triggered by antarctic air. many people have been out enjoying the rare event despite strong winds — and heavy snow. phil mercer sent this report. a rare antarctic blast has turned parts of south—eastern australia white. blizzards have brought chaos to some roads and the icy cold front has sent temperatures plummeting way below average. towns to the west of sydney in the blue mountains have been blanketed by late winter snowfall. a few months ago, the region was battling bushfires but this has been a treat for locals and visitors. it's brilliant, especially for the kids and other people that can't get to the snow or those that don't quite have the funds on the finance for the snow, this is absolutely brilliant for them. up to a metre of snow has fallen elsewhere in the state of new south

wales. the wintry blast has hit victoria and wildlife has had to contend with the icy conditions. but there are fears that trees and power lines could collapse under its weight. forecasters have said this is a one in a 15—year weather event. australia is a land of extremes. snow falls on its mountains every year, but the amount varies. want to have a taste? no. the complex slope pressure system that brought this wintry spectacle is expected to ease. a world away up in the tropics, the temperature in the city of darwin on sunday will reach 3a celsius. phil mercer, bbc news, sydney. now it's time for a look at the weather with ben. hello. there are still a few to few days of august remaining but as far

as the weather is concerned, it will feel like autumn has arrived early at times this week. more wind and rain to come, particularly around tuesday and wednesday, it will turn cooler later in the week as well. some showers in the forecast later today and most will ease tonight although some will return to south west england and parts of wales and some of these could be on the heavy side. a mild night in the south but cooler further north, some spots in scotla nd cooler further north, some spots in scotland out in the countryside could get down to two or three degrees. a cool start in the northern half of the uk, one or two showers here, but a lot of dry weather and this cluster of showers will run across the midlands, east anglia and the south—east before clearing away and many places will be dry into monday afternoon. the small chance of catching a shower, temperatures between 16 to 20 degrees and then we get to tuesday, a deep area of low pressure bringing heavy rain and some unseasonably strong winds.

hello this is bbc news. the headlines. pupils should go back to school after the summer holidays — england's chief medical officer seeks to reassure parents as millions of children prepare to return to the classroom. many more are likely to be harmed by not going, than harmed by going, even during this pandemic. 0pposition protesters in belarus gather for another demonstration in minsk — two weeks after president lukashenko‘s disputed election victory. president trump declares california's wildfires a major disaster — releasing federal funds to victims who've lost their homes. snow in south—east australia — the unseasonal weather's been triggered by antarctic air. now on bbc news, it's the travel show and rajan datar completes his journey down

the longest river within the balkans — the sava. he follows its route to bosnia and herzegovina, then east into serbia. i'm on a voyage through the heart of the balkans, exploring the places that have grown up along the route of the river sava. it's a journey through four countries that just over 25 years ago were at war. my trip started at the source in slovenia and continued through to the wetlands of croatia. watch out! this week, i'll be following the river to bosnia and herzegovina, and then east into serbia. i'm meeting those who live along the river banks who want to move on from the conflicts of the ‘90s and show us what their part

of the world is really like. the cascading waterfalls and historic cities of bosnia and herzegovina, now gaining more international attention. and here in gradiska in the north of the country, the river sava is on the tourist agenda too. it's here that the river takes on a new and important role as an internationally recognised border. because over there is croatia, and on this side of the river is bosnia and herzegovina, where i'll be continuing my journey. it's a far cry from the beleaguered war—torn image some might have

of bosnia and herzegovina. during the 1990s, the river here was the scene of some of the fiercest inter—ethnic fighting... sparked by the break—up of yugoslavia. but today, the people who live here are recognising the river's potential. during the war, the river was a physical barrier, separating opposing sides.

