this is bbc news. the headlines: the brother of the new orleans terror attack suspect says his action on new year's day was �*completely out of character'. the 17—year—old darts sensation luke littler looks to make history tonight as he sails into blockbuster world darts final with michael van gerwen. hello. i'm geeta guru—murthy.

lisa is coming in from france that in the south of france a presenter has taken five members of staff hostage. the justice minister said that he was following events in real time and is mobilising all resources to end the stand—off. reports are that the prisoner consultant for nurses and one prison guard in the infirmary by a prison shank. multiple sources sank a 37—year—old hostage taker was in prison for an armed rate. the prison service says he does not have

the profile of a terrorist. let's head to washington where explain for us why this is going to be such a key vote. there are so many things that

could go wrong essentially for micahjohnson. he has a very narrow majority with little room for error. around half a dozen to a dozen very hard line, far right house republicans who simply don't trust mikejohnson. there is one member is outwardly saying he will never vote for him and all it takes is one more freedom caucus, far right conservative to join freedom caucus, far right conservative tojoin him freedom caucus, far right conservative to join him and mikejohnson can't be speaker on that first ballot. he has to convince some members who are very sceptical that his leadership is right for the republican party. if leadership is right for the republican party.- leadership is right for the republican party. if he loses, then what? — republican party. if he loses, then what? it's _ republican party. if he loses, then what? it's a _ republican party. if he loses, then what? it's a great - then what? it's a great question! _ then what? it's a great question! his - then what? it's a great question! his allies - then what? it's a great i question! his allies would then what? it's a great - question! his allies would want him to proceed to another ballot. what micahjohnson wants to do is show, look, i may have some holdouts that i am by far the member who can garner the most votes. he wants to say there is no alternative

to say there is no alternative to me. as long as he continues to me. as long as he continues to lose ballots, people might think micahjohnson might not be the right person and other alternatives might come up. what does this mean overall for the shape of the new trump administration and what i can do? ., , ., , do? donald trump has endorsed micah johnson. _ do? donald trump has endorsed micah johnson. donald - do? donald trump has endorsed micah johnson. donald trump i do? donald trump has endorsed| micah johnson. donald trump my micahjohnson. donald trump my not aligned with mikejohnson on everything but he says the incumbent speaker as the person who can will smoothly carry out his agenda. if this continues to delay, trap can be certified as the winner on the 6th of january and this might offer further impediments to get on republican priorities forward. in terms of the specific negotiations happening now, do we know which issues are being negotiated on? it is we know which issues are being negotiated on?— negotiated on? it is still uuite negotiated on? it is still quite opaque. _ negotiated on? it is still quite opaque, i- negotiated on? it is still quite opaque, i would . negotiated on? it is still. quite opaque, i would say. negotiated on? it is still- quite opaque, i would say. you mentioned it in the introduction. it is spending. these freedom caucus members are most concerned about the national debt and think that

mikejohnson is too willing to negotiate with democrats to curtail what they see as the biggest threat to america because my future, which is the debt. given the concessions to these members and to stand for micahjohnson would further micah johnson would further imperil micahjohnson would further imperil his standing with republican moderates. it is a very delicate balancing act here to satisfy contrasting wins of his party. police are investigating after the father of sara sharif was allegedly assaulted in prison weeks after being jailed for the io—year—old's murder. urfan sharif is said to have been attacked at belmarsh prison on new year's day by two other inmates in a cell. he is said to have suffered cuts to his face and it is understood he received medical treatment inside the prison. a prison service spokesperson said, "police are investigating an assault on a prisoner at hmp belmarsh on one january. it would be inappropriate to comment further while they investigate." 43—year—old sharif and sara's stepmother, beinash batool, were sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted at the old bailey last month of killing sara

at their home in woking, surrey. with me is our uk correspondent daniel sandford. this case obviously was horrific when everyone learned the details of it. tell us what has happened in prison. it was one of the _ has happened in prison. it was one of the most _ has happened in prison. it was one of the most significant - has happened in prison. it was| one of the most significant and distressing cases of last year and it ended on the 17th of december with urfan sharif being given a life sentence for murder, with the minimum term of a0 years, so essentially he will definitely be a0 years in prison. just over two weeks after that sentence was passed on new year's day, urfan sharif was attacked in belmarsh prison in south—east london. that is where he is being held. my understanding is that it is thought true inmates were probably involved and that the alleged weapon was part of a can of tuna. there had been reports that the injuries he

