hello, i'm geeta guru—murthy. this is outside source. ukraine's president heads back home — after his unannounced visit to washington — having secured more money and weapons. but russia says american patriot missiles will not stop them from achieving their goals on the battlefield. these new missiles will comfort kyiv and alarm moscow — but how effective are they? we'll be finding out. also in the programme. as the most right—wing government in israel's history prepares to take office — we look at how the election could empower the settler movement.

the coldest christmas in four decades in parts of the us — as a major winter storm sweeps the country. we start with russia's reaction to ukrainian president volodymyr zelensky�*s historic visit to washington. moscow has strongly criticised the trip, accusing the us of fighting an indirect war against it. russia also says the arrival of us patriot missiles in ukraine — announced during mr zelensky�*s trip — will not prevent it from achieving its goals. the ukrainian leader is now on his way home. en route, he stopped off to meet the polish president andrzej duda. he said they spoke about a year of "historic challenges due to a full—scale war", and about "strategic plans for the future".

good health to your fellow ukrainians, today will be a short address and in unusual conditions but as always about what we have achieved. we are returning from washington with good results with something that will really help. when we say patriots in ukraine and the united states we equally mean the united states we equally mean the states and the people. this issue has been settled for ukraine and there is financial support as well. mr zelensky�*s speech to congress was only the second such address in its history by a visiting war—time leader, after winston churchill in1941. here was volodomyr zelensky giving a ukrainian battle flag to the house speaker. as we mentioned, he's been promised america's top—of—the—range missile defence system. the patriot is intended to defend against aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles. it's expected to help ukraine to protect its cities from missiles and drones that russia has fired at critical infrastructure. so what could this mean for the future direction of the war?

here's the view from the kremlin. by by all means, as with any other military assets the ukrainian army is using, demilitarisation is one of the aims of the special military operation. we can see that the united states and other countries are practically giving the ukrainians greater and greater weapons of greater technical ability. it does not contribute to settling the conflict, it does the opposite.

his boss seems to agree. president putin has been giving his assessment of the patriot missile system heading to ukraine. and it's not particularly positive. translation: concerning the patriot missiles, they are quite old. - they do not work the same way as rc 300s but nevertheless, those who are confronting us say the art defensive weapons. all right, we would take that into consideration and there will always be an antidote. but that was not the view in ukraine. there the news about the patriot missile system was greeted with joy. i think it is very important as our country is suffering from constant rocket attacks and drones. from what i read, patriot missiles can detect missiles right after their launch which means we will be able to shoot them down at the border thanks to these patriots. i think the patriot missiles will be very useful for the country, especially now. they will help us a lot to protect the energy, military and civil infrastructure. it gets really unbearable. the enemy gets so wild that we cannot live a normal life. i think they will protect ukrainian civilians from missile strikes. i cannot say how exactly they will affect the situation but it will be great news when they arrive in ukraine. an adviser to president zelensky, alexander rodnyansky, told the bbc the missiles

would prove invaluable in protecting ukraine's energy infrastructure: it will be key for us, it will be key for protecting the sky and protecting our energy infrastructure and making sure we can somehow recover what we have lost because remember we are on a downward trend when it comes to our energy supplies. the russians have been able to pierce through our defences and continuously denigrate our energy infrastructure. let's take a closer look at the patriot system. it's made up of four main elements: radar, control centre, communications towers, and launchers on trucks.so how does it work? well an enemy missile is fired, it can be picked up within a range of around 100 kilometres. that's because the radar scans the sky to detect, then pinpoints the threat. it can track up to 100 targets and send guidance data. the radar then relays the information to the control centre which can guide missiles to the target, and change the time of detonation. the launchers can be up to a kilometre away from the radar and control hub, linked by microwave signals.

they can hold 16 missiles, and can be fired towards a target in less than nine seconds. all this comes as russia has released video showing its defence minister visiting troops on the front line in ukraine. the pictures broadcast on state media show sergei shoigu walking through trenches and inspecting barracks — there was no information given on the exact location. on wednesday he said the total size of the army needed to be increased to 1.5 million men. it also comes as the russian ministry of defence released images of its tanks targeting ukrainian fortified positions and armoured vehicles, which moscow says were destroyed. the bbc cannot verify these claims.

the more heavy toys we have, the faster the war will end. a rifle is as they say for self defence, artillery has important meaning. it artillery has important meaning. it is not —— if not for the volunteers, we would — is not —— if not for the volunteers, we would not _ is not —— if not for the volunteers, we would not have much of what we have no_ we would not have much of what we have no and — we would not have much of what we have no and the same for our foreign partners _ have no and the same for our foreign partners who — have no and the same for our foreign partners who help us with weapons and humanitarian aide. i'm nowjoined by lieutenant colonel daniel davis, a senior fellow at the foreign policy think tank defense priorities. we need to know more about what these missiles can do. we are talking about a single patriot battery. some of those people in ukraine think it has the expectation

of stopping all the russian attacks but are patriot is for one battery. for example you could put this in some of the critical infrastructure in kyiv and you can cover a lot of kyiv and other parts of the city but you cannot cover the entire city much less anything beyond it so wherever you put this, you will have good coverage but it will not extend beyond that. there are also practical matters, it will take 90 days to train personnel how to use us and it will take 90 people to operate the battery so it is a heavy lift there. the missiles are between two and $4 million each so there is not a lot of those so i am not sure how much this will do beyond making people feel good today but i am sure they will say, anything is good. fire they will say, anything is good. are ou sa in: they will say, anything is good. are you saying it will not make a

practical real difference to the defence of ukraine? for practical real difference to the defence of ukraine?— practical real difference to the defence of ukraine? for sure, it is not. defence of ukraine? for sure, it is not- looking _ defence of ukraine? for sure, it is not- looking at — defence of ukraine? for sure, it is not. looking at this _ defence of ukraine? for sure, it is not. looking at this in _ defence of ukraine? for sure, it is not. looking at this in cold - not. looking at this in cold military understanding, it will help where you put it but as you see from the nine rounds of military missile attacks, it is scattered throughout the country. you can stop one location but you will not be able to do anything about the rest i am afraid. 50 do anything about the rest i am afraid. , , �* afraid. so there 'ust isn't the resource to _ afraid. so there just isn't the resource to send _ afraid. so there just isn't the resource to send more - afraid. so there just isn't the resource to send more of. afraid. so there just isn't the - resource to send more of these? that is an interesting _ resource to send more of these? twat is an interesting question. i have seen some sub—commentary which has credibility that the united states wants to send one battery to see how effectively it works, training up people and then they would bring additional batteries but there are not that many patriot systems operational in the us so there is a limit to how many we can get without

putting our own security at risk. how do you see the new year unfolding, there has been speculation about a new assault? tau speculation about a new assault? you saw a series — speculation about a new assault? you saw a series of— speculation about a new assault? w'm. saw a series of articles in the guardian and economist a few days ago where the senior leaders in ukraine are saying the same thing, they expect a large winter offensive. we have seen evidence of large numbers in 24 hours of russian tanks moving closer so evidence indicates that is what will happen and what the results of that will be anybody�*s guess. we have seen large—scale russian invasions which don't work out like they thought but they have learned a lot over the last ten months and this could be significant as the general from ukraine said these mobilisations have been effective. it is a real important time coming up around the

new year and we will see how everybody responds, russians and ukrainians. thank you forjoining us. always my pleasure, thank you. it's ten months now since russian forces launched their attack on the country, and since the initial invasion, ukraiina troops have managed to recapture some of the territory held by russia. but families across the country are without power because of the attacks, while others have lost loved ones in the conflict. our correspondent quentin sommerville, and camera—journalist darren conway, have been to an undisclosed location near kupyiansk in the country's east, where the fighting continues amid appalling winter conditions. when the enemy is on your doorstep, sacrifices must be made. this is home for a platoon from ukraine's 92nd brigade. they have a few small rooms in an abandoned house. they're crammed in. meals are eaten standing up. not that senior lieutenant, eugene grabowski, gets to spend much time here.

he's had only 2 hours sleep, but again needs to head out to the front. there's a russian counterattack under way. this war has shaken the world and ukraine, but the 22—year—old lieutenant hasn't wavered. he's been fighting since the war�*s very beginning, when his army veteran father was killed on the first day of the invasion. he didn't falter. this was nine months ago, when i first met eugene at the start of a conflict that would transform him and his country. he just recently graduated. he and ukraine were ill prepared. today, eugene and his country bear the scars of lessons learned. there have been a lot of casualties in this war. you've lost a lot of people.

