theresa may tbfll‘i ”12135. (kg-1 fig? _.»' e. : the headlines. theresa may denies misleading parliament over the government's brexit legal advice as the government publishes the document in full. the benefits for patients now as british scientists complete the world's largest gene sequencing project in health care. the academicjailed for spying tells the bbc he was psychologically tortured while imprisoned in the united arab emirates. a warning that money for councils is running out fast as pressure on services increases. and noble man. the best father a son or daughter could have. a son's tribute to his father as us presidents past and present gathered to bid farewell to george bush at his state funeral. ina in a moment it will be time for sportsday but first a look at what else is coming up this evening on

bbc news. at 8:30pm, join us for a special programme where each day during the brexit deal debate bbc parliament guides us through events in the house of commons, that's brexit of the debate at 8:30pm. following the news of the first successful birth following a dead donor we will speak to a researcher in reproductive law and ethics from the university of gloucester at 8:20pm. atio:40pm and the university of gloucester at 8:20pm. at 10:1i0pm and 11:30pm we will look at the story is leading the front pages tomorrow in the papers. the daily telegraph brexit commissioning editor asa bennett and author and journalist rachel shabi willjoin us. that's all ahead on bbc news but now it's time for sportsday. hello and welcome to sportsday. i'm katherine downes. coming up this evening. mixed fortunes meet at old trafford tonight — arsenal, on a remarkable run — visit manchester united, who must do better.

southampton have a new manager — ralph hasenhuttl — he'll take over tomorrow. swimming needs to listen to its athletes — or face a constant battle — according to olympic champion adam peaty. get the swimmers together, get the coaches together, even get the fans together. get more people. and can the oldest rugby club in wales rise from the ashes? neath rfc could be wound up tomorrow. hello and welcome to sportsday. thanks forjoining us. it's been 12 long years since arsenal won at old trafford — manchester united so dominant, in the past, at their home ground. but they've gone three matches in a row without a win,

and jose mourinho‘s future, once again, is being called into question. unai emery‘s arsenal, on the other hand, are on a i9—match winning streak. could tonight be their night? we know we need to change, get more competitive away. i think the team is doing that. we need some players to perform better than they are. we need, as a team, to perform better than we are. for us and me it will be an exciting match, the preparation for this match is also very important for me. very difficult match for us but i think very difficult match for them in spite of our problems with choices, with players, with selection of the team, in spite of that i'm sure they know it will not be easy. this match isa know it will not be easy. this match is a big opportunity for us. it is difficult to win there, in the past and in the future. they are a big

teen with big players and they have a very big atmosphere. it is a very big challenge for us. —— they are a big challenge for us. —— they are a big team. so a big night all round, according to unai emery — and it could be a big one forjose mourinho too — he accepts that improvements need to be made — united down in eighth in the premier league, and mourinho having to adjust his expectations, saying they won't now be in the top four going into the new year. well, for more, here's our reporterjo currie. so, it's a huge night ahead. how important is it thatjose mourinho gets the win for his position if nothing else? united are eighth in the premier league table and the last time that happened david moyes was in charge five years ago and we know what happened to him. as you mentioned, eight points behind fourth place, champions league football probably already gone. but for marini's future, he can't really, you would think, be able to lose tonight. arsenal will come to old trafford full of confidence, this amazing 19 game run unbeaten so they will start favourites. ——

marini 0. they haven't beaten united at old trafford in the league since 2006. one stat for you, at old trafford in the league since 2006. one stat foryou, not at old trafford in the league since 2006. one stat for you, not since 1986 have these two teams played each other and not had either sir alex ferguson or alison lang in the dugout, so a whole new look in the dugout, so a whole new look in the dugout tonight. —— arson ralph hasenhuttl, former rb leipzig manager, has been announced. they say he has got the job because of this enthusiasm for football. what do we know about him as a man and the deal he has signed today? farfrom being a household name in the uk, hasenhuttl will not have been on many fans' raiders but he comes in with a good record of managing the bundesliga, he led leipsic to a second and sixth place finish and he will watch tonight's game from the stands and start officially in the morning but has a contract until 2021 so southampton

clearly hope he will be there for the long term, which is not like them at the moment, because since mauricio pochettino left in 2014, this will be their fifth manager, so they are desperate for stability. what do we know about him as a manager? why has he got thejob? what do we know about him as a manager? why has he got the job? the clu b manager? why has he got the job? the club said it came down to his hunger, he hasn't been in work since may, he is a former austrian international footballer but i think the way he interviewed, perhaps his cv is not as strong as other candidates but clearly given a very first impression. and a special night as well for claudio ranieri at leicester because he is now the manager of fulham but goes back to leicester, back to the king power stadium tonight and he said it will be an emotional equation. stadium tonight and he said it will be an emotional equationlj stadium tonight and he said it will be an emotional equation. i think ranieri will always have a special place in leicester fa ns' ranieri will always have a special place in leicesterfans' hearts after that amazing 2016 season leading them to the premier league title. tonight he will get a warm reception but they will not be any room for sentiment because of fulham at the bottom of the premier league are desperate for points and

returning to leicester, ranieri said it will be strange and an emotional moment but it's 0k, ok, it's football. we spoke a lot about the fairy tale. now with the chairman, who died the fairy tale is finished, i think but the memories remain, the achievement. i'm very sad for what happened. and then we have to continue in our life. i'm sure he will be given a warm welcome when he goes back. thank you for keeping us up—to—date and that you can keep up to date tonight with the premier league action and listen to commentary of manchester united versus arsenal alongside the final score graphics and video printer. just go to bbc iplayer or the bbc sport app and click on 5 live. final score from 7:00pm.

