syrians continue to celebrate — days after the ousting of president assad. meanwhile regional leaders are meeting injordan to discuss syria's future. and mystery grows in the us following repeated sightings of drones in several states. the governor of newjersey has urged the government to investigate. those are your latest headlines here on bbc news. thanks for being with us here on bbc news. let's start with that final headline on the bizarre story in the us. a mystery that has been gripping large parts of country involving drones. the governor of the state of newjersey has written to president biden saying he has growing concerns

about repeated drone sightings in recent weeks. the fbi has received over 3,000 tips about the flying objects. here's our north america correspondent david willis all this started a few weeks ago with reports of a drone flying over an army base in northern newjersey, and in the days that followed, officials were inundated with similar such reports of mysterious objects in the skies overhead, loud, low flying objects with unusual lighting often reported to be flying very close to each other. and indeed, one eyewitness described seeing something that he said was the size of a school bus flying about 150ft above the trees. now, state and federal officials are investigating, but they do not believe that there's anything unusual with this. they say that these sightings are probably unmanned aircraft or helicopters, and they've said that there is they're confident there is no risk to the public from this, but they've not said where these objects have come from and who they belong to.

and that has fuelled considerable speculation on social media and indeed has led to calls from, amongst others, the president elect, donald trump, for officials to either be more forthcoming about what is behind this phenomenon or to shoot these objects down. a facebook group devoted to what's going on in the newjersey area has already accumulated 46,500 followers, and indeed, drone hunting or drone spotting has become the new pastime for many in that part of the world. 0ur north american condo respondent david willis. the uk home secretary yvette cooper is travelling to italy

for talks on migration, as hundreds of people continue to cross the channel in small boats. thursday was the busiest december day on record, when 609 people arrived — bringing the total so far this year to more than 34,500 — a 19 % increase on last year. 0ur political correspondent, damien grammaticas, told me what the home secretary was hoping to gain from this meeting. her visit is not so much a formal visit for discussions with the italian government, it is part of an outreach that the uk government is doing trying to build relationships with other european governments as the uk and other european countries are trying to tackle the irregular migration. she is that she there for a conference. there is a political conference run by the italian government, that brings together right—wing political figures, the uk home secretary will be part of the panel there with interior ministers from southern europe, france, malta

and italy, all discussing the migration issue. and then while she is in this meeting, she is meeting the italian interior minister on the sidelines of that, and representing you k. this is much more about building these kinds of partnerships than the way the previous conservative government did which was looking at countries like rwanda and outsourcing. the uk home secretary _ rwanda and outsourcing. the uk home secretary is _ rwanda and outsourcing. the uk home secretary is not _ rwanda and outsourcing. the uk home secretary is not likely - rwanda and outsourcing. the uk home secretary is not likely to l home secretary is not likely to get much sympathy from the italian government. doesn't the uk proportionately have a far smaller amount of migration in italy? it smaller amount of migration in ital ? , ., ., , italy? it is true that italy bein: a italy? it is true that italy being a front-line - italy? it is true that italy being a front-line state | italy? it is true that italyl being a front-line state in italy? it is true that italy - being a front-line state in the being a front—line state in the manchurian, which these arrivals coming across by boat from libya particularly and tunisia to a lesser extent, has always had a bigger role, if you like. the uk is further down the chain. i think what you will see is a fairly

sympathetic response, actually, because both countries, all countries here are looking for partnerships and like—minded administrations, so while italy has been trying to find ways of tackling it, some of them very controversial, it has to be said, the approach is taken to stop boats leaving libya and tunisia, talking about getting migrants processed, paperwork processed in places like albania. the uk is looking at new approaches also. there is a kind of meeting mind there and ultimately, really, the countries alljoin in that this is a big priority. a growing number of councils in england are stepping in to replace the winter fuel payment for financially vulnerable pensioners who no longer qualify for government support. research by radio 4's money box programme has found that around one in five councils are using their own hardship funds as well as the government's household support fund to offer a direct replacement. 0ur reporter dan

