a close confidante of prince andrew is denied access to the uk, over allegations the man spied for china. thefts and robberies on the railways rise, as police urge travellers to keep their valuables safe. england. the home nations find out who they'll face in qualifying for the 2026 world cup. and the people who climb a mountain every day to make sure we get an accurate weather forecast. and coming up on bbc news, arne slot says he's not worried about the contract situation with his star man, mo salah — will he still be with the club next season? good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at one.

the uk economy shrank for the second month in a row in october, with official figures showing a drop of 0.1%. it had been expected to return to growth after a fall in september, but sectors including pubs, restaurants and retail have all reported weak periods. the chancellor, rachel reeves, has described the figure as disappointing — economic growth formed a key part of labour's election promises. our business correspondent, marc ashdown, reports. over his 25 years in the fabric business, rick has learned to take the rough with the smooth. 2024 has been a tougher year than most, with more and more customers cutting back on their discretionary spending on things like clothing. we're starting to see, you know, in the winter, we've had a change of government, budgets have changed, and it's got tougher and tougher, and we just want to hear more good news, not bad news. wejust want... and i feel the customers want the same. they want small businesses to survive.

the economy was up and down throughout 2023 and, after tipping into a brief but shallow recession at the end of the year, bounced back strongly at the start of this year. it has slowed down since and shrank by 0.1% in september, and now again in october. these monthly figures, though, can fluctuate, so economists are much more interested in the four quarterly readings. again, the economy started the year really strongly but has trailed off, so there's a lot riding on the next few months, if it's going to bounce back again. there is a budget coming in october and it's going to be painful. many say the prime minister's gloomy forecast back in the summer dented business and consumer confidence, but the chancellor maintains her policies will help turn a corner. the numbers on gdp are disappointing, but it's not possible to turn around more than a decade of poor economic growth and stagnant living standards in just a few months. this government are getting

on with the job in improving economic growth and driving up living standards. aside from a covid bounce back, growth was pretty stagnant throughout the conservative years. but opposition ministers say, with every sector of the economy now struggling, there's no escaping the current figures for labour. what this shows is that this - government's constant talking down of the uk economy is coming through in these numbers. . now, of course, we've had a budget. we're going to be seeing higher taxes, higher inflation, - higher interest rates, - downward pressure on wages, and higher unemployment. and so it's no surprise i that businesses right up and down the country are now sounding the alarm. - the projections are still for a return to reasonable growth next year. and today's figure has marginally increased the chances of the bank of england cutting interest rates again next week, which would bring a bit of christmas cheer for homeowners, consumers and small businesses, all hoping for an end of year boost. marc ashdown, bbc news. our chief economics correspondent, dharshini david, joins us now.

dharshini, what do these latest figures tell us about the economy? we heard the word disappointing used in the report, notjust for the chancellor but for all of us because these are not numbers on a spreadsheet, it is about our prospects for getting better of the government tells that it is their ultimate aim. the economy down by 0.1% for gdp with the pain felt across sectors, but why? we heard about fears a painful budget might hurt pockets and therefore we saw consumers and businesses perhaps taking a bit of a breather in october while they wait to see what actually was going to happen. when you look at where it left the economy, in terms of gdp, the economy, in terms of gdp, the economy slightly smaller than it was when labour took office in the summer. what does it mean for ambition is to make us better off, raise living standards? it has thrown the spotlight on confidence,

sentiment, private sector confidence and sentiment. we are hearing more reports businesses are feeling slightly wary about creating jobs, putting up wages. they might be thinking about putting up prices, holding off on investment. big questions over all of these things. yes, we should see growth supported by more spending on public services, the next few years could look a little bit shaky about prospects for the private sector, and the government's ambitions amount to perhaps increasing the amount we earn after inflation by perhaps a few hundred pounds by the end of the parliament. what we have seen today with the extra challenges coming in, possible trade war looming, big challenges for the government had, it has to keep our spirits up if we are too reap the gains.— it has to keep our spirits up if we are too reap the gains. a chinese businessman described as a close confidante of the duke of york has lost his appeal against a decision to bar him from entering the uk on national security grounds.

the home office said it believed the unnamed man has been engaged in covert activity on behalf of the chinese communist party. our correspondent charlotte gallagher is in windsor. charlotte, what more do we know? we know that this man had this incredibly close relationship with prince andrew, he was even invited to his 60th birthday in 2020, and he was told to act for the prints when it came to dealing with potential investors in china. however, the security services were incredibly concerned about this man and this relationship with a senior member of the well family and they say he was not as innocent businessmen hoping to help prince andrew, he was a spy for the chinese communist party. last year that then home secretary suella braverman barred him from the uk due to national security and yesterday a judge ruled against him when he tried to appeal and said he was indeed a threat to national security and there was a really unusual amount of trust between a senior royal and this man. this is

incredibly embarrassing for prince andrew, when this man's devices were seized and examined by mi5, there were documents describing prince andrew as desperate, we believe referring to his financial situation trying to keep up his home in windsor and painful security. incredibly embarrassing for him and of course it is not the first time his relationships and also his judgment have been questioned. in 2019 he was essentially sacked as a working member of the royalfamily because of his friendship with a convicted sex offenderjeffrey epstein and he has led a very different life. it is embarrassing for him and also the wider royal family. for him and also the wider royal famil . . ~' ,, rallies and demonstrations are happening in cities around syria to mark a week since the assad regime fell. parliament has been suspended for the next three months, with rebel leaders saying it'll ensure smooth transfer of power. around the capital, damascus, syrians are still searching prisons and hospitals

