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tv   BBC News  BBC News  May 15, 2021 3:55pm-4:31pm BST

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good afternoon.
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there's been further escalation in the conflict in the middle east today after an israeli airstrike destroyed a building in gaza city housing international media. it follows rocket attacks by hamas militants, which killed one man in tel aviv. an israeli strike overnight on a refugee camp, killed at least 1a people, ten of them from one extended family. our middle east correspondent yolande knell reports from the west bank. within seconds, another tower block erased from gaza's skyline. journalists for international networks who worked inside rushed out after a warning from israel that it was about to strike. it says hamas intelligence used the building. earlier, a barrage of rockets hit tel aviv for the first time in two days, with deadly results. emergency services unable to save a man here. in gaza there has been almost no time to mourn as the numbers killed mount up. mohammed lost almost
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everyone in his family. his wife and their children were staying with her brother when the missiles struck their home in an overcrowded refugee camp. little omar is all he has left, found in the rubble next to his mother. with militants continuing to be targeted, images released by israel's military show an operation that is not letting up. officials say dealing a strong blow to deter hamas will take more time. and hamas is not stopping its fire either. it's rockets, as always, are indiscriminate, continuing to pour down on the israeli towns closest to gaza. tensions here remain high in israel's mixed cities wherejews and arabs live side by side. there were more disturbances overnight. today this was jaffa, the streets deserted. and now the focus turns to the palestinian territories. this is a solemn day when palestinians remember the dispossession of hundreds
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of thousands of people when israel was created in 1948. they call it al—nakba, "the catastrophe." and this year the violence elsewhere adds extra fuel to the protests. around me there are stones from some of the earlier clashes between israelis and palestinians here in bethlehem, ii israelis and palestinians here in bethlehem, 11 palestinians were killed in the violence overnight. and now there are calls for people to gather here once again after dark. although you have a us envoy, arab diplomats trying to secure a ceasefire between israel and hamas, what we are seeing at the moment is the unrest spreading. here, thousands of people have gathered in central london to march in solidarity with the palestinian people. a large crowd moved through hyde park to the israeli embassy. similar rallies have been held in other cities in the uk and elsewhere in the world.
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testing for the coronavirus indian variant is being carried out in parts of scotland, london, the midlands, and also in the north west of england where the government says the army is to be deployed to help with surge testing efforts. our health correspondent katherine da costa reports. out on the streets of bolton in greater manchester, this rapid response team is going door—to—door, handing out test kits as authorities here and in other hotspots raised to contain the more contagious indian variant. we contain the more contagious indian variant. ~ . ., contain the more contagious indian variant. ~ . , contain the more contagious indian variant. . , ., variant. we are asking people to take a test _ variant. we are asking people to take a test if— variant. we are asking people to take a test if you _ variant. we are asking people to take a test if you don't - variant. we are asking people to take a test if you don't have - variant. we are asking people to take a test if you don't have any| take a test if you don't have any symptoms to identify people who may be positive and then support them through the isolation period. there are surue through the isolation period. there are surge vaccinations, _ through the isolation period. there are surge vaccinations, as - through the isolation period. there are surge vaccinations, as well, - through the isolation period. there are surge vaccinations, as well, in| are surge vaccinations, as well, in this site in bolton they have ramped up this site in bolton they have ramped up to 4000 shots per day. while vaccines are expected to protect against serious illness from this variant, it is thought they may not completely stop transmission so the
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advice now is to shorten the gap between doses to eight weeks for the most vulnerable, to boost short—term immunity. most vulnerable, to boost short-term immuni . , ., ., immunity. there is a trade-off here because we — immunity. there is a trade-off here because we know _ immunity. there is a trade-off here because we know 12 _ immunity. there is a trade-off here because we know 12 weeks - immunity. there is a trade-off here because we know 12 weeks is - immunity. there is a trade-off here i because we know 12 weeks is better in terms of protection but we think there is enough of a crisis with this particular virus in the country at the moment to make sure that we get those individuals that have only had their first dose fully protected as quickly as possible. this had their first dose fully protected as quickly as possible.— as quickly as possible. this five k run at kempton _ as quickly as possible. this five k run at kempton park _ as quickly as possible. this five k run at kempton park in _ as quickly as possible. this five k run at kempton park in surrey i as quickly as possible. this five k run at kempton park in surrey is| as quickly as possible. this five k| run at kempton park in surrey is a test event to see whether mass outdoor events without social distancing could be brought back safely again. some health experts are concerned allowing indoor socialising from monday risks the variant taking off again but ministers say it is to —— too soon to know what will happen. if it ministers say it is to -- too soon to know what will happen.- ministers say it is to -- too soon to know what will happen. if it is a low risk in —
