hello, you're watching "gmt" on "bbc world news." i'm lucy hockings. our top stories, back online in north korea. the internet was shut down for hours in the reclusive state. was this a cyber attack, and retaliation for the hacking of sony pictures? as australia mourns the victims of the sydney cafe siege, the prime minister warns that another attack is likely. >> there has been a heightened level of terrorist chatter in the aftermath of the martin place siege. that's why it's important that

people remain alert and aware. later in "gmt," do you read a tablet before going to sleep? new research says it could be interrupting your sleep. also, jamie has a look at what's happening in the business news. >> they're playing russian roulette. they're ordered to dump dollars and they've succeeded in reversing the ruble selloff, for now. it's 9:00 p.m. in pyongyang, where internet access has been restored after an almost unprecedented outage across north korea. the timing of the incident is interesting. it comes just weeks after a cyber attack on sony pictures. which made a comedy about north

korean leader kim jong-un. following threats, sony announced it was cancelling the release of the movie altogether. washington said it would launch a proportional response. computer experts say north korea's internet was completely out for around 9.5 hours. websites did become back online later on tuesday, though, and one of the first stories to come back on state-run news was this one here about kim jong-un visiting a catfish farm. china's foreign ministry denies it had anything to do with the disruption and calls reports that speculate chinese involvement irresponsible. >> translator: i've noted the reports you mentioned. they speculate that china was possibly involved. recently, lots of reports have used words like "possibly" and "estimate." i think these kinds of speculative reports, which are full of assumptions and have no basis in reality really cannot be trusted. these reports are extremely irresponsible, unprofessional

and misleading. >> i'm joined from brighton by paul heyward. paul, or who do you think was responsible? >> i think we should probably take a step back. i think we have organizations optimized on our infrastructure. in order to be able to do that, and we do have some of the biggest websites in the world, we need to have this enpsych lo pedic knowledge of what's happening on the internet, so really we view this situation from a data point of view, which is a factual point of view. i don't think we can have a real rubber stamp of how it happened. the one thing that we would say -- and we observed them going dark on monday. but also the preceding 48 hours were kind of intermittent access. the one thing that we would say is that, you know, this is just

too early to say exactly how it happened. it would not be easy to do, a lack of maturity of north korea's access to the internet. >> can you say whether or not it was a hack, or could it have been something more straight forward, like to do with a power outage, for instance? >> yeah, i think it's very easy to jump to conclusions at this stage. it's also in many ways it's attractive to jump to conclusions. but i think from what we've seen, this is very similar to what would happen with a power outage, you know, with a break in a deep sea cable cut. but also, if it was carried out by an individual, it wouldn't really require a lot of effort. this is not something -- we've taken an in-depth look at how north korea is connected to the internet. the one thing that is definitely true is it wouldn't take a nation to do this. a single individual that was kind of just pretty dedicated for a couple hours could essentially take north korea offline. >> so if you'll indulge us and speculate for a minute, we have

had this group called the lizard squad tweeting about it, mentioning an ip address as well. is that what you're talking about, a small group of hackers rather than china or the united states? >> yeah. so i think people often get a bit intimidated by the internet. they think it's this mystical beast, that either works or doesn't work. it's not a very physical thing made up of cables. think of those cables as roads. and into any major city. for example, if you wanted to stop traffic coming into london, you'd have to have a plan of attack to put barriers up on thousands of roads, motorways. north korea has four networks, which essentially means it's got four roads. only one of those roads is an international road. if you wanted to attack the internet of north korea and stop people coming in and out of north korea on the internet, you only really have to have a solution for one road. and if we think of data as cars, you know, you put enough cars down a motorway, and it simply stops working. and that's what we're seeing here. >> and yet, inside north korea,

we know that there are possibly there's a whole cyber army there working within the country, looking at ways of attacking things outside the country. >> yeah. i mean, cyber armies, cyber attacks, this is not a new thing. the threat is real. i mean, even if we step outside of north korea and just think of the internet as a whole, as an organization, we see organizations wanting to understand their vulnerabilities on the internet and how easy they would be to attack, and also how well they're connected to the internet. within europe, triple digit revenue growth. so we know this is something people are very interested in. it could be done by an individual and it could have been done by any number of things. it's just too early to really rub a stamp and answer on this one. >> thank you very much for joining us. >> thank you very much. let's turn to australia now. prime minister tony abbott has said there has been a heightened level of terror chatter since

