live from london, this is bbc news. syrian rebels celebrate after seizing control of aleppo. there're reports, they now more south towards another anti— government protests are taking place across georgia for a third night. lam i am caitriona perry where counting continues in ireland's general election.

there are reports of queues of cars clogging the roads out of aleppo as civilians flee. this video apparently filmed from a vehicle and posted on social media,

shows armed men at the airport, but it has not been independently verified by the bbc. the rebels have also been celebrating outside the city's ancient citadel. they're said to have met little resistance, though the army says dozens of its soldiers have been killed or injured. the syrian military says troops have been temporarily withdrawn from aleppo "to prepare a counteroffensive". a reminder of the recent history of aleppo: the city was the scene of one of the bloodiest sieges of syria's civil war — which first broke out in 2011. this week's offensive is the largest against the syrian government in years. our correspondent, barbara plett usher, is monitoring developments from neighbouring lebanon. a stunning victory for the rebels, even they overcome with its swiftness and success. just three days after launching a surprise offensive from their stronghold

in northwest syria. this is the most serious challenge to president assad in years. a carefully planned attack, they stormed back into aleppo for the first time since assad's army forced them out at the height of the war. this time meeting almost no resistance. alhamdulillah. translation: after hard worki and patience from the fighters, the city of aleppo has been completely liberated. thank god, and by god's will, we will reach horns and damascus too. translation: after hard worki and patience from the fighters, the city of aleppo has been completely liberated. this is a joint force of rebel groups led by the islamist hayat tahrir al—sham, or hts. it used to be linked to al qaeda but cut ties from the group years ago. hts is listed as a terrorist organisation by the us and others. it controls most of the northwestern province of idlib, the last remaining opposition stronghold after more than a decade of civil war. that war began in 2011, triggered by popular protests against assad's rule.

russia intervened in 2015, turning the tide against the advancing rebels. the battle for aleppo in 2016 was a crucial point. syrian and russian forces gained control after a gruelling siege. the war has mostly gone quiet since, with occasional eruptions, the last major one in 2020 when syria and its russian allies attacked idlib. now, again, russian warplanes are bombing aleppo. the syrian army says it's made a tactical retreat to prepare a counteroffensive. the kremlin is assad's most important ally, but it's now also fighting a war in ukraine. iran and the lebanese hezbollah are also sending fighters to syria, but they've been weakened by israeli attacks in the region. that's one reason the rebels were able to advance so quickly, reviving a simmering conflict at a time when the middle east is in turmoil. barbara plett usher, bbc news, beirut.

as we heard from barbara there, the events in syria can be directly linked with israel's attacks on hezbollah in lebanon. the iran—backed militia group has had a strong presence in syria, notably aleppo, since the civil war there, backing bashar al—assad's regime. but with its focus on its war with israel, hezbollah was weakened inside syria and the rebels took advantage of this. here's bbc arabic�*s mahmoud ali hamad. you can hardly look at what is happening in aleppo without linking it with what is happening in lebanon. you can argue that the priority for hezbollah was what is happening in lebanon on so, aleppo was just something for them they would nike not to engage in. so they have pulled out from the city. there is a common belief among syrians generally that the syrian regime on its own

without iranian or russian help can't really keep control of the city, and this has transpired in the last 48 hours. to to gaza now where a attack on a house has... the humanitarian organisation world central kitchen says it is pausing its operations in gaza after a deadly israeli air strike hit a vehicle carrying its staff. images from the southern city of khan younis show the wreckage of a vehicle with its roof blown open. three people are reported to have been killed. the israeli army has confirmed it was targeting a car, saying it was carrying a person involved in the october 7th attacks. world central kitchen says it has no knowledge that any individual in the vehicle had alleged ties to the hamas attacks. seven members of its staff were killed in idf strikes on their convoy in gaza in april, in what the israeli military described

as a "grave mistake". for more on that, here is our correspondent in jerusalem, nick beake. they said they are shocked and heartbroken by what happened. they haven't confirmed how many of their staff were killed today. the reports from khan younis in the south of the gaza strip are that three of their workers were killed earlier today, and certainly there's been a lot of footage that has emerged air of grieving relatives and some families coming to the mortuary to see their loved ones in body bags. and one of those body bags had a t—shirt with the name of the charity emblazoned on it. as you were saying, the idf, israel defense forces is saying that they did carry out this drone strike, that it targeted a specific car that it had been monitoring it, it had been watching it, and then the drone was called into action. the reason they say that is because one of the men inside the israelis claim, took part in the hamas attacks on october the 7th. they say that is why they carried it out.

