i'm sumi somaskanda. this could have you with us. we begin in syria, where shops are reopening and people are returning to work in the capital damascus, three days after the fall of the assad regime. the new interim prime minister, mohamad al bashir, has called on syrians abroad to return home. he says he wants to provide stability and calm in the country as day to day life gradually resumes. but many people across the country want to see revenge for the atrocities that happened under bashar al—assad's rule. fighters in syria set fire to the tomb of hafez al—assad, the father of the ousted president. and video from the family's hometown shows a coffin and parts of the mausoleum on fire. meanwhile, large crowds gathered in a suburb of the capital damascus for what they believed would be a public execution

against those who committed atrocities under the assad regime. our international editor jeremy bowen sent this update. a warning, there are some disturbing images in his report. if only moving from dictatorship to freedom was as simple as climbing onto an abandoned tank and posing for pictures. but the assad family was in power in syria long before these children's parents were even born. over half a century, a lot of anger built up, and it is being released. sometimes politely by quiet families at the former president's home. it was looted after the assads fled — the end of what must have been an elegant lifestyle. now the house is secured by victorious fighters from hayat tahrir al—sham, hts. they borrowed the fighters�* guns for photos. until a few days ago, they would not have dared to look through the gate. the visitors were still getting used to living without fear of the regime. translation: people were living in hell- and he was in his palace.

he didn't care about what they were going through. he made them live in fear, hunger and humiliation. even after we entered damascus, people would only whisper to us because they were still afraid. anger at the assads is a family affair. much stronger revenge was on the minds of the crowd in tadamon, a quarter of damascus that suffered grievously. their fury against bashar al—assad deepened in 2013 when military intelligence operatives forced at least 41 local men into a mass grave and shot them dead. there's a video. that's one of the killers. another, abu muntajab, is being held near here, and the people had come to watch him being hanged. imagine if someone knocked on your door and brought

you by force and did not tell you anything, the reason of why you are getting killed. throughout the afternoon, more and more people arrived until thousands blocked the streets. when rumours flew around that the execution was starting, the crowd surged back and forth, jostling for the best position, not wanting to miss a thing. the man they wanted hanged had been the local boss, a thief as well as a killer. "he stole my house and money," said muna. translation: of course i want him dead. - i would have done it - myself with my own hands, but i couldn't find a way. i wanted to kill him! somehow they decided the execution was happening down the street and stampeded. if syria's new rulers do not want change to be measured in blood, they will need to control the desire for revenge. there is a real strong sense of excitement,

expectation, anger as well. they want to see this man dead. they don't just want justice to be done — they want to see it being done, notjust because of his crimes, but because of the boundless cruelty of the assad regime. the revolution won! after 14 years... we just wantjustice! in the end, there was no execution, at least not yet. it was probably a rumour, but thousands wanted it to be true. when the weight of dictatorship is lifted, powerful forces are unleashed. how they are dealt with shapes what comes next. jeremy bowen, bbc news, damascus. the un secretary—general antonio guterres says the events in syria in syria

are a signs of hope for palestinians and their right to self—determination. israel says it thinks there is a chance for a deal to release all the hostages held by hamas in gaza — and reports from cairo say there's been growing optimism for a ceasefire agreement. but idf strikes are continuing. gaza's civil defence agency said wednesday that an overnight israeli air strike in the northern part of gaza killed at least 22 people, including women and children. fifa officially confirmed on wednesday that saudi arabia will host the men's world cup in 2034. saudi arabia was the only candidate in what is usually a highly competitive bidding process. rather than a formal vote, applause was used to measure support. human rights agencies warn that the decision risks the exploitation of migrant workers who will build the infrastructure for the tournament. they also warn that some fans could be discriminated against. lgbtq rights are not protected in saudi arabia. but event organisers and saudi officials assured their commitment to "providing a safe and welcoming environment". spain, portugal and morocco were also confirmed by fifa to split hosting the men's 2030 world cup. our sports editor dan roan has more.

