this is bbc news. the headlines... in syria, the evacuation of eastern aleppo starts again. but north of the city, buses brought to move supporters of the regime have been burned. the trade secretary, liam fox, says britain could remain a member of the eu customs union after brexit. ahead of another strike by southern rail conductors tomorrow, the rmt leader, mick cash, denies accusations his union is using the dispute to take on the government. will there be more success for great britain's rio heroes at tonight's bbc sports personality of the year awards? the winner is chosen by the public. and sportsday will bring you the day's premier league action in half an hour, including southampton‘s victory over rivals bournemouth. good evening and welcome to bbc news.

buses are reported to have set off from eastern aleppo, taking civilians out of the former rebel stronghold that's now controlled by syrian government forces. the evacuation stopped on friday because of disagreements between the two sides. efforts to revive the deal have been taking place since. but there are also reports that rebel forces have attacked and destroyed buses sent to rescue civilians in a similar evacuation, from the mainly government—supporting villages of foah and kefraya. our middle east correspondent quentin sommerville reports — you may find some of the images distressing. if only the ceasefire in aleppo hadn't collapsed, then this might never have needed to happen. they are doing the best they can here,

but this hospital is barely functioning. these are not surgeons. there are none left in eastern aleppo, so nurses perform the operation. it is a caesarean. translation: the child has a birth defect. we immediately brought the mother here to the operating room for a caesarean, which we are doing now. the mother is in a bad way and her baby boy even worse. but everyone here is at their wits end. eastern aleppo is out of options. translation: as soon as the patient arrived, i told the red cross that the patient needed emergency surgery but there was no answer because the evacuation is still suspended. some of the sick made it out of here on thursday but not nearly enough. after 2a hours, the ceasefire collapsed. there are now 100 badly injured people trapped here. he has been stuck here for three

days, says this man. he has a head injury. we have tried to leave but they stopped us. and here is one of the hold—ups. rival factions attacked buses that were meant to free trapped sick and injured in shi'ite villages. only when they are freed will be regime allow convoys to again leave eastern aleppo. and only after aleppo‘s misery would you consider this salvation. this is a camp in idlib. evacuees are brought here. when they arrive, they have nothing. the buses that bring them are so crowded there is no room for luggage, but here, the relief. translation: rockets, russian jets and warplanes all bombing us, barrel bombs dropped over us. we kept fleeing from one place to another. there was hunger, poverty and sleeping in the streets. finally, the red cross got us out. this woman made it here with her twin girls.

the camp may be crowded but here the sisters can breathe again. translation: it is better than it was in aleppo, there is no bombing. we have new friends walking and playing together. there was a food shortage back there. we are eating more here. we hated life but here we are eating biscuits and everything. that is what is at stake here. every minute and every hour of the ceasefire that is lost, is another moment of life denied to the children of aleppo. with me is our correspondent, alanjohnston. allen, as we know, it is very hard to verify at times the information coming out of syria. of course the situation can change very quickly as we have seen, not least over the last few days. we have been saying there are reports of the evacuation

restarting from the east of the city. do we have any sense that anyone is getting out in any sort of significant number? we began the day with aid workers very hopeful that this evacuation process from the rebel—held enclave in the east of aleppo would unfold in the course of the day. around midday, the good news. a fleet of buses went into being played, obviously, to begin that evacuation process. we were no longer talking about the rebel—held enclave in eastern aleppo. the government had said that if rebel supporters in the enclosed were to be evacuated, something similar had to happen for government supporters in an area off to the west of aleppo where they are under siege from the rebels. you were dealing suddenly with a situation where you have to have a parallel, choreographed,

simultaneous evacuation between these two separate arenas of the war. that was always potentially problematic and proved to be so. when buses were sent to the government—controlled area, they we re government—controlled area, they were attacked by rebels, set ablaze, and suddenly this whole programme had run into the worst sort of trouble. we are not aware of any movement on those buses out of eastern aleppo, which means that thousands of people there are enduring another night with very little food, very little water, very little food, very little water, very little heating in freezing temperatures in the bombed out remains of that enclave. what are we hearing about who might be responsible for setting these buses are light? whoever did that must have known it would have an impact on the evacuation from east aleppo. these two government—held towns have

