this is bbc news, i'm geeta guru—murthy. the headlines at two... british gas owner centrica reports record profits, earning £35 billion compared to less than a billion the year before. after the resignation of nicola sturgeon, senior snp officials prepare to meet to discuss the timetable for a leadership contest. the shadow home secretary says that the actions of lancashire police were "very unusual" after the force disclosed that missing mum nicola bulley suffered "some significant issues with alcohol". nato's secretary—general visits turkey to express support following the devastating earthquakes. and the research that says antarctic glaciers are more sensitive to sea temperature changes than previously thought. what is sea level going

to be like in ten years? this glacier is the place to be. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. the energy company centrica, which owns british gas, police in lancashire. .. police in lancashire... the family have said believe that focus has become distracted. that is a statement through lancashire police but statement from the family of nicola bulley after initially a

press conference yesterday more information today about nicola bulley and her history. there has been so much speculation and concern about what the police have said in the last 24—hour is. the about what the police have said in the last 24-hour is.— about what the police have said in the last 24-hour is. the police gave a statement — the last 24-hour is. the police gave a statement yesterday _ the last 24-hour is. the police gave a statement yesterday afternoon i the last 24-hour is. the police gave a statement yesterday afternoon in | a statement yesterday afternoon in which they referred to specific vulnerabilities surrounding nicola which led them to classify her as a high—risk person, no one knew what that meant or what it was referring to, a few hours later lancashire police gave clarification of that in an open public press release they issued just before 6pm yesterday in which they refer to alcohol use and various other issues about her. in the last few minutes lancashire police have issued a tweet that says

their sole focus remains finding nicola and supporting herfamily, then goes to say the family has asked us to issue a statement, i read as much of it as i can... we as a family believe the public focus has become distracted from finding her and more about speculation and rumours into her private life. we were aware that lancashire police released a statement with personal details. although we know that nikki would not have wanted this, there are people out there threatening to sell stories about her, this is appalling and needs to stop. the police know the truth about her and the public needs to focus and find her. due to the perimenopause nikki suffered with significant side effects such as rain fog and restless sleep, this was giving her intense headaches, and that is the statement that has come from lancashire police in the last few minutes, it comes on the back of criticism about the way they handled

that release of information, and they had been talking... when they talked to the media, they gave out an awful lot of public information, some of the criticisms of that has been quite damning, for instance, the chief crown prosecutor for the north west of england, said the statement should never have been issued as it gives fuel to victim blame is and conspiracy theorists. a labour mp said the decision to disclose that level of detail on a missing's private life with no evidence on finding hurts deeply troubling and that goes to the heart of what the criticism has been, why did police issue that information when it is a missing person inquiry? it seems to have been to allay concerns that they were not looking on the right places or looking in the right way. and this was an attempt by the police to say these are the reasons why we don't think anyone else has been involved, why we don't think there has been any

criminal activity, and they believe is their main hypothesis that for one reason or another nicola ended up one reason or another nicola ended up in the river behind me here in st michael's on wyre. and that was what the attempt was to do. it seems it was clumsily handled, say some, and that that release of information may have been too much. the family now have been too much. the family now have gone on record saying that they knew this was coming out, and what they really want more than anything else is to be left alone. find they really want more than anything else is to be left alone.— else is to be left alone. and 'ust a follow u- else is to be left alone. and 'ust a follow up and i else is to be left alone. and 'ust a follow up and looking * else is to be left alone. and 'ust a follow up and looking at h else is to be left alone. and just a follow up and looking at these - follow up and looking at these tweets from the police, the family statement issued through the police continues to say the headaches stopped nicky taking hrt, but they caused this crisis, and the public focus say they should not be wild speculations about her private life and we are receiving support from

ourfamily and we are receiving support from our family liaison officers, so obviously we know the police must have been distracted and used up valuable police time and resources on dealing with the public coming to this venue and speculating, and obviously everybody wants the focus to be on the investigation.— to be on the investigation. you're absolutely _ to be on the investigation. you're absolutely right. _ to be on the investigation. you're absolutely right. yesterday - to be on the investigation. you're absolutely right. yesterday i - to be on the investigation. you're. absolutely right. yesterday i spoke to the senior investigating officer in charge of the inquiry and asked her whether or not she thought that her whether or not she thought that he would—be detective seen around this area, the social media influencers who been putting information, most of it fake, much of its opposition, they have been putting that on line and whether that has hindered the inquiry. she said absolutely, in 29 years of policing she has never seen anything like that. in a separate part of all of this, today there is news coming through as well that a man called dan duffy who posted a video of

himself being arrested by lancashire police on his youtube channel has been fined afterjoining the search, so police said they would clamp down, they issued dispersal notices on anyone coming to this area after dark and basically causing a nuisance in the area, they wanted them to leave and woodley —— would use police powers to do that. that seems to have worked in the last few days, the same number of people does not seem to be around, but the police are still keen on focusing on their main two concerns, finding nicola and bringing answers back to the family and letting them know what happened to her. bier? the family and letting them know what happened to her. very briefly, some might — what happened to her. very briefly, some might say. — what happened to her. very briefly, some might say, look, _ what happened to her. very briefly, some might say, look, are - what happened to her. very briefly, some might say, look, are all- what happened to her. very briefly, some might say, look, are all the i some might say, look, are all the press feeding into this and making this more unhelpful? we are covering this, the newspapers have had this case on the front pages. it’s this, the newspapers have had this case on the front pages.— case on the front pages. it's an incredibly _ case on the front pages. it's an incredibly popular _ case on the front pages. it's an incredibly popular story, - case on the front pages. it's an incredibly popular story, and i case on the front pages. it's an l incredibly popular story, and that is the defence... i have spoken to manyjournalists is the defence... i have spoken to many journalists who is the defence... i have spoken to

manyjournalists who have talked about this, everywhere you go, and everybody you talk to, it's talking about it. ten miles further south from here after the news conference, i was in a coffee shop yesterday and on the next table was the only thing they were talking about, they were not referring to what happened in the news conference, they were simply referring to the story and everywhere you go it has been hugely interesting to people, they want to know what has happened, and that has meant, just in the best interests and best way is possible, it's that crossover line between being keenly interested and going slightly to far that the police are very concerned about trying to nip in the bud if they can. about trying to nip in the bud if the can. , ., the energy company centrica, which owns british gas, has seen its profits more than triple for last year because of rising oil and gas prices. the earnings were £35 billion compared to £948 million from the year before. british gas was recently criticised for using debt agents to force—fit pre—payment meters into the homes

of vulnerable customers. here's our business correspondent, theo leggett. net zero means hydrogen and solar... centrica says it is focused on clean energies of the future, but right now it's making bumper profits because of high oil and gas prices. they soared last year after the invasion of ukraine and the company, which owns british gas, is reaping huge benefits. last year, it made £35 billion — that's more than three times its profit from 2021. it also paid £1 billion in tax. like other energy companies, it has come underfire for making big profits at a time when many consumers are struggling to pay their bills, and that's despite the government's decision to extend the energy profits levy — a special tax on energy businesses that was expanded last month. i don't think centrica is profiteering.

it has to be remembered that, particularly with upstream gas and oil extraction, it's a very difficult and challenge activity which is already pretty highly taxed in this country. british gas, which supplies energy to households and businesses, accounts for only a fraction of centrica's profits. the parent company isn't allowed to sell energy more cheaply to its own operation than it does to other suppliers. that makes it more difficult to pass on the benefits and bumper profits to british gas customers. and there is another problem. it has faced intense criticism after contractors were filmed entering the houses of vulnerable people in order to fit prepayment meters. this is the exciting bit, i love this bit. thank you. emily lives in a housing association flat with her daughter. she allowed a contractor into into fit a smart meter.

despite her protests, she was fitted with a prepayment meter instead. i tried to be polite on the phone. all they said to me was they wouldn't remove the prepayment meter until the debt is paid off _ i explained how i never consented and there was no warrant for him to come out and fit it. my landlord doesn't actually allow a prepayment meter, i explained everything to them, and they seemed to have absolutely no compassion towards me. british gas has now apologised to emily and removed the metre. the regulator ofgem has banned energy firms from forcibly installing prepayment meters until the end of next month. but the controversy has fanned the flames of discontent against the industry at a time when many customers have been struggling. the search to find a new first minister of scotland is well under way after nicola sturgeon�*s surprise resignation. the scottish national party's executive committee will meet this evening to draw up a timetable for the leadership race.

ms sturgeon, who's scotland's longest—serving first minister, says she'll remain in office until a successor is found. our scotland correspondent, lorna gordon, has more. who will be scotland's next first minister? the country has had five since the advent of this devolved scottish parliament more than 20 years ago, but who will be the sixth after the unexpected announcement from nicola sturgeon that she is going? i think over the past couple of years there have been many moments when i thought that maybe she will go, particularly after the pandemic, or after an election where there is maybe a natural break. i expected maybe there to be more of a succession plan in place. she is leaving the door wide open. nicola sturgeon was unopposed when she took over from alex salmond, but her successor is likely to face a competition, not a coronation. no one has yet formally declared their intention to stand. those who might throw their hat into the ring include the deputy

first minister, john swinney, who has done thejob before, or angus robertson, the former snp westminster leader and now constitution secretary. the finance secretary, kate forbes, who is currently on maternity leave, the health secretary, humza yousaf, or the mpjoanna cherry, a critic of nicola sturgeon�*s leadership. one former deputy leader of the snp is calling for this notjust to be a change of leader but style of leadership as well. someone who understands that you never again will develop the cult of personality inside the snp. that's been the undoing of alex salmond, and it's been the undoing of nicola sturgeon. the rules and timing of the competition to succeed nicola sturgeon will be decided at a meeting of the snp�*s governing body this evening. and there are now also questions about whether an snp party

conference next month to decide the strategy for a second independence referendum should now go ahead. we were intending to plot our course going forward, - notjust for the snp but for the wider. independence movement. in my view, that conference should be paused. - we should allow a new leader the opportunity and space - to set out their vision, - their priorities domestically in relation to the nhs, the economy, the cost of living crisis, _ but also give them the space - to chart their course when it comes to that pathway to independence. whoever takes over from nicola sturgeon will have an in—tray full of challenges — health, education, the gender recognition reform bill and that constitutional issue that divides voters — whether or not scotland should be an independent country. lorna gordon, bbc news, edinburgh. our scotland correspondent, james shaw, joins us now from edinburgh. just take us through the timetable for today, what is expected? we are in a strange —

for today, what is expected? we are in a strange kind _ for today, what is expected? we are in a strange kind of— for today, what is expected? we are in a strange kind of interim - for today, what is expected? we are in a strange kind of interim period. i in a strange kind of interim period. we know that nicola sturgeon is going but we don't know what will happen next, all we know is that at 6:30pm the national executive committee of the snp will meet via video conference, not in person because the members, 70 of them in total, will bejoining because the members, 70 of them in total, will be joining from around the country, and they will try to figure out a timetable for the succession, process, howa figure out a timetable for the succession, process, how a new leader and how soon a new leader of the snp will be elected. i think one thing that is starting to become clear is that some people should think this should not be a quick process, some members of that committee think they need to take their time, albeit there may be a period where the scottish government and the snp might be rudderless because nicola sturgeon is in that period where she is looking to stand down, we don't know exactly when, but despite that some people want

this to be slow and careful process so that they get the right person to steer a new path towards that goal that our colleague was talking about, the central thing that binds the party together, trying to achieve independence. who the party together, trying to achieve independence. who are the ke front achieve independence. who are the key front runners _ achieve independence. who are the key front runners talked _ achieve independence. who are the key front runners talked about - achieve independence. who are the key front runners talked about at i key front runners talked about at the moment? we key front runners talked about at the moment?— key front runners talked about at the moment? ~ ., ., ., ., the moment? we heard lorna gordon talkin: the moment? we heard lorna gordon talking about — the moment? we heard lorna gordon talking about it there, _ the moment? we heard lorna gordon talking about it there, three - the moment? we heard lorna gordon talking about it there, three or - talking about it there, three or four names springing into people's mines that are appearing on the pages of newspapers, one would be john swinney, currently the deputy first minister, he has been a leader of the snp in the past, he is an older generation, a contemporary of alex salmond, the former first minister who was replaced by nicola sturgeon, then kate forbes, the finance secretary, she is on maternity leave at the moment but she is seen as young a rising star, someone who is able successfully to

handle her brief, and then angus robertson, the constitution secretary, also a very experienced figure who has had a leadership role at westminster and a ministerialjob in scotland, but the key thing really that stands out is that there is not an obvious frontrunner. in the past, when nicola sturgeon took over, that was almost in an ointment, everyone knew she would become the leader after alex salmond, that's not the case now, so in a sense there is a moment of dangerfor the snp, who in a sense there is a moment of danger for the snp, who will the in a sense there is a moment of dangerfor the snp, who will the new person b, and what difference will that make to how the snp is governed and how scotland is governed as well? , ., let's get more on this from political commentator and herald columnist brian taylor. first of all, what did you make of nicola sturgeon's statement yesterday? it was strikingly personal. yesterday? it was strikingly personal-—

yesterday? it was strikingly ersonal. �* , , , _ personal. i'm surprised by the timin: personal. i'm surprised by the timing but _ personal. i'm surprised by the timing but not _ personal. i'm surprised by the timing but not by _ personal. i'm surprised by the timing but not by the - personal. i'm surprised by the j timing but not by the personal element, the accumulation of pressure and issues building upon her that has undoubtedly led to this decision, anyone who was in power for a prolonged period, she has been, the longest serving first minister in office for years, before that as deputy and health secretary and infrastructure secretary, a long shift of nearly ten decades —— two decades in power, accumulation of pressures come upon you there, eventually you must feel like it is like pushing treacle up a hill, the task that seems to confront politicians from time to time, i can understand that, but a more puzzled by the political strategy element of it where she says she feels in some ways because she has made enemies, because when you govern you choose and what you choose you cut others out, in some ways she feels like she has become an obstacle to independence rather than the conduit

towards building independence. i don't see that at all, but she is of that view and believes she has to stand down and give total opportunity to the party, first of all to liberate them to choose a different strategy with regard to pursuing the one she is suggesting, a de facto referendum at the next election, but also gives her successor time, a period of years, the referendum would be perhaps several years after the next general election, so she is giving an opportunity to the party but i'm just not sure about the calculation she is making about the need for her to stand down at this point. in terms of the key factors people have talked about, the fact that the westminster government was not looking likely to allow a referendum anytime soon, the toxicity around the gender debate and also questions

around her husband's finances, after this incredibly tough period in politics, do you think it is just a confluence of factors ultimately that made her think she is going? i really do. i don't believe it is one smoking gun or one issue, have heard people say it is the gender bill, but as nicola sturgeon said in a number of occasions during her news conference, if she was to be brought down by difficulties while she has had bigger difficulties than that, she went through the pandemic as we all did but she was confronting it on a daily basis, trying to offer reassurance to people, she had the problems with her predecessor alex salmond and having to deal with the aftermath of that, she has had a succession of individual challenges, welcome to politics, that's what happens, but i am just more puzzled by the strategic decision she has taken. there is a great word in the scots language which is a combination of being both fed up and

exhausted at the same time, if you can imagine such a condition, i reckon the fact is at play here with nicola sturgeon but i'm sure she feels that a weight has been lifted by the decision to stand down but of course she is not yet entirely out of the woods, she remains first minister until a successor is elected, the very good reason, that if she stands down and quits now there is a timetable on parliament to appoint a successor. what the snp are doing are electing a party leader and then it's up to msps who will decide the next first minister of scotland. will decide the next first minister of scotland-— will decide the next first minister of scotland. �* ., , , ., ., , of scotland. and who is your money on for the next _ of scotland. and who is your money on for the next leader? _ of scotland. and who is your money on for the next leader? if _ of scotland. and who is your money on for the next leader? if chance i on for the next leader? if chance state, it is _ on for the next leader? if chance state, it is his, _ on for the next leader? if chance state, it is his, he _ on for the next leader? if chance state, it is his, he was _ on for the next leader? if chance state, it is his, he was formally i state, it is his, he was formally let out the party during a very difficult period in operation —— very difficult period, but i'm not sure he will want it in which case cupcake forbes, the rising star as

finance secretary and angus robertson, but extremely talented, but very different characters and approaches. the dilemma is will face is the snp are looking for an alternative strategy to drive forward independence because the uk government is saying no to holding a referendum in the immediate future, they say now is not the time to focus on that, that points at the quandary that confronts the snp, they want a referendum, they say they want a referendum, they say they have the mandate for one of the supreme court reminded us that 70 resides with the uk government and the uk parliament but right now they are saying no. —— that sovereignty. the chief of nato has been visiting turkey to express support and offer help following the devastating earthquakes. more than 41,000 people are known to have died from the disaster, which hit turkey and syria last week. jens stoltenberg is visiting turkey because it's a member of the alliance. he's been meeting turkish president

recep tayyip erdogan and will also visit quake—affected areas. in a news conference earlier, he said the focus will now be on reconstruction and supporting the displaced by setting up temporary housing. this is the deadliest natural disaster on alliance territory since the foundation of nato. on behalf of nato, i offer my deepest condolences to the turkish people and the families and the loved ones of all those who lost their lives or were injured. the focus going forward will be on reconstruction and supporting the displaced. that is why nato is now setting up temporary housing for thousands of displaced people. in addition, nato will also use our strategic airlift capabilities to transport tens of thousands of tents to turkey in the coming days and weeks.

