live from washington, this is bbc news. an israeli team says it is cautiously optimistic about gaza ceasefire talks — while hamas describes suggestions of progress as an illusion. opposition supporters rally across venezuela against the president's claim he won last month's election. and two cases of mpox are found outside of africa — in pakistan and sweden — as fears grow of a wider outbreak. hello, i'm carl nasman. israel says it's killed two senior hamas militants in an air strike on their car, in the occupied west bank on saturday. israeli officials claim the militants were involved in the killing of an israeli in thejordan valley. tensions continue to rise between hezbollah and israel.

hezbollah has fired more than 50 rockets into northern israel, after an israeli air strike on a residential building in southern lebanon killed ten people. israel said it was targeting a hezbollah weapons depot, the lebanese health ministry said those killed were syrian refugees. israeli forces also struck central gaza on saturday. officials say an air strike killed at least 18 people, including women and children in buildings where displaced people were sheltering. the israeli military said it hit targets where militant had fired rockets, and that it's reviewing the incident. meanwhile, israeli officials says its negotiators are cautiously optimistic about a possible ceasefire and hostage deal. but a senior hamas official told the bbc there had been no progress in the indirect talks. our middle east correspondent wrye davies sent this report from jerusalem. munitions explode images and reports from across the region show there are still huge obstacles

to peace, despite the positive messages coming from talks in qatar. in gaza, an overnight israeli air strike reportedly killed 15 people in the central area of the palestinian territory. although israel said it had eliminated a number of armed fighters, several women and children were also reportedly killed. translation: what happened is that around 1am in the morning, | three rockets hit directly the house of this man and his family. there were many children and women inside, mainly women — around 20 in total. to the north, deep inside lebanon, the israeli airforce said it had also struck hezbollah targets including a weapons storage facility. but reports from the scene said that at least ten people were killed, many of them syrian refugees, including a woman and her two children. translation: this is - an industrial area, a brick factory, slaughterhouse, metal factory, aluminium factory and cow farm. it is an industrial

and civilian area. there is an urgency for the next round of talks to succeed amid fears that the conflicts in gaza and either side of israel's northern border could escalate into a much wider regional war. but hamas officials have already dismissed american optimism as an illusion. president biden has welcomed the reported progress in the qatar talks. i'm optimistic — farfrom over, just a couple more issues, i think we've got a shot. are you more optimistic now than you have been in months past? yes. why? if i told you that, i'd give away what was going on. his secretary of state, antony blinken, is heading to the region to promote what is being called a final bridging proposal, hopefully leading to a ceasefire in gaza and the release of hostages in exchange for palestinian prisoners being held in israeli jails. wyre davies, bbc news, jerusalem.

i've been speaking with david hale, former ambassador to pakistan, lebanon, and jordan. i started by asking him about the recent israeli air strike in lebanon. every loss of life and every escalation is serious and tragic. but we've seen this before, and i don't believe we've reached a new threshold of the tit—for—tat exchanges between hezbollah and israel. i also know, and we all know that hezbollah often uses civilians as shields for their own fighters and weaponry. so the court is still out i think on what really provoked this attack. �* ., ., , ., ~' attack. and what do you think these strikes _ attack. and what do you think these strikes mean _ attack. and what do you think these strikes mean for - attack. and what do you think these strikes mean for the . these strikes mean for the cease—fire talks that are due to restart next week in cairo? i don't really see a direct connection between them. the us administration and our arab friends have been very persistent in trying to explore every opportunity for a cease—fire to bring this to an end. what i'm struck by is that

we and ourarab end. what i'm struck by is that we and our arab and european friends seem more motivated to do this than the actual parties to the conflict, hamas and israel — and while the take the —— | israel — and while the take the —— i take the present of the united states seriously, and the it ministration says it's had information that talks have gotten very close, we've been hearing that for quite a while. so i'm somewhat sceptical, but this war will come to an end and there will be a cease—fire at some point, hopefully sooner than later. it at some point, hopefully sooner than later-— than later. it sounds like you don't share _ than later. it sounds like you don't share the _ than later. it sounds like you don't share the optimism - than later. it sounds like you don't share the optimism we i don't share the optimism we heard from president biden as well as israeli negotiators that they are potentially closing in finally — you mention we've heard this before, but they do sound optimistic this time? they do, and again. _ optimistic this time? they do, and again. i'm _ optimistic this time? they do, and again, i'm not _ optimistic this time? they do, and again, i'm not trying - optimistic this time? they do, and again, i'm not trying to i optimistic this time? they do, i and again, i'm not trying to be discouraging, but we've just heard this so many times. and i don't really see what has changed on the part of hamas and the israelis. but we will see, hopefully that will

