also on the programme. the motherjailed for killing a sex offender accused of abusing her three sons — she's now campaigning to stop paedophiles from hiding their identities. russia unleashes more missile attacks on ukraine — large swathes are without power but president zelensky says his people are unbreakable. the ball is out of play, the referee blows the whistle. a shock defeat for germany — the four—time winners lose to japan in their first match in qatar. and — heading to the stars? the british paralympic sprinter john mcfall is chosen as the world's first disabled astronaut. and coming up on the bbc news channel. after 17 years of controversial ownership at old trafford, are the glazer family selling manchester united?

good afternoon. the uk's supreme court has ruled that scotland cannot hold an independence referendum without the consent of the uk government. scotland's first minister wants to hold a vote in october next year but the westminster government has refused to allow it. nicola sturgeon says she's disappointed by the decision and says the ruling exposes what she calls the myth "of the uk as a voluntary partnership". the prime minister rishi sunak called the decision "clear and definitive". tonight a series of pro—independence rallies are being held in towns and cities across scotland. here's our scotland editor, james cook. nicola sturgeon has just nicola sturgeon hasjust finished addressing this rally, talking about her desire for what she calls a better, fairer and more equal

scotland. these rallies are happening around the country, with the independence movement determined to demonstrate momentum after one avenue, one potential ave towards their goal was closed. in avenue, one potential ave towards their goal was closed.— their goal was closed. in 2014, westminster _ their goal was closed. in 2014, westminster lent _ their goal was closed. in 2014, westminster lent holyrood - their goal was closed. in 2014, westminster lent holyrood the their goal was closed. in 2014, - westminster lent holyrood the power to hold a vote on independence. now, there is a majority in favour of a referendum on the scottish parliament. at this time, downing street says no. and so, these five judges in the supreme court were askedif judges in the supreme court were asked if holyrood could organise a referendum without westminster�*s consent. fix, referendum without westminster's consent. �* . ' , consent. a lawfully held referendum would have important _ consent. a lawfully held referendum would have important ethical - would have important ethical consequences relating to the union and the united kingdom parliament. therefore... the and the united kingdom parliament. therefore---— and the united kingdom parliament. therefore... the scottish parliament does not have _ therefore... the scottish parliament does not have the _ therefore. .. the scottish parliament does not have the power— therefore... the scottish parliament does not have the power to - therefore... the scottish parliament does not have the power to legislatej does not have the power to legislate for a referendum on scottish independence.— for a referendum on scottish indeendence. , ., . independence. this was not nicola

sturueon's independence. this was not nicola sturgeon's preferred _ independence. this was not nicola sturgeon's preferred path - independence. this was not nicola sturgeon's preferred path to - independence. this was not nicola sturgeon's preferred path to a - sturgeon's preferred path to a referendum and she admitted the judgment was a hard pill to swallow. thisjudgment raises judgment was a hard pill to swallow. this judgment raises profound and thisjudgment raises profound and deeply— thisjudgment raises profound and deeply uncomfortable questions about the bases _ deeply uncomfortable questions about the bases and future of the united kingdom — the bases and future of the united kingdom. her the bases and future of the united kinudom. , , , the bases and future of the united kinadom. , , , ., kingdom. her response? trying to find the next _ kingdom. her response? trying to find the next general _ kingdom. her response? trying to find the next general election - kingdom. her response? trying to find the next general election as l kingdom. her response? trying to find the next general election as a j find the next general election as a referendum on all but name. opponents say that's illegitimate and even some on her side are concerned. and even some on her side are concerned-— and even some on her side are concerned. ~ ., ., ., concerned. what do you say to those su- aorters concerned. what do you say to those suworters of — concerned. what do you say to those supporters of independence - concerned. what do you say to those supporters of independence who - concerned. what do you say to those i supporters of independence who worry that you _ supporters of independence who worry that you are _ supporters of independence who worry that you are leading them into a trap? _ that you are leading them into a tra . ? ., . ., �* that you are leading them into a tra? ., �* i�*m that you are leading them into a tra? ., �* if ., trap? you can't win 5096 of the scottish population _ trap? you can't win 5096 of the scottish population support, i trap? you can't win 5096 of the i scottish population support, you can't win a referendum. that is an essential prerequisite of becoming independent, so anybody who says we can't do this because we might not win, if we can't win we don't deserve to be independent. but the prime minister _ deserve to be independent. but the prime minister said _ deserve to be independent. but the prime minister said after— deserve to be independent. but the prime minister said after a - deserve to be independent. but the prime minister said after a clear - prime minister said after a clear and definitive ruling it was time to move on. i and definitive ruling it was time to move on. ~' and definitive ruling it was time to

