holly bowles was 19, and on the holiday of a lifetime. the family of a british victim, simone white, say she was one of a kind. one of the world's richest sportsmen, ireland's mixed marshal arts fighter conor mcgregor, must pay over than £200,000 to a woman who accused him of rape. no matter how afraid you might be, speak up, you have a voice, and keep on fighting forjustice. two men who ran a people—smuggling operation from a car wash in south wales plead guilty. i'm live in northern ireland as storm bert approaches. weather warnings will be in place across much of the uk this weekend. the boom in crypto currency — we find out why bitcoin is surging in value, now close to $100,000. and can max verstappen make it four formula one world titles in a row,

this weekend, in las vegas? and stay with us here on bbc news for continuing coverage and analysis from our team of correspondents in the uk and around the world. good evening. a young australian woman died today, the sixth foreign tourist to lose their life in laos in south east asia, from suspected methanol poisoning. holly bowles was 19, on holiday with her best friend bianca jones, who's also died. and this is simone white, a lawyer from kent, who died yesterday. they were in a town called vang vieng, in laos, that's popular among backpackers. two other victims, aged 19 and 20, were from denmark, and an american man in his 50s has also died.

some of those who fell ill were taken to hospital in neighbouring thailand, from where rupert wingfield—hayes has the very latest. music this is a video bianca jones and holly bowles posted on tiktok earlier this year. two best friends, full ofjoy, about to take off on the adventure of a lifetime. today, news came that 19—year—old holly had died from methanol poisoning. bianca, also 19, died in hospital yesterday. holly was brought all the way from laos to this bangkok hospital, where doctors tried to save her life, but experts say methanol poisoning is extremely dangerous. as little as 25 millilitres can be fatal and prompt treatment is key to survival. meanwhile, the family of british victim simone white today released a statement, describing her as "one of a kind". "she had the most wonderful energy and spark for life," it said.

"she has been taken from us too soon. she will be sorely missed by her brother, grandmother and entire family." the town of vang vieng has become a popular destination for young travellers, thanks to its natural beauty, river rafting and its reputation as a party town. come with me to nana backpackers hostel in laos. this is the nana hostel, where some of the victims are thought to have stayed. it's not known where any of them were poisoned, but the manager of the hostel has now been detained. and now tourists who were supposed to go to the hostel are staying clear — and many are leaving the town. i spoke to my mum and dad yesterday, just as the news was coming out, and they were both just absolutely distraught, crying, saying, please come home. and it'sjust awful, really. so i managed to book, i'm going to australia next, i managed to move the flight forward by two days and get one of the few trains with tickets left out of vang vieng today.

news of the deaths has spread fast, nowhere more so than here in bangkok. this is the famous khao san road in bangkok, and this is the place where for people from all over the world, their south east asia adventure begins. and while we have met some people here tonight who said they have decided not to go to laos because of what has happened there, we've also met plenty of others who are entirely unperturbed. i was there a few weeks ago, so at the time. i didn't know anything about it. and what have your parents said to you? they're glad i'm out of laos, but i'm on my own in thailand for about a month now. so they're a bit more apprehensive. it worries my mum a little bit more, i reckon, but, you know, _ i i'm definitely going to play it. safe, pace myself, try and have drinks with a bottle cap on them and stuff like that. _ keep my wits about me, i reckon. more and more young people are travelling to south east asia to enjoy the freewheeling party scene, but many are unaware of the dangers that can lie in wait.

rupert wingfield—hayes, bbc news, in bangkok. he is one of the highest paid athletes in the world, a mixed martial arts fighter with millions of fans. but now a court in dublin has ruled that conor mcgregor must pay more than £200,000 in damages to a woman who had accused him of rape. nikita hand told the civil court that mcgregor wouldn't take no for an answer when he assaulted her in 2018. he says the sex was consensual. here's kevin sharkey. conor mcgregor is a global superstar. his rise to a sporting prominence came alongside the growth of mixed martial arts. a popular worldwide sport with a huge youth following. this morning conor mcgregor arrived at the high court in dublin accompanied by his partner. later, ajury in dublin accompanied by his partner. later, a jury found he assaulted a woman who accused him of

