problematic. i think it is a little problematic. because your health, live from washington. this is bbc news. israeli military forces tell the bbc they're investigating the accidental killing of three hostages. israel says it misidentifyied them as a "threat". ukraine failed to land the military support it had hoped for this week. we'll hear how that's playing out on the ground. donald trump's former lawyer is ordered to pay nearly 150—million dollars over his false election claims. rudy giuliani insists he doens�*t regret a thing. hello, i'm caitriona perry. you're very welcome.

the israeli military has said that it mistakenly killed three hostages during its military operation in gaza, after misidentifying them as a "threat". those hostages have been named as 28—year—old yotam haim, 25—year—old samer talalka and 26—year—old alon shamriz. all three were kidnapped from their kibbutzes by hamas during its attack on october 7th. the israeli military says it is investigating this latest event. israeli prime minster benjamin netanyahu has renewed his vow to bring hostages home and calld the incident an "unbearable tragedy. " relatives of hostages taken by hamas are currently demonstrating near the israeli ministry of defence in tel aviv in response to the incident — calling for a ceasefire and for an agreement for the release of those still held captive. more than 100 hostages remain in gaza. here's how idf spokesman lieutenant coloneljonathan conricus explained what happened to the bbc earlier. they were dressed in civilian clothing and probably in a similar fashion to what we have seen how

most combatants. secondly, before and after this tragic mistake occurred, there were clashes between israeli troops in the area and hamas combatants. that, apparently was part of the reasons for this very sad mistake, this misidentification by israeli soldiers. our correspondent lucy williamson has the latest on the incident from jerusalem. not hamas gunmen, but the captives israel came to see.— israel came to see. one, this 28-year-old. _ israel came to see. one, this 28-year-old. a _ israel came to see. one, this 28-year-old, a drummer- israel came to see. one, this| 28-year-old, a drummer with israel came to see. one, this i 28-year-old, a drummer with a israel came to see. one, this - 28-year-old, a drummer with a heavy 28—year—old, a drummer with a heavy metal bed kidnapped from his kibbutz. his mother speaking to the bbc last month.—

bbc last month. they are talking about a few _ bbc last month. they are talking about a few here, _ bbc last month. they are talking about a few here, releasing - bbc last month. they are talking about a few here, releasing a - bbc last month. they are talking | about a few here, releasing a few there, i don't think they are playing with our minds, with our hearts. we must talk.— playing with our minds, with our hearts. we must talk. another killed was this 25-year-old. _ hearts. we must talk. another killed was this 25-year-old. the _ hearts. we must talk. another killed was this 25-year-old. the eldest - hearts. we must talk. another killed | was this 25-year-old. the eldest son was this 25—year—old. the eldest son of ten children. he worked with his father and brother in a hatchery and loved motorcycles. and this man. the israeli army said these men were mistakenly identified as a threat. prime minister netanyahu called it an unbearable tragedy. tonight, israel's armed forces are once again bearing the weight of their failures. translation: , , ., ~ , translation: the idf mistakenly identified three _ translation: the idf mistakenly identified three israelis _ translation: the idf mistakenly identified three israelis as - translation: the idf mistakenly identified three israelis as a - identified three israelis as a threat, the force fired at them and they were killed. after the shooting

suspicion arose of the identity of the dead and their bodies were transferred for examination in israel and there, the hostages were identified. bi israel and there, the hostages were identified. �* . ., ., ~ identified. at a vigil to mark the end of hanukkah _ identified. at a vigil to mark the end of hanukkah yesterday, - identified. at a vigil to mark the i end of hanukkah yesterday, one mother said she still had hope. we earn mother said she still had hope. we yearn for a miracle hoping hostages will be _ yearn for a miracle hoping hostages will be back for hanukkah, unfortunately it did not happen. even _ unfortunately it did not happen. even so, — unfortunately it did not happen. even so, we remain in optimism that it will_ even so, we remain in optimism that it will happen soon.— it will happen soon. torment exwessed — it will happen soon. torment exwessed by _ it will happen soon. torment expressed by families - it will happen soon. torment expressed by families of - it will happen soon. torment - expressed by families of hostages has cut deeper tonight. already angry with israel will�*s prime ministerfor not angry with israel will�*s prime minister for not negotiating the release of more hostages. they also have his promise ringing in their ears that israel's military campaign in gaza would help bring their relatives home. let's discuss more on the killing of those hostages. for that and the broader military situation on the ground i spoke to lieutenant colonel mark schwartz, former us security coordinator

