as the un votes to boost humanitarian aid. for the first time in centuries, ukraine breaks with russian heritage to celebrate christmas on the 25th of december. and what british traditions should be saved? morris dancing, panto and cheese rolling — all in the running for un protected status. academy of arts, architecture and a minute's silence has been held in prague to remember the victims of thursday's mass shooting. bells toll the czech republic is holding a day of national mourning for those

killed in the attack, with flags flown at half—mast. 1a people were shot dead at charles university by a student who then killed himself. it's one of the deadliest attacks by a lone gunman in europe this century. police are still trying to establish a motive. our correspondent bethany bell is in prague. flags are flying at half—mast across the country as a sign of respect for the country as a sign of respect for the people who died in the shooting at charles university. people also thinking about those who were injured, a number of them are still injured, a number of them are still in hospital, some in a serious condition. this is an attack which has deeply shocked this country. the police are still investigating, trying to establish what it was that drove this 24—year—old gunman to do what he did. they say that they now appears to be a link between the gunman and two more deaths that took

place last week, two bodies were discovered in a prague forest, of a young man and his two month old daughter, police now say that there seems to be ballistic evidence linking those deaths with this gunman. this is an extremely sad christmas for the whole country. people here are still very much people here are still very much in shock. israel has continued its bombardment of the gaza strip overnight, with reports of air strikes and ground attacks. these pictures are from khan younis, in southern gaza. large plumes of smoke rise in different parts of the city following air attacks. this comes after the united nations passed a resolution on the war on friday. the president of the un security council, jose de la gasca, has said this move represents a crucial step towards averting a humanitarian catastrophe. it was agreed after days of negotiations and delays. the resolution aims to increase the supplies of aid to the territory, but didn't call for an immediate end to the fighting. after the vote the un secretary—general, antonio guterres, reiterated his call for a ceasefire.

a humanitarian ceasefire is the only way to begin to meet the desperate needs of people in gaza and end their ongoing nightmare. i hope that today's security council resolution may help that finally to happen, but much more is needed immediately. looking at the longer term, i'm extremely disappointed by comments by senior israeli officials that put a two—state solution into question. as difficult as it might appear today, the two—state solution in line with un resolutions, international law and previous agreements is the only path to sustainable peace.

the resolution does not call for an immediate ceasefire, instead calls to create the conditions for one. but they do call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. let us look at what has been happening in khan younis this morning. that is the hospital there at the alnasa hospital, which has been receiving people coming in overnight, and the doctors without borders organisation said in a post on twitter that israel's strikes on gaza had turned the north of the strip into a pile of rubble and said the hospital, the dead and wounded continue to arrive almost every day and it does look busy at khan younis, overnight the bombardment did continue, and some areas were also, people were told they needed

to move for their own security according to israel and move south. our correspondent shaimaa khalil is following developments from jerusalem. this week has shown that diplomatic language can be fraught, it can be complicated and it can be controversial. but for those on the ground in gaza, it has also fallen short of what they desperately need, the aid that they're in dire need for. we have a resolution that's called for creating the conditions for a cease fire without actually calling for a pause or a cessation of the hostilities. it also called on all sides to allow unhindered access of aid into gaza without going into details about the mechanics of that and how it can be done safely. i've been speaking tojuliette touma, spokesperson from unwra, about the work flow of humanitarian aid coming into gaza after the un resolution. look, what is really, really needed is a standard regular flow of humanitarian and commercial supplies into gaza.

you see, before the war started, gaza got, received every day 500 trucks of commercial supplies and of humanitarian aid and of fuel. none of, in any of the days since the war started, has gaza received anything close to that amount, so until we get to that amount, at the very minimum, things are not going to change, so this is what needs to happen, and what needs to equally happen, and it is overdue, is a humanitarian ceasefire. it has been 11 very very long brutal weeks for the people of gaza. it is time for this nightmare to come to an end. earlier, mark regev, the senior adviser to the israeli prime minister, gave his response to calls for a ceasefire in gaza. if you want a ceasefire, that, from israel's perspective can only happen with the release of hostages as you know, hamas continues to hold over

