air strikes have been launched on gaza as unrest escalates into the worst violence between israel and the palestinians in seven years. more than 30 people have been killed. the united nations has warned the conflict is moving towards full—scale war. earlier, an israeli airstrike destroyed an apartment block in gaza city. residents had been warned to get out. with hamas rockets reaching a suburb of tel aviv, israeli prime minister benjamin netanhayu said they would pay a heavy price. seven school children and two adults have been killed in a shooting at a school in the russian city of kazan. security forces stormed the school and detained the suspected attacker — a 19—year—old former pupil — he'd been carrying an automatic weapon and was wearing an explosives vest.

now on bbc news, hardtalk. welcome to hardtalk. i am stephen sackur. we have reached the point in the global pandemic where the impacts are varied dramatically. here, in the uk, infection rate is largely contained. the rollout of the vaccine is having its effect. but in many other parts of the world, the situation is still critical. with his patchwork pandemic, how dangerous would it be to resume international travel and tourism? my guest today is the greek minister of tourism, haris theoharis. could tourism prolong the pandemic?

haris theoharis, welcome to hardtalk. haris theoharis, welcome to hardtalk— haris theoharis, welcome to hardtalk. ., a, hardtalk. thank you, thank you for inviting _ hardtalk. thank you, thank you for inviting me. _ hardtalk. thank you, thank you for inviting me. a _ hardtalk. thank you, thank you for inviting me. a pleasure - hardtalk. thank you, thank you for inviting me. a pleasure to i for inviting me. a pleasure to have you _ for inviting me. a pleasure to have you here _ for inviting me. a pleasure to have you here in _ for inviting me. a pleasure to have you here in london, - for inviting me. a pleasure to have you here in london, you are here to tell the world that greece is now open for tourism and for business, but the truth is greece still has a very serious covid problem? i would not call it serious _ serious covid problem? i would not call it serious but _ serious covid problem? i would not call it serious but it - serious covid problem? i would not call it serious but it is - not call it serious but it is as serious as many countries in europe. the third wave has been hitting europe hard but we are over the apex. the numbers are getting better, day by day, and i think greece is ready with a complete, mature and professional system to allow people to again visit in the summer season. people to again visit in the summerseason. but people to again visit in the summer season.— people to again visit in the summer season. but one of the ”aues summer season. but one of the gauges or _ summer season. but one of the gauges or even _ summer season. but one of the gauges or even how _ summer season. but one of the gauges or even how countries i gauges or even how countries are doing is notjust infection rate, and your infection rate is coming down, but it is about

how many vaccines you are delivering. you are one of the slowest countries in europe to get vaccinated and everyone else will see that around the world and they will worry? ida. world and they will worry? no, we're not _ world and they will worry? no, we're not one _ world and they will worry? no, we're not one of— world and they will worry? no, we're not one of the _ world and they will worry? iirr, we're not one of the slowest countries, i would dispute that. ., ., ., that. you are in the bottom five. that. you are in the bottom five- no- — that. you are in the bottom five. no. i'm— that. you are in the bottom five. no. i'm afraid - that. you are in the bottom five. no. i'm afraid that - five. no. i'm afraid that figures _ five. no. i'm afraid that figures say _ five. no. i'm afraid that figures say that. - five. no. i'm afraid that figures say that. we - five. no. i'm afraid that i figures say that. we have five. no. i'm afraid that. figures say that. we have a ureat figures say that. we have a great system _ figures say that. we have a great system in _ figures say that. we have a great system in terms - figures say that. we have a great system in terms of i great system in terms of vaccinating people, we keep every second dose, we keep appointments for everyone somewhere not pushing ahead of the vaccine that we have. as soon as you get the vaccines, we use them immediately. we have vaccinated i.i% we use them immediately. we have vaccinated 1.1% of the population daily, and that is one of the best rates currently in europe. one of the best rates currently in eur0pe-_ in europe. the fact is about one quarter _ in europe. the fact is about one quarter of _ in europe. the fact is about one quarter of the - in europe. the fact is about i one quarter of the population has had a vaccine but you are in london where something like two—thirds have had the first dosed. two-thirds have had the first dosed. ., ., , , .,

