this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. president zelensky says ukraine is "alive and kicking" and will never surrender, in a defiant address to us lawmakers as president biden pledges another military aid package worth almost $2 billion. financial assistance is also critically important and i would like to thank you, thank you very much for both financial packages you have already provided us with. warnings of a "very challenging" day for hospitals after a quieter than normal time during yesterday's ambulance strikes. more than one million households with pre—payment meters did not redeem their monthly energy support vouchers during the cold weather snap in december.

a new government prepares to take power in israel, seen as the most right—wing in the country's history, sealing benjamin netanyahu's return to power. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. the president of ukraine, volodymyr zelensky, has received the red carpet treatment in washington, dramatically flying in from a warzone to meet president biden at the white house. let's take a look at some of the support that's been promised. us presidentjoe biden confirmed a new package of $1.85 billion in assistance for ukraine.

president biden also promised another m5 billion, which would need to be passed by congress. the president told ukraine that the united states "will stay with you as long as it takes". some of the money promised will go towards a new patriot missile system — it's a sophisticated air defence system that will help ukraine to protect its cities from missiles and drones. our first report is from nada tawfik, who has being following what's been happening. and we will get to some analysis of the visit soon. ukraine's president, volodymyr zelensky, was embraced by us lawmakers with a long, standing ovation, as he entered the house chamber. wearing his trademark military fatigues, he came here on this, his first trip abroad since the start of russia's invasion with a clear mission — to secure america's continued support for the ongoing war in his country. as ukrainians brace for a potential

new russian winter offensive, president zelensky told lawmakers the decisions of congress could save ukraine. financial assistance is also critically important. and i would like to thank you. thank you very much. thank you for both financial packages you have already provided us with and the ones you may be willing to decide on. your money is not charity. it's an investment in the global security. before he left, he gifted congress a ukrainian flag from soldiers fighting on the front lines. the speaker of the house, nancy pelosi, presented him with the american flag that flew over the capitol, wednesday. president zelensky�*s address comes just as us lawmakers prepare for another era of divided government. in less than two weeks, republicans will take control of the house of representatives, and some have already expressed opposition to what they call blank—cheque funding for ukraine. president zelensky no doubt

had them in mind during his speech, hoping they wouldn't block the future flow of aid. for now, the aid is still flowing. during his meeting with president biden, 1.85 billion in additional funding was announced... 300 days, hard to believe, 300 days. ..along with plans to send ukraine the most advanced air defence weapon in the us's arsenal, the patriot missile system. and us lawmakers are preparing to pass an additional m5 billion in emergency assistance — the largest amount yet. this year has brought so much needless suffering and loss to the ukrainian people. but i want you to know, president zelensky, i want you to know, and all the people of ukraine to know as well, the american people have been with you every step of the way and we will stay with you. we will stay with you. president zelensky is only the second wartime leader to address congress since winston churchill in i9ai. he will return directly back to ukraine after this significant,

if short, visit to prepare for the next phase of the war. nada tawfik, bbc news, washington. in a moment, we will hear from the former commanding general of the united states army in europe, lieutenant general ben hodges. but first let's speak to hanna shelest. she's head of security programmes at the foreign policy council ukrainian prism. thank you for talking to us. how important do you think this visit is because of the eye to eye contact and building relationships with republicans, those voices within the republicans, those voices within the republican party who have queried the amount of money the us is giving in aid to ukraine?— in aid to ukraine? definitely we understand _ in aid to ukraine? definitely we understand the _ i in aid to ukraine? definitely we | understand the ukrainian question i in aid to ukraine? definitely we - understand the ukrainian question is following the domestic policies and the competition because of the election. that is why we understand

the circumstances and the influence of this visit has at least three directions. first, as you said, thank the american taxpayers and congressmen and congresswomen and the lawmakers and executives who have been working all these months. this gratitude is extremely important considering the amount of support we have received. the second is definitely even that the first eye to eye contact has been between the presidents and lawmakers for some time ago but to renew this and several times it has been emphasised by both sides that this personal contact is very important for future collaboration. thirdly, definitely to speak about the future. and to speak about future is easier when you have all those emotions that ukraine has brought not only with the papers, letters and conversations.- the papers, letters and conversations. ., , conversations. morale has been discussed a _ conversations. morale has been discussed a lot _ conversations. morale has been discussed a lot since _ conversations. morale has been discussed a lot since this - conversations. morale has been i discussed a lot since this invasion happened on the 24th of february. both in the context of poor morale

with russian soldiers, the very strong morale of ukrainian fighters. but as this war progresses, how important do you think this visit, and the renewed package of aid from the us will be in boosting ukrainian morale? ~ ., ., the us will be in boosting ukrainian morale? ~ . ., ., ., morale? ukrainian morale, the bi est morale? ukrainian morale, the biggest thing — morale? ukrainian morale, the biggest thing you _ morale? ukrainian morale, the biggest thing you need - morale? ukrainian morale, the biggest thing you need is - biggest thing you need is understanding for what you are fighting and that is probably the most important thing. when you don't understand for what you fight, you cannot be with high morale. it doesn't mean what you will preparation all how many weapons you have. ukraine's armed forces and security forces understand they are fighting for their sovereignty and freedom. most russians don't understand what they are fighting, except for some of the propaganda, to attack a nazi government or attacking you don't know who at this territory. ukrainian armed forces don't need additional motivation. at the same time, it is definitely easier morally to fight when you

understand that you are not alone. that you have support of countries like us, uk, germany and all other countries that are providing weapons to ukraine and other types of support. because you understand that he will not be betrayed, that nobody is asking you to surrender and that your partners are ready to support your partners are ready to support you in all measures. ibis your partners are ready to support you in all measures.— you in all measures. as we look towards 2023 _ you in all measures. as we look towards 2023 and, _ you in all measures. as we look towards 2023 and, of _ you in all measures. as we look towards 2023 and, of course, . you in all measures. as we look i towards 2023 and, of course, what would be close to a year of fighting, give us a position, a situation report, if you like, on the state of aid to ukraine, military aid, financial aid. how much is ukraine expecting to get? we heard that figure from the us, almost $2 billion, another package of $45 billion to be voted on by congress. how much aid is ukraine expecting from other countries? that is sometimes — expecting from other countries? that is sometimes not _ expecting from other countries? t�*isgt is sometimes not the aid in terms of money. what is really important is to get this aid on time and to get that type of aid that we need. for example, now ukrainian armed forces

are in a better position because so many countries who were not able to provide military equipment, like us and uk, had been providing with winter things. and uk, had been providing with winterthings. iceland and uk, had been providing with winter things. iceland doesn't have armed forces but they delivered a huge package of winter clothing for our armed forces. you understand when you have —10 outside, that is really important. each country can decide what type of support they can provide. sometimes, it can be transformers for the electrical grid and that is great for the resilience of the country. they understand that civilians are protected. in this way, 45 billion, that is something very abstract. 0ne way, 45 billion, that is something very abstract. one of the equipment can costjust $10 million and what you can buy for1 billion. that is maths that isn't always a really representative of what is inside of this aid. what we expect from other countries, let's speak about nominal culture. air defence. any type of

air defence, a priority for the russian airforces, long—range russian air forces, long—range missiles russian airforces, long—range missiles to target civilian objects, considering the territory of ukraine, we need more and more air defence. then we need artillery ammunition because in some parts of the country, like in the east, for example, now it is a war of artillery and each day... rockets are from both sides. russia are definitely outnumbering us because they have been preparing long for this war. and then any type of humanitarian aid. unfortunately, the situation is becoming worse because of the targeting of civilians. and thatis of the targeting of civilians. and that is resources ukraine will need. we must leave it there, hanna shelest, head of security programmes at the foreign policy council, ukrainian prism. i'm joined by the former commanding general of the united states army thank you very much for your time.

firstly, president zelensky brought the battlefield to washington, both in his clothing, his fatigues, and that flag, which he presented to members of congress, signed by front line soldiers. members of congress, signed by front line soldiers— line soldiers. what a terrific example — line soldiers. what a terrific example of— line soldiers. what a terrific example of positive - line soldiers. what a terrific i example of positive leadership line soldiers. what a terrific - example of positive leadership and the importance of a personal connection, just like when winston churchill came to washington 81 years ago. this is very real. when you can sit there and talk to the president of the united states, two members of congress, and to the american media in person. very powerful visit, very well done and i was proud of both sides, how it turned out. was proud of both sides, how it turned out-— was proud of both sides, how it turned out. �*, ., ~ ., ., turned out. let's talk about what ukraine needs. _ turned out. let's talk about what ukraine needs. we _ turned out. let's talk about what ukraine needs. we have - turned out. let's talk about what ukraine needs. we have heard i turned out. let's talk about what ukraine needs. we have heard a| turned out. let's talk about what i ukraine needs. we have heard a lot about the patriot missile system, haven't we? as my last guest was just talking about, artillery, long—range precision artillery, tanks, othervehicles, give us long—range precision artillery, tanks, other vehicles, give us your take on what ukraine needs, as it heads towards almost a year of this war. {iii

heads towards almost a year of this war. . ., , ., , ., war. of course, i loved listening to hanna, war. of course, i loved listening to hanna. she — war. of course, i loved listening to hanna. she is— war. of course, i loved listening to hanna, she is equal _ war. of course, i loved listening to hanna, she is equal to _ war. of course, i loved listening to hanna, she is equal to an - war. of course, i loved listening to | hanna, she is equal to an armoured vehicle herself. the two priorities, based on my assessment and what i hear from based on my assessment and what i hearfrom my ukrainian based on my assessment and what i hear from my ukrainian friends and others, is the long—range precision fire, which would enable ukraine to keep pressure on russian logistics, specifically on the two lines of communication that go in to crimea. the land bridge and another bridge. having a 300 kilometre range weapon would really change the game there and unable to ukraine to accelerate towards victory by summer. exactly as was said earlier, the missile defence system is necessary to protect not only innocent ukrainian civilians but of course the power grid. it is needed not only for light and heat but to keep industry and trains moving. thirdly, armoured

vehicles, specifically american, british, or german tanks, fighting vehicles that would be useful in the eventual resumption of the counter offensive. i eventual resumption of the counter offensive. , ., ., .«r eventual resumption of the counter offensive. , ., ., offensive. i 'ust want to take you back to offensive. i just want to take you back to something _ offensive. i just want to take you back to something that - offensive. i just want to take you back to something that you - offensive. i just want to take you back to something that you said | offensive. i just want to take you i back to something that you said in the middle of that answer. the liberation of crimea by the end of next summer, do you really think thatis next summer, do you really think that is achievable? i next summer, do you really think that is achievable?— next summer, do you really think that is achievable? i would not say it if i that is achievable? i would not say it if i didn't — that is achievable? i would not say it if i didn't believe _ that is achievable? i would not say it ifi didn't believe it. _ that is achievable? i would not say it if i didn't believe it. i _ that is achievable? i would not say it if i didn't believe it. i expect - it if i didn't believe it. i expect ukraine will liberate crimea by the end of august, assuming, of course, that the west sticks together and will deliver everything that we said we are going to deliver. many smart and good people are sceptical of this because they are thinking in terms of a frontal assault, if you will come into crimea. i don't think that's how the ukrainians are looking at it. i think they will continue this deliberate, methodical destruction of russian logistics, ammunition storage, transportation networks and headquarters and to the point then with long—range precision fires, crimea actually starts

looking like a trap and becomes untenable for russian forces. but what kind of— untenable for russian forces. but what kind of reaction, sorry to interrupt, with that provoke from russia? what is russia's capability right now? {iii russia? what is russia's capability riaht now? .., , ~ right now? of course, i think we worry too _ right now? of course, i think we worry too much _ right now? of course, i think we worry too much about _ right now? of course, i think we worry too much about how- right now? of course, i think we i worry too much about how russia might react. we have been deterring ourselves for months. every time we finally have taken a step to provide a new weapon system, for example, where we have been worried about russian escalation, they had done nothing because they can't do anything. they have used up most of what they have, they are extending precision weapons against apartment weapons that they can no longer a place because of sanctions. they are having to get soldiers out of prison, prison is to fill the ranks and formations and then they are pushing them into a battle, untrained and poorly equipped. the russians are not stupid. if we give them unlimited amounts of time, of course they will eventually correct some of the problem is that they have been having. but i think we

should get used to the idea that ukraine is going to actually defeat russia on the battlefield the old—fashioned way. as long as we give them the things that they need for offensive operations. long—range precision fire and armoured vehicles. precision fire and armoured vehicles-— precision fire and armoured vehicles. ~ ., ., ., ., vehicles. what role will the patriot missile system _ vehicles. what role will the patriot missile system play _ vehicles. what role will the patriot missile system play in _ vehicles. what role will the patriot missile system play in that? - vehicles. what role will the patriot missile system play in that? this i vehicles. what role will the patriot| missile system play in that? this is an important— missile system play in that? this is an important step _ missile system play in that? this is an important step because - missile system play in that? this is an important step because it - missile system play in that? this is an important step because it does l an important step because it does represent a significant step increase in capability. but we need to be clear, capability of a battery of patriot, which probably will have around six launches and i imagine probably with accelerated training schedule of already knowledgeable ukrainian ed offenders, probably two months —— air defenders. before it is on the ground and operating. but a battery, if it is properly integrated into the existing air defence network, it is enough to protect one city. it is an important capability. but it is not enough, in

terms of capacity. of course, that points out the problem for all of us. none of us and suddenly me when i was the commander of us army europe, never anticipated russia would launch a precision weapon at civilian targets —— certainly me. we are woefully unprepared in europe to protect our own citizens, as well as, of course, critical infrastructure.- as, of course, critical infrastructure. ., ., infrastructure. two quick final . uestion infrastructure. two quick final question is. — infrastructure. two quick final question is, if— infrastructure. two quick final question is, if i _ infrastructure. two quick final question is, ifi may. - infrastructure. two quick finall question is, ifi may. president question is, if i may. president putin had his end of your meeting with his defence chiefs yesterday. he talked about new hypersonic and intercontinental missiles being put on duty in the near future. is that a capability for russia or is that rhetoric? and how far do you think nato is pushing its boundaries at the moment, which has been a big complaint of the russians? firstly, com are complaint of the russians? firstly, compare the _ complaint of the russians? firstly, compare the leadership _ complaint of the russians? firstly, compare the leadership of - complaint of the russians? firstly, i compare the leadership of president putin, who sits at a long table in his office with president zelensky who, the day before coming to washington, was at the scene of the

worst fighting happening right now. that sort of inspirational leadership is making a difference. of course, the russians are of course, the russians are developing capabilities that president putin has been bragging about these weapons since long before the resumption of thejew in february. they are —— for the resumption of the offensive in february. i think that they don't have it yet. is nato pushing the boundaries too far? i don't understand anybody that believes that russia attacked ukraine for one reason, they wanted to destroy ukraine as a state and destroy the idea of ukraine as a state. they couldn't tolerate the idea of a free, liberal democratic and democratic ukraine on their border. the safest part of russia has always been the part that touched nato, that was the one area

from which they would never be attacked and that is still the case. 0k, good to get your thoughts on all of that today. the tenant general ben hodges, former commanding general of the us army in europe. —— blue tenant general. and in half an hour i'll be speaking with former putin advisor and russian political scientist sergei markov. following yesterday's ambulance strike in england and wales, health leaders are warning that today could be "very challenging" for hospitals. there were fewer calls than usual in some areas, but nhs providers — which represents hospital trusts and ambulance services — says patients who put—off going to accident and emergency departments yesterday, could turn—up today, increasing pressure on services. daniela relph reports. what do we want? fair pay. when do we want it? now! after the strike, comes the challenge of today. people appeared to have heeded the warnings and avoided calling 999 in many regions, with thousands of ambulance

workers striking yesterday. but now hospitals are bracing themselves for a return to normal service, what some are viewing as a possible rebound effect in the days ahead. we know that the pressure is going to mount over the next couple of days because there's very likely to be some knock—on impact, including those people who didn't come forward for treatment over the past couple of days, and also rescheduling operations and outpatient appointments that couldn't take place during the strike days. it was the biggest strike action by ambulance staff in more than 30 years. yesterday's picket lines, a clear sign of how the dispute between government and ambulance workers over pay, job conditions, and patient safety has escalated. those striking felt left with no other option other than to stop work. there's patients in the community that are waiting hours on end in very poorly or critical conditions

that aren't getting ambulances. in life threatening cases, ambulance workers did leave the picket line to respond. the military were also called in to help. the impact of the strike appears mixed across england and wales. some services were put on a critical footing. 0thers reported a reduction in 999 calls, while unions were accused by the health secretary of putting the lives of patients at risk. the nhs is broken. the ambulance service is crippled by a lack of funding and a real recruitment and retention crisis. this industrial action can stop today. what needs to happen is the government need to sit down with the senior unison officials and the other nhs unions. we can stop this today. there doesn't need to be any more industrial action. scottish health unions are due to meet today to discuss their next move after nurses, paramedics and midwives rejected what the scottish government called

a best and final pay offer. strike action is now a real possibility. in england and wales, the effects of the latest disruption may last several days, with one union planning another strike next week. daniela relph, bbc news. joining me now is dr layla mccay, policy director at the nhs confederation, which represents health managers. thank you for your time today. it is pretty early in the day here in the uk. but is there any sign that hospitals are going to be busier than normal because of yesterday's strike? it than normal because of yesterday's strike? , . . , than normal because of yesterday's strike? ,. ., , , . strike? it is certainly expected that the disruptions _ strike? it is certainly expected that the disruptions of - strike? it is certainly expected l that the disruptions of yesterday will have impact into today and the rest of the week, in fact. that impact can be seen notjust in the emergency department, but also other places that people are accessing

