this is bbc news broadcasting in the uk and around the globe. our top stories... will it be messi's moment, or another marker for mbappe, as argentina take on reigning champions france in the world cup final? excitement for the game has reached fever pitch, with fans in buenos aires and paris getting ready for the cup's conclusion. the iranian film actress, taraneh alidoosti, is arrested as anti—government protests continue in iran for a fourth month. ministers in the uk have confirmed that 1200 members of the armed forces — and 1,000 civil servants — will be drafted in to cover for striking ambulance and border force staff over christmas.

and, ukraine's 2023 entry for eurovision, chosen in a live show from a kyiv bomb shelter. hello and welcome to bbc news. the countdown is under way to the world cup final in qatar, with just five hours to go before argentina face france. both sides have won the trophy twice before, and both sides also lost a match during the group stages, on their way to the final. this is the scene live in doha. it looks like it will be another warm, dry day. temperatures of around 25 celsius today — 77 farenheit. we'll be speaking to an argentinian footballjournalist in buenos aires in a moment. but first, this report from our paris correspondent

lucy williamson. for french footballers, team loyalty is a way to win matches. for french fans, it is a way of life. for guillaume, practising his game near paris this week, not even argentina can shake his faith in the national side. nothing. because i know that we have the best team in the world and that will never change. i am only 19 years old and i will see my country win a second world cup. at this age, it is pretty incredible, so, yeah, it definitely means something. argentina's star player, lionel messi, already knows how the french play football. his dayjob is scoring goals for this french club. this match will pitch two of france's footballing heroes against each other. kylian mbappe and lionel messi usually both play for the paris club paris saint—germain. but today they will be facing each other on opposing sides. mbappe as france's star striker,

messi as argentina's. in the bar next to the paris ground, there is anxiety ahead of today's game. the french know how messi plays football too. i am super tense because we saw what argentina did and they have a mission, it is to win. but france has a mission, too — win twice. so, does france have what it takes? translation: of course. kylian mbappe, for sure. l he's younger, he's faster, everything is possible. translation: it is going to be a battle because it is the only title messi doesn't have. we can tell they are nervous. they want to win the world cup, we want to win the world cup, too. the baguette is winning! they chant. french pride and confidence have grown with every win in this tournament, the chant ringing across paris after their

semifinal win, "we are in the final!" 0ne game now stands between france and glory. 11 men who carried the hopes of this nation to qatar are within sight of carrying the trophy back home. lucy williamson, bbc news, paris. let's head to buenos aires. marcela moray is an argentinian football journalist who has followed the career of lionel messi from the very beginning. thank you forjoining us. you have been following the career of messi for years. been following the career of messi foryears. how been following the career of messi for years. how do you think he is feeling? how do you think he is preparing for this world cup? weill. preparing for this world cup? well, i think it's clearly _ preparing for this world cup? well, i think it's clearly messi's _ preparing for this world cup? well, i think it's clearly messi's world cup and — i think it's clearly messi's world cup and it— i think it's clearly messi's world cup and it has been. it has played out really— cup and it has been. it has played out really well with a bumpy start that kind — out really well with a bumpy start that kind of put a damper on any notions — that kind of put a damper on any notions of— that kind of put a damper on any notions of this going to be easy. so, notions of this going to be easy. 50. i_ notions of this going to be easy.

50. i don't — notions of this going to be easy. so, i don't think he needs to win so, idon't think he needs to win today— so, i don't think he needs to win today to — so, i don't think he needs to win today to kind of seal he's rightfully earned place in the kind of pantheon of argentinian footballing greats. he does wanted very much— footballing greats. he does wanted very much and it be wonderful. i was reading _ very much and it be wonderful. i was reading an _ very much and it be wonderful. i was reading an interview with jorge val banner, _ reading an interview with jorge val danner, who scored one of the winning — danner, who scored one of the winning goals in the 1986 world cup final, _ winning goals in the 1986 world cup final, the _ winning goals in the 1986 world cup final, the last time argentina won the world — final, the last time argentina won the world cup, and somebody asked what it— the world cup, and somebody asked what it means to score a goal in the world _ what it means to score a goal in the world cup— what it means to score a goal in the world cup final let you go on to win, _ world cup final let you go on to win, and — world cup final let you go on to win, and he said, itjust means you are a— win, and he said, itjust means you are a little — win, and he said, itjust means you are a little bit happier for the rest — are a little bit happier for the rest of— are a little bit happier for the rest of your life. i thought that sounded — rest of your life. i thought that sounded like a really good bargain! if sounded like a really good bargain! if messi _ sounded like a really good bargain! if messi scores today, or simply sets up— if messi scores today, or simply sets up the assists for a goal and argentina — sets up the assists for a goal and argentina when, he will be a little bit happier for the rest of his life — bit happier for the rest of his life but _ bit happier for the rest of his life but i _ bit happier for the rest of his life. but i think he needs this win as much— life. but i think he needs this win as much as — life. but i think he needs this win as much as he may be would have done one world _ as much as he may be would have done one world cup a goal, or even a year

