there was a bank there. it is just licked clean. there is nothing left. britain warns russia it will face severe consequences if it invades ukraine — a g7 meeting of foreign ministers is discussing rising tensions. it would be extremely serious if russia were to take that action. it would be a strategic mistake and there would be severe consequences. and — it's going to be a nail biter. max verstappen beats lewis hamilton to pole position for tomorrow's formula one title decider in abu dhabi — with the two men level on points. good afternoon. the uk is facing a substantial wave of omicron infections injanuary and less restrictions more extensive than those announced on wednesday are introduced. that is the money from a group of scientist this afternoon put up the researchers from the london school of hygiene and tropical medicine also said that depending how well vaccines perform the new variant could cause between 25000 and 75,000 deaths by the end of april. although the study the scientists are basing their conclusions on has not yet been peer—reviewed. ourfirst report conclusions on has not yet been peer—reviewed. our first report from our health correspondent. the race is on to get even more jabs into arms, to boost our defences against what may be the biggest wave of covid infections we've seen so far. new analysis shows having a two vaccine doses is unlikely to stop omicron infection however booster jabs will give around 75% protection against a mild infection. both two and three doses should give significant protection against severe disease but to what extent is still unclear. we know that the booster doses do give very effective protection, we don't know how long it's going to last. it may not be very long lasting, but those booster doses are going to be critical but we can'tjust rely on the vaccine campaign to control this. we have to also wear masks and do all of those other things we've learned to do. so far, london is seeing a higher concentration of confirmed omicron cases, but it's spreading fast across much of the uk. greater use of masks, testing and the advice to work from home has been stepped up to try to slow the spread. in scotland, close contacts of positive cases now need to isolate for ten days regardless of whether they have been vaccinated. even if this variant produces slightly milder diseases, there is an open question that, what politicians are worried about is the strain on the health service. i think what they will be discussing this weekend and cabinet meets on tuesday is have we gone far enough or do more, particularly over the next few weeks, to restrict people mixing so the health service doesn't become overwhelmed and that's the main concern. early modelling suggests the omicron variant has the potential to cause a bigger wave of infections than last winter but there is uncertainty overjust how many people may end up in hospital in the new year. a lot depends on how much indoor mixing takes place or how well boosters prevent people falling seriously ill. researchers say to protect the nhs this winter further restrictions may be needed. katharine da costa, bbc news. new guidance has been issued for care home visits in england — as a result of the surge in omicron infections. from wednesday, residents will be limited to three visitors — as well as a friend or relative nominated as their essential care giver. megan paterson reports. in care homes around the country, festive celebrations are well under way. but as well as the usual trimmings, for some families, fears about covid guidelines on separation from loved ones are making an unwelcome return. i run a family of seven and it is a limit of three, so i run a family of seven and a limit three, so i'm very worried about how this is going to impact on them. the department of health say people living in care homes in england will only be allowed to receive visits from three people plus one essential care worker. staff will have to take three lateral flow tests and one pcr test every week. and there will be a 500,000,000 fund to recruit and retain care workers. further clarity is expected on the guidance next week but for now it's up to care home staff to plan how they will implement the measures and to reassure the people they will affect. it will be disappointing for relatives, it will be extremely disappointing for the residents, but it's the world that we live in. we can't risk getting this virus back into our care services. the vaccination programme remains key to controlling the spread of omicron. extra resources will be sent to poster protection but in care homes like this one in norwich, another change to visiting rules hasn't brought much cheer. i wouldn't like that. i'd have to put up with it. once again, the delicate balance between offering covid protection but maintaining vital family contact comes into focus. the government insistent these guidelines will help manage growing risk. right now we're crossing to kentucky because the governor has just started speaking, giving an update on those devastating storms to affect so many states. let's listen in. , , , in. this will be, i believe, the deadliest _ in. this will be, i believe, the deadliest tornado _ in. this will be, i believe, the deadliest tornado system - in. this will be, i believe, the deadliest tornado system to l in. this