this is bbc news. the headlines at 8pm: a big step back to normal life as most of the uk lifts restrictions on indoor gatherings — in england, most of scotland and wales, up to six people can meet indoors. a vaccination drive in bolton and blackburn — where the indian covid variant is rising. people living in bedford are urged to "exercise caution" and get tested. the early laboratory data from oxford university corroborates the provisional evidence from bolton hospital and the initial observational data from india that vaccines are effective against this variant. quarantine free international travel opens up forjust a few countries — holidaymakers waste no time in heading to portugal. i just want to get to the villa! she laughs. just want to get out in the sun.

the weather's been so awful in the uk, so... 0h, babe, it's so good to see you... and the long wait is over — the first hug between mother and daughter for a year. explosion. as fighting between israel and palestinian militants enters its second week, the us calls for an end to the violence. and where some of our plastic waste ends up — an investigation discovers that far from being recycled, some of it gets dumped abroad in fields and waterways.

three of our four nations took big steps towards normality today as restrictions on indoor gathering and social contact have been lifted. the prime minister told people they must enjoy their new found freedoms with "a heavy dose of caution" as the number of cases of the indian variant of the virus continue to increase. and with it has come a warning from downing street that the review into the next lifting of social distancing measures may be delayed. so what is allowed from today? it was due to take effect on the zist it was due to take effect on the 21st ofjune. in england, pubs and restaurants will be allowed in england, pubs and to serve people inside — cinemas, museums, softplay centres and hotels can reopen. groups of six people or two households can meet indoors and stay overnight. 30 people will be able to gather outdoors. the changes in wales are similar to england, but it's still only extended households that are allowed to meet in homes — and outdoor groups of up to 50 will be allowed for organised events like weddings.

in scotland, six people from three households will be able to socialise indoors at home. outdoors, it can be up to 8 people from up to 8 households, rising to 12 on most of the islands. these changes do not apply to glasgow and moray — which are staying in level 3. there's no change today in northern ireland, but it's hoped a review on thursday will lead to an easing on may 24th. in a minute, we will head to scotland and wales to hear how the day has unfolded there. but first, here in england, businesses are welcoming these steps forward on the road to normality, though, as our business editor simonjack reports, there are still significant challenges. back indoors. today's reopening of inside drinking was a moment to celebrate for returning regulars at this pub in bury st edmunds. it is so different to be back amongst company that you know and are friendly with and everybody

knows your name. landlady heather was glad to see them and her staff after a challenging few months. it's absolutely great to be back. it's great to welcome all the staff back that have been on furlough for the last five months, so, it's nice to be back as a team. it's nice to be seeing our regulars once again. we are down, financially, we are down, but we're surviving and we hope to survive. thank you very much. first time i've been able to do this, and this, for six months. it's monday lunchtime, it's not exactly heaving, but this is a very big moment, particularly for venues that haven't had any outside space, and that's 60% of them. but they're still operating at a fraction of their normal capacity, barely breaking even. the real prize isjune the 21st, when it's hoped restrictions can be totally lifted and, if that doesn't happen, today's reopening could still fall a little flat. one of the uk's biggest brewers and pub owners, greene king, has been busy

replenishing pub cellars. we've delivered 17 million pints of beer to around 4,500 customers. but the boss warned that, if the june date slips, government support measures due to start tapering off at the end ofjune will need to be extended. we all want to get back to standing up in the pub again. i certainly do. but, until that is the case, we're not going to be profitable. therefore, in my view, if we move from the 21st, the government has to move the support as well, on business rates but also on furlough. there's a lot of cost running through our businesses when we're not trading normally, as we would have done pre—pandemic. staffing is also a real problem. this hotel and restaurant can't find people confident enough to return to an industry that's often been the first to shut when the virus threat grows. which should be open, we're sitting in a building here at the north gate which should be open, but we're not open, because we haven't been able

to recruit enough people, to be able to run a seven—day rota. so, across our portfolio, we're losing about 8—10 trading days a week. this is happening across town and across the uk. the way forward from here is not as clear as it seemed even in recent history. simonjack, bbc news, bury st edmunds. in wales, today marks the return of a wider social life — as up to 30 people can now meet indoors. eating and drinking inside is back on the menu, too. travel to a small number of countries is also allowed, although against advice of the welsh government. we'll see how it's all gone down in cardiff with hywel griffith in a moment. but first to scotland where, with the exception of glasgow and moray, lockdown easing from level three to level two has brought some degree of normality — though all to be approached with caution. alexandra mackenzie reports. are you glad to be back? yes! stepping closer to normality. gym classes restarted in much of scotland today, the easing of lockdown restrictions means more interaction both outside and inside.

some families have been reunited, 83—year—old grace has dementia. for over a year, neil has longed to visit his mum in her care home, with no physical distancing. it is so nice to be able to hold you hand again and just be beside you. i think she just felt comforted. i could tell the minute i held her hand, she clenched my hand. how did that feel for you? it was amazing. it just felt so lovely, lovely moment. pubs can now reopen and alcohol can be served across outside across most of scotland but not in glasgow or in moray. you were expected to reopen today but late on friday afternoon, you heard that wasn't going to happen. how has that impacted you? we've had the team in working on friday to get the place

shipshape, to get everything stocked up, to get like a publican again because it hasn't for months, and then finally to find that out after everyone has done theirjob and they can look back and see, we are ready to go, to get told no, that's gutting. the neighbouring council area of east renfrewshire moved down to level two restrictions, but the rising infection rate is causing concern. and many choirs can now sing outside, as the national youth choir did on edinburgh's calton hill. alexandra mckenzie, bbc news. social distancing means lots of tables kept empty. many people have had a double dose of vaccine and feel ready to socialise again. it lifts your spirits.

