at the face manchester city at the weekend while defending european champions would look to give their stuttering campaign in europe a boost to victory. campaign in europe a boost to victo . l, campaign in europe a boost to victo . a, victory. real madrid, manchester - victory. real madrid, manchester city - victory. real madrid, - manchester city dominated europe in the league for a few years now, combined with liverpool because liverpool was always up up there as well, competing with these two clubs. so it is a special week for us, especially because we played two times at home. if you are at liverpool, you always play big games, but yes, these two are special because these three clubs have dominated the league in europe for so many years recently, so yes, especially eager to play. it will still be a fantastic _ eager to play. it will still be a fantastic game, _ eager to play. it will still be a fantastic game, a - eager to play. it will still be l a fantastic game, a important game — a fantastic game, a important game. we have to make points, this is_ game. we have to make points, this is true, _ game. we have to make points, this is true, we have to be able — this is true, we have to be able in _ this is true, we have to be able in these four games until the end — able in these four games until the end of this phase, we have to try— the end of this phase, we have to try to— the end of this phase, we have to try to raise the more possible points for being in a good — possible points for being in a good position to be at the tabie~ _ good position to be at the tabie~ i_ good position to be at the table. i don't know if you'll

be able _ table. i don't know if you'll be able to reach the first eight _ be able to reach the first eight it— be able to reach the first eight. it could be good, but we lost two — eight. it could be good, but we lost two games, so it will not be easy, _ lost two games, so it will not be easy, but we will have to try to — be easy, but we will have to try to make points. the other standout fixture in the champions league on wednesday sees aston villa welcome italian side juventus to villa park — unai emery�*s side have hit some patchy form, having not won any of their last six games in all competitions — but they will be looking to keep up their good start in europe, which has seen them win three of their four games in the competition so far. resta rted really well. restarted really well. of course, we lost the opportunity against... but here at home we are feeling comfortable. we know that as well, bayern munich and g centres as well, our favourites. munich and g centres as well, ourfavourites. we know that munich and g centres as well, our favourites. we know that at the highest level, if we are at the highest level, if we are at the highest level and refocus 100%, we can beat them. premier league referee

david coote has released a statement denying allegations he discussed giving a yellow card before a game. the fa launched an investigation after fresh allegations emerged in british newspaper, the sun. coote said in the statement, "i have always held "the integrity of the game in the highest regard, "refereeing matches impartially and to the best of my ability." he was previously suspended from his role when a video emerged of him appearing to make disparaging remarks about the former liverpool managerjurgen klopp. cricket now, and the first test between england and new zealand begins on thursday in christchurch, with the hosts coming off the back of an impressive 3—0 series win against india earlier this month. but captain tom latham says they have put that series behind them and are looking forward to renewing their rivalry with ben stokes' side in this three—match series. it's a cool rivalry that we have got. i think we are fortunate enough to have played a lot against each other over, yes, certainly my time in the black caps, but also before that. we have had some great

battles over the last 5—7 years. with england and that was no different a couple of seasons ago when, you know, when they were out here, so i am sure we will all produce a more thrilling games like we have seen and i am sure both teams are looking forward to getting into it. and in the nba, the san antonio spurs won their fourth straight game with a 128—115 victory over the utahjazz in nba cup action. victor wembanyama was once again the star for the spurs, the frenchman scoring 3a points as the spurs improved to a 2 and i record in group b and keeping themselves in the hunt for a spot in the western quarterfinals. and that's all the sport for now. remember, you can stay right up to date on the bbc sport website and app, but back to you, lucy. the leaders of the three main parties in ireland have clashed over housing, the economy and healthcare in a tv debate ahead of

the general election on friday. the outgoing taoiseach, simon harris of fine gael, took part, along with his coalition partner of the last four years, the fianna fail leader micheal martin, and mary—lou mcdonald of sinn fein. so let's take a closer look at those key parties in ireland's election. traditionally irish politics have been dominated by fianna fail and fine gael, who are partners in the ruling coalition and generally seen as being on the centre or centre—right of politics. fine gael is led by the prime minister, or taoiseach, simon harris. he took over in april following the resignation this of leo varadkar. micheal martin leads fianna fail. he was taoiseach between 2020 and 2022. the third main party is sinn fein. led by mary—lou mcdonald, they're seen as socialist party and are strong advocates of uniting the irish republic with northern ireland. irish elections use a system where candidates are ranked in terms of preference. it means a lot of counting