do you fear death? the person who is not afraid is already dead. if you meet death with open arms, it will avoid you because death loves the brave. that's why i don't think about death. i only think about life. the lives of my comrades and the lives of those in my unit. these are the men who have eugene's back. who stand at the ready in this winter wasteland exposed to russian firepower and the elements. they're trying to hold a russian breakthrough. there's hardly any cover here. so they move as fast as the cold allows, knowing that russian guns will soon find them. the enemy's positions

are being hit by fire. they're trying to advance. but our artillery is helping our infantry with a counteroffensive. and we will keep fighting until the end. it's our land. it's our blood. time is up. the russians are targeting them. let's go. their aim for now is off, but it's closing in. artillery strikes a nearby tree line. eugene's comrades hit the trenches. there's fierce fighting up ahead. the ukrainians have taken a lot of ground here. but for all the sophisticated weaponry and all the ammunition. this is what it comes down to in the end. men, mud and an enemy which is within rifle range. ukraine is still advancing here, but winter is coming and the next few

months are going to be a slow, hard grind. but in these conditions, it's tough maintaining momentum when ukrainian soil turns into soup. regaining every step of territory is a slog. we need to work on that village over there. it's one of only a couple of dozen villages still in russian control in kharkiv region. every day is a battle for the upper hand. the road they must travel is dangerous, pitted with russian hits and misses. in the freezing cold

everything is an orphan. they've lost men in this route. and the bitterest months still lie ahead here. movement is spotted. a little bit to the right, on the corner over there, right behind the hanger. these are the daily battles the men face. today, some ground is won, but tomorrow it may be lost. and so it repeats as the casualties mount on both sides. there were many comrades who died, who i knew personally. they were ideological people who kept moving forward, who never stopped. but it's a war, so there

is no time to be sad. some 13,000 soldiers have already died defending ukraine. and away from the front, millions more will spend a freezing winter in darkness because of russian missile attacks. sirens. and this christmas it will be candles for the fallen that light the homes of ukrainians. natalia had two heroes in her life. her first, her husband. he was killed on the first day of the war as he defended the city. can you describe your husband to us? what kind of a man was he? a patriot. a real patriot of our country. he was a ukrainian.

and natalia's trials are far from over. her other hero is her only child. she's eugene's mother, the young lieutenant fighting at the front, seen here with oleg, his father, who died in battle. she has given everything for ukraine. 18 months into this war, do you have a message for other ukrainian mothers? i want to wish them to always believe that everything will be okay with our children and to always wait for them. mother's love is a big power. we need to believe that everything will be fine. surely.

quentin somerville, bbc news, kharkiv. now to israel and reaction to the formation of a new government, being described as the most right—wing in the country's history. it marks the return to power forformer prime minister benjamin netanyahu who will lead a coalition consisting of far—right parties. here is the moment mr netanyahu called the israeli presidentjust minutes before the deadline for the setting up of a new government. i have managed to form a government that will act in the interests of all the citizens of israel and i intend to establish it as soon as possible. mr netanyahu, who is already israel's longest serving prime minister, is set to serve an historic sixth term in office. the coalition government has 64 seats in israel's 120—seat parliament, commanding an outright majority. likud, lead by prime minister designate benjamin netanyahu makes up exactly half of the coalition — it is also the biggest

party in parliament. the far—right alliance — consisting of religious zionism, jewish power and noam parties — has 14 seats making it the third largest group in parliament. shas, which has long been mr netanyahu's ultra—orthodox partner, has 11 seats, and united torahjudaism, another ultra—orthodox party close to mr netanyahu, has 7 seats to make up the 64—seat majority coalition. opposition groups in israel have expressed concern at the inclusion of far—right parties in the new government. mr netanyahu mr neta nyahu has mr netanyahu has vowed to maintain the status quo. he said.... he said.... so just how right wing is this new government? let's take a look at some of the main figures. the far—rightjewish power party

leader itamar ben—gvir is set to become the national security minister. that role will give him authority over the police force in israel and the west bank. mr ben—gvir has called for the relaxation of rules on when security forces can open fire in the face of threats. he is well known for his anti—arab comments calling for the expulsion of arab citizens of israel who not loyal and was once convicted of incitement to racism and supporting a terror organisation. the leader of religious zionism party, bezalel smotrich has been appointed as finance minister. mr smotrich says he wants to see israel annex the west bank — and has been given wide powers over its activities there. he will have control over planning settlements in the west bank, potentially leading to further expansion of israeli settlements, affecting the lives of nearly 3 million palestinians living there. mr netanyhau's partners also reject the idea of a two—state solution to the israeli—palestinian conflict — the internationally backed formula for peace which envisages an independent palestinian state in the west bank alongside israel, withjerusalem as their shared capital. israel seized control over the west bank along with eastjerusalem and the gaza strip following the 1967 war. since then, more than 450,000 jewish settlers have

made their homes in the west bank. the israeli settlements in the territory are considered illegal under international law — but israel disputes this. the palestinians claim sovereignty over the whole of west bank but in reality only control only a part of it — the many enclaves here shown in yellow in this map. the fear amongst many palestinians is that this new israeli government will strengthen its hold on the occupied west bank — which is one of the main flashpoints of the israeli—palestinian conflict. just hours after mr netanyhau's announcement of a new government, a palestinian man was shot dead by israeli troops during clashes in the city of nablus in west bank. violence has spiked since the election. this footage shows clashes in hebron. let us hearfrom one palestinian activist who was at that clash. it palestinian activist who was at that clash. , ., ,.

palestinian activist who was at that clash. i. ,., ., ., palestinian activist who was at that clash. ., ., ., clash. if you saw someone do that, ou were clash. if you saw someone do that, you were taken _ clash. if you saw someone do that, you were taken to _ clash. if you saw someone do that, you were taken to the _ clash. if you saw someone do that, you were taken to the jail, - clash. if you saw someone do that, you were taken to the jail, not - you were taken to the jail, not shoot him. maayanjaffe—hoffman is a journalist and former news editor at the jerusalem post. she joins me now from jerusalem. how will government policy change when this coalition takes over? i think there is a lot of electric going on right now. benjamin netanyahu has been the longest prime minister, 12 years and adding more years now. so despite the change and make up of the coalition, there were unexpected... i do not believe you will see many of the policy changes that we have heard about coming to fruition during the next government. does that make the coalition fragile

and fractious if he does not yield to demands? hat and fractious if he does not yield to demands?— and fractious if he does not yield to demands? ., ., , ., , ., to demands? not really. netanyahu said the buck _ to demands? not really. netanyahu said the buck stops _ to demands? not really. netanyahu said the buck stops with _ to demands? not really. netanyahu said the buck stops with him. - to demands? not really. netanyahu said the buck stops with him. he i to demands? not really. netanyahu| said the buck stops with him. he has managed during 12 years of coalition to be able to get the policies passed he wanted to get past so i think following the forming of the government, there is a lot of discussion around. especially regarding the settlements but at the end of the day i don't think you will see any change of cabinet over the next years of his government. they will stay together. what the next years of his government. they will stay together.— the next years of his government. they will stay together. what is the wa a they will stay together. what is the way a reaction _ they will stay together. what is the way a reaction among _ they will stay together. what is the way a reaction among the _ way a reaction among the palestinians to this? that's a different question. _ palestinians to this? that's a different question. the - palestinians to this? that's a - different question. the palestinians are very nervous about this government as there is a lot of the western world because it is unknown especially. these designers have not beenin especially. these designers have not been in the government before and have an unstable background, the arab and racist comments. the

palestinians are nervous. the leverage we have that this centre right, right government, to get its message across to the united nations and other governments but the reality is... netanyahu is maintaining the status quo, he has not moved forward on a peace agreement but he has not made any changes to the status quo as it stands. , , ., , ,., , ., stands. the biggest flashpoint you think? to be _ stands. the biggest flashpoint you think? to be honest— stands. the biggest flashpoint you think? to be honest it _ stands. the biggest flashpoint you think? to be honest it is _ stands. the biggest flashpoint you think? to be honest it is not - stands. the biggest flashpoint you think? to be honest it is not with. think? to be honest it is not with the palestinians, _ think? to be honest it is not with the palestinians, the _ think? to be honest it is not with the palestinians, the fact - think? to be honest it is not with the palestinians, the fact it - think? to be honest it is not with the palestinians, the fact it is - think? to be honest it is not with the palestinians, the fact it is a l the palestinians, the fact it is a more right—wing government. people voted for this government because of the security challenges in israel. a report came out saying more palestinians and israelis killed here in the last year. people in

