is this is bbc news. i'm reeta chakrabarti. the headlines at three. theresa may defends the government's record on the nhs, insisting it is properly funded for coping with the winter pressures. we put some extra money in for the coping with the winter pressures. we've also, of course, in the budget in november, announced that for the next couple of years there will be extra money, further money, going into the national health service. they haven't got a plan to get those people off the trolleys in corridors. there's elderly people this freezing january, being treated in ambulances. the prime minister will carry out a cabinet reshuffle tomorrow — there are reports that several mnisters could either lose theirjobs or be moved. also in the next hour, plans to plant 50 million trees to create a northern forest between liverpool and hull. the government is providing £6

million with planting to take place over the next 25 years. league two newport county, knock championship side leeds united out of the fa cup with a thrilling 2—1victory at rodney parade. advice on how to stay secure online is one of the highlights from click‘s recent live show. that's coming up at 3:30pm. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. the prime minister has been setting out her plans for the year ahead , and confirmed that she is preparing to reshuffle her cabinet. in an interview with the bbc, the

prime minister said she recognised people's concerns over the nhs but that extra funding was being put into the service. the prime minister is also preparing to reshuffle her cabinet, as susannah reports. it has been a tough year for theresa may. she lost her majority in the election, faced a rebellion from her own backbenchers, had to deal with resignations and even had to sack her second—in—command, meaning she now needs to have a cabinet reshuffle. no prizes for guessing, andrew, obviously damian green's departure before christmas means some changes need to be made. now in an interview with the bbc, mrs may has made it clear that she wants her premiership to be about more than just brexit. but the new year has already brought in old problems. there's 73 outstanding ambulances right now... the latest challenge for mrs may, a winter crisis in the nhs from a first—hand perspective. the woman filming this waited in an ambulance

for hours before her mother, who had suffered a stroke, could be seen by doctors at a hospital in chelmsford. it isjust gobsmacking, gobsmacking and devastating. it feels like a sick feeling, like a sickening feeling that this is how bad it is. the prime minister was asked about the case. i recognise that people have concerns if they have experience of that sort. if we look at what is happening across the nhs, we see that actually the nhs is delivering for more people, treating more people and more people are being seen with the four hours every day than has been a few years ago. labour blames government cuts for the latest crisis and has warned the prime minister against promoting health secretaryjeremy hunt in the reshuffle this week. she does not have a plan to get those people off the trolleys in corridors, those elderly people this freezing january being treated in ambulances. she has no plan for them.

apparently her only plan is to promote this health secretary. they should be demoting him. if she promotes this health secretary tomorrow it is a betrayal of those 75,000 people in the back of ambulances. the steep hike in railfares is another issue putting the government under pressure at the start of the year, as has the decision to release the serial sex attacker john worboys on parole. the government is now planning to review how those kinds of decisions are made. obviously the parole board operates independently but i think it is right that we as a government are saying we should look at the question of openness and look at the issue of how victims are kept in touch. those challenges aside, mrs may is keen to move the conversation onto more positive ideas, like creating a new forest. but by the end of this year she needs a deal on brexit, so it is an issue bound to keep dominating her time. susana mendonca, bbc news.

i got igota i got a little more detail on the prime minister's priorities for the new year and prime minister's priorities for the new yearand in prime minister's priorities for the new year and in particular on people's concerns on the nhs. she was defending the government record. that has been a lot of criticism of government this week because of the tens of thousands of operations that had been cancelled and the impact on people's lives. she said that was always part of the plan for how they were going to cope with the winter crisis. they always have some kind of problems in terms of the impact on the nhs in the winter, and this was part of the plan to cope with it, and it is regrettable that people have had their operations postponed, but they would have those operations as soon as possible. she was making the point that from her point of view they have been investing in the end nhs. labour says they have not invested enough and that is why we're at this point.

