we'll have the latest from the middle east and the next few minutes, including those talks that are now under way in doha. aimed at achieving a cease—fire in gaza. first, the latest headlines on bbc news. five people have been charged in connection with the death of the actor matthew perry, who was best known for his role in the sitcom,friends. the 54—year—old was found dead in a hot tub at his home in los angeles last october after taking the drug ketamine. sweden has confirmed the first case of the more serious strain of mpox outside africa. the world health organization has declared mpox, which used to be called monkey pox, a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, following an outbreak in the democratic republic of congo. ukraine says it will set up an administrative office in the russian region of kursk, where it's pressing ahead with its surprise military offensive.

ukraine says its forces have advanced further into russian territory. the number of students getting the top grade a—levels across england, wales and northern ireland has risen for the first time since 2021. overall this year, 28% of all grades were marked a star or a, but there were variations in the figures depending on where the students lived. taylor swift and london are getting back together , are getting back together, for the first of five further dates at wembley stadium. the concert is under way with thousands in the venue in all their glittery get—up enjoying the show. "the coming hours and days could define the future of the middle east" — the words today of the british foreign secretary, david lammy, as peace talks began, aimed at securing the ceasefire in gaza that has, thus

far, proved so elusive. the white house said negotiations in qatar had got off to a "promising start" but also warned it doesn't expect a deal between israel and hamas immediately. the negotiations are focused on implementing peace proposals set out by us presidentjoe biden back in may. well, they come on the day gaza passed a terrible milestone — 40,000 killed, according to the hamas—run health ministry, since israel launched its campaign to destroy hamas in the wake of the october seventh attacks. israel claimed today that 17,000 of those 40,000 dead are in fact palestinian militants. we have no way of independently verifying either claim. our chief international correspondent lyse doucet examines the obstacles in the latest

rounds of ceasefire talks. both sides blame the other. i think prime minister netanyahu has made it clear time and again that the war will not come to a final end until there is a complete, in his words, total victory over hamas. and the hamas leaders have not willing to been willing to accept a deal, which basically would mean the end of hamas. so they are on, you know, obviously polar opposites there. but the context now is very different because there's been a huge amount of criticism being reflected in public by the israeli defence chiefs, who are in open disagreement now with prime minister netanyahu basically saying, excuse me, ten months on, we have achieved what we can achieve militarily. now is the time to accept the concessions we have to make because they're acceptable, and bring the hostages home. joining me on the panel tonight —

dr rebecca harding, an independent economist and a senior fellow at the british foreign policy group, and jennifer carroll, a republican who was florida's 18th lieutenant governor — the first black person elected to state—wide office there. thanks to you both for being with us, and you're going to be talking through all the big stories of the day starting off with the middle east. rebecca, these talks in doha, they are now under way. so many hopes resting on them. do you think they are going to be any more successful than all the other cease—fire talks that we've seen? i cease—fire talks that we've seen? i think the short answer is that it's impossible to say. we've had ten months of work, the humanitarian crisis continues to be an absolute catastrophe, and one of the problems with all of this is just the sheer grief and with all of this is just the sheer griefand pain with all of this is just the sheer grief and pain on both sides. so there is a huge role for empathy, understanding and diplomacy and one of the great difficulties of course is that everybody is coming into this with an addenda and something