care, particularly our primary care colleagues have been telling us that they have been seeing increased pressure as people have stopped alternative routes. as care homes have stopped primary care, support for ambulances may not be available, those sorts of changes. in terms of what the impact will be, actually, we will have to wait for a few days to really get a good understanding of that. significant disruption has happened. we should all be proud of the nhs for doing what it always does and responding incredibly well with a huge amount of planning that has aimed to keep as many people safe as possible. also, you know, credit to the public for really heeding the advice and thinking ambulances only in case of extreme emergency. but it has been disruption all round. we will see the results of that playing out over the results of that playing out over the coming days. find the results of that playing out over the coming days.— the results of that playing out over the coming days. and we have heard a lot in the nurses _ the coming days. and we have heard a lot in the nurses strike _ the coming days. and we have heard a lot in the nurses strike recently - lot in the nurses strike recently about staffing issues. if members of

the public turn up at hospitals, can they expect any extra staff to cope with this anticipated rush, after the ambulance strike?- with this anticipated rush, after the ambulance strike? well, as we know, the ambulance strike? well, as we know. there's _ the ambulance strike? well, as we know, there's already _ the ambulance strike? well, as we know, there's already a _ the ambulance strike? well, as we know, there's already a huge - the ambulance strike? well, as we i know, there's already a huge amount of pressure in staffing within health care. there is 133,000 vacancies. 0n health care. there is 133,000 vacancies. on top of that, lots of people are off sick at the moment for various reasons... 50. people are off sick at the moment for various reasons. . .— for various reasons... so, that i know, for various reasons... so, that i know. frankly. _ for various reasons... so, that i know, frankly, isn't _ for various reasons... so, that i know, frankly, isn't it? - for various reasons. .. so, that i know, frankly, isn't it? it's- for various reasons... so, that i l know, frankly, isn't it? it's going to be everybody _ know, frankly, isn't it? it's going to be everybody working - know, frankly, isn't it? it's going to be everybody working flat - know, frankly, isn't it? it's going| to be everybody working flat out. know, frankly, isn't it? it's going . to be everybody working flat out. -- that's to be everybody working flat out. —— that's a no. to be everybody working flat out. -- that's a no. over— to be everybody working flat out. -- that's a no. over the _ to be everybody working flat out. -- that's a no. over the last _ to be everybody working flat out. -- that's a no. over the last few- that's a no. over the last few weeks, that's a no. over the last few weeks. people _ that's a no. over the last few weeks, people have - that's a no. over the last few weeks, people have been - that's a no. over the last few- weeks, people have been working flat out but the pressure does continue to be very high at the same time in all parts of the system. {lilia to be very high at the same time in all parts of the system.— all parts of the system. ok, doctor la la all parts of the system. ok, doctor layla mccay. _ all parts of the system. ok, doctor layla may. at — all parts of the system. ok, doctor layla may. at the _ all parts of the system. ok, doctor layla mccay, at the nhs _ all parts of the system. ok, doctori layla mccay, at the nhs federation. more on strike actions that are taking place across parts of england. highway workers in london and the south—east of england are on strike from today until christmas day. meanwhile, 1,000 borderforce staff will begin the first of an eight—day walk—out from tomorrow.

if you want to find out more about these strikes, or any other industrial action set to take place over the next few days, you can get all the details on the bbc news website. more than a million households in britain with pre—payment energy meters did not claim monthly energy support vouchers during the cold snap earlier this month. let's speak to our cost of living correspondent, colletta smith. this is a surprise, why weren't the vouchers claimed?— this is a surprise, why weren't the vouchers claimed? they have been difficulties with _ vouchers claimed? they have been difficulties with the _ vouchers claimed? they have been difficulties with the vouchers - vouchers claimed? they have been difficulties with the vouchers from | difficulties with the vouchers from the start. £400 a gun and promised every household in britain. for people with prepayment meters, rather than the process being automatic, as it is for people who pay by direct debit, that £66 is just added as credit onto their energy accounts, for people with prepayment meters, they have been sent a voucher that they have to take to a top up point, a pay point or a post office to cash that voucher and have it added onto their prepayment meter. there were difficulties in october and november with a lot of those vouchers being

unclaimed. chiefly because they have been sent by post. lots of people have been saying they haven't arrived, that perhaps their details are out of date, that perhaps they are out of date, that perhaps they are renting and have moved a number of times. the vouchers just haven't turned up. potentially, for other people they haven't opened their post, particularly those who are in debt to the energy company already or have other debts. 0ften lots of people are worried to open post, particularly anything labelled from an energy company. 0thers particularly anything labelled from an energy company. others are saying it just an energy company. others are saying itjust hasn't an energy company. others are saying it just hasn't turned an energy company. others are saying itjust hasn't turned up at all. but what we saw in december was a very, very cold snap across britain from around the 5th of december to the 18th of december. at exactly the same time that the royal mail were on strike. during that period, there were a number of strike days and a real backlog built up. lots of royal mail staff have told the bbc that even now royal mail are claiming that backlog and prioritising parcels rather than letters. for a lot of people on prepayment meters

and we are talking around 2 million people who depend on traditional prepayment meters, they still haven't cashed those vouchers. a point, who deal with half of those vouchers told us that up until the 18th of december, only 27% of those vouchers were cashed and you would have thought during a cold snap that is the moment that people really need that extra money to be able to put on their account and keep the heat on. . ., put on their account and keep the heat on. ., ~ i. put on their account and keep the heat on. . ~' ,, , put on their account and keep the heat on. ., ~ i. , . a leading british business organisation says many firms are reporting difficulties coming to terms with post—brexit trading rules. the british chambers of commerce is urging ministers to improve the arrangements — agreed with the eu nearly two years ago. it says almost three—quarters of affected firms are still waiting to see any benefits. the government says it's providing exporters with practical help. the bbc has found more than 20 councils in england have dropped holiday food voucher programmes for children receiving free school meals. the local government association said some authorities

could not afford to continue the schemes and were choosing other ways to help those struggling with the cost of living in their communities. but campaigners say it's "vitally important" all eligible children receive help. israel's longest—serving prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, says he expects to be sworn back into office next week after successfully forming a new government. his coalition, set to be the country's most right—wing ever, plans to expand jewish settlements and increase political control over the security forces and judiciary. the parties strongly supportjewish settlers in the israeli—occupied west bank, including in hebron, where violence has spiked since last month's election. the bbc�*s middle east correspondent, tom bateman, has been meeting people living in the city, including one palestinian family who've suffered repeated attacks on their home. this family say they feel under siege from israeli settlers. here we meet children far too familiar with fear and violence.

as we found out. in front? can we go out? young israelis storm into the garden, followed by the soldiers. "get out of here, leave", they tell the palestinian family. he is kicked. an activist tries to help the family. and the soldiers, they do nothing to protect the palestinians. if a palestinian do that, you will take them to the jail or shoot him. in this city like no other, it's the ones who stormed in that seemed protected and let go with a handshake. allahu akbar! in late november, their home faced an even worse attack. it was barely a month after an election, which has empowered the settler movement and the ultranationalist far right.

days later, an israeli peace activist was beaten, while another soldier hailed the far right and the incoming police minister. "itamar ben—gvir is going to sort this place out", he says, telling the left wing, "you're done for". he was laterjailed for several days. for the far right, hebron is a heartland. settlers here voted overwhelmingly for ben—gvir�*s alliance. he leads a party espousing racist, anti—arab policies. he was the person who put a framed picture of a mass murderer on his wall at home, described him as a hero. doesn't that worry you? he's apologised for that and he said he's matured through that. but bottom line is people want anti—jihadism, pro—family and pro—god. your silence will bring you checkpoints all over. your silence will bring you division. a well—known palestinian activist speaks to a gathering of the israeli left. they're a dwindling

force, these days. and while they tour, undercover police watch them from the shadows. hebron is a city of checkpoints and a flashpoint of the conflict and occupation. so, you see the barrier from this side, a military tower. watchtower here. see the fences and this is just a regular street in hebron. been closed off like this for many, many years. separates out palestinians who live and work on this side, checked every time they want to try and get through. that is my house. back with issa amro, the palestinian activist, i'm shown what life is like for him here. and you're not allowed to go there? i'm not allowed to walk from here. he talks of having been arrested multiple times and then he's pulled away from us. the undercover policeman is back. they tell him he's been "obstructing justice". the activists call it police intimidation

to stop the settler movement here being challenged. issa, what's happening to you now? i'm arrested. why? they fear a slide into much more of this, and worse, as israeli politics sees the far right takes centre stage. tom bateman, bbc news, hebron. 0ur middle east correspondent injerusalem yolande knell has been following developments in the government's formation and what it means for peace. there have been no direct peace talks since 2014. and this is not a new israeli government that looks likely to do anything to advance peace. quite the opposite. you have individuals like the far right leader, itamar ben—gvir, who opposed palestinian statehood. instead, he and others in the government want to extend israeli sovereignty into the west bank. that's, of course, yet another huge obstacle to the idea of a two—state solution. that is the international formula

for peace here, which is backed by palestinian leaders, by the united states, by european governments. and, really, that's what's led to a lot of expressions of concern from israel's international allies. and the palestinians have been saying already that this is a racist and extremist government. we're now getting some of the details of policies that the individuals in the government could be pushing for. we have things that stand out. one of the ultranationalist leaders, bezalel smotrich, saying that as he's set to take control of planning authority in the west bank, that means that he will want to expand jewish settlements. he's also said his party, that in the next 60 days they want to legalise jewish settlement outposts in the west bank. there are dozens of those. and unlike other settlements, which are seen as illegal under international law but israel disagrees with that, those settlement outposts are currently illegal even under israeli law. so that could be something extremely

provocative to the palestinians. then you have far right leader itamar ben—gvir, who is set to become the new national security minister responsible for the police and also taking control of the border police, which we see acting in those sensitive spots in israel—annexed eastjerusalem and in the west bank as well. he has said that he wants to take tough action with palestinians against a background of rising tensions, that we're seeing a very fragile security situation. and then you have lots of other things that concern different sections of israeli society, anti—lgbtq positions, a declared intent to make secular education more religious. just lots of divisive things when it comes to religion and state in israel and proposals also to give parliament greater powers to overrule the court system. and that is being seen as a threat to the independence of israel's justice system.

here with us is hen mazzig — an israeli author and senior fellow with the tel aviv institute he identifies as lgbt and a zionist. he served with the israeli defence forces for almost five years as a coordinator of government activities in the territories of west bank as a humanitarian affairs officer. benjamin netanyahu benjamin neta nyahu seems benjamin netanyahu seems to be the great survivor, his sixth period in office, although it has taken time and been difficult for him to put this coalition together. fine and been difficult for him to put this coalition together. one member ofthe this coalition together. one member of the coalition _ this coalition together. one member of the coalition has _ this coalition together. one member of the coalition has expressed - of the coalition has expressed anti—lgbt views. the leader of one of the other parties in the coalition was previously convicted for anti—arab racism. do you think mr netanyahu may come to regret this coalition? i mr netanyahu may come to regret this coalition? ., , ., ., , coalition? i hope he will and i hope it won't last _ coalition? i hope he will and i hope it won't last for _ coalition? i hope he will and i hope it won't last for too _ coalition? i hope he will and i hope it won't last for too long. _ coalition? i hope he will and i hope it won't last for too long. we - coalition? i hope he will and i hope it won't last for too long. we just l it won't last for too long. we just had a great government. there was a partnership betweenjewish leaders and arab leaders in israel that had

to be dismantled. but to see netanyahu using this divisive rhetoric and bringing people like itamar ben—gvir and others, we know the sort of rhetoric gets people elected and that is what happened in israel. my hope is that it won't last. 0nly israel. my hope is that it won't last. only 50% of the israeli public were voting, so i hope the other 50% would wake up after this coalition. so you have questions about the stability of this coalition. i understand that you support a two—state solution in the region. we mentioned in the introduction that you served with the israeli defence forces in the west bank as a humanitarian affairs officer. how much does your support for a two—state solution come from your experiences there? two-state solution come from your experiences there?— two-state solution come from your experiences there? very much so. and indeed for my — experiences there? very much so. and indeed for my identity _ experiences there? very much so. and indeed for my identity as _ experiences there? very much so. and indeed for my identity as a _ experiences there? very much so. and indeed for my identity as a jewish - indeed for my identity as a jewish person and a zionist that supports the existence of a jewish state in our ancestral homeland, i also think other minorities in this region, if

they have aspirations for a national right, they should receive that. we can't deny them their national rights were advocating for our own and i think most israelis, according to many polls, most israelis do support some sort of separation from the palestinians, be it a palestinian state or two or three states. the majority of israelis understand that they want to be separate from the palestinians. this election is notjust about the palestinians and security issues. there are several other topics and i think the people who are pro a one state solution used other topics like the lgbt community and gender segregation and other topics to get elected. x�*t�*et segregation and other topics to get elected. ., ,., ., ., , elected. yet finding a solution has roved elected. yet finding a solution has proved elusive, _ elected. yet finding a solution has proved elusive, as _ elected. yet finding a solution has proved elusive, as anyone - elected. yet finding a solution has proved elusive, as anyone who - elected. yet finding a solution has| proved elusive, as anyone who has looked at this part of the world will know. in the short—term, what are your concerns the security situation given the views expressed

by some members of this coalition? israel still has enemies on every border. while we have had several successful peaceful agreement signed in recent years, my family are still worried about having to run back to the bomb shelters, like we did a year ago when rockets rained down on israel from gaza. so israelis are concerned. israeli civilians are concerned. israeli civilians are concerned for their security and living as free people in safety. that is a real threat the israelis are facing. i do think it is one of theissues are facing. i do think it is one of the issues that is debated. but as we saw with the recent abrahamic accords that israel signed with several arab countries, there is hope for peace in the middle east and i do know that israelis, hopefully a majority has more peaceful ideology. but hopefully a majority has more peaceful ideology.— hopefully a majority has more peaceful ideology. but what is the athwa to peaceful ideology. but what is the pathway to that? _ peaceful ideology. but what is the pathway to that? we _ peaceful ideology. but what is the pathway to that? we have - peaceful ideology. but what is the pathway to that? we have a - peaceful ideology. but what is the pathway to that? we have a new i

pathway to that? we have a new coalition. as we said, it has been difficult to put this coalition together. although they are in a coalition, they may have competing interests. so what is the pathway? it's going to be challenging. that is why i said at the beginning of my remarks that it won't last for long. i hope the coalition will not last for long. i do think there is peace agreements with arab countries will promote the palestinians to come back to the negotiation table and discuss with israel a pathway for peace. perhaps it will take a right wing government to achieve peace with our neighbours. hen wing government to achieve peace with our neighbours.— with our neighbours. hen mazzig, thank ou with our neighbours. hen mazzig, thank you very — with our neighbours. hen mazzig, thank you very much. _ forecasters say a major winter storm, which is sweeping the us this week, may bring the coldest christmas in four decades to parts of the country. there has already been major snowfall in parts of the country, such as minnesota and washington state — as you can see from these pictures. more than 90 million people in 37 states are set to experience sub—zero temperatures, including places as far south as texas — prompting warnings from officials. and the cold snap could become what's known as a "bomb cyclone"

by tomorrow. cbs correspondent jarred hill, who is in new york, told me how people are preparing. this is what's being called a bomb cyclone. temperatures could feel like —57 degrees in parts of this country, so incredibly cold. but you've got to remember, the us is massive and the most impact, from we're hearing from meteorologists, is going to be west of the california area, but it could go all the way down to florida, some of those really cold temperatures in a place that's known for the sun and humidity, the beaches and whatnot, so lots of people will be affected. what is preparedness like? obviously in some parts of the country, new york experiences cold winters and some people may be well prepared, but in other parts, like florida, less so? yes, it kind of depends. again, this will not bring the same

thing from what we are hearing from meteorologists to every part of the country. here in new york, one of the big factors that lots of people are watching and paying attention to is travel around the holidays. this is the kind of place where people will leave to go to some parts of the country that are being more impacted. one thing that we've seen is that a number of airlines have waived some of those change fees so that people can reschedule their flight and try to avoid some of the worst of this storm in the middle parts of the country around chicago and whatnot, without having to pay those extra fees on top of that. we are seeing a lot of calls for warming shelters to be opened up in parts of the country because there are people who, whether they live outside, or they might potentially lose power in the midst of this storm with incredible winds expected, those really low temperatures, as well as the potential of power outages. so lots of steps are being put in place to prepare for what could come, which is difficult because we're waiting for this weather to hit

in the next couple of days. that was jarred hill from new york. let's return to our top story this hour as the president of ukraine, volodymyr zelensky, 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. let's speak to former adviser to vladimir putin, sergei markov. your reaction to that visit by president zelensky to the us, almost $2 billion worth of aid from the us, another 45 billion promised in the words from president biden that the us will stay with ukraine as long as it takes? ., ,, ., , ._ it takes? no. the us will not stay with ukraine. _ it takes? no. the us will not stay with ukraine. in _ it takes? no. the us will not stay with ukraine. in the _ it takes? no. the us will not stay with ukraine. in the united - it takes? no. the us will not stay| with ukraine. in the united states will not support ukraine. it is

ukraine that stays with the united states and the united states have waged war against russia using ukraine as weapons. but waged war against russia using ukraine as weapons.— ukraine as weapons. but it was russia who _ ukraine as weapons. but it was russia who entered _ ukraine as weapons. but it was russia who entered ukrainian i russia who entered ukrainian territory on the 24th of february this year, not the other way round. russia has sent its army to the great ukrainian people because ukraine are a non—democratic and repressive regime and they have been shelling people in donbas for eight years. the dictators of ukraine should agree to compromise, so russia came to protect people.