will be, i believe, the . deadliest tornado system to ever through kentucky. earlier this morning at around 5am we were pretty sure that we would lose over 50 residents and i am now certain that numbers north of 70. it may end up exceeding 100 before the day is done. the damage is even worse now that we have first light. a couple of places have been hit incredibly hard. certainly mayfield here in grace county but everywhere along the line of this tornado that touched down and stayed down for 227 miles over 200 in kentucky has been severely and significantly impacted. i have been on the phone with now nearly every county judge i have been on the phone with now nearly every countyjudge in areas that have been impacted. we have pledged full support. i have talked to the secretary of homeland security while i have been here. he has pledged his full support and we are hearing that from every part of the federal administration and from our us senators and from our congressmen. kentucky is united today and behind the people of western kentucky and we want to be here to help dig out, to help make rescues, to help provide when people are suffering and then to help rebuild. this is not a one dating. this is one state and we will stand united to make sure that we can lift our families united to make sure that we can lift ourfamilies back up. but please know that there are a lot of families that need your prayers. prayer is that somebody may found, or prayers to help them through the grieving process. it also hit incredibly hard just up the road and thatis incredibly hard just up the road and that is where i will be headed next. i want to call on a number of people today to give you an idea of different things that we are doing. i can tell you that the state of emergency was put into place last night before midnight. the national guard is deployed and will be in communities very shortly and that is now going to be augmented. we need more individuals in the field. we are going to hearfrom them injust are going to hearfrom them injust a minute. buti are going to hearfrom them injust a minute. but i want to turn it over to the countyjudge here who has been working really hard and we'll from the mayor and then we will move to emergency management, national guard, we'll hearfrom to emergency management, national guard, we'll hear from their transportation cabinet and what they're doing, state police and others. judge. they're doing, state police and others- judge-— they're doing, state police and others. judue. . ~' ,, ., others. judge. thank you, governor. you know. — others. judge. thank you, governor. you know. this _ others. judge. thank you, governor. you know, this is _ others. judge. thank you, governor. you know, this is probably _ others. judge. thank you, governor. you know, this is probably the - you know, this is probably the toughest — you know, this is probably the toughest day of my life right here. when _ toughest day of my life right here. when you — toughest day of my life right here. when you run for office, you don't know _ when you run for office, you don't know what — when you run for office, you don't know what to expect but when you say your communities and your county in this kind _ your communities and your county in this kind of— your communities and your county in this kind of situation, it is tough, it is tough— this kind of situation, it is tough, it is tough in— this kind of situation, it is tough, it is tough in our community, it is tough _ it is tough in our community, it is tough in — it is tough in our community, it is tough in our— it is tough in our community, it is tough in ourfamilies, it is tough in our community, it is tough in our families, you know, last night— tough in our families, you know, last night i— tough in our families, you know, last night i was with my family and i last night i was with my family and iwas _ last night i was with my family and i was watching, we were watching the storm _ i was watching, we were watching the storm and _ i was watching, we were watching the storm and we were watching the local weather _ storm and we were watching the local weather and, you know, those folks did a _ weather and, you know, those folks did a really— weather and, you know, those folks did a really good job of informing what _ did a really good job of informing what was — did a really good job of informing what was going to happen and i had an eerie _ what was going to happen and i had an eerie feeling about it, i can tell you — an eerie feeling about it, i can tell you that. i did not really feel good _ tell you that. i did not really feel good about it and as this thing was, as the _ good about it and as this thing was, as the governor said, for the 200 miles— as the governor said, for the 200 miles it _ as the governor said, for the 200 miles it was — as the governor said, for the 200 miles it was on the ground, watching it hit towards grace county, you know, _ it hit towards grace county, you know. it — it hit towards grace county, you know, it was a reality at that time. so the _ know, it was a reality at that time. so the only— know, it was a reality at that time. so the only thing i can say to you all at _ so the only thing i can say to you all at this— so the only thing i can say to you all at this time, what we need from everyone _ all