this is bbc news — welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. i'm christian fraser. our top stories. russia says at least three servicemen have been killed in a ukrainian drone attack on an air force base in the south of the country. the woman killed in a shooting at a pub in merseyside on christmas eve has been named as 26—year—old elle edwards. at least 50 people have died in the united states and canada as deep freeze severe winter weather sweeps across north america. demonstrations in south—western iran to mark the fortieth day of mourning since a nine—year—old boy was killed during anti—government protests. and golfer kathy whitworth , who has won more trophies than any other professional in the sport, has died at the age of 83.

hello and welcome to bbc news. a russian air base hundreds of kilometres from ukraine has come under attack for the second time in less than a month. the russian defence ministry says the engels base in the southern saratov region was targeted by ukrainian drones during the night. russia says it shot down the drones, but that three of its servicemen were killed by falling debris. the base is host to long—range russian strategic bombers, the type of which have launched numerous missiles strikes on ukraine. from moscow, our russia editor, steve rosenberg, reports. caught on cctv... an explosion at a russian airbase. russia says it shot down a ukrainian drone but that three russian soldiers were killed.

engels airbase is deep inside russian territory, hundreds of miles from the ukrainian border. the base hosts long—range bombers which are believed to have launched missile attacks against ukraine. state tv reacted to the news with a familiar warning to kyiv. russia, she says, will exact revenge by carrying out more strikes on ukrainian infrastructure. russia can rattle those sabres and flex its muscles, but it doesn't change the fact that what happened at engels airbase is embarrassing for the kremlin. for the second time in less than a month, what is an important military installation has come under attack. quite a contrast to the image of military might that president putin's been portraying in recent days. the kremlin leader has promised his generals all the resources they need

for the war in ukraine. he is determined to secure something he can present as a russian victory. putin is not going to back off, and nobody else is going to give him a reason to back off, and therefore he is going to take steps necessary to him to win, whatever that victory may meanfor him. but ten months after russia invaded ukraine, there is no sign of that victory. instead, the war the kremlin started is moving closer to home. steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. earlier i asked our europe regional editor, paul moss — if there had been any response from ukraine: ukraine never claims any responsibility but they do drop hints and they dropped a hint that they may be responsible. a ukrainian air force spokesperson went on television to talk

about the attack on the air base and he said this is the result of russian aggression and he said if russia thought people deep inside the country were safe and unaffected by the war, well, they were utterly wrong. a couple of things going on, he's not saying they did it, but he is saying russia, you deserved it, make of that what you will. and secondly, what is really interesting, the fact they are able to strike deep into russia at�*s heartland is in itself a kind of victory, and remembered the base was struck before as we heard in the report. at the time of that attack there were calls in russia for it to improve its defences and not let something like this happen again but this seems like a drone has flown atleast 600 kilometres through russian territory before say

they shut it down —— flown about. ukraine may be want to crow about the success of the attack but not make too much fuss about it. there is a report today from the fsb, unverified so far, that a number of saboteurs who were crossing over were caught, what about that? this is very similar. one was a drone attack deep into russian heartland and we have had suspicions for a while that there is some kind of units operating behind enemy lines within russia and in russian occupied ukraine, we have seen attacks on the airbase in crimea and aircraft destroyed and we have seen assassinations of a loss of officials in russian occupied ukraine. of a lot of officials in russian occupied ukraine. it would not be a surprise if commandos were operating. what the russian internal security service says, they say, four saboteurs who attempted to enter the territory were killed and it says they were carrying submachine guns, navigation equipment and improvised explosive devices.