sustained included a cup to the throat. i don't understand if this it —— if that is accurate. he wasn't taken outside of prison, he was treated in hospital. it sounds like a significant attack, but the perhaps not massively significance. it is an indication of quite how serious the situation is in presence at the situation is in presence at the moment. assaults have become almost commonplace. there were 30,000 assaults in england and wales in the year tojune last england and wales in the year to june last year. that was an increase of 2a% on the previous 12 months. two thirds of those prisoner on prisoner. 20,000 assaults of prisoner on prisoner in the year tojune 202a. that was up by 21%. this is starting to become something thatis is starting to become something that is growing at a very fast

rate. i5 that is growing at a very fast rate. , ., ., ., .,, rate. is there information as to why that _ rate. is there information as to why that is _ rate. is there information as to why that is the _ rate. is there information as to why that is the case? - rate. is there information as to why that is the case? it . rate. is there information as to why that is the case? it is believed _ to why that is the case? it is believed to _ to why that is the case? it is believed to be _ to why that is the case? it 3 believed to be overcrowding and lack of staff. that is what the prison 0fficers' association?. prison 0fficers' association? . they prison 0fficers' association?. they said they are trying to look after too many inmates with too few staff and they don't have adequate control over the inmates there. there may be some other societal issues as well. certainly the current set of ministers she came into power injuly don't really argue with that. they believe that there is a crisis in prisons in england and will and that they certainly believe that these violent assaults are part of that. just to repeat, urfan sharif does not appear to have been very seriously injured, bats and unbelievably high profile prisoner, someone about whom there was reams and reams of broadcast coverage last year and it does seem to have resulted in him being

attacked by two other inmates. we will have to see where that goes. i we will have to see where that noes. ., , we will have to see where that noes. , ., we will have to see where that oes. ,., , ., ., goes. i was there statistics on what kind _ goes. i was there statistics on what kind of— goes. i was there statistics on what kind of prisoners - goes. i was there statistics on what kind of prisoners tend i goes. i was there statistics on what kind of prisoners tend to be attacked in prison? if what kind of prisoners tend to be attacked in prison?- be attacked in prison? if you take away — be attacked in prison? if you take away the _ be attacked in prison? if you take away the terrorism - take away the terrorism assaults that happen in prison, there are two kinds of assaults. there are assaults that happen because of a drug few draw arguments with things like that. also, there are sometime specific prisoners being targeted. we don't know which of those is the case here, but it is a possibility that he was targeted because of the crime he committed. israel now says that it is, after all, holding the head of kamal adwan hospital in gaza, hussam abu saffiyeh. the israeli military said a previous statement that it was not holding him may have been a human error. dr abu saffiyeh was last seen getting into a tank in footage released by the israeli

military of the day it forcibly closed kamal adwan hospital. a local charity, physicians for human rights israel, which reported the earlier denial, said the case was part of a pattern of non—disclosure and unreliable information provided by israel regarding palestinian detainees. israel says it has intercepted a missile launched from yemen which crossed into israeli territory. officials say there were reports of shrapnel falling in an area of central israel. it is the second missile launched from yemen this week israel said it intercepted one on tuesday. when 0smond had died at the age of 73. he arranged the harmonies and sang alongside his siblings. the 0smond family reach their peak in the early 70s. he is survived by his wife, theirfive 70s. he is survived by his wife, their five children and his siblings.

australia's northern territory is home to more than 100,000 saltwater crocodiles living in the wild — the largest population anywhere in the world. although croc attacks are rare, last year saw the area's first fatal incident since 2018, reigniting the debate over culling. 0ur australia correspondent katy watson reports from darwin. one of the world's most—feared predators. but this is a dream job for kelly and david — removing saltwater crocodiles that have come too close to the city. every week, they're out on the water, securing the salties — as they're known here — and getting them on board safely. yeah, that'll do. one little slip up with these guys normally ends up with broken jaws or something like that, you know? 0nto the next trap. there are 2a in this harbour, which is used forfishing — and even by some brave swimmers. some people might think, "why do you need to capture crocodiles? just let them be." it's ourjob to try and keep

people as safe as we can. 0bviously, we're not going to capture every crocodile, but the more we take out of the harbour, the less risk there's going to be an encounter with crocodiles and people. whoa! that's a big tail. one of the crocodiles just, like, flipped its tail. and they're pretty strong. and my seat happens to be right next to their heads. these will be culled — because, if released, there's a high chance they'd return to the harbour. their removal is part of the northern territory�*s new ten—year plan to manage the more—than—100,000 crocs that live in the wild here. and they've recently upped how many they can remove, to control the numbers. for a species once nearly hunted to extinction, it's a huge turnaround. we've done what very few people can do — which is take a very serious predator and rebuild their numbers back to what they were historically, and then manage them in such a way that the public is prepared to put up with them. # don't hunt by yourself.

