new year celebrations. as 0micron spreads rapidly across the us — president biden prepares to ramp up the response. our other main headline — more bodies are found as rescuers reach islands in the phillipines, cut off by last week's typhoon. we'll hear from a filmmaker who was on one of the worst—hit islands — when the typhoon hit. and a huge fossilfind, a monster millipede, eight feet long, 50 kilos and the size of a car — discovered by chance in the uk. hello, and welcome. as countries around the world grapple with the rising tide of coronavirus cases — fuelled by the new 0micron variant — governments everywhere are walking a narrow line between protecting public health and keeping their economies open. here in the uk, borisjohnson�*s government will not rule out further, tighter restrictions for england. the chancellor rishi sunak has announced a one billion pound support fund for the hospitality industry, as it struggles with a collapse in bookings sparked by the rise in covid cases. within the last hour, scotland's first minister nicola sturgeon also confirmed that edinburgh's famous hogmanay street party is to be cancelled along with other new year celebrations around the country. and in the next few hours, we expect president biden to set out new measures for the us as 0micron surges. more on that later. first, here's our consumer affairs correspondent, colletta smith, on what the british government is planning to do to help businesses. with no customers at only handful of shoppers, it doesn't feel like the final countdown to christmas. but after days of pressure from businesses, the treasury has now announced financial support. first. businesses, the treasury has now announced financial support. , we businesses, the treasury has now announced financial support. , we are businesses, the treasury has now announced financial support. , we are announcin: businesses, the treasury has now announced financial support. , we are announcin: £1 businesses, the treasury has now announced financial support. , we are announcin: £1 billion businesses, the treasury has now announced financial support. , we are announcin: £1 billion in we are announcing £1 billion in financial grant support, which means eligible hospitality companies will be able to claim a cash grant up to £6,000. second, we are providing £30 million to top up our successful cultural recovery fund, to support institutions like theatres and museums. and lastly, we are reintroducing our statutory sick pay scheme so that small and medium—size countries can claim compensation from the government for the cost of sick pay for their employees. it’s a sick pay for their employees. it's a cenerous sick pay for their employees. it's a generous package _ sick pay for their employees. it's a generous package for _ sick pay for their employees. it's a generous package for some - sick pay for their employees. it's a generous package for some of those industries who have been struggling to pay bills with so many empty seats. restaurants, pubs and hotels have had a tidal wave of christmas cancellations. so this extra billion pounds is exactly what they have been asking for. we pounds is exactly what they have been asking for.— been asking for. we have had unprecedented _ been asking for. we have had unprecedented constructive i unprecedented constructive engagement and dialogue, not only with the _ engagement and dialogue, not only with the chancellor but with ministers across the range of government, and i've been speaking with ministers on a daily basis and at a number— with ministers on a daily basis and at a number of times with chancellor and treasury ministers, so we have had unprecedented support from him and other_ had unprecedented support from him and other ministers across government.— and other ministers across government. . , . , , ., government. theatres and museums are caettin extra government. theatres and museums are getting extra money. _ government. theatres and museums are getting extra money, too. _ government. theatres and museums are getting extra money, too. with - getting extra money, too. with hundreds of performances at theatres across the uk being cancelled because of covid issues like this one, the industry will be really relieved to hear the chancellor making an announcement today about that 30 million funding for the culture sector in particular. with so many people is off work sick right now, any small or medium—sized company should be able to get their hands on extra cash as a rebate to covers just three sick pay. but shops and hairdressers won't be able to get extra funding being offered to get extra funding being offered to hospitality and theatres. the phone rings. — to hospitality and theatres. tue: phone rings, you to hospitality and theatres. tte: phone rings, you get to hospitality and theatres. tt2 phone rings, you get cancellations. we just had to stuff go home with covid, that is ten days worth of clients. you can't accommodate them. you could lose them, they could go elsewhere, and we still have to keep on paying out. it's tough, it's really tough. on paying out. it's tough, it's really tough-— on paying out. it's tough, it's reall tou~h. , , really tough. juggling those bills with more customers _ really tough. juggling those bills with more customers bailing - really tough. juggling those bills with more customers bailing out| really tough. juggling those bills i with more customers bailing out of appointments was feeling like a very close shave. colette smith, bbc news in salford. with just heard the uk covid figures just published. 