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to know what will happen. if it is a low risk in transmissibility - to know what will happen. if it is a low risk in transmissibility that - low risk in transmissibility that would not fundamentally necessarily change things but if it is a high level then we would have to look carefully at what happens on the zist carefully at what happens on the 21st ofjune. carefully at what happens on the 21st ofjune-_ 21st ofjune. around a thousand covid patients _ 21st ofjune. around a thousand covid patients are _ 21st ofjune. around a thousand covid patients are being - 21st ofjune. around a thousand | covid patients are being treated 21st ofjune. around a thousand i covid patients are being treated in hospitals across the country, the lowest level since mid—september, but about the third of adults are still not vaccinated, and it's now an anxious wait to see whether new infections translate to a rise in hospital admissions in the weeks to come. katharine da costa, bbc news. wreaths have been laid to mark the centenary of the royal british legion. in a message to coincide with the occasion, prince charles said the organisation ensured the sacrifices of veterans would never be forgotten. jon donnison has the details. bugle plays last post in whitehall this morning, a lone bugler and the last post — to remember those who have been lost but also to mark 100 years of the royal british legion.
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representatives of the army, the royal navy and the royal air force were among those who laid wreaths at the cenotaph, after earlier prince charles had offered his thanks. i wanted, above all, to offer my sincere and heartfelt gratitude to all those who have helped build this wonderful organisation we know today, and to all those who will be part of its future. the british legion was set up in 1921, in the aftermath of the first world war. its mission to support military veterans and their families. so, 100 years after it was founded on this very spot, the royal british legion has marked its centenary, and for its more than 200,000 members the organisation is as relevant today as it was a century ago. whilst it's a different era now, the nature of the wounds have changed, but the specialist skills that we can offer are just as relevant.
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a special commemorative 50p will be used for the coin toss before kick—off at this afternoon's fa cup final between chelsea and leicester city. and today's events celebrate an organisation that has been supporting those prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice now for 100 years. jon donnison, bbc news, in whitehall. rangers are scottish football's new "invincibles . the glasgow side beat aberdeen 4—0 to finish the scottish premiership season unbeaten. rangers' fourth goal was scored byjermain defoe as they cruised to victory at ibrox. outside many fans celebrated, defying police warnings not to gather. steven gerrard's team lifted the league trophy for the first time in a decade, their 55th title in all. over 20,000 fans are at
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wembley this afternoon, for the fa cup final. chelsea have won it eight times, but despite making four finals, leicester have never lifted the trophy. our sports correspondent natalie pirks is at wembley stadium. what is the atmosphere like? it's pretty lively. lots of singing and lots of supporters, the first time in more than a year we have had this many fans at wembley so it is a shock to the system for a reporter like me. this is the final and largest pilot in the government research programme, they are collecting data in a bid to see how we can get back to normal with large events. last month we had the league cup final here but this is more than double the amount of supporters and it will be interesting to see how chelsea and leicester city players react to the extra noise in the stadium, the chelsea manager thomas tuchel leading out his side in front of chelsea fans for the first time as manager. for leicester
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supporters, it is about them, a very special occasion, the first time back at wembley for the fa cup final in 52 years, they are the only top—flight champion is to have never won the fa cup. and for chelsea, like you said, a different matter, they have won it eight times and this is the first of two major finals this month. chelsea fans think it is shades of 2012 when they sacked their manager won the fa cup and then went on to win the champions league final, but brendan rodgers, the leicester city manager, he might have something to say, he has never lost a majorfinal that he might have something to say, he has never lost a major final that he has never lost a major final that he has been in, six times, and six times lucky. has been in, six times, and six times lucky-— has been in, six times, and six times lucky. has been in, six times, and six times luc . . ., ., , there's more throughout the evening on the bbc news channel. we're back with the late news at 10pm.
