unfortunately having to cancel some people. omicron is causing chaos in the airline industry — more than 6,000 flights cancelled around the world over the christmas weekend. swimmers take the chilly plunge across the uk. we'll hear live from one wild swimmer — getting ready to continue the christmas tradition. hello and welcome to bbc news. the former archbishop of cape town, desmond tutu, white rule in south africa, has died at the age of 90. desmond tutu was uncompromisingly opposed to violence and was awarded the nobel peace prize in 1984. after nelson mandela became president, he headed the truth and reconciliation commission investigating the crimes of white rule. nomsa maseko looks back at his life. he was first and foremost a priest, not a politician. but for the best part of half a century, he was the face of reconciliation and south africa's moral compass. the system of this country, apartheid, is immoral. the system of this country is evil. desmond mpilo tutu remained outside of party politics, we can see you perfectly but i'm afraid is a problem with the sound. we just ask a couple of technical operators to have a word and see if we can see a better way to get the sound from you. it is very important that we hear what you have to say this morning at the death of archbishop tutu. good idea to the bottom of the prom with a sound and back to you somewhat lighter tone for the next few minutes because for many, a boxing day dip in the sea has become as much a christmas tradition as turkey and crackers. 0n redcar in the yorkshire coast, swimmers will be hopping into the north sea late and braving the waves in all manner of costumes and fancy dress. alison freeman assessed us. can you tell us what it is all about? happy christmas to you roger. holding on here because the sound of the sea is pretty loud. it looks pretty cold as well. i know not unfit people take part in these dates. i think some people think it isjust a cure hangover or dates. i think some people think it is just a cure hangover or excesses of christmas to the people who took part get sponsored. there are very serious stories behind this bit of fun you might call it. we have been finding out that some of them. the? finding out that some of them. they are used to — finding out that some of them. they are used to being _ finding out that some of them. they are used to being in _ finding out that some of them. they are used to being in the cold and getting wet, but the lads from redcar rugby club reform uk on the fourteens are still a little nervous from jumping fourteens are still a little nervous fromjumping in fourteens are still a little nervous from jumping in the north sea as part of the annual boxing day dip. freezing! it part of the annual boxing day dip. freezinu! , ., , , freezing! it will be horrible. very cold, i freezing! it will be horrible. very cold. i know _ freezing! it will be horrible. very cold, i know that. _ freezing! it will be horrible. very cold, i know that. but _ freezing! it will be horrible. very cold, i know that. but they - freezing! it will be horrible. very cold, i know that. but they are i cold, i know that. but they are doinu cold, i know that. but they are doin: it cold, i know that. but they are doing it for _ cold, i know that. but they are doing it for a _ cold, i know that. but they are doing it for a good _ cold, i know that. but they are doing it for a good cause, - cold, i know that. but they are doing it for a good cause, a . cold, i know that. but they are - doing it for a good cause, a charity in the town which helps support the mental health of young people, like them and their friends. i mental health of young people, like them and theirfriends. i last mental health of young people, like them and their friends.— them and their friends. i lost a whole lot _ them and their friends. i lost a whole lot of — them and their friends. i lost a whole lot of confidence, - them and their friends. i lost a whole lot of confidence, not i them and their friends. i lost a l whole lot of confidence, not able them and their friends. i lost a - whole lot of confidence, not able to talk to people, the general stuff. when you are using it because of the pandemic? two i worried about things that were going to happen in the future, what happen in the past. i'd needin future, what happen in the past. i'd need in primary future, what happen in the past. i'd need in primar— need in primary because it was bad there. need in primary because it was bad there- they — need in primary because it was bad there- they try _ need in primary because it was bad there. they try having _ need in primary because it was bad there. they try having me - need in primary because it was bad there. they try having me through | there. they try having me through it. ., ., ., ~ there. they try having me through it. ., ., .,~ it it. how did that make you feel? it made me feel _ it. how did that make you feel? it made me feel better, _ it. how did that make you feel? it made me feel better, not - it. how did that make you feel? it made me feel better, not better. | it. how did that make you feel? it. made me feel better, not better. we are made me feel better, not better. are seeing an made me feel better, not better. - are seeing an increase