tensions simmer in taiwan, as the island prepares for a presidential poll. beijing ramps up the pressure. these taiwanese fighter jets being scrambled behind me here are heading out into the taiwan strait to confront chinese aircraft. this is now happening every day. hello. i'm sarah campbell. there 5 growing concern about a widening of the conflict in the middle east after an intensification of fighting across the israel—lebanon border in recent days. a member of israel's war cabinet has warned that the military will take matters into its own hands if the lebanese government, and the wider international community, doesn't stop cross border attacks by the hezbollah group. benny gantz said time

for a diplomatic solution was running out. in gaza, israel is broadening its ground offensive across the centre and south of the territory. the hamas—run health ministry in gaza has says more than 21,100 people have been killed during 11 weeks of fighting. earlier i spoke to our middle east correspondent yolande knell about the fears of a regional escalation of the fighting. since october 7th of course much attention has been focused on the gaza strip and what has been happening there, but right at the other end of israel, on the northern border with lebanon, we have seen the worst cross—border violence since the devastating 2006 war between israel and the powerful iran—backed lebanese militant group hezbollah. just yesterday we saw something like a barrage of more than 30 rockets fired across that border by hezbollah, israel's iron dome system being used to intercept some of them.

nobody was hurt, but this is partly because a lot of those northern towns in israel have already been evacuated. this came a day after three people were killed in an israeli strike on southern lebanon, said to have been a hezbollah fighter and two of his relatives. we had then warnings from the israeli army's chief of staff who was visiting that border area that the army was ready for any scenario. we also had, politically, the member of the war cabinet benny gantz himself, a former israeli military chief of staff, coming out telling the world that if the lebanese government and other international players don't get more involved here to stop hezbollah�*s attacks and to move hezbollah away from its positions along the border, then the israeli military would act and we could see a further escalation. which countries do you think benny gantz is directing those comments at specifically?

he knows there are different countries around the region that will have some influence over iran, because arab countries themselves are very worried about what is happening here and this idea of regional escalation. also israel's western allies, he is hoping, will put some pressure on iran if they can, also on the lebanese government which is relatively weak and has found it difficult itself to rein in hezbollah, which is such a big military and politicalforce in lebanon. earleir i spoke to dahlia scheindlin, who's an israeli political analyst. i asked her how much support benjamin netanyahu has, as fears escalate over a possible war on two fronts. there are two types of political support. polling with relation to the government itself and his leadership which is very poor.

we knew the israeli public support for the government and for netanyahu and for his coalition plunged quite dramatically after october the 7th. however the israeli public and in general i would say the social environment is pretty belligerent right now certainly with relation to gaza. there is however i think significant concern for regional escalation even as at the very same time we do hear numerous voices legitimising the idea of a war on the northern front, some even support a pre—emptive strike, one post of the vast majority of israelis would support its, it certainly israeli jews would support a pre—emptive strike on hezbollah but at the same time, it may sound contradictory, but there is grave concern for opening up another front considering that israelis are also becoming somewhat sceptical and what we are hearing increasing questions and doubts about the achievements of the israeli military campaign in gaza, alongside growing international pressure, i don't think too many are talking

about the humanitarian crisis but the government is well aware of it and certain pockets of israeli society, there is grave concern about the very severe situation in gaza and i think with all of that there is i think difficulty accepting the idea of opening another front and at the very same time a sense of urgency and fear that if israel doesn't do it hezbollah might attack on its own. there's disruption on roads and railways in the uk after storm gerrit battered many parts of the country. scotland was badly affected, and dozens of houses in greater manchester were damaged by what the police are calling a localised tornado. engineers in the north of scotland are working to reconnect up to 16,000 properties which lost power, but some residents in remote areas may be cut off for 48 hours. aruna iyengar has the latest. storm gerrit swept across much of scotland, bringing heavy snow, flooding homes, causing power cuts

and travel misery for many. the major a9 route has reopened after it closed in the highlands for several hours. meanwhile, thousands of homes across scotland have suffered power cuts. scottish and southern electricity networks said they'd restored power to more than 25,000 homes — but at least 16,000 are still cut off. for some customers — especially those in rural areas — it could be up until friday before power supplies are reconnected. but it is far too early for us to say at the moment, with storm gerrit continuing to cause damage to the power network. 0n the railways, lner — which runs services up the east coast from london to scotland — is warning of major disruption this morning, with some services arriving several hours late. this tree fell on the line at dumbarton, but has now been cleared. in bowling, the lines were flooded.

