garden with staff, during the first national lockdown. number 10 says, it was a "work meeting". but how are other countries coping with the omicron variant, in the run—up to christmas? we'll take a closer look. also this lunchtime... the red cross says its "complete carnage," in some coastal areas of the philippines, after typhoon rai kills more than 300 people. warding off a lonely christmas. virtual reality carols, for those unable to go to church. and australia demolish england to go 2—0 up in the ashes. and coming up on the bbc news channel, tottenham are out of the europa conference league after uefa ruled they forfeited their match against rennes. that game was called off following a covid outbreak. good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at one. the cabinet is expected to meet in the next hour as the prime minister faces calls to bring in tighter covid restrictions in england to combat the rising numbers of infections, due to the omicron variant. today, the deputy prime minister, dominic raab, again refused to rule out tougher rules over christmas. the bbc has been told civil servants have prepared three different options ranging in severity, with borisjohnson likely to face strong opposition to further restrictions from within his own party. here's our political correspondent, jonathan blake. booster jabs are still the boosterjabs are still the main hope in the battle against omicron but as cases of the new variant continue to rise, ministers will not rule out taking further measures. irate rise, ministers will not rule out taking further measures. we are accelerating _ taking further measures. we are accelerating the _ taking further measures. we are accelerating the booster - taking further measures. we are i accelerating the booster roll-out taking further measures. we are i accelerating the booster roll-out in accelerating the booster roll—out in various different ways, halving the time between second and third doses, increasing this through the vaccination, open longer hours, and of course if we need to change the approach, we can't rule it out definitively, but that will be reliant on the data that comes through. reliant on the data that comes throu . h. ~ , ., reliant on the data that comes throu~h. ~ , . through. with 'ust a few days until christmas, through. with just a few days until christmas, there _ through. with just a few days until christmas, there is _ through. with just a few days until christmas, there is anxiety - through. with just a few days until christmas, there is anxiety that i christmas, there is anxiety that plans may have to change. labour are callin: for plans may have to change. labour are calling for clarity. _ plans may have to change. labour are calling for clarity. here _ plans may have to change. labour are calling for clarity. here we _ plans may have to change. labour are calling for clarity. here we are - calling for clarity. here we are with _ calling for clarity. here we are with the — calling for clarity. here we are with the variant everybody is very concerned — with the variant everybody is very concerned about, and what i want to see is— concerned about, and what i want to see is a _ concerned about, and what i want to see is a government and a prime mihister— see is a government and a prime minister that gets a grip and put a plan forward that hopefully we can all get _ plan forward that hopefully we can all get behind. but where is he? there _ all get behind. but where is he? there is— all get behind. but where is he? there is a — all get behind. but where is he? there is a vacuum of leadership at the moment. the infighting is going on in _ the moment. the infighting is going on in the _ the moment. the infighting is going on in the tory party when the focus should _ on in the tory party when the focus should be _ on in the tory party when the focus should be on the public interest and public— should be on the public interest and public health. the should be on the public interest and public health-— public health. the prime minister has a choice. _ public health. the prime minister has a choice. officials _ public health. the prime minister has a choice. officials have - public health. the prime ministeri has a choice. officials have drawn up has a choice. officials have drawn up three different options for further restrictions ranging in severity from low to medium to high. the decision to implement restrictions will never be an easy one but the political pressure on borisjohnson right now particularly from his own party, will make it harder than ever. the former brexit minister lord frost resigned at the weekend, in part over the current covid restrictions. i weekend, in part over the current covid restrictions.— covid restrictions. i can't speak for anybody — covid restrictions. i can't speak for anybody else, _ covid restrictions. i can't speak for anybody else, i _ covid restrictions. i can't speak for anybody else, i can - covid restrictions. i can't speak for anybody else, i can olise i covid restrictions. i can't speak for anybody else, i can olise a | covid restrictions. i can't speak- for anybody else, i can olise a what ithink— for anybody else, i can olise a what i think which — for anybody else, i can olise a what i think which is— for anybody else, i can olise a what i think which is that _ for anybody else, i can olise a what i think which is that i _ for anybody else, i can olise a what i think which is that i don't - i think which is that i don't slunwort— i think which is that i don't support coercive _ i think which is that i don't support coercive policies l i think which is that i don'tl support coercive policies on i think which is that i don't - support coercive policies on covid. —— | support coercive policies on covid. -- i can— support coercive policies on covid. -- i can only— support coercive policies on covid. -- i can only say _ support coercive policies on covid. —— i can only say. the _ support coercive policies on covid. —— i can only say. the prime - support coercive policies on covid. —— i can only say. the prime list i support coercive policies on covid.