bell rings. bell tolls.

bell rings. bell rings. bell tolls. bells peal.

bells peal. the bells tolling in memory of the dead. this is an incident which has deeply, deeply shocked this country. as well as those who died, people

are thinking about the people who were injured, a number of those are still in hospital, some with serious injuries. we know that many of the casualties were cheque, three —— czech. czech. details have been emerging about the identities of some of the victims, one of them was the director of the institute of musicology at the university. she was 49 years old, she was the mother of two children. the institute put out a statement saying that this was an extremely cruel time for us all. meanwhile, the police investigations are continuing, people here continuing to ask themselves what it was that could have driven this 24—year—old

gunman to behave in this way. this is a very sad moment coming as it doesjust before is a very sad moment coming as it does just before christmas, a time when normally this city would be full of people enjoying themselves, celebrating the festive season, the christmas markets normally so full, today quiet and much more subdued. bethany bell there. thank you for reporting on events where the president has appealed for unity and said the killing should not be used to launch political attacks and celebration, mournings round the country i should say, and bells ringing out there as you heard and other countries within the european union being asked to observer minute's silences as well. israel has continued its bombardment of the gaza strip overnight, with reports of air strikes

and ground attacks. these pictures are from khan younis, in southern gaza. large plumes of smoke rise in different parts of the city following air attacks. this comes after the united nations passed a resolution on the war on friday. the president of the un security council, jose de la gasca, has said this move represents a crucial step towards averting a humanitarian catastrophe. it was agreed after days of negotiations and delays. the resolution aims to increase the supplies of aid to the territory, but didn't call for an immediate end to the fighting. after the vote the un secretary—general, antonio guterres, reiterated his call for a ceasefire. a humanitarian ceasefire is the only way to begin to meet the desperate needs of people in gaza and end their ongoing nightmare. i hope that today's security council resolution may help that finally to happen, but much more is needed immediately. looking at the longer term, i'm extremely disappointed by comments by senior israeli officials that put a two—state solution into question.

as difficult as it might appear today, the two—state solution in line with un resolutions, international law and previous agreements is the only path to sustainable peace. our correspondent shaimaa khalil is following developments from jerusalem. this week has shown that diplomatic language can be fraught, it can be complicated and it can be controversial. but for those on the ground in gaza, it has also fallen short of what they desperately need, the aid that they're in dire need for. we have a resolution that's called for creating the conditions for a cease fire without actually calling for a pause or a cessation of the hostilities. it also called on all sides to allow unhindered access of aid into gaza without going into details about the mechanics of that and how it can be done safely.

and, yes, there has been criticism, there has been disagreement with the un about the amount of aid coming in. the un itself acknowledges that it's a fraction of what the people in gaza need. the world food programme has said that the population in the gaza strip is looking at a serious threat of famine. but it is important that when you talk about the delivery of aid, you also look at the distribution that has been crucial and it's actually been very difficult. also, keep in mind the geography of the place. it is challenging enough when aid comes in through the rafah crossing, through kerem shalom in the south to get into the southern areas because of the fighting, because of the bombardment, but also because of the huge influx of people that have been displaced. now, spare a thought for the people in the north that are still in northern gaza. that aid has a long way to go and a very dangerous way to go. and that is, i think, the crux of the fix, the problem that the un finds itself in with this resolution. yes, the us is on board.

yes, they've agreed on that. the translation of that on the ground in terms of what aid comes in, the amount of it, but also how it's going to be safely distributed is still not agreed on and is still not clear at this point. i've been speaking tojuliette touma, spokesperson from unwra, about the work flow of humanitarian aid coming into gaza after the un resolution. look, what is really, really needed is a standard regular flow of humanitarian and commercial supplies into gaza, you see, before the war started gaza got, received every day 500 trucks of commercial supplies, and of humanitarian aid and of fuel. none of, in any of the days since the war started has gaza received anything close to that amount, so until we get to that amount, at the very minimum, things are not going to change, so this is what needs to

