in a backpackers town in south east asia. it's thought simone white and a group of tourists drank contaminated alcohol in laos. several others are still in hospital. donald trump's controversial pick to be the new attorney general — matt gates — hasjust announced he's pulling out. a report finds that sir captain tom's family personally benefited from the charity they founded in his name. addressing the nation, president putin says russia has hit ukraine with a new type of missile. the king pays tribute to former deputy prime ministerjohn prescott who's died at the age of 86 — we'll be looking back at his life. and coming up on sportsday later in the hour on bbc news — we'l have reaction to alistair brownlees retirement from triathlon at the age of 36,

one of team gb's greatest olympians. good eveing and welcome to the bbc news at six. a british tourist has become the fifth person to die from suspected methanol poisoning in laos, in southeast asia. simone white, who was 28 and from kent, was among a number of people taken to hospital afterfalling ill in the popular backpacking town of vang vieng. the family of a 19—year—old australian confirmed earlier today that she has died too. 10 others remain in hospital. simonjones reports. a magnet for young tourists, many of them british, backpacking across southeast asia, enjoying the scenery... and the nightlife. the freedom of being away from home, often for the first time. but for simone white, a lawyerfrom orpington, it cost her her life.

it's thought she had unknowingly consumed a drink laced with methanol — a deadly substance often found in bootleg alcohol. other british tourists have been rushed to hospital in neighbouring bangkok. another to die is australian bianca jones. she was 19. her friend holly bowles was also taken ill. her father gave this emotional update. right now, our daughter remains in the intensive care unit, in critical condition. she's on life support. we'd just like to thank everyone from back home for all the support and love that we're receiving. tributes to bianca jones have been paid in the australian parliament. bianca's trip should have been a joyous time and a source of fond memories in years to come. memories that she should have carried with her into the long bright future that lay ahead of her. it is beyond sad that this was not to be. bianca had been staying at this backpacker hostel in vang vieng.

it's now closed for a police investigation. guests say they were given a free shot of vodka on arrival, but it's unclear where any poisoning may have taken place. translation: the cause of death is likely from the consumption - of methanol, from fake liquor. it's poison and cannot be consumed. it causes swelling of the brain and caused the death. two danish women, aged 19 and 20, and an american man are also known to have died. it's left backpackers concerned. you think about it more. it's not that we don't drink any more, but we just have to really be careful. the foreign office in london says it's supporting the family of the british woman who's died. it's alerting visitors to laos to be aware of establishments offering free drinks or alcohol that tastes strange. simon jones, bbc news. our health correspondent james gallagher is here. what is it they are thought to have been poisoned with? it is every parents' worst nightmare.

it is every parents' worst nightmare-— it is every parents' worst nightmare. it is every parents' worst niahtmare. ~ ., ., , nightmare. methanol is an very dangerous _ nightmare. methanol is an very dangerous substance. - nightmare. methanol is an very dangerous substance. you - nightmare. methanol is an very i dangerous substance. you would nightmare. methanol is an very - dangerous substance. you would find it in your antifreeze. it has a similar effect to a normal al alcoholic drink at first. but then it is converted into two chemicals that have a toxic impact that builds up that have a toxic impact that builds up as the methanol is processed. initial symptoms include things like dizziness, seizures and vomiting. but the back of the eye is vulnerable and what will happen is you get blurred vision and even blindness as a result and that can continue to progress and you will have problems breathing and multiple organ failure and sometimes death. hospital treatment is vital. if any of the symptoms, people should be seeking hospital treatment. and the general advice remains that people should be careful, always know what is in the drinks they're consuming and never have anything that looks

home made and drink from licensed premises. in the last hour, the us politican matt gaetz has withdrawn from the running for the role of attorney general under president trump. it follows a recent investigation into claims he had sex with an underage girl and other allegations about his personal conduct. our north america correspondent sarah smith is in washington. how much of a surprise is this? well, matt gaet had been battling a number of allegations of sexual misconduct. but what happened today is a fresh allegation was put to his team by a television network. while they were waiting for a response, he instead put out a statement announcing that he was withdrawing from the nomination. he said that the whole process was becoming a distraction from the trump transition and he didn't want to go through a protracted the scuffle to

