members of his and victor's family, members of his mother's family are also in their — but not members of the royal family. hello, i'm samantha simmonds. the israeli military has conducted what it called "targeted raids" in rafah, as negotiations to halt the seven—month war resumed in cairo. israel's operations are in defiance of international calls not to attack the southern city, which is crowded with palestinian civilians sheltering near the egyptian border. fighting has intensified following israel's seizure of the vital rafah crossing with egypt. israel says it's reopened one of the main crossing points for aid — kerem shalom was closed last week following a hamas rocket attack. the world health organization has warned hospitals are running dangerously low on fuel. negotiators from israel and hamas are at the ceasefire talks in cairo, along with egyptian and qatari mediators. on monday, israel rejected a three—phase proposal that had

been accepted by hamas. from jerusalem, our middle east correspondent yolande knell reports — you may find some of her report distressing. the panic and confusion as rescuers pull the wounded from the rubble after an overnight israeli airstrike in rafah. and today, another all too familiar scene in gaza, a mother struggling with unbearable loss. after israel seized control of the key crossing with egypt, it says it's continuing a limited offensive in gaza's southernmost city, battling hamas gunmen in the east of their last stronghold. but for hundreds of thousands of palestinians who fled to rafah to escape the fighting elsewhere, there's renewed fear. translation: last time i they told us to go to rafah, saying there's aid and it's a safe

place, and look, they came into rafah. for now, i won't go anywhere. i'll stay here. it's enough. we're tired of being displaced, and i don't know where i want to go. world powers have warned israel against a full assault here, saying it would be a humanitarian catastrophe. israel argues its operation is pressuring hamas to make concessions in talks on a ceasefire and the release of hostages. and this is a critical moment in those indirect negotiations now taking place in cairo. the us says it believes a deal is achievable, but israel clearly has issues about the wording of the draft texts, referring to a return to sustainable calm. it simply doesn't want the war in gaza to end before it can say it's dismantled hamas. but there are signs of growing strain with israel's closest allies. for the first time in this war,

the us has halted a shipment of powerful bombs, an official says, worried about how they'd be used. the israeli military insists relations with washington remain strong. translation: the aid is unprecedented. - the operational partnership is significant. when there are disputes, they are being resolved in closed rooms, in a matter of fact way. in line with a promise to president biden, today, israel said it was reopening the biggest crossing for aid into gaza. kerem shalom was closed on sunday after hamas rockets killed four israeli soldiers nearby. but a un agency says no supplies have yet entered. the desperate situation in rafah could yet get worse. yolande knell, bbc news, jerusalem. let's speak to our security correspondent frank gardener, injerusalem. welcome to you. in the past few minutes, reuters has reported some comments from the us secretary of

defence, lloyd austin, on the pausing of at least one aid shipment to israel, saying they had confirmed in a senate hearing, but he reiterated the us cosmic ironclad commitment to israel, but added the caveat they wanted to ensure civilians were protected in rafah. we know there is a military operation in rafah right now, what do you think the pausing of this military shipment means for israel's offensive there? it’s military shipment means for israel's offensive there?— offensive there? it's a clear sign offensive there? it's a clear sign of washington's _ offensive there? it's a clear sign of washington's disapproval - offensive there? it's a clear sign of washington's disapproval of l of washington's disapproval of israel going into rafah — it said," don't go into rafah, do a cease—fire deal," and israel has done the exact opposite of that. israel cosmic view is they need to go into rafah to finish off the last four remaining battalions of hamas fighters and to find their tunnels, root them out, and also to put pressure on hamas to do a deal. but it's a densely packed

area with roughly 1.4 million people already displaced many times — a lot of the people have moved up to 7—8 times trying to escape the fighting in other parts of the gaza strip. so in other parts of the gaza strip. so in such a densely packed part of real estate, the us doesn't feel comfortable supplying israel with 2000lb bombs, that's a 900 kilo bomb roughly, that even if it is precisely targeted, nonetheless there'll be an awful lot of other people killed in explosion. it's a huge bomb — so i think some would say this has come rather late in the day, there will be nearly 35,000 people killed in gaza to date and climbing. but it is a very unprecedented, almost unprecedented move, very rare indeed for the us to do this. when they say they've gotten ironclad support for israel, they are really referring to israel defending itself against international threats primarily, so on its northern border against

