there's no conceivable way we will stop the spread of the new variant omicron. it is already in 45 countries, it is present in 17 states in america. over 300 people now have it in the uk. on top of that the figures worldwide are widely skewed, some countries much better at genomic sequencing than others. the suspicion will be that its starting to fuel a fourth wave. in the us the number of daily covid—19 is back at 120,000 the first time it's been there since early october. however there is promising news on the vaccine front, the concerns over the spread of the omicron variant, has led to an increased take up of the vaccinate in the last week. these are figures are for the us. but there is a similar trend worldwide. the threat of a fourth wave is testing the patience of political leaders. there are tighter mandates coming in austria and germany, and today the mayor of new york bill de blasio announced that everyone in his city will need to be vaccinated if they want to go to work, by the 27th december. sophie hutchinson has this report this scottish school, the first in the uk to be suspected of an omicron outbreak. parents were told last night to keep pupils away and switch to remote learning after two classes and multiple teachers had to self—isolate. this afternoon, the health secretary told mps omicron had now been reported in 52 countries around the world, and that in the uk, there was community transmission in multiple regions. we don't yet have a complete picture of whether omicron causes more severe disease or indeed how it interacts with the vaccines, and so we can't say for certain at this point whether omicron has the potential to knock us off our road to recovery. and labour responded, calling on ministers to commit to a framework of tighter controls for the future. but given the likelihood of new variants, will the government now introduced as a standard response to new variants overseas introducing stronger border controls, testing and contact tracing, so the government isn't again accused of locking the door after the horse has bolted? just how concerned we should be about omicron is the big unknown. scientists are working around the clock to test whether it can evade vaccines, but there is no lab test for whether it causes serious disease. that data will come from infected communities, and it may be many weeks before we have the answer. officialfigures for the uk put the number of omicron cases at over 300, but some believe the true figure may be more than 1000. the early signs are that it - will probably spread quite quickly and probably start out—competing delta and become the dominant. i variant probably within the next i weeks, or a month or so at least. the likelihood is, therefore, that by christmas, there'll be a lot more omicron around, and perhaps by then, we'll have a slightly better understanding ofjust how this new variant will affect us. sophie hutchinson, bbc news. let's speak to dr tom friedan, president and ceo of resolve to save lives and former director of the centres for disease control. doctor, lovely to have you back on the programme. the good news is that 75% of people in america have had one jab, the bad news, which we have just shown our viewers is that the daily covid cases are climbing again. as some of that, do you think i'm a down to the spread of the omicron variant, or is this the leg from the thanksgiving weekend? what from the thanksgiving weekend? what we are auoin from the thanksgiving weekend? what we are going to — from the thanksgiving weekend? iw�*iat we are going to see is from the thanksgiving weekend? wiat we are going to see is a from the thanksgiving weekend? writ we are going to see is a hard winter. we have delta spreading widely, increasing before omicron becomes widespread. we have the beginning of flu season, and then inevitably, omicron will come. there are three fundamental questions about the new variance first, does it spread more readily than delta? the answer seems to be yes. second, does it evade our vaccine —induced are naturally created immunity, and we do not know the answer to that question, and that is urgent to find out. third, does it cause disease thatis out. third, does it cause disease that is more or less severe than delta and other variants, and we won't know that for some time. omicron now in 17 states in america, does that suggest the horse is already out of the stable? when you look at something _ already out of the stable? when you look at something like _ already out of the stable? when you look at something like a _ already out of the stable? when you look at something like a travel- look at something like a travel restriction, you have to understand, that may delay spread by three or four days, maybe a week or two, but what it does this buy your time, by your time to find out more, to strengthen test and trace, to remind people that vaccination, masking, rr does strongest tools to fight covid. —— two strongest wells. those jewels have been affected by partisan politics here in the us, and that is unfortunate. vaccinating and masking are really important, we are seeing still a pandemic of the unvaccinated here with more than 1,000 deaths a day in the us almost entirely of unvaccinated individuals. the ni . erian unvaccinated individuals. the nigerian ambassador to london said today that what he is seeing is travel apartheid, that the eight african nations that the united states has banned have, yes, have cases, but then britain has 300 cases, but then britain has 300 cases and britain is not banned from the united states, why is south africa band when there are 17 states in america that already have omicron cases. you can see his point. absolutely. i would hope in the coming days that travel restrictions will be lifted and made blankets. that may mean that everyone needs to get a test when they arrive, that something that the us hasn't done yet. the uk has done, the efficacy of that remains to be seen, but we have to understand that we are connected, that's notjust a motto, it's the truth. when a disease that is highly infectious and marriage is anywhere in the world, it can spread, as we are seeing now, in real time quite quickly. that's why we need to double down on what works. vaccination, masks and understanding that the decisions we make about whether to go to a bar or restaurant, those are personal decisions, but we should make them based on the best into the next available information stapley could ever imagine a year ago a city mayor, the mayor of a major city like new york telling people they won't be allowed go to work unless they have a vaccine. if you stand back from that, that's pretty remarkable. vaccine mandates have a long history. one thing that is really important for people to understand is that what you do, the choices you make may determine whether somebody else lives or dies. this is not a new issue. the issue has been an important one about influenza vaccination for people who work and care homes, and what we call nursing homes here for the elderly. it's been proven that for people who work in nursing homes get vaccinated for the people who live there, the residents are less likely to die during flu season. so many people, myself and others have been calling for a mandate to vaccinate health care workers who work in nursing homes because that is required to protect the lives of their patients. it required to protect the lives of their patients.— required to protect the lives of their patients. it certainly leads to hiuher their patients. it certainly leads to higher rates _ their patients. it certainly leads to higher rates of _ their patients. it certainly leads to higher rates of vaccination. l their patients. it certainly leads l to higher rates of vaccination. we have seen already in france over here in europe, but it will be interesting to see how people react to that mandate that de blasio has put down and whether other american cities follow suit.