john ashworth, who we heard from there, said it was all predictable and we knew there was going to be pressure on the nhs in the winter, and the direction the government has taken it in in terms of postponing operations has not been the right move. she also confirmed there would be a reshuffle of the cabinet, and that it would be soon. what is the speculation about who might be out, who might be in? it will start tomorrow, two days of reshuffling. there will be seen your post tomorrow and junior posts on tuesday. in terms of who will be up or down, the government haven't given us any information, some it is just speculation, but the speculation is that perhaps we could see justine greening moving out of her position as education secretary. but potentially the big beasts, like david davis, philip hammond, amber rudd, would stay in their positions. it will be interesting to see what happens withjeremy hunt. labour said he should not be promoted. suggestions that perhaps he could replace damian green, who of course was forced to... was sacked over various allegations against him. his position is

available, potentially. would she movejeremy hunt into that position at a time when we have the nhs crisis that the government is trying to deal with? another thing, there are a lot of conservatives saying she needs to nurture new talent and bring on new mps, so could we see new names coming in? potentially so. one more thing, she addressed the issue of toby young, thejournalist who has been put on the board of the office for students, and whose appointment has created a lot of controversy. what did she say about that? he was appointed to the newly created body and he has faced criticism from students' groups who don't think he is appropriate. since his appointment, we have heard of various social media messages that he has posted over the years that are

considered misogynistic and homophobic. he says some of it has been taken out of context. the prime minister was asked about that by andrew and she said she was aware of that at the time and it is not something she was pleased about, but now that he is in public office, if those kinds of comments were to come up again, it may affect his appointment. it seems that for now certainly she is sticking with him. some of the uk's biggest retailers have agreed to stop selling acids and corrosive substances to customers under 18 years old. the scheme is intended to reduce the number of acid attacks until the government is able to pass legislation banning such sales. our home affairs correspondent has more. the human cost of an acid attack. where's it hurting, mate, your eyes? police officers pour water over the victim, jabed hussain, lastjuly. thieves wanted the london delivery driver's moped. his helmet saved him from serious injury. police recorded more than 500

attacks involving corrosive substances in england and wales in the year to last april. 0fficials think the true figure could be twice as high. ministers have launched an acid action plan to cut attacks. today the first part of that plan, a voluntary ban by diy chains — including b&q — on selling harmful is chemicals to under—18s. waitrose and the co—op are also involved, agreeing to challenge underage customers, just like they would if they were buying alcohol. is acid attacks are the most horrific crimes, and what we want to do is make sure that we restrict access, support victims, police these attacks really effectively. it isn't just major retailers who are signing up to secure their shelves. the association representing hardware shops is urging them to play their part too. this one in london says the move is long overdue. definitely a good idea. we've always checked id for acid. same thing as if you go to a supermarket and you go to buy alcohol, you are asked for id.

it should be the same thing here. but the voluntary scheme wouldn't have stopped this man, arthur collins, jailed for 20 years for this appalling nightclub attack. watch the cctv. you can see the 25—year—old throwing acid on his victims. ministers are however proposing a new crime of carrying acid without good reason — saying the harmful substance, just like knives, shouldn't be in public. dominic casciani, bbc news. the german chancellor, angela merkel, says she's optimistic that her centre right christian democrats can reach a coalition deal with the centre—left social democrats. five days of talks began this morning , it comes three months after the election in germany. earlier i spoke to our berlin correspondent damien mcguinness, who told us both sides were keen on a deal. the pressure is building so much

that angela merkel almost has no choice but to try and form a deal with the centre—left spd, the social democrats, because the other options would be either minority government, which is seen as pretty unstable, or fresh elections, which would drag out this period of uncertainty for months. it means both sides have a real interest in coming to a deal, and it has to be said as well that they have worked together pretty well together over the past format yea rs. well together over the past format years. the difficulty is that a lot of grassroots supporters and voters don't like the idea of a renewed grand coalition, this right— left party coalition. there is a feeling that there is not enough change in germany, and a lot of voters want more reforms, something new. the difficulty, though, now for both sides and both party leaders is that on the one hand they want to have a compromise because that is the only way to avoid fresh elections and the instability that would come from that, but on the other hand they have to somehow persuade their

