this is bbc news, with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. after a night of celebrations in qatar, as japan reached the final 16 of the world cup, today fans will find out who'll be joining them in the knockout rounds from groups g and h. charges dropped against bruce lehrmann, the australian political advisor accused of rape, causing a national outcry, in the interests of the alleged victim's mental health. president biden has said he is open to speaking directly to vladimir putin about ukraine during a state visit from france's emmanuel macron.

i from france's emmanuel macron. am prepared tor putin i am prepared to speak with mr putin if there is an interest in him deciding he is looking for a way to end the war. another royal row over racism raises questions as the woman accusing lady susan hussey of othering her at a formal event has been speaking out. and will smith returns to cinemas in the us today with emancipation, his first major film role since he slapped chris rock at the oscars, and his first round of big red carpet interviews. so far, so good! hello and welcome.

there was major drama at the world cup in qatar on thursday, as four—time winners germany crashed out of the tournament, despite beating costa rica 4—2. as if that wasn't enough, japan beat favourites spain in what some called a very controversial fashion, but both teams are through to the knockout rounds. our sports correspondent nesta mcgregor was watching all the action. germany were trying to avoid going home from the group stage for only the third time, but for only the third time, but for the second world cup warning. first, it beat costa rica then hope other results went their way. less than a minute on the clock when the germans threatened. shortly after, they did a little more, serge gnabry with his first world cup goal. 1—0, but a dominant first half from germany. the same could have been expected for the second

45, been expected for the second a5, costa rica didn't get that memo. if drawing level created a crescendo, when they took the lead, the noise was deafening. a game full of drama then took another turn, a game full of drama then took anotherturn, germany a game full of drama then took another turn, germany levelling then taking the lead through kai havertz. in the end, the win required, but it wasn't enough. instead of the knockout stages, they will be booking seats for the flight home. the reason the win was of no significance, by beating spain, japan top the group, as both teams progressed to the last 16. qatar 2022 promised to be a i6. qatar 2022 promised to be a world cup like no other, on and off the field, and that's proving to be the case. the prosecution against a former australian political adviser bruce lehrmann, who was accused of raping a colleague, britanny higgins, in australia's parliament house, has been dropped. bruce lehrmann denies sexually assaulting brittany higgins

on a minister's sofa after a night out in 2019. he appeared in court in october, but that trial collapsed due to jury misconduct. a friend of brittany higgins says she is in hospital to help deal with the trauma of the incident and that while it is disappointing the trial has ended this way, brittany�*s health and safety must always come first. here's the australian capital territory�*s director of public prosecutions. in light of the compelling independent medical opinion, and balancing all factors, i've made the difficult decision that it is no longer in the public interest to pursue a prosecution at the risk of a complainant's life. this has left me no option but to file a notice declining to proceed with the retrial of this matter, which i have done this morning. this brings the prosecution to an end. before concluding, during the investigation and trial, as a sexual assault complainant, ms higgins has

faced a level of personal attack that i have not seen in over 20 years of doing this work. she has done so with bravery, grace and dignity, and it is my hope that this will now stop, and ms higgins will be allowed to heal. 0ur correspondent in sydney, phil mercer, has more. prosecutors said that a retrial scheduled for february of next year would pose a significant and unacceptable risk to the life of the complainant. brittany higgins alleged that she was raped by a former colleague called bruce lehrmann on the sofa in the office of a former defence minister in canberra after a night out in march 2019. bruce lehrmann has vehemently denied the allegations. he said that no sexual activity took place. however, earlier this year he went on trial, but that trial was aborted because ofjuror misconduct.

a retrial was scheduled for february of next year, but the director of public prosecutions in the australian capital territory is now saying that there is too much of a risk to the health and well—being of brittany higgins. we heard from a friend who released a statement saying that miss higgins is currently in hospital, receiving treatment for the trauma of being involved in this prosecution. we have yet to hear from bruce lehrmann, but one thing is for certain. this very high profile case that prompted widespread protests across the country regarding more serious concerns, or more broader concerns about the safety of women, especially in politics, this case will no longer proceed. the german government is to pay a monthly gas bill for households and businesses this december as part of a 300 billion euro plan to help people and industry with high energy costs. most germans have already received a one—off

