�*welcome to newsday, reporting live from singapore, i'm karishma vaswani. the headlines. suspending all tournaments in china — the women's tennis association says it has "serious doubts" that a chinese tennis star is "free, safe and not subject to intimidation". the first case of the omicron variant reported in the us — fresh travel restrictions are now in the works. hollywood actor alec baldwin insists he did not pull the trigger in the fatal shooting on set of his colleague and cinematographer halyna hutchins. a defining moment for abortion rights in the united states, as the supreme court hears the most important case in a generation.

and, on board the uss carl vinson — at the end of the biggest ever annual naval exercise — between america and its allies in asia. welcome to bbc news — broadcasting to viewers in the uk and around the world. our top story today — the women's tennis association says it is suspending all tournaments in china following the disappearance of star player, peng shuai. ms peng disappeared for three weeks after accusing a top communist official of sexual assault. with the latest, courtney bembridge reports it has been a month since peng shuai

posted on social media accusing a top chinese official of sexual assault. the post was quickly taken down and she disappeared from public view. photos and videos like this released by chinese state media it was supposed to show her safe and free but did little to allay concerns for safety. and now the women's tennis association has pulled the plug on lucrative tournaments in china. its chief says china is a key market for women's tennis and the decision could cost them hundreds of millions of dollars in broadcasting and sponsorship. at the tennis community has come out in support of the decision. american former number one billiejean king says:

it isa it is a crucial time for sport in china with beijing set to host the 2022 winter olympics and paralympics in february and march. and it is clear these questions about peng shuai are not going away. i'm joined now by the bbc tennis correspondent russell fuller. i understand that you have been speaking with the chairman and ceo in an extraordinary statement to say the least. what is he told you? yes. the least. what is he told you? yes, there is something _ the least. what is he told you? yes, there is something that _ the least. what is he told you? yes there is something that he feels very strongly about indeed. and the women's tennis association was founded on equality a0 years ago and this is a principle of which there

prepared to negotiate. he is assured that peng shuai appears to be safe and well and living in beijing but says that both taking the decision to suspend tournaments in china next year, it wouldn't be fair to put players and staff potentially at risk by asking him to travel to china and the current circumstances. and also to outline what he feels he needs to push this so strongly in what he can'tjust leave the sexual assault allegations to the chinese justice system. we assault allegations to the chinese justice system-— justice system. we are definitely still looking _ justice system. we are definitely still looking to _ justice system. we are definitely still looking to have _ justice system. we are definitely still looking to have our- justice system. we are definitely still looking to have our direct i still looking to have our direct contact — still looking to have our direct contact and obviously, others have had contact — contact and obviously, others have had contact with her and were very happy— had contact with her and were very happy that— had contact with her and were very happy that she appeared to be fine and not _ happy that she appeared to be fine and not in — happy that she appeared to be fine and not in harm's way and we know they're _ and not in harm's way and we know they're in_ and not in harm's way and we know they're in beijing, which is terrific _ they're in beijing, which is terrific. and they're still very strong — terrific. and they're still very strong the and independent investigation without any any censorship that needs to be held.

fascinating comments there from him indeed but the repercussions of this potentially profound. hundreds of millions of dollars in the chinese market at stake. it’s millions of dollars in the chinese market at stake.— millions of dollars in the chinese market at stake. it's a vast amount of money for _ market at stake. it's a vast amount of money for players, _ market at stake. it's a vast amount of money for players, the - market at stake. it's a vast amount i of money for players, the tournament is not been able to be staged for the last two years because the coronavirus. but there's $ia million of prize money for an eight player field in prize money for an eight playerfield and award field in prize money for an eight player field and award for being the best eight players of the year and there are other tournaments as well that put money in players pockets crucially the wta tour week in and week out. they feel that the money doesn't really matter here because it could potentially be very damaging financially for the organisation and they do think about it morning, noon and night but this is something that they are not prepared to compromise on and he talks about having an approach next

season and there will be an attempt to try and play in china if in his words, the chinese authorities to the right things. but if that is not possible then at the same time, there will be working on an alternative to try to cities around the world to step in and stitch the tournaments that china will not be able to. and russell. ijust briefly, it is hard to speculate what the chinese might do but with the reaction, would you think you be from beijing was white do you think? there are you cannot always take thejudgment do you think? there are you cannot always take the judgment as to whether the country is being run and the way you wanted to be run. business discount for this, and feel