they distributed some pretty gruesome footage to news agencies showing some bodies covered in blood with guns. we have to emphasise, there is no way we can be sure about this and verify this but if it turned out they were commandos attempting to infiltrate into russia and into russian occupied ukraine, that would not be a complete surprise. a woman who was shot dead at a pub in merseyside in northern england on christmas eve has been identified as elle edwards. the 26—year—old was shot in the head after a gunman opened fire at the front of the pub , and later died in hospital from her injuries. mourners have been leaving tributes and flowers outside the pub. now to iran where a large crowd has gathered in a village in the south—west of the country — to mark the fortieth day of mourning since a nine—year—old boy was killed during anti—government protests. kian pirfalak�*s family say he was killed by the security forces

during demonstrations in the city of izeh last month. the iranian authorities have denied this. he is believed to be the youngest person to die during the demonstrations that have swept across iran for more than 100 days. i'm joined now by haamed esmaelyoon — an iranian activist and organiser of some of the biggest protests over the death of mahsa amini, outside iran. tell me about the process you have organised around the world and how successful those have been thank you for having me. successful those have been thank you for having me-— for having me. after the murder of m self for having me. after the murder of myself and — for having me. after the murder of myself and many _ for having me. after the murder of myself and many we _ for having me. after the murder of myself and many we decided - for having me. after the murder of myself and many we decided to . for having me. after the murder of- myself and many we decided to record the voices of and people inside the

country. on the 1st of october we managed to organise a protest of a rally of more than 150 cities around the world. and we try to repeat that in berlin on the 22nd of october. between 80 to 100,000 people to state they don't want this republic of iran any more. we state they don't want this republic of iran any more.— state they don't want this republic of iran any more. we arm minded by the picture — of iran any more. we arm minded by the picture of _ of iran any more. we arm minded by the picture of a _ of iran any more. we arm minded by the picture of a lecture _ of iran any more. we arm minded by the picture of a lecture that - the picture of a lecture that you are a victim and so many people are are a victim and so many people are a victim of this regime. how effective do you think the process you have organise have been? what effective do you think the process you have organise have been? what we wanted to sav- — you have organise have been? what we wanted to say. that _ you have organise have been? what we wanted to say. that the _ you have organise have been? what we wanted to say. that the voice _ you have organise have been? what we wanted to say. that the voice of - wanted to say. that the voice of the earring people has been heard. i think the voice has been heard but we didn't see a lot of concrete action being done by the western countries. we expected them to expel the investors of iran stop we expected to also see that they do

the same thing the hearing in oligarchs in the way they did to the russian oligarchs. we haven't seen these kind of actions yet but we saw that the human rights council in the united nations has started investigations about what happened investigations about what happened in iran. flan investigations about what happened in iran. ., ., r' investigations about what happened in iran. . ., _, investigations about what happened in iran. . ., ., in iran. can i ask you about five fliuht in iran. can i ask you about five flight 572? _ in iran. can i ask you about five flight 572? we _ in iran. can i ask you about five flight 572? we are _ in iran. can i ask you about five flight 572? we are two - in iran. can i ask you about five flight 572? we are two years i in iran. can i ask you about five i flight 572? we are two years on in iran. can i ask you about five l flight 572? we are two years on i were coming up on the anniversary which i know is going to be difficult to you. what information have you been able to get from the regime? and how far along is it a proper investigation? i regime? and how far along is it a proper investigation?— proper investigation? i can't tell ou proper investigation? i can't tell you nothing- — proper investigation? i can't tell you nothing. unfortunately- proper investigation? i can't tell you nothing. unfortunately 572. proper investigation? i can't tell- you nothing. unfortunately 572 never had a chance to have a proper investigation. so it's almost three years has passed and the families of the victims have no idea what happened to their loved ones on january eight, 2020. so we hope, we still hope, that the for the countries you pray in canada and

