this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. 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 cups 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 1000 civil servants — will be drafted in to cover striking ambulance and border force staff over christmas.

hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. the countdown is under way to the world cup final in qatar — with just three hours to go before argentina face france. both sides have won the trophy twice before — and both sides have also lost a match, during the group stages. let's go live to doha and 0lly foster is there. 0ver over to you. many thanks indeed. we are here in the _ over to you. many thanks indeed. we are here in the shadow— over to you. many thanks indeed. we are here in the shadow of— over to you. many thanks indeed. we are here in the shadow of the - are here in the shadow of the stadium and i can see tens and thousands of people arriving here already, we are about three hours

away from kick off a month after this tournament started. all the controversies that surrounded it in the build—up, the 12 years since they were awarded the right to host it. here we have which should be a classic, a fitting finale. france looking for back—to—back titles, the reigning champions. no side has done that since the brazil side a 58 and 62. and then we have argentina, the last time they won in 1986 with the great diego maradona. they still use them as inspiration for what this team has done here. but of course it is the great lionel messi in what will be his final world cup match. that breaks the record as well, a 26 world cup appearance and his fifth tournament. can he carry them to the final here? we are going to head to one sr is shortly but let's had to paris. hugh schofield is there. great scenes there around the

semifinal when i am just wondering how they are building up to this one. 0bviously how they are building up to this one. obviously this is a deja vu if you allow me to say that from four years ago. you allow me to say that from four ears auo. you allow me to say that from four years age-— you allow me to say that from four ears auo. ., . , years ago. indeed. indeed. france is a team which — years ago. indeed. indeed. france is a team which is _ years ago. indeed. indeed. france is a team which is very _ years ago. indeed. indeed. france is a team which is very much _ years ago. indeed. indeed. france is a team which is very much at - years ago. indeed. indeed. france is a team which is very much at the - years ago. indeed. indeed. france is j a team which is very much at the top of its _ a team which is very much at the top of its game — a team which is very much at the top of its game. it has been for finals now since — of its game. it has been for finals now since 1998, which is an incredible record in itself. two—time winners, one time loser in the finah _ two—time winners, one time loser in the finah and — two—time winners, one time loser in the final. and now this. so, a lot of expectation about this team which i guess— of expectation about this team which i guess does add to the pressure because — i guess does add to the pressure because when you're at the top it is often _ because when you're at the top it is often the _ because when you're at the top it is often the case that you are being prepared — often the case that you are being prepared for the fall. will doubtful come _ prepared for the fall. will doubtful come this— prepared for the fall. will doubtful come this time round? no one here hopes— come this time round? no one here hopes or— come this time round? no one here hopes or think so because i think what _ hopes or think so because i think what the — hopes or think so because i think what the team showed is an immense psychological maturity and preparation under the skilful guidance of their manager. there had been a _ guidance of their manager. there had been a lot— guidance of their manager. there had been a lot of— guidance of their manager. there had been a lot of injuries, a lot of key

players _ been a lot of injuries, a lot of key players who— been a lot of injuries, a lot of key players who aren't playing yet still they have — players who aren't playing yet still they have come out and produce these very, they have come out and produce these very. very— they have come out and produce these very, very mature and poised performances. they know of course heard _ performances. they know of course heard that — performances. they know of course heard that in argentina and lionel messi _ heard that in argentina and lionel messi they have an enemy like they have not— messi they have an enemy like they have not had so far in this competition. but from the french perspective i think the danger of lionet— perspective i think the danger of lionel messi is real but it is too much _ lionel messi is real but it is too much about him, it is all about him. in france _ much about him, it is all about him. in france it — much about him, it is all about him. in france it is— much about him, it is all about him. in france it is not quite the same emphasis — in france it is not quite the same emphasis on mbappe. he is certainly a key— emphasis on mbappe. he is certainly a key player but he is not the only player~ _ a key player but he is not the only player. when the french look at the argentina _ player. when the french look at the argentina they think lionel messi is of course _ argentina they think lionel messi is of course a — argentina they think lionel messi is of course a genius but the whole team _ of course a genius but the whole team seems to be anchored and formed around _ team seems to be anchored and formed around just— team seems to be anchored and formed around just him and that may be where _ around just him and that may be where they have an edge on them. that is— where they have an edge on them. that is what— where they have an edge on them. that is what i was going to ask because it is difficult not to go along with that narrative of mbappe against messi. they are both in the race of the golden boot. level on five goals each. when you look on

