died this is bbc news — welcome to our viewers in the uk and around the world. i'm christian fraser. our top stories... an arctic blast is gripping much of the united states and canada. tens of millions of people are facing blizzards and cancelled travel plans at the start of the christmas holidays. here in the uk the railways have come to a standstill earlier than usual this chrismas, after another walk—out over pay and conditions. there have been violent protests in paris after a racist attack yesterday at a kurdish cultural centre in which three people were murdered. the taliban have further tightened the restrictions on women in afghanistan, banning them from working for the ngos, just days after they were banned from studying at university.

hello and welcome to bbc news. tens of millions of people in the united states are in the grip of a major winter storm, with blizzards and record low temperatures sweeping the country. around 60% of the us population is currently under a weather warning, on one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. the storm extends from quebec to texas. the us state of montana registered a record—breaking low of —45 celsius. the authorities say at least 19 people have been killed so far. sancha berg reports. a blinding snowstorm in buffalo. this is what zero visibility looks like. driving was banned. no planes could land or take off. this northern part of new york state has been hit hard by the bomb

cyclone, an enormous winter storm. while further south, there have been floods. we have had ice, flooding, snow, freezing temperatures and everything that mother nature could wallop us with this weekend. the storm had already swept across the country forcing traffic off the road, bringing down power lines, with temperatures so low, getting stranded can be life—threatening, as residents of midwestern states know well. don't travel under these conditions unless you have to. because anything can happen at any moment and you've got to be on your toes. this is a time of year when many people usually head home for christmas. but with the storm stretching 2,000 miles, many flights were cancelled or delayed. people needed determination and luck to make it. our whole airport is shut down

so we drove to omaha, nebraska and got on a flight there, then dc. delayed in dc, and now we're here. the snow storms are forecast to ease in the next few hours, but the dangerously cold temperatures are expected to last the weekend. many people are reluctantly giving up their plans for the first family christmas since the covid pandemic began. sancha berg, bbc news. let's stay with the us weatherfor a moment. the one person taking social media by, well, storm is mark woodley. he's a sports reporter for a tv station in iowa, but last night was sent out at short notice to report on just how cold it was — and he wasn't that happy about it. let's see what happened. mark, how are you feeling out there? again, the same way i felt about eight minutes ago, when you asked me that same question. i normally do sports. everything is cancelled here for the next couple of days. so what better time to ask

the sports guy to come in about five hours earlier than he would normally wake up, go stand out in the wind and the snow and the cold, and tell other people not to do the same? i didn't even realise that there was a 3:30 also in the morning until today. definitely fantastic. i'm used to these evening shows that are only 30 minutes long and generally on those shows i'm inside, so this is a really long show, tune in for the next couple of hours to watch me progressively get crankier and crankier. how do i get that storm chaser 7 duty? i feel like clint got the better end of that deal. that thing is heated. the outdoors currently is not heated. well, i'll tell you what, ryan, i've got good news and bad news. the good news is that i can still feel my face right now. the bad news is, i kind of wish i couldn't. can i go back to my regularjob?

i'm pretty sure you guys added an extra hour to this showjust because somebody likes torturing me, because compared to two and a half hours ago, it is just getting colder and colder. live in waterloo, for the last time this morning, thankfully, i'm mark woodley, news 7, kwwl. i'm pleased to say markjoins us now. and he's indoors and has thawed out, good news. welcome to the programme. there are desk reporters around the world who salute you, who wanted to go that direction on their outside reports. what would you normally do on a friday evening? i’m reports. what would you normally do on a friday evening?— on a friday evening? i'm a sports re orter, on a friday evening? i'm a sports reporter. so _ on a friday evening? i'm a sports reporter, so that _ on a friday evening? i'm a sports reporter, so that was _ on a friday evening? i'm a sports reporter, so that was actually - on a friday evening? i'm a sportsj reporter, so that was actually the morning show, from 4.30 until 8am. normally i get up at seven or eight in the morning, and i don't go to work until 3pm and i leave work at 11, so i was on about two and a half

