junior doctors in england to asjunior doctors in england to begin a three—day strike over pay. colorado's supreme court bars donald trump from the 2a election and the former president says he will appeal to the us supreme court. the head of hamas has arrived in egypt for talks on a fresh ceasefire in gaza as israel says it is willing to agree to another pause in exchange for more hostages. uk inflation fell to 3.9% in november, hitting its lowest rate in more than two years. authorities in iceland say the volcano that erupted in the south—west of the country on monday night is becoming less active. more now on our top story, a three—day strike byjunior doctors in england is under way. nhs england says the walkout, over pay, will cause huge disruption because of the strain of winter pressures and that "almost all" routine care will be affected.

let's cross live now to our correspondent sharon barbour, just outside the manchester royal infirmary. you say, a care has been cancelled. not patients are being advised to have a look on the website of of the hospital to see what is happening. if you have been contacted to come in, do but many operations have been cancelled right across england. thousands, tens of thousands, of junior doctors on strike and when we sayjunior doctors, we mean all those doctors up to consultant level and we mean half the medical workforce in hospitals. a significant impact on hospitals over winter. doctor lizzie greenfield is one of the junior doctors. you were just telling me before we came on air why you've come out here today, just talk us through why. dar; air why you've come out here today, just talk us through why.— just talk us through why. day one of work as a junior _ just talk us through why. day one of work as a junior doctor, _ just talk us through why. day one of work as a junior doctor, there - just talk us through why. day one of work as a junior doctor, there was l just talk us through why. day one of work as a junior doctor, there was a i work as a junior doctor, there was a low staffing, — work as a junior doctor, there was a low staffing, gaps not filled on the rotas, _ low staffing, gaps not filled on the rotas, corridor nursing, at the

hospital— rotas, corridor nursing, at the hospital was at a critical capacity. that's _ hospital was at a critical capacity. that's from — hospital was at a critical capacity. that's from my first day. so, i think. — that's from my first day. so, i think. you _ that's from my first day. so, i think, you know, to have experienced that, _ think, you know, to have experienced that, just _ think, you know, to have experienced that, just makes you realise how people _ that, just makes you realise how pe0ple are — that, just makes you realise how people are getting so burned out, how we _ people are getting so burned out, how we are not being paid fairly for the amount— how we are not being paid fairly for the amount of responsibility we have to deel— the amount of responsibility we have to deal with. everyone is so tired and they— to deal with. everyone is so tired and they are all trying to support each _ and they are all trying to support each other— and they are all trying to support each other but they are pouring from an empty— each other but they are pouring from an empty cup, i think that's really why i'm _ an empty cup, i think that's really why i'm here today.— why i'm here today. doctor greenfield. _ why i'm here today. doctor greenfield. you _ why i'm here today. doctor greenfield. you representl why i'm here today. doctor i greenfield. you represent the british medical association, tell us what it would take to call of these strikes because it's a very difficult time for these strikes. we have seen our pay drop. not only are we not _ have seen our pay drop. not only are we not paid _ have seen our pay drop. not only are we not paid fairly. _ have seen our pay drop. not only are we not paid fairly, we _ have seen our pay drop. not only are we not paid fairly, we have _ have seen our pay drop. not only are we not paid fairly, we have had - have seen our pay drop. not only are we not paid fairly, we have had real. we not paid fairly, we have had real terms _ we not paid fairly, we have had real terms pay— we not paid fairly, we have had real terms pay cut — we not paid fairly, we have had real terms pay cut of— we not paid fairly, we have had real terms pay cut of the _ we not paid fairly, we have had real terms pay cut of the pay— we not paid fairly, we have had real terms pay cut of the pay cut - we not paid fairly, we have had real terms pay cut of the pay cut for - we not paid fairly, we have had real terms pay cut of the pay cut for 15 l terms pay cut of the pay cut for 15 years _ terms pay cut of the pay cut for 15 years and — terms pay cut of the pay cut for 15 years and all— terms pay cut of the pay cut for 15 years and all we _ terms pay cut of the pay cut for 15 years and all we want _ terms pay cut of the pay cut for 15 years and all we want to - terms pay cut of the pay cut for 15 years and all we want to do - terms pay cut of the pay cut for 15 years and all we want to do is - years and all we want to do is reverse — years and all we want to do is reverse those _ years and all we want to do is reverse those pay— years and all we want to do is reverse those pay cuts. - years and all we want to do is reverse those pay cuts. we . years and all we want to do is. reverse those pay cuts. we are years and all we want to do is - reverse those pay cuts. we are not asking — reverse those pay cuts. we are not asking for _ reverse those pay cuts. we are not asking for that — reverse those pay cuts. we are not asking for that to _ reverse those pay cuts. we are not asking for that to be _ reverse those pay cuts. we are not asking for that to be done - reverse those pay cuts. we are not asking for that to be done in - reverse those pay cuts. we are not asking for that to be done in one . reverse those pay cuts. we are noti asking for that to be done in one go but we _