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hello. this is bbc news.
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let's get more on the escalating violence in the middle east. hamas militants have fired dozens of rockets at israeli cities, killing one man. it followed an israeli air strike overnight on a gaza refugee camp, which palestinian officials say killed at least 14 people, ten of them from one extended family. in the latest air strike, a building in gaza city which was headquarters for internationaljournalists including associated press and aljazeera has been hit and destroyed by israeli warplanes. occupants were given a one hour warning to evacuate. the associated press it's been �*shocked and horrified' by the israeli attack, calling it an �*incredibly disturbng development. israel claims the building was being used by hamas intelligence. the white house has tweeted saying.
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our correspondent rushdi abualoof is in gaza and told me more about that media building that's been hit. it is hard to clarify this as the landlord of the building was speaking to the media just now and denying any military sides involved in his building. he said it is housing media, tech companies and about 60 residential apartments in the building. it is by far the biggest building so far that has been destroyed. not only during this war, but during the previous escalations. the sound of the explosion was huge,
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the debris went everywhere. one of the main street was blocked because the building was collapsing in the main street. the building is housing aljazeera tv channel and also some international media broadcasting. just give us a picture of what is happening in gaza generally, another ferocious night of attacks, what is the latest figures on casualties? yeah, it was a very long night, air strikes were exchanged all night and this money. all night and this morning. but the significant attack was on the refugee camp. it is a refugee camp in gaza city where the israeli air strike destroyed a three—storey building killing members from two different families, including five children and two women,
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according to the latest statement from the health ministry. also in other places, there were different air strikes in different areas. targeting flats, also a police station was hit. the israeli air strikes in the last couple of hours. the hamas group fired large rockets towards tel aviv and central israel. the most recent statement said the big building was destroyed in gaza. we have seen pictures in the last 48 hours or so of some palestinians are
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living in the border area are fleeing. do they still fear there could be an israeli ground attack? according to a un statement this morning, we have as many as 10,000 people flee their homes in the north and west, people who live near the border left a couple of nights ago. but this morning, after the air strike in the north last night we saw more people fleeing with the fear of any israeli ground operation. back in 2014 in the 51 days of war, israel started with air strikes and there was an exchange of air strikes and rockets for a bit of time. then the israeli started the ground operation.
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this is what is making the people leave their houses. the pictures of tanks near the border. on the ground, no tanks are moving or no sign of tanks moving soon, but the people, one of the family members told me that we have to learn from the lesson of 2014 when we stayed in our homes and the homes were destroyed over our heads. so we decided to leave early to make sure we are safe and our children are safe. that is our correspondent in gaza. this is the seen live in gaza. you can see the black smoke drifting across the skyline of gaza city against the blue sky, after more violence in which there have been more israeli strikes overnight, including on a gaza refugee camp which palestinian officials say killed at least 14 people, ten of them from one extended family. and
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hamas militants have been firing rockets from gaza at israeli cities, killing one israeli. lets talk more about that building in gaza city that has been hit by the israeli air force. jamal elshayyal is a correspondent for aljazeera, one of the media companies using that building in gaza that's been destroyed by israeli warplanes. i spoke to him a little earlier. what we know is, it is a flagrant breach of international law that aljazeera offices were decimated, destroyed. all of the equipment inside it, everything inside it was destroyed live on tv. and this is a very clear attempt by a nuclear power to silence journalists and journalism. it's not the first time we have been targeted, as aljazeera by the israeli military.
