welcome to bbc news. i'm monika plaha. our top stories: ukraine's president zelensky tells a joint meeting of the us congress in washington that his nation's struggle for freedom is for the future of the whole world. we don't have to everyone as we know that all of us, millions of ukrainians, wish the same. victory. only victory. earlier, after a meeting at the white house, joe biden praised the bravery of the ukrainian people and pledged continued support for ukraine. we're gonna give ukraine what it needs to be able to defend

itself, to be able to succeed and succeed in the battlefield. mr zelenzky handed the us president a military medal from a ukrainian soldier to express his gratitude for washington's backing. in moscow, president putin told his defence ministry there will be no restriction on financing the russian offensive. translation: almost all the main nato — translation: almost all the main nato countries - translation: almost all the main nato countries are - main nato countries are employing the military capabilities against russia. our soldiers, sergeants and officers are fighting courageously. welcome to our viewers on pbs in america and around the globe. the president of ukraine, volodomyrzelenzky, has received the red carpet treatment in washington, dramatically flying in from a warzone to meet president biden at the white house. it's his first overseas trip since russia invaded ukraine in february.

america is kyiv�*s most important ally and today president biden told ukraine that the united states "will stay with you as long as it takes," pledging another military aid package worth around $1.85 billion. a little earlier present zelenzky also addressed both chambers of congress on capitol hill. he received several standing ovations. the battle continues and we have to defeat the kremlin on the battlefield, yes. these battles not only for the territory, for this and other parts of europe, the battle is not only for life, freedom and security of ukrainians or any other nation which russia attempts to conquer. this struggle will define in what world our children and grandchildren will live, and

then their children and grandchildren. it will define whether it will be a democracy of ukrainians and for americans, for all. our state department correspondent, barbara plett usher, joins me now from capitol hill. thanks forjoining me. it was a powerful speech to congress from president zelenskyy who made many parallels between ukraine and the usa. why was the reaction to the speech and the reaction to the speech and the core message of togetherness? dilemma he was quite warmly received, with several standing ovations from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, not all republican stood but many did so it was a strong bipartisan welcome of what he had to say, and support for him. he thanked congress for the support that it has given, billions of dollars in aid, humanitarian and military aid. we have artillery thank you, he

said, is enough? not really. then everyone laughed but that was a pivot of the other part of his speech to ask for more military aid and he made a plea for congress to approve a new package of m5 billion of humanitarian and military aid. he said those decisions can help save ukraine, make those decisions and you can make a victory faster. it's been an historic day between both leaders showing united front so what message are they trying to portray here to the americans and people across the world? one of the messages was resolved. the president might it made it clear that he would stand with ukraine as it enters the next year, and it looks as if the war will go on for some time. that's another theme that came through, they told about how to handle the next year so there will not be in and quickly and they want to show the americans wanted to show

that they were going to stay together with ukraine as it continued to defend its territory from russia. to the americans, to say this is not just about ukraine but wider issues, it's about protecting democracy and freedom, if we don't affect russia that russia will come after your allies in europe and perhaps threaten the foundations of democracy in international order.- international order. barbara plett usher, _ international order. barbara plett usher, thank - international order. barbara plett usher, thank you - international order. barbara plett usher, thank you very | plett usher, thank you very much forjoining me. mr zelenzky said russian attacks will not stop ukrainians from celebrating the holiday season. we will celebrate christmas. celebrate christmas and even if there is no electricity, light of our faith, there is no electricity, light of ourfaith, in there is no electricity, light of our faith, in ourselves, will not be put out. (applause). ii will not be put out. (applause). , , ., , , , (applause). if russian missiles attack us, (applause). if russian missiles attack us. we — (applause). if russian missiles attack us, we will _ (applause). if russian missiles attack us, we will do _ (applause). if russian missiles attack us, we will do our - (applause). if russian missiles attack us, we will do our best i attack us, we will do our best to protect ourselves. if they

