amount needed for visas for foreign family members and sportswear giant, nike's shares slump after it promised to cut costs by $2 billion dollars in three years. let's get more on one of our top stories — the us has indicated that it is ready to support the latest draft of a un security council resolution about the war in gaza. but the us ambassador to the united nations, linda thomas greenfield, has not clarified if she would vote yes or abstain. the wording of the resolution has been significantly watered down. it's the fourth time the vote has been postponed this week. it has been delayed since monday — as member states have been trying to work out a draft

that the united states won't veto. our correspondent, shaimaa khalil, has the latest. still very much under... in the works. it's come down from cessation to suspension to now creating the conditions. i don't think there's any shortage of diplomacy. what we're in shortage of really is the agreement on a humanitarian truce, pause, ceasefire that will allow aid to come in in a sustained, consistent way. and not only that, but distribution has also been a key hindrance here. this... the relentless bombardment, the continued fighting has... has meant that even the little aid that comes in and we've understood from the united nations, for example, that the aid that comes in is about 10% of the general need of the population in gaza, that hasn't been distributed and hasn't gone to the people who need it the most. we've heard warnings from the world food program, for example, that gaza is now, you know, on the fringe of a real threat of famine. a who team has gone to the north of gaza to look at hospitals,

to visit hospitals. one of them said that one hospital was essentially the last bastion, and it felt like a hospice. it felt like a place where patients go to die. because of lack of supplies, staffing and fuel patients are just not being helped. i spoke to a father, for example. i was in touch with a father who said that one of the big problems now is that he's been displaced from the north to khan yunis in the south, and now he's thinking about moving further south, that he's needed hospitals for his son, not because he was wounded, but because of health problems from sanitation, from the lack of sanitation, from disease. these are real issues on the ground. and whatever is happening in the un, whatever has been happening in cairo, which has suffered a setback because hamas essentially has said that until israel stops the war, there will be no release of hostages, so we've got the diplomacy, but we've got realities on the ground that still haven't changed. the only time i would say that we've seen real change in terms

of the humanitarian effort coming in, sustainable humanitarian aid, and a large number of hostages that have been released was when the fighting stopped on both sides. that hasn't happened. and until that happens, humanitarian agencies and the united nations have said the reality on the ground is not going to change. it's going to get worse for those in gaza. france says it's closing its embassy in niger indefinitely — a letter to staff from the ambassador said the authorities had failed to respond favourably to repeated requests to allow the embassy to function normally. following the military coup in the west african country back injuly. shortly after the rebellion, the embassy had been attacked by thousands of pro—junta protestors — france and niger had been allies in the fight against islamist militants in the region, but relations soured after the coup.

live now to our correspondent thomas naadi remind us of why france and share have fallen out. loss of sound. we have a boat 90% of military assets out of niger to neighbouring chad at the moment and there are also expected to leave today. it is also expected to leave today. it is also expected to leave today. it is a lona also expected to leave today. it is a long journey _ also expected to leave today. it is a long journey they have to take to get out to chad valley road, isn't

it? �* , ., , ., get out to chad valley road, isn't it? a ., i- ., get out to chad valley road, isn't it? i- ., _ it? it's a very long and difficult “ourne it? it's a very long and difficult journey with — it? it's a very long and difficult journey with serious _ it? it's a very long and difficult journey with serious security i journey with serious security threats on the way. we know that france has its headquarters in chad and they are expected to be transported to chad by road and then from there they return back to france. ~ . , from there they return back to france. ~ ., , , . , france. what is the security implications— france. what is the security implications likely - france. what is the security implications likely now - france. what is the security implications likely now that | france. what is the security . implications likely now that the french troops have gone, what happens in the country with the fight those militants? it is happens in the country with the fight those militants?— happens in the country with the fight those militants? it is still a very difficult _ fight those militants? it is still a very difficult situation _ fight those militants? it is still a very difficult situation for - fight those militants? it is still a very difficult situation for the - very difficult situation for the countries of mali, niger and burkina faso. we have seen increasing attacks byjihadi groups, providing training and supporting combat missions and intelligence sharing, and since their withdrawal from the

three countries we have seen an increase in attacks by militant groups. though the americans remain in niger at the moment their operations are severely limited because of their military coup and that winstrol will leave a security vacuum but an alliance of states will deal with the bloodyjihadi insurgency. will deal with the bloody 'ihadi insurgencvfi will deal with the bloody 'ihadi insuruen . . . ., insurgency. thank you so much for all the latest. — the sportswear giant, nike, is promising to cut costs by $2 billion dollars over the next three years — laying off workers, cutting product lines and bringing in more automation. nike shares slumped more than 10% after it announced sales figures and forecasts that disappointed wall street — its boss blaming 'cautious consumer spending around the world'. michelle fleury is in new york with the story. yes. once a tastemaker, sneaker giant nike is falling behind.

