this is bbc news i'm monika plaha. our top stories: north america's deep freeze — severe winter weather claims 35 lives across the united states and canada. rescuers continue to search for two people missing after an avalanche on the austrian slopes. dozens of people are treated for suspected chemical poisoning in serbia after a freight train carrying ammonia derails. and king charles pays tribute to his late mother queen elizabeth in his first christmas message. 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.

hello and welcome to bbc news. millions of people in the us and canada are spending christmas in the grip of a severe winter storm. it's brought extreme frost, heavy snow and strong winds. at least 35 people have died in weather related incidents and around 175,000 homes are without power. 0ur 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 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 around 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 3:00 in the afternoon local time. around 100 people were brought in to help with the search. initially it was feared that at least 10 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'll continue searching through the night in the hope they find the two people who are still missing. chopper whirrs helena wilkinson, bbc news. let's get some of the day's other news. french officials say the man suspected of killing three kurdish people in paris on friday has confessed to a hatred of foreigners. new footage of the 69—year—old has been released. it shows him going into a barbers shop armed with a gun.

anger over the shootings led to violent protests in central paris, with many in the kurdish community saying not enough had been done to prevent the attack. six people have died after a passenger bus plunged into a river off a bridge in galicia in northwest spain. two survivors were rescued from the river lerez. but strong currents due to heavy rains have been hampering the rescue operation. thousands of people in nagorno—karabakh have held a rally in the city of stepa na kert to protest against a blockade of their only land link to armenia. yerevan says the lakin corridor has been blocked for two weeks by what azerbaijan describes as eco—activists. it says they're preventing the delivery of food, medicine and fuel. the region has been the focus of a long dispute between the two countries. 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 south—eastern city of piro. people have been warned not

to leave their homes. naomi choy smith joins me now for more. what more do we know about these chemicals the ammonia the train was carrying? what we know so far is that this frame train that was travelling from neighbouring bulgaria and carrying ammonia which is widely used for fertiliser, actually came off the tracks. and it is still unclear what caused the train to derail the 20 carriages spilt off the tracks, one of them falling into a nearby river which prompted a toxic chemical reaction and released these toxic, noxious fumes into the atmosphere. 50 people have been sickened and poisoned by that released ammonia and they have been sent to hospital, and a state of emergency has been declared at this stage. schools will be closed on monday as a precaution to keep children safe and people are being urged at the moment in piro, which is at the moment in piro, which is a town of about 6000 people, they have been told to stay inside their homes because these gases can be very, very dangerous. these gases can be very, very dangemus-— these gases can be very, very

dangerous. these gases can be very, very dancerous. �* ., ., ., dangerous. and what more do we know about _ dangerous. and what more do we know about the _ dangerous. and what more do we know about the chemicals - dangerous. and what more do we know about the chemicals as - know about the chemicals as well? the ammonia that the train was carrying? ammonia is widely used _ train was carrying? ammonia is widely used as _ train was carrying? ammonia is widely used as a _ widely used as a fertiliser both on an industrial scale and even in some people pass back gardens. it is usually safe if it transported and stored correctly and safely. however, in this case, obviously that went off the rails and this is something that many people are concerned about, especially with patients reporting all sorts of respiratory distress since this incident, you —— it can cause burning in your airwaves and inflammation. it can also be flammable so that is a big concern is the story develops. is a big concern is the story develops-— is a big concern is the story develos. . ~' ,, , . develops. thank you very much for the update. _ 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 saint george's chapel — from where the king delivered his speech. 0ur 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 li—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. # gotta save our gracious king #. 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. 0ur 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. stay with us on bbc news, still to come: the world—renowned tenor, andrea bocelli records his first family christmas album — with his son, matteo and daughter, virginia. the most

and political change ever attempted has got under way with the introduction of the euro. with the introduction of the euro, ., ., ., with the introduction of the euro. ., ., ., ., ., euro. tomorrow in holland we will use money _ euro. tomorrow in holland we will use money that _ euro. tomorrow in holland we will use money that we - euro. tomorrow in holland we will use money that we picked up will use money that we picked up in — will use money that we picked up in belgium today and then in france— up in belgium today and then in france and then it will be the same — france and then it will be the same money. it'sjust got to be the way— same money. it'sjust got to be the way to— same money. it'sjust got to be the way to go. george harrison, the former beetle, _ george harrison, the former beetle, is_ george harrison, the former beatle, is recovering - george harrison, the former beatle, is recovering in - beatle, is recovering in hospital— beatle, is recovering in hospital after _ beatle, is recovering in hospital after being - hospital after being stabbed in oxford home. _ hospital after being stabbed in oxford home. a man is - oxford home. a man is being interviewed on suspicion of. interviewed on suspicion of attempted _ interviewed on suspicion of attempted murder. - interviewed on suspicion of attempted murder. [- attempted murder. i think it was good. just good? - attempted murder. i think it was good. just good? allen | attempted murder. i think it. was good. just good? allen no, fantastic _ was good. just good? allen no, fantastic. bell _ was good. just good? allen no, fantastic. bell tolls. - this is bbc news.

