this is bbc news. these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. desperate measures to survive what the un calls afganistan's humanitarian catastrophe. i sold my five—year—old daughter for $1200 and sent my teenage son to iran illegally to work. a wave of industrial action continues to spread across the uk. in scotland teachers are on strike for the first time in almost a0 years. university staff across the uk are also walking out today, and thousands of postal workers start a 48—hour strike in the run—up to black friday. the housing secretary says tens of thousands of homes are unsafe

because of damp and mould, as the government threatens to block funding of failing associations. daily covid infections in china hit a high despite crippling restrictions and snaplock towns. japan the latest to upset the odds in the world cup, beating germany. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. as the un warns of a catastrophic situation in afghanistan, the bbc has found evidence that impoverished families are selling their infant daughters into early marriages. since the taliban took control, the afghan economy has collapsed —

and millions are on the brink of starvation. rates of malnutrition among children have gone up by nearly 50% and the bbc has learned that some people are giving their hungry children potentially harmful tablets to sedate them. we were in this area last year and even at that time the situation was grim, we had meta even at that time the situation was grim, we had met a few families that had told us they were selling their daughters in marriage because they needed money to survive, but this time when we went back, it was overwhelming and so widespread. literally everywhere we went we heard the same stories, people having to sell their young daughters, some people even telling us about selling organs to survive, and something we have come in all of our time covering the humanitarian story, something we have never seen on the ground, which is parents telling us that they are giving

their children tranquillisers, antidepressants, anti—anxiety medicines, so that their hungry children stop crying and go to sleep. this is a report. just outside mac to live tens of thousands, displaced by years of war and natural disasters —— just outside herat. in each home, story of acute hunger. they came to us wanting to be heard. we were shocked by what they said. our children cry because they are going to bed hungry so we give them tablets to put them to sleep. they would be better off dead. does anyone else do this? a lot of us, all of us, they said. this man was carrying the tablets with him, they were tranquilizers.

others later showed us antidepressants they give their children. in the market, you can get five tablets for the price of one piece of bread. he said he gives it to his one—year—old. these men, their dignity broken by hunger. i sold my five—year—old daughter for $1200 and sent my teenage son illegally to iran to work. my younger sons collect rubbish every day. we have nothing. where should we take our children and go? this four—year—old lives next door. she has been sold to be married to a boy from the southern province.

her father has announced at the local mosque that he wanted to sell her because he could not afford to feed his family. at ia, she will be sent away. translation: i used most of the money to buy food i and medicine for my son. look at him. he is malnourished and needs treatment. i'd never think of selling my daughter if i had any other option. we did not have to look hard to find these stories. they were behind every door we walked into. from what we have seen and heard, we know there is a disaster unfolding on the ground here. hunger is a slow and silent killer and often its effects are not immediately visible. the truth is we will never know the scale of what is happening here because no one is counting. people here feel abandoned by everyone, by the government that is currently running this country and by the whole world. this is an emergency.

more than half the country needs life—saving support. millions are one step away from famine. the tablets you saw in that piece, the same used on xanax, how much of the same used on xanax, how much of the world knows it. we asked doctors what they could do to young children, and they said if it is given to very young children without adequate nutrition, it can cause liver damage and a host of chronic disorders. almost every primary and secondary state school across scotland is closed today, as teachers hold a national strike over pay. university lecturers across the uk are also striking — meaning a day of disruption for millions of parents, children and students. it's the most widespread, industrial action in scottish schools for nearly ao—years, with hundreds of thousands of pupils forced to stay at home. here's our scotland

correspondent, lorna gordon. school's out with tens of thousands of teachers in scotland walking out, hundreds of thousands of children affected and parents left making alternative plans for their kids. so it's going to be a bit of a stressful day for them. whilst some parents will be supporting the strike action, i'm sure deep down every parent will really be worrying about the change to schedule, trying to manage childcare, trying to manage kids at home, juggle work. it's just going to be a worrying day. the latest deal on the table would have seen lower paid teachers in scotland receive a rise of up to 6.85%. it's more than the previous 5% offer, but it's well below the 10% rise that unions want. a 10% increase isjust unaffordable for the scottish government. we have a fixed budget. it is already fully utilised for this year. so to do anything that would increase the resolution

that we have on this would mean that money would have to come from elsewhere. so i'm very disappointed that we're moving to strike action. it's disruption for our children and young people and their families that we simply don't want to see. unions are angry and say the offer made by scottish local authorities and the scottish government is insulting — a kick in the teeth. so it seems like another exercise in time wasting, another great charade, another great piece of pantomime by the scottish government and cosla. and what it means is that we will be seeing strike action across scotland that will bring the vast majority of scotland's schools to closure because cosla and the scottish government have failed to take seriously the very, veryjustified claims of teachers. these pupils who have exams on the way say they plan to use their time out of class wisely. so prelims are coming up. so ijust plan on revising for my prelims and, yeah, that's practically it. i'm just going to work _ on my personal statement i need to send off to uni and studyj for a test i have coming up.

i'll be studying for my prelims as well, and i'll be prepping for my interviews as well for uni. this is further disruption after the interruptions in education caused by covid, but teachers say they are facing increasing financial hardship and have no choice but to strike. and more school closures are threatened in the months to come if this dispute is not resolved. lorna gordon, bbc news. joining me now is leanne mcguire who is chair of glasgow city parent's group. thank you for your time today. what do you make of the strike action? do support or not? do you make of the strike action? do support or not?— support or not? obviously from our u-rou support or not? obviously from our grow) perspective _ support or not? obviously from our group perspective we _ support or not? obviously from our group perspective we support - group perspective we support anybody�*s right to strike about preconditions, but that doesn't negate the disruption that is happening for families today, so whilst i think overall most families understand the need for it, it still doesn't take away the chaos it

probably ensures into their lives. how much destruction is that causing forfamilies, parents? how much of an impact as this action having? it is massive. obviously we all talk about working parents, and it is not so easy to take annual leave from your work if you are juggling a job thatis your work if you are juggling a job that is may be on an hourly rate or a contractorjob, but for instance, i had a message from someone yesterday saying she had an appointment with the nhs for a consultation she has been waiting forfor consultation she has been waiting for for a consultation she has been waiting forfor a couple consultation she has been waiting for for a couple of years, just so happen they landed on this day, and due to childcare arrangements are not being in school, she has had to cancel that appointment or trying reschedule it, so i did not go into cancel that appointment or trying reschedule i�* what did not go into cancel that appointment or trying reschedule i�* what that 1ot go into the detail of what that appointment was, but that is another element today. was, but that is another element toda. , ., _ was, but that is another element toda. , was, but that is another element toda. , ., today. obviously there has been a hue man today. obviously there has been a huge man to _ today. obviously there has been a huge man to disruption _ today. obviously there has been a huge man to disruption over- today. obviously there has been a huge man to disruption over the l today. obviously there has been a i huge man to disruption over the last few years because of covid, no one wants to see more disruption, teacher saying to us they are doing

this and of course it's about paper and it is also about providing a better education for the children they teach as well. do you accept that as part of their argument? do you think if teachers were to be paid, the sum of money that they want, orwork paid, the sum of money that they want, or work to get an increase around 10%, that that would lead to better standards in the classroom? i can't obviously comment if it would lead to better standards in the classroom, i think we need to understand teacher's jobs have changed over the last few years, they are an integral part of the community, theirjob has become more of a nurturing role, so is parents i think we all understood that when we had no school during i think we all understood that when we had no 5 our»l during i think we all understood that when we had no 5 our»l during mostly think we all understood that when we had no 5 ol cosla ng mostly think we all understood that when we had no 5 ol cosla in mostly think we all understood that when we had no 5 ol cosla in the mostly think we all understood that when we had no 5 ol ( because he mostly think we all understood that when we had no 5 ol ( because he r discussions think we all understood that when we had no s ol( the use he r discussions think we all understood that when we had no s ol( the wire, 3 r discussions think we all understood that when we had no s ol( the wire, and discussions think we all understood that when we had no s ol( the wire, and disc is;ions it gets a bit distressing when it gets a bit distressing for families, because if you have notice ? 77w notice of tis, 7 notice of this, then it's a advance notice of this, then it's a

bit easier to plan, however if these discussions go right up to the day before, families don't know where they are at, and that is where so soi frustration so i frustration so more frustration on more frustration on the �*e directedtowards cosla on the for scottish government for not trying to come a resolution to come to a resolution sooner. the finite isn't there isn't anything more, where do you issue of there isn't anything more, where do you for issue of there isn't anything more, where do you for pay issue of there isn't anything more, where do you for pay rises ;ue of there isn't anything more, where do you for pay rises ;ue i reflect increased cost of living versus the increased cost of living versus has �* belts bit? we �* belts bit? we hear�* belts bit? we hear that s bit? we hear that s often,�* we heai pott s often,�* we heai pot of often, ' of theg’re they’re fighting the g’re iightihg can the g’r bring ring can the g’r bring the can the g’r bring the chiid can to m hill- as: and heat to on and heat their on and heat their homes on and heat their homes as well. table and heat their homes as well. i'm a bit sceptical when i hear those phrases, because suddenly a

pot of money appears from somewhere, i know there is not a finite amount, but certainly everyone has the right to ask for better conditions on the job, and certainly from what we've seen from our group and parents across the country, i think there is across the country, i think there is a certain level of understanding why this is happening today. around 70—thousand university lecturers and support staff across the uk have walked out today. it is the first of three days of industrial action, in a row over pay, working conditions and pensions. universities say they are putting plans in place to mitigate the impact on 2.5 million students. joining me now is nick cartwright who is a lecturer in law at the university of leeds. thank you forjoining us. pay,

pensions, working conditions, which of these was the biggest motivator for you taking strike action? or is it pretty much equally divided across those three issues? i think it is a combination _ across those three issues? i think it is a combination of _ across those three issues? i think it is a combination of things. - across those three issues? i think it is a combination of things. it i across those three issues? i think it is a combination of things. it is| it is a combination of things. it is divided, and there is also pay inequality within the sector as well, part of the issue we are looking to address. casualisation, pain equality, as well as the three things you mentioned, i kind of the five reasons members are out. in real terms, what is your pay now compared to few years ago? i started lecturin: in compared to few years ago? i started lecturing in 2000, _ compared to few years ago? i started lecturing in 2000, i— compared to few years ago? i started lecturing in 2000, i have _ compared to few years ago? i started lecturing in 2000, i have been - compared to few years ago? i started lecturing in 2000, i have been doing| lecturing in 2000, i have been doing this for 22 years, i had a look on the ins website last night, pi had as a student doing a masters degree entering the profession in real terms was only a few thousand pounds less than what i earn now as an experienced lecture with a phd at the top end of my career, so in real terms that means inflation has meant pay is cut by around about 25% over

