for pension credit in order to qualify for the winter fuel payment, but charities are warnings the system is overwhelmed. good morning. it doesn't get much bigger than this — usyk v fury 2 is tonight. tyson fury weighs in four stone heavier than oleksandr usyk as he bids to win the world heavyweight title for a third time. good morning. it is going to be a busy weekend travel wise and if you are travelling, be aware we have some very strong winds in the forecast today that could cause some disruption. it will also turn colder but i will bring you the full details very shortly. it's saturday the 21st of december. our main story: two people have died and around 70 others were injured, 15 of them seriously, after a car was driven into a busy christmas market in germany. it happened in magdeburg, 100 miles west of berlin, at around 8pm last night local time.

the car hit the crowded area at high speed and is said to have travelled for around 400m. armed police arrested a man at the scene. he's a 50—year—old saudi national who has lived in germany for 18 years. the authorities say he worked as a doctor, had no criminal record and no known links to extremism. today, the german chancellor olaf scholz will visit the scene of the carnage as germany grieves. our reporter nickjohnson has more. (crying). cries punctuate the scent of terror and bewilderment at magdeburg's christmas market. passers—by tend to the injured. moments beforehand, the market had been teeming with people enjoying the atmosphere in the days before christmas. footage — which is too graphic to broadcast — appears to show a car deliberately driving at speed into dozens of people between market stalls.

emergency services arrived to help those in any way they can. makeshift tents were put up to treat those at the scene. hospitals in the area were told to prepare for a mass casualty event. doreen was at a concert nearby. translation: we heard the police sirens would went on for so long. we had assumed something terrible had happened. it is a dark day for magdeburg. (yelling). shortly after the attack, police detained the driver who the german interior minister says is a 50—year—old doctor, originally from saudi arabia and had been resident in germany for 18 years. authorities say around 70 people have been injured, some of them seriously. translation: this is a terrible tragedy. - it's a catastrophe for the city of magdeburg and for germany in general. for this to happen at a christmas

market is hard to comprehend. the german chancellor olaf scholz is expected to visit the scene later and a post on x, said: this is not the first time people have been killed by a vehicle at a christmas market in germany. in 2016, a man with islamist links crashed into a market in berlin, killing 12 people. magdeburg's annual christmas market draws tourists from near and far. this post on its social media page describes the market as a paradise for children. the scene late last night painted a very different picture. the city and the country forced to come to terms with what's with what's happened. nickjohnson, bbc news. throughout the morning, we will keep

you up to date with the latest from magdeburg. it's four minutes past. —— past six. then, a story we have been following closely and it's all related to winter fuel payments and a deadline that people need to be aware of today? let me explain an important deadline, good morning. pensioners in england have until the end of today to apply for a key benefit to then qualify for the winter fuel payment. the deadline to claim pension credit isjust before midnight. the government announced injuly that the winter fuel payment would be limited to only the most vulnerable people. with more details, here's our business correspondent marc ashdown. gary applied for pension credit back in september, but as the cold weather takes hold, he's still waiting for it to be processed, leaving him out of pocket. at the moment, it's costing me £190 a month in lost revenue which i'm

having to make up from my own savings accounts. because the total benefit that i was receiving before reaching my 66th birthday, some of those benefits have now ended and i applied for pension credit to make up the difference. worth around £4000 a year itself, the pension credit is also a gateway to receiving the winter fuel payment. last winter, 10.8 million pensioners received between £200 and £300, depending on their age, to help towards paying their energy bills. but in september, the government won a vote in parliament to restrict the payment to those receiving certain benefits, like pension credit. at the time, department for work and pensions analysis showed 780,000 pensioners who could qualify for the benefit weren't expected to actually apply for it. since the end ofjuly, it has received 150,000 fresh applications. so far, 42,500 additional claimants are receiving pension credit.

the department said it's drafted in 500 extra staff to help process a growing backlog and there's a help line open until 3:15 this afternoon to offer advice to anyone yet to apply. applicants need details like their national insurance number, income and savings information and their bank account details. charities, however, are warning pensioners to be wary of scams. i'm aware that there are lots of scammers out there, either cold calling people pretending to be from the dwp or sending people text messages and really, they're trying to get people's personal details. and the dwp would never cold call anyone or contact anybody — they don't chase anybody to apply for pension credit by phone. so, if anyone does receive any messages like that, then it's likely be a scam or it's best ignored or in doubt,

contact a local hek or the local hek advice line to check. the government said over a million pensioners will still receive the winter fuel payment and it's urging anyone who thinks they might qualify for pension credit to act now before the deadline at the end of today. marc ashdown, bbc news. weather warnings for strong winds will come into force for much of the uk today as millions of people take to the roads and railways ahead of christmas. the met office has issued yellow warnings for northern england and scotland, which are likely to affect some buses and trains. the aa says nearly 23 million car journeys will be made today and trafficjams are likely. patients�* charities have accused the health service of unfairly penalising sick people after it was revealed that more than a quarter of nhs trusts in england increased parking costs. nhs providers, which represents trusts, says many are under huge financial pressure and cannot afford to maintain car parks without charging to use them. the government has announced plans to end the use of pesticides that harm bees. sugar beet farmers have been given special permission to protect their crops with neonicotinoids for the past four years but ministers now say they're working on legislation to ban their use completely.

queen's bohemian rhapsody and band aid's do they know it's christmas?. —— a partial shutdown of the us government has been averted at the last minute after congress voted to pass a spending bill at the third attempt. a slimmed—down version was agreed by republicans and democrats in the senate and house of representatives, lifting the threat of pre—christmas disruption to federal services. here's our north america correspondent peter bowes. the bill is passed and without objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. fix, objection the motion to reconsider is laid on the table.— is laid on the table. a sigh of relief are _ is laid on the table. a sigh of relief are more _ is laid on the table. a sigh of relief are more than - is laid on the table. a sigh of relief are more than 3 - is laid on the table. a sigh of| relief are more than 3 million is laid on the table. a sigh of - relief are more than 3 million us government workers. many americans feared christmas would be overshadowed by a damaging federal shutdown with no pay for some and reduced services. this was the third attempt to agree a spending plan after donald trump and his government efficiencies are billionaire elon musk intervened to scupper the bill in its original form. but with hours to go before

the government ran out of money, adl. after days of wrangling, republicans and democrats agreed on a plan that will fund the government for the next three months. there is money for essential services as well as disaster relief and aid for farmers. the bill passed in congress but the president—elect appeared to be calling the shots. i but the president-elect appeared to be calling the shots.— be calling the shots. i was in constant _ be calling the shots. i was in constant contact _ be calling the shots. i was in constant contact with - be calling the shots. i was in i constant contact with president trump throughout this process. he knew exactly what we were doing and why and this is a good come before outcome for the country. i think he is utterly happy with this outcome as well. �* , ., . as well. but there is no reference in the beltre _ as well. but there is no reference in the beltre lifting _ as well. but there is no reference in the beltre lifting the _ as well. but there is no reference in the beltre lifting the debt - in the beltre lifting the debt ceiling, that is the limit of how much the government can borrow — a measure which trump wanted in place before his inauguration.— before his inauguration. house democrats _ before his inauguration. house democrats have _ before his inauguration. house democrats have successfully . before his inauguration. house - democrats have successfully stopped extreme maga republicans from shutting down the government, crushing the economy and hurting working class americans all across the land. , �* ,

working class americans all across theland. , �*, ., the land. the bill's passing marks the land. the bill's passing marks the end of a _ the land. the bill's passing marks the end of a turbulent _ the land. the bill's passing marks the end of a turbulent few - the land. the bill's passing marks the end of a turbulent few days i the land. the bill's passing marks the end of a turbulent few days in washington, which have also exposed divisions amongst republicans. one month before donald trump takes office. peter bowes, bbc news. it's 6:11. wham's last christmas is the uk's christmas number one for the second year in a row, a0 years after it was first released. only two other songs have held the honour more than once — queen's bohemian rhapsody and band aid's do they know it's christmas?. it was a song last christmas that prevented do they know it's christmas? from being number one. our music correspondent mark savage reports on this year's contest. i wish you could be christmas every day. i wish you could be christmas every da . . ., , i wish you could be christmas every da . u, , ., i wish you could be christmas every da . _, , ., , ., , , day. the contest to christmas number one bean day. the contest to christmas number one began in — day. the contest to christmas number one began in 1973 _ day. the contest to christmas number one began in 1973 when _ day. the contest to christmas number one began in 1973 when slade - day. the contest to christmas number one began in 1973 when slade and - one began in 1973 when slade and wizard released joulin christmas songs. 50 wizard released joulin christmas sonus. , ~ ,

songs. so here it is, merry christmas. _ songs. so here it is, merry christmas. slade's - songs. so here it is, merry christmas. slade's merry l songs. so here it is, merry- christmas. slade's merry christmas eve bod christmas. slade's merry christmas everybody eventually _ christmas. slade's merry christmas everybody eventually took - christmas. slade's merry christmas everybody eventually took the - christmas. slade's merry christmas everybody eventually took the top | everybody eventually took the top spot and since then the crown has been claimed by everybody from the spice girls. two ladbaby. we been claimed by everybody from the spice girls. two ladbaby.— spice girls. two ladbaby. we built this city on — spice girls. two ladbaby. we built this city on sausage _ spice girls. two ladbaby. we built this city on sausage rolls. - spice girls. two ladbaby. we built this city on sausage rolls. it's - this city on sausage rolls. it's almost impossible to get a brand new song into the christmas charts these days because people want to stream the old classics. and for the last seven days where and mariah carey have been locked in a battle for christmas number one. this have been locked in a battle for christmas number one. this year, to save me from _ christmas number one. this year, to save me from tears _ christmas number one. this year, to save me from tears that _ christmas number one. this year, to save me from tears that mike and i christmas number one. this year, to | save me from tears that mike and the end it could only be one winner and it was george michael's festive song. the official number one in 2024, wham, last christmas. wham's andrew ridgely _ 2024, wham, last christmas. wham's andrew ridgely said _ 2024, wham, last christmas. wham's andrew ridgely said he _ 2024, wham, last christmas. wham's andrew ridgely said he was _ andrew ridgely said he was delighted. i’m andrew ridgely said he was delighted-— andrew ridgely said he was deliahted. �* ,, , , delighted. i'm especially pleased for george- _ delighted. i'm especially pleased for george. he _ delighted. i'm especially pleased for george. he would _ delighted. i'm especially pleased for george. he would have - delighted. i'm especially pleased for george. he would have been | for george. he would have been utterly delighted that his fabulous christmas composition has become such a classic full stop as much a

part of christmas as mince pies or christmas cake.— christmas cake. last christmas i ave ou christmas cake. last christmas i gave you my _ christmas cake. last christmas i gave you my heart. _ christmas cake. last christmas i gave you my heart. it's - christmas cake. last christmas i gave you my heart. it's the - christmas cake. last christmas i l gave you my heart. it's the second ear in a gave you my heart. it's the second year in a row _ gave you my heart. it's the second year in a row that _ gave you my heart. it's the second year in a row that last _ gave you my heart. it's the second year in a row that last christmas l year in a row that last christmas has topped the charts and with proceeds going to charity, it truly embraces the christmas spirit. mark savage, bbc news. ido i do love it. rightfully at number one for christmas. but we should have warned people whamagedd whamageddon. sorry. if you are trying to avoid hearing whamageddon, hearing last christmas at christmas. how do you avoid it? many people have tried. sorry! we've ruined it. with just four days to go until the big day, you might be wondering what father christmas is doing to relax. well, wonder no more. a scuba—diving santa has been spotted in florida's pleasure reef, delivering some festive cheer to schools of fish. he didn't seem to be handing out much there. the fish do not know it

is christmas. he could be giving them some food to eat? there is some fun! there are the elves. and to continue the underwater theme, at 8:20 we'll be speaking to a man who's broken a world record by swimming 182m under ice on a single breath. no equipment. no equipment, probably not car in: no equipment. no equipment, probably not carrying a — no equipment. no equipment, probably not carrying a christmas _ no equipment. no equipment, probably not carrying a christmas tree. _ no equipment. no equipment, probably not carrying a christmas tree. it's - not carrying a christmas tree. it's fascinating _ not carrying a christmas tree. it's fascinating how he has done it. we will talk to him later. i don't know what the weather is like under the sea, i have no idea!— sea, i have no idea! there isn't an ! sea, i have no idea! there isn't any! currents, _ sea, i have no idea! there isn't any! currents, there _ sea, i have no idea! there isn't any! currents, there are - sea, i have no idea! there isn't i any! currents, there are currents. still dynamics, i guess. but you have important _ still dynamics, i guess. but you have important messages - still dynamics, i guess. but you have important messages that l still dynamics, i guess. but you l have important messages that we still dynamics, i guess. but you - have important messages that we need to listen to? , ., , , . to listen to? yes, today is expected to listen to? yes, today is expected to be one of — to listen to? yes, today is expected to be one of the _ to listen to? yes, today is expected to be one of the busiest _ to listen to? yes, today is expected to be one of the busiest travel - to be one of the busiest travel periods, and if you are travelling today, be aware of the fact we have

some strong winds in the forecast today, possibly some disruption on the ferries, the rail network, the airlines as well. watch out for that check before you travel. potentially quite icy as we go into tomorrow morning, as it turns colder through the course of today. we have this area of low pressure, this is the culprit for the windy weather, moving to the north of the united kingdom. look at the white lines, the isobars quite close together. todayit the isobars quite close together. today it is these northern areas which will see the strongest of the winds, potentially 60—75 miles an hour gusts in the north of scotland, but quite widely, 50—60 miles an hour winds. we will see those winds across the north, further south quite cloudy, outbreaks of rain which will gradually clear away to the southeast. into the afternoon we are left, really, with a mixture of sunny spells and showers. but those showers could turn a bit wintry over the higher ground across scotland as

colder air moves in. temperatures here six or seven, further south ten or 11. there is the area of low pressure and as you can see, as it moves to the east it will draw in much colder air as we go into sunday. furtherwintry much colder air as we go into sunday. further wintry showers, snow mostly of a higher ground, even down to low levels for a time, across parts of the pennines into scotland. on sunday, a mixture of sunny spells and showers, or i should say clear spells and showers overnight into sunday morning, but temperatures getting down to 306 celsius. sunday comedy —— three — six celsius. sunday, the gusts will be widely 50-60 sunday, the gusts will be widely 50—60 miles an hour. these wind speeds have the potential to bring down some branches, because disruption to travel, and throughout the day we will continue with those showers moving in from the north—west. wintry over higher ground, some spiny set —— sunny spells, but strong north—westerly wind, it will feel quite bitter on sunday afternoon. temperatures on

the thermometer six or seven celsius but it will feel colder than that with the wind chill. there is that area of low pressure moving away on monday, a ridge of high pressure starts to move in, and in that ridge of high pressure we see milder conditions moving back in. that is christmas eve, milder conditions, that will last through into christmas day as well. the weather is actually looking quite calm into christmas week, mild, mostly cloudy and mostly dry. christmas eve and christmas day, temperatures here 12 or 13 celsius, pretty decent if you are going to be out and about for a christmas walk. thereafter, it is looking largely settled into next week. that is good, this weekend we have those very windy conditions. it does feel like we have had a lot of windy conditions, because we had storm darragh causing those problems. well, tis the season. it isjolly. problems. well, tis the season. it is jolly- thanks. — problems. well, tis the season. it is jolly. thanks, simon. _

christmas may be the most wonderful time of the year but for most households, it's also the most wasteful. that's why scientists are seeking new ways to produce something useful from domestic waste. one team in manchester is using bio—technology to break down rubbish into chemical compounds, including christmas fragrances. breakfast�*s jayne mccubbin went to meet them. society has a problem with consumption. we extract and dispose huge amounts of material. and this is really evidence of christmas, we have excessive consumption, we throw away a lot of waste. we need to live more sustainably. biotechnology can allow us to do that. we more sustainably. biotechnology can allow us to do that.— allow us to do that. we have a problem. _ allow us to do that. we have a problem, waste. _ allow us to do that. we have a problem, waste. so _ allow us to do that. we have a problem, waste. so strap - allow us to do that. we have a problem, waste. so strap in i allow us to do that. we have a | problem, waste. so strap in for allow us to do that. we have a i problem, waste. so strap in for a special christmas science lesson from the biotechnology scientists in manchester who have been busy creating new ways to turn waste into wealth. , ., ., ., ,

wealth. ok, so what i have here is items that — wealth. ok, so what i have here is items that i _ wealth. ok, so what i have here is items that i skimmed _ wealth. ok, so what i have here is items that i skimmed off - wealth. ok, so what i have here is items that i skimmed off the - wealth. ok, so what i have here is items that i skimmed off the top l wealth. ok, so what i have here is| items that i skimmed off the top of my bin this morning. food waste, some flowers, some wrapping paper. what we are interested in doing is finding a way to turn this waste into bacterial food.— finding a way to turn this waste into bacterial food. scientists take waste, into bacterial food. scientists take waste. and _ into bacterial food. scientists take waste, and enzymes, _ into bacterial food. scientists take waste, and enzymes, and - into bacterial food. scientists take waste, and enzymes, and what i into bacterial food. scientists take i waste, and enzymes, and what they are left with is this brown slurry, which is actually the building blocks of an entirely new product. what we have here is a slurry that the enzymes have broken down and with it, we have a number of different, delicious molecules that bacteria can consume, and in consuming it, they can then make a number of valuable products for society. number of valuable products for socie . ~ ., ., , ., society. want to see it in action? ste this society. want to see it in action? step this way- — society. want to see it in action? step this way. here _ society. want to see it in action? step this way. here we _ society. want to see it in action? step this way. here we will- society. want to see it in action? step this way. here we will show| society. want to see it in action? - step this way. here we will show you how we engineer _ step this way. here we will show you how we engineer a _ step this way. here we will show you how we engineer a microbe - step this way. here we will show you how we engineer a microbe to - step this way. here we will show you how we engineer a microbe to let - how we engineer a microbe to let them know it is christmas. so here we can see, plated out, bacteria that are glowing green or red. we can use these different colours and the intensity of those colours as a metric to see if we are producing

compounds of valuable interest. find compounds of valuable interest. and by compounds of valuable interest, what he means is, new stuff we can use. i! what he means is, new stuff we can use. , ., .., what he means is, new stuff we can use. ,, ., what he means is, new stuff we can use. i. ., , what he means is, new stuff we can use. ., , what he means is, new stuff we can use. ., ., use. if you can do this, you can do what? you — use. if you can do this, you can do what? you can _ use. if you can do this, you can do what? you can make _ use. if you can do this, you can do what? you can make chemicals, i use. if you can do this, you can do l what? you can make chemicals, you can make that— what? you can make chemicals, you can make that labours _ what? you can make chemicals, you can make that labours and _ what? you can make chemicals, you| can make that labours and fragrances that we currently extract from plants. that we currently extract from lants. . . plants. here we can engineer microbes _ plants. here we can engineer microbes to _ plants. here we can engineer microbes to produce - plants. here we can engineer microbes to produce these i plants. here we can engineer - microbes to produce these compounds are much more sustainable way. find are much more sustainable way. and for another — are much more sustainable way. and for another festive example of this pioneering science, here you go. then what we can do is take the slurry from before and feed it to bacteria, and with this, the bacteria, and with this, the bacteria are able to make flavour and fragrance compounds commonly found at christmas time. so and fragrance compounds commonly found at christmas time.— found at christmas time. so instead of usin: found at christmas time. so instead of using plant _ found at christmas time. so instead of using plant extracts _ found at christmas time. so instead of using plant extracts or _ of using plant extracts or petrochemical sources to produce christmas spices, scientists use bacteria to create something identical to the real thing. can i ask you guys a question? can you identify the smells for me, please? that. exactly, yes, that is perfect. engineering biology is in its infancy. engineering biology is in its infan . ., ., ,

infancy. can you tell me what this smells like? _ infancy. can you tell me what this smells like? but _ infancy. can you tell me what this smells like? but this _ infancy. can you tell me what this smells like? but this field - infancy. can you tell me what this smells like? but this field is - smells like? but this field is revolutionary. _ smells like? but this field is revolutionary. cinnamon. i smells like? but this field is - revolutionary. cinnamon. exactly ri . ht. revolutionary. cinnamon. exactly riuht. in revolutionary. cinnamon. exactly right- in the— revolutionary. cinnamon. exactly right. in the future _ revolutionary. cinnamon. exactly right. in the future we _ revolutionary. cinnamon. exactly right. in the future we will- revolutionary. cinnamon. exactly right. in the future we will be - revolutionary. cinnamon. exactly. right. in the future we will be able to use bacteria _ right. in the future we will be able to use bacteria to _ right. in the future we will be able to use bacteria to make _ right. in the future we will be able to use bacteria to make products. to use bacteria to make products which are much less polluted and much more sustainable, genuinely proving that where there is more, there is brass. 50 proving that where there is more, there is brass.— there is brass. so we get almost exclusively _ there is brass. so we get almost exclusively of _ there is brass. so we get almost exclusively of the _ there is brass. so we get almost exclusively of the carbon - there is brass. so we get almost exclusively of the carbon we - there is brass. so we get almost. exclusively of the carbon we need there is brass. so we get almost - exclusively of the carbon we need to make our medicines, our clothes and a plastics, from petrochemical sources. as we know, we need to wean ourselves off that source and we need to use renewable sources to make our everyday products. biotechnology has a big part to play in that, and hopefully today you will see that. so for more here, at the manchester institute of biotechnology, merry christmas. i didn't know what was going to come out of that white coat, then! later on breakfast we'll be chatting to the eco—journalist nina pullman about some of the ways we can all make our christmas celebrations more sustainable. let's take a look at today's papers.