hours of sleep and i don't do weather, i do sport as you can probably tell. weather, i do sport as you can probably tell-— weather, i do sport as you can probably tell. weather, i do sport as you can robabl tell. ~ , ., ., probably tell. when you got the call to do the weather, _ probably tell. when you got the call to do the weather, did _ probably tell. when you got the call to do the weather, did they - probably tell. when you got the call to do the weather, did they tell - probably tell. when you got the call to do the weather, did they tell you | to do the weather, did they tell you that you would be standing outside through the early hours of the morning? through the early hours of the mornin: ? ., , ., , .,, morning? no, they did not. this was on thursday — morning? no, they did not. this was on thursday morning. _ morning? no, they did not. this was on thursday morning. i _ morning? no, they did not. this was on thursday morning. i got - morning? no, they did not. this was on thursday morning. i got called i morning? no, they did not. this was on thursday morning. i got called on tuesday and knew i would be doing weather on thursday and possibly friday because all the sports around here has been cancelled. i got called on tuesday and i knew i would do those two days. i didn't know i would do the morning show until wednesday afternoon so had no opportunity to adjust my sleep schedule. ifound later opportunity to adjust my sleep schedule. i found later that opportunity to adjust my sleep schedule. ifound later that night that i would be standing out in temperatures close to —40 degrees. i looked it up from celsius to fahrenheit and at —40 it is the same. fahrenheit and at -40 it is the same. ., , fahrenheit and at -40 it is the same. . ,, ., _ fahrenheit and at -40 it is the same. . ,, ., ., same. that is seriously cold. how did ou same. that is seriously cold. how did you keep _ same. that is seriously cold. how did you keep warm _ same. that is seriously cold. how did you keep warm in _ same. that is seriously cold. how did you keep warm in between? l same. that is seriously cold. how - did you keep warm in between? that's one thin , did you keep warm in between? that's one thing. i— did you keep warm in between? that's

one thing. lwas— did you keep warm in between? that's one thing, i was about _ did you keep warm in between? that's one thing, i was about 30 _ did you keep warm in between? that's one thing, i was about 30 feet - did you keep warm in between? triat�*s one thing, i was about 30 feet away from our studio. one thing, i was about 30 feet away from ourstudio. i one thing, i was about 30 feet away from our studio. i was outside 14 times in that three and a half hours, and i was outside for about six minutes and then go back in to try to thaw out. i didn't generally completely thaw out in ten minutes before going back out for six minutes and that was my life for three hours. i was never in complete danger, i was always near somewhere to get warm for a few minutes. and to get warm for a few minutes. and are ou to get warm for a few minutes. and are you still — to get warm for a few minutes. and are you still employed? i _ to get warm for a few minutes. and are you still employed? i have - to get warm for a few minutes. and j are you still employed? i have been asked that a — are you still employed? i have been asked that a few _ are you still employed? i have been asked that a few times. _ are you still employed? i have been asked that a few times. yes, - are you still employed? i have been asked that a few times. yes, i - are you still employed? i have been asked that a few times. yes, i still. asked that a few times. yes, i still have a job. my general manager, i have a job. my general manager, i have known him 20 years. my news rep, i have known him a long time and they know my personality. what you're seeing is 90 seconds out of more than 20 minutes worth of reporting. it's like a bad comedy film and the trailer for it. you see all the funny parts in that 90 seconds. with your report a few minutes ago, this is a very

dangerous storm. people get hurt and killed, and i did take it seriously but you saw some of the funny clips that were in there along the way. the last time i looked there were 27 million views of that compilation. you are really well known and you could be a weather presenter anywhere in the world right now. it's amazing. 0ne anywhere in the world right now. it's amazing. one of my friends called it a domino effect. 0ne it's amazing. one of my friends called it a domino effect. one day it snows in iowa and the next mark woodley is on kim kardashian�*s social media. the most surreal 48 hours of my life. i have no idea how it happened. i was never going to put that clip on twitter. family and friends put it on my personal facebook page but my family and friends convinced me to put it on twitter. ifigured 20 or 30 people might see it. it twitter. i figured 20 or 30 people might see it— twitter. i figured 20 or 30 people miaht see it. .,, , might see it. it has been retweeted b josh might see it. it has been retweeted by josh gadd _ might see it. it has been retweeted by josh gadd who — might see it. it has been retweeted by josh gadd who was _ might see it. it has been retweeted by josh gadd who was in _ might see it. it has been retweeted by josh gadd who was in frozen - might see it. it has been retweeted by josh gadd who was in frozen as| byjosh gadd who was in frozen as the snowmen, 0laf. the

