official in in the top election official in maine rules that donald trump cannot run for president in the state in the election next year. hello, i'm lucy hockings. russia has launched one of its biggest aerial attacks on ukraine since the war began — killing at least 18 people in a wave of deadly explosions across the country. president zelensky says 114 of 158 missiles and drones fired were shot down by ukrainian defences. ukraine's air force says it has "never seen so many locations targeted simultaneously". cities hit include kyiv, lviv in the west, odesa in the south, and dnipro, kharkiv and zaporizhzhia in eastern ukraine. a maternity hospital and shopping mall were among buildings damaged and destroyed. meanwhile poland says an identified aerial object entered the nato country's airspace at hrubieszow overnight. a polish general says the object, which is likely to have been a russian missile,

spent less than three minutes over polish territory, before returning to ukrainian territory. we'll get reaction from poland in a moment. from kyiv, our ukraine correspondent james waterhouse reports. it is and always has been the whole of ukraine which is under attack. kyiv is still moscow's biggest prize. air defences have improved here, but this attack proved too much. translation: i was woken up at 7:30 by a horrible sound. i it was so frightening. the missile was flying and everything was buzzing, so noisy. you are left in no doubt that this was a direct missile strike. the scale of the damage, the size of the blast zone, the heat caused. you're more used to seeing damage caused from falling debris when a missile is intercepted. but this reflects the scale of this russian attack. and scenes like this are being replicated right across ukraine.

a lucky escape in kharkiv in the north—east. this city is familiar with missile strikes, but not 20 in a single morning. a shopping centre in dnipro in the east, as well as a maternity hospital, were hit. it didn't stop there. this is the port city of odesa in the south, where a residential block was struck. even in lviv in the west, which is usually spared the worst of this invasion, wasn't immune this time. ukraine's air force says it has never seen so many missiles. in a war where moscow routinely strikes cities it can't occupy, that is saying something. let's return to poland now where military sources say an object which enterered its airspace was likely to be a russian rocket. we can speak to our poland correspondent adam easton.

adam, keven politt is a nato member, what's the significance of this moment?— what's the significance of this moment? ., ., ., , ., moment? -- given that poland is a nato member- _ moment? -- given that poland is a nato member. poland _ moment? -- given that poland is a nato member. poland has- moment? -- given that poland is a nato member. poland has been - moment? -- given that poland is a nato member. poland has been a l moment? -- given that poland is a - nato member. poland has been a nato member since the mid—90s. and nato has an article 5 which states that an attack on any one nato member will be repelled by the whole of nato. if a russian missile was to actually [and in poland, by the letter of that article, that could be considered, poland could apply to nato to say, we've come under attack from a non—nato country and we would like you to defend us against attack. in practice, that's not likely to happen, because it's probably regarded in this case and in two previous cases that these are stray missiles are not a deliberate

attack against poland, a nato member. �* . ., . live now to iuliia osmolovska — former ukrainian diplomat and director of the kyiv office of globsec, a global security and sustainability think tank. good to have you with us. i'm sure it was a terrifying night for many people across ukraine with so many cities hit. whilst it has been, many people are saying, since the full—scale invasion of ukraine began. despite the worst it has been. what are people saying about the missiles that were fired overnight and how has it left him feeling? overnight and how has it left him feelin: ? ~ , ., feeling? well, the society and the --oulation feeling? well, the society and the pepulation have — feeling? well, the society and the population have been _ feeling? well, the society and the i population have been psychologically prepared. forthe population have been psychologically prepared. for the couple of last month, we haven't seen that scale of miscellany cream. —— of missiles on

ukraine. apparently something should have happened these days, and let me just give you one example which is on social media in ukraine. when the missile hit the car park and one of the cars went on fire, the owner of the cars went on fire, the owner of the cars went on fire, the owner of the carjumped into the car and drove off in order to save all the other cars from the explosion. the guy who was filming this said that this nation is unbeatable. so definitely, it only consolidates the society and i hope that on a political level, the political tensions will be decreased because of what we see and what is rx —— are existential threat at the moment. how concerned are people there that foreign aid for ukraine could begin