voters and party members that they haven't compromised too much and giving in and given up their ideological principles, so it's a tricky balancing act they will have to try and pull. as you say, five days of initial exploratory talks, then the social democrats will vote on those results. if they agree with that, it would go to more talks, which would last another couple of weeks at least. there would be another vote. there would be a lot of hurdles to cross, and if all goes well, we could see a government in place before easter, but that is really of everything goes well. 0therwise, really of everything goes well. otherwise, we could be looking fresh elections or some kind of minority government. it's a long process, clearly, but what had been the main sticking points for the parties in the discussions? so far, we have had one round of coalition talks with a different group of parties. the sticking point was mainly refugees. the clashes between left—wingers and

conservatives. the left—wingers were adamant that keeping borders open was right, and the conservatives wa nted was right, and the conservatives wanted tough cuts, to benefits, for example, the refugees. there was no possibility of agreement between the two makar extremes. this time round it is different because we have different parties, centre left and centre right, and actually, as far as many issues go, they have a similar position. so, refugees is one issue where they will probably be able to come to some face—saving solution, but one of the most difficult issues is probably taxation. it is domestic issues, the bread—and—butter, really concern voters. and there are, we have a difference between a party on the left that really wants to tax the wealthy and really wants a more social justice agenda, wealthy and really wants a more socialjustice agenda, and a centre—right party which says, we should cut taxes and get the economy moving even more. so, it's the domestic issues which will probably

be the sticking points, but they have very few other options, so right now, it looks like both leaders really want to give it their best and find a deal that works for both sides. plans to create a new ‘northern forest‘ stretching from liverpool to hull have been announced by the government. it's providing 5.7 million pounds to increase tree cover along a belt spanning manchester, leeds and bradford. the woodland trust is running the project, which will cost 500 million pounds over 25 years. most of that money will need to be raised by the charity itself. 0ur correspondent roger harrabin has more. the bare hills of the north. one of the most denuded parts of a country that itself has less woodland than almost anywhere in europe. the land stripped over centuries fortimberand farming, scarred by industry, overgrazed by sheep farming. at smithils near manchester, things will be different. planting has begun for what will be known as the northern forest.

we think the northern forest will be a pathfinder for extending forest and woodland right across country. we think trees and woods can add value in many different landscapes. we just want to do it here first and do it big. it isn't really a forest. the project will create new woods near towns, and plant river valleys liable to flooding. but money is tight, and many of these hills will look just as bleak in 25 years. what's more, the woodland trust expects some of their cash to come from environmental funds linked to the hs2 rail line. that infuriates environmentalists. the supreme irony is that the government is giving with one hand and taking with the other, and i'm referring to the route of h52 north of birmingham, to manchester, threatening ancient woodlands. why can't the government give with both hands and stop threatening ancient forests? here is what some ambitious planting can do. this is the national forest in the midlands.

begun in the 1990s, now delighting local people. acorns grow. i'm joined now by paul de zylva from environmental campaigning group friends of the earth. thanks very much for coming in, paul. we heard some of your scepticism about this — please elaborate on that. i don't think we're sceptical at all about forest, because we need them everywhere. england is one of the least wooded countries in europe. we have cleared forests for centuries for various reasons, so we need to put some back. on the face of it, it is great to see the government backing a charity like the woodland trust with this scheme, but the irony is that the government is also supporting the government is also supporting the loss, the substantial loss, of

our ancient woodland, the most precious that we have, because of the routing of hs2. so, there is irony in the fact that the government is backing with a bit of money is a plan to restore nature, if you like, and at the same time backing plans to destroy it. what should they be doing? well, we need our ancient woodlands and new forests. we need to restore the condition of our land, so trees and woodlands do many things for us, holding back floodwaters, supporting wildlife of all sorts. they are great places for people to visit, for children to run two, get them backin for children to run two, get them back in touch with nature, which i think is definitely the way forward. why do we have to choose between that, restoring and having new woodlands, and ancient woodlands which are there, part of their