by josh gadd who was in frozen as the snowmen, olaf.— by josh gadd who was in frozen as the snowmen, olaf. the second olaf retweeted me. _ the snowmen, olaf. the second olaf retweeted me, dad _ the snowmen, olaf. the second olaf retweeted me, dad has— the snowmen, olaf. the second olaf retweeted me, dad has got - the snowmen, olaf. the second olaf retweeted me, dad has got some . retweeted me, dad has got some street cred with my kids.- street cred with my kids. really cool. before _ street cred with my kids. really cool. before you _ street cred with my kids. really cool. before you leave - street cred with my kids. really cool. before you leave us - street cred with my kids. really cool. before you leave us you . street cred with my kids. really - cool. before you leave us you better give a weather update since you are so good at it. the give a weather update since you are so good at it— so good at it. the weather indoors, where it is — so good at it. the weather indoors, where it is heated, _ so good at it. the weather indoors, where it is heated, but _ so good at it. the weather indoors, where it is heated, but it's - so good at it. the weather indoors, where it is heated, but it's still - where it is heated, but it's still not heated outside. it keeps getting colder. the wind chill is pushing at —40 again. i had a body visit me last night and he got his truck stuck in a snow drift in a valley so i have to go out in this a little bit to push him out. i'm not looking forward to it but once that's done i am in for the rest of the day. 5tick am in for the rest of the day. stick to the sport- _ am in for the rest of the day. stick to the sport. good _ am in for the rest of the day. stick to the sport. good to _ am in for the rest of the day. stick to the sport. good to see - am in for the rest of the day. stick to the sport. good to see you. am in for the rest of the day. stick. to the sport. good to see you. happy holida s, to the sport. good to see you. happy holidays. thank _ to the sport. good to see you. happy holidays, thank you. _ to the sport. good to see you. happy holidays, thank you. mark _ to the sport. good to see you. happy holidays, thank you. mark woodley l holidays, thank you. mark woodley re ortina holidays, thank you. mark woodley reporting from _ holidays, thank you. mark woodley reporting from iowa. _ here in the uk, most train services have finished for the day ahead of a walk out in a few hours' time

by the members of the rmt union. the industrial action will continue until the early hours of tuesday morning the 27th. noor nanji is at paddington station. christmas eve and the festive decor is up. but with another rail strike looming, passengers here are feeling anxious. these people are on their way to bristol to spend their first christmas with their family after years of covid disruption. we were quite lucky, we've booked for this morning anyway so i think hopefully we're going to get through without having to change our plans. but we were really anxious when we heard about the strikes, so we've been checking all week to make sure that the trains were not going to be cancelled and we'd be able to get there. across britain, people have had to change their plans. yesterday we went to the station in york, i don't think they were on strike yesterday but all the trains were cancelled. we'd booked two lots of tickets because we wanted to try and get earlier. an earlier train. and then we ended up paying £65 in a taxi to get here. we booked like 3pm train, it was cancelled so we booked for 9.45.

and this is the last train? yeah, this is the last train, we're still worried that it won't get cancelled. the walk—outs are part of a long—running dispute between rail bosses and unions about pay, conditions and job security. the rmt union has accused the government of blocking rail employers from making a deal. the department for transport rejected that, saying it has facilitated talks. network rail urged the union to think again. the rmt dispute and the industrial action and the strikes are having a really heavy impact, both on passengers, on their own members who are losing thousands of pounds and of course on the economy, which is losing millions and millions of pounds every time there is a strike and it's damaging the railway industry as well. christmas eve is also a big day for restaurants, cafes and bars as well as for last—minute shopping. losing shoppers on such a key trading day like christmas eve, you can't recover that spend. however much you want to, however long you stay open, shoppers want to buy on christmas eve and if they can't,

they'll buy elsewhere. so, some of that will be diverted to other businesses and destinations around the uk. but some of it will be lost for good and particularly in hospitality, where you have to be in the restaurant, in the cafe or the bar to spend the money. if you're not there, it is never spent. with many people avoiding the railways, some people have opted to travel by road instead. as for the railways, services won't resume until the morning of 27th december when many will be heading back home after christmas. noor naji, in paddington. widespread disruption on roads and railways. anisa kadri is at paddington station. the last passenger train has now left from paddington railway station for the day. it went off to reading just before 4pm this afternoon. we have met a few people here today who happened to miss their trains because they missed that last train. some of them said to me they felt

that because the strike action didn't start until 6pm, they thought they could arrive, you know, as long as they arrived just before 6pm, they'd be ok to get a train. they didn't realise that services today were expected to wind down as early as three in the afternoon. and the advice all day has been to check before you travel, and try to travel early, if you have to travel at all. all of this is part of a dispute with the government and the rail companies, disagreeing with the striking railway workers. those workers feel that pay offers coming their way are not keeping up with the rising cost of living. the government has described those pay deals as fair. it doesn't look like the different sides are going to come to an agreement any time soon with more strikes planned in the future. but what is clear is that today is a busy day for travel,

