live from london, this is bbc news. polls close in turkey — in what could be the most important election in the county's modern history. i'm anna foster — live in antakya — where the fate of president erdogan will soon be decided. a powerful cyclone crashes into coastal areas of bangladesh and northern myanmar — with windspeeds of more than 200 kph. president zelensky thanks germany for its �*fantastic solidarity�*, on his first visit to the country since russia invaded ukraine. and — could some eu citizens get a vote in british elections?

the opposition labour party says it may consider the idea. hello, i'm lukwesa burak. polls have closed in one of the most pivotal elections in turkey's modern history. voters are deciding whether to eject recep tayyip erdogan from the presidency after 20 years in power. president tayyip erdogan voted in istanbul. long queues formed early at polling stations. and this is his key rival — kimil kilicdaroglu. he's the leader of a broad opposition alliance opening to end mr erdogan�*s time in power. live now to our middle east corrrespondent, anna foster, from antakya.

it is one of the city is yet to recover from an earthquake. it it is one of the city is yet to recover from an earthquake. it is. the devastation _ recover from an earthquake. it is. the devastation still— recover from an earthquake. it is. the devastation still here - recover from an earthquake. it 3 the devastation still here after that earthquake on the 6th of february is extraordinary. while city blocks are raised to the ground under real quietness in the streets. this has been, in many ways, a ghost town until today because thousands of people have had to come back here to vote in the election. hundreds of thousands fled the area altogether because so many of these buildings including this polling station, this building behind me as a school, it is where people have normally been voting and you can see the roof has slipped half off and it is too damaged to go inside so instead they have set up these containers where people have been voting today. people who have travelled right

around the country. earlier on this morning at the bus station people were coming from all sorts of places. i met one woman who travelled 18 hours from istanbul as had this man. translation: we left here in february. - 0ur helpful friends allowed us to stay with them in istanbul. we remained there for three months but the children didn't want to stay there so we're coming back now. of course we were excited. we'll go there first then we'll meet the rest of the family. and really it is the first time today that people have been here in any great number. just inside these polling stations the streets were in gridlock forjust a polling stations the streets were in gridlock for just a few hours polling stations the streets were in gridlock forjust a few hours but just as you're reading the headlines there, the polls close on what they're going to start to do now and you can see it through the windows, they've lifted the ballot boxes from

they've lifted the ballot boxes from the ground up onto the tables. each one of these 19 different containers has a ballot box. there are now starting to break them open and they are starting to count those votes in what is an absolutely crucial election. it is so tight in presidential election, parliamentary elections as well but presidentially elections as well but presidentially election is the one all ayes are on because it is so close between recep tayyip erdogan in powerfor 20 years and kimil kilicdaroglu the challenger who could end that prime ministerial and election no run. thank you very much. a powerful cyclone has crashed into coastal areas of bangladesh and northern myanmar with windspeeds of over 200 kilometres per hour. aid workers are worried about the risk to around a million rohinga refugees living in camps in the town of cox's bazar in bangladesh. rajini has the latest. the cyclone arrived with force. winds gusting at high speed as it moved towards the myanmar coastline. hundreds of thousands of families forced to leave their homes to safety.

this school is just one of the temporary cyclone shelters which the government has urged people to come to for safety. we were just take un and this is one of the classrooms. all of the questions absolutely packed. many of them are mothers with tiny babies. there are the elderly here. many people have come here and they are sick. there's real desperation in this room, though. people say there is food here and they are in very uncomfortable positions. and for many were able to seek shelter close to a million living in the world's largest refugee camp or not. the bangladesh government does not allow refugees to leave the camp. stuck in their shelters, made of bamboo and tarpaulin, with little protection from the storm. as the cyclone passes, the threat of flash floods and landslides remains.