last week's deadly siege at a sydney cafe. mr. abbott says people must remain alert. he was speaking after the funeral services of the two people killed in the 16-hour ordeal. with more from sydney, here's the bbc's phil mercer. >> reporter: the gunman who brought fear and panic to the heart of sydney had a history of extremism and violence. man haron monis, an iranian refugee, forced his hostages to hold a religious flag, but wasn't thought to be part of a broader islamist conspiracy. but it seems his actions may have stirred the hornet's nest. australian authorities say that in the past week, they've intercepted more chatter or communications between terrorist networks. >> there has been a heightened level of terrorist chatter in the aftermath of the martin place siege. that's why it's important that people remain alert and aware,

as well as reassured that our police and security agencies are doing everything they humanly can to keep us safe. >> reporter: tori johnson was one of 17 hostages held inside the lindt cafe. his funeral was held at st. stephen's church in sydney, just a short walk from where he died. family and friends gathered to say goodbye and to remember a life that was full of love and generosity. tori johnson is being remembered as a hero who tried to wrench the gun from the hands of the hostage taker. his death is one of the darkest chapters in the history of sydney. the cafe manager's family wanted today's funeral to be a celebration of life that was cut short in such tragic circumstances a week ago. as the coffin left on its final journey, it was followed by five buddhist priests dressed in orange and saffron-colored robes. they murmured prayers as it was loaded into the hearse.

the other victim of the siege, katrina dawson, was a mother of three young children. she reportedly died trying to shield a pregnant friend from gunfire. the 38-year-old barista has been remembered at a service at the university of sydney. at martin place, the forecast of wet weather prompted volunteers to remove a huge carpet of floral tributes and cards. which have become a symbol of a city's sadness and solidarity. phil mercer, bbc news, sydney. >> amid those fears, a small group of australians are being inspired by islamic state, new and rare details are emerging about how the group operates in syria and iraq. on monday, we reported on the horrific slavery and abuse of yazidi women who have been captured by i.s. in the towns of sinjar in iraq. today we spoke to a german author who was given

unprecedented access to two areas, mosul. the group is stronger, more brutal, and harder to confront than he had expected. we spoke to him about what he found there. >> reporter: this was his route into mosul. this was once the internationally recognized frontier between syria and iraq. now i.s. territory straddles both states. mosul, iraq's second-biggest city, is in.s. heartland. no westerner has been here since they took over. he found them entrenching a brutal bureaucracy, apparently unperturbed by the threat of air strikes. shia muslims fled in terror. everyone left must abide by strict shari'a law. he found women virtually invisible, forced to cover their entire bodies. men are even instructed on how

to position themselves when they pray. now safely back home, he told me of a terrifying trip. >> i thought i would meet a brutal terrorist group, and i met a brutal country. the leaders are fighters of a very brutal and very powerful country. >> reporter: in mosul, he heard the police no longer need to carry out violent punishments. fear, it seems, is a powerful deterrent. the local police chief claimed that mosul was the most powerful place on earth. managing to get paperwork from the so-called office of the caliph promising his safety. >> i had the impression that they want to show that their islamic state is working. >> reporter: he saw how they're pumping out propaganda.

>> these are new brochures, which explain to the population of mosul, of the islamic state how to treat slaves, how to treat women, how to pray, and so on. >> reporter: women are left in no doubt how they must dress. children carry arms for the so-called caliphate, but it was not what he saw that disturbed him most, but what the jihadi said to them. the scale of their ambition for what he calls religious cleansing. their enthusiasm to kill. >> sometimes, some fighters have been very hostile. and they said to a german fighter, i made an interview with him. you, we like you. you, and they showed to me. we will never shake hands with you. >> he says he encountered militants from all over the world, that they're spread out over the city and no longer traveling in convoys to avoid air strikes. and he says they're being bolstered all the time by new

recruits, an enemy that will be extremely difficult to fight. reports from algeria say that security forces have killed the leader of a militant group aligned to islamic state, which was responsible for kidnapping and beheading a french tourist in september. he is said to have been killed in the clash with special forces east of the capital algiers. his group beheaded the frenchman herve gourdel in retaliation for france's retaliation against its allies, the islamic state. let's bring you up to date with some other news now. protesters took to the streets of the american city milwaukee on monday after the prosecutor announced no charges will be brought against a white police officer who killed a black man in april. he had a history of mental illness and was shot while walking in a park. the officer responsible was

