this is bbc news — i'm lewis vaughanjones with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. after four days of voting, the us house of representatives is still without a speaker, but frontrunner kevin mccarthy appears to be making progress. ukrainian officials accuse russians of opening fire in several areas — in spite of a temporary ceasefire ordered by president putin. a record number of ambulances were delayed dropping off patients at a&e in england over christmas — as the prime minister admits the nhs is under enormous pressure prince harry is facing a backlash from former members of the military over his account of killing taliban fighters in afghanistan.

he is giving the wrong impression when he makes those comments. it's not how the british army sees things. the senior republican, kevin mccarthy, says he's confident he'll win enough support today to be elected speaker of the us house of representatives. so far, he's failed thirteen times, leading to deadlock in the chamber. the latest session, which comes on the second anniversary of the january sixth attack on the us capitol, has been adjourned for several hours. but mr mccarthy is just a handful of votes short of victory. with the latest, here's gary 0 donoghue.

commemorating the heroes of january the 6th two years ago for their courage in the face of overwhelming odds. it was the moment american democracy teetered on the brink, as protesters, supporters of donald trump, stormed the capitol, bent on preventing the ratification ofjoe biden�*s victory. you know, for those who lost someone on that day, they're proud as the devil that their kin are being honoured, but, boy, is it hard. up on capitol hill, democrat members of the house marked the moment in solemn silence, while demonstrating a forceful display of party unity. the tellers agree in their tallies that the total number of votes cast is 431. but it's been a week of disharmony among republicans. a number of trumpian right—wingers have held out against electing their leader

kevin mccarthy as speaker, but while he seems on the verge of cracking their resolve, it's been a long haul. the speaker has not been elected. this week's battle has come at a huge cost to the republican party, with the concessions already granted to the hard right significantly weakening the role of speaker, and the next two years are likely to be dominated by further internal fights. while the battles have continued, congress has been at a standstill. no legislation, no committee work, the internal warfare on view for all americans to see. i think you saw we made i some very good progress. we'll come back tonight - and i believe at that time we'll have the votes to finish this once and for all — itjust reminds me of what my father always told me, - it's not how you start, it's how you finish. . so despite winning a narrow majority in the recent elections in the house, republicans remain hugely divided. donald trump looming large over that

divide and the consequences of january the sixth still at the heart of a deeply troubled politics. gary o'donoghue, bbc news, washington. ukraine has accused russia of continuing its offensive — despite president putin announcing a 36 hour ceasefire to mark the russian orthodox christmas. ukraine never agreed to a truce and they've dismissed it as a cynical ploy by the russians, to resupply their forces. there've been reports of continuing artillery fire on the frontline near the city of kramatorsk — which is in ukrainian hands. our correspondentjames waterhouse sent this update. very few expected this ceasefire to actually work. this is a part of ukraine which is no stranger to war before the full scale invasion. the army had been fighting russian backed separatists here. we are very close to the front line, and we've already heard sirens.

a possible symptom of the ceasefire not working, but relatively close by. in the city of bakhmut, where we're seeing some of the heaviest fighting, there have been reports of artillery fire being exchanged by both sides. russian forces have accused ukraine of targeting its positions. ukrainian officials close by have accused russian forces of doing the same. i think these accusations and counter accusations were expected. but look, vladimir putin had said he wanted to allow orthodox christians to celebrate christmas. all the early signs suggest that this was probably more part of the information war rather than a meaningful gesture of goodwill. elizabeth shackelford, senior fellow at the chicago council of global affairs and former us diplomatjoins me live from vermont. thank you very much for coming on the programme. what do you make of

this fighting continuing despite this fighting continuing despite this call for a cease—fire? this fighting continuing despite this call for a cease-fire? well, as we already — this call for a cease-fire? well, as we already heard, _ this call for a cease-fire? well, as we already heard, i _ this call for a cease-fire? well, as we already heard, i don't - this call for a cease-fire? well, as we already heard, i don't think- we already heard, i don't think anyone really expect this to be a genuine cease—fire offer. i don't think anyone in the west or in ukraine believes the word of vladimir putin and i don't think that pruden expected anyone to. i think there are a few reasons why it was a very low risk move by putin and if there was indeed any follow—up on the other side of a cease—fire, he could give his troops who have been really under a lot of pressure from urban ukrainian military and give them an opportunity to resupply and regroup. assuming that is going to happen in terms of the cease—fire, looks good and it's an for them to look like he's taking a peaceful moment in the orthodox holiday and likely displaying to this domestic audience. displaying to this domestic audience-— displaying to this domestic audience. ., _ ., ,.