90,629 a new covid—19 cases on tuesday, compared with 91,7113 a day earlier. and in terms of figures associated with death, the uk government reporting 172 new covid—19 deaths on tuesday, compared with 44 yesterday. so those figures just released. let's talk to the mayor of london, sadiq khan. your reaction to those numbers? i am not surprised at all by those numbers. i havejust been on a call with colleagues. i'm afraid, in london, since the start of this, we have seen an increase in the number of positive cases by more than 250%. in relation to hospital admissions, an increase of almost 70% since the start of december. and the number of positive cases is only going in one direction. and he real concern we have, the immediate concern, is the impact that has on staff absences from the nhs, hospitals, ambulances, gps, but also the police, fire service, councils. that is why it is so important that anybody watching get the vaccines, the boosters, speak to your friends, family, members, encourage them to get the vaccines in the boosters as well. several points there, one of them the impact of hospital and staffing. i am just going to put a graphic on our screens that show is exactly what you are talking about. this is data from last week, but you can see london staff absences from hospitals, 1900 on sunday the 12th. that is jumped to a700 by thursday, december 16. that is jumped to a700 by thursday, december16. may, that is jumped to a700 by thursday, december 16. may, you announced a major incident for december 16. may, you announced a major incident for london december 16. may, you announced a major incident for london because you saw figures like that on those days last week and every what does that enable you to do, apart from raising a red flag?— that enable you to do, apart from raising a red flag? firstly, the red flan raising a red flag? firstly, the red flat is raising a red flag? firstly, the red flag is really _ raising a red flag? firstly, the red flag is really important _ raising a red flag? firstly, the red flag is really important so - raising a red flag? firstly, the red flag is really important so we - flag is really important so we understand how experienced this is. after consulting with colleagues in the nhs, fire service, police service, councils, we realised that if the graph was to go in the same trajectory we would simply have many public services collapsing. but it enables us to do, we have a strategic command control in the centre and we are speaking all the time about what each part of the london ecosystem is doing and how we help each other out. you will remember last year, we had firefighters helping the ambulance service drive ambulances. but also, you will be aware the next few weeks, we need to make sure refuse is collected, rough sleepers are taken off the street, ambulances can continue to work. that is why it is really important to keep an eye on staff absences, because we don't want any part of the system collapsing. and we are on the cusp of certain parts of the furniture in london that looks after our city being at the cusp of collapse. there is a lot to being at the cusp of collapse. there is a lotto ask _ being at the cusp of collapse. there is a lot to ask you. _ being at the cusp of collapse. there is a lot to ask you. a _ being at the cusp of collapse. there is a lot to ask you. a couple - being at the cusp of collapse. there is a lot to ask you. a couple of - is a lot to ask you. a couple of points. in terms of the help for businesses that has been announced, your reaction to that? because rishi sunak unveiling a detailed plan. is it enough? firstly, i welcome something that is better than nothing. we have had radio silence for the last few days. business owners and managers have been pulling their hair out, being really stressed about what is going on. i think it barely touches the sites of many businesses in london. even retail businesses, rely on this christmas being their golden quarter, which makes up for a bad year. almost a quarter of their revenue comes in this period. £6,000 per premises won't even touch the sides. we need the government to confirm they will be given full business rates relief, 100%. we need the government to confirm there will be furloughed support, because many businesses cannot pay for their staffs wages. we need confirmation from the government that it will be a proper scheme to support there is self isolating, a continuation of the vat discount. these businesses, if they collapse and go bust, its tens of thousands ofjobs being lost. it is far cheaper to invest now, keep these businesses going, rather than going bust.