thousands of people have left the islands of koh samui and koh phangan.ting popular tourist spots. over one million british tourists visit thailand each year. our world affairs editor, john simpson, reports from the north of koh samui island. his report contains flashing images. this was just the start of it. super storm pabuk, meaning giant catfish, is, in the words of thailand's meteorological head, simply huge. it hit the two northerly islands hard early on in the day. by noon it was starting to close down the island of koh samui as well. the roads were empty of traffic and winds of 50 mph or more were blowing down trees close to the sea. the emergency services were out in force though in the hours of daylight the number of injuries was still quite small and only two deaths had been reported. yesterday, thousands of visitors, thai as well as foreign, tried to get off the islands while they still could. but some stayed, either because they couldn't leave or perhaps because they wanted to see what was going to happen. sam and miranda from cheshire came t

thousands of people have left the islands of koh samui and koh phangan.ng across the south of the country, affecting popular tourist spots. over one million british tourists visit thailand each year. our world affairs editor, john simpson, reports from the north of koh samui island. this was just the start of it. super storm pabuk, meaning "giant catfish", is, in the words of thailand's meteorological head, simply huge. it hit the two northerly islands hard early on in the day. by noon, it was starting to close down the island of koh samui, as well. the roads were empty of traffic, and winds of 50 mph or more were blowing down trees close to the sea. the emergency services were out in force though in the hours of daylight, the number of injuries was still quite small and only two deaths had been reported. yesterday, thousands of visitors, thai as well as foreign, tried to get off the islands while they still could. but some stayed, either because they couldn't leave, or perhaps because they wanted to see what was going to happen. sam and miranda from ches

tonight the storm proper is just about to hit koh samui. certain is that the superstorm is highly unusual for this time of year. johnimpson, bbc news, koh samui in thailand. rajini: you are watching "bbc world ws america." still to come on tonight's program, for one lucky couple, 2019 is off to a very good start. they cannot wait to give money away. doctors and the uk's say therviis no firmnce spending time on smartphones tablets is harmful to children's health itself. but it does recommend you turn them in the hour before bedtime. mfergus walsh he. young people grow u surrounded by digital entertainment on multiple screens, whether by computer, smartphone, or television. the well colleges says the popular view that time in ont of the screen is toxic to health has essential no evidence. >> many things are harmful to us. crossing the road is fun. even reading is a sedentary occupation that can keep you up at night. we think there is a balance be struck. there are homes from screens, -- harms from screens, but screens have rate opportunities

thousands of people have left the islands of koh samui and koh phangan.opular tourist spots. over1 million british tourists visit thailand each year. our world affairs editor, john simpson, reports from the north of koh samui island. his report contains flashing images. this was just the start of it. super storm pabuk, meaning giant catfish, is, in the words of thailand's meteorological head, simply huge. it hit the two northerly islands hard early on in the day. by noon it was starting to close down the island of koh samui as well. the roads were empty of traffic and winds of 50 mph or more were blowing down trees close to the sea. the emergency services were out in force though in the hours of daylight the number of injuries was still quite small and only two deaths had been reported. yesterday, thousands of visitors, thai as well as foreign, tried to get off the islands while they still could. but some stayed, either because they couldn't leave or perhaps because they wanted to see what was going to happen. sam and miranda from cheshire came to koh sam

thousands of people have left the islands of koh samui and koh phangan.son, reports from koh samui. this was just the start of it. it hit the two northerly islands hard early on in the day, by noon it was starting to close down the island of koh samui as well. the roads were empty of traffic and winds of 50 miles an hour or more were blowing down trees close to the sea. the emergency services were out in force, though in the hours of daylight, the number of injuries was still quite small and only two deaths have been reported. yesterday thousands of visitors, thai as well as foreign, tried to get off the islands while we still could. but some stayed, because they could not leave or perhaps because they wanted to see what was going to happen. sam and miranda from chester came to celebrate his 30th birthday. we were able to get out and stock up pretty quickly, so we filled the room with food and got mattresses and its windows and do everything we can to keep the room safe and reallyjust waiting it out. to be honest, no—one really knows what's going to be ha

it has already made landfall, hitting a province south of koh samui.ngest part of it. most of the tourists who left have left the island is simply to avoid being trapped there. for the moment allairand sea being trapped there. for the moment all air and sea transport links have been cut and they are not expected to be restored probably for the next 24 hours. the winds are moving across. they will also affect beaches on the west side, perhaps not so much. authorities are warning there will be very heavy rain with there will be very heavy rain with the possibility of flooding and the possibility of landslides as well. they are telling people there is no need to be massively worried but they are urging them to be cautious and to stay indoors at the moment will stop -- at the moment. university bosses are warning that a no—deal brexit could be one of the biggest ever threats to higher education. the government says it'll guarantee money for eu—funded projects if a deal isn't reached. but university vice—chancellors say leaving the eu without an agreement c

the islands of koh samui and koh pangan were the worst affected.ind is now losing speed but warn that there remains a risk of flash floods. police in india say a third woman has defied traditionalists and entered a hindu temple in the southern state of kerala, after two others set foot inside on wednesday. the sabarimala shrine has become the focus of a prolonged showdown, after india's supreme court overturned a ban in september on women of menstruating age entering the temple. the issue has triggered violent clashes in the state. yogita limaye reports from mumbai. earlier this week, these women made history. escorted by policemen in plain—clothes, they were the first to enter the sabarimala temple since the supreme court allowed in september last year. now, they have been kept in a safehouse by the government, because their lives are under threat. bindu ammini explains why she entered the temple. the things happened in sabarimala is a violation of equality, and i like to establish and implement the judgement given by the supreme court. the implem