happen. but the next question then — there will be a cease—fire happens, what happens next? what happens in lebanon is of critical certainty. lebanon is of critical certainty-— lebanon is of critical certainty. lebanon is of critical certain . ,, . ., , ., ,, ., certainty. secretary of state antony blinken _ certainty. secretary of state antony blinken will - certainty. secretary of state antony blinken will be - certainty. secretary of state j antony blinken will be there certainty. secretary of state i antony blinken will be there on monday with the prime minister of israel, benjamin netanyahu — do you think that will come up in the discussions? what will the to be discussing? of courses is not the first time that antony blinken has visited the region either. ida. that antony blinken has visited the region either.— the region either. no, he's been tireless _ the region either. no, he's been tireless as _ the region either. no, he's been tireless as has - the region either. no, he's been tireless as has bill i the region either. no, he's i been tireless as has bill burns and other american officials, as they should be. and they should be applauded for upstanding their efforts. but the question is, what will it produce? and i suspect that if they are as close as the president has said, secretary blinken and prime minister netanyahu will be trying to hammer out the details. my understanding is that there's probably a lot that will come up probably a lot that will come up in those final hours and

minutes before a deal is done, it will require answers. then the question will be, what happens in the northern front of israel? that's a key question. of israel? that's a key question-— of israel? that's a key cuestion. ,, ., , ., question. should be said that the humanitarian _ question. should be said that the humanitarian situation i question. should be said that the humanitarian situation in | the humanitarian situation in gaza continues to worsen — we've heard more people killed over the last 3a hours by israeli strikes, also threats of a polio outbreak. what more can be done, rather than wait for a cease—fire? is too much emphasis do you think being put on that? can moore be done to prevent silly civilian harm and get vaccinations to the children of gaza, where they believe they are on the verge of a polio outbreak now —— to prevent civilian harm? i of a polio outbreak now -- to prevent civilian harm?- prevent civilian harm? i don't see why there should - see why there should be hesitation to do the maximum on the humanitarian front. and it raises an even broader question — while the day after a cease—fire is of critical importance, there's also the question, what do you do in the

daysin question, what do you do in the days in between, between now and when you get a cease—fire? how do you shape the outcome? this means, what are the security arrangements you are willing to discuss with critical partners like egypt? and what are the humanitarian and economic reconstruction measures that will be taken after that? again, we don't have insight into this, but we don't hear a lot about this in the media, which raises some concern. ukraine's president, volodymyr zelensky, says his troops are "strengthening" positions and even expanding further into captured russian territory. in a statement, mr zelensky thanked ukrainian soldiers, who are are two weeks into their incursion in russia's kursk region. kyiv claims to have taken control of more than 80 settlements in the last two weeks. the kremlin has vowed a "worthy response". russia's foreign ministry says ukraine used us—made himars rockets to destroy a strategically important bridge in kursk — which has been partly taken over by ukrainian forces. russian authorities are continuing to evacuate civilians from where the fighting is taking place. local officials say more than 3,000 people have been

moved to safer areas in the past day alone. our ukraine correspondent james waterhouse has more. well, it seems that what ukraine is looking to do, alongside drawing in russian troops, is also control its logistics or frustrate supply lines. so we saw, as you saw there, in quite spectacular fashion, a major bridge crossing in the north of the kursk region. it goes over a river that flows into belarus, and that had been used by russia's military to previously feed its invasion of ukraine. but ukrainian forces also control a number of major highways from north to south, connecting to the belgorod region of russia further south, which had been used by russian forces as well. and notjust that — the town of sudzha, which ukraine has captured, is on a hill, so it is allowing ukrainian forces to control the battlefield in that respect

and force russian forces to react, and that is costing them men and machinery. ukraine will be suffering losses as well, but at the moment it's ukraine doing the dictating. and while its advances are slowing, what kyiv will point out is, look, we might be making a kilometre a day, that is still more than what the russian forces are making in a day in eastern ukraine. but, crucially, those russian forces are still moving forward. the un's nuclear watchdog says the safety situation at zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in russian—occupied ukraine is deteriorating, following a drone strike near its perimeter last saturday. it said the impact was close to essential cooling water sprinkler ponds, and about 100 metres from the only remaining high—voltage line supplying the plant with power. the international atomic energy agency did not say who carried out the strike, but its mission to zaporizhzhia said the damage seemed to have been caused by a drone with an explosive payload.