customers stranded by the disruption were told to book hotels, which they can claim back. the west coast has also been badly affected. avanti west coast said its route to scotland was impassable. it stopped services north of preston yesterday and put on coaches. this couple got stuck in preston after getting on a train at euston. supposed to go all the way through to glasgow, but unfortunately we're here. my granddaughter's birthday tomorrow, so i need to get up there. there was widespread flooding. this was cupar in fife. and in the north of england there was significant damage to homes across stalybridge, after what greater manchester police called a localised tornado. trees and walls came down in what police described as a major incident. 0oh! air travel has been affected, too, with these american airlines passengers experiencing a particularly bumpy landing at heathrow. 0ther flights had to be cancelled.

and the rnli is urging people visiting coastal areas to be careful along exposed cliffs, seafronts and piers. aruna iyengar, bbc news. earlier i spoke to richard stead — from bbc radio manchester — who is in millbrook — near stalybridge. police are describing it as a localised tornado. it tore through the villages of millbrook and carrbrookjust close to stalybridge at about 11:30pm last night and the damage is everywhere. dozens and dozens of homes with their roof tiles all fallen off, i am looking inside the roof cavity of homes in front of me now as well. smashed into people's gardens, people have lost fence panels, walls have come down,

as you can see behind me a tree has been uprooted and you might not be to be able to see there, the roots have lifted up the tarmac from the pavement as well. there are dozens of houses affected here causing significant damage. police say around 100 homes have been affected but i reckon several more than that in the villages of millbrook and carrbrook. you may not have had a chance to chat to anyone there but i wonder if you have had heard from anyone about what it was like and how sudden and how the damage felt, as this tornado was going through. i have been here since six o'clock this morning speaking to dozens of people already, dog walkers, they said it was absolutely terrifying when the storm hit last night. they described it as being like a freight train outside their home. rattling the upvc windows on their homes. the noise generated when this tree came down, one neighbour told me

absolutely like it was nothing else they had ever heard. with the pennine moors in the background behind me, neighbours described this tornado like wind sweeping down the valley from carbrook, here in millbrook, down huddersfield road towards stalybridge. there is devastation right down huddersfield road, trees down everywhere, in the local park, several trees have come down as well. you can see what is behind me as well. people terrified. thankfully, though, we have been told there have been no reports of anyone being injured and some people have been evacuated to a nearby town hall in dukinfield because their homes have been left uninhabitable as a result of the storm last night. the taiwanese government has accused china of mounting a huge misinformation campaign to try to influence the outcome of the island's presidential election, which will be

held next month. china says the claims are being "hyped up." taiwan's ruling democratic progressive party is attempting to win an unprecedented third consecutive term. from taiwan, rupert wingfield—hayes reports. it's 6am. and this fighter base on the coast of taiwan is already a hive of activity. 0n the mirage, 2000 fighter jets from taiwan's rapid reaction squadrons. theirjob to meet any incoming threat to taiwan's airspace. these taiwanese fighter jets being scrambled behind me here are heading out into the taiwan strait to confront chinese aircraft that are coming across the strait and probing taiwan's airspace. this is now happening multiple times every day. these pictures are from chinese television showing their fighter jets and that down below is the coast of taiwan.

just over the horizon, there is another game of cat and mouse. this man puts up a long antenna to eavesdrop on the radio traffic coming from china's navy. radio chatter that's the chinese navy talking to the taiwanese navy saying, "your territorial waters that you claim do not exist," that the people's republic of china is the only legitimate government of china, and that taiwan is an inseparable part of china. "they tell us that the taiwan strait is peaceful," he says. "then why are there chinese ships and aircraft harassing us all the time? how is that peaceful?" back in taipei, the former head of taiwan's armed forces says china's tactics are designed to intimidate the island's voters and send a warning to its allies. i think the china is sending a very strong signal to the united states,

even to japan. "this is our area, our territorial area. so i can do whatever i want." but also in the meantime, they can use this kind of aggression to make taiwanese people scared and make taiwanese people capitulate. as polling day approaches, there is little sign the intimidation is working. at this rally, supporters of the frontrunner to win taiwan's presidency told me they would rather fight than capitulate to beijing. i'm very worried, but i'm not afraid, because i will volunteer to be a soldier if they invade our beautiful country. someday, we may be at war or something else. i'm not afraid because i think i'm taiwanese. i need to protect my country. 0n the coast the jets are returning from yet another patrol. taiwan has fewer than 300 fighterjets.

