this is bbc news. i'm ben brown. the headlines... the leader of the rmt rail unions has a deal to avert further strikes is achievable. members are in a fresh 48 hour walk out, leaving passengers frustrated. the? fresh 48 hour walk out, leaving passengers frustrated. they need to sit down and — passengers frustrated. they need to sit down and talk _ passengers frustrated. they need to sit down and talk to _ passengers frustrated. they need to sit down and talk to each _ passengers frustrated. they need to sit down and talk to each other, - passengers frustrated. they need to sit down and talk to each other, and i sit down and talk to each other, and stop being a pain to everybody else, basically. stop being a pain to everybody else, basicall . ., . ., . ., , basically. police and concertgoers clashin: at basically. police and concertgoers clashing at the — basically. police and concertgoers clashing at the brixton _ basically. police and concertgoers clashing at the brixton academy. | clashing at the brixton academy. three people are critically ill in hospital after a crush last night outside the concert in south london. lady susan hussey who repeatedly asked the black british charity boss and goes he flaws he where she was from during a roller reception has

apologised and person to her today. forced underground, ukraine suffers a wave of attacks from russia that target power and water supplies. more people are being taken to hospital in england with flu than covid, for the first time since the pandemic began.— covid, for the first time since the pandemic began. engine ignition, and left off. in pandemic began. engine ignition, and left off- in the — pandemic began. engine ignition, and left off. in the first _ pandemic began. engine ignition, and left off. in the first nasa _ left off. in the first nasa satellite _ left off. in the first nasa satellite the _ left off. in the first nasa satellite the study - left off. in the first nasa satellite the study earth | left off. in the first nasa - satellite the study earth water for the first time is successfully launched into space.

as members took part in a fresh 40 hour walk—out. services have been hit in england, scotland and wales, and only one in five trains expected to run today and tomorrow. there's more industrial action planned over the christmas holiday period, between 24—27 december, and then again in earlyjanuary. theo leggett reports. another day of quiet stations, empty platforms and crowded picket lines, as the latest 48—hour rail strike gets under way. some areas have no trains at all. in others, the service is limited and will finish much earlier than usual. for one tour business in blackpool, the walk—outs couldn't have come at a worse time. we've projected our finances for christmas based, on sort, of everything being fallen and planned on people coming down, which hopefully we can recreate and hopefully we can replenish. but you're never going to get the same level of income that was booked in. these strikes have been called by the rmt union, which is in a dispute with 14 train operating companies and network rail. it says its members need more pay so that they can cope

with the rising cost of living. but the industry's made it clear more money can only come alongside profound changes to working practices in order to modernise the railway. and the union says those changes are simply unacceptable. and there's more industrial action on the way. an overtime ban at 14 train companies from sunday is expected to cause cancellations on some routes. a strike at network rail will see services finish even earlier than usual, on christmas eve and resume late on the 27th of december. then, injanuary, yet more national walk—outs are planned. yesterday, some 2,500 workers at another rail union. the tssa did accept a pay offer from network rail. but for the moment, the rmt is holding firm. we've got concerns that the safety regime is being diluted, that our members work life balance, their conditions of employment are being adversely affected, so they can have change

and we accept that they want change and maybe there's a need for it, but it needs to be done on a negotiated, agreed basis rather than imposition, which is where we are at the moment. last night rmt leaders met with the rail minister, huw merriman and industry representatives and it now appears further negotiations are likely. i think most people recognise that in a situation where the industry's passenger numbers and revenue are still significantly below where we were in 2019, that there is a customer and a colleague benefit for those reforms to take place. travellers today suggested talks should be a priority. people have a right to strike. that's fine. but everyone needs to get around the table and talkl to each other to stop _ inconveniencing everyone else. i understand why they're doing it, but i think the timing, along with all the other strikes, is unnecessary.

they are trying to change all their rights and working practices, not just the financial implications. so i do understand why they've been pushed to strike. the rmt has called on the industry to act quickly and bring forward new proposals that it can put to its members. but any solution is likely to require compromises on both sides. theo leggett, bbc news. joining me now from paddington station, in west london is our correspondent sanchia berg. 0nce once the picture they are? well, as ou ma once the picture they are? well, as you may be — once the picture they are? well, as you may be able — once the picture they are? well, as you may be able to _ once the picture they are? well, as you may be able to see _ once the picture they are? well, as you may be able to see behind - once the picture they are? well, as you may be able to see behind me, | you may be able to see behind me, you may be able to see behind me, you can certainly see here, it does actually look fairly busy. people are filling the concourse, but that's really because there is a rush of last trains for the day between 5—6 p.m. when the whole service will end. and for long

distance trains to cardiff and the west country, they went a long time ago. and this is the new normal if you like in strike time, it will be the same tomorrow, and by and large people seem to have adjusted themselves to and build their plan around it. but of course not everyone can do that. for example, i spoke earlier to a woman who was sitting here shivering, waiting for her husband — he had just started a newjob in london, they live in bristol. so she had driven all the way from bristol to london first thing this morning, and she will be driving him back tonight because they couldn't actually change that, his first day in a newjob. so they'll be changing their arrangements, but by and large it seems that an awful lot of normal commuters have managed to adapt to strikes. . ~ commuters have managed to adapt to strikes. ., ~ , ., , . ., strikes. thank you very much for that.

nurses are warning they could announce new strike dates next month. rishi sunak has suggested that the government won't budge on its view that nurses should be paid what the independent review body recommended. let's listen to what the prime minister has said. the health secretary has always made clear, repeatedly and consistently, that his door is always open for talks. we want to be reasonable, we want to be constructive. that's the way that the government has gone about this. we've got enormous gratitude for all our public sector workers for the job they do. i know things are difficult right now, that is why the government is providing lots of support for people, particularly with energy bills, and it's why the government accepted in full the recommendations of an independent pay review body about what appropriate and fair pay levels were, but we will always have our door open and always be willing to sit down and be reasonable and constructive. let's speak to our political correspondent ben wright. some pressure on the prime minister

from some tory mps and even former tory ministers saying he needs to back down on the nurses? the tally of about four _ back down on the nurses? the tally of about four tory _ back down on the nurses? the tally of about four tory mps _ back down on the nurses? the tally of about four tory mps so - back down on the nurses? the tally of about four tory mps so far- back down on the nurses? the tally of about four tory mps so far have | of about four tory mps so far have said this issue of nurses pay does need to be looked at. and it's not good enoughjust need to be looked at. and it's not good enough just for the government to say that this is a settled issue, dealt with by the independent pay review body for the nhs back in the summer and there's nothing that can be done. steve brian, the tory chair of the health select committee, jake berry, the former chair of the party, have both said they're going back to the independent pay body review could be way of unlocking this dispute. but so far the government have shown no signs of wanting to do that. you heard the prime ministers saying the government's door is open, but on pay it seems firmly closed for now. they gave in their remit to the nhs pay review board a set of criteria that they asked them to adhere to, including the financial settlement for the nhs for this year. ministers

