and we find out how a group of scottish islands may hold the key to understanding "snowball earth" — the longest and deepest ice age in our planet's history. hello, i'm annita mcveigh. welcome to bbc news now, three hours of fast—moving news, interviews and reaction. in the coming hour, thailand's king is expected to endorse the country's latest prime minister, paetongtarn shinawatra, who at 37, becomes thailand's youngest leader. her election by parliament marks the return of the shinawatra dynasty to power. she's the daughter of the billionaire tycoon and former leader thaksin shinawatra and says she is "very honoured and happy" to take up the post. her predecessor, srettha thavisin, was dismissed earlier this week by the constitutional court.

shortly after the announcement, ms shinawatra said she felt it was time for her to serve. i talked to my family, and i talked to a lot of people from my party. and i decided that it is about time to do something for the country and for the party as well. and i hope that i can do my best to... ..make the country go forward. that...is what i try to do. right now, of course today, i feel very honoured and i feel very happy. paetongtarn shinawatra's election sees the return of the powerful and divisive shinawatra dynasty. herfather, thaksin shinawatra, was prime minister from 2001 to 2006. he was deposed in a military coup and lived in self—imposed exile for 15 years, during which he was convicted of corruption.

he returned to thailand last year. mr thaksin�*s brother—in—law, somchai wongsawat, led the nation for less than three months in 2008. an anti—corruption body found him guilty of neglecting his duties while working in the justice department eight years earlier. mr thaksin�*s sister, yingluck shinawatra, was in powerfor three years. she was removed from office by the constitutional court. following the 2014 coup, she was arrested, but she left the country and continues to live in exile. which brings us to friday, and mr thaksin�*s daughter, paetongtarn shinawatra, elected as prime minister by parliament, despite never having held public office. i really hope that i can make the people feel confident that we can, ahem, build the opportunities and improve the quality of life,

and to empower all thais. let's go live to bangkok and our south east asia correspondent, jonathan head. what is the reaction to this new prime minister, one with a very familiar name? i think it will be mixed. it depends on which side of the political divide use it. there will be some people who like the fact that paetongtarn is inexperienced. she came across as natural and hopeful and excited today, but that impression won't last very long. there will be a fair amount of cynicism about the shinawatra clan, who have been constantly trying to get back into power. they did worse in last year's election than before. she has a big job to restore the popularity of her party. there are those who are still bitterly opposed to her father, those who are still bitterly opposed to herfather, particularly among the conservatives. there was a grand

bargain between them that allowed him to come back from exile last year because the conservatives feared a reformist party who won the election even more, although the party was not allowed to form a government and was dissolved. there is a coalition that paetongtarn has to sit over, including those who loathed herfather. the military is so powerful that they can step in at any time, to depose those who they see as being too powerful against the royals. there is a huge amount of stake. herfather the royals. there is a huge amount of stake. her father is still ambitious, still very wealthy. the name of the party is still very high and still holds a lot of support in parts of the country. but it has been slipping. thailand has been in

political turmoil for more than 15 years. it's a economy is struggling, it is an ageing society, no longer competitive in the manufacturing of things like electronics as it used to be. these are big challenges for any government, paetongtarn is very inexperienced, she has a lot of challenges and there are only three years until the next election. it will be a steep hill for her to climb. . ~' , ., let's speak to thitinan pongsudhirak, professor of political science and international relations at chulalongkorn university, which the new prime minister attended. he joins us from bangkok. thank you for your time today. the new prime minister has described her time at university as very tough, she said she would see pictures of herfather, who she said she would see pictures of her father, who was then prime minister, scrolled out, his face

crossed out. that was hard for her to deal with. she spoke about the hatred that she felt. now she has been thrust into the rough and tumble of politics. is she ready for that challenge, having never held political office? the that challenge, having never held political office?— political office? the irony is that she is working _ political office? the irony is that she is working with _ political office? the irony is that she is working with the - political office? the irony is that she is working with the people l political office? the irony is that i she is working with the people who impose that hatred on her family back into thousand six. i remember that period well, she was studying here, being accompanied by bodyguards, following a coup that deposed herfather. we have come a long way, full circle. now his daughter, after all these years, after 18 years, she is the prime minister. he is in the shadows, and his daughter is in power. it is very different because she now represents

