this is bbc news broadcasting in the uk, on pbs in the us and around the globe. our top stories... russia has launched missiles at targets across ukraine. sustained strikes hit buildings in the kharkiv and odesa regions, and much of the capital, kyiv, has been left without electricity. it is very scary because every time they had not only the infrastructure and civilians, people are dying. georgia's governing party has withdrawn a controversial draft law that had sparked days of protests in the capital, tbilisi. childcare costs rise sharply

in england, scotland and wales — a new report shows that nursery now costs almost £15,000 for the youngest children. protesters in israel prepare for another day of mass demonstrations against proposed reforms to the judicial system. weather warnings for heavy snow in central and northern england. the cold conditions are expected to last until the weekend. hello. this is bbc news. a warm welcome to viewers here in the uk and right around the world including thosejoining us on pbs america. ukraine says russia has fired at least 80 missiles at targets across the country, as part of an overnight bombardment — the most significant wave of attacks since the anniversary of the invasion was

marked two weeks ago. the targets were across ukraine, from kharkiv in the north to 0desa in the south. at least three people are reported dead in kherson. president zelensky — in a statement on telegram — said ten regions in all had been hit. he added that russia would not avoid responsibility. here are the latest pictures of kyiv where emergency services are at the scenes of blasts in western and southern districts of the capital. as well as residential buildings and critical infrastructure sites, the strikes have left the zaporizhzhia nuclear power station without electricity. frances read has more. smoke across kyiv once again. cities across ukraine have come under attack by russian missiles and attempted drone strikes, in what is the most significant wave since the anniversary of the russian invasion two weeks ago. ukraine says russia fired 81 missiles and eight drones as part of the early morning attack.

in kyiv itself, blown out windows. and firefighters trying to keep the damage under control. worryingly, reports of attacks near zaporizhzhia's power plant, with concerns of power loss. there have been targets across the country, notjust in kyiv, but in many major places, including kharkiv and 0desa. in his nightly address, president zelensky said he was preparing new and just steps against those who are still trying to weaken the state and undermine the strength of ukraine's society. but as the sun rises in ukraine, the mayor of kyiv says there are power outages and citizens face the worst again. frances read, bbc news. iryna nemyrovych who lives in the suburbs of kyiv with her husband, parents,

grandparents and three—month—old baby told the bbc about her experiance. it is very scary because every time they are hitting not only do infrastructure but they are hitting civilians, people are dying. a lot of kids are dying. last week, eight—month—old baby died, the week before in kharkiv, son child died. as a mother, scary for me. i live in a suburbs so it is quieter, but my sister lives in a city with her three—year—old son and they are just sleeping in the cold near the elevators on the floor as well because it is the only place they can go at night. usually, we have the warning one hour in advance, so depending on where the missiles are launched, from the black sea, from... we know how much time we

have to hide. 0rfor example, we know we have less time. missiles, more time. we are pretty much... we pretty much know what to do, but every time, those missiles, they are flying above our house, because we are on the root of them and we can hear it, sometimes we can see it, we see the air defence system is working, the missiles are falling in the fields near our house. every time you are sitting and waiting if something will be close or far away and it is scary. fix, something will be close or far away and it is scary-— and it is scary. a resident of kyiv on her experience _ and it is scary. a resident of kyiv on her experience overnight. - israel is bracing for another day of mass protests against proposed reforms to the judicial system. demonstrators are planning to disrupt transport and block major roads in tel aviv. the protests could make it difficiult for the prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, to leave on an official visit.

in a separate development, three palestinians have been shot dead by israeli forces in the occupied west bank. israel says the men opened fire, before being shot dead by undercover officers. the militant palestinian group islamichhad says the deaths were an assassination. 0ur middle east correspondent yolande knell is injerusalem. before we talk about the protests around the proposed changes to the judicial system, what is the latest on the shootings, part of an ongoing cycle of violence? another phase of violence in the region that has been flaring in recent weeks. that violence in the region that has been flaring in recent weeks.— flaring in recent weeks. that is ri . ht. flaring in recent weeks. that is right- we _ flaring in recent weeks. that is right. we have _ flaring in recent weeks. that is right. we have seen _ flaring in recent weeks. that is right. we have seen a - flaring in recent weeks. that is right. we have seen a lot - flaring in recent weeks. that is right. we have seen a lot of i right. we have seen a lot of violence around and in, flashpoint city in the north of the occupied west bank. the latest three young palestinians old men in their 20s were killed in a village which is not farfrom jenin were killed in a village which is not far from jenin —— all men. were killed in a village which is not farfrom jenin —— all men. we are hearing from palestinian health officials and we can see from the

footage all three were in the car and the israeli military says they were heavily armed, that it has recovered explosives and guns from the scene, and they say the three men opened fire at undercover officers who then returned fire. they had been in the village it is said to make an arrest. this is something that has real potential to raise tensions, especially in this area which has been so volatile in recent weeks, a number of israeli raids, many deadly. six palestinians were killed in an israeli raid of the refugee campjust were killed in an israeli raid of the refugee camp just earlier this week injenin when the israeli army says it went in to try to arrest a gunman suspected of killing two israeli settlers at the end of last month. ., , ., ,.,, month. returning to the proposed 'udicial month. returning to the proposed judicial reforms, _ month. returning to the proposed judicial reforms, remind _ month. returning to the proposed judicial reforms, remind the - month. returning to the proposed l judicial reforms, remind the viewers what they are and why they are

