this is bbc news i'm rachel. the headlines at 8. transport ministerjo johnson resigns from the government over brexit, saying the deal being finalised "will be a terrible mista ke". he's also calling for a fresh referendum. at present, the deal is incoherent on its own terms, and that's why it's so important for the public to have a say, so it can confirm that this is really the brexit that it wants. meanwhile, the dup leader arlene foster has said her party couldn't support the government's current proposals on brexit, she accuses theresa may of breaking promises. the prime minister and the french president, emmanuel macron, have jointly laid a wreath at the thiepval memorial in the somme as part of ceremonies marking 100 years since the end of the first world war. thousands of torches light up the tower of london this evening as the nation prepares to pause and remember the fallen. three major wildfires burning out of control in california have prompted the evacuation of tens of thousands of people from their homes.

a fire in butte county, where an eighty—square—kilometre blaze has devastated the town of paradise, has killed a number of people. carey mulligan and jake gyllenhall play a couple in crisis in the 1960s in wildfire. find out what mark kermode thought of that, and the rest of this week's releases in the film review. good evening and welcome to bbc news. there's been another resignation from the government over brexit. jojohnson, who was the transport minister, ministerfor london and the brother of former foreign secretary boris johnson, has stepped down. he's described theresa may's brexit plan as ‘a terrible mistake‘, and wants the public to have a fresh

say on leaving the european union. the prime minister's alliance with the democratic unionist party is also under strain, after it accused her of ‘betrayal‘ in the negotiations, when a leaked letter indicated that northern ireland could follow different customs rules to the rest of the uk. the government has insisted it won't do anything to put the united kingdom at risk. more details from our political correspondent alex forsyth: sorry about that. mind out, watch your back. watch your back, fateful words uttered perhaps earlier this year by a man who's now delivered a blow to theresa may. jo johnson was until today, the transport minister, but tonight he quit his job with a scathing assessment of the prime minister's brexit plan. crucially he called for another vote, saying the current proposal was deeply flawed. it's not going to deliver trade deals, our ability to strike meaningful trade deals will be greatly reduced. it's not going to lead to us becoming a singaporean turbo—charged

economy on the edge of europe. far from it, we're going to be signing up to all of the rules and regulations over which we will no longer have a say. at present, the deal is incoherent on its own terms, and that's why it's so important for the public to have a say, so it can confirm that this is really the brexit that it wants. the brother of boris johnson, he had, unlike his sibling, that remained in the referendum, but said he'd respect the result. now though, he says the government's brexit plan is taking britain to the brink of the greatest crisis since the second world war. his decision to quit drew praise from his brrother, who says we are united in dismay at the intellectually and politically indefensible uk position. this is not taking back control, it is a surrender of control. for the prime minister, with her european counterparts at armistice events, it's another brexit headache, on a day she's already facing criticism from supposed allies. the dup, who support her in government, fear she could sign up to an exit deal which might mean

northern ireland trades on different terms to the rest of the uk in future. it's not a question of trust in the prime minister, it's a question of what her proposals are for exiting the european union, and she has sent us where she believes we are currently at, and remember this is before she goes to brussels to negotiate with them on what they believe is possible, but currently as it stands, we could not support her proposals. so it's still the irish border, and how to keep trade flowing no matter what, that's proving the hardest part of this negotiation. every possible compromise it seems, drawing some criticism. at a summit meant to cement british irish relations today, ministers were quick to try to reassure. the prime minister has been absolutely clear that she is not prepared to see the break—up of the constitutional economic integrity of the united kingdom in any deal. now we are working intensely, and we are going to secure the deal and i think what we need

to do now is calm heads, cool heads, and get down, get the deal, and then people can comment on it when they see it. the path to brexit has never been smooth. both sides are still working to agree the terms in which we leave. but as negotiations near their end, whatever that may be, it seems the prime minister's opponents are digging in. lets talk to our political correspondent chris mason, he's in westminster. how much of a blow to teresa may is the latest resignation? it's on to counsel that one is the kind of language thatjoe johnson used counsel that one is the kind of language thatjoejohnson used in his resignation, and in his video they posted on social media, and a company article as well. secondly there is the issue of the arithmetic and parliament. there's1647 word article that he published alongside his resignation, which is striking in the kind of language that he struck the bout and the withdrawal

