protest seen in the country since october 7th. and germany legalises cannabis as the government tries to tackle the black market trade in the drug. hello and welcome to bbc news. i'm lukwesa burak. we start in turkey — with some historic results in local elections overnight. the party of turkish president, recep tayipp erdogan, has suffered its largest—ever defeat in municipal elections. correspondents say voters appear to be punishing the president's ak party for the spiralling cost of living. the main opposition chp achieved its largest victory in 45 years. it secured wins in 6 of turkey's 8 largest urban centres — including the country's

biggest city, istanbul. and for the first time in 25 years, they won more municipalities than the ruling ak party. overnight, president erdogan told supporters the result was �*not an end, but a turning point�*. translation: we will not disrespect the nation's decision in any way, we will avoid being stubborn, acting against the national will and questioning the judgement of our nation. as we have done so far. we will take the necessary steps by analysing the messengers given by the nation at the ballot box, most accurately and objectively within the reason and inner conscience. opposition supporters say although these are local elections, victories in big cities are a �*significant show of force�* against erdogan�*s ruling ak party. this was the scene in istanbul,

turkey's largest city, where thousands took to the streets to celebrate the opposition party's win. the city's incumbent mayor, ekrem imamoglu, declared victory after securing over 50% of the vote — well ahead of his nearest rival. mr imamoglu became the city's first opposition mayor in 2019. he's now seen as the best placed opposition candidate ahead of turkey's next presidential vote in 2028. he told supporters the result signalled a �*very important message�* to the world. translation: in this world unfortunately democracies are weakening, these democracies were weakening authoritarian regimes came to power, many articles around the world asked we were coming at the end of democratic regimes. 31 march 2024 is the day when democratic erosion and

turkey ended and democracy is rising again. i�*m joined now by onur erem from the bbc turkish service in our london newsroom. lovely to have you there. a really big when for the opposition? fin really big when for the o- osition? �* , . opposition? an unprecedented victo , opposition? an unprecedented victory. peeple _ opposition? an unprecedented victory, people expected - opposition? an unprecedented victory, people expected the l victory, people expected the opposition to win in the larger cities of turkey, but actually getting more votes than the government party in general and turkey in winning and some cities which they have not one in the last 40, 50 years as a very big success for the main opposition party, chp. very big success for the main opposition party, (hp.- opposition party, chp. what about president _ opposition party, chp. what about president erdogan, i opposition party, chp. what| about president erdogan, he came out with some very bullish tour, however, how has this been read?— tour, however, how has this been read? -- talk. the first thing he _ been read? -- talk. the first thing he said _ been read? -- talk. the first thing he said after— been read? -- talk. the first thing he said after the - thing he said after the election result was that turkish people gave a warning,

that they will hear the warning and act accordingly. he also said this is not the end for his party butjust a turning stop so there are around for years until the next general election, so it will give him enough time to analyse what went wrong, and before the election most of the political commentators were talking about the status of the turkish economy, that might be the main decision—maker in this election. decision-maker in this election-— decision-maker in this election. ., , election. to 'ust clarify one thing for— election. to just clarify one thing for us, _ election. to just clarify one thing for us, is _ election. to just clarify one thing for us, is able - election. to just clarify one thing for us, is able to - election. to just clarify one | thing for us, is able to stand in the next presidential election?— in the next presidential election? ., ., election? not in the regular way because _ election? not in the regular way because this _ election? not in the regular way because this is - election? not in the regular way because this is his - election? not in the regular way because this is his last| way because this is his last term by the constitution. it can only be standing again if opposition calls an early election, and government agrees on it. only that way he can stand for another term. thank

ou ve stand for another term. thank you very much _ stand for another term. thank you very much indeed. - will stay with this subject. let�*s speak to cihan tugal , professor of sociology, at the university of california, berkeley. could i just could ijust pick up on the last point i was discussing. that is, the likelihood of the constitution changing to allow president erdogan to stand yet again. what he risk that for the country? 50 again. what he risk that for the country?— the country? so before the elections _ the country? so before the elections everybody - the country? so before the elections everybody was i elections everybody was thinking this is probably what he is going to do but now there has been a very strong rebuke at the ballot box so now some people are saying, well, now that he has received this message he will not risk it. but other commentators are saying well, don�*t depend on his rationality he might get enraged, and just because of

