good morning. welcome to breakfast with ben thompson and katherine downes. our headlines today: further accusations of rule breaking after this picture shows the prime minister did take part in a virtual christmas quiz during lockdown last year. a boost for the booster programme as over 30—year—olds can book theirjabs tomorrow but there are warnings that without further restrictions, the uk could face a record wave of infections. more than 100 people may have died after powerful tornadoes hit six us states and reduced whole towns to rubble. one of the greatest formula one seasons comes to a climax today. it's winner takes all in abu dhabi

with lewis hamilton chasing max verstappen who's in pole position. a much milderfeeling to proceedings across the uk today, but northern part is experiencing some low pressure later on. i will be back with the details. it's sunday, 12th december. our main story: the prime minister is facing further questions this morning about christmas gatherings at downing street a year ago, after a photo emerged of him taking part in a quiz. the picture, obtained by the sunday mirror, shows borisjohnson sitting next to two colleagues, at a time when social mixing between households was banned in london. downing street says he briefly attended the event, which was held virtually. our political correspondent chris mason reports. take a look at this. it's december

15 last year, inside ten downing st. borisjohnson is hosting a round of a staff christmas quiz. to my colleagues are either side of him, one with tinsel wrapped around him. some staff took part virtually from home. others from around the building. a numberten home. others from around the building. a number ten spokesman told the bbc: the bbc had already reported that invitations for the quiz were sent out in advance of via email, and many people walk christmas jumpers for the day. one source said people didn't seem to realise how ridiculous it was at the time. maybe my�*s deputy leader angela rayner has accused the prime minister of being heavy to preside over a culture of

disregard for the rules at the heart of government, and claimed he was unfit to lead the country. for day after day, the prime minister and his team tried to brush off to deny reports of a party or get—togethers around government, when social mixing was burnt a year ago. this is the latest in a torrent of stories that suggests otherwise. chris mason, bbc news. people in england aged between 30 and 39 can book their booster jab from tomorrow. the acceleration of the vaccination programme comes as scientists warn that the uk could face record levels of infection without further restrictions. our reporter simonjones has more. it isa it is a national mission, the health secretary says, to getjabs into arms as quickly as possible. 22 million booster vaccinations have already been administered in the uk. it is important to get vaccinated so

we can get back to our normal, semi— normal life at the moment. it is normal life at the moment. it is basically because _ normal life at the moment. it is basically because of— normal life at the moment. it is basically because of this new come, it is more _ basically because of this new come, it is more worrying, i think, because _ it is more worrying, i think, because we don't know exactly what is going _ because we don't know exactly what is going to _ because we don't know exactly what is going to happen. so it is better 'ust is going to happen. so it is better just to _ is going to happen. so it is better just to be — is going to happen. so it is better just to be safe. fist is going to happen. so it is better just to be safe.— just to be safe. at the end of today i've not just to be safe. at the end of today we got kids _ just to be safe. at the end of today we got kids of _ just to be safe. at the end of today i've got kids of my _ just to be safe. at the end of today i've got kids of my own, _ just to be safe. at the end of today i've got kids of my own, so - just to be safe. at the end of today i've got kids of my own, so i - just to be safe. at the end of today i've got kids of my own, so i have i i've got kids of my own, so i have to myself— i've got kids of my own, so i have to myself to — i've got kids of my own, so i have to myself to protect _ i've got kids of my own, so i have to myself to protect my _ i've got kids of my own, so i have to myself to protect my family. . i've got kids of my own, so i have . to myself to protect my family. fromm to myself to protect my family. from tomorrow, to myself to protect my family. from tomorrow. the _ to myself to protect my family. from tomorrow, the national _ to myself to protect my family. tomorrow, the national booking system will be open to people in their 30s in england. they will be able to go online and book an appointment two months after receiving their second dose. that is a month in advance of becoming eligible for that top up. data from the uk health security agency suggests boosters give good protection against the new variant. government says there has never been a more important time to get a jab. a study from the london school of hygiene and tropical medicine has suggested the uk could face a substantial wave of omicron infections if there are no further restrictions, which might cause