agreements in his view is a terrible mistake. the british people are being presented with no choice at all. one option he says is what the government's proposing an agreement that will lead our country weekend, and the second option is a new deal brexit and i know his transport minister will inflict untold damage on our nation. on a ghost paragraph after paragraph. and then what this crucial issue around him. we always know numbers matters in politics, and we know the concern as alex report out there amongst the democratic unionist party plug in addition to that, we now know that there is a gathering number of conservative mps, and some of them remain supporters, and some of them backed brexit who simply do not like the vision of brexit that the prime minister is attempting to secure, and every additional number that is added to those who aren't likely to vote against any deal that the prime minister brings back before the commons, makes the prospect of the

feminists are getting it through the comments and passing it harder and harder and harder. —— comments and passing it harder and harderand harder. —— of comments and passing it harder and harder and harder. —— of the prime minister getting it through the commons. what is the wider reaction of that and chris? plenty of brexit supporters say they absolutely agree with jo supporters say they absolutely agree withjojohnson supporters say they absolutely agree with jo johnson sentiment until the point that he calls for another vote. and then the argument that matters is the one that voted in june 2016. so the opposition think that another referendum will be the very last thing the country would needin very last thing the country would need in terms of bringing people back together, because it would reopen existing division and potentially make the water. one voice that is worth hearing in this concept that in a context is boris johnson. his father as is also a

former member of the european parliament. here's what he makes of it all. not especially for any more. not in this particular case is that of enough there seems to be a co nflu e nce of enough there seems to be a confluence of opinion that we must not at any event go down the chambers. borisjohnson's not at any event go down the chambers. boris johnson's senior they're talking about the prime minister long—term vision of the withdrawal agreements. i it's also fairto point withdrawal agreements. i it's also fair to point out, we don't often hear from the parents or near relatives of resigning ministers, but this instance where mrjohnson senior is certainly a public figure himself, and a brief eight it's about the johnson brothers who himself, and a brief eight it's about thejohnson brothers who are in public life. we did not chase after him. he created the decision.

it's ok you do not have to justify it to me. there has been talk today about how any deal that so many people don't like mika treated in the house of commons, and whether there will be any room to have it knocked and hammered about at that stage. remind us of the process. there is the parliamentary process because first of all the british government has to agree with the european union with the withdrawal agreement. we know that this is based big sticking point around finding a solution, and we want to keep it open as it is now under any circumstances in the future, and the two sides simply cannot agree the mechanism to make that work. let's imagine, they can't find the words where they can agree in the next week or so. then it comes back, and there will be some sort of summit with the whole thing is signed off, and then there is a discussion and a

vote in parliament, and at the moment when you look at the parliamentary arithmetic, it's very difficult to see how the prime minister manages to assemble the numbers unless some conservative mps concluded the end that any deal is better than no deal at all. thanks chris mason. a little earlier i spoke to our ireland correspondent chris page, he explained what impact today's comments by arlene foster could have on the relationship between the conservatives and the dup. in terms of the relationship between the democratic unionists and the minority government at westminster, eileen foster was careful to say in her interview this afternoon that she did not feel that confident, as she did not feel that confident, as she was not talking about pulling the plug or trying to pull the plug on the government, but she did say this was all about the specifics of brexit without she said that the dep had gone into that with tories party

because they wanted to get a particular sort of brexit, the dup we re particular sort of brexit, the dup were brexit supporters. they campaignfor were brexit supporters. they campaign for the were brexit supporters. they campaignforthe uk were brexit supporters. they campaign for the uk to leave the european union, and the customs union, so whenever the dup are looking at the brexit situation, they're looking at that and are also looking at of course their bottom line which is they can be anything in their view that separates northern ireland from the rest of the uk, and what they were particularly concerned about where theissues particularly concerned about where the issues around the single market, the issues around the single market, the regulation of goods, the notion that northern ireland would have to continue following european rules on goods while the rest of the uk did not come and that would mean as one dup politician has put it that the rules would be set in brussels, and not london, and therefore northern ireland would have no control over those rules, and to this person and to the dup, that means an effective break to the uk comes a very important principle for the dup, and

