this is bbc news, the headlines. clashes have broken out in paris after three people were shot dead at a kurdish community centre. police arrested a 69—year—old man with a history of acts of racist violence. the us faces its coldest christmas in four decades as a storm sweeps across the country, with temperatures dropping to minus 45 degrees celsius in some places. the uk health secretary says he is "disappointed" by the announcement that nhs nurses in england are to stage further strikes on january the 18th and 19th. also in the uk, the head of the union representing striking border force staff says walkouts could go on for six months unless the government

enters talks about pay. hello and welcome to our look ahead to what the the papers will be bringing us tomorrow. with me are the business journalist, john crowley, and joe twyman, who's the director of the polling organisation, deltapoll. tomorrow's front pages starting with... the financial times leads with covid cases in china, which the paper says have reached up to 250 million in december since the country eased lockdown restrictions. the times reports on an initiative by the government to cut

down early retirement — the paper says prime minister rishi sunak plans a �*midlife mot�* to get over 50s into work. the daily mail says the nhs is wasting money on equality, diversity and inclusion—related positions. the i leads on yesterday's vote in scotland on gender identification reforms, saying it could lead to what it calls an �*unprecedented constitutional clash' with westminster. it's also on the front page of the telegraph, which says labour leader sir keir starmer wants updated self id laws to be rolled out across the uk. the mirror highlights the king's first christmas message — it says it'll be delivered yards from where the late queen is buried. the sun also leads on the royal family, but the tabloid claims the king has banned his brother prince andrew from using buckingham palace for work.

so, let's begin. lovely to see you both again. jo, you are kicking us off. let's begin with the telegraph, pro—transit laws are needed across the uk, says the labour leader. this are needed across the uk, says the labour leader-— labour leader. this comes in light ofthe labour leader. this comes in light of the scottish _ labour leader. this comes in light of the scottish parliament - labour leader. this comes in light| of the scottish parliament decision to allow self identification of a gender rights and this is an important issue for many trans people and the issue of self identification is key here. that means that trans people will no longer need a diagnosis from a doctor or medical professional of gender dysphoria in order to change their gender legally. there are other changes as well, the age at which you can do this is being lowered from 18 to 16, and indeed there are various other things about

there are various other things about the amount of time that you have lived with your new gender, as your new gender, rather. this is important because last year keir starmer gave an interview to pink news where he said he was looking to update their gender recognition act to take account of self identification. but this is eight hugely controversial issue. politically it is actually not an important issue for many people, fewer than one in ten people actually say they are paying a lot of attention to it and fewer than one in 20 say it is one of the top issues facing the country or indeed them and their families, issues facing the country or indeed them and theirfamilies, but issues facing the country or indeed them and their families, but for those people for whom it is important it is very important and more widely it can be used by either party, labour or indeed the conservatives to send a message about the kind of country they want to say. in the us, this has been hugely important in defining what is lazily referred to as culture wars and it could potentially do the same

thing in this country. 50. and it could potentially do the same thing in this country.— thing in this country. so, john, if we take that _ thing in this country. so, john, if we take that forward, _ thing in this country. so, john, if we take that forward, in - thing in this country. so, john, if we take that forward, in terms i thing in this country. so, john, if| we take that forward, in terms of positioning and winning votes, how much of a risk has sir keir starmer taken here?— much of a risk has sir keir starmer taken here? well, as jo was saying, i think the wider _ taken here? well, as jo was saying, i think the wider population - taken here? well, as jo was saying, i think the wider population do - taken here? well, as jo was saying, i think the wider population do not i i think the wider population do not have strong opinions on this, while the people — have strong opinions on this, while the people who do have opinions have very strong _ the people who do have opinions have very strong opinions on it so asjo was saying. — very strong opinions on it so asjo was saying. i_ very strong opinions on it so asjo was saying, i think it is a lazy term — was saying, i think it is a lazy term but— was saying, i think it is a lazy term but this will feed into the culture — term but this will feed into the culture war debate where labour being _ culture war debate where labour being progressive and describing this rather simply is against kind of tory— this rather simply is against kind of tory conditional conservative policies — of tory conditional conservative policies it— of tory conditional conservative policies. it is controversial because _ policies. it is controversial because people on both sides of debate — because people on both sides of debate are so passionately involved with it _ debate are so passionately involved with it. opponents say it will the safety _ with it. opponents say it will the safety of — with it. opponents say it will the safety of women and single sex spaces. — safety of women and single sex spaces, they also say there are insufficient safeguards to protect

