this is bbc world news. the headlines: at least 60 people have been killed in winter storms across the united states and canada. president biden has approved emergency federal help for new york state as the arctic freeze continues. police name the victim of a stabbing on the dancefloor of a nightclub in birmingham on boxing day as 23—year—old cody fisher, as his family say they have broken hearts. serbia has put troops on high alert over rising tensions with kosovo. its president says he's taking "all measures" to protect people and "preserve" his nation. taiwan says all men will now be required to serve one year's military service, after china launches one of its biggest incursions into taiwanese airspace.

and another unexplained death involving a russian oligarch. the sausage tycoon pavel antov has been found dead at an indian hotel. now on bbc news, we look back at how rugby star kevin sinfield raised £1.5 million for motor neurone disease charities by completing seven ultramarathons in seven days after the diagnosis of his former teammate rob burrow. burro! seventh try! it is a little known — burro! seventh try! it is a little known win _ burro! seventh try! it is a little known win for _ burro! seventh try! it is a little known win for number- burro! seventh try! it is a little known win for number seven, i burro! seventh try! it is a little i known win for number seven, and burro! seventh try! it is a little - known win for number seven, and it is seven— known win for number seven, and it is seven for— known win for number seven, and it is seven for the _ known win for number seven, and it is seven for the leeds _ known win for number seven, and it is seven for the leeds rhinos. - known win for number seven, and it is seven for the leeds rhinos. robl is seven for the leeds rhinos. rob burrow -- — is seven for the leeds rhinos. rob burrow... where _ is seven for the leeds rhinos. burrow... where do you start to matter absolute legend. this burrow. .. where do you start to matter absolute legend.- burrow... where do you start to matter absolute legend. this is rob burrow. probably _ matter absolute legend. this is rob burrow. probably pound _

matter absolute legend. this is rob burrow. probably pound for - matter absolute legend. this is rob burrow. probably pound for pound l matter absolute legend. this is rob i burrow. probably pound for pound the stron . est burrow. probably pound for pound the strongest player— burrow. probably pound for pound the strongest player in — burrow. probably pound for pound the strongest player in the _ burrow. probably pound for pound the strongest player in the squad - burrow. probably pound for pound the strongest player in the squad and - strongest player in the squad and the strongest player in super league _ the strongest player in super league. just feel so honoured to have _ league. just feel so honoured to have played alongside him. theirs _ have played alongside him. theirs is _ have played alongside him. theirs is a friendship forged in the cauldron of professional sport. do you want a hand? i cauldron of professional sport. do you want a hand?— cauldron of professional sport. do you want a hand? i might 'ust caettin do you want a hand? i might 'ust getting him �* do you want a hand? i might 'ust getting him in... i getting him in... and _ getting him in... and since - getting him in... and since rob i getting him in... - and since rob burrow's geiiing him — and since rob burrow's diagnosis getting him — and since rob burrow's diagnosis of and since rob burrow�*s diagnosis of motor neurone disease three years ago, his former leeds rhinos team—mate kevin sinfield has taken an increasingly arduous challenges. i used to be a 32 waist! i used to be a 32 waist! i hope _ i used to be a 32 waist! i hope that is comfortable. there were _ i hope that is comfortable. there were enough. the _ were enough. the latest i , seven ultra marathons in seven days. —— the latest and by far the hardest. a total of 300 miles. it started at murrayfield in edinburgh, the home of scottish rugby. former international doddy weir was there to see them off, just two weeks before he died. i can't wait to get going. i think the support, as you can see