dosed. you are disputing that. the uk is _ dosed. you are disputing that. the uk is one _ dosed. you are disputing that. the uk is one of— dosed. you are disputing that. the uk is one of the _ dosed. you are disputing that. the uk is one of the leaders . dosed. you are disputing that. i the uk is one of the leaders in terms of the vaccination rate and you have chosen a single dose strategy but we have a different strategy. the point is of course that we are constrained by the vaccine delivery that all of europe has, but i assure you, we have a very professional system, a complete system that uses every vaccine as soon as we get it. we are very mindful that back in the summer of last year, you would tourism minister at the time, you took the decision to invite tourists back and what we saw in the autumn was a very serious second wave in greece which the greek people, according to all the opinion polls we have seen, clearly linked and associated with the decision to let foreign visitors back in. i do not in danger of making the same mistake all over again? this is an understandable _ mistake all over again? this is an understandable attitude - mistake all over again? this is | an understandable attitude that normally people having countries have, but it is really about the foreigners and it is more about importing the problem. the reality is this,

that during the summer, we did not have the second wave, this bike, and the popular tourism... ._ bike, and the popular tourism... . �* ,, tourism... . but you did, in the autumn. _ tourism... . but you did, in the autumn. we _ tourism... . but you did, in the autumn. we had - tourism... . but you did, in the autumn. we had at - tourism... . but you did, in the autumn. we had at the | tourism... . but you did, in - the autumn. we had at the same time as germany _ the autumn. we had at the same time as germany and _ the autumn. we had at the same time as germany and the - time as germany and the northern europe, that we had it with the rest of europe so effectively tourism did not have anything to with it. it is really in the winter. it is really in the winter. it is really in the ebb and flow of the disease that everybody had to go through. every number we have seen and research points to that, the german research shows, that tourism did not affect their numbers of greece did not affect germany's numbers on the way back. i think i'm public are sceptical about that, according to surveys i have seen of public opinion in greece and there is another issue concerning confidence and trust. it seems to me you have over promised and under delivered, for

example, your government said that in order to get tourism going again you would focus on the famous greek islands, where people want to visit and you have said you would have them fully vaccinated by the end of april but here we are in may and you are nowhere near having the greek island population fully vaccinated. taste the greek island population fully vaccinated.— the greek island population fully vaccinated. we never, is that they _ fully vaccinated. we never, is that they would _ fully vaccinated. we never, is that they would all _ fully vaccinated. we never, is that they would all be - that they would all be vaccinated, we promise that the smaller batch of the islands will be vaccinated and they are, 32 islands have already been vaccinated, the second batch of another 36 islands will be complete by the end of may and there is a plan of completing herd immunity well ijy completing herd immunity well byjune, ready for the pick of the season which is injuly and august. the season which is in july and au~ust. ~ . . , the season which is in july and au~ust.~ ., ., , , august. we already newspapers, minister, and _ august. we already newspapers, minister, and you _ august. we already newspapers, minister, and you know - august. we already newspapers, minister, and you know that - august. we already newspapers, minister, and you know that we i minister, and you know that we know that for example, in one greek island, they have had to go into lockdown in the last week because of a dangerous surge in a search, and again

thatis surge in a search, and again that is confidence, trust and may be people read that and think that greece is not a good idea? i think that greece is not a good idea? ~ . , think that greece is not a good idea? ~ ., , ., idea? i think that is the other way around- _ idea? i think that is the other way around. this _ idea? i think that is the other way around. this example - idea? i think that is the other . way around. this example shows you that the fact that we are not afraid to take the difficult decisions. we will take whatever measures are necessary without any willingness to hide things under the rug, as it were, to ensure everyone's safety. greece has managed, slightly better throughout the crisis and throughout europe and the reason we did that was because we took the health and safety of both our citizens and our visitors very seriously. i remind you that other countries last season, after the season, where the bulk of the tourists had come and gone, they announced that that they did not talk about the full number of cases, the people without symptoms, the asymptomatic cases, but all the people with symptoms. this is not something that greece is doing. we are fully transparent and this is part of the reason why i am