israel elected a government to help their security. tqm. israel elected a government to help their security-— their security. ok, i'm sorry, we have to leave — their security. ok, i'm sorry, we have to leave it _ their security. ok, i'm sorry, we have to leave it there. _ their security. ok, i'm sorry, we have to leave it there. thank - their security. ok, i'm sorry, we| have to leave it there. thank you very much forjoining us. hello again. we've got another band of rain heading into the south west later tonight that will move northwards through tomorrow and into christmas eve. this thicker cloud has been moving through england and wales, bringing some rain, but this is the next feature arriving in from the atlantic. there is the rain that will move its way into the south—west later. ahead of it still a lot of cloud for england and wales, where we get the breaks there could be some mist and fog patches and we keep some more showers coming in scotland. they may be a little bit wintry over the hills and with temperatures close to freezing there could be some icy patches as well. a milder night, though, as you head further south into that rain in the south—west. that quickly moves into wales, the south—east of england during tomorrow morning,

through the midlands and then into northern england, northern ireland mainly through the afternoon. following on from that, we get some sunshine, blustery wind and a few sharp showers in the south—west later. this is where we've got the milder air, damages in double figures. air, temps in double figures. to the north of our band rained its going to be a cold day in scotland with a lot of cloud and if you shower is continuing as well. this band of rain is on that weather front, that continues northward overnight into christmas eve. it's moving into that cold air in scotland so there could be some snow, particularly over the hills to the north of the central belt, a couple of centimetres perhaps here and there. then that wintry weather moves northwards and away from much of mainland scotland, following that we are going to find some showers towards the west in particular, many parts of the midlands, eastern england, likely to be dry with some sunshine, this is where it's milder, temperatures of 11—12c. the winds are going to be picking up on christmas eve with some strongest winds through the irish sea. it is a southerly wind which is pushing milder air across the whole of the country in time for christmas day.

if you are heading out for a walk, eastern parts of the uk, probably staying dry. showers continue to the west, some of them heavy, particularly in the north—west. maybe not quite as windy here on sunday, christmas day, but mild everywhere. that milder air is putting in scotland, 9 degrees in the central belt, 12 for parts of england and wales. to the north—west there are some cold air which may arrive in time to give us the chance of a white christmas across the far north—west of scotland after dark. wintry showers coming in here with a north—westerly wind sweeping down cold air for boxing day with wintry showers across northern parts of the uk, that cold air won't last too long, it gets milder again as we head into tuesday.

hello, i'm geeta guru—murthy. this is outside source. ukraine's president heads back home after his unannounced visit to washington, having secured more money and weapons. but russia says american patriot missiles will not stop them from achieving their goals on the battlefield. also in the programme. the coldest christmas in four decades in parts of the us — as a major winter storm sweeps the country. emergency care under presssure. ambulance workers in england announce two more days of strikes in january. 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, including 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. more than 2,200 flights have already been cancelled across the states. an estimated 112 million people are expected to travel over the next couple of weeks — 102 million of which will go by car. presidentjoe biden says travelling over the next few could be a matter of life and death. please, take this storm extremely seriously. i don't know if your bosses will let you but if y'all have travel plans, leave now. that's not a joke, i'm sending my staff, if they have plans to leave tomorrow, late tonight, i'm telling

them to leave it now. they can talk to me on the phone, it's not life or death. it will be if they don't get out, they may not get out. let's get a better understanding of this. paul pastelok is the expert senior meteorolgist at accuweather. what is a weather bomb and what's causing it? here's the thing, president biden hitting the notes, this is a life—and—death situation for parts of the country. it hasn't formed yet, it hasn't come together yet, but we are seeing the other parts of this winter storm, notjust know, it's the wind and the dramatic change in cold that is taking place. in iowa, at the moment, they are sitting at about minus 10——15, in iowa, at the moment, they are sitting at about minus 10——15 , and the winds are blowing so fast it's

feels like —50. people aren't used to that. people aren't used to that, if you are stranded in a car or outside you can have some problems and it is your life that is on the line. there is more tojust snow and it is your life that is on the line. there is more to just snow to the system. two systems are combining tomorrow to lower the pressure, this system over southern ontario providence to almost 972 to millibars which is similar to a category three hurricane over water. a very intense storm, lots of wind, snow, and very cold temperatures going all the way to and florida. what would your advice be to anyone who is thinking of travelling? are people who are worried about heating their homes even if they stay indoors? ., indoors? the other thing, you're riaht, the indoors? the other thing, you're right, the heating _ indoors? the other thing, you're right, the heating perspective. l indoors? the other thing, you're i right, the heating perspective. you have to keep things warm, keep your car running, make sure your tanks are filled before you venture out, and always continue to fill those tanks. don't let get close to empty in case you do meet up with a road that might be close. we could

experience road closures all over from the plain states to the north—east over the next 24—46 hours, you could be stranded, so make sure you take care. make sure your home is that high he in case your home is that high he in case you lose your power, maybe keep your generator is working and test them out before the front gets to you. it's very dangerous. look what's going on in wyoming, iowa, look at that picture. we could see some of those conditions getting into the great lakes and northeast. t5 those conditions getting into the great lakes and northeast. is this aned great lakes and northeast. is this linked to climate _ great lakes and northeast. is this linked to climate change? - great lakes and northeast. is this linked to climate change? it's - great lakes and northeast. is thisj linked to climate change? it's one s stem linked to climate change? it's one system and _ linked to climate change? it's one system and we — linked to climate change? it's one system and we have _ linked to climate change? it's one system and we have seen - linked to climate change? it's one | system and we have seen systems linked to climate change? it's one - system and we have seen systems this big back in 1973, 78, big storms forming, this one overland is pretty impressive, the one thing you have to look at, why is this such application of the pattern? it started in east central siberia, the cold and the snow that built up. all translated farther east and produced a big huge high—pressure centre up

towards alaska. the connection is all the way from siberia into north america. what is causing these patterns? it's a pattern. maybe these marine water temperatures that are skyrocketing over the northern pacific and off the east coast, some of that has some influence and also influenced by climate change. there are a lot of other things going into the system, other connections that are associated with the development of this bomb cyclone. ldistill are associated with the development of this bomb cyclone.— of this bomb cyclone. will any of this impact _ of this bomb cyclone. will any of this impact outside _ of this bomb cyclone. will any of this impact outside of— of this bomb cyclone. will any of this impact outside of the - of this bomb cyclone. will any of this impact outside of the us? i of this bomb cyclone. will any of. this impact outside of the us? will we see any recurrence of that or a ripple effect here in europe? t ripple effect here in europe? i think it will for a time. i ripple effect here in europe? t think it will for a time. i think we will see some of these big disturbances blocking patterns. we've already seen some of this happening already in the past week, week and a half. the blocking causing significant warming over north—west asia. it looks like what will happen is you will get some of these energies to get across the ocean into europe and then the pattern changes a bit, again. next week. it starts to ease back. not

completely, but i do think it starts to taper just completely, but i do think it starts to taperjust a little bit from the application pattern that we have beenin application pattern that we have been in over the last ten days. thank you very much for explaining that to us. here in the uk, two more strike days ljy here in the uk, two more strike days by ambulance workers have been announced for next month on the 11th and 23rd of januaryjust as services in england and wales get up and running again after yesterday's industrial action. running again after yesterday's industrialaction. only running again after yesterday's industrial action. only the most serious emergency calls were dealt with yesterday, and as you can see, members of the military were called in to help in some places. here is the chief executive of the nhs confederation assessing the impact. i think yesterday, the nhs coped as well as could be expected. i think thatis well as could be expected. i think that is a reflection of firstly planning that went in to prepare for the strikes and also the public. we

saw a reduction in 999 calls, quite a substantial reduction. hhs saw a reduction in 999 calls, quite a substantial reduction. nhs bosses have reported _ a substantial reduction. nhs bosses have reported an _ a substantial reduction. nhs bosses have reported an increase _ a substantial reduction. nhs bosses have reported an increase in - a substantial reduction. nhs bosses have reported an increase in calls i have reported an increase in calls to the non—emergency helpline, here is the chief executive of the welsh ambulance service and the situation there. drew a number of 999 calls we received yesterday was certainly down in recent days it has been very busyin down in recent days it has been very busy in the last week or so. about 20% here. busy in the last week or so. about 2096 here. , ._ busy in the last week or so. about 2096 here-— busy in the last week or so. about 2096 here. , ._ .,, 2096 here. yesterday was quieter, the demand was — 2096 here. yesterday was quieter, the demand was certainly _ 2096 here. yesterday was quieter, the demand was certainly kinder - 2096 here. yesterday was quieter, the demand was certainly kinder to - 2096 here. yesterday was quieter, the demand was certainly kinder to us - demand was certainly kinder to us and it_ demand was certainly kinder to us and it is— demand was certainly kinder to us and it is possible, of course, that communities across wales have listened — communities across wales have listened to the advice that we have given _ listened to the advice that we have given and — listened to the advice that we have given and sought health care advice and other— given and sought health care advice and other places. the given and sought health care advice and other places.— and other places. the public have been warned _ and other places. the public have been warned that _ and other places. the public have been warned that the _ and other places. the public have been warned that the health - and other places. the public have i been warned that the health service remains under extreme pressure in the run—up to christmas with critical incident alert still in place in some areas. plus there is another ambulance strike planned for next week. here is a representative for nhs providers. t next week. here is a representative for nhs providers.—

