this is bbc news. the headlines... four people have died and 43 others have been rescued, after a boat carrying migrants got into difficulties in the channel. the uk and france both need to act, to stop these dangerous boat crossings. inflation has eased slightly, but the cost of living still remains close, to a ao—year high. industrial action across the uk continues to escalate this morning, as royal mail staffjoin rail workers on picket lines. at the world cup, high hopes for the atlas lions. morocco take on france, in the semifinals.

good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at one. four people have died and 43 others have been rescued, after a small boat carrying migrants got into difficulties in the channel, in the early hours of this morning. more than 30 of those rescued had to be pulled from the freezing water, off the kent coast, near dungeness. there are distressing images, from the start, in celestina olulode's report. a desperate struggle to safety in the early hours of this morning. in these bitterly cold waters, time is running out for these people to reach safety. the small boat ran into difficulties whilst crossing the english channel shortly after 3am this morning. a coordinated rescue effort between britain and france is still ongoing.

home secretary suella braverman described the incident as a terrible tragedy. these are the days that we dread. crossing the channel in unseaworthy vessels is a lethally dangerous endeavour. it is for this reason above all that we are working so hard to destroy the business model of the people smugglers. evil, organised criminals who treat human beings as cargo. three people had been rescued with more than 30 pulled from the water. refugee charities say tragedies like this are inevitable. we don't look at the reasons people come to the uk. the reasons they are fleeing their countries of origin in the first place and how we can get people here safely, i'm really sorry to say i don't think this will be the last tragedy that we see involving

small boats at sea. at least 27 migrants died in november last year when a dinghy sank while heading to the uk from france. nearly 16,000 people have made the dangerous journey across the channel so far this year. today's incident is a reminder of what can go wrong in these waters, despite rescue efforts. the home secretary, suella braverman, told the commons it was a "sobering reminder" of why the government needed to stop small boat crossings. the government needed to stop early the government needed to stop next year, we will new early next year, we will introduce new legislation to make it unambiguously clear that if someone comes to the uk illegally, they should not be able to remain here. instead, they can expect to be detained and swiftly returned either to their home country or to a safe

country where their claim for asylum will be considered. late or spurious claims and appeals will not be possible and once someone has been removed, they will have no right to re—entry, settlement or citizenship. this will act as a deterrent and it will save lives. as we great illegal migration, we will create more safe and legal roots, working with the unhcr to identify those most in need and introducing an annual quota set by parliament. we will work closely with local authorities to determine capacity. the shadow home secretary, yvette cooper, responded the the home secretary, saying there has been a failure in stopping criminal gangs. it was barely more than a year ago, 27 lives_ it was barely more than a year ago, 27 lives were — it was barely more than a year ago, 27 lives were lost when a boat went down _ 27 lives were lost when a boat went down and — 27 lives were lost when a boat went down. and all of us have warned, all

of us _ down. and all of us have warned, all of us have _ down. and all of us have warned, all of us have feared, that it wasjust a matter— of us have feared, that it wasjust a matter of— of us have feared, that it wasjust a matter of time before more lives were _ a matter of time before more lives were lost — a matter of time before more lives were lost it — a matter of time before more lives were lost. it is of course why the uk and _ were lost. it is of course why the uk and france both need to act to stop these — uk and france both need to act to stop these dangerous boat crossings. the brutal— stop these dangerous boat crossings. the brutal truth as well is that criminal— the brutal truth as well is that criminal gangs have made money from those _ criminal gangs have made money from those lives _ criminal gangs have made money from those lives that were lost today or stop they — those lives that were lost today or stop they have profited as people have drowned. they asked a day, week after week, _ have drowned. they asked a day, week afterweek, criminal have drowned. they asked a day, week after week, criminal gangs have drowned. they asked a day, week afterweek, criminal gangs are after week, criminal gangs are putting — afterweek, criminal gangs are putting lives at risk for money and the other— putting lives at risk for money and the other brutal truth is that far from _ the other brutal truth is that far from stopping those criminal gangs, those _ from stopping those criminal gangs, those gangs have grown and grown and the uk _ those gangs have grown and grown and the uk and _ those gangs have grown and grown and the uk and french governments and authorities— the uk and french governments and authorities have failed to stop the crimihat_ authorities have failed to stop the criminal smuggling and trafficking gangs _ criminal smuggling and trafficking gangs proliferating around the chehhet — gangs proliferating around the channel. those gangs have created a multi—million pound criminal industry— multi—million pound criminal industry with lives at stake and the action— industry with lives at stake and the action against those gangs has being

too weak _ action against those gangs has being too weak. there have been barely any prosecutions— too weak. there have been barely any prosecutions or convictions and barely— prosecutions or convictions and barely any— prosecutions or convictions and barely any inroads into the smuggler gangs _ our correspondent, simonjones, is in dover. bring us up—to—date with on the ongoing operation into what happened. ongoing operation into what happened-— ongoing operation into what hauened. , ., ., ongoing operation into what hauened. ., ., , happened. the search operation is continuinu happened. the search operation is continuing out _ happened. the search operation is continuing out in _ happened. the search operation is continuing out in the _ happened. the search operation is continuing out in the channel - happened. the search operation is continuing out in the channel thisl continuing out in the channel this afternoon but sadly, it is no longer going to be a rescue operation because the chance of finding anyone else alive in the water after so much time at this time of year is going to be pretty much zero. we haveit going to be pretty much zero. we have it confirmed that at least four people have died. i understand they are still looking potentially for another three or four bodies, but that has not yet been confirmed by the authorities but certainly researchers are going to continue for the rest of the day, until they are sure that everyone has been

recovered, even if sadly we are talking about bodies. this all began at around three o'clock this morning in the cold and in the dark and in the freezing conditions, a boat carrying around 50 people started sinking. it was dangerously overloaded. it was first spotted by a passing fishing boat which managed to take on around 30 of the people who were in the water onto the fishing boat. the emergency services were called, prompting a huge response. four lifeboats were sent, from dover, dungeness, hastings and ramsgate, in addition, three helicopters, two from the uk and one from france, were sent to the scene. that gives you a sense of the scale we are talking about, where lives were at risk. the vast majority of people were rescued by the lifeboat crew bowed back two people who were in a critical condition. i understand they were brought back to

the quayside and over and then the cpr was administered for more than an hour but those two lives could not be saved and just before lunchtime, we saw a lifeboat return back to dover once again and the lifeboat flowed a body bag, which really brings home the seriousness, the enormity of what has happened here. . ~ the enormity of what has happened here. ., ,, i. ., ., 0ur political correspondent david wallace lockhart is in westminster. the government are clearly having problems dealing with the small boats. it has been a long—running issue folks assess save —— successive prime ministers in recent years. flit successive prime ministers in recent ears. .., , successive prime ministers in recent ears. _, , , successive prime ministers in recent ears. , , , , years. of course, this is 'ust 24-hourfi years. of course, this is 'ust 24-hour zone i years. of course, this is 'ust 24-hour zone from i years. of course, this isjust 24-hour zone from rishi - years. of course, this isjust i 24-hour zone from rishi sunak 24—hour zone from rishi sunak outlining a five—point plan he hopes can deal notjust with small boats but the asylum backlog we are

currently seeing, at least a large proportion of that. keir starmer and rishi sunak opening at pmqs this afternoon by expressing their sympathies with regards to this tragedy. rishi sunak calling it a tragic loss. sir keir starmer saying it was heartbreaking for —— we then got a statement from the home secretary, suella braverman, and she was also exposing sympathy from across the house a lot of tributes paid to the emergency services, but it was inevitable, there was a lot of talk about policy after that because as i mentioned, the government has made it clear it is one of its priorities, to deal with at the moment. suella braverman believing that the focus has to be on what she sees as pull factors, factors that encourage people to try and make these journeys and essentially she was saying in the new year, there be new legislation, we heard this from rishi sunak yesterday, that will act as a deterrent, in her words, yesterday, that will act as a deterrent, in herwords, making it

unambiguously clear that anyone arriving in the uk without permission will not be able to stay. they will be sent back to either their home country or a safe third country. that could apply to the rwanda scheme that the government is still trying to face down illegal challenge on at this point, where anyone claiming asylum codec —— could be sent to a third country like rwanda to be processed there. and if their claim is accepted, they would be settled there. many mps during the statement by suella braverman raising questions about, how does someone apply safely for asylum in the uk? we know there are specific schemes, like for people in ukraine, people in hong kong, people in syria, suella braverman saying the right way for this to play out is to firstly the asylum backlog and stop small boats coming by removing what she considers to be a pull factor and then and only then,

talking about more safe and legal roots. of course, many mps think thatis roots. of course, many mps think that is the wrong way to approach this. if you open up more options for people to apply for asylum without getting to the uk first, you would then tell people they did not have to make crossings across the channels in these vessels. and we also heard from the shadow home secretary, yvette cooper, saying the government simply had not done enough to smash the criminal gangs organising so much of this. qm. organising so much of this. 0k, david, organising so much of this. 0k, david. moving _ organising so much of this. 0k, david, moving on _ organising so much of this. 0k, david, moving on to _ organising so much of this. 0k, david, moving on to dominic raab, apparently, the investigation into allegations of bullying have been extended. . �* , extended. that's right. the government _ extended. that's right. the government brought - extended. that's right. the government brought in - extended. that's right. the government brought in an i extended. that's right. the - government brought in an external lawyer to look into allegations of bullying against dominic raab. he is of course currently deputy prime minister and justice secretary. those were the same positions he held under borisjohnson and he was also foreign secretary for a spell as well. we knew that there were

three official complaint is being investigated. downing street today telling us that is now five additional complaints being investigated, so up to a total of eight. it is believed those five relate to his previous dent in the ministry ofjustice. a source close to dominic raab told the bbc that there is zero tolerance for bullying across the civil service. he leads a professional department where civil servants are valued and the level of ambition is high. we also heard from ambition is high. we also heard from a spokesperson for sir keir starmer who said it was pretty shocking that no action had been taken against dominic raab and suggested he should be suspended. dominic raab does deny any allegations of bullying, does push back against these claims of inappropriate behaviour but certainly, a headache for the government and more complaints against dominic raab now being investigated, a total of eight. david, thank you for that.

i have some breaking news for you now. china has removed six diplomats from the uk, including the consul general and this comes after the government asked beijing to suspend diplomatic immunity, so that they could be questioned by greater manchester police, following an incident involving a protester at the consulate grounds. we also the disturbing footage of the incident outside the consulate in manchester. in response to that, we initiated a process based on our adherence to the role of law. greater manchester police initiated an investigation is part —— and as part of that investigation requested that six chinese officials waved to promote a community, so they could be questioned. we informed the

chinese embassy and we set a deadline which expire today, making it clear that we expected them to take action. in response to our request, the chinese government have now removed from the uk those officials, including the consul general himself. this demonstrates that our adherence to the rule of law, the seriousness with which we take these incidents has had an effect, and we will continue in the world stage and domestically to abide by the rule of law and we expect others to do likewise. just fill it in on _ expect others to do likewise. just fill it in on what _ expect others to do likewise. just fill it in on what happened. backl expect others to do likewise. just. fill it in on what happened. back in october, there _ fill it in on what happened. back in october, there was _ fill it in on what happened. back in october, there was a _ fill it in on what happened. back in october, there was a protest - fill it in on what happened. back in october, there was a protest by i 0ctober, there was a protest by pro—democracy hong kong campaigners outside the chinese consulate in manchester. it was pretty vocal, they were pretty loud and they were saying stuff that the chinese government would find offensive. there was one image thereof the

president of china with a nose around his neck. anyway, during this protest, a group of men left the consulate gates and they started kicking down and tearing down and trying to remove the posters and placards. a violent melee occurred. 0ne placards. a violent melee occurred. one of the protesters was dragged inside the gates of the consulate and attacked and this was all filmed. there were police on the scene and they eventually... some of them step into the premises and dragged the protester back. he was hurt and things calmed down after that. what happened was that greater manchester police investigated the incident and they wanted, they said, to question the six diplomatic. the foreign office then requested the chinese to waive their debility community. the chinese chose not to do that, they chose simply to remove the six men —— diplomatic immunity.

we are looking at images of what happened now and as you indicated, james, very violent and pretty aggressive. the police, having seen all this, would have wanted to prosecute, no question. i cannot pre-empt— prosecute, no question. i cannot pre-emptthat— prosecute, no question. i cannot pre-empt that the _ prosecute, no question. i cannot pre-empt that the police - prosecute, no question. i cannot pre-empt that the police are - prosecute, no question. i cannot pre-empt that the police are to l prosecute, no question. i cannot. pre-empt that the police are to be pre—empt that the police are to be wanted to investigate and then you need to question but you cannot question diplomats because they have diplomatic immunity. they can voluntary give up that immunity. the chinese chose not to do that. i think what was made clear to the chinese was that if they did not put themselves up for questioning and they did not kick them out themselves, the british would formally declare them persona non grata and the chinese then chose to choose the route of least resistance and remove them out of the country. they removed the need for further

tit—for—tat. if the dish needed to expel them they could have been consequences for diplomats in beijing. consequences for diplomats in bei'inu. , ,, . , . beijing. one suspects the police would have _ beijing. one suspects the police would have felt _ beijing. one suspects the police would have felt they _ beijing. one suspects the police would have felt they would - beijing. one suspects the police would have felt they would have beijing. one suspects the police i would have felt they would have to get involved in a serious way. could we as the government in question where this happened have suggested to the chinese that it might make sense for these men to be removed? i think it was made very clear to the chinese government that there were potential consequences if these six men were not made available questioning and that is they had not been taken out by the chinese, i think they were aware that there were consequences and one of the main consequences was the fact they could be expelled. iain duncan smith said this was not enough, just to allow the chinese to slip out of the country, they should have been kicked out immediately that the

british government chose to say, we want to follow the rules, a police investigation, let that process go on. is investigation, let that process go on. , ~' , investigation, let that process go on. , ~ , ., , investigation, let that process go on. is there likely to be any kind of retaliation _ on. is there likely to be any kind of retaliation from _ on. is there likely to be any kind of retaliation from the _ on. is there likely to be any kind of retaliation from the chinese? | on. is there likely to be any kind i of retaliation from the chinese? we don't of retaliation from the chinese? - don't know. i suspect not. i suspect both sides will say there are bigger fish to fry. the headlines on bbc news... four people have died and 43 others have been rescued, after a boat carrying migrants got into difficulties in the channel. inflation has eased slightly, but the cost of living still remains close, to a ao—year high. at the world cup, high hopes for the atlas lions, morocco take on france, in the semifinals. postal workers have begun a two day walkout, in a dispute over pay, jobs and working conditions. it's the lastest in a series of strikes affecting numerous sectors, in the run up to christmas.

meanwhile a strike by members of the rmt union is causing severe disruption across the rail network for a second day. howard johnsonjoins us howard johnson joins us with the latest from euston station. it is bitterly cold — latest from euston station. it is bitterly cold and _ latest from euston station. it 3 bitterly cold and there are commuters in their office rate, it is one of the biggest transport hubs in london. 0ne is one of the biggest transport hubs in london. one in five services are affected. lots of people this morning was staring at the board quizzically, trying to work out their transport conundrums but at their transport conundrums but at the moment, it is quite quiet in there, as we are building up towards rush—hour again. there, as we are building up towards rush—houragain. i there, as we are building up towards rush—hour again. i spoke to the rmt union people who were picketing the station earlier today and they say they are calling for betterjob conditions and they want to maintain their pay grades and they want an improvement at a, better than the

offer that has been given to them by the transport companies. and we have seen there is a loggerhead at the moment between those companies and the rmt about the deal, about the issue of conditions. they are worried that maybe staff will be cut back and there will be safety issues in the months ahead but what we are seeing today is around six o'clock all services were around and this is the second day of the strike, a 48—hour strike, services will resume again tomorrow before another strike again tomorrow before another strike again on friday, going into saturday. again on friday, going into saturday-— tomorrow, members of the royal college of nursing will begin the biggest walkout, in the rcn's 106 year history, affecting england, wales and northern ireland. the dispute, is over pay. emergency care will still be provided, but general patients could be affected. there are however no strikes in scotland, where fresh talks have prevented a walkout, for now. two nhs unions, voted to accept an improved pay offer, averaging 7.5%.

but ballots for other union members are on—going. royal college of nursing members in northern ireland, will be on strike tomorrow. other health unions there, have already taken part in industrial action this week, while 53 health trusts or services in england, will take part in industrial action for 12 hours on thursday. talks are continuing on which types of care will be provided, after nhs england asked the unions to protect cancer services. and in wales, rcn nurses in all but one health board will be on strike, as tomos morgan reports from cardiff. we need to make this stand to preserve the nhs and to ensure the safety of patients. the job's completely changed in the three decades katherine davies has been a nurse and she believes the pressures of the role can't be healed without financial intervention. we're resuscitating patients. we're nursing patients

after major surgery, and £13 an hour does not reflect the responsibility that somebody has got. yesterday, members of the royal college of midwives in wales, as well as physiotherapy staff here, also voted for industrial action, meaning more disruption to the health service is on its way. but pay is only one of the reasons behind tomorrow's nursing strike. staff shortages are a key reason behind why industrial action is still taking place tomorrow. in england, there's been a 21% rise in unfilled posts since last year, but in wales, that figure has shot up. there's been a 70% rise since last year in nursing vacancies. the rurality of wales can make filling vacancies harder, but some have other views on why nurses are leaving the nhs. they've left because they don't want the burden and responsibility that was being imposed on them as nhs employees working on wards that were short—staffed.