asking for that to be done in one go but we need — asking for that to be done in one go but we need to— asking for that to be done in one go but we need to be _ asking for that to be done in one go but we need to be able _ asking for that to be done in one go but we need to be able to _ asking for that to be done in one go but we need to be able to pay - asking for that to be done in one go but we need to be able to pay the l but we need to be able to pay the way that — but we need to be able to pay the way that does _ but we need to be able to pay the way that does that _ but we need to be able to pay the way that does that in _ but we need to be able to pay the way that does that in an - but we need to be able to pay the . way that does that in an appropriate time _ way that does that in an appropriate time that _ way that does that in an appropriate time. that means— way that does that in an appropriate time. that means that _ way that does that in an appropriate time. that means that doctors - way that does that in an appropriate time. that means that doctors whol time. that means that doctors who are paid _ time. that means that doctors who are paid £1550 _ time. that means that doctors who are paid £15.50 an— time. that means that doctors who are paid £15.50 an hour, _ time. that means that doctors who are paid £15.50 an hour, we - time. that means that doctors who are paid £15.50 an hour, we want l are paid £15.50 an hour, we want them _ are paid £15.50 an hour, we want them to— are paid £15.50 an hour, we want them to be — are paid £15.50 an hour, we want them to be paid _ are paid £15.50 an hour, we want them to be paid between - are paid £15.50 an hour, we want them to be paid between £20 - are paid £15.50 an hour, we want| them to be paid between £20 and are paid £15.50 an hour, we want - them to be paid between £20 and £21 an hour _ them to be paid between £20 and £21 an hour we _ them to be paid between £20 and £21 an hour we need _ them to be paid between £20 and £21 an hour. we need an _ them to be paid between £20 and £21 an hour. we need an offer— them to be paid between £20 and £21 an hour. we need an offer that- them to be paid between £20 and £21| an hour. we need an offer that makes headway— an hour. we need an offer that makes headway that~ — an hour. we need an offer that makes headway that-— headway that. very difficult for atients headway that. very difficult for patients to _ headway that. very difficult for patients to have _ headway that. very difficult for patients to have their - headway that. very difficult for i patients to have their operations cancelled and potentially today to have a long waiting times. what do you say to the patients? i am have a long waiting times. what do you say to the patients?— you say to the patients? i am so sor for you say to the patients? i am so sorry for any _ you say to the patients? i am so sorry for any patient _ you say to the patients? i am so sorry for any patient that - you say to the patients? i am so sorry for any patient that has . you say to the patients? i am so| sorry for any patient that has had operations— sorry for any patient that has had operations disrupted. _ sorry for any patient that has had operations disrupted. i— sorry for any patient that has had operations disrupted. i am - sorry for any patient that has had operations disrupted. i am an - operations disrupted. i am an atheist — operations disrupted. i am an atheist tist _ operations disrupted. i am an atheist list and _ operations disrupted. i am an atheist list and we _ operations disrupted. i am an atheist list and we have - operations disrupted. i am an atheist list and we have had l operations disrupted. i am anl atheist list and we have had to cancet— atheist list and we have had to cancel so — atheist list and we have had to cancel so many— atheist list and we have had to cancel so many on _ atheist list and we have had to cancel so many on non—strikel atheist list and we have had to - cancel so many on non—strike days because _ cancel so many on non—strike days because we — cancel so many on non—strike days because we simply— cancel so many on non—strike days because we simply don't _ cancel so many on non—strike days because we simply don't have - cancel so many on non—strike days i because we simply don't have enough staff -- _ because we simply don't have enough staff -- i_ because we simply don't have enough staff -- i am — because we simply don't have enough staff -- iam an— because we simply don't have enough staff —— i am an anaesthetist. - because we simply don't have enough staff —— i am an anaesthetist. it - because we simply don't have enough staff —— i am an anaesthetist. it is - staff —— i am an anaesthetist. it is winter— staff —— i am an anaesthetist. it is winter att— staff —— i am an anaesthetist. it is winter all year— staff —— i am an anaesthetist. it is winter all year round _ staff —— i am an anaesthetist. it is winter all year round because - staff —— i am an anaesthetist. it is winter all year round because we. winter all year round because we don't _ winter all year round because we don't have — winter all year round because we don't have enough— winter all year round because we don't have enough people - winter all year round because we don't have enough people to- winter all year round because we| don't have enough people to look after— don't have enough people to look after patients _ don't have enough people to look after patients.— after patients. your bosses have been dreading _ after patients. your bosses have been dreading this. _ after patients. your bosses have been dreading this. is _ after patients. your bosses have been dreading this. is it - after patients. your bosses have been dreading this. is it fair - after patients. your bosses have been dreading this. is it fair forl been dreading this. is it fairfor you to be putting so much pressure to be out here when there is so much stress going on in the hospitals? this is our eighth round of strike action, _ this is our eighth round of strike action, we — this is our eighth round of strike action, we have _ this is our eighth round of strike action, we have shown- this is our eighth round of strike action, we have shown we - this is our eighth round of strike action, we have shown we and l this is our eighth round of strike - action, we have shown we and strike safety _ action, we have shown we and strike safety because — action, we have shown we and strike safety because they _ action, we have shown we and strike

