this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. russia claims its forces have captured the ukrainian town of soledar , but kyiv insists �*severe�* fighting is still ongoing. a gas pipeline connecting lithuania and latvia has been hit by an explosion. the country's gas operator says it's launched an investigation. footballer benjamin mendy is found not guilty of six counts of rape and one of sexual assault. but he faces a retrial on two other counts on which the jury failed to reach a verdict also in the programme. how the world cup may have given a much—needed boost to the uk's economy.

hello welcome to the programme. russia says its forces have completed the capture of soledar , a salt—mining town in eastern ukraine that's been the focus of intense fighting. these are the latest aerial shots of the town. as you can see, it has been completely flattened from the relentless pounding by russian forces. after six months of russian military setbacks — it would be the first ukrainan town to be captured sincejuly. but ukraine's military denies that soledar has fallen and says that the fighting is still going on. the defence ministry in moscow said the capture of soledar would allow russian troops to cut off ukrainian forces in bakhmut, which they have been attacking for months. russia could also launch an assault on the key city of kramatorsk. here's our correspondent in kyiv — james waterhouse — on the significance of capturing

soledar to russia. after three days of contradictions, frankly, it seems russia has finally settled on the claim of having taken the region soldear, finally. it is described as an important step in it's, until now, faltering campaign. the step we are talking about has almost been reduced to rubble. this is a small salt—mining town, with barely any buildings left standing. there is more at play here. the military gains for russia are still up for question. but the kremlin has had very little to cheer about for the last six months. the last time it took any key locations was injuly, around the cities of lysychansk in sievierodonetsk. i remember, but what is interesting is what followed. ultimately, russia would take those cities, but ukraine would launch sizeable counter offensives in the northeast and south. i think kyiv will be hoping this happens again.

the language coming out of here at the moment is talking about making big decisions in the coming days, and how hypothetically it wouldn't be a big defeat. so, we may well see a tactical withdrawal, and ultimately, if soldear does fall, it's not a given that russian forces would keep pushing, and i don't think it will have a sizeable influence on the outcome of this war. i was joined from kharkiv by ukrainian security analyst maria avdeeva. i asked her what ukrainian sources are saying about the situation in soledar... the situation in that soledar is very tough, difficult, but according to the latest from the general staff of ukraine, ukraine still has control over the town. the town with the population 10,000, pre—war, now barely 500 people are living, it is completely flattened because russia is day after day taking this

small town, and for what? just to get at least some success on the battlefield to show something to the population in russia because after humiliating defeats in the south of ukraine, russia is trying to show something to the conscripts. to those untrained russian soldiers whom russia is sending in thousands to die here in ukraine and to show them to at least some achievements. they need this victory and that is why they are trying so hard to get this small town, and this is in fact to my points, showing how weak the russian army is, because after conscripting 300,000 soldiers, they are trying to push very hard to get this small town and still are not able to show any success.

if, as you are saying they are, the capture of soledar would be more symbolic than strategic for russia, and if it is going to put a lot of effort, how do you think ukrainian forces might respond? is it likely that they will throw everything added to try to hold on to soledar, or do you think they may not pursue it so relentlessly as russia is doing? well, for what we now know is that the situation there is still unclear because the ukrainian general staff is very clear that we are in full control of the town. still, they always ask everyone to keep silent because the only people who know the situation on the ground are ukrainian military, who are now in the front lines in this extreme cold on the front lines. what russia is clearly trying to do from the beginning of this invasion in february is to get

control over the cities, because still, the territories to these regions are not controlled by russia. at the beginning of the invasion and russia is still trying to get at least something. a gas pipeline connecting lithuania and latvia has been hit by an explosion. the transmission company, amber grid, is reported as saying that the blast was in the north of lithuania, and was still being looked at. footage shown on the lithuanian state broadcaster appears to show a fire breaking out in the area — residents of a nearby village are preparing to evacuate. the blast follows multiple explosions last september, which damaged two pipelines carrying gas from russia. earlier i spoke to nemunas biknius, ceo of amber grid who is at the scene of the explosion.

he told me more about the latest situation there. the fire broke up in one of two pipelines in the northern parts of lithuania. that is around 150 km away from the capital city. and this pipeline is connecting lithuania and latvia. as we know, at the moment, there are no injuries, or no significant damages for the surrounding buildings. at the moment, the gas supplies towards latvia, they are restored via the pipeline. also, the consumers of natural gas in lithuania will not be affected. that is what we know at the moment. and, there was an explosion in one of the pipelines.