women _ insufficient safeguards to protect women and girls from predatory men, support— women and girls from predatory men, support for— women and girls from predatory men, support for the expansion of trans rights _ support for the expansion of trans rights say— support for the expansion of trans rights say that does not come at the expense _ rights say that does not come at the expense of— rights say that does not come at the expense of women's rights and that represents— expense of women's rights and that represents an opportunity for the country— represents an opportunity for the country to— represents an opportunity for the country to move towards full social and legal _ country to move towards full social and legal equality. jo, country to move towards full social and legal equality.— and legal equality. jo, you will have the figures _ and legal equality. jo, you will have the figures for _ and legal equality. jo, you will have the figures for this, - and legal equality. jo, you will i have the figures for this, labour tend to do quite well with women, will this hurt them? the tend to do quite well with women, will this hurt them?— will this hurt them? the truth is that we don't — will this hurt them? the truth is that we don't know _ will this hurt them? the truth is that we don't know because - will this hurt them? the truth is that we don't know because so. will this hurt them? the truth is i that we don't know because so few people are... it remains to see how people are... it remains to see how people respond to the queues at the parties that the leaders and parties provide. but eight of ten people believe trans people should be able to go about their lives without harassment and intimidation and more than six out of ten people agreed with the idea that trans rights are

human rights so these are well established majorities, but when it comes to specific issues, whether it is trans men and women competing in sport or specifically whether people should be allowed to change their gender without a doctor's diagnosis, that country is far more divided, and certainly on the issue of self—diagnosis, six out of ten people disapprove of that so it is a very complicated issue and we really have only scratched the surface in terms of public opinion engaging with this. i think both parties are in for potentially a lot of difficulty over this. we in for potentially a lot of difficulty over this. in for potentially a lot of difficul over this. ~ ., ., difficulty over this. we are going to turn to the _ difficulty over this. we are going to turn to the front _ difficulty over this. we are going to turn to the front page - difficulty over this. we are going to turn to the front page of - difficulty over this. we are going to turn to the front page of the l to turn to the front page of the mail and the to turn to the front page of the mailand the nhs to turn to the front page of the mail and the nhs apparently is waiting millions on work non—jobs. jo, if you can lead on the story. yes, so this is the daily mail talking — yes, so this is the daily mail talking about more than £1 million

as in— talking about more than £1 million as in that — talking about more than £1 million as in that it— talking about more than £1 million as in that it being wasted on what it describes as work non—jobs. it offers— it describes as work non—jobs. it offers some examples of these jobs, mindfulness lead, agents of change, it doesn't_ mindfulness lead, agents of change, it doesn't provide details about what _ it doesn't provide details about what is — it doesn't provide details about what is actually do and i think the key issue — what is actually do and i think the key issue here is actually not about the specifics of those jobs, for all i the specifics of those jobs, for all i know— the specifics of those jobs, for all i know they may be hugely useful, it did the _ i know they may be hugely useful, it did the opposite may be true, but i think— did the opposite may be true, but i think the _ did the opposite may be true, but i think the numbers involved here are important _ think the numbers involved here are important. the mail talks that more than £1_ important. the mail talks that more than £1 million are spent on these 'obs than £1 million are spent on these jobs each — than £1 million are spent on these jobs each year, let's assume it is £2 miiiion — jobs each year, let's assume it is £2 million to be generous about this, _ £2 million to be generous about this, there are 500,000 registered nurses, _ this, there are 500,000 registered nurses, more than 500,000 registered nurses— nurses, more than 500,000 registered nurses in— nurses, more than 500,000 registered nurses in britain, and so if these jobs _ nurses in britain, and so if these jobs were — nurses in britain, and so if these jobs were to disappear overnight, that would mean £4 on average to be given— that would mean £4 on average to be given to _ that would mean £4 on average to be given to each of the nurses and though i— given to each of the nurses and though i am not party to the negotiations around the strikes in the pay— negotiations around the strikes in the pay deals i don't think paul founds — the pay deals i don't think paul founds ash £4 is going to make much

