in the united states, has told the court she won't be giving evidence. football — and aston villa's match against burnley is the latest premier league game to be postponed due to coronavirus. that leaves just one match due to take place in the premier league today, with leeds united facing arsenal. good afternoon. there's a warning that tougher covid restrictions may need to be brought in "very soon" in england to avoid hospital admissions potentially peaking at around 3000 a day, as cases of the 0micron variant surge. the comments appear in leaked minutes from a meeting of the government's scientific advisory group for emergencies. leading infectious diseases expert professor neil ferguson says the situation looks precarious. here's our health correspondent, katharine da costa. there's no time to lose. jabs are now available 2a hours a day at this vaccine centre in north london, as nhs staff and volunteers across the country strive to reach 1millionjabs a day. in london, where the 0micron variant is already driving a surge of infections, hospital admissions are on the rise and staff sickness is a growing concern. i'm incredibly worried about staff absences in the nhs, in the fire brigade, in the police service, in our councils, across london. that's why it's so, so important for everybody who is eligible to receive a booster. currently around 800 covid patients are being admitted each day in england, but leaked minutes from government scientific advisers suggest that without further measures, we could see a surge of 1000 to 2000 admissions a day by the end of the year, and a possible peak of around 3000 a day. similar to levels in early january. to avoid significant pressure, sage advisers say... that is the major concern. and we will be able to be more certain about that scenario and exactly what we are heading into in the next few days, i think, with the increasing amount of data coming in. but it is a real concern we will be heading into something which has the risk of overrunning the health service. testing for the virus is also crucial. the vaccines minister was at a royal mail depot in derbyshire this morning. deliveries of pcr and lateral flow kits are being ramped up to 900,000 a day to make sure everyone who needs a test can get one. lateral flow devices are very effective at picking up the 0micron variant, as well as other variants. and it's the best way to make sure that they are free of the virus before they do visit friends and family this christmas or go to large events. the government at westminster has said current plan b measures in england are appropriate, but would go further if new data suggests that's needed. wales and scotland have already tightened some restrictions. representatives from all uk nations are expected to gather for an emergency cobra meeting this weekend. katharine da costa, bbc news. 0ur political correspondent, jonathan blake, is here. concerns from the scientific advisers. any sign of a change of direction from the government? flat direction from the government? iirrt immediately, no. the cabinet minister today have been briefed on the latest data as far as coronavirus cases go. the immediate upshot of that it seems is that there is not necessarily going to be any major change of approach or intervention at this point, so just an update, really, on the latest figures. but there is huge concern and a certain amount of pressure on the government to go further than it has done already in the run—up to christmas, when cases are rising so quickly, and particular concern from the mayor of london about the pressure it is putting on emergency services they are. there is political pressure too. the liberal democrats coming out today and are saying the government needs to come clean about what 0micron means for christmas. they are asking ministers to act now i'd explain what additional public health protection measures are needed. the government has options, potential limits on social interaction, potentially requiring certain businesses to close, but at this point they will be viewed i think as measures of last resort because the government really does not want to go further thanit really does not want to go further than it absolutely has to. it is a fast—moving situation and they will be keeping a close eye on the data. professor alan mcnally is director of institute of microbiology and infection at birmingham university — he helped set up the milton keynes lighthouse testing lab. we can speak to him now. we have been hearing of record case numbers come up with more records to come, and of course you can't really record cases without having the testing capacity. how sure are we that we have enough? inaudible. can you hear me 0k? inaudible. can ou hear me 0k? , can you hear me 0k? yes, i can. given the — can you hear me 0k? yes, i can. given the way — can you hear me 0k? yes, i can. given the way that _ can you hear me 0k? yes, i can. given the way that covid - can you hear me 0k? yes, i can. given the way that covid cases i can you hear me 0k? yes, i can. l given the way that covid cases are rising, do we have the capacity for testing to keep up with demand? i think the numbers that have been quoted _ think the numbers that have been quoted recently, round about 800,000 test per— quoted recently, round about 800,000 test per day, capacity with the possibility of that to go up towards 1 million. _ possibility of that to go up towards 1 million. i— possibility of that to go up towards 1 million, ithink possibility of that to go up towards 1 million, i think the question really— 1 