the covid alert level is dropped as the prime minister confirms restrictions will be eased further in england next week. from monday, restaurants and pubs will be able to serve up to six people or two households indoors. this is i guess the kind of most significant part of the road map, being able to trade indoors. pupils in secondary schools will no longer be required to wear facemasks. this unlocking amounts to a very considerable step on the road back to normality, and i am confident that we will be able to go further. and at last we will be allowed to hug people again for the first time last march. also tonight: the labour leader holds his first shadow cabinet meeting after a stand off with his deputy and the election

losses over the weekend. hundreds are injured as fighting continues injerusalem and palestinian militants fire rockets into the holy city. despite repeated efforts, the emergency services are unable to save a baby whale trapped in the thames. and could the champions league final be moved from this stadium in istanbul to wembley? good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. the uk's coronavirus alert

level is being lowered from four to three — which means that while the virus is still in circulation, transmission is no longer high or rising exponentially. and the prime minister has confirmed that restrictions in england will ease significantly from monday. pubs and restaurants will be allowed to serve people inside. and indoor venues like cinemas and soft play centres will reopen, as well as hotels. for the first time in over a year, we will actually be allowed to hug each other — though we're being told to do it cautiously. six people or two households will be able to meet indoors and stay overnight. outdoors, the rule of six is scrapped and people will be able to meet in groups of up to 30. some foreign travel will be allowed without quarantine to a small number of countries. scotland has tonight announced it too will permit some foreign travel and pupils in secondary schools will no longer need to wear face masks. more easing of restrictions in scotland and wales is expected to be confirmed later this week, and in northern ireland in the coming weeks. our health editor hugh pym reports.

remember this? scenes from life before the pandemic — busy bars, restaurants and cinemas. from next monday in england, something similar is set to return to people's everyday lives. this pub in liverpool has had to brave poor weather to serve customers in recent days. so, next week's opening up indoors will come not a moment too soon. 50 indoors will come not a moment too soon, ., , indoors will come not a moment too soon. ., , , ~ ., indoors will come not a moment too soon. . y , ~ ., ., soon. so many people i know that 0 en for soon. so many people i know that open for a — soon. so many people i know that open for a week— soon. so many people i know that open for a week or _ soon. so many people i know that open for a week or two _ soon. so many people i know that open for a week or two and - soon. so many people i know that open for a week or two and just i open for a week or two and just decided, — open for a week or two and just decided, no, we will leave it and go back to _ decided, no, we will leave it and go back to the — decided, no, we will leave it and go back to the 17th, sol decided, no, we will leave it and go back to the 17th, so i think there is huge — back to the 17th, so i think there is huge anticipation because this does _ is huge anticipation because this does feel— is huge anticipation because this does feel like it's the first main step— does feel like it's the first main step of— does feel like it's the first main step of a — does feel like it's the first main step of a road back to normality. the prime — step of a road back to normality. the prime minister stressed the importance of the next move. this unlockin: importance of the next move. this unlocking amounts _ importance of the next move. ti 3 unlocking amounts to a importance of the next move. ti 1 unlocking amounts to a very considerable step on the road back to normality, and i am confident that we will be able to go further. is it possible that you might even bring forward thejune the 21st date for the final stage of the road map

and the lifting of all legal restrictions? i and the lifting of all legal restrictions?— and the lifting of all legal restrictions? ~ �* , , restrictions? i think it's very important — restrictions? i think it's very important that _ restrictions? i think it's very important that we _ restrictions? i think it's very important that we should i restrictions? i think it's very - important that we should proceed cautiously but, as i've said many times now, hopefully irreversibly, and the secret of the success that we've had so far, i think, has been that we have been guided by the data, and we've given time to see the effect of each successive stage on the road map. the the effect of each successive stage on the road map.— on the road map. the official uk covid threat _ on the road map. the official uk covid threat level _ on the road map. the official uk covid threat level has _ on the road map. the official uk covid threat level has been - on the road map. the official uk l covid threat level has been moved down from four to three for the first time since september, so what is the data —— what does the data that has guided the latest moves actually show chris might office for national statistics survey of people in the community with the virus showed a sharp increase up to january then a steady fall that continued in march and april, even after schools reopened and there was some easing of restrictions. that is mirrored by daily hospital admissions, which peaked at more than 4000 injanuary and then fell