get his nomination confirmed. although he was named by donald trump as attorney general, the appointment had to be approved by the senate and that is where he was facing problems with senators who were wary of confirming a man with these allegations of sexual misconduct and drug taking against him. donald trump knew that was the man that he was appointing and that it would be controversial. but he wanted to proceed, because he was convinced matt gaet was a loyal member of the team and would do what he wanted. but even he has decided that some things can go on too long and too farand that some things can go on too long and too far and the fresh allegations meant it was going to be difficult to get 50 plus senators to approve matt gaet�* appointment. we don't know who he will pick to be his replacement, but donald trump said in a statement that he appreciate what had matt gaet had

done and he has a wonderful future ahead of him. done and he has a wonderful future ahead of him-— the final chief executive of the captain tom foundation has told the bbc that he was shocked to uncover what he considered questionable practices at the charity. captain sir tom moore raised almost £40 million during lockdown by walking laps of his garden. now jack gilbert says he believes captain tom s daughter hannah was partly motivated by self—interest. the charity commission says she and her husband personally financially benefited from their association with the foundation. our investigations correspondent joe pike has more. he was an international fundraising sensation who provided hope at the height of the pandemic. everybody put their shoulders to the wheel and we'll won through and i'm sure we can do that again with everybody�*s help. thanks, captain tom! raising £39 million for nhs charities.

# happy birthday, captain tom, daddy, grandpa...# and by his side throughout, the daughter we now know financially benefited from her association with the captain tom foundation. jack gilbert was the charity's final chief executive before it was mothballed. he has 30 years experience in the sector. when i came in, i must admit, i was gobsmacked. i was shocked at the number of systems thatjust did not accord with best practice. i'm delighted to be here at ashton vale club for young people to give them the third virgin media 02 captain tom foundation connector award. he was the one who uncovered hannah ingram—moore had been paid £18,000 forjudging an award scheme in the charity's name, whilst already being paid £85,000 a year as the charity's chief executive. by that time, i was, you know, quite suspicious and i reported that. hannah ingram—moore says it was a personal appearance, in personal time. when i first met hannah as part of the recruitment process, i was very taken by her. i felt that we had a lot of things

in common and it was only as i started to look under the cover that i began to realise there was a bit more to it. and rather thanjust being naive, there was a level of self interest. today's most startling revelation from the charity commission's investigation, a publishing dealfor three books. there was a £1.4 million book deal, where because of the marketing around it and also because of captain sir tom's own words in the foreword, the public would have expected some of that money to go to charity and it didn't. it went directly to the ingram—moores. what is your message to the ingram—moores? follow through on the commitment that was made and donate a substantial amount to the charity. the actions of hannah and her husband, colin, a trustee of the charity, was, the regulator said, misconduct or mismanagement, or both. the family say the commission has

treated them unfairly. of the book deal they said the company paid sir tom a fee and deny is in misappropriation of funds. enwe we are ensuring his legacy lives on. �* .. ., enwe we are ensuring his legacy lives on. �* ., ., lives on. but the action of the familiar seams _ lives on. but the action of the familiar seams to _ lives on. but the action of the familiar seams to have - lives on. but the action of the i familiar seams to have affected lives on. but the action of the - familiar seams to have affected that legacy. the charity and the charity commission and the captain tom foundation are considering legal action to recover funds. foundation are considering legal action to recoverfunds. the foundation are considering legal action to recover funds. the family believe this process is unfair and unjust.

the international criminal court has issued arrest warrants for israel s prime minister benjamin netanyahu, former defence minister, yoav gallant, and hamas's military commander mohammed deif. the judges said there were reasonable grounds the three men bore "criminal responsibility" for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the war between israel and hamas. lucy williamson reports from jerusalem on this unprecedented move. the war that broke gaza has left israel leaders facing charges. binyamin netanyahu and his former defence minister yoav gallant called to trial by the international criminal court for war crimes and crimes against humanity. including murder, persecution and starvation as a method of war. a third arrest

warrant was ordered for mohammed deif. binyamin netanyahu's office called it an anti—semitic decision, saying israel rejects with disgust the absurd actions and charges and accused the court of being biased. several countries, including the netherlands and ireland, have said they will carry out the arrest warrants. no such commit frment from the prime minister's spokesman. it is a diplomatic nightmare nor israel. but we are in unchartered territories, because israel and binyamin netanyahu are not like anyoners. —— anyone else. we are dealing with a powerful country that has as its closest ally the united states. . ., ,., ., , ., states. the court said there was no clear military _