they want to achieve. it's going to be something very difficult, but if can be handled carefully with the degree of empathy we can hold out some hope. degree of empathy we can hold out some hone-— some hope. jennifer, do you think the united — some hope. jennifer, do you think the united states _ some hope. jennifer, do you think the united states will— some hope. jennifer, do you think the united states will be - some hope. jennifer, do you think the united states will be putting l the united states will be putting any pressure on israel, on the israeli prime minister to come up with a deal? because we know that america hasjust provided with a deal? because we know that america has just provided another huge batch of weapons to israel. it does have leverage, clearly. weill. does have leverage, clearly. well, this is very — does have leverage, clearly. well, this is very true, _ does have leverage, clearly. well, this is very true, but _ does have leverage, clearly. well, this is very true, but the _ does have leverage, clearly. well, this is very true, but the united i this is very true, but the united states— this is very true, but the united states throughout the months i have pressured _ states throughout the months i have pressured israel to come to a cease—fire. the problem is, the amount— cease—fire. the problem is, the amount of— cease—fire. the problem is, the amount of cease—fire dialogue that has occurred, hamas has been the resistance — has occurred, hamas has been the resistance to agreeing to a deal. even _ resistance to agreeing to a deal. even today, they did not have a delegation at this meeting and they said, delegation at this meeting and they said. well_ delegation at this meeting and they said, well we'll see what happens out of— said, well we'll see what happens out of this— said, well we'll see what happens out of this talk, and you know go from _ out of this talk, and you know go from there. _ out of this talk, and you know go from there, but you cannot come to an agreement if everyone is not at

the table — an agreement if everyone is not at the table and if the objective of hamas— the table and if the objective of hamas is— the table and if the objective of hamas is not to end the war, to continue — hamas is not to end the war, to continue to— hamas is not to end the war, to continue to have it escalate, then they're _ continue to have it escalate, then they're not— continue to have it escalate, then they're not going to come to the table _ they're not going to come to the table and — they're not going to come to the table. and so were always going to be table. and so were always going to he in _ table. and so were always going to he in this— table. and so were always going to be in this quagmire of what we really— be in this quagmire of what we really need to call hamas to task. the egyptians, the united states and israet— the egyptians, the united states and israet has _ the egyptians, the united states and israel has said, let's talk, let's corne — israel has said, let's talk, let's come to— israel has said, let's talk, let's come to some agreement, this is what we have _ come to some agreement, this is what we have on— come to some agreement, this is what we have on the table but hamas have not agreed _ we have on the table but hamas have not agreed to any of it. ok, jennifer and _ not agreed to any of it. ok, jennifer and rebecca - not agreed to any of it. oil, jennifer and rebecca come not agreed to any of it. oi, jennifer and rebecca come up for the moment thank you very much indeed. i'll ask you about ukraine in a moment because that's our next story. the bbc has been told that british challenger ii tanks are being used in ukraine's surprise incursion into russia. ukraine is expanding its military operation in the russian region of kursk and even setting up an administrative office there. a senior commander claims ukrainian troops have advanced a further 1.5 kilometres in the past 2a hours. he says they now control 1,150 square kilometres of russian territory and have

seized 82 settlements. but russia insists its forces are pushing ukraine back. so that's the latest on the ground. rebecca, how do you see this, well it's clearly a bold move by ukraine. do you think it's risky, do you think it's dangerous? for example, we are seeing british tanks now operating on russian soil. i think it's a huge _ operating on russian soil. i think it's a huge shift _ operating on russian soil. i think it's a huge shift in _ operating on russian soil. i think it's a huge shift in the _ operating on russian soil. i think it's a huge shift in the way - operating on russian soil. i think it's a huge shift in the way in - it's a huge shift in the way in which allied weaponry, hard military equipment has been used in this conflict. so when we started off this conflict, it was quite clear that the west did not want its military hardware to be used within russian territory or even against russian territory or even against russian military targets. and what this has done is it's actually shifted that to say that actually come of the west is willing to have

its missiles, its military hardware used on the russian side of the border. now, it's not initially clear why zelenskyy did this, it's a huge surprise, but one thing that has certainly happened is it's made us ask a lot of questions, for example the west has been very very careful about the nuclear issue around all of this, it's been incredibly careful not to disrupt the russians too much, not to provoke a nuclear response. so one reason for doing this might be to test russian reactions towards this. on the other side of course, it also gives russia something of a propaganda tool because russia is saying today that in its news agency that some of this incursion is actually being run by russian secret services, see you can see there's a little bit of posturing for position here, but it's very interesting what's happening, perhaps it's something to trigger the war ending

