this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. containing the spread of the new coronavirus variant. more restrictions ahead in the uk and more precautions by other countries. getting ready for the roll—out. eu countries plan their inoculation programmes after regulators grant their first vaccine approval. russian opposition figure alexei navalny says he tricked security agents into revealing details of his attempted assassination — including that the poison was in his underpants. and two planets align for the first time in four centuries. did you manage to catch the so—called christmas star?

hello and welcome. the uk government's chief scientific advisor, sir patrick vallance, has warned that tougher restrictions are likely to be needed in more areas of england to control the new coronavirus variant. it comes as experts from the world health organization say there's no evidence that the new variant is more severe than existing strains. tougher restrictions were brought in for london and parts of southern and eastern england at the weekend, after existing measures proved unable to control the spread of the more infectious form of the virus. jon donnison reports. in london and the south—east around 17 million people are already living under the tightest tier 4 restrictions. but now a warning from the government's chief scientific advisor that stricter measures

are likely to be needed in more areas of england to try to control the virus. areas of england to try to controlthe virus. it is areas of england to try to control the virus. it is likely that this will grow in numbers of the varied across the country and i think it is likely, therefore, that measures are going to need to be increased in some places in due course, not reduced. just three days before christmas, already many have had to change their plans. i was due to go down to my parents place for christmas day but we're not going to be doing that anymore. we we re going to be doing that anymore. we were going to have christmas with six other people in our house and they are not coming i'iow. house and they are not coming now. in greater manchester and the west midlands, health officials have said anyone visiting their regions from tier 4 areas and from wales should self isolate for ten days. it comes amid concerns about a particular new variant of the virus which the government has said is led to a surge in new infections. it has i7 surge in new infections. it has 17 key differences in its

genetic make up, the result of random mutations, and roughly half of those changes are in the spike protein, possibly making it bind to human cells more effectively. it is likely be more transmissible because it isa be more transmissible because it is a dominant strain just now. but that is not only dependent on the virus is also dependent on the virus is also dependent on the virus is also dependent on people's behaviour. so we need to see whether it is the behaviour, you know, whether that was spreading and that is accounting for all of these new infections now, or whether it is really the strain that is easier to transmit from person—to—person. easier to transmit from person-to-person. you may end up person-to-person. you may end up witha person-to-person. you may end up with a wee bit of a bruise. the hope remains that announce —— expanded rollout of vaccines next you will make all the difference. but things could well get worse before they get better. jon donnison, bbc news. meanwhile, in south africa another new strain of the coronavirus has been discovered. scientists there say they are working with the world health organization to investigate the new variant. it was identified by a genomics team working in the country's

eastern cape province where there have been a surge in recent cases. dr angela rasmussen is a virologist at georgetown university's centre for global health science and security. she's in seattle. welcome to you. thanks very much for being with us. what you make of these new variants being discovered in various parts of the world, is that to be expected? think it is to be expected. so the one thing about viruses that myself and my colleagues know very well is that viruses mutate effectively every time they replicate. so mutation is something that normally occurs with viruses and when you have a virus that is as widespread as this it has more opportunities to mutate and develop mutations and that gives it some sort of competitive advantage. what we should keep in mind is that these competitive advantages and how the virus replicates and how the virus replicates and potentially transmit 20 people doesn't necessarily mean it's going to become more pathogenic or cause more severe

disease. how do scientists get ahead of this than if they have no idea where a new variant is going to pop up? well, you in the uk have an excellent no surveillance system so you are ahead of in many regards. in the us, where i am, we don't have as much genomic surveillance. if the new variant, for example, that is circulating in the uk is also circulating in the uk is also circulating here we might not know about it. so doing that type of —— surveillance is also really key, it is key to identify these early and potentially do the moments you need to do to figure out if these mutations have an effect or not, if they are something we need to worry about or not. we have seen scientists here say they think the new variant could spread up to 70% faster than the original coronavirus and we have seen in our 30 plus countries shut their borders to people travelling from the uk. is that the right approach we