this magnificent and historic defeat, he might even double down and push for this constitutional change. how would you _ constitutional change. how would you describe - constitutional change. how would you describe the - constitutional change. how would you describe the state of democracy in turkey?— democracy in turkey? well, democracy _ democracy in turkey? well, democracy is _ democracy in turkey? well, democracy is not _ democracy in turkey? well, democracy is not going - democracy in turkey? well, democracy is not going to i democracy in turkey? well, | democracy is not going to be easy to restore. things have happened, i can�*t summarise all of these but one important thing was that the morning was mired with irregularity in kurdish cities, despite that the kurds talk back most of their municipalities from the appointees that had been imposed by president erdogan under democratically, and micro to might try to do this again so the game is not over there. these couples will continue. —— president erdogan. the other dimension is the growth of the

far right. this has not stopped. that president erdogan his loss does not mean his vision has lost. 4% of his votes have gone to a far right islamist party which have been criticising president erdogan because of his free—market policies, his socially unjust policies, his socially unjust policies that target for people, and small shopkeepers and small tradespeople and also his dealings with israel, turkish has serious trade with israel and islamist are pretty unhappy about this. so actually all of that is good and well, all of that is good and well, all of that is good and well, all of those could be ready the basis for a strong democratic opposition but the catch and all of this is that this party i am talking about, the far right islamist party is also anti— women and anti— lgbt. it is taking these democratic

demands and marrying them to an undemocratic agenda. and even the bigger risk is this party was already in a coalition with the governing party with the party of president erdogan, and they broke of because of israel and the free—market policies of president erdogan, the millers to make some concessions this party might recombine his forces with president erdogan they might still score a victory in the general elections.— victory in the general elections. , ., , elections. just to finish off, what was — elections. just to finish off, what was your _ elections. just to finish off, what was your initial - elections. just to finish off, i what was your initial reaction when you started to see those result coming in? what went through your mind? i result coming in? what went through your mind?- through your mind? i was definitely _ through your mind? i was definitely surprised - through your mind? i was definitely surprised and i definitely surprised and definitely surprised and definitely glad, despite all these complexities, an overwhelming majority of the common terry was not expecting this. this was a very welcome

surprise. the 2022 election was three the reverse people expected a big opposition battery and that did not pan out. we are pleasantly surprised that the dictatorship has taken a step back. —— big opposition victory. has taken a step back. -- big opposition victory.— has taken a step back. -- big opposition victory. thank you. we will have _ opposition victory. thank you. we will have on _ opposition victory. thank you. we will have on the _ opposition victory. thank you. we will have on the electionsl we will have on the elections in turkey and the economic situation in the country later this our on world business report. do stay with us for that. let�*s turn to the middle east. hundreds of israeli protesters have spent the night in tents outside parliament injerusalem to press their demand for prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, to step down. overnight, thousands of people gathered in jerusalem, for what they�*re calling the largest anti—government protest since the war in the gaza strip began, nearly six months ago. on sunday, israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu underwent surgery for a hernia —

his office later reporting it had been successful. graham satchell has this report. the protest on the streets of jerusalem is the biggest israel has seen since the start of the common that, tens of thousands gathered outside the parliament building, the connector, angry at the government�*s handling of the war in gaza stop there is growing disquiet at the fate of the hostages, israel�*s deteriorating relationship with america and with the leadership of benjamin netanyahu. we america and with the leadership of benjamin netanyahu.- of ben'amin netanyahu. we say listen of benjamin netanyahu. we say listen to the _ of benjamin netanyahu. we say listen to the people _ of benjamin netanyahu. we say listen to the people of - of benjamin netanyahu. we say listen to the people of israel. listen to the people of israel who are saying enough is enough. we need a functioning government. enough. we need a functioning government-— enough. we need a functioning covernment. �* . ., government. ben'amin netanyahu is not doing — government. ben'amin netanyahu is not doing his — government. benjamin netanyahu is not doing his job, _ government. benjamin netanyahu is not doing his job, anywhere - is not doing hisjob, anywhere in the — is not doing hisjob, anywhere in the last— is not doing hisjob, anywhere in the last few years. he is bringing _ in the last few years. he is bringing the country down in every. — bringing the country down in every, every aspect possible. so we —

