Over one month to go until deal Winter Olympics in south korea, i will be checking out some of our biggest medal prospects. Good evening and welcome to bbc news. A british woman has been sentenced to three years in prison in egypt after being found guilty of smuggling drugs into the country. Laura plummer, whos 33 and from hull, was arrested in october when 300 tablets of the painkiller tramadol were found in her suitcase. Daniela relph reports. Laura plummers family and friends say she is naive, not a criminal. But today the 33 year old shop workerfrom hull is beginning a three year sentence injail in egypt. Her mother, roberta, and her egyptian partner, omar caboo, have been at court to support her during the hearings this week. Laura plummer had been travelling to the red sea resort of hurghada to visit omar in october when she was stopped by the authorities. In her suitcase were 290 tramadol tablets, a painkiller which is legal on prescription in britain, but banned in egypt. She said the tablets were for her partner, who suffers from severe back pain, but she was arrested and has been held since then in a communal cell with up to 25 women. Herfamily at home in hull have described todays sentence as horrendous. Shes just a normal girl who works in hull. She just sells clothes, she comes home, she watches telly and she goes to bed. She doesnt drink, she doesnt smoke, she doesnt do anything. She lives to go to egypt. She loves egypt. She loves the egyptian people. Shes in love with omar. We cannot believe this has happened to her. We are absolutely devastated. The Foreign Office says it will continue to provide support to laura and her family. It continue to provide support to laura and herfamily. It also continue to provide support to laura and her family. It also says continue to provide support to laura and herfamily. It also says its embassy in egypts is in regular contact with the authorities there. This woman doesnt deserve to be incarcerated in an egyptian prison and, to be honest with you, as much as i respect the customs of egypt and the laws and the judiciary and everything else, this will put people off travelling on holiday to egypt in the future, and i think the egyptian authorities need to be mindful of that. The egyptian legal system is complex. Laura plummer will now appeal against the three year sentence, a jail term her family say is shocking and unjust. Daniela relph, bbc news. The universities minister, jojohnson, has warned academic institutions that they could face fines if they fail to protect free speech. Some universities and student groups have banned speakers, because of their views, or because they promote extremism. Mrjohnson said in some of the cases debate is being stifled. A new regulator, the office for students, is to be given powers to uphold free speech. Emily unia reports. Jo johnson wants universities to open minds, not close them. He has criticised the practice of no platforming, when student unions and other University Groups ban speakers with what are seen as offensive or unacceptable views. Its vital we uphold this principle of legal freedom of speech because it is the real underpinning of how we progress of society, how we deepen our stock of knowledge, how we remain innovative and ultimately how we also resist injustices, how the rights of minorities to stand up and be counted and not suppressed are upheld. The minister wants young people to hear and challenge controversial opinions, a view shared by the vice chancellor of the university of buckingham. Universities must be about letting dialogue and debate happen, not suppress. If you suppress peoples views, then you romanticise them, you legitimise them, you publicise them. What we need to happen at universities is the opposite. The feminist campaigner, julie bindel, who has personal experience of no platforming, argues the problem lies with the National Union of students. Students that are polled are clearly signed up to this ridiculous snowflake attitude of having to be wrapped in cotton wool. Students tell me all the time that they want to hear the likes of me speaking against this blanket no platforming of feminists, as we are the ones mainly no platformed, and they want to make a decision about who speaks at their university. The nus have yet to comment, but their platform contains six groups including the bnp. Next april, the government is planning to bring in a new regulator for universities. The office for students will have the power to find, suspend or deregister institutions that failed to uphold free speech. Emily unia, bbc news. A russian cargo ship, listing near portsmouth harbour, is being assisted by the coastguard tonight. The Mekhanik Yartsdev is at anchor in the solent while a pilot vessel assesses its condition. The coastguard said it had power and was currently stable. The thirteen crew on board are reported to be safe and well. There are warnings of gales and rough seas later this evening. The body of a woman has been found at an address to which a bomb disposal squad was called on Christmas Day. The street, in north tyneside, was completely cordoned off. A 41 year old man, believed