newcastle united are at everton tonight with rumours that the sale of the club is finally on the horizon. 0wner mike ashely put the club on the market in 2017 and there have been a few false alarms. but in an interview this week he said a deal was closer than it had ever been — and its thought the buyer is a consortium headed by former chelsea and manchester united chief executive peter kenyon. 0ur sports news correspondent richard conway has more. we are looking at £300 million. but of course that will come with money on top of that to invest in the squad which would lead to investing in the stadium and training ground. in terms of timeframe, it will be crucial that any new owner will want to be able to invest in this january window. newcastle are languishing in the bottom half of the premier league, relegation threatened perhaps and that would be disastrous for any new owner so they would want time in the january window to put money in and bolster the squad. of course, premier league checks take about 14 days, we have the christmas break, richard scudamore is departing as executive chairman. we are not even sure if a firm bid has been launched, it is simply that peter kenyon is in pole position.

we will see what comes but the clock is ticking because of the importance of the january transfer window and the position of newcastle in the premier league at the moment. so, newcastle at everton later. and there's a busy night in the scottish premiership too — all 12 teams in action. here's kheredine idessane with a preview. no doubt about the game of the night in scotland this evening. it's right here in the south side of glasgow we re here in the south side of glasgow were rangers take on aberdeen. the premiership table speaks to the fine job steven gerrard has done as manager since coming in in the summer. rangers top of the pile, a point clear of champions celtic, who do have a game in hand. rangers' recent form has seen them take maximum points from their last four league matches, scoring 14 goals and conceding just two in the process.

they will be expecting a very tough test, though, from an aberdeen team who knocked rangers out of the league cup semifinals only to lose in the final at the weekend to celtic, which means that the champions are setting their sights now on an eighth successive domestic title. they are away to motherwell tonight. elsewhere among the highlights tonight, third placed kilmarnock having an excellent season and hope to continue it at home to livingston. many of the fans arriving here at ibrox tonight will be wondering in this busy month of december fixtures, can rangers be wondering in this busy month of decemberfixtures, can rangers still be top of the pile when celtic come calling at the end of the month for the famous new year derby. carried didn't had a son, bbc news, glasgow. another football story for you this evening. —— carried in sheffield united women will be without six of their first team players for tonight's continental cup tie

against manchester city — because they can't get away from work. kick—off is scheduled for 7pm this evening, but some of the part—time players who have other jobs, can't get to manchester in time. city turned down their request to delay the match — as they'd already sold tickets and booked staff. sheffield united accept they should have asked earlier. swimming needs to modernise — or risk constant battles with its top athletes — that's according to one of the sport's biggest names. olympic champion and world record holder adam peaty is among a group of leading swimmers to speak out against the governing body, fina. he says swimming is stuck in the 19705. adam peaty is all smiles on the water but he is far from happy with the state of his sport out of it. there is lots of frustration from the swimmers. i'm lucky i'm able to make a living out of it but some of the top swimmers in the world don't even make that and even at world championships they don't get paid

what they deserve. we know swimming needs a professional league. we got to start to put a 2018 twist on it really. feels like we are still in 1970. adam peaty was among a host of 0lympic champions due to compete at the inaugural money spinning international swimming league this month but it was cancelled after fina threatened any athletes who raised from the world championship next year. many feel the governing body did so to protect their own rival event which adam peaty believes is outdated. rival event which adam peaty believes is outdatedlj rival event which adam peaty believes is outdated. i don't think the current format of world cups is working because no one is watching, 90% of the best athletes don't turn up 90% of the best athletes don't turn up because they know there is no prestige around it. what would you like to see happen? how important is it fina buy in? they need to listen, get the swimmers together, the coaches, the fans, get what people want. we need to have professional teams, salaries, pensions and stuff like that and i think fina should be behind that, because why wouldn't you be? in response fina executive

director has told the bbc:... adam peaty isn't alone in being critical of fina's governance with many of the leading swimmers frustrated with the way the sport is being run and are calling for a greater say in key decision—making and long term they are predicting some major changes in world is winning over the next few years. look at triathlon, world series, where the athletes get paid quite handsomely. hopefully swimming can ta ke handsomely. hopefully swimming can take that path, whether it takes four years or ten years i think it will happen but until then it will bea will happen but until then it will be a constant battle between fina and the athletes, i guess. nick hope, bbc news. the supporters of neath rfc — the oldest rugby club in wales — say its heartbreaking, but they want the club to be would up.

