this is bbc news — welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. i'm geeta guru—murthy and these are the latest headlines... three people have been shot dead at a kurdish community centre in paris. police are investigating whether it was a racist attack and have arrested a 69—year—old man. it isa it is a terrible tragedy for all of us as well as for the kurdish community which seems to have been the target. the us braces for its coldest christmas in four decades as a storm sweeps across the country, with temperatures dropping to minus 45 degrees celsius in some places. the head of the union representing striking border force staff in the uk says walkouts could go on for six months unless the government enters talks about pay. arrests continue in afghanistan as protests persist

against the new ban by the taliban on women and girls attending universities. tuesday's late—night announcement has triggered international outrage. george cohen, who was part of england's 1966 world cup—winning team, has died aged 83. three people have been shot dead by a man who opened fire on a street in central paris. it happened outside a kurdish community centre. police are looking into the possibility that it was a racist attack and have arrested a 69—year—old man. these are the latest pictures coming to us live from paris, an area with a diverse population, quite the

garden know, one man witnessed the aftermath of the shooting. translation: we aftermath of the shooting. translation:— aftermath of the shooting. translation: ~ ., ~ translation: we were walking in the street and we — translation: we were walking in the street and we had _ translation: we were walking in the street and we had gunshot, _ translation: we were walking in the street and we had gunshot, we - translation: we were walking in the street and we had gunshot, we turned| street and we had gunshot, we turned around and saw people running left and right and then fibre six minutes later because we know the people who work at the hair salon, we went into the salon and we saw that they had arrested a gang, an old man, elderly, tall, there were three injured people. iwas elderly, tall, there were three injured people. i was the one who called the fire department. i was the one who called the police to say that they were windy people. the local mayor _ that they were windy people. the local mayor has spoken to reporters at the scene, the police have sealed off surrounding roads. translation: this neighbourhood in the area is very multicultural and has for many years— very multicultural and has for many years welcomed people from different communities. it is a terrible tragedy— communities. it is a terrible tragedy for all of us, as well as for the — tragedy for all of us, as well as for the kurdish community which seems _ for the kurdish community which seems to— for the kurdish community which seems to have been the killer punch apparent _ seems to have been the killer punch apparent target. for the time being we don't _ apparent target. for the time being we don't have any particular information on the motives of the

author_ information on the motives of the author of— information on the motives of the author of this deed. —— killer's apparent — author of this deed. —— killer's apparent target. our author of this deed. -- killer's a- arent tarret. , . apparent target. our correspondence ave us apparent target. our correspondence gave us this _ apparent target. our correspondence gave us this update. _ apparent target. our correspondence gave us this update. it _ apparent target. our correspondence gave us this update. it was _ apparent target. our correspondence gave us this update. it was over - gave us this update. it was over re gave us this update. it was over pretty quickly. _ gave us this update. it was over pretty quickly, some _ gave us this update. it was over pretty quickly, some shooting i gave us this update. it was over| pretty quickly, some shooting on gave us this update. it was over i pretty quickly, some shooting on a street by a man, sickly nine years old, caucasian —looking, drew out a handgun and started firing —— 69. not clear when he was overcome by local people or please, we're told that he is now in hospital being treated, he sustained some light injuries during the arrest or when he was being overpowered. the victims are three dead and one seriously injured and a couple likely injured. the latest coming across the baseline about possible racist motive, at first everyone was thinking it was that it took place near this kerry centre, near where a lot of kurds or indian people living around their —— kurdish centre, the name has not been given out, he is known to police because you'll ago

he was the man with a sword who slashed tenth and shouted racist slogans and also attacked with the sword people at a migrant centre, largely with sudanese people in central paris. he is facing charges in connection with that, we don't know why he is out had not in prison, may be out on parole, no reason why he should necessarily be in prison, but apparently he is facing charges in connection with that affair, which gives a new colour to this affair. just that affair, which gives a new colour to this affair.— that affair, which gives a new colour to this affair. just tell us a bit more _ colour to this affair. just tell us a bit more about _ colour to this affair. just tell us a bit more about which - colour to this affair. just tell us a bit more about which part - colour to this affair. just tell us a bit more about which part ofl colour to this affair. just tell us - a bit more about which part of paris faces and how busy and have been, just before christmas, some people will be away but some people will be out and about. it is will be away but some people will be out and about-— out and about. it is not far from strasbourg-saint _ out and about. it is not far from strasbourg-saint denis - out and about. it is not far from strasbourg-saint denis metro l strasbourg—saint denis metro station, it is in an area which is quite heavy in green areas, also fashionable and trendy, quite a