proving so controversial. we have seen now nine — proving so controversial. we have seen now nine weeks _ proving so controversial. we have seen now nine weeks of— proving so controversial. we have seen now nine weeks of protests | seen now nine weeks of protests against this plan for a radical overhaul of thejustice against this plan for a radical overhaul of the justice system in israel. it has been pushed through parliament by the new hard—line government led by the prime minister, binyamin netanyahu. really, what this will do is give the government full control over the selection ofjudges in the country. it will stop the supreme court from being able to strike down legislation. the protesters say this upsets the delicate system of checks and balances in the country, that it will destroy the independence of the judiciary and ultimately have a huge impact on israel as a democracy. what the israeli government says is that there is an elected parliament that there is an elected parliament that should be able to make laws, that should be able to make laws, that it that should be able to make laws, thatitis that should be able to make laws, that it is restoring the right balance between the different branches of government and actually

is enhancing democracy. we have had a message from binyamin netanyahu, speaking to an italian newspaper in the last day or so, he has come out again saying this will strengthen democracy in the country, sticking by the reforms.— democracy in the country, sticking b the reforms. ., ~ , ., , . here is our north america correspondent. the botched armed raid on breonna taylor's home led to this. chanting: breonna taylor... months of protest, demanding that the police officers involved be held to account. the medical technician had been

asleep with her boyfriend when officers burst into her apartment. she was hit with six bullets and died. the outcry that followed helped fuel the black lives matter protests. now, a department of justice investigation into the louisville police has found that it engaged in a pattern of civil rights violations. they include the use of excessive force, including unjustified neck restraints, the unreasonable use of police dogs and tasers, searches based on invalid warrants, and unlawful discrimination against black people. this conduct is unacceptable. it is heartbreaking. it erodes the community trust necessary for effective policing and it is an affront to the vast majority of officers who put their lives on the line every day to serve louisville with honor. and it is an affront to the people

of louisville who deserve better. he said louisville police had agreed to the appointment of an independent monitor to oversee reforms within the force. breonna taylor's mother gave her response to the investigation�*s findings. does this give you vindication you've been waiting for? no. i mean, it's heartbreaking to knowj that everything you've been saying from day one has to be said again through this manner, you know, i that it took this to even have - somebody look into this department. it's a... i don't know. three years after the killing of breonna taylor, the use of excessive force continues to call into question police tactics around the country. five black officers from the memphis police department are facing murder charges over the killing of tyre nichols,

the 29—year—old black man whose violent arrest was caught on video in january. more of the footage is due to be made public, although a judge has blocked its release to allow lawyers for the officers to review the tapes. they've all pleaded not guilty. peter bowes, bbc news. some developing news from georgia now where the governing party has withdrawn a controversial draft law on foreign agents that had sparked days of protests on the streets of the capital, tbilisi. many georgians feared the legislation would restrict civil liberties. in a statement, the governing party, georgian dream, accepted that the bill had caused division in society. it had previously argued that the new law would root out people working against the interests of georgia and its orthodox church. this was the scene in the capital, tbilisi, on wednesday evening where demonstrators turned out

for a second succesive night. you can see tear gas being used and projectiles being thrown. let's go live to our correspondent in tblisi rayhan demytrie. the ruling party was arguing the new law would root out foreign agents, organisations which had significant proportion of their backing from outside georgia, why has it done a u—turn on this? outside georgia, why has it done a u-turn on this?— outside georgia, why has it done a u-turn on this? 2096, to be precise, under the proposed _ u-turn on this? 2096, to be precise, under the proposed bill, _ u-turn on this? 2096, to be precise, under the proposed bill, any- under the proposed bill, any organisation, non—governmental organisation, non—governmental organisation, receiving more than 20% of its funding from the west, from abroad, they would have to declare itself as an agent of foreign influence. why did they withdraw? because there were huge protests over the last two days. now we are getting some reaction from

the civil society to this statement by the georgian dream and they are saying they do not trust the government, they have pledged to return back to the streets at 7pm local time and they want guarantees from the georgian dream it is definitely taking this country to europe. they also want all of the protesters arrested over the past two days, and by the way, we do not have the latest numbers, 66 people were arrested on the first night and were arrested on the first night and we don't know how many were arrested yesterday, so civil society are saying they want all of these people to be released, they want to understand how technically this withdrawal would work. also, they are pointing at the some points in the statement from the georgian dream. the analysis coming from the civil society is the government is simply trying to buy a bit more time

because one of the sentences in the government statement says that they need more time to explain to the population by this law was important, why it is important for georgia. therefore, the fight is not over yet, according to several groups that are planning to go back to the streets. == groups that are planning to go back to the streets.— to the streets. -- civil groups. thank you _ to the streets. -- civil groups. thank you very _ to the streets. -- civil groups. thank you very much. - to the streets. -- civil groups. thank you very much. the - headlines... russia has launched missiles at targets across ukraine. sustained strikes hit buildings in the kharkiv and 0desa regions, and much of the capital, kyiv, has been left without electricity. georgia's governing party has withdrawn a controversial draft law that had sparked days of protests in the capital tbilisi. childcare costs rise sharply in england, scotland and wales —

a new report shows that nursery now costs almost £15,000 for the youngest children. more on that story now. a charity in the uk has warned that the price of childcare is rising sharply and the number of places available is dropping. coram says british parents are now having to pay so much to have their young children looked after that some are unable to work and the system needs urgent reform. the government says it has spent £20 billion in the past five years to help families with childcare costs. the uk is one of the most expensive countries in the world for childcare. the average cost of a full—time nursery place for a child under two in great britain stands atjust under £15,000 a year. that puts the uk in the top—three most expensive countries in the world, according to the 0ecd. the only countries where parents need to spend a higher percentage of their income on childcare are switzerland and new zealand.