11 days on, remarkably, there are still people being pulled alive from the rubble, left by the powerful earthquakes that hit syria and turkey. a teenage girl has been rescued from a collapsed building near the epicentre of the quakes in the province of kahramanmaras. she was pulled from the wreckage as her uncle hugged the rescuers one by one, saying he'd never forget them. 0verrall, the number of dead is now more than 41,000. 0ur correspondent, caroline davies, reports from the city of adana in southern turkey. an incredible story of survival. carefully, with many hands, 17—year—old 0lena is lifted to safety after 248 hours under the rubble. these stories that have amazed the world are often down to a few factors and chance. to survive long term, so let's say over a week or ten days or something like that, you need mainly access to two

things — air and some sort of water source. so we say people can survive without water intake maybe for about three to five days or so. but i do think there's probably a huge psychological component, in the sense that, if people have hope and they believe that they will be rescued, that determination probably does play a factor. many fear how long it may take them to be back in a home. in the snow—covered province of kahramanmaras, tent cities have been erected to provide some shelter. in adana, a food market is now a camp. but not for long. these tents have been in position for the course of the last ten days, but the authorities here say they are now dismantling them. you can see the tents over here and people taking some of their belongings as well. now, that's because the authorities say there is greater need closer to the epicentre, but people who have been living here tell us that they are very worried.

the authorities say people will be moved to live in other accommodation but some feel they are being moved on too quickly. fatma has been living in the camp since the earthquake hit. translation: it was raining and cold, plus we had to see| dead bodies coming out of the building nearby. it was like a nightmare — i couldn't wash for ten days. this is the situation we are in. 0ur mental strength has broken. the earthquake has already taken so much, but many feel they are now left in limbo, not knowing how or where they can rebuild their lives. let's go back to the story of the disappearance of nicola bulley. her family has issued a statement saying that they "believe the public focus has become distracted from finding her and has become more about speculation and rumours about her private life". we can talk now to dr charlotte proudman who is a barrister and director of right to equality.

i know you have tweeted about this butjust in the last moments, lancashire police have put out a long statement on behalf of the family. what is your response to that? ., ., , , ., , that? from what it seems, the family are utterly disappointed _ that? from what it seems, the family are utterly disappointed with - that? from what it seems, the family are utterly disappointed with the - are utterly disappointed with the speculation into nicola bulley�*s disappearance and it seems as if people have been approached by the media and are even attempting to sell stories nicola bulley�*s life, and herfamily sell stories nicola bulley�*s life, and her family seem sell stories nicola bulley�*s life, and herfamily seem devastated by all of the events surrounding her disappearance but not least the way she has been treated by the public, on social media, and by the tabloid press who seem to have used her disappearance as an opportunity to sell stories is about women, not just in cases about women who have gone missing but in rape cases and

domestic abuse cases, as if nicola bulley is somehow responsible for going missing because the police put out statement yesterday saying she was menopausal and had issues with alcohol and as a consequence of that many have suggested she might be unstable and the myths around women start to encroach within the public sphere and deflects from the fact she is missing and focuses on her personal life and identity, and of course no one knows her other than her family and friends. i5 course no one knows her other than her family and friends. is it course no one knows her other than her family and friends.— her family and friends. is it not erha -s her family and friends. is it not perhaps understandable - her family and friends. is it not perhaps understandable that i her family and friends. is it not l perhaps understandable that the police felt they had to put a little bit more information out there because of the wild speculation that we have seen in the last few days? it seems to me that if you were trying to quell speculation about the disappearance of nicola bulley, putting out a statement which seems to be irrelevant to her disappearance, about her menopause or her having alcohol issues, will be nothing more than fuel to that

speculation. if anything, be nothing more than fuel to that speculation. ifanything, it be nothing more than fuel to that speculation. if anything, it has become titillation, click bait, and has resulted in hemlines within the tabloid press today which are utterly hideous and have no place in the press, let alone concerning the disappearance of a woman. it is not necessarily — disappearance of a woman. it is not necessarily the _ disappearance of a woman. it is not necessarily the police's _ disappearance of a woman. it is not necessarily the police's fault - disappearance of a woman. it is not necessarily the police's fault that i necessarily the police's fault that people are visiting the scene. if the police put out a bit of information about her, presumably they are doing that because it might help those genuinely interested in trying to help locate her or to be useful to them. i’m trying to help locate her or to be useful to them.— useful to them. i'm afraid i will have to disagree _ useful to them. i'm afraid i will have to disagree with - useful to them. i'm afraid i will have to disagree with you - useful to them. i'm afraid i will. have to disagree with you there. i don't think the police would behave in this way if it was a man that had gone missing, and i don't see how reflecting upon her privacy and her vulnerability as someone with menopause or alcohol issues has anything to do with the fact she has disappeared and if it has they should explain why that's the case. the police said she is a woman with

vulnerabilities and then sought to expand upon that stop i don't see how that is relevant. and we have seen notjust in this case but other cases confidence in the police by women is at an all—time low, especially after the murder and rape of sarah everard, along with many other women regarding the police's handling of cases such as that and others, and this is an opportunity i would have thought for the police to send out a strong message that they are doing everything they can, not putting out messages which have been construed as victim blaming. in the famil in construed as victim blaming. in the family in their _ construed as victim blaming. in the family in their statement _ construed as victim blaming. in the family in their statement have - construed as victim blaming. in the family in their statement have said | family in their statement have said that despite what the media and other individuals have suggested, we are being updated daily by the police and have received support from their family liaison officers. i'm very pleased to hear they are receiving that support. and they or anyone that goes missing or experiences any form of violence or abuse should experience the support

of the police and other services, so i'm pleased to hear that, but it seems to me that the statement sent out yesterday has had the opposite effect. and i hope the police reflect upon that, not only in this case but on future cases, and while i understand there has been wild speculation regarding the disappearance of nicola bulley, which many of us do not want to speculate about it all, i don't think it's appropriate to do so, intimate private details which pry into her private life are rife speculation and should not have been put into the public sphere, in my view. now it's time for a look at the weather with ben rich. hello. after a relatively quiet thursday weather—wise, things are set to turn a lot livelier tonight and into tomorrow. it's due to an area of low pressure that's been named storm 0tto by the danish weather service for us across scotland, the pennines and east england.

it will bring some strong and gusty winds and the risk of travel disruption. the rest of today will be relatively quiet. a little bit of brightness for parts of england and wales, some rain splashing into northern ireland and western scotland, very mild, ten to 14 degrees. but tonight, particularly across the northern half of the uk, we'll see outbreaks of rain and strengthening. winds turning very gusty, particularly for scotland and down into northeast england. lighter winds further south will be breezy, cloudy too and mild, seven to 11 degrees into tomorrow. strong winds gusting up to 60, 70, maybe 80 miles per hour in exposed parts of northern scotland. those winds only slowly easing as we head through the day and turning a little bit chillier across northern parts of the uk. hello — this is bbc news. the headlines... british gas owner centrica reports record profits — earning £35 billion, compared to less than £1 billion the year before.

the family of nicola bulley issue a statement calling on the public to end the "appalling" speculation about her private life. after the resignation of nicola sturgeon, senior snp officials prepare to meet to discuss the timetable for a leadership contest. nato's secretary general visits turkey to express support following the devastating earthquakes. sport now...and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's paul scott good afternoon. wales head coach warren gatland says he won't back his players if they decide to strike, instead of lining—up against england in the six nations. gatland insists he supports his squad's cause amid an ongoing dispute, caused by welsh rugby's professional contracts freeze, but wouldn't agree if they opted to boycott the game in cardiff a week on saturday. there's a meeting of the body representing players in wales next week —

after wage cuts were proposed. bbc wales understands as many as 70 players are out of contract at the end of the season. 0spreys' head coach toby booth says he understands the players�* concerns. we have to change now. (tx sot) at some point we have to realise that what's gone on before has not worked. england women's rugby players are now entitled to 26 weeks'

fully—paid maternity leave, as well as funds for children to travel to games with them. the new rugby football union policy is being hailed as a "game—changing moment" for women in the sport. the move will "normalise motherhood", according to pregnant lock abbie ward, while england team—mate vickii cornborough says the policy will make the sport "more inclusive." she's played a key role in the new policy which has drawn inspiration from the support given to new zealand's women's team. it's been a great opening day for england's cricketers, in the first test in new zealand. thanks to some strong batting and then a clever piece of captaincy from ben stokes. that said, not everything worked.

joe root with a reminder that their aggressive approach is a risky business. but it's also a thrilling oen. soon under pressure, new zealand. 40—year—old jimmy anderson showed his timeless talent. initially given not out but replays showed otherwise. anderson does it again. england's day and once again never a dull moment. andy smith, bbc news.

tottenham say manger antonio conte will remain at his family home in italy to "further and fully recover" from his recent gall bladder surgery. it means he'll miss the london derby at home to west ham on sunday. conte went under the knife two weeks ago — but has been back on the sidelines for spurs' last two games. following what's being described as a "routine post—operation" check yesterday in italy, it's now been decided that he'll take further time away from the club. cristian stellini will assume first team responsibilities. mikaela shiffrin has claimed the one major slalom title to elude her during the her medal filled career. she's won gold in the giant slalom at the alpine skiing world championships in france. it comes despite announcing her split from long—term coach mike day. shiffrin overcame an error late in herfinal run to finish 0.12 seconds clear of her nearest rival. the victory marks shiffrin's seventh world title and 13th medal overall from 16 career world championship races. that's all the sport for now.

two youths have appeared at liverpool crown court, charged with the murder of brianna jai. the 16—year—old, who was a transgender girl, was found with stab wounds on saturday afternoon in warrington. today, a boy and a girl, both aged fifteen, appeared separately via video link, and spoke only to confirm their name and age. the supermarket chain aldi says it's looking to increase its workforce in britain by more than 6,000. the company will recruit more staff for its distribution centres, as well as for new stores in norwich and newcastle. aldi also says it's proud it pays the highest hourly wage in the sector. let's go back to the search to find a new first minister after nicola sturgeon's surprise resignation. i'm joined now by political strategistjohn mcternan. what does this mean the labour and

conservative and liberal democrats, will they be celebrating at the departure of nicola sturgeon? nicola sturueon is departure of nicola sturgeon? nicola sturgeon is an _ departure of nicola sturgeon? nicola sturgeon is an opponent, _ departure of nicola sturgeon? nicola sturgeon is an opponent, not - departure of nicola sturgeon? ii cola.” sturgeon is an opponent, not an enemy and undoubtedly she was at the end of some very misogynistic and violent abuse. 0n the gender reform bill, they are now not speaking, and the scottish tory secretary of state speaks for scotland. very unusual situation, being a majority support in scotland. and the labour, it is a chance for the leader to make the

positive case for change, and that's what keir starmer has to do, labour cannot be the default option of scotland, there has got to be a positive reason, i'm voting labour because i will get this from the labour party. it definitely takes a giant away. a globalfigure, nicola sturgeon. it was nobody, nicola sturgeon taught six or seven people who might stencil it is a feel of people who are not anything like her stature which makes it a lot easierfor labour in the conservative party in scotland. might make in terms of how many seats labour will target before you get, where do you assess that? if you look back to 2017 in 2015 labour lost all of one seat, picked up labour lost all of one seat, picked up a half dozen in 2017 but also came really close and another half

dozen and that was with davejeremy corbyn as leader. now with keir starmer as a leader in the 44%—45% in the polls across the country i think labour will be looking at a dozen target really, really fiercely and then there are going to be other seats available which if the snp carry on and say their next election in scotland is a de facto referendum you're basically saying that if labour are the challenges to the snp we are telling the lib dems and tories to vote for the labour party see might see some surprise gains from labour if that carries on as the snp strategy and it is a bonus opportunity fur keir starmer because the ed miliband poster, ed miliband in the pocket of alex salmond really happened back in 2015 but he was a known figure, simon. sturgeon are known figure, simon. sturgeon are known figure. none of the potential leaders of the snp are people you can put on a poster and you expect people in middle england would know who that was so i think labour have got a big bonus here. they've got an

experienced leader in anna sauer, they decided to vote for a change and an snp government at odds with the public not in sync with the public —— anas sarwar. and it was a bogeyman in the argument the snp would need to prop up a labour government so there is also opportunity in here for labour but as ever in politics you get an opportunity then you need to make something of it. in opportunity then you need to make something of it.— something of it. in terms of the render something of it. in terms of the gender obviously _ something of it. in terms of the gender obviously that _ something of it. in terms of the gender obviously that could - something of it. in terms of the . gender obviously that could change depending on who takes over the snp, the legislation that could change, but you think there is a real difficulty not only with the brutality of politics at the top now but also the culture wells which are very, very difficult to navigate? yes, i think that's exactly right. i think 16 years at the top, which is what nicola sturgeon has had as deputy first minister and then as first minister, nobody really lasts beyond ten years in uk politics of

it is incredible. it took some stamina to get there. i do think it takes more stamina now particularly if you have a woman and you have seen that with jacinda ardern in new zealand. there is something different in the pressure put on women and i think the issue around the culture war... women and i think the issue around the culture war. . ._ the culture war... we've 'ust lost that line. — the culture war... we've 'ust lost that time. t — the culture war... we've 'ust lost that line, i think, h the culture war... we've 'ust lost that line, i think, john! _ the culture war... we've just lost that line, i think, john! sorry - that line, ithink, john! sorry about that butjohn if you can hear is, thank you very much indeed and great to get most of your answers there. let's move on. the leader of belarus, alexander lukashenko, says he's ready to allow russia, to use his country as a staging post for a new offensive in ukraine. last year, the russian military�*s failed attempt to seize the capital kyiv, was launched from belarus. here's our diplomatic correspondent, paul adams. a rare meeting with foreign journalists for the man who has ruled belarus for almost 30 years. alexander lukashenko has allowed russia to use his country to attack neighbouring ukraine. he says he'll do it again.