been under a long rebel siege, lasting years. this is an extraordinarily bitter war and it seems at least some of the rebels conducting that siege had not been happy with the evacuation plan. perhaps they have not been ready to see the enemies that they had been besieging all this time simply board buses and pull out through the front lines and they seemed to step in, do the damage to the buses and freeze this whole operation, at cost to rebels porters in east aleppo. difficult to get any lasting deal and difficult to get a deal at the united nations. as we have been hearing, the russian ambassador to the un saying he will veto a french resolution that would put un monitors into aleppo. this unfolding as we speak. in new york. in aleppo,

the crisis and much talk with the prospect of little action. the french and their allies concerned about the plight of the thousands of civilians still trapped in the aleppo rebel—held enclave. concerned that the government forces as they go to assume complete control may commit the worst kinds of human rights abuses. the french warning of possible it is of massacres and wanting to see un monitors deployed immediately to safeguard the civilians. the russians saying that is not practical. this is a hugely u nsta ble is not practical. this is a hugely unstable area. you simply cannot sendin unstable area. you simply cannot send ina unstable area. you simply cannot send in a team of monitors. it would be dangerous for them. the russians are proposing a different type of resolution talking about the need to monitor the plight of the civilians and not favouring a rapid deployment of un monitors to do that. thank you

for that update. the international trade secretary liam fox has refused to rule out britain remaining a member of the european customs' union after brexit, which could limit the ability to cut free trade deals. he told the bbc‘s andrew marr that he was "instinctively a free trader" and he would have his say in the cabinet. here's our political correspondent, ben wright. there's some flash photography in his report. at the moment, british businesses know the score. we are full members of the eu single market with its free movement of goods, services and people. we are also members of the eu's customs union, the biggest in the world. the huge question is, what will brexit bring? this morning, the trade secretary suggested we could remain partial members of the customs' union. i hear people talking about hard brexit and soft brexit as if it is a boiled egg we are talking about. it is a little more complex. turkey is in part of the customs' union but not other parts.

we need to look at the cost. the customs' union includes all 28 eu nations at but also turkey, monaco, san marino and andorra. all can trade freely with each other. but they must impose the same tariffs on good outside the customs' union. they are also barred from doing bilateral trade deals that other countries. that is why the trade secretary would like a half way house, but there will be trade—offs. the former chancellor, now free to speak without a government script urged ministers to be careful. we should do this on the basis of a hard—headed assessment on what is in our national and economic interests. yes, it is true that the grass may be greener outside of those arrangements, and we may be able to conduct new free trade deals with australia and the united states and so on, but that should not come at a price of giving up the existing free trade arrangements with germany and france.

and you think we can keep those? that is where i would be starting from. you cannot say we are a beacon of free trade in the world and then the main thing we can achieve is a huge act of protectionism, the biggest in british history. popping up again to offer his brexit services, nigel farage, friend of president—elect donald trump, the former ukip leader told the bbc he wanted to be a bridge between the new trade department and the us administration. number ten said there was no job vacancy. six months on after the vote to leave the european union, everyone agrees that brexit will happen but if ministers know how, they are not telling us. at the moment, all options seem to be on the table. this is not a question of the uk asking for a deal, in the spring britain will begin discussions with 27 other countries who are determined to get

a deal that works for them. a canadian woman has been killed in a shoot—out between police and gunmen injordan at a castle popular with tourists. four police officers were killed in the attack in the mountainous city of karak. there are reports some people had been taken hostage. richard lister reports. armoured personnel carriers racing through the streets of karak. they are responding to a series of shootings in and around the town by several gunmen. the security forces desperately tried to establish who is firing and from where. there is panic, confusion and more gunshots. this amateur footage shows police and special forces closing in on the gunmen who have now taken refuge in the crusader castle and are still firing on those around them. the medieval citadel draws tourists from around the world, and there were initial unconfirmed reports that some had been taken hostage. others were able to get out as the battle raged around them.

