Says its concerned about the indian variant. We visit one of the many british museums to open their doors again after nearly five months of lockdown. Hello, thanks for joining hello, Thanks Forjoining us. Joe biden has expressed support for a ceasefire In Gaza, and said the us was engaging with egypt and other partners towards that end. In a Phone Call with the israeli prime minister, Joe Biden also expressed his support for israels right to defend itself against indiscriminate rocket attacks, while at the same time, urging Mr Netanyahu to protect civilians. More than 212 people, including 61 children, have died In Gaza, and 10, including two children, in israel. With the latest, heres our Middle East editor, jeremy bowen. Nightmares come true In Gaza for parents and their children. This Mother Couldnt Talk about the Air Strike that engulfed them last friday. Eight year old Mustafa Alzahana and his mother are further down the childrens ward at shifa, gazas main hospital. She says mustafa trembles when he hears israeli attacks, ever since the one that wounded him almost a week ago as he left their home with his father to buy new clothes for the end of ramadan. His father was paralysed. Mustafas friend who went with them is dead. Translation his Friend Baraa was killed. When baraa was dying, he was clutching my son tightly and telling him not to leave him alone. Baraa died. When my son has a fever, he hallucinates about it. As well as the badly injured, 61 children In Gaza have been killed in the last week. About 20 miles north is this synagogue in the israeli town of ashkelon, it was hit by a Hamas Rocket. It was the festival of shavuot, the feast of weeks, usually a celebration. Its a very sad time for us over here in ashkelon. We are always on bombing. I hope it will finish fast. Injerusalem, the western Wall Plaza was almost deserted. This is the holiest place forjews to pray. Its usually packed on religious holidays like today, but some of the worshippers said people were scared to go out. The grey dome of Al Aqsa Mosque is one of the most sacred places for muslims. You can see how close it is to the wall. Above the wall is the golden dome of the rock, both muslim shrines are built on the site of the ancientjewish temple. These sites are all also national symbols. A month of tension here raised the Hatred Levels so high It Led to war. The events of the last week have shown a couple of things. First of all, the Power Ofjerusalem to ignite this conflict. And hamas have sent a strong message to palestinians that as far as theyre concerned, they are their real protectors here in the holy city, even though Hamas H0 is 60 or 70 miles away by The Sea In Gaza. 0ur Gaza producerfilmed his drive to work this morning. You can see the bomb sites. If palestinians and israelis could be equally safe and secure, they might have a chance of peace. Right now, they dont. Jeremy bowen, bbc news, jerusalem. Joining me now is professor rashid khalidi, an author and the edward said professor of Modern Arab Studies at columbia university. Professor, thank you very much forjoining us. I want to ask you first of all, how much encouragement do you draw from president biden� s new position, if i can put it that way . No encouraging, some would say, urging, a ceasefire . Urging, a ceasefire . They take very little urging, a ceasefire . They take very little encouragement urging, a ceasefire . They take i very little encouragement from. The president s position has moved these yearly very slowly, but he does not seem to be pushing the israelis. And without pressure from the united states, even the position the government has taken, there will be no ceasefire and there will be no cessation of the horror In Gaza or the firing of rockets. I suppose the clear issue would be that israel is responding to rocket attacks, this is how it is framed. Which are coming from organisations which are committed to the destruction of israel. So its difficult to order israel to ceasefire . Except that mrs contacts. The context is israel provoke this with its extraordinary actions injerusalem, the assault on the Al Aqsa Mosque. The evictions in Sheikh Jarrah and so forth. And the violence we see right now, the occupation and the gaza is constant, when you, the media, are not paying attention to it. So, i think addressing the Root Cause of this is the only way to stop this. Israels attacks on gaza or Hamas Rocket attacks on israel are a symptom of a deeper problem, which american administrations have really avoided. I administrations have really avoided. ~ ,. , avoided. I think everyone will recognise avoided. I think everyone will recognise the avoided. I think everyone will recognise the perpetuation i avoided. I think Everyone Willj recognise the perpetuation of what you might call the Status Quo is of no use to anyone, and yet it feels like a world in which any Peace Process has broken down, is pretty much non existent. How on earth do you start to put pieces together. Indeed, do you believe you can . Together. Indeed, do you believe you can . Well, one thing you believe you can . Well, one thing you do believe you can . Well, one thing you do is believe you can . Well, one thing you do is remove believe you can . Well, one thing you do is remove is i thing you do is remove is really impunity. This mantra that israel is entitled to defend itself is something that is only used visit is israel and never used visit is palestinians let palestinians have been victims of a continuous war over a century. Vis a vis. What is necessary is for the united