this is bbc news. the headlines: the israeli prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, and his main opponent have both made victory speeches as partial vote tallies from tuesday's election showed the ruling likud party marginally ahead. welcome to bbc news, broadcasting to viewers neither mr netanyahu nor in north america the centrist challenger benny gantz and around the globe. look likely to have enough seats my name is mike embley. to form a government without the support our top stories: of smaller parties. no clear winner in israel's general election. current prime minister benjamin netanyahu could be in a stronger eu leaders will meet in brussels later to consider a request position to form a coalition. by theresa may to delay brexit until 30 june. the president of the european also claiming victory, benny gantz, council, donald tusk, leader of the centrist blue has suggested that the uk may be and white party. asked to accept a much longer extension of up to a year. he says he will form mrs may has been trying to win the support of the next israeli government. germany's chancellor merkel britain's prime minister meets germany's chancellor to discuss a short delay to brexit. ahead of the summit. there are signs the eu favours a longer extension, which could mean more the us attorney general, william barr, has said he intends to release a restricted version trouble for mrs may. of the long—awaited report on russian election still awaiting more details interference within a week. from the mueller report. the us attorney general says he will let congress and the public see a redacted version within a week. no pause in the protests in algeria, as a new interim president is sworn in.

votes are being counted in israel's general election. exit polls suggest the blue and white alliance of challenger benny gantz is neck—and—neck with prime minister benjamin netanyahu's likud party. one exit poll by israel tv has likud winning 36 seats in the knesset, blue and white on 37, and labour coming next with eight seats. but, with 61 seats needed for a majority, coalitions with smaller parties are the norm in israel, and it is far too soon to predict who will come out on top. the bbc‘s yolande knell sent this report from tel aviv.

at the end of the voting came the first predictions. this poll giving political newcomer benny gantz and narrow lead over the prime minister. but both men have now claimed victory. translation: the largest party is the one that needs to be mandated by the president, and form the government. translation: i want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. you have brought an amazing, almost inconceivable achievement. it is an almost unimaginable achievement in the face of hostile media, and the likud has actually grown dramatically. benjamin netanyahu, grown dramatically. benjamin neta nyahu, who grown dramatically. benjamin netanyahu, who has corruption charges looming, has been fighting a tough campaign to win a fifth term in office. his rival has gained popular support, with his strong military record and promise of change. some in israel vote along

religious lines. others on key issues like security. in this poll, there were more than a0 parties to choose from. the next prime minister will have to build and lead a coalition government. during this campaign, a pledge to makejewish settle m e nts campaign, a pledge to makejewish settlements in the west bank into pa rt settlements in the west bank into part of israel was mr netanyahu's way to reach out to right wing voters. they are widely seen as illegal, and palestinians want this land for a future state. but, in this settlement supermarket, israelis made their election picks expecting a new approach to solving a decades—old conflict. expecting a new approach to solving a decades-old conflict. yes, it is very important who wins this election, and who. .. very important who wins this election, and who... who will be handling that whole process. this shopper tells me she is surprised gantz hasn't really revealed his

position. excitement among backers of benny gantz when exit polls came through, although these have to be treated with caution. likud headquarters were less crowded, but the mood was positive. i am here among mr netanyahu's supporters. there is still high hope that he will stay in power, with help from smaller right—wing parties. this vote has been a referendum on his leadership, and it has shown a country that is deeply split. even if we had a clearer picture of which party has won the election, we would not necessarily know who would be the next prime minister, as both would have to form a coalition with smaller parties. the bbc‘s chief international correspondent lyse doucet is injerusalem. yes, well, this was an election being described as one of the most closely fought in israeli history, and now it is still being described

