this is bbc news. welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. our top stories — as people flee kherson, ukraine says russia has carried out more than 20 rocket attacks in the past 2a hours alone. behind me is where an explosion took place just over an hour ago. 5 people were killed here, 20 were injured. every single day, there are people being killed in the city. pope francis asks people to pray for his predecessor, benedict xvi, who he says is very ill. the vatican says benedict's condition has worsened in recent hours. the united states and philippines are considering new coronavirus restrictions on travellers from china after a surge in cases there.

and building model plane kits for a new generation of fans — we report on the revival of a classic hobby. air raid sirens have sounded across all of ukraine, with civilians being asked to stay in shelters amid reports of russian jets taking off from an airbase in belarus. russia has also stepped up mortar and artillery attacks on kherson, a port city in southern ukraine. kherson is often called the gateway to crimea, and because of its strategic importance, it was one of the first places taken by russian forces at the start of the war. it was liberated last month in a significant gain for ukrainian troops. but civilians are now living with a daily onslaught of russian shelling. our correspondent hugo bachega sent

this report from kyiv. a final goodbye for another life lost to the war. this city was liberated by ukraine atjust last month, but liberation has not brought relief. russia's bombing has been relentless. it does not stop even for the dead. natalia was in her flat when a shell hit. she was 47. her flat when a shell hit. she was a7. ukraine's advanced pushed russian forces out of kherson, they have been pounding the city from the other side of the demetriou river day and night. —— of the dnipro river. this was one of the place is hit, the maternity ward of a hospital. luckily, nobody was killed. the road out of the city was

clearjust killed. the road out of the city was clear just days killed. the road out of the city was clearjust days ago. now it is full of families fleeing. translation: we of families fleeing. translation: - stayed all this time, but when the home are next to ours was hit, we became scared. the home are next to ours was hit, we became scared-— home are next to ours was hit, we became scared. the danger is not on the dancer became scared. the danger is not on the danger is — became scared. the danger is not on the danger is not _ became scared. the danger is not on the danger is not only _ became scared. the danger is not on the danger is not only kherson. - became scared. the danger is not on the danger is not only kherson. here in kyiv, the danger alert sounded again this morning. on the battlefield, neither russia nor ukraine has made significant gains in recent weeks, but away from the front lines, people are being warned of the russian threat coming from the sky. pope francis has asked roman catholics to pray for his predecessor, pope emeritus benedict, who he said was very ill. francis made the surprise appeal at the end of his general audience at the vatican. the vatican has confirmed in the last few minutes that pope francis visited his ailing predecessor on wednesday morning right after the general audience.

benedict xvi is now 95, and his health has been deteriorating. born in germany, he became pope in 2005 before stepping down in 2013, after nearly eight years, citing a "lack of strength of mind born in germany, he became pope in 2005 before stepping down in 2013, after nearly eight years, citing a "lack of strength of mind and body" due to his age. he became the first pope in some 600 years to resign. senior correspondent for the catholic news agency hannah brockhaus joins us from rome. we seem to be getting little bits of information every few hours also, what is the wizards understand about how pope benedict is? that what is the wizards understand about how pope benedict is?— how pope benedict is? that is exactly right. _ how pope benedict is? that is exactly right, it _ how pope benedict is? that is exactly right, it has _ how pope benedict is? that is exactly right, it has been - how pope benedict is? that is - exactly right, it has been confirmed that pope emeritus benedict is under medical care that his health seems to have declined in the last two hours, so everybody is on the edge of their seats to hear more, the

