this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. north america's deep freeze — severe winter weather claims 33 lives across the united states and canada. rescuers continue to search for two people missing after an avalanche on the austrian slopes. four major aid agencies suspend their activities in afghanistan, in response to a ban on women carrying out humanitarian work. and king charles pays tribute to his late mother, queen elizabeth — and reflects on the cost of living crisis — in his first christmas message. at this time of great anxiety and hardship, christmas is a poignant time for all who have lost loved ones.

millions of people in the us and canada are spending christmas in the grip of a severe winter storm, which has brought extreme frost, heavy snow and strong winds. at least 33 people have died in weather related incidents and around 175 thousand homes are without power. our north america correspondent, nomia iqbal, reports. a very white christmas has turned more into a deep freeze. the city of buffalo in new york state is used to tough weather conditions but this storm has left it paralysed. many don't even have any power to cook their christmas lunch. i'm really glad that i have a fireplace because otherwise i'd be freezing right now. 43 inches of snow fell here as of christmas morning. driving is banned as

the blizzard conditions leave roads impassable, power substations frozen and at least seven people dead. we are in a war. this is a war with mother nature and she has been hitting us with everything she has since the late hours of thursday and into friday, saturday and now on christmas morning. and this will go down in history as the most devastating storm in buffalo's long—storied history of having battled many battles, many major storms. in the midwest, four people were killed earlier in the week in a pile—up in ohio. four others died in crashes in missouri and kansas. the nation's capital has avoided much of the worst weather but the bomb cyclone has left its mark. hundreds of water pipes are frozen, temperatures continue to drop and many of the city's homeless people have been given emergency shelter. the storm is continuing to barrel up along the east coast

here and across much of the us, and the advice remains to avoid travelling unless it's essential. and it's notjust the snow and ice causing mayhem. high winds have brought high tides and flooding on the eastern seaboard. forecasters say the storm will ease off in the next few days but freezing temperatures are likely to linger for some time. nomia iqbal, bbc news, washington. annick ruedi has been sheltering in her rv trailer in texas. she travelled there with her daughter in the hope of christmas spent somewhere warm. we're not very warm at the moment, so i thinkjust about, yeah, an hourago, we had to reinstall electricity. we lost heat. we had no internet. so it's been a challenge on our interesting journey that we embarked on. and we're also a little bit warm because we got to open our christmas presents and we got warmed by our heart and our love.

now, i need an introduction to that beautiful young lady. who was ijust speaking to, annick? that's my daughter, emily. she's nine. emily, this has been quite a road trip for you, hasn't it? what were you expecting when you drove down to texas? how was it all going until that storm hit? it was going pretty well... it was very interesting. and we discovered more things and exploring. and i like to explore new stores, to find new stuff. i like to travel. ilike to... meet new people. but what about our stop right now? do you think it's...? what do you think about the cold temperatures?

i think i'm very... i'm very nervous and confused, because... i got confused because i was expecting there was going to be snow, but i'm actually sad because there's no snow. but... annick... sorry, emily, i'mjust going tojump in quickly. thank you for that description because that explains it for many people, the reaction to this weather. annick, obviously you drove down from canada. i can see the maple leafjumper. yes, we did leave... my dream was to spend one christmas at least by a warm beach, sunny, and on thursday, we did have 23 degrees, gorgeous weather, and in 12 hours, it dropped 37 degrees to —14.

living in canada, you're used to cold, you're used to the snow, you get over it, but being down here... we're definitely not spending our christmas by the beach. i think we tried to take some christmas pictures with our hats. in less than 45 seconds, you know, it was so cold, we had to run back inside. it is a very different christmas. rescue teams are searching for survivors of an avalanche in western austria. it's thought two people remain unaccounted for after a number of skiers were buried by snow in an off—piste area of the lech—zurs resort. helena wilkinson reports. a huge rescue operation is continuing tonight for two people who are understood to be still missing. helicopters are being used in the search over lech—zurs,

two popular ski resorts next to each other in western austria. the avalanche happened at around three o'clock in the afternoon local time. around 100 people were brought in to help with the search. initially it was feared that at least ten people had been buried under the snow. it's now reported that six of them escaped uninjured. two others had to be treated in hospital. rescuers say they will continue searching through the night in the hope they find the two people who are still missing. helena wilkinson, bbc news. now to a developing story out of serbia, and dozens of people have been admitted to hospital after a train carrying ammonia derailed near the southeastern city of pirot. people have been warned not to leave their homes. naomi choy smith joins me now for more.