the last ten years or so. that pay is cut by around about 2596 over the last ten years or so.— the last ten years or so. that is clearly not _ the last ten years or so. that is clearly not what _ the last ten years or so. that is clearly not what you _ the last ten years or so. that is clearly not what you expected i the last ten years or so. that is. clearly not what you expected as the last ten years or so. that is - clearly not what you expected as you progress through your career, gained more experience and expected to be rewarded in proportion for that, i presume? rewarded in proportion for that, i resume? , ., . ., . rewarded in proportion for that, i resume? , presume? yes, most academic staff, and i know this _ presume? yes, most academic staff, and i know this is _ presume? yes, most academic staff, and i know this is non-academic - and i know this is non—academic staff supporting us, they have not been treated well either, but most academic staff are highly qualified in the area they are experts in and highly qualified as teachers, most of them have done a teaching qualification alongside having a phd or equivalent, quite a lot of lecturers have experience of working within the job they're preparing students for, and yet the pay does not reflect that level of expertise. how are the strikes affecting your students? i how are the strikes affecting your students? . , ., ~' how are the strikes affecting your students? . , ., ~ ., students? i currently work at the university of _ students? i currently work at the university of leeds, _ students? i currently work at the university of leeds, and - students? i currently work at the university of leeds, and until- students? i currently work at the | university of leeds, and until may this year i worked at university of northampton, we were on strike there last year, and it is pleasing that both universities, the student union locally have come out in support of the national union of students,

national sport, the national union of students, nationalsport, because the national union of students, national sport, because i think students recognise casualisation, pay inequality, the conditions in which we work, having lecturers who are stressed because of increased workloads, staff were on temporary and insecure contracts teaching them is not the learning environment the students deserve.— students deserve. many students su ”ortin students deserve. many students supporting you. _ students deserve. many students suworting you. but _ students deserve. many students supporting you, but how, - students deserve. many students supporting you, but how, the - supporting you, but how, the question i asked was how do you think the strikes are affecting your students in terms of disruption to their work? students in terms of disruption to theirwork? i students in terms of disruption to their work?— their work? i think in the short term there _ their work? i think in the short term there will _ their work? i think in the short term there will be _ their work? i think in the short term there will be some - their work? i think in the short - term there will be some moderate disruption to their work, but the key messaging as we are going out at the moment for three days over two weeks, you have already said in the opening that universities are intending to mitigate that, and i think they probably will. what we are trying to demonstrate the strength of feeling here. there are 70,000 members, huge vote in favour of strike action, those numbers come out today in a significant picket line then we very clearly signals what it is, the support we've got, we've got the student support, and

it is for the sector, for the employers to respond to that quickly and swiftly, and if they do, if the act responsibly, and the effect on students will be minimal. this has been going on for a considerable amount of time. for most of that time, the employers have refused to come to a negotiating table and tall, and if someone is not talking to you, you cannot discuss it with them. at the moment the destruction is minimal, it will be significant, but that can easily be avoided by a responsible employer coming to the table and talking to the unions. joining me now is vivienne stern who is the chief executive of universities uk. thank you for your time. what action is being taken to mitigate the impact of this industrial action for students? i impact of this industrial action for students? ~' ., ,., , impact of this industrial action for students? ~' ., ,._ , impact of this industrial action for students? ~' ., , ., students? i think the to say is that the students _ students? i think the to say is that the students are _ students? i think the to say is that

the students are affected - students? i think the to say is that the students are affected by - students? i think the to say is that the students are affected by the i the students are affected by the strike or a court that had a really hard time to the pandemic and i think the universities are going to be doing absolutely everything you can to make sure students are not adversely affected by the strike action and they will do things like making sure learning materials are available online where that is possible, by rescheduling teaching thatis possible, by rescheduling teaching that is lost, where that is possible, by making sure that virtual learning environments and libraries are open, and whereby it is necessary, either extended deadlines are altering assessments of students themselves don't get adversely impacted in the things that they need to do in order to be successful in their degrees as a result of the action.— successful in their degrees as a result of the action. obviously to be successful— result of the action. obviously to be successful in _ result of the action. obviously to be successful in their _ result of the action. obviously to be successful in their degrees i result of the action. obviously to | be successful in their degrees the very best possible teaching and to take the example of the lecture i spoke to a few minutes ago, earning in real terms only a few thousand pounds more compared to at the very beginning of his career, he says he is now at the peak of his career,

really, lecturers should be expecting to earn more than that, shouldn't they, in terms of pay progression. shouldn't they, in terms of pay progression-— progression. the reality of the situation we _ progression. the reality of the situation we are _ progression. the reality of the situation we are in, _ progression. the reality of the situation we are in, i - progression. the reality of the situation we are in, i think - progression. the reality of the situation we are in, i think for| progression. the reality of the i situation we are in, i think for all visiting moment it is difficult, and obviously the inflation pressures are putting real pressure is on staff in terms of cost of living. what universities have done through the last parent is go as far as they can afford in increasing pay stop there as a minimum uplift of 3% for all staff, but that is increasing to 9% for staff on the lowest rate, and it is a national pay bargaining approach, so we have to try to make sure the offer is affordable to all institutions,. as far as they can afford, you say, but that is not the

same thing as what any individual lecture might deserve to earn in terms of fair pay progression. those are not the same things, are they? i think for all employers there is a balance that has to be struck between what an organisation can afford to pay without busting the bottom line of the budget, and what you want to do to make sure you reward staff, and it's important to see universities are buildings, they are the people who work in them and the students who study in them, so of course universities want their staff to be well rewarded and to have careers which are really satisfying, and that has got to be balanced with affordability, and if your income is not rising, and for universities, particularly given the ten year freeze on the income they get for teaching uk students, income isn't going up, but costs are rocketing, so energy bills are going up rocketing, so energy bills are going up very fast for universities just like the are for all of us and they

are having to meet increased costs on every front just like are having to meet increased costs on every frontjust like everybody is because of the rising cost of living, so it's a balance, trying to do the best for staff but... let me come in, do the best for staff but... let me come in. sorry _ do the best for staff but... let me come in, sorry to _ do the best for staff but... let me come in, sorry to interrupt, - do the best for staff but... let me come in, sorry to interrupt, spokej do the best for staff but... let me i come in, sorry to interrupt, spoke a little earlier toj o'grady, general secretary of the university and couege secretary of the university and college union, she said the people running the show, they thought people, the bosses that universities are often paid half £1 million in the sector has over £40 billion of reserves, she said, so do you accept those figures? and if so, why is it some of that money going into the pay packets of your lecturers? the reserves point i think is important to explain, it is not possible to fund a cost that you meet every year, the pay bill, out of reserves which are there for often very specific purposes and for the rainy

day that we may find we face in the near future, day that we may find we face in the nearfuture, so day that we may find we face in the near future, so universities day that we may find we face in the nearfuture, so universities have day that we may find we face in the near future, so universities have to keep reserves in order to be financially stable, and some of those reserves are also restricted in the way that universities can spend them, so if the university receives a philanthropic donation to put a building up the cat then spent on pay, we cannot spend the money we have put aside for things that are unforeseen or that have been earmarked for a specific purpose on a recurrent cost like pay, so i think the union should acknowledge there is a limit to what universities can do. what about the disparity between the pay of university chancellors, for example, and lecturers? it is there something that can be done on that? university vice chancellor's _ that can be done on that? university vice chancellor's pay _ that can be done on that? university vice chancellor's pay is _ that can be done on that? university vice chancellor's pay is set _ that can be done on that? university vice chancellor's pay is set by - vice chancellor's pay is set by governing bodies, by the cheers of councils, not my vice chancellors

themselves and universities are incredibly complicated organisations to run, you need people who have a very broad skill set in order to manage an organisation that in many cases it will have you are talking about tens of thousands of students, huge commitments in terms of staff and the research projects and all of the kind of complexities that go with running a massive organisation, and governing bodies are competing for people they think have got the stronger skills to make the universe successful, and that is what you see university vice chancellors being paid at this level, because there is competition for the people in those roles. thousands of postal workers

in the uk have begun a 48—hour strike over pay, jobs and conditions in the run—up to black friday. royal mail said it had made its "best and final offer" to staff and accused unions of "holding christmas to ransom." staff said the offer would "spell the end of royal mail as we know it". our members are fighting for theirjobs. we're fighting against compulsory redundancies. we're actually fighting to also save the service, the service that has served this country well for so many years and can still go on being a major contributor to the uk economy. that's what this dispute is about. it's also about saving the service for the public and defending all of the work that our postal workers do on a daily basis in every community across the uk. get in touch with me on twitter about the strikes are any of the other sorties were recovering today.

ukraine's president zelensky has accused moscow of crimes against humanity, after fresh russian strikes battered the country's already failing electricity grid. addressing an emergency meeting of the un security council requested by kyiv, mr zelensky said russia had been methodically devastating cities with indiscriminate attacks — hitting residential buildings, schools, transport and hospitals. these are pictures of the aftermath of some of those attacks — which triggered nationwide alerts. the ukrainian energy system has been left in tatters and millions have been subjected to long periods without electricity, after weeks of russian bombardment. ukraine proposes that the security council adopts a resolution condemning all forms of energy terror. let's see if anyone in the world, along with russia, can say that terror against civilians are supposedly good. the un population fund has condemned "in the strongest terms" wednesday's

attack on a maternity hospital in the zaporizhzhia region. jaime nadal is the un's representative in ukraine — he's been travelling around ukraine and gave us his assessment of the damage there. well, the conditions are terrible, i have to say, the level of destruction is massive. many hospitals have been affected. if we think about, we consider maternity, almost 400 maternities in the country, more than 70 are not operational at this point. those are maternities in the areas most affected by the war, closer to the front, closer to the contact line, or in areas that have been recently liberated. the conditions are terrible also because

the roads are very dangerous, there are many areas that have been mined, and for women to access those facilities, well, it is really difficult these days. without any guarantees that they will find the kind of services that they need, the reproductive health care that they need once they get there because without electricity, without water, oftentimes getting their treatment, their checkups in makeshift shelters and in basements of buildings, well, that is a completely substandard situation and, well, it is a critical situation, i have to say. if today's action at the world cup in qatar has just got under way, with switzerland's group g match between switzerland and cameroon. another african side, ghana, will be in action today, when they take on portugal in group h. joining us now is salim kikeke, presenter at bbc africa and the world service. run us through the highlights of today. is there a score for the switzerland

against cameroon game? 26 minutes -la ed in against cameroon game? 26 minutes played in so — against cameroon game? 26 minutes played in so far— against cameroon game? 26 minutes played in so far the _ against cameroon game? 26 minutes played in so far the score _ against cameroon game? 26 minutes played in so far the score line - against cameroon game? 26 minutes played in so far the score line is - played in so far the score line is 0-0. a played in so far the score line is 0—0. a big day for africa today is cameroon and ghana are playing, and if he look seems to be any of this tournament, it has been two draws and one loss, senegal, the opening campaign, losing to the netherlands and draws for tunisia and morocco yesterday. a big david cameron hoping to change, —— a big day for cameroon, five times african champions, feel this is their time. in the work up to this in a 19 establish and introduced themselves by scoring against argentina, which had diego maradona, and it has been quite a big football nation. i have

been speaking to cameroonian fans and they are hoping and believe that this is their time and they are going to go all the way to the final and hopefully when the tournament. of and hopefully when the tournament. of course, they have the backing of a former international player for cameron who is the president of the football association of cameroon. for ghana coming into this game, they had a terrible terrible cup of nations earlier this year and are hoping they will have a very good world cup. they played in the quarterfinals in world cup. they played in the quarter finals in south africa in 2010, but they are hoping this whole controversy with rinaldo, and if you like with ronaldo could go either way, he doesn't have a job at the moment and he could potentially use this game as a stage for his job interview, or if, and that's what began fans are hoping for, that this

