of the gaza strip. and, christmas celebrations have been "called off" in bethlehem — the usual tree has been replaced by a nativity scene in the rubble. hello, i'm rajini vaidyanathan. we start with some breaking news. in the last few minutes, manchester united has confirmed that one of britain's richest men, sirjim ratcliffe, is to buy a 25% stake in the football club. the 71—year—old's ineos group is expected to pay in the region of £1.25 billion — or $1.6 billion — for the minority stake. live now to old trafford — our sports correspondent, nesta mcgregor, has the latest.

so, we have been waiting for this for a long time. how much of a surprise as this? i for a long time. how much of a surprise as this?— for a long time. how much of a surprise as this? i think that this is the christmas _ surprise as this? i think that this is the christmas present - surprise as this? i think that this is the christmas present that - surprise as this? i think that this| is the christmas present that lots of manchester united fans would have wanted. you pose the question how big of a surprise. this deal has been potentially 13 months in the making, there have been times we have been told it was imminent, that would happen a week from now, two weeks from now, and it hasn't done so. so perhaps a surprise and not as a prize at the same time. sarahjim ratcliffe, one of the richest men in britain, a boyhood manchester united fan, has acquired a 25% minority share in the club. i think the important part of the statement is that his ineos group will be in charge of footballing operations.

that will be key for a lot of manchester united fans watching this. the glazerfamily manchester united fans watching this. the glazer family have been manchester united fans watching this. the glazerfamily have been in charge since 2005. there were two series bids when they announced they were looking for serious investment, one from qatar and won the four four from sirjim ratcliffe. this year, sirjim ratcliffe then put in a bid to earn a portion of the club. that's a steel that has so long to come to come to the forefront. today it was announced, 25%, just over £1 billion, footballing operations of the men's, women's and academy team. manchester united, one of the biggest clubs in at the world, it may be in a bit of turmoil on the pitch at the moment, struggling in the premier league, already out of europe. it would seem that may be at the losers were not doing the business on the pitch. sirjim ratcliffe, who already owns a french club and the french league and a

cycling team has some sporting pedigree. but we talk about him being a minority shareholder, the glaziers are still in place. what does that mean when it comes to footballing operations? will he be able to fire and hire managers? will he be able to buy is clear is that he be able to buy is clear is that he wants to buy if there are disputes? we are still finding out some details and we'll be find out more. , . ., , , ., more. the glazer family still have ma'ori more. the glazer family still have majority control _ more. the glazer family still have majority control of _ more. the glazer family still have majority control of the _ more. the glazer family still have majority control of the club, - more. the glazer family still have majority control of the club, don't they? majority control of the club, don't the ? , , ., ., , majority control of the club, don't the? , ., , ., majority control of the club, don't the? , . , ., they? this is a family that has owned the _ they? this is a family that has owned the club _ they? this is a family that has owned the club since - they? this is a family that has owned the club since two - they? this is a family that has owned the club since two of. they? this is a family that has l owned the club since two of his they? this is a family that has - owned the club since two of his and five. when they came in, manchester united saw it as to possibly take them to that next level. —— since sir alex ferguson at left, it has been a revolving door of managers on the field. they haven't been as

successful as they have been in previous years. there is also the flirtation with the european super league that didn't go down well with fans. we talk about player of turmoil and discipline, it has been a really sticky time for manchester united. two new seats on the board, some fans might see it as some new impetus to get manchester united back to where they once were. any statement, sirjim ratcliffe said as a boyhood manchester united fan he is here for the long run and wants to take the club back to the glory days of winning trophies as well. thank you for that update. let's show you that statement that has come in from sirjim ratcliffe. a statement on the manchester united website. it confirms he is going to be taking 25% of the class b shares

held by the glazer family. as we were saying, the glazer family are still in majority control of the club, but it does change things at manchester united. there are some hopes it could change the club's fortunes on the pitch as well. with the background to how we got to this point — here's our sports editor dan roan. when sirjim ratcliffe toured old trafford earlier this year, the british billionaire and was hoping to buy manchester united. instead he will become eminently shareholder of the club he says he has always supported. the founder of petrochemicals giant, ineos group, ratcliffe already invested in cycling and sailing teams and owns a third of missionaries in formula 1. the owner of two football clubs, manchester born ratcliffe last year failed in a bid to buy chelsea, at the time hinting to me that