here as well, but we have a great decision and transparency throughout last season with the relevant people in the uk. xyour relevant people in the uk. your timin: in relevant people in the uk. your timing in launching _ relevant people in the uk. your timing in launching grease - relevant people in the uk. your timing in launching grease and you are choosing the date made the 14th, and you are saying we are open for business and please come and visit like you have in previous years — at greece, your timing is unfortunate and look at the us state department. they have put greece on the list of countries designated as level four with the simple message do not travel, that is what the americans are saying about greece right now.— americans are saying about greece right now. and they are sa in: greece right now. and they are saying that _ greece right now. and they are saying that about _ greece right now. and they are saying that about the _ greece right now. and they are saying that about the uk - greece right now. and they are saying that about the uk as - saying that about the uk as well, they are saying at that about 80% of the globe. every country has its own decision to use whatever traffic light system or categorised system they want to use. we are maintaining that these are our numbers and according to the criteria we are putting, greece

is certainly in the lower end... . is certainly in the lower end--- -_ is certainly in the lower end.... �* , end... . but the problem, minister— end... . but the problem, minister is... _ end... . but the problem, minister is... . _ end... . but the problem, minister is... . those - minister is... . those decisions _ minister is... . those decisions are - minister is... . those l decisions are suffering, minister is... . those - decisions are suffering, fine. but we are in a pandemic and here are you, the minister for tourism trying to get mobile and it is a message that many governments around the world cannot share with you and your strategy. eur again, about timing, you are in london at the very moment that the uk government has issued a list that they are calling the green list, where travel can be conducted by british tourists and visitors without quarantine when they return. greece is not on the green list. greece is on an amber listand on the green list. greece is on an amber list and it means that people will have to quarantine when they come home. what is your message to the british government?— your message to the british government? your message to the british rovernment? , , ., government? the message is of course this _ government? the message is of course this is — government? the message is of course this is a _ government? the message is of course this is a decision - government? the message is of course this is a decision they - course this is a decision they have to make in the long—term and with their own government. we are you to explain... . d0 we are you to explain... . do ou we are you to explain... . do you think _ we are you to explain... . do you think they got it wrong? well, we think they could have

taken a more original approach, for example, they could have taken an approach like last summer when they do not use a list, but for example the islands where the numbers could be better but we welcome the fact that this kind of wording is the foreign office's website. so there is a wording that points to that direction, that points to that direction, that for example, creed, orthe aegean islands are places where people will go to. —— eight. but the reality is that you get a lot of revenue from the island but they will not be going to the islands now because they were quarantine when they go home —— crete. this is not realistic. when they go home -- crete. this is not realistic.— this is not realistic. and that is why we're _ this is not realistic. and that is why we're here _ this is not realistic. and that is why we're here to - this is not realistic. and that is why we're here to with - this is not realistic. and that is why we're here to with the government all the criteria they may need to review the decision when they have the review schedule, i think it is

everywhere weeks, we need to ensure —— i believe it is every three weeks, so they have all the relevant information to make that decision. that is all we are asking for. to make that decision. that is all we are asking for.— make that decision. that is all we are asking for. to be blunt, are ou we are asking for. to be blunt, are you putting _ we are asking for. to be blunt, are you putting economics - are you putting economics before public health? ida. are you putting economics before public health? no, we are not, before public health? no, we are not. to — before public health? no, we are not, to be _ before public health? no, we are not, to be very _ before public health? no, we are not, to be very precise i before public health? no, we. are not, to be very precise and clear about it in terms of my message. we are taking a balanced approach. i will remind you that the world travel and tourism council, one of the most prestigious private sector bodies in the world, awarded after global award for excellence in terms of the covid response. what we are saying is we need to keep balance, in terms of the economic activity and in terms of health and safety. but there is no balance because - of health and safety. but there is no balance because the - of health and safety. but there. is no balance because the greek economy is not balanced. the truth is you are massively dependent on tourism, i think almost 20% of your entire national income comes from travel and tourism. so, to use that term again, you are dependent on reviving this

