hello, i'm geeta guru—murthy. you're watching the context on bbc news. there was a lot of chaos, a lot of confusion earlier today in beirut after this new wave of attacks, and perhaps there is the expectation that there is more to come. it has been a nightmare. probably this is the worst day of my life as a physician. in my past 25 years in practice, i never removed as many eyes as i did yesterday. translation: the centre of gravity is moving - towards the north. this means that we are diverting forces, resources and energy towards the north. these events confirms that there is a serious risk of a dramatic escalation in lebanon, and everything must be done to avoid that escalation.

joining me tonight are political strategist and commentator — rina shah and columnist for the i and former labour executive director of policy — andrew fisher first , the latest headlines. israel's defence minister has said the military is opening a new phase in the war, and will be diverting troops and resources northwards. yoav gallant was speaking to troops at an airbase near the border with lebanon. it comes as 14 people have been killed and at least a50 injured — in further explosions across lebanon — involving walkie talkies. the us federal reserve has cut interest rates by half a percentage point — in its first reduction since the pandemic. it puts the central bank's benchmark lending rate at between 4.75% and 5%, sharply lowering the cost of borrowing — with less than 50 days to go until the us presidential election. the foreign office has summoned the russian ambassador to the uk over

the expulsion of six british diplomats from moscow. a spokesperson accused moscow of making �*malicious and completely baseless allegations�* about the diplomats — who the russians had accused of spying. and here in the uk — train drivers have accepted a pay deal that will bring an end to the more than two years of strike action in england, scotland and wales. more than 10,000 drivers have walked out 18 times since the industrial action began. the aslef union says the accepted offer is worth a 15% rise over three years. we start in lebanon, where there's been a fresh wave of explosions across the country, which have killed at least 14 people, with more than a50 injured. hand—held radios or walkie talkies have been detonated in the last few hours. this is said to be one of them. the latest blasts came 2a hours after at least 12 people were killed when pagers used by the armed group hezbollah exploded simultanously across the country.

more than 3,000 were hurt, many with serious injuries to their eyes and hands. iran — which backs hezbollah — has described the attacks as "mass murder". hezbollah is blaming israel and has vowed to retaliate. hezbollah is designated as a terrorist group by western and arab governments. amid rising tensions in the region, israel has said a "new front" is opening up, with the "centre of gravity" moving northward. prime minister benjamin netanyahu says israel will return the tens of thousands of people displaced from the northern border to their homes. translation: i have said it before, we will turn - before, we will return the citizens of the north to their home safely, and that is exactly what we are going to do. israeli defence minister yoav gallant delivered this message to troops at ramat david airbase today — explaining a shift in focus in the war. translation: the centre of gravity is moving - towards the north. this means that we are diverting forces, resources and energy towards the north.

we have not forgotten the hostages, and we have not forgotten our tasks in the south. this is our duty, and we are performing both at the same time. white house national security adviserjohn kirby has been speaking in washington in the last hour. he warned against �*escalation�* well, all i'll say is that we want to see the war end. and everything we've been doing since the beginning has been designed to prevent the conflict from escalating. we still believe, for instance, that there is a diplomatic path forward, particularly up near lebanon. and we still believe that while it is increasingly difficult and we are certainly no closer to finality, that we believe a ceasefire deal and a negotiation to get the hostages out is still the best outcome, and we're going to keep pursuing that.

but how do these events move forward any diplomatic solution here? it's difficult for me to stand up here, gabe, and tell you exactly how incidents over the last couple of days are going to affect outcomes in the next few days. all i can tell you is we're still putting our shoulder to the wheel to get the hostages home and get a ceasefire in place, as daunting as that is today, and we are still involved in intensive diplomacy to try to prevent a second front from opening up on that border with lebanon. joining me now: from washington our state department correspondent tom bateman and — from jerusalem — our correspondent daniel de simone: daniel tell us more about what we heard from the israeli leadership and does it explain specifically what the endgame here is, because lots of question about whether there is a specific purpose behind these moves by israel, or whether we could see a much bigger opening of a new friend? ==