move on. ~ , ., , and definitive ruling it was time to move on. ~ , , ., move on. i think the people of scotland want _ move on. i think the people of scotland want us _ move on. i think the people of scotland want us to _ move on. i think the people of scotland want us to be - move on. i think the people of| scotland want us to be working move on. i think the people of - scotland want us to be working on fixing _ scotland want us to be working on fixing the — scotland want us to be working on fixing the major— scotland want us to be working on fixing the major challenges - scotland want us to be working on fixing the major challenges we - fixing the major challenges we collectively _ fixing the major challenges we collectively face, _ fixing the major challenges we collectively face, whether- fixing the major challenges we. collectively face, whether that's the economy, _ collectively face, whether that's the economy, the _ collectively face, whether that's the economy, the nhs- collectively face, whether that's the economy, the nhs or- collectively face, whether that's - the economy, the nhs or supporting ukraine _ the economy, the nhs or supporting ukraine. ~ ., the economy, the nhs or supporting ukraine. ~ . ., , ., ., ukraine. what right does a man with no mandate — ukraine. what right does a man with no mandate have _ ukraine. what right does a man with no mandate have to _ ukraine. what right does a man with no mandate have to deny _ ukraine. what right does a man with no mandate have to deny scottish i no mandate have to deny scottish democracy? mr no mandate have to deny scottish democracy?— no mandate have to deny scottish democra ? ~ .,~ , democracy? mr speaker, when it comes to scottish democracy _ democracy? mr speaker, when it comes to scottish democracy i'm _ democracy? mr speaker, when it comes to scottish democracy i'm pleased - to scottish democracy i'm pleased that the _ to scottish democracy i'm pleased that the scottish _ to scottish democracy i'm pleased that the scottish government - to scottish democracy i'm pleased that the scottish government hasi to scottish democracy i'm pleased - that the scottish government has one of the _ that the scottish government has one of the most _ that the scottish government has one of the most powerful— that the scottish government has one of the most powerful devolved - of the most powerful devolved assemblies _ of the most powerful devolved assemblies anywhere - of the most powerful devolved assemblies anywhere in - of the most powerful devolved assemblies anywhere in the i of the most powerful devolved - assemblies anywhere in the world. so, assemblies anywhere in the world. so. is _ assemblies anywhere in the world. so. is this— assemblies anywhere in the world. so. is this a — assemblies anywhere in the world. so, is this a bleak— assemblies anywhere in the world. so, is this a bleak day— assemblies anywhere in the world. so, is this a bleak day for- so, is this a bleak day for democracy or a triumph for sense? i think it's a good thing. as far as i understand it, that is not a devolved power. my personal preference is that we are part of the uk and we are proud to be part of the uk. n the uk and we are proud to be part of the uk. ~ ., , .,, of the uk. i think that people should have _ of the uk. i think that people should have the _ of the uk. i think that people should have the right - of the uk. i think that people should have the right to - of the uk. i think that people should have the right to vote | of the uk. i think that people - should have the right to vote about anything _ should have the right to vote about anything that they want without being _ anything that they want without being stopped by any larger powers and that— being stopped by any larger powers and that goes against any form of civil rights — and that goes against any form of civil rights and freedom of speech and freedom to vote, which women like mysetf— and freedom to vote, which women like myself have worked so very hard to da _ like myself have worked so very hard

