this is bbc news. the headlines at 5pm: president trump calls himself a "very stable genius" and the us secretary of state, says he's never questioned mr trump's mental health. and mental fitness, i and mentalfitness, i have no reason to question his mentalfitness. and mentalfitness, i have no reason to question his mental fitness. and overhaul of the parole system over the release of john overhaul of the parole system over the release ofjohn worboys is demanded by the victims's commissioners. new figures reveal women earn at least 15% less than men at a number of major companies. we are going to take you straight to camp david for donald trump is making a statement. we started, as you note yesterday afternoon with a couple of incredible meetings. it's a feeling here that you don't have

an very many places. there was a bonding, there was a lot of work done, and a lot of great work for the people. security discussed, and full structure discussed, militarily and all types of military types of situations and applications discussed. general kelly, a lot of good military input, very important. we discuss funding for the military, which is not important. we also obviously, went into budget, so we went into dhaka and how we are going to do that, and the help we are going to be able to work out an arrangement with the democrats, it is something they would like to see happen, it is something i would like to see happen. we are very well prepared for the coming year. the finished a very strong. one of the things we are discussing and are discussing very powerfully is a drugs pouring into this country, and how to stop it, because it is at a

point over the last number of years, it has never been like that. we have never had a problem like we do. it has never been like it is, and we are going to do everything we can. it isa are going to do everything we can. it is a very difficult situation, difficult for many countries. not difficult for many countries. not difficult for many countries. not difficult for some, believe it or not. did to get very seriously, they are very hard, and the other ones that have much less difficulty, but we are going to be working on that very, very hard this year, and i think we are going to make a very big dent into drug problem. i think what i will do is ask majority leader mitch mcconnell to say eight keywords and then i will have died, and then perhaps you will have some questions. —— and then i will have a poll ryan. we have things planned for next year. one of the things a

registered as it is going to be tough to beat the year be just left, because what we had last ever something very special, especially to cap it off track with the tremendous tax cuts and tax reforms, and don't forget the fact that the individual mandate, such a horrible thing for so many people, was terminated. it's very very tough to stop but i would like to ask mates to come up and see a few once, please. thank you very much, mr president. as you suggest, last year would be a tough year to top. if you add like those of usjab at would be a tough year to top. if you add like those of us jab at the podium, you would like to see america be a vital centre country. from a right of centre point of view, 2017 was the most consequential year any of the many years that i've been here in

congress. the president us spectacular nominee to the supreme court, 12 soccerjudges, the most in the first year of any president since the circuit was setup. and topping it off with the most consequential blister to our economy through this tax reform bill was an astonishing year. but, it's time to look forward, and i want to thank you for inviting us all up. we had a great planning session for 2018. we hope that 2018 will be a year of more bipartisan cooperation, under president's agenda, much of which he just referred to it. i think that the belief, they will be a significant number of democrats helping as accomplished, so thank you for the opportunity to be here, we are excited about the new year and we are ready to get to work. we are excited about the new year

and we are ready to get to worklj wa nt and we are ready to get to worklj want to thank you for inviting us here to camp david. i am particularly pleased with the extremely productive conversations we had with the president and his team yesterday about how we go forward and 2018. we have big things to do for the american people. we are excited about getting to work on that. but the president and a leader said, we have historic achievements in 2017 that we want to build on. historic achievements that be believe get an economy growing much faster, and you want to work on it in 2018, making sure that everyone e njoys in 2018, making sure that everyone enjoys the economic growth that is to come. we are people who are sidelined and society, i need to get the help to get into the workforce. we want to close its skills gap and the opportunity gaps that everyone can have the kind of life and career that they can get in that country. there is an infrastructure be want to attend it. we want to make sure that our military have the tools and the resources they need to keep us save, so the resources they need to keep us save , so we the resources they need to keep us save, so we have a the resources they need to keep us save, so we have a very the resources they need to keep us

save, so we have a very bold agenda for 2018. we think this agenda is one that will appeal to everyone in between, democrats, republicans, and dependence, and so we are excited about the progress that has already been made, and we are very excited about 2018. thank you. mr president, 2017 was a year of the extraordinary accomplishment, and the congressional leaders who are gathered here red incredible partners with this president and an entire administration in advancing the interests of the american people, rebuilding our military, supporting law enforcement, historic regulatory reform. appointments to oui’ regulatory reform. appointments to our courts to uphold the rule of law and the constitution, from the supreme court to the court at every level, and of course historic stature from and appealing the obamacare. the president's policies have been achieving extraordinary