a fraction that works with the royalist establishment that overthrew not only her father but her aunt and uncle in law. it was mentioned earlier that she is the youngest prime minister of thailand, yes, but also the youngest opposition leader is in place as well. herfatherwas opposition leader is in place as well. herfather was becoming popular with the people, which became a kind of contest, a threat to the royalist establishment because people were turning to him. now there is such a reform agenda, represented by the move forward party, which was dissolved, and the people's party. the opposition leader is the same age as paetongtarn. they represent the future of thailand and the new prime

minister representing thailand's past. minister representing thailand's ast. ., minister representing thailand's ast, ., ., , , ., minister representing thailand's ast. ., ., , , ., ., minister representing thailand's ast. ., ., ,, ., , past. how does she go about settling the economic— past. how does she go about settling the economic problems _ past. how does she go about settling the economic problems while - past. how does she go about settling | the economic problems while avoiding the economic problems while avoiding the gaze of the military and the intervention of the constitutional court? it intervention of the constitutional court? , ,., intervention of the constitutional court? , ., ., court? it is so poignant and strikin: court? it is so poignant and striking that _ court? it is so poignant and striking that she _ court? it is so poignant and striking that she now - court? it is so poignant and striking that she now worksi court? it is so poignant and - striking that she now works with and for the people that have been against her family all this time. she is also some risk coming in at this time. many people thought that she would be safe in the future, because she could risk being a spent force. the economy is in the doldrums, it is in bad shape, there is political stagnation and political decay. a few days ago, the prime minister before her from the same party was removed swiftly, summarily by the constitutional court, so this kind ofjudicial intervention against her father

could be turned against her. it is a tight spot for her, and uphill task, to get the economy going again and keep the royalist establishment pacified and pleased with her. they haven't shown a lot of happiness recently. haven't shown a lot of happiness recentl . ,., ., ., haven't shown a lot of happiness recentl . ., ., ~ haven't shown a lot of happiness recentl. ., ., ~ ., haven't shown a lot of happiness recentl . ., ., ~ ., haven't shown a lot of happiness recentl. ., ., ~ ., ., ~ recently. good to talk to you. thank ou. to the middle east now, and gaza ceasefire talks are due to continue in qatar, after what a us official described as a "constructive" first day of discussions. israeli representatives are attending, but hamas has formally stayed away, accusing israel of changing its terms since previous rounds of talks. qatari mediators are expected to relay messages to hamas, who have a presence in doha. an official from hamas also reiterated that, "any agreement must achieve a comprehensive ceasefire, a complete israeli withdrawal from gaza and the return of the displaced." on thursday, the hamas—run

health ministry said the number of palestinians killed in gaza has passed 40,000. and families of the israeli hostages, still held captive in gaza since hamas' october the 7th attacks, have gathered again to demand a deal to secure their release, with several thousand marching in tel aviv. let's speak to our middle east correspondent, yolande knell. let's begin with those talks. what is the latest you were hearing about the discussions in qatar? hat is the latest you were hearing about the discussions in qatar?— the discussions in qatar? not really much of an — the discussions in qatar? not really much of an update _ the discussions in qatar? not really much of an update coming - the discussions in qatar? not really much of an update coming from - the discussions in qatar? not really i much of an update coming from doha, but certainly what happened on the first day of the talks was considered to be positive enough, with them going on late into the night, for them to continue again today. what you have as officials from the us, from qatar and egypt meeting this israeli negotiating team, trying to bridge the differences with hamas when it comes

to this elusive gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal. from what we understand, the qatari mediators are able to relay messages to hamas on any new developments. the americans in particular have been playing down the significance of the fact they have not formally sent a delegation along. the hopes are high that if there could be an agreement reached, then that could avert a wider regional war.— then that could avert a wider reaionalwar. ,, , , , regionalwar. stay with us, because i want to bring _ regionalwar. stay with us, because i want to bring this _ regionalwar. stay with us, because i want to bring this information - regionalwar. stay with us, because i want to bring this information to l i want to bring this information to our viewers about that attack we mentioned in the west bank. israeli political leaders — including benjamin netanyahu and two far—right ministers — have condemned a large group ofjewish settlers who went on a rampage in a village in the occupied west bank, setting houses and cars on fire. the settlers — some wearing masks — were armed with batons, rocks and molotov cocktails as they descended on the village ofjit.