million, i think the question really is — 1 million, i think the question really is do we need to be doing pcr testing _ really is do we need to be doing pcr testing on_ really is do we need to be doing pcr testing on that number of people on a deity— testing on that number of people on a daily basis, especially with lateret— a daily basis, especially with lateral flow tests now? we have been told that— lateral flow tests now? we have been told that there are enough lateral flow tests around. there was a slight — flow tests around. there was a slight logistics problem, but that has been — slight logistics problem, but that has been fixed now, and there are sufficient — has been fixed now, and there are sufficient lateral test flow around for people to do regular testing. at that for people to do regular testing. that point, for people to do regular testing. git that point, just to get clarification, if you are saying that we don't necessarily to have as many pcr tests, given the lateral flow capacity, but aren't pcr tests a lot more accurate and effective than at lateral flow test? thea:t a lot more accurate and effective than at lateral flow test? they are and they aren't. _ than at lateral flow test? they are and they aren't. i _ than at lateral flow test? they are and they aren't. i think _ than at lateral flow test? they are and they aren't. i think this - than at lateral flow test? they are and they aren't. i think this has i and they aren't. i think this has been _ and they aren't. i think this has been slightly destructed. lateral flow tests are excellent at detecting people with levels of virus _ detecting people with levels of virus that would equate to the infectious state, but pcr is very good _ infectious state, but pcr is very good at — infectious state, but pcr is very good at picking up very low levels of infection, so very early or very late stage — of infection, so very early or very late stage infections. but actually laterat— late stage infections. but actually lateral flow tests are good enough. if lateral flow tests are good enough. if you _ lateral flow tests are good enough. if you have — lateral flow tests are good enough. if you have symptoms, a lateral flow test will _ if you have symptoms, a lateral flow test will be _ if you have symptoms, a lateral flow test will be able to tell you whether you have covid or not. there is no _ whether you have covid or not. there is no argument about that, there is enough _ is no argument about that, there is enough published data to show that. my point _ enough published data to show that. my point about the pcr test, at the moment— my point about the pcr test, at the moment in— my point about the pcr test, at the moment in some areas of the country the epidemic is now doubling every 1.5 days, _ the epidemic is now doubling every 1.5 days, and it takes two to three days— 1.5 days, and it takes two to three days to _ 1.5 days, and it takes two to three days to get — 1.5 days, and it takes two to three days to get a pcr results, so you have _ days to get a pcr results, so you have to _ days to get a pcr results, so you have to question what were doing all be pcr_ have to question what were doing all be pcr tests if it takes double the amount— be pcr tests if it takes double the amount of— be pcr tests if it takes double the amount of time to get a result back that it _ amount of time to get a result back that it does — amount of time to get a result back that it does for the epidemic to be douhting — that it does for the epidemic to be doubling. so you could switch to test sites — doubling. so you could switch to test sites delivering lateral flow test sites delivering lateral flow test there and then sew the patient -ets test there and then sew the patient gets an _ test there and then sew the patient gets an immediate result and that can be _ gets an immediate result and that can be registered and we can still keep— can be registered and we can still keep track— can be registered and we can still keep track of numbers. then we can use the _ keep track of numbers. then we can use the react — keep track of numbers. then we can use the react study, the 0as study, and we _ use the react study, the 0as study, and we also — use the react study, the 0as study, and we also have lots of pop positive _ and we also have lots of pop positive covid cases from hospitals. the point _ positive covid cases from hospitals. the point i'm trying to make is that they taterat — the point i'm trying to make is that they lateral flows give a much quicker— they lateral flows give a much quicker result and can still give us more _ quicker result and can still give us more data — quicker result and can still give us more data than pcr test currently do. more data than pcr test currently do do— more data than pcr test currently do. , ., ~' more data than pcr test currently do. , ., ~ ., more data than pcr test currently do. ,., ~ ., ., do. do you think then that we do have the capacity _ do. do you think then that we do have the capacity to _ do. do you think then that we do have the capacity to continue - do. do you think then that we do l have the capacity to continue with meeting the demand? especially as cases are rising at the rate that you havejust cases are rising at the rate that you have just mentioned. cases are rising at the rate that you havejust mentioned. do cases are rising at the rate that you have just mentioned. do we cases are rising at the rate that you havejust mentioned. do we have a enough to ensure that everybody is getting the testing that they need in