between israel and palestinian authority. you worked at all kinds of levels including the special forces operation, what do you think will that led to the idf killing three is really hostages?— really hostages? good to be with ou. really hostages? good to be with yom based _ really hostages? good to be with yom based on — really hostages? good to be with you. based on the _ really hostages? good to be with you. based on the information i really hostages? good to be with l you. based on the information that the idf have released today it sounds like there was an ongoing direct fire exchange between hamas and the idf and we will never know for sure, and the idf and we will never know forsure, but and the idf and we will never know for sure, but it sounds like that the three hostages, the gentlemen that were tragically killed, were caught in the crossfire and identified as a potential threat to the idf as well. what i do not know is what time of day this occurred, whether evening or even dust which would have made identification even more challenging, but it sounds like they were mistakenly engaged by idf

ground forces during the conduct of combat operations against hamas. the us has asked israel to move from high intensity military operations into low intensity military operations which would include more of these ground forces operations and less of those widescale rocket attacks. what does that movie look like to you? i attacks. what does that movie look like to you?— like to you? i believe that that is what is being _ like to you? i believe that that is what is being asked _ like to you? i believe that that is what is being asked of _ like to you? i believe that that is what is being asked of the - like to you? i believe that that is what is being asked of the idf i like to you? i believe that that is | what is being asked of the idf and obviously prime minister netanyahu so certainly it would be a higher risk in terms of risk to idf ground forces but certainly a lower risk to the protection of innocent palestinian civilians who fundamentally are at the nature of this dialogue when united states leadership in israel. so a lot more deliberate room clearing within the engagement of buildings and other structures that the idf believe

hostages are being held in to reduce the likelihood that you are going to kill innocent palestinians that are caught in the crossfire or to provide some level of protection against hamas.— provide some level of protection against hamas. israel would say it is doinu against hamas. israel would say it is doing everything _ against hamas. israel would say it is doing everything it _ against hamas. israel would say it is doing everything it can - against hamas. israel would say iti is doing everything it can currently to minimise civilian deaths in the operation it has run to date, but figures from the health ministry in gaza with over 90,000 people killed and a deteriorating health situation in gaza with all of the images coming from there —— 19,000. is that coming from there ——19,000. is that what in operation minimising civilian casualties look like? is there anything working? i don't think there is a thing as effective as what the idf are claiming and i don't believe the idea for doing everything that they can hood to be doing. to everything that they can hood to be doinu. ., , ., everything that they can hood to be doinu. ., ,., .,, everything that they can hood to be doinu. ., ,, .,, ., doing. to your last point of the humanitarian _ doing. to your last point of the humanitarian assistance, - doing. to your last point of the humanitarian assistance, i - doing. to your last point of the i humanitarian assistance, i really don't understand why israel have not

opened up another major line of supply along the axis that they are using to move israeli forces in an out of gaza as well, they could easily do that and fully secure it as it is brought into palestinian populace in gaza. in terms of combat operations, it is high risk and i understand that as a former soldier. but, you have a responsibility to reduce the likelihood of a threat to innocent civilians. that is the first order and i do believe that more could be done in the way that fighting is occurring it also the nature of the targeting that is being done both from air to ground, and also ground to ground, using artillery and other missile capabilities. so, not to second—guess, but i do believe that there is more that could done to reduce the likelihood of civilian