to dry out? foreign aid for ukraine could begin to d out? ~ , ., to dry out? well, me being a diplomat. — to dry out? well, me being a diplomat. i _ to dry out? well, me being a diplomat, i can _ to dry out? well, me being a diplomat, i can tell- to dry out? well, me being a diplomat, i can tell you - to dry out? well, me being a diplomat, i can tell you that l to dry out? well, me being a i diplomat, i can tell you that one competition is internal, and secondly, external, because the last few, we saw a very goode's position when it comes ukraine. after the large—scale russian attacks on critical infrastructure in october last year. so definitely, i think that today's attack and probably some more to follow would also solidify the position of our partners and actually force them to make the decision to help as soon as possible. for instance, the comments of the us ambassador today was similar, she called for the speedy delivery of assistance to ukraine might stop thank you so much for

joining us from kyiv. to the middle east now. the united nations says an estimated 150,000 palestinians are being forced to flee areas of central gaza, as israeli forces advance on refugee camps there. an israeli air strike is reported to have killed 20 displaced people in rafah — a town that many people have fled to in recent days. meanwhile, talks to end the conflict are reported to have restarted in egypt. our middle east correspondent yolande knell has sent this report — and a warning that it does contain distressing images. gathering in disbelief at the scene of another israeli strike. this is rafah, crowded with displaced gazans. last night, the scenes here were frantic, with 20 people killed, including children. others somehow making it out alive. amid all this suffering, ordinary palestinians ask when the war will stop. "the situation has gone beyond all limits," says samad. "we're asking the world to protect

us and stop the aggression. "we're helpless." ongoing fighting means little aid has been reaching gaza city. new pictures show the desperate looting when this convoy finally arrived. the vast majority of gazans have now been forced from their homes. people here have been setting up new makeshift camps as they've fled from advancing israeli troops. but new diplomatic efforts are taking shape, even as the war rages on. a hamas delegation is now in cairo after egypt, a key mediator with israel, proposed a new ceasefire deal. crowd chants in israel, there is pressure to find a way to bring home the ioo—plus hostages still in gaza. those released during a truce last month say they endured harsh conditions while held captive by hamas fighters. mia schem now accuses all gazans of being complicit with the armed group, something many would deny. translation: it's families

under hamas control. i you know, in retrospect i realised i was staying with a family. i was asking myself, "why am i at a family's house? "why are there children and a woman here?" israel says its aim in gaza remains to dismantle hamas's military and governing capabilities. but for now, palestinian civilians are paying a huge price — forced to flee from their homes with no safe place to go. yolande knell, bbc news, jerusalem. about 100,000 people have arrived in rafah in recent days, hoping for safety, according to the un. but gaza's health ministry, which is run by hamas, have reported multiple air strikes in the area. the building 13—year—old nadeen abdulatif and her family were sheltering in was severely damaged by an israeli strike earlier today. the family had moved to rafah after their house in gaza city was destroyed, killing nadeen�*s older brother. where am i supposed to go? children were killed here.

26 people were killed here. i am terrified. iam scared. and the thought of me being killed or my other brother being killed is just crossing my mind repeatedly. i already lost my older brother. i can't lose my younger brother. israel has expressed regret for what it called the "harm caused to uninvolved individuals" who were caught in an israeli air strike on the maghazi refugee camp in gaza. the hamas—run health ministry says more than 70 people were killed in the attack on christmas eve. the israeli military says two fighterjets struck buildings close to hamas positions, which likely caused harm to civilians, despite efforts to avoid casualties. it said it was continuing to investigate the incident and would learn lessons.

