0:00:05 > 0:00:08An NHS Trust blames pressures on the service after an elderly
0:00:08 > 0:00:11woman dies in her home while waiting for an ambulance.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14Paramedics dealing with thousands of 999 calls took almost four hours
0:00:14 > 0:00:18to reach the pensioner.
0:00:18 > 0:00:20I'm furious, it shouldn't happen.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23We need an inquiry, we need to get to the bottom of it
0:00:23 > 0:00:25and find out what happened, and make sure it never
0:00:25 > 0:00:26happens to anybody again.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29Donald Trump dismisses doubts over his mental stability and says
0:00:29 > 0:00:32an extraordinary new book about his presidency
0:00:32 > 0:00:36is a work of fiction.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38The department store House of Fraser seeks to cut its costs
0:00:38 > 0:00:44in another sign of pressures on the high street.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46And Mark Hughes is sacked as Stoke City manager,
0:00:46 > 0:00:56after they're knocked out of the FA Cup by League Two Coventry.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14Good evening.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17An Ambulance Service has apologised to the family of a pensioner
0:01:17 > 0:01:23who died after waiting nearly four hours for help to arrive.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25The 81-year-old woman had rung 999 complaining of chest pain.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28The East of England service said it was stretched, and had warned
0:01:28 > 0:01:30of the pressures its staff and the NHS were facing.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34Our correspondent Sarah Campbell reports from Clacton in Essex.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36We don't know the name of the woman who died,
0:01:36 > 0:01:40but we do know some of the details of her tragic death.
0:01:40 > 0:01:44She rang 999 on Tuesday evening and waited and waited.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47After around an hour and a half, the Ambulance Service did ring her,
0:01:47 > 0:01:53but it wasn't for a further two hours before a crew finally arrived.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55They had to break into her house, they found her unconscious,
0:01:55 > 0:01:58not breathing, and she couldn't be saved.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02The paramedics who found her are said be devastated.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06SIRENS.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09The period over New Year was, according to the local
0:02:09 > 0:02:10Ambulance Service in Essex, the busiest ever.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13On the day in question they received more than 4,000 999 calls,
0:02:13 > 0:02:17far more than usual.
0:02:17 > 0:02:22A statement in response to the death of the 81-year-old woman said:
0:02:42 > 0:02:48The local MP is demanding answers. I'm furious, it shouldn't happen. We
0:02:48 > 0:02:54need an enquiry and ensure it never happens to anyone again.And as the
0:02:54 > 0:03:04government doing enough?We'll find out when we have the enquiry.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07This is the second death in recent days which has been linked
0:03:07 > 0:03:08to an overstretched service.
0:03:08 > 0:03:1088-year-old Josephine Smalley died following a seven-hour wait
0:03:10 > 0:03:12for a bed at the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15In recent days, the Health Secretary and Prime Minister have both
0:03:15 > 0:03:17apologised to patients after thousands of non-urgent
0:03:17 > 0:03:17operations were cancelled.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20The Health Service says a combination of winter flu and cold
0:03:20 > 0:03:24weather are adding to pressure on the service.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27The union representing health workers also blamed wider pressures
0:03:27 > 0:03:37on the Health Service.
0:03:40 > 0:03:41I think there is chronic underfunding.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44It's endemic, it tells us that the public sector is under
0:03:44 > 0:03:53so much strain that it is now beginning to kill people.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55Theresa May has said that extra funding has been made available
0:03:55 > 0:03:58to the NHS and insisted it is better prepared for winter
0:03:58 > 0:03:59than ever before.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02In relation to this particular death in Clacton, the Department of Health
0:04:02 > 0:04:04issued a statement today saying "it is completely unacceptable
0:04:04 > 0:04:06when care falls below the high standards we expect.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08It's right the Service is investigating how things went
0:04:08 > 0:04:10so wrong in this tragic case".
