to the bbc news at one. ministers have been defending the cost of the government plan to relocate asylum seekers to rwanda, after it emerged that the scheme has already cost £240 million, with more money due to be paid next year. the prime minister rishi sunak is under pressure after vowing to "finish the job" of reviving the plan — which is aimed at discouraging people from crossing the channel in small boats — in the wake of the resignation of his immigration minister. our political correspondent peter saull has the latest. this bustling central african country is getting plenty of cash from the uk. in exchange for taking on migrants who cross the english channel, rwanda is receiving millions to boost its economy. but while the bill goes up and up, for flights carrying asylum seekers, the opposite is true. priti patel was the home secretary who first announced the arrangement with rwanda. the initial outlay, £140 million. then earlier this year, under her successor suella braverman, an extra 100 million was spent. but that's onlyjust been revealed. and the current post holder, james cleverly, assuming still in the job next year, is expected to send 50 million more. here's another new face, one of two freshly appointed migration ministers. he insists it's money well spent. what we want to bring about is ensuring that the policy is robust, that the capacity is in place to operationalise this as quickly as possible. that is what some of this money is there to do. set that in the context of the £8 million a day spent that is currently going on, the rwanda policy is a key part of our answer to getting those costs down, to saving lives. remember, this is what the policy's all about — making people think twice before getting in boats. opposition parties, though, are scathing. the tories are taking the country for fools. we have been asking repeatedly for the full cost of this failing rwanda scheme. they've refused to tell us and now finally, they have had to admit there was a whole series of further secret payments, taking the total to nearly £300 million, without a single asylum seeker being sent. there are huge questions hanging over the rwanda plan, not least whether the prime minister can get legislation designed to get things moving through parliament. the migration minister tom pursglove also said there was a unity of purpose among conservative mps on the issue. on the ends, perhaps, but probably not the means. moderate tories and immigration hardliners have concerns for contrasting reasons. they will be mulling this over in their constituencies over the weekend, ahead of what promises to be a crunch vote here next tuesday. do you know how you're going to vote on that yet? yes, i'll be supporting the government. some conservatives are happy. karl mccartney, who is not always loyal, thinks rishi sunak has found the only workable approach. but next week is already shaping up to be a big one in westminster, both for the plans to tackle small boat crossings and the prime minister's leadership. and peterjoins me from westminster. the pressure is far from abating on the prime minister. yes, the prime minister says that tuesday will not effectively be a confidence vote in the government, but if he were to lose that vote, i think it would take great chunks out of his authority, especially given how much emphasis he has placed on this pledge to stop the boats. ministers are not ruling out ultimately making changes to this legislation. they say they want to engage with conservative mps who will be back in their constituencies over the weekend. that might stave off the threat of an immediate rebellion on tuesday if mps think they might be able to make some amendments to the legislation at a later stage. amendments to the legislation at a laterstage. but amendments to the legislation at a later stage. but some conservative mps think today? news brings home the fact that potentially, he was a government throwing good money after bad. this is a policy, remember, that has yet to get off the ground in a shape orform. the conservatives' political opponents are going to continue to make that point, and no one seems to want to own the money that has been spent. downing street sources were telling us that it was suella braverman who signed off on the £100 million cheque to rwanda earlier this year. but her campus eight was the prime minister who signed that cheque. so all of this is quite telling. a very difficult moment for the prime minister. ,,., difficult moment for the prime minister. ., ~ , ., washington has made its strongest criticism yet of israel's military offensive in gaza. the us secretary of state antony blinken says there's a gap between the promise to protect civilians and action on the ground. israel maintains it is taking steps to minimise harm to civilians. hamas, which is designated a terrorist organisation by the uk government, says more than 17,000 people have been killed in the last two months. the palestinian health ministry in the occupied west bank says six palestinians have been killed by israeli forces in an operation at a refugee camp north of nablus. a warning that this report from our middle east correspondent yolande knell injerusalem contains images you may find distressing. explosion. two months after it started its offensive in gaza, israel is still bombing the north relentlessly. while on the ground, this. shocking images emerged yesterday of dozens of palestinians in the custody of israeli forces. locals say those detained at a school—turned—shelter included un staff, a journalist and children. israel says it's arresting those it suspects of terrorism. in khan younis, seen as a stronghold of hamas, there's now the constant sound of strikes. the front line moving closer to this hospital, where medics are struggling to treat the stream of casualties. the latest attack killed people in an area where no israeli evacuation order had been given, says the father of an injured boy. translation: children were on the streets - playing, living life normally, and then suddenly... we went out after the hit, hearing screams to find children, women and men in pieces. the human cost of this war which has forced most gazans from their homes has led to strong criticism of israel's actions from its closest ally, the us. good afternoon, everyone. after a meeting with the foreign secretary, lord cameron, this was the us secretary of state. it remains imperative that israel put a premium on civilian protection, and there does remain a gap between exactly what i said when i was there, the intent to protect civilians, and