this is bbc news. i'm rich preston, with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk, and around the world. mr zelensky goes to washington — us media reports that ukraine's president is to pay an official visit to america. a congressional committee in the united states has voted to release the tax returns of former president, donald trump. in a further erosion of women's rights in afghanistan, the taliban government bans women from university education. sirens. a warning from nhs leaders in the uk — patient safety can't be guaranteed, with ambulance workers on strike.

hello. welcome to the programme. media organisations in the us are reporting that ukraine's president volodomyr zelensky will visit washington on wednesday. the ukrainian leader is expected to meet president biden and congressional leaders in what would be his first overseas trip since russia invaded his country, ten months ago. our reporter, azadeh moshiri, has been looking into this story and shejoins me now. what more do we know about this visit? ,., , u, ., , visit? reports came last minute and that is _ visit? reports came last minute and that is very _ visit? reports came last minute and that is very typical - visit? reports came last minute and that is very typical for - visit? reports came last minute and that is very typical for a - and that is very typical for a high—risk trip like this. from what we could gather he would be addressing congress in the evening, as well as meeting with presidentjoe biden. president zelenskyy has hosted world leaders himself, that is in situations where countries like france, united kingdom, germany, have wanted to show their support for ukraine but this will be the first time

since the war began that president zelenskyy would be taking this risk to his own safety and travelling abroad. so in terms of the timing, why now, that is partly because ukrainian leaders, as well as generals, have warned that russia is preparing a renewed offensive, that it could be at full force in march but it could happen as soon as january, and so of course for them they are going to want to make sure that support for ukraine is a priority. and crucially, there is also a vote that us lawmakers will be doing at the end of the year on spending, and it includes military aid for ukraine. fin military aid for ukraine. on that tonic. _ military aid for ukraine. on that topic, we _ military aid for ukraine. on that topic, we know what president zelenskyy might be asking for, what ukraine needs in this battle against russia? the president has said defending ukraine cost about 5 billion —— about $5 million per month and the united states is one of the bigger spenders when it comes to military aid for ukraine. ukraine is facing a lot of different challenges.

russia is making great use of the drones that have been delivered by iran, according to western intelligence, and the western intelligence, and the west is also concerned that iran may start sending ballistic missiles. so that would require different kinds of weapons to counter that threat. that is why reportedly president biden is considering sending patriot missiles that could help in that effort and these drones have also been hitting critical infrastructure, plunging millions of ukrainians into darkness but also freezing temperatures because it is the winter right now. in fact, we can listen to a former ambassador to ukraine during the press administration who sums up what he thinks the priorities are right now —— bush administration. yeah this is an opportunity to discriminate strong cooperation between the two countries, strong support for dealing with putin's aggression, but we know what is lnc really wants are the longer range artillery, which the us has refused to provide, which the us has refused to rovide, . ., ~ . provide, which make it much easier for — provide, which make it much easier for him _ provide, which make it much easier for him to _ provide, which make it much easier for him to protect - provide, which make it much easier for him to protect his| easier for him to protect his

soldiers _ easier for him to protect his soldiers and to stop russian offences. take more territory. we know— offences. take more territory. we know that president biden wants— we know that president biden wants to — we know that president biden wants to show his support for ukraine, _ wants to show his support for ukraine, even as he seems reluctant_ ukraine, even as he seems reluctant to send there's more advanced _ reluctant to send there's more advanced weapons. lots reluctant to send there's more advanced weapons.— advanced weapons. lots of important _ advanced weapons. lots of important symbolism - advanced weapons. lots of important symbolism here | advanced weapons. lots of. important symbolism here but advanced weapons. lots of - important symbolism here but we have also heard reports president zelenskyy might be taking a specialflag president zelenskyy might be taking a special flag with him, what more do we know about this? ., ., ., this? he made another unannounced _ this? he made another unannounced trip - this? he made another unannounced trip on i this? he made another- unannounced trip on tuesday when he was visiting some soldiers on the front line in one of the areas where the fighting is quite intense, it is at its most violent right now. he handed out different awards to soldiers but they also had something to him and thatis also had something to him and that is the flag you just mentioned. they all signed their names on it and asked him reportedly to present that to presidentjoe biden. so if the reports are true, then this could be something he brings along with him.— ever since announcing his run for president, donald trump has refused to make his tax returns public.