attack us with iranian drones and our people have to go to bomb shelters on christmas eve, ukrainians will still sit down at the holiday table and cheer up at the holiday table and cheer up each other, and we don't have to know everyone's wish, as we know that all of us, millions of ukrainians, wish the same. victory. only victory. earlier in their news conference president biden spoke of the united states' undivided support for ukraine. this year has brought so much needless suffering and loss to the ukrainian people. i want to know, president zelenskyy, i want you to know the mud and all of ukrainian people, americans are with you every step of the way and we will stay with you. for as long as it takes. what we are doing, what you've achieved, it matters notjust ukraine but

the entire world stop together i have no doubt will keep the flame of liberty burning in the light will remain and prevail over darkness. we can now speak to michael o'hanlon who's a senior fellow and director of research in foreign policy at the brookings institution, where he specialises in us defence strategy. michael, thank you forjoining us on bbc news. the us confirmed it will provide ukraine with another military aid package worth around £i.5 aid package worth around £1.5 billion including the patriot missile system. it's been a symbolic trip.— missile system. it's been a symbolic trip. talk us through the significance _ symbolic trip. talk us through the significance of— symbolic trip. talk us through the significance of the - symbolic trip. talk us through the significance of the visit. i the significance of the visit. it's very impressive. president zelenskyy is an extraordinary leader and human being. zelenskyy is an extraordinary leaderand human being. he captured the different themes he needed to tonight but let's keep it in perspective. i was watching this on the bbc and

the cable news networks covered, than they networks did not. it's an issue that's important to americans the context of covid under global economic downturn and everything else so there is a fair amount, strong amount of bipartisan support and president biden was right emphasise that and emphasise the unity between north america and europe. however, it does not tell us whether what is going in 2023 and the idea of unconditional victory and supporting zelesnky at all costs will be a debate for the new year because it's going to get complicated. i was thrilled by this speech, i was very happy to see that president zelensky came to washington, got the support from united states and our nato and european partners but along slog ahead. european partners but along slog ahead-— slog ahead. president biden said to president _ slog ahead. president biden said to president zelensky l slog ahead. president biden i said to president zelensky that we will stay with you as long as it takes. what message do

you think this is giving russia now and the rest of the world? i'm not sure what it means to say we will stay ukraine as long as it takes. we should certainly stay with protect the sovereignty and survival of that country and people. does that country and people. does that mean that we always give them whatever they want and what to do in the crimea or the eastern donbas? if the war stalemate in the summer of 2023 and they recovered or one back half the territory russia has stolen from them, does that mean we still support them to get back the other half was like these will be very complex decisions for 2023 and it's sort of talking points now because morally speaking, strategically speaking, zielinski is right, president biden is right, we need to support this course. but if it bugs down next year, if we get to a point where there is the stalemate and we're trying to figure out how to create a stable peace, is complete

ukrainian victory the only acceptable outcome with every inch of territory being recovered?— inch of territory being recovered? �* ., recovered? i'm not so sure. there was _ recovered? i'm not so sure. there was a — recovered? i'm not so sure. there was a lot _ recovered? i'm not so sure. there was a lot of _ recovered? i'm not so sure. there was a lot of focus - recovered? i'm not so sure. there was a lot of focus on | recovered? i'm not so sure. i there was a lot of focus on the patriot, the air defence system which the usa they will provide ukraine. why is that, do you think, such a priority for president zelensky? yesterday's debate. it president zelensky? yesterday's debate- it is _ president zelensky? yesterday's debate. it is important _ president zelensky? yesterday's debate. it is important because l debate. it is important because it cities are being attacked ruthlessly and readily by russian drones and cruise missiles and other systems. the more we can do to help ukrainians live a samurai normal life or at least keeping their resilience going is for their resilience going is for the better. i agree with the us decision to provide these weapons that i'm glad president zelensky reinforced his gratitude but he also noted, as your news report pointed out, he does not have quite the dilatory force he wants. he does not have quite the tiger force nato should provide or airpower that nato might provide but has not so far. he very tactfully and deftly, but