casualties. reduce the likelihood of civilian casualties-— reduce the likelihood of civilian casualties. �* . , ., ., casualties. the biden administration has been very _ casualties. the biden administration has been very concerned _ casualties. the biden administration has been very concerned since - has been very concerned since october seven for the potential of a 0ctober seven for the potential of a regional spread in we have seen attacks on the west bank recently. you spent a lot of time in the region, what is your assessment of where things are going? it is region, what is your assessment of where things are going?— where things are going? it is still a stron: where things are going? it is still a strong concern. _ where things are going? it is still a strong concern. i _ where things are going? it is still a strong concern. i was _ where things are going? it is still a strong concern. i was in - a strong concern. i was in contact with some individuals that live in the west bankjust as recently as yesterday and the tensions are extremely high, they are grateful that they have not seen violence outbreaks, but there has been a reduction in settler violence against palestinians which is positive. it is not significant reduction, but it appears that there is more accountability. but it is absolutely a concern and the idf central command and the other security forces from israel that are working in the west bank have to be very conscious of the fact that a miscalculation could easily result

in increased violence, notjust protest but actual lethal violence that could occur. so it is something that could occur. so it is something that needs to be watched very carefully and monitored. former us security coordinator _ carefully and monitored. former us security coordinator between - carefully and monitored. former us security coordinator between the i carefully and monitored. former us| security coordinator between the us in the palestinian authority, thank you forjoining us. the us senate will delay its christmas break in efforts to find common ground on funding for ukraine. republicans and democrats are split on supplying more aid, with republicans seeking tougher immigration policies at the us—mexico border in exchange for the aid. ukrainian president volodymyr zelensky was in washington earlier this week — pushing for that very aid. he's now back in ukraine without the funding he had hoped for, but now with promises of eu membership talks to come. the eu reached an agreement to start those talks on thursday, hours later, hungary blocked 55 billion dollars of european funding destined for ukraine.

russia congratulated hungary on friday for that move. the accession talks will likely come as welcome news for ukrainians. but as the war gets closer to its two year anniversary, and battlefield gains remain limited, ukraine is left to wait for help to come. jessica parker is in kyiv with more on the harsh reality for people in ukraine. a school day in ukraine can often end up here. underground, but safer from missile threats that pepper their days and nights. it is very scary when you manage sleep and you heard "boom". 13—year—old ivan dreams of being a pilot — and at peace. we need in future to build our country, and it will be very hard, but i know that we will do it. teachers' wages are among the many things that eu aid helps pay for, but fresh funds are stuck.

so is new us defence money. we need this help very much now, don't be, you know, just a side. participate, help our children, we do our best, but with the help of other countries, we will do even more. we have been down here for more than an hour now, and of course it is highly disruptive to the children's education, they can't be taught properly down here. that being said, everyone's very calm, they are getting on with it, they are used to it. this is the reality of daily life for ukrainian children. 0n the streets of kyiv, patriotism can't disguise these difficult days, after efforts to take back territory from russia stalled. an application to join the eu did progress this week, but for elena it is the story of her home, occupied luhansk, which absorbs her. translation: it is very painful for me to watch | what is going on in our territory.

do you feel hopeful for ukraine at the moment? i believe ukraine will be free, and willjoin the eu, but i don't know when it will happen. getting on the next step of a long ladder to possible eu membership is a boost for morale here, but you also need money, and lots of it, to fight a war. if president zelensky wanted to counter narratives of wavering western support, this hasn't been the week he would have hoped for. back in the bunker, the children wait to hear when it is safe to leave. a generation raised in the exhausting realities of war. jessica parker, bbc news, in kyiv. ukraine's neighbor poland's prime

minister donald tusk says he is exasperated that president zelenskyy must keep urging world leaders to support ukraine's struggle. his new foreign minister radoswav chikorski has been speaking with the bbc, calling for more support to ukraine. the only people entitled to feel tired about this war are ukrainians who are doing the fighting and the dying. we arejust who are doing the fighting and the dying. we are just helping them to defend the foreground of europe against the blatant acts of aggression and war crimes so, yes, we needed to support ukraine more so putin does not conquer it that would bring down the european order. eu officials say the ukraine funding talks will resume injanuary. this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. the un secretary—general has warned that age—old hatreds, from racism to xenophobia and religious intolerance, are resurfacing with a vengeance.