for their missing loved ones. our correspondent barbera plett—usher is there. the first friday prayers of a new era in mosque in the heart of damascus. for centuries a foundation of faith, not thousands gathered here as they stepped into an uncertain future. savouring the freedom after decades of oppression by an authoritarian regime. from the islamist rebel leadership came a message of unity for all syrians. translation: i message of unity for all syrians. translation:— translation: i would like to congratulate _ translation: i would like to congratulate the _ translation: i would like to congratulate the great - translation: i would like to congratulate the great syrian | translation: | would like to - congratulate the great syrian people for the victory of the placid revolution. i invite them to public squares to express theirjoy but without gunfire and terrorising people and then let us move on towards building the country back, as we have said since the beginning, we shall be victorious, god willing. from around the city, people gathered in the central square of damascus and across the country they are celebrating victory friday. stirring memories of other fridays

early in the uprising, always the big day for protests against bashar al—assad's rule. it galvanised a people too afraid to speak, help them find their voice, years of civil war in brutal repression silenced that commonalities back. there was jubilation but also concerned. i there was “ubilation but also there wasjubilation but also concerned. . ., , _ ., , concerned. i am happy to be here toda . concerned. i am happy to be here today- the _ concerned. i am happy to be here today- the day — concerned. i am happy to be here today. the day also _ concerned. i am happy to be here today. the day also wins - concerned. i am happy to be here today. the day also wins have - concerned. i am happy to be here i today. the day also wins have been waiting for four years. now we have our rights as syrians and we have hope to build our country again and make it one of the biggest countries in the world. iii make it one of the biggest countries in the world-— in the world. if we want to be a bit rational, in the world. if we want to be a bit rational. we _ in the world. if we want to be a bit rational, we have _ in the world. if we want to be a bit rational, we have some _ in the world. if we want to be a bit rational, we have some concerns l rational, we have some concerns because — rational, we have some concerns because the syrian society is diverse, _ because the syrian society is diverse, we have people from different_ diverse, we have people from different places, so we have to figure — different places, so we have to figure out _ different places, so we have to figure out a way to cope with each other, _ figure out a way to cope with each other, to — figure out a way to cope with each other, to love each other and respect — other, to love each other and respect each other. this will be the major— respect each other. this will be the major challenge for syrian people. | major challenge for syrian people. i firmly believe our future is brighter— firmly believe our future is brighter and _ firmly believe our future is brighter and more - firmly believe our future is. brighter and more promising firmly believe our future is- brighter and more promising than what _ brighter and more promising than

what we _ brighter and more promising than what we endured _ brighter and more promising than what we endured under— brighter and more promising than what we endured under the - brighter and more promising than i what we endured under the previous regime _ what we endured under the previous regime fear— what we endured under the previous regime fear is— what we endured under the previous regime. fear is over, _ what we endured under the previous regime. fear is over, no— what we endured under the previous regime. fear is over, no more - what we endured under the previous regime. fear is over, no more fear. regime. fear is over, no more fear of oppression. _ regime. fear is over, no more fear of oppression. we _ regime. fear is over, no more fear of oppression, we stand _ regime. fear is over, no more fear of oppression, we stand together. regime. fear is over, no more fear. of oppression, we stand together as one united — of oppression, we stand together as one united nations, _ of oppression, we stand together as one united nations, united, - of oppression, we stand together as one united nations, united, united, j one united nations, united, united, the syrian _ one united nations, united, united, the syrian people _ one united nations, united, united, the syrian people are _ one united nations, united, united, the syrian people are united. - one united nations, united, united, the syrian people are united. therel the syrian people are united. there are many syrians _ the syrian people are united. there are many syrians not _ the syrian people are united. there are many syrians not here, - are many syrians not here, supporters of the revealing cleaner coverage in his fear of revenge, minorities who fear... a focus on an orderly transition, it has moved quickly to dispel fears of hard—line religious rule. but these are early days. the country has been fragmented by civil war and the economy has racked. so much to rebuild, so much that could still go wrong. today is about celebrating the people he had lost hope they would ever achieve. what they are hailing as a free syria. our chief international correspondent lyse doucet is in damascus. lyse, it's been quite a week for syrians?

just listen, listen to the sounds around me, the car horns, look at the square behind me, the main square in damascus, these scenes would have been unthinkablejust square in damascus, these scenes would have been unthinkable just a little more than a week ago. all of this is beyond the imagination of any syrians, they had left under the repressive rule of the assad family for more than 50 years. the rebel advance suddenly when it came it was with lightning speed, it was a smooth transition and a bloodless coup, they feared for years that would come up with a turning point when it came would be bathed in bloodshed. it has been a good start. but no illusions here. as you had in the report, the challenges which lie ahead, syria is the most sanctioned country in the world. it's new leaders are on the terrorism watch list. the man in charge has a $10 million bounty on his head. yet

there has been welcome from syrians in the millions, the regional leaders have welcomed the new leadership, and in capitals around the world, including london. everybody knows most of all syrians, they have to make this work. syria matters too much to this region. you can hear the gunfire. they were told not to celebrate with gunfire. today is a day of celebration but a lot of hard work lies ahead.— the centrist leader bayrou has been announced as france's next prime minister. mr bayrou will be president macron's fourth pm this year following months of political turmoil. michel barnier resigned last week after a no—confidence vote in the national assembly. the french political system has been deadlocked since mr macron called snap parliamentary elections this summer. more details have been revealed about how the government plans to produce green electricity in the uk by 2030. they include measures to make it easier to build onshore windfarms

and connect new infrastructure to the power grid. critics say the plans are too expensive and won't lower our energy bills. the uk is already in the midst of a green revolution. more than half of the electricity we generate is made without burning fossil fuels that warm the planet. much of it comes from wind turbines. but the government wants things to go faster with 95% of our electricity clean by 2030. today the energy secretary was at a turbine factory in hull to launch what he says is the road map to both greener and cheaper electricity. haste to both greener and cheaper electricity-— to both greener and cheaper electrici . ~ . ., ., ., electricity. we are at the moment at the mercy of — electricity. we are at the moment at the mercy of the _ electricity. we are at the moment at the mercy of the roller-coaster - electricity. we are at the moment at the mercy of the roller-coaster of i the mercy of the roller—coaster of fossil fuel markets, the mercy of the roller—coaster of fossilfuel markets, gas prices wherever we get it from subject to the decisions of petro states and dictators, and with your viewers are seeing it in the energy bills, have