they named the kibbutz in which he was alleged to have acted. the israelis haven't put forward any evidence for that but that is what they are saying tonight. on another story related to gaza. there has been another hostage video released by hamas. what can you tell us about what is in that? that's right, this was released in the last hour or so, just looking at the some of the details of it now. it relates to a 20—year—old. he is an american israeli hostage. he was taken after the hamas attacks 1a months ago. and within this video he is extremely distressed. the way it's been edited it has been dispersed with episodes of him being extremely upset. in it he appeals to the israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu to do more to secure his release. and then he speaks in english, he switches from hebrew, and he directly addresses president—elect trump, saying that he needs to use all his power to bring

about some sort of deal and ensure that the hostages are released. tonight a group that represents quite a lot of the hostages family saying that once again they are shocked by this. and they say that as it stands, the lives of their loved ones are hanging by a thread. they are urging the israeli government once again, to do all that they can to try and secure the release of their loved ones. demonstrators are back on the streets for a third day in georgia, in protest against the ruling party's decision to put the european union accession process on hold. these are the live pictures from tbilisi. they're rallying in front of the country's parliament building, some waving eu and georgian flags. more than 100 demonstrators were arrested on friday night in georgia as protesters clashed with police, who used water cannon and tear gas

to try to disperse the crowds. protester is still very, very unhappy with what has been the decision to suspend talks with the european union. the georgian dream party which in election in october came to power. which is disputed by opposition members and also... the president... the pro—european president calling for resistance. the prime minister of georgia said that the country would not allow a revolution to take place. in the last four years alone we

have seen two attempts to stage and finance a revolution, but both failed. today the opposition�*s strength is even further if used. as a result this attempted revolution will fail. steve rosenberg is in georgia, and reports from the capital tbilisi. and just a warning, that steve's report contains pictures that some viewers may find disturbing. they're determined to be heard. this happens every day now in tbilisi. protesters attacking the protective wall outside parliament. people are angry that the government has suspended georgia's bid tojoin the european union. and they believe that russia is pulling the strings. we want europe. we don't want russia. that's what our path is, okay? and you think your government is taking georgia towards russia 7 of course. the nation of georgia wants to be

in the european union. it's unacceptable for us to stop the discussion of usjoining the eu. earlier this week, violent scenes, fireworks thrown at police, the security forces deploying water cannon and tear gas. georgian journalist guram rogova was live on tv when this happened. he told me he'd been hit so hard he'd blacked out. translation: i think our citizens are now being forced to think. do they want to live in a country where peaceful protest is being punished, and where journalists are being attacked from behind when they're speaking about what's really going on? if we want to live in a country like this, so be it. many of the protesters i've spoken to have told me that they won't give up. they intend to keep coming onto the streets until georgia's european future is secure. but from the authorities, no hint of a u—turn. no sign of an olive branch.

instead, it's crackdown over compromise. georgia's government accused european politicians and local agents of organising violent protest. but people here say they're fighting for georgia's future. steve rosenberg, bbc news, tbilisi. the first results have been declared in ireland's general election, amid a tight race to be the largest party. sinn fein has said it's hopeful of winning the most seats in the parliament in dublin for the first time. but the parties which led the outgoing coalition government say they're both performing well in the early tallies. a final result isn't expected until the end of the weekend. let's speak to caitriona perry, who's in dublin for us. tell us where things are right now. ~ �* , ., .,

now. we're starting to get the first of those _ now. we're starting to get the first of those seats _ now. we're starting to get the first of those seats declared. l first of those seats declared. fianna fail has three seats sinn fein has three seats fianna fail has two seats. we have hundred and 7a seats to be filled. 0f have hundred and 7a seats to be filled. of those that have already been filled the sinn fein leader already has been fill re—elected. still a lot accounting to go. the system we have here where the candidates are ranked in order, there are up are ranked in order, there are up to five seats per constituency so it takes a little longer to count them. mary mcdonald the leader of sinn fein has already been here and i spoke to her a little earlier. i and i spoke to her a little earlier. ~ �* , ., and i spoke to her a little earlier. ~ �*, ., earlier. i think it's not so much my _ earlier. i think it's not so much my message - earlier. i think it's not so much my message as - earlier. i think it's not so | much my message as the earlier. i think it's not so - much my message as the message that we _

