>> russia mourns soldiers killed in one of the deadliest strikes in the war in ukraine. families hold a vigil for the dead as army commanders face criticism. also coming up, republicans struggled to oppose order in the house of representatives kevin mccarthy fall short of the votes he needs to take over as house

speaker. jerusalem is on edge as a far right minister makes a controversy or that controversial visit to one of the holiest sites. >> welcome. russian army commanders are facing mounting criticism over the deaths of soldiers killed in one of the deadliest strengths in the war in ukraine. media commentators say senior officers have failed to learn lessons from. this incidents. the kremlin took the unusual step of confirming the deaths and the strike by ukrainian

missiles on new year's eve. >> russian crowds gather in a somber ceremony to mourn soldiers killed in ukraine. people who lived here are among those who died in the new year's eve bombing. the kremlin canes --claim 60 three soldiers were killed, but ukraine and critics put the death toll in the hundreds. >> we gather to honor the memory of all the soldiers of the special military operation. it is hard for everyone. we should be together. >> huge piles of rubble are all that remains from the bombing. now russian nationalists and some lawmakers are demanding punishment for commanders they say ignore dangers. some reports claim soldiers were

located next to a munitions depot, which exploded in the strike. others say people have been able to use the russian mobile phones, giving away locations to ukrainian forces. the strike has not slowed russia's only shelling of ukraine. its defense ministry claimant responsibility for fresh attacks. one of them it destroyed this ice rink which locals say was operating as a humanitarian warehouse. as a result, an ice rink was damaged as well as parts of the residential and industrial sector. >> ukrainian authorities report that one person was killed and another was injured in the strikes. >> dw correspondent has more on

the attack on the ice rink. reporter: so far we have contradictory reports. the ukrainians are saying only the ice rink was damaged and one person was killed. not making any details. other objects were also hedge and russian officials are claiming they destroyed at least two of the rocket launchers. they were used to strike the russians and you new year's eve. the russians claimed they destroyed some military vehicles, so we have contradictory reports. there were earlier reports of more ukrainian casualties in russia. no confirmation of vessel far. anchor: these attacks still

linger. how big is the backlash in russia? >> it is too early to tell, but the anger is very big. some parts of russia that we can follow on the internet, people are very angry with russian commanders who decided to deploy . there were similar cases in the past where dozens of russian soldiers were reportedly killed. at this moment, it is too early to tell. we know that of those hundreds of thousands mobilized during the recent months, many of them were not eager to go to war and now they have one ground less to

go to this war. anchor: criticism about the russian military leadership has been brewing for quite some time. it has grown louder after this most devastating attack against the russian troops that we know well. how dangerous could this become for vladimir putin's war and his military operation as he continues to call it. reporter: it is dangerous in the longer-term. the defense minister was criticized several times before for the failures of the russian army, the inability of the russian army to attack kyiv in the beginning. they had to withdraw from the north and the south. now we hear criticism, but

vladimir putin is a very close friend of his, so i do not think he will be held responsible for this attack. on the other hand come on the global level come out we could maybe see some changes in the russian offices. a lot of russians are demanding retaliation. in the past, when such attacks happen, russia attacks ukrainian targets and calls a retaliation. i think it could be this time as well and ukrainians are expecting a major attack from russia. brent: thank you so much. in the united states, republicans are struggling to get order in the house of representatives. the party has failed in its

first attempt to elect the house speaker. kevin mccarthy failed to gain enough votes in congress. he is the first majority party leader not to win the early ballot in the century. earlier, i spoke to our correspondent in washington. reporter: this shows how divided the republicans are in congress and this is an unprecedented moment in u.s. politics. this has not happened since 1923. there are many republican congressmen who are not willing to vote for kevin mccarthy. he would have needed 218 votes to be the next speaker and so far he will not get that majority. some republicans can be

persuaded and if they decide to bill for him in the next round. again, a situation that can go for several hours. if they do not agree on voting on mccarthy or a new nominee, it could take days or weeks. and the u.s. congress will be relocked until they vote for a speaker. anchor: what are become speaker, there will be a republican majority in the house of representatives. what could that mean for the biden administration? reporter: regardless, the majority of the house of representatives is helped by republicans. this means the legislative agenda the president will be dead.

