live from london — this is bbc news... counting is under way in turkey — in what could be the most important election in the country's modern history. a powerful cyclone crashes into coastal areas of bangladesh and northern myanmar — with windspeeds of more than 200 kilometres per hour. president zelensky�*s trip to germany culminates with him being awarded the prestigious charlemagne prize in service of european unity. and — it's british television's big night — the stars come out in force for the baftas. hello. counting is under way in turkey's presidential election, with voters deciding whether to end recep tayyip erdogan�*s long grip on power.

turnout is expected to be huge. the poll is one of the most consequential in the country's modern history, with mr erdogan�*s islamic party challenged by an opposition set on a more secular course, and promising closer ties to the west. president tayyip erdogan cast his vote in istanbul. and this is his key rival — kimil kilicdaroglu. he's the leader of a broad opposition alliance hoping to end mr erdogan�*s time in power. as polls closed, president erdogan tweeted: "the voting process has been completed throughout the country in a way that befits our democracy." "now, as always, it is time to firmly protect the ballot boxes. until the results are finalised, we will continue to protect the will of our people." let's talk now to our correspondent, selin girit at the opposition�*s headquarters in istanbul. hello to you. i suppose we can talk

a bit more freely now that polls have closed but this is a tight race is in? it have closed but this is a tight race is in? , �* , have closed but this is a tight race is in? , ~ , w is in? it is. a very tight race. it will have _ is in? it is. a very tight race. it will have a _ is in? it is. a very tight race. it will have a very _ is in? it is. a very tight race. it will have a very important - will have a very important consequences. it is the most crucial elections in modern turkey history. the reporting has been actually lifted, the supreme electoral board has lifted that reporting band and we can actually report the initial results —— results. but we should exercise before i tell you the initial results, bear in mind we should exercise caution with these results because these are only an initial results, they should not be treated as exit polls will stop the initial results based on 2% of the ballot boxes that have been opened. show erdogan at 49% and kilicdaroglu at 45%. so at the moment erdogan

seems to be leading, but that might change as this is only as i have set, 2% of the results and in previous elections the initial results were not indicative at all of the final result.— results were not indicative at all of the final result. either way, we are expecting _ of the final result. either way, we are expecting it — of the final result. either way, we are expecting it to _ of the final result. either way, we are expecting it to be _ of the final result. either way, we are expecting it to be tight. - of the final result. either way, we are expecting it to be tight. talkl are expecting it to be tight. talk us through why it is such a significant election. because it could actually _ significant election. because it could actually bring _ significant election. because it could actually bring presidentl could actually bring president erdogan to and and for the very first time. the opposition here in? feels power within their grasp. there is a real possibility that president erdogan two decades of rule could come to an end. what you're talking about a political giant in turkey who was thought of invincible, not only here in turkey but also abroad as well. he has won five parliamentary elections, two presidential elections, two referendums and he actually survived a coup attempt so he was seen as a

major, major politicalfigure major, major political figure that no one else could beat. but in the last few weeks actually, the main opposition blocks candidate, kimil kilicdaroglu proved him wrong when the race seems to be very tight. why will it be consequential? one it's probably has the potential to and mr erdogan rule, that will change a lot within turkey. mr erdogan if he wins the presidency, he wants to reverse a lot of mr erdogan�*s policies for instance he was to reverse the economic politics and he wants to restore independence to the central bank. he wants to return to the parliamentary system, mr erdogan in last few years introduce a presidential system in the country and the opposition and the critics say that that is actually the cause that has turned turkey into a more autocratic country so if mr

kilicdaroglu wins it will be a totally different region of turkey which will be facing more towards the west than, russia for instance. this really has been about the economy in terms of what people have had on their mind when they were going to the ballot boxes earlier today. you mentioned inflation, it has been so high, previously going over to 80%, it is around a0 for present or correct me if i'm wrong but it really is crucial that people hear what they want in terms of the economy. hear what they want in terms of the econom . ., ., ., , ,., , economy. you are absolutely right. last the inflation _ economy. you are absolutely right. last the inflation hit _ economy. you are absolutely right. last the inflation hit record - economy. you are absolutely right. last the inflation hit record highs. l last the inflation hit record highs. it was over 80% as you mentioned. and that was the highest this country has seen for the last 2a years. now it is at aa% as you have mentioned, but still people still feel the cost of living crisis people feel the ache in their pockets and that has actually been the very determinate factor in