so strongly about the there's no way, we have to see whether the chinese authorities will agreed to the demands and the independence investigation into some serious sexual assault allegations that peng shuai has made against the former chinese state premier. so, at the moment, it is hard to see how the two sides will come together? iliiui’ith two sides will come together? with the latest on _ two sides will come together? with the latest on that _ two sides will come together? with the latest on that story for us. you can get much more on the story on a website, including an indepth look at the background to this — a piece looking at how it all started with peng shuai's allegations on chinese social media, and how those allegations subsequently disappeared — leading to speculation that she had indeed been censored by chinese authorities. all that and more on the site — bbc.com forward slash news or download the bbc news app. meanwhile in other news — the first us case of the omicron

covid variant has been reported in california. speaking at the white house, president biden�*s chief medical adviser, dr anthony fauci, laid out what we know about the individual. the individual was a traveller who returned from south africa on november the 22nd and tested positive on november the 29th. the individual is self quarantining at all close contacts have been contacted and all have tested negative. and the individuals fully vaccinated and experience mild symptoms which are improving this point. the first reported case in america comes as us authorities are planning to toughen the coronavirus testing requirements for international air travellers, to try and curb the spread of the omi—cron variant. the new measures could require incoming passengers to provide a negative result from a test taken within 2a hours of departure. right now, air travelers have to show a negative test result

taken within three days of boarding the plane. president biden is due to give more details in a speech on thursday. in the uk — efforts have started to accelerate the rollout of the booster programme. a target of the end of january for all eligible adults has been agreed in england and scotland, but at this point, wales and northern ireland have not signed up to that target. it comes as medical staff have expressed concern about the demands being placed upon them— at a time when many are already trying to deal with an increased workload. our health editor hugh pym reports. a vaccination centre preparing like so many others around the uk to fire up so many others around the uk to fire up the booster programme. it is a big ask for the nhs at a time of intensifying winter pressures. in

the welsh health minister says help will be sought across local communities.— will be sought across local communities. ~ , communities. we recognise the workforce is _ communities. we recognise the workforce is absolutely - communities. we recognise the i workforce is absolutely exhausted, which is why we are really making sure that the net is cast much whiter this time to make sure that we can ask those volunteers to come back in. , , , ., back in. the mistress of firefighters _ back in. the mistress of firefighters and - back in. the mistress of firefighters and military | back in. the mistress of- firefighters and military personnel could be deployed, but gps warned they would need big vaccination centre is to be set up again, rather than relying on the practices. imilieu than relying on the practices. when she have the _ than relying on the practices. when she have the time _ than relying on the practices. when she have the time and _ than relying on the practices. when she have the time and are - than relying on the practices. when she have the time and are not i she have the time and are not exhausted and wish to contribute as they did _ exhausted and wish to contribute as they did initially, then they could help with — they did initially, then they could help with the centres. but with the general— help with the centres. but with the general practice point of view and within— general practice point of view and within our— general practice point of view and within our own infrastructure, we really _ within our own infrastructure, we really are — within our own infrastructure, we really are under pressure at. this increased really are under pressure at. ti 3 increased opening hours offered boosterjabs increased opening hours offered booster jabs several days increased opening hours offered boosterjabs several days a week. responding by the ministers to tackle the threat of the new variant. . ~ tackle the threat of the new