narrow street, lots of shops on it, this history in the area of a connection with the kurdish and turkish community, a lot of restaurants around, but also a lot of indian restaurants, not exactly on the tourist trail but a lot of people go there to eat ethnic food. it is not clear why the man, if indeed he was motivated by racist motivations, it ended up choosing here except it is an area well—known for having a lot of people with these different background living. a fierce arctic winter storm has triggered emergency alerts across large parts of the united states, and forced the cancellation of more than two—thousand flights. forecasters say the cold snap could bring the coldest christmas in decades — with wind blasts taking it even as low as minus 55 celsius in places. presidentjoe biden has encouraged everyone to heed warnings and bring forward christmas travel plans where possible.

our north america correspondent peter bowes reports. next our weat next her presenter darren bett is here, and this type or cold — what does this level of cold do to you? it is not just it is notjust the us, it is also canada, at the moment thereof in 200 million people no in the us, 60% of the country under winters severe weather warnings rare the country under winters severe weather warnings— weather warnings we have been followin: weather warnings we have been following this _ weather warnings we have been following this the _ weather warnings we have been following this the last _ weather warnings we have been following this the last couple i weather warnings we have been following this the last couple of| following this the last couple of days, take it back to wednesday, northern part of the us, in wyoming we saw temperatures in four hours drop 25 degrees. it is a staggering drop 25 degrees. it is a staggering drop in temperature because it is really cold air being dragged down from the arctic, now reaching the deep south, florida is welcomer colder air, we have seen power outages in texas and also georgia. it is being dragged down by the steep storm, this winter storm, a

bomb cyclone, essentially the pressure dropping very quickly in a short space of time. that has dragged down this desperately cold air, also brought strong winds as well, particularly dangerous. multiple hazards across north america over the next couple of days. america over the next couple of da s. ~ ., ., america over the next couple of da 5. . . ., , america over the next couple of das. ., , , days. what do these temperatures actually feel _ days. what do these temperatures actually feel like, _ days. what do these temperatures actually feel like, what _ days. what do these temperatures actually feel like, what do - days. what do these temperatures actually feel like, what do they - days. what do these temperatures | actually feel like, what do they do? i have never been in —40, let alone anything colder, i was talking to a colleague who has been a —40, and it hurts. difficult to breathe. some people who will be travelling, this is a busy time, may not be get up for this weather at all. the advice is not to travel if you possibly can make sure you're well prepared for this. because with it being so called, and such a significant wind chill around that deep blue, now across eastern parts of canada, a lot of snow here, you are seeing also a significant wind—chill, no

matter of minutes you can have frostbite. don't go out, it is not a case of wrapping up warm but best to not go out if at all possible, but the waste will be with travel and the waste will be with travel and the worst of the cold and snow will be on the eastern side —— the worst will be, things will get better after christmas. fiur will be, things will get better after christmas.— will be, things will get better after christmas. ., ~ . ., after christmas. our north america correspondence _ after christmas. our north america correspondence is _ after christmas. our north america correspondence is in _ after christmas. our north america correspondence is in washington i after christmas. our north america | correspondence is in washington for us. what are they facing where you are? what is the expectation about how it will hit washington? at are? what is the expectation about how it will hit washington?- how it will hit washington? at the moment here _ how it will hit washington? at the moment here it _ how it will hit washington? at the moment here it is _ how it will hit washington? at the moment here it is pretty - how it will hit washington? at the moment here it is pretty cold, i how it will hit washington? at the moment here it is pretty cold, 6 l moment here it is pretty cold, 6 degrees, the temperature is forecast to drop by a huge amount later today, as low as —11 celsius. just today, as low as —11 celsius. just to add to what darren said, the warning is for millions of americans who are under weather alerts is to only travel if it is essential, but of course christmas weekend starts

from tomorrow, so people are trying to work out exactly what they do next, given all these warnings. president biden himself has said this isn't like when you are cared and this is no day at school, this is really serious. —— you are a kid. the us media and weather experts have been using the term bomb cyclone in abundance, and when that cyclone in abundance, and when that cyclone does make its way down the east coast, to other parts of america, it will bring real life threatening crippling conditions, heavy, intense now, brutalwind, temperatures could drop as low as -45 temperatures could drop as low as —45 although i have heard other reports that said they could go as low as —57. we have christmas around the corner, all calm —— all coming at a bad time, lots of americans hoping to get away after last year