business, even at the risk of stoking the flames of the pandemic. stoking the flames of the pandemic— stoking the flames of the andemic. ~ �* ., , pandemic. well, i'm not sure if the word is _ pandemic. well, i'm not sure if the word is dependent. - pandemic. well, i'm not sure if the word is dependent. i - pandemic. well, i'm not sure if| the word is dependent. i cannot think of any _ the word is dependent. i cannot think of any other _ the word is dependent. i cannot think of any other word. - the word is dependent. i cannot think of any other word. sure, l think of any other word. sure, but let's say — think of any other word. sure, but let's say that _ think of any other word. sure, but let's say that europe - think of any other word. sure, but let's say that europe is - but let's say that europe is the most heuristically developed region of the world and on average, 20% of europe's gdp comes from tourism so it is an important industry in any country. an important industry in any count . ., ., country. you are here proclaiming _ country. you are here proclaiming greece i country. you are here i proclaiming greece open country. you are here - proclaiming greece open for full tourism business as of may 14 but full tourism business as of may ia but the french government is being much more cautious and they are saying we will look at it injune and if they do open it injune and if they do open it up then, they will absolutely have to travel with absolutely have to travel with a vaccine passport or prove that they are completely without any risk of covid—i9. why cannot europe take a unified position because in some european capitals, it looks like you greeks are jumping the gun and being

irresponsible? irlat jumping the gun and being irresponsible?— jumping the gun and being irresponsible? not really. we are actually — irresponsible? not really. we are actually being _ irresponsible? not really. we are actually being proactive. l are actually being proactive. what we are saying is that this is a greenhouse, this was a great idea, the prime minister sent a letter onjanuary great idea, the prime minister sent a letter on january the 12th saying this is an idea we i2th saying this is an idea we should develop in order to underpin our return to normality. this is something that has progressed a lot and is on the verge of being implemented. so this is a very, very important step on the way. but in truth, the pandemic has ensured that tourism will never be quite the same again, not in the fourth seed bull future anyway. the truth is when people get to greece and you are proclaiming how open you are, they would still have to act in a different way, there will be social distancing, masks in public places, nightclubs and not be operating how they youth to across the greek islands, author of the things will be different about people's vacations and holidays. are you convinced

people want to go on holiday in that situation?— that situation? yes, i am convinced _ that situation? yes, i am convinced because - that situation? yes, i am convinced because we i that situation? yes, i am. convinced because we saw that situation? yes, i am i convinced because we saw it last year. if you ask me that question a year ago, i would have many doubts but we saw this in practice last year. so, and this is if you like, the core of the message. the message is that this is not leather fair, message is that this is not leatherfair, this is not a license with any preconditions to come to grace or any destination and have fun the way we used to have fun before the pandemic —— greece. the the pandemic -- greece. the -hone the pandemic -- greece. the phone is _ the pandemic -- greece. the phone is not _ the pandemic -- greece. the phone is not on _ the pandemic -- greece. the phone is not on the _ the pandemic —— greece. the phone is not on the agenda? the pandemic -- greece. the i phone is not on the agenda? of because it's phone is not on the agenda? oi because it's fun, but not phone is not on the agenda? i>i because it's fun, but not in the same way, we will have social distancing of protocols but those protocols are not the core of the experience, which is relaxation and part of relaxation is being sure that people next to you are also vaccinated or have a negative test. that is why we, let me explain. we have preconditions before they travel, like

