welcome to bbc news, broadcasting to viewers in north america and around the globe. my name is mike embley. our top stories: the big freeze hits parts of the us. arctic conditions are sending temperatures down below —30 celsius. the european union insists it won't renegotiate britain's brexit deal, despite the vote in parliament seeking changes to the so—called irish border "backstop". more street protests in venezuela as president maduro refuses new elections but says he will talk to the opposition. and navigating the presidency — we take to the ice to hear what voters think of donald trump's first two years in office. millions in the american midwest are experiencing a blast of arctic air so ferocious they're being warned they risk frostbite if they stay outside for more than 10 minutes.

at least 7 people have died in several states as a result of the so—called polar vortex. research suggests a warming arctic is driving very cold air south from the north pole. neda tawfik reports. a steam fog settles over lake michigan, as the polar vortex grips chicago with the most extreme cold in a generation. temperatures fell to —30 degrees celsius and, with the windchill, it felt like —46 degrees, making it colder than parts of antarctica. you see this on my glasses? this is notjust fog, this is frost. it's ridiculous out here, and it's going to get worse. it's really freezing. it's really bad. yeah, it's dangerous. put layers on, make sure you're covered, and don't stay out too long. the polar vortex has sent arctic air across the midwest, affecting 50 million people. a state of emergency is in place in illinois,

wisconsin and michigan. authorities warn that the exteme temperatures are life—threatening, and thatjust minutes outside can lead to significant frostbite. we just want to make sure that people understand the severity of the weather out there, and that they are prepared. it's notjust the person who is risking it by getting outside. it is other people, that are first responders, who may have to show up on the scene. at least six deaths have been connected to the extreme cold. in several states, warming shelters are open for the homeless and other vulnerable residents. hey, you need gloves! in minneapolis, police even handed out gloves to residents. businesses, schools and government officers have been shut, flights have been grounded and travelled disrupted. at chicago's union station, workers set fire to the rails to prevent them from freezing, using a built—in system that turns the tracks into a giant gas grill. and in grand rapids, michigan, white—out conditions were blamed

for two dozen vehicle crashes. ijust got caught in a giant wreck. the deadly deep freeze has brought life in the midwest to a standstill. it is expected to hover over the region for several more days, and scientists warn that, because of climate change, these exteme weather events could happen more frequently. neda tawfik, bbc news, new york. live now to minnesota, where it's —27 degrees celsius. let's talk to tv weatherman mike augustyniak. living and working week you are, you are used are serious weather. how bad is are used are serious weather. how badisit? are used are serious weather. how bad is it? this is as bad as it has been for a few generations. the cold est been for a few generations. the coldest since 1996 and with windshield seemed 1995. what mornings ag giving? to use

commonsense. we take this kind of weather as a badge of honour and people are excited as they are annoyed by this kind of cold. some people liked it to work today —— bicycled so it is what you want to make it. it does not become a ghost town? it does not. there were fewer people on the street, in part because classes were cancelled at public schools. many people were given the option to stay home from work or work from home. but it is about adjusting to life not so much the cold. how bad you expected to get and how broadly? most of the other midwest is dealing with near

01’ other midwest is dealing with near or record temperatures and later on tonight, four lows. new york city tomorrow could tie on thursday its cold est tomorrow could tie on thursday its coldest temperature however high the weekend of the cold air go back into canada where it probably belongs and we will be looking at temperatures between five and seven celsius so a big change. before we get to that, a serious side for homeless people? minneapolis, like most capital cities, has a significant homeless population. they do not have enough shelter on a regular night. police have taken to the street to help those who are either stuck outside 01’ those who are either stuck outside or who live outside, to urge them to