extreme weather once again pummelling this coastline and leaving hundreds of thousands at risk. with me is our weather presenter stav danaos. you're going to talk us through where the storm is going and what it is doing. is this usual were there for this time of year for that area? in the market is. there are no stranger to cyclones however, this is a particularly strong one for that area. is a particularly strong one for that area-— that area. usually, the pacific carry canes — that area. usually, the pacific carry canes and _ that area. usually, the pacific carry canes and cyclones - that area. usually, the pacific carry canes and cyclones and | that area. usually, the pacific. carry canes and cyclones and the atlantic ones are usually more powerful, bigger body of water so it generates larger storms. the bay storm developed just up the east coast of sri lanka a few days ago and really got its act together and deepened rapidly as it raced towards the north—east corner of the bay.

and now one thing about this area that makes it very prone to these is it is very low lying all around the north—east coast of england through bangladesh to north—east my admire. the storms produce a surge so you can imagine, with huge waves, very strong winds and a surge it ploughs into the lower lying areas and can inundate them far worse than it can do for cliffside coastlines. in terms of its track, what we know about where it is heading? the market is weakening and they do deteriorate quite quickly but the graphic year i have been showing, showing the satellite picture with a very defined eye in the north—east corner of the bay of bengal. $5 it defined eye in the north-east corner of the bay of bengal.— of the bay of bengal. as it is approaching _ of the bay of bengal. as it is approaching it _ of the bay of bengal. as it is approaching it was _ of the bay of bengal. as it is approaching it was severely l of the bay of bengal. as it is -

approaching it was severely severe. we believe that we can slightly and it is moving in than quickly producing 400 millimetres of rain in the worst affected areas. that heavy rain and flooding the coastal inundation and landslides, mudslides are going to be a risk but quickly sunday and monday you will notice it almost disappears. it is going to be knocked down to a depression by the end of today and then it will be remnants of thunderstorms as it pushes up into the mountains so they could be a clear up operation but the disturbance in the atmosphere left by the storm will allow for lots of thunderstorms across bangladesh and myanmar. hap? lots of thunderstorms across bangladesh and myanmar. how long the clone bangladesh and myanmar. how long the cyclone season — bangladesh and myanmar. how long the cyclone season last _ bangladesh and myanmar. how long the cyclone season last normally _ bangladesh and myanmar. how long the cyclone season last normally in - bangladesh and myanmar. how long the cyclone season last normally in this - cyclone season last normally in this part of the world? in the market is on and off at the moment. i have to say it is a little bit early for that. this is ahead of the monsoon season so this cluster of

thunderstorms which developed into the cyclone is a fairly rare thing. began to see now is rain associated with the monsoon gathering around the maldives and that is going to start spreading northwards into the monsoon seasons which usually starts in earlyjune so this is a bit of a freak storm just before monsoons. all the latest on the bbc website, weather forecasters. ukraine�*s president zelensky has thanked germany for its �*fantastic solidarity�*, on his first visit to the country since russia invaded ukraine. it comes after germany pledged a further military aid package worth nearly three billion dollars. mr zelensky has renewed his call for fighterjets ahead of a planned counter—offensive against russia�*s invasion. the german chancellor 0laf scholz said he would continue to support kyiv for as long as is needed. translation: this war has severe geopolitical| consequences for everyone, but mostly for the men and women of ukraine. more than 1 million of them — women, children and older people

have found protection here in germany. 0ur citizens here stand in full solidarity to the people who have fled from the brutal attacks. mr zelensky thanked the german government for their support. above all, i would like to thank you, sincerely, really sincerely. and the entire german people for your help, for every ukrainian life saved. i would like to emphasise that germany�*s help this protection, protection of life, of the people who live there, protection. defence of the people who defend what they have with the help of the air defence so that social life in ukraine can continue. and also, yourfinancial help is very important. earlier, i spoke to our berlin correspondentjenny hill who started by explaining whether zelensky had

