ah ah ah ah. ready ready this is al jazeera ah hi there and given all this is the news i live from doha. coming up in the next 60 minutes. new year's celebrations and the shadow of covert 19 thailand rings in 2022. and this is the scene and reveal fireworks lighting

up the sky in the kurdish region of northern iraq walker on of ours cases, surge globally, south africa sees a full allowing restrictions to be eased. more than a 100 rang to refugees drifting for days at sea, towed to safety by the indonesian navy. then we'll take a look back at some of the major sport stories of 2021, including emma red account has incredible victory. at the us open with the world has started bidding farewell to 2021. and the shadow of the pandemic and a surging on the cron variance. sidney was one of the 1st to greet the new year with a power technic spectacle. the display included a thank you to front line workers. many of the world cities have called off their displays, help control the spread of covered 1900 south africa is allowing the public to ring

in the new year with a bang. it has lifted nighttime curfews and says it's past the peak of the serge caused by one called by the other con variant, which was 1st reported there. new york is fair to hold a scaled down version of its annual time square celebration. the ball drop was canned for 2021, but in fact, this year with a restricted crowd because of record numbers that you can just reported another record number of infections with more than 189000 cases, health officials in britain, a warning people against traveling to england from scotland, wales for the new year due to the high number of infections or i roy jones jones is now live from london, rory. so those are the numbers in terms of infections. what does this mean in terms of the percentage of people needing intensive hospital care? well, at the moment, there are 12395 people across the united kingdom,

who are in hospital with kobe 19. it is a great mistake and the numbers of those and hospital arising every day. there is a silver lining, though, which is that new data that's come out from a study that's been done in the u. k. suggest that if you have the micron variance, you are a 3rd less likely to end up in hospital than you would have done if you had the delta variance. add to that the improvements that being triple vaccinated gives to your chances as well and 81 percent reduction in the likelihood the over in end up in the hospital compared to what you would be likely to end up in hospital if. if you have been completely vaccinated, those are the silver linings, but yeah, i have to say it's still looking pretty grim out that with the that the severe

number of people who are getting into hospital anyway. and the burden that all of those hospitalizations are putting on the national health service at the u. k. you have lots of start from the n h s who are off sick at the moment with coven 19. and the system is starting to creek. so politicians around the u. k. a warning that the situation is worsening. we don't yet know when the peak at the micro wave is going to be reached at the moment and the number of infections is double what it was this time saying in january that was the, the previous peak. so this could get a lot worse yet. politicians apart from passports, johnson who's handy optimistic politicians are warning the things are getting worse for us. johnson saying that we are in comparatively, in a better position now that we this time in this time last year. and he is again banging the drum for vaccinations, urging people to go out and get that jobs. the people who think the disease can't

haute the 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 that 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. russell roy, i believe it's just after 6 pm there where you are in the u. k. one of the things looking like in terms of new york, new year's eve celebrations, given these numbers. well it's, it's very quiet considering this is new year's eve on any normal new year's eve. there's a banquet that i'm standing on at the moment's overlooking the thames will be

absolutely round with people by now waiting in anticipation for the clock to strike midnight's at that moment to be a massive fireworks display where the london i behind me being the center piece of it, that's not happening this year. it didn't happen last year either. that was going to be the sort of substitute celebration in trafalgar square. but as the on the chrome wave to cold, that was cancelled as well. no big civic celebration is happening in any part of the u. k. it's all not here nor edinburgh caught a 4 or belfast box. the difference in restrictions across the u. k. means that in england at least, you can still go out and party. you can gather together in pubs, restaurants, nightclubs, whatever. i'm celebrate, if you want. most people though, i think you're taking it easy to stay inside and in other parts of the u. k, scotland, wales,

and northern ireland. the restrictions there mean that it's even more reduced. so nightclubs are closed in those parts of the u. k. big limitations on the number of people who can actually gather together. a told so much that they're all worries. i think in some parts that there's going to be an influx of people from scotland, wales, etc. into england to come down here and party and people me health officials, a warning against that saying that if you want to stay healthy and co cobra free best to stay inside this year and keep caution rory, i'm not sure how long we bought you live for but if you're out there new year's eve, i hope you find a hot chocolate or something. it could be a long evening. hey, thank you for that return and they live for us in london. the french government has introduced new measures aimed at reducing the spread of the on the con variant with 232000 new cases. residents and visit is in paris and are required to wear face masks outdoors. the capitals also cancel the annual new year's eve fireworks