to be known to the victim, has been arrested on suspicion of murder. Two people, including a police officer, have died following a collision between a police car and another vehicle in sheffield last night. The 46 year old officer was responding to an emergency call when his marked car was involved in the crash. A passenger in the other vehicle, a 61 year old woman also died. Dave edwards reports. The crash happened on this road, the 8057, about 50 yards or so down there. A marked police car was travelling in this direction towards sheffield, responding to what has been called an immediate incident. A silver car was going the other way when the collision occurred. The officer driving the police car was pronounced dead shortly afterwards. He was a 46 year old man. Aid passenger in the silver car, a 61 year old woman, also died. The driver of that car is in a serious condition in hospital. Yorkshire police are not doing interviews today but they have released a statement and it says we have lost a friend and a colleague from our police family. The officer has been with us for 12 years and was passionate, professional and universally liked. His colleagues and everyone across the force are devastated by what has happened. Our thoughts are with both families. Anyone who saw what happened here last night is asked to Contact Police by calling 101. The independent Police Complaints commission is now investigating. Millions of shoppers across the country headed to the high street today for the traditional boxing day sales. In some places the queues began to form outside stores in the early hours of the morning. Some retailers have reported large numbers of people deciding to look for bargains online instead. And analysts say footfall in high streets and Shopping Centres across the uk today appears to have been lower than expected. Duncan kennedy reports from southampton. Its been fast, if not furious, heavy if not heaving. But after all that turkey, there have been plenty of bargains to gobble up. I love coming to the shop because you get to try it on. And how busy it is. It is exciting. Here at southamptons west quay Shopping Centre, 10,000 people an hour surged in. Why come to the shops on boxing day . It is nice to get some fresh air. We have had a bit of lunch. Try before you buy. What is it about boxing day sales . Cheaper. Half the price. Really . Yeah, really. Some people say there are these sales all year round. To be honest with you, black friday was better than actually today. And, its only got the rubbish whats left that theyve put in. But, you are still buying it . Yes, only because i had my Christmas Money yesterday with inflation outstripping many wages, some experts have been predicting a slow boxing day, but in many places, discounts are proving irresistible. Well, i think, first and foremost its always about getting a great bargain. And you can see, on the windows around us, there are stores that have got 50 , 60 , 70 , even, discounts on some of the products in store. So that is a great incentive to come out. In fact, researchers say that Something Like 34 of us will have gone shopping today. That compares to just 25 of us last boxing day. They reckon that overall we will be spending more than £4 billion. York was just one of the places where they queued for the bargains. Online shopping, it seems, not yet the all conquering consumer choice. Going on holiday next week, so ive got some light pyjamas and some trainers, which are £5 from £14. Pyjamas and some trainers, which are £5 from £14. Very good, isnt it . Londons Oxford Street also brought out the shoppers, although some analysts said overall numbers are down by 4 . But many still bagged a well heeled bargain. 50 off prada shoes. So, that was actually good. Thats a £215 saving. We do love shopping we like bargains more than full priced stuff. In glasgow, two arms were not enough for some to take care of business, but whilst many Online Companies were reporting sales up more than 6 today, for others only the real deal will do. Its a bargain. I think ive saved something. Officialfigures for who spent what, where, and when on boxing day will come later. Unofficially, it seemed as traditional as ever, and for some, it has been a case of shop till you drop. Duncan kennedy, bbc news. Tesco says it will investigate after receiving complaints from customers about turkeys that had apparently gone off. The supermarket said it had sold hundreds of thousands of great quality turkeys this christmas, but admitted it had a small number of complaints in recent days. Tesco said would get in touch with each customer to investigate what had happened. Police have released cctv images of three suspects, following a theft at a Shopping Centre in ilford, east london in july. Its the first time these images have been released. A 69 year old woman walked into lloyds bank in ilford and withdrew £1000 in cash from her account. The pensioner then got into a lift at the Exchange Shopping mall as she made her way to the car park. As she got in, two of the suspects distracted the woman while a third suspect searched her handbag and removed the cash. Anyone who