much my message as the message that we have heard out on the ground~ — that we have heard out on the ground. i've heard it clearly, i have — ground. i've heard it clearly, i have no_ ground. i've heard it clearly, i have no doubt they have heard it too _ i have no doubt they have heard it too the — i have no doubt they have heard it too. the idea of fianna fail back— it too. the idea of fianna fail back in— it too. the idea of fianna fail back in government after almost 20 years— back in government after almost 20 years is— back in government after almost 20 years is not something that people — 20 years is not something that people who have voted for us wish — people who have voted for us wish to— people who have voted for us wish to see. i don't think there _ wish to see. i don't think there is_ wish to see. i don't think there is any appetite for the returh— there is any appetite for the return of— there is any appetite for the return of the same old same old government. i think the message around _ government. i think the message around change of government is what _ around change of government is what we — around change of government is what we have all heard and we have _ what we have all heard and we have all— what we have all heard and we have all reflected on, we have all reflected back on our contributions to debate. the question— contributions to debate. the question is now how do we make that reat~ — question is now how do we make that real. and we need to talk to each— that real. and we need to talk to each other about what might be possible. to each other about what might be possible-— be possible. what will it mean for the island _ be possible. what will it mean for the island of _ be possible. what will it mean for the island of ireland - be possible. what will it mean for the island of ireland to - for the island of ireland to have sinn fein...- for the island of ireland to have sinn fein... michelle is actually here _ have sinn fein... michelle is actually here with _ have sinn fein... michelle is actually here with us - have sinn fein... michelle is actually here with us and - have sinn fein... michelle is actually here with us and i l actually here with us and i think— actually here with us and i think it's _ actually here with us and i think it's reflective of the progress of the island in many

ways — progress of the island in many ways our— progress of the island in many ways. 0ur peace process is firmly— ways. 0ur peace process is firmly bedded down and the sociat— firmly bedded down and the social and economic process has to come — social and economic process has to come with that now. we need to come with that now. we need to drive — to come with that now. we need to drive 0h _ to come with that now. we need to drive on. and then we are united — to drive on. and then we are united ireland party. sol think— united ireland party. sol think we _ united ireland party. sol think we are at the stage now where — think we are at the stage now where we _ think we are at the stage now where we need to start talking about, — where we need to start talking about, irr— where we need to start talking about, in realterm where we need to start talking about, in real term the process of referendums for constitutional change. whatever the government in dublin looks like after— the government in dublin looks like after this process, there is how— like after this process, there is how an _ like after this process, there is now an immediacy and urgency for that— is now an immediacy and urgency for that conversation to happen for that conversation to happen for the — for that conversation to happen for the democratic space to be opened — for the democratic space to be opened up for people who like mer _ opened up for people who like me. wish— opened up for people who like me, wish to see reunification. but also — me, wish to see reunification. but also for unionism and for communities across the island to say— communities across the island to say what is ireland like in five — to say what is ireland like in five or— to say what is ireland like in five or ten— to say what is ireland like in five or ten years' time? so olitics five or ten years' time? so

politics has _ five or ten years' time? sr politics has been reshaped in ireland... the other story from the selection is the virtual collapse of the green party. they're in the outgoing government with 12 seats, it looks like they may leaves all of those 12 seats. many candidates ran in this election, mostly anti—immigration candidates were independents. and there has not been any predicted swing to the right and those anti—immigration candidates as we have seen in other countries. a couple of notes from the election so far, it's very early days, lots of seats still to fill and then the complicated business of forming a government which will lead to... it may not happen and co—christmas. some mps who backed the assisted dying bill say they want to see changes before

they would give it final approval. the proposal would grant terminally ill adults in england and wales the right to end their life with the help of a doctor. some mps who voted in favour of the bill yesterday say they want it to go through further scrutiny before it becomes law. a memorial service for the former first minister of scotland, alex salmond, has been taking place in edinburgh. around 400 people attended the invitation—only event at st giles cathedral. alex salmond died last month in north macedonia at the age of 69. the actress cate blanchett has told the bbc she is "deeply concerned" about the impact of artificial intelligence in the film industry. she is due to star in a new film called rumours — an apocalyptic comedy about a group of world leaders trapped in a forest. speaking to laura kuenssberg, she said the issues facing wider society were even greater. i think it's very real. i mean,