of a difference, this is a far more fundamental issue facing the health service _ fundamental issue facing the health service. , ., , , ,, fundamental issue facing the health service. , , ,, , service. john, business is your specialty. _ service. john, business is your specialty. in — service. john, business is your specialty, in terms _ service. john, business is your specialty, in terms of- service. john, business is yourj specialty, in terms of business service. john, business is your - specialty, in terms of business and so—called work positions, basically, we are thorgan that equality, diversity, inclusion, what sort of —— what have you —— what sort of trends have you seen in the business environment?— environment? equality, inclusion, that is very _ environment? equality, inclusion, that is very much _ environment? equality, inclusion, that is very much at _ environment? equality, inclusion, that is very much at the _ environment? equality, inclusion, that is very much at the forefront | that is very much at the forefront in the business environment. i mean, what the government, what the mail would be supporting is the government line, saying that nhs leaders are frittering away money on these so—called workjobs, diversity and inclusionjobs, while it is saying it cannot afford to raise wages for nurses and paramedics. and i said this in the first bit that we did an hourago i said this in the first bit that we did an hour ago but i think this is what is is about, there is a propaganda battle going on between the government and the unions and

rishi sunak and the health secretary stephen barclay are saying, look, we don't have any money left in the pot to kind of increase your wages, and look at what the nhs is doing, frittering away this money. what they are trying to do is say, let's forget the independent pay review this year, we're not to give you any more but what we are going to offer you in next year's pay review will be fast tracked and backdated and we may give you a couple more quid then. obviously, the union is complete you disagree with that i may say that public sector wages, in terms of increases this year, lag far behind those in the private sector. g ., far behind those in the private sector. , ., . ~' far behind those in the private sector. g ., ., ,, , ., far behind those in the private sector. �* ., ., ~' , ., ., sector. 0k, jo, take us to the front .ae. sector. 0k, jo, take us to the front -a~e of sector. 0k, jo, take us to the front page of the — sector. 0k, jo, take us to the front page of the ft. _ sector. 0k, jo, take us to the front page of the ft, please, _ sector. 0k, jo, take us to the front page of the ft, please, add - sector. 0k, jo, take us to the front page of the ft, please, add a - sector. 0k, jo, take us to the front page of the ft, please, add a few. page of the ft, please, add a few more figures for us to deal with here, this time covid cases in china. . �* , ., ., here, this time covid cases in china. . �*, ., ., china. that's right, and a reported 250 million _ china. that's right, and a reported 250 million of— china. that's right, and a reported 250 million of them, _ china. that's right, and a reported 250 million of them, including - china. that's right, and a reported