at this time, what we need from everyone is— all at this time, what we need from everyone is we need your prayers, we need _ everyone is we need your prayers, we need your— everyone is we need your prayers, we need your help, the governor, federai— need your help, the governor, federal and state, everyone in so many— federal and state, everyone in so many surrounding counties, the judges — many surrounding counties, the judges here with us, our adjoining county _ judges here with us, our adjoining county 0ur— judges here with us, our adjoining county. our local officials right now, _ county. our local officials right now. you — county. our local officials right now, you want to know where heroes are? they— now, you want to know where heroes are? theyare— now, you want to know where heroes are? they are out here in the trenches— are? they are out here in the trenches trying to find people. that is what _ trenches trying to find people. that is what they are doing right now. and they— is what they are doing right now. and they don't ask for nothing, they 'ust and they don't ask for nothing, they just want— and they don't ask for nothing, they just want to — and they don't ask for nothing, they just want to resolve the situation and help— just want to resolve the situation and help somebody. there are people coming _ and help somebody. there are people coming from all over the country here _ coming from all over the country here right — coming from all over the country here right now. we are very blessed with what _ here right now. we are very blessed with what we are having with the help on — with what we are having with the help on the situation. our sheriff's department and i'm not going to start— department and i'm not going to start naming folks, our police department, fire department, our voiunteer— department, fire department, our volunteer fire departments, ems, our hospitals, _ volunteer fire departments, ems, our hospitals, health departments, so n1any— hospitals, health departments, so n1anyare— hospitals, health departments, so many are out there right now and they are — many are out there right now and they are going through. we are all here and _ they are going through. we are all here and right now there are still streets _ here and right now there are still streets and roads that are blocked. people _ streets and roads that are blocked. people needing help. sol streets and roads that are blocked. people needing help. so i ask you, prayer. _ people needing help. so i ask you, prayer, prayer, prayer. please pray forthese _ prayer, prayer, prayer. please pray for these folks. they will need supplies _ for these folks. they will need supplies. the governor is helping his administration to help get supplies— his administration to help get supplies in here to grace county but what i _ supplies in here to grace county but what i am _ supplies in here to grace county but what i am saying to you, if you just need _ what i am saying to you, if you just need somebody, someone mightjust need somebody, someone mightjust need someone to talk to. there are 50 people _ need someone to talk to. there are 50 people waiting to go somewhere and they— 50 people waiting to go somewhere and they have nowhere to go but i didn't— and they have nowhere to go but i didn't need — and they have nowhere to go but i didn't need somebody to talk to. and we are _ didn't need somebody to talk to. and we are in— didn't need somebody to talk to. and we are in this one room right now suggest _ we are in this one room right now suggest realise that there are people — suggest realise that there are people still cold, the temperatures going _ people still cold, the temperatures going to _ people still cold, the temperatures going to drop tonight. so we are going _ going to drop tonight. so we are going to — going to drop tonight. so we are going to be in a situation there, we have _ going to be in a situation there, we have no— going to be in a situation there, we have no water here in the county and that affects _ have no water here in the county and that affects a lot of the rural area — that affects a lot of the rural area. going to work through that with water— area. going to work through that with water and electric and a lot of utilities, _ with water and electric and a lot of utilities, the power is out, for several— utilities, the power is out, for several miles around the city. again, — several miles around the city. again, i— several miles around the city. again, i am asking for each and everyone — again, i am asking for each and everyone of you to pray for our community. thank you.