antonio guterres was speaking at an event ot market the 75th anniversary of the universal declaration of human rights. three quarters of a century ago in a world _ three quarters of a century ago in a world decimated by war, the united nations— world decimated by war, the united nations general assembly proclaims it that _ nations general assembly proclaims it that all _ nations general assembly proclaims it that all human beings are born free in— it that all human beings are born free in equal in dignity and rights. the universal declaration of human rights _ the universal declaration of human rights is _ the universal declaration of human rights is a — the universal declaration of human rights is a clear call to act in accordance with the fundamental truth _ accordance with the fundamental truth that each of us is an equal member— truth that each of us is an equal member of— truth that each of us is an equal member of a truth that each of us is an equal member ofa single truth that each of us is an equal member of a single human family. 75 years— member ofa single human family. 75 years on. _ member of a single human family. 75 years on. the — member of a single human family. 75 years on, the world must recall that wisdom _ years on, the world must recall that wisdom. but it must act on it. mr gutteres went on to cite specific expmples, including the threat to women's rights, media freedeoms and climate disasters. you're live with bbc news.

a federaljury has ordered former us president donald trump's ex—lawyer rudy giuliani to pay damages to two georgia election workers in a defamation case. mr giuliani falsely accused wandrea shaye" moss, a voter registration officer in georgia, and her mother ruby freeman, who was a temporary election worker, of vote tampering during the 2020 presidential election. thejury found giuliani harmed the two with his statements and ordered he pay more than 148 million dollars for defamation, emotional distress, and punitive damages. he slammed the order in comments to reporters. 0bviously, possibly move for a retrial, possible appeal. the absurdity of the number merely underscores the absurdity of the entire proceeding. so i'm quite confident when this case gets before a fair tribunal, it will be reversed so quickly it will make your head

spin. one of the election workers who brought the case, and won the damages, had this to say after the ruling. i won't be able to retire from the county like my grandmother did but i hope that i will be able to make her proud. live now to sarah krisoff, former federal prosecutor. sarah, we heard very emotional testimony from the two women about the impact rudy giuliani's claims has had on every part of their lives how devastating the past few years had been, did you expect the verdict, the 148 million dollars in damages, was that level expected? that is a hu . e was that level expected? that is a huge number. _ was that level expected? that is a huge number, and _ was that level expected? that is a huge number, and anyone's- was that level expected? that is a huge number, and anyone's but i was that level expected? that is a l huge number, and anyone's but that is a huge number. in this case the plaintiffs here put on a case about the damages they experience and had

experts talking about those damages and giuliani did not do much to her about that other than cross—examine experts in moss and freeman so the jury experts in moss and freeman so the jury was left with basically the story presented by the plaintiffs and not much a story presented by giuliani, not much defence. win giuliani, not much defence. will this act as _ giuliani, not much defence. will this act as a _ giuliani, not much defence. will this act as a warning to other powerful people about how far and wide there words can travel? i certainly think so. i would expect it as a deterrent effect on others and their speech and they may think twice about what they say and understand that they could have real consequences. that you can't defame someone, there is consequences to that. a enormous consequences as we can see in this case. ruth;r that. a enormous consequences as we can see in this case.— can see in this case. rudy giuliani has not disclosed _ can see in this case. rudy giuliani has not disclosed his _ can see in this case. rudy giuliani has not disclosed his next - can see in this case. rudy giuliani has not disclosed his next work i can see in this case. rudy giuliani l has not disclosed his next work but we do we have any idea on whether he

can afford this?— can afford this? there have been some real _ can afford this? there have been some real indications _ can afford this? there have been some real indications in - can afford this? there have been | some real indications in particular that he would not be able to satisfy that he would not be able to satisfy thatjudgment and he declined to participate in some of the discovery proceedings relating to this case ultimately resulting in a judgment against him that found him liable. this wasjust in against him that found him liable. this was just in regards to damages. so some real indication that he would not be able to satisfy this judgment, at least not holy. what would happen in that case? a lot of things. if thejudgment would happen in that case? a lot of things. if the judgment could be partially satisfied, the parties could negotiate a resolution, they could negotiate a resolution, they could agree to some sort of settlement in lieu of an appeal that would require some sort of payment, but not the full amount of damages. whether he can afford it or not he has said he is going to appeal it, he does not have any intention of