can assist the investigation is asked to contact the metropolitan police by phoning 101 or tweeting metcc. Lets see if we can reunite the lady with her money and deal with this terrible case. A group of russian electors have formally given their support to Vladimir Putin as a candidate in next years president ial election. Mr putin is seeking a fourth term in office and will run as an independent this time. He still needs 300,000 signatures before his nomination is confirmed. On monday, Opposition LeaderAlexei Navalny, his main rival, was barred from standing in the election. That decision has already prompted a call for an opposition boycott, and raised fears about pluralism in russian politics. Olga ivshina is from the bbcs russian service. Its very easy to get the signatures, even his main opponent Alexei Navalny, who was under heavy pressure, managed to get all the signatures needed quite easily. Almost no one doubts that putin will win. What is interesting for the kremlin is that its very important, turnout is very important, and also the amount of people who will vote for mr putin, because the kremlin sees these elections as a vote of confidence for mr putin and his policy. Thats why they do want the turn out to be very high, and also boycott Alexei Navalny and make it hard for him to achieve the desired goal. Syrias Armed Forces Say one of their militaryjets has been downed by insurgents in northern hama province, killing the pilot. The area has seen intense aerial strikes by the russian and syrian airforces in the countrys civil war. Rescue workers say dozens of civilians have been killed in recent weeks in the bombing of towns away from front lines. I will also bring you some breaking news from syria, coming from the International Committee of the red cross this evening. It says evacuation of critical medical cases has begun from the eastern ghouta. On twitter they say that a medical evacuation of critical cases has begun. Possibly good news there from that part of syria that is still occupied by Opposition Forces and has been besieged by the government. We will bring you any more as we have it. The royal navy says theres been an increase in the number of russian ships travelling through or near the uks territorial waters over the christmas period. Yesterday, hms st albans was sent to escort a russian warship through the north sea as it passed close to uk waters. The defence secretary Gavin Williamson said he will not tolerate any form of aggression and warned britain will never be intimidated when it comes to protecting our country, our people, and our national interests. Rear admiral chris parry is a former nato commander. He said it was important not to over react. I wouldnt exactly echo the seriousness that the defence secretary has put out. This is a normal deployment by a russian warship that is coming down into the north sea. She is perfectly entitled to do that under international law. It is demonstrating the right of innocent passage. We do this in the barents sea, black sea and the baltic all the time. I think the russians have said, its christmas, we will have to be at sea, so lets get somebody else out to look at us as well. I would hope this country would send a warship out to look at any warship that comes close to us, other than our nato allies. Its also a great opportunity to look at our brand new frigate, its the latest russian frigate. It has systems and other equipment on it we want to have a closer look at. Ordinarily, we wouldnt get that close. The russians want to say to the world, were a great power, we have intervened in syria, we want to show the russian flag around the world and there is no better way of doing that than putting your navy out to sea. It has appeared on all sorts of tv and news channels. The fact of life is the russian navy is on the up at the moment, getting increased levels of expenditure. They want to show they can go anywhere they want to at any time they want to. They have done it in the baltic and the black sea. Any time they approach the United Kingdom now, instead of going to the west of ireland, they tend to come down through the channel. They are showing their flag and they are entitled to do so. The headlines on bbc news the family of a british woman, jailed in egypt for three years for drug smuggling, say theyre devastated at todays decision by an egyptian court. Universities must protect free speech and open minds, not close them, or face possible fines. Despite millions of shoppers searching for bargains in the boxing day sales theres been a downturn in shoppers on the high street. Sport now and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre. What a year its been for harry kane. The tottenham striker helped himself to a hattrick as spurs thrashed southampton 5 2 at wembley earlier today and in the process hes broken the record for the most premier League Goals Scored in a calendar year. Kane headed home his 37th league goal of 2017 on 22 minutes to surpass alan shearers landmark which had stood for 22 years. His second came 5 minutes before the break. Kane then completed his second hattrick in 3 days, his 56th goal of an