this is bbc news. the headlines. at least 50 people have died in the us and canada as severe, freezing winter weather sweeps across north america. the region around buffalo, in upstate new york, has been worst affected. russia says at least three technical staff have been killed by falling debris following a ukrainian drone attack on an air force base in the south of the country. in the uk, police confirm they have arrested two people in connection with the murder of ellie edwards, who was shot dead at a pub in merseyside in the north of england on christmas eve. the united nations tells the taliban to reverse its decision on banning afghan women working

for humanitarian agencies, after five major non—governmental organisations suspend their work in afghanistan. we'll have a look at the front page of the papers in a moment — but first, some other stories to bring you. police say a tenth person has died as a result of a huge explosion at a block of flats injersey early this month. kathleen mcguinness, who was 73, lived next to the building in st helier which was destroyed in the blast. about 3 billion litres of water are lost every day through leaks in england and wales, according to the latest figures from the industry regulator. now to help tackle the problem, scientists have developed miniature robots that crawl through pipes to patrol our water supply network.

our science correspondent, victoria gill, reports. the water company here in essex has detected a leak, but to find its location and fix it, they will need to dig through a complex maze of pipes. basically, we have a nine—inch cast—iron water main that runs down the whole street. we've got a leak, but the sewer is sitting on top of our main and we've also got a gas pipe in the top of the hole, and we have electric over the back of the hole, which makes it very difficult for us. this team have been digging on this site, investigating, forfour days now and they still haven't pinpointed exactly where this leak is. across england and wales, about 20% of the water supply is lost through leaks.

that is steadily decreasing, but water companies say finding the smallest leaks is one of their biggest challenges. the water industry's economic regulator, ofwat, says leakage in england and wales is now at its lowest level ever, but three billion litres per day is still lost to leaky pipes, enough to fill more than 1,000 olympic—sized swimming pools. companies have agreed to cut that wasted water in half by 2050, and 0fwat says more needs to be done. we've covered off all of the big leaks that people see. it's the smaller leaks. this one wasn't visible, and it's more and more of those leaks that we need to find to really drive down that leakage performance. no one wants to see water wasted, but it is new innovations that but it's new innovations that will really drive that leakage down. innovations like these. these are pipe bots, water main controlling robots being developed in a lab at sheffield university. |this is the camera and the lights, | and there was a little microphone. the sensor laden robots are small enough to travel through a pipe and check the damage. it's a very long network, - about one million kilometres. in order to understand what's going on in the pipe, - we need to have the presence of robots in these pipes, -

so it can continuously collect data about the onset of faults. - the first teams of artificially intelligent pipe bots could be put to work underground within five years. the tiny machines are designed to be deposited into manholes and then search for faults and cracks before pipes burst or leak. if you think about the state of our infrastructure, it is so urgent to do something. it's underground, it's inaccessible, these are some of the most inhospitable environments on earth. without robotics, we won't be able to do it. essex and suffolk water is also testing sealants that can be essex and suffolk water is also testing sealants that can be injected into pipes to plug leaks without having to dig, but with the smallest leaks are still so difficult to locate, for now, they will have to keep excavating. victoria gill, bbc news. hello and welcome to our look ahead

to what the papers will be bringing us tomorrow. with me are nigel nelson, who's the political editor of the sunday mirror, and sunday people, and the political commentator, jo phillips. pleasure to have you both back. let me just take you through the front pages very quickly, starting with the guardian. the guardian has analysis of train delays on its front page. the paper claims over half of journeys from the uk's busiest stations have experienced delay or disruption. an investigation into energy companies leads the front page of the daily telegraph. the paper says direct debits are going up even when accounts are in credit. the i leads on a survey from the british medical association, which suggests two thirds ofjunior doctors are trying to leave the nhs. meanwhile, the front page of the daily mail claims fees for agency staff are sucking the nhs dry. it says that the health service is being charged

half a billion pounds a year in fees. the times is critical of chancellorjeremy hunt's so—called "stealth taxes" on its front page. the paper says that middle class families will be £40,000 worse off over the next decade. the mirror leads on the murder of 26—year—old ellie edwards, who was shot dead at a pub in merseyside on christmas eve. and the daily express claims that the bbc has spent over £7 million on its recent "digital rebrand". 0k, let's begin our chat. we'll start with the i. nigel, two thirds of junior doctors trying to leave the nhs. �* . . ., ., junior doctors trying to leave the nhs. ., ., junior doctors trying to leave the nhs. according to a survey by the british medical _ nhs. according to a survey by the british medical association, - nhs. according to a survey by the i british medical association, they've been pulling 4000 doctors, so what