# if you're fishing with a spear. - # always make sure thati someone else is near..#. there's also an education programme that other countries are now borrowing. police are searching for a child missing from a remote northern territory community, who has reportedly been attacked by a crocodile. but every time someone dies, it reignites the debate about crocs living alongside people. the fact is, the fact is, they bring in money. they bring in money. croc farms were introduced croc farms were introduced to stop illegal poaching, to stop illegal poaching, and famous fashion labels have and famous fashion labels have bought stakes in them. bought stakes in them. tourism's a money spinner, tourism's a money spinner, too, and there's a real too, and there's a real push for aboriginal push for aboriginal communities to benefit. communities to benefit. it's in remote areas holes and the likes. it's in remote areas that many crocodiles that many crocodiles live alongside people, live alongside people, so they're a huge so they're a huge part of the culture. part of the culture. we've conserved an animal that we've conserved an animal that actually kills people. actually kills people. what we've got to do is provide what we've got to do is provide benefits to aboriginal people benefits to aboriginal people to continue to tolerate living to continue to tolerate living with crocs when they can't with crocs when they can't go to theirswimming go to theirswimming holes and the likes. so one of the benefits that we actually deliver is a commercial outcome, it's a job outcome. we've got to make sure that aboriginal people

are the primary beneficiaries of the industry. sacred totems and valuable villains — looking after these salties is a delicate balancing act. katy watson, bbc news, in darwin. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

0ur reporter simonjones has more.

this whole area was full of salt and it was as high as the top of the pad you can see there. they are constantly monitoring the roads to see how much salt they need to use each day. much salt they need to use each da . ~ ., . ., much salt they need to use each da. ., ., ., ., day. we do tailor what the critters are _ day. we do tailor what the critters are putting - day. we do tailor what the critters are putting the - day. we do tailor what the i critters are putting the roads depending on the positions conditions and temperatures. the wagon style up what is required and the salt is dispensed accordingly. in the offices where _ dispensed accordingly. in the offices where they _ dispensed accordingly. in the offices where they keep - dispensed accordingly. in the offices where they keep an i dispensed accordingly. in the i offices where they keep an eye on how much salt is needed and where it needs to go. indie on how much salt is needed and where it needs to go.— where it needs to go. we are able to see _ where it needs to go. we are able to see in _ where it needs to go. we are able to see in real— where it needs to go. we are able to see in real the - able to see in real the temperatures were colder than we expected so we were able to monitor that and react accordingly.— monitor that and react accordingly. health care providers _ accordingly. health care providers are _ accordingly. health care providers are also - accordingly. health care - providers are also preparing. they have been placed on high alert for the coming days. people who are vulnerable to the gold level could be a greater risk and might need

help. in the east of england, extra ambulances have already been put on as they start to the pressure.— been put on as they start to the pressure. our call levels are at the — the pressure. our call levels are at the highest _ the pressure. our call levels are at the highest levels - the pressure. our call levels are at the highest levels we | are at the highest levels we have experienced ever. that typically we would see around 3900 calls a day, we have been receiving an excess of 5700 calls. receiving an excess of 5700 calls, . ., , calls. some charities, including _ calls. some charities, including age - calls. some charities, including age uk, - calls. some charities, including age uk, or. calls. some charities, - including age uk, or warning that the government's decision to axe winter fuel payment is from the pensioners will make some reluctant to turn on the heating during this cold snap, but the health secretary defended the choice. this is a weekend to — defended the choice. this is a weekend to turn _ defended the choice. this is a weekend to turn the - defended the choice. this is a weekend to turn the heating i defended the choice. this is a i weekend to turn the heating on. i remind people that the chancellor did take the decision to protect winter fuel allowance for the poorest pensioners to protect people this winter and in future winters. the triple lock on pensions is guaranteed, so the state pension is higher this

