ah ah ah, with the 3rd year of the pandemic gleaming crow virus cases hit another record globally, but the number of deaths is showing a significant decline. ah, hello, hello, rodney, what else is there like my headquarters here endeavor? also coming up, giving shelter. indonesia government agrees to accept dozens of wrangler migrants stranded a see also another blow to media. freedom in hong kong as the rest of the senior staff full. one of the last remaining pro democracy website,

the shut down and tribute to south africa's anti apartheid era. whereas a memorial service for archbishop desmond tutu, ah, welcome to the program unprecedented high levels of corona, virus infections are being reported in many countries. the average number of cases over the past week increased to more than 6 and a half 1000000. the u. s. is again, worst effected, but europe parts of africa and asia also as a peak. there is a crucial difference compared to previous periods of the pandemic. the number of virus related deaths, as well as patients needing hospital treatment is significantly lower. let's bring him, mike can or his monitoring events in washington d. c. and of course the president is keeping a very close eye on what's going on. as we head towards the new year festival sees which many people will want to celebrate. and to celebrate the want to be with

their families and they want to travel and he's got his focus on travel. hasn't the mike? yes, indeed. well, it does appear that the bite and administration may be talking about composing a vaccine mandate for travel. the president indicated this question shouted at him by a report while he was on vacation. however, in the last few minute sir, dr. antony voucher. the administration's chief medical officer has indicated that this may not be necessary. doctor valgy has just said that the wearing of mos on an aircraft along with the planes filtration system does not necessarily nessa state at vaccine mandate. at this point. he hasn't ruled it out. he says all options are still being considered. we've also just heard the latest update on the number of infections in the u. s. it's close to a quarter of a 1000000 infections being recorded each day. this a record high. however, the indication is that the death rate is dropping at stand by some 7 percent.

according to the director of the cdc, some he live and 100 americans still continuing to die each day. the director of the cdc has also announced that the quarantine period is being cut in half from $10.00 to $5.00 days. the she says, because research indicates that the most infectious period is within the 1st 5 days . but as, as, as are into go complaining that she is actually following the dictates of big business. a number of employee organizations have made very clear that they are dissatisfied with this cut in the quarantine rate. saying that it is not looking at the health of workers rather at the interests of big business. so this is going to be an ongoing debate as time wears on and will continue to monitor it with you on the team. the across the u. s. are my can of for so washington, d. c. and you france has broken another national and european record for the number of daily cove 19 cases. the health minister says 2 people have tested positive

every 2nd. natasha butler, his following developments from the french capital. while the french government are tightening restrictions, they want to transform the code that passed into a vaccination pass, which means to access things like restaurants, bar cinemas, or even catch a train, people will have to show that they are fully vaccinated. a recent negative test will no longer be valid. now, it is a controversial a decision. the government says as much, but what the french health minister olivera who is addressing a parliamentary committee says that it is absolutely necessary to try and find ways to persuade the some 5000000 unvaccinated people in france to go and get a job because the country is facing what he called a veritable tidal wave of new infections, was officer a dozen. we faced 2 enemies. the numbers all show arise in infections. 290000 people have contracts with the virus in the last 24 hours. meaning that without

stopping day and night for every 2nd, more than 2 people are infected with thrown of iris. what it is a controversial measure. even frances, highest legal, a body has warned the government not to erode people's rights by, for example, catalin a people's freedom of movement. opposition. politicians are saying this is just a thinly disguised way of imposing a mandatory of vaccination. there are a lot of voices against. there's a lot of criticism, but what the french government says is that such a measure is necessary to try and persuade the unvaccinated to be vaccinated. the government says that vaccination is really the only and the main way out of the pandemic. krenover cycle to also being sent across europe, italy, greece, spain, on the euchre, all seeing unprecedented searches. sure hope has more from london. those numbers reported here on tuesday seemed pretty extraordinary. a 129000 new infections in

the you count tuesday. we haven't heard the wednesday figure yet, but of course that's figuring itself dwarfed by the french numbers 209000 reported on wednesday. and i think you can probably assume that these numbers are going to continue to go up as we continue to take stock of the christmas and new year period . records being set all over europe. france, of course is greece, portugal side for small to all setting infection rate records, the swiss of the dutch say that on record is now the dominant strain. the germany says it will be just a few days time. finland, even sweden, adding to the list of countries piling on the restrictions to try and deal with this thing. but, you know, in the midst of all of this, in the midst of these high rates in the midst of new measures being introduced, that does seem to be a real shift in thinking among these countries, not least the w h o as well away from the idea of lockdown and restrictions to curb the virus and towards the idea of boosters, vaccines more and more boosters in time to come if need be bars. johnson the u. k.