- everyone of you to pray for our community. thank you. well, i am alwa s community. thank you. well, i am always asked _ community. thank you. well, i am always asked about _ community. thank you. well, i am always asked about what _ community. thank you. well, i am always asked about what is - community. thank you. well, i am always asked about what is the - community. thank you. well, i am | always asked about what is the best thin- always asked about what is the best thing about— always asked about what is the best thing about mayfield _ always asked about what is the best thing about mayfield and _ always asked about what is the best thing about mayfield and grace - thing about mayfield and grace county. — thing about mayfield and grace county. quickly. _ thing about mayfield and grace county, quickly, my— thing about mayfield and grace county, quickly, my answer- thing about mayfield and grace county, quickly, my answer isi thing about mayfield and grace i county, quickly, my answer is the people _ county, quickly, my answer is the people. and — county, quickly, my answer is the people. and what— county, quickly, my answer is the people. and what is— county, quickly, my answer is the people. and what is happening i county, quickly, my answer is the i people. and what is happening today is e> ones. our heart is broken because the people that we _ ones. our heart is broken because the people that we work _ ones. our heart is broken because the people that we work with, - ones. our heart is broken because the people that we work with, the| the people that we work with, the people _ the people that we work with, the people that — the people that we work with, the people that we _ the people that we work with, the people that we know, _ the people that we work with, the people that we know, our- the people that we work with, the| people that we know, our families are hurting — people that we know, our families are hurting so— people that we know, our families are hurting. so i— people that we know, our families are hurting. so i echo _ people that we know, our families are hurting. so i echo what - people that we know, our families are hurting. so i echo what the . are hurting. so i echo what the judge _ are hurting. so i echo what the judge has— are hurting. so i echo what the judge hasjust _ are hurting. so i echo what the judge hasjust said. _ are hurting. so i echo what the judge hasjust said. i— are hurting. so i echo what the judge hasjust said. i have - are hurting. so i echo what the. judge hasjust said. i have heard from _ judge hasjust said. i have heard from so — judge hasjust said. i have heard from so n1any— judge hasjust said. i have heard from so many mayors _ judge hasjust said. i have heard from so many mayors across - judge hasjust said. i have heard from so many mayors across the commonwealth _ from so many mayors across the commonwealth and _ from so many mayors across the commonwealth and people - from so many mayors across the commonwealth and people i- from so many mayors across the i commonwealth and people i went from so many mayors across the - commonwealth and people i went to hi-h commonwealth and people i went to high school— commonwealth and people i went to high school with— commonwealth and people i went to high school with in _ commonwealth and people i went to high school with in college _ commonwealth and people i went to high school with in college with, - high school with in college with, what _ high school with in college with, what can— high school with in college with, what can we _ high school with in college with, what can we do? _ high school with in college with, what can we do? what - high school with in college with, what can we do? what can - high school with in college with, what can we do? what can we . high school with in college with, l what can we do? what can we and high school with in college with, - what can we do? what can we and what we need _ what can we do? what can we and what we need from _ what can we do? what can we and what we need from people _ what can we do? what can we and what we need from people standing - what can we do? what can we and what we need from people standing in- what can we do? what can we and what we need from people standing in this i we need from people standing in this room _ we need from people standing in this room is _ we need from people standing in this room isjust— we need from people standing in this room isjust a — we need from people standing in this room isjust a pray— we need from people standing in this room isjust a pray for— we need from people standing in this room isjust a pray for us. _ we need from people standing in this room isjust a pray for us. and - we need from people standing in this room isjust a pray for us. and we - room isjust a pray for us. and we will be _ room isjust a pray for us. and we will be fine — room isjust a pray for us. and we will be fine. it— room isjust a pray for us. and we will be fine. it is— room isjust a pray for us. and we will be fine. it is going _ room isjust a pray for us. and we will be fine. it is going to- room isjust a pray for us. and we will be fine. it is going to take - room isjust a pray for us. and we will be fine. it is going to take us| will be fine. it is going to take us a while — will be fine. it is going to take us a while we — will be fine. it is going to take us a while. we will— will be fine. it is going to take us a while. we will be _ will be fine. it is going to take us a while. we will be fine - will be fine. it is going to take us a while. we will be fine today - will be fine. it is going to take us a while. we will be fine today we j a while. we will be fine today we are going — a while. we will be fine today we are going to— a while. we will be fine today we are going to focus _ a while. we will be fine today we are going to focus on _ a while. we will be fine today we are going to focus on those - a while. we will be fine today we are going to focus on those whol a while. we will be fine today we - are going to focus