this is bbc news broadcasting in the uk and around the globe. i'm samantha simmonds. our top stories... at least 20 people have died in extreme winter storms in the us and canada. more than one million people are without power. the un and ngos condemn a new taliban order barring women the united nations and ngos in afghanistan are meeting today to discuss whether to suspend aid operations in response to a taliban order banning women agency employees. as ten civilians are killed by russian shelling in the ukrainian city of kherson, president zelensky says airstrikes will not diminish the spirit of ukrainians. translation: we will return freedom to all ukrainians. - wherever we are, we will be together today, and together we will look into the evening sky.

and king charles is expected to reflect on queen elizabeth's legacy in his first christmas message as monarch. hello and welcome to bbc news. more than a million americans and canadians are facing christmas day without power as a winter storm continues to barrel its way across north america. the so�*called �*bomb cyclone' has brought heavy snow, strong winds, and freezing temperatures. at least 20 people have died because of icy roads, and high winds uprooting trees. howard johnson reports. subzero temperatures... ..whiteouts. .. ..and flooding.

from toronto to new orleans, north america is experiencing a winter storm of epic proportions. nearly 250 million americans and canadians are believed to be affected, with more than 1.5 million people without power. thousands of flights have been cancelled and major roads closed, ruining christmas travel plans. a 46—car pile—up in ohio left four dead. while in kansas city, one person died when their car plunged into an icy creek. in hard—hit new york state, driving has been banned to prevent further casualties. the conditions, the blinding snow, the zero visibility, absolute whiteouts, it may go down as one of the worst in history. canadian travellers were reportedly stranded on stalled trains for up to 18 hours.

unfortunately, the trains were cancelled for today, so just trying to get back home for the holidays now. i came down from peterborough for this, got a ride down from my brother—in—law, and he's coming back now to get me. and then we'll see what we're going to do. i'm waiting for a cab to go - to a hotel and stay there for a day, hopefully it's just a day, l and i go back to toronto. officials are urging people to stay at home to avoid temperatures as low as —45 degrees celsius, capable of turning boiling water into snow and bubbles into ice balls. but meteorologists say the subzero temperatures brought by this sudden storm are likely to lift rapidly, with conditions easing as early as boxing day. howard johnson, bbc news. it's a similar story injapan, where heavy snow in the north and surrounding areas has left

more than a dozen people dead and at least 80 injured. over 10,000 households have also been left without power, and the meteorological agency has warned that snowstorms and high waves along the sea of japan coast could lead to snow drifts up to 60 centimetres deep. an air raid alert has been issued for the whole of ukraine this morning. unconfirmed reports suggest it happened after russian jets took to the skies in belarus. it comes as officials in ukraine say three emergency workers have been killed in demining operations on saturday in the southern region of kherson. the authorities said they had been working in an area liberated from russian forces. an explosive device, which they had been working to make safe, detonated, killing them all. also on saturday, russian shelling killed at least ten civilians in the city of kherson. the strikes were among the deadliest on kherson since russian forces were driven out last month. in a defiant video message on christmas eve, president volodymyr zelensky said

russian air strikes would not harm what he called the steel spirit of ukrainians. translation: someone will see it on the highway, on the road - from the ukrainian—polish border to kherson or zaporizhzhia. some will see it through the holes of the bullet—riddled roof of their own homes. someone will celebrate the holiday in other people's homes, but not with strangers. and someone will spend this christmas in captivity, but please remember that we are coming for our people. we will return freedom to all ukrainians. wherever we are, we will be together today. and together, we will look into the evening sky. the united nations and ngos in afghanistan are meeting today to discuss whether to suspend aid operations in response to a taliban order banning women agency employees, which the un said violated fundamental rights. the move comes just days after female students were banned from universities, as naomi choy smith reports. the blows just keep coming

for the women of afghanistan. here they are met by water cannons, days after the taliban blocked them from university education. now they are also barred from working for ngos, following claims that some staffers failed to wear the hijab correctly. it is the latest assault on women's rights in afghanistan since the taliban returned to power last year, and it could have a devastating impact on the incomes of afghan families, as well as the life—saving work of aid agencies. women who are working right now in the ngos are the only breadwinners for theirfamilies, the only people who are working and bringing income to their families, in the context that there are no job opportunities and there is an economic crisis going on. dozens of non—governmental organisations working in afghanistan could be affected by the latest ban.