attitudes towards the river might have changed since the war, but the natural environment is still feeling the effects. landmines and munitions were used extensively in the sava basin, which not only proved to be deadly, but also polluted the water and the problem has been compounded by industrial waste. but this group of young people are determined that their natural heritage will not be placed in any further jeopardy. there are people who think it's a war still in our country, but it's not. it's finished. thank you. when we were at war, or after the war, older generations didn't have time to think about nature, but now it has ended and i am the new generation that came with that sense that we need to help our nature, so that

that same nature can help us. why is it important for you that the nature around here is protected 7 we have an unused nature that tourists can... the potential. yes, potential that tourists can help us with that, because we need money. so tourism could be the answer to unemployment amongst young people? yes, of course. like everywhere. how bad is unemployment? ah, very bad. so tourism may save that? yes. i think it's the only choice we have. just outside gradiska, on the flood plains of the sava, is the wetland. it's been recognised as an area of international importance because it supports a range of endangered species. but it's also under threat as some of the lakes have been drained and ploughed overforfarmland.

it's an issue the collective want to bring worldwide attention to by holding a music festival here. mirko was one of the djs. what is it about the land here that worries you, and what's happening to it? the thing that worries me is it will all disappear, all the lake — it was 11, now it's only two. la kes ? yeah. so tell me then — what is so special about this area that makes you and your friends want to come here and relax? nature, nature, especially nature because it is breathtaking. when you look at the sunrise and everything, it's beautiful. so we wanted to check, let's do a festival. maybe someone will, with the money, come and say, "stop that." more than 500 people from across the region came to the festival, and the eco—collective plan to hold more events

here in the future. some people might say, how is playing music with a dj sound system helping the nature? because that's in right now. the festivals are in. but i suppose what i'm saying is people might comejust for the party, 0k. they go, yeah, great party! and they might go, not even knowing... when they come, when they see this beautiful place, they will stay. we are campaigning for saving this land. that is all. just the two. and the eco—collective aren't the only ones hoping to encourage people to visit this region. i'm heading through lush countryside to meet a man who wants to link up the whole of the sava route by bike. what is your grand plan for the whole stretch of this river? well, the grand plan is actually to connect first, to connect people along the sava river.

it's connecting a few important cities. well, once you know sava river was a war line, we want to change this, to become more or less like a lifeline. he thinks the plan could unite all four countries with a common purpose, and he cycled the entire 850—kilometre route with his team to show it can be done. there are hurdles to overcome, like areas with undetonated landmines. but he says if the route succeeds, the rewards will be immense. this is just one of the answers that really could help people to think about a mutual future, not divided future. we finish our cycle ride in riverside city of brcko. brcko‘s position on the river

near the croatian and serbian borders means it's been strategically important for centuries. its location also made it a huge sticking point in the 1995 peace talks that sought to end bosnia and herzegovina's ethnic conflict by setting up two political entities within the country — one representing bosnian muslims and croats, the other, serbs. no—one could agree which region brcko should be part of — the federation of bosnia and herzegovina or the serb republic. and so, they made a decision. it would be neither. brcko‘s been called europe's only free city. in official terms, it is a semi—autonomous district with its own multi—ethnic government and education system. but achieving harmony hasn't been straightforward. for example, the local assembly couldn't agree on a shared memorial for those killed in the country's war.

so they built three. brcko is a fascinating place to visit. it's been called a microcosm of the country as a whole because here you can experience the culture of all the different groups that make up this complex nation. and that diversity is reflected in the music too. singing this band specialise in performing folk songs from all the ethnic backgrounds that make up brcko. clapping really, really good. fantastic. how do you do?

thank you so much. that was brilliant. and tonight, i'm joining the band. can i ask you, first of all — how much of the music that you play is a combination of all the different cultures that are in this district? singing of course, no—one‘s pretending that brcko is a utopia. it has a fiendishly complicated government structure and there is lingering resentment about which community effectively has the most power. but on nights like this, harmony reigns. singing all of us are mixed.

there are serbians, croatians, bosnians. we are all the same. i don't even remember if someone is that way or this way or anything. it doesn't feel... the atmosphere is very nice. and life goes on, and music goes on. yes. absolutely. well, in that case, shall we have a go? not good. power! wow! that's such a nice feeling! clapping next on myjourney, i'm heading east along the sava route to serbia. my endpoint will be the country's biggest city, and its grand capital, belgrade. but first, it's the city of sremska mitrovica on the river's northern bank.