variant. . ,, , , ., ., variant. remake the best route to defend ourselves _ variant. remake the best route to defend ourselves against - variant. remake the best route to defend ourselves against this, i variant. remake the best route to defend ourselves against this, we | defend ourselves against this, we are expanding the booster programme. to have _ are expanding the booster programme. to have more boosters done, expanding the existing vaccination hubs to give more slots to members of the public. this centre and others like it are asked to create more capacity and tell mean extra appointments, but also possibly finding more space which would be fourfrom finding more space which would be four from straightforward. finding more space which would be fourfrom straightforward. bill finding more space which would be four from straightforward. bill haas me more staff from the hospital moving to do the jabs. the director told me that however busy, the couege told me that however busy, the college would rise to the challenge. i cannot overstress the commitment amongst _ i cannot overstress the commitment amongst nurses— i cannot overstress the commitment amongst nurses and _ i cannot overstress the commitment amongst nurses and doctors - i cannot overstress the commitment amongst nurses and doctors to i i cannot overstress the commitmentl amongst nurses and doctors to make sure that _ amongst nurses and doctors to make sure that people _ amongst nurses and doctors to make sure that people get— amongst nurses and doctors to make sure that people get vaccinated. if. sure that people get vaccinated. if i sure that people get vaccinated. if i was _ sure that people get vaccinated. if i was to— sure that people get vaccinated. if i was to ask— sure that people get vaccinated. if i was to askiust _ sure that people get vaccinated. if i was to askjust everyone - sure that people get vaccinated. if i was to askjust everyone of - sure that people get vaccinated. if i was to askjust everyone of our l i was to askjust everyone of our doctors — i was to askjust everyone of our doctors and _ i was to askjust everyone of our doctors and nurses _ i was to askjust everyone of our doctors and nurses to _ i was to askjust everyone of our doctors and nurses to do - i was to askjust everyone of our doctors and nurses to do one i i was to askjust everyone of our i doctors and nurses to do one extra shift, _ doctors and nurses to do one extra shift, to— doctors and nurses to do one extra shift, to dis- — doctors and nurses to do one extra shift, to dis— vaccinations, - doctors and nurses to do one extra shift, to dis— vaccinations, there i shift, to dis— vaccinations, there be shift, to dis— vaccinations, there he a _ shift, to dis— vaccinations, there he a lot— shift, to dis— vaccinations, there he a lot of— shift, to dis— vaccinations, there be a lot of vaccinations. - shift, to dis- vaccinations, there be a lot of vaccinations.- shift, to dis- vaccinations, there be a lot of vaccinations. today, a teacher came _ be a lot of vaccinations. today, a teacher came to _ be a lot of vaccinations. today, a teacher came to get _ be a lot of vaccinations. today, a teacher came to get jabbed i be a lot of vaccinations. today, a teacher came to get jabbed and i be a lot of vaccinations. today, a i teacher came to get jabbed and she teacher came to getjabbed and she was eligible to have her booster. i need to protect the people i work

with because i'm surrounded by people all day every day. and from different family setups.— different family setups. health officials in _ different family setups. health officials in scotland _ different family setups. health officials in scotland have i different family setups. health i officials in scotland have repeated advice to get a lateral flow tests before going to family gatherings of the christmas and in northern ireland, there have been warnings about disruption in schools before the christmas break because of the shortage of teachers partly related to covid—i9 isolation. the so much uncertainty over the weeks ahead but the organisation as we said that we should know more about the new variant within days. the us actor alec baldwin has given his first interview since a gun he was holding on set went off — killing cinematographer halyna hutchins, back in october. in the interview — with abc news — he was emotional as he recalled the a2 year old as someone who was �*loved by everyone'. he also said this: the trigger wasn't pulled, i never pulled the trigger. i would never point a gun at anyone and pull the

trigger them. point a gun at anyone and pull the trigger them-— trigger them. what did you think have been? _ trigger them. what did you think have been? how— trigger them. what did you think have been? how did _ trigger them. what did you think have been? how did a _ trigger them. what did you think have been? how did a real- trigger them. what did you think i have been? how did a real bully get on that— have been? how did a real bully get on that set? | have been? how did a real bully get on that set?— have been? how did a real bully get on that set? i don't know. some put a live bullet — on that set? i don't know. some put a live bullet that _ on that set? i don't know. some put a live bullet that gun _ on that set? i don't know. some put a live bullet that gun that _ on that set? i don't know. some put a live bullet that gun that should i a live bullet that gun that should not of been on the property. david willis joins me now from los angeles. those are extraordinary claims that we just listen to. those are extraordinary claims that wejust listen to. first those are extraordinary claims that we just listen to. first him saying that he did not pull the trigger on the gun. how do you think this might be received? i the gun. how do you think this might be received?— the gun. how do you think this might be received? , , , ., be received? i remember bringing you the initial reports _ be received? i remember bringing you the initial reports of _ be received? i remember bringing you the initial reports of this _ be received? i remember bringing you the initial reports of this incident i the initial reports of this incident and this desert in new mexico just under six weeks ago and it seems a tragic but ultimately quite straightforward thing. the initial report from the santa fe new mexico police department and it refers to a shooting on the set of the film

after a properfirearm shooting on the set of the film after a proper firearm was discharged by alec baldwin. over the course of the last few weeks, it seems that this was anything but a straightforward incident. there are reports of multiple rounds of live ammunition on the site, which is contrary to the industry protocol. there are reports of members of the film crew walking offset in protest of the safety standards just the day before she lost her life and reports of potential sabotage raised by the armour of the set. and alec baldwin has come forward to say that he did not pull the trigger which reads the question that if you did not, who did was my position accidental discharge? how did this happen? and it seems that what we have been fed so far by the conducted this interview, he does not go very far interview, he does not go very far in answering that question. this interview with him, do seem to raise