heritage, the fabric, the history of this nation is? and we're driving hs2 and road schemes through it. it doesn't ring true that woodlands are protected when they are constantly being targeted, so we need both. do you think the government is focusing on the right bit of the country in having this ambitious plan of 25 yea rs ? having this ambitious plan of 25 years? there is no doubt that the north of england has lost a lot of its woodland. parts of the north of england have suffered tremendously in recent years with flooding, and woodlands can hold back floodwaters toa woodlands can hold back floodwaters to a large extent. they won't do the wholejob, to a large extent. they won't do the whole job, but they bind the soil and keep water in the soil. so, there is a realjob there to restore and replenish the land and the quality of the soil, which has been lost because of clear—cut felling and putting the wrong type of trees

in the wrong place. not all trees are the same. you can't apply the same principles to every part of the country. there might be different approaches elsewhere. i think it's a great scheme, but it does strike me asa great scheme, but it does strike me as a strange irony that raises questions about what else the government will put on the table. and it still has a broader plan that it's to be published. —— that is to be published. we have been waiting for the environment plan that was first mooted in the 2015 manifesto. it is 2018 last time i checked my watch and we are still waiting. i think michael gove is due to bring it out very soon. high expectations of what the government will do, not just riding on the coat—tails of friends of the earth and the woodland trust, but what will it do offer its own back as well? we have to be that there. thank you very much. the headlines: theresa may defends the government's record on

the nhs, insisting it is properly funded for winter pressures. the prime minister will carry out a cabinet reshuffle tomorrow. there are reports that several ministers could either lose theirjobs or be moved. some of the uk's largest retailers agree to stop selling acids and corrosive substances to customers under 18 years old. in sport, there are four more fa cup third round ties. newport county have knocked out leads to— one. the winner came in the last minute. —— leeds united, 2—1. arsenal play nottingham forest at apm. spurs against wimbledon is also goalless at the moment. england's cricketers are heading for defeat in the final ashes test. they need to bat out the final day in sydney, so there is no chance of salvaging a draw. more on that

later. more than 30 people are missing after an oil tanker caught fire after colliding with a cargo ship off the east coast of china. the tanker was sailing from iran to south korea with more than a million tons of crude oil on board. the 21 chinese crew on the cargo ship have been rescued. earlier our correspondent stephen mcdonnell, who's in beijing, described how the rescue effort is going. a pretty grim picture around 160 nautical miles off the coast of shanghai. the latest reports we're getting from the south korean coast guard and the chinese transport ministry is that this oil tanker is still on fire, that emergency teams are battling their way through a large oil slick. there are large, black plumes of smoke pouring from this tanker. it has gone nightfall, making it even more difficult. and by my calculations, this fire has probably been going for now more than 17 hours, with all the crew missing. as i say, around 160 nautical miles east of shanghai, it

has collided with a cargo ship carrying grain. 21 crew members from that ship had been rescued, and apparently, that ship isn't in such a bad way. but the oil tanker went up very quickly and has been burning for many hours. so the attention right now is still on trying to rescue any crew members they can find, but beyond that, this is going to be quite a large environmental problem. they're going to have to somehow stop the oil spreading. reportedly, we're talking 1 million barrels of oil. this will cost iran some $60 million, so there will be an environmental and economic impact, and then of course, there if will be questions asked as to how this collision could have happened in this day and age. i mean, it's not in the middle of nowhere. we are talking off the coast of shanghai.

a lot of ships go through there. how is it that this terrible accident has been able to happen? at least eight people have drowned and dozens more are feared missing after a dinghy carrying migrants sank off the libyan coast. the italian coastguard says 84 people were rescued on saturday, in what is thought to have been the first migrant shipwreck of 2018. police in sweden say a 60 year—old man has died in an explosion outside an underground station in stockholm. the incident happened at the varby gard metro station in the south of the city. a woman nearby was also hurt. according to a police spokesman, an object exploded after it was picked up. the incident is not believed to be terrorism related. president macron of france has led tributes to the 16 people who were killed in islamist attacks in paris three years ago. commemorations began at the offices in paris