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but this is the most barbaric, quite simply, episode yet which has seen dozens of my colleagues essentially watch as their livelihood was destroyed in front of them. and to paint a clear picture for you and the viewers in the uk, myjournalist colleagues at the bbc, imagine broadcasting house, we essentially watching it being bombed from the sky with nothing to do? these are journalists, award—winning journalist. aljazeera abides by ofcom regulations and we are the most professional when we come to report on what is happening. so what we know is this is a clear, brazen attempt to silence journalists from reporting what is happening on the ground in the besieged gaza strip. the israelis are saying this is a building that housed the military intelligence of the hamas terror organisation. they are saying yes,
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it has had offices like civilian media outlets like your own, but it was used by hamas there as human shields. i am just saying said the viewers know that this is what israel is saying? it is a tired argument because it gives no evidence. this is a building that had associated press, us—owned news agency, one of the world's renowned news agencies in the world, do you think the associated press would be in a building that had hamas commanders in it? it is offensive to give that any sort of a reference. aljazeera, one of the companies using that milled media building in gaza. we mentioned earlier on what the white house had been saying about this attack on that media building. the quote, we have
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communicated directly to the israelis that ensuring the safety and security ofjournalists and independent media is a paramount responsibility. that from the white house press secretary in the last few minutes after that gaza tower block housing media offices was destroyed by the israeli military. israel saying it also housed hamas intelligence. the headlines on bbc news... the white house tells israel that ensuring the safety ofjournalists is of paramount responsibility, after an israeli air strike destroyed a building housing the offices of international media outlets in gaza, including associated press and aljazeera. here, huge crowds of pro—palestinian protesters have gathered in london and marched to the gates of the israeli embassy. people in areas where the indian variant of coronavirus is spreading are
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urged to get a covid vaccination. let's get more now on the fa cup finalfrom the bbc sport centre, here's gavin. it is not only going to be an exciting game of football, it will be an exciting game of football played in front of thousands of fans? it is and it is an exciting day to see the fans back to just under an hour before the final kicks off at wembley. where chelsea and leicester go head to head. and it's in front of 20,000 spectators, who are allowed into the stadium to watch, as part of the pilot test events to bring the fans back. our sports correpondent natalie pirks is there for us — and said it's special day for those able to make it. it is really different for us, it has been more than a year since we have seen these kinds of numbers on wembley for you might be able to hear them start to sing. more than 20,000 of them today. last night
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there was the league cup final, and there was the league cup final, and there were fans but this is almost double. this is the first time for the chelsea manager with fans. but really special for leicester fans, the only top—flight champion is never to have won a fine. back after 52 years. chelsea, different matter. they were in the final last year and they have won it eight times. the chelsea manager has brought them from ninth to fourth since he took overin from ninth to fourth since he took over in january. from ninth to fourth since he took over injanuary. a lot of the fans i have started to speak to our feeling shades and echoes of 2012 when they sacked their manager, won the fa cup and then went on to win the champions league. chelsea have got that to come in porto but brendan rodgers might have something to say about today, he has never lost a final in six attempts as a manager. very exciting match, kicks off at
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5.15. to the premier league now — where leeds thrashed burnley 4—0 in the day's early match. mateusz klich curled in from the edge of the penalty area shortly before half—time, jack harrison made it 2—0 after an hour. two more goals followed in three minutes, both from substitute rodrigo as leeds completed the 4—0 rout. southampton are hosting relegated fulham in the second premier league game of the day — latest score from st mary's 1—0. che adams putting the saint's ahead just before the half hour mark. brighton face west ham in the late game. the party is getting started in glasgow as rangers completed an unbeaten season with an comprehensive win over aberdeen. rangers are champions of scotland. this is the summit of rangers
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decade—long journey. this is the summit of rangers decade-long journey.- this is the summit of rangers decade-long journey. decade-long “ourney. nine years ago the were decade-long journey. nine years ago they were sent _ decade-long journey. nine years ago they were sent to _ decade-long journey. nine years ago they were sent to the _ decade-long journey. nine years ago they were sent to the fourth - decade-long journey. nine years ago they were sent to the fourth tier, - they were sent to the fourth tier, now they are back at the top in a season unbeaten. on the pitch and in the streets they marked the ibrox invincible. rangers 55th league title could be the most special. they ended this season how they started it against aberdeen. and to reach perfection is not always pretty. rangers opened the scoring with an own goal off the keeper. before half—time, it was 2—0, again through a deflection. kemar roofe claimed it like he has done all season. he has led the line for rangers and is their top scorer. this goalfor 3—0 was rangers and is their top scorer. this goal for 3—0 was clearly his. this goal for 3—0 was clearly his. this team the lead and transformed by steven gerard, who, in his third season at the club has his first career league title. he played in a world cup for england alongside jermaine defoe. who at 38 still playing and scoring. it was on this
