welcome to bbc news, i'm lucy grey. our top stories: the severe winter deep freeze continues in the united states and canada — at least 50 people have died. moscow says at least three of its personnel are killed in a ukrainian drone attack on a russian air force base. two people arrested after a woman is shot dead at a pub in merseyside in northern england on christmas eve. the head of the un in afghanistan asks the taliban to allow afghan women to work for humanitarian agencies. and stepping up security head of the inauguration of brazil's president—elect lula de silva — after a foiled bomb attack.

at least 50 people across north america are now known to have died in 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". in the past few minutes, president biden has authorised emergency federal support for new york state. emily unia reports. 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. fatalities have been confirmed across the us. one of the worst—hit areas was new york state, especially in buffalo and hamburg in erie county.

snow blanketed streets, and driving was banned. more than two dozen people are now known to have died in the greater buffalo region. anyone who declares victory and says it is over. it is way too early to say this at its completion, maybe this severity is down right now it is not as bad as it has been the last couple days but it is still a dangerous situation to be out. 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. much further north, stunning ice formations appeared on lake michigan. and although the storm is starting to ease, freezing conditions are still expected for some time to come. emily unia, bbc news.

holly paolicelli is an artist based in buffalo. she's one of the volunteers at shopcraft gift shop in the elmwood village area of the city. hello to you, what has it been like for you the last few days? today has been the first day i been able to get out myself, we have been snowed and i didn't lose electricity but we were able to celebrate christmas with light and heat on, we were out for the first time today and it was amazing to see everyone out and about in the first time for three days. people are coming together and helping each other at the moment, you have been volunteering in the shop, what have you been doing? this morning — have you been doing? this morning we _ have you been doing? this morning we decided - have you been doing? this morning we decided to - have you been doing? ti 3 morning we decided to mobilise we put a post on social media, we put a post on social media, we opened up the store in the village we are a gift shop for

local artists, two of us in the neighbourhood decided we will shovel and ask for donations, someone from the neighbourhood made us a pot of spaghetti, we had hot coca, we had toilet products a lot of donations people bringing things in and we encourage anyone to take anything they need the whole day. anything they need the whole da . , ., , , day. our people still without ower? day. our people still without power? that _ day. our people still without power? that is _ day. our people still without power? that is correct - day. our people still without power? that is correct in - day. our people still withouti power? that is correct in our villare power? that is correct in our village we — village we are with power but on the east and west side communities next door they are without power, people don't have heat, pipes had burst because without heat and power people are still stuck in cars, still tragic these things are happening, we are grateful we are in the circumstance we are but it is sad to see neighbours going through this as well. what do roads look like at the moment, so many problems with even the emergency vehicles and

flowers getting stuck on the roads? ~ ., ., ., roads? we saw the national guard passed _ roads? we saw the national guard passed five _ roads? we saw the national guard passed five of - roads? we saw the national guard passed five of the - roads? we saw the national| guard passed five of the first time today on our strip itself, side streets the main problem in the city, an hour ago i did see a plough come through, escorted by state troopers, i know there are cars on the road and people trying to get out of their houses, trying to organise and it's good to see them finally out there on the roads because there has been two feet above the ground for the last few days. you are used to snow there in buffalo but it has been so extraordinary how it has continued in the blizzard went on for so many hours, 36 hours, unlike what most people have seen ever before? absolutely people have compared it to the blizzard of 1977 which happened in the flow, nothing i have seen in my life, the mount of things that happened, the electricity went

happening and the remain and for two days i couldn't see my window, it's amazing to clear up and see what happened outside, the two days i couldn't get up.- outside, the two days i couldn't get up. thank holly paolicelli. _ couldn't get up. thank holly paolicelli. you _ couldn't get up. thank holly paolicelli. you for— couldn't get up. thank holly paolicelli. you for talking i couldn't get up. thank holly paolicelli. you for talking to | paolicelli. you for talking to us. let's get some of the day's other news. china has announced that it's dropping its requirement for travellers arriving in the country to go into quarantine. the measure has been in place since the start of the pandemic but will end early next month. it's the latest in a series of restrictions to be lifted as china abandons its zero—covid policy. 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 in st helier next to the building which was destroyed in the blast. south korea says it scrambled fighter jets and fired warning shots after five drones crossed over its borderfrom north korea on monday. flights at airports in seoul were briefly suspended after it was reported that one of the drones had flown close to the capital.