states. the court said there was no clear military justification _ states. the court said there was no clear military justification for - clear military justification for israel impeding humanitarian aid to gaza and that restrictions on medicine had meant children enduring amputations without anaesthetic. little hope that the ruling would change things in gaza.— change things in gaza. binyamin netanyahu _ change things in gaza. binyamin netanyahu will _ change things in gaza. binyamin netanyahu will not _ change things in gaza. binyamin netanyahu will not stop. - change things in gaza. binyamin netanyahu will not stop. the - netanyahu will not stop. the genocide will continue and we have no voice. , , ., ., ~ genocide will continue and we have no voice. , , . . ., �* no voice. this is all talk. but it won't change _ no voice. this is all talk. but it won't change anything. - no voice. this is all talk. but itj won't change anything. listen, no voice. this is all talk. but it - won't change anything. listen, i'm 54, won't change anything. listen, i'm 54. and _ won't change anything. listen, i'm 54. and i've — won't change anything. listen, i'm 54, and i've seen the world. they neveriudge — 54, and i've seen the world. they neverjudge the israeli military. you should have made this decision a long time _ you should have made this decision a long time 59°~ do _ you should have made this decision a long time ago. do you see _ you should have made this decision a long time ago. do you see how- you should have made this decision a long time ago. do you see how much| long time ago. do you see how much the people _ long time ago. do you see how much the heapie are — long time ago. do you see how much the people are suffering? _ long time ago. do you see how much the people are suffering? hunger, i the people are suffering? hunger, cold, _ the people are suffering? hunger, cold, bombardment. _ the people are suffering? hunger, cold, bombardment.— the people are suffering? hunger, cold, bombardment. more than 70 --eole cold, bombardment. more than 70 peeple were _ cold, bombardment. more than 70 people were killed _ cold, bombardment. more than 70 people were killed today _ cold, bombardment. more than 70 people were killed today in - cold, bombardment. more than 70 people were killed today in israeli | people were killed today in israeli strikes in gaza. one woman lost all three of her children. binyamin

netanyahu, presenting himself as israel's protectors. now, he risks becoming a pariah ahead. russia's president vladimir putin has been adressing the nation about the war in ukraine. let's get the latest from our russia editor, steve rosenberg. steve, what's he been saying? vladimir putin tonight really raising the stakes. in the last few minutes, delivering this dramatic address to the nation. his first comments, actually, since britain and america permitted ukraine to use the longer range western missiles to strike inside russia. so president putin said that after these missiles were used in russia, what he called a regional conflict, the war in ukraine, had now acquired elements of the global nature. he said that

in response, russia today had launched a new hypersonic medium range ballistic missile at a target in ukraine. he said western missiles would not affect the outcome of russia's special operation, the phrase he continues to use for the war in ukraine, and then he said, russia has the right, he said, to use its weapons against the military installations of those countries who allow their weapons to be used against facilities in russia. he said russia would respond decisively. so a dramatic address there. now it will be up to politicians and the military in the united states and in britain, in the west, to decide what they do now. steve rosenberg with the latest from moscow, thank you. we will have more of course on that developing story on the bbc news at ten o'clock. the time is 6:15. our top story this evening: a 28—year—old british lawyer, simone white, becomes the fifth

tourist to die in a backpackers town in southeast asia. it in southeast asia. will bully a glorious golden double it will bully a glorious golden double alistair brownlee! the olympic champion retires at the age of 36. and on bbc london: coming up on sportsday in the next 15 minutes on bbc news — arsenal will be hoping tojoin chelsea in the women's champions league quarterfinals later, to do that they have to beat juventus at the emirates stadium. prime minister, who has died at the age of 86. king charles spoke of his "decades of public service, his unique and indomitable character and his infectious sense of humour". the prime minister described lord prescott as a "true giant" of the labour movement. our political editor, chris mason, looks back at his life.

# things can only get better... brothers of arms in victory, labour's big win in 1997 with this double act at the top of their ticket. the slick public schoolboy and a former waiter on a cruise ship. and a former waiter on a cruise shi -. and a former waiter on a cruise shi . _ ., , and a former waiter on a cruise shi, ., , ., and a former waiter on a cruise shi -. . , ., . , , and a former waiter on a cruise ship. he was an incredibly direct communicator— ship. he was an incredibly direct communicator and _ ship. he was an incredibly direct communicator and even - ship. he was an incredibly direct communicator and even if - ship. he was an incredibly direct communicator and even if the i ship. he was an incredibly direct - communicator and even if the syntax never quite made sense, the sentiment was very powerful and made complete sense. ifound him, you know, we had our disagreements from time to time but he was loyal, committed and an enormous help to me. , ., ,. ., committed and an enormous help to me. john prescott was born in prestatyn _ me. john prescott was born in prestatyn in — me. john prescott was born in prestatyn in north _ me. john prescott was born in prestatyn in north wales, - me. john prescott was born in prestatyn in north wales, left school at 15, became a trainee chef and went to sea for eight years. he was become to come a trade union is studied as an adult for a degree. he became an mp in 1970. he wanted to play a vital role in the shake—up of labour in the 1990s in opposition.