despite not being legally obliged to, for decades it's been convention that presidential hopefuls are transparent on their earnings, and how much of that goes back into the public purse. but donald's trump's fight for privacy has now run out, with a us house committee ruling to release details of the former president's filings from 2015 to 2021, the years when he was running for president and serving in the white house. our north america correspondent peter bowes has more on the significance of this decision. peter, when might we see these tax results? it peter, when might we see these tax results?— tax results? it could still be several days _ tax results? it could still be several days before - tax results? it could still be several days before we - tax results? it could still be several days before we get | tax results? it could still be i several days before we get to see these documents. there is a process of redaction taking place, and that is essentially the blacking out of certain lines that contain sensitive and confidential information relating to mr trump. but then the documents will be made public for everyone to see. of course, hugely anticipated really ever since 2016 when donald trump stood for the

presidency for the first time and refused to release his tax returns and ever since then to the point of going to the supreme court with a legal challenge to try to keep them private. that failed, and now he has lost that battle so it remains to be seen, probably in the next couple of days, exactly what those documents contain. �* ., ., , contain. and what has the reaction — contain. and what has the reaction been _ contain. and what has the reaction been in _ contain. and what has the reaction been in the - contain. and what has the reaction been in the us i contain. and what has the reaction been in the us to contain. and what has the - reaction been in the us to this news? ~ ., ., ., , , news? we have had a response from a spokesperson _ news? we have had a response from a spokesperson for - news? we have had a response| from a spokesperson for donald trump, who has described this looming release of the documents as an unprecedented leak, saying that the democrats in this person's view are playing politics. the republicans on the committee have always opposed the public release of donald trump's tax returns, saying that it sets an unwelcome precedent for the future. kevin brady is the senior republican on the committee.

so, regrettably, the deed is done, — so, regrettably, the deed is done, over our objections in opposition, democrats and the ways— opposition, democrats and the ways of— opposition, democrats and the ways of means committee have unleashed a dangerous new political— unleashed a dangerous new political weapon that overturns decades— political weapon that overturns decades of privacy protections for taxpayers. the era of political _ for taxpayers. the era of political targeting comes as enemies list is back. so that's the republican _ enemies list is back. so that's the republican view. - enemies list is back. so that's the republican view. the - the republican view. the democrats say it is in the -ublic democrats say it is in the public interest _ democrats say it is in the public interest for - democrats say it is in tie: public interest for these democrats say it is in tia: public interest for these tax returns to be made public, and they also say it is part of improving auditing procedures for the internal revenue service, which is essentially why this committee was set up in the first place, to look at how presidential candidates are scrutinised in terms of their tax affairs. figs scrutinised in terms of their tax affairs-_ scrutinised in terms of their tax affairs. a ,, ., ., tax affairs. as we know, donald trump has _ tax affairs. as we know, donald trump has orally _ tax affairs. as we know, donald trump has orally announced hisj trump has orally announced his intention to run for presidency intention to run for presidency in 2024. intention to run for presidency in 202a. how might this decision about his taxes impact

on that? . , . , decision about his taxes impact on that? . , , ., on that? that is a big question and perhaps — on that? that is a big question and perhaps the most crucial, | and perhaps the most crucial, because as you say, donald trump is hoping to return to the white house, and what remains to be seen as well is what the documents show us, a lot of people looking to see if it reveals any information about mr trump has met wealth, if it reveals anything interesting about his financial dealings perhaps overseas. russia in particular. 0r dealings perhaps overseas. russia in particular. or any methods, and this term creative accounting has been used several times, what methods he and his accountants have used to pay as little tax as possible. all will be revealed eventually, and in terms of the political consequences, i think it is ultimately going to depend on how americans react to what they see and hear about how donald trump has operated over the last few years, and whether that is going to influence them in terms of whether he should be in the white house again.- you very much. to south asia

