this is bbc news. i have to level with you that this new in scotland, glasgow and more rate will remain under variant lockdown for at least another week. a fifth day of fighting — israel intensifies its attack on gaza, as palestinian militants continue their rocket assaults on israel

edwin poots is what the leader of the democratic unionists party in northern ireland. and coming up and a half an hour, foreign correspondence joined a half an hour, foreign correspondencejoined me a half an hour, foreign correspondence joined me to give an outsider view of events in the uk. stay with us for dateline london at 7:30 p:m.. good evening and welcome to bbc news. borisjohnson is said the new variant of coronavirus could make a serious disruption to tackle the coronavirus and relaxing restrictions. speaking earlier, the premise reset the second vaccine dose for over 50s would be

accelerated to keep ahead of the virus. cases of the indian variant have more than doubled in a week with over 1300 cases and most in england. the government says there is no the variant causes more severe disease or is more a visit to the vaccine but it may be more transmissible. 0ur medical editor explains. this is one way of keeping a lid on the indian variant. surge testing in formby, merseyside, one of 15 areas in england, including parts of the north west and london, where residents are being encouraged to come forward for a pcr test. and this is another — immunisation in bolton, which now has the highest rate of coronavirus in the uk and where there's a huge demand for vaccination. personally, the reason for me getting the vaccination is because i live with elderly people and i don't obviously want to have them have less worries. the prime minister said the rise in the indian variant meant there were no guarantees

about the finer lifting of restrictions in england. i have to level with you that this new variant could pose a serious disruption to our progress and could make it more difficult to move to step four injune. and i must stress that we will do whatever it takes to keep the public safe. the indian variant was first identified here less than a month ago, linked to travel from india before it was put on the red list for hotel quarantine. cases have more than doubled in a week, to over 1300, but that will inevitably be out of date, because it takes time to sequence samples. it now accounts for around 10% of coronavirus cases in the uk, but we're in a far better place than we were just a few months ago, back at the peak injanuary,

when there were 1.25 million people infected with coronavirus in the uk, that's one in 50 people. the latest survey from the office for national statistics suggests that's down to around 47,000, or one in around 11100 people. government scientists say the indian variant is definitely more traceable than other restraints but they don't know by how much. but crucially it looks as though vaccines are still effective against it. pubs, restaurants and museums will be welcoming people back indoors from monday, but questions remain about whether the indian variant could delay the final lifting of restrictions in england in latejune. the race between the vaccine and the virus continues. fergus walsh, bbc news.

0ur political correspondent iain watson is at westminster. how difficult it is a dilemma the government faces saying we are going to go ahead on monday? it is government faces saying we are going to go ahead on monday?— to go ahead on monday? it is quite difficult. i don't _ to go ahead on monday? it is quite difficult. i don't think _ to go ahead on monday? it is quite difficult. i don't think boris - difficult. i don't think boris johnson is going to have a dilemma because i think he will go ahead with further restrictions. people will be able to mix indoors in groups of six and in hospitality as well. but he sounded far less confident about freedom as a people were calling it is party ofjune 21 of living restrictions, the end i'm distancing in england and talked about potentially difficult choices ahead. 0n traceability, we are hearing that we don't know how much more tractable this indian variant is but a paperfrom sage says it could be a0 or a0% more because if you look at that kind of scale, it is possible that the very last parts of that road map are not completed on schedule after all the promised are saying that he is going to be

motivated by data and not by dates. i think the immediate political questions eagerly facing are twofold really. whether he is being perhaps not cautious enough lifting restrictions on may the 17th and ingle given that now a different approach has been taken in scotland to musso where nicola sturgeon is worried about the indian variant in her patch. the subset of glasgow, the whole of the city of glasgow is not having restrictions eased on with the rest of scotland apart from moret in the north of scotland as well. that is effectively not quite a local lockdown but it is a more cautious approach and yet the case rates based on the indian variant and glasgow are smaller than they are in bolton for example. the second is particle pressure be put on the prime minister is in the opposite direction from any of his own mps, including the conservative leader of bolton council, saying that local lockdown are counter productive people move around and start spreading the virus. the other question that is now being asked by