safety because they are _ action, we have shown we and strike safety because they are consultants, the most _ safety because they are consultants, the most experienced _ safety because they are consultants, the most experienced doctors - safety because they are consultants, l the most experienced doctors looking after patients — the most experienced doctors looking after patients in — the most experienced doctors looking after patients in these _ the most experienced doctors looking after patients in these hospitals - the most experienced doctors looking after patients in these hospitals at. after patients in these hospitals at the moment _ after patients in these hospitals at the moment. ultimately, - after patients in these hospitals at the moment. ultimately, we - after patients in these hospitals at the moment. ultimately, we don't have to _ the moment. ultimately, we don't have to be — the moment. ultimately, we don't have to be on _ the moment. ultimately, we don't have to be on strike. _ the moment. ultimately, we don't have to be on strike. we - the moment. ultimately, we don't have to be on strike. we would . have to be on strike. we would happily— have to be on strike. we would happiiy go— have to be on strike. we would happily go back— have to be on strike. we would happily go back to— have to be on strike. we would happily go back to work- have to be on strike. we would happily go back to work if- have to be on strike. we would happily go back to work if we . have to be on strike. we would l happily go back to work if we had have to be on strike. we would - happily go back to work if we had an offer that— happily go back to work if we had an offer that we — happily go back to work if we had an offer that we could _ happily go back to work if we had an offer that we could put _ happily go back to work if we had an offer that we could put to _ happily go back to work if we had an offer that we could put to our- offer that we could put to our members _ offer that we could put to our members. when— offer that we could put to our members. when the - offer that we could put to our members. when the latest. offer that we could put to our. members. when the latest pay offer that we could put to our- members. when the latest pay uplift that the _ members. when the latest pay uplift that the government _ members. when the latest pay uplift that the government put _ members. when the latest pay uplift that the government put forward, i members. when the latest pay uplift that the government put forward, anj that the government put forward, an average _ that the government put forward, an average 3%, — that the government put forward, an average 3%, would _ that the government put forward, an average 3%, would still— that the government put forward, an average 3%, would still have - that the government put forward, an average 3%, would still have been i average 3%, would still have been further— average 3%, would still have been further reat— average 3%, would still have been further real term _ average 3%, would still have been further real term pay _ average 3%, would still have been further real term pay cuts - average 3%, would still have been further real term pay cuts for i further real term pay cuts for doctors — further real term pay cuts for doctors this— further real term pay cuts for doctors this year, _ further real term pay cuts for doctors this year, it - further real term pay cuts for doctors this year, it is - further real term pay cuts for doctors this year, it is simply further real term pay cuts for i doctors this year, it is simply not enough _ doctors this year, it is simply not enough and — doctors this year, it is simply not enough and we _ doctors this year, it is simply not enough and we need _ doctors this year, it is simply not enough and we need to- doctors this year, it is simply not enough and we need to do- doctors this year, it is simply notj enough and we need to do more. doctors this year, it is simply not i enough and we need to do more. what would it take — enough and we need to do more. what would it take to _ enough and we need to do more. what would it take to call— enough and we need to do more. what would it take to call of— enough and we need to do more. would it take to call of these strikes? ., ., ., , . strikes? not a real terms pay cut but making _ strikes? not a real terms pay cut but making way _ strikes? not a real terms pay cut but making way to _ strikes? not a real terms pay cut but making way to reverse i strikes? not a real terms pay cut but making way to reverse the i strikes? not a real terms pay cut i but making way to reverse the ones we have _ but making way to reverse the ones we have had — but making way to reverse the ones we have had so— but making way to reverse the ones we have had so far. _ but making way to reverse the ones we have had so far. the _ but making way to reverse the onesl we have had so far. the government needs— we have had so far. the government needs to _ we have had so far. the government needs to negotiate _ we have had so far. the government needs to negotiate and _ we have had so far. the government needs to negotiate and i— we have had so far. the government needs to negotiate and i wish - we have had so far. the government needs to negotiate and i wish they. needs to negotiate and i wish they would _ needs to negotiate and i wish they would meet — needs to negotiate and i wish they would meet us _ needs to negotiate and i wish they would meet us there _ needs to negotiate and i wish they would meet us there but - needs to negotiate and i wish they would meet us there but they i needs to negotiate and i wish they| would meet us there but they have walked _ would meet us there but they have walked away— would meet us there but they have walked away from _ would meet us there but they have walked away from talks, _ would meet us there but they have walked away from talks, we - would meet us there but they have walked away from talks, we can't i walked away from talks, we can't make _ walked away from talks, we can't make progress— walked away from talks, we can't make progress now. _ walked away from talks, we can't make progress now. the- walked away from talks, we can't make progress now. the government has said, make progress now. the government has said. victor _ make progress now. the government has said, victor ariel— make progress now. the government has said, victor ariel atkins, - make progress now. the government has said, victor ariel atkins, has i has said, victor ariel atkins, has said my door is open, carry on with these talks. they say you walked away. free i am happy to meet her if