democrats will not be able to pass any big legislation. there are some small bipartisan legislation that might go through, possibly a for ukraine. but that is not clear get. anchor: let's talk about the bigger picture. what will the republicans newfound power in the house mean for international allies? reporter: well, the white house is still very close to their european allies come up a many legislators have been focused on national economic interests. this is probably not going to change with the new congress. regarding the war in ukraine, the u.s. has been one of the

biggest funders. they just voted last month for an aid package of 40 $5 billion. -- 45 billion dollars. we know that kevin mccarthy said he will not support a blank check for ukraine. some republicans have softened their stance and seem to be ready to support further aid for ukraine. anchor: thank you. here is a look at some other stories. authorities and bertha faso aren't investigating the depths of people in a northwestern town. armed civilians are blamed.

authorities in botswana have issued an arrest warrant for the former president who is currently living in south africa. he has been charged with illegal possession of firearms and denies the accusations. he ran has marked the third anniversary of the death of a top general killed by a drone strike in rack. the regime has vowed to take revenge for the attack, by antigovernment protesters set fire to billboards curing his picture. arab leaders and the united states have condemned a visit by israel's far right security minister to one of jerusalem's holiest sites. the temple mount. they say his presence there is a deliberate provocation. >> just days after being sworn in, the far right politician has

visited the site. >> the temple mount is one of the most important places to the people of israel. it is open for everybody. there will not be racism and discrimination. jews will go to the temple. do not surrender. >> he toward the top amount. -- temple mount. >> this provocative behavior increases the state of tension, brace matters closer to a major explosion and opens the door wide for a real escalation. >> non-muslims are allowed to visit the holy compound on the

condition they do not pray, but the visit of is is really minister is a sensitive matter. >> the security forces think this is a dangerous move. it is not an accident that ministers have avoided sitting for many years. it will be seen by the whole world as breaking the status quo. it is an unnecessary risk. >> it is the third holiest place for muslims. it represents a major source of conflict. one that has often resulted in violence. anchor: a religious affairs correspondent joins me now. he went to one of the most holiest sites in jerusalem. what makes this so sensitive? reporter: the temple mount,

which is a compound which encloses a set of mosques, and it has direct order in which the western wall stands, it is believed to have had the two great temples. for judaism, the places the holiest place. obviously come out for islam it is the third holiest place. it has been a flashpoint for conflict for a long time, so although we talk about the status quo, the status quo has been quite fluid. i think the conflict cuts across the religious grouping. the jewish community particularly see this place as a

place which they should have access to. as a matter fact, there was a confrontation in august during the day of mourning good which 2000 men tried --came into the temple mount and there was a confrontation between muslims that very day and this jewish group. in the middle of it, he was also involved. what we are seeing is two very holy, a very holy place for two religions as being used for political reasons. nonetheless it is clear the religious sensibilities are actually to be taken very seriously. essentially, that is the state of affairs. brent: betty greer said after

the visit that the holy site is open to everybody. what does he mean by back? reporter: the holy site is actually open to everybody. the status quo is very fluid and it is understood that for many years jews have been going there and praying privately. there is no conspicuous sign jews are praying because part of the agreement that you said christians would not be praying with them the compound. nonetheless, it is seen because of the conflict that engulfs this question of what is the status of the place, it is seen as a form of provocation that is directly fitting into a sense of religious conflict. so understandably, the more moderate voices on both sides of this are calling for clearer

minds to prevail. the issue is that on both sides, there is a strong attempt to actually flux muscle and to show that both the very far right of the israeli government and muslims will actually defend the place from who they see as their sworn enemy. anchor: thank you for that analysis. reporter: you are welcome. anchor: you are watching dw news. brazil bids farewell to its most famous son. the football legend pele is laid to rest. china has begun allowing travel, but not everyone is in just to receive its visitors. the country has a surge of coronavirus infections.