people's decision and how people decided to vote today. many say it was the economic crisis that brought mr erdogan to power and it could be an economic crisis that could bring him down. it is still early hours, very early hours. we still have yet to see what the final result will be, but by the end of today midnight. we are hoping to get a clear indication of how this race has went, whether one of the candidates will secure the presidency in the first round or both or they will be a runoff to be clear. ., ~' , ., both or they will be a runoff to be clear. . ~ , ., both or they will be a runoff to be clear. . ~ i. . , clear. thank you so much we will be back with you _ clear. thank you so much we will be back with you later _ clear. thank you so much we will be back with you later on _ clear. thank you so much we will be back with you later on of _ clear. thank you so much we will be back with you later on of course. - one of the strongest storms to hit the bay of bengal in recent years — cyclone mocha — has inundated parts of myanmar, cutting communications and destroying buildings. at least five people are reported to have been killed in the country and the city of sittwe is said to be deep in water, with 200 kilometres per hour winds causing chaos. disaster officials in bangladesh

said there'd been no major damage. rajini vaidyanathan sent this report from the refugee camp in cox's bazar, as the storm arrived. cyclone mocha arrived with force. winds gusting at high speed as it moved towards the bangladesh— myanmar coastline, thousands forced to flee 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 willjust take you in. this is one of the classrooms. all of the classrooms in this school are absolutely packed with families, many of them are mothers with tiny babies. there is the elderly here, many people have come here and they are sick. there is real desperation in this room, though, because people say there is no food here and they are in very uncomfortable conditions.

and while many were able to seek shelter, close toi million rohingyas living in the world's largest refugee camp were not. the bangladesh government doesn't allow refugees to leave the camp. stuck in the 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. ukraine's president zelensky has thanked germany for its �*fantastic solidarity�*, after germany pledged a further military aid package, worth nearly 3 billion dollars. this was his first visit to the country since russia invaded ukraine. mr zelensky has renewed his call for fighterjets ahead of a planned counter—offensive against russia's invasion — that plea isn't likely to be met but the german chancellor, olaf scholz, said he would continue

to support kyiv for as long as is needed. translation: this awful war has severe geopolitical - consequences for everyone, but mostly for the men and women of ukraine. more than i million of them — women, children and older people have found protection here in germany. our 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. translation: 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, your financial help is very important. next — let's get some analysis from our berlin correspondent jenny hill. he could not been in any doubt of german levels of support that's because on the eve of his visit the german government announced it would send weapons worth 2.7 billion euros to kyiv including more tanks, more anti—aircraft, sorry, air defence systems, so he was aware of that support would be coming. he knows that germany already has sent quite a lot after an albeit, extremely hesitant to start in terms of financial aid, hesitant to start in terms of financialaid, military aid hesitant to start in terms of financial aid, military aid to forget that also of germany hosted well over i forget that also of germany hosted well overi million ukrainian well over i million ukrainian refugees. well overi million ukrainian refugees. but these visits are all about sending messages. and the message of course to the creamy people has been one of reassurance and that's why we heard the german

leader emphasising the support would continue for as long as necessary but also sending a message to putin that message that he cannot count on you cream's allies support waning as this war goes on. but zelensky once fighterjets from his allies in that it is something that the german leader does not want to allow. he's one of a number of nato countries that does not think it is a great idea. all sorts of objections and some people say the training of staff to use those fighter jets, some people say the training of staff to use those fighterjets, the maintenance on that may be tracy —— tricky look to stickley. i think the chief concern here in germany is that they don't want to supply ukraine with the kind of weapons that could 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 people who provide fighter jets, the german chancellor said that he would stick to the line and

his line is that he is only prepared to supply so—called, defensive weapons to ukraine. after berlin president zelensky travelled to the german city of aachen, where he received the prestigious charlemagne prize. applause mr zelensky received a standing ovation at the ceremony, which was attended by european commission president ursula von der leyen and polish prime minister mateusz morawiecki. the award is given to someone considered to have done the most to promote european unity. previous recipients include winston churchill, pope francis and bill clinton. lets bring you live to aachen, where zelensky is giving his speech — we can see svetlana tikhanovskaya — leader of belarusian opposition.