could see a much bigger opening of a new friend?— of a new friend? -- a new front. the _ of a new friend? -- a new front. the goal _ of a new friend? -- a new front. the goal according | of a new friend? -- a new. front. the goal according to the israeli leadership is return of israeli citizens to the north who had to lease the dutch leave their homes of the past year because of rocket fire and drones being sent into israel by hezbollah, and around 60,000 israelis had to leave their homes. the conflict between his brother and israel has been going on for about a year, is not been a full—blown war, both sides of how something back, but there has been a debate in israel in the past weeks about whether they should escalate the conflict, and there's been talk about trying to create buffer zones in southern lebanon that would possibly degrade the capabilities of hezbollah to threaten israeli citizens. they said that health is the goal, and how they achieve that is not been sent out. we have seen through today and this week is ratcheting up of rhetoric, and it was earlier this week the israeli security cabinet

formally made the return of israeli citizens to their homes 104 war goals, the other three religions are gaza and hamas, so that was a full immobilization of the northern front as part of its war. today, the defense minister of israel it was talking at an air force base in the north of the country about a new phase in her work, very much the opposite of what people have been asking for, which is de—escalation, he's talking about a new phase talking about resources moving north, and we have confirmed tonight that a division of the israeli army that had been focused on gaza has today moved to the north, meaning there are no two divisions in the north, and increasing resources, and at two divisions in gaza. the israeli leadership has not commented on the attacks in lebanon over the past 24 hours or so, they have neither confirmed nor denied, that they

have played a role, although in israel, just as around the region, it is widely believed and thought that israel spy agency, my side, is responsible.- agency, my side, is resonsible. �* ~ ., responsible. and in washington, we heard that _ responsible. and in washington, we heard that briefing _ responsible. and in washington, we heard that briefing from - we heard that briefing from john kirby, tell us more about what was said and how much concern there is there.- concern there is there. what was said. — concern there is there. what was said, not _ concern there is there. what was said, not a _ concern there is there. what was said, not a lot, - concern there is there. what was said, not a lot, the - was said, not a lot, the americans are in the holding pattern, _ americans are in the holding pattern, saying they are gathering information and they weren't— gathering information and they weren't involved, saying that for well — weren't involved, saying that for well over 24 hours now, but one thing — for well over 24 hours now, but one thing changed in the last few hours is the public message from _ few hours is the public message from the — few hours is the public message from the americans yesterday was that— from the americans yesterday was that they did not know about _ was that they did not know about this in advance. that message _ about this in advance. that message has been tweaked a bit, i have _ message has been tweaked a bit, i have to — message has been tweaked a bit, i have to say, in the last few hours — i have to say, in the last few hours. officials briefing anonymously that in fact they did have _ anonymously that in fact they did have advance warning, in that— did have advance warning, in that the _ did have advance warning, in that the pentagon was told by the israelis according to these briefings — the israelis according to these briefings that the israelis

were _ briefings that the israelis were going to do something in lebanon — were going to do something in lebanon yesterday, but they gave — lebanon yesterday, but they gave no— lebanon yesterday, but they gave no details on the operation. it slightly bizarre admission because itjust begs the question why didn't the americans ask them what they planned — americans ask them what they planned to do, and this piece of information was given to them? _ of information was given to them? so that would be the focus — them? so that would be the focus of— them? so that would be the focus of more questions for the pentagon— focus of more questions for the pentagon and state department over the _ pentagon and state department over the next day or two. as for the — over the next day or two. as for the wider issue here, i think— for the wider issue here, i think it _ for the wider issue here, i think it is _ for the wider issue here, i think it is pretty reminiscent semi—what happens after two previous _ semi—what happens after two previous very significant attacks _ previous very significant attacks by israel. the first when _ attacks by israel. the first when they killed senior iranian military— when they killed senior iranian military figures in an iranian diplomatic compound in damascus in april. _ diplomatic compound in damascus in april, and remember back in july when — in april, and remember back in july when israel assassinated isnfaii— july when israel assassinated ismail haniyeh, the political leader— ismail haniyeh, the political leader of iran in tehran. after troth— leader of iran in tehran. after both of— leader of iran in tehran. after both of those moments, the americans distanced themselves from _ americans distanced themselves from what it happened, saying it was — from what it happened, saying it was not _ from what it happened, saying