results. nearly 2 million newjobs created, unemployment at a 17 year low. apricot and a growing at a pace that economists did not think would happen. adequacy 2017, we'rejust getting started. the president convened the cabinet here to outline the president's priorities for the coming year. those include budget agreement, investment in our military to truly rebuild and make the strongest military in the world even stronger still. immigration reform and enforcement, the construction of a wall and border security as well as the dealing with the president said, of daca. on a broad range of issues from

infrastructure, to vocation, i can say i'm even more confident after this week's discussing that we are going to keep delivering for the american people in 2018. weerakkody create a stronger, more prosperous america. any questions for the group? has there been any mention of welfare reform? group? has there been any mention of welfare reform ? is group? has there been any mention of welfare reform? is that still on the agenda? we are looking at that. it isa agenda? we are looking at that. it is a subject that is dear to our heart. we will probably deserving in a bipartisan way, but we will be looking to do that very much in it bipartisan ref. talking about your policy issues that you are focusing oi'i policy issues that you are focusing on in the last few days, this money you were tweeting about your mental state. why did you feel the need to do that? only because i went to the best colleges, college, i went to...

i have a situation where i was a very excellent tune, and millions of dollars, became one of the top business people, went to television and for ten years was it and the success , and for ten years was it and the success, as you probably have heard, ran for president one time and won, and then i hear this guide that does not know me, doesn't know me at all, by the way did not interview me. he said he entered meet me a0 hours, it did not exist. it is in his imagination. i was hearted by the fa ct imagination. i was hearted by the fact that so many of the people that they talk about in terms of fake news actually came to the defence of this great administration, and even myself, because they know the author, and they know he is a fraud, advertiser some of the people sitcom he did a book on report model,. it was a terrible expose and it was

false. —— a big on rupert murdoch. i think it is a disgrace that somebody is able to have something, do something like that. the libel laws are very weak in this country. if they were strong, it would be very helpful. you would not have things like that happen. you can say whatever comes into your head. just so you know, i never interviewed with him in the white house. he was neverin with him in the white house. he was never in the oval office. we did not have an interview. we did a quick interview with him a long time ago having to do with an article, but i do not know this man. i guess sloppy steve brought him into the white house quickly about, and that despite steve bannon is that looking for a job. just a follow-up. the meetings between south korea and north korea, the discussions. i was told to us, are you comfortable that this will remain just about the olympics? i spoke to the president as you know, south korea, and he's

likely very much for my tough stands, and a25 years, they have not been using a tough stands. they have been using a tough stands. they have been doing everything, when you look what bill clinton did, and you have seen that he wanted to give them everything. i said years ago i meet the press, i don't think anything has changed. you have to have a certain attitude, and you have to be prepared to do certain things, and i are prepared to do that. but president putin called me, and we had a great discussion a couple of days ago, and he thanked me very much. i hope it works out. i very much. i hope it works out. i very much want to see it work out between the two countries. i want to see them getting involved in the olympics and hope things go from there. so, iam behind at100%. he actually thanked me. a lot of people haveitin actually thanked me. a lot of people have it in that without my rhetoric and without my tough stands, and it is not just a

and without my tough stands, and it is notjust a science, this is what is notjust a science, this is what is to be done, if it has to be done, that they would not be talking about the olympics, that they would not be talking right now. i hope they take the conversation beyond that. we have a very good relationship with south korea. i would love to see them go far beyond the olympics, absolutely. and at the appropriate time, we will get involved. i like the idea of them getting involved. did you as the white house counsel to askjeff sessions not to recuse himself? the story in the times was way off, at least off. everything that i have done is 100% problem. i do things properly. i guess the collision now is dead. there has been absolutely no collusion. there is no collision between us and the

russians. now, there has been collusion between hillary clinton and the dnc and the russians, and u nfortu nately and the dnc and the russians, and unfortunately people don't cover that very much, but the only collision is between hillary and the russians and the dnc and the russians, and one of those things. any other questions? and what way was a new york times story off? the story was off. the stand—byjeff sessions as unit on general? yes. where is he? he was here. did you hear the question, gary? where is he? he was here. did you hearthe question, gary? i where is he? he was here. did you hear the question, gary? i did not. the as if you would remain in the administration, and i said i hope so. now, as he leaves, i am going to say, iam so. now, as he leaves, i am going to say, i am very happy that he left, 0k. say, i am very happy that he left, ok. come here, gary. you happy, gary? yes, i am happy. how's that?