to da i _ like myself have worked so very hard to do. ., �* ~' like myself have worked so very hard to do. ., �* ~ ., to do. i don't think scotland, the last referendum _ to do. i don't think scotland, the last referendum debate, - to do. i don't think scotland, the last referendum debate, the - last referendum debate, the political— last referendum debate, the political debate _ last referendum debate, the political debate was - last referendum debate, the political debate was quite i political debate was quite unpleasant _ political debate was quite unpleasant. i— political debate was quite unpleasant. i think- political debate was quite unpleasant. i think mostl political debate was quite - unpleasant. i think most people would _ unpleasant. i think most people would prefer— unpleasant. i think most people would prefer things— unpleasant. i think most people would prefer things to - unpleasant. i think most people would prefer things to settle - unpleasant. i think most people i would prefer things to settle down before _ would prefer things to settle down before having _ would prefer things to settle down before having that _ would prefer things to settle down before having that again. - would prefer things to settle down before having that again. everyone has different _ before having that again. everyone has different opinions _ before having that again. everyone has different opinions on _ before having that again. everyone has different opinions on it, - before having that again. everyone has different opinions on it, but. before having that again. everyone has different opinions on it, but i l has different opinions on it, but i think them saying straightaway, no, no, you can't do it, it's not fair. people my age who are just starting to learn to vote and all that kind of stuff, it's not fair for us. to learn to vote and all that kind of stuff, it's not fairfor us. 50. of stuff, it's not fair for us. so, scotland _ of stuff, it's not fair for us. so, scotland remains _ of stuff, it's not fair for us. so, scotland remains divided, defenders of the union may be quietly pleased tonight but it's supporters of independence who are on the streets demanding their voice be heard. so, there are difficult questions for both sides this evening, for the prime minister, is this really what a voluntary union of equals looks like? and for the first minister, help with this idea of holding a general election that is in fact a

de facto referendum on independence actually work? on that latter question, the first minister pushed away some of those questions today saying that there will be a special snp party conference in the spring to address some of those issues and they are tricky issues to address. thank you. a mother who killed a man accused of sexually assaulting her sons is campaigning to stop paedophiles changing their names to hide their identity. sarah sands was jailed for seven and a half years for the manslaughter of 77—year—old michael pleasted in 2014. her three children said he had sexually abused them. our home affairs correspondentjune kelly has been hearing her story. sarah sands, back in silvertown in east london where, as a single mother, she made a home with herfamily... took everything from me. ..and where, eight years ago, she stabbed to death a neighbour accused of sexually assaulting three young boys. she had originally befriended michael pleasted, who was 77.

what we can report for the first time is that all three children he was accused of abusing were her sons. they have now turned 18 and have waived their right to anonymity to speak publicly about seeing their mother go to prison. it was just like the little things you miss. when she was gone, obviously it was really difficult to come to her about a certain problem, sometimes you just want to really tell your mum a problem. sarah, did you feel remorse? absolutely. and why did you feel remorse? i bring life into the world. it never occurred to me that i would be guilty of taking life out of the world. while he was awaiting trial for the offences against her boys, michael pleasted was allowed to live back on the estate. sarah sands was caught on cctv as she made her way to his flat.

she says she wanted to appeal to pleasted to plead guilty and spare her sons the court ordeal. she was carrying a knife. she says after he accused her children of lying, she stabbed him. she did this eight times. he bled to death. sarah sands was found guilty of manslaughter rather than murder on the grounds that she had lost control. her original sentence of three and a half years was deemed to be too lenient and was increased to seven and a half years. the offender took with her to the scene a knife which was used in the infliction of fatal injuries when the jury was sure that, at the time, she intended to cause at least serious grievous bodily harm. the offender, having fatally stabbed the deceased, did nothing to assist him, in that she did not call

the emergency services. they absolutely have the right to demand answers from me. i have taken the law into my own hands, i have done that. after she killed him, it emerged that michael pleasted was already a convicted paedophile and had a long history of offending under his original name of robin moult. sarah sands has nowjoined a campaign calling for tighter controls on sex offenders who change their names. they shouldn't be able to just come out, change their name... so then they are like, well, i'm not the person who touched those kids any more. my name is this person and i'm a new man, and theyjust do it again. if he was in prison after 24 l convictions then we wouldn't be sitting here today. and despite what happened in theirfamily, her sons also have this message. if you are being abused or have been abused, try and talk. _ the sooner you say it, the sooner- you can potentially save more people from being in the same pain that you're feeling. - june kelly, bbc news.