100 hostages, there is a chance because they want that ceasefire, they need that ceasefire they will agree to the hostagesed had we agreed to un secretary—general�*s proposal ore a monthing a for this unilateral ceasefire we would not have got the 110 hostages out we did in november. hamas isn't going to release hostages because they have become humanitarians, they do so because they respond to pressure and the israeli defence forces are applying that pressure. the pressure thou~h, applying that pressure. the pressure though, president _ applying that pressure. the pressure though, president biden _ applying that pressure. the pressure though, president biden has - applying that pressure. the pressure | though, president biden has describe israel's bombing as indiscriminate. israel's bombing as indiscriminate. is israel prepared to accept that the tactics need to change, within this war, to make it less deadly for civilians? , ., ., ., ., ., civilians? first of all all along we have said civilians _ civilians? first of all all along we have said civilians are _ civilians? first of all all along we have said civilians are not - civilians? first of all all along we have said civilians are not the . have said civilians are not the target of the operation, our enemy is hamas and i have sat in meetings with senior american officials where we have shown clearly how the israeli defence force o how we select a site to be targeted, how we decide on the munitions, we look at collateral damage and try to

minimise that and so there is a rigorous selection of targets which compares with what you do in britain and what happens in the us and ore western armies. the and what happens in the us and ore western armies.— western armies. the munitions you are usin: western armies. the munitions you are using are _ western armies. the munitions you are using are mostly _ western armies. the munitions you are using are mostly unguided - western armies. the munitions you are using are mostly unguided as i | are using are mostly unguided as i understand it. why are you not using more provision weapons to minimise casualties? we more provision weapons to minimise casualties? ~ , ,., more provision weapons to minimise casualties? ~ , , casualties? we use both but when we use munitions — casualties? we use both but when we use munitions that _ casualties? we use both but when we use munitions that are _ casualties? we use both but when we use munitions that are less _ casualties? we use both but when we use munitions that are less precise, l use munitions that are less precise, we do that from close launches in dive bomb technique, so we can be as precise as humanly possible in what is a difficult and combat situation, but can i add, these calls from the secretary—general and we just heard a spokesperson from unrwa, people who call for an #3450ed ceasefire, that are they say? they are saying israel has to seize its operation against hamas and hamas stays in pow, they is the the town of bethlehem in the west back is usually filled

with pilgrims and tourists at this time of year, with a huge christmas tree in central manger square. but this year the mood is sombre. there's no christmas tree, no visitors and nativity church is empty. celebrations have been called off in solidarity with gaza. these pictures show the installation of a grotto among rubble in manger square, representing the destruction and suffering there. many palestinians in the west bank and across israelhave relatives and friends in gaza. live now to the most reverend hosam e naoum, anglican archbishop in jerusalem. can you tell us a bit about the atmosphere this year and how it is different from previous years? i begin by wishing everybody a safe and merry christmas, at this time, here from jerusalem and bethlehem, and as you mentioned, like, it seems that christmas has been suspended, at least some celebrations within the area has been suspended for

because of the war, and they are no atmosphere whatevers except the worships and liturgies that will take place ore christmas. i worships and liturgies that will take place ore christmas. i know you don't want to — take place ore christmas. i know you don't want to talk _ take place ore christmas. i know you don't want to talk about _ take place ore christmas. i know you don't want to talk about the - take place ore christmas. i know you don't want to talk about the pom - don't want to talk about the pom ticks of this but you must be talking to people, your parishioners or people who are there, what do you they tell you about how they are feeling? indie they tell you about how they are feelin: ? ~ , ., , feeling? we believe that there is, of course. — feeling? we believe that there is, of course. so _ feeling? we believe that there is, of course, so much _ feeling? we believe that there is, of course, so much devastation i feeling? we believe that there is, of course, so much devastation inj of course, so much devastation in the area, the war itself on every side is causing a lot of death and especially the death of civilians, women and children and in gaza with the loss of all life, especially in the loss of all life, especially in the north, and our people, our own churches in gaza and our hospitals and schools, the christian ones has lost any sense of hope, in the midst of suffering and destruction, and thatis of suffering and destruction, and that is why our people, everywhere, not only here in the holy land but around the world, we are feeling with the people who are suffering at