the international rescue committee says its 3,000 female staffers are critical for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and it is "dismayed by the move". us secretary of state antony blinken also shared his deep concern, tweeting that the taliban order will disrupt vital and life—saving assistance to millions. hejoins a growing international chorus of condemnation. the un called it a clear breach of humanitarian principles, and the european union said it is assessing the impact of its aid in afghanistan. but as the outrage grows, the women of afghanistan continue to fade from public life, with many of their most basic rights under threat. naomi choy smith, bbc news. shabnam safa is chair of the national refugee—led advisory and advocacy group and member of the action for afghanistan campaign in australia. she told us the international reaction has been farfrom enough.

i'm absolutely gutted, not surprised, but very, very disgusted and also disappointed in just the lack of outrage by the international community, including australia, where most of my work is. this is a calculated, systematic strategy towards complete erasure of women in afghanistan. we know that this is so much bigger thanjust banning education or banning, as of today, employment in most areas for women. this is a sickening approach towards stripping women of their agency and power in society and going back to the horrors of the last century, when the taliban took power for the first time. our south asia editor, anbarasan ethirajan is following this story for us.

what is your view on what the last guest was think? that the international reaction has been far from enough?— international reaction has been far from enouh? . ., . . from enough? what the taliban have been doin: from enough? what the taliban have been doing in — from enough? what the taliban have been doing in the _ from enough? what the taliban have been doing in the past _ from enough? what the taliban have been doing in the past few _ from enough? what the taliban have been doing in the past few months, l been doing in the past few months, for example, they refused to reopen secondary schools for girls saying that they have to create a proper environment, then they banned women from working in a different sectors, education and health. and they have banned women from going to public parks, gyms and houses. then they banned women attending universities, and now they are banning ngos. if you look at what the taliban have been doing, they are systematically curtailing the rights of women. the international community has been condemning this, they have been criticising the salaman, but beyond that, they have not —— criticising the taliban. but the message has not

been from the international community, and the taliban know that they have to engage with the international community, they want money from donor nations assert they can't carry out key humanitarian work. the aid agencies also want to distribute food and other items to people. so both parties need each other, and the taliban are making use of the opportunity to completely remove women from the public sphere of life, and that is really devastating for the afghan women. for 20 years, they have been given lots of promises, a western— backed government was there, so they all went to universities, colleges, looking for a job. and all of a sudden now they are being made to sit at home. and that is very depressing for many afghan women. figs depressing for many afghan women. as we have been reporting, the un meeting to discuss whether to suspend aid operations in reaction, response to all of this. are we going to see a further clamping down on the rights of women and girls, even the youngest girls at primary school level? we

even the youngest girls at primary school level?— even the youngest girls at primary school level? ~ . , ., school level? we are getting several re orts of school level? we are getting several reports of already _ school level? we are getting several reports of already stopping - school level? we are getting several reports of already stopping women | reports of already stopping women from going to mosques. and there have been various reports on social media suggesting that they could even end of the primary schools. but we have not had any confirmation on that. but we would not be surprised to see the salaman imposing further restrictions. the whole idea seems to be —— taliban. women have been protesting in the last few months, when they first started refusing to open schools, when they refused to allow women to resume at work. it was women who started protesting in the streets of kabul and other cities, and that really angered the taliban and authorities and they in reduced —— women have been at the forefront raising their voice against the taliban. they have been facing the brunt. they don't want to see educated women questioning them.