this is showing is 65% have asked actively been researching newjobs. eight in ten say they're thinking about leaving. ijust eight in ten say they're thinking about leaving. i just think this is all down to the problems of the nhs. the people who work in it are actually fantastic. the trouble is the system is broken. ijust had a bit of a social media backlash for saying that an hour ago to you, but i think that is true. we're in a situation where 7 million people are on waiting lists. we've got 5 million people a month who can't get gp appointments. of those 3 million who do, they can't get one for a month. so there's an awful lot that needs to be done for the nhs and it does need to be reformed. i’m needs to be done for the nhs and it does need to be reformed.— does need to be reformed. i'm 'ust checkin: does need to be reformed. i'm 'ust checking what fl does need to be reformed. i'm 'ust checking what people i does need to be reformed. i'm 'ust checking what people have i does need to be reformed. i'm just checking what people have been i checking what people have been saying. while i check, jo, it's all

yours. blue i think nigel�*s right and i it's interesting that the shadow health secretary weeks ago was brave _ shadow health secretary weeks ago was brave enough to come out and say we need _ was brave enough to come out and say we need to— was brave enough to come out and say we need to calm have a conversation. meanwhile, _ we need to calm have a conversation. meanwhile, the prime minister has appointed — meanwhile, the prime minister has appointed patricia hewitt under tony blair to— appointed patricia hewitt under tony blair to do— appointed patricia hewitt under tony blair to do a quick review. one of the things— blair to do a quick review. one of the things that's been moved there is they get— the things that's been moved there is they get rid of national targets and they— is they get rid of national targets and they give local health trusts and they give local health trusts and authorities much more autonomy, which _ and authorities much more autonomy, which might— and authorities much more autonomy, which might take some of the strain away~ _ which might take some of the strain away but— which might take some of the strain away. but we've got people who are living _ away. but we've got people who are living much — away. but we've got people who are living much longer. they're living with very— living much longer. they're living with very complex illnesses, multiple _ with very complex illnesses, multiple illnesses or conditions, which _ multiple illnesses or conditions, which requires a huge burden on the health— which requires a huge burden on the health service at primary level with gp, but—

health service at primary level with gp, but also in hospitals and outpatients. then we got the crisis of sociat— outpatients. then we got the crisis of social care. no government has ever fixed — of social care. no government has ever fixed this, despite so many promises — ever fixed this, despite so many promises. it is of crisis and it's not going — promises. it is of crisis and it's not going to get any better until people — not going to get any better until people sit down and have a proper conversation. 0ne people sit down and have a proper conversation. one of the quotes in this bma _ conversation. one of the quotes in this bma survey reported in the eyes from a _ this bma survey reported in the eyes from a doctor who says most of his -- their— from a doctor who says most of his —— their colleagues are not wanting to work— —— their colleagues are not wanting to work in— —— their colleagues are not wanting to work in the system and trying to -et to work in the system and trying to get out _ to work in the system and trying to get out before it completely collapses. i think that's a warning. 0n collapses. i think that's a warning. oh the _ collapses. i think that's a warning. oh the front— page of the daily mail, half £1 million for doing what? according to the e-mail, — million for doing what? according to the e-mail. the _ fees they're charging comes to half £1 billion a year, which is what it cost the nhs. the mail is outraged

that these people... certainly, charging those kind of fees to a public health service really is going a bit far. what we're talking about is that huge number of vacancies in the nhs which goes back to one of the problems it's facing. it is having a real problem recruiting people, keeping people. you're talking about a shortfall of something like 100,000 of those nurses. those of the kind of problems that need to be fixed. i'm afraid in my view, the only way of fixing them is to deal with the system. so people actually want to stay there. you can't have doctors and nurses burnt out all the time. we're going to leave that story. but