now, on the face of it, this city centre is much like any other in serbia, but what's intriguing and surprising is that beneath my feet, beneath these streets are the ruins of a former capital of the roman empire. it was called sirmium then. the romans chose this spot because of its location on the sava. the word ‘sirmium' means flowing water. most of the roman city, including a hippodrome, still lies beneath a modern metropolis, but some remains, like this huge imperial palace complex, have been excavated. it was 1957 when the workers starting to make an apartment building and then these walls appeared.

some historians think as many as 18 roman emperors were born in the territory of modern—day serbia, and that five of those were born here in sirmium itself. it's a heritage this archaeologist thinks is little known outside of the balkans, largely due to the period in the late ‘90s when serbia was seen by some as a political pariah because of the conflict in kosovo. do you think people are surprised that serbia had such a roman history? ah, i think that it is not so much known, and for a long time, we were isolated and we did a lot during that time, according to the protection of archaeological heritage. and the archaeologists want the world to know about the incredible remains they found here. they're using new 3—d reconstruction techniques

so that people can digitally explore what parts of this ancient city might have looked like. these things which connect people, like roman heritage, like these things which are similar and central to all of us, which makes us a part of europe. and this is ourjoint past. and sirmium's incredible history isn'tjust linking present—day sremska mitrovica with the rest of europe, it's bringing the region global attention. beneath this field just outside the city is a roman palace. australian archaeologists from the university of sydney have joined with serbian colleagues to start the mammoth task of excavation. stefan is one of the people coordinating the dig. potentially, we are excavating

the palace of roman emperor maximianus herculius and if it turns out to be emperor maximianus herculius, it definitely is one of the most exciting finds in the world of european roman archaeology. the plan is to excavate the palace and find out more. but it's going to take years. anything i can help with here? anything i can do? yes. you may, in fact, you may use this thing. what does this do? shall i show you? yeah. it sprays the water, so you can clean the mosaic stones. incredible. this is really pleasurable to literally uncover and expose works of building and art that, you know, were literally thousands of years old.

incredible. and thousands of years ago, the romans continued down the river to build the ancient city of singidunum — known today as serbia's capital belgrade. this is belgrade‘s most famous landmark, its fortress, the scene of many a battle during the last 2,000 years. and if you look over here, you can see exactly why. it's where our companion for the last 900km, the river sava, meets the danube, making it the most strategic point on our entire journey. but today, the fortress grounds are the venue for more peaceful, if still fiercely contested, combat. and today, for some premier league stars. lazar. how are you doing?

hi. now, you guys are professionals, but what you're playing is a different kind of basketball, right? it's street basketball? yeah, street basketball. it looks like basketball, but it's a completely different sport, you know? how is it different? it's different because you play in half a court, you play with a smaller ball, and play three on three. 0k. you get 12 seconds to try and score and after each goal, the opposing team drives the ball out beyond the arc on the court and begins their attack. and i show them how it's done. 0h! well done! i've got a height disadvantage, but it doesn't mean i'm worse because i can nip through underneath — well, that's the theory, anyway. serbia is ranked number one in the world at the sport, which has just been added to the line—up for the 2020 olympic games in tokyo.

and if you want to catch a match at this venue, the season runs from august untiljune and you can buy tickets at the courts. yes! come on! the fortress grounds date back through two millennia of military history, but also bear witness to the more recent turbulence in serbia. this weaponry was used against nato air forces in the war over kosovan independence in 1999. there's evidence, too, in the city centre of buildings bombed in that same conflict. but the capital is not the war—ravaged, depressed city that some people might expect it to be. in fact, belgrade has picked up quite a reputation for its hedonistic night life and cafe—lined boulevards. the centre is a blend of neo—renaissance architecture intermingled with the brutalist blocks built when this was yugoslavia's capital.