states to cease its Complicity And Show international pressure on israel. The american ambassador has basically prevented the un Security Council from taking action. The un could send clear signals to israel, and many americans, at least the number of americans, including senators, are putting pressure on the president. On the president. Yeah. And that was on the president. Yeah. And that was the on the president. Yeah. And that was the last on the president. Yeah. And that was the last point on the president. Yeah. And that was the last point i on the president. Yeah. And that was the last point i was j that was the last point i was going to ask you, actually, what you made of that . Because they do seem to be a number of Progressive Democrats who are more interested in the palestinian perspective then we may have seen for some time . That is definitely true. But its also true when there is violence like this, there is a veil of silence over the everyday violence that is inflicted on the Palestinians Ijy inflicted on the palestinians by the occupation. And the shift is not taking place, notwithstanding that veil of silence let when things like this happen, more and more people realise exactly what is in state. And all of the bromide is mantras which essentially shield israel from responsibility, ensure its impunity, begin to fall away. We are seeing congressman sanders, who very rarely says anything, essentially taking a position opposite to that of netanyahu, sango must be a ceasefire. The israeli does not seem to be doing that saying there must be a ceasefire. Professor, thank you for bringing your perspective to the problems in israel and gaza. , ~ the problems in israel and gaza. ,. , gaza. Thank you. Thanks for havIn Gaza. Thank you. Thanks for having me a cyclone classified as extremely severe, has made landfall in indias western state of gujarat, with wind speeds of up to 190 kilometres per hour, thats 120 miles an hour. Cyclone tauktae travelled along indias western coast, narrowly missing the city of mumbai. At least 12 people have been killed and 150,000 evacuated. Mark lobel reports. Emergency officials evacuate coastal areas as india faces disaster on several fronts. This cyclone comes amid a Covid I9 Wave that has also flooded indias hospitals. The navy has sent three warships to try to rescue hundreds of people stranded off the coast. Even mom by� s Meteorological Department is affected as winds of up to 190 climate is in our hit people, property and powerlines in the most powerful cyclone to strike the region since the late 90s mumbais neurological department. Meteorological. Neurological department. Meteorological. Neurological department. Meteorological. The temperature ran. Es are meteorological. The Temperature Ranges are warming meteorological. The Temperature Ranges are warming rapidly. Ranges are warming rapidly. Cyclone tauktae has travelled up Cyclone Tauktae has travelled up the coast, claiming lives. Its made landfall in gujarat. Threatening Storm Surges of up to four metres high in some coastal districts. Coastal districts. This is the fourth consecutive coastal districts. This is the fourth consecutive year coastal districts. This is the i fourth consecutive year where coastal districts. This is the fourth consecutive year where a cyclone has formed during this part of the year in this region. This may be the third one moving very close to the west coast. That means we need to be better prepared for these. It to be better prepared for these. ,. ,. These. It has forced the temporary these. It has forced the temporary closure these. It has forced the temporary closure of i these. It has forced the i temporary closure of mum these. It has forced the temporary closure of mum by airport and disrupted local Rail Services mumbai. There are fears it could exhilarate the spread of coronavirus is more than hundred 50,000 people in low lying areas have been moved into densely packed shelters. Accelerate. A Vaccine Drive in coastal towns has been paused. The storm is adding to the challenges faced in indias hospitals as some critical patients are forced to move buildings. It is hoped that having made landfall, the cyclone will lose some of its wind strength, but heavy rainfall still poses a threat to parts of northern india. Mark lobel, bbc news. Lets get some of the days other news. The Us Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case which could overturn its position on abortion. It will decide whether to uphold a Mississippi Statute banning abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy. It presents a direct challenge to the Roe Versus Wade Decision of 1973, which allowed for abortions later in pregnancy. Spanish officials say 2,700 migrants have arrived in the Spanish North african enclave of ceuta from neighbouring morocco over the course of the day. They began arriving at night, swimming out beyond The Border Fences Thatjut into The Sea, but many more simply walked around at low tide. A local newspaper said more people were arriving. The french president , emmanuel macron, has said that countries attending a conference in paris have agreed to clear sudans arrears to the international monetary fund. The move should enable a significant part of the countrys 50 Billion external debt to be forgiven. Across england, wales and scotland, theres been a significant easing of the lockdown restrictions, making indoor gathering and social contact possible once again. Prime Minister Borisjohnson said people should exercise their new freedoms with what he called a heavy