0k, is there a possibility that this could affect supplies to people, given that we are in the middle of winter in northern europe? how many people could potentially be effective is this gas pipeline is damage for a certain amount of time? at the moment, we are working that our clients will not be affected by this explosion, because we have pipelines. also, we have several inlet points towards lithuania, so we might use gas from different terminals. the manchester city footballer — benjamin mendy — has been found not guilty of six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, after a six month trial at chester crown court. jurors failed to reach verdicts on two other charges, meaning he will now face a re—trial later this year. another man was also found not guilty of three counts of rape relating to two teenagers. 0ur north of england correspondent,

danny savage, reports. he was the millionaire footballer who had the world at his feet. but what now for benjamin mendy? cleared of the majority of charges against him, but facing a retrial on two others a jury couldn't decide upon. so, come to the darkness. mendy lived here, a mansion in a prosperous cheshire village — where the court heard he ignored lockdown rules and had parties. his trial heard he told one woman it would be her privilege to sleep with him. he would meet them in restaurants and nightclubs, arguably charmed them with his strong french accent and bring them back here. a country house, where the prosecution claimed some women felt vulnerable, scared and isolated. but a jury concluded that he wasn't guilty of six alleged rapes said to have happened here. and here is like the cinema place.

this is mendy giving a guided tour of his gilded life. in court he gave evidence in his defence, insisting he hadn't forced anyone to do anything. mendy was a member of a world cup winning squad and won the premier league with manchester city. despite being cleared of many charges, it's hard to see him resurrecting his career any time soon. one of the interesting things that came out at the trial was his own defence lawyer saying effectively his career in football in this country is over. and that was a recognition that in terms of the behaviour that came out in the trial and the way that he, by his own admission, treated women, it makes it very, very difficult to employ him. benjamin mendy�*s solicitor today said the player is delighted at being unanimously acquitted of eight out of ten charges he faced and that he looks forward to clearing his name in relation to the other two charges, so he can start rebuilding his life.

the uk economy unexpectedly grew in november by 0.1%, helped by demand for services in the tech sector, and in spite of households being squeezed by rising prices. the office for national statistics said people boosted growth by going out to pubs and bars to watch the world cup. michael kill, who's the chief executive of the nightime industries association, say there's no doubt that the world cup provided an uplift for the uk economy. well, the figures highlighted today that pubs, bars and venues have benefited in november from the world cup. experiencing 38% to 40% increase in trade on match days. restaurants did not fare as well. they had a more challenging trading period where it matches were being shown. the operating costs still remain high and, more importantly, independent businesses are extremely vulnerable with the loss, and challenging festive trading period.

over 50% have not built up a cash reserve to last through the early part of this year. so, when we look at the situation they're in now. how precarious is it? how much more sure—footed are they going into the next financialyear, given that the government has set out ways in the uk that it will help businesses with energy costs beyond april? the energy relief scheme that was highlighted by government will not have a great impact on our sector as a whole, with the thresholds that were set out in the current state of play. the issue is that we have had immediate challenges regarding energy costs because we are seen about 300% increase on bills. the challenge is still very clear ahead of us. costs are still about 40% up on previous years, and we are also given the impact of inflation due to customers having less income. the festive period,

and the disruption in transport will impact the gdp figures that will come out for december. how crucial do you think the night—time economy is, which you represent, in terms of its contribution to the uk economic growth? we have a huge part to play in economic growth and recovery in the uk. we also need financial headroom and environment to play our part. it is challenging at the moment but we are keen to drive forward. the innovation and resilience in our sector is strong but we need help from government to allow us to be able to trade and encourage economic growth across the uk. stay with us on bbc news, still to come... biting a ruling that people are not