translation: yes, i'm ready. you say invasion. we have differing views on this. i'm ready to provide territory again. but when it comes to his own forces getting involved, he drew an important distinction. but i'm also ready to wage war together with the russians from the territory of belarus, but only if anyone, even one soldier, comes to our territory with weapons to kill my people. a year ago, russia and belarus carried out days of military exercises along ukraine's northern border. russia said it had no plans to invade. and the world wondered whether this was simply sabre rattling. but this was the prelude to war, and when the invasion came columns of russian armour poured in from belarus. could it happen again? for now the border is quiet, no signs here of preparations for another assault. ukraine has gone to greater lengths to improve its defences.

if russian forces come this way again they won't simply drive through as they did a year ago. but with moscow and minsk talking about plans for more joint training, ukraine knows it has to be ready, amid speculation that never quite goes away, western analysts believe another russian invasion from belarus is unlikely. for now the main focus is on the east. in bakhmut, fighting has raged for months. this is where a major russian offensive is expected and may already be under way. russia may want ukraine to think the danger is elsewhere but it's here in the donbas where the two sides are getting ready. paul adams, bbc news. well, despite the intensity of the conflict in ukraine, both sides have been cooperating, on prisoner swaps. more than 1,700 ukrainian men and women, have reportedly made it home, in exchange for russian prisoners of war. the bbc has been given rare access to one facility,

where captured russian soldiers are held in western ukraine. kyiv says while most prisoners will be handed over, some will remain, on suspicion of possible war crimes. our ukraine correspondent, james waterhouse has that story. under the watchful eye of ancient ukrainian rulers, and guards, march these russian prisoners of war. both sides have been accused of abusing captured soldiers in the past. so these are the belongings of some prisoners of war who arrived last week. now, it's unlikely they're going to speak freely. but what this is is an insight into ukraine's information war, as well as a look at how prisoners of war are used as currency. now kyiv wants to show us these men, who they insist are being treated fairly. they're using this workshop to take shelterfrom russian missiles. some hide their faces to further protect their identities. ukraine needs these soldiers

to trade for their own. we're under supervision, but the guards don't interfere. this prisoner tells us he surrendered near the eastern town of soledar last month. several say they just want to go home. some here are just days off the battlefield, a mixture of conscripts, soldiers and mercenaries. many are pale, their eyes glazed over. sometimes history has echoes. this gritty fortress once held soviet and then german inmates in the second world war. everyone here appears to know the drill. air raid alerts seem to be the only breaks from a monotonous routine.

the bite of the cold is followed by the relief of lunch. today it's corn soup and barley and meat before a choreographed finish. "thank you for lunch," they say, in ukrainian. this might look like free time, but the guards have the remote. the pick of the day — a documentary on ukrainian history. but not everyone will speak the language. translation: more or less, i'mj starting to understand ukrainian. these programmes are educational. this looks more like a re—education. these inmates are waiting to make a phone call home. the conversations are recorded. "where are you?"

asks his mum. "i'm in captivity — i can't say more," he says" "with the bloody ukrainians?" she asks. "enough, mum," he replies. "the most important thing is that i'm alive and healthy." this economy of prisoner exchanges has grown, which means they're more valuable to both sides regardless of whether they return to the fight. james waterhouse, bbc news, western ukraine. doctors are warning the lives of thousands of severely disabled children are being put at risk because of long ambulance waits. the british academy of childhood disability, warns many young people suffer life—threatening emergencies on a daily basis and can't access the care they need. the government says it's reducing delays by investing in 800 new ambulances. here's ruth clegg.

is that emily's favourite song? it's 7:00am in the watson household, and the morning routine has just begun. so for breakfast, christopher has about seven different meds. emily has seven as well, but a different combination. it's busy, it's intense, and for emily and christopher, it's life—saving. christopher has got a tracheotomy and emily has got choking issues. the 12—year—old twins were born prematurely and have complex medical needs. are you ok, emily? each one on their own could be life threatening. if we have a problem with christopher's breathing tube, his tracheostomy, and we're unable to resolve it, he'd be dead within minutes. get the lady to come round here and see. just before christmas, with ambulances in short supply, and hospitals declaring critical incidents, christopher started to have problems with his breathing tube. he was presenting in a way we have never seen before, he was presenting in a way we are not trained to deal with. they called for an ambulance, but were told that despite

christopher being a category one, which means paramedics should arrive within ten minutes, it could be a three—hour wait. what's going through your head at this point? you've tried everything. you literally know that it's got to be emergency care. it's scary. yeah, it's scary. and you start to think, "what's going wrong now? what can we do? how is this going to end up?" like nearly 100,000 children across the uk, emergency care is a crucial part of their everyday lives. normally we would be saying to them, "well, you know, if this is happening, this is when you call the ambulance, "and don't worry, they'll be there within10, 20 minutes." at the moment, you can't rely on there actually being an ambulance able to come in that short length of time. got emergency blue box

with a standard tracheostomy tube. fortunately, an ambulance was diverted and within 40 minutes christopher was rushed to hospital where a resuscitation team were ready and waiting. these children need that extra level of care. it's not their fault that they need it. christopher survived and is back at school. but the worry is always there. if the health service breaks down and doesn't function, if christopher has an episode like that, he would not be here. the government says it is planning to improve services with 5000 more beds and 800 new ambulances. check off you've got everything they need to keep christopher safe. ruth clegg, bbc news.

it will need support but for these group of disabled children, they not only more likely to need an ambulance, when they do need it, it is a matter of life and death. the governor of the us state of ohio, mike de—wahn, has warned residents living near the site of a toxic train derailment to drink bottled water, as the authorities investigate environmental fallout from the accident. the cargo train crashed earlier this month in the town of east palesteen, causing a major fire and triggering the release of toxic fumes. thousands of fish have been found dead in nearby streams, but the governor said the air has been deemed safe. nomia iqbal has more. a meeting hasjust wrapped up here in the town hall where residents got together to try and get some answers. they are angry, upset and fearful. one woman said, do not portray us as some small, poor community. another woman said to me that she believes that if this had happened in a bigger city in america, they would be getting answers. they want to know why did a train carrying chemical toxins pass through their town without any warning. they tell me they are too scared to drink the water, even though officials here say

it is safe. they say their pets have fallen ill, they feel ill, their houses are of no value, and so they want to get down to the bottom of it. what's made it worse for many of them is that the train company, norfolk southern, which owns the train, didn't show up here — their representatives. they said it was out of fear of their safety, which has really angered residents. now, the firm has provided a fund of more than $1 million to help people, but everyone here is worried about the long—term effects when it comes to the environment and their health. it's emerged that a letter written in february 1916 has arrived at a flat in london more than 100 years later. the envelope, which has a bath postmark, arrived at a flat in crystal palace in south london in 2021. finlay glen, who unexpectedly received the letter, said he was "obviously pretty surprised and mystified as to how it could have been sat around

for more than 100 years." royal mail said it remained "uncertain what happened in this instance". don't hold your breath, i guess, if you're worried about your missing post! now it's time for a look at the weather with ben. good afternoon. it's been a relatively quiet day so far, but that is set to change as we head through tonight and into the first part of tomorrow. very windy weather across the northern half of the uk, particularly for scotland, across the tops of the pennines and parts of northeast england. travel disruption is quite likely. on the earlier satellite picture, you can see this stripe of cloud just out to the west and from within this area of cloud, we're going to see this area of low pressure deepening. this has been named storm otto by the danish weather service for the impact it's likely to have there, but it's going to bring us windy weather over the next 24 hours. but in the short—term, brightness developing for parts of england and wales this afternoon. conversely, patchy rain for northern ireland and western scotland.

mild though, temperatures for the majority between 10—14 celsius. this evening and overnight, we will see outbreaks of rain across northern ireland, scotland, northern england and the winds will really start to pick up. some very gusty conditions developing across the northern half of the country. it's going to be a really mild night, temperatures between 7—10 celsius, but if you're travelling through the end of the night and into the first part of the morning, across a good part of scotland we will see wind gusts of 70—80mph for exposed coasts. it's going to be gusty across the tops of the pennines — some of the trans—pennine routes could be quite problematic with the strength of the wind and also just to the east of the pennines across parts of northeast england, but generally very windy to start friday across the northern half of the uk. we'll see some cloud and some very patchy rain pushing southwards. some further showers pushing across scotland. some snow over the highest ground here, but we should see

some spells of sunshine. through the day, it will be turning a little bit chillier across northern areas, whereas further south it's very mild again, highs of 14—15 celsius. saturday, we will see some outbreaks of rain, maybe snow over high ground in scotland. generally a fair amount of cloud. some limited spells of sunshine, but it's going to be mild, 8—15 celsius, quite breezy across the south. for sunday, the strongest winds transfer further north again with some outbreaks of rain, whereas southern parts of the uk will be mainly dry and mild.

because i will get this from the

labour party. this is bbc news. the headlines... the family of nicola bulley issue a statement calling on the public to end the "appalling" speculation about her private life. british gas owner centrica reports record profits, earning £35 billion compared to less than a billion the year before. after the resignation of nicola sturgeon, senior snp officials prepare to meet to discuss the timetable for a leadership contest. nato's secretary—general visits turkey to express support following the devastating earthquakes. a new way of screening 999 calls will be introduced in england in an effort to speed up ambulance response times.

the family of missing nicola bulley have said "appalling" speculation surrounding her private life "needs to stop". the 45—year—old went missing on 27th january during a riverside dog walk in st michael's on wyre in lancashire. police had faced a growing backlash for revealing she had ongoing struggles with alcohol and the menopause. her family said she would not have wanted the information released but that police had kept them informed. our correspondent, nick garnett, is in st michael's on wyre and gave us the latest. police gave a statement yesterday afternoon in which they referred to specific vulnerabilities surrounding nicola which had led them to class her as a high—risk missing person.

now, at that time, no one really knew what that meant or what it was referring to. a few hours later, lancashire police then gave further clarification of that in an open public and press release that they issued just before 6:00 last night in which they referred to alcohol use and various other issues about it. in the last few minutes, lancashire police have just issued a tweet on twitter that says that their sole focus remains finding nicola and supporting her family. it then goes on to say that nicola's family has asked us to issue a statement. i'll read as much of it as i can. the family said it's now been three weeks since nikki went missing. we as a family believe that the public focus has become distracted from finding nikki and more about speculation and rumours into her private life as a family. we were aware that lancashire police last night released a statement with some personal details. although we know that nikki would not have wanted this,

there are people out there threatening to sell stories about her. this is appalling and needs to stop. the police know the truth about nikki and now the public needs to focus on finding her. due to the perimenopause, nikki suffered with significant side effects such as brain fog, restless sleep and was taking hrt to help. but this was giving her intense headaches. and that's the statement that's come from lancashire police in the last few minutes. it comes on the back of criticism of the way that they'd handled that release of information and they had been talking to... when they talked to the media, they gave out an awful lot of public information, some of the criticism that has been quite damning. for instance, nazir afzal, who was the chief crown prosecutor for the north—west of england, said the statement should never have been issued as it gives fuel to victim blamers, and conspiracy theorists. stella creasy, the labour mp, said the disclosure, the decision to disclose that level of detail on a missing person's private life with no evidence

that this is assisting in finding her, is deeply troubling. now, that goes to the heart of what the criticism has been. why did the police issue that information when it's a missing person inquiry? it seems to have been to allay concerns that they weren't, in effect, looking in the right places or looking in the right way. and this was an attempt by the police to say no. these are the reasons why we don't think anyone else has been involved, why we don't think there has been any criminal activity. and they believe as their main hypothesis that, for one reason or another, nicola ended up in the river wyre, which isjust behind me here in st michael's on wyre, and that was what the attempt was to do. it seems that it was slightly clumsily handled, say some, and that that release of information may have been too much. the family now have gone on record saying that they knew that this was coming out. and what they really want more than anything else is to be left alone. and, nick, just to follow up it,

looking at these tweets, there's a series of tweets from the police, because the family statement issued through the police continues to say that the headaches stopped nikki taking the hrt, thinking that may have helped her but only ended up causing this crisis. and they go on to say the public focus has to be on finding her and not making up wild theories about her personal life, they say. despite what some media outlets are suggesting, we are being updated daily and receiving support from our family liaison officers. so obviously we know that the police must have been distracted and had to use up some valuable police time and resources on dealing with the public coming to this venue and speculating. and, obviously, everybody wants the focus to be on the investigation. you're absolutely right. i spoke yesterday to the senior investigating officer who was in charge of the inquiry and asked her whether or not

she thought that the would be detectives who have been seen around this area, the social media influencers who have been putting information, much of it fake, much of it supposition, and they've been putting that online, whether that has hindered the inquiry. she said absolutely. in 29 years of policing, she's never seen anything like that. now, in a separate investigation or in a separate part of all this, today, there is news coming through as well that a man, a man called dan duffy, who posted a video of himself being arrested by lancashire police on his youtube channel called exploring with danny has been fined afterjoining the search. so the police said that they were going to clamp down. they issued dispersal notices on anyone coming to this area after dark causing a nuisance in the area, that they wanted them to leave and they would use police forces, police powers to do that. that seems to have worked in the last few days. there doesn't seem to be the same number of people around. but the police still very, very keen on focusing on their main two concerns,

and that is finding nicola and bringing answers back to the family and letting them know what happened to her. just very briefly, some might say, look, are all the press feeding into this making this more unhelpful? i mean, we're covering it. the newspapers have had this case on the front pages. it's an incredibly popular story. and that's the defence that i've spoken to, so manyjournalists who, and they've talked about that everywhere you go and everybody you talk to is talking about it. i was in about ten miles further south from here after the news conference in a coffee shop yesterday, on the next table, that was the only thing that they were talking about. they weren't referring to what has happened in the news conference. they were simply referring to the story. and everywhere you go, it's been hugely interesting to people. they want to know what's happened. and that has meant in many times

just in the best interests in the best way is possible. it's that crossover line between being keenly interested and going slightly too far that the police are very concerned about trying to nip in the bud if they can. in the last half an hour, the home office minister, robertjenrick, has been speaking about the case. well, these are unusual comments, but we're not privy to the police's conversations with nicola bulley�*s family, and i don't think it would be right for us to speculate on why they've chosen to make those comments. this is a live investigation. we have to let the police get on with it and not add to the already considerable level of speculation surrounding the case. i hope that the police can find a resolution to this case as quickly as possible so that we can bring answers to nicola bulley�*s family, which they clearly deserve. two youths have appeared at liverpool crown court, charged with the murder of brianna ghey. the 16—year—old, who was a transgender girl, was found with stab wounds on saturday afternoon in warrington.

today, a boy and a girl, both aged 15, appeared separately via video link and spoke only to confirm their name and age. the energy company centrica, which owns british gas, has seen its profits more than triple for last year because of rising oil and gas prices. the earnings were £35 billion compared to £948 million from the year before. british gas was recently criticised for using debt agents to force—fit prepayment meters into the homes of vulnerable customers. here's our business correspondent, theo leggett. net zero means hydrogen and solar... centrica says it is focused on clean energies of the future, but right now it's making bumper profits because of high oil and gas prices. they soared last year after the invasion of ukraine and the company, which owns british gas, is reaping huge benefits. last year, it made £35 billion — that's more than three times its profit from 2021. it also paid £1 billion in tax.