been seeing it for years, particularly since russia's invasion of ukraine. time to actually have home—grown clean energy that we can control, that is what the plan is all about. fist control, that is what the plan is all about. �* ., control, that is what the plan is all about-— control, that is what the plan is all about. �* ., ., . ., all about. at the heart of the clean ower all about. at the heart of the clean power action _ all about. at the heart of the clean power action plan, _ all about. at the heart of the clean power action plan, a _ all about. at the heart of the clean power action plan, a big _ all about. at the heart of the clean power action plan, a big increase l all about. at the heart of the clean | power action plan, a big increase in the number of solarfarms power action plan, a big increase in the number of solar farms and wind turbines. both offshore and on land. building onshore wind turbines like these in england was effectively stopped under the conservative government. one angry local resident could effectively get the whole thing blocked. now under these new plans, large, onshore wind farms have been designated as nationally significant projects. giving ministers the power to push things through. there will also need to be changes in the way our electricity is distributed.— changes in the way our electricity is distributed. there is a national grid system _ is distributed. there is a national grid system which _ is distributed. there is a national grid system which we _ is distributed. there is a national grid system which we have - is distributed. there is a national grid system which we have not i is distributed. there is a national i grid system which we have not seen updated _ grid system which we have not seen updated for— grid system which we have not seen updated for a significant amount of

time in _ updated for a significant amount of time in the — updated for a significant amount of time in the uk and essentially it is a little _ time in the uk and essentially it is a little bit — time in the uk and essentially it is a little bit like not having enough plot points in the house and everybody in a queue, waiting behind my partner— everybody in a queue, waiting behind my partner and my sister to plug something in. my partner and my sister to plug something in-— something in. pro'ects that can deliver results i something in. projects that can deliver results quickly - something in. projects that can deliver results quickly and i something in. projects that can deliver results quickly and at i something in. projects that can i deliver results quickly and at scale willjump deliver results quickly and at scale will jump the deliver results quickly and at scale willjump the queue under the new plan. no doubt the scale of the government's plans. but there are plenty of sceptics too. asking if the costs are too high, the pace too fast. and whether after spending tens of billions of pounds on new infrastructure the government really can deliver both greener and cheaper power. jonah fisher, bbc news. our top story this afternoon... the uk economy shrinks for the second month in a row in october — the chancellor called the 0.1% drop disappointing. and retailers say more people than ever are buying christmas gifts for their pets this

year, we'll find out why. coming up on bbc news, the qualifying draw has taken place for the 2026 men's world cup. we'll tell you who the home nations have to beat to make it through. the british transport police is urging passengers on trains and at railway stations to be extra vigilant, after a rise in thefts and robberies on trains. more than 21,000 thefts were recorded in the first 10 months of this year, with the majority of crimes happening in london. other hotspots include the west midlands, manchester and leeds. our transport correspondent sean dilley reports. captured — these suspected phone snatchers are coming in. they were seen wearing balaclavas, forcing their way through ticket gates. bleep took your money.

officers searched the men and found an expensive smartphone. it's wrapped up in tinfoil to try and block the signal, so it can't be located or traced for the stolen items. it's a great result for the violent crime taskforce. how good does it feel when you catch a phone snatcher? it's a good feeling because loads of phone snatches and phone thefts happen up and down the network every day. and when you do actually get one, it's a little win for the team. and also hopefully a victim can be reunited with their phone, because they're not cheap. niall mcnamee is one of the 21,540 victims of theft and robbery on the railway in the first ten months of this year. he was targeted on 15th october. i was, you know, sort of looking down at my phone, as everyone does on the tube, just swiping through whatever and doing a bit of work. and just as the doors are about to close at oval station, where we are, my phone was just swiped out of my hand and the doors closed. the thieves cracked his passcode, plundered his online bank accounts and used his details to apply for a personal loan. all told, they stole £21,000.

when my phone got robbed, i didn't think to myself, cancel my card, ring the bank, because i thought there's no way they can get into my bank. my phone was nicked. i had no idea that they were going to take all that money and take out a loan, you know. i felt shaky. i didn't trust anyone. it was a feeling that i hadn't had for a while. so, i suppose thinking of that, yeah, i can see a lot of people, you know, not recovering from it. for some reason, it's a big violation. no suspect has been identified, and niall�*s case has been closed. the majority of thefts and robberies are reported in london. but outside the capital, the areas with the next most reported crimes are birmingham, kent, essex and manchester, with offences taking place across the network in england, wales and scotland. a bbc freedom of information request to the british transport police shows that robberies nearly tripled between 2018 and 2023. in the first ten months of this year, there were more than 1,500. thefts have increased by 52%.

back with the violent crime taskforce, the two arrested men have been linked with an earlier robbery, suspected of lurking in the railway to target vulnerable passengers. they never show any remorse and there's always a negative response towards the police and it's always somebody else to blame except themselves. they prey on society's most vulnerable. they will look for an easy target. they will always go for someone that's smaller than them, or who maybe have a disability or a bit more frail than them. police say they'll keep targeting the bad guys. bleep. but they say the best way to rid them from the railway is for all of us to pay attention and look out for each other. sean dilley, bbc news. police chiefs have warned

the home secretary they may need to cut neighbourhood policing, because of the rising costs of employee taxes and wages. it comes just a week after the government pledged to have a named and contactable police officer in every local area. a home office spokesperson said a new funding announcement will give forces more scope to recruit officers and keep streets safe. royal mail has been fined £10.5 million by the regulator ofcom for missing punctuality targets for first and second class deliveries last year. it is the second time in a row the company has fallen short. royal mail's parent company ids said it accepted ofcom's decision and was continuing to drive improvements to the service. an investigation has started into how a fairground ride malfunctioned and crashed in birmingham city centre last night. west midlands fire service confirmed the city star flyer "dropped to the ground" while it was in operation. two women were taken to hospital,