0:04:10 > 0:04:11Sarah Campbell there.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14Donald Trump has dismissed claims made in a new book
0:04:14 > 0:04:17that he is mentally unfit for office.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19He's told a news conference that his success in business,
0:04:19 > 0:04:23television and politics is proof of his capabilities.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26And he's dismissed the book's author, Michael Wolff,
0:04:26 > 0:04:29who was given long-term access to the White House, as a fraud.
0:04:29 > 0:04:34From Washington, David Willis.
0:04:34 > 0:04:38Boarding a flight to Camp David for meetings with senior Republican
0:04:38 > 0:04:44leaders, the image that Donald Trump was seeking to project was one of
0:04:44 > 0:04:48order, professionalism and control.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50Instead he finds himself battling claims contained in a book, claims
0:04:50 > 0:05:00which question his mental fitness.
0:05:01 > 0:05:11The Commander in chief took to social media to asset...
0:05:13 > 0:05:20Later, he took aim at the book's author Michael Wolff.I consider it
0:05:20 > 0:05:25a work of fiction. I think it's a disgrace someone is able to have
0:05:25 > 0:05:29something, do something like that. The libel laws are very weak in this
0:05:29 > 0:05:33country. If they were strong it would be very helpful. You wouldn't
0:05:33 > 0:05:36have things like that happen where you can say whatever comes into your
0:05:36 > 0:05:40head. I never interviewed with him in the White House, he was never in
0:05:40 > 0:05:45the Oval Office. We didn't have an interview.Possibly the most
0:05:45 > 0:05:50damaging claim is that the president lacks curiosity, doesn't read,
0:05:50 > 0:05:55doesn't listen, is like a child. They all came to the conclusion
0:05:55 > 0:05:58gradually at first and then faster and faster, that something was
0:05:58 > 0:06:04unbelievably amiss. That this was more peculiar than they ever
0:06:04 > 0:06:08imagined it could be.The book portrays the White House in a
0:06:08 > 0:06:15constant state of chaos, reeling under the influence of a petulant,
0:06:15 > 0:06:18easily distracted commander in chief. A leading member of the
0:06:18 > 0:06:22administration is taking issue with that.Never questioned his mental
0:06:22 > 0:06:29fitness. I had no reason to. We have different management styles. How I
0:06:29 > 0:06:33make decisions, process information, I have to learn how he takes
0:06:33 > 0:06:37information in and processes it and makes decisions.Having successfully
0:06:37 > 0:06:43passed legislation just before Christmas reforming America's
0:06:43 > 0:06:46taxation system, senior Republicans were probably hoping a new year
0:06:46 > 0:06:53would mark a new start. Instead of moving forward on such key issues as
0:06:53 > 0:06:58immigration reform, the focus now is completely on the president, his
0:06:58 > 0:07:04personality and whether he is mentally fit to hold office. David
0:07:04 > 0:07:07Willis, BBC News, the White House.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10Opponents of President Assad in Syria have accused his regime,
0:07:10 > 0:07:13with the help of Russia, of launching a series of air attacks
0:07:13 > 0:07:14on a suburb of the capital.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16They say at least 17 people were killed today.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19Most of the dead were in Eastern Ghouta, near Damascus.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22Raids on the rebel held area have continued for several days The UN
0:07:22 > 0:07:24The UN has condemned the impact of the fighting on civilians.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27Online casino operators are failing to prevent money laundering
0:07:27 > 0:07:30and protect problem gamblers, according to the
0:07:30 > 0:07:32Gambling Commission.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36It has set out "significant concerns" in a letter
0:07:36 > 0:07:37to all UK operators.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39The Commission said many of them were failing to spot
0:07:39 > 0:07:44signs of financial crime and compulsive gambling.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47The department store House of Fraser has confirmed it's asking landlords
0:07:47 > 0:07:51to reduce the rent it pays for some of its shops.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53The group is set to release Christmas retail figures next week,
0:07:53 > 0:07:55with some analysts suggesting its takings over the Christmas
0:07:55 > 0:07:58period were disappointing.
0:07:58 > 0:08:03Joe Lynam has more.