that french team, mbappe has had quite a quiet quarterfinal and semifinal compared to how we started this tournament. it is the likes of his team—mates, other players who have been able to step up. that his team-mates, other players who have been able to step up.- have been able to step up. that is the feeling _ have been able to step up. that is the feeling that _ have been able to step up. that is the feeling that i _ have been able to step up. that is the feeling that i have _ have been able to step up. that is the feeling that i have had - have been able to step up. that is the feeling that i have had to. - have been able to step up. that is the feeling that i have had to. he | the feeling that i have had to. he hasn't scored the last two games but of course his presence is decisive, perhaps in the negative sense in that he requires opposing teams to concentrate on him and therefore soaks up a lot of energy from the opposing defence which creates openings for other players. the more broiled point i think is certainly the one that the french would like to make is that, they have a great depth in their team and as you say in giraud they have other players of immense stature. there is this feeling, i am immense stature. there is this feeling, iam not immense stature. there is this feeling, i am not ruling on it, the french say that they have a more

republican spirit, and more sharing spirit where there are plenty of players who can make a difference. it is notjust about mbappe. they look argentina and think it is all about messi. and all of the players they almost admit that they are there simply to serve messi. it is a different approach, we will see who wins. , ., ., ., , wins. use schofield lied from paris, many thanks _ wins. use schofield lied from paris, many thanks indeed. _ wins. use schofield lied from paris, many thanks indeed. the _ wins. use schofield lied from paris, many thanks indeed. the french . many thanks indeed. the french captain is looking to become the first captain in history to win the trophy twice. let's had to south america, our correspondent is there. it is all about the argentina captain, isn't it?— it is all about the argentina captain, isn't it? certainly when ou captain, isn't it? certainly when you come _ captain, isn't it? certainly when you come here. _ captain, isn't it? certainly when you come here, i _ captain, isn't it? certainly when you come here, i am _ captain, isn't it? certainly when you come here, i am in - captain, isn't it? certainly when you come here, i am in the - captain, isn't it? certainly when i you come here, i am in the centre captain, isn't it? certainly when - you come here, i am in the centre of buenos aires where people are gathering to watch the match. they will gather after the match. this is going to be the key area later today. people here are all dressed

in the number ten shirt. yes, messi is hugely important. it is a personal crusade. yes, argentina want to wear and after 36 years. but i look at messi because he hasn't won the world cup. it is a family atmosphere, this man deserves it. we have had maradona. this player deserves to be in the same league. we have these footballing legends. i have spoken to plenty of people here said that they are so proud of the team. 0ther said that they are so proud of the team. other key players that messi also relies on. yes, he is an absolute key part of that but the manager and the team are so proud of how they have done full stop i don't think it isjust how they have done full stop i don't think it is just about today are not just about him but certainly they want to win it for him. it feels very personal here. the want to win it for him. it feels very personal here.— want to win it for him. it feels very personal here. the last couple of ears very personal here. the last couple of years with _ very personal here. the last couple of years with lionel _ very personal here. the last couple of years with lionel messi. - very personal here. the last couple of years with lionel messi. he - very personal here. the last couple of years with lionel messi. he has | of years with lionel messi. he has hit the mid 30s, all good things must come to an end. he has confirmed that this will be his

final world cup match. there are still a few that think you might come back, wrap them in cotton wool. many people have talked about the change within messi. they became south american champions for the first time, he won his first cap for america last year. perhaps this lionel messi is the most argentinian that lionel messi has ever been in. he is the play that nasty streak. if you ask anybody here about whether lionel messi has a nasty streak they will slap that down. they will say he is one of the kind of players and he is one of the kind of players and he is one of the kind of players and he is not very out there. he takes his time, and doesn't shout. yes, we have seen perhaps in this cut more personality coming through. i have talked about that with my argentinian friends and colleagues. and that is absolutely slapped down. he is not like that, he is an