happen and what needs to equally happen, and it is overdue, is a humanitarian ceasefire, it has been 11 very very long weeks for the people of gaza, it is some time for this to come people of gaza, it is some time for this to come to tan end. live now to mark regev, the senior adviser to the israeli prime minister. thank yourforfor thank your for for joining thank your for forjoining us, thank yourforforjoining us, i want to go back the text which says it calls for urgent action for a sufficient number of days to enable rapid safe and unhindered humanitarian access. will israel allow that and whennen when. we have had since this — allow that and whennen when. we have had since this can _ allow that and whennen when. we have had since this can conflict _ allow that and whennen when. we have had since this can conflict far— allow that and whennen when. we have had since this can conflict far too, - had since this can conflict far too, we have allowed pauses to allow people to move in democratic people's republic of korea, to allow supply toss come in. we have allowed pauses in a specific location, we have done that in the past. we will don't do that. is so

have done that in the past. we will don't do that. i— don't do that. is so those were in november _ don't do that. is so those were in november the _ don't do that. is so those were in november the last _ don't do that. is so those were in november the last pause, - don't do that. is so those were in november the last pause, when i don't do that. is so those were in i november the last pause, when do don't do that. is so those were in - november the last pause, when do you think the next one could be? you november the last pause, when do you think the next one could be?— think the next one could be? you are talkin: think the next one could be? you are talking thoush. _ think the next one could be? you are talking though, no, _ think the next one could be? you are talking though, no, you _ think the next one could be? you are talking though, no, you are - think the next one could be? you are talking though, no, you are talking . talking though, no, you are talking about a cessation of hostilities, thatis about a cessation of hostilities, that is different from a pause, one again to facilitate humanitarian movement. if you want a ceasefire, that, from israel's perspective can only happen with the release of hostage, as you know, hamas continues to hold over 100 hostage, there is a chance because they want, need that ceasefire they will agree the hostage, had we, to be frank had we agreed to the proposal over a month ago for this unilateral ceasefire we would never have got the 110 hostages out we did in november. hamas isn't going to release hostages because they have become humanitarian, they respond to the pressure and the israeli edefence forces are applying that. the pressure president biden has described the bombing as indiscriminate. is israel ready to

accept that, to make it less deadly for civilians. we accept that, to make it less deadly for civilians.— for civilians. we have said the civilians are _ for civilians. we have said the civilians are not _ for civilians. we have said the civilians are not the _ for civilians. we have said the civilians are not the target. i for civilians. we have said the i civilians are not the target. our civilians are not the target. 0ur enemy is hamas and i have sat in meeting with senior officials where we have shown clearly, how the israeli defence forces, how we select a site to be targeted how we decide on the munition, we look at collateral damage and try to minimise it i so i think it compares with what you do, what happens ins the us and oh other western armies. the munitions i understand it are mostly unguided, why are you not using more precision weapons if that is what you want to do minimise civilian casualties we is what you want to do minimise civilian casualties— civilian casualties we use both, when we use — civilian casualties we use both, when we use those _ civilian casualties we use both, when we use those that - civilian casualties we use both, when we use those that are - civilian casualties we use both, | when we use those that are less precise o we do that from close launches in dive bomb techniques so we can be be as precise as possible in what is a difficult combat

situation. but can i add, these calls from the secretary—general and we heard from unrwa, people who called for an immediate ceasefire, what are they saying? they are saying israel has to cease its operation and hamas stays in power, thatis operation and hamas stays in power, that is the bottom line, if... 50m; that is the bottom line, if... sorry to interrunt _ that is the bottom line, if... sorry to interrupt you. _ that is the bottom line, if... sorry to interrupt you. let _ that is the bottom line, if... sorry to interrupt you. let me - that is the bottom line, if... sorry to interrupt you. let me finish - that is the bottom line, if... sorryj to interrupt you. let me finish the oint to interrupt you. let me finish the point please. _ to interrupt you. let me finish the point please. if — to interrupt you. let me finish the point please, if hamas _ to interrupt you. let me finish the point please, if hamas says - to interrupt you. let me finish the point please, if hamas says in - to interrupt you. let me finish the i point please, if hamas says in power that condemns us to bloodshed in the future. hamas said it does not believe in peace with israel, in their words, believe in peace with israel, in theirwords, permanent believe in peace with israel, in their words, permanent wash, they have said they would do the october 7 massacre again and again and again. 7 massacre again and again and aaain. ., ., ., g, again. you are targeting the leader of hamas in _ again. you are targeting the leader of hamas in gaza, _ again. you are targeting the leader of hamas in gaza, there _ again. you are targeting the leader of hamas in gaza, there is - again. you are targeting the leader of hamas in gaza, there is a, - again. you are targeting the leader of hamas in gaza, there is a, as i i of hamas in gaza, there is a, as i understand those are your key target, what happens if you can't find them, how long will you carry on operations? indie find them, how long will you carry on operations?— find them, how long will you carry on operations? we will find them. it is is only a — on operations? we will find them. it is is only a mar— on operations? we will find them. it is is only a mar of— on operations? we will find them. it is is only a mar of time. _ on operations? we will find them. it is is only a mar of time. just -