sweden will take this case to the international court. 50 sweden will take this case to the international court.— international court. so many victims, international court. so many victims. of _ international court. so many victims, of course, - international court. so many victims, of course, we - international court. so many victims, of course, we are i international court. so many victims, of course, we are a| international court. so many - victims, of course, we are a hundred days into the process since the death of my and many. where does it go do you think? i death of my and many. where does it go do you think?— go do you think? i think that this never stops- _ go do you think? i think that this never stops. if _ go do you think? i think that this never stops. if we _ go do you think? i think that this never stops. if we notice, - go do you think? i think that this never stops. if we notice, as - go do you think? i think that this never stops. if we notice, as you said, for kian there was another process in the southern country and there will be on the purchase in the north. these will continue and this time it is different. this time it is a lot of young iranian people. we just ask the western countries to not help this republic any more. the iranian people can't deal with this regime. for example, these days after three years, they are holding court for psf are at the same time

they hang young people are a couple days after they are arrested. so you see how this regime works and you can expect them to act in favour of human rights. fiur can expect them to act in favour of human righte— can expect them to act in favour of human rights. our thoughts are with ou on a human rights. our thoughts are with you on a very _ human rights. our thoughts are with you on a very difficult _ human rights. our thoughts are with you on a very difficult time - human rights. our thoughts are with you on a very difficult time thanks i you on a very difficult time thanks for coming unprogrammed. at least 50 people are now known to have died due to the severe arctic freeze that continues to affect the us and canada. one of the worst—hit areas is the city of buffalo, in new york state where the governor called the storm an epic, once in a lifetime event. emily unia has the latest. the arctic storm pummelling the us and canada caused christmas chaos for millions. thousands of flights were cancelled, and roads and railways were closed or impassible, preventing people from reaching friends and family. emergency services battled treacherous conditions to carry out rescues, and fatalities have been confirmed in numerous states. in new york state, one

of the worst—hit areas was erie county. in buffalo city, driving was banned and at least a dozen people died. to all who have lost a loved one, and some folks may not even know it yet, you have our deepest condolences. this has been horrible... the worst type of storm we can imagine, and you have my deepest condolences on the people of erie county for the loss of a loved one on christmas day. rolling blackouts left more than 1.5 million people without power on christmas day. connections are now steadily being restored. in south florida, iguanas froze and fell from trees. they won't get moving again until temperatures rise and they can thaw out. it may be a while, though — the storm is beginning to ease but freezing conditions are likely to continue for a little longer. bbc news. the british—based charity christian aid has become the latest organisation to suspend work

in afghanistan following the taliban's bar on aid agencies employing women. the group said imposing a ban on female workers would only curtail their ability to help the growing number of people in need. four other major humanitarian agencies, including the international rescue committee, have already halted their operations saying they cannot function without their female staff. the un has urged the taliban to reverse the ban. lets speak to anbarasan ethirajan, south asia editer at the bbc world service. thank you for being with us. what has been the reaction from the tella bend to the news that five of these major international agencies are suspending activities? thea;r major international agencies are suspending activities? they have not reacted et suspending activities? they have not reacted yet to _ suspending activities? they have not reacted yet to the _ suspending activities? they have not reacted yet to the agencies - suspending activities? they have not reacted yet to the agencies now. - reacted yet to the agencies now. today there was a response from the telephone that yesterday, when all this international condemnation came, that this place the international criticism. saying they cannot allow anyone to dictate terms

and any agency wants to operate inside of us can understand without the doing so by the rules of the country. their spokesperson tweeted both in english and postural this information. so the taliban is not at the same time we see more and more eight inchesjoin in at the same time we see more and more eight inches join in suspended work, or limited work and restricting work in afghanistan because they state they cannot carry out work without their female staff. for example, i have charity if they want to provide medicine to a woman in household, the woman the man cannot enter into that house because of the closure of values. and they need woman health workers who can freely talk to these women and asked them problems and then give them medicine or vaccination. that is why the eight agencies are saying we

cannot continue or carry out many of this work without female staff. and thatis this work without female staff. and that is now spreading to other agencies, we saw christian aid and no action it has also joined and we expect more agencies to follow suit and put pressure on the taliban. it was already an acute situation and we are now in the coldest months of the year wassup as you suggest, it sets an uncomfortable precedent for these agencies to only allow male workers to go out into the field. one imagines there will be a snowball effect? what sort of effect will that have a sort the country? first and foremost, afghanistan economy has collapsed after the civil war when taliban took over in 2021. the world was wars going on even after ta ke—off 2021. the world was wars going on even after take—off and then the economy collapsed. now we are going through the harsh winter. where