— cities follow suit. mandates are controversial. _ cities follow suit. mandates are controversial. they _ cities follow suit. mandates are controversial. they are - cities follow suit. mandates are controversial. they are already| controversial. they are already being challenged in the courts, and the fact is when we look at public health measures, to have 85% of people agreeing with them, that's very high. the overwhelming majority of people do agree with the need for vaccination, have gotten vaccinated, agree with mandates, agree that masking and mask mandates for indoor crowded spaces, but there are people who very evenhandedly disagree, and thatis who very evenhandedly disagree, and that is something that will have to be fought out in the courts and the legislature. be fought out in the courts and the leaislature. ., , be fought out in the courts and the legislature-— legislature. doctor, very grateful for our legislature. doctor, very grateful for your time _ legislature. doctor, very grateful for your time this _ legislature. doctor, very grateful for your time this evening. - legislature. doctor, very grateful| for your time this evening. thank you. for your time this evening. thank ou. . ~' for your time this evening. thank ou. . ~ , ., the british goverment has set out a ten year strategy for dealing with drugs in england and wales. the prime minister says the focus will be on tackling the drug gangs, supporting the treatment and rehabiliation of drug addicts, and a greater focus on discouraging the occasional users, with threats to take away their passport or driving licence. £780 million will be spent on improving treatment services over the next three years. £300m has been pledged to crack down on drug gangs. it's thought there are more than 260,000 heroin addicts in england and almost a million people using cocaine every year in england and wales. much of the crime is drug related — they estimate more than half of burglary and shoplifting offences are committed by addits — which costs the english economy around around 20 billion pounds a year. our home affairs editor, mark easton, reports. police! as officers conducted raids against suspected drug dealers in liverpool this morning, the prime minister donned a police beanie. the visual message was that enforcement remains at the heart of his drugs strategy, getting tough with the estimated 300,000 heroin and cocaine addicts, but borisjohnson also hinted at a huge financial announcement to come. you've got to do two things at once. you've got be tougher on the county lines gangs, you've got to be tougher on the criminals who are doing it, but you've also got to make sure that you find those 300,000 people and you help them away. you can't simply arrest them time after time and put them back in prison again and again. you've got to do rehab as well. the £780 million for treatment and recovery programmes in england will provide for more drugs workers, more residential rehab places and morejob opportunities to help people stay off drugs. overall, a far bigger settlement than expected. the last two drugs strategies have been accompanied with lots of promises, but no cash. so, it makes a welcome change to have a drugs strategy that is backed up with the cash that is needed to invest in effective drug treatment services. essex police recently conducted raids in southend and other towns in the county to disrupt the dealers, but despite decades of such activity, drug gangs still control an illicit business which costs britain £20 billion a year and reaches into almost every community. the government wants to demonstrate it's taking on the dealers and the addicts who bring fear and misery to neighbourhoods like this, but those who work in the field say the key to reducing drug harms is to see the problem as a public health issue, not a criminaljustice one. on the estate a few years back, . there was quite a lot of drug use... marie started injecting heroin to escape the reality of a violent domestic life on this southend estate. in and out of prison, her children were taken into care. now, after treatment, she's clean and runs a charity helping other drug users in the city. if you were the prime minister, what would you do to solve britain's drugs problem? chuck a load of money into - treatment...treatment facilities. open up the 30—odd treatment centres that they've had closed down— in the last ten years. i've stood at enough people's funerals in the last ten yearsi watching little children - bury their mothers and fathers. the government don't get to see that side of it. - i came to recovery because of my drug usage... today's announcement, though, goes a long way to reversing the cuts to treatment over the last decade. and the users at marie's southend service are hoping that some of the money might help fund the work currently paid for from charity. coming here and connecting with all these people and all that, it'sjust, i'm not alone. i mean, i thought it wasjust me that wasjust crackers. but, you know what i mean, it ain't, though. dame carol black, who recently wrote a review of drugs policy for the government, joined the health secretary this afternoon at a needle exchange. she welcomes the focus on public health interventions. we do want county lines - to disappear, but unless you give equal balance to treatment. and recovery, we're really not going to move forward. the public may want reassurance that police and the courts are dealing with the scourge of drug crime, but the evidence suggests it's a focus on treatment that will make the real difference. mark easton, bbc news. dr kojo koram is a lecturer at birkbeck school of law, university of london and the author of "the world on drugs and the global colour line". how difficult will it be to meet their quota?— how difficult will it be to meet their auota? . ~' ,, ., ., their quota? thank you for having me. i their quota? thank you for having me- i think— their quota? thank you for having me. i think the _ their quota? thank you for having me. i think the evidence - their quota? thank you for having me. i think the evidence has - their quota? thank you for having i me. i think the evidence has shown that whilst policing is an element of any kind of drug strategy, we know that what really works is public health. we know that an investment in drug treatment programmes is what is going to make the difference and a relationship to county lines programmes, the closing down of one county line usually leads to the popping up of another one somewhere else. i think what is underneath the headlines of this particular strategy is the actual money that's being put into drug treatment services, and that is welcome, but i think we need to move away from this kind of tough on crime hard on drugs rhetoric that we hear all the time without any evidence. hear all the time without any evidence-— hear all the time without any evidence. ~ ., , ., ., ., evidence. would you agree with one ofthe evidence. would you agree with one of the senior — evidence. would you agree with one of the senior officers _ evidence. would you agree with one of the senior officers who _ evidence. would you agree with one of the senior officers who spoke - of the senior officers who spoke today who said it is largely about educating the middle—class, the who have money who take cocaine, fenton all on the weekend, the recreational use areas who fail to recognise what sort of impact and effect this has lower down the supply chain? i think it's very easy — lower down the supply chain? i think it's very easy to _ lower down the supply chain? i think it's very easy to try _ lower down the supply chain? i think it's very easy to try and _ lower down the supply chain? i think it's very easy to try and create - lower down the supply chain? i think it's very easy to try and create the i it's very easy to try and create the separation between middle—class drug users and working—class drug users, drug dealers, drug users, and in reality, these lines are a lot more blurred. i think that rather than trying to control and dampen down and raise demand, we have been talking about getting rid of drug demand since before i was alive, you know, thatjust say you know programmes, these have been rhetoric steps have been wheeled out for the last 50 years, and they haven't made a difference. demands and drugs are not going away. but we need to do is look at the evidence of what works and we know what works, notjust in this country, but looking at all jurisdictions around the world, and that his treatment programmes, free needle exchange programmes from a safe consumption rooms. he said that things that save lives. xyour safe consumption rooms. he said that things that save lives.