as too close to call. we have two of the main challenges saying they have both won. benny gantz, the former army chief, the biggest challenge to prime minister netanyahu for a decade, has done well. but benjamin netanyahu decade, has done well. but benjamin neta nyahu says that decade, has done well. but benjamin netanyahu says that he also won, or at least the right wing block, as he calls it, led by his party, likud, has one. it will be hours before we know who truly has one, what the real numbers are in this election, and the two men now want to look like winners, because in israel there are really two processes. one is winning the election, the next is winning the battle to form the next government stop so how does it look? we arejoined by an government stop so how does it look? we are joined by an expert government stop so how does it look? we arejoined by an expert in government stop so how does it look? we are joined by an expert in all of that, the president of the israel democracy institute. thank you very much forjoining us. thank you for having me. is it still too close to call for you? how does it look, what is the trend? usually one says exit polls are exit polls, let's wait for the actual results. in this case it

is evermore true. the final results might be dramatically different than what we are seeing in the exit polls, because there are about two parties, at least two parties, that are very close to the threshold. each and every one of them, if they ci’oss so each and every one of them, if they cross so they do not cross the threshold, it may upset the entire balance between the two different blocks, the right wing plus ultraorthodox block versus the ce ntre—left ultraorthodox block versus the centre—left plus the arab parties. and it will change the likelihood of who will form the government. yes, because time and again in israeli elections we go to bed thinking one party or one leader has triumphed and then we wake up and it is someone and then we wake up and it is someone completely different. sure thing, i have my memories of that exact experience. so what we need to look out for is actually the arab party, if they are going to cross the threshold, that will mean that the threshold, that will mean that the balance of power, if you will, between the blocks, is much more likely to be very close. if, on the other hand, the balance between the

blocks will be clearly tilted in favour of the right wing plus ultraorthodox, then we are a lot more likely to see mr netanyahu as prime minister. even if he does not lead, even if likud is not the largest party. so far it looks as though some of the new far—right parties haven't crossed the threshold to make it into the israeli knesset. yes, two far... two right—wing parties, one of them ran ona right—wing parties, one of them ran on a very un—is rarely, libertarian agenda, and it seemed like they might be able to cross, and they didn't. and they also had a combination of other extreme positions. the other right wing party, headed by the education minister, mr bennett, and the justice minister, ran on an anti— institutions agenda, anti— establishment, subverting the independence of the supreme court, and so on. and fortunately, in my eyes, as head of the israel

democracy institute, the israeli public rejected that agenda. well, we will have to wait and see what it looks like in the end. thank you very much forjoining us here, from the israel democracy institute, and it is all about democracy. but really what these numbers are going to tell us, once they are officially confirmed, it will tell us a lot about the political future of israel, and the wider region, but it would also tell us something about the state of democracy here in israel. just to update that, from the reuters news agency, 6a% of votes counted, neta nyahu at reuters news agency, 6a% of votes counted, netanyahu at the moment forecast to take 38 of israel's 120 knesset seats forecast to take 38 of israel's120 knesset seats against 35 predicted for benny gantz, that coming in from haaretz, via reuters. only a partial prediction at the moment but slightly more up—to—date than what you have heard there.

with just three days before the uk is officially due to leave the european union, there are signs the eu may be favouring a long extension to the brexit process, longer than the brief extension the british prime minister has been seeking. if so, it is likely to cause further problems for theresa may at home, particularly in her own party. she spent tuesday visiting germany's chancellor and france's president, and meets all 27 eu leaders for a summit on wednesday. our political editor laura kuenssberg reports. no—one could accuse the prime minister of not covering the ground. but clocking up the miles isn't the same is convincing your audience. theresa may landed in berlin first, to plead for more time. but the normal red carpet was rather lonely today. the prime minister had to wait for a welcome before the two leaders headed back outside for the usual snaps and smiles.