this time, and that is why it is important that this war has to end and civilians and people should have aid, food and water so we can at least feel that there is some kind of hope or sustenance or nourishment in the time of christmas.— in the time of christmas. given what we neared the _ in the time of christmas. given what we neared the last _ in the time of christmas. given what we neared the last few _ in the time of christmas. given what we neared the last few days - in the time of christmas. given what we neared the last few days what. we neared the last few days what would your hopes be for 202a? {line would your hopes be for 2024? one thin we would your hopes be for 2024? one thing we we — would your hopes be for 2024? one thing we we all _ would your hopes be for 2024? iez thing we we all believe that christmas is a time of hope, where we pray for peace and we pray for end of war, not only here in the holy land but everyy, where, whether it is in ukraine, sudan or any other place in the world, and that is why what we hope for 2024 is to be a year where people can have a sense of me a, and they pursue it and believe that the only way to end war, and that would be on the table of negotiations and in our case we hope that people will come and lead

news the area here and round the world, and say it is time to be serious about peace in this land, jerusalem is the city of peace thank you for talking to us. taiwan says china has sent warplanes and navy vessels around the island, just three weeks before a presidential election in taiwan. with campaigning under way, taiwan's officials have repeatedly warned of instances of election interference linked to china, who consider the island part of its own territory. taiwan's main opposition party, the kuomintang, has pledged to reopen dialogue with china if it wins the election. but the ruling democratic progressive party's lai ching—te is the frontrunner to be president, according to opinion polls. live now to chun—yi lee, the director of the taiwan studies programme at the university of nottingham. for people who haven't been following the election process there, bring us a bit of a

background about who is in the running and which way it is likely to go. running and which way it is likely to no. i, ~' , running and which way it is likely to .o_ ., ~' , , to go. thank you. currently, the dpp candidate as — to go. thank you. currently, the dpp candidate as you _ to go. thank you. currently, the dpp candidate as you mentioned - to go. thank you. currently, the dpp candidate as you mentioned is - to go. thank you. currently, the dpp candidate as you mentioned is ahead of the opposition party candidate, however, in the past two weeks, their campaign has been rigorous, tonight they have a big campaign party in front of the palace in taipei. it is getting close, so the presidential result, election result now seems not very easy to be predicted. now seems not very easy to be predicted-— now seems not very easy to be redicted. , i, i, now seems not very easy to be redicted. , ., ,., i, i, predicted. tell us about the role of china, predicted. tell us about the role of china. there _ predicted. tell us about the role of china, there is _ predicted. tell us about the role of china, there is talk _ predicted. tell us about the role of china, there is talk of _ china, there is talk of interference, what sort of things have been happening? precisely. you mentioned t— have been happening? precisely. you mentioned t that _ have been happening? precisely. you mentioned t that china _ have been happening? precisely. you mentioned t that china -- _ have been happening? precisely. you mentioned t that china -- missile. i

mentioned tthat china —— missile. and military practise and also, it is notjust before the presidential election but it is freak, especially after 2022, apart from those visible interference china creates quite misinformation, across the trade and it creates disturbance of the citizen's belief into the truth of the report. another thing that china mentioned is that if the dpp continues to win the election they would stop our suspend quite a lot of the semi free trade agreement. how much is the your impression say ukraine and what is going on in the guards israel war has taken people's eyes off the china—taiwan issue, is

that something that affected do you think {lint that something that affected do you thin i i i, , that something that affected do you thin , ,, , that something that affected do you thini , ,, ,., think of course those issues are im iortant think of course those issues are important but — think of course those issues are important but for _ think of course those issues are important but for them - think of course those issues are important but for them they - think of course those issues are important but for them they are j think of course those issues are - important but for them they are more concerned about whether there is us up concerned about whether there is us up support to taiwan's trade and democracy would be interfered by the unfortunate war going on, gaza, and also ukraine—rush, so i think the worry is about whether the us would be able to continue support the democracy. be able to continue support the democracy-— mobile internet services have been suspended in parts of indian—administered kashmir as troops conduct a search operation against separatists. it follows an ambush of two indian army vehicles on thursday in which five soldiers were killed. tensions are rising again in india's only muslim—majority region. 0ur south asia correspondent anbarasan ethirajan has more. the indian security forces have been deployed in the poonch and rajouri districts of indian—administered

