this is bbc news. the headlines. the government admits the nhs is facing an "unprecedented challenge" amid warnings from health bosses about the strain on the service this winter. i've had to open physio—gyms through outpatient departments to accommodate inpatients overnight. i am hoping it's short—term, it has to be short—term it cannot go on like this. new year disruption on the railways with another strike, as 40,000 members of the rmt union walk out again in their dispute over pay, working conditions and the future of services. a british couple diane and ron hughes are among four people to die in a helicopter crash on australia's gold coast — three others are critically injured. thousands of mourners line the streets of santos in brazil

to pay their respects to football legend pele, who died last week. archie. touch. and why a shortage of volunteer puppy trainers means visually impaired people are having to wait longer to get a guide dog. downing street has admitted that the nhs is facing an "unprecedented challenge" but insists the government is doing "everything possible" to ease pressure. senior doctors have spoken of the "unsustainable" pressure facing the nhs with some accident and emergency units described as being in a "complete state of crisis".

labour has criticised the government's management of the health service, while the liberal democrats have called for parliament to be recalled early. here's our health correspondent katharine da costa. november alpha 332 receiving. this isn't the first winter crisis that the nhs faces, but clinicians across the uk warn it could be one of the worst. staff shortages, a lack of beds and not enough social care provision are part of the problem. we need to find some space for you. it often results in long waits to be admitted. john rimmer�*s grandmother was taken to hospital with pneumonia last week and was left on a trolley for more than 30 hours. it was a reallyjust horrendous situation for her. she was obviously already very distressed, very seriously ill, and she was then placed in a corridor, lights on, no hot food, lots of noise, not very restful at all. and, yeah, just was very distressed, very upset, as we all were. adding to the burden on the nhs are high levels

of covid, flu and strep a. nhs england say 9,500 patients are in hospital with covid, plus nearly 4,000 people are being treated for flu, meaning 13% of hospital beds in england are taken up with those two viruses. so as schools prepare to return, both adults and children are being urged to stay home with a fever and take up a flu jab to avoid infecting others. i welcome this new advice about people wearing masks and not going out if they are ill, keeping children off school because we need to do everything we can to avoid unnecessary illness. the simple reality here is that the health service is caught between the fact that it has limited capacity, particularly when it comes to the workforce — 130,000 vacancies — and a level of demand that is difficult to meet in ordinary times. despite increased demand, nhs england says there has been progress, with record numbers of patients getting cancer checks and starting treatment.

ministers say the health service is a top priority, with extra investment to help discharge patients. cheering, car horns beep. butjust days into the new year and pressure�*s building on of the uk government to avert a crisis, as health unions prepare a fresh round of strikes within weeks. katharine da costa, bbc news. earlier i spoke to nick hulme, chief executive of east suffolk & north essex nhs trust — he told me about the pressures his hospital is facing. people saying, look, we don't mind waiting ten hours but as i was speaking to a patient today, he's had a bad back for three weeks and has got two days of work and thought they'd come in and get it sorted. we are really not in a position to see this patients at the moment. 0rdinarily, if the pressure wasn't so severe in our departments we may be in a position,

albeit not ideally, we may be in a position to see this patient�*s —— but i think people do expect... the media has been very clear over the last few days and weeks that the nhs is under severe pressure so it is important that people help us to help themselves of the can keep our a&e departments as clear as we can for urgent cases and get ambulances back on the road and more importantly provide safe and appropriate care to people that need it in a hospital. when before the new longer they have known it like this? i have never known it as bad as this, certainly with the acuity of the patients coming through, particularly the elderly, particularly the frail elderly. i have never been in a position where i have had to open physio gyms and outpatient departments to accommodate inpatients. i'm hoping it short—term. clearly, we had a lot of contingency planning in the early days of covid—i9 so we did have those contingency plans for that period. we didn't have those for the periods of this winter although we mobilise their services

as safely as we can. i'm hoping it can be short—term. it has to be short—term. we cannot go on like this. how bad do you think the state of the nhs _ how bad do you think the state of the nhs is with the winter to endemic_ the nhs is with the winter to endemic as it is being called do you think_ endemic as it is being called do you think is_ endemic as it is being called do you think is making it worse than otherwise would have been. to be honest with _ otherwise would have been. to be honest with you _ otherwise would have been. to be honest with you i _ otherwise would have been. to be honest with you i have _ otherwise would have been. to be honest with you i have been - otherwise would have been. to be honest with you i have been in - otherwise would have been. to be| honest with you i have been in any doctor for 17 years and i have honest with you i have been in any doctorfor 17 years and i have never seen it so bad. i think we have a two—pronged issue happening firstly there have been 12 years of underfunding and under resourcing of our nhs. and that on top of that we do have the extra pressure of flu and co—bed together —— covid people that are coming in with strep a in families waiting in a&e and i3% of all hospital beds are taking up with people that have covid or flu. what

people that have covid or flu. what have the government _ people that have covid or flu. what have the government been saying, the downing street spokesman said today that, we have been upfront with the public long in advance of this winter that because of the pandemic and the pressures that it has paced on the backlog of cases, they have always sent it would be an extremely challenging winter in other words the government seem to be saying it is largely due to the pandemic. i don't buy that for a hot minute. to be honest the winter pressures have been becoming year—round pressures for a number of years. they could have foreseen how the under resourcing and running into the ground of nhs would result in the issues. yes of course because of the pandemic there have been added pressures but we need to be really clear that there are 130,000 nhs vacancies due to workforce morale. we have a patient that waited in an ambulance for 99 hours. for a bed in a&e in as many as 500 people are

