this is bbc news broadcasting to viewers in the uk and around the world. i'm kasia madera. the headlines... russia launches another wave of missiles at cities across ukraine — including the capital, kyiv. pope francis and world leaders pay tribute — as the vatican announces the death of former pope, benedict xvi, at the age of 95. world health officials call on beijing to share accurate covid data, as england becomes the latest country to control arrivals from china. celebrations have begun to mark the start of 2023, with firework displays in cities around the world.

welcome. russia has launched another barrage of missiles at cities across ukraine in the second big attack in three days. a number of explosions were heard in the centre of the capital, kyiv. residents there have been told by the authorities to remain in shelters. from kyiv, hugo batchega sent this report. on new year's eve, another wave of russian missiles. the air raid alerts sounded at lunchtime on a day families usually celebrate together. this woman was at home when her district in kyiv was hit. translation: me and my husband were literally - thrown into the corridor. we heard glass shattering and then there was an explosion — one after another. we came to the street and saw ambulances and casualties.

you can see the point of impact where debris from a missile that was intercepted fell from the sky. one person was killed there — a mother of two who was in the kitchen, making dinner to celebrate the new year. president zelensky accused russia of deliberately targeting civilians. translation: several waves of l missile strikes on new year's eve. missiles against the people. the people who did this are inhuman and they've lost. we know that terrorists can't change. on the last day of the year, russia brought even more destruction to a country that has already seen so much of it. hugo bachega, bbc news, kyiv. my my colleague their reporting on those latest attacks on kyiv. let's cross live to the ukrainian capital.

this is the image we are witnessing among various different missile launches by russia and also different blackouts and power outages. the people in ukraine are continuing to mark the new year, and of course christmas. and a little bit earlier, we were looking at images of the christmas tree that is in the centre of kyiv. this is an image of it a little bit earlier on. it is being described as the tree of invincibility. and it was a tree where there was a lot of discussion about whether it should or should not go up, given the amount of attacks and also the amount of power outages that residents across ukraine are experiencing. but the mayor of kyiv, talley clitchco, wanted to see this tree go up. and as you can see, the colours are of course the ukrainian flag, the blue representing the blue sky and the

yellow representing the grain of ukraine, the breadbasket of ukraine. the grain being the yellow. and instead of a star at the top, it is the symbol of ukraine, the trident of ukraine. so the images across kyiv. my colleague was telling me a little bit about what has been happening today in kyiv. we know that three regions were targeted. one of the blasts happened right between the residential buildings and also his press person confirmed, vitali klitschko�*s press

person confirmed, that there were two schools targeted at a kindergarten. which is quite dramatic because we clearly see that there is our residential buildings. these are targeting civilian buildings. when it comes to pechersk, it is incredibly central. just talk us through the centrality of this particular district. that district is exactly _ of this particular district. that district is exactly as _ of this particular district. that district is exactly as you - district is exactly as you described, a central district. there are lots of cultural institutions, the buildings of the authorities, but also what i'm hearing from the ground, that people got used to all of those tellings and they managed to relocate their infrastructure and to relocate their infrastructure and to continue. many ukrainian authorities moved underground literally, so they managed to operate there. what is interesting is the press person confirmed, as vitali klitschko said, that the tube in kyiv is operating, not in full

but they still manage to run the underground even after the shelling. and just 30% of the residents of kyiv are currently without electricity, so 70% are getting electricity. and they also have water supplies. the former pope, benedict xvi, has died at the age of 95 this morning in the vatican. that's after his health suddenly deteriorated over christmas. he was pope between 2005 and 2013, and the first pope in 600 years to step down instead of ruling for life. our religious affairs correspondent, aleem maqbool, looks back now on benedict's life — and legacy. cerebral by character, benedict was a prolific author and more at home with scholarship than pastoral work. he led the world's catholics for eight years and then abruptly resigned, the first pope to do so in 600 years. joseph ratzinger was born in southern germany. he was just six when

