Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC 20240703

For the coming uk election. Is it enough to change the political weather . Way to school in croydon last week. For a vigil. Hello. Rishi sunak delivered his most important speech as Prime Minister today, with the promise the country, would see the real him. A Leader Setting out what he believes, including being willing to take the toughest decisions. Well at the conservative party conference, he set out a number of key policies, on education and health. But the most controversial idea had been flagged for weeks, the scrapping of the High Speed Rail Line from birmingham to the north of england, and he made the announcement, in manchester. It was an ambitious project to link up the country, but costs spiralled and the plans were hacked back, with the eastern leg of hs2 scapped two years ago. Then today, came confirmation that the birmingham to Manchester Route would also die, along with the line to east midlands parkway. The big question, what would become of the money saved . The answer Network North, a £36 billion plan replacing hs2, that the Prime Minister said, would improve the road and rail network, across the uk. Well have analysis of the proposals and the costs. But first, chris mason reports on the politics of a crucial day, for the Prime Minister. Manchester this lunchtime, and the Prime Ministers warm up act his wife. Rishi and i are each others best friends, and i could not imagine being anywhere else to show my support to him. Rishi sunak began by thanking her, his daughters, his parents as he drew a link between himself and margaret thatcher. This conservative party, the party of the grocer� s daughter and the pharmacist� s son, will always be the party of enterprise, the party of small business. He said hes taken a look at how Government Works since he became Prime Minister, and not liked what hes seen. It isnt anger, its an exhaustion with politics. Weve had 30 years of a political system which incentivises the easy decision, not the right one. As for taxes, they will come down, he claimed, but didnt say when. And then, it was to the crux of this speech the proposed High Speed Rail Line between manchester and birmingham, scrapped. I am ending this long running saga. I am cancelling the rest of the hs2 project. And in its place, we will reinvest every single penny, £36 billion, in hundreds of new transport projects in the north and the midlands, across the country. This means £36 billion of investment in the projects that will make a real difference across our nation. Applause this would include, he promised, an extension to the West Midlands metro, Building A Tram System in leeds, electrifying the main rail line in north wales and upgrading. The a1, the a2, the m5, the m6 but there is more. And there was, but not necessarily popular, even in his own party. Some conservatives hate the idea of banning things. Rishi sunak wants to ban smoking for the next generation. I propose that in future, we raise the smoking age by one year every year. The debate over trans rights prompts strong feelings. The Prime Ministers view got one of his biggest cheers here. We shouldnt get bullied into believing that people can be any sex they want to be. They cant. A man is a man and a woman is a woman thats just common sense. The final big policy idea in this speech was about post i6 education in england. We will introduce the new rigorous, knowledge rich, advanced British Standard, which will bring together a levels and t levels into a new single qualification for our school leavers. As the speech drew towards a conclusion, there was a return to personal reflection. Rishi sunak said the uk was not racist. Now, i am proud to be the first British Asian Prime Minister, but you know what . Im even prouder that its just not a big deal. Applause this was a speech in which the fifth Prime Minister in a so far 13 year run in office for the conservatives made an audacious bid to be seen as the face of change. We will be bold. We will be radical. We will face resistance, and we will meet it. Be in no doubt, it is time for a change, and we are it. Thank you. Applause this was an attempt by the Prime Minister to revitalise, to reenergise his premiership, The Grab Politics by the scruff of the neck. The big question now for him is, will it improve his political prospects . Last Roll Of The Dice . Its last Roll Of The Dice . Well, look, we know that theres going to be a general election coming up in the fairly near future. This is a statement of intent. Are we seeing Rishi Sunak Unleashed . Yes. He came in at quite a difficult time and hes been showing the countryj how serious and how focused he is. Watching from his hotel room next door, this man, the conservative mayor of the West Midlands, who had pleaded to save hs2. Obviously im very disappointed that he announced that today. As you know, ifought for it to be maintained. And youve lost. I have lost. Where does that leave you politically . Will you carry on as mayor . I will carry on as mayor, yeah, because i do think it is right that you should stand up, particularly when something is really important to your region. This wasnt a speech of instant crowd pleasers, but instead, ideas that will divide and provoke. It is, then, a gamble. Chris mason, bbc news, in manchester. As weve been hearing, rishi sunak says the money saved by scrapping the northern leg of hs2, will be poured into Imporving The Road and rail Network Across britain, improving