“p we will pick those temperatures up for you, initially across some parts of the british isles. further north, we get round about seven or 8 degrees. more on the bbc were the website. this is bbc news. the headlines at seven. thousands of homes are without power in parts of wales and england as the uk struggles with the bitter winter conditions. that's my car there, so that's not going anywhere and then all the local trains and buses are cancelled, people are just going around on sledges on the main road yesterday. several flood warnings have been issued for parts of england due to high tides and strong winds. further travel disruption is expected. three men have been charged with manslaughter and arson over an explosion in leicester, which left five people dead and a number of people injured. the prime minister has helped bring together remain and leave supporters — according to the health secretary, jeremy hunt. video assistant referees are set to be used at this year's world cup in russia after football's lawmakers voted to approve the technology. and liverpool can go second in the premier league —

if they beat newcastle at anfield tonight — we'll have that, and the rest of the day's sport in sportsday at half past seven. good evening and welcome to bbc news. thousands of homes are still without electricity, and motorists and rail passengers face continuing disruption, as the uk struggles with the bitter weather. snow drifts are blocking some major roads and many rural communities remain cut off. as temperatures begin to rise — easing problems in some areas — there's a new threat of flooding, with severe warnings in place in parts of north—east and south west england. dan johnson reports. at least manchester and leeds were

reconnected this morning when pm 62 reopened. lots of other roads over these hills are still blocked, though. it has been incredible, never said anything like it, we have had dressed around where we live, ca i’s had dressed around where we live, cars getting stuck, including police ca i’s cars getting stuck, including police cars and so on. the ice roads of the north pennines. this lane leading to the tiny village of bewcastle's been blocked since wednesday. this morning, local farmers cleared the snow. you never see a gritter out here, never. people here are feeling a bit forgotten. i rang the highways department yesterday morning asking them to send out some assistance as our tractor was stuck in a neighbour's. and they said there's no way anybody was going to be out our way. i think it's absolutely disgusting. right across the north, there's still plenty of snow to clear. we don't want any more, but, you know, it is what it is and we can cope with it.

when you see the amount of snow here you get an idea of what this community has had to endure this week. this is not the only village that has been cut off. high tides and flooding are now a risk. this is dawlish on the south—west coast. and look what the trains have to plough through in scotland. we are actually hopeful of a near normal service tomorrow, which will set everything of people going back to work on monday morning. very hopeful we can provide a really good service come monday. hundreds of homes across wales were without power. leaking boilers have only added to the misery. bedding is damaged, the bed itself is gone, soaking wet, the carpet such rated. soaking wet, the carpet saturated. some supermarkets are running short after the beast from the east, the hysteria from siberia. there are signs of warmer climes back in bewcastle. the long, slow thaw might have started, that doesn't mean the problems are over. an operation‘s underway

tonight to reach people at lynton in north devon, who've been completely cut off by huge snowdrifts. devon county council's warning of "treacherous" conditions on many roads on exmoor and dartmoor. meanwhile there are also nine flood alerts in place across devon and cornwall. andy birkett reports. unless you have got one of these, you're not going anywhere. while much of the south west returns to normality, lynton remains cut off. this is a399, ten miles away, deep snow here means the roads are impassable. drifts come to the top of the telegraph poles. it has been a lock in with a difference for this pub owner. he has not had a delivery here since wednesday. this is the main road. it goes from lynton on to the moors and up the top there, you can see the sheep in the field. there is grass they can get

to but in other places where the snow has drifted, there is no chance for them at all. efforts are being made to clear the road in and out of the town but it is not expected to happen before midnight. we hope to be able to get in there but there are a lot of snowdrifts, some of them up to 12 foot deep and the snow blowers and snowploughs, it is a horrendous task and it is very treacherous conditions they are working in. while some areas have thawed out, north devon is not the only place where the roads are blocked. this isjust outside plymouth. at least you can see the car there. near okehampton, this vehicle is not quite so easy to spot. here on exmoor, you canjust about get directions still. the roads are not the only problem. for many, the biggest issue is dealing with power cuts and a lack of water. more than 700 homes were still without electricity a while ago and many households are still without water.