now. the taliban government of afghanistan has ordered an indefinite ban on university education for women. the order was signed by the minister of higher education, further restricting women's access to formal education, three months after thousands of girls and women sat university entrance exams across the country. naomi choy smith reports. the taliban takeover meant only one thing for the women and girls of afghanistan, fear. fear they would lose their freedoms, their education, their future. freedoms, their education, theirfuture. more than freedoms, their education, their future. more than a year later, the direction of travel has been cemented. women no longer have access to university.— university. women of afghanistan - university. women of afghanistan have - university. women of. afghanistan have been university. women of - afghanistan have been doomed from the very first day that this group took over. the flagship of conduct is oppression of women. the war in

afghanistan has not ended, there is no peace.— afghanistan has not ended, there is no peace. there has been a steady stream of setbacks. here arejust been a steady stream of setbacks. here are just a few. in march, the taliban broke their promise to reopen secondary schools for girls. two months later, women were forced to veil their faces as well as their hair. in september, the women's affairs ministry was disbanded, and only last month, women were barred from parks, gyms and swimming pools in the capital. it's another very troubling move, and it's difficult to imagine how a country can develop, can deal with all of the challenges that it has without the active participation of women, and the education of women. it participation of women, and the education of women.— education of women. it all harkens — education of women. it all harkens back _ education of women. it all harkens back to _ education of women. it all harkens back to the - education of women. it all harkens back to the 90s. | education of women. it all- harkens back to the 90s. that was the last time the taliban enforced its authoritarian regime, and this is afghanistan

today. the only place on earth where women do not have a right to theirfull education, to their full education, leaving little room for hope. naomi choi smith, bbc news. stay with us on bbc news. still to come — little festive cheer — the citizens of ukraine trying to enjoy the best christmas they can. the world of music has been paying tribute to george michael, who's died from suspected heart failure at the age of 53. he sold well over 100 million albums in a career spanning more than three decades. the united states' troops have been trying to overthrow the dictatorship of general manuel noriega. the pentagon says it's failed in its principle objective to capture noriega and take him to the united states to face drugs charges. the hammer and sickle| was hastily taken away. in its place, the russian flag - was hoisted over what is now no longer the soviet union, but the commonwealth i of independent states. day broke slowly over lockerbie, over the cockpit of pan am's maid of the seas,

nose down in the soft earth. you could see what happens when a plane eight storeys high, a football pitch wide, falls from 30,000 feet. christmas has returned to albania after a communist ban lasting more than 20 years. thousands went to midnight mass in the town of shkoder, where there were anti—communist riots ten days ago. this is bbc news. the latest headlines: us media is reporting that the ukrainian president, volodymyr zelenzky, is to pay an official visit to america. a congressional committee in the united states has voted to release the tax returns of former president donald trump. the uk home office has acknowledged that it was holding up to 500 asylum seekers illegally in early november. internal emails obtained

by the bbc in a freedom of information request reveal details about several centres across the country including manston — the migrant processing facility in kent. police are investigating allegations that a home office official assaulted an asylum seeker at manston, as vinnie 0'dowd reports. this man spent 2a days in manston. today we hear his allegations of assault by a home office official. translation: home office official. tuna/mom- home office official. translation: , , ., translation: he put his arm around my _ translation: he put his arm around my neck— translation: he put his arm around my neck to _ translation: he put his arm around my neck to the - translation: he put his arm around my neck to the extent| around my neck to the extent that i couldn't breathe. we can reveal that _ that i couldn't breathe. we can reveal that police _ that i couldn't breathe. we can reveal that police are - reveal that police are investigating the allegation at the holding facility in kent. translation:— the holding facility in kent. translation: ' . , translation: officers came in. we had no _ translation: officers came in. we had no idea _ translation: officers came in. we had no idea that _ translation: officers came in. we had no idea that they - translation: officers came in. we had no idea that they are - we had no idea that they are coming to attack and beat us. and we have obtained exclusive evidence that the home office has detained asylum seekers illegally at centres that were used as overflow from manston. ahmed, not his real name, arrived by boat. he fled his country out of fear of

