welcome to bbc news. i'm monika plaha. our top stories — in a surprise announcement, new zealand's prime minister jacinda ardern says she will stand down in less than three weeks. i know what this job takes, and i know that i no longer have enough in the tank to do itjustice — it's that simple. ukraine's interior minister is killed in a helicopter crash in kyiv. it came down close to a children's nursery. 14 people have died including a child. translation: we ran - into the street and turning. there were bodies and debris lying around. there was smoke, blood and clothes, and mothers were running. violent clashes between riot police and protesters in peru's capital as thousands continue their calls for fresh elections.

and the russian co—founder of crypto exchange bitzlato is arrested in miami, accused of processing $700 million of illicit payments. prime ministerjacinda ardern of new zealand says she is standing down and will leave office in february. her resignation comes ahead of a general election, which is due to be held in october. here's how she broke the news. this summer, i had hoped to find a way to prepare for not just another year but another term, because that is what this year requires. i have not been able

to do that. and so today, i'm announcing that i will not be seeking re—election. and that my term as prime minister will conclude no later than 7th february. i know what this job takes and i know that i no longer have enough in the tank to do itjustice — it's that simple. after she made her announcement, together with her fiance clarke gayford, she was greeted by her party colleagues. cheering and applause. as you can hear, she was met with warm applause and congratulations after a visibly emotional speech. she became the world's youngest female head of government in 2017 aged 37 and has held

that job for five years. our correspondent shaimaa khalil watched ms ardern�*s news conference from sydney. she gave us this analysis. what a moment notjust for new zealand, notjust forjacinda ardern but, really, for international politics. this was notjust a leader of this country. jacinda ardern has really made her mark as an international icon, a global icon, leading with kindness, leading with progressive politics, with compassion. remember that at the height of covid—i9, she described new zealand as "the team of 5 million" and you could see how emotional that is for her, that decision. she choked back tears as she announced that she will no longer be the prime minister, the leader of new zealand, from february 7. she said essentially that the pressures of this job have basically worn her down.

there's not enough energy for her to seek re—election and that there wasn't a big secret or a big scandal. i think the one thing that she said that for me pinpointed exactly why she was doing it, she said "it is one thing to lead your country through peacetime, "another to lead it through crisis, and i have "the privilege of being alongside new zealand "in crisis," and my god has she led that country through many crises — in her first term alone remember, she steered new zealand through the country's worst terrorist attack in the aftermath of the shootings in two christchurch mosques in which 51 people died. then, there was the white island deadly volcanic eruption at the end of 2019 and then, of course, the height of the covid—i9 pandemic, where her leadership — the fact that she took quick decisions to close the borders, to go into lockdowns — has actually been accredited

for new zealand being an early success story at the height of the covid—i9 pandemic. so, testing times, really, for any leader, for any politician and, in the end, she said "look, it is time "for me to now step down". she also said, "i'm not stepping down because i don't "think that we" — her centre—left labour party — "cannot win, "i think that we can" but it was time for her to take time off now. and what has been the reaction to this news in new zealand? you know, this has shocked the nation. it's very interesting — watching that press conference, you could see the shock in the room, you could see that everyone was taken aback by that decision but we also got reaction from australia's prime minister, anthony albanese. he said jacinda ardern has shown the world how to lead with intellect and strength, she has demonstrated that empathy and insight and how powerful leadership qualities. she has been a inspiration for so many and a great

friend to me. she is really renowned — again, notjust in the region but around the world for her style of leadership, that humanity, that empathy, the kindness. i think are stepping down is going to be a surprise for many people around the world who look to her for that style of leadership. shaimaa khalil. we move to ukraine now, where one of the government's most senior ministers has been killed in a helicopter crash in a suburb east of kyiv. the country's emergency services say at least 14 people died, including one child, when the air craft came down near a nursery school in brovary. president biden sent his condolences to those grieving. he called it a "heartbreaking tragedy". our ukraine correspondent james waterhouse sent this report from the scene. and a warning — you may find some of the images distressing. even with the backdrop