the low temperatures and the thawing process from the snow has resulted in a large break—out of bursts and leaks and we are struggling to keep pace with the sheer demand for water for our customers and we have had quite a few problems with customers having leaks and bursts on their own pipes as well. water was also the problem on the rail line at dawlish but today the train lines in and out of the region was restored, as were flights from exeter airport. some of the heaviest snow of the last week has been in scotland. our correspondent catriona renton has the latest from glasgow. it has been far from a normal saturday here in glasgow, places have felt a lot quieter than normal but things are starting to get back on track. we were out glasgow central rail station earlier today

and many services throughout the day came back on stream and scotrail say that they are hopeful they will have a normal service tomorrow which bodes well for the bonding morning commute. the west coast main line between scotland and england, they had hoped that trains would be running on that this afternoon but they have been fighting a battle with drifting snow and when the plough managed to move it, it came back on the line and they were starting again. hopefully that will be sorted soon. the airports have been open, passenger still advised to check with their airline, because there are still cancellations and delays. with the amount of disruption that there has been, you would expect that. on the roads, the main arterial routes are doing well, the problem is untreated side roads where the snow —— snow is

compounding and it is becoming i. underfoot and in the car, treacherous on some of the side roads and the advice is to make sure you are safe and check carefully before heading out. we have seen some tremendous community spirit and let me tell you the story of an elderly couple in the borders. their house was surrounded by about 12 feet of snow, but they were dug out by some police officers and the mountain rescue team and we hear that they are safe and well. earlier, our wales correspondent tomos morgan gave us this update. it's been snowing on and off all morning but now the rain has begun, it's getting slightly warmer but it is around freezing point here. this road actually is quite clear, one of the better roads in cardiff. but the majority of the suburban areas and residential streets are still covered with snow. we were out earlier on and the community were shovelling up the streets so they could get their cars out finally after this winter spell. the transport across wales has come to a standstill over the past few days, cardiff airport completely

closed yesterday. it has reopened but because of the cancellation of flights yesterday there has been a knock—on effect into today. trains are still disrupted to some degree across the country and there are still some roads, some main roads that are shut across wales, mostly in the northern areas. around 400 homes without power in north wales. scottishpower is looking to get the power back on by tea—time. the yellow warning that had been due to come to an end here in wales for ice was supposed to come to an end at ”pm but it has been extended into tomorrow, around midday tomorrow in wales. up

up to 80 boats were sunk or damaged in the storm. one boat owner told us how badly damaged his vessel was. in the storm. one boat owner told us how badly damaged his vessel wasm is really depressing. the boat has gone completely. big holes at the bottom of it. what comes in and out. nothing we can do. it is gone. delayed train passengers were able to leave a train and walked down tracks in south—east london last night. services through the lewisham we re night. services through the lewisham were held up after i sits affected power supplies. this led to frustrated passengers jumping from a train after pressing an emergency alarm and walking to the nearest platform. you can keep up to date with the weather and travel situation wherever you are, by visiting the bbc news live page, that's at bbc.co.uk/news. you can also get live updates on the bbc news channel and your local radio station. three men have been charged with manslaughter and arson over

an explosion in leicester, which left five people dead and a number of people injured. the victims included three members of the same family, who died when the shop and flat were destroyed last weekend. reports from syria suggest government forces have gained more ground in an assault on the rebel—held area of eastern ghouta, near the capital damascus. once again, no aid was delivered during the daily five—hour humanitarian ceasefire in eastern ghouta — and no civilians mad it out. president assad's ally russia says rebels have prevented civilians from leaving. the rebels deny this. the health secretary, jeremy hunt, has said the prime minister's brexit offer showed that it is possible to get "frictionless" trade with the european union while leaving the single market and the customs union. theresa may's speech, which she made in london yesterday, has largely been welcomed by leave and remain supporters in the conservative party. mr hunt said the prime minister's vision should please all shades of opinion: the prime minister, and i think this

