this is bbc news broadcasting in the uk, on pbs in america and around the globe. i'm joanna gosling. our top stories. a fresh wave of russian missiles targets major cities across ukraine, in the biggest such attack for weeks. authorities say 120 missiles have been launched. here in the uk — the tuc�*s new general secretary paul nowak warns further strikes will lie ahead in 2023 unless the government enters talks with unions over wages. a third person is arrested over the christmas eve pub shooting in liverpool that killed elle edwards. america has become the latest country to impose mandatory covid tests on chinese tourists. the eu is to consider

similar control measures. hello and welcome to bbc news. ukraine has been struck by a fresh barrage of russian missiles targeting several major cities. ukrainian authorities said more than 120 missiles had been launched at the population and civilian infrastructure. several cities from kyiv in the north, odesa in the south, kharkiv in the east and lviv in the west have been hit. the mayor of lviv says the city has lost about 90% of its electricity. earlier, ukraine's military intelligence chief said fighting is at a deadlock with neither ukraine nor russia able to make significant advances. and we can speak to hugo now.

over to you. yes, the head of the ukrainian military intelligence agency said the situation of the ground was stuck because neither russia nor ukraine can make significant advances, and for weeks we been talking about have how fighting has been concentrated around the eastern city of bakhmut in the donetsk region, but across the front line we have not seen major military changes in terms of positions. winter has slowed down the pace of ukraine's ground operations command russia seems to be mostly on the defensive protecting their positions. this is what kyrylo budanov you had to say and we talked about warnings made by ukrainian officials about the possibility of another ground offensive from belarus.

russia has carried out this campaign targeting essential infrastructure. do you think these attacks are going to continue? when will the war ended, do you

think? crimea and the regions that were occupied? that is kyrylo budanov, head of the ukrainian military intelligence agency dismissing the possibility of agency dismissing the possibility of a ground offensive from belarus early next year, something that ukrainian officials have been talking about and again saying that the ukrainians are waiting for more weapons to arrive so they can carry out operations to take back territory now under russian occupation. hugo, when you talk about the concerns of another ground offensive, is it basically the situation right now that the situation right now that the situation on the ground is pretty stagnant but the attacks are coming from the air? exactly. i think we have heard kyrylo budanov talk about the possibility of more air strikes from

russia. i think this is exactly what we are seeing here right now. the ukrainians have been saying for weeks that this is how russia is responding to military setbacks on the battlefield, by carrying out these air strikes targeting the country's civilian infrastructure. and today we heard from officials who said more than 120 missiles were fired, targeting cities across the country. we had explosions here in kyiv, also the city of lviv in the west of the country, kharkiv in the north—east, which is the country's second largest country, and odesa in the south. this gives you an idea of how widespread these attacks were. we don't have confirmation yet of which locations have been hit. we know that air defence systems have intercepted many of those missiles. we have been given the all clear so we are back here in our position in kyiv after spending a few hours in

the shelter this morning. people across the country were told to stay in shelters because of those air strikes. so again the ukrainians say they believe these attacks are likely to continue because they say this is how russia is responding to what is happening on the battlefield.— what is happening on the battlefield. ., ~ , ., ., what is happening on the battlefield. ., ~ ., ., battlefield. thank you, hugo bachega in k iv. battlefield. thank you, hugo bachega in kyiv- let's — battlefield. thank you, hugo bachega in kyiv- let's go _ battlefield. thank you, hugo bachega in kyiv. let's go to _ battlefield. thank you, hugo bachega in kyiv. let's go to odesa. _ battlefield. thank you, hugo bachega in kyiv. let's go to odesa. hugo - in kyiv. let's go to odesa. hugo mentioned odesa was hit by those air strikes. i'm joined now by michael bociurkiw in odesa. mr bociurkiw is the atlantic council analyst and former spokesman for osce, the organisation for security and co—operation in europe. welcome and thank you forjoining us. first of all, tell us what the situation is in odesa. is it safe where you are?— situation is in odesa. is it safe where you are? well, relatively safe. where you are? well, relatively safe- the _ where you are? well, relatively safe. the air _ where you are? well, relatively safe. the air raid _ where you are? well, relatively safe. the air raid alert - where you are? well, relatively safe. the air raid alert is - where you are? well, relatively safe. the air raid alert is still i where you are? well, relatively safe. the air raid alert is still in effect. i wasjust safe. the air raid alert is still in effect. i was just outside on the street in the city centre, very few people on the streets, there was no electricity, no traffic lights operational, a lot of generators humming. internet is out. i have to