and the possibility of another coalition government. lets ta ke lets take you to my colleague, caitriona perry, whojoins us now from ireland. n caitriona perry, who “oins us now from irelandh caitriona perry, who “oins us now from ireland. i am speaking to ou now from ireland. i am speaking to you from _ now from ireland. i am speaking to you from the _ now from ireland. i am speaking to you from the north-east - now from ireland. i am speaking to you from the north-east of i to you from the north—east of ireland, from county louth. this county is one of the north—eastern ones that borders with northern ireland. those issues you mentioned around housing, cost of living, health care, immigration are all big issues for voters here. the imf estimates, just to give you an example, that the average irish households would have to save for 15 years to be able to afford a house or home of an hundred square metres, that is the highest length of time it would take in all of the eu countries. put that together with about a fifth of the population are aged ia and under, it gives you an idea of the kind of pressure there is on families here, in terms of affordability and disposable income. that and the turn of courts puts pressure on the

business community as well. if people have less money to spend, they don't goad out as much and that has an impact on businesses as well, particularly in times like where i am now, with drogheda, where i am now, with drogheda, where many of the businesses are locally owned and independently run. let's chat to some of the business owners here in drogheda. i am joined by three people who are veterans of the drogheda retail trade. we have kevin mcallister of retail electrical, we have ms doolan on the design gallery and mark mcgowan of the scholars hotel, the director. kevin, you are over a0 years, a6 years in business here. what have you noticed over those years? have you noticed over those ears? , , . years? yes, it is a| second-generation years? yes, it is a - second-generation business years? yes, it is a _ second-generation business and second—generation business and definitely 20 years ago it was much — definitely 20 years ago it was much busier and there was much more _ much busier and there was much more bu22— much busier and there was much more buzz around the actual main — more buzz around the actual main street. and on the main street — main street. and on the main street a_ main street. and on the main street. a lot of the shops have closed — street. a lot of the shops have closed 50 _ street. a lot of the shops have closed. so it is difficult in that— closed. so it is difficult in that way, so whatever government comes in, it will be nice _ government comes in, it will be nice that — government comes in, it will be nice that we get some help for

indigenous small businesses, both— indigenous small businesses, both in— indigenous small businesses, both in drogheda and generally around — both in drogheda and generally around ireland. we had some great — around ireland. we had some great help during covid when it came _ great help during covid when it came and — great help during covid when it came and they had special payments and grants and if they were _ payments and grants and if they were to — payments and grants and if they were to introduce back some of those, — were to introduce back some of those, hot _ were to introduce back some of those, not them all, but some of them, — those, not them all, but some of them, it— those, not them all, but some of them, it would help the small— of them, it would help the small retailers and help business in general, so that is what — business in general, so that is what my— business in general, so that is what my hope would be for that. and what — what my hope would be for that. and what about you?— and what about you? yes, reiterating, _ and what about you? yes, reiterating, really, - and what about you? yes, reiterating, really, what . and what about you? yes, - reiterating, really, what kevin is saying _ reiterating, really, what kevin is saying i_ reiterating, really, what kevin is saying tam _ reiterating, really, what kevin is saying. i am 21 _ reiterating, really, what kevin is saying. i am 21 years - reiterating, really, what kevin is saying. i am 21 years in - is saying. i am 21 years in business _ is saying. i am 21 years in business in— is saying. i am 21 years in business in drogheda. - is saying. i am 21 years in business in drogheda. iti is saying. i am 21 years in i business in drogheda. it has changed _ business in drogheda. it has changed so— business in drogheda. it has changed so much— business in drogheda. it has changed so much in- business in drogheda. it has changed so much in all- business in drogheda. it has changed so much in all of. business in drogheda. it has. changed so much in all of those years — changed so much in all of those years i— changed so much in all of those years. i suppose _ changed so much in all of those years. i suppose a _ changed so much in all of those years. i suppose a lot _ changed so much in all of those years. i suppose a lot of- years. i suppose a lot of pebble _ years. i suppose a lot of pebble are _ years. i suppose a lot of people are online - years. i suppose a lot of. people are online shopping years. i suppose a lot of- people are online shopping now, so they— people are online shopping now, so they can — people are online shopping now, so they can kind _ people are online shopping now, so they can kind of— people are online shopping now, so they can kind of shop - people are online shopping now, so they can kind of shop from . so they can kind of shop from honre, — so they can kind of shop from honre, but— so they can kind of shop from home, but what _ so they can kind of shop from home, but what we _ so they can kind of shop from home, but what we really- so they can kind of shop from. home, but what we really want is people — home, but what we really want is peopie back— home, but what we really want is people back in _ home, but what we really want is people back in our— home, but what we really want is people back in our town- is people back in our town centre _ is people back in our town centre it _ is people back in our town centre. it is _ is people back in our town centre. it is such- is people back in our town centre. it is such a - is people back in our town| centre. it is such a thriving town, _ centre. it is such a thriving town, so— centre. it is such a thriving town, so much— centre. it is such a thriving town, so much going - centre. it is such a thriving town, so much going on, i centre. it is such a thriving . town, so much going on, but centre. it is such a thriving - town, so much going on, but it 'ust town, so much going on, but it just needs _ town, so much going on, but it just needs to _ town, so much going on, but it just needs to be _ town, so much going on, but it just needs to be regenerated. i town, so much going on, but itl just needs to be regenerated. a lot of— just needs to be regenerated. a lot of the — just needs to be regenerated. a lot of the retail— just needs to be regenerated. a lot of the retail parks _ just needs to be regenerated. a lot of the retail parks have - lot of the retail parks have kind — lot of the retail parks have kind of— lot of the retail parks have kind of taken _ lot of the retail parks have kind of taken business - lot of the retail parks have i kind of taken business away from — kind of taken business away from the _ kind of taken business away from the centre _ kind of taken business away from the centre of- kind of taken business away from the centre of town - kind of taken business awayj from the centre of town and kind of taken business away- from the centre of town and we have _ from the centre of town and we have lots — from the centre of town and we have lots of— from the centre of town and we have lots of great _ from the centre of town and we have lots of great restaurants, i have lots of great restaurants, we have — have lots of great restaurants, we have lots— have lots of great restaurants, we have lots of— have lots of great restaurants, we have lots of great - have lots of great restaurants, we have lots of great coffee i we have lots of great coffee shops. _ we have lots of great coffee shops, but _ we have lots of great coffee shops, but we _ we have lots of great coffee shops, but we need - we have lots of great coffee shops, but we need more i we have lots of great coffee i shops, but we need more retail in town — shops, but we need more retail in town sow _