so they've jumped ship and i honestly can't blame them for doing it. although health is devolved in wales, most welsh government funding for the nhs comes from the uk government. the welsh health minister said she won't raise taxes in order to increase salaries, adding that nurses�* pay cannot be increased until more funds come from westminster. 0n recruitment, however, it's a complex picture. well, we do have vacancies, but that's an international problem. it's notjust... it's worse here. it has increased. it's got worse here. what we've got in wales is a situation where we work with our social partners, that we have recruited more than we've ever recruited before. as we head into the depths of winter, one which could mean the toughest demands yet on our health service, the future of our nhs here remains fractured and unresolved. tomos morgan, bbc news, cardiff.

we know that there are huge issues concerning the possibility and allegations of corruption involving members of the european parliament. four people are appearing in court in belgium today over alleged corruption linked to their work at the european parliament. they include the greek mep, eva kaili, who's denied taking more than 100,000 dollars worth of bribes from qatar. i'm joined now by our brussels correspondent, jessica parker. jess, remind me of how we got here. bring us up—to—date with the latest on the investigation. irate bring us up-to-date with the latest on the investigation.— on the investigation. we are exoeeting — on the investigation. we are exoeeting a _ on the investigation. we are expecting a court _ on the investigation. we are expecting a court hearing i on the investigation. we are i expecting a court hearing today on the investigation. we are - expecting a court hearing today for the four people who have been charged, including eva kaili, the greek mep. however, i havejust been speaking to her lawyer, who seems to suggest that eva kaili was not in court today. we have not had

confirmation yet from the belgian authorities and it is not clear why she was not in court but there seems to be some sort of postponement now, in terms of her appearance at least until next week. this all comes of course after some pretty explosive announcements by the belgian authorities about an investigation they have been carrying out four months, looking at suspected corruption. and they have said that they thought a calcite was possibly using cash and gifts to try and influence proceedings in the european parliament —— gulf state. qatar was not named but it has emerged as the country allegedly involved. it has denied any wrongdoing. but it has sort of send shock waves through russells and strasbourg, where meps are currently sitting for the european parliament. eva kaili are pacifist lawyers denied the allegations but it has been an explosive time for the

european parliament and many mps crumbling i think to triad notjust distance themselves from the allegations but suggest they are about to take robust action to tackle corruption and some of the looseness around lobbying rules as well —— scrambling, i think. with me now is paul moss, our europe regional editor. we have heard a lot about eva kaili, but apparently, there is another key figure involved in all of this. yes. figure involved in all of this. yes, eva kaili is _ figure involved in all of this. yes, eva kaili is well-known _ figure involved in all of this. yes, eva kaili is well-known in - figure involved in all of this. ye: eva kaili is well—known in brussels as an mep but pier antonio panzeri is also under arrest and it is beginning to look like he is an important figure in this and he has broadened it out to countries beyond qatar. he was an mep for ten years until 2019 and he sat on the european parliament committee in charge of transparency, anti—corruption and organised. ironic, given these are the affairs he is now accused of being part of.

he was also chair of the group in charge of relations between the european parliament and morocco. why is that interesting? it is notjust pier antonio panzeri who is in the frame for this. his wife and daughter have been put under house arrest in italy and it seems the belgian authorities are trying to extradite them as well and what has happened is the extradition documents have leaked out and there have been semi—organised as reporting what is in it and it is very interesting. it suggests his wife and daughter knew about this alleged corruption. it does speak of some lavish life living, but crucially, it says that pier antonio panzeri was taking money from morocco as well as qatar. we have not seen that suggested before. nothing proven, as i say, it is an allegation. why would morocco want to influence the european parliament? morocco is involved in a long—running violent conflict in an

area called the western sahara. it is a part of morocco, they say, many in western sahara would like to be independent. this is guesswork but may be an educated guess. if morocco was determined to influence the european parliament, it may well be over this issue. but once again, it shows that this issue is expanding and expanding. we are already two daysin and expanding. we are already two days in and we have gone beyond qatar. , , ., . ~ days in and we have gone beyond qatar. , , ., ., m, ., qatar. yes, but going back to qatar, how has all— qatar. yes, but going back to qatar, how has all of— qatar. yes, but going back to qatar, how has all of this _ qatar. yes, but going back to qatar, how has all of this affected - how has all of this affected relations with the eu? they have one relations with the eu? they have gone backwards, _ relations with the eu? they have gone backwards, is _ relations with the eu? they have gone backwards, is what - relations with the eu? they have gone backwards, is what i - relations with the eu? they have gone backwards, is what i would| relations with the eu? they have - gone backwards, is what i would say. if there was corruption by qatar, it would seem to be rather unsuccessful. 0ne would seem to be rather unsuccessful. one of the things that eva kaili was lobbying for was visa free travel for qataris in europe and this was doing well. it was about to be approved and as a result of what has happened, it has gone backwards and has gone back to

committee. more importantly for the business community, a deal was made to allow qatar airways free access to allow qatar airways free access to eu airports. a lot of people were against the deal at the time, saying it was not good for europe and it was about to be ratified by the parliament but i understand there are now plans to put that back to committee and i think more than anything else, can you now imagine anything else, can you now imagine an mep standing up in the european parliament aren't saying anything nice about qatar? it is going to arouse suspicion. i heard someone say earlier, this is like a movie, a thriller, that if it was, i think they would be comedy elements because whoever was allegedly offering those bribes, they have wasted their money and it has backfired. em wasted their money and it has backfired-— wasted their money and it has backfired. . , ., ., , backfired. an investigation is under wa , backfired. an investigation is under way. nothing _ backfired. an investigation is under way. nothing has — backfired. an investigation is under way, nothing has been _ backfired. an investigation is under way, nothing has been proved, - backfired. an investigation is under way, nothing has been proved, but| backfired. an investigation is under i way, nothing has been proved, but it gets very murky. now it's time for a look at the weather with darren bett.

a cold day today and another widespread frost to come overnight. more snow showers continuing across northern parts of scotland, where it is windy for a while. significant falls over the hills but wintry showers for northern ireland and later for north—east england. icy conditions was not further south, mist and fog patches largely clearing towards the end of the night. it'll be called heavy weather temperatures low as —7 in birmingham. dry weatherfor temperatures low as —7 in birmingham. dry weather for many parts of the country will stop it will not be as windy in scotland. wintry showers coming into northern ireland and north—east england. maybe into norfolk as well. dry weather and sunshine otherwise. but still cold after that widespread frost, temperatures struggling. the next few days, even into the start of the weekend, staying called, frosty and potentially icy, especially where we see snow showers and more snow on friday in scotland.

hello, this is bbc news with clive myrie. the headlines. four people have died and 43 others have been rescued, after a boat carrying migrants got into difficulties while trying to cross the channel. crossing the channel in unseaworthy vessels is a lethally dangerous endeavour. it is for this reason above all that we are working so hard to destroy the business model of the people smugglers. evil, organised criminals, who treat human beings as cargo. the uk and france both need to act to stop _ the uk and france both need to act to stop these dangerous boat crossings. inflation has eased slightly, but the cost of living still remains close, to a ao—year high. industrial action across the uk continues to escalate this morning, as royal mail staffjoin rail workers on picket lines.

good afternoon. the battle to claim a place in the final of the world cup comes to a head tonight as france play morocco. the current holders are hoping for back to back finals, but first they have to beat the surprise team of the tournament — who have become the first african side to reach the semi—finals. a little earlier, i spoke to our reporter alex howell who is out in doha. morocco are the surprise package of the tournament and topped their group _ the tournament and topped their group in — the tournament and topped their group in the world cup, coming out on top _ group in the world cup, coming out on top ahead of belgium and croatia, who made _ on top ahead of belgium and croatia, who made it — on top ahead of belgium and croatia, who made it into the other semifinal. then they have beaten spain _ semifinal. then they have beaten spain and — semifinal. then they have beaten spain and portugal in the knockout stages, _ spain and portugal in the knockout stages, and it's even more impressive when you think that their manager— impressive when you think that their manager has only been in charge for 'ust manager has only been in charge for just over— manager has only been in charge for just over three months. he has the players _ just over three months. he has the players together, playing for each other— players together, playing for each other and — players together, playing for each other and they have a clear idea of

what _ other and they have a clear idea of what they— other and they have a clear idea of what they are doing and they have spoken— what they are doing and they have spoken about how he spoke to the players _ spoken about how he spoke to the players before the tournament, saying — players before the tournament, saying they are not just here for three _ saying they are not just here for three games, but to plan for the future _ three games, but to plan for the future and — three games, but to plan for the future and to be here for longer. they— future and to be here for longer. they are — future and to be here for longer. they are in — future and to be here for longer. they are in the semifinal and behind argentina _ they are in the semifinal and behind argentina they are the best supported nation, and we have been speak— supported nation, and we have been speak about why we are so happy to see so— speak about why we are so happy to see so many moroccans here. we have the best fans — see so many moroccans here. we have the best fans in _ see so many moroccans here. we have the best fans in the _ see so many moroccans here. we have the best fans in the world _ see so many moroccans here. we have the best fans in the world with - see so many moroccans here. we have the best fans in the world with may - the best fans in the world with may be argentinian fans and brazilian fans. we are very happy because the world is beginning to know what is a moroccan fan. we have more than 20,000 people, minimum. they can come to support us and i'm very happy because the world cup can can give this picture of the fans of morocco. so give this picture of the fans of morocco. ., , morocco. so whoever wins the semifinal _ morocco. so whoever wins the semifinal tonight, _ morocco. so whoever wins the semifinal tonight, they - morocco. so whoever wins the semifinal tonight, they know. morocco. so whoever wins the i semifinal tonight, they know who morocco. so whoever wins the - semifinal tonight, they know who is waiting _ semifinal tonight, they know who is waiting for— semifinal tonight, they know who is waiting for them, lionel messi semifinal tonight, they know who is waiting forthem, lionel messi in argentina — waiting forthem, lionel messi in argentina and messi is looking to cemerit— argentina and messi is looking to cement his legacy, but whoever wins

between _ cement his legacy, but whoever wins between the current world champions all the _ between the current world champions all the underdogs, morocco, between the current world champions allthe underdogs, morocco, is between the current world champions all the underdogs, morocco, is sure to make _ all the underdogs, morocco, is sure to make the — all the underdogs, morocco, is sure to make the world cup final on sunday— to make the world cup final on sunday an _ to make the world cup final on sunday an even bigger story. well, all that comes after argentina's convincing 3—0 win over croatia last night. after the game lionel messi suggested sunday's final is likely to be his last appearance at the tournament. so far the world cup is the only silverware that's eluded him. the legacy of maradona is there, and i think messi does not need to win the world cup to prove he's been one of the greatest players of all time, but of course,, it would be so, so good to see a picture of messi with the world cup trophy. some people probably, not from my generation, but let's say my dad and all of that, they have seen the best of maradona. and i think the kids these

daysin maradona. and i think the kids these days in argentina they are all wearing messi shirts, so it will be so, so good to have the opportunity to again have messi winning something with his national team. a security guard at qatar's lusail stadium has died after suffering a serious fall at the venue following argentina's quarter—final win over the netherlands on friday. kenyanjohn njau kibue died after three days in hospital. he's the second migrant worker reported to have died since the start of the world cup last month. the stadium will host sunday's final. in a statement the organisers say they "send their sincere condolences to his family, colleagues and friends." and that they are "investigating the circumstances leading to the fall as a matter of urgency". adding, "they will continue to provide further information pending an investigation and will ensure his family receive all outstanding monies owed."

that's all the sport for now. as we've just heard, morocco will become the first african football team, and the first arab nation, to play in a world cup semi—final today. they take on the reigning champions, france, in qatar. at stake is a place in sunday's final against argentina, who beat croatia last night, 3—0. shaimaa khalil has more. moroccan fans had dreamt of this moment. and now it's actually happened. their side is now the first arab and african team to make it to the world cup semifinals. very excited. we are making history, guys. yes, we are happy for our country and all the people in morocco, here and around the world. it is a win for morocco, it is a win for africa. we feel really confident, this team has _

accomplished something that has never been done or seen by any. african or arab country. it is a huge sporting moment for morocco but it goes beyond football. you can sense the collective feeling ofjoy and pride across the arab world and africa. i was speaking to a moroccan fan who said i will tell my children and grandchildren i was here when my team made history. the support has been phenomenal. it has felt very much like a home game for the atlas lions in doha, and many have travelled from around the region. morocco's coach understands the heft of this match, but remains confident. translation: you might think i'm crazy, but we want to get _ to the final of the world cup. we are notjust going through the motions, we are notjust satisfied with reaching the semifinal and being the first african team to do that. we want to go further than that and that is why my players are ready to give everything. the moroccan squad have beaten the odds and some of football's giants to get here, but now they face france,

the world champions, here to defend their title. translation: i'm french by nationality but it - to pay tribute to my father—in—law who is moroccan and couldn't come. it will be beautiful either way, france or morocco. but honestly, i prefer france. this is great news, we will be able to go much further in this world cup and it will be really great. i cannot wait to see the final. win or lose, morocco have proved themselves a formidable force against the powerhouses of this game. inflation, the rate at which prices rise, fell slightly in november, but the cost of living still remains close to a ao—year high. figures from the office for national statistics, show inflation eased to 10.7 percent last month, down from 11.1 per cent. but food prices continue to rise at a much higher rate. here's our economics correspondent, andy verity.

at this edinburgh refuge for homeless pets, they are getting the food in for the winter. with pet food up by 1a and a half percent and the country going through the worst drop in real incomes since the 1940s, more and more dog and cat owners are leaving their pets here because they can simply no longer afford to look after them. we know that this crisis is still to deepen. we know that things are going to get worse. in the last month alone, we've had 75 calls from people very distressed needing our help and saying, "i don't know if i can keep my dog or my cat with me." since the spring, they've taken in an extra 100 animals, up by 40% on last year. it's getting worse. to keep the pets well, they have to keep them well fed and warm. this year, they are facing an estimated £330,000 of increased costs. people coming to us seven days a week with heartbreaking phone calls, situations people are being forced into, and we are having to meet that demand further and further out into the community. and all of those costs from veterinary drugs to cat litter,

to even everything that keeps the lights on, all of that's gone up. the consumer prices index in the year to november rose by 10.7%. the second highest rate in 41 years. within that, goods prices, largely driven by global forces, were up 14% while services more closely connected to domestic wages rose by 6.3%. within that, food price inflation has continued to hit new highs, up by 16.5%. milk, cheese and eggs are up 27%. and oils and fats up 29%. despite government subsidies, electricity is up 65% on a year ago and gas has more than doubled. but petrol prices have fallen sharply since the summer and other global inflationary pressures such as container shipping costs have plummeted as far more containers have come back on stream, which may be one of the reasons inflation has fallen

back from 11.1% last month. some economists think it may now be past its peak. i think the best guess is we have seen the peak. i think that was probably last month. we've seen prices sort of around, global commodity prices around the world, starting to fall. oil prices, things like that. and that is starting to feed through into the uk economy. and so, i think the likelihood is we have reached a peak, yes. the bank of england interest rate setters are meeting today to decide how big the next rate hike will be. slow inflation in the united states has taken the pressure off policymakers there to raise rates as fast as they might have done. in the city, the markets are now expecting uk rates to rise tomorrow by half a percentage point. andy verity, bbc news. let's speak to harriett baldwin, conservative mp and chair of the treasury select committee. good afternoon and thank you for being with us. first of all, inflation beginning to nudge down but still at 10.7%, the second highest rate in a0 years, and this, of course, has huge ramifications

for ordinary people.— of course, has huge ramifications for ordinary people. good afternoon. as ou for ordinary people. good afternoon. as you say. — for ordinary people. good afternoon. as you say, inflation _ for ordinary people. good afternoon. as you say, inflation is _ for ordinary people. good afternoon. as you say, inflation is the _ for ordinary people. good afternoon. as you say, inflation is the most - as you say, inflation is the most insidious and terrible tax and basically a tax on the very poorest and it's absolutely essential that policymakers focus on getting inflation back into the target range. i think one of the most important things is that, in terms of recognising the energy costs, president putin has effectively weaponised the cost of energy against western economies, but we need to be able to help those families with those energy bills through this winter and next. bare families with those energy bills through this winter and next. are we doinu through this winter and next. are we doing enough _ through this winter and next. are we doing enough on _ through this winter and next. are we doing enough on that _ through this winter and next. are we doing enough on that though? - through this winter and next. are we doing enough on that though? we i through this winter and next. are we i doing enough on that though? we know certain measures are going to be lapsing in april, for instance. fiur lapsing in april, for instance. our committee _ lapsing in april, for instance. our committee has _ lapsing in april, for instance. oi" committee has published a report today where we have welcomed the fact that in the autumn statement, jeremy hunt announced £900, up from £650, to go to households in means

tested benefit, and one of the things we highlighted in our report is we are concerned about the cliff edgein is we are concerned about the cliff edge in that, so we have recommended in our report that those payments be split into six monthly payments over the course of next winter to make sure people do not get hurt by that cliff edge by finding that perhaps they don't qualify on the day the payment is made, and we think that by spreading it out over the winter it will reach more people and the cliff edge will not be so serious for the country. we also think it's really important to highlight the work of the household income support fund, which is a fund made available for households that are perhaps not caught by that, but also need help with their income. in my constituency, it is delivered by the citizens advice bureau and there is the extra cash help available for households.— households. but, as i say, the enera households. but, as i say, the energy price — households. but, as i say, the energy price guarantee, - households. but, as i say, the energy price guarantee, that i households. but, as i say, the i energy price guarantee, that has households. but, as i say, the - energy price guarantee, that has a cliff edge. march the 31st, 2023.