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day in 2011 that rangers last won the league. this season ends as it has been through the year, another game, another win. jill lenski, has been through the year, another game, anotherwin. jill lenski, bbc news. the other games both finished goalless. a draw was enough for stjohnstone to clinched fifth place in the table meaning they're guaranteed a place in the new uefa conference league. we also have the second leg of the championship play—off tonight — dundee take a 3—0 lead over raith rovers into that match. great britain's liam heath had already qualified for tokyo — and he's now added canoeing world cup gold to his collection. he won the k1200—metres in hungary, which will give him a real boost as he prepares to defend his olympic title injuly. he qualified for the games two years ago, when he regained the world title over the same distance. world number one novak djokovic returned to the clay in rome a different player, after his quarter—final against stefanos tsitsipas was held up overnight, due to rain at the italian open.
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he was a set and a break of serve down, but he turned it around to win in three sets — he said it was his toughest match of the year so far and he'll be back on court this evening against home favourite lorenzo sonego, who came from a set down to knock out the 7th seed andrey rublev. the italian is through to the semi—finals of a masters event for the first time. he said it was a dream to get so far in what is his favourite tournament, in front of his people. that's all the sport for now. you can find more on all those stories on the bbc sport website. thank you very much indeed. people eligible for a vaccine in areas where the coronavirus indian variant is spreading are being urged to get the jab. the government says testing for the variant is being carried out in parts of scotland, london, the midlands, and also in the north west of england where the army is to be deployed to help with surge testing efforts. senior doctors say the relaxation of rules is a "real worry" when "key segments" of the population still haven't been vaccinated. dr richard jarvis co—chairs
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the british medical association's public health medicine committee. the bma is urging a cautious approach both to the government and to members of the public. there are a couple of reasons for this, one is the indian variant and the second is related to the large numbers of people in the general population that have yet to be vaccinated. so thinking a little bit about the indian variant, there is good evidence to suggest now that it transmits more easily than the variant that has been dominant in the uk for a few months. the evidence on severity of illness, we are looking very carefully at that. but that appears to be a similar sort of illness to the other variants. and whether the indian
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variants. and whether the indian variant is combated by vaccines as well as the dominant strain at the moment. so vaccine effectiveness. you say you are urging a cautious approach, the government will say it is taking a cautious approach but it is taking a cautious approach but it is pressing ahead with the easing of lockdown in england on monday. are you saying that should be delayed, that easing of lockdown in england? i would still use the term cautious. we have a message, to particularly young people who may not have been vaccinated that as they gain access to particularly hospitality venues that they continue to follow the hands, face, space message, particularly the distancing and where it is possible to do so, continue meeting outside. in terms of businesses, we are asking
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businesses to really consider how they improve their ventilation to reduce the risk of transmission indoors. ., , reduce the risk of transmission indoors. . , , ., indoors. the reality is, we are auoin to indoors. the reality is, we are going to have _ indoors. the reality is, we are going to have more _ indoors. the reality is, we are going to have more and - indoors. the reality is, we are going to have more and more| indoors. the reality is, we are l going to have more and more of indoors. the reality is, we are - going to have more and more of these variants, because we do know that viruses do mutate. there isn't really evidence yet either that this variant is more transmissible, although it very well maybe or that it increases hospitalisations and deaths? ., ~' it increases hospitalisations and deaths? ., ~ , deaths? no, we think the vaccines are effective _ deaths? no, we think the vaccines are effective against _ deaths? no, we think the vaccines are effective against this _ deaths? no, we think the vaccines are effective against this variant, i are effective against this variant, but they may not be quite as effective. so it isn't a binary or nothing sort of thing. i think we are relatively confident about the hospital admissions. what we are less certain about is it being able to control outbreaks as they happen,
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as we are seeing in some parts of the country at the moment. let's bring you the latest case numbers, 2027 have tested positive. in terms of deaths, seven deaths in 28 days of deaths, seven deaths in 28 days of a positive covid test. add of a positive covid test. add vaccinations _ of a positive covid test. add vaccinations up _ of a positive covid test. add vaccinations up to _ of a positive covid test. add vaccinations up to first dose vaccinations up to first dose vaccinations up to 36 million, almost 36,321,000. second dose vaccinations heading towards 20 million, 19,698,000 people who have had both doses of the vaccination. just to recap, seven deaths and 2027 cases in the last 24—hour period.