controversy has gotten too aside and hopefully he has a stinker of a game and they start with a win.— and they start with a win. ghana miaht be and they start with a win. ghana might be looking _ and they start with a win. ghana might be looking at _ and they start with a win. ghana might be looking at japan - and they start with a win. ghana | might be looking at japan beating germany and on paper going into this game portugal clearly be favourites, but they may take inspiration from some of those surprise results we have already seen.— some of those surprise results we have already seen. absolutely, and when ou have already seen. absolutely, and when you speak — have already seen. absolutely, and when you speak to _ have already seen. absolutely, and when you speak to people - have already seen. absolutely, and when you speak to people around l when you speak to people around here, they say this is a theremin of surprises. the saudi arabia argentina game, we will talk about this for years, and this is an argentina side that has lain no messy, and a big shock yesterday with japan beating germany, that was quite unexpected and when you look at it portugal are number nine in the fifa world rankings, gann is number 61, it is the lowest ranked

team in this whole theremin, but seeing those two examples, they feel like they're going to go for it and hopefully get a win. look at it, both teams, rinaldo potentially could probably be his last world cup, like so many other players in this world cup,, but also in ghana you have brothers coming to the end of their career, and they will want to finish with a bang. —— ronaldo. daily covid infections in china have hit a record high since the start of the pandemic nearly three years ago. that's despite crippling restrictions on life, including snap lockdowns. tightened measures have been announced for zhengzhou — where workers at the world's largest iphone factory have been clashing with security forces over covid—related conditions and pay. our correspondent stephen mcdonell in beijing has more like, so, for example,

i am at home and my community is under a form of lockdown so everyone can be tested, because one person in this complex was linked to a case. it may only last for one day or it could go on. of course, if the testing picks up more people, we could be here for one week. all across this district, especially in beijing, there are thousands of towers where people are confined to their homes. in many cases, it's a minimum of three days at the moment as the city government tries to deal with the outbreak here. that is going on all across china, north, south, east, west, you have various levels of lockdown in many cities, of course, this is really hitting the economy here. and it is despite the fact that there have been very serious measures put in place to try to prevent the spread of the disease. the thing is, though, recently, the authorities

introduced a series of measures to try and take the heat off the economy, they know that zero covid—19 is smashing the economy. but the problem is that they kind of created the worst of both worlds, businesses are being hit but by easing some of the measures, they are not as effective at crushing every outbreak as it happens. the feeling is this might drag the crisis on for even longer. and we have no indication yet from the government what the off road is and that it is a time when china has recorded its highest ever daily number of cases across the country. ofgem is increasing its price cap on gas and electricity from january, pushing up the amount the government has to pay to shield households from the high cost of energy. without the government support, the average household would be paying about £4,279

for its energy under the new cap. but the government support will ensure that average households pay £2,500. ofgem's move will not change the amount households pay for their energy at least until april. let's talk now to peter smith, director of policy at good morning. some people might look at this and their instant reaction might be ofgem increasing the price cap, this is a real worry for us in terms of our immediate bills, but the message as that is not the case, basically, as that right? it is the message as that is not the case, basically, as that right?— basically, as that right? it is very reassuring. _ basically, as that right? it is very reassuring, we _ basically, as that right? it is very reassuring, we know _ basically, as that right? it is very reassuring, we know energy - basically, as that right? it is very reassuring, we know energy billsj reassuring, we know energy bills would be £1700 more if the energy price guarantee was not in place and doing the work it is doing. it is incredibly welcome. and the release of the cap today underlines how much more people would be paying.

however, we do have a few concerns in some of the detail, it will make a big difference depending on how you a big difference depending on how y°u pay a big difference depending on how you pay for your energy. we know that households that are on standard credit and pay by cheque or cash will pay a lot more compared to direct debit customers and some households on prepayment meters will pay a lot more. those changes in the cap really do matter. because they are not offset by the government energy price guarantee, those households will be paying more as a result of the day's announcement. this is pushing up the amount the government has to pay, as you say, to shield households from the cost of energy, but, ultimately, that has to be paid for down the line? that is riuht. to be paid for down the line? that is right- the _ to be paid for down the line? trust is right. the government have made recent announcements highlighting big changes where the average of £2500 will go up to £3000. they have

also announced the duration of the support will last one year compared to the previous two year commitment. overall, the government is making a huge saving as a result of those announcements. you are right, today, it underlines how much it is costing the taxpayer to offset these huge impacts caused by the energy crisis. it is also worth discussing what is your best advice to the public in this situation, people are trying to conserve energy, try not to use energy where they can avoid it. yes. energy where they can avoid it. yes, we know that _ energy where they can avoid it. yes, we know that even _ energy where they can avoid it. yes, we know that even an _ energy where they can avoid it. yes we know that even an average of £2500, although better than it would otherwise be is still totally unaffordable for many households, many people are getting in contact with us, living with the consequences of trying to reduce their energy to the point where it is dangerous for them. we would say to households it is vital to root out the support the government is making available, all households until the end of march should be

entitled to £400 rebate of their energy bills. for most customers, the hassles on direct debit, they should have already received that, there are challenges in terms of households that are on old prepayment customers getting access to those vouchers and redeeming them, we would urge people to update their contact details if they have not done so with their energy supplier and get that vital support. thank you very much. i'm joined now by our business correspondent marc ashdown can you run through us what the relationship now is between ofgem which sets the price caps and the government in terms of the support it is giving to households. the first thing _ it is giving to households. the first thing to _ it is giving to households. tie: first thing to point out, this bears no relevance to your bills at home, what they're paying for their energy, lots of countries around the world are net importers of energy.

the uk is no different so we are at the mercy of the wholesale gas price, that very high. the government stepped in with an energy price guarantee, no typical belt pair will pay more than £2500 for their energy until april. after april, that is rising to £3000 until 2024. this is all theoretical wort of german saying today, we are in a parallel universe, in the background, this is what would have happened without the cap. ofgem is the energy regulator, they brought in the cap in 2019 to stabilise the market and make sure consumers are not paying over the odds, they are now saying if the government had not stepped in, the gap —— cat would have gone from 3500 injanuary two have gone from 3500 in january two thousand 900. the average bill payer would pay no more than £2500. it tells us the scale of the government intervention, the difference what it would have been and what the

government is picking up the difference. the resolution foundation today estimates the difference is £630 for the three months between january and difference is £630 for the three months betweenjanuary and march. that is what hassles would have had to be on top. the government is forking out £16 billion for those three months alone to make up the difference. ., ., ., , difference. looking ahead, if any government _ difference. looking ahead, if any government is _ difference. looking ahead, if any government is to _ difference. looking ahead, if any government is to be _ difference. looking ahead, if any government is to be the - difference. looking ahead, if any government is to be the masterl difference. looking ahead, if any. government is to be the master of its own destiny and not at the mercy of the whole surprise, it has to look at energy storage, renewables, what is the uk doing on that front? lots of projects to try and improve renewables and make us less reliant on russian gas, and to be able to store gas up to get us through. lots of european countries do it, the uk is behind the curve on that. analysts are looking at where we go from here. core insight are a good analyst, they are saying the ofgem cap if the government did not step

and would go to 3900 and 21p in april and come down to £3500 injuly and then to £3300 from october to december next year. that is significantly above the £3000 cap which will come on in april, it will go which will come on in april, it will 9° up which will come on in april, it will go up a bit, the estimate, overalls for the 18 months of report, it could cost between 38 and £42 billion over those months. the government will be hoping the wholesale prices start to come down, you can knock billions of the bill if the price starts to come down. the chancellor said today beyond april 2024 which is what they have put the cap in place until there will be no more support. it is sobering at the moment, if the prices stay high, the bills will be over £3000 for the average household.— over £3000 for the average household. ., ,, , ., , . ., household. thank you very much for that. england's housing secretary, michael gove, says tens of thousands of homes are not in the state they should be.

the government has stripped a housing association in rochdale of its funding because it failed to treat mould that led to the death of a two—year—old boy. mr gove said the association would have to prove it's a responsible landlord before it could receive public funds. our chief political correspondent, nick eardley, has more on mr gove's warning. particularly after the death of awaab ishak, his family had complained about mould in their flat, were told to paint over it, and the mould was linked to the young child's death in the end. at just two years old. what michael gove is saying today is rochdale won't get the £1 million it was expecting from the government to try to expand, and the other housing associations won't get extra cash from the government if they fail to meet high standards which are set by ministers. the regulator for social housing has written to housing associations and local authorities

to make sure we have a particular focus on damp and mould but it's also the case there is a responsibility on housing associations and other landlords to let us know about other hazards and about the people living with and how they are dealing with them, and we are giving new powers to the regulator in order to make sure housing associations are kept up to the mark, but i fear it is the case there are tens of thousands of properties that are not in the situation, not in the state they should be in. quite striking, tens of thousands of properties not in the state they should be in. i think mr gove is trying to set out the scale of the challenge, but i suspect a lot of people will find that quite worrying, the idea that there are tens of thousands of properties in england which are deeply problematic, so as well as saying to housing associations that if you don't meet high standards we're not going to give you any money to expand,

the government is also putting money today into enforcement of making sure private landlords are meeting their obligations as well. a lot of the money the government has earmarked today is going to go to areas where there have been particular problems, like greater manchester, leeds and cornwall as well. it is all part of a strategy for mr gove's department to try and clamp down on this issue. there is broad political consensus that needs to happen, although labour are saying they want even stricter rules imposed in the first place so the regulation is even more significant. i want to talk to you about the situation regarding the deputy prime minister dominic raab, as we reported a second ago, senior civil servants from multiple government departments are preparing to submit formal bullying complaints, they want that to be part of the other investigation that has already started into his conduct, and given

that the number of people preparing to submit formal complaints is growing, how much trouble as the deputy prime minister in? quite a lot, i think is the answer. it's a deeply uncomfortable position for the deputy prime minister, firstly we have these two official formal complaints that are being investigated, the potentialfor more as newsnight were reporting last night from senior civil servants wanting to add their complaints to this investigation as well. it will ultimately up to be to downing street to decide whether that will happen, but as pressure to mr raab, the idea that more people are prepared to come forward with their grievances. he insists he has done nothing wrong, that he has always had good relationships with the civil servants he worked with, some of those around him have suggested he is a pretty tough boss, that he worked pretty hard, but is not a bully, but the fact

the deputy prime minister is potentially facing several formal complaints about his behaviour is uncomfortable for him, and uncomfortable for the prime minister as well, because he is very close to mr raab and it is only a couple of weeks since gavin williamson was, took the decision to resign, was not force even asked, took the decision to resign after complaints about his behaviour were made in the press. now, if you're the parent of a teenager, there's a good chance you worry your child spends too much time playing video games. but studies have found that, in moderation, gaming can have benefits for well—being. nice recently approved a series of digital games to help young people with their mental health. across the uk, more than 44 million people play video games, more than half the population. wow!. children

in need have been funding projects across the uk that use gaming to support young people and i have been to meet some of them.— support young people and i have been to meet some of them. hello, my name is seth, i am — to meet some of them. hello, my name is seth, i am 13 — to meet some of them. hello, my name is seth, i am 13 years _ to meet some of them. hello, my name is seth, i am 13 years old _ to meet some of them. hello, my name is seth, i am 13 years old and _ to meet some of them. hello, my name is seth, i am 13 years old and i - is seth, i am 13 years old and i have duchenne muscular dystrophy. what helps me is my chair and one of the most important thing is, video games. he the most important thing is, video names. . , _ ., the most important thing is, video names. _ ., . ., , games. he has held by a charity based in sully _ games. he has held by a charity based in sully on _ games. he has held by a charity based in sully on the _ games. he has held by a charity based in sully on the outskirts l games. he has held by a charity| based in sully on the outskirts of cardiff. they encouraged him to become a member of the youth parliament where he advocates for disability awareness. they also have a gaming room. ii disability awareness. they also have a gaming room-— a gaming room. if you are in a wheelchair, _ a gaming room. if you are in a wheelchair, you _ a gaming room. if you are in a wheelchair, you cannot - a gaming room. if you are in a wheelchair, you cannot run . a gaming room. if you are in a - wheelchair, you cannot run around with everyone, when i play mine craft i can run around and jump in all sorts of games and it is really fun. i all sorts of games and it is really fun. ., ., , all sorts of games and it is really fun. . ., , ., ' all sorts of games and it is really fun. . . , ., ' ., fun. i am master, i am 15, and i volunteer— fun. i am master, i am 15, and i volunteer for _ fun. i am master, i am 15, and i volunteer for valleys _ fun. i am master, i am 15, and i volunteer for valleys kids. - fun. i am master, i am 15, and i volunteer for valleys kids. and?