tell me what we know about the latest? the latest that we know is that this training was carrying ammonia, toxic chemicals actually derailed in it is unclear what caused the train to derail at the stage but 20 carriages came off of the tracks and one fell into the tracks and one fell into the nearby river and by releasing this toxic gas in a chemical reaction. that has sickened about 50 people so far. they have been taken to hospital for treatment for their poisoning and as you said, this is a small town of 60,000 people. they have all been asked to stay in their homes because this chemical can be considered dangerous and schools will be closed tomorrow, mondayjust as a caution to keep everyone safe. this is still unfolding and potentially quite a dangerous situation that we have here on the border with bulgaria. [30 situation that we have here on the border with bulgaria. do we know any more _ the border with bulgaria. do we know any more about _ the border with bulgaria. do we know any more about the - know any more about the chemicals, the ammonia that the train was carrying?—

train was carrying? ammonia is widely used _ train was carrying? ammonia is widely used as _ train was carrying? ammonia is widely used as an _ train was carrying? ammonia is widely used as an industrial- widely used as an industrial fertiliser some people even use it in their back yard and is widely considered safe, if it is transported and stored safely. in this instance, it fell off of the tracks, there was this ration with the water in the gas released can be toxic and dangerous so patients that have been affected in this incident are complaining of damaged airways burning sensations and the gas can also be flammable so that is another fear that we have in this instance.— fear that we have in this instance. ., ~ , ., , . instance. thank you very much, naomi. let's get some of the day's other news. six people have died after a passenger bus plunged into a river off a bridge in northwest spain. two survivors were rescued from the river lerez, but strong currents due to heavy rains have been hampering the rescue operation. the coach was travelling between the cities of lugo and vigo in galicia. iran says that seven people, including dual nationals with alleged links to the uk, have been arrested in connection with the current wave of anti—government protests.

a statement described the captives as members of an organisation involved in guiding and directing revolutionary plots. it's understood they were detained as they were trying to leave the country. pakistan's military says five of its soldiers have been killed in a bomb blast in the south—western province of balochistan. it said the troops were conducting a clearance operation when an improvised explosive device went off in the district of kohlu. a militant group, balochistan liberation army, said it carried out the bombing. four major aid organisations are suspending all their work in afghanistan following the order by taliban authorities banning the employment of women at humanitarian agencies. the international rescue committee, irc, has become the latest agency to halt its activity in the country. earlier, care, the norwegian refugee council and save the children said they could not effectively reach afghans in desperate need without their female staff. but the taliban have rejected

the international condemnation zahra nader is the editor in chief of zan times, a media outlet that covers human rights in afghanistan. she told us more about what it's like for women in the country. we all know that the taliban have issued, the past week, on december 20th they issued a ban on women entering universities. and four days later they issued another decree banning women from working at international ngos at a time where in afghanistan, 98% of afghanistan is not earning enough and half of the country is facing hunger and starvation. and we know the scale of the children that are suffering from malnutrition are rising. just two months ago one of the organisations that said they would suspend operations said, the number of children that are dangerously

malnutrition are rising 50%. i think those numbers are alarming. and when you compare the numbers to what the taliban are doing, you get back to what afghan women are saying before the taliban takeover and now, that the taliban cannot be trusted. but unfortunately, as we have witnessed in the past 1.5 years now, the taliban are continuously cutting back on women's rights and participation from society and unfortunately, what we didn't hear a lot is action from international community, from the countries, who are advocating and talking about human rights, women's rights, we are not hearing a lot. first of all, i am very worried for the entire population of the country because we are left with a group who are entirely illogical and they are only functioning based on their hatred of women, their own ideology group

and what they are doing is based on their ideology and what they want to show themselves as "pure" islamic. unlike any other islamic country. do you think these aid agencies should make an effort to continue to try and working afghanistan given the dire situation there? i won't be really in favour of that because if the countries, the international community will stand still, then the taliban may issue a decree that women have to stay at home, because their soliders are not ready to treat women in their second week in power. i think we would not be here now because we are seeing that the accomadtion get us here. the taliban are banning women from school. the international community is concerned but is not taking any concrete action to respond to the taliban. to say that this is not acceptable. that violating human right, women's rights to the extent

the taliban is doing is not acceptable. i understand that this population of afghanistan is bearing and will bear the consequences of this decision. however, as we know, the country is already in crisis. but those who are not listening, those who seemed comfortable taking these decisions are the taliban because they understand there is no consequence, accountability and there are no international bodies that will make them accountable. to say that this will not be tolerated, the violation of women's rights to the extent we are seeing in afghanistan. this is unlike any other country in the world. afghanistan is the only country in the world that is not letting women to get an education and go to work. these are basic human right. we are talking about basic human right, not even to the level of having equal rights for women and men. we are talking about basic

human right and the taliban have denied basic human rights since they have taken over. and they are continuing to do it. stay with us on bbc news, still to come. # feliz navidad. .. the world—renowned tenor, andrea bocelli records his first family christmas album — with his son, matteo and daughter, virginia. the most ambitious financial and political change ever attempted has got under way with the introduction of the euro. tomorrow in holland we're going to use money we picked up in belgium today, and then we'll be in france and again it'll be the same money. it's just got to be the way to go.