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 targetted by ukrainian drones. russia says it shot down the drones, but three of its servicemen were killed by falling debris. the base contains russian long—range bombers of the type which 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, would 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's 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's 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. two people have been arrested in connection with the death of a woman who was shot dead at a pub in merseyside, in northern england on christmas eve. the victim has been named as 26—year—old ellie edwards. she died after a gunman opened fire at the front of the pub. a 30—year—old man is being questioned on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, and a 19—year—old woman has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder. fiona trott reports. a young woman shot and killed whilst celebrating christmas with family and friends. ellie edwards was at the lighthouse pub, in wallasey village, when a man opened fire at the entrance. merseyside police say they do not believe

she was a target. around 30 relatives arrived at the scene to lay flowers. the police say what they're going through is incomprehensible. one of the cards reads, "to my beautiful elle, you are the light of my life, "you will never be gone, mum and dad." the killing took place at a family pub at the heart of the community. local residents have described their shock. things like this don't really happen on the wirral, so i think everyone's shocked. you don't expect it on your own doorstep, you know? this pub, it's a nice pub. you know, you never hear of any trouble. i've got a 21—year—old son, and, you know, it's devastating to be honest. forensic teams have been searching the area throughout the day. and then tonight, police activity across the city. this was two addresses in the tranmere area. it was around this time

two nights ago that ellie edwards was killed. four men were also injured in the shooting. one of them is in a critical condition in hospital. people here tell us none of this seems real but there is one family on merseyside tonight who is struggling to comprehend this even more and that is the family of ellie edwards, a beautician whose life and career was stopped by what police are describing as a cold—blooded shooting. fiona trott, bbc news. stay with us on bbc news, still to come: 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. the most ambitious financial and political change ever attempted has got under way with the introduction of the euro.

tomorrow in holland, we're gonna use money we picked up in belgium today and then, we'll be in france and again. _ it'll be the same money. it's just got to be the way to go. crowd yelling george harrison, i the former beatle, is recovering in hospital after being stabbed - at his oxfordshire home. a 33—year—old man from - liverpool is being interviewed by police on suspicion of attempted murder. - i think it was good. just good? no, fantastic. big ben bongs this is bbc news.

the latest headlines: at least 50 people have died due to the severe arctic freeze that continues to affect the us and canada. a russian air base hundreds of kilometres from ukraine has come under attack for the second time in less than a month. moscow says it shot down ukrainian drones, but three of its servicemen were killed by falling debris. the united nations has warned that they could stop delivering aid to afghanistan if the taliban stands by its decision to ban afghan women from working for humanitarian agencies. several major aid organisations are suspending their work in afghanistan, saying they �*could not effectively reach afghans in desperate need' without their female staff. the bbc�*s tom brada reports. for women in afghanistan, the world seems to get smaller by the day. more rights and freedoms are gradually being removed with the latest taliban degree targeting women in work.

women have been banned specifically from working for aid agencies, accused by the taliban of breaking dress codes, something the organisations deny. we have done everything important to the book and still they come with this out of nowhere and it is devastating. it is paralysing. all work, all organisations, will in the end follow us in suspending work. several aid organisations have already suspended operations. around 20 million people in afghanistan, half of the entire population, rely on humanitarian assistance. by acting in unison, aid agencies may hope to persuade the taliban that this time they have gone too far. to have access to women and children you need to have female health staff, and so if you do not have female health staff, you won't have access to those people. so, essentially, it isjust not possible for us to do ourjob if our female colleagues are not able to get out there. the united nations has