are quite clear they won't find any more money, eitherfrom more borrowing or raising taxes, to pay for increased salaries to nurses paid beyond what's already been given this year. so it's hard right now to see the government moving despite a little bit of pressure from some tory mps to do so. this whole wave — from some tory mps to do so. this whole wave of _ from some tory mps to do so. this whole wave of industrial action we are seeing across many sectors, the railway workers and nurses, even driving examiners and so on, whatever the rights and wrongs of the individual disputes, how much pressure doesn't put the government under to be facing all these strikes? i under to be facing all these strikes? ~' ., strikes? i think the longer the strikes? i think the longer the strikes go _ strikes? i think the longer the strikes go on, _ strikes? i think the longer the strikes go on, it _ strikes? i think the longer the strikes go on, it clearly - strikes? i think the longer the i strikes go on, it clearly increases the treacherous position the government could find itself in because people will start to experience, as they are already, disruption in a lot of their lives, from trains not arriving to an ambulance walk—out next week, as well as another day of industrial action by nurses which will see more

operations and procedures cancelled. the post, as we head up to christmas, the male may or may not arrive. so across public services, there will be disruption, and that is the point of these walk—outs. the government will be well aware of public opinion in all this, and it may well be different depending on which sector we're looking at. but right now it's overall message does not appear to be changing, which is that even though this is a time a very high inflation, the pay settlements being asked for by most of these unions, the government thinks they are simply unaffordable, which is why across the public sector and parts of the private sector, there's a stalemate, and it's hard to see it shifting anytime soon. the government is also talking about the possibility of bringing in new anti—strike legislation if the situation continues into the new year. situation continues into the new ear. �* ., , .

situation continues into the new ear. ., , . «r, year. ben, thanks very much. workers at amazon's — year. ben, thanks very much. workers at amazon's warehouse _ year. ben, thanks very much. workers at amazon's warehouse in _ year. ben, thanks very much. workers at amazon's warehouse in coventry . at amazon's warehouse in coventry have voted to go on strike in a new strike over pay. the gmb union says a majority of more than 98% of employees voted to strike on a turnout of more than 63%. it is thought to be the first time that amazon staff in the uk have taken formal industrial action. gmb says amazon can afford to do better and it's not too late to avoid the walk—outs next year. the mayor of london, sadiq khan, says an urgent investigation is under way after three people were critically injured during a crush last night at a concert at the brixton 02 academy, in south london. a performance by nigerian star asake had to be abandoned as people tried to force their way in. large crowds gathered around the venue with reports of people turning up without tickets. 0ur reporter nickjohnson is in brixton, and joins me now.

is it any clearer what went wrong? band, details are still very sketchy, some 20 hours on. you'll be able to see behind me that not much has changed since yesterday evening. the doors here are still closed. there's still a very large police court and in place, there's still a very large police courtand in place, and there's still a very large police court and in place, and that's because police said around 4000 people turned up here last night —— cordoned. some very much with tickets to see asake, we've heard a number of people say a large number of people turned out without tickets. the people with tickets were then let into the building — we have witness testimony that says then the security guards closed the doors, said the venue is at capacity, but there were a number of people outside, some still with tickets, that were trying to get in. that led to a pinch point where the doors were closed and people were trying to still get in. we had a crushing scenario with a pinch point, you might be able to see,

with steps going up to the front door. we've been hearing more this afternoon from the lambeth police commander, let's have a listen. police were called last night to brixton — police were called last night to brixton 02 academy at 9:30pm following reports of a large number of people _ following reports of a large number of people attempting to force entry into the _ of people attempting to force entry into the venue. officers attended, we found — into the venue. officers attended, we found a — into the venue. officers attended, we found a number of people with injuries— we found a number of people with injuries believed to be caused by crushing, — injuries believed to be caused by crushing, and some of the officers provided _ crushing, and some of the officers provided first aid and cpr to members of the public in order to save _ members of the public in order to save lives — members of the public in order to save lives. eight people were taken to hospital— save lives. eight people were taken to hospital with injuries believed to hospital with injuries believed to be _ to hospital with injuries believed to be caused by crushing, three are currently in — to be caused by crushing, three are currently in critical condition. our thoughts — currently in critical condition. our thoughts and prayers are with them and their_ thoughts and prayers are with them and their families. an urgent investigation is currently under way, _ investigation is currently under way, led by detectives from a specialist crime command, and cordons— specialist crime command, and cordons remain in place as you can see, _ cordons remain in place as you can see, and _ cordons remain in place as you can see, and officers continue to work

at the _ see, and officers continue to work at the scene and the location. . police have _ at the scene and the location. . police have acknowledged there's a huge amount of footage on social media last night, people here were filming what happened, and they say they want to speak as many of those 4000 people here as possible. they've also acknowledged that there was one video that appeared to show a police officer pushing a member of the public down the steps here. the borough commander said that is under review, and police saying that those people that took the footage, they want to speak to as many people here as possible. however, this is a major venue in south london, a venue thatis major venue in south london, a venue that is used to hosting thousands of people, residents are used to seeing people, residents are used to seeing people cue around the block. so this event has certainly shaken one of —— shaken the community. our event has certainly shaken one of -- shaken the community. our thoughts are with the — shaken the community. our thoughts are with the families _ shaken the community. our thoughts are with the families and _ shaken the community. our thoughts are with the families and victims. - are with the families and victims. i'd are with the families and victims. i'd also _ are with the families and victims. i'd also like — are with the families and victims. i'd also like to— are with the families and victims. i'd also like to take _ are with the families and victims. i'd also like to take the _ i'd also like to take the opportunity— i'd also like to take the opportunity to- i'd also like to take the opportunity to thank. i'd also like to take the i opportunity to thank the i'd also like to take the _ opportunity to thank the ambulance

