there are a number of updates from around the world on the pandemic as the omicron variant continues to spread rapidly stop we will take a look at france, the uk and india in particular but first let's go to the united states which has now recorded its ever seven day average of new covid cases according to the tracker maintained byjohns hopkins university. the moving average of new cases was 265,427 as of tuesday surpassing the previous peak of more than 251,000 reported nearly a year ago. one of the remarkable things about this latest spike here, as elsewhere, seems to me, is that the numbers are, you know, sort of stratospheric, but we haven't seen the complete panic and breakdown of health services, which you might have expected, given that these numbers are so high. they're the biggest numbers since the start of the epidemic, as you say, tuesday, 180,000 daily cases, which is nearly double the 100,000 that we recorded at the end of last week, and every expectation that it'll go even higher. the health minister spoke of there being 250,000, 300,000 cases a day by the middle ofjanuary. and yet, you know, there is not the same complete panic about the health system that there was. yes, they're worried, but, i mean, the hospitals are not overcrowded. i think it's about 3000 in intensive care at the moment, which is going up, but still nowhere near critical levels. and i think the fact is that, you know, there's still some doubt and confusion about the real dangerousness of omicron. people are worried about it, it is clearly extremely contagious, but the figures just aren't in yet from south africa, from the uk, which is a bit ahead of france, on what it all means for death rates, intensive care beds and so on. and in the meantime, we're all slightly in the dark. i'm guessing that the optimistic scenario is that you have a very, very wide contagion with many, many, many people getting it, but not getting it too badly. it's a gamble. that's what everyone hopes. but there's no reason at the moment to rule that as a possibility out. in the us — the health system remains under pressure after america recorded its highest daily rise in covid infections. government modelling in the country seems to suggest that the heavily—mutated omicron strain, has accounted for around 59% of national cases in the week ending december 25. despite this, president biden says travel restrictions on eight southern african countries will end shortly and so far, authorities are determined not to impose restrictions limiting day to day interactions. professor bill hanage is an epidemiologist from the harvard th chan school of public health. he gave me his assessment of the surge in omicron cases in the us. it's a large number of cases and it's a _ it's a large number of cases and it's a big — it's a large number of cases and it's a big problem.— it's a large number of cases and it's a big problem. here in the uk boris johnson _ it's a big problem. here in the uk boris johnson has _ it's a big problem. here in the uk boris johnson has said _ it's a big problem. here in the uk boris johnson has said the - borisjohnson has said the overwhelming evidence is that over is relatively mild. is that the evidence so far in united states as well? , , . ., , _, well? the best evidence does come from the uk — well? the best evidence does come from the uk and _ well? the best evidence does come from the uk and south _ well? the best evidence does come from the uk and south africa. - well? the best evidence does come from the uk and south africa. we l from the uk and south africa. we have _ from the uk and south africa. we have not— from the uk and south africa. we have not had the chance to build up an evidence — have not had the chance to build up an evidence base there. it looks like omicron is a little bit milder. it is true — like omicron is a little bit milder. it is true it— like omicron is a little bit milder. it is true it is— like omicron is a little bit milder. it is true it is milder if you have been _ it is true it is milder if you have been vaccinated and boosted. unfortunately too many people in the united _ unfortunately too many people in the united states have not been boosted and in _ united states have not been boosted and in fact _ united states have not been boosted and in fact too many have not been vaccinated~ — and in fact too many have not been vaccinated. so and in fact too many have not been vaccinated-— vaccinated. so we don't know in terms of hospitalisations - vaccinated. so we don't know in terms of hospitalisations and i vaccinated. so we don't know in - terms of hospitalisations and deaths what it is going to do in the united states given that as you say quite a large number of the population are still not vaccinated. it’s large number of the population are still not vaccinated.— still not vaccinated. it's certainly exected still not vaccinated. it's certainly exneeted to _ still not vaccinated. it's certainly exneeted to be _ still not vaccinated. it's certainly expected to be quite _ still not vaccinated. it's certainly expected to be quite bad. - still not vaccinated. it's certainly expected to be quite bad. some| expected to be quite bad. some colleagues and i put together an attempt — colleagues and i put together an attempt to predict exactly what the strain _ attempt to predict exactly what the strain on— attempt to predict exactly what the strain on healthcare is going to be because _ strain on healthcare is going to be because you have to remember that health— because you have to remember that health care — because you have to remember that health care is also going to be strained — health care is also going to be strained by people getting the virus themselves, health care workers. without _ themselves, health care workers. without a — themselves, health care workers. without a skilled nurse to actually work in _ without a skilled nurse to actually work in nicu bed it's really not anywhere _ work in nicu bed it's really not anywhere near as useful as it would be otherwise. so we have a lot of things— be otherwise. so we have a lot of things going on and we expect that to be _ things going on and we expect that to be a _ things going on and we expect that to be a significant strain on the healthcare system. in to be a significant strain on the healthcare system.