it reported that military activity in the area — which is close to the front line — had been intense for the last week. russian forces took control of the nuclear plant shortly after it launched its invasion of ukraine in february 2022. india's health ministry has urged doctors to return to work, after they caused non—emergency hospital services across the country to be shut down because of a 24—hour strike. the industrial action was part of ongoing protests following the rape and murder of a colleague in kolkata a week ago. tens of thousands of people have demonstrated in city the most recent statistics show 445,000 crimes against women in 2022 — on average, that's about 51 crimes every hour. among those, there were 31,000 rapes reported — or, on average, one rape is reported every 16 minutes. our correspondent archana shukla has more from mumbai. now the largest doctors' grouping, which is the indian medical association, hasjoined into the protest. so, today, 2a hours of nationwide strike.

the first such where both government as well as private health care institutions will stop all non—emergency services. so all your elective surgeries as well as outpatient departments in both government and private hospitals will be closed today. and that is a mark of protest and literally amping up the protest to put pressure both on the investigative agency as well as the government to do more about safety. we know that the top crime agency is investigating the incident of the rape and murder of the 31—year—old trainee doctor in kolkata, and protesters are trying to amp up more and demand that a speedy trial and justice is given in that matter. and they are also demanding that the government come up with stricter laws to make it safer at workplace. like we heard from one of the protesters that they spend hours together at the hospital, that's literally like their second home. and if they are not safe even there, then where can women be safe?

and, you know, despite laws having come into place, they are not effective on ground. most of the protesters who i have spoken to over the last few days have told me that there are laws, but they are not effective and hence they are demanding that the government come up with one, a central law that can protect doctors against any violence that is levelled at them and, secondly, is to also make it more safer for women at workplaces and outside. you know, despite laws, violence against women has only gone up if we go by the government statistics over the last one year, it has gone up by 4%. and this is something that the politicians, the government and the public all need to sit up and take notice of. donald trump has held a rally in the battleground state pennsylvania.

in a speech that lasted longer than 90 minutes, economic plans, which she laid out in detail on friday. harris proposed giving $25,000 to first—time home buyers to help with down payments, increasing tax breaks forfamilies with kids, wiping out medical debt for millions, and driving down costs by banning corporate "price—gouging". some of harris�* proposals are facing pushback from certain economists. the washington post editorial board has called harris�* price—gouging proposal a "populist gimmick", writing... on harris�* housing proposals, the post writes that offering first—time buyers $25,000 in down—payment assistance "risks putting upward pressure on prices." at saturday's rally, donald trump also criticised harris�* housing plan — and he brought up the post's editorial board to make his point. who's not going to vote to get some — who's not going to vote to get some money— who's not going to vote to get some money for— who's not going to vote to get some money for houses? it'sl some money for houses? it's never— some money for houses? it's never going _ some money for houses? it's never going to _ some money for houses? it's never going to happen. - some money for houses? it's never going to happen. it's . never going to happen. it's trillions_ never going to happen. it's trillions of— never going to happen. it's trillions of dollars, -