at least one palestinian was killed and others seriously injured. so widespread condemnation of that attack, with many palestinian voices saying there is condemnation by word, not action. what more do we think israel might do to punish those responsible? so far, we don't know of anyone who has been arrested and kept in custody in relation to this attack, with locals telling us there are about 100 extremist settlers involved, he went around setting fire to cars, setting fire to people's homes. some of them were arms, many of them were wearing masks. wejust arms, many of them were wearing masks. we just have a funeral taking place after friday prayers for a 22—year—old who was shot and killed. another man remains critically wounded in hospital nearby. it is

really consistently the complaint of palestinians and also israeli ngos, un agencies, who monitor what is going on in the west bank and this surge in settler attacks that has taken place. there is a sense of impunity, there are very few convictions when it comes to these cases. that is really what is getting a lot of attention. it has had a lot of condemnation, very swiftly, strong words coming in from israeli leaders, including mr netanyahu, the president of israel, calling it a pogrom. but his government involves hardline settlers in key roles. we have seen a surge in settler activity in the west bank, adding to the sense of

emboldened of these extremist groups who take part in the attacks like the one last night.— who take part in the attacks like the one last night. thank you very much. the one last night. thank you very much- we — the one last night. thank you very much. we expect _ the one last night. thank you very much. we expect to _ the one last night. thank you very much. we expect to hear - the one last night. thank you very much. we expect to hear from - the one last night. thank you very| much. we expect to hear from the the one last night. thank you very - much. we expect to hear from the uk much. we expect to hearfrom the uk foreign secretary who is in israel very soon. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news.

next to the global concern over the spread of a deadly new strain of mpox from parts of africa — china has announced heightened screening for goods and people coming from areas where the new highly contagious strain of the disease has been detected. the world health organization, which declared a global public health emergency on wednesday, says more cases of the dangerous variant are likely to be found in europe in the coming days, after sweden reported the continent's first infection. simonjones reports. in the democratic republic of congo, the country hardest hit, public health campaigns are under way to warn people

of the dangers of mpox. 0riginally known as monkeypox, it's transmitted through close contact, such as sex, skin—to—skin contact or breathing close to another person. it causes flu—like symptoms and skin lesions. they often clear up within a couple of weeks, but mpox can be fatal, particularly for people with weakened immune systems. translation: three of my children and i were infected. _ one was treated here and the other two were taken to hospital. after two weeks, they were discharged. a week later, my wife was infected. now, a case of the more dangerous strain of mpox has been recorded in sweden. the authorities say the person became infected during a stay in an area of africa where there is currently a major outbreak. it is very probable that we will see more cases in europe in the near...close time, so it's important for all countries

to be aware that this can happen. there have been a50 deaths in the democratic republic of congo following an outbreak of the new strain. it's also been detected in neighbouring countries, including the central african republic, uganda, kenya, rwanda and burundi. the surge of mpox in the democratic republic of the congo and a growing number of countries in africa constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. who is warning also about the potential of this mpox virus to spread further across countries in africa, and possibly outside the continent. dr meera chand, from the uk health security agency, said... 0utbreaks can be controlled by preventing infections with vaccines.

the uk government says it has stockpiles as part of its preparedness plans. the world health organization says a coordinated international response is now vital. simon jones, bbc news. joining me now are our health correspondent, dominic hughes, in nigera our africa correspondent, simijolaoso, and geneva correspondent imogen foulkes. welcome to the three of you. dominic, let's begin with you. first of all, what more do we know about this new strain of mpox? how infectious is it? how does it spread? infectious is it? how does it s - read? , infectious is it? how does it sread? , ~ ., infectious is it? how does it sread? , ~' ., . spread? there is knowledge and there is suwosition — spread? there is knowledge and there is suwosition at _ spread? there is knowledge and there is supposition at the _ spread? there is knowledge and there is supposition at the moment. - spread? there is knowledge and there is supposition at the moment. what . is supposition at the moment. what we know is that there is a new strain, basically like a variant of this mpox virus. they suspect that it is more dangerous and more