between 25000 and 75,000 deaths in england by the end of april, depending how well the vaccines perform. but scientists say more data is needed before the true picture of weather uk is heading becomes clear. we picture of weather uk is heading becomes clear.— becomes clear. we have early evidence of— becomes clear. we have early evidence of vaccine _ becomes clear. we have early evidence of vaccine efficacy i becomes clear. we have early evidence of vaccine efficacy in j becomes clear. we have early - evidence of vaccine efficacy in the uk against omicron cases, and it does show that booster doses to provide a really substantial benefit. we don't know yet about the impacts on hospitalisations and deaths, but there is every reason to believe they would provide a real boost in terms of preventing those outcomes. ., ., ., , boost in terms of preventing those outcomes. ., ., .,, ,': :: :: :: outcomes. there are almost 3000 vaccination — outcomes. there are almost 3000 vaccination sites _ outcomes. there are almost 3000 vaccination sites in _ outcomes. there are almost 3000 vaccination sites in england. - outcomes. there are almost 3000| vaccination sites in england. labour is calling for pop—ups that sites to be put in shopping centres so that people can be boosted as they do their christmas shopping. simon jones, bbc news. the police watchdog is investigating the fatal shooting of a man by armed officers in london yesterday afternoon. officers were called to reports of a man with a firearm entering a bank and a bookmakers,

before stopping a suspect vehicle a short time later. the metropolitan police say the incident is not being treated as terrorism. the us presidentjoe biden has described the tornadoes that ripped through six states on friday night, as among the most devastating in the country's history. more than one hundred people are feared to have died in the storms and thousands more are without power and water. our us correspondent nomia iqbal reports from kentucky, where a state of emergency has been declared. the scale of the disruption has been extraordinary. in the dead of night, dark funnel clouds roared across six states and huge speeds. they tore through a part of more than 200 miles in kentucky, hitting the small town of mayfield hard. workers on christmas shifts at discount or factory were buried by several tornadoes that came hurtling in the

dark. it is thought up to 110 people were inside. {cf} dark. it is thought up to 110 people were inside-— were inside. 40 have made it out. this has been _ were inside. 40 have made it out. this has been the _ were inside. 40 have made it out. this has been the most _ were inside. 40 have made it out. | this has been the most devastating tornado event in our state's history, and for those that have seen it, but it has done here, and grace county and it is indescribable. ads, grace county and it is indescribable. �* , ., ., _ indescribable. a state of emergency has been declared _ indescribable. a state of emergency has been declared in _ indescribable. a state of emergency has been declared in kentucky, - indescribable. a state of emergency has been declared in kentucky, as l indescribable. a state of emergency has been declared in kentucky, as aj has been declared in kentucky, as a huge rescue operation gets under way. authorities are facing huge challenges. the police station in mayfield has been destroyed and firefighters have lost equipment. there is no power. nearly 200 troops from the national guard are helping and nearly half the population of this town are without electricity and water on one of the coldest months of the year. this used to be a petrol station, and the only reason we know that is because of a solitary petrol pump that is still standing in the middle of the forecourt. all the others have blown over. and the kiosk, where you go

into pay for your petrol, has completely disappeared. it is lost underneath all this rubble. in the southern state of arkansas, a nursing home was badly damaged, killing at least one person, injuring several, and trapping more than a dozen others inside. in the midwestern state of illinois, and amazon warehouse with up to 100 people inside was ripped apart after the roof partially collapsed. at least six people are dead. president biden has cold it an unimaginable tragedy. irate biden has cold it an unimaginable traced . ~ , ., �* biden has cold it an unimaginable traced .~ , .,�* ~ ., ., tragedy. we still don't know how many lives _ tragedy. we still don't know how many lives are _ tragedy. we still don't know how many lives are lost _ tragedy. we still don't know how many lives are lost or _ tragedy. we still don't know how many lives are lost or the - tragedy. we still don't know how many lives are lost or the full. many lives are lost or the full extent of the damage. but i want to emphasise what i told all the governors, the federal government will do everything it possibly can do to help. will do everything it possibly can do to help-— do to help. forecasters say the storm has _ do to help. forecasters say the storm has now— do to help. forecasters say the storm has now weakened, - do to help. forecasters say the storm has now weakened, but| storm has now weakened, but americans are being urged to get ready for more severe weather as the storms continue to sweep across the

country. nomia iqbal, bbc news, kentucky. foreign ministers from the world's most powerful nations, including the us, france and italy, are in liverpool this weekend, for their first face—to—face g7 meeting in two years. today, they're expected to warn iran that time is running out to rescue the nuclear deal. the pact would see economic sanctions on iran loosened, in return for curbs on its nuclear programme. space — it's the final frontier. but now, it's also a family affair. the daughter of the first us astronaut has followed in her father's footsteps, blasting off to the edge of space, 60 years after he made history. laura shepard—churchley, took off on—board a commercial aircraft which was named after her dad, and owned by amazon founder, jeff bezos. not about bad way to honour your