every, every aspect possible. so we got _ every, every aspect possible. so we got to replace him immediately.— so we got to replace him immediately. prime minister netanyahu — immediately. prime minister netanyahu has _ immediately. prime minister netanyahu has handed - immediately. prime minister. netanyahu has handed control immediately. prime minister- netanyahu has handed control of his government as deputy temporarily while he has surgery for a hernia. speaking before the operation he said now was not the time for an election in israel.— election in israel. the calls for elections _ election in israel. the calls for elections now - election in israel. the calls for elections now in - election in israel. the calls for elections now in the - election in israel. the calls- for elections now in the middle of the warjust before the victory will paralyse israel for six months. eight months in my estimation. they will paralyse negotiations for the rerelease of hostages, when the war to an end for the completion of its objectives in the first to benefit will be her mass. in the first to benefit will be her mass-— the first to benefit will be her mass. ., ., ., , ~ her mass. in gaza an airstrike near the _ her mass. in gaza an airstrike near the u — her mass. in gaza an airstrike near the lx hospital, - her mass. in gaza an airstrike near the lx hospital, israeli i near the lx hospital, israeli military says the area was being used as a command centre by islamicjihad. the bbc understands four militants were killed in a number of others leading journalists, injured. backin leading journalists, injured. back in israel minus scuffles as demonstrators clashed with police. there are protests

planned for the next three days in israel as pressure mounts inside the country for a resolution to the conflict. graham satchell, bbc news. staying in the region, the us military says it has destroyed another two drones belonging to the iranian—backed houthi movement in yemen. a statement by us central command said one was shot down over the red sea, the second was destroyed on the ground in yemen. it stressed that drones posed an imminent threat to shipping in the region. the houthis have carried out numerous attacks on vessels in recent months. they say they�*re supporting palestinians in the gaza strip. let�*s take a look at some stories making news in the uk today. the home office says nearly 350 migrants crossed the english channel in small boats on saturday. almost 5000 people have made the journey so far this year — a rise of around a third in the same period last year. prime minister, rishi sunak, has made stopping small boats one of the priorities

of his government. the national living wage goes up today — rising byjust over a pound, to £11.44 an hour — paid to anyone over the age of 21. there are also rises for younger workers. the government says the changes will boost the wages of the lowest paid, by £1,800 a year. energy prices in uk have fallen to their lowest level for 2 years — however, experts are urging people to persist with savings habits as bills remain expensive. the annual bill for a household using a typical amount of gas and electricity has dropped to £1,690, under the regulator�*s latest price cap. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

thousands of people have taken to the streets of haiti, to mark easter weekend, the first major national holiday, since the country�*s government collapsed. the caribbean island has been gripped by gang violence, with more than 1,500 people killed so far this year — and tens of thousands left homeless. the united nations, has described the situation as cataclysmic. nomia iqbal reports from cap haitien in haiti. as haiti spirals into violence, people try to hold on to their traditions. thousands of worshippers walk through narrow, dusty roads in cap—haitien praying for peace in a country whose capital has descended into lawlessness. in gang—controlled port—au—prince the city is still suffering with people fighting for basic supplies. most easter processions were cancelled. there was a rare moment ofjoy, though, as children crafted colourful kites,

an easter tradition. more than 100 miles away, nun checks in with her family every day to make sure they are still alive. her father says there was a shooting today, everyone is ok. he tells her he feels broken, though. nun left port—au—prince because of the violence. her cousin was killed by a gang in the capital last year. i have friends that after school they decided to open a business or things like that and after some time either they got killed or they got robbed, so it�*s two ways. either you stay and you fight or you go. even though i go i�*ll come back because i have a plan, i have a dream and that dream is happening in haiti. the country is now waiting to see exactly who will take on the gangs in the fight for power. a presidential transitional council is in the works and the group�*s main goal will be to restore order and democracy to a nation that is at a crucial

