and — greek orthodox clergy havecondemned an explosion at an ancient church in gaza. the israeli military says it was damaged when a hamas clashes continue with the iranian backed hezbollah across the border with lebanon. the city has a population of about 20,000, though many have already left because of the hezbollah rocket and missile attacks, one question hangs over lebanon. will it be at war, again? this will depend on one group, hezbollah, the shia islamist movement that's dominant here and described as a terrorist organisation by the uk and other countries.

this hezbollah protest in beirut was held in solidarity for palestinians in gaza. there were strong words... ..and defiance. the speech here was full of anti—american and anti—israeli slogans. it's unlikely that its done anything to ease tensions that this country could be dragged into this conflict. for days, hezbollah and the israeli army have exchanged fire along the border. so far, the attacks have been contained. but what happens next is likely to be decided farfrom here in iran, hezbollah�*s main supporter. the tensions also threaten to deepen sectarian divisions. this is a sunni village by the border. this is my cousin's house. sabrina has left. it was too dangerous.

she came back to inspect the damage caused by an israeli retaliatory strike. so you're angry that hezbollah has been using this place to attack israel? yes, ok, i'm not against that. to start war, let them start from their own homeland, not from our houses. in a pro—hezbollah town, different opinions. i'm not going to leave no more, no. not unless it gets way out of hand, which i doubt that it will. why? because i have faith in the resistance that we have here, in the lebanese people. but many residents are on the move. this college is now a shelter for people fleeing the fighting and with nowhere to go. this man is here with his two wives and their ten children. translation: there was shelling every day. - sometimes in the morning. sometimes in the afternoon. it kept getting closer. every day i was saying,

"tomorrow it will be over," but the children couldn't take it any more. i said, "let's leave," hoping that god would help me. with violence along the border getting worse, it's unlikely they'll be going back home anytime soon. hugo bachega, bbc news, southern lebanon. we've seen a flurry of diplomacy in the middle east with visits from the british pm and us president, in the hopes of preventing israel's war with hamas from escalating into a regional war. with me is our security correspondent frank gardner. and also former uk ambassador in lebanon, tom fletcher. thank you both forjoining us, tom, if i could ask you first, we are talking about this issue of escalation, we know that there has been violence on the israel lebanon border, how significant do you read that to be at the moment? it is significant do you read that to be at the moment?— significant do you read that to be at the moment? it is significant. i mean things _ at the moment? it is significant. i mean things are _ at the moment? it is significant. i

mean things are on _ at the moment? it is significant. i mean things are on a _ at the moment? it is significant. i mean things are on a knife-edgel at the moment? it is significant. i l mean things are on a knife-edge on mean things are on a knife—edge on the morn border, let us be in no doubt the people of will be nand and, do not want that escalation, they know where that leads, i don't believe either israel or hezbollah want that escalation but it is very delicate and it is very important all sides hear the message loud and clear, that we need to reduce that tension, that we need to focus back on what matters now which is getting that aid across the rafa crossing and into gaza and to the civilians under fire. and into gaza and to the civilians under fire-— under fire. remind us of the link between hezbollah, _ under fire. remind us of the link between hezbollah, iran - under fire. remind us of the link between hezbollah, iran and - under fire. remind us of the link- between hezbollah, iran and hamas, because i think it is important, every time we talk about this for people to understand the context of this this. . ~', , this this. there are links, it is very complex. _ this this. there are links, it is very complex, the _ this this. there are links, it is very complex, the key - this this. there are links, it is very complex, the key link i this this. there are links, it is very complex, the key link is | very complex, the key link is between hezbollah and iran, it is a very strong link, closer than been iran and hamas. they have a tactical freedom if you like on ground, but they are very much part of the