they _ volunteer for valleys kids. and? they provide opportunities for children— they provide opportunities for children and young people through gaming _ children and young people through auamin. ., , ., . , children and young people through auamin. ., ,., . , children and young people through auamin. ., ., ., gaming. one of their pro'ects was to recreate gaming. one of their pro'ects was to reereeet the — gaming. one of their pro'ects was to recreate the fermi“— gaming. one of their projects was to recreate the fernhill colliery - gaming. one of their projects was to recreate the fernhill colliery in - recreate the fernhill colliery in main craft. recreate the fernhill colliery in main craft-— recreate the fernhill colliery in main craft. , ., ., ~ , main craft. maths homework is boring but if ou main craft. maths homework is boring but if you are — main craft. maths homework is boring but if you are doing _ main craft. maths homework is boring but if you are doing a _ main craft. maths homework is boring but if you are doing a game _ main craft. maths homework is boring but if you are doing a game where - main craft. maths homework is boring but if you are doing a game where to l but if you are doing a game where to -et but if you are doing a game where to get out _ but if you are doing a game where to get out of— but if you are doing a game where to get out of a — but if you are doing a game where to get out of a maze, you have to do maths _ get out of a maze, you have to do maths problems, that is way more fun and you _ maths problems, that is way more fun and you can _ maths problems, that is way more fun and you can remember more. through gaming— and you can remember more. through gaming and_ and you can remember more. through gaming and working with valleys kids i gaming and working with valleys kids i have _ gaming and working with valleys kids i have gone from the little child in primary— i have gone from the little child in primary who would not speak to anyone, — primary who would not speak to anyone, would not look up from the table. _ anyone, would not look up from the table. to— anyone, would not look up from the table, to being in the school show and in _ table, to being in the school show and in the — table, to being in the school show and in the debate team and volunteering.— and in the debate team and volunteering. and in the debate team and volunteerinu. ., . 11, ., , volunteering. hello, i am 20 years old now, volunteering. hello, i am 20 years old now. i— volunteering. hello, i am 20 years old now. i am _ volunteering. hello, i am 20 years old now, i am disabled, _ volunteering. hello, i am 20 years old now, i am disabled, gay, - volunteering. hello, i am 20 years old now, i am disabled, gay, and ij old now, lam disabled, gay, and i have _ old now, iam disabled, gay, and i have been— old now, lam disabled, gay, and i have been bullied _ old now, lam disabled, gay, and i have been bullied a _ old now, iam disabled, gay, and i have been bullied a lot— old now, iam disabled, gay, and i have been bullied a lot in- old now, iam disabled, gay, and i have been bullied a lot in my- have been bullied a lot in my childhooo _ have been bullied a lot in my childhood-— have been bullied a lot in my childhood. �* �* . childhood. bbc children in need fund the action group _ childhood. bbc children in need fund the action group that _ childhood. bbc children in need fund the action group that helps - childhood. bbc children in need fund the action group that helps him. - the action group that helps him. opportunities to game, act and present through their film —based

project, wetted wales. present through their film -based project, wetted wales.— present through their film -based project, wetted wales. gaming was a safe sace project, wetted wales. gaming was a safe space for — project, wetted wales. gaming was a safe space for me _ project, wetted wales. gaming was a safe space for me personally, - project, wetted wales. gaming was a safe space for me personally, but - project, wetted wales. gaming was a safe space for me personally, but it i safe space for me personally, but it also meant — safe space for me personally, but it also meant that _ safe space for me personally, but it also meant that i— safe space for me personally, but it also meant that i could _ safe space for me personally, but it also meant that i could escape - also meant that i could escape reality— also meant that i could escape reality and _ also meant that i could escape reality and he _ also meant that i could escape reality and be in _ also meant that i could escape reality and be in my— also meant that i could escape reality and be in my own - also meant that i could escape reality and be in my own world also meant that i could escape - reality and be in my own world and be my— reality and be in my own world and be my little — reality and be in my own world and be my little fantasy— reality and be in my own world and be my little fantasy dream. - reality and be in my own world and be my little fantasy dream. iehi�*hilel be my little fantasy dream. while many charities _ be my little fantasy dream. while many charities and _ be my little fantasy dream. while many charities and experts - be my little fantasy dream. while many charities and experts see i be my little fantasy dreamm many charities and experts see the benefits to gaming, it is not the solution for everyone and some fine playing video games addictive. time -la in: playing video games addictive. time playing video _ playing video games addictive. t he playing video games addictive. t he playing video games has to be balanced, if you find yourself feeling irritable, tired, angry, frustrated, take a step back, that balance really, really important. ? seth will continue to be a big advocate of gaming. they are really important to me, i can't alwaysjoin in, but in video games i can always join in with everyone.— in, but in video games i can always join in with everyone. gaming can be a force for good _ join in with everyone. gaming can be a force for good for— join in with everyone. gaming can be a force for good for many _ join in with everyone. gaming can be a force for good for many people, i a force for good for many people, how do i get out of this level? let's get some

of the day's other news turkey's president, recep tayyip erdogan, has said his country's military will begin a fresh ground operation against kurdish targets in syria. turkey blamed kurdish militants for a bombing in istanbul earlier this month. kurdish groups denied any involvement. rescue teams in indonesia have pulled a five year old boy from rubble, three days after a powerful earthquake hit the country. the boy appeared conscious and calm despite his ordeal. there were five people in the house when the earthquake struck, but the boy, his grandfather and his younger brother were the only survivors. the sister of north korea's leader kim jong un has criticised south korea's push to impose further unilateral sanctions on pyongyang for its repeated missile launches. kim yojong called the south korean government "idiots" and said the measures would increase the north's hostility and anger. south korea has condemned the comments as �*deplorable'. australia says it will pass

new laws to protect indigenous cultural heritage after a sacred aboriginal site was destroyed by a mining company in 2020. following global criticism, mining firm rio tinto apologised for blowing up the ancient rock shelters atjuukan gorge in western australia. the rock shelters had shown evidence of human habitation dating back forty six thousand years into the last ice age. an ancient gold coin once thought to be fake, has now been authenticated, revealing the existence of a third century roman commander. the coin bears the name and image of a historicalfigure, sponsian — who was said to have governed the eastern province of dacia in present day romania. he had previously been written out of the history books after mid—nineteenth century experts suggested the coin might have been a forgery. here's our science correspondent, pallab ghosh.

a roman coin that has baffled historians, thought to have been a fake for hundreds of years. a close look shows pit marks. these and its crude design led to the experts thinking it was made by forgers in the 18th century. oh, that's really nice around there. can we get a higher resolution image of that? but scientist, paul pearson thought they were wrong. so he began a forensic investigation. silicon, oxygen, iron. under a high power microscope, he found scratches, which could only have been produced by rubbing together with other coins in purses. and a chemical analysis showed that it had been buried under the soilfor hundreds of years. all clues that indicate that it was genuine. yeah, look at that. i think what we found is an emperor, an important historical figure in his own time, thought to have been a fake, been written off by all the experts and the historians. we've found that he was real

and that he had a role in history. the coin is one of just four at glasgow university's hunterian museum. these three are of known roman emperors, but this one has been a real mystery. it has a picture of someone that the experts thought never existed at all. the coins were originally discovered in 1713 in transylvania. it was a small hoard of roman gold, and it was transported to the imperial coin collection in vienna. the detective story to discover who the mystery man was continued with jesper ericksson. well, they came here by quite an extraordinary route, really. they've been laying in wooden cabinets, nearforgotten for almost 200 years. his research suggested that the face on the coin belonged to a real life military leader, called sponsian, who ruled a province of the empire that is now transylvania, where only ruins remain of the roman occupation.

the reason our research on these coins is so important is that we feel we've now proved that they are real coins and can therefore say that sponsian could be a real person and that he is legitimately, therefore a lost roman emperor. the researchers now want to find more evidence of sponsian and to see what more can be learnt about the lost roman emperor. palab ghosh, bbc news, glasgow. americans are getting ready to celebrate thanksgiving, which takes place on the fourth thursday in november. one of the biggest traditions centres on new york: the macy's parade, when balloons are floated above the streets of manhattan. getting them ready is a bit of a spectacle in itself; laura trevelyan went to watch. it's a bright, blue morning on the upper west side of manhattan and this unique american tradition is under way. the balloons are being inflated ahead of the macy's thanksgiving day parade. time for a bit of history here — there were no balloons

in the very first parade back in 1924, and it was called the macy's christmas parade then, held on thanksgiving day with the idea of showcasing the department store and encouraging everyone to go shopping ahead of christmas. the balloons made their parade debut in 1927, they were the brainchild of a puppeteer who worked at macy's. these balloons are basically gigantic upside—down puppets. the original ones were generic — birds and dragons — and they evolved into popular cartoon strip characters. and today, they're the stars of film and tv, used to really sell the parade to the public. a movie in 1946 featuring scenes from the parade created a worldwide audience for the balloons and the floats, and every year, there are new characters. so, we have bluey, an australian puppy, and stuart the minion, as well as the old favourites — spongebob, snoopy and the smurf. coming to see the balloons being inflated is a new york

ritual, especially if you grew up on this block. i've been coming to see the balloon inflation since i was a baby, and now i'm bringing my two kids to see it. do you have a favourite balloon character that you're looking out for? yes, i do. and who's that? um, the minion. doesn't feel like thanksgiving unless we're here. the balloons are quintessentially american. each one is a celebrity in its own right, a spectacle, a symbol of popular culture which defines thanksgiving as much as turkey and family dinners. and, in a nation where we often find a lot to argue about, enjoying the balloons and the parade can even bring us together. in good news, the thanksgiving weather is looking sunny and clear in new york city with no high winds forecast, making the life of the balloon handler that much easier. laura trevelyan, bbc news, manhattan.

you are watching bbc news. hello again. some of us started off as sunshine this morning where others had torrential rain and squally winds in the west. it is sweeping east and heading north across scotland and there will be thunder and lightning and hail across scotland and there will be thunder and stones. low pressure is in charge, weather fronts moving across as bringing that rain which is moving quite deftly. as we go through the course of the afternoon you will find dry and bright weather, sunshine for some, will be eradicated by the rain heading east. the rain is falling on saturated ground, there could be flooding. they will be a lot of surface water

on the roads, as much as 15 millimetres in the space of two hours followed by heavy blustery showers. the rain clears into the north sea as we go into the evening, further showers on strong wins across the north—west of scotland, northern ireland and moving across northern england and could be thundery. tomorrow, although we start with showers, a ridge of high pressure will build across us. that means a lot of showers will fade, more settled conditions, dry conditions with sunshine, still windy across the far north—west of the country and we will see showers here. high cloud will develop in the west are turning the sunshine hazy. friday into saturday, more france coming our way. they are going to bring rain, it is going to be windy in the irish sea and the south—west, the wind direction is coming from the wind direction is coming from the mid—atlantic so the temperatures will increase above average for the time of year. quite a bit of clout

as the rain comes in, strong winds through the irish sea and the south—west, the band of rain pushing and the north. temperatures 11 to 14 celsius. overnight saturday into sunday, very mild, for a sunday that? is on the timing of the clearance of the rain from the south—eastern quarter of england. this is what we think at the moment, it could change, it could be faster or slower, it could change, it could be faster orslower, behind it, dry weather, bright sunny skies and showers in the west with temperatures 11 degrees to 30 celsius. —— 13 celsius.

