welcome to our luck had to at the papers will be bringing us tomorrow morning. joining me tonight, the deputy political editor for the mail on sunday and also joined by the broadcaster, penny smith. welcome back to both of you. let me bring you up—to—date at home and tomorrow's front pages. the guardian leads with the studies into the omicron variant with the possibility of a stand hospitalised 40% lower than with delta. the telegraph also leads with that good news from studies into omicron and says the risk of hospitalisation is two thirds later. the male says omicron is 50% less severe it leaving the prime minister vindicated and holding upbringing in fresh restrictions before christmas. same story on the front page of the eye which also mentions the highest number of daily cases topping 100,000 for the first time during the pandemic. heartworm edging —— heart—warming image, a nurse pleading for unvaccinated people to get the job. 80% of their patients are unvaccinated, some of those patients are in their 30s. the ft leads with a warning from energy companies that arise in gas prices could lead to a national crisis. right, let's begin. penny, kick us off this time with the mail. omicron 50% less severe, sorry it is another percentage. we didn't single it out for you. percentage. we didn't single it out for ou. , for you. yes, as i said, i don't like anything _ for you. yes, as i said, i don't like anything to _ for you. yes, as i said, i don't like anything to do _ for you. yes, as i said, i don't like anything to do it - for you. yes, as i said, i don't like anything to do it figures, | for you. yes, as i said, i don'tl like anything to do it figures, it makes my head go fizzy. particularly when it's due good percentage is. you can see why because you've just read at one finger on the front page of the daily mail, 50% less severe, omicron, in the times, 64% reduce the risk of requiring hospital treatment, so as he sat, in the mere 80% of patients are unvaccinated and in their 30s. so that's why it's so confusing with all of these percentages. i think the point is that the line in the short of it is that this is not as severe as the other variations, therefore it does indicate the prime minister's decision to not go for a harder lock down or to bring in anything else, because you know, it must�*ve been quite a wary, after all, you are making a decision which will affect millions of people's lives. you are also trying to balance this with the fact that we cannot keep locking down until this thing morphs into something else. we cannot keep locking down, because it affects so many people in other ways, apart from this, so they are saying health officials are saying that getting vaccinated and boosted seems to be even more important than previously thought. that's the other figure from the front page of the mail stop at the times does it without percentages, so i should have given this on to be penny to be fair, sorry about that. omicron less likely to be serious, which is a good way of summing up the broad thrust of all of these different statistics, doesn't it? this thrust of all of these different statistics, doesn't it?- thrust of all of these different statistics, doesn't it? this is the first time we _ statistics, doesn't it? this is the first time we have _ statistics, doesn't it? this is the first time we have had _ statistics, doesn't it? this is the first time we have had a - statistics, doesn't it? this is the first time we have had a real- statistics, doesn't it? this is the i first time we have had a real world data from — first time we have had a real world data from the uk. so we already have simitar— data from the uk. so we already have similar studies from south africa but we _ similar studies from south africa but we have been told we are not easily _ but we have been told we are not easily comparable to south africa because — easily comparable to south africa because of different vaccination rates. _ because of different vaccination rates, a — because of different vaccination rates, a young population. we had people _ rates, a young population. we had pe0pie to — rates, a young population. we had people to say sick or dying, we need to know— people to say sick or dying, we need to know how— people to say sick or dying, we need to know how it's spreading in the uk, finally— to know how it's spreading in the uk, finally we have got this data 'ust uk, finally we have got this data just in_ uk, finally we have got this data just in time for christmas and also h0pefuiiy— just in time for christmas and also hopefully in time to say people's me your plans _ hopefully in time to say people's me your plans as well, because what this will— your plans as well, because what this will do— your plans as well, because what this will do is hugely reinforce the argument — this will do is hugely reinforce the argument that's been already strengthening within cabinets to put pressure _ strengthening within cabinets to put pressure on the prime minister, it's where _ pressure on the prime minister, it's where he's — pressure on the prime minister, it's where he's at as well, it seems, to not lock_ where he's at as well, it seems, to not lock down, to not impose restrictions and focusing on jabbing people _ restrictions and focusing on jabbing people to _ restrictions and focusing on jabbing people to making sure that those