— healthcare system. in terms of restrictions _ healthcare system. in terms of restrictions in _ healthcare system. in terms of restrictions in the _ healthcare system. in terms of restrictions in the united - healthcare system. in terms of| restrictions in the united states and different restrictions in different countries all around the world, what do you make of what the government and the various state authorities are doing? is it enough? it's not really enough to prevent omicron — it's not really enough to prevent omicron seriously. the problem is it's quite _ omicron seriously. the problem is it's quite difficult to see exactly what _ it's quite difficult to see exactly what would be capable of stopping omicron — what would be capable of stopping omicron. it is reasonable to suggest the large _ omicron. it is reasonable to suggest the large number of interventions such as _ the large number of interventions such as masks, they help, limiting gathering — such as masks, they help, limiting gathering sizes which helps. omicron is capable _ gathering sizes which helps. omicron is capable of causing super spreading events. but we have to remember— spreading events. but we have to remember that even though the majority— remember that even though the majority of people will recover, we are most— majority of people will recover, we are most concerned about those who are most concerned about those who are vulnerable, those who are older. those _ are vulnerable, those who are older. those who _ are vulnerable, those who are older. those who are more likely to suffer from _ those who are more likely to suffer from the _ those who are more likely to suffer from the more severe consequences. those _ from the more severe consequences. those are _ from the more severe consequences. those are the people who are going to be _ those are the people who are going to be bearing the brunt of omicron. the uk is also recording record numbers of covid infections and the government is urging everyone to get fully vaccinated. here's british prime minister borisjohnson. i cannot stress too much how vital it is for everybody to get that boosterjab, particularly the 2.4 million people who have had the two jabs but have not yet had their booster. if they had two jabs more than six or seven months ago, they are eligible for their booster but they are not coming forward to get it, so i would say, come forward and get your booster. it's a fantastic thing to do, it makes a huge amount of difference to you and protects you and i'm sorry to say this, but the overwhelming majority of people who are currently ending up in intensive care in our hospitals are people who are not boosted. and we'll have more on developments in the uk, including the latest from scottish first minister nicola sturgeon, later in the programe. meanwhile india is introducing stricter restrictions to try and limit the spread of omicron. authorities in delhi have put the capital city on yellow alert, imposing a 50% passenger limit on public transport and causing long queues outside metro stations and bus stops. the city government is also shutting gyms, schools, and cinemas. prime minister narendra modi is meeting with his cabinet later to discuss the rise in cases of omicron. the hong kong pro—democracy media outlet stand news has said it's shutting down, after hundreds of national security police raided its office on wednesday. these are images from the raid — seven former and current employees were arrested, for publishing what police described as "seditious publications". stand news, set up in 2014 as a non—profit, was the most prominent remaining pro—democracy publication in hong kong after the closure ofjailed tycoonjimmy lai's iconic apple daily tabloid. our correspondent danny vincent is there. earlier in the day, of course hundred of police officers raided stand news. a number of former and current journalists were arrested. stand news is considered by many people to be perhaps the last prominent pro—democracy publication here in the city. when apple daily, perhaps the most popular tabloid in hong kong was closed earlier in the year, many observers and critics pointed to stand news. many questioned how much longer this publication would be able to last. i've been speaking to many of the journalists over the last few months. there was a sense of impending doom, you can say, about the fate of this organisation, but there was also lots of, a lack of clarity. i think people didn't know when they were crossing the lines. manyjournalists and activists often claim that the lines in the city, the red lines that have been... the red lines are shifting very quickly in the city. now a number ofjournalists are still waiting outside stand news. they are hoping to get a statement from the organisation. it is not clear if they will speak. again, we know that they have now ceased to operate. we know earlier in the day it stopped updating articles on its website. so i think many critics will say that this again is an example of the law being used in hong kong to silence people and organisations that have opinions which are critical of the