still not so subtly, asked for more. i don't blame him. on some of those capabilities he is right to want more. i do not believe we should give ukrainians long—range strike systems to hit moscow but tax and a short range airpower to reclaim their territory, that tablet a good idea. even with that, this war is unlikely to reach a definitive point in 2023. you'll need to think about our options and some of them involve diplomacy and compromise.— compromise. interesting analysis- _ compromise. interesting analysis. michael i compromise. interesting i analysis. michael o'hanlon, thank you forjoining us on bbc news, thank you for your time. thank you kindly. president zelensky�*s trip made headline news in russia too, where news programmes mocked his reliance on western military aid, while president putin made a speech to his top defence chiefs telling them that the invasion was going to plan. here's our russia editor, steve rosenberg. "comrade officers," the greeting. the occasion —

president putin had come to tell chiefs, "i'll give you everything "you need to secure victory in ukraine "and against the west." translation: almost all the main nato countries l are employing their military capabilities against russia. but our soldiers, sergeants and officers are fighting courageously. confidently, step—by—step, they are tackling the goals they've been set, and these goals will be achieved. meanwhile... ..russia's state media jeered and sneered at president zelensky for flying to washington, claiming he was prostrating himself before america and begging for money. there's a good reason for the bad press. having invaded ukraine, the last thing the kremlin wants is for russians to start viewing

president zelensky as much of the world views him — in other words, as a charismatic, courageous, hugely impressive leader. because if they start doing that, who knows how they'll view their own president. this was vladimir putin on tuesday, at an awards ceremony for his special military operation, in the safety of the kremlin. the same day, president zelensky was visiting the front line. russians are starting to spot the differences. zelensky�*s a modern person, very eloquent, very smart. putin is old, he is old—fashioned. zelensky is an example of the politician for the future. putin will stay in history as a person from the dark past.

bells ring but vladimir putin has no intention of being consigned to history. on his stage, there's no room for rivals, competitors. no—one's allowed to outshine the leader here. steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. stay with us on bbc news. still to come: scottish minsters prepare for a final vote on a controversial gender recognition bill. 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 i 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: ukraine's president zelensky tells a joint meeting of the us congress in washington that his nation's struggle for freedom is for the future of the whole world. earlier, after a meeting at the white house, joe biden praised the bravery of the ukrainian people

and pledged continued support for ukraine. the world health organization says it's concerned over the evolving covid situation in china. the who's chief, dr tedros adanom gabreysus, told a news conference in geneva that the number of severe cases was on the rise. it comes as china reversed its zero covid policy and stopped most testing and tracing. hospitals, pharmacies and crematoriums in the country all say they are busier than usual. dr tedros called on beijing to provide more data and to urgently step up its vaccination programme. in order to make a comprehensive risk assessment of the situation on the ground, who needs more detailed information on the severity, hospital admissions and requirements for icu support. who is supporting china to focus its efforts on vaccinating people under highest risk

across the country. in the latest wave of industrial action including paramedics and call handlers, are on strike in england and wales. they want a pay rise above inflation and a change to working conditions. it's prompted a bitter exchange of words between unions and ministers. our health editor hugh pym reports. noisy, busy — one picket line in today's strike, the biggest such action by ambulance staff in more than 30 years. it's pressure at work as much as pay which they say has led them to this. you're hearing the radios going off, thejobs coming in and you can't go to them because you're stuck at hospital, and that's frustrating. and also we're going to patients who have been waiting for ambulances and unfortunately they have died waiting for ambulances. we are the ones seeing that at work, we face that, we are the ones that have to talk to the families,

we are the ones that have to deal with that situation and other people are not seeing that, they don't know that, and that is not published every day. the general public don't know about this. the reason why we do ourjob is not for of this, it is not because of pay, it's not because we want to be rich and make lots of money, it is purely because we love doing what we are doing, but it is coming to a point where no—one wants to do it because it is unsustainable. in newport, south wales, ambulance staff from the gmb were out — the only union in wales to stage strikes. i am attending jobs that are 26 and 28 hours old before we get to see patients. that is not a service that any of us wish to provide in any circumstance. in coventry, striking ambulance workers gathered outside a local station. and in liverpool, in a region where all three unions called strikes, feelings were running high. we are trying to highlight the fact we need more money ploughed into the nhs so that we can recruit people and retain people because there are loads of paramedics leaving the job to go to better paid jobs with better conditions.