but perhaps the most distinctive features of the city are these things — floating jetties called splavs — that sit along the banks of the sava. dina tells me how important the river is to the city. i think it looks more like the riviera than a river. well, yeah. basically, i mean, given that belgrade is in this amazing geographical place, like, on the confluence of the sava and danube, like, two great european rivers, this city basically lives by the river. dina works at a pioneering cultural centre in the artistic riverside neighbourhood of savamala, and feels the creative side of the city is often underestimated. i think, it's in my opinion, i believe that the stereotype surrounding belgrade kind of moves between two bipolar stereotypes. the first one, i would say,

is the old type of belgrade and serbia being this war—stricken country. and the other is that belgrade is basically this new berlin, eastern berlin after the cold war, so kind of like the newly found utopia for the all clubbers. and honestly, i don't think that belgrade kind of applies to either of those. because the city is specific in its own way. dina hopes the city can start to shake the perception held by some in the international community that belgrade, and serbia as a whole, are intolerant to minorities. we do have this legacy of retrograde attitudes towards minorities but we must all keep in mind that all those things were in the past. in recent years, we have had successful gay prides in belgrade — although with huge support from police security — but comparing to

the first years of organising gay pride, when it was almost impossible to imagine that it would be held, the things have changed a lot. and the face of the city is changing too. 3 billion euros have been pumped into regenerating belgrade‘s waterfront. it's a project that's been controversial with some locals, but that it's hoped will bring investment and tourism to the capital. it's clear that whatever the future holds for belgrade, the river will still be at its very heart. and so, my near—1,000km voyage down the river sava, through the balkans, is complete. and what a trip it's been. sings in serbian.

i've seen how the river has been a crucial artery stretching all the way back to roman times. and how, more recently, it was the backdrop to some of the most brutal fighting of the 1990s. both sing in serbian. for me, it's been truly incredible to see how the river is now helping to heal the wounds of that conflict. and let's hope it continues to make new friends out of old enemies. both sing in serbian.

hello there. we are moving into the last full week of august and i think at times it is going to feel as if autumn has arrived early. we are going to have another bout of wind and rain as we head through this week. and it is going to turn cooler as well. to the rest of today, temperatures generally in the mid to high teens, to the low 20s in the south. a mix of sunshine and showers and then through tonight, many of those showers will fade. a few will linger and a few more heavy ones will push back into the south west and parts of wales by the end of the night. mild in the south, 13, 1a degrees, but a very chilly night across northern ireland, the far north of england and particularly scotland. some sheltered glens could get down to two or three degrees. so, a cool start to tomorrow across the northern half of the uk,

but will will see a decent amount of sunshine. further south, this little cluster of showers will be pushing its way east across parts of the south midlands, into east anglia, the south—east, before clearing away and then a lot of dry weather through the day, with some spells of sunshine, just one or two showers, but those temperatures none too impressive for this time of year, 15—20 . and then we get to tuesday and this is our bout of very wet and windy weather, a deep area of low pressure, pushing its way in. some heavy rain driving northwards and then getting stuck across parts of northern ireland, northern england and southern scotland. some very persistent rain here. some really strong winds, especially for central and southern parts with gusts of up to a0 or 50 are maybe 60 mph in the most exposed places and look at the temperatures. just 12 degrees in aberdeen, may be getting up degrees in aberdeen, may be getting up into the 20s for southern england and south wales. now that deep area of low pressure will slide away during tuesday night, still plenty

of white lines, plenty of isobars squeezing together on the charts for wednesday morning, a windy start down the east coast, but wednesday is coming down day. the winds will ease and we will see dry weather and spells of sunshine, maybe one or two showers, 22 degrees in london, most places between 1a and 19 degrees. thursday and friday will bring some rain at times, but the big thing into the weekend will be the temperatures. they will be dropping away, nowhere likely to get to 20 degrees by day and by night, many of us degrees by day and by night, many of us down into single digits and that will only add to the autumnal feel.

this is bbc news with the latest headlines at 2pm. as more pupils prepare to return to the classroom — england's chief medical officer says the risk to schoolchildren from coronavirus is low. many more are likely to be harmed by not going, than harmed by going, even during this pandemic. 0pposition protesters in belarus hold a big demonstration in minsk, two weeks after president lukashenko‘s disputed election victory. president trump declares california's wildfires a major disaster — releasing federal funds to victims who've lost their homes. but there's snow in south—east australia —