the daily mail leads with the attack at a christmas market in magdeburg. the paper reports the story as "horror as car ploughs into german crowd", calling it "carnage." the guardian headlines on rachel reeves defending her approach as chancellor. it quotes her saying she "won't gaslight voters over the economy", while accusing reform uk of "not having a clue", amid polls showing the party is growing in popularity. meanwhile, the mirror leads with health secretary wes streeting vowing to bring back family doctors in england as part of a "£889 million extra boost to gp budgets." and the times reports that 500,000 people in the uk are now taking weight—loss injections purchased online, because of a slow rollout on the nhs. good morning, mike. i don't know what your plans are up —— over christmas, but this is about adults and the way they talk to teenagers. how it can all get a bit awkward. a psychotherapist has recommended

using open questions, which we do as journalists anyway, we never have closed questions. open answers. what to ask and whatnot closed questions. open answers. what to ask and what not to ask. to ask, have you met people who inspire you? what sorts of things about them do you like? don't ask, what are you going to do if you find out you don't like your course or your apprenticeship? i will say, don't like your course or your apprenticeship? iwill say, the don't like your course or your apprenticeship? i will say, the dry conversations around the table, i am worried. do ask, when thinking about your future worried. do ask, when thinking about yourfuture can worried. do ask, when thinking about your future can you imagine how things might look that would make you heavy and keep you interested? can you imagine that as a suggestion at the christmas dinner table? mr; at the christmas dinner table? my nephews and knees, i think it would be blank_ nephews and knees, i think it would be blank faces. do nephews and knees, i think it would be blank faces.— be blank faces. do not ask how are ou auoin be blank faces. do not ask how are you going to _ be blank faces. do not ask how are you going to get _ be blank faces. do not ask how are you going to get a _ be blank faces. do not ask how are you going to get a job _ be blank faces. do not ask how are you going to get a job like - be blank faces. do not ask how are you going to get a job like that - you going to get a job like that when it is always been so difficult for you to do x.— for you to do x. there is a 'ob steam to fl for you to do x. there is a 'ob steam to and for you to do x. there is a 'ob steam to all ofd for you to do x. there is a 'ob steam to all of these i for you to do x. there is a job i steam to all of these questions. yes, absolutely. don't ask them... polling has shown teenagers specially dread being asked about their love lives. don't talk to them about relationships or their future career or the education plans. 55% say they sit there dreading

expecting life questions. well, i mi . ht expecting life questions. well, i might borrow— expecting life questions. well, i might borrow some _ expecting life questions. well, i might borrow some of _ expecting life questions. well, i might borrow some of those - expecting life questions. well, i - might borrow some of those because we are _ might borrow some of those because we are doing a murder mystery, and i'm we are doing a murder mystery, and i'm a— we are doing a murder mystery, and i'm a flamboyant hairdresser. so those _ i'm a flamboyant hairdresser. so those could be good questions to ask to find _ those could be good questions to ask to find out— those could be good questions to ask to find out the murderer. let�*s to find out the murderer. let's un-ack to find out the murderer. let's unpack this — to find out the murderer. let's unpack this a _ to find out the murderer. let's unpack this a little... - to find out the murderer. let's unpack this a little... we - to find out the murderer. let's i unpack this a little... we haven't not time! unpack this a little... we haven't got time! so _ unpack this a little... we haven't got time! so you _ unpack this a little... we haven't got time! so you are _ unpack this a little... we haven't got time! so you are in _ unpack this a little... we haven't got time! so you are in the - unpack this a little... we haven't l got time! so you are in the murder m ste ? got time! so you are in the murder mystery? my _ got time! so you are in the murder mystery? my mom _ got time! so you are in the murder mystery? my mom sets _ got time! so you are in the murder mystery? my mom sets it - got time! so you are in the murder mystery? my mom sets it up, - got time! so you are in the murder| mystery? my mom sets it up, we'll got time! so you are in the murder i mystery? my mom sets it up, we'll do it. i've mystery? my mom sets it up, we'll do it- i've been — mystery? my mom sets it up, we'll do it. i've been told _ mystery? my mom sets it up, we'll do it. i've been told that _ mystery? my mom sets it up, we'll do it. i've been told that my _ mystery? my mom sets it up, we'll do it. i've been told that my character- it. i've been told that my character is a flamboyant hairdresser. it has to involve, — is a flamboyant hairdresser. it has to involve, for me, a false beard. speaking — to involve, for me, a false beard. speaking of— to involve, for me, a false beard. speaking of which, the beard has been _ speaking of which, the beard has been cleared. tyson fury, the big fight _ been cleared. tyson fury, the big fight tonight against oleksandr usyk — fight tonight against oleksandr usyk. away from the way in, there has been _ usyk. away from the way in, there has been controversy and a big debate — has been controversy and a big debate over the length and pushing us of theory's beard, because the boxing _ us of theory's beard, because the boxing rules do state that facial hair has — boxing rules do state that facial hair has to be a certain length. the bushy— hair has to be a certain length. the bushy beard, itjust makes me laugh. but, actually, the rules, the authorities out there and said they

have cleared the beard for this fight, — have cleared the beard for this fight, but _ have cleared the beard for this fight, but oleksandr usyk's team have said — fight, but oleksandr usyk's team have said they will push this further~ _ have said they will push this further. so we have not heard the last of— further. so we have not heard the last of this — further. so we have not heard the last of this. anyway, tyson fury says— last of this. anyway, tyson fury says it _ last of this. anyway, tyson fury says it does _ last of this. anyway, tyson fury says it does give him out of strength _ says it does give him out of strength. so oleksandr usyk's team are not— strength. so oleksandr usyk's team are not heavy. he might have to have are not heavy. he might have to have a shave _ tyson fury has weighed in at a career—heaviest 20 stone 1 pound for tonight's heavyweight world title fight against oleksandr usyk. fury weighed in four stone heavier than his opponent in saudi arabia as he looks to bounce back from his first career loss in may. yesterday's staredown lasted a mere seven seconds following their 11—minute face—off on thursday. ukraine's usyk beat fury on a points decision back in may to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since lennox lewis, who says fury will need to be more serious to claim back his world heavyweight title. he's going to go out there and use his jab, he's got to throw a lot

more punches than the first fight, he can't muck around. i always say the bigger man always wins, if they have the same skills. this fight i'm saying, well, you know, i can't go against the undisputed champion, amanda has never lost. that means his drivers to win at all costs, so i think the fight is going to be even better than the first one. it's the start of the hectic festive football programme today, with aston villa against manchester city getting things underway at lunchtime. city go into the game with just one win in their last 11 matches, the worst run in manager pep guardiola's managerial career. even in the past we won many games in a row, you don't know what is going to happen. of course you have to try it again and do it again and sooner or later we will turn around. so i don't know, i don't know when, because some problems we had in the squad. in scotland, motherwell and kilmarnock got the christmas action underway last night. fourth—placed motherwell took the lead in the first half at fir park through liam gordon.

and it was a night for liams to get on the scoresheet, as liam poleworth brought the visitors level. it finished 1—1 but motherwell were controversially reduced to ten men for the final 15 minutes. luton town earned a much—needed victory win after coming from behind to beat derby county 2—1 in the championship. luton have struggled in the championship this season since being relegated from the premier league but levelled in the 89th minute at kenilworth road. and they secured all three points in the second minute of injury time thanks to this goal from carlton morris. two first—half tries were enough to earn gloucester a 14—0 win in the premiership over harlequins. all the points came in the first half at kingsholm as the hosts cemented fifth place in the table. it was also the first time in more than 10 years that quins have failed to score a single point in a league match. a tom farrell hat—trick earned munster a 22—19 bonus point win over ulster in the united rugby championship. the defeat was ulster�*s fifth consecutive loss in all competitions and means munster, who are still without a head coach

following the departure of graham rowntree, move above them in the table to fifth. warren gatland will stay as wales head coach for the six nations despite welsh rugby union chief executive abi tierney saying his job was "on the line". gatland has overseen a run of 12 successive defeats, the worst run in the nation's 143—year international rugby history. gatland's contract runs until the world cup in 2027 but wru executive director of rugby nigel walker has resigned from his post. meanwhile sir bill beaumont has been put in interim chair of england's rugby football union. the appointment follows tom ilube's resignation as chair yesterday, which was in response to growing unrest with the sport's grassroots regarding rfu executive bonuses. beaumont will hold the fort while they recruit a permanent replacement. northern ireland's mark allen

beat luca brecel to win the riyadh season snooker championship. breaks of 104, 109 and 50 helped earn the northern irishman a 5 frames to 1 victory over the belgian player, earning allen his first trophy of the season in the saudi capital and a cheque for £250,000. teenage sensation luke littler gets his pdc world championship campaign underway against ryan meikle tonight at alexandra palace. meikle is nicknamed �*the barber', because that's what he still does part—time. and three—time champion michael van gerwen enjoyed a comfortable victory over english debutantjames hurrell in his opening match. the dutchman won three sets to nil, only losing three legs in total. the comedian and actorjason manford is well known for his work on stage always this time of year does feel christmassy when the darts are under way. i christmassy when the darts are under wa . , ., christmassy when the darts are under wa , , ., ., . way. i just love watching the pictures. _ way. i just love watching the pictures. not _ way. i just love watching the pictures, notjust _ way. i just love watching the pictures, notjust darts i way. i just love watching the pictures, notjust darts but l way. i just love watching the i pictures, notjust darts but the

celebrations. we have played paddle tennis, haven't we? yes. ben, you haven't yet--- _ tennis, haven't we? yes. ben, you haven't yet... no, _ tennis, haven't we? yes. ben, you haven't yet... no, i— tennis, haven't we? yes. ben, you haven't yet... no, i am _ tennis, haven't we? yes. ben, you haven't yet... no, i am looking i haven't yet... no, i am looking forward to _ haven't yet... no, i am looking forward to this. _ haven't yet... no, i am looking forward to this. well, - haven't yet... no, i am looking forward to this. well, the i haven't yet... no, i am looking i forward to this. well, the comedian and actorjason _ forward to this. well, the comedian and actorjason mountford - forward to this. well, the comedian and actorjason mountford is - and actorjason mountford is well—known on stage and screen but he has a mission. fiic a project, he has a mission. 0k. a pro'ect, something i he has a mission. 0k. a project, something completely different. he is on this campaign, this mission, to make the sport of padel more accessible, especially to children from more disadvantaged areas. it is a really good — from more disadvantaged areas. it is a really good team sport and it should be that everyone can join in. because it is, you can be in a rally in 20 minutes, which is not a case for a lot of sports, when you need to have coaching for a long time. but for the moment, 20 or £30 at the lowest end for a course for one hour. plus the equipment. this is quite an interesting scheme. i went to see jason to find out more.

it is the tug of tennis that gives everyone more of a chance with underarm service and played on a court with sides and a back wall to help keep the ball in play and decent manfred is hoping to get! million children taking up the sport of padel over the next decade, especially those who wouldn't normally get the chance to try it. in tennis if you play tennis at all or badminton and other sports, once the ball has gone past due, in tennis, it is out, isn't it, done, nothing you can do but padel, there is always a chance of the ball going past you and you being able to use the glass to get it back over. jason's drive comes from his own childhood growing up in manchester when he wanted to try out tennis. it was molly raines cricket and tennis club and we were on the little council estate nearby and you know used to sort of break in a little bit if i'm honest. i think with time gone we are all right. anyway, one sunday morning we got a little note through our little boxing did you fancy coming and having free tennis

lessons and i was about ten early 90s late 80s. not really an opportunity you know tennis was not really seen as a sport for you know the common kid.— the common kid. jason then discovered _ the common kid. jason then discovered the _ the common kid. jason then discovered the emerging i the common kid. jason then i discovered the emerging sport of padel in portugal three years ago and was immediately hooked by its accessibility but realised he was one of the lucky ones who could play regularly. one of the lucky ones who could play reaularl. �* ., , one of the lucky ones who could play reaularl.�* ., , .,, one of the lucky ones who could play reaularl.�* ., , , ., one of the lucky ones who could play reularl. �* ., , , ., ., regularly. already i was starting to notice ou regularly. already i was starting to notice you know _ regularly. already i was starting to notice you know what _ regularly. already i was starting to notice you know what this - regularly. already i was starting to notice you know what this could i notice you know what this could easily end up in that same category as feeling elitist, feeling like it's not for everybody, feeling like it's not for everybody, feeling like it like this are not included you know it's a lot of middle—aged you know it's a lot of middle—aged you know middle—class blokes who got time and money in the day to play who don't need any actual encouragement to play sport. i include myself conduct by way. out of the problem and part of the reason it has ended up in this sort of elitist world is that the rackets are expensive, you go through balls at a rate of knots and the courts you know especially indoor courts, they are not cheap, you know. jason e-bike on his _ they are not cheap, you know. jason e-bike on his mission _ they are not cheap, you know. jason e-bike on his mission to _ they are not cheap, you know. jason e—bike on his mission to persuade clubs and kit to offer school pupils

across manchester these sessions for free. it’s across manchester these sessions for free. �* , , ., across manchester these sessions for free. �*, , ., , ., across manchester these sessions for free. �*, _, , free. it's 'ust a few phone calls and free. it'sjust a few phone calls and obviously _ free. it'sjust a few phone calls and obviously the _ free. it'sjust a few phone calls and obviously the schools i free. it'sjust a few phone calls | and obviously the schools didn't take much persuading them, throwing their kids that is, and here we are so we had 40 kids yesterday and 40 kids today and just getting a taste for this new spot and hopefully, they will go back to school and start a club and the only way to do it and to make it you know more accessible is to put pressure on your local government, the actual government, you know, local councils to go look at these kids want to play this game, you need to build more of these in the park. just different. _ more of these in the park. just different, but _ more of these in the park. just different, but it _ more of these in the park. just different, but it was going to be boring _ different, but it was going to be boring but is actually fun. it�*s boring but is actually fun. it's often hard — boring but is actually fun. it's often hard because it is kind of like tennis— often hard because it is kind of like tennis but— often hard because it is kind of like tennis but i— often hard because it is kind of like tennis but i feel— often hard because it is kind of like tennis but i feel like - often hard because it is kind of like tennis but i feel like the i like tennis but i feel like the glass— like tennis but i feel like the glass cage _ like tennis but i feel like the glass cage makes _ like tennis but i feel like the glass cage makes a - like tennis but i feel like the glass cage makes a bit- like tennis but i feel like the. glass cage makes a bit easier like tennis but i feel like the i glass cage makes a bit easier to play _ glass cage makes a bit easier to .la , �* , , ., glass cage makes a bit easier to play. it's somewhere between tennis and s: uash play. it's somewhere between tennis and squash and _ play. it's somewhere between tennis and squash and i _ play. it's somewhere between tennis and squash and i feel _ play. it's somewhere between tennis and squash and i feel like _ play. it's somewhere between tennis and squash and i feel like the - play. it's somewhere between tennis and squash and i feel like the ball. and squash and i feel like the ball goes a bit slower. so i would be like it's fun with your mates. the

idea of having — like it's fun with your mates. the idea of having that wall and slides around the tennis ball started in mexico in 1969 with a chap being so fed up with his wayward shots in his garden were going into his neighbours house and he started the first padel tennis court. to such an extent it is now played in 90 countries by tens of millions of people. as jason introduced the game to more newcomers it was easy to see why it said to be so accessible. most children involved before involved in relief in 20 minutes of picking up a racket for the first time. i picking up a racket for the first time. ., , , , , ., time. i love tennis but tennis is a hard game. _ time. i love tennis but tennis is a hard game. you _ time. i love tennis but tennis is a hard game, you need _ time. i love tennis but tennis is a hard game, you need coaching i time. i love tennis but tennis is a i hard game, you need coaching which is expensive and it is difficult to rock up and start playing caiguna, the server at the beginning whereas this is underarm servant you are straight into the valleys and that's the fun bit of tennis as well, valleys. in tennis the ball is passed to it is gone isn't about in padel there is always a chance of getting the ball. it is padel there is always a chance of getting the ball.— getting the ball. it is not like a massive court _ getting the ball. it is not like a massive court and _ getting the ball. it is not like a massive court and it _ getting the ball. it is not like a massive court and it is - getting the ball. it is not like a massive court and it is getting| getting the ball. it is not like a i massive court and it is getting over hand _ massive court and it is getting over hand blasting at you, it isjust that— hand blasting at you, it isjust that you — hand blasting at you, it isjust that you can bounce it off the walls and i_ that you can bounce it off the walls and i think— that you can bounce it off the walls and i think it is quite easier to learh — and i think it is quite easier to learn. ., ., ,, , ., _

and i think it is quite easier to learn. ., .,~ , ., _ , learn. the wave makes it easy is because you _ learn. the wave makes it easy is because you have _ learn. the wave makes it easy is because you have a _ learn. the wave makes it easy is because you have a second i learn. the wave makes it easy is i because you have a second chance if you miss _ because you have a second chance if you miss it— because you have a second chance if you miss it so— because you have a second chance if you miss it so like _ because you have a second chance if you miss it so like you _ because you have a second chance if you miss it so like you can— because you have a second chance if you miss it so like you can try- because you have a second chance if you miss it so like you can try to- you miss it so like you can try to -et you miss it so like you can try to get the — you miss it so like you can try to get the rebound. _ you miss it so like you can try to get the rebound. if— you miss it so like you can try to get the rebound.— get the rebound. if jason is to retrieve his _ get the rebound. if jason is to retrieve his dream _ get the rebound. if jason is to retrieve his dream long-term| get the rebound. if jason is to - retrieve his dream long-term though retrieve his dream long—term though he will need to get local authorities to show the same commitment.— authorities to show the same commitment. ,, , ., ., ., commitment. students of our game -la in: commitment. students of our game playing 40- — commitment. students of our game playing 40- £60 — commitment. students of our game playing 40- £60 an _ commitment. students of our game playing 40- £60 an hour, _ commitment. students of our game playing 40- £60 an hour, it- commitment. students of our game playing 40- £60 an hour, it is- commitment. students of our game playing 40- £60 an hour, it isjust i playing 40— £60 an hour, it is just not accessible for them so like i say a price, may introducing it into sort of lessons.— sort of lessons. there is any talk of padel being — sort of lessons. there is any talk of padel being involved - sort of lessons. there is any talk of padel being involved in - sort of lessons. there is any talk of padel being involved in the i of padel being involved in the olympics in 2036 and is thinking future medallists mayjust be here. and perhaps i haven't even picked up a racketjust yet. —— they happen. mike always throws himself into padel. i can tell you from experience. it's 35 minutes past six. when it comes to christmas decorations, some people like to go for something subtle and understated while others think that bigger is better.