dying each week due to delays in getting emergency care, if they could have predicted this than they should have prepared a lot better and quite frankly, they knew that there would be issues but the under resourcing for the last 12 years just cannot. in any way be hidden from stop you talk about under resourcing let me tell you what the department of health have been saying today. department of health have been saying today-— department of health have been saying today. which is that health nhs and social— saying today. which is that health nhs and social care _ saying today. which is that health nhs and social care have - saying today. which is that health nhs and social care have been . saying today. which is that health i nhs and social care have been given £14 billion in additional funding for the next two years and an extra 500 million to speed up hospital discharges this winter that is a lot of money. discharges this winter that is a lot of mone . ~ , ., discharges this winter that is a lot ofmone. , ., .,, of money. why then are positions havin: to of money. why then are positions having to examine _ of money. why then are positions having to examine their— of money. why then are positions having to examine their patients l of money. why then are positions l having to examine their patients in cupboards —— physicians. we are seeing people across the country as a&e doctors and nurses worrying that they are bleeding worrying about conditions like bowel cancer that need intimate examination that cannot be conducted in a safe and

dignified manner. the care that people are ending at the moment is undignified and unacceptable that doctors and nurses and other nhs staff are expected to go to work with one arm tied behind their back. so how much more does labour say should be spent on the national health service i have given you the government figure.— health service i have given you the government figure. there is a plant to crow government figure. there is a plant to grow the — government figure. there is a plant to grow the work _ government figure. there is a plant to grow the work for _ government figure. there is a plant to grow the work for but _ government figure. there is a plant to grow the work for but ultimately | to grow the work for but ultimately is about retaining staff that we do have. the government should be concerned about the fact that two thirds ofjunior doctors are thinking of quitting. the government should be concerned about the fact that there are more mental health, ill days taken off sick in nhs do to any other illness due to the conditions. when we go to medical school and come out and treat our patients it's called the my mum test that are we giving the service to our patients that we would want given to our own family and quite frankly there is not a clinician i know across the country that feels that they are able to give the

service that they were trying to do and it is not dignified for patients. and it is not dignified for patients-— and it is not dignified for patients. and it is not dignified for atients. ~ . ., , ., patients. what about the industrial action by nurses — patients. what about the industrial action by nurses or— patients. what about the industrial action by nurses or do _ patients. what about the industrial action by nurses or do you - patients. what about the industrial action by nurses or do you stand i action by nurses or do you stand on that? that up and asking for 19% the government says that is simply unaffordable and will take more funds from nhs if they get amount of money what would you say to nurses? i would never ever criticise a nurse for deciding they have no other choice but to go on strike. when you work in nhs it is a vocation not a job. you devote your life to the service of others and to take time off in order to fight for your rights to be able to provide the best possible care for your patience, that is not a decision thatis patience, that is not a decision that is taken lightly. and also while there is a cost—of—living crisis and while nurses are requiring food banks in many places it isn't easy to go without a days pay as well. so fundamentally, i will never see here and criticise a nurse that feels he or she has no choice but to go on strike. the

government needs to get around the table and have a proper discussion and meet somewhere that is acceptable for everyone. this i will tell you, every single nurse that i have had the pride of working with does not strike easily. i have had the pride of working with does not strike easily.— does not strike easily. i hear what sa in: does not strike easily. i hear what saying you — does not strike easily. i hear what saying you will — does not strike easily. i hear what saying you will not _ does not strike easily. i hear what saying you will not criticise - does not strike easily. i hear what saying you will not criticise their l saying you will not criticise their decision for going on strike but you support the 19%? the decision for going on strike but you support the 19%?— support the 19%? the government needs to get _ support the 19%? the government needs to get around _ support the 19%? the government needs to get around the _ support the 19%? the government needs to get around the table - support the 19%? the government needs to get around the table we | support the 19%? the government i needs to get around the table we are in this mess because it is a mess of the government's making. it should never have gotten to this point where ambulance workers feel they have no other choice. it should never have i will not sit here in arbitrarily making up percentages of ny- arbitrarily making up percentages of pay. what i'm saying is that i am not going to stand against my team members that feel that they have no other choice but to strike. this is a mess of the government's making it stand squarely with them, they need to get around the table, they have had offers to get around the table

and they have thus far refused. but ou will and they have thus far refused. but you will not come out and say you support the nurses with their industrial action? support the nurses with their industrialaction? i support the nurses with their industrial action?— support the nurses with their industrial action? i will never ever criticise a nurse _ industrial action? i will never ever criticise a nurse that _ industrial action? i will never ever criticise a nurse that feels - industrial action? i will never ever criticise a nurse that feels she i industrial action? i will never ever criticise a nurse that feels she has no choice or he has no choice but to stand on a picket line.— stand on a picket line. thank you very much labour _ stand on a picket line. thank you very much labour and _ stand on a picket line. thank you very much labour and he - stand on a picket line. thank you very much labour and he and i stand on a picket line. thank you i very much labour and he and shadow ministerfor mental very much labour and he and shadow minister for mental health talking to us about the national health service stop and that is the labour point of view. it is here from the government point of view because the last few minutes the health secretary steve barclay has been talking about the pressures facing some accident and emergency units. you talk of people unnecessarily dying because of these delays. i discuss this again with the chief medicai— discuss this again with the chief medical officer and also with the medicai— medical officer and also with the medical director and it has always been _ medical director and it has always been part— medical director and it has always been part of the recognition of pressures of covid that that would have an _ pressures of covid that that would have an impact on people services