adidas and new balance are wowing the fashion set with their new styles and colourways, while runners increasingly have more choice thanks to newer brands like hoka. nike said sales of footwear in north america, which is its largest market, fell 5%. in china, another key market, which is slowly recovering, footwear sales were down i%. now on the bright side, if you take footwear sales together with nike equipment and apparel overall, that generated a total revenue of $13.39 billion. that's up i% from a year ago. nike executives said they are working to improve things, announcing $2 billion in cost cuts over the next three years. the sneaker giant plans to simplify its product lineup. it wants to increase its use of technology and to streamline the overall organisation. the plan is going to cost the company 400 million to $450

million. nike bossjohn donahoe said we are embracing a company wide journey to invest in our areas of greatest potential, adding that the company sees an outstanding opportunity to drive long term profitable growth. and after the retail giant warned that demand would continue to be weak for at least the next six months, investors are hoping this turnaround will end nike's losing streak. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. bbc news bringing you different stories from across the uk. meet wilson, a 6 foot 6 tailor�*s mannequin who quit life in the fashion industry to help the local community. we have a real problem with traffic flow coming through the village far too fast. we've got a primary school down the bottom of the hill. the children have to walk along

the footpath and the only way to calm the traffic down was to put a deterrent. i think it's brilliant, absolutely brilliant and it does stop traffic, they're going slowly. wiltshire police say the mannequin isn't impersonating a police officer, so as long as it's not a hazard, he's fine to be on patrol and many believe he's real. so not great at helping lost motorists, but his effect on calming speed in this village is very real. for more stories from across the uk, head to the bbc news website. you're live with bbc news. the uk government has changed its plans raise the minimum salary needed to be earned in order to bring foreign family members to live in the uk. currently, applicants need to earn just over £18,500 to apply for a family visa.

this was due to rise to almost £39,000 in april. however, a new government document suggests this rate would be lowered to £29,000 in its initial implementation. our political correspondent ione wells has more on what these changes mean for both british citizens and migrants working in the uk. well, what this change means is that effectively when it comes into force in the spring, it will now mean that somebody who is settled in the uk or a british citizen in the uk who wants to bring a family member or a dependent to come and live with them, will now only need to earn £29,000 as opposed to that higher threshold that was initially proposed. now that will mean effectively that there will be potentially more people eligible to bring dependents to the uk on a family visa. however, there has been mixed responses this evening with some non—profit groups who represent families that are potentially going to be affected by these changes, unhappy at the confusion that this

has caused for people who either, as you say, may be british citizens, may be people settled here wanting to bring family, or may be family members of people currently in the uk living abroad who are wondering when that threshold is going up. because we still don't know from ministers when they do plan to implement the higher threshold that they had initially pledged. christmas, for many people, is a time to reflect and be thankful and that's particularly true for three young girls and their families. beatrix, grace and moor spent years on the organ donor list and this year all received a new heart. along the way they've forged an extraordinary bond too, as alison freeman reports. reunited for christmas. the last time these three girls were together, they were each waiting for a heart transplant. beatrix, noor and grace.

beatrix, from county durham, had spent almost half her life in hospital, being kept alive by this mechanical heart, before a donor was found in the summer of this year. no pipes. her parents have campaigned for more to be done to encourage donor families to come forward. what's it like seeing the girls all back together again? really special. noor�*s dad and ma pointed out that it's the first time the two girls have been walking together without their pipes, without their machinery. so that was really a poignant moment. it's everything that we dreamt of and everything that we'd hoped and wished for, and just making memories outside of hospital. grace was the first of the three girls to be admitted to newcastle's freeman hospital at the age ofjust six months. brotherjosh, and their mum and dad, moved their whole life to the north—east from birmingham whilst she was getting the vital care she needed, so they could all stay together. she waited two years for her new heart.