say in the area i am in right now it has been relatively untouched, but for the first time there is no power, there is no internet and crucially no water. so i understand from the head of the odesa military administration some 21 rockets were directed towards the odesa region and it looks like most of them were shot down. as hugo and others have said in the past, what causes a lot of the damage are the falling fragments from the destroyed missiles. you said no electricity, no internet, no water. do missiles. you said no electricity, no internet, no water.— missiles. you said no electricity, no internet, no water. do you expect those to come — no internet, no water. do you expect those to come back _ no internet, no water. do you expect those to come back on _ no internet, no water. do you expect those to come back on stream? - no internet, no water. do you expect those to come back on stream? this| those to come back on stream? this is an environment where you are under attack. is an environment where you are underattack. how is an environment where you are under attack. how easy is it for these things to get fixed? hard to sa but these things to get fixed? hard to say but two _ these things to get fixed? hard to say but two things, _ these things to get fixed? hard to say but two things, it _ these things to get fixed? hard to say but two things, it looks - these things to get fixed? hard to say but two things, it looks like i say but two things, it looks like the officials in many grainy and cities have proactively switched power, which prevents more damage

happening from the strikes. the other thing is the ukrainians have become very adept at fixing damaged infrastructure very quickly, whether it is water pipes, heating, or electrical substations. that's the good news here. i think after days of quiet, of no air raid alarms, ukrainians were looking forward to the new year and a and then these strikes happened. one of the thing, so much of the world's grain is exported from ukraine to world markets under an agreement signed by ukraine, russia, the un and turkey. without electricity the port which is very near me cannot operate. so the russians must have known that when they sent rockets this way this morning. figs when they sent rockets this way this morninu. �* , ,, ., ., when they sent rockets this way this morninu. �* , ., ., , morning. as you mention, a very strategically _ morning. as you mention, a very strategically important _ morning. as you mention, a very strategically important place - morning. as you mention, a very strategically important place andj morning. as you mention, a very i strategically important place and a place that has been under attack,

then less so but now under attack again in a sustained way. what goes on there in the city? have people left, have people returned, is their business operating? what is it like living there?— living there? well, a lot of people have actually _ living there? well, a lot of people have actually returned _ living there? well, a lot of people have actually returned because i living there? well, a lot of people have actually returned because it| have actually returned because it has become very difficult for ukrainians overseas to sustain themselves. a lot of benefits are ending. having said that, yes, a lot of the businesses were starting to get up and running. there is a very famous restaurant here and they have had to reduce their operating days from 21w, basically, tojust had to reduce their operating days from 21w, basically, to just three orfour from 21w, basically, to just three or four days a week, that's because they don't have electricity. they also can't afford a generator. and i think that kind of stories being repeated across odesa and across the it's very difficult to portray that on tv or in print media. but there is an economic crisis going on

because of this. and i'm really worried about a lot of those small and medium—sized businesses that are struggling right now. i've talked to the owners and they say they can't go on much longer if these type of interruptions continue.— interruptions continue. michael bociurkiw. _ interruptions continue. michael bociurkiw, thank _ interruptions continue. michael bociurkiw, thank you _ interruptions continue. michael bociurkiw, thank you for - interruptions continue. michael| bociurkiw, thank you forjoining interruptions continue. michael - bociurkiw, thank you forjoining us. we will talk more about the situation in ukraine later after another night of sustained air attacks. let's go to events in the uk. border force officials, driving instructors and some rail workers are continuing strike action today — and the new head of the trades union body, the tuc, has warned that more industrial action is likely in the new year. our business correspondent ben boulos reports. it's become a common sight in recent months. railway workers, nurses, postal staff and border force, among others, going on strike over pay and conditions. the government says their demands are unaffordable. but the new general secretary of the trades union congress, which brings together the different