around the world, the costs vary hugely with childcare costing much less in austria, hungary and portugal. 0ur correspondent hannah miller has been speaking to parents struggling with the cost of childcare. my my daughter is five, when i had her, i had to quit myjob because we could not afford childcare. hanan i had to quit my job because we could not afford childcare. how did ou feel could not afford childcare. how did you feel about _ could not afford childcare. how did you feel about that? _ could not afford childcare. how did you feel about that? so _ could not afford childcare. how did you feel about that? so frustrating because you _ you feel about that? so frustrating because you spend _ you feel about that? so frustrating because you spend years - you feel about that? so frustrating because you spend years working i you feel about that? so frustrating l because you spend years working at something you really enjoy and you have to quit. i something you really en'oy and you have to quit.— have to quit. i look forward to auoin have to quit. i look forward to going back — have to quit. i look forward to going back to _ have to quit. i look forward to going back to nursing, - have to quit. i look forward to going back to nursing, my - have to quit. i look forward to l going back to nursing, my plan have to quit. i look forward to . going back to nursing, my plan is have to quit. i look forward to - going back to nursing, my plan is to id going back to nursing, my plan is to go back _ going back to nursing, my plan is to go back if— going back to nursing, my plan is to go back. if there were more options and childcare was cheaper or more flexibility. — and childcare was cheaper or more flexibility, that would have been something i would have definitely done _ something i would have definitely done me— something i would have definitely done. y ., done. my wife looks after her full time and it _ done. my wife looks after her full time and it does _ done. my wife looks after her full time and it does put _ done. my wife looks after her full time and it does put a _ done. my wife looks after her full time and it does put a strain - done. my wife looks after her full time and it does put a strain on l done. my wife looks after her full l time and it does put a strain on the bank— time and it does put a strain on the bank account, — time and it does put a strain on the bank account, especially— time and it does put a strain on the bank account, especially with - time and it does put a strain on the i bank account, especially with energy bills going _ bank account, especially with energy bills going up — bank account, especially with energy bills going up and _ bank account, especially with energy bills going up and stuff— bank account, especially with energy bills going up and stuff like - bank account, especially with energy bills going up and stuff like that. - bills going up and stuff like that. childcare — bills going up and stuff like that. childcare is — bills going up and stuff like that. childcare is something _ bills going up and stuff like that. childcare is something we - bills going up and stuff like that. childcare is something we have i childcare is something we have considered _ childcare is something we have considered but _ childcare is something we have considered but unless - childcare is something we have considered but unless he - childcare is something we have . considered but unless he managed childcare is something we have - considered but unless he managed to -et a considered but unless he managed to get a job— considered but unless he managed to get a job where — considered but unless he managed to get a job where the _ considered but unless he managed to get a job where the hourly— considered but unless he managed to get a job where the hourly pay- considered but unless he managed to get a job where the hourly pay was i get a job where the hourly pay was so much _ get a job where the hourly pay was so much higher— get a job where the hourly pay was

so much higher than— get a job where the hourly pay was so much higher than the _ get a job where the hourly pay was so much higher than the cost- get a job where the hourly pay was so much higher than the cost of. so much higher than the cost of childcare, — so much higher than the cost of childcare, literally— so much higher than the cost of childcare, literally no _ so much higher than the cost of childcare, literally no point. - i'm joined now by christine farquharson, senior research economist at the institute for fiscal studies, a leading economic research group in the uk. thank you very much. i know you have done a lot of work looking into this area and it is interesting to look at some of the statistics. a quarter of eligible families on universal credit income support claim child care expenses for preschool children. is the system quite complex and difficult to understand, do you think? we complex and difficult to understand, do you think?— complex and difficult to understand, do you think? we have at least eight different programmes _ do you think? we have at least eight different programmes to _ do you think? we have at least eight different programmes to support - different programmes to support families with the cost of childcare, spread across three different government departments, many families are eligible for several programmes at the same time and people cannot figure out what it is they are entitled to and how to claim it. universal credit for low—income families, take—up rates of less than a quarter among preschool children, tax—free childcare for slightly higher

income, only four in ten have even heard of the programme, free entitlement awareness of some of the extended funded hours, also much lower than universal entitlement, really hard if you are a parent to figure out what to do about childcare. figure out what to do about childcare-— figure out what to do about childcare. . childcare. even with the help, if --eole childcare. even with the help, if people were — childcare. even with the help, if people were accessing - childcare. even with the help, if people were accessing it, - childcare. even with the help, if people were accessing it, the i people were accessing it, the problems have clearly been compounded by inflation and also by wage increases which means the costs for providers are going up, clearly thatis for providers are going up, clearly that is passed on to parents. tell us more about how the uk, we touched on this in the introduction, how the uk compares to other countries because the prices are pretty high relative to a number of other european nations.— relative to a number of other european nations. childcare in encland european nations. childcare in england certainly _ european nations. childcare in england certainly is _ european nations. childcare in england certainly is quite - european nations. childcare in - england certainly is quite expensive but when you are looking at international comparisons, what really matters is the kind of detail, the kind of family you have in mind. in england, we have a situation where if you have a three—year—old, four—year—old, you have had quite a lot of additional

