labour says the uk prime minister still has serious questions to answer over the refurbishment of his downing street flat. dementia cases are expected to almost triple across the world by 2050. experts say it's due to ageing and growing populations. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. 200 members of the armed forces are being drafted in to help hospitals in london struggling to deal with covid—related staff shortages. the royal college of nursing said the government could no longer deny there was a "staffing crisis" in the nhs. a total of 39,142 nhs staff at hospital trusts in england were absent for covid—19 reasons onjanuary 2nd, up 59% on the previous week. meanwhile, pressure on london hospitals has increased over the past month, with 4,000 patients currently in hospital with covid compared with 1,100 in december. health secretary sajid javid urged people to get their vaccinations to help cut the pressure on the nhs, as he welcomed support from the military. more from our health correspondent, katharine da costa. the nhs is on a warfooting, and it's calling out for reinforcements. london's hospitals have been hit hardest by covid—related absences — more than 5,000 staff in acute trusts were absent in the week up to boxing day. it's led to the armed forces once again being called on for support over the next three weeks. a0 military medics will assist with patient care. 160 personnel will carry out tasks including checking in patients and basic checks. separately, 32 military co—respondents will also be deployed to support south central ambulance service in the thames valley. this winter there is extraordinary pressure on our nhs. we are honoured, it is our duty to be a sticking plasterfor the nhs to help get through a time of extraordinary crisis. in normal times, the nhs doesn't need our help because there are incredible people who do extraordinary work in that organisation every single day. but right now they do need our help, and it's our great privilege to offer it. from distributing ppe and assisting paramedics, to bolstering teams at testing sites and vaccination centres — the armed forces have been called upon throughout the pandemic. while this latest support�*s being welcomed, some say it highlights the staffing crisis within the nhs. the prime minister has said that the nhs will cope. this is a clear indication that the nhs is not coping. this is too little, too late — it certainly does not go far enough to support the nhs in all the ways it needs at the moment. it will help, but it won't solve the problem. nearly 2,000 military personnel have already been deployed across the uk. a further 7,000 are on standby. in scotland, 90 personnel are preparing to assist three health boards, as the nhs braces itself for yet another winter wave of admissions. katharine da costa, bbc news. air commodorejohn lyle, who's responsible for the military�*s civil contingency operations in the uk, told us what the public will see and that he expects further deployments in the coming weeks. throughout london what we've done is we've broken our personnel down into smaller teams. so, we have a mix of defence medics and what we call general duties personnel, and the medics are obviously more highly trained to deliver clinical care, whereas the general duty personnel can assist in tasks such as logistics, moving oxygen around, assisting members to call their family or helping with meal times. all of that allows the highly skilled clinicians to focus their care where it's needed most. so, what they're likely to see is primarily an nhs workforce with support people wearing pretty much what i'm wearing now but with the relevant protective equipment, just assisting as part of that wider effort. we can't really forecast too far ahead, but certainly throughout this current surge, we know it is particularly difficult in london at the minute, but we are aware that this is impacting all across the united kingdom. so we remain in discussions and there are a number of areas where we're looking at the potential for more assistance. so over the coming weeks and months, i think we will learn a lot from how the progress is made through london and potentially there could be further military support required in other areas. 0ur health correspondent jim reed joins me now. we have had some more statistics, they are pretty staggering.- they are pretty staggering. these are the weekly — they are pretty staggering. these are the weekly statistics - they are pretty staggering. these are the weekly statistics we - they are pretty staggering. these are the weekly statistics we get l are the weekly statistics we get from the nhs, just published in the last 30 minutes or so and they tell us what was happening last week, the week up to last sunday, and it is interesting because as you imagine, what is happening to the nhs is reflecting covid rates across the country so more positive news from london which had the highest rates before christmas. staff absence in the nhs seem to be slowing, falling in places, what you're seeing is hospitals in the north of england having the highest rates of staff absences over that wee, picking out some examples, the highest rates in sheffield, number of covid absences makes up 11% of all staff, sheffield teaching hospitals nhs trust, the highest in england. the northern care alliance, the group of hospitals around 0ldham, bury, that area of greater manchester, showing 188% increase of covid absences over the last week. chesterfield in yorkshire, high rates, the hospitals on the world in the north—west showing height rates, it is showing this picture of a gradually improving fingers crossed situation in london but in the north of england, rates going up and pore pressure on absences in the nhs. there is some figures on what are called delayed discharges adding to the pressure, people getting stuck in hospital? this the pressure, people getting stuck in hosital? , , . , the pressure, people getting stuck in hosital? , , . ., in hospital? this is always a problem — in hospital? this is always a problem for _ in hospital? this is always a problem for the _ in hospital? this is always a problem for the nhs - in hospital? this is always a problem for the nhs and i in hospital? this is always a - problem for the nhs and particularly in the winter but you'd notice it more because of the pressure connected to covid so andy burnham, the greater manchester mayor was talking yesterday about how half of care homes in the region are unable to accept new residence at the moment and that has a knock—on effect on hospitals because if you cannot move people out of hospitals and into care homes, they tend to stay in hospital which adds to the pressure. and today we had more figures showing around one in ten beds in england are now occupied by people who are fit enough to leave but cannot leave and obviously that is increasing the pressure on the nhs. �* , ., is increasing the pressure on the nhs. �*, ., , ,. nhs. let's paint a broader picture of what is going — nhs. let's paint a broader picture of what is going on _ nhs. let's paint a broader picture of what is going on with _ nhs. let's paint a broader picture of what is going on with the - nhs. let's paint a broader picture of what is going on with the nhs. of what is going on with the nhs because it looks quite extreme, you have the armed forces personnel being drafted in to help hospitals in londonjust get being drafted in to help hospitals in london just get by.— being drafted in to help hospitals in london just get by. in london 'ust get by. that's right and it's in london just get by. that's right and it's not _ in london just get by. that's right and it's not entirely _ in london just get by. that's right i and it's not entirely unprecedented, we have had it in previous years, remember it last march the armed services were used in the north west of england to help with mass vaccinations. and the testing campaign. in places like 0ldham and bury so it's not entirely unprecedented, 400 troops being sent into london to help there. sorry, 200 troops in london, to help plug these shortages and 1800 troops across england now supporting this effort. we have had more news about hospital trusts in england this morning, 16 this morning experiencing what are called critical incidents, it sounds alarming but it's really an internal description used by hospitals when they are worried they might not be able to provide some court services, used as a way to transfer some staff across from other departments and actually 16 sounds a lot but that's down from the number we heard earlier this week and from the number at last night so a continuing picture of pressure on hospitals but hopefully, some signs in london that some of this starving pressure might be easing. for some of this starving pressure might be easinu. ., ., ., ~ be easing. for the moment, thank ou. -- be easing. for the moment, thank you- -- staffing — be easing. for the moment, thank you. -- staffing pressure. - we can talk now to sara gorton, head of health at the trade union unison. thanks forjoining us. we have heard big increases in hospital trusts of staff shortages, up to one in ten members of hospital staff absent because of covid reasons, adding to the pressure on the nhs? it is because of covid reasons, adding to the pressure on the nhs?— the pressure on the nhs? it is and draftin: in the pressure on the nhs? it is and drafting in the _ the pressure on the nhs? it is and drafting in the military _ the pressure on the nhs? it is and drafting in the military today - the pressure on the nhs? it is and drafting in the military today is - drafting in the military today is another sign we have now got a persistent staffing crisis, we are not able to cope with predictable staff absences. we had the military called in to support ambulance crews over the summerjust to be able to give people their annual leave so calling on the military today, i think this shows the government knows it has to be seen to be doing something to fix the staffing crisis. but i think health staff need to see that as a more genuine attempt to help, if it came together with a promise that the government would fix the underlying problems. you are saying these are longer term issues, this isn'tjust a short—term issues, this isn'tjust a short—term issue because of omicron, it is a longer—term problem with the health service, staffing not enough staff? completely. the risk is this will be disguised as pandemic related were as yesterday, there was a report produced by a parliamentary body that showed just how desperate the starving situation is. our assessment is the most critical factor, the most urgent action that the government could take is to stem the government could take is to stem the tide of staff leaving the nhs so we know in london alone last year, only 4000 people left, a survey that we did just before christmas showed that three out of every ten health workers are currently actively looking for work outside the health service. stopping people leaving is the one critical action that the government can take to help the nhs and to start to recover from this crisis. , , ., , . ., ., crisis. give us a picture of what it is like to be _ crisis. give us a picture of what it is like to be a _ crisis. give us a picture of what it is like to be a health _ crisis. give us a picture of what it is like to be a health worker- crisis. give us a picture of what it is like to be a health worker now| is like to be a health worker now after two years of this pandemic, it's already been exhausting and traumatic. now those who are at work because they do not have covid or they are not isolating, are facing these huge staff shortages, presumably their workload is increasing because so many other people are absent?