like other energy companies, it has come under fire for making big profits at a time when many consumers are struggling to pay their bills, and that's despite the government's decision to extend the energy profits levy — a special tax on energy businesses that was expanded last month. i don't think centrica is profiteering. it has to be remembered, particularly with upstream gas and oil extraction, that this a very difficult and challenge activity which is already pretty highly taxed in this country. british gas, which supplies energy to households and businesses, accounts for only a fraction of centrica's profits. the parent company isn't allowed to sell energy more cheaply to its own operation than it does to other suppliers. that makes it difficult to pass on the benefits of bumper profits to british gas customers. and there's another problem.

it's faced intense criticism after contractors were filmed entering the houses of vulnerable people in order to fit prepayment meters. this is the exciting bit, i love this bit. thank you. emily lives in a housing association flat with her daughter. she allowed a contractor in to fit a smart meter. despite her protests, she was fitted with a prepayment meter instead. i tried to be polite on the phone. all they said to me was they wouldn't remove the prepayment meter until the debt's paid off. i explained how i never consented and there was no warrant for him to come out and fit it. my landlord doesn't actually allow a prepayment meter, i explained everything to them, and they seemed to have absolutely no compassion towards me. british gas has now apologised to emily and removed the meter.

the regulator ofgem has banned energy firms from forcibly installing prepayment meters until the end of next month. but the controversy has fanned the flames of discontent against the industry at a time when many customers have been struggling. our business correspondent, theo leggett, explained why big profits didn't necessarily mean they'll cut prices. british gas is not rich or not particularly rich. what british gas does is buy electricity and gas on the wholesale markets and sell them onto consumers and businesses. and it did make a profit last year, but its profit was about £72 million. the profit made by centrica, the parent company, was £35 billion, and that's because the parent company makes its money from extracting mainly gas and selling it on the wholesale markets. it did also make money from having a share in britain's nuclear energy as well. so why couldn't centrica, for example, give a lot of discounted gas to british gas? well, competition law

means it can't do that. it has to sell at commercial rates equally to suppliers. so the reality of it is that british gas itself is in the same position as other suppliers. it doesn't make a huge amount of money when wholesale prices are high, but the parent company does. the question is how those profits made by the parent company could be filtered down to help vulnerable consumers. and that's where the debate over things like higher windfall tax, for example, comes in. the search to find a new first minister of scotland is well under way after nicola sturgeon's surprise resignation. the scottish national party's executive committee will meet this evening to draw up a timetable for the leadership race. ms sturgeon, who's scotland's longest—serving first minister, says she'll remain in office until a successor is found. our scotland correspondent, lorna gordon, has more. who will be scotland's next first minister? the country has had five since the advent of this devolved scottish parliament more than 20 years ago, but who will be the sixth

after the unexpected announcement from nicola sturgeon that she is going? i think over the past couple of years there have been many moments when i thought that maybe she will go, particularly after the pandemic, or after an election where there is maybe a natural break. i expected maybe there to be more of a succession plan in place. she is leaving the door wide open. nicola sturgeon was unopposed when she took over from alex salmond, but her successor is likely to face a competition, not a coronation. no one has yet formally declared their intention to stand. those who might throw their hat into the ring include the deputy first minister, john swinney, who has done thejob before, or angus robertson, the former snp westminster leader and now constitution secretary. the finance secretary, kate forbes, who is currently on maternity leave, the health secretary, humza yousaf, or the mp joanna cherry, a critic of nicola sturgeon's leadership. one former deputy leader of the snp

is calling for this notjust to be a change of leader but style of leadership as well. someone who understands that you never again will develop the cult of personality inside the snp. that's been the undoing of alex salmond and it's been the undoing of nicola sturgeon. the rules and timing of the race to succeed nicola sturgeon will be decided at a meeting of the snp�*s governing body this evening. and there are now also questions about whether an snp party conference next month to decide the strategy for a second independence referendum should now go ahead. we were intending to plot our course going forward, - notjust for the snp but for the wider. independence movement. in my view, that conference should be paused. - we should allow a new leader the opportunity and space - to set out their vision, - their priorities domestically in relation to the nhs, the economy,

the cost of living crisis, _ but also give them the space - to chart their course when it comes to that pathway to independence. whoever takes over from nicola sturgeon will have an in—tray full of challenges — health, education, the gender recognition reform bill and that constitutional issue that divides voters, whether or not scotland should be an independent country. lorna gordon, bbc news, edinburgh. the headlines on bbc news... the family of nicola bulley issue a statement calling on the public to end the "appalling" speculation about her private life. british gas owner centrica reports record profits — earning £35 billion compared to less than a billion the year before. after the resignation of nicola sturgeon, senior snp officials prepare to meet to discuss the timetable for a leadership contest.

the chief of nato has been visiting turkey to express support and offer help following the devastating earthquakes. more than 41,000 people are known to have died from the disaster, which hit turkey and syria last week. jens stoltenberg is visiting turkey because its a member of the alliance. he's been meeting turkish president recep tayyip erdogan and will also visit quake—affected areas. in a news conference earlier, he said the focus will now be on reconstruction and supporting the displaced by setting up temporary housing. this is the deadliest natural disaster on alliance territory since the foundation of nato. on behalf of nato, i offer my deepest condolences to the turkish people and the families and the loved ones of all those who lost their lives or were injured. the focus going forward will be on reconstruction and supporting the displaced. that is why nato is now setting up

temporary housing for thousands of displaced people. in addition, nato will also use our strategic airlift capabilities to transport tens of thousands of tents to turkiye in the coming days and weeks. 11 days on, remarkably, there are still people being pulled alive from the rubble left by the powerful earthquakes that hit syria and turkey. a teenage girl has been rescued from a collapsed building near the epicentre of the quakes in the province of kahramanmaras. she was pulled from the wreckage as her uncle hugged the rescuers one by one, saying he'd never forget them. 0verrall, the number of dead is now more than 41,000. our correspondent, caroline davies, reports from the city of adana in southern turkey. an incredible story of survival. carefully, with many hands, 17—year—old 0lena is lifted to safety after 248 hours under the rubble.

these stories that have amazed the world are often down to a few factors and chance. to survive long term, so let's say over a week or ten days or something like that, you need mainly access to two things — air and some sort of water source. so we say people can survive without water intake maybe for about three to five days or so. but i do think there's probably a huge psychological component, in the sense that, if people have hope and they believe that they will be rescued, determination probably does play a factor. many fear how long it may take them to be back in a home. in the snow—covered province of kahramanmaras, tent cities have been erected to provide some shelter. in adana, a food market is now a camp. but not for long. these tents have been in position for the course of the last ten days,

but the authorities here say they are now dismantling them. you can see the tents over here and people taking some of their belongings as well. now, that's because the authorities say that there is greater need closer to the epicentre, but people who have been living here tell us that they are very worried. the authorities say people will be moved to live in other accommodation but some feel they are being moved on too quickly. fatma has been living in the camp since the earthquake hit. translation: it was rainy | and cold, plus we had to see dead bodies coming out of the building nearby. it was like a nightmare — i couldn't wash for ten days. this is the situation we are in. our mental strength has broken. the earthquake has already taken so much, but many feel they are now left in limbo, not knowing how or where they can rebuild their lives. the leader of belarus, alexander lukashenko,

says he's ready to allow russia to use his country as a staging post for a new offensive in ukraine. last year, the russian military�*s failed attempt to seize the capital, kyiv, was launched from belarus. here's our diplomatic correspondent, paul adams. a rare meeting with foreign journalists for the man who has ruled belarus for almost 30 years. alexander lukashenko has allowed russia to use his country to attack neighbouring ukraine. he says he'll do it again. translation: yes, i'm ready. you say invasion. we have differing views on this. i'm ready to provide territory again. but when it comes to his own forces getting involved, he drew an important distinction. but i'm also ready to wage war together with the russians from the territory of belarus, but only if anyone, even one soldier, comes to our territory with weapons to kill my people. a year ago, russia and belarus carried out days of military exercises along ukraine's northern

border. russia said it had no plans to invade. and the world wondered whether this was simply sabre rattling. but this was the prelude to war — when the invasion came, columns of russian armour poured in from belarus. could it happen again? for now, the border is quiet, no signs here of preparations for another assault. ukraine has gone to great lengths to improve its defences. if russian forces come this way again, they won't simply drive through, as they did a year ago. but with moscow and minsk talking about plans for more joint training, ukraine knows it has to be ready amid speculation that never quite goes away, western analysts believe another russian invasion from belarus is unlikely. for now, the main focus is on the east. in bakhmut, fighting has raged for months. this is where a major russian

offensive is expected and may already be under way. russia may want ukraine to think the danger is elsewhere but it's here in the donbas where the two sides are getting ready. paul adams, bbc news. despite the intensity of the conflict in ukraine, both sides have been cooperating on prisoner swaps. more than 1,700 ukrainian men and women have reportedly made it home in exchange for russian prisoners of war. the bbc has been given rare access to one facility, where captured russian soldiers are held in western ukraine. kyiv says, while most prisoners will be handed over, some will remain on suspicion of possible war crimes. our ukraine correspondent, james waterhouse, has that story. under the watchful eye of ancient ukrainian rulers, and guards, march these russian prisoners of war. both sides have been accused of abusing captured soldiers in the past. so these are the belongings

of some prisoners of war who arrived last week. now, it's unlikely they're going to speak freely. but what this is is an insight into ukraine's information war, as well as a look at how prisoners of war are used as currency. now kyiv wants to show us these men who they insist are being treated fairly. they're using this workshop to take shelterfrom russian missiles. some hide their faces to further protect their identities. ukraine needs these soldiers to trade for their own. we're under supervision, but the guards don't interfere. this prisoner tells us he surrendered near the eastern town of soledar last month. several say they just want to go home. some here are just days off the battlefield — a mixture of conscripts, soldiers and mercenaries.

many are pale, their eyes glazed over. sometimes, history has echoes. this gritty fortress once held soviet and then german inmates in the second world war. everyone here appears to know the drill. air raid alerts seem to be the only breaks from a monotonous routine. the bite of the cold is followed by the relief of lunch. today, it's corn soup and barley and meat before a choreographed finish. "thank you for lunch," they say, in ukrainian. this might look like free time, but the guards have the remote. the pick of the day — a documentary on ukrainian history. but not everyone will

speak the language. translation: more or less, i'mj starting to understand ukrainian. these programmes are educational. this looks more like a re—education. these inmates are waiting to make a phone call home. the conversations are recorded. "where are you?" asks his mum. "i'm in captivity — i can't say more," he says, "with the bloody ukrainians?" she asks. "enough, mum," he replies. "the most important thing is that i'm alive and healthy." this economy of prisoner exchanges has grown, which means they're more valuable to both sides regardless of whether they return to the fight.

james waterhouse, bbc news, western ukraine. the governor of the us state of ohio has warned residents living near the site of a toxic train derailment to drink bottled water, as the authorities investigate environmental fallout from the accident. the cargo train crashed earlier this month in the town of east palesteen, causing a major fire and triggering the release of toxic fumes. thousands of fish have been found dead in nearby streams, but the governor said the air has been deemed safe. nomia iqbal has more. a meeting hasjust wrapped up here in the town hall where residents got together to try and get some answers. they are angry, upset and fearful. one woman said, do not portray us as some small, poor community. another woman said to me that she believes that if this had happened in a bigger city in america, they would be getting answers. they want to know why did a train carrying chemical toxins pass through their town

without any warning. they tell me they are too scared to drink the water, even though officials here say it is safe. they say their pets have fallen ill, they feel ill, their houses are of no value, and so they want to get down to the bottom of it. what's made it worse for many of them is that the train company, norfolk southern, which owns the train, didn't show up here, their representatives. they said it was out of fear of their safety, which has really angered residents. the firm has provided a fund of more than $1 million to help people, but everyone here is worried about the long—term effects when it comes to the environment and their health. the supermarket chain aldi says it's looking to increase its workforce in britain by more than 6,000. the company will recruit more staff for its distribution centres, as well as for new stores in norwich and newcastle. aldi also says it's proud it pays the highest hourly wage

in the sector. after a relatively quiet thursday weather—wise, things are set to turn a lot livelier tonight and into tomorrow. it's due to an area of low pressure that's been named storm otto by the danish weather service for us across scotland, the pennines and east england. it will bring some strong and gusty winds and the risk of travel disruption. the rest of today will be relatively quiet. a little bit of brightness for parts of england and wales, some rain splashing into northern ireland and western scotland, very mild, 10 to 14 degrees. but tonight, particularly across the northern half of the uk, we'll see outbreaks of rain and strengthening winds turning very gusty, particularly for scotland and down into north—east england. lighter winds further south, will be breezy, cloudy too and mild, seven to 11 degrees into tomorrow. strong winds gusting up to 60, 70, maybe 80 miles per hour in exposed parts of northern scotland. those winds only slowly easing as we head through the day

and turning a little bit chillier across northern parts of the uk. hello — this is bbc news. the headlines... the family of nicola bulley issue a statement calling on the public to end the "appalling" speculation about her private life. british gas owner centrica reports record profits — earning 3.3 billion pounds, compared to less than a billion, the year before. after the resignation of nicola sturgeon, senior snp officials prepare to meet to discuss the timetable for a leadership contest. nato's secretary general visits turkey to express support following the devastating earthquakes. a new way of screening 999 calls will be introduced in england, in an effort to speed up ambulance response times. sport and for a full round—up,

from the bbc sport centre. good afternoon. wales head coach warren gatland says he won't back his players — if they decide to strike instead of lining—up against england in the six nations. gatland insists he supports his squad's cause after welsh rugby's professional contracts freeze. but says he wouldn't agree if they boycotted the game in cardiff a week on saturday. there's a meeting of the body representing players in wales next week — after wage cuts were proposed. i'm in complete support of the players in terms of the wl pa which, to me, my time here has been incredibly weak as an organisation and i've stressed on a number of occasions to players that they need to be stronger, the need to have more voice, they need to be around

the table from a consultation point of view, so the fact that from that regard i think is a huge positive for the players and their relationship with the union going forward because they need to be part of all the discussions that take place. of all the discussions that take lace. �* , , of all the discussions that take tlace, �* , , ., , of all the discussions that take lace. �*, , ., place. it's the very last option. never people _ place. it's the very last option. never people really _ place. it's the very last option. j never people really passionate place. it's the very last option. i never people really passionate to think ultimately if you treat people badly for— think ultimately if you treat people badly for long enough, you get to where _ badly for long enough, you get to where we — badly for long enough, you get to where we find ourselves and, again, we realise _ where we find ourselves and, again, we realise what we do and how fortunate — we realise what we do and how fortunate we are to do it but if this was— fortunate we are to do it but if this was any other line of work and any other— this was any other line of work and any other industry for this period of time _ any other industry for this period of time with this amount of uncertainty, you'd get the same reaction — meanwhile ireland second row tadhg beirne has been ruled out of the remainder of the six nations. he sustained an ankle injury against france on saturday. the irish rugby football union confirmed he will need surgery which is likely to keep him out of action for 12 weeks. he'll miss the games against italy,

scotland and england. it's been a superb opening day for england's cricketers in the first test in new zealand. some now custom aggressive batting — and then a bold piece of captaincy from ben stokes. andy swiss explains. there was a time when test cricket was calm, cautious... anthem plays. but england have the rewritten the rule book. they began against england with the same swagger that brought such success last year, ben duckett blasting his way to 50 from the first hour. it duckett blasting his way to 50 from the first hour.— the first hour. it has been entertaining _ the first hour. it has been entertaining from - the first hour. it has been entertaining from the - the first hour. it has been| entertaining from the first the first hour. it has been - entertaining from the first hour. that said, not everything works. beggars ot again! jae that said, not everything works. beggars ot again!— that said, not everything works. beggars ot again! joe root without reminder that _ beggars ot again! joe root without reminder that their _ beggars ot again! joe root without reminder that their aggressive - reminder that their aggressive approach is a risky business but it's also a thrilling one.- it's also a thrilling one. what a shot! in it's also a thrilling one. what a shot! in a _ it's also a thrilling one. what a shot! in a blaze _ it's also a thrilling one. what a shot! in a blaze that _ it's also a thrilling one. what a | shot! in a blaze that boundaries it's also a thrilling one. what a - shot! in a blaze that boundaries led b har shot! in a blaze that boundaries led by harry allowing — shot! in a blaze that boundaries led by harry allowing england - shot! in a blaze that boundaries led by harry allowing england to - shot! in a blaze that boundaries led | by harry allowing england to declare on 325. under the floodlights, new zealand batsmen was soon under

pressure. the two ollie's and robinson made the breakthrough before 40 of old jimmy anderson showed his timeless talent. kane williamson was initially given not out with the replay is shown otherwise an england's the light wasn't done. and anderson also removed henry nichols before the close. england's day and once again never a dull moment. and if bbc news. ——andy swift, bbc news. tottenham manager antonio conte will remain in italy to "fully recover" from his recent gall bladder surgery and will now miss the game at home to west ham on sunday. in a statement on social media conte says. . . . it was his "great sense of responsibility" that encouraged his "comeback". he has been in the dug—out for spurs' last 2 matches. he says though that he "underestimated the procedure "which wasn't a routine operation, but a sudden and serious emergency". he admits he's now been forced

to stop until his entire recovery and that it is a "burden" but a "necessary" one. "sadly, i underestimated the procedure, which wasn't a routine operation, but a sudden and serious emergency. my body has suffered my impatience, and now i am forced to stop that's all the sport for now. you can find more on all those stories on the bbc sport website. that's bbc.co.uk/sport let's go back to the story about the owner of british gas — centrica — which has announced profits of £3.3 billion for last year, more than triple the amount it made in 2021. british gas has been criticised for using debt agencies to break into homes and impose prepayment meters on vulnerable customers. kathryn porter is an energy consultant and founder of watt—logic. thanks very much forjoining us. many will look at these numbers and think more windfall tax but is that just a rather simplistic answer?

