tonight at ten... footage emerges of senior downing street staffjoking this fictional party was a business meeting! and it was not socially distanced. the video, obtained by itv news, shows the then director of communications allegra stratton doing a mock press conference three days before christmas. downing street has again insisted there was no christmas party and covid rules have been followed at all times, but the labour leader says the prime minister must tell the truth and apologise. they're treating the public with contempt. the prime minister needs to step up, accept what happens and apologise.

there is fury in westminster tonight, at number 10's laughter about covid rules as the rest of the country locked down. also on the programme tonight: the united kingdow now has more confirmed cases of the covid omicron variant than anywhere else in europe, with more than 100 confirmed cases in the past 2a hours alone. the government defends itself after claims its evacuation of people from afghanistan was chaotic and dysfunctional. and two hours to go until the ashes get under way as england take on australia in brisbane. and coming up in the sport on the bbc news channel, kyle walker sees red as manchester city lose their final group game in the champions league, beaten in germany by rb leipzig. good evening. a video has emerged showing senior

number 10 staffjoking about holding a christmas party in downing street last year when tight covid restrictions were in place. number 10 continues to deny that a party took place. but the footage obtained by itv news shows the prime minister's then spokesperson, allegra stratton, rehearsing at a mock press c0 nfe re nce . she laughs as she tries to work out how to answer a question about whether a party took place on the 18th of december, two days after london had moved into tier 3 restrictions, which meant indoor social gatherings were banned. only six people could meet in outdoor public spaces, and the government guidance specifically stated no work christmas lunch or parties. tonight the labour leader keir starmer has accused the prime minister of "taking the public for fools" and treating them with "contempt". 0ur political editor laura kuennsberg reports. i was told tonight this is

absolutely astonishing. the current serving minister has told me it is appalling. a senior backbencher has said this could be catastrophic for the government. memberfor the said this could be catastrophic for the government. member for the last week, downing street has been refusing to give more details of exactly what happened months ago. and remember too the context of the time. when this event took place on the 18th of december, the country was again in a land where covid was taking a grip. the public were again being instructed by the prime minister that everybody was going to have to take more precautions, the country was to be locked down again, people were no longer going to be able to see their relatives. and yet tonight this video emerges showing what was going on behind closed doors in number 10, notjust talking about the gathering that did take place, but seeming to laugh about exactly what had unfolded, and consider how they might explain it if the news ever got out. party? what party? the party that

number 10 said it didn't happen. the building where borisjohnson said tight covid rules were always followed. the party last year that a guest told us had food, drinks and games, and the party we now seem to see downing street staffjoking about a few days later. this was a practice press conference for allegra stratton, just tired at the prime minister's press spokesperson. i'vejust seen reports prime minister's press spokesperson. i've just seen reports on twitter that there — i've just seen reports on twitter that there was a downing street party— that there was a downing street party last friday night. i that there was a downing street party last friday night.— party last friday night. i went home! in _ party last friday night. i went home! in a — party last friday night. i went home! in a video _ party last friday night. i went home! in a video obtained . party last friday night. i went home! in a video obtained by| party last friday night. i went. home! in a video obtained by itv news, home! in a video obtained by itv news. laughing _ home! in a video obtained by itv news, laughing in _ home! in a video obtained by itv news, laughing in response - home! in a video obtained by itv news, laughing in response to i news, laughing in response to questions from an adviser, ed oldfield, questions from an adviser, ed 0ldfield, about the downing street drinks. oldfield, about the downing street drinks. ~ ., �* , oldfield, about the downing street drinks. ~ ., v ., , oldfield, about the downing street drinks. ~ . �*, ., , oldfield, about the downing street drinrs-_ i don't! drinks. what's the answer? i don't know! is cheese _ drinks. what's the answer? i don't know! is cheese and _ drinks. what's the answer? i don't know! is cheese and wine - drinks. what's the answer? i don't know! is cheese and wine ok! - drinks. what's the answer? i don't know! is cheese and wine ok! at | drinks. what's the answer? i don'tj know! is cheese and wine ok! at a time when — know! is cheese and wine ok! at a time when socialising _ know! is cheese and wine ok! at a time when socialising for - know! is cheese and wine ok! at a time when socialising for everyone was meant to be strictly off—limits. this fictional party was a business meeting. and it was not socially

