what's most important to me is talking to people understanding what they're going through here. it al jazeera, we believe everyone has a story worth hearing. ah . ready yes, celebrations in the shadow of coping. 90 australia owners, its front line workers with fireworks and sydney hop. vance's current of ours cases, search dramatically across the world. but a drop in south africa sees restrictions the east ah. but on the clock this is out there alive. from there also coming up, thousands of people are evacuated from their homes as the most destructive wild

funds in recent history take hold in the us state of colorado and a temporary fix for thousands of refugees in mid mas, much ne, today descent in the days of fighting, we report from the time border. ah, so the well to started bidding farewell to 2021 as countries grapple with how to celebrate in the shadow of the surging, omicron barrett. sidney was one of the 1st to celebrates for the pirates hectic spectacle. and many of the world cities have cooled off their displays to help control the spread of cov 19. but south africa is allowing the public to regain the new year with a bang. it abruptly lifted. it's night time curfews and says it's past the peak of the on the convent, u. k prime minister bras johnson has cold on those that celebrating to get tested. he is urging people to be cautious and sensible. the people who think the disease

can't hurt them. look at the people going into hospital now. that could be you look at the intensive care units and the miserable needless suffering of those who did not get their booster. that could be you. so making your new year's resolution far easier than losing weight or keeping a diary. find a walk in center or make an online appointment. get that job and do something that will make 2022. a happy new year for russell and new york is preparing to hold a scaled down version of its annual time square celebration. despite to record numbers of new infections, its famous bull drop was can for 2021. but his back this year to a restricted crowd, latina from my canada, who's in washington dc and has more on the situation in the united states. for the 2nd, the 24 hour period, there's been a new record rate of infections. 486000 recorded in the past

24 hours. now in terms of impact on the health services, there are some 81000 americans hospitalized throughout the country. and also experts are predicting that some 30000 people could die within the next 3 weeks. so the impact of the variance adult and the army kron is having a major effect throughout the united states. of particular concern to is the increase in child hospitalization rates. the health authorities say that this is increasing sharply at some 381 children have been admitted to hospital each day over the past week. now that is a 66 percent increase over the figure the previous week. remembering to that the vast majority of these children are unvaccinated, many of them below the age of 5. and this vaccination figure is what is the greatest cause of concern for health officials. and there is one simple stock fact

that is driving this pandemic and this new wave that is that only 63 percent of americans are fully vaccinated. and of that figure, just over 30 percent have actually received a booster shot which health authorities are adamant is essential in terms of curbing the effects, particularly of the armor cron variant. well, it's a different case in south africa where restrictions are being lifted off to infections. dropped bone was 30 percent last week and not tom curfew has not been scrapped. and alcohol shops will be able to stay open past 11 o'clock at night. and the government believes it's past the peak of a 4th wave fueled by the convent of the foss, spreading burnt cause of massive search of infections in mid december from an miller is in cape town, and has more in the government's decision to relax restrictions to many would say that was very ambitious, are for the south african government, given that there is a significant amount of vaccine hesitancy. they've just passed of out of 45 per cent mark in terms of people going out and getting jobs. they also allowing now for

boosters or booster jobs for people, especially who might be vulnerable or have their immunity compromise. they're working hard, trying to convince people to get vaccinated saying this is the safest alternative aside or from any sort of non pharmaceutical, a preventative measures. and this is really key to keep people remaining safe are they is a lot. 4 of work to be done, vaccine hesitancy is an issue, but still africa has more than enough vaccines in stock for that. 70 percent target . it hasn't reached yet. they continue to try and create awareness to ensure people come out and get vaccinated. as i said, they are booster shots available as well, but they really are relying on people taking personal measures to keep safe. and also, i think their confidence boosted by the severity of the american very and saying that it appears that illness is not as severe. and hospice hospitalisation rates remain low. early to 13000000 people in the chinese city of shyanne will be

