live from london. this is bbc news. the first british evacuation flight leaves sudan. the uk prime minister rishi sunak says there will be "many more" flights evacuating british nationals from sudan "into tomorrow". joe biden confirms he will stand for a second term as us president setting up a potential rematch with donald trump. and how the iranian regime targeted celebrities to help quell anti government protests last year.

tojoin evacuation to join evacuation flights in the last few minutes the first plane carrying british nationals has landed in cyprus where onward flights will be organised to the uk. those trying to leave sudan are confronted with a series of possible routes out or —— all powerless. those who cannot reach the airport for a long journey north by road to egypt if they can find transport or buy land and sea through port sedan. for many living in the east of khartoum the roots of the air fooled in the north involves crossing the nile with at least some of the bridge is purported to be under the control of rival militia. one of those trying to escape is a british citizen in saddam. —— sudan. york currently trying to

leave khartoum and make your way to the airfield. hi leave khartoum and make your way to the airfield. , ., ., , the airfield. hi everyone. iwas in khartoum — the airfield. hi everyone. iwas in khartoum which _ the airfield. hi everyone. iwas in khartoum which we _ the airfield. hi everyone. iwas in khartoum which we route - the airfield. hi everyone. iwas in khartoum which we route decide | the airfield. hi everyone. i was in l khartoum which we route decide to go because it was a safer place and after we received the e—mail to evacuate as soon as possible and come here. so the british citizens have hired a bus to take everyone as soon as possible. literally i go out of the house and half of an hour plus all of my luggage i did not get the chance to say goodbye. and now we are all hoping to be there in the next couple of hours. this we are all hoping to be there in the next couple of hours.— next couple of hours. this is an incredibly _ next couple of hours. this is an incredibly frightening _ next couple of hours. this is an incredibly frightening situation. are you travelling by yourself? i know you are in a coach, a bus and there are other people butjust from your own immediate family are you

with anyone? ida. your own immediate family are you with anyone?— your own immediate family are you with anyone?_ we | with anyone? no. just myself. we actually had _ with anyone? no. just myself. we actually had your— with anyone? no. just myself. we actually had your husband - with anyone? no. just myself. we actually had your husband with - with anyone? no. just myself. we actually had your husband with us| actually had your husband with us here as well. we can now speak to amged mulla, who's wife alaa is travelling to the airfield in the hope of getting into a plane by the raf. i think he can hear you and i can see you getting incredibly emotional this just must be terrifying. it is. this “ust must be terrifying. it is. yes thisjust must be terrifying. it is. yes absolutely. _ thisjust must be terrifying. it is. yes absolutely. we _ thisjust must be terrifying. it is. yes absolutely. we have - thisjust must be terrifying. it is. yes absolutely. we have you - thisjust must be terrifying. it is. | yes absolutely. we have you both thisjust must be terrifying. it is. - yes absolutely. we have you both on the phone- — yes absolutely. we have you both on the phone. have _ yes absolutely. we have you both on the phone. have you _ yes absolutely. we have you both on the phone. have you been _ yes absolutely. we have you both on the phone. have you been speakingl the phone. have you been speaking to your wife the entire time? yes that's right- — your wife the entire time? yes that's right. i— your wife the entire time? yes that's right. i have _ your wife the entire time? yes that's right. i have been in touch with_ that's right. i have been in touch with her— that's right. i have been in touch with her because there is no internet _ with her because there is no internet it is difficult to get a hold — internet it is difficult to get a hold of— internet it is difficult to get a hold of her but it is a difficult time — hold of her but it is a difficult time for— hold of her but it is a difficult time for everyone because the way i think the _ time for everyone because the way i think the communication could be improved — think the communication could be improved because asking people from different cities to come to the

