live from london, this is bbc news. president macron will appoint a new prime minister in the coming days following the resignation of michel barnier. the embattled south korean president has lost the support of his own party chief was now calling for his suspension. i'm steve lai with the latest insole. —— in song. warnings that the nhs in england is under more pressure going into winter due to a sharp rise in cases of flu. hello there. i'm mark lobel. a warm welcome to the programme.

french president emmanuel macron says he will appoint a new prime minister in the coming days, following the resignation of michel barnier. in an address to the nation, mr macron rejected calls to stand down, saying he will remain president until the end of his term in 2027. michel barnier lost a no—confidence vote on wednesday, 90 days after becoming prime minister. president macron has asked him to stay on in a caretaker capacity while his successor is chosen. the political turmoil comes ahead of a visit by the soon to be us president, donald trump, this weekend at the reopening celebration for notre—dame cathedral. from paris, here's andrew harding. a mood of angry confusion across france today. teachers here leading nationwide marches against the government and its tough budget cuts. except there is no government any more and no budget, either — not since last night's vote of no confidence sent the nation spinning into political chaos. now, there'sjust frustration.

france is a big country. should be a big country, 0k? today, it's a mess. everything is wrong. it's all about corruption... this evening, a statement from the man most french blame for the mess. president emmanuel macron — not for the first time — called for unity and lashed out at "intransigent" mps. translation: some political groups have simply chosen i chaos. it's the only agenda that unites them. they don't want to build. they want to dismantle and create disorder. it was yesterday evening that mps on the hard left and hard right voted to bring down a fragile centrist government and with it, the former brexit negotiator turned short—lived prime minister, michel barnier. the parliament was and still is deadlocked, with no appetite for the sort of pragmatic

deal—making france needs. already, businesses big and small are concerned about the knock—on effects. "all i want is a stable situation," says abdul majeed, "so everyone is happy. "a lot of us are worried." we know that we have to make fiscal consolidation, but we don't have a strategy now because we don't have a government. any new government may depend on this man's support. signing his autobiography at the age ofjust 29, jordan bardella, leader of the national rally, is the star of france's hard right. asked if he's now demanding president macron step down, he said... speaks french "not yet." "not yet." there is no clarity there is no clarity tonight about the way tonight about the way forward for france. their claws and a new prime forward for france.

the president looks weak, the president looks weak, hardliners in parliament hardliners in parliament are still sharpening are still sharpening their claws and a new prime minister will surely struggle to break this winter deadlock. andrew harding, bbc news, paris. let's speak to jamie smith—maillet, a freelance reporter in france. what does this vote of no confidence mean for france politically, and why does it matter? yeah, well, the vote of no confidence is something that parties had said may come from the appointment of michel barnier in september and barnier in september and barnier himself at that time said he did not expect to last very long and we were hearing that he lasted for three months. ultimately, what it means is we have fallen back into a period of chaos that france knew anyway around about the june— france knew anyway around about thejune— july france knew anyway around about the june— july period with france knew anyway around about thejune— july period with the snap election and suddenly this parliament being formed with

three blocks and as we go back to that time we then had the caretaker government over the summer and it took president macron two months to then appoint michel barnier. the situation currently means that, once again, the country is without a government and clearly no clear signs as to who really could come in to replace barnier and bring about the stability that the country as needed with compromise and concession that is required on all sides. as we were hearing there in reports as well, the sense of frustration on the streets and from the general population in france. if you are quite disconnected in politics, quite frustrated with the way things have turned out. so this really has left a lot of instability and uncertainty at this moment in time. figs of instability and uncertainty at this moment in time. as you sa , to at this moment in time. as you say. to gumus _ at this moment in time. as you say, to gumus as _ at this moment in time. as you say, to gumus as long - at this moment in time. as you say, to gumus as long to - say, to gumus as long to appoint him as he lasted in the