have seen this new variant already appear in several countries, is it almost too late? i think it is too late to be applying things like international travel restrictions. i think they, again, the cat is out of the bag, so to speak. and it's probably not been detected in other places just because our genomic surveillance systems are not as robust as they are in the uk. think what we need to focus on more than border restrictions are things like measures in the community to reduce transmission, because whether it is this variant or other variants, widespread transmission is a huge problem right now. so we need to focus on getting transmission down altogether, whether it's this variant or other viruses. can you envisage now the next few months and tighter restrictions come into force around the world once again? i think so. certainly in the united states. we have a very, very grim situation here. the bills are really at capacity. having a

variant, certainly, with increased transmissibility would be a huge problem for us, but we already have a huge problem what we really need to focus on our measures to control that community transmission and if people are not willing to comply, if people are not going to take the precautions they need to ta ke to the precautions they need to take to reduce that transmission then there may have to be more severe restrictions. 0k, dr angela rasmussen, thank you for joining us from seattle there. my joining us from seattle there. my pleasure, samantha, thanks for having me. the pfizer—biontech coronavirus vaccine could be rolled out within the eu as early as this sunday after approval from the european medicines agency. the amsterdam—based regulator brought the decision forward under pressure from eu states, following the earlier emergency approval of the jab in many other countries. mark lobel reports. hope ina hope in a bottle for over 440 million europeans. approval has come following pressure on the regulators who were taking a more cautious approach than the

uk and the us. urge to speed up by eu leaders, they gave you vaccine the green light eight days earlier than planned. the european medical agency has given the pfizer biotic vaccine at not for all over sixteens on condition of a review in a year. now you're's politicians are keen to get on the front foot. we have, of course, more or less the same amount per capita for biotic as the uk and we have three times more of the modeno vaccine that will be approved in january than the uk, so an average eu citizen will have the better chance of being vaccinated than the average uk citizen —— citizen by myself fabri. that you're's leaders will face the same hurdles as other leaders, like america's president—elect in needing to convince a sceptical public of the safety of the vaccine. there's to worry about. how are you feeling?

great! the summer like 500 of the residents of this new york city nursing home the judge cannot come soon enough. being very blunt with you, guys, it has been nine months of hell. 0ur has been nine months of hell. our staff has been through a tremendous amount. you think back to the horrors of march, april, may, and to finally receive that support, that recognition, that product for our healthcare heroes on the front lines to be first in line for the vaccine programme, it is warmly received. and with multiple vaccines now in use in america, including the madonna one approved just days ago, it means frontline workers and army veterans like these ones in boston, massachusetts are getting another welcome layer of protection as they battle this invisible and increasingly infectious killer disease. mark lobel, bbc news. so how has your year been changed by covid—i9 and by the impact of lockdowns and other restrictions? a little later we'll be hearing from a native american woman who's been mobilising volunteers to help those most vulnerable.

let's get some of the day's other news. two men have been found guilty of the manslaughter of 39 vietnamese men, women, and children who suffocated inside a lorry trailer as they were smuggled into the uk last october. a jury at the trial in london also found george neeka and eamonn harrison guilty of conspiracy to assist illegal immigration. the european union is calling on bosnia to find alternative accommodation for more than 3,000 migrants, facing eviction from a refugee camp near bihac. the international 0rganisation for migration said at the weekend it may have to close the centre because authorities haven't provided water and electricity. its now hoping the eu's last—minute intervention will persuade local officials to rehouse residents of the lipa camp. the winners of one of the world's biggest lotteries spain's el gordo, or the fat one, will be drawn this morning. prizes worth up to 2.4 billion euros — or £2.2 billion — will be on offer. participants often team up with friends or family to buy series of tickets in the hope