service _ opportunity to thank the ambulance service for— opportunity to thank the ambulance service for the _ opportunity to thank the ambulance service for the care _ opportunity to thank the ambulance service for the care they— opportunity to thank the ambulance service for the care they gave - service for the care they gave victims — service for the care they gave victims on _ service for the care they gave victims on the _ service for the care they gave victims on the scene - service for the care they gave victims on the scene last - service for the care they gave i victims on the scene last night, which _ victims on the scene last night, which was — victims on the scene last night, which was essential— victims on the scene last night, which was essential to - victims on the scene last night, which was essential to get - victims on the scene last night, which was essential to get us . victims on the scene last night, | which was essential to get us to this point — which was essential to get us to this point we _ which was essential to get us to this point. we are _ which was essential to get us to this point. we are currently- this point. we are currently supporting _ this point. we are currently supporting the _ this point. we are currently supporting the met - this point. we are currently supporting the met police i this point. we are currently. supporting the met police and this point. we are currently- supporting the met police and their investigation, — supporting the met police and their investigation, we've _ supporting the met police and their investigation, we've got— supporting the met police and their investigation, we've got our- supporting the met police and their investigation, we've got our publici investigation, we've got our public protection — investigation, we've got our public protection officers _ investigation, we've got our public protection officers outdoing - protection officers outdoing community— protection officers outdoing community reassurance, i protection officers outdoing. community reassurance, and this is a specifically from _ community reassurance, and this is a specifically from the _ community reassurance, and this is a specifically from the community - community reassurance, and this is a specifically from the community — - specifically from the community — again. _ specifically from the community — again. i_ specifically from the community — again. icorne— specifically from the community — again, i come from _ specifically from the community — again, i come from the _ specifically from the community — again, i come from the same - again, i come from the same community— again, i come from the same community and _ again, i come from the same community and we _ again, i come from the same community and we have - again, i come from the samel community and we have gone again, i come from the same - community and we have gone through a lot of these _ community and we have gone through a lot of these things, _ community and we have gone through a lot of these things, and _ community and we have gone through a lot of these things, and we've _ community and we have gone through a lot of these things, and we've shown i lot of these things, and we've shown our constant — lot of these things, and we've shown our constant resilience. _ lot of these things, and we've shown our constant resilience. and - lot of these things, and we've shown our constant resilience. and this - lot of these things, and we've shown our constant resilience. and this is l our constant resilience. and this is a point _ our constant resilience. and this is a point again— our constant resilience. and this is a point again where _ our constant resilience. and this is a point again where we _ our constant resilience. and this is a point again where we have - our constant resilience. and this is a point again where we have to - our constant resilience. and this is l a point again where we have to come together— a point again where we have to come together and — a point again where we have to come together and pull— a point again where we have to come together and pull through _ a point again where we have to come together and pull through together. i together and pull through together. so for— together and pull through together. so for me _ together and pull through together. so for me again. _ together and pull through together. so for me again, i _ together and pull through together. so for me again, i want _ together and pull through together. so for me again, i want to- together and pull through together. so for me again, i want to say- so for me again, i want to say our thoughts — so for me again, i want to say our thoughts are _ so for me again, i want to say our thoughts are with _ so for me again, i want to say our thoughts are with the _ so for me again, i want to say our thoughts are with the families - so for me again, i want to say our| thoughts are with the families and we will— thoughts are with the families and we will await — thoughts are with the families and we will await the _ thoughts are with the families and we will await the outcome - thoughts are with the families and we will await the outcome of - thoughts are with the families and we will await the outcome of the i we will await the outcome of the investigation _ we will await the outcome of the investigation.— we will await the outcome of the investiuation. ~ �* ., ., , ., investigation. we've had a statement from asake. — investigation. we've had a statement from asake. the _ investigation. we've had a statement from asake, the singer _ investigation. we've had a statement from asake, the singer they - investigation. we've had a statement from asake, the singer they went - investigation. we've had a statement from asake, the singer they went to l from asake, the singer they went to see in concert, what's he had to say? see in concert, what's he had to sa ? �* , . ~ see in concert, what's he had to sa ? �* , ., ~' ., see in concert, what's he had to sa ? h ., ., ., say? he's taken a social media re say? he's taken a social media pretty quickly _ say? he's taken a social media pretty quickly this _ say? he's taken a social media pretty quickly this morning - say? he's taken a social media pretty quickly this morning to l say? he's taken a social media i pretty quickly this morning to say that he's thinking of the people involved, he wants to send his condolences, and he's praying for those that were involved last night. his show had to be abandoned halfway

through, this was the last of three sell—out shows here, and he's also made it clear in that statement that he is unaware of the academy — the academy has not made him aware of the incident last night. that makes one wonder if the academy was prepared for such incidents, and if the capacity reached... we are awaiting to hear from them. nick, thanks very _ awaiting to hear from them. nick, thanks very much. _ the headlines on bbc news... the leader of the rmt rail union says a deal to avert further strikes is achievable. members are taking part and a fresh 40 hour walk out. three people are still in critical condition in hospital after a crush outside a concert in south london. lady susan hussey, who repeatedly asked the black british charity boss ngozi fulani where she was really

from during a roller recession, has apologised to her in person today. —— during a royal reception. buckingham palace has confirmed that lady susan hussey has apologised in person to ngozi fulani, the head of charity sistah space, after the pair met today. lady susan resigned from her honorary role in the royal household, after it was alleged that she had repeatedly asked ms fulani where she was from during a reception at the palace. let's get more on this with our royal correspondent sarah campbell. she's been following the story for us. to be have any details of this meeting, where took place what was said —— do we have? meeting, where took place what was said -- do we have?— said -- do we have? there is a photograph — said -- do we have? there is a photograph that's _ said -- do we have? there is a photograph that's been - said -- do we have? there is a photograph that's been issued | photograph that's been issued showing lady susan hussey and ngozi fulani, the chief executive of sistah space, taking in the regency room of buckingham palace this morning, and there was a statement released by the palace over an hour

and a half ago, saying that the meeting was filled with warmth and understanding, lady susan offered her sincere apologies for the comments that were made and the distress they caused to ngozi fulani. just a bit of background about this, it all stemmed from a buckingham palace reception back on 29 november, hosted by the queen consort, it was highlighting the issue of gender—based domestic violence, and ngozi fulani, the chief executive of sistah space, was invited along to that reception. on arriving, just a few minutes after going in, she says she was approached by lady susan hussey. there was a minutes long exchange, according to ngozi fulani, where she was asked again and again where she was asked again and again where she was from. she said she was born in britain, and the questions kept coming, "where are you really from?" ngozi fulani was upset by this and tweeted the following day that she felt uncomfortable at the palace, and this created the issue very

quickly where a buckingham palace investigated and released a statement saying that lady susan hussey, who had been a lady in waiting to queen elizabeth for six decades, then moved on to have an honorary position of meet and greet at public events, has stepped down from her role and offered her profound apologies, but said at the time she would love to have a meeting in person to talk about those issues, and it appears that's what happened this morning. sarah, thank ou what happened this morning. sarah, thank you very _ what happened this morning. sarah, thank you very much _ what happened this morning. sarah, thank you very much indeed, - what happened this morning. sarah, thank you very much indeed, we - what happened this morning. sarah, thank you very much indeed, we will talk about it a bit more now. melissa sigodo is the community reporter at the daily mirror. i think you interviewed ngozi fulani the day she went public with what happened at that palace reception. what's your reaction to this meeting? there's a picture of both of them smiling, they seem to be smiling, and the apology has been made in person?—