hockley babel be staying for a long time. just on the conversations between off to and south korea. do you want to engage in talks with kim jong—un? you want to engage in talks with kim jong-un? sure. we are very firm. absolutely, i would do that. no problem at all. no prerequisites to coming to the table? look, right now they are talking olympics. it's a start, it's a big star. if i weren't involved, they would not be talking about the olympics right now. he knows i am not messing around. i am not messing around leaving a little bit, not even 1%. at the same time, every ca n bit, not even 1%. at the same time, every can come up with a very peaceful and very good solution, we are working on it with rex tillerson and that a lot of people, as something can happen, and something

can come out. ‘s, that would be a great thing for all of humanity. that would be a great thing for the world. very important. do you plan oi'i world. very important. do you plan on involving yourself and the republican primaries?|j on involving yourself and the republican primaries? i believe my poll numbers have gone way up. i was told that recently. they have been expending it to make, but they want me to be involved, and i will be very involved. not only at the senate, but also at the house. and combines, but also...? we need more than republicans. with that been said, ithink than republicans. with that been said, i think we're good to go bipartisan. i think we are good to have some really good bipartisan bills. but we need more republican so we can really get the rest of the make america a great again agenda passed, so i will be actually

working for incumbents and anybody else that has my kind of thinking. i think that is going to happen and we are going to make a lot of trips. i think you folks are good to be very happy because you are going to be doing a lot of travelling. i don't see that happening at this moment. i think we are so scattered. we have somebody who lost us the state of alabama, andi somebody who lost us the state of alabama, and i think that was a shame that that was lost. it should never have been lost. with that all been said, with the right policy, we have the right everything. you still need a good candidate. if you do not have a good candidate, you are not going to win. so, we should never have lost alabama. i know you guys released a very long list of requirements of the things he wanted to see an emigration tied to daca. some of the basics. we want the bar.

the wall is gone to happen we are not going to have daca. we want to get rid of the lottery system. in addition, we want money for funding, some additional border security. these are great people, and we need some border security. we want to make sure that in terms of what we want, and we want daca to happen. i think i speak for everybody. we all wa nt think i speak for everybody. we all want daca to happen, but we also wa nt want daca to happen, but we also want great security for our country. so important. we want to stop the drugs from flowing in. very important. so, we have to get rid of the visa lottery. you know, the lottery is a disaster. they get you people, in fact, as you know, the person on the westside highway that killed eight people and so badly injured legs and arms, so badly injured legs and arms, so badly injured many more, he came in through the lottery system. and

remember this, this is just through the lottery system. and remember this, this isjust common sense, they are not sending us their finest, ok? when somebody gets picked in a lot of it, we're not getting the best people, so we have to get that of the lottery system. we have to get rid of change migration, we have to build the wall. i think it should be in the same legislation, guess. and i think, frankly, the democrats feel strongly about that as well. chuck schumer saw some that came an issue lottery system. see servicemen killed eight people on the westside highway, that he knows very well and last night i do. i think he is ok with it. i really think we will have a lot of democrats abroad. i thought so. have there been any more efforts to get mexico to pay for the wild?|j believe that they will pay for it. i have a very good relationship with mexico. as you know, we are negotiating nafta, we will see how

that goes. but in some form, mexico will pay for the wall. if robert mueller as ready to speak to his committee personally, as you committed to doing that? there has been no collusion. there has been no crime, and ncb everybody tells me i am not under investigation. maybe hillary is, i don't know, but i am not. but there has been in a collision. there has been no crime. but we have been very open. we could have been very close, and it would have been very close, and it would have taken years. when you have done nothing wrong, let's be open and get it over with, because honestly it is very bad for our country. it is making our country look phillies. and this is a country that i do not wa nt and this is a country that i do not want looking phillies. and it is not wa nt to want looking phillies. and it is not want to look phillies as long as i am here. we have been very open, and idid want am here. we have been very open, and i did want to get that up. thank you very much, i appreciate it. thank you very much, i appreciated. so

that was donald trump just grinding of that press conference that was called at at camp david, we hate has been hosting a top republican leaders for a weekend. on the 2008 in legislative agenda. we also had from mitch mcconnell and paul ryan. perhaps hoping not to address that been swirling around the donald trump at the moment, that of the book fire and fury, written by michael wolff. they do talk about a number of other things, daca, michael wolff. they do talk about a number of otherthings, daca, drugs, emigration, but questions that come to him about fire and fury, as you can see there on your screen, and has comments about, i consider it work of fiction. he says it is heartening that so people who he