the london ambulance service said around 200 vehicles were out on the road, compared to a50 on a normal day. ambulance staff are on the picket line here, but if a request comes through to respond to a life—threatening case, a team will get to their vehicle quickly and out on the road to see the patient. ministers made clear they felt the unions�* action was putting patients at risk. we know there will be various things happening all through the day, across the country today. who is responsible for any deaths that happen today? it is the trade unions that are taking the strike action at a point of maximum pressure for the nhs, and in doing so are not giving an undertaking to cover all life—threatening and emergency responses. but one union leader said undertakings on emergency calls had been given at local level. for him to come out and make those kinds of outrageous remarks, i don't know why he was doing

it, just trying to, i think, spread fear and put the blame on us, when actually the blame lies fairly and squarely with this government who have consistently refused to negotiate with us. military personnel were deployed to work with ambulance teams, but there have been reports that a&e departments were quieter than usual. but the underlying realities remain. eight out of ten ambulance services in england by yesterday had declared critical incidents, even before the strikes, with long delays at hospitals handing over patients and unprecedented call numbers. the strikes may be ending tonight, but there have been warnings from one ambulance service that the effective disruption will continue for the next few days, and one union is planning another strike next week. hugh pym, bbc news. let's get some of the day's other news. israel's prime minister designate, benjamin netanyahu, says he has successfully formed a new coalition which looks set to be

the country's most rightwing government ever. he has spent weeks wrangling with his coalition partners in two ultra orthodoxjewish parties and and ultra nationalist religious alliance. doctors treating the former brazilian football star, pele, say he will remain in hospital during christmas because his cancer has advanced. pele was diagnosed with colon cancer three years ago but his health has deteriorated since he was admitted to hospital last month. he won three world cups with the brazilian national team and is widely regarded as the best football player of all time. the authorities in the bahamas say they have extradited the founder of the collapsed crypto currency exchange ftx . sam bankman—fried is reportedly on a plane bound for new york where he faces fraud charges. prosecutors accuse the former chief executive of stealing billions of dollars from ftx and lying to investors. members of the scottish

parliament have been debating plans to make it easier to change gender legally. the scottish government says the legislation will ensure dignity for trans people. but critics say it's a threat to women and girls. the bbc�*s scotland editorjames cook has been following events. yeah, i came out as trans when i was 18. and i was really lucky, all of my friends and family were so supportive. it was a really positive experience for me. ellie gomersall is now 23. she's been trying — and failing — to change the sex on her birth certificate for nearly five yea rs. i often joke that the hardest thing about being trans is the admin, and there is definitely truth in that. i mean, certainly, to apply for a gender recognition certificate can be so costly, it can have so much admin related to it, which can be really, really stressful. how important is this legislation to you? i think that this legislation is actually going to be transformational. i think, ultimately,

the only person who can really describe my own identity, my own gender, is me. i promise you, we will keep fighting. at holyrood, a very different view — from feminists furious and fearful about what will happen if anyone born male can simply declare themselves to be a woman. a lot of this involves the total acceptance of the premise that sex is not real and that it's a feeling, and that sex doesn't matter, and as women's rights campaigners, we cannot accept that. people who would argue in favour of this bill say that this is actually about protecting a group of people who are especially vulnerable. i think that some of the most vulnerable people are people like women in prison or women in domestic shelters or women who have been raped — i think they are vulnerable. the passage of this bill has been far from smooth. as the debate began, the minister in charge sought to soothe concerns.