should that be extended beyond that period? i should that be extended beyond that eriod? ~ should that be extended beyond that eriod? ,, ., should that be extended beyond that eriod? ~ . , , should that be extended beyond that eriod? ~' ., , , ., period? i think what experts are predicting. _ period? i think what experts are predicting. and _ period? i think what experts are predicting, and obviously - period? i think what experts are | predicting, and obviously nobody knows what the price of fuel at the pump or our energy bills for gas will be at that point but it's important we target the support on the households that need it most and also on the energy intensive businesses we have in this country because we cannot allow president putin to win in terms of this attack he has made on western economies by making sure the price of the energy on which we rely has gone up so sharply. on which we rely has gone up so sharl . ,, ., , ,, ., ,, sharply. should rishi sunak and jeremy hunt extend _ sharply. should rishi sunak and jeremy hunt extend the - sharply. should rishi sunak and jeremy hunt extend the energy| sharply. should rishi sunak and - jeremy hunt extend the energy price guarantee beyond april next year? mr; guarantee beyond april next year? iji own guarantee beyond april next year? iiji own personal guarantee beyond april next year? ii: own personal view and guarantee beyond april next year? iii own personal view and i'm guarantee beyond april next year? i own personal view and i'm not speaking for the committee, i think that one of the things that could have been better designed about this

winter's guarantee is that it could have encouraged people to think about the overall cost of heating their homes. i know people are doing that, but it was rather uncapped in my view and perhaps should have helped for the first series of expenditures rather than for everyone, including people on their second homes and things like that. i think it's become more focused and it's going to be very much focused on those on means tested benefits next winter, and we've made recommendations in our report as to how to avoid those cliff edges and avoid any disincentive there might be in the way that is structured for people taking on an additional hour or two of work. so people taking on an additional hour or two of work-— or two of work. so you think the energy price _ or two of work. so you think the energy price guarantee - or two of work. so you think the energy price guarantee could i or two of work. so you think the j energy price guarantee could be extended as long as it is more targeted?— extended as long as it is more targeted? again, i'm speaking personally. — targeted? again, i'm speaking personally, this _ targeted? again, i'm speaking personally, this winter, - targeted? again, i'm speaking personally, this winter, i - targeted? again, i'm speaking personally, this winter, i think targeted? again, i'm speaking l personally, this winter, i think it could have been better targeted. it was designed to help people in a

hurry and i think that slightly shows in the way it is designed, but next winter's support has been signalled and it's going to be there for the lowest income households, and what our report today does is highlight the way in which that could be more effectively delivered rather than divided into tranches. has this been enough of a kick towards the government in relation towards the government in relation to trying to move forward a little bit more quickly when it comes to alternative forms of energy, and in that regard, does that mean opening up that regard, does that mean opening up a new coal pit or rather an energy facility that is dealing with coal. is that a good idea? it energy facility that is dealing with coal. is that a good idea?- coal. is that a good idea? it has been a kick. _ coal. is that a good idea? it has been a kick, not _ coal. is that a good idea? it has been a kick, notjust _ coal. is that a good idea? it has been a kick, notjust for - coal. is that a good idea? it has been a kick, notjust for the - coal. is that a good idea? it has| been a kick, notjust for the uk, but for the whole world to reduce dependency on any fuel from russia. we are lucky in this country that

very little of our energy was coming from russia but we do need to do more to get our domestic resilience and, my view is that it should be donein and, my view is that it should be done in a way that leans in to reducing emissions, things like new nuclear, i'm a big supporter of that, but when you ask specifically about the coal and would i rather it was uk sourced coal or russian sourced coal, i know which one i would choose. 50 sourced coal, i know which one i would choose.— sourced coal, i know which one i would choose. so do we really need to start thinking _ would choose. so do we really need to start thinking about _ would choose. so do we really need to start thinking about the - to start thinking about the situation in terms of alternative forms of getting our energy, and, frankly, we need to end our reliance on foreign sources? irate frankly, we need to end our reliance on foreign sources?— frankly, we need to end our reliance on foreign sources? we need to wean the economy — on foreign sources? we need to wean the economy off _ on foreign sources? we need to wean the economy off fossil— on foreign sources? we need to wean the economy off fossil fuel _ on foreign sources? we need to wean the economy off fossil fuel in - on foreign sources? we need to wean the economy off fossil fuel in the - the economy off fossil fuel in the long term and we are the first government to have put net zero into statute in the world so that has to be part of the strategicjourney, but in the short term we need to provide that support for households and we have come out with a report

today that recommends we think of a better way to do that next winter. harriett baldwin, thank you for joining us. poor rail services were caused by a toxic combination of problems mps were told during today's transport select committee. in recent months, commuters faced the cancellation of thousands of trains with transpennine express, ava nti west coast and northern all affected. let's hear more about this — i'm joined now by robert samson, senior stakeholder manager of transport focus thanks for being with us. no surprise then.— thanks for being with us. no surprise then. thanks for being with us. no surrise then. ,., ., ., ., ., ., surprise then. good afternoon. no surrise. surprise then. good afternoon. no surprise- we _ surprise then. good afternoon. no surprise. we have _ surprise then. good afternoon. no surprise. we have been _ surprise then. good afternoon. no| surprise. we have been monitoring the british timetable by trans— pennine and avanti west coast since it came into being in september and their own surveys have found that it is in accord with what happened at the transport select committee. passengers are inconvenienced and

frustrated about cancellations, poor punctuality, crowding on some services and theyjust want punctuality, crowding on some services and they just want to see punctuality, crowding on some services and theyjust want to see a resolution. 0ur normal services return. resolution. our normal services return. ~ ., resolution. our normal services return. ., , ., return. what can be done? if you were in the _ return. what can be done? if you were in the job _ return. what can be done? if you were in the job of _ return. what can be done? if you were in the job of running - return. what can be done? if you were in the job of running one i return. what can be done? if you were in the job of running one of| were in thejob of running one of these companies, what would you be calling for? i these companies, what would you be callin for? ., , ., calling for? i would be calling for restoration _ calling for? i would be calling for restoration of _ calling for? i would be calling for restoration of the _ calling for? i would be calling for restoration of the full _ calling for? i would be calling for restoration of the full timetable l restoration of the full timetable where possible and that has to be a resolution of industrial relations issues, and i would get the confidence back so passengers can use the service with certainty. with a timetable in place, they have less choice, less advanced tickets and some passengers have to buy the most expensive on the day tickets that come up to hundreds of pounds for travel and we just published research from passengers and they put top is the issue passengers was

value for money unreliability. and in the north of england just now they have not been delivered, those two top priorities, so that has to be addressed. is it fundamentally down to money — be addressed. is it fundamentally down to money and _ be addressed. is it fundamentally down to money and investment? | be addressed. is it fundamentally i down to money and investment? it's down to money and investment? it�*s fundamentally down to resolving the issues as drivers in both companies and they are coming through training and they are coming through training a new timetable is coming on the 11th of december but due to the strikes, it's too early to judge whether the new timetables will be a success or not and it's about a total reset of the relationship between the unions and the companies working together, resolving the issues and giving the service that passengers want and pay for. fine passengers want and pay for. one wonders how _ passengers want and pay for. one wonders how we _ passengers want and pay for. one wonders how we got into this state in the first place.— in the first place. there's a number of issues at —

in the first place. there's a number of issues at play — in the first place. there's a number of issues at play since _ in the first place. there's a number of issues at play since the - in the first place. there's a number of issues at play since the demise i of issues at play since the demise of issues at play since the demise of the virgin franchise there were problems and the outbreak of coronavirus meant a break in driver training and there are more drivers coming through now and add to that the toxic mix of industrial relations, discord, and there's a whole range of factors that have led to where we are today and it is passengers who are suffering stop whether they support the trikes or not, what we want to see is issues resolved uncertainty brought back to normal and we can see growth in the rail market and passengers travelling with confidence. ibs, rail market and passengers travelling with confidence. a toxic mix of factors _ travelling with confidence. a toxic mix of factors as _ travelling with confidence. a toxic mix of factors as the _ travelling with confidence. a toxic mix of factors as the mps - travelling with confidence. a toxic mix of factors as the mps were i travelling with confidence. a toxic i mix of factors as the mps were told today. thank you, robert.

a primary school in bradford has received almost 50—thousand pounds in donations, after a report on the bbc, that working parents were struggling to afford school meals for their children. the money will pay for lunches for all of the pupils, until next summer. here's our education editor, bra nwen jeffreys. whistle. go! energy and joy filling the playground. this school is a safe haven in hard times. now it's wrapped in extra kindness. after we reported working parents like ali raza struggling to pay for school meals, which meant eight—year—old alicia got one hot lunch a week. in the office, hundreds of emails and calls started arriving. donations of money for the children's school food. a thrill of hope in a dark winter. everything seems depressing and money is becoming tighter and tighter. so i think that might be what may be prompted people to try and help somebody who was even struggling even more than they are really. that money will be going directly to families who really genuinely need it. lunch costs £2.10 for each child. now, because of the money donated,

every family has been offered free school meals until next summer. when we told the story ofjust one little girl at this school, i had no idea what the response would be. some of the messages i read moved me to tears. like the man who'd just lost his job but still wants to give money. and as a result of your generosity, all of these children are going to get a free, hot lunch through winter and beyond. i would like to offer a small piece of help over the festive time. it was the messages that hit home. ..there were times when they were younger... in view of this, i'd like to donate £a2 to provide... it's shocking to hear that not all schoolchildren have access to a hot meal every day, and we hope our contribution will help towards alisha and her school friends. one of the hundreds of donors told me it connected to her childhood.

i think the situation now with the cost of living crisis is even worse. and you can be working, you know, in reasonably good job in terms of pay and yet still really struggle with the basics. for eight—year—old alicia, who spoke to us, free school meals until she leaves primary school. it's been an emotional few days for her and dad, ali. it's very hard to manage l a house expense like this. the schooljust giving something like to kids, you know, - not only my kids, every kids. i want everyone to eat free at school. so then they're happy and all the families are happy. singing. the christmas story plays out in schools across england this week, even here, where children learn about many faiths different from their own, this winter, simple human kindness is lighting the way for this school.

branwenjeffreys, bbc news, bradford. cows belch huge amounts of methane — which causes global warming — but the problem can be massively reduced with just a pinch of dried seaweed in their feed, as paul murphy reports. as they munch through their winter feed, these lincoln reds are blissfully unaware of the consequences. it is mainly when they burp that the planet gets more unwanted methane. a lot of people don't realise that methane is 85 times more harmful than c02, and a cow burps enough methane each year — equivalent to a car. methane levels in our atmosphere, seen here in red, are increasing by 1% every year. the gas absorbs heat from the sun and that causes global warming. luke has been working with scientists in scotland to develop a special type of seaweed that reacts in a cow's stomach to reduce emissions. it is creating huge interest

in an industry increasingly conscious of its impact on the planet. farming is probably responsible for around 30—plus percent of the global greenhouse emissions, so, therefore, anything we can do to tackle those emissions is really important. 0bviously, livestock is a big part of that. just a sprinkling is enough to make these burping cattle more eco friendly. that is what is amazing, something so small can have a massive impact. that is what is key, really. we don't want to have tonnes and tonnes of this because, obviously, you want it to be scalable and sustainable in both ways. the idea is that we want to incorporate as minimal amount as possible to be able to reduce the emissions they burp. the former university of lincoln student is now trying to scale up his business. he is hoping to use what is called carbon offsetting to eventually offer the seaweed for free to livestock farmers. paul murphy, bbc news, lincoln.

martin joins martinjoins you at martin joins you at the top of the hour, but now here is darren. another cold day today and some cloud across southern parts of the uk but there has been more sunshine around elsewhere. 0ver uk but there has been more sunshine around elsewhere. over the next few days we will continue to see some sunshine but it's going to be cold, frosty and potentially i see where we keep the snow showers going. most of the snow showers will continue to pile in across northern parts of scotland where at the moment we have strong winds and significant falls over the hills. a few wintry showers coming into northern ireland overnight may be running into north—east england and this is where we might find icy conditions. mist and fog and southern england largely clearing with clear skies temperatures down to —7 in glasgow. some winter sunshine for many of us and a dry day as well but a few wintry showers going in northern ireland across lincolnshire and most of the snow continues to fall in

northern parts of scotland. it might not be quite as windy on thursday but still cold with those temperatures struggling to get up to around two or three degrees typically. the northerly wind is easing and into the cold air we have this feature coming in from the atlantic and that will bring some disruptive weather to scotland and there will be quite a bit of snow over the hills to the north of the central belt and quite icy as well, so disruption is likely and for northern ireland and the rest of england and wales, a case of some sunshine, may be a few wintry showers of course but also some temperatures struggling to a degrees and in that snow it will be treacherous in some parts. heading into the start of the weekend, we are still in cold air but signs of change as the weekend goes on. we will start to see more of a southerly wind picking up on sunday ahead of the weather system pushing in from the atlantic and it is reaching into colder air, so for awhile there be snow overnight and thenit awhile there be snow overnight and then it should turn back and there

will be the westerly wind picking up which brings milder air and pushes in cold air as well, so quite a change in temperatures from saturday to sunday but for a while there could be snow before it turns to rain and by monday temperatures could be as high as 1a degrees. quite a change from what we've seen in the last few weeks. you can keep up—to—date with the forecast as we head into the weekend with the bbc weather app.

this is bbc news. the headlines... four people have died and a3 others have been rescued, after a boat carrying migrants got into difficulties, in the channel. crossing the channel in unseaworthy vessels _ crossing the channel in unseaworthy vessels is _ crossing the channel in unseaworthy vessels is a — crossing the channel in unseaworthy vessels is a lethally dangerous endeavour. it is for this reason above — endeavour. it is for this reason above all— endeavour. it is for this reason above all that we are working so hard _ above all that we are working so hard to — above all that we are working so hard to destroy the business model of the _ hard to destroy the business model of the people smugglers. evil, organised criminals who treat human beings _ organised criminals who treat human beings as— organised criminals who treat human beings as cargo. organised criminals who treat human beings as cargo-— beings as cargo. those gangs have created a multi-million _ beings as cargo. those gangs have created a multi-million pound - created a multi—million pound criminal industry with lives at stake and the action against those gangs has been two—week.

inflation has eased slightly, but the cost of living still remains close to a a0—year high. industrial action escalates across the uk, as royal mail staff go on strike, joining rail workers already on picket lines. china has removed six diplomats including the consul general from the uk following an incident at its consular grounds in october. at the world cup, high hopes for the atlas lions, as morocco take on the french, in the semifinals. good afternoon. four people have died and a3 others have been rescued, after a small boat carrying migrants got into difficulty in the channel. more than 30 of those rescued had to be pulled from the freezing water, off the kent coast, near dungeness. there are distressing images, from the start, in celestina 0lulode's report.

a desperate struggle to safety in the early hours of this morning. in these bitterly cold waters, time is running out for these people to reach safety. the small boat ran into difficulties whilst crossing the english channel shortly after 3am this morning. a coordinated rescue effort between britain and france is still ongoing. home secretary suella braverman described the incident as a terrible tragedy. mr speaker, these are the days that we dread. crossing the channel in unseaworthy vessels is a lethally dangerous endeavour. it is for this reason above all that we are working so hard to destroy the business model of the people smugglers. evil, organised criminals who treat human beings as cargo.

a3 people were rescued. the boat started sinking off the coast of dungeness. refugee charities say tragedies like this are inevitable. we don't look at the reasons people come to the uk. the reasons they are fleeing their countries of origin in the first place and how we can get people here safely, i'm really sorry to say i don't think this will be the last tragedy that we see involving small boats at sea. at least 27 migrants died in november last year when a dinghy sank while heading to the uk from france. a5,000 people have made the dangerous journey across the channel so far this year. today's incident is a reminder of what can go wrong in these waters. the home secretary, suella braverman, told the commons it was a "sobering reminder" of why the government needed to stop

small boat crossings. early next year, we will introduce new legislation to make it unambiguously clear that if someone comes to the uk illegally, they should not be able to remain here. instead, they can expect to be detained and swiftly returned either to their home country or to a safe country where their claim for asylum will be considered. late or spurious claims and appeals will not be possible and once someone has been removed, they will have no right to re—entry, settlement or citizenship. this will act as a deterrent and it will save lives. as we tackle illegal migration, we will create more safe and legal routes, working with the unhcr to identify those most in need and introducing an annual quota set by parliament.