of sharing large winnings. stay with us on bbc news. we will be back shortly with plenty more. music and chanting saddam hussein is finished because he killed our people, our women, our children. the signatures took only a few minutes but they brought a formal end to 3.5 years of conflict — conflict that has claimed more than 200,000 lives. before an audience of world leaders, the presidents of bosnia, serbia and croatia put their names to the peace agreement. the romanian border was sealed and silent today. romania has cut itself off from the outside world in order to prevent the details

of the presumed massacre in timisoara from leaking out. from sex at the white house to a trial for his political life, the lewinsky affair tonight guaranteed bill clinton his place in history as only the second president ever to be impeached. this is bbc news. the latest headlines: tough times ahead for the uk — as the country's top scientist says there'll be more restrictions to battle the new coronavirus variant. getting ready for the rollout. eu countries plan their inoculation programmes after regulators grant their first vaccine approval. the russian secret service has described as a "provocation" a taped telephone call in which the opposition leader, alexei navalny, tricks a russian federal security service agent into disclosing details about his poisoning

in siberia earlier this year. mr navalny posted a recording of the telephone conversation on his youtube channel. the agent reveals that the toxin was planted in a pair of navalny‘s underpants. he also acknowledges that the swift action of mr navalny‘s pilot and emergency services may have foiled the operation. joining me now from australia is alexey muraviev. he's a professor of national security and strategic studies at curtin university in perth. professor, welcome to you. thank you forjoining us. what do you make of this? is this a credible prank call, if you will? i think we have to take it seriously, but we also have to ta ke it seriously, but we also have to take it with a degree of a measured response. if this prank was aimed to bolster navalny‘s popularity, tickly through his social media platforms and obviously, once again, bolster his

international reputation, it achieved instant success because the story went viral and became an instant international media sensation. if the story aims to add more credibility to claims that the russian government was behind it, the fact that it was the prank and the way the prank was actually carried out, i've invested the entire recording, it would certainly raise serious doubts in the eyes of security professionals, policymakers, and probably provide with the kremlin with me -- provide with the kremlin with me —— ammunition allegations that have revealed is inaccurate and would allow the kremlin to go on a counter rampage to say the whole story has been fabricated in order to incriminate president putin anne ruston security services, russian security apparatus, including the russian government, bearing in mind that only days before the story

was revealed vladimir putin and his government was banned from attending international 0lympic and sporting events, which obviously inferior to the russians and the russian officials. so they would probably try to look at it as a continuation of this targeted attack on the elected head of state, rather than anything else. if we take this at face value and assume it was a security agent navalny spoke to what we learn about happened to him? look, i think in terms of the target of this prank, i'd say that the person identified in the story is genuine, and his tea m the story is genuine, and his team demonstrated the capacity to extra ct team demonstrated the capacity to extract information and security details for members of the russian government or members of the russian security apparatus. the fact that the person apparently disclosed

what was supposed to be classified information via unsecured communication channels without seriously questioning whoever is on the other end really questions — well, i certainly question the qualification of the person. i don't think it is a senior security official, i don't think it's a field operative, otherwise they would be trained and skilled in how to communicate appropriately, i think that it was one of the wea kest think that it was one of the weakest points about the plan was almost desperate bites alexei navalny to demonstrate it is the russian head of state, they admitted in and the russian national security council that was actually interested in finding out the details. that was the legend behind the prank, and anyone who is familiar with organisational structure of russia's highest echelons of power or national security upper artist in any country would clearly understand this

is not going to be part of the national security agenda of a serious administration or decision—making body like the national security council. this is where i think it fell short. thank you very much forjoining us. time now for the sport. hello. this is your tuesday sport briefing with me, ben croucher. chelsea manager frank lampard was full of praise for their character after bouncing back from two straight defeats by beating west ham united in the premier league. 3-0 it finished at stamford bridge, thanks to goals from thiago silva and two from tammy abraham. it lifts them up to fifth in the table ahead of a trip to arsenal on saturday. we were looking upwards and we dropped off slightly, and it was important to note that we came back and i didn't necessarily think it would be beautiful but there was a lot of character coming back six points off stop we have to keep