a very high—stakes matter per unit and that —— and unionist. and we'll find out how this story —— and many others, are covered in tomorrow's front pages, at 10:40 and 11:30 this evening in the papers. our guestsjoining me tonight are jason beattie, who's head of politics at the daily mirror, and the economics correspondent for the daily telegraph, anna isaac. thousands of flames have been lit tonight filling the vast moat of the tower of london to mark 100 years since the end of the first world war. the flames represent the lives of those who fell in battle. at five o'clock this afternoon emerging from the fortress, one of the yeoman warders, passed on the first flame to a navy cadet. and then a team of volunteers helped light the rest, there are 10,000 torches in all, creating a circle of light, radiating from the tower as an act of remembrance. today the prime minister travelled to france and belgium to mark the centenary. at a military cemetry near mons in belgium, she laid wreaths at the graves

of the first and last british soldier to be killed in the war, 16—year—old john parr and ao—year—old george ellison who died an hour and half before the armisitce was signed. lucy williamson reports. buried in the soil of europe is part of britain's past, its sacrifices and its souls. in belgium today, the prime minister laid wreaths at the graves of two british soldiers, the first and last of their countrymen to die in the first world war. waiting for mrs may at the town of albert in the somme, the french president told schoolchildren, "never forget your history". before commemorating the past, the two leaders met for talks on present—day challenges. as the prime minister was greeted with a reserved and formal handshake, someone in the crowd shouted, "stay with us!" this visit is a reminder

of the shared military history that unites france and britain. today, they are divided by a political conflict over brexit, but their joint commitment to europe's defence won't change, they say, no matter how tough the negotiations or the terms of their future relationship. at the thiepval memorial in the somme, the two leaders walked through a cemetery honouring their dead. beneath the arches of the monument, they laid a wreath of poppies and cornflowers, the national blooms of remembrance in britain and france. the building here, carved with the names of 72,000 british and commonwealth soldiers lost, is a symbol of anglo—french cooperation, a place to remember shared sacrifice and shared values. a moment for their leaders, amid the tensions over their future relations, to recognise and honour their past. lucy williamson, bbc news, the somme. and at 8.30 we will hear

from gracejones, who's 112, and the oldest person in britain. she remembers the 1918 armistice. we'll have coverage of all the ceremonies and events on sunday, starting from 9.30 in the morning with a special programme from london and paris. the headlines on bbc news. jojohnson, the transport minister and brother of boris johnson, resigns from the government over brexit. the dup leader arlene foster says her party can't support the government's current proposals to brussels, accusing theresa may of breaking promises. and the prime minister has laid wreaths at the graves of the first and last british soldiers killed in the first world war. sport now...and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here's huw..

it's the first round of the fa cup, and haringey borough visit 18th it's the first round of the fa cup, and haringey borough visit18th in the seventh dear taking on the ansi wimbledon of league 1, and wimbledon have not had their greatest season so have not had their greatest season so far, they sit in the regulate —— sit in the relegation zone. a great evening for them, wimbledon may the 3rd round last year, but so far it's been a very tight encounter without no golf as of yet, and you can watch the match live on bbc two. it's also available on the bbc sport website. it afc wimbledon do not get through, that we will have our first huge shock of the season. that is only one game in the championship tonight. the sheffield derby between united and have a lane is currently goalless, but the home side is that

in the top three have mist a penalty early on. and the scottish premiership, aberdeen the hosting ever get in this the third meeting between the two sides. the previous two ended level and normal time, a win would move aberdeen into the top four. that is still scoreless in the first tonight the first three of games between the women's national team. england took the lead, and the united states have had a player sent off. a good position for england and is one. to the men's plus sized. england coca ptain olivero is one. to the men's plus sized. england cocaptain olivero said they must throw themselves in their match against the all blacks. the two sides meet at twickenham, and england have not beaten the world champions of december 2012. farrell says they will have to be committed

