what next for the conservatives after the losses in the uk general election? a former minister says the party failed on what it said it would deliver for the country. we didn't have a good enough diagnosis ofjust how broken some of our public services were and we didn't have the willingness to take the tough decisions necessary to deliver for the british the tough decisions necessary to deliverfor the british public. the gaza health ministry says an israeli strike on a school has killed at least 16 people and wounded more than 50. growing calls from senior members ofjoe biden�*s party, who want him to step aside from the us presidential contest in november. and england fans overjoyed after the team beat switzerland to make it to the semifinals of euro �*24, but only after penalties. they will face the netherlands.

polls are open in france as people across the country cast their ballots in the second round of parliamentary elections. these are live pictures of a polling station in paris. final opinion polls suggest marine le pen�*s far—right national rally will secure the most votes, but it's thought it's unlikely to win an outright majority in the national assembly. such an outcome could plunge the country into a chaotic hung parliament, severely denting the authority of president emmanuel macron. the anti—immigration national rally scored historic gains in last sunday's first—round vote, giving le pen and the party's 28—year—old leaderjordan bardella their first realistic chance of running the government and taking control of the national assembly. however, after hundreds of rival candidates from centrist and leftist parties dropped out to give their allies a better chance

of defeating the far—right, le pen�*s hopes of winning an absolute majority seem less certain. joining me now — our correspondent mark lowen who is in paris. this is really a crucial election for france, the outcome could be quite seismic. it for france, the outcome could be quite seismic— for france, the outcome could be quite seismic. it could be seismic for france — quite seismic. it could be seismic for france and _ quite seismic. it could be seismic for france and for _ quite seismic. it could be seismic for france and for france's - quite seismic. it could be seismic i for france and for france's position on the european stage because of course remember the national rally if it got an absolute majority has been quite pro—russia in the past, marine le pen was in moscow to get president putin's blessing before a presidential run in 2017. her party got a loan from a russian bank. since the invasion by russia and ukraine the party has shifted more

towards supporting ukraine but she is still against sending long—range missiles to ukraine, against sending any french troops on the ground, so there is one example of how this election will have ramifications far beyond france's borders. the question today is really whether the far right can be blocked from getting an absolute majority. they would need 289 seats out of 577 to get the absolute majority. what the opposition has done since the first round a week ago is to drop out in several constituencies, almost 200 around the country, where one opposition candidate has dropped out to try to get the opposition to rally around the remaining candidate and block the national rally. that is what is happening here in this constituency in paris, where a three—way race has become a two—way

race and what has happened is the centre—right candidate dropped out tojoin the far centre—right candidate dropped out to join the far right against the emmanuel macron candidate. emanuel micron still has support but it has dropped considerably since calling the snap election. we are speaking to supporters. you have always been a supporter of emanuel micron, has your belief not faltered because of the snap election? . , ., ., ., ., ., election? the decision to go into an election? the decision to go into an election before _ election? the decision to go into an election before the _ election? the decision to go into an election before the term _ election? the decision to go into an election before the term was - election before the term was surprising because there was no reason — surprising because there was no reason after the european election but it_ reason after the european election but it was— reason after the european election but it was his decision and may be the outcome would be an opportunity to reopen _ the outcome would be an opportunity to reopen the game in terms of more democracy— to reopen the game in terms of more democracy and opportunities for parties — democracy and opportunities for parties to— democracy and opportunities for parties to get along together and define _ parties to get along together and define the future of france. 0f define the future of france. of course — define the future of france. of course the threat is at the door, it