we will work closely with local authorities to determine capacity. but the shadow home secreatery, yvette cooper, says the government is not doing enough to stop the criminal gangs. it was barely more than a year ago, 27 lives were lost when a boat went down. and all of us have warned, all of us have feared, that it was just a matter of time before more lives were lost. it is of course why the uk and france both need to act to stop these dangerous boat crossings. the brutal truth as well is that criminal gangs have made money from those lives that were lost today. they have profited as people have drowned. day after a day, week after week, criminal gangs are putting lives at risk for money and the other brutal truth is that far from stopping those criminal gangs, those gangs have grown and grown

and the uk and french governments and authorities have failed to stop the criminal smuggling and trafficking gangs proliferating around the channel. those gangs have created a multi—million pound criminal industry with lives at stake and the action against those gangs has being too weak. there have been barely any prosecutions or convictions and barely any inroads into the smuggler gangs. joining me now is the founder of care a calais, clare moseley. thank you forjoining us. just your reflections on the deaths of these four people and the need for more than 30 to be rescued from the waters today. it than 30 to be rescued from the waters today-— waters today. it is absolutely devastating. _ waters today. it is absolutely devastating. it _ waters today. it is absolutely devastating. it was _ waters today. it is absolutely devastating. it was only - waters today. it is absolutely| devastating. it was only three waters today. it is absolutely - devastating. it was only three weeks ago that we were in london with the

families of the people who died a year ago in the channel. we were seeing once again their grief which has not diminished after a year. the pain of losing their relatives and the way they have nightmares, feeling the pain of those relatives, and now we know that we have another four families who will feel that pain and that grief for god knows how many years. it is really horrible to think about and also to know that another four families are going to feel that dreadful pain. iii going to feel that dreadful pain. in terms of government response, what has changed, for better or for worse, in your view, has changed, for better or for worse, in yourview, in has changed, for better or for worse, in your view, in that year? nothing has changed. the thing that is a tragedy about this is it is entirely preventable and unnecessary. there is no reason anybody should have to risk their lives to claim asylum in our country because what we have seen with ukrainians as we gave them a safe

passage to the uk and no ukrainians got in small boats and paid people smugglers. the people we work with in calais have come from the worst things in this world and have suffered wars and crisis, they have been tortured, suffered human right abuses, the figures we have seen recently show that the vast majority of them are getting their asylum claims accepted, which means they are genuine refugees and if we could give them safe passage in the same way we did with ukrainians, they would not be getting in the small boats. it would be so easy to prevent this and a year on from those terrible deaths, we are seeing another tragedy and no action has been taken and that to me is unforgivable and means the government has blood on their hands. they could so easily take action to stop people getting on those boats and they have not done it. the government — and they have not done it. the government would say they are now taking action and they would point to the fact that a lot of albanians who have been coming to the country are now going to be told that their

country as a safe place to stay and they are likely to be returned but that of course does not... we have lost... their shares. that does not mean that issues are resolved. what do you think a safe route should look like? if do you think a safe route should look like? ,. , .,, look like? if we screen people in france and _ look like? if we screen people in france and gave _ look like? if we screen people in france and gave them _ look like? if we screen people in france and gave them the - look like? if we screen people in france and gave them the ability look like? if we screen people in i france and gave them the ability to apply for a visa so that those with apply for a visa so that those with a viable claim for asylum could be transferred safely to the uk, then they would be no need for any of those people to get in small doubts and people who have suffered the worst things in the world should not be risking their lives once again just to claim asylum in the uk. it would be really easy to replicate something similar to what we did for ukrainians, people could make an application and if they did have a viable claim for asylum, they could get a visa and be transferred safely to the uk and progress their asylum claim in the uk. we have already tried with —— that with ukrainians and we have seen it has worked. they

did not get in the small boats and pay the people smugglers. it is possible. we have a system we have already tried. why not let it be tried for other refugees? so many of the people in calais are genuine refugees. forthose the people in calais are genuine refugees. for those people who really do deserve our help, the ones coming to us and asking for our help, why not try that? why not try something that we have seen that can work? irate something that we have seen that can work? ., ,, .., something that we have seen that can work? . .., something that we have seen that can work? . ., ~i something that we have seen that can work? ., ,, .., ., ,, ., work? we appreciate you talking to us. thank work? we appreciate you talking to us- thank you- _ 0ur political ccrrespondent, david wallace lockhart, is in westminster. david, this tragedy underlines the need for government action to prevent these deaths.- need for government action to prevent these deaths. that's right and it is actually _ prevent these deaths. that's right and it is actually something - and it is actually something that came up yesterday when rishi sunak made a statement to the house of commons, where he outlined a five—point plan for trying to deal with people arriving in the uk

without permission to arrive in the uk. this had various aspects to it, more patrols in the channel, dealing with albania, which would put uk border force staff in albania for the first time. there was talk of legislation in the new year and that is something we heard more from the home secretary suella braverman today, where he said this legislation would make it unambiguously clear that anyone arriving in the uk without the right to be in the uk would face swift processing, detention, and ultimately, they would not get to stay in the uk. they would either be sent back to the country they came from if that was deemed safe, or sent to another safe country. and thatis sent to another safe country. and that is where something like zero under scheme comes in. —— likely row under scheme comes in. —— likely row under scheme.

ultimately, even if they were given the green light to stay, it would be in rwanda, not in the uk. uk government believes these are various pull factors and removing that would mean people would not want to make the journey across the channel in the first place. plenty of mps say this is the wrong way round. in order to get people to not make those dangerous crossings, you have to offer safe and legal roots, essentially ways for people to apply for asylum without having to get to the uk first expanding schemes like we have seen four people in ukraine and hong kong and syria. mi; and hong kong and syria. my apologies for my voice breaking through. there have been more complaint about dominic raab's behaviour. . ., ., , complaint about dominic raab's behaviour-— complaint about dominic raab's behaviour. . ., , , , behaviour. dominic raab, the deputy prime minister _ behaviour. dominic raab, the deputy prime minister and _ behaviour. dominic raab, the deputy prime minister and the _ behaviour. dominic raab, the deputy prime minister and the justice - prime minister and thejustice secretary, there is an external

lawyer who has been brought into do an independent investigation into complaints about dominic raab, he did of course serve in the government previously under boris johnson. he was his deputy prime minister, justice secretary, foreign secretary for a time, and we knew all three complaints that will be looked into by the external lawyer. we had confirmation from downing street today that there are five additional complaints being looked into. that is eight in total. it is understood they come from his first dent asjustice understood they come from his first dent as justice secretary, that understood they come from his first dent asjustice secretary, that he had under borisjohnson. a source close to dominic raab told the bbc there is zero tolerance for bullying across the civil servants, that the deputy prime minister leads a professional department where civil servants are valued and ambition is high. labourare servants are valued and ambition is high. labour are saying this is in the words of sir keir starmer because of the spokesman, pretty shocking and they are saying they believe dominic raab should be

suspended while this investigation takes place. dominic raab is saying he is confident he will be exonerated through this process. the news today is that they are now looking at eight complaints, from three. ., ,, looking at eight complaints, from three. ., «i i. , looking at eight complaints, from three. ., «i , . three. david, thank you very much. our cats three. david, thank you very much. 0ur cats in — three. david, thank you very much. our cats in shetland _ three. david, thank you very much. our cats in shetland have _ three. david, thank you very much. our cats in shetland have been - 0ur cats in shetland have been declared a major incident. thousands of homes have been left without power —— power cuts. disruption could continue until the end of this week. i am joined could continue until the end of this week. iam joined now could continue until the end of this week. i am joined now by a writer and tour guide in shetland. tell us what it is like. this is the worst time of year for you to be without heat and power. i time of year for you to be without heat and power.— heat and power. i know, it is very chill and heat and power. i know, it is very chilly and i— heat and power. i know, it is very chilly and i feel _ heat and power. i know, it is very chilly and i feel a _ heat and power. i know, it is very chilly and i feel a fraud _ heat and power. i know, it is very chilly and i feel a fraud because l heat and power. i know, it is very chilly and i feel a fraud because i | chilly and ifeel a fraud because i have still got my power on at the moment. i live in the main town in shetland but across the islands,

close to 3000 homes are still without power and they have been without power and they have been without power and they have been without power since monday and it is looking unlikely that it will be restored again before friday. thousands of people are kind of enduring these freezing conditions and snow without heat and electric at the moment.— and snow without heat and electric at the moment. what sort of help is available to — at the moment. what sort of help is available to them? _ at the moment. what sort of help is available to them? at _ at the moment. what sort of help is available to them? at times - at the moment. what sort of help is available to them? at times like - available to them? at times like this, it is nice _ available to them? at times like this, it is nice to _ available to them? at times like this, it is nice to see _ available to them? at times like this, it is nice to see the - this, it is nice to see the community rallying around. as well as the team that was sent upon the boat last night, they arrived this morning, bringing manpowerand morning, bringing manpower and vehicles morning, bringing manpowerand vehicles to try and get into restore the power. at the community public halls have opened their doors and are offering soup and tea and coffee and a warm environment for people within the community to go and warmer, isuppose, and

within the community to go and warmer, i suppose, and get hot meal. it is quite heart—warming to see how people react and help each other at times like this. how people react and help each other at times like this.— times like this. how good is the communication _ times like this. how good is the communication from _ times like this. how good is the communication from the - times like this. how good is the j communication from the energy supplier about what they are trying to do? , ., ., , , ., to do? they are doing their best and we have two — to do? they are doing their best and we have two thank— to do? they are doing their best and we have two thank them _ to do? they are doing their best and we have two thank them for- to do? they are doing their best and we have two thank them for sending j we have two thank them for sending people out in really pretty horrible weather to try and restore the power. communication on the whole it's pretty good but as i say, we are not expecting to have power restored to the most of the islands until friday. but, yeah, they have been letting us know what is going on. it isjust a been letting us know what is going on. it is just a slow process. you on. it is 'ust a slow process. you know on. it isjust a slow process. you know better _ on. it isjust a slow process. you know better than _ on. it isjust a slow process. you know better than anybody how beautiful shetland can't be and why it attracts so many people but this underlines just how exposed you can beta the bad weather. yes. underlinesjust how exposed you can beta the bad weather.— beta the bad weather. yes, and i think as islanders, _ beta the bad weather. yes, and i think as islanders, we _ beta the bad weather. yes, and i think as islanders, we are - beta the bad weather. yes, and i think as islanders, we are very . beta the bad weather. yes, and i - think as islanders, we are very much used to having our lives disrupted

by weather. we get very strong winds in the winter. having weather issues is not something... it is not unknown to us. we are quite often cut off from the mainland when it is too windy for the boat to get in, for example. it is beautiful at any time of the year and even under a braggart of snow, it is incredibly beautiful, but there is dangers with that —— a blanket of snow. and people have to take extra care. irate people have to take extra care. we appreciate you talking to us. it looks cosy where you are and you are not shivering yet. long may it stay that way. i not shivering yet. long may it stay that wa . ., , w not shivering yet. long may it stay that way-_ i - not shivering yet. long may it stay that way-_ i hope i that way. i am very lucky. i hope ou will that way. i am very lucky. i hope you will continue _ that way. i am very lucky. i hope you will continue to _ that way. i am very lucky. i hope you will continue to rally - that way. i am very lucky. i hope you will continue to rally round l that way. i am very lucky. i hope i you will continue to rally round and support each other. thank you very much. ukraine says it's secured the release of dozens of its servicemen and a us citizen in its latest prisoner swap with russia. presidents zelensky�*s chief of staff said the soldiers who had been released had fought in donetsk and luhansk. in a post on social media he said the american, suedi murekezi,

had been helping the ukrainian people before he ended up in russian custody. the news comes as the capital kyiv recovers from the latest round of airstrikes from russia. let's go live to the ukrainian capital kyiv and our correspondent there, hugo bachega. we will talk about the latest strikes in a moment but how did this exchange to about? this strikes in a moment but how did this exchange to about?— exchange to about? this is the latest round — exchange to about? this is the latest round of _ exchange to about? this is the latest round of prisoner - exchange to about? this is the - latest round of prisoner exchanges that have been negotiated by the ukrainians and the russians. we have seen 6a ukrainian soldiers released by the russians, these soldiers were fighting in the east of the country, in the luhansk region. also a us citizen who was detained has been released and four bodies have been returned and this information was released by the ukrainian government. we have not had any

confirmation about the number of russian soldiers who have been released but i think what is significant is that this indicates that there is some kind of communication happening between the russians and ukrainians. this is the latest prisoner exchange we have seen. there has been no indication that there is any kind of possibility for now for any peace negotiation or any kind of talks for a ceasefire but at least, this prisoner exchange indicates there is some dialogue happening between russia and ukraine.— some dialogue happening between russia and ukraine. antenna a little bit about these _ russia and ukraine. antenna a little bit about these strikes _ russia and ukraine. antenna a little bit about these strikes -- _ russia and ukraine. antenna a little bit about these strikes -- tell - russia and ukraine. antenna a little bit about these strikes -- tell us i russia and ukraine. antenna a little bit about these strikes -- tell us a i bit about these strikes —— tell us a little bit. emergency services were obviously sent to the city centre. what did they find? this happened earlier today _ what did they find? this happened earlier today at _ what did they find? this happened earlier today at around _ what did they find? this happened earlier today at around six - what did they find? this happened earlier today at around six o'clockl earlier today at around six o'clock in the morning in kyiv and we heard three loud explosions near our

hotel. we heard president zelensky saying that all 13 drones were shot down by the air defence and those are the iranians made drones russia has been using to attack cities across the country. it seems that fragments of those drones hit government buildings and also four houses but there were no casualties and again, kyiv and attack by russia and again, kyiv and attack by russia and over the last few weeks, we have seen that russia has been carrying out this campaign, targeting this country's infrastructure and millions of people have been left without electricity, heating, water in some cases and there is the concern that this could lead to a humanitarian crisis. as you can see, it is cold in kyiv, it has been snowing in the capital and in many other parts of the country. i think it is minus four celsius. there is

concern that if these attacks continue, there could be a humanitarian crisis. the authorities have been saying that the population here needs to prepare for what is likely to be a very difficult winter. , ., ., , ., winter. yes, the winter often has a hue winter. yes, the winter often has a huge impact _ winter. yes, the winter often has a huge impact on — winter. yes, the winter often has a huge impact on the _ winter. yes, the winter often has a huge impact on the nature - winter. yes, the winter often has a huge impact on the nature of the l huge impact on the nature of the conflict. to what extent is that the case at the moment, as we head into the middle of december? softer case at the moment, as we head into the middle of december?— the middle of december? after the ukrainians managed _ the middle of december? after the ukrainians managed to _ the middle of december? after the ukrainians managed to retake - the middle of december? after the i ukrainians managed to retake kherson a month ago, we have not seen any kind of major activity from the ukrainians in trying to take back territory that is now under occupation. there has been fighting in the east of the country, a city that the russians have been trying to seize for quite some time now. but we have not had those major operations by the ukrainian army. we heard over the weekend the defence

minister saying that the counteroffensive will resume as soon as the ground freezes because then the army will have the opportunity to carry out operations with heavy equipment. it seems that we are seeing a lull in the fighting now because of the weather but the authorities are saying that the counteroffensive continues and they will try to take back territory that is now under russian occupation. thank you very much. postal workers have begun a two day walkout, in a dispute over pay, jobs and working conditions. it's the lastest in a series of strikes affecting numerous sectors, in the run up to christmas. meanwhlie a strike by members of the rmt union is causing severe disruption across the rail network for a second day. 0ur correspondent howard johnson has been at london's euston station for us today. it is bitterly cold and there are commuters in there who are

frustrated at one of the biggest transport hubs in london, euston station, one in five services running today. we have seen in the morning during rush—hour, lots of people staring at the board quizzically, trying to work out their transport conundrums but at their transport conundrums but at the moment, it is quiet in there as we build up to rush—hour again. i spoke to the rmt union people picketing the station earlier today and they say they are calling for better job and they say they are calling for betterjob conditions, they want and they say they are calling for better job conditions, they want to maintain their pay grades, and they want an improvement of pay, better than the offer that has been given to them by the transport companies. and we have seen that there is a loggerhead at the moment between those companies and the rmt about the deal, about the issue of conditions. they are worried may staff will be cut back and there will be safety issues in the months ahead. but what we are seeing today is at around six o'clock, all services will end, this is the

second day of the strike, a a8—hour strike, but the services will resume again tomorrow before another strike again tomorrow before another strike again on friday, going into saturday. tomorrow, members of the royal college of nursing will begin the biggest walkout, in the rcn's 106 year history, affecting england, wales and northern ireland. the dispute, is over pay. emergency care will still be provided, but general patients could be affected. there are however no strikes in scotland, where fresh talks have prevented a walkout, for now. two nhs unions, voted to accept an improved pay offer, averaging 7.5%. royal college of nursing members in northern ireland, will be on strike tomorrow. other health unions there, have already taken part in industrial action this week, while 53 health trusts or services in england, will take part in industrial action for 12 hours on thursday.

talks are continuing on which types of care will be provided, after nhs england asked the unions to protect cancer services. and in wales, rcn nurses in all but one health board will be on strike, as tomos morgan reports from cardiff. we need to make this stand to preserve the nhs and to ensure the safety of patients. the job's completely changed in the three decades katherine davies has been a nurse and she believes the pressures of the role can't be healed without financial intervention. we're resuscitating patients. we're nursing patients after major surgery, and £13 an hour does not reflect the responsibility that somebody has got. yesterday, members of the royal college of midwives in wales, as well as physiotherapy staff here, also voted for industrial action, meaning more disruption to the health service is on its way. but pay is only one of the reasons behind tomorrow's nursing strike.

staff shortages are a key reason behind why industrial action is still taking place tomorrow. in england, there's been a 21% rise in unfilled posts since last year, but in wales, that figure has shot up. there's been a 70% rise since last year in nursing vacancies. the rurality of wales can make filling vacancies harder, but some have other views on why nurses are leaving the nhs. they've left because they don't want the burden and responsibility that was being imposed on them as nhs employees working on wards that were short—staffed. so they've jumped ship and i honestly can't blame them for doing it. although health is devolved in wales, most welsh government funding for the nhs comes from the uk government. the welsh health minister said she won't raise taxes in order to increase salaries, adding that nurses�* pay cannot be increased until more funds come from westminster. 0n recruitment, however,

it's a complex picture. well, we do have vacancies, but that's an international problem. it's notjust... it's worse here. it has increased. it's got worse here. what we've got in wales is a situation where we work with our social partners, that we have recruited more than we've ever recruited before. as we head into the depths of winter, one which could mean the toughest demands yet on our health service, the future of our nhs here remains fractured and unresolved. tomos morgan, bbc news, cardiff. now it's time for a look at the weather with darren bett. a cold day today and another widespread frost to come overnight. more snow showers continuing across northern parts of scotland, where it is windy for a while. significant falls over the hills but wintry showers for northern ireland and later for north—east england. icy conditions. furthersouth, mist

and fog patches largely clearing towards the end of the night. it'll be cold everywhere. wintry showers coming into northern ireland and north—east england. maybe into norfolk as well. dry weather and sunshine otherwise. but still cold after that widespread frost, temperatures struggling. the next few days, even into the start of the weekend, staying cold, frosty and potentially icy, especially where we see snow showers and more snow on friday in scotland.