exceptionally professional player. and i think it is unfair. there is a realfeeling and i think it is unfair. there is a real feeling that argentina is criticised about how they behave on the pitch. you can't even discuss it here. there is so much cries around him and the feeling that he gets on with the job and he doesn't cause a scene. even if we have seen more tension on the pitch in the last few games. that is something that certainly argentinians would not agree with. i think what you do here is everybody here is saying, we need this for messi it would be really nice to go out on a high. we saw this with diego maradona and he deserves this too, he is just as good a player but he is missing one massive trophy. and that is something we want to him because this is the last time he could do it. ., , �* ~ , , it. the noise in buenos aires, still three hours _ it. the noise in buenos aires, still three hours to _ it. the noise in buenos aires, still three hours to go, _ it. the noise in buenos aires, still three hours to go, pouring - it. the noise in buenos aires, still| three hours to go, pouring towards the stadium here we are about seven or eight stops on the metro north of

joe hart to this futuristic stadium that holds over 80,000. 0ver joe hart to this futuristic stadium that holds over 80,000. over half will be argentinian fans. let's head back to paris and speak to the french football fan. i'm joined now by nicolas ledoux. he will be among the millions watching. thank you forjoining us. are you optimistic? this watching. thank you for “oining us. are you optimistic?_ are you optimistic? this will be a tou~h are you optimistic? this will be a tough one- _ are you optimistic? this will be a tough one. there _ are you optimistic? this will be a tough one. there is _ are you optimistic? this will be a tough one. there is no _ are you optimistic? this will be a tough one. there is no final - are you optimistic? this will be a i tough one. there is no final debtors a smooth ride for sure. france play better in my view. but the good thing is that it is a team that is probably stronger in the individuals. so, yes, quite confident that this will be quite a battle. a physical battle. lhetero battle. a physical battle. were talkinu battle. a physical battle. were talking about _ battle. a physical battle. were talking about kylian _ battle. a physical battle. were talking about kylian mbappe before, he has been a little bit quiet in the quarterfinal and semifinal, he

hasn't scored. he has been playing fairly well and had chances. do you feel that france's success will be dependent on him firing on this final in the next few hours? mbappe is definitely a _ final in the next few hours? mbappe is definitely a man _ final in the next few hours? mbappe is definitely a man for— final in the next few hours? mbappe is definitely a man for the _ final in the next few hours? mbappe is definitely a man for the big - is definitely a man for the big moments. so i am sure he will play a key role if france makes it. he is only 23 years old and he is already second world cup final. that is incredible. i am sure that level was increased under the pressure which will have a positive impact on mbappe. will have a positive impact on mba e, , will have a positive impact on mbaue. , ., ., mbappe. gas, mbappe turns 24 and a coule of mbappe. gas, mbappe turns 24 and a coople of days" _ mbappe. gas, mbappe turns 24 and a couple of days' time. _ mbappe. gas, mbappe turns 24 and a couple of days' time. if _ mbappe. gas, mbappe turns 24 and a couple of days' time. if he _ mbappe. gas, mbappe turns 24 and a couple of days' time. if he wins - couple of days' time. if he wins this today he will be the youngest man since pillai in 1962 to win it twice. which other players have impressed you? what about a captain, he faced an awful lot of criticism saying that a lot of other teams as

saying that a lot of other teams as saying that a lot of other teams as saying that he is the weak point but he is perhaps in magnificent. he it was really brilliant. _ he is perhaps in magnificent. he it was really brilliant. you _ he is perhaps in magnificent. h's: t was really brilliant. you can see the influence he has on the full team. he brings all his experience and his maturity in the game. it is not only our best area against the strikers but he is also reassuring the full team. it's good to have them as a truly a leader among the team and i'm sure he will also play a key role in this final. life team and i'm sure he will also play a key role in this final.— a key role in this final. life in paris, french _ a key role in this final. life in paris, french football- a key role in this final. life in paris, french football fan. i a key role in this final. life in i paris, french football fan. enjoy the match if you can i will —— can only imagine what it is like supporting your team in a world cup final. we are two or three hours away from argentina against france in the stadium as the qatar 2022 world cup reaches its climax. with we hope what should be a classic one