it is thejewish or oppressing, not ukraine. but it is the jewish or oppressing, not ukraine. �* , , , ., ~ ukraine. but supporters of mr putin, if i ma ukraine. but supporters of mr putin, ifi may interact. _ ukraine. but supporters of mr putin, if i may interact, have _ ukraine. but supporters of mr putin, ifi may interact, have repeatedly - if i may interact, have repeatedly made these claims of nazism which are clearly untrue. i want to take you back to my first question about the us support for ukraine. clearly, there is evidence of that support. you are saying there is an support, but there is evidence of it. the us has just announced that $2 billion package and another 45 billion which is awaiting congressional approval and the words of the president of the united states, which means something to most people. we will stay with you as long as it takes,

says mr biden. so there is evidence of their support, is it not? this says mr biden. so there is evidence of their support, is it not?— of their support, is it not? this is not support- _ of their support, is it not? this is not support- they _ of their support, is it not? this is not support. they are _ of their support, is it not? this is not support. they are using. - of their support, is it not? this is not support. they are using. thisj not support. they are using. this american army will come to ukraine and this american army will die. russian soldiers will die, and ukrainian soldiers, because this is a civil war inside russian people. that is one of the reasons ofjoe biden. joe biden come to moscow... go back to home, mr biden. after this, joe biden hate vladimir putin and orchestrate this war of ukraine against russia on ukrainian territory. we believe that russia

will win, as usual.— will win, as usual. soldiers will die. you will win, as usual. soldiers will die- you say — will win, as usual. soldiers will die. you say russia _ will win, as usual. soldiers will die. you say russia will- will win, as usual. soldiers will die. you say russia will win. it| die. you say russia will win. it didn't achieve its objective at the beginning of this war of taking the capital, kyiv. it has been pushed out of territory that it took. in the mobilisation of reservists, the of 300,000 reservists in september, we understand, has hit lots of problems due to fitness of people being called up, the supply of equipment and so on. this was acknowledged by president putin yesterday at his end of year meeting with his chiefs of defence. he said the russian army must learn from and fix the problems it has suffered in ukraine. so how do you think the russian army is going to respond to what the us is doing and to the supply of the patriot missile systems? how concerned is russia about that?

in the case of saudi arabia, we can see that the patriot missile system sometimes doesn't work properly. we will see. of course, a more strong ukrainian army by american money, more soldiers will die. but nevertheless, we regard anti—russian activity on ukrainian territory by america is a real threat to russia. so we have to take russian borders. that is why russia will fight to protect them. we are not happy that we have spent huge money on this war. and we are not happy about the losses of the ukrainian army because the soldiers of the ukrainian army are russian soldiers. they army in

the great post—modernist army with russian soldiers and american generals. russian soldiers and american uenerals. ., ., ., ., generals. you have mentioned a coule of generals. you have mentioned a couple of times _ generals. you have mentioned a couple of times now _ generals. you have mentioned a couple of times now that - generals. you have mentioned a couple of times now that more i couple of times now that more soldiers will die and sadly, that is a fact of war. 0n soldiers will die and sadly, that is a fact of war. on that point, i want to ask you, from your knowledge of vladimir putin, do you think he still enjoys the support of the russian people? do the russian people really have the stomach to send their young men and women off to fight and potentially get killed? more than 80% support vladimir putin. maybe 15% are against vladimir putin. before the war is the same as now. his popularity is a bit increased, but not too much. you don't want to say to your audience

that we are an anti—terrorist regime. people can see thousands of evidence. they can see. if he doesnt evidence. they can see. if he doesn't win _ evidence. they can see. if he doesn't win this _ evidence. they can see. if he doesn't win this war - evidence. they can see. if he doesn't win this war on - evidence. they can see. if he doesn't win this war on his i evidence. they can see. if he doesn't win this war on his terms, is his position in doubt?— is his position in doubt? nobody knows. sometimes _ is his position in doubt? nobody knows. sometimes when - is his position in doubt? nobody knows. sometimes when a - is his position in doubt? nobody. knows. sometimes when a leader is his position in doubt? nobody - knows. sometimes when a leader lost some more, they could be replaced by somebody else. but russians understand if they replace vladimir putin, probably his replacement will be by an american puppet, exactly as in ukraine. americans made war against russia from ukraine. they

will send russians to fight in a war against china. by, will send russians to fight in a war against china-— against china. a lot of people understand — against china. a lot of people understand this. _ against china. a lot of people understand this. sergei - against china. a lot of people i understand this. sergei markov, former adviser to president putin, thank you for your time. joining me now is the professor in leadership at henley business school, bernd vogel. asi as i said to one of my guests earlier today, president zelensky really took the battlefield to washington, both in his fatigues and enough likely presented to congress, signed by soldiers on the front line? , ., , ., signed by soldiers on the front line? , .,, ., ., ., line? yes, there was a lot of symbolic _ line? yes, there was a lot of symbolic leadership - line? yes, there was a lot of symbolic leadership going i line? yes, there was a lot of| symbolic leadership going on line? yes, there was a lot of- symbolic leadership going on there. it is part of what we have seen over the last year to really create a narrative and symbols in the way

zielinski communicates with his own people, but also with us, his stakeholders. i thought we saw another masterclass last night in doing that. another masterclass last night in doinu that. �* ., , doing that. and we have seen him since the war _ doing that. and we have seen him since the war began _ doing that. and we have seen him since the war began doing - doing that. and we have seen him i since the war began doing numerous video calls. what difference will it make to be there in person? we still saw some republican members of congress sitting down while others were on their feet giving him a standing ovation. i were on their feet giving him a standing ovation.— were on their feet giving him a standing ovation. i think presents, we have seen _ standing ovation. i think presents, we have seen it _ standing ovation. i think presents, we have seen it through _ standing ovation. i think presents, we have seen it through how i standing ovation. i think presents, we have seen it through how we i standing ovation. i think presents, i we have seen it through how we took, but there is something that adds to that to be present and increase by that to be present and increase by that the effect that you have. in this case also, the idea that he can actually move around again, but it also is the way to say it's important to be there because he needs to keep mobilising the

support. it is a great gesture, but it is also something he has to do to keep us on board or the global audience in board with what is going on. ., audience in board with what is going on, ., ., , , audience in board with what is going on.., , ., ,, audience in board with what is going on. ., , ., , on. how does his leadership style contrast with _ on. how does his leadership style contrast with that _ on. how does his leadership style contrast with that of _ on. how does his leadership style contrast with that of president i contrast with that of president putin? ~ ., ._ , contrast with that of president putin? ~ ., , ., contrast with that of president putin? . ., , ., ., putin? well, we always have media -based insight. _ putin? well, we always have media -based insight. so _ putin? well, we always have media -based insight. so we _ putin? well, we always have media -based insight. so we have - putin? well, we always have media -based insight. so we have to i putin? well, we always have media -based insight. so we have to be i —based insight. so we have to be careful what we judge. but if we look at zelensky, he is balancing strong decision—making strength, but at the same time, he comes across as human and human centred about what this nation feels. and that probably distinguishes him in the first place and makes him a very serious politician but his call, a person

who takes care of his people, and maybe we don't see that in vladimir putin. �* ., ., , putin. bernd vogel, from the henley business school, _ putin. bernd vogel, from the henley business school, thank _ putin. bernd vogel, from the henley business school, thank you. - here in the uk, it was a huge night for the england lionesses last night at the bbc�*s sports personality of the year awards. england's beth mead was named sports personality of the year, the first women's footballer to win the award. she also won team of the year alongside her lioness team—mates, while england head coach sarina wiegman won coach of the year. beth mead scored six goals at the euros this summer and led england to victory. 0bviously, i'm incredibly honoured to win this award. i'll keep saying it, it's a cliche, but i wouldn't have done it without them girls over there and the team that have backed me. yes, i've got this accolade, i did myjob, i scored a few goals, but i wouldn't have done it without them. and i certainly wouldn't have done it without my dad, my mum, and all my family. applause.

with me now is beth mead's former coach, phil nedley. iam sure i am sure it was a hugely proud moment for you last night. absolutely.— moment for you last night. absolutel . , ., �* absolutely. tell us about beth when ou used absolutely. tell us about beth when you used to — absolutely. tell us about beth when you used to coach _ absolutely. tell us about beth when you used to coach her. _ absolutely. tell us about beth when you used to coach her. did - absolutely. tell us about beth when you used to coach her. did you i absolutely. tell us about beth when you used to coach her. did you see i you used to coach her. did you see that star potential?— that star potential? when she first turned u- that star potential? when she first turned up to _ that star potential? when she first turned up to our— that star potential? when she first turned up to our saturday - that star potential? when she first turned up to our saturday morning club, she was a six—year—old, very tiny for her age. everybody else on the team was all the boys. she was the team was all the boys. she was the only girl, and we were a bit worried about her in one way. we thought she wouldn't enjoy it. but by the end of the two hours, she had given as much as she got. she was over the moon and it was brilliant to see her. over the moon and it was brilliant to see her-— over the moon and it was brilliant to see her. �* ., , ., ., to see her. and ran rings around the bo s, to see her. and ran rings around the boys. according _ to see her. and ran rings around the boys, according to _ to see her. and ran rings around the boys, according to the _ to see her. and ran rings around the boys, according to the conversation | boys, according to the conversation you had with our producer? absolutely, even at that young age. there were boys four or five years

older than her, and there was so much she could do then. 50 older than her, and there was so much she could do then.- much she could do then. so this moment last — much she could do then. so this moment last night, _ much she could do then. so this moment last night, not - much she could do then. so this moment last night, not only i much she could do then. so this moment last night, not only her award, but the award for the team as well after their success in the euros, if anyone was in doubt that this really puts women's football on the map, the question is, why hasn't a female footballer been winning awards like this already? i a female footballer been winning awards like this already?- awards like this already? i think there is an _ awards like this already? i think there is an awful— awards like this already? i think there is an awful lot _ awards like this already? i think there is an awful lot more i awards like this already? i think| there is an awful lot more media interest in women's football. and winning something gives it a boost. so the fact that they won the euros has put them in the news everywhere stop all they can do now is go higher and higher. world cup next year, they must be one of the favourites.— year, they must be one of the favourites. . , ., ., favourites. exciting times ahead. one of the _ favourites. exciting times ahead. one of the most _ favourites. exciting times ahead. one of the most interesting i favourites. exciting times ahead. i one of the most interesting things about beth, if you look at her personal story, about beth, if you look at her personalstory, i about beth, if you look at her personal story, i think it was the previous 0lympics when she didn't even make the team and yet when it came to the euros, there she was at

the front of the team, helping them to victory. i the front of the team, helping them to victo . ., , the front of the team, helping them to victo . ~ , ., ., , to victory. i think she got a bit too serious — to victory. i think she got a bit too serious about _ to victory. i think she got a bit too serious about the - to victory. i think she got a bit too serious about the game. i to victory. i think she got a bit i too serious about the game. she was playing without a smile on her face, and i think she realised after being dropped, she went back to playing like when she was a girl at her football club, playing with a smile and enjoy it more and you can see the difference it made. she obviously — the difference it made. she obviously had _ the difference it made. she obviously had a _ the difference it made. she obviously had a good think about things, and look how it paid off. some really valuable lessons for people there. what do you think the prospects are for this england women's team, the lionesses? thea;r women's team, the lionesses? they can only get — women's team, the lionesses? they can only get better. _ women's team, the lionesses? they can only get better. there _ women's team, the lionesses? iie: can only get better. there is women's team, the lionesses? "iie can only get better. there is a world cup on the horizon. they have got a phenomenal manager, a great team, and that is the best thing about them. although beth got the award, they are a phenomenal team together and that makes all the difference. we together and that makes all the difference. ~ ., ., ~' together and that makes all the difference-— difference. we look forward to seeinu difference. we look forward to seeing next — difference. we look forward to seeing next year. _ difference. we look forward to seeing next year. phil, - difference. we look forward to seeing next year. phil, thanki difference. we look forward to i seeing next year. phil, thank you so

much. former coach to beth mead when she was a little girl, who picked up a bbc sports personality of the year 2022. you're watching bbc news. as we head towards christmas, we are looking at the weather generally remaining mild. the exception to thatis remaining mild. the exception to that is across the north of scotland, where it is cold, and we have also got some rain in the forecast which at times will be heavy. we have an array of weatherfronts crossing us. it is this clutch of fronts as it moves northwards which will bring rain, sleet and snow. most of the sleet and snow is on higher ground and behind it, you can see how the cold air starts to filter in. this is christmas day, so we still have milder air in the south. that cold air will move across assor on boxing day. today, a lot of cloud and murky conditions. another batch moving across the english channel, where it

is breezy. the northern ireland and scotland, you have a brighter day with sunshine and bright spells and some showers, and breezy across scotland. some of the showers on higher ground will be wintry. this evening, we lose the rain from the south. we were a sea mist and fog patches moving across england, wales and northern ireland and then we will have an expand of thundery rain moving up from the south—west. across parts of northern scotland, northern england and northern ireland, we could see first for a time before this rain continues to move northwards through tomorrow, depositing some transient snow across the lake district, on the hills and also in the pennines and eventually the southern uplands. ahead of it, still a lot of dry weather with wintry showers across the far north of scotland. it, turning wintry and we are also looking at sunshine and showers. then we move into christmas eve and christmas day. our weatherfronts continues to move northwards, taking its rain, sleet and snow. as it

pushes south, it will pull in more of a north—westerly wind. so the cold air is coming our way later on boxing day. if you are after a white christmas, at the moment the highest chanceis christmas, at the moment the highest chance is likely across the north and west of scotland. but it might not be until later in the evening or possibly in the overnight period. so it remains unsettled but mild as we go through christmas eve and christmas day in southern areas. colder in the north and that cold air eventually fell to south. if you are on the move this weekend, you can find out all you need to know about the weather on our bbc weather app.

this is bbc news, i'm rebecca jones. the headlines at 11. president zelensky says ukraine is alive and kicking in a defiant message to us lawmakers, as president biden pledges a new package. i president biden pledges a new ackaue. ., ~' president biden pledges a new ackaue. ., ~ ., ., ~ package. i would like to thank you, thank ou package. i would like to thank you, thank you very _ package. i would like to thank you, thank you very much, _ package. i would like to thank you, thank you very much, thank - package. i would like to thank you, thank you very much, thank you i package. i would like to thank you, j thank you very much, thank you for both financial packages you have already provided us with. ofa of a challenging day for hospitals. more than one million households with pre—payment meters

did not redeem their monthly energy support vouchers during the cold weather snap in december. the british heart foundation has teamed up with music app spotify to urge families who are coming together over christmas to learn cpr. the president of ukraine, volodymyr zelensky, has received the red carpet treatment in washington, dramatically flying in from a warzone to meet president biden at the white house. let's take a look at some of the support that's been promised. us presidentjoe biden confirmed a new package of $1.85 billion in assistance for ukraine. president biden also promised another $45 billion, which would need to be passed by congress. the president told ukraine

that the united states �*will stay with you as long as it takes' some of the money promised will go towards a new patriot missile system, a sophisticated air defence system that will help ukraine to protect its cities from missiles and drones. our first report is from nada tawfik who has being following what's been happening. ukraine's president, volodymyr zelensky, was embraced by us lawmakers with a long, standing ovation, as he entered the house chamber. wearing his trademark military fatigues, he came here on this, his first trip abroad since the start of russia's invasion with a clear mission — to secure america's continued support for the ongoing war in his country. as ukrainians brace for a potential new russian winter offensive, president zelensky told lawmakers the decisions of congress could save ukraine. financial assistance is also critically important. and i would like to thank you.

thank you. thank you for both financial packages you have already provided us with and the ones you may be willing to decide on. your money is not charity. it's an investment in the global security. before he left, he gifted congress a ukrainian flag from soldiers fighting on the front lines. the speaker of the house, nancy pelosi, presented him with the american flag that flew over the capitol, wednesday. president zelensky�*s address comes just as us lawmakers prepare for another era of divided government. in less than two weeks, republicans will take control of the house of representatives, and some have already expressed opposition to what they call blank—cheque funding for ukraine. president zelensky no doubt had them in mind during his speech, hoping they wouldn't block the future flow of aid. for now, the aid is still flowing.

during his meeting with president biden, 1.85 billion in additional funding was announced... 300 days, hard to believe, 300 days. ..along with plans to send ukraine the most advanced air defence weapon in the us's arsenal, the patriot missile system. and us lawmakers are preparing to pass an additional $45 billion in emergency assistance — the largest amount yet. this year has brought so much needless suffering and loss to the ukrainian people. but i want you to know, president zelensky, i want you to know, and all the people of ukraine to know as well, the american people have been with you every step of the way and we will stay with you. we will stay with you. president zelensky is only the second wartime leader to address congress since winston churchill in 1941. he will return directly back to ukraine after this significant, if short, visit to prepare for the next phase of the war. nada tawfik, bbc news, washington.