connections across Northern England and the midlands. Our transport correspondent, katy austin, has more. The hs2 story has involved predictions of economic benefits, construction had not started but theres already been an impact. More than 400 properties have already been bought between birmingham and manchester. In staffordshire this farmer was. To give up land his family have tended for generations. This farmer was made to give up land. It this farmer was made to give up land. ~ , this farmer was made to give up land. , ~ ,. , this farmer was made to give up land. ,. , this farmer was made to give up land todays land. It makes you cry. Todays announcement land. It makes you cry. Todays announcement means land. It makes you cry. Todays announcement means h52 land. It makes you cry. Todays. Announcement means h52 wont land. It makes you cry. Todays announcement means h52 wont come announcement means hs2 wont come through here any more, welcome news to other local residents in the local tea room but they said damage had already been done. I had local tea room but they said damage had already been done. Local tea room but they said damage had already been done. I had to make a decision with had already been done. I had to make a decision with my had already been done. I had to make a decision with my wife, had already been done. I had to make a decision with my wife, do had already been done. I had to make a decision with my wife, do we had already been done. I had to make a decision with my wife, do we sell. A decision with my wife, do we sell up a decision with my wife, do we sell up and go . Many local people have done that. Im up and go . Many local people have done that. � ,. , done that. Im struggling to find the words to done that. Im struggling to find the words to explain done that. Im struggling to find the words to explain how done that. Im struggling to find the words to explain how h52 i done that. Im struggling to find l the words to explain how h52 has the words to explain how hsz has been the words to explain how hsz has been for the words to explain how hsz has been for so many people. The words to explain how h52 has been for so many people. The words to explain how h52 has been for so many people. There is like a corridor been for so many people. There is like a corridor of been for so many people. There is like a corridor of sadness been for so many people. There is like a corridor of sadness that like a corridor of sadness that follows like a corridor of sadness that follows h52~ the hs2 story has involved predictions of economic benefits, ambitious engineering, but also ballooning costs, delays and changing plans. The project wasnt due to be finally complete until 2041. In the latest chapter it will be a reduced line linking london and birmingham, instead. An alternative which in place of one delayed and overrunning project, will now begin hundreds upon hundreds of new projects, large and small. Road and rail, bus and train, covering the whole country. It will be delivered faster. There is no direct it will be delivered faster. There is no direct replacement it will be delivered faster. There is no direct replacement for it will be delivered faster. There l is no direct replacement for h52s is no direct replacement for hs2� s now axed birmingham to manchester section and the quick intercity links and extra capacity it was meant to create but the government insists other projects around the country will be made possible with the money. For example road improvements including the m6 and a1, extending the bus fares to next year, and an upgrade to links in the north of england. In reality relatively little was due to be spent on hs2� s northern stretches in the next few years and it isnt clear where many of the projects listed of the when many of the projects listed today would materialise. Many businesses and Northern Leaders believe an opportunity has been squandered. Katy austin, bbc news. There have long been complaints about the connectivity across the pennines, poor train services, bus links and roads. So how might the new Network North plans change things . 0ur north of england correspondent, danny savage, has more from leeds. Trains in the north, plenty of people use them. So what is going to change after today . The hope of a boost from the hs2 has been lost. Now what has been called for action, soon. Today has to be the start of a new deal with the north of england based on genuine commitment shown through actual investment, notjust lines on maps, because lines on maps that dont get built. The dream was that hs2 would link into a much improved East West Link it needs to get better. This was my experience last week. Monday evening, been working in manchester all day today. Was due to get the 6. 30 train across the pennines, but that was cancelled, so we got the next one this is it behind me. It has now broken down midway between manchester and huddersfield. So, thoughts on hs2� s demise from those on the platform . I think it should always have gone from birmingham to manchester and then do the east west part, manchester to leeds. The difference in travel when you come up north is so different to how it is down south. 