whitworth has more. despite not qualifying for the new means tested winter fuel payment, money is still very tight for 80—year—old rita, so getting several hundred pounds from her local council to put towards her gas and electric bills has been a lifesaver. it was extremely important. a, because i do have quite a serious heart condition and my body must be up to a certain temperature in order for me to walk or to do anything. so, yes, it was vitally important. rita is one of around 10 million pensioners who will no longer qualify for the winter fuel payments, worth either £200 or £300, now it's means tested. but her local authority, north tyneside council, is one of the councils accessing the government's £500 million household support fund to help pensioners who are just missing out. there are still qualifying criteria, though, things like getting housing benefit

or council tax reduction. the local government association doesn't have a specific number of councils offering help this way, but money box checked the websites of 50 of them and around one in five are doing exactly that, including rita's. we are writing to all of those residents. again, it's over 2,800 residents, and we are offering them some support around the winterfuel, and that will be funded through the household support fund. the devolved administrations in scotland, northern ireland and wales all received a proportional share of the household support fund to use as best they see fit. the department for work and pensions told us more than a million pensioners will still receive the winter fuel payments, and that its drive to boost pension credit take up means an extra 40,000 people are now claiming it. dan whitworth, bbc news. dan explains who can

apply for this payment. the best way is for them to approach the local authority in england and find out if they are eligible for this kind of help. again, as you head in the report, there is no specific number on the amount of councils or local authorities in england that are offering this help. we have approached directly 50 of them and around one in five are offering something similar to this kind of scheme. there is also social company called policy in practice that works with dozens of councils and are trying to get people better access to benefits and say a third of councils they are working with are doing schemes like this. local authorities, charities like citizens advice or age uk that people can go to for advice and help to see if they make qualify. again, this is targeting pensioners who are just missing out on the winter fuel payment, or are just above the threshold of pension credit introduced by the government.

this is targeting very much financially vulnerable people, and certainly one council we have been in touch with, north tyneside council, that is writing letters to several thousand pensioners they think might be applicable and their council member for health and well—being, counsellor karen clark, talked me through exactly what they are doing. we are doing this because we care _ we are doing this because we care about our pensioners. that's_ care about our pensioners. that's why i'm here. if i am a counsellon _ that's why i'm here. if i am a counsellor. it is i am a cabinet _ counsellor. it is i am a cabinet member. i am passionate about— cabinet member. i am passionate about the — cabinet member. i am passionate about the borough and its pe0pte~ _ about the borough and its people. of course, we highly value — people. of course, we highly value our— people. of course, we highly value our pensioners i want to do our— value our pensioners i want to do our absolute best to support the pensioners. all the time, notiust— the pensioners. all the time, notjust through the the pensioners. all the time, not just through the winter period. _ not just through the winter period, but we realise it is a pressured _ period, but we realise it is a pressured time. there are different pressure points for different pressure points for different residents that are struggling throughout the years. _ struggling throughout the years, families for example in the tong — years, families for example in the long school summer holidays. so we have to look at the resources we have and how we allocate those to protect

our most vulnerable residents from — our most vulnerable residents from the _ our most vulnerable residents from the cost of living crisis and — from the cost of living crisis and rising _ from the cost of living crisis and rising fuel prices. and it is important _ and rising fuel prices. and it is important to _ and rising fuel prices. and it is important to say - and rising fuel prices. and it is important to say that - and rising fuel prices. and it is important to say that this| is important to say that this is important to say that this is how it works for english councils because they can access that household support fund from the government, £500 million directly, when it comes to the devolved nations, scotland, wales and northern ireland, their proportion of that £500 million, that £79 million is going to their respective governments to use as they best see fit. it is also important to say that the u k government, have scrapped for some people but there are still over a million people that will be getting this payment. they are trying to get more people accessing pension credit. as you know, that's called a gateway benefit, if you get that either a lot of other benefits and you apply

the winter fuel payment and that campaign has caused an extra 40,000 people to sign up. it is very good news for those 40,000 pensioners. industry leaders have warned that the uk does not have enough construction workers to build the 1.5 million homes promised by the government. the home builders federation and the uk's largest house—builder barratt redrow said tens of thousands of new recruits across bricklaying, groundworks and carpentry are needed to get anywhere near the target. let's speak to neiljefferson, ceo of the home builders federation. good morning. thank you for joining us. what is the cause of this shortfall? is it brexit? is that young people not going in the industry? is it a lack of investment and improvement? mil it a lack of investment and improvement?— it a lack of investment and improvement? all of those factors, actually. _ improvement? all of those factors, actually. thank - improvement? all of those | factors, actually. thank you for having me here today. the last couple of years, there has