hezbollah, or defending its airspace against incoming drones, rockets and missiles from iran. but when it comes to gaza and the conduct of israel cosmic fighting, its war against hamas there, which has taken such a heavy toll of the civilian population, the us is deeply concerned they say about that. frank, thank you. let us discuss israel's military objectives of the rafah operation with yonahjeremy bob, senior military correspondent for the jerusalem post. welcome, thank you very much for being with us. first of all, let's talk about the withholding of this military delivery of bombs to israel by the us. as i wasjust military delivery of bombs to israel by the us. as i was just telling military delivery of bombs to israel by the us. as i wasjust telling our correspondent there, we've had comments from lloyd austin saying they want to ensure civilians are protected in rafah. how significant is the withholding of the shipment? this is very significant, it hasn't been done in years that the united states would intentionally and publicly withhold weaponry from

israel. we've had leaks about this from an anonymous officials the last few days, but this is the us secretary of defence saying on the record, "we are withholding some weapons from israel because of disapproval." now it's not the worst case scenario for israel, they are not stopping all weapons or saying it's not sending weapons permanently, it's a pause on certain weapons. so it's a negotiation with israel to say, "hey, we know that you've started to invade a rafah, we are not happy with it, we are happy that at least the israeli invasion of rafah has been very limited," so far only 100,000 of the civilians and rafah have been asked to evacuate out of about a million or so, so this is an indication from the us, "don't go bigger than that, and if you do, don't kill palestinian civilians." so it's the beginning of a negotiation, not the end. ., ., ~ beginning of a negotiation, not the end. . ., ~ ., ., end. the idea talking about a recise end. the idea talking about a precise counterterrorism - end. the idea talking about a - precise counterterrorism operation in eastern rafah, aren't they, how

limited is this operation? do you think it's a precursor to a far wider operation, and how can those bees stash those influence people —— those influences people plan now? it all depends on hamas. you have to understand the last three months, every negotiation about return of israeli hostages from hamas in exchange for israel stepping back from the war, israel has been making concessions to hamas — if you follow the offers, israel has made 3—4 concessions to hamas, hamas finally make some small concessions. at the end of the day, hamas says, "we don't know how many of the hostages are alive." israel does not believe hamas, they think hamas wants to hold hostages back even if the war is over in order to ensure their own survival, and that's not ok with israel. so part of going into rafah certainly does have to do partly with taking apart those last four

battalions, they've got 4—8000 hamas fighters. part of it has to do with cutting them off from being able to smuggle weapons from egypt — but really, the main issue is the hostages, they want hamas to commit to releasing at least 33 live hostages, not half alive and half dead, calling hamas's bluff — and the pressure that israel can bring on hamas right now is mostly on rafah. figs on hamas right now is mostly on rafah. �* , ., ~ ., rafah. as we talk about those negotiations _ rafah. as we talk about those negotiations which _ rafah. as we talk about those negotiations which are - rafah. as we talk about those | negotiations which are ongoing rafah. as we talk about those . negotiations which are ongoing in cairo at the moment, as you know hamas have said they've agreed to an end to host all the dust has qualities —— hostilities... the deadly attack on october 7th which started this war the first place. how does netanyahu square that circle? ., , ., circle? there will not be an annihilation _ circle? there will not be an annihilation of _ circle? there will not be an annihilation of hamas - circle? there will not be an annihilation of hamas at i circle? there will not be an l annihilation of hamas at this circle? there will not be an - annihilation of hamas at this point, that was what israel said it was the goal at the beginning, i would say about 80% of the organised forces have been eliminated — but for three