order to see us through this winter? mi; in order to see us through this winter? ~ , ., in order to see us through this winter? g ., , ., ., winter? my own personal opinion, i think if we stay _ winter? my own personal opinion, i think if we stay with _ winter? my own personal opinion, i think if we stay with that _ winter? my own personal opinion, i think if we stay with that side - think if we stay with that side still neatly pcr test... cases are doubting — still neatly pcr test... cases are doubling every 1.5—2 days. that means — doubling every 1.5—2 days. that means for— doubling every 1.5—2 days. that means for the next ten days, to these, — means for the next ten days, to these, we — means for the next ten days, to these, we have exponential growth and the _ these, we have exponential growth and the number of cases we are going to see _ and the number of cases we are going to see is _ and the number of cases we are going to see is now— and the number of cases we are going to see is now wired in, no intervention at now is going to change — intervention at now is going to change what we are going to see over the next _ change what we are going to see over the next ten — change what we are going to see over the next ten days, we are a potential— the next ten days, we are a potential looking at hundreds of thousands of new covid cases every day. thousands of new covid cases every day that _ thousands of new covid cases every day. that would put a enormous strain _ day. that would put a enormous strain on— day. that would put a enormous strain on pcr testing capacity, to the extent— strain on pcr testing capacity, to the extent where i'm not actually sure we _ the extent where i'm not actually sure we will be able to deliver it. as cases— sure we will be able to deliver it. as cases increase, things like the ability— as cases increase, things like the ability to— as cases increase, things like the ability to start a pcr testing labs will be _ ability to start a pcr testing labs will be affected because you will have staff illnesses and capacity may actually be just. i have concerns _ may actually be just. i have concerns we won't be able to do the number— concerns we won't be able to do the number of— concerns we won't be able to do the number of pcr test that we have two, particular— number of pcr test that we have two, particular towards the end of this year and — particular towards the end of this year and january. particular towards the end of this year and january-— year and january. thank you for shafini year and january. thank you for sharing your — year and january. thank you for sharing your thoughts. - all but one of saturday's premier league games have been postponed because of covid—i9 outbreaks at clubs — with just leeds taking on arsenal at 5:30. in the past hour, aston villa vs burnley has been called off. the government and football authorities have urged footballers to get vaccinated against the virus. the most recent data from the premier league, published in october, revealed that 81% of premier league players had had at least one jab, while 68% had been given two doses. the world health organization says the 0micron variant of the coronavirus has now been identified in at least 89 countries and is spreading significantly faster than the delta strain. the who says it's taking only three days at the most for cases of 0micron to double. the rapid spread has seen a raft of new restrictions brought in across europe. lucy grey has this report. as countries across europe brace themselves for a sharp rise in cases due to the 0micron variant, hospitality and travel are the main targets for the new restrictions. the 0micron variant of the covid—i9 virus is exploding throughout europe. it is here, it is in our country. and we are going to see a massive rise in infections. in ireland, all restaurants, bars, cinemas and theatres will have to close at 8pm from sunday, although weddings for up to 100 people will be allowed until midnight. the government is promising new financial support for companies after warnings that the new rules could cause up to 70,000 job losses. this was the scene at london's eurostar late on friday as brits rushed to try to get over to france before it closed its borders to uk passport holders. the french government has banned major public parties and fireworks displays on new year's eve and the army has been brought in to help with the boosterjabs and ministers have approved the use of vaccinations for children from the age of five. record numbers of new cases in denmark have brought restrictions on restaurant opening hours, too, and cinemas, theatres and concert halls are closing. in switzerland, from monday, you will have to show proof of vaccination or recovery from covid to be allowed into restaurants or a negative test result to get into bars or nightclubs. the german government is warning that the next wave will be a massive challenge for its hospitals and society as a whole and has banned unvaccinated people from restaurants and nonessential commerce. french and danish travellers who have not been vaccinated will now have to quarantine on arrival in germany. with health care systems across europe under strain, the head of the european commission says that vaccination is key. we know that our health care systems are overstretched right now and this is partly linked to the large number of unvaccinated patients, so in conclusion, the answer can only be to increase vaccination to include children over five years of age, boosting and protective measures, that has to be the