payment of 300 euros. 0ur berlin correspondent jenny hill sent this report from the city of dresden. german business was built to endure. to keep this vast economy turning. but while it's the busiest time of year for this bakery, there is little in the way of festive cheer. translation:— the way of festive cheer. translation: wages have increased — translation: wages have increased drastically, - translation: wages have | increased drastically, energy costs have risen, prices of our ingredients, but has doubled in price, i can't pass all that the customers.— price, i can't pass all that the customers. �* . . the customers. after a pandemic -ause, the customers. after a pandemic pause, germany's _ the customers. after a pandemic pause, germany's christmas - pause, germany's christmas markets are back. the worry now, not to stay healthy but how to pay the bills. translation: how to pay the bills. tuna/mom- how to pay the bills. translation: �* , ., , how to pay the bills. translation: �*, ., , ,, translation: it's all caused by russia, translation: it's all caused by russia. by _ translation: it's all caused by russia, by putin, _ translation: it's all caused by russia, by putin, and _ translation: it's all caused by russia, by putin, and we - translation: it's all caused by russia, by putin, and we are - russia, by putin, and we are paying.

russia, by putin, and we are -a inc. , russia, by putin, and we are .a in._ , , russia, by putin, and we are -a inc. , , paying. this country was heavily reliant _ paying. this country was heavily reliant on - paying. this country wasl heavily reliant on russian energy. its government has scrambled to secure supplies for the winter. now it must ensure its citizens can afford them. so the government will pay one month's gas bill in decemberfor pay one month's gas bill in december for households and small businesses. from january, germany will cap prices for gas and electricity. this does have increased benefits, and most people have had a one—off payment of 300 euros. it's all costing this country around 300 billion euros. translation: ., , translation: the ga still hasn't arrived _ translation: the ga still hasn't arrived yet, - translation: the ga still hasn't arrived yet, so - translation: the ga still hasn't arrived yet, so let's| hasn't arrived yet, so let's see how it looks when it comes. —— the gas bill. see how it looks when it comes. -- the gas bill-— -- the gas bill. the government is incapable _ -- the gas bill. the government is incapable of _ -- the gas bill. the government is incapable of supporting - -- the gas bill. the government is incapable of supporting us, i is incapable of supporting us, they— is incapable of supporting us, they tell_ is incapable of supporting us, they tell us help is on the way but nothing is done. chancellor olaf schultz — but nothing is done. chancellor olaf schultz could _ but nothing is done. chancellor olaf schultz could do _ but nothing is done. chancellor olaf schultz could do with - but nothing is done. chancellor olaf schultz could do with a - olaf schultz could do with a boost to his popularity at home, and his european neighbours aren't impressed by

his spending plans. after all, he resisted calls for an eu wide price cap. is hejust putting germany first? translation: i putting germany first? tuna/mom- putting germany first? translation: i think the o- osite translation: | think the opposite is _ translation: i think the opposite is the _ translation: i think the opposite is the case, - translation: i think the opposite is the case, this| translation: | think the | opposite is the case, this is about stabilising europe. germany is a decisive factor in that. we have seen the world newly divided, economic centres have shifted. look at america, china. in europe, we must make sure we keep up. china. in europe, we must make sure we keep pp— sure we keep up. despite the financial help, _ sure we keep up. despite the financial help, businesses - sure we keep up. despite the| financial help, businesses and households will still face higher bills, and germany must conserve vital energy supplies. the season for giving has barely begun, already many are cutting back. up to 13,000 ukrainian soldiers have been killed since the start of russia's invasion, a senior official has said. the figure came from an adviser to ukraine's president zelensky

but has not been confirmed by the country's military, which doesn't normally give casualty numbers. vinny mcaviney�*s report contains some flash photography. in newly liberated kherson, ukrainian servicemen patrol near apartment blocks badly damaged by russian shelling. the residents who spent much of this year under russian occupation are thankful to see their countrymen. but the scale of the sacrifice made to repel the russian invaders hasn't been made clear. updates on casualty figures are rare. injune, a senior ukrainian official, mykhailo podolyak, who advises president zelensky, said between 100 and 200 ukrainian soldiers were dying daily. now he says between 10,000 and 13,000 ukrainian troops have died in the conflict. these figures have not been confirmed by the country's military.