a-o one world cup a goal, or even a year ago before _ one world cup a goal, or even a year ago before he won the copa america for argentina. that was really the moment— for argentina. that was really the moment when he sealed the notion that he _ moment when he sealed the notion that he could be a winning genius, as weti— that he could be a winning genius, as well as — that he could be a winning genius, as well asjust a that he could be a winning genius, as well as just a beautiful genius. i as well as just a beautiful genius. i mean. _ as well as just a beautiful genius. i mean, being a little bit happier for the rest of your life sounds like an absolutely wonderful thing. i'd like to score a goal if that was the case. he has talked about retirement after this. do you think you will if they don't get the trophy, or do you think we might see him again? trophy, or do you think we might see him auain? ~ ~ trophy, or do you think we might see him aain? ~ ,, , him again? well, i think footballers have a fairly — him again? well, i think footballers have a fairly short _ him again? well, i think footballers have a fairly short shelf— him again? well, i think footballers have a fairly short shelf life. - him again? well, i think footballers have a fairly short shelf life. all. have a fairly short shelf life. all eiite _ have a fairly short shelf life. all elite athletes do. it is a very demanding profession on the body. there _ demanding profession on the body. there is— demanding profession on the body. there is a _ demanding profession on the body. there is a real limitation to how long _ there is a real limitation to how long they— there is a real limitation to how long they can go on for. i think increasingly we see players enter the kind — increasingly we see players enter the kind of later years in perhaps a very --— the kind of later years in perhaps a very -- very— the kind of later years in perhaps a very —— very rich leaks where they

can earn— very —— very rich leaks where they can earn a — very —— very rich leaks where they can earn a lot _ very —— very rich leaks where they can earn a lot of money. 0r often they— can earn a lot of money. 0r often they come — can earn a lot of money. 0r often they come by, and get involved in clubs— they come by, and get involved in clubs of— they come by, and get involved in clubs of their origins and so on. i don't _ clubs of their origins and so on. i don't think— clubs of their origins and so on. i don't think we will never see messi play again— don't think we will never see messi play again after this. i would be surprised — play again after this. i would be surprised if he was around for the next _ surprised if he was around for the next worid — surprised if he was around for the next world cup. so, on the international stage i suspect today is his— international stage i suspect today is his final— international stage i suspect today is his final act. it will be curtains. _ is his final act. it will be curtains, although he may play some friendly— curtains, although he may play some friendly or— curtains, although he may play some friendly or testimonial, or be involved _ friendly or testimonial, or be involved in some game or another. at the highest _ involved in some game or another. at the highest level of competition i would _ the highest level of competition i would be — the highest level of competition i would be surprised. that will be the case whether argentina wins or ioses — case whether argentina wins or loses. 0ne case whether argentina wins or loses. one of the narratives of this world _ loses. 0ne of the narratives of this world cup— loses. one of the narratives of this world cup has been giving way to the newer— world cup has been giving way to the newer generations, the younger players — newer generations, the younger players in — newer generations, the younger players. in that sense i think mbappe _ players. in that sense i think mbappe presents a nice contrast. your— mbappe presents a nice contrast. your french observers said it is an older— your french observers said it is an older man — your french observers said it is an older man leaving after many years