father, is it? adding up to the edge of space. father, is it? adding up to the edge of sace. . , ,, father, is it? adding up to the edge of sace. ., , ., ., of space. that is true. quite a lace to of space. that is true. quite a place to go- — of space. that is true. quite a place to go. but _ of space. that is true. quite a place to go. but there - of space. that is true. quite a place to go. but there are - of space. that is true. quite a i place to go. but there are more of space. that is true. quite a - place to go. but there are more and more people now able to do that, it is incredible, getting up to the edge of space. fist is incredible, getting up to the edge of space-— is incredible, getting up to the edge of space. is incredible, getting up to the edu-eofsace. �* ., ., edge of space. at what point do you aet ast edge of space. at what point do you get past the — edge of space. at what point do you get past the edge? _ edge of space. at what point do you get past the edge? at _ edge of space. at what point do you get past the edge? at what - edge of space. at what point do you get past the edge? at what point i edge of space. at what point do you | get past the edge? at what point are ou like, get past the edge? at what point are you like. we've _ get past the edge? at what point are you like, we've done _ get past the edge? at what point are you like, we've done that, _ get past the edge? at what point are you like, we've done that, we - get past the edge? at what point are you like, we've done that, we want l you like, we've done that, we want to go further. find you like, we've done that, we want to go further-— you like, we've done that, we want to go further. and do you need to go ast to go further. and do you need to go past the edge _ to go further. and do you need to go past the edge to _ to go further. and do you need to go past the edge to feel _ to go further. and do you need to go past the edge to feel the _ to go further. and do you need to go past the edge to feel the benefits i past the edge to feel the benefits of being in space?— past the edge to feel the benefits of being in space?_ i l of being in space? good point. i feelwe of being in space? good point. i feel we need — of being in space? good point. i feel we need to _ of being in space? good point. i feel we need to do _ of being in space? good point. i feel we need to do more - of being in space? good point. i| feel we need to do more reading about the subject. that morning, everyone. it is 6:10am on sunday morning. afghanistan is responsible for the vast majority of the world's heroin supply and now it's also emerged as a major manufacturer of crystal meth. as the country faces economic collapse since the taliban's rise to power, the drug trade there is booming. our afghanistan correspondent secunder kermani has this report. they are one of afghanistan's most lucrative exports. but these drugs are destroying lives here and abroad. this heroin, and

increasingly now, crystal nath. around 80% of the world's heroin supply originates from here. afghanistan's opium poppy fields. before the taliban takeover, opium traders paid off corrupt officials and sold the black paced secretly. now they have been allowed to open up now they have been allowed to open up stores in markets. through a bizarre way opium is being sold openly. much of it is then going to be processed into heroin. the taliban are not stopping drug production, in fact, they have been taxing it for years. they don't want journalists to see it being traded. that is why we are filming from inside the car.—

that is why we are filming from inside the car. you call yourselves an isiamic— inside the car. you call yourselves an islamic government _ inside the car. you call yourselves an islamic government but - inside the car. you call yourselves an islamic government but you . inside the car. you call yourselves| an islamic government but you are allowing drug reduction. isn't that hypocritical? translation: under the islamic emirate, before 2001, the growing and selling of opium dropped to zero. right now we're to find alternatives. we cannot take this away from people without offering them something else. eradicating this is good for us in the international community, so the world should help to. for international community, so the world should help to.— world should help to. for years, oor world should help to. for years, poor farmers — world should help to. for years, poor farmers have _ world should help to. for years, poor farmers have relied - world should help to. for years, poor farmers have relied on - world should help to. for years, i poor farmers have relied on opium world should help to. for years, - poor farmers have relied on opium to poorfarmers have relied on opium to provide for theirfamilies. poorfarmers have relied on opium to provide fortheirfamilies. now, poorfarmers have relied on opium to provide for theirfamilies. now, as afghanistan's economy collapses afg hanistan's economy collapses without afghanistan's economy collapses without international support, and water levels continue to drop, many see it has the safest crop to grow. opium destroys a lot of people's lives.