of the satirical magazine charlie hebdo to remember the 12 people, including several cartoonists, who died when two gunmen burst in to an editorial meeting. the president also visited the plaque honouring a policeman who was shot dead outside the charlie hebdo building. the east coast of north america is shivering in a record—breaking freeze. it comes after a massive snow storm that reached as far south as florida. temperatures are forecast to fall below minus 29 degrees celsius, as andrew plant reports. the new year has brought new record low temperatures to america's east coast. a weather system bringing blizzards, freezing winds, and thermometers falling below —20 celsius. in these conditions, the homeless are particularly vulnerable. in chicago, coats and blankets are being handed out. this shelter in boston are setting up dozens of extra beds. this kitchen in washington, dc is handing out extra meals. the fear is those sleeping outside could freeze.

the i don't know if we have recorded any deaths based on the weather yet, but i think it is entirely possible. we are trying to help in any way we can. we are opening the centre between meals, we have warm clothing available, and we are providing people with hot meals. the weather system is slowly moving north along the atlantic coast. but it could have saved the worst until last, with temperatures of —30 predicted this weekend. the wind has brought flooding, the water then freezing around these cars. in cities like new york, road salt has helped to keep things moving, but rural areas are struggling. so far, 19 people have died. temperatures are due to return to something like normal next week, but millions will have to get through some very tough conditions first. andrew plant, bbc news the first major ceremony

since hollywood was hit by the harvey weinstein scandal gets under way later in los angeles. stars attending the golden globes are planning to dress in black on the red carpet, in a show of support for women who have suffered sexual harassment in the film industry. 0ur north america correspondent james cook reports from los angeles. in hollywood, they're getting ready to put their best foot forward. but this year's awards season may be more protest than party. the dirty secrets of the movie business have been exposed in recent months, and now scores of stars say they will wear black to the golden globes to promote a campaign called time's up. it's time to deal with this. it's time to deal with this and not put up with it any more. we are all wearing black to stand in solidarity, not just for women and what is happening in hollywood and in this industry, but to represent and to stand for all women across all industries and to support them. the cleansing has already begun. kevin spacey, facing multiple allegations of sexual assault, was cut out of this film just weeks before its release.

co—star michelle williams told me she reshot her scenes for free. fair i couldn't bear the thought of being in a movie that glorified somebody who had hurt people in these ways. i didn't want to have anything to do with it. while hollywood is gathering to pat itself on the back as usual, everything has changed this year. just a few months ago, the entertainment industry was thrown into turmoil, and everyone here is onlyjust beginning to work out what that means for the future. james cook, bbc news, los angeles. lets get a weather update from louise lear. for many of us, a cold and frosty start. there was some cloud some people, particularly south of the m4

corridor. you can see that clearly on the satellite picture. further north, there was the beautiful sunshine. in the northern isles, some nuisance showers. those will clear through the night, and clear skies allow the temperatures to fall like a stone. the exception is that we keep the cloud in the south, so temperatures there will hold up above freezing. a hard frost likely in the north, but decent spells of sunshine coming through. that easterly breeze will bring in cloud and some drizzle, so a drabjanuary days. for all of us, and some drizzle, so a drabjanuary days. forall of us, it and some drizzle, so a drabjanuary days. for all of us, it will feel called. —— cold. this is bbc news. our latest headlines... theresa may defends the government's record on the nhs, insisting it was better prepared for the pressures of winter than it had been before, despite hospitals having to postpone

tens of thousands of non—urgent operations. we've put some extra money in for coping with the winter pressures and we've also announced that over the next couple of years, there will be further money going into the national health service. ..got a plan to get those people off the trolleys in corridors, those elderly people, this freezing january, being treated in ambulances. the prime minister is to carry out a cabinet reshuffle tomorrow, amid reports that several ministers could be sacked or moved. some of britain's largest retailers, including b&q, wickes, morrisons and the co—op, agree to stop selling acids and corrosive substances to customers under 18 years old. now on bbc news, it's time for click.