this morning, has been incredible. we didn't expect this at all, to have doddie here and cathy. it's been a big build—up, but we are on the way now. we are going to send kevin on his way with— we are going to send kevin on his way with a — we are going to send kevin on his way with a massive _ we are going to send kevin on his way with a massive cheering - we are going to send kevin on his i way with a massive cheering three... twom _ way with a massive cheering three... twom 0ne~~~ — way with a massive cheering three... twom 0ne~~~ off_ way with a massive cheering three... two... 0ne... off you _ way with a massive cheering three... two... 0ne... off you go, _ way with a massive cheering three... two... 0ne... off you go, kevin! - two... 0ne... off you go, kevin! there— two... 0ne... off you go, kevin! there he— two... 0ne... off you go, kevin! there he goes. _ two... 0ne... off you go, kevin! there he goes, ladies— two... 0ne... off you go, kevin! there he goes, ladies and - two... 0ne... off you go, kevin! - there he goes, ladies and gentlemen x! wearing the number seven in honour of his— wearing the number seven in honour of his great— wearing the number seven in honour of his great friend _ wearing the number seven in honour of his great friend rob _ wearing the number seven in honour of his great friend rob burrow. - ahead of the team, a a0 mile run through the scottish borders. the expertise of the support group was vital from the early stages. thanks for coming, everybody. people come out, and it has been brilliant. as you can see, the weather is... for november, in scotland, we didn't expect this! when you are running, especially at the pc_ when you are running, especially at the pc is _ when you are running, especially at the pc is running out, the same muscle — the pc is running out, the same muscle groups mainly do all the

work. _ muscle groups mainly do all the work. so — muscle groups mainly do all the work. so it— muscle groups mainly do all the work, so it is mainlyjust trying to keep— work, so it is mainlyjust trying to keep theni — work, so it is mainlyjust trying to keep them as good as we can, really, and hoping _ keep them as good as we can, really, and hoping for the best. but he has -ot and hoping for the best. but he has got the _ and hoping for the best. but he has got the strongest muscle appear, which _ got the strongest muscle appear, which makes the job a bit easier. —— up which makes the job a bit easier. —— up here _ up here. the first night was up here. — the first night was spent at doddie's hometown rugby club melrose. crowd's amazing again, isn't it? it's nice to be at the rugby club, and doddy played here. carl who is with us, that was their club. so, yes, very nice. thank you for coming down. it was really important we came here tonight, because i know what you guys have been doing this weekend i can't thank you enough. this place in particular has a connection with mnd through doddie and his club. this is why we are here. cheering

thank you very much. not sure about the shirt! everybody that has been out on the road was _ everybody that has been out on the road was absolutely amazing, to come out and _ road was absolutely amazing, to come out and supporters, it has been incredible _ incredible. everyone has been very imieiiihie. — everyone has been very generous as we are _ everyone has been very generous as we are going — everyone has been very generous as we are going the _ everyone has been very generous as we are going the route. _ everyone has been very generous as we are going the route. donating. we are going the route. donating food, _ we are going the route. donating food, and — we are going the route. donating food, and so _ we are going the route. donating food, and so on. _ we are going the route. donating. food, and so on. very appreciative of what _ food, and so on. very appreciative of what kevin _ food, and so on. very appreciative of what kevin and _ food, and so on. very appreciative of what kevin and the _ food, and so on. very appreciative of what kevin and the team - food, and so on. very appreciative of what kevin and the team are i of what kevin and the team are doing — doing. j across doing. - across the doing. — across the border and into england, crowds were growing, both in size and volume as the news of his exploits spread. cheering 280 miles in a week. . ., ., ., 280 miles in a week. what would that be like? faster than i can he iiiei — faster than i can run! like going to blackpool— faster than i can run! like going to blackpool or — faster than i can run! like going to blackpool or something. _ blackpool or something. gives— blackpool or something. gives you _ blackpool or something. gives you exercise! - gives you exercise! you _ gives you exercise! you would get very exhausted very quickly. supporters from the roadside and on the road, before 0lympic runner steve cram was among those who joined the runners. i’m steve cram was among those who joined the runners.— joined the runners. i'm a bit embarrassed _ joined the runners. i'm a bit embarrassed expect - joined the runners. i'm a bit embarrassed expect drive . joined the runners. i'm a bit. embarrassed expect drive only joined the runners. i'm a bit- embarrassed expect drive only won a very short _ embarrassed expect drive only won a very short distance with him.