if you see what other muslim countries like iran and saudi arabia and turkey, they are condemning the decision by the taliban saying it is not sharia law, we have to... the afghan taliban seems to be the only country where they do not want women to get educated. country where they do not want women to get educated-— to get educated. thank you very much. to get educated. thank you very much- bbc— to get educated. thank you very much. bbc world _ to get educated. thank you very much. bbc world service's - to get educated. thank you very| much. bbc world service's south to get educated. thank you very - much. bbc world service's south asia editor. a young woman has died after a shooting at a busy pub near liverpool in northwest england late last night. a number of others were also injured in the incident at the lighthouse inn, in wallasey village shortly before midnight. merseyside police have launched a murder investigation and say a search is under way for the gunman, the area's mp a search is under way for the gunman. the area's mp angela eagle has described the shooting as heartbreaking. sarah rogers reports from the scene. last night, the lighthouse inn here was busy, bustling, full of young people. it sits in wallasey village, which is at the end of a main road. there are restaurants and shops here. and this bar was full of young

people celebrating christmas eve. we can still see that there are beer bottles that have been strewn outside as people were just having a drink, but that all ended ten minutes to midnight when a gunman shot and killed a woman. three men have been injured and they are being treated in hospital. we are told that a number of other people have also been hurt. details are still emerging, but police say they believe the gunman left the car park in a dark car after the shooting, possibly a mercedes. they say their inquiries are now extensive. in a statement, they told us that this investigation is in the very early stages. "we understand that it is truly shocking and devastating, especiallyjust before christmas day in a busy venue full of young people." and it is that word, "shocking", but devastating as well. devastating to any friends, any family at any time of year but especially on christmas day.

officers say they are also appealing for anybody who was here, anybody who has any phone footage, to contact them as a matter of urgency as this manhunt continues. sarah rogers reporting. king charles is expected to pay tribute to his mother, queen elizabeth ii, in his first televised christmas message as monarch. the king and queen consort will spend the day at sandringham where they will host the royal family's where they will host the royal family's traditional gathering. sarah rogers reports from the scene. the crowds started arriving from the early hours of this morning, and lots of people have made a lot of effort. there are santa hats, christmasjumpers, people have brought presents, bunches of flowers for the royal family. but there are two girls here that have outshone everyone else so far. let's meet them. this is zsa zsa gabor and ziggy bear, who have... just look at them! they are christmas, aren't they?

they have got their tinsel, their christmas jumper, they have got their hat, haven't you darling? haven't you? and this is dave, one of their owners. good morning. you have made a lot of effort this morning. they look great. they are pretty good, actually. they are really looking forward in particular to that carol service because ziggy bear, you can see she is starting already. she absolutely loves singing. and they are cavalier king charles spaniels, after all, so they heard that the king was going to be here and they thought it is only right and proper that they should attend and pay their respects. and obviously you can hear that beautiful voice there, singing out loud and proud. absolutely. she is on good form, isn't she? they are getting a lot of attention. you have had people coming up, getting photos with you and the dogs. yes, it is fantastic but it is all their idea, though. they wanted to get dressed up with their hats and all this sort of stuff. it is all their doing.

and you have got the carriage as well, to keep them warm. we have got the courage, exactly, the royal stroller, absolutely. and it is fantastic. and theyjust really love being here. it is really nice. well, it is a bittersweet occasion with the queen no longer with us, but it is fantastic that the king is here and it would be absolutely wonderful— if they could meet him. and this is your first yearat sandringham? we have been here before but we haven't been here for a few years now, so it isjust lovely to come and appear, particularly with these guys. charlotte gallagher there in at sandringham. some lines coming to us from russia, president putin has said that he is 100% sure that russia will destroy us patriot missiles in ukraine. this in response to the visit by president zelensky to washington earlier this week. we saw the us presidentjoe biden promise a huge package of aid, including patriot missile batteries

for use as an air defence system in ukraine. now president putin saying he is 100% sure that russia will destroy us patriot missiles in ukraine. he also said that the west is aiming to, in his works, tear apart russia. the ukrainian president has recorded a defiant video message as his country marks its first christmas since the invasion of russia. volodymyr zelensky said russian missiles could not harm his country's �*steel spirit�*. hugo bachega has been to meet one family in kyiv to find out how they are coping. it's a small gesture, but a symbol of defiance. this couple don't usually celebrate christmas in december. but this year is different. with russian soldiers in their country, it is an element with russian soldiers in their country, it is a moment of change, to break away from old traditions.