help from the government with the introduction of 30 hours of funded childcare a week in term time. if you have a younger child, one—year—old, two—year—old, those families are paying sometimes 30 times as much per week as three and four—year—olds, less government support, coming at a crunch time coming to the end of parental leave and making decisions about whether to go back to work. 30 and making decisions about whether to go back to work.— to go back to work. 30 times as much, to go back to work. 30 times as much. to _ to go back to work. 30 times as much. to clarify _ to go back to work. 30 times as much, to clarify that _ to go back to work. 30 times as much, to clarify that is - to go back to work. 30 times as much, to clarify that is what - to go back to work. 30 times as | much, to clarify that is what you said? . much, to clarify that is what you said? , , ., much, to clarify that is what you said? , y., ., ., 4' much, to clarify that is what you said? , i. ., ., , said? yes, if you look at families usin: said? yes, if you look at families using formal _ said? yes, if you look at families using formal childcare, _ said? yes, if you look at families using formal childcare, the - said? yes, if you look at families| using formal childcare, the family in the middle of the guest distribution paying the middle outcome of £4 a week. if you do the same exercise for a one—year—old, the family in the middle is paying over £90 a week.— the family in the middle is paying over £90 a week. what is the true cost of an affordable _ over £90 a week. what is the true cost of an affordable childcare - over £90 a week. what is the true cost of an affordable childcare to i cost of an affordable childcare to the economy, especially for women who do the bulk of the caring responsibilities? brute who do the bulk of the caring responsibilities?— who do the bulk of the caring responsibilities? we have seen in the pandemic— responsibilities? we have seen in the pandemic and _ responsibilities? we have seen in the pandemic and now _ responsibilities? we have seen in the pandemic and now cost - responsibilities? we have seen in the pandemic and now cost of - responsibilities? we have seen in l the pandemic and now cost of living crisis how important childcare is forfamilies, to help parents to

work and support children's early development. we have ended up in england in a situation where early years landscape is so complicated, trying to use so many different things at the same time, on a shoestring, and the system does not do a greatjob of helping parents to work or supporting children's early learning. we are trying to do too many things are not successfully doing any of them. do many things are not successfully doing any of them.— doing any of them. do you think there will be _ doing any of them. do you think there will be any _ doing any of them. do you think there will be any significant - there will be any significant reforms in the upcoming budget in the uk that might help parents more with the costs? i the uk that might help parents more with the costs?— with the costs? i think the pressure on the chancellor _ with the costs? i think the pressure on the chancellorjeremy _ with the costs? i think the pressure on the chancellorjeremy hunt - with the costs? i think the pressure on the chancellorjeremy hunt is i on the chancellorjeremy hunt is increasing, we have heard a lot more increasing, we have heard a lot more in the pandemic and cost of living crisis about how important this area is. whether we will see something that dramatically shift the dial for most parents, i don't know. what england needs is a clear strategy and clear sense of what it wants the early years landscape to deliver, that strikes me as something that is more of a long—term project than something that will come out in the

next couple of days.— something that will come out in the next couple of days. thank you very much, next couple of days. thank you very much. senior— next couple of days. thank you very much, senior research _ next couple of days. thank you very much, senior research economist i next couple of days. thank you very much, senior research economist at the institute for fiscal studies. let's go to hollywood now and the build up to this sunday's 0sca rs. today we're going to look at one of the less high—profile jobs but one which can make or break a movie — cinematographer. like many of the more technical categories, it's often been dominated by men. but that could change this year, as sophie long reports. there's a little flaw in your optic nerve. so, if i run the film at 24 frames per second, it creates an illusion of motion. empire of light is a tender look at life, love and the magic of movie theatres. now theyjust see a beam of light. no group is more inclined to celebrate a film about the majesty of cinemas than the academy, especially when it's so sensitively assembled by one of the industry's most revered cinematographers.

is it as meaningful, as the number clocks up and up? it means i'm still here and still doing it. that's the most meaningful thing about it. it'sjust great. it's just a celebration of movies. and that's what i like about this. i mean, i don't know how you canjudge what's best. i feel a bit of a fraud coming to these things, being nominated. i do. but, you know, somebody makes thatjudgment, fine. but i don't know how you can do it. sam mendes' direction and deakins' cinematography was a winning combination three years ago with 1917. but he faces fierce competition from fellow brit and first—time nominee james friend for the harrowing, heart—wrenching all quiet on the western front. it was pretty challenging. i mean, all that mud and all that kind of...the sort of blood and the guts and the environment,

that was our set, so it's not like we kind of had a load of trailers we could just go and sort of eat lunch in. it was, you know... we literally lived and breathed in this environment. i love watching the academy awards. and i stay up all night and watch them, even when i'm shooting. and it's always something that's been so out of reach, so it means the world. it's the greatest honour i've ever experienced. hilary, what the hell doi you think you're doing?! you are not invited to speak. well, it can't be all men droning on. well, when it comes to 0scars acceptance speeches for best cinematography, that has been the case for the entirety of the awards' 95—year history. n0 woman has ever w011. # time goes by so slow...# and nobody�*s going to remember me. that could change this year with mandy walker's nomination for elvis. well, i'm the third woman to be - nominated in cinematography, ever.

and i feel that even on set now, it is definitely changing. - there's more women in my. department and there's more women shooting films. i it's slow and it's one of the areasl that has been really slow in getting equality and diversity. but it's definitely changing and it's fantastic. - it's so exciting and it's my first time, so i'm enjoying - every moment of it. here's to the future. so, any advice from an old timer to a first timer? don't worry about it. it's the work that matters. it's the films that last. people are going to remember the films. they're not going to remember who got nominated or won. i was first nominated for a film called shawshank redemption, which kind of died completely at the box office, but now is a lot of people's favourite movie of all time, so go figure!

you are watching bbc news. good morning. some of us have seen some snow already, others have yet to see some, some on the way. the met office currently has two and over the weather phoning is in the force, first sheet coming out at nene and lasting tonight and into tomorrow, north wales and shropshire —— weather warnings. we could have as much as 30 centimetres of snow and the risk of freezing rain as well. the second comes out at 3p pm this afternoon covering much of the pennines, 40 centimetres for the highest roots. at lower levels,