prosecution. —— persecution. he told us about his 2a days in manston. he said the overcrowded conditions stripped him and others of their dignity. translation: we were treated like _ dignity. translation: we were treated like animals. _ dignity. translation: we were treated like animals. there - treated like animals. there were only two toilets and shower for 120 were only two toilets and showerfor120 people in our tent. we slept on cardboard. the centre was holding 4000 migrants, more than double than what it is designed for. ahmed and others started a sit down protest, but things didn't end there. what to the immigration officers do you? i there. what to the immigration officers do you?— officers do you? i was crying out while — officers do you? i was crying out while underneath - officers do you? i was crying out while underneath him. l officers do you? i was crying out while underneath him. i | out while underneath him. i used whatever strength i had to remove his arm from choking me. when i removed his hands, he pushed me, and ifell backwards onto someone else. the same officer grabbed my head and used his need to bash my head in, and broke my nose. from this point onwards, i lost consciousness.— this point onwards, i lost consciousness. the bbc has learnt kent _ consciousness. the bbc has learnt kent police _ consciousness. the bbc has learnt kent police is - learnt kent police is

investigating ahmed's allegations, and the home office has started an internal investigation and have told the bbc that ahmed's story does not match their understanding of events. a home office spokesperson said... ahmed was released from manston on october 31. at the time, the management of the centre was under intense scrutiny. the weekly was released, the home secretary visited, arriving by military helicopter. that same week, a critical incident was declared at harmondsworth immigration detention facility. there was a power blackout and the staff had lost operational control. the prison services national tactical response group were deployed to assist.

internal home office communications, obtained by the bbc under freedom of information, show officials in chaos on the evening of friday first november. internal dialogue was fraught. there were conditions outlined about what to do if harmondsworth were evacuated. the e—mail says that there was no reason to detain the people any longer. it urged home office colleagues to remove them to hotels asap. the home office said... a home office employee is being invested by police for an alleged assault. but for those who were illegally detained, some may want redress. vinnie

o'dowd, bbc news. staying here in britain. nhs leaders have warned that patient safety cannot be guaranteed while ambulance workers, paramedics, call handlers, emergency care assistants and technicians are on strike today. the public is being asked to use services �*wisely�* and to call 999 only if it's a life—threatning emergency. scotland and northern ireland are not affected. 0ur health correspondent, jim reed, reports. the largest, most widespread ambulances strike in decades is going ahead after there was no last—minute breakthrough in talks. the stagnant action from three unions started at midnight across wales, the west midlands ad northern england. basically extend to the east midlands and sell, except the isle of wight, at midday paramedics in london would join the strike. ambulance staff said the dispute is about pay

which has not kept up with inflation, but also patient safety. it inflation, but also patient safe . . , inflation, but also patient safe . , ., ., safety. it has been one of the most difficult _ safety. it has been one of the most difficult decisions - most difficult decisions ambulance workers have had to make. the current context we work in these delays that have caused significant patient harm and nobody who works in the ambulance service wants to add to that harm or increase that risk. �* , . . to that harm or increase that risk. ,, ., to that harm or increase that risk. ,, . risk. ambulance services are already under _ risk. ambulance services are already under intense - risk. ambulance services are i already under intense pressure. here in gloucester this week long queues of vehicles were waiting to unload patients because there was no space inside the hospital's to treat them. the same problem has driven up response times across the country with most services in england declaring critical incidents this week. both the government and some managers in the health service are concerned the strikes could increase the risk to patients. ambulance unions say the most serious life—threatening callouts should not be affected and they should go ahead as