translation: we celebrate christmas together as catholics, _ the same way they do. we don't want to give the russians a reason to think we won't have a holiday. in their building, no lights and no lift. russia's attacks on essential infrastructure means they only have electricity for a few hours a day. minutes after we arrive, the air raid alert goes off and we take cover. a reminder that, even away from the front lines, the threat is never far away. translation: i can't say this is a comfortable life, - but it is not the worst that can happen. i accept it. it is a temporary trouble. with power back, it is time to decorate. they are trying to carry on as normal. what are you hoping for this christmas? translation: | really want - all children to meet their parents alive and healthy, and for ukraine to win with as little bloodshed as possible.

translation: i wish one thing for christmas. - victory. a victory for the ukrainian army, victory for the ukrainian people. ukrainians are trying to find reasons to celebrate. they remain determined to resist. but here, and across the country, many are in the dark and in the cold. the war won't stop for christmas. but people are not losing hope. this is the first time this orthodox church marks christmas eve on the 24th of december. stanislav is remembering those who aren't here. my wife and my child, they are outside ukraine. so i miss them a lot. from one side, it's really, really sad. because i am alone in here. and from another side, i am so happy my wife and child are in safety. a day that brings some light

amid the darkness of war. hugo bachega, bbc news. the orthodox population in ukraine have traditionally celebrated christmas on january 7, but that will change for many this year, with the orthodox church of ukraine allowing its congregations to celebrate today for the first time. the decision has been seen as an effort to move away from the russian orthodox dates for christmas. i'm joined now byjade blackburn in leicestershire. she is the host of a ukrainian family of three, who are celebrating christmas today. a very merry christmas to you. thank you so much forjoining us today. tell us about the family you are looking after, the family you are hosting. we looking after, the family you are hostinu. ~ ., looking after, the family you are hostinu. ~ . ., ., looking after, the family you are hostinu. ~ . . ., ., ., ., hosting. we have a mum and a dad who are late 20s. — hosting. we have a mum and a dad who are late 20s, early _ hosting. we have a mum and a dad who are late 20s, early 30s _ hosting. we have a mum and a dad who are late 20s, early 30s and _ hosting. we have a mum and a dad who are late 20s, early 30s and a _ hosting. we have a mum and a dad who are late 20s, early 30s and a little - are late 20s, early 30s and a little boy who was ia months when he came to us and his breath is in february. he will be two in february. tell to us and his breath is in february. he will be two in february.- he will be two in february. tell us a little more _ he will be two in february. tell us a little more about _ he will be two in february. tell us a little more about their _ he will be two in february. tell us a little more about their story. - he will be two in february. tell us| a little more about their story. so, the were

a little more about their story. so, they were from — a little more about their story. srr, they were from zaporizhzhia, a little more about their story. s57, they were from zaporizhzhia, which is south—west of kyiv, they went through the window shaking when the bombs were going, the sirens and things. they left because they have a young child, at that time under the age of one, which was very scary for them. the age of one, which was very scary forthem. so the age of one, which was very scary for them. so they managed to flee tel aviv and get into a column —— to the vive —— to lviv. tel aviv and get into a column -- to the vive -- to lviv.— the vive -- to lviv. how are they feelin: the vive -- to lviv. how are they feeling about _ the vive -- to lviv. how are they feeling about this _ the vive -- to lviv. how are they feeling about this first _ the vive -- to lviv. how are they feeling about this first christmasj feeling about this first christmas away from every going on in ukraine? i think it is very tough for them. julia's mum still lives in ukraine, and i think that is quite sad for them that they couldn't be together as a family. but if they have also embraced the fact they are spending christmas in a safety and with us. we had a traditional i2— dish ukraine christmas eve yesterday, and we had our presence opening this morning, as we were traditionally in

this country. so we had a bit of a mixed christmas. you this country. so we had a bit of a mixed christmas.— mixed christmas. you have been blendin: mixed christmas. you have been blending the _ mixed christmas. you have been blending the christmas - mixed christmas. you have been. blending the christmas traditions, which is really lovely. and how has the experience for you as a host been? it the experience for you as a host been? ., , , the experience for you as a host been? , , been? it has been quite eye-opening, i have to been? it has been quite eye-opening, i have to say- — been? it has been quite eye-opening, i have to say- i — been? it has been quite eye-opening, i have to say. i have _ been? it has been quite eye-opening, i have to say. i have definitely - i have to say. i have definitely learned a lot about myself over the last eight months. you do need a lot of patience, but it has been full of love. i am just really glad that they are here and safe and warm and looked after. they are here and safe and warm and looked after-— looked after. jade, you are doing a wonderfulthing. _ looked after. jade, you are doing a wonderful thing. americans - looked after. jade, you are doing a wonderful thing. americans must l looked after. jade, you are doing a l wonderful thing. americans must do all of you. jade blackburn there in leicestershire. —— merry christmas to all of you. for some of us, exercising on christmas day involves the perilous trek from sofa to kitchen and back again. but that's not the case for the thousands of people who take part in park runs every week. we can cross now to bushy park