millions— people to making sure that those millions who have not received their first jah— millions who have not received their first jab looked at the data, look at those — first jab looked at the data, look at those percentages, finally come forward, _ at those percentages, finally come forward, get theirjob, try to avoid being in_ forward, get theirjob, try to avoid being in hospital what an easy step. that's the _ being in hospital what an easy step. that's the solution really, it's absolutely right that we shouldn't be locking down just absolutely right that we shouldn't be locking downjust for the sake of it considering all the other effects lockdown — it considering all the other effects lockdown has committed a huge impact of businesses to people's health and other ways. of businesses to people's health and otherways. elective of businesses to people's health and other ways. elective treatment has already— other ways. elective treatment has already been cancelled this week at debt -- _ already been cancelled this week at debt —— this winter. we need to get all of— debt —— this winter. we need to get all of that— debt —— this winter. we need to get all of that back on track and focus on waiting lists, improving health care, _ on waiting lists, improving health care, generali, otherwise you're going— care, generali, otherwise you're going to— care, generali, otherwise you're going to get into a really vicious spiral— going to get into a really vicious spiral where every single variant that comes along will put everyone into a _ that comes along will put everyone into a panic. i think this will also make _ into a panic. i think this will also make a — into a panic. i think this will also make a lot — into a panic. i think this will also make a lot of people say, yes, it is good _ make a lot of people say, yes, it is good boris — make a lot of people say, yes, it is good borisjohnson didn't go make a lot of people say, yes, it is good boris johnson didn't go for them _ good boris johnson didn't go for them or— good boris johnson didn't go for them or harsh restrictions, but let's— them or harsh restrictions, but let's be — them or harsh restrictions, but let's be honest, a lot of the reason he didnt— let's be honest, a lot of the reason he didn't do— let's be honest, a lot of the reason he didn't do that is because 100 of its own— he didn't do that is because 100 of its own mps voted to block it. it is necessarily the _ its own mps voted to block it. it 3 necessarily the health issue alone that would. necessarily the health issue alone that would-— necessarily the health issue alone that would. , ., that would. there has been a huge number of pressures _ that would. there has been a huge number of pressures both - that would. there has been a huge number of pressures both from - that would. there has been a huge number of pressures both from his own ministers, from the public, from his mps. _ own ministers, from the public, from his mps, realistically, if there was about next— his mps, realistically, if there was about next weekend restrictions, it's very— about next weekend restrictions, it's very unclearjust how many rebels — it's very unclearjust how many rebels there would've been this time around~ _ rebels there would've been this time around~ i_ rebels there would've been this time around. ithank rebels there would've been this time around. i thank you sort of look at that, _ around. i thank you sort of look at that, and — around. i thank you sort of look at that, and a — around. i thank you sort of look at that, and a lot of them will say, yes, _ that, and a lot of them will say, yes, it's — that, and a lot of them will say, yes, it's good he didn't go for a circuit— yes, it's good he didn't go for a circuit breaker like a kneejerk reaction — circuit breaker like a kneejerk reaction before more data was available, _ reaction before more data was available, but also for future, perhaps — available, but also for future, perhaps we need to be via the actual earlier— perhaps we need to be via the actual earlier actions as well, so telling people not to go out, not to go to restaurants, cancel christmas, not in so _ restaurants, cancel christmas, not in so many— restaurants, cancel christmas, not in so many words, cancel christmas parties. _ in so many words, cancel christmas parties. but— in so many words, cancel christmas parties, but we all know that the figures _ parties, but we all know that the figures that were said to essentially prioritise family christmas meant to most people have had everything cancelled, and of course _ had everything cancelled, and of course that has a huge impact on the economy— course that has a huge impact on the economy stop now, the kind of staying — economy stop now, the kind of staying in— economy stop now, the kind of staying in the talcum of the kind of slight _ staying in the talcum of the kind of slight potential problem, penny is the volume —— slight potential problem, penny is the volume -- that slight potential problem, penny is the volume "— slight potential problem, penny is the volume -- that been touched on b the the volume -- that been touched on by the eye- — the volume -- that been touched on by the eye- a _ the volume -- that been touched on by the eye. a lower _ the volume -- that been touched on by the eye. a lower risk _ the volume -- that been touched on by the eye. a lower risk that - the volume -- that been touched on by the eye. a lower risk that cases l by the eye. a lower risk that cases setting a new record.