would have associated with fake news coming to his defence. the libel laws in the country as anyway, it has an opinion. and a couple of pics to sloppy sleeve, steve bannon, and he also spoke about north korea and south korea relations adding that, without his intervention, north and south korea would probably not be speaking to day, and also his poll numbers have gone up. there was no collusion with russia. collusion is dead, he said. he is not too sure about claims put towards hillary and the russians. his closing remarks was, ido the russians. his closing remarks was, i do not want the country to look foolish, and it will not well he is at the helm. let's look at some of the other news making the headlines here at bbc news today. i7

17 people are reported to have been killed in syria any rebel stronghold close to the capital damascus. the observatory for human rights said another 16 people were dead and enclave which is known as eastern ghouta. earlier, we were told that over ten hospitals work hit by air strikes. these are the latest pictures. ten hospitals in as many daysin pictures. ten hospitals in as many days in both eastgate and the rebel held province of idlib. they blamed this city in government and its russian allies. jonny may now is how mr brett and garden, an adviser to the medical kit and organisations. thank you for your time. eastern ghouta, we were talking about this last week. what is a lettuce ? about this last week. what is a

lettuce? -- what is the latest. the air attacks have advanced in the last ten days, particular in eastern ghouta. we have seen great intensity, and as you report says, a lot of it focused on the hospitals. we have had ten hospitals out of commission in the last ten days, and only today, again, major attacks into eastern ghouta. a00,000 people trapped there. there are children who desperately need life—saving surgery. with the un, we managed to get 29 people out on the 29th of december renewed surgery, and at the moment i understand 25% of the children in egypt are of

malnutrition. —— in eastern ghouta. they have had no real proper aid for a couple of years. it is an absolutely desperate situation in ghouta at the moment. absolutely desperate situation in ghouta at the momentlj absolutely desperate situation in ghouta at the moment. i know you we re very ghouta at the moment. i know you were very closely with folk in various groups down on the ground. any idea as to the justification as divide the russians the syrians would have targeted this hospitals? u nfortu nately, over would have targeted this hospitals? unfortunately, over the last two three years in syriac, hospitals have been a target under the giroud can then —— under the cheever geneva convention, hospitals are not supposed to be a target. ghouta is it last big on clear that the syrians and russians have not defeated, and it appears that they are having a final push. we are all

hopeful that peace talks will start again. i think a lot of us very closely involved have been devastated by the silence of on politicians and western politicians and already calling on president trump, who we just and already calling on president trump, who wejust had, president macron and others to get behind a ceasefire. we feel if a ceasefire can be encouraged, this humanitarian aid for these people can get in and save them. and the un peace process will develop to allow free and fair elections for some time. but at the moment, things are absolutely desperate. we have been in direct contact with the russians, with president putin and with president assad, and they have in the past and load ceasefires, and i think what we really need that is a countrywide ceasefire. otherwise, we are going to see continuing desecration of

these civilian areas. and ghouta, these civilian areas. and ghouta, the amount of people dying to day, we are in the last chance saloon here, but the russians and syrians have in the past have allowed ceasefires, and we really need them to be bold and directly go at this so we can get some sort of eight and medical support into syria. last weekend, as you said, from the 27th of december, the big story coming out of eastern ghouta with these evacuations are people needing desperate aid. has there been any forward movement question? there are 500 people, including 125 children who need life—saving medical aid. 29 ads, including seven children with treatable cancer. we were very much hoping that a lots more would

follow, and that was the promise. however, since then, the attacks have been stacked up, as you have reported, but it just have been stacked up, as you have reported, but itjust does appear to me, looking through rose coloured spectacles, that the other world leaders of the permanent five of the un security council have not engaged in this directly because of other things, andi in this directly because of other things, and i think unless you do engage directly with president putin and with the syrian regime, we are not going to see this move forward. but i would say, that everything is set up energy manager ian and medical terms to help people as soon as we have a ceasefire. myself and others at the un and the international red cross and others and really hoping that our leaders are going to grab this in 2018, and not on 2019 into another disaster like 2017 in syria. thank you for

your time. just updating us there that 70 people have been allegedly killed in eastern ghouta and area of syria. let's find out how the weather is looking. it has not been glorious for all, as you can see. some drizzly conditions at times, and within north—east wind coming of the sea, is reallyjust exact abated that cold, there's no field today. the winds will start to ease down tonight, with the exception of the size, with the cloud will lingerfor the exception of the size, with the cloud will linger for the longest. elsewhere, clear skies and a fast farming. infact, elsewhere, clear skies and a fast farming. in fact, a elsewhere, clear skies and a fast farming. infact, a howard elsewhere, clear skies and a fast farming. in fact, a howard foster is likely in rural parts of scotland.