has never— course the threat is at the door, it has never been so high, like national— has never been so high, like national front or national rally, they are — national front or national rally, they are at the door so it is a concern _ they are at the door so it is a concern but i am still with the president _ concern but i am still with the president and i am hoping the future will involve _ president and i am hoping the future will involve the party of the president. will involve the party of the president-— will involve the party of the resident. ., , , president. you supported the left last week but _ president. you supported the left last week but you're _ president. you supported the left last week but you're holding - president. you supported the left last week but you're holding yourj last week but you're holding your nose to support micron. —— emanuel micron. i nose to support micron. -- emanuel micron. , ., ., , ,, ., micron. i 'ust want to block the far ri . ht micron. i just want to block the far right because _ micron. i just want to block the far right because we _ micron. i just want to block the far right because we can _ micron. i just want to block the far right because we can see - micron. i just want to block the far right because we can see what - micron. i just want to block the far| right because we can see what they voted _ right because we can see what they voted for— right because we can see what they voted for different— right because we can see what they voted for different parliaments, - voted for different parliaments, france — voted for different parliaments, france and _ voted for different parliaments, france and europe, _ voted for different parliaments, france and europe, and - voted for different parliaments, france and europe, and we - voted for different parliaments, france and europe, and we see| voted for different parliaments, - france and europe, and we see what they do— france and europe, and we see what they do in_ france and europe, and we see what they do in europe, _ france and europe, and we see what they do in europe, in _ france and europe, and we see what they do in europe, in us— france and europe, and we see what they do in europe, in us etc, - france and europe, and we see what they do in europe, in us etc, so - france and europe, and we see what they do in europe, in us etc, so we. they do in europe, in us etc, so we have _ they do in europe, in us etc, so we have to _ they do in europe, in us etc, so we have to be — they do in europe, in us etc, so we have to be against _ they do in europe, in us etc, so we have to be against the _ they do in europe, in us etc, so we have to be against the far- they do in europe, in us etc, so we have to be against the far right. - they do in europe, in us etc, so we

have to be against the far right. doj have to be against the far right. do ou have to be against the far right. you think what you have done will happen a lot across the country, there will be people who will say they are not a natural emanuel micron supporter but they will go for him to block national rally? 0r for him to block national rally? or in cases where it is a left—wing coalition against the national rally, the emanuel micron candidates will support the left? will there be a large rally around unity candidates? do you think what you have done in supporting a party which is not your natural one, will this happen a lot across the country? it this happen a lot across the country?— this happen a lot across the count? , , this happen a lot across the count ? , , ~ country? it is complicated. ithink the emmanuel— country? it is complicated. ithink the emmanuel macron _ country? it is complicated. ithink the emmanuel macron candidate | country? it is complicated. i think. the emmanuel macron candidate was not clear— the emmanuel macron candidate was not clear on— the emmanuel macron candidate was not clear on what _ the emmanuel macron candidate was not clear on what they _ the emmanuel macron candidate was not clear on what they said... - the emmanuel macron candidate was not clear on what they said... i - the emmanuel macron candidate was not clear on what they said... i am i not clear on what they said... i am sorry— not clear on what they said... i am sorry for— not clear on what they said... i am sorry for my— not clear on what they said... i am sorry for my english. _ not clear on what they said... i am sorry for my english. i— not clear on what they said... i am sorry for my english. i don't - not clear on what they said... i am sorry for my english. i don't knowl sorry for my english. i don't know if the _ sorry for my english. i don't know if the voters — sorry for my english. i don't know if the voters for _ sorry for my english. i don't know if the voters for the _ sorry for my english. i don't know

if the voters for the emanuel - sorry for my english. i don't know. if the voters for the emanuel micron candidates _ if the voters for the emanuel micron candidates would _ if the voters for the emanuel micron candidates would want _ if the voters for the emanuel micron candidates would want to _ if the voters for the emanuel micron candidates would want to vote - if the voters for the emanuel micron candidates would want to vote for. candidates would want to vote for the left _ candidates would want to vote for the left or — candidates would want to vote for the left or not. _ candidates would want to vote for the left or not. our— candidates would want to vote for the left or not.— candidates would want to vote for the left or not. our final word from ou, do the left or not. our final word from you. do you _ the left or not. our final word from you. do you feel— the left or not. our final word from you, do you feel that _ the left or not. our final word from you, do you feel that the _ you, do you feel that the opposition can unite and block national rally or are you worried that national rally will get a majority? rally will get a ma'ority? according to the olls rally will get a ma'ority? according to the pens we — rally will get a majority? according to the polls we should _ rally will get a majority? according to the polls we should have - rally will get a majority? according to the polls we should have a - rally will get a majority? according to the polls we should have a hung | to the polls we should have a hung parliament — to the polls we should have a hung parliament so i think the blockage would _ parliament so i think the blockage would work but the question for me is more _ would work but the question for me is more of— would work but the question for me is more of the future, do we have this stalemate for a year until next elections _ this stalemate for a year until next elections or will we find ground to work— elections or will we find ground to work together? that is a big question— work together? that is a big question because there is so much diversity— question because there is so much diversity on — question because there is so much diversity on the left that i am not sure we _ diversity on the left that i am not sure we will find partners.- sure we will find partners. thank ou sure we will find partners. thank you both. _ sure we will find partners. thank you both, supporters— sure we will find partners. thank you both, supporters of- sure we will find partners. thankj you both, supporters of emanuel micron today for different reasons. and questions now over whether the opposition can unite around a single candidate to block national rally or whether the far right will have