hanna shelest is the head of security programmes at the foreign policy council, ukrainian prism. she told us how important this visit was to build relationships with republicans who have queried the amount of money being given to ukraine. we understand that the ukrainian question has also been... that's why the influence of this visit has at least three directions, first that is to thank the american taxpayers and congressmen and women and all those lawmakers and executives who have been working on these packages. the gratitude is significant. the second is that even the first item i

meetings between the president was some time ago, to renew these, it is very important for the future cooperation. the third is definitely to speak about the future, and to speak about the future is easier when you see all those in motion that they'd ukrainian delegation brought, but not only with the papers and short conversations. joining me soon is war historian and professor of international history, margaret macmillan. health leaders are warning that today could be "very challenging" for hospitals, as disruption from yesterday's ambulance strike in england and wales continues. there were fewer calls than usual in some areas, but nhs providers — which represents hospital trusts and ambulance services — says patients who put off going to accident and emergency departments yesterday,

could turn—up today, increasing pressure on services. daniela relph reports. what do we want? fair pay. when do we want it? now! after the strike, comes the challenge of today. people appeared to have heeded the warnings and avoided calling 999 in many regions, with thousands of ambulance workers striking yesterday. but now hospitals are bracing themselves for a return to normal service, what some are viewing as a possible rebound effect in the days ahead. we know that the pressure is going to mount over the next couple of days because there's very likely to be some knock—on impact, including those people who didn't come forward for treatment over the past couple of days, and also rescheduling operations and outpatient appointments that couldn't take place during the strike days. it was the biggest strike action by ambulance staff in more than 30 years. yesterday's picket lines, a clear sign of how the dispute between government and ambulance workers over pay, job conditions,

and patient safety has escalated. those striking felt left with no other option other than to stop work. there's patients in the community that are waiting hours on end in very poorly or critical conditions that aren't getting ambulances. in life—threatening cases, ambulance workers did leave the picket line to respond. the military were also called in to help. the impact of the strike appears mixed across england and wales. some services were put on a critical footing. 0thers reported a reduction in 999 calls, while unions were accused by the health secretary of putting the lives of patients at risk. the nhs is broken. the ambulance service is crippled by a lack of funding and a real recruitment and retention crisis. this industrial action can stop today. what needs to happen

is the government need to sit down with the senior unison officials and the other nhs unions. we can stop this today. there doesn't need to be any more industrial action. scottish health unions are due to meet today to discuss their next move after nurses, paramedics and midwives rejected what the scottish government called a best and final pay offer. strike action is now a real possibility. in england and wales, the effects of the latest disruption may last several days, with one union planning another strike next week. daniela relph, bbc news. highway workers in london and the south—east of england are on strike from today until christmas day. meanwhile, a thousand border force staff will begin the first of an eight—day walk—out from tomorrow. if you want to find out more about these strikes, or any other industrial action set to take place over the next few

days, you can get all the details on the bbc news website. more than a million households with pre—payment energy meters did not claim monthly energy support vouchers during the cold snap earlier this month. all households in britain get 400 pounds from the energy support scheme, with around 2 million customers getting this as vouchers. but only around 27% of december�*s vouchers had been cashed at paypoint stores by the 18th december, despite the recent freezing weather. that compares to around 73 % of vouchers being redeemed in november. the post office also saw fewer claims this month. firms say postal strikes may have delayed some voucher deliveries, and the government says energy suppliers have promised to improve processess. 0ur cost of living correspondent, colletta smith, says there have been difficulties with the vouchers since the scheme began.

this is £400 for the government promised every household in britain, but with both prepayment meters, rather than the process being automatic as it is for people paying with direct debit, the £60 being added as credit to their current, and said they are sent a voucher that they have to take to pay point or a post office cash that voucher and add it onto their prepayment there were difficulties in november with a lot of these lectures being unclaimed, chiefly because they've been sent by post, so a lot of people have been saying they haven't arrived, that perhaps the details are out of date, perhaps they are renting and have moved a number of times, the voucherjust have not turned up. for other people, potentially they have not opened their post, to clothe those who are in debt to their energy company already, or have other debts, a lot of people are often worried to open post particularly with anything labelled from an energy company. 0thers labelled from an energy company. others say it has not turned up at

all. what we saw in december was a very cold snap across britain from around the 5th of december to the 18th of december, and at exactly the same time the royal mail were on strike. during that period there were a number of straight days, and a backlog built up. a lot of people have told the bbc that the royal mail are prioritising parcels rather than letters. for a lot of people on prepayment meters, we're talking around 2 million people who depend on traditional prepayment meters, they still haven't cashed those vouchers. pay point, who deal with half of those vouchers, set only 27% of the vouchers have been cashed, and you'd have thought that during a cold snap a lot of people would really need extra money to put into their account and keep the heat on.

joining me now is the war historian margaret macmillan. i would like to ask you about president zelensky�*s visit to washington. very symbolic, that there was substance in his speech. what did you make of it, and how significant it was? yet speech. what did you make of it, and how significant it was?— how significant it was? yet again president zelensky _ how significant it was? yet again president zelensky showed i how significant it was? yet again president zelensky showed that l how significant it was? yet again i president zelensky showed that he was absolutely masterly at addressing audiences in ways that they will understand. the symbolism was hugely important, it was a visit from the wartime president of the capital of the united states with the president there, it is very important. but the substance of the speech, he thanked the united states for what they've done so far, that he said they needed more. i think thatis he said they needed more. i think that is very important. he has made it absolutely clear that he is

intending to fight on. as he said in his address, he said this is an investment for the united states in the future, and i hope that message will get over. i'm sure he does. it seemed to be a very deft balance that he struck in the speech, on the one hand he implicitly responded to criticisms from certain americans that america is contributing to much to the war effort, and yet on the other hand he also asked for more help, didn't take us backi other hand he also asked for more help, didn't take us back— help, didn't take us back i think out help, didn't take us back i think you try to _ help, didn't take us back i think you try to put— help, didn't take us back i think you try to put it _ help, didn't take us back i think you try to put it into _ help, didn't take us back i think you try to put it into terms i help, didn't take us back i think you try to put it into terms of, i you try to put it into terms of, lukka, it is actually in your interest to help us. as he said in a speech, this is notjust a war between russia and ukraine, this is a global war, it's a very important work, anything that was necessary to stop there is always a tendency in the united states, such a vast country that is protected by two oceans, there is always our tendency to look inwards and move on an isolationist direction. he was sane to the american people and to congress, you can't do that, because

this will make a difference to you as well. white like the cleverness of the speech also gives us an insight into him as a leader? he would have thought that somebody who made his name as a comic running his own production company, which did give him experience, would give him expense as a leader. he's been enormous for their ukrainian war effort, he was there very visibly as a leader, and that famous thing that he may or may not have said, i don't need our way out, i need guns, that really resonated. the intense battle at bakhmut, all of this is going on, it's very important. putin is isolated in one of his gold palaces, often sitting at the end of a very long table, he does not appear to be the sort of leader that sign skiers. zelensky has been extraordinary. iloathed

leader that sign skiers. zelensky has been extraordinary. what has made him so _ has been extraordinary. what has made him so effective? _ has been extraordinary. what has made him so effective? i - has been extraordinary. what has made him so effective? i think i has been extraordinary. what has i made him so effective? i think what has made them _ made him so effective? i think what has made them so _ made him so effective? i think what has made them so effective - made him so effective? i think what has made them so effective is i made him so effective? i think what has made them so effective is what| has made them so effective is what made winston churchill so effective. they are properly not good outcome command directly, believe that the generals, but to think where both zelensky and churchill were extraordinary to people and giving them hope, making it clear they would not give up. that is where an individual can really make the difference. $5 individual can really make the difference-— difference. as was the final falters, how _ difference. as was the final falters, how well _ difference. as was the final falters, how well do - difference. as was the final falters, how well do we i difference. as was the final i falters, how well do we really difference. as was the final - falters, how well do we really know him, because everything we see and hear is mediated through the media, what you think about that? by, lot hear is mediated through the media, what you think about that?— what you think about that? a lot of --eole what you think about that? a lot of people would _ what you think about that? a lot of people would probably _ what you think about that? a lot of people would probably like - what you think about that? a lot of people would probably like to i what you think about that? a lot of| people would probably like to know him better, i'm sure the russians are studying him very carefully, and yes, he is a public figure. what we know our public figures is what they want us to know for the most part, and she's got a team of extremely good writers around him, and i think he has managed to put over his

various messages very well indeed. we must leave it there, but very good to have your thoughts and insight. the bbc has found that more than 20 councils in england have dropped holiday food voucher programmes for children receiving free school meals. the local government association said some authorities could not afford to continue the schemes and were choosing other ways to help those struggling with the cost of living in their communities. but campaigners say it's "vitally important" all eligible children receive help. paul lynch from the bbc shared data unit said the figures vary across the country. the upper tier councils in england, we wanted to see if the holiday food vouchers were still being offered. if you remember, this is a policy originally brought about by the

successful campaign brought by marcus rashford in 2020, and in most cases they still offer a £15 voucher each week of the christmas week holiday. but when you get into the menu shy, around the country really does differ. main councils have opted not to provide a specific food voucher per se, as opposed to a voucher per se, as opposed to a voucher that could be used to keep the family home. then you have councils that are doing neither of those, and are hiding behind the government funded holiday and activity subprogram. these activities can range from things like bouldering and arts and crafts, where children can go and receive hot food. they have been roundly praised, that they don't run for all of the holiday.— praised, that they don't run for all of the holiday. that was paul lynch from the bbc _ of the holiday. that was paul lynch from the bbc shared _ of the holiday. that was paul lynch from the bbc shared data - of the holiday. that was paul lynch from the bbc shared data unit. i for more on this let's speak to sean turner, senior policy and campaign officer

at food education charity, school food matters. thank you forjoining us. more than 20 councils are not offering food vouchers to children over the holidays, can you give us a sense of what the impact that could be? i was in a schooljust _ what the impact that could be? i was in a schooljust last _ what the impact that could be? i was in a schooljust last week, _ what the impact that could be? i —" in a schooljust last week, and it was the last week of term, and i was talking to the head teacher there, the head teacher was clearly quite worried, and i spoke to her, and asked, why are you so worried? she said she was worried there was not enough food in the school's food bank for that school. the school has 40% of its kids on free school meals. we have had teachers in the country worrying about the food banks they're having to run for the children over the christmas holidays. this is obviously worse in more deprived areas then it is a more deprived areas then it is a more affluent areas, where we are seeing the offerors for local authorities being withdrawn, that creates a kind of postcode lottery. where people truly trying to support

children and vulnerable families of what is going to be a very cold and difficult winter, and yet the support cannot be found in certain areas, so we create disparity across the country that is just going to get worse. the country that is 'ust going to get wench the country that is 'ust going to get worseh the country that is 'ust going to tet worse. ., ,., ., , ., get worse. how important is it that children get _ get worse. how important is it that children get the _ get worse. how important is it that children get the nutrition _ get worse. how important is it that children get the nutrition that i children get the nutrition that school meals, free school meals, can provide? school meals, free school meals, can trovide? , ., ., school meals, free school meals, can trovide? ., , ., provide? there is a growing body of evidence that _ provide? there is a growing body of evidence that shows, _ provide? there is a growing body of evidence that shows, and _ provide? there is a growing body of evidence that shows, and it - provide? there is a growing body of evidence that shows, and it follows| evidence that shows, and it follows common sense, the children who are well fed and fed properly and am doing better in school. the government's own evaluation of its free school provision shows that worse free school meals were provided to children, they did better in maths, better in classroom behaviour, and they also achieved better health outcomes. what we're seeing now is that children in the poorest areas compared to the richest areas have different life expectancies by up to a decade, they are twice as likely to suffer from

diet —related diseases. the educational impact stay over children for the rest of their lives. it is very difficult once the children have not achieved as much as their peers in schools for them to get out of that cycle, and this can be tackled early on by making sure the families have the support they need. one of the real difficult things for families is that threshold for free school school meals. all of the sport has provided such as the holiday support programme, they are going to free school meals. to be eligible for it, your entire household's income cannot exceed £7,400. if your household has an income over £7,400, you're not poor enough to have that support. that number has not changed since 2018. the past year has highlighted the infective inflation bash like the effects of inflation. we know that there was a very different sum of money in 2018 that

it was now. that means that one in three children in poverty cannot access the support because the threshold is so low. it access the support because the threshold is so low.— access the support because the threshold is so low. it was really tood to threshold is so low. it was really good to talk _ threshold is so low. it was really good to talk to _ threshold is so low. it was really good to talk to you, _ threshold is so low. it was really good to talk to you, thank- threshold is so low. it was really good to talk to you, thank you i threshold is so low. it was really. good to talk to you, thank you for joining us on bbc news.— good to talk to you, thank you for joining us on bbc news. the world health organization says china may be struggling to keep a tally of covid—19 infections as it experiences a big spike in cases. in recent days hospitals in beijing and other cities have been filling up as the latest covid surge hits china. since 2020, china has imposed strict health restrictions as part of its zero covid policy, but the government ended most of those measures two weeks ago after landmark protests against the strict controls. the number of cases has since soared, raising fears of a high mortality rate among the elderly, who are particularly vulnerable.

with me now is micky bristow, who is the asia pacific editor for the bbc world service. why might give us a sense of the number of cases and infections, as i imagine it's quite difficult to measure? at the moment there is the divergence between reality and what the chinese government says happily. 0n the ground, you get reports from pharmacies of running out of medicines, hospitals inundated with patients, crematoriums working overtime to try and deal with a number of bodies that they have, more than they have ever dealt with previously. 0n the other side, the chinese government for example today claiming that no one in the entire country has died from covid. you also have the chinese government saying they have actually lost control themselves of who has got covid in the country, they have already admitted that. they also change the definition of who has set or cyclic deaths in china, they have

defined it very narrowly, so it is perhaps no surprise they are recording their deaths. we are seeing the chinese government tried to downplay the number of people who have covid in the country, the number of people who are ill and dying, and the reality of what people are experiencing in their daily lives. i5 people are experiencing in their daily lives-— daily lives. is the increase in direct correlation _ daily lives. is the increase in direct correlation with i daily lives. is the increase in direct correlation with the i daily lives. is the increase in i direct correlation with the stricter zero covid policy being lifted? i’m zero covid policy being lifted? i'm not an zero covid policy being lifted? ii�*tii not an expert, and indeed the world health organization yesterday appealed to the chinese government to give them more information about what's happening. i've heard anecdotal reports about the situation in hospitals, the number of beds that are being filled up, they want more information from china. the two things cannot be unconnected. up until now, china has really clamped down hard on our outbreaks, try to clamp down on

every single outbreak in the country. anecdotal evidence would suggest that the virus is running right through the population after they have stopped doing that. i know people myself in beijing who have covid. it would seem that the cases are increasing because the relaxation of strict covid policies. china is always trumpeted that most people in the population have had a vaccine, but as you mention in the introduction to this report, elderly people, the most vulnerable people, are not so well covered. silly as the world health organization has pointed out, and china is desperately trying to vaccinate this people quickly before the wave of infections gets too far, and effects to any people, and we will see a lot

of deaths. i to any people, and we will see a lot of deaths. , ,., .,, ., .. , of deaths. i these booster vaccines are first vaccines? _ of deaths. i these booster vaccines are first vaccines? it _ of deaths. i these booster vaccines are first vaccines? it is _ of deaths. i these booster vaccines are first vaccines? it is quite i are first vaccines? it is quite complicated. _ are first vaccines? it is quite complicated, a _ are first vaccines? it is quite complicated, a lot _ are first vaccines? it is quite complicated, a lot of - are first vaccines? it is quite complicated, a lot of people j are first vaccines? it is quite i complicated, a lot of people over are first vaccines? it is quite - complicated, a lot of people over 80 have not had any vaccines at all, some of had to. a complete vaccine dosein some of had to. a complete vaccine dose in the west is considered to be three vaccines, not two. certainly, what china is doing is trying to get the vaccines into the arms of everyone as quickly as possible, most importantly the elderly. thank ou for most importantly the elderly. thank you for coming _ most importantly the elderly. thank you for coming in. _ more than three quarters of firms for whom the brexit deal is applicable say it is not helping them increase sales or grow their business according to research by the british chambers of commerce. more than half of firms face difficulties adapting to the new rules for trading goods. with us is alex veitch, director of policy at british chambers of commerce.