shops, but we need more retail in town. so...— in town. so... and if you have fewer peeple _ in town. so... and if you have fewer people coming - in town. so... and if you have fewer people coming into i in town. so... and if you have fewer people coming into the | fewer people coming into the town, does that bring its own set of problems as well? it set of problems as well? it does. obviously every town has anti-social— does. obviously every town has anti—social behaviour, - does. obviously every town has anti—social behaviour, so - does. obviously every town has anti—social behaviour, so there | anti—social behaviour, so there is a little — anti—social behaviour, so there is a little bit — anti—social behaviour, so there is a little bit of _ anti—social behaviour, so there is a little bit of that _ anti—social behaviour, so there is a little bit of that that - is a little bit of that that goes _ is a little bit of that that goes on. _ is a little bit of that that goes on, but _ is a little bit of that that goes on, but i _ is a little bit of that that goes on, but i would i is a little bit of that that| goes on, but i would love is a little bit of that that - goes on, but i would love also to see — goes on, but i would love also to see a — goes on, but i would love also to see a iot— goes on, but i would love also to see a lot more _ goes on, but i would love also to see a lot more garda - to see a lot more garda presence _ to see a lot more garda presence because, i to see a lot more garda presence because, you| to see a lot more garda - presence because, you know, 'ust presence because, you know, just so— presence because, you know, just so we _ presence because, you know, just so we all— presence because, you know, just so we all feel _ presence because, you know, just so we all feel safe - presence because, you know, just so we all feel safe and i just so we all feel safe and people _ just so we all feel safe and peopie feet— just so we all feel safe and people feel safe _ just so we all feel safe and people feel safe coming i just so we all feel safe and i people feel safe coming into town, — people feel safe coming into town, but _ people feel safe coming into town, but yeah, _ people feel safe coming into town, but yeah, really- people feel safe coming into| town, but yeah, really more, that— town, but yeah, really more, that kind _ town, but yeah, really more, that kind of _ town, but yeah, really more, that kind of thing. _ town, but yeah, really more, that kind of thing.— that kind of thing. mark, you are running _ that kind of thing. mark, you are running a _ that kind of thing. mark, you are running a hotel- that kind of thing. mark, you are running a hotel here. it | that kind of thing. mark, you| are running a hotel here. it is are running a hotel here. it is a situation like with tourists? lots to see and do in this part of the country.— of the country. thus, the entire region _ of the country. thus, the entire region is _ of the country. thus, the entire region is one i of the country. thus, the entire region is one of i of the country. thus, the | entire region is one of the best— entire region is one of the best regions in the country for doing — best regions in the country for doing business and for tourism, we have — doing business and for tourism, we have so— doing business and for tourism, we have so much to offer here. but unfortunately of late we have — but unfortunately of late we have seen football come down slightly — have seen football come down slightly. we did a recent report— slightly. we did a recent report showing that those figures _ report showing that those figures have been reduced. this is due _ figures have been reduced. this is due tom _ figures have been reduced. this is due to... town centres and i suppose the _ is due to... town centres and i suppose the situation that has been — suppose the situation that has been exacerbated by ukraine, etc, _ been exacerbated by ukraine, etc, so— been exacerbated by ukraine, etc, so unfortunately it has been — etc, so unfortunately it has been quite difficult from a number— been quite difficult from a number of points of view. but