found to have acted in self-defense when he shot mr. hamilton 14 times. the ukrainian parliament has voted to renounce a non-aligned status and worked towards membership of the nato alliance. in order to join nato, ukraine would have to regain control of pro-russian areas in the east of the country. russia's foreign minister called the shift in policy counterproductive. in greece, mps have failed to elect a president in the second vote in parliament. the government-backed candidate failed to muster the 200 votes required. a third and final vote will be held on december 29th. if that fails, the country will hold a general election a month late later. do stay with us here on "bbc world news." still to come, we'll take you live to paris amid a call for calm from president hollande. this after a car is deliberately

driven into pedestrians in nante. it's the third vie leapt attack many as many days.

don't panic. that's the message from the fourth president francois hollande after three violent attacks in as many days. he was speaking after a man deliberately drove a van into a crowded christmas market in the western city of nante on monday, injuring ten people. let's take you to paris. we can talk to the bbc's hugh schofield, who is there for us. the french prime minister as well addressing this in the past few minutes or so at a news conference. what's he had to say? >> he was speaking on television just after a cabinet meeting called to discuss these three attacks in three days. his prime message was this is a time of crisis in general because of the terrorist threat, which has long been facing

france, but it is therefore a time to keep cool and have a proportionate response. he said one thing to bear in mind was that every one of these three attacks in three days was different. in other words, very much repeating the message that there is no pattern or organization behind these events. on the other hand, he did say that if there is a connection, it is that the three men involved may have been fragile, psychologically damaged, and therefore easily influenced either by islamist propaganda or in the last case, by a kind of copycat desire based on or triggered by images of the attack the day before, because both the second and the third attacks were very similar, they were people driving vehicles into crowded spaces. but he then said, having sort of reassured people to the extent that there is no pattern, he then said he understood the public's concern and the public is clearly concerned.

three attacks in three days is not nothing, and therefore he announced some measured increases in security. nothing dramatic. but the level of police and military patrols in public areas, which is already reenforced over the christmas period, will be stepped up even further in paris and elsewhere. there will be extra rules on entrances to public buildings, and police and soldiers will be, where possible, told not to go out alone on patrols. they will be in pairs. >> briefly, hugh, the french president saying don't panic, almost suggests that perhaps some people are. is there that sense of panic, or is it more just concern at this stage? >> it's concern. it's not panic. i don't think we'll necessarily see people refraining from going christmas shopping today. i'm sure there will be just as crowded at the christmas market here this afternoon as they would be normally. but there is concern.

there is this anythingniggling . it may not be a pattern in a strict sense between these three events, but nonetheless, three attacks, potentially deadly attacks, each of them in three days is not something that the public can just brush off easily. >> hugh, thanks for updating us from paris. more than 17,000 supporters of an anti-islamic protest have gathered in the city of dresden. the protesters sang christmas contr carols. they described themselves as patriots who are defending christian values and traditions. let's take you to south africa on the shocking level of gun crime there. youngsters have taken to riding waves in a unique project that's aimed at getting them away from a life of violence. they're being taught to surf. >> cape town.

one of south africa's fastest growing neighborhoods. poverty, unemployment and crime are rife here. but young people who live here want to change the township's bad image. this man, a former gangster, has turned his life around. the 25-year-old is part of a local ngo waves for change, which was established with the idea of getting children hooked on surfing, rather than the more negative attractions of their neighborhood. >> with surfing, i see change. a lot of children, they can change. so now every time, they want to go to the beach. >> reporter: an unlikely scene in a south african township. over the dunes, youngsters have found a safe haven. >> a lot of the kids are

involved in very high-risk behavior, gangsterism, substance abuse. surfing seems to cut through a lot of the initial -- i don't know, recruitment issues that we might face. it's addictive, so they always come back. it's a challenge, so they just want to be here the whole time. and it's fun. >> reporter: this is not just a fun day at the beach for these youngsters. surfing is used as therapy. they are taught how to recognize when they are overcome by various emotions and how to control their impulses without the use of violence. the township is on the saeea, a yet for most people who live here, surfing is unknown, let alone being able to swim. but now they're changing all of that by riding the waves to escape a life of poverty and crime. >> i started surfing, because it kept me away from everything that happens in the community, from gangsters, everything like that. so i started surfing.