the chair of the all party group on the chair of the all party group on the coronavirus, the liberal democrat mp linda moran committal of the government should have close the border to india, put any on the red listener than it did on april the 23rd. she is already blaming boris johnson himself for it getting out of control. government not acting quickly enough and this is something which i think will be echoed by labour as well. interested to know if labour will align the road is suggesting that perhaps local lockdown said should not be ruled out. when the mayor of greater manchester, the labour mayor andy burnham, is calling for no local lockdown comfortably calling for more vaccinations of a wider group of adults. . . ., ,., ., of adults. iain watson at westminster, _ of adults. iain watson at westminster, thank - of adults. iain watson at westminster, thank you | of adults. iain watson at - westminster, thank you very of adults. iain watson at _ westminster, thank you very much. we can find out is what the labour position is asjonathan ashworth joints meet now. thank you for talking to us on bbc news. do you rule out lock downs that this is not at all appropriate any longer? i

join you tonight for my kitchen in leicester— join you tonight for my kitchen in leicester where we never left lockdown for over a year so i know how difficult local lockdown tsar. i would _ how difficult local lockdown tsar. i would strongly recommend that local lockdowns should be the last thing we need _ lockdowns should be the last thing we need to do. what we have to do now is_ we need to do. what we have to do now is quickly get up off of this variant— now is quickly get up off of this variant with speed and total resolve _ variant with speed and total resolve. many people tonight will be deeply— resolve. many people tonight will be deeply concerned and disappointed and it_ deeply concerned and disappointed and it brings into sharp focus boris johnson's — and it brings into sharp focus boris johnson's failure to secure our borders — johnson's failure to secure our borders. some weeks ago it is bewildering that india was added to the red _ bewildering that india was added to the red list at such a late date. 0ur borders have been like a sieve under_ 0ur borders have been like a sieve under boris — 0ur borders have been like a sieve under borisjohnson. and what 0ur borders have been like a sieve under boris johnson. and what we also now_ under boris johnson. and what we also now need to do is put in place that surge — also now need to do is put in place that surge vaccination in those hotspot — that surge vaccination in those hotspot areas. list of vaccination rates, _ hotspot areas. list of vaccination rates, let's— hotspot areas. list of vaccination rates, let's fix contact tracy. stilt — rates, let's fix contact tracy. still not _ rates, let's fix contact tracy. still not get the content rating system — still not get the content rating system when he this country and perhaps— system when he this country and perhaps most fundamental of all, we need to— perhaps most fundamental of all, we need to pay proper sick pay and

offer_ need to pay proper sick pay and offer support to those who are tow-paid, _ offer support to those who are low— paid, those who cannot stay at home _ low— paid, those who cannot stay at home if— low— paid, those who cannot stay at home if they are sick because they will go _ home if they are sick because they will go without most of the failure to offer— will go without most of the failure to offer sick pay has perhaps been the most — to offer sick pay has perhaps been the most monstrous failure of this government response to the virus throughout. in government response to the virus throughout-— government response to the virus throu:hout. , ., ., , ., , throughout. in terms of the options, nice to see — throughout. in terms of the options, nice to see her. _ throughout. in terms of the options, nice to see her. we _ throughout. in terms of the options, nice to see her. we are _ throughout. in terms of the options, nice to see her. we are not - throughout. in terms of the options, nice to see her. we are not ruining l nice to see her. we are not ruining her evening by keeping her dead up talking to us on the telly. what is her name it?— talking to us on the telly. what is her name it? allie, and she is very excited because _ her name it? allie, and she is very excited because it _ her name it? allie, and she is very excited because it has _ her name it? allie, and she is very excited because it has been - excited because it has been leicester city day at school today because — leicester city day at school today because leicester city are in the cup final— because leicester city are in the cup final tomorrow. the because leicester city are in the cup final tomorrow.— because leicester city are in the cup final tomorrow. the plug is in for the football _ cup final tomorrow. the plug is in for the football now. _ cup final tomorrow. the plug is in for the football now. thank - cup final tomorrow. the plug is in for the football now. thank you, | for the football now. thank you, bye. but we will have now is the question of enhanced vaccinations. where are you on this because it seems to be a look of that actually you should be helping and getting everybody vaccinated? don't worry at the age issue any more and just kind of give everybody the option to vaccine. the ken argument if you can