the mission though, not just to ask for a delay, but to give the answer why. we want to understand what the uk need this extension for. there's a real effort to try to bring structure to brexit. you know, we've had extraordinary division, really. we still need clarity from the uk side. newsreader: theresa may has arrived in berlin... the reason for the delay this time is to give more space for talks to play out at home. those aren't government ministers on the march at whitehall. good morning. we're here to continue our discussions, and we're looking forward to hearing what of the government has to say. so we are just going to start those discussions now. ..but labour's team, invited again for negotiations. if the prime minister

can't get her brexit deal through parliament with tory votes, they could compromise to get labour numbers too. there has not really been any fundamental shift of a change in position in the deal itself. but we're hopeful that progress can be made. we are continuing discussions with the government over the coming days. both sides engaged seriously on a number of issues. we are looking for a way forward. as you'd expect, there are a number of areas where we differ. but we are anxious to ensure that we can carry on with this process. the immediate job is hardest here in paris, the prime minister keen to persuade the reluctant president that pressing pause on brexit will be worthwhile. but he is just one of 27 leaders who will have to agree a draft of an accord seen by the bbc tonight, which shows the eu club is poised to offer a delay to the uk. but for how long? eight xs in the space where a date should be — the crucial blank to be filled in tomorrow night. emmanuel macron has long been theresa may's toughest eu customer. so she is here tonight to ask for help — let brexit wait.

he and other eu leaders are not likely to refuse her, but there is political cost to delay at home, and it might comes with strings attached. talks just a warm—up, really, for the main event in brussels tomorrow. but the prime minister has no doubt learnt, on this painfuljourney, even neighbours can be friends and allies — but rivals too. laura kuenssberg, bbc news, paris. let's get some of the day's other news: the dalai lama has been admitted to hospital in the indian capital, new delhi, with a chest infection. his aides say his condition is stable. the spiritual leader of the gelug school of tibetan buddhism is 83. he has lived in northern india since fleeing tibet 60 years ago, after a failed uprising against chinese rule. sudan's police have been ordered not to intervene against thousands of protesters who are spending a fourth night outside the military headquarters in the capital, khartoum, according to a statement from the police spokesman. the demonstrators are calling on the president to resign. the police statement says the sudanese people should unite for an agreement which would support

the peaceful transition of power. allison mack has pleaded guilty to charges linked to what is alleged to have been a sex trafficking operation. the american actress, best known for her role in the superhero tv series smallville, has admitted recruiting women by telling them they were joining a female mentorship group. she has pleaded guilty to racketeering and conspiracy and could face up to a0 years in prison. in algeria, thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets, in the latest protests against the government. last week, the country's long—serving president, abdelaziz bouteflika, stood down. his decision was meant to appease demonstrators who first took to the streets 8 weeks ago. on tuesday one of the former president's close colleagues was named interim president, and that has led to even greater anger, as our correspondent, orla guerin reports from the capital algiers. new tension on the

streets of algiers. a change in the air, after weeks of peaceful mass protest. young revolutionaries facing down the police who tried to ban this demonstration. but the protesters gathered anyway. they won't be swept away easily. the landscape has changed here. what mis missing is fear. well, the security presence has been building here. in the last half an hour or so, we've had tear gas and water cannon being used. the authorities are trying to control what is happening here on the streets, to stop the protests. old habits die hard. but the demonstrators say it's too late for that. algeria's vast young population has found its voice. another generation in the arab world trying to break with the past.

i don't think i've ever dreamt of living in such interesting times, but i'm very grateful, and i'm very happy that i got to witness this and i got to be part of it and contribute to it. do you feel free now? i'm getting closer to my freedom, yeah. having seen off algeria's veteran leader, abdelaziz bouteflika, they believe they can remove his allies and cronies, known here as le pouvoir. it's going to be complicated. it's going to take some time. it's going, probably, to take a long time. but it's going to happen sooner or later. we believe in this. but, across town, parliamentarians gathered for what looked like a rerun of the past. standing in as president, abdelkader bensalah, a bouteflika loyalist from the old school. this former prime minister