because i spend more time here in the community. >> i am surfing, i'm looking forward to becoming a pro, and to know other skills in surfing. it feels amazing. like i remember the first time like i was on the waves, like yeah. i was 10. i used to come on the beach and just jump and swim, all this stuff. >> reporter: it is hoped social development initiatives in sport will help to shape a brighter future for south africa's vulnerable youth. tribute have been pouring in for joe cocker, who has died at the age of 70. known for his gritty voice, he began his singing career in the pubs and clubs of the north of england in the 1960s before finding success with his version of the beatles hit "with a little help from my friends." ♪ what would you do if i sang out of tune ♪

♪ would you stand up and walk out on me ♪ >> reporter: joe cocker's voice was as distinct as it was soulful. gravelly, intense, and totally authent authentic. few could sell a song as well as him. a talent made known to the world with this beatles cover, per m performed with extraordinary passion at woodstock in 1969. he had arrived. and a lifelong friendship with paul mccartney had begun. >> i loved his singing. he's a great guy. lovely guy. brought so much to the world. and we'll all miss him. >> reporter: joe cocker, the early '70s were a blur of touring, parties, drink, and

drugs, and a lot of cigarettes. >> i quit smoking about 20 years ago. because i used to do a couple of packs a day. i could tell i was beginning to start getting -- you know, the little falsetto was starting to get broken up. ♪ love lift us up where we belong ♪ >> reporter: in 1982 came this duet. a u.s. number one and a grammy award. friends say he never let his fame and success go to his head. throughout the years, he remained the same. he was, they say, just a very talented regular joe. ♪ you are so beautiful to me ♪ >> the magnificent joe cocker. a seal has been found

stranded in the north of england, 32 kilometers from the sea. he's rather dazed. he was found by a dog walker on monday morning. it's thought he might have swum up the river before wandering into a field. he's now been taken to an animal hospital, and a wildlife inspector said they've never seen anything quite like it. do stay with us on "gmt." you drop 40 grand on a new set of wheels, then... wham! a minivan t-bones you. guess what: your insurance company will only give you 37-thousand to replace it. "depreciation" they claim. "how can my car depreciate before it's first oil change?" you ask.

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welcome to "gmt" on "bbc world news." i'm lucy hockings. in this half-hour, the war within. the american veteran struggling with physical and emotional scars. we have a special report. the men confront their trauma head-on. and why a bedtime story might not help you sleep. that is, if you're using an ereader or a tablet. we'll have the latest research for you. plus, jamie is looking at what's happening in the business world. it's that time of the year

again. two years ago, so how does the toy industry now it's going to be hot when they start planning? aaron heslehurst is going to have all the answers. welcome back. by the end of next week, most american combat troops will have left afghanistan and returned home. adding to the hundreds of thousands of veterans already back in the u.s. from both afghanistan and iraq. but for many of them, there's a daunting personal battle ahead. as many as 22 u.s. military veterans are committing suicide every day. our international correspondent ian panel has accompanied a group of veterans. they're part of a unique program that takes them back to the front line. >> reporter: america's longest war is almost over. and for four young combat

veterans, it's time for a final mission. carrying physical and mental scars, they're back in uniform and heading to the front line one last time. [ applause ] they're welcomed as heroes by those who share a bond of service and sacrifice. they've come to afghanistan to help their own recovery. and to share their stories with others. >> once a devil, always a devil. >> reporter: because behind the smiles and applause lies a darker story of life on the home front, where 22 veterans are committing suicide every day. captain john urquhart served in iraq with the u.s. marines. he received wounds to his head and body. but like a fifth of all combat vets, his biggest problem started after he left the military. >> flashbacks started happening. i started seeing images of, you know, bodies i had picked up.

just horrible pictures in my mind, images. and i would see faces of the marines on other people that were walking by and i couldn't get these things out of my mind. i was angry not only about losing some of the marines, but i was also angry at some of my former commanders. >> reporter: for 13 years, american troops have been going into battle. veterans of the wars suffer from unemployment, homelessness, and drug and alcohol abuse. and many military families have been pushed to breaking point. staff sergeant ben dellinger lost his leg when he stepped on an ied in iraq. like many veterans, it's not the physical pain that hurts the most. >> it ended up costing my a divorce. two children that i don't get to see hardly ever now.