head into the weekend with the bbc weather app. hello, this is bbc news with martine croxall. the headlines. four people have died and a3 others have been rescued, after a boat carrying migrants got into difficulties in the channel.

inflation has eased slightly, but the cost of living still remains close to a a0—year high. industrial action escalates across the uk, as royal mail staff go on strike, joining rail workers already on picket lines. china has removed six diplomats including the consul general from the uk following an incident at its consular grounds in october. sport now, and a full round—up from the bbc sport centre. good afternoon. we're at the business end of the world cup with one more place in the final up for grabs. tonight current holders france hope to secure back to back finals, but first they have to overcome the surprise team of the tournament morocco. 0lly foster is out outside the al bayt stadium in qatar, 0lly, france will surely go into tonight's game as favourites? of course they are, they are the

world champions and have looked really, really comfortable so far, not too many scares. they had that tough match against england but let's gloss over that and in mbappe they have one of the superstars of they have one of the superstars of the world cup and wouldn't it be something if we had a final that pitted lionel messi against mbappe, in the race for the golden boot, he is up to five, so will he be able to add any more against morocco tonight. but morocco, count them out at your peril because haven't they been the story perhaps at this world cup. the french certainly say they are not being complacent but they have broken many a european reputation here, knocking out the belgians, effectively and then spain on penalties and then they left cristiano ronaldo in tears after knocking out portugal in their quarterfinal to break new ground and become the first african nation into

the semifinals, the first arab speaking nation as well and behind them, tens of thousands of their supporters, because ofjust what they represent and their head coach knows that those supporters here in the next few hours will be all—important. we have the best fans in the world with may be argentinian fans and brazilian fans. we are very happy because the world is beginning to know what is a moroccan fan. you have more than 20,000 people, minimum. they can come to support us and i'm very happy because the world cup can can give this picture of the fans of morocco. we know the winner will play argentina, but lots of talks around one man, lionel messi. yes.

argentina, but lots of talks around one man, lionel messi.— one man, lionel messi. yes, and lionel messi. _ one man, lionel messi. yes, and lionel messi, 2022 _ one man, lionel messi. yes, and lionel messi, 2022 is _ one man, lionel messi. yes, and lionel messi, 2022 is perhaps i one man, lionel messi. yes, and| lionel messi, 2022 is perhaps the best version of the mighty lionel messi, attys world cup and he confirmed after the win against croatia, scoring one and assisting for alvarez and another that it will be his last world cup at the age of 35, and what a way to go out if he could lift the one trophy that eluded him through an amazing career. hasn't he been one of the icons of the world game for the last ten or 15 years and he's been a runner—up before back in rio in 201a and earlier today i spoke to one of his team—mates, pablo zabaleta formerly of manchester city and he says whatever happens in sunday's final, it should take nothing away from what lionel messi has achieved in the game. the legacy of maradona is there, and i think messi does not need to win the world cup to prove he's

been one — of the greatest players of all time, but of course, it would be so, so good to see a picture of messi with the world cup trophy. wouldn't it be just a fitting end to his international career? pablo zabaleta, a good friend of lionel messi speaking to me earlier. the plight of migrant workers has been raised for the last decade by human rights groups and the supreme committee, the qatari organisers have said just three work—related deaths, related to the infrastructure of the world cup have been recorded. 37 deaths not related to works at the world cup among migrant workers put in the space of just a couple of weeks at the tournament we have had two deaths in just a few nights ago a security worker at the lusail stadium fell and died, despite the best efforts

of the medical teams, according to a statement released the supreme committee say they send their sincere condolences to his family, colleagues and friends and they are investigating as a matter of urgency and say they will make sure any monies are passed on to his family, and fifa have expressed their sadness, as they did a week or so ago after the death of another migrant worker who died after falling from a forklift at the saudi arabian base down to the south of the country, so, to migrant worker deaths on the latest coming a few nights ago at the lusail stadium and we are waiting for more details to come out as to exactly how that security worker died.— come out as to exactly how that security worker died. thank you very much for now. _ security worker died. thank you very much for now, and _ security worker died. thank you very much for now, and that _ security worker died. thank you very much for now, and that is _ security worker died. thank you very much for now, and that is pretty - much for now, and that is pretty much for now, and that is pretty much all of the sport. don't forget that game tonight is live on bbc one and we will await the result of that. rebecca, thank you very much.

the cost of buying goods and services in the uk has fallen slightly during november, according to latest figures from the office for national statistics. the latest official figures show that price rises are at 10.7% — meaning the cost of living is still close to a a0 year high. that inflation figure of 10.7% is slightly down from a high in october of 11.1%. but the latest number is still way above the bank of england's target of 2%. food prices have continued to increase over the last 12 months, but fuel prices are rising by less over the past year. tomas maunier is the director of fazenda, which has five restaurants across the country. he is probably feeling the pinch of inflation. thank you very much. i am sure these figures are no surprise to you. what are you saying? hello. yes restaurants _ to you. what are you saying? hello. yes restaurants are _ to you. what are you saying? hello. yes restaurants are feeling - to you. what are you saying? hello. yes restaurants are feeling the - yes restaurants are feeling the pinch, but i also understand that people are feeling it too. this

number is no surprise to us and i still feel that our industry in general has been seeing numbers that are higher than the 10% the government is seeing across the board and you always need to remember inflation is a big number, and some areas go up or down. we have seen the food costs going up between 15 and 20% and some lines even over 20%, so it's difficult to handle the business when there is so much uncertainty and the costs are creeping up. it isn't easy, really. what changes have you made to the way you operate? fist what changes have you made to the way you operate?— what changes have you made to the way you operate? at the moment we are 'ust way you operate? at the moment we are just absorbing _ way you operate? at the moment we are just absorbing a _ way you operate? at the moment we are just absorbing a lot _ way you operate? at the moment we are just absorbing a lot of _ way you operate? at the moment we are just absorbing a lot of the - are just absorbing a lot of the costs ourselves and i can only talk for us. i don't know what other businesses are doing. it's a difficult thing for the industry at the moment but we have, we lost two thirds of our profitability in the business and we understand that with the minimum wage, the living wage

going up again, that will make it even harder at the beginning of next year, but we are looking for positive signs. at the moment we think that people are feeling a bit more bold and may be not going out as often as they used to, but people understand that life is different without hospitality and people need to go to restaurants and bars to enjoy with friends and family so maybe they are going less often than before, but people are still going out. i see some positive signs out there. i think after the pandemic people are glad of the opportunity to do that. ., , _ , people are glad of the opportunity todothat. ., ,, , , to do that. how busy is this christmas _ to do that. how busy is this christmas proving - to do that. how busy is this christmas proving to - to do that. how busy is this christmas proving to be - to do that. how busy is this - christmas proving to be compared to the past, before coronavirus? stiiiil the past, before coronavirus? still a little behind _ the past, before coronavirus? st ii. a little behind in general pre—covid and we see a big boost compared to last year when 0micron hit us. i am confident this is a good sign. people are, as you said, after the pandemic, we realised what is important for us as humans is to

spend time with loved ones and people that we care about and we are social beings, so we've seen this strongly in the last few months. i am confident and i think things will be good. this week is a difficult week because we had a lot of cancellations because of the train strikes and i see that happening with all of my friends in the industry, saying similar things, but again, we are resilient. and we have always been, so i am positive that we will survival this. to always been, so i am positive that we will survival this.— we will survival this. to what extent are — we will survival this. to what extent are you _ we will survival this. to what extent are you putting - we will survival this. to what extent are you putting up i we will survival this. to what i extent are you putting up your prices and passing on increases to the customers?— the customers? yes, a big part of it, as i said _ the customers? yes, a big part of it, as i said before, _ the customers? yes, a big part of it, as i said before, a _ the customers? yes, a big part of it, as i said before, a business, i it, as i said before, a business, our business is slightly different to other businesses. a third of costs normally come from food and drink and another third is wages and staffing, so then you leave yourself with a third and that comes with overheads and albeit energy prices

or affecting that, rent, overheads and albeit energy prices oraffecting that, rent, business rates and we have squeezed our profitability as a business and all businesses have, but there is a part of that that we need to try and regain and we want to increase the prices to regain some of it and it's not about greed, it's about the fact we are businesses that want to grow and invest in and we want to maintain the reputation we have but also the employees we have who deserve fair pay and deserve to grow and perform better, as a career progression, so people need to remember that a lot of times when businesses increase prices, it's because we want to continue investing on the more we invest, it's not only about our industry, it affects other industries, proxy industries like contractors, if we will fit out a new restaurant, our suppliers grow when we grow, so it's a difficult thing. these economics

are a difficult thing to understand and i know it is complex, but again, we do have to put the prices up to build a better business and pass on a bit to the consumers. it is a shame, but it is true.- a bit to the consumers. it is a shame, but it is true. how confident do ou shame, but it is true. how confident do you feel — shame, but it is true. how confident do you feel about _ shame, but it is true. how confident do you feel about opening _ shame, but it is true. how confident do you feel about opening your- shame, but it is true. how confidentj do you feel about opening your sixth restaurant in london in the ute —— new year? i restaurant in london in the ute -- new year?— restaurant in london in the ute -- new year? restaurant in london in the ute -- newyear? ., , , ., new year? i am confident because our little story for — new year? i am confident because our little story for you. _ new year? i am confident because our little story for you. and _ new year? i am confident because our little story for you. and we _ new year? i am confident because our little story for you. and we went - little story for you. and we went into the market a few months ago and we are opening early next year in june orjuly and the cost that came back from the expected cost from our energy is about £800,000 per year. so imagine a business has to spend £800,000 of energy prices when it would normally spend less than a third of that. it is just crazy, and the reason we are spending that much is because we are actually trying to

do the right thing and moving away from gas to electricity for most of our kitchen equipment and we want to do the right thing for the environment and that comes at a hefty cost, obviously, and we really need the government to give us a bit of help. i'm not here asking for things, i'mjust of help. i'm not here asking for things, i'm just asking for level playing field for all of us because i look at what europe does an hospitality in europe as a different rate of vat and it's normally ten or 5% and i'm not asking for anything from the government to come and put money into our industry or helpers that way, we just need to be playing the same game as europe. imagine a hotel in europe, they only pay 10%, and we are paying 20% on the government can do better than that and then we don't have to pass on that much to the public, to the guest. yes, you just need some certainty when you are running a business. thank you very much and

the best of luck. thank you very much. china has removed 6 diplomats from the uk — including the consul general — after the government asked beijing, to suspend diplomatic immunity so they could be questioned by greater manchester police. it follows an incident involving a protester at its consular grounds in october. here's more from the foreign secretary, james cleverly. we saw the disturbing incident outside the consulate in manchester and we based our response on adherence to the rule of law. greater manchester police initiated an investigation as part of it it requested that six chinese officials waive diplomatic immunity so they could be questioned and we informed the chinese embassy of that and we set a deadline which expired today, making it clear we expect them to take action. in response to our

request, the chinese government have now removed from the uk those officials, including the consul general himself and this demonstrates that our adherence to the rule of law, the seriousness with which we take these incidents have an effect, and we will continue on the world stage and domestically to abide by the rule of law and we expect others to do likewise. earlier our diplomatic correspondent james landale gave us the background to this story. during the protest men left the consulate gates and tried to remove the posters and placards. a violent melee ensued and during that process one of the protesters was dragged inside the gates of the consulate and attacked. this was all filmed. there were police on scene and police eventually, some of them stepped into the premises and drag

the protester back. he was hurt and things calmed down after that. what happened was greater manchester police investigated the incident and wanted to question the six diplomats involved. and the foreign office requested that the chinese wave diplomat community and the chinese chose not to do that and show simply to remove the six men, including the consul general, the boss and take them back to china. irate consul general, the boss and take them back to china.— consul general, the boss and take them back to china. we are looking at imaes them back to china. we are looking at images of _ them back to china. we are looking at images of what _ them back to china. we are looking at images of what happened - them back to china. we are looking at images of what happened now, i them back to china. we are looking i at images of what happened now, and as you indicated, james, very violent and pretty aggressive. to be clear, the police, having seen all this would have wanted to prosecute, no question. this would have wanted to prosecute, no question-— this would have wanted to prosecute, no question. well, i cannot pre-empt what the police _ no question. well, i cannot pre-empt what the police may _ no question. well, i cannot pre-empt what the police may have _ no question. well, i cannot pre-empt what the police may have done. - no question. well, i cannot pre-empt what the police may have done. they| what the police may have done. they certainly wanted to investigate and if you want to investigate, you need to question but you can't question diplomats because they have to promote community so diplomats can voluntarily give up their immunity

and offer themselves up but the chinese chose not to do that. i think what was made clear to the chinese though was that if they did not put themselves up for questioning and did not kick them out themselves, the british would formally declare them persona non—gratis, the official name, and expel them formally. what the chinese have chosen to do is take the route of least resistance which is to remove all six men straight out of the country so they remove the need for further tit for tat. if the need for further tit for tat. if the british had been forced to expel the british had been forced to expel the six there potentially could have been consequences for british diplomats in beijing. a member of the european parliament accused of being involved in an alleged bribery scandal involving world cup host qatar has not appeared at a court hearing today, although three other people accused alongside her are reported to have been there. it's still not clear why eva kalil was absent from the hearing in brussels. there's also increasing focus on an italian involved, pier antonio panzeri — he used to be a member of the european parliament,

but left and formed a campaigning charity. 0ur europe regional editor paul moss has more it is getting more and more complicated. first of all, bit on the background. the complicated. first of all, bit on the background. the background of an one the background. the background of anyone who — the background. the background of anyone who has — the background. the background of anyone who has missed _ the background. the background of anyone who has missed it, - the background. the background of anyone who has missed it, they - anyone who has missed it, they started on monday or became public when prosecutors in brussels revealed they had four people in custody and they were accused of being involved with corruption with qatar, the world cup hosts on the leading person was eva kaili and the prosecutors say they found hundred and 60,000 euros at her home, about hundred and £25,000 but altogether they say they found 1.5 million euros at various places around brussels on the allegation is this was money coming from qatar to get favourable treatment in the european parliament and we heard a while ago about the suggestion again of the mistreatment of workers at the world cup. eva kaili had been getting up

in the parliament and defending qatar and saying what a wonderful thing it was. people are now raising their eyebrows and are wondering why she was doing that. irate their eyebrows and are wondering why she was doing that.— she was doing that. we will come back to that _ she was doing that. we will come back to that who _ she was doing that. we will come back to that who is _ she was doing that. we will come back to that who is pier _ she was doing that. we will come back to that who is pier antonio l back to that who is pier antonio panzeri? ., ., ., , panzeri? some attention on him but he is very important. _ panzeri? some attention on him but he is very important. it _ panzeri? some attention on him but he is very important. it used - panzeri? some attention on him but he is very important. it used to - panzeri? some attention on him but he is very important. it used to be l he is very important. it used to be an mep and was for ten years. during that time he sat on a committee whose role was looking at the transparency and that was his brief and he was accused of being involved with it. he was also the chair of a group that had industrial relations between the european parliament and morocco. it is notjust him who is in trouble. his wife and daughter have been put under house arrest in italy. and the documents to extradite them to belgium have been leaked and a few media organisations are saying, what is in them, and

first of all his wife and daughter knew, allegedly about these goings—on and there have been descriptions of a lavish lifestyle and the documents also say, the extradition documents say that he was taking bribes from morocco, so were only a few days into it and it's broadening, and one final thing, as you said, he left the european parliament and started a campaign organisation called fight impunity, and the belgian prosecutors seem to want to prove that there is no impunity at the european parliament. it is starting to sound a bit _ european parliament. it is starting to sound a bit like _ european parliament. it is starting to sound a bit like fast. _ european parliament. it is starting to sound a bit like fast. how- european parliament. it is starting to sound a bit like fast. how much| to sound a bit like fast. how much as this backfired for qatar? you have ut as this backfired for qatar? you have put your — as this backfired for qatar? iiiii have put your finger on it. if have put yourfinger on it. if large amounts of money have been paid by qatar this is copy the most unsuccessful bribe ever. 0ne qatar this is copy the most unsuccessful bribe ever. one of the things eva kaili was campaigning for, she wanted a visa free travel for, she wanted a visa free travel for qataris when they came to european union countries and that was actually about to go through but because of what has happened it has

been pushed back to committees and they want to look at it all over again. the crucial one for the business community is that last year the european union made a deal with qatar on airlines that would allow qatar on airlines that would allow qatar airways access to all european airports, and that has been put back, so they were hoping to get favourable treatment, it's gone wrong. favourable treatment, it's gone wron. , , , ., , wrong. very briefly, what is it doinu wrong. very briefly, what is it doing for _ wrong. very briefly, what is it doing for the _ wrong. very briefly, what is it doing for the image _ wrong. very briefly, what is it doing for the image of - wrong. very briefly, what is it doing for the image of the - wrong. very briefly, what is it| doing for the image of the eu? people who had been criticising the eu arejoining in with gay people who had been criticising the eu are joining in with gay abandon. you have to remember the context. the european union has been furiously trying to get certain recalcitrant members to behave themselves, particular in poland and hungary who have turned round and said you think we behave badly, get your own house in order, so a field day for those who always wanted to criticise the european union who are saying, we told you so.— saying, we told you so. paul, thank ou ve saying, we told you so. paul, thank you very much- _ just five percent of black adults and 20 per cent of black children in england are regular swimmers, according to recent figures. the black swimming association has been working hard

to reverse that trend — and now it's picked up a national lottery award for project of the year. miriam walker—khan has been finding out more. only 5% of adults from african, caribbean and asian communities in england swim. the black swimming association was set up to change that and to make the sport more diverse. now, the work they are doing is award—winning. we started off as four strangers, essentially. who had one vision which was to diversify the aquatic sector and make sure that people like us are more water safe and know what to do when they are in an emergency the water. so to grow so quickly over the last two and a half years to receiving this award, is just fantastic. the aquatic sector wasn't doing enough and we believe that there wasn't a space available for these types of conversations, these types of perspectives to be heard. so what are the conversations that need to be had and what are the barriers or stereotypes that mean there are so few black and asian people who swim?