25-30 highest roots. at lower levels, 25—30 centimetres across the pennines. the trans— pennine sweets today could be treacherous, especially factoring in the wind. —— trans— pennine routes. highest totals will be on the highest ground, not all of us in these areas will see snow, for some it will be rain or sleet. low pressure driving the weather at the moment, to the south, warmer atlantic and, so we have rain. in the north, the arctic air, so it is falling as snow. we have wintry showers in the north and east of scotland. showers in the south will be of rain and some could be heavy and thundery. note the difference in the temperatures, much colder further north, difference in the temperatures, much colderfurther north, milderfurther

south. this evening and overnight, snow continues to fall across north wales, north midlands, northern england, southern scotland and also northern ireland. behind it, rain and in scotland it will be another cold night, temperatures could fall away to —15 in sheltered glands. low pressure driving the weather moving from the west to the east, you will find it drags some of the snow out of scotland and also out of northern ireland —— sheltered glens. temperatures tonight, in the south, still in the comparatively mild atlantic air. further north, cold with the potential for —15 in the north highlands.

this is bbc news. the headlines... a sustained barrage of russian missiles has struck cities across ukraine. at least 15 strikes hit critical infrastructure and a residential building in kharkiv, and five people were killed in the western city of lviv. the governing party in georgia has withdrawn a controversial draft law on foreign agents which sparked days of protests on the streets of tbilisi. many georgians feared the legislation would restrict civil liberties. demonstrators in israel plan to disrupt transport as part of ongoing protests againstjudicial reforms. they say they will block the route to the airport, hampering attempts by the prime minister to leave on an official visit.

weather warnings for heavy snow in central and northern england. you are watching bbc news. forecasters are warning of heavy snow and travel disruption this morning, in particular, to parts of central and northern england. the met office has issued an amber warning across the peak district, leeds, the yorkshire dales, and the north pennines, with many of those regions expecting 10—20cm of snow. the uk recorded its coldest march since 2010 overnight as temperatures plummeted to minus 16 celsius in the north highlands of scotland. 0ur correspondent rowan bridge is in mold in north wales. we is in mold in north wales. have seen some picturer pictures. we have seen some picturesque snowy pictures. but we have seen some picturesque snowy

ictures. �* ., , ., ~ pictures. but we are seeing a kind of a nuisance _ pictures. but we are seeing a kind of a nuisance snowy _ pictures. but we are seeing a kind of a nuisance snowy picture - pictures. but we are seeing a kind | of a nuisance snowy picture behind you, because those drivers will have to be taking extra care, what they? yes, it does not feel very picturesque standing in it at the moment. we have been three hours here and the snow has built up over that time. there is now slush on the roads with drivers having to slow down because of the icy conditions. we have seen snow ploughs and gritters out. as you can see is still coming down. and indeed, the met office has issued an amber weather warning for snow and ice for north wales and into mid wales into today and tomorrow, and they warn that that will bring significant disruption. we expect snowy conditions in parts of north—west england, the north midlands and up the spine of the north of england as

well. it has already started snowing in parts of cheshire, south yorkshire, and from about 3pm this afternoon we are expecting heavy snowfall to hit up to about 40 centimetres of snow in some places on high ground and blizzard conditions, so that could be potentially quite serious. the rac have advised motorists to stay at home and only travel if they have to do, and if they are going to go out, to make sure they are prepared. the uk health security agency has asked people to check on friends and neighbours because of the freezing conditions, people who might be vulnerable, so the advice is, if you are going to go out to stay warm, then those freezing conditions are going to last into tomorrow and the weekend. ., ., ., , ., weekend. local authorities are financially _ weekend. local authorities are financially challenged. - weekend. local authorities are financially challenged. how- weekend. local authorities are l financially challenged. how well prepared are they for dealing with this cold snap? thea;r prepared are they for dealing with this cold snap?— this cold snap? they have had warnin: this cold snap? they have had warning of— this cold snap? they have had warning of this, _ this cold snap? they have had warning of this, the _ this cold snap? they have had warning of this, the gritters i this cold snap? they have had i warning of this, the gritters have

been out to keep the roads open as much as possible. but clearly it will depend on how severe the conditions are. and it is possible that some roads will have to close, especially in remote areas. there are warnings in remote areas of wales that some villages could get cut off. some of this depends on how severe the weather gets, if they are able to keep the roads open. you go and net able to keep the roads open. you go and get dry — able to keep the roads open. you go and get dry and _ able to keep the roads open. you go and get dry and warm, _ able to keep the roads open. you go and get dry and warm, thank- able to keep the roads open. you go and get dry and warm, thank you, i and get dry and warm, thank you, rowan bridge in mold. three people have been arrested by police investigating the fatal shooting of elle edwards on christmas eve. the 26—year—old was shot in the head while celebrating with friends at a pub in wallasey in north—west england. a 20—year—old has been charged with possession of a prohibited weapon and assisting an offender and a second man and a woman were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. a man has been arrested overfootage shot from inside a police cordon on the day the body

of nicola bulley was found in a river in lancashire last month. ms bulley disappeared whilst walking her dog and her body was found three weeks later. police say the 34—year—old man was detained on suspicion of malicious communications offences, and perverting the course ofjustice — and has been released on conditional bail. almost half of britain's police forces have recorded a significant increase in mental health call—outs in the last five years. to try to ease pressure on the service and get vulnerable people the help they need, merseyside police is using a triage vehicle to attend mental health calls — staffed with a medic and a police officer. newsnight�*s uk editor sima kotecha has more. i might go from speaking to somebody who is seriously considering taking their own life... 0wen is a mental health nurse. we can try and help them and give them access to services that can can support around their mental health. with police officer paul,

they travel through the streets of liverpool visiting those who are experiencing poor mental health. it'sjust about speaking to people with respect. they might have experienced mental health crisis, or there might be some sort of mental health episode. so i always think that we should always deal with people correctly, no matter what. police can detain someone if they're thought to be mentally vulnerable. but they argue having 0wen here helps to prevent that, because he can try and get the person the help they need. data obtained by newsnight shows that 21 forces recorded a significant increase in mental health incidents over the last five years. here in merseyside, there's been a nearly fourfold increase. it's late afternoon, and we've just pulled up outside a house. we're about to go and see a veteran who has been in contact with the police on several occasions before, talking about wanting to take his own life. so we're going to go