on those who have lost so _ are going to focus on those who have lost so much — are going to focus on those who have lost so much and _ are going to focus on those who have lost so much and that _ are going to focus on those who have lost so much and that is _ are going to focus on those who have lost so much and that is where - are going to focus on those who have lost so much and that is where our. lost so much and that is where our hearts— lost so much and that is where our hearts are. — lost so much and that is where our hearts are, with _ lost so much and that is where our hearts are, with them _ lost so much and that is where our hearts are, with them who - lost so much and that is where our hearts are, with them who have i lost so much and that is where our. hearts are, with them who have lost the people _ hearts are, with them who have lost the people they— hearts are, with them who have lost the people they love _ hearts are, with them who have lost the people they love and _ hearts are, with them who have lost the people they love and the - the people they love and the property— the people they love and the property and _ the people they love and the property and the _ the people they love and the property and the way- the people they love and the property and the way they i the people they love and the . property and the way they make the people they love and the - property and the way they make a living _ property and the way they make a living so — property and the way they make a living so pray— property and the way they make a living. so pray for— property and the way they make a living. so pray for us, _ property and the way they make a living. so pray for us, stand - property and the way they make a living. so pray for us, stand with. living. so pray for us, stand with us, living. so pray for us, stand with us. and — living. so pray for us, stand with us. and we — living. so pray for us, stand with us, and we will— living. so pray for us, stand with us, and we will come _ living. so pray for us, stand with us, and we will come out - living. so pray for us, stand with. us, and we will come out stronger because _ us, and we will come out stronger because of— us, and we will come out stronger because of this. _ us, and we will come out stronger because of this. thank— us, and we will come out stronger because of this. thank you. - us, and we will come out stronger because of this. thank you. hextl us, and we will come out stronger because of this. thank you. next we will hear from _ because of this. thank you. next we will hear from director _ because of this. thank you. next we will hear from director dorset - because of this. thank you. next we will hear from director dorset from i will hear from director dorset from emergency management. we have an incredible team locally here, augmented by the state water by watch it all first hand, being an emergency operation centre since about 1am this morning and hearing the reports but also response come in in realtime. the reports but also response come in in real time. i believe, within the hour, or so, in in real time. i believe, within the hour, orso, we in in real time. i believe, within the hour, or so, we will have a federal disaster declaration. i've been assured of that by the secretary of homeland security and folks at the white house. it is going to let us reimbursed quicker. it is going to bring some additional resources here and we will see more resources here and we will see more resources coming into this area to respond to this disaster, i believe, than we have ever seen. mr; respond to this disaster, i believe, than we have ever seen.— than we have ever seen. my first comments _ than we have ever seen. my first comments are _ than we have ever seen. my first comments are to _ than we have ever seen. my first comments are to the _ than we have ever seen. my first comments are to the families . than we have ever seen. my first comments are to the families of| comments are to the families of those _ comments are to the families of those we — comments are to the families of those we have lost and my sincere hope _ those we have lost and my sincere hope for _ those we have lost and my sincere hope for speedy recovery will be with you — hope for speedy recovery will be with you for weeks, months and years in this— with you for weeks, months and years in this fight _ with you for weeks, months and years in this fight. already you have seen neighbours— in this fight. already you have seen neighbours helping neighbours. that is what _ neighbours helping neighbours. that is what kentucky does. that and give to the _ is what kentucky does. that and give to the judge and the mayor. we are here with _ to the judge and the mayor. we are here with federal support as the governor— here with federal support as the governor indicated. we have the transportation cabinet on the ground. _ transportation cabinet on the ground, the national guard is here. the government spoken this morning with the _ the government spoken this morning with the administrator. already in progress — with the administrator. already in progress on the highway is a team who will— progress on the highway is a team who will assist with the search of their— who will assist with the search of their scheme. we have a power systems— their scheme. we have