slightly more quickly, we have to see. , slightly more quickly, we have to see. ., �*, l, see. jennifer, what's your view of it? do you _ see. jennifer, what's your view of it? do you think— see. jennifer, what's your view of it? do you think this _ see. jennifer, what's your view of it? do you think this nervousness see. jennifer, what's your view of i it? do you think this nervousness in washington that western hardware, including american hardware, is bent now being used inside russia by ukrainian troops? i now being used inside russia by ukrainian troops?— now being used inside russia by ukrainian troops? i believe that the ukrainians are, _ ukrainian troops? i believe that the ukrainians are, this _ ukrainian troops? i believe that the ukrainians are, this is _ ukrainian troops? i believe that the ukrainians are, this is a _ ukrainian troops? i believe that the ukrainians are, this is a good - ukrainians are, this is a good jockeying _ ukrainians are, this is a good jockeying for them because they are getting _ jockeying for them because they are getting so— jockeying for them because they are getting so beat up on the eastern front— getting so beat up on the eastern front that — getting so beat up on the eastern front that this allows them to have russia _ front that this allows them to have russia defer some of their equipment and ammunition and troops to where they are _ and ammunition and troops to where they are occupying, where they have incurred _ they are occupying, where they have incurred so— they are occupying, where they have incurred. so this way they can free themselves— incurred. so this way they can free themselves up to have a little relief — themselves up to have a little relief on — themselves up to have a little relief on the eastern side while russia — relief on the eastern side while russia is— relief on the eastern side while russia is trying to scurry and see what _ russia is trying to scurry and see what we — russia is trying to scurry and see what we are going to do now, since the incursion— what we are going to do now, since the incursion occurred, how are we going _ the incursion occurred, how are we going to _ the incursion occurred, how are we going to deploy troops, we know they are depleted, deploy some of their munition, — are depleted, deploy some of their munition, so i think it's a good move — munition, so i think it's a good move on— munition, so i think it's a good move on the ukrainian side. as far as drawing — move on the ukrainian side. as far

as drawing in the western artillery, how does— as drawing in the western artillery, how does that play out? what was the agreement, _ how does that play out? what was the agreement, we don't even know what the head _ agreement, we don't even know what the head nods are behind closed doors _ the head nods are behind closed doors to— the head nods are behind closed doors to say, zelenskyy, go ahead and use _ doors to say, zelenskyy, go ahead and use this and we know what it may look like _ and use this and we know what it may look like but — and use this and we know what it may look like but for right now, if it's going to — look like but for right now, if it's going to draw attention to another side to— going to draw attention to another side to see you can recoup and recapture _ side to see you can recoup and recapture some of the territory that you've _ recapture some of the territory that you've been hiding —— fighting hard and fast _ you've been hiding —— fighting hard and fast with, go ahead and do that. a lot of— and fast with, go ahead and do that. a lot of these dialogues we don't even _ a lot of these dialogues we don't even hear— a lot of these dialogues we don't even hear what's happening. canl even hear what's happening. can i 'ust ask even hear what's happening. can i just ask you. _ even hear what's happening. can i just ask you, jennifer, _ even hear what's happening. can i just ask you, jennifer, what - even hear what's happening. can i just ask you, jennifer, what do you think is donald trump coming republican candidate for the white house, what is he going to do if he wins the white house? is he going to continue to support ukraine? he's kind of indicated that he would maybe cut off arms supplies and that would pretty much and the war. i think what he would do is call both leaders _ think what he would do is call both leaders and come to some resolve. and typically... that's in the year said than done, isn't it? it is