usual, but other services are likely to see some disruption. the impact will vary by region. the impact will vary by region. the most serious category1 because i like someone not breathing or in cardiac arrest will be responded to. as should some category 2 because like strokes or serious burns. but other urgent problems like element in late stage labour on elderly person falling in their home might not be answered. this will be difficult period and then maybe with some delays to people, will make sure those who need the type of care, interventions and time critical period get that time critical care they need.— period get that time critical care the need. ., care they need. the government sa s 600 care they need. the government says 600 troops _ care they need. the government says 600 troops have _ care they need. the government says 600 troops have been i says 600 troops have been trained to step in and drive ambulances although not allowed to treat patients or use blue lights. i to treat patients or use blue liuhts. .., to treat patients or use blue liuhts. .. ., to treat patients or use blue liuhts. ., ., to treat patients or use blue liuhts. ., . ., , lights. i call on trade unions to act responsibly, - lights. i call on trade unions to act responsibly, they've i to act responsibly, they've said they will provide life—threatening cover, they will provide emergency cover, it's essential that they do so

to protect patients. paramedics acce -t to protect patients. paramedics accept patient _ to protect patients. paramedics accept patient safety _ to protect patients. paramedics accept patient safety may i to protect patients. paramedics accept patient safety may be i accept patient safety may be affected but they strike action is still justified. affected but they strike action is stilljustified._ is still 'ustified. we're going do is stilljustified. we're going do our utmost _ is stilljustified. we're going do our utmost to _ is stilljustified. we're going do our utmost to limit i is stilljustified. we're going do our utmost to limit the i do our utmost to limit the effect that strike has on patients. but the reality is, that patients are already under extreme risk.— extreme risk. ambulance staff in northern — extreme risk. ambulance staff in northern ireland _ extreme risk. ambulance staff in northern ireland also i extreme risk. ambulance staff in northern ireland also went. in northern ireland also went on strike last week. in scotland, new pay offer been rejected by one union but a strike has not yet been called. the methods today is still to use 999 is, if there is life—threatening emergencies but in other urgent cases, expect along to help. jim reed, bbc news. let's get some of the day's other news. the owner of twitter, elon musk, says he will resign as chief executive of the social media company as soon as he finds someone 'foolish' enough to take thejob, as he put it. this latest move by

the billionaire comes three days after a majority of people taking part in an online poll voted for him to step down as head of the company. two people have died and at least 11 are injured after one of the most disruptive earthquakes to hit the us state of california in years. the 6.4 method who trammo jolted the state's northern coast before dawn on tuesday, damaging homes and roads and leaving tens of thousands of people without power. now here's all the latest sports news. hello i'm tulsen tollett and this is your sports news. where we start in buenos aires on what was a chaotic day as argentina's world cup—winning heroes were welcomed home on tuesday. an open—top bus parade had to be abandoned in the end as the triumphant players were then whisked away in helicopters to complete the celebrations that had been planned. the route had been completely blocked with around 4 million people predicted to be on the streets. argentina weren't the only team arriving home to a hero's welcome. the moroccan team returned to rabat on tuesday

after their fourth—placed finish in the world cup. the atlas lions exceeded all expectations and set a new benchmark for african teams, beating belgium in the group stages and then knocking out both portugal and spain on their way to the semi—finals. four premier league teams have moved through to the quarter—finals of the english league cup after the last 16 fixtures played on tuesday. an adam smith own goal for bournemouth was enough for newcastle to progress at the cherries' expense, while southampton and leicester city also went through. and wolves gave new managerjulen lopetegui a winning start with two late goals against league two strugglers gillingham. liv golfers will be allowed to compete in the masters in 2023, organisers at augusta national have confirmed. despite the issues in the sport brought about by liv golf, the tournament organisers say their ultimate focus is to bring together "a pre—eminent field" and they'll invite players who are eligible under their current criteria. the murray brothers could play their final doubles match this

week as part of the exhibition series the battle of the brits. the scotland versus england event starts on wednesday in scotland with andy muray playing jack draper. he will then team up with jamie — who organised the event — to take onjoe salisbury and neal skupski. after two hip surgeries andy says he's in good shape but could call time on his playing career if he suffered another serious injury. ifi if i was to have a big injury, i'd probably not try to come back from the, but if my body is in good shape and i'm still able to compete consistently on the tour, then yes, i'll keep playing. you can get all the latest sports news at our website — that's bbc.com/sport. but from me, tulsen tollett, and the rest of the team, that's your sports news for now. thanks. there's just a few days left until christmas — the first since the war in ukraine began.