never going to happen. it's trillions of dollars, it's i trillions of dollars, it's never— trillions of dollars, it's never going _ trillions of dollars, it's never going to - trillions of dollars, it'sl never going to happen. trillions of dollars, it's - never going to happen. who's gonna — never going to happen. who's gonna vote? _ never going to happen. who's gonna vote? many _ never going to happen. who's gonna vote? many people i never going to happen. who'sl gonna vote? many people vote for this. _ gonna vote? many people vote for this. i— gonna vote? many people vote for this. i said _ gonna vote? many people vote for this. i said before, - gonna vote? many people vote forthis. i said before, it- gonna vote? many people vote for this. i said before, it may. for this. i said before, it may be good _ for this. i said before, it may be good politics, _ for this. i said before, it may be good politics, but- for this. i said before, it may be good politics, but it's i be good politics, but it's going _ be good politics, but it's going to _ be good politics, but it's going to destroy... it's i be good politics, but it's i going to destroy... it's gonna destroy— going to destroy... it's gonna destroy our— going to destroy... it's gonna destroy our country. - going to destroy... it's gonna destroy our country. the i destroy our country. the washington _ destroy our country. the washington post is i destroy our country. the washington post is the i destroy our country. the i washington post is the most evil print _ washington post is the most evil printjournalism. - washington post is the most| evil print journalism. they've lost — evil print journalism. they've lost a — evil print journalism. they've lost a lot _ evil print journalism. they've lost a lot of— evil print journalism. they've lost a lot of people _ evil print journalism. they've lost a lot of people over- evil print journalism. they've lost a lot of people over thel lost a lot of people over the last — lost a lot of people over the last couple _ lost a lot of people over the last couple years _ lost a lot of people over the last couple years — - lost a lot of people over the last couple years — they i lost a lot of people over the i last couple years — they came out with — last couple years — they came out with an _ last couple years — they came out with an editorial- out with an editorial excoriating - out with an editorial excoriating her. i joining me live is yonah freemark, principal research associate with the urban institute, and an expert on issues of affordable housing. i'm sure you are following the vice president's proposal they are, what you make of some of the details there and how effective do you think they will be if implement it? you know, i would _ will be if implement it? you know, i would think - will be if implement it? you know, i would think one i will be if implement it? moi. know, i would think one thing that's been really fascinating about this campaign is that for the first time in living memory, we are taking housing seriously as a national problem. and that reflects the

reality that americans are facing really high costs of housing, both renters and homeowners. so the first thing i'd like to say is simply that, even having this discussion about housing policy is really about housing policy is really a big deal in this presidential campaign. and for the most part, we are getting it from the harris campaign — trump has primarily been reacting to that. i think the proposals harris has put together reflect the reality out there that we are not building enough new homes in the united states. unfortunately we've seen a decline in new housing starts over the last two years or so, and harris is actually proposing a large increase in new housing supply — which would actually go up to levels we've not seen since the 1970s if they were to be effectively applied. if they were to be effectively a- lied. ,, h if they were to be effectively a- lied. ,, �*, if they were to be effectively a..lied_ ,, �*, ., applied. she's calling for the construction _ applied. she's calling for the construction of _ applied. she's calling for the construction of 3 _ applied. she's calling for the construction of 3 million i applied. she's calling for the j construction of 3 million new homes — as you say, why are not enough homes being built? is there a simple answer for that? there are a number of reasons why inadequate new housing is being built across the country.

the first is that we don't have the financing available to actually get those new homes built because mortgage interest rates are high and other parts of the economy have been juiced up of the economy have been juiced up by of the economy have been juiced up by inflation. but another problem we are seeing across the country is that a number of state and local policies have made it quite difficult for developers to go in and build new buildings in different parts of the community. so it'll be interesting to see if harris is actually able to push their ideas to get more housing built. ., �* , their ideas to get more housing built. ., �*, ., , built. that's really the next question. _ built. that's really the next question, isn't _ built. that's really the next question, isn't it? - built. that's really the next question, isn't it? how- built. that's really the next i question, isn't it? how much cold as any president actually have over these sorts of issues? the price of housing or the construction of new homes —— how much pull? i the construction of new homes -- how much pull?— -- how much pull? i think we should be _ -- how much pull? i think we should be honest _ -- how much pull? i think we should be honest that - -- how much pull? i think we should be honest that the i -- how much pull? i think we i should be honest that the moves we are talking about are things that would have been prevented by the us congress. giving people down payment assistance,