vaccination, like the negative test. at the borders we have random testing and assessing with an artificial intelligence system that targets our testing system with where the risk is. this is important part. we have quarantine hotels, we had them last year and hotels when we isolate people and their families if they test positive and of course we have the protocol that you mention, the social distancing, the mouth wearing, all those things that keep it safe and finally vaccine drive that we mention, for people working in the industry. d0 for people working in the industry-— for people working in the indust . ., industry. do you acknowledge the tourism _ industry. do you acknowledge the tourism business - industry. do you acknowledge the tourism business will i industry. do you acknowledge. the tourism business will never be as big with the millions that visited every summer and also the revenues. it is not going to be quite as good in the future as it was in the past? the future as it was in the -ast? the future as it was in the ast? ., ., ., , past? there are going to be many long-term _ past? there are going to be many long-term changes i many long—term changes happening in tourism and i can

allege that. we saw trends before the pandemic accelerate like, for example, people booking late, the more digital experience, the more it's tourism, those things have accelerated. some things have gone back, the single use plastic, the environmental side has taken one step back and the fear of safety has ta ken has taken one step back and the fear of safety has taken the front seat. we will see a lot of changes and, of course, it will take time to see the levels we saw in 2019. you said on the world — levels we saw in 2019. you said on the world travel— on the world travel organisation council, a special committee on crisis management. is it one of the messages of the pandemic that we need to reconsider ways in which the world has worked and one is how people travelled. how many assumptions we made a right to

have international holidays, to cheap airfares. it is also about responding to the state of our planning and you accept as a tourism minister that you need to rethink how tourism works in your country and the degree of reliance you have on it? ., ., , ., , ., it? have no problem agreeing with that but _ it? have no problem agreeing with that but we _ it? have no problem agreeing with that but we have - it? have no problem agreeing with that but we have to i it? have no problem agreeing with that but we have to think about the lost jobs with that but we have to think about the lostjobs and supporting communities that through tourism have revenue in order to make those smaller communities sustainable economically so we have to look at all those things together at the same time but there is no doubt that we have to strategically realign the tourism industry.- strategically realign the tourism industry. let's switch track a little _ tourism industry. let's switch track a little bit. _ tourism industry. let's switch track a little bit. you - tourism industry. let's switch track a little bit. you are i tourism industry. let's switch track a little bit. you are a i track a little bit. you are a minister in a government which has over the last year and more been seen by the international community as flouting international law in a way that has tarnished your country's reputation. i am thinking of

the way you handled the migration crisis and a number of people crossing the mediterranean and reaching greek waters. you flout international law in the way you push those people away. do you push those people away. do you acknowledge, as tourism minister, it is bad for greece's reputation? it would be bad if it — greece's reputation? it would be bad if it were _ greece's reputation? it would be bad if it were true - greece's reputation? it would be bad if it were true but i greece's reputation? it would be bad if it were true but it i be bad if it were true but it is not true. in any case, this is not true. in any case, this is happening in the bodice and they have been patrolled by international organisations... one of the sources that tells us greece is violating international law is is front deck. they are dissatisfied with greek vote and greek security personnel on board have forced migrants out of greek borders. we have forced migrants out of greek borders.— greek borders. we are patrolling _

greek borders. we are patrolling our- greek borders. we are patrolling our bodies l greek borders. we are | patrolling our bodies in greek borders. we are i patrolling our bodies in a way compliant with international law and any incidents that may have happened are being dealt with end of the usual manner of investigation via the usual tunnels... investigation via the usual tunnels- - -_ investigation via the usual tunnels... ,., ., . tunnels... the border violence monitoring _ tunnels... the border violence monitoring network, _ tunnels... the border violence monitoring network, a - tunnels... the border violence i monitoring network, a reputable organisation which tries to keep tabs on what countries are doing with migrants, it has powerful evidence that there has been, disproportionate, excessive use of force, extremely cruel examples of police violence, documented in 2020, including prolonged excessive meetings, often of naked or seminaked bodice, water immersion, physical abuse of women and children, the use of women and children, the use of metal rods to inflict violence. i of metal rods to inflict violence.—