smiling, and the apology has been made in person? from the statement that the palace _ made in person? from the statement that the palace and _ made in person? from the statement that the palace and ngozi _ made in person? from the statement that the palace and ngozi fulani - that the palace and ngozi fulani released, this would bring closure to them as they said neither party would be commenting any further. so it seems both the palace and ms fulani, this is the end of that sto . �* . �* , fulani, this is the end of that sto . �* ., �*, , , fulani, this is the end of that sto. story. and that's best for all arties story. and that's best for all parties concerned, - story. and that's best for all parties concerned, this - story. and that's best for all parties concerned, this was| story. and that's best for all| parties concerned, this was a story. and that's best for all - parties concerned, this was a real fear or, sparking a storm on social media —— for ray. and it sparked a national conversation? it media -- for ray. and it sparked a national conversation?— national conversation? it did, and unfortunately _ national conversation? it did, and unfortunately after _ national conversation? it did, and unfortunately after ngozi - national conversation? it did, and unfortunately after ngozi fulani i unfortunately after ngozi fulani spoke about the incident that happened, she suffered horrendous racist abuse on social media, which is something the palace is also acknowledged in their statement. and that led ms fulani herself to temporarily pause or charity over fears of her safety due to the racist abuse she received. she was really sad, and yes, we had a national conversation about racism, but from all that we saw, it was quite clear that racism is still a deep problem in this country. [30

quite clear that racism is still a deep problem in this country. do you think from the _ deep problem in this country. do you think from the royal— deep problem in this country. do you think from the royal family's - deep problem in this country. do you think from the royal family's point i think from the royalfamily�*s point of view, they wanted some closure on this, they wanted the apology in person and a picture to bring an end to the whole affair? brute person and a picture to bring an end to the whole affair?— to the whole affair? we won't really know what's — to the whole affair? we won't really know what's going _ to the whole affair? we won't really know what's going on _ know what's going on behind—the—scenes, anything at this point forward will just behind—the—scenes, anything at this point forward willjust be speculation. i think that ngozi fulani herself received this apology face—to—face with lady hussey. i had suggested that perhaps they should meet face—to—face and it's nice to see that that has happened, because i think there's a lot of shying away from addressing racism, whether that be in society or the royal family. so in this case, seeing them face—to—face together, perhaps there's hope that there can be a turning point. there's hope that there can be a turning point-— there's hope that there can be a turning point. there's hope that there can be a turnin: oint. . ., ., ,. ,, ., turning point. what do you think are the wider implications? _ turning point. what do you think are the wider implications? i _ turning point. what do you think are the wider implications? i mentioned it started something of a national conversation, but a lot of people do feel that they have been asked that

question in quite an offensive way quite often, about where you really from. , , ~ from. this is the thing, i think that's gotten _ from. this is the thing, i think that's gotten lost _ from. this is the thing, i think that's gotten lost in _ from. this is the thing, i think that's gotten lost in the - from. this is the thing, i think- that's gotten lost in the headlines. it wasn't only about asking the question of where you're from, it was the whole approach in the beginning, from the touching of ms fulani's hair, then approaching dust before even approaching and asking about her name. this changes the way ms fulani would've taken the question of where are you from. yes, people have been asked that question before— it's not about the person, it's how you ask it, and it's clear now because a lot of people disbelieved ngozi fulani and didn't truly believe she'd gone through what she said she did. we can see the palace has acknowledged that did happen and she was asked several times where she was from, which wasn't right. times where she was from, which wasn't right-—

times where she was from, which wasn't right. thank you very much for our wasn't right. thank you very much for your perspective _ wasn't right. thank you very much for your perspective on _ wasn't right. thank you very much for your perspective on all- wasn't right. thank you very much for your perspective on all that. i russia has launched a new wave of air strikes against civilian targets across ukraine. the country's energy grid has again been targeted with multiple power stations hit again. ukrainian officials say about 70 missiles were fired — 60 of which were intercepted by air defences. this is the capital, kyiv, you can see the aftermath of an explosion there. we undertand that at least three civilians have been killed there. this is the eastern city of kharkiv. according to the city's mayor, the entire city is without power — so more than a million people are without electricity in sub—zero temperatures. winter really biting there in ukraine at the moment. our correspondent hugo bachega has more from kyiv.

we saw that russia fired 76 missiles today, according to the ukrainians — 60 of those missiles were shot down by the country's air defence, but nine power stations were hit, and we now have emergency blackouts across the country. here in kyiv, parts of the country. here in kyiv, parts of the city are without water and heating, electricity. the city of kharkiv, the second largest city, is completely without power. and as you can see, it is raining and snowing, it is dark, it is cold — so obviously it is a very difficult situation for millions of people across the country. the ukrainians have been saying that russia is weapon icing winter with these attacks on the country's essential infrastructure, and the authorities have been telling people that winter will be extremely difficult because they say these attacks are unlikely to stop. they say this is how russia is responding to military setbacks

on the battlefield. but today, we saw multiple cities being targeted with power stations being the main target here in this russian offensive. the world's first satellite designed to comprehensively survey the earth's surface waters has blasted off from california on a spacex rocket. engine ignition. and liftoff of swot. the surface water and ocean topography satellite — or swot — should improve weather forecasting, help to manage freshwater supplies in regions suffering drought, and give us new insights on the consequences of climate change. here is nick everard, a senior hydrometric scientist, with the aims of this mission. we will hear from him we will hearfrom him a bit we will hear from him a bit later.

i'm joined now by the extragalactic astronomer and host of the awesome astronomy podcast, drjenifer millard. jennifer, thanks so much for being with us. tell us more about swot, why it's important at this time when we are worrying more and more about climate change, and the effect on ourseas climate change, and the effect on our seas and rising sea levels. you absolutely, it is the perfect time to launch a satellite like swot because it will give us the highest resolution data that we have about ocean levels. 50 resolution data that we have about ocean levels-— resolution data that we have about ocean levels. so sea levels and also the freshwater _ ocean levels. so sea levels and also the freshwater lakes _ ocean levels. so sea levels and also the freshwater lakes we _ ocean levels. so sea levels and also the freshwater lakes we have - the freshwater lakes we have scattered around our planet. and it will enable us to understand the impact of climate change on our oceans, but also how they interact with each other and flip the other way. water can absorb a lot of heat and carbon dioxide, as well, so you want to see how the two interact with each other. and swot will help us do this because every three weeks, it will complete a map of 90%

of our planet, so on a monthly basis we can see how ocean levels are changing, how the seasons affect things, as well. so yeah, it's a wonderful satellite and mission. i wonderful satellite and mission. i suppose the question is whether we do anything about the information it provides is another thing. but in a bit more detail, studying the areas of the world where sea levels are rising, there's too much water, if you like, and also where there's too little water and we have drought? exactly, one aspect is looking at how the sea levels are rising particularly in coastal regions, that's important for us to understand, especially with coastal regions where we might have flooding, so we know how we can help people best and make predictions, and try and mitigate any damage. but equally as you said, we want to see where water is absent where it wasn't before, where we are losing water supply, wasn't before, where we are losing watersupply, but wasn't before, where we are losing water supply, but maybe there are new water supplies popping up that we didn't know about. so we know