— increasing because so many other people are absent? that's right and there is a risk— people are absent? that's right and there is a risk of _ people are absent? that's right and there is a risk of this _ people are absent? that's right and there is a risk of this creates - people are absent? that's right and there is a risk of this creates a - there is a risk of this creates a downward spiral that as more colleagues go off, it adds to the pressure on existing staff and that is what has been building for the last few years. it isn't, obviously it has gotten worse because of the pandemic, we know people are experiencing huge levels of fatigue. what is really starting to come through as the concern about the quality of care that people are able to give. people are going home after shifts worried about the things they have not been able to do, worried that they are not able to work to the standard that they want to, to deliver patients and that means they are put under unbearable pressure. and this isn'tjust one particular group of staff. we are seeing this across all disciplines, people who work in emergency services have obviously been at the forefront of this but this is now playing out across the whole service. at this but this is now playing out across the whole service. at the same time. _ across the whole service. at the same time. i — across the whole service. at the same time, i hear _ across the whole service. at the same time, i hear what - across the whole service. at the same time, i hear what you - across the whole service. at the same time, i hear what you say| across the whole service. at the - same time, i hear what you say about the longer term issues but the omicron surge is not going to last forever and already there are signs, it may be small comfort, 16 critical incidents in nhs trusts in england today where as there are 17 yesterday so perhaps the worst is over? , ~ , yesterday so perhaps the worst is over? , , .,, yesterday so perhaps the worst is over? , , ., over? the risk is people say, we are throu~h over? the risk is people say, we are through the — over? the risk is people say, we are through the very _ over? the risk is people say, we are through the very worst _ over? the risk is people say, we are through the very worst of— over? the risk is people say, we are through the very worst of this, - over? the risk is people say, we are through the very worst of this, we i through the very worst of this, we don't need, and they move on to look at other issues whereas what we have been warning for years, head of this, is the nhs did not have the resilience in terms of staffing numbers that it needed in order to cope with this. and it gives us no pleasure to be in a position where we are able to say this is exactly what was predicted. so what we want is a commitment that government will act now to prevent this being a persistent and long lasting feature of life in the nhs.— of life in the nhs. thank you very much for giving — of life in the nhs. thank you very much for giving us _ of life in the nhs. thank you very much for giving us your— of life in the nhs. thank you very much for giving us your thoughts| much for giving us your thoughts this morning. kazakhstan's president says that "constitutional order" has mostly been restored, following another night of violence as protests erupted after steep rises in the price of energy. speaking this morning, he said 20,000 bandits had attacked the capital and that security forces had been authorised to open fire without warning on protestors. he added that those who don't give themselves up will be "destroyed". gunfire. intense gunfire could be heard through the night in almaty — the country's largest city. russian troops are now assisting the kazakh regime as it attempts to maintain control. a little earlier, the interior ministry issued a statement on the unrest — saying 26 people — which it calls "armed criminals" — have been "liquidated". it says a further 3,000 people have been detained and claims 18 police and security personnel have also been killed. 0ur correspondent rayhan demytrie is in the georgian capital tbilisi. following events for us. very tough language from the kazakhstan president, talking about the remaining protesters being potentially liquidated. that is ri . ht. it potentially liquidated. that is right- it is — potentially liquidated. that is right- it is a _ potentially liquidated. that is right. it is a very _ potentially liquidated. that is right. it is a very kind - potentially liquidated. that is right. it is a very kind of - potentially liquidated. that is. right. it is a very kind of soviet terminology, liquidating armed bandits but also revealing in a sense, because the president named some numbers, he said 20,000 armed bandits, as he said, have attacked the country �*s commercial capital and the largest city almaty. now i think there are lots of questions being asked, how did this peaceful protest that began in the west of the country in early january against the country in early january against the sharp rise in fuel prices, how did it all lead to the chaotic scenes we have seen in the past 48 hours in almaty? there are some suggestions that perhaps there is a power struggle going on between the president himself and groups that are loyal to the country �*s former resident, the first president who until wednesday, resident, the first president who untilwednesday, held resident, the first president who until wednesday, held a very powerful position in the country as the head of the security council. he officially stepped down as the only president back in 2019 and hand—picked the current president but... loss of sound iam so loss of sound i am so sorry, i think we have lost the line there but we will try and re—establish that later. the latest in the situation in kazakhstan. let's update you about the situation in australia. two more tennis players or officials are being investigated for breaking australia's covid vaccination rules. it comes as officials have insisted that novak djokovic isn't being held captive, and can leave the country whenever he wants. the world number one spent his first night in an immigration detention hotel after his visa was revoked for failing to meet covid vaccination requirements. his appeal will be held on monday. shaimaa khalil reports. there was dancing and music but also anger and frustration. as novak djokovic's supporters gathered outside the immigration detention hotel where he spent the night. it's unclear whether the tennis star is going to remain here until monday. but this is a story that has now divided the country. novak djokovic is waiting for a court decision on whether he will be able to stay and compete in the australian open or be deported. whatever happens, this has gone way beyond tennis. the world number one now finds himself in the middle of a political and diplomatic row. yesterday, his mother said her son was being kept like a prisoner. but the australian home affairs minister karen andrews, said there was nothing stopping the tennis starfrom leaving the country. mr djokovic is not being held captive in australia. he is free to leave at any time that he chooses to do so and border force will actually facilitate that. novak djokovic has previously made clear his opposition to getting the vaccine. he came to the country with an exemption granted by tennis australia and the state of victoria. the federal government says his visa application has not met the rules of entry and that no one was above the rules. a point scott morrison and his government have been hammering home since the controversy began. politicians wanted to prove they could control who comes in and out of the country but in doing so, they lost control of the narrative. it's an embarrassing situation for australia whichever way you look at it. well, as well as the support from fans, djokovic's family have also been making theirfeelings clear over his detention. overnight, on social media, his wife, jelena djokovic said: guy delauney is in belgrade where protests have been taking place over the serbian tennis star's treatment. and he really is a national hero and icon in absolutely, the biggest name in serbia by four. you icon in absolutely, the biggest name in serbia by four.— in serbia by four. you could easily land on a plane. _ in serbia by four. you could easily land on a plane, in _ in serbia by four. you could easily land on a plane, in air— in serbia by four. you could easily land on a plane, in air serbia, - in serbia by four. you could easily land on a plane, in air serbia, on | in serbia by four. you could easily| land on a plane, in air serbia, on a plane called novak djokovic, you could find the novak djokovic shop selling all sorts of souvenirs and branded goods, drive across the motorway and see a huge billboard of him with all his trophies outside the restaurant that bears his name and pop down to the riverside to play at the novak djokovic tennis centre, he is a star of the greatest proportion here and people feel that he represents notjust that sport of tennis but he represents serbia, the country, as well. as his parents said yesterday during a rally outside the national assembly, novak djokovic is serbia and serbia's novak djokovic.— djokovic is serbia and serbia's novak d'okovic. ~ . , novak d'okovic. whatever the rights and novak djokovic. whatever the rights and wron . s novak djokovic. whatever the rights and wrongs of _ novak djokovic. whatever the rights and wrongs of this, _ novak djokovic. whatever the rights and wrongs of this, his _ novak djokovic. whatever the rights and wrongs of this, his friends - novak djokovic. whatever the rights and wrongs of this, his friends and l and wrongs of this, his friends and family are outraged but also the serbian government and president? absolutely. we have heard from various branches of the serbian government including the executive branch, the president, personally calling novak djokovic at least twice to express his support, telling him all of serbia was with him, telling him he would fight for truth and justice and also been highly critical of what has been rowing on the government australia, talking about political bickering and prime ministers scott morrison getting involved with something you should not really be seen. on the other hand, the president himself is involved but you can see it is going right to the top of serbian society, not just the right to the top of serbian society, notjust the president but right to the top of serbian society, not just the president but also right to the top of serbian society, notjust the president but also the head of the serbian orthodox church, it is orthodox christmas today, you can probably see from the empty streets around me, everyone celebrating christmas, millions of orthodox serbs praying for novak djokovic. orthodox serbs praying for novak d'okovic. , ., . orthodox serbs praying for novak d'okovic. , . �* , , orthodox serbs praying for novak d'okovic. , . �*, , ., djokovic. d'okovic 's views on the vaccine djokovic. djokovic 's views on the vaccine and _ djokovic. djokovic 's views on the vaccine and his _ djokovic. djokovic 's views on the vaccine and his opposition - djokovic. djokovic 's views on the vaccine and his opposition to - djokovic. djokovic 's views on the vaccine and his opposition to it i djokovic. djokovic 's views on the l vaccine and his opposition to it are very well known. is that a view shared amongst people in serbia widely? shared amongst people in serbia widel ? ,, , . shared amongst people in serbia widel ? ,, , ., ., shared amongst people in serbia widel ? ,, ., ., , ., widely? serbia has a fairly woeful vaccination _ widely? serbia has a fairly woeful vaccination rate, _ widely? serbia has a fairly woeful vaccination rate, not _ widely? serbia has a fairly woeful vaccination rate, not as _ widely? serbia has a fairly woeful vaccination rate, not as low - widely? serbia has a fairly woeful vaccination rate, not as low as i widely? serbia has a fairly woeful. vaccination rate, not as low as some countries in the region but lower than 40% and that is a real shame because got off to a really good start in the vaccination programme this time last year, the fastest in europe but that has ground to a halt and reflects the fact that many people do share the views of novak djokovic and vaccination, perhaps not for the same reasons. he is a fanatic about his fitness and his refuelling habits as it were, what he puts into his body, he does not eat gluten, he is a vegan and he does not want to get vaccinated because he says that as part of his lifestyle, many people here may be mistrustful of institutions of the vaccine itself and they consume their views from social media in the absence of a plethora of trustworthy news sources. that is the problem people have here and it is causing the government problems so while they are giving novak djokovic support, i bet they wish he would take the vaccine.