she wants to but they have a precondition when they do not talk whilst strikes are on the table but thatis whilst strikes are on the table but that is a rule they have made. they could talk and if they put forward an offer we can take to our members today, we can cancel these strikes and they can go back to work now and we don't have to strike tomorrow. thank you very much. this strike is going on until saturday morning but, again, six days being called in january from the third, that would be the longest strike action in nhs history. be the longest strike action in nhs histo . ,, , ., ,, , be the longest strike action in nhs histo . ,, , ., , . history. studio: thank you very much for that. let's turn to iceland — where the dramatic volcano eruption is calming after days of lava spewing hundreds of metres into the sky from a crack in the earth that's now several kilometres long. the area is a volcanic and seismic hot—spot — not far from the capital, reykyavik. experts say the eruption could last weeks — or maybe even months. live now to heather handley, associate professor of volcanic hazards and geoscience communication at the university of twente in the netherlands. the images are really awesome, aren't they, spectacular images we

aren't they, spectacular images we are seeing but also, i suppose, the gases are concerning at the moment and there is concern about them reaching reykjavik, aren't there? could you explain what the gases actually are?— could you explain what the gases actually are? yes, when a volcano eru ts, actually are? yes, when a volcano erupts. as — actually are? yes, when a volcano erupts. as well— actually are? yes, when a volcano erupts, as well as _ actually are? yes, when a volcano erupts, as well as the _ actually are? yes, when a volcano erupts, as well as the lava - actually are? yes, when a volcano erupts, as well as the lava we i actually are? yes, when a volcano erupts, as well as the lava we can i erupts, as well as the lava we can see, there is also gas that comes out that has been with the magma, molten rock, that has been brought to the surface. that gas enters the atmosphere depending on the prevailing wind conditions, it can obviously drift in different directions and those gases, some of it is harmless, like water vapour. but we also have carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide. it is that sulphur dioxide, the one that is that eggy smell, smells like rotten eggs, you can detect that quite easily. it can cause acid rain, it can cause irritation in the eyes and in strong enough concentrations it can cause respiratory issues for anyone that might be suffering from asthma or susceptible to breathing conditions. we are looking at that long line, a

few kilometres long, which is where the lava is coming out in fountains out of the earth. it is so dramatic. what actually is happening right now? what makes it continue. a long time? , ., , , time? over the past few months, they have not time? over the past few months, they have got lots — time? over the past few months, they have got lots of _ time? over the past few months, they have got lots of signs _ time? over the past few months, they have got lots of signs in _ have got lots of signs in monitoring. earthquakes, where you can detect movements underground, molten rock pushing its way towards the surface. what has happened now, as it has reached the surface, there is a very long crack in the ground, a fisher, a fissure eruption, it happens in a very long line. we have tracked the movements of these earthquakes over several months and now we have finally reached the surface. there was a lot of concern for the local town about three kilometres away from where the eruption the southern edge of this long line of the eruption, the town has been spread of the volcanic eruption itself and most of the lava in this lava fountain has gone

towards the east and a bit towards the west. there is future concern that this crack, the extension of the eruption, may continue and if it continues towards the south and get closer to the town but at the moment, residents have been spared of this outpouring of lava. there are barriers. _ of this outpouring of lava. there are barriers, you _ of this outpouring of lava. there are barriers, you can _ of this outpouring of lava. there are barriers, you can build i of this outpouring of lava. there i are barriers, you can build barriers to move it a certain way and what do they make those barriers out of? lift they make those barriers out of? i'm not they make those barriers out of? in not entirely sure what they have used in this situation but possibly a type of concrete but they are trying to protect the power station, some infrastructure might be impacted by the lava flows. it seems to be more road and electrical infrastructure that is at risk. there is a power station quite nearby, the blue lagoon and the town. some of the residents in the north of the town are also calling for some defensive wall to be built to protect those areas.— for some defensive wall to be built to protect those areas. thank you so much for talking _ to protect those areas. thank you so much for talking us _ to protect those areas. thank you so much for talking us through - to protect those areas. thank you so much for talking us through that. i

around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. this is a place that loads of people in our area and beyond have been drawn to in the past, it has meant such a lot to people. i decided i wanted to paint the piece as a night—time scene because that area is very well known for its dark skies and also the night—time scene was a perfect way to say good night to the tree. was a perfect way to say good night to the tree-— to the tree. lucy never planned to do the painting — to the tree. lucy never planned to do the painting but _ to the tree. lucy never planned to do the painting but she _ to the tree. lucy never planned to do the painting but she was i do the painting but she was inundated with requests after the tree was felled. lucy and her team made a pledge. they plant a tree for every print sold but they were amazed by the response. with the money from the prints, lucy is going to buy 1500 trees. now she's looking for somewhere to plant them. centre sta . e for somewhere to plant them. centre stage would — for somewhere to plant them. centre stage would ultimately _ for somewhere to plant them. centre stage would ultimately be _ for somewhere to plant them. centre stage would ultimately be sycamore. stage would ultimately be sycamore tree, a replica of it. it's my dream to create this beautiful woodland