in south west london, where a very special christmas park run began at 9am — and talk to one of the volunteers who organises the event, claire crook. a very merry christmas to you as well, dressed for the occasion. bushy park where park run all began, the very first one, tell us what it is like today. it the very first one, tell us what it is like today-— is like today. it has been great toda , is like today. it has been great today. we _ is like today. it has been great today, we have _ is like today. it has been great today, we have been - is like today. it has been great today, we have been here - is like today. it has been great| today, we have been here since is like today. it has been great - today, we have been here since about 8am in the atmosphere is fantastic. everybody is wishing each other merry christmas, whether they know each other or not. it is just fabulous, we have had dogs dressed up fabulous, we have had dogs dressed up as mania, i have seen festive hotdogs going past. dogs dressed up as reindeer. it has been great. dire as reindeer. it has been great. are there still some runners tackling there still some runners tackling the course or has everybody finished?— the course or has everybody finished? ., , , ., , the course or has everybody finished? ., , , ., finished? no, everybody has now finished. they _ finished? no, everybody has now finished. they have _ finished? no, everybody has now finished. they have headed - finished? no, everybody has now| finished. they have headed home finished? no, everybody has now. finished. they have headed home to whatever their plans or celebrations or work today is. and we are just finishing up. we are at leaving the park as we found it, neat and tidy and all good. bud park as we found it, neat and tidy and all good-— and all good. and what is it that brin: and all good. and what is it that bring people _

and all good. and what is it that bring people out _ and all good. and what is it that bring people out on _ and all good. and what is it that bring people out on christmas i and all good. and what is it that - bring people out on christmas day? are these the dedicated park runners? do you have lots of people who perhaps only dip into park run from time to time but i think it is a really nice way to begin christmas day? a really nice way to begin christmas da ? ., ~ a really nice way to begin christmas da ? . ~ ,., a really nice way to begin christmas da ? . ~' , ., ~ a really nice way to begin christmas da? . . ., day? yeah, i think so. we have --eole day? yeah, i think so. we have people coming _ day? yeah, i think so. we have people coming out _ day? yeah, i think so. we have people coming out with - day? yeah, i think so. we have people coming out with their. people coming out with their families who have never done it before, but it is a family event. we might have people who are dedicated part runners but don't have family who are on their own. this is a way to get company and a bit of feel—good spirit before we start. before they start their day. it is just a fantastic environment. and we have everybody, i have seen somebody here today whose first part run it was today, and i thought how brilliant it was to do it on christmas day.— brilliant it was to do it on christmas da . ., ., ., christmas day. not to mention workin: christmas day. not to mention working on _ christmas day. not to mention working on a — christmas day. not to mention working on a good _ christmas day. not to mention working on a good appetite - christmas day. not to mention working on a good appetite forj christmas day. not to mention - working on a good appetite for the food, the christmas lunch, mince pies etc. food, the christmas lunch, mince ies etc. ~ , , ., food, the christmas lunch, mince iesetc. , , ., pies etc. well, yes. you don't really need — pies etc. well, yes. you don't really need to _ pies etc. well, yes. you don't really need to earn _ pies etc. well, yes. you don't really need to earn your - pies etc. well, yes. you don't - really need to earn your christmas food, do you? if you enjoy it, that is all fine. there is no requirement that you must run five kilometres