is why this speech has worked in terms of bringing people together, is very honest about that. she said... everyone is going to have to compromise, everyone will find something the can nit pick on. but in reality, for people who are passionate about brexit this is a package which gives the british parliament control over the destiny of the british people and therefore restores democratic control. for the people on the remain side one of the biggest worries is that we would lose that close business relationship with the eu, and here you've got a vision that which goes as far as becoming as associate member of european agencies and potentially becoming subject to some ecj rules in those areas. the co—leader of the green party, caroline lucas, has called brexit a ‘crisis‘ which risks peace in northern ireland... speaking at the party's spring conference, the brighton mp described the government's approach to brexit negotiations as "reckless".

lets not forget that the eu was originally a peace project. forged in the wake of the destruction and devastation of the second world war. rising from the rubble left by bombs and armies. the principles that nations that share resources will prioritise piece above water. and, conference, the cause of peace is at sta ke conference, the cause of peace is at stake again today. the way this government is playing politics with peace in northern ireland is reckless and indefensible and our message to theresa may is theirs, sacrificing the good friday agreement on the altar of an extreme brexit is nothing short of criminal and it must not be allowed to happen! cheering and applause. and we have another message today, one we have

a lwa ys another message today, one we have always proudly and uniquely championed. that free movement is good for our country. applause. we go that free movement goesin applause. we go that free movement goes in two directions and the right to study and travel and live and love in 27 other countries is a precious gift and we will stand up for it and stand up against those who will stoke racism and prejudice. how else to defend the nhs other than by defending freedom of movement? since the referendum, the number of nurses coming to work in the nhs from the eu has dropped by nearly 90%. the british medical association estimates that one fifth of eu doctors, currently in the nhs, will now leave as a direct result of the prospect of brexit. brexit is not just a political the prospect of brexit. brexit is notjust a political crisis unfolding in the corridors of westminster, it is happening in our hospital wards, in our university

lecturer theatres, in the fields where are food grows and all of our workplaces. and for young people, in particular, who overwhelmingly supported remain, tory brexit is an unforgivable act of intergenerational theft by a conservative government that has lost its moral compass and we will oppose it every step of the way. the headlines on bbc news: at least iii—hundred homes in parts of wales and england are without power — as the uk continues to struggle with the bitter winter conditions. several flood warnings have been issued for parts of england due to high tides and strong winds. continued disruption is expected on roads and railways. three men have been charged with manslaughter and arson over an explosion in leicester, which left five people dead and a number of people injured. the trial use of the video technology to assist football

referees is proving controversial in the english game. now football ‘s lawmakers have approved it shoes and it is said to be used in the world cup in russia. the system allows referees to review key moments during a match such as goals and penalty calls but critics say it is slowing down the action and ruining the game. as richard conway reports. from diego maradona's hand of god to injustice in the biggest games. football has long opposed technology to help officials make the important decisions. but after an historic vote, all that has changed. video assistant referees or var, as it's known, finally given the go—ahead. var is good for football, it's good for refereeing. it brings more fairness in the game. and for these reasons we have decided to approve. var will be used to correct errors relating to goals, penalties, straight red cards and mistaken identity. nearly 1000 games have formed part of a two year var experiment. tottenham's match against

rochdale last week was included in the trial but was criticised given lengthy delays while the referee reviewed incidents. leading to claims technology is killing the atmosphere and pace of the match. the holy grail of football is the world cup, surely if it's not good enough for the fa cup we can't we let out into the most prestigious tournament we have every four years. but one of the architects of the new system told me there is evidence video assistant is working. on clear error situations, the accuracy of the referee decisions went from, initially, 93% up to around 99%. of course there are grey areas where an incident could be a penalty, could not be a penalty, and they will always remain grey areas. football's leaders want to eliminate game changing mistakes.