added its voice to a chorus of international condemnation. a spokesperson called the move: and said they could stop delivering aid in the country unless the decision is reversed. the uk foreign secretary accused the taliban of trying to raise women from society. but the taliban do not typically respond well to criticism. just last week they banned women from attending university, adding to the ban which already stops girls from going to secondary school. responding to international outcry, the taliban's higher education minister said they will not change their mind on girls' education even if they drop an atomic bomb on us, adding: there have been protests, but be taliban are resolute. when the taliban seized control of afghanistan last year they insisted

the regime would be softer than that rule in the 1990s, but the gradual erosion of women's rights suggests they are not afraid to go back on their promises. tom brada, bbc news. brazil's incoming justice minister says security will be stepped up ahead of the inauguration of president—elect lula de silva after a foiled bomb attack. a man was arrested for allegedly planting explosives in a lorry in the capital brasilia. police say he was a supporter of outgoing presidentjair bolsonaro. tim allman has more. the alleged suspect, named as george washington de oliveira sousa, was arrested on christmas eve. a police spokesman said he'd confessed the bomb was part of a plan by supporters of jair bolsonaro to prevent the establishment of communism in brazil. these were the guns and ammunition found during the raid. officers say an explosive device was activated but failed to detonate.

so, with the inauguration only days away, everyone is a little on edge. translation: we must anticipate certain acts because there can - be a power vacuum. this will not happen. in the early hours of january the first, we are going to take measures so this instability does not occur. following the defeat of president bolsonaro in october's election, his supporters took to the streets to demonstrate. they blocked roads and highways and called for the military to intervene. although mr bolsonaro has never officially conceded, he did say the demonstrations must end and he ordered his government to co—operate in the transition. he may soon be leaving office but the most extreme of his supporters appear to be going nowhere. translation: we see there being broad popular participation. - we are facing terrorists, terrorists who must receive

the treatment that the law requires. president—elect lula de silva has been finalising his government, preparing to take office. he says he may have defeated jair bolsonaro but he and his supporters will have to defeat bolsonaroism on the streets of the country. tim allman, bbc news. the european union has called for maximum restraint in kosovo continue to intensify. the eu has urged all sides to contribute to a political solution. on monday, the commander of serbia's armed forces said troops were at their highest level of combat readiness. kosovo declared independence from serbia in 2008. members of the kurdish community in paris gathered in the city to pay tribute to the three people shot dead at a kurdish cultural centre on friday. hundreds of people took part in a march in the 10th district, which appeared to pass off peacefully. a 69—year—old frenchman has been charged with murder and remanded in custody. a spokesperson for the kurdish

democratic council in france said the community feels unsafe in the city. translation: at this stage, the future of the kurds - in france is a very sensitive issue. doubt hangs over the future of the kurds in france. the feeling of insecurity remains. this is why we have appealed to the french authorities to be listened to, to be heard, to be reassured, to be protected. we expect the french authorities to implement concrete actions. since the assassinations, there was a permanent surveillance. there is a 24—hour police presence here, in front of our premises. obviously, at this stage, we can say that there is a reinforced protection. we can observe it. but can have this reinforced protection prevent further assassinations? the united nations refugee agency says it fears that refugees may have died aboard a boat that was a drifter for

weeks in the indian ocean. two other boats have reached the shore of indonesia in the past two days. i should warn that you may hide the images in this report distressing. after four weeks adrift in the abdomen see in a fishing that lost power, these refugees finally made it to shore. many week and in poor health. indonesia allow them to disembark in a western province, providing emergency medical help and temporary shelter, but the un says another boat is lost at sea. all 180 aboard are feared dead and in indonesia could boats keep coming. four have landed since november, going to bangladesh. thousands fled myanmar after a crackdown in