iranian access. and if iran instructs them to escalate, then they will escalate. even if they don't judge they will escalate. even if they don'tjudge it as in this interests of lebanon and of their own community, but i very much hope that won't happen. community, but i very much hope that won't happen-— won't happen. frank, can we talk about an incident _ won't happen. frank, can we talk about an incident last _ won't happen. frank, can we talk about an incident last night - won't happen. frank, can we talk about an incident last night in - about an incident last night in yemen or potentially involving yemen. highlighting the property of escalating. that yemen. highlighting the property of escalatinu. . . ,, escalating. that report that the us na shot escalating. that report that the us navy shot down — escalating. that report that the us navy shot down a _ escalating. that report that the us navy shot down a number - escalating. that report that the us navy shot down a number of - escalating. that report that the us i navy shot down a number of missiles being fired by houthi, we used to call them rebels but they have been in control of yemen for several year, so the houthi militia in yemen reportedly fired missiles to israel. that is long distance but we know that they have got long distance drones and missiles because they have hit abu dhabi, jeddah, targets in saudi arabia, so think think is one example of the risk of

escalation, of this thing spilling out well beyond israel's borders, i think there is a triple threat, a triple risk. the first is as we say and as tom fletcher referred to there, this spreads across the border, pulls in hezbollah and possibly iran and becomes a regional conflict. the second is that anger on the streets, on the, i hate this cliche, the arab street, ordinary people, not governments but ordinary people, not governments but ordinary people are so enraged, incensed by what they see as the continuing war crimes in gaza against palestinians, and the sympathy for israelis very quickly evaporated after october 7th because of the intensity of bombing, that that, that that could metastisise into a new arab spring, a kind of wave of unrest across the region, calling for the collapse of regimes in countries likejordan and

egypt. the this third is the risk of terrorism. that people could be so personally furious at what is going on there and what they see as the accomplicety of western governments that they take action and indulge in about acts of what people consider to be terrorism.— to be terrorism. does that explain wh we to be terrorism. does that explain why we have _ to be terrorism. does that explain why we have seen _ to be terrorism. does that explain why we have seen this _ to be terrorism. does that explain why we have seen this flowery, i to be terrorism. does that explain | why we have seen this flowery, we talk about a flurry of diplomacy, us president biden here and prime minister rishi sunak, in israel yesterday, he's in egypt today, what can all that do, can it make a difference, change the dialogue? so frank is right about the risk of failure — frank is right about the risk of failure and it is excellent to see that diplomacy under way, trying to delay— that diplomacy under way, trying to delay a _ that diplomacy under way, trying to delay a that potential ground invasion _ delay a that potential ground invasion. any trip, diplomatic trip, i have _ invasion. any trip, diplomatic trip, i have organised this them for prime minister_ i have organised this them for prime minister nos the past, to the region. — minister nos the past, to the region. it _ minister nos the past, to the region, it is delicate in normal times— region, it is delicate in normal times and _ region, it is delicate in normal times and these aren't normal times so it is_ times and these aren't normal times so it is good — times and these aren't normal times so it is good the pm issen gauged. i

have talked — so it is good the pm issen gauged. i have talked to his team morning, these _ have talked to his team morning, these are — have talked to his team morning, these are substantive talk, he is seeing _ these are substantive talk, he is seeing is — these are substantive talk, he is seeing is regional leaders, it is vital— seeing is regional leaders, it is vital many— seeing is regional leaders, it is vital many my view he sees the palestinian leadership because we need that alternative to hamas, it is important that the uk has a distinci— is important that the uk has a distinct voice and uses it, including _ distinct voice and uses it, including for our interest round our own nationals who are held hostage, and i own nationals who are held hostage, and i think— own nationals who are held hostage, and i think what the prime minister is doing _ and i think what the prime minister is doing is— and i think what the prime minister is doing is taking his cue from joe biden_ is doing is taking his cue from joe biden and — is doing is taking his cue from joe biden and antony blinken in the region. — biden and antony blinken in the region, saying to israel, we feel your— region, saying to israel, we feel your pain, — region, saying to israel, we feel your pain, we do, but also saying to the other_ your pain, we do, but also saying to the other peoples of the region, including — the other peoples of the region, including the palestinians we feel your pain — including the palestinians we feel your pain too and saying to all of them _ your pain too and saying to all of them we — your pain too and saying to all of them we have your back, we don't want _ them we have your back, we don't want it— them we have your back, we don't want it to — them we have your back, we don't want it to escalate, and don't make mistakes _ want it to escalate, and don't make mistakes in — want it to escalate, and don't make mistakes in this moment of raw anger, _ mistakes in this moment of raw anger, don't miscalculate. i hope the message is a firm one, let us hunt— the message is a firm one, let us hunt down— the message is a firm one, let us hunt down the terrorists but let us .et hunt down the terrorists but let us get aid _ hunt down the terrorists but let us get aid in — hunt down the terrorists but let us get aid in and let us respect humanitarian law. and then, the

