It s a similar story injapan, where heavy snow in the north and surrounding areas has left more than a dozen people dead and at least 80 injured. over 10,000 households have also been left without power, and the meteorological agency has warned that snowstorms and high waves along the sea of japan coast could lead to snow drifts up to 60 centimetres deep. thousands of people are gathered in st peter s square in the vatican to hear pope francis deliver his christmas day message, where he is expected to offer prayers for war torn ukraine. these are the live pictures now. this year marks the tenth year of his papacy. the 86 year old head of the catholic church is to address the faithful from the central balcony of st peter s basilica in the vatican, before delivering the urbi et orbi blessing.
Awful lot in the build up to these games and indeed afterwards when she was talking to the media, she did not answer questions directly and instead she read out a statement in which she thanked the new zealand olympic committee for all their support in the build up to these games. she said it was quite a difficult time. she said. so those are the words of laurel hubbard as she made history at the olympic games here in tokyo. quickly, what is happening today? i note simone biles is in focus again. i think everybody around the world who is offended gymnastics and is indeed seeing the story play out over the less we will be interested to see simone biles finally competing again at the last week she has been through, pulling out after that team event due to mental health issues where she has been struggling
Anybody, including athletes. all the latest on the reaction anybody, including athletes. all the latest on the reaction to anybody, including athletes. all the latest on the reaction to that - anybody, including athletes. all the latest on the reaction to that story. latest on the reaction to that story in japan. latest on the reaction to that story injapan. there is much more about this story. much more about this on our website, as well as more detail about what life is like in belarus these days. just log to bbc.com/news or download the bbc app. you will get all the latest there. let s take a look at some of the stories in the headlines in the uk. the uk reopened its borders to large parts of the world on monday, with fully vaccinated travellers from the us and eu able to arrive without needing to quarantine. industry bosses have welcomed the move, but are urging ministers to go even further in reopening international travel. the government is tweaking the nhs covid i9 app in en
Rupert wingfield hayes, bbc news, in tokyo. let s go live to tokyo and speak to our correspondent mariko oi. great to have you on the programme. as rupert was saying, there has been some relief in tokyo that this matter seems to have been resolved. has there been much press coverage injapan? what is the reaction to this story injapan? well, i have seen the story being covered on local news programmes, and so it s definitely not the top story. i have grabbed some newspapers for you, and it s still very much the surge that we are seeing in covid i9 cases but also have the government is now asked people to stay at home unless their symptoms are really serious, indicating that hospitals are getting somewhat overwhelmed. but still a lot of articles about those medals won by japanese athletes yesterday in a wrestling as well as in gymnastics. also when it comes to
Sport newspapers, a lot of excitement about japan winning against the us, two more victories until the gold medal it says. but i thought it was interesting when it comes to that belarusian athlete that there have been some comparisons made also media how she, a white female athlete, has been treated compared to the ugandan athlete who tried to run away but was sent home. of course it s not as simple as just about there skin colours. one tread one away from his hotel room and the other sought help through unofficial channel. but i thought it was interesting how some are making a comment about and also how because she was seeking asylum elsewhere, not here injapan, that may have prohibited to the way she was treated, some argued, though of course because that s partly because japan rarely grants asylum to anybody, including athletes. mil japan rarely grants asylum to anybody, including athletes. all the latest on the