authorities. staying with russia, and a court there has ordered the shutdown of the memorial human rights centre, which is part of the broader memorial rights group that russia's supreme court also shut down this week. both organisations campaign and chronicle rights abuses in russia. state prosecutors have accused them of breaking a law requiring groups to register as foreign agents. chanting. people have since been gathering in protest outside the court, shouting �*shame'. this year has seen unprecented crackdowns of dissent in russia. founded in 1989, memorial is russia's most prominent rights organisation, and became a symbol of russia opening up to the world. it has chronicled purges under former soviet leader joseph stalin, and now campaigns for the rights of political prisoners and other marginalised groups. memorial says the charges against it are politically motivated. translation: we had no illusions. _ i think that our colleagues also had no illusions- after yesterday's decision by the supreme court. i today's decision i is quite expected. it has nothing to do| with foreign agents. this law was passed to be used in exactly this way, _ to liquidate organisations that the government - considers undesirable for political reasons. i a recap of our top stories... record numbers of covid infections are recorded in both france and the united states, as the omicron variant continues to spread. pharmacists in the uk are warning of patchy supplies of rapid covid tests. demand hasjumped recently, because people are being advised to test themselves before going to events or to see family and friends, and also because of changes allowing those with covid in england to end isolation after seven days — if they test negative. the government says more kits are being made available. meanwhile a record number of daily cases were reported yesterday in england, but the total number of patients in hospital is still below january's peak. our health correspondent cath burns has more. hello. thank you for what you are doing. happy new year to you. the prime minister has been out today, pushing one key part of his strategy. encouraging people to have their booster vaccine. i'm sorry to say this, but the overwhelming majority of people who are currently ending up in intensive care in our hospitals, are people who are not boosted. just as the booster campaign has had to be ramped up to deal with rising case numbers, so too has testing. lateral flow tests have never been a more important part of plans to keep covid under control. we are being told to do them before going out to see friends and family. and if you add to that huge numbers of close contacts of people with covid doing daily tests, you get a lot of extra demand. but there is a warning — supply is not keeping up with that demand. the association of independent multiple pharmacies is calling this a huge problem. they have not had any here since christmas eve. it is notjust our pharmacy that is out of stock. it's many, many more pharmacies. some customers are very understanding with it, but some are getting very angry about it as well, saying we have been told we need to test every day, so how are the tests not available? good morning, do you have any lateral flow tests? no, i'm afraid we are i completely out of stock. but what i would suggest is try to order them to your house. i you can try to do that, order them online, but you might be told there are no more delivery slots available. i'm very disappointed, because i want to go out on new year's eve with my family and obviously i'd rather be tested to know where i stand, rather than to go out without knowing where we stand. the uk health security agency says it is supplying millions of lateral flow test every day, and has doubled its delivery capacity. but that it's dealing with unprecedented demand. it is asking people to use any tests they already have before ordering more. another question for authorities here is whether or not to follow america's example. it has cut the isolation time for people who test positive for covid, but don't have any symptoms, to five days. doing that could help the nhs deal with staff shortages caused by workers isolating due to covid. that number doubled in london in the week before christmas. i do understand the argument, but as i say, we believe it is the right thing to do at present, to stick with the self—isolation period as it currently is, so that is seven days, and as i say, we've onlyjust made the change to bring it down to ten, so we want to make sure that that is working as we would expect it to be. but that brings us back to lateral flow tests. for the system to work, there has to be enough of them to go around. labour says the government needs to get a grip and provide enough tests. catherine burns, bbc news. let's speak now to the british conservative mp sir roger gale. what is in your view and in your area of the country the latest situation with covid tests? there is a shortaae situation with covid tests? there is a shortage of— situation with covid tests? there is a shortage of lateral _ situation with covid tests? there is a shortage of lateral flow— situation with covid tests? there is a shortage of lateral flow tests. - a shortage of lateral flow tests. there was a shortage to delivery and there is now a shortage of supply. i am told by the secretary missed —— secretary of state that we are competing with a global market for supplies. we are buying everything we possibly can domestically and the main company that is producing it has quadrupled its production. all of that has been commissioned but it's still not enough to meet demand. the demand has been generated of course because we have kept the economy open in england where in wales