ursula von der leyen — president of the european comission. just to remind you, she has recently visited kyiv. president and zelensky there receiving this prize, the charlemagne prize and he is expected to go on to paris, french media reporting that he is expected to make a surprise visit to paris this evening. we are still waiting on confirmation from on that. but that is what french media are saying. so thatis is what french media are saying. so that is president and zelensky there on his trip to germany. initial results from vote counting in thailand suggests two opposition parties are on course to win an election for the country's parliament. but even if they do win, its not clear that the military will allow them to form the next government. our correspondentjonathan head reports from bangkok. the counting is going quite fast, rapidly at the moment. the official count held by the election committee is held by number of constituencies

completed by the unofficial count which observers are following in the constituencies is showing a remarkable performance by the new progressive party move forward but is doing far better than expected and is likely to be one of the two biggest parties. the biggest party always expected to win is the election machine of the former exiled prime minister but it seems to have lost a lot of support to move forward. both these parties are campaigning on a ticket of getting the military out of politics which it has been for very long time. and, you know, move forward's agenda is particularly progressive. it wants a complete wholesale reform of the bureaucracy and once the monarchy discussed. this incredible wave of support it has got and has clearly gone well beyond younger ties suggests it has struck a chord with voters ——thais who really want change if you put these two parties together

the projection we are seeing suggest they will have a substantial majority in the lower house of parliament. that is going to make it very difficult for the incumbent prime minister and other conservatives to argue that they can form a government even with the 250 unelected senators. it is going to be a very, very big hill for them to climb and it looks as though we are looking at a significant result in thailand and a massive vote for change coming from the electorate. everything now depends on the kind of bargaining that takes place after the result. which partie feel they can come together and form a coalition and, of course, always in thailand, where there is some kind of extraparliamentary movers tried to stop the reformists from taking power. many ultra conservativee thais don't want to see but the results we are seeing coming through show a tremendous mandate for the pro—reform parties and it is hard to see a government which does not encompass a great deal of the progressive agenda.

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 something like just under three and half million eu citizens that have been granted a settled status that can fill in all sorts of elections but not in general elections. back in 2020 when sir keir 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. what we have learned today is a confirmation that this is not something under active discussion with the labour party. although, as your proxy here, this is from the

shadow business secretaryjonathan reynolds he says, no decision has been made. we reynolds he says, no decision has been made-— reynolds he says, no decision has been made. ~ ., ., ., , been made. we do want to strengthen our democracy — been made. we do want to strengthen our democracy we _ been made. we do want to strengthen our democracy we believe _ been made. we do want to strengthen our democracy we believe people - been made. we do want to strengthen| our democracy we believe people make a contribution to this country if they— a contribution to this country if they live — a contribution to this country if they live here, there's an argument for having _ they live here, there's an argument for having them involved in that process — for having them involved in that process but we will set that out in detail, _ process but we will set that out in detail, as as it is part of how the make _ detail, as as it is part of how the make policy, it is democratic process— make policy, it is democratic process involving the whole breadth of the _ process involving the whole breadth of the labour movement but if people are making _ of the labour movement but if people are making a to the uk,.— are making a to the uk,. jonathan re nolds are making a to the uk,. jonathan reynolds saying — are making a to the uk,. jonathan reynolds saying there _ are making a to the uk,. jonathan reynolds saying there a _ are making a to the uk,. jonathan reynolds saying there a decision l are making a to the uk,. jonathan l reynolds saying there a decision yet made but we understand there will be a package of proposals put forward. it could be politically quite contentious that is, we've already heard from the conservative party today who say, this is an attempt to rake the electorate, so they say, to pave the way for labour to rejoin the eu. for sufferers of long covid, extreme fatigue is one of the most debilitating symptoms many have to deal with. but now scientists at newcastle university in the uk think they may have made an important breakthrough, and are trying out a simple device that stimulates the nerves. peter harris reports.