— take the vaccine. good to talk to ou, take the vaccine. good to talk to you. thank _ take the vaccine. good to talk to you. thank vou- _ a study says the number of adults in the world with dementia could nearly triple within 30 years. researchers writing in the lancet public health journal say more than 153 million people could be living with the condition by 2050. in the uk, the number of dementia cases is projected to rise by three—quarters in the same period, to 1.6 million. for more on this, earlier, i spoke with our health correspondent, michelle roberts. the forecast is looking at the things that can contribute to dementia. we know some of it is set in stone, some of it is genetic, many different risk factors but some things are modifiable, so things like smoking, obesity, diabetes, are contributing factors that can be modified. and they are saying those are things that countries should be looking at, but then obviously, things like population growth and ageing, an ageing population which the uk has and many other countries do too, those are trickier to manage but obviously, investment in new treatments and research will help. so, this is a challenge not only in this country but around the world and a challenge notjust for the health service but for individuals about what they do, how they behave in their lives? part of it is education so the study looked at nearly 200 countries and looked at the different factors that might impact. they were saying better education, so healthier lifestyles, public health measures like that, could actually lower the toll by up to 6 million over the next 30 or so years. is the evidence that people are changing their behaviour in any of these key areas, for example, smoking and obesity and so on? we have seen various patterns around the world, so we know that smoking, many developed countries now are taking measures to try and reduce the number of people who smoke but then in other countries, we see rising numbers. there's a mixed picture here in the research. i mean, it is all modelling, all forcasting, so we don't know whether this will play out but in developing countries, there seems to be a larger projected increase in terms of the population numbers that they have got. a lot of that was due to population growth, but some of it is also adopting different lifestyle habits that have been seen in the past as western world problems, obesity, lots of sugar in the diet, those types of things have been seen as a richer nation problem, but there is a stark warning there for the whole globe. one of the changes announced earlier this week to covid testing rules, for people travelling to the uk from abroad, has come into effect. pre—departure tests are no longer needed for those who are fully vaccinated. people are also no longer required to self—isolate while they wait for the result of their test taken within two days of arriving. from sunday, post—arrival pcr tests are being replaced by lateral flow tests. joining me now is stephaniejepson, partner at courtney world travel in tewkesbury. is it looking like because of the various relaxation of the rules around travel, bookings are going up? around travel, bookings are going u - 7 , y around travel, bookings are going u? , , ,, . , , up? definitely. since yesterday, we have seen a — up? definitely. since yesterday, we have seen a huge _ up? definitely. since yesterday, we have seen a huge increase - up? definitely. since yesterday, we have seen a huge increase in - up? definitely. since yesterday, we have seen a huge increase in the i have seen a huge increase in the calls we are getting and we are actually booking holidays again, thank goodness! i actually booking holidays again, thank goodness!— thank goodness! i think lift of britain was _ thank goodness! i think lift of britain was one _ thank goodness! i think lift of britain was one of— thank goodness! i think lift of britain was one of the - thank goodness! i think lift of i britain was one of the headlines thank goodness! i think lift of - britain was one of the headlines in one of the papers.— britain was one of the headlines in one of the papers. where are people bookin: ? one of the papers. where are people booking? all— one of the papers. where are people booking? all over. _ one of the papers. where are people booking? all over. we _ one of the papers. where are people booking? all over. we have - one of the papers. where are people booking? all over. we have got - booking? all over. we have got enquiries for hama, spain. a lot of them are predominantly european, to be honest with you. i think people are still a little bit wary about going further afield but yes, it's brilliant, it really feels a lot more positive now. brilliant, it really feels a lot more ositive now. , ., , , more positive now. presumably, there is a lot of pent-no— more positive now. presumably, there is a lot of pent-up demand, _ more positive now. presumably, there is a lot of pent-up demand, a - more positive now. presumably, there is a lot of pent-up demand, a lot - more positive now. presumably, there is a lot of pent-up demand, a lot of i is a lot of pent—up demand, a lot of people who have not been anywhere for a couple of years?— for a couple of years? nearly three now! if for a couple of years? nearly three now! if you — for a couple of years? nearly three now! if you think, _ for a couple of years? nearly three now! if you think, our— for a couple of years? nearly three now! if you think, our first - now! if you think, ourfirst cancellations were beginning of january 2020, we are now in 2022 and yeah, they were cancelling that they were starting to getjittery towards the end of 2019 so most people haven't had a holiday so they have just been holidaying in the uk and they are desperate to get some sunshine on their bones!- they are desperate to get some sunshine on their bones! aren't we all? do you — sunshine on their bones! aren't we all? do you think _ sunshine on their bones! aren't we all? do you think in _ sunshine on their bones! aren't we all? do you think in a _ sunshine on their bones! aren't we all? do you think in a way - sunshine on their bones! aren't we all? do you think in a way because| all? do you think in a way because some people have not travelled anywhere for a while, they have more money to spend, maybe they will go further afield and go for a little bit longer than normal? spending a bit longer than normal? spending a bit more and _ bit longer than normal? spending a bit more and having _ bit longer than normal? spending a bit more and having something - bit longer than normal? spending a l bit more and having something more luxurious, definitely. and we have seen an increase in customers who have not booked with travel agents previously but they just want a bit of confidence so it's brilliant, yes, absolutely brilliant news. i gather that there is a rise in bucket list bookings.- gather that there is a rise in bucket list bookings. yes, people have been storing _ bucket list bookings. yes, people have been storing those, - bucket list bookings. yes, people have been storing those, believe | bucket list bookings. yes, people - have been storing those, believe me! yes, it is really positive. i still think we are probably going to have a few bucket months until all of this testing has stopped and also, it's the testing in other countries as well. so hopefully, there will be some relaxation in that and once thatis some relaxation in that and once that is gone, we should really fly. quite literally! but we have had a false dawns before, haven't we? brute false dawns before, haven't we? we have false dawns before, haven't we? - have and that is what we need to stop now, the stop starting, they have got to release it now. our industry has been so badly hit and continues to be badly hit so we need to be given a bit of a chance now to be able to earn some money. because ou're still be able to earn some money. because you're still in — be able to earn some money. because you're still in business _ be able to earn some money. because you're still in business but _ you're still in business but presumably quite a few other firms around the country are not and we know aviation has had a really tough time in the last couple of years? absolutely. flights are still artful, we still haven't got full capacity with the airlines because the demand is not there are so we really need to build this industry up. really need to build this industry u, . ., really need to build this industry u . _ . ., , really need to build this industry up. what is your message to people thinkin: of up. what is your message to people thinking of booking _ up. what is your message to people thinking of booking a _ up. what is your message to people thinking of booking a holiday? - thinking of booking a holiday? traditionally january is the time they do anyway but do they need to get in early? will they lose out on holidays if they do not make an early booking?— holidays if they do not make an early booking? definitely, iwould urue early booking? definitely, iwould urge anvone _ early booking? definitely, iwould urge anyone to — early booking? definitely, iwould urge anyone to do _ early booking? definitely, iwould urge anyone to do it, _ early booking? definitely, iwould urge anyone to do it, do - early booking? definitely, iwould urge anyone to do it, do not - early booking? definitely, iwould urge anyone to do it, do not sit i urge anyone to do it, do not sit there thinking about it, do it. if you think that people have postponed from 2020, up to 2021, people were not comfortable travelling last year so it's all moved over to this year, there is definitely a shortage, if you like. i am looking for my own holiday. i am struggling because i have stuck with dates. if you have anyone out there tight on dates i would urge them to go down to their travel agent and book quickly. i cannot believe you cannot find yourself a holiday since you work in the business but stephanie, thank you so much forjoining us. the headlines on bbc news. armed forces are called in to help with staff shortages in london hospitals — as latest figures show nhs hospital staff covid—related absences in england are up by more than 40% in the space of a week. the president of kazakhstan addresses the nation after days of unrest — he says protesters who don't give themselves up will be destroyed — and thanks the russian president for sending troops. the australian government deny claims they're holding tennis star novak djokovic captive, after his entry visa to the country was revoked. they say he can leave whenever he wants. labour says the prime minister still has serious questions to answer over the refurbishment of his downing street flat. labour has said the prime minister has "serious questions to answer" following an investigation into the refurbishment of his downing street flat. messages between borisjohnson and lord brownlow — who helped pay for the rennovation of the flat — were published yesterday. they appear to show the prime minister offering support for the plans for a "great exhibition" — a proposal backed by lord brownlow. our political correspondent, damian grammaticus, explains the latest twist in the saga over the funding of the refurbishment. the row about the flat has been going on for over a year or so, and that was all about how borisjohnson was funding the work on this flat. it cost over £100,000 ultimately and he was trying to get donors to do it possibly through a blind trust and that whole issue had been looked into and part of those inquiries has thrown up these whatsapp messages. the first thing is that borisjohnson had to apologise yesterday because he didn't actually release them to the man overseeing the inquiry last year, so that was already a sticky point for the prime minister, but now in the messages, exactly, you have borisjohnson needing tens of thousands of pounds for his flat, you have a tory donor overseeing how that will be arranged and wanting this project, this great exhibition type thing, that is what he wants and in those exchanges it becomes very clear borisjohnson says, sends a whatsapp message to lord brownlow saying "i am keen to get on, my flat is a tip. "ps, on the great exhibition plan, will revert." and what labour have seized on there is they say this appears to be clearly a quid pro quo, the prime minister offering a favour in return for sorting out his money issues. what downing street have said is well, no, this was properly dealt with, it was passed on to the culture secretary who then never went through with this plan but i think under pressure, borisjohnson is under pressure here because he did pass it on and so labour are then saying this needs to be looked into and calling for the parliamentary commissioner