it was not so in thing to do with— it was not so in thing to do with them, but at the same time braced _ with them, but at the same time braced for— with them, but at the same time braced for a potential response in the — braced for a potential response in the form of lending, or being— in the form of lending, or being ready to shield israel, iroth— being ready to shield israel, both diplomatically and militarily, and we are in a similar— militarily, and we are in a similar holding pattern of the moments, where the americans are observing this and waiting for potential hezbollah response, and then they will be there _ response, and then they will be there to — response, and then they will be there to support israel, as i say— there to support israel, as i say diplomatically and potentially militarily, and i imagine there's a sense of scrambling what that might involve _ scrambling what that might involve. the pentagon at the moment, _ involve. the pentagon at the moment, but more details about it. i moment, but more details about it i don't — moment, but more details about it. i don't think it city much more — it. i don't think it city much more publicly, especially because the israelis are not formally— because the israelis are not formally admitted to this. tom bateman and _ formally admitted to this. tom bateman and daniel— formally admitted to this. tom bateman and daniel de - formally admitted to this. torn bateman and daniel de simone for now, thank you, just to let you know reuters is reporting unseen iran will follow up on an attack against the envoy in lebanon caught up in the toxicity and" reserves its rights under international law

to take required measures deemed necessary to respond". that is a un envoy letter to the un from iran, urging condemnation from the joint security council chief. rina shah, political strategist andrew fisher, columnist at the i paper. that's get more from our panel. thank you both from being with us. obviously, we wanted to get the latest on the ground and that story in lebanon, which is moving as we speak. rina shah, we heard john kirby given a briefing in the last hour or so. what is your sense of the political mood there and the worries about escalation? there is a serious _ worries about escalation? there is a serious mood _ worries about escalation? there is a serious mood of— is a serious mood of frustration in washington about how the biden harris administration continues to handle this conflict and our role in this conflict. it feels

like we are always late to everything, whether talking about ukraine or israel. who we talk about having the bad stuff is one thing, but how we have the backs is another thing, and we just heard from tom bateman, there's been lip service here in washington, speaking both sides of the most almost, and it goes back to the feeling of wear dresses and and how this is and? candidate kamala harris has come unseen she says —— once a cease—fire, former president donald trump who is a republican nominee, and i said even though the debate last week, saying that october seven would not have happened if he was in the oval office. for the average american, knowing that some 500 people, almost, were hurt and injured by these pagers going off, let's not make any mistakes, these were members of hezbollah, who were injured with their communication system, those pagers going off, but going a

step further, we know this conflict is rife with in discrepancies, and we know that us lawmakers believed that israel has a right to defend itself, but what does winning mean? how does israel win against hamas and hezbollah? where does it end? we have no answers and i suspect we won't for some time. answers and i suspect we won't for some time-— for some time. and andrew, obviously — for some time. and andrew, obviously the _ for some time. and andrew, obviously the judy _ for some time. and andrew, obviously the judy kay - for some time. and andrew, obviously the judy kay is - for some time. and andrew, obviously the judy kay is a l obviously thejudy kay is a supporter of israel and designates or as a terrorist group, but all countries want to see a de—escalation in this region. i to see a de-escalation in this reuion. ., �* ~' to see a de-escalation in this reuion. ., �* ,, ., �*, region. i don't think that's true, i don't _ region. i don't think that's true, i don't think - region. i don't think that's true, i don't think us - region. i don't think that'sj true, i don't think us once region. i don't think that's l true, i don't think us once a de—escalation or israel once a de—escalation, if that was a case — de—escalation, if that was a case than _ de—escalation, if that was a case thanjohn kirby said that but in — case thanjohn kirby said that but in reality, the us is still funding _ but in reality, the us is still funding millions of dollars of weapon— funding millions of dollars of weapon into israel, and doesn't want _ weapon into israel, and doesn't want to— weapon into israel, and doesn't want to cease—fire. weapon into israel, and doesn't want to cease-fire.— want to cease-fire. antony bfinken want to cease-fire. antony blinken has _ want to cease-fire. antony blinken has spent - want to cease-fire. antony blinken has spent so - want to cease-fire. antony blinken has spent so muchj want to cease-fire. antony - blinken has spent so much time on the ground, and the us have clearly stated and worked for a

