops and grows. the two—day event is a world away from the fighting in ukraine. the war which broke out a year ago is preparing for a spring surge, following a winter of stalemate and stagnation. back in burgess hill, parents are just thankful that their children are safe. it brings her to life again. she is not afraid of loud noises from outside. and i think it will help her to be friends with more and more people. you're live with bbc news. let's turn back to our top story at this hour, in france, hundreds of thousands of protesters are gathering on what is the 12th day of nationwide strikes

against pension reforms. the constitutional court is expected to rule on the legality of the draught pensions law which would raise the retirement age from 62 to 64. security is on high alert across several cities as over 250 protests are happening throughout the country. we can go live now to randja kanouni who is an elected official of the cgt union, and is currently at the protest in paris. thank you forjoining us. these protests, they are on their 12th day. are they having any impacts? £31 day. are they having any impacts? of course, but when... our government cannot go outside, they are afraid

to go outside because they know that the french people strongly disagree with their politics. there is a big change and the president is not happy with what is going on because... yes, we are sure it makes a difference and we're sure we can win this battle. big a difference and we're sure we can win this battle.— win this battle. big day tomorrow, the decision _ win this battle. big day tomorrow, the decision the _ win this battle. big day tomorrow, the decision the constitutional- the decision the constitutional council is to the legality of these reforms. depending on where it goes? will the protests stop? if reforms. depending on where it goes? will the protests stop?— will the protests stop? if they do, eo - le will will the protests stop? if they do, people will celebrate _ will the protests stop? if they do, people will celebrate but - will the protests stop? if they do, people will celebrate but if - will the protests stop? if they do, people will celebrate but if they i people will celebrate but if they don't, we have to keep in mind that it's not fair just don't, we have to keep in mind that it's not fairjust because it is

legal. ourvoice it's not fairjust because it is legal. our voice should be listened to because we will be the majority and we are supposed to be a democracy. we cannot let our voices not be heard. it democracy. we cannot let our voices not be heard-— not be heard. if the decision goes auainst not be heard. if the decision goes against you. _ not be heard. if the decision goes against you, what _ not be heard. if the decision goes against you, what then? - not be heard. if the decision goes against you, what then? we - not be heard. if the decision goes against you, what then? we will i against you, what then? we will continue to _ against you, what then? we will continue to protest _ against you, what then? we will continue to protest and - against you, what then? we will continue to protest and go - against you, what then? we will continue to protest and go on i continue to protest and go on strike, to organise demonstrations and hopefully will convince the government not to execute it. it can be voted on not executed and we want to convince the government not to execute this law even the report said it will be.— execute this law even the report said it will be. ., ~ , ., ., said it will be. thank you. from the cgt union- — said it will be. thank you. from the cgt union- we _ said it will be. thank you. from the cgt union. we will— said it will be. thank you. from the cgt union. we will keep _ said it will be. thank you. from the cgt union. we will keep you - said it will be. thank you. from the i cgt union. we will keep you updated. dozens of leaked classified documents form the pentagon are circulating on the internet. the documents contain maps, charts and photographs and paint a detailed picture

of the war in ukraine. the documents also contain information about other us allies. the documents first appeared at the beginning of march on the chat forum for the video game minecraft. a short time ago president biden was asked if he could give an update on the leak investigation here's what he said. live now to paul adams our diplomatic corrospondent in the news room. bring us up—to—date. this is a story developing all the time. yes. bring us up-to-date. this is a story developing all the time.— developing all the time. yes, it has been a week _ developing all the time. yes, it has been a week since _ developing all the time. yes, it has been a week since we _ developing all the time. yes, it has been a week since we were - developing all the time. yes, it has been a week since we were first. been a week since we were first aware that these documents existed. in those seven days, we have been accumulating those documents and colleagues here at the bbc are scraping the internet to find out as much as we can. a torrent of stories has emerged as a result. stories about the war in ukraine, about the extent to which the russian and

ukrainian forces are being degraded, the preparations for a possible ukrainian council offensive in the coming weeks, the extent to which western allies are willing to lend their support to that effort. and a host of other issues as well. but today, the focus has turned away from the documents themselves to the identity of the person who leaked them. that person we now know thanks to the reporting on the washington post newspaper is identified as 0g. a young charismatic man who is a gun lover, who is sceptical and sometimes hostile to the us government but is not a whistle—blower. but alarmingly, he has been sharing classified information with a small circle of his friends since 2020 and some of those friends were in russia and ukraine. . ., those friends were in russia and

ukraine. ., ~ , ., those friends were in russia and ukraine. ., ~ ,, , ukraine. thank you. stay with us here on bbc— ukraine. thank you. stay with us here on bbc news. _ hello, after the stormy weather that some of us had to endure yesterday, today things are a little calmer. storm noa, you can see here on our earlier satellite picture tending to break apart, but still some shower clouds left behind. there are some heavy showers out there, some of which will contain some hail and some thunder. some spells of sunshine in between. still quite breezy for some, particularly through parts of northern ireland, northern england, into the midlands and east anglia. but not as windy as yesterday. still feeling chilly, though. 9—13 degrees. and then as we head through this evening and tonight, we will continue to see some showers, bands of showers, particularly drifting across scotland and northern ireland. and the odd shower into wales ahead of this rain band into the south—west of england, holding temperatures up to around 7 degrees there in plymouth. further north, ones, twos and threes — there will be

a touch of frost for some. tomorrow, low pressure still in charge. this frontal system running across the south of the uk will bring some outbreaks of rain, particularly through southern counties of england, clipping into south wales, the south midlands. some rain for a time in the channel islands — and some brisk winds. further north, sunny spells and showers once again. but during the afternoon, we may well see some more persistent rain developing across parts of the midlands and up into parts of yorkshire and lincolnshire as well. temperature wise, ten, 11, 12 degrees. no great shakes for this point in april. now, as we head through the weekend, things begin to change. because high pressure is going to tend to build, and that will give more in the way of dry weather. it will give some spells of sunshine. and temperatures will start to pick up a little bit. so a slightly warmer feel to the weather. so this is saturday. there could be some early mist and fog patches around. some patchy cloud as well, but some spells of sunshine. more cloud generally rolling into northern ireland, may be some rain here late in the day. but there's temperature starting

to lift a little bit. 11—15 degrees. and then as we head into sunday — well, split fortunes. they will be a lot of cloud for northern ireland, parts of scotland, maybe the odd shower. but some sunny spells across england and wales. and also some sunny spells in north—east scotland, which could lift temperatures to 17 degrees. and elsewhere, highs of 14—17. so a much warmer feeling day then we have been used to of late, and that theme continues into the start of the new week. temperatures likely to be in the mid to high teens, perhaps the low 20s for some — with some spells of sunshine.

live from london. this is bbc news. another day, another protest. demonstrations continue in france over controversial plans to raise the country's pension age. thousands are taking to the streets here in paris — one of hundreds of protests taking place across the country. handshakes and history — joe biden meets the irish prime minister after earlier spending time with the country's president. and a potential �*world—changer�* in the fight against malaria. ghana becomes the first country to approve a promising new vaccine.