it's now due to take place at 103m tomorrow, new york time. the irish government is taking the uk to court over plans to change investigations into the northern ireland conflict and an eight—year—old british schoolgirl makes history winning the european chess championships. let's get the latest on the israel—gaza war. we'll look at the situation on the ground in gaza. israeli strikes in rafah, in the south, close to a hospital. heavy street fighting has also been reported in the nearby city of khan younis. the israeli army says it's carried out strikes against more than 300 targets in the past 2a hours. our special correspondent fergal keane reports. the boy lies on the body of his father.

his father is among the 20,000 reported dead. but the survivors do not think of the dead in figures of thousands. theirs is an intimate reckoning, counted in the vanished faces of those they love. from the beginning, they have known there is no escape. from gaza... ..orfrom grief. in al—aqsa hospital, in central gaza, the wounded child holds to symbols of a vanished normality. in a bed nearby, rama, aged 13, who lost ten

members of herfamily, and fears she will lose her arm and leg. translation: i appeal to the arab countries to help me get urgent - treatment abroad before i lose my limbs. i dream of a life like other children around the world, where i can once again run and draw. fear of death is ever—present. we interviewed this person over a month ago. as she tried to escape gaza with her disabled brother. today, our colleagues in gaza caught up with her and her brother. without vital medicine he is suffering from seizures and is terrified by the as many drones in the skies above. i hear a rocket, that is going to drop, it is horrible to say this,

but sort of it gives us this sort of relief that it is not us. but that does not mean that we're fully safe. it's like we're next. these are the latest funerals in gaza. the dead, part of a casualty announcement that is, with no ceasefire in sight, almost certainly already being surpassed. fergal keane, bbc news. a short while ago, i spoke to the executive director for mercy corps europe, harpinder collacott, i asked her what aid agencies can do right now. until we have a cease there's very little humanitarian aid agencies can actually do legitimately on the ground. we have no access and there are no guarantee that micro safety guarantees at the moment to get supplies in. the need, as you've

just seen in your report, is horrendous. it is so significant, it's very difficult to watch those images without being affected by them. fundamentally right now, we need a cease—fire, we need guarantees, we need a restoration of basic services and we need to reopen the border crossing so we can get the border crossing so we can get the markets working again and supplies in to ensure no more suffering continues in this awful situation. �* ., , ., ., suffering continues in this awful situation. �* ., ., ., , ., situation. and do you have any idea how lona situation. and do you have any idea how long that _ situation. and do you have any idea how long that would _ situation. and do you have any idea how long that would take, - situation. and do you have any idea how long that would take, how- situation. and do you have any idea| how long that would take, how long you would need effectively of a pause in fighting, if that's what's decided upon, to actually get aid to the right people, to set up enough structures and systems to really make a difference?— structures and systems to really make a difference? look, the pause last time was _ make a difference? look, the pause last time was six _ make a difference? look, the pause last time was six days _ make a difference? look, the pause last time was six days - _ make a difference? look, the pause last time was six days - that's - make a difference? look, the pause last time was six days - that'sjust l last time was six days — that's just not good enough, we can't have pauses just to get basic supplies them. fundamentally those only reach them. fundamentally those only reach

the southern tip of gaza because there is still too much fighting in there is still too much fighting in the north infrastructure is severely damaged, the roads are damaged. we can't get supplies in in a short—term pause at all. so it'll be pretty much a tip of an iceberg response that we will be able to get in if there is a short—term humanitarian pause. what we need is sustained, lasting cease—fire that allows humanitarian access and a diplomatic solution to be discussed, and put on the table. this fight, this conflict cannot continue without further loss of life. from our perspective, these people cannot leave, there's no safe place left in gaza for them to go to. every day that this crisis goes on, hundreds of people are dying on a daily basis, and a majority of them are women and children. flan basis, and a majority of them are women and children.— basis, and a majority of them are women and children. can i 'ust asked about the logistics, _ women and children. can i 'ust asked about the logistics, i _ women and children. can ijust asked about the logistics, i suppose, - women and children. can ijust asked about the logistics, i suppose, the i about the logistics, i suppose, the practicalities of an organisation like yours— how his contact being maintained with staff, for example,