yes, unfortunately it is. i think a lot of people upset hearing results really because they are seeing this narrative of huge energy company profits while they are paying high amounts the gas and electricity in their homes. and with the exception of centrica i think mostly these are different companies. the windfall tax that you mentioned, unfortunately, is actually harming british interests in the sense that it's reducing oil and gas production in the north sea. we saw how the energy, which is the largest independent operator in the region announcing job losses and attributing that to the windfall tax. it's a difficult region to continue to exploit and companies canjust go continue to exploit and companies can just go elsewhere so if we want to develop our domestic industry instead of importing, the windfall tax is very helpful. what about this question of the competition rules? should the government look are trying to change those? b. government look are trying to change those? �* ., ., government look are trying to change those? ., ., , ., , those? a lot of people have been

sa int those? a lot of people have been saying why _ those? a lot of people have been saying why can't _ those? a lot of people have been saying why can't centrica - those? a lot of people have been saying why can't centrica use - those? a lot of people have been i saying why can't centrica use these high profits from the upstream business to subsidise cheaper prices for households and as you say that poses quite a competition issue. if centrica was allowed to do that it could effectively push all the other suppliers out of the market and it would revert to being the monopoly and i'm not sure that's really in anyone's best interest. this current high price environment isn't going to last forever. centrica likely will see lower profits next year thanit will see lower profits next year than it has this year and that would be a rather permanent solution, if you like, to attempt of the problems i really don't think that that's the answer. i think we need to restructure the retail segment and make it work better for consumers and i don't think it is needed by that. ~ ., , ., ., and i don't think it is needed by that. ~ ., ., _ and i don't think it is needed by that. . ., ., ,, ., and i don't think it is needed by that. ~ ., ., _ ., the that. what you mean by that? the retail business _ that. what you mean by that? the retail business is _ that. what you mean by that? the retail business is actually - that. what you mean by that? the retail business is actually really i retail business is actually really low margin business. we saw half a dozen players in the market go bankrupt in the second half of 2021. centrica's profits for the british gas energy business were only £72 million out of the total of over £3

billion and the operating margin was actually 0.55% so for every £1 billion and the operating margin was actually 0.55% so for every e1 of revenue that british gas earned selling gas and electricity to homes and small businesses, it's only earning 0.5 5p of profit. now, if you compare with say the food retail sector, which is also an essential business area, food retailers erred in margins of about 2% so it's something like four times more than centrica and british gas are earning on that business so you really need to reform the sector to allow these businesses to be more profitable so that they can invest in improving the customer experience and to invest in innovations. we see very little innovation in the sector because profits are so low companies simply can't afford to try innovation is the don't work. briefly, should the boss of centrica be taking his bonus, which is worth apparently up to £1.6 million? i

apparently up to {1.6 million? i am... people often say things like this. £1.6 million as a drop in the ocean. if he's done a good job, if his personal performance has been good, which i can't really speak to, then i don't see good reason why his bonus should be withheld. we need big companies to be run by people and if we don't pay the right amount of money and obviously they're not going to want thatjob. of money and obviously they're not going to want that job.— going to want that 'ob. thank you ve much going to want that 'ob. thank you very much on — going to want that job. thank you very much on decaf _ going to want that job. thank you very much on decaf importer. - going to want that job. thank you - very much on decaf importer. thanks very much on decaf importer. thanks very much. let's go back to the story of the disappearance of nicola bulley. her family has issued a statement saying that they "believe the public focus has become distracted from finding her and has become more about speculation and rumours about her private life. police had faced a growing backlash for revealing she had ongoing struggles with alcohol and the menopause. they added that she had been in a �*crisis' after coming of hrt to treat symptoms of menopause. police had faced a growing backlash

for revealing she had ongoing struggles with alcohol and the menopause. her family said she would not have wanted the information released , but that police had kept them informed. dr charlotte proudman, barrister and director of right to equality, gave us her reaction to the police action and the family's statement. the family are utterly disappointed with the speculation into nicola bulley�*s disappearance and it seems as if people have been approached by the media and are even attempting to sell stories about nicola bulley�*s life, and herfamily seem utterly devastated by all of the events surrounding her disappearance but not least the way that she's been treated by the public, on social media, and by the tabloid press, who appearto have used her disappearance as an opportunity to sell stories and spread myths about women. as we often see notjust in cases about women who have gone missing but we see in rape cases, domestic abuse cases, as if nicola bulley is somehow responsible for her having gone missing because the police put out statement yesterday saying

that she was menopausal and had issues with alcohol, and as a consequence of that many have suggested she might be unstable. and usual myths around women then start to encroach within the public sphere and then deflects from the fact that she's missing and focuses upon her personal life and identity, and of course no—one knows her other than her family and friends. is it not perhaps understandable that the police felt they had to put a little bit more information out there because of the wild speculation that we have seen in the last few days? well, it seems to me that if you're trying to quell speculation about the disappearance of nicola bulley, putting out a statement which seems, on the face of it, to be irrelevant to her disappearance, about her menopause or her having alcohol issues, is going to do more than fuel to that speculation. if anything, it's become

titillation, it's become clickbait, and it's resulted in hemlines within the tabloid press today which are utterly hideous and have no place in the press, let alone concerning the disappearance of a woman. so if that was the intention... but it's not necessarily... it's not the police's fault, is it, that it's become clickbait and that people are visiting the scene? and, you know, if the police put out a bit of information about her, they are doing that presumably because it might help those who are genuinely interested in trying to help locate her or, you know, to be useful to them. well, i'm afraid i'm going to have to disagree with you there. i don't think that the police would behave in this way if it was a man that had gone missing, and i don't see how reflecting upon her privacy and her vulnerabilities as someone with menopause or alcohol issues has anything to do with the fact she's disappeared — and, if it has, then the police should explain why that is the case. what the police said is that she's a woman with vulnerabilities and then sought to expand upon that. as i've already said, i don't see how that is relevant.

the police haven't said how it is relevant. and we've seen notjust in this case but in other cases confidence in the police by women is at an all—time low, especially after the murder and rape of sarah everard, along with many other women, regarding the police's handling of cases such as that and others. and this is an opportunity, i would have thought, for the police to send out a strong message that they're doing everything they can, not putting out messages which have been construed as victim—blaming. and the family in their statement have said that, despite what some media and other individuals are suggesting, we are being updated daily by the police and receive support from our family liaison officers. i'm very pleased to hear that they are receiving that support. and they or anyone that goes missing or experiences any form of violence or abuse should experience the support of the police and other services, so i'm pleased to hear that,

but it seems to me that the statement that was sent out yesterday has had the opposite effect of what the police surely intended, and i hope that they police reflect upon that, not only in this case but in other future cases, and whilst i understand that there has been wild speculation regarding the disappearance of nicola bulley, and which many of us, including myself, have not wanted to speculate about at all — i don't think it's appropriate to do so — intimate private details which pry into her private life are rife speculation and should have not, in my view, been put into the public sphere. a new way of screening less urgent 999 calls will be introduced across england, in an effort to improve ambulance response times. the focus will be on category 2 calls, which range from suspected heart attacks and strokes, to burns and urgent headaches. crews will be asked to review each call to see if a patient can be better treated elsewhere. here's our health

correspondent, dominic hughes. ambulance, is the patient breathing? ambulance call centres have seen record levels of demand in recent months... has she lost any blood? ..and that's contributed to some of the worst ever response times, so in london and the west midlands, they have been experimenting with a new way of dealing with calls in an effort to make sure help gets where its needed the most. this new system will allow a clinical conversation between a nurse, a paramedic or a doctor and the patient, and between them they will be able to decide whether an ambulance is the best response for that patient, or they are better cared for in a different environment. it's really important that people know it does not mean anyone loses their place in the queue. what it does is provide more individualised care for an individual patient. but also allows us to free up the resources for our most vulnerable patients. category two ambulance call—outs make up over half of all emergency calls. they're meant to cover an immediate risk to life,

things like a heart attack or stroke, but they also include conditions such as burns, diabetes or headaches, where the severity of the problems can vary enormously and some of which do not always need an immediate response. through having a more detailed conversation with some of those patients, a pilot scheme found around one in five of all category two calls could be better treated elsewhere and did not need an ambulance. i'm just calling back to follow up on your earlier call... with ten years experience as a paramedic, dave godden has used the new scheme to help a patient who called 999 after getting a nasty cut on his hand. when i phoned back and we assessed him, the bleeding had stopped, he was in a much calmer state, he able to speak a bit clearer, the pain had subsided somewhat, and i was able to give him advice to make his own way to the urgent care centre to treat his wound, which saved an ambulance but got him the right care that he needed. those running the pilot scheme say no patients were disadvantaged. some patients even found themselves moved from category two to the most

urgent, category one. the scheme is now being expanded to all ten ambulance services across england, with the hope it can help improve response times and focus help for those who need it. dominic hughes, bbc news. doctors are warning the lives of thousands of severely disabled children, are being put at risk because of long ambulance waits. the british academy of childhood disability, warns many young people suffer life—threatening emergencies on a daily basis, and can't access the care they need. the government says it's reducing delays, by investing in 800 new ambulances. here's ruth clegg. is that emily's favourite song? it's 7:00am in the watson household, and the morning routine has just begun. so for breakfast, christopher has about seven different meds. emily has seven as well, but a different combination.

it's busy, it's intense, and for emily and christopher, it's life—saving. christopher has got a tracheotomy and emily has got choking issues. the 12—year—old twins were born prematurely and have complex medical needs. are you ok, emily? each one on their own could be life threatening. if we have a problem with christopher's breathing tube, his tracheostomy, and we're unable to resolve it, he'd be dead within minutes. get the lady to come round here and see. just before christmas, with ambulances in short supply, and hospitals declaring critical incidents, christopher started to have problems with his breathing tube. he was presenting in a way we have never seen before, he was presenting in a way we are not trained to deal with. they called for an ambulance, but were told that despite christopher being a category one, which means paramedics should arrive within ten minutes, it could be a three—hour wait. what's going through your head at this point? you've tried everything. you literally know that it's got to be emergency care. it's scary. yeah, it's scary.

and you start to think, "what's going wrong now? "what can we do? how is this going to end up?" like nearly 100,000 children across the uk, emergency care is a crucial part of their everyday lives. normally we would be saying to them, "well, you know, "if this is happening, this is when you call the ambulance, "and don't worry — they'll be there within10, 20 minutes." at the moment, you can't rely on there actually being an ambulance able to come in that short length of time. got emergency blue box with a standard tracheostomy tube. fortunately, an ambulance was diverted and within 40 minutes christopher was rushed to hospital where a resuscitation team were ready and waiting. these children need that extra level of care. it's not their fault that they need it. christopher survived and is back at school. but the worry is always there.

if the health service breaks down and doesn't function, if christopher has an episode like that, he would not be here. the government says it is planning to improve services with 5000 more beds and 800 new ambulances. check off you've got everything they need to keep christopher safe. ruth clegg, bbc news. thousands of drink spiking cases are reported every year on the campaigners think the numbers could actually be much higher. now, anti—spiking test kits are being used in venues across nottingham to help people feel safer when on nights out. thousands of drink spiking cases are reported every year, but campaigners fear the true figure could be much higher. as business leaders meet to discuss further measures, emily anderson has been

investigating what's currently in place to keep people safe. nottingham city centre by night. forsome, particularly women, they simply don't feel safe. nottingham bid has been working with bars and other venues to combat this with a safe space pledge. the aim is to try to make a safer place for women and girls at night, specifically licensed premises and places that serve alcohol. dozens of public places have signed up to the scheme which aims to provide practical solutions while reducing the vulnerability of women visiting nottingham at night. there's somebody that they can talk to, even if it'sjust a chat to calm them down, where they can feel safe, they can walk in, tere's somebody that they can talk to, even if it's just a chat to calm them down, where they can feel safe, they can have a drink, they can enjoy their evening out without any fear of being unsafe at any point. the safe space pledge has eight actions for each venue. they include making sure staff are trained to respond and intervene if a woman feels unsafe. taking reports of sexual harassment, violence or intimidation seriously and with appropriate action. having champions in each venue

who lead on women's safety and having information on display about what people can do if they are concerned. every member of staff is trained to ensure that all of our customers are safe, as well as each other. on top of this, anti—spiking test kits are being given to venues across nottingham. if you're worried your drink may have been tampered with, you can put a drop onto these testing strips and it will tell you very quickly whether it is safe to drink or not. it gives them the reassurance it has not been tampered with or if it has we can get appropriate services involved. it's part of the pledge to have people trained and involved that can take it seriously. i night life safety forum is being held this afternoon to discuss what is being done in the city to improve this afternoon, a nightlife safety

forum is being held in the city to discuss what is being done in the city to improve in the city to improve safety at night. the humanitarian crisis in turkey and syria has provoked an international response. unicef�*s largest warehouse is in copenhagen. boxes of aid are put together here, ready to be sent to the earthquake struck regions. adrienne murray has been behind—the—scenes to see how the operation and logistics work. it's the size of three football pitches. this is the world's biggest humanitarian warehouse. the assembly line behind me is where boxes of aid and dozens of different types of emergency kits are put together ready to be sent out to crises around the globe. the first round of earthquake relief was sent from here last week. the bundles on these pallets contain thermal blankets and these are going to be shipped out to turkey by truck. we've sent a lot of medical kits, hygiene kits, but i mean, what they need most at the moment is blankets, plastic sheeting, tents. it's an enormous operation, and if you take a quick look around you can see just how highly automated it is.