from the start. i think they are a very good side. obviously we have to doa very good side. obviously we have to do a lot of things very good, and we are obviously a tough opponent, and what we, we've got to make sure we don't dip our toes into the weekend and feel our way in. we have to make sure we threw ourselves into it, and a pretty constant for the game with that. as i said, we prepared well this week, and we are looking forward to it. no more travel sickness for the endless penciled that those trips to bangladesh, australia, and england are all forgotten what their first over test that exceeds victory in two years without they downed sri lanka. it was always a tall order after a glenn's performance across the first three days without they would have needed to score a62 to win, but england made a steady start before

taking the last five wickets after tea. allie was bored wickets for 71, while each finished with three. between england's three spinners, they took 16. but in path ‘s toni bentley and has waited just a pound heavier than alexander guzik against their undisputed world title fight in manchester. the unbeaten ukrainian wba, and a view of belts will be on the line, and it is only the sixth time in men's boxing history that does more titles have been contested. there will be live commentary on bbc radio for around 1030 tomorrow night. and that is all the support for now, but you can keep up—to—date with all the live football and rugby union of the bbc sport website. it's bbc .co .uk/ sport. we will be back for the full

round up at 1030. hugh, thanks very much indeed. firefighters in california are battling two major wildfires that have forced thousands of people to flee their homes. the first blaze broke out on thursday in northern butte county, and has already engulfed more than 20,000 acres of land and has now killed a number of people. further south, another fire is burning in ventura county near los angeles, a few miles from the scene of a mass shooting in thousand oaks that claimed 12 lives earlier this week. lauren moss reports. it is a landscape of destruction. wildfire ravaging parts of california, tearing through homes, hospitals, shops, and schools. roads are gridlocked as thousands try to flee the flames, taking only what they can carry. one of the fires in the northern town of paradise burned through 20,000 acres of dry forest

in a matter of hours. further south in ventura county near los angeles strong winds are hampering efforts to tackle another fast moving blaze in what has become a race against time. right now we are trying to protect exposures by stopping the fire spreading from one house to the next. it is very hard with the high winds, and very hard to save some of these homes, so we are putting the water between some homes to stop the fire leapfrogging to other homes. firefighters have been battling through the day and night, helicopters are releasing water to keep on top of the raging fire. this last year has been the worst the state has ever seen for wildfires. as scenes of devastation were left behind, there is a red warning on the horizon that the fight against them is by no means over. at least twenty people have been killed in a series

of explosions in the somali capital, mogadishu. a hotel popular with government officials was a target. militant group al shabab say they're responsible. the hotel owner is reported to be among the dead. his father died when the same hotel was attacked by the jihadist group in 2015. the hot summer and the football world cup helped to boost the economy in the three months to september. gross domestic product, the total value of all goods and services produced in the economy, rose by 0.6%, the fastest rate for nearly two years. but most of that growth was injuly, confirming predictions that people may now be beginning to cut back their spending. coletta smith reports. sprucing up slackening on a lick of paint or planning a bigger product. what's happening in this builder's march it can tell you what the economy is doing. the diy is

spending a lot more money in here spending a lot more money in here spending more of the gardens, and spending more of the gardens, and spending on the nicer things in life. my money was spent on days that with the kids, and also finishing work on a summer's night, you tend to think of it when i don't. you make sure they get out more, andl don't. you make sure they get out more, and i want to go out and eat, drinking stuff like that. there's a lot of work going on in the moment. splashing the cash over those long hot summer months has really given the economy a boost. the peak was in july when the world cup was on, and we we re july when the world cup was on, and we were all spending more. by the time we got the september, things have slowed down considerably with the dichotomy basically flat—lining at that stage, which raises big questions about the coming months, and what's going to happen as things turned colder. down the road on the small construction site and the riddle valley, they are delighted that at long last, the centre ——

this summer, construction was the fastest pa rt this summer, construction was the fastest part of the growing economy. we're the buoyant sector, to put 1% so we're the buoyant sector, to put 1% so for me it feels very exciting. concerns are based on the horizon, and that is more about it we get people to do the jobs. after a slower start to the year, the chancellor is pleased that things are improving. 3.3 million newjobs unemployment lower in every region and nation in the united kingdom since 2010. what we've now got to do is pivoted to a focus on ensuring real wage growth, and higher standards of living. without that rates grow up, the high streets will continue to see starts disappearing. after the summer glow, all industries are preparing for a very different winter. —— high streets will continue to see stores disappearing. police in australia say they're treating a knife attack in the centre of melbourne as an act of terrorism.