— rather than going bust. given everything — rather than going bust. given everything you _ rather than going bust. given everything you have - rather than going bust. given everything you have just - rather than going bust. given | everything you have just said, rather than going bust. given - everything you have just said, that is the backdrop for so many businesses, where are you on whether we should have further restrictions now, given the data that we were talking about?— now, given the data that we were talking about? unfortunately, i am not invited to _ talking about? unfortunately, i am not invited to cobra. _ talking about? unfortunately, i am not invited to cobra. i _ talking about? unfortunately, i am not invited to cobra. i cannot - not invited to cobra. i cannot listen to what the chief medical officer are saying, but what i've 0fficer are saying, but what i've seen on the media, it is inevitable that there are going to be further restrictions. the key things is, is for there to be certainty, there to be support and there to be clarity. we get more compliance with the certainty, but also we get more businesses surviving with financial support. my worry is that it is the same old story, debtor, delay, limited action that is too late, rather than certainty, clarity moving early. rather than certainty, clarity moving early-— rather than certainty, clarity moving early. the government insisted they — moving early. the government insisted they are _ moving early. the government insisted they are trying - moving early. the government insisted they are trying to - moving early. the government. insisted they are trying to balance things. i want to ask you about the vaccination rates. we know they are relatively low in london. how do you change that? because that is absolutely critical. arnie change that? because that is absolutely critical.— change that? because that is absolutely critical. we are making ureat absolutely critical. we are making great progress — absolutely critical. we are making great progress in _ absolutely critical. we are making great progress in london. - absolutely critical. we are making great progress in london. over i absolutely critical. we are makingl great progress in london. over the course of the weekend, 300,000 boosters given in the arms of londoners, more than 3 million boosters being given. really good news now is that there is above the age of a0, 90 a% have received the vaccine dose. between 16 and a0, we are now approaching 75%. my message to anyone watching, if you have the vaccine at the boosters, speak to your friends, vaccine at the boosters, speak to yourfriends, colleagues vaccine at the boosters, speak to your friends, colleagues and neighbours to make sure they do so. we are making as busy as possible for there is in london to the vaccine. we want more and more londoners to come forward. it is never too late to receive the vaccines. never too late to receive the vaccines-— never too late to receive the vaccines. , ., , , ., vaccines. there is obviously an issue about — vaccines. there is obviously an issue about availability, - vaccines. there is obviously an issue about availability, about| issue about availability, about persuasion. but there is a sector, a section, that stubbornly is refusing to have the jobs. section, that stubbornly is refusing to have thejobs. we section, that stubbornly is refusing to have the jobs. we saw that demonstration in london only a couple of days ago. our people like yourself, governments, going to have to grasp that nettle in 2022, that somehow you have got to make the consequence is greater for people who choose not to have the vaccination?— who choose not to have the vaccination? ~ ., ,., vaccination? well, there are some --eole vaccination? well, there are some people who _ vaccination? well, there are some people who are — vaccination? well, there are some people who are anti-vaxxers, - vaccination? well, there are some. people who are anti-vaxxers, some people who are anti—vaxxers, some people who are anti—vaxxers, some people who are anti—vaxxers, some people who believe in covid conspiracy theories, but a lot of people need persuaded and educated. for those people who you can't persuade, you've got to address that point. what are you going to do about that?