—— a hard frost. clear skies and plenty of sa nton —— a hard frost. clear skies and plenty of santon likely on sunday. temperatures will gradually peek at five to seven, but struggling to climb above freezing in parts of scotland. workload next week, and it stays cold for most. this is bbc news — our latest headlines: donald trump attacks the author of a new book about the white house as a "fraud" and defends his mental state, after claims that people around him doubted his fitness for office. i consider it a work of fiction and i think it's a disgrace that somebody‘s able to have something, do something like that. the libel laws are very weak in this country. if they were strong it would be very helpful. you wouldn't have things like that happen, where you can say whatever comes to your head. the victims' commissioner calls for an overhaul of the parole system

in the wake of the release of serial sex attackerjohn worboys. baroness new love says victims must not feel excluded from the process. more than 500 major employers reveal their gender pay gaps. easyjet, ladbrokes and virgin money are amongst those who have disclosed that they pay women, on average, at least 15% less than men. screaming there was panic and confusion, as two planes collided on the ground at toronto's pearson airport, sparking a fire. 168 passengers and six crew onboard one of the aircraft had to escape by emergency slides. no one was seriously injured. weather forecasters are warning of record—breaking low temperatures of minus a0 degrees celsius in northeast america. at least 19 people have died since a powerful blizzard hit much of the region on thursday. now, let's get the sport with nick.

we've got breaking news from the bbc sport centre we can confirm philppe coutinho will become a barcelona player in the coming days. the liverpool star has not travelled with his team—mates to dubai for a mid—season break, and bbc sources can confirm a deal between the catalans and the premier league club has been struck. the fee, when finalised could be as much as £1a2 million, so that will make him the second most expensive player in history behind compatriot neymar. just recapping up breaking news. philip coutinho has agreed a deal with barcelona for £1a2 million. we

will bring you more news as we get it here at the bbc sport centre. there are 25 english fa cup matches on saturday and the third round is where it becomes juicy with premier league clubs etnerering the frey. manchester city had to come from behind to beat burnley a—i, the clarets took the lead through ashley barnes after a shocking clearance by city defenderjohn stones. but the five—time winners fought back with two goals in 9a seconds from sergio aguero. the first came after a quickly taken free kick catching the burnley defence asleep. and the second was created from an incredible ilkay gundogan backheel. further goals from leroy sane and bernardo silva made the result look easier than it was. the pressure has been turned up another notch on stoke manager, mark hughes. he's not doing well in the premier league and now his potters have been defeated in the fa cup. they were beaten 2—1 away by league two side coventry, jack grimmer with the winner.

ex—fleetwood striker jamie va rdy was left out of the leicester squad for their match because of injury. ashley hunter was denied a late winner for fleetwood when his deflected shot hit the post. however the goalless draw means they've earnt a replay at the king power stadium. fleetwood have never progressed beyond the third round of the competition. we went about our business today in a very impressive manner. we went against a team eighth in the premier league. i think we were very close to winning. the boys played really well and also to the conditions. first half we played transition football. second half, we had to play more direct because the pitch was caught up in the second half and young boys showed a lot of maturity. it was a tough game for us against a

good team. we are lucky at the end. we can prepare for the replay. it is a good thing after this game but congratulations for these opponents because they play well with quality. bournemouth also had an escape from wigan. and for all the latest scores from today's fa cup matches go to the bbc sport website. norwich are hosting chelsea — that match is just about to get under way. the fa is to investigate the confrontation, between liverpool's roberto firmino and everton‘s mason holgate during last night's cup match. holgate pushed firmino over the advertising hordings and into the stands. an angry exchange followed, with the referee forced to intervene. although neither player was booked, the incident featured

in his match report. liverpool will co—operate with any investigation. we have a full report on vat on our website. it's looking like a draw is the best england's cricketers can hope for now, in the final ashes test at the scg. and even that might be beyond them. australia closed on a79—a. so going into the fourth day, they'll have a lead of 133 runs and six first—innings wickets in hand. our reporter patrick gearey watched it all in sydney. after a series of fiercely partisan colours are shared shade, whether pasta were powerful, sydney has worn pink once a year for a decade for the breast charity founded by jane mcgrath. a special day especially for usman khawaja, first ashes 100.