allowed to camp in dartmoor park. day one of operation desert storm to force the iraqis out of kuwait has seen the most intense air attacks since the second world war. tobacco is america's oldest industry, and it's one of its biggest. but the industry is nervous of this report. this may tend to make people want to stop smoking cigarettes. there is not a street that is unaffected. l huge parts of kobe were simply demolished as buildings- crashed into one another. this woman said she had been given no help and no - advice by the authorities. she stood outside the ruins of her business. j tens of thousands of black children in south africa have taken advantage of laws passed by the country's new multiracial government and enrolled at formerly white schools. tonight sees the 9,610th performance of her long running play, the mousetrap. when they heard of her death today, the management considered whether to cancel tonight's performance, but agatha christie would have been the last person to want such a thing.

russia claims its forces have captured the ukrainian town of soledar but kyiv insists severe fighting is still ongoing. and a gas pipeline connecting lithuania and latvia has been hit by an explosion. the country's gas operator says it's launched an investigation. more than 30 tornados have struck the southern united states killing at least seven people in alabama and georgia. powerful winds blew the roof off this hospital in the town of moulton. officials are searching for bodies in ruined buildings and the full extent of the damage is being assessed. states of emergency have been declared in alabama and georgia. this is the damage in the town of selma, the historic downtown area is in ruins after a large tornado

cut a path across it. residents there are under curfew. tom hanks and john travolta are among the celebrities who've paid tribute to lisa marie presley, the only child of elvis presley, who's died at the age of 5a. she was taken to hospital in los angeles after reportedly suffering a heart attack. colin paterson looks back at her life, there is some flash photography in colin's report. lisa marie presley on the red carpet at the golden globes on tuesday evening, two days before she died. that night, austin butler won a best actor globe for playing her father elvis in baz luhrmann�*s biopic. the film deals with the tragic end to elvis�*s life. now, there is yet another terrible chapter to the family saga. on thursday, lisa marie presley was found unresponsive at her home in calabasas, california, and rushed to hospital. the us media say that she had

had a cardiac arrest. this comes just three years after her son ben keough took his own life after having spoken about the pressures of being a presley. she was elvis presley's only child, born exactly nine months to the day after his wedding to priscilla. lisa marie was nine when elvis died, making her thejoint heir to his estate, inheriting the lot at 25. there were four marriages. 20 days after the first ended, she wed michaeljackson, uniting two of the most famous names in music. even appearing in his video for you are not alone. they were together for little more than a year. her marriage to oscar—winning actor nicolas cage was even shorter — 108 days. in 2003, lisa marie presley launched her own music career, making the uk top 20 with lights out. # i was crying every

time i'd leave you #. a big music lover, you know. had a huge impact on me my whole life, so i didn't do it to become a pop, you know, whatever. it's not a pop record. but ijust sort of needed to do my own thing. she also recorded a number of duets, combining her vocals with the original takes by her late father. tom hanks, who stars in the elvis film, was one of the first to pay tribute, describing himself as "absolutely broken." while nicolas cage said, "lisa had the greatest laugh of anyone i ever met." fans have begun to turn up at graceland to pay tribute. once again, a presley is being mourned. lisa marie presley, who's died aged 5a.

there are not many places left in the uk where you can pitch a tent anywhere for some wild camping. until today, in england and wales it was possible only on one small pocket of land — dartmoor in devon. and now it's been banned there too asjenny kumah reports. chanting: dartmoor! our moor! _ campaigners protesting last month to any new restrictions on dartmoor. for decades, people have enjoyed and assumed right to sleep under the stars on designated areas of the commons. today's ruling has left many disappointed. it's helped people with depression and anxiety and to get over a trauma. it's enabled people who live in inner cities to come out and experience the wild for the first time in their lives. and overnight, that has been stripped from all of us. wild camping is about carrying everything you need in your backpack, using a small tent and taking your rubbish with you.