of war, it's been one of ukraine's bleakest days. in the mist of the morning, a helicopter came down next to a children's nursery. translation: blood and clothes, and mothers were running. - from the moment the helicopter finally stopped, the answers slowly came. all nine people on board were killed. so, too, were those caught in its path. translation: i heard a loud sound, turned and saw- an explosion of flames. i wasn't thinking about what i saw. we soon learned a child was among the dead. then, news that it was senior government officials on a journey east towards the front line. they included this man, ukraine's interior minister denys monastyrsky — a strong ally of president zelensky. they were together yesterday. he also handed medals to some of ukraine's national guard, and said the war was taking lives, health, strength and nerves. you can see where the

journey went wrong. denys monastyrsky was travelling eastwards to the front line before his helicopter came down into the heart of this nursery. rescue teams are still going through the rubble. there are body bags in the playground. and he would often make journeys like this at low altitude — which, of course, comes with its own risks. we went along on one last year. you can't go much higher than the tree line to avoid being targeted. speaking to world leaders today, president zelensky addressed what happened. 14 ukrainian families lost their loved ones today and many more families are losing daily. as for the obvious question, the cause is not known. an analysis of images of the crash site by the bbc hasn't revealed any evidence of missile debris,

and ukrainian officials have made no mention of any missile fire. in times of war, many suspect the enemy. these are dangerous times to be a ukrainian. james waterhouse, bbc news, kyiv region. let's go to afghanistan now, where the most senior un delegation to visit the country since the taliban seized power in 2021 has flown into kabul to raise concerns about restrictions on women working for aid agencies. the visit, by the un deputy secretary—general amina mohammed comes as some international aid organisations have partially resumed work in afghanistan after receiving assurances that women can work in healthcare. our chief international correspondent lyse doucet reports from kabul. winters are always harsh in afghanistan but this is the winter of all winters.

not only the temperatures below freezing but this is a country where electricity is erratic or absent and heating is hard to find, especially in remote areas of afghanistan, which are all but cut off by snow. but on top of that, this year, the taliban have decided that afghan women can no longer work for the international aid agencies who are desperately trying to get this urgently needed aid to millions of people who need it. so, just how urgent is the situation? we'rejoined here in kabul by samira sayed—rahman, who works for the international charity, the international rescue committee. how worried are you? you know, international rescue committee was able to reach five million afghans last year. we've suspended most of our activities across the country because we are not able to work without our female staff at all levels of our organisation. we were already seeing earlier last — at the end of last year that most families around this country were having to choose

between food or heating. the taliban recently clarified that they'll make an exception when it comes to the health ministry because they do need women doctors and nurses to serve women of this country. is it possible that, step by step, this could be reversed? as we saw with the health sector, it's notjust doctors and nurses. we also need female staff at all levels of our organisation — in admin roles, in finance roles, in technical support — to work alongside ourfemale colleagues. this is a conservative society. samira sayed, we wish you the best and all eyes now are on this high level united nations delegation. it says there needs to be a woman. there also needs to be women coming to this country at this high level to underline that educated women playing senior roles in society is absolutely part of the world we live in today because it's not just that afghan women are being stopped from working in certain states notjust aid, but in many government industries. afghan girls are not going to school. they're not going to university. they're also not even allowed

to go to public parks in this city. the world wants to say with one voice this is not acceptable. lyse doucet reporting. in the united states, authorities have seized the cryptocurrency exchange bitzlato and arrested its russian co—founder anatoly legkodymov. in a press conference, the justice department accused the firm of fuelling a "high—tech axis of crypto crime" and says it has processed more than $700 million in illicit funds. our news reporter azadeh moshiri joins us now. what more do we know about the crypto exchange and ready to go wrong? crypto exchange and ready to go wron: ? ~ . g , . wrong? what the justice department _ wrong? what the justice department has - wrong? what the justice department has said - wrong? what the justice department has said is i wrong? what the justice i department has said is that this particular crypto exchange allegedly catered to criminals and they even said during their press conference at the

co—founder anatoly legkodymov called his users crooks. he said that it processed these hundreds of millions of illicit funds by breaking a lot of rules that are in place to stop money laundering so that means for example they did not require quite as much identification which could appeal to criminals who are trying to mask their identities. the justice department also said it was reconnected to the hydra market which is a marketplace on the dark web you can buy things like drugs or illegal id or other illicit products. and that would appeal to hackers for example who use ransomware to extort their victims or drug dealers who are trying to cover their tracks and make it harder for authorities to find them, so all of those other reasons why they arrested him in miami. so it eventually feels like the justice department is really trying to prove their point here and send a firm message? yes, all of this highlights a worry and concern that regulators and authorities