and for— have an impact on people services and for example people were more reiuctant— and for example people were more reluctant to go and see their gps, that in— reluctant to go and see their gps, that in particular has had an impact on cardiovascular risk. for the factors— on cardiovascular risk. for the factors as _ on cardiovascular risk. for the factors as well in terms of the backlogs _ factors as well in terms of the backlogs of operations. it is important that we get the ambulances to people _ important that we get the ambulances to people quickly as well but there is a range — to people quickly as well but there is a range of factors that are played in _ is a range of factors that are played in particularly into those cardiovascular deaths which is a prime _ cardiovascular deaths which is a prime issue when looking at the challenge in terms of excess deaths. so challenge in terms of excess deaths. 50 this— challenge in terms of excess deaths. 50 this is— challenge in terms of excess deaths. so this is something the chief medicat— so this is something the chief medical officer in the nhs director happen— medical officer in the nhs director happen looking at closely and why we are so _ happen looking at closely and why we are so focused on getting the people out of— are so focused on getting the people out of hospital who do not need to be there because that intern will speed _ be there because that intern will speed up— be there because that intern will speed up the ambulance handover delays _ speed up the ambulance handover delays and those ambulances back out responding _ delays and those ambulances back out responding to calls. what delays and those ambulances back out responding to calls.— responding to calls. what sort of reassurance _ responding to calls. what sort of reassurance can _ responding to calls. what sort of reassurance can give _ responding to calls. what sort of reassurance can give to - responding to calls. what sort of reassurance can give to people l responding to calls. what sort of i reassurance can give to people that their local nhs is safe? brute reassurance can give to people that their local nhs is safe?— their local nhs is safe? we are ullin: in their local nhs is safe? we are pulling in more _ their local nhs is safe? we are pulling in more funding - their local nhs is safe? we are pulling in more funding and i their local nhs is safe? we are l pulling in more funding and staff working — pulling in more funding and staff working in micro once there are more nurses— working in micro once there are more nurses and _ working in micro once there are more nurses and doctors and we have an extra _ nurses and doctors and we have an extra seven — nurses and doctors and we have an extra seven and half thousand going into social _ extra seven and half thousand going

into social care looking at greater support _ into social care looking at greater support for domiciliary care. a support for domiciliary care. record number support for domiciliary care, record number of support for domiciliary care. record number of vacancies you say you have recruited more people but a fusion number leaving the profession and that is creating massive problems as well when aspect of this you could solve overnight is nurses pay, ambulance staff pay, you are in charge of the nhs why do you not give the staff a real terms pay increase? ~ give the staff a real terms pay increase?— give the staff a real terms pay increase? ~ . ., increase? we are funding on the operations _ increase? we are funding on the operations backlogs _ increase? we are funding on the operations backlogs for - increase? we are funding on thej operations backlogs for example getting _ operations backlogs for example getting more diagnostic hubs in place _ getting more diagnostic hubs in place getting surgical hubs that we are rolling out, getting the backlog from the _ are rolling out, getting the backlog from the pandemic reduced. that has been a _ from the pandemic reduced. that has been a key— from the pandemic reduced. that has been a key priority that is where we have searched additional funding but we also _ have searched additional funding but we also recognise the big pressure that we _ we also recognise the big pressure that we are seeing played through terms _ that we are seeing played through terms of— that we are seeing played through terms of ambulance handover delays is targety— terms of ambulance handover delays is largely triggered by those who are fit— is largely triggered by those who are fit to — is largely triggered by those who are fit to live hospital but to lead in doing — are fit to live hospital but to lead in doing so— are fit to live hospital but to lead in doing so in we need to fill up that— in doing so in we need to fill up that capacity and is often about having — that capacity and is often about having the right social care provision _ having the right social care provision to do so. that is why we have _ provision to do so. that is why we

have an _ provision to do so. that is why we have an extra {7.5 billion going into social— have an extra {7.5 billion going into social care of the next two years. — into social care of the next two years. an — into social care of the next two years, an extra 6.6 billion into the nhs to— years, an extra 6.6 billion into the nhs to tackle that issue of patients who are _ nhs to tackle that issue of patients who are fit to leave but delayed in doing _ who are fit to leave but delayed in doing so — who are fit to leave but delayed in doing so. that in turn is the best way of— doing so. that in turn is the best way of relieving the pressure on a&e and ensuring ambulance handover times— and ensuring ambulance handover times are — and ensuring ambulance handover times are reduced. the and ensuring ambulance handover times are reduced.— times are reduced. the health secretary _ times are reduced. the health secretary there _ times are reduced. the health secretary there let's _ times are reduced. the health secretary there let's talk i let's talk to our deputy political editor vicki young. we heard from government and labour how much pressure do you think the government is under at the moment as we start this new year over the apparent crisis in health service. we talk about it crisis all of the time but this winter crisis seems very extreme from everything we have heard from people inside of the health service. i heard from people inside of the health service.— heard from people inside of the health service. i think they are of course under _ health service. i think they are of course under pressure. _ health service. i think they are of course under pressure. that i health service. i think they are of course under pressure. that is i course under pressure. that is because nhs is an issue that voters care passionately about because it is for, many people in a matter of life or death. so of course people care about what is going on with

their gp or in their local hospital and how they can access treatment. i think for the conservatives over the years they have struggled to gain trust on the issue. i think for them it is particularly difficult and he says it is a priority for him the question is how quickly can he show that the idea that he has are starting to work. i think that is the key thing, his own mps even want to know what his plan is to try and deal with all of this. at the same time there are some, lots of issues outside of the government's control. i think the problem is the conservative party having been in power for 12 years it is difficult for them to avoid some of the blame for what is going on in the danger of course is that this winter crisis goes on to become a spring crisis and that actually there will be longer—term problems that need to be dealt with. i longer-term problems that need to be dealt with. ~ ., ., , ., dealt with. i know there was a briefin: dealt with. i know there was a briefing with _ dealt with. i know there was a briefing with the _ dealt with. i know there was a briefing with the downing i dealt with. i know there was a l briefing with the downing street spokesman today about the nhs who seem to be talking a lot about the

pandemic was to blame for what is going on with this winter crisis. but also questions about rishi sunak�*s health care arrangements and whether he has first—hand experience of problems in nhs or whether he has private health care. this of problems in nhs or whether he has private health care.— private health care. this is a question _ private health care. this is a question that _ private health care. this is a question that he _ private health care. this is a question that he has - private health care. this is a question that he has been . private health care. this is a i question that he has been asked before he has been asked by journalists, whilst he was standing as leader or trying to be leader of the conservative party and it is not a question that he likes to answer. in today is both meant really said that, we do not go into the personal matters and circumstances like this with the prime minister. they state thatis with the prime minister. they state that is absolutely wrong to say that he is not aware of challenges in the nhs it is a matter of personal truths if people cannot afford to access private health care. —— choice. going back to what we were saying about conservative party and trust in the nhs if you look at david cameron he really made this a personal issue and talk about it