easier said _ said than done, isn't it? it is easier said than _ said than done, isn't it? it is easier said than done - said than done, isn't it? it is easier said than done but if he knows — easier said than done but if he knows his— easier said than done but if he knows his threats of saying i'm going _ knows his threats of saying i'm going to — knows his threats of saying i'm going to hold back supplies or i'm going _ going to hold back supplies or i'm going to _ going to hold back supplies or i'm going to have sanctions or i'm going to do— going to have sanctions or i'm going to do something or other that's not military, _ to do something or other that's not military, on— to do something or other that's not military, on both ends to make them come _ military, on both ends to make them come to— military, on both ends to make them come to the — military, on both ends to make them come to the table and say ok, this is territorv — come to the table and say ok, this is territory you can have, we will stop _ is territory you can have, we will stop the — is territory you can have, we will stop the firing, move forward and have _ stop the firing, move forward and have amicable agreements, i think that would — have amicable agreements, i think that would be the best way to handle the situation. all that would be the best way to handle the situation.— the situation. all right, thank you for our the situation. all right, thank you for your thoughts _ the situation. all right, thank you for your thoughts on _ the situation. all right, thank you for your thoughts on that, - the situation. all right, thank you | for your thoughts on that, jennifer and rebecca. we'll be back with you in just a and rebecca. we'll be back with you injust a moment and rebecca. we'll be back with you in just a moment but for now we will take a break because around the world and across the uk, you're watching bbc news.

five people have been have been charged in connection with the death of the friends actor matthew perry. he died last year as a result of an accidental drugs overdose. an autopsy found he had high levels of ketamine in his body. in the last few hours we've been told that authorities helped uncover a broad criminal network that exploited matthew perry. it's even alleged that doctors

helped distribute ketamine to him in exchange for tens of thousands of dollars. here's some of that announcement. this investigation focused on who supplied the ketamine to mr perry. as many of you know, mr perry struggled with addiction in the past. on many occasions, he sought help for his addiction issues. the investigation revealed that in the fall of 2023, mr perry fell back into addiction, and these defendants took advantage to profit for themselves. quite an extraordinary news conference. our north america correspondent, peter bowes, joins me from la. peter, these charges, have they come as a surprise?— as a surprise? these charges have come as a — as a surprise? these charges have come as a surprise _ as a surprise? these charges have come as a surprise and _ as a surprise? these charges have come as a surprise and i _ as a surprise? these charges have come as a surprise and i would - as a surprise? these charges have | come as a surprise and i would say as a surprise? these charges have l come as a surprise and i would say a shock to the many fans of matthew perry around the world, that there

was this allegedly wide network of people including two doctors and matthew perry's personal assistant, personal assistant who lived with him at the time, all working together to get him large quantities of this drug, ketamine. that's the cause of his death, he had ketamine and extremely high levels in his body when he is found in the hot tub at his home last october. many people thought his drug problems were behind him, although as we've just heard in this news conference, that wasn't the case. and it seems at least the allegation is, these doctors and others work together, knowing especially in the case of the doctors, that high levels of ketamine could potentially be lethal if used by anyone without any medical supervision. if used by anyone without any medicalsupervision. it if used by anyone without any medical supervision. it is a drug thatis medical supervision. it is a drug that is legally used, it can be used to treat depression and anxiety and it seems that matthew perry may well have been doing that but in much

smaller quantities. but they work together, essentially, to enable him together, essentially, to enable him to do this knowing all the time that it was dangerous and that they could make a lot of money from it, they could profit from that situation. and of course, he was so loved by so many people, a huge star of friends. he was plagued by addiction issues for a lot of his life.— for a lot of his life. yes, and that is the tragedy — for a lot of his life. yes, and that is the tragedy in _ for a lot of his life. yes, and that is the tragedy in this. _ is the tragedy in this. he acknowledge this, he wrote about it in his book, the problems that he had been going through. and as i say, a lot of people believe that lee strongly hoped that those problems were behind him, but as we are now discovering, it seems as if thatis are now discovering, it seems as if that is in the case. and the real tragedy i think, and it's fair to say, the shock to people, is that as the prosecutors described as, criminal network of people who were enabling his drug addiction and making a tremendous amount of money from it. just give you an example, one vial of this drug, of ketamine,

was allegedly sold to him for $2000 when it was actually worth about $12. there were dozens and dozens of vials provided to him by initially from doctors but others, providers of drugs, and alleged drug dealer who lives in hollywood and as i say, also his personal assistant involved as well. l, ~ also his personal assistant involved as well. ., ,, , as well. 0k, peter, thank you very much indeed _ as well. 0k, peter, thank you very much indeed for _ as well. 0k, peter, thank you very much indeed for bringing - as well. 0k, peter, thank you very much indeed for bringing us - much indeed for bringing us up—to—date on that. peter bows in los angeles. sweden's public health agency says it has recorded the first case of a contagious new variant of mpox outside the african continent. on wednesday, the world health organization declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, following an outbreak in the democratic republic of congo that has since spread to other countries. mpox, which was previously known as monkeypox, is transmitted through close contact. let's speak to now to magnus gisslen, state epidemiologist at the public health authority of