answer that we give to this new variant. and in the netherlands, as the health care system deals with an influx of covid patients, routine care and all but urgent operations have been postponed. dutch ministers are meeting health advisers on saturday after they recommended that the country go into a strict lockdown. lucy grey, bbc news. as we've been hearing, tough new restrictions on entering france from the uk have come into force. tourists have been banned, in an attempt by the french government to slow the spread of the 0micron variant. french citizens and residents are exempt. mark lowen is in the french ski resort of chamonix — he explained how the restrictions are impacting ski resorts in france. brits make up the largest foreign cohort to the french ski resorts, as a whole, and so the french businesses that depend on british custom are really beginning to worry about yet another lost season, and the sad ironyof it all is that the conditions and the sad irony of it all is that the conditions are absolutely perfect. you can probably see the gorgeous blue skies behind me, there has been a lot of early snow here in the season and with the ferries and flights and trains fully booked, actually, from the uk through these next few weeks, the french resorts were really looking forward to a bumper christmas season, but then came the announcement on thursday from the french government they were pulling up the drawbridge to all but essential travel, saying that 0micron was going to be like a landslide to hit the uk. the french prime minister has now compared it to lightning tearing through france potentially as well. they've just cancelled all new year's eve firework displays across the country, hospitals are filling up here and even though they 0micron numbers are at the moment much lower than in the uk, they are very worried about the transfer of the variant. that is why, for the moment, they are willing to sacrifice british tourists coming to the french ski resorts and to other parts of france as a whole over next few weeks. mark lowen reporting. there's mixed news on the health of high streets across the uk on the last saturday before christmas — usually one of the busiest shopping days of the year. figures from the retail analysts, springboard, show footfall is up 3.4% today across all destinations. but plan b guidance and concern about coronavirus meant footfall was down 13.2% in central london last week, with other large falls in other cities. but footfall on smaller high streets rose in the past seven days — up 8.4% in market towns. the headlines on bbc news: government scientific advisers warn tougher covid restrictions may be needed "very soon" in england — to avoid a steep rise in hospital admissions as cases of the 0micron variant surge. football stadiums and shopping centres are among nearly 3000 venues in england offering booster jabs this weekend — some will open round—the—clock. a woman arrested following a fire at sutton in south london, in which four young boys died, has been bailed — the 27—year—old, who was arrested on suspicion of child neglect, will return to a south london police station in mid—january. a man has appeared in court charged with murder and arson after a fire left a person dead in reading. hakeem kigundu is accused of starting the fire at around 3am on wednesday. the building was so badly damaged by the fire that it is unstable. kigundu was remanded in custody and will appear at reading crown court on tuesday. the uk's top civil servant has stepped down from leading an inquiry into downing street lockdown parties, after it emerged an event was held in his own office last year. simon case's investigation was supposed to clear up whether rules had been broken — but instead it's another damaging step for the prime minister after a bruising couple of weeks. 0ur political correspondent, nick eardley, reports. westminster has packed up for christmas, but it's events from this time last year that are continuing to cause controversy. simon case is the man the prime minister asked to look at allegations of rule breaking at parties. but yesterday it emerged there had been an event at his own private office. emails that invited people to a christmas party, which it emerged yesterday was a quiz. the cabinet secretary didn't attend, but he did speak to staff as he left — and last night it was announced he would stand back from the enquiry. another top civil servant, sue grey, would complete the probe. it's incredibly hard to believe nobody in government knew these parties were happening, and there's a huge amount of evidence now, so i do believe that the investigation sue grey is going to be leading up, there is evidence there, they need to carry that investigation out very swiftly to restore the public trust and then hand over that evidence to the police, because nobody�*s above the law. it's another damaging episode after a damaging few weeks for the government, from accusations of not taking sleaze seriously, to big rebellions in parliament, to this... cheering and applause. ..the remarkable result in north shropshire, where the liberal democrats overturned a 26,000 majority for the conservatives, and the think burst the prime minister's bubble in the process. that is always the signal sent by the public when they feel things have gone wrong. and the answer to that is very simple. it's not more of the same, it's the reality that if we want to get the vote back, then we have to be able to show that we deserve that support. the past few weeks have led to questions over borisjohnson's authority and his politicalfuture. many conservatives think things need to change in here if he's going to steady the ship. nick eardley, bbc news. the british socialite, ghislaine maxwell, who's facing sex trafficking charges in the united states, has told the court she won't be giving evidence. ms maxwell said there was no need to testify because the prosecution had failed to prove her guilt beyond reasonable doubt. she denies grooming girls for the late convicted paedophile, jeffrey epstein. 