in people accessing our service due to covid. people's social activities. we have been able to offer supportjust three talking and doing intervention. at community fundraisers, they are a part of our funding stream, and the money they raised was able to buy resources and materials that we just would not have been able to provide otherwise. adam elling worth is the reason his mum kate will be taking part in the dip for a mum kate will be taking part in the dipfora first mum kate will be taking part in the dip for a first time. age five, he was diagnosed with a brain tumour and spent a lot of time in hospital. to see him go through all of that is just horrendous, but the help and support you do get from the likes of young lives versus cancer is just amazing. and they were always there for us, any time of the day or night, any time. they helped us so much. , , , , ., night, any time. they helped us so much. , ,, _, . night, any time. they helped us so much. , ,, ,. . �*., much. despite beating cancer, adam died at the age _ much. despite beating cancer, adam died at the age of _ much. despite beating cancer, adam died at the age of 20 _ much. despite beating cancer, adam died at the age of 20 from _ much. despite beating cancer, adam died at the age of 20 from a - died at the age of 20 from a seizure. so his family set up a fund in his name to support the charity that helped him. b, in his name to support the charity that helped him.— that helped him. a lot of people think it isjust _ that helped him. a lot of people think it isjust a _ that helped him. a lot of people think it isjust a bit _ that helped him. a lot of people think it isjust a bit of— that helped him. a lot of people think it isjust a bit of fun, - that helped him. a lot of people think it isjust a bit of fun, but i think it isjust a bit of fun, but there — think it isjust a bit of fun, but there are _ think it isjust a bit of fun, but there are some really serious stories— there are some really serious stories behind this.— there are some really serious stories behind this. they gave so much to adam, _ stories behind this. they gave so much to adam, if— stories behind this. they gave so much to adam, if there - stories behind this. they gave so much to adam, if there are - stories behind this. they gave so| much to adam, if there are other families going through it still. it isjust so nice families going through it still. it is just so nice to help out. and know that you are doing a good thing for them as well. the know that you are doing a good thing for them as well.— for them as well. the rugby boys will be braving _ for them as well. the rugby boys will be braving the _ for them as well. the rugby boys will be braving the cold - for them as well. the rugby boys will be braving the cold as - for them as well. the rugby boys will be braving the cold as a - for them as well. the rugby boys i will be braving the cold as a team, something that their coach, who is also keen on's one, thinks is important. the team are getting pp! and sort of backing them up, that is really good and really special. are you going to be going in the water? no! by the time i got to the sea they'd be on their way out anyway. so i'll leave it to them. is it worth it because you you will be raising money? yes. if you just do it for a laugh there's not really a point, is there, it's just getting cold. alison freeman, bbc news, redcar. i'm joined by the organisers of this eventin i'm joined by the organisers of this event in its 52nd year. why do people keep turning out? i don't know. it people keep turning out? i don't know- it is _ people keep turning out? i don't know. it is one _ people keep turning out? i don't know. it is one of— people keep turning out? i don't know. it is one of those - people keep turning out? i don't know. it is one of those events i people keep turning out? i don't i know. it is one of those events that has become — know. it is one of those events that has become a tradition for redcar and we _ has become a tradition for redcar and we get somewhere in the region of 300 _ and we get somewhere in the region of 300 people and many return year after year _ of 300 people and many return year after year to do this. you of 300 people and many return year after year to do this.— after year to do this. you say they raise a lot — after year to do this. you say they raise a lot of _ after year to do this. you say they raise a lot of money. _ after year to do this. you say they raise a lot of money. round - after year to do this. you say they raise a lot of money. round about 30,000 to £40,000 every year which is fantastic for local charities. it feels very cold. do you ever do it? not a chance. it is far too cold and being an organiser at gets us out of having to go in. are you going then? certainly not i am with simon on this one and will organise from the safety of dry land. i will organise as it is. thank you very much, good luck and hope it goes well. we saw clear and the video tape and some of the lads in the rugby club who will be going on later. they must be mad. the ahmad. —— they are mad. it is the ahmad. -- they are mad. it is serious for — the ahmad. -- they are mad. it is serious for the _ the ahmad. —— they are mad. it is serious for the