a new programme for housing affordability which harris has proposed, you would need congress to actually pass laws to make those things happen. that said, there are some powers that executive agencies have, and the harris campaign has said that it supports the use of fair housing laws to ensure that there is adequate new housing being built even in the most exclusive parts of the country. and that's something the trump campaign has vehemently been opposed to. we heard there are some criticism obviously from donald trump today, bringing up that washington post article which calls some of harris�*s proposals gimmicks. are they gimmicks? they certainly sound good if you're a voter, $25,000 for a first—time home—buyer — is that just for a first—time home—buyer — is thatjust designed to appeal to voters, or is this something that could make an impact? what's clear is that a large share of americans simply cannot afford to buy homes at the moment. there are a number of reasons for that, but one of the big explanations is that mortgage interest rates are too

high, and house prices have gone up dramatically. now i think that probably the best way to address the average american's housing concerns is to increase the supply of housing — which harris has proposed. for low income americans, we need more support for people through direct vouchers or the construction of new public housing — which harris has alluded to but not proposed directly. now, with respect to the assistance for down payments, i think that can come to help a lot of middle income people who need help paying for housing — but it's also, if widely apply to like applied, may affect prices. this is an issue that resonates with democrats and republicans, and it's interesting to hear it being discussed on the campaign trail. think you.—

pakistan's health ministry has confimed at least one case of mpox a day after sweden reported its first case of a more dangerous strain of the virus. the democratic republic of congo has been hit hardest by the new strain of mpox, known as clade ib, and more then a dozen african countries have reported cases. the african union's health agency has confirmed over 18 thousand mpox cases this year, while the world health organization says at least 500 people have died since january. mpox is transmitted through close contact, such as sex, skin—to—skin contact, ortalking or breathing close to another person. it causes flu—like symptoms and skin lesions, and can be fatal, with four in 100 cases leading to death. outbreaks can be controlled by the use of vaccines, but are usually only available to people at risk or who have been in close contact with an infected person. for more, i spoke to lawrence gostin, faculty director of the o'neill institute for national and global health law at georgetown university. i'm deeply concerned. i think

if cases seed in europe, which they most likely will do, given they most likely will do, given the fact that we've seen cases, unreported cases, undetected cases come with all the travel hubs via europe, it will spread quite wide across regions of the world. similar to the way mpox did, but with the novel strain of it this time, and i'm quite worried.— quite worried. how worried should people _ quite worried. how worried should people be? - quite worried. how worried should people be? maybel quite worried. how worried i should people be? maybe they're living in the uk or the us, really anywhere else around the world about mpox and its danger to them, if it were to be discovered in their countries? is this something is dangerous and deadly as other diseases? no, i don't think people in europe, on an individual or

personal level, people in europe or in the united states, or other high income countries. there is a low risk that they'll suffer really serious disease. but if it's a person with, say, immune system problems, undetected or unresolved hiv, for example, in children are also at risk, given the epidemiology and africa. so we really can't be complacent — this does have potential for spreading quite widely around the world and being very disruptive, and it's also a global health crisis in africa that i think will spill over. �* , africa that i think will spill over. 3 . ~' africa that i think will spill over. 2 ., ~ ., ., over. let's talk about that crisis within _ over. let's talk about that crisis within africa - over. let's talk about that crisis within africa it i over. let's talk about that crisis within africa it self, | crisis within africa it self, some really striking numbers — 18,000 mpox cases across 13 countries just this year. can you describe the way the virus is affecting people there?

seeing about 160% increase in mpox, compared to this time last year — it's been endemic in the democratic republic of the congo, but it's now spread to the region, it's the congo, but it's now spread to the region, its spread further now, around 12 countries, and that we see it in europe and pakistan, and probably around the world. and the problem is all of the vaccines exist in high income countries. very few of the vaccines that are urgently neededin vaccines that are urgently needed in the drc and its neighbours are available. so we mightjust get an absolute repeat of what we saw with covid—19, with enormous inequities — and i can't even emphasise enough how much

african people and leaders feel bitter about that lack of equality and their lack of access to available life—saving vaccines and other technologies.- vaccines and other technologies. vaccines and other technolouies. , ., ., technologies. just want to ask ou technologies. just want to ask you about _ technologies. just want to ask you about vaccines _ technologies. just want to ask you about vaccines - - technologies. just want to ask you about vaccines - how- you about vaccines — how effective is the vaccine, and why is it they are not making it to the countries that need it to the countries that need it most? ~ ., , ., it most? well, the answer to the latter— it most? well, the answer to the latter question, - it most? well, the answer to the latter question, of i it most? well, the answer to l the latter question, of course, is because we don't have the political will, there is a lot of nationalism and populism of "my country first," and it's quite expensive and unaffordable. there's only one vaccine at the moment that's really got regulatory approval from the us fda, just one vaccine that we know is safe — it's quite effective — and it could be done alone in the region, particularly targeted