airport. — different cities to come to the airport, considered actually very, very dangerous. i think it is putting _ very dangerous. i think it is putting them in a position where they are — putting them in a position where they are very stressed out because we know. — they are very stressed out because we know, for example, firm communicating with people like my brother— communicating with people like my brother trapped in khartoum now. so unfortunately he is not a british citizen, — unfortunately he is not a british citizen, but we know if you go by car for _ citizen, but we know if you go by car for instance, most likely you will get — car for instance, most likely you will get shocked.— car for instance, most likely you will get shocked. your wife was “ust sa in: that will get shocked. your wife was “ust saying that she fl will get shocked. your wife was “ust saying that she is i will get shocked. your wife was “ust saying that she is travelling in h will get shocked. your wife was just saying that she is travelling in a - saying that she is travelling in a private coach. is she still with us can you hear me? i private coach. is she still with us can you hear me?— private coach. is she still with us can you hear me?_ can| private coach. is she still with us - can you hear me?_ can you can you hear me? i can yes. can you describe to _ can you hear me? i can yes. can you describe to us — can you hear me? i can yes. can you describe to us what _ can you hear me? i can yes. can you describe to us what you _ can you hear me? i can yes. can you describe to us what you are - can you hear me? i can yes. can you describe to us what you are seeing l describe to us what you are seeing comments is the first time you have actually left her home to be able to get out given the fact of the fighting over the last week and a half so? �* ,., , fighting over the last week and a half so? �* , _, fighting over the last week and a half so? �* , ., half so? i'm sorry i could not get that. i half so? i'm sorry i could not get that- i said _ half so? i'm sorry i could not get

that. i said is _ half so? i'm sorry i could not get that. i said is this _ half so? i'm sorry i could not get that. i said is this the first - that. i said is this the first you have left her _ that. i said is this the first you have left her home _ that. i said is this the first you have left her home since the l have left her home since the fighting has begun? yes have left her home since the fighting has begun?- have left her home since the fighting has begun? yes this is the first time i have _ fighting has begun? yes this is the first time i have left _ fighting has begun? yes this is the first time i have left my _ fighting has begun? yes this is the first time i have left my family. - first time i have left my family. what are you seeing outside of the coach, i know you are travelling in the coach what are you seeing outside? 50 the coach what are you seeing outside? ., , ., , ,., , outside? so far it is absolutely fine, outside? so far it is absolutely fine. nothing _ outside? so far it is absolutely fine, nothing has _ outside? so far it is absolutely fine, nothing has happened . outside? so far it is absolutely i fine, nothing has happened here. outside? so far it is absolutely - fine, nothing has happened here. so it is just peaceful and good so far. and nothing wrong. what it isjust peaceful and good so far. and nothing wrong.— it isjust peaceful and good so far. and nothing wrong. what about the mood inside — and nothing wrong. what about the mood inside of _ and nothing wrong. what about the mood inside of the _ and nothing wrong. what about the mood inside of the coach. - and nothing wrong. what about the | mood inside of the coach. are there many people inside of the coach and how are people feeling? that many people inside of the coach and how are people feeling?— how are people feeling? at the moment it _ how are people feeling? at the moment it is _ how are people feeling? at the moment it is around _ how are people feeling? at the moment it is around nine - how are people feeling? at the moment it is around nine of. how are people feeling? at the | moment it is around nine of us. how are people feeling? at the i moment it is around nine of us. it is a mix of families women, some children, and some men as well. everyone isjust praying children, and some men as well. everyone is just praying and hoping that we reach our destination safe, especially that we are going to go to khartoum and collect some people