— things that save lives. your butt is the world on _ things that save lives. your butt is the world on drugs _ things that save lives. your butt is the world on drugs not _ things that save lives. your butt is the world on drugs not the - things that save lives. your butt is the world on drugs not the county| the world on drugs not the county line, what does that refer to? it refers to come as we have seen not just in the united kingdom but in the united states, and can document south africa, and columbia, the policing of drugs and that kind of war on drugs rhetoric and enforcement mechanisms have usually been hardest upon people of racial minorities. we note that drugs is the leading cause of stop and search in the united kingdom, black people are more likely to be stopped and searched. we know that it's also one of the leading drivers of incarceration and school exclusions is optima both of which are racially disproportionate in their make—up. i think when we start to lean into this rhetoric which the government are doing whilst the rest of the world seems to be going in the other direction from in the united states, drug policy reform. canada, many of the states are going in and the other direction, the government at least in its rhetoric is leaning harder and harder on the side on drugs tough on drugs rhetoric and we know not only does that not work, but that impacts the poorest and most marginalised communities in our society the hardest. can most marginalised communities in our society the hardest.— society the hardest. can we talk a little further _ society the hardest. can we talk a little further about _ society the hardest. can we talk a little further about those - society the hardest. can we talk a | little further about those countries that you've just referred tomy particle in particular has gone a completely different direction. they've decriminalised drugs. how does that work his neck is a completely decriminalising drugs because mckinney by coming any trade, how does that work? the portuguese _ trade, how does that work? tue: portuguese example trade, how does that work? t'te: portuguese example is trade, how does that work? tt2 portuguese example is important to stress, decriminalisation which is not the same as legalisation which we have seen the legalisation of cannabis in canada, many states in the us, germany, where you are able to buy cannabis from dispensaries, decriminalisation is making the drugs no longer criminal element, something more i can to say getting a parking fine, which frees up the money that's being put into. the many echoes _ money that's being put into. the many echoes law enforcement then comes out and cuss back into treatment and rehabilitation. but you're cutting the supply, the demand, i beg your pardon, your cutting the demand and not focusing so much on the supply. itruiheh cutting the demand and not focusing so much on the supply.— cutting the demand and not focusing so much on the supply. when we look at the portuguese _ so much on the supply. when we look at the portuguese example, - so much on the supply. when we look at the portuguese example, it's - at the portuguese example, it's important to recognise that portugal had its rates of dangerous drug debts, infections due to drug use, all trending upwards until it implemented the decriminalisation at the turn—of—the—century and we saw that the crying year on year, and we know that in europe, record drug debts i had in the united kingdom, which scotland being of course at the very acute edge of this. there is a big demand for the uk, particularly scotland to go along with the same programme that's been implemented successfully and i think that the westminster government need to start to start to consider this if we want to get serious about dealing with this problem. doctor, thank ou dealing with this problem. doctor, thank you for— dealing with this problem. doctor, thank you for your _ dealing with this problem. doctor, thank you for your time. _ stay with us on bbc news, still to come: the education secretary has announced that work on a review into the death of our will begin immediately. the six—year—old was tortured and killed by his father in june last year. the education secretary, nadhim zahawi, has announced that work on a review into the death of arthur labinjo—hughes will begin immediately. the six—year—old was tortured and killed by his father and his partner injune last year. here's the education secretary speaking in the commons a little earlier. as the court heard, arthur's tragic death as a result of the cruelty of his father and his father's partner. no government anywhere in the world can legislate for evil. but we will take action wherever we can to stop it from happening again, because we must do more. and to do more, i would like to end my statement with the plea to everyone in our country, anyone who sees or suspects child abuse can report their concerns to local children services or by contacting the government's supported lsbcc helpline for adults or practitioners concern about a child or young person. the us house select committee investigating the january sixth riot, has had limited success in persuading donald trump's closest allies to give evidence. today michael flynn, trump's former national security advisor was granted a short postponement. he was due to answer questions on his alleged involvement in discussions regarding the seizing of voting machines, declaring a national emergency and invoking martial law. but you will know they have met plenty of resistance particularly from steve bannon who has been indicted over his refusal to appear before the committee. there is new reporting, from the guardian newspapers that steve bannon and some of the key figures around donald trump, were gathered at the willard hotel in washington on the night of january fifth and on the day of the riot, and were in direct communication with the white house. let's talk to the man behind the story — he's the guardian's reporter in washington, hugo lowell. lovely in washington, hugo lowell. to happy with us. let�* this lovely to happy with us. let's set this out a clearer for people. the willard hotel is being described as the command centre. it has been filled with these campaign strategists. what have you discovered about the nature of the conversations the president was having with people who were gathered there? , ,., having with people who were gathered there? , ., there? yes, so, sometime in the late evenin: of there? yes, so, sometime in the late evening ofjanuary — there? yes, so, sometime in the late evening ofjanuary five, _ there? yes, so, sometime in the late evening ofjanuary five, the _ evening of january five, the day before the capital attack and the morning ofjanuary six, we reported earlier in the week, last week, that that then president trump picked up the phone in the white house and called a number of aides who were working at the willard hotel to discuss the results of the 2020 election and what tramp sent them a phone call was about was then vice president mike pence was not