sweden. thank you very much for being with us. what infection controls measures exist in sweden to deal with this issue? l, , , l, issue? has been travelling in the areas where _ issue? has been travelling in the areas where an _ issue? has been travelling in the areas where an pox _ issue? has been travelling in the areas where an pox is _ issue? has been travelling in the areas where an pox is spreading. issue? has been travelling in the i areas where an pox is spreading. -- areas where an pox is spreading. —— mpox. he was quickly isolated. many separate cases right now but that's the most important thing to not have it spread from this case to other cases. , l, , ., ., cases. even so, it is alarming i cuess. cases. even so, it is alarming i guess- how —

cases. even so, it is alarming i guess. how prepared - cases. even so, it is alarming i guess. how prepared there - cases. even so, it is alarming i i guess. how prepared there were vaccines against mpox, we do have anti—viral drugs against mpox, like i said, one case in sweden. it is very probable — i said, one case in sweden. it is very probable we _ i said, one case in sweden. it 3 very probable we will see more cases in europe and the close times, so it's important for all countries to be aware that this can happen, people coming from those countries and to take the actions needed. people will be alarmed by this and may be, you know, see echoes of covid. just explain the distinctions and why, what an mpox is and how it is spread? it’s and why, what an mpox is and how it is sread? �*, l, l, and why, what an mpox is and how it is sread? v l, l, l l, is spread? it's not a new infection, this is an infection _ is spread? it's not a new infection, this is an infection that _ is spread? it's not a new infection, this is an infection that we've - this is an infection that we've known about since the 1970s, they are spreading in the countries. now there is an increase in may and early congo but in neighbouring

countries. —— an increase mainly in congo. its close contacts and household contacts that is the problem most in this case, the most probable way to transmit the virus. it has been effective a lot in congo and we'll see what happens here, too. the most important thing now is too. the most important thing now is to have the right measures taken in the region, in the african countries in getting sort of the resources and vaccines to where we have large spread of the virus, to avoid the spread to the rest of the world and increase the problems in the area. as you say, just to sum up, this is one person in sweden with mpox, so it's essentially been contained, it doesn't mean that that will necessarily spread just because there is that one person who has come into the country with the disease? lu ,

come into the country with the disease? l, l , l, come into the country with the disease? , l, l, �* l, disease? exactly, and we don't have any indications _ disease? exactly, and we don't have any indications of _ disease? exactly, and we don't have any indications of spread _ disease? exactly, and we don't have any indications of spread from - disease? exactly, and we don't have any indications of spread from this l any indications of spread from this person. but of course that's something that we are looking at very closely together with authorities, local authorities. very closely together with authorities, localauthorities. so it's very important to avoid spread within the country. di. it's very important to avoid spread within the country.— within the country. 0k, magnus, thank you. _ within the country. 0k, magnus, thank you, state _ within the country. 0k, magnus, thank you, state epidemiologist| within the country. 0k, magnus, l thank you, state epidemiologist at the public health authority of sweden. thank you very much indeed forjust putting that into context forjust putting that into context for us about what's happening with mpox and sweetness —— in sweden. taylor swift returns to london's wembley stadium on thursday night for the final concerts of the european leg of her eras tour. swift will be playing five final shows from tonight, with the excitement already ramping up at wembley, as fans flock to buy official merchandise. those lucky enough to get into the stadium itself to see the gig, it's under way and i'm sure they're loving it as usual.