it's made me feel great. i've missed it so much. it's not as if i even win! the rules in wales means you can now see people for bingo or brunch, but you can't meet in your home, where only extended households or bubbles can mix. but the rules some businesses here have to follow are stricter than elsewhere. for example, the cinema in this art centre can only fill 20% of its seats. alternate rows and four—seat gaps mean that only a lucky few could see today's first screening. absolutely ecstatic. it's the best way to see a film, the only way. i've missed it so much, but i like to sit with people and see it on a big screen, rather than in my own living room. the pandemic has changed viewing habits. but, here, they believe that people will opt for the cinema not the sofa. i don't know about you, _ but i sit on my phone, and i've had the cat come in, knocking. over my cup of tea, all sorts of things, so you can't - concentrate, you can't really

experience the film properly - if you're just watching it at home. there's too many distractions. all eyes now will be on the numbers and if today's reopening will be followed by a new wave in this pandemic. today's joy and relief at life beginning to return to normal is tempered by concern about the rise in cases of the indian covid variant. the health secretary, matt hancock, has told mps that it has now spread to 86 local authorities. our health correspondent, dominic hughes, reports from bolton, which has seen a sharp spike in infections since mid—april — with the indian variant making up the majority of new cases. personal details there... in the town with the highest infection rates in the uk, there's plenty of demand for the vaccine, through social media and word—of—mouth, the message has spread that jabs are available. do you know if you're definitely eligible? no. you're waiting to find out? yeah, hoping i am. i think they're doing 16 and over in bolton, and we come under the bolton postcode, so yeah. hopefully.

i live with both my parents who are in their 60s, and both of them have got underlying health conditions, so i am hoping that that is going to be one of the eligibility criteria, there. everyone over the age of 16 i think is eligible for the pfizer vaccine in bolton, so, anyone 16 plus, i'm assuming, can come down. but here, there's confusion because not everyone over 16 can get the vaccine. national guidelines say that, from tomorrow, only those over 37 can get a jab unless there are good clinical reasons. health officials in bolton say that they are sticking to the rules. every single person that comes forward will have a clinical discussion with a clinician and that decision will be made on site. the pictures of people in the queue who are looking young, you know, some of those will have been turned away, because they're not eligible. as you can see, plenty of people are now queueing up to get the vaccine here in bolton. over the weekend, they managed to give the jab to more than 6,200 people, so, clearly, this big push on vaccinations in bolton is bearing fruit. the health secretary stressed that, faced with the indian variant,

vaccines remain a vital line of defence. anyone who feels hesitant about getting the vaccine, right across the country, just look at what's happening in bolton hospital, where the majority of people in hospital with coronavirus were eligible for the jab but had chosen not yet to have the jab, and have ended up in hospital, some of them in intensive care. bolton, one of the most deprived boroughs in england, is faced with a growing number of infections linked to the indian variant. the latest figures show another steep rise in cases across the uk. the key test will be whether extra vaccines and more testing will be enough to prevent those infections leading to further hospital admissions. dominic hughes, bbc news, bolton. our political correspondent, chris mason, told us the prevalence of the indian variant is causing ministers to sound more cautious about easing restrictions further.

they are sounding definitely rather hesitant, so the road map has been stuck to so far since it was published in february for england. the other nations around the uk following a broadly similar path. but now there is the look ahead to five weeks today, june the 21st, the anticipated removal of all of the remaining restrictions. we've already heard the prime minister sounding hesitant about that particular day. and, today, further hesitancy from downing street. they're not committing themselves to publishing some work on social distancing that was due at the end of this month. it may now be delayed. so, where are we right now? we are in a position where the government has learned the hard way about sounding too optimistic. listen to their language. they are being very, very cautious. and listen, too, to their actions. are we seeing the prime minister out pulling pints in front of the cameras? no. are we seeing ministers pretending to be waiters with camera crews in tow? no, we're not. instead, they are emphasising caution, they're trying

to manage our expectations. given last year they made lots of promises that, frankly, they weren't able to keep when the virus cruelly surprised us. so, what will happen in five weeks' time? the short answer is we simply do not know because we don't know the effect of this unlocking nor the effect of the indian variant. let's speak now with the shadow foreign secretary, lisa nandy. let's deal with something that is domestic what is happening in the north—west at the moment. you must be quite worried when you see the increase in the number of infections. what do you make about thejudgment infections. what do you make about the judgment that's been infections. what do you make about thejudgment that's been made on vaccination? i the judgment that's been made on vaccination?— vaccination? i am sitting in wigan, where i live. _ vaccination? i am sitting in wigan, where i live, just _ vaccination? i am sitting in wigan, where i live, just next _ vaccination? i am sitting in wigan, where i live, just next door- vaccination? i am sitting in wigan, where i live, just next door to - where i live, just next door to bolton were friends over there are really desperately worried about what is known as the indian variant and the way that has spread through the population. locally, we are

doing the right thing in greater machester. we are trying to get the vaccination bowled out as quickly as possible. we have been pushing the government to allow local areas to have the powers to decide how that is done —— vaccination rolled out. they have been calls from conservative and labour councils to allow surge vaccinations to get as many people to come forward to get it rolled out as quickly as possible. in the end, in parts of the country like ours, we have been in almost continuous lockdown for 14 months. we haven't been seeing family and attending funerals. it has been horrendous. we have got to avoid that. we need to get the vaccination out as quickly as possible. it vaccination out as quickly as possible-— vaccination out as quickly as ossible. , ' . , , possible. it is difficult because, as ou possible. it is difficult because, as you say. _ possible. it is difficult because, as you say. peeple _ possible. it is difficult because, as you say, people have - possible. it is difficult because, | as you say, people have already endured so much. and, yet again, they find themselves on the front line of another surge in cases of infection. how cautiously do you think the government should now proceed onjune the 21st? what they were originally saying, not so very long ago, "freedom day". i’m