more questions than it answers. went back the police are still investigating the incident, have we heard further details about it? they have launched a further investigation, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and live rounds, they have conducted interviews in several cases, multiple interviews with members of the cast and crew, which numbers are told to be in the hundreds in total. and they have interviewed alec baldwin several times as well. he was with the producer and the star actor on this film. it's a far, there are no charges that have been laid against anybody in connection with this and alec baldwin response interview todayjust raises more and more questions as santa fe new mexico police department said, they have no comment to make on these latest remarks by alec baldwin. but as

previously said, they are keeping an open mind as to charges as far as everyone is concerned on the set that's there. everyone is concerned on the set that's there-— if you want to get in touch with me i'm on twitter — @bbckarishma you're watching newsday on the bbc. still to come on the programme. we're on board one of america's aircraft carriers — as itjoined up with allies in asia with political focus around china's intentions towards taiwan. it's quite clear that the worst victims of this disaster are the poor people living in the slums which have sprung up around the factory. we feel so helpless. the children are dying in front

of me and i can't do anything. charles manson is the mystical leader of the hippie cult suspected of killing sharon tate and at least six other people in los angeles. at 11 o'clock this morning, - just half a metre of rock separated britain from continental europe. it took the drills just i a few moments to cut through the final obstacle, then philippe cossette, i a miner from calais, _ was shaking hands and exchanging flags with his opposite number from dover. . this is newsday on the bbc. our main story.

the women's tennis association has suspended all tournaments in china saying it has serious doubts that chinese tennis star, peng shuai, is "free, safe and not subject to intimidation". in other headlines — the us supreme court has begun hearing arguments in the most important case on abortion rights for half a century. the court is considering a law in the state of mississippi, which bans terminations, after 15 weeks. a ruling isn't expected until next summer, but if the court, which is dominated byjustices with a conservative mindset, finds in mississippi's favour, its expected dozens of other states could ban or restrict abortions. our correspondent sophie long sent this report. singing. this is a regular scene outside the last remaining abortion clinic in the state of mississippi. it is murder, murdering children is according

children is wrong, according to the law in the bible. the difficult decision women who come here have made, is judged very publicly. this is the front line in a bitter battle that has gone on for decades. mississippi is trying to ban abortions after 15 weeks. if the supreme court rules in its favour, it will roll back the law that has been in place for over half a century, known as roe versus wade. it is people in the poorest communities that will feel the impact the most. we are going out in the community... the students are spreading the anti—abortion message. they want it banned without the exception of incest or rape and lydia knows how that feels. i was in that situation. i was scared, i was thinking, you know what, even if i am, it is amazing that there is possibility of a baby inside of me.

even with the law still intact, many have been forced to travel thousands of miles from states like texas after abortion is banned from six weeks, two more liberal states to access the care they need. one 19—year—old has come across half the country from houston to seattle. she was assaulted, did a pregnancy test that was negative, but over the coming weeks her body continue to change. i was scared, i don't want any memory of that day, any affection to that person. any connection to that person. i could not get any help for the pain i was going through. ijust had to suffer in silence. when people are controlling women's fertility and pregnant's fertility under the guise they are trying to protect their health, they are controlling that person's basic human rights and dignity. and that is a form

of human rights abuse. the supreme court's decision will likely not come until next summer. over the coming months, many will pray and others will hope it goes their side's way. sophie long, bbc news, seattle. i want to bring you a special report now. for months — china has been probing taiwan's airspace — leading to speculation, it could be preparing to attack, or even invade the island. all of this raising concerns amongst asian and american officials alike — of increased instability in the region. the commander of the us 7th fleet — has been talking to our correspondent ruperet wingfield hayes during navy exercises with allies — on board the uss carl vinson. a pair of us stealth jets streaks past the aircraft carrier carl vinson in a mock attack formation. this is a show for tv cameras. it's also a message for america's adversaries. so by my estimation,

we are now somewhere about 500km off the coast of japan, somewhere near the island of iwojima, which of course was the island site of a very bloody battle between the americans and the japanese in the final months of world war ii. today, the us and japan sail together as allies, facing the new challenge from china. and to do that, america has brought its very latest aircraft. the noise when the aircraft takes off is just incredible. it goes right through your body. the f35—c is the us navy's newest, most advanced and of course most expensive fighter aircraft. this is its first deployment outside the us and there is no surprise it has been sent here to the western pacific. for months, china has been sending dozens of military aircraft to probe the airspace around taiwan. in a shanghai shipyard, they are preparing to launch