it's safe to say peter routledge falls into the latter camp. his inflatable santa is absolutely enormous and it's a big hit with his neighbours, too. michelle lyons went to poppleton, near york, to have a look. jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bell rock. jingle bell swing and jingle bell ring. 50. bell rock. jingle bell swing and jingle bell ring.— jingle bell ring. so, it's christmas. _ jingle bell ring. so, it's christmas. you - jingle bell ring. so, it's christmas. you are i jingle bell ring. so, it's i christmas. you are feeling jingle bell ring. so, it's _ christmas. you are feeling festive. you have had a little table and you decide to do some internet shopping. exactly what peter routledge did during lockdown, and then worried he had made a huge mistake. this during lockdown, and then worried he had made a huge mistake.— had made a huge mistake. this big crate turned _ had made a huge mistake. this big crate turned up _ had made a huge mistake. this big crate turned up and _ had made a huge mistake. this big crate turned up and my _ had made a huge mistake. this big crate turned up and my wife - had made a huge mistake. this big| crate turned up and my wife looked at me, not hugely amused, and we had him up for a few days and everyone loved it and ever since the last few years we have been putting up to raise money for charity. it is years we have been putting up to raise money for charity.— raise money for charity. it is not the first time _ raise money for charity. it is not the first time peter _ raise money for charity. it is not the first time peter has - raise money for charity. it is not the first time peter has made i raise money for charity. it is not| the first time peter has made an impulsive purpose but this one overshadowed all the rest. i walked in and he went _ overshadowed all the rest. i walked in and he went really _ overshadowed all the rest. i walked in and he went really quiet - overshadowed all the rest. i walked in and he went really quiet and i overshadowed all the rest. i walked in and he went really quiet and my. in and he went really quiet and my response was what have you done because he is known to do impulsive things, and he admitted he had brought a giant centre. so when he

said "giant" did not realise how giant it was going to be. this is one santa who definitely would not fit up your chimney, not when he is taller than the house. this big red coloured sac and you pull him out and more and more fabricjust kept coming out of the bag. and we started trying to inflate him to see what happened. started trying to inflate him to see what happened-— what happened. jingle bell, “ingle bell, “inule what happened. jingle bell, “ingle seu, jingle berri what happened. jingle bell, “ingle bell, jingle bell rock. * what happened. jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock. jingle i what happened. jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock. jingle bell. bell, jingle bell rock. jingle bell chime and jingle _ bell, jingle bell rock. jingle bell chime and jingle bell _ bell, jingle bell rock. jingle bell chime andjingle bell time. i bell, jingle bell rock. jingle bell chime andjingle bell time. but. bell, jingle bell rock. jingle bell i chime andjingle bell time. but over chime and “ingle bell time. but over the ears chime andjingle bell time. but over the years he — chime andjingle bell time. but over the years he has _ chime andjingle bell time. but over the years he has grown _ chime andjingle bell time. but over the years he has grown on _ chime andjingle bell time. but over the years he has grown on the i chime and jingle bell time. but over. the years he has grown on the people of poppleton, or eight metres of him. it of poppleton, or eight metres of him. , ., , , him. it is great, we see him every mornin: him. it is great, we see him every morning when _ him. it is great, we see him every morning when we're _ him. it is great, we see him every morning when we're walking i him. it is great, we see him every morning when we're walking to i him. it is great, we see him every i morning when we're walking to school and every night will we're walking back home and yet he is really nice and christmassy in the village. i think he is really big and he's really— think he is really big and he's really cool. we think he is really big and he's really cool-— think he is really big and he's reall cool. ~ ., , ., , really cool. we live really locally so we've come _ really cool. we live really locally so we've come to _ really cool. we live really locally so we've come to see _ really cool. we live really locally so we've come to see him i really cool. we live really locally so we've come to see him in i really cool. we live really locally so we've come to see him in thei really cool. we live really locally i so we've come to see him in the last few years _ so we've come to see him in the last few years and — so we've come to see him in the last few years and the _ so we've come to see him in the last few years and the kids _ so we've come to see him in the last few years and the kids get _ so we've come to see him in the last few years and the kids get really- few years and the kids get really excited — few years and the kids get really excited when _ few years and the kids get really excited when we _ few years and the kids get really excited when we are _ few years and the kids get really excited when we are driving i few years and the kids get really. excited when we are driving past. i love excited when we are driving past. love it when he is waving and his big. love it when he is waving and his bi. ~ ., ., ., big. when we moved here about two ears aeo big. when we moved here about two years ago we — big. when we moved here about two years ago we saw— big. when we moved here about two years ago we saw in _ big. when we moved here about two years ago we saw in the _ big. when we moved here about two years ago we saw in the press - big. when we moved here about two years ago we saw in the press that i years ago we saw in the press that this existed. my husband and me are bil this existed. my husband and me are

big fans _ this existed. my husband and me are big fans of— this existed. my husband and me are big fans of christmas so it was a huge _ big fans of christmas so it was a huge decider! in us taking the house as well, _ huge decider! in us taking the house as well, we — huge decider! in us taking the house as well, we will like it will be brilliant! _ as well, we will like it will be brilliant! fits as well, we will like it will be brilliant! �* , , , ., ., brilliant! as it is the season of eace brilliant! as it is the season of peace and _ brilliant! as it is the season of peace and goodwill— brilliant! as it is the season of peace and goodwill to - brilliant! as it is the season of peace and goodwill to all i brilliant! as it is the season of| peace and goodwill to all men, brilliant! as it is the season of - peace and goodwill to all men, has katie forgiven her husband? i peace and goodwill to all men, has katie forgiven her husband? i have, es. it katie forgiven her husband? i have, yes- it brings _ katie forgiven her husband? i have, yes. it brings happiness _ katie forgiven her husband? i have, yes. it brings happiness to - katie forgiven her husband? i have, yes. it brings happiness to the - yes. it brings happiness to the village and lots of people in york as well and also, he has done some good work for charities and we also collect food for local food bank and people have been so generous and people have been so generous and people just love to come and see it's absolutely is forgiven. this . iant it's absolutely is forgiven. this giant santa — it's absolutely is forgiven. this giant santa has _ it's absolutely is forgiven. this giant santa has become part of the family's christmas tradition and they even have their very own little rudolph. that was michelle lyons reporting. that's from poppleton new york. that's from poppleton new york. that's incredible santa. —— near york. it'sjust that's incredible santa. —— near york. it's just approaching 20 minutes to seven. it's the shortest day of the year today — the winter solstice — when the sun rises later and sets earlier than any other day. it's my favourite day of the year. because? now we get more sunshine

and more daylight! this is as bad as it gets! it is my favourite day! 0ur reporter fi lamdin is at stonehenge, where crowds are gathering to watch the sun come up. honestly, fiona, ienvy, ialways envied the reporters who get to do this on this day because i think it is wonderful. good morning. goad is wonderful. good morning. good mornina! is wonderful. good morning. good morning! yes. _ is wonderful. good morning. good morning! yes, it _ is wonderful. good morning. good morning! yes, it is _ is wonderful. good morning. good morning! yes, it is amazing - is wonderful. good morning. (ems. morning! yes, it is amazing to be here. if i'm honest, it is quite chilly but the rain has stopped, let's hope that we have the most wonderful sunrise and as you can see we are live at stonehenge on the zist we are live at stonehenge on the 21st of december. it is as you say the shortest day of the year. behind me there are crowds gathering. we have been to meet some of them. possibly 2000 people are ready. they will be allowed into the stones in the next hour and after 7:40 am they will be here for when the sun rises at 8:08 am which is the time that we

are all waiting and hoping that the clouds disburse and the sun comes up. so some wonderful people, people have come from texas, from california to be here. many have camped overnight and many have not even slept. one woman said it is on her bucket list to do this, she has been waiting to do this for years. find out a little bit more about the history of this place. good morning, jennifer. history of this place. good morning, jennifer. a, history of this place. good morning, jennifer.- thank _ history of this place. good morning, jennifer.- thank you - history of this place. good morning, jennifer.- thank you for - jennifer. morning. thank you for 'oinin: jennifer. morning. thank you for joining us- _ jennifer. morning. thank you for joining us. firstly, _ jennifer. morning. thank you for joining us. firstly, you _ jennifer. morning. thank you for joining us. firstly, you are - jennifer. morning. thank you for joining us. firstly, you are very. joining us. firstly, you are very excited to tell us personally what today means for you, being here. i today means for you, being here. i am really excited because as you say it is the _ am really excited because as you say it is the shortest day of the year but also — it is the shortest day of the year but also when we start to get the li - ht but also when we start to get the light returning and stonehenge is such a _ light returning and stonehenge is such a special place because it is a place _ such a special place because it is a place people have been coming together and celebrate that moment for really— together and celebrate that moment for really thousands of years and us at english _ for really thousands of years and us at english heritage are delighted to -et at english heritage are delighted to get everybody here and one thing that is— get everybody here and one thing that is magical, because it is still dark, _ that is magical, because it is still dark. and — that is magical, because it is still dark, and you can start to see people — dark, and you can start to see people gathering and see them walking — people gathering and see them walking over the field with their tights _ walking over the field with their lights and you get a sense of people coming _ lights and you get a sense of people

coming together and coming to this place _ coming together and coming to this place and _ coming together and coming to this place and stonehenge is all about the son, — place and stonehenge is all about the son, sorry...— the son, sorry... what i was interested — the son, sorry... what i was interested in _ the son, sorry... what i was interested in earlier, - the son, sorry... what i was interested in earlier, you . the son, sorry... what i was. interested in earlier, you said the son, sorry... what i was - interested in earlier, you said this was the winter solstice is actually more in pot than the because of the history and feasting —— sun, so... tell us more about that. it’s history and feasting -- sun, so... tell us more about that.— tell us more about that. it's a really interesting _ tell us more about that. it's a really interesting fact - tell us more about that. it's a j really interesting fact because tell us more about that. it's a l really interesting fact because a lot of— really interesting fact because a lot of people associated stonehenge with the _ lot of people associated stonehenge with the summer solstice but we know the people _ with the summer solstice but we know the people were living just a few miles— the people were living just a few miles down the road just over in that direction at a place called durrington walls and we've done analysis— durrington walls and we've done analysis of what they were eating and we _ analysis of what they were eating and we know that actually they were feasting _ and we know that actually they were feasting in _ and we know that actually they were feasting in the winter so it's really— feasting in the winter so it's really similar to our fists, you know. — really similar to our fists, you know. we _ really similar to our fists, you know, we have big celebrations in the winter— know, we have big celebrations in the winter and that sense of you know _ the winter and that sense of you know people coming together to celebrate the return of the light but also — celebrate the return of the light but also have a bit of warmth and livelihood — but also have a bit of warmth and livelihood as we wanted this time of year -- — livelihood as we wanted this time of year -- our— livelihood as we wanted this time of year —— our feasts. the people who year —— our feasts. the pe0ple who built— year —— our feasts. the pe0ple who built stonehenge year —— our feasts. the people who built stonehenge were early farmers, it was— built stonehenge were early farmers, it was kind _ built stonehenge were early farmers, it was kind of the off—season but also, _ it was kind of the off—season but also, they— it was kind of the off—season but also, they lived in these dispersed communities so the monument of stonehenge is a place that people would _ stonehenge is a place that people would come back to maybe on an annual— would come back to maybe on an annual basis and seek a long—lost

relatives— annual basis and seek a long—lost relatives and friends, just like we io relatives and friends, just like we go and _ relatives and friends, just like we go and see — relatives and friends, just like we go and see other relatives are christmas. go and see other relatives are christmas— go and see other relatives are christmas. �* ., , ., , christmas. and what will you be doinu at christmas. and what will you be doing at 8:08 — christmas. and what will you be doing at 8:08 am? _ christmas. and what will you be doing at 8:08 am? gosh! - christmas. and what will you be doing at 8:08 am? gosh! i- christmas. and what will you be doing at 8:08 am? gosh! iwill| christmas. and what will you be l doing at 8:08 am? gosh! i will be watchin: doing at 8:08 am? gosh! i will be watching the _ doing at 8:08 am? gosh! i will be watching the sky! _ doing at 8:08 am? gosh! i will be watching the sky! as _ doing at 8:08 am? gosh! i will be watching the sky! as you - doing at 8:08 am? gosh! i will be watching the sky! as you said, - watching the sky! as you said, fingers — watching the sky! as you said, fingers crossed clouds will give us a beautiful you know, they will pardon — a beautiful you know, they will pardon give us a beautiful sunrise but you _ pardon give us a beautiful sunrise but you know it is such a special moment— but you know it is such a special moment because you get the moment of anticipation— moment because you get the moment of anticipation and i think it is a place — anticipation and i think it is a place where you really need to mark a moment— place where you really need to mark a moment in time and it is a great wayto— a moment in time and it is a great way to start — a moment in time and it is a great way to start the holidays we are really _ way to start the holidays we are really pleased to welcome everyone here today. really pleased to welcome everyone here toda . ~ ., really pleased to welcome everyone here toda . ~ . ., ~ ., here today. william, thank you for 'oinin: here today. william, thank you for joining us — here today. william, thank you for joining us. thank _ here today. william, thank you for joining us. thank you. _ here today. william, thank you for joining us. thank you. it _ here today. william, thank you for joining us. thank you. it will - joining us. thank you. it will be here forjoining _ joining us. thank you. it will be here forjoining us. _ joining us. thank you. it will be here forjoining us. -- - joining us. thank you. it will be here forjoining us. -- brilliant. here forjoining us. —— brilliant. you may even be close into the stones and meeting some of the people that have waited throughout the night for this aitor weight a moment. ., ~ , ., the night for this aitor weight a moment. ., ~ i. ,., the night for this aitor weight a moment. ., ~' ,, . the night for this aitor weight a moment. ., ~ . , moment. thank you so much, stay warm, moment. thank you so much, stay warm. you — moment. thank you so much, stay warm, you haven't— moment. thank you so much, stay warm, you haven't got _ moment. thank you so much, stay warm, you haven't got gloves - moment. thank you so much, stay warm, you haven't got gloves on, | moment. thank you so much, stay i warm, you haven't got gloves on, get some gloves on —— 8:08am moment! but i do have a hot water bottle waiting for me! �* i do have a hot water bottle waiting forme! �* , ., for me! don't feel sorry for me. whenever— for me! don't feel sorry for me. whenever you _ for me! don't feel sorry for me. whenever you are _ for me! don't feel sorry for me. whenever you are out _ for me! don't feel sorry for me. whenever you are out on - for me! don't feel sorry for me. whenever you are out on an - for me! don't feel sorry for me. - whenever you are out on an outside broadcast, hot water bottle up the

front or in the back of your code, always. she is well—prepared. we will talk to her later. the headlines are coming up at 7 o'clock. first — it's cold, wet and causes traffic chaos, so why do so many of us dream of snow at this time of year? the bbc�*s barra best has been looking into the longstanding appeal of a white christmas. if you think about christmas, you're probably dreaming of white blankets of snow, fresh powder, sledging, snowmen and maybe even snow angels. i love it! i want a white christmas every year! every year, i say a little prayer for snow and i always think it's going to happen. the reality when it does happen, though, can be a little different. we don't have the equipment, the infrastructure there to cope with it and so, the uk grinds to a halt

very quickly. we yearn for snow and then when we get it, we absolutely hate it. that's very much in keeping with our national psyche. but when was the last time you actually had a white christmas? it almost is like a dream now. it's the kind of thing you have to tell your kids honestly, that did happen once. fantasy or is there a chance your fast fantasy or is there a chance your fast of dreams could come true this season? it's the romance that i love and if we got a white christmas this year i would for one not be complaining! first things first — what exactly is a white christmas officially? as you'd expect, the met office has it covered. in a way that works for the whole country. all it would take is forjust one single snowflake to fall any one of their hundreds of observing stations around the uk or some specially designated sites such

as buckingham palace, coronation street in manchester or aberdeen. one flake of snow though yes technically white christmas but i think for many of us it would leave us distinctly disappointed. disappointed is the word, and we've only had four times in the last six decades of picture—perfect snow coverage across most of the country on christmas day — so where does the idea come from, then? maybe it's a christmas carol, maybe it's scrooge leaning out the window and "hey, boy!" hello, you there, boy! we love dickens.

between the middle ages the medieval period in the middle of the 19th century there was what could be called a little ice age simply it was colder at that time so in the middle of december there was snow. the winters were extremely severe, such that actually the thames froze, so there were fairs on the river, there were tents erected, there was like a christmas market and a christmas fair. so rooted in in our sort of victorian sense of what we should be. newsreel: yes, the i yuletide season is here in london and throughout the country. _ the streets are crowded with shoppers. -

this is a festival of nostalgia, of looking back and in the early 20th century people are saying it doesn't snow as much at christmas time as it used to and that was true, but it fitted into the general ethos of the christmas festival that this was a time when people had a sense of change, that the world was changing that people's individual lives were changing with the whole commonwealth of english speaking nations. in the 20th century our relationship with winter changed. our housing became better quality better insulated fuel was cheaper, winter wasn't dangerous anymore for the vast majority of people and that meant it was easier to enjoy the cold, to enjoy the snow. newsreel: for winter sports enthusiasts that journey to switzerland isn't really necessary — hampstead heath providing a local sled run. we could enjoy the idea of a white christmas without being threatened by it, and that's really key to why it's something that we celebrate and we look forward to.

filmmakers quickly caught on, making the white stuff an almost mandatory feature in movies or christmas specials. it wasn't really until we saw films kick in that we had this almost idealised form of what a white christmas should be a lot of that was because those films were often based in the us, where white christmases are far more common than they are here and i think as brits we really bought into it and just desired that really special almost chocolate box looking idea of what christmas day should be. there's a company in the south of england that makes snow for movies. i've been lucky enough to go there and to be in an area that's covered in snow where is everywhere else is nice and green a lot of what governs our behaviour, our. memories and thoughts, is hollywood — _

and it's that thing | that someone just synced up snow and i christmas in movies. the most famous example being that that awful - one — what's that garbage — it's a wonderful life. i can't stand it. and big brands are more than happy to lean into that idea whether it's coca—cola whether it's chocolate brands, whether it's other brands advertising very often you see the product placed in the snow. if it's a christmas advert i want to see snow, i want to see a child full of wonder, i want to see a roaring fire and preferably a dog.

those are the elements that i want in my christmas advert. but fantasy aside, the reality for most people is that christmas rarely has any snow. statistically it's not likely to have a white christmas — in fact you get more days of snow in march than you do in december, so really, statistically, it's more likely if easter falls in march to get a white easter than it is to get a white christmas day. most people would think a white christmas is when you look- out your window and you see lots of snow falling and maybe - you've got lying snow as well, lying snow, i especially widespread lying snow, is much rarer on christmas. day than perhaps you would expect. in fact the last time we had that was in 2010. good morning, welcome to breakfast from bbc news with bill turble. we're on course for the coldest december

on record and today sees the lowest temperatures yet for many parts of the uk with —8 overnight. three boys and they had a snowball fight and their mom came out and she threw this snowball and we just walked out and went over the fence and hit my daughter in the face and she was like she thought she'd fallen at the battle of hastings it was that big it was a massive crisis. around 80% or more of the country had snowfall on christmas morning, which for christmas morning is magical because many people don't have to go anywhere you can get to enjoy it, but it followed a one of the coldest starts to winter in around 100 years. we were meant to go away for our i—year anniversary and we couldn't because it was snowing and we were snowed in all christmas so i remember luckily only after a year of marriage we

were snowed in together for christmas, because i think after more years of marriage you would enjoy that less. the economy took a massive hit, it was a leadup to christmas, we had shops which could not open, people could get to the shops and people weren't able to do the usual socializing so restaurants and that whole sector suffered immensely. we just love it but hate it i think in equal measure. it's not, it's not really good, i mean it's pretty to look at, fun for the children, but in other ways it's a flaming nuisance. every time we get a drop of snow everything grinds to a halt. when i was a kid they said a white christmas was officially a white christmas if a flake of snow fell

at charing cross station, and i always used to think that's such a weird thing why ching charing cross station, but i guess it's because the minute one flake of snow falls at a station is when the entire infrastructure crashes so that's how they knew that single snowflake was going to bring us to our knees. so what actually needs to happen then scientifically for us to get that white christmas? now, the uk is in a battle zone between cold air coming down from i the north and warmer air coming up from the south _ and that can have an impact so the highest chance you have of seeing white christmas is always - going to be the further north that you - are and the higher up from sea level that you are areas most likely - to see snow at christmas at places like _ northern scotland i northern ireland and the bits of england. and wales that stick out in a northerly wind. temperatures don't really have to fall below- freezing just a few degrees above can be enough- because the air above it can be cold enough to hold snow showers, - and that snow is it falling can take a while to -

melt so even if we've got temperatures - around 2 or 3 if it's snowing heavily. enough that snow can reach the ground - and even give a covering. for blizzards, you just need strong winds, but if you get a weather. front coming in with lots of snow and - strong winds more of us will see . the blizzards all you need are wind speeds of above around 43mph hour and then . that is when a blizzard becomes official — when a blizzard hits, it's bad to stay inside if possible. it's freezing, and it's cold and it's wet, but apart from that it's pretty nice actually. we've seen millions of snow ploughs going out this morning really trying to keep the roads open because of course with this bad weather a lot of the roads in parts of scotland for example are impassible. so the producer bless his heart went down on his hunkers held

onto my legs and i was blowing with the wind because it was really strong and the snow was hitting my face i was really well wrapped up but like pins and needles digging into your skin, and it was so cold that my voice started to slow down like that more like dalek kind of thing. temperatures start to pick up in the west as more cloud and some rain come in and for most of us it would be a dry night away from from the northeast of scotland where we'll continue with blizzard conditions. and then i heard in my earpiece "this is great telly, you've got another minute," which was the last thing i wanted and so we were broadcasting right through that blizzard and then went into the satellite truck to defrost. a nightmare for carol, but there are plenty of good memories of white christmases past. this is the amazing

memory i have is myself my dad my mom my brother my sister, so the five of us walked to church on christmas day, down the middle of the road because there were no cars there, horses, and we we we walked in the snow to church down the middle of the road. i lived in suburban london, where we didn't really have hills, so if it snowed you would just basically sit on a tea tray in the park waiting for someone to push you, and uh, there was — it was either sitting completely motionless because you couldn't find a hill, or a massive hill and then you would lose teeth and experience concussion because there was there was no happy medium _ iremembergoing out, the excitement of watching ing these big fat— snowflakes fall- on the ground and then getting our sledges, and because there l were so many of us we didn't have enough

sledges to go around i so we would sledge on trays, going down the bree, oh, it was magical. but none of our contributors were even alive when the biggest dump of snow on record hit the uk. the deepest snowfall ever recorded in the uk i believe was in 1947 it was in north wales, 1.65m worth of snow. that's a lot of snow, if i was to be in it i'd be gone, you wouldn't see me for days on end. cut to today and it's hard to ignore the elephant in the room global warming. the general trend with our climate

change is that we would probably expect to see fewer instances of snow falling here in the uk, less of it lying as well, and when it does lie it will lie for shorter amounts of time. london, a heat island, is always going to be warmer than it is for example in inverness. so you might get a shedload of snow further north and nothing further south. so with the future looking uncertain to say the least, is it time to think about ways to increase the likelihood of a snowy christmas day? the thing about december the 25th is it's just a date of convenience, it's nothing to do with the the bible story, as i understand it that christ wasn't born then that the christmas day wasn't devised until centuries later so my idea is we should scrap december the 25th and we move christmas to the date where we've got the most chance of snow. i heard a theory from jeremy vine recently that we should move christmas and i think that's

a great idea i think that uh yeah we should have christmas whenever it snows because sometimes now we get snow in march and you've just put your winter clothes away and then you have to get them all out again or you have to go out into the snow in flipflops and shorts. interesting idea — i wonder what our weather experts make of it? i don't think moving christmas just to catch snow on christmas christmas day will make much of a difference. as far as the statistics are concerned you have to move it way to the end of january and even then still to get snowfall on that one special day is a big ask. i still keep my hopes alive for a white christmas, i love a white christmas, but i think i might have to go somewhere else — maybe norway.