364 quid a month to go from leeds to manchester. Do you get value for money . Not at all. But whats the other option . I drive and get stuck on the m62 for three hours if there is a crash . In the pennine area of the Network North plan, the Prime Minister says Journey Times from Manchester To Bradford will be reduced to 30 minutes. Sheffield to manchester will be 42 minutes, and less than an hour and a half across to hull. People hearing that will think, good, but what is the reality . The reality is that these promises. Are years away from being delivered. And i dont get the sense that. You can actually trust the current government to deliver its promises, having just seen them ditch a project they have been developing for 15 years. I bradford is to get a new station as part of the new plan. And the suburbs of sheffield are to benefit from the opening of a new line in the don valley. For me as a Business Owner travelling around the north of england, i think having an east west connectivity and better interconnectivity within towns and cities in the north is probably more of a priority for us than an hour or half an hour quicker to london. Of course, these projects will be welcomed by many if they happen. But there is an underlying frustration that they dont go far enough at this stage. The decisions and the announcements actually dont solve our really big problems, which is capacity in Manchester Piccadilly and leeds station. Road improvement schemes have been promised, too. Lots of pledges were made today, but this is a very long game. It could be a decade or more before anyone sees the benefits. Danny savage, bbc news, leeds. In a moment well talk to chris in manchester, but first our economics editor, faisal islam, is here. Rishi sunak says hes going to spend the same amount of money on Network North that he planned to spend on hs2, do the numbers add up . It north that he planned to spend on h52, do the numbers add up . It isnt ust about h52, do the numbers add up . It isnt just about a h52, do the numbers add up . It isnt just about a rail h52, do the numbers add up . It isnt just about a rail line, h52, do the numbers add up . It isnt just about a rail line, this h52, do the numbers add up . It isnt just about a rail line, this is just about a rail line, this is about a change of strategy as the Prime Minister admits after 15 years of Cross Party Consensus that britain has regional inequalities, underperforming cities outside of london, and you rectify that with a big strategic Infrastructure Project which requires connectivity and a beacon of investment. That has changed now. A sort of spree of smaller projects which will be more visible to voters, at least on Election Leaflets next year, and will have more of a tangible impact. For example, more value for money, buses investment, more bang for your buck there. But they arent necessarily transformative. In industry, some arched eyebrows tonight, calling it a disintegrated rail plan that has been put together with a crayon and a map one said to me. I think the government would argue, well, you know, hs2 was crowding out investment for other things and we had to change things. If we step back from this there is a big learning curve, how have we got to a situation where a major piece of infrastructure, the first line in 100 years, will end up being a stump from birmingham to london, concentrating on the area that will provide this benefit for the purpose of connecting the north and that will be thought about very carefully. Will be thought about very carefully will be thought about very carefully. Will be thought about very carefull. , ,. , carefully. Chris is standing by in manchester. Carefully. Chris is standing by in manchester. We carefully. Chris is standing by in manchester. We just carefully. Chris is standing by in manchester. We just talked carefully. Chris is standing by in l manchester. We just talked about Election Leaflets. There is a poll around the corner sometime next year, not far away, so this is a big gamble, the politics of all this, for the Prime Minister in that speech today. Yes. It is not ignoble for a political yes. It is not ignoble for a political leader to aspire to win or be popular, but what stands out for me today be popular, but what stands out for me today is be popular, but what stands out for me today is the central policy areas we heard me today is the central policy areas we heard from the Prime Minister today we heard from the Prime Minister today are we heard from the Prime Minister today are not necessarily instantly populan today are not necessarily instantly popular. Take hsz, even within the conservative party, andy street, the conservative party, andy street, the conservative mayor of the West Midlands conservative mayor of the West Midlands is hugely frustrated and angry midlands is hugely frustrated and angry and even considered whipping up angry and even considered whipping up his angry and even considered whipping up his conservative party membership, he has been a memberfor decades membership, he has been a memberfor decades and membership, he has been a memberfor decades and decades. He chose not to be on decades and decades. He chose not to be on the decades and decades. He chose not to be on the edge. Former conservative prime be on the edge. Former conservative Prime Minister David Cameron thinks the decision is wrong and whips up a 15 year the decision is wrong and whips up a 15 year Cross Party Consensus which he thinks 15 year Cross Party Consensus which he thinks is 15 year Cross Party Consensus which he thinks is very damaging and rips he thinks is very damaging and ribs uo he thinks is very damaging and rips up. On he thinks is very damaging and rips up. On smoking, many conservatives think the idea of the state conservatives think the