and scotland and northern ireland things are different. that is a place on the entertainment industry side but when the prime minister is saying go out and get tested before you go out and mix, if you can't get tested that is a bind and it's difficult for those people returning to work today who have wanted to go back to work and been told by the companies who have not provided tests for them that they have got to be tested and now can't get the tests so they can't go back to work. do can't get the tests so they can't go back to work-— back to work. do you think the government — back to work. do you think the government should _ back to work. do you think the government should have - back to work. do you think the government should have done| back to work. do you think the - government should have done more in the run—up to christmas which is a busy time in terms of people wanting to get themselves tested?— to get themselves tested? hindsight is a wonderful— to get themselves tested? hindsight is a wonderful thing _ to get themselves tested? hindsight is a wonderful thing but _ to get themselves tested? hindsight is a wonderful thing but yes - is a wonderful thing but yes probably we should have stockpiled nationally earlier to have those supplies but it's far south of the labour party to be saying go out and buy supplies when those supplies are simply not available. the other problem of course is because people can't get lateral flow tests they are going to pcr testing stations and seeking help there. those are being overwhelmed, the laboratory facility is finite, there is only a limited amount of it, so it doesn't matter how hard the people at the testing centres work, if you can't process the results you can't do the job. so it's a very difficult situation indeed. the other thing that worries me about all of this is that worries me about all of this is that if people are not getting tested, what's the data going to look like? the government scientists rely heavily on the data they are provided with in terms of how many people have got the disease and the answer could be by new year's eve we won't know. flan answer could be by new year's eve we won't know— won't know. can i ask you about boris johnson's _ won't know. can i ask you about boris johnson's decision - won't know. can i ask you about boris johnson's decision not - won't know. can i ask you about boris johnson's decision not to i borisjohnson's decision not to impose for now any more restrictions in england, you have been critical of his leadership and you have said one will strike and he's out. was this the right decision because england is now on a diversion path in terms of restrictions from different —— scotland and northern ireland and wales. i do different -- scotland and northern ireland and wales.— ireland and wales. i do have sympathy — ireland and wales. i do have sympathy on _ ireland and wales. i do have sympathy on this _ ireland and wales. i do have sympathy on this occasion i ireland and wales. i do have - sympathy on this occasion because he was being held to ransom by the covid recovery group and its supporters who say no more regulations, no more innovations. he has got to get that through parliament because he has said he's going to. he didn't want to recall parliament. he's got the hospitality and entertainment industry is crying out for the new your business because they are on their knees and a lot will go under without it. on the other hand he's in a public health and safety and protecting the health and safety and protecting the health service. the real danger here is not that the hospitals will be overwhelmed by omicron cases, but that they will be overwhelmed by lack of staff because people working within the health service won't be able to get tested and therefore may not be able to go to work. goad able to get tested and therefore may not be able to go to work.— not be able to go to work. good to talk to you- _ not be able to go to work. good to talk to you. thank _ not be able to go to work. good to talk to you. thank you _ not be able to go to work. good to talk to you. thank you for - not be able to go to work. good to talk to you. thank you for your - talk to you. thank you for your time. scotland's first minister, nicola sturgeon, has urged people to "exercise caution", saying the omicron wave of coronavirus cases is rapidly developing. updating msps in a virtual session of the scottish parliament, she said she would stick to the restrictions she outlined last week. nicola sturgeon also said she would not reduce the self—isolation period from ten days, but would keep the decision under review. restrictions include cancelling large events including hogmanay celebrations, implementing table service at pubs and restaurants, one—metre distancing between different groups and the closure of nightclubs. nicola sturgeon said the latest rules will be in place until at least january 17. at this stage our expectation is that they— at this stage our expectation is that they will be in force until the 17th of— that they will be in force until the 17th ofjanuary. that means for no limit _ 17th ofjanuary. that means for no limit on _ 17th ofjanuary. that means for no limit on the — 17th ofjanuary. that means for no limit on the size of live public events — limit on the size of live public events such as weddings are exempt. for indoor— events such as weddings are exempt. for indoor standing event is the limit _ for indoor standing event is the limit is — for indoor standing event is the limit is 100, for indoor seated events— limit is 100, for indoor seated events 204 outdoor events at 500 seated — events 204 outdoor events at 500 seated or _ events 204 outdoor events at 500 seated or