vatican has posted on the news channel a prayerfor the vatican has posted on the news channel a prayer for the pub emeritus following pope francis' appeal for benedict. emeritus following pope francis' appealfor benedict. mb? emeritus following pope francis' appeal for benedict.— emeritus following pope francis' appeal for benedict. why do we call him a ub appeal for benedict. why do we call him a pub emeritus? _ appeal for benedict. why do we call him a pub emeritus? because - appeal for benedict. why do we call him a pub emeritus? because he i him a pub emeritus? because he resianed, him a pub emeritus? because he resigned. that — him a pub emeritus? because he resigned, that is _ him a pub emeritus? because he resigned, that is kind _ him a pub emeritus? because he resigned, that is kind of- him a pub emeritus? because he resigned, that is kind of what - resigned, that is kind of what people started to call him, in the catholic church we have the concept of a bishop emeritus. == catholic church we have the concept of a bishop emeritus.— of a bishop emeritus. -- pope emeritus- _ of a bishop emeritus. -- pope emeritus. since _ of a bishop emeritus. -- pope emeritus. since the _ of a bishop emeritus. -- pope emeritus. since the pope - of a bishop emeritus. -- pope emeritus. since the pope was| of a bishop emeritus. -- pope . emeritus. since the pope was the bisho of emeritus. since the pope was the bishop of rome, _ emeritus. since the pope was the bishop of rome, people - emeritus. since the pope was the bishop of rome, people started l emeritus. since the pope was the l bishop of rome, people started to call this figure the pope emeritus, and at the time benedict xvi code of city wanted be called father benedict, one that has a stock is pope emeritus.— benedict, one that has a stock is pope emeritus. was that an unusual or unprecedented _ pope emeritus. was that an unusual or unprecedented situation - pope emeritus. was that an unusual or unprecedented situation when - pope emeritus. was that an unusual or unprecedented situation when he| or unprecedented situation when he did resign, two popes coexisting

within the tiny city of the vatican? absolutely, as you said it has been over 600 years since a probe has resigned, so it was a novel situation to have two popes, as some people called it. i think you see that benedict xvi, where he emplaced the role, is how pope francis has described him as somebody who is there silently supporting the church. there has not been a lot of public news, occasional news messages, he has been silently praying for the church behind the scenes. he praying for the church behind the scenes. . , ., ~:: praying for the church behind the scenes. ., ., ~:: ,., ., scenes. he has written over 60 books in his lifetime, _ scenes. he has written over 60 books in his lifetime, and _ scenes. he has written over 60 books in his lifetime, and given _ scenes. he has written over 60 books in his lifetime, and given the - scenes. he has written over 60 books in his lifetime, and given the odd - in his lifetime, and given the odd interview as well. has he been seen as a lightning rod for some conservatives within the church to oppose some of what pope francis has been trying to do?— been trying to do? certainly some --eole been trying to do? certainly some peeple have _ been trying to do? certainly some people have painted _ been trying to do? certainly some people have painted him - been trying to do? certainly some people have painted him that - been trying to do? certainly some people have painted him that we | been trying to do? certainly some i people have painted him that we all have taken his statements and tried

to read them in a political light. obviously the same happened with pope francis, so i do not find it too surprising that you will see the same kind of dynamic and commentary around benedict xvi. he of course has always distanced himself from that as have others around him. hannah, thank you so much. we hear that pope benedict the luke francis has been to visit pope benedict and asks catholics to pray for him because he is very unwell —— pope francis has been to visit pope benedict. severe flooding in the southern philippines has killed at least 25 people. 35,000 displaced families on the island of mindanao remain unable to return to their homes. the philippines is one of the world's nations most vulnerable to climate change. farmers have been hit by devastating losses after several storms and typhoons, and inflation in the country is soaring, mostly

due to rapidly rising food prices. the philippines is also one of the most food—insecure countries in south—east asia as it relies on imports to feed its expanding population. laura bicker reports from manila on fears that the country is heading for a food crisis. manila's maze of back alleys start to stir well before dawn, for many like mary, sleep is a luxury. these hours are essential if she is to feed her family. mary sells a breakfast staple in the philippines, but the cost of making them has arisen. translation: the price of - the ingredients has increased but i can't increase the price to sell them because my loyal customers can't afford the change.