been a stall period. at the moment, we are building approximately 220,000 homes a year, as opposed to 300,000 homes a year that the government would like industry to build. this is clearly a fantastic opportunity for people to join the industry. there is a wide range ofjobs available and there is a joint mission here for government and the industry to make those recruits over the next few years, to get these additional new homes we desperately need built. �* , ., ., , , built. but the shortage seems vast. we look _ built. but the shortage seems vast. we look at _ built. but the shortage seems vast. we look at the - built. but the shortage seems| vast. we look at the estimated number of new worst as needed based on government plans, 20,000 bricklayers. we have covered in the past news, the shortage of bricklayers for years now. 20,000 ground workers, 2500 electricians, 8000 carpenters... how long would it take to get those numbers back up? it

would it take to get those numbers back up?- would it take to get those numbers back up? it will take ears. numbers back up? it will take years- and — numbers back up? it will take years- and in _ numbers back up? it will take years. and in terms _ numbers back up? it will take years. and in terms of- years. and in terms of increasing the build rates that the government is keen to do, that will not happen overnight either. they do recognise that. there is work going on across the industry, you mention bricklayers, carpenters and ground workers, brake bricklayers in particular, there is a lot of work in the industry, i am setting up hubs to train apprentices and trainees on site. to get thousands of new bricklayers into industry. also college as well. one of the key challenges is to improve the quality of the education received building colleges, so that we get more people converting from going to gelding that building college. and increased use of technology. many places have factories that produce the panels to go into home, that reduces the need for construction workers that we have had a need for in the past. if we work with all of

that, we could reach the target. that, we could reach the tarret. . �* , that, we could reach the tarret. . v . that, we could reach the tartet_ ., �*, ., ., that, we could reach the tartet. ., �*, ., ., ., , target. that's a lot of ifs. do ou target. that's a lot of ifs. do you think — target. that's a lot of ifs. do you think it _ target. that's a lot of ifs. do you think it could _ target. that's a lot of ifs. do you think it could reach - target. that's a lot of ifs. do you think it could reach the l you think it could reach the possibility and accelerate enough to meet that target by 2029? i enough to meet that target by 2029? 4' enough to meet that target by 2029? ~ ., ., , 2029? i think that target is a hue 2029? i think that target is a huge stretch, _ 2029? i think that target is a huge stretch, massively - huge stretch, massively ambitious but very, very welcome. if we can get up to that run rate needed, of over 300,000 homes a year, that brilliant. capacity was lost in the past, and that is why we are having this conversation today about how we get is only people back in the industry quickly. people back in the industry ruickl . . ~ people back in the industry ruickl. ., ~' people back in the industry ruickl . ., ,, ., people back in the industry ruickl. ., ., ,, quickly. thank you for speaking to us this morning. _ quickly. thank you for speaking to us this morning. thank - quickly. thank you for speaking to us this morning. thank you. | the bbc has complained to apple after the tech giant's new iphone feature generated a false headline from bbc news about a high—profile murder in the united states. the corporation has asked apple to "fix the problem". the singer paula abdul has settled her sexual assault lawsuit against british television producer nigel lythgoe. in the legal action filed one

year ago, ms abdul accused mr lythgoe of twice sexually assaulting her, the first time allegedly when they worked together on the talent show american idol. ms abdul told the bbc she was relieved for the legal battle to be over. former us house speaker nancy pelosi has been admitted to hospital after sustaining an unspecified injury during an official trip to luxembourg. us media have reported that mrs pelosi who's 84 suffered injuries to her hip after she tripped and fell while at an event. us president elect donald trump says he'll end daylight saving time in the united states, describing it as very costly and inconvenient. he said his republican party would use "its best efforts" to eliminate the practice of moving clocks forward and backward by an hour during the year. the family of a former royal marine who took his