display on shore. liza people have been to avoid large gatherings, but no coffee was being imposed. natasha papa has more from paris. one of this paris market. people are busy shopping for new years eve. a special dinner isn't the end of year traditions and though it is the festival season, most people that we've spoken to here say that they are planning the key celebration because of the crisis to keep on that. and then the rest of this new year, we really didn't feel like partying with friends. so we are staying home with family . it's a bit sad, but these are the times we are in the office. i'll be home with my children and mother, just a small group, and we are all getting tested before. well, the find health minister says the problem is facing a tidal wave. recently, new infection cases exceeded 200000 a day filled by the delta. and on the chrome variance, the french government wants to come down on new year's eve celebrations in order to

try and stop the spread of the fireworks of the famous shores release. a scene, nightclubs or shops, outdoor social gatherings are also not permitted in, in some cities, including here in paris mosques, once again, mandatory in the street that we will use. it's new year's eve. people will be indoors with families, so it's important to wear masks, to protect old people. but it's true that outside masses are annoying, but it's about protecting other pretty cheap. it's disappointing. it feels like we're going backwards. nothing is changing or thronged and balls are still open and people can celebrate and socialize freely at home, but it's 2022 rovin. there's little doubt that most people in fraud, so hoping that is going to be the end of the covey crisis. at least the end of restrictions, the government says the best way after the pandemic is vaccination. but doctors warm that the health emergency is fall from over. they say that i see you beds are

still filling up and froze. and the next few weeks could be extremely difficult. the only cronan delta variance of coven 19 or pushing daily infection records in the us. more than 486000 new cases were reported there. just the past 24 hours. experts, a warning that the figures will keep rising. mckenna has more from washington d. c. coding to the city sees latest figures. there are some 80000 people in the united states who are ops hospitalized at this particular point. but the latest figures that were released by johns hopkins university show an increasingly high rate of infection. the latest figures released by johns hopkins show that within the last 24 hours, some 650000 people have tested positive. now the last figures from the cedar, he will produce on thursday, they have no figures over this weekend, but those figures showed some for 80000. so that's an increase of some 30 percent

in terms of the infection rate. over the past 24 to 48 hours. so these are massive figures showing that the rate of infection is still on the shaw increase in all some experts estimate that as many as 30000 people could die over the next 3 weeks . so these figures devastating for americans as they go into 2022. the other pools of concern is the high hospitalization rate of children. some 381 children have been admitted to hospital each day over the past 7 days. this is an increase of some 66 percent. now the vast majority of these children are unvaccinated, and that applies largely to the us population as well. the latest figures show that only 63 percent of americans are fully vaccinated. time square in new york is one of the most famous places in the world to ring in the new year. but once again,

the pandemic has curtailed plans and his gabriel alexander reports. it's hurting local local businesses, trying to bounce back on a recent de jasmine's caribbean restaurant the staff were busy getting ready for what they hoped would be a bustling dinner crowd. the restaurant which opened a year ago is in the heart of times square and christmas and new years are usually one of the busiest times of the year. but with new york, now the us epicenter of the coven outbreak owner jasmine gerard says there is a problem for all business. i mean, we are suffering at this time right now. i mean, for me, thank the lord. i was able to open up in the band i make and i had an opportunity to do so. but everyone is really struggling and we definitely need people to come back to new york city. last month, the by did ministration reopened us borders to vaccinated tours for non essential travel. visitors have trickled back in to new york city, particularly times square,

but not nearly to the pre pandemic levels. according to local officials, about $270000.00 people walk through times square each day during the month of december. that's about $100000.00 less than before the pandemic. and about 25 percent of all the businesses in times square remain closed. many our restaurants look closely on the side streets and it's noticeably quieter. just on wednesday, more than 43000 people in new york city, tested positive for over 19. the numbers are rising so high, so fast that officials decided to scale back the famous new years. the ball drops. celebration here in time square from 70000 spectators to just 15000 and everyone will have to show proof of explanation. and we're a mass. i think more cautious. i think that at this point, you know,

we're keeping an eye on the positivity rate, but it's not worrying us to a point where we're back at jasmine's. they've seen this movie before having struggled through last winter's covert wave. we were able to survive at that time and then you know where the mouth spread. broadway opens, but now it's the sequel. and another covert surge taking it's toll on times square . and on its biggest night of the year. yeah, gabriel's hondo al jazeera new york turkey is saying a surge and growing of iris cases. more than 40000 new infections were reported on friday. those 5 numbers since april, with cases more than doubling in the past week, took a health minister issued what he called a new year warning on twitter. asking people to act sense of the during celebrations. and india daily infections of more than doubled in the past week. experts claim the countries actually entering a 3rd wave have any metallic,