thatis to create this beautiful woodland that is a very natural space, beautiful space for people to come and visit and enjoy. for beautiful space for people to come and visit and enjoy.— and visit and en'oy. for more stories across i and visit and enjoy. for more stories across the _ and visit and enjoy. for more stories across the uk, - and visit and enjoy. for more stories across the uk, head l and visit and enjoy. for morel stories across the uk, head to and visit and enjoy. for more i stories across the uk, head to the bbc news — stories across the uk, head to the bbc news website. polls have opened in elections in the democratic republic of congo despite some calls for the elections to be postponed amid fears about security in some areas. president felix tshisekedi is seeking a second term in office with another 18 candidates vying to replace him. let's get the latest on the polling with our correspondent in the drc, emery makumeno. asi as i was saying, huge concern about security, particularly in the east surrounding this election? yes. surrounding this election? yes, --eole surrounding this election? yes, people will _ surrounding this election? yes, people will be _ surrounding this election? yes, people will be voting _ surrounding this election? yes, people will be voting in - surrounding this election? 1a: people will be voting in two constituencies in the north province where fighting has resumed since october this year. sending 500,000

people fleeing their homes. two consistencies, they won't be voting, these are areas controlled by the m 23 rebels. . ~ , these are areas controlled by the m 23 rebels. ., ~ , ., ., , 23 rebels. talk us through what is aroin on 23 rebels. talk us through what is going on in _ 23 rebels. talk us through what is going on in terms _ 23 rebels. talk us through what is going on in terms of— 23 rebels. talk us through what is going on in terms of the - 23 rebels. talk us through what is going on in terms of the troop i going on in terms of the troop withdrawal, the un has said it will be winding down its peacekeeping mission and kenyan troops and south sudanese soldiers pulling out recently. what would be the impact? the un is now concentrated in three provinces in eastern drc. there are myriad of armed groups. there are myriad of armed groups. the government have agreed with the un that they will start disengagement process come 202a. the east africa community, after being

deployed for a year, started leaving from the 8th of december. the government has viewed their deployment on the ground ineffective.— deployment on the ground ineffective. ., , . ineffective. ok, thanks very much. sudan's army _ ineffective. ok, thanks very much. sudan's army has _ ineffective. ok, thanks very much. sudan's army has admitted - ineffective. ok, thanks very much. sudan's army has admitted they i ineffective. ok, thanks very much. i sudan's army has admitted they have lost control of the central city following a battle. it has been facing an ongoing conflict for over eight months. the united nations says more than 3.5 million children have been forsterflee says more than 3.5 million children have been forster flee their homes since april, making it the worst child displacement crisis in the world. let's go live now to our correspondent, kalkidan yibeltal, speaking from addis ababa capital of neighbouring country ethopia. talk us through what is going on, please, if you can.— please, if you can. yes, in recent da s,

please, if you can. yes, in recent days. we — please, if you can. yes, in recent days. we have — please, if you can. yes, in recent days, we have seen _ please, if you can. yes, in recent days, we have seen this - please, if you can. yes, in recent days, we have seen this fighting | days, we have seen this fighting expanding and widening to areas that had, until now, been secretary, safe haven for people fleeing the violence. after the parliamentary committee rapid support forces, advanced, it seems hundreds of thousands of people are leaving that area. the exodus of people have continued. it seems the army that was controlling the city withdrew without putting up much of a fight. the sudanese army are now saying they are launching a probe into what exactly happened under parliamentary rapid support forces are hailing it as a victory. it seems that this fighting, ratherthan as a victory. it seems that this fighting, rather than de—escalating, we are seeing it increasing. humanitarian work as an international organisation, a major humanitarian catastrophe will stop officials are saying the country's health system is collapsing, tell us

more ., ., , ., more about what they said about that. yes, _ more about what they said about that. yes, save _ more about what they said about that. yes, save the _ more about what they said about that. yes, save the children i more about what they said about | that. yes, save the children came out with a statement _ that. yes, save the children came out with a statement saying i that. yes, save the children came out with a statement saying only i that. yes, save the children came i out with a statement saying only one third of the entire population in sudan have access to health care, which means that a vast majority, a large number of people, in sudan right now don't have access to health care. health facilities like hospitals and health centres have also been attacked by fighting parties. it seems that right now many people, particularly pregnant women and children and newborn babies, are having a really difficult time to have access. it seems this will continue for the coming weeks and months. unless there is a major breakthrough in bringing peace. but that doesn't look likely right now. in bringing peace. but that doesn't look likely right now.— bringing peace. but that doesn't look likely right now. in terms of the numbers. — look likely right now. in terms of the numbers, it _ look likely right now. in terms of the numbers, it is _ look likely right now. in terms of the numbers, it is such - look likely right now. in terms of the numbers, it is such a - look likely right now. in terms of the numbers, it is such a huge . the numbers, it is such a huge number, 3.5 million children have had to flee their homes since the

