in the war that has followed, the hamas—run health ministry say at least 33,000 palestinians have been killed. slovakia's elected a new rresident — peta pellegrini is a nationalist who's sceptical of sending military aid to ukraine. he won by a greater margin than expected defeating the pro—western candidate ivan korcok. and as millions prepare for the solar eclipse in north america we look at how to safely watch the total blackout as the moon blocks the sun's light. 351 days ago russell cook, nicknamed the hardest geezer, set off to run the entire length of africa to raise money for charity. since then he's fallen

victim to an armed robbery and suffered a health scare — but finally the end is in sight. russell should cross the finish line in tunisia this afternoon, and our reporter ellie price has been looking back at his journey. let's go! day three! day four! day six! his nickname on social media is hardest geezer. day 349 of running the entire length of africa. after more than 350 days, 10,000 miles and 19 million steps, he's probably earned it. he's run through deserts, rainforests, savannahs, mountains, jungle and 16 countries, and he's raised well over £500,000 for the running charity and sandblast, posting updates on his progress on social media. 0riginally, he'd planned a mere 9,000—mile trip, but complications with visas,

health scares, geopolitical issues and even an armed robbery meant the 26—year—old was forced to extend the challenge. but he's taken it all in his stride. i was absolutely bricking it, to be totally honest. everything goes through your head in those moments. and i was...i was pretty terrified, i won't lie. your achievements are amazing. thanks — can ijust also compliment you on your beard? there's something else to be proud of, too, as he told charlie back injanuary. i'd decided that i wasn't going to cut my hair for the entire mission, beard included. the locks are really coming into their own now. i started with a skinhead and now i've got some weird, little slicked—back look going on, but we make the best of it, you know? to celebrate, he says he's looking forward to a strawberry daiquiri on the beach in tunisia, before heading home to worthing to visit his local bakery. and there might even be time

for a trip to the barbers. too. ellie price, bbc news. we can see him and his entourage and we will keep monitoring this for you and if there is any big moment we will bring it to life so you can stay with us to see how the big race is going and the moment he crosses the finish line. just days after scotland introduced the new hate crime act, there s a warning that sunday s old firm game between celtic and rangers football clubs in glasgow could see police tied up with even more complaints under the legislation. the conservatives say the issue has been weaponised, leaving officers unable to deal with real crime, while first minister humza yousaf says he has every confidence in the force and their experience of dealing with big matches. andrew kerr reports.

an old firm match on sunday, rangers take on celtic, the most highly charged football fixture in scotland in the week of the new hate crime act. at ibrox, the manager is relaxed, though. i'm against it. i'm a positive person, everybody knows. i understand passion of people, that i understand. the conservatives have this warning about the new act. we have already seen the hate crime law of humza yousaf being weaponised by people and there is a deep concern and predictions that the old firm match will result in even more complaints being made to the police, most of these in all likelihood being vexatious, and this will result in police been tied up, having to deal with these, to the detriment of having to deal with real crime

in our communities. the first minister says there is no cause for concern. it is an operational matter for police scotland. police scotland have managed to police old firm games and football matches for many, many years and have done so very, very well, and in my opinion i have every confidence in them doing so again for the match this weekend. and let me clear about the hate crime act that has come into place — it relates to events that have a very high criminal threshold indeed. the scottish police federation says officers were having to do overtime and they want parliament to consider resources when new laws are passed. in a statement, police scotland said: "an appropriate policing plan is in place to maintain public "safety and minimise any disruption to the community ahead of the fixture at ibrox." pretty high criminal threshold to meet, and i'm not sure in the context of sunday's match it will be met, given that it is a football match with only one side's supporters in the stadium. i think there will be a potential big increase in complaints because one thing the law has done is raise people's awareness it is around. for the greens, who backed

the bill, it's been a frustrating week. i have been genuinely dismayed by some of the quite shallow game—playing going on around the hate crimes legislation by some people who should know better. labour voted the bill through but denied being missing in action in its defence, saying it had these reservations. we need a clarification from the minister to get the communication right on the legislation, adequate implementation of the legislation, proper resourcing of our police officers are making sure adding misogyny to this hate crime act because right now it is missing. it's the hate monster. it has been a torrid time for the hate crime act. ministers are hoping for a calmer weekend. andrew kerr, bbc news. police in west yorkshire have launched a murder investigation after a 27—year—old woman was stabbed in bradford city centre. the attack happened on saturday afternoon, and the woman was taken to hospital but later died from her injuries.