find shelter. churches and gymnasiums have been turned into areas for the homeless to sleep. thank you very much. the british prime minister has begun her attempt, backed by a vote in parliament, to renegotiate her brexit deal. reports suggest there's been an open and frank discussion with the president of the european council — that's usually code for a stormy exchange of views. theresa may faces stiff resistance from european leaders, who insist the so—called "backstop", to ensure there's no return to a hard irish border, must stay in place when the uk leaves the eu. this from our political editor laura kuenssberg. a different kind of meeting in his diary — the labour leader off to see his biggest rival. the prime minister leaving not to wrangle conservatives, but to talk to him. reporter: will the eu make any changes? tea and biscuits served behind closed doors in her private office in parliament. but, after a0 minutes of talks, did the labour leader and the prime minister find any common ground? serious, exploratory on the issues,

and i set out the labour case for a comprehensive customs union with the european union, in order to protectjobs in this country, and trade. reporter: can we find an alternative to the backstop? looking forward to the day today, thank you. the cabinet has already promised to redraft the arrangements for northern ireland. the backstop will have to change, and the prime minister will be negotiating with our european partners to get the very best dealfor britain. ministers will consider if the backstop, that insurance policy against a hard border, could have a time limit, or if the uk could leave when it likes, or that technology could be found to manage the border instead. but, even though she won the vote last night... questions to the prime minister. ..the problem, the prime minister well knows, is that the eu has said no to all that before. the majority in this house voted to maintain the commitment to no hard border between northern ireland and ireland, to leave

the european union with a deal, and to set out to the european union what it will take to ensure that this house can support a deal. that is a change to the backstop. that means there is, at least for now, a different mood here. tory backbenchers more used to tearing each other apart over brexit for once backing her, if she can get brussels to budge. tell the european union there is a majority in this house for that deal, and i would ask my colleagues to give the prime minister space. they're not going to crumble tomorrow. we're going to have to hold our nerve, and we can be successful. remember, the prime minister only narrowly got this place on side last night because she made a promise that she would get part of her brexit deal changed. but wanting something to happen and making it happen are very different things. and, as far as the eu's top brass are concerned, at least in public, all 28 countries shook hands on the agreement, including the so—called backstop.

so a deal is a deal, for now. the withdrawal agreement remains the best and only deal possible. european union said so in november. we said so in december. the withdrawal agreement will not be renegotiated. with the so—called backstop to protect the irish border affecting ireland, of course, the most, no surprise ireland is protesting most loudly about making a change. we in ireland are essentially being asked, as is the eu, to replace legal certainty, having negotiated that over two years, around british red lines, and to replace it with the hope of something that has yet to be proven. listening to that, it is hard to imagine there is any mood to give the prime minister what she wants fast. but if there is to be a deal, one side or the other, in the end, will have to give.

laura kuenssberg, bbc news, westminster. venezuela's president nicolas maduro has dismissed calls for new elections, but says he is prepared to talk to the opposition to try to resolve the political and economic crisis wracking the country. it's been another day of anti—government protests, called by opposition leader, juan guaido, who last week declared himself interim president. orla guerin is in caracas for us. a student leader stands alone, pleading for a better venezuela. "it's what we all deserve," he says. "think about that when you go home tonight." the security forces remain impassive. they are likely to decide the future here. and for now, it seems they are standing with president nicolas maduro. but the opposition has its foot soldiers, young activists who feel a renewed sense of hope. well, the students have brought their protest to

the edge of the highway. the opposition here wants to keep up the momentum. it says it wants peaceful demonstrations and peaceful change, but there is a real sense here that this is a critical moment for venezuela and everyone is aware of the risk of more bloodshed. larger protests are planned for saturday. the young activists we met believe their time has come. we were born in a dictatorship. we lived all our lives in a situation that gets every time worse, and this is the year that we feel we actually have an actual backing, international support. everything is colliding, so students are here to support the change in venezuela. the embattled president, nicolas maduro, popped up on state television. and he made sure to bring some friends. the message here — i'm going nowhere. but he said he was willing to talk to the opposition for the sake of peace.