mental health of young people. very proud and they are doing it off their own backs. you will be keeping an eagle eye. therefore there was no question of violence. i could neverforget his phrase to an 80—year—old who asked him, "how do you become a nobel peace prizewinner?" and he said, "well, you have to have a very simple name like there is limited to, you have to have a big nose and you have to have sexy legs. " this is desmond tutu describing how you win it, it is not a gift, you own it. because of that, it was quite incredible. giving him an honorary doctorate at york stjohn university, both of us walking out with african drums beating and both of us dancing away. there was a sense that life was to be celebrated, even when it was really in the troubles of soweto where he was a priest. actually, when you look at reality, every human being is a stand in the guide. you touched on it, he had _ is a stand in the guide. you touched on it. he had a _ is a stand in the guide. you touched on it, he had a mischievous - is a stand in the guide. you touched on it, he had a mischievous sense i is a stand in the guide. you touched | on it, he had a mischievous sense of humour, didn't he?— on it, he had a mischievous sense of humour, didn't he? absolutely. with tutu, he humour, didn't he? absolutely. with tutu. he said — humour, didn't he? absolutely. with tutu, he said to _ humour, didn't he? absolutely. with tutu, he said to me _ humour, didn't he? absolutely. with tutu, he said to me once _ humour, didn't he? absolutely. with tutu, he said to me once that - humour, didn't he? absolutely. with tutu, he said to me once that when. tutu, he said to me once that when he dies he hopes the epitaph will be very clear that desmond tutu loved, he laughed, he cried. and that is what he was, he was always a man of tremendous joy. what he was, he was always a man of tremendousjoy. and my recent what he was, he was always a man of tremendous joy. and my recent visit in south africa with the community in south africa with the community in the south of france was having a meeting, all these young people, as soon as he stood up, everybody was absolutely having him. and he was really enjoying it. at his age, which was wonderful. it was a wonderful thing to contribute to a memoir that we did when he was 90. again, he was so full of which didn't laugh, which he didn't love, which he didn't cry out. because of that, he was such a wonderful person.— because of that, he was such a wonderful person. thank you for that lovely tribute- _ wonderful person. thank you for that lovely tribute. the _ wonderful person. thank you for that lovely tribute. the former _ lovely tribute. the former archbishop of york remembering desmond tutu. thank you very much. new coronavirus restrictions have come into force in wales, scotland and northern ireland to try to slow the spread of the 0micron variant in the uk. borisjohnson has not announced any further restrictions in england. ministers in england aren't expected to discuss whether to impose further measures until tomorrow. it comes as more than 6,000 flights have been cancelled around the world over the christmas weekend, as the spread of the 0micron variant causes chaos in the airline industry. more than 100,000 daily infections have been recorded in france. that's a new record for three consecutive days. and cases of the virus are surging in countries around the world. more on that in a moment. but, first, tomos morgan has been looking at how the rules now differ across the four nations of the uk. a bit later. more than 1,500 flights across the globe were scrapped on sunday, bringing more misery for travellers planning to fly over the festive period. according to flightaware data tracking website, nearly 6,000 flights have been cancelled today, christmas day and christmas eve. chinese and us airlines appear to be the hardest—hit. further disruption is expected on monday. companies have blamed staff shortages on the fast—spreading 0micron variant. well, despite many countries avoiding lockdowns over the holidays, cases of the virus are surging around the world. let's take a look at some countries reaching a record number of cases. in france, health officials have registered more than 100,000 daily infections. that's a new record for three consecutive days. italy has registered more than 50,000 daily cases, their highest number since the beginning of the pandemic. and in australia, testing clinics were forced to close with more than 9,000 cases reported on christmas day. the surge has disrupted holiday plans for many families, some even having to spend christmas isolating. the bbc�*s azadeh moshiri reports. positive covid tests, travel restrictions and flight cancellations — for some this is not the merriest holiday season. many governments have insisted christmas is not cancelled this year but with the 0micron variant spreading and cases of coronavirus on the rise, many have been forced to spend christmas in isolation. this happened to one mother whose son fell ill. we tested him that morning and he was instantly positive, before it even finished running along the lateral strip. all of our christmas plans stopped, our hearts sank. even without a positive covid test, millions have had travel disrupted