with the pandemic, which upended people's travel plans, but those weather alerts are still in place for millions of americans around about 135 million americans under those weather alerts, and to let you know as well, hundreds of thousands of people across the us have been hit by blackouts, the worst hit state so far as connecticut, which has more than 100,000 power outages at the moment. has more than 100,000 power outages at the moment-— across the uk, several work sectors are being hit by strike action in the run up to christmas — including rail, trains and post. we'll get more on the disruption to air travel shortly but first a planned strike by ambulance workers across large parts of england and all of wales next wednesday has been postponed. the industrial action over pay and staffing pressures was due to involve up to 10,000 members of the gmb union, instead they'll walk out on the 11th of january. the gmb said the suspension was to allow the public to "enjoy christmas without additional anxiety". meanwhile another walkout over pay has been announced

by the royal college of nursing. the strike will affect 55 nhs trusts across england on january the 18th and 19th. there will be some relief over the andaman strikes because that is absolutely critical care, it is not happening over the christmas holiday period. teri happening over the christmas holiday eriod. , ., ., , happening over the christmas holiday eriod. , . ., , ., period. yes we had a first day of ancilin period. yes we had a first day of angling strikes _ period. yes we had a first day of angling strikes earlier _ period. yes we had a first day of angling strikes earlier this i period. yes we had a first day of| angling strikes earlier this week, there had been concern about the second day as it runs in that period, next wednesday between christmas and new year when traditionally the health service is very busy, cold weather, people celebrating and drinking, some relief from the health service that thatis relief from the health service that that is not going ahead, nhs leaders talk about how there is a sign of relief coming from both patients and staff. the bad news from the health service's point of view is the strike hasn't been scrapped, it has been pushed back to january the 11. it is bound rather than stop. it concerns from the ambulance unit about pay and job conditions, they say the strike will go ahead unless there is a breakthrough in pay talks with the government. haifa there is a breakthrough in pay talks with the government.— there is a breakthrough in pay talks with the government. how much more disru tion with the government. how much more disruption are — with the government. how much more disruption are we _ with the government. how much more disruption are we going _ with the government. how much more disruption are we going to _ with the government. how much more disruption are we going to cen - disruption are we going to cen january? fist disruption are we going to cen janua ? �* ., ., , january? at the moment quite a bit, ou have

january? at the moment quite a bit, you have got — january? at the moment quite a bit, you have got at _ january? at the moment quite a bit, you have got at least _ january? at the moment quite a bit, you have got at least two _ january? at the moment quite a bit, you have got at least two days i january? at the moment quite a bit, you have got at least two days of. you have got at least two days of strikes by different unions representing ambulance workers, then you have the nurses strike, every last couple of weeks we had to nurse strikes in england, wales and northern ireland, now looking like another two days in england on the 18th and 19th, consecutive days, could be a lot of disruption involved. in scotland, which hasn't seen a nurses strike so far, real size there will be a walk—out at the beginning ofjanuary, unless size there will be a walk—out at the beginning of january, unless there beginning ofjanuary, unless there is some compromise from the scottish government, the royal college of nursing has rejected another author recently. trio nursing has re'ected another author recentl . ., , ., nursing has re'ected another author recentl. ., ., , ., recently. no sign of any movement from the government _ recently. no sign of any movement from the government at _ recently. no sign of any movement from the government at the i recently. no sign of any movement i from the government at the moment? health is a devolved subject, a devolved power in the uk, so a lot of it comes down to the uk government to london, summer is devolved to different regions, at the moment and looking like a no compromise from the uk government or from the unions on the other side, the uk government has said pay in the uk government has said pay in the nhs is set by an independent pay

review body, they are not going to review body, they are not going to review last yea r�*s review body, they are not going to review last year's pay award,. since july review last year's pay award,. since july inflation has risen and one of the arguments used by the unions is that it the arguments used by the unions is thatitis the arguments used by the unions is that it is not entirely independent anyway, so unless you see some kind of compromise from either side and looks like the strikes planned in january are likely to go ahead. thank you. now to afghanistan where security forces have arrested several women as protests continue against the new ban by the taliban on women attending universities. social media is awash with videos showing women protesting in kabul. the taliban have since stopped the protests and have arrested at least five women. the activist and nobel peace laureate malala yousafzai, has been speaking to cbs mornings about this. iam i am devastated, but i'm