unions, rejects that argument. the job of government is to make political choices. i'd argue they've made choices that don't benefit working people, their families and communities. so i would urge the government to talk to unions, to come to the table. let's find a way to get people's wages rising. people's incomes boosted. as we sit here now, do you think we will see more strikes well into 2023? i think the answer to that question lies very firmly in the hands of the government. if the government refuses to negotiate, if the government refuses to take seriously the concerns of working people, i think we may see more industrial action as we go into 2023. the one thing i can absolutely tell you is that no union member wants to take strike action, takes that strike action lightly, but the government really does need to step up to the plate now, talk to unions, talk to their own workforce, put money in the pockets of working people and stop stonewalling. in a statement the government said

we have been reasonable in our approach to agreeing to the independent pay review bodies�* recommendations for public sector pay rises, adding, the only way to stop the disruption completely is for union bosses to get back round the table and call off these damaging strikes. ben boulos, bbc news. merseyside police have arrested a third person, a 31—year—old man, in connection with the murder of elle edwards, who was shot dead outside a pub on christmas eve. detectives have also been granted more time to question two other people arrested in connection with her death. mairead smyth reports. the road has now reopened around the pub. a cordon remains in place. and anyone who has a vehicle in the car park is now able to come and pick up their vehicle. they will have to produce id to the police. a mobile police station remains on site. that will help people collect their vehicle and give any information, if they have it, to merseyside police, who've described this attack as a callous murder. they say they will be relentless in their efforts to bring to justice whoever was responsible

for the murder elle edwards for the murder of elle edwards and injuring four other people. now, one man, a 28—year—old, continues to receive medical treatment. but the message from merseyside police today is as clear as it was on christmas eve, when this attack happened — they need help to find the person responsible for elle edwards' murder. they ask anyone with information to come forward. police are continuing to question two men on suspicion of murder following a fatal stabbing in a birmingham nightclub. 23—year—old cody fisher — who was a non—league footballer — was attacked on the dance floor of the crane on boxing day. his family says his death has broken their hearts. the us has become the latest country to impose mandatory covid tests on chinese tourists, amid concerns about the spread of coronavirus after beijing announced it would reopen its borders next week. eu health officials

are meeting today to decide on a coordinated response. the uk says it doesn't currently have plans to bring in measures. simonjones has this report. china is preparing to open its borders to international travel once again, easing restrictions on visits to and from the country. travel agents are reporting a surge in bookings, but it comes at the same time as a surge in covid cases in the country. hospitals in china appear to be struggling to cope as the regime moves away from its zero—covid policy, which it had pursued for almost three years. washington has accused beijing of failing to provide adequate and transparent covid data. china reported just one new death yesterday, despite queues outside hospitals for emergency treatment. so from early next year, anyone arriving in the us from china will need to show a negative test. italy, india and japan have also imposed restrictions,

but the british government says there are no plans to reintroduce testing or additional requirements for anyone arriving in the uk. it says it will continue to monitor closely the prevalence and spread of any harmful variants and keep international data under review. australia too is adopting a similar approach. we'll continue to monitor the circumstances that are occurring in china and in other parts of the world as well as we do. we'll take the appropriate advice from the health experts and follow that advice. there's no change in the travel advice at this point in time, but we're continuing to monitor the situation. one expert in infectious diseases says new testing regimes can only achieve so much. i can certainly understand the concern about the potential for importation of new variants from other parts of the world. but in reality, these measures are very unlikely to have any significant impact in reducing risk. so i think these are more about public relations and perhaps a bit about foreign policy than they are really about public health.