further north, the main tourist islands of koh samui and koh phangan were spared the worst of the windo resume — but only very slowly. thousands of holiday—makers who had been placed in storm shelters overnight have now got the all—clear to leave by the authorities. translation: the waves in the sea are no longer that high now, and tourists are returning to their hotels. we are all doing our best to cope with the situation. so far, there have been no major problems and no reports of casualties. it's highly unusual for thailand to face a storm of such ferocity at this time of year. it's not clear why storm pabuk struck when it did. but given its potential power, it's clear that things could have been a lot worse. nick marsh, bbc news. russia has dismissed suggestions that a former us marine accused of spying could be involved in a prisoner swap. paul whelan, an american who also has british nationality was detained in moscow last month. his family says he was simply visiting russia to attend a wedding. his lawyer had raised the possibility of a prisoner exchange but a russian minister s

further north, the main tourist islands of koh samui and koh phangan were spared the worst of the windliday—makers who had been placed in storm shelters overnight have now got the all—clear to leave by the authorities. translation: the waves in the sea are no longer that high now, and tourists are returning to their hotels. we are all doing our best to cope with the situation. so far, there have been no major problems and no reports of casualties. it's highly unusual for thailand to face a storm of such ferocity at this time of year. it's not clear why storm pabuk struck when it did. but given its potential power, it's clear that things could have been a lot worse. nick marsh, bbc news. five teenage girls have died in a fire — at an escape room venue in poland. the girls, all 15 years old, had been celebrating a birthday party. ‘escape games' involve players finding clues and solving puzzles — to make their way out of a locked room. this report, from monika plaha, has flashing images. what was meant to be a birthday celebration amongst friends turned into an evening of horror. the emer

thousands of people left the popular tourist spots of koh samui, koh tao and koh phangan islands beforea lack of information from the authorities. in india, police say a third woman has defied traditionalists and entered a hindu temple in the southern state of kerala, after two others set foot inside on wednesday. the sabarimala shrine has become the focus of a prolonged showdown, after india's supreme court overturned a ban in september on women of menstruating age entering the temple. the issue has triggered violent clashes in the state. yogita limaye reports from mumbai. earlier this week, these women made history. escorted by policemen in plain clothes, they were the first to enter the sabarimala temple since the supreme court allowed in september last year. now they've been kept in a safe house by the government because their lives are under threat. bindu ammini explains why she entered the temple. the things that happened in sabarimala are a violation of equality, and i like to establish order and implement judgement given by the supreme court. the implementation of this judgement

tonight, the storm proper is just about to hit koh samui and what is certain is that this superstormhat climate change is starting in earnest. superstorm there are, let's hope the weather here is rather quieter than that for this weekend, darren has the latest forecast. what is interesting is it is the same system that brought all the rains and flooding in the philippines, about one week ago, it has moved across the south china sea. weather is very quiet, chilly day to day, temperatures falling underneath the clear skies, round the marches into the west country, if you breaks across eastern scotland and eastern england as well. fair bit of cloud around overnight. temperatures will not be far off reason, lower temperatures where we have a clear skies, early sunshine here, tomorrow, before the cloud filled in. rest of the sunshine across the north—east, into the wash, on the whole, cloudy day, and at times, glimpse of sunshine, dry day, temperatures struggling, some rain coming into the north—west, during the evening, that will push through, a lot of dry weather on sunday, rest of the

it has already made landfall, hitting the province of nakhon si thammarat, a little south of koh samuithe path of the storm. they are getting heavy rain and strong gusts of wind and higher tides at the moment. so, people have been advised to stay away from beaches, the risk of being swept away, and generally stay inside solid buildings. probably one of the greatest risks to health are bits of debris being blown around by the winds. around 30,000 people have been evacuated — mostly local people — from coastal areas where the storm struck, the strongest part of it. most of the tourists who left have actually left the island simply to avoid being trapped there. for the moment, all air and sea transport links have been cut and they are not expected to be restored probably for the next 2a hours. those winds are moving across. it is quite a narrow part of thailand. they will also affect beaches on the west side, the andaman sea island, perhaps not so much. but the authorities are warning there will be very heavy rain with the possibility of flooding and also the possibility of landslides as

it has already made landfall, hitting the province of nakhon si thammarat, a little south of koh samuim. they are getting heavy rain and strong gusts of wind and higher tides at the moment. so, people have been advised to stay away from beaches, the risk of being swept away, and generally stay inside solid buildings. probably one of the greatest risks to health are bits of debris being blown around by the winds. around 30,000 people have been evacuated — mostly local people — from coastal areas where the storm struck, the strongest part of it. most of the tourists who left have actually left the island simply to avoid being trapped there. for the moment, all air and sea transport links have been cut and they are not expected to be restored probably for the next 2a hours. those winds are moving across. it is quite a narrow part of thailand. they will also affect beaches on the west side, the andaman sea island, perhaps not so much. but the authorities are warning there will be very heavy rain with the possibility of flooding and also the possibility of landslides as well. so, they are s