enough votes today to enter government for the first time in this country since the second world war, with huge implications far beyond the of france. azadeh moshiri is in auxerre — which is a rassemblement national stronghold. tells about the place you are in and why national rally are getting so much support. why national rally are getting so much support-— why national rally are getting so much support. national rally have dominated politics _ much support. national rally have dominated politics here _ much support. national rally have dominated politics here since - much support. national rally have i dominated politics here since 2020. in the first round the incumbent got 40% of the vote but it wasn't always that way, in fact this is to be a breeding ground for the left, for nearly 20 years they had a socialist mayor. then people said life became too difficult, people have been explaining to us here, and they wanted change and that feeling is

spreading like wildfire across france. but what of emanuel micron's centrist project, they say they think he is out of touch with people's day needs, and his candidate didn't even make it to the second round. ispoke candidate didn't even make it to the second round. i spoke to one person here who gave me a sense of how people are feeling. he said the only way we could interview him as if we kept up with his walking so you may see some movement with the camera but have a listen.— but have a listen. translation: peo - le but have a listen. translation: people are _ but have a listen. translation: people are unhappy, _ but have a listen. translation: people are unhappy, somethingl but have a listen. translation: - people are unhappy, something hurts them, _ people are unhappy, something hurts them, you _ people are unhappy, something hurts them, you don't feel like french people — them, you don't feel like french people are — them, you don't feel like french people are happy, the young, the best ones. — people are happy, the young, the best ones, many people go to university— best ones, many people go to university abroad and others are disillusioned, they do not know any more _ disillusioned, they do not know any more. ., ., ~ disillusioned, they do not know any more, ., ., " ., disillusioned, they do not know any more. ., . ., . , disillusioned, they do not know any more. ., . , ., disillusioned, they do not know any more. ., . ., . , ., more. looking at the choices, do you think there — more. looking at the choices, do you think there is — more. looking at the choices, do you think there is a _ more. looking at the choices, do you think there is a solution? _ more. looking at the choices, do you think there is a solution? i _ more. looking at the choices, do you think there is a solution? i think- think there is a solution? i think ou need think there is a solution? i think you need to _ think there is a solution? i think you need to find _ think there is a solution? i think you need to find a _ think there is a solution? i think you need to find a solution - think there is a solution? i think you need to find a solution that| you need to find a solution that would — you need to find a solution that would make them happy and i don't think it _ would make them happy and i don't think it would do it, because maybe there _ think it would do it, because maybe there is— think it would do it, because maybe there is no— think it would do it, because maybe there is no such thing. and

think it would do it, because maybe there is no such thing.— there is no such thing. and of course there _ there is no such thing. and of course there are _ there is no such thing. and of course there are contentiousl there is no such thing. and of. course there are contentious and difficult questions being raised in this election today.— this election today. yes, one of them of course _ this election today. yes, one of them of course is _ this election today. yes, one of them of course is a _ this election today. yes, one of them of course is a racism - this election today. yes, one of. them of course is a racism scandal which has embroiled several national rally candidates. 0ne which has embroiled several national rally candidates. one of them, and this scandal made national headlines, is that incumbent here. he made a comment during a debate with a local newspaper saying he didn't believe that north africans should hold high places of office, he said this referencing north africans in france who have managed to work in ministries. initially he denied saying that but the local newspaper disputed that by releasing the audio. the new young face of national rally as saying there is no place for racism and his party and

was pressed on this in a television debate and he said if there are three orfour black debate and he said if there are three or four black sheep in debate and he said if there are three orfour black sheep in his party he will exclude them. this was the reaction of another resident here. �* ,, �* i the reaction of another resident here._ i think - the reaction of another resident l here._ i think there here. translation: ithink there were three _ here. translation: ithink there were three or— here. translation: ithink there were three or four, _ here. translation: ithink there were three or four, maybe - here. translation: ithink there were three or four, maybe more, | here. translation: ithinkthere i were three or four, maybe more, but they would _ were three or four, maybe more, but they would need to totally disavow them _ they would need to totally disavow them and — they would need to totally disavow them and exclude them from the elections — them and exclude them from the elections which has not happened. and yet— elections which has not happened. and yet the national rally is leading here. ispoke and yet the national rally is leading here. i spoke to one retiree who wanted to remain anonymous, he says the candidate is a decent man and people make mistakes. emmanuel macron, several people here have said he is arrogant and does not listen to people in rural towns, they believe he is not the answer and they are turning to the far right.