and how does anything effective happened when presumably they are facing exactly the same circumstances as everyone else? that's right, there's no difference now between those who need humanitarian assistance and humanitarian assistance and humanitarian workers themselves, because everybody is displaced. all of our staff, we've got about 70 staff in gaza — all of them are currently displaced. we are communicating with them and making contact with them as much as possible, but when telecommunications are down, we are not able to establish contact. any distribution that they are able to provide requires us to have good, solid communication channels to be open so they can make dumb coat deliver that distribution of food products, nonfood items such as shelter, except democrat etc. it requires communication but also healthy staff, as well. what we are hearing at the moment is that buying

food is pretty much impossible, the supermarkets are empty — but not even that, they're living with very little shelter, as well, few blankets between them as the weather gets colder, and most of them are suffering from some form of disease, infections, etc. and this will continue as the winter sets in, we are seeing floods happen, more disease is rife but also starvation is becoming commonplace now too. reminder that un security council vote on that potential resolution around the pause in fighting in gaza is delayed again until tomorrow, 10am new york time. could potentially be a further delay that too. in england, junior doctors have begun another wave of strike action in their long—running dispute about pay. the british medical association says the government has not come up with a credible pay offer to compensate for inflation. the government says it has consistently acted reasonably. 0ur health editor hugh pym has

spent the day at norfolk and norwich university hospital to see how they're coping. at eight o'clock, with the latest bbc news for norfolk, - i'm tim addicott. junior doctors in norfolk- and across the country have just begun three days of strike action... in norwich and every community around england, people were waking up this morning in limbo because their operations or appointments were cancelled. so we have done this before. we are quite good at this now. hospital planning was being put to the test. we have between 50—70 junior doctors absent from the wards. i think gastro is probably most affected. maternity's cesarean- section list will go ahead. we have a consultant doing that. theatre activity is running within the limits of what we have already discussed, with some cancellations. they have cancelled three quarters of their usual planned treatments. but in the emergency department, they have had to ensure urgent care is provided. we have a 15 minute turnover and then we can...

so we can process about 10—12 ambulances an hour. it is always busy. yesterday, we had 24 ambulances arrive in two hours. so on a strike day, if we get that, then it is going to be, yeah, pretty hard, i would say. moving patients safely out of the hospital is their main concern. the work normally done by thejunior doctors, discharging patients, making sure they get home in time, may be delayed. we will clearly be doing everything we can to make sure that can happen but there is a risk that some people will be spending christmas in hospital who otherwise might have been with their families. so i have had to rearrange my whole day because i don't normally spend the whole day on the ward. consultants like martin have been drafted in to help check on patients. which means i have had to cancel the things i would normally be doing so for me that was a colonoscopy list and cancer meetings which have had to be rearranged. not alljunior doctors are on strike. so we have got some support from some of ourjunior staff today, so that is very helpful indeed.

how difficult is it when you don't have juniors to help you on a ward? yeah, we have had previous strike days where we have been completely on our own and that is stressful and difficult because we are doing things we are not used to doing. absolutely devastated, actually. elsewhere in the region, frieda needs reconstructive surgery after a brain tumour was removed. it was cancelled last month and again because of the junior doctors strike. ijust feel, you know, there is so much focus on mental health issues, but they don't realise, you know, i wasjust in bits, just again. ithought, oh, no, please, no. so i'm waiting still. back in norwich, they say the strike makes cutting the backlog more difficult. some staff are putting an awful lot of hours in to try to catch up on this elective programme and we have been making really good progress to bring down those waiting times. and of course, this does put it back. a&e is busy but the message,