with last—minute travel restrictions causing many to change their plans. and airlines around the world having to cancel. some staff at airports having to isolate. i caught up with my cousin whose plans were hit by travel restrictions and covid. tara, ourfamily is in france, i am in the bbc newsroom, i volunteered but you are alone with your partner on christmas day in london. what happened ? once the restrictions kicked in, i rearranged plans to spend christmas here with my partner's family. and then we started getting symptoms on monday, tested positive for covid on wednesday and have been isolating since. so our christmas plans on both sides have been sort of thrown into a bit of chaos because of covid. despite best efforts to make this christmas better than the last, the pandemic is still front and centre of this holiday season. azadeh moshiri, bbc news. for many, there is no better way to remedy a spot of christmas overindulgence than by a freezing, festive swim. thousands across the country will today brave the icy sea to raise money for charity in their annual swim. its expected to be more popular than ever with wild swimming booming they're used to being in the cold and getting wet, but the lads from redcar rugby club's under—14s are still a little nervous aboutjumping in the north sea as part of the annual boxing day dip. freezing! it's going to be horrible. it will be very cold. i know that. but they're doing it for a good cause, thejunction, a charity in the town which helps support the mental health of young people like them and their friends. i have just lost a whole lot of confidence, like not being able to talk to people, just normal general stuff. so you are talking about because of the pandemic, basically? notjust the pandemic, i'm also worried about stuff that will happen in the future like what happened in the past, like sats and gcses. i needed it in primary because it was bad in there. so they took me into a room and they talked to me and asked how i was and then they tried to help me through it. how did that make you feel? it made me feel better, a lot better. we've seen, kind of, an increase in numbers accessing our service due to covid, limiting people social activity, and we've been able to offer support just through talking and through doing intervention. the community fund—raisers are a vital part of our funding stream and the money they raise is able to buy resources and materials that we just wouldn't have been able to provide otherwise. adam illingworth is the reason his mum kate will be taking part in the dip for a fourth time. ages five he was diagnosed with a brain tumour and spent a lot of time in hospital, where his family relied upon the support of young lives vs cancer. to see him going through all that was horrendous. but the help and support you do get from the likes of young lives vs cancer is just amazing. and they were always there for us. any time of the day, night, any time, they helped us so much. despite beating cancer, adam died at the age of 20 from a seizure. so his family set up a fund in his name to support the charity that helped him. a lot of people think it's a just a bit of fun, but there are some serious stories behind the dip, then? yes, they gave so much to adam, and there are other families going through it. and it's just so nice to help out a know you are doing a good thing for them as well. the rugby boys will be braving the cold as a team. something that their coach, who is also kaiden's mum, thinks is important. the team are getting pp! and sort of backing them up, that is really good and really special. are you going to be going in the water? no! by the time i got to the sea they'd be on their way out anyway. so i'll leave it to them. is it worth it because you you will be raising money? yes. if you just do it for a laugh there's not really a point, is there, it's just getting cold. alison freeman, bbc news, redcar. let's get more on this from wild swimmer and junior doctor, leo gundle who joins us now. i believe there are a lot of health benefits to wild swimming? i derive huge benefit from it. idid i did some fundraising for young guys versus cancer when i was at university and i think it is fantastic and when i've had a long busy day i love going for a swim in the sea and i find it washes off all the sea and i find it washes off all the stress. having looked at the scientific research that haven't unfortunately been a great deal of research papers convincingly showing a great deal of health benefits which show immune and mental health effect and while some small studies show small benefits it is yet to be convincingly demonstrated white as an anecdotal level i myself love swimming in the cold and getting freezing and i know some of the people doing as well so it is great tojoin in. for people doing as well so it is great to 'oin in. ., ., ., ., , ., to join in. for a lot of people that sounds like _ to join in. for a lot of people that sounds like a _ to join in. for a lot of people that sounds like a nightmare, - to join in. for a lot of people that i sounds like a nightmare, swimming to join in. for a lot of people that - sounds like a nightmare, swimming in the sea absolutely freezing cold and soaring wild. what is it about to join in. for a lot of people that sounds like a nightmare, swimming in the sea absolutely freezing cold and soaring wild. what is it about it you love? i soaring wild. what is it about it ou love? , ., soaring wild. what is it about it you love?