beginning their new year under strict to lockdown cities, struggling with the highest number of cases recorded in china this year. with 1200 in december, the government is under pressure to bring numbers down before the winter olympics opened in february 20 reports now from branching in a suburban neighbourhood in the city of she, an instructions from a loudspeaker tell residents not to leave their apartments unless absolutely necessary 3 year old, long dull is making the most of the opportunity to stretch his legs. members of his family are only allowed outdoors to take carpet 19 tests and collect delivered supplies. there along the 30000000 people who will spend new years eve under strict locked down one. mm hm. yes. my son is very young and doesn't understand a lockdown or would the increasing case numbers? me? yeah, he only knows that many people outside are sick and he would go out, we could be infected young. he panics

a bit and feel scared. and he tells me i don't want to be infected and going to quarantine. they guy yell without big early his mother junk. so when is a kindergarten teacher? she was shocked to receive notice of the lockdown last week. more than $1000.00 cases have been reported and she, an since the beginning of december, it's the worst outbreak. china's faced in months and the most severe measures and persons to woo hon lockdown last year. a policy allowing one member of the household to buy groceries every 2 days was scrapped earlier this week. after infections continued to rise. some residents have taken to social media to complain about a lack of access to food and other essential goods. the complaints prompted authorities to offer free food deliveries. they say the problem is with delivery and not supply tall thong tish on the supply of daily necessities. if she on is sufficient on the whole, the commerce ministry will take further measures to ensure

a stable supply of the process of a daily necessities. it's been 2 years since w h. o. officials and china were 1st notified of the mysterious flu like illness emerging and will hon. and 2 years since dr. lee, when leanne sounded the alarm about the outbreak before be silenced, and eventually dying from the corona virus himself. since then, officials responsible for mishandling information in the early days of the pandemic have been punished, and most of the country's population has been double vaccinated. but it's still unclear how the coroner virus originated. china has defended it 0 tolerance approach to corbet. 19 officials here say close borders and heavy handed measures have kept total infections to about 100000 death to below $5000.00. but international experts have question to government figures. beijing is under increased pressure to control this latest outbreak and lift the she unlocked out

before the winter olympics opened in february for junk. so when at her son they have little choice but to try to stay fit and healthy at home fe. long dos, favorite sport is swimming. but he doesn't know when he'll be able to do it again for real. katrina, you out a 0. they dang. in india, earlier versions of more than doubled in the past week, experts claim the countries entering a 3rd world of new metal has more on the situation from new delhi to asia. harris quite alarming. the government says we are in the initial phases, off is called way, but in this that it is better prepared. in fact, new jelly where we are and we're actually outside in just largest co with 900 facility. the government said it can handle up 200000 new cases a day and 300000 test daily. at this point because of how far the infections are rising, most of the country is under some form of restriction. delhi has been put on yellow,

a lot of schools and cinema and jims are shot restrictions out there on restaurants and public transport. one by which is in just financial capital has also seen a huge 3rd. and the government that has put a cap on gathering vaccination, though, will also get a big booth because starting monday, children about 15 will start getting jobs. and many people will also be legible for boosters, which will start later in january. at the same time. they are wearing signs that people are not necessarily following corporate protocol. for example, there are images of market that are crowded, where people are not social distance, think, nor are they're wearing mom. the other place where over 19 protocols are not being followed. i lecture valley, you know, they continue because india is headed for the state elections early. 2022. it's a stop reminder. what happened this past summer when the death of variance was infecting millions of people in india every day as election valleys and villages

gatherings continued. well, let's say now from iraqi valley who's a frontline and a chest, dr. and actually nichol epidemiologist at university of cambridge, he says the outlook for this new year is looking better than last in terms of the individual level of protection that people have. this is much, much better than it was last year. and the content has been with chrome, is that because it's been very quickly if enough people are infected at the same time, even a full proportionate they could end up in causing a number of cost. but listen in a chest saw those dimly with struggles. and it's still to know exactly how that's going to pan out there currently it's, it's not as bad as love to, even if you look at the number of admissions that we've got to the moment it's less than the total pressure of hospital beds occupied, guilty less than last year and one of the most significant differences is be impact on intensive care units or mission. so this time last year or the 10th of k,

