this is bbc news broadcasting to viewers in the uk and around the world. the headlines... one of the worst winter storms in living memory is gripping much of the united states and canada — tens of thousands are without power and cancelled christmas travel plans for many others. 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. the taliban have further tightened the restrictions on women in afghanistan, banning them from working for ngos, just days after they were barred from studying at university. and these are the live pictures from rome where pope francis is leading christmas eve

mass from st peter's. hello and welcome to bbc news. an icy blast is affecting nearly 250 million people in the us and canada, as one of the most severe winter storms in living memory takes hold — with snow blizzards, strong winds and freezing temperatures. at least 19 people have died. more than 1.5 million american households and businesses are without electricity, and thousands of flights have been cancelled. the us state of montana registered a record breaking low of minus 45 celsius. 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. one of the worst places to be hit by this storm is upstate new york. buffalo airport has seen 28 inches of snow since the storm began on friday morning, bringing the city to a standstill and forcing the local authorites to impose a county—wide driving ban. let's get more from buffalo, joining us now is the erie county executive, mark poloncarz. good to have you with us. reading comments earlier from york county sheriff office that said this is pretty much been a category three

hurricane with snow. is that how it feels? . ., ., , feels? thanks for having me. it is so slow in — feels? thanks for having me. it is so slow in the _ feels? thanks for having me. it is so slow in the millibars _ feels? thanks for having me. it is so slow in the millibars as - feels? thanks for having me. it is so slow in the millibars as you - so slow in the millibars as you would normally see in a category three hurricane. we didn't have the category three wind but we did have a category one wind. 80 mph wind sustained at over 60 mph. extremely cold temperatures, 7 f,—22 c wind—chill. zero visibility bringing the community to a standstill. it has been a horrible 24—hour period and we believe we have three deaths at least attributable to the terrible weather. we had to pull department of public work trucks off the road because it was not safe enough for them to drive, they couldn't see where they were going last night and overnight. we have been able to put them on the roads again but conditions are still very bad which is why a state of emergency exists for the entire county, including a driving ban. 0nly emergency personnel are allowed

to drive because it is as easy for someone to leave now and get stuck and then because of the harsh conditions it could be life—threatening. conditions it could be life-threatening. conditions it could be life-threateninu. ., . , , ., life-threatening. how many people do ou think life-threatening. how many people do you think are — life-threatening. how many people do you think are out _ life-threatening. how many people do you think are out there _ life-threatening. how many people do you think are out there stranded - life-threatening. how many people do you think are out there stranded in - you think are out there stranded in their vehicles? figs you think are out there stranded in their vehicles?— their vehicles? as of this morning we believe _ their vehicles? as of this morning we believe there _ their vehicles? as of this morning we believe there are _ their vehicles? as of this morning we believe there are about - their vehicles? as of this morning we believe there are about 400. l their vehicles? as of this morning i we believe there are about 400. we have been able to knock off at least half that. it is really bad. in the city of buffalo particularly there are areas where even though it's a few blocks from a hospital, we have been unable to get from the hospital to the location where an individual has needed to be cared and that's because conditions are so horrible, you can't see where you are going, roads are abandoned with vehicles, snow drifts upwards of six and seven feet were drifting on the roads to make them impassable. it's a really terrible situation and unfortunately we will continue through the overnight hours through to tomorrow morning and we will have to deal with this for at least another 18 hours. d0

with this for at least another 18 hours. , ., with this for at least another 18 hours. ,., ,, , with this for at least another 18 hours. ,., i. , ., with this for at least another 18 hours. , ., the hours. do you still have power? the tens of thousands _ hours. do you still have power? the tens of thousands of _ hours. do you still have power? the tens of thousands of people - hours. do you still have power? the tens of thousands of people in - hours. do you still have power? the tens of thousands of people in our. tens of thousands of people in our county do not have powerful stop at the emergency operation centre we do have power but there are individuals without power for 24 hours now. home is getting above freezing temperatures but we tell people it is safer to be in your home at 40 fahrenheit than it is on the road trying to get to a warming shelter. if it is a life—threatening situation we are calling people and telling them to use the specialised 911 phone call but it is still very difficult to travel and we are not able to immediately get to individuals. buffalo is used to receiving a lot of snow, we can handle it, but this is not snow. this is blizzard and white out so you can't see what's going on and it's comparable to the 1977 blizzard by which all storms are measured, and this might surpass it. so many demands at _ and this might surpass it. so many demands at a _ and this might surpass it. so many demands at a time _ and this might surpass it. so many demands at a time like _ and this might surpass it. so many demands at a time like this - and this might surpass it. so many demands at a time like this on - and this might surpass it. so many demands at a time like this on the | demands at a time like this on the emergency services. what is the priority for you right now? the