kashmir following this ambush a couple of days ago, in which five indian soldiers were killed in a suspected attack by separatist rebels. so that has increased the tension. and subsequently, the indian media is reporting that three people were found near the place where this attack took place in kashmir, and these people were allegedly taken by security forces for questioning. so that caused unrest among the population and to prevent any further untoward incidents the authorities say that they are now suspending internet because some videos were circulating on social media about the detention of these civilians by indian security forces. but so far there has been no comment, anyone from the indian security forces or from the administration of indian administered kashmir. so this all comes in the backdrop of increased rebel activity in the past few months in this region. see, india and pakistan, they both claim this region in full,

but they control only in part. these two districts lie very close to the line of control, which is described as the de facto border between india and pakistan. so the heightened tension comes amid public anger over what they see as unfair treatment by the indian authorities. in what's seen as a boost for donald trump, the us supreme court has refused to fast—track a decision on whether he can be tried for federal crimes or whether, on the contrary, he enjoys presidential immunity. the court's ruling means that mr trump's trial on charges that he tried to overturn the 2020 election, due this march, may well be delayed. the ex—president wants it postponed until after next november's presidential poll, in which he's running.

a delegation of top us officials is expected to visit mexico to discuss the immigration challenge at the southern border. the visit comes as the month of november saw the highest tally of migrant encounters along the borderfor that month on record. republican politicians in border states say they are "overwhelmed". they include texas governor, greg abbott, who signed a state law on monday that would allow officers to arrest people suspected of crossing the border illegally. an anti—warjournalist who applied to run against vladimir putin in next year's presidential election has been banned from taking part. yekaterina duntsova, who's a former television journalist, submitted her documents to the election commission in moscow to begin the formal process of entering the campaign. however, she was told today that she's been barred from running in the election, which takes place next march. with most of vladimir putin's opponents in jail or exile, russia's president is expected to win with a landslide victory.

ukraine's military says it has shot down three russian fighter—bombers in the south of the country. the ukrainian air force said the su—34jets, like these, were brought down around noon on friday, in the region around kherson, after action taken by an anti—aircraft missile unit. the kremlin has not commented on the claims. meanwhile, the uk's ministry of defence has outlined a new issue facing both sides in the conflict, it says there are exceptional levels of rat and mice infestation around the front lines. it says the warm autumn has led to large numbers of rodents, and as the weather becomes colder, they're likely to seek shelter in vehicles and defensive positions. the update notes that a similar thing happened in the same area during the second world war, and the mice and rats pose a risk to military equipment by gnawing through cables. and the uk ministry of defence also says it has seen unverified reports that russian units are starting

to suffer from increased sickness cases, which the troops are attributing to the pest problem. for the first time in centuries, ukraine is going to celebrate christmas on the 25th december. injuly, president zelensky signed into law a parliamentary bill that aimed to "abandon the russian heritage of imposing christmas celebrations". it followed the decision of the orthodox church of ukraine to move to the gregorian calendar, which changed the christmas day from 7th january to 25th december. from kyiv, our ukraine correspondentjames waterhouse reports. bauble painting on the outskirts of kyiv. in a war which takes so much, there's no stopping christmas. some, though, are more experienced at making decorations than others. this woman has done this since 1978. "i like it. it's interesting for me. i enjoy it," she says. this factory in the kiev region was one of three to supply the whole of the soviet union. it still creates pieces of christmas

cheer, but on a much smaller scale. this time there's an unmistakable military theme. translation: i think that everyone who will take a look at a bauble - like this will hope for the victory of our nation sooner. despite the cold industrial exterior, there's still a warm magic inside. the meaning of christmas, despite everything, has not changed for ukrainians, but the way they celebrate it has. in a cultural shift fuelled by russia's aggression. fewer places know that aggression better than the town of bucha. a memorial stands on what was once a mass grave for 500 civilians killed by russian troops. ukraine is moving christmas to 25th december to both distance itself from russia, which marks it on 7th ofjanuary, and align itself with the west. for father andriy, it's more

than just a diary change. translation: unfortunately for many people in the world, _ ukraine is always viewed in the context of being a neighbour of russia. but i think that we are more a neighbour of europe. could you ever forgive russia for what it's done to ukraine? god forgives the sinner, but only those who repent. we don't see yet that the russians want to. so i think it's too early to talk about forgiveness. for ukraine, that would require russia to stop its invasion. there are no signs of that happening. james waterhouse, bbc news, bucha. british traditions, such as panto, hogmanay and cheese rolling could be in line for united nations protected status. the government is beginning a consultation on which activities