what — number of points of view. but what we — number of points of view. but what we really need to seize the cost _ what we really need to seize the cost of doing business dropped dramatically. we have had incremental increases over the last— had incremental increases over the last two years that have been — the last two years that have been astronomical, huge increases in terms of payroll, iabour— increases in terms of payroll, iabour has _ increases in terms of payroll, labour has gone through the roof. — labour has gone through the roof. the _ labour has gone through the roof, the supply chain has gone very— roof, the supply chain has gone very high— roof, the supply chain has gone very high as well, so from a tourism _ very high as well, so from a tourism point of view it is very— tourism point of view it is very tough for us, as hospitality businesses, to be able — hospitality businesses, to be able to — hospitality businesses, to be able to offer more value for nroney— able to offer more value for money and that is something we would _ money and that is something we would love to do. find money and that is something we would love to do.— would love to do. and about staff, would love to do. and about staff. keeping _ would love to do. and about staff, keeping staff - would love to do. and about staff, keeping staff and i staff, keeping staff and getting them? are there places to live around here?— to live around here? there is there little — to live around here? there is there little rental— there little rental accommodation available in drogheda, that has been a challenge recently, it has been going _ challenge recently, it has been going on— challenge recently, it has been going on for quite a while, actually, _ going on for quite a while, actually, so that poses a problem for retention and recruitment. one thing we would like to— recruitment. one thing we would like to see — recruitment. one thing we would like to see is ramped up housing _ like to see is ramped up housing development, that has to happen quickly. we have a lovely — to happen quickly. we have a lovely ring road around drogheda and hopefully we will see more houses going on there very quickly and that will give us an— very quickly and that will give us an opportunity to retain our staff— us an opportunity to retain our staff and — us an opportunity to retain our staff and hopefully build the town — staff and hopefully build the town where it should be, you know? — town where it should be, you know? it— town where it should be, you know? it is a great town and we