good to have us a bit more about what you find. good to have us a bit more about what you find-— good to have us a bit more about what you find. about three quarters of firms are — what you find. about three quarters of firms are finding _ what you find. about three quarters of firms are finding that _ what you find. about three quarters of firms are finding that the - what you find. about three quarters of firms are finding that the trade i of firms are finding that the trade and cooperation agreement, the free trade agreement with the eu, is not quite the free trade agreement that they would like, at least not yet. about three quarters are struggling to use the agreement to grow their business, to help grow the business, but about half the firms that responded to the survey are actually having difficulty adapting to it, so we are shining a light on this. we are drawing attention to the difficulties, and we are asking the government to work with the eu to make it easier and an even better agreement that it is today.- agreement that it is today. there are lots of— agreement that it is today. there are lots of headwinds _ agreement that it is today. there are lots of headwinds in - agreement that it is today. there are lots of headwinds in the i agreement that it is today. there are lots of headwinds in the economy caused by covid and the war in ukraine. how much of the problems

facing businessesjust ukraine. how much of the problems facing businesses just anti—brexit? it is more about how we can make the tree agreement with the eu better adapted and suited to the breadth of businesses in the uk. what we found in our services was that small to medium enterprises who trade off and with the eu are struggling to get used to the new requirements. for example, if you are selling food, fish, meat products, any food or agricultural product, each consignment has to be signed off by an official debt. there is also customs and paperwork to do. that can be separated from the other headwinds as you rightly say buffeting the business community. the administrative tax that you have to do to export all have a cost, whether it is time and money, but they can be reduced and made easier

if the uk and the eu will get together and take a pragmatic approach. i together and take a pragmatic a- roach. ., ., , ., approach. i want to squeeze in one last question. _ approach. i want to squeeze in one last question, if _ approach. i want to squeeze in one last question, if you _ approach. i want to squeeze in one last question, if you keep - approach. i want to squeeze in one last question, if you keep your- last question, if you keep your answer brief. what is the biggest thing, in your view, they could make a difference? the thing, in your view, they could make a difference?— a difference? the biggest thing would be to _ a difference? the biggest thing would be to sort _ a difference? the biggest thing would be to sort out _ a difference? the biggest thing would be to sort out the - a difference? the biggest thing i would be to sort out the northern ireland protocol, get us to a safe sustainable place on that, and make an agreement that shows that our food is as safe as eu food, so we can trade happily with each other on food products with minimal red tape. i appreciate your brevity. to talk to you, thank you. it was a huge night for the lionesses at the bbc�*s sports personality of the year awards. england's beth mead was named sports personality of the year, the first women's footballer to win the award. she also won team of the year alongside her lioness team—mates, while england head coach sarina wiegman won coach of the year. beth mead scored six goals at the euros this summer and led england to victory. 0bviously, i'm incredibly

honoured to win this award. i'll keep saying it, it's a cliche, but i wouldn't have done it without them girls over there and the team that have backed me. yes, i've got this accolade, i did myjob, i scored a few goals, but i wouldn't have done it without them. and i certainly wouldn't have done it without my dad, my mum, and all my family. applause now it's time for a look at the weather, with carol kirkwood. hello again. 0n the run up to christmas, it looks like it is going to remain generally mild. there is some rain in the forecast, though, and today is no exception. we've got a band of rain skirting across southern counties of england and the channel islands breezy here, still quite cloudy and murky as the rain from this morning pushes steadily eastwards across england. but as we push further north through scotland, northern ireland and the very far

north of england, brighter skies with some showers, wintry on the tops of the hills in the north of scotland. now through this evening and overnight, we'll see some fog form across northern ireland, parts of england and wales. and then a new band of rain comes in from the southwest. that could be heavy and thundery. we're likely to see some frost across northern scotland, parts of northern ireland and also northern england here tomorrow. it's a day of sunshine and showers, but you can see how the rain traverses northwards with some transient snow in the hills of the pennines, the lakes and eventually southern scotland. behind that, a return to sunshine and showers and windy. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines: president zelensky says ukraine is "alive and kicking" and will never surrender in a defiant address to us lawmakers as president biden pledges another military aid package worth almost $2 billion. warnings of a "very

challenging" day for hospitals after a quieter than normal time during yesterday's ambulance strikes. more than1 more than 1 million more than1 million households more than 1 million households with prepayment meters did not redeem their monthly energy support vouchers during the cold weather snap in december. the british heart foundation has teamed up with spotify to urge families to learn cpr this christmas. in a few minutes we will show you how to do it live in the studio to the beat of a festive classic. that's all coming up after the sport with ben. good morning. england and arsenal striker beth mead says she's truly humbled and honoured to be voted bbc sports personality of the year for 2022. named player of the tournament and top scorer as england won the women's euros, mead added she hopes her win can help continue the evolution of women's sport. 0ur correspondent

andy swiss reports. bbc sports personality of the year is... bbc sports personality of the year ism beth — bbc sports personality of the year is... beth mead. after— is... beth mead. after a year is... beth mead. aftera year in is... beth mead. after a year in which she inspired england to glory, one final triumph. it was beth mead's goals that propelled her team to that unforgettable euros victory. and if that win was emotional, so was this. i wouldn't have done it without them girls over there and the team that have backed me, yes, i got this actually, i did myjob, iscored have backed me, yes, i got this actually, i did myjob, i scored a few goals but i wouldn't have done it without them and i wouldn't have done it without my dad, my mum and my family. it was a night when the best of british gathered to celebrate their sporting success. 2022 has certainly been a bumper yearfor sporting success. 2022 has certainly been a bumper year for british sport. but it was the achievement of one team in particular that grabbed the headlines.

after that euros success, the lionesses were the night's big winners. so no venkman won the coach award and there were lots of the team of what's been a game changing year. team of what's been a game changing ear. , , ., , , year. this christmas there will be little tirls year. this christmas there will be little girls asking _ year. this christmas there will be little girls asking for— year. this christmas there will be little girls asking for a _ year. this christmas there will be little girls asking for a pair- year. this christmas there will be little girls asking for a pair of- little girls asking for a pair of football boots and am working on their own journey as it will be classed as normal, think that's what makes us all the happiest. but classed as normal, think that's what makes us all the happiest.— makes us all the happiest. but the nitht's makes us all the happiest. but the night's biggest _ makes us all the happiest. but the night's biggest omission _ makes us all the happiest. but the night's biggest omission was i makes us all the happiest. but the night's biggest omission was for. makes us all the happiest. but the l night's biggest omission was for rob burrow. three years after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease, the former rugby league star received the helen nelson award while his friend and fundraiser kevin sinfield was also honoured. i am inspired to keep going by my friend _ am inspired to keep going by my friend kevin sinfield, the guy who made _ friend kevin sinfield, the guy who made the — friend kevin sinfield, the guy who made the impossible possible. my family— made the impossible possible. my family as — made the impossible possible. my family as a whole have put their life on— family as a whole have put their life on hold to care for me. this is for all— life on hold to care for me. this is for all them _ life on hold to care for me. this is for all them. we will not stop with finding _ for all them. we will not stop with finding a _ for all them. we will not stop with finding a cure.— finding a cure. thanks for your hel-. a finding a cure. thanks for your help. a sometimes _ finding a cure. thanks for your help. a sometimes poignant i finding a cure. thanks for your i help. a sometimes poignant night, then, but an unforgettable one for beth mead. another trophy to end her

glittering year. andy swiss, bbc news. without mead, arsenal sealed top spot in their women's champions league group — thrashing zurich 9—1. missing vivienne miedema, who also has a knee injury, frida mornum stepped up with a hat—trick, although manager jonas eidevall says with mead and miedema out, they'll be looking for reinforcement in the january transfer window. and the team found time to grab a phone while they were in switzerland to watch the sports personality of the year ceremony. and you can hear their delight when mead was announced winner of the coveted award. chelsea can qualify top of their group tonight by avoiding a heavy defeat at home to ps6 tonight. the final league cup fourth round match takes place at the etihad this evening with manchester city hosting liverpool. the draw for the quarterfinals will be straight afterwards. manchester united secured their place in the last eight with a 2—0 win over burnley. christian eriksen gave them the lead in the first half at old trafford before marcus rashford added a fine second, with a superb solo goal —

his fourth in his last seven games for his club. celtic restored their nine point lead at the top of the scottish premiership, beating livingstone 2—1, but manager ange postecoglou insists the gap is irrelevent. kyogo furuhashi scored what proved to be the winner at celtic park but postecoglou said the gap to rangers in second wouldn't change the way they want to be or the way they play. they next host stjohnstone on christmas eve. now to cricket and jofra archer has been named in england's squad for their three—match one—day series in south arica next month. archer is recovering well from an elbow injury and returns to the set—up for first time since march 2021. the series will be played over six days, starting on 27th january. you can check the full squad on the bbc sport website. that's all the sport for now. a pilot project could see 2,000 households in cheshire swap their exisiting gas appliances to those powered by hydrogen,

as the uk looks to phase out the use of natural gas from 2035. however, the proposals are causing concern for some residents, who are worried about safety and costs. 0ur climate and environment correspondent, jonah fisher, has been to find out more. "along with other residents of whitby, you have been asked to be part of a pioneering proposal to switch from natural gas supply to hydrogen. " have you been asked? no. not at all. we've not been asked. you are it! whitby could become the first part of the uk to turn off natural gas completely and become what's being called a hydrogen village. hi, i'm from cadent, and i'm here to carry out your in—home hydrogen assessment. all our methane gas boilers are due to be phased out from 2035 and this pilot project is the government

exploring options for what happens next. ok, so in our hydrogen experience centre... as no one has done hydrogen like this before, the technology at the whitby experience centre feels a bit, well, new. we are shown a hydrogen boiler that you could buy now. a fire that you couldn't. and a hydrogen cooker. that pops when it lights. as of today, these aren't on the market. hydrogen�*s biggest advantage is that it does not release the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, when it burns, but you do need energy to make it, and currently less than 1% is made using renewable energy. with the rest coming from, you guessed it, fossilfuels. the people who live here are being told that by swapping to hydrogen they will be doing their bit to cut carbon emissions and fight climate change.

but critics, and there are plenty of them, say using hydrogen for heating is a bad idea and that this is a desperate last ploy by gas companies and the fossil fuel industry to try to hold onto their business. it's been suggested that hydrogen could be an easy replacement, because you just have to change the gas in the pipes, but it's more complicated than that. if you use electricity to make what is called green hydrogen, so hydrogen from renewable electricity and you compare that with using the same electricity and you run a heat pump to deliver the same amount of heat, you need about five or six times more electricity. hydrogen is both more leaky and combustible than natural gas. hi, mate. but the gas companies supporting the trial say with some adjustments it can be made safe. they are doing home visits in whitby, explaining that

if the proposal goes ahead, residents will have to choose between a free hydrogen boiler and appliances or an electric heat pump. i'm definitely up for it. phil is convinced, but whitby is divided. marie and margaret say they have been deeply affected by a proposal they see as a dangerous experiment. i wake up in the night thinking about it, and it's worrying. it's very worrying. it's horrendous. the stress, that's all that is - getting talked about in my house. kate set up a facebook group to keep residents informed. she says she has been struggling to get answers from cadent, one of the gas companies backing the trial. i'm trying to be the person that the residents can come to and help them. this is what cadent are not doing.

they're not listening to us. to them they don't care how they get us over the line, as long as we are over. we are just collateral to them. as long as it goes ahead. the whitby hydrogen village proposal would be submitted to the government in march, who will then decide whether it starts in 2025. the demands of some residents for a vote on the project have so far been ignored. a vote won't be the real world. we will all need to make this choice on a certain day to move to a different type of competing technology. this project is bringing the decision to life right now for whitby but it's coming for all of us in the near future. if we are to hit our climate targets, all of our old gas boilers will soon have to be turned off. how we heat our homes in the future and who profits is being decided right now. jonah fisher, bbc news, whitby.

the british heart foundation have urged families who are coming together over christmas to learn cpr. to help them do it, they'vejoined up with spotify to create a playlist of christmas hits — with the top ten songs to learn cpr to. along with the british heart foundation's revive app, it gives people the opportunity to learn cpr to the rhythm of 100 to 120 beats a minute. in a moment we'll speak to sindyjodar, senior cardiac nurse at the british heart foundation — but in the studio, i'm joined by our producer emb hashmi, who has been studying the revive app this morning and is now practising cpr on a hard cushion, which is recommended by the app to the beat ofjingle bell rock —

one of the songs on the playlist. new music plays abber come back to that in a few minutes. i'm sure there will be lots people watching thinking, cpr, need to get round to learning how to do this but i haven't done so, why is it first of all so important?— i haven't done so, why is it first of all so important? good morning. i have to start — of all so important? good morning. i have to start with _ of all so important? good morning. i have to start with that _ of all so important? good morning. i have to start with that cpr _ of all so important? good morning. i have to start with that cpr is - of all so important? good morning. i have to start with that cpr is very i have to start with that cpr is very important because ultimate medical emergency, a life—threatening and you never know when the person next to you is going to collapse on the floor, so if you know this skill, you are ready to help save a life.

remind us what cpr actually stands for, what it involves, then perhaps we can cross back to our producer to see how she's getting on. {pr we can cross back to our producer to see how she's getting on.— see how she's getting on. cpr is shortened _ see how she's getting on. cpr is shortened for _ see how she's getting on. cpr is shortened for cardiopulmonary l shortened for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. it is basically when a person is having a cardiac arrest, which in that situation, the heart stops pumping completely, therefore the blood is not reaching the brain, and the person will lose consciousness, not breathing and also the heart will stop beating, so it's quite life—threatening. and the sooner we can start the cpr, the better chance of survival for that person. better chance of survival for that erson. , ., better chance of survival for that erson. ,., . ~ better chance of survival for that erson. ,., ., ~ , better chance of survival for that erson. ., ~ , ., ., person. ok, so talk us through what we need to — person. ok, so talk us through what we need to do _ person. ok, so talk us through what we need to do if— person. ok, so talk us through what we need to do if we _ person. ok, so talk us through what we need to do if we are _ person. ok, so talk us through what we need to do if we are suddenly - we need to do if we are suddenly faced with a friend or relative, as

you are suggesting, or indeed just perhaps somebody would pass in the street who collapses, what do we need to do was perhaps we can look at that and you can give us a sense of if she is doing the right thing. sure. the first thing you need to do is basically don't panic. because this is quite a natural reaction of the body, that we might panic and we might think, can't do that. if you know how to do cpr, then you can start cpr on the person, you're not hurting that person. you're actually helping to save their lives. so don't panic, make sure you are not in any danger yourself, and then basically, start doing the cpr, which you identify the centre of the chest of the person, and before that you make sure that they are unresponsive, they are not

breathing, there is no sign of life, and then basically, put your hand on the centre of the chest and put the other hand on the top, and interlocking the hands together. that's a nice picture. and you start chest compression, about five to six centimetres, and the speed about 100 to 120 beats per minute, which is about two chest impressions per second. so that's why these tunes that we have got on the festive playlist of the british heart foundation, they all have been chosen because they have got the rhythm of 100 to 120 beats per minute and they will help you to learn cpr easier. fik. minute and they will help you to learn cpr easier.— learn cpr easier. ok. that was really useful. _ learn cpr easier. ok. that was really useful. we _ learn cpr easier. ok. that was really useful. we were - learn cpr easier. ok. that was really useful. we were looking | learn cpr easier. ok. that was l really useful. we were looking at the revive app, which as you said has got all sorts of useful information. let'sjust has got all sorts of useful information. let's just cross has got all sorts of useful information. let'sjust cross back to our producer. i don't know if you

can see what she's doing. we are being encouraged as i said to practise on a hard cushion. what do you make, first of all come of her technique, is there anything we could be doing better, or dare i say improve? could be doing better, or dare i say imrove? . , could be doing better, or dare i say imrove? ,, , ., , improve? she is doing very well. the hand technique _ improve? she is doing very well. the hand technique is _ improve? she is doing very well. the hand technique is very _ improve? she is doing very well. the hand technique is very good. - improve? she is doing very well. the hand technique is very good. and - improve? she is doing very well. the j hand technique is very good. and her arms are quite straight and she's basically pushing forward, press on the chest bone to her technique is very good. it'sjust the chest bone to her technique is very good. it's just the compression has to be quicker. it has to be two beats per second, so 100 to 120. it's quite tiring after a while, i have to say. but she doing perfect, she's doing brilliant. 50. have to say. but she doing perfect, she's doing brilliant.— she's doing brilliant. so, a vote of confidence! _ she's doing brilliant. so, a vote of confidence! i— she's doing brilliant. so, a vote of confidence! ifeel_ she's doing brilliant. so, a vote of confidence! i feel reluctant - she's doing brilliant. so, a vote of confidence! i feel reluctant to - confidence! i feel reluctant to interrupt you. but i did just wonder, how difficult is it to keep the pace up as much as anything else? i5

the pace up as much as anything else? , . . . , the pace up as much as anything else? , . , ., , else? is actually quite exhausting. i've only been _ else? is actually quite exhausting. i've only been doing _ else? is actually quite exhausting. i've only been doing this _ else? is actually quite exhausting. i've only been doing this for - else? is actually quite exhausting. i've only been doing this for less i i've only been doing this for less than _ i've only been doing this for less than two — i've only been doing this for less than two minutes. i think absolutely, everyone needs to practise — absolutely, everyone needs to practise because it's a lot harder than _ practise because it's a lot harder than it— practise because it's a lot harder than it looks, and i think there is a lot— than it looks, and i think there is a lot of— than it looks, and i think there is a lot of tension in the arm. does music help. _ a lot of tension in the arm. does music help, does _ a lot of tension in the arm. does music help, does it _ a lot of tension in the arm. does music help, does it help - a lot of tension in the arm. lire" music help, does it help having a beat? ~ , ,., , music help, does it help having a beat? ~ , ., , music help, does it help having a beat? absolutely does because i was listenin: beat? absolutely does because i was listening and — beat? absolutely does because i was listening and sing, _ beat? absolutely does because i was listening and sing, we _ beat? absolutely does because i was listening and sing, we need - beat? absolutely does because i was listening and sing, we need to - beat? absolutely does because i was listening and sing, we need to do - beat? absolutely does because i was listening and sing, we need to do it | listening and sing, we need to do it a bit faster. — listening and sing, we need to do it a bit faster, i didn't realise that. that's_ a bit faster, i didn't realise that. that's interesting, sindy, she was saying it's quite tiring. is it possible to put a time and how long you might how to administer cpr for? it's a difficult question to answer, but what we normally say is that call 99 first, that you now help is on the way to you, and then if there is another person who can take over from you, obviously, you can share between yourselves, but it's quite important to continue with chest

impressions until the ambulance arrives, because basically, you are keeping the heart pumping until they come. and they can deal with the kind of emergency. it is absolutely tiring, iagree! just kind of emergency. it is absolutely tiring. i agree!— tiring, i agree! just a fun apart, sind . tiring, i agree! just a fun apart, sindy- the _ tiring, i agree! just a fun apart, sindy. the overwhelming - tiring, i agree! just a fun apart, i sindy. the overwhelming message seems to be, people might be worried, they're not a professional and they don't want to do more harm than good, but you're saying don't worry about that?— worry about that? yes, you can't cause more _ worry about that? yes, you can't cause more problems _ worry about that? yes, you can't cause more problems for - worry about that? yes, you can't cause more problems for that i worry about that? yes, you can't - cause more problems for that person, they are already, the heart is not beating, and if we do not intervene, that heart in a few minutes would completely stop beating and the circulation would stop around the body. in the british heart foundation, what we encourage people is that this christmas, during these

celebrating the festivity and being together and opening the presents and kind of playing board games, maybe in a fun way, they can have a go like what you are doing just their in the studio, and log onto their in the studio, and log onto the revive app, and also the young ones can help the older ones to log ones can help the older ones to log on to the app to show them how log on to the app to show them how log on to the app to show them how log on to the app and basically a new skill. it could be the future that might save a life. it’s skill. it could be the future that might save a life.— might save a life. it's a very serious message, _ might save a life. it's a very serious message, sindy. . might save a life. it's a very i serious message, sindy. how might save a life. it's a very - serious message, sindy. how are you feeling now? i serious message, sindy. how are you feeling now?— feeling now? i feel tired! that is very exhausting. _ feeling now? i feel tired! that is very exhausting. i— feeling now? i feel tired! that is very exhausting. i can _ feeling now? i feel tired! that is very exhausting. i can definitely| very exhausting. i can definitely feel the — very exhausting. i can definitely feel the pain of the top of my arms. so definitely people need to practise this and i think the app is going _ practise this and i think the app is going to _ practise this and i think the app is going to he — practise this and i think the app is going to be a brilliant idea. i tried — going to be a brilliant idea. i tried it — going to be a brilliant idea. i tried it this morning but i didn't realise — tried it this morning but i didn't realise until i've done it here how difficult _ realise until i've done it here how difficult it — realise until i've done it here how difficult it actually is. ok, you're

a really— difficult it actually is. ok, you're a really good sport! thank you so much _ a really good sport! thank you so much i_ a really good sport! thank you so much i ltet— a really good sport! thank you so much. i bet you please put the song on a loop— much. i bet you please put the song on a loop as — much. i bet you please put the song on a loop as well! must also thank sindy~ _ on a loop as well! must also thank sindy. thank you both come as i say. are very— sindy. thank you both come as i say. are very serious and worthwhile message, thank you both. the most right—wing government in israel's history has been formed, sealing benjamin netanyahu's return to power. it is made up of a number of far—right parties, including a leader with a conviction for racist incitement and supporting a terrorist group. the parties strongly supportjewish settlers in the israeli—occupied west bank, including in hebron, where violence has spiked since last month's election. the bbc�*s middle east correspondent, tom bateman, has been meeting people living in the city, including one palestinian family who've suffered repeated attacks on their home. this family say they feel under siege from israeli settlers. here we meet children far too

familiar with fear and violence. as we found out. in front? can we go out? young israelis storm into the garden, followed by the soldiers. "get out of here, leave," they tell the palestinian family. he is kicked. an activist tries to help the family. and the soldiers, they do nothing to protect the palestinians. if a palestinian do that, you will take them to the jail or shoot him. in this city like no other, it's the ones who stormed in that seemed protected and let go with a handshake. allahu akbar! in late november, their home faced an even worse attack. it was barely a month after an election which has empowered the settler movement and the ultranationalist far right.