i see you thinking about the donorfamily. yeah, i think about the donor family a lot and what they've done. it's amazing. we speak to our donor family regular, becci does. we've met with them. they're amazing. yeah, they are, they're amazing. and the little girl, obviously, um, grace received her heart, mia, literally, her legacy will live on. and it's always — we'll never forget her. we've thanked them, but it still don't seem enough. no, it doesn't, it doesn't. they deserve so much more. yeah, they do. they do, because in their darkest hour they've gave life. ain't they? no—one else knows, unless you've been in that situation. so they understand everything, and we talk to them about everything that we've been through together. and they have been there in your darkest days. when you think you're having a bad day and you see one of the parents, theyjust lift you up. grace's family set _ such an example of how to cope

with such a traumatic experience. and grace did as well. to see her walk out - of the ward, and to go home, wasjust so inspiring. in the hospital, three or four families, like one family, one family, like one family. we're meeting altogether, everyone is here. today is hard, today is easy. noor was the oldest of the girls when she was admitted to hospital aged eight. she took on the role of the wards big sister. she was missing her brothers and sister, wasn't she, so much, that i think she took a lot of pleasure out of looking after bea, didn't she? being involved in bea's care and just... so many — it might sound bizarre — but so many happy memories of them playing together, you know, and drawing, playing doctors, playing outside, erm, you know, all smiles. the pair of them are

connected to the machines. she even helped bea learn to walk. one year after she arrived at the freeman, noor received a donor heart, too. i can't believe it. she's back to life, back to school, back to home, back to family. - she missed all that in one year. how significant is it that we're talking about this at christmas? christmas is about light and coming from darkness. and that's exactly the story of bea and moor and grace, and everybody who's received a transplant that saved their life. it's, erm, from darkness comes light. it's a difficult time of year to think about loss, but i suppose you are still asking people that if they find themselves in that position to consider this? as difficult as it is to contemplate — there she is now! oh!

noor�*s gone, on duty. thank you. it's, erm, yeah — there you go, there you go. and that's what it's about, isn't it? organ donation ultimately isn'tabout, erm, death, it's about life. and there's nothing more powerful than being able to save somebody�*s life. alison freeman, bbc news, newcastle. such a heart—warming story for christmas! the uk's pubs have long been a place where communities gather at christmas — but the last few years have seen many struggling to stay in business, as costs rise, and the number of people going out to eat and drink falling. however — some of those which remain are making extra efforts to bring in customers for the festive season — and help those who might otherwise be left feeling isolated. ben boulos is at one such pub — ye olde beverlie in

canterbury. a festive point at the pub as a christmas tradition for many including this pub in canterbury which has been here for a 300 years. they put on all sorts of events in the run—up to christmas, quiz, festive drinks for some foreign exchange students who cannot get home and they have carol singers and they are on tonight and we will hear from them in a moment. pubs are such an important part of many local communities, in fact, they are struggling. we know something like 400 pubs have shut their doors for goodin 400 pubs have shut their doors for good in england and wales in the first half of this year. the british beer and pub association carried out a survey and found more than 80% of people said that local pub played a part in bringing people together, around three quarters of those questioned this said the pub had a positive impact on the community and almost 70% felt that pubs helped to

tackle isolation and loneliness, especially at this time of year but pubs are struggling, indeed, as we've heard, figures out this morning, out today, showing the economy actually shrank between july and october. that has a knock—on effect on people's pockets, how much they've got available to spend and businesses like pubs. let's find out the overall picture, we can speak to andy from the british beer and pub association. why are so many pubs closing? association. why are so many pubs closin: ? ., ., ,., , , closing? three main reasons, very hith closing? three main reasons, very high energy _ closing? three main reasons, very high energy bills. _ closing? three main reasons, very high energy bills, other— closing? three main reasons, very high energy bills, other sorts - closing? three main reasons, very high energy bills, other sorts of i high energy bills, other sorts of food _ high energy bills, other sorts of food and — high energy bills, other sorts of food and drink cost inflation and the high — food and drink cost inflation and the high tax as they continue to face: _ the high tax as they continue to face, whether it's beer duty, business _ face, whether it's beer duty, business rates, vat. the face, whether it's beer duty, business rates, vat. ., business rates, vat. the government would say it — business rates, vat. the government would say it stepped _ business rates, vat. the government would say it stepped in _ business rates, vat. the government would say it stepped in and _ business rates, vat. the government would say it stepped in and help - would say it stepped in and help businesses, they've had various measures to support businesses with energy costs. energy prices are coming down, aren't they? timer;r energy costs. energy prices are coming down, aren't they? they are tenerall coming down, aren't they? they are generally got _ coming down, aren't they? they are generally got many _ coming down, aren't they? they are generally got many pubs _ coming down, aren't they? they are generally got many pubs will- coming down, aren't they? they are generally got many pubs will have i generally got many pubs will have taken _ generally got many pubs will have taken a _ generally got many pubs will have taken a contract last year in energy