good morning. welcome to breakfast with ben thompson and naga munchetty. our headlines today: police in germany begin an investigation after a car ploughed into crowds at a busy christmas market, killing at least two people including a child. translation: this is a terrible tragedy. - it isa it is a catastrophe for the city of magdeburg and for germany in general. for this to happen at a christmas

market is hard to comprehend. (yelling). a 50—year—old saudi doctor has been arrested with officials calling it a deliberate attack. pensioners in england have until midnight to apply for pension credit in order to qualify for the winter fuel payment, but charities are warnings the system is overwhelmed. the search for malaysia airlines flight mh370 is to resume a decade after it vanished. it doesn't get much bigger than this: the beard has been cleared. usyk fury 2 is tonight. he says the beard gives them added strength. tyson fury weighs in four stone heavier than oleksandr usyk as he bids to win the world heavyweight title for a third time. and good morning. it's going to be a busy weekend travel—wise and if you are travelling, be aware we've got some very strong winds in the forecast today. that could cause some disruption. it's also going to turn colder. but i'll bring you the full details very shortly.

it's saturday the 21st of december. our main story: two people have died and around 70 others were injured, 15 of them seriously, after a car was driven into a busy christmas market in germany. it happened in magdeburg, 100 miles west of berlin, at around 7pm last night local time. the car hit the crowded area at high speed and is said to have travelled for around 400m. armed police arrested a man at the scene — he's a 50—year—old saudi national who has lived in germany for 18 years. the authorities say he worked as a doctor, had no criminal record and no known links to extremism. today, the german chancellor olaf scholz will visit the scene of the carnage as germany grieves. our reporter nickjohnson has more. (crying). cries punctuate the sense of terror and bewilderment at magdeburg's christmas market. passers—by tend to the injured. moments beforehand, the market had been teeming with people enjoying the atmosphere in the days

before christmas. footage which is too graphic to broadcast appears to show a car deliberately driving at speed into dozens of people between market stalls. emergency services arrive to help those in any way they can. makeshift tents were put up to treat those at the scene. hospitals in the area were told to prepare for a mass casualty event. dorin was at a concert nearby. translation: we heard the police sirens, which went on for so long. . we had to assume something terrible had happened. it's a dark day for magdeburg. (yelling). shortly after the attack, police detained the driver, who the german interior ministry says is a 50—year—old doctor, originally from saudi arabia and had been a resident in germany for 18 years. authorities say around 70 authorities say around 70

people have been injured, people have been injured, some of them seriously. some of them seriously. translation: this is translation: this is a terrible tragedy. - a terrible tragedy. - it's a catastrophe for the city it's a catastrophe for the city of magdeburg and for of magdeburg and for germany in general. germany in general. for this to happen at a christmas for this to happen at a christmas market is hard to comprehend. market is hard to comprehend. the german chancellor olaf scholz the german chancellor olaf scholz is expected to visit the scene later is expected to visit the scene later and a post on x, said: and a post on x, said: this isn't the first this isn't the first time people have been time people have been killed by a vehicle killed by a vehicle at a christmas market in germany. at a christmas market in germany. in 2016, a man with islamist links in 2016, a man with islamist links crashed into a market in berlin, crashed into a market in berlin, killing 12 people. killing 12 people. magdeburg's annual christmas market magdeburg's annual christmas market draws tourists from near and far. draws tourists from near and far. this post on its social media page this post on its social media page describes the market describes the market as a paradise for children. as a paradise for children. the scene late last night painted the scene late last night painted a very different picture, a very different picture, the city and the country the city and the country forced to come to terms forced to come to terms

with what's happened. with what's happened. nickjohnson, bbc news. nickjohnson, bbc news.

since then security has killed, and since then security has been hired christmas markets but here at this very spot, there is a gap which is wide enough for pedestrians to go through but tragically also wide enough for a car to go into the christmas market and that's exactly what it did last night, driving 400 metres through the crowd. killed at least two people. tragic things this morning and, of course, lots of questions about who the suspected perpetrator was and why. we know so but he was a doctor from was and why. we know so but he was a doctorfrom saudi was and why. we know so but he was a doctor from saudi arabia, was and why. we know so but he was a doctorfrom saudi arabia, been in germany for a very long time, about 50 years old which is a different profile from previous such attackers so think those are all parts of the question of who this man was why he carried out such an awful attack. damien, for the moment, thank you. damien, for the moment, thank you. damien mcguinness, our correspondent in magdeburg. and, of course, we will keep you up to date with events there throughout the morning. it's now 7:06. ben, today marks a

critical deadline? something we have been following carefully and the government has been pushing back against and getting a lot of pressure for and it comes down to the winter fuel payment, essentially? yes. thank you. pensioners in england have until the end of today to apply for a key benefit to then qualify for the winter fuel payment. the deadline to claim pension credit isjust before midnight. the government announced injuly that the winter fuel payment would be limited to only the most vulnerable people. with more details, here's our business correspondent marc ashdown. gary applied for pension credit back in september but as the cold weather takes hold, he's still waiting for it to be processed, leaving him out of pocket. at the moment, it's costing me £190 a month in lost revenue which i'm having to make up from my own savings accounts. because the total benefit that i was receiving before reaching my 66th birthday, some of those benefits have now ended and i applied for pension credit to make up the difference.

worth around £4000 a year itself, the pension credit is also a gateway to receiving the winter fuel payment. last winter, 10.8 million pensioners received between £200 and £300, depending on their age, to help towards paying their energy bills. but in september, the government won a vote in parliament to restrict the payment to those receiving certain benefits, like pension credit. at the time, department for work and pensions analysis showed 780,000 pensioners who could qualify for the benefit weren't expected to actually apply for it. since the end ofjuly, it has received 150,000 fresh applications. so far, 42,500 additional claimants are receiving pension credit. the department said it's drafted in 500 extra staff to help process a growing backlog and there's a help line open until 3:15 this afternoon to offer advice to anyone yet to apply.

applicants need details like their national insurance number, income and savings information and their bank account details. charities, however, are warning pensioners to be wary of scams. i'm aware that there are lots of scammers out there either cold calling people, pretending to be from the dwp or sending people text messages and, really, they're trying to get people's personal details. and the dwp would never cold call anybody or contact anybody — they don't chase anybody to apply for pension credit by phone. so, if anyone does receive any messages like that, then it's likely be a scam and it's either best ignored or if you're in doubt, then contact a local age uk or the age uk advice line to check. the government said over a million pensioners will still receive the winter fuel payment and it's urging anyone who thinks they might qualify for pension credit to act now, before the deadline at the end of today. marc ashdown, bbc news.

weather warnings for strong winds will come into force for much of the uk today as millions of people take to the roads and railways ahead of christmas. the met office has issued yellow warnings for northern england and scotland, which are likely to affect some buses and trains. the aa says nearly 23 million car journeys will be made today and trafficjams are likely. patients' charities have accused the health service of unfairly penalising sick people after it was revealed that more than a quarter of nhs trusts in england increased parking costs. nhs providers, which represents trusts, says many are under huge financial pressure and cannot afford to maintain car parks without charging to use them. the government has announced plans to end the use of pesticides that harm bees. sugar beet farmers have been given special permission to protect their crops with neonicotinoids for the past four years but ministers now say they're working on legislation to ban their use completely.

a partial shutdown of the us government has been averted at the last minute after congress voted to pass a spending bill at the third attempt. a slimmed—down version was agreed by republicans and democrats in the senate and house of representatives, lifting the threat of pre—christmas disruption to federal services. here's our north america correspondent peter bowes. the bill is passed and without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. a sigh of relief for more than 3 million us government workers. many americans feared that christmas would be overshadowed by a damaging federal shutdown with no pay for some and reduced services. this was the third attempt to agree a spending plan after donald trump and his government efficiency tsar, the billionaire elon musk, intervened to scupper the bill in its originalform. but with hours to go before the government ran out of money, a deal. after days of wrangling, republicans and democrats agreed on a plan that will fund

the government for the next three months. there's money for essential services, as well as disaster relief and aid for farmers. the bill passed in congress but the president—elect appeared to be calling the shots. i was in constant contact with president trump throughout this process. he knew exactly what we were doing and why and this is a good outcome for the country. i think he certainly is happy about this outcome as well. but there's no reference in the bill to lifting the debt ceiling. that's the limit on how much the government can borrow — a measure which trump wanted in place before his inauguration. house democrats have successfully stopped extreme maga republicans from shutting down the government, crashing the economy and hurting working class americans all across the land. the bill's passing marks the end of a turbulent few days in washington, which have also exposed divisions amongst

republicans a month before donald trump takes office. peter bowes, bbc news. it's 7:12. wham's last christmas is the uk's christmas number one for the second year in a row 40 years after it was first released. only two other songs have held the honour more than once — but hold on, the warning. whamageddon warning. only two other songs have held the honour more than once — queen's bohemian rhapsody and band aid's do they know it's christmas?. the warning is because? you try to get as close to christmas without hearing last christmas. our music correspondent mark savage reports on this year's contest. # well, i wish it could be christmas every day. the contest for a christmas number one first began in 1973 when slade and wizzard released duelling christmas songs. # so, here it is, merry christmas...

slade's merry xmas everybody eventually took the top spot and since then, the crown has been claimed by everyone from the spice girls... # ..like i never needed love before... ..to ladbaby. # we built this city on sausage rolls. it's almost impossible to get a brand new song into the christmas charts these days because people want to stream the old classics. and for the last seven days, wham and mariah carey have been locked in a battle for christmas number one. # this year, to save me from tears... in the end, there could only be one winner, and it was george michael's festive classic. the uk's official christmas number one in 2024 — wham and last christmas. wham's andrew ridgeley said he was delighted. i'm especially pleased for george. he would've been utterly delighted that his fabulous christmas composition has become such

a classic, as much a part of christmas as mince pies or christmas cake. # last christmas, i gave you my heart... it's the second year in a row that last christmas has topped the charts. and with proceeds going to charity, it truly embraces the christmas spirit. mark savage, bbc news. i hate to burst anybody�*s bubble, but no white christmas this year. no, no snow in the forecast. i think you would be really vicious in the snow. 1 you would be really vicious in the snow. ., �* ~ ., ., ., snow. i don't know what you mean! yes, no snow. i don't know what you mean! yes. no white _ snow. i don't know what you mean! yes, no white christmas. _ snow. i don't know what you mean! yes, no white christmas. it - snow. i don't know what you mean! yes, no white christmas. it is - snow. i don't know what you mean! j yes, no white christmas. it is going to be mild. but, i know this is your favourite day of the year.— favourite day of the year. today is! it is the winter _ favourite day of the year. today is! it is the winter solstice, _ favourite day of the year. today is! it is the winter solstice, and - favourite day of the year. today is! it is the winter solstice, and it - favourite day of the year. today is! it is the winter solstice, and it is i it is the winter solstice, and it is the shortest day.— it is the winter solstice, and it is the shortest day. well, you know that the handouts _ the shortest day. well, you know that the handouts get _ the shortest day. well, you know that the handouts get in - the shortest day. well, you know that the handouts get in touch, l the shortest day. well, you know that the handouts get in touch, it is not the shortest day.— is not the shortest day. shortest amount of— is not the shortest day. shortest amount of daylight. _ is not the shortest day. shortest amount of daylight. six - is not the shortest day. shortest amount of daylight. six and - is not the shortest day. shortest amount of daylight. six and a i is not the shortest day. shortest.

amount of daylight. six and a half hours in northern scotland, about eight hours of daylight in the southwest of england, but yes, from today, very gradually to start off with, only by a few seconds, tomorrow will be day length a little bit longer. as we go through the weekend, what is in store? it is going to be windy. this is a busy travel weekend, so these winds have the potential to cause disruption to not only the air, rail, ferries, but also roads. they will be icy services as we go through into tomorrow morning as well. quite a bit to take care of. check before you travel to see if there is any disruption. this morning it is quite wet, we have had heavy rain moving through wales and into the midlands and is now southeastern areas of england, showers pushing into northern and western parts, some of those starting to turn wintry over the higher ground of scotland, but those showers have been brought in on a strong wind. gusts up to 75 miles an hour in the north, widely 65 miles an hour winds. those winds

have the potential to cause trouble disruption. we will continue with those showers across scotland with bright spells, rain clearing away to the southeast. it will take a while before the cloud clears from the southwest, but elsewhere they will be brighter skies at times. temperature six or seven in the north, turning cold as the day goes on, further south, 11 or 12. quite blustery wherever you are. these strong winds are linked into this area of low pressure, just to the north of the uk, as we go through this evening you can see the cole durant filtering its way further south, showers turning increasingly wintry overnight across scotland, perhaps into northern areas of england as well, clear skies further south and east, overnight is not desperately low, because we have the strong wind, down to about 4— six celsius, they could be a bit of ice in northern areas, into sunday, quite wintry conditions towards western areas, gusts of 50—60 an

hour, again, the potential to cause trouble disruption. throughout the day on sunday, further showers around scotland with some snow here. we could see a few wintry showers across wales, even southern england, across wales, even southern england, a bit of sleet and snow down to lower levels as well, some bright spells in between, it will be a cold day on sunday, 6— seven celsius, but with a rather risk north—westerly wind it will feel colder than that suggests. that pressure moves away to the east has to go into next week, high—pressure moves in and with it, mild out wishing on for christmas eve and christmas day. so for christmas week it is looking much milder. no white christmas, thankfully quite settled, dry and quite cloudy, it is worth bearing in mind, if you are travelling this weekend, do stay tuned to the forecast, which you can do on our bbc weather app, click on icon for any day and you get a more detailed breakdown of the hour by hour.

the disappearance of malaysia airlines flight mh370 is one of the greatest mysteries — and tragedies — in the history of aviation. now, the families of the missing crew and passengers may be one step closer to finding some answers after the malaysian government agreed in principle to resume the search for wreckage. let's remind ourselves of what we do know. mh370 disappeared on march 8, 2014. it was flying from kuala lumpur to beijing with 239 passengers on board. two weeks later, after authorities concluded the plane had crashed in the southern indian ocean, the families of those onboard marched to the malaysian embassy in beijing demanding answers. the governments of australia, malaysia and china spent three years combing the ocean for wreckage but suspended the official search after failing to find anything in the area where the plane is thought to have gone down. following pressure from the families, malaysia signed a deal with the private company

ocean infinity to resume the hunt. this lasted just three months, with poor weather conditions bringing the search to an end. we can talk now to professor simon maskell, a professor of autonomous systems at the university of bournemouth. good morning. quite odd this is being resumed again, we were speaking this morning, there have been documentaries about this, it has really fascinated people. why is there hope that it might be found this time around? 50. there hope that it might be found this time around?— this time around? so, we have a look, we this time around? so, we have a look. we have — this time around? so, we have a look, we have looked _ this time around? so, we have a look, we have looked at - this time around? so, we have a look, we have looked at an i this time around? so, we have a look, we have looked at an area| look, we have looked at an area about the uk, it is a huge space but the indian ocean is massive, if we don't look again we clearly won't find in our plane, but if we can look in and astutely calculated area we have a chance of finding it. what we have a chance of finding it. what calculations — we have a chance of finding it. what calculations are _ we have a chance of finding it. what calculations are different _ we have a chance of finding it. what calculations are different this time around? ., , , calculations are different this time around? . , , ., ., around? there has been a load of anal ses around? there has been a load of analyses by _ around? there has been a load of analyses by lots _ around? there has been a load of analyses by lots of _ around? there has been a load of analyses by lots of different i around? there has been a load of. analyses by lots of different people

around the world, trying to understand what on earth might have happened. there are some new types of data that have become available, and the proponents of those data think that indicates where the plane might be. they all point roughly to the same area, and that is what really motivates, i think, the malaysian government to make this decision. ~ .,, malaysian government to make this decision. ~ , .,, decision. most people find it astonishing _ decision. most people find it astonishing that _ decision. most people find it astonishing that in _ decision. most people find it astonishing that in 2024 i decision. most people find it astonishing that in 2024 we | decision. most people find it i astonishing that in 2024 we still cannot find something like this, the size of an aircraft. but as you said, it is a very big area and it is very deep. how hopeful are you that with this new data we might be able to uncover something that answer some questions? i able to uncover something that answer some questions? i think we have to be — answer some questions? i think we have to be realistic. _ answer some questions? i think we have to be realistic. i— answer some questions? i think we have to be realistic. i think - answer some questions? i think we have to be realistic. i think there i have to be realistic. i think there is a chance that we will be unlucky, that we will search an area, we will get to april and we will not have found mh370, obviously it will be enormously disappointing, but i also think that we have a better idea now

than we did when the previous search occurred, and therefore there is a realistic chance that we will be fortunate in terms of that search. do you have any indication about whether you might find parts of the plane, or is there an assumption that the plane is intact wherever it is? ~ �* that the plane is intact wherever it is? . �* ., that the plane is intact wherever it is? ~ �* ., ., that the plane is intact wherever it is? . �* ., ., there are is? wasn't one wing found? there are vafious is? wasn't one wing found? there are various bits — is? wasn't one wing found? there are various bits of the _ is? wasn't one wing found? there are various bits of the plane _ is? wasn't one wing found? there are various bits of the plane that - is? wasn't one wing found? there are various bits of the plane that have i various bits of the plane that have been found in places like madagascar, which you can reverse back from where they were found to figure out where the plane must have been when it hit the water. to answer your question, been when it hit the water. to answeryour question, i been when it hit the water. to answer your question, i am been when it hit the water. to answer your question, iam not inaudible on what the likely construction of the plan would be on the seafloor, but i imagine there is going to be relatively localised, in the scheme of 200,000 square kilometres. the scheme of 200,000 square kilometres-— the scheme of 200,000 square kilometres. ., , ., ,., ., ,~' kilometres. the only reason i ask is, what would _ kilometres. the only reason i ask is, what would define _ kilometres. the only reason i ask is, what would define finding i kilometres. the only reason i ask i is, what would define finding mh370? how much of the plane, how much of the fuselage would you find to

qualify as discovering where it is? so, i think finding anything would be enormously helpful for the families and the authorities involved, finding the black box would clearly be the thing which would clearly be the thing which would enable us to unpick what happened aboard the air plane? tell]! happened aboard the air plane? tell us about the technology that you are using _ us about the technology that you are using in— us about the technology that you are using in terms of looking for it, because — using in terms of looking for it, because you said various data, different— because you said various data, different proponents pointing to roughly— different proponents pointing to roughly the same area, what is new in terms _ roughly the same area, what is new in terms of— roughly the same area, what is new in terms of the technology that is being _ in terms of the technology that is being used?— being used? one particular thing which has come _ being used? one particular thing which has come to _ being used? one particular thing which has come to the _ being used? one particular thing which has come to the fore i being used? one particular thing which has come to the fore since being used? one particular thing i which has come to the fore since the search is a technology often referred to as whisper, which is, it takes place, an amateur radio enthusiast transmits from one place on the planet, say, manchester, another amateur radio enthusiasts here is that signal in perth, and our plane that travels between the two, between the transmitter and receiver, disturbs what the receiver hears, and you can of that as a trip

wire, there are thousands of these tripwires across the planet, and so by the sequence of tripwires being tripped... and you have them from that time? �* ., tripped... and you have them from that time? �* . ., ., ., ., that time? and all that data, all that time? and all that data, all that data gathered? _ that time? and all that data, all that data gathered? yes, - that time? and all that data, all that data gathered? yes, stuck| that time? and all that data, all l that data gathered? yes, stuck on the internet _ that data gathered? yes, stuck on the internet every _ that data gathered? yes, stuck on the internet every two _ that data gathered? yes, stuck on the internet every two minutes, . the internet every two minutes, thousands of these radio enthusiast puts data on the internet, and we can download it from 2014 and seek to reconstruct the trajectory, if it works. to reconstruct the tra'ectory, if it works. , �* ., ., , ., works. isn't there a theory that the lane, works. isn't there a theory that the plane. when _ works. isn't there a theory that the plane. when it _ works. isn't there a theory that the plane, when it went _ works. isn't there a theory that the plane, when it went off _ works. isn't there a theory that the plane, when it went off radar, i works. isn't there a theory that the plane, when it went off radar, was| plane, when it went off radar, was still flying? — plane, when it went off radar, was still flying?— still flying? so, there are three board hypotheses _ still flying? so, there are three board hypotheses -- _ still flying? so, there are three board hypotheses -- broad i still flying? so, there are three - board hypotheses -- broad hypotheses board hypotheses —— broad hypotheses which our analysis indicates are equally likely. one is that it was an accident, there were some batteries and behold, they might have overheated and because the avionics on the plane to be inoperable, such that the plane goes off and nobody can do anything about it. the other two hypotheses relate to their being an actor on the

plane, perhaps the pilot, who took control of the plane and then either killed themselves and all the passengers, all killed the passengers, all killed the passengers and was then conscious when the plane fell out of the sky. well, it is a mystery, and we must, as you _ well, it is a mystery, and we must, as you mentioned, it is the families that need _ as you mentioned, it is the families that need answers. forget all the conspiracy— that need answers. forget all the conspiracy theories, those families... conspiracy theories, those families. . .— conspiracy theories, those families... ., families... so, it is a fascinating technical problem. _ families... so, it is a fascinating technical problem. it _ families... so, it is a fascinating technical problem. it is - families... so, it is a fascinating technical problem. it is really i families... so, it is a fascinating i technical problem. it is really easy to be drawn into the technical problem, but when i went to meet the families in malaysia, i was struck byjust how important it is to them and how important it should be for us, that we help them get an answer stop professor, thank you very much for your time. thank you. if you haven't done so already, now might be a good time to grab a highlighter pen and a copy of the festive tv listings because we're going to talk about christmas telly.