not shocked, girls have been paraded from secondary schools for the last one and a half years. we have been doing our advocacy, calling for a response from world leaders that they must take it seriously because we always feared it would get worse, which is happening right now. this is two decades of progress that women in afghanistan fought for, it was their activism that made it possible for them to get access to education, to get jobs, to be part of the parliament, to be part of everyday public life. and suddenly their public life is taken from them, women are raised. —— erased. is it safe for you to speak out on the issue?— the issue? you mention the five actaviss picked _ the issue? you mention the five actaviss picked up, _ the issue? you mention the five actaviss picked up, our- the issue? you mention the five actaviss picked up, our friends i

the issue? you mention the five i actaviss picked up, our friends are actaviss picked up, ourfriends are being picked up left right and centre, death threats are going out and there is barely any room to speak up, but we know the costs associated and this is a fight that we have to fight, we wish it hadn't gotten down to this but we will keep doing what we can do. what gotten down to this but we will keep doing what we can do.— doing what we can do. what exactly are ou doing what we can do. what exactly are you seeing _ doing what we can do. what exactly are you seeing happen? _ doing what we can do. what exactly are you seeing happen? what i doing what we can do. what exactly are you seeing happen? what will. doing what we can do. what exactlyl are you seeing happen? what will be the effect of this band? first are you seeing happen? what will be the effect of this band?— the effect of this band? first off, i mean, the effect of this band? first off, i mean. the _ the effect of this band? first off, i mean, the taliban _ the effect of this band? first off, i mean, the taliban are - the effect of this band? first off, i mean, the taliban are so i i mean, the taliban are so nonchalant with regards to the sentiments of the nation, they passed a decree that sent shock waves across the country and across the world, and it took the minister of higher education 48 hours to come on national tv and give the reasoning for this band, they gave four reasons, all of which are farcical. they are ridiculous, they told us that women were not observing the dress code that universities were not segregated enough, that women were staying in hostels, how do they expect girls to

go to universities away from their home towns if they cannot stay at hostels? why are all the women being punished for the dress code, nonobservance of a specific view? how do they expect universities to build extra buildings when they had already divided the days amongst both genders when classes in most universities were already divided? these are nonsensical excuses, which also show us that this isn't temporary, when they are is no tangible measure for when these issues can be resolved, aikman is that these are permanent bans. what that these are permanent bans. what should the international committee do? the taliban has backing from other nations, historically it is founded by pakistan, according to many allies globally around the world, and what international pressures should be brought to bear on this question?— on this question? everyone is responsible. _ on this question? everyone is responsible, everyone i on this question? everyone is responsible, everyone who i on this question? everyone is i responsible, everyone who signed that cap in order to ban these girls

from university is responsible, everyone who sponsored the taliban are responsible, everyone who signed peace deals with the taliban are responsible. but this is a fight, it is time the world realise they cannot solve our problems for us, listen to us, listen to those who are risking their lives day and night, trying to make a difference. we are discussing campaigns, discussing paths forward, we have started a movement of all or nothing, the idea is that when the winter break ends, part of us are thinking that we can mobilise a large population of those who provide education to boycott if they do not allow the girls, the men will not show up, we want to consider the utility of such an action is to weather that would further enable the teller ban or get them to change policies. at the end of the day those who promised us education within the taliban have let us down

and it is theirjob to come forward and it is theirjob to come forward and to make a difference, and we will keep calling for our rights, standing for our rights, despite the hopelessness of it all, we have to stay calm, stay rational, because it is not about me, not about a specific group, it is about the future of this country, and we will not let it be dark.— not let it be dark. have you been arrested or— not let it be dark. have you been arrested or picked _ not let it be dark. have you been arrested or picked up _ not let it be dark. have you been arrested or picked up as - not let it be dark. have you been arrested or picked up as a i not let it be dark. have you been arrested or picked up as a result| not let it be dark. have you been l arrested or picked up as a result of what you have been saying? i know —— are you worried about your safety? parts of us still have booties, incidents, we have already faced, —— still have bruises. whenever we are criticised or threatened, we remember the causes greater than us, we have already sacrificed thousands of lives over the decades to get what we want. this generation will be the first that refuses to roll down the barrel to a future generation. we might not win this