standing. i note some questions — seated or standing. i note some questions the rationale for this so let me _ questions the rationale for this so let me set — questions the rationale for this so let me set it out again. firstly the higher— let me set it out again. firstly the higher transmissibility of omicron means— higher transmissibility of omicron means that large gatherings have a much _ means that large gatherings have a much greater potential to become rapid _ much greater potential to become rapid super spreader events. secondly, there are transmission risk associated with travel to and from _ risk associated with travel to and from such — risk associated with travel to and from such events. thirdly, we do play— from such events. thirdly, we do play significant demands on our emergency services such as the police _ emergency services such as the police and — emergency services such as the police and the amblin service. joining us now is leon thompson, chief executive of uk hospitality scotland(os) what in terms of those restrictions is doing to the hospitality industry?— is doing to the hospitality industry? is doing to the hospitality indust ? , . ., , ., industry? the restrictions on the closures are _ industry? the restrictions on the closures are hammering - industry? the restrictions on the i closures are hammering hospitality here in— closures are hammering hospitality here in scotland _ closures are hammering hospitality here in scotland with _ closures are hammering hospitality here in scotland with hogmanay i here in scotland with hogmanay celebrations— here in scotland with hogmanay celebrations cancelled, - here in scotland with hogmanay l celebrations cancelled, nightclubs closed, _ celebrations cancelled, nightclubs closed, there _ celebrations cancelled, nightclubs closed, there is— celebrations cancelled, nightclubs closed, there is going _ celebrations cancelled, nightclubs closed, there is going to- celebrations cancelled, nightclubs closed, there is going to be - celebrations cancelled, nightclubs closed, there is going to be very. closed, there is going to be very little _ closed, there is going to be very little to— closed, there is going to be very little to celebrate _ closed, there is going to be very little to celebrate here - closed, there is going to be very little to celebrate here in - little to celebrate here in scotland _ little to celebrate here in scotland-— little to celebrate here in scotland. �* ., , ., scotland. but do you understand the lo . ic behind scotland. but do you understand the logic behind the _ scotland. but do you understand the logic behind the scottish _ logic behind the scottish government's decisions? we logic behind the scottish government's decisions? we do and hositali government's decisions? we do and hospitality has _ government's decisions? we do and hospitality has always _ government's decisions? we do and hospitality has always played - government's decisions? we do and hospitality has always played its - hospitality has always played its part in _ hospitality has always played its part in helping _ hospitality has always played its part in helping to _ hospitality has always played its part in helping to minimise - hospitality has always played its part in helping to minimise thel part in helping to minimise the spread — part in helping to minimise the spread of— part in helping to minimise the spread of covid. _ part in helping to minimise the spread of covid. businesses i part in helping to minimise thei spread of covid. businesses are operating — spread of covid. businesses are operating table _ spread of covid. businesses are operating table service - spread of covid. businesses are operating table service now, . spread of covid. businesses are i operating table service now, they have _ operating table service now, they have gone — operating table service now, they have gone back— operating table service now, they have gone back to _ operating table service now, they have gone back to having - operating table service now, they have gone back to having the - operating table service now, they. have gone back to having the metre distancing between _ have gone back to having the metre distancing between tables. - have gone back to having the metre distancing between tables. the - distancing between tables. the challenge — distancing between tables. the challenge we _ distancing between tables. the challenge we face _ distancing between tables. the challenge we face is _ distancing between tables. the challenge we face is people - distancing between tables. the| challenge we face is people will still celebrate _ challenge we face is people will still celebrate and _ challenge we face is people will still celebrate and we _ challenge we face is people will still celebrate and we are - challenge we face is people will still celebrate and we are likely| challenge we face is people will . still celebrate and we are likely to see a _ still celebrate and we are likely to see a rise — still celebrate and we are likely to see a rise in — still celebrate and we are likely to see a rise in house _ still celebrate and we are likely to see a rise in house parties- still celebrate and we are likely to see a rise in house parties in- see a rise in house parties in scotland _ see a rise in house parties in scotland as— see a rise in house parties in scotland as a _ see a rise in house parties in scotland as a result - see a rise in house parties in scotland as a result of - see a rise in house parties in scotland as a result of the l see a rise in house parties in- scotland as a result of the closures of hospitaiity— scotland as a result of the closures of hospitality businesses _ scotland as a result of the closures of