own life last month, is calling for the law to be changed so veterans are offered immediate mental health support. 36—year—old sam morgan from guisborough served three tours of afghanistan. hejust needed one person. and the support wasn't there. hejust needed one person to say, come here now. come here now and speak to me. sam's family said he was loved by everyone who met him. laughter. there's no brakes! the life and soul of a party. someone who could light up a room. after serving three tours of afghanistan, sam's mental health rapidly deteriorated. his family said he desperately tried to get help, but was unable to get the face—to—face counselling he needed. he said to me one time that more of his regiment had died through suicide than than had

actually lost their lives in afghanistan. and he really struggled with that. he really struggled with losing his friends. his dad was phoning them and saying, my son is suicidal. they went down. 0n the phone, they said to him, "those who are suicidal don't advertise it." sam's family and friends to his treatment shows the lack of support available to veterans. everyday he woke up, he fought. he fought to try and, you know, beat this. you know, every single day. it was a struggle for him. and unfortunately, the responsibility of this help and support has fallen on charities, and that's just appalling. these charities are under—resourced. the ministry of defence says its sympathies remain with sam's family and friends at this difficult time. it says it's determined to provide the best possible mental health services to our armed forces,

and veterans in every part of the uk can now access that treatment. we did everything and we loved him so much, but he needed that immediate help. there is nothing for them and they served their country. they served their country and the country should do the same for them. sam's family will now campaign for a change in the law in his name. they want veterans who suffer from post—traumatic stress disorder to receive immediate support and treatment. stuart whincup, bbc news. and if you have been affected by any of the issues raised, you can find information and support at bbc.co.uk/actionline. ceremonies will be held in belgium and luxembourg today ahead of the 80th anniversary of the start of one of the key battles of the western front, during the second world war. the battle of the bulge,

a german counter—offensive designed to split allied forces, began on the 16th of december 1944. it's no secret that cycling is good for your physical health — but could it help with loneliness too? that's exactly what it did for one sudanese refugee living in glasgow. when nahla abdulla settled in the city, she felt isolated until she learned to ride a bike. aileen clarke has this report. when nahla abdulla fled the war in her home country of sudan, she arrived here knowing no—one. at glasgow's kelvingrove, as the art project boxes of hope goes on show, she told me how it was learning to ride a bike that gave her hope of a brighter future. when i arrived, it was difficult. i was alone, i don't have family here. ijust i left my family in sudan. the bike, it helped me to see the beauty of this city and to discover the life here. i was not a cycle person or i start from the scratch as our culture, it's forbidden for girls to cycle. but here, it helped me to feel a sense of belonging. let me feel like there is many things to discover here

in this city. and it pushed me to go out. it was a glasgow cycling group who got nahla peddling and it's touching for them to know the huge difference they've made. people don't realise just the impact of something so simple as teaching someone to ride a bike, but it's really great to know and just really kind of heartwarming to think that that's the impact that you've had on someone. and as a group, that that's what we can do and can help other people do as well. out on the bike, nahla's confidence was built up and it gave her a community. meanwhile, she was granted refugee status. she's able to work and she's working with a charity helping ethnic minority women. and guess what?

she's asking them to get on their bikes. it made me be happier. it helps physically and mentally, emotionally, giving me friends, of course. all from a bicycle? yes, all from the bicycle. after weeks of intense competition, the remaining four couples on strictly come dancing are preparing to take part in tonight's final. they'll each perform three routines with their sights set on the glitterball trophy. the 20th anniversary series has faced serious scrutiny following claims of a toxic work culture. here's more from our reporter noor nanji. it's the grand final. after weeks of tangos, salsas and foxtrots, one celebrity will get their hands on the glitterball trophy in strictly�*s 20th anniversary year. so who's in the running? first up, chris mccausland, who is strictly come dancing's

first blind contestant. the comedian has emerged as the bookmakers odds on favourite to win. he and his professional partner, dianne buswell, will reprise their couples choice routine to thejohn lennon classic instant karma, which went viral on social media. after a blackout moment, praised byjudge craig revel—horwood, as absolutely spectacular. but they face stiff competition. also in the final is actress sarah hadland. she's paired with last year's winner, vito coppola. hadland has earned praise during the series for her strong messages about women believing in themselves. if you think you can't do something, you can always push yourself. you set your own limits. also in the running is former

love islander tasha ghouri. she and her dance partner aljaz skorjanec enter into the final in a strong position as the first pair to get a score of ten and a perfect 40. with their american smooth to someone you loved by lewis ca paldi. last but not least, it'sjls singerjb gill. his original dance partner amy dowden, was forced to pull out of the series last month after a foot injury. being replaced by fellow pro lauren 0akley. despite changing partners, jb gill has consistently scored highly in the leaderboard. this year's series has been full of twists and turns. highlights have included bollywood music coming to the ballroom.