| —— i can only say. the prime list as difficult _ —— i can only say. the prime list as difficult to — —— i can only say. the prime list as difficult to take _ —— i can only say. the prime list as difficult to take and _ —— i can only say. the prime list as difficult to take and he'll— —— i can only say. the prime list as difficult to take and he'll think - difficult to take and he'll think hard _ difficult to take and he'll think hard on — difficult to take and he'll think hard on them. _ difficult to take and he'll think hard on them. his— difficult to take and he'll think hard on them.— difficult to take and he'll think hard on them. his concerns are shared by _ hard on them. his concerns are shared by many _ hard on them. his concerns are shared by many conservative . hard on them. his concerns are - shared by many conservative mps, deeply wary of any further measures. ijust deeply wary of any further measures. i just don't deeply wary of any further measures. ijust don't think deeply wary of any further measures. i just don't think at the moment there is anyjustification for further measures. of course people must be sensible, they only need to meet where it is reasonable to do so, and they must consider getting the vaccination. but i think we are asking the good sense of the british people to do that rather than further government edicts at the moment. �* , , ., ,. moment. and there is this, a picture taken of the — moment. and there is this, a picture taken of the prime _ moment. and there is this, a picture taken of the prime minister - taken of the prime minister and staff in the garden of number 10 in may, according to the guardian, when vixens were in place. wine, a cheeseboard, a work meeting, says downing street. labour say that is a stretch. there were differences of opinion in government about what action, if any, opinion in government about what action, ifany, is opinion in government about what action, if any, is needed now. ministers are meeting this afternoon to review the latest data. and jonathan, a lot of speculation about differing options for tighter rules so what can we be looking at? i think we need to look back to earlier stages in the pandemic when we had everything from a full lockdown in place, with businesses closed, schools closed as well and strict limits on socialising and household mixing, through to a much more lighter touch, with guidance in the place of rules, suggesting what is sensible for people to do. there are many different options in between that. but i think we should caution against scenting or assuming any of that is inevitable because it just isn't, franklin —— sensing or assuming. you have a trade—off between acting peremptorily against the risk that hospitalisations could go the risk that hospitalisations could 9° up, the risk that hospitalisations could go up, people falling ill with the omicron variant and guarding against that unsustainable pressure we could see on the nhs, and waiting and hoping and crossing fingers that it will not be as bad as all that. the prime minister is the one with the decision to make amid intense political pressure on him, ministers are meeting this afternoon and at some point, their eyes will turn to him for a decision to be made. jonathan blake, thank you, live at westminster. ministers have again called on anyone eligible to get a coronavirus boosterjab to get thejob done. bookings have now opened for children aged 12 to 15 in england to get their second dose of vaccine. it comes as one nhs leader warns pressure on hospital trusts in london is "mounting rapidly". here's our health correspondent, dominic hughes. the race to get boosterjabs into as many arms as possible is intensifying. yesterday saw more than 900,000 boosters delivered thanks in part to mass vaccination centres like this one in manchester where they have been operating around the clock as part of a trial to see how people responded, averaging around 60 jabs an hour through the night. you averaging around 60 'abs an hour through the night._ averaging around 60 'abs an hour through the night. you can come from an time through the night. you can come from any time after — through the night. you can come from any time after five _ through the night. you can come from any time after five past _ any time after five past midnight, so it's the most reasonable time! later there's going to be a queue and also — later there's going to be a queue and also because i'm available this morning. _ and also because i'm available this morning, and working. dutyr and also because i'm available this morning, and working.