saudi arabia has been tightening its grip on world sport, spending billions to become a destination for major events. but today, fifa delivered the prize it craved most. world cup 2034 will be... ..saudi arabia! with the inevitable victory confirmed, these the scenes in riyadh. with fifa cosying up to the saudis in recent years and a fast—tracked process appearing to pave the way for them, this had been a formality since last year, when it emerged that their bid would be unopposed. earlier, in a highly controlled virtual meeting, members of fifa's congress encouraged to vote with applause. saudi arabia's ambitious plans involve 11 new stadia, including one 350 metres above the ground in the futuristic and still to be built desert city of neom. but with the world cup, like neighbouring qatar's two years ago, set to be staged in winter to avoid the extreme summer heat, there are concerns over its impact on a congested

football calendar, on the environment and on human rights. workers will be exploited. many will die. activists may be put in prison for criticising what is happening. fans risk discrimination. the saudis deny they're sportswashing the country's human rights record — last year, its sports minister telling me the world cup would help it diversify its economy and to modernise. every country around the world has room for improvement. no—one's perfect and we acknowledge that, and we are reforming, and these events help us reform. norway's football federation abstained from today's acclamation, but the fa were among many others to support the saudis, saying it had assurances that gay fans would be welcome at the world cup. despite the controversy, saudi's sporting revolution gathers pace. dan roan, bbc news. joining me live now is andrea florence. she is the director of the sports & rights alliance,

a coalition of organisations promoting human rights through sport. very good to have you with us tonight on bbc news. ijust want to ask you first of all, what do you think of this decision by fifa and why do you think it is going to be problematic, not only for the sport but also for fans? 50. problematic, not only for the sport but also for fans? so, by awardin: sport but also for fans? so, by awarding the _ sport but also for fans? so, by awarding the 2034 _ sport but also for fans? so, by awarding the 2034 world - sport but also for fans? so, by awarding the 2034 world cup | sport but also for fans? so, by. awarding the 2034 world cup to saudi arabia, without meaningful protections, few vote today has decided both to ignore our warnings but also to disregard its own human rights the lessee —— fee for today. there is no shortage of migrant workers being excluded to racism, activists sentenced to decades in prison and women and no dbt —— and lgbtq forcibly evicted to make a for projects... 2017 actually, fifa excepted it had clear responsibility by adding human rights to its statutes, but by pursuing today's decision, regardless of the known risks, fifa will bear

heavy responsibility for what follows, and when it comes to fans specifically, today's decision showcases once more how fans concerns and use about where tournaments are held are repeatedly ignored. jo white, our board memberfrom repeatedly ignored. jo white, our board member from football supporters, set in our press briefing earlier this week, fans don't want to sit in stadiums migrant workers died to build, fans don't want to visit a country that is committed to gets women and girls. —— discriminate against. being demonised and, lezz and host nation. it being demonised and, lezz and host nation.— host nation. it is sometime between — host nation. it is sometime between now _ host nation. it is sometime between now and - host nation. it is sometime between now and 2034, i host nation. it is sometime i between now and 2034, when host nation. it is sometime - between now and 2034, when this takes place, and saudi arabia has said it will put in place measures to make sure migrant workers are protected, it has also said anyone is welcomed,

lgbtq plus fans who arrive will be welcomed as well. do you think there is room for saudi arabia to host this in a way thatis arabia to host this in a way that is in line with what your organisation believes? we have ten years. _ organisation believes? we have ten years. from _ organisation believes? we have ten years, from now _ organisation believes? we have ten years, from now until- organisation believes? we have ten years, from now until the i ten years, from now until the moment where saudi arabia will host the world cup. fundamental human rights reforms are usually required and urgently required in saudi arabia, where the world cup will inevitably be tarnished by exploitation, discrimination and repression. as a coalition of civil society organisations and trade unions working to raise the bar for sport and human rights, we renew our commitment in solidarity with saudi arabia's population and migrant workers, women, lgbtq operation and journalists inside and outside the country travelling to cover the country travelling to cover the world cup, we renew our commitment and dedication to leveraging the collective power of our alliance and our members

to amplify the voices of those affected and potentially affected and potentially affected by it world cup. you mentioned — affected by it world cup. you mentioned journalists there. what is the concern you have facing journalists?— facing journalists? saudi arabia currently - facing journalists? saudi arabia currently has - facing journalists? saudi arabia currently has a i facing journalists? saudi - arabia currently has a broad anti—terrorism law that is used to silence dissent with harsh penalties, including executions. no independent media exists, withjournalists facing censorship or repression or imprisonment. according to one of our partners in the alliance, the committee to protectjournalists, 35 protect journalists, 35 journalists have protectjournalists, 35 journalists have been arrested between 2012 and 2024 and saudi arabia. including attending 2019. although the realfigure is likely to be much higher. saudi arabia human rights strategy to host the world cup has no commitment to release its human rights defenders or to provide any protection for