at the other end, nearing his 100, steve smith. but wait, moeen ali's eureka moment. smith left the void and young mason crane filled it. review and they checked the no ball and the case was closed. at the umpire felt the boot was behind the line, he would have had his first test wicket. fine margins. and australia were in a lead with only three wickets down. england's energy came from crane. this time he had usman khawaja the rear. the marsh brothers turned england into their stooges. with every run scored by the batsmen, it was a draining day in every sense. it was a tough day. there will be a few tired bodies out there, it is pa rt few tired bodies out there, it is part and parcel of test cricket. it won't be the first time they have

fielded 150 overs and it won't be the last. the way they toiled out there and worked hard was impressive and that is good to see as a side going forward. england 133 runs behind and they will have to go back into the field on day four when it will be even hotter. they know this pitch is spinning more, just in time for the last innings of this ashes series. it was a tough day. we are 150 overs into the innings. there will be a few tired bodies out there, it is pa rt few tired bodies out there, it is part and parcel of test cricket and it will be the first time we have fielded 150 overs and it will be the last, i am sure. the way the guys toiled out there and worked hard was impressive and it is good to see for us asa impressive and it is good to see for us as a side going forward. northampton have ended their run of seven consecutive premiership defeats with a 22—19 win over gloucester franklin's gardens. the visitors led for much of the match, but a final—minute penalty try gave saints their first win since september. gloucester earned a losing bonus

point. that was in addition to their own penalty try. just four points in it at welford road as leicester beat bottom of the table london irish. manu tuilagi with one of three leicester tries. elsewhere there was a very narrow win for sale sharks who beat harlequins by a single point to see them up to sixth place. ospreys were winners in the welsh derby in the proia against cardiff blues. this piece of quick thinking from wales' fly half dan biggar set up what proved to be the winning score for ospreys, it was finished off byjustin tipuric. the blues mounted a late comeback but the home side held on to win 29—28 in swansea. cardiff are still without a win there in 12 years. 16—year—old james bowen has won the welsh grand national on raz de maree at chepstow.

the 16—1 shot took the lead two fences from home and powered to victory. he becomes the youngest jockey to win the race, riding on the joint—oldest horse. the race was postponed from the 27th december due to a waterlogged course. that's all the sport for now. much more in sports day on the bbc news channel at good evening. an ambulance service has apologised to the family of a pensioner who died after waiting nearly four hours for help to arrive. the 81—year—old woman had rung 999 complaining of chest pain. the east of england service said it was stretched — and had warned of the pressures its staff and the nhs were facing. our correspondent sarah campbell is at clacton in essex. the woman who died has not been

named but we know some details of her tragic death. she called 999 on tuesday evening and waited and waited and after about an hour and a half the ambulance service finally arrived after a further two and a half hours. they found her on the floor unconscious, not breathing and she could not be saved. the paramedics found her i said to be devastated. the period over new year was according to the local ambulance service in essex the busiest ever. on the day in question they received more than a000 999 calls, far more than usual. a statement in response to the death of the 81—year—old woman said, our sincere condolences and apologies go out to the family and apologies go out to the family and friends of the patient. we have publicly expressed how stretched the ambulance services and the pressures the staff and the nhs has been under over the past few days. the union

representing health workers also blamed wider pressures on the health service. i think there is chronic underfunding which is endemic, it tells us the public sector is under so much strain that it is now beginning to kill people. this is the second death in recent days which has been linked to an overstretched service. a teacher role jozsef smalling overstretched service. a teacher rolejozsef smalling died following a seven—hour wait for a bed of the queen alexandra hospital in portsmouth. and in recent days the health secretary and prime minister has both apologised to patients after thousands of nonurgent operations have been cancelled. the health service as a combination of winter flu and cold weather are adding to pressure on the service. the impact on the local mp is demanding answers. i'm furious, it should not happen, we need to get to the bottom of this and find out what happened and make sure it never happens again. and as the government doing enough? we will find out when we get that in quarry. with temperatures once again dropping,

the worry is the health service simply will not be able to cope. and that indeed is the body. the department of health said it has brought in new measures which should help emergency departments to cope with winter demands and the prime minister has said that extra funding has been given to the nhs and assist the health service is better prepared for the winter than ever before. donald trump has dismissed claims made ina donald trump has dismissed claims made in a new book that he is mentally unfit for office. he told a news co nfe re nce mentally unfit for office. he told a news conference his success in business and office as proof of his capabilities. and he has dismissed the author of the book as a fraud. boarding a flight to camp david for meetings with senior republican leaders, the image that donald trump was seeking to project was one of order, professionalism and control.