— soaring wild. what is it about it ou love? , . , ., ., you love? i started three years ago and before — you love? i started three years ago and before then _ you love? i started three years ago and before then i _ you love? i started three years ago and before then i never _ you love? i started three years ago and before then i never thought . you love? i started three years ago and before then i never thought i i and before then i never thought i would ever be seen swimming in freezing water but it is totally addictive. you jump in and it is an amazing doorfrom rush and —— rush of endorphins. and if you like a superhero and you know when you have swum in freezing water it will be a great day. white ——. i5 swum in freezing water it will be a great day. white ——. is it swum in freezing water it will be a great day. white --._ great day. white --. is it a bit masochistic? _ great day. white --. is it a bit masochistic? you _ great day. white --. is it a bit masochistic? you get - great day. white --. is it a bit masochistic? you get freezing great day. white --. is it a bit - masochistic? you get freezing and all cold and _ masochistic? you get freezing and all cold and shivering _ masochistic? you get freezing and all cold and shivering and - masochistic? you get freezing and all cold and shivering and then - masochistic? you get freezing and all cold and shivering and then go| all cold and shivering and then go home and get a nice breakfast and hot bath and relax for the rest of the day. it hot bath and relax for the rest of the da . , ., hot bath and relax for the rest of theda. , the day. it is a christmas tradition, _ the day. it is a christmas tradition, i— the day. it is a christmas tradition, i am _ the day. it is a christmas tradition, i am not- the day. it is a christmas i tradition, i am not entirely the day. it is a christmas - tradition, i am not entirely sure why but you swum on christmas day and you're swimming today? i swam esterda and you're swimming today? i swam yesterday and _ and you're swimming today? i swam yesterday and christmas _ and you're swimming today? i swam yesterday and christmas day - and you're swimming today? i swam yesterday and christmas day and - and you're swimming today? i swam i yesterday and christmas day and swum in a park yesterday in london and i have never seen the pond so busy as when i was swimming yesterday and christmas day and it was heaving with people and if you have not done it i strongly encourage you to join us. it i strongly encourage you to 'oin us. , ., ., �* 4' us. funnily enough i don't think i will be joining — us. funnily enough i don't think i will be joining you _ us. funnily enough i don't think i will be joining you but _ us. funnily enough i don't think i will be joining you but i'm - us. funnily enough i don't think i will be joining you but i'm glad i us. funnily enough i don't think i | will be joining you but i'm glad to will bejoining you but i'm glad to see you are now warming up in front of a nice fire. it see you are now warming up in front of a nice fire-— of a nice fire. it is a very good as of a nice fire. it is a very good gas fire- _ of a nice fire. it is a very good gas fire- it — of a nice fire. it is a very good gas fire. it is _ of a nice fire. it is a very good gas fire. it is keeping - of a nice fire. it is a very good gas fire. it is keeping you - of a nice fire. it is a very good i gas fire. it is keeping you warm an a . gas fire. it is keeping you warm anyway- good _ gas fire. it is keeping you warm anyway. good luck _ gas fire. it is keeping you warm anyway. good luck for - gas fire. it is keeping you warm anyway. good luck for another i gas fire. it is keeping you warm - anyway. good luck for another year swimming. thank you so much for talking to us. swimming. thank you so much for talking to us— swimming. thank you so much for talking to us. police in britain have arrested a 19—year—old man who broke into the grounds of windsor castle, where the queen is spending christmas. christmas can be hard for those who have lost loved ones. this year especially i understand why. but for me in the months since the death of my beloved philip i have drawn warmth and affection from the tributes from so many whose lives he touched. it is a break from tradition, but for the second year running the queen is spending her christmas here at windsor castle, due to covid. happy christmas. merry christmas. her guest list is smaller than in previous years but she has been spending time with some of her closest relatives. but at around 8:30 on christmas morning a man is alleged to have penetrated the outer security ring on the berkshire grounds. the intruder�*s presence was quickly detected and officers from two forces responded to the unfolding security incident. thames valley police say they arrested a 19—year—old man from southampton for breach or trespass on a protected site, and of suspicion of having an offensive weapon with him. it has been widely reported that the man had may have been carrying a