if opium is burnt, what will happen to you guys and your the taliban regularly whole these addicts off to rehab centres. but many end up straight back here. for now, more drugs looks set to hit the streets, both in afghanistan and across the world. secunder kermani, bbc news, afghanistan. owain is here in the studio with a look at the weather. hello, lovely to see you both. nice to have you — hello, lovely to see you both. nice to have you in _ hello, lovely to see you both. nice to have you in here _ hello, lovely to see you both. nice to have you in here with _ hello, lovely to see you both. ii as; to have you in here with us. hello, lovely to see you both. nice to have you in here with us. yes, l to have you in here with us. yes, nice to be _ to have you in here with us. yes, nice to be here. _ to have you in here with us. yes, nice to be here. it _ to have you in here with us. yes, nice to be here. it feels - to have you in here with us. yes, nice to be here. it feels really . nice to be here. it feels really christmas _ nice to be here. it feels really christmas like. _ nice to be here. it feels really christmas like. i— nice to be here. it feels really christmas like. i don't - nice to be here. it feels really christmas like. i don't know l nice to be here. it feels really . christmas like. i don't know what nice to be here. it feels really - christmas like. i don't know what is more sparkling- _ christmas like. i don't know what is more sparkling. i _ christmas like. i don't know what is more sparkling. i don't _ christmas like. i don't know what is more sparkling. i don't know- christmas like. i don't know what is more sparkling. i don't know about| more sparkling. i don't know about that, you tonight. lovely to see you both. hello, hope you are doing all right.

for many of us today will be a much milder day across the uk. we are in a warmer air mass and most of us will feel that other than the far north of scotland. we will see that in just a second, but there is your headline. a mild one, pretty cloudy and some rain around as well. this thing here is the main feature of the weather for today. thing here is the main feature of the weatherfor today. it thing here is the main feature of the weather for today. it is an area of low pressure. you have this weather front moving in as well, and that low pressure will bring some pretty unsettled conditions to some northern parts later on. but it is also the vehicle which is helping draw up this mild hermas from the south, you can see the yellow and orange there. there is the weather front i mentioned, this afternoon it will be draped across northern ireland, the north of england and tilting up into scotland. it is on the mood. —— on the move. it is a cold start today for some of us across parts of scotland, top temperatures getting to about eight celsius here. the weatherfront clear in northern ireland and the air reaching most parts of england and wales, 13 or 14 celsius your hires. quite a bit of mist and

murkiness lingering across southern parts as we had through this afternoon. moving through tonight, let us return to the pressure chart. moving towards the north, introducing very blustery winds across western parts of scotland, the hebrides, the western isles and eventually moving northwards towards the northern aisles. we could see gusts 80, 85 the northern aisles. we could see gusts 80,85 mph here. the northern aisles. we could see gusts 80, 85 mph here. this feature could bring rain into south—west of england, wales and up towards the north—west of england as well. tonight's lowes will get to about 11 or 12 celsius, but again, further north colder, some blustery and potentially wintry showers moving into western parts of scotland behind that low pressure that you sawjust now. over the next couple of days we remain in the relatively mild air, so temperature—wise we will be hovering somewhere here, 11 or 12 celsius, a bit cooler at times perhaps. an area of high pressure tries to build as we had through this week and in doing so it will bring more in the way of drier and

more settled conditions. here is a little snapshot of monday very quickly. i think this weather front will linger across some parts of wales, central parts of england and the north of england tomorrow, and this could produce quite a bit of rainfall. to the north of this, cooler, clearairand rainfall. to the north of this, cooler, clear air and to the south milder cloudier. quite a bit going on over the coming days. we will keep you posted. that is how it is looking. keep you posted. that is how it is lookinu. . .. keep you posted. that is how it is lookinu. ., ,, i. keep you posted. that is how it is lookinu. . ~' . , looking. thank you so much. this rain, looking. thank you so much. this rain. there _ looking. thank you so much. this rain, there has _ looking. thank you so much. this rain, there hasjust _ looking. thank you so much. this rain, there hasjust been - looking. thank you so much. this rain, there hasjust been so - looking. thank you so much. this| rain, there hasjust been so much looking. thank you so much. this i rain, there hasjust been so much of it. rain, there has 'ust been so much of it. ~ , rain, there has 'ust been so much of it. . , ., _ rain, there has 'ust been so much of it. ~ , ., _ ., , rain, there has 'ust been so much of it. , ., rain, there has 'ust been so much of it. we 'ust fancy a bit of a change now. it. we just fancy a bit of a change now. just something _ it. we just fancy a bit of a change now. just something where - it. we just fancy a bit of a change now. just something where you l it. we just fancy a bit of a change - now. just something where you don't need to be wearing _ now. just something where you don't need to be wearing head _ now. just something where you don't need to be wearing head to - now. just something where you don't need to be wearing head to toe - need to be wearing head to toe waterproof. i need to be wearing head to toe waterproof-— need to be wearing head to toe waterproof. need to be wearing head to toe waterroof. . . , ., ., ,, waterproof. i am sure you make it look glamorous, _ waterproof. i am sure you make it look glamorous, though. - waterproof. i am sure you make it i look glamorous, though. absolutely! we've been talking this morning about the picture released in the sunday mirror showing the prime minister taking part in a virtual quiz at downing street last christmas. it has dominated the front page of the paper, but let's take a look at what else is making headlines today. the sunday telegraph says that