instead he finds himself battling claims contained in a book, claims which question his mentalfitness. claims contained in a book, claims which question his mental fitness.” went to the best colleges, i went i had a situation where i was an excellent student and came out and made billions of dollars, became one of the top business people, went to television and for ten years was a tremendous success as you probably have heard. perhaps the most damaging allegation shared claims the author by all the senior advisers to the president is that the leader of the free world lacks curiosity, does not read or listen, is like a child. they all came to the conclusion graduate first and then faster and faster, that something was unbelievably amiss. but this was more peculiar than they ever imagined it could be. fire and fury also quotes the former senior aide steve bannon to donald trump,

the man credited with getting him elected, as describing a meeting between a russian order and donald junior as treasonous. other revelations paid a picture of a chaotic white house at the mercy of a petulant, easily distracted commander—in—chief. claims denied by a leading member of the administration. i have never questioned his mentalfitness, i have no reason to. we have different management styles. howl have no reason to. we have different management styles. how i make decisions and process information, i have to learn how he takes in information and processes it and makes decisions. having achieved a major success just before christmas with the passage of tax reform legislation, senior republicans had hoped the new year would be a new start for the trump administration but instead of moving forward on key issues like immigration reform, the focus it seems is yet again on the president himself, his personality and his mental competence.

opponents of president assad in syria have accused his regime — with the help of russia — of launching a series of air attacks on a suburb of the capital. they say at least 17 people were killed today. most of the dead were in eastern ghouta, near damascus. raids on the rebel held area have continued for several days the un has condemned the impact of the fighting on civilians. the department store house of fraser has confirmed it's asking landlords to reduce the rent it pays for some of its shops. the group is set to release christmas retail figures next week — with some analysts suggesting its takings over the christmas period were disappointing. joe lynam has more. it is one of the key brands on our high streets with 59 stores and more than 7000 staff. we do not yet know how christmas was for house of fraser but we know it has asked if landlords to cut the rent. so what do people think when they think of house of fraser? it has got the

shops that i like to browse and within the department store so it is quite easy to just go from one place to the next. it has a lot of good quality brands, and quite a lot of variety. i think it has a good reputation for good quality products. and i know all the high street has been affected at the moment and is not doing well. in terms of reputation is up there with jon lewis, maybe a bit more down—market than jon lewis so jon lewis, maybe a bit more down—market thanjon lewis so it occupies that gap in the market.” kind of think it is for older people but maybe because it is more expensive. not unusual for retailers to seek rent reductions from their landlords, marks and spencers and next are already so and traditional retailers face challenges such as rising red especially in big cities, the national living wage going up which pushes up costs and of course online. £1 in every £6 now spent shopping online. and then there is overall sentiment. shopping is a

vital part of the uk economy, if consumers tighten their wallets than gdp suffers. inflation has hit a five—year high in the run—up to christmas and business building personal finances under pressure. our research showed about 50% of consumers said they spent less this christmas than last year and almost two thirds said they did some of their online. the success or failure of one retailer will not tell us whether the high streets are healthier and not. but if consumers throughout the uk cannot afford to spend as much as previous years then more big names may struggle to survive. england's hopes of a consolation victory in the fifth and final ashes test look slim after australia took control of day three. joe root‘s side trail by 133 runs, after the hosts closed on a79 for a. patrick gearey watched the day unfold in sydney. a special day, especially for usman khawaja, a first ashes hundred in a city he emigrated to as a child.

at the other end, nearing his hundred, steve smith, the uncrackable code. but wait, moeen ali's eureka moment. smith left a void and young mason crane fielded with an appeal. review. first they check the no ball and there the case closed. had the umpire felt the boot was behind the line, mason crane would've had his first test wicket. fine margins. and fine shots from the reprieved usman khawaja, which helped him to 150 and helped australia into a lead only three wickets down. england needed energy, badly. it came from mason crane. this time he had usman khawaja for real. and for 171. but in now baking temperatures the marsh brothers turned england into their stooges, with every run scored by australia's batsmen only adding to the regrets felt by england. a draining day in every sense. so england 133 runs behind, they will have to go back into the field on day four when it will be even hotter. what is more they know this pitch