for standards, katherine stone, to have an inquiry into this. but they say that there are very serious issues here that need to be addressed. at the end of last year, borisjohnson was dogged by so many problems and even tory mps questioning his leadership of the party. i'm sure he hoped that the new year would bring a new start but he's still being dogged by some of those old problems? i'm sure he did and i think everyone hoped it would bring a new start but this has all come to light again. it was clear these messages around from just before christmas and now we know what was in them but i think one thing for the prime minister that he will be a bit relieved about is that on the basic questions, his adviser on ministerial standards, lord geidt, had cleared him last year of saying there was no sort of conflict of interest over the funding. he clearly was angry yesterday that he hadn't seen the messages and said they might have raised more questions about what borisjohnson knew when about where the money was coming from because in these messages, the donor lord brownlow says to boris johnson, there is no trust, i am hoping it will come injanuary, in a few months, but i know where the money is coming from so that is a bit of a tricky point but yesterday lord geidt did not fundamentally revise his questions for borisjohnson or seek to take this any further. the difficulty for boris johnson still lies in whether the parliamentary commissioner for standards will now also take this up and whether therefore there will be a whole other sort of inquiry into it and whether this thing will drag on and on. 29—year—old henry dyne was targeted with hundreds of abusive messages after being featured in a year—end bbc news report. the source? anti—vaccine activists who falsely believed he was a so—called "crisis actor" pretending to be sick with covid—19. in a moment, we can speak to our specialist disinformation and social media reporter marianna spring who has been investigating, but first, let's take a look at the clip that caught the attention of anti—vaccine activists. i felt like i was dying. you feel your heads full of glass, you've got a horrendous headache, your eyes are sore, so every time you're breathing in, you're expecting to be able to breathe in so much more. you just can't and there's nothing there to get back to it, so before the ambulance arrived, it was terrifying because you didn't know when your last breath was going to be. and marianna spring, bbc specialist disinformation and social media reporter joins me now. but the background to this. henry was bombarded _ but the background to this. henry was bombarded with _ but the background to this. henry was bombarded with abuse - but the background to this. henry was bombarded with abuse and i but the background to this. harry was bombarded with abuse and threats from anti—vaccine activists after that clip went viral. it's not the first time that clip has gone viral. he was interviewed by the bbc in july when he was really ill with covid—19 and he was really quite ill. he had been hesitant about getting the vaccine, he is young and thought maybe he didn't need it but then found himself in hospital really struggling to breathe with a high temperature. that clip went viral because anti—vaccine activists said, he doesn't look that ill. he looks like he's been set up to do this and they accused him of being a crisis actor. a crisis actor is someone who is employed to act out disasters. so, there have been a lot of conspiracy theories based on this idea. he had never heard of the term, he suddenly found himself bombarded with messages and as a joke in his instagram biography he put a comment saying, academy award—winning crisis actor. when this clip was played again on the news over christmas, thatjoke was found by anti—vaccine activists who thought it was real and that he was pretending to have covid. again, he found himself bombarded and this time the threats were more scary, he said he felt worried for his own safety but also just a higher volume of them and on instagram in particular there were people saying things like next time you're in hospital, it won't be with coronavirus, we're going to find you. quite frightening. irlat coronavirus, we're going to find you. quite frightening. not only friauhtenin you. quite frightening. not only frightening but _ you. quite frightening. not only frightening but he _ you. quite frightening. not only frightening but he had - you. quite frightening. not only frightening but he had just - you. quite frightening. not only . frightening but he had just survived covid and had all these threats. how have the social media companies responded?— responded? they've said they're sor , responded? they've said they're sorry. meta _ responded? they've said they're sorry, meta and _ responded? they've said they're sorry, meta and in _ responded? they've said they're sorry, meta and in particular, i responded? they've said they're sorry, meta and in particular, asj sorry, meta and in particular, as this false claim went viral. it went viral initially on twitter and youtube where the clips remain. on facebook it was labelled. on instagram henry got the most abuse. there are a number of fake accounts pretending to be him and those have now been taken down. the social media sites told us they are committed to tackling harassment, but they don't allow inauthentic accounts and they are sorry this happened. but for henry, it was frightening and overwhelming and humour has been his way of coping but thejoke about humour has been his way of coping but the joke about being a crisis actor really backfired. this but the joke about being a crisis actor really backfired.— but the joke about being a crisis actor really backfired. this tells a broader picture _ actor really backfired. this tells a broader picture because - actor really backfired. this tells a broader picture because social i actor really backfired. this tells a i broader picture because social media is the battleground for the anti—vaccine campaign and the prime minister said that was mumbojumbo yesterday. minister said that was mumbo “umbo esterda . ~ . �* minister said that was mumbo “umbo esterda . ~ ., �* , . yesterday. what we've seen in recent weeks is how — yesterday. what we've seen in recent weeks is how the _ yesterday. what we've seen in recent weeks is how the minority _ yesterday. what we've seen in recent weeks is how the minority of - yesterday. what we've seen in recent weeks is how the minority of very i weeks is how the minority of very committed anti—vax activists will take whatever they see as relevant and use it to push false claims. in this case it's this clip of henry talking about having covid but we've seen the same thing happen around fertility or about footballers recently, suggesting they are collapsing because of the vaccine which the evidence just doesn't support. what it tells us is that tactics are evolving and they are becoming increasingly extreme but also this concern about violence. we seem threats directed at journalists, doctors, politicians and people like henry. that's quite and people like henry. that's quite a frightening thing to happen to the average person. iloathed a frightening thing to happen to the average person-— a frightening thing to happen to the average person. what can the police do about those _ average person. what can the police do about those very _ average person. what can the police do about those very serious - average person. what can the police| do about those very serious threats? they can be escalated and reported. it's something i found they can be escalated and reported. it's something ifound myself subject to on a number of occasions and they can be investigated. one of theissues and they can be investigated. one of the issues that constantly arises is people don't use their real names, they can be difficult to identify and in henry's case, he's had so many messages, even beginning to report them is quite difficult and tiring. report them is quite difficult and tirina. . ., report them is quite difficult and tirina. . ~' ,, a candlelit vigil on the steps of the capitol building in washington has marked the end of a day of remembering a year since the invasion of the us capitol. earlier the president, joe biden, said those who had stormed the capitol had held a "dagger" to america's throat". our washington correspondent, nomia iqbal, reports. prayer vigils were held in the dark for people to remember a day of shock and resilience. lawmakers spent the anniversary sharing testimonials about where they were in those chaotic hours that shocked the world. you'll never take back our country with weakness. i you have to show strength. stop the steal! last year's riots are still staggering to see. people loyal to donald trump try to overthrow the election he lost. his supporters marched from his rally and made their way inside the capitol, as congress was in session to confirm joe biden's victory. the attack lasted for hours. five people died, including a police officer. nearly 140 security officials were injured. a year on, and a minute's silence was held inside the same building that came under attack. president biden gave an impassioned speech, saying the mob held a dagger at the throat of american democracy, due to the lies spread by donald trump. they didn't come here out of patriotism or principle. they came here in rage. not in service of america, but rather in service of one man. throughout his presidency, he has avoided talking about mr trump — but not this time. though he never used his name. because he sees his own interests as more important than his country's interests and america's interests. and because his bruised ego matters more to him than our democracy or our constitution. he can't accept he lost. since that day, hundreds of people have been arrested, and a commission is under way to get to the bottom of what happened. but rather than a crisis pulling the nation together, the divisions have deepened. senior republicans condemned the attack at the time, but most refused to impeach donald trump for it when they had the chance. many still see his support as invaluable for upcoming elections — even on the anniversary only two republicans showed up for the minute's silence. what happened here onjanuary the 6th last year has pushed americans even further apart. the majority of republican voters still falsely believe the election was stolen. president biden's big theme has always been unity, but it rings hollow in a country that disagrees on how to define an attack that almost broke its democracy. nomia iqbal, bbc news, washington. last year the world's most expensive drug was approved for use in the uk for the treatment of the rare genetic disorder, spinal muscular atrophy. one—year—old edward was given zolgensma in august, and it's changed his life. zoe conway reports. he's just my little boy, just completely in awe of him, he's like the strongest little baby i know. i'm just so proud of him. he's just doing so well. edward was born with the genetic condition spinal muscular atrophy. it causes progressive muscle weakness. as a baby, edward became floppy, he couldn't move his legs. doctors feared that one day he might lose the ability to breathe. and then along came the most expensive drug in the world — zolgensma. it costs £1.8 million, although the nhs got a discount and approved it for use last may. this is edward being given zolgensma via a drip last august. the one—off treatment lasted an hour. in that time, his life was transformed. his muscle tone is a lot stronger. he's almost feeling like a child that doesn't have sma. he can roll, he can hold his head. i mean, honestly, it's endless, what he can do, compared to what he was doing before treatment. it's incredible. # if you see a crocodile...