hospitality businesses and - scotland as a result of the closuresj of hospitality businesses and major events _ of hospitality businesses and ma'or events. ~ �* ., ., ,, events. we've also got the issue that in england _ events. we've also got the issue that in england there _ events. we've also got the issue that in england there are - events. we've also got the issue that in england there are far- events. we've also got the issue i that in england there are far fewer restrictions. england is now in a different place in terms of hospitality from scotland and the scottish government were actually saying to people in scotland please don't go across the border to have a good time in england, but what do you think of that? do you think they will? i you think of that? do you think they will? ~' you think of that? do you think they will? ~ ., �* , ., you think of that? do you think they will? ~ ., �*, ., . ., , will? i think that's a certainty. i am hearing _ will? i think that's a certainty. i am hearing of— will? i think that's a certainty. i am hearing of a _ will? i think that's a certainty. i am hearing of a number- will? i think that's a certainty. i am hearing of a number of- will? i think that's a certainty. i i am hearing of a number of people will? i think that's a certainty. i - am hearing of a number of people and bookings— am hearing of a number of people and bookings shifting _ am hearing of a number of people and bookings shifting to _ am hearing of a number of people and bookings shifting to businesses - am hearing of a number of people and bookings shifting to businesses in- bookings shifting to businesses in england. — bookings shifting to businesses in england. in— bookings shifting to businesses in england, in nightclubs _ bookings shifting to businesses in england, in nightclubs and - bookings shifting to businesses in england, in nightclubs and hotels| bookings shifting to businesses in. england, in nightclubs and hotels as well. england, in nightclubs and hotels as weii~ i’eopie — england, in nightclubs and hotels as well. people will— england, in nightclubs and hotels as well. people willjust _ england, in nightclubs and hotels as well. people willjust simply - england, in nightclubs and hotels as well. people willjust simply to - well. people willjust simply to have _ well. people willjust simply to have house _ well. people willjust simply to have house parties _ well. people willjust simply to have house parties in - well. people willjust simply to have house parties in place - well. people willjust simply to have house parties in place ofl well. people willjust simply to - have house parties in place of going out. have house parties in place of going out do— have house parties in place of going out. , ., ., out. do you find it galling there are relatively _ out. do you find it galling there are relatively tough _ out. do you find it galling there are relatively tough restrictionsj out. do you find it galling there i are relatively tough restrictions on scotland and then relatively light restrictions in england? this scotland and then relatively light restrictions in england?- restrictions in england? this has been a familiar— restrictions in england? this has been a familiar pattern - restrictions in england? this has been a familiar pattern over- restrictions in england? this has been a familiar pattern over the| been a familiar pattern over the last two— been a familiar pattern over the last two years _ been a familiar pattern over the last two years with _ been a familiar pattern over the last two years with the - been a familiar pattern over the i last two years with the divergence in approach — last two years with the divergence in approach at _ last two years with the divergence in approach. at the _ last two years with the divergence in approach. at the moment - last two years with the divergence in approach. at the moment this i in approach. at the moment this sector— in approach. at the moment this sector is— in approach. at the moment this sector is on— in approach. at the moment this sector is on its _ in approach. at the moment this sector is on its knees— in approach. at the moment this sector is on its knees in- in approach. at the moment thisj sector is on its knees in scotland and we _ sector is on its knees in scotland and we needed _ sector is on its knees in scotland and we needed a _ sector is on its knees in scotland and we needed a good _ sector is on its knees in scotlandj and we needed a good christmas sector is on its knees in scotland i and we needed a good christmas and -ood and we needed a good christmas and good hogmanay— and we needed a good christmas and good hogmanay to— and we needed a good christmas and good hogmanay to build _ and we needed a good christmas and good hogmanay to build up- and we needed a good christmas and good hogmanay to build up cash- good hogmanay to build up cash reserves — good hogmanay to build up cash reserves again. _ good hogmanay to build up cash reserves again. we've _ good hogmanay to build up cash reserves again. we've had - good hogmanay to build up cash. reserves again. we've had neither and we _ reserves again. we've had neither and we are — reserves again. we've had neither and we are entering _ reserves again. we've had neither and we are entering 2022 - reserves again. we've had neither and we are entering 2022 with i reserves again. we've had neither and we are entering 2022 with no| and we are entering 2022 with no certainty — and we are entering 2022 with no certainty as— and we are entering 2022 with no certainty as to _ and we are entering 2022 with no certainty as to what _ and we are entering 2022 with no certainty as to what the - and we are entering 2022 with no certainty