seaside last year.— clearly stated and worked for a seaside last year. there's been no sanctions. _ seaside last year. there's been no sanctions, there _ seaside last year. there's been no sanctions, there been - seaside last year. there's beenj no sanctions, there been worth to that — no sanctions, there been worth to that effect but there have been — to that effect but there have been empty, so we need to recognize that, because if you took _ recognize that, because if you took at — recognize that, because if you look at the actions of ronald reagan _ look at the actions of ronald reagan in the early 805, the us has the — reagan in the early 805, the us has the power, it is the only superpower in terms of influence over israel, certainly that can bring this conflict _ certainly that can bring this conflict and i get and. he does not want — conflict and i get and. he does not want to,. we conflict and i get and. he does not want to,.— not want to,. we have to push back on that — not want to,. we have to push back on that because - not want to,. we have to push back on that because israel. not want to,. we have to push back on that because israel is| back on that because israel is a strategic ally for european countries and the us, and it cannot afford to put out support among candidates? just know you're _ support among candidates? just know you're saying they could, they— know you're saying they could, they can — know you're saying they could, they can just be know you're saying they could, they canjust be honest know you're saying they could, they can just be honest about this, — they can just be honest about this, they— they can just be honest about this, they don't want to stop this— this, they don't want to stop this conflict, they see israel as an — this conflict, they see israel as an ally, don't see themselves as honest brokers in this _ themselves as honest brokers in this. tonight at the un general assembly, there was a vote where — assembly, there was a vote where 124 assembly, there was a vote where124 countries versus the handful— where124 countries versus the handful voted for this conflict

to end — handful voted for this conflict to end and for israel to ended occupation of gaza, and the us voted against that motion, so if it doesn't it would not be pork— if it doesn't it would not be pork -- — if it doesn't it would not be pork —— piling more weapons into— pork —— piling more weapons into it — pork —— piling more weapons into it if— pork —— piling more weapons into it if it— pork —— piling more weapons into it if it did. it pork -- piling more weapons into it if it did.— into it if it did. it is a fraud political- into it if it did. it is a - fraud political landscape and israel is a long—standing ally and both presidential candidates have repeated their support for israel, so everybody wants is does not want this conflict to continue. quickly, finding the endgame is what everybody wants, do you think there is anything politically that the us could or should do, specifically in terms of trying to influence israel? ., , ., ., israel? could, there is a long list, should, _ israel? could, there is a long list, should, i— israel? could, there is a long list, should, i am _ israel? could, there is a long list, should, i am not- israel? could, there is a long list, should, i am not quite i list, should, lam not quite certain, because again there has been a failure of leadership on talking about what the issues are responsibly. from what i have learned, since october eight of

last year, until the 25th of august of this year, hezbollah rocket attacks on israel have been just massive, and that is why the united states, i believe, has to posture and has israel's back the way he does. some 8000 rockets have been launched by hezbollah into israel, some 62,000 people have been displaced, of course, 40 some people killed, i don't have the exact number, which is why israel fights about the way he does because hezbollah is relentless and that is why you see the posture of the biden— harris administration being what it is. harris administration being what it is— what it is. rina shah and andrew _ what it is. rina shah and andrew fisher, - what it is. rina shah and andrew fisher, it - what it is. rina shah and andrew fisher, it is - what it is. rina shah and - andrew fisher, it is obviously very contentious this area, but we will be back with you both on the economy on the us, will be back talking about that in a few moments. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

the us central bank has cut

interest rates for the first time in four years, a milestone moment for the world's largest economy. the federal reserve lowered its key lending rate — what it charges banks to borrow — by half a percentage point to between 4.75% and 5%. it follows a sustained reduction in inflation in the united states. fed interest rates govern the cost of borrowing at home, but also have a huge effect on markets abroad. the bank had held the rate around 5.3% for more than a year — the highest level since 2001 — since jumping from near zero at the start of 2022. let's hear from the fed chairjerome powell. as inflation has declined and the labour market has cooled, the upside risks to inflation has diminished and the downside risk to employment have increased. we now see the risks to achieving our employment and inflation goals as roughly in balance. we are attentive to the risk of both sides of our dual mandate. in light of the progress on inflation and the balance of risks, in today's meeting, the committee decided to lower the target range for the federal funds rate

by a half percentage point to 4.75% to 5%. this recalibration of our policy stance will help maintain the strength of the economy and the labour market, and will continue to enable further progress on inflation as we begin the process of moving toward a more neutral stance. our north america business correspondent ritika gupta told me more about what prompted the cut. overall, jerome powell said in the press conference that the economy is humming along and is in a good place. the labor market is solid and inflation is coming onto target, andthey expect that for next year. he is saying they want to maintain strength in the economy and the way to do that is to get interest rates down to a normal level over time. powell did address concerns which came after thejulyjobs report was a disappointment that the fed was perhaps behind the curve and could endanger the labor market. so he said today's move is a reflective of a commitment not to fall behind, that is why we got that bigger and more aggressive 50 basis point