he has put his head there, now is our time to vote, let's give us a bit of trust!— our time to vote, let's give us a bit of trust! ., , ., bit of trust! new labour beckoned a slick, bit of trust! new labour beckoned a slick. shiny. — bit of trust! new labour beckoned a slick, shiny. glitzy _ bit of trust! new labour beckoned a slick, shiny, glitzy looking - bit of trust! new labour beckoned a slick, shiny, glitzy looking outfit - slick, shiny, glitzy looking outfit but his approach was rather different. but his approach was rather different-— but his approach was rather different. . w' ., ., from different. stick one on him! from unchin: different. stick one on him! from punching a _ different. stick one on him! from punching a voter... _ different. stick one on him! from punching a voter... 0h, - different. stick one on him! from punching a voter... oh, god... i punching a voter... oh, god... seed punching a voter... oh, god... speedy refreshment, - punching a voter... oh, god... speedy refreshment, to - punching a voter... oh, god... speedy refreshment, to an - speedy refreshment, to an idiosyncratic approach to communication.- idiosyncratic approach to communication. ., , ., ., communication. people who are lookin: in communication. people who are looking in a _ communication. people who are looking in a single _ communication. people who are looking in a single house - communication. people who are looking in a single house again, | communication. people who are - looking in a single house again, can we do that again? i made that bleep. he would often _ we do that again? i made that bleep. he would often bristle _ we do that again? i made that bleep. he would often bristle at _ we do that again? i made that bleep. he would often bristle at those - we do that again? i made that bleep. he would often bristle at those he - he would often bristle at those he saw as the beautiful people at the top of new labour. you saw as the beautiful people at the top of new labour.— saw as the beautiful people at the top of new labour. you know his name is peter. top of new labour. you know his name is peter- way — top of new labour. you know his name is peter. way back, _ top of new labour. you know his name is peter. way back, he _ top of new labour. you know his name is peter. way back, he compared - top of new labour. you know his name is peter. way back, he compared you l is peter. way back, he compared you to a crab in — is peter. way back, he compared you to a crab in a — is peter. way back, he compared you to a crab in a glass— is peter. way back, he compared you to a crab in a glass jar? _ is peter. way back, he compared you to a crab in a glass jar? well, - is peter. way back, he compared you to a crab in a glass jar? well, that. to a crab in a glass “ar? well, that was ve to a crab in a glass jar? well, that was very unfortunate. _ to a crab in a glass jar? well, that was very unfortunate. it _ to a crab in a glass jar? well, that was very unfortunate. it wasn't i was very unfortunate. it wasn't friendly, — was very unfortunate. it wasn't friendly, it— was very unfortunate. it wasn't friendly, it wasn't completely

friendly _ friendly, it wasn't completely friendl . ., . ., friendly, it wasn't completely friendl. ., . ., . friendly. he would create conflict but also seek _ friendly. he would create conflict but also seek to _ friendly. he would create conflict but also seek to resolve - friendly. he would create conflict but also seek to resolve it - friendly. he would create conflict but also seek to resolve it as - friendly. he would create conflictl but also seek to resolve it as tony blair and gordon brown's relationship broke down. he: transformed our view of climate change, he was a leader in that. he improved 1.5 million houses so people are living in far better homes as a result of that. nobody has done that ever since. at the same time, he led the way on regional policy and getting scotland, wales, the regions of england, he was a pioneer if you like of levelling up. stand england, he was a pioneer if you like of levelling up.— like of levelling up. and from a former prime _ like of levelling up. and from a former prime minister- like of levelling up. and from a former prime minister to - like of levelling up. and from a i former prime minister to today's. like of levelling up. and from a - former prime minister to today's. he did it all in his own way, with humour, _ did it all in his own way, with humour, with pride, with passion and total conviction. he truly was a one-off — total conviction. he truly was a one-off. ., , ., one-off. there were moments of embarrassment, _ one-off. there were moments of embarrassment, an _ one-off. there were moments of embarrassment, an affair - one-off. there were moments of embarrassment, an affair with i one-off. there were moments of embarrassment, an affair with al embarrassment, an affair with a secretary, for which he apologised. i know in the last year i let myself down, i let you down, so, conference, ijust want down, i let you down, so, conference, i just want to say, sorry. conference, i 'ust want to say, sor . �* ~ ,, sorry. applause and in _

