is given a ceremonial send—off after 16 years in office. and — norway's annual christmas tree gift to britain looks decidely down in the dumps. we'll try and cheer it up. it's seven in the morning in singapore, and midnight in berlin where major restrictions have been announced for anyone who's not vaccinated against covid19, banning them from all but essential shops in an attempt to fend off a fourth wave of the virus. and the chancellor angela merkel says vaccines may become compulsory from february. cases of the new variant, omicron, have now been confirmed in 2a countries. here's our medical editor fergus walsh. regular editor fergus walsh. in germany. intensive care at regular in germany. intensive care at this bavarian hospital lit billboards read to warn germans that the threat click next threat from covid amid its worst wave so far. the government has announced a ban on the unvaccinated entering bars, restaurants and non—essential shops. translation: this is the situation we are confronted with and it's also clear what we need to achieve first, those who've not been vaccinated yet need to so. find those who've not been vaccinated yet need to so. �* _, ., need to so. and it could go further with lans need to so. and it could go further with plans for _ need to so. and it could go further with plans for vaccination - need to so. and it could go further with plans for vaccination to - with plans for vaccination to be made mandatory as early as february next year. germany's wave is being driven by the shelter. omicron is continuing to read globally with cases confirmed in more countries including india and france. here omicron and any future variance will be combated with yet more boosters for the year after year if needed. all these jab's sg will be called mrna vaccines from pfizer allotment turn—off but the focus right now is getting this round of boosters in arms. the prime minister and had his at the hospital that saved his life last year. st. thomas is in london where he was admitted to intensive care with covid.— care with covid. what ever omicron ma or care with covid. what ever omicron may or may — care with covid. what ever omicron may or may not _ care with covid. what ever omicron may or may not be _ care with covid. what ever omicron may or may not be able _ care with covid. what ever omicron may or may not be able to - care with covid. what ever omicron may or may not be able to do, - care with covid. what ever omicron may or may not be able to do, it. may or may not be able to do, it certainly will not negate the overall value of the booster. so everybody should get your booster is soon as you're called for it. pfizer like the other— soon as you're called for it. pfizer like the other vaccine _ soon as you're called for it. pfizer like the other vaccine makers - soon as you're called for it. pfizer like the other vaccine makers is l like the other vaccine makers is already working on in omicron specific covid vaccine which could be ready in three months. in a rare interview the boss of pfizer told me he thought regular boosters would be needed. if he thought regular boosters would be needed. ., ., ., ~ ., , , needed. if we have to make a guess based on everything _ needed. if we have to make a guess based on everything i've _ needed. if we have to make a guess based on everything i've seen - needed. if we have to make a guess based on everything i've seen so - needed. if we have to make a guess based on everything i've seen so fari based on everything i've seen so far i would see that likely would be vaccination maintain very robust and very high level of protection. in the united states five to 11 the united states five to ii —year—olds are now being immunised against covid. therapy dogs providing a useful distraction. the decision on this age group in the uk may come before christmas. they had received a third of the standard does. it all means bigger and bigger profits for pfizer. revenues from its vaccine will exceed £26,000,000,000 this year. what would you say to those who regarded as a moral to cash in during a pandemic? i as a moral to cash in during a pandemic?— as a moral to cash in during a andemic? , ., ., pandemic? i believe that we have saved the global— pandemic? i believe that we have saved the global economy - pandemic? i believe that we have| saved the global economy trillions of dollars. i think it's a strong incentive for innovation, for the next pandemic and people will see that if they step up to the game to bring something that saves lives, that saves money there is also a financial reward.