right back off the lockdown and the impact of the vaccine roll—out. continued progress of the vaccination programme was a key test. in x in, a back —— in essex, vaccine buses travelling round. here, it has been this delete deployed at a sports and leisure centre run by the local muslim community. in centre run by the local muslim community-— centre run by the local muslim community. in general, we are hittin: community. in general, we are hitting the _ community. in general, we are hitting the target _ community. in general, we are hitting the target we _ community. in general, we are hitting the target we need - community. in general, we are hitting the target we need to i community. in general, we are| hitting the target we need to in terms — hitting the target we need to in terms of— hitting the target we need to in terms of cohorts and age groups, but the added _ terms of cohorts and age groups, but the added facet the fan brings is that we — the added facet the fan brings is that we are getting into those pockets — that we are getting into those pockets of the community who may be afraid _ pockets of the community who may be afraid or _ pockets of the community who may be afraid or don't have the means to access— afraid or don't have the means to access normal health care services. always _ access normal health care services. always make sure your masks are on indoors. .. _, , ., indoors. face coverings will no loner indoors. face coverings will no longer be _ indoors. face coverings will no longer be required _ indoors. face coverings will no longer be required in - indoors. face coverings will no longer be required in schools | indoors. face coverings will no | longer be required in schools in england as part of the next stage of the road map. the thinking is learning to live with the virus when case numbers are low, though local restrictions could be imposed if

there are serious outbreaks. an extended reopening of hospitality in scotland and wales is planned for next monday, in northern ireland a week later, further detail is expected soon. in all parts of the uk, officials will closely watch the data, including any further increase in new variants. right now, plans seem to be on track. hugh pym, bbc news. and the latest figures show there were 2,357 new covid infections in the past 24 hours — with four more deaths recorded. more than 35 million people have now had their first dose of a vaccine. that's over two thirds of the uk's adult population. more than 17.5 million people have had both jabs, meaning over a third of all adults are now fully vaccinated. our medical editor, fergus walsh, is here — so good to have good news at last, and more good news on the vaccines. a stunning real—world evidence on the pfizer vaccine. two doses cuts your risk of dying from covid by

97%. i mean, thatjaw dropping the good. we don't have the two dose data on the oxford astrazeneca jab simply because it was rolled out a month later, but that will come soon, and we knew already that one dose of either vaccine cut your risk of dying by 80%. we also know the risk of transmission, so it is vaccine is vaccine is now rather than lockdowns and social distancing that will do the large amount of work in terms of controlling coronavirus. but having said that, it's important that that immunisation campaign is completed. a third of adults, mostly the under 40s, have yet to have a dose of vaccine, an coronavirus is here to stay. it will continue to cause problems, but unless we get some terrible new variant, there is no longer a threat that the nhs should ever be under threat of being overwhelmed by coronavirus. but while the epidemic here is now

coming under control, the pandemic is farfrom over, and coming under control, the pandemic is far from over, and that's where it's vital that vaccines are rolled out globally. it's vital that vaccines are rolled out globally-— it's vital that vaccines are rolled out globally. the labour leader, keir starmer, has held the first meeting of his newly—reshuffled shadow cabinet. it follows a weekend of intense criticism and in—fighting after labour's election losses. and, as our political correspondent iain watson reports, tensions in the party remain. tensions at the top of the labour party have often been a feature of its history, and now the current leader and his deputy have had a serious stand—off. first manor —— when keir starmer stripped angela rayner of her campaigning role, she and her supporters put up a fight. the mayor of greater manchester had criticised keir starmer but is now calling for the infighting to stop. labour has got to stop this sort of internal focus, labour has got to stop this sort of internalfocus, the labour has got to stop this sort of internal focus, the civil war between those on the left and right of the party. from my point of view, that's absolutely pointless and