do at least two have to wait two or three weeks before those vaccines become effective. i three weeks before those vaccines become effective.— three weeks before those vaccines become effective. i have listened to the exnerts — become effective. i have listened to the exnerts on _ become effective. i have listened to the experts on the _ become effective. i have listened to the experts on the ground _ become effective. i have listened to l the experts on the ground canvassing had the _ the experts on the ground canvassing had the director of public health for blackburn who is not only an excellent — for blackburn who is not only an excellent director of public health and is _ excellent director of public health and is affected across the country saying _ and is affected across the country saying let — and is affected across the country saying let us i've heard it from over— saying let us i've heard it from over experts on the country as well. so if you _ over experts on the country as well. so if you are — over experts on the country as well. so if you are in bolton or blackburn and you _ so if you are in bolton or blackburn and you know you are dealing with an outbreak, _ and you know you are dealing with an outbreak, you know that prevalence is increasing, i think we should listen — is increasing, i think we should listen to— is increasing, i think we should listen to those health experts on the ground. those people who had been _ the ground. those people who had been fighting this virus day in and day out, — been fighting this virus day in and day out, so — been fighting this virus day in and day out, so get them applicability of in our— day out, so get them applicability of in our vaccination programme has been _ of in our vaccination programme has been a _ of in our vaccination programme has been a success and we are all initially— been a success and we are all initially proud of that but let's have — initially proud of that but let's have the _ initially proud of that but let's have the flexibility in it to involve _ have the flexibility in it to involve more vaccinations to those areas _ involve more vaccinations to those areas that — involve more vaccinations to those areas that are quite obviously now needing _ areas that are quite obviously now needing it~ — areas that are quite obviously now needing it. just areas that are quite obviously now needin: it. , , , . ., areas that are quite obviously now needin: it. , , . ., ., , needing it. just be clear on this, the mayor _ needing it. just be clear on this, the mayor of — needing it. just be clear on this, the mayor of manchester - needing it. just be clear on this, the mayor of manchester says . needing it. just be clear on this, | the mayor of manchester says no local lockdowns and you are saying local lockdowns and you are saying local lockdowns and you are saying local lockdowns only as a last resort, so not trying to broad cheese through the interview but i want to be clear what your position

is. i want to be clear what your position is. ~' ., want to be clear what your position is. ~ ., , ., �* want to be clear what your position is. ~' ., y.,�* ., want to be clear what your position is. i know you're not from to do sort of a _ is. i know you're not from to do sort of a labour _ is. i know you're not from to do sort of a labour says _ is. i know you're not from to do sort of a labour says this - is. i know you're not from to do sort of a labour says this and l is. i know you're not from to do i sort of a labour says this and that it for— sort of a labour says this and that it for difficult choices. there is no easy— it for difficult choices. there is no easy answers in any of this. but i no easy answers in any of this. but i would _ no easy answers in any of this. but i would say— no easy answers in any of this. but i would say before talking about local— i would say before talking about local lockdowns, we should be looking — local lockdowns, we should be looking at surging vaccination, dealing — looking at surging vaccination, dealing with the contact tracing and paying _ dealing with the contact tracing and paying people proper sick pay. if we can get— paying people proper sick pay. if we can get some of that in place, i think— can get some of that in place, i think we — can get some of that in place, i think we can avoid local lockdowns. jonathan _ think we can avoid local lockdowns. jonathan ashworth, thank you both very much. the israeli prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, has warned that israel's biggest offensive against hamas in gaza in years is not over yet. palestinians in northern gaza have been fleeing the israeli bombardment. rockets were fired by militants towards israel from the territory for a fifth day. at least 122 people in gaza have been killed and nine have died in israel since fighting began on monday. let's go now tojerusalem and to our middle east editor, jeremy bowen. it's ugly and angry on the streets and towns shared byjews and arabs in israel.

they have the same id papers and not much else in common. police broke down the door of a family in haifa. they deny accusations their sons were attacking jews. the police say their officers behaved correctly. the father, the imam of a mosque, and his two sons were arrested for attacking police officers. the woman who filmed this said they're scared not ofjews, but of racist police. a local rabbi visited, she said, to apologise. explosions. in gaza, a building housing the hamas bank was hit. families went back to check what was left after a big israeli operation to destroy a tunnel complex. this man's home was gone.