i about christmas telly. do like to do that. but in thi day i do like to do that. but in this da and i do like to do that. but in this day and age — i do like to do that. but in this day and age of _ i do like to do that. but in this day and age of streaming, i i do like to do that. but in thisj day and age of streaming, you i do like to do that. but in this - day and age of streaming, you wonder whether you have to do that or whether you have to do that or whether you have to do that or whether you just assume it will be available. it whether you 'ust assume it will be available. ., , ., ~ whether you 'ust assume it will be available. . , . ~ ., available. it has taken the fun out of that. here's _ available. it has taken the fun out of that. here's a _ available. it has taken the fun out of that. here's a quick look- available. it has taken the fun out of that. here's a quick look at i available. it has taken the fun out l of that. here's a quick look at some of that. here's a quick look at some ofthe of that. here's a quick look at some of the special _ of that. here's a quick look at some of the special programmes - of that. here's a quick look at some of the special programmes coming. of that. here's a quick look at some i of the special programmes coming up. three, two, one! christmas in a hotel. christmas _ three, two, one! christmas in a hotel. christmas everywhere, i three, two, one! christmas in a| hotel. christmas everywhere, all three, two, one! christmas in a i hotel. christmas everywhere, all at once. hotel. christmas everywhere, all at once- there — hotel. christmas everywhere, all at once. there has _ hotel. christmas everywhere, all at once. there has clearly _ hotel. christmas everywhere, all at once. there has clearly been i hotel. christmas everywhere, all at once. there has clearly been a i once. there has clearly been a mistake- _ once. there has clearly been a mistake. along, _ once. there has clearly been a mistake. along, norbert, i once. there has clearly been a mistake. along, norbert, lad. | once. there has clearly been a i mistake. along, norbert, lad. we've aot mistake. along, norbert, lad. we've not work mistake. along, norbert, lad. we've got work to — mistake. along, norbert, lad. we've got work to do- _ you look amazing! have you been datin: ? a you look amazing! have you been dating? a couple _ you look amazing! have you been dating? a couple of—

you look amazing! have you been dating? a couple of dates, - you look amazing! have you been dating? a couple of dates, a i you look amazing! have you been dating? a couple of dates, a few| dating? a couple of dates, a few da s dating? a couple of dates, a few days ago- _ dating? a couple of dates, a few days ago- well. _ dating? a couple of dates, a few days ago. well, yeah, _ dating? a couple of dates, a few days ago. well, yeah, except i dating? a couple of dates, a few days ago. well, yeah, except it. dating? a couple of dates, a few| days ago. well, yeah, except it is not 'ust days ago. well, yeah, except it is not just me _ days ago. well, yeah, except it is notjust me and _ days ago. well, yeah, except it is notjust me and you, _ days ago. well, yeah, except it is notjust me and you, is _ days ago. well, yeah, except it is notjust me and you, is it? - days ago. well, yeah, except it is notjust me and you, is it? today| days ago. well, yeah, except it is| notjust me and you, is it? today i not 'ust me and you, is it? today i will notjust me and you, is it? today i will be driving _ notjust me and you, is it? today i will be driving a _ notjust me and you, is it? today i will be driving a family _ notjust me and you, is it? today i will be driving a family across i notjust me and you, is it? today i will be driving a family across the | will be driving a family across the border— will be driving a family across the border to— will be driving a family across the border to a — will be driving a family across the border to a foreign _ will be driving a family across the border to a foreign land. - will be driving a family across the border to a foreign land. what i will be driving a family across the border to a foreign land. what are ou border to a foreign land. what are you doing? _ border to a foreign land. what are you doing? i _ border to a foreign land. what are you doing? lam _ border to a foreign land. what are you doing? i am testing _ border to a foreign land. what are you doing? i am testing the i border to a foreign land. what are you doing? i am testing the flow. | you doing? i am testing the flow. pass me the _ you doing? i am testing the flow. pass me the nun _ you doing? i am testing the flow. pass me the nun chucks. - you doing? i am testing the flow. pass me the nun chucks. 30 i you doing? i am testing the flow. | pass me the nun chucks. 30 years you doing? i am testing the flow. - pass me the nun chucks. 30 years ago ou went pass me the nun chucks. 30 years ago you went on — pass me the nun chucks. 30 years ago you went on a — pass me the nun chucks. 30 years ago you went on a fishing _ pass me the nun chucks. 30 years ago you went on a fishing trip _ pass me the nun chucks. 30 years ago you went on a fishing trip that - you went on a fishing trip that almost tore the family apart. just sa it. almost tore the family apart. just say it- you _ almost tore the family apart. just say it. you want _ almost tore the family apart. just say it. you want music? - almost tore the family apart. just say it. you want music? yes, - almost tore the family apart. just| say it. you want music? yes, why not. tv critic scott bryan joins us now. good morning. we have to start with gavin and stacey, don't we? we good morning. we have to start with gavin and stacey, don't we?- gavin and stacey, don't we? we do. gavin and stacey, don't we? we do. gavin and stacey, don't we? we do. gavin and stacey, _ gavin and stacey, don't we? we do. gavin and stacey, when _ gavin and stacey, don't we? we do. gavin and stacey, when that - gavin and stacey, don't we? we do. gavin and stacey, when that special| gavin and stacey, when that special returned in 2019 it was one of the most popular comedies of this century so far. it was a bbc three hit, originally, and then of course it was off air, many people were binging it, streaming it, repeating it over and over. so the anticipation, of course, especially

that it ended on this big cliffhanger back in 2019, i think the anticipation is at fever pitch, but i think you are not going to hear any details about what would be in this 90 minute finale until it is actually on, events at the way they did it, they independently came to a conclusion about how they would end the series and then it came together, they read 60 or 70 pages of the script before even approaching the bbc. you can imagine what it would have been like if you are the head of the bbc content, and you receive the email saying, hi, we're thinking about doing a governance stacey finale, would we be able to do it on your channel? you would be absolutely thrilled, i think. we you would be absolutely thrilled, i think. ~ ., ~ ., think. we were talking about scheduling. _ think. we were talking about scheduling, because - think. we were talking about. scheduling, because everyone assumes you can get everything on streaming stop so we won't know anything until it is on, and i assume it will only be available on iplayer after it has ad on tv? ., ,

be available on iplayer after it has adontv? ., , ., ad on tv? that is the case with that and all christmas _ ad on tv? that is the case with that and all christmas television - ad on tv? that is the case with that and all christmas television on - and all christmas television on christmas day, pretty much. while the centre grommet, which will be airing earlier that evening, and of course the much loved claymation, they have got a new sort of film out. —— wallace and grommet. claymation, did you just make that up? claymation, did you 'ust make that u . ? ., . ., , claymation, did you 'ust make that up? no, clay animation. the amount of tender loving _ up? no, clay animation. the amount of tender loving care, _ up? no, clay animation. the amount of tender loving care, they _ up? no, clay animation. the amount of tender loving care, they can - up? no, clay animation. the amount of tender loving care, they can only i of tender loving care, they can only make a few seconds per day, i find the origin story of it fascinating, nick park was doing it at the film and television school when he was younger, then he had to bring in loads of other people because he was taking on this mammoth task, it took six or seven years to complete, then it got nominated for an oscar. which isjust... and unfortunately, he lost that oscar. it went to somebody else. the winner was nick park are different project. so he won and lost at the same time. he defines that category. _ lost at the same time. he defines that category, though. _ lost at the same time. he defines that category, though. i- lost at the same time. he defines that category, though. i just - lost at the same time. he definesj that category, though. i just think that category, though. i 'ust think it is a british * that category, though. i just think it is a british institution, - that category, though. i just think it is a british institution, and - it is a british institution, and that will also be very much a show you will have to watch live and then catch up on iplayer. i think those

big moments it is still gravitating everybody to be watching around tv at a particular time, and on and on boxing day it goes the other way, we watch a lot of shows on streaming and we binge them. that is when you gets squid game two, the most anticipated and popular netflix series of all—time, that is a lot of people, i think, series of all—time, that is a lot of people, ithink, obviously series of all—time, that is a lot of people, i think, obviously not going to moving much between boxing day and new year's eve, watching as many series as they possibly can. have you done the highlighter in your radio times? {131 have you done the highlighter in your radio times?— have you done the highlighter in your radio times? of course i have! it's 'ust your radio times? of course i have! it's just trying _ your radio times? of course i have! it's just trying to — your radio times? of course i have! it'sjust trying to find _ your radio times? of course i have! it'sjust trying to find pages, - it's just trying to find pages, especially on camera, is hard. fix, big especially on camera, is hard. a big da for especially on camera, is hard. a big day for you? — especially on camera, is hard. a big day for you? probably _ especially on camera, is hard. a big day for you? probably christmas - especially on camera, is hard. a big | day for you? probably christmas day but when you _ day for you? probably christmas day but when you look _ day for you? probably christmas day but when you look at _ day for you? probably christmas day but when you look at christmas - day for you? probably christmas day but when you look at christmas day| but when you look at christmas day and you see, for example, abc one on christmas day, strictly come dancing at 355 is normally at sort of six or seven or eight o'clock, lot later, and to have it followed by doctor

who which, of course, is ncuti gatwa, nicola conlon, ithink who which, of course, is ncuti gatwa, nicola conlon, i think a lot of twists and turns in that and a lot that will as always... of twists and turns in that and a lot that will as always. . .- of twists and turns in that and a lot that will as always... have you seen it? i — lot that will as always... have you seen it? i have. _ lot that will as always... have you seen it? i have. you _ lot that will as always... have you seen it? i have. you have - lot that will as always... have you seen it? i have. you have seen i lot that will as always... have you seen it? i have. you have seen it| seen it? i have. you have seen it alread . seen it? i have. you have seen it already- i — seen it? i have. you have seen it already. i have _ seen it? i have. you have seen it already. i have seen _ seen it? i have. you have seen it already. i have seen quite - seen it? i have. you have seen it already. i have seen quite a - seen it? i have. you have seen it already. i have seen quite a lot l already. i have seen quite a lot this week, clearly, so that i am actually, i can enjoy it with the family and if anyone with the family says, "i have want to see this special," then i have to stay schtum. it special," then i have to stay schtum. , ., , special," then i have to stay schtum— special," then i have to stay schtum. , , schtum. it is really good washing up duties. is christmas _ schtum. it is really good washing up duties. is christmas tv, _ schtum. it is really good washing up duties. is christmas tv, because - schtum. it is really good washing up duties. is christmas tv, because i i duties. is christmas tv, because i said to ben and we have the same memories when you sat around and there was the tv times and radio times and the tv times will be for itv and then radio times bbc and you would lay them out and highlight. christmas day, that's all we had. christmas day, that's all we had. christmas day, that's all we had. christmas day viewing as big as it once was? ., , ., once was? certainly our viewing habits have _ once was? certainly our viewing habits have changed _ once was? certainly our viewing

habits have changed because i once was? certainly our viewing i habits have changed because now, once was? certainly our viewing - habits have changed because now, it used to be — back then you would have to somehow have the christmas meal done and then be gravitating around the tv at a particular time but now it's not the case because you can kind of make the schedule work for you and it's also the fact the way the tv viewing is measured is different. we will have the overnight figure, people who watch it on the same day, the morning after, so we expect huge ratings for gavin & stacey and wallace and gromit. then people who are catching up gromit. then people who are catching up over the next week. tv is still as important as this has always been, i think, as important as this has always been, ithink, especially as important as this has always been, i think, especially around christmas, it'sjust now been, i think, especially around christmas, it's just now you can watch shows from that day or maybe from the previous week or watch it over the course of the next week and some people have their own tv habits now. my mum for some reason watches all of the gardeners world episodes, all of the gardeners world episodes, all of the gardeners world episodes, all of them from the entire year over christmas to catch up. it is over christmas to catch up. it is that downtime _

over christmas to catch up. it is that downtime when _ over christmas to catch up. it is that downtime when you think, "i can veg out for a little bit".— veg out for a little bit". 100%. any shows you've _ veg out for a little bit". 10096. any shows you've been _ veg out for a little bit". 10096. any shows you've been meaning - veg out for a little bit". 10096. any shows you've been meaning to - veg out for a little bit". 10096. any l shows you've been meaning to catch up shows you've been meaning to catch up with over the course of the year, christmas is the perfect opportunity. rivals for example, if you have not seen that. so opportunity. rivals for example, if you have not seen that.— opportunity. rivals for example, if you have not seen that. so much fun in. it is you have not seen that. so much fun in- it is the — you have not seen that. so much fun in. it is the time, _ you have not seen that. so much fun in. it is the time, the _ you have not seen that. so much fun in. it is the time, the opportunity - in. it is the time, the opportunity to not really _ in. it is the time, the opportunity to not really move _ in. it is the time, the opportunity to not really move much! - in. it is the time, the opportunity - to not really move much! crosstalk. i need to give — to not really move much! crosstalk. i need to give you _ to not really move much! crosstalk. i need to give you this _ to not really move much! crosstalk. i need to give you this fact. _ to not really move much! crosstalk. i need to give you this fact. it - to not really move much! crosstalk. i need to give you this fact. it is - i need to give you this fact. it is like your bible. it i need to give you this fact. it is like your bible.— i need to give you this fact. it is like your bible. it is really heavy. isn't it? lovely _ like your bible. it is really heavy. isn't it? lovely seeing _ like your bible. it is really heavy. isn't it? lovely seeing you. - like your bible. it is really heavy. isn't it? lovely seeing you. have| like your bible. it is really heavy. l isn't it? lovely seeing you. have a lovely christmas. _ isn't it? lovely seeing you. have a lovely christmas. happy _ isn't it? lovely seeing you. have a| lovely christmas. happy christmas. back shortly.

welcome back. it's 36 past seven. returning now to our main story. two people have died and around 70 others were injured — 15 of them seriously — after a car was driven into a busy christmas market in germany. it happened in the city of magdeburg, 100 miles west of berlin at the alter markt, which is by the river elbe. emergency services were called at around 7pm local time and used makeshift tents to treat people at the scene. hospitals in the area were told to prepare for a mass casualty event. one of those confirmed dead was a young child. the bmw hit the crowded area at high speed and is said to have travelled for around 400m. you can see the damage to the vehicle here. armed police arrested

a man at the scene — he's a 50—year—old saudi national who has lived in germany for 18 years. in footage shown on german television, armed police can be seen aiming their handguns at the suspect and ordering him to lie on the ground. the authorities say he worked as a doctor, had no criminal record and no known links to extremism. prime minister sir keir starmer has issued a statement, saying he's horrified by what he called an atrocious attack. he said his thoughts are with the victim and their families and that the uk stands with the people of germany. the foreign office says it's closely monitoring the situation. german authorities have launched an investigation but at this stage, they believe the alleged perpetrator acted alone. the regional leader of saxony—anhalt gave this update overnight. translation: we are currently in the process of collating all further

data and also carrying out the interrogation. as things stand at the moment, it is a lone offender so there is no further danger to the city because we were able to arrest him and all investigations are now under way. we will have much more on that for you later and we will speak to our correspondent at the scene, damien mcguinness, with the latest at eight o'clock. there is a big fight on tonight and i think 1015 —ish, mike? the sight of all of the proceedings and the music and the build up, probably 10:30pm. and the music and the build up, probably10:30pm. but and the music and the build up, probably 10:30pm.— probably 10:30pm. but it is not necessarily _ probably 10:30pm. but it is not necessarily the _ probably 10:30pm. but it is not necessarily the focus, - probably 10:30pm. but it is not necessarily the focus, the - probably 10:30pm. but it is not i necessarily the focus, the boxing itself? , ., , necessarily the focus, the boxing itself? , ._ , necessarily the focus, the boxing itself? , , ., itself? there is the way in but also the matter— itself? there is the way in but also the matter of. _ itself? there is the way in but also the matter of, yes, _ itself? there is the way in but also the matter of, yes, the _ itself? there is the way in but also the matter of, yes, the facial - itself? there is the way in but also the matter of, yes, the facial hair. j the matter of, yes, the facial hair. tyson fury is aiming to make history. he's trying tonight by getting the world heavyweight title back in the rematch against oleksandr usyk. but away from the weigh—in, there have been meetings

about fury�*s beard. he says it gives him added strength but his opponent's camp cite world boxing rules that insist the length of facial hair cannot act as a cushion for the impact of a punch. for now, the beard has been cleared but usyk�*s team say they will push this further. what is not in doubt is that fury has weighed in four stone heavier than his opponent in saudi arabia. from there, ade adedoyin has this report. the face—off at thursday's press conference was an intense 11 minutes with neither wanting to blink first. yesterday, it was just seven seconds. one dressed like a man on a night out rather than preparing for a big fight. the contrast to his poodle week. a big fight. the contrast to his poodle week-— a big fight. the contrast to his poodle week. a big fight. the contrast to his oodle week. �* ., ., ., poodle week. i've got nothing to say a art from poodle week. i've got nothing to say apart from there _ poodle week. i've got nothing to say apart from there is _ poodle week. i've got nothing to say apart from there is going _ poodle week. i've got nothing to say apart from there is going to - poodle week. i've got nothing to say apart from there is going to be - poodle week. i've got nothing to say apart from there is going to be a - apart from there is going to be a whole lot of hurt and pain in this fight, you watch. that's a lot come to say. talking has been done. first what i talked and joked all of my career but this time i'm serious. the last time they faced each other it was a fight for the ages. a

brilliant and brittle contest under a heavy barrage of punches, everyone wilted, his unbeaten record and air of invincibility gone. usyk has accomplished everything in boxing so why continue? it’s accomplished everything in boxing so why continue?— why continue? it's not easy, boxing is a hard sport- _ why continue? it's not easy, boxing is a hard sport. it _ why continue? it's not easy, boxing is a hard sport. it is _ why continue? it's not easy, boxing is a hard sport. it is a _ why continue? it's not easy, boxing is a hard sport. it is a tough - is a hard sport. it is a tough sport. and my phone alarm talks to me he, alex, alex, wake up please. time for training. you know, like five o'clock. i don't like training. but i like boxing. i cannot do boxing if i do not do the training. just, my discipline. for me, i don't think about tyson fury. do just, my discipline. for me, i don't think about tyson fury.— think about tyson fury. do you visualise the _ think about tyson fury. do you visualise the fight? _ think about tyson fury. do you visualise the fight? do - think about tyson fury. do you visualise the fight? do you - think about tyson fury. do you | visualise the fight? do you think about it? , , , ., visualise the fight? do you think aboutit? , , , ., , visualise the fight? do you think- about it?_ what about it? yes, yes, of course. what do ou about it? yes, yes, of course. what do you see? — about it? yes, yes, of course. what do you see? i _ about it? yes, yes, of course. what do you see? i see _ about it? yes, yes, of course. what do you see? i see i'm _ about it? yes, yes, of course. what do you see? i see i'm a _ about it? yes, yes, of course. what do you see? i see i'm a winner. - do you see? i see i'm a winner. ukrainian _ do you see? i see i'm a winner. ukrainian has — do you see? i see i'm a winner. ukrainian has exuded _ do you see? i see i'm a winner. ukrainian has exuded a - do you see? i see i'm a winner. . ukrainian has exuded a champion's confidence and swagger all week but fury has a chance to create history.