proceedings will start tomorrow — and then it's hoped the side, known as the welsh all—blacks — can be reborn. kate morgan reports. commentator: a very emotional moment for the neath captain. gone are the glory days of neath rugby but for the supporters the passion remains. this ground is where my heart is. this ground is where a lot of people's heart is. the saying is, if you cut me i bleed black. but the future of dawn's beloved club is once again under threat. a winding—up petition against the club which trades as neath rugby limited will be heard in court tomorrow. it follows the collapse of owner mike cuddy‘s construction business this summer mind while supporters are used to financial problems, they say this time is different. this is my third wind—up, as it were. i went through it back in the 80s, i went through it with hawkes. this is my third one. it doesn't get any easier. this is quite possibly the first time i've ever been on the side of, and it does hurt me to say it, that we're

on the side of the people trying to close us. the problems off the pitch have spilled on it. this is the most recent home game at the gnoll, their last match was postponed, future fixtures are in doubt as the club struggles to field a team. supporters say while they thank mr cuddy for his support they are working on a rescue plan and have a group of investors waiting for the club to be wound up. the result of the hearing is so vitalfor us. mr cuddy must walk away for us, for the supporters, and for the club in order for us to consolidate, rebuild and move forward. mr cuddy has not responded to their comments but in a statement issued last week he said he continued to love the club and its real supporters. the 54—year—old added he intended to rebuild neath rugby in its present structure but anticipated relegation. he added that during his 25 years involvement at the club he had

invested over £1 million. he said his health remains extremely frail but offered to meet a small group of supporters as soon as he was able. neath port talbot council has issued its own statement about its serious concerns about the future of the club. like supporters, it said it was time for a fresh start. it's everything. the last couple of days the people have rallied around and it has just been immense. it's hard to concentrate, especially when you love the club so much. it's going to be a long 24 hours. as the memories of happier times remain, neath fans will be hoping they have more to celebrate, starting, perhaps, outside court tomorrow. kate morgan, bbc news, neath. now, let's have a look at some of the other stories making the headlines today. andy murray is going to play at the australian open in the new year. he is ranked outside the world's top 250 because of his injury troubles, but can use his protected ranking to gain entry.

he only played in six events this year after returning from hip surgery. the olympic and world track cycling champion dani rowe has retired. she won gold in the team pursuit at the london games and also won three world championship titles with the british team before turning to road racing. she is 28 and says she will stay in the sport. uk sport has hired its first head of mental health. it's after it's chair, dame katherine grainger, began their mental health strategy in october following a series of scandals over the treatment of athletes. and pakistan are on top against new zealand in the third and deciding test in abu dhabi. the black caps have lost two second innings wickets and still trail by 48. ronnie 0'sullivan is on course for a record—breaking seventh uk

snooker championship — an easy win for him over jack lisowski on what is his 43rd birthday. for more on that, and all the rest of the day's action from the barbican in york, here's jason mohammed. thank you very much indeed. welcome back to york, steve davis and john pa rrott back to york, steve davis and john parrott alongside me. ronnie 0'sullivan looking magnificent on his birthday. yes, played very well indeed, helped by jack his birthday. yes, played very well indeed, helped byjack who his birthday. yes, played very well indeed, helped by jack who was a bit loose in his play and shot selection but don't take anything away from ronnie, a brilliant clearance to lead 2—1 and pressed on with a couple of centuries later, he is in good form and will take some stopping. ronnie o'sullivan put the headlines behind him and got on with thejob headlines behind him and got on with the job today. yes, he's good at doing that, he was helped byjack, who didn't play as well as he would have liked, he will be disappointed with that performance but ronnie 0'sullivan generally gets the job done these days against players

further down the ranking and he is in good shape to win this tournament. ronnie is the man to beat? he is the bookmakers' favourite and he is at the business end of every event and it would take something pretty good to be him. stephen maguire winning a thrilling this afternoon. crazy match between him and mark williams and who would have thought at 4—0 in front that stephen would win 6—5. amazing turnaround. mark will be wondering what happened because stephen maguire went ballistic after the interval, century breaks all over the place. from stephen maguire's perspective he must be delighted, mark williams, he put up a good show but stephen maguire is the one. thank you forjoining us. that's it from us. more coverage from the uk championship at 7pm and highlights on bbc two. jason muhammad and the gang there. in sport the prize money on offer can be big — but how about winning £1 million? the only catch — you have to run for 24 hours and scale over 400 obstacles — still want to do it?

well that's the task that awaits british athlete jonathan albon as he travels to iceland this weekend to win the grand prize in 0bstacle course racing. i managed to catch up withjonathan earlier and he told me about what awaits him on saturday. the obstacles will vary from carrying heavy things to jumping over walls, nets, traversing monkey bars, things like that, and also there will be a spear throwing event. is it a full-time thing for you, are you a professional obstacle course racer? is it something you can do, or do you have to work as well? there are not many of us in the world but i moved to norway four yea rs the world but i moved to norway four years ago and quit myjob in the uk and moved up here and i didn't get anotherjob and moved up here and i didn't get another job because i and moved up here and i didn't get anotherjob because i wanted to bed myself in norway and learn a bit more of the language, and at the same timei more of the language, and at the same time i won two big races in the us and that was so much prize money that my wife turned to me and said, why don't you just run instead of getting a job? that's what i've