this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. the german leader angela merkel visits the region worst—affected by devastating floods — she says the world must act faster in its battle against global warming. translation: it all suggests that it has something to do i with climate change. we have to hurry. we have to get a move on in the fight against climate change. the uk from industry and chancellor have announced a rapid u—turn and say they will suffer as after being identified as contacts of the health secretary, who has tested positive for the coronavirus. —— self—isolate after. we did look briefly at the idea of us taking part in the pilot scheme, which allows people to test daily, but i think it's far more

important that everybody sticks to the same rules. the afghan government withdraws its diplomatic staff from the pakistani capital islamabad following an attack on friday on the ambassador�*s daughter. two athletes and an official at the tokyo olympic village have tested positive for coronavirus — five days before the start of the games. lewis hamilton wins the british grand prix in a dramatic and controversial race at silverstone. we will have all the latest on the story and many others from the bbc sport centre later in the hour. hello and welcome to audiences in the uk and around the world. i'm martine croxall. the german chancellor says the world must hurry in the battle against global warming and promised

financial aid after the floods in germany and parts of western europe killed more than 180 people. angela merkel has expressed shock at what she called "surreal destruction" caused by flash flooding on a visit to one of the worst—hit towns, schuld in the west of germany. more heavy rain has caused further flooding in southern germany and austria. with more, here's our europe correspondentjenny hill. "we really need help here," she says. and outside the village shop, you can see why. as in so many other parts of western germany, people in this town still can't quite believe what happened. we met gertrude here. volunteers have brought food, water. she told us she spent the night alone, upstairs, as water flooded into her house. "i've never seen anything like it, never. it leaves you speechless."

"gertrude," he says, "the two of us will never see this place come back to what it was. we will never see it again. it is no longer my home. it's terrible." earlier, angela merkel came to see for herself. this is the town of schuld, where whole houses were destroyed. translation: it's shocking. i'm tempted to say the german language has no words to describe the destruction that's occured here. but i can also see huge comfort in the way that people have come together to help each other. the water's subsiding in western germany, but overnight, more flooding in other parts of the country, high water in bavaria, saxony. in austria, too, towns and cities deluged. here, they are doing their best to

clear up. translation: people have | lost their lives, their houses, their normal roads, but there is huge solidarity. they're going to need it in the weeks to come. we're seeing this kind of destruction all over west germany, and what's particularly hard for people in places like this to bear is that it could be weeks or maybe months before they get back electricity, connection. in one part of the region, the authorities are saying that gas for heating and hot water won't be back until well into the autumn. germany is mourning its dead. for the survivors, this ordeal is far from over. jenny hill, bbc news. my my colleague kasia madera is in the german town of sinzig and spoke to a climate change activist from friday's for future movement in germany. friday's for future movement in german . ., �* , germany. right now, we're 'ust discussing fl germany. right now, we're 'ust discussing the i germany. right now, we're 'ust discussing the events. �* germany. right now, we're 'ust discussing the events. the e germany. right now, we're just i discussing the events. the floods are still_

discussing the events. the floods are still ongoing, so i understand the entire — are still ongoing, so i understand the entire picture here, but the science — the entire picture here, but the science is— the entire picture here, but the science is very clear in those events — science is very clear in those events happened because the climate crisis is _ events happened because the climate crisis is escalating and we need to expect— crisis is escalating and we need to expect and — crisis is escalating and we need to expect and big heavy more frequent, to that _ expect and big heavy more frequent, to that is _ expect and big heavy more frequent, to that is where we are and that nteens— to that is where we are and that means the — to that is where we are and that means the government relieves to get --oin means the government relieves to get going in— means the government relieves to get going in terms of climate action. —— realty— going in terms of climate action. —— really needs — going in terms of climate action. —— really needs to get going. the going in terms of climate action. -- really needs to get going. the state covernor really needs to get going. the state governor for — really needs to get going. the state governor for this _ really needs to get going. the state governor for this particular - really needs to get going. the state governor for this particular state, i governor for this particular state, we are in rhineland, it is the state where the governor has been very vocal about climate change. is that something that is echoed by other state governors?— something that is echoed by other state governors? well, right now, as we are, state governors? well, right now, as we are. the — state governors? well, right now, as we are, the climate _ state governors? well, right now, as we are, the climate strike _ state governors? well, right now, asi we are, the climate strike movement has been _ we are, the climate strike movement has been striking for two and a half years— has been striking for two and a half years straight. basically every democratic leader in the country is suggesting we should do more about the climate change, but the climate crisis _ the climate change, but the climate crisis will _ the climate change, but the climate crisis will not be staffed by words or empty— crisis will not be staffed by words or empty promises. but we need to see is— or empty promises. but we need to see is action — or empty promises. but we need to see is action and germany, both the state _ see is action and germany, both the state and _ see is action and germany, both the state and the provinces there,