agreeing to go ahead with the plan to simply unilaterally return trump to simply unilaterally return trump to office for a second term and in his frustration, he pressed those operatives at the willard about how to stop biden from being certified as president onjanuary six, which, was the same aim of the insurrectionist who stormed the capital. insurrectionist who stormed the caital. ., . . ., capital. how much influence did that u-rou capital. how much influence did that a-rou of capital. how much influence did that group of people _ capital. how much influence did that group of people at — capital. how much influence did that group of people at the _ capital. how much influence did that group of people at the willard - capital. how much influence did that group of people at the willard hotel| group of people at the willard hotel have on the day of the rally, and what followed after the speech is? huge significance because the guys at the willard, so people like steve manan and rudy giuliani any conservative legal scholar where at the nexus of efforts that trump was trying to instigate in order to operate or overturn the election. they were the ones that planned this scheme where then vice president mike pence could unilaterally over to the house of representatives or refuse to... this goes to the heart of what trump was trying to do to get himself free and stated. so they were the key people behind the entire effort.— were the key people behind the entire effort. who will go in front ofthe entire effort. who will go in front of the committee _ entire effort. who will go in front of the committee and _ entire effort. who will go in front of the committee and testify - entire effort. who will go in front of the committee and testify to l of the committee and testify to that? you are certainly not going to get that from steve bannon, you are unlikely to get it from rudy giuliani, what sort of record is there of conversations that took place and who has that record? that's an excellent question. the fact of the matter is the select committee are currently trying to sue the national archive in order to get the trump administration's records. even if they are successful and get the quite detailed records which are kept by the white house, the only thing they are able to understand from that is when trump made a call from the white house to the willard and who that destination those targets of this wreck, but they don't have is the content of those calls, so in order to get to the understand from that is when trump made a call from the white house to the willard and who that destination those targets of this wreck, but they don't have is the content of those calls, so in order to get to the bottom and uncovered trump's ron january six, i think they're going to have to talk to anyone else or anyone who will talk to them about the nature of those phone conversations. steve bannon is not cooperating, we don't know if other members of the legal team at the willard will co—operate. butjust to be clear... those conversations are not covered ljy those conversations are not covered by executive privilege. then;r those conversations are not covered by executive privilege.— by executive privilege. they are not covered by executive _ by executive privilege. they are not covered by executive privilege, - by executive privilege. they are not covered by executive privilege, but| covered by executive privilege, but the important thing to remember is that for instance they were trump's lawyers. it is them, but i spoke to a member on the select committee last weekend what they said was, well, if there is criminalisty effect, then attorney—client privilege doesn't apply, maybe that is how they get their witnesses. tqm. is how they get their witnesses. 0k, hu . o, is how they get their witnesses. 0k, hu:o, we is how they get their witnesses. 0k, hugo. we will— is how they get their witnesses. 0k, hugo, we will have to leave it there. thank you very much indeed. plenty still going on with the january six committee has become up to the anniversary, of course, i want to focus on january six and what they are going to get out at the various people giving evidence. stay with us, we will focus in the next half on the ghislaine maxwell trial which continues into the second week into manhattan, we're also going to be talking to ron christie, busy week on the hill, lots of things to talk about. to stay with for that. hello. let's start with a look at the impact storm barra may have to us over the next 24—36 hours. not as potent a storm as storm arwen, but it could have massive impacts to the south west of ireland and then as this low pressure moves in, there is the potential here in the uk for damage and destruction. let's start with the winds, first of all. strongest for the west coast of wales, the east of northern ireland through the day, 80 mph gusts possible for some. widespread gales then across the rest of england, wales, southern scotland. later in the day, we'll see those winds strengthen in the far north east. not the 100 mph winds we saw in scotland and northern england from arwen, but perhaps the biggest problems here could be snowfall later in the day, blizzards on the hills, even to some lower levels as the breeze picks up. but the winds generally across the southern parts of scotland and north east england, in the order of around a0 or maybe 50 mph at worst. here is storm barra developing to the west of us through the afternoon. there is this slight gap ahead of it, and that means tonight as the showers start to fade, a few will continue north and east of scotland, it's going to be a cold night and a frosty night. widespread frost through east wales, england and also scotland that could lead to some icy conditions, but it's in these areas, a sunny, quiet start, almost the calm before the storm. and it's generally gradually through the day, we will see storm barra working its way into bring that disruption, the latest weather warnings are on the app and on the bbc weather website. but we start with the strengthening winds accompanied by heavy rain, maybe a bit of hill snow moving across ireland into wales and south west england through the morning rush hour gradually, and then that will push its way in across the rest of wales, england into southern scotland through the rest of the morning and afternoon. the wind strengthening as well, and as it hits the colder air, southern scotland, northern england, we will start to see that rain turn readily to snow. the far north of scotland the driest and quietest through the day with some sunny spells. but here, the winds will be picking up later. gales developing to give some blizzards across the north pennines and southern parts of scotland by the end of the afternoon. that will last into the first part of the evening rush hour, and then the snow becomes confined to the hills of scotland as we go through the night and into wednesday morning. there could still be some wintry showers around, all circulating round like socks in a washing machine from storm barra. centred across southern scotland and northern england through wednesday. this is where the winds will be lightest. strongest of the winds are around the edges, particularly through ireland, south west wales towards the south west of england and the channel islands and across shetland. sunshine and showers the name of the game on wednesday and staying cold. this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. the omicron variant is identified in at least 17 us states as scientists rush to investigate whether it is more transmissible or better able to evade the protections of vaccines. a second woman who says jeffrey epstein sexually abused her has been testifying in the ghislaine maxwell trial. we'll be live outside the courthouse shortly. former senator david perdue plans to challenge georgia's incumbent republican governor in next year's election opening a new party rift in a key battleground state. the girl who escaped the jaws of a crocodile, we will hear from the british teenager who is lucky to be alive. we are into the second week of the ghilaine maxwell trial in manhattan and today a second alleged victim has been on the stand. she is being referred to under the pseudonym kate. she told the court she was 17 and struggling to make friends after moving to britain from france when she met maxwell for tea at her london townhouse in 1994. after that maxwell offered to introduce kate to her boyfriend the billionaire and paedophile jeffrey epstein, who she said would be able to help with kate's aspiring music career let's speak to our correspondent in new york nada tawfik. we need to start with the age of kate because at the time of the abuse she was 17, so here in england she was within the age of consent and why does that matter in this case and why does the prosecution think she is still relevant?