0:00:03 > 0:00:10This is BBC News, the headlines at ten:
0:00:10 > 0:00:13North Korea condemns the latest round of UN sanctions and vows
0:00:13 > 0:00:17to strengthen its nuclear deterrent.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20Rescuers are searching for victims of a tropical storm
0:00:20 > 0:00:21in the southern Philippines.
0:00:21 > 0:00:26More than 200 people have died in mudslides and flash floods.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29Two men have been killed and four people injured
0:00:29 > 0:00:32following a multiple vehicle crash on the M40 in Oxfordshire.
0:00:32 > 0:00:39The motorway has now reopened.
0:00:39 > 0:00:44In half an hour, join me as I take a look back to the photocall held here
0:00:44 > 0:00:50at Kensington Paris which introduced Prince Harry's bride-to-be, Meghan
0:00:50 > 0:01:02Markle, to the Royal media. That is the Royal review, 2017.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11That is the Royal review, 2017.
0:01:11 > 0:01:12Good evening and welcome to BBC News.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16North Korea has described the latest United Nations sanctions as an act
0:01:16 > 0:01:19of war and tantamount to a complete economic blockade.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22The UN Security Council imposed the measures,
0:01:22 > 0:01:25drafted by the US on Friday in response to Pyongyang's
0:01:25 > 0:01:28ballistic missile tests.
0:01:28 > 0:01:32Sophie Long sent this report from the South Korean capital Seoul.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35North Korean state television broadcast the first
0:01:35 > 0:01:39reaction to the sanctions.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41It described the UN Resolution as an act of war that
0:01:41 > 0:01:43violates peace and stability on the Korean peninsula.
0:01:43 > 0:01:44Please raise their hand.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46Pyongyang promised to punish those that voted for
0:01:46 > 0:01:49the US-drafted resolution.
0:01:49 > 0:01:51That includes China, North Korea's main ally
0:01:51 > 0:01:54and trading partner.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56Beijing urged restraint on all sides.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59It's previously called for an end to joint US-South
0:01:59 > 0:02:03Korean military drills, like this one, in exchange
0:02:03 > 0:02:06for a halt to North Korea's weapons programme.
0:02:06 > 0:02:08A so-called freeze for freeze.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11There is little hope either side will agree to that.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14Instead, the toughest sanctions yet.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17The Americans had wanted to go further, but they were pleased
0:02:17 > 0:02:19with the support they got.
0:02:19 > 0:02:21I am grateful to my colleagues for the serious measures
0:02:21 > 0:02:24we have enacted on behalf of the North Korean people,
0:02:24 > 0:02:27and I ask you keep them in your thoughts and prayers this
0:02:27 > 0:02:29holiday season, as we continue to fight against this,
0:02:29 > 0:02:35the most tragic example of evil in the modern world.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39The new sanctions include a ban on the import of nearly 90% of oil
0:02:39 > 0:02:41supplies to North Korea, vital to its missile
0:02:41 > 0:02:44and nuclear programmes.
0:02:44 > 0:02:48They demand the deportation of North Koreans working abroad,
0:02:48 > 0:02:51to stop them funding the regime.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55There will also be a ban on exports of some North Korean goods.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58The sanctions come in response to this.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00Pyongyang's launch of an intercontinental ballistic
0:03:00 > 0:03:10missile at the end of November.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13One it said could reach the US mainland.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16The resolution is intended to push Pyongyang to the negotiating table
0:03:16 > 0:03:17and towards a diplomatic solution.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21But instead, it's vowed to strengthen its nuclear
0:03:21 > 0:03:23capability and it's got form.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26This is the third set of UN sanctions to be imposed
0:03:26 > 0:03:27on North Korea this year.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29Within weeks of the previous two rounds, it carried
0:03:29 > 0:03:32out its biggest nuclear test and fired its most powerful missile.
0:03:32 > 0:03:37Today's response shows little sign it is willing to stop now.
0:03:37 > 0:03:42Sophie Long, BBC News, Seoul.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45Tens of thousands of people have been left homeless after a tropical
0:03:45 > 0:03:48storm in the Philippines in which more than 200 people have
0:03:48 > 0:03:52died and dozens are missing.
0:03:52 > 0:03:58Our World Affairs Correspondent Richard Galpin reports.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02At last, some aid now getting to those most in need after this
0:04:02 > 0:04:04latest storm to hit the Philippines begins to subside.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07Troops helping deliver supplies here in the
0:04:07 > 0:04:11southern region of Mindanao, which lay right in the path of the storm.