— by the eye. a lower risk that cases setting a new record. yes, that come back to, setting a new record. yes, that come back to. you — setting a new record. yes, that come back to, you know, _ setting a new record. yes, that come back to, you know, this _ setting a new record. yes, that come back to, you know, this is _ setting a new record. yes, that come back to, you know, this is the - back to, you know, this is the problem, wading through all of these figures. i think i mentioned south africa, sharply, their levels went up africa, sharply, their levels went up so high, they came by the same tra'ecto up so high, they came by the same trajectory it. _ up so high, they came by the same trajectory it, yeah. _ up so high, they came by the same trajectory it, yeah. that _ up so high, they came by the same trajectory it, yeah. that seems - up so high, they came by the same trajectory it, yeah. that seems to l trajectory it, yeah. that seems to be what we _ trajectory it, yeah. that seems to be what we are _ trajectory it, yeah. that seems to be what we are seeing _ trajectory it, yeah. that seems to be what we are seeing here. - trajectory it, yeah. that seems to i be what we are seeing here. slightly on a tangent here, but you mentioned that mirror, 80% of patients are unvaccinated, the number of the papers, they are talking about the former prime minister, tony blair, calling anybody who didn't take the vaccine when they were offered one an idiot. now, i'm not sure that that is terribly helpful because what would be interesting is to find out from the mirror, i don't know whether it goes on to greater detail inside, it will be interesting to see, going to send interviews at those people and see if actually they would change their minds or if they would change their minds or if they thought they were immune because they eat a lot of plant —based food or do yoga or whether it's because theyjust think, maybe, they buy into conspiracies or all of these other things. we are all guilty of being on social media and just finding that people who agree with us. when i was talking to a perfectly reasonable price and the other day who is saying they don't want to get vaccinated, doesn't think that it's an issue, various other things, and all sorts of other conspiracy theories that go on and saying when i said where is the proof they said well, you can go and find it. it's exhausting. it's not the way of saying you're an idiot. i don't think anybody would say i'm an idiot. iwill don't think anybody would say i'm an idiot. i will go and get one. we tend to not _ idiot. i will go and get one. we tend to not admit when we are idiots. the telegraph, penny, briefly and then set the me will go to anna. the uk's fourth jab as israel and germany lead the way saying that we were the first off for people and now we are going to offer them a fourth. it could be in the new year. the awful thing is as soon as they do, because i was very excited to get my booster, i well be in the queue as well to go and get the fourth one as well. i even had a flea jab for the first time just thinking, yeah, whatever. jab early and jabbed often.— and jabbed often. sorry, 'ust take some vitamin * and jabbed often. sorry, 'ust take some vitamin c. h and jabbed often. sorry, 'ust take some vitamin c. but _ and jabbed often. sorry, 'ust take some vitamin c. but i _ and jabbed often. sorry, just take some vitamin c. but i was - and jabbed often. sorry, just take some vitamin c. but i was going l and jabbed often. sorry, just take l some vitamin c. but i was going to say i also do you see the point of view from the world health organization of this is a global thing, we do need to get everybody sorted out. there are also a lot of people who i've talked to in the past to say this thing will burn itself out and become that sort of thing that the flu jab will start out. thing that the flu 'ab will start out. �* ., , , ., ., out. and we hope it is one of the size family _ out. and we hope it is one of the size family of _ out. and we hope it is one of the size family of viruses _ out. and we hope it is one of the size family of viruses and - out. and we hope it is one of the size family of viruses and will do | size family of viruses and will do website is dead, of course, we don't know that yet, but it's a perfectly reasonable point. what did you make of the story? it’s reasonable point. what did you make of the story?— of the story? it's a big new developments, _ of the story? it's a big new developments, so - of the story? it's a big new developments, so israel. of the story? it's a big new- developments, so israel essentially has been _ developments, so israel essentially has been about six months ahead of us at _ has been about six months ahead of us at every— has been about six months ahead of us at every stage of the vaccine programme, a lot of policy makers that at— programme, a lot of policy makers that at it _ programme, a lot of policy makers that at it and essentially see a map of where we are going and ready match _ of where we are going and ready match every part of our booster programme and the roll—out to kids has all— programme and the roll—out to kids has all mirrored what they've done, and i_ has all mirrored what