their injuries aren't thought to be serious. in the last hour, the qualifying groups for the 2026 mens football world cup have been drawn at a ceremony in zurich. men's football world cup have been drawn at a ceremony in zurich. each of the home nations is vying for one of the 16 places up for grabs for european teams. olly foster's here with all the details — olly. and, anna, all four home nations have avoided each other. 5a european teams were put into 12 qualifying groups, half with five teams, the other half with four, it wasn't the cleanest of draws in zurich, complicated by the fact that so many teams are still involved in the nations league, either the finals, or play—offs next year. there were representatives from all four home nations there today, including the new england head—coach thomas tuchel, who officially starts his job in the new year. england have made very light work of qualification for major tournaments recently. and this should be another straightforward campaign they are top seeds in group k,

with four other teams so eight matches for them home and away against serbia, albania, latvia and andorra. here was tuchel�*s reaction to finding out about what stands between them and the world cup. we have to earn our place, you have to earn our top we have to earn our place, you have to earn our top spot we have to earn our place, you have to earn our top spot if we have to earn our place, you have to earn our top spot if we we have to earn our place, you have to earn our top spot if we want we have to earn our place, you have to earn our top spot if we want to go to the world cup, there is no doubt about it, but to make it we have to focus, go step—by—step. wales came out of the pot of second seeds, and are looking to qualify for back to back world cups for the first time. they are in another group of 5, groupj, belgium are the top seeds in that with north macedonia, kazakhstan and liechtenstein. scotland are looking to qualify for their first world cup since 1998, they will have to wait until the nations league

quarterfinals in march before they know if they face portugal or denmark, greece and belarus are the other two. it's looking tough for northern ireland if they're to reach their first world cup since 1986, they're in group a, another one complicated by the nations league. but it will be either italy or germany they face, slovakia and luxembourg make up that group. come november, we will have 12 group winners, and then it will be a battle though the play—offs for the final four spots in the tournament that taking place in mexico, canada and the us. a lot of fotball before we get to the point, but the path to the 2026 world cup is a little bit clearer, anna. dozens of tiny seabirds — that are supposed to be in the arctic circle — have been crash—landing in people's gardens along the east coast of england.

rescuers say the little auks were blown off—course by powerful winds during storm darragh. our environment correspondent paul murphy reports. hungry, weak, and 1,000 miles from home. these little birds have been battered by recent storms, crash landing all along the east coast. rescue centres have rarely seen so many. there are three here in mablethorpe. i've been here for 19 years now and i think i've seen two in that entire time. the main care that we can give them, which is most important, is warmth, security and unlimited amount of food. these guys have obviously been blown off course because of the storm. we need to make sure that they've got nice full bellies before they can go anywhere else. storm darragh brought winds of up to 80mph, and these little birds were no match for it. they were blown off course as they migrated west from islands in the arctic. the birds have some noisy roommates — rescued seal pups that were also stranded in the storm.

and when the auks gain enough weight, they'll be released. we tend to release them at flamborough head or bempton cliffs because, obviously, they can jump off the cliff and away they go. it's where they would go naturally in the wild, anyway, so it gives them their best option of releasing them there. until then, it's hoped the diet of small fish and rest under a heat lamp will give a big boost to the little birds. paul murphy, bbc news. a reminder of our top headline this afternoon. the uk economy shrinks for the second month in a row in october — the chancellor called the 0.1% drop disappointing. and retailers say more people than ever are buying christmas gifts for their pets this year — we'll find out why. we ll have a full forecast in the next half hour, but it's time now for a quick look at the weather. here's ben rich.

good afternoon, we have got used to scenes like this over the last few days. again, cloudy, misty and murky producing patchy rain and drizzle. but there is a change on the way, this weather front pushes south eastwards and clears the cloud away tonight. we see this window of clear sky tomorrow and tomorrow most of us should see some sunshine. will it last? forthe should see some sunshine. will it last? for the second half of the weekend another frontal system moves through and that reintroduces the cloud, some mist and back, spots of drizzle but by the end of the weekend it is going to feel milder. i will put some more detail on that later in the programme. thanks, ben. and as you know, it takes a lot of high—tech data and science to bring us those forecasts each day, but some elements still need a more traditional form of information gathering. a dedicated team of mountaineers — known as fell top assessors — climb 950 metres up helvellyn in the lake district every day,

to take vital weather readings. our bbc weather presenter matt taylor has been to meet them. all right. morning, all. another day on helvellyn. weather wise, we've got a nice northerly air stream. improving forecast, so we can push on a bit today and have a good adventure. 8am on a cold, damp monday morning in december. a climb up england's third highest peak would not normally be high on my list of things to do, but for zac, paddy and jim, the lake district national park's fell top assessors, it's all in a day's work. about an hour, hour and a bit up to red tarn, have a look there. and then another hour up onto the plateau. so, yeah, two, two and a half hours up, i reckon. nice steady pace. we'll try not to break you. please don't! i may have the company of all three today, but every day from the start of december until at least the end of march, just one of the team will be heading out on their own to the peak of helvellyn, to check out mounting conditions

and record the all important weather conditions at the top — and that will include on christmas day. right, we've made it part way up. behind me is red tarn. you can just about see it. helvellyn, believe it or not, is somewhere in the mist and fog. weather conditions are already changing. temperature's dropped a lot, the winds picked up. there's an added wind chill, and the next part of this walk, it gets even more perilous underfoot. it is going to be a bit of a challenge. and if deteriorating weather wasn't enough, the climb was about to get that little bit more challenging. my legs aren't that long. slipping a bit. cue swirral edge, and drops totalling hundreds of feet either side. well, they weren't going to make it easy for me, were they? strong winds blow well, this is the launch day today.