transmissible, and that is one of the big concerns, i think, that mpox has been endemic in the democratic republic of the congo for decades, for example, but this new variant doesn't seem to be more dangerous and more spreadable. there was an outbreak a couple of years ago in 2022, which was of a slightly different variant, variant two. that didn't seem to be quite so transmissible or as deadly. but there is greater concern about this new variant, which is what has led to this who announcement of a public health emergency of global concern, because they are worried about it spreading in the way that it did spreading in the way that it did spread in 2022. how many cases has been confirmed in nigeria, and what has been done there in terms of prevention? 50

nigeria, and what has been done there in terms of prevention? so far in niceria, there in terms of prevention? so far in nigeria, there _ there in terms of prevention? so far in nigeria, there have _ there in terms of prevention? so far in nigeria, there have been - there in terms of prevention? so far in nigeria, there have been 39 - in nigeria, there have been 39 confirmed cases. that isjust 39 out of the _ confirmed cases. that isjust 39 out of the 17,500 cases confirmed across 12 african_ of the 17,500 cases confirmed across 12 african countries. a few countries _ 12 african countries. a few countries have come forward to share the precautions they are taking to contain _ the precautions they are taking to contain the outbreak, kenya and nigeria — contain the outbreak, kenya and nigeria are increasing surveillance along _ nigeria are increasing surveillance along borders, ensuring that port health— along borders, ensuring that port health officials are on high alert. they— health officials are on high alert. they are — health officials are on high alert. they are also making travellers from those _ they are also making travellers from those really affected countries, central — those really affected countries, central in — those really affected countries, central in in east africa, to sign declarations. they are conducting contact _ declarations. they are conducting contact tracing as well. they have also established isolation centres that hospitals here can use. let�*s that hospitals here can use. let's no to that hospitals here can use. let's go to image _ that hospitals here can use. let's go to image and _ that hospitals here can use. let's go to image and in _ that hospitals here can use. let's go to image and in geneva. - that hospitals here can use. let�*s go to image and in geneva. what is the focus for the un meeting there today about this?— today about this? later today, we are exnecting _ today about this? later today, we are expecting them _ today about this? later today, we