as to what the first i and we are entering 2022 with no certainty as to what the first fewl certainty as to what the first few weeks _ certainty as to what the first few weeks and — certainty as to what the first few weeks and months _ certainty as to what the first few weeks and months of _ certainty as to what the first few weeks and months of the - certainty as to what the first few weeks and months of the year i certainty as to what the first few i weeks and months of the year will hold _ weeks and months of the year will hold as_ weeks and months of the year will hold. �* . , weeks and months of the year will hold. �* ., y ., weeks and months of the year will hold. . ., , ., ., ~ i. hold. a really tough time. thank you very much- — a memorial service will be held in cape town today in honour of the anti—apartheid leader, archbishop desmond tutu, who died on boxing day. the service is one of many that have been encouraged by the anglican church in south africa, to stop large crowds gathering because of covid. attendance at his state funeral on new year's day is being capped at a hundred because of coronavirus restrictions. nomsa maseko gave us this update from cape town: groups of mourners have come to the family house to pay their respects. prays have been held outside his home and people who live in the area gathered outside the home as well to remember the archbishop. now here in cape town this evening at 6pm local time there will be an into —— interfaith memorial service. but because of covid regulations they will only be a limited number of people that will be allowed inside the cape town city hall. so as a result there are public viewing areas that will be set up in many parts of the city and also elsewhere around the country to allow south africans not to miss anything and to pay their last respects and be part of the memorial as it takes place. you are watching bbc news. time for some sport. good afternoon. formerjockey freddie tyminski has called for harsher punishment for jockeys who ride dangerously to make horse racing saver. he was paralysed following a full five years ago last week in a high courtjudge ruled that fellowjockey week in a high courtjudge ruled that fellow jockey graham week in a high courtjudge ruled that fellowjockey graham gibbons was responsible. that fellow jockey graham gibbons was responsible.— was responsible. punishment for reckless riding _ was responsible. punishment for reckless riding would _ was responsible. punishment for reckless riding would be - was responsible. punishment for reckless riding would be much i was responsible. punishment for. reckless riding would be much the way forward simply because when you punish a jockey for doing manoeuvre in a race that shouldn't have been done the jockey gets x amount of days to be on the sidelines. that would send the right signals out. i think it will make the sport overall a cleaner and safer environment. in a cleaner and safer environment. in response, the british horseracing authority said we will consider the high courtjudgment in detail and carefully assess what implications it may hold for british racing in discussion with industry stakeholders. the full transcript of the hearing will allow us to consider any of the other relevant matters which were raised over the course of the hearing. arsenal manager has tested positive for covid again. you will miss the new year's day match against manchester city. he first contracted the virus in march 2020 which prompted the shutdown of football at the start of the pandemic. he is now isolating but is expected to undertake media duties ahead of the game. chris woakes admits england's cricketers were underprepared for their ashes tour but he says they cannot use that as an excuse for their performances. the ashes already lost and too much still to go and he says now is not the time to feel for themselves. this now is not the time to feel for themselves.— now is not the time to feel for themselves. ., , ., , themselves. as a group of players we have to take — themselves. as a group of players we have to take pride _ themselves. as a group of players we have to take pride in _ themselves. as a group of players we have to take pride in what _ themselves. as a group of players we have to take pride in what we - themselves. as a group of players we have to take pride in what we do. i themselves. as a group of players we have to take pride in what we do. no | have to take pride in what we do. no one means _ have to take pride in what we do. no one means to— have to take pride in what we do. no one means to perform _ have to take pride in what we do. no one means to perform badly- have to take pride in what we do. no one means to perform badly and i have to take pride in what we do. no i one means to perform badly and means to lose _ one means to perform badly and means to lose their— one means to perform badly and means to lose their we — one means to perform badly and means to lose their we have. _ one means to perform badly and means to lose their we have. we _ one means to perform badly and means to lose their we have. we are _ one means to perform badly and means to lose their we have. we are trying i to lose their we have. we are trying extremely— to lose their we have. we are trying extremeiy hard _ to lose their we have. we are trying extremely hard to _ to lose their we have. we are trying extremely hard to put _ to lose their we have. we are trying extremely hard to put things - to lose their we have. we are trying extremely hard to put things right. i extremely hard to put things right. but that— extremely hard to put things right. but that test — extremely hard to put things right. but that test cricket. _ extremely hard to put