the actual results that we're seeing on the ground. and for many israelis, this year's hanukkah holiday is a solemn one, with a candle lit last night for each of the more than 130 hostages still being held in gaza. i think it sends out a message of light where there was a lot less hope, and it gives us hope to get our family, you know, our personal hostage and all the rest of the hostages back. israel's military says that freeing the hostages is a critical mission, but hamas claims that its latest rescue attempt left several soldiers and a captive dead. israel hasn't commented. meanwhile, israeli raids of the occupied west bank continue, and a palestinian boy of 1a was among those killed this morning in a refugee camp. the devastating toll of a decades—old conflict. yolande, international criticism of israel's military offensive is growing — is israel hearing it? imean, i mean, when we have briefings with israel's military, it consistently tells us it is trying to minimise civilian casualties in gaza, that it has to crush hamas and its military capabilities because hamas ignited this war on the 7th of october with its terrible attacks. that said, if you look at what is happening at the un security council, you have now got arab countries under secretary general really pressing for this resolution, calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in gaza. we expect the us to use its veto power there if it has to, but washington's comments also add up to a lot of international pressure now on israel. forthe international pressure now on israel. for the us, international pressure now on israel. forthe us, its international pressure now on israel. for the us, its own assets in the region are at stake. we had a reminder of that this morning, with two salvos of rockets apparently fired by iran backed militias at the us embassy in iraq. nobody was hurt, but it is all being seen as a worrying sign of the times. yolande knell, thank — worrying sign of the times. yolande knell, thank you. _ vladimir putin has announced that he will stand for re—election as russian president when his term ends in the spring next year. he confirmed his intention following an awards ceremony in moscow. the kremlin�*s official spokesman, dmitry peskov, said that an "astonishing" number of people wanted mr putin to continue for what would be a fifth term in office. the court of session in scotland has ruled that the uk government acted lawfully when it blocked controversial changes to gender laws in scotland. legislation was passed by the scottish parliament last year which would have made it easier for people to change their legally recognised gender — but westminster vetoed the move, saying it would have an adverse impact on british equality laws. our scotland correspondent lorna gordon is at holyrood. explain what this means? yeah, it was passed _ explain what this means? yeah, it was passed by _ explain what this means? yeah, it was passed by a — explain what this means? yeah, it was passed by a large _ explain what this means? yeah, it was passed by a large majority - explain what this means? yeah, it i was passed by a large majority here in the scottish parliamentjust before christmas last year, backed by msps from all parties. they have streamlined that process. it would have lowered the age you can apply to legally change your sex, and it would also in effect have brought in self identification for trans people. they would no longer need a medical diagnosis. the uk government had concerns. they triggered what is known as a section 35. it was triggered for the first time in the history of devolution. they said they were concerned that this law, if it received royal assent, would have an adverse impact on equality law and on, for instance, single sex spaces for women and girls. today, a judge at the court of session here in edinburgh agreed. they said the uk government did act lawfully in triggering section 35. it has been welcomed by alisterjack, the scottish secretary here, who represents the westminster government. he said ministers here in edinburgh now need to stop wasting taxpayers' money, in his words, pursuing needless legal action, and he said we now need to focus on issues that matter to the people in scotland as the economy and hospital waiting lists. the scottish greens have responded. they are a party of government here in scotland. they say this is a devastating day for equality, it is a democratic outrage and this ruling is horrible, heartbreaking and unjust. but i suppose the question now is, what now for humza yousaf? does he decide this is a moment where he can decide to stop what is seen by many people as an unpopular piece of legislation and accuse westminster of putting the stop on it, or will he, westminster of putting the stop on it, orwill he, as westminster of putting the stop on it, or will he, as he has previously indicated, appealed this decision and take it all the way to the supreme court? he has 21 days to decide. ., ., ., ., ~ supreme court? he has 21 days to decide. ., ., ., . ~ thousands of people have lined the streets of dublin for the funeral procession of shane mcgowan, the musician and lead singer of the pogues, who died last week aged 65. a service will be held this afternoon in nenagh in county tipperary, with the president of ireland among the mourners. from dublin, our correspondent sara girvin, sent this report. shane macgowan�*s family as people who admired the musician to line the streets and say goodbye. today in dublin, they did just that. a punk and a poet, and to these fans, a hero. i and a poet, and to these fans, a hero. �* ., , ., . hero. i didn't realise how much i loved him _ hero. i didn't realise how much i loved him until— hero. i didn't realise how much i loved him until he _ hero. i didn't realise how much i loved him until he died. - hero. i didn't realise how much i loved him until he died. i - hero. i didn't realise how much i loved him until he died. ijust. loved him until he died. i 'ust thou~ht loved him until he died. i 'ust thought he i loved him until he died. i 'ust thought he was i loved him until he died. ijust thought he was unbelievable. and today, _ thought he was unbelievable. and today, it _ thought he was unbelievable. and today, it is — thought he was unbelievable. and today, it is sinead o'connor's birthday _ today, it is sinead o'connor's birthday. so for shane's funeral to be on _ birthday. so for shane's funeral to be on this— birthday. so for shane's funeral to be on this day, we have had a sad day this— be on this day, we have had a sad day this