the nazis swept into power. his parents were hostile to the regime, and though their son entered junior seminary in 1939, he was forced to join the hitler youth just two years later. he and his brother, georg, were ordained on the same day in 1951. georg became a parish priest, joseph chose a quite different kind of ministry. first, a doctorate, appointments at prestigious universities and then the vatican. a cardinal by his early 50s, an ailing popejohn paul ii made him head of the sacred congregation for the doctrine of faith, formally the roman inquisition. there, he upheld traditional catholic teaching on abortion, contraception and homosexuality. he even spoke against rock music and the harry potter books. as pope benedict xvi, he sought to re—evangelise the west. it was an attempt to roll back the advance of secularism

in europe and north america. but in it lay an acknowledgement of the church's declining influence in its traditional heartlands. but he also sparked controversy in 2006 when, during a lecture he gave in germany, he quoted criticism of islam by a 14th century christian leader and appeared to link the religion with jihad and holy war. there were violent protests in several muslim countries. the pope apologised and made a point of setting up the first catholic—muslim forum. but back in rome, the church was beginning to confront the scandal of sexual abuse by priests around the world. he was forced to deny that he'd played any role in covering up abuse. but the cases continued to mount. he later acknowledged he'd made mistakes in handling the matter.

in february, 2013, he shocked the world, announcing he would resign at the end of the month, citing age and failing health. the election of his successor, pope francis, represented a break with much of what benedict had stood for. pope benedict upheld the creeds of the church and taught them with conviction. he died as he lived — thinking and writing about how to defend and advance those creeds in an increasingly secular world. earlier, i spoke with francis campbell, the former british ambassador to the vatican. he told me more about the impact pope benedict's resignation had on the catholic church. in some respects, it's a reflection perhaps of pope benedict himself, looking at the role — which is a very demanding role — but also looking at the final years

of his predecessor, of popejohn paul ii, and basically taking a very courageous and brave step in saying that the skills or the energy that is now needed for this job "is not one perhaps that i possess at this stage in my life having been in the papacy since 2005." but it did come as a massive surprise and shock to everyone. a massive shock because arguably the role of the pope, he's the representation, a direct line back from jesus. so ijust wonder, in terms of being able to step away from that, yes, it's demystifying the role of the papacy, but ijust wonder in terms of catholics and their beliefs, it was a huge shake to the fundamentals of what the vatican is about and what the holy see is for? the pope is a successor of st peter, and there is a direct lineage for 2,000 years. but i think there's also a human story here in the sense of a human

being looking at the demands of the role, what is now a global role with 17.5% of the world's population identifying as catholic, a huge, demanding role in terms of both the church and the governance of some of the challenges, and what's needed in terms of the energy of someone that brings everything they can to the role. and it wasn't unprecedented. yes, it had happened in centuries past. itjust came as a contemporary surprise and shock. but the way he handled the adjustment in terms of not interfering in the mandate of his successor, in retiring gracefully, in contributing through prayer and spirituality and support and encouragement. but i think a very human decision, and i think people understood and people accepted it — apart from the surprise at the point in time when it happened in 2013.

because the vatican has a lot of watchers, diplomats like myself, journalists, nobody saw this coming. absolutely no—one. the world health organization says chinese officials must share more real—time information on covid in the country as infections surge. cases have soared and several countries are now screening travellers from china, after many of the country's strict restrictions have been lifted over the last few weeks. officials at the who want to see more data on hospitalisations and deaths. the uk is one of the countries that is to introduce new covid checks for people arriving on flights from china. from next thurday, travellers will have to provide a negative test before boarding their flight. some random testing will be carried out on arrivals. countries around the world have begun celebrating the new year — with some spectacular firework displays. this was sydney in australia — with the famous harbour bridge

at the centre of festivities there. it was the first restriction—free party since the covid pandemic. more than one million revellers flocked to the harbour. hong kong welcomed the new year with a multimedia light show over victoria harbour. buildings facing the iconic harbour were lit up with colourful images while giant fireworks lit up the night sky above them. and taiwan launched 2023 with light beams and lasers emanating from its landmark taipei 101 building, as the clock struck midnight after a minute—long countdown to 2023. you were watching bbc news. in wales, the chief executive of the nhs has urged people to call 999 only if it's urgent. it's to try to relieve pressure on the health service. the new year is usually one of the busiest times for emergency departments. it comes amid a rise in flu and covid cases across the uk. simonjones reports. siren wails this winter,