manchester united was his real goal. some would argue should be trying to buy the club that you grew up supporting. buy the club that you grew up summing-— buy the club that you grew up su--ortinu. , _, supporting. yes, i can understand that but manchester— supporting. yes, i can understand that but manchester united - supporting. yes, i can understand that but manchester united is - supporting. yes, i can understand that but manchester united is not| that but manchester united is not for sale. ~ , . that but manchester united is not forsale. ~ , . , ., , for sale. with its rich history, legendary — for sale. with its rich history, legendary players _ for sale. with its rich history, legendary players and - for sale. with its rich history, - legendary players and dominance under managerial great, sir alex ferguson, united became a global powerhouse with a global fan base. but since 2005 it has been owned by the glazer family, but since 2005 it has been owned by the glazerfamily, and but since 2005 it has been owned by the glazer family, and after years of protests by fans unhappy at the club that, and on field decline, last year at the americans put the club up for sale. 0ne last year at the americans put the club up for sale. one of united's top executives explained why fresh investment was needed. we top executives explained why fresh investment was needed.— top executives explained why fresh investment was needed. we are doing this for a very — investment was needed. we are doing this for a very positive _ investment was needed. we are doing this for a very positive reason. - investment was needed. we are doing this for a very positive reason. we - this fora very positive reason. we know_ this for a very positive reason. we know we _ this for a very positive reason. we know we have got real ambition and a plan for— know we have got real ambition and a plan for united and we want to make sure that _ plan for united and we want to make sure that we try the right miss meant — sure that we try the right miss meant to— sure that we try the right miss meant to be able to deliver that

ambition — meant to be able to deliver that ambition. �* ., meant to be able to deliver that ambition. �* . ., ., meant to be able to deliver that ambition. �* . . ., , ambition. after a drawn and divisive rocess ambition. after a drawn and divisive process that — ambition. after a drawn and divisive process that has _ ambition. after a drawn and divisive process that has lasted _ ambition. after a drawn and divisive process that has lasted more - ambition. after a drawn and divisive process that has lasted more than l ambition. after a drawn and divisive process that has lasted more than aj process that has lasted more than a year now, many united fans will be dismayed that the glazer family remain in overall control here at old trafford. the challenge facing jim ratcliffe is to convince them that he is the man to lead a revival in the footballing fortunes of this club. x british cycling chiefs overseas rattle of�*s very spot teams and is set to have a... some environmental campaigners say is that the petrochemicals company uses sport to give it a more positive image. but those involved are fed at the investments. what do you think jim's motivation is? he the investments. what do you think jim's motivation is?— jim's motivation is? he loves a challenge _ jim's motivation is? he loves a challenge bigger _ jim's motivation is? he loves a challenge bigger than - jim's motivation is? he loves a challenge bigger than any, - jim's motivation is? he loves a challenge bigger than any, i i jim's motivation is? he loves a . challenge bigger than any, i guess that's the guy for the america's cup. we look at man united, a team struggling in recent years, there is no bigger challenge and spot right out then turning man united around, so i think that is what drivesjim.

tiny have now passed since united won the premier lay, and after a difficult start season, the challenge facing ratcliffe is a formidable one. live now to kieran maguire, the football finance expert and author of the book, the price of football. let's start by getting your reaction to this breaking news. i let's start by getting your reaction to this breaking news.— to this breaking news. i think the timin: is to this breaking news. i think the timing is unusual. _ to this breaking news. i think the timing is unusual. the _ to this breaking news. i think the timing is unusual. the fact - to this breaking news. i think the timing is unusual. the fact that l to this breaking news. i think thej timing is unusual. the fact that it is so close to christmas. but lawyers and accountants have been trying to go through the small print. the manchester united board were concerned that there might be repercussions from the other minority shareholders. they now feel this deal is appropriate to all. it does allow sirjim ratcliffe to invest money into the club, into those areas, which i think most commentators are concerned about. a lack of introductory spend by the glazer family. lack of introductory spend by the glazerfamily. the lack of introductory spend by the glazer family. the quality of the talent recruitment. manchester united have spent money. i think it