jo, take us please to the guardian story. uk rail system has been described as broken. this story. uk rail system has been described as broken.— described as broken. this is a re ort, described as broken. this is a report. quite _ described as broken. this is a report, quite an _ described as broken. this is a report, quite an exclusive - described as broken. this is a i report, quite an exclusive story, looking — report, quite an exclusive story, looking at — report, quite an exclusive story, looking at the uk's 100 looking at the uk's100 busiest railway— looking at the uk's100 busiest railway stations. it will be no surprise — railway stations. it will be no surprise to people watching in the north— surprise to people watching in the north irr— surprise to people watching in the north in the midlands to know that that's— north in the midlands to know that that's the — north in the midlands to know that that's the area where they suffer the worst — that's the area where they suffer the worst. the worst station is actually manchester— oxford road. the severity of delays is absolutely ridiculous — the severity of delays is absolutely ridiculous. 40% of trains were delayed — ridiculous. 40% of trains were delayed and more than one in ten were _ delayed and more than one in ten were cancelled. i'm sure the government will be blaming it on the rmt, _ government will be blaming it on the rmt. but _ government will be blaming it on the rmt, but this report shows 20 years

of bad _ rmt, but this report shows 20 years of bad management, shambolic management and it's a price that's being _ management and it's a price that's being paid — management and it's a price that's being paid by all of us for privatisation, which is seen as multiplicity of different companies, different— multiplicity of different companies, different ticketing systems, different ticketing systems, different negotiations with their employees. again, it's the commuters and the _ employees. again, it's the commuters and the travelling public who are paying _ and the travelling public who are paying the price, notjust and the travelling public who are paying the price, not just literally with the — paying the price, not just literally with the increase coming in next year— with the increase coming in next year of— with the increase coming in next year of over 5%, but paying the price _ year of over 5%, but paying the price of— year of over 5%, but paying the price of cancelled appointments, being _ price of cancelled appointments, being late for work, being late for university — being late for work, being late for university. it's having a huge impact — university. it's having a huge impact on _ university. it's having a huge impact on people. unless we sort out public— impact on people. unless we sort out public transport, we cannot have proper— public transport, we cannot have proper conversations about being greener— proper conversations about being greener and more environmentally sound _ greener and more environmentally sound it— greener and more environmentally sound it he — greener and more environmentally sound if he can't get people off their— sound if he can't get people off their cars — sound if he can't get people off their cars and onto reliable public transport — their cars and onto reliable public transort. . ., their cars and onto reliable public transort. _, ., their cars and onto reliable public transort. ., ., transport. nigel, we could go on unless you _ transport. nigel, we could go on unless you want _ transport. nigel, we could go on unless you want to _ transport. nigel, we could go on unless you want to add - transport. nigel, we could go on unless you want to add to - transport. nigel, we could go on unless you want to add to this? | transport. nigel, we could go on j

unless you want to add to this? i agree withjo. the problem with privatisation is it really hasn't improved services. my own view is if you taught the profit motive away —— top, if you took it away, that might help. we're going to go to the daily telegraph. energy companies are hoarding our money, billions, in fact. 2 hoarding our money, billions, in fact. , ., ., . . ., ., fact. 2 billion, according to the telegraph- _ fact. 2 billion, according to the telegraph. the _ fact. 2 billion, according to the telegraph. the way _ fact. 2 billion, according to the telegraph. the way they're - fact. 2 billion, according to the l telegraph. the way they're doing fact. 2 billion, according to the - telegraph. the way they're doing it is increasing direct debits of customers when customers are already in credit. that means that they're getting what the telegraph because finance, and they've interviewed on the behalf of one customer and reduce the bill. what it seems to be happening is they take the money, hang onto it. it is a way of cheap

finance. at the same time, people are facing energy bills of £1300. now we're talking about two and a half thousand pounds as we go into the new year. it does seem to me that 0fgem needs to get involved in this, and say to the energy companies, "what are you doing with this money?" people can afford to be spending unnecessarily with the cost of living crisis the way it is. how are they getting _ of living crisis the way it is. how are they getting away _ of living crisis the way it is. how are they getting away with this? they're getting away with it because their argument would have been, they're getting away with it because theirargument would have been, as we know. _ theirargument would have been, as we know, prices are going up, so all of this— we know, prices are going up, so all of this means — we know, prices are going up, so all of this means when there is bigger winter— of this means when there is bigger winter bills coming in, there's not going _ winter bills coming in, there's not going to _ winter bills coming in, there's not going to be — winter bills coming in, there's not going to be a shortfall. the 0fgem answer— going to be a shortfall. the 0fgem answer to— going to be a shortfall. the 0fgem answer to your question is that they would _ answer to your question is that they would only— answer to your question is that they would only get involved or they would — would only get involved or they would consider something wrong if the energy companies, what they're