it's the first day of the season. is it? contact with the public is an important part of a fell assessor�*s job. and sure enough, just as we took a breather, heading uphill, we bumped into some ratherfriendly faces heading the other way. oh, my goodness! yeah. sorry! you're from the telly! yeah. we're doing a bit of a launch day, so, folk like the bbc like to come along. there we go. first official ice. why don't you stick yourthumb in there? oh, it is as well. yeah. oh, it is proper. it's proper, yeah. just starting to form. 0h! we've done it. almost, almost. we're going to take a few readings

up on the summit here. we're going to check the wind direction. and we're also going to check the wind speed. which is quite variable at the moment, isn't it? yeah. and that actually feels a little bit to me more like a north easterly than a northerly. i'll just scroll through. that makes sense on the back end of the weather front that's come through. yeah, sure. so you think it's already kind of moved through? i think the front through, it tends to drop, but, yeah. yeah. and this is why we're up here for, isn't it, really, to...? yeah, to corroborate these readings with what the met office takes and obviously informs the forecast to be on there. there we go. there's our wind chill of —2.3. so what happens with these readings now? these get fed into the met office. and people often say, you know, in this day and age can you not have a weather station set up here, or you know, can you not do it by satellite, or something like that?

but there's nothing better than literally somebody coming up and and taking those readings, yeah. and mountain safety is at the heart of everything they do. paddy may have climbed the remotest parts of the himalayas, but conditions here in the uk can be a challenge in their own right. this is your first season? that's it, yeah, that's right, yeah. and you've worked in all parts of the world, including the himalayas. that's right, yeah. you'd think the weather here not that severe, but it can surprise? yeah, absolutely, yeah. so, you know, in the himalayas, for example, when you're in the high mountains, it's often extremely cold. however, you know, if the wind is low and the humidity is low, you actually feel quite comfortable because all your equipment's dry, your hands are dry. in the uk mountains we often, you know, in winter the mountaintops often hover around freezing. everything's damp and a bit wet. it can be really cold and really uncomfortable, and that creates some really challenging conditions. probably the most uncomfortable conditions you could find yourself out in. and as if to make a point, the weather suddenly improved as we descended. one thing for sure though, it would be different again

by the time one of the team headed up the mountain once more in the morning. for me, only the direction to a warm bath mattered. matt taylor, bbc news. still to come on today's programme... as gavin and stacey fans prepare for their big christmas finale, we hear from some of the locals who were cast in supporting roles you might recognise. first, it's time to join our colleagues with the news where you are. hello and welcome to sportsday. i'm tanya arnold. the draw�*s been made for qualifying for men's 2026 world cup — we'll look at the task at hand for the home nations. scotland's women have parted company with their manager after failing to qualify for either the world cup or the euros. and as england look for a whitewash

over new zealand, there's just one change for the third and final test with matthew potts getting his chance. the home nations have found out who'll they have to face to make it through to the 2026 world cup which will be held in the united states, mexico and canada. northern ireland are in group a and will play either germany or italy, slovakia, and luxembourg. in group c, scotland face portugal or denmark, greece, and belarus. wales were drawn in groupj with belgium, north macedonia, kazakhstan and liechtenstein. while england are in group k and will play serbia, albania, latvia and andorra. the either—or ties are down to the nations league quarters—finals.

well, joining us now is the football writer and broadcaster henry winter — henry, let's start with england who'll have thomas tuchel at the helm by then — it looks a pretty straight forward qualification from that group, doesn't it? hi, it looks fairly straightforward. you cannot always say that with england. they have been to places like albania before, i remember in 2001, i think it was sven—goran eriksson's first away game and norman wisdom who is a legend in andorra in the day, he invaded the pitch and join in training. it is always a tale of the unexpected with england. but in terms of the average fifa ranking of the four opponents england have come across is 101 and england have come across is 101 and england are fourth in the world. so as you say, with the quality of players england have got, bellingham who scored against serbia in the euros, that powerful early header, england have the quality in the dugout and on the pitch to make this relatively straightforward. haste dugout and on the pitch to make this relatively straightforward.— relatively straightforward. we look forward to that _ relatively straightforward. we look forward to that norman _ relatively straightforward. we look forward to that norman wisdom i forward to that norman wisdom archive being rolled out again and again. when you look at scotland's

draw, is the either or for them, portugal or denmark, key for them? will it make a big difference? portugal, you look at the players they have got. both teams will be difficult. but portugal, the players they have got, the experience that they have got, the experience that they have got, the experience that they have against british teams, obviously we know some of the danish players over here, but that portugal team and cristiano ronaldo, who seems to be going on and on and on and on and looks so fit, he will absolutely be a threat to them. and absolutely be a threat to them. and when ou absolutely be a threat to them. and when you look to wales, belgium obviously the big team in their group, but they are going down the rankings as we speak. craig bellamy will be pretty bullish about his chances. yes, that's craig's personality. he chances. yes, that's craig's personality-— chances. yes, that's craig's ersonali . , . ., , ,, ., personality. he is naturally upbeat, ou have personality. he is naturally upbeat, you have seen _ personality. he is naturally upbeat, you have seen what _ personality. he is naturally upbeat, you have seen what he _ personality. he is naturally upbeat, you have seen what he is _ personality. he is naturally upbeat, you have seen what he is like i personality. he is naturally upbeat, you have seen what he is like since | you have seen what he is like since taking over. very much on the front foot, which is the way craig played at a player. his manly management as well. craig is a fascinating individual —— played as a player. he's been on a journey in his own playing career and he will understand what young players and