are expecting them to _ today about this? later today, we are expecting them to talk - today about this? later today, we are expecting them to talk to - today about this? later today, we l are expecting them to talk to issue recommendations— are expecting them to talk to issue recommendations for— are expecting them to talk to issue recommendations for countries - are expecting them to talk to issue recommendations for countries to i recommendations for countries to deal with— recommendations for countries to deal with this _ recommendations for countries to deal with this now— recommendations for countries to deal with this now health - recommendations for countries to i deal with this now health emergency of international— deal with this now health emergency of international concern. _ deal with this now health emergency of international concern. we - deal with this now health emergency of international concern. we did i of international concern. we did hear— of international concern. we did hear from — of international concern. we did hear from the _ of international concern. we did hear from the world _ of international concern. we did hear from the world health i hear from the world health organization— hear from the world health organization and _ hear from the world health organization and the - hear from the world health organization and the red . hear from the world health i organization and the red cross hear from the world health - organization and the red cross this morning. _ organization and the red cross this morning. and — organization and the red cross this morning. and one _ organization and the red cross this morning, and one of— organization and the red cross this morning, and one of the _ organization and the red cross this morning, and one of the things- morning, and one of the things they're — morning, and one of the things they're emphasising _ morning, and one of the things they're emphasising is - morning, and one of the things they're emphasising is that i morning, and one of the things they're emphasising is that for| they're emphasising is that for countries _ they're emphasising is that for countries in _ they're emphasising is that for countries in europe, _ they're emphasising is that for countries in europe, be - they're emphasising is that for countries in europe, be happyl they're emphasising is that for- countries in europe, be happy that sweden _ countries in europe, be happy that sweden was — countries in europe, be happy that sweden was so _ countries in europe, be happy that sweden was so quick— countries in europe, be happy that sweden was so quick to _ countries in europe, be happy that sweden was so quick to identify. countries in europe, be happy that. sweden was so quick to identify this case and _ sweden was so quick to identify this case and tell— sweden was so quick to identify this case and tell us _ sweden was so quick to identify this case and tell us all— sweden was so quick to identify this case and tell us all about _ sweden was so quick to identify this case and tell us all about it. - sweden was so quick to identify this case and tell us all about it. this i case and tell us all about it. this is what _ case and tell us all about it. this is what countries _ case and tell us all about it. this is what countries are _ case and tell us all about it. this is what countries are supposed l case and tell us all about it. thisl is what countries are supposed to do. is what countries are supposed to do it— is what countries are supposed to do it shows _ is what countries are supposed to do. it shows that _ is what countries are supposed to do. it shows that vigilance - is what countries are supposed to do. it shows that vigilance is i do. it shows that vigilance is there — do. it shows that vigilance is there i'd _ do. it shows that vigilance is there. i'd also _ do. it shows that vigilance is there. i'd also be _ do. it shows that vigilance is there. i'd also be generous, | do. it shows that vigilance is - there. i'd also be generous, wealthy countries _ there. i'd also be generous, wealthy countries have — there. i'd also be generous, wealthy countries have stockpiles— there. i'd also be generous, wealthy countries have stockpiles of- countries have stockpiles of vaccines _ countries have stockpiles of vaccines we _ countries have stockpiles of vaccines. we know- countries have stockpiles of vaccines. we know what i countries have stockpiles ofi vaccines. we know what this countries have stockpiles of- vaccines. we know what this disease is can— vaccines. we know what this disease is can we _ vaccines. we know what this disease is can we have — vaccines. we know what this disease is can we have a _ vaccines. we know what this disease is can we have a vaccine _ vaccines. we know what this disease is can we have a vaccine and - is can we have a vaccine and treatments _ is can we have a vaccine and treatments. the _ is can we have a vaccine and treatments. the drc- is can we have a vaccine and | treatments. the drc doesn't is can we have a vaccine and i treatments. the drc doesn't have those _ treatments. the drc doesn't have those things. _ treatments. the drc doesn't have those things, though. _ treatments. the drc doesn't have those things, though. to - treatments. the drc doesn't have those things, though. to sum i treatments. the drc doesn't have those things, though. to sum it. treatments. the drc doesn't havel those things, though. to sum it up from _ those things, though. to sum it up from the _ those things, though. to sum it up from the world _ those things, though. to sum it up from the world health _ those things, though. to sum it up| from the world health organization this morning. — from the world health organization this morning. it— from the world health organization this morning, if you _ from the world health organization this morning, if you control- from the world health organization this morning, if you control it- from the world health organization this morning, if you control it and l this morning, if you control it and stop— this morning, if you control it and stop it _ this morning, if you control it and stop it where _ this morning, if you control it and stop it where it— this morning, if you control it and stop it where it is— this morning, if you control it and stop it where it is raging, - this morning, if you control it and stop it where it is raging, it - this morning, if you control it and stop it where it is raging, it won'tj stop it where it is raging, it won't come _ stop it where it is raging, it won't come to— stop it where it is raging, it won't come to you _ stop it where it is raging, it won't come to you. there _ stop it where it is raging, it won't come to you. there is _ stop it where it is raging, it won't come to you. there is a - stop it where it is raging, it won't come to you. there is a plea i stop it where it is raging, it won'tl come to you. there is a plea here, don't _ come to you. there is a plea here, don't make — come to you. there is a plea here, don't make the _ come to you. there is a plea here, don't make the mistake _ come to you. there is a plea here, don't make the mistake of- don't make the mistake of stockpiling _ don't make the mistake of stockpiling vaccines - don't make the mistake of stockpiling vaccines that l don't make the mistake of. stockpiling vaccines that you don't make the mistake of- stockpiling vaccines that you then have to _