were originally saying, not so very long ago, "freedom day". i'm glad that boris johnson _ long ago, "freedom day". i'm glad that boris johnson and _ long ago, "freedom day". i'm glad that boris johnson and his - long ago, "freedom day". i'm glad that boris johnson and his team i long ago, "freedom day". i'm glad i that boris johnson and his team have that borisjohnson and his team have dialled down the rhetoric around that. it is right to be guided by the science. and to be cautious. only because this has got to be the last lockdown. people really can't endure much more of this in bolton, which has barely been out of lockdown. the impact on people's mental health, particularly older and younger people is really starting to show now. the major issue the government has got to confront is the issue around the borders. we have been saying to them for some time that they have got to take the borders seriously, they are about as secure as a sieve and in hindsight, the decision not to put india on the red list, when many people, including the labour party, were saying to the government there is a problem here, will go down as one of the grey areas. we need to lead from that and make sure people are quarantining and we are not opening up a travel too quickly. we can't afford much more of this. fine can't afford much more of this. one more question _ can't afford much more of this. one more question before we move on to the middle east. some of your

colleagues are talking about vaccination door to door. is that really feasible? i’m vaccination door to door. is that really feasible?— really feasible? i'm told by our local public _ really feasible? i'm told by our local public health _ really feasible? i'm told by our local public health directors . really feasible? i'm told by our. local public health directors here that it local public health directors here thatitis local public health directors here that it is feasible and therefore it is something we have been pushing the government to try to consider. we need to use every tool in our armoury at the moment. as one scientist, a sage scientist said to me and a group of shadow mac cabinet ministers recently, this is a race against time to get the vaccine rolled out quickly —— shadow cabinet ministers. the full new variant spread and the possibility that some of the new variants could be vaccine resistant. we need to use every tool available to get this done. let’s available to get this done. let's talk about _ available to get this done. let's talk about the _ available to get this done. let's talk about the middle _ available to get this done. let's talk about the middle east, it is the most pressing or at least visible foreign policy challenge the world is facing at the moment. and a dispiriting the repetitive one in the sense of not much seems to change after each of these confrontations. what role can the international community usefully play? britain has a seat on the un security council and it is an

influential voice and even influential voice and even influential voices like america struggle to have their voice heard between israel and the palestinian militants like hamas. the between israel and the palestinian militants like hamas.— between israel and the palestinian militants like hamas. the role that the uk can play — militants like hamas. the role that the uk can play now _ militants like hamas. the role that the uk can play now is _ militants like hamas. the role that the uk can play now is about - militants like hamas. the role thatj the uk can play now is about trying to get an international consensus around the ceasefire. the us has stopped short of calling for a ceasefire. that is one of the key reasons why the un security council meeting this weekend didn't in any kind of resolution. any kind of unanimous view. a ceasefire is important for two reasons. firstly, the impact on israeli and palestinian civilians is appalling. we have had over 3000 rockets fired into israel from gaza, targeting israeli civilians in the last week or so. we have also seen hundreds of palestinians killed, including more than a0 children. it is also important because what this is doing is emboldening hardliners in both israel and palestine. and drowning out moderate voices. those moderate

voices that provide us with the best opportunity of reaching a peaceful solution. and a two state solution that would secure the safety of israel and palestine. that feels far too distant for far too many people in palestine and israel right now. we need to get that immediate ceasefire called. and get humanitarian aid into gaza because the situation is a catastrophe at the situation is a catastrophe at the moment. the situation is a catastrophe at the moment-— the situation is a catastrophe at the moment. �* , , ., ., the moment. briefly, you would urge the moment. briefly, you would urge the british government _ the moment. briefly, you would urge the british government to _ the moment. briefly, you would urge the british government to say - the british government to say ceasefire now, with respect to the position the americans have adopted, which is slightly different. you think they actually need to call for that? ~ think they actually need to call for that? ., , y think they actually need to call for that? . ., , ,., y ., think they actually need to call for that? y ., ., that? we absolutely need to call not onl fora that? we absolutely need to call not only for a ceasefire _ that? we absolutely need to call not only for a ceasefire but _ that? we absolutely need to call not only for a ceasefire but we _ that? we absolutely need to call not only for a ceasefire but we need - that? we absolutely need to call not only for a ceasefire but we need to l only for a ceasefire but we need to get a un resolution around that. and get a un resolution around that. and get both parties, hamas and the israeli government, to agree. the impact of the palestinian and israeli civilians is just impact of the palestinian and israeli civilians isjust incredible right now. people can't take much more of this. we have seen it spilling out onto the streets of britain where britishjews and british muslims are disgracefully

being blamed for events that are nothing to do with them. we are seeing the impact of this spreading right around the world but particularly in the middle east. this is now beyond anything that people can injure. we need to get that ceasefire agreement very, very quickly. that ceasefire agreement very, very cuickl . that ceasefire agreement very, very tuickl . ., , that ceasefire agreement very, very cuickl. ., , ,, ., ., ., quickly. lisa nandy, shadow foreign secretary and _ quickly. lisa nandy, shadow foreign secretary and mp _ quickly. lisa nandy, shadow foreign secretary and mp for— quickly. lisa nandy, shadow foreign secretary and mp for wigan, - quickly. lisa nandy, shadow foreign secretary and mp for wigan, thank l secretary and mp for wigan, thank you very much. secretary and mp for wigan, thank you very much-— the latest figures on coronavirus showjust over 1,979 new infections recorded in the past 2a hours and five deaths. people who tested positive for coronavirus within the 28 days before their death. on vaccinations — the number of people who have had a firstjab has risen above 36 and a half million, that's nearly 70% of the uk's adult population. over 20 million people have had both doses and that is getting close to a0% of all adults fully vaccinated. and we'll find out how this story — and many others —

are covered in tomorrow's front pages at 10:30 and 11:30 this evening in the papers — our guestsjoining me tonight are broadcaster henry bonsu and digbyjones, former trade minister. bonsu and digbyjones, stay with us for that on bbc news. a couple of important matches tonight — just over 2,000 fans were at bournemouth's championship playoff semifinal first leg against brentford. they won 1—0, the home side. brentford should have taken a to west london. somehow missing the target. the second leg is on saturday. there is also a,500 fans at the other semifinal between barnsley and swansea. 6 minutes gone at oakwell. it is goalless. today also saw racing fans return as courses have been allowed