they won't buy from me any more if i do because i have competitors who have the same price as mine. mary earns about sa a day. back home, she wakes herfour children with the last of the milk. 17 people live in this house to keep costs low. translation: to save food, i put the children on a diet. l we used to eat three times a day, but now we only eat lunch and dinner. i don't know what will happen later. maybe next month when the prices increase we won't be able to eat. no matter how hard you work, if the price is going up then it is basically nothing. as you can see, the problem here is not a lack of food, the problem is the price of food. the average filipino is already spending around 60% of their wages on food bills.

one reason for it is so expensive here is because this country has to import many products because the philippines does not grow enough food to feed its own people. and the food to feed its own people. and the food this country does grow is never guaranteed. fe wanders through his typhoon ravaged rice crops from his hard work is in ruins. translation: i cannot remember the typhoons and their names, but this has been the most _ their names, but this has been the most heartbreaking yet. prices of goods— most heartbreaking yet. prices of goods have increased, while the price _ goods have increased, while the price of— goods have increased, while the price of our crops remain the same. it means_ price of our crops remain the same. it means what we harvest is worthless. our situation right now is the _ worthless. our situation right now is the hardest ever.— is the hardest ever. felix is not alone. millions _ is the hardest ever. felix is not alone. millions of _ is the hardest ever. felix is not alone. millions of hectares - is the hardest ever. felix is not alone. millions of hectares of l alone. millions of hectares of precious rice crops have been wiped out by successive storms. farmers have also had to pay more for

fertiliser and machinery than ever before. the philippines needs its farmers to feed them, but many mix a little, they cannot feed themselves. two thirds of this country are already unsure of where their next meal is coming from. these are resilient people, they do what they can to survive. but experts believe millions more will face hunger and malnutrition if prices continue to rise. the huge storm that killed dozens in north america over the christmas weekend continues to inflict misery on new york state and air travelers across the continent. stories have been emerging of families trapped for days during what's being called the "blizzard of the century." many airports are still facing chaos with thousands of flight cancellations. cbs news correspondent jarred hill says it has also caused travel chaos, with thousands of flights cancelled. this is still a pretty tricky situation here. flight tracking website flightaware

says that the company southwest airlines in particular has cancelled about 62% of its flights today alone. there is still a significant number that were cancelled yesterday, the day before, even tomorrow. other airlines are booked up right now because of the holiday season and also the scramble for people to find another way to get to where they need to go, which means that thousands right now are left stranded at airports across the country. the company here is pointing to the weather and the fact that many of their routes they fly through are in some of the mostly heavily impacted areas, but a member of the pilots' association with southwest has argued that the company's scheduling software isn't up—to—date and that's a big reason for all that we're seeing here. now, it's notjust in the private sector. the department of transportation is now looking into exactly what happened, if this was avoidable, and if the company is holding them to its customer service promises and making sure that it compensates customers who are right now, again, stranded and waiting to figure out

what they do next. dense fog and ice have caused a huge traffic accident in henan province in central china. at least 200 vehicles were in a pile—up on the zhengxin yellow river bridge. despite the extent of the wreckage, just one person was killed, though many were injured. dozens of firefighters combed through the smashed vehicles to rescue those trapped. a big clear—up operration is taking place to reopen the road. well, the un hasjust released a new report on the number of civilian casualties in ukraine since the start of the war last february. so far it's recorded that nearly 7,000 civilians have been killed, including more than a00 children. llet�*s go live to istanbul

and kris janowski who is the spokesperson for the un human rights mission. if you google civilian casualties in ukraine, you get so many different figures, and they vary by thousands. how has this figure been arrived at? this figure is a very conservative figure, actually, if any low estimate, i would say. we are only issuing reports about confirmed figures, 100% confirmed by us. but we always put a word of caution in, saying this figure is actually very low probably compared to the real figure which may be much higher. it is worth remembering that we have had no access to some of the ns by the fighting has been the heaviest, such as mariupol, or more recently kherson. we're not doing the situation in those areas or many other areas of your treatment to which we have no access whatsoever.