fighting broke out. it is such an extraordinary number. where are people living now?— extraordinary number. where are people living now? yes, in total7 million people — people living now? yes, in total7 million people are _ people living now? yes, in total7 million people are on _ people living now? yes, in total7 million people are on the - people living now? yes, in total7 million people are on the move . people living now? yes, in total7j million people are on the move in sudan right now displaced from their homes. more people are taking refuge in neighbouring countries in south sudan, chad, egypt, ethiopia. among these people that are internally displaced, nearly half of them are children. it seems that some of them are finding themselves on the move again because many of them fled the capital and ended up in this central city and now they are being displaced again. it seems they don't have an area safe enough for them to find shelter and safety and humanitarian support. thanks very much for now, thank you. now to ukraine and despite a lack of funding, president zelensky maintains he will

ultimately win the war and that the financial hurdles do not mean that allies are letting him down. our respondent was listening to president zelensky�*s end of year address yesterday and told us about the reality facing right now. ukraine is going through some of its most difficult day since the start of russia's full scale invasion and there are a few reasons for that. the counter offensive that ukraine launched earlier this year that was widely seen not to have delivered hoped—for gains. the world's attention has been somewhat diverted by what has been happening in israel and gaza and, as well, this issue of big packages of aid that are stuck, first of all, economic aid in the european union and some crucial defence aid in the us. as you say, president zelensky was really trying to sound positive, he was saying he believes that aid will come. it doesn't look like it's going to come as things stand this side of christmas. timing here is crucial. the eu is looking to convene a

special summit in early february to have another go to get past the objections of the hungarian prime minister, viktor orban. of course, president zelensky has an ally in joe biden but the defensive package has become stuck in congress and it's not clear yet that they have managed to find a way through in washington, dc. you have to look at, the way president zelensky presented these things, he is a wartime leader. this is hisjob, to rally the nation. he is very unlikely to turn around and say we are in real trouble here, guys. he's a busy going to try to put a bit of a positive spin on these things. to be fair, actually, anyone i speak to in leave and ordinary members of the public, they also tend to strike an optimistic note and they said they have to win this fight because they see it as existential and they believe that that aid will eventually come through. —— when i speak to anyone in kyiv ukraine. speak to anyone in kyiv an eventually come through. -- when i speak to anyone in kyiv an american

man in prison _ speak to anyone in kyiv an american man in prison in _ speak to anyone in kyiv an american man in prison in russia _ speak to anyone in kyiv an american man in prison in russia says - speak to anyone in kyiv an american man in prison in russia says he i man in prison in russia says he feels seriously betrayed and abandoned by the us government. paul whelan who is also a british citizen was detained five years ago on espionage charges. president putin said last week that moscow hopes to find a solution to the dispute over american citizens in prison in russia. both paul whelan and jail the wall streetjournal reporter evan gershom of its has been declared wrongfully detained by the us state department. mr whelan spoke to our eastern european correspondence from prison. this is where an american's holiday to moscow ended up, in a remote russian labour camp, convicted of espionage. the us government because paul whelan wrongfully detained. he has always said he is a political hostage. i have followed his story since he was arrested in moscow but for five years, all negotiations to try to free him have failed. now, speaking to me from prison, paul

whelan says he feels abandoned by his government. it’s whelan says he feels abandoned by his government.— his government. it's a serious betrayal. _ his government. it's a serious betrayal. it's _ his government. it's a serious betrayal, it's extremely i betrayal, it's extremely frustrating.— betrayal, it's extremely frustratina. �* . frustrating. i've never heard him talk like this — frustrating. i've never heard him talk like this before. _ frustrating. i've never heard him talk like this before. i _ frustrating. i've never heard him talk like this before. i know i frustrating. i've never heard him talk like this before. i know that| talk like this before. i know that the us has _ talk like this before. i know that the us has come _ talk like this before. i know that the us has come up _ talk like this before. i know that the us has come up with - talk like this before. i know that the us has come up with all i talk like this before. i know that. the us has come up with all sorts talk like this before. i know that - the us has come up with all sorts of proposals, serious proposals, but it's not what the russians are after. they keep going back and forth. the only problem is it's my life that is draining away. why would they do this? it's five years. it's unfathomable to me that they left me behind. the it's unfathomable to me that they left me behind.— it's unfathomable to me that they left me behind. the us can get its risoners left me behind. the us can get its prisoners back. _ left me behind. the us can get its prisoners back. last _ left me behind. the us can get its prisoners back. last year - left me behind. the us can get its prisoners back. last year an - prisoners back. last year an american basketball star was swapped for a convicted russian arms trader, released by the us. but paul whelan was left behind. and now it seems like russia is collecting hostages. evan gershkovich was detained in march, accused of espionage, for doing hisjob as march, accused of espionage, for doing his job as a journalist. his newspaper, his government, they are