china's first super carrier and in the deserts of western china, they are building a full scale replicas of us aircraft carriers to practise sinking them. the response from the us commander here was that no—one should underestimate the resolve of the us navy and its allies. the motto of this ship means strength from the sea. and the motto of the us under ronald reagan is peace through strength. and through strength, as we try to deter aggression from some of these nations that are showing a burgeoning strength, that maybe we haven't experienced in the past, it's about ensuring that everyone understands that today is not the day. many are predicting that china will soon overtake american naval power in asia and that taiwan will have to submit to that new reality. the message from the us navy

is that it is still by far the best in the world at doing this. and any adversary is very cognisant of that fact. rupert whitfield hayes, bbc news, on the uss carl vinson. an art installation — depicting a traditional irish pub — has been unveiled as the winner of this year's turner prize. our correspondent david sillito reports from the awards ceremony in coventry in central england. the winner of the turner prize 2021... and it is... array collective. array collective, a group of artists and activists from northern ireland whose turn a prize—winning artwork is more than just a pub, whose turner prize—winning artwork is more than just a pub, it is a symbolic place of good—natured debate and sang tree it is a symbolic place

of good—natured debate and sanctury from sectarian conflict. this is your shebeen, your pub, but it is more than that, it has a political overtone to it? we don't all agree on everything and the communities we are within and represented, don't agree on everything but we still agree to have a laugh together. array collective origins lie in progressive and liberal campaigns, creating banners and costumes for street protests and rallies. in an attempt to bring art to a less combative mood to the street theatre of northern ireland politics. we come at it from a point of view to come at it from a humourous point of view than an aggressive point of view. you can challenge the conversation to humour, rather than aggression. bringing a bit of civility to the debate? and the human connection. this is more thanjust a little drinking den, it is a desire to bring to our politics, some of the gentle warmth and conviviality of a friendly pub. david sillitoe, bbc news, coventry. that's all for now —

stay with bbc world news. hello. the cold air is back. thursday gets off to a chilly start with a wide spread frost and temperatures won't crawl up too far for the day despite a lot of sunshine on offer. the cold air has come chasing down through these isobars all the way from close to the arctic circle, sweeping its way right to south across the uk. overnight starting to plunge down into the continent through thursday. we are all in the arctic air and we will all feel it thanks to a cold northerly breeze. where we've seen some showers overnight there will be a risk of ice to start us off on thursday. as i said, a widespread frost. further showers across eastern scotland, eastern counties of england through the day, a few as well across the west coast of wales particularly i think through pembrookshire pushing down

through devon and cornwall, eastern scotland. perhaps clearing come the afternoon. but it's cold in the sunshine. highs ofjust three or a. sunshine a bit milkier for northern ireland through the afternoon. that is because this weather system will be starting to work its way in. as it runs into the cold air there could be some snow for a time but it will tend to turn back to reign as the air coming in behind this band of rain is relatively mild. actually, temperatures at the end of friday nights higher than those we will see through thursday daytime. and on into friday daytime and we will have some rain around for southern and eastern england to start the day, we will get some brightness for scotland and northern ireland, they'll be a few showers on and off here. just some question to the south of the uk weather this rain could push in through friday afternoon. we will certainly keep a lot of cloud generally across england and wales but temperatures perhaps 11, i2 . it's certainly milder than thursday. to the north, five, six, seven. for the weekend the chill returns.

perhaps not quite as cold as thursday but once again will pick up a northwesterly breeze. for saturday i think that's going to bring in some quite plentiful showers across northern island heading into north wales down into the midlands. temperatures, six or 7 but it will feel cooler in the breeze. sunday is a very similar story but i think we can erase some of the showers from our picture. still some for weston exposures of wales, and a northerly breeze. so really adding to the chillier feel.

this is bbc news, the headlines.

the women's tennis association says it is suspending all tournaments in china. it comes after chinese tennis star peng shuai disappeared from public view for three weeks after she accused a top official of sexual assault. the first case of the omicron variant has been reported in california. the chief medical advisor, antony fauci, says it was �*just a matter of time' before the new variant was found in the united states. the us actor alec baldwin has given his first interview since a gun he was holding on a film set went off — killing cinematographer halyna hutchin. he said he did not pull the trigger on the gun. abortion law in america is facing its toughest challenge in a generation. the supreme court has started to hear arguments in a case that could overturn a landmark ruling from 1973 that gave women the constitutional right to abortion.