drastically failing and reaching the paris target. that is why we are keeping — paris target. that is why we are keeping striking right now. do you think that when _ keeping striking right now. do you think that when germans - keeping striking right now. do you think that when germans in - keeping striking right now. do you think that when germans in other| think that when germans in other parts of the country, when they witness the scenes that we are seeing here — we are also seeing more flooding down in further southern parts of the country — do you think it will amplify and add to the debate coming up to the elections? of course we have got the other state here in western germany that was hugely affected when it comes to this particular flood. is this something that you feel will feed into the elections, the federal elections, that will be taking place towards the end of september? yes. towards the end of september? yes, definitel , towards the end of september? yes, definitely. and _ towards the end of september? yes, definitely, and also _ towards the end of september? yes, definitely, and also we as climate activists _ definitely, and also we as climate activists will make sure it feeds into the — activists will make sure it feeds into the debate. eventually, we are talking _ into the debate. eventually, we are talking of— into the debate. eventually, we are talking of germany, that is one of

the richest — talking of germany, that is one of the richest countries on earth, and for a _ the richest countries on earth, and for a long — the richest countries on earth, and for a long time people discuss climate — for a long time people discuss climate change here as an issue that would _ climate change here as an issue that would not _ climate change here as an issue that would not concern them, that was an issue _ would not concern them, that was an issue of— would not concern them, that was an issue of the _ would not concern them, that was an issue of the others or of the future, _ issue of the others or of the future, now we are seeing one of the richest _ future, now we are seeing one of the richest parts — future, now we are seeing one of the richest parts of the world getting hit this— richest parts of the world getting hit this hard, it is taking home, so of course — hit this hard, it is taking home, so of course some parts of the debate will drastically... will be talked about— will drastically... will be talked about different, because right now we are _ about different, because right now we are not— about different, because right now we are not talking about the cost of actions _ we are not talking about the cost of actions anv— we are not talking about the cost of actions any more, we are talking at the cost _ actions any more, we are talking at the cost of— actions any more, we are talking at the cost of inaction and effectively what we _ the cost of inaction and effectively what we are seeing, all the damage that is— what we are seeing, all the damage that is happening right now, we cannot— that is happening right now, we cannot afford inaction any longer, and us _ cannot afford inaction any longer, and us becoming not only clear soup our leaders — and us becoming not only clear soup our leaders but it is also for people _ our leaders but it is also for people who are going boating in september, and we are very much counting _ september, and we are very much counting on — september, and we are very much counting on them to make sure that they're _ counting on them to make sure that they're voting in favour of the future — they're voting in favour of the future of _ they're voting in favour of the future of climate action. climate chance future of climate action. climate change activist _ future of climate action. climate change activist luisa _ future of climate action. climate change activist luisa neubauer l change activist luisa neubauer talking to my colleague, kasia madera. the uk print minister is now

suffice letting along with the chancellor after being in contact with the health secretary sajid javid. they originally... but with hundreds of thousands of people having to self—isolate after a positive contact, they were met with a barrage of criticism and mrs johnson conceded it was important that everybody sticks to the same rules. it comes as almost all legal covid restrictions are due to be lifted in england on monday. here is our political correspondent nick eardley. life might be feeling a bit more normal, but the impact of the pandemic is far from over. hundreds of thousands of people have been told to self—isolate in recent days. and now track and trace has hit the heart of government. the prime minister and chancellor are self—isolating after the health secretary tested positive for covid yesterday. boris johnson posted this video on twitter. we did look briefly at the idea