incredible year, to finish ahead of lionel messi as the leading scorer in europe for club and country in 2017. Liverpool enjoyed a convincing 5 0 win at home to managerless swansea. Philippe coutinho put them ahead with less than six minutes on the clock. And it was from coutinhos free kick that Roberto Firmino scored the first of his two goals, this one early in the second half. 19 year old right back Trent Alexander arnold also got in on the act, his persistence paying off as he scored his First League Goal for liverpool, while Alex Oxlade Chamberlain added a 5th in the 83rd minute. There was late drama at old trafford asjesse lingard rescued a point for Manchester United their match with burnley finished 2 2. Also today there was a 6 goal thriller at the vitality stadium. Bournemouth 3 times coming from behind to draw with west ham. Wins for chelsea and watford as well. Celtic have extended their lead at the top of the scottish premiership to 11 points. They won 2 0 at dundee. James forrest opened the scoring for the visitors after just eight minutes and Leigh Griffiths then fired in celtics second just before half time. That one the only scottish premiership game today, with five more to come tomorrow. Day two of the fourth ashes test gets underway in the next fifteen minutes. With the series and urn already lost it was a tough opening day in the field in melbourne. A century from david warner and another great performance from captain steve smith left australia on 244 3. Patrick gearey was watching. No wonder they could not wait to get in. In what seems an age since england first band on, the only thing they have not lost is on the toss. And that abandoned them also. 50 runs for david warner, 100 by lunch. Cameron bancroft had only be marginally more involved. Out of sorts out for 26. David warner grew energy as he neared his century. At 99 he blinked. Tom currans first test wicket, what a moment. But just a moment. Look at the replay. Noble. Back came david warner. The boundless joy of a reprieve man scoring 100. But it was shortly. Anderson made no mistake. Usman khawaja the first wicket for stuart broad. Small margins can mean hard yards. One of the great modern batsmen, steve smith unbeaten and perhaps unbeatable but had the cricket matched the occasion . We did not bowl well first session. We did not bowl well first session. We did not add to the excitement, unless you are a david warner fan. It is the kind of match that may be decided not by magic but by mistakes. Decided not by magic but by m ista kes. U nfortu nately decided not by magic but by mistakes. Unfortunately the england, so mistakes. Unfortunately the england, so far they have made too many. There were three local derbies in the pro 1a today cardiff blues won 22 17 in newport against the dragons, leinster went top of pool b after beating munster by 32 points to 2a but the most dramatic finish to a match was in llanelli where the scarlets came from behind in injury time to beat the ospreys, despite having had stef evans sent off in the first half. Josh macleod went over with the last play of the match, to make himself very popular with the scarlets supporters. 12 9 the final score there. Thats all the sport for now. Out of all the professional photographers with their expensive kit waiting to snap a picture of the royal family at the Christmas Day service in sandringham, it was a mum from norfolk who captured the perfect image on her phone. The photograph taken by karen anvil has now been used by publications from all over the world. Mike cartwright reports. The photograph that has gone everywhere. The picture that everybody wanted. Taken not by the press pack or a royal photographer, but karen, at sandringham with her daughter, on her phone. The two of them and their dog luna, back there today. That picture all over the papers. It wasnt intentional, it was just that it captured the right moment at that time, and there was no planning, it was just fun. It was lovely. I caught the moment, and it was great. Somewhere in the crowd, the two had been here on Christmas Day before. But they wanted to see meghan. Walking to church, the duke and duchess of cambridge, prince harry and meghan markle. Karen never dreamt she would scoop this. A picture that may go down in history, now help pay her Daughters College fees. I did know how much i am expected to get. A bit, i have been told. Anything. For me, when somebody said, £50, i was like, yes 50 quid but its going to go on my daughter. I work on my daughter, she is my pride and joy. I think its fantastic. I think my mum deserves it, i know she didnt do it intentionally, but good things happen to good people. Now shared dozens of times on social media, that moment captured by karen in the right place at the right time. Mike cartwright, bbc look east. Good things happened to good people, what a nice thing for a daughter to say about her mum. When cotton was king, the north west of england was its kingdom. Now the industry is making a return to the uk. A mill in manchester has become the only Textile Factory to spin cotton commercially again. The process has revived the sector connecting