has more on the situation from new denny. the situation here is quite alarming. the government says we are in the initial phases off, it called way. but in this that it is better prepared. in fact, new jelly where we are, and we're actually outside in jazz largest corbett, 900 facility. the government said it can handle up 200000 new cases a day and 300000 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 jim's are shot. what restrictions are there on restaurants and public transport? one by which is india financial capital has also seen a huge 3rd and the government that has put a cap on gathering vaccinations. so we'll also get a big booth because starting monday children about 15 will start getting jobs. and

many people will also be eligible 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, the images of markets that are crowded, where people are not social distancing, nor are they are wearing mon, the other place, rec, overnighting protocols are not being followed. i mentioned valley, you know, there continue because india is headed for please state elections early. 2022. it's a stop reminder. what happened this past summer, when the del very, it was infecting millions of people in india every day, as election, valleys and villages gatherings continued. i'd do more head on the news on including a 10 prefix this much needed a descent to thousands displaced by fighting and me and my report from the time border. thousands of people flee their homes as well as destroy large small piece of land in the us state of colorado.

ah, ah, what a day's interest! an open seas, more than a 100, were hanged. refugees and now safe in indonesia. the damaged vessel was towed to shore and archer, indonesia, initially plant turned away, but later back down after international pressure. the u. n. is praised indonesia response as jessica washington reports from jakarta, indonesia anti province, a dangerous and exhausting journey has finally come to an end. these were hunger, 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 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 an 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 them young by my fellow 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 tried to assist them. some local said they felt solidarity with those on board as the plight of the ringa reminded them of our chaise own struggle us up while i get your thoughts we got for my mother. people here have experienced, needing help from other countries. we can never forget 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, 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, hanging refugees in distress. i've seen human rights groups have also welcomed indonesia. the decision that said the process should be improved, so rescues can be faster. so i think by improving the president, regulation on your professional level, i think it won't be confusing anymore in the future. and there will, there should be a quicker decision to help people in danger. indonesia regards itself as only a transit country where refugees cannot permanently resettle. so for these were hinder, the danger is over for now. but the uncertainty remains as to what the future holds . jessica washington al jazeera to carter 8 is being sent from thailand to people

forced from their homes by fighting in me and my eyes after violence down the border east in the past couple of days. but ethnic car and fight is and me and marcy, they'll only negotiate a cease fire if all government troops leave the area. tony chang reports from the border of thailand and me and my bags of rice and beans loaded up from a warehouse in the tie town. of mess up, its emergency aid desperately needed by people who fled from fighting inside myanmar. the relief packages being put together by local businessmen who come from murmur, but live here in thailand and they're doing it because no one else will. this is their janese, our job, and our we're, we are just like a small groups and a we a grass route. we have not many capacity of like funding we're, you know, the gathering this kind of aids. but operating in myanmar is complicated. first, the volunteers have to negotiate with tied border guards, who are helpful,

but whose 1st priority is security. then a call to a local contact on the other bank in min more? well, they're coming across the river now to get the supplies. there are boxes of instant noodles, some water, and some sold the with more than 10000 people displaced inside mamma. this is only a very temporary fix. on the high side, everyone retreats behind the tape barrier and not to cobra 19 protocols. the swim is then load the precious cargo on to make shift rafts. the water shallow. so ferrying 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 come to them. now most me will step back because i got 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 will give me the correct fighters on so sure. they've been in conflict with me, amazon, me for decades, and there's little trumps. i know we don't trust the sci fi and they've been destroying villages killing villages and leaving on the ashes. so how can you trust them or not? 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 over the tile 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. israeli forces have shot dead, a palestinian man in the occupied west bank. the incident took place near the i'll settlement south of nablus. israel says the suspect was attempting to stab civilians and soldiers at abbas station. the palestinian ministry of health has

confirmed the death and there in colorado says he saw houses exploding before his eyes as the us state battled. some of the most destructive wildfires on record, hundreds of homes have been destroyed and present. joe biden has cleared the way from major disaster to be declared. colors. governor says he's amazed that no casualties have been reported, considering the scale of the damage rom. this was a disaster in fast motion all over the course of half a day. nearly all the damage, many families having minutes, minutes to get whatever they could, their, their pets, their kids into the car, and leave or the last 24 hours have been devastating. you know, it feels like we've experienced enough loss and trogie these last 2 years. and then yesterday happened over the course of several hours. this is our community to watch it burn so quickly. so unexpectedly,