riori priority for you right now? the priority is _ priority for you right now? the priority is still _ priority for you right now? tue: priority is still life priority for you right now? he priority is still life threatening situations and responding to calls from individuals who may need to go to hospital, or those who are stuck in vehicles on the roads. 0ne in vehicles on the roads. one problem we had was people ignoring the driving ban, going out on the road and getting stuck today. they wouldn't be causing a problem for our responders if they were not on the roads. but our number one responsibility is those who may have a heart attack, stroke, and need to go to hospital for any type of reason. the problem is it is difficult to traverse, even for our equipment. the only things that can get around easily are snowmobiles and even then in the white out conditions it is difficult for the drivers to see where they are going which makes it tough to respond to calls. we which makes it tough to respond to calls. ~ . which makes it tough to respond to calls. ~ , , ., ., which makes it tough to respond to calls. ~ , ., which makes it tough to respond to calls. ~ , i. ., i. ., calls. we wish you and your team the best of luck- — calls. we wish you and your team the best of luck. thanks _ calls. we wish you and your team the best of luck. thanks for _ calls. we wish you and your team the best of luck. thanks for being - calls. we wish you and your team the best of luck. thanks for being with i best of luck. thanks for being with us. the erie executive.

you can see pope francis in your pictures in rome. we will have some translation as well. translation: tt is the way god is born in history so history itself can be reborn. so what does the manger tell us? through the manger we are told at least three things. closeness, poverty and concreteness. closeness, the manger serves as a feeding trough to enable food to be consumed more quickly. in this way it can symbolise one aspect of our humanity. our greed for consumption. for while animals feed in their stalls, men and women in our world in their hungerfor

stalls, men and women in our world in their hunger for wealth and power consuming even their neighbours, even their brothers and sisters. how many wars and in how many places even today are human dignity and freedom treated with contempt? as always, the principal victims of this human greed are the weak and vulnerable. this christmas too, a world ravenous for money, power and pleasure does not make room, as was the case forjesus for the little ones. forso the case forjesus for the little ones. for so many unborn, poor and forgotten children. i think above all of the children devoured by war, poverty and injustice. yet those are the very places to whichjesus comes, a child in the manger of

rejection and refusal, and him, the child of bethlehem, every child is present. we ourselves are invited to view life, politics and history through the eyes of children. the manger of rejection and discomfort, jesus makes himself present. because that's where the problem of humanity is. the indifference produced by the greedy rush to possess and consume, they're in that manger christ is born and that's where we discover his closeness to us. he comes there to a feeding trough to become our food. god is no father who devours his children but is the father who in jesus makes his children but is the father who injesus makes us his children and feeds us with his tenderness. he comes to touch our hearts and to tell us that love alone is the power

that changes the course of history. he does not remain distant and my tea but draws near to us in humility, leaving his throne in heaven, he lets himself be laid in a manger. dear brother, dearsister, tonight god is drawing near to you because you are important to him. from the manger is food for your life. he tells you, if you feel consumed by events, if you are devoured by a sense of guilt and inadequacy, if you hungerfor justice, i can be your god, and with you. i know what you're experiencing, because i experienced it myself in that manger. i know your weaknesses, your failings and your weaknesses, your failings and your history. i was born to tell you that i am and always will be close

to you. the christmas manger, the first message of the divine child tells us that god is with us, he loves us and he seeks us. so take heart, don't let yourself be overcome by fear, resignation or discouragement. god was born in a manger so that you can be reborn in the very place where you thought you would hit rock bottom. there is no evil, there is no sin from which jesus does not want or can save you. christmas means that god is close to us. may our confidence be reborn. the manger of bethlehem speaks to us not only of closeness but also of poverty. around the manger there is

very little. there is hay and straw and a few animals but little else. people were warm in the inn but not here in the coldness of the stable. yet that is where jesus was here in the coldness of the stable. yet that is wherejesus was born. the manger reminds us he was surrounded by nothing but love. mary, joseph and the shepherds, all poor people, united by affection and awe, not by wealth and expectation. the poor poverty of the manger shows us where the true riches in life are to be found. not in money and power, but in relationships and people. and the first person, the greatest wealth, isjesus himself. yet do we want to stand at his side? do we draw close to him? do we love his poverty? or do we prefer to remain

comfortably in our own interests and concerns? above all, do we visit him, where he is to be found, namely in the poor mangers of our world, for that is where he is present, and we are called to be a church that worships a jesus who is poor, and that we serve jesus in the worships a jesus who is poor, and that we servejesus in the poor. the church supports and blesses efforts to change the structures of injustice. and sets down but one condition. that social, economic and political change truly benefit the poon political change truly benefit the poor, and the pope quotes oscar romero. certainly it is not easy to leave the wealth of worldliness to embrace the stark beauty of the

grotto of bethlehem, but let's remember it's not truly christmas without the poor. we can celebrate christmas, but not the birth of jesus. dear brothers, dearsisters, at christmas god is poor. may charity be reborn. we now come to our last point. the manger speaks to us of concreteness. indeed, a child lying in a manger presents us with a scene that is striking, even crude. it reminds us that god truly became flesh as a result, all our theories and find thoughts and pious sentiments are no longer enough. jesus was born poor, lived four and