battle but we will go down swinging, we will be able to look our future generations in the inc we tried, we give it our all, and we will keep doing what we need to do, even if the taliban refuses. i’m doing what we need to do, even if the taliban refuses.— the taliban refuses. i'm sure we will keep in _ the taliban refuses. i'm sure we will keep in touch, _ the taliban refuses. i'm sure we will keep in touch, thank i the taliban refuses. i'm sure we will keep in touch, thank you. i sad news from the world of football, the england world cup winner george cohen has died, he played in every goal of a good's successful campaign and was vice captain in the famous 4-2 and was vice captain in the famous 4—2 victory over west germany in 1966. he spent his entire club career with fulham manners was awarded an mbe in the 2000. the england all—rounder was bought by the punjab kings for approximately

£i.9 the punjab kings for approximately £1.9 million while england team—mates harry brooke became the first million ardc�*s auction when he was brought for nearly £1.3 million by the sun rises hyderabad. australian big batch cricket side sydney thunder have cancelled the contract of puzzle hack for rookie over behaviour which they say sits outside their values. it follows a complaint about the 22—year—old afghanistan fast bowler last week which was referred to cricket australia for investigation. he has 17 international g20 caps and signed a nine—game deal with the thunder after impressing in last month's world cup in australia. india have the edge after the second their second test against bangladesh, bangladesh closed on seven without loss in their second innings, still 80 runs behind, india were built out early for 314. after becoming a dad and missing their series win in pakistan, stewart broad is back in the england test

side for the tour of new zealand in february. matthew potts and 0lly stone are also included, but reasonably for mark wood who will take a break from all cricket in january, he is expected to tour bangladesh in march. despite that impressive debut against pakistan, 18—year—old rhiannon ahmed is also not in the squad as he will play in the tournament in the uae is part of his continued develop meant. english's women have hammered the west indies again, bowling them out for 23 and, it was their lowest g20 score, they have lost the series 5—0 following their 3—0 defeat. fresh from winning their first world cup in almost 40 years, argentina's football squad have been honoured in winners varies with their very own mural. at his maximiliano pereira glasgow has been putting the finishing touches to his artwork on a street corner, with the captain lee and all messy front and centre,

holding the trophy. —— lionel messi. breaking news, the governing body for world snooker has suspended chinese player from competing with immediate effect, he becomes the eighth chinese player to be suspended as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of match fixing, more and that has beget it, that is obvious but for now. let's return to the strike action in the uk as passengers using some of the uk's busiest airports have been told to expect delays at passport control as staff begin eight days of strikes. around 1000 staff at six airports, including heathrow and gatwick, and the port of new haven, are taking action over pay, pensions and job security. simon calderjoins me. our passengers being affected at the moment? i passengers being affected at the moment? ., , passengers being affected at the moment? . , ., , ,., , moment? i have been absolutely amazed, moment? i have been absolutely amazed. i _ moment? i have been absolutely amazed, i have _ moment? i have been absolutely amazed, i have spent _ moment? i have been absolutely amazed, i have spent the - moment? i have been absolutely amazed, i have spent the last i moment? i have been absolutelyj amazed, i have spent the last six moment? i have been absolutely i amazed, i have spent the last six to seven hours here, i was here from very early, to catch the first wave

of arrivals at the uk's second busiest airport, it looks like the opening scene of the film love actually, lots of hugs and smiles, no disruption. i have talked to dozens of passengers, they generally report the same thing, very smooth, the only surprise is that you have got members of the armed forces, the navy, air force, checking their passports rather than members of the uk borderforce. that is passports rather than members of the uk border force. that is actually being repeated right across the uk, at heathrow airport, manchester, glasgow, birmingham, cardiff. things going much more smoothly here in the uk, despite warnings by the biggest budget airline easyjet of two hour delays, it is the busiest day of the winter for many of these airports and they seem to be getting through it quite successfully. trio