monorails and forklift trucks are constantly on the move, and over there are robots. robert, roberta and robin are shifting boxes and pallets. all these supplies are stored in this huge temperature—controlled bay that can handle 36,000 pallets. these are some of the items that go into the kits here. here you've got essentials for sanitation, medical equipment to help give birth safely, and this is a classroom in a box. there is even black paint for a chalk board, and of course it's really important to have toys for children. supplies are also being sent to other places affected by disaster, conflict and health issues. to afghanistan, yemen and over the past year to ukraine. there are so many emergencies that the shifts have been doubled and the operation is running from 6:30am to 11:30pm. we know that a lot of hospitals have been destroyed.

it's the middle of winter and the earthquake could not have happened at a worse time. there have been challenges getting aid to turkey and particularly syria, so how will these boxes of kit and equipment reach the affected areas? we've got supplies on trucks that are heading in by road. we are using planes, commercial, charter and just trying to move supplies as quickly as possible. obviously it is a challenge. some of the airports were damaged in the earthquake. we've got some roads that are also damaged. the number of emergencies right now in the world has just never been higher and the need is desperate. some of the aid is being airlifted to damascus and soon to adana, and this truck is about to go overland to turkey. adrienne murray, bbc

news, copenhagen. it's emerged that a letter written in february 1916 has arrived at a flat in london more than 100 years later. the envelope, which has a bath postmark, arrived at a flat in crystal palace in south london in 2021. finlay glen, who unexpectedly received the letter, said he was "obviously pretty surprised and mystified as to how it could have been sat around for more than 100 years." now it's time for a look at the weather with ben. good afternoon. it's been a relatively quiet day so far, but that is set to change as we head through tonight and into the first part of tomorrow. very windy weather across the northern half of the uk, particularly for scotland, across the tops of the pennines and parts of northeast england. travel disruption is quite likely. on the earlier satellite picture, you can see this stripe of cloud

just out to the west and from within this area of cloud, we're going to see this area of low pressure deepening. this has been named storm otto by the danish weather service for the impact it's likely to have there, but it's going to bring us windy weather over the next 24 hours. but in the short—term, brightness developing for parts of england and wales this afternoon. conversely, patchy rain for northern ireland and western scotland. mild though, temperatures for the majority between 10—14 celsius. this evening and overnight, we will see outbreaks of rain across northern ireland, scotland, northern england and the winds will really start to pick up. some very gusty conditions developing across the northern half of the country. it's going to be a really mild night, temperatures between 7—10 celsius, but if you're travelling through the end of the night and into the first part of the morning, across a good part of scotland we will see wind gusts of 70—80mph for exposed coasts. it's going to be gusty across the tops of the pennines — some of the trans—pennine routes could be quite problematic with the strength of the wind

and also just to the east of the pennines across parts of northeast england, but generally very windy to start friday across the northern half of the uk. we'll see some cloud and some very patchy rain pushing southwards. some further showers pushing across scotland. some snow over the highest ground here, but we should see some spells of sunshine. through the day, it will be turning a little bit chillier across northern areas, whereas further south it's very mild again, highs of 14—15 celsius. saturday, we will see some outbreaks of rain, maybe snow over high ground in scotland. generally a fair amount of cloud. some limited spells of sunshine, but it's going to be mild, 8—15 celsius, quite breezy across the south. for sunday, the strongest winds transfer further north again with some outbreaks of rain, whereas southern parts of the uk will be mainly dry and mild.

this is bbc news. i'm geeta guru—murthy. the headlines: the family of nicola bulley issue a statement calling on the public to end the "appalling" speculation about her private life. british gas owner centrica reports record profits, earning £3.3 billion compared to less than £1 billion the year before. after the resignation of nicola sturgeon, senior snp officials prepare to meet to discuss the timetable for a leadership contest. nato's secretary general visits turkey to express support following the devastating earthquakes. the un launches a global appeal to help victims. a new way of screening 999 calls will be introduced in england in an effort to speed up

ambulance response times. the family of missing nicola bulley have issued a statement criticising public speculation around her disappearance. the 45—year—old went missing on the 27th of january during a riverside dog walk in st michael's on wyre in lancashire. police had faced a growing backlash for revealing she had ongoing struggles with alcohol and the menopause. her family said she would not have wanted the information released, but that police had kept them informed. they've also said today...

the statement continued on to discuss the menopause. due to the peri—menopause nikki suffered with significant side effects such as brain fog... the headaches caused nikki to stop taking the hrt thinking that may have helped her but only ended up causing this crisis. "the public focus has to be on finding her and not making up wild theories about her personal life." "despite what some media outlets are suggesting, we are being updated daily and receive support from our family liaison officers. "nikki is such a wonderful daughter, sister, partner and mother and is missed dearly.

"we all need you back in our lives." our correspondent explained the background to the comments. iatrutnen background to the comments. when the talk to background to the comments. when they talk to the _ background to the comments. when they talk to the media, _ background to the comments. when they talk to the media, they - background to the comments. when they talk to the media, they give out a lot of public information. some of the criticism has been quite damning. the chief crown prosecutor for the north west of england said the statement should never have been issued as it gives fuel to victim blame is, armchair sleuths and conspiracy theorists. stella creasy mp said the decision to disclose that level of detail on a missing person's private life when it does not assist in finding her is deeply troubling. that goes to the heart of what the criticism has been, why did the police issue that information when it's a missing person inquiry? it seems to have been a to allay

concerns they were not looking in the right places. these are the reasons why the police said they did not think anyone else had been involved or there had been criminal activity and they believe is their main hypothesis that for one reason or another, main hypothesis that for one reason oranother, nicola main hypothesis that for one reason or another, nicola ended up in the wyre behind me here in st michael's on wyre. the home office minister robert jenrick has been asked to comment on the case well, these are unusual comments, but we're not privy to the police's conversations with nicola bulley�*s family, and i don't think it would be right for us to speculate on why they've chosen to make those comments. this is a live investigation. we have to let the police get on with it and not add to the already considerable level of speculation surrounding the case. i hope that the police can find a resolution to this case as quickly as possible so that we can bring answers to nicola bulley�*s family, which they clearly deserve.

doctor emma cunningham is a senior lecturer in criminology. what do you make us today's statement? —— make of the statement? i make us today's statement? -- make of the statement?— of the statement? i find it troubling _ of the statement? i find it troubling that _ of the statement? i find it troubling that the - of the statement? i find it troubling that the police l of the statement? i find it. troubling that the police have of the statement? i find it - troubling that the police have gone into this much detail regarding nicola's vulnerabilities so i think they could have said what they need to say and kept it to a level of discussing vulnerabilities rather than going into specific detail. would that have ended up with even more speculation and they have tried to perhaps quell some of that in order to focus the public? i can see wh that order to focus the public? i can see why that might _ order to focus the public? i can see why that might be _ order to focus the public? i can see why that might be the _ order to focus the public? i can see why that might be the case. - order to focus the public? i can see i why that might be the case. however, i don't think it will have quelled any speculation. i think what's disturbing to me is that they've

gone on and given information about nicola's bodily integrity and personal issues and the alcohol issue might be seen as victim blaming and all these things are actually not helpful in that case. there are obviously a lot of concerns about the information that has been released but if the police think it would help people focus on what needs to be focused on, even if it's uncomfortable, maybe overall they felt it was helpful.— they felt it was helpful. perhaps they felt it was helpful. perhaps the did. they felt it was helpful. perhaps they did- i _ they felt it was helpful. perhaps they did. i think— they felt it was helpful. perhaps they did. | think it _ they felt it was helpful. perhaps they did. i think it remains i they felt it was helpful. perhaps they did. i think it remains to i they felt it was helpful. perhaps | they did. i think it remains to be seen whether that is actually going to quell any of the interest in this case. i cannot see that being the case. i cannot see that being the case and i think it could have been done differently without having to

give that information out. today's statement from _ give that information out. today's statement from the _ give that information out. today's statement from the family - give that information out. today's statement from the family has i give that information out. today's i statement from the family has given even more detail about the symptoms that she suffered which are familiar to lots of people going through the menopause but they've also got quite a striking line saying the headaches caused nicola to stop taking hrt thinking that may have helped her but only ended up causing this crisis. , , ., crisis. yes, i did see that statement, _ crisis. yes, i did see that statement, i— crisis. yes, i did see that statement, i did - crisis. yes, i did see that statement, i did read i crisis. yes, i did see that i statement, i did read that. personally, i would say, still, that as a 55—year—old woman, i'm in menopause, coming through the other side of it. that's my news, that's my information, that's very personal to me, and that's up to me who i choose that knowledge with. who i choose that knowledge with. who i choose to share that with. and i think it's just wrong that that knowledge has been put into a public

domain when he nicola isn't here to speakfor domain when he nicola isn't here to speak for herself. beyond this case, what does this mean for women generally? will that be done again in the future? i find it troubling. other people have expressed the same concern. are you surprised by the level of public interest, the speculation? police have said it is unhelpful that people have been going to the area because it is distracting from police investigating resources. distracting from police investittatin resources. ~ , investigating resources. absolutely. i could tell from _ investigating resources. absolutely. i could tell from the _ investigating resources. absolutely. i could tell from the interview- investigating resources. absolutely. i could tell from the interview last l i could tell from the interview last night from the media event how exasperated the police did appear to be in this case, given the amount of at—home investigators and social media experts who are all putting their comments into this case, it is unhelpful. however, istill don't

see giving that personal information is being helpful in resolving the case. ., ., ., ~ , ., case. emma cunningham, thank you ve much case. emma cunningham, thank you very much indeed. _ case. emma cunningham, thank you very much indeed. we've _ case. emma cunningham, thank you very much indeed. we've just i case. emma cunningham, thank you very much indeed. we've just had i case. emma cunningham, thank you very much indeed. we've just had a | very much indeed. we've just had a statement from lancashire pcc on this. it's quite a long statement. it's from the police and crime commissioner andrew snowdon saying they are not doing any interviews but there are thoughts are with the friends and family of nicola bulley, they are thanking the police officers and partners and staff who are continuing the work tirelessly in the search for nicola. the investigation is under the control of the police and they are seeing the unprecedented public interest, while welcome for appeals to information, is challenging for the friends and family of nicola and police are having to deal with unsubstantiated rumours and speculation on a daily basis. they go on to reference the police statement on this and say that they

are deeply saddened by the case and want nothing more than for nicola to be found safe and well and that the police and crime commissioner is getting regular briefings from the police. the police say they are being as transparent as they can be in what's a complex case. this includes external support from the national crime agency and others. that has come from the pcc for lancashire. we can see a lot more detail and statements coming out today on that case as the investigation continues. the energy company, centrica, which owns british gas, has seen it's profits more than triple for last year, because of rising oil and gas prices. the earnings were £3.3 billion compared to 948 million from the year before. british gas was recently criticised, for using debt agents to force—fit pre—payment meters, into the homes of vulnerable customers. here's our business correspondent, theo leggett. net zero means hydrogen and solar...

centrica says it is focused on clean energies of the future, but right now it's making bumper profits because of high oil and gas prices. they soared last year after the invasion of ukraine and the company, which owns british gas, is reaping huge benefits. last year, it made £3.3 billion — that's more than three times its profit from 2021. it also paid £1 billion in tax. like other energy companies, it has come under fire for making big profits at a time when many consumers are struggling to pay their bills, and that's despite the government's decision to extend the energy profits levy — a special tax on energy businesses which was expanded last month. i don't think centrica is profiteering. it has to be remembered, particularly with upstream gas and oil extraction, that this a very difficult and challenge activity which is already pretty highly taxed in this country.

british gas, which supplies energy to households and businesses, accounts for only a fraction of centrica's profits. the parent company isn't allowed to sell energy more cheaply to its own operation than it does to other suppliers. that makes it difficult to pass on the benefits of bumper profits to british gas customers. and there's another problem. it's faced intense criticism after contractors were filmed entering the houses of vulnerable people in order to fit prepayment meters. this is the exciting bit, i love this bit. thank you. emily lives in a housing association flat with her daughter. she allowed a contractor in to fit a smart meter. despite her protests, she was fitted with a prepayment meter instead. i tried to be polite on the phone. all they said to me was they wouldn't remove the prepayment meter until the debt's paid off. i explained how i never consented and there was no warrant for him

to come out and fit it. my landlord doesn't actually allow a prepayment meter, i explained everything to them, and they seemed to have absolutely no compassion towards me. british gas has now apologised to emily and removed the meter. the regulator ofgem has banned energy firms from forcibly installing prepayment meters until the end of next month. but the controversy has fanned the flames of discontent against the industry at a time when many customers have been struggling. i'm joined by energy analyst david cox. when people see these huge profits, the windfall tax is one option the labour party have suggested. is that something you support, to increase taxes? i think we have to — support, to increase taxes? i think we have to step — support, to increase taxes? i think we have to step back _ support, to increase taxes? i think we have to step back a _

support, to increase taxes? i think we have to step back a little i support, to increase taxes? i think we have to step back a little bit i we have to step back a little bit and it might upset people to hear but this is very good news today that a british company is making good profits which is exactly what you want the company to do, a british company to do. we don't want them to lose money. and they are making these profits because global energy prices have shot up for a number of reasons including the ukraine more. —— ukraine war. a way to deal with these profits is taxation and the way they are making money over and above what you would expect and say, ok, you're these excess profits because of circumstances beyond your control and not due to increased efficiency, so we're going to take a higher tax this year, then maybe next year depending on how high energy prices remain. i think it's perfectly

reasonable to have that debate and for the government to look at the amount of tax they are putting on these energy companies and saying, we want a bit more of it in order to help consumers get through this period where in a month's time or so, a couple of months, we are going to see energy prices go up again for the domestic consumer to an average bill of around £3000 a year.— bill of around £3000 a year. should the money be _ bill of around £3000 a year. should the money be clawed _ bill of around £3000 a year. should the money be clawed back - bill of around £3000 a year. should the money be clawed back from i the money be clawed back from companies like this for the general taxpayer? forthe companies like this for the general taxpayer? for the wider public good? or should the money be given to british gas customers? i or should the money be given to british gas customers?— or should the money be given to british gas customers? i don't think it should go — british gas customers? i don't think it should go to _ british gas customers? i don't think it should go to british _ british gas customers? i don't think it should go to british gas _ it should go to british gas customers. your correspondent mentioned that british gas cannot sell its own gas and oil to its own customers in a cheaper way than it has to sell it to the global market, that's controlled by law and competition law, so i think it is reasonable to tax shell, bp,

centrica and take these excess profits and put it into the treasury and let the treasury in government and let the treasury in government and politicians decide where to put that money. and politicians decide where to put that money-— and politicians decide where to put that money. wouldn't it be simpler 'ust tot that money. wouldn't it be simpler just to try to _ that money. wouldn't it be simpler just to try to cut — that money. wouldn't it be simpler just to try to cut the _ that money. wouldn't it be simpler just to try to cut the cost _ that money. wouldn't it be simpler just to try to cut the cost of - that money. wouldn't it be simpler just to try to cut the cost of all i just to try to cut the cost of all energy payers? you're going on around about circle otherwise and not actually helping people facing an immediate crisis. i not actually helping people facing an immediate crisis.— an immediate crisis. i agree with ou but i an immediate crisis. i agree with you but i think _ an immediate crisis. i agree with you but i think the _ an immediate crisis. i agree with you but i think the treasury i an immediate crisis. i agree with| you but i think the treasury takes all the extra taxation from these energy companies back into a pot and thenit energy companies back into a pot and then it subsidises, like it's doing already, with the energy price gap, subsidises the bills we are paying as consumers and could do even more, could reduce the price even more if it had higher windfall taxes on the energy companies so that's the sensible thing to do.— energy companies so that's the sensible thing to do. what do you think about _ sensible thing to do. what do you think about the _ sensible thing to do. what do you think about the argument - sensible thing to do. what do you think about the argument about l sensible thing to do. what do you l think about the argument about the bosses�* bonus? do you think that is facile or reasonable? i