0:04:11 > 0:04:17Reaching these impoverished areas has not been easy.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21They were hit by a landslide, mudslides, caused by
0:04:21 > 0:04:25an inordinate amount of rainfall that caused the ground to move and
0:04:25 > 0:04:32killed people innocently.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36As well as surging currents from swollen rivers that overcame their
0:04:36 > 0:04:38banks,
0:04:38 > 0:04:40it swept people out of their homes and killed
0:04:40 > 0:04:41many others as well.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44The speed with which the rivers were turned into
0:04:44 > 0:04:46lethal torrents over the weekend caught people here by surprise.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48Many drowning in their own homes, others
0:04:48 > 0:04:53buried under mudslides, including children.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55The call for people to evacuate in good time before the
0:04:55 > 0:04:59storm didn't have an effect.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02The storm passed over some of the poorest areas in the whole
0:05:02 > 0:05:04Philippines.
0:05:04 > 0:05:10At least 200 people are known to have died.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12Large numbers are still missing, and tens of
0:05:12 > 0:05:15thousands have been forced to move away in search of emergency
0:05:15 > 0:05:18shelter.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22In Rome today, Pope Francis offered prayers for the people of
0:05:22 > 0:05:26Mindanao in his weekly blessing to the crowd on St Peter's Square.
0:05:26 > 0:05:32TRANSLATION:Merciful Lord, take in the souls of the dead and comfort
0:05:32 > 0:05:37those who are suffering as a result of this calamity.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40Let's pray for these people.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43At least Tropical Storm Tembin has now been moving
0:05:43 > 0:05:46away from the Philippines.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49It's currently over the South China Sea,
0:05:49 > 0:05:52where it's picking up strength again and has been categorised as a
0:05:52 > 0:05:54typhoon.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57It's expected to hit Vietnam later this week.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59Meanwhile, the people of the southern Philippines
0:05:59 > 0:06:03continue the search for loved ones.
0:06:03 > 0:06:05They will be hoping for much more help to reach them in
0:06:05 > 0:06:15the coming days.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18Two men have died in a crash involving five vehicles that closed
0:06:18 > 0:06:21part of the M40 in Oxfordshire for several hours last night.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23One vehicle is thought to have overturned in the incident
0:06:23 > 0:06:26which happened between junctions 10 and 11 near Banbury.
0:06:26 > 0:06:27Jo Kent reports from the scene.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30This northbound stretch of the M40 here between junctions 10 and 11
0:06:30 > 0:06:33opened again this morning and is running freely now.
0:06:33 > 0:06:35There is really no trace of the terrible crash
0:06:35 > 0:06:39which happened here last night.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41It was a very different scene last night as members
0:06:41 > 0:06:45of all of the emergency services raced here to try to help
0:06:45 > 0:06:50in the aftermath of this multi-vehicle crash.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54Five vehicles were involved in it and we know that two men sadly died.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58They were a 60-year-old man from Oxfordshire and a 29-year-old
0:06:58 > 0:07:01man from Warwickshire.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04One of those men died at the scene, the other was taken to hospital
0:07:04 > 0:07:06in a critical condition and died later.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09A third man is being treated in hospital for very serious leg
0:07:09 > 0:07:12injuries while a further three people sustained minor injuries.
0:07:12 > 0:07:16All of those were treated at hospitals in Banbury or Oxford.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19The police have said that their thoughts are with the families
0:07:19 > 0:07:22of the two men who died and those families are being supported
0:07:22 > 0:07:25by specially trained officers.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27Police are also appealing for witnesses.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30Anyone who saw this crash who they haven't already spoken
0:07:30 > 0:07:34to are being asked to get in touch with Thames Valley Police
0:07:34 > 0:07:38so they can try to piece together what caused this terrible crash.
0:07:38 > 0:07:44Joe Kent, BBC South today over the M40 in Oxfordshire.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47In northern Iraq, Mosul is celebrating its first Christmas
0:07:47 > 0:07:49since the city was taken by Islamic State
0:07:49 > 0:07:51militants in June 2014.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54Since then, Iraqi Christians were persecuted and driven out,
0:07:54 > 0:07:58while residents who remained were brutally oppressed until Iraqi
0:07:58 > 0:08:01forces were able to retake the city.
