hello, i'm christian fraser. ukrainian president volodymyr zelensky has said he is "grateful" to his air force for a missile attack that badly damaged a russian warship in the black sea. the novocherkassk was hit during an attack on the port of feodosiya in russian—occupied crimea. local officials say at least one person was killed. ukraine said the ship was destroyed. president zelensky wrote on telegram, "the occupiers will not have a single peaceful place in ukraine." the uk's defence secretary also commented on the incident. he wrote on x that... and he goes on to say that...

our correspondent, james waterhouse — who is in the poltava region in central ukraine — explained what this means. it is significant in the sense that ukraine can still navigate russian air defences and strike in the heart of a peninsula that russia has held so tightly onto since 2014. now, the novocherkassk was in port, in feodosiya, suggesting that it was probably being loaded with men, equipment, or both. now, this is a major vessel, it's enormous, and it will no doubt hamper russia's ability to supply troops further north in ukrainian territory it occupies. what is less clear is for how long operations will be disrupted. we've seen ukraine launch long—range missiles over the past year to great effect for kyiv. it has undermined russia's presence there and it has also frustrated supply lines.

there is no doubt that russia's navy, the dominance it enjoys in the black sea and off the coast of crimea, that has been weakened slightly with these long—range missile strikes, to the extent that some ports are no longer completely blockaded. but i don't think that we are going to see it influence the front lines immediately, which ukraine would so dearly want to happen. russia has not only held onto the fifth of ukrainian territory it occupies, but it is attacking as well in some areas. but this is much needed good news for kyiv against the backdrop of waning western support. james waterhouse reporting. the un's humanitarian agency says a hospital in gaza has been overwhelmed by victims of an israeli air strike. the hamas—run health ministry says 240 people have been killed in 2a hours. israel's prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, has vowed to intensify the fight against hamas — designated a terror organisation by the uk and us governments. there are again fears

that the conflict could spread across the region. the us says it has carried out what it calls "necessary and proportionate" air strikes against pro—iranian militias based in iraq. they were in response to attacks on american bases in the region. our correspondent, shaimaa khalil, is injerusalem. standing in what used to be her home. "ourthings, mum, they're gone." israel's bombing of rafah in southern gaza has continued, leaving those who fled there at a loss of where to go. translation: israel claims | that there are safe residential areas, or secure zones, but this attack shows that that's a lie. israel's military operation has intensified in khan younis, also in the south. little amal was sleeping with her family. the bomb hit them and killed her uncle. "they were sleeping," she says, "then i heard a big bang. "rocks landed on us."

amal�*s baby sister is three days old. baby mariam is bearing the brunt of a conflict she was born into. as the military operation deepens into gaza, tensions have risen on israel's northern border with lebanon. israel's defense minister, yoav gallant, has visited troops in the north after, he said, they'd received cross—border fire from hezbollah, with the idf targeting some of the group's infrastructure. translation: hezbollah looks at what's happening in gaza - and understand very well what we did in gaza can also be done in beirut. hezbollah operatives were also targeted by the us in iraq. the pentagon said us forces carried out air strikes against what it called iran—sponsored militias in response to an attack on the erbil air base. israel's war in gaza is not close to being over,

says the prime minister, and in its wake other fronts grow more tense in already volatile areas in the region. shaima khalil, bbc news, jerusalem. juliette touma from the united nations agency for palestinian refugees updated me on the situation at al—aqsa hospital. according to reports, there were multiple and several attacks over the past 2a hours with high levels of casualties. the exodus that you and i have seen since this war began more than 11 weeks ago, that exodus is repeating and more people are being forced to flee what we call the middle areas now, going to where it is quite uncertain. i want to talk about

the communication between the united nations and the israeli side at the moment. just listen to what the spokesman for the israeli government has said in the last few minutes about the role of the un in gaza. on the deeply problematic involvement of the united nations in this conflict, for too long international officials have been deflecting blame on to israel to cover up for the fact that they are covering up for hamas. in failing to condemn hamas for hijacking aid and failing to condemn it for waging war out of hospitals, they have been complicit partners in hamas's human shield strategy. they have let the world down, we are demanding global accountability and that we are leading by example. the ministry of foreign affairs has announced that these are requests by un employees will no longer be granted automatically and will instead be considered on a case—by—case basis. your response to that? and also this issue on visas

and how problematic that could become for your operations. the numbers speak for themselves. the aid that gaza has been getting over the past 11 weeks has been very, very little. in fact, probably 10% of what gaza used to get on a daily basis. so much, much more aid needs to come into gaza. we are seeing very worrying reports of hunger and starvation in some places. meanwhile, the war continues, the displacement continues and un shelters are overcrowded and overrun. this idea of the visas and people not being allowed in. obviously, with the lack of fuel, there are not extensive operations across gaza at the moment. what would it mean if staff were not able to go over the border at rafah to replace and replenish the resources you have there?