this is bbc news. i'mjoanna i'm joanna gosling. the headlines at 11am: more than half million more people entered the uk than left in the yeartojune, the highest level on record. a wave of industrial action continues to spread across the uk. in scotland teachers are on strike for the first time in almost 40 years university staff across the uk are also walking out, and thousands of postal workers are staging a 48—hour strike. ambulance bosses warn of "cripling delays" as new figures reveal almost 30% of paramedics in england have been stuck waiting half an hour or more for hospitals to accept their patients. desperate measures to survive what the un calls afganistan's humanitarian catastrophe. i sold my five—year—old daughter for $1200 and sent my teenage son

to iran illegally to work. the housing secretary says tens of thousands of homes are unsafe because of damp and mould, as the government threatens to block funding of failing associations. an ancient gold coin once thought to be fake, has now been authenticated, revealing the existence of a 3rd century roman commander. new figures show that half a million more people entered the uk than left in the yeartojune, the highest on record. the office for national statistics said the increase was partly a result of the travel sector recovering after the pandemic, a new immigration system, and the arrival of ukrainian refugees.

around 504,000 more people are estimated to have moved to the uk than left in the 12 months tojune 2022. this figure is up sharply from 173,000 in the year tojune 2021 and beats the previous record of 390,000 set in 2016. the ons says it's being driven by "unprecedented world events" including the end of lockdown restrictions, conflicts in ukraine and afghanistan and the new visa route for british nationals from hong kong. i'm joined by the bbc�*s home editor mark easton. can you break down the figure is more for us? the can you break down the figure is more for us?— more for us? the top line is startling. — more for us? the top line is startling, more _ more for us? the top line is startling, more than - more for us? the top line is startling, more than half i more for us? the top line is startling, more than half a i more for us? the top line is i startling, more than half a million extra people arriving as a result of net migration in the year tojune, ijy net migration in the year tojune, by far the biggest figure we haven't seen. you need to understand what's going on and within that number of

students are a very significant part of those who have arrived so 476,000 students came in that year tojune and that import is because a lot of students didn't come during the pandemic, delayed their study so we are seeing a bulge in people coming to the uk to study and many people would argue they are valuable to reducing the cost of further and higher education here. ukrainians, we think in the period we are looking at around 170,000 ukrainians, perhaps in total 200,000 ukrainians, perhaps in total 200,000 ukrainians have come. the majority of them have been fleeing the war and our country and have come under and our country and have come under a specific bespoke route the government created, and so these are people we have specifically invited and he will almost certainly return to their homeland when the situation settles down. hong kong you mentioned, we know more than 100,000

people, british nationals in hong kong, have taken advantage of a government scheme to come to the uk, probably to settle here. over 100,000 of them. work visas are also up, as you will note there are many sectors in the uk saying they have not got enough staff and encouraging the government to allow more foreign workers to come in to fill those gaps in the labour market but work visas, 249,000 which is up 82% from 2019. what we have seen is that most of the net migration is driven by non—eu migration, i mentioned ukraine and hong kong, students coming from outside the eu, and the number of people, the net migration between the uk and the eu is

negative so more people are leaving who are eu citizens than arriving and that is also important to understand.— and that is also important to understand. , ~ ., , understand. the bulk of the figures are numbers _ understand. the bulk of the figures are numbers which _ understand. the bulk of the figures are numbers which could _ understand. the bulk of the figures are numbers which could be - are numbers which could be transitory. students, most would be expected to leave at the end of their studies.— expected to leave at the end of their studies. yes, ukrainians as well but the _ their studies. yes, ukrainians as well but the hong _ their studies. yes, ukrainians as well but the hong kong - their studies. yes, ukrainians as | well but the hong kong nationals their studies. yes, ukrainians as i well but the hong kong nationals are expected to stay, but this is a moment because this was a government elected on a promise to reduce immigration and also it is the government that got brexit done and that was about taking control of our borders and on social media today you may have seen a lot of people who were hoping brexit would also mean much of immigration to the uk really outraged by what has been going on, but as we have said, we need to be careful because a lot of

this is driven by these other visas which are these bespoke schemes set “p which are these bespoke schemes set up by the government people can argue whether it's right or wrong to allow ukrainians and hong kong nationals and afghans or syrians previously but that is the government's decision. we have a points—based immigration system that has made it more difficult for sectors which need lower skilled or less well paid people to fill gaps and that is why we have this odd situation where you see more workers coming in at the same time employers say they haven't got enough people because it's a different type of person. because it's a different type of erson. ., ~' because it's a different type of erson. ., ~ ,. because it's a different type of erson. . ~ ~ strikes are underway across the uk today as workers in various sectors protest about pay, pensions and working conditions. postal workers, teachers in scotland and university lecturers are all striking. let's look at what's happening in more detail. in scotland, almost every primary

and secondary state school has been closed, as teachers hold a 24—hour national strike. it's scotland's first national schools strike since the 1980s. university staff are also walking out on the first of three days of strikes over pay, working conditions and pensions. 150 universities are affected. thousands of postal workers have begun a 48—hour strike in the run—up to black friday after talks between royal mail and the communication workers union ended without agreement. further strike days are planned later this month and in to december. we're expecting to find out more details this week on the nurses' strike. earlier this month, nurses across the uk voted to strike over pay. it will be the royal college of nursing's first uk—wide strike in its 106—year history. the rmt union leader mick lynch will meet the transport secretary mark harper today. earlier this week, the union announced that industrial action will be held across four 48—hour periods on dates in december and january. our first report is

on the strike in scotland with hundreds of thousands of pupils forced to stay at home. here's our scotland correspondent, lorna gordon. school's out with tens of thousands of teachers in scotland walking out, hundreds of thousands of children affected and parents left making alternative plans for their kids. so it's going to be a bit of a stressful day for them. whilst some parents will be supporting the strike action, i'm sure deep down every parent will really be worrying about the change to schedule, trying to manage childcare, trying to manage kids at home, juggle work. it's just going to be a worrying day. the latest deal on the table would have seen lower paid teachers in scotland receive a rise of up to 6.85%. it's more than the previous 5% offer, but it's well below the 10% rise that unions want. a 10% increase isjust unaffordable for the scottish government. we have a fixed budget. it is already fully utilised for this year. so to do anything that would increase the resolution

that we have on this would mean that money would have to come from elsewhere. so i'm very disappointed that we're moving to strike action. it's disruption for our children and young people and their families that we simply don't want to see. unions are angry and say the offer made by scottish local authorities and the scottish government is insulting — a kick in the teeth. so it seems like another exercise in time wasting, another great charade, another great piece of pantomime by the scottish government and cosla. and what it means is that we will be seeing strike action across scotland that will bring the vast majority of scotland's schools to closure because cosla and the scottish government have failed to take seriously the very, veryjustified claims of teachers. these pupils, who have exams on the way, say they plan to use their time out of class wisely. so prelims are coming up. so ijust plan on revising for my prelims and, yeah, that's practically it. i'm just going to work _ on my personal statement i need to send off to uni and studyj

for a test i have coming up. i'll be studying for my prelims as well, and i'll be prepping for my interviews as well for uni. this is further disruption after the interruptions in education caused by covid, but teachers say they are facing increasing financial hardship and have no choice but to strike. and more school closures are threatened in the months to come if this dispute is not resolved. joining me now is rajjethwa, who is the chief executive of the universities and colleges employers association. thank you forjoining us. how much of an impact do you think this will have on students education and what would you say to them? in have on students education and what would you say to them?— would you say to them? in terms of the university _ would you say to them? in terms of the university strike _ would you say to them? in terms of the university strike the _ would you say to them? in terms of the university strike the feedback. the university strike the feedback we are getting from institutions is it will be limited in terms of impact and isolated but if even a

single student has their learning disrupted as a result of the strike action that is regrettable, especially when we are working hard with our member universities to do what we can to bring forward the pay negotiations to address the cost of living pressures staff are concerned about. ., ., ,., living pressures staff are concerned about. ., ., , living pressures staff are concerned about. ., ., ., about. how would you propose for this to be resolved? _ about. how would you propose for this to be resolved? we _ about. how would you propose for this to be resolved? we have i about. how would you propose for. this to be resolved? we have already made an offer— this to be resolved? we have already made an offer but _ this to be resolved? we have already made an offer but it's _ this to be resolved? we have already made an offer but it's important i this to be resolved? we have already made an offer but it's important to i made an offer but it's important to remember in terms of the university dispute we are talking about a pay offer we made six months ago which we implemented four months ago and this is in the context of a very stretched state financially, about 45 institutions are in deficit but despite that we came up with an offer which saw uplifts of up to 9% for those on the lowest pay points so we believe we have come up with a

reasonable pay increase for 2022 and 2023. ~ ., , reasonable pay increase for 2022 and 2023. . ., , ., reasonable pay increase for 2022 and 2023. ., , ., , , 2023. what is that figure because the -a 2023. what is that figure because the pay rise _ 2023. what is that figure because the pay rise the — 2023. what is that figure because the pay rise the use _ 2023. what is that figure because the pay rise the use eu _ 2023. what is that figure because the pay rise the use eu is - 2023. what is that figure because i the pay rise the use eu is demanding is inflation plus 2% or 12%, whatever is higher.- is inflation plus 2% or 12%, whatever is higher. is inflation plus 2% or 12%, whatever is hither. ., ., . whatever is higher. that would cost the sector too _ whatever is higher. that would cost the sector too much, _ whatever is higher. that would cost the sector too much, there - whatever is higher. that would cost the sector too much, there is i whatever is higher. that would cost the sector too much, there is no i the sector too much, there is no ability to meet that demand especially when they are talking about a sector that has worked hard to protectjobs over the last few years. at the beginning of the pandemic we predicted that 30,000 jobs would be lost but we have seen nothing like that because universities take their responsibilities seriously and in some parts of the country universities are significant local employers in those communities cannot afford to see a reduction in jobs so we are hopeful that we can

bring the pay round forward for the next round and that should offer a way forward if we can get past industrial action.— way forward if we can get past industrial action. what is the gap between what — industrial action. what is the gap between what is _ industrial action. what is the gap between what is being _ industrial action. what is the gap | between what is being demanded industrial action. what is the gap i between what is being demanded and what you are offering? the between what is being demanded and what you are offering?— what you are offering? the pay round is concluded — what you are offering? the pay round is concluded for _ what you are offering? the pay round is concluded for 2022 _ what you are offering? the pay round is concluded for 2022 and _ what you are offering? the pay round is concluded for 2022 and the - what you are offering? the pay round is concluded for 2022 and the applet| is concluded for 2022 and the applet was a minimum increase of 3% for most staff with uplifts on those on lower pay and that was at the edge of affordability for the sector, a sector of 150 universities which vary in size and financial position and to get a collective uplift for staff across those institutions which was affordable for the majority was challenging but we did it and there is a wide gulf between that uplift and what ucu was asking for but we would like to bring forward next yea r�*s for but we would like to bring forward next year's pay round and see what more we can do to support staff. cost of living pressures or