250 million of them, including 37. 250 million of them, including 37 million _ 250 million of them, including 37 millionjust in the last 250 million of them, including 37 million just in the last few days. these _ million just in the last few days. these are — million just in the last few days. these are not official figures, these — these are not official figures, these are _ these are not official figures, these are instead figures that have been reported by, by the newspaper. officially, _ been reported by, by the newspaper. officially, only date —— eight deaths — officially, only date —— eight deaths have occurred in china but the spread — deaths have occurred in china but the spread the disease has been considerably more now that the —— china _ considerably more now that the —— china has— considerably more now that the —— china has removed the very strict lockdown — china has removed the very strict lockdown rules that it had in place over the _ lockdown rules that it had in place over the last couple of years. and this has— over the last couple of years. and this has led — over the last couple of years. and this has led to a surge of import —— a reported — this has led to a surge of import —— a reported surge of cases and the paper— a reported surge of cases and the paper reports that half of the capital— paper reports that half of the capital beijing may be infected. this has— capital beijing may be infected. this has huge implications for china. — this has huge implications for china, particularly forthe this has huge implications for china, particularly for the elder population of that country because they are _ population of that country because they are far less likely to be vaccinated than perhaps older people would _ vaccinated than perhaps older people would be _ vaccinated than perhaps older people would be in this country, for example _ would be in this country, for example. but also there are reports that the _ example. but also there are reports

that the chinese version of the vaccine — that the chinese version of the vaccine simply isn't as effective as dealing _ vaccine simply isn't as effective as dealing with variants including omicron — dealing with variants including omicron as vaccines were in this country. — omicron as vaccines were in this country, and so that could mean that the health— country, and so that could mean that the health service in china is in for a _ the health service in china is in for a significant issue over the coming — for a significant issue over the coming weeks and months. and how the chinese _ coming weeks and months. and how the chinese people respond to that is a really— chinese people respond to that is a really interesting and potentially crucial _ really interesting and potentially crucial question. it was the actions of many— crucial question. it was the actions of many ordinary chinese people that were at— of many ordinary chinese people that were at least partly response for this lockdown being removed in the first place — this lockdown being removed in the first place. what happens next is unclear— first place. what happens next is unclear but could very important. you said — unclear but could very important. you said 37 — unclear but could very important. you said 37 million over the last few days, it was actually in one day, jo, just on the tuesday, that reiterates how big the figures could be. john. , ., , reiterates how big the figures could be. john. , . , , be. john. yes, i mean, these figures were revealed _ be. john. yes, i mean, these figures were revealed by _ be. john. yes, i mean, these figures were revealed by the _ be. john. yes, i mean, these figures were revealed by the deputy - be. john. yes, i mean, these figures were revealed by the deputy director for the chinese centre for disease

control so they are leaked but they sound pretty kosher and over that same period that they were describing, the official figures from china saying something like 62,000 people had been affected by covid. —— infected by covid. if 250 many people had been infected, and you do the maths, many, many people are going to have to be admitted to hospital, particularly when they haven't had received the same vaccination levels of those in the west. so, it will put a massive toll on the health service and where the communist party gets its legitimacy from is from protecting people, saying that it will protect people commanded the health services overwhelmed, it millions of chinese die, then perhaps the chinese will look at their leaders and say, well, they haven't protected us, they have lied to us. look, first thing, there is a potential health catastrophe

happening in china, that is the biggest and most important thing, but i think chinese watchers will be looking with deep interest to see how the head of the communist party, president xi, and others, handle this crisis. , president xi, and others, handle this crisis— president xi, and others, handle this crisis-— this crisis. this has been late, according _ this crisis. this has been late, according to — this crisis. this has been late, according to two _ this crisis. this has been late, according to two people, - this crisis. this has been late, according to two people, the i this crisis. this has been late, - according to two people, the people —— the paper says, who are very with the cdc director, it does make you asked, with that the chinese new year coming up, these figures are astounding, president xi hasjust got his latest term, he could well be in powerfor a long time, for people to come forward and defy the national narrative, i think that reallyjumped out at me, what did you make of that?— you make of that? yes, it was the bi est you make of that? yes, it was the biggest protest — you make of that? yes, it was the biggest protest l _ you make of that? yes, it was the biggest protest i think _ you make of that? yes, it was the biggest protest i think we - you make of that? yes, it was the biggest protest i think we can - biggest protest i think we can safely— biggest protest i think we can safely say since the tiananmen massacre — safely say since the tiananmen massacre in 1989 and it prompted this 180 _ massacre in 1989 and it prompted this 180 degrees turn from the chinese — this 180 degrees turn from the chinese authorities. they had a