- think she is still relevant? yeah, that is absolutely _ think she is still relevant? yeah, that is absolutely right, - think she is still relevant? yeah, that is absolutely right, her - think she is still relevant? yeah, that is absolutely right, her age | that is absolutely right, her age became a real issue of contention between the prosecution and defence because remember this indictment is all about underage victims. it is about six trafficking, grooming and sexually abusing underage girls, so what thejudge sexually abusing underage girls, so what the judge instructed the jury was that while kate could testify as a witness in this case, they are not to regard the sexual act she is testifying about as illegal. that is a real key point that makes her testimony different from jane who said she was sexually abused at 1a years old. what kate is really showing for the prosecution, what they hope at least, is how miss maxwell was still very key in jeffrey epstein's world and was really crucial to this idea of grooming young girls for sexual abuse. kate really did that for the prosecution in terms of her account. she talked about how she was befriended by miss maxwell and thought she would help, did not want to say no to her request, those request included massaging jeffrey epstein even though she was not a professional masseuse and that led to sexualised encounters and she was even asked at one point were a schoolgirl uniform, allegedly, because she said it would be fun for jeffrey epstein. she was asked by the defence why she did that and she said she was in palm beach at the time, she did not know anyone in florida and she was afraid of telling them now. this is a key account, regardless of the fact that she is not to be considered a victim ljy she is not to be considered a victim by thejury, but she is not to be considered a victim by the jury, but it outlines this pattern and again at miss maxwell has denied the allegations and there was a really thorough cross—examination to try to discredit her. cross-examination to try to discredit her.— cross-examination to try to discredit her. ., ., discredit her. tell me about that. what did the _ discredit her. tell me about that. what did the defence _ discredit her. tell me about that. what did the defence make - discredit her. tell me about that. what did the defence make of. what did the defence make of the evidence? , ., , what did the defence make of the evidence? , . , . . what did the defence make of the evidence? , . , ., . ., ., evidence? they really latched onto her background, _ evidence? they really latched onto her background, trouble _ evidence? they really latched onto her background, trouble with - evidence? they really latched onto | her background, trouble with abuse of alcohol and cocaine and they went back to their idea of memory, money and manipulation. they asked how could you be sure that her memories were accurate if she was under the influence of alcohol and cocaine. kate hit back saying that her memories have been clear all along, especially those significant memories in her life. they also question the fact she has received money from the victim compensation is fond, but she reiterated that she has no financial stake in this trial. it really was just going back into her background to try to put any reasonable doubt they could in the minds of the jury about the credibility of kate and whether she remembers what happened as accurately as possible and then after that, the prosecution quickly move through their witnesses. they went through witness 11 and 12 as well and they looked at some of the financial transactions between ghislane maxwell and jeffrey epstein and at an fbi agent and what he was able to uncoverfrom and at an fbi agent and what he was able to uncover from jeffrey epstein's new york home. we able to uncover from jeffrey epstein's new york home. we have not really talked — epstein's new york home. we have not really talked about _ epstein's new york home. we have not really talked about the _ epstein's new york home. we have not really talked about the demeanour - epstein's new york home. we have not really talked about the demeanour of i really talked about the demeanour of ghislane maxwell in court, how was she reacting? we only see the artist impressions, there is no camera in this courtroom, how she dealing with this? tt this courtroom, how she dealing with this? , ., , this courtroom, how she dealing with this? , . , , ., this? it is really interesting for all of us to _ this? it is really interesting for all of us to observe _ this? it is really interesting for all of us to observe this - this? it is really interesting for. all of us to observe this because her family really talked about that they were concerned about her condition injail and they were concerned about her condition in jail and what they were concerned about her condition injail and what it they were concerned about her condition in jail and what it was doing to her wellbeing. i can tell you from what we are able to observe in the courthouse, she is very attentive in court, every time there is an exhibit, she puts on her glasses and examines it thoroughly, she is very interested in the arguments of her defence team, you can see her passing notes to her attorneys and talking to them throughout and when we have had the accusers testifying, she has looked directly at them and listen to what they have been saying without giving too much away about what she is thinking. i spoke to herfamily ahead of time and they said there would be at least one member of the family there to support her and that has been the case, her sister isabel, her brother, kevin have been in the court room and you can tell when she turns around that it lifts your spirits and it helps to interact with them. certainly, she does appear really attentive in court and invested obviously in the key parts of her defence. so much interest in the united states in this trial. thank you very much. the russian president, vladimir putin has met the indian prime minister, narendra modi, in delhi. the two countries signed and reaffirmed defence deals, which include the delivery of russian surface to air missiles. the purchase of the missile system has angered the united states. rajini vaidyanthan has this report from the indian capital. two of the world's political strongmen. in a show of unity. president putin was in delhi forjust a day, long enough to get a bear hug from prime minister modi and get down to business. this annual meeting between the two nations was cancelled last year due to covid. president putin has barely travelled this year. his visit is a sign of how important india — russia relations are to him. the pair discussed afghanistan and signed a number of defence deals, but found time to praise each other, too. in the last few decades, whatever geopolitical changes have come to this part of the world, russia and india have been good friends. we perceive