we have at these pictures of the past are released to us by by the idf. . a, past are released to us by by the idf. ~ ., , c, past are released to us by by the idf.~ ., _, past are released to us by by the idf.~ ., , past are released to us by by the idf. ., , , idf. what you can see there is them strikin: idf. what you can see there is them striking what — idf. what you can see there is them striking what they _ idf. what you can see there is them striking what they describe - idf. what you can see there is them striking what they describe as i striking what they describe as hezbollah infra structure in lebanon. israel says they hit a number of targets including launch sites and a military compound. more on this four spun injerusalem. are we seeing an increase from these kind of strikes in the tax on the border between israel and lebanon? i think as the expansion goes on, we are now seeing the tension that has already been heightened since october the 7th continued to heighten on israel's northern border with lebanon, and these launches from hezbollah. in the past are we have heard from the idf saying that they have identified a number of launches in the direction of israel, some of them actually crossing into israeli territory, and the idf also

said that they struck at a hezbollah cell responsible for launching anti—tank missiles in the area. and what you have also mentioned, striking hezbollah infrastructure in that area. but i think also if you listen to the rhetoric with the israeli government, in the past week orso israeli government, in the past week or so for example we have heard from the defence minister and also from the defence minister and also from the war cabinet minister and they both heightened the rhetoric and have said that time is running out for the world to try and contain hamas, to try and stop hamas launches into israel, but also to distance them from the border and if the world wasn't going to do it, israel was going to do it. the defence ministerfor israel was going to do it. the defence minister for example earlier saying that hezbollah is looking at gaza and they know that this is possible in their roots. this is a chilling fact, but the heightening

of that rhetoric i think worries many people, it worries many of israel's allies especially the united states, because you only have to go back to 2006 to see how destructive the war was, how devastating it was for the region, and while this tension continues, the room for error, the room for mistakes also becomes larger, and remember, 2006 happened because of these errors, so i think everyone wants the situation contained, but it is becoming an area of heightened tensions at the moment, as the military operation continues in gaza. u, ., military operation continues in gaza. ., ., , gaza. good to have you with this, thank ou gaza. good to have you with this, thank you so _ gaza. good to have you with this, thank you so much. _ gaza. good to have you with this, thank you so much. we _ gaza. good to have you with this, thank you so much. we can i gaza. good to have you with this, thank you so much. we can show| gaza. good to have you with this, i thank you so much. we can show you the border they are between israel and lebanon, the concerns there very real and also here, a picture looking to gaza from southern israel

as the sun sets. the israeli army continuing to expand its operation in khan younis particularly but also continuing their offensive in the north of the territory. so all the developments from the middle east, we will keep it across. large crowds have gathered in yemen's capital at a houthi rally to show support for palestinians. thousands of people packed into sanaa, chanting and waving placards. iranian—backed houthi militants in yemen have recently stepped up attacks on vessels in the red sea, to show their backing for hamas. here in the uk, tributes have been paid to a man who died after a car hit a group of people in the northern city of sheffield. police say christian marriott had stopped to help an unconscious woman after a row between two groups.

his family have paid tribute, saying the "tragic and unfathomable" circumstances of his death "show the sort of man he was — going to help rather than to turn away." two men have been arrested on murder charges. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. a clean—up operation is taking place after around 100 homes were damaged by a tornado in stalybridge in greater manchester, during storm gerrit. it tore roofs off some houses, blew over trees and damaged cars. thousands of homes in wales and scotland were left without power. the chief inspector of prisons for england and wales has called for a fundamental re—orientation in the way the system is run. charlie taylor said the high availability of drugs in some prisons was a barrier to rehabilitation. and he said many inmates were failing to learn to read, and not developing the skills

they need for a life of work, rather than crime. the home of the manchester city footballerjack grealish has been broken into while he was playing in his side's 3—1win against everton. according to local media, £1 million worth ofjewellery and watches were stolen. no arrests have yet been made. you're live with bbc news. time to bring you up—to—date with what's happening in the world of sport. hello from the bbc sport centre. the busy festive period in the english premier league has just one day off between christmas and new year. it's today, friday. and this is the picture at the top of the table after arsenal failed to go back above liverpool on thursday night. the leaders next play on monday, by which point they may not still be at the summit — with aston villa and manchester city having the first chance to eat into liverpool's advantage.

when we lose a game, we are out of the title race, when we win a game, we are there, it's the same for our contenders, so it's possible we can address the fact that this dear, anything can happen. this season it is a common thing for all the teams, they are struggling to get the results. so the best thing to do is to keep going game by game. carlo ancelotti has extended his contract with real madrid, appearing to end speculation linking him with the brazil national team job. the italian now has a deal at the bernabeu until the end of the 2025/26 season, extending his second spell at the spanish club with whom he's won two champions' leagues and last season's la liga title. his tale with g10 next year and dour. —— was due to end.