is now spinning more, just in time for their last innings of this ashes series. patrick geary, bbc news in sydney. there's more throughout the evening on the bbc news channel, we are back with the late news at 20 past 9 — now on bbc1 it's time for the news where you are. hello. this is bbc news. thejustice secretary has told the victims' commissoner for england and wales that he would consider looking at legislation so victims don't feel excluded from the parole process. baroness newlove spoke to thejustice secretary, david lidington last night in the wake of the decision to release from jail the serial sex

offenderjohn worboys. speaking to my colleague shaun ley earlier, baroness newlove gave her reaction to the news that worboys has been given parole and that some of his victims weren't informed beforehand that this was happening. when you go for an appeal hearing, there is a judgment that's in the public domain, and i have been asking that parole boards should give a similar judgments that is that open transparency, because it is very much a every closed hearing. victims can go and give their statement to a parole hearing, or they can do video link, and we just then wait for this letter or this telephone call to notify of the decision that has been made. so, ijust think this time is right, and if the government need to change the law, they need to change the law is so that it is open and transparent and no longer is it a closed decision. on this question of the victim contact scheme, a number of people complained that they had no idea that worboys was facing parole until basically they heard it on the news or saw it on the news. the parole board has then turned

round and said, look, that may be the case, but everybody who has been recorded as a victim will be told, look, we can keep in contact with you however you want to do it, whether that's by post, e—mail or telephone. in some cases, they have been sent by post, and maybe the letters have arrived, possibly people have changed address. in other cases, people have chosen not to be contacted. presumably, these are quite real issues in terms of dealing with victims. these are real issues, and notjust with this case. there are many victims who write in and i have been working on this with probation. it's not as simple as that. when you are introduced and ask to go on the victim contact scheme, it comes at the most rawest time, and for me, we need to look at how we better engage with victims to allow them the time to reflect, and to allow them then to engage with probation officers, to say, i would like that. and if they do get involved, well, we have got to check on their postal addresses, check that they are updated.

you can't just then, maybe six years down the line, pop up and address and they may have moved and there are circumstances become completely different. and it is very, very... it is a raw area. you are kind of picking the scab off again. so, we have to get better at how the victim contact scheme engages. i'd prefer to opt out, not in, so then we don't lose that information. as i say, this review, and i spoke to the secretary of state last night, we have got to look at the victim contact scheme as well as the parole board and the decisions they make. and if legislation needs to be changed, we need to do that, and i'll worked very closely with nick. but also, with probation with the victim contact scheme, we've got to ensure. there is also another point: there were victims there that didn't have a conviction, but their files were late. i also believe they should have the support, because there is going to be nothing worse than heaving this daily, than hearing this daily,

when they've not been contacted, and they could be very frightened that they'll bump into him in the street and whatever. we have got to have a thorough review now of seeing how we can look at victims on a discretionary basis. one brief question — you say you spoke to presumably the justice secretary, david liddington. yes. did he give you any reassurance about changes that could be coming? the reassurance is that he knows he needs to look at that, and as i say, it was just one phone call. that doesn't mean to say that it's the end of it. when i go back on monday, there was something that i want to speak to his office, and his office are going to speak to mine. let's get the weather now. a cold, breezy day for some warm league to clear skies and frost. in shropshire, a weak weather front produced a lot of cloud, drizzly conditions at times and that with

the north east wind coming of the sea exacerbated the cold, dismal feel. the winds will ease down as we go through the night with the exception of perhaps the south where the cloud will linger the longest. clear skies elsewhere and frost forming. a hard frost is likely in rural parts of scotland with temperatures down as low as minus ten, may be lower in the sheltered glens. a cold start but lighter winds and clear skies and plenty of sunshine likely on sunday. temperatures will peak at 5—7 in the south but struggling to climb above freezing in parts of scotland. more cloud developing as we go through the early half of next week. it stays cold for most. this is bbc news. the headlines at 6pm: calling himself a "very stable genius", president trump hits back at the author who's book

claims his administration is in chaos. i consider it a work of fiction, and i think it's a disgrace that somebody is able to do something like that. the libel laws are very big in this country. if they strong, it were would be very helpful, you wouldn't have things like that happen, but you can say whatever comes into your head. ambulance service apologises to the family of a woman who died after almost a four hour wait for paramedics. air strikes on a rebel—held area of syria are thought to have killed at least 17 civilians. new figures reveal women earn at least 15% less than men at a number of major companies.