he also suggested 100,000 russian soldiers had been killed, with up to a further 150,000 wounded or missing. however, last month, the most senior us general, mark milley, said around 100,000 russians and 100,000 ukrainian soldiers had been killed or injured since the start of the war. it may take many years for the true death tolls on both sides to come to light, but in a sign of how depleted worship's armoury is, these fragments of a soviet—made x—55 cruise missiles — designed for nuclear use, but stripped of their warheads — were found in ukraine's two western regions. meanwhile, in washington, dc, president biden is currently hosting president macron on a state visit. both leaders made it clear they were unwavering in their support for the ukrainians' fight. president macron and i have resolved that we are going to continue working together to hold russia accountable for their actions and to mitigate the global impacts of putin's war on the rest of the world. let me tell you that we will

never urge the ukrainians to make a compromise that will not be acceptable for them. we have to respect the ukrainians to decide the moment and the conditions in which they will negotiate about their territory and theirfuture. thousands of miles away on the front lines of this conflict, many ukrainians willjust be hoping, whatever the scale of their countrymen's sacrifice truly is, it's enough for this war to be over soon. vincent mcaviney, bbc news. our news reporter, azadeh moshiri, has been following this story and shejoins me now. president biden serving up lobster and controversy today, with this public statement that he is prepared to meet vladimir putin if he indicates he is interested in ending the country's war with ukraine. france has also been keen on a diplomatic solution. how closely aligned is the us with

france? how much solidarity is there? , . ., , france? how much solidarity is there? ,~ ., , , ., there? they certainly showed unity and _ there? they certainly showed unity and a — there? they certainly showed unity and a united _ there? they certainly showed unity and a united front - there? they certainly showed unity and a united front in - unity and a united front in this state visit. western leaders know that is really important as the war in ukraine goes on and russian aggression continues. this was the first state visit president biden hosted, so he's clearly very keen to show france how important that relationship is. but it has had a few hick ups and taken some pretty big knocks. there was a big diplomatic clash recently when it came to a submarine deal recently, australia had a lucrative deal with france and bought submarines from the us instead. president macron was upset, he felt he had been blindsided by his ally the united states, and currently a very big challenge when it comes to president biden's inflation reduction act, something president biden is very proud of, worth more than $700 billion, something he has

touted as a big achievement. the problem is it offers subsidies for american —based companies who are performing green technologies and manufacturing, and what europe and france has been worried about is it will chase away investment from europejust when their economies have been suffering so much. so it's a close relationship but with some serious challenges. it’s some serious challenges. it's tric , some serious challenges. it's tricky. all _ some serious challenges. it's tricky. all of _ some serious challenges. it's tricky, all of this. _ some serious challenges. it's tricky, all of this. america has often pursued an america first policy. how far do you think statements of solidarity like this go to repairing some of the challenges in this relationship?— of the challenges in this relationshi - ? , �* relationship? president biden -ut relationship? president biden ut on a relationship? president biden put on a good _ relationship? president biden put on a good show. - relationship? president biden put on a good show. the - relationship? president biden| put on a good show. the state dinner was star—studded. he wined and dined president macron. positive body language, hands on the back, something president macron will be pleased about. he can bring that back home and count is a strong place in that relationship, is a strong place

on the global stage. but crucially president biden acknowledged some of those hick ups, especially the ones in the inflation reduction act.- inflation reduction act. there are occasions _ inflation reduction act. there are occasions when - inflation reduction act. there are occasions when you - inflation reduction act. there are occasions when you write inflation reduction act. there i are occasions when you write a massive — are occasions when you write a massive piece of legislation and it— massive piece of legislation and it has almost $360 billion for the _ and it has almost $360 billion for the largest investment on climate — for the largest investment on climate change in all of history _ climate change in all of history. so obviously there's going — history. so obviously there's going to _ history. so obviously there's going to be glitches in it. and a need — going to be glitches in it. and a need to— going to be glitches in it. and a need to reconcile changes in it. a need to reconcile changes in it we — a need to reconcile changes in it we are _ a need to reconcile changes in it. we are back in business, europe _ it. we are back in business, europe is— it. we are back in business, europe is back in business. we are going — europe is back in business. we are going to continue to create manufacturing jobs in america but not — manufacturing jobs in america but not at _ manufacturing jobs in america but not at the expense of europe _ but not at the expense of euro e. but not at the expense of europe-— but not at the expense of euroe. . ., , , ., europe. so clearly trying to weiah europe. so clearly trying to weigh up — europe. so clearly trying to weigh up between - europe. so clearly trying to weigh up between the - europe. so clearly trying to weigh up between the twol europe. so clearly trying to - weigh up between the two sides, america first but not alienating europe, and france in particular. you said star—studded, anna wintour was there, interesting guest list. but also they exchange gifts. what did they give each other?