the health service is experiencing demand like it's never seen before — that's the stark warning from the nhs in wales, which is dealing with a sharp rise in cases of flu and covid. its chief executive, judith paget, is pleading with people to only attend emergency departments for urgent care. in a statement, she said... a message reiterated by one health board. the pressure is on the nursing staff to make sure that we can give the best care. we're working with the a&e department to make sure the patients are coming in through the ambulance service, getting them up to the wards quickly. but obviously, we've got to isolate quite a lot of patients, so that means looking at our bed base, looking at our side rooms and our wards. as this public health campaign makes clear, flu is back with a vengeance.

nhs england says there were more than 3,700 patients a day in hospital with flu last week — that's a sevenfold increase on the situation last month. health bosses say a twindemic of flu and covid is now a reality. it's led a number of ambulance trusts to declare critical incidents. 90—year—old jean stringer was visiting family on boxing day in gloucester when she fell down the stairs. she spent 23 hours on the landing with a fractured hip, waiting for an ambulance. it's just horrendous because we knew how uncomfortable she was and there was absolutely nothing that we could do, apart from keep her topped up with the paracetamol and codeine and keep asking her if she's ok — and you know that she's not. when she arrived at hospital, she spent 11.5 hours in the ambulance, waiting to be admitted. the ambulance service admits it's under huge pressure. and gps, too, say they are stretched. this is certainly the worst that i've seen it. speaking to colleagues, they've described it as the worst couple of weeks in their careers.

we're asking that the public only use a&e for life—threatening emergencies. with flu cases also rising in scotland and northern ireland, health bosses are urging anyone eligible for a flu or covid jab that has not yet come forward to get vaccinated. and people celebrating the new year tonight are being asked to be sensible. simon jones, bbc news. with the accession of king charles comes a new era in the british monarchy — and the role the monarchy plays in countries where the king is head of state. it's brought a lot of contemplation in the caribbean — where barbados last year ended its relationship with the uk. jamaica is expected to follow, but first it has to hold a referendum. so what's stopping it? our correspondent katy watson reports from the island. it was in these fields that enslaved africans toiled. sugar cane fed britain's colonial

wealth but created a painful legacy forjamaicans. in 1953, the queen first visited jamaica to visit this place, the ultimate symbol of colonial power. it was in the same square in 1838 that slaves were finally set free. today, though, it's abandoned — history that so many want to forget yet never want to stop remembering. architectural historian dr green says the role that jamaica's people had is often forgotten. we as jamaicans claim this as ours. however, the history books and the writing and others have tried to tell us it's not. as an architect, i know how

to reinterpret that history to allow it to be owned by the jamaicans and the caribbean people because we owned it and we built it. what we have to now do going forward is to begin to erase the onus of european domination on us. long gone is britain's national anthem. kids today sing "jamaica, the land we love." do you understand what i'm saying? yes, miss. history teacher kimberly binning says understanding jamaica's past is a crucial part of shaping how the younger generation sees themselves. as a child, i was taught history based on the european perspective of history. what the masters would have wanted us to know about history, with little exposure to the experiences of the africans during enslavement. we have to take control of our destiny. we have to ensure that where we're heading is somewhere that's going to be betterfor us in the long run.

the national motto is, "out of many, one people". jamaica's united, no more so than in their view of where the country is headed. more than 60 years on from independence, the monarchy feels so irrelevant to people here. there are those who want to draw a line under a dark past, but many more just feel disconnected from a distant monarch. and almost everyone i've spoken to here thinks now is the time for a new future forjamaica. many would argue it's well past that time. it's a very interesting moment. former prime minister pj patterson met the queen on her last visit 20 years ago, not long after he said jamaica needed to become a republic. but political obstacles have held it back. so how long untiljamaicans lose their patience? i think it's in danger of being exhausted. and that was no more evident than when, as part

of the platinum jubilee tour, william and kate were here. as visitors to the island, the monarchy is warmly welcomed, but jamaicans now want their own kings and queens to shine. katie watson, bbc news, injamaica. edinburgh's world—renowned hogmanay celebrations are returning as scotland is preparing to welcome 2023 with large scale events for the first time in three years. street parties, bonfires, fireworks and a torchlit procession will bring in the new year across the country. in edinburgh, alongside the capital's street party the pet shop boys will headline the hogmanay concert in princes street gardens. i'm joined now by our scotland correspondent alexandra mackenzie who is in edinburgh.