say, to gumus as long to appo it him as he lasted in the say, to gumus as long to - appo- he lasted in the say, to gumus as long to - appo-|e lasted in the say, to gumus as long to a. .o ., “ ted in the this? i mean, i think it depends _ this? i mean, ithink it depends on _ this? i mean, ithink it depends on who - this? i mean, ithink it depends on who you . this? i mean, ithink it. depends on who you talk this? i mean, ithink it- depends on who you talk to. above all a lot of people have, if we look at the level of popularity of macron, which has gone down significantly, a lot of people have been pointing the finger and blame at present macron himself for the snap election which he announced at that time was many said was just quite ridiculous, why was it needed, a shock election? and ultimately brought about this level of madness. that said, the message coming from the centrist party's is that this is the fault of the extremes, the extreme right and then the grouping on the left and the far left for basically deciding to bring about this vote of no confidence in throwing the country into a next stage of chaos. the country itself, in terms of votes, is really fragmented and situation, but ultimately this is a se is i that modern france, situation, but ultimately this is a se is really nodern france, situation, but ultimately this is a se is really nodern frar and votes, is really fragmented and polarised. is not the only polarised. is not the only country in europe in that country in europe in that situation, but ultimately this situation, but ultimately this is a setup that modern france, is a setup that modern france,

modern history is never knowing, so finding a sense of compromise would always be tricky and it looks like it still will be in the time ahead. �* , still will be in the time ahead. fl ., still will be in the time ahead. �*, ., ., , ahead. it's not the only country _ ahead. it's not the only country in _ ahead. it's not the only country in europe - ahead. it's not the only| country in europe facing ahead. it's not the only - country in europe facing this, but it is an important country in europe for many are looking to it to sort out its problems. andrew harding was saying there is no way forward on the cards at the moment, but are there lessons in how and what went wrong for president macron to learn from and to put things right? learn from and to put things riuht? ., ., ., learn from and to put things riiht? ., ., ., . right? yeah, one of the tricky thins right? yeah, one of the tricky things for— right? yeah, one of the tricky things for michel _ right? yeah, one of the tricky things for michel barnier - right? yeah, one of the tricky things for michel barnier in i things for michel barnier in any case was he had the task of dealing with the budget for 2025 and that is ultimately the hurdle he stumbled over. the lesson possibly for him orfor a future prime minister coming in is in terms of concession, compromise, negotiation with all parties. now, those on the

and possible the budget and possible concessions that could have been made. the far right, there were elements of concession that were made, but they simply did not go far enough. so, really, finding someone who can bring about consensus across all parties would be one lesson, but that simply is pretty tricky and france is not necessarily a country, compared to papps germany, with its coalitions and negotiation, it is not a country where that is really in the makings of politics. so that is going to be still very, very tricky. and perhaps listening to all parties is the next message as well. the message clearly hear from macron we saw yesterday was pointing the finger of blame at the extremes, so the question to be asked is whether he really will listen to all parties and try and find that level of consensus on appointing someone that ticks all boxes across the board. fik.

all boxes across the board. 0k. jamie smith—maillet for now, thank you. we turn to south korea now. the leader of south korea's ruling party has said the country's president could put the public at risk if he stays in office and has announced that he should be suspended from his duties. yoon sung nyull is facing mounting pressure to resign over his failed attempt to impose martial law and now it appears his own party may help to impeach him. steve lai is live in seoul for us. quite a development here? it certainly is. different when the party chief said they would vote against the impeachment of president yoon. that has changed overnight as the details emerged with a call for martial law on tuesday evening. they got an update, the ruling party leader said he is set to

meet with president unit this afternoon at the presidential residence, a specific time has not been stated, he has had that u—turn. let's turn to rupert to get more on the developing situations we have been seeing and that will make for an awkward conversation between the two men. it certainly does sound like it. this— certainly does sound like it. this is— certainly does sound like it. this is the leader of the people's power party in parliaments meeting with president yoon, the president from — president yoon, the president from the — president yoon, the president from the same party who apparently on tuesday night ordered _ apparently on tuesday night ordered the arrest of his own party— ordered the arrest of his own party leader and this is why we have _ party leader and this is why we have seen— party leader and this is why we have seen this apparent u—turn hy have seen this apparent u—turn by mr_ have seen this apparent u—turn by mr hans today, because he apparently found out he was on the arrest — apparently found out he was on the arrest list to be arrested under— the arrest list to be arrested under the martial law declaration and other members of his— declaration and other members of his party as well. so he has come — of his party as well. so he has come out _ of his party as well. so he has come out this morning and said the president is a danger to the president is a danger to the constitution, a danger to democracy and he needs to move, so he _