india as a great power, a friendly nation and a time—tested friend. a friendship expressed through military cooperation. india buys the majority of its arms from russia. these are saoo surface to air missiles. delhi signed a $5,000,000 deal to buy a numberfrom moscow, pushing ahead with the sale, even though it angered the us, who had threatened sanctions. the talks have been taking place here at delhi's hydra bard house. prime minister modi once said that russia was india's greatest friend, but these talks come with tensions. russia has been openly critical of india's membership of the so—called quad group of countries, its alliance with america, japan and australia. the quad nations are seen as a grouping to counter china's growing influence in this region. but russia has accused them of courting india as part of what it says is a devious game. experts say russia is also keen to keep india on side, despite its close ties to china. how important is india to russia? india is becoming a pivotal country which is a growing economy, which can economically, if not challenge china, but be an important player in the global game. - the russians are investing in india because they are hoping india - will provide them with that . strategic space that will keep them out of china's lap. they do not want to be l a junior partner to china. and now all eyes are on ukraine, with reports president putin could be planning a large—scale attack on the nation. on tuesday, he has a virtual summit with president biden to discuss the issue. all of this could ratchet tensions between washington and moscow and, as a friend to both, india's positioning with its allies will be watched closely in the weeks ahead. rajini vaidyanthan, bbc news, delhi. we will bring you details of that summit. this tour you will hear a lot about. the former us senator david perdue will run against the georgia governor brian kemp, in a republican primary that promises fireworks. georgia will be one of the nation's top battleground states in 2022. the senator has been recruited to run against the governor by former president donald trump, and he will get additional fundraising from the trump campaign. the winner will face democrat, stacey abrams, who announced last week she will be running again after narrowly losing to governor kemp in 2018. let's bring in former adviser to president george w bush, ron christie. my my word, run, this is civil war in the republican camp in georgia and on the one side, you have brian kemp who is a pretty staunch conservative but refused to call a special session to overturn donald trump's defeat in georgia and on the other side you have david perdue. who comes out on top?— side you have david perdue. who comes out on top? good evening, good to see you- _ comes out on top? good evening, good to see you- i — comes out on top? good evening, good to see you- i hope _ comes out on top? good evening, good to see you. i hope who _ comes out on top? good evening, good to see you. i hope who comes - comes out on top? good evening, good to see you. i hope who comes out - comes out on top? good evening, good to see you. i hope who comes out on i to see you. i hope who comes out on top of this is the incumbent governor. david perdue had a very distinguished career was that bag when he was in the senate but he is being used as a kind of proxy war, the trumpet people are really upset that the current governor, brian kemp would not open the ballot boxes and recount the balance or refused to certify the balance in the 2020 election. there is a lot more going on behind the scenes. who stands to lose through this? the republican party. whoever comes out ahead in this primary battle might be very wounded against a very uncertain stacey abrams.— wounded against a very uncertain stacey abrams. both of these men have big name _ stacey abrams. both of these men have big name recognition - stacey abrams. both of these men have big name recognition in - stacey abrams. both of these men have big name recognition in the i stacey abrams. both of these men l have big name recognition in the us, they both have lots of money and david perdue has lots of the trump money and the concern must be in the republican camp that the primary campaign to kick off the 2022 season is all going to be about 2020 and not about president biden's record! 100% and certainly if i were advising on this race, and i am not, i would say the path to victory is to look forward not back and republican seem to be stuck almost in this tar pit, if you will. they are unable to move forward, they are unable to talk about their vision, their ideas, looking forward to 2024 for the presidential and keep looking back at donald trump. that is a big quagmire that republican strategists, they were the candidates to outline your vision and why your positive message wins. we saw that with the governor elect in virginia. t we saw that with the governor elect in vir: inia. .,, we saw that with the governor elect in vir: inia. ., . in virginia. i was reading the comments — in virginia. i was reading the comments of _ in virginia. i was reading the comments of the _ in virginia. i was reading the comments of the republican j in virginia. i was reading the - comments of the republican national committee and they are backing all their incumbents, all of them in the governor houses around the country. this is not about the republican party, for donald trump it is about him, his ego. tt party, for donald trump it is about him, his ego-— him, his ego. it has always been about him _ him, his ego. it has always been about him and _ him, his ego. it has always been about him and his _ him, his ego. it has always been about him and his ego. - him, his ego. it has always been about him and his ego. it - him, his ego. it has always been about him and his ego. it is - him, his ego. it has always been about him and his ego. it is one| about him and his ego. it is one thing the republicans and democrats will try to avoid at all because, it is do not get involved in a primary, let the incumbent, let the officeholders stand for real action and the notion that donald trump is using this as a proxy for his ego and his dissatisfaction with 2020 tells you all you need to know about what this is really about, it is about donald trump. t what this is really about, it is about donald trump.- what this is really about, it is about donald trump. i want to ask ou a about donald trump. i want to ask you a question _ about donald trump. i want to ask you a question that _ about donald trump. i want to ask you a question that i _ about donald trump. i want to ask you a question that i put _ about donald trump. i want to ask you a question that i put to - about donald trump. i want to ask. you a question that i put to amanda on thursday, she was answering from the democrat side, and it is what is happening in the vice president's office at the moment? a lot of senior staff are exciting the office, there are questions about her management style, about her future as a presidential candidate and amanda said, that is the churn you get at the end of a first year. what you make of it? no, you do not. christian, as you know, i spent the first 14 months of the bush administration as dick cheney's domestic policy adviser and no one left. i look back to al gore and i don't rub — but remember anyone living like this. this has been the track record for the entire career of kamala harris, from being district attorney, attorney general and now the vice president of churning through staff and having management issues. the vice president'sjob is to be management issues. the vice president's job is to be seen and not heard and what we are hearing a lot of right now is dysfunction, backbiting, fighting and the thing that i find most shocking is on the staffers are saying it is racism and sexism by the biden white house. that is not a road you want to go down when the vice