yes, that's right. we are back in edinburgh for the first time in three years for the hogmanay street party. i'm on princes street and behind me obviously is the famous edinburgh castle. we are going to see fireworks from there, starting at nine o'clock, for a bit of a tease on the hour. nine, ten, 11, and then we will have the big firework finale at midnight to see in 2023 here in edinburgh. and that is not all. also, behind me, we have the hogmanay stage, and the pet shop boys will be there a bit later with lots of music for the people here in edinburgh. and we are standing on princes street, that famous street in the city centre. it is looking quite empty here at the moment, but i think quite soon we are going to be seeing thousands of people coming in, maybe not quite as much as you

would maybe see in the past. there are a few fewer people this year. but it is the first time for three years, as you said, because of the coronavirus restrictions. and i'm alsojoined tonight by coronavirus restrictions. and i'm also joined tonight by simon coronavirus restrictions. and i'm alsojoined tonight by simon page. simon, you are in charge of the fireworks which ijust simon, you are in charge of the fireworks which i just talked simon, you are in charge of the fireworks which ijust talked about at the castle up there. what is it like to be back finally after three years? like to be back finally after three ears? , ., ., , years? good evening. it is absolutely _ years? good evening. it is absolutely amazing. - years? good evening. it is absolutely amazing. we . years? good evening. it is. absolutely amazing. we are years? good evening. it is- absolutely amazing. we are thrilled to be back — absolutely amazing. we are thrilled to be back here in edinburgh and we are not_ to be back here in edinburgh and we are not going to let this bit of sea mist _ are not going to let this bit of sea mist damp — are not going to let this bit of sea mist damp in the evening at all. it is a bit _ mist damp in the evening at all. it is a bit dreich tonight. how many people _ is a bit dreich tonight. how many pe0ple are — is a bit dreich tonight. how many people are we going to see here? i think_ people are we going to see here? i think there — people are we going to see here? i think there are 30,000 tickets sold out some _ think there are 30,000 tickets sold out some time ago. the simple answer is, if you _ out some time ago. the simple answer is, if you can_ out some time ago. the simple answer is, if you can see the castle, you will be _ is, if you can see the castle, you will be able _ is, if you can see the castle, you will be able to see the fireworks. because — will be able to see the fireworks. because of course the castle is

already— because of course the castle is already a — because of course the castle is already a good height above the groumi — already a good height above the ground. if already a good height above the round. , ., already a good height above the round. i. , .,, already a good height above the round. , ,, already a good height above the round. , ., ground. if you people passed earlier and said they _ ground. if you people passed earlier and said they did _ ground. if you people passed earlier and said they did not _ ground. if you people passed earlier and said they did not have _ ground. if you people passed earlier and said they did not have tickets. l and said they did not have tickets. i think we will see the fireworks not just on i think we will see the fireworks notjust on princes street but for maybe a couple of miles around. absolutely. if you know where the castle _ absolutely. if you know where the castle is, — absolutely. if you know where the castle is, look that way. you will definitely — castle is, look that way. you will definitely see the fireworks. you said a little _ definitely see the fireworks. you said a little tease _ definitely see the fireworks. ym. said a little tease at nine o'clock. but do we expect in terms of the fireworks?— fireworks? the fireworks is to a brilliant soundtrack, _ fireworks? the fireworks is to a brilliant soundtrack, beautifully choreographed. but of course they are all— choreographed. but of course they are all sitting on top of this absolutely extraordinary historic structure — absolutely extraordinary historic structure. what's not to love? it is going _ structure. what's not to love? it is going to _ structure. what's not to love? it is going to be — structure. what's not to love? it is going to be brilliant. and structure. what's not to love? it is going to be brilliant.— going to be brilliant. and we will see the big _ going to be brilliant. and we will see the big finale _ going to be brilliant. and we will see the big finale for _ going to be brilliant. and we will see the big finale for the - going to be brilliant. and we will l see the big finale for the fireworks at midnight. explain what we can expect then? it at midnight. explain what we can exuect then?— expect then? it is 'ust over six minutes. h expect then? it is 'ust over six minutes. as h expect then? it is 'ust over six minutes. as i _ expect then? it is just over six minutes. as i say, _ expect then? it is just over six minutes. as i say, a _ expect then? it is just over six minutes. as i say, a really - expect then? it is just over six l minutes. as i say, a really good soundtrack _ minutes. as i say, a really good soundtrack. we have been working on it for some _ soundtrack. we have been working on it for some months now, making sure it for some months now, making sure it is choreographed tightly so it will look— it is choreographed tightly so it will look fantastic. you will know