told me his appointment sends the wrong message. translation: it's a provocation that hurts the dignity of the nation. it's not a good sign, but i'm sure the only way forward is to listen to the people. they'll be back on the streets again on friday, and insist they won't follow the same path as syria or libya, where hopes of a change ended in chaos and bloodshed. orla guerin, bbc news, algiers. stay with us on bbc news. still to come: the worst measles outbreak in nearly 30 years. residents in parts of the brooklyn borough of new york are told get vaccinated or face fines. 25 years of hatred and rage as theyjump up on the statue. this funeral became a massive

demonstration of black power, a power to influence. today, it's about the promise of a bright future. a day when we hope a line can be drawn under the bloody past. i think that picasso's works were beautiful, they were intelligent, and it's a sad loss to everybody who loves art. this is bbc news, the latest headlines: the israeli prime minister and his main opponent have both claimed victory as votes are counted following

a closely—fought general election. britain's prime minister has met germany's chancellor to discuss a short delay to brexit. there are signs the eu favours a longer extension — which could mean more trouble for mrs may. the us attorney general had to field a barrage of questions about the mueller report on capitol hill on tuesday. he was there to talk budgets to a congressional subcommittee, but since william barr issued a brief summary of the special counsel's findings last month, democrats have been demanding to see the full report. he has promised a redacted version, at least, soon. his team did not play a role in drafting the document. within a week, i will be in a position to release the report to the public and then i will engage with the chairman of judiciary then i will engage with the chairman ofjudiciary committees then i will engage with the chairman of judiciary committees about then i will engage with the chairman ofjudiciary committees about that report. live now to our correspondent chris buckler in washington.

where do you think this is heading? i think of the sub— hearing committee show anything, it is that the fight over the report is not over. have the summary of the findings coming from the us attorney general but democrats are making clear they want to see the whole thing. and they still have many, many questions. there were tough moments in this hearing, in which democrats suggested there was a danger that barr had cherry picked information, you may remember that his conclusions were that there was no can “— his conclusions were that there was no can —— collusion, but then there was the question of whether the president had obstructed justice. it said frankly he wasn't prepared to go either way, he lifted to the us attorney general to make that call. it was barr that satisfies he was concerned there was no evidence that justice had been obstructed.

democrats must say that because they have not seen the full report, there isa have not seen the full report, there is a danger that barr had cherry picked and his summary had left more questions than answers. is difficult for democrats that information has been cherry picked because they have not seen the full report and indeed, barr was not given a guarantee that they could see the full report but that issue of questions and answers, certainly there is a knot that has not settled and not even the publication of the report, it will have sections blacked out. i'm not sure it's going to answer all the questions also can they satisfy the democrats. suspicions are also raised when it emerged that mueller had provided his own summary of his own report. it was chose not to be used. the other question is why he chose not to show the summary that he was putting in beforehand. they

we re he was putting in beforehand. they were all these questions aboutjust how happy the special consul and his investigators are. both the new york times at the washington post have quoted people who are part of the mueller team but not named. they said they feel it does not fairly represent their conclusions and the report is a full. as far as barr) summary. report is a full. as far as barr) summary. that is the question going forward. he said he would look at concerns that people had that he is committed to putting this report out within a week which gives people a chance to have a look at it and he says that anything that is redacted, thatis says that anything that is redacted, that is blacked out, he will put no sin to say why it has happened. it could be for example because this is an ongoing criminal investigation or because it was sensitive grand jury in —— grandeur information. i do think anyone is going end up satisfied here with the questions about the report. the investigations are going to dog the president and

the going to continue to cause suspicions among democrats. the mayor of new york, bill de blasio, has declared a public emergency in part of the city, and ordered all its residents to get vaccinated or face fines. mr de blasio said the order applied to everyone living in part of north—west brooklyn, an area with a high ultra—orthodox jewish population, where many people oppose vaccination on religious grounds. he said there had been almost 300 cases of measles, a potentially fatal disease, in the city since october, the city's largest outbreak for nearly thirty years. dr oxiris barbot is the new york health commissioner. how serious is a situation is this? the reality is, as you've noted, we have not seen this number of cases since 1991. we take this very seriously because of the potential health consequences to unvaccinated new yorkers. today we issued a