they've done, and i think— has all mirrored what they've done, and i think the initial reaction is thatjcb — and i think the initial reaction is thatjcb ir regulator is looking there — thatjcb ir regulator is looking there again and acting faster than they did _ there again and acting faster than they did last time around because they did last time around because the chris— they did last time around because the chris mrs endeavour, the approval— the chris mrs endeavour, the approval of blisters and kids jabs in the _ approval of blisters and kids jabs in the uk — approval of blisters and kids jabs in the uk is that while we where barely get after being first to get the first— barely get after being first to get the first jab, the second jab, we fell behind with the boosterjab, and one — fell behind with the boosterjab, and one of the reasons we have had to have _ and one of the reasons we have had to have this— and one of the reasons we have had to have this huge drive of trying to -et to have this huge drive of trying to get the _ to have this huge drive of trying to get the millionjabs to have this huge drive of trying to get the million jabs a day target, which is — get the million jabs a day target, which is a — get the million jabs a day target, which is a huge national efforts, part of— which is a huge national efforts, part of the — which is a huge national efforts, part of the reason is the roll—out which _ part of the reason is the roll—out which started in september was pretty— which started in september was pretty slow at the beginning and pretty— pretty slow at the beginning and pretty sluggish and approval took a while, _ pretty sluggish and approval took a while, longerthan pretty sluggish and approval took a while, longer than what was expected or hoped _ while, longer than what was expected or hoped for. sol while, longer than what was expected or hoped for. so i think lessons should — or hoped for. so i think lessons should probably be learned on that and the _ should probably be learned on that and the fourthjab, i mean it looks like we _ and the fourthjab, i mean it looks like we are — and the fourthjab, i mean it looks like we are going to be doing these jabs regularly like the flu jab. it will become quite a normal occurrence. to avoid another crisis where _ occurrence. to avoid another crisis where gp— occurrence. to avoid another crisis where gp surgeries are hugely burdened by having to dole out a million _ burdened by having to dole out a million checks a day will get slightly— million checks a day will get slightly ahead of it. i would also like in _ slightly ahead of it. i would also like in the — slightly ahead of it. i would also like in the detail, because everyone pretty— like in the detail, because everyone pretty much another round of booster 'abs pretty much another round of booster jabs next _ pretty much another round of booster jabs next year. it's the fact that they— jabs next year. it's the fact that they are saying that it's going to be four— they are saying that it's going to be four months after this current 'ab be four months after this current jab which — be four months after this current jab which i — be four months after this current jab which i say is sooner than i would've — jab which i say is sooner than i would've expected and a lot of people — would've expected and a lot of people would've expected. it suggests that we will be looking at possibly— suggests that we will be looking at possibly two tabs a year. it�*s a possibly two tabs a year. it's a aood possibly two tabs a year. it's a good point, isn't _ possibly two tabs a year. it's a good point, isn't it— possibly two tabs a year. it's a good point, isn't it that - possibly two tabs a year. it's a good point, isn't it that it - possibly two tabs a year. it�*s a. good point, isn't it that it already lacks that process, the whole process of vaccination is evolving and evolving quite fast. given that penny is a bit of a subversive, jumped the article i'm going to and commented on the next page of the mirror, it's all right, it's christmas. comment on the mirror. it's a powerful photograph they've got on the front of the first half. one of the nurses at liverpool's i see you, i think. when it's not been covered it's been catching up with all the other work that was delayed by covid. all the other work that was delayed b covid. ~ , all the other work that was delayed b covid. , �*, ., by covid. absolutely. it's important to live a by covid. absolutely. it's important to give a voice _ by covid. absolutely. it's important to give a voice to _ by covid. absolutely. it's important to give a voice to these _ by covid. absolutely. it's important to give a voice to these people - by covid. absolutely. it's important to give a voice to these people on | to give a voice to these people on the front— to give a voice to these people on the front line who are battling once again _ the front line who are battling once again hernandez seems and really then nasty edge that its people, you know, _ then nasty edge that its people, you know. don't— then nasty edge that its people, you know, don't be complacent, get your at jabs— know, don't be complacent, get your at jabs because it is predominantly anecdotally what you're hearing for my cu _ anecdotally what you're hearing for my cu boards on unvaccinated to people _ my cu boards on unvaccinated