this is bbc news — welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. our top stories... an arctic blast is gripping much of the united states and canada with tens of millions of people 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 by workers over pay and conditions. violence has broken out in paris after friday's deadly attack on the city's kurdish community. the taliban have further tightened the restrictions on women in afghanistan, banning them from working for ngos, just days after they were banned from studying at university. tens of thousands of visitors have been gathering in bethlehem to mark christmas eve. you can experience christmas

all over the world, but bethlehem, where our saviour was born, this is where we wanted to be this year. 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 minus 45 celsius. the authorities say at least 19 people have been killed so far. nomia iqbal reports.

for much of america, this is the coldest christmas eve. millions of them had plans to get away for the holidays. but the powerful bomb cyclone has thrown everything into chaos, causing car accidents, destroying power lines, leaving millions without electricity. the warning is, don't travel unless you need to. 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. some places like new york have gone further and banned driving due to low visibility. across the region there is a state of emergency. we've had ice, flooding, snow, freezing temperatures, and everything that mother nature could wallop at us this weekend. to make things worse, the winter storm has caused coastal flooding on the eastern seaboard in newjersey and new england. travelling by air has been

hugely impacted as well. the storm has stretched for nearly 2000 miles, meaning there's been thousands of flight cancellations with hundreds more on christmas eve. many people have been trying to take their chances to get home. our whole airport is shut down, so we drove to omaha, nebraska. got on a flight there. then dc, delayed in dc. the storm is expected to last another day yet with temperatures easing, but it's left americans facing another disrupted christmas after the pandemic ruined the last one. joining us now is someone whose christmas plans have been uprooted by the extreme weather. cody kalakewich was due to be travelling to pittsburgh, pennsylvania butjoins us now from south plainfield, newjersey. that's about a0 miles south of new york city. commiserations to you.

you were from las vegas, who were you trying to reach and where we are trying to get to? i’m you trying to reach and where we are trying to get to?— trying to get to? i'm trying to get to pittsburgh _ trying to get to? i'm trying to get to pittsburgh so _ trying to get to? i'm trying to get to pittsburgh so i _ trying to get to? i'm trying to get to pittsburgh so i could _ trying to get to? i'm trying to get to pittsburgh so i could see - trying to get to? i'm trying to get to pittsburgh so i could see my . to pittsburgh so i could see my mother and friends and family. it’s mother and friends and family. it's a particularly important christmas for you this year. why are you trying to get to your mother? my mum has been battling _ trying to get to your mother? my mum has been battling cancer _ trying to get to your mother? my mum has been battling cancer for _ trying to get to your mother? my mum has been battling cancer for quite - trying to get to your mother? my mum has been battling cancer for quite a - has been battling cancerfor quite a while now. with cancer, you don't know much time there is. it's been a long time since i've seen her and i just want to get back and see my friends and family and spend some quality time with her. i am friends and family and spend some quality time with her.— quality time with her. i am very sor for quality time with her. i am very sorry for that. _ quality time with her. i am very sorry for that. how _ quality time with her. i am very sorry for that. how are - quality time with her. i am very sorry for that. how are you - quality time with her. i am very i sorry for that. how are you trying to change your plans? is it possible to change your plans? is it possible to go by road? it to change your plans? is it possible to go by road?— to go by road? it appears possible to go by road? it appears possible to no to go by road? it appears possible to to b to go by road? it appears possible to go by road _ to go by road? it appears possible to go by road but _ to go by road? it appears possible to go by road but every _ to go by road? it appears possible to go by road but every way, - to go by road? it appears possible | to go by road but every way, every alternative i've tried, i've hit a roadblock. i couldn't get another flight out. i have tried to rent cars and i couldn't. the trains were shut down. the closest i got was a

small u—haul place in elizabeth, new jersey, who did more than anyone else, they tried so hard to get me home. but i looked out by having a friend in the area so at least i had somewhere to stay but it's not home. is it snowing in newjersey? it’s is it snowing in newjersey? it's not, no. is it snowing in newjersey? it's not. n0- but— is it snowing in newjersey? it's not, no. but it— is it snowing in newjersey? it's not, no. but it is— is it snowing in newjersey? it�*s not, no. but it is frigid. is it snowing in newjersey? it's not, no. but it is frigid. so - is it snowing in newjersey? it's not, no. but it is frigid. so it's. not, no. but it is frigid. so it's the disruption _ not, no. but it is frigid. so it's the disruption on _ not, no. but it is frigid. so it's the disruption on the - not, no. but it is frigid. so it's the disruption on the route . not, no. but it is frigid. so it's the disruption on the route to | not, no. but it is frigid. so it's- the disruption on the route to where you're going that's the major problem, is it? you're going that's the ma'or problem, is it?�* you're going that's the ma'or problem, is it? you're going that's the ma'or roblem, is it? ., , , problem, is it? yeah, pittsburgh i know not problem, is it? yeah, pittsburgh i know got hit _ problem, is it? yeah, pittsburgh i know got hit with _ problem, is it? yeah, pittsburgh i know got hit with really _ problem, is it? yeah, pittsburgh i know got hit with really bad - problem, is it? yeah, pittsburgh i| know got hit with really bad snow, ice and cold weather. wind, a polar vortex, i believe they called it. what is the airline telling you? that i'm just getting a refund. they tried to put me on standby for flights but there was no guarantee. meanwhile there were flights going out and i don't understand how mine was cancelled. it out and i don't understand how mine was cancelled-— was cancelled. it doesn't make sense. was cancelled. it doesn't make sense- what — was cancelled. it doesn't make sense. what does _