paying it and he said after the court that the number was so high, the work he viewed was absurd, that it would actually help the in an appeal, do you agree?- it would actually help the in an appeal, do you agree? given the defence he _ appeal, do you agree? given the defence he has _ appeal, do you agree? given the defence he has put _ appeal, do you agree? given the defence he has put on _ appeal, do you agree? given the defence he has put on here i appeal, do you agree? given the defence he has put on here or, l defence he has put on here or, frankly not put on here, it is hard to see but the grounds for an appeal would be. he certainly will bring one, i expect that to happen, and he has a right to do so and part of the process here, but it is hard at this point, but the grounds for that appeal would be. bar; point, but the grounds for that appealwould be.— point, but the grounds for that appealwould be. point, but the grounds for that a- ealwould be. ., .,~ , appeal would be. boy that take place in two arts appeal would be. boy that take place in two parts as _ appeal would be. boy that take place in two parts as well— appeal would be. boy that take place in two parts as well as _ appeal would be. boy that take place in two parts as well as the _ appeal would be. boy that take place in two parts as well as the state, i in two parts as well as the state, he was found liable earlier in the year and now this released about damages. would that be the same for an appeal? it damages. would that be the same for an a- eal? ., ., ., ., an appeal? it would grow altogether now as a package — an appeal? it would grow altogether now as a package up _ an appeal? it would grow altogether now as a package up to _ an appeal? it would grow altogether now as a package up to the - an appeal? it would grow altogether| now as a package up to the appellate court for them to look at this. speaking outside the court, ruby freeman said that ruby giuliani was not the only one who had spread lies about the two women and that others

must be held accountable as well, but that is the work of tomorrow. are we likely to see more cases like this? —— rudy giuliani. are we likely to see more cases like this? -- rudy giuliani.— are we likely to see more cases like this? -- rudy giuliani. generally we have seen a — this? -- rudy giuliani. generally we have seen a real _ this? -- rudy giuliani. generally we have seen a real uptick— this? -- rudy giuliani. generally we have seen a real uptick in _ have seen a real uptick in defamation cases. i don't know what these statistics are, but they certainly, they have garnered a lot of attention in the press and from across the spectrum, people understanding their rights to bring these sorts of cases and are doing so and when appropriate. so we may see more in the future. in this particular case, giuliani and the statements by his co—conspirators including the former president regarding freeman and moss were part of this case and part of the story told in this programme last week. thank you for all of your insights there. formerfederal prosecutor there.

the affects of air pollution on hearts and lungs are well documented, but there's now growing evidence that different pollutants also affect our brains. fossil fuels, cigarette smoke, and wildfire smoke are the primary contributors to air pollution in 2023. researchers at the american medical association found that americans who live in areas with high emmisions from agriculture have a greater risk of dementia. similarly, a study by the environmental protection agency found that fine particulate matter from wildfire smoke can reduce attention in adults within just hours of exposure. people in united states and canada are seeing a significant increase of wildfires in the north and west coast. as climate change brings more intense weather each year, the consequences pose a greater threat to our health. here's our science editor rebecca morelle. breathing in polluted air in the name of science. briony evans is a volunteer at this manchester university lab, where scientists are trying to learn about the impact of fumes on the brain. here we've got everything that we need to conduct the experiments, to expose the participants to air pollution.

the team is looking at four different kinds of pollution — diesel from an engine, cleaning products, wood smoke and cooking fumes from a pork chop. the pollutants are carefully measured and piped into a giant plastic bag. are you feeling 0k? the volunteers are exposed to a different fume on every visit to see which ones have the biggest effect on the brain. you could imagine that we find that wood burning is worse than diesel, is worse than cooking, for example. this would then allow people to make lifestyle choices about their exposure to the different pollutants. the world health organization says that almost all of the global population — 99% — are breathing in air that exceeds the who limits on common air pollutants, and the combined effects of outdoor and indoor air pollution is contributing to seven million premature deaths every year. this makes it the leading environmental cause of premature death.