destructive.— that's absolutely pointless and destructive. . ., destructive. those close to the top ofthe destructive. those close to the top of the party _ destructive. those close to the top of the party can't _ destructive. those close to the top of the party can't agree _ destructive. those close to the top of the party can't agree on - destructive. those close to the top of the party can't agree on what. of the party can't agree on what happened here during tense negotiations this weekend. allies of angela rayner said she turned down the shadow health secretary's job. those close to keir starmer said he explored a range of options, but she did emerge with more influence over the party's policies and direction. at the moment, it feels like there was a very uneasy truce at the top of the labour party. allies of angela rayner are claiming she has been strengthened by this weekend's stand—off. so, by implication, keir starmer has been weakened, and they are accusing the labour leader of failing to set out a vision to win back voters that the party has lost. the labour leader has promised to accelerate changes in his party. the first major casualty in the reshuffle of his top team was anneliese dodds, removed as shadow chancellor. ., , anneliese dodds, removed as shadow chancellor. . , , ., chancellor. really sorry, not answering — chancellor. really sorry, not answering any _ chancellor. really sorry, not answering any questions. i chancellor. really sorry, not i answering any questions. sorry chancellor. really sorry, not - answering any questions. sorry about that. answering any questions. sorry about that- rachel— answering any questions. sorry about that. rachel reeves _ answering any questions. sorry about that. rachel reeves replaces - answering any questions. sorry about that. rachel reeves replaces her, - that. rachel reeves replaces her, closer to the politics of tony blair

and gordon brown. talking of which, labour's last prime minister has been advising the current party leader. he says keir starmer should keep calm and carry on. keir leader. he says keir starmer should keep calm and carry on.— keep calm and carry on. keir will be civen the keep calm and carry on. keir will be given the time. _ keep calm and carry on. keir will be given the time, power— keep calm and carry on. keir will be given the time, power and - keep calm and carry on. keir will be| given the time, power and resources to be able to get on with bringing forward new policies that will never be the same as 1997, cannot be the same as 2019, but he has got to bring forward and will bring forward new policies to change britain. the labour mp tracy brabin has been elected mayor of west yorkshire, but her success masks a potential problem. there will now have to be a by—election in her seat of batley and spen, yet another electoral test for keir starmer. in westminster, preparations are under way for tomorrow's queen's speech when boris johnson's new programme for government will be unveiled. he has planted his flag in what used to be labour territory. the challenge for cure starmer —— keir starmer... borisjohnson needs to take a less

confrontational approach to the issue of scottish independence and make a more positive case for the benefits of the united kingdom, according to the former prime minister gordon brown. scotland's re—elected first minister nicola sturgeon has made it clear that in her opinion another independence referendum is inevitable. here's our scotland editor, sarah smith. the enormous question facing scotland about its future, inside or outwith the uk, will not be settled soon, but the vigorous debate has already begun. from edinburgh, advice is being offered to london on how to keep the kingdom united. your argument is that the prime minister, borisjohnson, has to take action if he wants to save the union. is there any reason to believe he will listen to you on this? his muscular unionism, which is trying to make britishness compete with scottishness, just won't work. project fear won't work. the scottish people are far too proud. he's got to change. he's got to realise that there is a big case for constitutional change. will you work with him to make that happen? i think people will work together to try to put the case for scotland and britain,

so i will complain to borisjohnson about what he's doing. i will attack him if he gets it wrong, but obviously, i want scotland to be comfortable in a new britain that is restructured to take account and to accommodate the feelings of all parts of it. congratulations. freshly elected msps came to see their new parliamentary workplace. for the conservatives, their main task is to try and halt scottish independence. so excited to get started, can't wait. and keep borisjohnson on message. the prime minister is right behind what we're trying to do here, which is focus on recovery, and the prime minister is also keen to see the levelling up that he has promised in every part of the united kingdom. that's where we can see investment in infrastructure and more jobs coming to scotland, so i hope we now have a scottish government that will work better with the uk government, and that will deliver for people. just as the tories, labour and the lib dems have to make the case for why scotland is better off inside the united kingdom, the snp now have to make detailed plans for the independence offer they want to make to the country. after brexit, they have to consider

questions like the arrangements for the border with england, as well as those on currency and the economy. it is the case that the snp, at the moment, isn't able to answer with arrangements with england if we were two separate countries would be. well, we do know certain fundamentals. we know the common travel area would still obtain, so there is no restriction on movement from people going to scotland, england, wales, northern ireland or ireland, because that's all part of the common travel area. but there would be for goods. well, goods, possibly not for services. and goods, of course, we are some way away from the referendum, and by that time we should have some idea of what the uk has done in terms of the arrangements in northern ireland. we, of course, would want to negotiate with the rest of the uk and the eu to get the best possible deal. the parliament starts work again tomorrow, with the pandemic as the first priority. there will be no moves towards another referendum until the health crisis has passed. but the debate on scotland's future is already well under way.