heard everything he needed to hear. it is a good point. ithink, you know, even as he arrived overnight, escorted by two german fighter jets, mr zelensky cannot have been any doubt about german levels of support. that is because on the eve of his visit, the german government announced that it was going to send weapons worth 2.7 billion euros to kyiv including more tanks, more anti aircraft, anti—air defence systems. so he was aware that that support would be coming. he knows that germany has already sent quite a lot after an albeit extremely hesitant start in terms of financial aid and military aid and don�*t forget, too, that germany has hosted well over a million ukrainian refugees but these visits are all about sending messages, are in and the message, of course, to the ukrainian people has been one of the assurance and that is why we heard 0laf scholz that that support for ukraine would continue

for as long as necessary but it is also about sending a message to vladimir putin, that message mean that he cannot count on ukraine�*s allies�* support waning as this goes on. what is interesting is that mr zelensky would be once fighter jets. modern fighterjets from his allies and that is something that 0laf scholz does not want to allow. he is one of a number of nato countries who do not that is a great idea. all sorts of objections. some people say the training of staff to use those fighter jets, the maintenance and so one might be tricky, logistically problematic but i think the chief concern perhaps even germany is the idea that they don�*t want to supply ukraine with a type of weapons they can be used to target russia. ukraine has always said it would not do that but even today,

as mr zelensky said he was hopeful that he could persuade germany to join an alliance of people who would provide fighterjets, 0laf scholz, the german chancellor said he would stick to the line and his line is that he is only prepared to supply so—called defensive weapons to ukraine. it would be very interesting to be an aeroplane which we think is probably in the area now carrying mr scholtz and mr zelensky to the western city of aachen and they will have plenty to discuss no doubt during thatjourney. the going there because a little later, mr zelensky is to be considered to be a very high honour for people who have made a special effort to foster european unity. polls have closed in thailand in an election that could lead to the end of nearly a decade of military—back rule. the opposition is predicted to win most seats, but the military�*s control of the senate means it might dictate who forms the next jonathan head reports. decision day in thailand. with nearly 70 parties contesting the

selection it was a job for some voters to figure out what their preference was. people of all ages came, making an effort for a vote which many people see as the crucial to the future. which many people see as the crucial to the future-— to the future. there's been strong interest are _ to the future. there's been strong interest are not _ to the future. there's been strong interest are notjust _ to the future. there's been strong interest are notjust among - to the future. there's been strong interest are notjust among the i interest are not just among the young. that is because voters have been presented with two starkly different visions for how the country should be run one emphasising the status quo with a military monarchy at the heart of power and an alternative that demands that both those institutions become more accountable and a lot less involved in politics. this become more accountable and a lot less involved in politics.— less involved in politics. this is the status _ less involved in politics. this is the status quo. _ less involved in politics. this is the status quo. the _ less involved in politics. this is the status quo. the prime - less involved in politics. this is - the status quo. the prime minister, a former army commander and coup leader who has run the country for nine years. he has been trying to refashion his authoritarian image internet domain avuncular democrat. he also has the significant advantage of 250 senators are

appointed by him he also vote on who forms the next government. his main challengers are the heir to a political dynasty which has been frontrunner in every election held in the past 25 years. and the leaders of a new party calling for reforms to all of thailand traditional institutions including the once untouchable monarchy. the perception is that thailand are stuck in a rut with anaemic economic growth and a rapidly ageing society has galvanised enthusiastic support for these two parties. many now agree that it is time for the soldiers to go back to the barracks and stay there. but the scenes in bangkok are from less than a decade ago. even if the reformers when big in the selection, no one here will rule out the possibility of another coup or some other intervention to

stop them from taking office. now it�*s time for a look at today�*s sport. having got a draw at real madrid in the champions league in the week, of the premier league. and as things stand they are four points clear of arsenal — because they lead 3—0 at everton. gundogan has struck either side of half—time as well as one from erling haaland. everton remain one point outside the relegation zone for now. west ham, like manchester city, are playing in between a european semi final, and they are losing 2—0 at brentford who are hoping to play in europe next season. with manchester city winning, arsenal really have to do the same if they�*re to keep their title hopes alive.