could be argued that the money has not been spent well over the course of the last decade. tell not been spent well over the course of the last decade.— of the last decade. tell us more about this _ of the last decade. tell us more about this ineos _ of the last decade. tell us more about this ineos group - of the last decade. tell us more about this ineos group that - of the last decade. tell us more about this ineos group that sir i of the last decade. tell us more i about this ineos group that sirjim ratcliffe actually runs. they have had involvement in sport already, including in nice and british cycling as well. 5ir including in nice and british cycling as well.— including in nice and british clina as well. ,, g ., , cycling as well. sirjim had roots earl in cycling as well. sirjim had roots early in his _ cycling as well. sirjim had roots early in his career— cycling as well. sirjim had roots early in his career haven't - cycling as well. sirjim had roots early in his career haven't been l early in his career haven't been brilliant at identifying underperforming companies and turning them around and moving them on. as somebody with a manchester background, he wanted to invest in sport, initially it was cycling. we have already seen with the yachting. he decided to move into football by perhaps getting his feet wet by buying a french club first, perhaps his master plan was to go back to manchester and invest in the club that he used to support as a boy. it

is going to be an expensive process because other clubs have cut up and overtake at manchester united in terms of the quality of what they have to offer on the stadium and picture. i think this is what you want to concentrate his efforts. fine want to concentrate his efforts. one ruestion want to concentrate his efforts. one question fans _ want to concentrate his efforts. one question fans might be having is, as the transfer window opens and the not—too—distant the transfer window opens and the not—too—dista nt future, the transfer window opens and the not—too—distant future, how will this make an impact on the club's purchasing positions? aha, this make an impact on the club's purchasing positions?— purchasing positions? a football club can lose — purchasing positions? a football club can lose £15 _ purchasing positions? a football club can lose £15 million - purchasing positions? a football club can lose £15 million over. purchasing positions? a football i club can lose £15 million over three years, but if the owner is invest money into the club any form of shares, then you can top that up by a further 90 million. i guess manchester united fans will be looking out for any indication that as part of the deal, will manchester united be 84 able to issue new shares and in doing so unlock further spending potential in the new transfer window which starts in just over a week? the

new transfer window which starts in just over a week?— just over a week? the other question. — just over a week? the other question. i _ just over a week? the other question, i suppose, - just over a week? the other question, i suppose, is- just over a week? the other question, i suppose, is that| just over a week? the other - question, i suppose, is that the glazerfamily are still question, i suppose, is that the glazer family are still the majority shareholders of the club. how does this impact their role and what meaningful role can servejim have? i suspect all of the focus will be on the shares, but perhaps there will be a parallel contract which will be a parallel contract which will give sirjim ratcliffe operational control of the football club in terms of talent recruitment, both at executive level, management level and playing level. it looks as if he has got to appointment onto the board of directors, so therefore clearly his voice will be heard. i think as far as the glazer family are concerned, this is a win—win dealfor them. they will are concerned, this is a win—win deal for them. they will be able to share in the success of the club going forward. any upside in terms of the increase of manchester united, they will get a significant proportion of that. they will get

cash immediately. if things don't work out, they will be able to bloom sirjim ratcliffe, rather than take the unhappiness of the fans, as has been the case since they acquire at the club. manchester united has spent over £900 million on interest costs on the lives that the glazer family took up to a quiet manchester united, and many fans think that money could have been spent better elsewhere. 0n on that developing story, there is more on the bbc news website. if you would like to find out more, you can go out there. to the conflict in the middle east now — where israel's bombardment of the gaza strip has continued. this is the aftermath of a deadly strike in deir el—balah in central gaza. the hamas—run health ministry there says another 166 people have been killed in the past 24 hours, taking the total number killed since the war began on october 7 to more than 20,400.