for nhs providers. i think we know as strike action _ for nhs providers. i think we know as strike action draws _ for nhs providers. i think we know as strike action draws to _ for nhs providers. i think we know as strike action draws to a - for nhs providers. i think we know as strike action draws to a close i as strike action draws to a close for this week, 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 over the past couple of days. also, rescheduling operations and outpatient appointments that couldn't take place during the strike days. couldn't take place during the strike days-— couldn't take place during the strike da s. �* , ., , strike days. and there is worrying new data released _ strike days. and there is worrying new data released today - strike days. and there is worrying new data released today about i new data released today about ambulance wait times. even before the strikes. these pictures are from outside hospitals where paramedics have been stuck, unable to hand over sick patients to hospital staff. latest figures show that 40% of ambulances in england are having to wait for at least 30 minutes outside hospital. and, 25% of ambulances are delayed for more than one hour dropping off their patients. these delays add up. it's estimated 46,000 hours of ambulance staff time was lost just last week. hours of ambulance staff time was lostjust last week. so hours of ambulance staff time was lost just last week. so what hours of ambulance staff time was lostjust last week. so what is causing these delays? our health

reporterjim explains. that causing these delays? our health reporterjim explains.— causing these delays? our health reporterjim explains. at the moment 9596 of all hospital _ reporterjim explains. at the moment 9596 of all hospital beds _ reporterjim explains. at the moment 9596 of all hospital beds in _ reporterjim explains. at the moment 9596 of all hospital beds in england i 95% of all hospital beds in england are taken up. of that group, one in six are taken up by someone who is well enough to go home but can't be discharged from hospital, normally because there is not enough social care, provision, community provision to be someone into. that is why you are seeing this backlog move down through the hospital. llrrul’ith are seeing this backlog move down through the hospital.— through the hospital. with another ambulance strike _ through the hospital. with another ambulance strike plan _ through the hospital. with another ambulance strike plan next - through the hospital. with another ambulance strike plan next week l through the hospital. with another i ambulance strike plan next week and two more injanuary, why is there no political solution to the stalemate? here is damian grammaticas in westminster.— here is damian grammaticas in westminster. , westminster. the government says it has been putting _ westminster. the government says it has been putting sums _ westminster. the government says it has been putting sums into _ westminster. the government says it has been putting sums into the - westminster. the government says it has been putting sums into the nhs | has been putting sums into the nhs and some is that were earmarked to dealing with those after effects of covert. at the minute, what you see is saying that there desperately has to be investment in staff in order to be investment in staff in order to clear some of these problems. that is what we see this industrial action at the minute and i have to say there is no sign at all of that being resolved any time soon. in

fact, if you like, the opposite. today, we have been hearing people close to stephen barclay, the health secretary saying that he wants next year pay review process, people to focus on that and are to be no delays but that wouldn't deliver until august. so what you are hearing from the unions is they are saying, one of the union, gmb, says it is a discredited process, it doesn't deliver for them, other unions saying that they will only decide injanuary unions saying that they will only decide in january whether they will take part, the gmb won't. and they want stephen barclay to sit down for pay talks about this year's pay for that they say that is the issue. that is the issue that he is not sitting down to talk to them about. the scottish parliament has passed legislation removing the need for people to get a medical diagnosis before requiring to get a gender recognition certificate. the vote was greeted with cheers at holyrood

as well as christ with shame on you. for years, this nation has been divided politically. now there is a social split, too. on that hottest of topics, gender. not everyone in scotland is invested in this debate, but those who are tend to be fired up. and so here at holyrood this afternoon, there was both a delight and discussed. find afternoon, there was both a delight and discussed.— and discussed. and the gender recognition _ and discussed. and the gender recognition reform _ and discussed. and the gender recognition reform scotland i and discussed. and the gender| recognition reform scotland bill and discussed. and the gender. recognition reform scotland bill is passed. thank you.— recognition reform scotland bill is passed. thank you. shame on you! shame on you! _ passed. thank you. shame on you! shame on you! that _ passed. thank you. shame on you! shame on you! that follow - passed. thank you. shame on you! shame on you! that follow days . passed. thank you. shame on you! shame on you! that follow days of| shame on you! that follow days of dela and shame on you! that follow days of delay and debate. _ shame on you! that follow days of delay and debate. not _ shame on you! that follow days of delay and debate. not least - shame on you! that follow days of delay and debate. not least about| delay and debate. not least about people born male accessing female only spaces. t people born male accessing female only spaces-— only spaces. i will do everything i can to protect _ only spaces. i will do everything i can to protect women's _ only spaces. i will do everything i can to protect women's rights - only spaces. i will do everything i can to protect women's rights for| only spaces. i will do everything i i can to protect women's rights for as long as i live, but i also think it's an important part of my response ability to make life a little bit easier. might i is minorities in our country. mil little bit easier. might i is minorities in our country. all the

media majority _ minorities in our country. all the media majority in _ minorities in our country. all the media majority in the _ minorities in our country. all the media majority in the chamber l minorities in our country. all the - media majority in the chamber today to support _ media majority in the chamber today to support this legislation, the majority— to support this legislation, the majority of the public oppose the bill including most snp labour and liberal— bill including most snp labour and liberal democrat voters. this bill reduces— liberal democrat voters. this bill reduces women's rights and potentially risks women's safety. but what — potentially risks women's safety. but what is the new process for changing gender in scotland? well, it will be faster. instead of living for 24 months in your new gender before applying, adults will now have to wait only three months. younger people will also be able to apply, the age limit drops from 18 to 16. although the process will be slower for this group. to 16. although the process will be slowerfor this group. and it will be easier, because the requirement for medical reports to back up an application is being dropped. but will holyrood have the final say? the uk government says it is considering whether it can block the legislation or challenge it in court. if it does, expects yet another row. feud from afar, some of history's great social upheavals look much less contentious. votes

for women, look much less contentious. votes forwomen, gay look much less contentious. votes for women, gay rights, supporters of this change say that is going to happen here, that controversy will fade over time. but opponents say it will intensify as the impact of this new law becomes clear. either way, perspective often shifts with distance. james kirk, bbc news, edinburgh. spain has passed a transgender rights bill bringing it a step closer to allowing people to change the gender with a simple declaration. lawmakers have passed a bill allowing anyone 16 and overdue change gender on their id card, legislation that has divided spain's left—wing government and its feminist movement. the bill now moves to the senate where, if left unchanged, as expect it, it will become within weeks. stay with us on outside source. still to come, the king of crypto faces fraud charges, sam bankman—fried has appeared in court after being extradited to the

united states. a pilot project could see 2,000 households swap their exisiting gas appliances, for hydrogen powered models. however, the proposals are causing concern for some residents. jonah fisher has more. "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. 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. hydrogen's big advantage is that it doesn't 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 — fossil fuels.

the people who live here are being told that by swapping to hydrogen, they'll 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. if the proposal goes ahead, residents will be given either free hydrogen appliances like these, or their electric equivalents. we are all going to need to make this choice on a certain day to move to a different type of heating technology. this project is bringing that decision to life right now for whitby, but it's coming for all of us in the near future. how we heat our homes in the future and who profits is being decided right now.

jonah fisher, bbc news, in whitby. this is outside source live from the bbc newsroom. our lead story. vladimir putin has said that the new military aid package for the ukraine willjust prolong the war he said russia will find a antidote. it comes after president zelensky�*s visit to washington and the announcement by the us that it would provide ukraine with an american patriot missile system. sam bankman—fried will have to stay

at home. he was extradited from the bahamas on wednesday. he is accused of stealing billions of dollars from the ftx to prop up another of his businesses, hedge fund, allah made a research. it was described as... first, i'm announcing that the southern district of new york has filed charges against caroline ellison, the former ceo of alameda research, and gary wong, a co—founder of ftx, in connection with their roles in the frauds that contributed to ftx's collapse. both miss ellison and mr wong have pled guilty to those charges and they are both cooperating with the southern district of new york. reset make sam sam bankman—fried has appeared in court. what you know about what's happened? figs court. what you know about what's ha--ened? ~,,. court. what you know about what's hauened? a ., happened? as you pointed out, the