and, you know, had i -- looking back, had i got the help i needed faster, like things may have turned out differently. >> reporter: what does it mean for you to be back here? what are you hoping to get from it? >> you know, i didn't just lose my leg in 2007. you know, i lost some pride. i lost self-esteem. i lost courage. self-worth. so i'm hoping maybe i can come become here and get a little bit of those things become, and, walk out of here instead of being carried out. you know, maybe i can heal a little more, feel like a man again. >> reporter: sergeant eddie wright was wounded in fallujah, an iraqi city u.s. marines fought hard to win. but today, the islamist insu

insurgents are back in control there. just as president obama tried to end the war in iraq, so troops are now being pulled out of afghanistan. but for many, the mission isn't accomplished. suddenly, the troops are told to take cover. the taliban are attacking. reluctantly, the vets agree to move into an armored vehicle for protection. we've just heard an emergency warning that there are mass casualties coming into bagram airfield. the two soldiers and marines have been put on this tank to be taken back to the base. even now, the dangers are very real. later, we learned that two taliban rockets had hit the prison on the bis. 40 inmates were injured, some seriously.

for the vets, it's a stark reminder of what it's like to be back on the front line, and that america's wars are not over. >> it brings it to life, with iraq basically handed over to isis. the progress that we made there. i left my hands over there. you know, it has to make me wonder, what are we doing? what's going on? what are the people who are making these decisions thinking? >> does it bring it back to you in any way? >> yeah, it's bringing it back a little bit. getting a little emotional, you know. >> reporter: veterans earn the highest respect from their comrades and the american public, but often have to deal with injuries on their own. captain casey wolfe was wounded when he stepped on an ied in afghanistan. if you had your time again, would you do the same again? >> i would. i absolutely would. everything happens for a reason.

and nothing comes easy. and i am a better person because of this. >> reporter: after a few days back on the front lines, the vets head home. they've already had years to adjust to civilian life, but it's a struggle that eases rather than ends. president obama promised to finish the wars in iraq and afghanistan. but it's proved harder than anyone imagined. and the legacy of 13 years of bloodshed, in which thousands have fought and died, has left deep scars that may well heal over, but will always be there. ian panel, bbc news, afghanistan. time to join jamie now for the business. did you coin a new phrase earlier with ruble roulette? >> russian roublette. i'm not sure if it works. the russian ruble actually rose

to a two-week high earlier after the government and the central bank put pressure on large state-owned exporters to sell dollars in order to stop further losses for the local currency. the ruble plunged to an all-time low in mid december on the back of lower oil prices and also crucially western sanctions, all of which make it almost impossible for russian firms to borrow from the west. well, simon smith is head of research at fx pro, foreign exchange broker and currency trading platform. how long do you think russian companies, the russian state can keep this up? trying to turn the rubble around. >> this is a short-term measure. markets are very thin liquidity. it's really sort of a book-keeping measure that they have dollars on their books. at a time when markets are thin and giving some support to the currency. it's always a time this time of

year, markets are thinner, so i think they're just taking advantage of that. but it's only in very short-term measures, not something that can support the ruble and sort out russia's problems by any means. >> so you're implying that we'll have a break for christmas and things will start full again in the new year? >> that's certainly the risk, because always with these situations, currencies do overshoot. that's just one of the natures of currencies. so we've seen the ruble regain a massive 40% versus a dollar in the space of a little week. it's a huge move. but also around this time of year, there could be more exaggerated moves. the pressure is still on russia. about 20% of gdp in terms of fuel oil exports. anything in russia correlates with oil price. when oil does well, russia does well. when the oil price is down, russia suffers greatly. so unless we see a sustained

reversal of the oil price, which at this moment seems unlikely, i would think that russia is still going to be under pressure, and the ruble also, when we return to more normal market trading conditions in january. >> what about currency controls? at some point, one could justify it because it's an emergency. he would say it's as a result of an emergency and extraordinary pressures on the ruble. >> i think it still remains a risk. we'd have to see things worsen quite a bit from here. naturally, sort of gums up the workings of the economy when you do have currencies criminy ies n that sense. there has to be refinanced by russian companies, some by households, etc. so over the next two to three months as well. it's draconian, probably not the way russia wants to go. so it would be a step backwards. why they're reluctant to