george harrison, the former beatle, is recovering in hospital after being stabbed at his oxfordshire home. a 33—year—old man from liverpool is being interviewed by police on suspicion of attempted murder. i think it was good. just good? no. fantastic. the severe arctic freeze claims 33 lives across the united states and canada. rescuers continue to search for two people missing after an avalanche on the austrian slopes.

president putin has accused the west of trying to tear russia apart in comments to russian tv. mr putin said moscow was ready to negotiate to end the war, but kyiv was refusing to engage in talks. officials in ukraine say 3 emergency workers were killed on saturday, in the southern region of kherson. the authorities said, they'd been in an area liberated from russian forces. an explosive device — which they'd been also on saturday russian shelling killed at least 10 civilians in the city, among the deadliest attacks since russian forces were driven out of kherson last month. in a defiant video message on christmas eve, president zelensky, said russian airstrikes would not harm what he called the steel spirit of ukrainians. translation: someone will see it on the highway, on the road i

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. king charles has used his first christmas message as monarch, to reflect on the cost—of—living crisis. he spoke of the "great anxiety and hardship" — for those struggling to "pay their bills and keep their families fed and warm". the king also paid tribute to his mother, queen elizabeth, who is buried in st george's chapel — from where the king delivered his speech. our royal correspondent, nicholas witchell has more. christmas at sandringham for the first time since the start of the pandemic. familiar routines were resumed — though, without that most familiar of figures, queen elizabeth.

king charles and the queen consort led the royal family from church. just behind them, the prince and princess of wales, with all three of their children, george, charlotte and four year old louis. also there with the family group, the duke of york. the wales's spent time with spectators receiving their bunches of flowers, and then back to the main house for christmas lunch and the king's first christmas broadcast. the king's message was recorded in st george's chapel, windsor, close to the spot where the late queen was laid to rest. christmas is a particularly poignant time for all of us who have lost loved ones. we feel their absence at every familiar turn of the season and remember them in each cherished tradition. the king spoke about his mother's faith in the everlasting light of god.

my mother's belief in the power of that light was an essential part of herfaith in god, but also herfaith in people. and it is one which i share with my whole heart. the king said this ability to touch the lives of others was evident in the selfless dedication of so many, including the emergency services and health and social care professionals. and it was particularly needed at the moment. at this time of great anxiety and hardship, be it for those around the world facing conflict, famine or natural disaster, or for those at home finding ways to pay their bills and keep theirfamilies fed and warm. we see it in the humanity of people throughout our nations and the commonwealth who so readily respond to the plight of others. the king said he wanted to pay particular tribute

to those who ran foodbanks, helping those in greatest need. our churches, synagogues, mosques, temples and gurdwaras have once again united in feeding the hungry, providing love and support throughout the year. working members of the royal family were shown, however, there was no mention of the duke and duchess of sussex. the king's message ended on a note of hope. so whatever faith you have or whether you have none, it is in this life giving light and with the true humility that lies in our service to others that i believe we can find hope for the future. a first christmas message from king charles and one with a strong sense of social awareness for families who are struggling to feed themselves or keep warm. officials say it would be

strange if the head of state did not recognise and feel an empathy for people facing such difficult times. nicholas witchell, bbc news at buckingham palace. all around the world — millions of people have been — or are still — celebrating christmas. it's usually a time forfamily, friends and maybe a little excess. but for some this is proving to be a difficult festive period — as the bbc�*s tim allman explains. you'd think, what with the big day rapidly approaching, hearing keep the sound of song rings out in the middle of an error rate in one of the cities underground railway stations carol service is under way. b, carol service is under way. a celebration of the season but also a moment of defiance. translation: it also a moment of defiance. translation:— also a moment of defiance. translation: ., , ., , .,