we call for a humanitarian access not only for supplies, but also for personnel, people need to be allowed people need to be allowed into the territory in question to provide aid and assistance to people in need, including in unrwa shelters that are overcrowded. by the way, getting overcrowded by the minute as the expansion of the military campaign continues. the bombing raids seem to be intensifying despite what the white house is calling for. do you have an aid operation of any note at the moment inside gaza? can you disperse aid to areas that are deemed safe? yes, of course we can, our teams continue to be on the ground. we are the largest un agency on the ground.

we deliver what we can bring in and we cannot access all areas we should be accessing, including in the north of the gaza strip because, very simply, there is either very little or no access to parts of the gaza strip, including in the north. let's get some reaction to what is going on around the wider region. we can speak to robert forward. can we talk about the strike in iraq? the us has been trying not to destabilise the government. what you think motivated these strikes? i think motivated these strikes? i think the clear reason for the strike is that three us service members were injured, in particular

one was critically injured and that is an american red line. you one was critically injured and that is an american red line.— one was critically injured and that is an american red line. you look at the proxies — is an american red line. you look at the proxies across _ is an american red line. you look at the proxies across the _ is an american red line. you look at the proxies across the region, - the proxies across the region, hamas, hezbollah. they are all backed by iran, the russians are launching iranian built the rounds. what do we think the white house thinks of that at the moment? i thinks of that at the moment? i think it is difficult for the biden administration because iran is able to apply pressure from multiple lunch points, yemen, syria, iraq, and even lebanon. so it is a challenge for the biden administration to try to deter iran on each of these fronts. d0 administration to try to deter iran on each of these fronts.— on each of these fronts. do you anticipate _ on each of these fronts. do you anticipate that _ on each of these fronts. do you anticipate that they _ on each of these fronts. do you anticipate that they will - on each of these fronts. do you anticipate that they will be - on each of these fronts. do you i anticipate that they will be talking about may be a strike on iran? i think that is very unlikely. the biden administration has been careful throughout his period in

office to refrain from launching any direct attacks on iran. the obama administration similarly was extremely reluctant. even the trump administration was reluctant. that would be a big, big change in american policy.— would be a big, big change in american policy. what then is a deterrent from _ american policy. what then is a deterrent from a _ american policy. what then is a deterrent from a united - american policy. what then is a deterrent from a united states| deterrent from a united states perspective? they can'tjust allow these proxies to inhibit traffic and travel through the red sea and upset us bases in iraq and everything that entails. what is the deterrent as far as the white house is concerned? i think that's exactly the challenge, and the biden administration hasn't yet found a solution to it. even before the gaza war, american forces in syria and iraq were underfire war, american forces in syria and iraq were under fire from iranian—backed militias in those countries. i think now the only thing the biden administration can

hope to do is to continue to hit occasional militia sites, such as the dead in iraq last night. at the same time i think they are probably urging other countries to weigh in with iran to restrain iranian actions, countries such as china, which also has an interest in freedom of navigation in the region. a word on the israelis. obviously the white house wants to see the level of attacks diminish. the former israeli ambassador to the us who sits in the war cabinet who is very close to benjamin netanyahu as at the white house today. what you think they will be discussing? i think they will be discussing? i think they will be discussing the future of gaza, both in the short term, and continued israeli military operations, which are generating a greater international response and

condemnation, which the biden administration is grappling with. then a longer term, what to do about gaza, what will be the source of governance in gaza after the israeli military operations are wound down substantially. what about aid flows into gaza? and what to do over the medium term, say, during the rest of 20 robert forward, thank you very much for being with us on the programme. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. the former vice—president of hong kong's disbanded opposition has accused the uk of hardening its stance towards those fleeing the territory. isaac cheng said immigration caseworkers appeared "predisposed to discredit", claims after a number of applications were rejected. a special visa scheme was established in 2021 for pro—democracy hong kongers fleeing persecution. around 97% of applications have been successful. homelessness among military veterans rose by 14% over the past year,

despite government funding to support those facing difficulty with housing and wraparound social care. according to the department of housing, 2110 veteran households were assessed as homeless — up from 1,850 last year. ministry ofjustice figures show that shoplifters would benefit the most from the government's suspension of prison sentences under 12 months. shoplifters account for about 12.5% of sentences that would be suspended under the new rules, which would see offenders punished you're live with bbc news. sport — and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's 0lly foster. hello from the bbc sport centre. nottingham forest have their first win under new manager nuno espirito santo. at st james park. chris wood — who joined forest from newcastle