was cancelled. it doesn't make sense. what does it _ was cancelled. it doesn't make sense. what does it mean, - was cancelled. it doesn't make sense. what does it mean, are was cancelled. it doesn't make - sense. what does it mean, are you staying put with your friend where you are? somewhere you didn't expect to be spending christmas? that’s to be spending christmas? that's re to be spending christmas? that's pretty much _ to be spending christmas? that's pretty much it- — to be spending christmas? that's pretty much it. she's _ to be spending christmas? that's pretty much it. she's going - to be spending christmas? that's pretty much it. she's going to - to be spending christmas? that's pretty much it. she's going to try| pretty much it. she's going to try to drive me back to pittsburgh tomorrow, weather permitting. i5 tomorrow, weather permitting. is there someone with your mother? tomorrow, weather permitting. is - there someone with your mother? the rest of m there someone with your mother? tie: rest of my family is there. my brother and my niece. it’s rest of my family is there. my brother and my niece. it's 'ust really tough i brother and my niece. it's 'ust really tough that i brother and my niece. it's 'ust really tough that you i brother and my niece. it'sjust really tough that you wanted i brother and my niece. it'sjustl really tough that you wanted to brother and my niece. it'sjust - really tough that you wanted to be there this year and you can't be there. . �* , there this year and you can't be there. ., �* , ., , there this year and you can't be there. ., �*, .,, , there. that's right, it has been aggravating- — there. that's right, it has been aggravating. just _ there. that's right, it has been aggravating. just every - there. that's right, it has been - aggravating. just every alternative, i've started to get close and can't seem to get home. i’m i've started to get close and can't seem to get home.— i've started to get close and can't seem to get home. i'm sorry to hear all that and — seem to get home. i'm sorry to hear all that and we _ seem to get home. i'm sorry to hear all that and we wish _ seem to get home. i'm sorry to hear all that and we wish you _ seem to get home. i'm sorry to hear all that and we wish you the - seem to get home. i'm sorry to hear all that and we wish you the very - all that and we wish you the very best and hope your travel plans resume when they can. but thank you for coming on. i resume when they can. but thank you for coming on-— for coming on. i appreciate it, thank you _ for coming on. i appreciate it, thank you for— for coming on. i appreciate it, thank you for your _ for coming on. i appreciate it, thank you for your time. - 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 in london. dashing home for christmas. this train to swansea was one of the last leaving for the day. for passengers here it was a race against time. it's the last train so it's a bit nerve—racking, but either way, it's the last train so it's a bit nerve—racking, but eitherway, i support the people striking. i understand what they are going through — understand what they are going through. it'sjust frustrating understand what they are going through. it's just frustrating that it has— through. it's just frustrating that it has to — through. it's just frustrating that it has to have an impact on christmas _ it has to have an impact on christmas and going home to see family— christmas and going home to see family and — christmas and going home to see family and stuff.— christmas and going home to see family and stuff. around the country it was a similar _ family and stuff. around the country it was a similar picture _ family and stuff. around the country it was a similar picture with - family and stuff. around the country it was a similar picture with many i it was a similar picture with many people forced to change plans. yesterday we went to the station in york and i don't think they were on strike yesterday but all the trains were cancelled. we ended up paying £65 in a taxi to get here. irate were cancelled. we ended up paying £65 in a taxi to get here. we booked our 3m £65 in a taxi to get here. we booked our 3pm train _