all the players are going through. that's why he is such a mentor to them as well as such a good manager. and northern ireland, have they got the toughest draw of the four? absolutely, yes. ithink the toughest draw of the four? absolutely, yes. i think the other coachesin absolutely, yes. i think the other coaches in the room will be looking at northern ireland and thinking, we were fortunate in that. it is a tough job at northern ireland when they put that shirt on, they will give absolutely everything. henry winter, thank _ give absolutely everything. henry winter, thank you _ give absolutely everything. henry winter, thank you very _ give absolutely everything. henry winter, thank you very much i give absolutely everything. henry winter, thank you very much for. winter, thank you very much for joining us. pedro martinez losa has left his role as the scotland women's head coach after the side failed to qualify for euro 2025. they lost in the play—offs to finland this month and also missed out on the 2023 world cup via the play—offs. he had been given a new deal by the scottish fa taking him through to the 2027 world cup, but the decision has been taken to end his contract early. arne slot was calmness personified about the lack of news on new contracts for three

of his star players. mo salah, virgil van dijk and trent alexander—arnold are all free to go at the end of the season. there have been reports that salah is close to signing a new deal, but slot isn't giving anything away. i work with a lot of quality players over here and mo is definitely one of them. but he's also one of the ones that should score goals like the other attackers that we have. so, yeah, he is also part of the fact why we keep as many clean sheets as we do, because we defend with 11 and we attack with 11, and he is one of the ones that is the end product of one of our attacks. and, he's doing that really well for years in a row already for liverpool. and let's hope he can continue doing that in the upcoming weeks as well. an academy in wolverhampton has teamed up with one of europe's most famous clubs to help develop footballers of the future. amethyst academy has signed a deal with paris saint—germain, giving them access to the club's latest training techniques and other aspects needed for a career in the game. kevin reide has been

finding out more. amethyst sixth form draws children from moreton and aldersley high schools in wolverhampton. it has its own football academy which has now signed a deal with paris saint—germain. i always say to you, make sure you have a picture of the pitch, know what we are doing. it means that the training you see here is based on techniques and methods used by the french club. they have technical directors who come over to the uk every year, our technical director visits paris on a regular basis. he has weekly meetings with the team in paris to ensure that the sessions being delivered in the uk match the standards of the club. psg are a relatively new club having been formed in the 1970s. their success on the pitch is matched, if not surpassed, by their brand, particularly amongst teenagers. you see the kids around in the area and what they want to wear is the psg—branded kit and, you know, when you go into sports shops it's the first thing you see, what you draw your eyes too.

they are a fashionable sports brand at the end of the day. so i think our kids really aspire to have that and be a part of that. we have also got on the board our self belief. but the relationship goes beyond kits and training. academic qualifications remain important, as too does diet with school dinners being specially tailored. they're based on what professional football clubs feed their players, lots of carbohydrates and proteins, essential for maintaining the highest levels of fitness. and the academy insists it is not turning its back on local clubs, with their doors remaining open. we have also got scouts that come down regularly, we have had wolves come down a couple of times and we have had a west brom scout come down here as well. so again, just giving those opportunities within sport to the students. and the deal has been inspiring for those who attend the school. i think if you make it international, more people will recognise it as a big thing. where wolves is just round the corner, whereas if it is a big club like psg in a different country, it is making everybody

internationally aware of what we're doing here. definitely for the girls - to have the opportunity to do it as well, to be able to play with the boys _ representing psg, it'sjust great. if you've got space and you've got the ball you can be tackled, it's as simple as that. while students don't get a direct pathway to playing for paris saint—germain, organisers say they will learn to play the parisian way. what a great opportunity for those youngsters. matthew potts will replace chris woakes in england's only change for the third and final test against new zealand, which starts later in hamilton. potts will earn his tenth cap as england look to seal a series clean sweep, after wins in christchurch and wellington. the match will mark england's 17th test of the year, with the series as a whole being their first away victory in two years. across the tasman sea, the third test between australia and india also gets under way later in brisbane. the series is finely poised with australia having won the second test to level the series. a win could prove pivotal for either side in the race for a place

in the world test championship final next year. i think there is definitely pride in winning in australia, these are our home conditions, the conditions we grew up playing with. so there is definitely that. you know, i think the hardest thing in cricket nowadays is winning test series away from home. so to make that world test championship you have kind of got to win everything at home and trying to pick up some wins overseas where you can. so we definitely go into every home series expecting to win, that's what we grew up watching and that is the standards we set ourselves. asa as a team and a batting side we are looking _ as a team and a batting side we are looking to _ as a team and a batting side we are looking to post a big total first up, looking to post a big total first up. that's— looking to post a big total first up, that's been one of the key discussions. and depending on every hatsman— discussions. and depending on every batsman will have their own game plan and _ batsman will have their own game plan and as a batting group, especially collectively, we will try to get _ especially collectively, we will try to get a _ especially collectively, we will try to get a big first innings score, that's—

to get a big first innings score, that's what it is about. you can follow both _ that's what it is about. you can follow both those _ that's what it is about. you can follow both those test - that's what it is about. you can | follow both those test matches that's what it is about. you can i follow both those test matches on the bbc sport website and app and get the detailed reaction to the draw for qualifying for the 2026 world cup. they're also getting all the news from the days premier league press conferences as they build up to the weekend. that includes the manchester derby between united and city. but from all of us here at the bbc sports centre goodbye for now. a bbc investigation has found that steven bartlett is amplifying harmful health misinformation on his top—rated podcast, diary of a ceo. it started as a business podcast, but there's been a noticeable shift towards health. over 15 recent episodes, an average 01:14 harmful claims were shared by the guests, with little challenge from the host. leading health experts told the bbc the claims made on the podcast could sow distrust in medicine,