and they are turning to the far riuht. ~ , and they are turning to the far rirht.~ , and they are turning to the far ri.ht_. , right. we will be back with you aaain right. we will be back with you again through _ right. we will be back with you again through the _ right. we will be back with you again through the day. - right. we will be back with you again through the day. it - right. we will be back with you j again through the day. it looks typically french and beautiful where you are at the moment. yesterday, the prime minister kier starmer held his first cabinet meeting, and spent his first full day in downing street. today he sets off on a tour of the four nations, travelling to edinburgh to meet first ministerjohn swinney. he'll then head to belfast and cardiff tomorrow, before meeting wtih regional mayors. as the new government embarks on its mission to "get britain working", the new business and trade secretary talked to laura kuensssberg about his plans to negotiate a better deal with tata steel to protectjob, while not compromising its business objectives. we see this as a major priority. i have already spoken to tata steel about it, as has the new prime minister. i will be talking to them again today, asking representatives of the workforce and unions to talk

to me next week about that. it is not about underwriting loss—making businesses in perhaps a way we might have thought of industrial policy in the past but about being a partner for investment in future. there is more money available for the steel industry under our government. but if we work together with the private sector and recognise there is a good example of how we have to make sure that decarbonisation is not deindustrialisation but there is a better deal for port talbot and the steel industry as a whole, i am sure of that. meanwhile, the conservatives are committed to doing some "soul searching" after only 121 tory mps managed to cling on. this is said to begin with appointing a new leader to replace rishi sunak who will resign as a party leader once the arrangements for selecting his successor were in place. victoria atkins, an mp for louth & horncastle, and robertjenrick mp for newark, are both contenders for the role. i think genuinely at this point in time it does not and should not be

about personalities and people. the conservative party is bigger than any single member and ourfocus has to be on the country and i hope and expect that in due course when a leadership contest is held that everybody involved will be uniting around the central message that we are all in this for our constituents and for the electorate of the uk. it was a devastating defeat, the worst for our— was a devastating defeat, the worst for our party since 1832 and there are so— for our party since 1832 and there are so many dedicated public servants, _ are so many dedicated public servants, my former colleagues who lost their— servants, my former colleagues who lost theirjobs, and i feel desperately sorry for them but my argument — desperately sorry for them but my argument is that the reason we lost the trust _ argument is that the reason we lost the trust of— argument is that the reason we lost the trust of millions of people across— the trust of millions of people across the country is not because we were too _ across the country is not because we were too left—wing or right—wing or had this— were too left—wing or right—wing or had this or— were too left—wing or right—wing or had this or that slogan, but fundamentally because we failed to deliver— fundamentally because we failed to deliver on— fundamentally because we failed to deliver on the promises we made to the british— deliver on the promises we made to the british public. to discuss all this, let's speak to our political

correspondent nick eardley, who's at westminster. first of all, on keir starmer�*s plans today, why has he decided that this regional tour is so important? it is something a lot of prime ministers do, try to get out into the country quickly to show themselves as a prime minister for all four nations. with keir starmer in particular you will hear the word reset a lot over the next few days, he wants to reset relationships with the devolved administrations and governments in wales, scotland and northern ireland. pretty easy in wales because a welsh first minister, scotland has had a tricky relationship between the uk and scottish governments but i think that might change, firstly because labour won the general election in scotland so come pensively in terms of seats, they can now say they have a mandate and to respect the vote

and scottish and uk governments have to work together. and the election of a uk labour government slightly undermines independence because you have a contrast between a conservative government would low representation in scotland and an snp government with huge representation in scotland but you now have a labour government with significant representation and an snp government with significant representation so the contrast is not as stark. it doesn't mean support for independence has gone down, it has not suffered in the same way as the snp have if you look at the polls. but i think there will be more success in finding cooperative working with the devolved governments. the new government has work to do on policy and getting the detail framed government has work to do on policy and getting the detailframed in terms of what they are going to do but already they are hitting the