as the video trial has shown, anyone who thinks technology will stop controversy may want to think again. richard conway, bbc news. scientists are testing new technology which could lead to the early detection of oesophageal cancer. it's one of the deadliest forms of the disease, claiming around 8,000 lives each year in the uk. our science correspondent richard westcott reports. right now this is how you find one of britain's deadliest cancers. oesophageal cancer kills 2! people a day because it is so difficult to spot. using a camera with a normal white light on the end, the doctor's looking at the dark red patch. these physicists already use different coloured lasers to study electrons. now they are adapting the technique to look for early signs of disease. what happens is the tissue becomes cancerous is we get a change in the chemical composition, and different chemicals have different colours, meaning that if we look at the cancer with a technique that allows us to capture information

from all of the different colours of light that are being reflected, we can get a fuller picture of the disease state that is present. and this is how it might look. two thirds of our patients present with a cancer that is already spreading to the lymph glands, and after that it can go to distant organs like the liver. if we treat a cancer at that point at which it is still within the tissue of the tissue itself and has not spread anywhere, we can remove it all and cure it. that is is that what happened to jackie. they caught her disease in time, and now she is fine. i knew there was something wrong. people should not have heartburn for 20 odd years, actually it was 30 years. they will start trials of the new camera on patients in the next few weeks. if successful, it could also be used to spot other cancers before they become fatal. richard westcott, bbc news.

the international monetary fund has joined global condemnation of resident troubles plans to impose ta riffs resident troubles plans to impose tariffs on steel and aluminium. it says the move will hurt other companies and also the united states. stock market have fallen since the announcement —— global condemnation of president trump. steel is essential to america's economy. but inside the us for many years, it has been an industry in decline. president trump blames cheap imports. however, his solution of new tariffs has sparked fears of a trade war and led to increasingly heated language from many of america's trading partners, including china, mexico and canada. we are impressing upon the american administration, the unacceptable nature of these proposals that are going to hurt them every bit as much as they will hurt us and we are confident that we are going to continue to be able to defend canadian industry.

the president announced his plan for 25% tariffs for steel and 10% for aluminium at a meeting with industry executives but it came as a surprise to many. apparently, including some inside the white house where details of the policy are still being worked out. many companies who rely on imported metal, as well as some of the president's own republican supporters, are worried about the potential impact on the us economy, particularly with the growing threats of international retaliation. european leaders made a point of singling out the most american of products. translation: we will impose tariffs on harley—davidson, on bourbon, on bluejeans, levis blue jeans. this is, well, highly regrettable. we are not en route to start trade wars. we would like to have a reasonable relationship with the united states of america but we cannot simply bury our head in the sand. president trump himself doesn't seem worried, tweeting, trade wars are good and easy to win. words probably not intended

for the international community, but instead communities in the former industrial heartland of the us where some old steel mills lie derelict. it was here president trump found huge support with his america first message. however, it's the modern supply steel that worries many businesses here as well as abroad. they are concerned. their costs will rise with tariffs and that could prove to be the hard truth of this protectionist policy. chris buckler, bbc news, washington. more now on the severe weather that has been battering the uk and it is sporting fixtures that have borne the brunt of the continuing cold temperatures. in the face of having their team's irish cup quarterfinal called off, fans took matters into their own hands. they worked late into the night at glen fc to clear

the pitch of snow. declan harvey reports. frozen ground forced some of the bigger stadiums in northern ireland to turn fans away but here at glenavon, a community army has done everything they can to get the pitch in shape. loyal to the end, they rallied to the rescue when their match looked in doubt yesterday evening. the boys have been here from last night, some into the early hours of this morning, clearing the pitch. i turned up this morning to give them a hand. the referee has given us another hour to see if the pitch is playable and hopefully we'll get the match going. at 11 o'clock it was covered with si'iow. at 11 o'clock it was covered with snow. up to our knees in parts. we left here at three o'clock this morning. the body language from some of the officials, it is not looking great at the moment, but you can see the effort has gone in. shovelling