rape. i assaulted a woman who accused him of ra e. ., ~ ., , assaulted a woman who accused him of rae. ., ~ ., , assaulted a woman who accused him of rae. ., ~ .,, _ rape. i would like to set off by sa in: i rape. i would like to set off by saying i am — rape. i would like to set off by saying i am overwhelmed - rape. i would like to set off by saying i am overwhelmed by l rape. i would like to set off by l saying i am overwhelmed by the support i have received from everybody. support i have received from everybody-— support i have received from eve bod. , ., ., ~ ., everybody. the 'ury awarded nikita hand more everybody. the jury awarded nikita hand more than _ everybody. the jury awarded nikita hand more than 240,000 - everybody. the jury awarded nikita hand more than 240,000 euros. l everybody. the jury awarded nikita i hand more than 240,000 euros. she believes her victory in this civil court action can encourage other victims of violence to come forward. no matter who the person is and justice will be served, to all victims of sexual assault i hope my story is a reminder that no matter how afraid you might be, speak up, you have a voice, and keep on fighting forjustice for you have a voice, and keep on fighting for justice for site minutes earlier, conor mcgregor left the court surrounded by his family and supporters. he the court surrounded by his family and sweden-— the court surrounded by his family and supporters. he didn't speak to the media. — and supporters. he didn't speak to the media. he _ and supporters. he didn't speak to the media, he didn't _ and supporters. he didn't speak to the media, he didn't say _ and supporters. he didn't speak to the media, he didn't say anything, j the media, he didn't say anything, but as he was driven away he had much to ponder. in a social media post tonight, conor mcgregor said, he plans to appeal today's decision.

kevin sharkey, bbc news, in dublin. two men have pleaded guilty to running a vast people—smuggling operation, from a car wash in south wales. dilshad shamo and ali khdir, from caerphilly, moved hundreds of people from iraq, iran and syria into the uk, using cars, lorries and boats. they were arrested last year by the national crime agency, which told the bbc the criminal enterprise was run along the lines of a travel agency, with services advertised like a tripadvisor for smugglers. here's wyre davies. from this innocuous and otherwise legitimate car wash, ali khdir and dilshad shamo ran a prolific people—smuggling operation that brought thousands of migrants to europe. five, six, seven, eight. business was booming, as they advertised their services on social media. migrants shot videos promoting their experiences, described as like "a travel

agency for smugglers". there was a number of videos that we identified where they would be effectively doing a promotional video to say how wonderful shamo and khdir were, and what a great service they provided. someone said in my team, it was like tripadvisor. they were rating their service. after a tip—off, the pair, who lived in the uk legally, came to the attention of the national crime agency and an undercover operation was put in place. tapped phone calls caught them discussing routes and migrant numbers. most of the migrants trafficked by shamo and khdir came from the middle east, including iraqi kurdistan. here, in the city of erbil, using an undercoverjournalist, we soon find smugglers on social media. they offer us passage to the uk and, in some cases, counterfeit or stolen passports. 0ne critical feature exposed

by the nca investigation into shamo and khdir is how their lucrative operation was financed. inside this building is erbil�*s thriving money market. huge amounts of dollars and other currencies are exchanged. what's also going on is hawala banking, a traditional system based almost entirely around trust. hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of deals are made and there are few electronic or paper trails — reasons why hawala banking is often preferred by people—smugglers. 0ur undercover reporter, as instructed by a smuggler, goes to a hawala to discuss the passport and passage to the uk. we don't go through with a deal, and most hawala banking has legitimate purposes. but experts say it shows why difficult—to—trace cash transactions are also preferred by organised crime.

are we doing enough at the minute to stop the exploitation of hawala banking by smugglers? definitely not enough is being done. what we would call for right now is really refocusing efforts to combat migrant smuggling on those financial flows, on those financial aspects, rather than simply targeting smuggled migrants who arrive in a certain country. what we need to understand is, where is the real money going? today, shamo and khdir admitted their role in smuggling people across europe. it's thought they could have made millions of pounds. all of the people who offered us deals in iraq later denied being involved in smuggling. but thousands of migrants continue to enter the uk illegally every year, as the continental trade in human misery continues. wyre davies, bbc news. vladimir putin says russia has a

stock of powerful missiles that are ready to be used today after moscow fired a new hypersonic missile at targets in ukraine. russia's use of the 0reshnik missile ended a whisk of escalation in the war that also saw ukraine fire american and british long—range missiles into russia for the first time. ukraine's president zelensky called for world leaders to give a serious response so that vladimir putin feels the real consequences of his actions. the rapper and music producer sean "diddy" combs is back in court in new york, hoping to be released from jail. he's awaiting trial on sex trafficking and racketeering charges, which he denies, and was refused bail more than two months ago. neda tawfik is live in new york for us now. what has happened in court? well, clive, as what has happened in court? well, clive. as sean _ what has happened in court? well, clive, as sean 'diddy' _ what has happened in court? well, clive, as sean 'diddy' combs - what has happened in court? -ii clive, as sean 'diddy' combs was brought into the court room wearing a tanjail uniform, not brought into the court room wearing a tan jail uniform, not shackled, brought into the court room wearing a tanjail uniform, not shackled, it was striking to see how his appearance had noticeably changed.