distanced! . ., ., , ., distanced! the fictional party was a business meeting, _ distanced! the fictional party was a business meeting, she _ distanced! the fictional party was a business meeting, she says, - distanced! the fictional party was a i business meeting, she says, laughing about the office that was making the rules, not following them. in the real world outside number 10, pubs had been closed, socialising was strictly off—limits as covid took hold again. lockdown was back. there were fines for holding parties. and on that day, 562 people lost their lives to the virus.— on that day, 562 people lost their lives to the virus. three, two, one! the problem _ lives to the virus. three, two, one! the problem for _ lives to the virus. three, two, one! the problem for boris _ lives to the virus. three, two, one! the problem for boris johnson - lives to the virus. three, two, one! the problem for boris johnson 12 i the problem for borisjohnson 12 months on was notjust a few dozen of his staff got together, nor the laughter about it now revealed, but that all week he hasn't been straight about exactly what went on. this was prime minister's questions a week yesterday, a notable non—denial. mil a week yesterday, a notable non-denial.— a week yesterday, a notable non-denial. all guidance was followed completely - non-denial. all guidance was followed completely during l non-denial. all guidance was - followed completely during number 10... pa, followed completely during number 10... �* ., ., followed completely during number 10. .. a refusal to give more detail on friday- — 10. .. a refusal to give more detail on friday- we _ 10. .. a refusal to give more detail on friday. we followed _ 10. .. a refusal to give more detail on friday. we followed the - 10. .. a refusal to give more detail. on friday. we followed the guidance throu~hout on friday. we followed the guidance throughout and _ on friday. we followed the guidance throughout and continue _ on friday. we followed the guidance throughout and continue to - on friday. we followed the guidance throughout and continue to follow i throughout and continue to follow it. �* ., ., ., alll

throughout and continue to follow it-_ all i can! it. and then again today. all i can tell ou it. and then again today. all i can tell you is — it. and then again today. all i can tell you is that _ it. and then again today. all i can tell you is that all— it. and then again today. all i can tell you is that all the _ it. and then again today. all i can tell you is that all the guidelines | tell you is that all the guidelines were observed. but tell you is that all the guidelines were observed.— tell you is that all the guidelines were observed. �* ., ., ., were observed. but tonight, outrage from the opposition. _ were observed. but tonight, outrage from the opposition. last _ were observed. but tonight, outrage from the opposition. last year - were observed. but tonight, outrage from the opposition. last year at - from the opposition. last year at christmas. _ from the opposition. last year at christmas, the _ from the opposition. last year at christmas, the public _ from the opposition. last year at christmas, the public follow - from the opposition. last year at christmas, the public follow the | christmas, the public follow the rules, _ christmas, the public follow the rules, and — christmas, the public follow the rules, and many of them didn't see their— rules, and many of them didn't see their loved — rules, and many of them didn't see their loved ones over christmas. some _ their loved ones over christmas. some of— their loved ones over christmas. some of them didn't see their loved ones again — some of them didn't see their loved ones again. they had the right to expect— ones again. they had the right to expect the — ones again. they had the right to expect the government to follow the rules. _ expect the government to follow the rules, and _ expect the government to follow the rules, and we now know the government broke the rules, they partied, _ government broke the rules, they partied, and now they're laughing about— partied, and now they're laughing about it — partied, and now they're laughing about it. they're treating the public — about it. they're treating the public with contempt.- about it. they're treating the public with contempt. boris johnson has tried to lead _ public with contempt. boris johnson has tried to lead us _ public with contempt. boris johnson has tried to lead us a _ public with contempt. boris johnson has tried to lead us a merry - public with contempt. boris johnson has tried to lead us a merry dance, | has tried to lead us a merry dance, tried _ has tried to lead us a merry dance, tried to _ has tried to lead us a merry dance, tried to claim — has tried to lead us a merry dance, tried to claim that _ has tried to lead us a merry dance, tried to claim that these _ has tried to lead us a merry dance, tried to claim that these things - tried to claim that these things didh't— tried to claim that these things didn't happen _ tried to claim that these things didn't happen. his— tried to claim that these things didn't happen. his position, i. tried to claim that these things - didn't happen. his position, i would have to _ didn't happen. his position, i would have to say, — didn't happen. his position, i would have to say, is _ didn't happen. his position, i would have to say, is untenable. - didn't happen. his position, i would have to say, is untenable. near- have to say, is untenable. near auiet have to say, is untenable. near quiet from _ have to say, is untenable. near quiet from number _ have to say, is untenable. near quiet from number 10 - have to say, is untenable. near quiet from number 10 itself - have to say, is untenable.— quiet from number 10 itself tonight, a statement only. as we have repeatedly stated, there was no christmas party. covid rules have been followed at all times. but there is genuine concern in the tory party itself. can that position hold through a silent night? so, downing street said there was no christmas party again. what now? i’m street said there was no christmas party again. what now?— street said there was no christmas