and they seem to be getting through it quite successfully.— it quite successfully. no impact on departures? _ it quite successfully. no impact on departures? obviously _ it quite successfully. no impact on departures? obviously a _ it quite successfully. no impact on departures? obviously a lot i it quite successfully. no impact on departures? obviously a lot of- departures? obviously a lot of people are hoping to escape after christmas. ., ., , , christmas. no, absolutely there were concerns, christmas. no, absolutely there were concerns. that _ christmas. no, absolutely there were concerns, that the _ christmas. no, absolutely there were concerns, that the effect _ christmas. no, absolutely there were concerns, that the effect of _ christmas. no, absolutely there were concerns, that the effect of this i concerns, that the effect of this would be as follows, that people would be as follows, that people would be as follows, that people would be kept on planes because the crowds built up in arrivals, that most certainly hasn't happened, they tell me, i've spoken to executives, they say isn't going to happen, they have plenty of room here. the fear was that could actually lead to departure delays and possibly even cancellations. that simply hasn't materialised. but the big problem for anybody getting off a plane here and going to the airport or railway station, it is catching a train, because this massive disruption in the uk, one of the train companies that goes to here has cancelled 55 services today, there will be huge problems tomorrow with a national rail strike beginning at 6pm local

time which is actually going to mean some last trains leave before eight in the morning.— some last trains leave before eight in the morning. quickly, the us, we are seeini in the morning. quickly, the us, we are seeing 3000 _ in the morning. quickly, the us, we are seeing 3000 flights _ in the morning. quickly, the us, we are seeing 3000 flights cancelled, i are seeing 3000 flights cancelled, how is that affecting things? i am how is that affecting things? i am 'ust how is that affecting things? i am just looking _ how is that affecting things? i am just looking at — how is that affecting things? i am just looking at the _ how is that affecting things? i—h just looking at the departures board for chicago, over400 just looking at the departures board for chicago, over 400 flights cancelled at 0'hare airport, 150 at midway airport, really tough, arrivals from overseers mostly are getting in. arrivals from europe, there is a cancellation from tokyo today but otherwise you can get there, you just can't get a connecting flight anywhere. a special call—out for the poor people on qantas flight one, from sydney to london, they are currently in baku in azerbaijan, beside the caspian sea, they had a technical division, looks like they might not get to london until christmas day at the earliest. _,, ,

london until christmas day at the earliest. , , . ., earliest. gosh, very difficult for all of them. — earliest. gosh, very difficult for all of them, thank _ earliest. gosh, very difficult for all of them, thank you. - earliest. gosh, very difficult for all of them, thank you. much i earliest. gosh, very difficult for i all of them, thank you. much more online, i am on twitter. goodbye for now. continuing to follow our band of cloud and rain across northern england, northern ireland and into the cold air in bringing in some quite steady and heavy rain this evening weather moves into the cold air, not only will we see rain, we will also see sleet and snow falling, mainly over the hills to the north of the central belt, central centimetres by christmas eve morning. things killed in scotland, not desperately cold, further south it will be milder, even with those

clearer skies, it will be milder, even with those clearerskies, blustery it will be milder, even with those clearer skies, blustery winds on the way in the south—west at the promise of some sunshine. first of all we have the wintry mix of rain, sleet and hill snow in northern scotland, pushing away, bantam showers sweeping across northern ireland, pushing into scotland and affecting the western part of england and wales. midlands, wales, a dry day with some sunshine, temperature double figures, but the milder air following the band of wet weather across scotland, captures eight or nine celsius. southerly winds freshening, milderair nine celsius. southerly winds freshening, milder air pushing north, christmas day the cold air is moving down from the north—west 0lympic quicker. some changes in the forecast for christmas day, likely to find more cloud, rain developing across western areas, across the south as well further north sunshine, wind introducing colder air, a greater chance of seeing street and snow showers in the north—west of scotland, to the south is distal mile. that colder air and

waste to north—westerly wind coming into scotland will sweep down across the whole of the country in time for boxing day. that will mean more widespread wintry showers across scotland, northern ireland, coming into north—west england, perhaps north wales, most of the snow over the hills, some travel disruption ever higher roots in the north—west of scotland, fewer shallow south—west, more sunshine but for all edible feel colder in the wind on monday. the wind direction changes, cold are not lasting, from monday into tuesday we changed to a west to south—westerly wind, lifting the temperatures again, bringing more rain.

this is bbc news. i'm geeta guru—murthy and these are the headlines: three people have been shot dead at a kurdish community centre in paris. police are investigating whether it was a racist attack and have arrested a 69—year—old man. the us braces for its coldest christmas in four decades as a major storm sweeps across the country with temperatures plummeting to minus 45 degrees celsius in some places. the head of the union representing striking border force staff in the uk says walkouts could go on for six months unless the government enters talks about pay. protestors in afghanistan are arrested after making a stand against the taliban's latest prohibition on women and girls attending universities. tuesday's late—night announcement

has triggered international outrage.