brighton are the visitors later with arsenal recording back to back wins following their defeat to city last month. but brighton are chasing something themselves with european football their target and boss mikel arteta knows how much of a threat they can be. we are full of enthusiasm to try to get that prize in the best possible way and to do that we have to win our matches and the first one were going to play as brighton. that is what it is going to make it really complicated. chelsea have reached an agreement to make mauricio pochettino their new manager. he�*lljoin in the summer after what will be the club�*s worst performing premier league season in nearly 20 years. pochettino managed tottenham for five years from 2014 and led them to the 2019 champions league final. he�*ll be chelsea�*s sixth permanent manager in five years, following the sacking of thomas tuchel and graham potter

earlier this season with interim boss frank lampard currently in charge of the club who are 11th in the league. chelsea�*s women are chasing a league and cup double this year. they are playing manchester united in the fa cup final which got under way in front of a sold out wembley stadium earlier, with 90,000 tickets sold which is a record crowd for a women�*s fa cup final. chelsea are looking to win the trophy for a third year in a row whilst this is united�*s first time in the final. it�*s currently goalless with x minutes played. barcelona can become la liga champions later. a win at the catalan derby at espanyol and it will bejob done. elsewhere, 10—man valencia boosted their survival hopes with a 2—1win against celta vigo. third place atletico have just got underway in their match against elche. in the netherlands, ajax�*s match against groninegen has been

the clubs ownership. supporters made their way on to the pitch afterjust ten minutes, to protest the clubs relegation from the dutch top flight. it is the second time this season that groningen have had a game called off due to the behaviour of fans. the fourth and final place in the nba�*s conference finals will be decided later with game seven of the eastern conference semi final series between the boston celtics and philadelphia 76ers. meanwhile, after the phoenix suns went out of the playoffs to the denver nuggets. they�*ve fired coach monty williams despite him leading the team to the postseason in three of his four years in charge. williams was also named the nba�*s coach of the year last season but the suns become the fifth franchise looking for a new head coach. and that�*s all the sport for now. labour could give millions of eu citizens the right to vote — if it wins the next election. the plan would apply to migrants

who live permanently in the uk and pay taxes. it�*s among a number of proposals the party is looking at to extend voting in parliamentary elections. the government�*s accused labour of "re—opening the brexit settlement". with the latest, here�*s our political correspondent, tony bonsignore. there were something likejust under 3 million eu citizens in the uk who have been granted settled status. they can vote in all sorts of elections but not, crucially, in general elections. now, back in 2020, when kier starmer was standing to be the leader of the labour party said at the time he wanted to give all eu citizens in the uk full voting rights, and what we have learned today is a confirmation that this is something now under active discussion within the labour party. although, as you are about to hear, this is from the shadow business secretaryjonathan reynolds, he said no decision has yet been made.

we do want to strengthen our democracy, we believe if people make a contribution to this country, if they live here, there's an argument for having them involved in the process. but we will set that out in detail. as i say, this is part about how we make policy, it is a democratic process involving the whole rest of the labour movement. but people are making a contribution to the uk, let's celebrate that. as you heard him say that no decision has yet been made but we understand there will be a package of proposals put forward. it could be politically quite contentious. already they�*ve heard from the conservative party today who say this is an attempt to break the electorate, so they say, to pave the way for labour wanting the uk to the eu. the british academy television awards are being held in london later today, with bbc dramas �*the responder�* and �*this is going to hurt�*, leading the nominations. also in the running is paddington�*s jubilee tea with the queen — nominated in the most memorable tv moment category and entertainment show �*the traitors�*.