you can watch the documentary killing my children's abuser on bbc iplayer, now. and if you have been affected by any of the issues raised you can find help and advice at bbc.co.uk/actionline. russia has launched another wave of missile strikes at targets in ukraine damaging more critical power infrastructure. there were several explosions in the capital kyiv after an air—raid alert was issued for the whole country. half the western city of lviv is reported to be without power after it came under heavy bombardment. in the zaporizhzhia region, a newborn baby was killed when a rocket hit a maternity unit overnight. moscow has recently increased its attacks on ukrainian energy networks. ukraine's president zelensky tonight said ukrainians would get through it all and restore it all becaue they are unbreakable. our europe correspondent, jessica parker, reports from kyiv. smoke billows out on the horizon in kyiv, a city, a country again

waiting to see what damage has been done. just outside the capital, these flats, these homes, were caught up in today's strikes. people forced to leave buildings now completely exposed to the cold, carrying what they can from places that are no longer safe. translation: we heard rockets flying and then . we heard a loud explosion, a red light. in our educational centre, windows and doors blew out, the ceiling fell. the darkness sets in with few lights to show the way. for people to try to find out what has happened and where to go next. translation: we are evacuating people from the building - that was damaged. those who need to sleep somewhere, we are taking them to a hotel where they can stay as long as they need. there will be food and heating there. that bus is just leaving, taking residents who can no longer stay in their homes, perhaps because of the damage

but also there's no power here. the only reason we can see anything at the moment is because of the lights coming from the emergency vehicles, fire trucks and police cars. people here, there is a lot of activity, but they just pass you like shadows. tonight, this city and the area around it left in the dark after strikes that have hit across ukraine. authorities had been working to repair energy infrastructure damaged in previous attacks. today, a serious setback in trying to keep the country warm this winter. "i've just lost my home," she says. he tries to comfort her. tonight, kyiv and many places are plunged into darkness. jessica parker, bbc news. strikes by royal mail postal workers scheduled for tomorrow and friday will go ahead. talks to resolve a dispute over pay have ended without agreement. royal mail say they've tabled their "best and final offer", which includes a 9% wage increase over 18 months. the union has announced ten more strike days including black friday and christmas eve.

but royal mail says they can't match the strikers' demands, due to losses of £1 million a day. the home secretary has admitted that the uk has failed to control its borders and says she and the prime minister are determined to fix the problem. speaking to mps, suella braverman said the home office wanted to quadruple the rate at which it is making decisions on asylum cases to tackle the backlog in the system. our home editor, mark easton reports. choppy waters had stopped migrants making the hazardous crossing to the kent coast recently but the sight of more than 40,000 asylum seekers arriving uninvited this year continues to cause a political storm. . . ., ., storm. can i welcome the home secretary- _ storm. can i welcome the home secretary. today, _ storm. can i welcome the home secretary. today, the _ storm. can i welcome the home secretary. today, the home - storm. can i welcome the home - secretary. today, the home secretary a . aeared secretary. today, the home secretary appeared before _ secretary. today, the home secretary appeared before a _ secretary. today, the home secretary appeared before a committee - secretary. today, the home secretary appeared before a committee of - secretary. today, the home secretary appeared before a committee of mpsl appeared before a committee of mps and was asked about one of the key promises of the brexit campaign she supported. irate promises of the brexit campaign she su- aorted. ~ ., promises of the brexit campaign she su- aorted. ~ . ., promises of the brexit campaign she su- aorted. . . ., ., promises of the brexit campaign she su- aorted. ~ . . ., ., supported. we have failed to control our borders. — supported. we have failed to control our borders, and _ supported. we have failed to control our borders, and that's _ supported. we have failed to control our borders, and that's why - supported. we have failed to control our borders, and that's why the - our borders, and that's why the prime _ our borders, and that's why the prime minister and myself are