prime minister said today that up to 90 percent of patients in iso use have not received their booster shots. and if you add to that, the evidence that is coming from south africa from britain quoted as well by the w h o, that seems to suggest a less severe form. ringback of corona virus in the, on the chrome very well then you've got on the one hand, a potentially less severe virus on the other hand, wide vaccine coverage, at least of the developed world. and if that can become a global picture, well then it begins to point to a way out of this pandemic, and potentially in the year to come later to general of the world health organization says he's deeply concerned about the colon delta variance cove at 19 and that the numbers are likely to rise further in the coming weeks. this virus will continue to evolve and threaten our health system if we dont improve the

collective response. right now, delta and or me cron are tween threats that are driving up cases to record numbers . which again, is leading to spikes in was b tyler's ations. and does i'm highly concerned that army kron being more transmissible circulating at the same time as delta is leading to astronomy of cases. new restrictions on non essential activities have been imposed on the indian capital. new delhi and booster vaccine doses are set to be rolled out to some early next year. of the metal has more these factory workers are racing against time trying to finish their day's work before the curfew starts. so they don't lose their wages as the vice threatened to wipe out their livelihood. once again, i feel underneath it, i'm scared of the golf view. we eat as the on. i'm a poor person and migrated from

a village to make a living. i'm scared of corona virus and the night go few. as covered 19 cases rise sharply. several states have imposed night curfews and stricter testing rules for travelers. new delhi, which has the highest number of omicron cases in the country, has been put on yellow alert, cool gyms and cinnamon have shot with new restrictions on restaurants and public transport. the capital is preparing cove in 1900 was and ramping up oxygen supply. as a 3rd wave of infections is threatened, despite that markets had been crowded. the chief minister has employed every one to follow. covert 900 protocol, need you to get enough fairly. we don't want to spread yet again, and that is why we are repeatedly making appeals. that if you go out or go to market or office please, where we have to be responsible. but at the same time, don't be scared that the government has also signed it. if the vaccination drive is

starting next month or the 15th will be eligible for a job. why frontline workers and over sixty's with health problems can receive booster shot. the government has approved to new jobs and an anti virus drug to treat covered 19 while india is showing some indication of renewed net attention to this one to i'm a graduate and that is on including recognition coverage. endo wind up any testing . but as far as the appropriate behavior, it goes, then there is a lot of room or space for improvement. while infections and hospital cases remain lower than in other parts of the world, the government says restrictions will be increased if the infection rate continues to rise. while market traders like these v, a financial losses, political rallies continue in states where elections are due early in the new year . that provoking fears of a repeat of so called super spreaded religious gatherings and election valleys.

they went ahead in the summer, despite the delta veterans infecting millions of indians avenue, the largest iraqi jelly. the indonesian government is giving shelter to more than a 100 ranger refugees who were stranded at sea. they mostly women and children were left to drift off the coast of our trade province while attempting to reach malaysia. indonesia government says refugees were facing emergency conditions. hundreds of the muslim minority who flat me emma, have reached denisia over the years after a perilous journey. often lasting months. jessica washington has more from jakarta . these people will be towed to shore and they will be allowed to disembark in indonesia. what we have heard from local sources on the ground is that the process of towing the vessel to the coastline could take around 3 to 4 hours. the vessel as it stands is around 800 nautical mile 80 kilometer, sorry, from the coast of b. it in onshore prov out a province,

