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nominee for attorney general says there is substantial evidence he paid for sex with a minor and used innocent drugs. this year's kings christmas message will be delivered from a former hospital chapel. u.k. economy flatlined. revised figures show no growth at all in the last quarter. one of india's most respected filmmakers has died at the age of 90. ♪ a long-awaited report into the conduct of the former republican congressman matt gaetz has found substantial evidence he paid women for sex or drugs on numerous occasions including paying a 17-year-old girl for sex. according to a final draft reported by the house ethics committee, the politician who is dumb drums shall pick for attorney general is said to have

been involved in prostitution, statutory rape and illicit drug use. the age of consent in florida with the majority of the incidents are said to have taken place is 18. mr. gates has denied conduct and has mounted a legal challenge to block the publication. north american correspondent tom bateman explains the seriousness of the allegations and how damaging they will be. this amounts to a searing set of finding against matt gaetz by the house ethics committee. as you say in concluding there is substantial evidence mr. gates paid numerous women for sex including they say a 17-year-old girl and also that he reportedly used and purchased illegal drugs including using his office on a capitol hill to buy marijuana online among other findings. as you say, highly damaging for the former congressman. given the fact he had only last

month been picked by donald trump to be the attorney general, to be the most senior law officer in the united states. he then withdrew from that nomination amid the groundswell of controversy over this. he is an incendiary figure on capitol hill. divisive even among his own republican colleagues to mr. gates himself has categorically denied any wrongdoing both in the run-up to this and after today's publication of the report. he has been very active on x the last few hours saying in his view giving funds to women he was dating they did not ask for is not in his words prostitution. also accusing the ethics committee and others of what he calls a smear campaign saying this is all being done by his enemies to damage him politically. >> he is no longer the nominee for attorney general but does

any of this because any blowback for mr. trump at all? >> that is right. he withdrew in the weeks after as it was very clear he was not going to get the support he would need from even republican colleagues to make it through the nomination process to become attorney general. a roll that sits in the cabinet. in terms of damage to mr. trump, there are a couple things to say. donald trump knew well about these allegations. there been a criminal probe by the justice department that had been discontinued. the house ethics committee report had been ongoing when mr. trump made this decision. of all the picks mr. trump made, among republicans, many of them, his own party were aghast at this decision. it became clear it was going to be untenable so some of the political damage has been done and is baked in. you have to remember mr. trump

is not a conventional politician and it will not damage him to the extent it might a more conventional politician. that said mr. trump is having some trouble particularly among his republican colleagues. there has been a vote which nearly closed down, shut down the american government over the holidays. largely instigated by mr. trump as he pulled support for the budget tree advancements going through. -- the budgetary arrangements going through. he saw a certificate number of his republican colleagues defy him over the last few days and it is becoming clear the degree to which he might want to ram things through the republican party not proving as easy as he might have hoped. this adds to a sense that there will be questions over his judgment and decision-making should that said he feels he goes into the presidency with a significant mandate and it has to be said still very

significant control over the party and the levers of power in washington. >> breaking news for you now. israel has acknowledged for the first time it killed the hamas leader in tehran. the israeli defense minister has publicly said for the first time israel killed a hamas leader. he was in tehran for the swearing in ceremony of iran's newly elected president in july that is when he was assassinated and it was assumed at the time israel was behind the assassination and for the first time they have admitted publicly with the disc -- with the defense minister admitting the killing of the hamas leader in iran in july. the israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu says progress in negotiations to secure a hostage release in cease-fire in gaza have been made to a deal between israel and hamas is the closest it has ever been after

months of deadlock. israel continues its military campaign in gaza with palestinian official saying israeli attacks across the territory have killed more than 50 people in the past 24 hours including in the southern safe zone. earlier today, the eight organization oxfam accused israel of systematically using starvation as a weapon of war. israel has denied these claims saying it is doing everything it can to get humanitarian aid into the region. our middle east correspondent has the latest. >> many strands on the story to bring you tonight. one of those is what the prime minister has been saying in his address to the knesset to benjamin netanyahu talked about the cease-fire deal and he said i can carefully say there has been certain progress in the cease-fire deal. returning the hostages home is our top priority. the problem has always been in the final stages. we had been hearing about those

three stages that could see 20 palestinian prisoners relieved -- release for every female soldier. that could see many of the hostages come home. a big buffer zone several kilometers wide between gaza and israel. that could potentially see people back in the north of gaza with an egyptian qatari oversight. with the premised or says is he could not give a timeline on when this is going to happen. another thing we have heard today is a report from oxfam and it paints a grim picture that is the shortage of aid to gaza. areas have been besieged with ongoing fighting and relentless shelling because yet again the israeli army is going after hamas fighters who have regrouped in that area. what oxfam is telling us is in two and half months of the 34 trucks of food and water that