around the world have had ever since crypto currency exchanges have really ta ken since crypto currency exchanges have really taken off, and that's how can they regulate financial activity in the same way and how can they track down criminals as if fully clearly harder on these platforms? it's worth listening to what the us deputy attorney—general said because she said she is trying to send a clear message that the department is and that not only are they going to haunt the specific criminals using these platforms accountable —— hold accountable. we these platforms accountable -- hold accountable.— hold accountable. we also unleashing _ hold accountable. we also unleashing the _ hold accountable. we also unleashing the full - hold accountable. we also unleashing the full force l hold accountable. we also| unleashing the full force of the department ofjustice on the department ofjustice on the actors and entities that summ— the actors and entities that support cybercriminals. mike a3 and bitzlato. operating offshore and moving your servers _ offshore and moving your servers out of the continental us will— servers out of the continental us will not shield you. and whether— us will not shield you. and whether you break the laws from china _ whether you break the laws from china or— whether you break the laws from china or europe, or abuse our financial— china or europe, or abuse our financial system from a tropical— financial system from a tropical island, you can expect to answer— tropical island, you can expect to answer for your crimes inside _ to answer for your crimes inside a _ to answer for your crimes inside a united states

courtroom.— inside a united states courtroom. ,, , .,~ courtroom. she is making the oint courtroom. she is making the point because _ courtroom. she is making the point because this _ courtroom. she is making the point because this crypto - point because this crypto exchange is registered in hong kong, even though it operates globally, and they did co—operate with authorities in other countries like france, in this case, and so the message that they are sending is that authorities around the world will band together to hold all bad actors accountable. thank ou. stay with us on bbc news. still to come: an escaped pet tiger is put down in south africa, after killing several animal sand attacking a man during four days on the run. donald trump is now the 45th president of the united states. he was sworn in before several hundred thousand people on the steps of capitol hill in washington. it's going to be only america first — america first.

demonstrators waiting for mike gatting and his rebel cricket team were attacked with tear gas and set upon by police dogs. anti—apartheid campaigners say they will carry on the protests throughout the tour. they called him 'the butcher of lyon'. klaus altmann is being held on a fraud charge in bolivia. the west germans want to extradite him for crimes committed in wartime france. there, he was the gestapo chief klaus barbie. millions came to bathe as close as possible to this spot — - a tide of humanity- that's believed by officials to have broken all records. this is bbc world news. a state of emergency is in place in the peruvian capital, lima, where thousands of antigovernment protesters are

taking part in demonstrations. they are calling for the they are calling for the resignation of president dina boluarte, the release from custody of the man she replaced, pedro castillo, and new elections. buses brought protestors into the capital. organisers have described their action as "the taking of lima". one woman has died today and more than a0 people have been killed in a month of protests in the country since mr castillo was impeached and ousted after he tried to dissolve congress. i spoke to sigrid bazan, who is a congresswoman of the together for peru party in peru. she is demanding for the immediate resignation of president dina boluarte and early elections in the country. what's been happening in peru, we've been having these protests since december 7 with the ousting of pedro castillo. and also they have been growing due to the excessive repression of this government. we're joining these protests that ask or demand, basically,

dina boluarte's resignation, also early elections, and finally a new constitution which is something that in many regions outside lima, protesters have been demanding and claiming. so tomorrow there's a big protests that has been called for by several unions, indigenous communities and other organisations, students etc. so we're hoping that this peaceful protest that is actually a constitutional right, can be held with the guarantees and also with the respect of human rights. and at what point will protesters just give in and say enough is enough? you mentioned there that peru has seen some of its worst violence in decades. dozens of protesters have been killed in the last five weeks. just how far are people willing to go here? so i think, of these three claims or three demands, there's one that can be

immediately accomplished and this is the resignation of a president that is not only — that hasn't got the legitimacy for the people, especially people outside lima. the the vice president of pedro castillo, which is now in power, has actually been with the right—wing rather than with the left—wing that won the elections. so this political change has also affected her government and also the repression that, like you said, has also been called a massacre, especially in the south of peru. so i think the resignation of the president could be the first step towards a dialogue, a true and sincere dialogue, because government has been claiming and asking for peace and dialogue but at the same time, the actions that they have been taking has been more violence, more killings. we have already 50 deaths to regret here in peru. one police officer and