and it does feel like here a lot of people have heeded those warnings to travel as early as possible. i wouldn't say at any point in the day it has felt completely chaotic, but i'm sure there will be more people caught out by the strike action now that the last train has gone for the day. as for the roads, they are expected to be busier than usual because of the christmas getaway. and if you are having to now drive home for christmas perhaps because of the rail strike, well, yourjourney could be longer than usual. here in the uk, a four—year—old boy has died after a "serious medical incident" at a centre parcs resort in the south west. wiltshire police said officers had attended the leisure complex at longleat on the morning of christmas eve. police added the boy's death was not thought to be suspicious. there have been further disturbances in central paris after the murder yesterday of three members of the kurdish community in what police believe

was a racist attack. the man arrested was a retired train driver, who has been charged before with racist violence, after attacking a migrant camp in the city with a sword. these pictures are now a few hours old. but you'll see many of these protesters are holding photographs of the victims. they have been demanding tighter security. this morning president macron asked the city's police chief to meet with community leaders. 0ur correspondent hugh schofield has more. he was out of prison just a few days ago, having been held for exactly a year after this attack with a sword on a migrant camp of africans in paris. he got let out because of the slowness of the french judicial system, his lawyer said, and following the law, you've held my client for a year without trial, he has to come out now. and that is the law indeed. he had to come out because the trial had been constantly deferred.

but being back at large allows him to do what he did yesterday. at least ten people have been killed in south africa after a fuel tanker exploded. emergency services say the blast happened as fire crews were trying to extinguish a blaze caused by the tanker hitting a bridge. around 40 other people were injured in the incident in boksburg, a city to the east ofjohannesburg. maxi jazz, the lead singer of british dance band faithless, has died at the age of 65. his former bandmate sister bliss said he died "peacefully in his sleep" last night. faithless formed in 1995 and had a number of hits, including insomnia and we come 0ne. in afghanistan, the taliban have further tightened restrictions on women, banning them from working for local and international non—governmental organisations. the decision comes just days

after women were banned from studying at universities. i'm joined now by mahjooba nowrouzi from the bbc afghan service. thank you very much for being with us. tell us more about this, when was the news relayed to women in afghanistan?— was the news relayed to women in afghanistan? thank you for having me. as afghanistan? thank you for having me- as you _ afghanistan? thank you for having me. as you said, _ afghanistan? thank you for having me. as you said, today _ afghanistan? thank you for having me. as you said, today the - afghanistan? thank you for having | me. as you said, today the taliban government in afghanistan ordered all foreign and domestic non—governmental organisations to suspend employing women. this is the latest restrictive move by the taliban with regards women's rights and freedom. the order came in a letterfrom the economy and freedom. the order came in a letter from the economy minister which said that any ngo found not complying with the order will have their operating licence revoked. their ministry spokesman has

confirmed the content of the letter. he said the ban applies to all ngos who have a working licence under the ministry of economy in afghanistan and the un does not come under this ban. but un contracts have registered ngos to carry out humanitarian work in afghanistan, and also it is not clear if the order applies to all women, or only afghan women at the ngos, and this is something that needs to be clarified. so there are some technical questions regarding the ban that need to be answered. however, the reason the ministry has given is that they have received serious complaints about female staff working for ngos not wearing correct headscarves. it's notjust

about the hijab. i have to emphasise it's about the correct hijab, meaning they are either not covering their hair or their faces. earlier this week the taliban's ban on female students attending higher education triggered an international outcry. again, the taliban say that women have not been wearing appropriate islamic attire at universities. the interesting point is that they said they have been interacting with their male counterparts, so that's the reason they gave for the ban.— counterparts, so that's the reason they gave for the ban. thank you for that update- —

some breaking news about the duke and duchess of sussex. the sun newspaper has apologised today about an opinion piece written byjeremy clarkson that they published saying he hated the duchess of sussex on a cellular level. the newspaper said today that they are sincerely sorry about that. we have heard from the sussexes in a statement, saying that the fact the sun newspaper didn't contact the duke and duchess shows their intent. they were dangerous comments simply wouldn't be in this situation if sun newspaper didn't continue to profit off, exploit hate, violence and misogyny. a true apology would be a shift in their coverage and ethical standards for all. unfortunately we are not holding our breath. that statement from a spokesperson from the duke and duchess of sussex. not from them directly but it obviously