of us taking part in the pilot scheme which allows people to test daily, but i think it's far more important that everybody sticks to the same rules. the prime minister will now spend the next week here, his country retreat at chequers. but that wasn't always the plan. this morning, number 10 said the prime minister wouldn't have to self—isolate because of a pilot scheme in downing street which allows participants to keep working if they do a daily test. a cabinet minister was sent out to defend the plan. it ensures that the pm, the chancellor can conduct the most essential business but at other times of the day. they won't be mixing with people outside of their own households. there was criticism from politicians and businesses who face significant disruption. and less than an hour later, the government backed down. in york today, sympathy was in short supply. it was sort of comical,

the fact that it was boris and rishi. it was, wasn't it? everyone is thinking the same. you have got a bit of common sense and everyone is thinking, "right, well, they have done that just for themselves so they don't have to self—isolate." we've all done everything we should have done, and we have done, but i do feel they should have done the same as us. labour's leader was critical, too. the only reason he has u—turned on this is because he has been busted. it is like bank robbers who got caught and now they are offering the money back. one rule for them, another for everyone else. it is contemptuous of the british public. this has been a pretty messy start to a week where government communication is going to be key. most legal restrictions will be lifted in england tomorrow, but ministers don't want this to be a free for all. they will still be urging caution and for people to behave responsibly. in leeds today, people were making the most of the weather, but with more freedoms comes risk. the government expects cases to rise

in the coming weeks, but how high? i think it is almost certain we will get to 1,000 hospitalisations per day. it will almost certainly get to 100,000 cases a day. the real question is, do we get to double that or even higher? and that is where the crystal ball starts to fail. the vaccine roll—out has given ministers confidence, but it hasn't change the fact that three will spend the first day without legal restrictions in self—isolation. nick eardley, bbc news. the afghan government has withdrawn its diplomatic staff from the pakistan capital of islamabad following an attack on friday on the ambassador�*s daughter. it is the latest sign of the troubled relationship between the two neighbours. our afghanistan and pakistan correspondent, secunder kermani, has more from kabul. well, this incident took place on friday afternoon,

when the afghan ambassador to pakistan's daughter in the capital islamabad was kidnapped and assaulted. she was travelling in a taxi when another passenger got into the vehicle, started beating her and calling her father a communist. she lost consciousness. when she came to, she was lying in a residential area of the city, her hands and feet were tied and she was quite badly injured. now, this incident has sparked anger in afghanistan, feeding into an already intense relationship between the two countries. in the last few hours, the afghan foreign ministry has announced it is recalling all senior diplomats from pakistan until it says their security concerns are addressed, including putting on trial those responsible for this incident. the pakistani foreign ministry has responded, saying that that decision is regrettable. it points out that prime minister imran khan has ordered all resources be utilised ever has those —— rapper had those

apprehend those as possible and also ordered security for aft into clement in pakistan to be beefed up. secunder kermani reporting. with just days to go until the opening ceremony — there's a deepening sense of crisis about the olympic games injapan — another athlete tested positive on sunday too. the pope has told worshippers to "switch off" and take a break. his message came as pope francis delivered his weekly address from a window overlooking st peter's square, in his first public appearance since undergoing intestinal surgery. the 84—year—old returned to the vatican on wednesday after 11 days in hospital. translation: let us put a halt to the frantic running around . dictated by our agendas. let us learn how to take a break, to turn off the mobile phone, to contemplate nature, to regenerate ourselves talking to god.

pope francis speaking in the vatican. you are watching bbc news. you are watching bbc news. these are our headlines this evening. the german leader angela merkel visits the region worst affected by devastating floods. she says the road must act faster in its battle against global warming. the uk print minister and chancellor have made a rapid u—turn in announced they will now self—isolate after being identified as contacts of the health secretary, who has tested positive for coronavirus. two athletes and an official at the tokyo living village of tested positive for coronavirus five days before the start of the games. let's return to one of our main stories, unlocking of stretches in

england, but let's first look at the latest uk government coronavirus figures. 48,161 new infections were recorded in the latest when he four hour period and there were 25 reported —— tony four hour period and there were 25 reported deaths. that takes the average to 45,242. over 46 million people had their firstjab, and nearly 36 million people have had two jabs. paul hunter is professor of medicine at the university of east anglia and us now. good to have you with us again thank you very much. everyone is looking forward in england to what tomorrow is going to bring with the lifting of the legal restrictions. how wise is it to choose tomorrow before we have complete the