what we're going to do now is, i'm going to ask you to push your thumb into the table. it looks slightly sinister, but this test is trying to unlock the secrets of long covid, and newcastle university are testing people like robin, who suffered debilitating fatigue long after contracting coronavirus. it's completely life—changing, so it would mean a sick day for work and stuff like that. i'll sort of need extra assistance from my partner to look after my son and things like that. and, like, mentally, it has, like, a great impact as well because i could be mid—conversation, just sort of like completely forget what i'm talking about. the scientists think the answer to the fatigue could lie in how the nervous system responds. they've given robin and other volunteers a simple kit, a tens machine — commonly used for pain relief in childbirth, which sends electrical currents to a nerve — which they hope will alleviate the symptoms of fatigue.

it is, i mean, quite literally exciting. it's a stimulator. but, er, yeah, it is... the potential to make a difference is huge. but it's important that we do a careful study that actually shows clearly whether it does work or not. but if it works, it has huge potential. huge because about 1.9 million people suffer from long covid in the uk and half of those have long—term fatigue, and that's why for people like robin, this matters. hopefully, the end goal, for it to fix me and go away. but, yeah, so it's early days yet, i'm only into week three of a i6—week trial. so, yeah, we'lljust see what happens. the team are recruiting more volunteers with post—covid fatigue for the trial. all are part of solving one

of the riddles of the pandemic. peter harris, bbc news. 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�*sjubilee tea with the queen — nominated in the most memorable tv moment category and entertainment show �*the traitors�*. lizo mzimba, our entertainment correspondent, is at the royal festival hall in central london where the ceremony is taking place. it has been a busy red carpet with names from the world of television and big names from films like kate winslet who have been making acclaimed tv programmes after the last few years, coming down this red carpet now. one of the nominees most talked about i spoke to earlier. the actress maxine peake, nominated for the intense drama about a tireless hillsborough campaigner and i asked when i spoke

to her on the red carpet earlier what it was like playing a woman of such determination. it was a privilege. you�*ve just got to look at it like that. by the grace of god that is something so removed from in many ways. to be given that opportunity to walk in their shoes in the way that i did was a real honour. so, yeah. how important is it to keep reminding new generations what happened at hillsborough? if we look, it�*s not just about hillsborough. it is how we take on the establishment and how we are constantly, these battles are not going away, just changing form. so it is about showing a group of people managed to do. kevin would have been 50 years here. he was ia when he went to that football match so it is about the power of the small voices, if they come together in solidarity

it can change things but also we must never forget our history. and i guess there must also be an extra layer of pressure or at least expectation when you are playing a real life person especially in a storyline like this. you are concerned that people will say "i knew her and that is not how she was," but you�*ve got to capture the spirit of somebody and tell the story. that is what important. it is whether people think i am great i have got to be like anne, it is not about that. it is about how to get that story across to a audience in a concise and clear and interesting way. that was maxine peake reflecting on playing the character of anne, one of the many dramas nominated across the tv baftas. leading the way with four is the responder. a very intense police drama set in and around liverpool starring martin freeman in the lead character.

and with many police dramas it is hard to make them stand out especially the something special. they manage this with compelling storylines but a police officer on the front line dealing with issues not police force but also in his personal life but also with some wonderful wonderful performances at the centre of that and of course with three nominations you got something like sherwood a murder mystery set around a nottinghamshire village decades after the miners strike and an event that is still reverberating through that particular community. that has got nominations including one for actor, best supporting actor, at the very end of the scale you�*ve got something like am i being unreasonable? a comedy starring daisy may cooper and lenny rush. that has been acclaimed forjust it�*s wonderful sense of fun and humour and of course lenny rush is up for best male comedy performance.