boris johnson is facing his first major revolt from cabinet ministers this week. the paper claims that at least six ministers are planning to resist even tougher coronavirus restrictions. the observer's front page says scientists fear that diminishing trust in mrjohnson could harm plans to stop a surge in omicron cases. the sunday times reports that healthcare staff have been told to prepare for the mass vaccination of primary school children in anticipation of approval by medical regulators. and on the back pages, "it all comes down to this". that is the headline in the sunday express sport as excitement builds ahead of lewis hamilton and max verstappen's epic showdown for the formula 1 title later today. i have to admit i had one of those moments where i couldn't remember what day it was so i switched on the tv and thought where is it? where is the f1? why are we not all over abu

dhabi? it is today. i got the wrong day. shall we have a look inside the papers? we were talking earlier about whether you buy presents for your pets. it about whether you buy presents for our ets. . about whether you buy presents for our ets. , ., , , about whether you buy presents for our ets. . ., , , ., your pets. it is no, but my auntie regularly. — your pets. it is no, but my auntie regularly, without _ your pets. it is no, but my auntie regularly, without fail, _ your pets. it is no, but my auntie regularly, without fail, there - your pets. it is no, but my auntie regularly, without fail, there will| regularly, without fail, there will be presents under the tree for my dog this christmas. 50 be presents under the tree for my dog this christmas.— dog this christmas. so he is not short of gifts. — dog this christmas. so he is not short of gifts, it _ dog this christmas. so he is not short of gifts, it is _ dog this christmas. so he is not short of gifts, it isjust - dog this christmas. so he is not short of gifts, it is just that - dog this christmas. so he is not short of gifts, it is just that you | short of gifts, it is just that you haven't bought them. on average we spent 24 quid on our pets, so £900 million of spending this christmas on pets. it is up by a quarter and it is very hi—tech. it is notjust a new coat, a new collar and a new lead, but all kinds of things including hi—tech, interactive bones. i will not ask how it is interactive but apparently it is. sticking with the christmas theme, how many christmas trees do you have? i how many christmas trees do you have?- i am _ how many christmas trees do you have?- i am afraid _ how many christmas trees do you have? fine. i am afraid you are have? one. i am afraid you are behind the _ have? one. i am afraid you are behind the curve _ have? one. i am afraid you are behind the curve on _ have? one. i am afraid you are behind the curve on the - have? one. i am afraid you are behind the curve on the trend because a second christmas tree is an increasing trend and it could be

good for you as well.— an increasing trend and it could be i good for you as well.- having good for you as well. power? having another tree — good for you as well. power? having another tree but _ good for you as well. power? having another tree but having _ good for you as well. power? having another tree but having it _ good for you as well. power? having another tree but having it in - good for you as well. power? having another tree but having it in your- another tree but having it in your bedroom. apparently the aroma of the spruce and the fir is very restful, helps with the night's sleep and having another plant emitting oxygen into your sleeping environment could also be good for you. mil into your sleeping environment could also be good for you. min into your sleeping environment could also be good for you.— also be good for you. all i am thinkin: also be good for you. all i am thinking as — also be good for you. all i am thinking as pine _ also be good for you. all i am thinking as pine needles - also be good for you. all i am thinking as pine needles in i also be good for you. all i am l thinking as pine needles in bare feet. it might smell nice and purify the air, but... feet. it might smell nice and purify the air. but...— the air, but... you 'ust have to hoover regularly, _ the air, but... you just have to hoover regularly, everyone - the air, but... you just have to i hoover regularly, everyone knows that about christmas. the hoover regularly, everyone knows that about christmas.— that about christmas. the scandi celebration _ that about christmas. the scandi celebration continues, _ that about christmas. the scandi celebration continues, and - that about christmas. the scandi celebration continues, and kat i that about christmas. the scandi i celebration continues, and kat will pronounce all of these for you. apparently there is a new one coming, a picture of abba embracing