in inside and see if he's 0k. 21 years, raf. and i don't know, i don't know how to save my life. i think i've been in prison about eight times. i think i've been to court about 53 times. no one cares, love. no—one cares. how does calling paul and owen help you? it keeps me alive. it's all i've got. senior police officers have spoken out about spending too much time on cases like this one. but people like paul often call 999 as their first resort when looking for help. the home office says to free up police time, a new approach is being developed, which will make it easier for staff in police control rooms to identify the right agency to deploy at the outset, when responding to 999 calls

concerning people in a mental health crisis. paul and owen feel working together is effective, where enforcement and empathy meet to save lives. unfortunately, he's not an isolated case. there's a lot of people like paul in the community. sima kotecha, bbc news, liverpool. details are beginning to emerge about where asylum—seekers could be temporarily housed in the uk — following the government's new immigration plans. let's remind ourselves of what's being proposed. anyone removed from the uk will be blocked from returning or seeking british citizenship in future. there will be a new cap on the number of refugees the uk will settle through "safe and legal routes" — which will be set annually by parliament. and there will be a duty placed on the home secretary to detain and then remove those arriving in the uk illegally, either to rwanda or another "safe" third country.

this will take legal precedence over someone's right to claim asylum. 0ne site which could be used to house asylum—seekers while they are in the uk is raf scampton — a historic base which was once home to the red arrows and the dambusters. jessica lane reports. raf scampton is all but closed now, but it remains full of history. the red arrows were based here for more than 20 years and the 617 dambusters squadron was formed here. and untiljust a few days ago, it was thought that history was going to be preserved in a £300 million deal with the local council. we've been in consultation since 2018, now a five—year programme and for the speculation, call it speculation at this stage, i think is very unhelpful and could potentiallyjeopardise the project. the government has repeatedly said that the asylum system

is under pressure and that the cost of housing asylum seekers in hotels can be as much as £5 million a day. so it's been open about the fact it needs to find a solution in response to these reports. it said it continues to work with local authorities to look at a range of accommodation and sites. so what do people in the nearby village of scampton think? if we lose £300 million of investment, that's a massive oversight by everybody involved and the government needs to take some responsibility to say more than just a quick fix about anything they want to keep the runway open. what we're worried about, if they start building, then the runway can't be used and it'll go to pot. so i'm not sure that that's the right place. is it suitable accommodation? i don't know. what's your reaction? i think that's absolutely wonderful and i can't understand why they haven't done it sooner.

the issue of people arriving in the country in small boats across the channel has been discussed in parliament this week and the local mp says he's been lobbying the government about the rumours. raf scampton will be used to house them. obviously i object very strongly. we've worked flat—out for two years to get £300 million worth of investment. but the home secretary has said to me that if the migrants come there, it will be, in her words, "strictly temporary," and she will work with the council and the company to ensure it does not stop the deal. in other words, the new heritage centre. but some are in favour. i would have thought scampton would fit the bill very well. these accommodation units are not designed for the long term because the new legislation hopes to remove people within 28 days. so i don't see these establishments being there for four or five years.

the district council says it wants an urgent meeting with the government to find out what is going on and what the future does hold for this former raf station. jessica lane, bbc news, in lincolnshire. bbc presenter gary lineker says he will continue to speak up for "people with no voice", after criticism of his tweets on the government's asylum policy. the match of the day host said the language used to set out the plan was "not dissimilar to that used in germany in the �*30s". the bbc said it was having a "frank conversation" with mr lineker about the bbc�*s need to remain impartial. almost half of children who become homeless have been forced to move schools — with a third missing more than a month of teaching, according to a new report. housing charity shelter blamed what it described as "total inaction" from the government for the numbers of young people in "traumatic" living arrangements. the government says it increased local housing allowance significantly during the pandemic, and is delivering more affordable homes. here's our social affairs

correspondent, michael buchanan. it's barely 6:30am, and isaiah is heading to his childminder... ..while his brother coby begins the journey to school. single mum lily is heading to work as a nurse, hence the early start. we used to walk to school every single day from our old house. but that all changed when they were made homeless in september, after their landlord sold the property. now the commute can take up to 45 minutes. if i could get us housed near his school, that's my main goal. this is where they're currently living, all three sharing a one—bed flat. it's temporary accommodation. they're not allowed their own furniture. it's all in storage. i do miss my bunk bed. under my bunk bed there's like a wooden bit where i have all of my things,

some things that are special things for like my birthdays, hundreds of cards in my special box. there are a near—record 100,000 households living in temporary accommodation in england, including 125,000 children. the charity shelter says more people will become homeless unless ministers take action. to stop the tide of homelessness, the government do need to unfreeze housing benefit. it's been frozen since 2020, and in that time, as everyone knows, rents have escalated dramatically, and also, the cost of living crisis. ministers are spending £2 billion tackling homelessness, but each day more people risk losing their properties. in south—east london, tammy and daughter piper could soon be homeless. they live in temporary accommodation, but tammy,

who's eight months pregnant, refused to move to essex as it was too far away. her council say she's therefore made herself intentionally homeless, and want her out. if i moved all the way to colchester, who's going to look after my daughter when i go into labour? no—one's going to be able to come down and see me. it's too far. i'll have to change hospitals, change doctors, change her school. and seven—year—old piper doesn't want to move either. yeah, it makes me sad because i... ..i miss this house, i miss my family. i i miss my friends. all families in temporary accommodation want what they call a forever home. but as they can't afford their own place, they live with constant uncertainty. michael buchanan, bbc news. let's bring you some breaking news now. the number of people in england waiting _ the number of people in england waiting to — the number of people in england waiting to start routine hospital treatment has risen slightly. it