days later, an israeli peace activist was beaten, while another soldier hailed the far right and the incoming police minister. "itamar ben—gvir is going to sort this place out," he says, telling the left wing, "you're done for." he was laterjailed for several days. for the far right, hebron is a heartland. settlers here voted overwhelmingly for ben—gvir�*s alliance. he leads a party espousing racist anti—arab policies. he was the person who put a framed picture of a mass murderer on his wall at home, described him as a hero. doesn't that worry you? he's apologised for that and he said he's matured through that. but bottom line is people want anti—jihadism, pro—family and pro—god. your silence will bring you checkpoints all over. your silence will bring you division. a well—known palestinian activist speaks to a gathering of the israeli left.

they're a dwindling force, these days. and while they tour, undercover police watch them from the shadows. hebron is a city of checkpoints and a flashpoint of the conflict and occupation. so, you see the barrier from this side, a military tower. watchtower here. see the fences and this is just a regular street in hebron. been closed off like this for many, many years. separates out palestinians who live and work on this side, checked every time they want to try and get through. that is my house. back with issa amro, the palestinian activist, i'm shown what life is like for him here. and you're not allowed to go there? i'm not allowed to walk from here. he talks of having been arrested multiple times and then he's pulled away from us. the undercover policeman is back. they tell him he's been "obstructing justice". the activists call it police

intimidation to stop the settler movement here being challenged. issa, what's happening to you now? i'm arrested. why? they fear a slide into much more of this, and worse, as israeli politics sees the far right takes centre stage. tom bateman, bbc news, hebron. a trend of moving to rural and coastal areas is fading and affordable towns are becoming more of a draw, that's according to property website zoopla. demand for larger, more remote homes surged during the pandemic as people looked to live and work out of town. but zoopla suggests that trend is beginning to run out of steam. joining me now is property expert and founder of blackstock consulting, andrew teacher. good to have you with us doesn't tell us more about the changes seeing and what you think driving them. ~ ~ ., ., ., them. well, think we saw a lot of chances them. well, think we saw a lot of changes during — them. well, think we saw a lot of changes during the _ them. well, think we saw a lot of changes during the pandemic, . them. well, think we saw a lot of changes during the pandemic, a i them. well, think we saw a lot of l changes during the pandemic, a lot of share prices go up of companies

selling overpriced exercise bikes, peloton, people sharing online videos video services and just as those shares have rocketed and come back down again, so too has interest in buying large houses outside the town and that's largely because people have come back down to earth literally remembered exactly all the things that they liked living close by, such as football, shopping, their own workplaces for those who still go to the office. and those things don't exist often in rural areas, albeit i personally think it would be a great thing if investment in coastal towns continued and that's been one of the big and most depressing things over the last 20 years, it has been a decline of many coastal towns that have just gone and loved and lacked any real investment in the social infrastructure. but i think ultimately, while it is a bit late to the party, zoopla is spot on. i

wonder if we could delve a little more deeply and what's changing peoples habits. you touched on it but i also wonder whether it is partly because one of our people are being required by their employers to actually be back in the office? well, i mean, i don't think you can draw a link on that point, because ultimately, the data, you don'tjust decide to move house or moved back at the behest of your employer, i think ultimately during the pandemic, many things happened and many people but, this looks like a great idea, and maybe it was for six months, but then reality strikes and again, we are seeing that reality now and the economy where we are having to pay back and deal with the fallout from giving people free money for a year—and—a—half. that is what is driving inflation in part. we are now seeing a reality check on the funds are many tech firms that were overvalued and of hired over the last two years and they're having to make adjustments to their payroll and to their businesses,

you're saying that with all the big firms. and similarly, the reality check that we were discussing in housing is coming to fruition but the other key points i would throw in, not recovered by zoopla but by the bbc in one of the earlier reports you had on about 15 minutes ago, around energy efficiency of housing, which in the uk is drastically in need of some love. it's terrible, that is also going to be a big driver of pricing over the next five or so years. it is not simply going to be a case of, what are the most overvalued areas, what are the most overvalued areas, what are the most overvalued areas, what are the places that are most urban and more rural? it is how much money will i have to spend fixing this place up so we don't have ridiculous fuel bills? whites back sorry, we are coming up to the top of the earth. , . ., ., are coming up to the top of the earth. , .., ., i. , earth. they could have you with us. time for a — earth. they could have you with us. time for a look _ earth. they could have you with us. time for a look at _ earth. they could have you with us. time for a look at the _ earth. they could have you with us. time for a look at the weather. - 0n the run—up to christmas it looks

like it will remind generally mild. there are some wind and today is no exception, we have a band of rain skirting across southern counties of england and the channel islands, breezy here. still quite cloudy and murky as the rain from this money pushes eastwards. but as we push further north through scotland and northern ireland and the far north of england, brighter skies with some showers. wintry on the tops of the hills in the north of scotland. this evening and overnight, some fog from across northern ireland, parts of england and wales, then a new band of rain comes in from the south—west, that could be heavy infantry. we will likely see some first across northern scotland, parts of northern ireland and northern india. here tomorrow as a day of sunshine and showers, but you can see the rain traverses northwards with some transient snow on the hills of the pennines and eventually southern scotland. behind that, return to sunshine and showers and windy.

this is bbc news. the headlines: president zelensky says ukraine is "alive and kicking" and will never surrender in a defiant address to us lawmakers as president biden pledges another military aid package worth almost 2 billion dollars. financial assistance is also critically important and i would like to thank you, thank you very much for both financial packages you have already provided us with. warnings of a "very challenging" day for hospitals after a quieter than normal time during yesterday's ambulance strikes. more than1 million households with pre—payment metres did not redeem their monthly energy support vouchers during the cold weather snap in december.

the latest reality tv hit comes to an end tonight, with the final of the traitors on bbc one. later this hour we'll ask why it's become such a sleeper hit, and we'll be joined live by one of the traitors. the president of ukraine, volodymyr zelensky, has received the red carpet treatment in washington, dramatically flying in from a warzone to meet president biden at the white house. let's take a look at some of the support that's been promised. us presidentjoe biden confirmed a new package of $1.85 billion in assistance for ukraine president biden also in assistance for ukraine.

president biden also promised another m5 billion, which would need to be passed by congress. the president told ukraine that the united states �*will stay with you as long as it takes'. some of the money promised will go towards a new patriot missile system — a sophisticated air defence system that will help ukraine to protect its cities from missiles and drones. our first report is from nada tawfik who has being following what's been happening. ukraine's president, volodymyr zelensky, was embraced by us lawmakers with a long, standing ovation, as he entered the house chamber. wearing his trademark military fatigues, he came here on this, his first trip abroad since the start of russia's invasion with a clear mission — to secure america's continued support for the ongoing war in his country. as ukrainians brace for a potential new russian winter offensive, president zelensky told lawmakers the decisions of congress could save ukraine.

financial assistance is also critically important. and i would like to thank you. thank you. thank you for both financial packages you have already provided us with and the ones you may be willing to decide on. your money is not charity. it's an investment in the global security. before he left, he gifted congress a ukrainian flag from soldiers fighting on the front lines. the speaker of the house, nancy pelosi, presented him with the american flag that flew over the capitol, wednesday. president zelensky�*s address comes just as us lawmakers prepare for another era of divided government. in less than two weeks, republicans will take control of the house of representatives, and some have already expressed opposition to what they call blank—cheque funding for ukraine. president zelensky no doubt had them in mind during his speech, hoping they wouldn't block the future flow of aid.

for now, the aid is still flowing. during his meeting with president biden, 1.85 billion in additional funding was announced... 300 days, hard to believe, 300 days. ..along with plans to send ukraine the most advanced air defence weapon in the us's arsenal, the patriot missile system. and us lawmakers are preparing to pass an additional m5 billion in emergency assistance — the largest amount yet. this year has brought so much needless suffering and loss to the ukrainian people. but i want you to know, president zelensky, i want you to know, and all the people of ukraine to know as well, the american people have been with you every step of the way and we will stay with you. we will stay with you. president zelensky is only the second wartime leader to address congress since winston churchill in 191t1. he will return directly back to ukraine after this significant, if short, visit to prepare

for the next phase of the war. nada tawfik, bbc news, washington. hanna shelest is the head of security programmes at the foreign policy council, ukrainian prism. she told us how important this visit was to build relationships with republicans who have queried the amount of money being given to ukraine. we understand that ukrainian question is also following in the domestic policies and all those competition due to the elections that recently been. that's why we understand that the consequences and the influence of this visit has at least three directions. first, as you properly said, that is to thank the american taxpayers and of congressmen and women. and all those lawmakers and executives who've been working all this month.

this gratitude is extremely important considering the amount of support we receive. the second is definitely that the first eye to eye contacts been between the presidents or other lawmakers some time ago. but to renew these and several times it's been emphasised by both sides that the trusted relations, these personal contact, is very important for the future cooperation. and the third is definitely to speak about the future. and to speak about the future is easier when you see the one room, when you have all those emotions that ukrainian delegations brought, but not only with the papers, letters and short zoom conversations. with me in the studio is the russia editor at bbc monitoring, vitaly shevchenko. it is good to have you with us. tells about the reaction, not only in russia to this meeting, but to what president zelensky are saying. they do not like it, that they can't ignore it. that is why russian officials especially the kremlin —controlled media have chosen one of

their favourite weapons against ukraine, which is ridiculed. the reports i'm seeing this morning are brimming with bile, and some of them are really offensive and insulting. for example, state tv�*s channel one compared president zelensky to a strip dancer begging for money and weapons in america. yesterday, channel one compared zelensky to a toilet brush. it may not be sophisticated, and it is extremely insulting. also, this morning, russian tv has been saying that president zelensky wants too much but has got to little from america, and it caused deep divisions, his visit because deep divisions in america, why are the russian media saying that? it is clear that the strategy is to play down what is undeniably an important visit, and also tojustify

undeniably an important visit, and also to justify russia's continued invasion of ukraine, and also russia's failure is in ukraine. russian media keep saying, we're not fighting ukraine, we are fighting america and the whole of nato. i’m america and the whole of nato. i'm interested in the bios that you talk about, because i was going to ask you how much support there is among the wider russian populace for what is going on in ukraine? do you sense that the media tone is because there is a feeling that there might be a bit less certainty among the russian people for their support for this? the tone is definitely changed. it has become more shrill. for example, commentators in state—controlled media in russia have been talking about fighting seating himself in ukraine —— satan himself. they are trying to convince the public that this war or the special aggression

in ukraine isjustified. in terms of engaging public opinion in russia, it is very difficult given how oppressive the system is stop as far as we know, the tide has not returned. there aren't really any indications of white sections the public in russia starting to oppose military —— white sections. however, president putin's decision has dented his own popularity and russian support for their army, because it is one thing supporting it from the comfort of their homes, but it is different when you're being told to go and fight in ukraine and possibly face death. what is your sense of what you're picking up about russia's capabilities at the moment, because we now know that president zelensky has this offer of aid from president biden, much more mundane, and of

course these patriot missile systems as well. ., , ., , course these patriot missile systems aswell. . .. , , . as well. that is a very difficult auestion as well. that is a very difficult question to — as well. that is a very difficult question to answer. _ as well. that is a very difficult question to answer. russia i as well. that is a very difficult l question to answer. russia says as well. that is a very difficult - question to answer. russia says they have enough troops and weapons to continue fighting in ukraine, but ukrainian security officials say that russia possibly has enough cruise missiles to carry out two or possibly three massive missile attacks against ukraine, and that is when russia will start to run out of its weapons. however, it is really difficult to count the exact numbers, because it is a very closely guarded secret in moscow. i want to have your thoughts and insight on president putin himself, who has cancelled a number of events at this time of year that we would normally see, but of course, did have that meeting with the president of belarus. what is your feeling

about his visibility? it is extremely _ about his visibility? it is extremely important, . about his visibility? it 3 extremely important, because for years, as it approached new year's eve, russian tradition was to have these important events involving president putin. one must have a massive very long news conference, and another must have an address to both houses in parliament. also, there would be a game of ice hockey in red square. all of that has been cancelled. what has not been cancelled. what has not been cancelled is his trip to minsk to meet the leader of belarus, and also his meeting with the top brass at the defence ministry. that goes to show, from present prison, this is the top priority. trying to build an alliance of sorts with one of his closest allies, belarus.- alliance of sorts with one of his closest allies, belarus. very good to have ufs- _ closest allies, belarus. very good to have ufs. thank— closest allies, belarus. very good to have ufs. thank you _ closest allies, belarus. very good to have ufs. thank you for- closest allies, belarus. very good | to have ufs. thank you forjoining

us. let's speak now to lesia vasylenko, who's a ukrainian mp in kyiv. what does it mean hearing what president biden has said and promised? for president biden has said and promised?— president biden has said and romised? ., , , ., ~ , ., promised? for us it is a key moment. it is a moment _ promised? for us it is a key moment. it is a moment where _ promised? for us it is a key moment. it is a moment where negotiations - it is a moment where negotiations are holding place and strategies are being made for victory to become achievable in the shortest time possible. i believe quite a lot of what has not been visible and audible to the public that was discussed in the white house and in offices around congress during this very short... inaudible we know you are in kyiv, and the

line keeps dropping out, can you still hear me? i fear that we have lost her. we have lost the ukrainian mp. as i say, she is in kyiv. i will try once more. can you hear me? now, i think we can assume the line has risen. we will come back to you if we can if you can still hear me, i just want to take the time to thank you for talking to us on bbc news. there is some newsjust you for talking to us on bbc news. there is some news just coming you for talking to us on bbc news. there is some newsjust coming into us about railfares, and there is some newsjust coming into us about rail fares, and regulated rail fares us about rail fares, and regulated railfares in england will us about rail fares, and regulated rail fares in england will increase by uo rail fares in england will increase by up to 5.9% from march the 5th next year. this is an announcement from the department for transport. if you just bear with me, i will try

and get up a little bit more information about this. rail fare increases will be capped, but it is 6.4% increases will be capped, but it is 6.1t% below the latest inflation figures measured by the retail prices index. this would indicate the biggest ever government intervention that would influence prices for rail borrowers. this is for a critical and crucial investment and their financial stability of the railway, but the government has acted with the biggest intervention in its history to ensure that rail fare increases are capped at 5.9%, as i say, lower

than the rate of inflation. quite a lot to pack there, and we will be joined by a transport correspondent katie ogston in about 15 minutes, so stay with us for when we will get more details on the price rises for railfares and the more details on the price rises for rail fares and the government intervention. health leaders are warning that today could be "very challenging" for hospitals, as disruption from yesterday's ambulance strike in england and wales continues. there were fewer calls than usual in some areas, but nhs providers — which represents hospital trusts and ambulance services — says patients who put off going to accident and emergency departments yesterday, could turn—up today, increasing pressure on services. daniela relph reports. what do we want? fair pay. when do we want it? now! after the strike, comes the challenge of today. people appeared to have heeded the warnings and avoided calling 999 in many regions,

with thousands of ambulance workers striking yesterday. but now hospitals are bracing themselves for a return to normal service, what some are viewing as a possible rebound effect in the days ahead. we know that the pressure is going to mount over the next couple of days because there's very likely to be some knock—on impact, including those people who didn't come forward for treatment over the past couple of days, and also rescheduling operations and outpatient appointments that couldn't take place during the strike days. it was the biggest strike action by ambulance staff in more than 30 years. yesterday's picket lines, a clear sign of how the dispute between government and ambulance workers over pay, job conditions, and patient safety has escalated. those striking felt left with no other option other than to stop work. there's patients in the community that are waiting hours on end

in very poorly or critical conditions that aren't getting ambulances. in life—threatening cases, ambulance workers did leave the picket line to respond. the military were also called in to help. the impact of the strike appears mixed across england and wales. some services were put on a critical footing. others reported a reduction in 999 calls, while unions were accused by the health secretary of putting the lives of patients at risk. the nhs is broken. the ambulance service is crippled by a lack of funding and a real recruitment and retention crisis. this industrial action can stop today. what needs to happen is the government need to sit down with the senior unison officials and the other nhs unions. we can stop this today. there doesn't need to be any more industrial action. scottish health unions are due to meet today to discuss their next move after nurses, paramedics

and midwives rejected what the scottish government called "a best and final pay offer." strike action is now a real possibility. in england and wales, the effects of the latest disruption may last several days, with one union planning another strike next week. daniela relph, bbc news. joining me now is someone from nhs providers, a membership organisation for nhs hospital, mental health, community and ambulance services.