prices _ taken a contract last year in energy prices were — taken a contract last year in energy prices were higher and their fixed contract — prices were higher and their fixed contract so — prices were higher and their fixed contract so they continue to pay though— contract so they continue to pay though so— contract so they continue to pay though so it's a difficult time. thanks— though so it's a difficult time. thanks very much. this pub is thriving and part of that is down to the fact they have events like the carol singers from the local church choir performing their annual concert here this evening. let's speak to a member of the choir, for years now? how important is this pub given that the church you rehearse and isjust given that the church you rehearse and is just over the given that the church you rehearse and isjust over the road? titer? given that the church you rehearse and isjust over the road? and is 'ust over the road? very much so, and isjust over the road? very much so, it's a and isjust over the road? very much so. it's a vital— and isjust over the road? very much so, it's a vital part _ and isjust over the road? very much so, it's a vital part of _ and isjust over the road? very much so, it's a vital part of friday - so, it's a vital part of friday evenings _ so, it's a vital part of friday evenings after practice and may come over here, _ evenings after practice and may come over here, all the events that they do, over here, all the events that they do. the _ over here, all the events that they do, the quest for the students in the community, it's an important hub for the _ the community, it's an important hub for the area — the community, it's an important hub for the area. to the community, it's an important hub for the area-— for the area. to keep those vocal cords nice _ for the area. to keep those vocal cords nice and _ for the area. to keep those vocal cords nice and lubricated! - for the area. to keep those vocal cords nice and lubricated! peterl for the area. to keep those vocal| cords nice and lubricated! peter is a member of the corner and what is it like when you come here and there pub is packed out to the rafters? it is lovely to see it filled and we

bring — is lovely to see it filled and we bring christmas _ is lovely to see it filled and we bring christmas magic- is lovely to see it filled and we bring christmas magic to - is lovely to see it filled and we bring christmas magic to the l is lovely to see it filled and we . bring christmas magic to the pub! is lovely to see it filled and we - bring christmas magic to the pub! it bring christmas magic to the pub! worked its magic for you some bring christmas magic to the pub!- worked its magic for you some years ago? worked its magic for you some years ato? , ., ,., ., worked its magic for you some years ato? , ., ., ., ago? some five years ago i heard the sound of the — ago? some five years ago i heard the sound of the saint _ ago? some five years ago i heard the sound of the saint stephen's - ago? some five years ago i heard the sound of the saint stephen's church i sound of the saint stephen's church choir and _ sound of the saint stephen's church choir and i_ sound of the saint stephen's church choir and i thought _ sound of the saint stephen's church choir and i thought i _ sound of the saint stephen's church choir and i thought i would - sound of the saint stephen's church choir and i thought i would like - sound of the saint stephen's church choir and i thought i would like to. choir and i thought i would like to 'oin choir and i thought i would like to join that— choir and i thought i would like to join that and _ choir and i thought i would like to join that and see _ choir and i thought i would like to join that and see how— choir and i thought i would like to join that and see how i— choir and i thought i would like to join that and see how i get- choir and i thought i would like to join that and see how i get on. i choir and i thought i would like to. join that and see how i get on. ihiho join that and see how i get on. who knows? people _ join that and see how i get on. knows? people watching at home join that and see how i get on.“ knows? people watching at home may be inspired tojoin knows? people watching at home may be inspired to join after they hear a rendition of your favourite colour. i wish you a very merry christmas and enjoy a can you may well know so churn in at home. # ding dong merrily on high. ding dong merrily discarded. # is riven with angels singing... i will not inflate my singing on this year! it's almost a year since the murder

of ellie edwards, who was shot dead outside a pub in merseyside, in a crime which shocked the uk and devastated her family. as the anniversary of her death on christmas eve approaches, our reporterjayne mccubbin has been speaking to her dad tim about how the family will cope this year. 12 months ago, elle edwards was killed, an innocent bystander shot dead on a christmas eve night out with friends. a murder which stunned her community and devastated herfamily. how on earth are you coping this christmas? yeah, it's hard, isn't it, but you've got to keep going. yeah, it's not an option. it's... it's not an option for me to give up. oh, good morning. how are you? how is it going? i'm all right, how are you? good to see you. so this is how elle's dad is coping. don't go sitting down,

you've got loads to do. as the anniversary of elle's murderapproaches, he's helping his local community, making up food and toy hampers for families in need. no coffee, no bacon butties. no butties? no, no, notjust yet. i've only come for the food! we need to get all these loaded on your van, let's go! i mean, it's the least i can do. the community's looked after you, hasn't it? yeah, it's very humbling to know that there are good people out there. 12 months ago, connor chapman represented the very worst of humanity. he'd been lying in wait outside the lighthouse pub, his intended target, two rival gang members. but as he stepped out, elle was shot twice in the head. when everybody woke up christmas day and heard the news, it was unfathomable? absolutely. my daughter's friends were in that pub. so i don't think many people around here would have slept that night. it's just horrific. to see the family's