only three men have ever won the heavyweight title three times, mohammed eileen, lennix lucinda brand holyfield so for a transfer fury tojoin an brand holyfield so for a transfer fury to join an exclusive club. tyson fury is out there trying to make history, will he do it, he has to do some work, a lot of work, to do it and he is going to be in the battlefield. fiut do it and he is going to be in the battlefield-— do it and he is going to be in the battlefield. ., , ,., , battlefield. out of tyson fury when this? is the — battlefield. out of tyson fury when this? is the big _ battlefield. out of tyson fury when this? is the big amanda _ battlefield. out of tyson fury when this? is the big amanda will - battlefield. out of tyson fury when this? is the big amanda will go - battlefield. out of tyson fury when this? is the big amanda will go outj this? is the big amanda will go out there and uses _ this? is the big amanda will go out there and uses job _ this? is the big amanda will go out there and uses job and _ this? is the big amanda will go out there and uses job and he - this? is the big amanda will go out there and uses job and he has - this? is the big amanda will go out there and uses job and he has a . this? is the big amanda will go outj there and uses job and he has a lot there and usesjob and he has a lot more punches than the first fight, he cannot muck around, you have to be totally serious. i think the fight is going to be even better than the first one.— fight is going to be even better than the first one. usyk is yet to taste defeat _ than the first one. usyk is yet to taste defeat in _ than the first one. usyk is yet to taste defeat in over— than the first one. usyk is yet to taste defeat in over ten - than the first one. usyk is yet to taste defeat in over ten years i than the first one. usyk is yet to taste defeat in over ten years asj than the first one. usyk is yet to i taste defeat in over ten years as a professional. fury weighed in significantly heavier than the ukrainian but will approve decisive? ade adedoyin, bbc news. it's the start of the hectic festive football programme today with aston villa against manchester city getting things underway at lunchtime. city go into the game with just one win in their last 11 matches — the worst run in manager pep guardiola's managerial career. so, how is he feeling?

you fall down six times, you have to stand up seven. it's no alternative. i'm fine. i'm a normal person with feelings, like all of us, and when we do well be a better and when it is ongoing professionally, so we are more regular, what we have to do, but it's normal. in scotland, motherwell and kilmarnock got the christmas action underway last night. fourth—placed motherwell took the lead in the first half at fir park through liam gordon. and it was a night for liams to get on the scoresheet as liam polworth brought the visitors level. it finished 1—1 but motherwell were controversially reduced to ten men for the final 15 minutes. it was a dramatic late fightback from luton town to beat derby county 2—1 in the championship. luton have struggled this season following relegation from the premier league but levelled in the 89th minute at kenilworth road. and they secured all three points in the second minute of injury time, thanks to this goal

from carlton morris. it sent the fans into raptures. what a leap! harlequins failed to score a single point in a league match for the first time in ten years as they lost at gloucester. two first—half tries and conversions were enough to give the hosts a11i—0 lead at half—time, and that's the way it stayed. gloucester are fifth. quins in seventh. a tom farrell hat—trick earned munster a 22—19 bonus point win over ulster in the united rugby championship. the defeat was ulster�*s fifth consecutive loss in all competitions and means munster, who are still without a head coach following the departure of graham rowntree, move above them in the table to fifth. teenage sensation luke littler gets his pdc world championship campaign underway against ryan meikle tonight at alexandra palace.

he is known as the barber. he is known as the barber. and three—time champion michael van and three—time champion michael van gerwen enjoyed a comfortable victory gerwen enjoyed a comfortable victory over english debutantjames hurrell over english debutantjames hurrell in his opening match. in his opening match. the dutchman won three sets to nil, the dutchman won three sets to nil, only losing three legs in total. only losing three legs in total. there we are, what a great place to there we are, what a great place to be tonight, saturday night before be tonight, saturday night before christmas at ali pali. it will be christmas at ali pali. it will be rowdy. have you been in fancy dress rowdy. have you been in fancy dress there? no, only to work. i have there? no, only to work. i have plenty of fancy dress outfits. you plenty of fancy dress outfits. you and simon. ifeel like going there and simon. ifeel like going there for work would preclude you from for work would preclude you from going in fancy dress. actually, last going in fancy dress. actually, last yeari going in fancy dress. actually, last year i was there and i may have put yeari going in fancy dress. actually, last year i was there and i may have put something on with the fans, i can't something on with the fans, i can't remember. there is a good remember. there is a good documentary called game of thrones, have you seen it? you documentary called game of thrones, have you seen it?— have you seen it? you are about the fifth person — have you seen it? you are about the fifth person who _ have you seen it? you are about the fifth person who has _ have you seen it? you are about the fifth person who has said _ have you seen it? you are about the fifth person who has said it - have you seen it? you are about the fifth person who has said it to - have you seen it? you are about the fifth person who has said it to me. i fifth person who has said it to me. it's focusing on the whole run of luke littler. it's focusing on the whole run of luke littler-_ it's focusing on the whole run of luke littler. �* ~ , , , .,

luke littler. and luke humphreys and the whole - — luke littler. and luke humphreys and the whole - goes _ luke littler. and luke humphreys and the whole - goes behind _ luke littler. and luke humphreys and the whole - goes behind the - luke littler. and luke humphreys and the whole - goes behind the scenes . the whole — goes behind the scenes looking at the

when kevin sinfield returns here to his home of saddleworth, injust over one week time, he will have completed seven ultramarathons in seven cities in seven days. his fifth annual charity challenge. but the first without his former teammate and leads rhino legend rob burrow, who died with motor neuron disease in the summer.— burrow, who died with motor neuron disease in the summer. there's a big difference. first _ disease in the summer. there's a big difference. first of— disease in the summer. there's a big difference. first of all, _ disease in the summer. there's a big difference. first of all, the _ difference. first of all, the nightly text message i won't receive. i think it's important we are doing justice, i want to represent his family as best we can but also, the mnd community. rob was such an inspirational figure for everybody. he was seen as the guy who was so courageous and brave throughout this. we have to keep banging the drum for him and keep showing up.

and new year's eve, watching as many series as they possibly can. banging the drum for him and keep showing up-— banging the drum for him and keep showin: u. ~ , , ., ,., showing up. when they showed up on sunday morning. _ showing up. when they showed up on sunday morning, first _ showing up. when they showed up on sunday morning, first of— showing up. when they showed up on sunday morning, first of december, i sunday morning, first of december, they had 230 miles of running ahead, and behind, eightand they had 230 miles of running ahead, and behind, eight and a they had 230 miles of running ahead, and behind, eightand a half thousand centres. —— santas. in this city, you are either a red or a blue, and legends from both liverpool and everton were here to send kevin and the team off. in tough times we come together as sportsmen. i am tough times we come together as sportsmen. iam here tough times we come together as sportsmen. i am here for cabin. the wa kevin sportsmen. i am here for cabin. the way kevin did _ sportsmen. lam here for cabin. the way kevin did when rob got it, dottie — way kevin did when rob got it, dottie weir, it is a terrible, terrible _ dottie weir, it is a terrible, terrible disease, and the turnout from _ terrible disease, and the turnout from the — terrible disease, and the turnout from the people has been absolutely fantastic _ from the people has been absolutely fantastic. �* , , . , fantastic. as they crossed the merse , fantastic. as they crossed the mersey. people _ fantastic. as they crossed the mersey, people living - fantastic. as they crossed the mersey, people living with i fantastic. as they crossed the i mersey, people living with mnd turned out. this is a celebration of

kevin's endurance, but also their lives, lives that are tough. you're swallowing is really affected? real struggles, you're swallowing is really affected? realstruggles, big affected ? real struggles, big changes, affected? realstruggles, big changes, in quite a fast time. but he is such an amazing man. applause rob burrow remains the inspiration, recognised in a special message from the prince of wales. i think you know this guy.— i think you know this guy. kevin, i want to wish _ i think you know this guy. kevin, i want to wish you _ i think you know this guy. kevin, i want to wish you the _ i think you know this guy. kevin, i want to wish you the very - i think you know this guy. kevin, i want to wish you the very best i i think you know this guy. kevin, i want to wish you the very best of| want to wish you the very best of luck for what is going to be a very gruelling week, raising money and awareness around mnd. what you and rob have achieved has been incredible and it is a very fitting tribute to his legacy. i am sure you will be running with him in your mind the whole way round. very best of love from catherine and i. we will be thinking of you all week.

that was nice, but was brilliant. thank_ that was nice, but was brilliant. thank you _ that was nice, but was brilliant. thank you-— thank you. again this year, the extra mile _ thank you. again this year, the extra mile was _ thank you. again this year, the extra mile was a _ thank you. again this year, the extra mile was a chance - thank you. again this year, the extra mile was a chance for i thank you. again this year, the l extra mile was a chance for kevin thank you. again this year, the i extra mile was a chance for kevin to stop, albeit briefly, and to meet and run with people from the mnd community, including former footballer stephen dali —— darby and his family. footballer stephen dali -- darby and his famil . . �* , . ., his family. can't believe the amount of --eole his family. can't believe the amount of people that _ his family. can't believe the amount of people that have _ his family. can't believe the amount of people that have turned - his family. can't believe the amount of people that have turned up. i his family. can't believe the amount of people that have turned up. he . of people that have turned up. he does _ of people that have turned up. he does an— of people that have turned up. he does an incredible job, kevin. and does an incredible 'ob, kevin. and he has got _ does an incredible job, kevin. and he has got the rest of the week as welt _ the second was to be the longest day of the week, from gloucester rugby's home ground to bristol, 65 kilometres. along to send them off was at slater. until his diagnosis in 2022, a fan favourite here.

we are doing as much as we can. it sets that are high.— sets that are high. kevin's support team, sets that are high. kevin's support team. buoyed _ sets that are high. kevin's support team. buoyed by _ sets that are high. kevin's support team, buoyed by the _ sets that are high. kevin's support team, buoyed by the people i sets that are high. kevin's support team, buoyed by the people who i team, buoyed by the people who turned out along the route to cheer them on, i his superpower. 50. turned out along the route to cheer them on, i his superpower.- them on, i his superpower. so, my wife tina. — them on, i his superpower. so, my wife tina. she _ them on, i his superpower. so, my wife tina, she has _ them on, i his superpower. so, my wife tina, she has mnd. _ them on, i his superpower. so, my wife tina, she has mnd. she i them on, i his superpower. so, my wife tina, she has mnd. she got . wife tina, she has mnd. she got diagnosed last august. you know, without the help of the mnd association, i mean, iwould be broken. ., . , broken. each hour that passes, so does another _ broken. each hour that passes, so does another seven _ broken. each hour that passes, so does another seven kilometre i broken. each hour that passes, so i does another seven kilometre block, and on the outskirts of bristol, emotions are raw.— and on the outskirts of bristol, emotions are raw. you care about this community — emotions are raw. you care about this communityjust _ emotions are raw. you care about this communityjust like - emotions are raw. you care about this communityjust like we i emotions are raw. you care about this communityjust like we do. .

sorry, i'm tired. i'm tired. seeing his emotion _ sorry, i'm tired. i'm tired. seeing his emotion at _ sorry, i'm tired. i'm tired. seeing his emotion at the _ sorry, i'm tired. i'm tired. seeing his emotion at the start _ sorry, i'm tired. i'm tired. seeing his emotion at the start was i sorry, i'm tired. i'm tired. seeing| his emotion at the start was really powerful. kind of showing how much it means to him, which i think is a really good example of why this isn't just about people really good example of why this isn'tjust about people living with mnd, it is the people affected by it, friends, family. his roots are designed to connect people, like former footballer marcus stewart, who was diagnosed with mnd two years ago. he marcus stewart, who was diagnosed with mnd two years ago.— with mnd two years ago. he might not, well, with mnd two years ago. he might not. well. not _ with mnd two years ago. he might not, well, not carry _ with mnd two years ago. he might not, well, not carry on, _ with mnd two years ago. he might not, well, not carry on, but - with mnd two years ago. he might not, well, not carry on, but kevin i not, well, not carry on, but kevin has got a massive heart, the size of a drum, we all know that. but when your best mates dies, it must get your best mates dies, it must get you thinking. you know, just keeping that hope alive for him. for you thinking. you know, 'ust keeping that hope alive for him._ that hope alive for him. for the second year. — that hope alive for him. for the second year, the _ that hope alive for him. for the second year, the challenge i that hope alive for him. for the l second year, the challenge would cross the irish sea, this time to

belfast. the miles, hills, the agony, raising money to a cure and to support people living with the disease while making sure the condition is understood. kevin is in belfast after an invitation from lady mary peters, champion of not just the olympics, but of improving opportunities in sport, and also the fight against mnd.— opportunities in sport, and also the fight against mnd. we've got to get it cured, fight against mnd. we've got to get it cured. too — fight against mnd. we've got to get it cured, too many _ fight against mnd. we've got to get it cured, too many people _ fight against mnd. we've got to get it cured, too many people are i fight against mnd. we've got to get it cured, too many people are dying| it cured, too many people are dying with it, we wanted them to come because we admire what he is doing. another task day draws to a close. —— tough day. another task day draws to a close. -- tough day-— another task day draws to a close. -- tough day. who knew belfast had so many hills! _ -- tough day. who knew belfast had so many hills! the _ -- tough day. who knew belfast had so many hills! the people _ -- tough day. who knew belfast had so many hills! the people were i so many hills! the people were amazin: , so many hills! the people were amazing, we've _ so many hills! the people were amazing, we've really - so many hills! the people were amazing, we've really been i so many hills! the people were i amazing, we've really been welcomed by everybody. tough, but beautiful scenery. _ by everybody. tough, but beautiful scenery, great weather.—

by everybody. tough, but beautiful scenery, great weather. there are no eas lacs, scenery, great weather. there are no easy lags. but _ scenery, great weather. there are no easy lags. but what _ scenery, great weather. there are no easy lags, but what buoyed _ scenery, great weather. there are no easy lags, but what buoyed the i scenery, great weather. there are no easy lags, but what buoyed the team j easy lags, but what buoyed the team in glasgow was knowing that they are halfway there. here at celtic park to welcome care of was mergers all the. he sees each day as a blessing since his diagnosis in may. since then, i since his diagnosis in may. since then. i am _ since his diagnosis in may. since then, i am actually _ since his diagnosis in may. since then, i am actually enjoying i since his diagnosis in may. ’i rice then, i am actually enjoying the experience that i am having. i was given the opportunity to see how strong we are as a family. everyone's favourite part is the extra mile. dottie weir's wife cathy ran with kath on a good day, when two years since his death of mnd,

there are so many bad ones. today is amazin: , there are so many bad ones. today is amazing. as — there are so many bad ones. today is amazing. as it — there are so many bad ones. today is amazing, as it always _ there are so many bad ones. today is amazing, as it always is. _ there are so many bad ones. today is amazing, as it always is. kevin, i there are so many bad ones. today is amazing, as it always is. kevin, it i amazing, as it always is. kevin, it isjust amazing, as it always is. kevin, it is just such a good job. obviously he has put his body on the line, but it is worth it, when you see these people for all different reasons coming out in the sport. it is good. matt ran, an act of defiance against the illness that he knows will end his life. sore feet, tired legs, broken bodies, made fibreglass steps up broken bodies, made fibreglass steps up onto the leeds rhino bus, and a 270 mile trip to east yorkshire, but for once, they are not running it. in whole, a tale of one city but two clubs. rugby league heartland, the

perfect place for one of the sport's grades to include in his run home for christmas. and along for the ride and the run, two multiple olympic cycling champions, dame laura and sirjason kenny. they have a personal connection to the cause. my a personal connection to the cause. my nan got diagnosed, well, she actually died of it in 2006, i went into school and no—one knew what it was, and so for me to don't have to explain, ultimately, what she was going to die off to everyone, was heartbreaking. {lin going to die off to everyone, was heartbreaking.— going to die off to everyone, was heartbreaking. on the extra mile, ian flat, heartbreaking. on the extra mile, lan flat. great _ heartbreaking. on the extra mile, ian flat, great advocate _ heartbreaking. on the extra mile, ian flat, great advocate for i ian flat, great advocate for improved care and support for mnd took to the track. i improved care and support for mnd took to the track.— took to the track. i don't mind sa inc took to the track. i don't mind saying the _ took to the track. i don't mind saying the last _ took to the track. i don't mind saying the last few _ took to the track. i don't mind saying the last few months i took to the track. i don't mind l saying the last few months have took to the track. i don't mind - saying the last few months have been tough, you know? and i think everybody will understand that stop and then you have weeks like this, and then you have weeks like this, and days like this, i think it is

something i look forward to, but it is actually is such... you see it, don't you? you feel it. i is actually is such. .. you see it, don't you? you feel it.- don't you? you feel it. i see all ou don't you? you feel it. i see all you guys _ don't you? you feel it. i see all you guys have _ don't you? you feel it. i see all you guys have got _ don't you? you feel it. i see all you guys have got a _ don't you? you feel it. i see all you guys have got a real- don't you? you feel it. i see all you guys have got a real mix i don't you? you feel it. i see allj you guys have got a real mix of black_ you guys have got a real mix of black and — you guys have got a real mix of black and white! and red and white! today— black and white! and red and white! today is_ black and white! and red and white! today is not— black and white! and red and white! today is not about art. it is about coming _ today is not about art. it is about coming together to fight against mnd~ _ coming together to fight against mnd. , . ., , , ~ , mnd. these challenges put mnd in the s-uotliht, mnd. these challenges put mnd in the spotlight. and — mnd. these challenges put mnd in the spotlight. and it— mnd. these challenges put mnd in the spotlight, and it means _ mnd. these challenges put mnd in the spotlight, and it means so _ mnd. these challenges put mnd in the spotlight, and it means so much. i- spotlight, and it means so much. i don't think that anyone realises how difficult this daily journey don't think that anyone realises how difficult this dailyjourney is until you see it, you might call this a journey because every day things change. i am so grateful to kevin raw and/or the foundation they have done and continue to do. the

penultimate day started in southampton at the headquarters of the mnd association. {lister southampton at the headquarters of the mnd association.— the mnd association. over the past four years. — the mnd association. over the past four years, kevin _ the mnd association. over the past four years, kevin and _ the mnd association. over the past four years, kevin and rob _ the mnd association. over the past four years, kevin and rob have i four years, kevin and rob have raised more than £16 million for this charity and others. find raised more than £16 million for this charity and others. and they are off! in _ this charity and others. and they are off! in a _ this charity and others. and they are off! in a week— this charity and others. and they are off! in a week of— this charity and others. and they are off! in a week of hard - this charity and others. and they are off! in a week of hard days, | are off! in a week of hard days, this, the team _ are off! in a week of hard days, this, the team warned, - are off! in a week of hard days, this, the team warned, would l are off! in a week of hard days, | this, the team warned, would be are off! in a week of hard days, - this, the team warned, would be the hardest, physically and psychologically, the penultimate day will test them today are very limits. , , . , will test them today are very limits. , ., , , will test them today are very limits. , ., , limits. just really makes you feel competent _ limits. just really makes you feel competent for — limits. just really makes you feel competent for the _ limits. just really makes you feel competent for the future, - limits. just really makes you feel competent for the future, the - limits. just really makes you feel i competent for the future, the next generation of people, you won't be told, oh, you have got mnd and there is not much we can do about it. you will be told, and this is what we can do. you feel this is wishing for that day when there will be a cure. long, lonely roads, and long, slow hills, just to remind everyone that this is designed to very difficult.