something universities appreciate, we are seeing increases in the cost of everyday necessities. and universities and universities have seen no real terms increase in funding. i seen no real terms increase in fundinu. ., seen no real terms increase in fundin-. . ., ., seen no real terms increase in fundin.. . ., ,, .,., funding. i am about to speak to a are one quick— funding. i am about to speak to a are one quick question, - funding. i am about to speak to a are one quick question, do i funding. i am about to speak to a i are one quick question, do students have any way of getting back any amount of fees if they are left without teaching for number of days? universities will do everything they can to mitigate the impacts of industrial action. can to mitigate the impacts of industrialaction. i can to mitigate the impacts of industrial action. i don't think anyone wants to see students suffering as a result of industrial action. �* , ., suffering as a result of industrial action. �* , . ., , . , action. but if they are affected, is there any way _ action. but if they are affected, is there any way they _ action. but if they are affected, is there any way they can _ action. but if they are affected, is there any way they can be - there any way they can be compensated?— there any way they can be compensated? there any way they can be comensated? �* , , ., ., compensated? any student would have to talk to the — compensated? any student would have to talk to the university _ compensated? any student would have to talk to the university but _ compensated? any student would have to talk to the university but i _ compensated? any student would have to talk to the university but i am i to talk to the university but i am clear universities will do everything they can to ensure students are void disruption and any loss to learning is made up so

expect this to be a very rare situation. expect this to be a very rare situation-— expect this to be a very rare situation. . g ., ., «i , ., joining me now is emily doughty a second year liberal arts student at durham. thank you forjoining us. are you affected? thank you for “oining us. are you affected? , , «i , ., affected? yes, if strikes run for two da s affected? yes, if strikes run for two days this — affected? yes, if strikes run for two days this week _ affected? yes, if strikes run for two days this week i _ affected? yes, if strikes run for two days this week i have i affected? yes, if strikes run for two days this week i have lost i affected? yes, if strikes run for| two days this week i have lost a third of my contact hours just in those two days. third of my contact hours 'ust in those two days.i third of my contact hours 'ust in those two days. how do you feel about that? _ those two days. how do you feel about that? it's _ those two days. how do you feel about that? it's a _ those two days. how do you feel about that? it's a bit _ those two days. how do you feel about that? it's a bit on - those two days. how do you feel about that? it's a bit on when i those two days. how do you feell about that? it's a bit on when you think of all— about that? it's a bit on when you think of all the _ about that? it's a bit on when you think of all the hours _ about that? it's a bit on when you think of all the hours you - about that? it's a bit on when you think of all the hours you will i about that? it's a bit on when you think of all the hours you will be i think of all the hours you will be losing. i am only losing three hours but i only get nine contact hours a week so it has a big impact on my degree if you think how this will affect us across the year if strikes continue. ~ ., affect us across the year if strikes continue. . . ,.,. affect us across the year if strikes continue. . . . ., ,., affect us across the year if strikes continue. . . ., continue. what impact would you say it will have for _ continue. what impact would you say it will have for you _ continue. what impact would you say it will have for you at _ continue. what impact would you say it will have for you at the _ continue. what impact would you say it will have for you at the moment? i it will have for you at the moment? at the moment, just to strikes that we know will happen, very little. it's only a third this week although it's only a third this week although i am losing some contact hours which

i am losing some contact hours which i thought would be important for my summit of essays but i will probably use that time to work on them and be more prepared writing them so for this round of strikes not as affected as i could have been, which is quite a nice thought going forward. ., ., ,., is quite a nice thought going forward. ., ., y., ., forward. how do you feel about the strikes happening? _ forward. how do you feel about the strikes happening? i _ forward. how do you feel about the strikes happening? i support i forward. how do you feel about the strikes happening? i support the i strikes happening? i support the ucu. our lecturers _ strikes happening? i support the ucu. our lecturers had - strikes happening? i support the ucu. our lecturers had been i strikes happening? i support the i ucu. our lecturers had been open about the reasons they are striking and have been good at explaining it to us as a student body so i support the strike action because we see the lecturers coming to our lecturers, we are all struggling together, we see they have not got a pay rise for the cost of living so there is solidarity between the students and the ucu. ii it solidarity between the students and the ucu. «i , , solidarity between the students and the ucu. «i ,, ., ., solidarity between the students and the ucu. «i ,, ., ., the ucu. if it keeps going and you continue to _ the ucu. if it keeps going and you continue to lose _ the ucu. if it keeps going and you continue to lose the _ the ucu. if it keeps going and you continue to lose the teaching i the ucu. if it keeps going and you continue to lose the teaching and | continue to lose the teaching and contact hours you have, do you think your view might change or do you

feel that solidarity will endure? it depends on what happens. the strike action resort last year, there was continued support and strike action continued, solidarity continued but there have been dimensions of marketing boycotts and that would mean the work we have done to prove our degrees will not get marked and thatis our degrees will not get marked and that is where our support might waver because i'm only second year, that won't have a massive impact on my degree, although it will mean i don't improve between assignments so in third gear that could be an impact meaning i could not be awarded my degree so i'm marking boycott for many students will be the length where we can no longer support the ucu. the length where we can no longer support the ucu-— support the ucu. thank you for “oininu support the ucu. thank you for joining us. _ support the ucu. thank you for joining us, emily. _ nearly one in three ambulance crews have faced long waits to hand over patients to a&e departments in england. in the seven days to last sunday,

29% of ambulances arriving at hospital had to wait over 30 minutes before their patients were handed over to doctors and nurses. this is compared to 23% this time last year and is more than double the target time of 15 minutes. i'mjoined now byjim reed, our health reporter. tell us more. this is the first set u n tell us more. this is the first set u- data tell us more. this is the first set up data we _ tell us more. this is the first set up data we have _ tell us more. this is the first set up data we have going _ tell us more. this is the first set up data we have going into i tell us more. this is the first set up data we have going into that. up data we have going into that critical winter period about the so—called hand delays, a pretty stark warning based on the date you talked about from the association of ambulance chief responding to that, talking about how these are crippling delays and warning patients are dying and coming to harm on a daily basis and saying this is not the single biggest risk to patients in the nhs. they say it cannot be acceptable to allow the ambulance service to be compromised like this day in, day out so a stark warning and we are talking about when ambulances arrived at hospital,

they should be able to unload sick patients within 15 minutes, but this new data today shows that last week this is the first of the data from the winter, and a lot of hospitals that isn't happening so in 29% of cases nationally it's taking at least half an hour, so double the target, in some cases longer. we are hearing reports of five or six hours or longer that patients are waiting in ambulances and you have two big problems, the obvious one is if you have patience in an ambulance they are not getting the treatment they should do in hospital but also if you have ambulances queueing up unable to unload patients then they cannot get back out to the next patient who needs help and that is why you are seeing the response time for ambulances shoot up over the last year so pretty concerning figures going into winter. bend

last year so pretty concerning figures going into winter. and not even in that _ figures going into winter. and not even in that critical _ figures going into winter. and not even in that critical winter - figures going into winter. and not even in that critical winter period | even in that critical winter period when things could get worse. what is being done? the when things could get worse. what is bein: done? ., when things could get worse. what is being done?— when things could get worse. what is bein: done? ., , , being done? the government says they are -auttin being done? the government says they are putting in — being done? the government says they are putting in place _ being done? the government says they are putting in place measures- being done? the government says they are putting in place measures so i being done? the government says they are putting in place measures so for. are putting in place measures so for example things like a full response service. a lot of ambulance call—outs are because elderly people fall over at him, sometimes that doesn't need a full ambulance response, you can send a gp or doctor or nurse to make sure that person is ok so that is what has been ratcheted up across parts of the country, things like boosting the country, things like boosting the number of 99 collars, boosting the number of 99 collars, boosting the number of beds in hospitals so the number of beds in hospitals so the nhs, these are england figures, the nhs, these are england figures, the nhs, these are england figures, the nhs is concerned about the number of people in hospital who are fit enough to leave but cannot because there is not the right care package in place. that could be a care home worker at home but because it is difficult to get these packages you have a bottleneck that

then moves through the hospital to a&e which gets busy because you cannot move patients into the main hospital and that is why in a lot of cases you have these ambulances queueing outside so it's measures like that that alleviate these. the biggest concern is when you look across the country, in particular the east of england and the south west see big numbers so 29% across england looking at places like east and north hartford, 81% of ambulances had to queue at least 30 minutes and places like gloucester, plymouth, devon, they seem to have a particular problem and this is just at the beginning of winter so a lot of health bosses will be concerned this may get worse as we head into winter. as the un warns of a catastrophic situation

in afghanistan, the bbc has found evidence that impoverished families are selling their infant daughters into early marriages. since the taliban took control, the afghan economy has collapsed — and millions are on the brink of starvation. rates of malnutrition among children have gone up by nearly 50% and the bbc has learned that some people are giving their hungry children potentially harmful tablets to sedate them. yogita limaye reports from the city of herat. you may find some of the stories distressing. we were in this area last year and even at that time the situation was grim. we had met a few families that had told us that they were selling their daughters in marriage because they needed money to survive but this time when we went back it was overwhelming and so widespread. literally everywhere we went, we heard the same stories, people having to sell their young daughters. some people even telling us about selling organs and something that we, in all ourtime covering the humanitarian story in afghanistan, something we have never seen on the ground, which is parents telling us that they are giving their children tranquillisers,

antidepressants, anti—anxiety medicines so that their hungry children stop crying and go to sleep. this is our report, produced with imogen anderson and malik mudassir. just outside herat live tens of thousands, displaced by years of war and natural disasters. a second winter since the economy collapsed. in each home, a story of acute hunger. they came to us wanting to be heard. we were shocked by what they said. "our children cry because they go into bed hungry. so we give them tablets to put them to sleep. they'd be better off dead," abdulwahab said. does anyone else also do that same thing? "a lot of us. all of us," they said. gulam hazrat was carrying the tablets with him. they were tranquillisers.

others later also showed us antidepressants they give their children. in the market, you can get five tablets for the price of one piece of bread. gulam said said he gives it to his one—year—old. these men, their dignity broken by hunger. translation: i sold my five-year-old daughter for $1,200 _ and sent my teenage son to iran illegally to work. my younger sons collect rubbish every day. "we have nothing. where should we take our children and go?," they asked. four—year—old nazia lives next door. she's been sold to be married to a boy from the southern province of kandahar. her father announced at the local

mosque that he wanted to sell her because he couldn't afford to feed his family. at 14, nazia will be sent away. translation: | used most - of the money to buy food and some for medicine for my son. look at him. he's malnourished and needs treatment. i'd never think of selling my daughter if there was any other option. we didn't have to look hard to find these stories. they were behind every door we walked into. from what we've seen and heard, we know that there is a disaster unfolding on the ground here. hunger is a slow and silent killer, and often its effects aren't immediately visible. but the truth is, we will never know the scale of what is happening here because no—one is counting. people here feel abandoned by everyone, by the government that is currently running this country and by the whole world. this is an emergency.