pretty well about the thousands of fresh water supplies, whereas this satellite will push that number into the millions. and that is so important because water is such a scarce resource and we really need to understand where our resources are as we move forward with climate change. it’s are as we move forward with climate chance. �*, ., change. it's so important, you wonder why — change. it's so important, you wonder why there _ change. it's so important, you wonder why there hasn't - change. it's so important, you wonder why there hasn't been | wonder why there hasn't been something like this in terms of a mission in the space. that something like this in terms of a mission in the space.— mission in the space. that is an interesting _ mission in the space. that is an interesting one, _ mission in the space. that is an interesting one, missions - mission in the space. that is an interesting one, missions like l mission in the space. that is an i interesting one, missions like this are decades in development. this one is a collaboration between france, the uk, canada, and there's been cooperation of us and france working on these climate monitoring systems. sometimes it's all about the politics and lining up with what science wants to do. as much of science wants to do. as much of science would love to be independent of politics, that's not how the world works. so you need all three to align, and it seems that they've aligned right now. julia;

to align, and it seems that they've aligned right now.— aligned right now. jolly good, thanks so _ aligned right now. jolly good, thanks so much. _ aligned right now. jolly good, thanks so much. let's - aligned right now. jolly good, thanks so much. let's go - aligned right now. jolly good, | thanks so much. let's go back aligned right now. jolly good, i thanks so much. let's go back to ukraine, some 70 missiles fired altogether, about 60 of them intercepted, but the second city of kharkiv is now completely without power as a result of the attacks on civilian and researcher in ukraine at a time when winter is biting. the ukrainian mp lesia vasylenko joins us now. thanks so much for being with us on bbc news once again, good to see you. how bad have these attacks today been and how widespread? brute today been and how widespread? - had 60 missiles launched from russian territories essentially, 40 of them were directed at targets in kyiv, 37 were shot down. these targets are generally critical

energy infrastructure with russia still attempting to cause severe damage to the energy system of ukraine, making cities unlivable, and making life in winterfor millions of ukrainians a complete misery. today between 40—50% of ukraine's energy infrastructure is down, meaning power cuts which can last up to several days, there's no water or heating and people's homes. today's attacks on kyiv have resulted in people essentially being deprived of electricity for hours, and some still don't have a steady water supply. and some still don't have a steady water supply-— and some still don't have a steady water supply. you've been checking on family and _ water supply. you've been checking on family and friends, _ water supply. you've been checking on family and friends, what - water supply. you've been checking on family and friends, what have i water supply. you've been checking | on family and friends, what have you found out, what are they saying? well, the morning started as if it was a thunderstorm. one of my friends has reported, and this is

what she had to explain to her baby boy, saying, "don't be scared, there's nothing wrong, this isjust standard," when in reality the air defence system was going off and shooting down russian drones and missiles that were flying over kyiv. in the reports are that for hours were spent by most people in the subways where the metro was not working today, because the subway stations across kyiv were used as bomb shelters. and people eventually got back into their homes — again, they were experiencing all the beauty of the aftermath of these attacks, which means that in a lot of homes, the radiators were cold, there was no light, no connectivity, no internet essentially, an internet was extremely slow today across ukraine. �* �* , , was extremely slow today across

ukraine. �* �*, , . ., ., ukraine. and it's very clear what the russian _ ukraine. and it's very clear what the russian aim _ ukraine. and it's very clear what the russian aim is _ ukraine. and it's very clear what the russian aim is here, - ukraine. and it's very clear what the russian aim is here, to i the russian aim is here, to demoralise the ukrainian people, the civilian population, to make them suffer as much as possible throughout the cold winter and lower their morale. will it work in that sense? is the spirit of the ukrainian people in fighting this war in any way diminished? i think we might�*ve lost you, can you still hear us? we might've lost you, can you still hear us? , ., i. hear us? yes, i can hear you, i'm with you- — hear us? yes, i can hear you, i'm with you- it's _ hear us? yes, i can hear you, i'm with you. it's exactly _ hear us? yes, i can hear you, i'm with you. it's exactly that - hear us? yes, i can hear you, i'm with you. it's exactly that and it l with you. it's exactly that and it still is, the russian strategy to demoralise the population of ukraine, to break the spirit, so to speak, in the hope that the people will come to their senses, as the russians say, and start pushing and putting pressure on the government and the president to come to the negotiation table. all of this is russian fantasies. this is something that's not about to happen, it will never happen, because we understand

well enough that the kind of life that we are forced to have right now was a very cold and dark winter with our families was a very cold and dark winter with ourfamilies being in peril constantly — this is just a taste of what life will be like under russian occupation and under russian rule for ukrainians. just occupation and under russian rule for ukrainians.— for ukrainians. just finally, tell us what's _ for ukrainians. just finally, tell us what's happening _ for ukrainians. just finally, tell us what's happening with i for ukrainians. just finally, tell us what's happening with the l for ukrainians. just finally, tell. us what's happening with the war for ukrainians. just finally, tell- us what's happening with the war now we are in deep winter, it's extreme the cold as we can see— is the war frozen, or the front lines frozen in terms of offensive and counter offensives?— offensives? no, the fighting is coin: offensives? no, the fighting is going on. _ offensives? no, the fighting is going on. the _ offensives? no, the fighting is going on, the counter- offensives? no, the fighting is l going on, the counter offensives offensives? no, the fighting is i going on, the counter offensives are happening as we speak. we hope there will be more counterattacks as the ground freezes, and that's set to happen over the coming weeks. our army is not wasting any minutes to fight back and push the russian army back. and with the winter being cold

and long, and dark, i think that for us, the key is to maintain the unity and solidarity of support for ukraine, and also pull on all the countries and cities across the world on 21 december, which will be the longest, darkest day of the year, to dedicate an hour to ukraine. so from 8pm to 9pm we ask everyone to switch off their christmas decorations and lights, maybe even switch off the power, the electricity, the heat in your home and sit for one hour with your thoughts and reflections on ukraine and on the lives of ukrainians this christmas. this is a silent act of solidarity, but it will show unity around ukraine and bring your thoughts to many ukrainians, io thoughts to many ukrainians, 10 million ukrainians who are forced to spend christmas this year without

any decorations or presence, in the cold and dark.— cold and dark. very good to talk to ou, cold and dark. very good to talk to you. thank— cold and dark. very good to talk to you. thank you _ cold and dark. very good to talk to you, thank you so _ cold and dark. very good to talk to you, thank you so much _ cold and dark. very good to talk to you, thank you so much for your i cold and dark. very good to talk to i you, thank you so much for your time once again, talking to us from ukraine. now it's time for a look at the weather with elizabeth rizzini. hello there, good evening. change is on its way, with some milder air moving in from the west over the weekend, but for tonight, it's still bitterly cold. still some hill snow possible across scotland, a few centimetres of snow maybe for the pennines, a wintry mix to many of the showers — but the clearest skies, the lowest temperatures, again, southeast england and east anglia, lows here of —8 celsius. now, tomorrow, the south—westerly winds starts to pick up. there will be some showers for western areas of wales from the northwest of england moving southwards into the midlands, perhaps. maybe i—2 showers for northern ireland, but generally dry, some sunny spells, especially for southeast england and for northeast scotland, too. temperatures starting to creep up

into mid—single figures as our weather front approaches from the southwest. that'll eventually bring us some milder air, but still very cold out towards the east — there'll be some rain, some sleet, some snow, especially over the high ground, and the risk of some very icy surfaces. now all the support for you now. now all the support for you now. paul scott has all of that phrase on the bbc sport centre. the world couple almost over, looking forward to the big final. 12 years in the making to hesitate? the 2022 world cup final is less than 48 hours away. france and argentina meet on sunday afternoon. before that though is the third place play—off as croatia and morocco go head—to—head tomorrow. the moroccans have already made history, by becoming the first african nation to reach the semi—finals. the two sides drew 0—0 in the group, but morocco are determined to finish their campaign on a high.