sorry. applause and in his - sorry. applause and in his last i sorry. applause i and in his last year, sorry. applause - and in his last year, living sorry. applause _ and in his last year, living without signers, and attempt at reconciliation with lord mandelson. this year he did an extraordinary thing _ this year he did an extraordinary thing. sunday morning, my phone goes and i suddenly see on my phone john prescotto— and i suddenly see on my phone john prescott's face. he said, ijust want — prescott's face. he said, ijust want to— prescott's face. he said, ijust want to say that i've forgiven you. you are _ want to say that i've forgiven you. you are forgiven. i said, oh, yes, what _ you are forgiven. i said, oh, yes, what for— you are forgiven. i said, oh, yes, what for exactly? he said, well you were _ what for exactly? he said, well you were not— what for exactly? he said, well you were not treated well. it was a sort of signing _ were not treated well. it was a sort of signing off. it was a putting something right.— of signing off. it was a putting something right. from a seafaring waiter by the european _ something right. from a seafaring | waiter by the european parliament something right. from a seafaring i waiter by the european parliament to much later the house of lords, john prescott was the country's longest serving deputy prime minister. chris mason looking back at the life of john prescott, who has died at the age of 86. he was mp for hull for four decades and a big champion of the north of england. his wife and sons said today that representing the people of hull had been his greatest honour.

danny savage has been looking at his legacy there. that's what's made you tough, huh? a long way from westminster, this is where the larger—than—life political whirlwind john prescott was known for having a more relaxed and accessible side. he lived in this area of east hull and represented a constituency here for 40 years. he was always approachable and he had time for little people like me. this man was one of his constituents and remembers being helped by his then mp. and on one occasion, i left a message with pauline, his wife, and he rang me back. that was the type of guy he was. in a nearby pub, the passing of a local political legend was the main talking point. i think a lot of people in hull had a lot of time for him, regardless of the political persuasion, whether you liked labour or new labour. yeah, i certainly had a lot of time for him and i'm really saddened to hear about his death. how do you think people in hull will rememberjohn prescott?

for his honest, for, um, - not putting on the airs and graces. and he had a big house, _ but he'd worked for that, hadn't he? he would often be seen at this community centre in hull. there you are, love. he was absolutely instrumental to this place even existing in the first place. there was no side to him, so you always knew that what he said is what he meant. and he cared very, very passionately about the people in east hull. today, the city council paid tribute with a minute's silence. these two councillors have known him for years. and ijust remember this chap coming to our house, i'd be about 11 or 12, something like that, with an incredibly beautiful wife. and in rosie's case, a lifetime. my dad was a bus driver, so obviously ultimately qualified to drive one of the two jags thatjohn "two jags" prescott actually had. but wheneverjohn was in hull and he needed a driver. i think he would have been the first to have told you if he could, that he was not a skilled driver.

one of the major issues was helping get siemens across the line. that's a wind turbine factory in east hull, because john was passionate about the climate change agenda, and that's a big legacy forjohn. even hull trains paid tribute, with this picture of the man who helped establish their regular service to london. john prescott also achieved something that many politicians can only dream of it, he cut through to the wider population. 20 years ago, most voters would have known who he was and that wasn't perhaps for being a pure politician but it was probably to do with the events along the way. he was human and people could relate to him. i got the real feeling today from talking to people in hull that there is some great affection for him here and they are proud of what he did for the city and they are proud of him. sophie. thank you. it's thursday so it's question time

tonight — here's fiona. tonight, have farmers been dealt a bad hand by the government or should they be paying the same taxes as the rest of us? that's what our audience here in trowbridge in wiltshire want to ask about. we are on iplayerfrom 9.00 and bbc one after the ten o'clock news. an 18—year—old man from london is facing a 20 yearjail term in a dubai prison following a holiday romance with a 17—year—old girl, also from london, according to the human right�*s group. marcus fakana was arrested by police in his hotel dubai and was accused of having sex with the teenager, who had already returned to the uk. jordan kenny has been following the story. jordan, what can you tell us? good evening. marcus fakana met the guy when he was on holiday with his parents in dubai in september. we were told he was not arrested until a few days after the girl returned to the uk, when her mum found out about the relationship and reported it to dubai police. in the uk, the relationship would be totally legal