— point. what are you going to do aboutthat? , ., . ., about that? because that affect all of us. about that? because that affect all of us- quite. _ about that? because that affect all of us. quite, none _ about that? because that affect all of us. quite, none of— about that? because that affect all of us. quite, none of us _ about that? because that affect all of us. quite, none of us is - about that? because that affect all of us. quite, none of us is safe - of us. quite, none of us is safe until all of us is safe. it is also about vaccines across the globe. we have got to keep on going. if i was speaking to you six months ago, i was talking about 3 million londoners having the vaccine, it is never too late to receive the job. it is really important we don't give up it is really important we don't give up on those individual families and communities that have not received the vaccine. the communities that have not received the vaccine-— the vaccine. the london mayor. we have to leave _ the vaccine. the london mayor. we have to leave it _ the vaccine. the london mayor. we have to leave it there. _ the vaccine. the london mayor. we have to leave it there. thank - the vaccine. the london mayor. we have to leave it there. thank you i the vaccine. the london mayor. wej have to leave it there. thank you so much beliefjoining us on this programme. much belief “oining us on this programme.— much belief “oining us on this programme._ i- much belief “oining us on this programme._ i just | much belief “oining us on this - programme._ ijust want much belief “oining us on this - programme._ i just want to programme. stay safe. i 'ust want to turn to those — programme. stay safe. i 'ust want to turn to those uk h programme. stay safe. i just want to turn to those uk figures. _ programme. stay safe. i just want to turn to those uk figures. an - turn to those uk figures. an additional line has been given to us saying that because of a processing issue, positive lateral flow tests followed by a negative pcr test in england were not removed on the 20th of december, 2021. so today's figures include the removal sport two days. so it little bit of guidance there in terms of those figures that were read outjust a short while ago. just to repeat that breaking news, those figures reported a couple of minutes ago, 90,629 new covid—19 cases on tuesday, compared with yesterday. and reports that 172 new covid—19 deaths. so officials are saying that there is figures may be a little bit skewed. we will keep an eye on that. if there is more information, we will obviously return to it. scotland's first minister — nicola stugeon — has announced new restrictions, due to the surge in 0micron cases. the number of people allowed to socialise both, indoors and outdoors, will be limited — which means new year's celebrations will have to be scaled back, and sports events will effectively be spectator—free, for a three—week period from 26th of december. let's hear the key bits of that announcement. from the 26th of december, inclusive of that date, for a period up to three weeks, we intend to place limits on the size of live public events that can take place. this does not apply, let me stress, to private life events such as weddings. for indoor standing events, the limit will be 100. for indoor seated events, it will be 200. and for outdoor events, it's 500 seated or standing. physical distancing of one metre will be required at events that go ahead within these limits. this will, of course, make sports matches, including football, effectively spectator—free over this three—week period. a situation similar to that in waies— from boxing day. and it will also mean, unfortunately, that large—scale hogmanay celebrations, including that planned here in our capital city, will not proceed. i know how disappointing this will be to those looking forward to these events and for the organisers of them. that was nicolasturgeon. now, as we discussed with sadiq khan — a shortage of front line staff is becoming a real issue here in the uk. combined with rising patient numbers, could leave hospitals a neighbour to cope. i'm joined now by zenei triunfo—cortez, president of the largest nurses union in the us — national nurses united and a registered nurse with a0 years experience. give mejust a give me just a short description of what the current situation on the ground feels like there?- what the current situation on the ground feels like there? well, first of all, ground feels like there? well, first of all. thank _ ground feels like there? well, first of all, thank you _ ground feels like there? well, first of all, thank you for _ ground feels like there? well, first of all, thank you for having - ground feels like there? well, first of all, thank you for having me - ground feels like there? well, first of all, thank you for having me on | of all, thank you for having me on your— of all, thank you for having me on your programme. currently, our c0viii-i9— your programme. currently, our covid—19 cases continue to rise with the omicron — covid—19 cases continue to rise with the omicron virus spreading rapidly and at _ the omicron virus spreading rapidly and at a _ the omicron virus spreading rapidly and at a much faster rate than the delta _ and at a much faster rate than the delta variant. our nurses continue to brace _ delta variant. our nurses continue to brace themselves for the worst. i to brace themselves for the worst. mentioned to brace themselves for the worst. i mentioned in the introductionjust how exhausting it has been for all of the medical staff