to vote on a new — and much delayed — cease—fire resolution. this is the scene live in new york, where the voting ukrainian president zelensky has been holding an end—of—year news conference. he rejects suggestion that his country could be starting to lose the war against russia. gas pollution warning for reykjavik after a spectacular volcano eruption in southwest iceland. welcome back, i'm louis fong jones. ukraine's president volodymyr zelensky has been giving an end—of—year news conference in kyiv. in it, he rejected a suggestion that his country could be starting to lose the war against russia, though he acknowledged ukraine face challenges, including getting aid and supplies of artillery shells. —— lewis vaughan jones. mr zelensky also claimed ukraine had won a big victory by breaking russian naval dominance of the black sea. he also explains the lack of success in this summer's counteroffensive on the ground.

translation: regarding the reduction in aid, and if that _ translation: regarding the reduction in aid, and if that has _ translation: regarding the reduction in aid, and if that has an _ translation: regarding the reduction in aid, and if that has an impact, - in aid, and if that has an impact, the fact— in aid, and if that has an impact, the fact that ukraine didn't have air the _ the fact that ukraine didn't have air the premises had an impact on the operation in 2023. we don't control— the operation in 2023. we don't control the skies, we don't have enough — control the skies, we don't have enough ammunition, but that doesn't mean _ enough ammunition, but that doesn't mean that— enough ammunition, but that doesn't mean that we will not find a solution _ mean that we will not find a solution. but for this, we really need _ solution. but for this, we really need support, because we simply lack some _ need support, because we simply lack some weaponry. our correspondentjess parker has been following the story from the ukrainian capital kyiv. i started by asking her what stood out to her from president zelensky�*s speech. i think ithink an i think an announcement that he made that he is looking at proposals to potentially mobilise 500,000 more troops, this is as we've seen reports of manpower shortage is on the front line. president zelensky described this as a sensitive issue. it means major changes to people's

lives. that's certainly been making headlines. he also confirmed that he would not look at the conscription of women. he confirmed that in the news conference. i think more broadly, you've definitely got this error that you would expect of defiance from president zelensky. i was in the room for the two or so hours that he was answering questions, and i asked him about whether, given looking at wavering western aid, all of these things that are real challenges, are on on the cusp and he risked replied a straight up no. i think he was trying to use this conference to project a confidence and positivity. he was sort of sat there in a chair with no table in anything in front of him, i think trying to take on concerns of the wider world. given

his international _ concerns of the wider world. given his international whirlwind - concerns of the wider world. given his international whirlwind tour- his international whirlwind tour recently, trying to secure of funding and aid, how to you talk about his relationship with his allies —— how did he? he about his relationship with his allies -- how did he?- about his relationship with his allies -- how did he? he is being re allies -- how did he? he is being pretty diplomatic _ allies -- how did he? he is being pretty diplomatic about - allies -- how did he? he is being pretty diplomatic about that. - allies -- how did he? he is being pretty diplomatic about that. he | pretty diplomatic about that. he went on this tour where he went to washington, dc to try and help unlock a massive defence aid package, did not succeed. then he addressed eu leaders as he tried to get a couple of things. he was also seeking 50 billion euros of economic aid. that was blocked by hungary's viktor orban. president zelensky trying to strike eight diplomatic and optimistic tone. you hear this from a lot of officials here in kyiv. there is evidence that aid is

diminishing. they keep saying they believe the aid will come, they believe the aid will come, they believe the aid will come, they believe the western allies won't betray them. i think really trying to strike that sound of hope to try and encourage those western partners, but also keep up morale here. , , , , partners, but also keep up morale here. ,, i, ., here. just briefly before i let you io, here. just briefly before i let you go. we've _ here. just briefly before i let you go, we've covered _ here. just briefly before i let you go, we've covered the _ here. just briefly before i let you | go, we've covered the diplomacy, here. just briefly before i let you - go, we've covered the diplomacy, the fundraising, the relationship with the allies quite a lot. can you remind us of the situation on the ground with the fighting right now? yeah, to give you a broad brush of the situation, we've heard from ukrainian commanders that they are moving into more defensive positions. that's after the counteroffensive that was launched backin counteroffensive that was launched back in the summer, but seen as having fail. commanders are also staying on the ukrainian side that shortages in terms of ammunition are meaning they're having to be quite selective in the way they distribute