party again. what now? i'm not sure that that line — party again. what now? i'm not sure that that line is _ party again. what now? i'm not sure that that line is going _ party again. what now? i'm not sure that that line is going to _ party again. what now? i'm not sure that that line is going to be - party again. what now? i'm not sure that that line is going to be able - that that line is going to be able to hold because there are such disquiet about this, not just the opposition parties of course jumping at the opportunity to turn up and crank up the pressure on boris johnson over this again, but also inside his own party on his own back benches behind him, when he will be at prime minister's questions tomorrow, there are many people i have spoken to tonight who are really furious at what has happened, and one whitehall source identified several reasons, all of which make this very difficult for boris johnson indeed. first they suggest that it looks hypocritical. second of all it suggests that the downing street operation was so shambolic that the prime minister didn't even know what was really going on under his own roof. and thirdly, of course the suggestion about how members of the suggestion about how members of the public will react to this. most poignantly, of course, people who weren't able to see sick relatives, who may not have been able to say farewell perhaps to relatives who lost their lives to the virus during that period, but also people who had a really hard time at christmas last

year, but did stick to the rules, even though it was a tough and sometimes heartbreaking thing to do. downing street for seven days now have been putting theirfingers in their ears and trying to hope that this would all go away. this footage i think emerging in the way it has tonight blows that hope apart, and i think the government may well be in for a very difficult day on this tomorrow. for a very difficult day on this tomorrow— for a very difficult day on this tomorrow. , ., . ., ., ., ., tomorrow. our political editor laura kuenssberg, thank _ tomorrow. our political editor laura kuenssberg, thank you. _ the united kingdom has now registered 437 confirmed cases of the 0micron variant of coronavirus — that's more than anywhere else in europe. northern ireland has recorded its first three cases today. this morning the prime minister told the cabinet that early evidence pointed to the 0micron variant being more transmissible than its predecessors. but there's still no evidence yet that it will lead to more hospitalisations and deaths. here's our health correspondentjim reed. dozens here at sandown racecourse have been queueing in the rain for their booster jabs. ministers have said they want to put

the vaccine programme "on steroids" to better protect people from 0micron this winter. there's mounting evidence the new variant is spreading in the uk. in scotland, there have now been 99 confirmed cases — still small numbers overall, but a tenfold increase injust a week. the first minister urged more working from home and said other covid restrictions would be reviewed on a daily basis. given the nature of transmission, i would expect to see a continued and potentially rapid rise in cases in the days ahead, and for 0micron to account for a rising share of overall cases. how fast is omicron l spreading, minister? meanwhile, at a cabinet meeting in downing street, ministers were told that early indications suggest 0micron is more transmissible than the existing delta version. an analysis of new data in england appears to show it could be spreading at least three times as fast as the older variant. scientists say these numbers are based on very early data and could be an overestimate.

but, at that speed, 0micron could become the dominant form of the virus in the uk within weeks. i think what will almost certainly happen is we will be faced with a very large number of omicron cases. the thing we don't know is how many of those will go on to become severely ill, and even if that's a very small proportion, which is what we hope at the moment, it could still lead to problems because, basically, a small proportion of a very large number of infections could still lead to a large number of hospitalisations. vaccinations are the best form of prevention... - santa meets spandau ballet in this new add campaign, part of a drive to accelerate booster jabs. it's still very early but it is thought vaccines will continue to protect most people from any severe disease caused by omicron. much tougher covid restriction still look unlikely in england before christmas, as investigations into the new variant continue. jim reed, bbc news.