he said there was no warning when the explosions began. both his father's feet were blown off, his aunt lost an eye. around 2 million people live in gaza. half of them are children. far inland on the west bank, it was a day of protests, and more palestinians were killed. in the occupied territories and in israel, events this week have exposed once again the mutual hatred and fear that are the essence of this conflict. jewish israelis fired live bullets who palestinians say through fireworks. this is where the escalation began with the attempted eviction of palestinians from their homes. injordan, the country next door, security forces kept protesters

back from the frontier. palestinians make up more than half thejordanian population, mostly refugees from past wars not permitted to return by israel. history never dies in this conflict. people do. jeremy bowen, bbc news, jerusalem. the latest data shows there were 2193 new covid infections in the past 2a hours, with 17 deaths recorded. more than 36 million people have now had their first dose of a vaccine. that's 68.6% of the uk's adult population. more than 19.3 million have had both jabs, so that's nearly 37% of all adults now fully vaccinated.

wales will reopen indoor hospitality and entertainment venues, including cinemas and bingo halls, from monday as planned. the first minister, mark drakeford, said people should consider staying local for their holidays despite the lifting of the ban on international travel. he said if ever there was a year to holiday in wales, this was it. the scottish government is also continuing with its road map of unlocking, moving most of mainland scotland to level 2 on monday. but glasgow and moray will remain at the higher level three because of concern about an increase in covid cases there. nicola sturgeon made the announcement in the scottish parliament earlier. the advice given to me by the chief medical officer and which has informed this decision is that we need a few more days to assess the data and build confidence that the situation can be brought under control or at least that it is not resulting in an increasing rate of hospitalisation and severe illness. accordingly and very reluctantly,

we have decided to err on the side of caution and also keep glasgow city in level 3 for a further week. again, i know how disappointing this will be, but pressing pause for a few days will hopefully avoid a situation in which we have to impose even more restrictive measures over the next few weeks. professorjason leitch is scotland's national clinical director. thank you very much for being with us on bbc news this evening. in a sense for much of scotland, things are going as planned. do you have a clear idea of why in glasgow and moray you are seeing this rise in infections? is moray you are seeing this rise in infections?— moray you are seeing this rise in infections? is a tough date to be honest for— infections? is a tough date to be honest for us _ infections? is a tough date to be honest for us giving _ infections? is a tough date to be honest for us giving this - infections? is a tough date to be honest for us giving this advice l infections? is a tough date to be i honest for us giving this advice and for the _ honest for us giving this advice and for the first — honest for us giving this advice and for the first minister to take the advice — for the first minister to take the advice. but for our largest city for when _ advice. but for our largest city for when industry was readies and families— when industry was readies and families were ready to have people indoors _ families were ready to have people indoors for— families were ready to have people indoors for the first time in months. _ indoors for the first time in months, it is a tricky day. it is

not _ months, it is a tricky day. it is not one — months, it is a tricky day. it is not one thing. it is certainly part of the _ not one thing. it is certainly part of the new— not one thing. it is certainly part of the new variant but it is also 'ust of the new variant but it is also just spread. but we've always done what the _ just spread. but we've always done what the virus for a year now about how it _ what the virus for a year now about how it moves from person to person, so we _ how it moves from person to person, so we have _ how it moves from person to person, so we have made the very difficult decision— so we have made the very difficult decision after advice to hold glasgow at the level it's at today and moray. moray is beginning to fall, so— and moray. moray is beginning to fall, so we — and moray. moray is beginning to fall, so we are very hopeful moray is improving but glasgow is still on the rise _ is improving but glasgow is still on the rise we — is improving but glasgow is still on the rise we are hopeful that human behaviour— the rise we are hopeful that human behaviour and what we will do as public— behaviour and what we will do as public health professionals to try and get — public health professionals to try and get a — public health professionals to try and get a grip of this will get us out of— and get a grip of this will get us out of this— and get a grip of this will get us out of this quickly. the suggestion has been that _ out of this quickly. the suggestion has been that it _ out of this quickly. the suggestion has been that it will _ out of this quickly. the suggestion has been that it will be _ out of this quickly. the suggestion has been that it will be held - out of this quickly. the suggestion has been that it will be held for. out of this quickly. the suggestion has been that it will be held for at| has been that it will be held for at least a week. the obvious question if you will be asked with a week is approaching what is happening. there is no guarantee that you will have to maintain this for longer than that period presumably. trio. to maintain this for longer than that period presumably. no, we want as short a period _ that period presumably. no, we want as short a period as _ that period presumably. no, we want as short a period as we _ that period presumably. no, we want as short a period as we can _ that period presumably. no, we want as short a period as we can that - that period presumably. no, we want as short a period as we can that is . as short a period as we can that is safe _ as short a period as we can that is safe and — as short a period as we can that is safe. and what we don't want to do and did _ safe. and what we don't want to do and did not— safe. and what we don't want to do and did not want to do and our advice — and did not want to do and our advice said _ and did not want to do and our advice said this was we did not want to open— advice said this was we did not want to open and — advice said this was we did not want to open and close again. so we really— to open and close again. so we really are — to open and close again. so we really are keen to keep on a