i think it is a good match to play because we can and number one in the world, something that's never happened for moroccan team. after the last to france, of course, we are disappointed, like i said, we played good. we reach the semifinals of the world cup, so after the game, a day later, we can be happy and proud. meanwhile fifa president gianni infantino says nothing has been decided when it comes to the format of the next world cup in 2026. the tournament in the usa, canada and mexico will be expanded to 48 teams. it had been suggested there will be 16 groups of three teams, but infantino says they may need to �*revisit�* those plans. the groups of four have been absolutely incredible in the sense that until the last minutes of the last match, we would not know who goes ahead. i think we have to be

present or at least re—discuss the formats, whether we go in rows of three or 12 groups of four. this is something that will certainly be on the agenda in the next meetings. wales manager rob page says he has "mixed emotions" about his team's performance in qatar. wales were competing in their first world cup finals since 1958, but picked up only one point from their three matches. page admits his side were not at their best. we've got that little bit of disappointment. i can't fly. i think the levels — disappointment. i can't fly. i think the levels of performance that we showed _ the levels of performance that we showed in — the levels of performance that we showed in the nation's league against — showed in the nation's league against thailand, against belgium, i thought— against thailand, against belgium, i thought we fell below that, and i think— thought we fell below that, and i think if— thought we fell below that, and i think if we would have met the standards against the usa, which we did second _ standards against the usa, which we did second half, and certainly against — did second half, and certainly against england in the first half i thought— against england in the first half i thought we were very good and gifted then. thought we were very good and gifted then he _ thought we were very good and gifted then. he start the second half when you get— then. he start the second half when you get the — then. he start the second half when you get the team that two goals,

there _ you get the team that two goals, there is— you get the team that two goals, there is only going to be one outcome, _ there is only going to be one outcome, unfortunately. away from qatar and leg—spinner rehan ahmed is poised to become the youngest man to play test cricket for england, after being handed a debut in the third test against pakistan, which starts tomorrow. the 18—year—old breaks the record of legendary yorkshire batter brian close, which has stood since 1949. ahmed and wicketkeeper ben foakes come into the side in karachi, in place of pace—bowler james anderson and all—rounder willjacks. england have an unassailable 2—0 lead in the 3—match series. a bit of history elsewhere in the big bash as the sydney thunder set a rather unwanted record — they were bowled out forjust15 runs, by the adelaide strikers in 35 deliveries. england's alex hales was one of five thunder players to score a duck, while brendan doggett top scored with a just four runs. three—time snooker world champion mark williams has become the oldest player to make a competitive 147 break. williams was having a dismal time

of it against neil robertson and was three frames to nil down in their english open quarterfinal, when he found form. the 47—year—old celebrated the third maximum break of his career, it wasn't enough though to stop him losing the match, he went down 5—3. ahead of the new tennis season emma radacanu has appointed another new coach — she'll start 2023 working with sebastian sachs. last year's us open winner will get guidance from the man who helped belinda bencic to olympic gold in 2021. the german has also worked with two—time grand slam champion viktoria azarenka as part of her team. that's all the sport for now. pain, back to you. paul, thank you very much indeed. let's get more now on our top story the rail strikes affecting services in england, scotland and wales. as we've been hearing, only one in five trains are expected

to run today and tomorrow and there's more industrial action planned over the christmas holiday period and in early january. people and businesses across the country are being affected by the strikes. let's speak to terry george who's the owner of bar fibre and viaduct showbar in leeds. terry, good to see you and thank you very much indeed for being with us. i guess for business owners like you can it's really tough having doctor covan and all the nightmare of the pandemic, and now you are struggling with this. ., , , ., with this. yeah, it is 'ust not will be expected h with this. yeah, it is 'ust not will be expeeted at _ with this. yeah, it is 'ust not will be expected at all. i i with this. yeah, it isjust not willl be expected at all. i didn't expect to be sapped talking to you in a car right now either because the traffic is bedlam where i am, it's at a standstill. that's a testament as to what the train strike is causing. we have had people cancelling coming to parties this evening and throughout the weekend as well, and it's just what we don't need to come after the

pandemic and still playing catch up, it's one thing after the other. and what i'm finding, you want to support people with industrial action to try to help them get but they want in terms of pay, just leaves a bitter taste in your mouth so close to christmas when we are trying to come up people are trying to enjoy themselves and we are trying to keep business going after such a bad time at the pandemic. is such a bad time at the pandemic. is christmas coming for people like you in the hospitality industry but also for the whole retail industry, it is such an important time, isn't it? well, this is our busiest weekend of the year called black friday, and we expect to have the busiest night tonight and followed by tomorrow. a peoples plans have just gone to pot, basically. so it's really going to affect us and it's so frustrating because we are trying to put a brave face on it but it is difficult when it is really affecting business again. it is really affecting business aaain. ., ., ., ,, ., it is really affecting business aain. ., ., ., ~' ., a, again. you are talking about your attitude to _ again. you are talking about your attitude to the _ again. you are talking about your attitude to the strikes. _ again. you are talking about your attitude to the strikes. to -

again. you are talking about your attitude to the strikes. to the i again. you are talking about your| attitude to the strikes. to the rail workers from the rmt and so on. are you better about their industrial action? or do you sympathise, do you understand what they are doing by walking out again?— walking out again? well, i have emath walking out again? well, i have empathy with — walking out again? well, i have empathy with people _ walking out again? well, i have empathy with people that i walking out again? well, i have empathy with people that are i walking out again? well, i have | empathy with people that are on strike. i'd be understand the reasons and what people tell us because we know lots of people who work on the railways, a lot of them are our customers. quite hard to support them when we have problems of affecting our business. it of a selfish to it when it affects us head on without our business, but trying to spin your head around and see what people are doing it for, but we have a big catch up to do after the pandemic. so supporting it is one thing, but feeling the pain from it is something totally different. i feeling the pain from it is something totally different. i think if they were _ something totally different. i think if they were part — something totally different. i think if they were part of _ something totally different. i think if they were part of this _ if they were part of this conversation, the union would say it is the train company's fault and its network rail�*s fault and the government's fault. he talked about bouncing back. do you think 2023 is