when _ will look fantastic. you will know when the — will look fantastic. you will know when the finale moment happens, and inside _ when the finale moment happens, and inside the _ when the finale moment happens, and inside the castle we will of the crowd — inside the castle we will of the crowd. �* ., , , inside the castle we will of the crowd. . . , , ., ., crowd. and that is why we do what we do. what crowd. and that is why we do what we d0- what is — crowd. and that is why we do what we d0- what is the _ crowd. and that is why we do what we do. what is the preparation _ crowd. and that is why we do what we do. what is the preparation like - crowd. and that is why we do what we do. what is the preparation like for i do. what is the preparation like for this? a lot of workers into it? ads, this? a lot of workers into it? a huge amount of work going back many months _ huge amount of work going back many months. from the music, we then get the fireworks — months. from the music, we then get the fireworks keyed in and then we work— the fireworks keyed in and then we work with— the fireworks keyed in and then we work with hundreds of people. it is a huge _ work with hundreds of people. it is a huge event. it is a world—class event _ a huge event. it is a world—class event a — a huge event. it is a world—class event a lot— a huge event. it is a world—class event. a lot of people to make it all happen— event. a lot of people to make it all happen injust over six minutes. and how— all happen injust over six minutes. and how long have you been involved in it? this isn't yourfirst year? my in it? this isn't yourfirst year? my first hogmanay was in 2006. i fell in _ my first hogmanay was in 2006. i fell in love — my first hogmanay was in 2006. i fell in love with it. itjust my first hogmanay was in 2006. i fell in love with it. it just feels absolutely fabulous to be back. and we are absolutely fabulous to be back. fific we are expecting people absolutely fabulous to be back. fific we are expecting people from all over the world? i we are expecting people from all over the world?— we are expecting people from all over the world? i can't believe how international— over the world? i can't believe how international the _ over the world? i can't believe how international the city _ over the world? i can't believe how international the city is. _ over the world? i can't believe how international the city is. there - over the world? i can't believe how international the city is. there is i international the city is. there is every— international the city is. there is every language. lots of smiles. it should _ every language. lots of smiles. it should he — every language. lots of smiles. it should be on everybody's bucket list. �* ., ., , should be on everybody's bucket list. ., ., , ., ., should be on everybody's bucket list. ., ., ., ., should be on everybody's bucket list. ., ., , ., ., ., ., list. and what does hogmanay do for the ci of list. and what does hogmanay do for the city of edinburgh? _ list. and what does hogmanay do for the city of edinburgh? whenever- list. and what does hogmanay do for the city of edinburgh? whenever i i the city of edinburgh? whenever i come here. _ the city of edinburgh? whenever i come here, the _ the city of edinburgh? whenever i come here, the city _ the city of edinburgh? whenever i