i am so sorry that you lost rob. nobody should be dying of mnd in this day and age. when the cure comes you need to hold your head up high and know what a huge part you played. you did it for everyone of us and we love you. kath played. you did it for everyone of us and we love you.— played. you did it for everyone of us and we love you. kath says he is auoin to us and we love you. kath says he is going to run _ us and we love you. kath says he is going to run slower _ us and we love you. kath says he is going to run slower for _ us and we love you. kath says he is going to run slower for me - us and we love you. kath says he is going to run slower for me today. l us and we love you. kath says he is going to run slower for me today. i | going to run slower for me today. i will be grateful for that. but hopefully we can join in and will be grateful for that. but hopefully we canjoin in and it is will be grateful for that. but hopefully we can join in and it is a fantastic cause, what fantastic support we have here, you see the community that we have here. it is the seventh _ community that we have here. it is the seventh and _ community that we have here. it 3 the seventh and final day community that we have here. it 1 the seventh and final day of canon 's infield's annual running home for christmas ultramarathon challenge. cat is here. there he is! this morning saw them hit their fundraising title. rob was 's show number, of course. the target was 770 7000, 777 pounds. ——

number, of course. the target was 770 7000, 777 pounds. -- 777,777 pounds. 770 7000, 777 pounds. -- 777,777 ounds. ., . j~ :: :: :: 770 7000, 777 pounds. -- 777,777 ounds. ., . j~ 11:11: . , 770 7000, 777 pounds. -- 777,777 ounds. ., . j~ 11:11: . pounds. you at 782,000. that is a lot of money! _ pounds. you at 782,000. that is a lot of money! well _ pounds. you at 782,000. that is a lot of money! well done, - pounds. you at 782,000. that is a lot of money! well done, well - pounds. you at 782,000. that is a i lot of money! well done, well done. it means so much to you, and i am delighted. see you later, kevin! the final days saw storm darragh threatened to spoil the last leg of the run home for christmas. running like the wind was going to be a tough ask, as the team tackled ultramarathon number seven, there was a message from number ten. kevin, i would just like to say a massive thank you for what you are doing. it is completely inspirational. almost unbelievable, inspirational. almost unbelievable, in terms of the endurance, the commitment, dedication that are putting into such an important cause. ., ,

putting into such an important cause, ., , , ., , putting into such an important cause. ., , , . , . cause. not 'ust platitudes and raise, cause. not 'ust platitudes and praise. but— cause. notjust platitudes and praise. but a _ cause. notjust platitudes and praise, but a seismic- cause. notjust platitudes and praise, but a seismic shift - cause. notjust platitudes and praise, but a seismic shift in l praise, but a seismic shift in policy, according to the manchester mayor. policy, according to the manchester ma or. ~ ., , policy, according to the manchester ma or. ~ . , ., mayor. what i feel is a breakthrough moment for — mayor. what i feel is a breakthrough moment for motor _ mayor. what i feel is a breakthrough moment for motor neuron _ mayor. what i feel is a breakthrough moment for motor neuron disease, l mayor. what i feel is a breakthrough | moment for motor neuron disease, it feels like that, it is at the front of the country's mind, kevin has put it there, it is absolutely amazing to just play a small part in it. to be in tojust play a small part in it. to be in pain and nursing an injury at this stage is to be expected, but with the finishing line tantalisingly close, the team revealed kevin has been running throughout with a serious leg injury. throughout with a serious leg in'u . ., . , ., ., throughout with a serious leg in'u. ., . , ., ., ., injury. unfortunately he tore one of the bi est injury. unfortunately he tore one of the biggest muscles _ injury. unfortunately he tore one of the biggest muscles for _ injury. unfortunately he tore one of the biggest muscles for running, i injury. unfortunately he tore one of. the biggest muscles for running, and a few other injuries in there as well. the muscle tear that he got, you shouldn't be running, i will put it you shouldn't be running, i will put it that you shouldn't be running, i will put it that way. seven ultramarathon is in seven days, it's pretty incredible.— in seven days, it's pretty incredible. ., , ., incredible. finally, the homerun. back to saddleworth, _ incredible. finally, the homerun. back to saddleworth, where - incredible. finally, the homerun. | back to saddleworth, where kevin incredible. finally, the homerun. - back to saddleworth, where kevin was greeted by his family. eater

back to saddleworth, where kevin was greeted by his family.— greeted by his family. ever since we left last saturday _ greeted by his family. ever since we left last saturday afternoon - greeted by his family. ever since we left last saturday afternoon from . left last saturday afternoon from here, i've looked forward to getting back on. i have loved it. it has been a brilliant week. it has just been a brilliant week. it has just been tough. they are not easy, you test every part of your character, to get back, it is brilliant. to finish back here, to challenge five, is really special for us all. this was the first _ is really special for us all. this was the first challenge - is really special for us all. this was the first challenge without rob, and carrying an injury added as a goal and mental pressure, but he made it. 230 miles run, more than £i.5 made it. 230 miles run, more than £1.5 million raised, and very difficult lives madejust £1.5 million raised, and very difficult lives made just that bit easier.

live from london... this is bbc news. a car ploughs into crowds at a busy german christmas market — killing at least two people — including a toddler. dozens more are injured. armed police arrest a man at the scene — he's a 50—year—old saudi national who has lived in germany for 18 years. this is the scene live in magdeburg where there's still a large police presence. a memorial service will be held here later today. at least 1a people are wounded in a houthi missile strike on tel aviv. the group says it's acting in support of palestinians in gaza

down to the wire. both houses of the us congress vote in favour of a bill to fund america's government for three months — and avoid a christmas shutdown. hello. welcome to the programme. we start in germany where two people, including a child, have been killed and nearly 70 others injured in the city of magdeburg — after a car was driven into a busy christmas market. magdeburg is around 150km west of berlin. the incident happened at around 7pm friday night, local time. the car hit the crowded area at high speed, and is said to have travelled for around 400 metres. footage from the german broadcaster mdr shows armed police arresting a man at the scene — he's a 50—year—old saudi national who has lived in germany for 18 years. the authorities say he worked as a doctor, had no criminal record

and no known links to extremism. officers at the scene initially feared he might have had an explosive device but in the last few hours german media reported that no explosives were found in the car. this is the scene live now in magdeburg. chancellor olaf scholz is expected to arrive there in the coming hours. a memorial service will be held in magdeburg's cathedral at 7pm local time. we'll hear from our reporter at the scene shortly but first, this report is from nickjohnson. crying. cries punctuate the sense of terror and bewilderment at magdeburg's christmas market. passers—by tend to the injured. moments beforehand, the market had been teeming with people enjoying the atmosphere in the days before christmas. footage, which is too graphic to broadcast, appears to show a car deliberately driving at speed into dozens

of people between market stalls. emergency services arrive to help those in any way they can. makeshift tents were put up to treat those at the scene. hospitals in the area were told to prepare for a mass casualty event. dorin was at a concert nearby. translation: we are shaking. we feel for the relatives. we heard the police sirens, which went on for so long. we had to assume something terrible had happened. it's a dark day for magdeburg. yelling. shortly after the attack, police detained the driver, who the german interior ministry says is a 50—year—old doctor, originally from saudi arabia and had been a resident in germany for 18 years. authorities say around 70 people have been injured, some of them seriously.

translation: this is a terrible tragedy. it's a catastrophe for the city of magdeburg and for germany in general. for this to happen at a christmas market is hard to comprehend. the german chancellor olaf scholz is expected to visit the scene later and in a post on x, said... following their bundesliga match, bayern munich posponed the celebrations to ask for a minute's silence. this isn't the first time people

have been killed by a vehicle at a christmas market in germany. in 2016, a man with islamist links crashed into a market in berlin, killing 12 people. magdeburg's annual christmas market draws tourists from near and far. this post on its social media page describes the market as a paradise for children. the scene late last night painted a very different picture, the city and the country forced to come to terms with what's happened. nickjohnson, bbc news. as we mentioned, a state official has said the suspect is a 50—year—old doctor who s originally from saudi arabia — but first came to germany in 2006. most recently, he d been working in a town about 25 miles away. here's our security correspondent, frank gardner. this is a very unusual situation, not because of what happened. it's not the first time that somebody has rammed a car at high speed into a christmas market in germany, nor indeed in europe.

something similar happened in lyon... not in lyon, in nice, rather in france. but it's unusual that he is 50 and a doctor and a saudi. usually, when these things happen, and if terrorism is involved, it's normally a north african individual, much younger in their 20s, at the most in their 30s. but we simply do not know the motive. there could be mental health involved. he could have been fired at work. his partner could have left him. he could be... there could be all sorts of things. he could have been given some horrendous medical diagnosis. none of which excuses what he did. but we're going to have to keep an open mind on what the motive is. inevitably, people will be looking, though, at terrorism as a possibility, because isis, so—called islamic state, has often called on its followers,

dwindling as they are, to do something like this. there have been attacks similar to this in several european countries. and it's always a risk. i think the thing that is strange here is that, given how popular these german christmas markets are in germany, that more precautions haven't been taken, this man was able to drive his dark bmw through the crash barriers and career through hundreds of shoppers. that was a security correspondent frank gardner and to let you know the kingdom frank gardner and to let you know the kin-dom of frank gardner and to let you know the kingdom frank gardner and to let you know the kin-dom of saudi frank gardner and to let you know the kingdom frank gardner and to let you know the kin-dom of saudi arabia frank gardner and to let you know the kingdom of saudi arabia has expressed solidarity with the german people and families of the victims following these reports we are hearing about the suspect are being originally from saudi arabia and also in a brief statement its foreign ministry have condemned the attack with other international reaction as well as we have heard from sir keir starmer saying he is horrified by the atrocious attack in

magdeburg saying his thoughts are with the victims, their families and all those affected saying we stand with the people of germany so there are the pictures live in magdeburg and we can also speak to your correspondent. let's speak to our correspondent damien mcguinness at the scene. can you talk throughout how events last night? you can you talk throughout how events last niuht? ., .., can you talk throughout how events last niuht? ., h, , can you talk throughout how events last niuht? ., , , can you talk throughout how events lastniuht? ., , ,~ . , last night? you can see very clearly where i'm standing, _ last night? you can see very clearly where i'm standing, we _ last night? you can see very clearly where i'm standing, we are - last night? you can see very clearly where i'm standing, we are on - last night? you can see very clearly where i'm standing, we are on a . where i'm standing, we are on a road, quite a busy road and what seems to have happened as the attacker drove a black hired car along this main road and swerved into the christmas market. what is interesting here is the question frank was talking about actual saying of security around christmas markets. as we know there was a horrific attack in 2016 at a christmas market in berlin where a truck into a christmas market killing 12 people and since then christmas markets have been

incredible well protected, we can typically see around every christmas market in germany a large concrete block to prevent such things happening again and what has happened here it seems, though there are large concrete blocks, i can see them all round the whole christmas market, there is a large gap which is presumably to let people walk through into the market and unfortunately that gap appears to be wide enough also for a car and that seems to be up what the perpetrator did swerving off the road into the christmas market and through crowds and crowds of people just simply enjoying a festive drink. in and crowds of people just simply enjoying a festive drink. en'oying a festive drink. in terms of enjoying a festive drink. in terms of what the _ enjoying a festive drink. in terms of what the authorities _ enjoying a festive drink. in terms of what the authorities have - of what the authorities have actually said about this person, the suspect they've arrested, they've given quite a few details which i presume a lot of which is about trying to stop people from panicking and the reaction of knowing known

links to terrorism up —— of knowing no known links to terrorism. the? no known links to terrorism. they sa he no known links to terrorism. they say he was _ no known links to terrorism. they say he was acting alone, - no known links to terrorism. they say he was acting alone, he - no known links to terrorism. tue: say he was acting alone, he is no known links to terrorism. tte say he was acting alone, he is a 50—year—old man from saudi arabia and the doctor as he was working as here in germany had been here for 18 years and he had no police record, no known links to islamist extremism and apparently he had made some comments critical of islam on social media so lots of questions about social media and lots of information made quickly which is what we have seen often in recent years in order to undermine conspiracy theories because what often happens with these sorts of attacks or any such attack is there are all sorts of false information up, fake news around. which we saw online with the

numbers of people dead being speculated on, threats to people's wives, other people on the run all of which completely fake and wrong, and then corrected but it was still being spread. even by one particular far right politician and that is the danger and what people are up want to stop. but often what happens at what has happened is as soon as an attack is linked to someone outside of germany it can also spark up a ferocious date or animosity towards migration in general so the question is whether that will happen with this attack and it certainly happened in 2016 up when the attacker and that christmas market was an asylum seeker, islamist extremist and that they'd have an impact on the debate over migration in general and as we know we have elections coming up in february you're in quite a few royal

political mood anyway in the country so there is a lot to watch out for. that is something to watch out for an magdeburg but also the wider political impact.— political impact. what about the eo - le political impact. what about the people who _ political impact. what about the people who are _ political impact. what about the people who are injured, - political impact. what about the people who are injured, has - political impact. what about the - people who are injured, has anything been said about their condition? so people have been injured in this attack as well as as i said the two people killed one of which was a small child. people killed one of which was a small child-— small child. that is correct. at least two _ small child. that is correct. at least two dead _ small child. that is correct. at least two dead were _ small child. that is correct. at least two dead were between | small child. that is correct. at - least two dead were between 60-70 least two dead were between 60—70 injured according to various reports. incredible large amount of people and these are large crowds here at this christmas market and it's thought that may be up 15 or seriously injured, medical officials kick into action from other areas as well with some being flown to other parts of germany so very difficult situation of course at a time of yearin situation of course at a time of year in hospitals as in england, in germany are also overwhelmed anyway

so we difficult time for medical services to kick into action so that is certainly an ongoing situation up and it is typical in germany you do not get personal information about such terror attacks or attacks in general which is a lot to do with data protection and a different sense of privacy here when it comes to reports in the media so we do not know much about the actual people affected themselves so far but what we do know is, as you say, a large amount of people injured so it is a moving situation in case the number of fatalities sadly could well increase of some of those people are seriously injured. turning our attention to other news now. a houthi missile strike on tel aviv has wounded more than a dozen people. the ambulance service said they'd suffered minor injuries, mainly caused by flying glass.

the israeli military said attempts to shoot down a projectile launched from yemen had been unsuccessful. our correspondent shaimaa khalil injerusalem has been telling us about what we know so far about this attack in tel aviv. in the early hours of this morning, residents in tel aviv have yet again woken up to the sounds of sirens, some of them saying they've heard a loud explosion, and many, of course, scrambling to get to safe places. ambulance services say that they have treated 16 people, mainly for minor injuries, as you mentioned, from shards of flying glass. the military said that they had failed to intercept this missile coming from yemen. they have failed to shoot it down and that essentially the missile landed in a public park. this comes days after two waves of air strikes from the israeli military military inside yemen, one that hit the capital, the sanaa area, and hit electricity services and electricity. area electricity places their energy charging areas and the other was in the hodeidah area again hitting hitting an oil refinery. this has been going on now

since the beginning of the war in gaza. the houthis have insisted time and time again that they will not stop, stop attacking israeli targets in the tel aviv area unless the war in gaza stops. actually, as the israeli warplanes were in the air, the military said that they intercepted a missile that was going in the direction of tel aviv. this missile was partially intercepted, but part of it hit a school and destroyed a building. and i think if you if you hear the statements from the houthis, again, we've heard from the houthis confirming that they are responsible for saturday's attack, for this attack, saying that they hit a target, a military target in tel aviv, vowing to continue to do that.

israel again saying that it is going to continue to target houthi houthis in yemen as long as they attack israel. so remember, in the background of all of this, we're hoping and waiting to see if a ceasefire is going to happen. these kinds of attacks are going to really complicate the picture when negotiations are taking place. yes. up and one other development i want to ask you about is the idf shooting in the un buffer zone in southern syria. what's the israeli military said about that? yes. and this is another strand of tension, if you will, that israel is involved in. and this is in the buffer zone, an area in the golan heights. we understand from the israeli military that there has been a demonstration in a southern village in syria, moria village, and there were protesters against israel's attacks and israel's activities in syria. remember, since the fall of bashar al assad's regime, um, a week or so ago, more than a week ago, israel has conducted hundreds of air strikes on military targets in syria, mainly because they say they do not want these military facilities to fall

into the wrong hands. but another development that's really worrying, notjust players here in the middle east, but the international community, is that israeli soldiers and military have moved into the buffer zone in the golan heights. and these are essentially these are the no go zone areas. this is the disengagement. this is the area where there's been disengagement agreement in 197a. the un has set time and time again on both sides to essentially walk back from that. and so what we heard from the israeli military is that there were a group of protesters. one of them has been warned to move away from israeli military personnel, but has been shot and hurt in the leg. this is very worrying because the situation in syria is very, very fluid. israel continuing to move into that buffer zone will escalate these tensions in that area. and i think the worry here is that whether we'll see more of that happening in the south.

the us has scrapped a $10m reward for the arrest of syria's de facto leader ahmed al—sharaa. it follows meetings in damascus between senior diplomats and representatives from hayat tahrir al—sham. 0r hts. assistant secretary of state barbara leaf said the discussion with sharaa was "very productive", and he came across as "pragmatic". the bbc understands the hts will be looking to be de—listed as a terrorist organisation which would pave the way for sanctions to be lifted. here's our middle east correspondent lina sinjab with an update. in the briefing that happened late last night, after the meetings, the assistant secretary basically said the meeting was basically productive and detailed, discussing a variety of issues of concern for the syrians and also with them transitioning

into an inclusive government representing all the syrian society and discussed regional stability but also the sovereignty of syria and safety of syria and also discussing issues of american interest especially when it comes to missing american citizens inside syria during the rule of al bassad, including that of a journal is missing since 2012 with several searches conducted on his whereabouts and discussing further on how they can trace his presence or where he is. they also met with different groups of the syrian civil society and the defence... civil defence white helmet so it seems like they were here to listen to all groups of syria, discuss it with the new leadership and this is the first us top officials meeting visit to

damascus since 12 years and that is really sending a big signal to the new leadership of the de facto leader and despite the fact they are listed as a terrorist organisation, and despite the fact they are still us sanctions imposed on syria, because of atrocities conducted by al bassad, these are sending good signals that they are willing to engage and things might change in the nearfuture. staying in syria, there are fears that the fall of president assad could mean the islamic state group will re—emerge. the leader of the syrian democratic forces — which is led by the kurds and backed by the us — has told the bbc the present situation has made a resurgence much more likely. around a decade ago, islamic state controlled nearly a third of the country until the group was defeated in 2019. our senior international

correspondent orla guerin has travelled to the north east of syria, an area controlled by kurdish fighters, where she was given rare access to the largest is jail in the city of al hasakah where 5,000 is suspects are held. the fall of assad has not freed all of syria's prisoners. with good reason, we were told. this is a maximum securityjail. around 5,000 men are detained here, including some britons, cut off from the outside world and a changing syria. but local authorities warn is is planning its next moves, and could use the current chaos to try a jailbreak. up up it's very rare to get access inside these walls. up up up up

this is the biggest prison for is detainees. the men being held here, most of them were with is until its last stand. kurdish security sources tell us that they were deeply committed to the ideology of is. we were taken to meet a detainee. hello. who didn't want to be identified. he is 28, from australia, and said he was speaking freely. do you have blood on your hands? were you involved in killing anybody with is? no. i wasn't. "no, i wasn't", he said, barely audibly. on the key questions, he had little to say. this was is in its heyday. it brutalised one third of syria and iraq. now there are warnings that it's gearing up again. so general mazloum abdi is facing into battle.

he helped defeat is in 2019 with his kurdish forces, backed by the us. translation: of course, | since the fall of the regime, there are more factors allowing is to get stronger. they have more capabilities and more chances. the prisons are more dangerous, and face more threat of attack. the danger has doubled compared to before. and behind the wire, hope has grown that freedom is coming, somehow. this is roj camp, which holds families of is, around 3,000 women and children. sayeeda, from dagestan, tells me she hopes syria's

new rebel leader will bring freedom for her and her son ali. others believe is is coming, says the camp manager, who hides her identity because she fears for her safety. translation: they have - packed their bags, ready to go. they say, "we will get out of this camp soon". even their children have changed. they will say some slogans and swear at you and say "it", meaning is, "is coming soon". we will come back soon and get you". the new syria has inherited plenty of threats, and much unfinished business. orla guerin, bbc news, north—east syria. a partial shutdown of the us government has been averted, after congress voted, at the 11th hour, to pass a controversial spending bill. after two failed attempts, a pared down measure was agreed by republicans and democrats

in the senate and house of representatives as peter bowes reports. the bill is passed and without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. a sigh of relief for more than 3 million us government workers. many americans feared that christmas would be overshadowed by a damaging federal shutdown with no pay for some and reduced services. this was the third attempt to agree a spending plan after donald trump and his government efficiency tsar, the billionaire elon musk, intervened to scupper the bill in its originalform. but with hours to go before the government ran out of money, a deal. after days of wrangling, republicans and democrats agreed on a plan that will fund the government for the next three months. there's money for essential services, as well as disaster relief and aid for farmers. the bill passed in congress but the president—elect appeared to be calling the shots. i was in constant contact

with president trump throughout this process. he knew exactly what we were doing and why and this is a good outcome for the country. i think he certainly is happy about this outcome as well. but there's no reference in the bill to lifting the debt ceiling. that's the limit on how much the government can borrow — a measure which trump wanted in place before his inauguration. house democrats have successfully stopped extreme maga republicans from shutting down the government, crashing the economy and hurting working class americans all across the land. the bill's passing marks the end of a turbulent few days in washington, which have also exposed divisions amongst republicans a month before donald trump takes office. peter bowes, bbc news. stay with us here on bbc news.

