countries around the world are seeing in the new year with scaled back celebrations as the omicron variant continues to drive up covid infections. covid infections in the uk reach a new high it s estimated one in 30 people would have tested positive in the run up to christmas. one study suggests the risk of hospitalisation with omicron is about one third that of the delta variant. wildfires rip through parts of colorado in the united states destroying hundreds of homes and forcing tens of thousands to evacuate the area. and mourners in south africa have been paying their respects to the late archbishop desmond tutu. now on bbc news, mel brooks talks to alan yentob about his life.
this is bbc news broadcasting to viewers in the uk and around the world. our top stories. they ve been welcoming in 2022 in australia with a firework display in sydney harbour but around the world many celebrations are cancelled or scaled back due to concerns over covid. china is attempting to stick to a zero covid strategy ahead of its lunar new year celebrations and the beijing winter olympics. one in 30 people in the uk were estimated to have tested positive for covid heading into christmas a new record high for infections. mourners in south africa have been paying their respects to the late archbishop desmond tutu. wildfires rip through parts of colorado in the united states destroying hundreds of homes and forcing tens of thousands to evacuate the area.
of the delta variant. china is attempting to stick to a zero covid strategy ahead of its lunar new year celebrations and the beijing winter olympics. wildfires rip through parts of colorado in the united states destroying hundreds of homes and forcing tens of thousands to evacuate the area. and mourners in south africa have been paying their respects to the late archbishop desmond tutu. hello and welcome. before we move to today s news let s go to beijing and the ceremony there welcoming in the new year.
with scaled back celebrations as the omicron variant continues to drive up covid infections. covid infections in the uk reach a new high its estimated one in 30 people would have tested positive in the run up to christmas. one study suggests the risk of hospitalisation with omicron is about one third that of the delta variant. wildfires rip through parts of colorado in the united states destroying hundreds of homes and forcing tens of thousands to evacuate the area. and mourners in south africa have been paying their respects to the late archbishop desmond tutu. now on bbc news, mel brooks talks to alan yentob about his life.
or humanitarian effort in a more coordinated and a more orderly manner, and this goes for all the sides. reporter: and for those afghans who have managed to leave the country, another challenge now awaits, adjusting to a new life in a foreign land. hundreds now seeking temporary shelter here in northern virginia. this young father, whose identity is concealed, saying he s grateful to america for keeping his family safe. now we are safe. now here, appreciated for your help, appreciated for your kindnesses, for everything. reporter: despite an increase in the numbers of afghans getting through to the airport and out of the country, there are still far more people waiting to be evacuated from afghanistan than have managed to flee. and tonight a serious warning from a senior diplomat here in kabul, who believes that not all afghans who are eligible to get out will be allowed to do so. linsey. so much uncertainty remains, ian, thank you.