trajectory— really are keen to keep on a trajectory that's good for families and social— trajectory that's good for families and social life and for particularly the hospitality industry who this is real difficult blow for tonight. but we have _ real difficult blow for tonight. but we have said we will review it every week, _ we have said we will review it every week, and — we have said we will review it every week, and we will give the first minister— week, and we will give the first minister advice over the weekend and into next— minister advice over the weekend and into next week on a daily basis and she and _ into next week on a daily basis and she and her— into next week on a daily basis and she and her cabinet which will be a new cabinet probably next week will make _ new cabinet probably next week will make those decisions and will make them _ make those decisions and will make them for— make those decisions and will make them for moray and glasgow but remember we also have to keep a review— remember we also have to keep a review on— remember we also have to keep a review on the whole of the rest of scotland — review on the whole of the rest of scotland. gn review on the whole of the rest of scotland. ~' ., review on the whole of the rest of scotland. ~ ., . .. , scotland. on the kind of criticality of this, the _ scotland. on the kind of criticality of this, the last _ scotland. on the kind of criticality of this, the last time _ scotland. on the kind of criticality of this, the last time he _ scotland. on the kind of criticality of this, the last time he saw - scotland. on the kind of criticality of this, the last time he saw a - of this, the last time he saw a certificate rise and we took the action of a lock down and all the rest of it in the winter was partly responsible for that but we were a different place if everyone says. for simple we did not have vaccines in arms and did not beginjabbing more than very small number of people at that stage. those vaccines have taken people at that stage. those vaccines have ta ken effect people at that stage. those vaccines have taken effect now so they have a certain degree of protection. 0rderly protection against more serious illness. you were not

seeing, am i right, a rise in hospitalisations or a rise in really serious cases of infection but but in numbers of cases. therefore it is this the appropriate measure to take. i'm wondering is itjust will have to live with this every so often cases rising and then they will fall again and then rise and fall again but that is rather as it is with the flu. it will be a seasonal problem. if is with the flu. it will be a seasonal problem.- is with the flu. it will be a seasonal problem. if the key ruestion seasonal problem. if the key question you _ seasonal problem. if the key question you have _ seasonal problem. if the key question you have asked, i seasonal problem. if the key| question you have asked, the seasonal problem. if the key - question you have asked, the key question — question you have asked, the key question. what is the formula? how much _ question. what is the formula? how much does — question. what is the formula? how much does a — question. what is the formula? how much does a case matter in may compared — much does a case matter in may compared to a case in december? and it matters— compared to a case in december? and it matters less and we know that for sure _ it matters less and we know that for sure you _ it matters less and we know that for sure you are— it matters less and we know that for sure. you are definitely less lucky to get— sure. you are definitely less lucky to get serious illness or diet tragically if you are vaccinated. but we — tragically if you are vaccinated. but we don't know by how much. and the real— but we don't know by how much. and the real unknown is what very astute of that _ the real unknown is what very astute of that equation. now we are very hopeful— of that equation. now we are very hopeful that with science and with time we _ hopeful that with science and with time we will be able to say to people — time we will be able to say to people we will have x number of cases— people we will have x number of cases and — people we will have x number of cases and we won't have to do this to glasgow—

cases and we won't have to do this to glasgow or to other parts of across— to glasgow or to other parts of across the _ to glasgow or to other parts of across the uk. but we simply don't know _ across the uk. but we simply don't know the — across the uk. but we simply don't know. the advice we give to date is we don't _ know. the advice we give to date is we don't know enough yet to be able to answer— we don't know enough yet to be able to answer that key question you have 'ust to answer that key question you have just asked _ to answer that key question you have 'ust asked. ., , ,., to answer that key question you have 'ust asked. ., , ., ., ., just asked. professor, national clinical director _ just asked. professor, national clinical director for _ just asked. professor, national clinical director for nhs - just asked. professor, national clinical director for nhs colic i just asked. professor, national. clinical director for nhs colic and think you very much for being with us on bbc news. not to northern ireland where edwin poots succeeds arlene foster as the first minister and leader of the dup. he beat the mpjeff dawson to take the top post in the party. jack —— jeffrey donaldson. he won't be the first minister, he is already said that he will appoint somebody else to that role. now at 7:30pm in a state in london but first for a full round up from the support centre, here is gavin. good evening to you. the turkish grand prix has been cancelled only two weeks after it was added to the formula 1 calendar.