stockpiling vaccines that you then have to destroy— stockpiling vaccines that you then have to destroy when _ stockpiling vaccines that you then have to destroy when you - stockpiling vaccines that you then have to destroy when you could . stockpiling vaccines that you then i have to destroy when you could have shared _ have to destroy when you could have shared them — have to destroy when you could have shared them with _ have to destroy when you could have shared them with countries - have to destroy when you could have shared them with countries that i have to destroy when you could have | shared them with countries that need them, _ shared them with countries that need them, please — shared them with countries that need them, please share _ shared them with countries that need them, please share them _ shared them with countries that need them, please share them with - shared them with countries that need them, please share them with the i them, please share them with the countries — them, please share them with the countries which _ them, please share them with the countries which are _ them, please share them with the countries which are now _ them, please share them with the countries which are now affected. | them, please share them with the i countries which are now affected. so countries which are now affected. fl: to be countries which are now affected. to be clear, is the united nations saying that the existing vaccines work on this new strain? thea;r work on this new strain? they should, work on this new strain? they should. yes _ work on this new strain? they should, yes. we _ work on this new strain? they should, yes. we have - work on this new strain? they should, yes. we have variantl work on this new strain? they should, yes. we have variant one, variant— should, yes. we have variant one, variant one — should, yes. we have variant one, variant one b— should, yes. we have variant one, variant one b and _ should, yes. we have variant one, variant one b and variant - should, yes. we have variant one, variant one b and variant to - should, yes. we have variant one, variant one b and variant to comei variant one b and variant to come which _ variant one b and variant to come which is _ variant one b and variant to come which is what _ variant one b and variant to come which is what we _ variant one b and variant to come which is what we had _ variant one b and variant to come which is what we had two - variant one b and variant to come which is what we had two years i variant one b and variant to come i which is what we had two years ago, a mild _ which is what we had two years ago, a mild variant — which is what we had two years ago, a mild variant. the _ which is what we had two years ago, a mild variant. the vaccine - which is what we had two years ago, a mild variant. the vaccine should i a mild variant. the vaccine should work, _ a mild variant. the vaccine should work. ves — a mild variant. the vaccine should work. ves— a mild variant. the vaccine should work, es. ., ., ,, ., work, yes. imogen was talking about that lea work, yes. imogen was talking about that plea from _ work, yes. imogen was talking about that plea from the _ work, yes. imogen was talking about that plea from the un _ work, yes. imogen was talking about that plea from the un for _ work, yes. imogen was talking about that plea from the un for countries l that plea from the un for countries with vaccines to share that where the disease is most prevalent. what are the authorities there in nigeria and elsewhere in africa saying about their requirement for vaccines? the african cdc — their requirement for vaccines? the african cdc has said at least ten million — african cdc has said at least ten million doses are needed on the

continent — million doses are needed on the continent. but they have set aside 5 million _ continent. but they have set aside 5 million us— continent. but they have set aside 5 million us dollars to ensure that the vaccines will be made available countries _ the vaccines will be made available countries that really need them. like image and said, the red cross has said _ like image and said, the red cross has said there is a critical shortage _ has said there is a critical shortage not only of vaccines in the democratic— shortage not only of vaccines in the democratic republic of the congo but also of— democratic republic of the congo but also of treatment kits as well. the congolese — also of treatment kits as well. the congolese government said they are working _ congolese government said they are working on— congolese government said they are working on a vaccination roll—out plan, _ working on a vaccination roll—out plan, but — working on a vaccination roll—out plan, but we have to wait and see how quickly— plan, but we have to wait and see how quickly they can make that happen — how quickly they can make that happen. the african cdc has said it is discussing with international partners — is discussing with international partners to try to get those vaccine doses— partners to try to get those vaccine doses to _ partners to try to get those vaccine doses to the countries that need them _ doses to the countries that need them imminently.— doses to the countries that need them imminently. let's go back to dominic. them imminently. let's go back to dominic- to _ them imminently. let's go back to dominic. to what _ them imminently. let's go back to dominic. to what extent _ them imminently. let's go back to dominic. to what extent are i them imminently. let's go back to l dominic. to what extent are lessons that were learned in coronavirus being applied in this circumstance? we have been down this road before, notjust we have been down this road before, not just with coronavirus we have been down this road before, notjust with coronavirus but we have been down this road before, not just with coronavirus but with the outbreak in 2022 that affected