to operate at 50% capacity, up to a maximum of a,000 people. spectators at redcar lined the home straight to see miss houdini win one of this afternoon's races. spectators have also been allowed in at leicester and windsor. and the first race was at carlisle, where the excitement of having spectators back got a bit much for this runner, who got loose in the parade ring. the name of the horse? stanley snugfit. what a night for britain's ax100m relay team — as they took gold at the european championships for the first time in 9a years. lucy hope, anna hopkin, abbie wood and freya anderson were able to hold off the team from the netherlands to set a new british record of three minutes 3a.17 seconds, in the opening night

of swimming in budapest. great timing with just two months to go until the start of the olympic games in tokyo. adam peaty looked in fine form, producing the tenth quickest time of his career to win the 100 metres breaststroke semifinal. no other swimmer has gone quicker. great timing with just two months to go until the start of the olympic games in tokyo. i'm so happy. i knew it would be a relatively quick turnaround after the 50 and i'm not always the best at doing that. it is just about facing on the 50, to start with and prepping a head for the 100 after. the whole team did a greatjob and we all pulled our weight. i don't think any of us expected to get the gold but it is an amazing feeling. britain's hugh carthy and simon yates remain in the top ten of the giro d'italia heading into the race's first rest day. peter sagan sprinted to victory on today's 139 kilometre tenth stage for his first win in this year's race. colombia's egan bernal retained the leader's pinkjersey in the british ineos grenadiers team by finishing alongside his main rivals.

and finally, just returning to horse racing, the legendary jockeyjoe mercer has died at the age of 86. mercer won an incredible 2,810 races in his career, including eight british classics. one of the greats of flat—racing, he was championjockey in 1979 and his riding career spanned 36 seasons. he won the oaks at epsom, as well as doncaster�*s st legerfour times. this is him winning the gold cup at ascot on le moss in 1980, the same year he was awarded an obe. and he went on to become a successful trainer. that's all the sport for now. we'll have more for you on the bbc news channel later on. we bbc news channel later on. look forward to it. tha very we look forward to it. thank you very much. the ban on foreign holidays, for people living in england, scotland and wales, has been lifted, and replaced with a traffic light system, grading every destination according to risk. the green list currently includes these 12 countries and territories, from which people arriving

in britain don't have to quarantine. portugal, always a popular destination with uk holiday—makers, has seen a surge in bookings. our transport correspondent, caroline davies, is in albufeira on the algarve. don't worry, she has been working. we're going to portugal! we're not all going on a summer holiday, but from today, going abroad for one is no longer illegal. this, after a long time of empty arrivals halls, will be a sight for sore eyes for many in the travel industry. it's a change of environment. we've been stuck at home for literally two years, so just getting out and doing something different, different culture, getting some sunshine, relaxing. international travel has returned, but with only 12 countries on the green list, the destinations are limited, but the paperwork and cost is not. portugal requires a pcr test on the way out,

as well as two covid tests to get back to the uk, but today's 8:a0am flight to faro was 90% full. we're now flying at over 35,000 feet. it feels quite familiar to be on board a plane again, but also quite strange, not least being in such close proximity to other people. for some, the adventure began before the plane landed. arlo's grandmother hasn't seen him for nine months. we've done zoom christmas, zoom birthdays, zoom mother's day. so, yeah, i mean, he started crawling and walking and talking since she last saw him, so he's a completely different little boy. this was a longed—for arrival for many. not least for those with businesses that rely on british tourists here. peter has been running his cafe in alba fira for 23 years. peter has been running his cafe in abufeira for 23 years. in albufeira for 23 years. when they said we were on that green list, yeah, choke -

in the voice, it really was. it's massive, absolutely massive, as i don't think a lot of us - could carry on much further, you know, withoutjust - going irretrievably in debt. - we will get through, everyone will. we're all in it together, - and the algarve will bounce back. the beaches are still empty but after a difficult year, some are returning to the sunshine. julian and jordan arrived this morning after a hard year working in a supermarket. feeling great, literally great. normality, a bit of normality. after months of anticipation, today was a much hoped for reunion. caroline davies, bbc news, albufeira, portugal. we'rejoined now byjulia lo—bue—said, who travelled to the algarve in portugal this morning. explained, it is exceptionally complicated to travel and what i wanted to make sure that i was in safe hands. my travel agent booked everything for me from the testing

right the way through to the flights. it took all the stress away. we were learning as we went along. the whole point is so we can showcase and learn from experience and be able to help our members and the other travel agents in my group to confidently support their travellers when they start travelling again.— travellers when they start travelling again. travellers when they start travellin: aaain. ., ' , travelling again. how different is the experience, _ travelling again. how different is the experience, can _ travelling again. how different is the experience, can you - travelling again. how different is the experience, can you talk- travelling again. how different is the experience, can you talk us i the experience, can you talk us through some of the things that during the course of yourjourney, this morning at this afternoon that made you think this is genuinely different for people from what they are used to? i different for people from what they are used to?— are used to? i have to be honest, for me, are used to? i have to be honest, for me. as _ are used to? i have to be honest, for me. as l _ are used to? i have to be honest, for me, as i arrived _ are used to? i have to be honest, for me, as i arrived was - are used to? i have to be honest, for me, as i arrived was that - are used to? i have to be honest, for me, as i arrived was that it. are used to? i have to be honest, l for me, as i arrived was that it was quiet, not what we are normally used to seeing. i haven't stepped foot on a plane for 1a months. it was almost like a whole new experience. we had to wear masks but we are also used to wear masks but we are also used to wearing masks, that hasn't been unusual —— we are all so used. we sailed through the airport. security was busy, disappointing i have to say. but we got through that. when you go through, some of the shops