are you ready? begin. the participants carry out cognitive tests before and after their exposure. while we know how air quality affects the lungs and heart, less is known about the brain. the quality of the air you breathe, over the long term, is associated with increased risks of mental illness, poor cognitive development in children, and dementia. so what we're trying to do in this study is understand not the nature of the association, but why there's an association. deep breath in, and blast it out. taking part in the experiments is a big commitment, but one that briony says is worth it. anything that can be done to find out things that cause us damage just in our normal way of life, that can be changed, seems like a really valuable thing to do. it will take several months to analyse the data, but the results could mean we think differently about how

our everyday activities affect the air we breathe. rebecca morelle, bbc news. and before we go, we have an update to the tragic passing of actor matthew perry. medical officials say the friends star's death was an accident caused by the "acute effects of ketamine." the report summary said he had been receiving "ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety". perry was found unresponsive in the hot tub of his la home in october. drowning, coronary artery disease, and the effects of an opioid were also listed as contributing factors. perry was best known for playing chanlder bing in the hit sitcom friends. he was very open about his longterm battle with addition and substance abuse in the final years of his life.

remember you can find always find more on that story, and the latest news on the israel—gaza war , on our website. news on the israel—gaza war, on our website. thank you for waching, i'm caitriona perry. i'll be back in 30 minutes with the latest headlines. stay with us here on bbc news. hello there. it was a stunning end to the day that we had across northeast england with some amazing sunsets, reported pretty widely. caused byjust a few gaps in the cloud opening up at the right time to allow those setting sun rays through. now, it was across eastern england and parts of eastern scotland that we had the days lowest temperatures — just six celsius in fylingdales. here, though, it is set to get a lot milder into the weekend — temperaturesjumping up to about 11 degrees. it's mild because it's cloudy and that cloud sheet is with us for the next few hours. some damp weather moving across scotland where it's quite breezy. a few patches of drizzle around western coast and hills and there may well be one or two mist and fog patches, but certainly no frost around. it's going to be a mild start to saturday. this weekend, though, does see a weather front that gets stuck across the northwest of scotland and this will bring some very large rainfall accumulations.

with the rain building up then through the weekend, the met office have issued an amber weather warning for this. potentially as much as 200 millimetres of rain across the high ground in the highlands, enough to cause some flooding concerns and maybe one or two landslips as well. the weekend, though, also dominated by these mild southwesterly winds. so temperatures will be reaching double figures widely. saturday then, rain across the far northwest of scotland, a bit of damp weather to start the day in the west with a few patches of drizzle, a bit of mist and fog around otherwise cloudy, but a chance of a few breaks developing given there's a bit more wind over the welsh mountains and the pennines. so to the east of the high ground here and across the midlands you might actually start to see some breaks in the cloud and a bit of sunshine, otherwise probably staying cloudy for most of the day. and it's a similar story really on sunday, a bit more in the way of rain, more extensively across scotland, northwest england, some damp weather for northern ireland, too, but at the same time, a better prospect of seeing some cloud breaks move up from north france. you could see a bit of sunshine across the south of england and southern parts of wales for the second part of the weekend. monday continues with that mild flow

of air, 1 to 2 weather fronts around bringing some areas of rain mainly across western areas, the east having the best chance of a few breaks, a few bright or sunny spells with temperatures up about 30 or a0 degrees. it is going to be a very mild day for december. beyond that, though, the weather does turn colder and it may well be cold enough for some of the showers to start to turn wintry towards the end of the week or perhaps the following weekend.

we will have the headlines for you at the top of the hour. straight after this programme. in an age of social media echo chambers. what's the future of unbiased reporting? welcome to newswatch with me, samira ahmed. also coming up on the programme, was the 6:00 news unfair to borisjohnson when he appeared at the covid inquiry? and was it over the top to devote two and a half hours on the bbc news channel to shane macgowan's funeral? the covid inquiry has been hearing from politicians and senior government officials in london before it moves on to scotland,

wales and northern ireland in the new year.