on operations? we will find them. it is is only a mar of time. just as - is is only a mar of time. just as bin laden was taken out, that was a very important for the us and for the west, that the leader of al-qaeda was neutralised. it is the same with the senior hamas leadership. they are responsible for the most atrocious crimes, you have spoke about the burning of police alive, the massacre, machine gunning of innocent civilians, the rapes are, terrible things, these people must meetjustice and israel will make that happen. iran must meetjustice and israel will make that happen.— make that happen. iran backed houthis have _ make that happen. iran backed houthis have been _ make that happen. iran backed houthis have been targeting i make that happen. iran backed - houthis have been targeting israeli shipping in the red sea, do you expect israel to launch attacks on them as part of this operation? 50 them as part of this operation? sr obviously we, have the light to do so but at the moment we had meetings with lloyd austin the american secretary of defence and we are accepting the americans say they have solutions here and we can be part of that if they want, but ultimately, israel will not stand by idly and see shipping to our

country, attacked. having said that, the rainians through their houthi proxies have declared war on what 13% of all global shipping, this is important trade, route from asia to europe, it is notjust israel's problem it a global problem and it must be dealt with and there has to be diplomatic pressure on iran to stop this infringement on international trade and we must use military means were necessary. i want to go back to the resolution, after the us ambassador thomas green field said there was a glimmer of hope among a sea of suffering, would you serve that the suffering in gaza is described as unimaginable. i think there is terrible suffering in gaza, gazans are increasingly and once the regime has fallen and people can speak freely, there will be an incredible outpurse of pent up anger buzz they know who started

this war, they know who torpedoed the ceasefire. they don't give a hoot for the people of gaza, everything is subject to the altar of their crazy agenda. and, all this suffering, shouldn't have happening, it only happened because hamas declared war on all israeli, it is the worst act of terror since 9/11, the worst act of terror since 9/11, the worst act of terror since 9/11, the worst act of anti—semitic violence since the second world war, did they not know israel would respond? 0f did they not know israel would respond? of course i think that didn't care about the consequence, not about killing jews, not about killing palestinians. thank you let's get some of the main stories in the uk this hour. some conservative mps are calling for the swifter implementation of changes to the immigration system. they're warning there could be a rush of visa applications before rules are tightened in the spring. they have also criticised rishi sunak�*s phased introduction of higher salary requirements for british citizens who want to bring dependants to the uk.

the three—day strike byjunior doctors in england has ended. they're involved in a long—running dispute with the government over pay. ministers say demands for a 35 % increase, to make up for years of below—inflation settlements is unaffordable. one of england's top nurses is urging people to look out for signs of dementia among family and friends over the festive period. nhs england's mental health director says it's a good time to notice key symptoms such as forgetfulness, confusion, or difficulty concentrating. now it's time for a look at today's sport, with mike bushell. good morning and welcome to the bbc sports centre. we start with basketball. in the nba, where defending champions, the denver nuggets, held off a late surge from the brooklyn nets to register a third straight win. as is so often the case when the nuggets play, centre nicola jokic led the way. the serbian finished the game with 29 points and also added a further 11 rebounds.