'udue did happened? as you pointed out, the judge did in — happened? as you pointed out, the judge did in fact _ happened? as you pointed out, the judge did in fact agree _ happened? as you pointed out, the judge did in fact agree that - happened? as you pointed out, the judge did in fact agree that sam - judge did in fact agree that sam bankman—fried can be released on $250 million bail. he will be in the home detention, spending that time with his parents in california. remember, the disappearance of law professors at stanford university here in the united states. he has had to surrender his passport, he is also going to subject himself to location monitoring. this is in some ways what his defence team wanted. remember that he was never granted bail whilst he was in the bahamas. despite his lawyer's best efforts to try and get him bail. he was in custody the entire time from his arrest until he was extradited yesterday from the bahamas. his defence team was really hoping that they would perhaps be able to be successful in getting him bail whilst in the united states and that is presumably why, at least that is speculation, that he agreed to be

extradited to the united states. bond extradited to the united states. and that comesjust a extradited to the united states. and that comes just a day after two of his colleagues pleaded guilty, tell us more about that. we: his colleagues pleaded guilty, tell us more about that.— us more about that. it's an incredible _ us more about that. it's an incredible come _ us more about that. it's an incredible come down - us more about that. it's an j incredible come down from us more about that. it's an - incredible come down from may a month ago that a company that was valued at $32 billion. now he finds himself very much alone and very much without those billions of dollars. two of his closest colleagues have now said that they are cooperating, or rather the lawyers are saying they are cooperating, with prosecutors. and they are testifying in exchange for their cooperation. they are testifying against sam bankman—fried. these are two people that were very close to him, one is the founder of ftx, along with sam bankman—fried. the other was the head of that hedge fund, a la mader, who was also reportedly his girlfriend at some point. ftx has filed for bankruptcy, leaving many people unable to withdraw funds.

according to a us court filing, ftx owes its 50 largest creditors almost $3.1 billion, or £2.5 billion. well, let's hearfrom one customer of the collapsed crypto exchange who's lost millions. indian investor evan luthra has been talking to my colleague michelle fleury. how much money did you lose? i lostjust over $2 million when the exchange went down and i did request some withdrawals, but none of them processed. and have you had any word yet on how much, if any, you will be able to claw back? i need to have a record of the transactions, i don't have any of those transaction records because ftx... you can't access them any more. i can't see the crypto i hold, i can't see the exact amounts of crypto i hold, somebody like me has over 300 different types of cryptocurrencies, i don't remember them in my head. that's where i'm concerned, i do not think i'm going to get any money back. the collapse of ftx was precipitated by a crash in the value of cryptocurrencies which began earlier this year. on wednesday, there was yet another

failure in the sector. core scientific, one of the biggest publicly—traded companies creating, or "mining", crypto currencies in the us, filed for bankruptcy protection. it blamed slumping bitcoin prices and rising energy costs for bitcoin mining. so what is the outlook for the crypto industry? we can cross live to new york to speak to crypto expert molly jane zuckerman. cani can i ask you first of all, we have just had this news that sam bankman—fried has been released on this huge amount of bail, your reaction to that? tim this huge amount of bail, your reaction to that?— reaction to that? i'm a bit surprised _ reaction to that? i'm a bit surprised but _ reaction to that? i'm a bit surprised but i _ reaction to that? i'm a bit surprised but i guess - reaction to that? i'm a bit surprised but i guess i - reaction to that? i'm a bit - surprised but i guess i understand that the judge believes that he is too recognisable at this point to be able to flee so it's a high bail but his parents were able to meet it. and what is the scale of this? put this into context? how big a case is this into context? how big a case is this going to be? we: this into context? how big a case is this going to be?— this going to be? it's going to be a hue case this going to be? it's going to be a huge case because _ this going to be? it's going to be a huge case because it _ this going to be? it's going to be a huge case because it is _ this going to be? it's going to be a huge case because it is a - this going to be? it's going to be a huge case because it is a level- this going to be? it's going to be a huge case because it is a level of. huge case because it is a level of elected financial fraud that runs in the billions and the issue is that it took place offshore is in the

bahamas with the crypto currency exchange where regulation has been very murky. not only is this going to be a big case but also a ground—breaking case that can set a lot of precedent. bud ground-breaking case that can set a lot of precedent.— ground-breaking case that can set a lot of precedent. and obviously sam bankman-fried _ lot of precedent. and obviously sam bankman-fried will _ lot of precedent. and obviously sam bankman-fried will have _ lot of precedent. and obviously sam bankman-fried will have his - lot of precedent. and obviously sam bankman-fried will have his own . bankman—fried will have his own defence denying the charges, what is the case against him? he is defence denying the charges, what is the case against him?— the case against him? he is being accused of — the case against him? he is being accused of wire _ the case against him? he is being accused of wire fraud, _ the case against him? he is being accused of wire fraud, which - the case against him? he is being | accused of wire fraud, which really is a catchall for anything, and other potential fraud is that he is accused of include securities and commodities, it all comes down to whether or not he knew that his exchange was sending customer funds to be traded on alameda, whether that was an accounting error or a malicious breaking of the law. what ou think malicious breaking of the law. what you think this _ malicious breaking of the law. what you think this is _ malicious breaking of the law. what you think this is going _ malicious breaking of the law. what you think this is going to affect the wider sector? the you think this is going to affect the wider sector?— you think this is going to affect the wider sector? the effect that is bein: the wider sector? the effect that is being shown _ the wider sector? the effect that is being shown right _ the wider sector? the effect that is being shown right now _ the wider sector? the effect that is being shown right now as _ the wider sector? the effect that is being shown right now as we - the wider sector? the effect that is being shown right now as we can i the wider sector? the effect that is i being shown right now as we can see with the crypto prices, the market is reacting badly to this news. i

also think we are not sure how many other big projects or companies had exposure to ftx. if they did, a lot of them are staying silent now and it is only going to come out in the next few months or years as they try to draw on money that is trapped in bankruptcy proceedings. what to draw on money that is trapped in bankruptcy proceedings. what might re . ulators bankruptcy proceedings. what might regulators be — bankruptcy proceedings. what might regulators be learning _ bankruptcy proceedings. what might regulators be learning already - bankruptcy proceedings. what might regulators be learning already from | regulators be learning already from this case? in terms of trying to monitor things a bit better going forward. , ., , monitor things a bit better going forward. , . , ., forward. they are definitely going to be able to _ forward. they are definitely going to be able to see _ forward. they are definitely going to be able to see a _ forward. they are definitely going to be able to see a textbook- forward. they are definitely going to be able to see a textbook case| forward. they are definitely going i to be able to see a textbook case of what not to do, if you are running a large exchange. one of the things that came out, for example, was that ftx was using quick books for its accounting software even though it was billions and billions of dollars. i think these lax accounting practices and regulatory compliance practices, no risk management system, come to light, they will know the kind of thing that needs to be put into place.

he's one of the most popular and influential artists of our time, and now david hockney, yorkshire born and well into his 80s, is pushing the boundaries once again, of what's possible in art. he's created a new immersive experience of his work, so visitors can see the world through, his eyes. our culture editor, katie razzall has been to meet him. david hockney gets a first glimpse of his new show. i want my art to be joyful. we're on an immersive journey, as the final tweaks are under way, with one of britain's best—loved artists. the show�*s called bigger & closer, not smaller & further away — 60 years of his life and art. i do look closely at things. i can look at a puddle and get pleasure out of them. most people think it's just raining, don't they? hockney has been painting on his ipad in recent years, most famously the arrival of spring in his home in normandy.

he's also done 40 paintings including an unseen painting of harry styles. he wanted me to paint him. he had a few little outfits, and i chose this yellow sweater. yellow is a hockney favourite. how many pairs of crocs have you got? i've only got one, actually. these are the only shoes he wears now, he says, deemed beautifully chosen by prince charles when they met, a rare outing for hockney. i'm usually drawing or painting, yeah. i mean, it's all i want to do now. yeah, i've had a very, very good life. katie razzall, bbc news.

we will be back in a few minutes with another full round—up. get in touch. see you soon. hello again. we've got another band of rain heading into the south west later tonight that will move northwards through tomorrow and into christmas eve. this thicker cloud has been moving through england and wales, bringing some rain, but this is the next feature arriving in from the atlantic. there is the rain that will move its way into the south—west later. ahead of it still a lot of cloud for england and wales, where we get the breaks there could be some mist and fog patches and we keep some more showers coming in scotland. they may be a little bit wintry over the hills and with temperatures close to freezing there could be some icy patches as well. a milder night, though, as you head further south into that rain in the south—west. that quickly moves into wales, the south—east of england during tomorrow morning, through the midlands and then into northern england, northern ireland mainly through the afternoon. following on from that, we get some sunshine, blustery wind and a few sharp

showers in the south—west later. this is where we've got the milder air, damages in double figures. to the north of our band rained its going to be a cold day in scotland with a lot of cloud and if you shower is continuing as well. this band of rain is on that weather front, that continues northward overnight into christmas eve. it's moving into that cold air in scotland so there could be some snow, particularly over the hills to the north of the central belt, a couple of centimetres perhaps here and there. then that wintry weather moves northwards and away from much of mainland scotland, following that we are going to find some showers towards the west in particular, many parts of the midlands, eastern england, likely to be dry with some sunshine, this is where it's milder, temperatures of 11—12 . the winds are going to be picking up on christmas eve with some strongest winds through the irish sea. it is a southerly wind which is pushing milder air across the whole of the country in time for christmas day. if you are heading out for a walk, eastern parts of the uk, probably staying dry. showers continue to the west, some of them heavy, particularly in the north—west. maybe not quite as windy here on sunday, christmas day, but mild everywhere.