live now to lizo mzimba, our entertainment correspondent, who is at the royal festival hall in central london, where the ceremony is taking place. we are on the red carpet here and i am joined by one of this evening�*s nominees. a searing medical drama that was watched by so many millions. first of all, what was it like making the show like this from your own personal experience? we made it your own personal experience? - made it during covid which made it much, much, much tougher but it was fun. i wanted to shine a light on the mental health of health care staff and emboli part of what we achieved around this quite taboo topic. achieved around this quite taboo toic. ~ ., , ., achieved around this quite taboo toic.~ ., , ., topic. what were the things that you exerience topic. what were the things that you experience on _ topic. what were the things that you experience on your _ topic. what were the things that you experience on your own _ topic. what were the things that you experience on your own life - topic. what were the things that you experience on your own life as - topic. what were the things that you experience on your own life as a - experience on your own life as a doctor that she thought, we can�*t put that in, that is to of the scale? ~ , ,., ~'

put that in, that is to of the scale? ~ , , ., put that in, that is to of the scale? ~ ., �* �* , scale? when we spoke to the bbc they made a promise _ scale? when we spoke to the bbc they made a promise that _ scale? when we spoke to the bbc they made a promise that at _ scale? when we spoke to the bbc they made a promise that at the _ made a promise that at the commissioning meeting that if he wanted to go in, if it is real, it can go in. there is nothing we suggested they said was too repulsive. suggested they said was too repulsive-— suggested they said was too reulsive. ~ ., ~ , repulsive. what was it like seeing ben in repulsive. what was it like seeing iten in that _ repulsive. what was it like seeing ben in that lead? _ repulsive. what was it like seeing ben in that lead? obviously - repulsive. what was it like seeing ben in that lead? obviously he i repulsive. what was it like seeing ben in that lead? obviously he is| ben in that lead? 0bviously he is nominated for lead actor in a drama. what did he bring to it? is what did he bring to it? is absolutely marvellous and is not just a brilliant actor, he is a wonderful guy. it is the drama, he does the committee, does the realism. the number of messages i�*ve had from colleagues who say he just gets it as a doctor and he did such good work. fiat gets it as a doctor and he did such good work-— gets it as a doctor and he did such aood work. ., ., , ., ., , ., good work. pot was alight from your oint of good work. pot was alight from your point of view? _ good work. pot was alight from your point of view? i'm _ good work. pot was alight from your point of view? i'm proud _ good work. pot was alight from your point of view? i'm proud that - good work. pot was alight from your point of view? i'm proud that we - point of view? i'm proud that we have been _ point of view? i'm proud that we have been able _ point of view? i'm proud that we have been able to _ point of view? i'm proud that we have been able to shine - point of view? i'm proud that we have been able to shine a - point of view? i'm proud that we have been able to shine a light, | have been able to shine a light, particularly now when the nhs is so front and centre in the news and in our minds. reminding us how tough thejobs actually are our minds. reminding us how tough the jobs actually are and how hard the jobs actually are and how hard the people do really work. what

the jobs actually are and how hard the people do really work. what is it like being _ the people do really work. what is it like being nominated _ the people do really work. what is it like being nominated for - the people do really work. what is it like being nominated for a - the people do really work. what is. it like being nominated for a bafta? what was your first reaction when you found out you had so many nominations?— you found out you had so many nominations? absolute disbelief. blown away- _ nominations? absolute disbelief. blown away- i — nominations? absolute disbelief. blown away. i then _ nominations? absolute disbelief. blown away. i then blown - nominations? absolute disbelief. blown away. i then blown away i nominations? absolute disbelief. | blown away. i then blown away by nominations? absolute disbelief. - blown away. i then blown away by the show came out that it has had such a warm reception and whatever happens tonight, i�*m going to enjoy my food, and enjoy my drink. you tonight, i'm going to en'oy my food, and enjoy my drink.— and en'oy my drink. you did well at the and enjoy my drink. you did well at the bafta craft _ and enjoy my drink. you did well at the bafta craft awards. _ are you hoping for more tonight? 0bviously are you hoping for more tonight? obviously you hope to win but we are up obviously you hope to win but we are up against absolutely amazing actors in shows and i�*m just proud to be here. in shows and i'm 'ust proud to be here. . ~ in shows and i'm 'ust proud to be here. ., ,, i. . in shows and i'm 'ust proud to be here. ., ,, . ., ., ,, here. thank you so much for talking to us. nominated _ here. thank you so much for talking to us. nominated for _ here. thank you so much for talking to us. nominated for the _ here. thank you so much for talking to us. nominated for the drama - here. thank you so much for talking j to us. nominated for the drama this is going to hurt, one programmes hoping for success tonight ranging from the responder and the queen and paddington bear which is that the most memorable moment. thank you very much indeed. thank you. ijust want to take it to some shots coming to us from turkey and of course the country has been holding the general