democracy and he needs to move, so he is _ democracy and he needs to move, so he is putting his support behind _ so he is putting his support behind the impeachment motion. we understand they are in the building — we understand they are in the building hardy is now having a meeting — building hardy is now having a meeting with the rest of his party— meeting with the rest of his party to— meeting with the rest of his party to decide whether they are going to support that en masse — are going to support that en masse and if they do there is talk— masse and if they do there is talk of— masse and if they do there is talk of bringing up that impeachment motion from saturday night, tomorrow night it was— saturday night, tomorrow night it was supposed to take place, it was supposed to take place, it could — it was supposed to take place, it could come up to tonight. it is possibly could be brought up and we — is possibly could be brought up and we could see an impeachment taking _ and we could see an impeachment taking place today.— taking place today. that's ri . ht, taking place today. that's rirht, it taking place today. that's right, it was _ taking place today. that's right, it was originally - right, it was originally scheduled for 7pm on saturday, but it can happen as early as this morning. we could have been taking place. 0pposition lawmakers also in the behind us, the national assembly, they said they would not leave it all until tomorrow. lester young tells us that members of his own party are currently in the building, they will vote for either impeachment or another colleague is martial law. . , another colleague is martial law. , ., ., law. there has been a call from the democratic _ law. there has been a call from the democratic party _ law. there has been a call fromj the democratic party leadership that president yoon driven into a corner— that president yoon driven into a corner could make another attempt _ a corner could make another attempt to impose martial law and to — attempt to impose martial law and to arrest people here. so

therefore _ and to arrest people here. so therefore they need to stay in this building and also all night _ this building and also all night tonight if they have to in order— night tonight if they have to in order to night tonight if they have to in orderto make night tonight if they have to in order to make sure that if president _ in order to make sure that if president you did that they could — president you did that they could rapidly hold another vote to overturn it again. having heard — to overturn it again. having heard from the new defence minister _ heard from the new defence minister and the head of the special— minister and the head of the special forces that come out today, — special forces that come out today, both of them, and said another— today, both of them, and said another imposition of martial law is— another imposition of martial law is impossible, they would disobey— law is impossible, they would disobey the order and they would _ disobey the order and they would not sent troops and they are playing down the possibility that could happen again — possibility that could happen again. is possibility that could happen aiain. ,., ., possibility that could happen aiain. ., m again. is also a difficult time here in south _ again. is also a difficult time here in south korea, - again. is also a difficult time i here in south korea, members again. is also a difficult time - here in south korea, members of the public have been protesting as well. we haven't heard from the president since he walked back the degree for martial law but he is under incredible pressure from all fronts. he is backed into — pressure from all fronts. he is backed into a _ pressure from all fronts. he is backed into a corner. - pressure from all fronts. he is backed into a corner. he - pressure from all fronts. he is backed into a corner. he faces either— backed into a corner. he faces either impeachment or he could step down and a lot of people here, — step down and a lot of people here, we _ step down and a lot of people here, we have protesters on the street— here, we have protesters on the street out— here, we have protesters on the street out here qualify him to step— street out here qualify him to step down, the opposition calling _ step down, the opposition calling for him to step down cominou— calling for him to step down common not to go through this

prolonged process of impeachment and then trial, the president— impeachment and then trial, the president himself must be sitting _ president himself must be sitting in the presidential building on the other side of the river— building on the other side of the river thinking of a step—down out they will arrest me because there is now an open investigation, opened by prosecutors into whether he broke — prosecutors into whether he broke the constitutional acted against — broke the constitutional acted against the constitution so he has pretty poor choices ahead of him — has pretty poor choices ahead of him right now.— has pretty poor choices ahead of him right now. when a rock and a hard _ of him right now. when a rock and a hard place. _ of him right now. when a rock and a hard place. river- of him right now. when a rock and a hard place. river wear. and a hard place. river wear gill higgins, ourasia correspondent —— rupert wingfield—hayes. as message, a lot of meetings happening in the building behind us to determine the fate of president yoon and we will keep an eye on them. at yoon and we will keep an eye on them. �* , , them. a very tense political situation — them. a very tense political situation that _ them. a very tense political situation that many - them. a very tense political situation that many thanks | them. a very tense political i situation that many thanks to you and to rupert. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