for the ages. from here in qatar back to you. thank you very much. we will be following that throughout the day of course. 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 oscar—winning iranian film, the salesman, was detained for publishing what it called false and distorted content and inciting chaos. the bbc�*s azzaday moshiree 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 cross hairs. 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 executed 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 concerned 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 police custody 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 protest 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. let's now go to nina navid,

she is an iran expert and the crisis and tactical iran campaigner for amnesty international uk — joining us from west london. thank you forjoining us here on bbc news. what do you take from this arrest? �* ., , , ., news. what do you take from this arrest? �* ., , , arrest? again, this is a shocking new development _ arrest? again, this is a shocking new development but _ arrest? again, this is a shocking new development but as - arrest? again, this is a shocking new development but as your i arrest? again, this is a shocking - new development but as your report said what we are now seeing is a new face of the government's crackdown on protesters. they are now targeting really high profile celebrities, sportspeople, athletes. no one is being spared at this stage. no one is being spared at this stare. ., ., ., ,., stage. you mention now, sports and athletes. stage. you mention now, sports and athletes- we — stage. you mention now, sports and athletes. we have _ stage. you mention now, sports and athletes. we have got _ stage. you mention now, sports and athletes. we have got the _ stage. you mention now, sports and athletes. we have got the world - stage. you mention now, sports andj athletes. we have got the world cup final today, of course. the iranian football team representation there, they made a few statements. do you think they could face punishment? i think they could face punishment? i think they could face punishment? i think the issue with the iranian football team is quite separate. there was a lot of controversy

around the football team. in their stance heading into the world cup. i hope that they won't face any source of persecution but we know, amnesty has said, 26 individuals are at risk of imminent execution. 0ne has said, 26 individuals are at risk of imminent execution. one of them is a footballer as well and there are athletes amongst that group. so, we are seeing protesters are being targeted within the last week and a half, we have had those two young men who were executed following sham trials. so, tojust emphasise men who were executed following sham trials. so, to just emphasise these arbitrary executions that are taking place with the clear tactic of trying to undermine and break the back of the protest movement. they are taking place under a thin veil of some sort ofjudicial proceedings. those two individuals, those cases were fast tracked and they were hung from a frame within a few weeks. no right to determine who your loyal heirs, no right to appeal. 0ften your loyal heirs, no right to appeal. often the prosecutor is also

the judge. appeal. often the prosecutor is also thejudge. this is the appeal. often the prosecutor is also the judge. this is the state appeal. often the prosecutor is also thejudge. this is the state really cracking down and now with the arrest of taraneh alidoosti we are also seeing prominent individuals are being targeted and potentially in the same way.— in the same way. what kind of punishment — in the same way. what kind of punishment do _ in the same way. what kind of punishment do you _ in the same way. what kind of punishment do you think - in the same way. what kind of i punishment do you think taraneh alidoosti could face?— alidoosti could face? its... it's very difficult — alidoosti could face? its... it's very difficult to _ alidoosti could face? its... it's very difficult to say. _ alidoosti could face? its... it's very difficult to say. she - alidoosti could face? its... it's very difficult to say. she has . alidoosti could face? its... it's i very difficult to say. she has been accused, i believe of inciting riots or supporting what the state has done. anti—iranian movements, of course. movement forwomen, life, course. movement for women, life, freedom course. movement forwomen, life, freedom in iran. it is to be determined. amongst that list that number, the 26 individuals the are at risk of imminent execution, 11 have already been sentenced to death. 0ne have already been sentenced to death. one of them who has been