# the earlier a baby is given the drug, the better — ideally before the symptoms start. it wasn't clear whether edward would qualify for it. how do you describe the love for your child? especially when you've been through something so traumatic as what we've been through — but not only that, the thought of actually losing him was very, very, very real. and so it makes you appreciate every single little thing — every tantrum i appreciate because he can... he's got the strength to be a naughty boy, you know? and it's all those things that ijust didn't even think he would ever be able to do. spinal muscular atrophy can be detected in newborns using a simple heel—prick blood test. the condition affects one in 10,000 babies. great ormond street is calling for all newborns to be given the test. if you intervene early, between 70%, 80% of these children at the age of one year will be indistinguishable from the normally developing children. and they will acquire walking, they will acquire the milestones. so the difference is immense. this is three—year—old lena's preferred mode of travel — whizzing by in the lap of her 16—year—old sister, amelia. they both have sma — although a different type from edward's. lena was treated as a baby with zolgensma — the drug came too late for amelia. lena is our little miracle. we knew that if we give lena the drug before any symptoms, it will be the best effect. that's why the pre—screening, it's so important. this is clearly a remarkable family. amelia can't get to school half the time because of chest infections and hospital appointments, yet this gcse student is in all the top sets at school. do you think that you have to try harder and work harder than anybody else? oh, yeah, definitely. definitely. this week alone i'm missing a whole day of school. so what will you have to do to catch up? i will have to catch up over the weekend. but when i ask her about her sister, lena, this strong, determined young woman breaks down. i know, come on. only good stuff. yeah? one more? yeah. unable to lift her hands, her mother wipes away her tears and gives her the strength to carry on. i think it's amazing. i wasn't able to walk from the age of one and a half. i wasn't able to run. i wasn't able to even crawl. so, yeah, ithink it's quite amazing. zolgensma has only been on the market for five years, so it's still unclear what effect it will have over the longer term, but the hope is that children like lena will forever be free of this disease. zoe conway, bbc news. the ministry of defence says a royal navy ship, hms northumberland, "came into contact" with a russian submarine in late 2020. northumberland had been tracking the submarine in the arctic circle when it hit the ship's sonar equipment being trailed hundreds of metres behind it. it's not thought the contact was deliberate. the warship returned to port in scotland to repair the damaged equipment. let's get some of the day's other news argentina has registered over 100,000 coronavirus infections in 24 hours — its highest daily figure of the pandemic. 40 covid deaths were reported in the same period. cases have soared over the holiday period as the omicron variant spreads — with few restrictions in place. but with most argentines vaccinated, the authorities say hospital admissions are relatively low. thousands of people took to the streets in the sudanese capital, khartoum, on thursday to protest against military rule. security services fired tear gas at demonstrators near the presidential palace. it's the first organised protest since the resignation of the prime minister on sunday. supporters of the protest movement say three people were shot dead. on 9th january, cameroon hosts africa's biggest sporting showpiece — the 2021 africa cup of nations. after postponement and date changes the competition will kick off in cameroon's capital, yaounde. celestine karoney reports. six years after being awarded the right to host the cup of nations, cameron is finally ready to welcome the continent. when you fail what you do, you are not discouraged, you double your efforts. the country was originally meant to host in 2019, but the tournament was moved to egypt because of doubts that it would be ready on time. more recently, the pandemic has caused delays. but michael who works in the country's sports ministry says they are ready. as of now, all those are bygones. we are forging ahead to give to the public the african nations and the world at large competition. but in the years since cameroon was first named as host, the security situation has deteriorated. in certain parts of the country, scenes like this where the reality of life. cameroon is a nation divided by language and geography. english speakers in the south—west and north—west feel marginalised. fabrice, an activist, is one of those that has been affected and campaigned for better rights. in the north west region, there are regular exchanges of gunshots between security forces and separatist forces. there is a separatist force base in this village, my family had to displace, there is high risk of being burned. some of the civilian population have been burned in their houses. there is still no guarantee of tomorrow. why? when it comes to the stadiums for the cup of nations, limbe is in the problem area. the town will host tunisia, mali, mauritania and the gambia but they are afraid the government is afraid separatists will target the tournament. it's a security problem in a specific domain.— it's a security problem in a specific domain. it's a security problem in a secific domain. , ., ,., specific domain. there is also the issue of the _ specific domain. there is also the issue of the cost _ specific domain. there is also the issue of the cost of— specific domain. there is also the issue of the cost of hosting. i specific domain. there is also the issue of the cost of hosting. an i issue of the cost of hosting. an opposition party mp has claimed the government has used 4.5 billion euros that have gone to developing the country for the nations cup, figures that haven't been confirmed by the government. not everyone agrees. some fans think it will be worth it. b. agrees. some fans think it will be worth it. �* ., ., ., , ., worth it. a lot of foreigners are cominu worth it. a lot of foreigners are coming to _ worth it. a lot of foreigners are coming to the _ worth it. a lot of foreigners are coming to the country. - worth it. a lot of foreigners are coming to the country. it i worth it. a lot of foreigners are coming to the country. it is i worth it. a lot of foreigners are coming to the country. it is a i coming to the country. it is a source of income and employment for cameroonian is. i don't think it's a waste of resources. i cameroonian is. i don't think it's a waste of resources.— waste of resources. i think everybody _ waste of resources. i think everybody will _ waste of resources. i think everybody will come i waste of resources. i think everybody will come in i waste of resources. i think- everybody will come in january. this everybody will come injanuary. this is the _ everybody will come injanuary. this is the very— everybody will come injanuary. this is the very best country. on everybody will come in january. this is the very best country.— is the very best country. on the beach there _ is the very best country. on the beach there is _ is the very best country. on the beach there is expectation i is the very best country. on the beach there is expectation that| is the very best country. on the i beach there is expectation that the country will win a title they last claimed in 2017. we country will win a title they last claimed in 2017.— country will win a title they last claimed in 2017. ~ ., ., .,. claimed in 2017. we aim to reach the finals and if — claimed in 2017. we aim to reach the finals and if we _ claimed in 2017. we aim to reach the finals and if we don't _ claimed in 2017. we aim to reach the finals and if we don't it _ claimed in 2017. we aim to reach the finals and if we don't it will— claimed in 2017. we aim to reach the finals and if we don't it will be i finals and if we don't it will be difficult for us. the technical staff to deal with the criticism because people don't forgive failure here. because people don't forgive failure here, ., , , because people don't forgive failure here. ., , , ., because people don't forgive failure here. . , , ., ., here. some fans believe a win on home soil — here. some fans believe a win on home soil carries _ here. some fans believe a win on home soil carries a _ here. some fans believe a win on home soil carries a greater i home soil carries a greater significance with the potential to bring people together. the duchess of cambridge will celebrate her 40th birthday on sunday. it is now more than ten years since kate middleton married into the royal family and took on the role of future queen. our royal correspondent, daniela relph, reports. it is a landmark birthday. the duchess of cambridge at 40. a time to reflect on what has been achieved more than a decade after official royal life began. and that royal public life started here on anglesea. then, still kate middleton, this was her first official engagement. the naming of a new lifeboat. she couldn't smash the bottle on the boat because it's rubber, so she poured the champagne over the bow. a memorable day and it's been a really lucky boat for us so far, always brought us back. dafyyd and his daughter katie were some of the first people to meet the newest recruit to the royal family. there were nerves and secrecy on both sides. katie, then just five, presented a photo to the couple. i remember i was really excited because i was meeting a real prince and princess. i thought they were going to be showing up in a massive dress and all that, like prince charming and cinderella. so i wanted to wear my princess dress. i thought they would be just like the ones on the books i've read and they were just as lovely. the move from private, contained kate middleton to a public royal duchess of cambridge has had its challenges. adjusting to the attention, coping with the scrutiny and finding her voice. this was the duchess' first ever speech in 2012. you have all made me feel so welcome. i feel hugely honoured to be here to see this wonderful centre. almost ten years later, the confidence has grown. the words more powerful. addiction is not a choice. no—one chooses to become an addict. but it can happen to any one of us. the speech she gave last year was a landmark for us to have somebody in the royal family with credibility saying exactly those same messages takes it out to a much wider audience. supporting families and staff. east anglia's children's hospices have been a long—term commitment. work that has been demanding and rewarding for all involved. she has been far more than a figurehead, both for our organisation and the whole of the palliative care sector. not only just locally but internationally as well, and you can see right from the outset that she was determined she was going to make a difference and that's what she has done. the duchess of cambridge has had to learn on—the—job. in the glare of publicity, knowing there is an even bigger role ahead. i think she hasjust grown up. now she has a certain gravitas, she certainly has got a stature within the royal family. now you look at her and she walks into a room and she holds the room, and she must be aware that she is going to be a future queen. when you are photographed and filmed this often, what you wear matters. years in the fashion spotlight has brought change. she has taken a few more risks over the last few years and has really realised that if she makes a statement with her clothes, that can really help elevate her position. i think one of kate's recent fashion successes with thejenny packham dress that she wore to the james bond premiere. she looked better than any bond girl. that actually confirmed to us that kate knows when to step up and how to do it. and there will be more stepping up in the decade ahead. striking that balance between a public and private life. for the duchess, who will one day be queen. daniela relph, bbc news. hello, snow showers have caused a few travel problems so far today, particularly across parts of northern england and through central and southern scotland. more of those wintry showers to come through the rest of today. becoming a little less potent. and for all, whether you've got the sunshine or the snow showers, a pretty cold wind. we are between two weather systems. this is the cloud which brought yesterday's, this will bring some wet weather through tonight into tomorrow. in between we've tracked our air down from the north atlantic, clumps of big lively showers, some continuing this afternoon across western scotland, northwest england, into the peak district in particular, northern ireland seeing them come and go. but many southern and eastern areas will stay dry and bright. basic exception being down towards southwest, the channel islands and maybe as far east as the isle of wight, where we will see some more persistent rain with some sleet and snow for a time too. a blustery westerly wind, that's going to make it feel colder than