0:08:01 > 0:08:07Alan Johnston reports.
0:08:07 > 0:08:11They gathered in Mosul's Cathedral, marking a Christmas they will never
0:08:11 > 0:08:18forget, the first Christmas after the war.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20Under the rule of the Islamic State militants this would
0:08:20 > 0:08:23have been impossible.
0:08:23 > 0:08:28There could be no Christian worship in public.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32The community was persecuted and many fled.
0:08:32 > 0:08:37This was a coming together, not just of Christians,
0:08:37 > 0:08:42Muslims helped prepare the church for this service.
0:08:42 > 0:08:50And they were here too as the worship unfolded.
0:08:50 > 0:08:55Mosul was the scene of months of ferocious street fighting.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58Iraqi forces and their Western allies battled to drive
0:08:58 > 0:09:02out the militants.
0:09:02 > 0:09:08Thousands of civilians were killed and much damage was done.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12Now the healing must begin and the Christmas service is a small
0:09:12 > 0:09:16part of that vast process.
0:09:16 > 0:09:21TRANSLATION: Without peace there is no life.
0:09:21 > 0:09:26Our message is that after everything that happened with our glorious
0:09:26 > 0:09:28victory against Islamic State group and others, we must
0:09:28 > 0:09:32all call for peace.
0:09:32 > 0:09:37Among those in the church, the message was being heard.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40TRANSLATION: We are from the Muslim community and today we share this
0:09:40 > 0:09:45glorious celebration with our Christian Brothers in
0:09:45 > 0:09:48the province and the city of Mosul.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50We share their joy today and we hope our brothers outside
0:09:50 > 0:09:53of Iraq from the Christian community will return to Mosul because we are
0:09:53 > 0:10:00all brothers and we are united.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03Beneath the cross in the Cathedral this Christmas eve there was some
0:10:03 > 0:10:06of the best of the spirit of this time of year and nowhere
0:10:06 > 0:10:10needs it more than Mosul.
0:10:10 > 0:10:17Alan Johnston, BBC News.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20But shoppers across the UK have been out all weekend to grab
0:10:20 > 0:10:21a last-minute bargain.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24Yesterday was dubbed "Super Saturday" as it was the last
0:10:24 > 0:10:25full day of trading before Christmas.
0:10:25 > 0:10:35And shoppers were out in force.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38for a shorter period, but yesterday there
0:10:38 > 0:10:40were 17.4 million people who were planning to make purchases
0:10:40 > 0:10:42and they were going to spend £1.6 billion.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44That covers online purchases and going to the shops.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47If you were in a shop and thought it was busy,
0:10:47 > 0:10:50that is because there were 14 million of us who were going
0:10:50 > 0:10:52out to shop yesterday.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55Possibly a lot of men leaving it to the last minute.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57I know that is a horrible stereotype, but I am
0:10:57 > 0:10:58afraid it is true.
0:10:58 > 0:11:03The survey does not provide a breakdown of sexes,
0:11:03 > 0:11:06but it says the person who will buy a last-minute gift
0:11:06 > 0:11:07for us is our partner.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10And for grab and go items, you are most likely to buy
0:11:10 > 0:11:12toiletries and chocolates.
0:11:12 > 0:11:20You can interpret those figures as you can.
0:11:20 > 0:11:24they are not very imaginative.Find us a stocking filler if anyone is
0:11:24 > 0:11:26watching at home.
0:11:27 > 0:11:28watching at home.
0:11:28 > 0:11:29What about Black Friday?
0:11:29 > 0:11:31That was the other big day in November when people
0:11:31 > 0:11:34were supposed to be getting ready for Christmas and getting bargains.
0:11:34 > 0:11:35Another Black Friday, another colourful name
0:11:35 > 0:11:38for a different event in the retail character, last Friday in November
0:11:38 > 0:11:41when retailers make big discounts to encourage us to spend money.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44It works because we spent more on Black Friday this year than last
0:11:44 > 0:11:47year and it pushed up the overall retail sales for November.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51But while the overall amount that we spent went up,
0:11:51 > 0:11:56the number of people going into shops is going down,
0:11:56 > 0:11:59so it is quite a stark reminder of the shift towards online shopping
0:11:59 > 0:12:01that many of us are doing.