determined to fix this problem. the aroblem determined to fix this problem. problem isn't determined to fix this problem. tue: problem isn'tjust determined to fix this problem. he problem isn'tjust at determined to fix this problem. t“te: problem isn't just at the determined to fix this problem. tte: problem isn't just at the borders. problem isn'tjust at the borders. thousands of migrants are being housed in home office acquired hotels around the country, most are waiting an initial signing decision. the daily cost have been put at £7 million a day, now with more hotels being used to the cost will be even higher. this iraqi asylum seeker, his wife and daughter have been living in a single green in a home office hostel in west yorkshire for 11 months. he says the conditions have put a huge strain on the family. have put a huge strain on the famil . ~ , ., family. when i first came to the uk i was family. when i first came to the uk l was happy. _ family. when i first came to the uk l was happy. i _ family. when i first came to the uk i was happy, i arrived _ family. when i first came to the uk i was happy, i arrived and - family. when i first came to the uk i was happy, i arrived and felt - i was happy, i arrived and felt safe. since that time it's got worse, my mental health and my family's mental health is degrading. the home secretary was asked what she intended to do about an asylum system where caseworkers seemed unable to respond to demand. taste unable to respond to demand. we want to deliver sustainable _ unable to respond to demand. we want to deliver sustainable changes - unable to respond to demand. we want to deliver sustainable changes to - to deliver sustainable changes to reach _ to deliver sustainable changes to reach a _ to deliver sustainable changes to reach a minimum of three decisions per decision—maker per week by may of next _ per decision—maker per week by may

of next year~ — per decision—maker per week by may of next year. is per decision-maker per week by may of next year-— of next year. is that feasible? if we look at _ of next year. is that feasible? if we look at the _ of next year. is that feasible? if we look at the most _ of next year. is that feasible? if we look at the most recent - of next year. is that feasible? if - we look at the most recent published figures on the asylum system and compare the year 2015—16 with the last financial year, in both a little over 20,000 asylum cases were completed by home office staff. but the number of caseworkers has increased significantly from 260, seven years ago, to 614. that means backin seven years ago, to 614. that means back in 2015 the average caseworker completed 1.5 cases a week. now productivity has more than halved at just 0.6 cases per week. when suella braverman suggests each worker should be completing three or four per week, she is envisaging a level of speed and efficiency never before seen. refugee agencies say the key to solving the small boats crisis is to solving the small boats crisis is to provide safe routes to the uk from conflict zones. but when challenged on how a 16—year—old a war zone in africa might legally get

to britain tojoin war zone in africa might legally get to britain to join a sibling, war zone in africa might legally get to britain tojoin a sibling, the home secretary appeared flustered. if you're able to get to the uk, you are able to put them location. if you put in your application for asylum upon arrival, that would be the process you enter. hope asylum upon arrival, that would be the process you enter.— the process you enter. how could i arrive in the _ the process you enter. how could i arrive in the uk _ the process you enter. how could i arrive in the uk if— the process you enter. how could i arrive in the uk if i _ the process you enter. how could i arrive in the uk if i didn't - the process you enter. how could i arrive in the uk if i didn't have - arrive in the uk if i didn't have permit— arrive in the uk if i didn't have permit permission to get onto an aircraft _ permit permission to get onto an aircraft legally to arrive in uk? | aircraft legally to arrive in uk? i will aircraft legally to arrive in uk? will invite aircraft legally to arrive in uk? i will invite our colleagues if there's anything they want to add. the weather is currently giving the home office a welcome respite in small boats crossing the channel but when they resume, which they will, the challenges of a broken asylum system will become all too evident once again. the cut time is coming up once again. the cut time is coming up to ten minutes to six. our top story this evening. pro—independence rallies are held tonight as the uk's highest court says scotland cannot hold a fresh independence referendum without westminster's consent.