today, the european commission will meet to discuss a possible coordinated eu response to china's rising cases. but as china attempts to return to a sense of normality, it has accused western countries of a smear campaign. it's clear, though, international concern is rising, but there's no consensus over how best to respond to it. simon jones, bbc news. our asia pacific editor michael bristow sent us this update. the concerns primarily are these — it's that there could be a new variant to omicron, to the covid virus that develops in china. and now china has opened its borders and allowing its people to travel all around the world. that that new variant could then be exported to other countries. that's the concern of many individual nations. india was the first, then followed byjapan, taiwan, italy, united states. late on tuesday, they announced restrictions everyone coming from china would have to test negative for covid within the previous 48 hours. and now, as you mentioned there,

the european union is looking to discuss whether or not there ought to be an eu—wide covid response. as i said, italy has already imposed its own restrictions. the european union will be able to decide, or will be deciding today, whether or not to have a coordinated eu wide response to the changes happening in china. they did say a few days ago that they were stopping announcing officialfigures, but they have over the last couple of days announced some figures. in fact, today they said just one person had died of covid. but, certainly, the statistics, the figures, the view of what's going on across china is difficult to gauge at the moment, because there's such doubt in that data. the idea thatjust one person died in the whole of china just yesterday is quite an extraordinary thing to believe, bearing in mind evidence — anecdotal evidence from china — shows hospitals inundated, morgues full of body bags and crematoriums working overtime to try and get rid of the backlog of bodies that they

have to deal with. so the statistics are quite unbelievable. and that's why many individual countries are acting now on their own. theyjust don't believe the data coming out of china. so what they're doing is testing chinese travellers at their own borders. what they'll be doing is looking at the sequencing of the virus for those who test positive to see if there are any new variants coming out of china so they can stop them at the border. let's get more now on ukraine. there has been a fresh wave of missile strikes this morning right across the country, including the cities of kyiv, kharkiv, odesa, and kherson let's talk more about the latest developments with ben hodges, former commanding general of the us army in europe. welcome, and thank you forjoining

us. what we are seeing is a return to the air strikes where the situation on the ground is now pretty stagnant. what is your reading of what we are seeing? weill. reading of what we are seeing? well, of course, reading of what we are seeing? well, of course. the — reading of what we are seeing? well, of course, the use _ reading of what we are seeing? well, of course, the use of— reading of what we are seeing? well, of course, the use of these _ reading of what we are seeing? -ii of course, the use of these missiles and drones to murder innocent ukrainian civilians and two go after the power grid is really a sign of the power grid is really a sign of the desperation of russian federation forces. theyjust don't have anything else they can do. what's interesting is about 120 missiles and drones were launched today, the vast majority of these things were being shot down by ukrainian forces. the ones they do get through, fortunately, have decreasing effectiveness in terms of casualties and so on. so this highlights, number one, we have got to give the ukrainians the ability to give the ukrainians the ability to strike at the source for these drones and rockets and missiles are

being launched, whether it is black sea fleet of vessels, the crimean peninsula or even inside russia. that means we have to give them more long—range capability. so that means we have to give them more long-range capability.— long-range capability. so what would that look like? _ long-range capability. so what would that look like? how— long-range capability. so what would that look like? how does _ long-range capability. so what would that look like? how does that - that look like? how does that compare with what they currently have in terms of capability? because we have of course intu drone strikes ukraine targeting a base that has these missiles.— these missiles. yeah, excellent oint. these missiles. yeah, excellent point- those — these missiles. yeah, excellent point. those are _ these missiles. yeah, excellent point. those are impressive - these missiles. yeah, excellent. point. those are impressive when these missiles. yeah, excellent- point. those are impressive when you think that this is ukraine which was the heart of the soviet union's defence industry for decades, it still has the ability to create those kinds of weapons. but what i'm talking about are specifically the 300 kilometre range rocket that can be fired from himars. if ukraine had that now they would already be hitting everything in crimea, it is almost exactly 300 kilometres from odesa to sevastopol. so they could already be making crimea untenable