friendly— humanitarian law. and then, the friendly advice, the quiet advice when _ friendly advice, the quiet advice when the — friendly advice, the quiet advice when the cameras are away and they are in— when the cameras are away and they are in the _ when the cameras are away and they are in the room alone, i would when the cameras are away and they are in the room alone, iwould be saying _ are in the room alone, iwould be saying don't— are in the room alone, iwould be saying don't do what iran wants you to do, _ saying don't do what iran wants you to do. don't— saying don't do what iran wants you to do, don't escalate, think about where _ to do, don't escalate, think about where this— to do, don't escalate, think about where this ends, think about building _ where this ends, think about building up an alternative mainstream leadership to hamas, think— mainstream leadership to hamas, think about the off ramps, that is the key— think about the off ramps, that is the key to— think about the off ramps, that is the key to diplomacy. the think about the off ramps, that is the key to diplomacy.— think about the off ramps, that is the key to diplomacy. the and the difference between _ the key to diplomacy. the and the difference between the _ the key to diplomacy. the and the difference between the prime - difference between the prime minister's visit and the president's, obviously the president had to cut his short, there was a plan to meet arab leaderses and in the end that didn't happen. how much can rishi sunak�*s visit maybe have some of those conversations that president biden didn't in the end have? . , ~ ~ , have? that is where i think kit be most useful- _ have? that is where i think kit be most useful. the _ have? that is where i think kit be most useful. the foreign - have? that is where i think kit be i most useful. the foreign secretary has been _ most useful. the foreign secretary has been out there, but in this moment— has been out there, but in this moment it _ has been out there, but in this moment it is great we have that level_ moment it is great we have that level of— moment it is great we have that level of engagement. and the pm is rolling _ level of engagement. and the pm is rolling up _ level of engagement. and the pm is rolling up his sleeves, in all of this it — rolling up his sleeves, in all of this it is — rolling up his sleeves, in all of this it is so _ rolling up his sleeves, in all of this it is so important that mainstream palestinian leadership is engaged _ mainstream palestinian leadership is

engaged as well, because we need to think about _ engaged as well, because we need to think about who emerges to replace hamas. _ think about who emerges to replace hamas. in— think about who emerges to replace hamas, in that political process, but, _ hamas, in that political process, but. also — hamas, in that political process, but. also to— hamas, in that political process, but, also to remind everyone, including _ but, also to remind everyone, including israel, the real prize is normalisation, and that will get much _ normalisation, and that will get much harder, as long as this carnage .oes much harder, as long as this carnage goes on. _ much harder, as long as this carnage goes on. as— much harder, as long as this carnage goes on, as long as the civilian casuatties— goes on, as long as the civilian casualties mount. if we the take a deep _ casualties mount. if we the take a deep breath and step back from an escalation, — deep breath and step back from an escalation, that prize of nremlisation between israel and the arab world is still out there. there is what _ arab world is still out there. there is what i _ arab world is still out there. there is what i heard this morning, what i am hearing — is what i heard this morning, what i am hearing from former colleagues to ambassadors, that that prize is still out — ambassadors, that that prize is still out there.— still out there. frank, normalisation - still out there. frank, normalisation does i still out there. frank, - normalisation does seem a still out there. frank, _ normalisation does seem a long way away, doesn't it. the normalisation does seem a long way away. doesn't it— away, doesn't it. the accords brokered _ away, doesn't it. the accords brokered by _ away, doesn't it. the accords brokered by the _ away, doesn't it. the accords brokered by the trump - away, doesn't it. the accords - brokered by the trump administration did norm lights ties between the uae, bahrain, morocco and sudan with israel. it is incredible to think two weeks' ago saudi arabia was on

