'BEAST FROM THE EAST' KEEPS EUROPE IN DEEP FREEZE

Warning of risk to homeless as deadly Arctic snap bites

PARIS - Fresh heavy snowfalls and icy blizzards were predicted to lash Europe on Thursday as the region shivers in a deadly deep-freeze that has gripped countries from the far north to the Mediterranean south.

Schools are shut and weather agencies predict the brutal cold will continue as the death toll from the freezing snap rose to around 48 since Feb 23, with icy conditions causing accidents and endangering vulnerable rough sleepers.