interest rate cut as opposed to the 25 cut, but he did warn not to see the half—point cut as the fed's new pace. speculation as to whether there will be further cuts until the end of the year? yes, in addition to cutting by 50 basis points, they promised another 50 basis points by the end of the year, so that would bring us to a rate of 4.4%. in terms of the economic projections, they see inflation returning to the target next year and that the unemployment rate could be 4.4% by the end of next year as well, so overall, they are quite positive on the economy, and they want to... they think inflation is receding and coming down, so they want to focus on the other side of their dual mandate, ensuring that full employment and that the risks don't go to the

downside for growth. obviously, it is election—year in a few weeks, will this have an impact, briefly, by the time people go to vote? the timing very interesting, coming ahead of the election, and we have an independent central bank, but that has not stopped politicians from speaking out and saying what they want the fed to do. we have heard from candidate donald trump, saying that he did not want the fed to cut interest rates, feeling it political ahead of the election, but we are seeing those from kamala harris saying they have supported that decision today. commission harris has said i know prices are still too high for working—class families and she welcomes the rate cut, the fed is independent, but it is regarded as a moment of progress also by the white house will stop also update you

here. here in the uk, the bank of england is due to decide its next decision on interest rates tomorrow. like the fed it's been battling to bring inflation under control. last month it cut the cost of borrowing after a steep fall in the rate at which prices are rising — but new figures suggest it might hold off from further cuts for now. uk consumer price inflation came in at 2.2% for the year to august — unchanged from july — and slightly above the bank of england's 2% target. rina shah, political strategist andrew fisher, columnist at the i paper. rina shah do you think this will have a political impact because we are only a few days and weeks away from the election and grocery prices, the cost of living, is absolutely key to how people vote? i absolutely key to how people vote? ., �* ., absolutely key to how people vote? .,�* ., ., vote? i don't to cosplay as an economist — vote? i don't to cosplay as an economist because _ vote? i don't to cosplay as an economist because i - vote? i don't to cosplay as an economist because i am - vote? i don't to cosplay as an economist because i am out i economist because i am out political strategists but in recent years, the economy and voter sentiment is just something that is included ——

inexplicable. the success of american presidencies are measured by the economy, though both of them are not empirically tight. we have an independent federal reserve as you just noted, and jerome powell, for many months and not years, the discussion and debate has been on not when the federal reserve will cut weights but by how much? 50 basis points is nojoke, it would have some consequence on american life which i as an american life which i as an american taxpayer think it's a good thing, because now for over a year, the biden administration has showed a number, saying we are including inflation, seen bidenomics is having a positive effect, we see that in black and white but most americans are not feeling it, particularly on the price of daily commodities, so in general what is the biggest problem is inflation, which is not tackled by these rates, and decreasing them risks

unintended consequences. we have a housing market where residential real estate since at all—time highs, housing prices are unattainable for most middle—class americans, so what i heard today isjerome powell to too overconfident on the economic any conditions he is operating and the federal reserve is operating, so if everything is fine, why are you cutting things by 50 basis points? i think it's cutting things by 50 basis points? i think its political. i'm sure they would absolutely argue they are impotent if they were —— independent if he were here. and andrew fisher, the bank of in the ash bank of england is independent here but the cost of inflation is crucial here for the government to be seen to be tackling it. it was a key argument in the election as well. i it was a key argument in the election as well.— election as well. i hope the cut in the _ election as well. i hope the cut in the us _ election as well. i hope the cut in the us encourages i election as well. i hope the l cut in the us encourages the bank— cut in the us encourages the bank of— cut in the us encourages the bank of england tomorrow to cut rates _ bank of england tomorrow to cut rates here, they are far too high, — rates here, they are far too high, and _ rates here, they are far too high, and we must not forget there — high, and we must not forget there is— high, and we must not forget there is a _ high, and we must not forget there is a class impact to interest— there is a class impact to interest rates. if you are a

working—class person, you are more — working—class person, you are more likely to be in debt and higher— more likely to be in debt and higher interest rates cost you money — higher interest rates cost you money if _ higher interest rates cost you money. if you're wealthy, you are more _ money. if you're wealthy, you are more likely to have savings and interest rates being high suits — and interest rates being high suits you _ and interest rates being high suits you well because your money _ suits you well because your money expands in value, so we have _ money expands in value, so we have to — money expands in value, so we have to look at this through that— have to look at this through that lens, and as well as that, the government also has the heat — the government also has the heat no, _ the government also has the heat no, it's fine, independent heat no, it'5 fine, independent bank— heat no, it'5 fine, independent bank of— heat no, it's fine, independent bank of england are fed, but there — bank of england are fed, but there is— bank of england are fed, but there is responsibility on government to tackle inflation as well, — government to tackle inflation as well, because were seen in the us— as well, because were seen in the us and uk, and the level of profiteering in this crisis by the banks, so they widen their margin— the banks, so they widen their margin and put their rates up on mortgage and and lending much — on mortgage and and lending much more quickly than sabers, and white — much more quickly than sabers, and white in the margins. banks of england made record profits in 2023, — of england made record profits in 2023, they were right for a windfaii— in 2023, they were right for a windfall tax, instead we are texan — windfall tax, instead we are texan pensioners on their winter— texan pensioners on their winter fuel payments instead, so we — winter fuel payments instead, so we need to regulate things. the housing market is a