— morning, and working. duty calls, i've not morning, and working. duty calls, i've got work— morning, and working. duty calls, i've got work at _ morning, and working. duty calls, i've got work at eight _ morning, and working. duty calls, i've got work at eight so _ morning, and working. duty calls, i've got work at eight so i - morning, and working. duty calls, i've got work at eight so i figured | i've got work at eight so i figured it was— i've got work at eight so i figured it was best — i've got work at eight so i figured it was best to— i've got work at eight so i figured it was best to get _ i've got work at eight so i figured it was best to get it _ i've got work at eight so i figured it was best to get it out - i've got work at eight so i figured it was best to get it out of - i've got work at eight so i figured it was best to get it out of the i it was best to get it out of the way — it was best to get it out of the way its— it was best to get it out of the wa . �* , , . , it was best to get it out of the wa. , way. a huge publicity campaign is also under way — way. a huge publicity campaign is also under way this _ way. a huge publicity campaign is also under way this morning, - also under way this morning, national newspapers carried an identical message, to add to tv appeals that have been running but the logistics of ramping up a mass vaccination campaign so quickly are complicated, with london in particular experiencing problems with the supply. brute particular experiencing problems with the supply-— with the supply. we luckily had enou:h with the supply. we luckily had enough already _ with the supply. we luckily had enough already in _ with the supply. we luckily had enough already in the - with the supply. we luckily had enough already in the fridge i with the supply. we luckily had enough already in the fridge to | with the supply. we luckily had i enough already in the fridge to do with the supply. we luckily had - enough already in the fridge to do a very busy saturday clinic, we gave over a 400 doses on saturday, but then we had to stop and we are desperately hoping we get the delivery later today for tomorrow's clinic. ., ., ., ,., , ., clinic. one of the main reasons for the sense of— clinic. one of the main reasons for the sense of urgency _ clinic. one of the main reasons for the sense of urgency is _ clinic. one of the main reasons for the sense of urgency is the - clinic. one of the main reasons for the sense of urgency is the extra l the sense of urgency is the extra pressure this new wave could heap on an already creaking health service. it's notjust extra patients, but staff themselves falling ill. in london, the nhs has seen staff absences rising from 1900 to 4700 in less than a week. in absences rising from 1900 to 4700 in less than a week.— less than a week. in many places, the are less than a week. in many places, they are already _ less than a week. in many places, they are already under— less than a week. in many places, they are already under immense l they are already under immense pressure — they are already under immense pressure and so they are starting to id pressure and so they are starting to go off— pressure and so they are starting to go off sick— pressure and so they are starting to go off sick themselves, both with covid _ go off sick themselves, both with covid but — go off sick themselves, both with covid but also with physical and mental— covid but also with physical and mental exhaustion so it is looking like a _ mental exhaustion so it is looking like a very— mental exhaustion so it is looking like a very bleak picture for them over— like a very bleak picture for them over the — like a very bleak picture for them over the next few weeks. at like a very bleak picture for them over the next few weeks.- over the next few weeks. at the start of this _ over the next few weeks. at the start of this year, _ over the next few weeks. at the start of this year, hospitals - over the next few weeks. at the | start of this year, hospitals were overwhelmed at the number of covid pages since surged now back seats and booster seem to be keeping the number of deaths stable at least for the moment —— covid patients. but modelling suggests even a best case scenario for this wave could see death rising to around 600 per day. there's very little headroom for the number of cases to go up and the number of cases to go up and the number of cases to go up and the number of severe cases to go up as well, even in the best case scenario. well, even in the best case scenario-— well, even in the best case scenario. �* , ., scenario. but some good news today on the effectiveness _ scenario. but some good news today on the effectiveness of— scenario. but some good news today on the effectiveness of boosters. - on the effectiveness of boosters. moderna say new tests show its jab can increase neutralising antibodies about 37 fold, reinforcing the message that boosters remain the best weapon against the omicron variant. business bosses have called on the government to provide urgent help as customers stay away due to rising covid infections. the rapid spread of the omicron variant has seen numerous cancellations at many bars and restaurants, with the boss of the greene king pub chain warning that the country was in lockdown "in all but name", due to government messaging "around reducing social contact". meanwhile some venues have also been forced to close, because of staff needing to self—isolate, with the natural history museum shutting its doors for a week. our business editor, simonjack is here. businesses are anxious, no question, some saying they are on the edge. they are keen to stress that whether or not, whatever comes from this cabinet meeting this afternoon, they need urgent help. the hospitality industry says 10,000 venues could close unless they get further assistance, we have had some football figures this morning about how many people are out, 8.5% down on last week in city centres which is 25% down on pre—pandemic levels. the government position has always been that you are not locked down and you can open so support is tied to that and as you said, with consumer confidence and commuter numbers evaporating with the higher infection and the health messaging, we might all be locked down and we need to treat it as if we are. they are asking for cash help because thatis are asking for cash help because that is the thing, they had to pay staff bills, energy bills, they have just stocked the larders and fridges are bulging, the sellers are full and the cancellations are running at between 40 and 