he was thinner. his hair, far more grey since his arrest in september. this was a renewed push by his legal team to have him released on bail. a third push, arguing for stricter conditions, such as having him monitored 24/7 by security, having him not have access to films or internet except to speak to his lawyers. but prosecutors during his lengthy arguments and said he should not be released, because he remains a danger to society and could not be trusted. walking past the cameras into the courthouse, sean 'diddy' combs' family showed up in large numbers to support him, all six of his adult children and his mother waiting to see if he would be released or remain injail. his legal troubles started just over a year ago when his former partner the singer cassie ventura accused him of rape and years of physical violence. in footage from 2016 she is seen

leaving a los angeles hotel room. sean colmes appears to run after her before violently assaulting her. the full tape shows her being kicked as she lies on the ground. prosecutors in new york said the footage obtained by cnn was evidence of the danger he could pose to women if released on bail. combs' defence team says the video was nip elated and was not evidence of a coerced encounter which he allegedly referred to as freak offs. during raids in march, authorities said they seized the supplies, including drugs and more than 1000 bottles of baby oil. in light of the criminal charges, the influence on the sound and culture of hip—hop are being re—examined. instead of hosting his celebrity filled white parties and

gracing red carpets, for now he will continue to prepare for his may trial from continue to prepare for his may trialfrom his jail in brooklyn. well, his lawyers say the conditions at the jail are horrific and that is preventing him from preparing for trial, but prosecutors argue that he might tamper with witnesses and obstruct proceedings so the judge says he will weigh in with a decision next week. 0k, nada tawfik, live in new york. gatwick airport is now fully operational, after one of its terminals was shut due to a security alert, causing disruption for thousands of passengers. more than 600 flights were due to land or take off before the shut down, as nickjohnson reports. stranded at britain's second—busiest airport. most of gatwick�*s south terminal was evacuated this morning after staff found a suspected prohibited item in luggage. check—in was closed, flights were cancelled. i mean, i imagine the airport's got a pa system, but there's been no

announcement since i've been here and i've been here for two hours. and now the phones are not working because everyone's trying to phone. so people have gone on to the airport wi—fi, and now the airport wi—fi has gone down. some described an initial feeling of panic, with little information and passengers being offered foil blankets. i think we managed to get one of the last rooms... with little prospect of getting on a plane, 14—year—old kaylin and his family checked into an airport hotel to wait it out. as police responded to the situation, roads around the airport were closed, trains to and from gatwick station were cancelled. i landed at 9:45, and i was supposed to catch a train to liverpool. - and that's not happening, so now i have to re—route| and i have to go to devon. by mid—afternoon, that security situation had been resolved and the south terminal had reopened

but the flight delays and cancellations are continuing this evening as the airport works to clear the backlog. the message is — if you're coming to gatwick, do check before you travel. nickjohnson, bbc news, gatwick airport. weather warnings will come into force tonight ahead of the arrival of powerful storm bert. northern ireland is expected to get hit first, so let's talk to chris page who's in county antrim. chris, how bad is this expected to be over the weekend? northern ireland is set to be the first part of the uk to feel the full force of storm bert. the first weather warning, yellow warning, will take effect in under two hours from now at midnight. that is for rain and snow. it means they could be disruption, especially for travel. people are being asked if

they have to go out at all to take particular care on the roads. at five o'clock in the morning a second yellow warning kicks in. that is for wind. that indicates there could be some damage to buildings. in the republic of ireland there is a red warning, the most severe possible for counties galway and cork. sandbags are being put out beside homes and businesses to try to protect them from potential severe flooding. across saturday and sunday, numerous warnings set to come into effect for england, the north, the west, and the south coast. forwales. north, the west, and the south coast. for wales. and for scotland. all for wind, coast. for wales. and for scotland. allforwind, rain, coast. for wales. and for scotland. all forwind, rain, and snow. gusts could get up to 70 mph, particularly in coastal areas. here in county antrim it is pretty dry and calm at the moment but people are braced for an extremely wet, windy and possibly disruptive night.— disruptive night. thank you for