audience. plaintiffs domestic audience. — audience. plaintiffs domestic audience, would _ audience. plaintiffs domestic audience, would you - audience. plaintiffs domestic audience, would you make . audience. plaintiffs domestic| audience, would you make of audience. plaintiffs domestic - audience, would you make of the progress of the russian military at the moment?— progress of the russian military at the moment? j ., ., ~ ., ., the moment? they're not making a lot of rouress the moment? they're not making a lot of progress and _ the moment? they're not making a lot of progress and right _ the moment? they're not making a lot of progress and right now _ the moment? they're not making a lot of progress and right now we - the moment? they're not making a lot of progress and right now we are - of progress and right now we are working through a very brutal winter period. and it'sjust arriving in the last 2a hours and shifting some of the battleground areas that could be one of the reasons why putin is looking to take some pressure off of his troops. what we have heard from the us government and german government in terms of fighting vehicles, that could really help boost ukraine's ability to act more aggressively towards them at period and i don't think the russians really prepared of the supplies that they need but it's a continuous supply of people towards the front and they have demonstrated and he does not care how much he loses in that effort. does not care how much he loses in that effort-— that effort. into a year of this conflict, how _ that effort. into a year of this conflict, how do _ that effort. into a year of this conflict, how do you - that effort. into a year of this

conflict, how do you sex - that effort. into a year of this conflict, how do you sex the l conflict, how do you sex the ukrainian resistance and more importantly international context, the strength of the support that ukraine is still getting? the su- ort ukraine is still getting? the support from _ ukraine is still getting? the support from the _ ukraine is still getting? tue: support from the west ukraine is still getting? tta: support from the west in ukraine is still getting? t"t2 support from the west in particular and it's been pretty well organised and it's been pretty well organised and i think we can continue this year and as you continued earlier in this story is absolute chaos and want to hang my hat on continued us support because we don't really know but this upcoming government in washington is going to do. ukrainian ability to resist is dependent on outside support. if i were president zelensky, i will look at 2023 as being very decisive and there's a real need to get some traction there. and let me as a binky can

hold out for the year but the longer this goes on, likely it is that the western resolve to weaken. so we think that years can be very important and think that years can be very importantand i think that years can be very important and i do not anticipate much in the coming months but the assistance coming in with these fighting vehicles can give ukraine the upper hand and i think it's going to be tough for both sides going to be tough for both sides going forward. going to be tough for both sides going forward-— going to be tough for both sides auoin forward. ., ~' ,, ., going forward. thank you for giving us our going forward. thank you for giving us your analysis. _ going forward. thank you for giving us your analysis. thank _ going forward. thank you for giving us your analysis. thank you. - the extent of the problems at hospitals over christmas and new year in england has been made clearer. new nhs data shows that a record number of ambulances were delayed dropping off patients at accident and emergency units. it comes as new figures show another significant rise in both covid and flu infections. there were more than five thousand flu patients in hospitals

in england last week — up 47 per cent. last week there were nearly 3 million covid infections in the uk — double the previous week. that'si in 22 people, according to the office for national statistics. our health editor hugh pym reports. an a&e department this week. we were allowed to film at a time of intense strain. at royal berkshire hospital they say they are doing everything they can to get people seen. it is always hard, isn't it? this is always the toughest time of year and every year it gets tougher, at some point something has to change because we can't keep doing that. they have 100 patients in the hospital who are fit to leave but can't because of hold—ups and community care. managers say temporary funding must continue. what would help as a commitment to the funding on an ongoing basis for the medium term because that provides providers in domiciliary care to plan for the future with confidence.

at st marys hospital in london patient numbers are i6% higher than before the pandemic. they are trying to reduce the pressure on a&e. here at the same day emergency care centre patients who can be treated quickly are being dealt with and if needed they can come back for follow—ups. the key thing is they won't need hospital beds. but the boss says hospital building has not kept up with demand. we are having to deal with higher patient numbers in a very small space. we have clearly also got a whole range of things as people recover from the pandemic. we are seeing an increase in the severity of some of the conditions we are seeing. at a different hospital, sue who had chest pain spent 16 hours in a&e. she had been told to make her own way rather than calling an ambulance. she was appalled by what she saw. to be honest with you ijust wanted to get out, because i felt i was safer at home

than in the hospital. i didn't feel confident. not that they didn't know what they were doing, there just weren't enough people to do what was necessary. there are 25 people waiting at the moment admission for a bed in this department. the health secretary visiting watford general hospital today defended the government's record. at a time when the treasury is under very significant pressure because of the costs of the pandemic and the cost of the war in europe, the impact that has on cost of living and energy crises, the chancellor has prioritised the nhs and social care. more strikes are threatened. junior doctors say they are voting on a plan to take three days of action in england in march. if we do go on strike we will be giving employers enough time to make provisions and make sure patient safety is put at the forefront of that but right now we feel the situation is so desperate that we need to take action for everyone involved including the patients.