extremely thoughtful gifts. the macrons bought a cd and a vinyl from a film from the 60s that the bidens saw on their very first date. the bidens saw on their very first date-— first date. hopefully a good christmas _ first date. hopefully a good christmas bonus _ first date. hopefully a good christmas bonus for - first date. hopefully a good j christmas bonus for getting that one! �* , , , that one! i'm guessing they didn't do — that one! i'm guessing they didn't do the _ that one! i'm guessing they didn't do the research - that one! i'm guessing they didn't do the research on i that one! i'm guessing they i didn't do the research on their own! and the bidens offered the macrons a custom mirror made from wood, and a custom vinyl of some of the greatest american artists. so it truly was a presidential courtship. interesting. you can get on touch with us on twitter on which of those two gifts you would prefer. thank you. stay with us on bbc news, still to come. will smith has faced his first major red carpet since slapping chris rock at the oscars, for new movie emancipation.

it's quite clear that the worst victims of this disaster are the poor people living in the slums which have sprung up around the factory. i'm feeling so helpless that the children are dying in front of me and i can't do anything. charles manson is the mystical leader of the hippie cult suspected of killing sharon tate and at least six other people in los angeles. at 11am this morning, just half a metre of rock separated - britain from - continental europe. it took the drills just i a few moments to cut through the final obstacle. then philippe cozette, a miner| from calais, was shaking hands and exchanging flags| with robert fagg, his opposite number from dover.

this is bbc news, the latest headlines. after a night of celebrations in qatarasjapan reached the final 16 of the world cup, fans today will find out who'll be joining them in the knockout rounds from groups g and h. charges have been dropped against bruce lehrmann, the australian political advisor accused of rape, in the interests of the alleged victim's mental health. the prince and princess of wales are in boston, where they're presenting awards for their earthshot prize. the awards, which were founded by the couple, aim to find solutions to problems facing the planet, but they've been overshadowed by royal drama.

our royal correspondent daniela relph reports. meeting the people of boston. it's what the prince and princess of wales had wanted to focus on this week. itjust hasn't been that easy. there have been plenty of distractions. "harry and meghan, a love story" is how it's been billed. the trailer for the six—part series on netflix, released right in the middle of william and catherine's trip to america. i had to do everything i could to protect my family. the teaser hints at personal revelation. when the stakes were this high, doesn't it make more sense to hear our story from us? it's got people talking here — as has the racism row back in london. we all got to work together, we | got to unite and stay together. i doesn't matter — _ the black, white, spanish — doesn't matter. we all got to work. together and unite. for the trailer to come out, that was....

that, to me, is backstabbing. let everyone have their moment. and kate — catherine — and william, right now, the prince and princess of wales have their moment here in boston to make a change for the better. they've got around this city over the past two days, and it is the environment that remains a central theme of this visit. today, attention shifts to what was always planned as the main event of this trip to america, and the earthshot prize awards ceremony. of all prince william's public work, earthshot is now firmly established as one of his most important projects. get ready tojoin me and special guests for a unique event as we come together to celebrate those with the solutions to repair our planet. the five winners will be announced this evening — each one wins £1 million for their innovative environmental idea. as they head into the final day of this trip, the prince and princess of wales will meet president biden — who'll also be in boston today. it's been a visit to

america filled with some unexpected challenges. daniela relph, bbc news, boston. bomb disposal experts in spain have defused a letter bomb at the us embassy — the sixth device sent to high—profile targets in less than ten days. the authorities have now stepped up security around public buildings. as well as the us embassy, similar devices were also sent to the defence ministry, an airforce base, a weapons manufacturer and the ukrainian embassy, where a security officer was slightly injured. south african president cyril ramaphosa postponed an appearance in parliament amidst growing pressure on him to resign. his no—show came just a day after an independent panel said there was evidence suggesting he'd committed "serious misconduct" after millions of dollars in cash were reportedly stolen from his private game ranch almost three years ago. the deputy president

david mabuza also cancelled a keynote address at a world aids day commemoration event. north korea's leader kim jong—un has sent condolences to china over the death of former presidentjiang zemin. according to local media there, kim said the late former head of state had supported north korea's socialist cause and helped develop relations between the two countries. the comments were reportedly sent in a letterfrom kim to current chinese president xijinping. here in the uk, the main opposition labour party has retained the parliamentary seat of chester, in the north west of england, in a by—election, with a majority of nearly 11,000 for samantha dixon. the vote was triggered by the resignation of christian matheson, who quit after parliament's watchdog recommended he be suspended for "serious sexual misconduct". here's labour's samantha dixon reacting to her win.