winter than it was last year. as snow has already started to fall, it is fun for some and often beautiful, but others will be worried about how they are going to stay warm and get around safely. here in 0ldham they said they will be monitoring the situation closely this afternoon and there critters will be ready to go out when needed. lincoln tripoli said they have launched an investigation into a collection of the ai that has claimed the life of a baby boy. they were called to report that the yellow honda jazz car had left the road and collided with a tree before coming to rest on the carriageway. it is not believed any other vehicles were involved and it happened just after 10:50pm last night uk time. a seven—month low baby was treated at the scene and

taken to hospital but sadly died just after 5am this morning. lincolnshire police say the family is being supported by officers. a woman travelling in the same car suffered serious injuries. two others in the vehicle were not seriously injured. police say they are investigating the cause of the collision. they said they are considering if this was linked to icy conditions on the carriageway in that area. they are asking for help from anyone who may have seen anything that could help the investigation. lincolnshire police say people can get in touch they would welcome any public help on that. there has been a steady increase in the amount of alcohol—free drinks like wine, beer, or even spirits being drunk in the uk. the hospitality industry is responding by creating a growing number of alternatives, but britain is still far behind much of europe when it comes to consuming alcohol free options. gin, wine, and even something sparkling.

this one is a little bit more blood orange and rosemary. i really like this one. the difference is that none of the drinks sold here are alcoholic. this shop and bar is one of several that have sprung up across the uk to cater for a new kind of drinker. it's definitely not just teetotallers — our biggest customers are people who still drink. you've got things that aren't mimics of alcohol, but designed for adult occasions. and that's because 7a% of uk consumers are cutting down their drinking — they're looking for something interesting to drink. there's lots of non—alcoholic beer around, and i like that. and, um... yeah, like, it's a good time to not be drinking, i think. maybe it's my generation, but we are beginning - to drink slightly less - than than we used to do. they do non—alcoholic wine—and—cheese nights and things like that, so you can enjoy yourself, but also still feel good and feel part of stuff. a completely dry bar may not be to everyone's taste, but the popularity of no— and low—alcohol drinks does suggest that people's habits are changing. and for many pubs and bars, it makes business sense

to change with them. it's happened at this bar in the centre of manchester, where the drinks menu has evolved in the last few years. so we've got a selection of non—alcoholic beers now. when i started here, we maybe only sold one — we've got three now. and non—alcoholic cocktails — we've got a whole page of them — and it's all about really going with the crowd and really giving the customers what they want. we're not forcing it upon them, we're going with them, and that's how we retain people. so how keen are people for an alcohol—free night out? they're good, you can still drive home afterwards. um, i can be in charge of a wheelchair safely! um, and, yeah, there's just — you know, the... it's like having any other drink without the fuzzy head. yeah, no, i don't see - the point — you're paying pretty much the same price for something that... - depends if you're driving or not, doesn't it, i suppose. i'd say no. but it's not a case of either/or. at this pub — opened by a brewer of non—alcoholic beer — they sell both, with a standard pint costing just 20p more

than an alcohol—free one. and while alcoholic drinks still count for the majority of the trade here, the managing director says it's not a category the industry can ignore. so at the moment, only 2% of all beer drunk in the uk is alcohol—free. we are far behind the rest of europe. spain is at 15%. most of the countries in europe are already double digits — so already over 10%. this brewer is braced for a busy start to the year, when lots of people may be considering drinking less. but across the hospitality industry, it's clear alcohol—free isn't just for january. esyllt carr, bbc news. meghan markle is presenting a new lifestyle show on netflix. it's the latest commerical venture involving the duke and duchess of sussex, after stepping away from royal duties. joe inwood reports. i've always loved taking something pretty ordinary and elevating it. last year was a difficult one for harry and meghan's fledgling media empire. this, it seems, is how they hope to turn

their fortunes around. i'm going to share some little tips and tricks. this trailer, released by the streaming giant netflix, is for her new series with love, meghan. she will, we're promised, reveal how even the most minute details can help add beauty to our lives. but not every project harry and meghan have embarked on has lived up to the hype. hey, it's me. i'm just excited to be myself and talk and be unfiltered. the couple's $20 million podcast deal with spotify ended afterjust 12 episodes, with an executive from the company reportedly calling them "grifters". their documentary about the world of polo received a lukewarm reception. while harry's eye—opening memoir, spare, was a bestseller, it also further damaged already frayed relations with his family. questions about how harry and meghan will fund