the union representing ambulance staff, unite, has called a strike onjanuary 23 adding to the workouts already planned this month by other unions. stay with us on bbc news, still to come: the great british race to space, we report on the build—up to the first ever orbital rocket launch from uk soil the japanese people are in mourning following the death of emperor hirohito. thousands converged on the imperial palace to pay their respects when it was announced he was dead. good grief! after half a century of delighting fans around the world, charlie brown and the rest of the gang are calling it quits. the singer, paul simon, starts his tour of south africa tomorrow in spite of protests and violence from some

black activist groups. they say international artists should continue to boycott south africa until majority rule is established. around the world, people have been paying tribute to the iconic - rock star david bowie, who sold 140 million l albums in a career that| spanned half a century. his family announced i overnight that he died of cancer at the age of 69. the world's tallest skyscraper opens later today. the burj dubai has easily overtaken its nearest rivals. welcome back. this is bbc news. the taliban have responded to claims by prince harry that he killed twenty—five people while serving as a helicopter pilot in afghanistan. while serving as a helicopter a taliban spokesman said the killings amounted to war crimes. there's also been criticism and unease about that claim here in britain.

a former british commander called his comments "ill—judged". our royal correspondent daniela relph reports. it is a raw, unflinching story of his life, intimate even embarrassing details shared. pain, anger, sadness explored. prince harry's spare has spared very little and the reaction to it has been polarising. in the book harry describes the day his grandmother the queen died. his family travelled to balmoral without him after a row. harry eventually charted his own flight. by the time he arrived in scotland the queen had died. he found out as his plane was about to land. it is some of the personal stories that are perhaps it is some of the personal stories that are perhaps the most shocking to read.

harry tells us in great detail how he lost his virginity aged 17 to an older woman in a field behind a pub. he confirms that he had a relationship with the tv presenter caroline flack who died almost three years ago and in the book and then the interviews to publicise it he describes using drugs as a teenager. there is a fair amount of drugs, marijuana, magic mushrooms, cocaine, that is going to surprise people. but important to acknowledge. elsewhere his main american interview deals with racial bias in the media. i had no idea they were so bigoted. i was probably bigoted before the relationship with meghan. this would be familiar territory for diana in many ways. she cooperated on her own book filled with revelations. almost 30 years on the shock factor has been repeated. do you think this book is going to be very damaging for the royalfamily? i think it will be, because remember diana always used to say to me that

harry was the back—up, in the nicest possible way. and she wanted harry to be william's wing man, not as we have seen, his hit man. reflecting on his army service in afghanistan, harry says he believes he killed 25 taliban fighters, a claim many in the military view is a misjudgment. i think he is wrong when he says in his book that in were seen as being inhuman and just as chess pieces to be knocked over. that is not the case at all and not the way the british army trains people as he claims. and in an extraordinary development the taliban has criticised harry saying the people he killed were human, with families waiting for their return.

the publishers promised in revelation and self—examination. the book seems to have delivered than there may be more to come as his well trailed tv interviews are broadcast in the coming days including a more light—hearted turn on the late—night american chat show. tuesday in a late—night exclusive, that's an exclusive, prince harry right here on this show. prince harry's truth as well and truly out there. from the royalfamily, still no comment. daniella relph, bbc news. a little bit of british space history is happening next week in cornwall. for the first time the uk is attempting to launch a rocket into space from british soil — and send satellites into orbit. the blast—off will take place at spaceport cornwall in newquay.