temperatures around three to seven celsius would suggest. but these are sort of typical values for this stage injanuary. now, into this evening and overnight, we'll take that rain away from the south, clear skies for a time. temperatures will plummet, a brief and quite sharp frost, but then temperatures rise later as cloud and rain spills into most parts, snow over the scottish mountains. so by the time we start saturday morning, the frost should have gone. it could be a bit icy still in a few eastern areas, but temperatures up to around eight to ten degrees in the west before they drop on the other side of this cold front. this whole system will be pushing through during the day, never quite clearing away from some parts of eastern england, though. let's take you through saturday. sunshine and showers for northern ireland and western scotland throughout the day, brightening up the rest of scotland. heaviest rain for western parts of england and wales during the morning before the sunshine comes out later. a scattering of showers around, heaviest rain for eastern areas where it will be a fairly cloudy day for many. while that heaviest rain will be with you through the afternoon. temperatures briefly lifting around the middle part of the day, but dropping into the afternoon as those cooler conditions push back in. that's this zone here ahead of the next approaching weather system. now, in that we could see a little bit of frost around first thing on sunday morning. some good sunny spells for many, but frequent showers in the north and west of scotland. some of those wintry, the odd shower across western areas and then clouding over, rain late into the day, northern ireland, south—west wales and south—west england, temperatures around four to ten degrees. and then as we go into next week, there will be some wet weather on monday, tuesday, potentially. but overall, high pressure building in, things turn a bit quieter with temperatures around nine or ten degrees. bye for now. this is bbc news. the headlines at 11. nhs hospital staff covid—related absences in england are up by more than 40% in the space of a week according to the latest figures. meanwhile the armed forces have sent 200 personnel into hospitals across london to help with staff shortages. the president of kazakhstan addresses the nation after days of unrest — saying protesters who don't give themselves up will be destroyed — and thanks the russian president for sending troops. the australian government deny claims they're holding tennis star novak djokovic captive, after he failed to meet vaccine entry requirements: they say he can leave whenever he wants. mr djokovic is not being held captive in australia, he is free to leave at any time that he chooses to do so and border force will actually facilitate that. dementia cases are expected to almost triple across the world by 2050. experts say it's down to ageing and growing populations. labour says the prime minister still has serious questions to answer over the refurbishment of his downing street flat. england battle back on the third day of the fourth ashes test asjonny bairstow hits a century in sydney. hello and welcome to bbc news. new figures reveal a sharp leap in covid—related absences in the nhs in england. according to the latest data, on average over 35 thousand staff at acute nhs trusts in england were off due to covid during the week ending two january. this is an increase of 41% on the previous week, but some regional authorities showed much higher absences than the national average. north—west england reported an 85% week—on—week increase, with case rising everywhere london. in the capital, where cases are slowing down, staff absences actually fell, with 4% of staff absent. the armed forces have sent 200 personnel into nhs hospitals across london to plug staff shortages. 16 hospital trusts in england are reported to be in critical incident status — meaning they face concerns over providing core care. more from our health correspondent, katharine da costa. the nhs is on a warfooting, and it's calling out for reinforcements. london's hospitals have been hit hardest by covid—related absences — more than 5,000 staff in acute trusts were absent in the week up to boxing day. it's led to the armed forces once again being called on for support over the next three weeks. 40 military medics will assist with patient care. 160 personnel will carry out tasks including checking in patients and basic checks. separately, 32 military co—respondents will also be deployed to support south central ambulance service in the thames valley. this winter there is extraordinary pressure on our nhs. we are honoured, it is our duty to be a sticking plasterfor the nhs to help get through a time of extraordinary crisis. in normal times, the nhs doesn't need our help because there are incredible people who do extraordinary work in that organisation every single day. but right now they do need our help, and it's our great privilege to offer it. from distributing ppe and assisting paramedics, to bolstering teams at testing sites and vaccination centres — the armed forces have been called upon throughout the pandemic. while this latest support�*s being welcomed, some say it highlights the staffing crisis within the nhs. the prime minister has said that the nhs will cope. this is a clear indication that the nhs is not coping. this is too little, too late — it certainly does not go far enough to support the nhs in all the ways it needs at the moment. it will help, but it won't solve the problem. nearly 2,000 military personnel have already been deployed across the uk. a further 7,000 are on standby. in scotland, 90 personnel are preparing to assist three health boards, as the nhs braces itself for yet another winter wave of admissions. katharine da costa, bbc news. our health correspondent jim reed joins me now. the figures paint a mixed picture, overall pressure on the nhs and covid causing an increasing number of absences, an average tuesday last week 80,000 nhs staff of work each day. that is up from 71,000 the previous week. around half of the absences down to covid, people infected are self isolating because of someone in their household. it is those kinds of pressures. we are noticing that london, obviously the kind of first place to see a big increasing omicron infections, the number of staff absences is either plateauing or starting to go down, so some news there. instead what you're seeing is a move north of england, following covid infections is the increase, so sheffield for example, the number of staff absences was 1625 on average last week due to covid, up by about 50%. the greater manchester places like bury and 0ldham, big increase in absences, chesterfield, worle, those areas seeing increased pressures on services. but in london it appears to be plateauing or dipping at the moment. ~ . ., ~ ,, ., moment. what are the knock-on consequences — moment. what are the knock-on consequences of _ moment. what are the knock-on consequences of this _ moment. what are the knock-on consequences of this in - moment. what are the knock-on consequences of this in terms i moment. what are the knock-on consequences of this in terms of| consequences of this in terms of getting patients out of hospital once they are better? {line getting patients out of hospital once they are better?- getting patients out of hospital once they are better? one of the big roblems once they are better? one of the big problems in — once they are better? one of the big problems in any _ once they are better? one of the big problems in any christmas _ once they are better? one of the big problems in any christmas or i once they are better? one of the big problems in any christmas or sort i once they are better? one of the big problems in any christmas or sort of| problems in any christmas or sort of festive period is patients tend to kind of get stuck in hospital and not moved back into the community and that has a big knock—on effect. if you have patients in hospital, you cannot get so many through from a&e so quickly and it has a knock—on effect. the mayor of greater manchester andy burnham was talking about this earlier this week saying that in that area around half of all care homes are now unable to accept new residents because they have staff self isolating in those care homes and don't have the capacity to do it or have issues with covid and want to keep staff safe in patients safe, residents save who are already in the care home. last week around one in ten beds in hospitals across england were occupied by someone who was fit enough to leave but couldn't, and it is kind of freeing up couldn't, and it is kind of freeing up that bit of capacity that will be key going forward. for up that bit of capacity that will be key going forward.— up that bit of capacity that will be key going forward. for quite a long time we have _ key going forward. for quite a long time we have been _ key going forward. for quite a long time we have been dissuaded i key going forward. for quite a long time we have been dissuaded fromj time we have been dissuaded from just turning up at a&e if we can avoid it, and during covid times people did not want to anyway, so that often means if you don't call 999, you're calling 111, what are the figures showing? like 999, you're calling 111, what are the figures showing?— 999, you're calling 111, what are the figures showing? like you would exect, bi the figures showing? like you would expect, big increases. _ the figures showing? like you would expect, big increases. the _ the figures showing? like you would expect, big increases. the nhs- the figures showing? like you would expect, big increases. the nhs said| expect, big increases. the nhs said it answered 80,000 more 111 calls last week, a rise of a quarter on the previous week. speaking to people the nhs, they say a lot of that was concern around covid symptoms, people who may not be feeling very great, may not be getting sick enough to go to hospital butjust want getting sick enough to go to hospital but just want some getting sick enough to go to hospital butjust want some advice from people on the end of the phone, so you can see the impact of covid is coming through notjust in the number of people in intensive care are needing to come into hospital, but really showing pressure on the whole system throughout staff absences and increase in demand for 111 services. let's talk now about the pressures on the health service, especially in london. lisa elliott is the royal college of nursing's directorfor london. thank you very much forjoining us. just describe the picture as it is today. sorry, i don't think you, describe the picture across the capital today. that describe the picture across the capital today-— describe the picture across the caitaltoda . �* ., capital today. at the moment there is a real struggle, _ capital today. at the moment there is a real struggle, it _ capital today. at the moment there is a real struggle, it is _ capital today. at the moment there is a real struggle, it is really i is a real struggle, it is really tough. we are seeing higher numbers of patients coming in, lots of patients needing care and yet we have got staff absences and staff vacancies that are making that really challenging. it is incredibly tough at the moment. we really challenging. it is incredibly tough at the moment.— really challenging. it is incredibly tough at the moment. we were 'ust heafina tough at the moment. we were 'ust hearing that — tough at the moment. we were 'ust hearing that the i tough at the moment. we were 'ust hearing that the situation i tough at the moment. we were 'ust hearing that the situation in i tough at the moment. we were just hearing that the situation in london j hearing that the situation in london thankfully appears to be easing compared with other parts of the country, but that is all rather relative. are you sensing that it is likely to get a little better soon? i think my members would say they do not feel like it is stabilising at all. i think the fact that the army have had to be brought in to help support really shows that we are incredibly challenged in the capital the moment. at the moment we cannot see an end, we have high vacancy rates already in london, over 9500 nurse vacancies in the nhs, coupled with the amount of nurses having to go off sick with covid are isolation, plus we've got over 4000 covid patients in hospital. i don't think we can see and enter at the moment. ~ ., ., , ., ., ~ moment. what does mean for the kind of care ou moment. what does mean for the kind of care you are — moment. what does mean for the kind of care you are able _ moment. what does mean for the kind of care you are able to _ moment. what does mean for the kind of care you are able to offer _ of care you are able to offer patients and how that matches your aspirations? has patients and how that matches your asirations? ~ , ., patients and how that matches your aspirations?