a man was seen fleeing the scene, and officers are urging witnesses to come forward with any information. an update on storm kathleen next — forecasters say scotland will continue to face possible power cuts and travel disruption from the storm. a new yellow warning for high winds has been issued for parts of the highlands and the hebrides from nine o'clock in the morning. more than 60 flood alerts and warnings are in place. simonjones reports. a windy winter has become a stormy spring. kathleen was the 11th named storm in the space ofjust eight months and there is more challenging weather on the way. in county down, in northern ireland, the warnings failed to keep these vehicles away from the water. in belfast, the visitor attraction titanic belfast will be closed today after strong winds caused further damage to its roof. it said the ongoing inclement weather meant it was difficult to get up there to see what repairs will be needed.

it hopes to be able to open again on monday. in edinburgh, this is the scene that colin mcfadden came across. fortunately, no—one was hurt. it was quite shocking to see, just because of the size of the tree and because there was quite a few people milling around it, i don't know if it had just happened when we passed the first time. there seemed to be a wee bit of panic going on, so maybe people thought there was somebody in one of the cars, but i think they were both parked cars, so that's just as well nobody was in them. flights were delayed, cancelled or disrupted. in belfast, passengers were relieveed simply to be back on the ground. i was meant to be coming into a belfast city airport this morning. due to the adverse weather and the winds coming in there, two attempts were tried to be made to come in. the first one was very close, the second one was very ropey. it was a dodgy fight coming in. it was a roller—coaster ride to be honest with you, i felt like i was on blackpool pleasure beach, to be honest with you. but at the end of the day,

the pilots kept us safe. but elsewhere, it wasn't so much the wind as much as the warmth that was noticeable. the breeze blew in milder temperatures from the continent. 0n scarborough beach, people were making the most of it. but more strong winds on its way for northwest scotland this morning. after yesterday, a gust of ioimph was recorded in the scottish highlands. an investigation's under way after two passenger planes collided on the ground at heathrow airport. a stationary british airways plane with 121 passengers and crew onboard was hit by the wing of an empty virgin atlantic aircraft, which was being towed at the time. there are no reported injuries and the incident caused minor damage. slovakia has a new president. peter pellegrini is an ally of the country's populist prime minister.

he won saturday's vote by a greater than expected margin, beating his rival ivan korcok after a campaign overshadowed by the war in ukraine. mr pellegrini favours peace talks with russia and described his pro—western opponent as a warmonger. the result means there will no longer be any high—level official in slovakia who unequivocally backs kyiv in its fight against moscow. barely a year ago, slovakia donated an entire fleet of fighter planes to ukraine. 0ur correspondent rob cameron is covering the story from neighbouring prague. i think, before this election, it was still unclear, the jury was out, if peter pellegrini won this post, whether president pellegrini would be an ally or a rival of the country's populist prime minister robert fico. looking at some of the reactions that came after saturday night's result, notjust from mr pellegrini, i think it's quite clear which way this is going to go. if i can read you what

mr pellegrini said — you don't have to worry that the presidential palace, as it has been for the past ten years, will become a centre of oppositional, opportunistic power that will harm the government, that will harm the state abroad and will rejoice in the failures of the slovak government. he's basically expressing fealty to his coalition ally, prime minister robert fico, who leads this populist, nationalist coalition in slovakia. and the opposition fears that will give mr fico free rein to carry on doing what he likes. and so far, he's taken a sledgehammer, really, to some of the institutions of slovakia, including its criminaljustice system. next up could be some kind of changes to slovak tv and radio, which will be a very, very closely followed, notjust in this part of the world but i think across the european union. let's look at the war in ukraine next —

as of right now there is unfortunaly no end in sight. the head of nato, the defence alliance, was pushing for extra pounds, dollars and euros at a summit this week to help ukraine keep going on the battlefield. but as he prepares to step down, secretary generaljens stoltenberg told my colleague laura kuennesberg what's happening there is part of a dangerous chain of events around the world, with russia working with other countries like iran, and china, in a new authoritarian alliance — part of the reason why more cash for ukraine is so vital now. it will be new and extra money and i strongly believe you need to support ukraine in the long term. support for ukraine is something that ensures the highest possible power sharing amongst allies. fire