0:12:01 > 0:12:06Second, many analysts say that the money we spent
0:12:06 > 0:12:09on Black Friday is money that we probably would have spent
0:12:09 > 0:12:12at some time anyway, so it distorts the figure slightly.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15Perhaps we bought a Christmas present early or delayed spending
0:12:15 > 0:12:17we would have done over the summer.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20It is not necessarily new money we are spending
0:12:20 > 0:12:23because we were drawn in by a good offer.
0:12:23 > 0:12:28What has the year been generally light for retailers
0:12:28 > 0:12:30What has the year been generally like for retailers
0:12:30 > 0:12:32and what is the outlook?
0:12:32 > 0:12:35Even those figures I said at the beginning on super Saturday
0:12:35 > 0:12:37was based on people's intentions.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39But in the year to date there is a picture of growth,
0:12:39 > 0:12:43we are buying more than we were a year earlier.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46But there are lots of challenges facing retailers.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50One is the shift to online shopping.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53You would have heard about the problems faced by Toys "R"
0:12:53 > 0:12:57Us, they had a heavy shop presents and they had not built an online
0:12:57 > 0:13:01Us, they had a heavy shop presence and they had not built an online
0:13:01 > 0:13:03offering and their business suffered as a result.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05Beyond that change in consumer habit is the economic things that
0:13:05 > 0:13:07are going on that make life potentially challenging
0:13:07 > 0:13:09for retailers.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12One is that the pound is comparatively weak.
0:13:12 > 0:13:17If retailers are importing goods to sell, it becomes more expensive,
0:13:17 > 0:13:20so it weighs on their balance sheet a bit more.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24The second is the cost of living and inflation which is going up.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27It is going up faster than wage packets, so the pound in people's
0:13:27 > 0:13:32pocket is not going as far and they have less money
0:13:32 > 0:13:35pockets is not going as far and they have less money
0:13:35 > 0:13:38to spend on goods.
0:13:38 > 0:13:42Finally, we saw interest rates go up in November and while we are not
0:13:42 > 0:13:44expecting an immediate interest rate rise, they are on an
0:13:44 > 0:13:45upward trajectory.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48When interest rates go up and people are more likely to save rather
0:13:48 > 0:13:51than spend and that is a further pressure on retailers.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54Thank you very much.
0:13:54 > 0:13:58Coming up in a moment we're joined by viewers on BBC One for a round up
0:13:58 > 0:14:08of all the days news with Fiona Bruce.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22Good evening.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25Tens of thousands of people have been left homeless after a tropical
0:15:25 > 0:15:28storm in the Philippines that's left more than 200 dead
0:15:28 > 0:15:30and dozens missing.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33Authorities are trying to provide food and shelter to those who've
0:15:33 > 0:15:35been displaced with rescue teams struggling to reach some
0:15:35 > 0:15:36of the affected areas.
0:15:36 > 0:15:41Our World Affairs Correspondent Richard Galpin reports.
0:15:41 > 0:15:45At last, some aid now getting to those most in need, after this
0:15:45 > 0:15:50latest storm to hit the Philippines begins to subside.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53Troops helping deliver supplies here in the
0:15:53 > 0:15:57southern region of Mindanao, which lay right in the path of the storm.
0:15:57 > 0:16:05Reaching these impoverished areas has not been easy.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08They were hit by a landslide, mudslides, caused by
0:16:08 > 0:16:12an inordinate amount of rainfall that caused the ground to move and
0:16:12 > 0:16:19killed people innocently.
0:16:19 > 0:16:30As well as surging currents from swollen rivers that overcame the
0:16:30 > 0:16:30banks,
0:16:30 > 0:16:33it swept people out of their homes and killed
0:16:33 > 0:16:34of their homes and killed
0:16:34 > 0:16:36many others as well.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38The speed with which the rivers were turned into
0:16:38 > 0:16:40lethal torrents over the weekend caught people here by surprise.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42Many drowning in their own homes, others
0:16:42 > 0:16:43buried under mudslides, including children.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46The call for people to evacuate in good time before the
0:16:46 > 0:16:47storm didn't have an effect.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50The storm passed over some of the poorest areas in the whole
0:16:50 > 0:16:52Philippines.
0:16:52 > 0:16:59At least 200 people are known to have died.