one person was killed and two injured, during the evening rush hour. the suspect, a man of somali origin who was known to the police, was shot by officers and died later in hospital. our correspondent hywel griffith sent this report. >> face—to—face with an armed attacker, officers came towards an armed attacker who longed with the night before the shot him. people did not please were called after a field goals on fire for the gas canisters were on the scene. the attack and given to the heart of a city centre to bob street and one of the busiest parts of melbourne, packed with shoppers, and commuters heading home. when the police arrived, they found three members of the public had been stabbed, one of them was fatally injured. the attacker also later died in hospital, officers say he wasn't on a terror watch list, and he and his

family originally from somalia, where on their radar. he is known to police. he is not smedley in respect to relatives that he has that are persons of interest. —— he is known in respect to relatives... officers are jointed in respect to relatives... officers arejointed determine if the man was working alone. and people want to know what more can be done to protect the public from such sudden and chaotic acts of terror. a 16—year—old girl has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the fatal stabbing of a man in south—east london. ayod—eji habeeb azeez died after the attack in bromley. two men who were arrested on suspicion of murder on sunday were released under investigation. flytipping has increased by nearly a5% in england, scotland

and wales in the last five years. according to research for the bbc, councils spent nearly 70 million pounds last year clearing up illegally dumped rubbish. lets return to the armistice, and communities across the uk are preparing for this sunday's centenary commemorations. villages and towns are being covered in poppies, whilst others are putting the finishing touches to religious services. duncan kennedy has been to portsmouth, where they have created a unique series of memorials to those killed in world war one. number11, number 11, sergeant edward burch. number 11, sergeant edward burch. number39, number 11, sergeant edward burch. number 39, stoker first class number 11, sergeant edward burch. number 39, stokerfirst class ernest quips. number53, number 39, stokerfirst class ernest quips. number 53, petty number 39, stokerfirst class ernest quips. number53, petty officer charles latham. original road, just one road that home to 23 men who died in world war i. now here in

portsmouth, 8a6 roads having blacks just like this one but up in time to mark this weekends centenary to show the extent of losses that ordinary homes, and ordinary communities. clive road, guilford road, newcomb road, nearly every road. 6000 names, remembered in the places where they never returned. we're used to seeing long list of names on war memorials, and that makes it hard to represent the true human loss on war, and when you walk around the streets, of course you see these blacks you see —— plaques, and you see all of these to show the men who left from all around the world to fight these wars. it is such a sportsman. on a

hill in a wheelchair, they are finishing off. the map was created in 1917 by homesick australian troops based in a nearby camp. now, return to its striking original condition, it will be the scene of a service on sunday. four years ago when i started it was a dream. i thought it had disappeared, and i had no idea that actually i can achieve it. from the white of the chock, to the red of the poppy. a road has turned into a poppy road in the west midlands. the village of char field, local people the west midlands. the village of charfield, local people hadn't knitted over 12,000 poppies. just one of the collective and individual a cts one of the collective and individual acts of remembrance that will take place in britain on sunday. duncan kennedy, bbc news. some very poignant commemorations

there. now it's time for a look at the weather with helen willetts. good evening, the next few hours would give and windy weather across the uk. there is a warning across the uk. there is a warning across the met office across the southwest of wales, but many parts of the uk it was he a bout of heavy rain, it's a rty it was he a bout of heavy rain, it's arty but raining across northern ireland. the rain is moving steadily, but there are lots of showers waiting in the wings, it actually will dry up in the west as actually will dry up in the west as ago actually will dry up in the west as a go through the night. expect her to be particularly cold. we have strong south—westerly wind blowing in. you can see rain coming from northern scotland, so it will take a few hours before we see that clear away, but it's brighter than, but there will be showers around the western and southern areas. the winds are dusty, some rain and hail will be there. other temperatures