there are warnings that the nhs in england is under more pressure going into winter than ever before. a sharp rise in cases of flu and norovirus are seemingly to blame. 0ur correspondent

steve knibbs has more. the nhs said australian limit isn't unusual but this year the pressure is hitting harder and earlier than before and there are no warnings of a potential quarter damik. the first nhs figures for the winter show that the average number of patients taking up beds in hospitals in england last week with flu were almost 1100. that is four times higher than this time last year. 750 beds were occupied with those with norovirus like symptoms, more than 140 children were in hospital with a respiratory edition rsv and nearly 1400 beds had covid basins in them, lower than last year. and out of a total of 100,000 beds 95,000 are already occupied. staff at one hospital in nottinghamshire said they are already experiencing extreme pressure on services.-

already experiencing extreme pressure on services. there is a 92-year-old _ pressure on services. there is a 92-year-old gentleman - pressure on services. there isj a 92-year-old gentleman who pressure on services. there is - a 92-year-old gentleman who has a 92—year—old gentleman who has beenin a 92—year—old gentleman who has been in ed now for 24 hours waiting for a bed, that is is unheard of here.— unheard of here. with increasing _ unheard of here. with increasing admissionsj unheard of here. with - increasing admissions across the uk the national medical directorfor the uk the national medical director for the the uk the national medical directorfor the nhs, professor director for the nhs, professor stephen directorfor the nhs, professor stephen powis juandah directorfor the nhs, professor stephen powisjuandah the next few months will be difficult. with cases of flu and norovirus in particular rising sharply there are concerns the extra pressure caused by the huge number of patients will lead to hospitals declaring critical incidents. the nhs is one of the ways the public and help is for those who are eligible for vaccinations to get theirjabs as soon as possible. 27 million people have already had jabs for flu comara and people have already had jabs forflu comara and covid, but there are many that haven't. this all comes the day after the prime minister said one of his six long—term priorities for government was hitting the his six long—term priorities for government was hitting the 18 week target for nonurgent 18 week target for nonurgent hospital care. but, as it hospital care. but, as it stands, pressure on the stands, pressure on the services mounting than ever services mounting than ever

before. before. steve knibbs, bbc news. steve knibbs, bbc news. to syria now. islamist rebels have made another breakthrough in their surprise offensive against the syrian government and seized a second major city, hama. the syrian army says it has withdrawn its forces there — effectively ceding control to the islamist—led rebel fighters. it comes after their surprise capture of aleppo last week. this footage shows rebels, entering the city — apparently unopposed. the un says fighting has displaced more than 280,000 people in the northwest of the country. united nations secretary general, antonio guterres, called the reignited war a collective failure of the international community. speaking in new york, mr guterres called on all sides to end the bloodshed.

it has led to significant shifts in the frontlines and tens of thousands of civilians are at risk in a region already on fire. a massive police operation is still under way in new york after a gunman shot dead the chief executive of one america's biggest health insurance companies. police released new photos of "a person of interest," last seen on a bike in central park fleeing the shooting on wednesday morning. unitedhealthcare chief brian thompson was shot in midtown manhattan on his way to the company's investor meeting, and later died in hospital. ros atkins of bbc verify has been following the latest. brian thompson was shot dead on wednesday morning. he was attacked a few blocks from times square and central park, just outside

the hilton hotel in manhattan. police now say this man is a person of interest as they pursue their investigation. the first known sighting of the gunman is by the 57th street subway station. this cctv image, obtained by the washington post, is time—stamped 6:15. the next sighting, according to us media, is 6:17 at a starbucks. the police released this image from inside the cafe. then at 6:30, we see the same man in this video, published by the new york times. he appears to be on the phone. nearby is the hilton hotel. brian thompson was attending a conference there and according to police, at around 6:40, the gunman arrived and waited. minutes later, this video shows mr thompson by the hotel. the gunman approaches and takes aim. he ignores a bystander close by who flees as the shooting begins.