passionately about how of his disabled spohn and how he acts as many hours in hospitals and i think that resonated with voters. there will be voters who do not care whether he uses nhs, rishi sunak but there is are some who should think he should be able to answer the question. he should be able to answer the ruestion. ., ~ he should be able to answer the ruestion. ., ,, , ., he should be able to answer the ruestion. ., ~' , ., ., he should be able to answer the ruestion. ., ,, , ., ., ., commuters returning to work after the christmas break face five days of rail strikes this week. members of the rmt union are taking industrial action again today over pay, jobs, working conditions and services. they're holding two 48 hour strikes this week in england, scotland and wales — while the train drivers�* union aslef will take action on thursday. our business correspondent theo leggett reports. a new year, but the same old story. travellers are facing another week of intense disruption on the railways,

with strikes called by two unions, the rmt and aslef. it's a real headache for people like karine. she's on a zero—hours contract and needs to get to work. i'm completely reliant on the trains. there is no other way for me to get to work and myjob is an in—personjob — i can't work from home — so every day of strikes, i lose a day's wages. only one in five trains will be running today. many lines are closed altogether. the rmt has called a 48—hour strike involving workers at network rail and 14 train operators. when that ends, aslef train drivers will walk out on thursday, before another rmt strike begins on friday. ijust feel they could have left it just now till things try, you know, try and get back to some normality. i think it's a shame that this is all... you know, it'sjust disrupting everybody�*s lives. what they're doing is, you know, damaging the industry long—term, aren't they? we need a good infrastructure to support people getting off the roads.

we think everybody's understanding why the strike is going on. - but, yes, we should not get affected by this. i joining a chilly picket line early this morning, the head of the rmt made it clear where he thinks the blame lies. all the parties involved know what needs to be done to get a settlement. but the government is blocking that settlement and doing nothing about this dispute, and that needs to change. so, i hope mark harper and huw merriman, the ministers responsible, can move that forward. we think we are going to get a meeting with them next week, but they seem content for the action to go ahead and have done nothing over the past six or seven weeks to move it forward. the unions want more money for their members to help them cope with the rising cost of living. offers have been discussed, but rail firms say extra cash can only come with changes to working practices, which the unions say they can't accept. the strikes are unnecessary. they're not helping and they don't motivate us to make an offer that we otherwise wouldn't.

it doesn't drive us to achieve a different outcome than we would achieve through normal negotiation, and i think it's really damaging the future prospects of the industry and therefore for our employees. meanwhile, the government has made it clear it believes changes to the way the railways are run have to form part of any deal. the two sides need to hammer out a deal on reforming some of the outdated working practices in the industry — for example, to make sure that we have a proper seven—day railway operation — and there is a fair and reasonable pay offer on the table and a guarantee of no compulsory redundancies for a reasonable period. more talks are planned. but if a solution is to be found, compromises will be needed, and at the moment, the signals aren't promising. 0ur correspondent victoria bourne is at euston station in central london.

just talk us through what sort of disruption there is. this just talk us through what sort of disruption there is.— just talk us through what sort of disruption there is. this is usually one of the — disruption there is. this is usually one of the busier _ disruption there is. this is usually one of the busier stations - disruption there is. this is usually one of the busier stations in i disruption there is. this is usually one of the busier stations in the l one of the busier stations in the country and ordinarily at this time it would be the start of her shower, but as you can probably see behind me it is pretty quiet and that is a situation all day. services are finishing much earlier in fact there are only two trains leaving this evening in the last one will be at around 5:30 p:m.. the final one arriving will be at 6:40pm and the station will close for the night. 0nly station will close for the night. only a fifth of britain's rail services have been writing today and around half of the lines have been closed. we'll have heated warnings to stay away and most of people that i have seen here have been pulling along large luggage after the christmas break as opposed to being commuters. because of the strike action lots of the cafes, pups, the businesses near to here have decided

not to even open in fact uk hospitality has estimated since the start of the strikes injune that the hospitality sector will have lost £2.5 billion in a. of the hospitality sector will have lost £2.5 billion in a. 0fjune until the end of this week will stop we have been hearing tens and thousands of rail workers will be working out again, team drivers met and members of aslef will be walking out thursday and then another rmt strike getting under way on friday. there has been a stalemate since june but all sites say they want to deal. it is understood you merriment will meet with aslef next week. thank you very much indeed. a funeral procession is under way in the brasilian city of santos for the footballing legend pele. tens of thousands of people

are lining the streets to see the hearse and pay their respects. the caravan paused as it passed pele's mothers residence. earlier president lula da silva paid homage as the casket lay in state. pele, who was the only person ever to win the world cup three times, died last week at the age of 82. let's talk now to the author and journalist from the world soccer magazine joining journalist from the world soccer magazinejoining us journalist from the world soccer magazine joining us from journalist from the world soccer magazinejoining us from north london. good to have you with us we have seen a huge outpouring of national grief but also pride in pele that he was notjust a brazilian superstar, legend but a global legend. i brazilian superstar, legend but a global legend-— brazilian superstar, legend but a global legend. i think that is quite correct. i think _ global legend. i think that is quite correct. i think what _ global legend. i think that is quite correct. i think what you - global legend. i think that is quite correct. i think what you can i global legend. i think that is quite correct. i think what you can see l global legend. i think that is quite | correct. i think what you can see is also the brazilian people expressing

their gratitude because they feel that pele more than any other player put brazil on the world map as a nation. this was notjust the land of coffee beans, this was a serious player on the international stage. that is how big their world cup victories were for them. find that is how big their world cup victories were for them. and of course he _ victories were for them. and of course he was _ victories were for them. and of course he was part _ victories were for them. and of course he was part of- victories were for them. and of course he was part of a - victories were for them. and of i course he was part of a magnificent team when he played for brazil. but people have been discussing and actually we were discussing in the newsroom today, where does he stand out amongst other people who followed him people like messi? it is hard to compare players from different eras. it is hard to compare players from different eras.— different eras. it is. it is impossible _ different eras. it is. it is impossible really - different eras. it is. it is. impossible really because different eras. it is. it is- impossible really because the players today have advantages and nutrition, medical sports, players today have advantages and nutrition, medicalsports, training regimes that players like pele to not have. i was a personally he is