businesses across the region as they make clothes using the yarn. Our correspondentjudith moritz has followed the supply chain from start to finish her report contains some flashing images. Fresh off the boat from california, cotton has come back to its spiritual home. Refurbished and re energised, this Manchester Mill is the first in the uk to spin commercially again. For the first time in 50 years, cotton is in full production. Its really re engaged the weavers and the finishers and the dyers to pull together and forge those chains back again. And there is honestly an enormous appetite for provenance and british made. Were following the process as the cotton spun here finds its way from the bale to the clothes hanger. From its raw state to spun yarn. Im now going to take this cotton from here in manchester over to blackburn to be dyed. Thats for you. What happens now . We are going to take this into our dye house. Were going to load it onto a dye stand. We are going to bleach it, were going to dye it and were going to dry it. This yarn dyers used to source all its cotton overseas. Now it only travels 30 miles. Turned pink, its time to take the yarn up the road to burnley to be woven. The resurrection of the cotton process comes at a good time for the industry. Bbc news and the trade body make it british spoke to almost 100 textile businesses to see how their 2017 has been. 30 of them say theyre exporting more british made goods than last year. There is concern about the age of the workforce. Two thirds have staff whose average age is over a0. But overall, the news is positive. 50 of them are turning over more than a year ago. The factory weaving our pink cloth is a good example. Our order book is really healthy. So the next six months forecast is looking great. So much so that were now having to put on extra shifts and recruit additional staff. Here you are, then. Back in manchester, our cloth is now ready to be made into a shirt. Cut. Pressed. Stitched. And finished at this factory. One of the few of its kind to survive. I dont think well ever see a return to the halcyon days of cottonopolis. However, there is huge opportunities for businesses and brands like ours to create sustainable, viable and ultimately very profitable businesses by making things here again in the uk and selling to an international marketplace. Spun, dyed, woven and stitched, the cotton process has been sewn back together again. Ourjourney behind the seams ends with a shirt made from local yarn. Judith moritz, bbc news, manchester. I wonder if we will see some of that cotton like stuff falling from the if you are looking for snow, actually some will be wet and messy because it will be mixed in with rain and sleet. Beautiful snowy scenes in south london. In the south. And messy mixture. You can see the wet weather sliding its way from the south turning to start as it meets the cold air across wales the midlands and in northern england. Moving southwards and eastwards through the night. Some snow falling into in low levels. Clear skies here. Ice could become a problem on wednesday morning because temperatures and dipping away. Into tomorrow, a really mucky start in the south east. Snow slowly trudging eastwards. A peppering of wintry showers. Even into the afternoon across east angler and down in the kent, we will struggle to get rid of the wet sleet weather. They could be one or two disruptions but for the south west through wales and the midlands, a mixture of sunshine and showers. Cold for scotland. Wintry showers. Cold for scotland. Wintry showers in northern scotland filtering into Northern Ireland as well. Tomorrow night, we will lose the persistent wet weather from the south east and as the skies clear, it will turn cold again. Icy stretches in the early part. Thursday one or two wintry showers. Thursday one or two wintry showers. Thursday is our day to draw breath. A little rich of High Pressure means we will see some dry find whether. After the cold and icy start, there should be a good deal of sunshine. Out west, the first sign of another change. Potential rain and hill snow. A cold day. In the friday and some of the rain in the south west will spread northwards and eastwards. Not much slow left behind. By then, we will have temperatures into double digits. Thats all for now. Hello. This is bbc news. Well be taking a look at tomorrow mornings papers in a moment first the headlines. A british woman accused of smuggling drugs into egypt has been sentenced to three years in jail. Laura plummer, whos 33 and from hull, was arrested in october for having nearly 300 tramadol tablets in her suitcase the universities minister, jojohnson, has warned academic institutions they could face fines if they fail to protect free speech, within the law. South Yorkshire Police say an officer has died in a car crash which happened near sheffield last night. The 46 year old man died along with a 61 year old female passenger of another car when their vehicles collided. There has been a lower turnout than expected at the boxing day sales. The Research Group springboard believes there was a 4 drop in the number of shoppers up to midday today