— aspirations? as a nurse i can tell ou we aspirations? as a nurse i can tell you we all— aspirations? as a nurse i can tell you we all want _ aspirations? as a nurse i can tell you we all want to _ aspirations? as a nurse i can tell you we all want to go _ aspirations? as a nurse i can tell you we all want to go in - aspirations? as a nurse i can tell you we all want to go in and i aspirations? as a nurse i can tell. you we all want to go in and provide the best possible care we can for our patient, but obviously if we don't have enough nurses there, nurses are very stretched in what they can deliver and it means nurses don't get breaks have to stay when they should have gone home, in order to be able to provide the care needed, and that is leaving nurses feeling exhausted and burnt out at the moment. it feeling exhausted and burnt out at the moment-— feeling exhausted and burnt out at the moment. , ., �* the moment. it feels as though we've been hearing — the moment. it feels as though we've been hearing understaffing _ the moment. it feels as though we've been hearing understaffing for- the moment. it feels as though we've been hearing understaffing for a i been hearing understaffing for a long time, the effects have been exacerbated by covid. what is a solution? you do notjust pluck nurses out of thin air, it takes training. how do you ever get on top of those vacancies? elder—mack you are right, this has been going on for a very long time. that are right, this has been going on for a very long time.— are right, this has been going on for a very long time. that is one of the thins for a very long time. that is one of the things we _ for a very long time. that is one of the things we have _ for a very long time. that is one of the things we have been _ for a very long time. that is one of the things we have been asking i for a very long time. that is one ofj the things we have been asking for workforce planning. we have obviously asked for decent wages, we campaign for obviously asked for decent wages, we campaignfora pay obviously asked for decent wages, we campaign for a pay rise that really reflected that to recruit and retain nurses within the profession. we are asking for accountability for the workforce within the health and care bill, so there is political action that can happen about accountability and we will need really good workforce planning, so we can plan for future increases in care that patients are going to need. air commodorejohn lyle, who's responsible for the military�*s civil contingency operations in the uk, told us what the public will see and that he expects further deployments in the coming weeks: throughout london what we've done is we've broken our personnel down into smaller teams. so, we have a mix of defence medics and what we call general duties personnel, and the medics are obviously more highly trained to deliver clinical care, whereas the general duty personnel can assist in tasks such as logistics, moving oxygen around, assisting members to call their family or helping with meal times. all of that allows the highly skilled clinicians to focus their care where it's needed most. so, what they're likely to see is primarily an nhs workforce with support people wearing pretty much what i'm wearing now but with the relevant protective equipment, just assisting as part of that wider effort. we can't really forecast too far ahead, but certainly throughout this current surge, we know it is particularly difficult in london at the minute, but we are aware that this is impacting all across the united kingdom. so we remain in discussions and there are a number of areas where we're looking at the potential for more assistance. so over the coming weeks and months, i think we will learn a lot from how the progress is made through london and potentially there could be further military support required in other areas. one of the changes announced earlier this week to covid testing rules, for people travelling to the uk from abroad, has come into effect. pre—departure tests are no longer needed for those who are fully vaccinated. people are also no longer required to self—isolate while they wait for the result of their test taken within two days of arriving. from sunday, post—arrival pcr tests are being replaced by lateral flow tests. and you can check how your local nhs services are coping using the bbc nhs tracker for emergency treatment. it allows you to find out how your local services are coping this winter and how that compares to the situation before the pandemic. some breaking news regarding another tennis player hoping to take part in the australian open. we understand via reuters quoting the abc news network in australia that the australian border force has cancelled the visa of the czech tennis player revoracova. , we do not know whether that is because she is not vaccinated or what her vaccinations at this is, we have not been told that we understand she is being detained in the same immigration hotel as novak djokovic, sorry we have been reporting on for a duties. the czech tennis player renata voracova has had her visa cancelled by the australian border force. a study says the number of adults in the world with dementia could nearly triple within 30 years. researchers writing in the lancet public health journal say more than 153 million people could be living with the condition by 2050. in the uk, the number of dementia cases is projected to rise by three—quarters in the same period, to one—point—six million. i'm nowjoined by hilary evans, chief executive of alzheimer's research uk. thank you forjoining us. these are very arresting figures. why are we likely to see this increase? yellow, can you hear us? can you hear us? let me try again. can you hear us now? no, she cannot hear us. we can see her. we will try and get back to her any moment. you're watching bbc news. the headlines on bbc news... nhs hospital staff covid—related absences in england are up by more than 40 percent in the space of a week according to the latest figures. meanwhile the armed forces have sent 200 personnel into hospitals across london to help with staff shortages. dementia cases are expected to almost triple across the world by 2050. experts say it's down to ageing and growing populations. i wonder if hillary can hear us now. the chief executive of alzheimer's research uk. i the chief executive of alzheimer's research uk-_ the chief executive of alzheimer's research uk.- thank- the chief executive of alzheimer's research uk.- thank you i the chief executive of alzheimer's research uk.- thank you for| research uk. i can. thank you for beafina research uk. i can. thank you for bearing with _ research uk. i can. thank you for bearing with us. _ research uk. i can. thank you for bearing with us. really _ research uk. i can. thank you for bearing with us. really quite i bearing with us. really quite arresting, these figures, of how we are likely to see dementia cases increase. what will it be down to? i think increase. what will it be down to? i think this reallyjust confirms that dementia is one of our biggest long—term health challenges. this shows what the projection looks like if there are no interventions, so what we need our treatments and what we need our better education and awareness about the things we can do to reduce our risk of dementia, sol she said, ageing is a risk factor, age is often the biggest and as a global population we are going to see a greater number of people with dementia but also a greater number, unless some of the public health messaging about what we can do to reduce our risk of dementia really starts to get through. as well as actually finding those treatments that can stop this disease in the tracks that we don't currently have. in some ways it sounds as though it is a consequence of our own success in being able to live longer because of other health advances, so how can we make sure we reduce our risk? what is the education and preventative message? i what is the education and preventative message? i think one oint that preventative message? i think one point that is _ preventative message? i think one point that is clear _ preventative message? i think one point that is clear to _ preventative message? i think one point that is clear to make - preventative message? i think one point that is clear to make here . preventative message? i think one point that is clear to make here is| point that is clear to make here is this is not an inevitable part of ageing. dementia is caused by disease, and there are particular diseases that cause dementia. alzheimer's disease is often the one that people know a little bit more about, and there are things we can do to reduce our risk of dementia, so these are some of the things that are good for our heart health, so cutting down on smoking, cutting down on drinking, keeping our weight in check, blood pressure in check, eating a healthy diet, all of these things have really positive impact on reducing risk of being able to develop dementia. there is a huge amount of information on the website so i would urge viewers to go and have a look and see what they can do to reduce their risk of dementia. we need to see a concerted effort from the uk government and local governments, and i think this is a real red flag for all of us globally as to what we need to do to ensure that we don't triple the numbers of people living with dementia. this isn't something that's inevitable, we can do something about this, and with a better understanding, more funded research, we will find those treatments and have something that will intervene and stop people developing dementia. what will intervene and stop people developing dementia.- will intervene and stop people developing dementia. what is looking -romisina developing dementia. what is looking ”romisin in developing dementia. what is looking promising in that _ developing dementia. what is looking promising in that respect? _ developing dementia. what is looking promising in that respect? i _ developing dementia. what is looking promising in that respect? i think- promising in that respect? i think certainly in _ promising in that respect? i think certainly in the _ promising in that respect? i think certainly in the last _ promising in that respect? i think certainly in the last five _ promising in that respect? i think certainly in the last five to - promising in that respect? i think certainly in the last five to ten . certainly in the last five to ten years we have seen greater investment in research will still have some way to go, but what the research is showing as we need to intervene earlier. we are currently trying to treat the symptoms of dementia much too late into the disease. it is like trying to treat late stage cancer, and all we can do help people live a little better with it. what we need to do is to be able to diagnose these diseases much earlier, probably 15—20 years before we are now, stop the disease in its tracks and allow people to live a healthy, longer life into the 705, 805 and 905 without developing these diseases. 80s and 90s without developing these diseases. ., ~ 80s and 90s without developing these diseases. . ~ , ., , 80s and 90s without developing these diseases. ., ~' , ., , . 