80% so they are saying they need help whatever happens. we are expecting something to come out, the government is in a dilemma, wanting to wean off the economy from the treasury as a backstop but having spent hundreds of billions on saving many businesses, if they go now, will those billions have been wasted? . ., now, will those billions have been wasted? ., ,, , ., ,, ., well, what's been the response of other countries to the rapid spread of the omicron variant in the run—up to christmas? in a moment, we'll hear from our correspondent gary o'donoghue in washington, and andrew harding injohannesburg, but first, let's go live to the hague in the netherlands, and our correspondent anna holligan who's there. and here is a snapshot of life under lockdown. at the cafes and bars and restaurants and museums and gyms are closed. there is no christmas shopping, all the nonessential shops have been shut although the off—licences and florists are open so essential is open to interpretation. the schools closed early for christmas, people asked to work from home and thymic is telling here because these rules were introduced a week before christmas —— the timing. it through holiday plans into disarray and highlighted the urgency and the fear still swelling around omicron and the uncertainty about things like the transmit ability and the potential to evade people's immunity. across the border in germany, travellers from the uk have been banned from entering unless they are german residents or germans flying in from the uk. those who do go had to show a negative test and enter quarantine, regardless of their vaccination status, and similar restrictions are in france. what this all shows is that along with omicron, the emergence of the realisation that coming together this christmas will be harder and more risky than anyone had anticipated. let's cross to gary o'donoghue in washington. scientists here are warning _ o'donoghue in washington. scientists here are warning of— o'donoghue in washington. scientists here are warning of a _ o'donoghue in washington. scientists here are warning of a viral— o'donoghue in washington. scientists here are warning of a viral blizzard - here are warning of a viral blizzard about _ here are warning of a viral blizzard about to _ here are warning of a viral blizzard about to hit — here are warning of a viral blizzard about to hit the country as omicron starts _ about to hit the country as omicron starts to— about to hit the country as omicron starts to take over as the dominant variant— starts to take over as the dominant variant of— starts to take over as the dominant variant of covid—19. it is in 45 of the 50 _ variant of covid—19. it is in 45 of the 50 states already and it's spreading rapidly. it is already having — spreading rapidly. it is already having an _ spreading rapidly. it is already having an impact on sporting events such as _ having an impact on sporting events such as the — having an impact on sporting events such as the national hockey league which _ such as the national hockey league which has _ such as the national hockey league which has cancelled several dozen matches, — which has cancelled several dozen matches, the nba, the nfl as well, even the _ matches, the nba, the nfl as well, even the famous hamilton it musical on broadway had to cancel some shows _ on broadway had to cancel some shows ih— on broadway had to cancel some shows. in terms of the vaccination rates. _ shows. in terms of the vaccination rates, they— shows. in terms of the vaccination rates, they are going up very slowly. — rates, they are going up very slowly, only 85% of people in the country _ slowly, only 85% of people in the country have had a single dose, only 72% are _ country have had a single dose, only 72% are double vaccinated. of the double _ 72% are double vaccinated. of the double vaccinated, only 30% have had that booster shot so far. shocking statistics, — that booster shot so far. shocking statistics, only1.6 that booster shot so far. shocking statistics, only 1.6 million doses of any— statistics, only 1.6 million doses of any kind, be that a first, second or booster, — of any kind, be that a first, second or booster, are being given each day at the _ or booster, are being given each day at the moment put on that rate it will take — at the moment put on that rate it will take a — at the moment put on that rate it will take a year at least to get the population boosted. joe biden is going _ population boosted. joe biden is going to — population boosted. joe biden is going to make a speech tomorrow announcing more help for underserved communities, urging people to get their vaccinations, communities, urging people to get theirvaccinations, but communities, urging people to get their vaccinations, but plans to have _ their vaccinations, but plans to have vaccine mandates for employers had been _ have vaccine mandates for employers had been mired in the courts. now lets look— had been mired in the courts. now lets look at — had been mired in the courts. now lets look at the situation in south africa _ lets look at the situation in south africa with — lets look at the situation in south africa with andrew harding in johannesburg._ africa with andrew harding in johannesburg. africa with andrew harding in johannesburu. . ~' , johannesburg. thank you, gary. south africa is the place _ johannesburg. thank you, gary. south africa is the place where _ johannesburg. thank you, gary. south africa is the place where omicron - africa is the place where omicron was first— africa is the place where omicron was first detected _ africa is the place where omicron was first detected so there - africa is the place where omicron was first detected so there was i was first detected so there was a lot of— was first