myths of bone density, of being better at running, so stick to on—land sport. cultural modesty issues, particularly for south asian women. you know, these are serious and valid issues. it is not something we can go never mind that, just get in the water. they are things that we need to unpack and help people move past to get in the water. and although swimming competitively and for fun is a huge part of the bsa's work, there is also a more serious element. according to the world health organisation, the risk of drowning is higher in ethnic minority communities. learning how to swim and being safe in the water is a life—saving skill. knowing what to do if you or a friend of yours are in water and in danger to save a life, knowing who to call, whether that is the coastguard or whether that is the fire service, depending on which part of the country are in can also contribute to saving a life. so all of this knowledge we are trying to raise awareness of can make a difference between somebody coming home and somebody not coming home.

when we get adults in the water and learning to swim, and we are talking about people who have had serious trauma, like nearly drowning when they were younger, being too afraid to put their face in water whilst having a shower, it is just about water familiarisation, feeling comfortable in the environment and understanding what it feels like. and, eventually, they do end up in a place where they are learning to swim. it is clear that the bsa is changing people's lives, and the fact that the public voted for this award shows just how much their work is valued. miriam walker—khan, bbc news. cows belch huge amounts of methane — which causes global warming — but the problem can be massively reduced with just a pinch of dried seaweed in their feed, as paul murphy reports. as they munch through their winter feed, these lincoln reds are blissfully unaware of the consequences. it is mainly when they burp

that the planet gets more unwanted methane. a lot of people don't realise that methane is 85 times more harmful than c02, and a cow burps enough methane each year — equivalent to a car. methane levels in our atmosphere, seen here in red, are increasing by 1% every year. the gas absorbs heat from the sun and that causes global warming. luke has been working with scientists in scotland to develop a special type of seaweed that reacts in a cow's stomach to reduce emissions. it is creating huge interest in an industry increasingly conscious of its impact on the planet. farming is probably responsible for around 30—plus percent of the global greenhouse emissions, so, therefore, anything we can do to tackle those emissions is really important. 0bviously, livestock is a big part of that. just a sprinkling is enough to make these burping cattle more eco friendly. that is what is amazing,

something so small can have a massive impact. that is what is key, really. we don't want to have tonnes and tonnes of this because, obviously, you want it to be scalable and sustainable in both ways. the idea is that we want to incorporate as minimal amount as possible to be able to reduce the emissions they burp. the former university of lincoln student is now trying to scale up his business. he is hoping to use what is called carbon offsetting to eventually offer the seaweed for free to livestock farmers. paul murphy, bbc news, lincoln. take a look at this. these are ice pancakes which have formed on a lake in glasgow. they are made when foam on the surface of the lake freezes on the surface of the lake freezes on the surface of the lake freezes on the discs become rounded as they bump into one another. like frozen lily pads. now it's time for a look

at the weather with darren. another cold day today and some cloud across southern parts of the uk but there has been more sunshine around elsewhere. over the next few days, we will continue to see some sunshine but it's going to be cold, frosty and potentially icy where we keep the snow showers going. most of the snow showers will continue to pile in across northern parts of scotland where at the moment we have strong winds and significant falls over the hills. a few wintry showers coming into northern ireland overnight maybe running into north—east england and this is where we might find icy conditions. mist and fog in the midlands and southern england largely clearing with clear skies temperatures down to —7 in glasgow. some winter sunshine for many of us and a dry day as well but a few wintry showers going in northern ireland across lincolnshire and most of the snow continues to fall in northern parts of scotland. it might not be quite as windy on thursday but still cold with those temperatures struggling to get up to around two or three degrees typically.

the northerly wind is easing and into the cold air we have this little feature coming in from the atlantic and that will bring some disruptive weather to scotland, and there will be quite a bit of snow over the hills to the north of the central belt and quite icy as well, so disruption is likely and for northern ireland and the rest of england and wales, a case of some sunshine, maybe a few wintry showers of course, but also some temperatures struggling to a degrees and in that snow it will be treacherous in some parts. heading into the start of the weekend, we are still in cold air but signs of change as the weekend goes on. we will start to see more of a southerly wind picking up on saturday ahead of the weather system pushing in from the atlantic and it is reaching into colder air, so for a while there be snow overnight and then it should turn back to rain and there will be the westerly wind picking up which brings milder

air and pushes in cold air as well, so quite a change in temperatures from saturday to sunday but for a while there could be snow before it turns to rain and by monday, temperatures could be as high as 1a degrees. quite a change from what we've seen in the last few weeks. you can keep up—to—date with the forecast as we head into the weekend with the bbc weather app.

this is bbc news. the headlines... four people have died and a3 others have been rescued, after a boat carrying migrants got into difficulties, in the channel. crossing the channel in unseaworthy vessels is a lethally dangerous endeavour. it is for this reason above all that we are working so hard to destroy the business model of the people smugglers. evil, organised criminals who treat human beings as cargo. those gangs have created a multi—million pound criminal industry with lives at stake and the action against those gangs has been too weak. inflation has eased slightly, but the cost of living still remains close to a a0—year high.

industrial action escalates across the uk, as royal mail staff go on strike, joining rail workers already on picket lines. china has removed six diplomats including the consul general from the uk following an incident at its consular grounds in october. at the world cup, high hopes for the atlas lions, as morocco take on the french, in the semifinals. good afternoon. four people have died and a3 others have been rescued,

we are going to take you straight to the old bailey. ibss we are going to take you straight to the old itailey-_ the old bailey. as part of his release on — the old bailey. as part of his release on licence, - the old bailey. as part of his release on licence, he - the old bailey. as part of his release on licence, he was i the old bailey. as part of his - release on licence, he was supposed to attend appointments with the probation service but he failed to —— to do with that. his licence was revoked on the 2ath ofjune. 0n the night of the 26th ofjune, just nine days after release from prison, jordan mcsweeney was prowling the streets of aylesford, looking for a woman to attack. his victim that night was zara aleena, a smart and successful 35—year—old, a complete stranger, someone whose values and character were entirely the opposite of his. she had studied law and was

due to be admitted onto the solicitors role. her aunt and her grandmother have told the court in article it, moving terms, how precious and special the woman this defendant sexually assaulted and murdered was every human being has her home essential qualities. zara aleena believed injustice and had a strong moral compass, she failed her life with big ideas, bid plans, and a zest for existence. she was confident and active, working and volunteering to use her talents to the full. she was well loved. and only child and her death has broken her mother. her absence has been

felled constantly by the entire family, the extended family. the light has gone out from their lives, they have told the court. they will campaign for a world in her name. for the life she lost, having done nothing wrong, they want to make the world safer for others. the defendant had been drinking that night, with a friend whose caravan he was sharing. he was pestering women, he groped a woman and tried to molest a female member of staff, eventually he was rejected just after 11pm. eventually he was rejected just after11pm. he eventually he was rejected just after 11pm. he walked home and for the next two hours crowd around, desperate to find a victim. he was captured just after midnight obviously intoxicated and following a woman, a stranger, down romford road was not he deployed some degree

of subterfuge, waiting to get her in front and falling behind when she appeared to notice him. the woman may well have realised he was following her because wisely she entered a shop and showed her wariness by looking backwards towards the doorway. indeed, he hung around outside that shop, waiting for her to leave. he entered and left without making any purchase. she watched him leave and waited yet more time before leaving herself. he was still in the vicinity but hidden. and she waited for a while in the shop. when she moved to a comedy defendant emerged and followed her down gloucester road. she began to run and outran him. it is no hyperbole to say that her actions that might save her life. this pursuit had lasted 21 minutes. that woman has not been identified.

before long, the defendant saw another potential victim who was inside a chicken shop on romford road. he entered and stared at her and put his hand... i’m road. he entered and stared at her and put his hand...— road. he entered and stared at her and put his hand... i'm sorry, there is a momentary _ and put his hand... i'm sorry, there is a momentary pause, _ and put his hand... i'm sorry, there is a momentary pause, as - and put his hand... i'm sorry, there is a momentary pause, as the - is a momentary pause, as the sentencing takes place forjordan mcsweeney, who admitted to murdering and sexually assaulting a 35—year—old law graduate, zara aleena in east london lastjune. the sentencing is taking place at the old bailey. ithink sentencing is taking place at the old bailey. i think we can listen in again. old bailey. i think we can listen in aain. ,, ., «i ., old bailey. i think we can listen in main. ,, ., «i ., , again. she then walked away, it is not known — again. she then walked away, it is not known whether _ again. she then walked away, it is not known whether this _ again. she then walked away, it is not known whether this was - again. she then walked away, it is l not known whether this was another encounter with a stranger or the defendant knew her. he has not said.

for the next 50 minutes, he remained wanting around, despite being minutes from where he was living. —— wandering around. shortly before 2am, he came across a fourth woman coming out of a side road. the defendant's attention turned to her immediately and he followed her into northbrook road and beyond over the course of minutes. this was in my judgment another deliberate pursuit and her actions on cctv, looking back over her shoulder and speeding up back over her shoulder and speeding up her walk indicate that she also became aware of it. he overtook her and turned into one of the houses in the street, obviously waiting to surprise and grabbed her. he was disappointed because she happened to be making her way to a house on the opposite side of the street and was able to enter it safely.

coincidentally, zara aleena and her friend had been in the great spoon of aylesford earlier in the evening. but by 2am, they were leaving a bar in chapel road. zara aleena decided to walk home. he did not have far to go. herfriend had called a taxi, as many women do these days, she called her friend to check that she had got home safely but she never got any response. the defendant and zara aleena reached the junction at northbrook and cranbrook road at the same time. it was a fatal coincidence. he waited for her to go past and then crossed the road so that he was behind her. he followed herfor that he was behind her. he followed her for some distance, that he was behind her. he followed herfor some distance, getting that he was behind her. he followed her for some distance, getting to within a few metres of her, until

she reached number 268, a residential property, with a wide paved front garden or driveway. at that point, there were no weather people on the street was the attack was captured on domestic security cameras. he grabbed herand was captured on domestic security cameras. he grabbed her and pulled her backwards, one arm around her neck, the other over her mouth. she was dragged deeper into the darkness of the driveway and it is clear that she struggled and fought him but he had the advantage of surprise and strength and he was successful in subduing her. he then parted her legs while she was on the ground but still she fought and resisted, getting up again again, he attacked her and pulled her back onto the ground. she must have been rendered unconscious because he then dragged her around, without independent

movement from her. he removed some of her clothing and sexually assaulted her. the security camera on the front of the house does not provide a clear image of these events. he kicked and stamped on her. his movements indicating that these were repeated heavy assault. he had not been overtaken by an uncontrollable urge, he was only aware of what he was doing, this is correct because when he realised that someone was coming past the house on the pavement, he bent out of sight before resuming what he was doing. after satisfying his last, he proceeded to destroy the woman he had just degraded. with sickening deliberation, he stamped on her. then he left the driveway, but after

walking a few metres, he returned and repeatedly stamped down on her body again. using the balance transfer balance. he searched her body again and left for a second time, carrying things of hers. still not finished, have walked away and he again returned zara aleena and bent down by her body before stamping on her again. this abduction, sexual assault and murder lasted just nine minutes. he had carried away her phone, keys, purse, leggings and underwear and they were found abandoned nearby. he was captured on cctv at the fair, where the caravan was located, with bloodstains on his clothing and trainers, as he returned. zara

aleena's body was found by two couples walking past and emergency services were called. some of those members of the public are been traumatised by what they saw. the court commends their swift and compassionate actions in seeking help. zara aleena was desperately injured, struggling for breath and her life was in danger. all that could be done was done by the medical professionals who answered the 999 call. they tried to save her life in the driveway for over an hour. she arrived at the royal london hospital after aam and the work continued but by 9:58am, she was dead. she had suffered a6 separate injuries. these included severe blunt force trauma to her

head, deep lacerations to her scalp, bruising to her lips, ear, eyes, nose and jaw. she had suffered injuries. the severity of the violence caused traumatic brain injuries. she died because of the brain injuries and prolonged neck compression. she had been stamped and strangled to death. the defendant had left two fingerprints in blood. through intelligent and swift word by the metropolitan police, he was quickly identified and arrested on the 27th ofjune at his caravan in valentine park. he made no coherent response to arrest. his bloodstained trainers and jeans were found secreted in the caravan park. he had hidden them there in the afternoon of the 26th ofjune.

his demeanour on the relevant cctv footage from the site that afternoon suggests no cares, no regrets, no contrition. at the police station, he said he was on medication for adhd. and suffered from a split personality disorder. he also claimed to have been bitten by a dog. he refused treatment and threatened officers at the station. he made no comment in three police interviews and exhibited at a disrespect for the situation he was in, given what he knew he had done so recently. nothing a judge says can make any difference to what happened to zara aleena. nose of the court can bring her back. the defendant had the advantage of surprise. and everything else, she was better than him, talented,

spirited and kind. spending the evening with herfriend, she had done nothing wrong, taken no mistake, shall no lack of sense. he was simply a happy, healthy woman, living her life in what most londoners think of as the best city in the world. the defendant has been brought to court today but has refused to come up to this courtroom. he has given an excuse that he does not want to revisit the events he is responsible for. it is agreed that his nonattendance is voluntary and is appropriate to sentence him in his absence. but the decision not to commit to court from the cells to hear the devastating impact of his crimes shows that the man who took zara aleena's life has no spine whatsoever. murder carries a life sentence. i have determined

the minimum term to be served in accordance with paragraph three of schedule 21 of the sentencing act 2020. it should be clear to everyone that this figure is just the minimum and it will only be when the parole board considers the defendant is no longer a risk that he can be released. that day may never come. the prosecution submits that this is a case in which the seriousness of the murder considered together with the murder considered together with the sexual assault is particularly high. the defence agreed. the starting point for the court's determination, both sides agree, is therefore one of 30 years. mr glasgow king counsel submits that accounting for the aggravating and mitigating features and for the guilty pleas, this case merits a sentence well in excess of the minimum term. mr carter stephenson

king council disagrees and urges the court to pass a more moderate minimum term in all the circumstances. in this respect, the specific disputes i have to resolve our fourfold. specific disputes i have to resolve ourfourfold. firstly, the our fourfold. firstly, the prosecution ourfourfold. firstly, the prosecution and defence agreed that the evidence is the defendant was planning to commit a sexual offence and there is no sign of significant planning or premeditation the murder. however, ido planning or premeditation the murder. however, i do not agree that this is a case of someone seeking what has been described as an interment to counter. that is far too neutral a term —— intimate encounter. most of the behaviour any two hours before he dragged zara aleena off the street reveals a resolved to find and attack a venerable female. he confronted and followed several women. i am sure he

intended to sexually assault a woman violently using such force as required to achieve submission and to frighten her, although i do not sentence on the basis of this as a premeditated murder, iam sentence on the basis of this as a premeditated murder, i am also satisfied that he was quite prepared to kill if necessary, as it turned out he decided it was. secondly, although he has no previous convictions for sexual offences or crimes of serious violence, the prosecution relies on records of his previous aggressive behaviour as an aggravating feature. the evidence of four specific incidents since 2009 and a large number of incidents of aggression in prison. i ignore the earliest incident, provided by the prosecution. but in 2010, his partner alleged domestic violence. she told the police that he had

assaulted her, pushed her down the steps, pulled her hair and strangled her. she bore visible injuries. he was arrested and he gave an account of the police largely in line with what she had said but he excused himself because she had been quote going on and as a result, he lost his temper. between may 2018 and june 2019, he abused another woman with whom he was in a relationship soon after it began. he would slap her, punch her, beat her, kicked her in the ribs and dragged her along the road. in 2020 while in prison, he threatened to kill a prison officer who had spoken to him after he had damaged his cell. he said he would cut off his head and open him up would cut off his head and open him up both this sort of threatening attitude and behaviour is his default presentation stopping tell reports disclosed to the defence

demonstrate that on the 20th december 2015 was located in the segregation unit of a prison, he made threats to carry out very serious harm to a prison officer who was female. they also include a report that in march 2017, he became abusive and aggressive when asked to remove photographs from his cell wall by another female officer. to whom the defendant also made threats of really serious bodily harm, including stabbing. he said, i have stabbed before, check my fire and watch what i do to you. his record of adjudications in custody shows he had to do three adjudications between august 2010 and june 2022. 106 the fibre which resulted in charges, 139 resulted in verdicts and 106 to nine resulted in sanctions. among them are numerous

adjudications for committing assault and for using threatening abusive or insulting words or behaviour. the police intelligence unit incidents for a prisoner report records 102 incidentsjordan mcsweeney between august 2012 and april 2022 was amongst these incidents are serious assaults on other inmates, improvised weapons being found in his possession and general disobedience. i remind myself that it is only that which i can be sure to the criminal standard of proof that can be relevant to the decision i must make on a minimum term. i am sure to that standard that the defendant is a pugnacious and deeply violent man with a propensity to violence was not in myjudgment, this material is also relevant to the extent that it demonstrates his behaviour only night of the 26th of june 2022 was not an aberration, it

was a steep and sudden escalation of violence which had simmered in his life for many years. thirdly, i have to determine whether this is a case in which i am sure that the degree to which zara aleena suffered mentally or physically before her death is an aggravating feature. it is argued that she is likely to have been unconscious very early on and during much of the attack. that she remained unconscious is speculation. and there is evidence contrary to that suggestion, including the need as he saw it for the defendant to return to the victim twice after initially leaving her. she survived eight hours after the attack and i'm sure she will have suffered inordinately and this is an aggravating feature. fourthly, i have no doubt showed an mcsweeney intended to kill zara aleena stop

the nature of his attack, stamping on his —— her head and the fact twice drives me to the conclusion this was a determined intention to kill. finally, is there any decree to which culpability for this murder is lowered because of a mental disorder or disability? mr carter stephenson submits i should have regard to the statement to the police station that he has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and personality disorder. as i observed to council, the court has no psychiatric report from any expert who examined the defendant. i have considered the report of the psychologist doctor blackberry carefully and i bear in mind all the mental ill—health identified therein, which counsel has summarised, making the defendant someone who struggles in the community and has real difficulty in making and maintaining a healthy social life and relationships.