that. «a selective in the way they distribute that. a ., selective in the way they distribute that. «a ._ ,, ., selective in the way they distribute that. ,, ., ., michal baranowski is the regional director of the german marshall fund's office in poland. he gave his assessment of president zelensky�*s address earlier. confident war leader determined to continue the fight until ukraine's victory, leader that is speaking directly to the people both to his people, but also to the audiences in the west. this is a way that president zelensky has done it from the very beginning of the war, where he aims to sway the western public opinion to make sure that the politicians, the leaders that the west —— of the west do the right thing, continue to provide military aid to ukraine also. also next year. we will come onto next year. let's

look at this year, because this is a kind of end—of—year news conference. let's compare his situation with the beginning of the year. how would you assess it? ~ , ,., beginning of the year. how would you assess it? ~ , . assess it? well, we focus so much on the counteroffensive _ assess it? well, we focus so much on the counteroffensive that _ assess it? well, we focus so much on the counteroffensive that has - assess it? well, we focus so much on the counteroffensive that has not - the counteroffensive that has not delivered to the extent that all of us hoped, we all hoped the counteroffensive could be repeated in ukraine will push out russian forces at least in the southern direction. but zelensky made a point that speaks to me, and it's true, that speaks to me, and it's true, that russia has also not made any gains. so, when we look at the balance, the line, fortunately and unfortunately, has not moved much over the course of the year. this again points to the importance of

next year's fight.— again points to the importance of next year's fight. let's come onto 2024. next year's fight. let's come onto 2024- what _ next year's fight. let's come onto 2024. what other _ next year's fight. let's come onto 2024. what other priorities - next year's fight. let's come onto 2024. what other priorities as - next year's fight. let's come onto | 2024. what other priorities as you see them? ~ , , ., see them? well, this is where what we are seeing _ see them? well, this is where what we are seeing a _ see them? well, this is where what we are seeing a danger of, - see them? well, this is where what we are seeing a danger of, and - we are seeing a danger of, and that's something that western intelligence agencies have reported on is something that biden's administration is addressing when speaking to congress. if ukraine is not given the military aid that has been promised and programmed for it, we might see russian forces go into an offensive. that's the key danger of mid next year, where it's not going to be if ukraine does not get the aide, it's not going to be a stalemate as some would describe the war. but it might be a situation in which we see the counteroffensive

changing into a defensive position of the ukrainian forces. that changing into a defensive position of the ukrainian forces.— of the ukrainian forces. at least 127 peeple _ of the ukrainian forces. at least 127 people have _ of the ukrainian forces. at least 127 people have died _ of the ukrainian forces. at least 127 people have died after - of the ukrainian forces. at least 127 people have died after an i earthquake struck western china. a second magnitude five point to struck neighbouring changing hours later —— 223. rescuers are braving -13 later —— 223. rescuers are braving —i3 celsius degrees to search for survivors —— neighbouring xinjang. rumbling. the only warning was a low rumble... ..before the strong, shallow quake turned village homes into rubble. bedrooms of small brick houses crumbled. people were buried as they slept.

hundreds of rescuers in two remote provinces spent the night digging to find survivors, knowing the first few hours of any earthquake are critical to save lives. some were pulled from the debris. more than 500 people were taken to hospital. this commander told the media that his teams had rescued 60 people from the rubble in the worst hit province of gansu. those who'd managed to flee their homes did their best to huddle together, to keep warm in freezing temperatures. the bbc was sent this video from a member of the local muslim community, who told us 50 people died in his village. he said the scenes were heart—wrenching, too tragic to look at. china's response has been swift. hundreds of people now need shelter in villages scattered across the tibetan plateau,

while the country is experiencing one of its coldest winters in decades. rescuers said the temperatures were difficult to endure. but, while some people are still missing, they're also determined to keep going. laura bicker, bbc news, beijing. dame esther brendam says she's considering the action of assisted dying if her cancer doesn't respond to treatment. she called for a vote on legalising assisted dying. they have reignited the debate on assisted suicide in the uk. if you watch someone you love having a bad death, that memory obliterates all the happy times, and i don't want that to happen.