more than half the country needs life—saving support. millions are a step away from famine. the tablets you saw in that piece, the drug is the same as that used in xanax which is how much of the world knows it. we asked doctors what that could do to young children and they said if it's given to young children without adequate nutrition it can cause liver damage and a host of chronic disorders. ofgem is increasing its price cap on gas and electricity from january, pushing up the amount the government has to pay to shield households from the high cost of energy. without the government support, the average household would be paying about 4,279 pounds for its energy under the new cap. but the government support will ensure that average

households pay 2,500 pounds. ofgem's move will not change the amount households pay for their energy at least until april. lots of countries around the world are net importers of energy and the uk is no different so we are at the mercy of the wholesale gas price, thatis mercy of the wholesale gas price, that is high and because of that the government stepped in with this energy price guarantee soon note typical bill payer will pay more than £2500 for energy until april and then that rises to £3000 but this is all theoretical, we are in a parallel universe. this is what would have happened without that cap so ofgem have brought in this camp in 2019 to stabilise the market and make sure campaigners weren't paying over the odds for their energy and now we are saying if the government hadn't stepped into the cap would have gone from £3500 at the moment to £4279. in the real world you will

pay more than —— no more than £2500 but it tells us the difference between what there would have been and the difference the government is picking up so the resolution foundation estimates the difference is about £630 for the three months between january and march, is about £630 for the three months betweenjanuary and march, that is what the government is having to pay on top so it is forking out to make up on top so it is forking out to make up that difference. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol kirkwood. hello again. we've got a band of torrential rain and squally winds moving quite swiftly from the west to the east through the course of the day, eradicating the brighter conditions in some eastern areas. now, behind this band, which could also have thunder and lightning in it, we'll see a return to some heavy and potentially thundery blustery showers. there's also the potential for some hail. temperatures today 8 to about 12 or 13 degrees north to south.

this evening we lose that rain from the east. there'll be showers in scotland, in northern ireland and a clutch of showers moving across northern england. they, too, could be heavy and thundery. and these are our overnight lows, 4 to about 10 degrees. tomorrow a ridge of high pressure builds across us. so that settles things down. there'll be fewer showers, there'll be lighter wind, there'll be more dry conditions, still some showers and still windy conditions across the far north west of scotland. but the cloud building from the west through the course of the day. so here the sunshine will increasingly turn hazy.

hello, this is bbc news. the headlines: more than half a million more people entered the uk than left in the yeartojune, the highest level on record. a wave of industrial action continues to spread across the uk. in scotland, teachers are on strike for the first time in almost 40 years. university staff across the uk

are also walking out, and thousands of postal workers are staging a 48—hour strike ambulances bosses warn of "crippling delays" as new figures reveal almost 30% of paramedics in england have been stuck waiting half an hour or more for hospitals to accept their patients. desperate measures to survive what the un calls afganistan's humanitarian catastrophe. the housing secretary says tens of thousands of homes are unsafe because of damp and mould, as the government threatens to block funding of failing associations. sport now — a full round up from the bbc sport centre. day five of the world cup is underway in qatar. four more games today and we'll see the final teams enter the fray. the first of those is switzerland against cameroon in group g. and it was the cameroon—born swiss striker breel embolo who opened the scoring just a few minutes into the second half.

embolo stood still rather than celebrate against the country where he was born and spent the first five years of his life. that game has around 20 minutes left to play. 1-0 to 1—0 to switzerland at the moment. brazil are favourites in that group, and to win the whole tournament for a sixth time! but things are expected after a quarterfinal exit in russia last time around. they play serbia this evening — live on bbc one at seven o'clock. serbia's manager dragan stojkovic says his side won't show any fear. the game will start with 0-0, 0—0, so brazil has a chance to win, but serbia also has a chance to win. we are not afraid of anyone in the world. excuse me, even brazil. we do not need to be afraid of anyone. cristiano ronaldo and portugal enter the tournament later against ghana. ronaldo is now without a club side after he and manchester united agreed to terminate his

contract this week. that followed his controversial interview where he spoke of not respecting manager erik ten hag. he didn't talk much publicly yesterday as he dropped out of the traditional captain's press conference. before that, the other teams in group h — uruguay and south korea — kick off this lunchtime. england manager gareth southgate says the extra stoppage time being played has taken his side by surprise. they played nearly half an hour more against iran over the two halves and other games have had longer periods, too. a bit bizarre. clearly there have been some unique incidents, the incident with the iranian goalkeeper was a serious one. because it is a goalkeeper, you cannot restart the game with him off the field, so that definitely delayed things. there were the czechs, but across every game there does seem to have been a lot. it does have a consequence. we almost played an extra time, really.

that will be interesting to track as the tournament goes on. the england squad are training this morning. captain harry kane should be fit to face the usa tomorrow. he went off injured in monday's 6—2 victory against iran but a scan on his ankle showed no significant issues. james maddison is the only player still struggling for fitness for a game. if england win would almost guarantee their progression. wales have trained today ahead of their game against iran. midfielderjoe allen is fit again after missing their draw with usa on monday. a win against iran would put them in a very strong position going into theirfinal game against england. that's all the sport for now. still 1-0 to still 1—0 to switzerland. you can find more on all those stories on the bbc sport website. that's bbc.co.uk/sport.

england's housing secretary, michael gove, says tens of thousands of homes are not in the state they should be. the government has stripped a housing association in rochdale of its funding because it failed to treat mould that led to the death of a two—year—old boy. mr gove said the association would have to prove it's a responsible landlord before it could receive public funds. he said it should be a warning to housing associations who are failing in their obligations. the housing associations who are failing in their obligations.— in their obligations. the regulator has written to _ in their obligations. the regulator has written to housing _ in their obligations. the regulator. has written to housing associations and local authorities to make sure that we have a particular focus on damp and mould, but it is also the case that there is a responsibility on housing associations and other landlords to let us know about other hazards and let us know that people are living with and how they are dealing with them. we are giving new powers to the regulator in order to make sure that housing associations are kept up to mark. but i fear it is the case that there are tens of thousands of properties that are not in this situation, not in the state they should be.

senior civil servants are preparing to put forward former allegations of bullying against dominic raab. dominic raab says he has always acted with integrity, but he does set high standards. meanwhile, there's growing evidence that the french coastguard failed to respond adequately to the migrant boat that sank in the channel a year ago today. 27 people died when the boat sank, and several others are still missing. only two passengers survived. documents seen by the bbc suggest that french operators repeatedly told passengers to call the uk, despite evidence they were sometimes in french waters. our paris corr lucy williamson sent this report from northern france. —— our paris correspondent lucy williamson sent this report from northern france. tragedy has changed little on the channel, one year on, the flow of migrants has only increased. the deaths of at least 27 people didn't even change the cost

of a passage, the risk of disaster already priced in. tuana was 18 years old when he called coastguards from the sinking boat a year ago, a young footballer from iraqi kurdistan. his body has never been found. his brother, here in france to help the investigation, said his advice was always, if you are in trouble, call the police. translation: the two survivors confirmed i they were constantly in touch with french and british authorities, continuously sent them the location. after reading the legal report, i found that their phone calls were dismissed and answered with mockery. these people were not viewed as human beings. the french coastguard first received the distress call from the boat at 1:48am. at that point, it seemed to be half a mile inside french waters. documents seen by the bbc suggest operators did not call in rescuers as promised and, instead,

contacted the uk. they repeatedly told desperate and screaming passengers to call the british coastguard. "you are in english waters," one says. "wait, i'll transfer you to the uk." another tells french emergency services they've been calling nonstop. we know they are more or less in the english zone. boats in trouble can drift between french and british waters, complicating the rescue response. i believe that vesselj is now in uk waters. and there are warnings that resources are increasingly stretched as small boat crossings rise. france's sea minister told parliament that any negligence found by the investigation would lead to sanctions. there are people here who said this was a disaster waiting to happen, and it is not the only time desperate passengers have been passed back and forth between rescue teams in britain and france.

we have heard evidence that another migrant boat calling for help from the channel experienced the same response just a few days before. we dialled 999, were talking, they said call to france, and when we were with the french, they said call to the united kingdom. these messages were received by a migrant helpline in dunkirk four days before the channel disaster. raphael cousin who took the call says a french lifeboat came to rescue them. when someone is in distress, theyjust need to be saved as soon as possible. so there is no time to talk about who is going to save them and in which boat are they going to be returned? one year on from the channel disaster, investigators have yet to report their findings as each month, thousands more steer their way between trust and tragedy, aiming for british shores.

lucy williamson, bbc news, calais. southern former home secretaries have written to the prime minister begging him to end the delay which took the law which would martin's law was announced in may, but the bill has yet to be tabled, sparking criticism from its supporters. his life was taken, but his legacy is what many hope will save lives. this was the terrifying night of may 22, 2017. martyn was one of 22 people killed in the manchester bombings. since his death, his mother has campaigned for what will be known as martyn's law to ensure improve security at public venues. an

inquiry into the bombings found that there had been feelings all round, from the police to private security companies. now seven former home secretaries have written to the prime minister asking to bring forward the legislation. in the letter, they say... what is being proposed is a responsibility on those businesses to protect people that come there, but also a government commitment to make sure there is the training and other support in place to enable them to do that. it strikes me and other members that that is a sensible way for us to work together to keep people safe.— to keep people safe. comes off the back of several _ to keep people safe. comes off the back of several senior _ to keep people safe. comes off the back of several senior police i back of several senior police officers also writing to the prime minister, saying that delays are

dangerous to public safety. the government accused of moving at an unacceptably slow pace.— unacceptably slow pace. parliament is very busy. _ unacceptably slow pace. parliament is very busy. the — unacceptably slow pace. parliament is very busy, the government i unacceptably slow pace. parliament is very busy, the government is i unacceptably slow pace. parliament| is very busy, the government is very busy, but we collectively take the view that this is such an important issue, this relates to the public safety and protection of our citizens, that is the reason why we are pursuing this letter. the government _ are pursuing this letter. the government says _ are pursuing this letter. the government says its - are pursuing this letter. the government says its commitment to martyn's law as set out in its 2019 manifesto remains and it is working hard to bring forward the legislation as soon as possible. for martyn's family it is key to making sure the atrocity that took his life cannot be repeated so easily. ukraine's president zelensky has accused moscow of crimes against humanity, after fresh russian strikes battered the country's already failing electricity grid. addressing an emergency meeting of the un security council requested by kyiv, mr zelensky said russia had been methodically devastating cities with indiscriminate attacks — hitting residential buildings, schools, transport and hospitals.

these are pictures of the aftermath of some of those attacks, which triggered nationwide alerts. the ukrainian energy system has been left in tatters and millions have been subjected to long periods without electricity, after weeks of russian bombardment. translation: ukraine proposes| that the security council adopts a resolution condemning all forms of energy terror. let's see if anyone in the world, along with russia, can say that terror against civilians is supposedly good. the un population fund has condemned "in the strongest terms" wednesday's attack on a maternity hospital in the zaporizhzhia region. jaime nadal is the un's representative in ukraine — he's been travelling around ukraine and gave us his assessment of the damage there. the conditions are terrible, i have to say. the level of destruction is

massive. many hospitals have been affected. we think about, we consider maternity is, out of almost 400 maternity is in the country, more than 70 are not in operation. those are in the areas most affected by war, closer to the front, closer the contact line, or an area that has been recently liberated. the conditions are terrible also because the roads are very dangerous. there are many areas that have been mined. for women to access those facilities, it is really difficult these days. without any guarantees that they will find the kind of services that they need, the type of health care they need once they get there because without electricity and without water, often times getting their treatment, getting their checkups done in makeshift shelters and in basements or buildings, that is a completely

substandard situation. it is a critical situation, substandard situation. it is a criticalsituation, i substandard situation. it is a critical situation, i have to say. the headlines on bbc news... more than half million more people entered the uk than left in the yeartojune, the highest level on record. a wave of industrial action continues to spread across the uk. in scotland teachers are on strike for the first time in almost 40 years. ambulances bosses warn of "cripling delays" as new figures reveal almost 30% of paramedics in england have been stuck waiting half an hour or more for hospitals to accept their patients. daily covid infections in china have hit a record high since the start of the pandemic nearly three years ago. that's despite crippling restrictions on life, including snap lockdowns. tightened measures have been announced for zhengzhou — where workers at the world's largest iphone factory have been clashing with security forces over covid—related conditions and pay.