how great you think the impact will have been? , . how great you think the impact will have been? , ,.,. ., have been? first with the impact of eo - le have been? first with the impact of people turning _ have been? first with the impact of people turning up _ have been? first with the impact of people turning up at _ have been? first with the impact of people turning up at a&e _ have been? first with the impact of i people turning up at a&e departments who did not come in yesterday and now they are choosing to seek help, and i think we will see a bit of an uptake of demand across the services. i think that is the first element. the second element is likely to be the cumulative impact of this industrial action. if we see repeated strikes, so we have had strikes last week strikes this week, and we are likely to see more announced in the new year. the nhs can cope with the shocks when it is a one off, maybe twice, but on an ongoing basis i can become very difficult to manage. they are trying to get through a huge backlog of care, and trying to manage the demand coming through the door at usual times as well as during the

strike action.— strike action. you're essentially talkinu strike action. you're essentially talking about _ strike action. you're essentially talking about the _ strike action. you're essentially talking about the immediate . strike action. you're essentially - talking about the immediate impact. perhaps you might have put off going to a&e yesterday, they might come in today, but also longer—term impacts, can you talk about what they might be? in can you talk about what they might be? , ., ~ ~ ., be? in terms of the knock-on effects, be? in terms of the knock-on effects. we — be? in terms of the knock-on effects, we are _ be? in terms of the knock-on effects, we are going - be? in terms of the knock-on effects, we are going to - be? in terms of the knock-on effects, we are going to see l be? in terms of the knock-on l effects, we are going to see an be? in terms of the knock-on - effects, we are going to see an nhs system that becomes even more strained than it is now. we know about the nhs is that, structurally, it is incredibly challenged. we have things like a workforce that is understaffed, so we know we have huge vacancies and also high levels of absences at the moment with flu, with covid, with others illnesses. we know the nhs is underfunded in terms of capital investment, and the demand are simply rising. at a base level, we have an nhs which a structurally challenged. on top of

that, we have had the impact of covid, which means the backlog of care has risen significantly, not just in hospitals for routine operations, but also across mental health services. those waiting for community passages and support in their own homes, all of them are waiting longer than they should. we have the shocks into the system, what it means is that the delay simply get longer, because there is further to catch up. that is the kind of problems we are looking at. can i ask you about one thing you said about the nhs being structurally challenged? are you mention the lack of funding for capital projects, but there is a lot of extra money that has gone into the nhs. why are we not seen, therefore, better outcomes? why is it not in a better state than it should be, given the amount of extra money that has been invested? irate

money that has been invested? we have to money that has been invested? , have to remember is that we are playing catch up on this investment. over the last ten years or so, we have seen significantly lower levels of investment in the nhs than at any time previously, so what we are now doing is trying to put right that significant lack of investment. we are basically trying to get up to a base level. this isn't about putting money for the nice improvements, the icing on the cake, this is fundamentally about getting the nhs caught up and getting it to the place where it needs to be. there are many other factors that come into that. yes, the nhs has had significant investment, from which it is incredibly grateful, particularly compared to other bits of the public sector, but what we also know is that that money is going less fire than it did before, because we have much higher rates of inflation, because we have much

higher interest rates and higher inflation. the pot of money that goes into the nhs isjust not stretching as far as it did. there are some breaking news, and the owners of the brixton academy have offered to stay closed for a 28 days following the crash at last thursday's gig which led to two people dying and a third being critically injured. councillors in lambeth are meeting to decide whether to take any immediate action such as suspending the academy�*s license, and that is ahead of a full review which is taking place next month. the lawyer representing the academy music group told the meeting, i quote, academy music group told the meeting, iquote, it academy music group told the meeting, i quote, it is clearly far too early as the police have

accepted to draw any conclusions about the causes of the tragedy, let alone to point the finger of blame at any party or parties. scotland yard is asking lambeth council to suspend the academy's license while the police investigation continues. just to remind you, the owners of the brixton academy have offered to stay close to our —— closed for 28 days. lets go to the bbc sport centre for the sports news.

the last of the league cup fourth round match takes place at the etihad this evening with manchester city hosting liverpool. the draw for the qurter finals will be straight afterwards. both city and liverpool sent a joint letter to supporters asking them to "report any incidents" following trouble at their recent games. liverpool assistant pep lijnders, says that's it's important, that passion doesn't boil over. the only problem with the motion is that when there is no respect it becomes really harmful, and that can't happen. england pacemanjofra archer is poised for his first international appearance in nearly two years. he's been named in their one day squad to tour south africa at the end of january. archer hasn't played since march 2021, largely due to an ongoing elbow injury. mark wood is rested, liam livingstone is injured whilst joe root isn't included — so he's signed up to play in the uae t20 league instead. india are on top after the first day of their second test against bangladesh in mirpur. bangladesh won the toss and batted but soon struggled with spinner ravi ashwin taking four wickets.

he was well supported by umesh yadav as the hosts were bowled out for 227. india reached 19 without loss at the close. the tourists won the first match in this two—test series men will be allowed to compete in artistic swimming event at the paris olympics. the sport — formerly known as synchronised swimming — has permitted men at their world championships since 2015 — but the international olympic committee has approved their inclusion in 202a. they'll be allowed in the team event with no more than two men in a team of eight. leading competitor giorgio minisini said the evolution towards inclusivity was on fast forward. that's all the sport for now. you can find more on all those stories on the bbc sport website — and reaction to sports personality of the year. i'll be back again at 1:30. the bbc has found that more than 20 councils in england have dropped holiday food voucher programmes for children receiving free school meals. the local government association said some authorities could not afford to continue the schemes

and were choosing other ways to help those struggling with the cost of living in their communities. but campaigners say it's "vitally important" all eligible children receive help. paul lynch from the bbc shared data unit said the figures vary across the country. looking at all the upper tier councils in england and the sort of food provision they are offering to children over christmas. we wanted to see very specific holiday food vouchers for children who would receive free school meals in third time were still being offered. initially this was our policy brought about by the successful campaign of marcus rashford in 2020, and in most cases the offer is still and in most cases the offer is still a £15 a week voucher for each week of the christmas holiday. when you get into the minutiae of it, the difference around the country really does differ. nine councils and opted not to provide our food voucher per se, instead of offering... use feeding the family home. instead,

some have offered their activities and food programme. this offers activities such as bouldering and arts and crafts, where children can go and receive hot food while they are there. they have been roundly praised but they don't run for all the holiday period. well for more on this let's talk to neal smith, head teacher at southborough high school in kingston—upon—thames. this analysis suggests more than 20 councils in england are not offering food vouchers to children over the holidays. how surprised are you by the finding? i holidays. how surprised are you by the finding?— holidays. how surprised are you by thefindint? ., , , , , , the finding? i am surprised, because it is very important _ the finding? i am surprised, because it is very important to _ the finding? i am surprised, because it is very important to have - it is very important to have consistency for students across the country, whether they are in kingston, cornwall, wherever they might be. flan kingston, cornwall, wherever they miaht be. ., ,, , . kingston, cornwall, wherever they miaht be. ., , ., ., kingston, cornwall, wherever they miaht be. ., ,., ., , kingston, cornwall, wherever they mitht be. . , . ., , ., might be. can you explain to us how the system — might be. can you explain to us how the system actually _ might be. can you explain to us how the system actually works _ might be. can you explain to us how the system actually works at - might be. can you explain to us how the system actually works at the - the system actually works at the moment because like theirs visibly a

threshold by which people can then apply for a voucher. the threshold by which people can then apply for a voucher.— apply for a voucher. the vouchers are distributed _ apply for a voucher. the vouchers are distributed to _ apply for a voucher. the vouchers are distributed to students - apply for a voucher. the vouchers are distributed to students and i are distributed to students and families who are in receipt of free school meals. in order to receive free school meals you need to apply and meet certain criteria, particularly around income. flan and meet certain criteria, particularly around income. can you cive us a particularly around income. can you give us a sense _ particularly around income. can you give us a sense of— particularly around income. can you give us a sense of that _ particularly around income. can you give us a sense of that threshold? i give us a sense of that threshold? the threshold currently is just over £16,000 a year, which is by any standard i think, very modest. kingston upon thames is quite an affluent area, so does that count out a lot of children in your school, for example? it out a lot of children in your school, for example? it does. the cohort that _ school, for example? it does. the cohort that worries _ school, for example? it does. the cohort that worries me _ school, for example? it does. the cohort that worries me most - school, for example? it does. the cohort that worries me most as i school, for example? it does. the cohort that worries me most as a l cohort that worries me most as a head teacher of those children and family to just above that threshold. these families are sometimes called jams, just about managing. we don't

know very much about them, that i think they are funny things very difficult at the moment. what difficult at the moment. what increasing _ difficult at the moment. what increasing demand _ difficult at the moment. what increasing demand are i difficult at the moment. what increasing demand are using. difficult at the moment. what increasing demand are using for free school meals and these vouchers at your school?— your school? over the last three ears, your school? over the last three years. we _ your school? over the last three years. we have _ your school? over the last three years, we have gone _ your school? over the last three years, we have gone from i your school? over the last three years, we have gone from 63 i your school? over the last three i years, we have gone from 63 students in receipt of free school meals to... it isjust in receipt of free school meals to... it is just below the national average of 22.5%. we have seen a significant increase in students in receipt of free school meals, and we are identifying students who would benefit from breakfast club, for example, and also free school uniform. demand forfree example, and also free school uniform. demand for free school uniform, second—hand uniform, has also increased. irate uniform, second-hand uniform, has also increased.— also increased. we are out of time, i'm afraid. — also increased. we are out of time, i'm afraid, that _ also increased. we are out of time, i'm afraid, that really _ also increased. we are out of time, i'm afraid, that really good - also increased. we are out of time, i'm afraid, that really good to i also increased. we are out of time, i'm afraid, that really good to talk i i'm afraid, that really good to talk to you. thank you. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol kirkwood.

hello again. on the run up to christmas, it looks like it is going to remain generally mild. there is some rain in the forecast, though, and today is no exception. we've got a band of rain skirting across southern counties of england and the channel islands breezy here, still quite cloudy and murky as the rain from this morning pushes steadily eastwards across england. but as we push further north through scotland, northern ireland and the very far north of england, brighter skies with some showers, wintry on the tops of the hills in the north of scotland. now through this evening and overnight, we'll see some fog form across northern ireland, parts of england and wales. and then a new band of rain comes in from the southwest. that could be heavy and thundery. we're likely to see some frost across northern scotland, parts of northern ireland and also northern england here tomorrow. it's a day of sunshine and showers, but you can see how the rain traverses northwards with some transient snow in the hills of the pennines, the lakes and eventually southern scotland. behind that, a return to sunshine and showers and windy.

hello, this is bbc news. the headlines: a pilot project could see 2,000 households in cheshire swap their exisiting gas appliances to those powered by hydrogen, as the uk looks to phase out the use of natural gas from 2035. however, the proposals are causing concern for some residents, who are worried about safety and costs. our climate and environment correspondent, jonah fisher, has been to find out more. "along with other residents of whitby, you have been asked to be part of a pioneering proposal to switch from natural gas supply to hydrogen. " have you been asked?

no. not at all. we've not been asked. "you are it!" whitby could become the first part of the uk to turn off natural gas completely and become what's being called a hydrogen village. hi, i'm from cadent, and i'm here to carry out your in—home hydrogen assessment. all our methane gas boilers are due to be phased out from 2035 and this pilot project is the government exploring options for what happens next. ok, so in our hydrogen experience centre... as no—one has done hydrogen like this before, the technology at the whitby experience centre feels a bit, well, new. we are shown a hydrogen boiler that you could buy now. a fire that you couldn't. and a hydrogen cooker that pops when it lights. as of today, these aren't on the market. hydrogen's biggest advantage

is that it does not release the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, when it burns, but you do need energy to make it, and currently less than 1% is made using renewable energy. with the rest coming from, you guessed it, fossilfuels. the people who live here are being told that by swapping to hydrogen they will be doing their bit to cut carbon emissions and fight climate change. but critics, and there are plenty of them, say using hydrogen for heating is a bad idea and that this is a desperate last ploy by gas companies and the fossil fuel industry to try to hold onto their business. it's been suggested that hydrogen could be an easy replacement, because you just have to change the gas in the pipes, but it's more complicated than that. if you use electricity to make what is called green hydrogen, so hydrogen from renewable

electricity and you compare that with using the same electricity and you run a heat pump to deliver the same amount of heat, you need about five or six times more electricity. hydrogen is both more leaky and combustible than natural gas. hi, mate. but the gas companies supporting the trial say with some adjustments it can be made safe. they are doing home visits in whitby, explaining that if the proposal goes ahead, residents will have to choose between a free hydrogen boiler and appliances or an electric heat pump. i'm definitely up for it. phil is convinced, but whitby is divided. maria and margaret say they have been deeply affected by a proposal they see as a dangerous experiment. i wake up in the night thinking about it, and it's worrying. it's very worrying. it's horrendous. the stress, that's all that is -

getting talked about in my house. kate set up a facebook group to keep residents informed. she says she has been struggling to get answers from cadent, one of the gas companies backing the trial. i'm trying to be the person that the residents can come to and help them. this is what cadent are not doing. they're not listening to us. to them they don't care how they get us over the line, as long as we are over. we are just collateral to them. as long as it goes ahead. as long as it goes ahead- _ the whitby hydrogen village proposal would be submitted to the government in march, who will then decide whether it starts in 2025. the demands of some residents for a vote on the project have so far been ignored. a vote won't be the real world. we will all need to make this

choice on a certain day to move to a different type of competing technology. this project is bringing the decision to life right now for whitby but it's coming for all of us in the near future. if we are to hit our climate targets, all of our old gas boilers will soon have to be turned off. how we heat our homes in the future and who profits is being decided right now. jonah fisher, bbc news, whitby. in the past half hour — the department for transport have announced that regulated rail fares in england will increase by up to 5.9% from march 5th next year. our business correspondent, theo leggett is in guildford.