strength this year... keep them coming, keep them coming. phenomenal. are these all for me? yeah, you wish! you know, what he's doing for us during this festive period is amazing when actually what's going on in his head, really. elle was part of a big, loving family. a sister lucy, brother connor, mum, dad, nans, granddads, aunties, uncles and a nephew. roman was the nephew elle adored, and tim is determined for roman and his family to try and save the spirit of christmas. you can't allow that thing to ruin every christmas. it's important that we still sort of celebrate christmas a little bit because, you know, there's grandkids. so you're going to be together? yeah, yeah, we're all going to be together. we're going to have a meal christmas day and, you know, elle will still have a place at the table.

let me take you back to prague and the scene after 14 people were shot dead at a university yesterday. people leaving flowers at the scene and lighting candles. we have had a bit of an update on the people who were the victims of the government. 14 people shot dead, 25 people injured, the czech interior ministry has said one of those who died in the shooting as the head of the institute of musicology at the charles university faculty of arts for the shooting happened. they have said three of the injured in the shooting orforeign said three of the injured in the shooting or foreign citizens, said three of the injured in the shooting orforeign citizens, one was from the netherlands, to form

the united arab emirates. that update from the czech interior ministry. we are expecting a news conference in the next hour from the police and we assume they will update us both as we have heard on the victims but also whether there is any more detail on the gunman, he was a 24—year—old student so we will keep an eye on that and then get the latest on that news conference. we are also keeping an eye on something happening in spain. the global lottery, currently being drawn at the moment, lots of people hoping to win some of the 2.5 billion euros prize! now it's time for a look at the weather with sarah. hello, there. we have seen the longest night of the year. it's the winter solstice today.

and from today onwards, daylight hours are set to turn longer, so some more sunlight around. but today, we've typically got somewhere between around aboutjust shy of 6 and just shy of 8 hours of daylight. storm pia has now cleared away towards the east. we've still got a weather front across us which is easing its way east. quite a few isobars as well. so a windy day once again, mild for most of us with a lot of cloud around. and we've got patchy rain for northern ireland, southern scotland, through northern england down towards east anglia, some brightness developing later on for southern england and south wales too. but it's across the north east of scotland where we've got that colder air in place. blustery conditions, we could see gusts in fact about 40, even 50 miles per hour and exposure in the north west. but temperatures in single figures in the northeast, some sleet and some hill snow across the north east of mainland scotland, even to low levels. for a time we could see some sleet and snow towards shetland. through tonight the rain continues to pile into the north and it's for a time it'll turn to snow, even to low levels across parts of north east scotland. some icy conditions developing here as well. so really cold across the far northeast. you can see the blue colours, but a real contrast for the rest of us.

it's very mild as we start off the weekend with a lot of cloud generally and still, we've got the breeze and patchy outbreaks of rain. so through saturday, this weather front�*s going to be quite slow moving i think across parts of scotland. eventually, it will push its way northwards and the colder airjust holding on in the far north there. but the yellow colours that shows that milder air that is in place for most of us. so saturday, some rain and some snow for a time. some icy conditions in the far northeast. probably turning back to rain later in the day. that rain also piling in further south across scotland and the odd spot further south, as well. but much of southern and eastern england looking dry, breezy but reasonably bright. temperatures are mild, 12 or 13 for most of us. into christmas eve on sunday and it looks like this area of cloud and rain just pushes a bit further south, northern ireland, northern england, wales seeing a bit of rain as well. further north, though, a return to sunny spells and a few blustery showers. so it's still unsettled. it's still mild. in fact, very mild. 15 could make it one of the warmest christmas eves on record. into christmas day and it still looks like it's unsettled. could be a bit of rain in both the north and the south.

things do look a bit colder, a bit brighter by boxing day.

live from london, this is bbc news. after one of the deadliest shootings in the country's history, this is the scene in prague. a gunman opened fire at the charles university on thursday, killing 14 people.

-- 13 —— 13 people. local media have named the suspected gunman as david kozak. police are investigating his social media posts. the us says it's now ready to support a crucial un resolution on gaza, hours after the vote is delayed for a fourth time. the british teenager missing for six years before he was found in france has spoken for the first time after returning to the uk. and tickets at the ready — it's el gordo. spain grinds to a halt for its christmas mega lottery — with almost 2.6 billion euros up for grabs. hello, i'm nicky schiller. we start in the czech republic where the government declared that saturday will be a national day of mourning following a mass shooting in which 13 people were killed and dozens more injured. in the past few minutes,

the country's interior ministry said one of the dead in yesterday's shooting is the head