the detroit pistons have lost for the 28th time in a row, equalling the nba record for a run of defeats. their latest came against the boston celtics with the pistons losing 128—122 despite at one stage being ahead by 21 points. they've now matched that 28 game mark set by philadelphia between 2015 and 2016. but they're the first to lose that many in a row during a single season. australia's cricketers have sealed a series win over pakistan. they've beaten the tourists by 79 runs in melbourne, with their captain pat cummins finishing with ten wickets in the match. he helped bowl pakistan out for 237 in their second innings as they chased 317 for victory. pakistan had looked well set to get close to that target at 219—5 at one stage. but they then lost wickets quickly, and australia take an unassailable 2—0 lead in the three—match series. the third test starts in sydney on tuesday. and after almost a year out, rafa nadal will return to action at the brisbane international, ahead of a year that may well be his last. nadal�*s last competitive match was injanuary at the australian open, which he's preparing for here.

after missing the other three slams in 2023, he's slipped out of the world's top 600 and says he's realistic about his chances of winning more titles in 202a. for me it is impossible to think about winning tournaments today, but what is really possible is to think to enjoy the comeback to the court. no, i don't expect much. it is going to be a tough process at the beginning. nothing is impossible, but at the end, for me, just to be here is a victory and i hope i am going to have the chance to enjoy, and the crowd as well. and that's all the sport for now. british transport police has recorded an eleven—fold increase of cases for islamophobia and anti—semitism, since the israel—gaza war began. greater manchester police recorded 7a cases of anti—semitism after the 7th of october, almost five times as many as the same period last year, when 15 incidents were reported.

and the force reported a decrease in islamophobia cases, which went from 43 last year to 3a this year. the metropolitan police, the largest force in the uk, said delays prevented it from supplying full figures until the new year, but it had previously reported 218 anti—semitic offences between october 1st and 18th this year, compared with 15 in the same period in 2022. while islamophobia cases last year were 42 and have risen to 101 this year. live now to stephen silverman, who is the director of investigations and enforcement with the campaign against anti—semitism. ijust ran i just ran through ijust ran through the numbers, can you give us an idea of what people in the community, and thejewish community in the uk are telling you they are experiencing at the moment? yes, good afternoon, thank you for having me on. so in the middle of november, the campaign against

anti—semitism conducting a survey of british jews and anti—semitism conducting a survey of britishjews and the anti—semitism conducting a survey of british jews and the findings anti—semitism conducting a survey of britishjews and the findings are horrifying, but at the same time probably unsurprising. at the moment, 69% of britishjews say they would hide sat of their identity when they go out in public. that would mean anyone who normally wears a star of david for example would hide it. most half of britishjews have considered leaving the uk due to the rise in anti—semitism since the 7th of october. 90% of british jews said would avoid travelling to the city centre if a major anti—israel demonstration was taking place there. itjust indicates the extent to which our urban centres have become no—go zones forjews. and what would people like to see happening now so that they feel more protected? happening now so that they feel more rotected? ., happening now so that they feel more rotected? . ., , ., protected? there are a number of thins i protected? there are a number of things i think _ protected? there are a number of things i think that _ protected? there are a number of things i think that need _ protected? there are a number of things i think that need to - protected? there are a number of| things i think that need to happen. first and foremost, there needs to be proper law enforcement. it's been

a particular problem within london, where the metropolitan police, in october, announced the increase in anti—semitic hate crime of the same period for the previous year, yet they have repeatedly failed to clamp down on clear criminal behaviour, even to the extent where the commissioner sir mark rowley tried to gaslightjews earlier on, then just before the second march about the meaning of certain phrases that are widely accepted to be genocide utterly anti—semitic. so law enforcement a major concern. not just in terms the marches. we have seen videos emerging from certain mosques where the hate speech againstjews is simply horrific. so there is a lotto be done in that area. also, there has been a huge problem with the reporting of the conflict between israel and hamas by certain arms of the media, including