from one of the dangerous areas there so we just hope that we reach there so we just hope that we reach the airport, all of us. haifa there so we just hope that we reach the airport, all of us.— the airport, all of us. how long have you _ the airport, all of us. how long have you been _ the airport, all of us. how long have you been on _ the airport, all of us. how long have you been on the - the airport, all of us. how long have you been on the road? i the airport, all of us. how longj have you been on the road? so the airport, all of us. how long i have you been on the road? so far it has been around _ have you been on the road? so far it has been around two _ have you been on the road? so far it has been around two hours. - have you been on the road? so far it has been around two hours. how- has been around two hours. how long do ou has been around two hours. how long do you have — has been around two hours. how long do you have to _ has been around two hours. how long do you have to you — has been around two hours. how long do you have to you you _ has been around two hours. how long do you have to you you get _ has been around two hours. how long do you have to you you get to - do you have to you you get to khartoum? i do you have to you you get to khartoum?— do you have to you you get to khartoum? ~ , , , ., khartoum? i think it is less than two hours- _ khartoum? i think it is less than two hours. what _ khartoum? i think it is less than two hours. what are _ khartoum? i think it is less than two hours. what are you - khartoum? i think it is less than two hours. what are you all- khartoum? i think it is less than i two hours. what are you all sing to each other— two hours. what are you all sing to each other on _ two hours. what are you all sing to each other on the _ two hours. what are you all sing to each other on the bus, _ two hours. what are you all sing to each other on the bus, are - each other on the bus, are you talking to other people? irate each other on the bus, are you talking to other people? we are aaivin talking to other people? we are giving each _ talking to other people? we are giving each other— talking to other people? we are giving each other support i talking to other people? we are giving each other support we i talking to other people? we are| giving each other support we are helping each other we are trained to call me tova because there are some elderly people here and children as well —— calling each other. so we are just making sure everyone is calm and just praying altogether and making sure we are all good at least mentally. this making sure we are all good at least mentall . �* . . making sure we are all good at least mentall . . , ., mentally. as we have said we have our mentally. as we have said we have your husband _ mentally. as we have said we have your husband here _ mentally. as we have said we have your husband here with _ mentally. as we have said we have your husband here with us - mentally. as we have said we have your husband here with us as i mentally. as we have said we have your husband here with us as welll mentally. as we have said we have l your husband here with us as well on bbc news. what would you like to say to him? i bbc news. what would you like to say to him? . ., bbc news. what would you like to say to him? , ., bbc news. what would you like to say tohim? , ,

to him? i swung to say please play for us and i — to him? i swung to say please play for us and i cannot _ to him? i swung to say please play for us and i cannot wait _ to him? i swung to say please play for us and i cannot wait to - to him? i swung to say please play for us and i cannot wait to see i for us and i cannot wait to see you all here and everyone in the uk, just pray for us. pray for us. irate just pray for us. pray for us. we will. just pray for us. pray for us. we will- how _ just pray for us. pray for us. we will. how are _ just pray for us. pray for us. we will. how are you _ just pray for us. pray for us. we will. how are you explaining i will. how are you explaining all this to your— will. how are you explaining all this to your children? - will. how are you explaining all this to your children? i - will. how are you explaining all this to your children? i have i will. how are you explaining all| this to your children? i have not told the younger _ this to your children? i have not told the younger ones, - this to your children? i have not told the younger ones, seven i this to your children? i have not i told the younger ones, seven and nine, _ told the younger ones, seven and nine, the — told the younger ones, seven and nine, the 12—year—old knows that there _ nine, the 12—year—old knows that there is— nine, the 12—year—old knows that there is something going on over there _ there is something going on over there but— there is something going on over there but i— there is something going on over there but i don't think he... i made sure he _ there but i don't think he... i made sure he does— there but i don't think he... i made sure he does not understand the exact— sure he does not understand the exact situation of the suit to make sure: _ exact situation of the suit to make sure. he's— exact situation of the suit to make sure, he's too young, i want him to focus on _ sure, he's too young, i want him to focus on school and not to worry on what _ focus on school and not to worry on what is _ focus on school and not to worry on what is happening there. you focus on school and not to worry on what is happening there.— what is happening there. you must be sittin: on what is happening there. you must be sitting on your — what is happening there. you must be sitting on your phone _ what is happening there. you must be sitting on your phone just _ what is happening there. you must be sitting on your phone just worried i sitting on your phone just worried sick the entire time as this journey continues. sick the entire time as this “ourney continues. ., . , , continues. correct. it is very stressful— continues. correct. it is very stressful for _ continues. correct. it is very stressful for everyone. i continues. correct. it is very stressful for everyone. the | continues. correct. it is very - stressful for everyone. the problem is those _ stressful for everyone. the problem is those who actually have the