come here, the city is _ the city of edinburgh? whenever i come here, the city is full- the city of edinburgh? whenever i come here, the city is full of - come here, the city is full of people. _ come here, the city is full of people, footfall, people eating, drinking, — people, footfall, people eating, drinking, spending money, keeping husiness— drinking, spending money, keeping husiness is— drinking, spending money, keeping business is going. as i say, it is a really. _ business is going. as i say, it is a really. really _ business is going. as i say, it is a really, really world—class. edinburgh does put on a great party. that's_ edinburgh does put on a great party. that's great, simon. i know you were busy. i have had a quick walk around the city, i met people from across the city, i met people from across the world, from america, from from spain. i think it is going to be a good night here in edinburgh. and a bit of dreich?— and a bit of dreich? absolutely. it is a bit dreich, _ and a bit of dreich? absolutely. it is a bit dreich, but _ and a bit of dreich? absolutely. it is a bit dreich, but we _ and a bit of dreich? absolutely. it is a bit dreich, but we are - and a bit of dreich? absolutely. it is a bit dreich, but we are not - is a bit dreich, but we are not going to let that spoil the fun here. a, going to let that spoil the fun here. �* , ., , , going to let that spoil the fun here. . , ., , , ., here. a bit of mist, 'ust a little bit of drizzle. h here. a bit of mist, 'ust a little bit of drizzle. to _ here. a bit of mist, just a little bit of drizzle. to you _ here. a bit of mist, just a little bit of drizzle. to you and - here. a bit of mist, just a little bit of drizzle. to you and your. bit of drizzle. to you and your guests, have a fantastic hogmanay there in edinburgh. and a little bit of dampness doesn't matter because they are going to have a great time. the first of those celebrations, the street party in edinburgh, in three years. another place that has been marking years is with pan in china.

this was the image earlier on as thousands of balloons were released. tens of thousands of people gathering to celebrate i made a quite large security presence, i have to say. wuhan bardi covid pandemic started three years ago. as you see, thousands of people and those balloons marking the countdown to the new year. across asia, it is the year of the rabbit. if you see lots of images of rabbits, that is why. if you have marked new year so far, happy new year to you. for those who haven't, and i think we can cross over live to times square. which is just coming can cross over live to times square. which isjust coming up now. they will be getting ready for their very famous new year's celebrations as the new gear ball will make its way down to mark celebrations there in the states in times square. the

times square ball, that famous moment that the ball comes down. if you haven't celebrated yet, to stay with us on bbc news. the most important thing is, is it dreich elsewhere? good evening. new year's eve is upon us. we're into the final hours of 2022, and here's how the weather is shaping up. actually, there's quite a lot going on. rain for some of us, snow for others. so this is a recipe that could cause some travel disruption. so what's going on at the moment? well, on the satellite picture, we can see this big shield of cloud that's been pushing its way in across the uk. that's been bringing quite a lot of heavy rain. this little weather system in the north of scotland, that's been delivering some snow. you can see the remnants of those snow showers on the charts for this evening. this band of rain, as that works northward. some very wet weather for the far

north of england, northern ireland, and some snow over high ground in southern scotland around midnight, for much of england and wales, it's a story of clear spells and one or two showers. it will still be quite windy, particularly around the coasts, the far north of england, very wet indeed. some heavy rain for northern ireland. and then across the south of scotland there'll be some rain at low levels, but over even quite modest hills, i think we could see some sleet and some snow. and it's possible that, say, through the central belt, there could even be some wintry weather to quite low levels at times. that could make for some poor travelling conditions on the way back from any hogmanay celebrations, for example. and in the north of scotland, where snow has been falling through today, it's going to get really cold tonight. —10 in the northern highlands, there could well be some icy stretches, but very mild to start new year's day across the south. now, as we go through the first day of 2023, we'll have this band of cloud, rain and some snow across scotland. i think most of the snow will be across central and western parts. further east, more likely to be rain. some rain quite close to northern ireland. for england and wales, sunny spells scattered heavy showers for parts of wales and northwest england. temperatures up to 12 or 13 degrees in cardiff and london.

colder than that, though, further north. and then into monday. well, this is a chance to draw breath, actually a drier day for most with some spells of sunshine, a few showers pushing close to the channel islands and some wintry showers into the north west of scotland. the winds lighter than they have been, but on the chilly side, actually, 3—10 degrees as far as the temperatures go. but that quieter interlude doesn't last long. as we move into tuesday, we see further frontal systems pushing in off the atlantic with the chance for some outbreaks of heavy rain. some strong winds as well. stays quite mild through the middle part of the coming week, maybe a little colder for a time later on.