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debenhams closes its remaining shops today after more than 240 years on the high—street. it went into administration in 2019 after several years of falling sales. our business correspondent, emma simpson, reports. the final few hours. not much left for the bargain hunters now. these stores reopened after lockdown to allow the remaining stock to be cleared. the last 28 shops closed today. the end of an era. debenham's roots can be traced back to 1778, with a draper�*s store in west london selling fabrics, hats and umbrellas. by the 1950s it was the uk's biggest department store — and it continued to expand, pulling shoppers in with its famous blue cross sales. but it failed to keep up with the competition. its problems were years in the making. it first collapsed in 2019. the pandemic then finished it off as it failed to find a buyer. by christmas the business was being wound down, with 12,000 job losses.
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it's one of the biggest retail failures since woolworths, emblematic of the retail shake—out as shopping habits change. the chain was an anchor store in many town centres, and its demise will leave large gaps for landlords and local authorities to fill. emma simpson, bbc news. time for a look at the weather with sarah keith lucas. good afternoon. well, it is one of those weekends where you've got sunglasses on one minute and you are umbrella—ing up for the next minute, and we are going to continue with that theme for the rest of the weekend. so some heavy downpours around, some sunshine in between the showers and things are staying pretty cool for the middle of may. so the most frequent heavy showers for the rest of today will be for south—west england, the midlands and wales also seeing
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some hail and storms next. then, as those showers head gradually northwards, easing for most of us overnight, largely clear skies for scotland, 4 or 5 degrees here, the rest of the uk 7—9. but heavy downpours already towards the south—west first thing tomorrow morning and this area of low pressure will be dominating our weather tomorrow, bringing us more torrential showers, initially heaviest in the south—west, but they will pop up elsewhere through the course of the day. by the afternoon you could catch a shower or even a thunderstorm almost anywhere across england, wales and northern ireland. a bit drier in scotland, but temperatures only 11—16 . so here's dan walker to krum back to where it all began. thomas tuchel is a man in a hurry. no let up in the fighting between palestinian militants and israel — an israeli man in tel aviv and ten members of an extended family in gaza are among the latest victims
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in the conflict. the white house tells israel that ensuring the safety ofjournalists is a paramount responsibility, after an israeli air strike destroyed a building housing the offices of international media outlets in gaza, including associated press and aljazeera. here, tens of thousands of pro—palestinian protesters have gathered in london and marched to the gates of the israeli embassy. people in areas where the india variant of coronavirus is spreading are being urged to get a covid jab, as questions turn to the impact on the easing of restrictions. wreath laying services have been held across the uk and around the world to mark the centenary of the royal british legion. and it's fa cup final day — chelsea play leicester in front of 20,000 fans at wembley. leicester are looking to win it for the first time — chelsea are hoping to win it for a ninth time. now on bbc news, the media show with mobeen azhar.

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