and in a facebook address, a warning for donald trump — hands off our oil. supporters of the president also on the move today, doing a drive—by outside a children's hospital. drowning out a protest by parents of sick children. two sides of the divide on display in caracas. but some were determined to be heard today, like romelo cabrera, a journalism student who had joined the protest on his walking frame. "i'm here for the same reasons as everyone else," he told me. "we feel bad for our country. it's painful to see what's going on. my sister and my cousin had to flee. i want them back, i want everyone to come back to a free venezuela." the students ended their demonstration with

the national anthem. "glory to the brave," it says. "down with the chains." this is a nation poised at a crossroads. orla guerin, bbc news, caracas. and update —— and your time is quoting juan guaido saying they have had claimed claimed stine meetings with military and forces. —— claimed stay with us on bbc news. still to come: the migrants making their way in record numbers from north america to mexico. the shuttle challenger exploded soon after lift—off.

there were seven astronauts on board, one of them a woman school teacher. all of them are believed to have been killed. by the evening, tahrir square, the heart of official cairo, was in the hands of the demonstrators. they were using the word "revolution". the earthquake singled out buildings and brought them down in seconds. tonight, the search for any survivors has an increasing desperation about it as the hours pass. the new government is firmly in control of the entirely republic of uganda. moscow got its first taste of western fast food as mcdonald's opened their biggest restaurant in pushkin square. but the hundreds of muscovites who queued up today won't find it cheap, with a big mac costing half a day's wages for the average russian.

this is bbc news. the latest headlines: the north—west united states continues to freeze as polar air brings record low temperatures. the european union insists it won't renegotiate britain's brexit deal, despite the vote in parliament seeking changes to the so—called irish border backstop. zimbabwe has seen unrest this month and violent suppression, as teachers and other state workers protested at worsening economic conditions. even though the demonstrations ended almost two weeks ago, the bbc has heard testimony from victims that the army is still using brutality and sexual violence to repress opposition. and the crackdown is expected to continue, as teachers plan a nationwide strike on tuesday. the bbc‘s andrew harding sent this report. a bullet through both legs as he ran

away. soldiers shoot me. a broken arm. soldiers started beating out. zimbabwe's arm. soldiers started beating out. zimba bwe's security forces arm. soldiers started beating out. zimbabwe's security forces on the war path. assaulting these people on the streets of ferrari. and slowly women are coming forward, too. also scared to be identified. six telus they have been raped by soldiers. this woman, a young mother of two told us she believed the intention was to do write the whole neighbourhood. they slapped me. they said they want to have sex with me. after that i was so scared. the security crackdown has continued here long after violet street protests about economic hardship shook zimbabwe —— vilandt street. why is the repression continuing? why is the repression continuing? why is the repression continuing? why is it happening in the middle of the night? what is happening. and this is unprovoked now.|j

the night? what is happening. and this is unprovoked now. i think surely we can conclude that this is unprovoked. and opposition councillors still in hiding in a township scarred by the violence of the past days. families, even pets, have been assaulted here. what are you afraid of? i am afraid of being kidnapped and disappearing. zimbabwe's kidnapped and disappearing. zimba bwe's opposition kidnapped and disappearing. zimbabwe's opposition leader has ruled out died —— dialogue with the army. what we have is almost a de fa cto state army. what we have is almost a de facto state of emergency. it has not been declared but it is what we are living under. it shows you that we are back to the old days of dictatorship. the days of tyranny. the days of terror. the days of fear. a well—placed military source has told us this crackdown will continue for some time. but the president has mentioned it and soldiers have been told to use sticks and baton is, not bullets, to crush descent. the authorities