have been given permission to enter gaza, what they described as the deliberate and systematic obstruction by the israeli army meant only 12 were able to distribute food and water. they also give this detail. three trucks were at a school and after the food and water was distributed the school was cleared. and then it was shelled. this blame game has been going on for months and months since the beginning of the war between the israeli forces who say we are doing all we can to your not obstructing aid to aid agencies who say legally the occupying force that is israel is obligated to not only make eight available but to facilitate the distribution, the safe distribution of aid and they say israel has not done that. >> for the first time in almost 20 years, the monarchs christmas day message is not being broadcast from a real residence. king charles has chosen a former hospital chapel that was used by

staff and patients of the middlesex hospital before it closed in 2005. it is now used for cutie events. daniela has more. >> and image taken from this year's christmas day broadcast after a turbulent year for the king with a cancer diagnosis and treatment. he wanted his christmas message to come from a location connected to health care and used by the community. he chose here, fits were via chapel in central london. the chapel is tucked away among modern blocks of flats and offices near oxford circus pit a small intimate space that will host a piece of oil history. the king is said to have been bowled over by the chapels beauty. it was once a place of solace and reflection for patients, staff and families using the middlesex hospital before the hospital was demolished in 2008. >> i assume this space being one

of calm reflection but also thinking about health, about care and about the medical profession would make it a apt choice. we did feel very privileged. duck with the chapel is not consecrated it is open to people of all faiths. it is now used for community events and there are royal connections too. >> sister dorothy louise thomas. >> in 1930 four, the fifth was at middlesex hospital to honor nurse sister dorothy thomas for her bravery in hospital fire. she is november dawn the chapels walls as an heroic colleague. the king wanted to do something different this year to make his message more personal and delivered from a space used by the community. but taking a christmas broadcast out of a royal residence is highly unusual. >> i usually make my christmas

broadcast to the commonwealth from windsor or buckingham palace. >> this was clean of -- this was queen elizabeth in 1989 at the wheel upper hall for a christmas broadcast that focused on young people. in 2003 she took the message to a barracks in windsor during the iraq war where she thanked servicemembers and their families. virtually every other chris hush broadcast has come from a real residence to to choose this peaceful space in central london as a sniffing can break from convention to making who this year once his christmas broadcast to reflect some of the experiences and challenges he has faced. >> staying in the u.k., the chancellor says the challenge to fix the economy is huge after a figures show there was no economic growth between july and september. the office for national statistics are estimated a small growth of 0.1%. rachel reeves insists the economic plans will deliver

long-term sustainable growth. conservative say the economy has tanked under labor. >> a bleak midwinter for a government that has made the economy its top priority. the latest figures show zero growth between july and september up to businesses say they are losing confidence and prices are rising. this is how the economy has been performing over the past three years. there was a fairly steady decline throughout 20 and into tonight 23 and at the end of the last year it went into recession could a rally in the first half of 2024 but no growth between july and september. this inflation, a steep rise peaking at more than 11% in late 2022 but falling steadily. it seems to be taking up once again. the government insists the future is bright. duck of labor government is going into 2025 with absolute resolve to work with investors,

wealth creators and workers across the country to stimulate economic growth and improve living standards for workers across the country. this is our number one message as -- number one mission as the government. boko businesses say changes to national insurance mmm wage are pushing up their costs. the confederation of british industry says many are tightening their belts. >> firms expect the next quarter to have falling output, to reduce employment and also we are going to have pressure on prices increasing. >> the british retail consortium says consumers are also losing confidence. the shoppers in manchester were certainly feeling the pinch. >> i think i am asking people what they want and buying what they want and the things they want are affordable because everyone is understanding it is a tight year. >> it is quite expensive this year. everything has gone up. two things are definitely

cutting more expensive but there is not much you can do. >> conservative said today warning lights were flashing on the u.k. economy and the government should urgently revisit what they called a disastrous budget to push for growth rather than decline. the government's gamble is the short-term pain will lead to long-term gain but in the meantime many businesses expect to be feeling chilly economic wins willing to the new year. duck around the world and across the u.k., this is bbc news. ♪

♪ >> now it is time for a look at today's sport with ali foster. >> the england test captain is going to be out for at least three months after tearing his hamstring. he picked up the injury in the final test against new zealand last week and scans have revealed the extent of the tear. he is going to have surgery next month. it is the same hamstring he tore

in august. he had already been admitted from the squad for the what will tour to india next month and the champions trophy in february. england's next test is not until the one-off match against zimbabwe in may so that will be ben stokes target. fast bowler kate cross is in the england squad for the women's ashes. that starts in australia next month. even though she has not fully recovered from the back strain limited her involvement in the recent tour to south africa. she has made the white and test scores for the series which features 31-day years, three t's and a test match for heather knight is going to captain across the series. last year's series was drawn with australia retaining the ashes could they have held those since 2015. england are going to give cross every chance to be ready. >> kate has a little way to go to be fully fit by this point.