you — very short distance with him. you were _ very short distance with him. you were fast, though! you picked the pace up! i know, but as i said, this is one of those — i know, but as i said, this is one of those things which, thankfully, it is the _ of those things which, thankfully, it is the spotlight which it draws on it. _ it is the spotlight which it draws on it. and — it is the spotlight which it draws on it, and as the week goes on, i'm sure— on it, and as the week goes on, i'm sure he's— on it, and as the week goes on, i'm sure he's going to get incredible support— sure he's going to get incredible support all along the way. thank— support all along the way. thank you again you! applause well done, karen. called? by by day three, the weather, which had been kind so far, changed, with an amber warning for rain. but if kevin wasn't bothered, nor were the crowds. ~ ., wasn't bothered, nor were the crowds. . . ., ., ., , crowds. we have run out already, haven't we? _ crowds. we have run out already, haven't we? brilliant! _ crowds. we have run out already,

haven't we? brilliant! we - crowds. we have run out already, haven't we? brilliant! we gave i crowds. we have run out already, l haven't we? brilliant! we gave him some _ haven't we? brilliant! we gave him some support. he is doing a grand 'ob. job. it's joh - it's fantastic ioh. — it's fantastic what he's job. it's fantastic what he's done, and it's atso— it's fantastic what he's done, and it's also raising _ it's fantastic what he's done, and it's also raising awareness - it's fantastic what he's done, and it's also raising awareness as - it's fantastic what he's done, and | it's also raising awareness as well for this— it's also raising awareness as well for this disease, _ it's also raising awareness as well for this disease, and _ it's also raising awareness as well for this disease, and it _ it's also raising awareness as well for this disease, and it is - it's also raising awareness as well for this disease, and it is nice - for this disease, and it is nice that— for this disease, and it is nice that we — for this disease, and it is nice that we are _ for this disease, and it is nice that we are here _ for this disease, and it is nice that we are here to _ for this disease, and it is nice that we are here to applaud l for this disease, and it is nice . that we are here to applaud him. for this disease, and it is nice - that we are here to applaud him. the su ort that we are here to applaud him. support from the mnd association that we are here to applaud him.- support from the mnd association has been fantastic. within two or three weeks _ been fantastic. within two or three weeks of— been fantastic. within two or three weeks of being diagnosed, i had my voicehoxi _ weeks of being diagnosed, i had my voicebox, things were in motion for stair iifts _ stair lifts. he - stair lifts. he needs to come back eieii iiiie. — he needs to come back down by the morning _ he needs to come back down by the morning again. _ he needs to come back down by the morning again, doesn't _ he needs to come back down by the morning again, doesn't he? - morning again, doesn't he? is morning again, doesn't he? is carefully— morning again, doesn't he? is carefully counted - morning again, doesn't he? is carefully counted down i morning again, doesn't he? i i5 carefully counted down the morning again, doesn't he? - is carefully counted down the miles, his support team were counting the calories. —— as kev counted down the miles. he was burning nearly four times the daily amount. he was burning nearly four times the daily amount-— daily amount. having a nutritionist on our daily amount. having a nutritionist on your case. _ daily amount. having a nutritionist on your case. you _ daily amount. having a nutritionist on your case, you know, _ daily amount. having a nutritionist on your case, you know, there - daily amount. having a nutritionist. on your case, you know, there were a few times when he was breathing down your neck. this time, he has got

what we are trying to do and he understands it, and he has been signalling back to the car to say, i am top of the classic micro he is doing fantastic, doing it without prompting almost. at each stop, the team invited someone whose life is affected by mnd to bang the drum. that was the point, raising awareness as as money. seven beats. seven was rob's shirt number, and the theme of the week. ., , ., , ., shirt number, and the theme of the week. ., , .,, ., ,, ., shirt number, and the theme of the week. i, , .,, ., ~' ., ., week. for people who know nothing about this illness, _ week. for people who know nothing about this illness, which _ week. for people who know nothing about this illness, which i _ week. for people who know nothing about this illness, which i didn't, i about this illness, which i didn't, the only— about this illness, which i didn't, the only thing i had heard about it was the _ the only thing i had heard about it was the ice — the only thing i had heard about it was the ice bucket challenge, which ididi _ was the ice bucket challenge, which idid. trut— was the ice bucket challenge, which idid. but i— was the ice bucket challenge, which i did, but i did not know what motor neurone _ i did, but i did not know what motor neurone disease was. now— neurone disease was. now i— neurone disease was. now i do, and i know they need the money _ now i do, and i know they need the money. they need the money. it's horrihie _ money. they need the money. it's horrihie it's— money. they need the money. it's horrible. it's a horrible disease. sorry! _ sorry! don't worry! many people said during a week that kevin's infield is a machine, but a machine does not have a heart. —— kevin since field. it's great to meet kev. it's amazing what he's doing for all of those living with mnd.—