love _ know? it is a great town and we love doing — know? it is a great town and we love doing business here. and kevin, love doing business here. and kevin. what — love doing business here. and kevin, what about _ love doing business here. fific kevin, what about cross—border initiatives? would you like to see more of those? absolutely, it would be _ see more of those? absolutely, it would be great _ see more of those? absolutely, it would be great because i see more of those? absolutely, it would be great because we'rei it would be great because we're so close — it would be great because we're so close to _ it would be great because we're so close to the _ it would be great because we're so close to the north _ it would be great because we're so close to the north and - it would be great because we're so close to the north and we i so close to the north and we have — so close to the north and we have a — so close to the north and we have a lot _ so close to the north and we have a lot of _ so close to the north and we have a lot of customers i so close to the north and we have a lot of customers thatj have a lot of customers that used — have a lot of customers that used go _ have a lot of customers that used go up _ have a lot of customers that used go up north— have a lot of customers that used go up north that - have a lot of customers that used go up north that we i have a lot of customers that i used go up north that we know, it would — used go up north that we know, it would be _ used go up north that we know, it would be great _ used go up north that we know, it would be great to _ used go up north that we know, it would be great to have - used go up north that we know, it would be great to have somel it would be great to have some form _ it would be great to have some form of — it would be great to have some form of initiative _ it would be great to have some form of initiative between i it would be great to have some form of initiative between the i form of initiative between the two of — form of initiative between the two of then _ form of initiative between the two of them. also, _ form of initiative between the two of them. also, another. two of them. also, another thing — two of them. also, another thing is _ two of them. also, another thing is in _ two of them. also, another thing is in the _ two of them. also, another thing is in the town- two of them. also, another thing is in the town of- thing is in the town of drogheda _ thing is in the town of drogheda there - thing is in the town of drogheda there are i thing is in the town of drogheda there are a | thing is in the town of. drogheda there are a lot thing is in the town of- drogheda there are a lot of vacant _ drogheda there are a lot of vacant businesses - drogheda there are a lot ofi vacant businesses overhead drogheda there are a lot of- vacant businesses overhead and we could — vacant businesses overhead and we could have _ vacant businesses overhead and we could have some _ vacant businesses overhead and we could have some less - vacant businesses overhead and we could have some less red i we could have some less red tape — we could have some less red tape to — we could have some less red tape to maybe _ we could have some less red tape to maybe convert - we could have some less red tape to maybe convert over. we could have some less red i tape to maybe convert over the shop _ tape to maybe convert over the shop and — tape to maybe convert over the shop and get _ tape to maybe convert over the shop and get people _ tape to maybe convert over the shop and get people living i tape to maybe convert over thej shop and get people living back in the _ shop and get people living back in the town— shop and get people living back in the town would _ shop and get people living back in the town would be _ shop and get people living back in the town would be great. i shop and get people living backl in the town would be great. 0k, aood. in the town would be great. 0k, good- thanks — in the town would be great. 0k, good. thanks to _ in the town would be great. 0k, good. thanks to all— in the town would be great. good. thanks to all three of you for speaking to us. the irish election is here on friday and we will have plenty more for you later in the day. you're watching bbc news. hello. flooding has been, of course, the major story here in the uk for a number of days now. the major story here in the uk what we didn't want is any more rain, but that's what we got from this area of cloud, a new area of low pressure that moved through last night

and at first this morning. this has been named storm conall by the dutch authorities. the heaviest rain was across southern counties of england. where we've seen the worst flooding, there was less rain — about 10—12mm — and so that's really not changed the flooding situation on the ground across this part of the world. but these flood warnings are new warnings across the south, where we have seen that really heavy rain over the last 12 hours or so. we still have our severe flood warning in force as well, along a stretch of the river nene, around the northampton area. but there is better news. this area of high pressure that's going to be with us for a few days is going to bring a more substantial area of dry weather, so those numbers of flood warnings are going to reduce substantially over the coming days. before we get there, though, we've got wet and windy weather to come across east anglia, showers across the north—east, but increasingly sunny skies working in elsewhere. it will be quite a cool afternoon, though, temperatures ranging from around a degrees in aberdeen to about 10 in the london area. overnight we go and the winds will start to die down, some mist and fog patches

are quite likely to develop, particularly, i think, around some of the valleys. the severn valley looks like it could turn quite murky. and there'll be a widespread frost as well, so there will be some freezing fog, which could last quite a long time into thursday morning. where we have any seepage of water coming in onto roads, we could have icy stretches just about anywhere. the breeze picks up, so in many cases the fog should lift and we'll see outbreaks of rain pushing into northern ireland through the day. that's where the mildest air is going to be tomorrow. otherwise, it's another cold day, temperatures staying well below average. heading into friday, looks like we'll see some more rain starting to move into the far west of the uk. otherwise a fair bit of dry weather. best of the sunshine across central and eastern areas of england. and again, no rain in those flood hit areas, so we should see those flood warnings come down substantially. temperatures quite a range — around 8 or 9 in the east, but 13 into northern ireland. and into the weekend quite mild weather. 0ften it's going to be cloudy with some drizzle

across western areas on saturday, more substantial rain in the north for sunday.

live from london, this is bbc news. as the ceasefire holds, thousands of lebanese return to homes destroyed in fighting between israel and hezbollah. president biden says the ceasefire shows peace is possible — and vows to "make another push" for a truce in gaza. we'll have the latest

from our correspondents in jerusalem and beirut. in other news, the uk government signals more help for car makers struggling with electric vehicle targets. more than 50 years after a former monk was mysteriously killed by the ira, experts say they may have reached a breakthrough in the search for his body. and from honey badgers to beluga whales, now�*s your chance to pick which snap should win the prestigous wildlife photographer of the year people's choice award. hello, i'm annita mcveigh. welcome to verified live. in the middle east, thousands of lebanese people are returning to the south of the country following the ceasefire agreement between israel and hezbollah. the agreement is designed to end almost 1a months