£65 in a taxi to get here. we booked our 3pm train and _ £65 in a taxi to get here. we booked our 3pm train and it _ £65 in a taxi to get here. we booked our 3pm train and it was _ £65 in a taxi to get here. we booked our 3pm train and it was cancelled i our 3pm train and it was cancelled so we _ our 3pm train and it was cancelled so we are — our 3pm train and it was cancelled so we are now booked for 9.45. and this is the last — so we are now booked for 9.45. jifuc this is the last train? so we are now booked for 9.45. and this is the last train? the _ so we are now booked for 9.45. and this is the last train? the last - this is the last train? the last train, this is the last train? the last train. and _ this is the last train? the last train, and we _ this is the last train? the last train, and we are _ this is the last train? the last train, and we are worried - this is the last train? the last train, and we are worried it . this is the last train? the last i train, and we are worried it will -et train, and we are worried it will get cancelled.— train, and we are worried it will get cancelled. train, and we are worried it will aet cancelled. , ., ,, ., , get cancelled. they walk-out is part of a long-running _ get cancelled. they walk-out is part of a long-running dispute _ get cancelled. they walk-out is part of a long-running dispute between l of a long—running dispute between employers and workers about pay and conditions. 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. 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. with many people avoiding the railways, some people have opted to travel by road instead. we are seeing a lot of congestion over this period and that's because people don't want to use the railway. they are not sure what sort of service they will get. we are

expecting today to be particularly busy. yesterday we did over 13,500 jobs, which is more than our usual daily average. we expect a similar number again today. itruiith daily average. we expect a similar number again today.— daily average. we expect a similar number again today. with roads are busier than usual _ number again today. with roads are busier than usual the _ number again today. with roads are busier than usual the advice - number again today. with roads are busier than usual the advice to - busier than usual the advice to motorists is to check before you travel. noor nanji, bbc news in paddington. a spokesperson for the duke and duchess of sussex says an apology from the sun newspaper regarding a column, in whichjeremy clarkson said he "hated" meghan, is "nothing more than a pr stunt". on friday, the newspaper issued a statement expressing regret for the publication of the column. among other things clarkson wrote that he had dreamed of meghan being paraded through towns in the uk and publicly shamed. the spokesperson said the paper had not contacted the duchess of sussex directly, which showed their true intent. here in the uk, a four—year—old boy has died after a "serious medical incident" at a center 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. earlier protesters gathered and held up photographs of the victims of friday's attack. 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 has been constantly deferred. but being back at large allowed him to do what he did yesterday. at least nine 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 a0 other people were injured in the incident in boksburg, a city to the east ofjohannesburg. 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.

earlier i spoke to mahjooba nowrouzi from the bbc�*s afghan service, who outlined how she thought the latest restrictions would be implemented. 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 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 coloured scarves, or they are 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. as many people around the world are celebrating christmas with a traditional festival of lights, ukrainians are struggling with not only the threat of attack but also cold and darkness. russian strikes on ukraine's energy infrastructure have left many homes without power. 1a million people have also been displaced in the conflict, and many are taking shelter in unheated buildings without electricity.

christina katrakis is an ambassador for the foundation for united nations sustainable development goals. she organises winter aid packages for displaced children, and joins me from eastern ukraine. ican i can tell, given you are in the darkness, that you have problems with the electricity where you are. how many people are you looking after? . ~ how many people are you looking after? ., ~' , ., how many people are you looking after? ., ,, , ., ., ., . after? thank you for having me. we have more — after? thank you for having me. we have more than _ after? thank you for having me. we have more than 5000 _ after? thank you for having me. we have more than 5000 internally - have more than 5000 internally displaced women and kids from eastern europe in our base in western ukraine in the mountains, the safest area of ukraine to be. these kids are from mariupol, nikolaev, luhansk, and otherfront line regions. we support people on the front lines who are right now on a mission to supply invincibility points, as they are called, special

offices in every town and region that would provide heat and electricity to charge phones, to warm up baby food, provide food and clothing for people during winter when they have no lights and electricity in their houses. these points need help desperately. we are on a mission to gather awareness and funds for generators, power stations and rechargeable lights. tail: funds for generators, power stations and rechargeable lights.— and rechargeable lights. talk to me about the fundraising _ and rechargeable lights. talk to me about the fundraising effort - and rechargeable lights. talk to me about the fundraising effort for - about the fundraising effort for electricity resources. where are you campaigning and what sort of things are you trying to get together? irate are you trying to get together? we are you trying to get together? - are working totally for free now, pro bono for over ten months. most of our team pro bono for over ten months. most of ourteam are pro bono for over ten months. most of our team are idps themselves from the front line regions. we make nothing out of it so the only way to do it is to reach out and be part of the un mission. we have to be

accountable for every penny that comes in. we started a project called power to ukraine, literally providing power to ukraine. part of the project is having certain ambassadors of light. already we have two such ambassadors of light. 0ne have two such ambassadors of light. one of them is a woman who has been part of the ukrainian spirit, being on the news a lot with her kids, and she is a famous blogger. the other person is a renowned hollywood producer, charles weschler, he has done films like green book, dumb and dumber, there's something about mary and so on. another spokesman for the mission. we are trying to raise awareness for people trying to donate and help us purchase generators and power stations that we can bring to these points and the people on the front lines.—