vaccinated everybody? i before we have complete the vaccinated everybody? i think the roblem vaccinated everybody? i think the problem is _ vaccinated everybody? i think the problem is that _ vaccinated everybody? i think the problem is that the _ vaccinated everybody? i think the problem is that the vaccine - vaccinated everybody? i think the l problem is that the vaccine roll-out problem is that the vaccine roll—out is understandably slowing down and it is being slowing down for about two weeks. and the longer we leave it before we make the final relaxations, people who were vaccinated at the start of the epidemic, their protection will actually be starting to wane now, at least for some of them, and we know this is happening because it has been reported in the —— in israel that after six months, we are starting to see declining protections, so if we do not do it now, when are we going to do it? if we delay locked out using until september, the schools will be back and we will see further decline in immunity. if we wait until people are boosted, it is taking us into december, and that maybe we will be seeing influenza around, and if you catch flu, covid, at the same time,

that doubles your risk of dying. there is not a good time to ease and a safe time to ease lockdown, but it probably is the safest time to do that now as we are moving into the summer and the schools have been closing next week. later on in the autumn. ~ ., closing next week. later on in the autumn. . ., , , closing next week. later on in the autumn. . ., , ., ., autumn. with that pop up vaccination centres this weekend _ autumn. with that pop up vaccination centres this weekend encouraging - centres this weekend encouraging more people across the uk vaccinated. what is the most likely, the highest likely figure we're going to get in terms of those vaccinated, given we are not vaccinating the entire population, are we? ., ., ., , are we? no, indeed not, and there is not even at — are we? no, indeed not, and there is not even at the _ are we? no, indeed not, and there is not even at the moment _ are we? no, indeed not, and there is not even at the moment a _ are we? no, indeed not, and there is| not even at the moment a suggestion that we will be vaccinating children under 11, so at the moment we have got about 50% of the entire population. that is about two thirds of the adult population. hopefully we'll be able to get that up a bit more to maybe 80%, but i think that is going to... the last few

percentages are always going tough in public health campaigns, the more hard—to—reach individuals. hagar in public health campaigns, the more hard-to-reach individuals.— hard-to-reach individuals. how are we doinu , hard-to-reach individuals. how are we doing, though, _ hard-to-reach individuals. how are we doing, though, for _ hard-to-reach individuals. how are we doing, though, for vaccine - we doing, though, for vaccine supply? because some people wonder whether the vaccine uptake rate is anything to do with us not having enough? i anything to do with us not having enouuh? ., ., anything to do with us not having enouuh? . ., ., anything to do with us not having enou h? . ., . . , enough? i have not heard any evidence _ enough? i have not heard any evidence that _ enough? i have not heard any evidence that that _ enough? i have not heard any evidence that that is - enough? i have not heard any evidence that that is in - enough? i have not heard any evidence that that is in fact i enough? i have not heard any. evidence that that is in fact the case, but i could not swear to that at the moment. in case, but i could not swear to that at the moment.— at the moment. in terms of this idea, at the moment. in terms of this idea. then. _ at the moment. in terms of this idea, then, the _ at the moment. in terms of this idea, then, the government - at the moment. in terms of this i idea, then, the government had at the moment. in terms of this - idea, then, the government had this very quick u—turn today — i do not want you have to be drawn into the politics up tonic of it at all— but how wise is it to replace suth isolation... forthis how wise is it to replace suth isolation... for this daily negative test the print minister was going to undertake? == test the print minister was going to undertake? ~ , ~ ,

undertake? -- the prime minister? as we move out — undertake? -- the prime minister? as we move out of— undertake? -- the prime minister? as we move out of this _ undertake? -- the prime minister? as we move out of this epidemic, - undertake? -- the prime minister? as we move out of this epidemic, covid i we move out of this epidemic, covid is going to be with us forever, and i do not think anybody really doubts that any more. the head of the world health organization has said that, the head of the european centre for disease control and chris whitty has said that, so if it is some point we will treat it like any other virus and there will not be any need at all for the self isolation. i think how we see the outbreak continuing over the next few weeks will hopefully allow us to make that decision. at the moment we still got to be a bit cautious, but my personal expectation is that at some point, we will not be wanting people to be self isolating if they have just been contacts although, clearly, if there's an thematic, they will need to be self isolating —— if they are symptomatic. this these viruses are very good at morphing into something new. that is