idea of the state banning things is deeply uncomfortable. Another former Prime Minister. Uncomfortable. Another former Prime Minister. Li2 uncomfortable. Another former Prime Minister, liz truss, says she will vote minister, liz truss, says she will vote against that. So what is the strategy . Vote against that. So what is the strategy . Rishi sunak says this is the real strategy . Rishi sunak says this is the real him, what he believes in, his brand the real him, what he believes in, his brand of the real him, what he believes in, his brand of conservatism and he is willing his brand of conservatism and he is willing to his brand of conservatism and he is willing to do it even if it is unpopular. What it will do this get him noticed, provoke debate to force labour him noticed, provoke debate to force labour to him noticed, provoke debate to force labour to respond. The Prime Minister labour to respond. The Prime Minister has to hope it will improve his political prospects. 0ne minister has to hope it will improve his political prospects. One final thought. His political prospects. One final thought, next stop, liverpool, the labour thought, next stop, liverpool, the labour Conference Starting at the weekend~ labour Conference Starting at the weekend. , a,. , weekend. Chris moore chris mason, reuortin weekend. Chris moore chris mason, reporting live weekend. Chris moore chris mason, reporting live from weekend. Chris moore chris mason, reporting live from manchester. In his speech, rishi sunak also announced plans to crack down on smoking, saying he wants to stamp it out altogether. And the way hes proposing to do that, is by increasing the age at which children can buy cigarettes every year, meaning anyone whos 14 today will never legally be able to buy a cigarette. Heres our health editor, hugh pym. Smokers out today, but the government wants to cut the number. Under a radical new plan, the legal age for buying cigarettes and tobacco will rise by one year every year, from 18 now. There will be varying impacts and there are varying views in bridgwater in somerset today. Probably a good idea, to be fair. Why do you think it might be a good idea . Cigarettes arent very good for people. I think the age should stay at 18, i think it should be legal for people to buy fags, its a stress relief. It is a lot better than people going around on the streets| and smoking illegal substances. Smoking rates have come down a lot with policies like the ban in public places. Back in 1980, 40 smoked. In recent years, it has fallen to less than half of that. But medical experts say there is still a Serious Health problem. Around one in four Cancer Deaths in the uk are linked to tobacco usage, and the annual cost of smoking to the nhs and social care in england has been put at £3 billion, though there are taxes on cigarettes. The great majority of people who smoke do not want. Wish they had not started. So they are doing this now because they are addicted, they were addicted in their younger lives. This means that they are trapped in a situation that is causing them ill health and will eventually, in many cases, sadly kill them. But critics argue that raising the legal age for sale of cigarettes each year wont have the intended result of cutting smoking rates. If you look ten or 15 years down the line, is it going to have 33 year olds able to buy cigarettes and 32 year olds cant . Straight away, you will have a fairly large informal market of smokers who are old enough to buy cigarettes selling cigarettes to people who are not old enough. While smokers are encouraged to switch to e cigarettes, there is concern about under 18s vaping. There are proposals in england to restrict flavourings and disposable vapes. The scottish and welsh governments have called for bans on single use products. Teachers and parents say action is urgently needed. Hugh pym, bbc news. Children whove just started Primary School in england wont be taking a levels or t levels by the time they reach 18, under plans set out by rishi sunak in his conference speech. Instead theyll study for a new qualification called the advanced British Standard, or the abs. 0ur Education Editor Branwenjeffreys is here with more details. These would be radical changes to how 16 to 19 year olds in england study. It would take until 2033 to put the new qualification in place. The advanced British Standard would replace current a levels in academic subjects, and the new vocational t levels, which are just getting under way. Everyone would study maths and english to 18 in some form. A level students at the moment take three subjects. Under these plans they would study five subjects. Some in education have welcomed the idea of broadening the post 16 curriculum. Its absolutely clear that young people in england follow a narrower curriculum, they study fewer subjects, than their counterparts in other countries around the world. Not only that, but they get taught for fewer hours per week to learn those subjects. So we need to do something about this, weve been talking about it for years, and its a good thing that we are looking at it in a bit more detail now. That all means more hours of teaching and more teachers. Bringing england more in line with many other countries. But not enough secondary teachers are being recruited to train. Currently only 59 of what the Department For Education says is needed. So to pave the way for these changes, a tax free bonus of up to £30,000 will be offered to those starting teaching in