presidential elections so the count has begun. this is istanbul. and it is a key election notjust for president recep tayyip erdogan but for the country as well. it could well see, depending on how it goes, the country go from a mostly muslim to a more secular course. we will see how that goes. 64 million people were eligible to elect for the five year term. were eligible to elect for the five yearterm. many were eligible to elect for the five year term. many people have described the selection is one of the most serious challenges to present recep tayyip erdogan in terms of the opposition. well, the opposition comes in the form of the coalition and that has been led by kimil kilicdaroglu, one of the serious contenders coming up against

president recep tayyip erdogan. they�*re watching the news coming out of turkey. we have correspondence on the ground including anna foster and will bring you any updates coming from the country in the hours ahead. stay with us. this is bbc news. hello there, it has been sunny this weekend and has actually felt quite warm. temperature into the low 20s but a band of rain crossing the country as we speak. that is introducing some cool air. for the new week, it looks mostly dry with a few showers around and high pressure dominating. the dry weather does persist. it remains rather cool on monday and tuesday and the start of wednesday but signs of it warming up a little bit towards the end of the week. this rain band, this cold front with the cooler air behind it slowly working its way eastwards across the country. splashes of rain as it slowly travels eastwards. behind it, a cooler day for scotland and northern ireland, a bit of sunshine and blustery showers and ahead of it, good spells of sunshine and a brighter, sunnier,

warmer day for east and south—east england compared to yesterday. could be up to 20 or 21 degrees, generally the high teens for england and wales and low to mid—teens behind the weather front. when that weather front journeys eastwards during sunday night, higher pressure continues to dominate. for most, it will stay mostly dry but we have this blue hue on the chart and we are all into some slightly fresh air. any rain cloud clears away from the south—east early on monday and then it is a bright day with sunny spells and scattered showers. most of these northern ireland, scotland, northern and eastern england. more of the breeze across the north sea coast of the south—east. better chance of staying dry towards the south—west. a cooler day for all, low to mid—teens. high pressure still with us for tuesday, these were the fans got across the north of the uk generating showers across scotland, perhaps northern ireland and northern england into the afternoon.

the southern half of britain should stay dry with variable cloud, some sunny spells. lighter winds here so temperatures could be up to 16 or 17 degrees in the warmer spots but for most, mostly low to mid—teens once again. very little change as we head into the middle part of the week, high pressure still with us and few isobars on the charts so the winds will be lighter. you also notice that blue hue beginning to disappear across the country. temperatures will be climbing slightly towards the end of the week — no heatwave by any means but it will feel a little bit warmer, drier weather with some sunny spells and greater chance of seeing showers towards the north the uk.

this is bbc news. the headlines: in turkey, polls have closed, in what�*s regarded as one of the most pivotal elections in the country�*s modern history. president erdogan — in powerfor 20 years — faces a tough challenge from his main opponent, kemal kilicdaroglu. inflation is running at more than 40%. a powerful cyclone has crashed into coastal areas of bangladesh and northern myanmar, with wind speeds of more than 200 kilometres per hour. in myanmar, trees were uprooted and a telecom tower was brought down. in bangladesh, hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to take shelter. ukraine�*s president has described germany as a "true friend" in his country�*s fight against russia.

speaking on his first visit to berlin since moscow�*s