and coming up, i am at old trafford where, after 17 years as owners, the glazer coming up in sportsday on the bbc news channel. we'll bring you all the news from on and off the pitch at the world cup, including a look ahead to tonight's game between belgium and canada. as japan beat germany, the four—time winners and one of this year's favourites. before the match, the german team staged a protest in a photocall when they all covered their mouths to protest about fifa's threat to sanction players for wearing the onelove armband. our sports correspondent natalie pirks is in doha. sometimes no words are needed to make the most powerful of statements. feeling silenced by fifa, germany's team photo before their match

with japan said plenty. seven nations, including england and wales, had wanted their captains to wear these onelove armbands in qatar, a gesture of solidarity with the lgbtq+ community for a tournament held in a country where homosexuality is illegal. but the threat of sporting sanctions from football's world governing body saw them all back down near minutes before england kicked off against iran on monday. harry kane instead wore the fifa approved catch all no discrimination armband. and were all the squad included in discussions around that? i think as a squad we have all had conversations, we all stand for it, we all wanted harry to wear it but i think the decision got out of our hands as a squad and as players. i think it went higher up than that really. onelove did make it onto german arms today. the interior minister sported it in the stands whilst on social media, the germans sent another clear message.

the danish fa is equally angry at the press backlash the seven nations have received. it is actually those nations who have been trying to make a message, trying to make a difference who are now getting hammered the most. i think the hammering should be on fifa for not allowing what is a very simple message. england, wales and the others say fifa's threats of sporting sanctions are unprecedented. that raises questions about whether they are doing this to keep their hosts happy. fifa as an organisation, - they are supposed to support and understand the views of all different nations . but at the minute i'm only seeing - them kind of understand one nation's view which is a little bit disappointing. i

six germans sported rainbow colours on their boots today but it is this one gesture of silence that is proving to be golden. feelings are running high about this, and a german media director described the decision to not wear as a decision between colour and the plate and germany are looking at legal options open to them. onelove say do purely an equipment regulation breach, nothing to do with the laws of a country or rainbow colours what is different is the threat to use sanctions. in the past this has been met byjust a fine and the seven nations say this tougher stance is seen as a moving of the goal posts are put up meanwhile, today fifa opened disciplinary proceedings against ecuador for disciplinary proceedings against ecuadorfor homophobic disciplinary proceedings against ecuador for homophobic chanting by theirfans towards qatar ecuador for homophobic chanting by their fans towards qatar in the opening match so still a lot of work to be done. for germany, the strong message they sent off the pitch did not translate to message on it as they were humble 2—1 low ranked by

japan, and world cup shock. many issues have overshadowed this tournament. emerging into the hot sun, germany had to let their football do the talking, particularly after a disappointing world cup last time around. but no one knows more about them than japan. eight of their squad play for german clubs. just seven minutes in, they thought they had taken advantage. looked as though he might be offside, though, maeda. would the four—time world cup winners be shaken easily? germany recovered and started knocking at the door. but then the japan keeper knocked david raum down. they tend to be good at these. germany, penalty, world cup? this should go in. and gundogan's spot kick does go in. the manchester city midfielder making it 1—0. germany tried to put the game to bed but shuichi gonda was equal to them, making two double saves.

still in it, japan started to take chances. and their substitutes changed the game. ritsu doan with the equaliser. it has been coming. they had confidence now. a beautiful long ball found takuma asano who buried it. what a wonderfully well taken goal! unbelievably, japan were ahead. last chance for germany, but this was an historic day forjapan and another shock result in this world cup. jane dougall, bbc news. the american owners of manchester united are thinking about selling up. the glazer family bought one of the world's most famous clubs 17 years ago, but they've long faced protests from fans over their ownership and the way they've run the club. our sports correspondent andy swiss is at old trafford. these are turbulent times here at old trafford. it was back in 2005

that the glazer family bought manchester united and it was fair to say the fans have never exactly warmed to them. but now change could be coming because the glazers say they are ready to sell one of the world's most famous clubs. we want glazer out, say we want glazer out! for 17 years, they have protested against their owners. now, finally, united's fans might just get their wish. the rule of the rarely seen glazer family has been one of debt and division, of fading results and increasing anger. last year, fans even invaded the pitch, forcing a match to be postponed. so with their owners now saying they might sell, the message is clear. good. go. they need to go, they been here too long, ruined the club. took so much money out of the club. i feel they don't really care about the club, l i it's all about making money and it'sl time to get someone who truly cares. would you be pleased to see the glazers go? yeah, definitely, definitely. i would say i can't wait for them to go because i feel like it

