this is bbc news. the headlines at 11am. tensions rise after spain begins to impose direct rule over catalonia — after politicians there declare independence. as crowds across the region celebrate, spain's prime minister calls snap elections after dissolving the regional parliament in barcelona. the environment secretary michael gove has apologised unreservedly for an on airjoke about disgraced movie mogul harvey weinstein. ‘warped and degrading' — jeremy corbyn says a culture which tolerates the abuse of women is thriving in westminster. the humanitarian crisis affecting almost 400,000 syrians in an eastern suburb of damascus is described as an ‘outrage‘ by the united nations. also this hour — the biggest match of their lives. england's teenagers prepare to face spain in the under 17 world cup final. and, in coming up in dateline london after an extraordinary few daysin london after an extraordinary few days in spain we discuss what's next

for catalonia. that's at 11:30am. that's at 11:30am. good morning and welcome to bbc news. spain has begun to assert direct rule over catalonia. the spanish prime minister, mariano rajoy, announced last night that madrid was taking control, after the catalonian parliament voted to establish an independent republic. the region's leaders have been sacked, its parliament has been dissolved and regional elections have been called for december. andrew plant reports. the streets of barcelona, catalonia's capital, where crowds have been celebrating through the night after the regional government here declared its independence from spain. translation: every citizen is clear about the goal. the price we will pay perhaps is expensive.

but here we do things well, we work well here, and we respect everybody. si, si, si! this was the moment catalonia's government voted to declare itself an independent state. 300 miles away in madrid, spain's national government was also voting to take away catalonia's regional powers and sack its leader after refusing to recognise catalonia's independence. translation: normality starts with law. in order to return institutional legitimacy and to give a voice to all catalans, i have now dissolved the catalan parliament to hold regional elections on the 21st of december. it is a confusing picture, even within catalonia itself, many people don't want to be separate from spain.

the spanish government says it will now take back control. but how will that work? and what about the tens of thousands of catalonian people today who believe they're already living in a separate state, one they would argue spain no longer has any power to control. andrew plant, bbc news. well, the politicians were dismissed from their regionaljobs overnight by the government. this morning we had what you might call the first operational dismissal, that's what the police chief. he was dismissed from hisjob today the police chief. he was dismissed from his job today although an internal note seen by reuters distributed to police officers urges them to act in a neutral manner. that's the crisis of authority that swirling around. let's speak to our

correspondent in barcelona. tim, this is a very strange situation where a government official could effectively have two bosses. you are absolutely right. as you say, there isa absolutely right. as you say, there is a surreal feeling here because nothing concrete has happened on the ground. we're hearing these state m e nts ground. we're hearing these statements from madrid. the deputy prime minister is now effectively in charge. we know that madrid has suspended the catalan parliament but on the ground everything seems to be continuing as normal. some reports, and we haven't been able to rip confirm this, as saying that imagery at‘s i the former catalan president has told his staff, 0k, go along with what madrid wants. we want passive resistance because he doesn't want to be charged with rebellion. some in madrid though arguing that he should already be

charged with that for holding an illegal referendum and declaring independence. i was talking to some of his very close circle last night and it was quite interesting getting and it was quite interesting getting a flavour of the mood immediately after the declaration of independence. there was a big pro—independence rally here in barcelona, . pro—independence rally here in barcelona,. they're over half a glass of card each people discuss the way ahead and they were expecting some kind of direct response from madrid. we think that the catalan president has sent his family outside the country fearing they would be arrested. the feeling there is that as long as madrid doesn't impose any order or authority or send the police in on the ground, that actually helps them with their hopes for full sovereignty and to be recognised by other countries. the big challenge as you say for any country that declares itself an independent