bosses' bonus? do you think that is facile or reasonable?— facile or reasonable? i think they are window _ facile or reasonable? i think they are window to _ facile or reasonable? i think they are window to some _ facile or reasonable? i think they are window to some extent, i facile or reasonable? i think they are window to some extent, they facile or reasonable? i think they i are window to some extent, they are not significant in terms of the impact on anyone's bills, but it's obviously a bit embarrassing for these directors to be working away with million pound bonuses when consumers are struggling to stay warm and cook food. embarrassing but fair enou~h warm and cook food. embarrassing but fair enough if — warm and cook food. embarrassing but fair enough if you're _ warm and cook food. embarrassing but fair enough if you're going _ warm and cook food. embarrassing but fair enough if you're going to _ warm and cook food. embarrassing but fair enough if you're going to get i fair enough if you're going to get people to lead these businesses that should be able to be paid on a global wage scale? the should be able to be paid on a global wage scale? the argument is we need strong _ global wage scale? the argument is we need strong british _ global wage scale? the argument is we need strong british companies i we need strong british companies paying good wages, making good profits and we shouldn't criticise that if we believe in the capitalist system which is what we've got so when capitalism makes money and profits, which is what it is designed to do, you expect the shareholders and employees to some extent to share in those profits and have those profits back via dividends or shares and a lot of the money on these profits will be going

into our pension funds and so on so it's swings and roundabouts really. if you believe in the system, you've got to expect that we need —— you got to expect that we need —— you got to expect that we need —— you got to accept that we need companies making good profits. we are getting breaking news that royal mail workers have voted overwhelmingly to continue with the campaign of industrial action in a dispute over pay, jobs and conditions, that's from the communication workers union. that means there will be more strikes, it is expected in the postal service that thousands of workers have taken part in that vote. of more walk—outs in that long—running dispute. we are seeing more than 95% of those who took part in a ballot voted for the strikes and the union represents more than 110,000 postal workers in the postal company. the search to find

a new first minister of scotland is well under way, after nicola sturgeon's surprise resignation. the scottish national party's executive committee will meet this evening, to draw up a timetable for the leadership race. ms sturgeon, who's scotland's longest serving first minister, says she'll remain in office until a successor is found. our scotland correspondent, lorna gordon, has more. who will be scotland's next first minister? the country has had five since the advent of this devolved scottish parliament more than 20 years ago, but who will be the sixth after the unexpected announcement from nicola sturgeon that she is going? i think over the past couple of years there have been many moments when i thought that maybe she will go, particularly after the pandemic, or after an election where there is maybe a natural break. i expected maybe there to be more of a succession plan in place. she is leaving the door wide open. nicola sturgeon was unopposed when she took over from alex salmond, but her successor is likely to face

a competition, not a coronation. no one has yet formally declared their intention to stand. those who might throw their hat into the ring include the deputy first minister, john swinney, who has done thejob before, or angus robertson, the former snp westminster leader and now constitution secretary. the finance secretary, kate forbes, who is currently on maternity leave, the health secretary, humza yousaf, or the mp joanna cherry, a critic of nicola sturgeon's leadership. one former deputy leader of the snp is calling for this notjust to be a change of leader but style of leadership as well. someone who understands that you never again will develop the cult of personality inside the snp. that's been the undoing of alex salmond and it's been the undoing of nicola sturgeon. the rules and timing of the race to succeed nicola sturgeon will be decided at a meeting of the snp's governing body this evening. and there are now also questions

about whether an snp party conference next month to decide the strategy for a second independence referendum should go ahead. we were intending to plot our course going forward, - notjust for the snp but for the wider. independence movement. in my view, that conference should be paused. - we should allow a new leaderj the opportunity and the space to set out their vision, i their priorities domestically in relation to the nhs, the economy, the cost of living crisis, _ but also give them the space - to chart their course when it comes to that pathway to independence. whoever takes over from nicola sturgeon will have an in—tray full of challenges — health, education, the gender recognition reform bill and that constitutional issue that divides voters, whether or not scotland should be an independent country. lorna gordon, bbc news, edinburgh.

the snp's culture spokesmanjohn nicholsonjoins me now. were you surprised at that announcement yesterday or did you have any inkling it was coming? i yesterday or did you have any inkling it was coming?- yesterday or did you have any inkling it was coming? i had no inklint of inkling it was coming? i had no inkling of any _ inkling it was coming? i had no inkling of any kind _ inkling it was coming? i had no inkling of any kind and - inkling it was coming? i had no inkling of any kind and i i inkling it was coming? i had no inkling of any kind and i was i inkling of any kind and i was surprised. i think she's played a blinder, really. most politicians would dream of the position she finds herself in, she's left a stage at the time of her choosing after eight election victories in eight years, she is the most popular politician we know from all the polls in these islands and is 20% —— partyhas 20% ahead of her nearest rivals that the party is 20 points ahead. �* , ., rivals that the party is 20 points ahead. �* i. ., , . ahead. are you worried independence mi . ht ahead. are you worried independence mitht have ahead. are you worried independence might have peaked _ ahead. are you worried independence might have peaked in _ ahead. are you worried independence might have peaked in its _ ahead. are you worried independence might have peaked in its support i might have peaked in its support with the loss of nicola sturgeon, given her popularity? ida. with the loss of nicola sturgeon, given her popularity?— with the loss of nicola sturgeon, given her popularity? no, i'm not.

when i given her popularity? no, i'm not. when i was _ given her popularity? no, i'm not. when i was a _ given her popularity? no, i'm not. when i was a kid, _ given her popularity? no, i'm not. when i was a kid, it _ given her popularity? no, i'm not. when i was a kid, it seemed i given her popularity? no, i'm not. when i was a kid, it seemed like l given her popularity? no, i'm not. | when i was a kid, it seemed like an impossible dream to be independent, but polls consistently show support of over 50% for independence. the important thing is if you dig into the age demographics, the only group are now opposed to independence are the over 65s and independence enjoys enormous support amongst the under 40s so that's the incredible legacy for her and wherever you go in scotland, regardless of whether people are in favour of independence are against it, everybody believes that scotland has the right to decide its own future and so when westminster tries to deny scottish democracy, i think that something that unites scots. fin democracy, i think that something that unites scots.— that unites scots. on the question of who succeeds _ that unites scots. on the question of who succeeds her, _ that unites scots. on the question of who succeeds her, are - that unites scots. on the question of who succeeds her, are you i of who succeeds her, are you interested in who will you support if not? i interested in who will you support if not? ., ., , ,., , if not? i would absolutely, i quite en'o if not? i would absolutely, i quite enjoy first— if not? i would absolutely, i quite

enjoy first minister's _ if not? i would absolutely, i quite enjoy first minister's questions i enjoy first minister's questions because they are good fun, but the job itself is not something i would be interested in. it has to be a member of the scottish parliament at holyrood because it has to be a politician who can answer as first minister in hollywood so it's definitely not going to be a westminster politician and there are a number of candidates who i think potentially could be a wonderful first minister. nobody has thrown their hat into the ring so far and i'm going to sit back, wait to see who is declared and listen to what they have to say. you who is declared and listen to what they have to say.— who is declared and listen to what they have to say. you can't give us an hint they have to say. you can't give us any hint as — they have to say. you can't give us any hint as to _ they have to say. you can't give us any hint as to who _ they have to say. you can't give us any hint as to who you _ they have to say. you can't give us any hint as to who you might i they have to say. you can't give us any hint as to who you might be i any hint as to who you might be veering towards or who you might think are the key candidates? ida. think are the key candidates? no. what about _ think are the key candidates? ijr>. what about the other issue, the gender question? nicola sturgeon said it was not a question of short—term issues that had forced her out, but are you concerned that her out, but are you concerned that her decision on that might be reversed depending on who wins the

leadership? i reversed depending on who wins the leadershi . ? ., leadership? i am. the gender recognition — leadership? i am. the gender recognition reform _ leadership? i am. the gender recognition reform was i leadership? i am. the gender| recognition reform was passed leadership? i am. the gender- recognition reform was passed after a lengthy debate going on for a number of years with a huge majority across party at holyrood with a leader of the labour party, the leader of the labour party, the leader of the liberal democrats, the green party and the snp supporting it with a clear majority of women msps are supporting it. there has been an avalanche of poisonous disinformation about gender recognition reform. it basically makes life a little bit easier for one of the most vulnerable groups in society. the legislation has already been passed. —— has already been passed in european countries like ireland and denmark without difficulty so i think it's an important part of nicola sturgeon's legacy. scotland is a liberal, tolerant, northern european democracy and this is just the latest step in scotland's history of

liberal law reform. but latest step in scotland's history of liberal law reform.— liberal law reform. but nicola sturteon liberal law reform. but nicola sturgeon did _ liberal law reform. but nicola sturgeon did talk— liberal law reform. but nicola sturgeon did talk about i liberal law reform. but nicola sturgeon did talk about the i sturgeon did talk about the polarisation. she didn't talk about this issue in particular but we know there has been very, very divided debate on this. in terms of her own personal statement on how politics is conducted, what is your take on that? do you think it's going to put people off staying in politics for a long time are going into it in the first place?— long time are going into it in the first lace? , ., ., first place? the divisive nature of the gender— first place? the divisive nature of the gender recognition _ first place? the divisive nature of the gender recognition reform i first place? the divisive nature of the gender recognition reform is| the gender recognition reform is exaggerated. i've only had one constituent mention it to me. it's certainly a twitter phenomenon but when one political party tried to weaponise transphobia at the last election, they got 0.6% of the vote. that's what the public thinks about it. on the overall issue, of polarisation and politics, i think it's definitely the case that women politicians in particular face

enormous abuse in politics. you just have to type nicola sturgeon's name into twitter and you'll see the kind of vile things that people write about her. i do worry that young women will be put off entering politics regardless because of some of the poisonous nature of online political debate in particular. the supermarket chain, aldi, says it's looking to increase its workforce in britain, by more than 6000. the company will recruit more staff for its distribution centres, as well as for new stores in norwich and newcastle. aldi also says it's proud it pays, the highest hourly wage, in the sector. now it's time for a look at the weather with ben. i'v e i've been reading about storms but not yet hopefully.

tonight storm otto is on the way. some places saw brightness today but the winds are going to be picking up tonight across parts of scotland, the pennines, and into tomorrow morning some travel disruption is likely. storm otto was named by the danish weather showers because of the impact it will have in denmark but it will bring strong winds for us as well. we've seen rain splashing into northern ireland, parts of scotland, northwest england, will see further outbreaks of rain through the night. further south, breezy, rather cloudy, mostly dry and very mild for all of us but if you are travelling first thing tomorrow, across northern scotland, we could see wind gusts of up to 80 mph. the other gusty place will be across the pennines and to the east of the pennines which could course travel headaches. the wind is easing as the day goes on. another mild day in the south but feeling chilly further north.

hello. this is bbc news. the headlines... the family of nicola bulley issue a statement calling on the public to end the "appalling" speculation about her private life. british gas owner centrica reports record profits — royal mail workers have voted overwhelmingly to continue the of industrial action in their dispute over pay, jobs and conditions. british gas owner centrica reports record profits — earning £3.3 billion, compared to less than £1 billion the year before. after the resignation of nicola sturgeon, senior snp officials prepare to meet to discuss the timetable for a leadership contest. nato's secretary general visits turkey to express support following the devastating earthquakes as the un launches a global appeal to help victims.

sport and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre. good afternoon. wales head coach warren gatland says he won't back his players — if they decide to strike instead of lining—up against england in the six nations. the build—up to the game has been overshadowed by tension between the professional rugby board and the welsh rugby players association over proposed cuts from the 2024/25. gatland isn't backing a boycott of the match but insists he supports his squad's cause. i'm in complete support of the players in terms of the wlpa which, to me, in my time here has been incredibly weak as an organisation, and i've stressed on a number of occasions to the players that they need to be stronger, the need to have more voice,

they need to be around the table from a consultation point of view, so the fact that from that regard i think is a huge positive for the players and their relationship with the union going forward because they need to be part of all the discussions that take place. it's the very last option. there are people really impassioned, i think, ultimately, if you treat people badly for long enough, you get to where we find and, again, we realise what we do and how— fortunate we are to do it, but if this was any other line of work, any other industry for this period of time with this amount of uncertainty, you'd get the same reaction. meanwhile ireland second row tadhg beirne has been ruled out of the remainder of the six nations he sustained an ankle injury against france on saturday. the irish rugby football union confirmed he will need surgery which is likely to keep him out of action for 12 weeks. he'll miss the games against italy,

scotland and england. the football association has launched an investigation after manchester city's kevin devine had objects thrown at him day of in their 3—1 win at arsenal last night. he was targeted while walking round the pitch after being substituted late on. arsenal are studying since cctv footage and say they will impose strict sanctions if he can be in the person who did it can be identified. some aggressive batting and a bold decision from captain ben stokes have given england's cricketers the advantage after day 1 of the first test in new zealand. ben duckett and harry brook were the stars with the bat for england — brook top scoring with 89 after england were put in to bat. england captain ben stokes then made the unusual decision to declare on 325 for 9, after a flurry of late evening england wickets. he was looking to take advantage of the fading light — and it paid off.

ollie robinson and then james anderson took wickets — the hosts 37—3 at the close. the best time to bowl is under these lights. i think you can extract the most emotive swinging seems so why not expose the top order to that. it is the hardest time to bat and we got to have the best bowlers to have ever played the game and thankfully we got three wickets. australia's women have all but cemented their place in the semi fials of the women's t20 world cup with another emphatic victory — this time over sri lanka after restricting sri lanak to 112 for 8 the five times winners and defending champions cantered to a 10 wicket win with 25 balls to spare. 10—wicket win with 25 balls to spare. openers alyssa healy and beth mooney

both made half centuries that's all the sport for now. you can find more on all those stories on the bbc sport website. that's bbc.co.uk/sport. that includes the build—up to the england lioness his first match of the year and manchester is europa league bid. the chief of nato has been visiting turkey to express support and offer help following the devastating earthquakes. more than 41,000 people known to have died from the disaster which hit turkey and syria last week. jens stoltenberg is visiting turkey because it is a member of the alliance. he has been meeting turkish president vert chip tie at urdu and and will also visit quake affected areas —— recep tayyipp erdogan. you'll be supporting displaced by setting up temporary housing. this displaced by setting up temporary housint. , , ., , housing. this is the deadliest natural disaster _ housing. this is the deadliest natural disaster on _ housing. this is the deadliest natural disaster on alliance i natural disaster on alliance territory since the foundation of

nato. on the half of nato, i offer my deepest condolences to the turkish people —— on behalf of nato. and the families and the loved ones of all those who lost their lives or were injured. the focus going forward will be on the construction and supporting the displaced. that is why nato is now setting up temporary housing for thousands of displaced people. in addition, nato willalso displaced people. in addition, nato will also use our strategic airlift capabilities to transport tens of thousands of tanks in the coming days and weeks —— tends of thousands of tonnes of... has, days and weeks -- tends of thousands of tonnes of- - -— of tonnes of... a teenage girl has been rescued _ of tonnes of... a teenage girl has been rescued from _ of tonnes of... a teenage girl has been rescued from a _ of tonnes of... a teenage girl has been rescued from a collapsed i been rescued from a collapsed building near the epicentre of the quakes. she was pulled from the wreckage is her uncle hugged the rescue one by one, saying he'd never forget them. overall, the number of

dead is no more than 41,000. our correspondent caroline davies reports in the city of a downer in southern turkey. —— adana. an incredible story of survival. carefully, with many hands, 17—year—old 0lena is lifted to safety after 248 hours under the rubble. these stories that have amazed the world are often down to a few factors and chance. to survive long term, so let's say over a week or ten days or something like that, you need mainly access to two things — air and some sort of water source. so we say people can survive without water intake maybe for about three to five days or so. but i do think there's probably a huge psychological component, in the sense that, if people have hope and they believe that they will be rescued, determination probably does play a factor. many fear how long it may take them to be back in a home. in the snow—covered province of kahramanmaras, tent cities have been erected to provide some shelter.