should be a little bit about average. sunday will be a very it every day. hello, this is bbc news with rachel schofield. the headlines: transport ministerjo johnson resigns from the government over brexit, saying the deal being finalised "will be a terrible mista ke". he's also calling for a fresh referendum. meanwhile, the dup leader arlene foster has said her party couldn't support the government's current proposals on brexit. she accuses theresa may of breaking promises. the prime minister and the french president emmanuel macron have jointly laid a wreath at the thiepval memorial in the somme as part of ceremonies marking 100 years since the end of the first world war. three major wildfires are burning out of control in the us state of california. officials say a number of people have been killed and tens of thousands have been forced

to leave their homes. at least 20 people are killed in car bomb attacks in mogadishu. a militant group says it was targetting government officials. this sunday will mark the centenary of the end of the first world war. as well as the usual service at the cenotaph in whitehall, commemorations will be held across london. events have also been taking place today. as tolu adeoye reports. music. in the city, at lloyd's of london, poppies fell from above as thousands of workers came to remember. music. they fell silent for the fallen of world war i. it's the only time of year that the whole market comes to a standstill, and for about half

an hour, nothing happens. everybody‘s in the building watching the ceremony. music. and at paddington station, the names and images of great western railway workers who lost their lives in the conflict were placed on this train. more than 2000 of them didn't come home. their families came to pay tribute. i am so privileged that my uncle is on the front of the train. it's absolutely marvellous. music. and over the weekend across london, many more commemorations are planned as the nation says thank you 100 years on. when the bells ring out this sunday, for armistice day, it'll be particularly poignant for one woman. grace jones, who's112, is the oldest person in britain. she was just a schoolgirl when the first world war, called the war to end

all wars, broke out. david garmston's been to meet her at her home in the cotswolds. music. the young men of world war i are long gone, beyond our earthly reach. but there remain fine silken threads that draw us close to that special generation. grace, how are you? thank you. it's lovely to meet you. thank you. this is gracejones, the oldest lady in the united kingdom at 112 years. i went to see her at her home in the cotswolds. that's my father, and that's me. she is one of the very few with personal memories of 191a when the war was declared. i can remember people saying the war has started. and people crying.

and then, of course, it was their husbands, their boyfriends, they had to go to the war. the conflict touched every family, including grace's. her brother tom signed up and served in gallipoli. there are no surviving pictures of the dashing young man who went to war. he was a lovely boy. he was in australia when the war started. i can always remember my father had the letter saying that my brother said he should join up. hejoined up, and he was killed. that was a very sad time. lovely brother.

grace lost her mother when she was four, leaving her dad to grieve for tom alone. he went upstairs to his own room. i crept up after him. he was just sitting there crying. yeah. it was a big loss to him, his only son. music. 100 years ago this weekend, on november the 11th, the nation erupted in relief as the guns fell silent, and grace was there on that first armistice day. people with unionjacks screaming and laughing and singing. my eldest sister took me down to where the cars were, and no cars were allowed.

and to see the people dancing all in the road and on the train cars, the open ones, singing away, it was lovely. i remember that. grace's independence and happiness shine through. in part, she says it's down to her nightly drop of whisky. just a little drop. and this weekend, at this great age, she will remember them, especially her lost brother tom. gracejones there at grace jones there at the gracejones there at the age of 112. today marks 80 years since nazis carried out a night of attacks on germanjews, their businesses and synagogues in what many view as the beginning of the holocaust. the anniversary of kristallnacht, or the night of broken glass, comes amid concern about rising

anti—semitism across the west. our berlin correspondent jenny hill reports. prayers for the dead, and the persistent voice of this country's past. these children, the descendants of those who survived the systematic persecution of europe'sjews. 80 years on, kristallnacht still a byword for terror. nazis attacked jewish people, their homes, their shops, their synagogues. it was just the beginning. 6 million people would die in the holocaust which followed. today, in society, there are challenges again. once again, the ugly head of anti—semitism has shown its head. people have to know there's accountability. children growing up in germany have to know what happened in the past, what could happen if we don't stand up for democracy, if we don't stand up for respect and tolerance for people of all societies.