charged is too much of famous international rapper who may also face the death penalty. a really dire situation but let's see. what we do know is covering the story, talking about taraneh alidoosti, advocacy, campaigning on international pressure can make a difference. . ~' , ., international pressure can make a difference. ., ,, , ., . difference. thank you ever so much. an iran campaign at _ difference. thank you ever so much. an iran campaign at amnesty - difference. thank you ever so much. an iran campaign at amnesty uk - an iran campaign at amnesty uk speaking to us. unions in the uk have criticised government plans to draft in troops to cover staffing shortfalls during ambulance and border force strikes over christmas. 1200 military personnel are being called up — along with a thousand civil servants — but unions say they're not sufficiently trained. it's 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, jonathan blake, has been following the today's developments any hope of resolution before more

strikes by nurses in the coming week and ambulances workers as well, seem to be nonexistent. the prime minister has described the unions as 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. the 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 and the prime _ enormous pay rise. of course and 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 we are _ give them a19% pay rise. the reason we are not— give them a 19% pay rise. the reason we are not doing that is because our

duty is— we are not doing that is because our duty is to _ we are not doing that is because our duty is to everyone public and private — duty is to everyone public and private sector to ensure that we have _ private sector to ensure that we have stability and our finances. look— have stability and our finances. look at — have stability and our finances. look at the progress we have made already— look at the progress we have made already and — look at the progress we have made already and restoring that we don't want to— already and restoring that we don't want to put that at risk. also your viewers _ want to put that at risk. also your viewers and — want to put that at risk. also your viewers and listeners and everyone else engaging of those who have longer _ else engaging of those who have longer memories, will remember what we allowed _ longer memories, will remember what we allowed public sector pay to get out of _ we allowed public sector pay to get out of control last time, the kind of inflationary pressures you get out of _ of inflationary pressures you get out of that. if we deal with this now, _ out of that. if we deal with this now. we — out of that. if we deal with this now, we help to get the economy stronger, — now, we help to get the economy stronger, we get the economy growing and then— stronger, we get the economy growing and then we _ stronger, we get the economy growing and then we can afford the kind of pay rises — and then we can afford the kind of pay rises we desperately want. giving — pay rises we desperately want. giving the government defence there. he has also talked about this figure of £1000 perfamily he has also talked about this figure of £1000 per family which it would cost to give public sector pay rises in line with the inflation. the government has been using the around it has been widely dismissed by ink economist. but he says its figures are robust. the labour government says that the government should get

round the table and talk about pay with unions in an attempt to resolve the strikes but so far they have shown no intention of doing that. and we have heard as well this morning from sarah who is from the unison union representing many of the health care workers going on strike in the coming days and says that there is no prospect at this stage of them being called off. health workers want to be part of the solution, trade unions want to be part of the solution to the staffing crisis in the nhs. igrate staffing crisis in the nhs. we started this _ 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 and ignoring us and we have _ been stubbornly and ignoring us and we have seen the number of those vacancies— we 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 the situation

around — something to turn the situation around. ,, ., , something to turn the situation around. , ., , . something to turn the situation around. , . ., around. so, there is a prospect of those strikes _ around. so, there is a prospect of those strikes going _ around. so, there is a prospect of those strikes going ahead - around. so, there is a prospect of those strikes going ahead in - around. so, there is a prospect of those strikes going ahead in the l those strikes going ahead in the coming week before christmas. we have heard more about the government's contingency planning and response. we know that there will be 1200 members of the armed forces filling in for ambulance staff and border force workers as well. checking documents and passport as well are driving ambulances. there will be around 1000 civil servants tapping into jobs they didn't normally do as well. to help things moving. but unions say that military staff will do the best they can but they are not properly trained and can't do thejob is to not properly trained and can't do the job is to the standard that the 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 arms else is saying in an interview with the daily telegraph today that the military will take its work in its stride, but they are not spare capacity. it he said that they will be relying on the armful is to do

theseis be relying on the armful is to do these is an ultimate backstop. jonathan blake reporting there. 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. ukraine has become the first country to pick its entry for next year's eurovision song contest. the nationalfinal was held in a metro station which had been converted into a bomb shelter in kyiv. the winners are called tvorchi — and they're hoping their song, heart of steel, will repeat last's