clearly charges are false. dear evan... she _ clearly charges are false. dear evan... she writes _ clearly charges are false. dear evan... she writes to - clearly charges are false. dear evan... she writes to evan - clearly charges are false. dear evan... she writes to evan in i clearly charges are false. dear- evan... she writes to evan in prison every week. — evan... she writes to evan in prison every week. they — evan... she writes to evan in prison every week, they started _ evan... she writes to evan in prison every week, they started out - every week, they started out together as reporters in moscow. now he's locked up and she's for safety. evan's friends collect and translate letters of support for him from all over the world. helping keep his spirits up. and their own. egan over the world. helping keep his spirits up. and their own. evan is not a spy. _ spirits up. and their own. evan is not a spy. evan _ spirits up. and their own. evan is not a spy, evan is _ spirits up. and their own. evan is not a spy, evan is a _ spirits up. and their own. evan is not a spy, evan is a journalist. i spirits up. and their own. evan is| not a spy, evan is a journalist. my greatest _ not a spy, evan is a journalist. my greatest hope is that evan is released _ greatest hope is that evan is released as soon as possible and he can go— released as soon as possible and he can go home, can go back to work, can go home, can go back to work, can go— can go home, can go back to work, can go back— can go home, can go back to work, can go back to his family, can come and spend _ can go back to his family, can come and spend time with all of us again, as he _ and spend time with all of us again, as he should be doing right now. that's_ as he should be doing right now. that's the — as he should be doing right now. that's the greatest hope. the conditions — that's the greatest hope. the conditions in _ that's the greatest hope. the conditions in the _ that's the greatest hope. tue: conditions in the camp that's the greatest hope. tte: conditions in the camp have that's the greatest hope. t"t2 conditions in the camp have declined seriously, the barix have black mould. �* . . ., , ., seriously, the barix have black mould. . . ., , ., mould. but paul whelan is now facing his fifth christmas _ mould. but paul whelan is now facing his fifth christmas as _ mould. but paul whelan is now facing his fifth christmas as a _ mould. but paul whelan is now facing his fifth christmas as a prisoner. - his fifth christmas as a prisoner. are you worried there will be

another deal and you will be left behind again?— another deal and you will be left behind again? yeah, i am worried there will be _ behind again? yeah, i am worried there will be a _ behind again? yeah, i am worried there will be a deal— behind again? yeah, i am worried there will be a deal and _ behind again? yeah, i am worried there will be a deal and they - behind again? yeah, i am worried there will be a deal and they will. there will be a deal and they will leave me here. each time my case is going to the back of the line, being left in the dust. tt is going to the back of the line, being left in the dust.— left in the dust. it is russia that ut him left in the dust. it is russia that put him here- — left in the dust. it is russia that put him here. but _ left in the dust. it is russia that put him here. but paul- left in the dust. it is russia that put him here. but paulwhelanl left in the dust. it is russia that - put him here. but paulwhelan wants put him here. but paul whelan wants america to push harder to get him home. sarah rainsford, bbc news. you are watching bbc news. thousands of venues across the uk are being transformed into warm hubs over the christmas period. these are community spaces where people can socialise but also stay warm in the face of rising energy costs. our wales correspondent tomos morgan visited one in port talbot. festive spirits in full swing, no matter the age. a babies and toddlers music and rhyme class isjust as important for the children as it is for their guardians. it's quite isolating being on maternity and baby classes are really expensive, and maternity pay is rubbish, so you kind of find as many free classes that you can. i've taken a few months off work and, you know, it can get a bit of a lonely place, stuck in the house all day. so, me and griff, we go

on an adventure, we come out to these kind of places, have some fun. they meet at the port talbot library, which has become a dedicated warm space. the warm welcome initiative began last year. originally, it was an idea where people could go somewhere to save on heating their own homes, but it's now developed to have a positive impact on wellbeing, as well. i think the key thing that we learned last winter was that people came for the warmth but they stayed for the welcome and that sense of social connection, and having a place to belong and to meet others and to participate was just as important as the fact that it was physically warm. after the success of last year's campaign, the warm welcome team put some statistics together from those that attended. now, 40% told them that before they'd come, they felt lonely, whereas afterwards, that percentage was just 6%. more than half said had they not attended, they'd have sat at home with the heating off. and 60% visiting said that the warm welcome spaces had helped them financially.