more than 100 countries, nearly 100,000 cases across the world that were identified. but people know what works. and that is vaccines. if you can vaccinate people before they get infected, that makes a massive difference. but also what they referred to as behavioural change, getting people to modify their behaviour to reduce the risk that they might come across this virus and if they do come across it, then contracted. those are both things they know work and they will be considering others. public health officials around the world will be looking at the levels of surveillance, of monitoring of cases, contact tracing, all of those things that were in place during the coronavirus pandemic, they will be in place again. coronavirus pandemic, they will be in place again-—

in the next 30 minutes, we will be talking about the situation in ukraine, its incursion into russia, and also kamala harris as she makes her first and also kamala harris as she makes herfirst big policy and also kamala harris as she makes her first big policy speech of her campaign. stay with us here on bbc news. hello. whilst some of us had some pretty heavy rain yesterday and overnight, today and into the weekend brings a window of drier and more settled weather on the cards. so for most of us, the weather is looking predominantly dry through the rest of today and into the weekend with some sunshine around, and things will feel pleasantly warm in that sunshine. the windiest weather will be found out towards the northwest of the uk, closer to this area of low pressure, which will throw a few showers in at times across parts of scotland. but further south, once we lose this frontal system that's brought some early cloud and rain to the southeast, that should clear away. a lot of dry weather on the cards. so some fairly strong uv levels out there for the rest of today for many of us. we've just got those scattered showers blowing in across the western isles, the northern isles and parts of highland. temperatures between about 15 to 25

degrees for most of us. still some fairly high levels of pollen across england and wales. you'll notice that weed pollen this time of year, if you do suffer from an allergy to that. moving through this evening and tonight, still blustery showers continue across parts of scotland for a time. a little bit more cloud and breeze generally for scotland and for northern ireland. further south across england and wales, lighter winds, one or two misty patches forming and actually quite a fresh start to saturday morning. in more rural spots, we could see six or seven degrees to kick off the weekend. so, into saturday, and this weather front is well and truly out of the way, sitting across the near continent. so a ridge of slightly higher pressure in charge. a westerly influence to our weather through the course of the weekend. and that breeze coming in from the west or the southwest across scotland will still bring one or two showers, but they'll be few and far between. further south, you'll stay dry, with the longest spells of sunshine across east anglia and the south—east. elsewhere, areas of cloud drifting around but a fine, settled sort of day. 15 to 2a degrees our top temperatures on saturday. similar day again into sunday.

that westerly breeze bringing a few showers to parts of scotland, could be one or two around coasts and hills in the west of britain and northern ireland as well, but further east, long spells of sunshine once again. so, 1a to 25. fairly typical temperatures for this time of year. warm in any sunshine. but as high pressure clears away into next week, low pressure will start to influence us more from the atlantic. so things turning a little bit more unsettled. still quite warm and humid, especially in the south on monday. a return to some showers and slightly fresher conditions, but still some sunny spells for the rest of next week. bye— bye.

this is bbc news, the headlines. fresh face but familiar name — thailand's youngest ever prime minister takes the helm — as parliament elects the 37 year old daughter of the country's former leader. ukraine has ordered the evacuation of the eastern city of pokrovsk, in the donetsk region — as it persists in its counter offensive against russia. us vice president kamala harris is expected to lay out her agenda for the american economy in north carolina today — in her first major policy announcement as the democratic presidential nominee. hundreds of thousands of people injapan are advised to evacuate their homes — as typhoon ampil approaches the country's east coast, bringing winds of over 200 kilometres per hour.

and we find out how a group of scottish islands may hold the key to understanding "snowball earth" — the longest and deepest ice age in our planet's history. hello. ukraine has told residents to evacuate the city of pokrovsk in the donetsk region, with officials saying russian forces are "rapidly approaching" after heavy fighting there. it comes as the ukrainian incursion into russia continues. an aide to the kremlin has claimed that nato and the west were directly involved in the planning for ukraine's attack on russia's kursk region. news agency reuters reports comments in the izvestia newspaper from nikolai patrushev, saying us statements that they were not involved were "not true". the white house says ukraine did not provide advance notice of its incursion and that washington had no involvement.

the white house says that ukraine did not