all things scandi, and the first album in 40 years fuelling interest in that. we will read a bit more and find out what the next thing is and keep you posted. mas find out what the next thing is and keep you posted-— find out what the next thing is and keep you posted. was it abba is the next thing? — keep you posted. was it abba is the next thing? that _ keep you posted. was it abba is the next thing? that is _ keep you posted. was it abba is the next thing? that is not _ keep you posted. was it abba is the next thing? that is not new, - keep you posted. was it abba is the next thing? that is not new, is - keep you posted. was it abba is the next thing? that is not new, is it? l next thing? that is not new, is it? there is a new scandi trend. we are all over hygge and there is something you coming. but; all over hygge and there is something you coming. all over hygge and there is somethin: ou cominr. , . , ., something you coming. any excuse for a chunky knit. — something you coming. any excuse for a chunky knit. i — something you coming. any excuse for a chunky knit, i say. _ the four remaining couples battled it out in the ballroom last night to try to waltz their way into next week's strictly come dancing final. there was added pressure with two dances to perform, but the glitterball trophy is now in touching distance for rose, aj, john and rhys. let's take a look at some of the highlights. applause what a way to open our show. thank you so much. at?

what a way to open our show. thank you so much-— what a way to open our show. thank you so much— i i you so much. # sing sing sing. i thou:ht you so much. # sing sing sing. i thought it _ you so much. # sing sing sing. i thought it was — you so much. # sing sing sing. i thought it was strong, _ you so much. # sing sing sing. i thought it was strong, it - you so much. # sing sing sing. i thought it was strong, it was - thought it was strong, it was powerful, it was emotional. i tbought— powerful, it was emotional. i thought the number demonstrated so much about you, the man, as well as you, much about you, the man, as well as you. the _ much about you, the man, as well as you, the dancer. i thought it was tremendous. well done. # how long will i need you?

applause tango music. that dance belongs in the final. what a way to close the show, the argentine tango. it was one of those

moments where everything goes quiet and you just have to stare at the tv. and you 'ust have to stare at the tv. ., y ., and you 'ust have to stare at the tv. the highlight for you was... that was definitely _ tv. the highlight for you was... that was definitely it, _ tv. the highlight for you was... that was definitely it, and - tv. the highlight for you was... that was definitely it, and john | tv. the highlight for you was... . that was definitely it, and john and johannisen's outfits. i that was definitely it, and john and johannisen's outfits.— that was definitely it, and john and johannisen's outfits. i was upstaged b the johannisen's outfits. i was upstaged by the christmas _ johannisen's outfits. i was upstaged by the christmas tree, _ johannisen's outfits. i was upstaged by the christmas tree, i _ johannisen's outfits. i was upstaged by the christmas tree, i need - johannisen's outfits. i was upstaged by the christmas tree, i need to - by the christmas tree, i need to compete. irate by the christmas tree, i need to com ete. ~ , by the christmas tree, i need to comete. ~ . . .. by the christmas tree, i need to comete. ~ , ., ,, ,, . , compete. we will be talking strictly a little bit later— compete. we will be talking strictly a little bit later on _ compete. we will be talking strictly a little bit later on with _ compete. we will be talking strictly a little bit later on with flavia, - a little bit later on with flavia, but for me it was definitely rose's argentine tango. it is christmas, it has got to be the strictly final. the us president, joe biden, has promised that his government will do everything it can to help those affected by tornadoes which have been called the worst in the country's history. the storms have torn through six states, flattening towns and villages and killing at least 70 people in kentucky. local meteorologist noah bergren talks us through some

of the destruction there. the debris from this tornado was actually dropped miles and miles from the actual tornado. i mean, i don't even know how to describe it other than showing this to you. for anybody who has never lived in an area of the world that gets tornadoes, this is the result. it is utter devastation. i mean, i don't know how this looks to you guys buy a cell connection and around the world, but this is flat. if you look at this on google earth, there would be a house there, a business there, a bank there, and it isjust licked clean. there is nothing left. i don't know how to describe it other than showing it to you right now. me and everybody else's at a loss for words. we will here through the day helping. you can see on the ground that these are brick, this is brick