disaster— the housing market is a disaster in this country probably more so than the us, and regulate house prices is something government has to take _ something government has to take action to do, you cannot do that— take action to do, you cannot do that through interest rate rises, — do that through interest rate rises, the wrong lever to rely on to— rises, the wrong lever to rely on to tackle inflation, especially when it is being fed by profiteering, where economists have been showing it clearly— economists have been showing it clearly and illustrious. inflation was linked by the previous government in support to ukraine and what is done for energy prices, do you think the public is willing to keep taking that economic hit? the sike taking that economic hit? the spike that _ taking that economic hit? the spike that happened when russia invaded _ spike that happened when russia invaded ukraine with oil, had a bil invaded ukraine with oil, had a big impact— invaded ukraine with oil, had a big impact globaly, and oil companies took a advantage of that and — companies took a advantage of that and had record profits in that— that and had record profits in that time _ that and had record profits in that time as well, so you have to, the — that time as well, so you have to, the government has to regulate _ to, the government has to regulate corporations that are profiteering and titan prices, that— profiteering and titan prices, that has— profiteering and titan prices, that has to be done. i don't

think— that has to be done. i don't think support for ukraine is going — think support for ukraine is going to _ think support for ukraine is going to cause inflation in the coming — going to cause inflation in the coming years. going to cause inflation in the coming years-— going to cause inflation in the coming years. andrew fisher, rina shah, — coming years. andrew fisher, rina shah, or— coming years. andrew fisher, rina shah, or will— coming years. andrew fisher, rina shah, or will be - coming years. andrew fisher, rina shah, or will be back - coming years. andrew fisher, | rina shah, or will be back with you in a few moments. thank you for now. hello there, good evening. more warm september sunshine around again today, with temperatures across the board above the seasonal average, and some of the highest of those again across northern areas of scotland. even towards these north sea—facing coasts, despite the cloudy start, we've seen the cloud burn back, sunshine develop, although here towards eastern coast it's always going to be cooler and cloudier as we head through the next few days. but more sunshine around for most with some showers developing later on in the south through the week — more on that in just a moment. but here's the pressure chart. so, high pressure dominates, still, but it gradually drifts further northwards and eastwards. still a brisk easterly wind blowing across the southern half of the uk overnight tonight, just drawing in more moisture from the north sea. so there will be a lot of low cloud just drifting further westwards. and towards the north

and the west of the uk, then we'll see largely clear skies, but here more mist and fog starting to develop into tomorrow morning. and here, of course it will feel chilly as temperatures possibly mid single figures, but very mild where we keep the low cloud across the southeast of the uk in particular. a mild start to the day — 14 degrees, so it's quite murky. could be quite grey wherever you are tomorrow morning, but the mist and the fog will lift and clear readily, and that low cloud will burn back again to these north sea facing coasts as we head through the day, but it could linger on for a while, particularly perhaps across parts of aberdeenshire, where it will be feeling cooler. some of the best of the sunshine out towards the west, the highest of the temperatures in the far south and the east and across north west scotland. but watch out for one or two showers on thursday in the southern half of england. those showers will become more widespread on friday, and some of them could be heavy and thundery, drifting further westwards throughout the day from east anglia, perhaps through into wales and the far southwest of england. temperatures a little lower, of course, on friday, and again some of the best of the sunshine could be

across western scotland and down through these irish sea coasts. then we look towards the south into the weekend to see this area of low pressure drifting from iberia. and that's going to produce, again, some heavy, thundery downpours across much of the southern half of the uk. so, for england and wales, it could turn quite wet on saturday, and those showers could potentially continue into sunday, but further north, then, while it may not be completely dry, it's certainly drier with some sunshine, butjust feeling cooler than it has been in recent days. bye— bye.