stephen mcdonell in beijing has more. so, like, for example, i am at home, my community is under a form of lockdown so everyone can be tested, and that is because one person in this complex was somehow linked to each case. now, it may be that this only lasts for a day or so, or it could go on. of course, if the testing of everyone picks up more people, we could all be here for a week. all across, especially in beijing, there are thousands of towers where people are confined to their homes. and in many cases, that is for a minimum of three days at the moment as the city government tries to deal with the outbreak here. now, that of course is going on all across china — north, south, east, west. you have various levels of lockdown in many, many cities. of course, this is really hitting the economy here, and it is despite the fact that there have been, you know, very serious measures put in place

to try to prevent the spread of the disease. now, the thing is, though, that recently the authorities introduced a series of measures to try to take the heat of the economy. the heat off the economy. they know that zero covid is smashing the economy. but the problem is they have kind of created the worst of both worlds in a way because now businesses are still being hit, and yet bite sort of easing off some of those measures, they are not quite as effective at crashing every outbreak as it happens. the feeling is that this might drag the whole crisis on for even longer, and we have no indication yet from the government of what the actual off ramp is and that is at a time when china has reported its highest ever daily number of cases right across the country. now, if you're the parent of a teenager, there's a good chance you worry your child spends too much time playing video games. but studies have found that, in moderation, gaming can have benefits for well—being.

nice recently approved a series of digital games to help young people with their mental health. alex humphreys reports. across the uk, more than 44 million people play video games. that is more than half the uk's population. wow! children in need have been funding projects across the uk that use gaming to support young people, and i have been to meet some of them. hi, my name is seth, i am 13 years old, and i have duchenne muscular dystrophy. what helps me is my chair and one of the most important things — video games. seth is helped by the charity ty hafan, based on the outskirts of cardiff. they also encouraged him to become a member of the senedd's youth parliament, where he advocates for more disability awareness. importantly for seth, ty hafan also has a gaming room. if you are in a wheelchair, you can't always run around with everyone, so when i play minecraft,

i can run around and jump in all sorts of games, and it is really fun. i'm martha, i'm15, i'm from south wales, and i volunteer for valleys kids. valleys kids provides activities and opportunities for children and young people in rhondda cynon taff, including through gaming. one of their projects was to recreate the fernhill colliery in minecraft. if you finish a sheet of, like, maths or work, it is boring. but if you were doing a game where to get out of the maze, you had to do maths problems, that is way more fun and also you're going to remember it more. through gaming and working with valleys kids, i have gone from that little kid in primary who wouldn't speak to anyone, i wouldn't look up from the table, to being in the school show and joining the debate team and volunteering. hello, i'm 20 years old now, which is mad, i am disabled, gay, i have been bullied a lot

in my childhood and stuff. bbc children in need fund the community action group that helps him. he has had opportunities to game, act and present through their film—based project wicked wales. i always came to gaming because it was a safe space for me, personally. but it also meant that i could escape reality and just be in my own world and in my little fantasy dream sort of thing. while many charities and experts see clear benefits to gaming, it is not a solution for everyone and some do find playing video games are addictive. time playing video games does have to be balanced. so, if for example you find yourself feeling irritable, tired, angry, frustrated, take a step back. that balance is really, really important. but for seth, he will continue to be a big advocate of gaming. video games are just really important to me because on some things i can't alwaysjoin in,

but in video games i can always join in with everyone. well, gaming clearly can be a force for good for many people. now, how do i get out of this level? an ancient gold coin once thought to be fake, has now been authenticated, revealing the existence of a third century roman commander. here's our science correspondent, pallab ghosh. a roman coin that has baffled historians, thought have been a fake for hundreds of years. a close look shows pit marks. these and its crude design led to the experts thinking it was made by forgers in the 18th century. oh, that's really nice around there. can we get a higher resolution image of that? but scientist, paul pierson, thought they were wrong. so he began a forensic investigation. silicon, oxygen, iron. under a high power microscope, he found scratches, which could only

have been produced by rubbing together with other coins in purses. and a chemical analysis showed that it had been buried under the soilfor hundreds of years. all clues that indicate that it was genuine. yeah, look at that. i think what we found is an emperor, an important historical figure in his own time, thought to have been a fake, been written off by all the experts and the historians. we've found that he was real and that he had a role in history. the coin is one of just four at glasgow university's hunterian museum. these three are of known roman emperors, but this one has been a real mystery. it has a picture of someone that the experts thought never existed at all. the coins were originally discovered in 1713 in transylvania. it was a small hoard of roman gold, and it was transported to the imperial coin

collection in vienna. the detective story to discover who the mystery man was continued with jesper ericksson. well, they came here by quite an extraordinary route, really. they've been laying in wooden cabinets, nearforgotten for almost 200 years. his research suggested that the face on the coin belonged to a real life military leader, called sponsian, who ruled a province of the empire that is now transylvania, where only ruins remain of the roman occupation. the reason our research on these coins is so important is that we feel we've now proved that they are real coins and can therefore say that sponsian could be a real person and that he is, legitimately, therefore a lost roman emperor. the researchers now want to find more evidence of sponsian and to see what more can be learnt about the lost roman emperor. palab ghosh, bbc news, glasgow.

americans are getting ready to celebrate thanksgiving, which takes place on the fourth thursday in november. one of the biggest traditions centres on new york's macy's parade. laura trevelyan went to watch. this unique american tradition is under way. the blinds are being inflated ahead _ under way. the blinds are being inflated ahead of _ under way. the blinds are being inflated ahead of the _ under way. the blinds are being inflated ahead of the parade. i under way. the blinds are being i inflated ahead of the parade. the buildings in the very first parade backin buildings in the very first parade back in 1924, it was called the messy�*s christmas parade back then. it was to showcase the department store and encourage everyone to go shopping ahead of christmas. they made their debut in 1927, they were the brainchild of a puppeteer who worked at macy's. these blooms are basically gigantic upside down puppets. the original ones were generic, they were birds and dragons, then they evolved into

popular cartoon characters. today they are the stars of film and tv, used to really sell the parade to the public. a movie in 1946 featuring scenes from the parade created a worldwide audience for the balloons and the floats. every year, there are new characters. so we have an australian poppy and stewart dominion, as well as the old favourites spongebob, snoopy and the smurfit. coming to see the billions being inflated as a new york ritual, especially if you grew up on this block. i especially if you grew up on this block. ., , especially if you grew up on this block. . , . ., ., , block. i have been coming to see the balloon inflation _ block. i have been coming to see the balloon inflation since _ block. i have been coming to see the balloon inflation since i _ block. i have been coming to see the balloon inflation since i was - block. i have been coming to see the balloon inflation since i was a - balloon inflation since i was a baby. now i am bringing my two kids to see it. do baby. nowl am bringing my two kids to see it. ,, . baby. nowl am bringing my two kids to see it. y., ., ., baby. nowl am bringing my two kids to see it. ., ., ., ., to see it. do you have a favourite character you _ to see it. do you have a favourite character you are _ to see it. do you have a favourite character you are looking - to see it. do you have a favourite character you are looking out i to see it. do you have a favourite | character you are looking out for? yes, i do. ~ ., character you are looking out for? yes, i do.— character you are looking out for? yes. i do-_ the - character you are looking out for? l yes, i do._ the minion. yes, i do. who is that? the minion. does not feel _ yes, i do. who is that? the minion. does not feel like _ yes, i do. who is that? the minion. does not feel like thanksgiving i does not feel like thanksgiving unless we are here. the does not feel like thanksgiving unless we are here. the balloons are quintessentially _ unless we are here. the balloons are quintessentially american. _ unless we are here. the balloons are quintessentially american. each i unless we are here. the balloons are quintessentially american. each one | quintessentially american. each one is a celebrity in its own right, a

spectacle, a symbol of popular culture which defines thanksgiving as much as turkey and family dinners. and in a nation where we often find a lot to argue about, enjoying the balloons and the parade can even bring us together. and good news, the thanksgiving weather is looking sunny and clear in new york city, no high winds forecast making the life of the balloon handler that much easier. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol kirkwood. hello again. some of us started off with some sunshine this morning, whilst others had some torrential rain and squally winds in the west. that is all sweeping eastwards, heading northwards across scotland, as well. and there will be some thunder and lightning and hail embedded in it, too. low pressure is in charge of our weather. we have got weather

fronts moving across us, bringing that rain, but it is moving quite swiftly. as we go through the course of the afternoon, what you will find is this dry and bright weather, sunshine for some, will be eradicated by the rain heading eastwards. now, the rain is falling on some saturated ground, so locally there could well be some flooding, and also there will be a lot of surface water and spray on the roads. we could have as much as 15 millimetres out of this in the space of about two hours, and it is going to be followed by heavy, blustery showers. the rain eventually clears into the north sea as we go through the evening, but further showers piling in on the strong winds across the north—west of scotland. we will see some in northern ireland and a clutch of them moving across northern england. they too could be thundery in nature. tomorrow, though, what you will find is all that we start with some showers, a ridge of high pressure is going to build across us, so that means a lot of the show as although we start with some showers, a ridge of high pressure is going to build across us, so that means a lot of the showers will fade, there will be more settled conditions, drier conditions with some sunshine.

still windy across the far north—west of the country, and here we will continue to see some showers. through the day, a bit more high cloud will develop in the west, turning the sunshine hazy. now, friday into saturday sees another clutch of fronts coming our way. they also are going to bring in some rain. it will be windy through the irish sea and the south—west, but that wind direction is coming from the mid—atlantic, so that is a mild direction, so you will find the temperatures will increase above average for the time of year. there will be quite a bit of cloud around. as the rain comes in, don't forget the strong winds through the irish sea and also the south—west, and that band of rain pushing towards the east and the north. temperatures, 11—14. overnight saturday into sunday is also going to be a very mild night. and for sunday itself, the question mark is on the timing of the clearance of this rain from the south—eastern part of england. this is what we think at the moment. that could change, might be faster or slower. and then behind it we are looking at a lot of dry weather, some bright or sunny skies, but also some showers in the west, with temperatures of 11—13.

in schools, universities and royal mail, as people protest about pay and conditions. almost every state school in scotland is shut, in the first national education strike since the 1980s. we've got a cost of living crisis and we've got a backdrop of teachers' pay having declined to the tune of 25% since 2008, so understandably they are very, very angry. 150 universities are also affected by industrial action. and we'll have the latest on the talks between unions and the government about rail strikes. also this lunchtime... the uk's biggest ever anti—fraud operation — 70,000 possible bank scam call victims are being contacted by the police. the families in taliban—controlled afghanistan now having to make shocking decisions so they can feed their children. england captain harry kane will be fit to play in tomorrow's world cup match against the usa.