the track to norm lose hissing to recognise state of israel. you had the tourism minister coming to re—had, that is all now off, largely because, i mean i am sure arab countries, the leaders are genuinely appalled what is happening but they are under domestic pressure to condemn israel, so ties have cooled. there a short—term problem which is to stop the violence right now, but the lodger, and that could be done, relatively quickly, but, the much bigger, longerterm relatively quickly, but, the much bigger, longer term problem relatively quickly, but, the much bigger, longerterm problem is relatively quickly, but, the much bigger, longer term problem is how do you resolve the twin problems that the, the gazans have been governed by an organisation that is violent, that is sending rockets into israel that is killing israeli civilians and this israeli government is intent on building settlements across arab land, across the real estate palestinians expect to have. every day that dream gets

further away, there is no hope until thatis further away, there is no hope until that is resolved. that is the longer term problem, what want we are seeing now is the volcano breaking through the crust, the mantle but there is is a bigger boiling problem under the surface. brute there is is a bigger boiling problem under the surface.— under the surface. we will have to leave it there. _ under the surface. we will have to leave it there. frank _ under the surface. we will have to leave it there. frank gardner - under the surface. we will have to leave it there. frank gardner and l leave it there. frank gardner and tom this

you're live with bbc news. the opposition labour party overturned substantial majorities in mid beds and tamworth. let us look at the number, in mid bedfordshire the labour candidate won the seat with 13872 votes, it gives the party

a majority of 1192 votes. this means the swing from the conservatives to labour was 20.5%, making it is biggest conservative majority to be overturned by labour since 1945. here is the labour leader keir starmer. , . , here is the labour leader keir starmer. , , . ., here is the labour leader keir starmer. , . ., ., starmer. this was such a hard fight, such a big majority, _ starmer. this was such a hard fight, such a big majority, it _ starmer. this was such a hard fight, such a big majority, it was _ starmer. this was such a hard fight, such a big majority, it was a - starmer. this was such a hard fight, such a big majority, it was a three i such a big majority, it was a three way fight, every single conversation, every vote that you persuaded to come across to us was work that you have done on behalf of this constituency, for a better future. and in tamworth labour's candidate won the seat by 1316 votes, this means the swing from the conservatives to labour was 23.9%, thatis conservatives to labour was 23.9%, that is the second biggest swing from the conservatives, to labour, since world war ii. labour's leader welcomed the historic results. i think what you have seen here

replicates what is going on across the country, people are fed up to the country, people are fed up to the back teeth with 13 years of decline under this government. they want a fresh start, they want to go forward, a positive case with a changed labour party. let forward, a positive case with a changed labour party.- forward, a positive case with a changed labour party. let us go live to our political— changed labour party. let us go live to our political correspondent - changed labour party. let us go live to our political correspondent in - to our political correspondent in westminster, hello charlotte. so many superlatives being used to describe the results, not always justified but in this case possibly. it is an historic result for labour and dismal one for the conservatives, in terms of the majorities that have been overturned, in both of these constituencies. we keep hearing from the conservative party in particular greg hands the party chairman, but also other government minister, that this is not, they say, because conservative voters have switched to vote for others but because they have stayed at home. there are many in the party who agree with that analysis but we are beginning to hear voices from parts of the party,

particularly the right and other pressure groups, saying, yes, we agree with that but we need to give voters something to turn out to vote for. the veteran conservative mp john redwood who represents woking says he wants to see the government deliver on reducing migration and he says that is notjust about stopping the small boats it about reducing legal migration because he says there is too much pressure on housing and services and people are feeling that keenly, he also wants to see tax cuts being delivered at the autumn statement in the next couple of weeks, particularly for self—employed people and small businesses, we have heard this morning from david campbell banner man, the leader of a group called the conservative democratic organisation, he went as far as the to say conservative voters have gone out on strike and that could be repeated at the next general election, unless the party gives people something to want to turn out and vote for. one of my colleagues