people need food and enough you will see heat capacity at homes. and all the eight agencies are talking about half the population of afghanistan depend on humanitarian aid. women, men, children. even the workers of these agencies, there are thousands taking care of their families. these agencies, there are thousands taking care of theirfamilies. if the ban continues it is likely to have a huge impact on these workers because many are single women supporting their families. because many are single women supporting theirfamilies. in a war where rich comfort country. what the international agencies are hoping thatis international agencies are hoping that is so special of the work will put pressure on the taliban because people are not going to be happy. they want a strong response from the people, because the international community has been a bit moderates even though there has been strong condemnation. the options for the international community seems limited which is why the eight inch

is think people should be responsive that was that help them with. irate that was that help them with. we will help from the norwich run refugee consul in the hour wassup thank you anbarasan a business on the information in afghanistan. the world cup break has done little to dim newcastle's premier league form as eddie howe's side strolled to a sixth straight league win. they were 3—0 winners at leicester city as the action returned after the world cup break. newcastle were 2—0 up inside seven minutes after chris wood's penalty and miguel almiron's solo effort. joelinton headed in a third before the break to send newcastle up to second — ahead of manchester city who play on wednesday. in the day's early kick off — tottenham hotspur had to come from behind to earn a 2—2 draw with brentford. vitalyjanelt tapped the home side ahead before ivan toney douled their lead from a corner — having earlier had one doubled their lead from a corner — having earlier had one

ruled out for offside. harry kane's header was followed up by pierre emile hojbjerg six minutes later to salvage a point for antonio conte's side. we will try to continue to push ourselves and continue to improve, and it is not easy, but at the same time, i repeat, we need to have this type of performance, and we have a good group of players that have shown me they have the ability in every moment, and also the character that they have shown me the season is a big character but the question is also why we have to wait to go down before we showed character. we have to show the character from the start of the game. this team have a lot of belief in ourselves and we believe we can beat anybody on the day and we know we are not the on the biggest budget with the most famous players but we have a strong unit and a strong team and we are clear in what we would like to achieve on the pitch.

we try to support each other and really try to make things happen and create these magic moments. unfortunately we could go , we could not get three points which would have been fantastic. seven matches in total on boxing day. two still to come. all the three o'clock kick—offs ended in away wins. crystal palace had two men sent off as they lost to fulham. rayan ait—nouri scored a stoppage time winner to give wolves boss julen lopetegui victory in his first premier league game. everton stay just above the drop zone. brighton were 3—1 winners at southampton. later aston villa liverpool kicks off in about ten minutes or so. leaders arsenal can go seven points clear if they beat west ham in the late game. australian all—rounder cameron green said it was a special feeling after taking a first test five wicket haul to put australia in a strong position on the opening day of the boxing day test match against south africa in melbourne. the day was a poignant one for the sport, with the test the first at shane warne's home

ground since the legendary spinner died earlier this year. both sides came together in a moment of remembrance and it's been confirmed that the australia men's test player of the year award will now be named after him. as for the action — after inserting south africa — australia's bowlers ripped through them — green claiming with five for 27 as south africa were skittled for just 189. in reply, david warner was unbeaten on 32 in his 100th test as the home side closed on 45 for one. a better day for the batsmen in karachi where an unbeaten century from captain babar azam and 86 from sarfraz ahmed helped pakistan to 317 for five on the first day of their first test against new zealand. 11 to four shot brave mans game won the prestigious king george sixth chase at kempton park. he was pushed all the way by l'homme presse — who unseated theirjockey at the last fence. that enabled brave mans game to coast to a 1k length win ahead of royale pageye and frodon. you're up to date from