so these are fairly conservative low estimates, essentially. the real figure is probably much higher. [30 figure is probably much higher. do you take into account civilian deaths caused as a result of the war as well, people who may have died because of a lack of access to health care or through things like the cold or hunger?— health care or through things like the cold or hunger? these figures do not include those. _ the cold or hunger? these figures do not include those. the _ the cold or hunger? these figures do not include those. the war _ the cold or hunger? these figures do not include those. the war has - not include those. the war has essentially wreaked havoc at the lives of millions of people, thousands are dead, more than 10,000 wounded, perhaps many more than that, millions uprooted and so on and so forth. generally it are boosters of any kind of hardship, so people with no electricity or access to medical care might have perished because of that, we do not actually investigate those specific cases.

but there's certainly a very high capability that there are who might have been affected by this year hardship of the war. bud have been affected by this year hardship of the war.— have been affected by this year hardship of the war. and when you mentioned mariupol _ hardship of the war. and when you mentioned mariupol and _ hardship of the war. and when you mentioned mariupol and kherson l hardship of the war. and when you | mentioned mariupol and kherson is places you have not been able to get viable figures for, what other cities and regions of you not been able to reach?— cities and regions of you not been able to reach? well, essentially we have been able _ able to reach? well, essentially we have been able to _ able to reach? well, essentially we have been able to properly - have been able to properly investigate only those areas where the russians were present during the first weeks of the war, we gained access to those it is after the russians withdrew, and the picture is emerging from those areas are absolutely horrible. the russians essentially went on a killing spree and several areas of ukraine. venice acts of abuse of civilians and so on and so forth, but we have not had

access to cash on or mariupol or la is still being occupied by russia. so again, the picture we are able to present to the public is very partial, unfortunately, and does not include probably the areas most affected by this conflict are so far. . ~ , ., affected by this conflict are so far. . ~ i. ., ., , affected by this conflict are so far. . ~ ., ., , ., far. thank you for “oining us from istanbul. thank— far. thank you forjoining us from istanbul. thank you. _ the united states and philippines have said they're considering new coronavirus restrictions on travellers from china, after beijing announced it would reopen its borders next month. japan, india and malaysia have already said they'll tighten restrictions on arrivals from china amid concerns about a surge in cases and a lack of transparency from the chinese government. our diplomatic correspondent paul adams reports. trainer's hospitals are overwhelmed, covid infections soaring. the country they �*s about decisions apparently yielding terrifying

results, wards full of desperately ill people. outside this hospital, a for emergency services. government officials say the situation is under control. that is not what these pictures suggest. at this funeral home, one of the biggest in the city, more evidence of the scale of the crisis. one funeral procession after another. workers here say they are so busy, they have no time to eat, from 30 to 50 services a day up to around 200. covid is mostly to blame. and yet china is opening up, relaxing rules for inbound travellers and raising the prospect of its own citizens once again being able to go abroad. welcome useful travel companies after three bleak years. translation:— years. translation: since this mornin: , years. translation: since this morning. we — years. translation: since this morning, we have _ years. translation: since this morning, we have had - years. translation: since this morning, we have had lots - years. translation: since this morning, we have had lots of i morning, we have had lots of inquiries from our customers, they are asking whether they can travel abroad normally again, whether they will need to quarantine on their

return, and when international tourism will return. but return, and when international tourism will return.— return, and when international tourism will return. but at some countries already _ tourism will return. but at some countries already adopting - tourism will return. but at some countries already adopting extra travel requirements for chinese visitors, and the united states citing a lack of transparent data, officials in beijing reject any suggestion that china has lost control. translation: the argument ou control. translation: the argument you mentioned _ control. translation: the argument you mentioned as _ control. translation: the argument you mentioned as a _ control. translation: the argument you mentioned as a smear— control. translation: the argument you mentioned as a smear campaign i you mentioned as a smear campaign with a _ you mentioned as a smear campaign with a hidden agenda which does not stand _ with a hidden agenda which does not stand up— with a hidden agenda which does not stand up to — with a hidden agenda which does not stand up to scrutiny or facts, and runs_ stand up to scrutiny or facts, and runs counter_ stand up to scrutiny or facts, and runs counter to the truth.- runs counter to the truth. after last month's — runs counter to the truth. after last month's nationwide - runs counter to the truth. he last month's nationwide protests, this is the image china wants to project, of a country finally turning its back on the virus and on its own draconian response. but china's long hard battle with covid is far from over. china's long hard battle with covid is farfrom over. paul adams, bbc news. here in the uk, two men have been arrested on suspicion of murdering a man on the dancefloor of a birmingham nightclub on boxing day. 23—year—old cody fisher was stabbed at the crane in the digbeth area of the city.