these are regulated railfares these are regulated rail fares which represent about 45% of all tickets sold, so season tickets in particular but also any time day travel in that kind of thing. in principle, fare rises for these tickets are normally pegged to the level of retail price index inflation, rbi. the measure used for this year would have been the level at which rpi stood back injuly, which was more than 12%, it was 12.3%. if tickets had gone up by that amount, i think it is fair to say that passengers would have been furious. we are seeing a period of strikes on the lines, some mines in northern england have had all sorts of problems for months now. —— maximal lines. it would have been very unpopular. so the government has instead capped the amount by which railfares can go up, to 5.9%. they can move a bit on the other side —— on either side but the average has to be 5.9%. this

represents taxpayers being asked to step in because it reduces the amount of revenue that the government will get from the railways, most of which now are paid ljy railways, most of which now are paid by the government to offer train services. and the government says it thinks this is a fair balance between keeping prices down for passengers on the one hand but not increasing the burden on taxpayers too much on the other. you mentioned this represents — too much on the other. you mentioned this represents regulated _ too much on the other. you mentioned this represents regulated rail - this represents regulated rail fares. you mentioned a figure of 45% of all tickets sold, so what about the other percentage of the 55% of fares that are unregulated? is the suggestion that there fares could go up suggestion that there fares could go up by much more than 5.9%? i think that's fair to — up by much more than 5.9%? i think that's fair to say, _ up by much more than 5.9%? i think that's fair to say, yes. _ up by much more than 5.9%? i think that's fair to say, yes. we _ up by much more than 5.9%? i think that's fair to say, yes. we could i that's fair to say, yes. we could see those fares going up more. these are considered to be the most important railfares, so are considered to be the most important rail fares, so season tickets for example, people getting into work, people who rely on the railways for their everyday usage. when you're talking about tickets

booked at short notice, for example for a one—offjourney, those may well go up by significantly more. so yes, this isjust part well go up by significantly more. so yes, this is just part of the picture, it is regulated railfares, not every fare on the railway. so if somebody sees their ticket price go up somebody sees their ticket price go up by 8% or 9% and they say, hang on, this is supposed to be capped at 5.9, this is the reason why.- 5.9, this is the reason why. thank ou, 5.9, this is the reason why. thank you. theo — 5.9, this is the reason why. thank you, theo leggett. _ now, it's become a sleeper hit over the last few weeks, spreading by word of mouth and online recommendations — and tonight sees the final of the traitors on bbc one. the reality competition has slowly grown its audience since it started in late november. here's a little reminder of what the show is about and how it works... we think everyone mistook the treasures. we think everyone mistook the treasures-— we think everyone mistook the treasures. ., ., , , , , treasures. nothing happens in this council without _ treasures. nothing happens in this council without us. _ treasures. nothing happens in this council without us. 22 _ treasures. nothing happens in this council without us. 22 players i treasures. nothing happens in this council without us. 22 players all i council without us. 22 players all chasing a prize of £120,000. it's

dog eat dog. amongst them, three traitors who want to steal it all. no! , . . traitors who want to steal it all. no! , .. , ., ., traitors who want to steal it all. no! , ., traitors who want to steal it all. no! , y., . .,, ., no! these can murder you are drop of the hat. no! these can murder you are drop of the hat- can — no! these can murder you are drop of the hat. can others— no! these can murder you are drop of the hat. can others find _ no! these can murder you are drop of the hat. can others find them? i- the hat. can others find them? i don't know— the hat. can others find them? i don't know where _ the hat. can others find them? i don't know where to _ the hat. can others find them? i don't know where to point i the hat. can others find them? i don't know where to point the l the hat. can others find them? i- don't know where to point the finger and have _ don't know where to point the finger and have to — don't know where to point the finger and have to be careful of what i say _ and have to be careful of what i sa . , , ., , , ., say. get them before they you. -- the net say. get them before they you. -- they get you- _ so a warning now, if you're not up to date on the show ahead of the final tonight, there could be some spoilers coming... let's get more on this with bbc reporter annabel rackham. no pressure on you! got a taste of the show there, but a little bit more about what it's about and how it works. , , �* , more about what it's about and how it works. , , 2 ., ., it works. yes, sir, it's not an original— it works. yes, sir, it's not an original shower, _ it works. yes, sir, it's not an original shower, it _ it works. yes, sir, it's not an original shower, it was i it works. yes, sir, it's not an original shower, it was first | original shower, it was first devised in the netherlands and aired last year. but that's a slightly different version, they had celebrities whereas this show it is

just ordinary people from all walks of life competing for this prize fund. so it started off with three traitors amongst this group of 22 and they come every day, got a chance to kill someone off, it is the traitors versus faithfuls come the traitors versus faithfuls come the faithfuls have to decide each day who they thought was the traitor and they get to vote someone off as well. so very much a process of elimination devout people out but we have reached our final elimination devout people out but we have reached ourfinal tonight and there are just five people left up to 22. i there are 'ust five people left up to 22. , , ., to 22. i remember when i started i read a review. _ to 22. i remember when i started i read a review, i— to 22. i remember when i started i read a review, i think _ to 22. i remember when i started i read a review, i think it _ to 22. i remember when i started i read a review, i think it was i to 22. i remember when i started i read a review, i think it was given | read a review, i think it was given two stars and they said —— net insight was awful but they didn't think too much of it but it seems to have built momentum, why do you think it's become so popular? i think it's become so popular? i think there's a couple of things. i do think getting recommendations from friends is really important, i actually didn't start watching it until about a week in because somebody said to me, this is an amazing tv, you have to watch it. and it's a format that the public

wasn't necessarily, they didn't know it that well, but where it has kind of spread on social media and it's now become one of those appointment to view, you know, you sit down at 9pm a couple of days a week, twitter is going mad and everyone has their theories. it's become that thing where it's talked about amongst friendship groups and even if you're watching alone, you just go online and see what other people have to say. d0 and see what other people have to sa . y ., ~ and see what other people have to sa. ~ , say. do you think we could see another series, _ say. do you think we could see another series, or _ say. do you think we could see another series, or can - say. do you think we could see another series, or can it i say. do you think we could see another series, or can it not i say. do you think we could see i another series, or can it not work as a second series? because we all now understand how it works and anybody taking part would as well. i think there is always a danger with reality shows because the first time we ever see it, the contestants don't really know how to play at either so you get that really organic process, especially with this show there are not many people in it that are looking for careers or wanting to become influencers, is very much this prize pot of money

available at the end could help their families or available at the end could help theirfamilies or their available at the end could help their families or their friends whereas i think there result was that worry that if people know how well it's done and also if the current people in the shallow end up having media careers afterwards, there could be that temptation that you could go on it for the wrong reason. so i thinkjust seeing it in its originalform now, the producers of the show i think really would have to mix it up next time in order to make it refreshed and new and not have people in it for those wrong reasons. �* ., have people in it for those wrong reasons. . ., ., ., reasons. ahead of the fun of the ni . ht reasons. ahead of the fun of the night there _ reasons. ahead of the fun of the night there is — reasons. ahead of the fun of the night there is a _ reasons. ahead of the fun of the night there is a very _ reasons. ahead of the fun of the night there is a very good i reasons. ahead of the fun of the night there is a very good piece | reasons. ahead of the fun of the l night there is a very good piece on the bbc website which i would urge everyone to read. but for now, annabel, thanks so much. some update on that news i was bringing you earlier about the 5.9% increase to regulated railfares earlier about the 5.9% increase to regulated rail fares from earlier about the 5.9% increase to regulated railfares from march next year. we have now had a response

from labour, they have called the increase savage. as i say, this is after the department for transport announced that rail fares in after the department for transport announced that railfares in england will rise by up to 5.9% next year. the shadow champ —— shadow transport secretary said, and i quote, the savage fare hike will be a sickjoke for millions reliant on crumbling services. people up and down this country are paying the price for 12 years of tory failure. if you are with us earlier, you will remember that this is the biggest government intervention on rail prices in its history. it could have been a far bigger rise, because of the current cost of living and inflation, but the government has intervened to bring that price riles to 5.9%, much less than the current retail prices index. but labour criticising the increase is savage. more now on our top story this hour as the president of ukraine,

volodymyr zelensky, 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. i'm joined now by military analyst and retired air vice—marshal sean bell. very good to have you with us. we are grateful for your time. very good to have you with us. we are gratefulfor your time. i want to start by asking you about the meeting between president zelensky and person biden. symbolic obviously, but there was substance to it as well. —— president biden. i wonder how significant you thought it was. ,., ., ., ., ., �*, it was. good afternoon. it's incredibly _ it was. good afternoon. it's incredibly important. i it was. good afternoon. it's i incredibly important. president zelensky has become iconic almost in terms of how he has appeared in front of his domestic audience but also internationally. ok, the headline, he was clearly trying to bolster support for the war, america is providing phenomenal support in

america, like the uk, is a raft of domestic issues which are distracting us, high energy prices, cost of living inflation, and trying to put the media spotlight back on to put the media spotlight back on to ukraine is really important because the flow of military aid and aid into ukraine is absolutely vital if president zelensky is to prevail. and that's not without impact as well because the america offer of putting patriot missiles into ukraine has been described by the cremin as provocative. the harsh reality is that those missiles are defensive, trying to protect the civilian population so it's really symbolic but it's also a second level, if i may, beyond the headlines, it's almost 80 years ago to the day that churchill stood in front of congress and asked for aid but also sift —— stiffened american resolve. it's obvious that putin's ambitions lie beyond the donbas, subjugating ukraine and potentially

much wider, that needs a long—term strategy, long—term plan and i think what biden and zelensky were doing was creating that appetite in the west for a long—term ambition, long—term campaign, because this war is not going to be over anytime soon. ., �* , , is not going to be over anytime soon. . �* , , , soon. that's very interesting, i wanted to _ soon. that's very interesting, i wanted to ask _ soon. that's very interesting, i wanted to ask what _ soon. that's very interesting, i wanted to ask what difference | soon. that's very interesting, i i wanted to ask what difference you think this has... what difference this phenomenal aid package will make and especially these patriot missiles, am i right to inferfrom what you're saying that it would be to keep russia at bay but not necessarily to win the war? i think the danger — necessarily to win the war? i think the danger of _ necessarily to win the war? i think the danger of whenever _ necessarily to win the war? i think the danger of whenever we... i necessarily to win the war? i think the danger of whenever we... the j the danger of whenever we... the western appetite for this word when it is very difficult to get our heads round. it's very difficult in any war with are to be a winner, there are only losers in war. the challenge at the moment is that president zelensky has some momentum in this conflict, with the influx of western weapons, it has exposed the inability of the russian military

particularly the conscripts in the wagner group of mercenaries, they are struggling and they are on the front foot. the problem is, is a global superpower, front foot. the problem is, is a globalsuperpower, it front foot. the problem is, is a global superpower, it can, front foot. the problem is, is a globalsuperpower, it can, once front foot. the problem is, is a global superpower, it can, once it gets its industry mobilised and people mobilised, it's very difficult to see how winning in terms of evicting russia completely from every corner of ukraine is viable anytime soon. but there is no question that the westmilitary advantage here, the precision weapons, is turning the tide of this war, but those weapons, there is not a bottomless pit of them, the challenge is, you can'tjust nip down to your local supermarket and buy a few more, they're built to order, held in stockpiles, those stockpiles are reducing as we support ukraine. there is a risk with every missile we send away, there is one fear we have to protect ourselves and there is a difficult judgment to be made there and also how quickly can you spin out the west plasma industry to replace them? to this meeting is hugely symbolic notjust them? to this meeting is hugely symbolic not just for the them? to this meeting is hugely symbolic notjust for the public headlines but also how the west

align itself to support ukraine through the longer term, which undoubtedly will be required in this conflict. . ., �* undoubtedly will be required in this conflict. ,, ., �* ., ., conflict. shaun bell, we have to leave it there _ conflict. shaun bell, we have to leave it there but _ conflict. shaun bell, we have to leave it there but really - conflict. shaun bell, we have to leave it there but really good i conflict. shaun bell, we have to leave it there but really good to talk to you, many thanks. 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 complete risk assessment of the situation on the ground, then is to be more

information on the severity, hospital admissions and requirements for ictu support. that is supporting china to focus its efforts on vaccinating people at the highest risk across the country. micky bristow, the asia pacific editorfor the bbc world service, joined me earlier. on the ground, you get reports from pharmacies running out of medicines, hospitals inundated with patients, crematorium working overtime to try and deal with a number of bodies that they have, more than they have ever dealt with previously. on the other side you have the chinese government for example today claiming that no—one in the entire country has died from covid. you also have the chinese government saying that they have actually lost control themselves of who has got covid in the country, they have already admitted that. they have also changed the definition of who has covid, or hit deaths in china,

they are defined very narrowly so it is perhaps no surprise that the recording... so we have seen the chinese government trying to downplay the knob of people who have covid in the country, the number of people who are dying and the reality of what people experience in their daily lives. he of what people experience in their dail lives. . ., , ., daily lives. he said the increase a direct correlation _ daily lives. he said the increase a direct correlation with _ daily lives. he said the increase a direct correlation with the - daily lives. he said the increase aj direct correlation with the stricter zero covid policy measures being lifted? . �* , zero covid policy measures being lifted? . �*, , . zero covid policy measures being lifted? . h , . ., zero covid policy measures being lifted? q �* lifted? that's difficult to say. i'm not a health _ lifted? that's difficult to say. i'm not a health expert. _ lifted? that's difficult to say. i'm not a health expert. indeed i lifted? that's difficult to say. i'm not a health expert. indeed the i not a health expert. indeed the world health organization, who gave a press conference yesterday, they appealed to the chinese government to give them more information about what was happening. the world health organization have heard anecdotal reports themselves about the situation in hospitals and the number of beds that have been filled, they want more information from china, but the two things cannot be unconnected. up until now, china has really clamped down hard on all outbreaks, tried to clamp

down on every single outbreak in the country. it has now stopped doing that, and anecdotal evidence would suggest that the virus is running right through the population. i know people myself in beijing who have covid. and so it would seem that the cases are increasing because of relaxation of those covid policies they have had thus far. what relaxation of those covid policies they have had thus far. what about vaccine uptake _ they have had thus far. what about vaccine uptake and _ they have had thus far. what about vaccine uptake and what _ they have had thus far. what about vaccine uptake and what difference| vaccine uptake and what difference might that make?— might that make? china is i was trumpeted _ might that make? china is i was trumpeted the _ might that make? china is i was trumpeted the fact _ might that make? china is i was trumpeted the fact that - might that make? china is i was trumpeted the fact that most i might that make? china is i was i trumpeted the fact that most people in the population have had a vaccine but as you mentioned in the introduction, elderly people, the most vulnerable people, are not so well covered, something else world health organization has pointed out. and china is desperately trying to vaccinate those people quickly before the wave of covid virus from a wave of infections gets too far and affects too many people and they

will see a lot of deaths. these are booster vaccines, _ will see a lot of deaths. these are booster vaccines, then, _ will see a lot of deaths. these are booster vaccines, then, our i will see a lot of deaths. these are booster vaccines, then, our first l booster vaccines, then, ourfirst vaccines? is booster vaccines, then, our first vaccines? , booster vaccines, then, our first vaccines?— booster vaccines, then, our first vaccines? , , a, vaccines? is quite complicated, a lot of peeple _ vaccines? is quite complicated, a lot of people over _ vaccines? is quite complicated, a lot of people over 80 _ vaccines? is quite complicated, a lot of people over 80 haven't - vaccines? is quite complicated, ai lot of people over 80 haven't had any vaccines at all, some have had two. in china vaccines are not as effective as those in the west so a complete vaccine dose is considered to be three vaccines two. 50 there is a lot of confusion but certainly what china is trying to do is trying to getjabs into the arms of as many people as possible particularly the elderly. people as possible particularly the elderl . ~ , people as possible particularly the elderl. ,�* ,., ., ~ people as possible particularly the elderl. , �* u, ., ~ ., elderly. mickey bristow talking to me earlier from _ elderly. mickey bristow talking to me earlier from the _ elderly. mickey bristow talking to me earlier from the bbc - elderly. mickey bristow talking to me earlier from the bbc world i me earlier from the bbc world service. the race for christmas number one is always competitive and this year there's an unlikely contender in the running — a stout—swigging pony from torbay. and yes, you did hear that correctly. patrick hasn'tjust done this off the hoof — the miniature shetland pony has released his festive single "neigh hurray" to raise money for charities. john henderson has been to meet him. what do you think of the christmas tree, patrick? not a lot when these are on offer.

but patrick is more than just a carrot cruncher. carrots and guinness. he loves carrots and guinness. and why not indulge when this little star could be about to hit the big time? yes, patrick the pony, has a single out. # say hi to patrick, a special pony # he'll cheer you up # for seven only... # and even though he's only seven hands high, his owners are aiming for the top spot this christmas. # and save the day. # are you are hoping it will be number one this friday? wouldn't it be amazing if it was number one? we've got people in america, australia that have got the song and they are playing and singing along with it, because it's really catchy. # neigh, hurray # patrick's coming, he will save the day... yay! patrick brings good cheer to various health organisations such as the main hospice in torbay.

he is its vip, very important pony, so much so that even has his own pen, opened earlier this month. as a therapy pony, he reduces patients' blood pressure, stress and anxiety due to his calm nature. he does seem very calm. i've not heard him singing. 0h, he's biting it. if patrick's song does chart, he will probably party with his favourite tipple. let's do a bit of a celebration for him. creamy stout served in a plastic beaker. it doesn't have a bad effect on him? no, it doesn't have a bad effect on him. he could probably outdrink us. to be clear, patrick only partakes occasionally, but he is fully into christmas, the therapy pony and his seasonal song. # 0h neigh, hurray... john henderson, bbc news, torbay.

that tune will be going round in your head all day now! that tune will be going round in your head all day now! now it's time for a look at the weather with carol kirkwood. as we head towards christmas, we are looking at the weather generally run many miles. the exception to that is across the north of scotland where it is called and we have some rain in the forecast which at times will be heavy. we have an array of fronts crossing us, it is this clutch as it moves northwards bringing some rain, sleet and snow, most of the snow on higher ground. behind it, you can see how cold it is, it starts to falter in. this is christmas day so we still have mild air in the south of the cold air will move across us all on boxing day. today a lot of cloud with murky conditions and patchy rain pushy east across england. another batch moving in across the english channel. northern ireland and scotland, a brighter day with some sunshine, bright spells and showers. breezy across the north of scotland with some of the showers on higher ground wintry. through

this evening, we lose the rain from the south, some mist and fog patches forming across england, wales and northern ireland. then we have this next band of heavy and thundery rain moving up from the south—west. under clear skies across parts of northern scotland, northern england and northern ireland we could see some frost for a time before this rain continues to move northwards through the course of tomorrow. depositing some transient snow across the lake district on the hills and also in the pennines and eventually the southern uplands. ahead of it, still a lot of dry weather with wintry showers across the far north of scotland. behind it, turning windy and also some sunshine and a few showers. then we move on into christmas eve and christmas day, our front continues to move north, taking its rain, sleet and snow but at the other end as it pushes south it will pull in more of a north—westerly wind so the colder air is coming our way later on christmas day through boxing day and will push across the whole of the country. if you're after a white

christmas at the moment, the highest chanceis christmas at the moment, the highest chance is likely across the north and west of scotland but it might not be until later in the evening or possibly overnight. so it remains unsettled but mild as we go through christmas eve and christmas day in southern areas, called in the north, then the cold air eventually filters south, and if you are on the move this weekend, do remember can find out all you need to know about the weather on our bbc weather app.

today at one, health leaders warn disruption from yesterday's ambulance strikes could mean tough days ahead for the nhs. a return to "very high" levels of demand is expected for hospital and ambulance services in england and wales. we know that the pressure is going to mount over the next couple of days, because there is very likely to be some knock—on impact, including those people who didn't come forward for treatment. also on the programme... ukraine's president zelensky gives a defiant address to the us congress. he says american support against russian aggression is an investment in democracy and global security. railfares in england will rise

by nearly 6% in march, the department for transport says.