that these are brick, this is brick that was flying at hundreds of miles an hour. you can imagine if that hit you in the head or it came through your window, you would be dead on impact. and you canjust see your window, you would be dead on impact. and you can just see all of the projectiles. there is christmas decorations, there is a highway sign. there is nails everywhere. this was a bank, and that's what's left of the fire department. they used to be two stories of that building, now there is one. this is why we tell people i do not go next to windows in tornadoes, because flying projectiles through a window are going to puncture your head or do worse damage to you. such striking pictures of the devastation there. the tornadoes also ripped through the state of missouri. we can speak now to local reporter taylor holt. thank you so much forjoining us on breakfast this morning. in missouri, you have been out there on the

ground. tell us some of the things you have seen out there following these storms.— these storms. yes, thank you for havin: these storms. yes, thank you for having me _ these storms. yes, thank you for having me this _ these storms. yes, thank you for having me this morning. - these storms. yes, thank you for having me this morning. we - these storms. yes, thank you for. having me this morning. we heard these storms. yes, thank you for - having me this morning. we heard and some of the sound that you just played — any time that you are in a tornado or a severe storm like that, the aftermath is just devastating, and that's what we saw here as well. a lot of debris is still around that amazon warehouse where now six people have been confirmed dead. the emergency responders there are working through a lot of unstable conditions, and there are still a lot of downed trees there. currently it is still more than 24—hour search and rescue effort that is going on there. just a lot of instability to work through, and at the same time, like i said, it is a search and rescue effort going on there. you have to be careful with that and you have to be careful with that and you

have two watch out for their own safety. they have to save lives, so it is a risky thing that they are putting themselves in. the conditions that they have to work around, so definitely still a lot of devastation that they are working through this morning. find devastation that they are working through this morning. and storms are ruite a through this morning. and storms are quite a regular— through this morning. and storms are quite a regular occurrence _ through this morning. and storms are quite a regular occurrence in - through this morning. and storms are quite a regular occurrence in this - quite a regular occurrence in this part of america, but have you ever seen anything on this scale before? you know, i can't say that i have. i have had my experiences, especially in my business, covering tornadoes and being insidious to. you always out there on the ground in the aftermath, looking out and talking to people, and just trying to figure out how it has impacted them. i will say in my years, i was born and raised in the midwest so like you said, tornadoes are common. but i don't know that i have seen anything quite as devastating as this. i

mentioned the amazon warehouse where six people died. the entire roof is gone from that. it is completely beams and a frame. it is quite remarkable in the most tragic way, a remarkable in the most tragic way, a remarkable sight to see. it is definitely something that you look at and it leaves you almost speechless.— at and it leaves you almost seechless. ., , , speechless. how prepared were people for this? how— speechless. how prepared were people for this? how much _ speechless. how prepared were people for this? how much warning _ speechless. how prepared were people for this? how much warning that - speechless. how prepared were people for this? how much warning that they l for this? how much warning that they have that a storm of this magnitude was on its way?— was on its way? yes, i think our first tornado _ was on its way? yes, i think our first tornado warning _ was on its way? yes, i think our first tornado warning was - was on its way? yes, i think our| first tornado warning was maybe about 30 minutes before it actually... i know 30 minutes before it hit that warehouse, but even in the hours building up to that, we did have severe weather warnings. it was a fair amount of warning, but

again, storms can be unpredictable. you never know what exactly the impact is going to be until it happens, and i think in this instance it was kind of that. i think people were prepared for a severe storm, and it happens so often, so really you take your precautions and you follow the safety protocol and procedures that you have at your workplace or your home, wherever you are, and you just be as safe as you can. but you can't really prepare all the way, because you never know what it's going to be. ~ �* . . you never know what it's going to be. ~ �* , , ,., , you never know what it's going to be. ~ �* , , , ., be. we're 'ust seeing some fixes on our be. we're just seeing some fixes on our screen — be. we're just seeing some fixes on our screen of _ be. we're just seeing some fixes on our screen of the _ be. we're just seeing some fixes on our screen of the search _ be. we're just seeing some fixes on our screen of the search and - our screen of the search and operation that is under way at the amazon warehouse. you have been mentioning the roof came off, six people confirmed dead there. what are the hopes on the ground among the search and rescue teams are finding people alive?— the search and rescue teams are finding people alive? well, they did tell us that it _

finding people alive? well, they did tell us that it is _ finding people alive? well, they did tell us that it is going _ finding people alive? well, they did tell us that it is going to _ finding people alive? well, they did tell us that it is going to be - finding people alive? well, they did tell us that it is going to be an - tell us that it is going to be an ongoing search and rescue effort for the next couple of days. the first number we got was two confirmed dead, which was maybe a couple of hours after the storm hit the warehouse. it then bumped up to six a couple of hours later. late afternoon yesterday we got that number, and so unfortunately they do expect to be out there trying to save more lives, trying to find more people that may be trapped in that debris, and again, it is taking so long. it is going to take a couple of days because again, those conditions are very unstable. concrete, a lot of rough terrain, and they have to be safe. at least the next several days, it does look like there could possibly be more people that are trapped in that area that they will be working to try to get to safety.