and so every year, the same ritual. each pavement plaque commemorates the man, woman or child dragged from their home nearby and sent to a death camp. for these berliners, a vital reminder, because support for germany's far—right is rising and so is anti—semitism and xenophobia. translation: we always had anti—semitism in germany. it's probably here to stay. but i'm frightened that it has reached such an extent. translation: it's important that we don't forget what happened in the past and that we make sure it never happens again. in the past, too many people were silent. today, we need to say what we think. the long roll—call of the dead. those who built this memorial to europe's slaughtered jews intended it as a warning against some of what is happening now in german society. unimaginable then that an openly

racist party would take seats in parliament. this anniversary comes as this country is redefining its very identity. there is a small but growing minority which says it's time germany left its past behind. but there is an inevitability that, whatever this country's future, it will continue to be shaped by the legacy of this, one of the darkest periods in world history. jenny hill, bbc news, berlin. women around the world are having fewer children, with researchers describing the decline as "remarkable". almost half the world's countries are not producing enough children to maintain their current population sizes. the study, published in the lancet, shows that back in 1950, women were having an average of a.7 children in their lifetime. but by last year, the birth rate halved to 2.a children. there is a huge variation

between countries. in niger in west africa, women tend to have seven children, but in cyprus, they're only having one child. earlier, i spoke to professor melinda mills of oxford university, who's conducted her own research into this. we know that there's a few reasons about why we have had this drop in fertility. one is societal and structural reasons, and the other is division of household labour. so if we think about societal reasons, there's factors such as women entering into education and the labour market, increased contraception. also value changes related to children, such as women moving increasingly from being childless to child—free. we've had also other factors that are very important — childcare availability, and something we have forgotten that wasn't highlighted that much in this study was availability of housing. so can you buy a house and start your family?

and the other last societal factor that's quite important is economic uncertainty. so in periods of economic recessions, or the uncertainty that we're experiencing at this moment, people tend to postpone having children, and in the end we have fewer children. so lots of factors at work here, but factors that differ depending on where in the world you live in. the picture you have outlined is a western european model and yet we see in other countries, particularly in africa, birth rates, fertility rates remain high. well, it's interesting. i think these factors are important across many different countries. so if we think about population estimates, some estimates that have been made by the united nations and others have estimated that when women and particularly young girls in africa start to get more education, we should experience a significant drop in fertility and children. actually, gender equity is a global phenomenon.

women and couples experience it in different ways in different areas of the world. fertility rates across the world are reported to be declining, but we've discovered a football club in county antrim in northern ireland that's baby mad. the greenisland club has had 11 babies this year, bringing a whole new meaning to dribbling and dummies. bbc news reporter helenjones went to meet them. green allen football club shows off its new arrivals. a starting line—up, five boys in six girls. 11 babies in total board over a five—month period between may and october. that's a whole football team's were the babies. and that is music to the ears of management. yes, that's us. all when it is a couple other subsidies but i'm sure

that'll be worked on over the next months or years, one by one. we are just expecting a child in weekend but yourself which is why i cannot really say much to anyone else because i did not know the rest of them at work telling the truth. some of the team but the current crop down to lassies about my bad weather. just a bad winter last year and a few matches all. it was quite ha rd and a few matches all. it was quite hard to get a place to play, why are you going to do? to bring in the air, in the room quite clearly. yes, we had fun at what they put in the water bottles. following a quick picture, it is time for the team photo. he is very good at watching foot ball photo. he is very good at watching football and we do bring her down to watch him play as well. so she is quite the fan at six months, it is worrying. i'm looking for

substitutes now but we qualify any soon? now, i think i'll pass. greenisland football club are top of the league, not only delivering on the league, not only delivering on the pitch but off of it, too. at alanjones the pitch but off of it, too. at alan jones reporting and the pitch but off of it, too. at alanjones reporting and do was not you, it was very cute. it's 200 years since the publication of the novel persuasion by one of england's greatest writers, jane austen. now, her work has inspired a group of women from pakistan to put together a series of short stories called "austen—istan". our correspondent shabnam mahmood reports. a traditional english tea at the dorchester hotel in london organised by women from the jane austen society of pakistan, which has over 1,000 members. they feel the themes of jane austen are very relevant to pakistani women today. a lot of times, it is still considered a man's world.