the other 49 civilians. now probably 50 civilians with the last killing in puno. so we are very worried about how human rights are not being considered. we have tomorrow a meeting with the european embassy here in peru so we are also hoping to gather other voices and other actors that can help to respect this peaceful protest that's being held tomorrow. a tiger which had been on the loose south of johannesburg for four days has been found, and euthanised. tigers are not native to south africa, and animal welfare charities say they're bred there for commercial purposes. gail malellan reports. whistling the hunter, hunted — forfour days, special police and community units searched through farmland south of

johannesburg for sheeba, an eight—year—old bengal tiger who it's believed had been kept as a pet on a small holding. they tracked her movements and were hoping to be able to dart and anaesthetise the tiger. she is dead. it has _ anaesthetise the tiger. she is dead. it has been _ anaesthetise the tiger. she is dead. it has been confirmed l anaesthetise the tiger. she is i dead. it has been confirmed she has been euthanised this morning, just before 4:00. has been euthanised this morning, just before 4200. b5 morning, 'ust before 4:00. as she morning, just before 4:00. as she roamed the farmland getting closer to more denseply populated areas, is shiba is believed to have killed two dogs and attacked a man who escaped with injuries. this man's dog was a victim. translation: ms; man's dog was a victim. translation: g , ., ., translation: my brother-in-law screamed, "joseph, _ translation: my brother-in-law screamed, "joseph, joseph, - screamed, "joseph, joseph, there's a tiger over there!" my wife and i went outside with a torch. when the tiger saw the light, it ran away. in the early hours of the morning, it came back and attacked my dog. police were hoping they would be able to remove shiba to a big—cat sanctuary, keeping her

and the public safe. the? and the public safe. they honour permits - and the public safe. they honour permits to - and the public safe. they| honour permits to honour and the public safe. tie: honour permits to honour these wild and exotic animals. these animals don't belong in a residential area. they don't belong in captivity. they belong in captivity. they belong in captivity. they belong in the wild, where they can exhibit their natural behaviour and what they're meant to do. animal welfare organisations are calling for the south african government to make it harderfor people african government to make it harder for people across the country to keep exotic — and often dangerous — animals as pets. and, moreover, to end the commercial trade in big—cat species. a controversial list of the tastiest foods in the world is cooking up a storm! the taste atlas awards ranked the world's cuisines according to audience votes for ingredients, dishes and beverages. topping the list was italian cuisine, followed by greek and spanish. but the controversial placing saw the usa being positioned

in the top ten above france, which was followed by peru. let's head over to west hollywood, california where restauranteur and foodie, marisa molinaro, joins us from. thank you forjoining me. i mean, everyone loves a pizza and pasta, don't they? what are your thoughts on the results, and italy becoming no. i? and italy becoming no. 1? everybody loves pizza and pasta — you said it! that's probably why italy got ranked no. i. but i've got to agree on some things. though we love in america — we have great food — i do agree with the ranking of france first, but i must say you can't go wrong with a great steak in america. we are, you know, home of meats and rich foods and... know, home of meats and rich foods and. . ._ foods and... burgers! laughs _ laughs ..and burgers. it's the meats! it's all about the meat! we do have idaho, though...- it's all about the meat! we do have idaho, though... were you shocked that _ have idaho, though... were you shocked that the _ have idaho, though... were you shocked that the usa _ have idaho, though... were you shocked that the usa was - have idaho, though... were you| shocked that the usa was ahead of france? ,

of france? yes! speaking - of france? yes! speaking in i of france? yes! _ speaking in background what was that? sorry. many --eole what was that? sorry. many peeple were _ what was that? sorry. many people were quite _ what was that? sorry. many people were quite shocked, | people were quite shocked, weren't they, that the usa actually came above france? they were shocked! i mean, i was a little surprised. you think — france has a great hand. you can't beat the skill level of the french chefs. but, hey, what can i say? i guess what people crave, america has to offer. �* , , , to offer. it's the burgers, definitely. _ to offer. it's the burgers, definitely. and _ to offer. it's the burgers, definitely. and we've - to offer. it's the burgers, definitely. and we've got| to offer. it's the burgers, i definitely. and we've got to talk about the chinese food, as well, which is a massive favourite across the world. it was rated no. 11, though. and that also caused a bit of confusion? it that also caused a bit of confusion?— that also caused a bit of confusion? ., �* confusion? it did. i mean, i'm a fan of— confusion? it did. i mean, i'm a fan of chinese _ confusion? it did. i mean, i'm a fan of chinese food. - confusion? it did. i mean, i'm a fan of chinese food. but, i l a fan of chinese food. but, i mean, i think that's the popular go—to. it must be a comfort food for everybody. it's a little salty — i don't know how you feel about chinese food. is that something you like to go to? i