0ur correspondent, nada tawfik, is in new york. the defence has rested its case today, and it comes after ghislaine maxwell decided not to take the stand in her own defence. as she stood up and addressed thejudge, she said that there was no need to testify because the prosecution had not proved their case beyond a reasonable doubt. so a very defiant response there from ghislaine maxwell, who has been very involved throughout this whole trial, passing notes to her lawyers during cross—examination of the accusers and others who have testified, stating that she will not tell her side of the story on the stand. of course, that would have been a very risky strategy, opening her up to intense cross—examination by prosecutors, but really this trial is moving incredibly fast. we are now set to have closing statements from both sides on monday. the defence's case, after initially saying they might call 35 witnesses, they rested after calling nine witnesses and none really revealing too much more to help their case. it seems that the defence is really relying on their cross—examination that happened during the prosecution's case of the key four accusers, hoping that they have sewn enough doubt injurors minds to avoid a conviction for their client, ghislaine maxwell. at least 31 people have died and many remain missing in the philippines after typhoon rai hit the country on thursday. the storm, which affected the country's southern provinces, packed sustained winds of 195kph and dumped heavy rain, triggering flash flooding and landslides. from manila, howard johnson reports. typhoon rai, the strongest storm to hit the philippines this year, destroyed homes, uprooted trees and toppled power lines — leaving more than 3 million filipinos without electricity, according to the government. but what made this storm so significant is the power it sustained as it inundated nine different islands with ferocious winds and heavy rain. river banks burst and storm surges wrecked coastal areas. more than 300,000 people have been evacuated from their homes. the philippine red cross and the national coastguard lead the relief efforts, handing out food and temporary shelters. posts on social media today show the popular tourist island, siargao, being battered by relentless winds as the storm made its first landfall. the governor there says the island has been totally devastated, estimating repair costs at more than $400 million. the typhoon has now left the philippines, moving westwards over the south china sea. that was howard johnson reporting from the philippines. sir rod stewart and his son, sean, have admitted punching a security guard when they were barred from entering a party in palm beach, in florida, two years ago. thejudge decided not to adjudicate, which means they won't be formally convicted and they won't face jail or a fine. the singer's lawyer said he'd struck a plea deal to avoid the inconvenience and cost of a high—profile trial. it's the strictly come dancing final tonight — but it's sad news for aj 0dudu and her partner, kai widdrington, who have pulled out of the show. the tv presenter has torn a ligament in her right ankle which means only two couples will compete for the glitterball. david sillito reports. last week, it was a full house of tens for aj and kai's quickstep. the tv presenter, aj 0dudu, was on her way to the final. i'm really happy. thank you so much for all of your votes. i am buzzing! just days later, she posted this picture of herself sitting with crutches and a bandaged foot. an injury picked up during the hours of training. she has now had to admit defeat. she could barely stand, let alone dance. her ligament had been torn. my ankle has given away and my ligament has ruptured. and it isjust not going to happen. we were gutted because we were ready to smash it. this isn't the way that we wanted to go out, obviously, but even just looking back at all of those moments, it's just been an absolute pleasure dancing with you every single week. so thank you. it was clear on week one that she was going to be a contender for the glitterball trophy. by week 12, she was just one point short of a perfect score for her two dances. it means the final tonight will be between the two remaining couples. aj 0dudu offered her best wishes, saying... david sillito, bbc news. i'm joined now by kim winston, presenter and producer of the bbc�*s strictly come dancing official podcast. such a shame for ajay and kai. what you make of the journey so far? 50 you make of the journey so far? sr gutted, they are absolutely devastated, it essentially not how you would want yourjourney devastated, it essentially not how you would want your journey to devastated, it essentially not how you would want yourjourney to end. she came in as the superfan and was literally living her dream and to end this way is so cutting. she said herself, she is a finalist, she made it to the final, she is taking all the positives away from it. that leaves us _ the positives away from it. that leaves us with _ the positives away from it. that leaves us with just _ the positives