died for. he did not so much talk about poverty as live it to the very end, for our sake. about poverty as live it to the very end, for oursake. from about poverty as live it to the very end, for our sake. from the manger to the cross, his love for us was always palpable, concrete. from birth to death, the carpenter's sun embrace the roughness of the wood, the harshness of our existence. he didn't love us only in words. studio: pope francis delivering his sermon at the mass of the nativity, themed on power, greed, consumption and the denial of human dignity, with a mention of those who are suffering at this time of year through war with a particular thought, i would think, on those people suffering in ukraine. it is called the midnight mass, but the vatican celebration has gradually moved earlier in the day to make it easierfor moved earlier in the day to make it easier for people to attend. i think

this will go on for another hour and then tomorrow we will see the scenes of the pope on the balcony for the christmas days celebration and we will bring you that on bbc news. here in the uk, train servuces have been suspended, as workers from the rmt union have walked out this evening. their strike will continue until the early hours of tuesday. noor nanji reports. dashing home for christmas. this train to swansea was one of the last to leave london today. all around britain rail services have finished early because of more strikes. for passengers here it was a race against time. it's the last train so it's a little bit nerve—racking, but either way, i support the people striking. i understand what they are going through. it'sjust frustrating that it has to have an impact on christmas and going home to see family and stuff. around the country 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. we booked our 3pm train and it was cancelled so we are now booked for 9:45. and this is the last train? the last train, and we are worried it will 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 says it's offered a fair dealand 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. the problem with losing shoppers on such a key trading day like christmas eve, is 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 drive home for christmas instead.

we are seeing a lot of congestion over this period and that's because people don't want to use the rail. 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. with roads 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. police and protesters have clashed in central paris after the murder on friday of three members of the kurdish community in what police believe was a racist attack. a 69—year—old man was arrested and he has now been taken to a police psychiatric unit for health reasons. 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. our 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 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 one. 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. 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.

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 bbc news, on the website. i will have the headlines for you shortly but we will take you back to rome and finish with some sound and pictures from the christmas eve mass in st peter's basilica.

hello there. for most of you, the weather will continue to be pretty mild overnight tonight and for christmas day as well. mind you, we have seen some rain today, particularly across north—western areas of the country. that was the weather turning rather wetter in cumbria this afternoon. and you can see the rain—bearing clouds really piling into the north—west of the country with some heavy bursts of rain associated with this cloud. all the while the wind is coming in from a south—westerly direction, hence the relatively mild air we have across all parts of the country at the moment. looking at the weather charts right now, we have got some fairly heavy rain working into northern ireland and scotland. through the night, these bursts of rain will very gradually move eastwards, so there will be some rain

crossing england and wales, but the wettest weather always likely across small north—western areas. the winds continue to come up from a south—westerly direction so it stays mild overnight and a frost—free night as well with temperatures drifting down to between six and nine celsius. heading into christmas day, it's going to be a mild start to the morning pretty much everywhere. low pressure stays to the north of the uk on sunday, christmas day, and we will keep these south—westerly winds. but with that comes bursts of rain. the wettest weather will be across western portions of the uk. central and eastern areas occasionally seeing a few bright or sunny spells breaking through with the cloud. and as this band of rain slowly moves its way southwards across scotland, eventually we will start to get some colder air into the north—west of scotland and with some showers in the forecast, it's not out of the question we could see one or two of those turn wintry, but later in the day, more towards the evening time. so one or two could have a white christmas, but for most it will stay mild. mind you, heading overnight, christmas night and into boxing day, there will be quite a widespread frost around. watch out for some icy stretches, particularly into scotland where

snow showers are going to become increasingly widespread into boxing day with accumulations expected. a few centimetres at low elevations but up in the mountains, 5—10 centimetres building in with blizzards and drifting of the snow in the strong winds. temperatures here struggling to get much above freezing in places, but generally across the uk it's going to be a colder kind of day, a blustery feel with a number of showers around. really between christmas and new year, it's often going to be mild, but cloudy with some heavy rain around and often pretty windy, particularly for wednesday with gales and maybe severe gales affecting some western areas.

this is bbc world news, the headlines. one of the worst winter storms in living memory is covering much of the united states and canada, bringing heavy snow and freezing temperatures. minus 45 celsius was recorded in one town in the us state of montana. here in the uk the railways came to a standstill, earlier than usual this chrismas, after another walk out over pay and conditions. roads were expected to be disrupted but the aa said it was "not as bad as expected." french police and protesters have clashed for the second day running in central paris. the unrest was caused by a deadly shooting on friday at a kurdish cultural centre. some demonstrators overturned vehicles and set them on fire.

the taliban have now banned women in afghanistan from working for non—governmental organisations saying they are breaking