britain's space industry is growing quickly and this is just the first of a number of launches planned. our science editor rebecca morelle reports. coming in to land at spaceport cornwall, a jumbo jet with a difference — getting ready to make history. the plane will release a rocket mid—air, which will fire its engines and send satellites into orbit. the first time this has been done from british soil. matthew stannard will be at the controls. it's incredible. a huge amount of pride that i get to be involved in this. it's a big dealfor the uk. it's a big dealfor cornwall. and the idea that i get to be the pilot on this mission is incredible. this is what's on board the rocket. small satellites. the uk is a leader in this industry. it's driven the growth of a space economy worth £16.5 billion, employing nearly 50,000 people. but until now, british—made satellites had to be sent abroad to launch. for the first time, the uk has all the pieces of the jigsaw to be able to design and develop satellites, launch them from the uk,

operate them from the uk. we can operate an entire ecosystem in a really fantastic closed loop. a vital part of that is building rockets. in cumbernauld, just outside of glasgow, skyrora havejust opened up a new facility. they're busy working on a prototype before building a larger rocket to launch in the uk. and this is attracting a young workforce. i think it's a really fast growing industry. a lot of young people are really interested in this, so really putting a lot of work into working in the industry. for example, me, the hands—on experience as well as designing things as well as working on all sorts of engineering projects — it's really good. what you see here really is the start of the uk's space launch industry. the rockets are starting to take shape and the idea is to bring everything to britain — from building the satellites to the rockets that carry them and the spaceports where they launch. there are a lot of opportunities,

but challenges, too. one of these is building a launch site at the northernmost tip of the uk. in unst, one of the shetland islands, the saxavord spaceport is aiming for the uk's first—ever vertical rocket launch. this isolated location has been selected because it means the rocket can fly without passing over populated areas. there's a hive of activity, and the concrete's just set on a launch pad — one of three planned. i think the first response from the locals was probably maybe it was an april fool or something like that. and then there's been real excitement about what we've been doing. and there will be jobs. the rocket companies that we're working with are already identifying those roles that can be fulfilled by local people, that they don't bring somebody in as part of their team to do some refuelling of the rocket. that actually those skills, those people can be trained locally to perform them.

shetland and cornwall aren't the only new spaceports. more are planned around the uk — and other countries are doing this, too. the global space market is getting increasingly crowded. not every venture will make it. there's a long way to go for the uk, but the hope is that high risk can bring sky—high rewards. rebecca morrelle, bbc news. we can speak to dr david whitehouse, space scientist and author of space 2069: after apollo: back to the moon, to mars, and beyond. thank you for coming on the programme. how significant do you think this is for the uk? this programme. how significant do you think this is for the uk?— think this is for the uk? this is very significant _ think this is for the uk? this is very significant because - think this is for the uk? this is very significant because this i think this is for the uk? this is very significant because this is| think this is for the uk? this is . very significant because this is the first time a satellite, a small subtle it will be going into orbit from uk soil. we are very good at building the small satellites that this launcher will put in the space and it's hoped that with the ability to launch them, this will prime the

market and for small companies to develop space capabilities and new technologies which will lead to small satellites and test, for the space industry and he can turn these small companies in the large companies. small companies in the large companies-— small companies in the large companies. small companies in the large com anies. ., , companies. performing well in terms ofthe companies. performing well in terms of the technology _ companies. performing well in terms of the technology in _ companies. performing well in terms of the technology in what's _ of the technology in what's happening already, doesn't make much difference where they are launched from? tt difference where they are launched from? , . ., . difference where they are launched from? , _, . ~ , from? it is convenience. all these companies _ from? it is convenience. all these companies that _ from? it is convenience. all these companies that are _ from? it is convenience. all these companies that are putting - from? it is convenience. all these companies that are putting the i from? it is convenience. all these i companies that are putting the small satellites on the bottom of the jumbo jet on monday with a vertical rockets launched from scotland, many of these companies and start up companies. they'rejust beginning companies. they're just beginning and companies. they'rejust beginning and living off investment and promises. they really need to demonstrate the different future because many of them will not succeed. in order to do that, many

local facilities succeed. in order to do that, many localfacilities and succeed. in order to do that, many local facilities and cheaper launch facilities and convenience instead of taking it to the united states or south america or austria, every few hours to take it to the uk. and these companies have great plans for these companies have great plans for the future but without the ability to launch from uk soil, there is no market for them here.— market for them here. these satellites. — market for them here. these satellites, things _ market for them here. these satellites, things that - market for them here. these satellites, things that are i market for them here. these i satellites, things that are being launched up into space, what kind of things are they? what kind of difference today make two ordinary lives? ,, . , , ., ., lives? space is everywhere and are ordinary lives _ lives? space is everywhere and are ordinary lives and _ lives? space is everywhere and are ordinary lives and are _ lives? space is everywhere and are ordinary lives and are ordinary i ordinary lives and are ordinary lives not only with forecasting or satellite televisions or navigations, monitoring of the earth surface, we cannot live our lives without space in any way efficiently as we do these days. in these