journalists and whistle—blowers, so to sum up, journalists will be in a very difficult position while... we have about _ difficult position while... we have about 50 _ difficult position while... we have about 50 seconds left, but you can in that time, will you and the members of your organisation to be our alliance, be doing in that time to fight for these issues —— what will you be doing? we will stand like we _ what will you be doing? we will stand like we did _ what will you be doing? we will stand like we did before, - stand like we did before, even the award, highlighting the potential risks, trying to be in solidarity with the human rights population, the saudi population undoubtedly deserves to experience the joy that an international sport event can bring, but this cannot come at any price. it must go hand—in—hand with measures that guarantee the rights that their government continues to deny them. �* . , government continues to deny them. �* ., , ., ., government continues to deny them. �* ., , ., ., them. andrea, very good to have ou on them. andrea, very good to have you on bbc— them. andrea, very good to have you on bbc news _ them. andrea, very good to have you on bbc news tonight. - them. andrea, very good to have you on bbc news tonight. thank| you on bbc news tonight. thank you on bbc news tonight. thank you so much forjoining us. thank you. ten—year—old sara sharif endured two years of horrific suffering at the hands of her father and stepmother.

on wednesday, they were convicted of her murder. sara's body was found at her home in england last year, after she'd been subjected to a campaign of abuse, including being burnt and regularly beaten, causing dozens of injuries. the defendants fled to pakistan with five other children after the killing. sara's uncle, who was also on trial, was cleared of murder, but found guilty of causing or allowing the death of a child. in the first of our reports tonight, helena wilkinson has more on events in court at the old bailey, and a warning, her report is distressing. sara sharif loved to sing and play the guitar. she was a confident, caring little girl. but in august last year, she was murdered after months of brutal violence. your daughter has died? i killed my daughter, i killed my daughter! more than a day after sara

had died, herfather called the police. my daughter is dead! he had left sara's body alone at home in woking in surrey and fled with his family to pakistan. this was the moment police arrived at the house. police! upstairs, under covers in a bunk bed, they found sara's body. her father had left a note. it said, "it's me, urfan sharif, who killed my daughter by beating." the little girl had around 100 injuries, including broken bones, bruises, burns and bite marks. police discovered this cricket bat with sara's blood on it and a metal pole that her father hit her with as she lay dying. hours after sara was murdered, her family were at heathrow, heading for pakistan.

but after a month on the run, sara's father, stepmother and uncle returned to the uk and were arrested. the body of sara sharif was discovered. you are therefore arrested for murder of sara sharif. during the trial, sara's father initially denied almost everything in the witness box before dramatically changing his evidence. today at the old bailey, urfan sharif and sara's stepmother, beinash batool, were found guilty of her murder. as sara's father was convicted of murdering his daughter, he stared straight ahead. sara's stepmother, beinash batool, sobbed as she was also convicted of murdering sara. the ten—year—old's uncle, faisal malik, cried as he was convicted of causing or allowing sara's death. the murder of a child is absolutely shocking, but the horrific nature of the abuse sara suffered during her short life has made this case particularly disturbing. today, justice for sara has been served. after the verdicts, sara's

mother, olga sharif, described her daughter as a princess and said she would always be in her heart. helena wilkinson, bbc news, at the old bailey. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. police investigating possible crimes linked to the post office horizon it scandal are looking at "dozens" of potential suspects. hundreds of postmasters were wrongly prosecuted after the faulty horizon software showed money missing from their branch accounts. police are looking into the role of post office and fujitsu employees but say any charges won't be laid until after the final report of a separate public inquiry is published. farming leaders drove tractors through westminster on wednesday, urging ministers to consult with them before making changes to agricultural inheritance tax. some farms had previously been exempt, but the new budget imposes a 20% inheritance tax on some assets, half the normal rate.

sir keir starmer insists the "vast majority" of farmers won't be affected. puberty blockers for young trans people have been indefinitely banned in the uk. speaking in the commons earlier wes streeting, the health and social care secretary, said a review by medical experts had found the drugs presented an unacceptable safety risk. puberty blocking drugs are used to delay or prevent puberty by suppressing the release of sex hormones. you're live with bbc news. in the us, fbi director christopher wray says he will resign at the end of the biden administration in january. president—elect donald trump had already signalled he did not want wray to stay in the role although he had three years of his ten—year term left. trump has since nominated kash patel to the position. trump originally appointed wray but later criticised the fbi director after the agency oversaw two investigations into him. with me to break this down is our north america correspondent, rowan bridge.