security will be tight after her shows in vienna last week were cancelled following the arrest of three teenagers for allegedly planning an attack. let's cross live to wembley and our correspondent chi chi izundu who is outside wembley stadium. how's it going? and have there been any worries about all the fans going in to wembley in the wake of what happened in vienna?— in to wembley in the wake of what happened in vienna? well, security has been increased _ happened in vienna? well, security has been increased here. _ happened in vienna? well, security has been increased here. there - happened in vienna? well, security has been increased here. there is l has been increased here. there is been quite a visible, noticeable presence of police and hive is to try and make sure that people and feel safe. we spoke to mums and dads earlier that said they were concerned about bringing their children here in particular because of any vienna last week, but they were reassured by the claims that police have that they hadn't anything worry about, security had been increased. one thing the bosses here at wembley specifically said,

that they didn't want, was taygating. that's where ticketed taylor swift fans socialise and mingle with an ticketed fans. they were considering not to be a potential safety risk so they asked people not to do that, but there is about 200, 250 people have gathered. security has been tight, but i have to say this has not been nothing but a stream of happiness along the olympic way. lots of sequins, cowboy boots and lots of very, very happy swift ease. i’m boots and lots of very, very happy swift ease-— boots and lots of very, very happy swift ease. �* , , l, l, ~ swift ease. i'm sure they are. thank ou ve swift ease. i'm sure they are. thank you very much _ swift ease. i'm sure they are. thank you very much indeed. _ let's return now to our panel,

rebecca and jennifer. thank you very much for being with us. rebecca to you, first of all, let's talk about the numbers of this taylor swift tour, it's quite staggering isn't it? highest grossing tour of all time, 11 million tickets sold, about $2 billion worth of estimated revenue since it began. these are big, big numbers, aren't they? absolutely huge, to the extent that you've even got some economists calculating this is going to add about £1 billion to the uk economy. in terms of expenditure, because the average ticket price is about £848, and what with travel and accommodation, she is apparently raking in something amount 13.5 million per gig. these are very big numbers and she's an incredible economic story in her own right. and ifound out economic story in her own right. and i found out today which i thought

was really interesting, but actually you can buy a taylor swift cruise, at an absolute slip at £1200 a person. at an absolute slip at £1200 a erson. l, l, l, ~ l, l, person. right, good to know. you heard it here _ person. right, good to know. you heard it here first. _ person. right, good to know. you heard it here first. if _ person. right, good to know. you heard it here first. if you - person. right, good to know. you heard it here first. if you want - person. right, good to know. you heard it here first. if you want a i heard it here first. if you want a holida . heard it here first. if you want a holiday. jennifer, _ heard it here first. if you want a holiday. jennifer, are _ heard it here first. if you want a holiday. jennifer, are you - heard it here first. if you want a holiday. jennifer, are you a - holiday. jennifer, are you a swiftie? — holiday. jennifer, are you a swiftie? l _ holiday. jennifer, are you a swiftie? i am _ holiday. jennifer, are you a swiftie? i am not _ holiday. jennifer, are you a swiftie? i am not a - holiday. jennifer, are you a j swiftie? i am not a swiftie, holiday. jennifer, are you a - swiftie? i am not a swiftie, but i admire taylor— swiftie? i am not a swiftie, but i admire taylor swift. _ swiftie? i am not a swiftie, but i admire taylor swift. from - swiftie? i am not a swiftie, but i admire taylor swift. from the i swiftie? i am not a swiftie, but i i admire taylor swift. from the time she started — admire taylor swift. from the time she started till now, she has state herself _ she started till now, she has state herself. she has stayed with other clean _ herself. she has stayed with other clean artists, she perpetuated a connection with young people and old people _ connection with young people and old people both to her music and her messaging at her storytelling in the music, _ messaging at her storytelling in the music, and — messaging at her storytelling in the music, and then adding on travis kelce _ music, and then adding on travis kelce to— music, and then adding on travis kelce to her— music, and then adding on travis kelce to her relationship on the football— kelce to her relationship on the football side, the nfl side, that has added huge benefits not only to the nfl_ has added huge benefits not only to the nfl but to the kansas city chiefs. so she knows how to market and she _ chiefs. so she knows how to market and she knows how to stay true to herself— and she knows how to stay true to herself and — and she knows how to stay true to herself and i admire that with her.