also, if we zoom in, after the initial shot, the gun appears to temporarily jam, and one firearms expert told us the gun may have a silencer. after the shooting, the assailant runs across the street, leaving brian thompson lying on the ground. police say he then walked into a nearby alleyway and then, using a bike, headed north toward central park. we have this image from the police showing someone in the same outfit with the same rucksack. according to police, he then rode into central park. by this point, it's 6:48. the final possible sighting is on west 85th street. our us partner cbs reports police are analysing this surveillance footage from just before 7:00. 13 minutes later — 7:12 — at the mount sinai west hospital, brian thompson was pronounced dead.

across new york, the search continues for his killer. ros atkins, bbc news. plenty more on that story on the bbc news website and the bbc app. let's turn to some other important news around the world. australia's prime minister, anthony albanese, has condemned an arson attack on a synagogue in melbourne as an anti—semitic act of hate. the fire broke out while members of the congregation were inside who reported seeing firebombs thrown. one person was injured and the fire caused extensive damage. protestors took to the streets in the georgian capital, tbilisi, for the eighth night in a row, as demonstrations continue against the government's decision to shelve eu accession talks. the interior ministry says it's arrested 13 more people in tbilisi. hundreds have been detained since the start of the protests and rights groups say many have been beaten. the us authorities have cancelled a tsunami warning issued for coastal areas of california and oregon.

people rushed to get to higher ground in san francisco before the warning was cancelled. the alert, which covered almost five million people, followed a magnitude seven earthquake that struck off the coast of northern california. there are power cuts across parts of the region. iceland is often considered a great country to be a woman, as it tops world rankings when it comes to gender parity. but it is also a country with persistently high rates of gender—based violence with about 40% of women subjected to physical and sexual violence — significantly higher than the global average. for bbc 100 women, our gender and identity correspondent sofia bettiza took a look at the issue iceland has been one of the mission eagle countries and there was the last 15 years. one of the secrets of their

success destro start early. at this nursery the girls and the boys are separated and then encouraged to do things that are normally associated with the opposite sex. the girls are taught to be unapologetic and bs. —— fierce. while the boys are getting in touch with their caring side. the idea is that they develop their personalities without the constraints of conventional gender stereotypes. iceland became the first country in the world to make it illegal to pay men more than women for the samejob. and this quality men more than women for the same job. and this quality also applies in the home. parental leave here is 12 months. the mother and can split equally. that is what this couple are doing. they have five kids. have you ever felt, doing. they have five kids. have you everfelt, oh, if i get pregnant things will be hard for me at work? ha.

get pregnant things will be hard for me at work? no. never. i've hard for me at work? no. never. i've never— hard for me at work? no. never. i've never felt _ hard for me at work? no. never. i've never felt like _ hard for me at work? no. never. i've never felt like the _ i've never felt like the pressure of not having kids because of my career. 90% of all fathers _ because of my career. 9096 of all fathers take _ because of my career. 9096 of all fathers take paternity - all fathers take paternity leave. research shows that after going back to work they continue to be significantly more involved. when you think that iceland will close the gender gap? ma; that iceland will close the gender gap? that iceland will close the au-endera? , ., , ., gender gap? my ambition is for iceland to be _ gender gap? my ambition is for iceland to be first _ gender gap? my ambition is for iceland to be first to _ gender gap? my ambition is for iceland to be first to close - iceland to be first to close the gender gap and hopefully by 2030. but the gender gap and hopefully by 2030. �* ., , ., , the gender gap and hopefully by 2030. �* ., , .,, , . 2030. but our things as perfect as they seem? _ 2030. but our things as perfect as they seem? we _ 2030. but our things as perfect as they seem? we have - 2030. but our things as perfect as they seem? we have been l as they seem? we have been marketed _ as they seem? we have been marketed as _ as they seem? we have been marketed as this _ as they seem? we have been marketed as this feminist - marketed as this feminist paradise, which we are not. at home we are not safe than women anywhere else in europe. (singing). we are at a visual to remember all the icelandic women have been killed by men. itjust shows that even in a country thatis shows that even in a country that is supposed to be a great place for women things are far