the latest coronavirus figures for the uk show there were 45,691 new infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period — that's lower than yesterday but still higher than this time last week. on average, there werejust over a8,000 new cases reported per day in the seven days. the latest figures show there were 7,317 people in hospital being treated for coronavirus on monday — that's slightly lower than a week ago. 180 deaths were recorded, that's of people who died within 28 days of a positive covid—19 test. on average in the past week, 122 covid—related deaths were recorded every day. on vaccinations, nearly 21 million people have now had a boosterjab. how should britain deal with the challenge of the omicron variant? with different restrictions in different parts of the united kingdom, what does the public think is the right response? our home editor mark easton has been assessing the national mood. christmas is coming.

but so too, we are told, is omicron, the latest covid variant. so after 2020's festivities were thrown into disarray, by those last—minute restrictions, how do people feel about christmas this year, with omicron cases now rising so fast? we have assembled a cross—section of people with the help of pollsters ipsos mori. welcome, one and all. i thought we would start by getting a sense of how excited or worried you are about christmas 2021. how are you all feeling? we cancelled our christmas dinner last year. there's no way we will cancel it this year. we've aready bought all the food. we used to go to a winter wonderland, which was, like, all rides. it was extremely busy. this year, i've chosen not to do that, because i don't want to expose them to covid and to ruin our family time over christmas. i live my life now more scared that somebody else is going to impact my family christmas, i live in fear that i'm going to get that nhs ping. ipsos mori conducted some polling

to assess the nation's mood. 80% say they are concerned about the covid risks to the country. just 18% say they are not concerned. we don't know how dangerous omicron is going to be. but i wanted to know whether you think we've got the restrictions about right, are they actually too tough, or should we be bringing even more in? i'm quite upset about the fact they haven't toughened down on the masks. so you would like to see even tougher restrictions? we have to see tougher restrictions, just to make sure everyone is safe. because you'd rather be safe than sorry. for me personally, i think everybody should kind of, like, judge their own risk on an individual level. you care about your liberties? you can't keep locking down, and the restrictions, looking at europe, some of the restrictions seem quite scary and authoritarian. if a new variant comes up, does that just mean that we are going to be i going towards lockdown again? at some point we need to find a way lto live with these various variants. i ipsos mori also asked

about restrictions. 63% said we should do whatever is necessary to prevent spread and reduce deaths, the highest proportion since the pandemic began. 21% said controls should be relaxed. i think people have lost respect and if you have lost respect, you've lost them. what did our panel think about the rumours of a christmas party in downing street last year? i completely believe about the party that politicians had. because it's one rule for them, as we saw early on last year with the visit to the castle, and another rule for us. the way that they've dismissed it now, i retrospectively, is disgraceful. you know, they are treating us like idiots, really. _ how can you expect the public to take your recommendation seriously, if you flaunt the rules yourself? thank you for your thoughts. and however you end up spending it, i wish you a very peaceful, and hopefully joyful festive period. so, happy christmas to you all. all: happy christmas! mark easton, bbc news.

the government has been defending the evacuation from afghanistan this summer as the taliban took over — after a whistle blower called it dysfunctional and chaotic. raphael marshall told mps that it was clear some of those left behind had since been murdered by the taliban. he says thousands of emails pleading for british help went unread, and that the foreign secretary at the time — dominic raab — was slow to make decisions. mr raab has denied the claims. here's our diplomatic correspondent james landale. kabul airport last summer as thousands sought to flee the advancing taliban. amid chaotic scenes, britain and other western powers tried to evacuate those they could, but according to a whistle—blower there was chaos in london, too. the foreign office crisis centre was handling requests