this is where most of the casualties were found. all were jordanian except for one canadian woman who was killed. tonight, the city appears calm although it is unclear what happened to the gunmen. there will be relief the attack is contained but it will be another blow tojordan‘s reputation as a sea of calm in a region of crisis. a suicide bomber has killed at least a0 soldiers in aden in south yemen. many others were wounded. the so—called islamic state group says it carried out the attack, which targeted a crowd of soldiers as they were queueing up to receive their salaries near a military base. it's the latest in a string of such attacks on army recruits. a week ago, islamic state militants killed 50 troops in aden, which is under the control of the internationally—recognised government of yemen. palestinian police say israeli soldiers have shot dead an arab teenager during a confrontation in the west bank. hundreds of people have

attended his funeral in bate reema near ramallah. palestinian officials say the shooting took place when troops entered the village and were confronted by youths throwing stones. the israeli military says security forces were responding after being attacked by rioters. the government is drawing up plans to make all civil servants and holders of public office swear an oath to uphold british values. the communities secretary, sajid javid, says he wants people to set an example to newly—arrived migrants. but labour dismissed the idea as a "gimmick". the conservative mp and former culture secretaryjohn whittingdale has been giving his reaction to the idea. i think it is a good idea that he pulled taking up public office should make a declaration that they subscribe to british values. i am a member of parliament. every election

following that when parliament returns, each mp takes an oath of allegiance. we swear allegiance to the queen and her successors. that is part of the procedure of becoming a member of parliament. this is a similar kind of suggestion. the shadow home secretary diane abbott says making public officials swear an oath to british values would make little or no difference, she's been speaking on the murnaghan programme. i have nothing against this but it will not make a difference for the problems of radicalisation or integration —— integration. problems of radicalisation or integration -- integration. you will identify the problems of people born in this country who feel many of the institutions and values of britain do not apply to them, or they want to destroy them. i do not meet many people like that. i have a very diverse population in hackney, muslims, west indians, people from turkey. they are living in london, in this country, because they value what this country has to offer and

they respect the institutions, particularly people originating from the commonwealth. i don't think the owners will make any verifiable difference. the headlines on bbc news: in syria, the evacuation of eastern aleppo starts again. buses have been burned. the trade secretary liam fox says britain could remain a member of the eu customs union after brexit. ahead of another strike by southern rail conductors tomorrow, the rmt leader denies accusations the rmt leader denies accusations the union is using the dispute to ta ke the union is using the dispute to take on the government. more on that story now. the general secretary of the rmt union has dismissed those claims it is organising strikes as part of a conspiracy to bring down the government. he distanced himself

from recorded remarks suggesting trade unions were coordinating industrial action to oust the conservatives. here is our business correspondent. some reports suggest that trade unions are trying to bring down the government. the rmt national president was pretty clear on the subject. we are talking about the left trying to bring the government down and how the national shop stewards network and the rmt, other organisations are coordinated to bring the government down. shock horror, guess what, we bloody are! but his rmt colleague mick cash dismissed the idea. we are not looking at conspiracies to bring down the government. southern conductor members are on strike this week because they have concerns about safety and concerns about the safety of the travelling public. but the public are faced in the middle as they face a christmas of discontent. 400 guards at southern rail will start another day of stoppages tomorrow.

around 3500 crown post office workers are on strike this week and 1500 baggage handlers could disrupt holiday plans before christmas as could a500 british airways cabin crew who are set to park their trolleys on christmas day. one former conservative transport minister thinks there is a link between these industrial disputes. i don't think it is a coincidence these disputes are happening now. i think there is co—ordination and they are determined to bring misery on people who will be travelling this year at this time. here on downing street they will be more than aware of how annoying christmas strikes are to the public. even though this government has introduced new rules to make it tougherfor trade unions to go out on strike, some ministers want to go further. that could be tricky. it may feel as if there is a spike in industrial disputes, but compared to the 1970s, this year barely scratches the surface in terms of total number of days lost to strikes.