at the _ older man leaving after many years at the pinnacle of what professional football— at the pinnacle of what professional football can give. andy the younger who will— football can give. andy the younger who will perhaps be around for some time to— who will perhaps be around for some time to come. so, yes, i think today is messi's_ time to come. so, yes, i think today is messi's bow out from the international stage.- is messi's bow out from the international stage. thank you ever so much for — international stage. thank you ever so much for speaking _ international stage. thank you ever so much for speaking to _ international stage. thank you ever so much for speaking to us. - international stage. thank you ever so much for speaking to us. we - international stage. thank you ever| so much for speaking to us. we will be following the world cup throughout the day. in iran, the well—known film actress taraneh alidoosti, has been arrested, as anti—government protests continue into a fourth month. an iranian news agency said ms alidoosti, who's best known for her starring role in the 0scar—winning iranian film, the salesman, was detained for publishing what it called false and distorted content and inciting chaos. the bbc�*s azada moshiri reports. she is one of the most prominent actresses in iran, a woman making headlines and this is why she has been caught in the islamic republic's crosshairs.

taraneh alidoosti has shown support for protesters before. she showed a picture of herself without her hijab carrying the words, "woman, life, freedom." this time she has been made an example of, and has been arrested for what state media has said is "spreading falsehoods," after she condemned the hanging of mohsen shekari, one of the two men arrested for protesting, after what human rights people say are sham trials. taraneh alidoosti wrote: earlier this week, the us state department condemned the mass arrests. we are greatly concerned that authorities reportedly continued to kill more of their own people in an effort to suppress peaceful protest, protests we're seeing being led by women and girls and the youth of iran.

we also are deeply about reports of mass arrests, sham trials are now death sentences being handed down to protesters and carried out as well. iran's protests were sparked by the death of mahsa amini in september and now they are facing one of the most violent phases of the crackdown on many protesters are still being killed by forces or dying under questionable circumstances, like aida rostami. she was a young physician treating protesters who were too scared to go to hospital. earlier this week, police returned her body to her family, bruised and mutilated. when the protests began, taraneh alidoosti said she would not leave her country, no matter the risks she is taking, a sentiment

echoed by young protesters in the chanting. with its violent response, the islamic republic is testing their resolve. azaday moshiri, bbc news. israel has deported the french—palestinian human rights lawyer salah hamouri from his home in occupied eastjerusalem to france. mr hammouri is a 37—year—old lifelong jerusalem resident with french citizenship through his mother. he has been working for the palestinian rights group addameer. israel accuses him of belonging to a terrorist group, which he denies, and hisjerusalem residency was revoked earlier this month. amnesty has called the deportation a shameless attempt by israel to silence anyone who might be advocating for the palestinian cause. unions in the uk have criticised government plans to draft in troops to cover staffing shortfalls during ambulance and border force strikes over christmas. 1,200 military personnel are being called up, along with a thousand civil servants, but unions say they're not

sufficiently trained. its as the nursing union, the rcn, says it will announce further strike dates forjanuary if the government continues its refusal to discuss pay. 0ur political correspondent iain watson has the latest on the disputes. chanting: fair pay! with christmas just a week away, there's still not very much goodwill between government and the unions. more strikes seem set to go ahead. with nurses in many parts of england, wales and northern ireland intending to strike on tuesday, and ambulance crews in england taking action on wednesday, the government says its priority is to keep people safe. it's drafting in 600 armed forces personnel to drive ambulances, though regular crews will still respond to life—threatening emergencies. advice from nhs leaders is for hospitals to move patients out of a&e as quickly as possible, to increase capacity and reduce ambulance delays. but hospital trusts believe that's

easier said than done. most of our hospitals have lots of patients in them who don't need to be there, but can't get out because we don't have the social care or the community packages for them. so getting people out of emergency departments is already a major challenge for the health service. and for that challenge is to become even more acute during the strike days, it's bound to generate real risks. the government will hold two meetings of its emergency committee, cobra, this week, to coordinate its response to the latest wave of industrial action. the health unions say if the government wants to stop the strikes, then ministers need urgently to move on pay. the army, i'm sure, will do the best job they can, but they are no substitute for having trained health care professionals sent out on calls, and the public know that. so, this is no resolution to the strikes themselves, or the causes underlying the strikes, and the government would be far better served sitting