even on strike days, is that those who really need emergency care should not stay away. hugh pym, bbc news, norwich. the irish government has decided to take the uk to the european court of human rights. it's all about the uk government's plans to change the way killings from the conflict in northern ireland are investigated. earlier this year, legislation was passed to set up a new commission to take over investigations relating to the troubles. the troubles are a period of conflict in northern ireland that lasted about 30 years, from the late 1960s. they were largely about whether northern ireland should be part of the uk. the irish government and others feel the uk government has shut down access to justice for victims and survivors, because the new commission includes immunity provisions. a little earlier, i spoke to the northen editor at the irish times, freya mcclements, to talk us through why the irish government is doing this. it comes from a deep belief in a conviction that this legislation is wrong, that this, as you say, shuts off

access to justice for victims, and that this is perpetrator—centred — that this will grant a conditional amnesty to perpetrators, but that it will not provide justice, truth, nor the answers that victims seek. and it's worth saying that it's not just the irish government that takes this view. northern ireland's five largest political parties, victims and survivors themselves, and human rights organisations, campaigners in northern ireland, ireland, britain, the labour party in britain, other opposition parties in britain, and also internationally, the united nations and in europe have also taken this view. so it isn't simply the irish government here that has very strong issues and concerns with this legacy legislation, so do many others. and just to quote from one man whose brother was was killed by a plastic bullet fired by a british

soldier in 1982 — i spoke to him for his reaction earlier today and he said, "well, you know, this is a good day for victims, that this action is being taken. but we should never have been here in the in the first place, because what the british government has done is disastrous for victims and survivors." so there's this real strength of feeling widespread, and the advice, the legal advice received by the irish government, by the irish attorney general is that this legacy act, the british legislation, is incompatible with britain's international human rights obligations. they feel that britain hasn't listened to its consituents and it is no choice, therefore, but to take this step. i just want to ask you exactly about that. feel free to to repeat that last little bit, because that's what i wanted to come on to. what is the process that happens now and what are the grounds

effectively for that process? well, the grounds that the irish government is taking this case on, and they emphasise today that they have done this after careful consideration — once the legacy act became law in september, the irish government sought legal action from the attorney general in ireland, and his advice is that this legislation is not compatible with international human rights obligations with the european convention, excuse me, on human rights, to which britain is a signatory, to which ireland is a signatory. and this view has been, as i said, repeated previously or has been emphasised previously by the united nations, by the european commission. so obviously, the irish government has considered this, they have taken the view that they have no choice now — they have done this with regret, but that this legislation has to be challenged in the european court. so the next step is that the papers will be lodged with the court, and then, that process will be followed through. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. bringing you different

stories from across the uk. this is a place that loads of people in our area and beyond have been drawn to in the past. it's meant such a lot to people. i decided i wanted to paint the piece as a night—time scene because that area is very well known for its dark skies, and also the night—time scene was a perfect way to say goodnight to the tree. lucy never planned to do the painting, but she was inundated with requests after the tree was felled. lucy and her team made a pledge — they'd plant a tree for every print sold. but they were amazed by the response. with the money from the prints, lucy is going to buy 1,500 trees. now, she's looking for somewhere to plant them. centre stage would ultimately be the sycamore tree, a replica of it. it's my dream to create this beautiful woodland that's very natural space, a beautiful space for people to come and visit and enjoy. for more stories from across the uk,

head to the bbc news website. you're live with bbc news. poland's new pro—eu coalition government has fired the heads of the country's public broadcasters as it moves to de—politicise the state media. the move comes after a parliamentary resolution was approved on tuesday, calling for "independence, objectivity and pluralism" in poland's state media. the vote prompted dozens of opposition law and justice party mps to occupy the state tv headquarters. law and justice, which was defeated in 0ctober�*s election, politicised state media during its eight years in power. 0ur warsaw correspondent adam easton has the details. the somewhat ironic situation of a government, a law and justice government that's just left office, was widely criticised for undermining and eroding media pluralism and democracy, now protesting saying