reporter: large crowds at the airports throughout china. for three years, covid-19 measures have over shattered peoples -- overshadowed peoples vacation plans. now the travel wave has begun. but some countries have imposed mandatory testing. it is causing assessment -- resentment from the chinese government which is: it discriminatory. >> we believe these entry restrictions have no scientific basis and are completely unacceptable. we object to any attempt to use preventative measures for political purpose. reporter: china has reported only seven covid related deaths in the last four weeks during however, hospitals are overloaded. poppel -- people sometimes have

to wait days to be admitted to the hospital with the serious infection. medication is also in short supply. for nearly three years, china required all people and turn the country from abroad to quarantine. that is due to end on sunday. videos on social media show how inbound travelers are struggling in vain to avoid having to go into quarantine. anchor: here are some more headlines. protesters in believed via have attacked police during demonstrations against the arrest of a former governor. he was detained for being it involved in removing the former president in 2019. i national football league players is in critical condition after suffering from cardiac arrest. the nfl game was suspended.

brazil has been an emotional farewell to its most famous son, pele. he was laid to rest in his hometown of santos. reporter: emotions were running high as hundreds of thousands of people have gathered to see the procession of his coffin through the city. the three-time world cup winner died on thursday at the age of 82. >> world owes a lot to him. he did not let it affect him. you have to be him. the best of the most humble paradigm very sad. reporter: people were standing on rooftops, and packing the roads to get a glimpse of the brazilian icon.

the procession came to a halt where a past the house where his one hundred euro mother still lives. it is a day of mourning the man brazilian scully king, but for many it is a moment to celebrate him as well. >> he represents a lot because since i was a kid, i saw him and i was very moved. it is pure emotion today and we are here at has funeral and we can see the whole world has stopped. reporter: he was arguably the world's latest player and will be laid to rest after the procession in a private ceremony. reporter: he has not played us brazil for more than 50 years, but even today, his name is

still associated with him. it is associated with a country that wins. he may brazil the country that everybody wanted to be for a month every four years when the world cup came around. it is a very powerful legacy. anchor: the outpouring of love we have seen there has been overwhelming. he is now. in santos, where he spent most of his career. how did he shape the club? reporter: it is a great question because there is a global and a and local dimension to his story. he spent his entire career there. some might see this as a shotgun wedding because he was not allowed to leave european clubs went to him but he was the clan of national treasure. but i do not think he wanted to

leave. at that time, he could earnest much there as in europe. and brazil only selected players who played in brazil. i think he was quite happy to stay in santos. it is a relatively small city by brazilian standards, less than half a million. it is a port city with a tropical feel. when he came to the city, he was a country boy. he had never seen the ocean, but the first thing he did was rush into the sea. i think keep --santos played at hero in urbanizing this country boy and preparing him. anchor: now that he is gone, what will his legacy be? reporter: a number of things. one is the primacy of football

as the global sport. the most democratic of all sports. the sport where a former shoeshine boy can shine more brightly than anybody else. in the primacy of football as the global game, there is the primacy of the world cup. nobody did more than him to establish the world cup at this moment where we want to follow the football. the world cup is the house that he built. while it is being played, we remember him. in that sense, he is immortal. anchor: thank you so much. reporter: thank you. anchor: germany is hosting a winter sports tournament for jewish athletes. it is the first time the macabre winter games have been held for

years and the first time for germany. events are skiing and snow volleyball among others. reporter: they have come from all over the world to bavaria. jewish athletes celebrating them a copy winter games once again after a hiatus of 80 something years. for the first time germany is hosting. >> weah was have competitions in the unit states, but never something specifically for us. >> i have the honor of representing israel as an athlete. israel did not exist yet in 1936 so i think this is historic for us. the last winter games were held in 1936 in the former czechoslovakia. 2000 athletes from 12 nations took part. this time about 400 participants have, --have come. >> germany is a free, democratic

country and is happy that jewish life is visible in sports. which was not always the case. reporter: while a lack of snow mean some sporting events are taking place in neighboring towns, the ice rink is ready for action. the jewish winter games coming to germany is the restoration of a tradition and assigned that antisemitism have no place here. anchor: a with us. after a short break, i will be back to take you through the day. i hope to see you there. ♪

kxq#qqqcccwgcg/g'■■x■x