communicates their intent. not satisfied us yet with the apology that has been given by the sun newspaper. tens of thousands of visitors have been gathering in bethlehem in the occupied west bank for the annual christmas eve procession ahead of midnight mass at the nativity church — the site traditionally considered to be the birthplace ofjesus. after two years of lockdown due to the pandemic, this year has seen the return of foreign visitors who are are of foreign visitors who are vital to the local economy. 0ur correspondent yolande knell sent this report from the holy city. here in manger square, despite some damp weather, there is plenty of christmas cheer. at the heart of celebrations, as every year, we had a procession. the palestinian scouts leading the way through the streets, playing bagpipes and drums. lots of competition between them as they entertain the crowds. they escorted church leaders arriving from jerusalem into bethlehem. we saw the

head of the catholic church, a latin patriarch, shaking hands with people in the crowds. then it was down into the grotto of the fourth century nativity church just behind me over there. that is built on the very spot where christians believe that jesus was born. here in bethlehem, what's giving locals extra sense of relief this christmas is the fact that pilgrims are back. tens of thousands of international visitors have been able to come here during christmas week and that is just extremely important for the economy of bethlehem, which is so reliant on tourism. i have been speaking to some of the visitors who came. you can experience _ some of the visitors who came. you can experience christmas all over the world — can experience christmas all over the world but in bethlehem, where our saviour— the world but in bethlehem, where our saviour was born, it's where we wanted _ our saviour was born, it's where we wanted to— our saviour was born, it's where we wanted to be — our saviour was born, it's where we wanted to be this year. i�*m our saviour was born, it's where we wanted to be this year.— wanted to be this year. i'm really en'o in: wanted to be this year. i'm really enjoying the _ wanted to be this year. i'm really enjoying the excitement - wanted to be this year. i'm really enjoying the excitement around. | wanted to be this year. i'm really i enjoying the excitement around. all of it, _ enjoying the excitement around. all of it. from _ enjoying the excitement around. all of it. from the — enjoying the excitement around. all of it, from the parades— enjoying the excitement around. all of it, from the parades to _ enjoying the excitement around. all of it, from the parades to the - of it, from the parades to the amount— of it, from the parades to the amount of— of it, from the parades to the amount of people _ of it, from the parades to the amount of people who - of it, from the parades to the amount of people who are . of it, from the parades to the i amount of people who are here of it, from the parades to the - amount of people who are here to celebrate — amount of people who are here to celebrate it— amount of people who are here to celebrate. ., , , ,

celebrate. it has been very welcoming. _ celebrate. it has been very welcoming, the _ celebrate. it has been veryj welcoming, the experience celebrate. it has been very i welcoming, the experience is celebrate. it has been very - welcoming, the experience is good. seeing _ welcoming, the experience is good. seeing people, everyone waiting here, _ seeing people, everyone waiting here, everyone wants to be here in bethlehem — here, everyone wants to be here in bethlehem for christmas. in here, everyone wants to be here in bethlehem for christmas.— bethlehem for christmas. in the background _ bethlehem for christmas. in the background of _ bethlehem for christmas. in the background of the _ bethlehem for christmas. in the background of the celebrations i bethlehem for christmas. ii�*u ii�*uéi background of the celebrations there is growing concern about a recent deadly flare—up in the israel palestine conflict. 0ne palestinian official i spoke to earlier told me that for people hear the christmas message of peace and hope is especially important this year. yolande knell reporting from bethlehem. well, it's christmas eve so we thought we'd get in the mood by hearing a flavour of a christmas carol. scott stroman is the director of the american international church and his choir are due to perform in public injust underan hour from now in central london. let's speak to scott now. what will you be doing this evening? a semi traditional carol service