team—mate jamaal murray, however, outscored him on this occasion. this three—pointer was part of his game high 32. he also had nine assists. the win was denver's 20th of the season and they currently sit third in the western conference behind the minnesota timberwolves and oklahoma city thunder. meanwhile, in philadelphia, there was an early scare for 76ers starjoel embiid, who appeared to hurt his ankle in the first quarter, but despite showing visible signs of discomfort against the 2019 champions, the reigning mvp turned in a performance befitting one of the game's leading players. embiid finished just one assist shy of a triple double, registering 31 points, ten rebounds and nine assists as the 76ers took the win. i think he was ok, obviously he stayed in the game, and didn't change any part of his row taiyang, i don't think at all for the night,

except at the very end, but, yeah, i mean i imagine you know, iam except at the very end, but, yeah, i mean i imagine you know, i am sure it will be sore tomorrow, we will have to monitor pretty closely before manchester city midfielder rodri says he will be fit for their premier league clash with everton, despite limping out of their club world cup final win over brazil's fluminensey. city eased past the champions of south america 4—0 and defender nathan ake says they are still hungry for more. it is the feeling afterwards, you know, that, the satisfaction like, winning, and you want to keep that feeling, we know how it is to lose games and stuff, you don't want to recreate that feeling, so we know what we want to do, yeah, we just want to keep on going, keep on going, the club demands this as well, we as players demands this, we want the keep going. the first premier league game on this saturday is the match between west ham and manchester united. just one point separates the two

sides, who are on the fringes of the top six and the european places. the manchester united manager knows fans expect more and says improving is a collective effort. we can definitely improve so it is not about one player but totally group of, of us, so as you know, my philosophy we have to attack with 11, so, it is not only about one player, but it is about everyone, and we, so we have to get the movement better, the decisions, so the decision making on the ball has to be better, and sometimes also, we have to be more clinical i think. it is a busy saturday after that, with burnley, who are now bottom, away at fulham, and newcastle fans get their first visit to luton's unique ground in the premier league. later on, it will be either liverpool or arsenal on top for christmas. the winner of the evening match at anfield, will have that honour.

it's a big night for anthonyjoshua as he gets ready to face 0tto valeen in a must—win heavyweight contest. british fighterjoshua cut a lean and muscularfigure, weighing in at 17 stone 13 pounds. a win over sweden's valee at the kingdom arena in riyadh, saudi arabia, could set up a long—awaited contest against deontay wilder. american wilder will face fellow former world championjoseph parker in saturday's co—main event. iam not i am not here to party i want to fight, perform well, put that pressure on myself, of course i am tense because i want to perform, i want to win, i have that urge to win andi want to win, i have that urge to win and i want to hurt my opponent. i amfo kissed on saturday, that is where my heart, soul, every cell in my body is fully focussed to doing what i my body is fully focussed to doing what i know i can that's all the sport for now. in what is seen as a boost for donald trump, the us

supreme court has refused to fast—track a decision on whether he can be tried for federal crimes or whether, on the contrary, he enjoys presidential immunity. the court's ruling means that mr trump's trial on charges that he tried to overturn the 2020 election due this march may well be delayed. the ex—president wants it postponed until after next november's presidential poll, in which he's running. an anti—warjournalist who applied to run against vladimir putin in next year's presidential election has been banned from taking part. yekaterina duntsova, who is a former television journalist, submitted her documents to the election commission in moscow to begin the formal process of entering the campaign. however, she was told today that she's been barred from running in the election, which takes place next march. with most of vladimir putin's opponents in jail or exile, russia's president is expected to win with a landslide victory. for the first time in centuries, ukraine is going to celebrate christmas on 25th of december.

injuly president zelensky signed into law a parliamentary bill that aimed to "abandon the russian heritage of imposing christmas celebrations". it followed the decision of the orthodox church of ukraine to move to the gregorian calendar, which changed the christmas day from 7th january to 25th december. from kyiv, our ukraine correspondentjames waterhouse reports. bauble painting on the outskirts of kyiv. in a war which takes so much, there's no stopping christmas. some, though, are more experienced at making decorations than others. this woman has done this since 1978. "i like it. it's interesting for me. i enjoy it," she says. this factory in the kiev region was one of three to supply the whole of the soviet union.