as the kids get tired, it's time for a coffee meet in another corner of the library. and also sharing the caffeine is the arts and crafts group. and many of those in attendance are doing so for the social aspect. talk to me about why you come to these classes, then. the pandemic and everything, i never used to leave the house on my own. and, yeah, i come up every week now and enjoy it. now i feel like this our family, you know. if this group wasn't here, maybe i will feel like some depression or stress. with almost 2.5 million attending these spaces last year, as the weather worsens and the days get colder, they may be just as important as ever. tomos morgan, bbc news, aberavon. more on those inflation figures. the office of national statistics

projects food is one third more expensive than two years ago, which will have an impact on things we all like, like a christmas dinner. whether you're planning it, buying it, orjust dreaming about it, everyone's got a favourite part of a christmas dinner. it's got to be the parsnips and sprouts. controversial, but got to be sprouts. i like dessert, and i also like pigs in blankets. stuffing. — a bit of lovely stuffing. the potatoes are the best, i think, especially when mum makes them. christmas pudding's my main thing, yeah. not christmas pudding, no. sticky toffee, we usually have. the turkey. my kids have offered to cook this year. oh, wow! they're 16. they volunteered. we all got super excited about it. and now i think they're changing their mind because they're wondering what they got themselves into! let's start with the good news, shall we? stuffing and sprouts have actually fallen in price this year, but everything else has gone up. the biggest price increases this year have been for carrots, which are up 26.7%.

earlier on in the year, they did go up in price, and it is down to having to import them from other countries, down to weather and things like that. apple stuffing, onions. mince pies are next. they're up 25% after big butter price rises. unfortunately, due to the cost of ingredients, etc, the company has had to meet that, as well, haven't they? so, they have gone up. 50 whereas before people would buy mince pies plus other cakes, now they are just buying the mince pies. and that lovely gravy is up 17.6% this year. while most products have increased in price, the cost of turkey has only gone up by i.2%. bird flu caused problems last year, and that impacted the price of frozen and fresh turkeys. we did have the big increase last year, but it has all settled down now. no shortage of turkeys at all this year. no, we've got as many as you want this year. we can sell, sell, sell. across the six supermarkets, a standard dinner has actually increased faster this year

than the dinner of premium products, particularly when it comes to potatoes and christmas puddings. their posh ones have increased by less this year than the standard ones. that's because the supermarkets have put on more deals and discounts to try and tempt us back to those big brands and encourage us to splash out more. but those increases make it even harderfor anyone already on a tight budget. it will be a struggle. i've just been assisted to get the food bank myself tomorrow, because there just isn't the finances to go out and do a major shop. so if you are trying to keep your costs down this christmas, jay has some expert tips that could save you cash. open space is quite hard to come by. a lot of people are using air fryers these days as well, so maybe see what you can do. rotate everything. yeah, vegetable soup — next day you can put it into a pan with a bit of veg stock, let it simmer. it's an easy meal. i know everyone's a bit sick of roast dinners after christmas day. and how important is the way

that you cook the meat? make sure you just cut it correctly. not making the big fat steaks, just nicely thin, and you can get more out of it, really. whatever the cost, for those settling down to a slap up festive dinner in the days ahead, the focus will be on enjoying it. coletta smith, bbc news in chester. now it's time for a look at the weather. indy weather on the way for the next 36 hours with outbreaks of rain affecting norther and western areas of rain. this area of cloud we are keeping a close eye on because this is a deep area of low pressure or will become a developing area of low pressure moving close towards iceland and it has been named by the danish metrological institute. it will strengthen and it will give us breezy conditions. some rain affecting western scotland and north—west england and wales, the south—west as well. early sunshine in eastern areas will be by cloud

moving its way in. maximum temperatures and most getting into double figures. in the shetland, colder air and temperatures will be about four celsius. through tonight, we will continue with lots of cloud and some rain affecting western areas. the wind will pick up particularly across the north of scotland with gales developing in the early hours. overnight temperatures down to about 9 or 10 or ii, temperatures down to about 9 or 10 or 11, above the average for night—time temperatures. storm pia, named by the danish met service, will move its way into scandinavia and you can see white lines and the isobars together in northern areas, the strongest winds and showers moving their way in. cloudy skies for infant and wales outbreaks of rain which will move its way south. these are the wind gusts, a windy day for all of us, 40, 55 mph but up to 75 and 80 mph around the big

waves down the north sea coasts. temperatures will come down across scotland. temperature is about two in shetland, miles further south. that colder air gives a few wintry showers in northern and eastern areas on friday and some outbreaks of rain across england and wales with fairly cloudy skies. we will keep the generally milder conditions here, temperatures 10—12. feeling a bit chilly across scotland and the far north. christmas weekend and christmas day, for many it will be fairly unsettled, dry weather around but those temperatures 7—ii, about average for this time of year. goodbye. live from london, this is bbc news. the nhs braces for major disruption

asjunior the nhs braces for major disruption as junior doctors the nhs braces for major disruption asjunior doctors in england begin a three—day strike over pay. colorado's supreme court bar is donald trump from the state's primary ballot in the 2024 election. the former president says he will appeal to the us supreme court. the head of hamas has arrived in egypt for talks on a fresh ceasefire in gaza as israel says it is willing to agree to another pause in exchange for more hostages. uk inflation fell to 3.9% in november hitting its lowest rate in more than two years. and authorities in iceland say that the volcano that erupted in the south—west of the country on monday night is becoming less active. hello, i'm lucy grey. junior doctors in england have begun a 72—hour strike in their long running dispute about pay. the medical director of nhs england has warned the walkout will cause "huge disruption". this time of year is traditionally one of the nhs�*s most busy periods.