despite the brokenness the defendant has experienced, i do not consider that there is any cogent material on which i can conclude that the mental health issues which he undoubtedly has all the anti—social conditioning from his upbringing are capable of reducing his culpability to any material extent. i sentence him on the basis that his mental faculties were such that he bears full responsibility for his actions. the presence of the following aggravating features is agreed, the location and time —— timing of the offence committed public in the early hours of the morning, witnessed partly by members of the public, and the attempts made to dispose of or conceal evidence such as the bloodstained clothing and shoes. two other factors which i consider to be important require attention. firstly i am sure the taking of zara aleena's mobile phone

was a deliberate attempt to prevent her calling for help giving a description of what had happened to her before she died. and secondly, her before she died. and secondly, he had shortly before being released... he had shortly before being released from the most recent sentence, the revocation of his licence on the 2ath ofjune was placed on the police national computer on the 25th ofjune. in my judgment, he committed this offence in the expectation he was likely to be returned to custody soon in any event. apart from the guilty pleas, i find event. apart from the guilty pleas, ifind no mitigation, he has never expressed any remorse or demonstrated any empathy for the outcome of his behaviour in evidence. he cried at the police station. but this was after his arrest for murder and rape but it was not accompanied by any expression of sorrow for the impact on anyone else. his license has been revoked and he has been serving the remainder of his previous sentence while on remand, so there are no

days to be counted against the sentence i pass today. i have taken care to avoid double counting. the sexual assault is a category one a offence because the defendant use violence and threats and abducted the victim from the street. there was a significant degree of premeditation because he wandered around the area until he found the ideal circumstances in which to collect the offence. this was a violent sexual assault, committed at night and in a public place on a woman out alone. the defendant removed zara aleena's knickers and caused injuries to her genitalia, as well as the injuries that led to her death. the sentence for that offence of sexual assault had i been dealing with it alone would have been six years imprisonment. taking into account his history of offending, had they not been a guilty plea. i

would allow one third discount for the plea, i take the view that this offence is already incorporated into the minimum term for murder because i have taken the highest starting point of 30 years and i reflect the aggravating features of it in the medium term for the murder. having been arrested on the 27th ofjune, the defendant was charged with murder and rape on the 29th ofjune. 0ne reception in prison, he indicated he could not comprehend that he had done what he had done. he appeared for a preliminary hearing on the 1st ofjuly 2022 and his pt ph was set for the 30th of september 2022. his pt ph was set for the 30th of september2022. priorto his pt ph was set for the 30th of september 2022. prior to the listing, the solicitors acting for the defendant wrote to the court to inform them that they had not received an expert report commissioned from a psychiatrist because the defendant had not seen him. furthermore, owing to the industrial action being taken by the

defence bar, hayes instructed advocate would not be present. accordingly, i adjourned the hearing to the 19th of october and an extension was given. the defendant sailed without a reasonable excuse to attend two appointments with the psychologist. his solicitors wrote to the court again to request a further adjournment. when the case came before the court on the 19th of october, the defendant refused to attend and it became apparent he had not attended a conference that had been arranged with his solicitors. the defence were directed secure the services of a psychologist who could provide a report as soon is possible and there was an adjournment. the solicitors did not have a report and another adjournment to the 11th of november. in the report of doctor

black, dated the 26th of october, in which was i'm sure any hands of the defence soon after that date, the defendant suggested —— suggested he could not remember what had happened and he could not believe what he was seeing when shown the cctv in interview. in the police interviews after arrest, interview. in the police interviews afterarrest, he interview. in the police interviews after arrest, he effected a board and disinterested facade. the defendant was not produced at the next hearing because he had tested positive for covid. despite a direction that he attend in—person, the defendant refused to come to court on the 16th of november and a video link to be arranged. the defendant took instructions from the defendant took instructions from the defendant and approach the prosecution about potential please and this was indicated to the court. there was an adjournment to the 19th of november and on that occasion the defendant pleaded guilty to the preferred two count indictment, murder and sexual assault. i accept

that the defence solicitors commissioned expert reports to ensure there was no psychiatric defence to the charge of murder and to ensure fitness to be done to be tried. these were responsible steps in a case of such gravity. i also accept that because of the action taken by criminal barristers, he was not able to receive advice from junior barristers and kings council until october this year. i reject the suggestion from the defence that because he was heard on a prison phone telling his mother that he was bang to rights he should be taken to have indicated at an early stage that he would accept responsibility for the killing. he never indicated this to the court until the 16th of november, and at stages, his non—engagement frustrated the work being done on his behalf. in

addition, as mr carter stephenson accepted in his written submission on sentence, he caused some additional delay through taking a belligerent attitude when required to come to court, including telling the jailers on one occasion that there was no point in attending a hearing at which his presence was required. overall, my conclusion is that the defendant is entitled to less than the maximum discount on the mode account and i would allow one eighth, although given the length of the term i will impose, the maximum discount allowed can be five years. considering all of these features, after a trial, the minimum term would have been a3 years. i will allow five years, as i have said, for the plea of guilty indicated by council on the 16th of november a few weeks before trial. the sentence of four years concurrent is imposed for sexual assault. the sentence for the

brutal, sexually motivated murder of a zara aleena is imprisonment for life. the defendant will serve 38 years as the minimum term. the court would like to thank counsell and thank others. so there we have the sentencing at the old bailey. this follows the sentencing ofjordan mcsweeney, you see him there on your screen, the man who killed 35—year—old law graduate zara aleena in east london lastjune. jordan mcsweeney admitted murdering and sexually assaulting her on her way home from a night out. zara aleena's family could be heard sobbing during that

sentencing, and thejudge had said that mcsweeney will receive no mitigation beyond his guilty plea and has expressed no remorse. he made no expression of sorrow for the impact on anyone else of his killing. she said he did not believe the mental health issues that mcsweeney undoubtedly has reduced his culpability over the attack. she had contrasted the characters of mcsweeney with zara aleena and said they could not have been more different and outlined an extraordinarily chilling fashion the circumstances of zara aleena's death at the hands ofjordan mcsweeney. he has no spine whatsoever, the judge said, because he refused to appear in court to hear the sentence. the minimum term was 30 years, but she eventually, after all of her considerations, sentenced him to 38

years in prison. of course, because it was a murder, it carries a life sentence, and 38 years was the number that she arrived at after all of her due considerations. 0ur correspondent helena wilkinson has the background to this case. this is jordan this isjordan mcsweeney in the hours before he murdered zara aleena. he staggers across a busy road after being thrown out of a bar in east london. what follows is disturbing behaviour. this cctv footage captures him following the first of multiple women that night. he followed her for 20 first of multiple women that night. he followed herfor 20 minutes. look at how close he gets to her. he follows her into a shop, then loiter is outside, waiting for her to emerge. the woman then makes a run for it down this side street. mcsweeney isn't far behind. soon after, he follows another woman who had a lucky escape. in the end, it

was zara aleena who he became fixated on. the law graduate who had dreams of becoming a solicitor. zara aleena had been with friends here in ilford in east london. mcsweeney spotted her as she walked home alone in the early hours. when zara aleena reached this road she was being followed by mcsweeney. he dragged her onto a driveway, forced her to the ground and sexually assaulted her. he kicked her and stamped on her. he kicked her and stamped on her repeatedly, leaving her struggling to breathe. after he murdered the 35—year—old, mcsweeney returned to this nearby fair ground where he had been working. jordan mcsweeney. _ where he had been working. jordan mcsweeney. you — where he had been working. jordan mcsweeney, you are _ where he had been working. jordan mcsweeney, you are under- where he had been working. jordan mcsweeney, you are under arrest i where he had been working. irr'cafu mcsweeney, you are under arrest for rape and murder of a female in cranbrook road.— rape and murder of a female in cranbrook road. police found him aslee in cranbrook road. police found him asleep in a _ cranbrook road. police found him asleep in a caravan _ cranbrook road. police found him asleep in a caravan at _ cranbrook road. police found him asleep in a caravan at the - asleep in a caravan at the fairground.— asleep in a caravan at the fairground. asleep in a caravan at the fairround. . ., ., ., , ., . fairground. we are going to search ou now. fairground. we are going to search you now. officers— fairground. we are going to search you now. officers recovered - fairground. we are going to search you now. officers recovered a - fairground. we are going to search you now. officers recovered a bag| you now. officers recovered a bag that ou you now. officers recovered a bag that you can _ you now. officers recovered a bag that you can see _ you now. officers recovered a bag that you can see mcsweeney - that you can see mcsweeney carrying which contained bloodstained clothing and shoes which he had worn

the night of the attack. it clothing and shoes which he had worn the night of the attack.— the night of the attack. it can only be described _ the night of the attack. it can only be described as _ the night of the attack. it can only be described as a _ the night of the attack. it can only be described as a danger - the night of the attack. it can only be described as a danger to - the night of the attack. it can only i be described as a danger to women. he is— be described as a danger to women. he is somebody who we really cannot allow out _ he is somebody who we really cannot allow out on — he is somebody who we really cannot allow out on the streets. that said, his tevet— allow out on the streets. that said, his level of— allow out on the streets. that said, his level of previous offending didn't— his level of previous offending didn't lead to us thinking that he was capable of this extreme violence _ was capable of this extreme violence. ., , was capable of this extreme violence-— was capable of this extreme violence. ., , ., ., violence. last month, at the old baile , violence. last month, at the old bailey, mcsweeney _ violence. last month, at the old bailey, mcsweeney pleaded - violence. last month, at the old i bailey, mcsweeney pleaded guilty violence. last month, at the old - bailey, mcsweeney pleaded guilty to zara aleena's murder and guilty to sexually assaulting her. mcsweeney has 28 previous convictions. when he murdered zara aleena he was out on licence having been released from prison nine days earlier. he was going to be recalled. police had gone to an address to arrest him the day before the attack for breaching his licence conditions, but he wasn't there. the ministry of justice said a review is now under way. today, zara's family and friends will perhaps find some closure that the man who took them from her will be off the streets for

a very long time. helena wilkinson, bbc news, at the old bailey. the cost of buying goods and services in the uk has fallen slightly during november, according to latest figures from the office for national statistics. the latest official figures show that price rises are at 10.7% — meaning the cost of living is still close to a a0 year high. that inflation figure of 10.7% is slightly down from a high in october of 11.1%. but the latest number is still way above the bank of england's target of 2%. food prices have continued to increase over the last 12 months, but fuel prices are rising by less over the past year. let's speak to marios bregu who's the owner of maria's greek meze bar taverna in cardiff. we can speak to him now. what are you seeing in terms of the costs you are facing? hi

you seeing in terms of the costs you are facin ? ~ �* , are facing? hi there. well, it's really hard _ are facing? hi there. well, it's really hard times _ are facing? hi there. well, it's really hard times for _ are facing? hi there. well, it's| really hard times for everyone. are facing? hi there. well, it's i really hard times for everyone. i totally understand that. but but the cost of living now, the government should help more with that. from all of a sudden it went double, even triple, especially on gas and electric prices, and that is why all of the businesses are stuck the most with gas and electric prices,. i believe the restaurants, that is why most of them are shutting. because, you know, the gas and electric prices. people cannot afford it because that was their profit at the end of the month, and now the government takes that back because we have to pay triple price on gas and electric. we have to pay triple price on gas and electric-— and electric. you are paying the companies _ and electric. you are paying the companies for _ and electric. you are paying the companies for the _ and electric. you are paying the companies for the gas - and electric. you are paying the companies for the gas and - companies for the gas and electricity you are using. telus about how you are managing to pass any of those costs on to your

customers?— any of those costs on to your customers? ~ ., , ,, customers? we are struggling like an one customers? we are struggling like anyone else- _ customers? we are struggling like anyone else. even _ customers? we are struggling like anyone else. even our— customers? we are struggling like anyone else. even our customersl anyone else. even our customers struggle as well. they don't go out as much as they used to before, and evenif as much as they used to before, and even if they go, they don't spend as much as they did before. you know what i'm trying to say. it is hard. it is hard from both sides, you know? from our side, the customer side, but all we want is to find that understanding to work together and keep the business is running, in cardiff, england, all over the and keep the business is running, in cardiff, england, all overthe uk, thatis cardiff, england, all overthe uk, that is what we are looking for. to work together with whom? you i that is what we are looking for. to - work together with whom? you know, businesses and _ work together with whom? you know, businesses and local _ work together with whom? you know, businesses and local people _ work together with whom? you know, businesses and local people in - work together with whom? you know, businesses and local people in the - businesses and local people in the area, to support local restaurants, to keep them alive. bre area, to support local restaurants, to keep them alive.— to keep them alive. are people turning up. _ to keep them alive. are people turning up, booking _ to keep them alive. are people turning up, booking and - to keep them alive. are people| turning up, booking and coming to keep them alive. are people i turning up, booking and coming to eat with you as much as you would like? , ., , ., .., , eat with you as much as you would like? , .,, ., , like? they do, but of course you also et like? they do, but of course you also get cancellations, - like? they do, but of course you also get cancellations, for - like? they do, but of course you also get cancellations, for all. also get cancellations, for all sorts of reasons, may be the

weather, change of plans, but it's not as it used to be, let's say a year ago. things have changed massively. it's not like it used to be a year ago, for example. they don't spend as much. the average person now on a saturday night in cardiff, i'm speaking about, because i speak with the other business owners, they spend like 15 quid a head, 18 quid a head. that is nothing. you can't, the costs of the gas and electric.— nothing. you can't, the costs of the gas and electric. people are coming out to eat but _ gas and electric. people are coming out to eat but not _ gas and electric. people are coming out to eat but not spending - gas and electric. people are coming out to eat but not spending like - out to eat but not spending like they used to. this is supposed to be a busy time for you around christmas. what are you seeing in terms of bookings?— terms of bookings? now, for christmas. — terms of bookings? now, for christmas, because - terms of bookings? now, for christmas, because we - terms of bookings? now, for christmas, because we have| terms of bookings? now, forl christmas, because we have a terms of bookings? now, for - christmas, because we have a variety of offers to people for good value for money and the set menu as well for money and the set menu as well for christmas, for 20 quid, people can come in the restaurant and have 20 quid for a starter, main and dessert, so we are trying to support people in these hard times. we are

trying to find support from them. it works both ways and we need to work together. to make this happen. hogs together. to make this happen. how confident are — together. to make this happen. how confident are you _ together. to make this happen. how confident are you that you will manage to stay in business? i will be here for— manage to stay in business? i will be here for a _ manage to stay in business? i will be here for a long _ manage to stay in business? i will be here for a long time, _ manage to stay in business? iii-ii ii. be here for a long time, long manage to stay in business? in ll be here for a long time, long time. i don't like to lose. 50 be here for a long time, long time. i don't like to lose. sol be here for a long time, long time. i don't like to lose. 50 i am very confident i will make it. i made it through covid, sol confident i will make it. i made it through covid, so i think i will make it this time as this time. good to hear. make it this time as this time. good to hear- thank _ make it this time as this time. good to hear. thank you _ make it this time as this time. good to hear. thank you very _ make it this time as this time. good to hear. thank you very much. - make it this time as this time. good to hear. thank you very much. you | to hear. thank you very much. you are welcome- _ to hear. thank you very much. you are welcome. thank _ to hear. thank you very much. 7m. are welcome. thank you very much. tomorrow, members of the royal college of nursing will begin the biggest walkout, in the rcn's106 year history, affecting england, wales and northern ireland. the dispute, is over pay. emergency care will still be provided, but general patients could be affected. tomos morgan reports from cardiff. we need to make this stand to preserve the nhs and to ensure the safety of patients. the job's completely changed in the three decades katherine davies has been a nurse

and she believes the pressures of the role can't be healed without financial intervention. we're resuscitating patients. we're nursing patients after major surgery, and £13 an hour does not reflect the responsibility that somebody has got. yesterday, members of the royal college of midwives in wales, as well as physiotherapy staff here, also voted for industrial action, meaning more disruption to the health service is on its way. but pay is only one of the reasons behind tomorrow's nursing strike. staff shortages are a key reason behind why industrial action is still taking place tomorrow. in england, there's been a 21% rise in unfilled posts since last year, but in wales, that figure has shot up. there's been a 70% rise since last year in nursing vacancies. the rurality of wales can make filling vacancies harder, but some have other views on why nurses are leaving the nhs.