in adana, a food market is now a camp. but not for long. these tents have been in position for the course of the last ten days, but the authorities here say they are now dismantling them. you can see the tents over here and people taking some of their belongings as well. now, that's because the authorities say that there is greater need closer to the epicentre, but people who have been living here tell us that they are very worried. the authorities say people will be moved to live in other accommodation but some feel they are being moved on too quickly. fatma has been living in the camp since the earthquake hit. translation: it was rainy and cold, plus we had to see dead bodies i coming out of the building nearby. it was like a nightmare — i couldn't wash for ten days.

this is the situation we are in. our mental strength has broken. the earthquake has already taken so much, but many feel they are now left in limbo, not knowing how or where they can rebuild their lives. more on ukraine now and despite the intensity of the conflict in ukraine, both sides have been cooperating, on prisoner swaps. more than 1,700 ukrainian men and women, have reportedly made it home, in exchange for russian prisoners of war. the bbc has been given rare access to one facility, where captured russian soldiers are held in western ukraine. kyiv says while most prisoners will be handed over, some will remain, on suspicion of possible war crimes. our ukraine correspondent, james waterhouse has that story. under the watchful eye of ancient ukrainian rulers, and guards, march these russian prisoners of war. that if you didn't that if you under the watchful eye of ancient ukrainian rulers, and guards, march these russian

prisoners of war. both sides have been accused of abusing captured soldiers in the past. so these are the belongings of some prisoners of war who arrived last week. now, it's unlikely they're going to speak freely. but what this is is an insight into ukraine's information war, as well as a look at how prisoners of war are used as currency. now kyiv wants to show us these men, who they insist are being treated fairly. they're using this workshop to take shelterfrom russian missiles. some hide their faces to further protect their identities. ukraine needs these soldiers to trade for their own. we're under supervision, but the guards don't interfere. this prisoner tells us he surrendered near the eastern town of soledar last month. several say they just want to go home.

some here are just days off the battlefield, a mixture of conscripts, soldiers and mercenaries. many are pale, their eyes glazed over. sometimes history has echoes. this gritty fortress once held soviet and then german inmates in the second world war. everyone here appears to know the drill. air raid alerts seem to be the only breaks from a monotonous routine. the bite of the cold is followed by the relief of lunch. today it's corn soup and barley and meat before a choreographed finish. "thank you for lunch," they say, in ukrainian. this might look like free time, but the guards have the remote. the pick of the day — a documentary on ukrainian history. but not everyone will speak the language.

translation: more or less, i'mj starting to understand ukrainian. these programmes are educational. this looks more like a re—education. these inmates are waiting to make a phone call home. the conversations are recorded. "where are you?" asks his mum. "i'm in captivity — i can't say more," he says" "with the bloody ukrainians?" she asks. "enough, mum," he replies. "the most important thing is that i'm alive and healthy."

this economy of prisoner exchanges has grown, which means they're more valuable to both sides regardless of whether they return to the fight. james waterhouse, bbc news, western ukraine. the governor of the us state of ohio, mike de—wahn, has warned residents living near the site of a toxic train derailment to drink bottled water, as the authorities investigate environmental fallout from the accident. the cargo train crashed earlier this month in the town of east palesteen, causing a major fire and triggering the release of toxic fumes. thousands of fish have been found dead in nearby streams, but the governor said the air has been deemed safe. nomia iqbal has more. a meeting hasjust wrapped up here in the town hall where residents got together to try and get some answers. they are angry, upset and fearful. one woman said, do not portray us as some small, poor community. another woman said to me that she believes that if this had happened in a bigger city in america, they would be getting answers. they want to know why did a train carrying chemical toxins pass through their town

without any warning. they tell me they are too scared to drink the water, even though officials here say it is safe. they say their pets have fallen ill, they feel ill, their houses are of no value, and so they want to get down to the bottom of it. what's made it worse for many of them is that the train company, norfolk southern, which owns the train, didn't show up here, their representatives. they said it was out of fear of their safety, which has really angered residents. the firm has provided a fund of more than $1 million to help people, but everyone here is worried about the long—term effects when it comes to the environment and their health. nomia iqbal there. a new way of screening less urgent 999 calls will be introduced across england, in an effort to improve ambulance response times. the focus will be on category 2 calls, which range from suspected heart attacks and strokes,

to burns and urgent headaches. crews will be asked to review each call to see if a patient can be better treated elsewhere. here's our health correspondent, dominic hughes. ambulance, is the patient breathing? ambulance call centres have seen record levels of demand in recent months... has she lost any blood? ..and that's contributed to some of the worst ever response times. so in london and the west midlands, they have been experimenting with a new way of dealing with calls in an effort to make sure help gets where its needed the most. this new system will allow a clinical conversation between a nurse, a paramedic or a doctor and the patient, and between them they will be able to decide whether an ambulance is the best response for that patient, or they are better cared for in a different environment. it's really important that people know it does not mean anyone loses their place in the queue. what it does is provide more individualised care for an individual patient. but also allows us to free up the resources for our most vulnerable patients. category two ambulance call—outs make up over half

of all emergency calls. they're meant to cover an immediate risk to life, things like a heart attack or stroke, but they also include conditions such as burns, diabetes or headaches, where the severity of the problems can vary enormously and some of which do not always need an immediate response. through having a more detailed conversation with some of those patients, a pilot scheme found around one in five of all category two calls could be better treated elsewhere and did not need an ambulance. i'm just calling back to follow up on your earlier call... with ten years experience as a paramedic, dave godden has used the new scheme to help a patient who called 999 after getting a nasty cut on his hand. when i phoned back and we assessed him, the bleeding had stopped, he was in a much calmer state, he able to speak a bit clearer, the pain had subsided somewhat, and i was able to give him advice to make his own way to the urgent care centre to treat his wound, which saved an ambulance but got him the right care that he needed. those running the pilot scheme say no patients were disadvantaged. some patients even found themselves

moved from category two to the most urgent, category one. the scheme is now being expanded to all ten ambulance services across england, with the hope it can help improve response times and focus help for those who need it. dominic hughes, bbc news. doctors are warning the lives of thousands of severely disabled children, are being put at risk because of long ambulance waits. the british academy of childhood disability, warns many young people suffer life—threatening emergencies on a daily basis, and can't access the care they need. the government says it's reducing delays, by investing in 800 new ambulances. here's ruth clegg. is that emily's favourite song? it's 7:00am in the watson household, and the morning routine has just begun. so for breakfast, christopher has about seven different meds. emily has seven as well, but a different combination. it's busy, it's intense,

and for emily and christopher, it's life—saving. christopher has got a tracheotomy and emily has got choking issues. the 12—year—old twins were born prematurely and have complex medical needs. are you ok, emily? each one on their own could be life threatening. if we have a problem with christopher's breathing tube, his tracheostomy, and we're unable to resolve it, he'd be dead within minutes. get the lady to come round here and see. just before christmas, with ambulances in short supply, and hospitals declaring critical incidents, christopher started to have problems with his breathing tube. he was presenting in a way we have never seen before, he was presenting in a way we are not trained to deal with. they called for an ambulance, but were told that despite christopher being a category one, which means paramedics should arrive within ten minutes, it could be a three—hour wait. what's going through your head at this point? you've tried everything. you literally know that it's got to be emergency care. it's scary.

yeah, it's scary. and you start to think, "what's going wrong now? what can we do? how is this going to end up?" like nearly 100,000 children across the uk, emergency care is a crucial part of their everyday lives. normally we would be saying to them, "well, you know, if this is happening, this is when you call the ambulance, and don't worry, they'll be there within10, 20 minutes." at the moment, you can't rely on there actually being an ambulance able to come in that short length of time. got emergency blue box with a standard tracheostomy tube. fortunately, an ambulance was diverted and within 40 minutes christopher was rushed to hospital where a resuscitation team were ready and waiting. these children need that extra level of care. it's not their fault that they need it. christopher survived and is back at school.

but the worry is always there. if the health service breaks down and doesn't function, if christopher has an episode like that, he would not be here. the government says it is planning to improve services with 5000 more beds and 800 new ambulances. check off you've got everything they need to keep christopher safe. ruth clegg, bbc news. eve ryo ne everyone need a functioning health service, but for a significant group of disabled children, they are not only more likely to use it, but when they do need it, it's a matter of life and death. ruth clegg, bbc news. just to bring you some breaking news on a strike on health service because tens of thousands of british nurses will intensify their industrial action next month in terms of the royal college of

nursing and the rcn says neck strike will run continuously for 48 hours from 6am and match the first and involve nursing departments intensive care units, cancer care and other services that did not take part in the earlier walk—outs stop this dispute with the government over pay is getting worse it seems because the strike action now is going to be more extensive involving more staff who have been previously exempt from strike action and announcing more for much the first. they say they had initially asked thousands of people to keep work during strikes but the general said thatis during strikes but the general said that is only prolonging the dispute and that no area of the nhs would be unexpected. that is going to be very

worrying the patients needing care and it calls the governance to step in and resolve this problem with pat’- in and resolve this problem with pay. of course, we in and resolve this problem with pay. of course, we are in and resolve this problem with pay. of course, we are seeing a wave of strikes right across the uk. we've also heard today that postal workers have also voted for more industrial action in the coming weeks. thousands of drink spiking cases are reported every year but campaigners fear the true figure should be higher. anti—spiking test kits are being used in venues across nottingham to help people feel safer when on a night hike. as businesses meet to discuss further measures emily anderson has been investigating what is currently in place to keep people safe. —— help people feel safer when on a night out. nottingham city centre by night. forsome, particularly women, they simply don't feel safe. nottingham bid has been working with bars and other venues to combat this with a safe space pledge. the aim is to try to make a safer

place for women and girls at night, specifically licensed premises and places that serve alcohol. dozens of public places have signed up to the scheme which aims to provide practical solutions while reducing the vulnerability of women visiting nottingham at night. there's somebody that they can talk to, even if it'sjust a chat to calm them down, where they can feel safe, they can have a drink, they can enjoy their evening out without any fear of being unsafe at any point. the safe space pledge has eight actions for each venue. they include making sure staff are trained to respond and intervene if a woman feels unsafe, taking reports of sexual harassment, violence or intimidation seriously and with appropriate action. they have champions in each venue who lead on women's safety and having information on display about what people can do if they are concerned. every member of staff is trained to ensure that all of our customers are safe, as well as each other. on top of this, anti—spiking test kits are being given to venues across nottingham.

if you're worried your drink may have been tampered with, you can put a drop onto these testing strips and it will tell you very quickly whether it is safe to drink or not. it gives them the reassurance it has not been tampered with or if it has we can get appropriate services involved. it's part of the pledge to have people trained and involved that can take it seriously. this afternoon, a night life safety forum is being held in nottingham to discuss what's being done and what needs to be done in the city to improve safety at night. most people have a bad hair day once in a while — but a 10—year—old boy from lincolnshire is celebrating his unique, unruly locks. sam barley has a rare condition called uncombable hair syndrome — a genetic disorder characterised by frizzy hair that's difficult to comb flat. there are only 100 cases worldwide — and sam has made it his mission to raise awareness.

hi, i'm sam and i'm ten years old. i'm here to talk about my hair because i want to raise awareness that uncombable hair syndrome is actually a thing because people always come up to me and say, "have you dyed it? have you bleached it? what have you done to your hair? it looks like you've stuck your finger in a plug socket." this is something he's been wanting to do for the last year or so, the more comments he gets, the more he's wanted to raise awareness. he's a really unique little boy, i'm really proud of him. i think he's really special. he's a really nice brother to have uncombable hair syndrome. i when we found out about it, my mother—in—law messaged me and said, "turn over, bbc one, there's a couple of young girls with uncombable hair syndrome. "this must be what our sam has." what does your shirt say? "big hair, don't care." nice! there was a moment when he was four or five and we discovered

that he had it, and he wasn't sure and he would have his head shaved, but the more he learns to embrace it and love the comments he was getting, the more he grew it. i can't even get him into the hairdresser's to get it cut now, he loves it long, which is wonderful. we've got a nickname for my brother and it was fluffnut! _ fluffy— head fluffnut! it's really fluffy. i feel really proud about my hair because it's really rare and it feels good to be one in a million. it's really amazing. sam bally. definitely winning a million think there. ——sam barley. definitely one in

a million i think there. now it's time for a look at the weather with ben rich. good afternoon. it's been a relatively quiet day so far, but that is set to change as we head through tonight and into the first part of tomorrow. very windy weather across the northern half of the uk, particularly for scotland, across the tops of the pennines and parts of northeast england. travel disruption is quite likely. let me show you what's been going on. just behind me on the satellite picture this shield of clouds are starting to develop a hawk which is always a sure—fire sign of a weather system that is developing and deepening —— a hook. this area of low pressure will continue deepening as it passes through the north of the uk. this storm has been named storm otto by the danish weather service that impacts it is expected to have in denmark but was never very strong winds on the way so pity quite out there right now but rain splashing across northern ireland, scotland, northern england. as we go to the night this winter will be strengthening. further south it will be breezy but not as windy. mostly cloudy and very mild for all of us but if you do have travel plans early tomorrow morning in the north of scotland we could see wind gusts

touching 80 mph for exposed coasts and hills but more generally scotland's cost of 60, 70, 75 mph. the other place where winds could cause problems across the pennines and into north—east england could see gusts here and maybe 70, 70 five miles an hour so if you're driving on a high sided vehicle in trans— pennine routes that could make conditions very difficult indeed. through the day the band applied very patchy vanes and southwards, sunny spells behind. when slowly ease and just stay in the eight. bit chilly in northern parts of the uk and further south once again. to the date we see the next area of low pressure moving in the west. this one wouldn't bring quite such strong winds but will bring rain for a timer may be snow the high ground in scotland but the main bulk of that cleverness would quite quickly on saturday morning. not a bad —looking —looking day. we will see one to make some patchy rain here and there

but some spells of sunshine as well and it is generally speaking going to be another mild one, temperatures in the south and south—east perhaps up in the south and south—east perhaps up to 15 degrees, even further north, 8—9 . up to 15 degrees, even further north, 8—9. not bad for the time of year. into sunday, across scotland and northern ireland some rain time and northern ireland some rain time and brisk winds. further south breezy, mostly dry, some spells of sunshine and for all of us it is going to feel mild but watch out the strong winds in uk tonight and into tomorrow.

this is bbc news. the headlines the family of nicola bulley issue a statement calling on the public to end the "appalling" speculation about her private life. british gas owner centrica reports record profits — earning 3.3 billion pounds, compared to less than a billion, the year before. after the resignation of nicola sturgeon, senior snp officials prepare to meet to discuss the timetable for a leadership contest. nato's secretary general visits turkey to express support following the devastating earthquakes as the un launches a global appeal to help victims.