that will be cold comfort to southern rail passengers who will endure a fourth day of disruption this week. more than 200 million women around the world are victims of female genital mutilation, according to the world health organisation. the practice is illegal in the uk. now, officers who specialise in fighting fgm, are spending the run up to christmas trying to stop young girls from being taken abroad, and forced to undergo the practice over the school holidays. our home affairs correspondent, june kelly, reports. heathrow airport, and families have already started heading off for christmas. has everyone got enough pro formas. . . ? sergeant natalie reseigh of the met police is briefing colleagues, officers from the border force and charity workers. ok. so, we need to make sure we are engaging with the passengers, trying to identify if any offences have ta ken place. this team are on the lookout for young girls who are being taken to countries, often in africa and the middle east, where female genital

mutilation is practised. are you able to just very quickly, i know you are busy, just tell me how many children you've got on board the flight today, please? as in the summer, officers know that families can use the christmas holidays to take a child abroad to undergo fgm, thinking that during the school break, she'll have some time to recover. the police say a girl can be told that it's all part of the christmas celebrations and being a woman. but hibo wardere, a campaigner who works with the airport team, says communities have to learn that fgm is child abuse. she was cut as a six—year—old in somalia. you are going through emotional things. psychological stuff. physically, you are in pain constantly, but nobody ever sits down and says, let's talk about what happened. that never happens. it's done, that's it. you have to move on after that. the team are concerned about one youngster,

who has been taken out of school before the official end of term. a phone call to the school confirms the mother's story as to why they are travelling, and they are finally allowed to board. this is our last opportunity to engage with families before they fly off to countries where fgm and other harmful practices might be conducted in the school holiday period. what we're doing is we're speaking to people to see what they know about it. a big part of this exercise is trying to raise awareness of fgm. i don't think it should be practised on any little girl. never ever. so i am so happy to see them around, going to make a campaign like this. the airport team will be back at heathrow in the coming week, trying to spot young girls who could be vulnerable and to stop them from travelling and suffering this christmas. a thousand—strong force of "mini—cops" aged between nine

and ii have been recruited by by durham police. the uniformed volunteers take part in big public events — and even get involved with enforcement operations on the roads. the aim is to nurture better relationships between officers and the communities they serve. tim muffett has been to find out more. this primary school in durham, and the uk's youngest police force. i have some important news about future events you'll be participating in. the mini police was set up by durham constabulary for children aged nine to ii. what is the main thing police do? rescue and help. this is giving them an insight into all of the roles the police force do. and i think it is changing children's perceptions. i signed up because it gives you an opportunity to do stuff that

you don't normally do. i wanted to be helpful to people and i wanted to be kind, because i don't really speak that much because i'm shy. have you become less shy as a result? yes. the main aim behind the mini police is not so much law enforcement but more engagement. begin the process early and it is hoped the benefits could be profound. music: hark the herald angels sing a lantern parade in durham city centre, and the mini police are on patrol, overseen by the man who set up the project. the first initial contact between the police and children, often it is negative. what we are doing with the programme is trying to have that first contact being positive, and that will stay with them into adulthood. we would like to see that all forces in england and wales and scotland, will take on the project, because it is important that as a police force we engage with our next generation. we get lots of different information

about how the police force works. they are learning to respect what the police force do. i don't think they realise how much goes on behind the scenes. i like how it can give people support and help people out. merseyside police have set up a similar scheme. other forces say they are interested in doing the same. when it comes to community policing, durham constabulary believes this is the way forward. the 2016 bbc sports personality of the year will be announced in just a few hours. people can vote for 16 contenders, who've been shortlisted for the prestigious award. andy swiss has this report. final rehearsals for a famous night. robbie williams among those providing the entertainment after a year in which british sport has certainly hit the high notes. there is a bumper 16