sarah smith, bbc news, edinburgh. borisjohnson is being investigated by the parliamentary commissioner for standards over the funding of a caribbean holiday in 2019. the mp's standards watchdog will look into who paid for a break in a luxury villa in mustique enjoyed by the prime minister and his partner, carrie symonds. downing street said mrjohnson had acted correctly and transparently. rockets have been fired into israel by the palestinian militant group hamas, some even reaching jerusalem. and hundreds have been injured in days of fighting between protesters and the israeli security services. the violence broke out in and around al aqsa mosque, one of the holy city's most sensitive sites. the trouble has been sparked, in part, by the threatened eviction of some palestinian families from eastjerusalem. eastjerusalem was captured by israel in 1967. palestinians claim it as the future capital of a hoped—for independent state. from jerusalem, our middle east correspondent, yolande knell, has the latest. this holy city didn't stay quiet for

long. inside al aqsa mosque, the morning's ramadan worship quickly turned to violence. stun grenades and stones in this site, sacred to muslims and jews. at this gait, more angen muslims and jews. at this gait, more anger, after israeli was stopped. a car was driven into passers—by. the police rushed in. all this on jerusalem day, a holiday when israelis mark the capture of the city 50 years ago. there is a party atmosphere here as israelis gather from all over the country to head down towards the old city and the western wall. for them, this is a big day of celebration. for

palestinians, this march as a provocation. palestinians, this march as a provocation-— palestinians, this march as a provocation. palestinians, this march as a rovocation. �* , provocation. why am i here? because we are not going _ provocation. why am i here? because we are not going to _ provocation. why am i here? because we are not going to let _ provocation. why am i here? because we are not going to let anyone - provocation. why am i here? because we are not going to let anyone win . we are not going to let anyone win of when they are going to threaten us and try to stop us from being here and celebrate and dance. it is unbelievable.— unbelievable. police blocked the marchers from _ unbelievable. police blocked the marchers from damascus - unbelievable. police blocked the marchers from damascus gate, | unbelievable. police blocked the i marchers from damascus gate, but some are still worried. young palestinians aren't leaving, he says. from experience, we don't trust them. the unrest here has been simmering for weeks. it was first set off by police restrictions up a popular gathering spot at this entrance to the old city. more recently, nightly clashes after a long legal battle. it has become a rallying point. and tonight, a

dangerous escalation. israelis running for shelter, with rockets from gaza reaching jerusalem for the first time in years. angry palestinians cheered. the troubles in jerusalem palestinians cheered. the troubles injerusalem look palestinians cheered. the troubles in jerusalem look set to palestinians cheered. the troubles injerusalem look set to spread. yolande knell, bbc news, jerusalem. our middle east editor jeremy bowen is here. this has been going on for days, and it really seems to be escalating now? , ., it really seems to be escalating now? , . , . it really seems to be escalating now? , . ,. , ~ now? yes, that israeli strike, the health ministry _ now? yes, that israeli strike, the health ministry they're _ now? yes, that israeli strike, the health ministry they're saying - now? yes, that israeli strike, the | health ministry they're saying nine dead including three children. as these things continue to go, that sort of report will continue to happen. this is all happening because of that, this massive open wound, really, which is the continuing conflict, lasting for decades, between these two groups of people. and everything is magnified injerusalem by people. and everything is magnified in jerusalem by the people. and everything is magnified injerusalem by the holy places people. and everything is magnified in jerusalem by the holy places for both jews and