away from it. that leaves us with just two - the positives away from it. that leaves us with just two couples in the final for the first time since 2009. it is really an unusual situation for the final. how do you think it will affect how it goes? will it change the dynamic of voting and how people are supporting? that was the first — and how people are supporting? trisgt was the first year i started, 2009. i don't think it will affect the show in any way, they are too incredible finalist. i don't think we have seen a series like this in so long, the standard is so high. if anything, more people might be voting. anything, more people might be votini. ,, . ., voting. starting with rose and giovanna. _ voting. starting with rose and giovanna, what _ voting. starting with rose and giovanna, what you _ voting. starting with rose and giovanna, what you you - voting. starting with rose and giovanna, what you you make| voting. starting with rose and i giovanna, what you you make of voting. starting with rose and - giovanna, what you you make of how they have been? you giovanna, what you you make of how they have been?— they have been? you look back to rows on week _ they have been? you look back to rows on week one _ they have been? you look back to rows on week one and _ they have been? you look back to rows on week one and she - they have been? you look back to | rows on week one and she actually only got 22, so she has not been consistently high every single week. but both of the couples really have gone on one. but i think rose has been outstanding, notjust what gone on one. but i think rose has been outstanding, not just what she had done for the deaf community, but everyone raising awareness has been amazing. hard couples choice routine has already won a lot of awards for a tv moment of the year. that was a routine were the music stopped and they continued dancing. i was iuil , they continued dancing. i was guilty. i'd _ they continued dancing. i was guilty. l'd use _ they continued dancing. i was guilty, i'd use the _ they continued dancing. i was guilty, i'd use the word - they continued dancing. i was i guilty, i'd use the word journey they continued dancing. i was - guilty, i'd use the word journey in my first question as well, i about how to avoid that word now. to go on tojohn and johanne s, tell us about theirjourney. to john and johanne s, tell us about theirjourney— theirjourney. they have been amazini theirjourney. they have been amazing as — theirjourney. they have been amazing as well. _ theirjourney. they have been amazing as well. they - theirjourney. they have been amazing as well. they have i theirjourney. they have been l amazing as well. they have not always been top of the leaderboard, sometimes middle, sometimes down at the bottom, but they have ash had the bottom, but they have ash had the most 39s of all couples. they haven't quite got the a0 yet, but who knows what tonight will bring. looking back at week three when they did the amazing pasta dough blew two pipes of the caribbean, you suddenly thought, wow, they are certainly ones to watch. here at they are in the final. i have spoken to both couples, there is a real sense of calm about them, which is unusual because the finals are usually when most people are most nervous. but both couples are just delighted to be here and gutted that it is over. you know the question i have to ask you, who would you be putting your money on to be lifting that got ball trophy? it money on to be lifting that got ball troh ? , ,., money on to be lifting that got ball troh ? , . ., money on to be lifting that got ball troh? ., trophy? it is so close and luckily i can be impartial. _ trophy? it is so close and luckily i can be impartial. no _ trophy? it is so close and luckily i can be impartial. no idea, - trophy? it is so close and luckily i can be impartial. no idea, i- trophy? it is so close and luckily i can be impartial. no idea, ithink| can be impartial. no idea, i think it is going to be one of the closest finals yet. ijust it is going to be one of the closest finals yet. i just can't wait to see what they pull out of the bag, especially at the show dances. i had a sneak peek at them, both of them so different. a sneak peek at them, both of them so different-— so different. very diplomatic and serve. so different. very diplomatic and serve- thank— so different. very diplomatic and serve. thank you, _ so different. very diplomatic and serve. thank you, kim. - going to a uk beach in your swimming costume in the middle of december may not fill everyone with excitement — but when it's for a good cause, it all seems worth it. edward sault explains. one, two, three... bananas! baring all, almost, all for charity. one, two, three! cheering and applause. the idea came about after christine lost her husband to cancer during lockdown. he was taken to southampton where he would stay for five weeks. we were not allowed to visit him once. they told him that he was going to die and we could not even comfort him. towards the end of roy's life, he was cared for by the st wilfried's hospice in sussex. they took his fear away from dying, we were all really frightened. christine wanted to raise money for the hospice and had a word with janet after they came out for a swim. i thought a calendar would be a great idea and it was very. impromptu and we only decided in october. - we had a few spectators who were a bit shockedl | when they came across half naked| women on the beach in november. and this is it. with all proceeds going to help cancer patients in west sussex.