among the greatest for and they were all kings of their error. the wonderful thing about pele is that he transcended football and sport people who did not care about sports had all heard of pele. he people who did not care about sports had all heard of pele.— had all heard of pele. he scored a phenomenal— had all heard of pele. he scored a phenomenal number— had all heard of pele. he scored a phenomenal number of— had all heard of pele. he scored a phenomenal number of goals i had all heard of pele. he scored a i phenomenal number of goals something like 1200. , ,., ., like 1200. there is something of dis - ute like 1200. there is something of dispute around _ like 1200. there is something of dispute around the _ like 1200. there is something of dispute around the official- like 1200. there is something of l dispute around the official number basically his club santos created a service around him and for five or six years they turned themselves around the world to make money for their club and to capitalise on his skills and abilities. to score goals injust about any skills and abilities. to score goals in just about any match he played. and after he retired from the game he was a fantastic ambassador for the sport as well. yes he was a fantastic ambassador for the sport as well.— the sport as well. yes he was in art of the sport as well. yes he was in

part of his ambassadorial i the sport as well. yes he was in i part of his ambassadorial strength was his modesty, humility. i did with some work with him as a ghost writer and the man you spoke to end the man you worked with was a normal human being, he did not have any great ego, he had the gravitas of his achievements. it was a privilege and a pleasure to work with him. he has had a fantastic farewell from the people of brazil. it has been like a state funeral, really where it feels like the entire country has turned out to pay their final respects. turned out to pay their final respects-— turned out to pay their final resects. , ., ., ., ., respects. three days of national mourning. _ respects. three days of national mourning. i _ respects. three days of national mourning, ithink— respects. three days of national mourning, i think that _ respects. three days of national mourning, i think that said i respects. three days of national mourning, i think that said it i respects. three days of national| mourning, i think that said it all. most politicians are lucky if they get one day. but pele as one of my brazilian colleagues had said, paul

—— politicians come and go but pele is forever. the newly republican—controlled us house of representatives convenes for the first time today, with kevin mccarthy hoping to be elected to serve as the speaker, taking control of the house, including it's judiciary committee. but the republican may have a rough road ahead as some of the most conservative members of his narrow majority are expected to oppose his leadership bid. 0ur north america correspondent will grantjoins me now. explain to us a bit more about what is going on. brute explain to us a bit more about what is going on-— is going on. we probably are only minutes away _ is going on. we probably are only minutes away from _ is going on. we probably are only minutes away from that - is going on. we probably are only minutes away from that vote. i is going on. we probably are only| minutes away from that vote. the republican roll call has taken place and they are all there, as expected so that does mean that kevin mccarthy will need the requisite 218 votes in order to be recognised and when the gavel as house speaker. as you said in your introduction that is by far, that he will be able to do that with the party so riddled

with division, polarisation and arguments over its direction there is realfierce arguments over its direction there is real fierce opposition to arguments over its direction there is realfierce opposition to kevin mccarthy who was accused by his detractors of being an establishment sheu detractors of being an establishment shell as one put it. ultimately a group of congressmen are refusing to vote for him under a new circumstances. but we are waiting for now is to see how many decide not to vote for him. if it is more than four he will not get that required 218 and it will pass to another round of voting. the first time in a century in which that has happened. time in a century in which that has ha -ened. ., ,. ., time in a century in which that has hauened. ., , , happened. fascinating stuff we will see what happens. _ happened. fascinating stuff we will see what happens. let's _ happened. fascinating stuff we will see what happens. let's see i happened. fascinating stuff we will see what happens. let's see what i happened. fascinating stuff we will i see what happens. let's see what the weather is doing.

the strongest south—westerly winds pushing the worst of the rain away by the end of the night crowd beginning to break up a little as well staying very mild for most places in double figures. little bit colder for northern parts of scotland still simmering to clear away from those north—eastern areas. 0nce away from those north—eastern areas. once that moves away some sunshine and a few showers more of a stream of showers coming into northern ireland and into southern scotland. at that a patchy ring in the south west during the afternoon. some sunshine and gusty winds as well particularly across england and wales, very gusty winds of over the east but very mild for the time of year average maximum temperatures for early january around six year average maximum temperatures for earlyjanuary around six or 7 degrees and we could reach 13 or 14 across in south—eastern areas in the afternoon. hello this is bbc news. the headlines.

the government has admitted the nhs is facing unprecedented challenges. disruption on the railways with another strike as 40,000 members of the rmt rail union walk out again over the dispute over pay, working conditions and the future of rail services. a british couple are among four people to have died in a helicopter crash on the australian gold coast. three others have been critically injured. thousands of mourners have been lining the streets of the brazilian city of santos to pay their last respects to the football legend, pele, who died last week. let's see what's happening in the sport. cristiano ronaldo has arrived to a

huge reception in saudi arabia. a warning, there will be flashing images coming up. the 37—year—old has been officially presented as an al nasser a player in front of 30,000 fans, where he was introduced as the world's greatest player. the former real madrid, manchester united and juventus star completed a medical earlier today and has been meeting his team—mates in his new kit. he started last week on a deal that will take him through to 2025. it is reported he will receive the biggest football salary in history of more than £177 million per year. i can say now i have had many opportunities in europe, many clubs, in brazil, in australia, the us, evenin

in brazil, in australia, the us, even in portugal, many clubs tried to sign me. but i give the word to this club for the opportunity. there are four matches _ this club for the opportunity. there are four matches in _ this club for the opportunity. there are four matches in the _ this club for the opportunity. there are four matches in the premier i are four matches in the premier league tonight with battles at the top and bottom of the table. everton hosting brighton a goodison park. the toffees are one point outside the relegation zone. fulham could get into the european spots with their win against leicester while arsenal will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the premier league table to ten points, as they take on newcastle at the emirates. nicola tata said his players are taking it one game at a time. it is about being _ taking it one game at a time. it 3 about being realistic where we are. but the wavy are performing, it is impressive and we are really happy with that. we set the bars and objectives in the short term, what we want to improve on what is making us win matches. the we want to improve on what is making us win matches-— us win matches. the other match takes place _ us win matches. the other match takes place at — us win matches. the other match takes place at old _ us win matches. the other match takes place at old trafford i us win matches. the other match takes place at old trafford as i takes place at old trafford as manchester united take on