from afghans who were at risk because of the links to the uk. a young official working there said the process of choosing who could be evacuated was arbitrary and dysfunctional. he said up to 150,000 people applied for evacuation, but he estimated fewer than 5% of these people have received any assistance. it is clear that some of the those left behind have since been murdered by the taliban. one weekend in august, when these afghans were trying to get out, mr marshall said there was too few staff. and one afternoon, he was the only person monitoring e—mails. he also said dominic raab delayed taking decisions until he had all the facts set out in a well presented tables, an interpretation that dominic raab disputed. in an interpretation that dominic raab dis - uted. , an interpretation that dominic raab disuted. , ., an interpretation that dominic raab disuted. , , ., ., disputed. in terms of presentation, of course, disputed. in terms of presentation, of course. with _

disputed. in terms of presentation, of course, with the _ disputed. in terms of presentation, of course, with the volume - disputed. in terms of presentation, of course, with the volume of- disputed. in terms of presentation, l of course, with the volume of claims coming in, i make no apology for saying that i needed the clear facts for each case presented a precisely so that we could make swift decisions.— so that we could make swift decisions. ~ ., ., ., , ~ so that we could make swift decisions. ~ ., ., ., , ,, ., , decisions. would already knew many afr hans decisions. would already knew many afghans had — decisions. would already knew many afghans had struggled _ decisions. would already knew many afghans had struggled to _ decisions. would already knew many afghans had struggled to get - decisions. would already knew many afghans had struggled to get in - afghans had struggled to get in contact with the foreign office here. mps had raised many cases. what the evidence does is tell us what was going on inside. it is a story of a system thatjust what was going on inside. it is a story of a system that just was what was going on inside. it is a story of a system thatjust was not working. this afternoon, mps got to ask the men responsible live. if this is not what failure looks like, and i will come into the specifics of why i think they failed in this, what does failure look like? this i what does failure look like? as i sa , we what does failure look like? as i say, we successfully _ what does failure look like? as i say, we successfully evacuated 15.000~~ _ say, we successfully evacuated 15.000. - -_ say, we successfully evacuated 15,000... no, this is about the s stem, 15,000... no, this is about the system. the — 15,000. .. no, this is about the system, the bureaucratic- 15,000... no, this is about the system, the bureaucratic civil l system, the bureaucratic civil service system that should be run as a proper crisis centre, fully staffed. ~ . .. a proper crisis centre, fully staffed. ~ . ., ., a proper crisis centre, fully staffed. ~ . . ., . , , a proper crisis centre, fully staffed. . . ., ., . , , . staffed. we declared a crisis. we went through _ staffed. we declared a crisis. we went through the _ staffed. we declared a crisis. we went through the gears - staffed. we declared a crisis. we went through the gears are - staffed. we declared a crisis. we l went through the gears are putting more _ went through the gears are putting more people in. us went through the gears are putting more people in-— more people in. us were going on hohda more people in. us were going on holiday for— more people in. us were going on holiday for it _ more people in. us were going on holiday for 11 days _ more people in. us were going on holiday for 11 days during -