to people lying in those words. they are saying — people lying in those words. they are saying people are net 305 who haven't _ are saying people are net 305 who haven't had the vaccine, back to what _ haven't had the vaccine, back to what you — haven't had the vaccine, back to what you said earlier about why is 20 by— what you said earlier about why is 20 by calling people and media? of course _ 20 by calling people and media? of course not — 20 by calling people and media? of course not everyone is an idiot because 5_ course not everyone is an idiot because 5 million people haven't all [ti-ht because 5 million people haven't all night had _ because 5 million people haven't all night had a — because 5 million people haven't all night had a jab for the same reason. they are _ night had a jab for the same reason. they are young people who have just that, well, _ they are young people who have just that, well, from the start, this illness— that, well, from the start, this illness ha5n't affected young illne55 ha5n't affected young people. _ illne55 ha5n't affected young people, which is true, it has affected _ people, which is true, it has affected permanently old people, perhaps— affected permanently old people, perhaps they thought a don't need to -et perhaps they thought a don't need to get it _ perhaps they thought a don't need to get it it's _ perhaps they thought a don't need to get it. it's important to make it clear— get it. it's important to make it clear that — get it. it's important to make it clear that actually can anyone can end up— clear that actually can anyone can end up in— clear that actually can anyone can end up in intensive care, and one of the things— end up in intensive care, and one of the things that doctors and up doing is there _ the things that doctors and up doing is there are — the things that doctors and up doing is there are people all 5aying the things that doctors and up doing is there are people all saying i wish _ is there are people all saying i wish i had _ is there are people all saying i wish i had it, 5emi—5tray from another— wish i had it, 5emi—5tray from another intensive care doctor today where _ another intensive care doctor today where he _ another intensive care doctor today where he did 5peak, he said something that happens a lot is people — something that happens a lot is people went in intensive care 5tart5 pleading _ people went in intensive care 5tart5 pleading they say i want that vaccine — pleading they say i want that vaccine now, by which point the doctor— vaccine now, by which point the doctor say— vaccine now, by which point the doctor say it's too late. once you are in_ doctor say it's too late. once you are in a _ doctor say it's too late. once you are in a situation like this, we can't — are in a situation like this, we can't give _ are in a situation like this, we can't give you the jab. the stories are important to tell, and hopefully it will— are important to tell, and hopefully it will motivate those vaccine has attends _ it will motivate those vaccine has attends people to come forward. you are riaht in attends people to come forward. ym. are right in terms of the messaging. i can understand the frustration that tony blair might be expressing but in truth, as he would know in government, is not permanent any more, actually, positive health messages usually work better than negative ones stop yes, you can also understand because frankly it's a view of a lot of people have. so many people are frustrated, as we said before, pubs are empty, restaurants that have failed up in the to christmas have had a second year of cancellations have stacked up year of cancellations have stacked up and have to throw away that food. leaders are shutting down. that's horrible groundhog day that everybody is living there,, and of course everyone is frustrated. christmas looks all for a lot of people, but there also people have tested positive and are stuck and won't be able to see their families. it's really easy to get annoyed with people who are in the intensive care ward because they haven't got a vaccine, but it definitely isn't the way to get those people jab, i think. cheer us up with the star. i'm driving a slowly home for christmas. chairfor me because i sold my car about 15 years ago, so pretty much given up driving. you have to get _ pretty much given up driving. you have to get on — pretty much given up driving. gm. have to get on the train if you want to get anywhere on christmas eve. that is a long bus journey. to get anywhere on christmas eve. that is a long busjourney. it's to get anywhere on christmas eve. that is a long bus journey. it's a very nice bus journey. that is a long bus journey. it's a very nice busjourney. i that is a long bus journey. it's a very nice bus journey. i will say it's a bus journey, very nice bus journey. i will say it's a busjourney, but very nice bus journey. i will say it's a bus journey, but you will be in the traffic again.