living with mnd. catherine was diainosed living with mnd. catherine was diagnosed 8.5 _ living with mnd. catherine was diagnosed 8.5 years _ living with mnd. catherine was diagnosed 8.5 years ago, i living with mnd. catherine was diagnosed 8.5 years ago, and i living with mnd. catherine wasl diagnosed 8.5 years ago, and at living with mnd. catherine was i diagnosed 8.5 years ago, and at that point, _ diagnosed 8.5 years ago, and at that point, unless— diagnosed 8.5 years ago, and at that point. unless you _ diagnosed 8.5 years ago, and at that point, unless you are _ diagnosed 8.5 years ago, and at that point, unless you are actually- point, unless you are actually affected — point, unless you are actually affected try— point, unless you are actually affected by it. _ point, unless you are actually affected by it, you _ point, unless you are actually affected by it, you have - point, unless you are actually. affected by it, you have probably never— affected by it, you have probably never heard _ affected by it, you have probably never heard of— affected by it, you have probably never heard of it. _ affected by it, you have probably never heard of it. that's - affected by it, you have probably never heard of it. that's the i affected by it, you have probably never heard of it. that's the bigl never heard of it. that's the big step— never heard of it. that's the big step forward _ never heard of it. that's the big step forward. the _ never heard of it. that's the big step forward. the awareness i never heard of it. that's the big step forward. the awareness ofj step forward. the awareness of everybody _ step forward. the awareness of everybody is _ step forward. the awareness of everybody is what _ step forward. the awareness of everybody is what it's _ step forward. the awareness of everybody is what it's all- step forward. the awareness of| everybody is what it's all about. awareness _ everybody is what it's all about. awareness is— everybody is what it's all about. awareness is properly- everybody is what it's all about. awareness is properly as - everybody is what it's all about. i awareness is properly as important as the _ awareness is properly as important as the money, _ awareness is properly as important as the money, the _ awareness is properly as important as the money, the end _ awareness is properly as important as the money, the end of- awareness is properly as important as the money, the end of the - awareness is properly as important as the money, the end of the day. awareness is properly as important. as the money, the end of the day for stop as the money, the end of the day for sto ; . , as the money, the end of the day for sto_ . , . , as the money, the end of the day for sto ; . , ., , , stop which is really interesting, isn't it? by _ stop which is really interesting, isn't it? by now, _ stop which is really interesting, isn't it? by now, halfway - stop which is really interesting, isn't it? by now, halfway to i stop which is really interesting, isn't it? by now, halfway to the| isn't it? by now, halfway to the destination _ isn't it? by now, halfway to the destination of _ isn't it? by now, halfway to the destination of old _ isn't it? by now, halfway to the destination of old trafford, i destination of old trafford, umbrellas formed a guard of honour at every stop but as team morale began to dip, a huge boost came in the form from the three runners as not enough moisture in the air! you have got everybody now crying again. how are you doing. all right, all right. tough. a tough day. still got a lot to do, but a bit of emotion around today. we are tired as well, but not

far off. faroff. 0k, thank you. far off. 0k, thank you. due faroff. 0k, thank you. due to! with— 0k, thank you. due to! with every step, every note collected, every cheer... cheering the message spread. ijust want i just want to thank everybody. cheering arriving in york left kevin's former team—mate jamie peacock lost for words. how was your day? words. howwas ourda ? ., words. howwas ourda ? . ., words. howwas our da ? . ., �*, how was your day? year... yeah, it's been epic- — how was your day? year... yeah, it's been epic- just _ how was your day? year... yeah, it's been epic. just really _ how was your day? year... yeah, it's been epic. just really humbling, i i been epic. just really humbling, i think, to be part of this. so, yeah. and the reception? yes, i'm 'ust a so, yeah. and the reception? yes, i'mjust a bit... _