treatment has risen slightly. equals treatment has risen slightly. it equals now the previous record high. an estimated 7.21 million people were waiting to start treatment at the end of january, were waiting to start treatment at the end ofjanuary, up from 7.2 million in december according to nhs england so that is the joint highest number since records began in august 2007. clearly, the impact of the pandemic clearly very much being felt with those really high figures for people waiting to start routine hospital treatment in england. we can get some more analysis on this data with our health correspondent jim reeve, shortly. israel is bracing for another day of mass protests against proposed reforms to the judicial system. demonstrators are planning to disrupt transport — and block major roads in tel aviv. the protests could make it difficult for the prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, to leave on an official visit. in a separate development, three palestinians have been shot dead by israeli forces in the occupied west bank. israel says the men opened fire, before being shot dead by undercover officers.

the militant palestinian group islamichhad says the deaths were an assassination. this comes as the us defence secretary lloyd austin is due in israel to discuss the growing violence in the west bank. let's speak now to amichai chikli, he's the minister of diaspora affairs and the ministerfor social equality. thank you forjoining us. i wanted to talk about that the latest shooting and the visit by lloyd austin to try to broker some sort of initiative to bring a cessation to this recent violence. what is the israeli government going to do, does it have any new ideas at this point to try to calm the situation? first of all let's _ to try to calm the situation? first of all let's begin _ to try to calm the situation? first of all let's begin with _ to try to calm the situation? first of all let's begin with the - to try to calm the situation? f “st of all let's begin with the report about the terror activity today. these are not three palestinians who were just, these are not three palestinians who werejust, these these are not three palestinians who were just, these are terrorists,

activists, they were armed with weapons and notjust weapons but also with bombs, and they were opening fire on our forces and our forces shoot back and killed the three terrorists. so i think we can be far more accurate in describing the situation, so i am very happy that our forces were able to kill the terrorists, without harming any innocent people who were nearby. that is about the accident injenin, as yesterday we had the same thing with a raid into the heart ofjenin, to a very specific shelter of terrorist, also, six—gun men were shot, none are involved civilians, were killed or injured in the activity, so that is regarding to the idea... activity, so that is regarding to the idea- - -_

the idea... but, clearly, this violence _ the idea... but, clearly, this violence is _ the idea... but, clearly, this violence is good _ the idea... but, clearly, this violence is good for - the idea... but, clearly, this violence is good for no - the idea... but, clearly, this violence is good for no one i the idea... but, clearly, this. violence is good for no one so, let's focus on what is being brought forward to try to calm the situation.— forward to try to calm the situation. ., . , ., . situation. violence, this violence is self protection, _ situation. violence, this violence is self protection, just _ situation. violence, this violence is self protection, just like - is self protection, just like britain with white terrorists of al-qaeda or daesh, we have to fight the terrorists of islamichhad, it is exactly the same and i'm sure that you believe that we deserve to have the right to live freely, safely, just like every citizen in britain. we are the same. we have the same rights, and we will fight terror is the same way that you would treat terrorists. hat terror is the same way that you would treat terrorists.- would treat terrorists. not all palestinians, _ would treat terrorists. not all palestinians, clearly, - would treat terrorists. not all palestinians, clearly, are - palestinians, clearly, are terrorists. i palestinians, clearly, are terrorists.— palestinians, clearly, are terrorists. ., ., , , ., terrorists. i am not suggesting that all palestinians _ terrorists. i am not suggesting that all palestinians are _ terrorists. i am not suggesting that all palestinians are terrorists. - terrorists. i am not suggesting that all palestinians are terrorists. i - all palestinians are terrorists. i was just saying that the three terrorists killed today, they wear out with guns and bombs, on the way

to a terror attack. and yesterday, the same people who shot dead two brothers who were driving, they shot them and these two brothers were not armed, they were in civil clothing, so, killing terrorists, i think it is a good thing and killing innocent people is a bad thing. what is a good thing and killing innocent people is a bad thing.— is a good thing and killing innocent people is a bad thing. what will the israeli government _ people is a bad thing. what will the israeli government do _ people is a bad thing. what will the israeli government do in _ people is a bad thing. what will the israeli government do in any - israeli government do in any discussions with lloyd austin to try to deal with the situation, to try to deal with the situation, to try to calm the situation? 50. to deal with the situation, to try to calm the situation?— to deal with the situation, to try to calm the situation? so, i think that actually _ to calm the situation? so, i think that actually when _ to calm the situation? so, i think that actually when it _ to calm the situation? so, i think that actually when it comes - to calm the situation? so, i think that actually when it comes to i to calm the situation? so, i think i that actually when it comes to judea and samaria we have a weak palestinian authority that is inciting palestinians from kindergarten to elementary school, praising people who were shooting innocent people outside the synagogue, they go, that has greater

difficulty, and you know, in israel every little child and the a garden knows that i was born for peace to arrive, everyone in israel, and in the palestinian, the palestinians are teaching the children, from really early childhood for incitement, for, you should go and you should kill thejews... i incitement, for, you should go and you should kill the jews. . .- you should kill the jews... i don't think that you should kill the jews... i don't thinkthat you — you should kill the jews... i don't think that you can _ you should kill the jews... i don't think that you can say _ you should kill the jews... i don't think that you can say that i you should kill the jews... i don't think that you can say that every| think that you can say that every member of the palestinian community is teaching their children from a very young age to hate another community. i think, very young age to hate another community. ithink, i very young age to hate another community. i think, i think that, it just isn't, it clearlyjust isn't the case. sometimes people are taught to hate, but you cannot say that everyone is teaching their children to hate and that way. if i could move on... i’m children to hate and that way. if i could move on...— children to hate and that way. if i could move on... i'm 'ust saying, it is not that— could move on... i'm 'ust saying, it is not that every i could move on... i'mjust saying, it is not that every parent _ could move on... i'mjust saying, it is not that every parent necessarily| is not that every parent necessarily among the palestinians teaching by the palestinian authority, as an