months, israel had already illuminated most of those forces in early february, not much has been donein early february, not much has been done in the last three months, israel has not decided who would take over gaza from hamas. the israeli military, the israeli defence minister, jo of galante, other members of the war cabinet, benny gantz have been pushing israel should bring in some hybrid new management of the palestinian authority reformed with the united states, nato, the uae, egypt, some sort of hybrid to replace hamas — that hasn't been done yet, netanyahu has refused to do that, and until a decision is made to replace hamas with something else, hamas won't be replaced. so right now i would say that most of what's going on is trying to get as many hostages back as possible alive, and to not commit to completely ending the war so that there can still be pressure on hamas may be at the very least to expel the leaders, to get the hamas leadership to agree to leave gaza

and moved to qatar, which they aren't ready to do now.- aren't ready to do now. jeremy, thank you _ aren't ready to do now. jeremy, thank you for— aren't ready to do now. jeremy, thank you forjoining. _ prince harry is in the uk to celebrate the ten—year anniversary of his invictus games — he's due to attend a thanksgiving service at st paul's cathedral in london later today, though he won't be meeting his father, the king, during his trip. let's speak to our royal correspondent sarah campbell. hejust bounded he just bounded up those stairs in the last 15 minutes or so, didn't he? , ., , , ., , he? yes, he arrived 'ust before 5pm this afternoon _ he? yes, he arrived 'ust before 5pm this afternoon here _ he? yes, he arrived just before 5pm this afternoon here in _ he? yes, he arrived just before 5pm this afternoon here in this _ this afternoon here in this beautiful sunshine in st. paul's cathedral. i think it's fair to say there might�*ve been trepidation on his part because the last time he was here during a service for the platinumjubilee, there was here during a service for the platinum jubilee, there were some booze from the crowds that were here — but none of that today, he was loudly cheered, people had realised something was going on and had started to build up throughout the afternoon. he was cheered as he

arrived. as you say, he bounded up the steps to be met by the dean of st. paul's, then he has had inside very much amongst friends — the invictus family is a very close family, many of them have experienced traumas in conflict zones and have found the invictus games and extremely helpful therapy to help them get over what they've experienced, and it was prince harry's brainchild when he was returning from combat that he thought he wanted to do something positive to help those who had been damaged in service to their country. it's been going now for ten years, it's been hugely it�*s been going now for ten years, it's been hugely successful— it's been going now for ten years, it's been hugely successful— if you speak to any of the competitors, they'll talk about how much it's helped — so they are inside at the moment, giving thanks for the last ten years and what it's given to them. damien lewis hasjust written a poem, a family, a mother, husband and daughter havejust a poem, a family, a mother, husband and daughter have just been talking

about their own experiences there inside st paul's. talk about family, there are members of harry's family in there, his mother's family, so his uncle and aunt — they entered it just about 4:45pm but as we've been saying, no members of the royal family. we know because the duke's spokespeople have made it known to us that the king's full programme has meant that he has not been able to find time to co—ordinate a meeting with prince harry. 0f to find time to co—ordinate a meeting with prince harry. of course we know thatjust meeting with prince harry. of course we know that just across town meeting with prince harry. of course we know thatjust across town in the back garden of buckingham palace, the king has been hosting a garden party with other members of the royal family this afternoon. so this trip is a rare visit by prince harry, but there'll be no meeting with the king, he will be travelling back to meet his wife meghan, the duchess of sussex, and they'll be travelling to nigeria, one of the newest and victors nations. so

that's the next stop on prince harry's tour. that's the next stop on prince harry's tour-— that's the next stop on prince harry's tour. scotland's new first minister, john swinney, has been officially sworn in at the court of session in edinburgh. the first minister of scotland and deputy first minister kate forbes took questions from reporters outside bute house in edinburgh a littel earlier this afternoon. we brought in dust created a team that focuses on the snp. anchored in the centreleft of scottish politics, focused on the eradication of child poverty and growing the a scottish economy to ensure we can create opportunity for all, and i look forward to working with all my colleagues in bringing forward that agenda. what i would say is we've assembled the team to focus on the priorities of the people of scotland, and i think we'll be very successful in doing that. you