2017. now they are brought in wooden boats, in hopes of a better life in malaysia or indonesia. just last week, the sri lankan navy rescued more than 100 rohingya adrift in rough seas. now the centre for immigration is urging more action. ~ ., immigration is urging more action. ~ . ., action. we have called on the government _ action. we have called on the government is _ action. we have called on the government is in _ action. we have called on the government is in the - action. we have called on the government is in the region l action. we have called on the| government is in the region to co—ordinate efforts for safe disembarkation and make sure that all of these people are given safe passage and get the support that they need. we're very thankful, for example, to the authorities in indonesia who have it welcome to some of these boats and we hope that there is more effort from other countries in the region. i5 there is more effort from other countries in the region.- countries in the region. is for the rohingya _ countries in the region. is for the rohingya refugees - countries in the region. is for the rohingya refugees who i countries in the region. is for. the rohingya refugees who have found land their future still looks uncertain. indonesian

authorities confirmed that a criminal code will not apply to true risks. but many indonesians worry that this and other elements of the new law will harm their civil rights. the government says it wants laws it describes as �*more inline with indonesian values'. valdya baraputri reports from jakarta. arja, as she has been known since childhood, has lived together on and off with her partner since 2019, but under this new law, sex outside of marriage is a crime and those like her who cohabit could face up to six months in jail. translation: i disagree that what i do is a crime. - if it was a sin, or not socially acceptable, i would understand, but to criminalise it is just not right. the police can only take action if they are informed by a parent, spouse or child of the couple concerned. in arja's case, her parents have never opposed her living

situation. however, the premarital sex ban is not the only controversial article in the new law. many in indonesia want the world to know that above all, the new criminal law threatens their civil liberties. blasphemy, apostasy, unannounced demonstration and insulting the president are all punishable crimes. as a journalist, arja believes she has to be especially careful of the latter. translation: everybody can get charged one way or another, - as the law on insulting the president does not specify meanwhile, chitra, a public advocate from a legal aid institute in jakarta, says many indonesians have come to her offices to seek advice. translation: the law - could affect groups i've spoken to, like labourers, farmers and students who have been actively protesting or criticising regulations. before the law stratification, chitra took part in a protest with others who oppose

the new criminal code. the indonesian police try to disperse them and take away their banners. she worries what might happen once the criminal code is in place. translation: when the new law is implemented, not only - will we be forced to disperse or face harassment for holding unannounced demonstrations. but we could even be jailed for up to six months. the government argues it's time to leave behind the colonial—era criminal laws it inherited and instead adopt a code it describes as more in—line with indonesian values. before the law takes full effect in three years, indonesians can challenge it in the highest court. when the code was previously drafted in 2019, tens of thousands took part in demonstrations, including arja. she said she would do that again. translation: is it worth the fight? i for sure. i don't just fight for myself

but for others who may be in a weak position. they are worth fighting for. and just like arja, many here believe her country's civil liberty is at stake. valdya baraputri, bbc news jakarta. an iranian footballer has claimed his family has been been prevented from leaving iran because he voiced support for the protests in the country. ali daei says his wife and daughter were trying tojoin him on holiday in dubai last week when their flight was rerouted to an iranian island in the gulf, and they were taken off the plane. earlier this month, iranian authorities shut down a jewellery shop and a restaurant owned by daei. and let's show you some pictures from prague now, where hundreds of winter swimmers have braved the chilly waters of the vltava river for the annual boxing day swimming races. the water temperature this year was around 5 degrees celsius — that's 41 degrees fahrenheit. this boxing day winter swim is held in honour of albert nikodem, a prague goldsmith who popularised winter swimming in what

was then czechoslovakia in the 1920s. 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, well, 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 then 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 strong winds, particularly windy for some southern and western coasts. northern scotland will stay drier and 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'll be rain at times and it will often be windy.

this is bbc news. the headlines: 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 buffalo in new york state where the governor called the storm an "epic, once—in—a—lifetime event". two people are being questioned in connection with the shooting dead of a woman at a pub on merseyside in northern england on christmas eve. the victim has been named as 26—year—old ellie edwards. a 30—year—old man and a 19—year—old woman have been arrested. russia says at least three technical staff have been killed by falling debris following a ukrainian drone attack on an air force base. the russian defence ministry says the engels base in the southern saratov region was targetted by ukrainian drones during the night.