0:16:59 > 0:17:00Large numbers are still missing and tens of
0:17:00 > 0:17:03thousands have been forced to move away in search of emergency
0:17:03 > 0:17:06shelter.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09In Rome today, Pope Francis offered prayers for the people of
0:17:09 > 0:17:14Mindanao in his weekly blessing to the crowd on St Peter's Square.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17TRANSLATION:Merciful Lord, take in the souls of the dead and comfort
0:17:17 > 0:17:21those who are suffering as a result of this calamity.
0:17:21 > 0:17:26Let's pray for these people.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30At least Tropical Storm Tembin has now been moving
0:17:30 > 0:17:33away from the Philippines.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36It's currently over the South China Sea,
0:17:36 > 0:17:39where it's picking up strength again and has been categorised as a
0:17:39 > 0:17:40typhoon.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43It's expected to hit Vietnam later this week.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46Meanwhile, the people of the southern Philippines
0:17:46 > 0:17:50continue the search for loved ones.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52They will be hoping for much more help to reach them in
0:17:53 > 0:17:59the coming days.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01Richard Galpin, BBC News.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03Richard Galpin, BBC News.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06North Korea has described the latest United Nations sanctions as an act
0:18:06 > 0:18:08of war and tantamount to a complete economic blockade.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11The UN Security Council imposed the measures drafted by the US
0:18:11 > 0:18:13on Friday in response to Pyongyang's ballistic missile tests.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15North Korea has vowed to strengthen its nuclear deterrent
0:18:15 > 0:18:18to frustrate America.
0:18:18 > 0:18:25Sophie Long sent this report from the South Korean capital Seoul.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28North Korean state television broadcast the first
0:18:28 > 0:18:31reaction to the sanctions.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34It described the UN Resolution as an act of war that
0:18:34 > 0:18:37violates peace and stability on the Korean peninsula.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39Please raise their hand.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41Pyongyang promised to punish those that voted for
0:18:41 > 0:18:44the US-drafted resolution.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47That includes China, North Korea's main ally
0:18:47 > 0:18:49and trading partner.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53Beijing urged restraint on all sides.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55It's previously called for an end to joint US-South
0:18:55 > 0:18:58Korean military drills, like this one, in exchange
0:18:58 > 0:19:01for a halt to North Korea's weapons programme.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03A so-called freeze for freeze.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06There is little hope either side will agree to that.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09Instead, the toughest sanctions yet.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12The Americans had wanted to go further, but they were pleased
0:19:12 > 0:19:13with the support they got.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16I am grateful to my colleagues for the serious measures
0:19:16 > 0:19:19we have enacted on behalf of the North Korean people,
0:19:19 > 0:19:22and I ask you keep them in your thoughts and prayers this
0:19:22 > 0:19:26holiday season, as we continue to fight against this,
0:19:26 > 0:19:30the most tragic example of evil in the modern world.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33The new sanctions include a ban on the import of nearly 90% of oil
0:19:33 > 0:19:36supplies to North Korea, vital to its missile
0:19:36 > 0:19:40and nuclear programmes.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43They demand the deportation of North Koreans working abroad,
0:19:43 > 0:19:47to stop them funding the regime.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51There will also be a ban on exports of some North Korean goods.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54The sanctions come in response to this.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56Pyongyang's launch of an intercontinental ballistic
0:19:56 > 0:19:58missile at the end of November.
0:19:58 > 0:20:03One, it said, could reach the US mainland.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07The resolution is intended to push Pyongyang to the negotiating table
0:20:07 > 0:20:11and towards a diplomatic solution.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15But instead, it's vowed to strengthen its nuclear
0:20:15 > 0:20:17capability and it's got form.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20This is the third set of UN sanctions to be imposed
0:20:20 > 0:20:21on North Korea this year.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24Within weeks of the previous two rounds, it carried
0:20:24 > 0:20:31out its biggest nuclear test and fired its most powerful missile.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33Today's response shows little sign it is willing to stop now.