is only ia years old. i did speak to him earlier. he said he was having a wonderful baftas and an incredible experience to have for somebody so young. and one of the more popular new dramas. new entertainment shows, i should say, the last 12 months, has been the traitors. that is a up for three including constructed factual and for its presenter, claudia winkleman. now, as well as they�*re being all these dramas and, to be compared to previous years it is not quite a classic classic year for television. it has not got things like it�*s a sin which had multiple nominations and had societal impact as well and the year before with i may destroy you which had a big society aspect with the storylines but what we have here is a very strong sense and a strong number of dramas that have done very well across the board have been popular with audiences and awards voters and of course

you�*ve got things like the most memorable moment. those times that do stick out and probably the favourite there is the queen with paddington bear at the platinum party at the palace last summer and if doesn�*t when i think many people will be extremely surprised. we will of course keep you updated as the results come in later on. finally we want to show you some colourful pictures out of canada. the annual tulip festival is under way in the capital ottawa. some 300 thousand tulips are on display in a park in the city. the event started in 1953 as a nod to the dutch royal family which had sent 100 thousand tulip bulbs in gratitude for canadians having sheltered princessjuliana and her daughters during the second world war. that�*s all for me for now. you can get me on twitter. stay with us here on bbc news.

thanks for watching. a pretty quiet weather story for the upcoming week and beyond because high—pressure looks to be dominating. so it will be a mostly dry a few showers around mostly across the north of the uk. it be quite cool as well is to start the new week certainly by monday to see both by day and night but it will warm up slightly towards the end of the week. the game changer has been this weather front, a the week. the game changer has been this weatherfront, a cold the week. the game changer has been this weather front, a cold front with some rain on it. has been spreading southwards and eastward across country through today. it will be lying across the south—east by the end of tonight. a mild night here, and for the north and west quite a chilly want to come, a frost, temperatures down to freezing i should say, some of the sheltered

blends across scotland. a chilly start to the day, he could see why, we are in this chilly air mass for monday. still high—pressure with us so it will be mostly fine and dry. we lose that weather front from the south—east, it will take the ring with it and that it�*s bright for many on monday, sunshine and showers for the afternoon. most of the shower scotland, northern ireland, northern and eastern england, a keen breeze there and again across north of scotland. best of the drier weather, wales in the south was but weather, wales in the south was but we could see 60 degrees, but for most of the low to mid—teens. quite cool for this time of year. as we move through monday night largely clear skies that cooler air mass going to turn chilly once again. we could see some mist and fog developing here and there. into tuesday, we still have high—pressure with us. fewer isobars for many, winds will be lighter, with the north of scotland which will also see this week weather front. that could enhance the cloud and shower activity for the northern half of scotland for some tickets to the arch our intent northern ireland perhaps northern england as well, but the southern half of britain

should tend to stay dry. for that cool start we should see quite a bit of sunshine a bit of fair weather cloud, top temperatures may be up to 17 degrees, low to mid—teens again in the north. as a move out of tuesday into wednesday, the area of high—pressure pools of further eastward. that will start to bring some slightly milder air off of the atlantic you can see the blue tinge they�*re just fading away as the yellows take over. so it will not be a heat wave by any means but temperatures will tend to climb a little bit towards the end of the week. it should be quite a bit of sunshine around, mostly dry all thanks to high—pressure.

this is bbc news. the headlines: millions of votes are being counted in turkey after elections to decide who will lead the country for the next five years. the incumbent recep tayyip erdogan is seeking to prolong his 20 years in power against a stiff challenge from his main opponent, kemal kilicdaroglu. at least five people are reported to have died in myanmar after a powerful cyclone hit the country. cyclone mocha is one of the strongest storms to hit the bay of bengal in recent years. 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 full—scale invasion began. volodymyr zelensky said german support had saved lives.

on his trip, the ukrainian leader was awarded the prestigious