british — is those who actually have the british citizenship they are lucky to be _ british citizenship they are lucky to be evacuated but you need to understand that a lot of sudanese people. _ understand that a lot of sudanese people, they are running out of food and water _ people, they are running out of food and water. they cannot leave the house _ and water. they cannot leave the house to — and water. they cannot leave the house to get food, there is no power. — house to get food, there is no power, they are left there to die so the do _ power, they are left there to die so the do not — power, they are left there to die so the do not have the basic option even _ the do not have the basic option even to— the do not have the basic option even to flee the country. it is a really sad _ even to flee the country. it is a really sad situation, a lot of people _ really sad situation, a lot of people are dying every day because of the _ people are dying every day because of the shelling, even the children are having — of the shelling, even the children are having to go and hide, i think it will— are having to go and hide, i think it will have — are having to go and hide, i think it will have in the long run damage to their— it will have in the long run damage to their mental health. | it will have in the long run damage to their mental health.— to their mental health. i know this is a really difficult _ to their mental health. i know this is a really difficult situation - to their mental health. i know this is a really difficult situation and i is a really difficult situation and we are so grateful that you joined us. hejust briefly we are so grateful that you joined us. he just briefly tell us what situation are you leaving the rest

of use family and as you move and try and leave the country? so of use family and as you move and try and leave the country?- of use family and as you move and try and leave the country? so my mum and my sister— try and leave the country? so my mum and my sister they _ try and leave the country? so my mum and my sister they actually _ try and leave the country? so my mum and my sister they actually live - try and leave the country? so my mum and my sister they actually live in i and my sister they actually live in sudan and i have two other sisters who came from dubai so a family gathering in honour of ramadan with my family. i left them and i pray to god that they are in a safe place, so they are safe but my other two sisters they don't know how to get back to their country. the elder sister she missed her chemotherapy session because of this, is just a horrible situation. we do not know what to do, where to go so we don't know which route to take. it is what to do, where to go so we don't know which route to take.— know which route to take. it is a shocking and — know which route to take. it is a shocking and devastating -

know which route to take. it is a i shocking and devastating situation there is there anything you would like to say to your wife was mark i just want to say. be like to say to your wife was mark i just want to say.— like to say to your wife was mark i just want to say. be patient. i know it will be another _ just want to say. be patient. i know it will be another two _ just want to say. be patient. i know it will be another two hours - just want to say. be patient. i know it will be another two hours but i wish _ it will be another two hours but i wish all— it will be another two hours but i wish all of— it will be another two hours but i wish all of the best to her and certainly— wish all of the best to her and certainly to arrive at the airport. and it _ certainly to arrive at the airport. and it is — certainly to arrive at the airport. and it is really difficult but i guess— and it is really difficult but i guess there is nothing we can do we 'ust guess there is nothing we can do we just have _ guess there is nothing we can do we just have to— guess there is nothing we can do we just have to hope.— guess there is nothing we can do we just have to hope. thank you so much alaa and amged _ just have to hope. thank you so much alaa and amged and _ just have to hope. thank you so much alaa and amged and i have _ just have to hope. thank you so much alaa and amged and i have no - alaa and amged and i have no doubt that everyone who is listening is thinking of you and praying for you. that was alaa a woman trying to flee sudan as she struck into the airfield in the hope of getting into one of those raf planes. earlier i spoke with sir nicholas k. sir nicholas kay is a former british ambassador to sudan and says the evacuation operation will face

significant challenges. it's really traumatic to hear these experiences, but of course, even more traumatic for the people who are living through them. and what i'm not close to the planning and the information that the foreign office has about the threat situation in khartoum, but i can only imagine that they have staged this evacuation from an airfield, which they are confident is secure. and the challenge of getting there is real, but sudanese and british citizens, nationals are managing to get there. clearly, from what some people are saying, not everybody will be able to make it and they are looking for a means to meet somewhere in khartoum