intervene directly with the market, which is why they're encouraging firms to convert dollars back into rubles. >> simon, thanks very much indeed. it's every parent's nightmare. what is this year's must-have toy for the holiday season? judging by letters to santa, disney toys have overtaken legos as most wanted. merchandise from "frozen" is this year's favorite ahead of building blocks and bikes, which took second and third spots. so, take a look at the facts and the figures. global toy trade is worth about $85 billion a year. unsurprisingly, the world's biggest economy, the united states, that is the largest market. that's worth $21 billion, about a quarter of the total. in europe, the uk is the biggest market. it sells a massive 370 million toys every year. and aaron heslehurst has more from hamley's in central london. it is actually the world's

oldest toy shop. >> welcome to the oldest toy shop in the world. it is hamley's right here in the heart of london. its roots go back to 1760. it's not only the oldest, it's also the biggest. this shop, meaning more money passes through those styles than any other in the world. this is big business. and of course, with the festive season upon us, i've been here. it's very dangerous. like a kid in a candy shop. i've been here taking a look at what's hot. what toys are flying off the shelf. but we're also looking at this. a very interesting fact. the toy industry is very much like the fashion industry. the designers, the manufacturers. they are looking 18 months to two years in advance. how do they do that? how do they though what toy some kid wants the play with in two years in advance? we're going to find that out. mary wood is the director of vivid toys. you bring toys to the market all over the world, and great to have you with us.

before we talk about the future, what is hot? what's flying off the shelves this year? >> well, what is absolutely hot this year are toys that have some sort of tech, and we have a lovely -- my friend kayla. it's based on the fact that it's a little girl's best friend. so she's a traditional doll, you play with her in a traditional way. but just like a little girl will have a chat with her imaginary doll, kayla can actually understand what you say. >> no! >> absolutely. and she can talk back to you. she also is very knowledgeable. she's very good at mathematics, for example. and she can also go on to the internet, and if you ask, for example, what's a tiger, she'll know all about that. >> so it's technology. so not only dolls, but is that the thaem? you kind of touched on it, but that's the theme. kids want to touch and feel, but they want the technology inside. >> absolutely. what we have to do as manufacturers is try and anticipate that. so we start a couple of years in advance. a product like this takes a long time to bring to market. we work with inventors.

we bring the idea to market, because it's an inventor idea. it could be something they've come up with, or the other way products come to market is through licenses. next year, there's a new tv series. and that is coming back bigger and better than before. >> we've seen this where these toys get reinvented. now there's a new thunderbirds tv show, so i'm assuming it's pegged to that. >> yes, but there's still the core things that you'll recognize. >> how do you know what kid wants to play with a particular toy two years in advance? that's got to be tough. >> that is extremely tough. and, you know, it is an industry where there are product failures as well as real hits. and sometimes you just can't predict it. this year, for example, at the beginning of the year. no one was talking about "frozen." it has become a big film and has had loads of toys on the back of it. so sometimes you can't predict it and you have to jump on the wave. >> good luck with everything. i hope that works and you can get the parents the dolls they

need for their kids. i've got taxation papers to do, so i'm beginning to tagoing to off. she's beginning to help me with her son. >> aaron heslehurst exploring his inner child. that's all we've got time for in business. >> legos, jamie? >> i love the stuff. i enjoy it. do stay with us. we'll stay with the theme of toys actually. coming up after the break, we're going to meet a 72-year-old with a 50-year-old toy collection who's managed to turn it onto an online viral sensation. i wonder what he thinks of "frozen."

it's just ordinary fleece

i'm lucy hockings.

the top stories this hour. north korea's internet gets back online. the prime minister warns of increased terror chatter, and says another attack is likely. if you like to curl up under the due va for a bedtime read but you're struggling to sleep, you might want to think twice about using an electronic book. doctors in the u.s. have found it takes longer to nod off after using an e-reader rather than reading a conventional paper book and that leads to poorer quality sleep and even more tiredness the next morning. as we know, poor sleep is known to be linked to poor health. i'm joined by dr. jim horn. what do you make of this research? >> well, it's interesting. it's certainly bright light, or blue light, as in our computer screen or ipad screen, does have that effect, particularly at