detected so there was a lot of interest _ was first detected so there was a lot of interest in _ was first detected so there was a lot of interest in how— was first detected so there was a lot of interest in how things - was first detected so there was a lot of interest in how things are i lot of interest in how things are unfolding — lot of interest in how things are unfolding here and _ lot of interest in how things are unfolding here and so- lot of interest in how things are unfolding here and so far, - lot of interest in how things are unfolding here and so far, the i unfolding here and so far, the outlook — unfolding here and so far, the outlook is _ unfolding here and so far, the outlook is broadly _ unfolding here and so far, the outlook is broadly very- unfolding here and so far, the - outlook is broadly very encouraging. hospital— outlook is broadly very encouraging. hospital admissions _ outlook is broadly very encouraging. hospital admissions are _ outlook is broadly very encouraging. hospital admissions are still- outlook is broadly very encouraging. hospital admissions are still a - outlook is broadly very encouraging. hospital admissions are still a tiny l hospital admissions are still a tiny fraction _ hospital admissions are still a tiny fraction of— hospital admissions are still a tiny fraction of what _ hospital admissions are still a tiny fraction of what they— hospital admissions are still a tiny fraction of what they were - hospital admissions are still a tiny fraction of what they were at - hospital admissions are still a tiny fraction of what they were at the l fraction of what they were at the same _ fraction of what they were at the same point — fraction of what they were at the same point as— fraction of what they were at the same point as in— fraction of what they were at the same point as in previous - fraction of what they were at the | same point as in previous waves. fraction of what they were at the - same point as in previous waves. the same _ same point as in previous waves. the same goes _ same point as in previous waves. the same goes for— same point as in previous waves. the same goes for the _ same point as in previous waves. the same goes for the official— same point as in previous waves. the same goes for the official death - same goes for the official death rate from — same goes for the official death rate from omicron _ same goes for the official death rate from omicron which - same goes for the official death rate from omicron which is - rate from omicron which is dramatically— rate from omicron which is dramatically lower - rate from omicron which is dramatically lower than - rate from omicron which is dramatically lower than for rate from omicron which is - dramatically lower than for delta. the latest — dramatically lower than for delta. the latest figures _ dramatically lower than for delta. the latest figures suggest - dramatically lower than for delta. the latest figures suggest this . the latest figures suggest this fourth — the latest figures suggest this fourth wave. _ the latest figures suggest this fourth wave, which _ the latest figures suggest this fourth wave, which rose - the latest figures suggest this fourth wave, which rose so - the latest figures suggest this - fourth wave, which rose so steeply, is already— fourth wave, which rose so steeply, is already starting _ fourth wave, which rose so steeply, is already starting to _ fourth wave, which rose so steeply, is already starting to dip _ fourth wave, which rose so steeply, is already starting to dip in - fourth wave, which rose so steeply, is already starting to dip in south i is already starting to dip in south africa _ is already starting to dip in south africa but — is already starting to dip in south africa but we _ is already starting to dip in south africa. but we still— is already starting to dip in south africa. but we still need - is already starting to dip in south africa. but we still need to - is already starting to dip in south africa. but we still need to be . africa. but we still need to be cautious _ africa. but we still need to be cautious. for— africa. but we still need to be cautious. for a _ africa. but we still need to be cautious. for a start, - africa. but we still need to be cautious. for a start, the - africa. but we still need to be i cautious. for a start, the official death toll— cautious. for a start, the official death toll is _ cautious. for a start, the official death toll is probably— cautious. for a start, the official death toll is probably a - cautious. for a start, the official. death toll is probably a significant underestimate, _ death toll is probably a significant underestimate, perhaps- death toll is probably a significant underestimate, perhaps by- death toll is probably a significant underestimate, perhaps by a - death toll is probably a significant. underestimate, perhaps by a factor of three. _ underestimate, perhaps by a factor of three. and — underestimate, perhaps by a factor of three, and we _ underestimate, perhaps by a factor of three, and we still— underestimate, perhaps by a factor of three, and we still don't- underestimate, perhaps by a factor of three, and we still don't know. of three, and we still don't know why 0micron— of three, and we still don't know why omicron seems _ of three, and we still don't know why omicron seems to - of three, and we still don't know why omicron seems to be - of three, and we still don't knowl why omicron seems to be leaving of three, and we still don't know- why omicron seems to be leaving this country— why omicron seems to be leaving this country relatively unscathed _ why omicron seems to be leaving this country relatively unscathed to. - why omicron seems to be leaving this country relatively unscathed to. is - country relatively unscathed to. is it a sign— country relatively unscathed to. is it a sign that — country relatively unscathed to. is it a sign that the _ country relatively unscathed to. is it a sign that the variant _ country relatively unscathed to. is it a sign that the variant is - country relatively unscathed to. is it a sign that the variant is less i it a sign that the variant is less severe — it a sign that the variant is less severe or— it a sign that the variant is less severe or could _ it a sign that the variant is less severe or could it _ it a sign that the variant is less severe or could it be _ it a sign that the variant is less severe or could it be that- it a sign that the variant is less severe or could it be that so i severe or could it be that so many south _ severe or could it be that so many south africans _ severe or could it be that so many south africans were _ severe or could it be that so many south africans were exposed - severe or could it be that so many south africans were exposed to i south africans were exposed to previous — south africans were exposed to previous variants _ south africans were exposed to previous variants and _ south africans were exposed to previous variants and enjoyed l south africans were exposed to - previous variants and enjoyed some immunity— previous variants and enjoyed some immunity as — previous variants and enjoyed some immunity as a — previous variants and enjoyed some immunity as a result? _ previous variants and enjoyed some immunity as a result? even - immunity as a result? even if vaccination _ immunity as a result? even if vaccination levels _ immunity as a result? even if vaccination levels hit - immunity as a result? even if vaccination levels hit remainl immunity as a result? even if- vaccination levels hit remain pretty low 0r _ vaccination levels hit remain pretty low or simply— vaccination levels hit remain pretty low. 0r simplythe _ vaccination levels hit remain pretty low. or simply the fact _ vaccination levels hit remain pretty low. or simply the fact that - vaccination levels hit remain pretty low. or simply the fact that this . vaccination levels hit remain pretty low. or simply the fact that this isl low. or simply the fact that this is a much _ low. or simply the fact that this is a much younger— low. or simply the fact that this is a much younger population, - low. or simply the fact that this is a much younger population, the i a much younger population, the average — a much younger population, the average age _ a much younger population, the average age of— a much younger population, the average age of about _ a much younger population, the average age of about 13 - a much younger population, the average age of about 13 years i average age of about 13 years younger— average age of about 13 years younger than _ average age of about 13 years younger than britain. - average age of about 13 years youngerthan britain. either. average age of about 13 years - youngerthan britain. eitherway, younger than britain. either way, mask— younger than britain. either way, mask wearing _ youngerthan britain. eitherway, mask wearing remains _ youngerthan britain. eitherway, mask wearing remains strictly. mask wearing remains strictly enforced _ mask wearing remains strictly enforced here _ mask wearing remains strictly enforced here in— mask wearing remains strictly enforced here in public- mask wearing remains strictly enforced here in public but. mask wearing remains strictly enforced here in public but no mask wearing remains strictly- enforced here in public but no other major— enforced here in public but no other major restrictions— enforced here in public but no other major restrictions have _ enforced here in public but no other major restrictions have yet - enforced here in public but no other major restrictions have yet been - major restrictions have yet been brought— major restrictions have yet been brought in— major restrictions have yet been brought in by— major restrictions have yet been brought in by the _ major restrictions have yet been brought in by the government. i brought in by the government. back to you _ andrew, gary and anna, thank you. it is now a quarter past one. our top story this lunchtime... ministers are set to hold talks as boris johnson faces calls to bring in tighter covid restrictions in england over christmas. coming up... the premier league holds emergency talks on the impact of rising covid infections on the football season. coming up on the bbc news channel... rafa nadal tests positive for covid—19 after an exhibition event in abu dhabi. the 20—time grand slam champion was making his comeback from injury ahead of the australian open next month. police in the philippines say the number of people who've died after typhoon rai hit last week has risen to more than 350. the red cross says it's "carnage" in many areas, with no power, no communications, and very little water. thousands of military, coastguard and fire service personnel have been deployed, to help in the relief operation. with the latest from the capital manila, here's howard johnson. four days on from super typhoon rai's first landfall in the philippines the extent of the damage it caused is finally becoming clear. nine different islands separated by a distance of more than 800 kilometres all experienced sustained ferocious winds and heavy rain, flattening thousands of homes and flooding vast tracts of land. translation: we appeal for at least some small i help to come to us. now is the time we need a government, a government that is ready to help us in our current situation. we are waiting for whoever has a kind heart. i hope they will help us. the breadth of the destruction and the lack of communication lines, is causing logistical delays