that milder air is putting in scotland, 9 degrees in the central belt, 12 for parts of england and wales. to the north—west there are some cold air which may arrive in time to give us the chance of a white christmas across the far north—west of scotland after dark. wintry showers coming in here with a north—westerly wind sweeping down cold air for boxing day with wintry showers across northern parts of the uk, that cold air won't last too long, it gets milder again as we head into tuesday.

hello, i'm geeta guru—murthy. this is outside source. president zelensky is back in ukraine after his unannounced visit to washington. having secured more money and weapons. but russia says american patriot missiles will not stop them from achieving their goals on the battlefield. these new missiles will comfort kyiv and alarm moscow, but how effective are they? we'll be finding out. also in the programme: emergency care under presssure. ambulance workers in england announce two more days of strikes in january. and as the most right—wing government in israel's history prepares to take office, we look at how the election could empower the settler movement.

we start with russia's reaction to ukrainian president volodymyr zelensky�*s historic visit to washington. moscow has strongly criticised the trip, accusing the us of fighting an indirect war against it. russia also says the arrival of us patriot missiles in ukraine announced during mr zelensky�*s trip will not prevent it from achieving its goals. the ukrainian leader is now back in ukraine. en route, he stopped off to meet the polish president andrzej duda. he said they spoke about a year of "historic challenges due "to a full scale war", and about "strategic plans for the future". he also took the time to send a message to the people of ukraine.

translation: patel healthy, fellow ukrainians. today _ translation: patel healthy, fellow ukrainians. today will, _ translation: patel healthy, fellow ukrainians. today will, washington i ukrainians. today will, washington was something that will really help. say patriots in the united forward patriots state of the people. this issue has been single for ukraine. there is financial support too. mr zelensky�*s speech to congress was only the second such address in its history by a visiting war time leader, after winston churchill in 1941. here was volodomyr zelensky giving a ukrainian battle flag to the house speaker. as we mentioned, he's been promised america's top of the range missile defence system. the patriot is intended to defend against aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles. it's expected to help ukraine protect its cities from missiles and drones targeted by russia at critical infrastructure. so what could this mean for the future direction of the war? here's the view from the kremlin. translation: by all means, as with an other translation: by all means, as with any other military _

translation: by all means, as with any other military assets _ translation: by all means, as with any other military assets the - any other military assets the ukrainian army is losing the demilitarisation is one of the aims of the special operation. we can see the united states and other countries are practically giving the ukrainians greater and greater selections of weapons that are of a greater technical capacity. it does not contribute to settling the conflict. it does the opposite. his boss seems to agree. president putin has been giving his assessment of the patriot missile system heading to ukraine. and it's not particularly positive. translation: concerning the pigface as the are translation: concerning the pigface as they are quite _ translation: concerning the pigface as they are quite old. _ translation: concerning the pigface as they are quite old. they _ translation: concerning the pigface as they are quite old. they do - translation: concerning the pigface as they are quite old. they do not - as they are quite old. they do not work as there were the same way as our c300s, but nonetheless is converting a soviet offensive weapons. all we will take that into consideration, there will always be an answerfor it. consideration, there will always be an answer for it. figs consideration, there will always be an answer for it.— an answer for it. as you would exect an answer for it. as you would expect from — an answer for it. as you would expect from a _ there as you would expect from a the news different ukraine. other countries is constant attacks

from rockets engines. these missiles will allow us to shoot them down at the border thanks to these capital patriots. i think the peak fitness hours will be very— i think the peak fitness hours will be very useful for the country, especially— be very useful for the country, especially now. it will help us to protect — especially now. it will help us to protect the military and civilian infrastructure. it gets unbearable. the enemy — infrastructure. it gets unbearable. the enemy gets so wild we cannot have a _ the enemy gets so wild we cannot have a normal life. ithink— have a normal life. i think they will protect ukrainian civilians — i think they will protect ukrainian civilians for — i think they will protect ukrainian civilians for missile _ i think they will protect ukrainian civilians for missile strikes. - i think they will protect ukrainian civilians for missile strikes. 1. civilians for missile strikes. i cannot— civilians for missile strikes. i cannot say— civilians for missile strikes. i cannot say how— civilians for missile strikes. i cannot say how it _ civilians for missile strikes. i cannot say how it will- civilians for missile strikes. i cannot say how it will affectl civilians for missile strikes. i. cannot say how it will affect the situation, — cannot say how it will affect the situation, but _ cannot say how it will affect the situation, but it— cannot say how it will affect the situation, but it will— cannot say how it will affect the situation, but it will be - cannot say how it will affect the situation, but it will be great. cannot say how it will affect the i situation, but it will be great news when _ situation, but it will be great news when they— situation, but it will be great news when they arrive _ situation, but it will be great news when they arrive in _ situation, but it will be great news when they arrive in ukraine. i an adviser to president zelensky, alexander rodnyansky, told the bbc the missiles would prove invaluable in protecting ukraine's energy infrastructure. it will be key for us. it will be key for protecting the sky, our energy infrastructure, and making sure that we can somehow recover what we have lost. because we are on

a downward trend with our energy supplies. the russians have been able to pierce our air defence systems and continuously delegate our energy infrastructure. and the us secretary of state antony blinken reaffirmed us support for ukraine. we know that a tough winter lies ahead _ we know that a tough winter lies ahead for— we know that a tough winter lies ahead for ukrainians, as president putin— ahead for ukrainians, as president putin pursues his new strategy of trying _ putin pursues his new strategy of trying to— putin pursues his new strategy of trying to freeze and ukrainian men, women _ trying to freeze and ukrainian men, women and — trying to freeze and ukrainian men, women and children, the elderly, to death _ women and children, the elderly, to death we _ women and children, the elderly, to death. we are working with the g7 and other— death. we are working with the g7 and other allies and partners to repair, — and other allies and partners to repair, replace and defend ukraine's energy— repair, replace and defend ukraine's energy infrastructure, including bolstering its advanced air defence to position systems like the patriot missile _ to position systems like the patriot missile battery president biden announced yesterday. let's take a closer look at the patriot system. it's made up of four main elements: radar, control centre, communications towers, and launchers on trucks. so how does it work? well, when an enemy missile is fired, it can be picked up within a range of around 100 kilometres. that's because the radar scans the sky to detect, then pinpoints the threat. it can track up to 100 targets

and send guidance data. the radar then relays the information to the control centre which can guide missiles to the target, and change the time of detonation. the launchers can be up to a kilometre away from the radar and control hub, linked by microwave signals. they can hold 16 missiles, and can be fired towards a target in less than nine seconds. all this comes as russia has released video showing its defence minister visiting troops on the front line in ukraine. the pictures broadcast on state media show sergei shoigu walking through trenches and inspecting barracks at an undisclosed location. on wednesday he said the total size of the army needed to be increased to one and a half million men. it also comes as the russian ministry of defence released images of its tanks targeting ukrainian fortified positions and armoured vehicles, which moscow says were destroyed. the bbc cannot verify these claims. earlier, the former head of russia's space agency, dmitry rogozin, who's acting as a military adviser said he was injured by shelling

in eastern ukraine. he'd been attending a meeting at a hotel in donetsk. mr rogozin said he needs surgery to remove metalfragments. several people are reported to have been killed. but on the other side of the front line, ukrainian servicemen welcomed news of more heavy equipment as part of america's new military aid package. translation: i think it will help. the more heavy — translation: i think it will help. the more heavy toys _ translation: i think it will help. the more heavy toys we - translation: i think it will help. the more heavy toys we have i translation: i think it will help. the more heavy toys we have for| translation: | think it will help. i the more heavy toys we have for the first of the war will end. one can say that this is the moment when heavy equipment and artillery fulfils, visions. a rightful heirs, as they say, for self defence. artillery has important meaning. translation: iii artillery has important meaning. translation:— translation: if not for the volunteers. _ translation: if not for the volunteers, we _ translation: if not for the volunteers, we didn't i translation: if not for the volunteers, we didn't have l translation: if not for the - volunteers, we didn't have much of what _ volunteers, we didn't have much of what we _ volunteers, we didn't have much of what we have now. the same is fair about— what we have now. the same is fair about our— what we have now. the same is fair about our foreign partners, who help is a lot— about our foreign partners, who help is a lot with — about our foreign partners, who help is a lot with weapons and humanitarian aid.