hopefully over the course of christmas and the work and they will do off the field with her now and when we get on the plane, we have a short turnaround, 10 days or so before the first game so we will be assessing everyone as we go through. >> another injury, bad news for arsenal. one of their most influential players keio soccer has torn his amp string and he will be out for many weeks. they went forward was forced off during saturday's win against crystal palace a huge blow to the title hopes. he has chipped in with nine goals and 13 assists across all competitions this season. six points behind liverpool having played a game more. >> it is a huge one. he is a big player for us. you have to see the impact he has on the team. a really good exercise for all of us to think about ways to overcome another challenge

because we already have -- >> the u.s. open doubles champion max purcell has been provisionally suspended after admitting he broke anti-doping rules. the 26-year-old says he unknowingly received an intravenous infusion of vitamins above the regulated limit of 100 milliliters. he cannot play in, coach at or attend any tennis event. the length of his band is yet to be determined. he won the doubles title two years ago. the olympic champion daniel with and is bbc northern ireland sports personality of the year. the moment he found out caught him a little by surprise. he was caught offguard at the fast airport as he arrived home for christmas alongside his twin brother. that is daniel on the right and his mom and dad were waiting to give him the reward should they probably chose his parents because they're the only ones

who can tell them apart. the first athlete from northern ireland to win an olympic gold medal in 36 years with a victory in the paris games. he took bronze on the 1500. >> amazing. sportsman of the year is pretty cool. one of the biggest awards in sport. i did not even know. quite a surprise walking into the airport. it is going to be a great -- >> what is it like receiving it from your mom? >> it is even better. it is very special. >> it is your sister's birth weight -- birthday as well. she was initially going to present you with the reward. what is it like to be back home and looking back on all those magical moments in to my 24? >> my sister's flight got canceled sadly. it has been such a magical year. we all work towards this goal of

winning the olympics this year and we did it. it is time to celebrate. two great year for daniel. let's more sport on the bbc sport website. we will have more for you later. >> three hollywood stars have publicly backed the american actress blake lively after she filed a legal complaint against her costar in the film it ends with us. her complaint against justin bell doney who is the film's director alleges sexual harassment as well as a campaign to destroy her reputation. his legal team says the allegations are categorically false. duck attention between blake lively and justin bell doney overshadowed the promotion of the film it ends with us over the summer. on the red carpet, their creative differences were apparent to >> it is not a story about domestic violence. it is a woman story about her life. duck intersection between wanting to make the flowery movie because oftentimes studios

think that is what is best and the artistic choice. >> it is clear the drum onset went much deeper she has accused him, both the director and star of the film of inappropriate behavior and sexual harassment. a legal complaint details the alleged -- including no more showing of nude videos or images of women including the producers wife. no more descriptions of their own genitalia, no more mention by mr. bell doney of him speaking to blake lively's dead father. afterwards she alleges he hired a pr crisis firm to launch a smear campaign against her. >> who else is engaged in paid for higher online manipulation of behalf of powerful clients. to manipulate public opinion and do damage to peoples reputations. two's legal team said the allegations are categorically false, intentionally salacious with intent to publicly hurt

with the reaction in a post to me to era hollywood has been swift. his talent agency dropped him and some of her costars were quick to support her with this statement should we saw her some of the courage to ask for a safe workplace and we are appalled to read the evidence of a premeditated and vindictive effort that ensued to discredit her voice. once again, behavior in hollywood is back in the spotlight and what lengths some will go to protect their image. >> one of india's most respected filmmakers has died at the age of 90. an award winning director and his career spanned more than four decades. his work was celebrated for deep social commentary and realistic trail of society. his daughter said he had been suffering from health complications. are south asia editor explains how significant he was to the indian film industry. >> very renowned and accomplished and highly respected.

he changed the way people looked at cinema. he was one of the pioneers, at the forefront of what people call new wave cinema in the 1970's. india has a very vibrant and huge film industry from bollywood to other regional languages. he came with a different genre differing from the usual romantic comedies or action thrillers where he was reflecting the society, giving voice to the distant franchised indians, holding a marriage of the indian society of what was happening in the country. his first film was seen as a searing criticism of india's caste system and the feudal system and what kind of impact. people have woken up to the holding this mirror reality and he gave an interview to the bbc years ago. let us hear what he talks about his creations. >> i would think a lot of filmmakers like myself were concerned about this.

and who have been making films dealing with the subjects over a time. it has been going on for a long time. they will always be somewhat marginal to the mainstream because the mainstream audience who go to the cinema, pay money to go to the cinema, to be entertained. not necessarily to be provided with an experience that can be disturbing to them. >> some of his movies may have unhappy endings are without a song and dance sequence which usually see in bollywood movies. he was challenging those established traditions. in a way highlighting the social structure. when you challenge the existing structure, what kind of problems people face and the repression of women in the society. that is why he was an inspiration to many generations

for a new wave of directors who set the tone for this kind of movie. he did fabulous documentary talking about india's history based on the discovery of india book and several documentary films which are still considered as classics. >> we will leave you now with live pictures of the kilauea volcano which is erupting on hawaii's big island. the geological service says the eruption has stabilized and there are no immediate threats. still quite dramatic pictures of the torrents of lava coming out of the volcano which is one of the most active volcanoes in the world and the main threat which apparently happens now is the increase of volcanic gas in the air that could be moving downwind from the area. stay with us announcer: funding for presentation of this program is provided by... financial services firm, raymond james.

announcer: funding was also provided by, the freeman foundation. and by judy and peter blum kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ announcer: get the free pbs app now and stream the best of pbs.

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