colleges. The ideas behind these changes do have support. But such large scale change is hard to bring about. Branwen jeffreys, bra nwen jeffreys, thank branwen jeffreys, thank you. A Murder Investigation is under way in sunderland after a man died following an attack by what Police Believe to be an american xl bully dog. A 44 year old man has been arrested. Police say the animal has been destroyed to protect the public. Fiona trott has the latest. A community shocked by a dog attackjust metres from their own front door. The animal was destroyed shortly afterwards to protect the public. Another dog, also believed to be an xl bully breed, was taken away. This is what xl bullies look like. Last month, the government announced a ban. Existing owners will have to register them and ensure they are neutered and muzzled when out on a lead. This is a quiet housing estate, and their lives have been turned upside down. There are three areas here that have been cordoned off and are being manned by the police. Theyre knocking on doors, asking for information. And, most importantly, this. There are people here who are coping with what they saw or heard yesterday, and some of them have lost a friend. I think he was a great person. He was a peoples person. That is the sad thing, that he died without getting any help. With the help he gave to the community, its really sad. We all have characters in all our villages. Some people like him, some dont. I found him great. The man they remember fondly has now been named by the police as ian langley. His family are being supported by specially trained officers. Fiona trott, bbc news, sunderland. Cheshire police have confirmed theyve begun a corporate manslaughter investigation, into the hospital which employed the convicted nurse lucy letby, jailed for murdering seven babies, and attempting to kill six others. 0fficers says theyll be looking at the senior leadership, at the countess of chester hospital, and their decision making, surrounding letby. In america, republicans in the Lower Chamber of congress, the House Of Representatives, are already vying to become the next speaker. It comes just a day after a group of hardline rebels ousted the incumbent, kevin mccarthy, in a historic vote, leaving the republicans in disarray. The ramifications are enormous for the us, as all spending bills for the government originate in congress. Where there is now a power vaccum. Gary 0donoghue has more from washington. The office of speaker of the house of the United States House Of Representatives is hereby declared vacant. ~. Representatives is hereby declared vacant. , a. , vacant. With that, Kevin Mccarthys nine month vacant. With that, Kevin Mccarthys nine month term vacant. With that, Kevin Mccarthys nine month term of vacant. With that, Kevin Mccarthys nine month term of speaker vacant. With that, Kevin Mccarthys nine month term of speaker is vacant. With that, Kevin Mccarthysl nine month term of speaker is over, the final straw for his decision to do a deal with democrats to keep the government open. He did not hesitate to point the finger of blame at the eight republicans who ousted him, led by his nemesis, matt gates. You all know matt led by his nemesis, matt gates. You all know matt gates, you know it was personal all know matt gates, you know it was personal it all know matt gates, you know it was personal. It had nothing to do about spending personal. It had nothing to do about spending. The personal. It had nothing to do about sendina. ,. ,. , spending. The unprecedented removal ofthe spending. The unprecedented removal of the speaker spending. The unprecedented removal of the speaker has spending. The unprecedented removal of the speaker has left spending. The unprecedented removal of the speaker has Left Congress spending. The unprecedented removal of the speaker has Left Congress on i of the speaker has Left Congress on chaos, so much so they have decided to take a week off while they work out what to do next. fine to take a week off while they work out what to do next. To take a week off while they work out what to do next. One rebel was unrepentant out what to do next. One rebel was unrepentant. This out what to do next. One rebel was unrepentant. This is out what to do next. One rebel was unrepentant. This is the out what to do next. One rebel was unrepentant. This is the right out what to do next. One rebel was unrepentant. This is the right call, | unrepentant. This is the right call, the American People deserve a leader and a speaker who will tell the truth, so does the international community. They need to know the next speaker will be honest i will not go back on their word. Lltrulith not go back on their word. With republicans not go back on their word. With republicans focusing firmly on themselves, the question of funding for ukraine, which congress controls, is undecided. It worries me, i controls, is undecided. It worries me. I know controls, is undecided. It worries me, i know there controls, is undecided. It worries me, i know there are controls, is undecided. It worries me, i know there are a controls, is undecided. It worries me, i know there are a majority. Controls, is undecided. It worries. Me, i know there are a majority of members me, i know there are a majority of members in me, i know there are a majority of members in the house and senate and both parties members in the house and senate and both parties who say they support funding both parties who say they support funding ukraine. The both