has spoken to craig tracy, one of the conservative mps involved in the tamworth by—election. he said people have heard rhetoric for too long, they now need something to feel better about. so lots of voices theres, pressuring rishi sunak, we heard him at his party conference wanting a big reset moment, saying he will deliver change and he is the change candidate. there are lots of people in his own party saying we need to see and feel that change, in order top at distract voters to come back to us this at the next election. back to us this at the next election-— back to us this at the next election. ., ,, , ., ., ., at least two people have already died in the high wind and flooding that hit scotland, hundreds of people have been evacuated. 0ur correspondent has been meeting affected

good morning to you. morning. how lona have good morning to you. morning. how long have you _ good morning to you. morning. how long have you had _ good morning to you. morning. how long have you had the _ good morning to you. morning. how long have you had the warehouses l long have you had the warehouses here? q8 long have you had the warehouses here? 'j~ . :: :: ~ long have you had the warehouses here? 11: ~ ' here? 98 and 2006, so there 14 industrial unites _ here? 98 and 2006, so there 14 industrial unites with _ here? 98 and 2006, so there 14 industrial unites with tenants i here? 98 and 2006, so there 14. industrial unites with tenants and businesses, that is flooded with water. so businesses, that is flooded with water. , ., , 4, water. so decades, anything like this before? _ water. so decades, anything like this before? no _ water. so decades, anything like this before? no we _ water. so decades, anything like this before? no we have - water. so decades, anything like this before? no we have had i water. so decades, anything likej this before? no we have had two ma'or this before? no we have had two major floods _ this before? no we have had two major floods and _ this before? no we have had two major floods and one _ this before? no we have had two major floods and one minor, i this before? no we have had two major floods and one minor, but| this before? no we have had two i major floods and one minor, but this majorfloods and one minor, but this is extreme. it has never been this high, all the units are affected, before there was only five or six but i feel very sorry for the tenants, it has got a lot of businesses.— tenants, it has got a lot of businesses. ~ ., ,., , tenants, it has got a lot of businesses. ~ ., , ., , businesses. welding, all sorts goes on, some businesses. welding, all sorts goes on. some saying — businesses. welding, all sorts goes on, some saying they _ businesses. welding, all sorts goes on, some saying they have - businesses. welding, all sorts goes on, some saying they have raised i on, some saying they have raised their precious equipment in the hope of saving it their precious equipment in the hope of savin: i - , , their precious equipment in the hope ofsavin: |- , , , ., their precious equipment in the hope ofsavinui- , , , . , their precious equipment in the hope ofsavinui- , , , ., , ., of saving it yes, they put a bit of effort in last _ of saving it yes, they put a bit of effort in last night _ of saving it yes, they put a bit of effort in last night because i of saving it yes, they put a bit of effort in last night because we i effort in last night because we thought it might get a bit bad, but we didn't realise a red warning was

so is varicose he will take heed next time. it is because the river come over the wall and this is the lowest part of the whole town so all the water accumulates, and really, the water accumulates, and really, the there is nothing we can do about it. it is hemmed in by the defences, so the defences keep the water in as well, as welling it out. so there is no place for it to go down. when the river goes down there is no place for this floodwater to go so, so we have to pump it out. fishd for this floodwater to go so, so we have to pump it out.— have to pump it out. and you live 'ust u- have to pump it out. and you live just up the _ have to pump it out. and you live just up the hill. — have to pump it out. and you live just up the hill, did _ have to pump it out. and you live just up the hill, did you _ have to pump it out. and you live just up the hill, did you have i have to pump it out. and you live just up the hill, did you have powj just up the hill, did you have pow other? i know a lot the town doesn't? mi other? i know a lot the town doesn't?— other? i know a lot the town doesn't? . ., , ., doesn't? all the bottom is dead with ower, and doesn't? all the bottom is dead with power. and over— doesn't? all the bottom is dead with power, and over in _ doesn't? all the bottom is dead with power, and over in the _ doesn't? all the bottom is dead with power, and over in the corner - doesn't? all the bottom is dead with power, and over in the corner be i power, and over in the corner be mind my back the sub—station is under about water, four feet of water, so that is why the whole of the bottom of the town has been tripped out. the bottom of the town has been tripped out-— tripped out. you have seen this before, tripped out. you have seen this before. how — tripped out. you have seen this before, how long _ tripped out. you have seen this before, how long do _ tripped out. you have seen this before, how long do you - tripped out. you have seen this before, how long do you think. tripped out. you have seen this| before, how long do you think it will take to get power back on, to get the water out, how long before this town, you can walk through, before this is a road again? i would