no, _ humanitarian aid. no, i_ spoke to lieutenant colonel daniel davies, seniorfellow spoke to lieutenant colonel daniel davies, senior fellow at the foreign policy thank capital defence pirate is know, i think a little bit of a sober understanding of what these patriot there were chemical patriot missiles can actually do, because they talk about a single capital patriot battery. some of the people who just interviewed from have these expectations that it will stop all the rushing attacks throughout the country, and the reality the patriot is especially for one battery, politically appointed defence. for example this in some of the critical infrastructure or facilities in kyiv, and you can cover a lot of kyiv, and you can cover a lot of kyiv for the part of the city, but you can't, the entire city, much less anything beyond kyiv. so wherever you put this committee will have a pretty good coverage, but it will not extend beyond that, because of course, there are also some very practicalfactors, that of course, there are also some very practical factors, that it will take upwards of 90 days to retrain personnel on how to use this, and you need it people to operate this

one battery, so it's a pretty significant heavy lift there, and as you may know, the missiles 2— $4 million a pop, and there are a lot, so i'm not sure how much this would do beyond making people feel good today, potentialas do beyond making people feel good today, potential as liberty, anything is good. pare today, potential as liberty, anything is good.— today, potential as liberty, anything is good. today, potential as liberty, an hinuuisood. anything is good. are you saying you don't think it — anything is good. are you saying you don't think it is — anything is good. are you saying you don't think it is going _ anything is good. are you saying you don't think it is going to _ anything is good. are you saying you don't think it is going to make i anything is good. are you saying you don't think it is going to make a i don't think it is going to make a real, practical difference to the defence of ukraine? for real, practical difference to the defence of ukraine?— real, practical difference to the defence of ukraine? for sure, it's not. just defence of ukraine? for sure, it's not. just look— defence of ukraine? for sure, it's not. just look at _ defence of ukraine? for sure, it's not. just look at this _ defence of ukraine? for sure, it's not. just look at this in _ defence of ukraine? for sure, it's not. just look at this in cold, i defence of ukraine? for sure, it's not. just look at this in cold, hard military points, and understanding. it will help put it, but as you have seen from these fine rounds of russian missile attacks against the energy infrastructure, it is literally scattered throughout the country, all over the place, so you can stop one location, but you won't do anything about the rest of them, i'm afraid. i'm afraid. i visited case there were dull in the case that there just isn't a resource to send more of these chemical —— and is it the case? that is a curious question. i have

seen some to suggest that at first the states wants to see at 71 battery to see how it works and how effective ukraine people can operate and train our people and perhaps if it works, they would bring additional batteries. but you also have to keep in mind there are not that many patriot systems operational in two without putting our security at risk. 50 operational in two without putting our security at risk.— operational in two without putting our security at risk. so how do you see the new _ our security at risk. so how do you see the new year _ our security at risk. so how do you see the new year unfolding? i our security at risk. so how do you j see the new year unfolding? there has been speculation about a bigger result of the new year?— result of the new year? series of articles in _ result of the new year? series of articles in the _ result of the new year? series of articles in the guardian - result of the new year? series of articles in the guardian and i articles in the guardian and economist david is leaders of the brain basically say the same story, that they expect a large window offensive in russia and we have seen the video evidence in the past 24—hour numbers of rebuilt modern tanks in russia heading into belarus and other areas closer, so evidence indicates that is what is going to happen, and the results will be anyone's guess, because we have seen large scale russian invasion that

did not work out how they thought, but it is also unknown how much they have learned in ten months of this could be very significant as the solution. ukraine suggest these mobilisations have been effective, so i think it's a real important time coming up around the new year, and we will see how everybody responds russians and ukrainians. here in the uk, two more strike days by ambulance workers have been announced for next month on the 11th and 23rd of january, just as services in england and wales get up and running again after yesterday's industrial action. only the most serious emergency calls were dealt with yesterday. as you can see, members of the military were called in to help in some places. here's the chief executive of the nhs confederation assessing the impact. i think yesterday the nhs cope as well as could be expected and i think that is a reflection of the

planning that went in to prepare for the strikes, and also the public. we saw a reduction 999 because, quite substantial reduction. but nhs bosses have reported an increase in calls to their non emergency helpline. here's the chief executive of the welsh ambulance service on the situation in his region. the number of 99 because we receive yesterday _ the number of 99 because we receive yesterday as certainly down in recent — yesterday as certainly down in recent days, very busy in the last week— recent days, very busy in the last week or— recent days, very busy in the last week or so, — recent days, very busy in the last week or so, up about 20% here in wales— week or so, up about 20% here in wales on— week or so, up about 20% here in wales on this time last year, but yesterday— wales on this time last year, but yesterday was quiet end demand was kinder— yesterday was quiet end demand was kinder to— yesterday was quiet end demand was kinder to us yesterday was quiet end demand was kinderto us and yesterday was quiet end demand was kinder to us and it is possible that communities across wales have listened — communities across wales have listened to the advice that we have given _ listened to the advice that we have given and — listened to the advice that we have given and sought health care advice in other— given and sought health care advice in other places. the public have been warned that the health service remains under extreme pressure in the run up to christmas, with critical incident alerts still in place in some areas. plus there's another ambulance strike planned for next week. here's saffron cordery from nhs providers.

i think we know this is this strike action is relatively be closed this week, we know that the pressure is going to be announced over the next couple of days, because there is very likely to be some knock—on impacts, including those people who didn't come forward for treatment over the past couple of days and also the scheduling operations and outpatient appointments that couldn't take place during the strike days. and there's concerning new data released today about ambulance wait times even before the strikes. these pictures are from outside hospitals where paramedics have been stuck, unable to hand over sick patients to hospital staff. latest figures show that 40% of ambulances in england are having to wait for at least half an hour outside hospital. and 25% of ambulances are delayed for more than an hour dropping off their patients. these delays add up. it's estimated 46,000 hours of staff time was lost last week. so what is causing the delays? our health reporter explains.

at the moment, 95% of all hospital beds in england are currently taken up, and of that group, one in six taken up by someone who is well enough to go home that can't be discharged from the hospital, normally because there is not enough social care or community provision to move people into. that is why you are seeing this backlog move down through the hospital. so with another ambulance strike planned next week and two more injanuary, why isnt there a political solution to the stalemate? here's damian grammaticas in westminster. the government says it has been putting sums into the nhs and also sums in particular earmarked for dealing with those sort of after effects of covid, but at the minute, you see the union saying they're desperately has to be investment in staff in order to clear some of these problems, and that's where we see this industrial action at the minute. i have to say, there is no sign of that being resolved anytime soon. if you like, the opposite.

today we have been hearing people close to the health secretary saying he wants next year's pay review process and there would be no delays, but that wouldn't deliver until august, so what you are hearing from unions is, one of them, gmb, says it is a discredited process that does not deliver for them. others say they will only decide injanuary if they them. others say they will only decide in january if they will take decide injanuary if they will take part, and decide in january if they will take part, and they want decide injanuary if they will take part, and they want stephen decide in january if they will take part, and they want stephen barclay to sit down for pay talks about this year's pay. they say that is the issue, but it is the one he will not talk about. stay with us on outside source. still to come... as the most right wing government in israel's history prepares to take office, we look at how the election could affect relations.

this is outside source. only the story, vladimir putin has said the new aid package will simply prolong the war. establishing antidote. he said russia would find an antidote. it comes after president zelensky�*s visit to washington amd the announcement by the us that it would provide ukraine with a patriot missile defence system. now to israel and reaction to the formation of a new government, being described as the most right wing in the country's history. it marks the return to power forformer prime minister benjamin netanyahu who will lead a coalition consisting of far right parties. here is the moment mr netanyahu called the israeli presidentjust minutes before the deadline for the setting up of a new government, "i have managed to form a government that will act in the interest of all the citizens of israel, and i intend to establish it as soon as possible."