hoarding. _ the energy companies, what they're hoarding. if— the energy companies, what they're hoarding, if you like, accounts for more _ hoarding, if you like, accounts for more than — hoarding, if you like, accounts for more than the total assets. none of them _ more than the total assets. none of them have _ more than the total assets. none of them have breached that threshold yet. them have breached that threshold yet i_ them have breached that threshold yet. i think the message them have breached that threshold yet. ithink the message is them have breached that threshold yet. i think the message is tojust keep— yet. i think the message is tojust keep an _ yet. i think the message is tojust keep an eye on your energy bills, and if— keep an eye on your energy bills, and if you pay monthly, if you think. — and if you pay monthly, if you think. "i've _ and if you pay monthly, if you think, "i've still got quite a bit in credit, _ think, "i've still got quite a bit in credit, "you can call up and actually say _ in credit, "you can call up and actually say you want some of your money _ actually say you want some of your money back. i'm one person who had quite _ money back. i'm one person who had quite a _ money back. i'm one person who had quite a good — money back. i'm one person who had quite a good credit, and all of a sudden, a — quite a good credit, and all of a sudden, a big bill comes in for this bil sudden, a big bill comes in for this big period — sudden, a big bill comes in for this big period. and it'sjust gone down. water— big period. and it'sjust gone down. water running down a drain pipe. the next water running down a drain pipe. next front page is the times, and again, really hitting a certain sector of the population. the middle class. that's

ri . ht. this population. the middle class. that's right- this is — population. the middle class. that's right. this is looking _ population. the middle class. that's right. this is looking at _ population. the middle class. that's right. this is looking at jeremy - right. this is looking atjeremy hunt's chapters in his recent budget. what they've come up with is that earners on 6000 a year each —— 60,000, will be paying £30,000 more intact they were before. even when it comes to an average earner on 33,000, that's an extra £4000. this is the freezing of the personal allowance. obviously, other people being flagged into higher tax brackets because they haven't raised their thresholds. brackets because they haven't raised theirthresholds. now, ido brackets because they haven't raised their thresholds. now, i do think that the people with the broadest shoulders, which is a cliche now, certainly should pay more. obviously, when people see this kind

of bill that they're in for, and the kind of belt—tightening they're going to have to do to cope, it's going to have to do to cope, it's going to have to do to cope, it's going to come as a bit of a shock. jo, jo, ourfinal jo, our final paper. jo, ourfinal paper. it seems jo, our final paper. it seems that the hills are alive with the sound of football. laughter —— foot fall. of football. laughter -- foot fall.— of football. laughter -- footfall. . ., , , -- foot fall. all of us remember the da s -- foot fall. all of us remember the days when — -- foot fall. all of us remember the days when peeple — -- foot fall. all of us remember the days when people used _ -- foot fall. all of us remember the days when people used to _ -- foot fall. all of us remember the days when people used to camp - days when people used to camp outside — days when people used to camp outside and give up christmas for a sofa that _ outside and give up christmas for a sofa that was being reduced from £100 _ sofa that was being reduced from 5100 i_ sofa that was being reduced from £100. i was surprised at this because there seems to be sales on all the _ because there seems to be sales on all the time, but i suppose it is part— all the time, but i suppose it is part of a — all the time, but i suppose it is part of a tradition where you go around — part of a tradition where you go around and have a look at the shops. it's considerably on last year, but not up _ it's considerably on last year, but not up to— it's considerably on last year, but not up to pre—covid levels. but considering not particularly brilliant weather, difficulties getting around because of no trains over christmas, part of that of use