the israeli military says troops are entering new hamas strongholds in the south of the gaza strip, as the idf expands its operations there. these pictures from the israeli military show their forces operating in southern gaza. spokesman daniel hagari said underground hamas infrastructure was being especially targeted. speaking at a weekly cabinet meeting, israel's prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, said the war had come at a "very heavy price" for israel. the israeli military says 14 more soldiers have been killed in gaza since friday, taking the total during the ground assault to 153. mr netanyahu said his forces had "no choice" but to press ahead. translation: the war has | taken its toll, but we have no option but keep fighting. 0ur troops have eliminated thousands of terrorists so far. we are fighting with full force until the end, until the victory, until we fulfil our goals.

those are the elimination of hamas, the return of our hostages, and the promise that gaza will no longer pose a threat on the state of israel. christmas is subdued this year in bethlehem — the biblical birthplace ofjesus — after christian leaders in the town cancelled all public festivities as a mark of solidarity with the people of gaza. the town in the occupied west bank would normally be packed with pilgrims and tourists celebrating christmas. but a senior catholic leader, the latin patriarch ofjerusalem, did pay his traditional christmas visit to bethlehem. this is some of what he had to say, speaking in manger square. we are here to pray, but also tonight to ask not just for the ceasefire. ceasefire is not enough. we have to stop these hostilities and to turn the page because violence generates only violence. and the message of christmas is not violence, it is peace.

earlier, a large palestinian flag was carried around manger square. nativity under the rubble, showing figures among the ruins of buildings, in solidarity with palestinians in gaza. king charles will deliver the second christmas message of his reign from a buckingham palace room decorated with a living christmas tree. natural and sustainable decorations including hand—turned wood, dried oranges, and pine cones hang from its branches. the king is a long—term environmental campaigner, so the tree will be replanted after the broadcast. now it's time for a look at today's sport. the first prmier league christmas eve game for 28 years ended in a 2—1 win for wolkves over chelsea at molineux.

cheslea had the best of the chances in the first half, but mario lemina's header put wolves in front shorly after the break. that remained the score into stoppage time, when matt doherty doubled their lead, only for christopher nkunku to pull one back — but it was too little too late for chelsea. both sides are now level on points — chelsea 10th, wolves 11th. to be able to play against a team like chelsea and notjust sit and defend and to be able to go toe to toe was a big effort. i had a big breather in the group around what they can do and achieve. sometimes that's why we turn the ball over a lot because i ask them to do complicated things and i asked them to try and act and behave like a big team, and today we were able to compete with one. it is team, and today we were able to compete with one.— team, and today we were able to compete with one. it is not about sha e, compete with one. it is not about shae, it compete with one. it is not about shape. it is _ compete with one. it is not about shape. it is not — compete with one. it is not about shape, it is not about _ compete with one. it is not about shape, it is not about quality. - compete with one. it is not about shape, it is not about quality. it | shape, it is not about quality. it is only— shape, it is not about quality. it is only about to be really strong in your mind — is only about to be really strong in your mind and compute, being a really— your mind and compute, being a really tough. yes, we are missing two can— really tough. yes, we are missing two can he — really tough. yes, we are missing two can he a _ really tough. yes, we are missing two can be a little bit in this way.

we need — two can be a little bit in this way. we need to— two can be a little bit in this way. we need to improve there. but this is normal— we need to improve there. but this is normal process when you want to build _ is normal process when you want to build a _ is normal process when you want to build a new— is normal process when you want to build a new team. rangers are still in touch with scottish premiership leaders celtic. they won 2—0 at second from bottom motherwell, thanks to goals from kieran dowell and todd cantwell in the first half. celtic had stretched their lead to five points, but that's now back to two, although rangers do have a game in hand and they play each other next weekned. anthonyjoshua says he knows everyone still wants to see him face deontay wilder — despite a night of mixed fortunes for both fighters in saudi arabia. joshua took another step back to the top of heavyweight boxing, after a terrific performance to stop 0tto wallin early on — the swede's corner pulling him out of the fight at the end of the fifth round. that bout was the headline event. but another former heavyweight champion, deontay wilder, suffered defeat tojoseph parker, who won on a unanimous points decision. wilder, who's 38 now,

