Hello. An alleged Chinese spy with links to the Duke of York has been named as Yang Tengbo. Frances Mao reports on the businessman and his ties to Prince Andrew. As drone sightings alarm some residents in the US, Bernd Debusmann Jr explains what we know about the flying objects. And finally, an English vicar's comments about Santa Claus infuriate parents.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Alleged spy with links to UK royal named

Yang Tengbo, also known as Chris Yang, agreed to have his anonymity lifted. Credit: Supplied

Yang Tengbo has been named as the Chinese businessman who was banned from the UK last year because he was judged as a risk to national security. His ties to Prince Andrew have come under scrutiny in the process. Yang said he had done "nothing wrong or unlawful" and descriptions of him as an alleged spy were "entirely untrue". Prince Andrew said he had "ceased all contact" with Yang and that "nothing of a sensitive nature" was discussed. The prince will not join the Royal Family at Sandringham for Christmas, royal sources have told the BBC.

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YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

What we know about mysterious drones

A drone sighted over New York in recent days. Credit: Getty Images

A spate of recent drone sightings has unnerved residents along the US east coast. Authorities have been unable to provide definitive answers, saying only that the objects are not believed to pose a danger to the public or national security. Some lawmakers have demanded more transparency on the issue.

What kind of flying objects have been spotted?

On Sunday, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas confirmed the sightings included drones, as well as manned aircraft commonly mistaken for drones. He told ABC that an explanation for the uptick in drone sightings could be a change in federal law last year that allowed drones to be flown at night, and added that he knows of "no foreign involvement" to do with the unmanned aerial vehicles.

Can they be stopped?

President-elect Donald Trump has suggested the drones couldn't be flying without the government's knowledge. "Let the public know, and now," he wrote on his Truth Social media platform. "Otherwise, shoot them down." Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, also said the drones should be shot down. However, shooting down drones is illegal.

Where have they been spotted?

Dozens of drone sightings have been reported over New Jersey since 18 November, but others have been reported around the US north-east. Some of the flights were spotted near Picatinny Arsenal - a sensitive military research facility - as well as near Trump's golf course in the town of Bedminster, New Jersey. Sightings have also been reported in several other states.

• Federal assistance: US officials are sending a drone detection system to New York, Governor Kathy Hochul says.

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• Initial assessment: Last week, the Pentagon rejected claims that the drones came from an Iranian "mothership".

And finally...

A vicar has been forced to apologise after telling a group of schoolchildren aged 10 and 11 that Father Christmas was not real. Pupils reportedly began to sob as Rev Dr Paul Chamberlain made comments during a Religious Education lesson at a school in Hampshire, England. One parent described the talk as "absolutely disgusting", while another said her daughter reckoned the vicar was mistaken and had "lost the plot".