ensures the highest possible power sharing amongst allies.— sharing amongst allies. are you confident nato _ sharing amongst allies. are you confident nato countries - sharing amongst allies. are you confident nato countries will. sharing amongst allies. are you | confident nato countries will sign up confident nato countries will sign up to this long—term and expensive ban? i up to this long-term and expensive ban? ., . ., up to this long-term and expensive ban? ., , , up to this long-term and expensive ban? ., , ., ban? i am confident because to started planning _ ban? i am confident because to started planning for— ban? i am confident because to started planning for a _ ban? i am confident because to started planning for a stronger| ban? i am confident because to - started planning for a stronger nato role but there is no way to avoid these costs. it has a cost to have russia as a neighbour and that ukraine remains a sovereign independent nation so there is no way to run away from that cost but how to pay. way to run away from that cost but how to pay-— way to run away from that cost but howtoa. ,~ , how to pay. does a five year support [an not how to pay. does a five year support plan not imply _ how to pay. does a five year support plan not imply the — how to pay. does a five year support plan not imply the war _ how to pay. does a five year support plan not imply the war will _ how to pay. does a five year support plan not imply the war will go - how to pay. does a five year support plan not imply the war will go on - plan not imply the war will go on that long? we plan not imply the war will go on that lona ? ~ ., .,, ., plan not imply the war will go on that long?— plan not imply the war will go on that lona ? ~ ., .,, ., that long? we all hope to end the war as soon _ that long? we all hope to end the war as soon as _ that long? we all hope to end the war as soon as possible _ that long? we all hope to end the war as soon as possible and - that long? we all hope to end the war as soon as possible and at - that long? we all hope to end the | war as soon as possible and at the same time we have to prepare for a long walk because no president putin believes he can when on the battlefield and we have to stand with ukraine as long as it can takes and the clearer we are without messaging words and actions the more likely as putin realises he will not

win the more likely to sit down for peace and the more quickly it ends it is important to ensure that russia does not attack again so therefore we need to have a future force and guarantees in place that ukraine can defend itself from further aggression. you ukraine can defend itself from further aggression.— ukraine can defend itself from further aggression. you say putin must realise _ further aggression. you say putin must realise he _ further aggression. you say putin must realise he has _ further aggression. you say putin must realise he has to _ further aggression. you say putin must realise he has to give - further aggression. you say putin must realise he has to give up . further aggression. you say putin | must realise he has to give up his goal but president zelensky will not cede one end of ukraine territory. perhaps ukraine will have to negotiate to? there might most wars end at the negotiating table but we know that what happens around the negotiating table is know that what happens around the negotiating table— negotiating table is very similar to what happens _ negotiating table is very similar to what happens on _ negotiating table is very similar to what happens on the _ negotiating table is very similar to what happens on the battlefield. l what happens on the battlefield. right now russia believes it can achieve its goals on the battlefield and why continue to push militarily against ukraine watch market saw way

to convince russia they have to sit down and accept the solution with ukraine as a sovereign independent nation in europe is to give support to ukraine. at the end of the day it has to be ukraine that decides what kind of compromises they are willing to do to enable them to be in a position where they can achieve an acceptable result around the negotiating table.— negotiating table. there is olitical negotiating table. there is political fatigue _ negotiating table. there is political fatigue in - negotiating table. there isj political fatigue in america negotiating table. there is - political fatigue in america and you said recently the remarks of donald trump saying the united states would not necessarily protect nato members not necessarily protect nato members not spending enough would undermine everyone security, what is your fear? . , ,, . everyone security, what is your fear? , ., ,, everyone security, what is your fear? , ., fear? ice suspect regardless of the outcome of — fear? ice suspect regardless of the outcome of the _ fear? ice suspect regardless of the outcome of the elections _ fear? ice suspect regardless of the outcome of the elections the - fear? ice suspect regardless of the l outcome of the elections the united states will remain a loyal nato ally because it is in their security interests of a strong nato. the criticism from former president

trump and others in the united states is not necessarily against nato but against nato allies not paying for nato and we expect around 20 allies to spend core gdp on defences and that really matters for the united states. you defences and that really matters for the united states.— the united states. you are also soundin: the united states. you are also sounding the — the united states. you are also sounding the alarm _ the united states. you are also sounding the alarm about - the united states. you are also - sounding the alarm about connection between different conflicts and you name checked iran helping russia and china and north korea. do you think there is a new period of instability?— there is a new period of instability? there is a new period of instabili ? , ., . ., instability? yes, and the challenge is natal remains _ instability? yes, and the challenge is natal remains original _ instability? yes, and the challenge is natal remains original alliance i is natal remains original alliance with europe and north america security is global not regional in the war in ukraine demonstrates that very clearly. russia is receiving support from its friends and partners in asia. china is propping up

partners in asia. china is propping up the russian war economy and delivering key parts to the defence industry and in return moscow is mortgaging its future to beijing. iran delivers drones and other military equipment to russia and in return russia is giving technology to iran nuclear programmes. the same with north korea. hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition from north korea to russia straight into the war against ukraine and in return russia is delivering technology to north korea. so this is very much the same, what happens in asia matters for europe and what matters that happens in europe matters that happens in europe matters for asia. our partners in the asia—pacific, it is important we also work together and that assists