organisation, they teach it in their schools, systematically, that's the problem. i schools, systematically, that's the roblem. ., ., ., ., ., problem. i want to move onto the rotests problem. i want to move onto the protests relating _ problem. i want to move onto the protests relating to _ problem. i want to move onto the protests relating to the _ problem. i want to move onto the protests relating to the judicial. protests relating to the judicial reform. why does the government feel the need to stop the ability of the supreme court striking down legislation? to a lot of people looking at this it seems like an anti—democratic move. do you understand why it looks like that? it is quite the opposite. currently legal adviser for instance here it is quite the opposite. currently legal adviserfor instance here in israel, they can force a minister and force the government to make specific decisions. i am sure that that's not the case in britain, and that's not the case in britain, and that's not the case in the western world, so that's one of the things we want to fix. here in israel, we have lost the balance between the judiciary system, the government and

the knesset and since we don't yet have a constitution, i think that we need to make some corrections, and to keep the balance and to regain the balance that we used to have, before the reform which shifted the situation into a situation where, just a year ago, the ministry of education, she was forced to give an award for a supporter, the supreme court said that she must. she didn't want to give the award so these are the cases we are dealing with, here in israel, and we think that this reform is very, very important, and to be very accurate, we want first to be very accurate, we want first to make sure about the basic laws, that they should have a more clear starting status, they need to be

fortified. there cannot be judicial criticism of basic laws if you want them to be part of the constitution. we are out of time but thank you very much for talking to us thank you, minister of die affairs and social equality in israel. let's return to those latest figures for accident & emergency units across england, our health correspondent jim reid is here. i england, our health correspondent jim reid is here.— jim reid is here. i want to talk about the _ jim reid is here. i want to talk about the waiting _ jim reid is here. i want to talk about the waiting list - jim reid is here. i want to talk about the waiting list for i jim reid is here. i want to talk i about the waiting list for surgery and other procedures in the uk. it has been going up significantly since the beginning of the pandemic. around 7.2 million people in england are waiting for a procedure. that is one in eight people in england waiting for a procedure. we have just had the latest data for the last month. this is up to the end of january. it is showing that, overall, that waiting list is still creeping up. when you look at it there is some progress at reducing there is some progress at reducing the people waiting the longest amount of time. the government has set a target of eliminating people

waiting more than 18 months by the end of april. the nhs said it has brought it down from roughly 54,000 last year, now, down to about 32,000, so it is moving in the right direction. there is a big caveat with that. next week we will see some quite significant strikes in england sojunior some quite significant strikes in england so junior doctors are due to walk out for 72 hours between monday and thursday morning. the nhs, warning about the possible impact, the medical director, saying that it is inevitable that if this right happens there will be a significant impact on cancer care and routine operations that were scheduled to happen. so does make things going on there, the waiting lists, for the longest waiting some of them going down, but some concern about the impact of strikes next week. they can make thank you, jim reid with the latest on that data for waiting lists in the nhs in england. but! lists in the nhs in england. and now, the weather _ lists in the nhs in england. and now, the weather with carol.

hello again. some of us woke up to some lying snow this morning and indeed, there's more snow in the forecast for today, but not all of us are going to see it. for today, but not all of us are the for today, but not all of us are met office has two i warnings the met office has two amber warnings and force running from today, denote identity tomorrow. 0ne today, denote identity tomorrow. one for north and mid wales and shropshire, they could see up to 30 centimetres of snow falling on the highest ground and some freezing rain as well on the southern edge. and we have another one across the pennines. some treacherous conditions on trans plan a routes, up conditions on trans plan a routes, up to 40 centimetres of snow falling on the highest round, but it will that snow will be drifting and blowing —— trans pennine routes. rowe —— low pressure is driving the weather. we have milder atlantic area in the south, so we are seeing rain here backorder, atlantic air further north. that is putting some snow in this morning i will carry on

with it through today and tomorrow. for north wales, the north midlands and northern england getting into northern ireland and later, southern scotland. behind it, there will be showers, which could be heavy and thundery with a peppering of wintry showers across the north and east of scotland, but equally there is lots of dry weather here with sunshine. you can see the difference between the atlantic and the arctic air, with the milder conditions in the south. it will still be windy as we go through this evening and overnight. as the snow continues across northern england, getting into southern scotland, and northern ireland. this is the centre of the low pressure, moving slowly from west to east and in doing so it drags some of that snow out of scotland and northern ireland but you can see how it persists across northern england and also wales, hence the high snowfall totals. it will be another cold night in scotland, —15 in the north highlands, a widespread frost, but not so across some south—eastern

areas. going through tomorrow, that no pressure still moving towards the new continent. it will be windy for a time, and we will have snow before it all clears away. there will be further snow showers coming in across the file. then throughout the day. we start with all of this snow. and it will be moving down towards the south—east. the winds, eventually easing, a lot of dry weather, a fair bit of sunshine, but it will feel cold across the board.

this is bbc news broadcasting in the uk and around the globe. our top stories... russia has launched missiles at targets across ukraine. sustained strikes hit buildings in the kharkiv and 0desa regions, and much of the capital, kyiv, has been left without electricity. it is very scary because every time they hit not only the infrastructure but they hit civilians, people are dying. georgia's governing party has withdrawn a controversial draft law that had sparked days of protests in the capital, tbilisi. childcare costs rise sharply in england, scotland and wales — a new report shows that nursery fees are almost £15,000 for the youngest children.

protesters in israel prepare for another day of mass