going to be a better year and a bigger yearfor you in going to be a better year and a bigger year for you in terms of business?— bigger year for you in terms of business? ~ , , ., business? well, it seems that there is no end to — business? well, it seems that there is no end to the _ business? well, it seems that there is no end to the strikes _ business? well, it seems that there is no end to the strikes can - business? well, it seems that there is no end to the strikes can it's i is no end to the strikes can it's notjust is no end to the strikes can it's not just the is no end to the strikes can it's notjust the railway people on strike. all across the whole industry seems to have massive effect, and we would never imagine that come christmas we have been suffering with business because of rail strikes and things that we haven't even seen. it is hard to get threats coming hoping that 2023 is going to be a bumpy yearfor us, then i remember talking about bills going up and everything else, so we got to try to keep them smiling, keep ourfingers got to try to keep them smiling, keep our fingers crossed and hope that things will get better in the new year because if we don't have that positive attitude, what can we have? ., ~' , , that positive attitude, what can we have? ., ~ , , ., that positive attitude, what can we have? ., ~ ,, ., ~ , have? you keep smiling and you keep those fingers — have? you keep smiling and you keep those fingers crossed. _ have? you keep smiling and you keep those fingers crossed. thank - have? you keep smiling and you keep those fingers crossed. thank you i those fingers crossed. thank you very much. thanks for talking to us from your car on what looks like a very cold night air. terry george there. thank you so plus. workers at amazon's warehouse

in coventry warehouse have voted to strike in the new year in a dispute over pay. that's according to the latest official fairs, that's according to the latest officialfairs, sales that's according to the latest official fairs, sales volumes dropped 0.4% in november. a much weakerfigure than dropped 0.4% in november. a much weaker figure than expected. shop is remaining under pressure from the rising cost of living. retail expert clare bailey told us more about why the disappointing black friday figures are so important. well, it's very important because a kick starts the christmas shopping season, and especially now when people are trying to manage their spending in a more planned and organised manner, being able to get deals before christmas so you can buy some of your gifts in advance rather than having that last—minute rush and not being sure if there will be stock or if the prices will be there. that does help and has helped people in recent years. i think it also helps with a sense of remorse when you find out on boxing day that the item you bought on the last week has dropped by 50% in the

sales. so it does help with those sort of things, but i think going back to these figures, what's important is this is sales volume. we are in a time of inflation, the sales value has gone up. so what the data actually tells us as we are buying less for more money. which, of course, is basically the definition or the consequence of inflation on consumers. so even though we spent a little bit more, we tried to rein it in in terms of the volume of products we were buying to manage our budgets in order to make sure that we didn't get ourselves into hot water on the other side of christmas.— get ourselves into hot water on the other side of christmas. now, we've 'ust not other side of christmas. now, we've just got some _ other side of christmas. now, we've just got some figures _ other side of christmas. now, we've just got some figures and _ other side of christmas. now, we've just got some figures and on - other side of christmas. now, we've just got some figures and on the i just got some figures and on the industrial action by nurses, just indicating how much disruption that has caused coming into us from our health reporter, laura foster. more than 3200 appointments and surgeries postponed, that is just in northern ireland yesterday because of the nurses strike. members of the royal couege nurses strike. members of the royal college of nursing union taking part in that 12 hour walk out in their dispute over pay. now, figures for

england and wales have not yet been published, but in northern ireland, more than 3000 appointments and surgeries where done yesterday. since the first time since the pandemic began, more people have been taken to hospital in england with flu than with covid. both illnesses are increasing at the moment but the rate of flu admissions is now higher than in any week during the previous four winters. earlier my colleague ben boulos spoke to professor kamila hawthorn who's chair of the royal college of gps and asked her why there are so many cases of flu. with regards to the flu incident rising so rapidly come at the world couege rising so rapidly come at the world college of gps, we have a fantastic database of information that comes in from hundreds of practices. —— royal college of gps. the research and surveillance centre, and it is showing the rapid rise in flu just

over the last couple of weeks. normally, we expect to see a lot of flu between christmas and new year, but for the last two years, because of cold dead, we have seen far fewer cases as people where socially isolated, notjust of the cases as people where socially isolated, not just of the flu cases as people where socially isolated, notjust of the flu but really of all respiratory illnesses that are transmitted through sneezing and close contact with each other. j sneezing and close contact with each other. , ., , ., ~' other. i 'ust wonder, when you think about other. ijust wonder, when you think about flu and — other. ijust wonder, when you think about flu and cold, _ other. ijust wonder, when you think about flu and cold, there _ other. ijust wonder, when you think about flu and cold, there is - other. ijust wonder, when you think about flu and cold, there is almost l about flu and cold, there is almost a sense of, you know, you are on public transport, you are mixing with people, you almost feel that if enough people have it, it is inevitable you will catch it. is there is anything we learn from the pandemic that we can apply that would perhaps minimise the severity or the numbers of people who are catching these viruses? yes. or the numbers of people who are catching these viruses? yes, because flu and other— catching these viruses? yes, because flu and other respiratory _ catching these viruses? yes, because flu and other respiratory viruses i flu and other respiratory viruses are caught in very much the same way that covid is caught, so it is really the same guidance, it is using those hand gels to keep your

hands as clean as possible, washing hands as clean as possible, washing hands regularly, using tissues, sneezing and handkerchiefs or tissues and not coughing into people's faces because that is how these things are transmitted. brute people's faces because that is how these things are transmitted. we are still uuite these things are transmitted. we are still quite early _ these things are transmitted. we are still quite early in _ these things are transmitted. we are still quite early in the _ these things are transmitted. we are still quite early in the winter - still quite early in the winter season, how concerned are you and other medical leaders about the pressure that the nhs we are seeing double the number of people per day that we would normally see on call, for example, a doctor is seeing close on 70—80 people a day, and that really is

almost undoable, it is a very heavy workload day after day.— almost undoable, it is a very heavy workload day after day. some more news on the — workload day after day. some more news on the transport _ workload day after day. some more news on the transport situation i workload day after day. some more news on the transport situation in l news on the transport situation in the wake of all the industrial action we are seeing at the moment, this is from euro star saying they will not operate on 26 december, boxing day. euro stars say they've been informed that the uk high—speed line will be closed to the euro star trains on boxing day because of rmt strike action. while no staff are actually on strike themselves on 26 december, euro star services cannot run to and from sam pancras if the uk high—speed line is closed. in the cheap off —— chief operations officer at euro star has said we understand our customers's disappointment. we will do all we can to give passengers more flexibility. the actor kevin spacey is to face

a further seven charges at his forthcoming trial in london for a series of alleged sexual offences. the actor appeared briefly by video link from the middle east at a hearing at westminster magistrates' court. our arts correspondent david sillito has more. these seven charges were brought after a review of evidence by the crown prosecution service, they are all being brought by one man, allegations of indecent assault, sexual assault and causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent. they are all alleged to have taken place between 2001 and 2004. kevin spacey is also facing five other charges brought by three other men, all of these will be tried at crown court injune of next year. kevin spacey spoke briefly to confirm his name, birth and address. he was speaking from the middle east, via video link. but we understand he will be appearing in person