president is saying things, or her staff anyway, that are contrary to the message of the president and what he is trying to articulate to the american people. to articulate to the american --eole. �* ., to articulate to the american neale, �* ., ., to articulate to the american --eole. �* ., ., , people. before i let you go, let us talk about a _ people. before i let you go, let us talk about a bob _ people. before i let you go, let us talk about a bob dole. _ people. before i let you go, let us talk about a bob dole. i _ people. before i let you go, let us talk about a bob dole. i kind - people. before i let you go, let us talk about a bob dole. i kind of. talk about a bob dole. i kind of feel he is the sort of politician that you might not be able to find these days in washington. clearly he was a sharp tongued politician, what did they call him, the hatchet man? they'll obituaries that i have read suggest that actually he was a master at forging compromise. t master at forging compromise. i loved bob dole. i had so much fun working with him and his staff over the nine years that i was on capitol hill. he was a great tactician but he was also someone who was really, really funny. most importantly, he was the last politician from the world war ii who fought and bled and nearly died for his country and understood what it meant to send men and women into combat and we are going to miss here in the us, we need more people who can compromise and reach across the aisle, shake hands and have word be their bond and bob dole embodied that, for being a true gentleman, a patriot and a statesman. bab being a true gentleman, a patriot and a statesman.— being a true gentleman, a patriot and a statesman. bob dole who died at the a . e and a statesman. bob dole who died at the age of — and a statesman. bob dole who died at the age of 98. _ and a statesman. bob dole who died at the age of 98. fitting _ and a statesman. bob dole who died at the age of 98. fitting tribute, - at the age of 98. fitting tribute, nice to see you. a british teenager who survived a crocodile attack said she is very lucky to be alive the 18—year—old was on holiday, white water rafting on the zambezi river when the crocodile bit into her leg and tried to drag her under the water. she is now recovering in hospital. amelie osborn—smith was on a gap year trip of a lifetime in zambia. but in the waters near victoria falls, the 18—year—old was attacked by a crocodile. she suffered such serious injuries to her leg, she feared she'd never walk again. when the accident happened, i fully accepted the fact that i was going to lose my foot. and i accepted that, and i said to all of my friends, it's fine, i've lost my foot, i'm still alive. and then i was told that my foot is going to be fine and i would get to walk again which is, it's such a relief. the accident happened on the zambezi river while amelie was white water rafting with a group. she was airlifted 214 miles to the capital lusaka where surgeons performed a life—saving operation and saved her leg. people say, like, you see your life flash before your eyes but you don't. you just think, how do i get out of this situation? and your brain just goes into overdrive and you think how to get out. but i was just very, very lucky. amelie is expected back in the uk to be transferred to a hospital for more treatment. the student says the ordeal has made her more determined to return to zambia. i think, especially now, i've just seen that your life can be over so quickly. so if you're going to live thinking, it sounds so cliched but if you're going to live thinking "i'm going to regret everything," you're never going to have a fulfilled life. so ijust think, just do it while you can. louisa pilbeam, bbc news. lucky to be alive and we wish her the best. stay with us on bbc news, still to come: (00v + vamp)the gift of a free tree for every household in wales to try to fight climate change two former police officers who photographed the bodies of two murdered sisters nicole smallman and bibaa henry have each been jailed for two years and nine months. deninaffer and jamie lewis took and shared the pictures while they were guarding the murder scene. helena wilkinson reports. well, lewis and jaffer came to the old bailey here this morning. they walked in through the front door, but this evening they are not walking out of court. they are going to prison, because the judge here has sentenced them each to two years and nine months in prison. now, in his sentencing remarks, thejudge told the pair that their conduct was appalling and inexplicable. the officers at the time had been assigned to guard the crime scene where the bodies of the sisters were found, but instead they left the court and, they took photographs of the bodies of the sisters. lewis superimposed his face on one of the photographs. inside court, the mother of the sisters, mina smallman, was listening to that sentence being handed down and after the sentence happened, she spoke outside court. i think the judge really got it. and i think also the groundswell of the public feeling about this story and breach of conduct, so i am pleased. the most important thing is, i think, because of the sentencing, we are part of the change that will come in the culture of the police force. we have had a statement also from the metropolitan police this evening, who have said that the two men have been punished for their actions, which were utterly unprofessional, disrespectful and deeply insensitive and the statement from the met goes on to say, all of us in the met and wider policing are horrified by their shameful behaviour. welcome back. a tree for free, that is what every household in wales is going to be offered to tackle climate change. you can plant the tree in your garden or in woodland. the welsh government hopes the £2,000,000 project which begins in march will encourage families to continue planting more trees into the future. it's the original carbon capture technology. around the world, planting more trees has become a popular response to the climate emergency. the welsh government says giving awayjust over1 million trees is about engagement, not green—wash. they'll either be added to a woodland like this or people can choose to plant them at home. but they'll only be a fraction of the number needed to reach net zero. we can't wait for a perfect solution. we've got to try stuff and we've got to do it fast. we are going to plant 86 million trees, purely on carbon terms alone. the good thing with planting trees is, you don'tjust get a carbon benefit. you get a benefit for nature, a benefit for dealing with flooding, for tackling crime, for dealing with health. at this time of year, many of us are more focused on trees for tinsel. that one there, is it? rather than tackling crime. the government giveaway will cost £2 million. so, will people want to plant one? i think most people would be quite pleased to do that and i'm glad that the government is actually doing something to sort of help the environment. it will be more how these people look after the trees because when you plant a young tree, they take a look of looking after, to start with. so, it seems like a lot of money. the trees will be native species planted in people's gardens or they could be added to what will become a national forest for wales. how much difference can they really make? at the moment across europe, forests only absorb around 10% of greenhouse gases. a lot comes down to putting the right tree in the right place at the right time. in mass planting, around a third don't survive. we are essentially then disturbing the soil and putting more co2 into the atmosphere. so, we need to get this right, because otherwise we're actually going to be producing a net carbon loss as part of this tree planting initiative. the first free trees will be available in the spring but it will take decades before we know if they've