bournemouth. united have won four out of their last five games and the boss says he will need the whole squad during the busy schedule. brute squad during the busy schedule. - have a good team with the players when all are available. many games coming up, you need one who can have an impact, otherwise you are just burning money. an impact, otherwise you are 'ust burning moneyi an impact, otherwise you are 'ust burning money. chelsea are in talks with ltrenfica — burning money. chelsea are in talks with benfica about _ burning money. chelsea are in talks with benfica about signing - burning money. chelsea are in talks| with benfica about signing argentina midfielder, enzo fernandez. the 21—year—old helped his country win the world cup last year and was named the young player of the tournament. he onlyjoined the portuguese side in august with a release clause in his contract of £106 million. if chelsea pay that he will become the club's record signing. in snooker, the 2021 uk champion shouting tongue is one of too much chinese players who have been suspended by the sport's world

governing body as part of its ongoing investigation into max fixing. the 25 year old — xintong and his compatriot zhang jiankang bring the total to 10 chinese players who have been suspended by snookers governing body. in a statement the wpbsa says any potential charges will be considered at the end of the investigation. both zhao and zhang have the right to appeal against the decision. andy murray has started the 2023 tennis season with a disappointing defeat in the first round at the adelaide international. the 35—year—old lost 7—6, 6—3 to seb korda from the us who is ranked 33rd in the world injust under two hours. kyle edmund was also knocked out in the first round 6—3, 6—2 by the italian sixth seed jannick sinner. meanwhile novak djokovic started with a straight sets win. the former world number one will be chasing a record equalling 22nd grand slam later this month at the australian open. that's all the sport for now.

you can find more on all those stories on the bbc sport website. american football star damar hamlin is in a critical condition after suffering a cardiac arrest during a primetime nfl game. the buffalo bills player fell to the ground after colliding with an opponent during the first quarter of a match against the cincinnati bengals. he received on—field medical attention for more than 30 minutes — before being taken to a local hospital. 0ur chicago based, national digital reporter, michael wendling, gave us more on this. this was one of the big sporting matches of the holiday season. between two of the top national football league teams. it was in the coveted monday night slot on national television. a lot of people

were sitting down post—new year to watch this game. for this to happen and for the game to be suspended... and called off last night is kind of unprecedented. it is a very rare occurrence when it comes to this sport of football. people will remember that in the euros, a similar collapse, christian eriksen, the danish star collapsed. the game was delayed and later restarted. that didn't happen in this case. we still don't know if the rest of the game will be played. but the whole audience and the home and in the stadium were very shocked, the mood was very solemn and people were hoping and praying for the best and fearing the worst. a bbc investigation has raised questions about how the uk deals with children who are involved in extremism. it found that evidence showing

the grooming and sexual exploitation of a schoolgirl was handed to m15 months before she was charged with terror offences. the case against rhianan rudd was later dropped after the home office concluded she was a victim of exploitation. she took her own life in a children's home last year. daniel de simone reports. rhianan rudd was the youngest british girl ever prosecuted as a terrorist, but charges were dropped after the government found she was a victim of exploitation. she was just a lovely girl. she wasn't horrible in any way. this is her mother's first interview. she was just a little bit different. age 14, rhianan became absorbed by right—wing extremism. neo—nazi christopher cook, from his home in the us, was grooming and sexually exploiting her over the internet. we found cook was also in contact with a former partner

of rihanna's mother, an american who'd previously been in a white—supremacist gang in the us. i was checking on her computer, cos she was spending a lot of time up there. rhianan's mother says she became concerned and contacted the government deradicalisation scheme, prevent. she came down and she went, "mum, i've downloaded a pdf," and i was like, "0k, what of?" and she went, "how to build a bomb." and i went, "what?" and i went, "you can't do that, rhi." rhiannon was barely involved in prevent, because within weeks she was arrested. she told police about being exploited while on bail. she self—harmed and was put in care. while on bail she self—harmed and was put in care. she was then charged with terror offences for allegedly possessing weapon making guides. at that stage, defence lawyers became involved and wanted rhianan referred to a specialist government unit here in the home office which considers whether people are victims of trafficking

and exploitation under modern slavery laws. the government eventually concluded she was a victim of exploitation. the prosecution was abandoned. they should have seen her as a victim rather than a terrorist. you know, she's a child, an autistic child. she should have been treated as a child that had been groomed and sexually exploited. we found the authorities had been passed evidence of what had been happening. an fbi investigation into cook had seized images and messages showing rhianan being exploited. the fbi gave it to the security service, m15, months before rhianan was charged. rhianan took her own life last year in the private children's home where she was placed. i called, and i spoke to the manager, and i said, "there's something wrong, please watch her." "she's going to do something." next thing i know, i've got three police officers standing in my living room telling me that my daughter died by hanging.