down with trade unions and talking, not just about how to avert the strikes next week, but how to tackle the underlying causes. labour too is urging the government to negotiate on nurses�* pay, and the nursing union, the rcn, says after tuesday's strike it will give ministers 48 hours to open pay talks. 0therwise, more widespread action forjanuary will be announced. other health unions are considering escalating their action too. and military personnel, along with civil servants, will also be deployed to conduct passport checks when border force staff go on strike on friday. but the government warns of significant delays and disruption for travellers. the government says fair and reasonable pay offers have been made, but inflation—busting increases are unaffordable. relations with the unions continue to be frosty. and the outlook for resolving the disputes remains bleak. iain watson, bbc news. let's talk to our political

correspondentjonathan blake. we have been hearing from the government this morning. what have they been saying? yes. government this morning. what have they been saying?— they been saying? yes, any hope of resolution before _ they been saying? yes, any hope of resolution before more _ they been saying? yes, any hope of resolution before more strikes - they been saying? yes, any hope of resolution before more strikes by i resolution before more strikes by nurses in the coming week and ambulances work as well, seem to be nonexistent. the prime minister has described that the unions is grinches trying to steal christmas and caused misery for millions. the royal college of nursing has threatened more strikes if ministers don't agree to sit down and talk about pay within 48 hours of their walk—out in the week ahead. as you say, we have been hearing from the government. cabinet office minister 0liver dowden, in charge of the contingency planning for strikes, has said of the government will be resolute in its response, and again, that it would be irresponsible to allow public sector pay and inflation to get out of control. he defended the government's decision not to offer nurses any more. i would love to give nurses an

enormous _ i would love to give nurses an enormous pay rise. of course, the prime _ enormous pay rise. of course, the prime minister would love as well to -ive prime minister would love as well to give them _ prime minister would love as well to give them a 19% pay rise. the reason why we _ give them a 19% pay rise. the reason why we are _ give them a 19% pay rise. the reason why we are not doing this is because our duties— why we are not doing this is because our duties to — why we are not doing this is because our duties to everybody public and private _ our duties to everybody public and private sector to make sure we have stability— private sector to make sure we have stability in _ private sector to make sure we have stability in our public finances and look at _ stability in our public finances and look at the — stability in our public finances and look at the progress we have made already— look at the progress we have made already and restoring that stability. and also, there is a further— stability. and also, there is a further point. those of your viewers, _ further point. those of your viewers, your listeners and everyone else engaging with this, have longer memories— else engaging with this, have longer memories will remember what happened when we _ memories will remember what happened when we allowed public sector pay to -et when we allowed public sector pay to get out _ when we allowed public sector pay to get out of _ when we allowed public sector pay to get out of control last time around. the kind _ get out of control last time around. the kind of— get out of control last time around. the kind of inflationary pressures you get _ the kind of inflationary pressures you get from that. if we deal with this now. — you get from that. if we deal with this now, we hope to get the economy stronger _ this now, we hope to get the economy stronger we — this now, we hope to get the economy stronger. we get the economy growing, — stronger. we get the economy growing, then we can afford the kind of bay— growing, then we can afford the kind of pay rises — growing, then we can afford the kind of pay rises we desperately want to give _ 0liver dowden defending the government. he has also talked about this figure of £1000 per family which it would cost to give public sector workers pay rises in line with inflation. the government has been using that for a while. it has been using that for a while. it has been widely disputed and dismissed by the economists and political

opponents. he says the figures are robust. labourand opponents. he says the figures are robust. labour and the liberal democrats say the government should get around the table and talk about pay with nurses unions and others in an attempt to resolve these strikes. so far they have shown no intention of doing that. we have heard as well this morning from sarah gorton, from the unison union, representing many of the health care workers going on strike in the coming days. she says that there is no prospect at this stage of id been called off. health workers want to be part of the solution, trade unions want to be part— the solution, trade unions want to be part of— the solution, trade unions want to be part of the solution to the staffing — be part of the solution to the staffing crisis in the nhs. we started — staffing crisis in the nhs. we started this year with a request to government to sit down and work with us to find _ government to sit down and work with us to find ways to stop people leaving — us to find ways to stop people leaving jobs in the nhs. they have been _ leaving jobs in the nhs. they have been stubbornly ignoring us and we have seen— been stubbornly ignoring us and we have seen the number of those vacancies— have seen the number of those vacancies grow every single month.