you — i think it's very real. i mean, you can _ i think it's very real. i mean, you can now, the voice will happen— you can now, the voice will happen first in the image come second — happen first in the image come second. you can totally replace any person, forget whether they're _ any person, forget whether they're an actor or not. if votr've _ they're an actor or not. if you've recorded yourself or, i think— you've recorded yourself or, i think it — you've recorded yourself or, i think it is _ you've recorded yourself or, i think it is to be 30 seconds, but — think it is to be 30 seconds, but now— think it is to be 30 seconds, but now it's three or four... your— but now it's three or four... your voice _ but now it's three or four... your voice be replicated. and ou're your voice be replicated. and you're concerned _ your voice be replicated. and you're concerned about that? deeplv— you're concerned about that? deeply concerned. deeply concerned for. it's absolutely pointless. you see these tesla robots — pointless. you see these tesla robots and you think, our film looks— robots and you think, our film looks like _ robots and you think, our film looks like a sweet little documentary compared to what's going _ documentary compared to what's going on— documentary compared to what's going on in the world. there are some _ going on in the world. there are some things we think, well that will— are some things we think, well that will benefit humanity, and i'm looking at those robots and thinkingm _ i'm looking at those robots and thinking... and driverless cars ~~ _ thinking... and driverless cars... and there are just certain— cars... and there are just certain things... i'm not a curmudgeon, and are very curious— curmudgeon, and are very curious human being, and ijust look— curious human being, and ijust look at — curious human being, and ijust look at these things and think i look at these things and think i don't — look at these things and think i don't really know what that bringing _ i don't really know what that bringing anybody. sometimes it'sjust — bringing anybody. sometimes it's just experimentation for its own— it's just experimentation for its own sake. which is a creativity when you look at him

one way — creativity when you look at him one way but then it's also incredibly destructive, which is also — incredibly destructive, which is also the other side of creativity.— is also the other side of creativity. is also the other side of creativi . ., , ., creativity. can you see a day when actors _ creativity. can you see a day when actors could _ creativity. can you see a day when actors could be - creativity. can you see a day i when actors could be replaced by ai creations, is that something that worries you? i’m something that worries you? i'm less concerned about myjob prospects than i am about the inrpact — prospects than i am about the inrpact is _ prospects than i am about the impact is going to have on the average — impact is going to have on the average person. 0n old age pensioners, on people who are working — pensioners, on people who are working three jobs to try and be below the poverty line. thats— be below the poverty line. that's my concern. i'm worried about— that's my concern. i'm worried about us— that's my concern. i'm worried about us as _ that's my concern. i'm worried about us as a species, it's a much — about us as a species, it's a much bigger problem. and you can see the full interview on �*sunday with laura kuenssberg' on bbc one at nine o'clock tomorrow morning, plus — of course — on the bbc iplayer. the christmas season has officially begun in croatia, with zagreb's main christmas market opening today. the city has been voted europe 5 best christmas market destination for three years in a row, but it's now decided to withdraw from the annual competition.

guy de launey is there and explained a little more about the festive atmosphere. it really is magical. we had a beautiful performance down here before of the nutcracker on ice, giving a little zagreb twist with some of the local characters from local legend here in zagreb performing as well. that was done by professionals as well as one of the skating clubs here. they cried people watching that. now everyone is waiting for their go on the ice, i bought my skates. they haven't let the bluffers on yet, but when they do i will be on there. i know you wanted to see me gliding around in the as but perhaps that's not going to happen this time, sorry to disappoint, that's fine we wouldn't put you under that pressure. haifa under that pressure. how important _ under that pressure. how important is _ under that pressure. how important is this - under that pressure. how important is this for - under that pressure. how . important is this for croatia's tourist industry? it’s important is this for croatia's tourist industry?—

tourist industry? it's a huge art of tourist industry? it's a huge part of the _ tourist industry? it's a huge part of the economy - tourist industry? it's a huge part of the economy for - part of the economy for croatia, it produces about a fifth of the countries gdp. they are painfully aware that most of that money comes in during july and august. july and august are the key months. people do think of croatia as a summer destination. zagreb advent is one way of changing peoples minds about what croatia can offer. they have all of these christmas markets around the city, and when i say all of these, there are more than 20. events like this, the ice—skating, the shows that go on here, different kinds of music from rock to classical to traditional folk. music from rock to classical to traditionalfolk. and music from rock to classical to traditional folk. and there's even art installations. in a world war ii era tunnel. that's very magical i was there today, it called the polar express