0:08:03 > 0:08:07It is one of the key brands on our high streets with 59 stores
0:08:07 > 0:08:08and more than 7000 staff.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10We don't yet know how Christmas was for House of Fraser,
0:08:10 > 0:08:15but we know it's asked its landlords to slash the rent.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17But do shoppers still like the department store?
0:08:17 > 0:08:22It's got the shops I like to browse in within the department store,
0:08:22 > 0:08:25so it's quite easy to just go from one place to the next.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28Yeah, there's lot of good quality brands, and quite
0:08:28 > 0:08:31a lot of variety as well.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34I think it has a good reputation for good quality products.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38But I know all of the high street has been affected at the moment
0:08:38 > 0:08:40and isn't doing that well.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42I kind of think it's for older people, I have
0:08:42 > 0:08:49that opinion, but maybe because it's more expensive.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52Last month one credit agency said that House of Fraser was now far
0:08:52 > 0:08:55more likely to default on its debts, adding to the issues
0:08:55 > 0:08:56faced by the company.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58It's not unusual for retailers to seek rent reductions
0:08:58 > 0:09:00from their landlords.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02M&S and Next are doing so already.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05In fact, traditional retailers are facing a host of challenges,
0:09:05 > 0:09:07including rising rents, especially in the big cities,
0:09:07 > 0:09:10the national living wage is going up, and that's pushing up
0:09:10 > 0:09:14costs, and of course online.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18£1 in every £6 is now spent shopping online.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20Consumption is a vital part of the British economy.
0:09:20 > 0:09:25If consumers tighten their wallets, GDP suffers.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28Conditions are pretty tough for households.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31Inflation hit a five-year high in the run-up to Christmas and this
0:09:31 > 0:09:34is putting people's personal finances under a lot of pressure.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37Our research showed about 50% of consumers said they spent less
0:09:37 > 0:09:40this Christmas than last year, and almost two thirds said they did
0:09:40 > 0:09:45some of their shopping online.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48Next week we'll learn more about how Christmas was for House of Fraser.
0:09:48 > 0:09:52If it shows that shoppers reined in their spending,
0:09:52 > 0:09:53then pressure will grow on a 169-year-old brand.
0:09:53 > 0:09:59Joe Lynam, BBC News.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02Part of Bristol University has been badly damaged in a fire.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04It started in the roof space of a building
0:10:04 > 0:10:06that was being renovated, close to the University's historic
0:10:06 > 0:10:08Wills Memorial building, in the centre of Bristol.
0:10:08 > 0:10:18The building was unoccupied and nobody was hurt.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23With news of the latest Premier League manager to lose his job and
0:10:23 > 0:10:28all the sport, here is Ollie Foster at the BBC sport Centre.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31There were 25 FA Cup third round ties today.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34Match of the Day is later this evening on BBC One, but coming up
0:10:34 > 0:10:36now are a couple of the headlines from today's ties.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39Mark Hughes has been sacked this evening after his Stoke
0:10:39 > 0:10:41side were knocked out by League Two Coventry City.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43Elsewhere, Norwich, Wigan and Fleetwood forced replays
0:10:43 > 0:10:44against Premier League opposition.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48Adam Wild reports.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52There is nothing quite like the FA Cup. A moment for pans to come
0:10:52 > 0:10:58together and wonder what if? At Fleetwood, that party was quick to
0:10:58 > 0:11:03find its rhythm. The League 1 side welcoming Leicester. But this was a
0:11:03 > 0:11:08big occasion missing its guest of honour. Jamie Vardy injured, left to
0:11:08 > 0:11:12watch from the stands as his Leicester team almost gifted his
0:11:12 > 0:11:16former side and opening goal. How both could have done with his
0:11:16 > 0:11:20scoring ability. Fleetwood's faithful still finding plenty to
0:11:20 > 0:11:24shout about and they were almost rewarded in the dying moments.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28Leicester saved by the Post, twice. So close to being Fleetwood's day in
0:11:28 > 0:11:35the sun. Still, in this tournament for some fans a draw can feel like a
0:11:35 > 0:11:39triumph. The Stoke, it felt like anything but. The Premier League
0:11:39 > 0:11:44side beaten by leak to Coventry. The kind of upset for which this
0:11:44 > 0:11:48competition is so revered, Mark Hughes out of the Cup and now out of
0:11:48 > 0:11:53a job. The Norwich, the third round was a chance to welcome the mighty
0:11:53 > 0:11:56Chelsea, Premier League champions, last year 's finalists. In this
0:11:56 > 0:12:03corner of East Anglia reputation counts for much. In truth not a game
0:12:03 > 0:12:09full of magic. No goals, few real chances but the Norwich fans the Cup
0:12:09 > 0:12:14dreams get to last a little longer.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16Liverpool's Phillippe Coutinho has agreed to join Barcelona
0:12:16 > 0:12:17for a British record fee £142 million.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20The Brazilian, who cost less than £10 million five years ago,
0:12:20 > 0:12:24was close to joining the Spanish side last summer, but the Liverpool
0:12:24 > 0:12:26manager Jurgen Klopp says they are now letting the 25-year-old
0:12:26 > 0:12:30leave with "great reluctance".