scotland, and i think we'll be very successful in doing that.— successful in doing that. you said ou would successful in doing that. you said you would be _ successful in doing that. you said you would be a — successful in doing that. you said you would be a government - successful in doing that. you said you would be a government of. successful in doing that. you said| you would be a government of the centreleft. — you would be a government of the centreleft, what _ you would be a government of the centreleft, what do _ you would be a government of the centreleft, what do you _ you would be a government of the centreleft, what do you say - you would be a government of the centreleft, what do you say to - you would be a government of the i centreleft, what do you say to them? i simply— centreleft, what do you say to them? i simply reiterate _ centreleft, what do you say to them? i simply reiterate that _ centreleft, what do you say to them? i simply reiterate that i— centreleft, what do you say to them? i simply reiterate that i represent- i simply reiterate that i represent the centreleft traditional scottish politics, that's where the snp sits, that's where we will govern from. we will pursue an agenda which is about ensuring that we stimulate opportunity in our society, eradicate child poverty, and we will do it that by growing the economy. absolutely delighted, it's an enormous privilege and i look forward — enormous privilege and i look forward to supporting the first minister— forward to supporting the first minister as he pursues the priorities— minister as he pursues the priorities of the scottish people, eradicating poverty and ultimately uniting _ eradicating poverty and ultimately uniting the country behind the great problems— uniting the country behind the great problems of the day. obviously my 'ob problems of the day. obviously my job is— problems of the day. obviously my job is here — problems of the day. obviously my job is here to supportjohn swinney as first _ job is here to supportjohn swinney as first minister of scotland, to support— as first minister of scotland, to support the government agenda, and ultimately— support the government agenda, and ultimately to deliver for the people of scotland who want their government to be eradicating poverty. _ government to be eradicating poverty, delivering economic growth, and ensuring we can stand as one when _ and ensuring we can stand as one when it— and ensuring we can stand as one when it comes to these enormous

opportunities ahead. i look forward to pursuing what opportunities lie ahead _ to pursuing what opportunities lie ahead for— to pursuing what opportunities lie ahead for scotland. we know we have -reat ahead for scotland. we know we have great opportunities when it comes to the net _ great opportunities when it comes to the net zero transition, when it comes— the net zero transition, when it comes to — the net zero transition, when it comes to unlocking our energy potential, and supporting every business — potential, and supporting every business in scotland and every worker~ — business in scotland and every worker. ., business in scotland and every worker. . , , , , worker. kate forbes, the new deputy first minister — worker. kate forbes, the new deputy first minister of _ worker. kate forbes, the new deputy first minister of scotland. _ around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

there have been dramatic developments in uk politics — and for the prime minister, rishi sunak — as one of his own mps, natalie elphicke, announced that she was defecting from the conservative party to join labour. this is the moment natalie elphicke crossed the floor in the house of commons — you can see her approaching the benches on the right—hand side, before taking her seat behind the labour leader, sir keir starmer. she said her former party has "become a byword for incompetence "and division" and criticised what she called the "broken promises

"of rishi sunak�*s tired and chaotic government". live to westminster and our political correspondent, leila nathoo. another difficult day for the prime minister. . , ., , another difficult day for the prime minister. . , . , ., ., . minister. certainly a very dramatic moment, minister. certainly a very dramatic moment. a _ minister. certainly a very dramatic moment, a political— minister. certainly a very dramatic moment, a political defection - minister. certainly a very dramatic moment, a political defection is i moment, a political defection is pretty rare. we've had two in the space of two weeks, but nobody was expecting natalie elphicke to be the next person to go. she's fairly to the right of the conservative party, not someone you would naturally assume to be someone interested in keir starmer�*s labour party. but today she released an extremely damning statementjust before prime minister's questions, allowing her to have that political moment they are to sit on the labour benches behind keir starmer. she launched an attack against rishi sunak�*s record, as you say, accusing him of chaos and incompetence, saying he led a coup against borisjohnson, criticising him for abandoning the promises in the 2019 manifesto. let's hear from promises in the 2019 manifesto. let's hearfrom her speaking after her defection. in 2019, the conservative

stood on a manifesto that was very much centre ground, but under rishi sunak, they've abandoned the centre ground and broken many election promises. meanwhile, under keir starmer, labour have changed, and i think that change is going to bring a much better future for our country. and that's why i was so keen tojoin the labour party and play my part in bringing that important future forward. so one of the issues she highlighted was rishi sunak�*s record on borders, particularly potent coming from the mp for dover, a consistency on the front line of the small boats issue. but i have to say, talking to tory mps here in parliament all day, most of them are pretty staggered by what they've seen — they never would've assumed that natalie elphicke would've left their party for labour. if anything, they would like but whether she would've joined reform in instead, so most are pretty puzzled, and certainly a fair if you are coming out fighting, pointing to what she said in the past about labour. here's a tory mp.