and so it could take around 3 to 4 hours and that's without factoring in some of the difficult weather conditions. we understand that right now, the rock heavy winds and heavy waves as well, which could complicate the effort to bring this vessel to shore. but what we can say with certainty is that they will be allowed to disembark in our province after so many days of uncertainty. we heard a short while ago from a representative of the government explaining the process behind the governments thinking, what in thought, go nisha. or the indonesian government today has decided in the name of humanity to accommodate growing a refugee shop, currently floating on a boat in the ocean near hfc. this decision was made after question during, during emergency conditions experienced quite a few gees on the ship. it's not altogether a surprising outcome in the past. indonesia has in fact, accepted wrangler refugees that have arrived in waters near aunt j. but it is worth noting that indonesia is not a signatory to the un convention on refugees. and so,

as a result is not really seen as a destination for permanent re settlement. these refugees will now join the hundreds of other refugees from many other countries. on the long wait to be re settled into a 3rd country will still have here on al jazeera, the palestinian president, as israel with those who think that's a bad idea. on conflicting messages out of the raw nuclear deal. tools as to whether any progress is actually being made. those stories after the break. ah hello there, let start in the middle east and we're seeing some unsettled weather move across some of the gulf states in the days to come bringing heavy rain to the likes of q weights. could tar as well as parts of saudi arabia. we could see some flooding

where that rain falls more intensely towards the we can, we've also got some snow expected in mountainous areas of iran and that where the front is going to shift for the south and east taking the west or whether it's the lights of the u. e. and oman, by the time we get to the weekend, but we've also got wet and windy weather, weather pulling across the event, bringing some heavy rain, se egypt onwards to israel, and the palestinian territories. by the time we get into friday, it'll be lebanon. and syria that sees that rain and that ties up with a wet and windy weather that's been affecting north eastern corner of africa. we've got some strong winds blowing across libya and into egypt. we could see more dust storms. and of course that rain is gonna work its way for the south in the days to come. now that's in contrast, we'll all want that's in that northwest corner. there's a lot of warmth across central areas as well. the heavy rain can be found in weston, parts of that central band of africa. and there's more where, where the on the way for johannesburg and thunderstorms rolling in by the time we

get into friday, that will be much clearer for cape town. ah frank assessments, this crisis continue to regional christian club, even though there dempsey believes in the beginning with i think politicians will now be under incredible pressure from the young people. that is one of the most of the things that come out of this critical debate. do you think that they should be facilitated? not think right. it's a really simple question. let's give me a child. want inside story on al jazeera. ah ah,

welcome back here. what you know, there with me. so rom, the reminder of all top stories, label, chrome virus cases. the highest pandemic began the number of cases this week increase to more than 6500000 infection. friends of broken, another national and european record for the number of daily cave. in 1900 cases, the health minister says to people tested positive every 2nd. the indonesian government has agreed to give shelter to more than $100.00 wrangler refugees were stranded at sea. the group of mostly women and children were stranded off the coast after attempting to reach malaysia. the united nations is calling for a sci fi, remember the following week, a face fighting of the south? the battle between government forces and ethnic qur'an armed groups of force, thousands of refugees to seek safety in thailand. tiny chain has more from the ty bought a town of my sort where tension remains high. trade resumes across the time

in my border of the weeks of bitter plaiting, in the area, long boats laden with goods bearing their loads to and fro the molly river that divides the 2 countries has been quiet for several days. but further inside, man ma biting has been fierce. the battle rages inside the grounds of this temple in the town of mayfield. halley fighters from the korean national liberation army against forces from amazon, me and border defense force. it's an uneven fight. the fight is for independence. spacing, a fully equipped modern army with heavy artillery and support weapons, they have a rocket propelled grenades. this man crossed the border with a group of rebels overnight. he wants his identity hidden, but he says it's the attacks from above that most people you know now and i don't

know exactly what they are. but the throwing large bombs out of the helicopters and soldiers sitting in the shop is firing machine guns at the people below. mary. despite being at guns, the present fight, his morale appears to be high. even got nothing compared with those. tried the major like that, but we don't care. well we do believe it at the end of the week and it's clear the cease fire that has held for a decade is now shattered. so we know we really know that they make a very big golf as into our, you to take over our land, our territory like that on the tiny side of the border. the state of high alert has been load time military and are considerably more relaxed after the fighting appears to have moved away. but they're still monitoring very closely watching any one who's going up to the border. but inside man ma, an estimated 20000 people have been displaced by the fighting. they remain and make