insist they are simply restoring order. and that any abuses by the security forces will be investigated. we have appealed to the complainants to come forward. then we can investigate. i think they say it again, there is no—one above the law —— i said again. they say it again, there is no—one above the law -- i said again. with zimbabwe's above the law -- i said again. with zimba bwe's lawyers marching above the law -- i said again. with zimbabwe's lawyers marching through harare, they say the law is being courted by a government intent on scaring people and administering what feels to many here like collective punishment. the north—eastern state of new hampshire was the first big primary win for donald trump in 2016. two years into his presidency, the bbc‘s aleem maqbool has been asking voters there what they make of mr trump's time in office. this was the stage where it all really started for donald trump and his campaign, a packed field of candidates he emerged an early lead

here as a presidential hopeful —— state. there has been so much action since and it is hard to imagine that we arejust at since and it is hard to imagine that we are just at the halfway point of his first term in office. well, it has been incredibly unpredictable, chaotic event, and while some have found it an exhilarating time it has not been without its carnage and its casualties and, of course, we're not talking about this race. it wasn't long before this so—called winter blast event in subzero temperatures descended into utter bedlam. 0nce they had emerged from the wreckage, what did some of the drivers here to say about the past two years? to be honest about it, i'm happy. is it perfect? no. but who is? he doesn't beat around the bush. it is a straight up guy. i think that is what the country needs. what are you

shaking your head for? he is awful. he is not a president. it is not a leader. many have asked why republicans haven't spoken out more when donald trump changed their party so radically. well, those who have voiced their concerns, like fergus cullen, have often felt out in the cold. i have lost dozens of friendships over this. recent mid—term elections, on the whole, candidates who supported donald trump, got his backing and did well, and some who didn't were made examples. the republicans are not going to abandon this guy until their seat is at risk because of him. and so the lesson that they all came from the mid—terms is if i am from a solid republican district i don't need to worry. in fact, it is harmful to me if i oppose the day. so the best they can hope for is to keep their mouth shut and instead of being cheerleaders for him. 0thers

are cheerleaders for him and they find it good for their re—election prospects. winter blast has restarted after a huge pileup. in spite of all the turbulence, donald trump continues to manoeuvre through investigations and protests and opposition, and crucially, keep his base happy. but how will he navigate the second half of what has any proven to be a tumultuous ride? something very different. there's been a big rise in the number of monarch butterflies making their annual migration from canada, through the us to mexico. the butterflies are an endangered species and hit an all—time low in 2014 — sparking a major conservation effort to protect them and their habitat. this year, there's been a 14a% rise in numbers. the ceo of the world wildlife fund in mexico isjorge rickards, he joins us from mexico city. this is a good news story and

involving a joint effort by three countries. that's right. indeed, we are very happy to share this news today. it is over six hectares of colonies of overwintering monarchs, the monarchs have flown from canada 2500 miles to get here and spend the winter in mexico. and it's very exciting indeed, because last year we had only 2.4 hectares. as you said, it is a 144% increase. this gives us hope that we might begin to see a recovery in the population of the eastern migrating population of the eastern migrating population of the monarchs. is always amazing to think of something apparently so delicate doing that kind of migration. why is the monarch butterfly so important? well, as an insect it is a pollinator and, in general, we are seeing a pollinator prices all over the world. just by itself it is important to be

concerned. —— crisis. it is a symbol in conservation as something that unites three countries. it is one of those elements that has promoted collaboration between canada, the united states, and mexico. it also involves very direct work with local communities concerning their forests here in mexico. people in the us and in canada are helping to create or rebuild habitat for the monarchs and it's a very powerful symbol and also because the conservation of the monarch butterfly is beginning to show good results here, as in the united states. so it is encouraging ina united states. so it is encouraging in a context in which all the world needs to be very, very concerned about our environment. on that point, i think there were a point of local people in mexico stopping illegal logging to help the butterflies. yes, that's right. actually, we have been working in the reserved for 25 years and in the last 14 years we have been working