in jerusalem by the holy places for bothjews and for muslims. and this shows once again the absolute power of the jerusalem issue. shows once again the absolute power of thejerusalem issue. and it shows that the conflict, far from being manageable, as mr netanyahu, the prime minister, has said any times over the years, is not, and that left unattended, at some point this conflict will always burst out again, and that appears to be what is happening now. the question is whether both sides are able to draw breath, or whether they plunge into more escalation, and there is from both sides some fierce language flying around, so i suspect the answer to that is quite likely in the next few days more. jeremy, thank you- _ the time isjust the time is just gone a quarter past six. ourtop the time is just gone a quarter past six. our top story this evening. covid restrictions will be eased next week, and restaurant and pubs will be able to serve groups indoors. still to come: i'm at

wembley as we wait to find out of the champions league final between chelsea and manchester city at the end of may will be moved from istanbul to hear or portugal. coming up in sports day, full�*s premier league status on the line. scott parker's side have to avoid defeat against burnley to have any hope of staying in the top flight. facebook has told bbc news that it will remove groups and pages from its platform that discourage the use of vaccines — regardless of whether the information can be verified as false or not. anti—vaccine conspiracy theories, particularly in relation to fighting the pandemic, have been widely circulated on social media. here's our specialist disinformation reporter marianna spring. anti—vaccine conspiracies have surged on social media, and everyday citizens have found themselves on the front line battling mistruths. that includes richard,

a builder and trainee psychologist. he and a friend set up decoy anti—vaccine facebook groups to attract those believing conspiracies so they could help them. it was horrible, having to lie to begin with. you know, to get people in and to go with their agenda, which would normally last about six weeks. and then, it would be stopped and we'd start questioning their narrative. they speak with people like brian, sending him accurate information after he was scared of taking a covid jab by misleading posts online. and what would life have looked like if you hadn't emerged from that rabbit hole? i might not be here. i went to some dark places, marianna. brian has now had his vaccine — but shouldn't it be facebook protecting him, rather than these volunteers? well, we certainly feel we've got a big responsibility— to ensure people are seeing the accurate information. i i as i said, over two billion people i have been directed to the who, nhs, and other health authorities

around the world. _ we have adopted policies - where people are deliberately, deliberately inciting what's - called "vaccine discouragement". this means facebook is now removing groups and pages that put people off the vaccine, regardless of whether posts can be verified as false. the policies of social media sites towards anti—vaccine content have come under increased scrutiny — and so has the government. but, more broadly, we know that there's a lot more to do. that's why we're introducing the online safety bill. to really set out much more distinctly the duty of care that we want companies to take. the online harms bill has repeatedly been delayed, and people have come to harm during that time. what's your response to that? it has been absolutely vital that we've taken the time to get this right. but while these policy debates rage on, everyday citizens continue their battle to help those who have fallen for conspiracies. marianna spring, bbc news.

the family of a woman who took a fatal overdose after her benefit payments were cut have begun a legal claim against the government. philippa day, a 27—year—old mother, was found collapsed at her home in nottingham beside a letter rejecting her request for a benefits assessment. an inquest injanuary concluded that 28 errors were made in managing her case. our social affairs correspondent michael buchanan has the details. it's been six months. i am in so much debt. i have nothing to eat. i can't... phillipa day pleaded repeatedly with benefits officials for help. her money had been cut. they insisted she couldn't have a benefits assessment at home, so in despair, the 27—year—old mother took a fatal overdose, leaving her sister to fight her case. it was absolutely preventable. it was directly due

to the impact of the claim. the coroner said that claiming benefits should not see that a risk to life, and it was. an inquest found 28 errors in the way the government had processed phillipa day's application for personal independence payments, the main disability benefit. the family are now suing the department for work and pensions. my sister was not the first to die, she was one of many. and clearly, lessons have not been learned. philippa day's death is one of scores that families have blamed on the stresses of the benefits system, including tim salter, errol graham, david clapson and jodey whiting. research by the bbc�*s shared data unit found that at least 150 reviews of death or serious harm to claimants have been carried out by the department for work and pensions between 2012 and 2019. the government told us they take each tragic case seriously, and review them in case there are lessons to learn.