really made wales a cleaner, greener nation. hywel griffith, bbc news. that is not easy, they will need protecting from the rabbits. we have all got to get used to the new way of working and the endless calls, a lot of us working from home feeling detached from the office? well, spare a thought for the workers at the online mortgage broker bettered, who were met with this message from the company's chief executive when they logged onto their last wednesday. brute they logged onto their last wednesday-— they logged onto their last wednesda . ~ . ., wednesday. we are laying off about 1596 of the company. _ wednesday. we are laying off about 1596 of the company. you _ wednesday. we are laying off about 1596 of the company. you have - wednesday. we are laying off about 1596 of the company. you have got l wednesday. we are laying off about| 1596 of the company. you have got to be kiddin: 1596 of the company. you have got to be kidding me! _ 1596 of the company. you have got to be kidding me! efficiency _ 1596 of the company. you have got to be kidding me! efficiency and - be kidding me! efficiency and performances. _ be kidding me! efficiency and performances. i— be kidding me! efficiency and performances. i thought - be kidding me! efficiency and performances. i thought i - be kidding me! efficiency and i performances. i thought i would be kidding me! efficiency and - performances. i thought i would tell you. performances. i thought i would tell ou. �* . performances. i thought i would tell ou. ~ . ., you. after all we did for the company? _ you. after all we did for the company? if— you. after all we did for the company? if you're - you. after all we did for the company? if you're on - you. after all we did for the company? if you're on thisl you. after all we did for the - company? if you're on this call, you are art company? if you're on this call, you are part of the _ company? if you're on this call, you are part of the unlucky _ company? if you're on this call, you are part of the unlucky group - company? if you're on this call, you are part of the unlucky group being| are part of the unlucky group being laid off. your employment here is terminated, effective immediately. what a face. that video, as you probably worked out, was posted by one of the people who was on that call and who lost theirjob. the boss blamed market fluctuations and employee performance for the redundancies and they point out that despite the lay—offs, better door, will still have 9,000 staff across the us, india and the uk. but, plenty of people as you might imagine, questioning the timing and the manner of the announcement. yes, not the way to do it. there are some things that have to be done face—to—face and that is one of them. stay with us, plenty more to come. we will see you at the same time tomorrow. hello. the most turbulent spell of weather in this weather for the week ahead comes right at the start with the arrival of storm barra, taking place through tuesday and into wednesday, this pretty potent low pressure weather system, not as strong as storm arwen, it will have its biggest impact in the south—west of ireland, but it will bring some disruption across the uk. winds around some western coasts of england and wales could touch 70 or 80mph for a time on tuesday, then those widespread gales push elsewhere, reaching the north—east of scotland later on tuesday and into tuesday night. that could all cause some disruption, but not the strength of the wind we saw with storm arwen in parts of scotland in the north of england, but of course with the recovery in process here, heavy snowfall across the pennines and mountains of scotland, being blown around by strong winds could cause some blizzards and again some disruption, but it is really the gales that will be most widespread across the country, as we go through and that will cause some issues. the day on tuesday though, it does start cold, bright and frosty. for much of england and scotland, that is, but already the ring spreading across ireland, the wind strengthening, the wind is picking up during the morning around irish sea coasts. those stronger winds then transferring into wales, northern ireland and southern scotland through the day, with heavy rain at times. a bit of sunshine but proceeded with some colder air in place with ice and snow and it is the northern pennines into parts of scotland where we could see blizzards during the evening rush hour and there could be some problems on the roads. into the night, the snow will be confined to the grampians but we will see a scattering of showers around and they could be wintry in places as we go through into the start of wednesday morning. these are the temperatures for wednesday morning, another cold one, but it is going to be quite blowing out there, but it should be frost free for just about all. now, through wednesday, storm barra is centred right across the north of england. this is where the lightest of wins will be, so not as blow away here, but around the periphery, north—east scotland, down through ireland into the south—west and through the english channel, it will be another day of widespread gales. a mix of sunshine and showers weather—wise. some of the showers heavy and thundery and with cold weather still in place, we could see some sleet and snow at times, more especially over the hills, but even to lower levels in some of the showers. now, as storm barra starts to weaken as we go into thursday, notice the isobars starting to open out, the winds become much lighter but that means we could start the day with mist and fog, some for us to go with it, but a drier day, a much less breezy day for most on thursday. the windiest conditions continue to be across shetland, many should see some sunshine at times, only one or two showers. temperatures lifting a little bit, relative to what we have over the next few days. and then we start to see atlantic influence again, with these weather fronts pushing through. they will be marching through quite slowly to begin with and weakening as they go. some rain overnight into friday, turning the sunshine and showers, outbreaks of rain turning lighter and patchy as they clear from the south—east. that puts us back into some colder air by the end of friday, lots of sunshine, but a frost to take us into the start of the weekend. a cold start with a ridge of high pressure, but the next area of low pressure is close by. this one and the ones that come after it will subsequently track a bit further north than we saw with storm barra and the strongest of wins will tend to be away from our shores. a blustery day on saturday, outbreaks of rain for many to begin with, heaviest in scotland, it will brighten up here as we go through the day with sunshine and showers. colder air trying to push its way in, but through the rest of the weekend into next week, what we will find is low pressure away to the north of us, the winds will be such that they will be milder than we have seen over the next few days, so it is rain, rather than snow, but they will be fairly changeable with some of that rain heavy at times. tonight at ten, a decade—long strategy is unveiled for dealing with drug abuse in england and wales. joining officers on a raid in liverpool, the prime minister threatens punishment for drug dealers and recreational users. the drugs gangs are doing major damage to life chances of kids growing up in this country. i think it's a disgusting trade. but the biggest spending will be on supporting the rehabiliation of drug addicts, with more services being made available. the overall package is worth more than a billion pounds — we'll have details of how it's being spent. also tonight... confirmation that the omicron variant of coronavirus is being transmitted within communities across the uk. the us announces a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 winter olympics because of china's record on human rights.