i think most of us were shocked, when _ i think most of us were shocked, when natalie _ i think most of us were shocked, when natalie was _ i think most of us were shocked, when natalie was busy— i think most of us were shocked, when natalie was busy writing i when natalie was busy writing articles— when natalie was busy writing articles in— when natalie was busy writing articles in the... _ when natalie was busy writing articles in the... i— when natalie was busy writing articles in the... i agree - when natalie was busy writing articles in the... i agree with. when natalie was busy writing - articles in the... i agree with miss elphicke _ articles in the... i agree with miss elphicke of— articles in the... i agree with miss elphicke of the _ articles in the... i agree with miss elphicke of the past _ articles in the... i agree with miss elphicke of the past when - articles in the... i agree with miss elphicke of the past when she - elphicke of the past when she tweeted — elphicke of the past when she tweeted that _ elphicke of the past when she tweeted that sir— elphicke of the past when she tweeted that sir keir- elphicke of the past when she i tweeted that sir keir starmer's elphicke of the past when she - tweeted that sir keir starmer's mode old and _ tweeted that sir keir starmer's mode old and confused _ tweeted that sir keir starmer's mode old and confused what _ tweeted that sir keir starmer's mode old and confused what to _ tweeted that sir keir starmer's mode old and confused what to do - tweeted that sir keir starmer's mode old and confused what to do with - old and confused what to do with small— old and confused what to do with small boats _ old and confused what to do with small boats i_ old and confused what to do with small boats. i look— old and confused what to do with small boats. i look forward - old and confused what to do with small boats. i look forward to . old and confused what to do with| small boats. i look forward to her explained — small boats. i look forward to her exulained to _ small boats. i look forward to her explained to her— small boats. i look forward to her explained to her constituents, - small boats. i look forward to her. explained to her constituents, which ithink— explained to her constituents, which i think will— explained to her constituents, which i think will be — explained to her constituents, which i think will be quite _ explained to her constituents, which i think will be quite difficult, - i think will be quite difficult, that— i think will be quite difficult, that keir— i think will be quite difficult, that keir starmer— i think will be quite difficult, that keir starmer wants - i think will be quite difficult, that keir starmer wants not| i think will be quite difficult, - that keir starmer wants not only to do a dodgy— that keir starmer wants not only to do a dodgy deal— that keir starmer wants not only to do a dodgy deal with _ that keir starmer wants not only to do a dodgy deal with the _ that keir starmer wants not only to do a dodgy deal with the eu - that keir starmer wants not only to do a dodgy deal with the eu that i do a dodgy deal with the eu that will surrender _ do a dodgy deal with the eu that will surrender our _ do a dodgy deal with the eu that will surrender our border, - do a dodgy deal with the eu that will surrender our border, but i do a dodgy deal with the eu that| will surrender our border, but he also _ will surrender our border, but he also now— will surrender our border, but he also now wants _ will surrender our border, but he also now wants a _ will surrender our border, but he also now wants a migrant - will surrender our border, but he i also now wants a migrant amnesty will surrender our border, but he - also now wants a migrant amnesty for those _ also now wants a migrant amnesty for those arriving — also now wants a migrant amnesty for those arriving already, _ also now wants a migrant amnesty for those arriving already, allowing - those arriving already, allowing 90.000 — those arriving already, allowing 90.000 plus— those arriving already, allowing 90.000 plus to _ those arriving already, allowing 90,000 plus to stay here - 90,000 plus to stay here indefinitely, _ 90,000 plus to stay here indefinitely, which - 90,000 plus to stay here indefinitely, which will i 90,000 plus to stay here - indefinitely, which will impact her constituency _ indefinitely, which will impact her constituency i_ indefinitely, which will impact her constituency. i want _ indefinitely, which will impact her constituency. i want to _ indefinitely, which will impact her constituency. i want to make - indefinitely, which will impact her constituency. i want to make thel constituency. i want to make the conservative _ constituency. i want to make the conservative case _ constituency. i want to make the conservative case as _ constituency. i want to make the conservative case as to - constituency. i want to make the conservative case as to why- constituency. i want to make the conservative case as to why it's. constituency. i want to make the . conservative case as to why it's the only the _ conservative case as to why it's the only the conservative _ conservative case as to why it's the only the conservative party - conservative case as to why it's the only the conservative party with - conservative case as to why it's the only the conservative party with a i only the conservative party with a clear _ only the conservative party with a clear plan — only the conservative party with a clear plan to _ only the conservative party with a clear plan to stop _ only the conservative party with a clear plan to stop the _ only the conservative party with a clear plan to stop the boat. - only the conservative party with a clear plan to stop the boat.- clear plan to stop the boat. some labour clear plan to stop the boat. some labour mps _ clear plan to stop the boat. some labour mps are _ clear plan to stop the boat. some labour mps are uncomfortable i clear plan to stop the boat.“ labour mps are uncomfortable about what they've heard from natalie elphicke in the past. but i think the labour party will be happy tojust bank but i think the labour party will be happy to just bank that win in the sense that political victory, of