of metal rods to inflict violence. . , of metal rods to inflict violence. ., , ., violence. i am sure there are allegations — violence. i am sure there are allegations investigated i violence. i am sure there are allegations investigated and| violence. i am sure there are | allegations investigated and if there is any truth in the matter, they will be dealt with in a normalfashion... matter, they will be dealt with in a normal fashion. . .- in a normalfashion... your country _ in a normalfashion... your country has _ in a normalfashion... your country has been _ in a normalfashion... your country has been taken i in a normalfashion... your country has been taken to| in a normalfashion... your. country has been taken to the european court of human rights. the case will be dealt according to the standards and international law. i assure you, our government is committed to adhering to international law. there is no doubt about that but at the same time we will not accept the migration issue being used as a weapon against our country. as a weapon against our country-— as a weapon against our count . �* ., ., ., country. another thought about greece and its reputation and standing in the world. a more general point about the state of your economy and what is happening to the greek people. 2008 is a long time ago in political terms and yet, for all of your efforts to recover from the financial crash and bailout money received from the european union, one third of all young greek adults are

still out of work. why is that that, for all of the measures taken and the help given, the greek economy is still in such a bad place? greek economy is still in such a bad lace? , ~ ., , a bad place? the greek economy has one a bad place? the greek economy has gone through _ a bad place? the greek economy has gone through a _ a bad place? the greek economy has gone through a ten _ a bad place? the greek economy has gone through a ten year- has gone through a ten year financial crisis which was a very difficult period and it has left its mark and, at the same time, as we were coming out of this crisis, moving towards growth again, this pandemic happened. what has happened is that greece, is, if you like, during this pandemic, is the positive surprise of the pandemic. all the international institutions... pandemic. all the international institutions. . ._ institutions... really! your gdp is frankly _ institutions... really! your gdp is frankly barely i institutions... really! your gdp is frankly barely half l institutions... really! your | gdp is frankly barely half of what it was before the financial crash. you are in a hole and it is hard to see the country ever getting out of it. a lot of investment is happening in greece. international institutions just

last year, the consensus was that our drop in gdp because of the pandemic would have been -10.5, the the pandemic would have been —10.5, the actual numbers were 8.2, much, much better, almost 2.5% of gdp better than predicted. during the crisis, a very difficult period for everyone and for greece, you saw how important tourism is and how difficult it has been fought to reason, in particularly globally, greece has managed to ever perform and deal with this in a professional manner and we are well poised in returning back to growth both institutions project good growth for this year and the next one. b, project good growth for this year and the next one. a final thou~ht year and the next one. a final thought for— year and the next one. a final thought for you _ year and the next one. a final thought for you minister i year and the next one. a final thought for you minister and l year and the next one. a final| thought for you minister and it comes from your trip to london. you want a positive lectureship with the british government and people because you want us all to encourage us to visit. ——

positive relationship. ilat to encourage us to visit. -- positive relationship. not 'ust because we i positive relationship. not 'ust because we want i positive relationship. not 'ust because we want you i positive relationship. not 'ust because we want you to i positive relationship. notjust because we want you to visitl because we want you to visit greece because we share our values and a common history together... we have been together... we have been together good times and bad times, in wars and peaceful times- - -_ times, in wars and peaceful times... ~ , , ., times... minister, there is one thing you're — times... minister, there is one thing you're not _ times... minister, there is one thing you're not so _ times... minister, there is one thing you're not so keen i times... minister, there is one thing you're not so keen on i thing you're not so keen on sharing with the british and thatis sharing with the british and that is the path of the magnificent parthenon sculptures, the elegant marble is taken in the early 19th century from the parthenon they are in the british museum, they are in the british museum, they are never sent but your government has insisted for a very long time, they must be returned to athens. prime minister borisjohnson has made it plain he has no interest in cooperating with that wish. how big a thorn in the relationship is that going to be? we big a thorn in the relationship is that going to be?— is that going to be? we have our position _ is that going to be? we have our position and _ is that going to be? we have our position and we - is that going to be? we have i