dose of caution. Our business editor, simonjack, takes a look at the situation in england. Back indoors. Todays Reopening Of Inside Drinking was a moment to celebrate for returning regulars at the 0akes Barn Pub in bury, st edmunds. It is so different to be back amongst company that you know and are friendly with and everybody knows your name. Landlady heather was glad to see them and her staff after a challenging few months. Yeah, its absolutely great to be back. Its great to welcome all of my Staff Back that have been on furlough for the last five months, so, its nice to be back as a team. Its nice to be seeing our regulars once again. We are down, you know, financially, we are down, but were surviving and we hope to survive. Thank you very much. First time ive been able to do this, and this, for six months. Its monday lunchtime, its not exactly heaving, but this is a very big moment, particularly for venues that havent had any outside space, and thats 60 of them. But theyre still operating at a fraction of their normal capacity, barely breaking even. The real prize isjune 21st, when its hoped the restrictions can be totally lifted and, if that doesnt happen, todays reopening could still fall a little flat. One of the uks biggest brewers and pub owners, greene king, has been busy replenishing pub cellars. Weve delivered 17 Million pints of beer to about 11,500 customers. But the boss warned that, if the June Date slips, Government Support measures due to start Tapering Off at the End Ofjune will need to be extended. We all want to get back to standing up in the pub again. I certainly do. But, until that is the case, were not going to be profitable. Therefore, in my view, if we move from the 21st, the government has to move the support, as well, on Business Rates but also on furlough. Theres a lot of costs running through our businesses when were not trading normally, as we would have done pre pandemic. Staffing is also a real problem. This Hotel And Restaurant cant find people confident enough to return to an industry thats often been first to shut when the Virus Threat grows. Were sitting in a building here today at the North Gate which should be open, but were not open, because we havent been able to recruit enough people to be able to run a seven day rota. So, across our portfolio, were losing about 8 10 trading days a week. Cheers as the day wore on and outside the rain began to fall, inside looked even more attractive. This industry has been in and out and back into lockdown. They are praying that this time its different. Simonjack, bbc news, bury st edmunds. Stay with us on bbc news. Still to come after nearly five months of lockdown, we will visit one of the many british museums who are now open to the public again. This morning, an indian Air Force Plane carrying Mr Gandhis Body landed in delhi. The president Of India walked to the plane to solemnly witness Mr Gandhis final return from the political battlefield. Ireland has voted overwhelmingly in favour of gay marriage. In doing so, its become the first country in the world to approve the change in the national referendum. It was a remarkable climax to what was surely the most extraordinary funeral ever given to a pop singer. Its been a peaceful Funeral Demonstration so far but suddenly, the police are tear gassing The Crowd we dont yet know why the pre Launch Ritual is well established here. Helen was said to be in good spirits, butjust a little apprehensive. In the last hour, East Timor has become the worlds newest nation. It was a bloody birth for a poor country, and the challenges ahead are daunting. But for now, at least, it is time to celebrate. This is bbc news, the latest Headlines President biden says the us is working to secure a ceasefire, after more than a week of violence between israel and palestinian militants. He has urged both sides to protect civilians. Lets stay with that story now. We can now speak to simone ledeen, who was the Deputy Assistant Secretary of defense for Middle East policy under president trump. Thank you very much forjoining us. Thank you very much for oining us. , us. Even that the trump administration, us. Even that the trump administration, i us. Even that the trump administration, i think. Us. Even that the trump j administration, i think it us. Even that the trump i administration, i think it is fair to say, was avowedly pro israel, how do you feel about president trumps gradual shifting which we have seen over the last week or so towards a position where he is supporting a ceasefire, and that involves pushing israel to act on that . Act on that . Well, thank you very much act on that . Well, thank you very much for act on that . Well, thank you very much for having act on that . Well, thank you very much for having Me Act on that . Well, thank you | very much for having me here this evening. I think what is important to note is the indiscriminate violence that we are seeing in terms of over 3000 rockets being shot at israeli civilians. Hamas has a history and is doing so now of using human shields, and using civilian areas as weapons depots. So i think a lot of the comments that you are hearing right now about hoping to protect civilians are also directed specifically at hamas who continues to use these abhorrent practices. Although it is fair to abhorrent practices. Although it is fair to say abhorrent practices. Although it is fair to say antony it is fair to say Antony Blinken said, specifically, there was an extra burden on israel to protect civilians, but in any case, it is being perceived