it still creates pieces of christmas cheer, but on a much smaller scale. this time there's an unmistakable military theme. translation: i think that everyone who will take a look at a bauble - like this will hope for the victory of our nation sooner. despite the cold industrial exterior, there's still a warm magic inside. the meaning of christmas, despite everything, has not changed for ukrainians, but the way they celebrate it has. in a cultural shift fuelled by russia's aggression. fewer places know that aggression better than the town of bucha. a memorial stands on what was once a mass grave for 500 civilians killed by russian troops. ukraine is moving christmas to 25th december to both distance itself from russia, which marks it on 7th ofjanuary, and align itself with the west. for father andriy, it's more

than just a diary change. translation: unfortunately for many people in the world, _ ukraine is always viewed in the context of being a neighbour of russia. but i think that we are more a neighbour of europe. could you ever forgive russia for what it's done to ukraine? god forgives the sinner, but only those who repent. we don't see yet that the russians want to. so i think it's too early to talk about forgiveness. for ukraine, that would require russia to stop its invasion. there are no signs of that happening. james waterhouse, bbc news, bucha. speeding motorists in florida have had a holiday surprise after being pulled over for driving too fast. this is 0fficer grinch, and any motorist breaking the speed limit

by a few miles an hour was offered a challenge — either accept a speeding ticket or take a bite of onion. the initiative was inspired by the onion—loving fictional character created by dr seuss. those stopped are also offered lessons on safer driving. we give our violators a choice because it's the holiday season. if they are going just a few miles per hour over the speed limit, no more than five, what we will do is give you a choice of the citation or an onion. stay with us here on bbc news. hello. it is a fairly unsettled spell of weather in store in the run—up to christmas. the next few days are looking relatively mild and cloudy. today we've had some snow across parts of scotland. that's going to turn back to rain gradually. it's looking fairly damp in the west, brightest towards the east.

but here's this band of cloud you can see on the satellite image. that's been producing the rain and the hill snow that we've seen across scotland over the past few hours. increasingly that is turning to sleet and then back to rain in the north—east as we head through into the afternoon. some really heavy rain for the west of scotland, there could be some flooding. meanwhile, further west, we're looking at quite a lot of cloud, some outbreaks of rain. brightest in the east. temperatures 12 or 13 for most of us, but only about three to six across the north—east of scotland. into this evening and tonight, that frontal system slips further south across england and wales, so some patchy rain, breezy conditions continue. squally showers roll in across the north—west of the uk, but it's turning really mild. in fact, temperatures on the rise overnight, 13 degrees for most of us to kick off your christmas eve. so, yes, it is looking mild, the orange colors with us, that mild air mass, but we've got a lot of isobars. low pressure sits to the north of the uk for christmas eve. it's going to be a windy spell of weather. gusts could reach 50 to 70mph, especially towards the western isles in the north—west of scotland, also towards the east of the pennines some gusty winds, but blustery wherever you are. some outbreaks of

rain for many areas. brighter skies towards the north, but plenty of heavy showers. temperatures for most of us 13 to 15 — it could be one of the mildest christmas eves on record. as we move through into the big day itself, christmas day, the first area of low pressure exits towards the east, but we've still got another developing area of low pressure towards the atlantic. it's going to bring some rain through central and southern parts of england and wales. heavy showers further north, perhaps a bit of snow, perhaps a white christmas just on top of the cairngorms, for instance. for most of us, reasonably mild, particularly in the south, 13 or 1a degrees. we're looking at colder air holding on across the north of scotland. that's where we could see a little bit of snow through the day. into boxing day, low pressure clears away, at least for a time, so a ridge of higher pressure in charge into boxing day. it is looking like a drier, brighter day for most of us. still the odd wintry shower, i think, across the far north of scotland, but the winds will be easing and the sun should make a reappearance for most of us. a bit of rain into the far south—west later on.

it is looking drier, but also a little bit colder on christmas day. bye— bye.

this is bbc news. the headlines: bells mark a moment of silence in prague to remember those killed in thursday's mass shooting at a university and

vigils are being held across the czech republic on a day of national mourning. the president of the un security council has said yesterday's vote on gaza is a crucial step towards averting a humanitarian catastrophe. the resolution aims to increase the supplies of aid to the territory, but does not call for a ceasefire. for the first time in centuries ukraine will celebrate christmas not on 7th january, but on 25th december. earlier this year, president zelensky signed into law a parliamentary bill that aimed to "abandon the russian heritage of imposing christmas celebrations" now on bbc news, inside the saudi sporting machine. it's the country transforming the sporting landscape, from signing top stars to a revamped football league to an upheaval of professional golf and the staging of boxing's biggest fights.

saudi arabia's investment in sport has gone into overdrive.