are open and a lot of the eateries are open and a lot of the eateries are closed. there was somewhere we could get a cup of coffee. from there, on the plane, seamless. they double—check you have a negative pcr test before you board. the airline double—check. we sat on a plane which was about 50% full. there were people around me but i have to be honest, we were all excited to be talking to people in real life. that didn't feel unusual. it felt perfectly safe. it was great, the cabin crew weather and the pilot came out and talked about what it was like over the last year. a lot of the crew, their first day back in that they were excited to see staff. that experience felt very safe, very comfortable and did not actually feel unusual whatsoever. what comfortable and did not actually feel unusual whatsoever. what about when ou feel unusual whatsoever. what about when you got — feel unusual whatsoever. what about when you got to _ feel unusual whatsoever. what about when you got to portugal— feel unusual whatsoever. what about when you got to portugal and - feel unusual whatsoever. what about when you got to portugal and you - when you got to portugal and you landed at the airport? the absolute best feeling — landed at the airport? the absolute best feeling was _ landed at the airport? the absolute best feeling was when _ landed at the airport? the absolute best feeling was when those - landed at the airport? the absolute best feeling was when those doors| best feeling was when those doors opened and we stood outside. i hate to say it but it is 26 degrees and there is a beautiful sunset! laughter it was incredibly warm. when we went through to passport control and we

had all the horror stories but i actually stepped through passport control in probably no more than 90 seconds. very seamless, the gates were all open in faro and lots of staff to help advise the travellers coming through. as we came through the terminal, we had the algarve tourist office. we had lots of cameras. a real warm feeling as we went through the terminal building. i suppose one of the big tests will be when you go back to luton on wednesday. what the queues will be like getting back into the uk. since it is only two days, they might not be so bad because presumably a lot of people, unlike you, because you are going for professional reasons, they will be staying a lot longer. one thing i was going to ask you, you remember to go to the right passport queue? because if you haven't been going through an airport for 1a months, we are no longer in the eu queue! i airport for 14 months, we are no longer in the eu queue!- airport for 14 months, we are no longer in the eu queue! i know! my --assort longer in the eu queue! i know! my passport had _ longer in the eu queue! i know! my passport had run — longer in the eu queue! i know! my passport had run out, _ longer in the eu queue! i know! my. passport had run out, unfortunately, so i have a british passport now. i

went into the right key. the staff are incredibly helpful and helped guide you through —— right queue. money, it will cost you more and make sure you have got that paperwork filled out.- paperwork filled out. very important- _ paperwork filled out. very important. there - paperwork filled out. very important. there is - paperwork filled out. very important. there is a - paperwork filled out. very important. there is a lot l paperwork filled out. very | important. there is a lot of paperwork you need to make sure you have for the way out that portuguese authorities require and the way back for the uk government. you have to really plan when you are going to do your pcr on the way back. i have already done that night and i fly back on wednesday. —— done that tonight. my travel agent was keen because there is lots to work through and navigate. once you are here, it is worth it. we have been at this evening. we are going to vale do lobo tomorrow and it feels very safe and normal. the only thing that isn't normal is that the weather is beautiful. and the sea in the background. aha, weather is beautiful. and the sea in the background.— weather is beautiful. and the sea in the background. a wonderful feeling. one or two people — the background. a wonderful feeling. one or two people may _ the background. a wonderful feeling. one or two people may have - the background. a wonderful feeling. one or two people may have started | one or two people may have started throwing things at the telly when

you started saying that! thank you very much for telling us about your experiences and a safe journey back, thanks so much. sources tell me it was a lovely day in the west country, it was not in london. let's see what the next day has for us. here's chris fawkes. over the last few weeks, our weather pattern has kind of got stuck, really, with low pressure dominating our weather. we have seen those rainfall totals really mount up. topcliffe in north yorkshire has been the wettest place so far. we have seen double the amounts of rain we would normally get in may and we are onlyjust past the halfway point of the month. loads more rain to come with the forecast a statement settled. overnight, tonight, many of the day's showers will very gradually begin to fade away, with clear spells opening out across much of the country. temperatures about 5—8 degrees celsius. tomorrow we will see some cloud and rain, probably heavy and thundery, working quickly into wales and south—west england, but otherwise a fine

start with sunshine. the clouds will build through the morning, and by the time we get to the afternoon, we are looking at pretty widespread heavy and thundery showers, with hail mixed in with the storms as well. the greater chances of seeing some of these heavy showers in northern ireland, but some of the heaviest will go across wales, the midlands and southern england, too. hello, you're watching bbc news with me, shaun ley. the headlines this hour: covid rules are eased across the uk, meaning indoorfood and drinks, in limited groups, is back on for millions of people. thousands take advantage of the new travel rules and head overseas, in the first legal foreign holidays for months. it is week two of the conflict between israel and palestinian group hamas in gaza. the us urges both sides to ensure

the protection of civilians and says it's working intensively to try to bring an end to the conflict. the government condemns a series of anti—semitic incidents in london and parts of essex, describing them as "intimidatory and racist". for the first time in months, people across england, wales and most of scotland have been able to enjoy leisure activities like going for a meal. pubs have been serving customers indoors and parents have been able to take their children to softplay. spectators have returned to racecourses and some theatres have re—opened. you can now travel abroad without being fined, but you are told you shouldn't really do so. you can hug your vaccinated parents, but you should consider only doing it outside. the government and senior scientific advisers have urged people to act cautiously, because of concerns about the spread of the indian variant of coronavirus. we can speak now to someone who has been closely following the changes to covid rules, regulations and laws, the human rights barrister adam wagner. adam thank you very much for being

with us. a lot of this was adopted in an emergency situation. it is not quite what the portuguese call it a state of calamity, i think they call it over here, we just treated as emergency legislation for the more your concerns about how that has become the kind of accepted relatively quickly in this country? i totally agree that back in march of last year, we were in a emergency and things were moving quickly. the lockdown laws were brought individually in a couple of days and they were published in the same time they were published in the same time they came into law. but the government has gone to do that over 17 times since then, and i think that the lawyer stillness every situation but he got to to call it an emergency any more. is something where they have many weeks to plan the next thing that is going to happen and we are still operating in