hello there. well, it's a very windy weekend in store and it's a big one for travel too with the run up to christmas, so watch out for some travel disruption caused by the strength of the wind, particularly for the western half of the uk. also, maybe some icy surfaces on some of the roads on saturday night into sunday as the air turns colder and there will be some wintry showers pushing down from the north west. here's our area of low pressure. it's been approaching from the north west, this huge mass of cloud. the winds really picking up very brisk westerlies out towards exposed coastal areas of northwest scotland. there could even be some gusts of wind of up to 80 miles an hour through the day on saturday, but widely gusts of 50 to 60 miles an hour across northern ireland and into northwest england, too. now there's an area of cloud and rain gradually pushing further southwards and eastwards

across england and wales as we head through the second half of the day. sunny spells but also blustery showers digging in behind. the winds are pretty brisk towards the south as well, although lighter than further north and west. and this is how we'll end the afternoon. still, that mild air hanging on towards the southern half of the uk 12 or 13 celsius, but it will soon be replaced on saturday night into sunday by these much colder feeling conditions, low pressure pushing eastwards towards the north of the uk. so the winds come down from the north west and there's a tight squeeze on the isobars, so it remains very blustery out towards the northwest, with some of the strongest of the winds transferring a little further southwards as the as the night wears on, wintry showers watch out for those icy surfaces. it could be very tricky for travelling with those strong gusty winds. and this is how we'll start off the day on sunday on a much colder feeling. note now this is the area of most concern on sunday.

this is where we'll see the strongest winds of up to 50 to 60 miles an hour. so that now includes much of wales and down through south west england. and there will be some more showers around again, likely to be wintry over the higher ground, particularly across the hills of scotland, although it will turn quite quickly back to rain, i think, as we head through the afternoon with some slightly milder feeling air. but elsewhere it is set to be really quite chilly through the day. a lot of added wind chill and temperatures won't make it much past six to seven celsius. there will be some weak winter sunshine, but it won't do much for the temperatures. milder feeling conditions though. by the time we get to monday into christmas eve and christmas day, it looks a lot quieter, largely dry and mild too.

this is bbc news, the headlines. a car ploughs into crowds at a busy german christmas market — killing at least two people — including a toddler. dozens more are injured. armed police arrest a man at the scene — he's a 50—year—old saudi national who has lived in germany for 18 years. this is the scene live in magdeburg where there's still a large police presence. a memorial service will be held here later today.

israeli officials say 16 people have been injured by a houthi missile attack on the city of tel aviv — after it escaped israeli air defences. both houses of the us congress vote in favour of a bill to fund america's government for three months — and avoid a christmas shutdown. and this is stonehenge — where celebrations are being held to mark the winter solstice — that's the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. hello. let's get more now on our main story — the christmas market attack in germany — which left two people dead and nearly 70 others injured. it happened in the city of magdeburg — around 150km west of berlin — at around 7pm friday night, local time. the attacker ploughed his car into the busy market at high speed, and is said to have travelled for around 400 metres. this is the moment he was arrested. you can see german police approaching the man, who's lying on the ground, and then apparently pulling back for fear that he might have had an explosive vest. the attacker was later identified as a 50—year—old saudi national

who has lived in germany for 18 years. the authorities say he worked as a doctor, had no criminal record and no known links to extremism. and in a further update this morning, german media reports that no explosives were found in the car. this is the scene live now in magdeburg. chancellor olaf scholz is expected to get there in the coming hours. a memorial service will be held in magdeburg's cathedral at 7pm local time. anna noryskiewicz from our news partner cbs news sent this report from the scene. we're in magdeburg at the christmas market, where an attack happened at roughly 7:00 local time. a car was able to run through a huge crowd of people going for around 400m, injuring 60 people, 15 of them severely, killing two and one of them a toddler.

it is yet unclear how the car was able to drive for so long until it stopped. the man, the suspect, is a saudi man, a saudi doctor who resided in germany since 2006. his motives are yet unclear, and it is yet unclear how he was able to drive through the crowds, especially after security measures were in place after the berlin christmas market attack, which happened exactly eight years ago. yesterday was the anniversary. and after that christmas attack in berlin that left 12 people dead there were all sorts of security measures, especially these barriers that you can see over there in green and red that are supposed to stop cars from ploughing into the crowds and running into the crowds. how the driver managed to do that and to drive for so long is yet unclear. christmas markets in germany have a very long tradition.

this is something that especially families and young children look forward to in the christmas season. they usually start in the last weekend of november and go through even after christmas. and today is a friday where people on a busy friday afternoon were out to do their last minute christmas shopping and gather at the christmas markets. there was lots of families. the christmas market is known and famous for its attractions for children. over here we can see a ferris wheel. and a small theatre set up over there where we cannot access now. but christmas markets in general, especially in the in the former eastern states of germany, in the former east of germany, are very famous. and people actually have the tradition to visit christmas markets all across the country and travel, especially in the weekends, to visit different christmas markets. and the magdeburg christmas market is especially famous

for its attractions. let's speak now to hans—jakob schindler, senior director of the counter extremism project in berlin. thank you forjoining us. as we have been hearing from our correspondence throughout the morning, barely happens, we had this other attack at a christmas market in berlin several years ago, after that measures were brought in to try to protect christmas markets, yet we have seen this happen again. it seems like there were these concrete blocks around this markets but there was a gap big enough to get through. what do you make of this? this is very likely a scenario where there is a gap or has broken down. no car should come close. these barriers are erected once the christmas market is put up, even

before its opening. all cars within that barrier ring are removed. there has to have been a gap that no one realised it is to be closed. is this human error, or was it preplanned in some way? i would not think that the perpetrator had such influence that he preplan these things. there are reports from magdeburg that there is a that ran through the christmas market or by the side of christmas market, possibly one barrier was left out to allow the tram to actually continue its traffic, which then creates a gap, which can of course be exploited by a determined perpetrator, using the tram lines. suppose what this highlights is just how hard it is to stop somebody turning a car, an everyday thing that we all use all the time, turning that into a murder weapon.

it is so difficult to protect against this. it is. it was a very well—known scenario. apart from the attack on the christmas market in berlin, in the christmas market in berlin, in the same year, 2016, 14th ofjuly, an attack with a track in are nice in france on bastille day. the good and the bad news is the very unusual profile of their perpetrator. if as it seems to be at the moment, a radicalised loner, then we don't have a larger terror network on our hands here. also, unfortunately, it means it is really difficult to detect, for the security forces, individuals such as this, even if they utter strange views on the internet, because, as you know, social media is full of really horrible things that people post. so

the bad news is the good news. he may have been totally alone, but that may have been the reason that he was hard to detect before the attack. is there anything that springs to mind in terms of what germany could be doing better in terms of its intelligence gathering? you have seen and heard that germany has arrested every couple of weeks some is terrorists. the system is working not badly. just last week some people who had procured guns to attack a christmas markets were arrested. when it comes to these single perpetrator attacks, this is super hard to prevent and detect beforehand. nevertheless, this gap, why it was there, how the car got there, this needs to be definitely explored and rectified. thank you very much for your time. i

appreciate you talking to us from perlin. senior director of the counter extremism project in felling. ken gray is a distinguished lecturer in criminaljustice at university of new haven, and a retired fbi special agent — who worked on counter terrorism matters. he told me more about vehicle ramming attacks which he said are becoming more frequent. a person could have a car, they could rent a car, they could steal a car and turn that vehicle into a weapon. it is referred to as a vehicle ramming attack. these are becoming more and more frequent. i did research on this topic in 2019 and found that it was steadily being used more and more around the world as a weapon. i was in nice for the attack they

are when a car drove onto the pavement. this, it is so staggering how many people the person was able to targets. in terms of what can be done to prevent this sort of thing, in terms of protecting the softer targets where a lot of people gather together, we see big barriers and things like that, we see them outside parliament, on some pavement areas, but what more needs to be done on that front? barriers either go to methods to try to stop these type of attacks. bollards, movable highway barriers in place to try to separate crowds away from roads, to try to stop that. but that was there at the market and this doctor managed to drive through the barriers and into the crowd. additionally, you can also try to place more law

enforcement in an area like the christmas markets, to try to add a sense of safety there. but in actuality, the best thing that law enforcement can do is be very vigilant, especially work all intelligence aspects, to try to identify these types of threats. the authorities are saying that there seems to be no known links to extremism in this case, and there was no criminal record, and this person seems to have acted alone. what sort of thing should they be looking out for, it is just so impossible, to predict the sort of attacks, but what should they be doing? i don't know if they've had a chance yet, since this is such a recent attack, to look at social media, and also look at his computers. we don't

know at this point whether or not this person actually was radicalised because of the internet or if he was self radicalised due to some other reason or some other avenue, but this is extremely hard to protect against, when a person all of a sudden decides to carry out and act like this on their own, because of some type of grievance, or some type of ideological reason or religious reason. what are the common psychological traits that you might see in an incident like this? often it is a person that is isolated from the community, they find themselves turning more and more towards things like their religion, feeling that they should do something to support that. so you see people that are part of, say and immigrant community, that don't feel part of the country they are in, and

they are frustrated, and they are acting out against that frustration. that was a former fbi special agents talking to me earlier. today marks the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere — the winter solstice — when the sun rises later and sets earlier than any other day. let's speak to our reporter fiona lamdin who is at stonehenge for us this morning. what is going on? the shortest day of the year. over 3000 people have been here. they arrive very early this morning. the sunrise, if you could call it a sunrise, if you could call it a sunrise, was 12 and its past eight. the good news, it is not raining. it is hear about the importance of today. that winter solstice is more

special than the summer, why is that? ~ “ special than the summer, why is that? ~ ~ , special than the summer, why is that? ~ , , , that? we think it is because it was a time that — that? we think it is because it was a time that people _ that? we think it is because it was a time that people were _ that? we think it is because it was| a time that people were gathering, and the people who built stonehenge lived a few miles down the road, and they were having giant feasts at the time of stonehenge as a critic at the stones, so it is the equivalent of our christmas holidays, people gathering, celebrating. 4000 years of people coming to stonehenge to celebrate. it has been a fabulous event, despite the cloud. everyone has really enjoyed themselves. it has really enjoyed themselves. it has been peaceful and great. you are one of those, you have come because she was studying it at school. you came up last night with your dad stop tell is about the

trip. your dad stop tell is about the tri -. ~ , ., your dad stop tell is about the tri, ~ , ., ., , your dad stop tell is about the j trip-— took your dad stop tell is about the l trip-— took a trip. my dad was driving. took a wron: trip. my dad was driving. took a wrong turning- _ trip. my dad was driving. took a wrong turning. what _ trip. my dad was driving. took a wrong turning. what time - trip. my dad was driving. took a wrong turning. what time did i trip. my dad was driving. took a l wrong turning. what time did you trip. my dad was driving. took a - wrong turning. what time did you get u . wrong turning. what time did you get u- this wrong turning. what time did you get up this morning? _ wrong turning. what time did you get up this morning? got _ wrong turning. what time did you get up this morning? got up _ wrong turning. what time did you get up this morning? got up at _ up this morning? got up at six o'clock. what _ up this morning? got up at six o'clock. what was _ up this morning? got up at six o'clock. what was it _ up this morning? got up at six o'clock. what was it like - up this morning? got up at sixj o'clock. what was it like inside up this morning? got up at six - o'clock. what was it like inside the stones? it was _ o'clock. what was it like inside the stones? it was really _ o'clock. what was it like inside the stones? it was really cool. - o'clock. what was it like inside the stones? it was really cool. me - o'clock. what was it like inside the stones? it was really cool. me and m dad stones? it was really cool. me and my dad found _ stones? it was really cool. me and my dad found lots _ stones? it was really cool. me and my dad found lots of _ stones? it was really cool. me and my dad found lots of fingerprints l my dad found lots of fingerprints and hammer marks when they hammered it. then we could see loads of blue stones. ., , , . . . stones. people singing and chanting. it was really — stones. people singing and chanting. it was really cool. _ stones. people singing and chanting. it was really cool. quite _ stones. people singing and chanting. it was really cool. quite an _ it was really cool. quite an experience. _ it was really cool. quite an experience. i— it was really cool. quite an experience. i met - it was really cool. quite an experience. i met many i it was really cool. quite an i experience. i met many people it was really cool. quite an - experience. i met many people who said this had been on their bucket list for many years. people in their 60s. you are eight and you have experienced this. amazing that you got up and did this. i'm going to meet some other people who have come from london. good

morning. let us look at your fantastic head dresses. who made these? talk us to the significance of this stop you do this every year. we the significance of this stop you do this every year-— this every year. we do. ivy was traditionally _ this every year. we do. ivy was traditionally associated - this every year. we do. ivy was traditionally associated with i this every year. we do. ivy was i traditionally associated with yule. ivy represents things that are green or through the winter matter how cold it gets, it is a symbol of life and growth carrying on regardless of the weather. you come every year. what was it like in there? the drums, music, energy. tt like in there? the drums, music, ener: . , like in there? the drums, music, ener. _ , ., ., , energy. it is amazing. very beautiful. _ energy. it is amazing. very beautiful. we _ energy. it is amazing. very beautiful. we came i energy. it is amazing. very beautiful. we came about. energy. it is amazing. very i beautiful. we came about five energy. it is amazing. very - beautiful. we came about five years ago for the first time, mainly for the adventure, we had to leave south london at three in the morning. but it was surprising how moving it is to be here. but it was surprising how moving it is to be here-— it was surprising how moving it is to be here. �* , . to be here. but i did you get up at the camp today- _ the camp today. we got up at four, but we stayed

overin we got up at four, but we stayed over in salisbury, so we kind of cheated. it is a tradition now. you do it every year. you were to head dresses. you can add meat together. you have a song. we do. can you hear it? yes. before you sing it, tell me about the words. the key k has we are nearer to spring than we were in september. we have done the darkest day and the darkest night and now it is upwards all the way. spring is on its way. # i heard a bird to sing in the dark of december # i heard a bird sing in november # i heard a bird sing in the dark of december # i heard a

bird sing in the dark of december # a magical thing... we are going to leave stonehenge. from today, the days will start to get longer. if you are in the northern hemisphere, of course. this week, yang tengbo was identified as the 50—year—old chinese businessman and alleged spy banned from the uk. it's triggered questions on an issue multiple uk governments have grappled with — the uk's relationship with china. as the uk's chancellor prepares to visit china in the new year, the bbc�*s analysis editor, ros atkins, looks at how relations between the two countries became so strained. relations between the uk and china are delicate or, in the home secretary's words... it's a complex arrangement. it is a complex arrangement. here are four reasons why. first, alleged spying.

this week, a judge ruled this man could be named. yang tembo is a chinese businessman who the uk alleges is a spy. his ban from the uk hasjust been upheld. he's accused of cultivating relationships with prince andrew and with politicians, which could be leveraged by china. yang tengbo denies this. so does china, which has told the uk to stop creating trouble. spying allegations don't help relations and the uk says it will be strong on national security. but it says this too. we also need to make sure we have that economic interaction, economic cooperation in place as well. which brings us to our second reason this is complicated. trade. china accounts forjust over 5% of the uk's total trade. it's the uk's fifth largest trading partner. but the last uk government called china the greatest state based threat to our economic security. the current government is using different language. we should trade and seek investment

when it is in our national interest to do so, and that will be the approach of this government. in october, foreign secretary david lammy visited china. he emphasised trade and investment. since brexit trade beyond the eu matters even more. china is part of that equation. the relationship is with china is high stakes for the uk. we do need to deal with china for economic reasons. but trade relations get more complicated when there are major disagreements, such as on human rights. the uk has concerns about china's uyghur minority. china denies wrongdoing despite overwhelming evidence of human rights abuses. the uk has raised the crackdown on freedom of speech in hong kong, and says the release of pro—democracy activist and british citizenjimmy lai is a priority. china suggests the uk should cease any form of interference in the region's judicial matters. on human rights china and the uk are far apart.

that's also true of our fourth issue, the war in ukraine. the uk provides military aid to ukraine. china has deep ties with russia. it says it wants peace, but the us accuses it of providing components used by russia's military. and the uk says there are concerns over china's supply of equipment to russia's military industrial complex, and warns that this risks damaging china's relationships with europe, which means there's a tension within the uk's approach to china. the articulation of common grounds by the foreign secretary does not disguise the fact that xi jinping's china is totally committed to support russia in the war in ukraine. put these issues together. the spy allegations, trade, human rights and ukraine, and we see a relationship that's necessary but difficult, and it's a focus for the government.

in november keir starmer and president xi met and the government's begun an audit of uk china relations to assess what needs to change and to wrestle with a familiar question — how should a western democracy, like the uk do business with an authoritarian state like china ? there aren't any simple answers. malaysia's government says it has agreed to resume the search for a passengerjet that vanished 10 years ago — in one of aviation's greatest mysteries. malaysia airlines flight mh370 disappeared in march 2014 with 239 people on board on its way from kuala lumpur to beijing. efforts to find the wreckage stalled over the years, leaving the families of those lost without closure. it has been established that the plane crashed in the indian ocean, with debris found on east african shores. but many questions remain unanswered. one of the passengers on board flight mh370 was anne catherine daisy. her daughter, grace nathan, is the chief spokesperson for voice 370,

the official association for the families of mh370's crew and passengers. we're very, very grateful with the new announcement because the search last stopped in 2018, some six years ago. so it's really great news that we finally have hope on the horizon again, that a search might resume in the nearfuture, in the very near future. is this something that you and your group have been pushing for? have you been advocating the malaysian government to pick up the search once again? yes, we've been advocating for this actually, since the plane disappeared, and there have been many searches that have started and stopped. and we have continued our advocacy because we've always believed that the search should go on until the plane is found. how much contact have you had with the malaysian government? have they reached out to the families? we don't have a lot of contact with them, but the current government and the current transport minister have been somewhat approachable compared to the previous transport minister, and we've been able to communicate with him, and he's always been quite compassionate to our cause, and he has kept in touch with us from time to time and has helped us bring forward the proposal from ocean infinity, working together with them and the government to try to get the search resumed again. do you know anything more about the details

about how this search is going to be conducted? we don't have any clear details yet because i believe the proposal is still in, still being finalised. we just know that a slightly new area will be searched. we know this from ocean infinity and that they will be using some new technology that they haven't used before. yeah, ocean infinity i believe, correct me if i'm wrong, the firm that will be actually conducting the search in the ocean area. i believe there was a similar search. you mentioned this back in 2018. in the end, it was not successful. how concerned are you that this next search could raise some sort of false hope that that that someone, something might be found? well, that's always a live concern that the search might not be successful again. but if we do not try, we will never know. so i think it's always worth a shot. and if the plane is found and it

brings us closer to some answers, even if not all the answers, it would have all been worthwhile if we can prevent this from happening again. the air turns cold of the bill be wintry showers. winds picking up. brisk westerlies. there could be gusts of wind up to 80 mph through saturday, wider gusts

of 60 mph across northern ireland and northwest england stop cloud and rain pushing south eastwards across england and wales as we head to the second half of the day. blustery showers behind. winds are brisk towards the south as well. this is how we will end the afternoon. mild air hanging on towards the southern half of the uk stop saturday into sunday, much colderfeeling sunday, much colder feeling conditions. sunday, much colderfeeling conditions. low pressure pushing eastwards. winds come down from the northwest. it remains very blustery towards the northwest. some of the strongest winds transferring further southis strongest winds transferring further south is the night wears on. wintry showers, watch out for icy surfaces. strong gusty winds. sunday, a much colder start. this is where we will see the strongest winds on sunday.

thusit see the strongest winds on sunday. thus it was much of wales and southwest england. there will be more showers. likely to be wintry of a higher ground, particularly over the hills of scotland, but it will tie quickly back to rain. in the afternoon, milderfeeling air. elsewhere, quite chilly through the day stop temperatures won't make it much past seven celsius. there will be some weak winter sunshine. it won't do much the temperatures. milder conditions but i'm a to monday. christmas eve and christmas day looks a lot quieter. largely dry. by.

live from london, this is bbc news. a car ploughs into crowds at a busy german christmas market, killing at least two people, including a toddler. dozens more are injured. armed police arrest a man at the scene — he's a 50—year—old saudi national, who has lived in germany for 18 years. this is the scene live in magdeburg, where there's still a large police presence. a memorial service will be held later today. security is being increased at other christmas markets in germany. israeli officials say 16 people have been injured by a houthi missile attack on the city of tel aviv after it escaped

israeli air defences. the us avoids a christmas government shutdown after lawmakers vote in favour of a budget deal for three months. hello, i'm nicky schiller. we start in germany, where a suspect has been arrested after two people, including a child, have been killed and nearly 70 others injured, when a car was driven into crowds at a busy christmas market. the incident happened in the city of magdeburg, which is around 150km west of berlin at around 7pm friday night, local time. the car hit the crowded area at high speed, and is said to have travelled for around 400 metres. footage from the german broadcaster mdr shows armed police arresting a man at the scene. you can see the armed officer,

the man is on the floor by the car on the left hand side of the screen.