it's something that i think we're all just struggling to believe and understand to towns near denver are the hardest hes, where the situation has been described as life threatening. laura bern, mandate reports. this is the moment a huge fire came 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 to choose and things in the trees. oh, they're all up in 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 homes. strong winds and dry conditions are fueling the flames. official say some of the fire to spark by falling power lines which ignited prairie grasses. estates were merchant proofing

declared, and tens of thousands of people evacuated from the towns of superior and louis phil . many getting stuck in traffic jams as they tried to escape. gus 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 of 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 of being moved out of hospitals because of the threat from smoke winds, a gradually weakening,

giving fire fighters some respite. but the billowing smoke could be a bigger hazard as it travels across colorado. laura about manly al jazeera you are said forces formerly ended their combat mission in iraq. earlier this month, the operation was a response to the rise of iso. some troops will remain in advisory and training roles, but as muffled otherwise had reports from baghdad. a presence raises concerns of further anti american attacks. ah, a change of mission for the remaining u. s. forces in iraq. instead of being on frontline combat missions, 2 and a half 1000 us personnel, and a 1000 troops from the international coalition forces have switched to training and advising their iraqi our lies. the transition deal announced it earlier this month was sealed in july by iraqis, prime minister, most of all called the me. and he asked the president joe biden to huddle. it

stipulates that u. s. troops were to stick to only training iraqi forces and exchanging intelligence while a heavy duel and tackled him sir clara. both iran and the united states supported us in the war against terrorism, but they mustn't use our soil to settle scores. we can't let any of these parties target our people. we've addressed that message to all through diplomacy and the strategic dialogue which stressed maintaining iraq's sovereignty sally, the soviet. a gradual downsizing view as troops was already happening on the orders of former president donald trump. but a proxy war in the region has been fermented by conflict between iran and the u. s . iraq. his prime minister muscle cousin is facing increasing pressure from army groups and their political wings, which are allied to iran. they reject any u. s. foothold in iraq. no matter what the role is,

a pro iranian onward group sounded this warning, and the mulatto hurtled. what the in her to it in any u. s. military prisons in the country is considered an occupation, but we will go by asked number 51 of the ring charter, which gives nations the right to resist any military presence on valence. the 4 we will take up arms and fight them along as we did before, harry, on the telephone, the conflict has escalated since the killing of a rainy commander classroom sleigh manny. now boom, adding more hand is a leader of iraq. so popular mobilization forces and he as the june attack need, but that a port last january that triggered the iraq's house of representatives to pass a resolution demanding the old foreign troops leave the country u. s. personnel along with coalition forces used several military bases across iraq . since the u. s. led invasion in 2003 to depose saddam hussein. the foreign forces played a major role in the fight against i. sil,

which occupied some parts of a rock before its defeat in 2017. now with the resurgence of isolate sleeper cells in some areas, as well as iranian intervention, the question is whether the pentagons mission shift will have an operational impact . i'm with outdoor head al jazeera, but that still a head on al jazeera, prides groups accused governments and pharmaceutical companies of catastrophic failures of unequal access to current of ours vaccines. and we'll look at how the ballot box shaped events around the world. june 2021. in force, these jockeys and argentina were horsing her out. thanks. i live measure music. ah

hello there. we've got rain, sleet, and snow in the forecast for the middle east and for some quite a bit of it. it will call some disruption. you see this line of cloud now making its way across the u. e. around the straits of moves that brought a few spots of re to casa, as we went through the last 24 hours or so. heaviest mindful seems around 4 millimeters. we could see significantly more as we go one through the we can touch of storms here, they will sink their way further south was says that rain therefore carter of the brain to see some heavy rain, particularly making its way into a western parts of the iran in that rank could cause flash flooding here as we go through sunday, it should dry up for kata. she has a shower, run the way back up towards key weight, pushing all the way back up into iraq. we want to showers over to wolves to live, and some of those showers also affecting the ne, a for africa. we have seen some way, whether recently across the northern half of egypt around the sinai peninsula

turning dry. now for turkey, one or 2 showers to just around the guinea coast we might see some showers a little bit of wet weather early on saturday into.