the latest headlines: the severe arctic freeze claims 35 lives across the united states and canada. rescuers continue to search for two people missing after an avalanche an the austrian slopes. 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 refugees council and save the children said they could not effectively reach afghans in desperate need without their female staff. 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 haveissued we all know that the taliban have issued in the past week. we know that in december 20 they banned women from universities and then they issued another decree banning women from working at a time when afghanistan, 98% of afghanistan is not earning enough and half of the country is facing hunger and starvation and we know that there are children who are suffering malnutrition are raising. this is high. just two months ago the organisation said they will suspend operations who said that the number of children of dangerous malnutrition is rising 50%. i think those numbers... at the same time the taliban —— with what the taliban —— with what the taliban are doing, you get back to what the women were saying before the taliban take over

and now the taliban cannot be trusted. but unfortunately, as we have witnessed in the past 1.5 years now, the taliban are continuously cracking down on women's rights. day by day they are cutting women's rights and women's ability and participation from society. unfortunately what we didn't hear a lot is action 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, very worried for the entire population of the country because they are led by a group that is tight in —— entirely illogical and they're only based on their hatred of women, they are an allied —— ideological group and it is based on ideology and what they want to show themselves as pure islamic and like any other islamic country. china's national health

commission is no longer releasing daily covid—19 case figures, and will only report what it calls "relevant data," despite a new surge in the number of cases. according to one government official, 250 million new cases were reported in the first 20 days of december. 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, that seeks greater political autonomy, said it carried out the bombing. elsewhere, fifteen people have been injured in five different grenade attacks in the province. in singapore, the recent repeal of a colonial—era law which criminalised sex between men has been welcomed by many in the lgbtq community. but at the same time, the government has legally defined marriage as only between a man and a woman, a move it says reflects the conservative social values

of the city state. two generations of gay men tell our reporter, derek cai, about their mixed feelings and how they plan to continue to push for marriage equality. marriage when we were here, emerged. this man was arrested nearly a0 years ago in a park, once a secluded meeting place for gay men in singapore. the?t for gay men in singapore. they said come _ for gay men in singapore. they said come here. _ for gay men in singapore. they said come here. don't- for gay men in singapore. tie: said come here. don't think i don't know what you're all doing here. you ought to be ashamed of yourself and we disappeared into the night. very glad and relieved we were not detained or arrested. but bull in: not detained or arrested. but bullying can _ not detained or arrested. but bullying can come from anywhere. that's what this man found out when he was just a teenager. did you feel like you had to hide your real self when you are going up? i had to hide your real self when you are going up?— you are going up? i had to separate _ you are going up? i had to separate social— you are going up? i had to separate social circles, - you are going up? i had to | separate social circles, one you are going up? i had to . separate social circles, one of whom were exclusively gay and

lesbian friends, and the other, from school the army, work quickly i entered the army on a time of debate in 2007, the first time we tried to repeal the law. we had mps who said things like gay sex was something like drinking a straw through your nose. to have someone on a national level say that was extremely damaging. when you are looking for a career_ when you are looking for a career or— when you are looking for a career or a job when you are looking for a career orajob and when you are looking for a career or a job and that kind of thing _ career or a job and that kind of thing worries you with your employer— of thing worries you with your employer knowing about your situation, if they're not dating. _ situation, if they're not dating, then what? what conclusions _ dating, then what? what conclusions a _ dating, then what? what conclusions a letter - dating, then what? what| conclusions a letter about dating, then what? what - conclusions a letter about you? do you think society has evolved since then?- do you think society has evolved since then? i'm glad the law has _ evolved since then? i'm glad the law has been _ evolved since then? i'm glad the law has been repealed. l evolved since then? i'm glad | the law has been repealed. it should — the law has been repealed. it should have happened a long time — should have happened a long time ago. bullying of the gay community continues on a national— community continues on a national scale. to community continues on a national scale.— community continues on a national scale. to add on to what russell— national scale. to add on to what russell said, - national scale. to add on to what russell said, the - national scale. to add on to. what russell said, the media regulator rules of depictions