very, very closely with 33 local communities. these are indigenous communities, mostly, that depend on the forest, they live within the biosphere reserve and they have made a very serious commitment to c0 nse rve a very serious commitment to conserve the forest and what we have been doing is helping them find ways to have a sustainable livelihood, getjobs in saving the forests, and, altogether, this effort has led to a very important decrease in illegal logging. several years ago, around ten yea rs logging. several years ago, around ten years ago, we had around 400 hectares of illegal logging a year. at that rate we would not have a forest demi moore, a forest reserve. in the last four years we have literally eliminated is illegal logging —— we would not have a forest there. it is good to maintain a good forest and ecosystem for the monarchs to arrive and overwinter here in mexico. thank you very much the talking to us. thank you very

much. more wildlife now. beautiful but not so consumerfriendly. a video of a tourist in australia holding a very small, quite colourful octopus in their hand is getting rather a lot of hits on the net. because the apparently unknowing traveller was palming one of the world's most venomous marine creatures — the blue—ringed octopus. experts say it holds enough venom to kill up to 20 people, although the good news — kind of — is that its actual bite is painless. social media commentators expressed their shock and concern over the video. "this is how tourists become statistics," said one reddit commentator. another said: that is unconfirmed, of course. and this too: that is it for now. thanks for watching. hello there.

we've got a potentially disruptive snowy spell of weather on the way. we've got very cold air locked in place and an area of low pressure developing over the atlantic. and it's a perfect breeding ground for a snow event as this moisture moves in across the country, bumps into the cold air — some of us are likely to see some pretty heavy sleet and snow through thursday into friday. so of course some yellow warnings are in force for snow, ice, and also the risk of freezing fog overnight through thursday into friday, it's likely to cause some disruption so stay tuned to bbc local radio and keep tuned to subsequent weather forecasts. but we start this morning on a very cold note, largely clear skies. so many places will be dry. a few wintry showers continue across the north of scotland. we'll also see some freezing fog patches developing. something else to watch out for. we could be looking at temperatures as low as —12 to —15 celsius in some of the scottish glens. so we could have ice and also risk of freezing fog to start this morning. but, on the plus side, plenty of crisp winter sunshine. now, things start to go downhill

across the south—west of england across wales and that weather system arrives, initially bringing rain and turning increasingly to snow across this part of the country. further north and east it should be relatively dry. the sunshine continuing. but it will be a cold day with increasing easterly winds. now this sleet and snow will gather force and become more widespread, pushing northwards and eastwards all the while through thursday evening and overnight. some heavy snow likely across the downs of the south—east into the midlands and certainly across southern and eastern parts of wales. by early friday this is the lying snow, a map. we could be looking at significant accumulations across parts of wales, the south—west, and the south downs, 1—4 centimetres to lower levels. a lot more than that further north. so a significant risk of ice through friday night. rain, sleet, and snow will continue to fall, become lighter and patchier, but it'll still continue to accumulate in places. we'll see wintry showers across the north—east of england and further wintry showers across the north of scotland. it's going to be a very cold night again, a significant risk of ice. now, our area of low pressure gives to migrate southwards, taking its weather fronts with it. so we'll start to see a slow improvement across the south of the country. but we could still see some rain, sleet, and snow continue

for a while throughout friday. this easterly breeze will bring more wintry showers into eastern england and eastern scotland, further wintry showers across the north of scotland. but in between we should see plenty of sunshine around, but that really won't do much for the temperatures. it is going to be another cold day. but stay tuned to the weather forecast. this time this is bbc news, the headlines: the north—west united states continues to freeze as polar air brings record low temperatures. at least 7 people have died in several states as a result of the polar vortex. many businesses are closed and in chicago schools are closed for two days. the european union insists it won't renegotiate britain's brexit deal,

despite the vote in parliament seeking changes to the so—called irish border backstop. the eu wants the backstop in place to ensure there's no return to a hard irish border. there are more street protests in venezuela as president maduro continues to refuse new elections but he says he's willing to sit down to talk to the opposition. president trump has offered his personal support to the opposition leader, juan guaido, in a phone call. he has declared himself