and we're filling up with covered patients that really hasn't happened so far in this way. and that stable, if not, falling slightly setups, and encouraging early sign. let's go to what the impact of christmas and mixing between interactions will be the early find. ah, providing some cautious optimism still ahead here and out, sir, safely back on dry land after almost a month at sea. tell you why the journey might not be over for more than a 100 or hindu refugees. and the club winds down on 2021 to look back at some of the biggest stories covered by out there. ah hello. the weather is set fair across much of china and the korean peninsula. not quite so far for japan, we got more snow in the forecast. we got a brisk wind blowing across the sea of japan, some heavy downpours,

some quite bitter snow coming back him once again. that will cause further disruption from northern parts of the country are quite a st significant snowfall and some heavy falls to across northern areas of honshu to the south. it is generally dry. not too bad here, try to for the korean peninsula, temperatures around to celsius, warming up to around 6 degrees in beijing. and as you can see, plenty of sunshine coming through. although the will be fog and frost to watch out for just some winter weather coming back into the sea of japan. as we go on through sunday, easing back towards japan. say further problems coming in here with some delays for the problems i suspect coming into may peninsula over the next day or so, more heavy showers drifting in on the ne msr. see that chain of storms which just run their way to southern thailand. northern parts of malaysia, if any they do pay pop around k l as we go through sunday, that could cause further flooding than the same line of storms while they run across the bay have been goal more showers,

coming back into the southeast of india shall anchor also sing some heavy rain over the next couple of days. ah, ah, mother nature's gift of cold full landscapes. a strong infrastructure governance arising. we're investments are waiting to flourish. we're greed, tv, even supplied by tradition. and we're beautiful possibilities are offered. move with

ah, okay, you're watching out there a reminder about top stories at this hour and a south africa says it will ease restrictions after perturb 19 infections dropped by almost 30 percent last week. the government believes it's past the peak of the alma convent in china, 13000000 residents in the city of she on the have been locked down for a week. the city is struggling with the highest number of cases recorded in china. this year. reports people were struggling to find food supplies. countries have started celebrating the new year newton fashion due to k with 90, easy linda in australia of welcome 2022 through fireworks and light show display. the u. s. state of colorado is battling some of the most destructive wildfires in its history. hundreds of houses have been destroyed and tens of thousands of people evacuated from their homes to towns near denver. hard as it has been described as a life threatening situation. laura, but manly as this report. this is the moment

a huge fire rolling down the foothills of boulder, county and colorado. the false moving blaze engulfed hundreds of homes. local say they haven't experienced anything like it. you know, this is the 1st time i've really been involved in anything like this and i'll tell you it is really scary ditches and things in the trees. oh, they're all up and flames like there's embers everywhere. so it makes me very frightened, of course, with the wind that it's gonna continue to spread to other home strong winds and dry conditions of fueling the flames. this will save some of the fire to spark by falling power lines which ignited prairie grasses. estates were merchant from being declared and tens of thousands of people evacuated from the towns of superior and louisville. many getting stuck in traffic jams as they try to escape. gusts of

a 100110 miles an hour can and have moved this fire down a football field in a matter of seconds. very little time to get out very little time to even get the most important parts of your life. we currently have thousands of individuals in the south, south part of our county and in the areas of superior and lewisville who have been evacuated. we know that there are structures, both homes and businesses that have been burned and loss. speaking about hundreds of structures in boulder, county, tens of thousands of people have been left in the dark with power lines down or destroyed. patients in critical care, a being moved out of hospitals because of the threat from smoke winds. a gradually weakening, giving fire fight is some respite, but the billowing smoke could be a bigger hazard. as it travels across colorado. laure, about manly al jazeera, the russian and us president sa,