would be a springboard for us. under the glazers, united have gone from a trophy winning machine to serial underachievers, but the man behind a previous bid to buy the club says there are other reasons why they want to sell. the failed plan for the european super league, that has lingered on, and then the forced and surprising sale of chelsea at the price it went for has clearly influenced them. even by united's standards, this has been a dramatic 24 hours, because while their owners have announced they might be leaving, their star player already is. cristiano ronaldo's exit after an interview in which he said the glazers didn't care about the club has about the club has meant more upheaval. ronaldo is currently at the world cup with portugal, where a united team—mate was today defending him. translation: cristiano has always been an inspiration for me - and it was a dream come true to be able to play with

cristiano at the club. but we know that nothing lasts forever. it was great for me and it was good while it lasted. it all seems a far cry from this, the glory days of when ronaldo was first at united, but these are now changing times at old trafford. the end of an era on the pitch and soon, perhaps, the end of an era off it. andy swiss, bbc news, old trafford. the musician wilkojohnson, whose machine—gun guitar style and manic stage presence was a major influence on punk, has died. he found fame with the 1970s pub—rock band dr feelgood, and later played with ian dury before embarking on a four—decade solo career. the 75—year—old, who also appeared in the tv show game of thrones, continued to play live until last month. the european space agency has chosen the british paralympic sprinter

john mcfall as the first disabled astronaut to join the space training team. he will work with designers and engineers to see if he can be the first disabled person to go into space. john mcfall was named as part of the "class of 2022", which also includes british astrophysicist rosemary coogan. our science editor, rebecca morelle, has the story. it is the job of dreams. with an office that has got spectacular views, offering an out of this world experience. many would love to be an astronaut but very few make the cut. now in paris, the european space agency has added some new names to the role of honour. selected from more than 22,000 applicants, this is the astronaut class of 2022. but for the first time, esa is widening its pool of talent by recruiting the first ever para astronaut. i think being an amputee, being an astronaut was never really on my radar.

john mcfall is a paralympian sprinter. his right leg was amputated above the knee after a motorbike accident. he has been selected using exactly the same criteria as all european astronauts. the only difference is he has a disability. i thought i would have the skills, the mix of skills and scientific background that i could really help them answer this very aspirational question of, can we get someone with a physical disability into space, to work in space safely? all astronauts have to undergo rigorous training. part ofjohn's job will be to test how the kits like spacesuits and spacecraft need to be adapted. his selection doesn't mean he will definitely get to go into space but esa wants to pave the way to make it happen. to people who have lived with disability, who have overcome the challenges throughout their life, the challenge of going into space, they bring something extra compared to the rest of the crew and that is what we really want to bring through this project. the last time a british

astronaut got one of the jobs was more than a decade ago. that was tim peake, who got his trip to the international space station in 16. now two more brits may get the chance of a mission. meganne christian, who is in the reserve squad, and rosemary coogan, an astrophysicist, who is part of the professional astronaut corps, and will start her newjob soon. how are you feeling about the training that is ahead? today is just the beginning, really, isn't it? yeah, absolutely, today isjust the beginning. i it is the end of a veryl long selection process and in no way an end, it is the beginning - of a whole new chapter. i think the training is going to be incredibly exciting and i can't - wait to spend more time with my colleagues, - and we will all be in it together. there will soon be many opportunities for these new astronauts, including trips to the moon with the artemis mission. the hope is this marks the moment we open up a space to everyone. rebecca morelle, bbc news, paris. time for a look at the weather. here's ben rich.

back down to earth with a bump and yet another wet day, i say yet another across the uk because some places have had an awful lot of rain so far this november. in aberdeenshire, more than double the rainfall we would normally expect over the whole of november and not only the north of the uk, these locations on the south coast also have seen more than twice the rainfall they would normally expect the months. and those figures were added to the dead by this band of wet weather that swept north—eastwards, heavy and thundery showers moving in behind, some accompanied by squally winds with a bit of damage in places. tonight, some of the showers will continue, it stays quite breezy, but a little drier for most places by the end of the night. temperatures generally 2-7 , the night. temperatures generally 2—7 , some pockets of trust particularly in north. most places tomorrow will start on a fine note with spells of sunshine —— pockets of frost. but yet another band of