strict _ chinese authorities. they had a strict draconian lockdown, people could _ strict draconian lockdown, people could barely move without being tested — could barely move without being tested if — could barely move without being tested. if people were tested were in contact — tested. if people were tested were in contact with people, they were told to _ in contact with people, they were told to stay where they are, they were _ told to stay where they are, they were penned in covid centres, people protested _ were penned in covid centres, people protested against that, the chinese authorities realised they had to open _ authorities realised they had to open up. — authorities realised they had to open up, and this is the result, having — open up, and this is the result, having looked away its people for more _ having looked away its people for more than — having looked away its people for more than two years, most of them or most _ more than two years, most of them or most of— more than two years, most of them or most of the _ more than two years, most of them or most of the elderly have still not yet been — most of the elderly have still not yet been vaccinated. god knows what will happen _ yet been vaccinated. god knows what will happen over the next few weeks. 0k, will happen over the next few weeks. 0k. jo. _ will happen over the next few weeks. ok, jo, talking of ages, the times, 0k, jo, talking of ages, the times, over 50s are encouraged to end early retirement, how does the government plan to do that?— plan to do that? yes, this is the couraue plan to do that? yes, this is the courage and _ plan to do that? yes, this is the courage and over— plan to do that? yes, this is the courage and over 50s _ plan to do that? yes, this is the courage and over 50s to - plan to do that? yes, this is the courage and over 50s to go - plan to do that? yes, this is the| courage and over 50s to go back plan to do that? yes, this is the i courage and over 50s to go back to work to help britain's recovery and bring back economic growth, and in order to do this, they are providing what they are describing as a financial mot to the other 50s, in other words, financial mot to the other 50s, in otherwords, explaining financial mot to the other 50s, in other words, explaining that perhaps

with the rising cost of living, the rising interest rates and falling house prices, these people might not have as much money as they originally estimated, to cover their retirement, which could potentially last another 50 years, and so whether people choose to make the decision not of course is quite a big leap. there are suggestions that many people who have made this decision already may not want to go back to work and quite frankly, who can blame them? given the situation, i think there are many people under 50, myself included, who think the prospect of retiring in five years is ridiculous. and quite how many people respond to this and the effect this could have on the economy, i think remains to be seen, but i think this is more ambition than anything else.— but i think this is more ambition than anything else. clearly, you are not over than anything else. clearly, you are rrot over 50. _ than anything else. clearly, you are not over 50, john, _ than anything else. clearly, you are not over 50, john, but _ than anything else. clearly, you are not over 50, john, but what - than anything else. clearly, you are not over 50, john, but what what i not over 50, john, but what what would entice you? what do you make of the story?—

of the story? well, look, is not 'ust of the story? well, look, is not just about _ of the story? well, look, is not just about people _ of the story? well, look, is not just about people being - of the story? well, look, is not just about people being able i of the story? well, look, is not just about people being able to afford — just about people being able to afford to retire. further down in the story, — afford to retire. further down in the story, it _ afford to retire. further down in the story, it actually speaks about the story, it actually speaks about the number of working age adults who are economically inactive. i think they— are economically inactive. i think they had — are economically inactive. i think they had a — are economically inactive. i think they had a figure of something like 9 million _ they had a figure of something like 9 million people. and that includes people _ 9 million people. and that includes people who are on long—term sick leave _ people who are on long—term sick leave and — people who are on long—term sick leave and actually the sting in the tail of— leave and actually the sting in the tail of this — leave and actually the sting in the tail of this announcement, there is the positive — tail of this announcement, there is the positive stuff at the top about the positive stuff at the top about the financial, the sting in the tail is the _ the financial, the sting in the tail is the government was to make it less easy— is the government was to make it less easy for those people who are on long—term sick, to take that actual— on long—term sick, to take that actual time off, and i were to make it harder— actual time off, and i were to make it harder for— actual time off, and i were to make it harder for them to do. so, yes, it harder for them to do. so, yes, it is about — it harder for them to do. so, yes, it is about people, shall we say, more _ it is about people, shall we say, more richard thanjo or i who have definitely— more richard thanjo or i who have definitely passed put my feet up now but i definitely passed put my feet up now but i can— definitely passed put my feet up now but i can also —— but it is also about— but i can also —— but it is also about people who because of ill health. — about people who because of ill health, not their own fault, they