think honestly, _ before this is a road again? i would think honestly, with _ before this is a road again? i would think honestly, with past _ before this is a road again? i wouldl think honestly, with past experience should be two weeks before even some of the businesses start up. power is a none entity because the sub—station is underwater so we don't know the consequences of the floodwaters. fishd don't know the consequences of the floodwaters— don't know the consequences of the floodwaters. . . ., ., ., , floodwaters. and that was fiona lamb din. there floodwaters. and that was fiona lamb din- there is— floodwaters. and that was fiona lamb din- there is a — floodwaters. and that was fiona lamb din. there is a lot _ floodwaters. and that was fiona lamb din. there is a lot going _ floodwaters. and that was fiona lamb din. there is a lot going on _ floodwaters. and that was fiona lamb din. there is a lot going on in - din. there is a lot going on in sport today from tennis in, to the high stakes stages of the rugby world cup. for a full round—up first rugby world cup semifinal is happening later, with new zealand taking on argentina in paris. the all—blacks certainly won't underestimate their opponents, a team they did beat them in their own back yard last year and who of course knocked out wales in the quarters, but the all blacks know if they play like they did against ireland they will be threw to the final and chasing a fourth world cup trophy, although they may be haunted be the memories of what happened four years ago

when england send sent them home at this stage. from experience you learn a lot, it is clear they have some outstanding leaders in the team, and pretty much all of them were there. and i know that that sort of loss is driving some of them, and i know it is four years on, but you can still look back that to that week and think about what you learned from it, and i guess, make sure that, yeah, it doesn't happen again, and you get this right. it is notjust because it is the all—blacks, it is because it is the semifinal of the world cup. if it was ireland it would be the same great occasion for us, you know, we will embrace the occasion, we want to come and give our best and that is what we are looking for. on saturday, the second semifinal takes place as england play south africa. meanwhile, in the women's 15, the new global tournament in women's rugby, england have got off

to a winning start in the top tier with a very convincing 42—7 win over australia in their first game. the red roses currently top of the world rangingings secured of the world rankings secured a bonus point before half—time in wellington, running in six tries against the aussies, who had annabel cody sent off in the second half. the global competition continues today, with fixtures in the other two tier, usa play scotland while italy take on south africa in the second tier, in the third kazakhstan play kenya and spain face fiji. to tennis now, and ben shelton has once again come out on top in the all american clash against tommy paul, shelton got the win over paul in the first round of the us open and banked that up with a quarterfinal win at the japan open in tokyo. shelton, who is ranked 19th in the world won 7—6, 6—3 over fifth seed paul. shelton will face american marco giron in the semifinal after he beat canadian felix auger—aliassime 6—1, 6—4.

in other tennis news, 22 time grand slam champion rafael nadal says the australian open injanuary is his most realistic option for a return to action. nadal hasn't played since losing in the second round in melbourne nearly a year ago and underwent hip surgery injune. the 37—year—old has returned to training, but says the pain is preventing him from putting an exact date on a return. translation: i am not training without pain, i i'm in less pain than i used to be, but i'm still in pain. however, this pain allows me to do more and more things eventually. things would be different if i had zero pain, i could give you a date for my return if i had zero pain because i would have time now former british number one emma raducanu says her provoking and challenging questions could explain why she has had a high turn over of coaches. the 2021 us open winner split with her fifth coach in two years injune, and is yet to confirm a new one,