— that saves money there is also a financial reward. meanwhile the uk has approved _ financial reward. meanwhile the uk has approved a _ financial reward. meanwhile the uk has approved a new— financial reward. meanwhile the uk has approved a new antibody - financial reward. meanwhile the uk has approved a new antibody drug l has approved a new antibody drug which dramatically cuts the risk of severe illness. initial tests suggest it will work against omicron. it's notjust vaccines but treatments which will end this pandemic. meanwhile in south africa — the new coronavirus variant omicron has now become dominant and is driving a sharp increase in new infections. over the last week the daily number of new covid cases has increased fourfold, from less than 3,000 to more than 11,500 — three quarters of which are omicron. still — deaths and hospitalisations are rising at a lower rate. our africa correspondent andrew harding has more. it's summertime here in south africa but a shadow looms over the beaches and holiday season. a fourth wave of covid infections is spreading fast, driven by the new variant. are you worried about this new variant? ida. worried about this new variant? no, i am worried- _ worried about this new variant? no, i am worried. we _ worried about this new variant? no, i am worried. we don't _ worried about this new variant? no, i am worried. we don't know what l i am worried. we don't know what that new parents _ i am worried. we don't know what that new parents like _ i am worried. we don't know what that new parents like so... - i am worried. we don't know what. that new parents like so... exactly. we don't _ that new parents like so... exactly. we don't know how it will affect us now _ we don't know how it will affect us now and — we don't know how it will affect us now and it — we don't know how it will affect us now. and it makes you really scared. the liberatory here in first identified the omicron variant are racing to unlock its secrets. and now the first hints are emergent of what the mutations of the virus mean. i what the mutations of the virus mean. ~' what the mutations of the virus mean. ~ , ., ., .., mean. i think the epidemiological evidence is _ mean. i think the epidemiological evidence is that _ mean. i think the epidemiological evidence is that we _ mean. i think the epidemiological evidence is that we think - mean. i think the epidemiological evidence is that we think it's - mean. i think the epidemiological| evidence is that we think it's more likely to get reinfected if you had covid before her. so that is because of the mutations of the spike protein. we don't know much about transmissibility but i think, looking at the mutational formation we think it may be more transmissible than even delta. in terms of clinical problems, we have no evidence that this is a more severe virus then let's say, dell saw or even beat out.— severe virus then let's say, dell saw or even beat out. that bears repeating- _ saw or even beat out. that bears repeating. although _ saw or even beat out. that bears repeating. although hospital- repeating. although hospital admissions are rising sharply it won't be an all clear at least for a week or two whether the omicron variant is more severe, more dangerous. in the meantime, above all in rural south africa another problem lurks. vaccine hesitancy. he tells a visiting health worker that he won't get a second one even with the new wave of infection. do you find it frustrating, all these people saying... it find it frustrating, all these people saying. . ._ find it frustrating, all these people saying... it is, it is very frustrating- _ people saying... it is, it is very frustrating. we _ people saying... it is, it is very frustrating. we believe - people saying... it is, it is very frustrating. we believe that. people saying... it is, it is very frustrating. we believe that if. people saying... it is, it is very i frustrating. we believe that if all of us have already vaccinated we would be safe. has of us have already vaccinated we would be safe.— of us have already vaccinated we would be safe. has the night as this virus spreads _ would be safe. has the night as this virus spreads across _ would be safe. has the night as this virus spreads across south - would be safe. has the night as this virus spreads across south africa i virus spreads across south africa the real problem here is not a lack of vaccine, is the fact that younger people seem very reluctant to get a jab for that which is where these activist come in. trying to persuade the public in a country where so far only a third of adults are fully vaccinated.— only a third of adults are fully vaccinated. , , ,., , ., vaccinated. the guys said they would like to no vaccinated. the guys said they would like to go and — vaccinated. the guys said they would like to go and take _ like to go and take their vaccination after we hear the talk. success! success and we thank you thame by clapping hands. {line success! success and we thank you thame by clapping hands. one small victo . but thame by clapping hands. one small victory. but south _ thame by clapping hands. one small victory. but south africa _ thame by clapping hands. one small victory. but south africa has - thame by clapping hands. one small victory. but south africa has a - victory. but south africa has a fight on its hands. to the uk now — where the governing conservative party is facing a test of its popularity after allegations of sleaze. it's hoping to hold onto the parliamentary seat of old bexley and sidcup in a by—election being held after the death of the former cabinet ministerjames brokenshire. let's talk to matt cole who's keeping an eye on the returns for us. great to have you on the programme. this is normally one of the safest seeds for the conservative party but possibly not this time. what are the exit polls telling us about how voters are feeling? we exit polls telling us about how voters are feeling?