year, losing our best talent — day this year, losing our best talent i_ day this year, losing our best talent. ~ ,, ., �* , day this year, losing our best talent. ~ ,, ., �*, ,. day this year, losing our best talent. ~ ,, ., �*, , . ., talent. i think shane's music mean somethin: talent. i think shane's music mean something to _ talent. i think shane's music mean something to anyone _ talent. i think shane's music mean something to anyone who - talent. i think shane's music mean something to anyone who is - talent. i think shane's music mean something to anyone who is irish. | talent. i think shane's music mean l something to anyone who is irish. if it doesn't. _ something to anyone who is irish. if it doesn't. then _ something to anyone who is irish. if it doesn't, then they— something to anyone who is irish. if it doesn't, then they need - something to anyone who is irish. if it doesn't, then they need to - something to anyone who is irish. if it doesn't, then they need to look . it doesn't, then they need to look at their— it doesn't, then they need to look at their roots. _ it doesn't, then they need to look at their roots, because _ it doesn't, then they need to look at their roots, because basically, i at their roots, because basically, shane _ at their roots, because basically, shane is — at their roots, because basically, shane is our— at their roots, because basically, shane is our sole. _ at their roots, because basically, shane is our sole. and _ at their roots, because basically, shane is our sole. and we - at their roots, because basically, shane is our sole. and we will. shane is our sole. and we will always— shane is our sole. and we will always remember— shane is our sole. and we will always remember shane. - shane is our sole. and we will always remember shane. he. shane is our sole. and we will always remember shane. he was a poet in the same vein — always remember shane. he was a poet in the same vein as _ always remember shane. he was a poet in the same vein as some _ always remember shane. he was a poet in the same vein as some of _ always remember shane. he was a poet in the same vein as some of the - in the same vein as some of the great irish poets like yates and joyce. just a legend. the pogues front man was _ joyce. just a legend. the pogues front man was taken _ joyce. just a legend. the pogues front man was taken on - joyce. just a legend. the pogues front man was taken on his - joyce. just a legend. the pogues front man was taken on his final| front man was taken on his final journey through dublin in a horse—drawn carriage. he was a piper —— there was a piper and a marching band playing strings of his greatest hits. and even after his coffin had passed, the music continued. there was sadness, but there was also a celebration. the crowds gathered here in dublin today, wanting to celebrate the man and his legacy, mostly, it was all about the music. crowd sing. from dublin, the cortege travelled to county tipperary, the place shane macgowan had always considered home. and later, his town will give the uniquely gifted songwriter his final homecoming. after a very emotional and really quite moving morning here in dublin, the focus now moves to county tipperary, where shane macgowan's thera service will take place in just a few hours' time. we are expecting big crowds in the town of nenagh, is there were here in dublin, perhaps even a few famous faces, the likes of bruce springsteen, nick cave and johnny depp have all paid tribute to their friend shane macgowan in the days after his death. lots of talk here among fans as well about what a fitting tribute they think it would be to get the fairytale of new york, the pogues' most well—known song, to christmas number one this year. but for now, this is a day to say goodbye to a much loved and unique irish talent. sara girvin in dublin. prince harry has lost his attempt to get part of the mail on sunday publishers' defence thrown out in a libel case. the duke of sussex has taken the paper's owners, associated newspapers ltd, to court in relation to an article detailing his uk security arrangements. ajudge has ruled that prince harry's libel case must go to trial. our correspondent noor nanji joins me now. so what does this mean exactly? you'd be forgiven for losing track because there have been a few legal battles involving prince harry, haven't? this latest one involves an article published by the mail on sunday and online in february 2022. the article claimed that prince harry was trying to keep the details of a separate legal claim involving his security arrangements while in the uk as a secret from the public. prince harry is taking associated newspapers limited to court over libel for that article. his lawyer said the story was an attack on his honesty and integrity. the company said the article expressed an honest opinion and was not defamatory. harry's lawyers made a bid to strike out the honest opinion defence or to grantjudgment in harry's favour. today, thejudge refused to grantjudgment in harry's favour. today, the judge refused to throw out the defence and said it had a real prospect of defence and should go through to trial. it is now expected to go to trial at some point next year. earlier this week, prince harry also made a separate high court challenge against the home office over the decision to downgrade his security protection while in the uk. that decision was made after he decided to step down as a working royal, and a ruling in thatis as a working royal, and a ruling in that is expected at a later date. thank you very much for now. the time is 1.18. our top story this afternoon: ministers defend the cost of the rwanda plan after it emerges the government has already spent £240 million. coming up: a royal surprise for the mother walking from cardiff to london in memory of her daughter. coming up on bbc news: arsenal manager mikel arteta says he has full confidence in goalkeeper david raya, and that he has no problem keeping him and his other goalkeeper, aaron ramsdale, happy. saudi arabia's sports minister has told the bbc that accusations of sportswashing against the country are �*very shallow�*. critics say unprecedented spending on sport is being used to distract from concerns over the country's record on human rights. but the saudi government insisted the investment was boosting the economy and inspiring people to be more active. here's our sports editor, dan roan. from a revamped football league luring some of the biggest names in the game, and the hosting of boxing's biggest fights, to an attempted takeover of golf — jon rahm