people on the front lines. christmas is a time for — people on the front lines. christmas is a time for children. _ people on the front lines. christmas is a time for children. how - people on the front lines. christmas is a time for children. how do - people on the front lines. christmas is a time for children. how do you . is a time for children. how do you keep up the spirits of the children you are looking after?— you are looking after? ukrainians are amazing _ you are looking after? ukrainians are amazing people. _ you are looking after? ukrainians are amazing people. they - you are looking after? ukrainians are amazing people. they are - you are looking after? ukrainians are amazing people. they are so | are amazing people. they are so resilient, so strong. they have fire in their souls and hearts to keep them warm and light during this period. it's a celebration of light for christians at christmas, and also for the jewish people for christians at christmas, and also for thejewish people because it is honecker, the celebration. —— because it is chanukah. we have people using bottles and cans, and using cardboard from the boxes, putting wood oil inside and making lamps by which they can read, eat and cook. it's incredible, the resilience is incredible but they

need help now. kids are getting very sick and we have many cases of pneumonia and cold —related illnesses. me being an american, i just want to reach out and say remember what christmas is all about. ~ , ,., , remember what christmas is all about. ~ ,,., , ., , remember what christmas is all about. ~ , , ., , ., about. absolutely. our thoughts go out to all those _ about. absolutely. our thoughts go out to all those in _ about. absolutely. our thoughts go out to all those in ukraine - about. absolutely. our thoughts go out to all those in ukraine who - about. absolutely. our thoughts go out to all those in ukraine who are | out to all those in ukraine who are suffering. we wish you the best of luck with the work you are doing and the people you are looking after. thank you, please go to our website and donate. help us.— and donate. help us. every little bit helps. _ and donate. help us. every little bit helps, absolutely. _ 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 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 thatjesus 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 christmas all over the world but in bethlehem, where our saviour was born, it's where we wanted to be this year. i'm really enjoying - the excitement around. all of it, from the parades to the amount of people l who are here to celebrate. it has been very welcoming, the experience is good. seeing people, everyone waiting here, everyone wants to be here in bethlehem for christmas. but in the 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 here the christmas message of peace and hope is especially important this year. yolande knell reporting from bethlehem. the prime minister has shown community spirit this christmas, serving breakfast to homeless people at a charity in london. but in a clip shared widely on social media, he seemed to forget for a moment who he was talking to. right, there is that, there is some cutlery. any luck sorting the economy out? that's exactly what i'm trying to do. exactly what i'm trying to do. ..for business. do you have... do you work in business? no, lam homeless. i'm actually a homeless person. but i am interested in business. but the two men did then go on to talk about the economy. there is a longer clip of that on the bbc news website. 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. a former royal marine, mark 0rmrod, appears to have smashed the world record for the fastest open water one—kilometre swim by a triple amputee. his time of around 35 minutes, which is yet to be confirmed by guinness world records, is half that of the previous attempt. 0ur correspondent john maguire has more. cold, exhausted, but elated. subject to authentication, mark smashed the world record for the fastest one kilometre swim in open water by a triple amputee. that's the warm up done! 35 minutes, the world record stands at one hour. you aimed for a5. not only have you smashed it, you've done whatever

north of smashed it is. super smashed it. happy days. merry christmas. the landmine that exploded on christmas eve in 2007 while his royal marine unit was on foot patrol in afghanistan almost took mark 0rmrod's life. he lost both legs and his right arm, devastating injuries, but with single—minded determination he set and achieved goals many would think impossible ever since. last year he took on three major challenges. firstly, a five kilometre run. this fall in training, another example that mark doesn't stay down for long. then, a sea swim off plymouth, propelled byjust one arm. and finally, a 100 mile overnight hand cycle ride. three very different but equally very tough endeavours.

this morning he returned to the water with the record in his sights, determined to commemorate the anniversary his way. yeah, i'm happy. he is continuing to raise money for re0rg, a charity that helps veterans, service personnel and emergency services staff through the martial art brazilian jujitsu. and on this 15th anniversary of the day that changed his life, mark 0rmrod has proved once again not what can't be done, but with determination, drive and downright stubbornness, can be done. john maguire, bbc news, plymouth. we can take you live to the vatican and st peter's square where the pope is preparing to hold his christmas eve mass. the pontiff will speak

to the faithful who will be gathered below the balcony on this, the tenth year of his papacy. and after this evening's mass, tomorrow it will be the christmas day blessing urbi et 0rbi around noon. that's the scene in rome tonight. 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 a—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 with 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 by workers over pay and conditions. 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 taliban have further tightened the restrictions on women in afghanistan,

banning them from working for the ngos, just days they were banned from studying at university.