0:12:30 > 0:12:32It's now very unlikely that England's cricketers will be able
0:12:32 > 0:12:34to sign off from the Ashes with a victory.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37The series is already lost, and after three days
0:12:37 > 0:12:42Australia are building a big first innings lead in the final Test.
0:12:42 > 0:12:43Patrick Gearey reports from Sydney.
0:12:43 > 0:12:48A special day, especially for Usman Khawaja, a first Ashes
0:12:48 > 0:12:50hundred in a city he emigrated to as a child.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53At the other end, nearing his hundred, Steve Smith,
0:12:53 > 0:12:56the uncrackable code.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59But wait, Moeen Ali's eureka moment.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03Smith left a void and young Mason Crane fielded with an appeal.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05Review.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08First they check the no ball and there the case closed.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10Had the umpire felt the boot was behind the line,
0:13:10 > 0:13:12Crane would've had his first Test wicket.
0:13:12 > 0:13:13Fine margins.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16And fine shots from the reprieved Khawaja, which helped him to 150
0:13:16 > 0:13:19and helped Australia into a lead only three wickets down.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21England needed energy, badly.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23It came from Mason Crane.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25This time he had Khawaja for real.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27And for 171.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30But in now baking temperatures the Marsh brothers turned
0:13:30 > 0:13:32England into their stooges, with every run scored
0:13:32 > 0:13:36by Australia's batsmen only adding to the regrets felt by England.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39A draining day in every sense.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42So England 133 runs behind, they will have to go back
0:13:42 > 0:13:45into the field on day four when it will be even hotter.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48What is more they know this pitch is now spinning more,
0:13:48 > 0:13:52just in time for their last innings of this Ashes Series.
0:13:52 > 0:13:57Patrick Geary, BBC News in Sydney.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59In Rugby Union, Northampton Saints' losing streak is over.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01They beat Gloucester 22-19 at Franklin's Gardens.
0:14:01 > 0:14:06After seven league defeats in a row, a final-minute penalty try
0:14:06 > 0:14:08gave them their first win since September.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11There were also wins for Leicester and Sale.
0:14:11 > 0:14:15And in the Pro-14, Ospreys edged Cardiff Blues 29-28 in Swansea.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18Rhys Webb scored two of their four tries.
0:14:18 > 0:14:25Glasgow also won today, but Ulster lost away at Leinster.
0:14:25 > 0:14:2716-year-old James Bowen has become the youngest jockey to win
0:14:27 > 0:14:29the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow.
0:14:29 > 0:14:36He came home six lengths clear on the 16-1 chance Raz de Maree.
0:14:36 > 0:14:42At 13, he is the oldest horse to win the race in modern times.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44That's all the sport.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46Don't forget there's much more on the BBC Sport website.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49From around 11pm tonight there'll be live text and radio coverage
0:14:49 > 0:14:52of the fourth day's play at the Final Ashes Test.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56That's all your sport for now.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59You can see more on all of today's stories on the BBC News Channel.
0:14:59 > 0:15:00That's all from me.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03Goodnight.