in humanitarian support. food, water, fuel and electricity are in limited supply on numerous islands. today, the british government committed nearly $1 million to an appeal by the international federation of the red cross to help the relief effort. the ifrc are hoping to raise a total of more than $20 million. howard johnson, bbc news, manila. voters in chile have elected the country's youngest ever president. gabriel boric, a left wing former student activist, who's 35, won 56% of the vote. he told jubilant supporters he'd reform society but keep the economy stable. his victory over his far right rival comes after two years of mass protests against inequality and corruption. pro—china candidates have claimed victory in hong kong's elections, as officialfigures show a record low turnout. just over 30% of those eligible cast their ballots. activists had called for a boycott because every candidate had been vetted for their loyalty to beijing before being allowed to stand. a local council has been accused of "dumping" vulnerable people, after several deaths in one set of flats used as temporary accommodation outside the city. brighton and hove city council has moved hundreds of homeless people out of the area, which experts say takes them away from vital support networks. one of those who died had mental health issues and took her own life. brighton says it doesn't usually place people with serious need outside its catchment area. our social affairs correspondent michael buchanan has the details. this is kendall court, a block of 54 bedsits that brighton council uses to accommodate homeless people. it is ten miles outside the city, in newhaven, and the council have been repeatedly told its not suitable for vulnerable people. if you could imagine a mental health ward with no staff, yes, that was kendal court. margaret winter's daughter, robyn rockman, was placed in kendal court after applying for emergency housing in brighton. a mature student, she was deemed vulnerable due to mental health problems which deteriorated at kendal court. just three weeks after being placed in the block, she took her own life. i don't think she really wanted to die. i read her facebook messages. in one of them, she said, "i don't want to die, ijust don't know how to live." it's not suitable, certainly for anyone who is vulnerable, who needs access to out—of—hours emergency mental health services. they should recognise that some people need more help than just a bed. at least ten kendal court residents have died since 2016, the most recent earlier this month. the people there often have complex needs, psychiatric or drug and alcohol problems. once you're put there and you get to see the people that are here and what goes on, it's like it's a dumping ground. leon rose has lived here for 18 months after being released from prison. while he is grateful for the accommodation, like many others, he feels isolated from his family in brighton. there is no point putting someone somewhere and just forgetting about them. when you put someone somewhere and it's temporary accommodation, surely you've got to be there to help them to move on, to progress to better premises. and it's notjust newhaven. brighton have moved people to hotels in eastbourne, too, at least three of whom have also died. being moved out of area is - exceptionally difficult for people. doctor tim worthley is a brighton gp who has cared for some of those who lived in the city but died elsewhere. we have had people often moved out of area with severe _ mental health needs, with heart failure or. with terminal cancer. we had people on the phone with us, | sobbing, really, desperate for theml to be moved back into the area so they can receive the care . and support they need. brighton has a significant homeless population and the council say the scale of accommodation needed is greater than they can provide within the city. neighbouring councils are now considering legal action to force brighton to provide more care to those it moves elsewhere. it simply stretches belief to breaking point that they could not have found an alternative site within the whole of brighton and hove to place these people. so there does seem to be, somewhere along the line, a lack of will to actually sort this problem out. brighton and hove council say they have a team of welfare officers supporting people in temporary accommodation and do not usually place someone with major care needs outside the city. they also rejected claims that kendal court was unsuitable for accommodating homeless people. michael buchanan, bbc news, sussex. if you have experienced any of the issues highlighted in that report, please go to the bbc action line service. a 63—year—old man has been sentenced to an indefinite hospital order, after being found responsible last month for the death of a fellow resident, at a care home in south east london. june kelly is at the old bailey for us. remind us of the background to this case. alexander rawson was in a mental health unit this time last year, underthe mental health unit this time last year, under the care of the south london and maudsley nhs trust. during his time in the mental health unit he had threatened staff with a knife and scissors but this time last year in the run—up to christmas, it was decided he should be moved into a care home in catford in south—east london. once in the home he was very distressed and he frightened a member of staff and then in the first week of the new year, he attacked eileen dean, a 93—year—old lady who was in the room next door. he beat her with his walking stick and a member of staff who found her said she appeared to mouth the word help. eileen dean suffered catastrophic injuries to her head and body and died some hours later in hospital. alexander