the threat to women and girls is from predatory and abusive and there is no suggestion that such predatory and abusive men have ever needed to apply for a legal gender recognition to carry out their behaviour. the lights will temporarily go out at midnight. as the night wore on, msps were still squabbling about procedure when this happened. day two, and while conservatives have led the charge against this bill, the snp is not without its rebels. i am very, very sad to say that the message sent out to women and girls in scotland today is that you do not matter. i will vote as if women do matter, i will be voting against the bill. applause when trans people are under i attack, what do we do? trans rights activists have

been here this week too, fighting for the bill's passage. victory could well be theirs tomorrow, but even then opponents, including the uk government, may try to challenge this new law in court. this is an issue which attracts real passion, realanger, and that may be because, for those in favour and against the legislation, it's notjust a political issue, it's notjust a legal issue, but a moral one. james cook, bbc news, edinburgh. just before we go, i want to show you some pictures from argentina where three big—headed turtles have been released back into the sea. the animals were rescued from a fishing net in san clemente two weeks ago and have undergone blood tests to make sure they're healthy. the big—headed turtles are endangered because they're hunted for their meat and for sale as pets. you can reach me on twitter.

you are watching bbc news. hello there. the next few days are looking fairly unsettled through the run—up to christmas. we'll keep low pressure nearby. so, i think large parts of the country will see rain at times, a bit of sunshine here and there, and it will be mild in the south, but it'll start to turn colder across northern areas. you can see this conveyor system of low pressure pushing up from the southwest, bringing in bands of rain followed by sunshine and showers. and our air mass coming in from the southwest off the atlantic will always be warmer, certainly across the south of the country. colder air, though, will start to tuck in across the north as we move through the next few days. for thursday, looks like it will be colder across northern scotland — breezy with a few showers, but quite a bit of sunshine for scotland, northern ireland, far north of england. england and wales, though, rather cloudy, misty, murky with some patchy rain and drizzle, some heavier rain

into the southwest later in the day. here, it will be mild, quite breezy. further north, though, a chillier feel to things, but at least we'll have the sunshine to compensate. as we move through thursday night, it stays blustery, further showers across the north, these wintry over the hills. further south, it'll be quieter — mixture of clear spells, some cloud, but then some heavier rain and stronger winds will start to push into the southwest later on, but a chillier night to come across the northern half of the country. so, for friday, a chilly start, some sunshine across northern areas, a few wintry showers over the hills of scotland, then this band of rain starts to push northwards across england and wales. some of this rain could be quite heavy and persistent for a while as it pushes its way northwards. doesn't reach scotland until we move through friday night. however, there'll be a big temperature contrast — some brighter weather in the south with a few showers, very mild, staying quite chilly despite the sunshine across the north. then, as we move into christmas eve, that weather front pushes northwards, some snow on the hill as it does so. then, for christmas eve, christmas day, we're in a run of milder southwesterly winds, sunshine and showers. but then, later on christmas day into boxing day, we start to see some colder air work its way southwards across the country

from the northwest, and with the winds coming in from the northwest, this is likely to see most of the snow showers on christmas day across the north and the west of scotland. one or two wintry showers getting into irish sea coasts as well. you can see the trend — it turns colder for all areas as we move through the christmas period, but i think it'll be short—lived, as it will start to turn milder once again in the run—up to new year's eve. don't forget, you can check out the bbc weather app for where you are or where you're going. take care.

this is bbc news. the headlines: the ukrainian president, volodymyr zelensky, has told a joint session of the us congress that the war in ukraine is a fight for the freedom of the world. in his speech he thanked the us for its support, saying it was an investment in the future. earlier, at a white house meeting, joe biden praised the bravery of the ukrainian people. the us president also pledged america's continued support for kyiv. the patriot air defence missile system will form part of a ms billion aid package. the world health organization has said it's concerned over the worsening covid situation in china. the number of cases has continued to rise, after china