dame esther rantzen is best known for presenting the bbc show that's life. injanuary, she revealed she'd been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and is currently undergoing what she describes as "a miracle treatment". but if that doesn't work, dame esther says she might go to dignitas, an assisted dying clinic in switzerland. it's an idea that's supported by her daughter, rebecca. she doesn't want us to see her have an awful, painful death. she wants us to remember her as she is now, which is epically wonderful. but rebecca fears she could be prosecuted if she helps her mother travel to dignitas. i wouldn't be able to go with her. my husband would go nuts if he thought i was going to go with her. i'm looking after two kids. i'm trying to work. i can't go to prison. i can't go through a court case at the worst point in my life.

when i've lost my person, i'm suddenly being prosecuted with her death. this latest call for change concerns a law which sharply divides opinion. campaigners say assisted dying would give people suffering with terminal illness greater control over how and when they die. opponents argue a change in the law would threaten vulnerable people. some people are proposing taking | doctors away from providing care, making things even worse for people who are waiting for treatment - and having them be the gatekeepers on whether people get _ given lethal drugs or not. last december, an inquiry was launched to examine different perspectives in the debate around assisted suicide. the health and social care committee is due to publish its report. for now, dame esther says she's looking forward to christmas — one that she didn't expect to have with her family. helena wilkinson, bbc news.

we're going to go live to canada to retired senatorjim helton. he's been involved in the legislation of assisted dying while in the country. thank you very much for coming on. thank you very much for coming on. thank you very much for coming on. thank you for having me. could you tell us the situation in canada we have enabled who qualified in a very strict eligibility criteria. in order to qualify, you have to be a canadian resident, you have to have canadian health insurance, you have to be 18 and you have to have decision—making capacity because this is all about individuals making choices for

themselves and not others making choices for others. you have to have what's described in the legislation as a grievous and irredeemable condition. you have to make a voluntary request and be able to give at the very time that you are provided the medical assistance in dying, you have to provide and confirm consent. i dying, you have to provide and confirm consent.— dying, you have to provide and confirm consent. i 'ust have to “ump in there. that's b confirm consent. i 'ust have to “ump in there. that's a i confirm consent. ijust have to “ump in there. that's a very * confirm consent. ijust have to “ump in there. that's a very clear_ in there. that's a very clear list of criteria. what about the worry that many have that this still is a threat to vulnerable people or people who don't feel like they want to be a burden and perhaps make choices that they wouldn't otherwise?— choices that they wouldn't otherwise? ~ . , ., otherwise? well, that gets to the safe . uards otherwise? well, that gets to the safeguards that _ otherwise? well, that gets to the safeguards that are _ otherwise? well, that gets to the safeguards that are very - otherwise? well, that gets to the l safeguards that are very important and we think are working very well. have to be a request. it has to be

witnessed by someone who is not a member of the family, not anybody who would benefit from the death, and most importantly, the person has to be assessed by two independent physicians or nurse practitioners who will receive special training. they have to independently certify that the individual meets the strict criteria that i have described. find criteria that i have described. and how well is _ criteria that i have described. and how well is it _ criteria that i have described. and how well is it working? are there cases that raise concerns for you? for me, no. we now have five or six years of experience. i was on the joint committee of parliamentarians who looked at this at the time we were considering it in 2016. there were considering it in 2016. there were the same kind of concerns that you have described from people who felt this was a slippery slope and that vulnerable people would be

euthanized against their will. there's no evidence that that's happened in canada. i think for those of us who believe in the system and those families who have participated, it's been a very positive experience. jim cowan, thank you _ positive experience. jim cowan, thank you very _ positive experience. jim cowan, thank you very much _ positive experience. jim cowan, thank you very much for - positive experience. jim cowan, thank you very much for coming positive experience. jim cowan, i thank you very much for coming on the programme. thank you very much for coming on the programme-— thank you very much for coming on the rouramme. ., �* .,, .., the programme. you're most welcome. this is bbc news. _ cold and alone — the winter months are particularly bleak for people experiencing homelessness and figures from the charity shelter suggests numbers or writings. adam has been sleeping rough for several weeks —— are rising. it’s has been sleeping rough for several weeks -- are rising.— weeks -- are rising. it's pretty degrading- _ weeks -- are rising. it's pretty degrading. you _ weeks -- are rising. it's pretty degrading. you can _ weeks -- are rising. it's pretty degrading. you can sleep - weeks -- are rising. it's pretty degrading. you can sleep in i weeks -- are rising. it's pretty degrading. you can sleep in a| degrading. you can sleep in a doorway with a mat and people are walking up and down, see you there and you feel dirty, really.—