translation: it was really hard at first because _ translation: it was really hard at first because it _ translation: it was really hard at first because it seemed - at first because it seemed strange to celebrate the holiday, but if you perceive it as a carol for victory then it is normal. everything falls into place. is normal. everything falls into place-— is normal. everything falls into place. is normal. everything falls into lace. ., ., ., ., into place. no threat of war in rome but— into place. no threat of war in rome but there _ into place. no threat of war in rome but there are _ into place. no threat of war in rome but there are still- into place. no threat of war in | rome but there are still plenty who are desperate and in need. this christmas dinner held annually at the church of santa maria as put on for the poor of the parish. translation: ~ ., the parish. translation: ., ., translation: we are all gathered _ translation: we are all gathered here _ translation: we are all gathered here in - translation: we are allj gathered here in harmony translation: we are all - gathered here in harmony and peace with ourselves in others. it is a beautiful initiative for those who have existed for four years and thank goodness it exists. —— a0 years. four years and thank goodness it exists. -- 40 years.- four years and thank goodness it exists. -- 40 years. how can take many _ it exists. -- 40 years. how can take many forms _ it exists. -- 40 years. how can take many forms and _ it exists. -- 40 years. how can take many forms and in - it exists. -- 40 years. how can take many forms and in the - take many forms and in the capital it looks a bit like this. hundreds and hundreds of father christmas is ready to rate the city to read —— raise money for charity. for

rate the city to read -- raise money for charity.— money for charity. for this organise — money for charity. for this organise centre _ money for charity. for this organise centre run - money for charity. for this organise centre run we - money for charity. for this | organise centre run we will have — organise centre run we will have around 200 families in need — have around 200 families in need and _ have around 200 families in need and many, many people who are in_ need and many, many people who are in need — need and many, many people who are in need of food or something. are in need of food or somethin.. , ., , , ., something. christmas is a time for aaivin something. christmas is a time for giving and _ something. christmas is a time for giving and plenty _ something. christmas is a time for giving and plenty of - for giving and plenty of dressing up. tim allman, bbc news. before we leave you — a little christmas musical treat. the world—renowned tenor, andrea bocelli, has recorded his first family christmas album — with his son, matteo and daughter, virginia. they've given the bbc a special preview. # feliz navidad

# prospero ano y felicidad # feliz navidad # i want to wish you a merry christmas you a merry christmas # i want to wish you a merry christmas # from the bottom of my heart # feliz navidad # prospero ano y felicidad # feliz navidad # i want to wish you a merry christmas you a merry christmas

# i want to wish you a merry christmas # from the bottom of my heart # i want to wish you a merry christmas # from the bottom of my heart. hello again. i thought i'd start off with confirmation of what you already know, and that is that the vast majority of the uk didn't have a white christmas — not with temperatures like these through christmas afternoon, 13 in chertsey, 12 for london. most parts of the uk had double figure temperatures. and even the far north of scotland, lerwick and shetland, had temperatures around 7 degrees. it was pretty mild, then, for most, but over recent hours and heading into boxing day, we do have a shot of colder air that's working its way in. starting to see some of these showers in highland start to turn wintry. and over the next few hours, yes, you probably will see some snow working into scotland, with the risk of some icy roads as temperatures dip below freezing here. some pockets of frost as well for northern ireland and northern england. mild weather further south. it's going to be a much colder

day, then, for boxing day, with some accumulations of snow building in to scotland, where we could see i—3 centimetres at low elevations. but up over the high ground, 5—10 centimetres of snow possible, where, along with the strong winds, we're talking about drifting and some blizzard conditions, so could well be some disruption locally in scotland. away from that, plenty of showers for northern ireland, the north—west of both england and wales. one or two wintry showers mixed in, temperatures a lot lower than they were on christmas day, ranging from around 4 to 10 degrees in london. 10 is still actually on the mild side. now, heading into tuesday, we could see a few more issues as well as this area of low pressure piles into the cold air in scotland. now, it could well be that we see a bit of snow on the leading edge of this system, with the snow then turning back to rain. but to the north of the central belt, over the high ground, well, the snow could last a bit longer. and i tentatively suggest we could see something like 5 to 10 centimetres. no warnings outjust yet, but it's worth keeping in touch with the weather forecast across northern scotland for tuesday. further southwards, it's a mild

day, quite a windy day, with a band of rain moving its way across england and wales. those temperatures widely still up into double figures, but that colder air refusing to budge, really, across the very far north of scotland. heading into wednesday and thursday, the weather pattern stays unsettled, with low pressures continuing to spin off the atlantic, bringing further zones of rain. and wednesday, we could see some fairly strong winds around as well, so that's something to bear in mind. running up closer to new year's eve, new year's day, it stays unsettled. generally, temperatures are a bit above average, but do expect more rain at times. bye— bye.

this is bbc news. these are the latest headlines: millions of people in the us and canada are spending christmas in the grip of a severe winter storm. at least 35 people are known to have died and around 175,000 homes are without power. officials in buffalo in new york state have called in the national guard. rescue teams are searching for survivors of an avalanche in western austria. it's thought two people remain unaccounted for after a number of skiers were buried by snow in an off—piste area of the lech zurs resort. initially, ten people were thought to have been trapped under the snow. dozens of people have been admitted to hospital in serbia after a train carrying ammonia derailed near the southeastern city of pirot.