more people in. us were going on holiday for 11 days during the - holiday for 11 days during the crisis, the same time as the foreign secretary... irate crisis, the same time as the foreign secretary- - -— secretary... we have reflected on that, ifi secretary... we have reflected on that, if i had _ secretary... we have reflected on that, if i had my _ secretary... we have reflected on that, if i had my time _ secretary... we have reflected on that, if i had my time again, - secretary. .. we have reflected on that, if! had my time again, i- that, if i had my time again, i would — that, if i had my time again, i would come _ that, if i had my time again, i would come back— that, if i had my time again, i would come back from - that, if i had my time again, ii would come back from earlier. that, if i had my time again, i- would come back from earlier. what ofthe would come back from earlier. what of the animals _ would come back from earlier. what of the animals rescued _ would come back from earlier. of the animals rescued from the charity in kabul, given, some claim, priority over human beings? mr marshall said this was at the prime minister's instruction. downing street said that wasn't true. mr johnson said... street said that wasn't true. mr johnson said. . ._ street said that wasn't true. mr johnson said... that is complete nonsense- _ johnson said. .. that is complete nonsense- i— johnson said... that is complete nonsense. i can _ johnson said. .. that is complete nonsense. i can tell— johnson said... that is complete nonsense. i can tell you - johnson said... that is complete nonsense. i can tell you that - johnson said... that is complete nonsense. i can tell you that i i nonsense. i can tell you that i think— nonsense. i can tell you that i think the _ nonsense. i can tell you that i think the operation _ nonsense. i can tell you that i think the operation to - think the operation to airlift 15,000 _ think the operation to airlift 15.000 people _ think the operation to airlift 15,000 people out- think the operation to airlift 15,000 people out of- think the operation to airlift 15,000 people out of kabul| think the operation to airlift i 15,000 people out of kabul in think the operation to airlift - 15,000 people out of kabul in the way that— 15,000 people out of kabul in the way that we — 15,000 people out of kabul in the way that we did _ 15,000 people out of kabul in the way that we did over— 15,000 people out of kabul in the way that we did over the - 15,000 people out of kabul in the way that we did over the summer| 15,000 people out of kabul in the - way that we did over the summer was one of— way that we did over the summer was one of the _ way that we did over the summer was one of the outstanding _ way that we did over the summer was one of the outstanding military- one of the outstanding military achievements _ one of the outstanding military achievements of— one of the outstanding military achievements of the _ one of the outstanding military achievements of the last - one of the outstanding military achievements of the last 50 i one of the outstanding military- achievements of the last 50 years. but a _ achievements of the last 50 years. but a ietter— achievements of the last 50 years. but a letter emerged _ achievements of the last 50 years. but a letter emerged tonight - achievements of the last 50 years. but a letter emerged tonight from | achievements of the last 50 years. i but a letter emerged tonight from mr johnson's than parliamentary aides suggesting that she, at least, was involved in facilitating the animal rescues. what both government and whistle—blower agree is that not enough people were evacuated. and there are many afghans with links to britain still not free to leave, still not free from danger.

let's join our afghanistan correpsondent secunder kermani, who's in kabul this evening. how much do we know about the fate of those people who asked for help and didn't get it?— and didn't get it? well, some of them have _ and didn't get it? well, some of them have reconciled _ and didn't get it? well, some of. them have reconciled themselves and didn't get it? well, some of- them have reconciled themselves to them have reconciled themselves to the idea of living under the taliban, but others are still looking for ways out, either because of the current economic crisis year, or fearing of the current economic crisis year, orfearing retribution of the current economic crisis year, or fearing retribution from the taliban stop amongst those stranded here is a former british army interpreter, who i have been in contact with. he is living in hiding. he has submitted his application months ago, but has yet to receive any response. i understand some of the interpreters have been evacuated in recent weeks. the process has been particularly difficult for those afghans that were not directly employed by the british or other foreign british or otherforeign governments, but who british or other foreign governments, but who played important roles in civil society, journalists, activists. many of them have travelled across the border to pakistan, on short—term visas,

helping them to find western countries they can travel on to. but many are really struggling to get any results with that. the british government had announced a policy to accept up to 20,000 vulnerable afghans over the next five years. applications for that has not yet started. as for reports of killings, it has been hard to verify incidents. we know of at least one incidents. we know of at least one incident where an individual who used to work for security forces linked to britain was killed, however. linked to britain was killed, however-— the government has apologised to the victims of the grenfell tower fire at the public inquiry. the apology came as it admitted a series of failings in overseeing building safety in the years leading up to the disaster that claimed 72 lives. our correspondent tom symonds reports. the aftermath of worst fire in british history. within a day the government announced a public inquiry into this disaster. now, nearly four and a half years later, there is an apology. the department is deeply sorry

for its past failures in relation to the oversight of the system that regulated safety in the construction and refurbishment of high rise buildings. it apologises to the bereaved residents and survivors of the fire for such failures. but those who escaped the fire described this statement as deeply offensive. i believe there were a series of 999 calls, effectively, to the government, that they chose not to act on. there were repeated fires. you know, knowsley heights, garnock court and, in 2009, lakanal house. these were all opportunities for the government to take robust action to fortify the regulations. they chose not to do that. grenfell made the government realise thousands of homes needed to be made safe. today, it admitted not making sure

the building industry was sticking to the building regulations. if it had, the government barrister said... a large scale cladding fire could—not have happened. but were the regulations themselves... well, safe? the bbc tested the grenfell cladding in 2018. it's highly flammable. yet it had the highest british rating for fire safety. one section of the regulations said it could be used on tall buildings. another was not so clear. so, it's disputed. the inquiry will decide. a bombshell has just been dropped on us, with this cladding. whoever is to blame, the crisis has left an estimated 500,000 people facing debt to pay for the removal of dangerous materials. it's cost the government half a billion pounds. this tragedy has already led to some change. a new watchdog has been created. the regulations have been tightened up. but grenfell�*s aftermath is not over yet. tom symons, bbc news.