every— vacancies grow every single month. every single month more people are waiting _ every single month more people are waiting for— every single month more people are waiting for treatment. every single month— waiting for treatment. every single month more people leave jobs in the health— month more people leave jobs in the health service. we have to do something to turn this situation around — so, the prospect of those strikes going out in the coming week before christmas. we have heard more about the contingency planning from the government. there will be 1200 members of the armed forces are stepping in to fill for ambulance staff and border force workers as well. so, checking documents and passport as well as driving ambulances. there will be around 1000 civil servants stepping into jobs they would not normally do as well, to help keep things moving. unions say military staff will do the best they can but they are not properly trained and can't do their jobs to the standard that ambulance service workers would do. so the normal levels of service just won't be there. there is a bit of concern coming from military quarters too. the head of the armed forces saying in an interview with the daily telegraph today that the military will take this work in its stride,

but they are not spare capacity, and he said it would be powerless to rely on the defence forces to do these things is the ultimate backstop. these things is the ultimate backsto -. ., ~ these things is the ultimate backst0p-— these things is the ultimate backsto. ., ~ , . china is seeing a sharp rise in positive covid cases, just ten days after suddenly easing its strict lockdown measures following a wave of protests, with the capital beijing being one of the worst—affected areas. in china's largest city, shanghai, officials have ordered most of its schools to take classes online, as covid cases soar. 0ur reporter, ijeoma ndukwe, reports. cars bearing the dead line the driveway of this crematorium assigned for covid—19 deaths. it is among dozens of such facilities across the capital, beijing, struggling to meet a spike in demand days after china began to relax its pandemic protocols. workers and drivers at funeral homes have been calling in sick, as the disease spreads

across the city, adding to a shortage of labour. the number of covid cases has not been confirmed, but according to an informal survey by chinese search engine baidu, 70% of beijing, a city of 22 million people, is infected. meanwhile, in china's largest city, shanghai, they started counting asymptomatic cases. also, some antigen tests not associated with laboratory. they are just done at home. just like the issues we have been having with antigen test, you don't have that situation or awareness. 0ur antigen test, you don't have that situation or awareness. our best bet is to understand what is happening in the hospital. meanwhile, in china's largest city, shanghai, officials have ordered most schools to take classes online as covid cases soar. nurseries and childcare centres will close from monday, according to the education bureau. the authorities have stepped up vaccinations,

including the option of inhalable boosters to speed up distribution. however, a past emphasis on lockdowns, rather than vaccinations, means that older people are at risk. sufficiently vaccinated is the question, and unfortunately that is a relatively low percentage, particularly with elderly people. and, you know, to understand why, i think in the time of severe lockdowns, we have had nearly three years of china being severely locked down and that was the containment measure, so people had a sort of false sense of security. there are concerns that china's health infrastructure is not equipped to deal with the rapid rise in patients. analysts say chaos and confusion have followed the country's abrupt decision to drop its controversial zero covid policy. and it is still unclear how authorities will get to grips with this current surge in infections. ijoema ndukwe, bbc news.

the european union has reached an agreement to strengthen and expand its carbon market, one of the bloc�*s main tools to fight climate change. under a draft agreement reached during marathon talks, emissions trading will now include heating, road transport and shipping. the czech environment minister said the deal would allow the eu to meet its climate objective while supporting vulnerable citizens and small businesses. the family of a woman who died after being injured at a gig in south london say she was full of care, kindness and love. 33—year—old rebecca ikumelo, who was a mother—of—two and a nursing graduate, was hurt in a crush at the 02 academy in brixton on thursday night. two other women remain in a critical condition. ukraine's president zelensky says the country has managed to restore power to almost six million people after massive russian strikes against the electricity generating system. ukrainian officials said russia fired more than 70 missiles on friday,

in one of its heaviest barrages since the invasion began in february. the attacks forced emergency blackouts nationwide. staying in ukraine, and the selection for the act to compete in next year's eurovision song contest has taken place. tvorchi were chosen for their song heart of steel after a special tv show, which was broadcast from a converted bomb shelter in kyiv. 0ur entertainment reporter daniel rosney was watching. his report contains flashing images. ukraine takes eurovision seriously. tvorchi! the war didn't get in the way of this live show. down these stairs is a kyiv metro station... ..transformed into a bomb shelter when russia invaded. president zelensky has used one nearby before to address the public. from a bunker, to a tv studio. the decision to go underground

was the first one that was taken, and it dictated ourfurther steps of organisation, because no matter if we have air raid alerts, or any other security challenges, still the work can continue. congratulations, ukraine! ukraine knows how to win. it first entered eurovision in 2003, and has won it three times since. it's sent emotional ballads... ..and ones that know how to entertain. upbeat dance music the winner of the _ eurovision song contest 2022 is... ..ukraine!