nation is launching its place in the world. that is going to be next to impossible for them, isn't it? their biggest neighbours are saying we will not recognise you as a country. at some point spain is in a position to say actually you can't trade with these people, they are a region in revolt? well, again, i put all of those points to the catalan president's inner circle. they said the biggest problem for catalonia, the biggest problem for catalonia, the bigger problem it is for spain. when you look at the debt, spain has got to finance that. that was done with europe in terms of the deficit. so if they can hold out, it becomes spain's problem. and they are convinced that the eu is saint imagery at, don't go into heavy—handed on this. so madrid's hands are being held a little bit by the eu who do not want to see the images we saw on october one just in

terms of recognition by other countries, they are the separatists, they are convinced they will get some sort of recognition at some stage. there is a rumour that maybe switzerland will. finland also. 0ne mp there is wanting to take a motion to the parliament there to recognise catalonia. they are saying wait and see. we think we will get some sort of recognition of and the process really starts. fascinating stuff. the labour leaderjeremy corbyn will use a speech today to warn that what he calls a ‘warped and degrading culture,‘ which tolerates abuse of women is thriving at westminster. his comments — at a conference of the unite union at aviemore in scotland — follow newspaper allegations of inappropriate conduct by unnamed mps. downing street has described the allegations of sexual harassment in politics as "deeply concerning". mr gove had said that being

interviewed on today programme was like going into harvey weinstein‘s bedroom and in june like going into harvey weinstein‘s bedroom and injune with your dignity. he insists... jeremy corbyn says that misogyny is widespread across society but that it is thriving here in westminster. there needs to be a turning point that people need to be held to account and more broadly that women feel they can come forward more easily to actually report this sort of thing in the wider workplace. 0f course all of this comes amid those reports in the sun newspaper yesterday that parliamentary aides and researchers will use in the messaging app whatsapp to discuss and share inappropriate behaviour by

some mps. there have been further allegations in a newspaper today. i think it is worth noting at this stage that there has been no formal complaint made and no mps have been named. but certainly as you say, downing street yesterday said that they would take any allegations very seriously and that anyone who was been involved needs to come forward. how difficult is it to pursue this, of westminster, given that effectively mps are self employed. they don't formally a nswer to answer to don't have an employer. the employer is the people who elect them but there isn't an employer at westminster. so if the researcher or an aide has a complaint, can they get very far with it? i think the

commons authorities were keen to stress that they take any allegations of bullying or harassment very seriously. but there is the issue that, yeah, employment law and employment rolls are taken up law and employment rolls are taken up by law and employment rolls are taken up by mps themselves. but clearly politically, particularly at the moment, it is very unpalatable and unacceptable. jeremy corbyn making his speech later on. also, an interesting development this morning, we had the environment secretary making a joke on the radio 4 today programme. he was celebrating the radio 4 today programme's 60th birthday. he was speaking about political interviews and he said that going into the studio is a bit like going into harvey weinstein‘s bedroom. you just pray that you were merged with your dignity intact. now, that has not gone down terribly well on twitter as you might imagine. there have been responses from some labour mps saying it was a seriously inappropriatejoke. that saying it was a seriously inappropriate joke. that it was crass. michael gove this morning has apologised for what he called a clu msy apologised for what he called a clumsy attempt at humour. it wasn't appropriate, i'm sorry,

and apologise unreservedly. i think this gives you a sense ofjust how seriously this is being taken in westminster at the moment. and clearly not a laughing matter. no, not a laughing matter, although i think having listened back to what he said, it is followed by neil kinnock making what he busy thought wasjoking remark kinnock making what he busy thought was joking remark about groping women in relation to the programme presenter. the interesting tonal thing is, as you say, people have quickly said this is unacceptable and michael gove has unreservedly apologise. but the audience at that programme seemed to laugh. a lot of them seem to laugh. they are not seem to laugh at the joke. so the context of the things can really affect how people perceive them. absolutely right and i think that white people thinks written on twitter need to be taken with a pinch of salt but certainly the reaction in the studio that, or rather the audience that was listening, did sound like it was taken in the way it was meant as humour. but i think probably there needs to be a very... care taken shall we say on such a difficult and serious issue, particularly with all