public health emergency that requires people in those areas to be vaccinated. and as far as you are aware, is this people objecting on religious grounds or as part of this ona religious grounds or as part of this on a social media carried anti— vaccination campaign? there are a number of different factors playing into this, we are very concerned that the anti— vaccination community has influenced many of the individuals in this community and have kept them through sharing false and scary information from getting the children vaccinated. part of our effo rts the children vaccinated. part of our efforts is to ensure that we are sharing the correct information in as many different ways as possible. to make it easierfor parents as many different ways as possible. to make it easier for parents to feel good about vaccinating their children. whatever is driving people, they tend to be strong opinions. how are you going to force people to get vaccinated? what we

have done since the beginning of this out rake is partnered with community organisations, leaders, healthcare providers that are trusted voices in that community to really spend the time necessary to a nswer really spend the time necessary to answer any and all questions that pa rents answer any and all questions that parents might have about potential concerns related to the measles vaccine. the reality is that we have been able to get over 8000 people vaccinated, above and beyond the same time. as last year. so, we think those efforts are working but clearly there is more that we need to do and that is why we need to issue this public health emergency order. just briefly, if you could, remind us how serious measles can be. measles is highly contagious. one can be in the same room, not come into physical contact, 90% of

the people who come into contact with a sick individual, if they have not been vaccinated can end up getting the illness. measles can result in things like pneumonia, brain inflammation and can lead to death. what we've seen in new york city is that we have 21 people that had been hospitalised, five of which have ended up in the intensive care unit, or preventable with very safe vaccine. thank you very much for giving us your time. the top story again. it's been counted in israel's general election. the prime minister and his opponent oath made victory speeches after tuesday selection. early results to give the government, it depends on how well the coalition partners do.

hello, good morning. temperatures on a downward trend over the next few days and nights. we manage 16 degrees in western scotland, cold air is coming down from scandinavia over the north sea so it will feel chilly for the next few days. but at least we're going to get some sunshine, a bit like we did here. tuesday was still cold and grey and wet at times across southern england and it will be southern england that sees the biggest change in the weather for wednesday because the cloud is going to be sitting there bringing some rain at times, it is finally moving southward into the english channel. still a bit of cloud, ran along the south coast

otherwise dry start. clear skies further north, the winds we are more likely to have a frost. temperatures down to —2 —3. it will warm up to a certain extent on wednesday in the sunshine, the club moves away from the south—west, otherwise a dry day. fairweather cloud building up in north—east england. a noticeable window down the eastern side of england especially in the south—east, it will add to that sheu south—east, it will add to that shelf at at least the sunshine will be out, still only nine degrees along those north sea coast, further west highs of 12 or 13 celsius. those temperatures will fall away in the evening and overnight and we'll clear skies. except for northern scotla nd clear skies. except for northern scotland where there is more cloud coming in so it won't be as cold. elsewhere, there is a bit wobbly the chart. a frost possible for the way out was the west country by thursday morning. as we head towards the end

of the week, high pressure dominating the weather, building down from scandinavia across the uk, looking all the athletic weather fronts for the time being. a lot of dry weather, there's cloud in northern scotland and there might be a few spots of drizzle over the hills. increasing cloud over central and eastern parts of england, northern ireland sunshine. typical temperature still only ten or 11 degrees. light winds on thursday, not the changes on friday. drive it sunshine at times, sunshine as head into the weekend but the winds are going to be strengthening. it might feel a bit cold out there, with pressure lowering out to the west, chance of rain from northern ireland and essentially high pressure still in charge with the south—east of the event, it should get less cold next week.