— in the traffic again. obviously, it is the sign _ in the traffic again. obviously, it is the sign driving _ in the traffic again. obviously, it is the sign driving home - in the traffic again. obviously, it is the sign driving home for- is the sign driving home for christmas and saying the fact that there is a train strike on cross country on christmas eve and new year's eve. so there is going to be various places where it's going to be very difficult. i was reading up about this song. he wrote that in the 70s and was trying to get back to middlesborough, which might be a city by next year. . to middlesborough, which might be a city by next year- -— city by next year. . seamlessly auoin city by next year. . seamlessly going into _ city by next year. . seamlessly going into the _ city by next year. . seamlessly going into the yorkshire - city by next year. . seamlessly going into the yorkshire post. | city by next year. . seamlessly - going into the yorkshire post. he's drivin: going into the yorkshire post. he's driving back _ going into the yorkshire post. he's driving back to _ going into the yorkshire post. he�*s driving back to middlesborough from the abbey road studios and his wife actually came down in her many to drive him back because he couldn't afford the train for christmas. he got stuck in traffic and it was snowing and he started writing it down after looking at all these other miserable motorists and every time a street lamp came through the window, he could see to write and he wrote down the lyrics. that window, he could see to write and he wrote down the lyrics.— wrote down the lyrics. that is a wonderful _ wrote down the lyrics. that is a wonderful little stray. - wrote down the lyrics. that is a wonderful little stray. thank i wrote down the lyrics. that is a l wonderful little stray. thank you for that, wonderful little stray. thank you forthat, penny. it's so educational, this paper review. since we have jumped to the yorkshire post i think that's a rather good jump because we are trying to cheer everybody up, we believe the energy crisis for another day, it will be back to bite us on the bottom at some point. town's bed for a city status. we have chris had sir david having his hopes for a south bend for failed as part of the political attributes to him after that terrible circumstances of his murder. his killing. city status, it's quite a city rivalry, isn't it? it's a simple idea. i don't know which politician came up with that, but every year, that seems to be a really big competition, and lots of lobbying by local mps to get their favourite place, the local constituency made into a city. 22 towns in england, one in wales, they are all— towns in england, one in wales, they are all competing and all of this is going _ are all competing and all of this is going to _ are all competing and all of this is going to mark the queens platinum jubilee _ going to mark the queens platinum jubilee next year which is also going — jubilee next year which is also going to — jubilee next year which is also going to be a huge thing to look forward — going to be a huge thing to look forward to her, they are going to be competing — forward to her, they are going to be competing notju5t forward to her, they are going to be competing not just among5t each other, _ competing not just among5t each other, but— competing not just among5t each other, but with gibraltar and stanley— other, but with gibraltar and stanley and the falcon i5land5, so it will— stanley and the falcon i5land5, so it will be — stanley and the falcon i5land5, so it will be interesting to be in the judging — it will be interesting to be in the judging panel of that. each town is meant _ judging panel of that. each town is meant to— judging panel of that. each town is meant to present as far as the competition a presentation and getting — competition a presentation and getting something about the essence of the _ getting something about the essence of the town and what makes it special~ — of the town and what makes it special. considering all of the 5pecial. considering all of the rather— 5pecial. considering all of the rather depre55ing new5 5pecial. considering all of the rather depre55ing news we have had over the _ rather depre55ing news we have had over the last few years it's a nice way of— over the last few years it's a nice way of bringing people together and celebrating the good, particularly if we still— celebrating the good, particularly if we still can't travel. one celebrating the good, particularly if we still can't travel.— if we still can't travel. one line from you _ if we still can't travel. one line from you both, _ if we still can't travel. one line from you both, cherub - if we still can't travel. one line | from you both, cherub commits if we still can't travel. one line - from you both, cherub commits nearly 22, says this newspaper. what he must looking forward to? the queens latinum must looking forward to? the queens platinum jubilee. _ must looking forward to? the queens platinum jubilee. right _ must looking forward to? the queens platinum jubilee. right answer, - platinum jubilee. right answer, penn ? platinum jubilee. right answer, penny? operas. _ platinum jubilee. right answer, penny? operas, theatres, - platinum jubilee. right answer, - penny? operas, theatres, everything beinu penny? operas, theatres, everything bein: oen penny? operas, theatres, everything being open and _ penny? operas, theatres, everything being open and to — penny? operas, theatres, everything being open and to sit _ penny? operas, theatres, everything being open and to sit there _ penny? operas, theatres, everything being open and to sit there without i being open and to sit there without a mask on. late being open and to sit there without a mask on. ~ being open and