turkey has been placed on the uk's red—list, which makes racing there unworkable with so many of the teams based in this country. turkey had replaced next month's canadian grand prix which was also scrapped because because of covid travel restrictions. there will now be a second austrian race next month, with the french grand prix brought forward by a week. the portuguese government has updated travel advice for brits heading to the country from next week. tourists now are allowed into the country from monday, which of course involves the many manchester city and chelsea fans heading to porto for the champions league final at the end of the month. both clubs say they are working with uefa to understand exactly what protocols will be in place. there was some confusion last night, with the portuguese government saying that their entry restrictions were being extended until the 30th and then the suggestion that fans would only be allowed to travel on the day of the game and fly home straight afterwards. there's nothing like a live experience, a live game. so there will be large numbers

of fans that want to go there, but we want to make the experience as smooth as possible. in this environment, there is no such thing as low risk or no risk international travel and it will be a different experience. meanwhile, uefa are set to switch this year's super cup from belfast to istanbul, even though it could feature two english teams. the champions league final was moved to portugal from turkey for a second successive year and hosting the super cup would be part of a compensation package being offered to the turkish football authorities. the game will see either manchester city or chelsea take on manchester united or villarreal on august 11th, just before the start of the premier league season. tonight, manchester city go to newcastle in the premier league. it's their first match since winning the title earlier this week. the game means little as far as the premier league table is concerned, but manager pep guardiola wants to finish the season strongly so they're in good shape for that champions league against chelsea. important is winning the title. no matter when, we did it this time and we are going to prepare this next

game, newcastle, and brighton and everton and of course for the last game against chelsea with the final of the champions league, but in the best way to repair for the final is training good every day and playing goodin training good every day and playing good in the three games we have ahead of us. doubts continue to mount about the feasability of staging the olympics this year. the tokyo 2020 president, seiko hashimoto, admitted that if they are unable to guarantee the safety of the athletes, the city should not host the games. the international paralympic committee president, andrew parsons, understands the situation. we're doing this because it is fundamental, at a global level, that we deliver these games now and we understand that we can deliver them in a safe manner. if one or two of these things were not there, we would probably not be delivering these games because it would not be safe, but we do believe it makes sense, we believe it is necessary and we believe we can have it in a way that we can protect the japanese population

and the athletes. the schedule for this summer's british and irish lions tour to south africa has been tweaked. the eight matches will now take place in three cities rather than six to reduce the risk of covid. as it stands, the lions will play all those games behind closed doors. the tour will start injohannesburg and pretoria before heading to the cape town stadium for more warm—up games and then the first test on the 2ath july. the last two tests will be back injoh'burg. rafael nadal is on course to win a tenth italian open title after reaching the semi—finals. he beat alexander zverev in straight sets, ending a three—match losing streak against the german. nadal saved eight break points in the second set before sealing the match and will play the american reilly 0pelka. if he wins another title in rome, nadal will equal novak djokovic's record of 36 masters titles at this level. simona halep is in a race to be fit for the defence of her wimbledon title. the world number three has confirmed today that the injury that forced her to pull out of the italian 0pen is a calf tear.

she will almost certainly miss the french open that starts in ten days' time. wimbledon starts on the 28th ofjune. halep is the defending champion from her victory in 2019. last year's tournament was cancelled. that's all the sport for now. now, time for the weather on the bbc news channel. nothing new in the forecast that's going to surprise you. brollies at the ready this weekend. it's going to be very changeable, downpours expected, frequent in some parts of the country, and the possibility of hail and thunder as well, and gusty winds. low pressure will be drifting across the uk on friday night into saturday and will still be influencing our weather come tuesday. now, the jet stream is south of us. when the jet stream is south of us, that means that the cooler weather from the northern climes is in place, and you can see the air streams of cooler weather coming in straight out of the arctic. low pressures are spinning up here, then we have the jet stream, that dividing line, and all of the warmth which we want is deflected to the south.