a world where these widespread criminal laws are being brought in without prior parliamentary approval, any transfer amendment, without any meaningful democratic input to stop but a lot of this prison release happening under the framework legislation that the new government is able to introduce seckinger legislation that come as you say, a lot of it cannot be amended. you either approved or rejected. mps instincts is to approve it, trust ministers on these things, but presumably this legislation will expire, they are not good to be there on the statute book forever? that not good to be there on the statute book forever?— not good to be there on the statute book forever? that is right, but the sunset clauses _ book forever? that is right, but the sunset clauses get _ book forever? that is right, but the sunset clauses get extended, - book forever? that is right, but the sunset clauses get extended, as i book forever? that is right, but the i sunset clauses get extended, as they have just been done for compulsory facemasks, the travel regulations which you have just been hearing about, you have compulsory tests, which introduced the hotel quarantine system, they will be

completely replaced with a new santa —— sunset clause. they will be limited, but we will still be living in a system where for over a year and a third, we have had emergency legislation which parliament has had really no meaningful say in, and that's, given how important this stuff is for people under these rules stopping us leaving our houses, keeping us in hotels when we get back from holiday, stopping us from associating in groups, i cannot think of more important legislation for our rights, for our daily lives, that really needs to be properly approved by the people we vote in to do that. in approved by the people we vote in to do that. . , , approved by the people we vote in to do that. ., , , i. approved by the people we vote in to dothat. .,, , . ., do that. in a sense, your criticism is less with _ do that. in a sense, your criticism is less with the _ do that. in a sense, your criticism is less with the government i do that. in a sense, your criticism is less with the government and l do that. in a sense, your criticism i is less with the government and more with parliament? it is is less with the government and more with parliament?— with parliament? it is somewhere between, because _ with parliament? it is somewhere between, because i— with parliament? it is somewhere between, because i think - with parliament? it is somewhere i between, because i think government has put parliament in the position where it is not given parliament any opportunity to meaningfully vote or

amend or debate all these laws, and parliament, but like the frog gets oil gradually, has got used to the situation and is not a speck to be consulted before wide—ranging criminal laws come into force. let me give you an example of the hotel quarantine acumen in february. his hundreds if not thousands of people, including children, being changed hotels and parliament did not even get a chance to think about those laws —— being kept in hotels. in ordinary times you would not think of those laws coming in without opera procedure, so i think, i mentioned it was going on at the beginning, but it gone far too long and the government and parliament have got used to it, and i think it is bad for the laws, it's bad for the country. is bad for the laws, it's bad for the country-— is bad for the laws, it's bad for the count . �* ., . ., ., ., ,, the country. adam waggoner, thank ou ve the country. adam waggoner, thank you very much- _ the us secretary of state,

antony blinken, has urged israel and the palestinians to protect civilians, especially children. it follows one of the heaviest nights so far of air strikes by israel of targets in the gaza strip. palestinian militants are also launching rocket attacks into israel as the fighting enters its second week. with the latest, here's our middle east editorjeremy bowen. in a week of renewed conflict, the echoes of the other israel—hamas wars are sounding all over gaza and southern israel. in gaza, air strikes at night... ..and funerals in the morning. these are the daily rituals of death, like the last war in 201a and the ones before that. the two dead men were militants from islamichhad, a smaller group that cooperates with hamas. another ritual, putting out the night's fires. this was a mattress factory in gaza's biggest refugee camp — fewerjobs in a desperately poor

place, when the ceasefire eventually comes. this man said that they can't get to the resistance. translation: they should hit those who hit them, i not the poor people sleeping in their homes. in a synagogue hit by a hamas rocket in the israeli town of ashkelon, they observe the festival of shavuot — the feast of weeks. israel's casualties are much lower, but humans under fire feel the same. it's a very sad time for us over here in ashkelon. we are always under bombing. i hope it will finish fast. injerusalem, the western wall plaza was almost deserted. this is the holiest place forjews to pray. it's usually packed on religious holidays like today, but some of the worshippers said people were scared to go out. the grey dome of al—aqsa mosque

is one of the most sacred places for muslims. you can see how close it is to the wall. above the wall is the golden dome of the rock. both muslim shrines are built on the site of the ancientjewish temple. these sites are all also national symbols. a month of tension here raised the hatred level so high, it led to war. the events of the last week have shown a couple of things — first of all, the power ofjerusalem to ignite this conflict. and hamas have sent a strong message to palestinians that, as far as they're concerned, they are their real protectors here in the holy city, even though hamas h0 is 60 or 70 miles away by the sea in gaza. our gaza producerfilmed his drive to work this morning. you can see the bomb sites. if palestinians and israelis could be equally safe and secure, they might have a chance of peace. right now, they don't.

jeremy bowen, bbc news, jerusalem. let's go now tojerusalem to speak with the middle east correspondent for the independent, bel trew. thank you very much for being with us on bbc news. you are obviously based in the region, you've been reporting on this conflict for the last week have never in the history and the different aspects of this going back over the decades that it has been involved. what are the chances do you think at the moment of the cease—fire in the next week or so? it of the cease-fire in the next week or so? , ., , or so? it is not looking very briuht, or so? it is not looking very bright. to — or so? it is not looking very bright. to be _ or so? it is not looking very bright, to be completely i or so? it is not looking very i bright, to be completely honest. benjamin netanyahu met his top security officials this afternoon and hit a common and after that meeting was to put him, the right, is ticketed to strike at terror targets. so that does not sound like a cease—fire deal is on the... they

themselves in an eye for an eye situation, a lot of their situations don't next statement have been, if you hit our civilians, we will hit you, if you take down our high—rise buildings, we will take on tel aviv, so both sides have made clear they're going to keep going. egyptian mediators in town, that does not seem to working. both sides have goals to achieve.— have goals to achieve. somebody was on u- have goals to achieve. somebody was pony up less — have goals to achieve. somebody was pony up less time _ have goals to achieve. somebody was pony up less time we _ have goals to achieve. somebody was pony up less time we had _ have goals to achieve. somebody was pony up less time we had this - pony up less time we had this conversation seven or so years ago, took a couple of months before a cease—fire —— somet he was pointing out. what is the attitude in israel, where you are, towards this particular conflict? we have seen these scenes were arab israelis and jewish israelis have been taking out the trouble on each other on the streets of israeli cities, and that's relatively rare, isn't it? the difference with this particular round of fighting, if you can call it that, if you have this internal conflict within israel amongst the