they are defending democracy and media pluralism, and opposing the new government's changes to the state media. this is important in poland because the state media — about one third of people here in poland don't have cable, don't have access to private broadcasters, who rely on the state polish tv for their news. so controlling that narrative has been very important, which is why the previous law and justice government really took firm control, packed it with its own journalists and basically transformed the news programmes and the 24—hour news channel into a propaganda machine for the law and justice government. so when the new pro—eu government took office a few weeks ago, it said one of the firstjobs was to depoliticize the state media and make it more pleural,

a more impartial broadcaster, so that is what it's done today with the culture minister sacking the management boards of polish tv, polish radio, the state news agency, and appointing new boards and taking the 24—hour news channel off the air. thanks to adam for that. an eight—year—old girl from london has made chess history after being crowned the best female player at the european chess championships in croatia. she beat an international master more than 30 years older than her, and drew in the final with the two—time romanian champion grandmaster who's 5a. ellie price has been to meet her. santa! hello! this is what most eight—year—olds focus on at this time of year, bodhana is no different. she just had a rather busy weekend. i played a grandmaster on saturday and i managed to draw him. she also managed to become

the female champion at the european blitz chess championship, pitting her skills against the clock and 554 other players, mostly grown—ups. i don't really look at how old they are, ijust play the board, so i don't really mind it. she's also played the board with the prime minister, visiting downing street in the summer when the government announced £1 million of chess funding to increase the number of home—grown grandmasters. that being her ambition, she says it may take her until she is a teenager. the chess community, including this former child prodigy, thinks she is on the path to greatness. it is really quite remarkable. if she only goes on to become the first female to become a grandmaster in the united kingdom, i would be disappointed. i think she will go on and do much more than that. back at her school in north—west london, they're setting up a chess club and the new year.

bodhana, who has been playing for three years — since she was five — is already an inspiration. i think she's one of. the best in the world. she always beats me, l so i want to be like her. she's a european champion and you can learn stuff from a european champion as well. learn new moves? yeah, learn new moves. when she started winning her first tournaments, the interest kind - of swept across the school, so it's played at lunchtime. j some well, others not so well, but she's there as a coach - and a mentor when she can be to help other children. - white plays first, so i will play this. bodhana will face some proper opponents next week, when she plays at the international chess congress in hastings, one of the world's longest running tournaments. checkmate. ellie price, bbc news in northwest london. inflation fell much faster than expected last month —

to its lowest level for more than two years — raising hopes that the bank of england may cut interest rates sooner. but food still remains a lot more expensive than it was two years ago — about 25% up. so what impact will that have on the cost of christmas dinner — with the big day next week? 0ur cost of living correspondent coletta smith has been finding out. two packs of ten, please, yeah. and then change the turkey breast to two kilos. joe's making a last—minute adjustment to his christmas dinner shopping list, with a few extra guests coming over. six adults, two kids. so i'm hoping three meats is enough, and we'll feed them all, yeah. i guess everyone's conscious of the price of everything, aren't they? yeah, i've tried to put it to the side and not think about it, it's one time of the year, isn't it? let's start with the good news, shall we? stuffing and sprouts have actually fallen in price this year, but everything else has gone up. i'll see you soon, bye. the biggest price increases this year have been for carrots, which are up 26.7%. earlier on in the year they did go

up in price and it is down to having to import them from other countries, down to weather and things like that. apple, stuffing, onions. mince pies are next. they're up 25% after big butter price rises. unfortunately, due to the cost of ingredients, et cetera, the company have had to meet that as well, haven't they? so, they have gone up. whereas before people would buy mince pies plus other cakes, now they are just buying the mince pies. and that lovely gravy is up 17.6% this year. while most products have increased in price, the cost of turkey has only gone up by i.2%. bird flu caused big problems last year, but there's plenty of turkeys now. this year's turkey glut is a bit of a relief for fans of the traditional christmas dinner, like me, because of course, turkey makes up the most expensive part of the plate. so, a smaller price rise for turkeys this year has taken some of the heat

out of the overall price increase. whatever the cost, for those settling down to a slap—up festive dinner in the days ahead, the focus will be on enjoying it. coletta smith, bbc news, in chester. a rimmel london advert has been banned for "playing on young girls' insecurities". coty uk, which trades as rimmel london, admitted the ad was part of its "back to school" campaign but denied it communicated a need to wear make—up. emily brown reports. rimmel is a british multinational cosmetics brand, now owned by parent company coty. but the globally recognised brand has had this advert banned. it's being described as playing on young girls insecurities. in the advert, it stars lana jenkins, a love island star, who says, "get ready to slay this back—to—school season." but the advertising standards authority has said that it...