they've left because they don't want the burden and responsibility that was being imposed on them as nhs employees working on wards that were short—staffed. so they've jumped ship and i honestly can't blame them for doing it. although health is devolved in wales, most welsh government funding for the nhs comes from the uk government. the welsh health minister said she won't raise taxes in order to increase salaries, adding that nurses�* pay cannot be increased until more funds come from westminster. on recruitment, however, it's a complex picture. well, we do have vacancies, but that's an international problem. it's notjust... it's worse here. it has increased. it's got worse here. what we've got in wales is a situation where we work with our social partners, that we have recruited more than we've ever recruited before. as we head into the depths of winter, one which could mean the toughest demands yet on our health service, the future of our nhs here remains

fractured and unresolved. tomos morgan, bbc news, cardiff. ukraine says it's secured the release of dozens of its servicemen and a us citizen in its latest prisoner swap with russia. presidents zelensky�*s chief of staff said the soldiers who had been released had fought in donetsk and luhansk. in a post on social media he said the american, suedi murekezi, had been helping the ukrainian people before he ended up in russian custody. the news comes as the capital kyiv recovers from the latest round of airstrikes from russia. our correspondent hugo bachega in kyiv outlined the response to those strikes. president zelensky said all 13 drones launched by russia were intercepted by the country's air defence system, drones that russia has been using to target the

country's civilian infrastructure in recent weeks. those drones have been provided by iran. and we have seen that this campaign has been targeting the country's infrastructure as temperatures plummet, you can see it's incredibly cold in kyiv and those attacks have left millions of people across the country without electricity without heating, even without water and there is obviously the fear that this could lead to a humanitarian crisis and this attack today happened as the un humanitarian chief was here in kyiv, and i sat down with him earlier today and i began by asking him about how he felt being in this city during this attack. take a listen.— felt being in this city during this attack. take a listen. what struck me auoin attack. take a listen. what struck me going through _ attack. take a listen. what struck me going through it, _ attack. take a listen. what struck me going through it, being - attack. take a listen. what struck| me going through it, being woken attack. take a listen. what struck . me going through it, being woken up by the _ me going through it, being woken up by the sirens and hearing some of the explosions and not clearly understanding exactly what was going on until_ understanding exactly what was going on until it _ understanding exactly what was going on until it was all over for now is 'ust on until it was all over for now is just the — on until it was all over for now is just the way— on until it was all over for now is

just the way puts uncertainty into daily life. — just the way puts uncertainty into daily life, doesn't it? just the way in which _ daily life, doesn't it? just the way in which ukraine is still suffering from _ in which ukraine is still suffering from the — in which ukraine is still suffering from the war, right across the country. — from the war, right across the country, notjust on from the war, right across the country, not just on the front lines — country, not just on the front tines 50— country, not just on the front lines 50 it _ country, not just on the front lines. so it was good for me to be reminded — lines. so it was good for me to be reminded of— lines. so it was good for me to be reminded of that. the lines. so it was good for me to be reminded of that.— reminded of that. the ukrainians have accused _ reminded of that. the ukrainians have accused russia _ reminded of that. the ukrainians have accused russia of _ reminded of that. the ukrainians have accused russia of weapon l reminded of that. the ukrainians . have accused russia of weapon eyes in winter with these attacks, and as you know, millions of people across the country have been left without electricity, heating and even water and there is the fear that this could lead to a humanitarian crisis. how concerned are you? i could lead to a humanitarian crisis. how concerned are you?— how concerned are you? i went to kherson down — how concerned are you? i went to kherson down in _ how concerned are you? i went to kherson down in the _ how concerned are you? i went to kherson down in the south - how concerned are you? i went to kherson down in the south in - how concerned are you? i went to kherson down in the south in thel kherson down in the south in the last couple — kherson down in the south in the last couple of days and in both places. — last couple of days and in both places, but particularly vividly in kherson, — places, but particularly vividly in kherson, this clarity of the fact that everything is based on the availability of electricity. if you don't _ availability of electricity. if you don't have electricity, you don't .et don't have electricity, you don't get warm, _ don't have electricity, you don't get warm, you don't get hospital treatment, you don't get to go to

school, _ treatment, you don't get to go to school, you — treatment, you don't get to go to school, you don't get to have transport _ school, you don't get to have transport. electricity is the gateway to life.— transport. electricity is the gateway to life. the authorities here believe _ gateway to life. the authorities here believe russia _ gateway to life. the authorities here believe russia is - gateway to life. the authorities here believe russia is likely - gateway to life. the authorities here believe russia is likely to | here believe russia is likely to continue with these attacks. do you think this could lead to perhaps a wave of refugees, of people trying to leave the country? ii wave of refugees, of people trying to leave the country?— to leave the country? if you remember _ to leave the country? if you remember back _ to leave the country? if you remember back at - to leave the country? if you remember back at the - to leave the country? if you - remember back at the beginning of the war. _ remember back at the beginning of the war. it — remember back at the beginning of the war, it was the largest displacement since the second world war as _ displacement since the second world war as we _ displacement since the second world war as we were told at the time. so, for god _ war as we were told at the time. so, for god sake, — war as we were told at the time. so, for god sake, we are not thinking that will— for god sake, we are not thinking that will happen now, but the need to get— that will happen now, but the need to get urgent supplies in to repair notices— to get urgent supplies in to repair polices which have been damaged, electricity— polices which have been damaged, electricity stations and so forth, you can — electricity stations and so forth, you can do _ electricity stations and so forth, you can do things to stabilise the situation — you can do things to stabilise the situation even when the threats continue — situation even when the threats continue to be there. so situation even when the threats continue to be there.— situation even when the threats continue to be there. so that is the un humanitarian _ continue to be there. so that is the un humanitarian chief— continue to be there. so that is the un humanitarian chief talking - continue to be there. so that is the un humanitarian chief talking to i continue to be there. so that is the | un humanitarian chief talking to me earlier today, and again, talking about the importance to provide generators to the ukrainians so they

can keep services running and we can hear the comments talking about how generators have become vital in protecting lives as russia continues to attack civilian sites and civilian infrastructure in places away from the front lines. morocco will become the first african football team, and the first arab nation, to play in a world cup semi—final today. they take on the reigning champions, france, in qatar. at stake is a place in sunday's final against argentina, who beat croatia last night, three—nil. shaimaa khalil has more. moroccan fans had dreamt of this moment. and now it's actually happened. their side is now the first arab and african team to make it to the world cup semifinals. we are excited. we are making history, guys.

yes, we are happy for our country and all the people in morocco, here and around the world. it is a win for morocco, it is a win for africa. we feel really confident, this team has _ accomplished something that has never been done or seen by any. african or arab country. it is a huge sporting moment for morocco but it goes beyond football. you can sense the collective feeling ofjoy and pride across the arab world and africa. i was speaking to a moroccan fan who said i will tell my children and grandchildren i was here when my team made history. the support has been phenomenal. it has felt very much like a home game for the atlas lions in doha, many have travelled from around the region. morocco's coach understands the heft of this match, but remains confident. translation: you might think i'm crazy, but we want to get _ to the final of the world cup. we are notjust going through the motions, we are notjust satisfied with reaching the semifinal and being the first african

team to do that. we want to go further than that and that is why my players are ready to give everything. the moroccan squad had beaten the odds and some of football's giants to get here, but now they face france, the world champions, here to defend their title. translation: i'm french by nationality but it - is pay tribute to my father—in—law who is moroccan and couldn't come. it will be beautiful either way, france or morocco. but honestly, i prefer france. this is great news, we will be able to go much further in this world cup and it will be really great. i cannot wait to see the final. win or lose, morocco have proved themselves a formidable force against the powerhouses of this game. eagerly anticipating the matches one supporter, leila whojoins us now.

did you imagine morocco would get this far? to did you imagine morocco would get this far? ., , ., , �*, . . this far? to be honest, it's a dream and i've this far? to be honest, it's a dream and we always _ this far? to be honest, it's a dream and i've always wish _ this far? to be honest, it's a dream and i've always wish every - this far? to be honest, it's a dream and i've always wish every world i this far? to be honest, it's a dream. and i've always wish every world cup that morocco get further and further and i honestly can't believe it and i am over the moon we have got so far. ., ., ., i am over the moon we have got so far. ., ., . , ., i am over the moon we have got so far. ., ., . i. , far. how long have you been following — far. how long have you been following the _ far. how long have you been following the moroccan - far. how long have you been| following the moroccan side? far. how long have you been - following the moroccan side? as a famil , following the moroccan side? as a family. myself. — following the moroccan side? as a family, myself, we _ following the moroccan side? 33 —. family, myself, we always following the moroccan side? is —. family, myself, we always support morocco in every world cup, and the african nations cup when it comes out, so we always follow morocco and when they were passing in each tournament we were getting more excited but we didn't want to jinx ourselves before, so now we are in the semifinals, we are over the moon and we have anxiety in everything. what is it about getting this far that matters so much. morocco is alwa s that matters so much. morocco is always seen _ that matters so much. morocco is always seen as — that matters so much. morocco is always seen as the _ that matters so much. morocco is always seen as the underdog - that matters so much. morocco is always seen as the underdog and| that matters so much. morocco is - always seen as the underdog and they don't take us seriously and to be able to do that and being african as well, i think it is seen as enough

time to shine and recognise us. so it's notjust morocco, it is wider than that. it's notjust morocco, it is wider than that-— it's notjust morocco, it is wider than that. , , ., ~ , , than that. definitely, for muslims around, than that. definitely, for muslims around. we _ than that. definitely, for muslims around, i've got _ than that. definitely, for muslims around, i've got so _ than that. definitely, for muslims around, i've got so many - than that. definitely, for muslims l around, i've got so many messages and text saying i am a rock and for the world cup, but it's definitely more than that.— the world cup, but it's definitely more than that. , . ., more than that. there might be a lot of encland more than that. there might be a lot of england fans _ more than that. there might be a lot of england fans who _ more than that. there might be a lot of england fans who are _ more than that. there might be a lot of england fans who are moroccan i of england fans who are moroccan tonight after losing to france. yes the have tonight after losing to france. yes they have said _ tonight after losing to france. was they have said that to me. they are saying, we support morocco and we need them to beat france. hagar saying, we support morocco and we need them to beat france.- need them to beat france. how are ou auoin need them to beat france. how are you going to _ need them to beat france. how are you going to be _ need them to beat france. how are you going to be watching _ need them to beat france. how are you going to be watching the i need them to beat france. how arej you going to be watching the match tonight and who are you watching it with? i tonight and who are you watching it with? . . . , ,., with? i am watching it with my son because i with? i am watching it with my son because i am _ with? i am watching it with my son because i am working _ with? i am watching it with my son because i am working tomorrow i because i am working tomorrow morning and my husband has gone to london to watch it and my dad is in morocco watching it, so we are all scattered but me and my son will be watching it, nervous and excited at the same time. i watching it, nervous and excited at the same time.— watching it, nervous and excited at the same time. i know you said you did not want _ the same time. i know you said you did not want to _ the same time. i know you said you did not want to be _ the same time. i know you said you did not want to be too _ the same time. i know you said you did not want to be too wishful, i the same time. i know you said you did not want to be too wishful, but | did not want to be too wishful, but what do you think the score might be? ., �* " .,

what do you think the score might be? ., �* 4' ., “ be? oh, i don't know. ifeel like it miaht be be? oh, i don't know. ifeel like it might be 1-0 _ be? oh, i don't know. ifeel like it might be 1-0 or — be? oh, i don't know. ifeel like it might be 1-0 or go _ be? oh, i don't know. ifeel like it might be 1-0 or go to _ be? oh, i don't know. ifeel like it might be 1-0 or go to penalties, l be? oh, i don't know. ifeel like it l might be 1-0 or go to penalties, but might be 1—0 or go to penalties, but we will see. i cannot even say what it would be. we will see. i cannot even say what it would be— it would be. how good are the moroccan _ it would be. how good are the moroccan side _ it would be. how good are the moroccan side at _ it would be. how good are the moroccan side at penalties? l it would be. how good are the i moroccan side at penalties? that can be a nail—biting moment. irate moroccan side at penalties? that can be a nail-biting moment.— moroccan side at penalties? that can be a nail-biting moment. we saw the coalie, be a nail-biting moment. we saw the goalie. he's — be a nail-biting moment. we saw the goalie. he'sjust _ be a nail-biting moment. we saw the goalie, he'sjust amazing, _ be a nail-biting moment. we saw the goalie, he'sjust amazing, so - goalie, he'sjust amazing, so hopefully, god willing, if it goes to penalties, we will strike lucky again. to penalties, we will strike lucky aaain. �* , , . ., to penalties, we will strike lucky aaain. �*, , . ., ., again. there's been a lot of coverage — again. there's been a lot of coverage of— again. there's been a lot of coverage of how _ again. there's been a lot of coverage of how some i again. there's been a lot of coverage of how some of i again. there's been a lot of. coverage of how some of the again. there's been a lot of _ coverage of how some of the mothers of the players have reacted and it's been really charming that they have been really charming that they have been there to watch their sons. they will be elated if they do it, won't they? will be elated if they do it, won't the ? ., , . ~ , they? oh, god, yeah. all the mums are praying- — they? oh, god, yeah. all the mums are praying- my _ they? oh, god, yeah. all the mums are praying. my mother-in-law- they? oh, god, yeah. all the mums| are praying. my mother-in-law keep are praying. my mother—in—law keep saying i keep praying, and my mum is praying to god, the whole family are praying to god, the whole family are praying and i think what it is because we put our mothers at high esteem, we believe that paradise is

beneath their feet, so that is why you see the pitch that they give to their mothers. i you see the pitch that they give to their mothers.— you see the pitch that they give to their mothers. i am going to tell my children that — their mothers. i am going to tell my children that next _ their mothers. i am going to tell my children that next time _ their mothers. i am going to tell my children that next time they - their mothers. i am going to tell my children that next time they give i their mothers. i am going to tell my| children that next time they give me any lip. leila, thank you so much for talking to us and if i'm allowed to say so, fingers crossed for you. thank you. thanks for having me. just five percent of black adults and 20 per cent of black children in england are regular swimmers, according to recent figures. the black swimming association has been working hard to reverse that trend — and now it's picked up a national lottery award for project of the year. miriam walker—khan has been finding out more. only 5% of adults from african, caribbean and asian communities in england swim. the black swimming association was set up to change that and to make the sport more diverse. now, the work they are doing is award—winning. we started off as four strangers, essentially. who had one vision which was to diversify the aquatic sector and make sure that people like us are more water safe and know

what to do when they are in an emergency in the water. soto grow so quickly over the last two and a half years to receiving this award, is just fantastic. the aquatic sector wasn't doing enough and we believe that there wasn't a space available for these types of conversations, these types of perspectives to be heard. so what are the conversations that need to be had and what are the barriers or stereotypes that mean there are so few black and asian people who swim? myths of bone density, of being better at running so stick to on—land sport. cultural modesty issues, particularly for south asian women. you know, these are serious and valid issues. it is not something we can go never mind that, just get in the water. they are things that we need to unpack and help people move past to get in the water. and although swimming competitively and for fun is a huge part of the bsa's work, there is also a more serious element.

according to the world health organisation, the risk of drowning is higher in ethnic minority communities. learning how to swim and being safe in the water is a life—saving skill. knowing what to do if you or a friend of yours are in water and in danger can save a life, knowing who to call, whether that is the coastguard or whether that is the fire service, depending on which part of the country you are in can also contribute to saving a life. so all of this knowledge, we are trying to raise awareness of can make a difference between somebody coming home and somebody not coming home. when we get adults in the water and learning to swim, and we are talking about people who have had serious trauma, like nearly drowning when they were younger, being too afraid to put their face in water whilst having a shower, it is just about water familiarisation, feeling comfortable in the environment and understanding what it feels like. and, eventually, they do end up in a place where they are learning to swim.

it is clear that the bsa is changing people's lives, and the fact that the public voted for this award shows just how much their work is valued. miriam walker—khan, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with darren another cold day today and some cloud across southern parts of the uk but there has been more sunshine around elsewhere. over the next few days, we will continue to see some sunshine but it's going to be cold, frosty and potentially icy where we keep the snow showers going. most of the snow showers will continue to pile in across northern parts of scotland, where at the moment we have strong winds and significant falls over the hills. a few wintry showers coming into northern ireland overnight maybe running into north—east england and this is where we might find icy conditions. mist and fog in the midlands and southern england largely clearing and with clear skies temperatures down to —7 in glasgow.

some winter sunshine for many of us and a dry day as well but a few wintry showers keep going in northern ireland, across lincolnshire and most of the snow continues to fall in northern parts of scotland. it might not be quite as windy on thursday but still cold with those temperatures struggling to get up to around two or three degrees typically. the northerly wind is easing and into the cold air we have this little feature coming in from the atlantic and that will bring some disruptive weather to scotland, and there could be quite a bit of snow over the hills to the north of the central belt and quite icy as well, so disruption is likely and for northern ireland and the rest of england and wales, a case of some sunshine, maybe a few wintry showers of course, but also some temperatures struggling two to four degrees and in that snow it will be treacherous in some parts. heading into the start of the weekend, we are still in cold air but signs of change as the weekend goes on.

we will start to see more of a southerly wind picking up on saturdaym ahead of the weather system pushing in from the atlantic and it is reaching into colder air, so for a while there be snow overnight on sunday and then it should turn back to rain and there will be the southwesterly wind picking up which brings milder air and pushes in cold air as well, so quite a change in temperatures from saturday to sunday but for a while there could be snow before it turns to rain and by monday, temperatures could be as high as 1a degrees. quite a change from what we've seen in the last few weeks. you can keep up—to—date with the forecast as we head into christmas with the bbc weather app.

this is bbc news. the headlines: the killer of london law graduate zara aleena is sentenced to life in jail, with a minimum term of 38 years. the judge sastordan mcsweeney has "no spine" after he refuses to go to court to hear his sentence. the decision of the defendant not to come up from the sale is to hear the devastating impact of this crime shows that the man who took her life has no spine whatsoever. four people have died and 43 others have been rescued, after a boat carrying migrants got into difficulties, in the channel. crossing the channel in unseaworthy vessels is a lethally dangerous endeavour. it is for this reason

above all that