for russian navy, russian air force and so forth. and also the enqueue one and m q and so forth. and also the enqueue one and m 0 nine us air force drones that could be provided, that have extended range, that can strike targets and are at an altitude that is difficult to knock down. —— targets and are at an altitude that is difficult to knock down. —- mq-1. i think the problem is our administration and other nations, are over estimating the risk of some sort of escalation if we take the next step and give ukraine these capabilities, and ijust don't see it. we have been wrong for ten months. every time we hold back on giving something, then we finally do, the russians don't react because they can't react. and we have been deterring ourselves, and the russians know that.- deterring ourselves, and the russians know that. thank you for “oinint russians know that. thank you for joining us. — russians know that. thank you for joining us. iten — russians know that. thank you for joining us, ben hodges. _ russians know that. thank you for joining us, ben hodges. a- russians know that. thank you for l joining us, ben hodges. a privilege. 1,000 new defibrillators could be installed across england. it's after the uk government

announced a £1 million fund to support the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease. joining us is chris hickey, who campaigns to get more defibrillators in public spaces after suffering a cardiac arrest 2017. his heart stopped for a 68 minutes and was restarted after emergency services used a defibrillator on him. welcome, chris. you are a walking, talking example of the power of defibrillators. do you think you wouldn't be here if it defibrillator hadn't been used on you? defibrillator hadn't been used on ou? ~ ., ., ., , ., �* defibrillator hadn't been used on ou? ., ., ., �*n you? without a doubt, i wouldn't. as ou sa , you? without a doubt, i wouldn't. as you say. i'm — you? without a doubt, i wouldn't. as you say. i'm living — you? without a doubt, i wouldn't. as you say, i'm living testament - you? without a doubt, i wouldn't. as you say, i'm living testament to - you? without a doubt, i wouldn't. as you say, i'm living testament to the l you say, i'm living testament to the effectiveness of defibrillators. there is a chain that goes with it. you have to start cpr first and then a defibrillator. but the statistics are quite shocking about not using a defibrillator and not having cpr. only one in 12 people who has an out—of—hospital cardiac arrest, which happened to me, survives if

you don't get that defibrillator going within three to five minutes. so it's really important people know where the nearest defibrillator is and have one near them. so where the nearest defibrillator is and have one near them.- where the nearest defibrillator is and have one near them. so you have been campaigning _ and have one near them. so you have been campaigning to _ and have one near them. so you have been campaigning to get _ and have one near them. so you have been campaigning to get them - and have one near them. so you have been campaigning to get them put. been campaigning to get them put around the town where you live, and i know you have been quite successful in that. you must be glad today to hear about the investment in expanding the use of defibrillators? it in expanding the use of defibrillators?- in expanding the use of defibrillators? , ., , ., defibrillators? it is tremendous to hear the government _ defibrillators? it is tremendous to hear the government slowly, - defibrillators? it is tremendous to hear the government slowly, but| hear the government slowly, but definitely, contributing to this. it saves lives, it saves time and effort, it saves heartache for families, and we have been working in cheltenham. and when i started there was one public access defibrillator in the centre of cheltenham in montpelier. there are now 30. we have raised money, we have had tremendous support. the campaign is led by a member of tidal training and we have had support

from local businesses and businessmen, bob holt, and other organisations, and gevor s have provided a lot of defibrillators, and the public have contributed almost £10,000 towards having them installed —— g4 s. haifa almost £10,000 towards having them installed -- g4 5.— almost £10,000 towards having them installed -- gil s.— installed -- gil s. how important is it for installed -- g4 s. how important is it for them — installed -- g4 s. how important is it for them to _ installed -- g4 s. how important is it for them to be _ installed -- g4 s. how important is it for them to be awareness - installed -- g4 s. how important is it for them to be awareness about | it for them to be awareness about them and for people to inform themselves notjust where to them and for people to inform themselves not just where to find themselves not just where to find them but also how to use them? yes. thankfully in — them but also how to use them? iezs thankfully in cheltenham you will see them up—and—down the high street, in lots of different locations, and in schools and in institutions. there is a bit of anxiety about using them but all the machines are automated and when you open it in the machine speaks tells you what to do. but getting first aid training into your company, into your institution if you are a scout, if you are a bowls club, if you are a football club, or any kind of institution, organising, it is less