0:20:33 > 0:20:37Sophie Long, BBC News, Seoul.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40Police are appealing for witnesses after two men died and several
0:20:40 > 0:20:42people were injured in a crash on the M40 involving
0:20:42 > 0:20:44a number of vehicles.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48Emergency services were called to the scene just before midnight
0:20:48 > 0:20:51yesterday on the northbound stretch of the motorway in Oxfordshire.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53The motorway reopened this morning.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57Opponents of President Putin have held a series of mass rallies
0:20:57 > 0:21:00in cities across Russia in support of a candidate to challenge him
0:21:00 > 0:21:02in elections early next year.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05The opposition politician Alexei Navalny, who's been jailed
0:21:05 > 0:21:08in the past for criticising the president, told supporters
0:21:08 > 0:21:10he will stand against Mr Putin.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13But it's not yet certain if he'll be able to run
0:21:13 > 0:21:16as he is officially disqualified.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19Plans to ditch the Army's slogan "Be the Best" have been stopped
0:21:19 > 0:21:22by the new Defence Secretary, Gavin Williamson.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25Half a million pounds had been spent on a re-branding exercise that
0:21:25 > 0:21:29would have got rid of the slogan because it was felt to be elitist.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33Andy Moore reports.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35A well-known slogan at the heart of army recruiting
0:21:35 > 0:21:40for more than two decades.
0:21:40 > 0:21:44It's not clear when the new Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson saw these
0:21:44 > 0:21:46plans for a rebrand, but he clearly didn't like them.
0:21:46 > 0:21:51The research reportedly showed that the "Be
0:21:51 > 0:21:54the Best" slogan was dated, elitist and non-inclusive.
0:21:54 > 0:21:59These plans for a rebrand were well advanced at a senior level
0:21:59 > 0:22:08here at the Ministry of Defence, then there was a sudden about turn.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12A statement was issued last night, saying the Defence Secretary
0:22:12 > 0:22:15believes the British Army is the best of the best and these
0:22:15 > 0:22:19proposals have been put on hold.
0:22:19 > 0:22:20Colonel Richard Kemp was the commander of British
0:22:20 > 0:22:23troops in Afghanistan.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25He says a lot can be improved in the recruitment process
0:22:25 > 0:22:29but there is nothing wrong with the slogan.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32If the army is not an elite, it is hardly likely
0:22:32 > 0:22:34to defeat our enemies.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36If it is not better than our enemies, all of our enemies,
0:22:36 > 0:22:40then again it is not going to win, it is not going to win in the war.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42It has to be the best.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44Young people who are thinking about joining,
0:22:44 > 0:22:46they want to join the best, they don't want to join anything
0:22:46 > 0:22:48that is second rate.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50This rebranding exercise was said to have the support of the army's
0:22:50 > 0:22:52most senior officer, but now his authority has
0:22:52 > 0:22:54been publicly undermined by the Defence Secretary.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58Whatever the argument on tactics, the crisis in recruiting remains.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01Every year for seven years now, more soldiers have left
0:23:01 > 0:23:03the army than signed up.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06Andy Moore, BBC News.
0:23:06 > 0:23:16Pope Francis has held midnight mass in Rome.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24The pontiff carried out the service in St Peter's Basilica.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27His sermon included a condemnation of human traffickers
0:23:27 > 0:23:32who were described as modern day Herods.
0:23:32 > 0:23:39Meanwhile pilgrims are celebrating Midnight Mass, in Bethlehem.
0:23:39 > 0:23:41This year's celebration takes place amid rising tensions in the region
0:23:41 > 0:23:43following the US decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's
0:23:43 > 0:23:45capital earlier this month.
0:23:45 > 0:23:51Our Religion Editor Martin Bashir is in Manger Square for us.
0:23:51 > 0:23:57Is there something of a different atmosphere there this year?Despite
0:23:57 > 0:24:01the inclement weather as you can see, there are no spaces in the
0:24:01 > 0:24:05queues of the Church of the Nativity behind me and the midnight Mass
0:24:05 > 0:24:11which started a few minutes' ago. The reality is that Donald Trump was
0:24:11 > 0:24:17my decision to officially recognise Jerusalem as the capital city of
0:24:17 > 0:24:21Israel which provoked clashes, has had a stark effect across the city.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24Many of the hotels which are generally oversubscribed are
0:24:24 > 0:24:30currently closed and empty. Traders complain of a lack of business and
0:24:30 > 0:24:34the fact is the threat of violence has had a greater effect on pilgrims
0:24:34 > 0:24:40who might normally have wanted to be here to mark the birth of Christ on
0:24:40 > 0:24:45Christmas Eve, instead the fear of violence has kept them away.Martin
0:24:45 > 0:24:49in Bethlehem, thank you. Apologies for the sound. That was the rain
0:24:49 > 0:24:49causing that.
0:24:49 > 0:24:50That was the rain causing that.
0:24:50 > 0:24:52That's it from us.
0:24:52 > 0:25:01From everyone here at BBC News, have a very happy Christmas.