but there have been problems when people haven't followed the rules. there have been incidents where litter, human waste has been left behind. these are already against laws, they are against the littering lies, they are against the laws that have governed how wild camping is able to take place on dartmoor. the vast majority of people who enjoy and take part in doing wild camping every year leave absolutely no trace, you would never know that they have been here. this couple who own a 4,000 acre estate took their case to court, claiming some campers caused problems to livestock and the environment. today, thejudge ruled that a law regulating access to more land does not provide a right to wild camp. but it's been a historic custom for decades, leaving many concerned about the future of events like this one. the park authorities say they are working to find a way forward. we are bitterly disappointed

with thejudgements. we are really keen to work with landowners to try to make sure that the ability of people to wild camp on dartmoor is sustained going forward, and we are also considering whether there are any grounds to appeal the judgment, because we think it has wider implications. in a statement, landowners said... "we are grateful to the high court for clarifying the matter. working together with the park authority, we can improve conservation and improve the experience for those enjoying the commons legitimately. while there is a right to wild camp across scotland, the last pocket of england and wales where this right was thought to exist has just disappeared. jenny kumah, bbc news, dartmoor. assure who is in favour of allowing camping in the national park. what do you make of the ruling then? it is very disappointing. it is

upsetting. as a single stroke, one individual or a small group of individuals, has whipped out from under tens of thousands of people a wonderful experience that as your previous experience men should helps with mental health. and is a wonderful thing to do for anyone who loves the outdoors. this wonderful thing to do for anyone who loves the outdoors.— loves the outdoors. this doesn't sto loves the outdoors. this doesn't step peeple _ loves the outdoors. this doesn't stop people walking _ loves the outdoors. this doesn't stop people walking on - loves the outdoors. this doesn'tl stop people walking on dartmoor loves the outdoors. this doesn't - stop people walking on dartmoor or spending all day there if they wish. it simply stops them from camping overnight, doesn't it? that it simply stops them from camping overnight, doesn't it?— overnight, doesn't it? that is what he does. overnight, doesn't it? that is what he does- you _ overnight, doesn't it? that is what he does. you are _ overnight, doesn't it? that is what he does. you are quite _ overnight, doesn't it? that is what he does. you are quite right. - he does. you are quite right. however, there is something specific about the experience of camping especially while camping. it is not like being on a campsite. you are away from everything is and the hyper— connected world where everyone is connected. you're able to go to it a part of the uk that is still dark and unconnected and feels

wild and free even though it is still relatively safe by being there hospitals and rose postop aces, like your correspondent said, the last place it was presumed legal to do and know that final presumption is gone. what you have is an assault on peoples access to green spaces in the uk. it's a real shame. people can still do those things and should but this one particular thing, with a particular set of evidence, and a huge following which has been taken away from the many by the few. the fact that dartmoor was the only area in england and wales where it was possible for people to goal while camping sub was is not an anomaly which is now been brought into line with all other national parks and open spaces in england and wales? it open spaces in england and wales? ht was an anomaly but a wonderful anomaly. it went to the heart of what made dartmoor special. so, yes,

a bit of an anomaly but it was betterfor a bit of an anomaly but it was better for the national park and people neared it was still possible. we live in a patient it was still wild and free that you could wild camp. it was a lie spacing england and outside of scotland the last place in the uk. it is and outside of scotland the last place in the uk.— and outside of scotland the last place in the uk. it is thought there would be at _ place in the uk. it is thought there would be at least _ place in the uk. it is thought there would be at least one _ place in the uk. it is thought there would be at least one challenge, l would be at least one challenge, possibly multiple challenges, to this ruling. will you be involved in that in any way? i this ruling. will you be involved in that in any way?— this ruling. will you be involved in that in any way? i very much hope so. first that in any way? i very much hope s0- first and _ that in any way? i very much hope so. first and foremost, _ that in any way? i very much hope so. first and foremost, we - that in any way? i very much hope so. first and foremost, we call - that in any way? i very much hope | so. first and foremost, we call him the courage of the national park authority to pick up an appeal and get thisjudgment authority to pick up an appeal and get this judgment overturned. that must be the first route, because they are the authorities. but yes, there are many interesting parties and strong feelings and wherever we can help we will help. we are 100% about healing and backing while camping. about healing and backing while camina. �* ., about healing and backing while camina.�* . . ., , camping. and if the legal challenges don't work do _ camping. and if the legal challenges don't work do you _ camping. and if the legal challenges don't work do you think _ camping. and if the legal challenges don't work do you think there - camping. and if the legal challenges don't work do you think there could l don't work do you think there could be an equivalent of the mass rumble