a power systems package coming. generators that can _ systems package coming. generators that can power up to a facility as large _ that can power up to a facility as large as— that can power up to a facility as large as a — that can power up to a facility as large as a hospital. we have and i met team. — large as a hospital. we have and i met team, and incident management team that organises the entire effort — team that organises the entire effort for— team that organises the entire effort for weeks. we have an incident _ effort for weeks. we have an incident support team which will come _ incident support team which will come right here in graves county and assist _ come right here in graves county and assist in _ come right here in graves county and assist in organising the search and rescue _ assist in organising the search and rescue efforts. i want to thank jefferson— rescue efforts. i want to thank jefferson county, metro ema came down _ jefferson county, metro ema came down and _ jefferson county, metro ema came down and got on the road within two hours _ down and got on the road within two hours and _ down and got on the road within two hours and brought assets from there and they're _ hours and brought assets from there and they're going to be staying from several _ and they're going to be staying from several days and thank you most of all to— several days and thank you most of all to all— several days and thank you most of all to all of— several days and thank you most of all to all of first responders. you are the _ all to all of first responders. you are the true _ all to all of first responders. you are the true heroes. you're out where — are the true heroes. you're out where the _ are the true heroes. you're out where the wind was still blowing and the thunderstorms were passing through— the thunderstorms were passing through said thank you for that. we are also— through said thank you for that. we are also looking at, as the governor indicated. _ are also looking at, as the governor indicated, we are asking for immediate reimbursement for category a and category b damages. many of you know— a and category b damages. many of you know that and that will be an immediate process. we have teams from can— immediate process. we have teams from can in— immediate process. we have teams from can in turkey emergency management and we are sending a team down as— management and we are sending a team down as early as tomorrow so are flowing _ down as early as tomorrow so are flowing we — down as early as tomorrow so are flowing. we have water on the road. i flowing. we have water on the road. i know _ flowing. we have water on the road. i know your— flowing. we have water on the road. i know your water system was destroyed including the tower. we also had _ destroyed including the tower. we also had just had a generous offer from _ also had just had a generous offer from walmart to start doing drop shipment — from walmart to start doing drop shipment of bottled water and we will continue with that. we are here to help _ will continue with that. we are here to help you — will continue with that. we are here to help you and again, any support that you _ to help you and again, any support that you need, don't hesitate to call through tracey. thank you. some outside the region, _ call through tracey. thank you. some outside the region, maybe _ call through tracey. thank you, sf“- outside the region, maybe even outside the region, maybe even outside the region, maybe even outside the state are already asking how they can help. we are working right now on setting up a direct fund. that is going to be, i believe, called the western kentucky tornado relief fund and we are going tornado relief fund and we are going to be able to accept help into undirected here in the ways that it is needed the most and be able to be flexible with the leadership here. that is in process. but i hope everybody can see that this whole state, this whole state, is with this area. you don't have the governor and the head of emergency management. we had the head of kentucky national guard which deploys at all of our largest emergencies, it is here to witness it first—hand. we are already staging in about eight counties or close to it with request still coming in. close to it with request still coming im— close to it with request still cominu in. . ~' ., g , coming in. thank you, governor. just to share with — coming in. thank you, governor. just to share with everybody _ coming in. thank you, governor. just to share with everybody here - coming in. thank you, governor. just to share with everybody here at - coming in. thank you, governor. just to share with everybody here at this. to share with everybody here at this junction. _ to share with everybody here at this junction, literally, as i speak and as the _ junction, literally, as i speak and as the governor insinuated, we've -ot as the governor insinuated, we've got guardsmen from other communities that are _ got guardsmen from other communities that are one _ got guardsmen from other communities that are one word right now. these folks _ that are one word right now. these folks are _ that are one word right now. these folks are coming to assist with everything from search and rescue and i_ everything from search and rescue and i have — everything from