what we have got more than one variant in circulation. how fleet of foot to the vaccine manufacturers need to be to keep on top of these changes? the need to be to keep on top of these chan . es? , ., need to be to keep on top of these chances? , ., _ , changes? the first thing to say is that all viruses _ changes? the first thing to say is that all viruses as _ changes? the first thing to say is that all viruses as they _ changes? the first thing to say is that all viruses as they jump - changes? the first thing to say is that all viruses as theyjump into | changes? the first thing to say is. that all viruses as theyjump into a new host, they generate a large number of variance, as they try and adapt and evolve into a better fit for their new hosts species, and we've seen that dramatically through 2020. but once it achieves that, the rate of new variance concern drops considerably. and whether or not we have actually achieved that at this point it is noticeable that none of the variance of concern at the moment have appeared since christmas. they've all been last year, so the rate of new variance will fall, but if we look at the other coronavirus is, they actually generate escape mutations themselves every few years. and we will expect

that over a long period of time, but each mutation, as we've seen but does not mean that vaccines are not effective of us are also mentally i suspect we will not really need booster vaccines because of the way the vaccines or cleats in society will mean we still are protected against severe disease —— ultimately. even though we will almost certainly still suffer the mild features of covid, but it is morphing into the sore throat, the sneezing that we are seeing now, and thatis sneezing that we are seeing now, and that is probably likely to continue for a very long time to come, but is less likely to see the severe covid features that we saw last year and we are still seeing as well in proportionate nations. professor paul hunter _ proportionate nations. professor paul hunter from _ proportionate nations. professor paul hunter from the _ proportionate nations. professor paul hunter from the diversity i proportionate nations. professori paul hunter from the diversity of east anglia, always good to talk to you. thank you for your time. —— from the university of. with the travel rules for people returning from some major holiday destinations changing tomorrow, there's been a scramble to rearrange plans to return home.

people arriving from france, which is on the amber list, will need to quarantine for ten days, regardless of their vaccination status. and the previously green list islands of mallorca, menorca and ibiza will now move onto the amber list. it means compulsory quarantine for those over 18 who are not double—jabbed. our europe correspondent nick beake is on ibiza to assess the impact on holiday makers there. it was fun while it lasted. their stay on party island is ending sooner than expected, a final drink before heading back to the uk to beat the latest quarantine rule change. we have to pay for the extra flight, miss two days' holidayjust to come home on sunday so we can go to work and we can live our lives as normal. and what do you think about that? i'm not happy. i'd rather be here for two more days. we've had a great time. ibiza's great. i'd rather be here all week, but what can you do, eh? in the old days in ibiza, they'd be queuing for the clubs. these days, it's for a covid test to get home.

nearly all the young british tourists we've met have only been given theirfirstjab, and so have had to act fast to avoid ten days in isolation when they return. another summer of uncertainty is also hitting businesses on the island. just two weeks ago, they were rejoicing when ibiza went onto the uk's green watchlist. but now it's off it, and so they're bracing themselves for a big slump in the number of brits arriving. some of the biggest venues on the island, already working with strict covid—safe measures, are finding it impossible to plan ahead. i mean, at the moment, concerns over health are all— powerful, and government are using it as a really blunt instrument. and they're making decisions that, you know, frankly, they're just crippling for businesses, they're crippling for customers. the chopping and changing... it's notjust this hotel, the whole island lives or dies on what happens to tourism. despite all the travel changes, more than 20 planes touched down today, bringing british holiday—makers determined to get their summer break.

we've had our test, so it's fine that we can come. - we've had our test, we'll have a good time here. l getting back might be tricky because obviously if we got| covid while we're here, _ we'll be staying in a hotel and have to quarantine for two weeks| and we have to pay for that. but because we all work from home, we're able to, like, _ hopefullyjust go home _ and quarantine from home and still work from home and should be fine. but new arrivals will find that covid cases are also on the rise in the balearics. still plenty of selfies, but dancing, strictly speaking, remains abandoned. like tourist destinations across europe, they're waiting and watching to see what happens next. nick beake, bbc news, ibiza. landslides caused by heavy rains in the indian city of mumbai have killed at least 22 people. the majority of the victims came when a compound wall collapsed on a number of homes in the chembur district. there were other fatalities in the suburb of vikhroli. emergency operations