and to be escorted safely from there in a group to the airfield. sounds reasonable. and as i say, i'm just not close enough to the actual detail. whether that will be possible or not. yeah, i completely understand that you're not part of the current planning process. but given your role as ambassador in multiple places, afghanistan included, and especially when, when there is a crisis of this sort of magnitude, can a military escort get involved and assist british nationals to evacuate these sorts of war zones? only if there is a genuine commitment, an agreement from the forces on the ground, the sudanese armed forces and the rapid support forces. for this to happen, i think it would be a calamitous situation if british troops were to try to escort civilians and then came

into having firefights and contact with the armed forces there. that would be a whole different order of problems and it wouldn't help the individuals, the civilians being evacuated either. so i think it needs to, you know, time a little bit. now, we're nearly 2a hours into this cease fire. it's holding much better than any of the previous ceasefires have done. that was a former british ambassador to sudan. around the world and across the uk this is bbc news. it's been described as a buzzer or

as he describes it in that a little gadget. it's small but its impact has been huge. if i gadget. it's small but its impact has been huge.— has been huge. if i turn it off... and then _ has been huge. if i turn it off... and then i _

has been huge. if i turn it off... and then i turn it back - quite a few americans do not want president biden to seek another term mainly over concerns of his age. he's the oldest person ever to serve president and so within the democratic party, even only about half of the democratic party actively wants him to seek another term, at least in polling. that number is lower among the larger electorate to stop but he is running for reelection. this point there is

no serious competition for the democratic nomination. it’s no serious competition for the democratic nomination. it's not 'ust suite a democratic nomination. it's not 'ust quite a few — democratic nomination. it's not 'ust quite a few americans, i democratic nomination. it's not 'ust quite a few americans, it is i democratic nomination. it's notjust quite a few americans, it is seven l quite a few americans, it is seven out of ten americans based on the latest polling. that believe he should not be running again because of his age. it is should not be running again because of his ae. ,., should not be running again because ofhisare. ,., . . should not be running again because of his ae. , ., ., , ., of his age. it is a large number and it is a clear — of his age. it is a large number and it is a clear warning _ of his age. it is a large number and it is a clear warning sign _ of his age. it is a large number and it is a clear warning sign for- of his age. it is a large number and it is a clear warning sign for his i it is a clear warning sign for his reelection chances, however is most likely opponent in the election is a former president donald trump. and even fewer americans seem to want her back as president than biden. so americans are in a bit of a tricky local situation where they are choosing between two options which most voters dislike and it is just a reality of our political system that as an incumbent president president biden has a clear path to his nomination and as a former president, trump has managed to browbeat the republican party into more and more likely giving him the nomination for a third election

cycle in a row. so it is an outcome that most voters would say that they do not want but it is also the ockham that at this point looks most likely. brute ockham that at this point looks most likel . ~ ., ., ., ,, ockham that at this point looks most likel.~ ., ., ., ,,, ockham that at this point looks most likel . ~ ., ., ., ,, , ., likely. we are more or less seeing a rela of likely. we are more or less seeing a replay of 2020- _ likely. we are more or less seeing a replay of 2020. that _ likely. we are more or less seeing a replay of 2020. that is _ replay of 2020. that is exactly ri . ht. replay of 2020. that is exactly riht. at replay of 2020. that is exactly right. at this _ replay of 2020. that is exactly right. at this point _ replay of 2020. that is exactly right. at this point trump i replay of 2020. that is exactly right. at this point trump is i replay of 2020. that is exactly l right. at this point trump is the most notable contender in the republican primary, there is an extraction entrance from republican governor ron desantis and even though he has sleep —— slept in polls in recent weeks he still has a dedicated group of supportive so the republican primary certainly is not over, it has not even truly begun yet. but on the democratic side the fact that biden is an incumbent president and that all of the other majorfigures in the democratic party, various governors and senators who might have, in a different up to run for president have foregone the opportunity really means that he is been able to consolidate, establish political power even as the polling shows his