— exit polls telling us about how voters are feeling? we don't have exit olls voters are feeling? we don't have exit polls as _ voters are feeling? we don't have exit polls as such _ voters are feeling? we don't have exit polls as such but _ voters are feeling? we don't have exit polls as such but what - voters are feeling? we don't have exit polls as such but what we - voters are feeling? we don't have exit polls as such but what we are getting on the ground, people have been out and about in the constituency during the course of the day, reports that turned out in this by election could be very low. some people have been in polling station suggests maybe as a few as 11% of eligible voters. if that were replicated across the whole of the constituency that would be an incredibly low turnout indeed. counting is under way behind me. these are where the ballots are all being counted now. they've been under way for about an hour and ten minutes now. the first thing that far side of the gymnasium you could see the shutter doors, that's with the boxes are being brought through. they are verified and brought to the table behind me for counting. we expect potentially we could get a result around about 2am, that's a really uk so that's about three hours from now. if turnout is low as some are saying it could be sooner than that. the conservatives did win his seat in the last election with the majority ofjust under 19,000 over then there is rivals labour. it would take quite something to overturn that but if turnout is as low as people say it could be a lot closer than people have thought it was going to be. closer than people have thought it was going to be— closer than people have thought it was going to be. on that ma'ority, it will be quite. fl was going to be. on that ma'ority, it will be quite, iffi was going to be. on that ma'ority, it will be quite, if that fl was going to be. on that majority, it will be quite, if that happens - it will be quite, if that happens given the low election turnout, how much pressure is this putting on borisjohnson? i much pressure is this putting on boris johnson?_ much pressure is this putting on boris johnson? i think there will be a lot of questions _ boris johnson? i think there will be a lot of questions for _ boris johnson? i think there will be a lot of questions for boris - boris johnson? i think there will be a lot of questions for boris johnsonj a lot of questions for borisjohnson if this seat were to be lost. people have been running up on the doorstep issues with his leadership for the claims in the last 48 hours of seo about christmas parties that may have taken place at downing street over last christmas when covid would've prevented them. those claims and counterclaims are not going away at the moment. boris johnson did a big speech a week or so ago to the confederation of british industry here, it didn't go down too well. he made references to the public cartoon character peppa pig- the public cartoon character peppa pig. he stumbled, lost his place in his speech, his performance as a prime minister has been questioned here. if the seat is held those questions won't necessarily intensify as a consequence is what happens here but in the unlikely since it scenarios laws expect those questions arise with a one boris johnson is always held out for his being a winner of election. if that power seems to be slept the questions about his leadership could really intensify. questions about his leadership could really intensify-— really intensify. thank you for kee - in: really intensify. thank you for keeping an — really intensify. thank you for keeping an eye _ really intensify. thank you for keeping an eye on _ really intensify. thank you for keeping an eye on that - really intensify. thank you for keeping an eye on that story. for us. let's take a look at some of the stories in the headlines in the uk... labour has called for an investigation into whether a party at downing street last december complied with covid regulations. the prime minister borisjohnson has insisted that no rules were broken. a representative of the �*covid bereaved families forjustice' group, whose father died of the virus last christmas, has called the alleged downing street party "hypocritical" and "disgusting". the army is being brought in to help people in scotland in the aftermath of storm arwen. across scotland and northern england around 16 thousand homes are still without power — nearly a week after the storm hit. the majority are expected to get their power restored by the end of the week if you want to get in touch with me i'm on twitter — @bbckarishma you're watching newsday on the bbc. still to come on the programme... protesting indian farmers — who forced prime minister narendra modi to repeal controversial farm laws — say their fight is far from over. it's quite clear that the worst victims of this to the ouster of the poor people living in islam which is brought up around the factory. the children brought up around the factory. iie: children die brought up around the factory. tie: children die in front of me and i can't do anything.— children die in front of me and i can't do anything. charles manson is the mystical— can't do anything. charles manson is the mystical leader _ can't do anything. charles manson is the mystical leader suspected - the mystical leader suspected of killing _ the mystical leader suspected of killing and at least six other people _ killing and at least six other people in los angeles. at killing and at least six other people in los angeles.