west midlands police say a 22—year—old man was detained in birmingham, while another man, aged 21, was arrested in london. sport, and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's jane dougall. hello. in the last hour, chelsea and england defender reece james has said this year has been the toughest to date after suffering a second knee injury in a chelsea's win over bournemouth on tuesday. james has to be taken off in the 53rd minute of the 2-0 be taken off in the 53rd minute of the 2—0 premier league victory. it was his first game since returning from an initial knee injury which ruled him out of the world cup. james said on social media it had affected him mentally and that he was trying to cope with the carty had been dealt. later in the premier league, manchester city travel to leeds, as they look to reduce the gap on leaders arsenal. city are now eight points off the top spot with a game in hand, having gone into the world cup break with a defeat at

home to brentford. manager pep guardiola knows that any more mistakes could prove costly in the title race. �* ., ., ., ., , title race. after our defeat against brentford, and _ title race. after our defeat against brentford, and how— title race. after our defeat against brentford, and how strong - title race. after our defeat against| brentford, and how strong arsenal is, you have to be alert and careful, because if the distance is bigger, it will be so difficult to catch them. it bigger, it will be so difficult to catch them-— bigger, it will be so difficult to catch them. . , , _, catch them. it has been confirmed that nick kyrgios _ catch them. it has been confirmed that nick kyrgios has _ catch them. it has been confirmed that nick kyrgios has withdrawn i catch them. it has been confirmed i that nick kyrgios has withdrawn from australia's team for the united cup just 2a hours before the start of the new mixed team event, with tournament organisers citing an unspecified injury. the wimbledon runner—up was due to play cameron norrie in sydney on thursday as part of australia's opening drip tie with great britain. nick kyrgios also missed the finals of the davis cup in malaga in november, and complained of this month about a lack of respect after fellowaustralian ashleigh barty was chosen ahead of him as winner of the annual newcombe medal. staying with

australia, they are closing in on a series win against south africa after day three of the second test, having declared after reaching 575-8. having declared after reaching 575—8. wicketkeeper alex kerry scored a maiden century following on from david warner's 200, as a deployed to south africa's 189. deployed to south africa's189. south africa lost the early wicket of their captain at dean elgar in the second innings, finishing on 15-1 the second innings, finishing on 15—1 before play was abandoned because of rain. meanwhile, play on a day three of the first test between pakistan and new zealand has just come to a close. the tourists have taken a two run lead in apply to pakistan's first innings score of a38 all out. new zealand are aao—6. captain kane williamson and tom latham are both with centuries. that is all the sport news for now. thank you, jane. you might think the days of spending the christmas holidays building your new model plane are well and truly over,

but the classic hobby is alive and kicking. lockdowns and social media have fuelled a boom in sales, as john maguire reports. before you build a model aeroplane, the kit you use is built here in a factory in east sussex. it marks a return to uk production. molten plastic is pumped into a high pressure press which contains an intricately detailed mould. what comes out and are then checked by eye are the frames known as sprews. they hold the parts ready to be removed and assembled. this is the 1/2a scale mk9 supermarine spitfire, a new kit created by airfix and in painstaking detail. the spitfires were renowned for being incredibly well made. so some aircraft, this kind of effect of the wind is really pronounced. but actually for spitfires, especially when they were newer, it wasn't quite so bad. chris, the designer, has been back to the drawing board.