and could harm patients. jacqui wakefield has this report. steven bartlett is one of the most famous entrepreneurs in the uk, the youngest investor on dragon's den and host of the uk's top podcasts, the diary of a ceo. over the last 18 months, there has been a notable change in its guests and subject matter of started as a business podcast. i'm sorry that the medical establishment has not come to recognise what i'm saying. we live in a toxic nutritional landscape. dr mark hyman, and alternative medicine doctor, repeated evidence free claims about the causes of autism on diary of a ceo. gluten can cause everything from osteoporosis to autism to schizophrenia... these are not the people that you would expect on a business podcast. they reflect a shift in focus to health content. the bbc world service tracked the podcast episodes from the last 18 months and analysed the health related ones. some of the guests gave legitimate health advice. but after fact checking 15 episodes

with the advice of four independent experts, we found an average 01:14 potential harmful claims per episode. bartlett rarely challenges these claims. dr thomas siegfried claims the ketogenic diet was a treatment solution for cancer without chemotherapy. to manage cancer without toxicity is to simultaneously restrict the two fuels. at no point in the episode the steven challenge the suggestion that the keto diet can treat cancer. when we next hear from him he says... so what can we learn _ from our ancestors about cancer? if you are a cancer patient who took some of this advice and may be changed your dietary patterns and became very restrictive when you are undergoing treatment, you could potentially and very realistically get very, very sick. this episode got 5.6 million views on youtube alone. this type of content tends to do really well. it's a very health—related click

—based content with scary titles with this thing is toxic, this thing is going to kill you and we know that that does really well online with the algorithm, amplifying that. a spokesperson for flight studio, steven bartlett's's production company said, "the diary of a ceo is an open—minded, longform conversation with individuals identified for their distinguished and eminent career and or consequential life experience". they said, "each guest is thoroughly researched, offered freedom of expression and they hear a range of voices, not just those steven and the diary of a ceo team necessarily agree with". dr thomas siegfried said he stands by the statements that he made in the interview. dr mark hyman didn't respond to requests for comment. is there a risk in having too much meat products? bartlett's shift to health may be great for the reach of his podcast, but what is the line between hosting countrarying views versus allowing them to go unchallenged? and what is steven bartlett's

responsibilities as host of one of the world's biggest podcasts? jacqui wakefield with that report. and you can watch the full programme �*steven bartlett: the truth behind the podcast�* on the bbc iplayer. retailers say they've seen a significant increase in people buying christmas gifts for their pets this year. their figures suggest that more than half of all cats and dogs are set to receive presents. so, what might they find under the tree? our business reporter ben boulos has been finding out. we are a nation of pet lovers, of course, so why should they miss out on christmas? in fact, one survey suggests that nearly half of the uk's dogs and cats are expected to receive a visit from santa paws this year. what might be in their stockings? perhaps a luxury dog bed like this one, that comes in atjust under £80. may be an automatic ball launcher for the more active pooch? that is £180. and what news obsessed cat wouldn't

want a cuddly president trump toy? that will set you back just under £8.50. one major retailer said it had seen a massive rise in sales for pet gifts this year, with doggy mince pies and cuddly toys are among the most popular products. not sure what all the fuss is about? we've been shopping to see just how much people are spending. with christmassy coats, colourful collars and other festive finery, it seems many of our favourite pets are getting a visit from santa paws this christmas. sales of seasonal pet treats like christmas jumpers and toys are booming. we've only got him a rope because he choose every other toy that we get him. so we've not spent a fortune on him, to be honest. a fair few to be honest, a fair few. a few toys and treats. we normally give them him early sometimes as well and we have to get more. how much do you think you spend on freddie for christmas? -

got to be at least £100, isn't it? at least. yeah, that coat was for christmas, but he's had it early. yeah. will you be buying him a christmas present? i oh, yeah. yeah, yeah. some treats or something like that. and when it comes to gifts for the furry members of a households some people are even willing to spend more on their pets than on their partners. we do see a natural uplift at christmas, people want to have their pets as part of christmas day and we totally support that. it's our best time of year. we want to make sure that our pets enjoy christmas, just like reading. they are members of the family at the end of the day, aren't they, just with a little bit more fair. but it'sjust about doing it responsibly to make sure they are safe and they are protected from any potential pitfalls. so there are some major dos and don'ts are christmas. i there's things within christmas lunch that you really— shouldn't give to your pet. anything with onions, - so gravy often has onions in it. actually, any novel food i they've never had before.

so you might think murphy would love to have a full christmas lunch. - if he's never had that kind of food before, i that's going to lead to a tummy upset. | and above all, we want - you to have the best christmas with your pets and most importantly, have, 'a merry petsmas.�* _ the countdown is on to the last ever episode of gavin and stacey, which returns to our screens on christmas day. and while gavin, stacey, smithy and nessa are all household names — many of the cast were recruited locally in south wales. ahead of the series finale, our reporter steffan powell has been speaking to some of them... everywhere you look around barry, there are reminders of a phenomenon which started here just over 17 years ago. it goes without saying that gavin and stacey is in the very dna of this town, but the show has also become a big part of the lives of some of the actors who performed in it. has dick powell come a—calling yet? dick powell's name comes up several times throughout the series, and in one of his most memorable scenes, we see him selling stolen meat in the back alleys of barry.

87p for a steak. no, no, not 87p each. 87p for three. you've had a good shave there, to be fair. i'm a bit younger there as well. no, not at all. you haven't aged a day. you still live around here, don't you? i do indeed, yes. how often are you stopped? it does happen, it does happen. some mornings, you must think... no, you don't, really. because i've lived in barry now for, what, nearly 40 years, and the difference that gavin and stacey has made to the barry island and to the people and to the shops and premises is amazing. it's really done a really good job for barry island. dick powell also plays a part in a moment of comedy gold that was filmed in this church. stand up and tell us your favourite sandwich. he speaks welsh. that's chicken and glamorgan sausage. father chris appears at some crucial points in the gavin and stacey story — from neil the baby's christening, to nessa and dave coaches' wedding, but the favourite

sandwich scene has become a fan favourite. you've ruined it! now, sit down! you really do go for it there at the end. was he expecting it to be like that? idon't, i... maybe i wasn't. we were just looking at the visitors' book for the church and people who come to see it to... you know, because they love the show so much, they want to go and see the locations. many people are putting their favourite type of sandwiches in that book. really? yeah. as a result of you and your work. oh, my god. any show that has a following, you know, it's a great honour to be part of something like that. natalie lewis is one of stacey's arch rivals, after nessa once had a fight with her dad and her brother. it goes on for ages. oh, my gosh, it really does. in the tense scene, as gavin and stacey try and buy a pregnancy test, they have a face off. you're now a teacher, so you've sort of decided to step away from the boards, as it were.