and this pattern is pretty much locked across the uk. now, here's the rainfall accumulation map, so it tells us how much rain we're going to get this weekend, and in some parts of the country a good 10, 20 millimetres of rain from those heavy showers we're going to be getting. so, the forecast, then, for friday night and into saturday shows the weather front spreading across the uk. you can see mostly dry weather there across scotland and the north east of england, as well as east anglia, but as far as central, southern england is concerned, wales and also the irish sea coasts, i think, rain first thing in the morning. but not cold, temperatures will be around 5—9 degrees early on saturday. so, tomorrow, then, the weather front makes its journey forwards. notice it's not raining everywhere, but once this weather front clears, the skies tend to clear as well. we'll see sunshine and then with this unstable air, which allows to grow those big shower clouds, we'll see downpours developing with the thunder and lightning.

but the showers are very discreet, sometimes they're only 10, 20 miles across, and around it, there'll be plenty of sunshine around, so it really is is a lottery where the showers will hit. now, sunday is going to be another very showery day. it looks as though most of them will be across england and wales, but certainly a scattering of them also across northern ireland and scotland. i'd say the showers on sunday are going to be even more heavy with more frequent downpours across england and wales, hail and thunder, too. and this weather will continue into next week.

hello. i'm shaun ley. welcome to the programme which brings together british commentators, bbc specialists and the foreign correspondents who write, broadcast and blog for audiences back home from the dateline, london. this week, pulling israelis and palestinians back from the brink of war. and decision day looms for tokyo 2021 — does japan want to host the pandemic games? joining us this week, jeffrey kofman, a canadian broadcaster and former us news anchor who's worked extensively in the middle east. the british journalist jonathan sacerdoti provides comment and analysis about israel and its neighbours. jonathan also campaigns against anti—semitism. with me here is celia hatton. celia also hails from canada. she is the bbc�*s asia pacific editor. good to have you with us and get to see both of you too, albeit remotely. good to have you on.

the exchange of rocket fire, the fear and fatalities between palestinians, living in what much of the world calls the occupied territories, and israelis is familiar, even if it hasn't been seen on this scale for seven years. what's shocked even the most battle—hardened observers of this decades—old conflict is the way violence has erupted on the streets of israel. it may be thejewish state, but one—fifth of the israeli population is arab or palestinian. whilst the united nations has warned of the risk of full—scale war between israel's defence force and hamas, the militant group which runs the gaza strip, israel's president, among others, fears a civil war, pitting neighbour against neighbour. jonathan l —— jonathan sacerdoti how potentially dangerous is this moment? i potentially dangerous is this moment? ~ potentially dangerous is this moment?— potentially dangerous is this moment? ~ ., , moment? i think we are seeing something _ moment? i think we are seeing something quite _ moment? i think we are seeing something quite unusual - moment? i think we are seeing something quite unusual here, | moment? i think we are seeing - something quite unusual here, and unfortunately both israel and gaza are used to these kinds of engagement that we are singling on in that part of the land, but when it comes to the internal fights between arab israelis and jewish

israelis, these are riots that we have not really seen anything like really for some time, if perhaps since the foundation of the modern set of israel, so that is a challenge for israel at the moment, especially while that is undergoing this barrage of rockets from gaza at the same time. but we've got to remember i think that these are not necessarily very symptomatically the wider public. it is certainly a worrying sign that there are these divisions within the society in israel come up in these overly people representing the fringes on either side, and most israelis, jewish and arab, do actually get on really well and coexist, not to say they're not problems like there are for ethnic minorities in all sort of countries around the world. so i think it is a challenge but it is deftly a secondary challenge to the rockets and the war going on down in the south. ~ , ., ~ rockets and the war going on down in the south. ~ , ., ,, ., ,., ., rockets and the war going on down in the south. ~ , ., ,, ., ., ., the south. must talk about that in a moment was _ the south. must talk about that in a moment was to _ the south. must talk about that in a moment was to just _ the south. must talk about that in a moment was to just to _ the south. must talk about that in a moment was to just to pick - the south. must talk about that in a moment was to just to pick up - the south. must talk about that in a moment was to just to pick up on i moment was to just to pick up on your theme, jeffrey kofman, is there something generational going on here as well? in a sense there seems to be the kind of come whether a

reluctant acceptance or just an acceptance, of the