saying he came up short, but doesn't believe it's the end. and anthonyjoshua insists their fight against each other could still be on the cards. i'm not too sure what can happen from here, but i'm sure that the fans will be more annoyed. for me, i always understand how this game is, you never know. this is elite—level boxing. it was an amazing card. wilderjust came up short, but he will live to fight another day. me and him can still get it on, get it cracking. i believe that he is a threat, i'm a massive threat, and it could be amazing numbers if we get it on. in cricket, india's women have made history, with a first test win over the number one side, australia. the tourists began the final day in mumbai with five second innings wickets in hand and a lead of 46, but india dismissed them for 261 leaving

a modest target of 75 to chase. smriti mandhana's unbeaten 38 helped them get there easily. india's win is their first in 11 women's tests against australia, with the sides first playing each other in 1977. they now play each other in three 0dis and three t20s starting on thursday. and as it's christmas, let's bring you this. it's what organisers call the largest santa—themed race in the world. held in the centre of madrid every year, thousands of people took part in the five—kilometre race to raise money for the red cross. some proper spot on the bbc sport website. reaction to that breaking news we brought you here on bbc

news. the british billionaire, sir jim ratcliffe, completing a 25% investment in manchester united. he has full control of football operations as well. surely in ukraine, ten people have been killed and more than 60 injured in a russian bombardment of the front line southern city of kherson. that's according to a regional governor. he called it "the black day of russian terror for free kherson". russian forces fired 71 shells at the city overnight, hitting the central square, residential areas, schools, hospitals and critical infrastructure facilities. ukraine recaptured kherson following several months of russian occupation in november last year. and as the conflict continues — for the first time since 1917, ukraine is celebrating christmas on december 25.

the move is more thanjust a change of date from january 7, the date for christmas in thejulian calendar, which russia uses. it's the continuation of a significant cultural in the country to eradicate moscow's influence in ukraine. live now to kyiv, where we can speak to denys ganzha — he's head of the ngo public diplomacy platform. we were talking about the change of the date to december 25 from january 7. how significant is this for ukraine? it 7. how significant is this for ukraine?— 7. how significant is this for ukraine? . , , , ., , ukraine? it really unites people. toda we ukraine? it really unites people. today we are — ukraine? it really unites people. today we are all _ ukraine? it really unites people. today we are all praying, - ukraine? it really unites people. today we are all praying, people ukraine? it really unites people. i today we are all praying, people in ukraine will pray in the one voice. of course we will pray for victory, of course we will pray for victory, for our defenders. some of them are still held captive, most of them are in the front line in the trenches. it is really important that we do this today. it is really important that we do this today-—

it is really important that we do this toda . �* , , ,., this today. and this is something that president _ this today. and this is something that president zelensky - this today. and this is something i that president zelensky announced earlier this year? that that president zelensky announced earlier this year?— earlier this year? that has been a lona earlier this year? that has been a long discussion _ earlier this year? that has been a long discussion in _ earlier this year? that has been a long discussion in the _ earlier this year? that has been a long discussion in the country - earlier this year? that has been a| long discussion in the country that we need to shift to december 25, not to celebrate onjanuary we need to shift to december 25, not to celebrate on january 7, we need to shift to december 25, not to celebrate onjanuary 7, because it is really important for the country to beat united. the january 7, you can usually mark a person if he or she is pro—russian or not. that is important like the changing it. the president... $5 that is important like the changing it. the president. . ._ it. the president... as we enter another christmas _ it. the president... as we enter another christmas season - it. the president... as we enter another christmas season and l it. the president... as we enter i another christmas season and your country remains in war, what is the need they are? indie country remains in war, what is the need they are?— need they are? we are tired. no bein: a need they are? we are tired. no being a civilian _ need they are? we are tired. no being a civilian saying _ need they are? we are tired. no being a civilian saying this. - need they are? we are tired. no being a civilian saying this. you| being a civilian saying this. you can imagine how tired the defenders of ukraine are, the soldiers. after