as we saw on canned or scout way back when? fir as we saw on canned or scout way back when?— as we saw on canned or scout way back when? or will he not come to that? well, _ back when? or will he not come to that? well, i— back when? or will he not come to that? well, | can't— back when? or will he not come to that? well, i can't speak _ back when? or will he not come to that? well, i can't speak for - that? well, i can't speakfor everyone, there are many thousands of people who have strong feelings. i am sure there are people considering things of that nature. it is the interesting incident to bring up because it was a seminal moment which brought benefits for people to enjoy to access our green spaces. i can speak for our organisation but i understand they're great strong feelings and many while campers, for who is an important part of of their lives and i would be surprised if were to happen. but i wouldn't make a comment on it. it's a huge shame this is gone because of one or a few people. this is gone because of one or a few --eole. . ~' ,. this is gone because of one or a few --eole. . ~ ,. ., this is gone because of one or a few --eole. ., ~ i., ., ,, .,~ people. thank you for speaking with the stone. look _

people. thank you for speaking with the stone. look up _ people. thank you for speaking with the stone. look up the _ people. thank you for speaking with the stone. look up the kimber- people. thank you for speaking with | the stone. look up the kimber scout member. i don't have time to tell you about that. goodbye. hello again. we've seen a drier, sunnier kind of day today with not as much rain around, but despite the drier weather, well, we've still got cause for concern in terms of flooding. this was a picture from the hills. you can see flooding of low lying fields, i think caused by the river severn. lots of flood warnings in force, and the majority of these are for stretches of the river severn. now, we've got more heavy rain to come overnight and into saturday. it's going to come from this developing area of low pressure that's just moving in at the moment. the rain turns really widespread and heavy across england and wales, where over the hills, we could be looking at another 70 millimetres of rain. this could make the flooding far worse as we head into the first part of saturday morning. and over recent days, we have seen some transport disruption, the floods affecting roads and railways. we might see something similar

heading into saturday morning. now, the good news is the rain does eventually start to clear out of the way with brighter weather following. but still, it could get worse in terms of flooding for some communities. rain tucks into scotland, northern ireland and north west england, with gale force gusts of wind developing here through saturday afternoon. and it will start to turn cooler for many areas, but still mild across east anglia in the south of england, where temperatures will reach 12 celsius. however, the second half of the weekend, colder weather is going to be moving its way in with the air coming down from polar regions, ultimately. there is a big drop in temperatures on the way. now, for sunday, many areas will have a bright day with some sunshine, a weak weather front bringing some thicker cloud, a few splashes of rain across parts of northern england, midlands, wales, northern ireland. showers in northern scotland turning wintry, and here temperatures just around 3—4 celsius. even in the south, it's going to feel quite a bit colder than it has done with highs of 8 celsius. into next week, what we do know quite a bit about the weather, it is going to be colder,

there will be widespread frost with some icy patches, and there will be snow showers that come all the way down to low elevations. but there are still some differences to be worked out between the models. take sunday night, for example, this is one scenario, heavy snow showers for northern scotland, could have some wintry showers across england and wales. however, there are different models that actually produce a deeper area of low pressure sunday night across england and wales, and that could bring a zone of disruptive snow that would be around into monday morning's rush hour. still some uncertainty, but we're watching this very carefully.

this is bbc news, the headlines... russia says its forces have completed the capture of soledar, a town in eastern ukraine that's been the focus of intense fighting. there's been no confirmation from the ukrainian side. a gas pipeline connecting lithuania and latvia has been hit by an explosion. the country's gas operator says it's launched an investigation. ajudge in new york has ordered donald trump's family business to pay a $1.6 million fine after being found guilty last month of tax fraud. the fine was the maximum allowable. at least seven people have been killed in alabama as a storm swept through southern us states. tens of thousands of homes have been left without power in alabama and also in georgia.