but it was this year's victory, three months after russia invaded, that emphasised who europe supported. i'm really proud that i'm ukrainian. there are still dreams for ukraine to win and to visit the concert. we came from dorset especially today for this concert. the band have been flying the blue and yellow flag across europe ever since, performing to thousands. translation: it's very important to represent our country - and show our ukrainian culture through the colours and music, and to some extent, to revive it. kalush 0rchestra have become music ambassadors for their country. at a time of pain, they brought pride. that support clearly continues, but it's now time to hand that eurovision baton on in preparation for next year's contest. translation: we want to say thank | you to everyone who supported us, | who listened to the music and who is fighting on the front line, because it is important.

we will try to do everything to present ukraine with dignity in liverpool. # don't care what you say. # don't care how you feel...# liverpool is hosting the song contest on behalf of ukraine, and tvorchi's song ensures the country's voice will definitely be heard loud and clear. daniel rosney, bbc news, you're watching bbc news. strictly come dancing had its big finale last night. if you don't want to know who won — look away now. for the rest of us, here's our media and arts correspondent david sillito with a round—up of a spectacular night. your 2022 strictly come dancing finalists! after 13 weeks, it was down to the final four. fleur, hamza, helen and molly. three contestants who had

made their name on children's tv and fleur east, who bought a bit of her own barnstorming x—factor to strictly. for helen skelton, a night when all doubts, nerves and personal turmoil evaporated. there was more than a touch of personal triumph in herfinal dances — this really was one of those strictly journeys. you put faith in me that i didn't have. for molly rainford, a final rhumba, and a strictly thank you to her partner, carlos. i'm so lucky i got to be your partner. if i could give him the glitterball in his first year, that would honestly be the best thing in the world. the night, though, belonged to hamza yassin. 11 years ago, he was living in his car in scotland with hopes of being a wildlife cameraman. born in sudan, he arrived in the uk aged eight, and in his 20s moved to the highlands of scotland.

when he began, he was more used to rugby than dancing but by the end the judges in the crowd were all on theirfeet. cheering. the lifts went higher, your turns were spot on. there was a freedom to this dance you didn't have when he first did it. choreography to absolutely die for. how you did that with all of that hair is beyond me. brilliant! it is like you are watching music on the dance floor in your body. well done! cheering. there were a few shaky moments along the way, but by the end, cbeebies ranger hamza had won over both thejudges... cheering. ..and the public. hamza and jowita! cheering. hamza yassin, cameraman, wildlife presenter, and now a winner of strictly come dancing. david sillito, bbc news.

congratulations to them. the use of hydrotherapy to cure physical ailments has been around for thousands of years. but here's a new twist — it's now being given to a cow. she's a calf called bunny — you'll see why in a moment — and she's been getting treatment in a water tank at harper adams university in shropshire. david gregory—kumar has been to see her in action. the dairy calf otherwise known as bunny, as you can see because of an issue with her back legs she hops on and sort of propels, and as she gets bigger this will become a real problem. it really puts their ability to survive in the system in jeopardy. an animal that gets as large as a cow that can't bear weight on all four limbs, and can't move normally, won't make it into the herd eventually. these days, bunny is walking better because she is very lucky.

she's the first cow to ever be given hydrotherapy to help improve her, walk and it is working. the tank we have got is usually used for dogs, canine hydrotherapy. what we're trying to achieve with with her here basically the same, so we are trying to improve her balance, strengthen her legs and get her to taking individual steps with her hind legs, so she is walking normally. three, two, one. she has to start walking and over time this treatment has improved their movement and strength. bunny is a lucky calf because she was born on the harper adams dairy unit and this is also the harper adams facility but the question is, is there a role for this kind of therapy in day—to—day farming?