rawson was deemed unfit to stand trial here at the old bailey last month. instead, ajury trial here at the old bailey last month. instead, a jury listened to the evidence and decided he was responsible for the death of eileen dean and today he has been given this indefinite hospital order. in court we had a very powerful statement from the daughter of eileen dean and she said her mother and the whole family had been let down by everyone who had decided to place alexander rawson in the care home. june, thank you. the church of england is releasing a series of virtual reality carols today, featuring the choir of london's st martin in the fields church. as the threat of tighter covid restrictions looms this christmas, the idea is part of a widerfocus on online worship, for those who can't attend services in person, and those who may be lonely. here's harry farley. singing. online worship that has had to happen through covid has been a gift for my family particularly. singing. the last decade, grief, questions, questioning faith, it would be an understatement to say that things have not been easy. the reverend charlotte cheshire is a priest in huddersfield. my husband chris died in april 2020, just a few weeks into the first lockdown. she's left with her 11—year—old son adam. wow! he has severe learning difficulties as well as being hearing and visually impaired. adam is absolutely gorgeous when he is happy. when he is struggling or overwhelmed, it's like having jekyll and hyde. imagine a terrible two tantrum in the body of someone who weighs 11 stone. christmas presents! for all of the years that adam has been part of my family, trying to worship has been difficult. prior to covid, i would have said that church was nearly impossible for us. but that has changed with the advent of online and now virtual reality worship. one of the reasons we are interested in doing virtual reality is we have seen a massive increase in the number of people engaging with online worship and we were thinking what's the next step? we are seeing people who don't normally come to church engaging online as the way that they start to explore faith. the church of england is in a battle to reverse a terminal decline in attendance. one hope is that digital worship and virtual reality in particular will be a step towards in—person worship for people who have left the pews. harry farley, bbc news. premier league bosses are holding emergency talks with all 20 clubs today, after a number of matches were cancelled due to covid outbreaks among players. the christmas period is one of the busiest of the football season. our correspondent, laura scott, is at the premier league's hq in west london. laura — what options will they be discussing today? quite simply the debate will be whether it's safe and sensible to continue with the premier league season. six of the weekend �*s ten scheduled top—flight games had to be postponed. rising cases within the league have given rise to calls for a circuit breaker effectively pours in the season for one or more match rounds. the premier league approach to date has been to continue with the current schedule for possible unsafe and they are expected to maintain that position today knowing if they were to postponed games, rearranging them would be difficult in an already congested season. some managers have said a circuit is necessary in the interests of player welfare, the chelsea the fact his side played yesterday was a huge risk. we know captains and managers will meet with the premier league later in the week and we expect new vaccination figures from the premier league and testing figures later today which could be very telling. certainly not an easy discussion and there is a real split of views within the league. laura, thank you. australia have won the second ashes test, beating england by 275 runs. the tourists had a mountain to climb, needing to bat the day to avoid falling behind 2—0 in the series, but despite some spirited resistance from jos buttler, they were eventually bowled out for 192. it means england face a huge challenge to win back the ashes. here's patrick gearey. so, to the last englishman standing in adelaide. a lonely place on the other side of the world. at the other end from mitchell starc... edged. ..ollie pope didn't last ten minutes. five wickets left. the biggest of them was ben stokes, so australia's fielders made an enclosure around him then sent in a lyon... nathan lyon thought he had him trapped lbw, the umpire did not. australia reviewed then rejoiced. england reset. chris woakes made a defiant 44, jos buttler a natural cavalier relied on his shield, no wicket fell for more than two and a half hours, say it quietly — maybe. but english optimism on this tour is no sooner formed than shattered. too good. the end of woakes and ultimately hope. the aussies were closing in. ollie robinson lasted an hour before lyon got him. still, perhaps improbably, the match went into its final session, still there, buttler, the adelaide barricade. for 206 balls he hardly put a foot wrong. he's trodden on the stump. he has. watch the lights on the bails. hit wicket, what a way to go. jhye richardson's fifth wicket finished the job for the aussies. australia win the test match. they go up 2—0 in the ashes. today marks 4,000 days since australia england last won a test in australia. to regain the ashes, they must somehow win the next three. patrick gearey, bbc news. time for a look at the weather. here's matt taylor. but will it be a white christmas? we are in the christmas run—up. it won't make for an easy forecast. let's take you to the big day, a battle not of the christmas number one but of an air mass, mild to the south, no snow, but cold air

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