- killing and at least six other people in los angeles. at 11 o'clock this morning _ people in los angeles. at 11 o'clock this morning just _ people in los angeles. at 11 o'clock this morning just half— people in los angeles. at 11 o'clock this morning just half a _ people in los angeles. at 11 o'clock this morning just half a metre - people in los angeles. at 11 o'clock this morning just half a metre of. this morning just half a metre of rock separated _ this morning just half a metre of rock separated britain _ this morning just half a metre of rock separated britain from - rock separated britain from continental _ rock separated britain from continental europe. - rock separated britain from continental europe. it - rock separated britain from continental europe. it took| rock separated britain from . continental europe. it took the drills— continental europe. it took the drillsjust — continental europe. it took the drills just a _ continental europe. it took the drillsjust a few— continental europe. it took the drills just a few moments - continental europe. it took the drills just a few moments to i continental europe. it took the l drills just a few moments to cut through— drills just a few moments to cut through the _ drills just a few moments to cut through the final— drills just a few moments to cut through the final obstacle. - drills just a few moments to cut through the final obstacle. a i through the final obstacle. a pioneer— through the final obstacle. a pioneer from _ through the final obstacle. a pioneer from calais - through the final obstacle. a pioneer from calais it- through the final obstacle. a pioneer from calais it was i through the final obstacle. a - pioneer from calais it was shaking hands _ pioneer from calais it was shaking hands and — pioneer from calais it was shaking hands and exchanging _ pioneer from calais it was shaking hands and exchanging his - pioneer from calais it was shakingl hands and exchanging his opposite member_ hands and exchanging his opposite member from _ hands and exchanging his opposite member from dover. _ this is newsday on the bbc. i'm karishma vaswani, in singapore, our headlines... germany says those who refuse to have a covid jab will be barred from public life. a vaccine mandate will likely be introduced from february. and south african officials say the omicron variant is driving a sharp increase in covid infections across the country. thousands of farmers in india whose protests forced prime minister narendra modi to repeal controversial farm laws, say their fight is far from over. they remain camped on the outskirts of delhi, where they've been for more than a year, protesting legislation that would have overhauled the agriculture sector. one point of contention — the farmers want the government to provide a legal guarantee of a minimum price for the crops they sell, known as the minimum support price, or msp. the bbc�*s india business correspondent arunoday mukharji spoke to rakesh tikait the most prominent leader of the protests on whats next for the farmers. you can watch more of that interview in our special report on the farmers protest that captured global attention. on talking business asia, shown at these times this weekend. angela merkel has been given a ceremonial send—off in germany after 16 years in office. it comes days before parliament is due to officially elect social democat olaf scholz as her successor as chancellor. today's military ceremony, known as a "grosser zapfenstreich", is the highest tribute paid by the german army. let's listen to some of what mrs merkel had to say. translation: as i stand here before you today i feel such _ thankfulness and very humble. humble before the role that i was allowed to work in for so long, thankfulness for the trust that i was allowed, trust is the most important thing in politics and it is anything but a given. and for that, i wholeheartedly thank you. angela merkel�*s choice of music for the choreographed event raised some eyebrows. it included this communist—era hit by the "godmother of punk" nina hagen, handpicked by mrs merkel herself. asked about the song — "you forgot the colour film" — mrs merkel said it harked back to her younger days in east germany. let's get more from damian mcguinness, who was watching the ceremony. every leaving chance i would get this ceremony. but they don't quite do it the same way as angela merkel. she's known to be quite a reticent character with a good sense of humour. and the song she's chosen and have really surprise everyone. when you look back a shows a couple of songs in the ceremony, when schroeder t shows i did it my way by frank sinatra which is a bit about his personality. angela merkel has chosen three very different songs, reflecting your own personality one and a 19th—century christian him. she grew up the daughter of a pastor. the second song was a very famous song a 1940s, �*50s actors and very famous singer in berlin. and the third song that really do people buy supplies by nina hagen who became big as a punk in the �*80s in berlin but actually grew up in east germany and they