tempting a tory mp across the chamber into the labour party, and continue that sense of momentum that labour have been rolling with since the local elections where they picked up a lot of seats and mary are at ease. so i think despite some raised eyebrows here, at the sense this is adding to the sense of doom and gloom in the conservative party in the sense of being on the road to victory for labour. pelt-ci in the sense of being on the road to victory for labour.— victory for labour. and as you say, these kinds _ victory for labour. and as you say, these kinds of _ victory for labour. and as you say, these kinds of defections - victory for labour. and as you say, these kinds of defections are i victory for labour. and as you say, these kinds of defections are rare, j these kinds of defections are rare, two in two weeks. how rankled are the conservative party that there could be more? i the conservative party that there could be more?— could be more? i think there's a rocess could be more? i think there's a process going — could be more? i think there's a process going on _ could be more? i think there's a process going on within - could be more? i think there's a process going on within the i process going on within the conservative party at the moment, a lot of soul—searching, perhaps something you might think would happen after a general election loss— but there are still senses of different sides of the conservative party pulling in different directions, and a sense of who wanted to go where. and there's not a lot of faith in rishi sunak�*s leadership, though it doesn't seem to be any sense that there'll be a challenge to him— that hasn't

stopped questions being asked about the direction and policies being pursued, and i think it's damaging, there's no question about it, to lose tory mps to the labour party in quick succession after a very damaging local election results. that said, tory mps are trying to brush it off and carry it on, and you heard rishi sunak making the strong case for there being a path to victory for the conservative party, not all is lost and all is still to play for as far as he's concerned in any general election. but i think there's a theatre element to the defection here, the spectacle of a tory mp joining the labour ranks, and i think keir starmer will be came to bank on that. . ~ , ., malaysia says it will start giving orangutans as gifts to major trading partners who buy its palm oil. the government says it hopes to generate the same goodwill as china does with its "panda diplomacy". the development comes amid concern that the forests where the apes live

are being chopped down to make way for palm oil plantations. earlier, i spoke to bbc�*s world service asia/pacific editor, michael bristow. ata at a conference, the commodities and plantations minister expressed his desire to essentially gift orangutans to up major countries that trade with malaysia when it comes to palm oil, speaking of india, china, european union countries — essentially as a goodwill gesture to try and convince those countries that malaysia is serious about notjust developing its economy and palm oil in particular, but also protecting the national habitat —— natural habitats which are vital for orangutans and by giving these mammals, these animals, these apes to these countries, it's sort of like a token of their desire to keep them alive.