the drawing board that the original aircraft engineers used to design the real wartime plane. you have to be careful, because what was initially planned isn't necessarily what actually came out of the factory, because when they're putting these bits of metal together, they find, "ah, i need to make a little tweak here, i need to adjust that." and in the, kind of, how quickly they had to produce them as well, they found little workarounds. but it's a great starting point to go from the original drawings and amazing thing to be able to get to hold and work with. just check that wing span, make sure it's nice and straight. this kit isn't for the faint hearted. it could take months to build. it's not a cheap kit. it's a considered purchase. and obviously the model has an expectation level of what should be in the kit. and obviously this is a a33 part kit. it represents as a truly authentic scale product. today i'm starting on my first ever aircraft model. it's a supermarine spitfire mk1.

making the models and the dedication, concentration and passion the hobby requires is appealing to a whole new generation. this is building spitfires for the tiktok age. you're into the classics, you're old, you're really old. your social security number is two. for some, it's a voyage of rediscovery. richard spreckly was a keen modeller as a boy and was reintroduced to it by his late father—in—law. a retired police officer who also served in afghanistan, richard says working away in the shed he's converted into a studio is the perfect way to relax. you get engrossed in it. certainly you have to stop when your fingers are stuck together or your paint�*s not quite dry or something like that. but, yes, timejust disappears. let's ta ke let's take you liar of the vatican, to st peter's square, which we can

see it nice day in rome at —— live to the vatican. pope francis has asked for people to pray for the former pope benedict, who is gravely unwell. a wet wednesday so far are many parts of the uk, outbreaks of heavy rain and drifting northwards and eastwards. some more rain in the forecast for the rest of this week, and of course by that i also mean the rest of the year. it will often be windy, some snowmobile we are over hills in the north, but as a band of wet weather continues to edge across northern scotland through the dust of the day, we will see some snow over the highest round here. furthersouth, see some snow over the highest round here. further south, a bit drier, but still some showers, and the wind is continuing to pick up, especially for western and southern coastal areas. but it is mild out there, attempt us north to south between six and 12 celsius. this evening and tonight, this band of rain were

somehow so will continue to affect northern scotland. lots of showers elsewhere, this band of more widespread showers pushing from the west towards the east, perhaps bringing the odd flash of lightning, the odd rumble of thunder. it will be a windy night, particularly in southern parts, and given the strength of the wind, it will not be particularly cold, four to seven celsius. tomorrow will be a blustery day, quite a few showers around, they could be wintry of the high ground in the north. but between the showers, there will be some decent dry gaps, some spells of sunshine. temperatures a little down where they have been today, six to 10 celsius, still not bad for this time of year. as we move into friday, another change, another atlantic frontal system are pushing in from the west. some outbreaks of heavy rain with that, particularly through the first part of friday. that rain will quickly sweep north and eastwards, could be some quite significant snow across some high ground in the northern scotland, maybe even a little bit of wintriness to quite low levels here

just for a time. temperatures six to 13 celsius, so mild for the majority. into the new year period, new year's eve into new year's day, will see some colder air trying to sneak in to the northern areas, but it stays mild that the further south you go, and with that frontal systems and is nothing quite radically through, bringing some rain at times, but not all the time. split fortunes for the new year period come across northern owners particularly scotland, quite chilly, and i will be some wintry showers, whereas further south, it will stay mild, but there will be some outbreaks of rain at times.

this is bbc news. the headlines: hundreds of people are fleeing the ukrainian city of kherson because of intense russian shelling. bombardment of the city has increased sharply over the past few days. on tuesday a shell hit the maternity ward of a hospital. pope francis has asked roman catholics to pray for his predecessor, benedict xvi, who he said was very ill. the vatican says that benedict's condition has worsened in recent hours. concern is growing around the world about china's huge wave of covid infections, with taiwan the latest place to tighten travel restrictions. taiwan says its worried travellers from china could bring in new variants of the disease. the un security council has denounced a ban by afghanistan's taliban—led administration on women attending universities or working for humanitarian aid groups.

the council has called for �*the full,