over such a long period of time, because now, in the us, as elsewhere, you are dealing with a new crisis on top of the delta crisis, aren't you? yes. the delta crisis, aren't you? yes, we are. the delta crisis, aren't you? yes, we are- we _ the delta crisis, aren't you? yes, we are. we have _ the delta crisis, aren't you? yes, we are. we have seen _ the delta crisis, aren't you? yes, we are. we have seen much - the delta crisis, aren't you? yes, | we are. we have seen much more the delta crisis, aren't you? yes, we are. we have seen much more cases of omicron _ we are. we have seen much more cases of omicron coming to our hospitals. in of omicron coming to our hospitals. in terms— of omicron coming to our hospitals. in terms of— of omicron coming to our hospitals. in terms of those people who are being treated, it is interesting that the cdc produce data that i am going to put on the screen for our viewers in a moment or two, because they showed the difference between they showed the difference between the vaccinated and the unvaccinated, and it is quite clear from the numbers from the authorities just the difference it makes come up with a massive drop between those who have been double vaccinated and then who have received a boosterjab. is that what you are seeing as well? we have the figures on our screen. between the unvaccinated cases, for those boosted that drops right down to a8. if we put the death figures on as well. the unvaccinated is a six part 100,000, and for those boosted it drops to 0.1 per 100,000. that is the data for across the us. is that what you are seeing on the hospital floor?— is that what you are seeing on the hospital floor? yes, that is what we are seeing- — hospital floor? yes, that is what we are seeing. that _ hospital floor? yes, that is what we are seeing. that is _ hospital floor? yes, that is what we are seeing. that is why _ hospital floor? yes, that is what we are seeing. that is why the - hospital floor? yes, that is what we are seeing. that is why the public i are seeing. that is why the public needs— are seeing. that is why the public needs to — are seeing. that is why the public needs to know that it is really important for them to get vaccinated, plus get the booster as soon _ vaccinated, plus get the booster as soon as— vaccinated, plus get the booster as soon as possible. the effects of the variance _ soon as possible. the effects of the variance will not be as deadly as if they were — variance will not be as deadly as if they were not vaccinated. so it is really _ they were not vaccinated. so it is really crucial that they get vaccinated.— really crucial that they get vaccinated. ~ . ., ., ., vaccinated. we are due to hear from president biden _ vaccinated. we are due to hear from president biden a _ vaccinated. we are due to hear from president biden a little _ vaccinated. we are due to hear from president biden a little later - vaccinated. we are due to hear from president biden a little later in - president biden a little later in the day. what is it that you are on the day. what is it that you are on the front line most want to hear? well, first of all, we want our president— well, first of all, we want our president to continue to do what he has been _ president to continue to do what he has been doing, because since he came _ has been doing, because since he came to _ has been doing, because since he came to office he has put together a covid _ came to office he has put together a covid response task force which is very helpful. and we need for him to continue _ very helpful. and we need for him to continue to— very helpful. and we need for him to continue to do that and perhaps do a little bit _ continue to do that and perhaps do a little bit more. the other thing that we — little bit more. the other thing that we as front—liners want him to do is _ that we as front—liners want him to do is to— that we as front—liners want him to do is to make the emergency standard that was— do is to make the emergency standard that was put in place injune to be a permanent standard so that we, the nurses, _ a permanent standard so that we, the nurses, the _ a permanent standard so that we, the nurses, the doctors and other front line health — nurses, the doctors and other front line health care workers, would be protected — line health care workers, would be protected. because if we protect ourselves— protected. because if we protect ourselves then we protect our patients, _ ourselves then we protect our patients, and that will be safe all the way— patients, and that will be safe all the way around. a patients, and that will be safe all the way around.