spoken for the 2nd time in this month in an attempt to de escalate tensions of ukraine. the white house as a cool between joe biden, and glad to be approved and lost at 50 minutes by repeated the threat of sanctions . if moscow invades ukraine, preach and said, such move could lead to a complete breakdown of ties between the countries. john 100 has more now from washington d. c. in a 50 minute conversation between us president joe biden and russian president vladimir putin, the 2 sides laid out their diplomatic positions over growing tensions in ukraine. that is where a 100000 russian troops are amassed on the russian side of that border. after that, talk us press secretary for the president gen saki issued a statement saying, quote, president biden urged russia to de escalate tensions with ukraine. he made clear that the united states and its allies and partners will respond decisively if russia further invades ukraine. president biden also expressed support for

diplomacy. she went on to say that the president reiterated that substantive progress in these dialogues can occur only in an environment of de escalation rather than escalation. then we have the response from the russian side assistant to president vladimir putin. uri you shock, i've said one conclusion was underscored if the security negotiations are successful, it should naturally lead to certain normalization of relations and perhaps an improvement in bilateral relations. the conversation with entirely focused on issues of security guarantees instead. and he went on to say that these conversations will continue at a lower level in europe in january. the russian position is clear. it wants to, once i legally bindings here and see that ukraine will never enter nato when it wants to make sure that later weapons are never stationed in ukraine or other buffer countries around russia. the u. s. position is that, that is it season between ukraine and nato. and it can't be decided in bilateral

talks between the us and russia. ship, the u. s. is also threatened economic sanctions against russia if it were to invade ukraine with all of those troops amassed on the border. president putin's as that would cause a rupture in relations after days adrift in open seas. more than $100.00 or hinder refugees and now safe in indonesia, the damage vessel was towed to shore in archie. and it is or initially planned to turn them away. but blake, to back down after international pressure un has praised into needs his response. as jessica washington reports now from jakarta, indonesia at a province a dangerous and exhausting journey, has finally come to an end. these were hanger, refugees are finally safe. intending to reach malaysia, they perilous journey, saw them stranded in indonesian waters for days. for now, they're staying in an empty government building in northern uh, j. m. o,

they are off fellow muslims. so we aren't going to complain about having them here . overnight a navy vessel pulled their boat to shore and effort that was complicated by strong waves and heavy winds. representatives from the you and hcr, and local and g o is waited anxiously for their arrival. ready to assist? young families, gabriella. family. the 1st thing we need to do is check their health, give them food and drink after their day stranded at sea. $47.00 children and 50 women are among those rescued from the damaged vessel. local fishermen from the town of buran 1st spotted the ship on sunday, near the coast of archie and immediately trying to assist them. some local said they felt solidarity with those on board as the plight of their hunger reminded them of our chaise own struggle. last of all i could get, thus we got for my mother, people here have experienced needing help from other countries. we can never get was our situation was like when we were hit by the soon army,

we thought although it took days for the government to confirm it would allow the refugees to disembark in indonesia, the you and hcr has thanked them, saying they'd saved lives in a statement for you and hcr said it was grateful to indonesia for once again proving its humanitarian spirit. it also praised indonesian authorities for it said, setting an example by once again, assisting ro hanger, refugees in distress at sea. human rights groups have also welcomed indonesia decision, but said the process should be improved, so rescues can be faster. so i bring by improving this residential regulation on your brushing lever. i think there one be confused any more in the future and there will, there should be a quicker decision to help people endangers at 3 indonesia regards itself as only a transit country will refugees cannot permanently resettle. so for these were

hunger, the danger is over. for now, but the uncertainty remains as to what the future holds. jessica washington out as era to carter the death toll from the devastating super typhoon to hit the philippines before christmas has risen to $405.00 typhoon ray was the strongest to hit the country this year and left a trail of destruction in central and southern provinces and called flash floods and landslides, 82 people are reported missing. aid is being sent from thailand to people displaced by fighting. men will not violence near the border used in the past couple of days . but ethnic car and fighters in may say they will only go say to see if all government troops leave areas where fierce fighting has taken place to. the cheering reports now from the border of thailand and main bags of rice and beans, loaded up from a warehouse in the title of mess up its emergency aid desperately needed by people who fled from fighting inside mamma. the relief package has been put together by