to sit there without a mask on-— being open and to sit there without a mask on. ~ ., ., ., ~ a mask on. we look forward to it. a heartfelt here. _ a mask on. we look forward to it. a heartfelt here, both _ a mask on. we look forward to it. a heartfelt here, both of _ a mask on. we look forward to it. a heartfelt here, both of you, - a mask on. we look forward to it. a heartfelt here, both of you, thank. heartfelt here, both of you, thank you very much. i managed to keep getting your name wrong, and i do apologise, no disrespect to you. please to me because i'm terribly inconsistent on names. it's why penny keeps coming back because she's called snap. she knows i can't mess her up. it's not why we ask you, it's why you agree to come on. penny, anna, merry christmas to you both. thank you very much for your company. more for me tomorrow night. coming up next, it's newsday. good evening, i'm chetan pathak with your sports news. we start tonight with the league cup where the semi final line—up is complete. there were 3—3 premier league quarter finals this evening — with late drama at anfield where( where liverpool, who made ten changes with covid cases in their camp, came from 3—1 down to beat leicester city. takumi minamino scored a 95th minute equaliser which took the game to penalties. caoimhin kelleher then saved two penalties for the home side before digojota stepped up to win it 5—4 for liverpool. the tottenham hotspur stadium, west ham were the visitors. there were three goals in a frantic five minutes as spurs went ahead through steven bergwijn. the hammers needed just three minutes to strike back as jarrod bowen equalised and two minutes after that lucas moura ensured the hosts would go in at the break with a 2—1 lead and that's how it finished as antonio conte's side reached the last four. where tottenham will play conte's old side chelsea who beat won 2—0 away at brentford tonight, thomas tuchel made eight changes as they grapple with covid too. liverpool's reward for there win over leicester is a semi final against arsenal, both matches will be played across two legs. scottish premiership clubs have agreed to bring their winter break forward, because of the new covid restrictions in the country that restrict attendances to 500 from boxing day for three weeks. it means the games this sunday will still be held — albeit with much reduced capacities — but the two rounds of matches scheduled to be held on the 29th of december, and on the 2nd and 3rd ofjanuary, including celtic v rangers and hibs v hearts, will now be played at the end of january and beginning of february — by which time it's hoped more fans will be allowed back in grounds. three matches in the scottish premiership tonight, celtic have dropped points in the title race and are six points behind rangers after being held to a 0—0 draw at st mirren who've been hit by covid and named a bench tonight full of players who'd never featured for the first team. shaun maloney made a winning start in his first game as hibs manager as they beat aberdeen 1—0 whilst bottom of the table stjohnstone lost 2—1 at home to ross county. liverpool captainjordan henderson says he's concerned that player welfare is not taken seriously as football clubs in england prepare to continue with the busy festive period amid rising cases of covid. he's told the bbc that it's difficult to perform at the highest level when liverpool — for example — are missing players and have five games within two weeks. adam wild reports. in these most intense moments of the season. english football for now goes ahead and it goes ahead with the full crowd. it's not a question of funds and supporting their teams. it's now also a question of how football supports its players. liverpool captain has raised concerns about what has been asked of players. now with the added anxiety of covid—19, he expresses concern that nobody really takes player welfare seriously. obviously the player welfare from a covid—19 situation, i think everyone in general life is trying to protect himself in their own now with the added anxiety of covid—19, he expresses concern that nobody really takes player welfare seriously. obviously the player welfare from a covid—19 situation, i think everyone in general life is trying to protect himself in their own families but also from a football point of view to deal with the situation when you are going into a game on the 26th and 28th of december with two games in such a short space of time, and you are worried for their welfare from a football point of view as well. we have a situation at the weekend where one of the players was reluctant to get out of his car because he had some symptoms and he's got a young family so totally understand the situation and how he felt at the time, and we've got a major responsibility to listen to the players and deal with every situation as it comes your way. while there will not be a break in the premier league for now, the facts surrounding covid—19 continued to speak for themselves. last week there were 90 positive tests amongst players and staff. more than half of the weekend matches were postponed. we have to really listen to the players because they are the ones that have to be there. it's easy for us to be there and demand, and they are the ones that have to perform. they have to do it and when they start to say something like that i think we have to