for the people of that country, normal celebrations must seem out of the question. but they're trying their best, both those still in ukraine and those who have left. the bbc�*s tim allman explains. this family is just one of so many families trying to enjoy the best christmas they can. vasil, marina, lilya and yuri live in this flat in prague. they fled their home near kyiv in the early days of war. the children bake biscuits as the parents put up decorations. it's all very modest, but heartfelt. translation: as refugees, l we didn't have many choices. we had to think if we can afford to buy a christmas tree or not, which is why we decided just to use some branches for the decoration because it looks good and it makes the children happy. in the eastern ukrainian city of kramotorsk, the children are waiting for saint nicholas. he is not coming on a sleigh, but rather on a train. this is part of a project organised by

unicef to bring christmas presents to areas of the country most affected by russia's invasion. translation: in order for the children to i grow up properly, we should make sure they have some fun, not spend all the time in the basement being afraid. we came here today, despite the airstrikes, but we are still frightened. and in kyiv, the christmas decorations are looking a little unusual. these giant concrete blocks were previously used for building barricades. now they are colourful works of festive art, brightening up the city streets. as one local put it, the people of kyiv can find the positive in everything. tim allman, bbc news. since christmas is so close, festive lights are on display around the world. here's the champs—elysees in paris lighting up for the holidays.

a nice twinkly destruction from christmas shopping. that's it from us. we'll be back in a moment. see you soon. hello, there. it's remaining unsettled over the next few days. certainly for the rest of this week, low pressure will be in charge, and we've seen quite a lot of rainfall recently across the south, and that's led to flood warnings being issued for south wales and south—west england. so a wet next few days for some of us. there will be a bit of sunshine around, with our air source coming in from the south—west, and it'll stay on the mild side. so we've had low pressure with us through tuesday. as we move through wednesday, it will be to the north of the uk. another ripple brings wet weather to the south of the country on thursday, and then this area of low pressure will bring some substantial wet weather to the country during the course of friday. now we start wednesday off on a wet note for the south—east of england, east anglia. that rain will clear away quite quickly. then it's bright for much of england and wales,

a few showers into the south—west later, for the far north of england, scotland, northern ireland, it's going to be blustery with sunny spells, scattered showers, and temperatures range from around 7—11 degrees across the uk. as we move through wednesday night, it stays blustery across the north of the uk, close to the centre of the low, a few showers here. england and wales will start dry and then we'll see areas of rain and cloud pushing in from the south—west and it'll stay quite breezy, particularly across southern and western coast. another mild night to come in the south, further north, 3—5 degrees celsius. we'll start off with some sunshine across the north of the uk on thursday. it'll stay breezy in the far north with a few showers here. but for the rest of england and wales, it looks like it'll turn cloudier through the days, as more rain pushes in from the south—west. some of this, again, could be quite heavy across southern england, south wales. that'll exacerbate already saturated ground here with flooding issues. a milder day to come in the south, a bit cooler further north. then we look to friday. this area of low pressure will bring a band of rain into southern areas. it'll slowly push northwards through the course of the day.

so some areas here really could be quite wet and they'll stay windy in the south, and mild here through friday. but notice across the north, we'll start to see this blue, this colder air starting to push south. so we'll be in a battleground, i think, through friday, with cold air in the north, mild air in the south. but it does look like, as we move through the christmas period, certainly in the north, it'll turn colder, with some wintry showers, notjust hills, even down to lower levels at times. there will be a little bit of sunshine, too, but a very christmassy feeling there. some of the cold air will start to get in towards england and wales as well, as we move through the christmas period. so it will be turning colder with the risk of some wintry showers.

this is bbc news, with the latest business headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. ftx's founder drops his us extradition fight. sam bankman—fried does a u—turn, following a day of confusion. we'll have the latest from new york. fixing things is back in vogue, and repair cafes are seeing a surge in customers. we take a closer look at a returning trend. and — british food in france? it may sound like a joke, but in fact it is growing in popularity. i speak to one restaurateur, who is leading the charge.