shift shelters with limited food and water. and despite the loss in the fighting, many don't feel safe enough to go home. tony chang al jazeera on the time your mom bought me to freedom in hong kong has been dealt and other blindness please rated one of the last remaining pro democracy websites stand. news says it's shutting down after the assets are frozen, and senior staff arrested their accused of publishing articles, inciting hatred against all. forty's, brit clements husbands. hundreds of hong kong place rated the stand news office in the early hours of wednesday morning, using a warrant under the much criticized national security law to collect boxes of what was described as journalistic materials. on how 6 people linked to the independent media outlets were arrested under separate law sedition from the british colonial era. by wednesday afternoon stand, news announced it was closing after 7 years. we're not talking to reporter, we're not talking the ghetto,

the media. we just targeted national security law. the old fences among those arrested was well known singer and activist, denise ho and former politician margaret on both former stand use board members. so i know i'm at least turned up at the home of stan, use deputy, a simon editor of ronson chan. office is telling him to stop recording as they arrived. chan who was chairman of the hong kong journalist association, stood by the now disbanded news organisation. officers, i'm a know, you're 100 ohio stern users been doing professional reporting. there's no doubt about it. the whole world sees it. it doesn't matter what charges have been made. i nothing can change. that fact, the hong kong journalist association said it was deeply concerned by the arrests and urge the government to respect the media freedoms that a meant to be safeguarded under the cities. many constitution, the basic law, hong kong chief secretary, john lee shrugged off the criticism, saying journalism cannot be used as a tool against national security. they are the evil elements that

damage pres, rita chinese government, in beijing says the security law in hong kong is necessary for stability. following political unrest and mass pro democracy protests, dozens have been arrested, prosecuted and jailed since china imposed a legislation last year, 6 months ago, the last remaining pro democracy paper apple daily was forced to shut down after its assets were frozen and its founder jimmy lie arrested the closure of the apple daily left on use is one of the last pro democracy outlets in hong kong. now there are questions over whether smaller online outlets can survive the crackdown on media freedoms. brick planet, al jazeera, hong kong hammer says denotes the meeting between the palestinian prison mahmoud abbas. and these rady defense minister benny guns is the 1st time a boss as hell talks inside israel in more than a decade. guns is off, is that a series of confidence building measures were discussed,

including the transfer of payments to the palestinian authority. even the l said has more from garza and an urgent meeting held in because of the 2 by the policy infections. they didn't know their strong condemnation to the meeting held by a boss and janet. and they said the meeting comes in the time when the policy and territories are witnessing or illusionary situation that worries the occupation and it light off the vicious attack carried out by settlers towards the fall of new residents and also the fear attack the israeli authorities on the palestinian prisoners and, and in a time where wide range of supplement activities is being carried out in the territories of the west bank. and because of the meeting of the palestinian authority president us, which is really wor, minister guns is a crime against the palestinian people and the step to the revolution in the best

bang and the motivation to do normalization. occupations on the palestinian authority must retreat from the position. they also strongly conduct the ongoing israeli palestinian security coordination will pause or putting out conflicting messages about progressing on solving the iran nuclear deal. iran and russia. they are dealing with inside the round of talks in vienna, but the u. s. is expressing caution dosage of ari has more from vienna. it's really important and the narrative that the different countries are putting forward. i the iranians and led by the iranian deputy foreign minister, alibaba connie has, in meeting with the 3 representatives here. that's france, u. k. and germany on wednesday and at that meeting just dropped out behind me at a hotel where they're holding the talks. and the rangers have told the state news agencies that they are making progress on the lifting of sanctions,

which is something that is very important for the delegation. here is find the reasons that are here. but the europeans have expressed some doubt as to whether or not they will be able to achieve any positive outcome. and of course, the americans are the forefront of all this. this is, the reason we're here is because of them as since they withdrew from the deal in 2018, the american subside data, according to the state department, a spokesperson, that's their talks are not moving as fast as they would like. and they're still, it's still too early for them to assess whether not the 8th round of talks will be successful or it will be final one that what is clear is that there is certainly an incentive core. these talks to wrap up in the coming weeks, the iranians have said that the sanctions lifting in the verification process is very important for them. one of the main sanctions they want to see lifted is a sale of iranian oil on the international market, as well as being able to be paid for that oil. their banking sector is under heavy us sanctions at the radians have said that then they will come back into for compliance or with their nuclear program at that is why we are here. and these