should go on an official list of the uk's cultural highlights, when it signs up to a un convention. david sillito reports. pantomime is a uniquely british and enormously popular tradition. but should it go on a list of british cultural activities worthy of preservation? the british government will next year sign up to unesco's convention for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage which means the un body will provide guidance, oversight and recommendations on how to preserve designated cultural traditions. the government now wants to know what people think should actually go on the list. cheese rolling, for instance, is uniquely british but its popularity would suggest it is probably not in need of preservation. whereas many local crafts are in steep decline. the question is which ones

would merit being added to the list? france, greece and spain all have dry stone walling on their list. should it be on ours? belgium has added beer making. argentina and uruguay have tango. should we include a dance? maybe morris dancing or the highland fling. are they cultural treasures? the government would like to know. speeding motorists in florida have had a holiday surprise after being pulled over for driving too fast. this is 0fficer grinch, and any motorist breaking the speed limit by a few miles an hour was offered a challenge — either accept a speeding ticket or take a bite of onion. the initiative was inspired by the onion—loving fictional

character created by dr seuss. those stopped are also offered lessons on safer driving. we give them as choice, if lay are going a few miles an hour over the speed limit, no more than five, we will give you a choice of the stay with us here on bbc news. hello. it is a fairly unsettled spell of weather in store in the run—up to christmas. the next few days are looking relatively mild and cloudy. today we've had some snow across parts of scotland. that's going to turn back to rain gradually. it's looking fairly damp in the west, brightest towards the east. but here's this band of cloud you can see on the satellite image. that's been producing the rain

and the hill snow that we've seen across scotland over the past few hours. increasingly that is turning to sleet and then back to rain in the north—east as we head through into the afternoon. some really heavy rain for the west of scotland, there could be some flooding. meanwhile, further west, we're looking at quite a lot of cloud, some outbreaks of rain. brightest in the east. temperatures 12 or 13 for most of us, but only about three to six across the north—east of scotland. into this evening and tonight, that frontal system slips further south across england and wales, so some patchy rain, breezy conditions continue. squally showers roll in across the north—west of the uk, but it's turning really mild. in fact, temperatures on the rise overnight, 13 degrees for most of us to kick off your christmas eve. so, yes, it is looking mild, the orange colors with us, that mild air mass, but we've got a lot of isobars. low pressure sits to the north of the uk for christmas eve. it's going to be a windy spell of weather. gusts could reach 50 to 70mph, especially towards the western isles in the north—west of scotland, also towards the east of the pennines some gusty winds, but blustery wherever you are. some outbreaks of rain for many areas.

brighter skies towards the north, but plenty of heavy showers. temperatures for most of us 13 to, it could be one of the mildest christmas eves on record. as we move through into the big day itself, christmas day, the first area of low pressure exits towards the east, but we've still got another developing area of low pressure towards the atlantic. it's going to bring some rain through central and southern parts of england and wales. heavy showers further north, perhaps a bit of snow, perhaps a white christmas just on top of the cairngorms, for instance. for most of us, reasonably mild, particularly in the south, 13 or 14 degrees. we're looking at colder air holding on across the north of scotland. that's where we could see a little bit of snow through the day. into boxing day, low pressure clears away, at least for a time, so a ridge of higher pressure in charge into boxing day. it is looking like a drier, brighter day for most of us. still the odd wintry shower, i think, across the far north of scotland, but the winds will be easing and the sun should make

a reappearance for most of us. a bit of rain into the far south—west later on. it is looking drier, but also a little bit colder on christmas day. bye— bye.

this is bbc news. the headlines: the czech republic holds a minute's silence for the 14 people who died in thursday s mass shooting at a university in prague. church bells also rang out across the country

as a mark of respect, as they did in the rest of the european union and nato nations. the president of the un security council has said yesterday's vote on gaza is a crucial step towards averting a humanitarian catastrophe. the resolution aims to increase the supplies of aid to the territory, but does not call for a ceasefire. for the first time in centuries ukraine will celebrate christmas not on 7th january, but on 25th december. earlier this year, president zelensky signed into law a parliamentary bill that aimed to "abandon the russian heritage of imposing christmas celebrations". now on bbc news, take me to the opera: the power of glyndebourne. i've been an opera fan for decades, and i want to share my passion with you. so i'm on a mission to find out how opera is reinventing itself

for the 21st century.