crossbow, but police have not confirmed this. questions are now being asked as to how an intruder managed to breach security on the 13—acre site. as soon as somebody gets in the outer ring then something happens and it triggers an alarm and the police respond, as i understand they have in this incident. they acted quickly, succinctly as soon as this individual allegedly tried to get in, then he was apprehended and that is what you want, really. the 19—year—old suspect did not enter any buildings during his short time on royal grounds. but officers investigating the christmas day breach will want to establish what the intruder�*s motivations were. sean dilley, bbc news. let's get some of the day's other news. officials in the democratic republic of congo say at least six people have been killed in a suicide bomb attack at a crowded restaurant in the eastern city of beni. the bomber detonated his device at the restaurant's door, killing himself and five other people. hundreds of palestinians have clashed with israeli troops near the northern west bank town of nablus. israeli security forces say gunmen opened fire at a military post in the palestinian village of burqa. according to the palestinian red crescent seven palestinians were shot with live fire, and more than 30 with rubber bullets. the bodies of 16 iraqi kurds who drowned when their inflatable boat sank last month in the channel while trying to reach the uk have been returned to northern iraq. the plane carrying them arrived early on sunday at the airport of the regional capital, irbil, where theirfamilies had been waiting for two days. a doctors' union in sudan has accused the security forces of using excessive violence against pro—democracy demonstrators during saturday's protests in the capital, khartoum. the union, which is allied to the pro—democracy movement, said at least 178 demonstrators were injured — some by live bullets fired by the security forces. thousands of protesters waving flags, beating drums, and chanting slogans against the military approached the presidential palace for the second time in a week. if you have plans today to get out for a boxing day walk the weather looks really mixed out there. we have a bit of everything thrown into the forecast. some rain and sleet and hill snow around but it should ease later on and there will be some sunshine for the lucky few across south—west england, wales and perhaps northern ireland. for the bulk of the uk it is quite cloudy. we have a couple of weather fronts pushing northwards. as milder air pushes into the call they are still in place across the north—east of the uk that is where we see that mix of rain, sleet and hail snow. quite heavy snow for the pennines and southern uplands. in the afternoon i was most of the snow and the north will tend to ease but we will see wet weather across parts of eastern england and low cloud around. some bright skies for parts of northern ireland and wales and parts of the south west but still a few showers working in and it will feed breezy with average winds around 40 mph in the east but could see gusts of up to 40 mph. four or5 the east but could see gusts of up to 40 mph. four or 5 degrees across scotland and northern england particularly with lying snow into the afternoon and milder to the south and south—west. this evening and overnight we will see drier weather develop but also extensive mist and fog. temperatures holding on into mid single figures for most places but we will see a touch of frost for parts of northern england and scotland and clearer spells with lying snow around in places. 0n lying snow around in places. on monday the next area of low pressure rise from the south—west west are bringing potentially wet and quite windy weather for the channel islands, south—west england into wales through the course of the morning. wishing slowly north and east so much of wales and the southern half of england seen blustery and wet weather but further north for northern england, northern ireland and northern scotland and improve day on monday with six or seven in the north and ten or 12 further south. very mild air working and through this week across all of the uk dragging in the breeze from the uk dragging in the breeze from the south—west so it looks fairly unsettled for the final week of 2021 but temperatures certainly very mild, 16 or 17 degrees through the middle of the week and an unsettled end for 2021. this is bbc news. the headlines... archbisop desmond tutu, nobel peace prize laureate and veteran of south africa's struggle against apartheid, has died at the age of 90. after nelson mandela became president, tutu headed the truth and reconciliation commission, investigating the crimes of the apartheid era. new coronavirus restrictions have come into force in scotland, wales and northern ireland, to try to slow the spread of the 0micron variant in the uk. england is waiting for more data. more than 6,000 flights have been cancelled around the world over the christmas weekend, as the spread of the 0micron variant continues to cause chaos in the airline industry. police in britain have arrested a 19—year—old man who broke into the grounds of windsor castle, where the queen is spending christmas. now on bbc news, review 2021, the year in science.