after having surgery on both wrists and her ankle. her sights are set on clawing back up the rankings, but she also has but paris 2024 might come too soon. i think ithinki i think i could play another four if i think i could play another four if i wanted to, so this one isn't the immediate rush or pressure, i think for me, it isjust going back on court, i love the slams but would want to have the him tick experience, yes, iwilljust want to have the him tick experience, yes, i willjust see how it goes, if i even qualify or how it happens from there. fishd it goes, if i even qualify or how it happens from there.— it goes, if i even qualify or how it happens from there. and finally news on barcelona. — happens from there. and finally news on barcelona, they _ happens from there. and finally news on barcelona, they are _ happens from there. and finally news on barcelona, they are ready - happens from there. and finally news on barcelona, they are ready to i happens from there. and finally news on barcelona, they are ready to rockl on barcelona, they are ready to rock and roll ahead of their showdown with real madrid. they arejoined forces with the rolling stones and will wear iconic shirts with the iconic logo. the women's team will haveit iconic logo. the women's team will have it for a match in november. it

is part of their deal with a music streaming company. you can follow the latest news on the website and of course our app as the sports news there, certainly a big news of sport ahead where the semifinal of the rugby world cup. plenty more to come here on bbc the met office have introduced yet another red warning for heavy rain, this is for all day saturday, similar areas but slightly smaller zone compared with where the red warning was today, another 100 millimetres on top of saturated ground, further flooding millimetres on top of saturated ground, furtherflooding possible ground, further flooding possible and ground, furtherflooding possible and on saturday more amber warnings in other parts of eastern scotland. let us get back to today, though,

because the amber warning has come into force across the eastern pennines, people distribute, parts of north—west england, here is where the rainfall will be at its worst through the rest of today. rainfall totals totted up. improving condition in the midlands, parts of south wales, rain eases off in parts of north wales and the midland and across the flood—hit areas of eastern scotland, there will be respite from the rain this afternoon, sunshine developing but strong winds remain in place across scotland, stronger winds today in northern england, that only adds to enhancing the rainfall on the eastern side. lightest wind across the south, sunny spells, it will feel warm and pleasant. into tonight, rain to start with, mainly in north wales and northern england, edging into northern and eastern parts of scotland once again, a few clear skies here and there and it won't be a cold night although the wind will make it feel unpleasant in

scotland into tomorrow morning, so this is the set up for saturday. low pressure with us, it is held in place by this area of high pressure to the north east. some longer spell of rain developing through the day, some heavy and thundery, persistent rain to the north and east of scotland. again piling into to those areas his it by floods. in between, part of northern ireland, northern england, north midlands brighter skies develop. 0ne england, north midlands brighter skies develop. one or two will stay dry with sunshine, for all temperatures will be round where we should be for this stage in october. if you are looking for drier weather italy come for most on sunday. everyone in scotland. 0verall italy come for most on sunday. everyone in scotland. overall a lot more, best of the sunshine, northern ireland, england and wales, but do not drop your guard everyone then because next week further bouts of rain will put in off the atlantic.

today at one... labour claim there's been a political earthquake after they win two by—election victories in what had been safe conservative seats. cheering. labour overcame a tory majority of more than 24,000 in mid bedfordshire, the biggest ever overturned at a by—election. cheering. and in tamworth they overturned a conservative majority of more than 19,000.

voters here have turned their back on a failed tory government. they've had enough of the decline of the last 13 years and they are crying out for change. the conservatives have blamed a low turnout and say their voters stayed at home. also on the programme this lunchtime... hundreds of people evacuated from their homes in north—eastern scotland as storm babet wreaks havoc and leaves two people dead. these teams have so far rescued around about 50 residents this morning. no one knows for sure how long this water will remain here, but it is thought it might stay flooded for the next couple of days. trucks with relief supplies for gaza wait to be allowed in from egypt. the un secretary general appeals for the aid to be let through. and we talk to eric cantona, footballer, actor and now a singer as well embarking on a uk tour.