parties who say they support funding ukraine. Both parties who say they support funding ukraine. The president was asked if he had funding ukraine. The president was asked if he had any funding ukraine. The president was asked if he had any advice funding ukraine. The president was asked if he had any advice for funding ukraine. The president was asked if he had any advice for the l asked if he had any advice for the next speaker. He could barely keep a straight face. That next speaker. He could barely keep a straight face straight face. That is above my pay trade. Straight face. That is above my pay grade some straight face. That is above my pay grade. Some candidates straight face. That is above my pay grade. Some candidates have straight face. That is above my pay. Grade. Some candidates have begun the frantic process grade. Some candidates have begun the frantic process of grade. Some candidates have begun the Frantic Process Of Gathering the Frantic Process Of Gathering support and others have suggested an extraordinary alternative option, given the speaker does not have to be a member of the house. Abs, lat given the speaker does not have to be a member of the house. A lot of eole be a member of the house. A lot of people have be a member of the house. A lot of people have been be a member of the house. A lot of people have been calling be a member of the house. A lot of people have been calling me be a member of the house. A lot of people have been calling me about| people have been calling me about speaker, people have been calling me about speaker, we people have been calling me about speaker, we will people have been calling me about speaker, we will do people have been calling me about speaker, we will do whatever people have been calling me about speaker, we will do whatever is. Speaker, we will do whatever is best speaker, we will do whatever is best. , ,. , speaker, we will do whatever is best. ,. ,. ,. , best. Congress has only agreed to fund the government best. Congress has only agreed to fund the government for best. Congress has only agreed to fund the government for Anotherl Fund the government for another six weeks. With the republicans at one another� s throat, extending that has become much harder. After two years away from gymnastics, simone biles has returned to the sport to win her 20th world title, as she and the usa team triumphed for the seventh consecutive time at the World Gymnastics Championships in antwerp. Great britain could only finish in sixth place. 0ur Sports Correspondent Natalie Pirks reports from belgium. Stepping out of the fog into the cauldron of competition once more. In herfirst major event since a two year break, simone biles fans were hoping for a picture perfect return. For team usa. And it was on vault where a new skill bears her name as she began her quest to make more history. Not her most difficult the us pting for safety over swagger. Britain, last years silver medallists, had a Ringside Seat to the big show. Big new vault this season. But with higher skills comes higher difficulty. Biles does have a weakness the uneven bars, not that youd know it. After a brilliant qualification, britain were playing catch up and every mistake mattered. More stumbles followed for both britain and america, but the us hadnt lost this event since 2010, and werent about to start now. Britains hopes had gone, but the gold was there for the taking. It all came down to the greatest. The smiles told you everything. The joy had returned. She is back and back. With an absolute bang. Another virtuoso performance. Had she really ever been away . Oh, the sambas started already brazil won silver, their first team medal in history. France were ecstatic with bronze. But the anthem belonged to the usual suspects. I was so nervous today, like, more than anything. And i wasjust like, get it together, get it together. But i think we all were kind of. We all felt that pressure. It was ten years ago today, right here in antwerp, when simone biles won her first world gold. Her 20th brings her career full circle. Natalie pirks, bbc news, antwerp. Newcastle uniteds First Champions League match at stjamess park in 20 years has seen them beat the french champions Paris Saint Germain 4 1. Elsewhere Manchester City won at rb leipzig and celtic lost at home to lazio. Heres ben croucher. Patience. Hold on. Champions League Football at stjamess park is go. Backin back in the big time. Very loud. But these fans can only do so much. It is down to the players in Black And White to deliver against Paris Saint Germain. And killian mbappe. This is what greeted him. Pretty rabid, all right. Now something to really raise the roof. Pretty loud, all right. St jamess park, ignited by miguel almiron, six for seven for dan burn took them to new heights and they doubled their lead before. A geordie born and bred just like sean longstaff. 3 0, newcastle could barely believe it. The evidence was there in Black And White. Psg pulled one back, but it couldnt mask their slog on the tyne for this was newcastles night a win 20 years in the making. Well worth the wait. It started just as loud in glasgow, but without the three points at the end of it as celtic lost late against lazio, and holders Manchester City were held in leipzig until a couple of late goals and then a second win in two. Time for a look at the weather. Chris is here. Some of you might be forgiven for thinking summer has returned this weekend. Temperatures are set to surge well above normal