rebecca, — herself and i admire that with her. rebecca, it— herself and i admire that with her. rebecca, it is an extraordinary phenomenon, isn't it? she, and also the number of hours that she plays, i think tonight and this is, you know, every night, and she plays not just a couple of hours but 3.5 hours, 46 songs from her albums. the stamina required is extraordinary. yes, single—handedly she's going to be boosting uk productivity today as well. it's something that is a phenomenon to watch and what's really interesting is just the sheer size and sheer groundswell of support that she has as jennifer support that she has asjennifer said, support that she has as jennifer said, everybody support that she has asjennifer said, everybody in admires her, she has become this kind of beacon, not just an inspiration for everyone but also an economic beacon as well. swiftienomics and everything. ltrul’e’iiii swiftienomics and everything. we'll

be talkin: swiftienomics and everything. we'll be talking to _ swiftienomics and everything. we'll be talking to you — swiftienomics and everything. we'll be talking to you about _ swiftienomics and everything. we'll be talking to you about many other stories in the next couple minutes, but rebecca and jennifer, thanks very much indeed. i want to bring you some images from columbia. let's bring you some latest pictures nowbritain's prince harry and his wife meghan have arrived in colombia. they were welcomed by the colombian mvice president on thursday and then continued their day with a visit to a local charter school. they will spend four days touring the country. we're told their visit will serve as a prelude to the global ministerial conference on ending violence against children to be held in bogota in november. there we are, prince harry and megan on a tour which is going to go on for a few days of columbia and welcomed by the colombian vice president and a visit that's going to last forfour president and a visit that's going to last for four days. no doubt be covering that over the next few

days. but you are watching bbc news, so do stay with us. hello there. although skies did brighten up across scotland, northern ireland later in the day, it was a pretty soggy one for most, with outbreaks of rain and a strong south—westerly breeze. tomorrow's looking better, more sunshine around, and it'll feel slightly cooler and fresher, certainly across northern areas. those weather fronts continuing to move southwards and eastwards, then, through the overnight period. some spots of rain on it, maybe the odd heavier burst, but generally it will be much weaker than what we had earlier in the day across northern and western areas. a few blustery showers across the north—west of the uk. clear skies for most mean a cooler, fresher night to come, but still quite warm and muggy in the far south—east. now, for tomorrow, then, we've got a ridge of high pressure building in behind this weather front, so plenty of sunshine around. a bit of a chilly start out there, the odd mist patch. it stays quite blustery through the day across

scotland, northern ireland. one or two showers pushing in certainly western scotland, but dry elsewhere. and we'll see the clouds clear from the south—east. temperatures will reach around the mid 20s in the south. further north, high teens, maybe low 20s and lower humidity so it'll feel a bit more comfortable, certainly across southern areas. now, through friday night, we hold onto the breeze, further blustery showers across western scotland, northern ireland. it's going to be a chillier night to come for all areas, ranging from around 7—11 degrees. now, for the weekend, it's looking pretty good. we're in between weather systems both saturday and sunday, so a lot of dry weather around. maybe the odd shower for the north—west corner of the uk closer to this area of low pressure, but higher pressure, the azores high in the south, will keep much of england and wales dry with light winds. a lot of sunshine around. could see the fairweather cloud tending to bubble up into the afternoon. like i mentioned, more of a breeze. the odd shower for western scotland, but i think the vast majority will stay dry. and temperatures range from around high teens in the north,

mid—20s in the south, pretty much where we should be for the time of year. sunday, we see this area of low pressure perhaps influence the weather a bit more across the north of the uk, so a greater chance of seeing showers or longer spells of rain in the north—west of scotland. the odd shower, i think, for northern ireland, western england, western wales. otherwise, again, the vast majority will stay dry with plenty of sunshine. temperatures range from 18—24 degrees. as we head into next week, it does start to turn more unsettled again, especially across northern and western areas. could see some pretty heavy rain at times. better chance of staying drier, warmer and sunnier across the south—east. take care.