i think it's very decisive. i think it shows that voters in chester really are fed up with the government. i think they've turned to labour values and put crosses next to my name in significant numbers! the american movie star will smith returns to cinemas in the us today, in his first majorfilm role since his infamous slap of chris rock at the oscars after the comedian made a joke about smith's wife. it was a moment that shocked millions around the world. so can he make a comeback? the bbc�*s tom brook has sent this report from new york. clamouring. in recent days, will smith has been on the red carpet on a charm offensive promoting emancipation — an historical drama which tells of an escaped slave in 1860s america, who, after a terrifying ordeal, gained freedom. after being in industry purgatory for the last few months, smith is most definitely back in the spotlight. reporters asked him

how he felt. so far, so good! will smith was for years one of hollywood's most bankable stars. the big question is, will his fans come out to see his new film? many were perplexed and disappointed by his oscars night slap. will they be staying away as emancipation opens up in cinemas? what he did to chris rock for no reason was crazy. he's a good actor, and he a legend, but after what he did...mm—mm! the academy has banned smith from attending the oscars for ten years, but his new film could conceivably still bring him an acting nomination. critics have been praising his performance. it's quite a unique set of circumstances in oscar history that will smith is facing here. in a hypothetical situation where he stayed in his seat after chris rock made a joke about his wife, i think that will smith would have a real shot at getting nominated for an oscar here. in light of everything that's happened, it's an uphill battle, but it's not

an insurmountable one. i would not be afraid. will smith's film is inspired by a real man from the 1860s — peter, who'd been so badly beaten by his slave masters that a photograph of his scarred back helped fuel opposition to slavery. despite his oscar night slap, will smith hopes his new film's message about the evils of racism gets through. i wanted to create something that was, you know, just a reminder of...the tragic ends that can come from that type of hate and brutality against one another. they break the bonds. hollywood is full of showbiz figures who've fallen and then been resurrected. will smith's new film may help him in thatjourney, but his oscar night slap was one of the most shocking moments in academy awards history — and it's likely to remain a prominent part of his legacy forever. but they never, never break me.

business coming up. hello. fog has been quite a big feature of our weather over the last few days — in some places, quite persistent and reluctant to clear. and there will be fog around to start friday morning once again. however, that fog should start to lift and clear to give some spells of sunshine, with a bit more of a breeze developing. but a really murky start for parts of east wales, the midlands, down into the west country — but there is some mist and fog and low clouds to be found elsewhere, as well. through the day, though, with the easterly breeze starting to pick up, some of that mist and murk and low cloud will lift to give a bit more in the way of sunshine. some showers feeding into eastern england. northern england likely to stay quite cloudy for much of the time. similar story for scotland — rather grey and drizzly — a little bit of brightness

developing out towards the west. northern ireland should see some sunshine — highs of ten degrees there for belfast. feeling colder than that if it stays grey and murky where you are. now, through friday night, we keep this easterly breeze — that will feed some showers into eastern parts of england, particularly. some clear spells. not as much fog by this stage because of the extra breeze. temperatures generally holding above freezing, some places may see a touch of frost. high pressure away to the north east of us, centred across northern europe, but that is just about dominating the weather at the moment, fending off the frontal systems for the most part. however, this band of cloud could bring a little bit of patchy rain to northern ireland and certainly northwest scotland through saturday. and at the other end of the country, we'll see some cloud just filtering in from the near continent, bringing maybe some bits and pieces of rain and drizzle into southern counties of england. elsewhere, some spells of sunshine, some showers in the east, and feeling quite chilly in the easterly breeze — which will still be with us into sunday. i think we'll see more of that cloud feeding up from the south.

quite cloudy for many of us, actually. best of the sunshine in the west. there will also be some showers — some of which could be wintry over higher ground. top temperatures around five, six or seven degrees. just a taste of what is to come next week, because it looks pretty likely that we'll see north or north—easterly winds feeding a plunge of cold air across the uk, and that brings with it the chance of some wintry showers. now, the details of the forecast will change between now and then, and there should be a lot of dry weather around, but some wintry showers are possible, and it is set to feel really quite cold.

this is bbc news with the latest business headlines. the long shadow of the pandemic. how long covid is adding to labour shortages — and helping push up inflation — in the us and here in europe. there have been times when i have been too sick, like, ijust know that i can't work. because it's notjust physical exertion — it's mental exertion, its emotional exertion. also coming up, trying to stop the rot — twitter offers big incentives to keep advertisers on board after elon musk�*s takeover sent top brands heading for the exits. plus — "the world will judge me as it will." the fallen crypto king continues his charm offensive on us breakfast tv.

and 5g, or not 5g?