their lifestyle have been raised ever since they stopped being working royals and lost access to the public purse. their us lifestyle is not cheap, especially the private security they feel they need. how they choose to fund it, while still maintaining their royal titles, remains of interest to buckingham palace. joe inwood, bbc news. the two biggest names in the world of darts will face off in the world championship final on friday night. luke littler, who is stilljust i7—years—old, will be aiming to win his first world title, while dutchman michael van gerwen is chasing his fourth. victory for littler would cap a stunning 12 months and cement his position at the top of the sport, having finished second in the bbc sports personality of the year and being the most googled uk sportsperson of 202a. as soon as that winning double got hit, i knew

it was back—to—back finals. yeah, ijust i can't wait to get on stage again tomorrow. i don't mind whoever i'm going to play. you need to make sure you keep battling your own battles, always keep focusing on your own appearances. i think that's a key thing for me. and coming into the semi—finals, you're the only former champion left standing here. that know—how and experience, how important could that prove to be? could be really important. but we didn't win anything yet. we only got to the final. the final means nothing. yeah, i want to win and that's the only thing that counts for me at the moment.

stay with us here on bbc news. hello there. some very cold air with us at the moment. lows of —8 degrees celsius earlier on this morning in parts of 0xfordshire. tonight we're expecting anotherfrost and ice risk and freezing fog patches into tomorrow morning. disruptive snow for some of us too through the weekend, notably within these two amber weather warning areas issued by the met office. snow towards the north. snow and ice further south and some of the snow is likely to be drifting snow with strong gusty winds, so do check before you travel this weekend. cold air still spilling down from the north—west as we head through the rest of today. that's going to be driving some showers that

north—westerly wind, into parts of the cheshire gap down through north sea—facing coast, northern scotland, northern ireland. it's feeling cold out there. temperatures in low single figures, some sunshine though towards the south. 0vernight tonight, as the winds tend to lighten, then we'll see some freezing fog patches develop again across the south of england and south wales, some cloud out towards the north and west. still one or two wintry showers. watch out for some icy stretches here. temperatures once more will be dipping below freezing, but not quite as cold towards the south as it was last night. now that freezing fog where we see it form is likely to linger on. there will be some areas of cloud out towards the north and the west, but some sunshine towards the north and the east, clouding over towards the south with our approaching weather system and feeling very cold. now, as this rain bumps into the colder air, it's likely to turn to snow fleetingly for many towards the south. but as that snow pushes its way further northwards, then it's likely to be heavy and disruptive. strong, gusty winds. you can see that squeeze on the isobars as we head through saturday night and into sunday, but by the time we get to sunday, this is all falling as rain

towards the south. but heavy snowfall across parts of the pennines into the southern uplands, stretching up into eastern scotland as we head through sunday. some snow too for northern ireland very likely. a sharp contrast in temperatures — cold in the north, much milder further south. and these are the snow depth amounts so, particularly over the higher ground, we could see as much as 30 to a0cm of snow, and some of that will be drifting. into monday and tuesday our low moves away, but we start to draw down a northerly wind again and we could see further wintry showers, perhaps, as we head through next week. another drop in temperature, but some sunshine around at times, staying very cold. bye— bye.

today at 1pm: a plan to transform social care in england is announced by the government — but it'll take at least three years. the commission won't publish its report before 2028 — and care providers say that's too long to wait. it feels like fiddling while rome is burning. if the government wants to make this work at scale, we need a completely different approach. also on the programme. new amber snow and ice warnings are issued in england and wales — roads will be hazardous as temperatures drop as low as minus eight degrees. more than a quarter of fire fighters who tackled the blaze at grenfell tower have reported long—term health disorders since 2017.

and from christmas tree — decorations to its animals. and coming up on bbc news... can luke littler become the youngest winner of the world darts championship? a record currently held by michael van gerwen who he'll meet in the final tonight at alexandra palace. hello, and welcome to the bbc news at 0ne. adult social care in england is unlikely to be reformed for at least three years. the government has confirmed that an independent commission on long—term funding will start work in april, but won't deliver its report until 2028. the health and social care secretary wes streeting has promised "to finally grasp the nettle on social care reform". but councils and care providers say it's too long to wait