the news we have heard about harvey weinstein over the last few weeks. clearly a n weinstein over the last few weeks. clearly an acknowledgement from jeremy corbyn at least that he thinks it's an issue here at westminster. but as i say, i should stress that no formal complaints have been made and certainly no mps as yet have been named. 0ur political correspondence talking to me from westminster little earlier. the humanitarian crisis affecting almost 400,000 people in an eastern suburb of damascus has been described by the united nations as an outrage. the area of eastern ghouta is the last part of the syrian capital under siege by the government. there's been an increase in military attacks, and earlier this week unicef said almost 1,200 children were suffering from malnutrition. 0ur middle east correspondent, lina sinjab, reports from beirut. the main meal of the day. a few spoons of yogurt and two rolls of bread. feeding a family of seven is a daily struggle. the mother who was covering her face for safety says that is all she can afford for the day.

the kids keep saying they are hungry, she says. my heart is broken. there is nothing i can do. this is seven—year—old mustafa, and he is most in need of food in the family. weighing only ten kilograms, he, like hundreds of children in the region of ghouta, are seriously malnourished. his elder sister can't even go to school. translation: i am ten years old and in year one, i should be in yearfour. i can't eat or drink and we tell our mother day and night that we are hungry. our situation is very bad, my father doesn't have the money. my brother was well and had chubby hands and now he is very thin. night and day we say we are hungry.

my mother says god helps us, we don't have the money to bring you food. this is the main reason behind their suffering. the war grinds on. government warplanes continue to target... there are at least 350,000 civilians still trapped there and in need of food. the area has been under siege forfour years. this was the last aid convoy to enter the area last month. it is hard to tell when the next one will come. these children are not in hospital because they are injured, but because they are malnourished. the un says there are over 1200 children suffering, and the numbers are rising.

translation: many children are fainting, headaches, blurred vision, depression. all because of a lack of essential food. we can only help so many, we don't have the medicines. must arthur and his siblings are trying to live a normal life but with the siege continuing he is unlikely to recover soon. let's speak now to doctor mounir hakimi, he's a syrian surgeon and chairman of the syria relief charity. hejoins us in our salford newsroom. it will surprise people that are pa rt it will surprise people that are part of the capital city of syria could be suffering so badly. what is your explanation for that? well, u nfortu nately, your explanation for that? well, unfortunately, those people who have

survived the bomb and air strikes now are being killed in a different way which is starvation. it is so difficult to explain that 70% of the 400,000 people who are under siege ourfamilies who 400,000 people who are under siege our families who have children under five years old. those families are struggling, as the report mentioned, to feed their children. it has cost about $500 to feed a family of 5/1 month. however, the average income of the family there is $90. the cost of the family there is $90. the cost of the family there is $90. the cost of the baby milk has trebled. it is about $22 for one box. that is if they have access to it. the united nations has been struggling to get full access to the city and despite having access on different occasions, the amount of food that

has been delivered wouldn't cover the whole families that need it. what then do you think is the most urgent priority if access can be negotiated, if some kind of humanitarian operation can be mounted. what is there to be the most useful aspect? to get nutrition and food and proper food, not only rice. those children have been out of the proper diet, meet, protein the milk that will stop the children from dying. so we need as a priority our children, women and elderly over 60 years old. they are the people we need to help. also we need to support the local hospitals, stop targeting these hospitals. these malnutrition people are turning up to the hospital but doctors are unable to help them because they