companies have ideas or nuisances new instruments, new processes i can take place in space in the tissue box size small satellites and test them for a relatively small amount of money while working on a bigger scale market. space is a vital part of the lives of the moment and britain mostly gets its revenue in space from satellite television and this area can grow and as it is, an important share and a growing worldwide business and not for the lodge communication satellite or lead rocket to launch them but for the smaller applications that could be launched this window space. thank ou ve be launched this window space. thank you very much — be launched this window space. thank you very much for _ be launched this window space. thank you very much for coming _ be launched this window space. thank you very much for coming and - be launched this window space. thank you very much for coming and talking us through this. a reminder of our top story. the senior republican,

kevin mccarthy, says he's confident he'll win enough support today to be elected speaker of the us house of representatives. so far he's failed 13 times, leading to deadlock in the chamber. the latest session has been adjourned for several hours, with mr mccarthyjust a handful of votes short of victory. he's been repeatedly blocked by about 20 hard—line conservatives within his own party, but more than a dozen now say they'll back mr mccarthy. this is where we say to goodbye to viewers around the world. here in the uk, will carry on with a little bit more news for the many for the many thousands of ukrainian refugees who have arrived in the uk since the russian invasion, this has been theirfirst christmas away from home. some ukrainians celebrate on the 24th and 25th december, but many more make a bigger occasion of orthodox christmas which is today and tomorrow. and a support group for displaced ukrainians in sussex has arranged a celebration this evening. nickjohnson reports.

to weeks before the russian invasion. i2 to weeks before the russian invasion. 12 months on her sons are preparing for orthodox christmas in sussex with the rest of the family remains in ukraine. tt is sussex with the rest of the family remains in ukraine.— remains in ukraine. it is very sad and they have — remains in ukraine. it is very sad and they have to _ remains in ukraine. it is very sad and they have to understand i remains in ukraine. it is very sadj and they have to understand that a lot of friends and stayed there without electricity, without heating and without water, you know it. this event is been _ and without water, you know it. this event is been arranged by the aid that ukraine support association founded last year, giving this ukrainians a place to stay in sussex. ., , ., , , sussex. our aim is to support ukrainians — sussex. our aim is to support ukrainians their _ sussex. our aim is to support ukrainians their physical i sussex. our aim is to support i ukrainians their physical well-being ukrainians their physical well— being in the _ ukrainians their physical well—being in the mental well—being and what we want out _ in the mental well—being and what we want out of— in the mental well—being and what we want out of it at the end of the day is smiles — want out of it at the end of the day is smiles. , ,._ ., , want out of it at the end of the day is smiles. , _ ., , ., ,, is smiles. they say two things make ukrainian christmas, _

is smiles. they say two things make ukrainian christmas, family - is smiles. they say two things make ukrainian christmas, family and i ukrainian christmas, family and food. the fellowships have been favouring where the kitchen all day. for ukrainians, ourfood is most important today and usually we serve 12 ukrainian dishes in the main dish is porsche and special bread from garlic and also, social ukrainian to sort with pumpkins and apples and spices and all the stuff. shill it sort with pumpkins and apples and spices and all the stuff.— spices and all the stuff. all it is not celebrations _ spices and all the stuff. all it is not celebrations as _ spices and all the stuff. all it is not celebrations as usual, i spices and all the stuff. all it is not celebrations as usual, they | spices and all the stuff. all it is i not celebrations as usual, they have admitted they can either spend christmas crying for all the lost or do the best up on a brave face for those back home. all that remains to say is happy christmas. you can reach me on twitter — i'm @lvaughanjones. now, the weather with helen willets

good evening. large waves will continue to be an issue around our coastline throughout the weekend. the next area of low pressure — deep area of low pressure will bring further gale force winds, as well, to many exposed coasts and hills, and yet more rain. so there are yellow warnings out for wales and the southwest from the met office for the issue or the concern for flooding. here comes that rain as we go through this evening overnight to western areas, gradually easing its way eastwards, but it takes its time. so initially, temperatures will dip away. quite chilly initially in eastern areas, but temperatures then rise as we head towards morning. that rain, as you can see, only slowly clearing away from the west — but as it does, replaced by sunshine and heavy showers with the odd rumble of thunder, and that rain could linger in eastern areas for much of the day. temperatures will start at 11—12, but they'll dip down

later in the day to 8—9, which is still a little bit above average for this time of year. heavy showers, strong—to—gale force winds on sunday, perhaps a little dry on monday. him