contenders for 2016. boxer nicola adams, footballer gareth bale, triathlete alistair brownlee, dressage star sophie christiansen, sprinter and cyclist kadeena cox and athlete mo farah. there is cycling's golden couple jason kenny and laura kenney formerly laura trott. andy murray, swimmer adam peaty and hockey captain kate richardson walsh. how about show—jumper nick skelton, dame sarah storey, footballerjamie vardy, gymnast max whitlock or golfer danny willett? viewers will decide tonight. one thing is already settled, michael phelps will receive a lifetime achievement award, the american swimmer finishing his career in rio with a record 23 olympic titles. but the main trophy

is very much up for grabs. after andy murray's triumph told months ago, whose name will be etched on this special sporting year? a rare asian elephant calf has been born at chester zoo. the baby, who is yet to be named, was born to 12—year—old mother sundara after a 22—month gestation. she's the 19th elephant to be born at the zoo in its 85—year history. keepers say both mother and daughter were doing well. asian elephants are officially listed as endangered, and calves are born into captivity in the uk only once or twice a year. 13.1 million viewers tuned into strictly come dancing last night to see bbc sports presenter ore oduba and his partnerjoanne clifton take home the glitterball trophy in — beating fellow competitors danny mac and louise redknapp. last night also marked len goodman's last appearance as a judge as our entertainment correspondent lizo mzimba reports. and i can now reveal the strictly come dancing

champions 2016 are... ore and joanne. the moment that ore oduba was crowned strictly come dancing 2016 champion. he was voted the winner after a public vote during the evening's final. the bbc sport presenter thanked the show and paid tribute to his dance partnerjoanne clifton. you are the most incredible person. this is the greatest ever experience of my life. i've learned to dance. i've made a best friend. i've been on the show that i've loved for 12 years. he beat the evening's other two finalists, the actor danny mac and the singer louise redknapp, thanks to his performances of three dances. # walk down the lane...# an american smooth... # with a happy refrain...# ..a show dance... # this is what i say...# ..and ajive. the latter two routines were given

perfect scores by the judges. ore might be this year's winner, but for many, a close runner—up was ed balls. the former shadow chancellor's lack of dance skills may have resulted in consistently low scores from the show‘sjudges, but he was kept in the contest a week after week by votes from the programme's viewers, who'd been entertained by his routines, which included a gangnam style dance, until he finally left the competition last month. # gangnam style...# the evening's final was also len goodman's last appearance in the series, and he was given a standing ovation in the studio. len goodman has led the judging panel since the programme began 12 years ago. glitter and then some. let's take a

look at the weather forecast. nick miller has the details. hello. fog will become a problem again. parts of the uk through this evening and overnight, lasting into tomorrow morning. some dense patches are possible. watch out for that if you're travelling. a week weather system approaching the far north west of the uk, into the western isles initially we will see outbreaks of rain heading in. plenty of cloud around. you could get isolated pockets of frost as temperatures dropped close to freezing. plenty of cloud to start monday morning. a bit patchy rain could feed into parts of the east and south—east of england. the weakening weather front taking spots of rain southwards. a few brighter skies heading in late in the day behind that. top temperatures for the most part in single figures around 5—9dc. a frosty start to tuesday. the weather turning much

more unsettled and active from midweek. hello. this is bbc news with annita mcveigh. the headlines: the evacuation of civilians from eastern aleppo is hit with another setback, as rebel fighters reportedly set fire to buses which were due to help people leave two pro—government villages north of the city. the trade secretary, liam fox, says britain could remain a member of the eu customs union after brexit. the leader of the rmt has denied that the union is using the dispute with southern rail to take on the government. thousands of commuters have been affected by the strike action over who should control train doors. personalities across the sporting world will be celebrating this year's sports personality of the year tonight, with a record 16 contenders being shortlisted for the final award.