and notably including i'm afraid the bbc, where it would not have been the intent to fewer entities —— my anti—semitism but sadly that has the outcome. so right now britishjews are feeling frightened and believe it as never before, certainly not since the end of the second world war. —— beleaguered. since the end of the second world war. -- beleaguered.— since the end of the second world war. -- beleaguered. thank you so much forioining — war. -- beleaguered. thank you so much forjoining us. _ war. -- beleaguered. thank you so much forjoining us. i'm _ war. -- beleaguered. thank you so much forjoining us. i'm afraid i war. -- beleaguered. thank you so much forjoining us. i'm afraid we l much forjoining us. i'm afraid we have to leave it there, we will bring you a response from the met police to some of those allegations made sure that as well. donald trump's 2024 election campaign says it will file a legal challenge to a ruling by the state of maine to prevent him from contesting the republican primary there. maine is the second state to announce such a move, after colorado, with officials in both citing a clause in the constitution which bans those who have engaged in insurrection from taking political office. the us supreme court is likely to make the ultimate decision as to whether he can

run for president. live now to our correspondent in washington, shingai nyoka. first colorado and now maine, everyone wants to know about the timing, when do you think this could appear before the supreme court? obviously is becoming a of urgency. it is a matter of urgency, because the super tuesday where some of these primaries will be held will be held in march, so there really is a time crunch. so many questions about what is likely to happen. this is uncharted waters, this is the first time, and i'm referring to that case in maine, state official has ruled that a presidential candidate cannot appear on the ballot. so these are questions that the supreme court is likely to weigh in on. trump's lawyers have argued that congress is

the one that should decide, but i think what's important is that several other states are still weighing in on the matter. so this will really add to what is a politically charged atmosphere here. thank you so much. stay with us on bbc news. good afternoon. we're about to say goodbye to 2023, and if that for you involves travel plans, you need to keep abreast of the weather forecast, because as we head into the weekend, there's further heavy rain to come, and snow is likely even at lower levels in the far north for a time and a risk of gates, particularly down to the south. it's this area of low pressure. it arrives during saturday, sweeps its way eastwards during the early hours of sunday and leaves a trail of showers to follow. we have seen some showers around today, chiefly across northern ireland and northern

england and some making their way through wales, towards the midlands and the south east as we speak. they will continue for a time, but tend to fade a little as we go through the night, and we'll have some clearing skies. still some showers and strong winds into the far north—east of scotland, but here's the first signs of that heavy rain out to the west. milder weather here, but it could be a bitterly cold, frosty, icy start in sheltered rural areas of scotland. dry and sunny to begin with, but then that cloud and rain will sweep its way steadily north and east. gales starting to pick up into the south—west with a spell of very heavy rain into south—west england, wales and north—west england as we go through the afternoon. it's likely to stay dry through the east midlands, east anglia and south—east england. here 12 degrees the high. a cooler story with some wintry showers developing. as the temperatures fall away in scotland, at lower levels we could see further disruptive snow through saturday night into the early hours of new year's eve first thing on sunday morning. so here's that low. it will start to push away during sunday and then leave us in quite a showery regime.

perhaps new year's eve will be a slightly quieter story. there will be a rash of showers. there will be some strong, gusty winds down to the south, but those showers will tend to fade away as we go through the day. it certainly will be a slightly quieter story across much of scotland — six or seven degrees here. sunny spells and scattered showers with highs of eight to ten elsewhere. into new year's eve itself, if you are off out and about, it looks likely that it will be a cooler story with a few scattered showers around. the strongest of the winds as you see in the new year down to the south. then on new year's day and into tuesday, it will be a little bit quieter and a little bit cooler. take care.

now on bbc news, 12 million girls.

child marriage is a global issue and has devastating consequences all over the world. at least 80 million girls under 18 will be married by 2030. stopping it isn't easy. we believe that when we educate just one girl, that one girl can be able to change her community. and changing cultural practices is even harder. in 2022, michelle obama, amal clooney and melinda french gates came together to announce a collaboration with the aim of ending child marriage.