but in dubai it is anyone illegal for anyone 18 or over to have sex with anyone younger than that. marcus's parents have returned to the uk, they are calling on the british government to help secure his release. the foreign office say they are in touch with a british man in the uae and are working to support his family. the dubai authorities have not come —— not come back to the bbc�*s request for comment. the double olympic triathlon champion, alistair brownlee, has announced his retirement from the sport at the age of 36. "it's time to close this chapter", he said. he has had a remarkable career and will be remembered notjust for his athletic prowess but also for once famously helping his brother, johnny, over the finish line when he was close to collapse. andy swiss reports. alistair brownlee! it became one of british sport's most gloriously familiar sights. at london 2012 and rio 2016, alistair brownlee swam, cycled and sprinted to triathlon glory.

the olympic triathlon champion for the second time! but now it's his career that's reached the finish line. triathlon was very literally a childhood dream for me, to be a professional athlete, and i definitely achieved way... ..way beyond anything i could imagine, so i'm old! i'm 36, i've done it for a long time and there's a load of other things i want to do with my life. a baby—faced brownlee was just 21 when he first became world champion. he went on to win every title and he did it all alongside his younger brother, jonny. the pair trained in yorkshire together, they won olympic medals together. famously, they even finished together in one race, when alistair helped his exhausted sibling across the line — the ultimate brothers in arms. what an incredible conclusion here! but if that was selfless, to his rivals, he was ruthless.

perhaps the greatest his sport has seen. alistair, in my opinion, has been the best triathlete, the most complete... at his peak, he was the best swimmer, the best cyclist and best runner. and that's incredible. alistair brownlee. he rarely sought the limelight. a runner—up in the bbc sports personality of the year — one of the few times he finished second. he's says he's now looking forward to a slightly slower pace of life. after a glittering career, he's certainly earned it. andy swiss, bbc news. this is one very expensive banana a banana, duct—taped to a wall, sold in new york for almost £5 million. the artwork, by maurizio cattelan, involves a real banana, and comes with instructions on how to replace the fruit — whenever it gets too ripe. snow and cold has led

to more disruption today, more than 150 schools in northern scotland closed and nearly 200 remained shut in south west england and wales. with difficult conditions on the roads, the aa warned motorists to check forecasts before setting out, and drive with "extreme caution". there is a yellow weather warning currently in place for much of the uk, and that stretches into the weeked as bert, the second named storm of the season, is expected on saturday. time for a look at the weather. here's chris foukes. yes, thank you. i suppose the weather will turn quite severe as we go through this weekend as storm bert makes its presence firmly felt. today we had snow in new places, for example in southern england. overnight tonight, more snow, vertically for northern scotland, heavy snow here. also lots of

showers but northern ireland, the north west of england and wales and running into the midlands. these at the moment are coming through as sleet and snow predominantly so some areas will see accumulations and some icy stretches, with the temperature is taking a real dive once again. tomorrow, a cold, frosty and icy start. a day of sunny spells and icy start. a day of sunny spells and showers, shower is favoured for north—western areas and the air getting a couple of degrees slightly less cold and the showers coming through moraza rain, still a bit of sleet and may be some flurries of snow over high ground. temperatures still below average for the time of year. these would be pretty good temperatures forjanuary but well below average for november. here comes storm bert as we go into friday night and saturday. it is an intense area of low pressure that is going to bring multiple hazards to the uk, starting on friday night with a heavy rain moving into the cold air. we could see some snow on the northern edge, just about anywhere and that could cause one or

two issues friday night. met office amber warnings two issues friday night. met office amberwarnings in two issues friday night. met office amber warnings in force for scotland as we head into saturday. 20 centimetres, may be up to 40 over some higher hills and we could see similar amounts of snow across the high hills of northern england. that is likely to lead to some very significant transport disruption. another hazard, the winds, gusts of 60-70 another hazard, the winds, gusts of 60—70 miles an hour running up the irish sea coast. that could have impacts and if that was not enough, look at all of this rain piling into the western side of the country, with particular forecast in wales and south—west england, it is here where we will see widespread rainfall of two or three inches. but over the high ground, dartmoor, may be the brecon beacons, we could see up be the brecon beacons, we could see up to 150 millimetres of rain. if we continue to see those kind of figures coming out with our computer simulations, the warner could be upgraded to amber. storm bert is still with us for the second half of the weekend as well. still very windy conditions across the north

and west of the uk. a band of rain