the bbc sport centre. lots more on the bbc sport website and app. lets stay with sports, the most successful golfer of all time, kathy whitworth has died at the age of eighty— three. she won a record 88 ladies professional golf association titles, including six majors in a career which started in 1959. she died suddenly while celebrating christmas eve with family and friends. i'm joined now by reporter at sports illustrated, alex miceli... alex good to have you with it. she wasn't the most flamboyant character and not in the mould of current golfers. but i wonder what the lady tour owes to kathy whitworth? probably everything christian. you have to go back and i'm think it's true in most sports like football or other sports. you go back to the people who establish a foundation for the sport and did what was required to get people interested. kathy whitworth was part of that

equation. there were other players that as you said probably not as flamboyant or attractive but yet if you keep winning, as she did, you eventually become a star and people look at you and there are lots of young women out there today that don't realise the fact that maybe their mothers played because of kathy and that's the reason they are plain today. kathy and that's the reason they are lain toda . , ,., ., plain today. indeed she said and when he never— plain today. indeed she said and when he never gets _ plain today. indeed she said and when he never gets old. - plain today. indeed she said and when he never gets old. her- plain today. indeed she said and | when he never gets old. her first when he never gets old. herfirst title in 62 her last 120 years earlier. there is there anything she didn't win that she regrets about? well about the women's us open she did not win. did she regret? i'm sure she did. i note sam sneed to the day he died which you want a us openjust like arnold the day he died which you want a us open just like arnold palmer wished he wanted pga championship. they are majors and hard to do. it's not the fact that she won her as much as she did. if you look at what she did in runner—up fashion, she will finish

second in over 90 events. think about that? she was in contention, clearly in contention for over a events in her career. on the jack nicholson that i can remember did the same in regards to majors when he was in so much runner—up finishes. he was in so much runner-up finishes-_ he was in so much runner-up finishes. �* . ~' , ., , . finishes. alex thank you very much indeed. finishes. alex thank you very much indeed- kathy _ finishes. alex thank you very much indeed. kathy whitworth _ finishes. alex thank you very much indeed. kathy whitworth who - finishes. alex thank you very much indeed. kathy whitworth who has i indeed. kathy whitworth who has died. lets go back to the situation in iran, a senior british mp is advising british nationals to leave iran. the chair of the commons' foreign affairs committee, alicia kearns, described the arrest in iran of seven people —— with alleged links to britain —— as "an industrialised taking of state hostages". she said the uk government should increase sanctions against tehran what can be done to help those with which a system in iran? it’s what can be done to help those with which a system in iran?— which a system in iran? it's already difficult. there _ which a system in iran? it's already difficult. there are _ which a system in iran? it's already difficult. there are a _ which a system in iran? it's already difficult. there are a great - which a system in iran? it's already difficult. there are a great number| difficult. there are a great number of sanctions being put in place and that makes them desperate and cornered on the few things they believe they have the against

western states is our nationals. they state these are british individuals with links to view case is because iran does not recognise dual citizenship. these people who are trying to leave the country at a time will be used as weapons if that ridging can get their hands on them. the the father of two victims were shot down in the ukraine and fired two years ago. you were in meetings this week with the promise he said that the revolutionary guard had been sentient in its entirety. have you seen evidence of that? i question the prime minister on that. when the iran revolutionary guard for we translated that to the uk and we pass our own dog into being in december. this is something i'm getting from but. what i will credit the government with is they have put in sanctions explicitly in response to the protests. irate