turning point in history. one of the country�*s most powerful gang leaders, jimmy cherizier, has said he is open to a ceasefire. known as barbecue, he and his coalition control much of the capital right now, but he wants a seat at the negotiating table. it will be hard to convince many haitians though to accept violent gangsters as future political leaders. translation: when gangs attack, they are terrorising people - and they don't have any compassion, theyjust kill. the population is dying, it's true, because it's the country which is dying. when the port is dysfunctional, the airport is dysfunctional and the hospital is dysfunctional, people will definitely die. haiti is a country with a lot of faith, but constant, overlapping crises have pushed it to the brink and with little change so far, right now hope is all people have. nomia iqbal, bbc news, haiti.

from today, germans will be able to smoke cannabis in public in a move to decriminalise possession and home cultivation. under one of the most liberal drug laws in europe, adults in germany will be allowed to carry up to 25 grams of dried cannabis on them — hold 50g as home and grow up to 3 marijuana plants. the changes are an attempt to tackle the black market. the rules around medical marijuana are also being relaxed. for supporters of the new law, celebrations started early. several hundred cannabis enthusiasts gathered at midnight under brandenburg gate, in the heart of berlin, to smoke marijuana in public as the changes came into effect. in the us — salvage crews at the port of baltimore have

removed the first section of the bridge that collapsed after it was hit by a container ship 6 days ago. the accident brought maritime traffic to a standstill on what is a major trading route. a statement from the coast guard said a first section of the francis scott key bridge, weighing 200 tonnes had been cut free. it�*s being transferred onto a barge, which will later take it ashore. officials have refused to give a deadline to complete the removal of thousands of tonnes of wreckage — some of which remains tangled around the stricken cargo ship. the pope has delivered his traditional easter mass in the vatican where he renewed his call for a ceasefire in gaza and the release of hostages being held by hamas. pope francis also used his easter sunday message to warn countries against re—arming themselves. here�*s our religion editor, aleem maqbool. when pope francis pulled out of some

easter events, concerns about his health intensified. but the vatican said it was to conserve energy for today. and that seems to have worked. though a little out of breath, easter mass went smoothly. after which the 87—year—old went on a drive about to greet what police estimated to be around 60,000 people who�*d come to saint peter�*s square. events culminated with the pope�*s easter message. in it he renewed calls for access to aid in gaza, for the return of hostages held there, and for an immediate ceasefire. he also focused on what children in gaza have been witnessing. translation: how much suffering we i see in the eyes of these children.

those children in that area of war have forgotten how to smile. with those eyes they ask us, why? why all this death? why all this destruction? war is always an absurdity and a defeat. celebrations in the holy land this year, including at the church of the holy sepulchre at the site where christians believe jesus was crucified, buried and rose from the dead, was scaled down. palestinian christians talked of an easter tinged with sadness and many foreign pilgrims stayed away. at canterbury cathedral, archbishopjustin welby did talk of foreign conflicts, but also prayed for the king and princess of wales and others he said were suffering the same way, and he talked of other struggles closer to home. whether it is the evil of people smugglers or county lines in our schools, or the pain and suffering in a family riven with grief or rage or substance abuse, jesus the god man who experienced every pain and

temptation is calling you and me to love in action. the archbishop talked of the easter story, giving hope of bringing light to darkness, and here at the vatican the pope ended by saying it was also a reminder of the value of every human life. aleem maqbool, bbc news, in rome. king charles has made his first major public appearance, since being diagnosed with cancer. on sunday, he attended an easter day service, at st george�*s chapel, in windsor castle. following the service, he briefly stopped to chat and shake hands with well—wishers. prince william and the princess of wales, who is also receiving treatment for cancer, didn�*t attend. here�*s charlotte gallagher. the king and queen arriving at the easter sunday service, and waves for the crowds at windsor castle.