and you feel dirty, really. shelter research shows _ and you feel dirty, really. shelter research shows that _ and you feel dirty, really. shelter research shows that across i and you feel dirty, really. shelter research shows that across the i research shows that across the region, there is the highest proportion of people experiencing homelessness, with one in 79. this is followed by brighton and hove, with one in 88 people. in crawley, one in 111 are without a home. bill one in 111 are without a home. all the one in 111 are without a home. fill they really want is just a normal life. they really want is 'ust a normal life. ., ., , ., , they really want is 'ust a normal life. ., ., , ., life. for more stories from across the uk, head _ life. for more stories from across the uk, head to _ life. for more stories from across the uk, head to the _ life. for more stories from across the uk, head to the bbc- life. for more stories from across the uk, head to the bbc news i the uk, head to the bbc news website. you're life would bbc news. now let's talk cannabis. until now, it has been illegally grown and supplied in coffee shops unregulated. authorities turned a blind eye. the first time cannabis has been legally cultivated this week as an experiment that could be rolled out across the country. and a whole again was the only foreign journalists invited to a top—secret location. —— anna holligan.

this is the first ever legally produced cannabis for recreational purposes within the eu, but it's about more than just a single plant. it's about enhancing the traceability and transparency of an entire industry. the biggest challenge to get here was regulation. all the paperwork that we have to fill in to get a bank account, to get all the rules back from illegality to legality. so, we'rejust packaging here. first of all, we put it in glass and then second, we put it into labelling. so, this is the consumer packaging. you see the flower in there. and on the other side is a lot of information and a lot of rules and regulation from the government. and then there's a track and trace. so, there's a system. the government can see where it's coming from. and here is another qr code where information for the consumer is there. there's test information and there's also consumer information.

way too long? no, i'm shaking my head because it's like, wow, it's, like, gone full circle from a completely, like, opaque industry to, like, following every tiny step. it's mind blowing. in the end, it's all about trust. can we trust the existing industry to take care of cannabis production and distribution and do it in a transparent and fair and honest way? that's it. we work together with laboratories to analyse our soil, our flowers, and our environment and monitor... and quality, these get tested, like, three times. so these, of course, are three major points so, these, of course, are three major points that in the black market is not happening. and because we are doing this, we can ensure a high—quality product without residue, pesticides, or chemicals. we have lots of experience. i think with all the people walking around here, we have more than 100 years of experience.

so, is that because you were doing it before it became legal? yes, big change indeed. like, in the black market, you had pressure of the police and the neighbours and in this environment, you have the pressure to perform well. this box is going to be ourfirst legal delivery to the coffee shop. and there it is — symbolically unsealed europe's first ever legal batch of commercially cultivated cannabis. this box taking the country a step closer to eventual decriminalisation. anna holligan, bbc news, in the netherlands. take a look at this — a mother and child with a look is agape. the driver is just child with a look is agape. the driver isjust a child with a look is agape. the driver is just a few cuts. a remarkable escape there. apple is

holding sales of some of its new its watches before christmas after losing case. —— losing a case. as will no longer be able to buy online, and its retail locations will stop a couple of days later. the tech giant is removing one of its most popular products right before christmas because of a ruling ijy before christmas because of a ruling by the us international trade commission on itc. it's a result of an ongoing dispute. maximo, which also makes its own fitness tracking, has accused apple of hiring away its employees and stealing it technology —— masimo. in october, the inn itc ruled against apple, starting the clock. president biden has 60 days

to review the ruling before any band goes into effect. the review period ends on december 25th. it thinks the charge has no ground and should be dropped, and it said in its the apple watch has routinely been touted as a life—saving device. health claims have helped make it the most popular watch sold around the most popular watch sold around the world. this class, however, threatens to undermine that. charities have borne the number of people sleeping rough in uk is raising. michael buchanan has spoken to two homeless people who have been affected by violence and abuse. you may find some details distressing. well, ijust thought

in there will be a safer place than being on the street. eve monk slept under blackpool�*s north pier for several months last year. she lost herjob after becoming ill. she lost herjob after becoming ill, couldn't pay her rent and was evicted. i was terrified. ijust sat there and cried all night. that your life had come to this? that me life had come to this, and i didn't want to be here. the 38—year—old wasn't as hidden as she hoped. a stranger spotted eve and approached the ledge where she was resting. i literally just fell asleep. and a guyjust came up and... hejust...raped me. and i was trying to tell him to go away. i thought it was a dream and i was just kicking and shouting and telling him to go away from me. and hejust put his hand on me mouth and just kept going. eve didn't report the rape to police