towards risk groups, households where there is exposure with children, sex workers, men who have sex with men. but it's also spreading heterosexually, and that's why i think it poses and that's why i think it poses a risk worldwide.— a risk worldwide. very briefly before let — a risk worldwide. very briefly before let you _ a risk worldwide. very briefly before let you go, _ a risk worldwide. very briefly before let you go, we've i a risk worldwide. very briefly before let you go, we've got| a risk worldwide. very briefly i before let you go, we've got 30 seconds left, but what should the world be doing right now to prepare for a potential outbreak?— prepare for a potential outbreak? �*, ., ,~ ., outbreak? it's really clear there needs _ outbreak? it's really clear there needs to _ outbreak? it's really clear there needs to be - outbreak? it's really clear there needs to be a i outbreak? it's really clear there needs to be a surge outbreak? it's really clear. there needs to be a surge of funding and investment, there needs to be coordinated action, and there needs to be many more medical resources — diagnostics, surveillance, laboratories — and first and foremost, a fair share and a fair shot at life—saving vaccines. we have much more on the situation with mpox on our website. here in washington, stay tuned, we have plenty more news coming up at the top of

the hour here on bbc news. hello there. there was a lot of cloud around on saturday for northern and western areas. the best of the sunshine was further east — and part two of the weekend looks pretty similar. we start dry with lots of sunshine, and then the cloud amounts will tend to build up into the afternoon, producing just one or two showers. now the azores highs continuing to nudge northwards across much of england, wales, northern ireland. so, light winds here, but fresher across scotland. it will remain breezy throughout the day here. we start off with plenty of sunshine after that fresh start, and then clouds will tend to build up into the afternoon. it could turn quite grey in a few places. the odd shower likely for western scotland, maybe western hills of england and wales. otherwise it's mostly dry, up to 25 celsius in the southeast, the high teens further north. sunday night, we do it all again, the clouds tend to melt away for many, and the clear skies, it'll turn quite fresh again with temperatures of 8—12 celsius.

now, some changes taking place to start the new week. the first of a series of low pressure systems will work its way in to the country during the day. so we start off with plenty of sunshine, but the clouds will tend to build in the west, and it'll turn wet and windy through the day. some pretty heavy and persistent rain for northern ireland, and it will turn windy with gales, perhaps around some irish sea coasts, but lighter winds again in towards the southeast, where it will stay dry and sunny all day. so temperatures responding, up to 25 celsius or so — that's the high teens further north and west, picking up a little bit more humidity as well from the south. and then monday night, that area of low pressure and its weather fronts crosses the country. it stays quite breezy into tuesday, with the low sitting to the north of scotland, and that will bring a day of sunshine and showers, some of them will be heavy and thundery, particularly in the north and west, some of them merging together to produce longer spells of rain for western scotland. temperatures down a touch, i think 22—23 celsius will be the high, mid—to—high teens further north. and then we look out to the atlantic, this next area of low pressure contains the remnants of what

was hurricane ernesto. and that potentially could bring quite a lot of rainfall to the northwest of the uk around the middle part of the week, certainly so for western scotland. but further south and east, it will tend to stay dry, i think, with some sunny spells, and it will turn increasingly humid as we pick up these south—westerly winds. stays pretty unsettled for the end of the week across more northern and western areas. a better chance of staying drier towards the southeast.

this is bbc news. we will have the headlines for you of the hour, which is straight after this programme. hello and welcome to talking business with me, mark lobel. let's take a look at what's on the show. women are travelling alone. not with friends, not with family. they're just taking off and enjoying the experience and the adventure by themselves. fasten your seat belts — the future of travel is female, and they're already taking off in their droves. yes, women are shifting the tectonic plates of tourism, seeing the world on their own terms. so why is the tourism industry failing to cater to the lucrative they aren't just reading eat pray love, they are living it, creating their own stories on the road less travelled with a well worn suitcase. so, why is the tourism industry failing to cater