mixed arabjewish cities and also in the occupied west bank and is jerusalem as well. it really fills the entire country and the palestinian territories are very much on edge, and i think that is adding an interesting dynamic to the situation and possibly a calculation israel will be having, because i do not believe they want this —— i do not believe they want this —— i do not believe they want this work to drag on. there is the civil war within a war at the moment and that is not going to go away. as the rockets stopped, israel is going to have to contend with an internal crisis in its own country and eventual uprising in the west bank as well, so tensions are internal be high here. i've spent many years in this part of the world and i've never felt it feel so violent, so divided and so tense as right now. that is a really disturbing impression of what impact it is having on daily life. it is also at a time when israel has no settled political leadership. what impact is this having on the prospects of any

government being formed or the chances of israelis having to endure yet another general election? cynics here and critics _ yet another general election? cynics here and critics of _ yet another general election? cynics here and critics of netanyahu - yet another general election? cynics here and critics of netanyahu will i here and critics of netanyahu will say that this was actually a deliberate play by him to be able to stay in power. israel's longest serving prime minister, but he has struggled to be able to form a ruling coalition after fighting elections, so about a week before this kicked off, he once again failed to form a ruling coalition and that task was pushed onto his rival. a lot of cynics and critics of netanyahu say that in this candid chaotic environment, with a near war with gaza, it has made it near impossible for his rifle to be able to form a coalition. that's certainly true. one of the key figures said he would join forces with netanyahu because of the situation at the moment. it does only gives looking better for netanyahu in that regard but he still doesn't have enough seats to be able to form the next government,

so it doesn't like we will have another election on the horizon coming very soon —— it does look like we will have. which does work in netanyahu's favour, but the key thing is, has he lost popularity right now? big into israelis across the political spectrum, they are all pretty upset with situation here. the country feels like it is on fire and it is dealing with problems not just with gaza but all its borders. there have been multiple instances of its borders in the north being preached, in lebanon and also into jordan, so we will have to see how this plays out for netanyahu. it might keep them in power but it also might keep them in power but it also might mean he has lost popularity. bel trew, fascinating to speak to you. i hope we will speak again. thank you for your time. the communities secretary, robertjenrick, has condemned anti—semitic incidents that have taken place in the uk — in north and west london — as a result of the conflict between israel and palestinian militants. he said he was appalled by anti—semitic abuse in recent days.

we stand with ourjewish friends and neighbours, who have sadly been subjected to a deeply disturbing upsurge in anti—semitism in recent years, particularly on social media. like all forms of racism, anti—semitism has no place in our society. a lot of young britishjews are discovering for the first time that their friends don't understand anti—semitism, can't recognise it and don't care that they are spreading it. they are not responsible for the actions of a government thousands of miles away but are made to feel as if they are, seeing their friends post social media content that glorifies hamas, an illegal terrorist organisation, an organisation whose charter calls for everyjew in the world to be killed. robertjenrick. the metropolitan police says it's investigating some of its officers

and staff for looking up details of the sarah everard case on the force's computer system. the 33—year—old was killed after going missing while walking home in south london in march. the force said accessing files "without a legitimate purpose" could be a criminal offence. a report by greenpeace uk has found that about a0% of the uk's plastic waste exports were sent to turkey last year. but rather than being recycled, investigators saw some of it dumped by the roadside, in fields and in waterways. the environmental group has called on the government to halt all plastic waste exports by 2025. let's speak now with nina schrank, senior plastics campaigner at greenpeace uk. nina, thanks very much for coming on the programme to talk to us about this. first of all, what specifically wasn't you found? we found specifically wasn't you found? - found british plastic waste everywhere we looked, at ten sites across southern turkey for and we know it is british plastic waste because it is that familiar packaging from british supermarkets, and in fact i think seven out of...

think we found packaging from seven out of ten of uk supermarkets strewn across this region of southern turkey, and as you said it was dumped by roadside above fields, by train tracks and spilling into waterways and drifting downstream. pretty upsetting for turkish people, potentially very damaging for the environment there. as you say, if some of that it's into the water from seeps into water supplies, never mind the risks of animals choking on it. presumably the responsibility lies with the individual companies who have been handling this waste, doesn't it? it is not really the supermarkets responsibility. they pass all the plastic waste to a reputable company, that raphael company then passes it on to some of the elves, it is the complete they're dealing with that is the problem, isn't it? i think what this is the responsibility of uk government. it is illegal to export waste unless it is illegal to export waste unless it is being recycled or it is being

burned in special incinerators. that is not was happening here. it is being dumped completely ad hoc. the uk government needs to take control of the situation. it is part of their strategy to export waste, and if it is not being recycled, then we need to recognise that problem, and fundamentally what we're dealing with here is an overproduction of waste in the uk. we producing so much plastic waste, second only to the us, per person come the amount of plastic waste being produced, so we need the government to set the going targets to reduce plastic waste and also banned waste exports. two points on that. first is that i understand that there is such a global shortage of cardboard at the moment, the price rise in some, 30% up moment, the price rise in some, 30% up in a year, don't think like that inevitably tempt a lot of companies to go into plastic as an alternative

because it is cheaper, even though environmentally it is less sustainable? and then on the government's is possibility, the government's is possibility, the government enforces the rules on export, but the people outside uk do not do what they are contracted to do, what under the can the government do about that? the government _ government do about that? iie: government needs government do about that? tie: government needs to government do about that? ti2 government needs to ban waste export. it is not the fault of turkish companies, really, we are overloading their domestic recycling systems, and this new evidence should show the government that their strategy for sending plastic waste to turkey is not working. they said they want to ban plastic waste exports to a group of countries called the non—oecd, which includes malaysia and indonesia for example, that does not want to stop waste exports going to turkey, which is listed as an oecd country, so i think the government needs to reckon as this is what is happening, it should not be part of any government