have _ health, not their own fault, they have full— health, not their own fault, they have full enough that work later, and i_ have full enough that work later, and ijust— have full enough that work later, and ijust wonder getting over 50s to offer— and ijust wonder getting over 50s to offer mentoring or training, is that really— to offer mentoring or training, is that really going to fix the problem?— that really going to fix the roblem? ., ., ., , problem? jo, we have got the kings seech problem? jo, we have got the kings speech coming _ problem? jo, we have got the kings speech coming up — problem? jo, we have got the kings speech coming up and _ problem? jo, we have got the kings speech coming up and a _ problem? jo, we have got the kings speech coming up and a little - speech coming up and a little flavour of what might be included on the front page of the express. yes. the front page of the express. yes, that is right. _ the front page of the express. yes, that is right, couple _ the front page of the express. yes, that is right, couple of _ the front page of the express. fie: that is right, couple of the papers are covering the content of the speech which of course has already been recorded. prince harry and megan soared to the top of the netflix charts with a six—hour miniseries, the king is going for slightly less than that this year, i'm disappointed to say. but he will be speaking about the queen's legacy and i don't think that is any surprise. i would and i don't think that is any surprise. iwould be and i don't think that is any surprise. i would be astonished if he went for anything controversial this time around. instead, i imagine the focus will be very much on

continuity and certainly ripples that have come out suggest it is about him carrying on the queen's legacy, providing that continuity and supporting the country as it transitions from the elizabethan area. , ., ., , ., area. john, what were you expecting to hear? pretty _ area. john, what were you expecting to hear? pretty much _ area. john, what were you expecting to hear? pretty much what - area. john, what were you expecting to hear? pretty much what jo - area. john, what were you expecting to hear? pretty much what jo says . to hear? pretty much what jo says but what we _ to hear? pretty much what jo says but what we are _ to hear? pretty much what jo says but what we are expecting - to hear? pretty much what jo says but what we are expecting it - to hear? pretty much what jo says but what we are expecting it to . to hear? pretty much what jo says but what we are expecting it to be j but what we are expecting it to be heavily— but what we are expecting it to be heavily dominated by the passing of his mother and how the country came together. _ his mother and how the country came together, royal watchers will be noting _ together, royal watchers will be noting when he met any oblique reference — noting when he met any oblique reference to the sussexes. he recorded — reference to the sussexes. he recorded this speech before the second — recorded this speech before the second half of harry and meghan came out on _ second half of harry and meghan came out on netflix where they made some serious _ out on netflix where they made some serious charges against charles and william _ serious charges against charles and william. what has been interesting for the _ william. what has been interesting for the royal family is they have made _ for the royal family is they have made no — for the royal family is they have made no public comment on it, just never— made no public comment on it, just never complain, never explain ethos. theyiust _ never complain, never explain ethos. theyjust didn't want to give it the oxygen— theyjust didn't want to give it the oxygen of— theyjust didn't want to give it the oxygen of publicity so whether he chooses _ oxygen of publicity so whether he chooses to do that in that ten minutes— chooses to do that in that ten