as she couldn't provide any details of her attacker. according to the charity crisis, rough sleepers are regularly attacked. right outside the cashpoint, i got myjaw broke, booted in the face and knocked clean out. i was knocked out, and when i got to hospital. — i ended up having to get me jaw plated and wired. john campbell spent a decade rough sleeping in newcastle, having fallen out with his mother as a teenager. as well as being beaten, he's had two tents set on fire. but i was in one of them. the one in byker, i was in. what?! _ fast asleep and they set it on fire. there was nothing. i had to rip the back of the tent open like at the back to get out. now 30, john has been living in his own flat for two years, but what he went through will be recognised by many rough sleepers. so, your tent was burnt down twice. burnt down twice. you were urinated on. urinated on. _ and i got me jaw broken. and you got yourjaw broken? me jaw was broken on clayton street.

all done by members of the public? all done by members of the public. for eve monks, the salvation army has been of huge help in recovering from the worst experience of her life. it's not a nice feeling when you're on the streets, especially when you have nothing. no sleeping bag, no nothing. it was a horrible time. it really was. michael buchanan reporting. it's just about it from me. miriam is up next with the context. five images of that volcano still erupting in iceland. thousands of people have been it evacuated as the lava is still flowing. i'm lewis vaughan jones. this is bbc news. hello there. it's been quite a poor day today across many southern parts of england with a lot

of rain around. further north, we did see some sunshine eventually across the north of england and into parts of wales, and we've seen a mixture of sunshine and showers earlier in scotland. this was the shield of cloud that stretched across england and wales. you can see how it's been shifting southeastwards and the rain is getting taken away at long last. following on from that, we've got clear spells through the night. showers continuing in the north, maybe a bit wintry over the hills in scotland and some further rain coming in from the atlantic to northern ireland and western scotland by the end of the night. a bit chilly ahead of that in the north east of scotland. typical temperatures elsewhere around 6—7 degrees. now, there may not be a lot of sunshine around for tomorrow. we've got this rain coming in from the northwest. now, most of it will continue to affect the hills in the west, where it's going to be very misty and murky with some hill fog. there is going to be a lot of cloud, but it's going to be a lot drier than today in the south and the southeast. and it's a milder day on the whole — temperatures typically 10—11 degrees, but it will turn windy through the day.

however, the winds will strengthen further on wednesday night and into thursday, and it's during this period that we've got a greater risk of some travel disruption. and it's getting windier because this deep low pressure here, possibly a named storm, will sweep across the north of scotland, head in to scandinavia with the really strong winds wrapped around that. and it will be a windy day everywhere on thursday — widely gusts of 50—60mph, but it's across northern parts of scotland that we're more likely to get gusts of 80mph. very windy day in scotland, sunshine and wintry showers to come here. sunshine and showers across other areas, but further south, may well hang on to more cloud and a bit of patchy rain as well. here in those strong winds, temperatures will reach 12—13, but the day gets colder, i think, with those wintry showers and strong winds in scotland. and as the low pressure moves away, we get this push of strong winds south through the north sea, bringing some big waves, some rough seas, bit of a storm surge going on and the risk

of some coastal flooding. things could be a lot worse, though, if we had some spring tides. now, the winds do gradually ease down a bit on friday. for most of us, we're in some colder air, more wintry showers in scotland, milder air trying to come in to the west.

hello, i'm maryam moshiri. you're watching the context on bbc news.

i remain gravely concerned by the impact of the ongoing hostilities on the humanitarian situation in gaza. the current conditions are making it impossible for meaningful humanitarian operations to be conducted. a cease—fire stops the bombardment, but a cease—fire also enables aid workers to get that aid in. right now, we are not even close to that, not even a fraction of the food, water, medicine that is needed. israel is ready for another- humanitarian pause and additional humanitarian aid in order to enable the release of hostages. _ delayed, delayed and delayed again — this time last night, the un security council was set to vote on a new resolution calling for a pause in the fighting in gaza. 24 hours later, its still hasn't come, as negotiators desperately