it is all the government marking their— it is all the government marking their own — it is all the government marking their own homework. there needs to be an— their own homework. there needs to be an independent public inquiry into first — be an independent public inquiry into first of all the scope of the deaths — into first of all the scope of the deaths and what is causing the. jody was laid deaths and what is causing the. was laid dead deaths and what is causing the. jocy was laid dead at the undertakers of the letter went out saying she was fit to work. , ., , the letter went out saying she was fit to work-— the letter went out saying she was fit to work. , ., , 1 ., ., fit to work. jody whiting, a mother of nine, fit to work. jody whiting, a mother of nine. had _ fit to work. jody whiting, a mother of nine, had numerous _ fit to work. jody whiting, a mother of nine, had numerous physical- fit to work. jody whiting, a mother| of nine, had numerous physical and mental health problems. when she missed a benefits meeting due to pneumonia, her benefits were stopped. her mother says the decision drove the 42—year—old to suicide. the government has apologised to her family. suicide. the government has apologised to herfamily. jada; suicide. the government has apologised to her family. jody is a name and number _ apologised to her family. jody is a name and number to _ apologised to her family. jody is a name and number to them. - apologised to her family. jody is a name and number to them. theyl apologised to her family. jody is a - name and number to them. they don't see her as a person, as my daughter. to them it is just one in see her as a person, as my daughter. to them it isjust one in millions, isn't it? but it has got to stop. ministers have admitted mistakes in these cases, but campaigners say only an independent inquiry will reveal how many others have been similarly failed. michael buchanan,

bbc news. oak disruption to rail services due to cracks in trains is expected to continue efforts to save a whale stranded in the thames in south west london have failed for a second time. it's believed to be a baby minke and was first spotted yesterday. overnight, rescuers managed to tow the whale part way toward safety on an inflatable cushion, but it escaped and was later seen heading even further upstream. tim muffett is at teddington lock in west london, this is looking terribly sad for this baby whale. fiona, this whale has certainly attracted the crowds to teddington lock, as you can see. its current location is in the shallow water just by the lifeboat crews you can

see behind me. its current condition it has to be said is not good. animal welfare experts are warning that even that as the tide lowers, it might have to be humanely put down to avoid any unnecessary suffering. but for the onlookers who have come here today, it has certainly been a day to remember. in teddington lock this afternoon, a site know when he had seen before. eight minke whale, normally found in the north atlantic and pacific oceans, swimming by the locked gates. it oceans, swimming by the locked ates. , ., , , oceans, swimming by the locked ates. , , ., ., oceans, swimming by the locked ates. , ., , , ., ., ., gates. it is absolutely amazing. how do we aet gates. it is absolutely amazing. how do we get a — gates. it is absolutely amazing. how do we get a whale _ gates. it is absolutely amazing. how do we get a whale in _ gates. it is absolutely amazing. how do we get a whale in teddington? i do we get a whale in teddington? hopefully they can get rescue it and -et hopefully they can get rescue it and get it— hopefully they can get rescue it and get it itack— hopefully they can get rescue it and get it back into the sea where it belongs — get it back into the sea where it belongs. it get it back into the sea where it belonas. , , ., , �* belongs. it is 'ust a calf, isn't it, so it belongs. it is 'ust a calf, isn't at, so it is — belongs. it isjust a calf, isn't it, so it is probably _ belongs. it isjust a calf, isn't it, so it is probably missing i belongs. it isjust a calf, isn't| it, so it is probably missing its mum. it it, so it is probably missing its mum. ., , , it, so it is probably missing its mum, ., , , , it, so it is probably missing its mum. . , , , ., mum. it was first seen late yesterday _ mum. it was first seen late yesterday afternoon - mum. it was first seen late yesterday afternoon on - mum. it was first seen late - yesterday afternoon on richmond lock, two miles further down the thames. stranded on a concrete ramp, a seven hour rescue operation got under way. a seven hour rescue operation got underway. during a seven hour rescue operation got under way. during the night, the wail was towed up river so that vets could try and carry out a health