by the biden administration as a two way st here. ,. , here. Yes indeed, and the biden administration has here. Yes indeed, and the biden administration has to administration has to treat a very careful line because they are involved in negotiations with the iranian regime that continues to supply hamas with a lot of its weapons, funding and training. So they are really walking a delicate tight rope at this point, because they dont want to upend these negotiations, but they also dont want to be seen as not being strong in the way that is expected. Being strong in the way that is exected. � being strong in the way that is exoected being strong in the way that is exected. � , , expected. And presumably your persoective expected. And presumably your perspective is expected. And presumably your perspective is that expected. And presumably your perspective is that pursuing perspective is that pursuing that line with iran will make relations with israel and working with israel over this extremely difficult, maybe unlikely. I extremely difficult, maybe unlikel. ~. , extremely difficult, maybe unlikel. ~ ,. , unlikely. I think it has shown that already, unlikely. I think it has shown that already, as unlikely. I think it has shown that already, as a unlikely. I think it has shown that already, as a matter unlikely. I think it has shown that already, as a matter of| that already, as a matter of fact. I dont we would be seeing this sort of violence right now, hamas initiated this violence and i dont think that it would have been encouraged with a different administration that had a different perspective. So i think there is a lot. I think there is a move right now to try to take advantage as much as possible of the situation when negotiations are ongoing, put the maximum amount of pressure on The American administration and make them as uncomfortable as possible because id believe Irans Alkylation is that we want this deal so badly, we, the us, that we will behave in ways that the us hasnt normally behaved, for example, what we are seeing today. Can normally behaved, for example, what we are seeing today. What we are seeing today. Can i ust ask what we are seeing today. Can i just ask you what we are seeing today. Can i just ask you then, what we are seeing today. Can i just ask you then, as what we are seeing today. Can i just ask you then, as a what we are seeing today. Can i just ask you then, as a last just ask you then, as a last point, can you see, and if so, how on earth do you see, A Step Towards Notjust how on earth do you see, a step towards not just a how on earth do you see, A Step Towards Notjust a ceasefire here, which was always possible, but a meaningful Peace Process to come off the back of that, after such a long time . ~ ~. , � , time . Well, i think whats really welcome time . Well, i think whats really welcome right time . Well, i think whats really welcome right nowl time . Well, i think whats i really welcome right now are the countries, there are several countries, some of whom have signed up the abraham accords, are actively working behind the scenes to try to calm the palestinians and hamas and its sponsor, iran. Ithink thatis and its sponsor, iran. Ithink that is very welcome right now, i think there are a lot regional players who could play a large role in creating a ceasefire scenario. But i think, it is a very tenuous situation, david, also because the palestinian election which was supposed to have happened was supposed to have happened was called off by hamas and hamas really wants to own the West Bank as well as gaza, and has taken this opportunity as a way to be able to do that. 0bviously way to be able to do that. Obviously the situation with the israeli elections is hardly a promising one either, is it, though . It a promising one either, is it, thou~h . ,. ,. , though . It is not promising. It is changing though . It is not promising. It is changing every though . It is not promising. It is changing every minute, though . It is not promising. It| is changing every minute, yes. 0k, simone, thank you very much indeed. Simone ledeenjoining us there on the latest. Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of defence under president trump. More now on the easing of restrictions here, museums in england, scotland and wales have re opened their doors again, and one of those welcoming the public was the Museum Of Natural History in oxford. 0ur Arts Correspondent David sillito went to have a look at one rather familiar object on display. Oxford university, the Museum Of Natural History, and not even the rain could dampen the enthusiasm for todays Grand Reopening and its new work of art. An object thats affected us all. Were here Face To face with the thing weve all been trying to avoid, the virus. It is some 8 Million times bigger than the real thing. But it does allow you to get up close to something that is both terrible but also strangely beautiful. Its made up of tens of millions of pieces of scientific data, crunched and slowly assembled to reveal this. And the moment of revelation came, i was just taken aback cos i thought, id been working for months and months and months during lockdown on my own listening to radio, television, hearing about this dreadful, evil virus and it was just strangely beautiful. It was kind of hauntingly beautiful, and that kind of took me aback. And unveiling it was someone who knows it all too well, the Lead Developer of the oxford vaccine. Its quite a chilling thing to look at because this is the virus thats been our enemy for the last 17 