80s and 90s without developing these diseases. . ~ , ., , . ., diseases. thank you very much for talkin: to diseases. thank you very much for talking to us- _ let's return to the armed forces being called in to help hospitals in london deal with staff shortages caused by covid. around 200 personnel — including a0 medics — will be deployed. leanne keylock is a former army medic. in fact, she has just left the army and is about to join the raf as a reservist. i wonder how your army colleagues feel about you joining another service, maybe we'll talk about that another time. what will those who are deployed from the armed forces into in the nhs in london be doing? how can you support those that i think as we have done quite a lot in the path of supporting the nhs and the path of supporting the nhs and the public, we are going to be there reallyjust supporting, helping, not alwaysjust reallyjust supporting, helping, not always just helping with the vaccinations but also helping with the queue system and being in the military, a lot of the public think when they listen to us they didn't quite listen to others, so when we are seeing leave the distance in a queue, they actually listen to us. the public have been absolutely amazing. in the past we have had some of the nice thank youse, and with the nhs they really like us, especially being an ex military person going into that environment with my experience, they really liked the fact that we have this experience, we know how to handle things. it is really good. haifa things. it is really good. how demanding — things. it is really good. how demanding is _ things. it is really good. how demanding is it _ things. it is really good. how demanding is it for _ things. it is really good. how demanding is it for you? - things. it is really good. how demanding is it for you? you are used to operating any military setting and are moving into civilian one where they operate differently. definitely, being an operating department practitioner, working with a lot of nhs staff anyway, i work in a theatre background, so a lot of his work in that sort of environment as well. it can be quite demanding and taxing but also really rewarding as well. with us being there i think it will be great not just for the nhs but we will also be helping the public as well and get as many people vaccinated as we can. it is often portrayed as if we need the military to come in and out, we must be in really dire straits. how do you look at it? i must be in really dire straits. how do you look at it?— do you look at it? i don't look at it like that, _ do you look at it? i don't look at it like that, i _ do you look at it? i don't look at it like that, l think— do you look at it? i don't look at it like that, i think because... i it like that, i think because... there is a lot around that can help, so for us going in, the military are helping but that's just how we are, if we can get as many people vaccinating is possible that is great, whether the background is military or civil servant, we at the end of the day want to get this country vaccinated as quickly as possible, so having the military there is really good, but also having other people from other backgrounds helping, if that is volunteering, it is great. thank you ve much volunteering, it is great. thank you very much for— volunteering, it is great. thank you very much for talking _ volunteering, it is great. thank you very much for talking to _ volunteering, it is great. thank you very much for talking to us. - the ministry of defence has confirmed that a royal navy ship came into contact with a russian submarine in the north atlantic. hms northumberland hit it with sonar equipment, a long cable carrying hundreds of microphones designed to detect enemy subs. 0ur defence correspondent jonathan beale is here. was it deliberate? element i don't think it was deliberate. given that the ocean is pretty murky out there... �* ., the ocean is pretty murky out there... �* . ,, ., the ocean is pretty murky out there... �* . ,, . , , there... and a russian sub with limited visibility, _ there... and a russian sub with limited visibility, to _ there... and a russian sub with limited visibility, to actually - limited visibility, to actually deliberately hit a cable, essentially, is what it was, as you say, drag behind the british warship, hms northumberland, and anti—submarine worship, to hunt down essentially russian submarines. that was why it was there. having this long cable on the back to listen out for submarines well away from its own engine noises, it picks up the sound of this russian submarine, we believe it was a hunter killer submarine, knotty ballistic missile submarine, knotty ballistic missile submarine, so there is a difference there, it did see briefly when it put the helicopter out from the ship, a periscope, which disappeared, obsolete dive, the russian submarine, and then manoeuvred and hit the cable. —— obviously dived. it is unlikely that it deliberately did that. if it did, it deliberately did that. if it did, it probably would have caused some damage to itself. we do not know what damage. a5 for hms northumberland, they had to go back into port to replace that sonar, which is essentially lots of microphones listening underwater for submarines. it is microphones listening underwater for submarines. , .., . , microphones listening underwater for submarines. , ., submarines. it is extraordinary how hiah-tech submarines. it is extraordinary how high-tech these _ submarines. it is extraordinary how high-tech these things _ submarines. it is extraordinary how high-tech these things are - submarines. it is extraordinary how high-tech these things are in - submarines. it is extraordinary how high-tech these things are in it - submarines. it is extraordinary how high-tech these things are in it an l high—tech these things are in it an accident like this could occur. what is the diplomatic damage?- is the diplomatic damage? none, because we _ is the diplomatic damage? none, because we haven't _ is the diplomatic damage? none, because we haven't heard - is the diplomatic damage? none, because we haven't heard and - is the diplomatic damage? none, because we haven't heard and wej because we haven't heard and we wouldn't have heard about this if it was not for a tv documentary crew on that ship at the time filming it all. so they hear the crew say what the hell was that? and a few other choice words when the incident does happen. there was no diplomatic fallout. i think what we should say is that we know from what ministers have said and from what senior navy officers have said there has been a significant increase in russian submarine activity in recent years. back from the cold war era when these sorts of incidents probably did happen more regularly than they do now. i don't think an incident like this has happened since the cold war but clearly there is much more activity and they are listening out much more for russian submarines because russia they think has got a more aggressive posture stop it is worth remembering it is notjust in anti—submarine frigate that is listening out for these russian submarines, there are probably, you can put it on the back of a ship, they are probably anchored hydrophone is listening out for russian submarine activity that also give them some indication of what's going on. particularly in that gap, the north atlantic, the icing, uk, greenland gap, they are listening because they want to keep those cables under the sea safe. kazakhstan's president says that �*constitutional order�* has mostly been restored, following another night of violence as protests erupted after steep rises in the price of energy. speaking this morning, he said 20,000 bandits had attacked the capital and that security forces had been authorised to open fire without warning on protestors. he added that those who don't give themselves up will be �*destroyed'. intense gunfire could be heard through the night in almaty — the country's largest city. russian troops are now assisting the kazakh regime as it attempts to maintain control. a little earlier the interior ministry issued a statement on the unrest — saying 26 people — which it calls �*armed criminals�* — have been �*liquidated�*. it says a further 3,000 people have been detained. and claims 18 police and security personnel have also been killed. 0ur correspondent abdujalil abdurasulov is in kazakhstan�*s largest city, almaty. some of the biggest clashes took place here at the former presidential residence and the mayor�*s office, the buildings were burnt out and you can see these cars were also set on fire. you can hear the shots, maybe it is the military and police officers firing into the air to warn people not to approach the square, because they closed the square in order to prevent people from gathering. it is still not clear who those people who clashed with police forces are. protesters say that their movement is peaceful, and it was the authorities who provoked violence. but many people now hope that the order can be restored very quickly. we have not seen any signs of protest taking place in almaty today but we cannot say it is quiet because we heard shooting and some explosions. earlier today when we drove past we saw some dead bodies inside cars. maybe these people tried to storm in and drive through the police cordoned during clashes or maybe they were simply caught up during they were simply caught up during the stand—off. kate mallinson, she�*s an associate fellow of the russia and eurasia programme at chatham house and an expert on central asia. shejoins me now. thank you forjoining us. when we listen to that language that the charset government is using about these protesters, that they are bandits who have been liquidated, how concerned should the rest of the population be? i how concerned should the rest of the penulation be?— population be? i think the president is usina population be? i think the president is using quite _ population be? i think the president is using quite a _ population be? i think the president is using quite a lot _ population be? i think the president is using quite a lot of _ population be? i think the president is using quite a lot of hyperbole - population be? i think the president is using quite a lot of hyperbole to l is using quite a lot of hyperbole to try and justify the use of force to quell the protest movement. we have to remember that this is no longer a grassroots protest movement about fuel prices rising, this is a leadership transition, a play for power, there are criminalised elements allied to elite figures who are still trying to cling onto power. so the president is using any language you can get a hold of to try and justify how they are using force against their so—called processors, or as he likes to call them, terrorists.— processors, or as he likes to call them, terrorists. what are the laws re . ardin: them, terrorists. what are the laws regarding public — them, terrorists. what are the laws regarding public demonstrations . them, terrorists. what are the laws regarding public demonstrations in | regarding public demonstrations in kazakhstan? they are not usually at all well tolerated? hat kazakhstan? they are not usually at all well tolerated?— all well tolerated? not at all and at the moment _ all well tolerated? not at all and at the moment kazakhstan, - all well tolerated? not at all and at the moment kazakhstan, the | all well tolerated? not at all and - at the moment kazakhstan, the whole country is under a state of emergency, so there is particular legislation preventing open protests. we can see that everything the president has tried to do to quell the unrest, including making huge policy concessions to the people, has not worked. and neither has the state of emergency being obeyed, and they have had to resort to force to try and restore order to the city. to force to try and restore order to the ci . �* to force to try and restore order to theci .�* . ,, . ., the city. and also russia has got involved by _ the city. and also russia has got involved by sending _ the city. and also russia has got involved by sending troops - the city. and also russia has got involved by sending troops to . the city. and also russia has gotj involved by sending troops to try the city. and also russia has got i involved by sending troops to try to quell these protests. what is the likely international community�*s reaction going to be over the coming days? in reaction going to be over the coming da s? , , , �* , days? in my view the president's reauest days? in my view the president's request to _ days? in my view the president's request to russia _ days? in my view the president's request to russia to _ days? in my view the president's request to russia to bring - days? in my view the president's request to russia to bring troops was a severe misjudgement, because it isjust going was a severe misjudgement, because it is just going to bring russia even closer to kazakhstan and if he survives as president he will owe russia some favours is welcome and we know what that means. i think the west, it can�*t do much at the moment. this is a geopolitical battle of well between russia and kazakhstan and china�*s looking on as it has significant investment in the oil and gas sector. now it�*s time for a look at the weather with matt taylor.