she is the first woman to be prime minister of samoa in the south pacific. fiame naomi mata'afa has been in politics since the age of 27. and she's just been named on the bbc�*s list of the 100 most inspiring and influential women from across the globe. megha mohan has been talking to her. samoa, in the south pacific. one of the many island nations where climate change is an imminent threat. this village was settled along this beachfront. but you will see now that most of the village have relocated to higher ground. samoa's first female prime minister, fiame naomi mata'afa, is on the front line. as things stand, her island is projected to experience a sea—level rise of up to 15 centimetres by 2030. she believes the global response to tackling covid could be a blueprint for the climate crisis. that's a very clear example of what we can do

when they are pushed to act. how do we capture that sense of urgency? and the needed collaboration for climate change? neighbouring pacific island fiji became the first in the world to introduce a climate relocation fund. tukuraki was the first of non—coastal village to be permanently moved. liti is from there. a landslide and two cyclones obliterated her previous home and liti sheltered in this cave during extreme weather events. liti, this is the cave where you stayed? although liti now has a new home, she still keeps supplies in the cave as insurance. across the world, its estimated one person a second

is forced to flee their home because of climate—related weather events. that number is alarming. it is three times as many people that were displaced by war and conflict. back in samoa, the prime minister says climate issues are a problem notjust for governments, but for humanity. it's not rocket science. no—one else will save us. we have to save ourselves. the un has said 97% of the pacific island population is vulnerable to sea—level rise, on account of living close to the coast. success or failures of climate talks will be seen here first. samoa will be a bellwether for the planet's future. megha mohan, bbc news. there's test cricket and then there's ashes cricket — those are the words of england'sjoe root as the team prepare to take on their arch rivals australia tonight in brisbane. england have a tough task ahead. it's a decade since they last won, in australia asjoe wilson reports.

right then, brisbane. it's almost with us, let's see those flames. well, perhaps the match to really light the fire. this, in fact, has been the story of england's time in australia thus far — meaningful practice has been largely impossible because of the weather. that's helpful! remember, of the past ten test matches they've played in australia, england have won precisely none. australia's new captain has just had time to get his blazer fitted. two weeks in the job, he doesn't seem intimidated — yet. i hope that i'll stay relaxed. i think it's when i play my best cricket. i think most people play their best when they're relaxed and focused. hopefully we can keep that. the bunch of guys we've got are just a fantastic bunch. well, ben stokes should disrupt the harmony —

restored for england, both mentally and physically. the eternaljames anderson is being rested for the first test but he is fit, england say. you could imagine little has changed. but, of course, so much has. the racial bullying and harassment of azeem rafiq casts grave issues over the integrity and inclusivity of english cricket, in yorkshire specifically but across the game generally. england's captain knows the context. it's obviously been very difficult, but ultimately, when you're out here, you're looking to concentrate on the job at hand and we throw everything into that. but also address what's happening and hopefully we can, you know, from it we can move forward as a sport _ at midnight, we can forget the hype. weather permitting, it begins. right now, it's all level and everything's friendly. sooner or later, both those situations will change. joe wilson, bbc news. that's it. good night.

this is bbc news, the headlines. president biden has told vladimir putin of his deep concern about russia's build—up of forces near ukraine and warned of strong economic sanctions in the event of military escalation. during a two—hour virtual summit, mr biden reiterated his support for ukraine's sovereignty. it's emerged that senior number ten staffjoked about holding a christmas party in breach of covid restrictions. it comes just four days after a controversial drinks party is alleged to have taken place in downing street last december. a saudi man suspected of involvement in the murder of the saudi journalist jamal khashoggi has been arrested at a paris airport. he faces extradition to turkey. donald trump's longtime former adviser steve bannon is to go on trial injuly. he's facing criminal charges over his defiance of congressional inquiry into the deadly attacks on the us capitol injanuary.