with a mixture of well—known and more obscure songs. we have a mixture of musicians from all over the world. �* , ., mixture of musicians from all over the world. �* i. , . mixture of musicians from all over the world. �* , ., , . ., mixture of musicians from all over the world. �* i. , . ., , the world. are you expecting a big crowd? we — the world. are you expecting a big crowd? we are _ the world. are you expecting a big crowd? we are expecting - the world. are you expecting a big crowd? we are expecting the - the world. are you expecting a big i crowd? we are expecting the biggest crowd? we are expecting the biggest crowd of the — crowd? we are expecting the biggest crowd of the season. _ crowd? we are expecting the biggest crowd of the season. whereabouts i crowd? we are expecting the biggest. crowd of the season. whereabouts are ou? is crowd of the season. whereabouts are you? is this — crowd of the season. whereabouts are you? is this a — crowd of the season. whereabouts are you? is this a traditional _ crowd of the season. whereabouts are you? is this a traditional thing - crowd of the season. whereabouts are you? is this a traditional thing you - you? is this a traditional thing you do every year? it you? is this a traditional thing you do every year?— do every year? it is, it's the american — do every year? it is, it's the american international - do every year? it is, it's the i american international church, do every year? it is, it's the - american international church, we are sitting on tottenham court road. the church has been here a long time. it was hit by the very last v2 rocket in 1945 before it was rebuilt and a new congregation came to inhabit it. $5 and a new congregation came to inhabit it. �* , , . ., and a new congregation came to inhabit it. a . ., inhabit it. as musical director you must have _ inhabit it. as musical director you must have people _ inhabit it. as musical director you must have people asking - inhabit it. as musical director you must have people asking for - must have people asking for different songs. i must have people asking for different songs.— must have people asking for different songs. must have people asking for different sonus. ~' . , ., different songs. i like variety and i like to surprise _ different songs. i like variety and i like to surprise people. - different songs. i like variety and i like to surprise people. we - different songs. i like variety and i like to surprise people. we will| i like to surprise people. we will do traditional carols but with a twist, making them fresh again. and because we have people hear from

literally all over the world we get suggestions and in all kinds of different languages. brute suggestions and in all kinds of different languages.— suggestions and in all kinds of different languages. we are at the end of our programme, _ different languages. we are at the end of our programme, so - different languages. we are at the end of our programme, so play i different languages. we are at the end of our programme, so play us| end of our programme, so play us out. i will let you choose the carol. ~ ., ., ., ., carol. we will do a new arrangement i did of a carol. we will do a new arrangement i did of a carol _ carol. we will do a new arrangement i did of a carol from _ carol. we will do a new arrangement i did of a carol from cornwall. - singing

hello there. the weather is going to stay mild through the rest of today, tonight and for christmas day as well for most, although it is going to stay pretty cloudy. now, earlier on this morning, claire spotted some of these wave clare spotted some of these wave clouds over the skies in cumbria. they�* re kelvin—helmholtz clouds. satellite picture picks up the extensive cloud that we have across the country, thickest of which is across the north west. that's where we're seeing some fairly heavy bursts of rain working in at the moment. but the winds are coming in from a south westerly direction, pumping this mild flow of air across pretty much all of the uk. now we do have rain around. the rain is turning quite heavy at the moment in northern ireland, and it will continue to get heavier in western scotland as well over the next few hours. one or two showers elsewhere across parts of england and wales. but overnight we get a band of rain that pushes its way

eastwards for a time. 0vernight, there'll be more rain to come then for northern ireland, west scotland and the north west of both england and wales. so rain on and off for quite a few of you. temperatures holding up at around 5—9 degrees celsius heading into christmas day. so it will be a mild start to the day, and with low pressure staying to the north of the uk, we'll continue to have south—westerly winds across most parts of the country. so it's going to be a mild day for most of you. now, there will be some bursts of rain around on christmas, the wettest weather always likely across western areas. a few bright or sunny spells breaking through across central and eastern areas. but as this band of rain slips its way across scotland, we'll start to get some colder air working in here. and towards the end of the day, into the evening time, yes, you could see some wintry showers, maybe a little bit of snow mixed in. so for one or two of you, a white christmas is possible, then it turns colder as we head through christmas night, cold enough for frost and some icy patches. and heading into boxing day, well, there certainly will be some snow around across parts of scotland, in particular with accumulations, one to three centimetres at low levels.

but over the hills, 5—10 centimetres possible, with blizzard conditions. there will be a few showers elsewhere, mind you, and it will be a blustery and a cooler feeling day, boxing day. temperatures struggling to get much above freezing in parts of scotland, but otherwise about 4—9 celsius. now, beyond that, the weather patterns look very unsettled as we head from christmas towards new year. and it turns very windy, particularly towards wednesday, with gales or maybe even some severe gales around.

this is bbc world news, the headlines... an arctic blast is gripping much of the united states and canada. tens of millions of people are facing blizzards and cancelled travel plans at the start of the christmas holidays. here in the uk rail passengers rushed to catch the last trains as christmas eve services end due to further strikes. protests turn violent as thousands of people take to the streets of paris after a gunman with a history of racist violence, killed three people at a kurdish cultural centre. the taliban have further tightened the restrictions on women, banning them from working for ngos, days after afghan women were banned from studying at university.