search and rescue and i have been able to speak with both the _ and i have been able to speak with both the police chief and the fire chief— both the police chief and the fire chief as— both the police chief and the fire chief as well. and we have identified some of the concerns as far as _ identified some of the concerns as far as security needs, as a result of the _ far as security needs, as a result of the damage that has been done at thisjunction so some of the guardsmen that we have got showing up guardsmen that we have got showing up will— guardsmen that we have got showing up will also _ guardsmen that we have got showing up will also be coming in to address that _ up will also be coming in to address that we _ up will also be coming in to address that. we have got representatives from _ that. we have got representatives from our — that. we have got representatives from our union seven quite simply is kind of— from our union seven quite simply is kind of liaison right now to get dot-mac— kind of liaison right now to get dot—mac what the needs are. what that phone said. were going to ull awa what that phone said. were going to pull away from _ what that phone said. were going to pull away from that _ what that phone said. were going to pull away from that news _ what that phone said. were going to pull away from that news conference for an avid rest assured, we are very much keeping an eye all of that devastating statistics coming out of kentucky. the mayor of this state saying at least 70 people are known to have died as a result of their scott tornadoes overnight and he feared that death toll could increase but that is the confirmed figure thus far. the mayor of graves county on the brink of tears for much of what he had to say saying this is the toughest day of my life and both men are to the fact that there are a lot of families out there are a lot of families out there who need your prayers. a search and rescue operation very much under way now that it is daylight but huge amount of work to be done and an enormous amount of damage caused. more on that to come and a little bit more on cvoid and the new modelling around the new variant as well. but right now the time is just coming variant as well. but right now the time isjust coming up variant as well. but right now the time is just coming up to 21 minutes past four. we mustjust pause and catch up with all the latest sports news. a very busy weekend in the world of sport as well. let's return to gavin. i, gavin. it is indeed a very busy weekend. verstappen example position ahead of this weekend's season finale of formula 1. he pipped his rival lewis hamilton and it is said that for an epic showdown in the desert tomorrow. they battle for the title. as the sun goes down in abu dhabi, the pressure goes up. verstappen felt it first in the crucial second session of qualifying that decides the tyres drivers race on. a flat spot makes tyres and driveable. it forced red bull and verstappen to change tactics for the race and he will now start on the part about this durable fast attire. it is the final shoot—out for pole that really matters, though. and in a weekend thatis matters, though. and in a weekend that is being headlined by individuals, it was a team—mate who got verstappen through. perez provided a slipstream to help the flying dutchman go faster and it worked. mercedes did not copy the tactic and hamilton could not catch him. in the last six years the pole—sitter has gone on to win. in this title fight, verstappen has landed a heavy first blow, leaving hamilton on the ropes. the question is, can he recover? england have been crushed in the opening ashes test, losing by nine wickets on day four. they had hoped to continue the momentum they had built up on the third day and there were glimmers of hope. the captain added just three to his overnight score. the dismissalfor 89 was to his overnight score. the dismissal for 89 was pivotal putting australia in total control. england lost their last eight wickets for just 77 runs. and they limped to 297 all out. that left australia needing 22 in they reached with ease. next up 22 in they reached with ease. next up is adelaide on thursday. in the premier league manchester city had extended their lead at the top to two points at these for a couple of hours also as they beat wolves 1—0. wolves had to play the second half with ten men after a player was sent off picking up two yellow cards in just 48 seconds. the winner came from the penalty spot. this incident here was given as a handball, and sterling scored his 100th premier league goalfrom the sterling scored his 100th premier league goal from the spot. the second half of the other matches under way. the return of steven gerard to anfield. it is goalless at the moment. arsenal are now three up against southampton. and chelsea are now ahead after falling behind. later when norwich city host manchester united in the evening kick—off. there's been a shock defeat for last week's fa cup winners, chelsea. they lost 1—0 away to reading for that they could have gone top of the league for the first time season but the royals went ahead afterjust time season but the royals went ahead after just four time season but the royals went ahead afterjust four minutes. they scored from their only shot on target and that defeat leaves chelsea