are produced a very famous pop song. it is that pop song, quite an ironic song a witty take and it's well known in former communist east germany that anger tonight angela merkel has chosen. that's got people talking because it reflects a bit about her own roots that until quite recently didn't really talk about. also shows again her sense of humour. because a song is all about a girlfriend telling of a boyfriend because he forgot to bring, he forgot to load the camera with colour film instead bring, he forgot to load the camera with colourfilm instead of bring, he forgot to load the camera with colour film instead of using black and white film. it's a witty take about how black—and—white and grey the former communist east germany was back then. it really reflects a bit about angela merkel personality. let's take a look at some other stories in the headlines... the united states has reinstated a controversial migration policy that orders asylum seekers to return to mexico while they wait for their applications to be processed. the programme was introduced by the former president, donald trump, and criticised by the biden administration, which revoked it earlier this year. but in august the supreme court ordered its resumption. schools and colleges in delhi have been ordered to close until further notice. it comes after the supreme court criticised the city government for reopening them last week, despite "very poor" air quality. they had been closed for nearly 15 days, due to a spike in air pollution. a leading adviser to the european union's top court, has said the eu should press ahead with measures to cut payments to member states, who breach the rule of law. poland and hungary could lose millions, over accusations that they're not upholding democratic rights. they've launched a legal challenge — but the advocate general says, that should be dismissed, because the eu is not exceeding its powers. now before we go — in the last hour president biden has been lighting new york saw the lighting of the rockefeller christmas tree topped with a 900 ball crystal star of course. but spare a thought for london. of a christmas tree from norway has received quite a cold reception. the 21 meter tall has been ridiculed online, with one twitter users asking "where the rest of it is" whilst another asked whether the uk "had gone to war with norway". it's fair to say that it's not the most festive of trees. but — no need to fear — surely even the saddest tree can sparkle during the festive season. here to explain how is benjamin bradley — presenter of the netflix series �*holiday home makeover with mr christmas'. it's really wonderful to have you on the programme. certainly with such a suitably festive background to boot. just looking at the trees there from the rockefeller tree to the white house tree, how bad does the london tree look? ~ �* , , ., tree look? well, let's be grateful, it is the season _ tree look? well, let's be grateful, it is the season of _ tree look? well, let's be grateful, it is the season of hope. - tree look? well, let's be grateful, it is the season of hope. yes, - tree look? well, let's be grateful, it is the season of hope. yes, it's| it is the season of hope. yes, it's rather sad and meagre looking tree when you compare to other trees in the other countries and particularly the other countries and particularly the rockefeller tree which is the pinnacle of all christmas tree, i believe, yes. pinnacle of all christmas tree, i believe. yes-— pinnacle of all christmas tree, i believe, es. ~ , ., ., ., believe, yes. when you look at that and liven believe, yes. when you look at that and given the _ believe, yes. when you look at that and given the fact _ believe, yes. when you look at that and given the fact that _ believe, yes. when you look at that and given the fact that you - believe, yes. when you look at that and given the fact that you are - believe, yes. when you look at that and given the fact that you are the l and given the fact that you are the king of christmas, i think it's fair to say, what would you do to spruce up to say, what would you do to spruce up london's christmas tree? i looked at it and yes. — up london's christmas tree? i looked at it and yes. l _ up london's christmas tree? i looked at it and yes, i look _ up london's christmas tree? i looked at it and yes, i look at _ up london's christmas tree? i looked at it and yes, i look at it _ up london's christmas tree? i looked at it and yes, i look at it rather- at it and yes, i look at it rather closely. being that it is norway's tradition to string lights vertically as they do, that's a little challenging. and then there aren't other elements on battery that would help it fill out a little bit. i do believe they could drill some holes into the trunk and insert some holes into the trunk and insert some additional branches, would be helpful because the tree does look a little bare on its backside. i also thought that it's very possible that they could pull the lights out as opposed to following the dimensions of the tree may be steak the lights out to get the tree little broader effect during the evening hours, at least. some ornaments would help but i know that's not particularly traditionalfor i know that's not particularly traditional for you guys. i know that's not particularly traditionalfor you guys. but, yes, it needed a few more years of growth, i'm afraid.