stronger alliance against a and powers. —— authoritarian. you stronger alliance against a and powers. -- authoritarian. you have condemned — powers. -- authoritarian. you have condemned the _ powers. -- authoritarian. you have condemned the strikes _ powers. -- authoritarian. you have condemned the strikes on - powers. -- authoritarian. you have condemned the strikes on aid - powers. -- authoritarian. you have i condemned the strikes on aid workers in gaza. do you believe israel is gone too far? we in gaza. do you believe israel is gone too far?— in gaza. do you believe israel is one too far? ~ ., , ., ., gone too far? we are putting forward a stron: gone too far? we are putting forward a strong message — gone too far? we are putting forward a strong message to _ gone too far? we are putting forward a strong message to israel _ gone too far? we are putting forward a strong message to israel they - gone too far? we are putting forward a strong message to israel they need to do significant more to protect civilians and aid workers and i also commend efforts by the united states and united kingdom to facilitate some kind of agreement on a ceasefire to end the human suffering and the catastrophe we see unfolding in gaza. ~ , ., , in gaza. with the rising threats some countries _ in gaza. with the rising threats

some countries are _ in gaza. with the rising threats| some countries are encouraging thinking about military service. do you think countries such as the uk should think about that? i you think countries such as the uk should think about that?— should think about that? i don't have any recommendations - should think about that? i don't have any recommendations for| should think about that? i don't - have any recommendations for their allies have conscription or not. nato is asking for significant capabilities for a number of brigades, for planes and ships and qualified personnel and then how different allies provide these capabilities as up to the allies themselves to decide. whether it be professional or conscripted armed forces. as a former norwich and prime minister i can say at the moment we have had in norway conscription for decades and i served myself in 1979 and we still have conscription stop when i was prime minister we introduced conscription notjust for men but for women and of course by having conscription we had access to them best and most qualified and educated

young population. pare best and most qualified and educated young population-— young population. are you frightened for the future? _ young population. are you frightened for the future? we _ young population. are you frightened for the future? we live _ young population. are you frightened for the future? we live in _ young population. are you frightened for the future? we live in a _ young population. are you frightened for the future? we live in a more - for the future? we live in a more dangerous _ for the future? we live in a more dangerous world _ for the future? we live in a more dangerous world and _ for the future? we live in a more dangerous world and we - for the future? we live in a more dangerous world and we have - for the future? we live in a more dangerous world and we have to | for the future? we live in a more i dangerous world and we have to be prepared for crisis and conflicts and it's extremely hard to foresee. very few people were able to foresee the war in ukraine in 2014 the rise of isis are 9/11 many other crises. it is important we have strong defence lines because north america and europe we are 50% of the world and as long as we stand together and promise to protect each other and nato allies that are under attack

pc. solar eclipse fever is building. millions of people in north america will be able to witness a rare solar eclipse on monday, hoping to spend around four minutes in total darkness as the moon blocks the sun's light. ben woolvin has more. all right, guys, are we ready? preparing for totality. this is dallas, texas, where tomorrow lunchtime, 100% of the sun will be covered by the moon. who's excited? the eclipse is coming! the eclipse is coming, the eclipse is coming! eclipse chaser leticia ferrer is ready to witness daytime darkness for her 21st time. i've seen 20, all over the world. it's just such a feeling in my soul, that i'm so grateful to be there, and so happy to see it,

and i'm sort of addicted to them. i'm addicted to that feeling of that... for those few seconds or minutes, being one with the universe and being really present and feeling it. i think it's going to be scary cos it's going to be very dark at, like, daytime. and i've never seen an eclipse. my parents are scared, too, because they've also never seen an eclipse, either. the last time a total eclipse was visible in the us was in 2017, when thousands gathered here in oregon. this year, the united states is a great place to see a total solar eclipse. it will be coming up through mexico and exiting up towards maine, so across the central part of the united states. you need to be inside the path of totality to see the total eclipse, which is a small band. however, you can see a partial eclipse from all over the united states. so here in washington, we will see about 87% of the sun covered by the moon.

in the uk, people in the west of the country should be able to catch a partial eclipse from just before eight tomorrow evening. it's been almost 25 years since the last total eclipse was visible here, in 1999. the next one will be 66 years from now, in september 2090. well, if you are one of the millions of people across north america hoping to catch the eclipse, a reminder it's not safe to look at with the naked eye. 0ur correspondent emma vardy has been looking at some of the ways you can safely catch a glimpse of the solar event. a once—in—a—century solar eclipse will be happening right here in north america. so you want to watch it? but haven't we always been told, never look directly at the sun? here's what you need to know. the old advice still applies — you mustn't look directly at a solar eclipse. that could permanently damage your retina, the part of your eye which senses light. so, to witness this spectacle, what can you do? time to accessorise.