interview studios this morning and being asked about significant issues. ~ ., ., ~ ., ., ., issues. we heard talk about tata steel and potential _ issues. we heard talk about tata steel and potentialjob _ issues. we heard talk about tata steel and potentialjob losses . issues. we heard talk about tata| steel and potentialjob losses but he said there were potentially more money. he said there were potentially more mone , ., ., ., he said there were potentially more mone . ., ., ., ., , ., ., ., money. conditional money for tata steel if it can _ money. conditional money for tata steel if it can find _ money. conditional money for tata steel if it can find private _ steel if it can find private investment and it guarantees some jobs, not all of them, at that steel plant in port talbot, that seems to be what he was saying. i think is a stark reminder that although the new government has only been in office for 48 hours it has to hit the ground running and there are big, imminent, important questions which need to be answered. tata steel is one of them, a lot of pressure coming from the welsh government to try to kick on with that and keir starmer will be in wales tomorrow and i'm sure will be asked a lot of questions about how much money he is prepared to stump up to help people keep theirjobs and what the

conditions of the investment might be. but plenty of other things in the in tray, the nhs, the courts, prisons, small boats, legal immigration, the list i suspect could go on and on, we could be here all day talking about all the challenges, but a reminder that it is a pretty stark change for all those shadow cabinet ministers that are now cabinet ministers, big decisions to make from day one. tastes decisions to make from day one. wes streetin: decisions to make from day one. wes streeting off — decisions to make from day one. wes streeting off the mark quick saying he is trying to get talks on the doctor's strike but also talks of alan milburn, former labour minister on health under tony blair, advising them, coming back into government in some form? it them, coming back into government in some form? , ., , them, coming back into government in some form?— some form? it shows labour is reared some form? it shows labour is prepared to — some form? it shows labour is prepared to work _ some form? it shows labour is prepared to work in _ some form? it shows labour is prepared to work in some - some form? it shows labour isj prepared to work in some ways some form? it shows labour is - prepared to work in some ways with the private sector, what alan milburn is perhaps best known for.

wes streeting says he is prepared to do that as well. i know they have been talking for a while. it is interesting, we are trying to open the curtain a bit and figure out what keir starmer�*s strategy to his first government is, it is pretty clear to me that he is prepared to bring back people from the past to give himself a bit of experience. look atjacqui smith, former home secretary, brought back to do an education ministerjob, giving her a seatin education ministerjob, giving her a seat in the house of lords to make that happen. douglas alexander is back as an mp and straight into the business department as a junior minister. patrick vallance, former chief scientific adviser of covid press conference fame, brought in despite not being a hugely political figure. richard timson, the chief executive of timpson's, where you

might go to get keys cut, big prison reform campaigner, not someone who has been prominent in labour circles but now brought in to do a job trying to reform prisons. the message keir starmer is trying to send is that he is prepared to bring in experts and people with experience even if they are not mps because he hopes it will help him deliver some progress pretty quickly. deliver some progress pretty ruickl . �* . deliver some progress pretty ruickl. �* ., ., ., deliver some progress pretty ruickl. ., ., ., , quickly. and a lot of people with experience _ quickly. and a lot of people with experience from _ quickly. and a lot of people with experience from the _ quickly. and a lot of people with experience from the tony - quickly. and a lot of people with experience from the tony blair i quickly. and a lot of people with i experience from the tony blair and gordon brown years, tony blair has been active on the policy front through his own work and he has written in the sunday times today are urging labour really to focus now on policy, delivery, ai and tech and all that that can give in terms of economic growth, but also talking about the need to fight against populism. about the need to fight against -o - ulism. ., , populism. one of the interesting challenaes populism. one of the interesting challenges that _ populism. one of the interesting challenges that labour _ populism. one of the interesting challenges that labour will - populism. one of the interesting challenges that labour will face i challenges that labour will face over its first term in power. we know the conservatives, we just heard in those clips, are going

through a period of introspection and one of the interesting things about the result is reform, nigel faraj�*s party got 4 million votes —— nigel farage. they will use that as a launch pad to see more must be taken on legal and immigration —— legal and illegal immigration. and so tony blair says there has to be a plan to combat those challenges. in the men's european football championship, england have defeated switzerland on penalties, to reach the semifinals. england scored all five of their spot—kicks, including one by bukayo saka, who saw it as redemption for a miss in the euro 2020 final, while one swiss attempt was saved. england will now play the netherlands, who beat turkey 2—1 for a place in sunday's final. earlier i spoke to bbc sports presenter,

john watson, who gave us his analysis from dusseldorf. good morning from fatty�*s irish bar here in central dusseldorf, one of the many bars in this area, which so many of the fans have been packing into these last few days, and they will be waking up this morning, those england supporters, with probably a sore head, i imagine, because those celebrations would have continued late last night. they are not doing it the easy way, england, are they? it hasn't been straightforward. these improved performances that they hoped were going to come haven't quite materialised, despite probably last night being the best performance of what have been some subpar showings so far, but they've done it and, in the key moments, england are finding a way through. we saw that against slovakia in the last—16 tie, whenjude bellingham scored that dramatic overhead kick to get that equalising goal to force extra time as england went on to win. and then last night, the hero of the hour was bukayo saka as england again had to come from behind. he scored that goal and then,