in sanctions explicitly in response to the protests.— in sanctions explicitly in response to the protests. we are almost up auainst to the protests. we are almost up a . ainst a to the protests. we are almost up against a break. _ to the protests. we are almost up against a break. in _ to the protests. we are almost up against a break. in a _ to the protests. we are almost up against a break. in a minute, - to the protests. we are almost up| against a break. in a minute, could againsta break. in a minute, could you tell me whether you believe that dual nationals who are in iran are safe are you think they should be getting out on the evidence of the seven being taken today? i getting out on the evidence of the seven being taken today?- getting out on the evidence of the seven being taken today? i think it is difficult. seven being taken today? i think it is difficult- i _ seven being taken today? i think it is difficult. i would _ seven being taken today? i think it is difficult. i would encourage - seven being taken today? i think it| is difficult. i would encourage them to contact the foreign office and ask for advice. the risk is we've seen people trying to flee and arrested at the border. there is a risk that any national could be used as a pond by the iranian government because they are cornered and trying to blame right for the peaceful process on outside forces like the uk. so anyone there is going to be blamed as hunted winds of this process. blamed as hunted winds of this rocess. �* . . blamed as hunted winds of this rocess. ~ . ., ., ~ blamed as hunted winds of this rocess. �* . . . ~ blamed as hunted winds of this rocess. ~ . ., ., ~ ., process. alicia thank you for your time. process. alicia thank you for your time- just — process. alicia thank you for your time- just to _ process. alicia thank you for your time. just to remind _ process. alicia thank you for your time. just to remind you - process. alicia thank you for your time. just to remind you of- process. alicia thank you for your time. just to remind you of the l process. alicia thank you for your i time. just to remind you of the new seven people with links to britain arrested in iran. you heard at each

occurrence chair of the foreign committee said this is industrialised taking of hostages. hello. a fine end to boxing day across many parts of the country, especially further east and south across the uk. wintry showers in scotland. how about the next few days? well, it is going to be very unsettled — rain and wind at times, risk of gales, in fact, in the run—up to the new year. but let's have a look at the short term. so, through the course of this evening, lots of clear weather about and temperatures will dip away quite sharply as well. just a few showers there still, wintry ones across scotland, but a weather system is approaching from the west, so milder conditions starting to spread into parts of wales and southwestern england by the early hours of tuesday morning. but this weather system, as it sweeps across the country, in the morning, it will still encounter the cold air in scotland and parts of northern england. so, with that clear night

and the low temperatures, as the weather front overrides that cold air, anything that falls out of the sky will be snow across the highlands, maybe for a time in the pennines, too. but to the south of that, that mild stream of that south—westerly wind is going to be rain, so really unpleasant around welsh coasts, southwestern england through the afternoon — gusty winds, heavy rain. the last place to see the rain on tuesday will be the far southeast. this is, i think, where the rain will reach you early evening. and out towards the west, on the other hand, it should clear up come the evening. here's wednesday's weather map, and the next area of low pressure sweeps in — quite a few isobars there — pressure lines, big pressure gradients. so, strong winds blowing in and, again, another dose of gale force winds, particularly around western and maybe southern areas — a really changeable day. in the south, relatively mild, 12 celsius, but further north, the other side of the weather front — it's pretty chilly there for northern scotland and the northern isles. the low pressure's still

with us on thursday, quite a large area of low pressure, blustery winds. a cold front will have swept through by then, so i think slightly colder, particularly in the north — even some wintry showers around, temperatures around 6—7 degrees there for glasgow and aberdeen. in the south, might still make double figures in london and norwich. so, the run—up to the new year, new year's eve there, saturday, it stays relatively mild, but it's not going to feel like it because of all that wind, rain and risk of gales — bearthat in mind. bye— bye.

this is bbc world news. the headlines... russia says at least three servicemen have been killed in a ukrainian drone attack on an air force base in the south of the country. the woman killed in a shooting at a pub in merseyside on christmas eve has been named as 26—year—old ellie edwards. at least 50 people have died in the united states and canada as deep freeze severe winter weather sweeps across north america. the un refugee agency fears 180 rohingya refugees may have died after their boat was adrift for weeks in the indian ocean. now on bbc news, it's time for review 2022 — and it's been a year where health news has again dominated the headlines.

our correspondent dominic hughes looks back now