don't have the appropriate medication to treat those struggling children. let me ask you finally what are the consequences if children don't get that? if they can survive but they don't get the kind of nutrition they need? what does that mean to them in future life? well, they are counted as disabled children because they will have muscle weakness, fatigue, their brain will not be able to think in a normal way. they will not be able to progress and develop. survey will not be able to have a normal life like any child have the right four. it isa like any child have the right four. it is a sobering prospect and underlines the urgency of getting help these people as soon as possible. thank you. nine sailors from a nuclear missile submarine have been dismissed from the royal navy after failing drug tests. the ministry of defence confirmed the dismissals from hms vigilant, one of four submarines that carry the trident nuclear deterrent. according to the daily mail, the men are alleged to have taken cocaine. a royal navy spokesperson said it

does not tolerate drugs misuse. england face spain in the final of the under 17's world cup this afternoon. the side made it to the final after a hat—trick from liverpool's ree—on brewster against brazil earlier in the week. he's on course to become the tournament's top goal scorer. our correspondent, rahul tandon is in kolkata, where the final is taking place. he's been telling us the level of interest in india has been enourmous. you can see people already streaming towards the stadium. we are expecting more than 66,000 but they could have sold 150,000 tickets for this match. the people here are having england flags painted on theirfaces. a few having england flags painted on their faces. a few with a spanish one as well. a big moment for india, an even bigger one for this england at the 17 team. the under 20 team

are already world champions. can theyjoin? are already world champions. can they join? can brewster score are already world champions. can theyjoin? can brewster score more goals to take them to victory? is probably the best young player in the world. the signs are good. they thrashed brazil 31 on wednesday. but they are up against the spanish team who beat them in the european championship. ingham fans are hoping it will not go that far. they will have a lot of support, lots of premier league t—shirts around me. my premier league t—shirts around me. my new fans city fans arsenal fans. all supporting england. the biggest football match in the world today and you can see the people of india turning out to watch it. they all pretty excited about it. it might surprise people but a match involving two countries thousands of miles away should call such excitement. i think this is an important moment because people don't understand how big football is in india. everybody thinks that this isa in india. everybody thinks that this is a country that is obsessed with cricket but as you can see, they

love their football as well. the boss said yesterday cricket move over, football is the future. adding your right, enjoy the match. sea mless your right, enjoy the match. seamless the links on this news channel. we go straight to the new centre. well, you have to say what happens by the time these players are in their mid—20s, by the time these players are in their mid—205, qatar 2022. will they still be a close unit or disbursed through the various leagues not really getting another premier league football as has been the case in the past. that is a question for another day but certainly at the moment in youth football england are the best team in the world. they are the best team in the world. they are the under 19 european champions under 20 world champions and today is the turn of the under 17 team to try and complete the set. the match is the biggest of their young lives with more than 66,000 in the stands

that we've been seeing there in the indian city of cork qatar. this england team have shown they can handle the pressure. brewster has been a star scoring seven goals so far in the tournament including a hat—trick against brazil. far in the tournament including a hat-trick against brazil. you don't get this part of the tournament if you're relying on one or two players, you need to be at a good level all over the pitch. tomorrow, both seems it will be no different. we are aware of their players but, like i said, also aware of where we think we can exploit as well and we will be ready to deliver, that's for sure. you can see if he does and the team. the final is live on bbc two at 3pm this afternoon. before that in the premier league, manchester united play tottenham who are only behind on goal difference. spurs have won four in a row in the league but they will be without hurricane who scored times this season for

clu b who scored times this season for club and country. kane has a minor hamstring strain so is not being risked. united are trying to bounce back from last week the's shock defeat to huddersfield. during the season you cannot play well all the time, you can't win all the time. you cannot even be lucky all the time. so to lose again, i think is going to happen again. but in terms of the attitude that we didn't like, and knowing the players and knowing how good people there are, yes, i believe that was an isolated case. now, the world heavyweight champion anthonyjoshua now, the world heavyweight champion anthony joshua says now, the world heavyweight champion anthonyjoshua says his opponent should be written off when they meet in cardiff this evening. he was calling as late replacement after abel derian boxer withdrew through injury. the heavyweight champion has a great record and will be looking to extend that record in front of a crowd of over 70,000 tonight. carlos