in the summer — scored a hatrick. his first came just before half—time time, cancelling out an alexander isak penalty. he scored twice in the second half as forest caught newcastle on the break. it's been a bad month for newcastle, with just one win in five league games. forest are now five points above the relegation zone. the game plan was to defend well, first of all, defined well because i think we have to learn from the last game against bournemouth, we didn't defend well. and today we didn't defend well. and today we didn't defend well. and today we didn't defend well. chris had an amazing game. to allow chris and the attacking players to have the space and freedom to play, it comes from behind. so, spot on. for other matches. at bramall line,

sam alison has become the first black referee in 15 years to officiate in the premier league. liverpool will move to the top of the defeat at struggling at burnley. not thatjurgen klopp is going to underestimate them. i think burnley could have easily had much more points because they had so many good spells in the games where they didn't finish the situation off. the young players in some positions. so, i know we that they are much better in the position than the points they have. we all know if you win once and you have the chance to play three days later again, then you will win again, and that's exactly what we expect. aston villa could also finish the day on top. they go to old trafford later facing manchester united, who are in action for the first time since the news on christmas eve that sirjim ratcliffe is buying a 25% stake in the club. united have just one win in their last five league games.

we have to put things right. we have to do things different. we really appreciate all the all the time they are supporting us, even with the setbacks. this time, they are all the time behind us, and we are really appreciating that. but of course we need any help. first of all, the team and i have to do it. the boxing day test in melbourne is under way — australia will be looking to seal the series against pakistan after winning the first test in perth. australia, put into bat, made 187—3 on a rain—affected first day at the mcg. marnus labuschagne is unbeaten on 1m. india against india. south africa are on top

in the first test against india against india. they won the toss and that looked to be a very good decision. kagiso rabada has taken five wickets. novak djokovic turns 37 in may, but his desire to keep adding to his record tally of grand slams shows no signs of diminishing. the 24—time major winner was speaking in saudi arabia ahead of his clash with carlos alcaraz in a repeat of the 2023 wimbledon final. still trying to push as long as i can and win grand slams and be a contenderfor top spot of can and win grand slams and be a contender for top spot of the world, and trying to make more history in the sport. that is the drive, the motivation. i'm still feeling very goodin motivation. i'm still feeling very good in my own body. at this age, playing one of the best seasons that i had in my career in 2023, so i'm

going to keep going and see how far it gets me. we going to keep going and see how far it nets me. ~ ., going to keep going and see how far it nets me. ~ . ., ., ., it gets me. we have a goal in one of those premier— it gets me. we have a goal in one of those premier league _ it gets me. we have a goal in one of those premier league matches - it gets me. we have a goal in one of| those premier league matches under way. luton beat newcastle just before christmas, they have the lead at sheffield united. both those sides in the relegation zone. littering taking the lead there. we will have an update for you in the next hour. let's focus on what's going on in arabian sea. india says it's sending three warships to the arabian sea, after an israel—affiliated merchant vessel heading to an indian port was hit by a drone off its western coast last week. a navy statement said three guided missile destroyer ships had been deployed to maintain what it called a credible deterrence. 0ur south asia correspondent, anbarasan ethirajan, has more from delhi. the fact that within days of this attack on a tanker, mv chem pluto, in the arabian sea about 400

kilometres off the coast of the indian state of gujarat shows how seriously india is taking this particular attack. this oil tanker was supposed to go from saudi arabia to southern india when it came under attack in the arabian sea. we still do not know who carried out this attack. now, what it shows is that whatever is happening in the red sea, where the houthi rebels were targeting many of the vehicles, we touched on the subject early in the programme, now the impact can be seen far away, more than 2,000 kilometres away from the red sea. the us blamed iran for this attack, but the iranian foreign ministry dismissed that accusation as baseless. what is important for india is to maintain the security of its shipping lanes because it depends on oil supplies from the middle east — some of the topmost oil exporters are saudi arabia and iraq, to india — so that is why india is sending three guided missile destroyers

to send out a message in case this particular drone was launched from any boat or any other medium range ship, that would send a clear warning that we are here to protect our waters and protect our shipping lanes, because this will have a huge impact on the economy. two further explosions in the red sea todayjust off the coast of yemen, which a british naval officials are checking. high streets across the uk are open after the christmas break hoping to attract shoppers with the boxing day sales. festive spending in high street stores was up 3.5% on last year, according to the latest research from mastercard. the figures suggest online spending declined by more than 2.5%. our business correspondent, theo legget, reports. bells chime. christmas is done. the leftovers are in the fridge, and on the high street the sales stickers are out in force. the boxing day sales were once a major annual event, eagerly awaited by bargain hunters. but in recent years, pre—christmas discounting events,