local businessmen who come from mamma. but live here in thailand. they're doing it because no one else will. this is a see our job. and we're, we're just like a small groups and we grassroot, we have not many capacity of like funding we're, you know, the gathering these kind of aids. but operating in m a is complicated. first volunteers have to negotiate with tied border guards who helpful, but whose 1st priority is security. then a call to a local contact on the other bank in men. ma. well, they're coming across the river now to get the supplies mirror boxes, events the little, some walter and his soul. with more than 10000 people displaced inside mamma. this is only a very temporary fix. on the high side, everyone retreats behind to take barrier and not to cope with 19 protocols. the swimmers then load the precious cargo on to make shift rafts,

the water shallow. so bearing it across the river isn't hard. that they can't afford to lose anything. looks of relief on the opposite bank and not just because of the food fighting between government troops and the ethnic current fighters has eased over the last 2 days. and the time military say that confident me will step back. because i guess a little all this time we've always received good cooperation when it comes to asking them to stop so that there won't be any threat to the safety of ties and their property and the current fighters on so sure they've been in conflict with me amazon me for decades and there's little trusts. i know we don't trust the cease fire. they've been destroying villages killing villages and leaving on the ashes. so how can you trust them? how can you have a cease fire? all of that bad news for more than 5000 refugees on the high side. then now assembled in one camp. the tiles stores his are installing infrastructure,

suggesting an extended stay. that could mean it will be weeks if not months before they can cross these hills. and return home. tony chang al jazeera. on the time ma'am ma border. the former president of south gray has been released from jail. good, hey, has served almost 5 years for more than 20 year prison sentence for corruption. president moon giant gave the 69 year old a special pop last week. south africans paying their respects to archbishop desmond tutu as his body lies in state for a 2nd day in cape town. people pass through saint george's cathedral where to to preached as archbishop for directly south africans lined the streets to say their final goodbyes to the anti apartheid leader who railed against white rule in the country 2 who died on sunday 890. the funeral will be held on saturday. scientists have found an underwater mountain in the southern ocean between australia and the article that is 2 and a half 1000 meters high. the mountain has been given the temporary name of origin

d g and was found using an echo sound from a research ship. see, valentines are usually formed from extinct volcanoes and i truck fish, whales, and coral. all right, let's take a look back at some of the bigger stories. al jazeera has covered now in the policy and let's walk down and so they need a capital building under to cannot. however, tara, from our responsibility to validate with joseph robin by your new songs, where notions of what is known a guilty is cherry always. just if me, i'm on democratically elected leadership change as the military stage to

the general thought of a bit bloodless qu, they couldn't be more wrong. the taliban has taken over the final departure of the u. s. military up to 20 years. i believe this is the right to switch a violent day over dangerous days, still ahead. nowhere in gaza feel safe right now. i'll just 0 will not be silenced. about him is reaping around the world. you see that and that by the tragedy of the lack of political will selfishness and music about the new orbit comb very and to

spread it. 2022 must be the year we end the funding code. read at a much rob. well, there is no planet, there is no sign of blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, i'm deeply sorry. ah, the philippine government us call the fight against that security rebels especially to damp general have a say they don't want military. ruth,

there was always liked only we're brave enough to see it, only we're brave enough to be ah. all right, let's have a quick recovery headlines here and i was there and south africa says it will ease restrictions after coping 19 infections dropped by almost 30 percent last week. government believes it's past the peak of the oma con parent, over the miller has more now from code top. full indications are that south africa is past the peak of its 4th wave, which appeared to have started toward the end of november early december. now they've seen a 30 percent decrease in infections, and that was the week leading up to christmas and compared to the week before, that's a significant reduction in infections. and the government is saying that.