of course, as you pointed out there, went on to score that crucial penalty. five brilliant penalties. it's not often it's that straightforward for england when it comes to penalty shoot—outs at major tournaments, but it was last night with that one solitary missed kick by switzerland, with england scoring all five of theirs, dispatching them brilliantly and, in doing so, go through to play in the semifinals. and this remarkable run for gareth southgate, despite the criticism he's faced, they're into another semifinal. three semifinals now out of four for gareth southgate at major tournaments. it's quite an impressive run he is producing with this team. and, john, just talk us through which other games we can all look forward to in the next few days. yes, so we're looking ahead now to the semifinals, aren't we? so it is the netherlands who await after they came past turkey 2—1 in that match last night. we know that france will face spain in the other semifinal,

after france also needed penalties to beat portugal, and spain knocking out the hosts, germany. and it's worth pointing out, for all the criticism, i guess, that england have faced with regards to their performances, no team really, certainly in the knockout stages, has showed signs that they're going to run away with this tournament, albeit spain, who were the best team in the group phase, france have faced criticism for their performances as well. and you hear it said a lot — tournament football, this idea that you don't win spectacularly, you find a way to win. england are doing that, and i think that is an indication why, for the england supporters who've been here in dusseldorf and will now follow the team to dortmund for the semifinal to come, there is this belief that potentially england could still do it, despite not being at their very best. let me leave you this half hour with pictures from france, from a polling station in paris, we have been seeing the former french president

francois holland casting his vote. we also saw the french prime minister voting about an hour and a half ago. this is of course a potentially seismic election, the second round of the parliamentary election, very closely watched in europe and globally because the far right national rally won the first round, and opinion polls suggest it could emerge as the biggest party. not yet clear whether it will get an absolute majority or not. but we are across these votes all day today and will bring you the results here on bbc news. back in a few minutes. we have had some pretty heavy showers this morning which will continue through the afternoon as well. some of those could be

thundery in places but really quite dramatic clouds in staffordshire this morning, some very dark and menacing clouds bringing those flowers and you can see the showers are quite scattered across the uk this afternoon. look at some of the green blobs, indicative of the heaviest downpours, with the risk of some lightning and thunder. but there will be sunny spells in between the showers, with maximum temperature is 15—17, maybe 18, so feeling quite cool for the time of year. at silverstone it could be interesting for the choices of tyres, with showers moving through, temperatures around 17 through the afternoon. tonight, the showers will ease away and we are looking at clear skies overnight, so with light winds and clear skies it could turn chilly, temperatures in the country around five to eight, in the city is

6-9. around five to eight, in the city is 6—9. monday starts off chilly but plenty of sunshine to start the week. we will see heavy thundery showers for scotland, northern ireland, northern england and these will be slow—moving with lighter winds. in the south, cloud increasing from the south—west with outbreaks of rain in southern england and south wales through the day, maximum temperature is about 18-20. 1 day, maximum temperature is about 18—20. 1 degrees or so higher than today, and it might feel more humid through the early part of next week. low pressure moves north, the rain moving into central and southern scotland on tuesday and into northern ireland, being replaced by sunny spells and showers but low pressure in charge means unsettled. keep the umbrella handy through tuesday. perhaps the north—west of scotland faring best. showers could be thundery further south. temperatures below the average for

the time of year. that continues through the week. but as we go through the week. but as we go through friday into next weekend it looks a little more settled with more dry and bright weather so perhaps feeling a bit more like summer.

this is bbc news, the headlines... voting is under way in france for the decisive second round of a snap—parliamentary election. 0pinion polls suggest the far right national rally is unlikely to win a outright majority.

hamas are reported to have accepted a us proposal to begin talks on releasing israeli hostages. the group is also said to have dropped its demand that israel first commit to a permanent ceasefire in gaza. calls for president biden to end his re—election bid are gathering momentum. the leader of the democrats in the us house of representatives, has scheduled a virtual meeting with party members to discuss mr biden's candidacy. and, england fans are overjoyed after the team beat switzerland to make it to the semi—finals at euro 2024, but only after penalties. england will now play the netherlands. let's go back to the general election, and that huge and historic win for sir keir starmer after years of labour losses.

his promise to people in the uk — government can get things done.