of lesbianism and homosexuality is currently listed in the same breadth as necrophilia and beastie reality.— beastie reality. that's not ri . ht. beastie reality. that's not right- a — beastie reality. that's not right. a lot of _ beastie reality. that's not right. a lot of people - beastie reality. that's not right. a lot of people say| beastie reality. that's not. right. a lot of people say the repeal is symbolic because it's not been in force for a long time so that a characterisation? , . . time so that a characterisation? . ., characterisation? the impact of a law on people's _ characterisation? the impact of a law on people's lives - characterisation? the impact of a law on people's lives goes - a law on people's lives goes beyond _ a law on people's lives goes beyond just being arrested by police — beyond just being arrested by police i— beyond just being arrested by police. ijust had an instance of somebody who works for an international company here, and that company has got gay affirmative policy, so what she gets _ affirmative policy, so what she gets as — affirmative policy, so what she gets as an _ affirmative policy, so what she gets as an employee potluck rights, — gets as an employee potluck rights, her partner would get but to— rights, her partner would get but lo and behold, the employer, a global company, says— employer, a global company, says sorry, you're not getting it because your government does not recognise gay marriage. what — not recognise gay marriage. what steps does the community have to take in order for more change to happen?— change to happen? public education _ change to happen? public education is _ change to happen? public education is very - change to happen? public. education is very important. you — education is very important. you want _ education is very important. you want the public behind you.

singapore — you want the public behind you. singapore is not that conservative or progressive either but we are as practical. people need to realise welcoming gay companies don't like couples or citizens has benefits but need to see the benefits but need to see the benefits in sometimes concrete and monetary terms. you benefits in sometimes concrete and monetary terms.— and monetary terms. you are movin: and monetary terms. you are moving to — and monetary terms. you are moving to paris _ and monetary terms. you are moving to paris to _ and monetary terms. you are moving to paris to marry - and monetary terms. you are j moving to paris to marry your partner. moving to paris to marry your artner. , _, , ., partner. this country has failed me. _ partner. this country has failed me. the fact - partner. this country has failed me. the fact that l partner. this country has failed me. the fact that i partner. this country has - failed me. the fact that i need to be somewhere else to live my life, to have my relationship recognised, as a failure of the state. when you think about what relationship is and what are marriages, as a contract between two people in the state gives the resources to live your life together such as housing, housing grants, it's notjust housing, housing grants, it's not just about love, housing, housing grants, it's notjust about love, it's more than that but an entire social system, that supports your relationship and holds it together. that's what's missing. seven people have been linked

with current anti—government protests in iran. a statement from the state revolutionary rides in the south describes them as members of the uk led organisation involved in guiding and directing such plots. it said they were detained as they were trying to leave the country. officials in ukraine say three emergency officials were killed in ukraine in kherson, an area liberated from russian forces under the explosive device which they'd been working to make safe detonated. on thursday russian shelling killed at least ten civilians in the city and more the deadliest attack since russian forces were driven out of kherson last month stop. all around the world, millions of people have been, or are still celebrating christmas. it's usually a time for family, 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. here in kyiv, the sound of song rings out in the middle of an error rate in one of the city's underground railway stations. a carol service is under way. a celebration of the season but also a moment of defiance. translation: it was really hard at first because it seemed - strange to celebrate the holiday, but if you perceive it as a carol for victory everything falls 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 is put on for the poor of the parish. translation: we are allj

gathered here in harmony and peace with ourselves and others. it is a beautiful initiative that has existed for a0 years and thank goodness it exists. help can take many forms and in the capital it looks a bit like this. hundreds and hundreds of father christmases running in the city to raise money for charity. for this organise centre run we will have around 200 families in need and many, many people who are in need of food or something. christmas is a time for giving and plenty of dressing up. tim allman, bbc news. before we leave you — a little christmas musical treat. the world renowned tenor, andraya bochelli, 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 # i wanna wish you a merry christmas # from the bottom of my heart

# feliz navidad # prospero ano y felicidad # i wanna wish you a merry christmas # i wanna wish- you a merry christmas # from the bottom of my heart # i wanna wish you a merry christmas # from the bottom of my heart # before we go, reminder of our top story. at least 35 people are known to have died in severe arctic freeze gripping much of north america. the scope of the winter storm has

been unprecedented, stretching from canada as rio grande day. reports say many people could be trapped in their homes without power. you are watching bbc news. 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 seven 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 1—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 a—10 degrees in london. ten 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—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.

ma'am this is bbc news. the 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 received hospital treatment