— patients, and that will be safe all the way around. a final thought as we no into the way around. a final thought as we go into another— the way around. a final thought as we go into another year _ the way around. a final thought as we go into another year of - the way around. a final thought asj we go into another year of battling this. do you feel that the virus is winning or us medical practitioners on the ground winning? because although the news is bleak, there is so much that has changed from this time last year with the numbers vaccinated, the treatment, the therapies. vaccinated, the treatment, the thera - ies. ~ vaccinated, the treatment, the therapies-— vaccinated, the treatment, the theraies. ~ ~ ., ~' therapies. well, you know, like i said, we therapies. well, you know, like i said. we need — therapies. well, you know, like i said, we need to _ therapies. well, you know, like i said, we need to continue - therapies. well, you know, like i said, we need to continue to - therapies. well, you know, like i. said, we need to continue to brace ourselves— said, we need to continue to brace ourselves for the worst. nurses and other— ourselves for the worst. nurses and other front — ourselves for the worst. nurses and other front line health care workers. _ other front line health care workers, we have not let our guards down, _ workers, we have not let our guards down, in _ workers, we have not let our guards down, in spite of being fully vaccinated and boosted. we continue to practice _ vaccinated and boosted. we continue to practice all precautionary measures. so what we are asking the public— measures. so what we are asking the public to— measures. so what we are asking the public to do— measures. so what we are asking the public to do is do their fair share. please _ public to do is do their fair share. please get— public to do is do their fair share. please get vaccinated, get boosted. practice _ please get vaccinated, get boosted. practice all of the precautionary measures— practice all of the precautionary measures that have been in place stop and — measures that have been in place stop and on the global front, we continue — stop and on the global front, we continue to talk to our colleagues all around — continue to talk to our colleagues all around the world and we know that with — all around the world and we know that with a — all around the world and we know that with a global pandemic it will require _ that with a global pandemic it will require the cooperation of all the countries — require the cooperation of all the countries. it will require coordination and it will require solidarity _ coordination and it will require solidarity. so this is notjust a problem — solidarity. so this is notjust a problem for the us and the uk, this is a worldwide problem, and we need to handle _ is a worldwide problem, and we need to handle it _ is a worldwide problem, and we need to handle it to forge ahead. you is a worldwide problem, and we need to handle it to forge ahead.— to handle it to forge ahead. you are absolutely right, _ to handle it to forge ahead. you are absolutely right, and _ to handle it to forge ahead. you are absolutely right, and a _ to handle it to forge ahead. you are absolutely right, and a good - to handle it to forge ahead. you are absolutely right, and a good place i absolutely right, and a good place to end. thanks very much forjoining us here on bbc news and talking to us. thank you so much for your time. thank you for having me. to other news now, and rescuers reaching islands in the philippines that had been cut off by last week's typhoon have discovered scores more dead and villages that have been flattened. at least 375 people were killed by the powerful storm. the red cross says it's "carnage" in many areas — including the island of siargao in the south of the country. there is no power, no communications, and very little water. pepe djokno, was on the island, when the typhoon hit. he told us what it was like. honestly, it was terrifying. at around 8:a5am, we saw a huge wave hit the house that we were staying at. we were at a house, a b&b, that's on a cliff that's about 2—3 stories high and about 30 metres from the ocean. so, when we saw the big wave hit at around 8:a5am, we knew that 1—2pm would be the peak of the typhoon. so that wasn't the least of it. we decided to evacuate to higher ground. we're looking at the pictures you filmed. you got to higher ground, you were wearing helmets. you said how terrifying it was. how long was it like that, that sort of level of intensity? the peak of the storm was from 1—3pm. the place that we evacuated to was a prefab garage, so we weren't sure that it would hold. thankfully it did. just to go back to the giant wave, we were really concerned because we were on an elevated area. the town where we were at was sea level, and we learned after, when things settled down, that the sea wall that was in the town had completely disappeared. so imagine the force of that wave, what it did to the nearby towns. yes, and we're seeing some of that damage on our screens at the moment. extraordinary when you say that level of intensity went on for two hours. it gives you a real sense of what people actually had to live through. i know you've travelled in the subsequent days. tell me a little of what you have seen. well, we left on foot from the north of the island. our intent was to walk 12 