is strong, carlos is fit, carlos can box, so i knew that i was deadly facing someone who is ready and i'm so happy that i wasn'tjust training... i've always been trained to focus on myself so no matter who it is to focus on myself so no matter who itisi to focus on myself so no matter who it is i will always be in good condition to compete against anyone. carlos is a completely different animal to my previous opponent but i do know i am willing to do this and do know i am willing to do this and do that and do whatever it takes to win. that is what i do know. but in terms of style, technique and preparation, it's completely different. now, the welsh rugby league side have suffered their record defeat at the hands of papa new guinea this morning. thejoint hosts scored ten tries in their if the dash six point victory. wales haven't been in the world cup and when a match there since 2000. only the winners of pool c, which also

features ireland, will qualify for the quarterfinals. i didn't think we performed well in any aspect of billy today. i think it has been a very harsh lesson that the southern hemisphere fellas really do carry the ball very aggressively and if you don't stand up to that, you end up you don't stand up to that, you end up getting rolled and losing field position. we never got any opportunity to attack because we couldn't prevent the roll on and i have two copies and papa new guinea. yes, a lot to learn ahead of their next match. that is all the spots are now and now it is time for the weather to civil considers special moon tonight. let's get the weather with louise. hello there, a windy weather for all others but some contrasting conditions for others. the best in the sunshine in sheltered eastern areas. farther north and west the cloud thickening up causing lights

drizzly rain and poor visibility in places. as you can see from these weather watcher pictures. that is because we are still under the influence of the high pressure in the south—west. thicker cloud and strong winds gusting to gale force the further west ago. by the middle of the afternoon it stays pretty windy and wet across western areas of scotland. into the east, we might see more warmth with shelter, 16 degrees and perhaps some sunshine. but it stays murky through northern ireland, the north—west of the pennines. to be eased more shelter for worth bearing in mind 50 mile an hour winds are likely through the latter stages of the afternoon. sunny spells and continue across england and wales. if that happens, we'll see highs of 17 degrees. but the further west you are we'll keep the further west you are we'll keep the risk of cloud. that will continue to be a feature of the night. like drizzly rain will sink its way steadily southward and west. that means that here we keep the

cloudy conditions, murky conditions, double figures but the north under clea ry double figures but the north under cleary disguised —— clear skies the temperatures will fall away. the wind changing direction to a northerly which means cooler temperatures. lighter winds on sunday with northerly the risk of a few showers running down the east coast. hopefully some sunshine through the day for all others but it will feel noticeably colder in the far north. 7—9 degrees. but the high pressure is set to stay with us through sunday and overnight. the winds will be light. at this time of year can only lead to one thing, temperatures will fall away sharply evenin temperatures will fall away sharply even in towns and centres. in rural spots temperatures could be just above freezing in some places. the first widespread frost to greet his first widespread frost to greet his first thing on monday morning. we should have a dry start, some sunshine coming through. the winds will change direction gradually and

later in the day will introduce milder wetter conditions. don't forget to put the clocks back and gain an hour. hello and welcome to dateline london. i'm jane hill. this week, we discuss an extraordinary few days in spain, what's next for catalonia? and in china, is president xi jinping preparing to rule well beyond the usual 10 year term? and what could that mean for all of us? my guests, celia maza de pablo, from la razon, stephanie bakerfrom bloomberg news, thomas kielingerfrom die welt, and the ceo of china dialogue, isabel hilton. welcome to you all. so, what an extraordinary period we are witnessing in spain. the catalonan parliament voted to declare independence on friday, prompting the government in madrid to strip the region of its powers,

remove the catalan leader, and fire senior police. fresh elections have been scheduled for december. demonstrations for and against independence went on into the night, with doubtless more to come. celia, what is your reading? what on earth happens next? this is com pletely earth happens next? this is completely an unprecedented situation. on one hand,