really, really listen with open ears because we don't want to damage the product and the incredible league that we have. football for now continues but in this traditionally hectic time so too do the calls to slow down. next to cricket, england players had a "very honest chat" after losing the second test against australia, according to bowler mark wood. he's told us that the players — including captainjoe root and vice captain ben stokes — had gathered to talk about how things could get better and agreed that their ashes display hasn't been good enough. england are 2—0 down in the series and head to melbourne needing a win to keep their hopes alive of regaining the ashes. and wood believes they can get back in the series by winning the boxing day test. we've got to believe that we can turn this around. we haven't showed our best stuff yet. we know that. australia have played really well. if we can't match them, and we believe we can win test matches here, so we've just got to up our game, all three areas. at the minute, you know, australia have scored 400 twice. we have had batting collapses and we have dropped catches. so, we have facets of the game that need major work. and the organisers of the australian open say they're still not sure if novak djokovic will defend his title next month. djokovic — who'd be going for a record 21st men's grand slam singles title — is on the entry list but has so far refused to disclose his covid vaccination status. all players and staff must be jabbed or have a medical exemption granted by an independent panel of experts. the first major of the year gets underway in melbourne on the 17th of january. and that's all the sport for now. from me and the team, goodnight. hello again. well, it's been another chilly day wednesday, but the trend is as we go into thursday the weather is turning increasingly mild. however, over recent hours, we have seen some freezing rain in scotland. that's liquid rain that can freeze on impact. you can imagine the roads and the pavements becoming very icy in some of the deeper scottish valleys for a time. but this time yesterday, it was very cold. temperatures were down to about —10 into parts of aberdeenshire. quite a contrast with what we've got at the moment, but aside from some of those valleys, the temperatures are stilljust about below freezing. for the most part as we head into thursday, it's actually getting milder. and across western areas — 12 degrees in plymouth, 11 in belfast — it is going to be a mild start to the day for these areas on thursday. now, thursday, there will be a lot of cloud around. we've got weather fronts bringing rain. the heaviest rain moves quickly across from northern ireland into northern england and scotland as well. further southwards, cloud, a few spots of rain, no great amounts, though. some brighter weather for wales and the south west later on, but look at the temperatures. northern ireland, most of england and wales seeing temperatures into double figures and reaching highs of 13. but still relatively cool across the far north of england and across much of scotland. now through thursday night, our weather front stops moving northwards, and itjust weakens really in situ over scotland. so, there will be a lot of cloud here, still bits and pieces of light rain, some drizzle, some mist and fog patches over the hills as well. and heading into christmas eve, there's probably also going to be some mist and fog across parts of england and wales, so we could have poor visibility for a time. through christmas eve, then, we've got another band of rain that's going to be moving into northern ireland, across wales and south west england. it does become a little bit drier for northernmost areas of scotland, but we've got some showers around and they're likely to be wintry showers into shetland. now, for christmas day itself, we've still got this temperature contrast that we've been talking about for a number of days. now, it looks like it's going to be sunny and cold across northern scotland, but i suspect there'll be some wintry showers affecting eastern areas. so, that is a mixture of rain, some sleet and some snow. it's mild across the south west. you're just going to get rain and temperatures into double figures, but in between, there's a small chance that we could see a few flurries over the high ground of northern england and perhaps the southern uplands of scotland. but that's more of a perhaps. beyond that, into boxing day, many of us will keep the mild weather conditions, but still relatively cool air loitering in scotland. that's your weather. welcome to newsday. reporting live from singapore, i'm mariko oi. the headlines — new studies suggest the omicron variant, though highly contagious, could be milder, with fewer people needing hospital treatment compared to previous covid variants. but as the uk records over 100,000 new cases for the first time, there are warnings that the sheer number of infections could still overwhelm health services. a well—known statue commemorating the tiananmen square massacre is removed from the university of hong kong. nearly a week after a super typhoon struck the philippines, we report from a popular tourist island that's been left devastated. we can see here corrugated iron ripped off a roof, and you can see the electricity cables have come down

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