for a preliminary hearing which will be taking place in january of next year. two endangered red panda cubs have been found dead at safari park in wiltshire. suspected hypothermia combined with the weaning process. despite the part providing initial food, shelter and bedding, the cubs were still dependent on their mother. red panda cubs have a high mortality rate apparently with around 20% surviving to adulthood in the wild. could face it's been nearly 60 years since jfk has could face it's been nearly 60 years sincejfk has been shot in dallas commanders and think of the circumstances surrounding his assassination been the subject of endless conspiracy theories thousands of documents have been released to the public for the first

time ., .,, .,, , time from dallas texas, president kennedy died _ time from dallas texas, president kennedy died at _ time from dallas texas, president kennedy died at 1pm _ time from dallas texas, president kennedy died at 1pm central i time from dallas texas, president i kennedy died at 1pm central standard time. 59 kennedy died at 1pm central standard time. ' , . , kennedy died at 1pm central standard time. ' , ., ., , . time. 59 years ago, president jfk was shot as _ time. 59 years ago, president jfk was shot as he _ time. 59 years ago, president jfk was shot as he rode _ time. 59 years ago, president jfk was shot as he rode his _ time. 59 years ago, president jfk was shot as he rode his killer i was shot as he rode his killer was lee harvey oswald, former us marine who never stood trial because he too was shot and killed in police custody. an investigation —— sunak an investigation concluded that oswald had acted alone. but the circumstances surrounding this pivotal moment in us history have never been fully explained to the satisfaction of millions of americans. president biden believes all information relating to president kennedy's assassination should be released to the greatest extent possible, consistent with, again, national security. the documents reveal new details about the investigation, including what the authorities knew about the movements of lee harvey oswald in the weeks

before the assassination. there are bits and pieces that are fascinating. we've just come across one just a few minutes ago that shows us something we'd never seen before. lee harvey oswald went to mexico cityjust a few weeks before he assassinated president kennedy, and it wasn't a travel visit. he was seeing the cuban embassy and the russian embassy. he was seeing the cuban embassy and the russian embassy. he was trying to get a visa to cuba and/or russia. historians are poring over the details, but there are no bombshells, no smoking guns to support the many conspiracy theories that, for decades, have swirled around the case. and some of the documents are still being withheld from the public. the cia says it's to protect intelligence sources and methods. the president of the united states is dead. they include records from as late as the 1990s, suggesting the agency

was still pursuing the case decades later. polls suggest most americans don't believe official accounts of the president's assassination, and the release of these documents will do nothing to change the public scepticism about how john f kennedy died. peter bowes, bbc news. faux leather were forecast coming her way and just a minute, but let's take a look at the picture in scotland where snow has been falling heavily. our scotland correspondent, lorna gordon, reports. wintry conditions and difficulties on the roads. a blast of snow after the prolonged low temperatures has meant that in some areas, traffic ground to a halt. some chose to work from home for the day. for others, this wasn't an option. i have just checked the e—mails, that's why i stopped, there is quite a few staff not going to be able to make

it in so i know it is going to be a busy day. from minor roads to some of the main routes, the disruption has been widespread. police have warned people to take care if they have to head out. in shetland, around 1600 properties remain without power for a fifth day after heavy snow brought downl ines. engineers say it might take the weekend to restore electricity to all. a team of volunteers spent the pitch ahead of tomorrow's game for peterhead fc. in the worst—affected areas, schools have been shut. some for the entire week. and what are you going to do for the rest of the day? probably go sledging. it is the best thing to do, in my opinion, maybe do some home—schooling, revision for the tests, because i need to do that. luckily we are working from home today and the kids have got a home from school, but my daughter is going to france tonight, but i don't know whether it is going to be cancelled, which is a shame.

school is off but it's very cold, so, rugby has been cancelled i for the last few games, and training is off. i what are you making of the roads today? i didn't quite realise what sort of carnage it was going to be. picture postcard pretty and fun for some but after days of freezing temperatures, many will be hoping warmer weather is on the way. lorna gordon, bbc news. is warmer weather on the way? lets find out from elizabeth. hello there. change is on its way as we head through the weekend, with some milder air pushing in from the west. but today, bitterly cold again with some more snow around, especially in scotland. here's st andrews, as recorded by a weather watcher. further south and east, lots of blue sky and sunshine, but even here, temperatures didn't make it out of low single figures yet again. so this weekend it will be turning milder, but there's some more snow in the forecast, and very icy conditions around, as well. this is the radar picture showing us

the snowfall from earlier on today — so you can see across the higher ground of scotland, still continuing, to lower levels, turning back to rain, but still the possibility of some more hill snow here overnight tonight, and also a few centimetres possible for the pennines too. a bit of a wintry mix in some of these showers out towards the west. clearest of the skies tonight again for east anglia, the southeast of england. temperatures here could drop as low as perhaps —7—8 celsius. but there's more of a south—westerly breeze, and that should help to keep any freezing fog at bay. still, these showers across western areas of wales, a line of showers just drifting southwards into the midlands, and again, a bit more hill snow across scotland. northern ireland on saturday should see a largely dry day, the chance of 1—2 showers out towards the west, and temperatures starting to creep up into mid—single figures for many as our weather front approaches from the southwest, and we've got the milder air tied in with this wind and rain. so the milder air — represented by the yellow here — will gradually squeeze out that

colder air, but it will still linger on towards eastern areas, even into the end of the day on sunday. some really hazardous driving conditions on sunday — if you are travelling then, do take care. the risk of some freezing rain and an awful lot of ice, as well. some of this rain, particularly on the leading edge, is likely to fall as snow as it bumps into the colder air — that's especially true over the higher ground, of course, but it's gradually pushing its way eastward, subzero temperatures on the ground. so as the rain hits it, it will freeze, some slippery surfaces around, and these are the temperatures by the end of the day on sunday — look at devon and cornwall, 10—12 celsius. and these will be the temperatures with that mild air pretty much across the board on monday morning. so a lot milder as we start off next week, and the mild air looks as if it's set to last. still some uncertainty, so keep an eye on the forecast.

today at 6pm... when will the misery end for travellers? another 48 hour strike for rail workers it's the network card. only one in five trains are said to be running, as workers take part in strike action in a dispute over pay and conditions. they need to sit down and talk to each other and stop being a pain to everyone else, basically. the each other and stop being a pain to everyone else, basically.— everyone else, basically. the rail union says _ everyone else, basically. the rail union says a _ everyone else, basically. the rail union says a deal _ everyone else, basically. the rail union says a deal is _ everyone else, basically. the rail union says a deal is achievable. l everyone else, basically. the rail. union says a deal is achievable. we will have the latest. also on the programme... three people are in hospital in a serious condition after being crushed at a concert in london. an apology at the palace... lady susan hussey says sorry to charity boss ngozi fulani for questions she asked about where she came from.