thanks forjoining us. why is christopher wray resigning? he has christopher wray resigning? he: has effectivelyjumped before has effectively jumped before he has effectivelyjumped before he was pushed. donald trump had made no secret of the fact he did not like christopher wray and wanted him gone, and i did and wanted him gone, and i did a lot of that animus comes back to the raid by the fbi on on on from's mar—a—lago resort. they were part of the investigation into the alleged mishandling of documents from the white house, classified documents, and christopher wray was tied to that investigation in the eyes of donald trump. donald trump has a degree of history on this. he sacked christopher wray�*s predecessorjames comey wray�*s predecessor james comey after wray�*s predecessorjames comey after he lost faith injames comey, and i think what is interesting is that if you look at the terms that fbi directors are appointed for, it is normally for ten years, to enslave them from the rest of politics, and yet again what you've seen here is the fbi director effectively being dragged into politics. what is trum - dragged into politics. what is trump saying _ dragged into politics. what is trump saying about - dragged into politics. what is trump saying about this? - dragged into politics. what is trump saying about this? he | dragged into politics. what is - trump saying about this? he has called it a great _

trump saying about this? he has called it a great day _ trump saying about this? he has called it a great day for- called it a great day for america and he said it would end the weaponisation of the us department of injustice. he is effectively double down on his criticisms of the fbi, and again his criticism of their raise on mar—a—lago, but worth noting he was actually charged with offences around mishandling of classified documents, ultimate leave those charges were set aside by a special prosecutor after donald trump won election, because of the president about charging a sitting president with a crime stopper we know that donald trump has tapped kash patel to lead the fbi. tell trump has tapped kash patel to lead the fbi.— lead the fbi. tell us more about what _ lead the fbi. tell us more about what kash - lead the fbi. tell us more about what kash patel - lead the fbi. tell us more| about what kash patel has had about what kash patel has had about consider a resigning, clearly it is something he wanted, and his prospects to actually be nominated and be confirmed. actually be nominated and be confirmed-— confirmed. kash patel is an interesting _ confirmed. kash patel is an interesting character, - confirmed. kash patel is an i interesting character, because the one defining characteristic people talk about is him being seen as a trump loyalist, and he talks about being looking forward to being, a smooth transition being ready on day one to take over, he has been

very critical of the fbi in the past. i was watching an interview he did for a podcast where he talked about shutting down the hoover building, the fbi headquarters, on his first day. in fbi headquarters, on his first da . ., ., , day. in the heart of dc? exactly _ day. in the heart of dc? exactly of _ day. in the heart of dc? exactly of an _ day. in the heart of dc? exactly of an reopening | day. in the heart of dc? | exactly of an reopening it day. in the heart of dc? i exactly of an reopening it as a museum to the deep state, which gives his perception as how he views the fbi. i think it is not a foregone conclusion, as you say, that he takes over the role. he still has to be approved by the us senate and senators are firstly guarding of their advice and consent role, so i think the question is going to be a boil he be able to get through that senate approval process? we have already seen one trump nominee, fall before the hurtle. matt gaetz did not even get to the senate. so i think it is going to come down to how he performs in front the senate, what the senators make of him.- in front the senate, what the senators make of him. what has he said on _ senators make of him. what has he said on christopher wray i he said on christopher wray resigning? it he said on christopher wray resigning?_ he said on christopher wray resiuanin? , resigning? it is something you will be very — resigning? it is something you will be very much _ resigning? it is something you will be very much happy i resigning? it is something you | will be very much happy about. kash patel has been a critic of

the fbi. ., ~ ,., kash patel has been a critic of the fbi. ., ~ _, y . the fbi. take you very much indeed for — the fbi. take you very much indeed for keeping - the fbi. take you very much indeed for keeping us i the fbi. take you very much l indeed for keeping us updated on that story tonight. us secretary of state antony blinken testified in front of the house foreign affairs committee about the hurried us withdrawal from afghanistan in which 13 us service members were killed. blinken's testimony comes nearly three months after the committee voted to put blinken in contempt of court if he did not appear before the panel to discuss their investigation. the republican—led committee released a lengthy report about a years—long investigation into the us's exit from afghanistan. republicans on the committee accused the biden administration of misleading the public about the end of the 20—year war. here's mr blinken explaining the events leading up blinken says he firmly believes the decision to withdraw was the decision to withdraw was the right one. american troops are no longer fighting and dying in afghanistan. the fightin