-- is _ over christmas, part of that of use -- is made — over christmas, part of that of use —— is made worse by the rail strike. i —— is made worse by the rail strike. i suppose _ —— is made worse by the rail strike. i suppose it's — —— is made worse by the rail strike. i suppose it's good news for real tailors, — i suppose it's good news for real tailors, but— i suppose it's good news for real tailors, but i don't think they have a mountain— tailors, but i don't think they have a mountain to climb to get people spending —— for retailers. a mountain to climb to get people spending -- for retailers.— a mountain to climb to get people spending -- for retailers. we've got about 20 seconds, _ spending -- for retailers. we've got about 20 seconds, nigel. _ spending -- for retailers. we've got about 20 seconds, nigel. have - spending -- for retailers. we've got about 20 seconds, nigel. have you| about 20 seconds, nigel. have you been shopping �*s? about 20 seconds, nigel. have you been shepping "s?— been shopping 's? absolutely not! laughter stuffing myself with leftover turkey. i stuffing myself with leftover turke . ., stuffing myself with leftover turke. ., ., ~ stuffing myself with leftover turke . ., ., ,, , turkey. i agree! thank you very much, turkey. i agree! thank you very much. jo _ turkey. i agree! thank you very much. jo and — turkey. i agree! thank you very much, jo and nigel. _ turkey. i agree! thank you very much, jo and nigel. hope - turkey. i agree! thank you very much, jo and nigel. hope to i turkey. i agree! thank you very l much, jo and nigel. hope to see turkey. i agree! thank you very i much, jo and nigel. hope to see you in the new year, fingers crossed. that's it for the papers this hour. the papers will be back again tomorrow evening with martin bentham, who's the home affairs editor for the evening standard, and jonathan walker, the deputy political editor of the sunday express. dojoin us then if you can, but for now, goodnight.

hello, i'm hugh ferris. the premier league has had its first chance to answer the questions posed by a mid—season world cup break, and it seems not much has changed from six weeks ago. those in good pre—tournament form have carried it into boxing day — notably arsenal, who are now seven points clear at the top of the table. that's despite going behind to west ham, but two goals in five second—half minutes turned the game in arsenal's favour — first from bukayo saka, then gabriel martinelli — before a skilful turn and shot from eddie nketiah sealed a 3—1win at the emirates, three years to the day since mikel arteta took charge of arsenal for the first time. newcastle won five in a row before

the world cup intervened and made it six with a comprehensive 3—0 win at leicester to move up to second. chris wood fired newcastle ahead from the penalty spot afterjoe linton was fouled by daniel amartey. miguel almiron waltzed past the leicester defence five minutes later to make it two, and the game was barely half an hour old beforejoe linton headed in a third. eddie howe's side are arsenal's nearest challengers right now, although they have played more games than those around them. i think it's a difficult score line from our perspective. i was keen for us to go on and control the game more than we did in the second half. let credit to leicester where they made tactical changes and they had more of the ball, but i do think we minimise their threat. credit to the whole team for that. it's another clean sheet, which is hugely important. at the other end of the table, wolves managerjulen lopetegui began life in the premier league

in dramatic fashion. a late winner earned them the three points against everton at goodison park. dan 0gunshakin watched this one. football's return to goodison park began with a poignant nod to the past. in the present, the focus is very much on frank lampard's immediate future. forjulien lopetegui, a win on his premier league debut would be the ideal christmas present. six minutes in and the wolves defence was bearing gifts. yerry mina on his return to the side bringing good cheer to the everton faithful. the goodison goodwill was short—lived. neves to moutinho to podence and 1—1. a goal made in portugal for their spanish manager. clean sheets have been rare for everton this season. goals, too. anthony gordon guilty of poor finishing on this occasion. if the first half promised plenty, the second half largely failed to deliver, but there was to be a sting in the tail. wolves with their first goal after 56 minutes all season — definitely one worth waiting for. boos for lampard at full—time

as everton's woes continue. the last laugh for lopetgui as wolves can start to look up. dan 0gunshakin, bbc news. replacing wolves at the bottom of the table are southampton. their 3—1 defeat at home to brighton was in new manager nathanjones' first home league game and has them adrift by a point. 2—0 up thanks to a goalkeeping error and an own goal. solly march didn't need any help for brighton's third, and it remained comfortable for them despite james ward prowse's consolation. tottenham came from behind once again to rescue a point for antonio conte's side against brentford. pierre emile hojbjerg scored the fourth and final goal to wipe out brentford's 2—0 advantage. it came six minutes after harry kane had given spurs hope. crystal palace ended their match against fulham with nine men — first tyrick mitchell, thenjames tomkins sent off at selhurst park. fulham were already 1—0 up at that point and got two more goals. aleksander mitrovic