counter—terror investigations involving children are complex. a child can be a victim of exploitation and a threat to others. the lawyer in charge of reviewing terror laws thinks changes are needed in the approach to some children. you could almost have an injunction, as happens with antisocial behaviour, which would, for example, it would limit your mobile phone use. it might require you to have monitoring software, and that could be done really quickly and keep them out of the criminal justice system altogether. there will be an inquest into rhianan's death. that's my baby girl in there. the organisations we approached with our findings said they can't comment until the inquest has concluded. daniel de simone, bbc news. and you can watch the full investigation on bbc iplayer now — it's called �*groomed, radicalised, gone'. a man has appeared in court charged

with the murder of a missing woman from south—east london. 24—year—old maureen gitau hasn't been seen since she left her home in deptford on the 5th of december. police say her body has not been found. 54—year—old mark moodie will appear at the old bailey on thursday. the government is preparing to formally declare that iran's revolutionary guards corps — or irgc — is a terrorist organisation. that would mean it would become a criminal office to belong to the group or support its activities. however, the bbc�*s been told the announcement is "not imminent" and many details are still to be worked out. 0ur diplomatic correspondent james landale explained the background. they were one of the most powerful paramilitary groups the middle east. set up over 40 years to specifically defend iran's islamic revolution after they overthrew the shah and since then they have huge

power notjust in iran but across the middle east. they have military power, political power, economic power. they run huge swathes of the country's economy and have huge influence in countries around the middle east where basic port paramilitary and other groups many within the british in the west do not support in any shape or form. the british have long opposed a lot of what's on the irgc as they are known by the acronym do, recently because they've been doing to try and quell the anti—government protests in iran the government has imposed sanctions on this body. now there is an expectation the british government is going to go even further and formally declare it a terrorist organisation. that might be obvious for some but it is a technical, legal process when governments do it and it means that what

the government could do then is make it a formal criminal offence for anybody to be a member of this, to support this group, and so for example of a british company find it supporting, i don't know, and iranian cement company that does business in the irgc, that would no longer be able to happen. israel's new far—right security minister has visited the compound injerusalem that houses the al—aqsa mosque — a site sacred to both muslims and jews. itamar ben—gvir was seen touring the area with heavy security. the site is currently only open to muslim worship. mr ben—gvir has long called forjews to be allowed to pray there too. the palestinian authority has condemned the visit, calling it an unprecedented provocation. for more let's hear from tom bateman, our middle east correspondent. well, itamar ben—gvir visited the site first thing this morning, he walked around and strolled for about 15 minutes or so, no indication that he prayed

at the the site, and no indication that he directly approached al—asqa mosque, and then he left. now, eyewitnesses said that palestinians were barred from the site while this took place. one said that people felt frightened, they saw it as a direct challenge to their muslim identity. but the key point here is that mr ben—gvir is a far—right agitator who has, in the last week, become israel's minister of national security. that means he controls the police in israel, he controls militarised border police that control that part of eastjerusalem and where these very sensitive holy sites are. it's not the first time he's visited, but it is the first time he has done so as national security minister. he has long said he wanted to change the very fragile and sensitive status—quo arrangements around worship atjerusalem's holy sites, and particularly that site known to muslims as haram al—sharif, tojews as temple mount. and so this is being seen notjust by palestinians but by the wider

arab and muslim world as a very severe provocation. there has been condemnation this afternoon from saudi arabia, from the united arab emirates, as well as the palestinian foreign ministry. israel has said it won't change the status quo of agreements, that was in the government's founding principles, but already israel's staunch ally, the americans, have said that any change to the status quo they would see as unacceptable. tom bateman, there. the first migrants of the new year to cross the channel in small boats have arrived in the uk. 44 migrants were brought to shore by the border force. the french authorities returned another 80 people to calais after two boats got into difficulty in the channel. last year, a record 45,756 people made the journey. travellers who test positive for covid after arriving in the uk from china will not be forced to quarantine. at the moment, passengers must show a negative test before they board a flight

to the uk from china. this can be taken up to 48 hours before departure. passengers can then take an optional test when they arrive. the government said the decision to test those coming into the country on flights from china was about "collecting information" for surveillance. an ancient egyptian sarcophagus which dates back more than 2000 years has been returned to cairo. we had been on display at a museum in texas and it is one of thousand of items recovered by the egyptians. ancient, mysterious and now, finally back home. the green coffin predates christ, a brightly painted wooden sarcophagus. it is from the

country's late dynamic period which is from the fourth century bc. it is a source of cultural and natural pride. translation: . ., pride. translation: , translation: recovering this sarcophagus— translation: recovering this sarcophagus and _ translation: recovering this sarcophagus and bringing i translation: recovering this sarcophagus and bringing it i translation: recovering this i sarcophagus and bringing it back to the country is a new step in the success of the foreign ministry to protect dj's national heritage. it is a reflection of the spirit of cooperation between egypt and the united states. the cooperation between egypt and the united states.— united states. the green coffin has been on quite _ united states. the green coffin has been on quite a _ united states. the green coffin has been on quite a journey. _ united states. the green coffin has been on quite a journey. it - united states. the green coffin has been on quite a journey. it was i been on quite a journey. it was looted from the necropolis north of cairo in 2008. smuggled by a global trafficking network, its first destination was germany. then it was taken to the us. the collector loaning it to a museum in houston in 2013. all those air miles have taken quite a toll. translation: b, quite a toll. translation: �* , quiteatoll. translation: �* , ., translation: a big part of the sarcophagus _ translation: a big part of the sarcophagus unfortunately i translation: a big part of the sarcophagus unfortunately is . translation: a big part of the sarcophagus unfortunately is in| translation: a big part of the . sarcophagus unfortunately is in bad shape as a result of being smuggled

illegally. we plan to take it to the egyptian museum to conduct first—aid, some meticulous restoration. first-aid, some meticulous restoration.— first-aid, some meticulous restoration. , ., ;;:: 11:11: restoration. this is one of 30,000 artefacts recovered _ restoration. this is one of 30,000 artefacts recovered over _ restoration. this is one of 30,000 artefacts recovered over the - restoration. this is one of 30,000 artefacts recovered over the last l artefacts recovered over the last ten years and they are believed to be many more still out there. the green coffin is back home but the hunt for egypt's's stolen treasure goes on. during the pandemic the charity guide dogs had to put its breeding programme on hold. it led to a shortage of volunteers to train puppies. well now the charity wants to recruit more people to ensure that those who need a guide dog can be matched with one. average waiting times for a new dog are 15 months. our correspondent sean dilley has been told he'll have to wait two years for his own guide dog — and sean has this report. are you my little star? meet archie... ..and his puppy raiser, lisa. archie? touch!