china, more than 2000. whoever wins taiwan's presidential race will face a military balance tipping ever more in china's favour. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. a 46—year—old man has died after a car hit a crowd of people outside a property in the burngreave area in sheffield. another person is also seriously injured. two men, aged 23 and 55, are being held by south yorkshire police — and the authorities are appealing for witnesses. more than 86,000 nhs appointments, including hospital check—ups and operations, had to be cancelled because of last week's junior doctor strike in england. 1500 community and mental health appointments were also affected. next weekjunior doctors will take part in a six—day walk—out —

the longest in the history of the nhs. uk sales of vinyl music albums increased by almost 12% this year, with sales returning to levels last seen in 1990. taylor swift's 1989 was the best—selling lp, followed by the rolling stones' hackney diamonds. while the vast majority of recorded music is consumed via streaming, fans are choosing vinyl for its better sound quality. you're live with bbc news. an international trial has found a new antibody treatment could cut the number of babies being admitted to hospitals with a common winter virus by more than 80%. at least 30,000 children under the age of five are treated in uk hospitals each year for infections caused by rsv — up to 30 die. immunisation experts will consider whether to roll out this jab and another for mothers. 0ur medical editor,

fergus walsh reports. lion! and this? polar bear! caolan�*s mum knows how worrying rsv can be. when he was eight months old, the virus gave him a serious chest infection and temperature, and he struggled to breathe. caolan was admitted to hospital in southampton twice, and needed oxygen each time. it was very stressful, it brought a lot of anxiety, a lot of doubt — especially as a first—time mother. you're constantly questioning what to do, and i didn't really understand what rsv was or the symptoms. jessica and ellie from southampton are among 8,000 children who took part in an international trial of the antibody jab. the study showed that a one—off injection meant children were 83% less likely to be admitted to hospital with an rsv—related infection.

jess got the antibodyjab, but they both remained healthy. and i hoped that, in the long term, if it was shown to be effective, that it would prevent families from their babies being ill, and lots of hospitalisations. a paediatrician in southampton who helped lead the trial said the results were stunning, and could bring huge benefits for children and the nhs. every year, rsv has an absolutely huge impact on children's hospital services in the uk. so to have a drug that we can give as a preventative treatment — even during the rsv season — that can stop children being admitted, is really amazing. this antibody treatment gives children instant protection against one of winter's most common viruses. the jab — called nirsevimab — contains antibodies against rsv which fight infection. it's not a vaccine —

they work by priming the immune system to create antibodies, but take a few weeks to be effective. thejcvi, which advises the government on immunisation, is considering whether the antibody jab, or an rsv vaccine for pregnant women, should be introduced by the nhs. crocodile! caolan�*s parents are hoping their one—month—old rian could get the antibodyjab — but things will need to move fast if an immunisation programme is to be ready ahead of next winter's rsv season. fergus walsh, bbc news. the colorado republican party has asked the us supreme court to intervene after the state's top court disqualified donald trump from appearing on the state's republican primary ballot. the appeal comes after colorado's supreme court ruled that mr trump was not an eligible candidate because of his role in the january 6th attack on the us capitol by his supporters in 2021. trump is the frontrunner

for the republican 2024 presidential nomination, and is expected to file his own appeal. michigan's supreme court has rejected an attempt to remove donald trump from running for president in the state next year. we're used to seeing wind turbines made of steel — but sweden's electricity grid is now powered, in part, by the world's tallest turbine made of wood. it's built from thousands of pieces of spruce — held together by glue — and it's more than 100 metres tall. 0ur environment correspondent jonah fisher went for a look. having brought us abba, meatballs, and flatpack furniture, from sweden comes another innovation thatjust might change the way we generate electricity. welcome to the world's tallest wind turbine tower made out of wood. almost all wind turbines are made of steel. but this one is notjust made of wood — but the pieces arejoined together...

with adhesives. glue? yes. is it strong? is it as strong as steel? steel is great material, right? but steel is very heavy. and with this material, we can perform the same task, but with 30% less weight and with more than 100% less carbon emissions. we're the firstjournalists invited inside for a closer look. wind power is already one of the cheapest and cleanest ways to generate electricity. using wood could make it even greener. if you stand there. stand there? yeah. i'm now 105 metres up at the very top of the tower. these blades are — like almost all wind turbines — made out of fibreglass. the generator that i'm standing on is primarily made of steel. but the company who's built the wooden tower say that, by making the tower out of wood,

it's storing carbon dioxide. it's carbon negative. and it's that carbon dioxide that's warming our planet. but this isn't only about being greener. to reach stronger and more consistent winds, turbines need to get even taller. and that means bigger and wider turbine towers. getting those massive pieces of steel on site by road is already a major headache. and that's where wooden towers just might come in. there's a huge amount of potential in this. that's because the towers are modular. at a factory in gothenburg, more than a hundred thin sheets of wood are glued together to make the wall sections. those modular pieces can then be more easily taken to the turbine site. making round steel tube

is quite easy, but making steel modular towers — that's a challenge, really, because you have lots of bolts. we do not bolt our towers, or screw them together. we... we glue them together. right? and wood and glue is a perfect combination. so is it alljust a bit of a gimmick? well, maybe not. the project is being backed by vestas — the world's largest installer of wind power — and they told us that using wood could end up solving some of the industry's transport problems in a more environmentally sustainable way. jonah fisher, bbc news, in gothenburg, in sweden. think of a castle and you probably imagine a huge grey building — but they also come in pink, occasionally. that includes craigievar castle in aberdeenshire, which is said to have inspired some of walt disney's creations. its colour was fading before a new lick of pink paint. ben philip has the story.