unpopularity among some of the more broad electorate.— broad electorate. journalists and anal st broad electorate. journalists and analyst there. _ harry belafonte has died at the age of 96. our arts and media correspondent david silva reports. # day—o, day—o # daylight come and me want go home.# harry belafonte — the king of calypso. he was born in new york, but his sound was caribbean. from the calypso of trinidad to the folk songs of his childhood home — jamaica. # sad to say i'm on my way...#

he was — for so many — a musical reminder of a place they had left behind. he had returned to america as a teenager and set his heart on becoming an actor. but it was his voice — singing in the clubs of new york that caught attention. sold over a million copies of a single album. carmenjones — with its all black cast — gave him a lead role in a film — he won awards for his stage and tv work. but this was also an era of political struggle. inspired by his hero paul robeson, he was at the heart

of the battle for civil rights — shoulder to shoulder doctor king had requested that i organised as many artists as available to come down and perform tonight and to participate tomorrow in the march. i was blacklisted and called a communist and for a long time i couldn't get work. over the years he continued to campaign. he worked for unicef. he organised usa for africa. he spoke out against apartheid. we are here today in the name of black power. no wonder spike lee chose harry belafonte to be the elder statesman of the political struggle in his film, blachklansman. harry belafonte was he said — first and foremost an activist — who became an artist.

but what a singer, he was. lets speak to vincent warren from the centre for constitutional rights.... he lived multiple lives and reinvented themselves multiple times and truly touched so many hearts of peoples lives. he and truly touched so many hearts of peoples lives-— peoples lives. he was an extraordinary _ peoples lives. he was an extraordinary man i peoples lives. he was an extraordinary man and l peoples lives. he was an extraordinary man and itj peoples lives. he was an i extraordinary man and it was peoples lives. he was an - extraordinary man and it was hard peoples lives. he was an _ extraordinary man and it was hard to believe that he is gone. when i was young my parents, my mother was actually in the cast of carmenjones before it was a film and they told me that you have to look out and if

you ever get a chance to meet harry belafonte you should. and had the extreme pleasure of meeting harry belafonte when he was 90 years old. this was after decades and decades of struggle and work and i met him connecting with a group of young organisers in ferguson missouri. this was after michael brown was killed and even in that long extensive time but he has been an extraordinary artist, an extraordinary artist, an extraordinary activist, that he still not only have the time but made the time to think about the next generation. and in fact my goal in my life now is to try and connect younger activists and organisers to this extraordinary legacy.— this extraordinary legacy. vincent, ou sa this extraordinary legacy. vincent, you say he — this extraordinary legacy. vincent, you say he was _ this extraordinary legacy. vincent, you say he was 90 _ this extraordinary legacy. vincent, you say he was 90 when _ this extraordinary legacy. vincent, you say he was 90 when you i this extraordinary legacy. vincent, you say he was 90 when you met i this extraordinary legacy. vincent, i you say he was 90 when you met him and he was still campaigning, the fact is that it really was his first and foremost passion, activism was really in his heart.— really in his heart. absolutely. i sa if

really in his heart. absolutely. i say if you _ really in his heart. absolutely. i say if you have _ really in his heart. absolutely. i say if you have a _ really in his heart. absolutely. i say if you have a lawyer, - really in his heart. absolutely. i l say if you have a lawyer, activist, and storyteller you can teach the world. and harry belafonte was not a lawyer but what a storyteller and what an activist. he was someone who actually gave me some personal advice, one thing he said to me, i asked, what has it been like to be in this work for so long and he said, i have lost all of my friends, i have lost martin luther king, what's next for us.— i have lost martin luther king, what's next for us. you talk there a little earlier— what's next for us. you talk there a little earlier there _ what's next for us. you talk there a little earlier there about _ what's next for us. you talk there a little earlier there about future i little earlier there about future generations and him wanting to continue that come his own legacy but also to change things for future generations. what sort of impact do you think his work and his activism and his music has had? the you think his work and his activism and his music has had?— and his music has had? the first thin is and his music has had? the first thing is that _ and his music has had? the first thing is that he _ and his music has had? the first thing is that he has _ and his music has had? the first thing is that he has inspired - thing is that he has inspired an entire generation of artists to be embroiled in the social issues of our times. embroiled in the social issues of ourtimes. so embroiled in the social issues of our times. so we see artist —like timeline and who were doing this type of work is a direct result of harry belafonte�*s influence. more importantly for those of us who are