from perfect. about 40% of icelandic women have been subjected to physical or sexual violence and because of that the icelandic state is being sued for misogyny. haste the icelandic state is being sued for misogyny. we thought it was completely _ sued for misogyny. we thought it was completely unacceptable that women were not taken seriously and we decided to use the european court of human rights to sue the icelandic state. now we're just crossing our fingers we will win. [30 state. now we're just crossing our fingers we will win. do you think that _ our fingers we will win. do you think that the _ our fingers we will win. do you think that the government - our fingers we will win. do you think that the government is i think that the government is doing enough to tackle the issue of gender violence? h0. doing enough to tackle the issue of gender violence? no, i don't think— issue of gender violence? no, i don't think any _ issue of gender violence? no, i don't think any government - issue of gender violence? no, i don't think any government is l don't think any government is doing enough. as long as there is gender—based violence we are not doing enough. it's as simple as that. sofia bettiza, bbc news, iceland. business use in a moment. but let's talk money now. the former beatles star sir paul mccartney has been honoured by britain's royal mint with a new collection of coins celebrating his career. the specialfive pound coins feature britain's king charles

on one side and a design containing references to mccartney's record—breaking career on the other. the 82—year—old, who was involved in the design process, described it as a "huge honour". though legal tender, the coins will be aimed at collectors and won't enter ordinary circulation. hello there. well, it was wet and windy on thursday and the weather is about to turn even worse still as we head into the weekend with our next named storm, storm darragh, barrelling in from the west. damaging gusts of wind — that's what we're most concerned about — but also the risk of flooding, especially in the northwest, and there will be some snowfall over the higher ground of scotland. but friday, a fairly quiet day of weather — the calm before the storm, particularly for the eastern half of the uk. it's a cold start to the morning compared to how mild it was on thursday. the sunshine lasting longest in the east, high cloud pushing eastwards and turning very wet, very windy by the end of the afternoon across northern ireland and for these western coasts, too. temperatures staying in single figures, so a lot cooler than on thursday. but here comes the storm

on friday night into saturday. deep area of low pressure, tight squeeze on the isobars first down towards irish sea coasts and then, the strength of the wind transfers to north sea—facing coasts on saturday afternoon. there are plenty of weather warnings in force but this is the most serious — an amber warning for damaging gusts of wind. gusts exceeding 70—80 miles an hour, perhaps, on some irish sea coasts. within these areas, we're likely to see coastal overtopping, transport disruption and even trees down. so this is the small hours, then, of saturday. blizzard—like conditions over the higher ground of scotland, even perhaps some snow to lower levels and across the pennines and the cumbrian fells. the rain will be relentless in the northwest but it's mostly the strength of the winds we're concerned about. this is how we're starting off the day on saturday. now, if you've got travel plans — or, indeed, pre—christmas plans, perhaps — then do keep checking the forecast. it will be very windy. even inland across england and wales, we're expecting gusts of 50—60 miles an hour. the winds easing a little through the afternoon for irish sea coasts but picking up for north sea—facing coasts. coastal overtopping expected across parts of norfolk. and these will be the day's temperatures — not that you'll notice the temperature

too much. it will feel highly unpleasant outside and there'll be a lot of added wind chill, too. now, the area of low pressure pulls away as we head into sunday. high pressure builds in behind but there's a brisk northerly wind and it certainly is going to feel cold and there'll be a lot of added wind chill, too. windiest towards the eastern half of the uk, plenty more showers piling down on that wind and temperatures for most will stay in single figures into the start of next week. bye— bye.

boeing under pressure: a usjudge rejects a landmark plea deal tied to two fatal 737 max crashes. hanging in the balance: tiktok awaits a court ruling on its north america ban as a sale deadline looms. plus, patience is a virtue: eu chief von der leyen is in south america seeking