than half a day's training will show you and give you confidence in how to use a defibrillator.— to use a defibrillator. thank you so much forjoining — to use a defibrillator. thank you so much forjoining us. _ to use a defibrillator. thank you so much forjoining us. it _ to use a defibrillator. thank you so much forjoining us. it is _ to use a defibrillator. thank you so much forjoining us. it is great - to use a defibrillator. thank you so much forjoining us. it is great to l much forjoining us. it is great to hear the impact that that had on you in terms of use are now spreading the word about something that can be life—saving. thank you so much. thanks ever so much, cheerio. travel and power remain severely disrupted in parts of the us after the storm blizzards that struck over christmas. thousands of flights have been cancelled in eastern and southern states as airports begin to dig themselves out of the snow. at least 59 people were killed by the superstorm. travel bans in some areas may be lifted today as temperatures have begun to rise, but there are new fears of flooding from melting snow. thank you for your company. you're watching bbc news.

hello. as we head up towards the new year the weather does remain unsettled. it's going to be wet and windy at times, some of us are seeing some snow. this afternoon there is a lot of dry weather around, we have some showers being blown quite quickly on a brisk and some of the showers aligning themselves, moving from the west to east across northern ireland, scotland and northern england, falling as snow on the tops of the hills and mountains. the strongest winds today in the west and through the english channel. and if anything, temperatures down a degree orso anything, temperatures down a degree or so on yesterday. as we head through the evening and overnight in this line of showers moves away. there will be some dry conditions before the next batch of weather

fronts come in, introducing some heavy rain, especially across the west of northern ireland, south—west scotland command as it bumps into the cold air across central and northern scotland we will see it readily turning into snow above about 200 metres or so, and we could have as much as ten centimetres. but tomorrow that continues to push steadily northwards in the two bands of rain moving eastwards, still brisk winds but behind all this rain what you find is a return to a lot of dry weather, some sunshine and still some heavy showers across the north west. temperatures up a touch, fourin north west. temperatures up a touch, four in lerwick, 13 in london. as we head on into new year's eve itself, we will have rain across the south, the northern extent of it is still open to some question. some rain moving in across northern ireland, central and southern scotland, clipping northern england, and we will also have some rain across the north of scotland falling as snow on higher ground. very mild in the south. chilly are in the north. but as we head up towards the midnight hour, look what happens. a lot of

our rain tends to fade. for many of us it's going to be dry by the time we get to new year's day. and it is going to be cold in the north of scotland, temperatures falling away to —7. scotland, temperatures falling away to -7. if scotland, temperatures falling away to —7. if you want to find out more details about where you are going to be at that time or during the next few days, you can also check out our bbc weather app. on sunday which is new year's day you can see we have had some rain coming in across southern areas, again the northern extent of this open to a bit of question, worth checking out the app if you are on the move. we also have some more coming in across northern ireland, northern england and southern scotland which might well prove to be wintry in nature on higher ground.

this is bbc world news. the headlines. air raid sirens sounding across ukraine as russia launches a new wave of missile attacks across the country. the invasion of ukraine is now at a deadlock, according to the ukrainian intelligence chief. here in the uk, the tuc�*s new general secretary, paul nowak, warns further strikes will lie ahead in 2023 unless the government enters talks with unions over wages. america has become the latest country to impose mandatory covid tests on chinese tourists. the eu is to consider similar control measures but the uk has so far said it will not introduce new restrictions. in the uk, a third person is arrested over the christmas eve pub shooting near liverpool

which killed elle edwards — two other people are also being questioned.