ten years of war, you can just feel normal to celebrate something. you can just feel normal about everyday life. you think you need to do more. of course, we are tired of the news that some support is being stopped, that some support is being stopped, that people try to forget about what is happening here in ukraine. my message to all the people of great britain and all over the world, please support ukrainians. even if you have some friends, write them a christmas message. that is enough sometimes. how about this for some festive dedication — a community in rural slovenia has continued a christmas tradition of decorating a tree in the middle of a river, despite freezing water temperatures. divers braved the waters of the vipava river in what's become an annual event.

alongside putting up the tree, divers also took part in an underwater treasure hunt, with the winner taking home the prestigious award of a christmas ham. and a christmas carol loss for nearly 90 years has been performed in the south yorkshire town where it was originally composed. the song, christmas eve, was written by arthur godfrey, a factory worker from barnsley. here's a quick taste. # the chime of bells inspires the midnight breeze # and greets with fond caress the whispering trees # the moon—white hills around in snow—shine splendour crowned # with pealing joys resound of christmas bells # glad tidings of the saviour bring # peace reigneth as ye gaily ring # ring on, ring on # ring on while the merry breezes sing of christmas bells.# before we go — a reminder of our breaking news story this hour.

manchester united has confirmed that britain's second richest man, sirjim ratcliffe, is to buy a 25% stake in the club. confirmation of the investment by the 71—year—old's ineos group ends a saga lasting more than a year. he's expected to pay in the region of £1.25 billion — or $1.6 billion — for the minority stake. it comes 13 months after the club's us—based owners, the glazerfamily, revealed their intention to review their options, including the possible sale of the club. stay with us here on bbc news. hello, christmas isjust around the corner but many of us are still travelling. really do take care today, the weather is rough in many parts of the country, very strong winds particularly across northern england, scotland and northern ireland. on top of that, outbreaks of rain. strong westerlies have also brought some very mild air. we could be breaking

temperature records as far as christmas eve is concerned, particularly in england, wales and northern ireland. this is the air mass, yellows and orange colours indicating just how mild it is across the uk. the forecast for the rest of the day and the evening, very strong winds across northern part of the country, mild and damp in the south. these are the temperatures at 6pm. through the course of the night, eventually winds will ease from the very far north of the uk, but it will remain damp in places, particularly across northern ireland, perhaps the western isles and the south of the country. a touch of iciness, frost possible in scotland early on christmas day. in the south, it is a very mild start. the big day itself, a lot of cloud across the uk, outbreaks of rain, strengthening winds. certainly not a white christmas for the vast majority of us. the possibility of some flakes of

snow across the scottish highlands. towards the evening on christmas day, a weather front moves away to the east and the weather tends to improve, so we should have some clear skies later on christmas day in the evening. then boxing day is looking much quieter, more promising on the weatherfront, more sunshine around, but a little bit colder. rain is expected in cornwall and devon, maybe southern parts of wales towards the end of the day. the outlook in the run up to the new year, it is looking really rough, particularly wednesday into thursday. heavy rain and gales on the way once again. bye— bye.

this is bbc news. the headlines: breaking news this hour. british billionaire sirjim ratcliffe has agreed to buy a 25% stake in manchester united, worth over 1.5 billion dollars. ratcliffe's ineos group will take control of the club's football operations.

as israel continues its military operation in gaza, the hamas—run health ministry says over 20,400 people have been killed in gaza since october. israel's military spokesman says israeli troops are entering new hamas strongholds in the southern part of the gaza strip. christmas celebrations have been �*called off�* in bethlehem, the usual tree, has been replaced by a nativity scene in the rubble. king charles will deliver the second christmas message of his reign from a buckingham palace room decorated with a living christmas tree. now on bbc news: talking business. hello, everybody. a very warm welcome to talking business weekly with me, aaron hazelhurst and a very special edition looking back at the last 12 months. spiralling prices, the rise of the robots,

the end of fossil fuels, and the return to the office.