minutes that he has, you know, asjo says. _ minutes that he has, you know, asjo says. he _ minutes that he has, you know, asjo says. he may— minutes that he has, you know, asjo says, he may not want to fuel a fan the flames— says, he may not want to fuel a fan the flames on that point. gk, says, he may not want to fuel a fan the flames on that point.— the flames on that point. 0k, john crowle , the flames on that point. 0k, john crowley. jo — the flames on that point. 0k, john crowley, jo twyman, _ the flames on that point. 0k, john crowley, jo twyman, thank - the flames on that point. 0k, john crowley, jo twyman, thank you . the flames on that point. 0k, john i crowley, jo twyman, thank you very much, it has been an absolute pleasure, have a wonderful christmas.— pleasure, have a wonderful christmas. , . ~ , christmas. merry christmas. merry christmas. and there'll be no paper review tomorrow evening — as it's christmas eve tomorrow and there are no papers on christmas day. so it's goodbye from us and we'll see you in a couple of days. hello, i'm hugh ferris. manchester city manager pep guardiola has claimed his england midfielder kalvin phillips was overweight when he returned to the club from the world cup. phillips wasn't in the city squad for the efl cup win

against liverpool last night and has so far featured in the premier league just once as a last—minute substitute in august since signing from leeds for £45 million. guardiola's initial explanation was that phillips was not fit but he revealed more when pressed. he arrived overweight. why is he overweight? i don't know. but it is the player's responsibility is what you're saying? he didn't arrive in a condition to training sessions, to play. the reason i ask is because he has been away at the world cup, he has been physios, nutritionist... no, no, no. absolutely. that is why he cannot play. when he will be ready, he will play. we need him. we need him a lot. is that a disappointment to you, a surprise? it was a private conversation with kalvin. greater manchester police are investigating a number of incidents that occurred during an after manchester city's win over liverpool.

a 15—year—old girl was treated for head injuries at the match at the etihad, while one male was also arrested for racially aggravated public order offence. another man was also assaulted after the game and required hospital treatment. it has been a faultless start to rangers boss michael beale. three games, three wins now, the most recent, a 1—0 victory over ross county. it moves them to within six points of celtic at the top of the table. they play stjohnston tomorrow. kilmarnock came from two goals down to draw 2—2 with motherwell. the number seven seed johnny clayton is through to the third round of the pdc world darts championship. earlier on, wins for 2018 winner rob cross and chris toby. sam curran has become the most expensive player in the history of the indian premier league. in fact, the previous record was broken by both the england all rounder, who cost the punjab kings

the equivalent of around £1.9 million and australia's cameron green, who is now the second most expensive player. cricket reporter henry moeran says there's a reason why curran was in such high demand. he is an absolutely key signing for any side looking to lift a trophy because essentially you've got two players in one. he is going to bowl over is right through the innings, he is reliable, he scores runs with the bat as well. and if you are a franchise owner, you are looking at somebody who can win you games in so many different ways. it can be with the ball, it can be with the bat. and he is also a superb fielder. so he is somebody who is reliable, his fitness issues, well, they haven't been many of them, and he is somebody that you look you look to and think, right, he is going to be on our team sheet every single week, he is going to be someone that is so, so reliable and is going to win us games at cricket. after becoming a dad and missing their series when in pakistan, stuart broad is back in the england test squad for the tour of new zealand in february. matthew potts and 0lly stone are also included, but no place

for mark wood who will take a break from all cricket injanuary, he is expected to tour bangladesh for a white ball series in march. despite an impressive debut against pakistan in that test series, 18—year—old rayan ahmed is also not in the squad, he will play instead in a t20 tournament in the uae as part of his continued development. the top two in rugby union's premiership were both beat and this evening, second—place sale throwing away a 14—0 lead to lose 20—14, at newcastle, while leaders saracens suffered their first defeat of the season, beaten by london irish 29—20. both were down to 14 men by the time irish sealed their win with a late try from chandler cunningham south. it was converted by paddy jackson whose five penalties also made the difference. meanwhile, a jack dempsey try gave glasgow the lead in the united rugby championship match against edinburgh. and they never relinquished it, holding on to win a 16—10. it is also the lead they will take into the second leg of the 1872 cup