days six. the penultimate day saw the team arrive at headingley, the leeds rhinos ground, and a welcome home from rob himself. cheering applause i know you are all stood side—to—side i know you are all stood side-to-side_ i know you are all stood side-to-sid ~. , , ,, side-to-side with us, 'ust like we tried to side-to-side with us, 'ust like we tried he do — side-to-side with us, 'ust like we tried to do for i side-to-side with us, 'ust like we tried to do for rob. i tried to do for rob. he is in the family. our team can't thank you enough for the support and awareness we've created, the money we have raised. i'm sure there have been a fewjokes on things— i'm sure there have been a fewjokes on things along the way and if you tale is— on things along the way and if you tale is told, but we have been watching _ tale is told, but we have been watching and or and incredibly proud of then _ watching and or and incredibly proud of them. for them to do this challenge, it isjust mind blowing. cheering applause

he is in touch with kevin all the time. in touch with his machine. he has been _ in touch with his machine. he has been sending in lovely messages, you know, _ been sending in lovely messages, you know. keep _ been sending in lovely messages, you know, keep it going, mate. it is unbelievable, the friendship between theni~ _ unbelievable, the friendship between then it— unbelievable, the friendship between then it is— unbelievable, the friendship between them. it is fantastic.— them. it is fantastic. everybody needs a friend _ them. it is fantastic. everybody needs a friend like _ them. it is fantastic. everybody needs a friend like kevin. i needs a friend like kevin. they do, they do. it needs a friend like kevin. they do, they do. it would be a better world. _ they do, they do. it would be a better world. and _ they do, they do. it would be a better world. and what - they do, they do. it would be a better world. and what was i they do, they do. it would be a better world. and what was it l they do, they do. it would be a i better world. and what was it kev said at one _ better world. and what was it kev said at one point? _ better world. and what was it kev said at one point? if— better world. and what was it kev said at one point? if it _ better world. and what was it kev said at one point? if it had - better world. and what was it kev said at one point? if it had been l said at one point? if it had been the other— said at one point? if it had been the other way round, would you have done _ the other way round, would you have done it _ the other way round, would you have done it for— the other way round, would you have done it for me? laughter and what was the answer? �* , and what was the answer? i'm sure he would have done. _ and what was the answer? i'm sure he would have done. he _ and what was the answer? i'm sure he would have done. he would _ and what was the answer? i'm sure he would have done. he would have i and what was the answer? i'm sure he would have done. he would have donej would have done. he would have done his best _ his best. in - his best. i'm sure he would hie heei. — i'm sure he would have done. then onto bradford city football club to meet stephen darby, another elite sportsman living with mnd. the emotional struggle was to see. —— was plain to see.

doing the ultramarathons, seven in sevenis doing the ultramarathons, seven in seven is phenomenal, but, look, he's obviously trying to get the awareness for mnd, so it is... yes, it's not nice, but for me to be here, it's obviously, you know, as soon as i heard it was happening, i was down here straightaway. as the last of the seven days dawned, kev and his fellow runners chris and dave were held together by tape. the finish line was still so far away, tape. the finish line was still so faraway, but tape. the finish line was still so far away, but the support was staggering, even if they were not! what has he said to you? it is broken. taping on calves and ii is hmhen. — taping on calves and hamstrings, and great _ taping on calves and hamstrings, and great work. _ taping on calves and hamstrings, and great work, just going a kilometre at a time — great work, just going a kilometre at a time now. it _ at a time now. it is _ at a time now. it is really tough. is— it is really tough. is that it? just one more, one more, one more? it absolutely has to be. it to be.