our position and we acknowledge the british position and we will continue explaining our arguments for the return of those marbles because they are in getting position currently to be united with the rest of the pantheon marbles and we will continue to campaign, quote unquote, explaining to the british public and government this is the right way to go. government this is the right way to go-— way to go. there are many museums _ way to go. there are many museums around - way to go. there are many museums around the i way to go. there are many| museums around the world reassessing their collections in the light of the realities of colonialism, imperialism, theft going back many centuries. are you saying to britain today that britain's continued possession of these marbles is immoral, unethical and deeply wrong? i marbles is immoral, unethical and deeply wrong?— marbles is immoral, unethical and deeply wrong? i am saying certainly that _ and deeply wrong? i am saying certainly that it _ and deeply wrong? i am saying certainly that it is _ and deeply wrong? i am saying certainly that it is wrong i and deeply wrong? i am saying certainly that it is wrong and i certainly that it is wrong and that they should reconsider it. i would not want to expand this into the moral realm but

certainly they should acknowledge that the rightful place for those marbles is in the new museum of the acropolis, a museum that is fit to house those marbles together with the rest of the parthenon marbles. ~ , ., , marbles. minister haris theoharis _ marbles. minister haris theoharis i thank you i marbles. minister haris i theoharis i thank you very marbles. minister haris - theoharis i thank you very much forjoining us on hardtalk. thank you. forjoining us on hardtalk. thank you-— hello there. we saw plenty of showers across the country on tuesday. particularly for the midlands, wales and northern england where we had some thunderstorms as well, producing very heavy hailstones like this weather watcher picture shows, in flintshire in north wales. now, for today, it's going to be another one of sunshine and showers, but they shall resume not be quite as intense as what we had on tuesday.

but our area of low pressure, which has been sitting on to the west of ireland and the uk for the last few days, will slowly start to fill. weakened as it pushes its way eastwards across the country. so we will start off again, good deal of sunshine around, but then the showers will start to get going. a bit more cloud, though, for the northern half of scotland. we've seen showery bursts of rain here. and this area of rain in the channel is going to bring some wet weather through the channel islands through the day and start to push northwards into central southern england, southwest england at times. again, temperatures pretty much what they have been the last few days, around the mid—teens celsius for those. a bit colder than that across the northern half of scotland. now, that wet weather across the south pushes further north into parts of wales, the midlands. it could be quite wet through wednesday night across the south. elsewhere, the showers will tend to fade. there will be some clear spells, but also quite a bit of cloud across northern scotland. and again, for most of us, it's going to be another frost free one. so for thursday it could start rather cloudy, quite wet for parts of wales, the midlands into southern england. it will eventually ease away and then it's another one of sunshine and showers, and the odd shower could be

on the heavy side again with a rumble of thunder. but a bit more cloud again from the north and east of scotland. temperatures again range from around 1a—17 degrees, particularly where we have the sunshine, but the cloudy skies across northern scotland, there it will feel cooler than that. the airflow turns quite slack on friday. we are almost in between weather systems. and it could be friday will be a cloudier day across. that will inhibit the showers that develop. but where we get some sunshine across northern ireland, wales, southern england, this is where we could see some of the showers there developing which could be on the heavy side again. it is here where we will see temperatures reaching around 15—16 degrees, otherwise a bit cooler across the board where we have the cloud. so that's how was looking for thursday and friday. if i run the sequence on through the weekend and into the start of next week dominated by low pressure. so we are likely to see spells of rain followed by sunshine and showers. and this temperatures remaining around orjust below the seasonal average. notjust for the weekend, but even as we head throughout much of next week.

this is bbc news. i'm sally bundock with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. air strikes are launched on gaza as unrest escalates into the worst violence between israel and the palestinians in seven years. more than 30 people have been killed. in the israeli city of lod, a state of emergency has been declared after rocket attacks that killed a man and a girl. worried us drivers line up at the pumps after a cyber attack on a fuel pipeline brings supplies to a virtual halt. the southern italian island of lampedusa has seen a new uptick in migrant arrivals. more than 2,000 have landed there from north africa