such as black friday, have stolen some of that cachet. it is also possible these days to shop online and find hefty reductions throughout the festive period. it's the first time in a long time that we have come out on boxing day for shopping. we normally do it online. we normally do it online, the missus wanted to come up in the morning, and we just fancied a change and thought why not? all saints had a really good _ black friday sale on, white company, these are places where we shop. and they were so much better, but we were holding out - for boxing day sales - because we always come without the kids and it's time for us, but they are rubbish. i some high street retailers won't be opening today, they include big names such as marks & spencers, next and john lewis. but experts say enticing offers shouldn't be hard to find. a lot of people spent less this year on the christmas shopping because of the cost of living crisis. as a result, retailers have a lot more stock on their hands, so the good news for you and me is there will be bigger discounts post—christmas. the question is whether people will actually have money to spend. polling from barclays

suggests they will. it is predicting that shoppers will spend an average of £253 each over the coming days. that would be the highest level in four years. but for high street retailers, there is another major challenge. many consumers now prefer to do their shopping online, from the sofa. so, persuading them to surrender their phones and tablets and rush into the town centre is not going to be easy. theo leggett, bbc news. the former antiques roadshow expert henry sandon has died at the age of 95. his son, john, confirmed he died peacefully at a care home in malvern, in worcestershire, on christmas morning. he said sandon "was like a favourite uncle" to those who watched each week. henry sandon was one of the longest serving experts on the bbc show, having joined it in 1979.

a mass wedding ceremony involving 50 couples has been held in afghanistan. these kind of ceremonies are becoming increasingly common in afghanistan as couples try to avoid the high cost of a traditional wedding. the ceremony took place in kabul and involved visitations from the koran. there was no dancing or music, which remains banned by the country's brothers. the couples were supplied with a wedding cake each and household items to start married life. the un's humanitarian agency says a hospital in gaza has been overwhelmed by the victims of an israeli air strike. the hamas—run health ministry says to an a0 people have been killed in the last 2a hours. benjamin netanyahu has vowed

to intensify the fight against hamas. there are again fears the conflict could spread across the region. we have seen strikes in iraq, the us carry out what it said is a proportionate air strike against iranian—backed militias there. but also activity from houthis firing missiles in the red sea. do stay with us, plenty more to come. hello there. boxing day brought a lot of fine, dry, settled weather across the country thanks to a ridge of high pressure, but it is all change into tomorrow. we have storm gerrit expected to bring gales, heavy rains and significant hill snow across scotland, and it remains unsettled into thursday with windy weather, with sunshine and showers. this is storm gerrit, winding its way up out in the atlantic, we are in between weather systems today, hence the fine and dry weather with widespread sunshine

for the rest of today. with just one or two showers around, light winds, breezier for the northern isles, signs of cloud and rain just getting in the far south—west ahead of storm gerrit later in the day, otherwise for most it stays dry, on the cool side, single digits for most. it's a cold start to the night across the far north of england, scotland, with early frost and ice. and then wind, rain, cloud spread northwards, associated with storm gerrit through tonight. so it turns stormier for all and we start to see some snow over the hills in the north. temperatures double figures in the south, single figures further north. storm gerrit then very much in control of our weather on wednesday, a lot of isobars on the charts, so very windy indeed. we have some concerns about the snowfall amounts across the hills of scotland, above 200 metres, in excess of 15 centimetres for many throughout the day. and we can even see accumulations higher than that where we have drifting and blizzards when you add on the strength of the wind. so, very nasty conditions to be had across northern areas, wet and windy elsewhere, gales certainly around

coastal areas, up to 60 mph through the channel. later in the day, chance of severe gales developing for north—east scotland and the northern isles. a little bit of brightness for northern ireland through the afternoon, many places will stay wet with cloudy weather. double figure values for most but cold across scotland. so, pretty severe weather on the way for wednesday, low pressure hangs around as we head into thursday as well, again lots of isobars on the charts through thursday so it will be another blustery, windy day to come. sunshine and showers, most of these in the north and the west, some heavy ones, hail and thunder and snow on the hills again in scotland. probably a better chance of seeing lengthier, sunny spells will be towards eastern england. again, just about double figures for many, cold across scotland. we hold on to the unsettled theme for the rest of the week and the run—up to new year's with rain or showers at times.

brief lull during the course of saturday. goodbye. this is bbc news, the headlines... now on bbc news, the year in review. # nothing compares. # nothing compares to you...

the point at which i start crying is on the lines, "all the flowers that you planted, mama, in the backyard, all died when you went away." because as a young child, i had spent time living in the garden, only being allowed to enter the house to wash the floor every day. # these are dangerous days. # to say what you feel is to dig. # your own grave. # fight the real enemy.# people say it derailed my career. but i think it re—railed my career, because i didn't want to be a pop star. # so happy christmas. # i love you, baby. # i can see...# it's true i'm out of it most of the time, but i can write songs when i'm out of it. in fact, it's easier for me. # ..singing galway bay. # and the bells are ringing out for christmas day.