this is an annual tradition but this hasn�*t been a normal year for the royal family, with both the king and the princess of wales diagnosed with cancer. prince william and catherine weren�*t at the service today. they are spending the easter holidays with their three children in private. this was the last time they were all seen together in public — christmas day at sandringham. today marks the king�*s first significant public duty since his diagnosis last month. happy easter. best wishes for the princess of wales. you are very brave to stand out here in the cold. a chance to say thank you to well—wishers. hello, how are you? many had travelled to windsor especially to see the royals. i hope you haven�*t got too cold standing here. happy easter, i hope you are doing well. they didn�*t expect

to meet the king. happy easter, your majesty. remain strong. never give in. thank you very much. he seemed in great spirits, - really, he seemed very humoured and i said to him, - would you give, you know, our best wishes from wales to the princess of wales, i and i spoke to her majesty- the queen camilla as well and, yes, it was a joyful occasion. it�*s hoped this could be the start of the king making a slow return to public duties. now, we are not expecting him to be immediately carrying out a full calendar of events. but we are perhaps expecting him to be seen more in public and you got a sense today that he has missed being out, meeting people, chatting, shaking hands, and doing a part of the job which he obviously enjoys. lovely to see you. this has been a difficult few months for the royal family, but today seemed a positive sign about the king�*s health and recovery.

charlotte gallagher, bbc news. it has been one of music sensations of the year — but some people say they have a problem with beyonce�*s new country album — cowboy carter. # is texas # ain�*t no hold them # down... fans say five tracks are missing from the vinyl version of the record. they include some of the best—received songs — like ya ya and spaghetti. it�*s not clear whether all vinyls are affected. but fans have also reported that cd copies are missing four tracks. stay with us, business news coming up shortly. hello there. we saw mixed fortunes of weather on easter sunday. a lot of cloud across large parts of england and wales. best of the sunshine

across scotland and northern ireland. for easter monday, again, there will be some rain around through central parts of the uk, top and tail of the country should see some sunshine, but there will be further showers. central parts of the country affected by this weather front, that is where the rain will be through the day on monday. some of it fairly heavy at times, north wales, north midlands, northern england pushing into southern scotland as well, maybe across the irish sea into the isle of man and north northern ireland. much of northern scotland should be dry with some sunshine, best of it in the west. the rest of england and wales, sunny spells, scattered showers, some of these may be heavy and also slow—moving. we will see top temperatures of 14—15 celsius in the southeast, still chilly across this northeast corner with a nagging north—easterly breeze coming in off the north sea. as we head through monday night, looks like the rain shifts northwards into much of scotland. could see a bit of snow on the mountaintops of scotland. elsewhere, largely dry with clear spells. again, a few showers dotted around southern parts of england. temperature—wise, 4—8 celsius for many, still quite chilly, though, across northern scotland. for tuesday, we have a weakening area

of low pressure, weather front moving northwards, but a new one arrives across southern areas later in the day. so it means that england and wales could see quite a bit of sunshine around for tuesday morning. northern parts of the country, particularly scotland, will see outbreaks of rain continuing. again, a little bit of winteriness over the higher ground, but showers will develop across england and wales into the afternoon as temperatures rise. wetter and windy weather arriving across the far south of the country later in the day. again, those temperatures mid—teens in the south, still quite chilly in the north. as we continue to move through the new week, low pressure system one after the other continue to hurtle in off the atlantic. that will bring spells of wet and windy weather, particularly windy towards the end of the week, you can see all the isobars here. in between there will be some sunshine and further showers. a very unsettled week ahead to come for much of the uk, like i mentioned, those areas of low pressure bringing spells of wet and windy weather. but it will be very mild on the flip side, particularly england and wales. towards the end of the week, we could be looking at highs of 17—18 celsius across southern parts of the country,

given a little bit of sunshine, but it is remaining unsettled.

live from london. this is bbc news. shock results for president erdogan in turkey�*s local elections as the main opposition party has claimed big election victories in the main cities of istanbul and ankara.

the rise of hands free driving. but can the technology be trusted or is it a threat to road safety? the extra cost that may ruin your holiday. we get tips on how to avoid airline�*s increasingly draconian and hidden baggage fees. and how 3d printing may be the tool that allows us to explore other planets. we begin the program in turkey where results from municipal elections have dealt a surprising and historic blow to president recep tayipp erdogan and his ruling ak party. the elections took place in 81 provinces; but all eyes were on the capital of ankara — and istanbul, the country�*s economic centre. the win bolsters the opposition�*s power while raising questions about the future and focus of the country.