improving and pushing. but we must want more. i doubt lee westwood could have asked for more from his 2020 race to dubai champion and european tour golfer of the year. he won the latter for the fourth time following an impressive season that saw him win the abu dhabi championship injanuary and finish runner—up in the season—ending tour championship to top the overall money list. surfing and hawaii are synonymous with each other. the waves are pretty challenging, though, but that hasn't stopped australia's tyler wright winning the first world surf league event to be held on the famous pipeline on the north shore. it's her first victory since 2017, having battled chronic fatigue syndrome. she said it was "cool" to see her hard work come together. the countdown is on for the start of the nba season. admittedly, we've only had to 72 days since the last one finished, but all eyes will be on the west coast later, as defending champions — the la

lakers — begin the defence of their title against the clippers. ten games have been lopped off the regular season due to covid, but many are tipping lebronjames to lead the lakers all the way once again. from one great to another — james to messi. and lionel messi could create history on tuesday. his barcelona side take on valladolid in spain's la liga. if he score, he'll overtake pele for the most goals by a player at a single club. the two legends are currently level on 643. there's a huge game in orlando too with tigres and los angeles fc bidding to win their first concacaf champions league final. tigres have lost three of the last four finals, but with this match being played over a single leg rather than the usual two, could that end their hoodoo? it'll be lafc‘s first final, having only been formed six years ago.

it's just an excitement level for me to be in a final. we are showing people how we play football, and if we are competing against a great team, thatis competing against a great team, that is the only part we are thinking about. you know, when european you get a chance to be inafinal, european you get a chance to be in a final, it's european you get a chance to be in a final, its special. you can get all the latest sports news at our website — that's bbc.com/sport. but from me, ben croucher, and the rest of the sport team, goodbye. how has your year been changed by covid—i9 and by the impact of lockdowns and other restrictions? everybody has a coronavirus story, and my colleague philippa thomas has been hearing some of them. today: the story of a native american woman who has been mobilising volunteers across tribal lands to help those most vulnerable to covid—i9. 0n coronavirus: your stories, i've been speaking to do this —— to people this year all over

the world about how covid—i9 has changed their lives. i revisited some of these stories as christmas approaches. life has become more difficult for many. we've talked on this programme about losing loved ones, jobs, access to healthcare, even food. what there have also been inspiring stories of solidarity and hope. in some of the remotest areas of united states, native american volunteers came together early to help the tribal nations hit hardest by covid—i9. in utah, joe 0verton was clinically vulnerable herself, stuck at home during lockdown, but she felt she had to act and set up a nonprofit from her kitchen table. for my youngest childhood, i remember my mother asking me, what are you going to be when you grow 7 you going to be when you grow d you going to be when you grow up? and what will you do to help the people? there are some areas, especially around another home nation where between 30 and 40 people, 40%

of the people, don't have running water. it also means they have no electricity and no cellphone service because they live in a really remote area —— navajo people, and that might be ok ona navajo people, and that might be ok on a regular basis, but with covid, it means they can't call for help, it means they cannot wash their hands. ijust said, i cannot stand here and do nothing. i was looking for 40 masks, and now we can get thousands of people within just days. and also, like, face shields and gloves and hand sanitiser. it becomes life—saving when you don't have water. nine months on, joe's network is still active and sending help to tribal lands from south dakota to nebraska. how does she describe the challenge today? it has been just — kind of overwhelming

emotionally. and very difficult to watch people that you love and are part of yourfamily, to become sick, to have people you ca re become sick, to have people you care about di. jo, tell us more about what your network is doing to get some of the basics out there? we absolutely depend on our partnerships, our collaborations with the native peoples. they are our officers on the ground, and right now our sewing expansion is covering tribes in north da kota, covering tribes in north dakota, south dakota, nebraska and one in iowa, or 60,000 cloth masks. this is a nonprofit network, jo, that you set up from your kitchen table. what has been happening to you? i have basically been in lockdown in my house since march. in the most difficult pa rt march. in the most difficult part for me has been how much i