there was also controversy when dancer katya jones appeared to move her partner wyn evans' hand from her waist. she later said it was nonsense that the moment made herfeel uncomfortable in any way. it came after a difficult summer, with a number of former contestants making claims about their experiences on the show. the bbc apologised to amanda abbington and upheld some of her complaints against herformer dance partner giovanni pernice, but cleared him of the most serious allegations. it also introduced a number of new measures, including putting chaperones in rehearsals. but tonight all eyes are on the finalists as they take to the dance floor one last time. all of them will perform three routines, with the winner being decided by a public vote. noor nanji, bbc news. east 17 singer tony mortimer

has surprised commuters at london's st pancras station by performing the christmas number one — stay another day. they sing. backed by the london community gospel choir, the performance celebrated the song's 30th anniversary. afterwards tony said it was a "magical experience". and probably quite magicalfor the commuters he was surprised by it as well. now for your weather forecast. hello. sunshine has made a bit of a reappearance for many today, but still a little on the cool side. that said, temperatures are where they should be this time of year. white colours indicate that on this chart. blues below average. reds above average. just notice, though, from sunday onwards, how the deeper colours start to appear across us and northwest europe. temperatures will be significantly above normal through much of this week ahead, sometimes by around 5 to 7 degrees. the milder air will be coming on the back of this cloud, which was earlier spilling

into scotland and northern ireland, continue to make it cloudier through the afternoon. grey skies. western scotland north and west of northern ireland with outbreaks of rain developing. away from that, though, other than isolated showers, most stay dry. a lot more sunshine for england and wales, especially after that early morning cloud in the south. but as i said, temperatures 5 to 8 degrees around where we should be for this time in the year. but it won't take long before that milder air pushes in through tonight behind this weatherfront. this is what will bring the rain initially in scotland and northern ireland. before it properly arrives, thought, it could be a chilly evening across east anglia and the south east, but there goes those outbreaks of rain. 0ur weather front pushing to all parts through the night into the morning, opening the door to atlantic winds, some rain or drizzle around plenty of cloud. and by the end of the night, the start of sunday morning, temperatures higher than they have been by day for the past week or so. now, as you go into sunday, expect a lot more cloud around, grey skies, but there will be some thinning of that, some brighter breaks to the east of high ground across parts of east wales, eastern england, eastern scotland too. the cloud, though, in the north and west of scotland, will be bringing in

outbreaks of rain becoming heavy and persistent in the highlands and the winds strengthening, widespread gales in the north of scotland by the end of the day. but those winds coming in from the southwest mean that temperatures continue to climb, 14 degrees in eastern scotland, maybe around torbay as well, significantly above the mid december average. stays mild into monday too, but the rain stays in place in northern scotland, continuing to mount up. away from that, though, a few more brighter breaks, better chance of some sunshine. temperatures down a little bit on sunday's values, but it still will feel mild. but that rainfall, as i said, continues to mount up in scotland as we go through from sunday through to tuesday. not much rain to the south and the east, but in the northwest of scotland, 150mm is possible in the highlands, especially the western highlands, and that could cause some flooding. so there will be further rain into the early part of next week, staying on the milder side. wednesday the mildest day. cooler but brighter later in the week.

live from london. this is bbc news. lawmakers in georgia have elected a new president.

five" mps in south korea vote to impeach president yoon — over his failed attempt to impose martial law. prince andrew says he "ceased all contact" with a businessman accused of being a chinese spy — after the uk government raised concerns. and — extreme runners gather near the south pole — for one of the world's most challenging marathons. a former manchester city footballer has been appointed as the country's president in georgia. he was the only candidate for thejob. georgia. he was the only candidate forthejob. but georgia. he was the only candidate for the job. but only a minority of the electoral couege a minority of the electoral college voted for him. this was