months now. Weve been trying to defeat it. And so to come Face To face with a large version of the virus is quite thought provoking. And around the city there was a feeling of change today. This another reopening, the ashmolean. This is a big moment. This is spiritual gracie and emma, first year students finally escaping from a life of zoom calls virtual lectures. This is my greatest form of leisure. Without clubs, what have we got . Museums, which arguably are more fun. Arguably. Its still far from normal life but this the virus, analysed, described, etched and imprisoned. Its an image full of hope. David sillito, bbc news, 0xford. Going to see it for himself again. New research suggests that the total number of wild birds on the planet is at least 50 Billion, but could be as high as 430 billion. This study is the first attempt to estimate the World Population of birds, species by species. The most common species are the house sparrow, european starling, ring billed Gull And Barn swallow. However there are many species that have a population of below 5,000. Researchers hope the study will help efforts to prevent extinction. Staying with the wildlife, the Big Five, is a term to refer to the most difficult animals to kill. There is a new Big Five list released by wildlife geographers. The new Big Five includes elephants, lions, gorillas, tigers, and polar bears. Each animal is endangered or vulnerable. The initiative was founded by Photographer Graeme Green who partnered with one earth and other Wildlife Organizations to raise awareness of conservation. They hope photography of these animals will encourage people drop their guns and pick up their cameras. Beautiful pictures, too. People living in moscow have been enjoying a heatwave which is setting records for the russian capital in mid may. Temperatures have topped 31 degrees and have had Moscovites Rushing for the citys fountains and Ice Cream stalls. Weather forecasters say these kind of temperatures are normally associated with the sub tropical heat of southern russian summers. Hello there. The torrential downpours, the thunderstorms were once again the Talking Point of the weather on monday. Up to an inch of rain fell in some areas, and a covering of hail in others, as you can see. So, just adding to the Rainfall Totals that weve already seen this may. Some areas such as bala in North Wales having had twice as much rainfall as wed normally see throughout the whole of may, and thats so far. And once again, for the day ahead, with low pressure sat to the west of the uk, its going to throw showers our way. It gives the atmosphere that instability to grow the showers, and the sunshine strong at this time of year. Not preventing perhaps A Touch Of Frost for northern ireland first thing. A bit on the chilly side, a little bit of mist and perhaps Valley Fog if youre up early enough. That should clear quite quickly. Plenty of sunshine first thing, but already showers, in fact a more persistent area of showers moving in across wales and the South West and then pushing eastwards. And elsewhere the showers build once again. Weve got a Weather Front also to the north of scotland. A brisk wind coming down behind it. But with the light winds for most, those will be slow moving and torrential downpours that we see once again. Perhaps fewer in Southern Scotland and northern england, but expect some more hailstorms and thunderstorms and for them to continue well into the evening. In fact, there might be something a little bit more organised coming towards the south as we go through the evening and overnight. Once again quite chilly under the clearing skies, a little bit of mist first thing wednesday morning. But then again, its a day of sunny spells and showers. It looks as if they may be focused across central and eastern areas. This is our Weather Front pushing southwards across scotland just giving more energy, more moisture to generate those heavy downpours. Temperatures therefore just a little lower in the far north, but as we saw on monday, tuesday and wednesday, probably mid to high teens at best. And then thursday looks set to bring a spell of wetter, windier weather. Wind may be the main feature on this weather system, with gales even across southern areas. Unseasonably windy weather is what were thinking about at this stage. Obviously, its a few days ahead, but it will push in some more general rain, continuing that wet theme for may, and then the winds really escalate as well. We could have gales, gusts of wind at 50, possibly 60 mph. Its definitely one that well be keeping an eye on. Until then, its a sunny spells but torrential downpours sort of picture until later in the week when there could be something wetter and far windier. This is bbc news. The Headlines President biden has said the us is working to secure a ceasefire, after more than a week of violence between israel and palestinian militants. But israeli forces have killed a senior palestinian commander, as violence between the two sides continues to escalate. Israels government says ten people have been killed there. The indian state of gujarat is being buffeted by the most powerful storm in the region for decades. Around 200,000 people were evacuated as Cyclone Tauktae travelled along indias west coast, with Wind Gusts of Up 200km h. At least 20 people are known to have died. Indoor gatherings and more social contact are possible again after a significant easing of Uk Covid rules. Holidaymakers from england, scotland and wales can now also visit 12 countries on the governments green list