call. it called the polar express call- ...— it called the polar express call. ~ ., call. were looking at the beaches _ call. were looking at the beaches as _ call. were looking at the beaches as you _ call. were looking at the beaches as you speak -- . beaches as you speak —— pictures. tell us about this competition that they pulled out of? ., , ., , competition that they pulled out of? . , ., competition that they pulled outof? . , ., , , out of? zagreb was voted best christmas _ out of? zagreb was voted best christmas market _ out of? zagreb was voted best christmas market three - out of? zagreb was voted best christmas market three years' out of? zagreb was voted best l christmas market three years on the go and it was getting a bit silly. who knows what was going on with the voting as well, people were very patriotic here. in the sense it was mission completed because this advent market is really on the map now. if you look at the must see list, and of course all the media portals do these list, the international ones, uk, elsewhere in europe, they do these run is of crisp mass markets that you should go and see and zagreb is on them now. it started small about ten years ago with this ice park

and one other market and over the years since then they've expanded and the tourism authorities have realised there onto a winner. this particular park right here, it'll have more than half a million visitors during the advent period. and that's where the lot to croatia and the city. abs, lot to croatia and the city. a man who caused an online storm when he found a mars bar without its signature ripple has received... harry seager said while mars wrigley uk would not give him a reason for the imperfection, he was happy to be given enough money to buy two more mars bars. huge news there for you.

let's go back to georgia now for you. there are process on the streets... holding photos ofjournalist the streets... holding photos of journalist they say were beaten by police. police have been using tear gas as well as water cannon against demonstrators at least on previous night. the president is siding with protesters because the president is in favour of eu accession talks. the government, the prime minister is not. the president is saying she may retain her role as president until new parliamentary elections are held in georgia because according to how the country's constitution... high term ends after the inauguration of her successor coming up... but he she believes her chosen successor will not be legitimate because the current parliament is illegitimate.

they believe, the president believes the elections in october were rigged. it is a 0ctober were rigged. it is a crisis point for georgia and the protesters continue to take to the streets. this time on saturday night, as those demonstrations continue... hello, there. well, it's turned milder over the last 2a hours or so. plenty of cloud, along with that mild feeling air. misty murky conditions, with some patchy light rain and drizzle, particularly for western hills, here is lancashire underneath the cloud. best of the breaks in the cloud and sunshine to the north east of higher ground, such as here in aberdeenshire, of course for st andrew's day. tomorrow, we will be keeping the mild air. there will be some showers. some of those showers possibly heavy, especially towards the west, but also some spells of brightness and sunshine. this weather front gradually approaching from the west. we are keeping the strength of that southerly to south—westerly wind as we head through this evening and overnight. it will feel brisk at times through these irish sea coasts.

bands of rain tracking eastwards, plenty of cloud around, some clearer spells developing across parts of western scotland into northern ireland, but temperatures do remain in double figures to start off the day tomorrow, so it's a mild start to the day for this time of year. and then into tomorrow morning itself, these bands of rain and showers keep tracking further eastwards, there will always be a lot of cloud across parts of east anglia for much of the day but some brighter skies developing for central western areas, another rash of showers, some of which could turn out to be heavy, across northern ireland, towards the far west and across western scotland later on through the day. but it does stay mild, temperatures again above the seasonal average. but just look at what happens on sunday night into monday. so our fronts clear eastwards and then we start to draw down more of the northerly wind and that will push down colder air from the arctic and we are all into that colder air by the time we get to monday night and into tuesday so there will be a widespread frost as we start off tuesday morning. let's look at monday, you will notice the cold conditions out towards the north and the west,

a few wintry showers across the higher ground of scotland in particular, as that front gradually tracks its way further southwards, bringing cloud and some outbreaks of rain with it, but it will brighten up behind the front and you notice a clear contrast between colder air in the north and still that milder air hanging on for a time further south. so, widespread frost as we start tuesday morning, then we look out towards the atlantic, this band of rain, as it bumps into the colderair across the higher ground of the north in particular, is likely to turn to snow. for some we're staying in that colder air on tuesday. it will turn milder again later on through the week. bye— bye.

this is bbc news, the headlines. syrian rebels celebrate after seizing control of much of the city of aleppo. syrian government forces say they've temporarily withdrawn to prepare a counter offensive. it comes after the insurgents continued their surprise four—day offensive, meeting very little resistance. world central kitchen says it is pausing operations in gaza after a vehicle carrying its colleagues was hit by an israeli airstrike. the charity says it has no knowledge that any individual in the vehicle had alleged ties to the october 7th attacks. counting is under way in ireland's general election, with an exit poll suggesting a tight race between the three main parties.

zagreb has been voted europe's best christmas destination. it just opened this year. so often it withdrew to let others shine. now on bbc news, it's sportsday. hello and welcome to sportsday — i'm tulsen tollett. england's cricketers close in on victory in the first test against new zealand in christchurch, thanks to two quick chris woakes wickets. team work makes the dream work in qatar as a mclaren