before you tuck into your food. i before you tuck into your food. i certainly have not run five kilometres this morning, i suspect many of us haven't!— kilometres this morning, i suspect many of us haven't! neither have i, to be fair! — many of us haven't! neither have i, to be fair! the _ many of us haven't! neither have i, to be fair! the organisation - many of us haven't! neither have i, to be fair! the organisation is - many of us haven't! neither have i, to be fair! the organisation is so i to be fair! the organisation is so important. _ to be fair! the organisation is so important. to — to be fair! the organisation is so important, to tell _ to be fair! the organisation is so important, to tell us _ to be fair! the organisation is so important, to tell us what - to be fair! the organisation is so important, to tell us what you i to be fair! the organisation is so i important, to tell us what you do. i important, to tell us what you do. i am a park run ambassador, it is a volunteer role and i looked after seven different events. the team here, all park runs are all based in the community and the do an amazing job. they need about 60 plus volunteers to run and event every single week, probably more on christmas day. different park runs need a different amount. some don't run, theyjust love volunteering, run, they just love volunteering, and run, theyjust love volunteering, and we have others that run 100 park runs and love volunteering. everybody is funny, i have never been to a park run yet what i have not had a new friend, said hello.

and it isjust not had a new friend, said hello. and it is just fabulous. not had a new friend, said hello. and it isjust fabulous. i can't praise it enough, it isjust and it isjust fabulous. i can't praise it enough, it is just a brilliant environment. we praise it enough, it is 'ust a brilliant environment. ~ , ., brilliant environment. we must leave it there. thank _ brilliant environment. we must leave it there. thank you _ brilliant environment. we must leave it there. thank you very _ brilliant environment. we must leave it there. thank you very much - brilliant environment. we must leave it there. thank you very much and . it there. thank you very much and have a lovely day. hello and a very merry christmas to you. if you are hoping to see a white christmas, for most of us it is going to be too mild. perhaps a bit of snow on the way to the higher ground of scotland later in the day. but mild for most, with scattered showers around. a bit of sunshine, so not a complete wash—out for your christmas day. you can see the mild air very much with us through the day. the blue colours, the colder air working in from the north—west later on. we have got low pressure in charge of things sitting to the north of the uk. we have a couple of fronts rotating around that area of low pressure, so that's bringing some spells of rain around. we have got some rain moving into the south east of england up towards east anglia for a time. also some more persistent rain for northern ireland and at times for southern scotland, north—west england, one or two showers for wales and the south—west, too. generally the midlands and eastern

england are looking a bit drier. temperatures through the afternoon 11 or 12 degrees in the south but only around about six to eight degrees in the northern half of scotland. and for it to officially be a white christmas, we only need to observe a single snowflake falling from the sky during the 2a hours of christmas day. now, that is likely to happen, particularly as this area of rain works southwards and eastwards across much of the uk through this evening. it turns to snow for a time over the higher ground of scotland. it is going to be followed by further snow showers working in here, too. elsewhere, it is turning colder through the night, so there could be some icy stretches, especially for parts of scotland and northern ireland and northern england, too. milder and frost—free down towards the south. but for boxing day, it will be a colder—feeling day as that cloud exits the east coast. more wintry sunshine on offer, but further heavy snow showers with brisk winds packing in across much of scotland. and some wintry flurries for the pennines, perhaps into wales, northern ireland as well. temperatures during boxing day tomorrow between about four to ten degrees, so it will be noticeably cooler and windier than it is for christmas day. but the cold air on boxing day doesn't stick around for long because milder air and another frontal system works

in into tuesday. that could potentially bring a spell of quite heavy snow for a time across parts of scotland and the higher ground of northern england, turning back to rain probably later on as the milder air works in, and it will be falling as rain further south. also quite breezy, too, as we head through tuesday. so, temperatures between about five to ten degrees for most of us. so, an unsettled picture as we head through the final few days of 2022. breezy, plenty of showers around, but still reasonably mild for this time of year. have a great christmas.

the headlines. at least 20 people have died in extreme winter storms in the us and canada. engineers are scrambling to restore power supplies to hundreds of thousands of people and the severe weather has disrupted transport. the united nations and ngos in afghanistan are meeting to discuss whether to suspend aid after the taliban banned women aid agency employees. it comes days after female students were banned from universities. ten civilians have been killed by bush and channing in the her son and three emergency workers lost their lives in the area. president zelensky says air

strikes will