one point adrift of the leaders, arsenal. reading with up to fifth. four—time world championjohn higgins continued his superiority against ronnie o'sullivan. the table in a one—sided semifinal and continued his dominance over the six time world champion. the wizard of which is now beaten the rocket in five of their six meetings this year having lost three finals in 2021, higgins will be making to make fourth time lucky when he faces his opponent in the final on sunday. that is all the support from others. jane will be back a little later run with more. were going to talk a little bit more about our main story around cova today and it is that you modelling that has come out this afternoon which suggests there will be wave of the new omicron variant in january. be wave of the new omicron variant injanuary. unless there are somewhat tighter restrictions than we are living under currently in terms of the advice to work from home, compulsory masks in public transport and a lot of public settings now, as we know. that is the modelling that has been produced. i've been talking about all of this with professor adam finn who is a member of the joint committee on vaccine immunisation and an assistant professor of mathematical modelling at the london school of tropical medicine. i began by asking him to explain what he and his team had found. we have been using our models to help interpret, understand and project forward possible dynamics throughout the pandemic and we have just updated our model to include the spread of the new variant in england and, based on the data we are getting in from england and from around the world, we are projecting that this new spread is likely to lead to a substantial wave of infections in the new year, specifically injanuary. and that wave in january that you are talking about, just to be really clear, is that based on restrictions, whatever you want to call them, remaining as they are now? so work from home if you can, lots and lots of places where you must wear a mask, all those sorts of factors. yes, we took account of that in the modelling so our baseline assumptions are that plan b will remain in effect into the new year and a few months into the new year and even with those restrictions in place were still protecting pretty substantial wave of infections. all of that said, there will be people watching who say, right, that everything i've heard about this new variant suggests the impact on the individual is not causing very, very serious illness therefore why should i be quite so worried by your numbers. what would your response to that be? one of the reasons we suspect the variant may not be causing as many cases of severe illness in people that it does in fact is that the people it is infecting other people who have been previously infected or have vaccine protection so they are essentially getting reinfection of sorts and we know that that leads to lesser disease severity. our model accounts for that and still predicting a substantial wave of admissions and unfortunately of deaths. you are nodding to that last point, all of this, to you, i assume, still says this tells us more about the importance of a third dose? yes, absolutely so. the next model is concordant with two other models we have seen that the project very large wave of infection. and you would have to be very big optimist imagine this would not lead to serious problems so that does indeed reinforce the importance of getting booster doses into people but also actually, as nick's comments implied, people not yet immunised with the first two doses it is now critically important that they come forward and get the _ protection that those doses will give in order to reduce the risk of them getting seriously ill. what about people who hear you say that and think, well, i am confused because now i am hearing that if i have had particular vaccines i don't have perhaps the protection against omicron that i might like. i am thinking obviously of astrazeneca. if you boost with one of the vaccines like pfizer you do get a very substantial further rise in your protective antibodies and we predict that that will provide significant protection against this if new variant so those are the vaccines we've got at the moment and those of the tools we have to use and in the meantime we all do need to do everything we can do to slow down this doubling time to give the booster programme times take effect. much more on cvoid and the new modelling at the top of the hour. right now it is time for the media show. just when you, this programme contains flash photography. —— just to warn you. hello, i'm ros atkins. welcome to this week's addition of the media show. we are going to talk about two enormous scoops and one resignation. it was it was pippa from the daily mirror who first reported on that christmas party in downing street last week. and then we had paul brand from itv news putting out a video he had obtained from a practice press briefing inside number ten last december in which we saw downing street staff laughing, joking about a party at number ten during lockdown. the issue has been everywhere in the media, it dominated prime minister's questions as well. and we're going to get into exactly how those scoops happened with help of pippa and with paul. but first of all, the prime minister's adviser