sealing a 3—0 win. in the championship, sheffield united moved level on points with leaders burnley after a 3—1win at home to coventry, while blackburn lost ground after ellis sims�*s stoppage time winner gave sunderland a 2—1victory at the stadium of light. blackburn are now eight points behind the top two. fourth—placed watford also slipped up at home to millwall. there was a much needed win at the bottom of the table for huddersfield. their 2—1 win at preston moves them to within five points of safety. in the evening game, it was goalless between cardiff and qpr. fifth placed norwich lost 2—1 at luton. england test captain ben stokes says the quality of international cricket is suffering at the hands of the packed schedule. he's led a revolution of the longest form of the game with england's attacking, entertaining style, but did so after retiring from one—day cricket saying it was "unsustainable" to play all three formats. stokes has also returned to the game after taking a break to focus on his mental health, which he says is benefiting the whole team and their new approach.

some of that was very emotional to read, but that's what i took huge pride out of because knowing i put myself out there in the public eye being in the position that i'm in and that it's actually really helped quite a lot of people. and i feel as if that, you know, men... yeah, men in particular because that's where the stigma is happening. the more men who can do it, great, because i feel as if you do, you're going to help a lot more people around the world who feel in a similar situation to you and feel that they can't, and i took a lot of pride in that. high drama in the united rugby championship today as cardiff scored a last—minute try to beat dragons. replacement prop corey domachowski was the hero for the visitors at rodney parade — sealing the victory to accompany two tries from tomos williams. the defeat is dragons' 15th in a row in the fixture. there's much more, of course, on our website or the app.

that's bbc.co.uk/sport. for all the details from boxing day's horse race, which is at kempton. it was won by bravemansgame. all the details on the website. that's all you're sport for now. hello. boxing day delivered a colder interlude — in fact, it was cold enough for wintry showers in places, but through the day on tuesday, mild air returns with outbreaks of rain spreading east. there will be some snow in northern parts as that wet weather bumps into some relatively cold air. this speckled cloud on the satellite picture brought the showers of rain, sleet and snow during boxing day, this shield of cloud behind me bringing wet weather into northern ireland first thing. ahead of that, some icy conditions likely in parts of northern england and scotland. could be rather slippery on untreated roads and pavements, and as this wet weather slides

into the cold air over the highest ground of northern england and southern scotland, we could see some snow for a time. that is likely to turn back to rain, though, as the milder air works in. this snow developing across the grampians and the highlands is likely to stick around for a little bit longer because something a bit colder will cling on in the northern half of scotland. but elsewhere, northern england, wales, the southwest turning very, very wet indeed. east anglia and the southeast staying mainly dry for a good part of the day, brightening up in northern ireland through the afternoon. but it is going to be windy, especially in the southern half of the uk — temperatures ranging from 4 degrees there in aberdeen to 11 in plymouth. now, as we go through tuesday night, we'll see these outbreaks of heavy rain continuing to journey southwards and eastwards, lingering across the south of england, and in the rain returning into the southwest and the southern half of wales by the end of the night. some rain will also linger for a time in the northern isles. but for the majority, it is going to stay frost—free —

a milder night in prospect. and then for wednesday, well, we bring this next batch of heavy rain northwards and eastwards across the uk, accompanied by a strong wind, particularly windy for some southern and western coasts. northern scotland will stay drierand little colder, but northern ireland seeing highs of 9—10 degrees, england and wales, 11—13, so it is going to feel mild, particularly in the south. thursday, a day of sunny spells and showers. for friday, here's another area of low pressure bringing heavy rain and potentially some really strong winds. we'll be keeping an eye on that weather system. and then, as we head into the weekend and the end of the year, it will stay relatively mild, there will be rain at times and it will often be windy.

this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. at least 50 people have died in the united states and canada — as the severe winter deep freeze continues. moscow says at least three of its personnel have been killed in a ukrainian drone attack, on a russian airforce base. two people are arrested over the shooting dead of a woman, at a pub in merseyside, in northern england, on christmas eve. and — campaigners say new laws in indonesia are an attack on civil rights — whilst the government insists they're more in keeping with the country's post—colonial values.