snow is one thing, getting the ground to defrost is another. with no expensive equipment, they used car engines. backbreaking work for young and old. good family club and everyone is sticking together to try and get things to go ahead. an agonising second pitch inspection is completed with a thumbs up. cheering and applause. from both clubs point of view, whether other games being called off, none of the other teams playing today, it could be good financially for both teams as well which is important. testament goes to the community and all the supporters who have come along and helped. football is a funny old game. the home side later lost 2—1 and were knocked out of the cup. hardly seems fair after all

that effort. over the last few days we have produce stories about some of the heroes who have been helping the country through the severe weather. our reporter has been on the streets of bristol meeting the wardens who have been keeping people safe in the snow. we have cleared along here. we better get some great. their mission is to make our streets safer. these are the communities no wardens. let's get on with it. i like being part of the community and it feels that it is something that people appreciate. people are saying thank you. something that people appreciate. people are saying thank youm something that people appreciate. people are saying thank you. it is nice. trained by bristol city council in how to keep themselves safe and how to clear put —— footpaths for their neighbours, there has not been a great need for their services in recent years. this is the first time you have used it in anger. the first serious time. why do you do it? we live in a hilly area and bristol, if there is still an difficulty moving around, the problem is ours. since it is our

problem, we need to solve it ourselves. i happen to think the communities are as important as families. in a way, you have always got your community, you might not always have your family. as vehicles slip and slide their way along the streets, most people here have opted to travel on foot. so, queer pavements are much appreciated. to travel on foot. so, queer pavements are much appreciatedm we query at first, it will be easiest —— so clear pavements. we query at first, it will be easiest -- so clear pavements. many of us rarely see this in the uk. it is wide enough for a pram. for annie, visiting from the ukraine, this is a busman ‘s holiday. annie, visiting from the ukraine, this is a busman 's holidaylj annie, visiting from the ukraine, this is a busman 's holiday. i live in the ukraine. it was about —14 when i left. yes, slightly chilly over there. it is quite funny coming back and having this here in the uk. only around half a mile away from

the centre of bristol, but as you can see, lots of these roads are still covered in snow and when you think about it, it does not matter how good a job is done clearing our motorways and clearing our main rows, if you cannot get out of your front door, what is the point and thatis front door, what is the point and that is where this is no wardens come in. as much as their efforts are appreciated, a thought would make life in the city much easier. until that happens, these volunteers will be out in force and thankfully, in both senses of the word, there is plenty of grit. john maguire, bbc news, bristol. it is notjust the uk in the grip of the severe weather that has blown in from the used. sub—zero temperatures are affecting swathes of europe. these pictures from the netherlands show people making the most of the bitter cold snap. they are ice—skating on

ca nals cold snap. they are ice—skating on canals that have frozen solid in amsterdam. the dutch media is calling the wintry weather the siberian bearer. probably something very unpronounceable though if it is in dutch. phil probably knows how to say it. very envious of anyone who can go on a piece of ice without falling over and losing body parts. that is a long story and we will move on. good evening. there is a wintry flavour to proceedings in the short—term but in the week ahead, thankfully, don't try skating on anything because the thaw is on the way. there is a little bit of intensity about some rain and sleet and still moving its way out of oxfordshire at the moment. it will drift further north through the course of the night into some pretty cold air. still some wintering is about proceedings of the north, first signs of something miser has already tapped into the very far but if you're on the move,

first up, it would pay you to think about ice on untreated surfaces in the north of the british isles. watery rather than wintry showers in the south west. drifting east across england with some intensity. further north on the hills, there is still the prospect of wintering is about proceedings across the east. top temperature of the day, eight or 9 degrees. this is bbc news, our latest headlines: weather warnings for snow and icy roads remain in place across much of the uk, thousands of homes are without power. several flood warnings have been issued for parts of england, due to high tides and strong winds. motorists and rail passengers have been told to expect continued disruption on roads and railways. three men have been charged with manslaughter and arson over an explosion in leicester, which left five people dead and a number of people injured. the prime minister has helped bring together remain and leave supporters, according to the health secretaryjeremy hunt. video assistant referees are set to be used at this year's world cup in russia after football's lawmakers voted to approve the technology. now on bbc news, sportsday. hello and welcome

to sportsday, with me hugh ferris