the new government is expected to be sworn in next week. mr netanyahu, who is already israel's longest serving prime minister, is set to serve an historic sixth term in office. the coalition government has 64 seats in israel's 120—seat parliament, commanding an outright majority. likud, lead by prime minister designate benjamin netanyahu, makes up exactly half of the coalition it is also the biggest party in parliament. the far right alliance consisting of religious zionism, jewish power and noam parties has 14 seats. shas, which has long been mr netanyahu's ultra orthodox partner, has 11 seats, and united torahjudaism, another ultra orthodox party close to mr netanyahu, has seven seats to make up the 64—seat majority coalition. opposition groups in israel have expressed concern at the inclusion of far right parties in the new government. here's our correspondent yollande knell injerusalem. and then you have lots of other things that concern different sections of israeli society, anti—lgbto 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. but mr netanyhu has vowed to preserve the status quo. he told the us broadcaster npr: "i won't let anybody do anything to lgbt or to deny our arab "citizens their rights or anything like that, "it just won't happen." so just how right wing is this new government? let's take a look at some of the main figures. the far rightjewish power party leader itamar ben gvir is setv to become the national security minister. that role will give him authority over the police force in israel and the west bank. mr ben gvir has called for the relaxation of rules on when security forces can open fire in the face of threats. he is well known for his anti—arab comments calling for the expulsion of arab citizens of israel who are not loyal and was once convicted of incitement to racism and

supporting a terror organisation. here he is addressing supporters after the coalition has success. translation: the after the coalition has success. translation:— after the coalition has success. translation: , , . ., , ., translation: the public wants an absolute separation _ translation: the public wants an absolute separation between i translation: the public wants an absolute separation between thosej absolute separation between those loyal to their state of israel, whom we have no problem with, and those who undermine the existence of our dear state. another key figure is avi mars, leader of the noam party, who was appointed over the— leader of the noam party, who was appointed over the education system. he has called — appointed over the education system. he has called for— appointed over the education system. he has called for the _ appointed over the education system. he has called for the jerusalem i appointed over the education system. he has called for the jerusalem gay i he has called for thejerusalem gay pride event to be and calls for the military. the leader of religious zionism party, bezalel smotrich has been appointed as finance minister. mr smotrich says he wants to see israel annex the west bank and has

been given wide powers over its activities there. he will have control over planning israeli settlements in the west bank. mr netanyhau's partners also reject the idea of a two—state solution to the israeli palestinian conflict, the internationally backed formula for peace which envisages an independent palestinian state in the west bank alongside israel, withjerusalem as their shared capital. israel seized control over the west bank along ith eastjerusalem and the gaza strip following the 1967 war. since then, more than 450,000 jewish settlers have made their homes in the west bank. the israeli settlements in the territory are considered illegal under international law but israel disputes this. the palestinians claim sovereignty over the whole of west bank but in reality only control a part of it the many enclaves here shown in yellow in this map. the fear amongst many palestinians is that this new israeli government will strengthen its hold on the occupied west bank. just hours after mr netanyhau's announcement of a new government, a palestinian man was shot dead by israeli troops during clashes in the city of nablus. violence has spiked between palestinians and israeli settlers in the west bank since the election. this footage, which shows clashes

between israeli troops and palestinians, was filmed by bbc journalists in the city of hebron. let's hear from a let's hearfrom a palestinian activist who was at that class. do anything to protect the palestinians if you go with the policies that we were taken to jail or washington. our correspondent is also there. is a barrierfrom psycho tower, watchtower here. see defences. this is just a regular street heaven, being stuff like this for many years. separates out palestinians who live and work on this side, checked every time they want to get. earlier i spoke to a former news editor at thejerusalem earlier i spoke to a former news editor at the jerusalem post. i think there is a lot of rhetoric. the reality— i think there is a lot of rhetoric. the reality is that benjamin netanyahu is a known entity. he was

to the _ netanyahu is a known entity. he was to the policies have been pretty consistent in. despite the changes in the _ consistent in. despite the changes in the make—up of the coalition that there _ in the make—up of the coalition that there are _ in the make—up of the coalition that there are is — in the make—up of the coalition that there are is this religious is normal— there are is this religious is normal to that was unexpected and were able to help for the if you are going _ were able to help for the if you are going to _ were able to help for the if you are going to see any of the policy changes— going to see any of the policy changes that we have heard about from during his next couple of months — months. those that take the months. — those that take the coalition quite fragile and fractures if he doesn't yield to some of this demand is? not really. netanyahu has managed to maintain _ not really. netanyahu has managed to maintain the coalition is over 12 years— maintain the coalition is over 12 years or— maintain the coalition is over 12 years or more different mixes to get the policies — years or more different mixes to get the policies passed that he wanted to see _ the policies passed that he wanted to see cast. i think from the policies _ to see cast. i think from the policies passed wanted to see cast. it is, _ policies passed wanted to see cast. it is, there — policies passed wanted to see cast. it is, there is a lot of discussion around — it is, there is a lot of discussion around changing things in the

occupied _ around changing things in the occupied territories with settlements, but i don't you will see any— settlements, but i don't you will see any ground—breaking changes happen— see any ground—breaking changes happen over the next year or so of this _ happen over the next year or so of this that— happen over the next year or so of this. that doesn't make it further. they— this. that doesn't make it further. they will— this. that doesn't make it further. they will stay together. what this. that doesn't make it further. they will stay together.— this. that doesn't make it further. they will stay together. what is the wider reaction _ they will stay together. what is the wider reaction is _ they will stay together. what is the wider reaction is the _ they will stay together. what is the wider reaction is the palestinians i wider reaction is the palestinians to this same that is a different question. is that this covenant. as is a lot of the western world. especially because it is an unknown entity. this capitaljust zionism party has not been in parliament before. they have a very stable background of making racist and anti—arab comments that they will probably not impact the policy. the palestinians are nervous and likely leveraged the fact that they have this sense of right religious government in order to get their messages across in the united nations, in order to change the storyline. in reality, as we have seen, over the past 12 years, barring this one here and i have,

and has maintained the status quo and has maintained the status quo and not moved forward on any kind of peace agreement, but also not taken away a palestinian state or made any changes to the status quo as it stands. if you are in the northern hemisphere, the nights were getting shorter, and of course, it was the shortest day here yesterday. to celebrate what is known as the winter solstice, hundreds of people took part in a parade in canada's largest city toronto. the tradition has gone on for more than 30 years but has been on hold since 2019 because of the pandemic. all those who dressed up enjoyed a bit of live music and a fire breathing show. just before we go, i want to bring you some pictures from argentina, where three big headed turtles have been released back into the sea. the animals were rescued from a fishing net two weeks ago and have undergone blood tests to make sure they're healthy. the big headed turtles are endangered because they're hunted for their meat and captured to be sold as pets. that's so these three remain free. off they go. this is the last os, but before the

end of the year, but bbc news continues. packed with the headlines in the next couple of days. i am also on twitter. thanks for the winners. hello again. another band of rain heading into the south—west tonight. that will move northwards through tomorrow and into christmas eve. this thick cloud has been moving through england and wales, bringing some rain, but this is the next feature arriving in from the atlantic. there is the rain that will move its way into the south—west later. ahead of it still a lot of cloud for england and wales, where we get the breaks they could be some mist and fog patches and we keep some more showers coming in scotland. they may be a little bit wintry over the hills and with temperatures close to freezing there could be some icy patches as well. a milder night, though, as you head further south into that rain in the south—west. that quickly moves into wales, the south—east of england during tomorrow morning,

through the midlands and then into northern england, northern ireland mainly through the afternoon. following on from that, we get some sunshine, blustery wind and a few sharp showers in the south—west later. this is what we got the milder air, damages in double figures. to the north of our band rained its going to be a cold day in scotland with a lot of cloud and if you shower is continuing as well. this band of rain is on that weather front, that continues northward overnight into christmas eve. it's moving into that cold air in scotland so they could be some snow, particularly over the hills to the north of the central belt, a couple of centimetres perhaps here and there. then that wintry weather moves northwards and away from much of mainland scotland, following that we are going to find some showers towards the west in particular, many parts of the midlands, eastern england, likely to be drivers and sunshine, this is where it's milder, temperatures of 11—12 . the winds are going to be picking up on christmas eve with some strongest winds through the irish sea. it is a southerly wind which is pushing milder air across the whole of the country in time for christmas day. if you are heading out for a walk, eastern parts of the uk, probably staying dry. showers continue to the west, some of them heavy, particularly in the north—west.

maybe not quite as windy here on sunday, christmas day, but mild everywhere. that milder air is putting into scotland, 9 degrees in the central belt, 12 for parts of england and wales. to the north—west there are some cold air which may arrive in time to give us the chance of a white christmas across the far north—west of scotland after dark. wintry showers coming in here with a north—westerly wind sweeping down colder air for boxing day with wintry showers across northern parts of the uk, that cold air won't last too long, it gets milder again as we head into tuesday.

now on bbc news it's time for review 2022. it has been a year where we've lost some of the world's biggest names. stars like meatloaf, sporting icons such as shane warne and actors including robbie coltraine and angela la nsbury. and of course her majesty the queen — who died in september. for the next half an hour on bbc news, "we remember": #like a bat out of hell # i'll be gone when the morning comes # oh, when the night is over # like a bat out of hell # i'll be gone, gone, gone