years success by their compatriots, the kalush 0rchestra. # don't care what you say # don't care how you feel # get out of my way # �*cause i got a heart of steel # don't care what you say.# the oscar—winning film director, steven spielberg, has said he regrets what happened to the shark population in the wake of his breakthough success with jaws, in 1975. the film has been criticised for misrepresenting great whites, and leading to trophy hunting in the us. spielberg was speaking on desert island discs on radio 4. that's one of the things i still fear. not to get eaten by a shark, but that sharks are somehow mad at me for the feeding frenzy

of crazy sport fishermen that happened after 1975, which i truly and to this day regret. the decimation of the shark population, because of the book and the film. i really truly regret that. you are watching bbc news. you don't need us to tell you how cold it's been for the past week or so — and many families can't afford to simply whack the heating on all day. that's why one school in grimsby has arranged for every single pupil to receive a onesie or an "oodie" — that's an oversized hoodie — to keep the chill out. simon spark went to find out more. it's the time of year when freezing temperatures should mean we need to keep ourselves warm. but for some families lately, that isn't so easy. but at the oasis academy in grimsby, their school charity came up with a plan in the summer, organising free onesies for all their students,

that's over 1,300 of them, to keep them warm during the winter. we hoped it would be gratefully received. but, actually, the commas that have come back from families and young people about receiving the onesies and the 0odies, has actuallyjust melted our hearts, i suppose, in the warmest sense. because, actually, what we set out to achieve has actually come through, and families are using them to keep their kids warm, instead of heating the houses. ben, ethan and rafe have got one. of course, we don't want to see ben, rafe and ethan in their school uniforms though, we want to see them on what they've been given. so, here we are. ben has chosen a starry number, rafe snowflakes, and ethan opted for the 0odie. i think it's very kind of them to give us these onesies, since it's been very cold lately. so, it's given us the warmness. instead of being cold in our houses, we can be warm inside. you get to stay warm a bit longer. and i don't have to wear

a blanket downstairs, for when it falls off. this isjust an oodie. basicallyjust like a jumper, but it's very fleecy. - and warm, yeah. it's —2, i think, at the moment out here. how is it holding up? i'm quite warm! yeah, it's warm. i chose the snowflake one, because i thought it looked best for what i like. and it looked very comfy when i first looked at it. at home, i have a blue with stars blanket. so i decided to go with this so it would match. they are coming to school better learners already. they are having conversations within tutor times about how they have slept better the night before because they have been warmer. and, actually, just to have that impact has been amazing. it's fair to say these onesies have been an absolute hit with the children here. but they still do have to come to school in their uniform. simon spark, bbc news.

i think they look absolutely fabulous. it is only a week now until christmas day. all around the world billions of people will be celebrating. before then — final preparations are under way. and it should be an especially busy time for one man in particular — as tim allman explains. engines roar you'd think, what with the big day rapidly approaching, father christmas might be otherwise engaged. but here in the bulgarian capital, sofia, santa or at least a lot of people looking quite like him were out for a ride. this is an annual event where dozens dress up for the occasion... ..and then bike around the city, raising money for a local orphanage. translate: we are on the eve of christmas and what could . be better than seeing the smiles of children?

we have prepared gifts for them, so i think it will be a nice event. in the vietnamese capital, hanoi, father christmas is just a passenger. he is also a dog. 13 of them, in fact, all rescue animals travelling on this converted tuk—tuk. for their owner, they are her christmas chums. translation: to me, the dogs are like friends, true friends. i they help relieve the sadness, the hardships of life, the worries. they made me let go of everything — hate, greed and delusion. ifind my life is more peaceful. whooping it's a little less peaceful here in geneva, where the festive period seems to bring out the hardiest of souls. 4,000 amateur and professional swimmers taking part in the traditional christmas cup. dating back to 1934, it involves fancy dress and a freezing cold lake. apparently there is already a waiting list for next year.

tim allman, bbc news.