things right. but that test cricket. it's _ extremely hard to put things right. but that test cricket. it's really i but that test cricket. it's really difficult — but that test cricket. it's really difficult when _ but that test cricket. it's really difficult when a _ but that test cricket. it's really difficult when a team _ but that test cricket. it's really difficult when a team gets i but that test cricket. it's really difficult when a team gets on i but that test cricket. it's really i difficult when a team gets on top and that— difficult when a team gets on top and that is— difficult when a team gets on top and that is when _ difficult when a team gets on top and that is when you _ difficult when a team gets on top and that is when you have - difficult when a team gets on top and that is when you have to i difficult when a team gets on top. and that is when you have to show some _ and that is when you have to show some character. _ and that is when you have to show some character. we _ and that is when you have to show some character. we have - and that is when you have to show some character. we have to - and that is when you have to show some character. we have to show| and that is when you have to show i some character. we have to show some character _ some character. we have to show some character and _ some character. we have to show some character and some _ some character. we have to show some character and some fight. _ some character. we have to show some character and some fight.— character and some fight. novak d'okovic character and some fight. novak djokovic has _ character and some fight. novak djokovic has pulled _ character and some fight. novak djokovic has pulled out - character and some fight. novak djokovic has pulled out of i character and some fight. novak djokovic has pulled out of this i djokovic has pulled out of this week's atp cup in sydney heightening spec elation he may skip the australian open next month. there will the bone is yet to confirm whether he's received the coronavirus vaccination having previously expressed his opposition to it. andy murray has been practising in melbourne park where the first grand slam of the season begins injust the first grand slam of the season begins in just under three weeks' time. he was handed a wild card to take part in the event where he had previously reached the final five times. alexander palace and dave chisnall has begun the third player to withdraw from the world darts championship after testing positive covid. michael van gerwen has also pulled out. one man lot leaving is the scotsman who is a full—time fireman and also trains guide dogs and he's made it through to the last 16 after beating the seventh seed in a thrilling match. in an all english thai, callum rates has knocked out tenth seed nathan aspinall. he has booked his place in the fourth round. 23 years old and he has yet to drop a single set at the championship this year. more sport coming up on the bbc news channel later but that's it for now. borisjohnson defends the uk government's decision not to impose further covid restrictions in england before the new year — and says 90% of those in intensive care haven't had a booster. the majority of people ending up in intensive _ the majority of people ending up in intensive care people were not boosted — intensive care people were not boosted. .., ., intensive care people were not boosted. _, ., ,, ., , ., boosted. nicola sturgeon rules out introducin: boosted. nicola sturgeon rules out introducing further _ boosted. nicola sturgeon rules out introducing further restrictions i boosted. nicola sturgeon rules out introducing further restrictions in i introducing further restrictions in scotland but urges caution as infections continue to rise. record numbers of covid infections are recorded in both france and the united states as the omicron variant continues to spread. high demand for covid pcr tests has left people waiting for days and pharmacists are warning of patchy supplies of rapid testing kits after changes to self isolation rules. we testing kits after changes to self isolation rules.— testing kits after changes to self isolation rules. ~ ., �* ,, ., isolation rules. we don't know when these are going _ isolation rules. we don't know when these are going to _ isolation rules. we don't know when these are going to be _ isolation rules. we don't know when these are going to be available i isolation rules. we don't know when these are going to be available so i these are going to be available so it's very— these are going to be available so it's very difficult _ these are going to be available so it's very difficult to _ these are going to be available so it's very difficult to plan _ these are going to be available so it's very difficult to plan and - these are going to be available so it's very difficult to plan and let. it's very difficult to plan and let people — it's very difficult to plan and let pe0ple know _ it's very difficult to plan and let people know in _ it's very difficult to plan and let people know in terms - it's very difficult to plan and let people know in terms of - it's very difficult to plan and let people know in terms of whenl it's very difficult to plan and let. people know in terms of when to it's very difficult to plan and let - people know in terms of when to come back and _ people know in terms of when to come back and when — people know in terms of when to come back and when it's _ people know in terms of when to come back and when it's going _ people know in terms of when to come back and when it's going to _ people know in terms of when to come back and when it's going to be - people know in terms of when to come back and when it's going to be in -