nighttime. so if you're sitting in bed, a fair amount of bright light in your face, that's beginning to delay sleep. the reason being there is a hormone produced at nighttime by your body, and the hormone is melatonin and it's knocked out by bright lights, and it helps your body clock. i think there's also another factor here, not many people nowadays are taking their ipads to bed with them or laptops, and it's not so much -- there's also light that's the problem, but also it's the excitement over it all. your last e-mail before you go to bed. tweet somebody because they tweeted you. and keep up your facebook and keep up your friends. and that can be very distracting when you're going to sleep. you start thinking butt the ini

texts in. it's not a good idea if you're a poor sleeper. >> so ideally, how long should the settling down period be before we go to sleep? >> well, i think everybody knows what they really need. most people know themselves. but some people get quite hyped up at bedtime. some people are poorer sleepers than other, suffer insomnia. some people think they can't sleep, so i'll have a got at my laptop or computer and hp me go to sleep and it won't because it's the light and excitement of it. also as research showed in the states that actually reading a book is a bit boring, and helps settle down. but i think too many people do go to bed with paraphernalia, especially children nowadays. i think the problem is more the kids taking their mobile phones and texting under their clothes and things like this. and that keeps them awake as well. so i think it's actually a

problem with children. certainly get children, 10, 11-year-olds that take their mobile phones to bed with them, and hide under the pillow. i think that's a problem. kids are going to school now and sleepy. >> i can imagine. professor jim horne, thank you. i remember the days i would take a torch under the duvet to bed with me. a collector has become a youtube hit. tim the toyman has been collecting toys for 50 years. he used to be a children's entertainer and would buy new toys every year for his performances. now he's retired, he brings the games, cards, and more back to life on youtube. bbc trending went to meet him. >> spinning tops. magic mirrors. rulers and tape measures. for most of the last of 50 years, i've been collecting toys. a number of novelties.

here we go. i'll fire it. wow. i think i'll try the lime first. oh! what happened there? this is the earliest part of the collection. 1976 when i first started getting seriously into toys. and 1977, here and here. '78. for sentimental reasons, i've kept a box of my very first toys i collected as a child. sugar, itching powder you're supposed to put on toilet seats. these toys, all in suitcases here, are dead. they're dead toys. no child is enjoying them. no one is picking up and laughing. it's a bit sad, really. so to get them out and show them on youtube is a great delight for me, because it means that they're brought alive again, the whole purpose of them is to entertain people. i store my toys by time when i

got them, so i can ensure i'm showing the latest toys. here i've got 1983, part two, second best. >> every wednesday is always a treat. he'll have brought a couple of cases with his toys with him. one of the delights of wednesdays, as we have no idea what tim is going to bring. >> these hits on youtube. a friend of mine. had to blow into this breath tester. you don't realize you put your tongue in the middle of a central pipe. what you get is a great face full of talcum powder. as the year winds to a close, many are reflecting on the momentous events of 2014. one of the key questions is are

we living in a more dangerous world than we did a year ago? yelda is going to be looking at this on impact. >> i am, liucy. it really does feel like we've had a horrible news year. covered everything from militancy and the war against taliban in afghanistan. i've looked at the 200 missing schoolgirls in nigeria in june. and, of course, the ongoing fight against so-called islamic state in iraq. and just today, a report has come out from amnesty international looking at some of the most horrendous issues that these girls face, being used as sex slaves, being sold into slavery. while i was in northern iraq, tens of thousands of yazidis were being pushed out by islamic state from their villages. i met so many young women who had lost sisters in the fight against islamic state. the militants would come into their villages and take some of these girls away. i've got a short clip of one of the girls.

in an abandoned building, they remember one of their dead. the 19-year-old was killed at a check point as his family fled their home near mount sinjar. they came under attack, the family was separated. and your sister is still missing? >> so lucy, we'll be looking at this story of these yazidis and many other issues on "impact." >> looking forward to seeing you in a few minutes time. that is it for "gmt" today. and indeed for this year. you can keep up to date by

tuning in to our full bulletins every hour here on "bbc world news" throughout the christmas and new year period. we will be back on monday, january 5th. until then, thanks for watching "gmt" and have a good festive season.

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we are approaching starbase 179, sir. half impulse, mr. crusher. going to half impulse. captain, this is the bridge. we've arrived at starbase 179. picard: acknowledged, number one. establish position 090-mark-345 at 27,000 kilometers. hailing frequencies. open. starbase 179, this is the enterprise. woman: enterprise, this is starbase 179. we are ready for transfer on your mark. thank you. commander data, you have the bridge. ensign crusher, you're with me.