-- it— it absolutely has to be. it to be. -- it has— it absolutely has to be. it to be. -- it has to _ it absolutely has to be. it to be. —— it has to be. 0n in kev�*s back yard, he was met by former striker marcus stewart, who was diagnosed recently. kezrin former striker marcus stewart, who was diagnosed recently.— was diagnosed recently. kevin is a beacon of hope, _ was diagnosed recently. kevin is a beacon of hope, that's _ was diagnosed recently. kevin is a beacon of hope, that's what i was diagnosed recently. kevin is a beacon of hope, that's what he i was diagnosed recently. kevin is a beacon of hope, that's what he is, to a lot _ beacon of hope, that's what he is, to a lot of— beacon of hope, that's what he is, to a lot of us _ beacon of hope, that's what he is, to a lot of us. you _ beacon of hope, that's what he is, to a lot of us. you know, - beacon of hope, that's what he is, to a lot of us. you know, he's i beacon of hope, that's what he is, i to a lot of us. you know, he's doing his best. _ to a lot of us. you know, he's doing his best. for— to a lot of us. you know, he's doing his best, for his— to a lot of us. you know, he's doing his best, for his mate _ to a lot of us. you know, he's doing his best, for his mate rob- to a lot of us. you know, he's doing his best, for his mate rob as - to a lot of us. you know, he's doing his best, for his mate rob as well, i his best, for his mate rob as well, along _ his best, for his mate rob as well, along with — his best, for his mate rob as well, along with his— his best, for his mate rob as well, along with his mates— his best, for his mate rob as well, along with his mates who - his best, for his mate rob as well, along with his mates who are i his best, for his mate rob as well, i along with his mates who are running with him. _ along with his mates who are running with him. so— along with his mates who are running with him. so the _ along with his mates who are running with him, so the awareness- along with his mates who are running with him, so the awareness is- with him, so the awareness is happening _ with him, so the awareness is happening at _ with him, so the awareness is happening at the _ with him, so the awareness is happening at the moment. it| with him, so the awareness is. happening at the moment. it is great — happening at the moment. it is great the _ happening at the moment. it is great. the timing _ happening at the moment. it is great. the timing of— happening at the moment. it is great. the timing of it, - happening at the moment. it is great. the timing of it, he i happening at the moment. it is| great. the timing of it, he does happening at the moment. it is i great. the timing of it, he does not do it very— great. the timing of it, he does not do it very often _ great. the timing of it, he does not do it very often but _ great. the timing of it, he does not do it very often but when _ great. the timing of it, he does not do it very often but when he - great. the timing of it, he does not do it very often but when he does, i do it very often but when he does, it is big _ do it very often but when he does, it is big so— do it very often but when he does, it is big. so hopefully— do it very often but when he does, it is big. so hopefully that- do it very often but when he does, it is big. so hopefully that will- do it very often but when he does, it is big. so hopefully that will be i it is big. so hopefully that will be the right— it is big. so hopefully that will be the right way— it is big. so hopefully that will be the right way for— it is big. so hopefully that will be the right way for him. _ the right way for him. the _ the right way for him. the final— the right way for him. the final leg, - the right way for him. the final leg, and i the right way for him. the final leg, and onl the right way for him. i the final leg, and on their the right way for him. - the final leg, and on their last legs, but they have done it. murrayfield to manchester, 300 miles. and on to the old trafford pitch during the rugby league world cup final, to a rousing reception.

cheering kevin, you have done seven ultramarathons in seven days. you said you were just going for a run for a mate. what kept you going? that exact thought. it is all about friendship, — that exact thought. it is all about friendship, and the love for rob. cheering we have met some incredible people alon- we have met some incredible people along the _ we have met some incredible people along the journey from edinburgh, but there — along the journey from edinburgh, but there is one thing for sure, that— but there is one thing for sure, that our— but there is one thing for sure, that our country cares, it cares about— that our country cares, it cares about people that need help, and that mnd community need us. i that mnd community need us. i know— that mnd community need us. i know that everybody feels the same way i i know that everybody feels the same way i do _ i know that everybody feels the same way i do about rob burrow. he's an absolute _ way i do about rob burrow. he's an absolute champion. the way the burrow — absolute champion. the way the burrow family have been so courageous and brave, we just want

to be _