— it needed a few more years of growth, i'm afraid. yeah, ithink that's a polite _ growth, i'm afraid. yeah, ithink that's a polite way _ growth, i'm afraid. yeah, ithink that's a polite way to _ growth, i'm afraid. yeah, ithink that's a polite way to put - growth, i'm afraid. yeah, ithink that's a polite way to put it, - that's a polite way to put it, benjamin. i know your massive christmas enthusiast was up briefly, some top tips to make christmas with great this year. i some top tips to make christmas with great this year-— great this year. i think this year because of— great this year. i think this year because of the _ great this year. i think this year because of the pandemic - great this year. i think this year because of the pandemic being| great this year. i think this year| because of the pandemic being a little less imposing than it was last year i think a lot of people can go all out. tips for me would be again, follow your heart. for me more is always more. that's the sad thing about the trafalgar square tree is that more branches would've been good. more autonomous, more food, more family, more friends the more you can do this year i think the better because we really need to herald in holidays.— herald in holidays. sorry to cut you off, herald in holidays. sorry to cut you off. ltenjamin- _ herald in holidays. sorry to cut you off, benjamin. wonderful- herald in holidays. sorry to cut you off, benjamin. wonderful to - herald in holidays. sorry to cut you off, benjamin. wonderfulto have i off, benjamin. wonderful to have you on the programme have a very merry christmas indeed. that's it from us. hello there. it's been very cold today, but on the plus side, there's been a lot of wintry sunshine around. and that's all thanks to a ridge of high pressure. tomorrow, a different story. aot more cloud around, but with that, some slightly less cold or even milder air pushing in. now this ridge of high pressure is what's brought us a lot of the fine weather today. this frontal system already pushing into northern ireland and scotland will bring thicker cloud and outbreaks of rain, but there is a wedge of milder air trapped into it. and that'll be slowly working its way eastward through tonight. so, a wet start to the night across northern and western areas. eventually that rain will push southwards and eastwards, a bit of a clearance here with some blustery showers. we will continue to see some snow on it leading edge as it bumps into the cold air. as temperatures rise across all areas by the end of night, then that sleety, snowiness will revert back to rain. and it will be a milder—feeling day tomorrow, particularly for england and wales. could start with double figures across the far south west. a little less cold, as well, too, for scotland, northern ireland. but there will be more cloud around, earlier rain clears from south east and leaves a legacy of cloud. probably the best of this sunshine in scotland, but here, blustery showers rattling their way into western areas and a new weather system pushing into the far south west will bring wetter weather to south west england and south wales. notice the temperatures in the south, 11, 12, 13 degrees, less cold further north, too. that rain pushes eastwards across southern britain for friday night. plenty of showers packed into northern and western areas through the night as well, and they will be turning increasingly wintry. that sets the scene for the weekend. it's going be turning colder again and we will see quite a few shows around, but there will be some sunshine too. this area of low pressure will be pushing to the north of the uk and parking itself across the north sea. we are in a run of fairly brisk cold northwesterley winds saturday, that'll be pushing plenty of blustery showers to northern and western areas initially. and then as some weather fronts push southeastwards, that will enhance the showers so they could become a bit more widespread into the afternoon. some sunshine in between, but it's going to be a cold day. it's cold, frosty start for many on sunday. but there will be probably more sunshine around generally, certainly through the morning. a few coastal showers, most of these across north sea coasts. these showers may tend to work their way further inland through the day. but it's going to be another cold day. this is bbc news, the headlines health officials in south africa say the new omicron variant of covid has become the dominant strain. infections jumped to 11 and a half thousand on thursday — a four—fold increase in a week. germany has announced tough new measures for people who have not been vaccinated. they are set to be banned from many public facilities and non essential shops. a vote on whether to enforce mandatory vaccinations will also take place. a majority in the us house of representatives have approved a bill to avoid a partial government shutdown. federal agency funding — that would have expired on friday — has been extended through to february 18th. and just days before her successor is appointed, chancellor angela merkel has been given a ceremonial send—off by the german military after 16 years in office. she officially steps down next week.