between the two sides. ulster beat connacht in the other match tonight. finally, sir geoff hurst has led the tributes to his england world cup winning team mate george cohen who has died at the age of 83. hurst scored a hat—trick in the 1966 final and said cohen was a dear friend who will be sadly missed and that everyone without exception said he was a lovely man. cohen played in every game of the tournament on home soil 56 years ago as the england team's right back, including in the 4—2 win over west germany in the final. he spent his entire club career with fulham and was also awarded an mbe in the year 2000. george was pure class. he was a gentleman, he had big standards and passed that on too many people, myself included. he was a classy

person and to be a world cup winner and to be a classy man, it was fantastic for us. our hearts and minds go out to daphne in the family, we send them our love and the whole full community are in mourning but we will miss him terribly. mourning but we will miss him terribl . . . mourning but we will miss him terribl . ,, , ., mourning but we will miss him terribl. ., terribly. less strong playing tribute to — terribly. less strong playing tribute to george _ terribly. less strong playing tribute to george cohen, i terribly. less strong playing tribute to george cohen, a i terribly. less strong playing i tribute to george cohen, a world terribly. less strong playing - tribute to george cohen, a world cup winner who has died at the age of 83. and that is all your support for now. hello. it looks as if for most it will stay mild in the run—up to christmas but there is the hint at some colder air returning. the reason is because we have got these mild south—westerly winds at the moment. this is the band of rain, the weather front, that swept right the way across the uk during friday,

giving ten to 15 millimetres of rain turning to snow over the scottish highlands and grampians, even at lower levels temporarily in the north. showers elsewhere but largely frost free away from the chilliness in the north. so, not particularly cold to start but perhaps one or two mist and fog patches to watch out for the first thing this morning but then a lot of dry and bright weather for england and wales, the showers get going quite quickly across northern ireland, pushing into northern england another western extremities. 0ur rain band with its hill snow slow to drag away and it will stay in the cold air up in the shetlands all day, a lot of cloud behind but temperatures will be higher, notably for scotland, than they were on friday. and it is miles across, not as windy. then through the evening and overnight, those showers pushed their way gradually eastwards and then just the hint of a north—westerly return to the north and west of scotland so again not particularly cold as we head into christmas day morning, just local frost, really, and quite a bit of showery weather around through the day. some brightness around but there is a question mark as to a weather front coming up to the south which might give cloudy wet conditions later on across southern conditions and eastern areas. and we've got those showers across the north, probably brightening up with some sunshine behind, but that is when it turns

chillier with the chance of some wintriness, as you can see. temperatures are still foremost at eight to 12 degrees on the higher side of normal but as i say there is a chance that we could see the definition of a white christmas, snow falling across the north and west in the showers as we go through the second part of the day. and that is because the cold arctic air is coming back, and it might well push right the way across the uk as we go you into boxing day but it will be short—lived chilly spell, and it doesn't mean snow for all, we still got that question mark over rain later on christmas day in the south, dragging its heels to clear on the south—east on boxing day. and then a wintry mix of showers with hail, sleet, hillsnow, mostly, temperatures will fall to eight degrees celsius, that is a few degrees down on those of christmas day. but as i say, it does look like a short—lived cold snap because the mild atlantic influence returns, it looks like there is wet and windy weather on the way. the warnings, as ever, are on the website.

this is bbc news — i'm lukwesa burak with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. there's pile—ups galore in some parts of the us as frigid temperatures turn roads into death traps. the roads are freezing, the roads are going to be like an ice rink and your tyres can't handle this. violent clashes grip paris after three people are shot dead at a kurdish community centre. covid cases soar in china after restrictions are lifted — and the government's official death tally is being questioned. nurses in england, wales and northern ireland threaten to strike again injanuary unless pay talks are opened.