miss my grandchildren. and i haven't had a hug or kiss or snuggle. what is driving you on,jo? snuggle. what is driving you on, jo? my people are dying. what would i do? sit here and do nothing? i can. the most important thing that we save is that the people may live, not that the people may live, not that i may live, and i have been guided in my efforts by my a ncestors. been guided in my efforts by my ancestors. andy did drive to make my mother proud of me, for her to look on at me and say, good for her, she is doing something important and, it has been what has lifted me in the darkest of times in the midst of this. we will have more on those stories and how people's lives have been affected by covid—i9 here on bbc world news. residents on hawaii's big

island have been warned to take shelter from ash after the kilauea volcano erupted on sunday night following an earthquake swarm. the eruption was contained within the summit caldera, with lava fountaining up to 25 metres high and flowing into the base of the crater, generating a growing lava lake. a magnitude 4.4 earthquake was recorded beneath the volcano's south flank around an hour after the eruption began. kilauea, which is one of the most active volcanos in the world, last erupted in 2018. astronomers have their eyes fixed on the sky forjupiter and saturn's so—called "great conjunction". for the first time in nearly 400 years, the solar system's two biggest planets are crossing paths in the night sky — coming so close to the extent that they will be separated by just one tenth of a degree. some have suggested this may have been the source of a bright light in the sky 2,000 years ago that became

known as the star of bethlehem. the two planets will in fact still be more than 400 million miles apart from each other. stay with us here on bbc world news. hello there. the next couple of days, we're going to hold onto this north—south divide with northern areas seeing the colder, drier, brighter weather with some sunshine, a few showers, wintry on the hills. further south, it will continue to be fairly mild, but rather cloudy and wet thanks to low pressure nearby. so this is the pressure chart as we head on into tuesday. we still have this weather front straddling southern areas, further north, though, we've got higher pressure. so, here, plenty of sunshine for northern ireland, scotland, much of northern england, midlands and into north wales. more cloud, though, across the south of the country, some spots of rain at times, and here it will be milder. further north, it's going to be another chilly one

with temperatures into single digits, some of these showers could be wintry on the hills because of the temperatures are going to be quite low. but, again, double figures in the south. as we head through tuesday night, we see a new area of low pressure push up from the south—west. that's going to increase the cloud, outbreaks of rain across the southern half of the country. further north, it will tend to be clear again, there will be a few showers, which will be wintry, as temperatures will fall to around freezing for many — a touch of frost here. further south, though, you can see 4—10 degrees. so, into wednesday, we've got this area of low—pressure, quite a vigorous system. more isobars on the charts, so through the day, it start to get windier. but, there is still some milder air with this area of low pressure. so, the southern half of the country stays cloudy, wet and mild, further north, it will be colder. but the cold air will win out as we move on into the christmas period. so, this is the chart for wednesday. much of england and wales, perhaps even southern scotland will be cloudy with outbreaks of rain, some of it heavy in the south, and there is a chance of further flooding, if the rain remains falling on saturated ground. another mild day here, 6—ii or 12 degrees in the south,

but for scotland and northern ireland, a bright one with sunshine, one or two showers, wintry on the hills and low single digits. 0ur area of low pressure begins to slide away into the near continent, it allows this high pressure to topple in and bring us colder, northerly winds. it pushes the rain away from the south—east. we could see showers in northern areas, particularly around the coast, and these will be wintry because it will be cold. but for many, it will be dry with more sunshine around, noticeably colder, particularly in the south, 4—7 degrees. so, that's for christmas eve. christmas day, a cold start, could see some frost around, and with high pressure around, it should be dry with variable amounts of cloud and some sunshine. but then it starts to become more unsettled again into boxing day.

this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. how safe are our food supplies? as the new variant coronavirus stops traffic between france and england, will the uk run out of fresh produce? and as lorries pile up waiting for a lifting of the travel ban, british exporters face an uncertain future. but london is not defeated. the new day's parade will go on, albeit with no street action and in the shape of a glitzy television show.