food. is that something you like to go to?— like to go to? i absolutely love chinese _ like to go to? i absolutely love chinese food. - like to go to? i absolutely love chinese food. and i love chinese food. and obviously i have to put it out there — indian food as well, that wins it for me. but i have to ask you — if you had to pick your top three cuisines, what the? theyr be? they be? and i can't say would they be? and i can't say asta, would they be? and i can't say pasta. pasta — would they be? and i can't say pasta, pasta and _ would they be? and i can't say pasta, pasta and pasta? it i pasta, pasta and pasta? it would have to definitely be pasta, probably a burger and pizza. that would be it. that would be it.— would be it. there you go! clearly. — would be it. there you go! clearly, you're _ would be it. there you go! clearly, you're quite i would be it. there you go! | clearly, you're quite happy with italy coming out on top! laughs iam. i laughs i am. i seriously am. laughs iam.iseriousl am. i am. i seriously am. marisa molinaro, — i am. i seriously am. marisa molinaro, thank— i am. i seriously am. marisa molinaro, thank you - i am. i seriously am. marisa molinaro, thank you very i i am. i seriously am. marisa i molinaro, thank you very much for your time here on bbc news talking to me about all things cuisines. you can reach me on twitter — i'm @monikaplaha.

hello. this week's weather has been following a familiar pattern — most of the wintry showers have been across northern and western parts of the uk, so some good covering of snow in places, especially into the higher ground. the further east you are in the uk, it's been mainly dry. even though it's been sunny though, it hasn't melted the frost. and we're in the cold air, clearly. there is a change though going into the weekend — milder air toppling in across the north and west of the uk. warmer colours doesn't translate into sunshine, mind you. the blue hanging on a bit longer towards east anglia and the southeast — so here through the weekend, we'll stay cold. until the weekend, though, it is cold still across the uk. however, where we've had those wintry showers, once we get past thursday morning, they are going to be easing. another widespread and quite hard frost as the day begins, and do watch out for ice

after the showers we've had overnight, and there'll still be some falling into the morning — northern scotland, for example, for northern ireland, for wales and for western parts of england. there are met office warnings out there, do check those if you're heading out early on. through the day, most of these wintry showers will fade. a lot of people will have dry weather, but windy with further rain, sleet, and snow pushing back in across northern scotland, adding to the snow we've already got here, and maybe the odd shower brushing the north sea coast of northeast england into the afternoon. temperatures only slowly heading up, but it'll clearly feel quite cold — though, for many away from northern scotland, there is a lighter wind. through thursday night and into friday morning, still some wintry showers across northern and eastern scotland, along some north sea coasts, as well. but for most, it's dry and clear, though, the chance of getting some fog patches across western parts. and maybe not as cold first thing, but still a widespread frost. and actually on friday, the focus of the showers will be in north sea coastal counties. where we've had most of the wintry showers so far today, it'll be dry and mainly sunny. temperatures maybe a degree

or so higher in places, but it's still going to feel cold out there. into the weekend, though, the changes are under way — now i mentioned, although it is turning milder across the north and west, there'll be plenty of cloud around, there will be patchy rain. where it's clearer still, down towards the south and east, the cold air hangs on after a frosty start. there could be a few fog patches reluctant to clear, and perhaps more widespread fog towards the southeast on sunday. temperatures only gradually rising across southeast england, where elsewhere it's turning much milder — 11 degrees, for example, in armagh.

this is bbc news. the headlines — new zealand's prime minister, jacinda ardern, has unexpectedly announced that she will stand down early next month. her labor party will elect a new leader on sunday. ms ardern told reporters that she couldn't find the energy or heart to continue until a general election in october. ukraine's interior minister and two seniorfigures within his department have been killed in a helicopter crash in kyiv. it came down in fog in the eastern suburb brovary, hitting a children's nursery. 14 people died, including a child. a state of emergency is in place in the peruvian capital lima, where there were violent clashes between anti—government protesters and police on wednesday.

buses brought protestors into the city ahead of more action planned on thursday.