the palm oil industry though is externally controversial, isn't it, that it does degrade the habitats on which these animals live? it’s that it does degrade the habitats on which these animals live?— which these animals live? it's an amazin: which these animals live? it's an amazing crop — which these animals live? it's an amazing crop in _ which these animals live? it's an amazing crop in many _ which these animals live? it's an amazing crop in many respects, | which these animals live? it's an i amazing crop in many respects, palm oil, because many people might not know but it's in so many products — it's used for cooking, for biofuels, for using dummett for use in cosmetics, detergents, all kinds of things, and there's many, many products all across the world that use palm oil — it's also pretty efficient to grow you have a lot of oil out of a small amount of food. unfortunately it grows in tropical areas, and these are the areas where most of the remaining natural forests still survive — and in many cases, these natural forests are simply cut down, plantations are planted in their place. and these plantations, palm oil plantations are often referred to as green deserts because theyjust don't hold

anywhere near the biodiversity that you might find in a natural tropical forest. stay with us here on bbc news. hello there. it's been another pretty decent day up and down the country but weather fronts have brought some rain to the north and west of scotland, more of a breeze here, as well. that's what we will see into tomorrow, though much of the country should continue to stay dry and settled. for the rest of the week, we'll continue with these early morning mist and fog patches which could be quite dense but very quickly the strong may sunshine will burn it away and most places will see sunshine throughout the afternoon. so the rain continues to splash into the north and west of scotland through the overnight period. it will tend to become more confined to the north of scotland by the end of the night. much of northern ireland, england and wales will be largely dry. there's a few clear spells around but also some patchy cloud, low cloud, at that, some mist and fog developing too. those temperatures, 8—11 celsius.

so this is the picture for thursday, high pressure sitting pretty much on top of the uk. this weather front continues to push northwards to bring more rain to northern scotland but once again, tomorrow morning we could see some dense mist and fog patches first thing. but very quickly, the strong may sunshine will melt it away, we should start to see widespread sunshine for england and wales, northern ireland, central and southern scotland. it looks like the rain will become confined to the far north highlands and the northern isles through the day, so turning drier there. could see up to 20 celsius or so in central and southern scotland, 19—20 for belfast, 22—23 in the warmer spots for england and wales. as we move through thursday night, it looks like it will stay dry once again. light winds, a bit of mist and fog developing here and there. still a few spits and spots of rain for the north of scotland as that weather front loiters around. it could be a little milder as well to start friday, 9—12 celsius. friday, anotherfine looking day, plenty of sunshine around.

a bit more cloud across scotland but even here, it should be dry, including the north of scotland. light southerly breezes, those temperatures reaching the mid—20s for the warmest spots in england and wales, up to 21 celsius for the central belt of scotland, 20 there for belfast. high pressure continues to bring fine weather into the weekend but as it pulls away to the east, it starts to allow low pressure and weather fronts to gang up on us from the south and from the west, so it will start to turn more unsettled gradually. could see some heavy showers across scotland on saturday, warm and sunny elsewhere. it could be very warm in the south on sunday — increasing chance of showers and thunderstorms, though, later on sunday.

this is bbc news, the headlines fighting intensifies around rafah in southern gaza, where the world health organisation has warned hospitals are running dangerously low on fuel. a german spy chief tells the bbc that the far—right alternative for deutschland party poses a risk to the roots of democracy. and in a uk trial — children with milk and peanut allergies are showing dramatic signs of improvement after being given daily doses of the foods. now with all the latest sport here's sarah.

will it be bayern munich or real madrid that will face borussia dortmund in the champions league final? we'll find out later at the santiago bernabeu. the tie is level at 2—all going into the second leg, with eitherjude bellingham or harry kane hoping to reach the final. a subplot of the first leg last week was bellingham attempting to put his england teammate off before kane scored his penalty for bayern. so what did bellingham's manager make of it all. i thinkjude is a fantastic guy. i think he respects everyone and he has a really good relationship with harry kane. for the national team, there are no problems. well, kane himself insists he didn't notice bellingham trying anything, with his focus on converting the penalty. and his coach thomas tuchel says that's exactly why they bought him from tottenham last summer. i knew we would get a big personality into our dressing room on top of everything which you can analyse, goalscoring and movements and assisting in dealing with the pressure,