they're learning what makes a good guide dog. good boy. so the reason that we use hand touch is so when archie is placed with a visually impaired person, obviously they can't see when he's running back, when he's coming. so they can pop out this hand as a target. and archie's getting his head around some things he may need to quit if he's to win a working harness. he'll have to learn what this is for. lisa's is one of more than 2000 households giving their time for free to help raise guide dog puppies for around a year. it's opened up a whole new world. i've made lots of new friends, ifeel part of a community that i wasn't before. not only that, obviously you're doing something very good at the end of the day. it's all around really rewarding. soon we'll follow lisa as she hands herfirst puppy, fergall, into guide dogs for his advanced training. what are the emotions that are going through your head today? if i'm honest, i'd say proud. i think that's my biggest one. so proud of what i've done.

really proud of him! lisa hopes that both of her dogs will give somebody their independence. i honestly think they are doing their absolute best. like me, kelly is waiting to train with a new guide dog. that means getting out is a lot harder. walking with a cane is like walking with one hand tied behind your back. it is really, really difficult. kelly's second dog, river, retired lastjuly. she's waiting for the right match. this doesn't only affect her, but her is—month—old daughter. i'm the one who can't take her out when i want to, i have to say. "well, let's wait for daddy", or, "let's wait till we go see nana and granddad". i can do everything else she needs, and i'm her mummy and i love her, and i'm the one that's there when she has her nightmares and i play with her. it doesn't impact on our relationship, but i think it impacts on how i feel about the job i'm doing as a mum.

watch the tree. so why do guide dog users like me and kelly find ourselves in between dogs? the answer lies here at the charity's national breeding centre. good girl! bill's been explaining to me that the waiting lists are currently a bit longer than guide dogs would like them to be for life—changing guide dogs. purely for research purposes, you understand, i might have to stroke puppies like bill and many, many other puppies. is this the bestjob in the world, or what?! guide dogs is the largest breeder of assistance animals in the world. before the pandemic, they bred as many as 1500 dogs in a year. but during that time they stopped for five months and lost a third of their puppy raisers. so, that is our puppy reception. the breeding programme is recovering, but guide dog says what it needs now is more people. guide dogs could not do what we do without our volunteers. so we are, at the moment, looking very heavily to recruit

lots of volunteers. and we've been very lucky that a lot of people have been so generous with their time. and we are in recovery mode and we are hopeful for the future. but we do need a little bit of patience for a little bit longer, as these dogs make their way through the system. as you said, these little puppies here, that we saw today, it will take about two years for them to make partnership. paige? hi, pup! are you a puppy? yes, you are! this may seem odd and a little dramatic. big eyes and floppy ears. but it's one way social skills are assessed. you're such a good puppy! sniff it. and these are some of the problem solving skills paige will need if she's to make it as a guide dog. at around seven weeks old, these pups will be dropped off to their puppy raising families. for lisa's first pup, fergall, it's the end of one journey, but the start of another. i've got all this. i'm packing the three toys up from home. his biscuits that i always give him

— half a biscuit at bedtime. this, i've had it made and had his name put on it and his id number. the day has come for fergal to start his advanced training. that means lisa must say a painful goodbye. i want him as upset as little as possible. they're his toys. there you go, you get a big boy lead now. bye—bye, sweetheart. many guide dog users stay in touch with their puppy raisers. but many do not. thanks a lot. i'll ring you tomorrow. lisa knows this could be the last time she sees fergal. yeah, i'm fine. it's hard, but you've got to remember why you're doing it. guide dogs say they need more volunteers like lisa to help cut waiting times. people like us are needed so much

to help people like you. the tears are worth it. now it's time for a look at the weather with darren. hello again. we should get to see some sunshine tomorrow with the added bonus that it's going to be very mild still. now, today we've had stronger south—westerly winds pushing in all this cloud from the atlantic that's been bringing the rain from time to time. still got some heavier rain for a while across the hills of wales and also in scotland. that wetter weather around this evening and into the first part of the night. the worst of the rain pushed away by those stronger winds by the end of the night with more broken cloud following on behind. very mild, mind you. temperatures remaining in double figures for large parts of the country. a bit colder in northern scotland where we've still got some rain to clear away from the north

east of scotland. the rain soon moves away from the south east of england and then we get to see some sunshine. there will be a few showers around — most of the showers streaming into northern ireland, pushing into southern scotland and affecting northern parts of england. and in the southwest in the afternoon, the cloud could thicken to give a little rain here. quite windy once again for england and wales. very gusty winds actually over and to the east of the pennines. but it's still very mild, when you consider that average maximum temperatures at this time of the year are around six or seven degrees. we could reach iii degrees in southeastern parts of the uk. it'll be quite windy though i think for many areas on wednesday. the winds will ease down a bit overnight but then if we look out in the atlantic, another area of low pressure is winding itself up to bring some wet and windy weather. for many places, though, may well start dry with some sunshine for eastern areas on thursday. clouding over from the west, a few showers, though, ahead of the main rain band. and in the northwest, the winds picking up to gale force later on in the day. vut it's still very mild on thursday, temperatures actually but it's still very mild on thursday, temperatures actually

reaching ten degrees in the central belt of scotland and 13 in south wales and southern parts of england. but it will get windy, actually, overnight. after dark, around that deep area of low pressure, we could find some very strong winds coming into scotland in particular, gusts 60, maybe 70 miles an hour. as that low pressure then tends to move away, we take away the worst the winds from northern scotland on friday morning. still some showers here for a while. otherwise, some sunshine to start the day and a lot of dry weather, too, before western areas again tend to cloud over more and we start to see a little bit of rain arriving here and there. but a drier day, perhaps a little bit cooler as well on friday with temperatures typically eight or nine degrees.

today at six — downing street says it's providing the nhs with the funding it needs, despite what it calls the unprecedented challenge facing the health service. the scene outside one hospital this new year — ii ambulances containing patients waiting to be seen — one woman described her ordeal. i've had 13 hours wait in an ambulance outside of a&e because there was no capacity in the a&e and another 12 hours in the side room of a&e since then. putting in more funding, we've got more staff — over 34,000 more staff working in the nhs, there are more nurses, more doctors we've got an extra

7,500 going into social care. we'll be looking at the severe strain on the nhs —