that. the government says it's committed to reforming the leasehold housing market in england and wales, by the end of the current parliament. throughout the day, there's been coverage across the bbc, of the problems leaseholders often face, including soaring service charges, that make it difficult for some to keep their homes. here's tarah welsh. angry, upset, trapped, that's what we are hearing from a lot of homeowners... people have been calling it a bbc local radio stations across the country all day with stories of how they feel trapped in their leasehold homes. :: ., ., they feel trapped in their leasehold homes. ii ., ., ., ~' ,~ homes. £720 to have a new key cut? £135 to change _ homes. £720 to have a new key cut? £135 to change two _ homes. £720 to have a new key cut? £135 to change two light _ homes. £720 to have a new key cut? £135 to change two light bulbs? - homes. £720 to have a new key cut? £135 to change two light bulbs? this| £135 to change two light bulbs? this has not ou £135 to change two light bulbs? this has got you talking this morning, so many— has got you talking this morning, so many messages have come in. | has got you talking this morning, so many messages have come in. i was sent an invoice _ many messages have come in. i was sent an invoice and _ many messages have come in. i was sent an invoice and i _ many messages have come in. i was sent an invoice and i was _ many messages have come in. i was sent an invoice and i was asked - many messages have come in. i was sent an invoice and i was asked to pay iim _ sent an invoice and i was asked to -a it... ~ . . sent an invoice and i was asked to .a it... . ., ., ., sent an invoice and i was asked to -a it... ~ ., ., ., ., pay it... wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, pay it... wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. wait. _ pay it... wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, how— pay it... wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, how much? -

pay it... wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, how much? just - pay it... wait, wait, wait, wait, i wait, wait, how much? just under £60,000. — wait, wait, how much? just under £60,000. who — wait, wait, how much? just under £60,000. who has _ wait, wait, how much? just under £60,000. who has that - wait, wait, how much? just under £60,000. who has that much - wait, wait, how much? just under. £60,000. who has that much sitting in their— £60,000. who has that much sitting in their bank— £60,000. who has that much sitting in their bank account? _ £60,000. who has that much sitting in their bank account? most- in their bank account? most residents — in their bank account? most residents don't _ in their bank account? most residents don't mind - in their bank account? most residents don't mind payingj residents don't mind paying reasonable fees to maintain the structural integrity of their buildings or for services like lifts, maintenance and security. campaigners say the leasehold system is financially exploitative. —— like lift maintenance. it means families feel powerless and even afraid in their own homes. just a year after chris hayes bought his new flat in manchester in 2016 the problems began with his roof. i manchester in 2016 the problems began with his roof.— began with his roof. i have got mould built — began with his roof. i have got mould built up _ began with his roof. i have got mould built up around - began with his roof. i have got mould built up around the - began with his roof. i have got| mould built up around the flat. began with his roof. i have got i mould built up around the flat. i began with his roof. i have got - mould built up around the flat. i do a lot of treating of the black mould but you can still see where it is. the freeholder says the problems are due to defective construction practices by the previous owner. they will now be fixing the roof. chris has been told he has to pay his share of the cost through his service charge.— his share of the cost through his service charge. they changed my direct debit _ service charge. they changed my

direct debit on _ service charge. they changed my direct debit on the _ service charge. they changed my direct debit on the 21st _ service charge. they changed my direct debit on the 21st of- service charge. they changed my i direct debit on the 21st of december saying that from january your service charge will be £14,000 per month. i can't afford that. i will lose the flat. best case, bankruptcy is a possibility and, you know, working in the financial services i would lose myjob. irate working in the financial services i would lose myjob.— working in the financial services i would lose my job. would lose my 'ob. we need to end this form of— would lose my job. we need to end this form of tenure _ would lose my job. we need to end this form of tenure and _ would lose my job. we need to end this form of tenure and make - would lose my job. we need to end this form of tenure and make surel this form of tenure and make sure individuals— this form of tenure and make sure individuals have the right to enjoy their own — individuals have the right to enjoy their own property fully. the conservative _ their own property fully. tie: conservative government did strengthen protections for leaseholders but failed to abolish the system before the general election. labour have now set out a timescale to do that and says it cannot be rushed. it’s timescale to do that and says it cannot be rushed.— cannot be rushed. it's a complicated bit of cannot be rushed. it's a complic