it said we considered the ad had the effect... but coty uk admitted... it said the wording was intended to motivate and build confidence. two people had complained that the ad was irresponsible and the asa ruled that the ad must not be shown again. coty uk has been approached for further comment. beavers have returned to the cairngorms 400 years after the species were driven to extinction in scotland. over the next five years, 15 families could be released in the national park. some landowners have raised concerns about damage the animals could do to farm and wood land. the four beavers were released on monday.

residents in scotland were amazed by a rare sight in the sky on tuesday evening. the shimmering colours of nacreous cloud were spotted — one of the highest clouds in our atmosphere. often referred to as "mother—of—pearl", nacreous cloud form in very cold conditions over polar regions and within the stratosphere, around 12—19 miles high, far above our normal clouds. that's about it from me, christian is up next. for the moment, i'm lewis vaughanjones, this is bbc news. bye—bye. hello again. we're still in for some windy weather all the way into the run—up to christmas day itself. but maybe the strongest of the winds will be happening overnight tonight and continuing into thursday —

and this is where we've got the greatest risk of some travel disruption. now, the winds have been picking up today and managing to punch a few holes in the cloud. but if i show you the satellite picture — you can see the extent of the cloud that's streaming in from the atlantic — and is continuing to bring some rain and drizzle mainly to western hills and coast. those strengthening westerly winds are drawing in mild air, mind you, around the top of that area of high pressure. but it's that deep low that's moving away from iceland that'll track to the north of scotland, and then, into scandinavia that will really strengthen the winds around it — and that's been named storm pia by the danish weather service. so overnight tonight, the winds continuing to strengthen. it'll be a noisy night, particularly in this heavy rain in scotland — that will move down into northern england and northern ireland. replaced by squally showers, slight change in the wind direction, the air gets a bit colder in scotland. but elsewhere, those temperatures not changing very much from what we've seen during the afternoon. but it will be a windy day

everywhere on thursday, the strongest of the winds further north. we could see higher gusts over into the east of high ground, and the top gusts of 70—80mph in the north and northeast of scotland, so very windy here. now, we still have this cloud and increasingly patchy rain that'll move southwards to southern england. it'll be replaced by sunshine, but streams of squally showers coming in, and some wintriness over the hills in scotland. things are turning a little bit colder here, but we've still got that milder air across the far south — temperatures 12—13 celsius. now, as the storm tracks further into scandinavia, we get this surge of stronger winds just for a while down those north sea coasts. we still have that weather front there, and that's the boundary between this milder air that's trying to push back northwards across the uk, and the colder air that's still particularly in scotland. and along that boundary, we've got this area of rain here. now south of it, in the milder air, there's still a lot of cloud, but maybe some sunshine. in the colder air, mainly in scotland,

there'll be some showers. wintry over the hills, but to lower levels across the far northeast, the northern isles, where it's particularly cold. milder elsewhere, but not quite as windy on friday.

hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. they decided to give additional time to try to see if diplomacy could yield a positive resolution —

in other words, if they could avoid a us veto here. a humanitarian pause is something that all the players want. certainly, i think israel and the us would go for it if it includes a serious hostage release. we continue to believe that israel does not have to choose betweenj removing the threat of hamas and minimising the toll- on civilians in gaza. it has an obligation to do both and it has a strategic interest to do both. i a security council vote on the war in gaza, scheduled for this hour, has been delayed again, for a third day running. israel and its main ally the united states are resisting any language that refers to a ceasefire. we will get reaction from new york. also tonight, why is the security council not

focused on the war in sudan?