carrying on the work of civil and human rights particularly in the us, we have his example of warmth kindness and went to guide us as we move forward. kindness and went to guide us as we move forward-— kindness and went to guide us as we move forward. around 45 seconds to no but he move forward. around 45 seconds to go but he really _ move forward. around 45 seconds to go but he reallyjust _ move forward. around 45 seconds to go but he reallyjust use _ move forward. around 45 seconds to go but he reallyjust use his - go but he reallyjust use his celebrity platform to further the cause. , ., , ., , ., cause. there is a story that he tells during — cause. there is a story that he tells during the _ cause. there is a story that he tells during the civil _ cause. there is a story that he tells during the civil rights - tells during the civil rights movement and the east asked him to come and perform in different places because his performing was such a start it would bring all of these people outjust start it would bring all of these people out just to start it would bring all of these people outjust to hear harry belafonte and and the organisers of it would then engage them of the civil rights struggles of the data actually affected black folks so that legacy is living on today and i hope as mr harry belafonte the artist that we are connected with and thinking of now can continue to work with us in the struggle. vincent thank you so much for joining us and recapping the life of

harry belafonte. stay with us here on bbc news. hello there. hasn't been too bad a day. we did start off with plenty of sunshine, but the clouds did build up for many of us, though we continued to see sunny spells here and there. now, tonight, with more cloud around generally, won't be quite as cold as it was the previous night. that cloud will tend to build up, particularly across england and wales, northern ireland, maybe the odd spot of light rain here. for scotland, cloudier towards the south, but clearer skies across the northern half, and it's here once again, it's going to be cold with a widespread, pretty sharp frost as well. temperatures perhaps lower than —5 celsius in a few spots, but around 2—7 degrees further south. so, wednesday means it's going to start off cool and rather cloudy for many of us, but with the best of the sunshine in the northern half of scotland, where it'll remain cold. the odd shower here and there, maybe the odd spot of drizzle with the thick cloud toward the southwest,

but a rather benign day — temperatures again in the range of 7—11 celsius. then, as we move through wednesday evening and overnight, it looks like the clouds continue to remain quite thick. some spots of rain pushing to northern ireland, western scotland by the end of the night. again, it's the north—northeast of scotland with the clearer skies which will see some frost elsewhere then, ranging between 1—8 celsius. so, milder air will continue to push up from the south into thursday. this is where we start to see the significant change — one weather front across scotland, another one affecting parts of england and wales. that milder air moving northwards, but it's still not reaching much of scotland, particularly the northern half of scotland. so it does mean this weather front in the north is likely to produce a mixture of sleet and snow certainly over the higher ground — one to watch here. slice of something a bit drier in the middle, and then we've got this area of rain affecting wales, central and southern england. some of this rain could be quite

heavy and persistent — a really wet day here. but you'll notice much milder, 11—15 degrees in the south, still single digits in northern scotland. that rain clears away thursday night in the near continent. a rather benign day, i think, on friday. we're in between weather systems, so limited brightness, quite a lot of cloud around, a few showers here and there, but fairly mild. we're into the low to mid—teens for many, still cold for the northern half of scotland. but it turns even wilder into the weekend, particularly where we get some sunshine. we could be up to 18 degrees in the warmest spots, and that could set off a few heavy showers.

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