perched on an aberdeenshire hillside, craigievar castle is pretty in pink. if local legends are to be believed, its colour and ornate turrets may have inspired disney's cinderella castle. for over a year, this enchanting tower house has been covered by scaffolding. now it's back in the open, a few shades brighter. i think it's going to be really positive, certainly for the local community who look up from the main road and see this beautiful pink castle which glows at the best of times. but in the sun, it's a fantastic view to look up and see it on the hillside. so i think it's going to be quite a positive, exciting moment. earlier this year, we were given access to see the restoration work up close. this major conservation project aims to protect this fairytale castle from current and future climate change events whilst restoring its famous pink colour. every inch of this seven—storey structure has been painstakingly treated with lime wash, a traditional technique for ancient

walls to help prevent condensation and damp. the guys are doing the first of five coats to the entire castle. the work was led by stephen, who couldn't reveal too much about the lime wash recipe. lime wash is basically lime putty, watered down and diluted to a milky consistency. i think there's about three pigments we've got in for the craigievar pink. i think there's some red, some ochre and some raw sienna, but i won't go into the details of it because that's top secret, the recipe for here! it's work on the outside that's protecting what's inside. craigievar is a treasure trove of impressive artefacts and decoration. and as this chapter in history comes to an end, a new one begins when the castle reopens to the public in the spring. ben philip, bbc news.

stay with us here on bbc news. hello. after a wild wednesday courtesy of storm gerrit, thursday a little bit quieter, but still a blustery day out there with a mixture of some sunshine, hazy in places, but also some showers, even some longer spells of rain. this is the area of low pressure, which is still with us and will be with us as we go through into friday, keeping the winds quite strong across the country, but shoving batches of showers across the uk. and through this afternoon there could be a longer spell of rain in a band which stretches through eastern scotland, moving away from northern england, north wales, through the midlands towards the south west. doesn't quite reach east anglia and the south east, and some longer

spells of rain and hill snow in the west of scotland. your wind gusts today 40, 50 miles an hour, maybe a little bit more, down on yesterday's values, but still a blustery day and still quite mild for late december — temperatures seven to around 13 degrees, of course tempered by that wind. this evening, east anglia, the south east, a batch of heavy rain for a time, that could linger in the channel islands through the night. and then another area of cloud, rain and hill snow pushes through scotland into parts of northern ireland and the far north of england as we head into friday morning. north of that, we'll see some wintry showers and the risk of some ice. so, the country into almost three tomorrow, one zone through parts of northern ireland and southern scotland, northern england, cloudy. outbreaks of rain on and off, some hill snow. to the south of it, hazy sunshine and blustery showers, most frequent in the west. to the north of that band, some more in the way of sunshine, but a few wintry showers. a colder feel here. temperatures only five or six degrees. frost then to take us through into saturday morning. but the next batch of wet and windy weather pushing its way in could cause some travel problems for the start of the weekend.

brief spell of snow in northern ireland and on the hills of northern england, quickly turning back to rain early in the day, but heavy rain across many areas, more snow across scotland, and more strong winds. the snow and the winds won't be quite as significant as they were with storm gerrit, but certainly through saturday, saturday night and into sunday, as this area of low pressure pushes its way eastwards, the winds will remain a keen feature, with gales in many places. sunday, at the moment, the winds lightest across parts of scotland, but more in the way of rain, sleet and snow in the north. and temperatures starting to drop as the winds go more into a north westerly direction. new year's eve itself, as the bells toll in 2024, could be driest across southern areas. and then, for the first week of 2024, it will start to feel a bit cooler again with a mixture of sunshine and potentially some wintry showers.

welcome back. now on bbc news: review 2023 — the royal year. a moment in history — the coronation of king charles iii.

god save the king! congregation: god save the king! cheering. across three days in may, the nation celebrated the newly crowned king and queen. at a star—studded concert, a poignant tribute from prince william. as my grandmother said when she was crowned, coronations are a declaration of our hopes for the future. and i know she's up there fondly keeping an eye on us. and she'll be a very proud mother. cheering. also this year, prince harry reveals family secrets in his bestselling memoir and in evidence as he takes on the british press. and digging deep on his first official royal engagement, five—year—old prince louis. crowd: god save the king!