continue in both areas, as more people may be trapped in the rubble. many metropolitan train services are suspended because of waterlogged tracks. our reporter dipali jagtap sent us this report from mumbai. at least 22 people have died in separate landslide incidents triggered due to heavy rains in india's financial capital mumbai. 16 people died due to wall collapse in chembur and six people died in mumbai's vikhroli area due to landslides. a few people are feared trapped under the debris in the chemburarea. local authorities are at the spot and rescue operations are still going on and the toll could increase. within the last 24 hours, authorities have so far reported 11 incidences of houses or walls collapsing in the mumbai area. in mumbai, monsoons often trigger such incidences like the collapsing of houses or buildings,

causing loss of lives every year. dipali jagtap from mumbai. tens of thousands of pilgrims have arrived in the saudi arabian city of mecca for a downsized hajj. as sophia tran—thomson reports, restrictions are tight as the kingdom is hoping to repeat last year's success that saw no coronavirus outbreaks during the muslim ritual. the annual hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of islam. all muslims are expected to retrace the prophet mohammed's final pilgrimage at least once in their lives if they have the means to do so. the event is usually one of the world's largest annual gatherings and would normally see 2.5 million muslims from around the world converge on mecca. this year, just 60,000 healthy and vaccinated saudi residents, chosen through a lottery from almost 600,000 applicants, will take part.

strict social distancing measures are in place and a hajj smart pass is being used to allow contact—free access and transportation to the various religious sites and accommodation. technology will also play a part, with the deployment of robots to dispense bottles of sacred water from the grand mosque and others to dispense disinfectant. while a large proportion of security will take place remotely, and most of the marshals who would normally be on site will be in a call centre instead. translation: we help them if they're lost or need urgent | medical help or can't find a toll operator. it's taken complicated and costly planning, but hosting the hajj is a matter of prestige for saudi rulers. barring overseas pilgrims will cost the kingdom around $12 billion this

year and impact hundreds of thousands of jobs in the holy city. but the hajj is a gathering which could easily become a coronavirus super—spreader event, and with around 14 out of 34 million saudis still unvaccinated, it's a risk the kingdom isn't willing to take. sophia tran—thompson, bbc news. the presenter and comedian tom o'connor has died in hospital at the age of 81. he was a staple of light entertainment in the 1970s and 80s. tom o'connor had been living with parkinson's disease for more than a decade. the mother—in—law, the dog, the cat, the budgie with a tent... a brilliant comic and true gent, just some of the comments made today about tom o'connor. born in bootle, he started out as a maths teacher but soon broke into the comedy world after a stint in working men's clubs. he rose to fame on the tv show opportunity knocks, which he

won three times, and went on to present a host of other programmes, such as name that tune. north west comic ted robbins worked closely with him on panto. we did a few shifts together, cabarets and everything. and i used to dread it because if i had to go on after tom o'connor, he was very hard to follow. and he was a very good act. tom — great scouser, great comedian, great worker. amongst others who rendered him fondly, sir ken dodds's widow. the two men were friends. whenever they met, they just whenever they met, theyjust got on really— whenever they met, theyjust got on really well, _ whenever they met, theyjust got on really well. yes _ liverpool people do particularly. theyjust get on. they have a glass half full, not half—empty attitude. i i taught maths, you see. what you do for a living now? tom o'connor died today surrounded by his family. he had had parkinson's

disease for 14 years. tributes on social media suggest the merseyside comic will be remembered as one of the all—time greats. tom o'connor, who has died at the age of 81. you will probably have guessed this already, but to date has been the hottest day of the year so far in england and wales, with temperatures over 30 celsius. these were the scenes at lenglet bay in swansea earlier. the met office says temperatures peaked at 30.2 in cardiff, but if you throw the temperature reached 31.6. northern ireland and scotland both experienced their hottest day of 2021 yesterday. that office says the good weather will continue through the coming week. —— the met office says. not everyone likes it — we know that. let's take a look at the weather forecast with susan. hello. the weekend has brought a lot of sunshine and a lot of warmth to the uk. and the week ahead will continue to do so, at least until the very end of the week. we have seen a bit more cloud

pushing into the northern half of the uk, particularly into scotland and northern ireland