these are solar viewing, or eclipse, glasses. nasa says they're 1,000 times darker than your average sunglasses and will keep your eyes safe. they're widely available but remember to check that they have the iso symbol and have the code 12312—2, to show that they meet the latest international safety standard. and if you don't have eclipse glasses, you can make a pinhole projector with just paper or tinfoil pricked with a small pinhole. this allows you to watch a projected image of the eclipse without having to look directly at it. but the same principle works with anything that has small holes, like a colander. even just holding your hands like this can give you a projection of the solar event. and if you can't do any of these, or aren't in the path of the eclipse this time round, there's always the internet, where you can watch a live feed from a telescope. 0rjust wait a few more decades. happy viewing! and we will have special live coverage of the solar eclipse

on monday here on bbc news. you can also find lots more on the bbc news website, including how scientists will be conducting experiments during the four—minute blackout window. mount etna has been sending these strange smoke rings into the sky. these vortex rings are made of gases and propelled upwards by the volcano. locals say the last time it happened was last december. the mesmerising display has been captivating visitors and has led locals to rename the volcano lady of the rings now it's time for

a look at the weather with elizabeth rizzini. storm kathleen yesterday brought us some curiously warm, but also some very windy weather. indeed, it was warmest out towards parts of east anglia, 21 degrees celsius, the warmest day of the year so far. but towards exposed western coast, we saw gusts of wind of 60 to 70mph. and it's another very blustery day again today. here's the deep area of low pressure. that is storm kathleen. it's gradually pushing further northwards, but still very tight squeeze on the isobars. so it's very windy once again, it won't be feeling quite as warm as it was yesterday. some cooler feeling conditions, but still mild for the time of year. now, as we head through this afternoon, there are still plenty of blustery showers around.

they'll generally be tracking eastwards. longer spells of rain across northwest scotland, some of the showers with some hail and some thunder in them, particularly out towards the west. but it's drier across parts of east anglia and southeast england. again, lighter winds here, but widely gusts of 40 to 50 miles an hour, maybe gales, severe gales possible across northwest scotland. these will be the days highs, not the 21 degrees that we saw yesterday, admittedly, but still 13 to 17 degrees. it's above the seasonal average. now, as we head through tonight, the low pressure pulls away and weakens. but another deep area of low pressure will start to swing in from the southwest in time for tomorrow morning. the winds, though, will be lighter. so this is how we're starting off monday morning. again, it's mild for the time of year, there'll be cloud outbreaks of rain gradually pushing northwards across these western spots by the south and east. a dry start, but some rain here later could stay largely dry across the midlands and across scotland for much of the day, but clouding over from the south as we head through the afternoon, temperatures again still above the seasonal average. now, that deep area of low pressure will really strengthen, will be some

strong, gusty winds. you can see that squeeze on the east of us there towards the south coast as it will, pushes northwards and eastwards through tuesday morning. so it's going to be quite a wet start to the day for many of us. again, the details could change on this windy towards channel coast, particularly across the channel islands, the rain pulls away, sunny spells. islands, the rain pulls but look at the drop in temperature here. we've got more of a northwesterly wind and it will be feeling cooler highs of 8 to 12 degrees celsius. wind and it will be feeling cooler but we don't have to wait too long before we see mild air spinning in from the south and the west again, along with more low pressure systems that will be wet and windy again at times.

live from london — this is bbc news. tens of thousands of israelis rally in tel aviv demanding a gaza hostage deal. six months on from october the 7th — when hamas attacked israel. events are being held across rwanda to commemorate three decades since the beginning of the genocide against ethnic tutsis and moderate hutus. and as millions prepare for the solar eclipse in north america, we look at how to safely watch the total blackout.

hello, i'm azadeh moshiri. welcome to the programme. we start in the middle east. both israelis and palestinians are marking six months of war on sunday. 0ur chief international correspondent lyse doucet is monitoring events for us — she reports now from southern israel. today, a memorial service is being held here. there has been a press conference where members, loved ones of those who lost their lives here are expressing not just pain but anger — asking why the israeli security forces weren't here on this day to protect them. saying that they still feel abandoned. one of the people who did survive to tell the story was a photographer, shye weinstein, who has now returned to the united states. but as the rocket started being fired by hamas, he took out his camera and started filming. this is some of what he saw.