your scene in particular has got a bit of a second life, hasn't it, as an internet meme? yes. how do you feel about that? once a year, there's a sort of a new wave of the children and the pupils here, they come across the scene. and it does still surprise me that, you know, it's still something so new and exciting for them. an impactful scene. well, it's so brilliantly written. it's so brilliantly written. gavin and stacey has firmly won its place as one of the most loved sitcoms of all time. and another cult character is currently starring in the west end stage version of another british favourite. owain hughes. and do you? no, i don't. hi. nice to meet you, gavin shipman. owain hughes. and before you ask, no, i don't. but not everyone gets the joke. am i being thick, because i just don't get that? - me neither. yeah, thatjoke.

it's going to run and run. you're going to have to have it on your... not to be too morbid. my gravestone! no, i don't. it's funny because there are some fan theories online that there is actually a joke. i love it. you can get on these threads and, like, there's so many people know exactly what thejoke is, you know? you've done your fair share of really top—end comedy, you know, in your career. are you able to make as much comedy as there was coming out of the uk? is there the next gavin and stacey coming out? i don't know. i don't think comedy in this country is in a great state at the moment. i don't. i don't think people are being given a chance. i do feel like there's not the individual voices in comedy today. when you reflect back on the fact that you are part of this journey for gavin and stacey, how do you feel about that? i am incredibly proud to have played a part in it, you know, and i will tell people that

there's no joke for the rest of my life, quite happily. the series might be coming to an end, but the impact that it had on those who took part, on the fans and on this town will be felt for much, much longer. steffan powell, bbc news, barry. the gavin and stacey finale will air on christmas day on bbc one. if you can't wait until then, there's a special programme — �*the gavin and stacey experience' — available now on bbc iplayer. now the weather with ben rich. a lot of cloud at the moment, misty, murky— a lot of cloud at the moment, misty, murky damp — a lot of cloud at the moment, misty, murky damp and _ a lot of cloud at the moment, misty, murky damp and drizzly_ a lot of cloud at the moment, misty, murky damp and drizzly out - a lot of cloud at the moment, misty, murky damp and drizzly out there. i a lot of cloud at the moment, misty, | murky damp and drizzly out there. it murky damp and drizzly out there. at some murky damp and drizzly out there. some places are brightened up. murky damp and drizzly out there. afr some places are brightened up. i couldn't find a picture from barry island today. but temperature,

sunshine earlier on and i think a few more of us will see some sunshine on saturday. however, on sunday the cloud returns and it turns damp and breezy but it also turns damp and breezy but it also turns milder as the weekend wears on. right now we are in a gap between weather systems, so nothing to push this cloud away. what will clear the cloud eventually is this weather front up to the north—west bringing outbreaks of rain into north of scotland, northern ireland. ahead of that we have this great, murky, damp weather and it feels quite cold as well, three to 9 degrees. this weather front pushes southwards and eastwards, not a lot of rain on it but the sky clear out and it will get quite cold. the remnants of the weather front still hanging around towards the south—east corner tomorrow morning south—east corner tomorrow morning so a slow start here but then we do

have a window of brighter weather, spells of sunshine for a time, albeit with one or two showers out towards the west. however, the next frontal system arrives through the afternoon so cloud getting back into northern ireland, western scotland, some splashes of rain. temperatures still in single digits for most during the day tomorrow. as we go through tomorrow night, saturday night, more cloud rolling back in. the mr murdoch returns, spots of rain and drizzle but with the westerly winds we will see conditions turning milder, and conditions turning milder, and conditions during saturday night into the early parts of sunday tending to rise. as we wake up on sunday morning, seven to 11 degrees. we are back to square one, cloudy start, misty and murky and damp weather. quite windy in the north, gusts of 60 miles an hour for the northern isles and heavy rain started to develop into the north—west of scotland. at those

temperatures, 11, 12, 13 degrees, it will feel quite different. the rain in the north—west of scotland keeps on coming. this weather front becomes trapped in the westerly flow so it keeps raining in the north—west of scotland through monday, into tuesday and that could cause some flooding and disruption. further south, cause some flooding and disruption. furthersouth, higher cause some flooding and disruption. further south, higher pressure keeps things a little bit drier but with a lot of cloud. but before we get back to the cloudy letter, a brief sunny break tomorrow. that's all from today's bbc news at one. enjoy your afternoon. goodbye.

live from london. this is bbc news. french president emmanuel macron has named his new prime minister — francois bayrou will take the place of michel barnier after days of political deadlock. these are the live scenes from damascus as mass demonstrations take place across syria, as

people celebrate the end of five decades of authoritarian rule by the assad regime. mass gatherings across syria, as people celebrate the uk economy shrank for the second month in a row due to a drop in activity in pubs, restaurants and retail. a chinese businessman with links to prince andrew has lost his appeal against a decision to bar him from the uk. hello, welcome to bbc news now, 3 hours of fast—moving news, interviews and reaction. rallies and demonstrations are happening in cities around syria, to mark a week since the assad regime fell. loudspeakers playing revolutionary songs have been set up in the capital's main square. the celebrations come nearly a week after bashar al assad fled to moscow amid a lightning rebel military offensive. parliament has been suspended for the next three months — which

the new administration says is necessary for a smooth transfer of power.