hours to the southernmost part of the island. thankfully, halfway, around halfway, we were able to hitch a ride. but every single town that we passed had been badly damaged by the storm. we saw people just beginning to pick up the wreckage of their houses. we already saw people, this was saturday, going around with containers of water, looking for some to drink. let's look at some of the day's other news. at least 17 people have died and 60,000 people displaced in the worst floods malaysia has seen in decades. three days of torrential rain over the weekend caused severe flooding in eight states, partially submerging towns and villages. there's anger against government agencies which have been accused of failing to issue storm warnings or to send adequate support to those stranded by the floodwaters. the high court in london has ordered the ruler of dubai to pay more than $700 million to his ex—wife — princess haya ofjordan. the divorce settlement against sheikh mohammed bin rashid al—maktoum is the biggest in british history. princess haya fled dubai for britain in 2019, saying she feared for her life. what's being described as the largest ever fossil of a giant millipede has been discovered by chance on a beach in northumberland. analysis by cambridge university suggests the creature was more than 2.5 metres long, and may have hunted other animals forfood around 326 million years ago. then, the north—east of england would have had a tropical climate. dr neil davies from cambridge university told us more about the discovery. discovered by chance. we were out on the beach, just looking around at the rocks for a bit of a geological holiday, and as the sun was setting we saw that there was a boulder that had fallen from the cliff face, split down the middle. and then just looked inside and realised there was a big fossil there. so i went back the following morning and, yeah, we realise that it was a gigantic millipede in the middle of this rock. because we knew there were these large millipedes around at the time because they've left trackways and there are small fragments of these fossils. it's just very rare to find a whole one. so we didn't really believe what it was to begin with. so we took photos and sent them around various experts, and then realise that, yes, it is indeed to this giant millipede. so we got permission and then went back and collected it later on in the year. fascinating stuff. let's return to that breaking news from the uk government. 90,629 new covid—19 cases on tuesday. with172 deaths being reported. i'm back in a moment with more of the day's deadlines —— headlines. there is so much clout to add to the day. there have been some breaks in the north. a few in the west. that process will continue for the rest of the day. wherever you are, cloud or sunshine through the afternoon into this evening. it is going to be quite cold. temperatures dropping below freezing by the time we had six o'clock. maybe not as cold as last night in parts of scotland where we saw the coldest night of the winter so far, —9 in braemar. as the cloud continues to shrink away, the blue colours on our temperature chart show how widespread the trust could be. minus two across parts of england and wales. it all depends on exactly how much cloud clears. there is more waiting in the winds for the rest of the week. this area of low pressure is starting to edge closer and it will have influence on the temperatures in northern ireland. vane will eventually push into parts of isle of man, western parts of wales. after the morning sunshine and frost, sunshine turns hazy but it stays cold compared to the 8—10 c across western areas. that mild air will win out, but grinds to a halt in northern scotland and fizzles. some snow for a time. the next weather front pushes in for thursday. outbreaks of rain, may be a little bit more across the south this time. it dries and brightens up here. stays pretty wet across parts of scotland. and it will be rain rather than snow for most, but notice the temperature. into the night, and through into christmas eve. a big travel day for some of you. a few are on the move, first thing there could be areas of dense fog around to start the day. some of that could take some time to shift. to be replaced in parts of ireland, into wales, central, southern england by outbreaks of rain. most places will be dry. cold air fighting back in lerwick. go there tries to fight its way back into christmas day. it is going to be a tough one as we go into christmas day, because this dividing line, we could see a mixture of rain, sleet and snow. for most of you, not quite and snow. for most of you, not quite a white christmas. this is bbc news, the headlines: the uk chancellor announces a £1 billion grant — for the hospitality sector in england. in scotland, large scale events, including mass new year celebrations are cancelled and sport will be played behind closed doors for three weeks. the omicron variant is making up nearly three—quarters of new covid cases in the us.