strategy, this plastic waste which is meant to be recycled. it is a real scandal, is meant to be recycled. it is a realscandal, it is meant to be recycled. it is a real scandal, it will be putting in our recycling bin is ending of 3000 km away and dumped in southern turkey, so we are revealing this report in order to stick to the government it is time to stop this, ban waste exports. irliha government it is time to stop this, ban waste exports.— government it is time to stop this, ban waste exports. nina schrank from green eace ban waste exports. nina schrank from greenpeace uk. _ ban waste exports. nina schrank from greenpeace uk, thank— ban waste exports. nina schrank from greenpeace uk, thank you _ ban waste exports. nina schrank from greenpeace uk, thank you very i ban waste exports. nina schrank from j greenpeace uk, thank you very much. when someone mentions a royaljubilee, you might think of street parties and bunting. and i remember the children's party in 1977 for the queen's 25th year on the throne. but next year, celebrations could involve a humble spade and sapling. the queen's green canopy project is encouraging us all to plant a tree to mark the queen's 70 years on the throne. here's our royal correspondent daniela relph. there is planning to do 70... 70 clumps of trees. she left the spade work to her son. the queen, wrapped up in her headscarf, a prolific tree—planter during her reign,

kept a watchful eye. this is one of thousands we will see planted to mark the platinum jubilee, next year. planting a tree is a statement of hope and faith in the future. as we approach this most special year, i invite you all tojoin me, to plant a tree for thejubilee. in other words, a tree—bilee. and that tree—bilee that started here in the grounds of windsor castle, aims to get us all involved, to create a lasting, green tribute to 70 years of public service. newsreel: after the spadework, a good watering ensured - that the seedling got a proper start in life. _ whether it was chile, or here in india... by planting a sapling, — her majesty commemorated her visit. ..the queen has planted around 1,500 trees during her reign. it makes the green canopy project a fitting legacy to the world's longest—reigning monarch.

we are putting trees on the ground which will be standing there into the 22nd century, and trees are something that we've all cherished over the last difficult year, and outdoor space in general, so creating a new, ancient forest, as it were, seems entirely apt to celebrate her reign. royal mail staff have already begun planting trees around their workplaces. and three million free saplings will also be available to schools and community groups. everybody who has got - the opportunity to plant a tree, whether it is a single tree i at your school, or on a playing field, or in your garden, - or on your farm, should take this opportunity to celebrate her majesty'sjubilee. . the aim is to get the whole country planting a tree for thejubilee. something that can survive and flourish for decades. daniela relph, bbc news, windsor great park. in most of the uk, we can now mix indoors and go inside pubs and restaurants. but for many, it's been the first time family and friends have been allowed to hug their

loved ones in months. jon kay has been with one mother who's not been able to embrace her daughter for over a year — until today. finally, the day viv has been dreaming of. this is a bit bizarre, isn't it? it's exciting but also very emotional. yes. gosh. you want to go home, don't you? yeah. viv has spent the pandemic on the nhs front line. we filmed her in february, when she was exhausted and missing her kids. i am a hugger, and ican't wait to hug... i can't wait to hug my family. well, double vaccinated, today is the day. the only person i've hugged in the last six months is my husband, so it's like, oh, this

is going to be — this is — wow. can't wait. to see my mum, give hera hug. waiting, her daughter teresa. she also works for the nhs and has had both jabs. you just miss that personal contact, you know? i'm not an overly huggy person, but when it comes to my mum, she's my best friend and, yeah, ijust need to hug my mum! baby, it's so good to see you. and cuddle you. don't cry. i am crying, because it's been a while. i'm so excited, i'm so excited. laughter it's awesome, awesome. it's lovely. to have that, to be able to do that connection. it is weird. very weird, yeah. i think it'll take a bit of getting used to.

yeah. they're still being cautious, though, only hugging one another and only outside. maybe social distance makes the heart grow fonder. jon kay, bbc news, southampton. now it's time for a look at the weather with chris fawkes. hello there. you probably noticed that over the last few weeks, our weather patterns have kind of got stuck, with low pressure firmly in charge and those rainfall totals firmly mounting up. top of the rainfall league, topcliffe in north yorkshire, where we've already had double the amount of rain we'd expect in the whole of the month of may, and of course, we're onlyjust past the halfway point of the month. there's loads more rain to come and storm clouds like these remaining firmly on the horizon. now, looking at the radar picture today, you can see how some of the heavier showers were across the midlands, eastern and southern areas of england, running ahead of this trough. but behind it, the skies did clear through the afternoon across the west midlands and northwest england, and these trough features can be important as to where the showers end up going.

overnight tonight, many of the day's showers will very gradually begin to ease away with clear spells taking their place. temperatures down to about 5—8 celsius. looking at the satellite picture, down towards the southwest of the uk, we've got another of these trough features. these are again going to provide the focus for the big showers of the day. across southwest england and wales, quickly tuesday morning, one of these troughs is going to be moving in. through the morning, but clouds will develop and showers become widespread through the afternoon, some heavy and thundery, much greater chance of seeing the downpours affect northern ireland. showers probably at the heaviest across wales, the midlands and southern counties of england. wednesday's forecast, another showery forecast, this time, the heaviest showers across eastern scotland and eastern

areas of england. here, those storms will be slow—moving because the wind is light, we will have large rainfall totals in place. fewer showers across wales and the south—west, where it should be brighter and more in the way of sunshine. when the sun pops out, it doesn't feel too bad. the end of the week, no showers, that's because we have this stonking area of low pressure. rather than showers, general outbreaks of rain affecting pretty much all parts of the country, strong winds as well, gale force gusts, strong enough to bring down a few tree branches. there could be some localised disruption.

this is bbc news. more intense bombardment in gaza. the israeli prime minister sounds emboldoned and says this won't be quick. diplomatic efforts appear to stall again at the un, the capitals of europe, and in washington. funerals by day that follow the bombings at night. it's a deadly cycle that's exhausting people on both sides. upending us military policy right to the end. according to axios, donald trump had dramatic plans for the us military after he lost the presidency. also in the programme... red, amberand green, the 12 countries and territories that today re—opened to british holiday makers. but is going abroard worth all the hassle?