check, but the animal swam free from its harness. today crowds gathered in teddington, along with the rspca and the rnli. the in teddington, along with the rspca and the rm— and the rnli. the hope is that as the tide starts _ and the rnli. the hope is that as the tide starts flowing _ and the rnli. the hope is that as the tide starts flowing out, - and the rnli. the hope is that as the tide starts flowing out, the i the tide starts flowing out, the waet— the tide starts flowing out, the waei witt— the tide starts flowing out, the wael will move _ the tide starts flowing out, the wael will move with _ the tide starts flowing out, the wael will move with the - the tide starts flowing out, the wael will move with the tide, i the tide starts flowing out, the i wael will move with the tide, and honefutiy— wael will move with the tide, and honefuiiy find _ wael will move with the tide, and hopefully find its _ wael will move with the tide, and hopefully find its way— wael will move with the tide, and hopefully find its way to - wael will move with the tide, and| hopefully find its way to freedom. but at _ hopefully find its way to freedom. but at around _ hopefully find its way to freedom. but at around 2:30pm, _ hopefully find its way to freedom. but at around 2:30pm, once - hopefully find its way to freedom. | but at around 2:30pm, once again hopefully find its way to freedom. - but at around 2:30pm, once again the whale got stuck by the water's edge. it has become stranded yet again in the shallow waters here, and now all efforts are under way to try and set it free. this evening, animal welfare experts said the whale's condition has deteriorated rapidly. the british divers marine life rescue team said that as the tide drops, the whale may have to be put to sleep to prevent any unnecessary suffering. meanwhile the team will do all it can to care for it. tim muffett, bbc news. a decision on whether the champions league final will switch venue from istanbul to wembley is expected

to be made by wednesday. the government has been meeting with uefa and the fa to discuss arrangements for the match between chelsea and manchester city on may the 29th. turkey is on england's travel red list and fans have been told not to travel there. our sports correspondent laura scott is at wembley now, given that it features two english teams, surely this match can't go ahead in turkey? well, fiona, it now looks highly unlikely that the final will go in —— ahead as planned in istanbul on the 29th of may. it has been a fraught few days of discussion since turkey was added to the red list on friday, but it seems clear that uefa want the fans to be able to be there, and they couldn't if it was in turkey because of it being on the medallist. wembley had emerged as an option, and the uk government offered to host the final, saying fans would be able to attend. but at a meeting that took place today between uefa, the uk government officials and the fa, it became clear that uefa wanted a quarantine exemption for up to 3000

stakeholders, that is sponsors, media and officials, and it doesn't appear likely from what we understand that that will be forthcoming. so now portugal has emerged as the strongest contender, and a useful fallback option, emerged as the strongest contender, and a usefulfallback option, given it is on the green list for travel, so it would suit uefa as well, they would bring in their stakeholders. there are lots of logistical hurdles to overcome, and moving a final at short notice is far from easy, to overcome, and moving a final at short notice is farfrom easy, but we are expecting a decision on this tomorrow. we we are expecting a decision on this tomorrow. ~ , ., , we are expecting a decision on this tomorrow. ~ , . , ., ., ., ~ tomorrow. we shall see. laura, thank ou. time for a look at the weather here's chris fawkes. hello, fiona. it has been a day of sunshine and showers, and some dramatic cloud around as well, and this is mammatus, always a sign of some heavy rain. some heavy rain and hail mixed in in county durham this afternoon. last month was very dry, but nowhere more so than leuchars,

which had only three millimetres and the whole month, but may is making up the whole month, but may is making up for that very dry april, we have already had a month of rain. often it will come along and showers, but through this week the showers will be mounting up because we have got this area of low pressure. i'm calling this a loitering low, because normally it would try to spin away northwards and eastwards, but this one can't because upstream we have got this big block of high pressure across scandinavia and west russia, and that really are stopping the low from moving, and instead it is going to be over our heads pretty much all week. rain to come across scotland in particular, elsewhere where we have seen those showers, they will take quite a long time to gradually fade away, but eventually they will become a little dry overnight, lows of around six or seven celsius. tomorrow this early morning rain in scotland cleared through quickly, and then scotland, northern ireland, northern england, fine sunshine around through the morning, but further south—west we have showers that will start to form. the showers will move

northwards and eventually reach southern scotland and northern