discussions are expected to continue for the coming weeks. memorial services are being held across south africa for, onto a port out i called archbishop desmond tutu. these all actual saw on interstate service dedicated to they both peace prize, laurent, south africa, is observing the week of national morning full does when to, to who door to the age of 90 for me to mila is life, or is up that service. and kate town, and i obviously a busy time for those wishing to remember the late archbishop what's going on this evening? this evening? we are at a memorial service, as you mentioned, then interfaith memorial service and really pays tribute to the late archbishop been despite him being at the forefront of the anglican church. the people we've seen on stage to night from different faiths and backgrounds, and really celebrating the fact that the archbishop was a unifying factor in south africa at the moment, shall corrales, the former ambassador to the united kingdom, as well as

a staunch anti apartheid activist is speaking and she is recalling some of the moments where the archbishop stood up to the a party to government despite many challenges, despite what she's described as a number of violent massacres and throughout that stuck to his values. we've also heard from the mayor of cape town of gordon, a loyal lewis, who was recently elected. he is a young mayor. he never had the opportunity to meet the archbishop. but he says despite that his life and his political career was hugely impacted by the archbishop's behavior. and some of the messages that he put out. but to night it's a very intimate of fe. i'm a quieter, quite somber, a. but the is an element element rather of celebration we do have in attendance, cilia to, to the wife of the late to archbishop and the is certainly an emotional element, but really one around remembering and memorializing the archbishop and the role he

played in south africa and just what a historical figure he is. for me, the real thing. take them thanks very much for the update. over in the lighted states of icon is also being remembered for his influence, all american football, the famed coach and broadcaster john mountain has died at the age of $85.00. the national for bullying says it's for ever indebted to him for making sport what it is to day. so he'll malik cripples. john madden wasn't simply a legendary american football coach. he was one of the sports greatest personalities. born in minnesota, he went on to be inducted into the nfl hall of fame. for his decade long stint in charge of the oakland raiders. he guided them to 7 fc title games and masterminded the super bowl triumph in 1977. for many, however, madden will be remembered for his exploits in the broadcast booth. he had

a 3 decade long television career, during which he won praise for his ponder tree and energy he fused into game on. his efforts also translated into honors with madden winning 16 emmy awards. while he was honest about what, what he saw as a, as a coach would be. and he was smart and he was funny. so he was really a great salesman for the game. as a commentator, oh, madden's name is also used to brand one of the world's most popular sports video game franchises. e a sports is nfl theory. a new edition comes out every year and continues to be played by many people that wouldn't have even seen madden coke. i used to acquire you ever get a real hard hit. the best thing you can do regard laugher route for you. even

though he's gone, it's unlikely that madden will be forgotten soon. some of the heaviest rain for 30 years in northeastern brazil is causing a flooding emergency in more than a 100 cities or to levels. and by here, state have continued to rise up to 2 downs collapsed. at least 21 people have been killed in almost 80000. people are homeless, more rain is forecast and the state government has satisfied $14000000.00 in emergency funds. i guess, i mean, this is everything to me. everything. the only thing i had was my home and now it's gone. i no longer have the courage to continue living here. welcome and forest wise and chilly have destroyed farmers, crops, and homes. thousands of hector as a forest have been raised south of the capital. santiago, a lack of rain has caused a water shortage nuts worsting the emergency in several areas and causing the forest flames to spread faster. and new york state to, to says former government under coma will not face criminal charges of allegations

of sexual harassment. to women accused coma of unwanted kissing. the prosecutor said while they want evidence of it occurring, it didn't meet statutory requirements for criminal offenses. accusations by at least 11 women led me to resign in august. he denies any wrong doing ah. he wants you to do with me, so he'll run the reminder of all top news stories, global current virus cases, on the highest, since the pandemic began the number of cases this week increase to more than 6500000 infections. the world health organization expects that they get to rise in the coming weeks. this virus will continue to evolve and threaten our health system if we don't improve the collective response. right now, delta.