that they will be working to try to get to safety-— that they will be working to try to retto safe . ., ,, i. . ., get to safety. thank you so much for kee-rin us get to safety. thank you so much for keeping us up-to-date. _ get to safety. thank you so much for keeping us up-to-date. i _ get to safety. thank you so much for keeping us up-to-date. i am - get to safety. thank you so much for keeping us up-to-date. i am sure i get to safety. thank you so much for| keeping us up-to-date. i am sure we keeping us up—to—date. i am sure we will speak to you over coming days as more news comes out of survivors, we hope. stay safe, taylor. thank you so much for speaking to us this morning. a full round—up of all the support coming up injust morning. a full round—up of all the support coming up in just a morning. a full round—up of all the support coming up injust a moment. with us. hello, this is breakfast with ben thompson and katherine downes. it is itisf it is fon it is f on sunday morning, the story of the day. it is f on sunday morning, the story oftheda. ,, it is f on sunday morning, the story of the day-— of the day. possibly the story of the ear.

of the day. possibly the story of the year- -- _ of the day. possibly the story of the year- -- f1 _ of the day. possibly the story of the year. -- f1 sunday - of the day. possibly the story of| the year. -- f1 sunday morning. of the day. possibly the story of - the year. -- f1 sunday morning. what the year. —— f1 sunday morning. what an incredible year this has been, sport wise. in eradicating us open, and all english champions league final this year, we have had wimbledon come back after two years. the olympics and the paralympics. and against all the odds. think back to 2020 when we barely had any sport at all. the scrutiny to date is enormous on lewis hamilton and max verstappen, because one of them will be the world champion come the end of this afternoon. hamilton possibly going to wind his eighth driver 's title, while max verstappen could wind his first. lewis hamilton will race max verstappen in the abu dhabi grand prix. it's a winner takes all fight, as nick parrott reports. as the sun goes down in abu dhabi, the pressure goes up. max verstappen

help it first in the crucial second session of qualifying that decides the tires drivers race on. a flat spot makes tires undrivable. it forced red bull and the stubborn to change tactics for the race. —— verstappen. he will now start on the faster but less durable soft tyre. it is the final shootout for pole position that really matters, though, and in a week and that is being headlined by individuals, it was a teammate who got verstappen through. sergio perez provided a slipstream to help the flying dutchman go faster, and it worked. mercedes didn't copy the tactic, and hamilton couldn't catch him. by, mercedes didn't copy the tactic, and hamilton couldn't catch him. a great [a . hamilton couldn't catch him. a great la- toda , hamilton couldn't catch him. a great lap today. so — hamilton couldn't catch him. a great lap today. so we _ hamilton couldn't catch him. a great lap today, so we can _ hamilton couldn't catch him. a great lap today, so we can answer- hamilton couldn't catch him. a great lap today, so we can answer to - hamilton couldn't catch him. a great lap today, so we can answer to that, j lap today, so we can answer to that, without lap, and it was a fantastic map from him. without lap, and it was a fantastic mapfrom him. but without lap, and it was a fantastic map from him. but we are in a good position, i would like to think, with the tires tomorrow. i hope we can have a good race.— can have a good race. definitely imroved can have a good race. definitely improved for — can have a good race. definitely improved for cardigan _ can have a good race. definitelyl improved for cardigan qualifying, can have a good race. definitely - improved for cardigan qualifying, so -lad improved for cardigan qualifying, so glad this— improved for cardigan qualifying, so glad this weekend was a bit on and off, glad this weekend was a bit on and off. but— glad this weekend was a bit on and

off, but incredibly happy with this. and of— off, but incredibly happy with this. and of course this is what we wanted. _ and of course this is what we wanted, but it is never easy, especially— wanted, but it is never easy, especially with their form in the last few— especially with their form in the last few races. looking forward to it tomorrow, that is the most important. in it tomorrow, that is the most important-— it tomorrow, that is the most imortant. , , ., , important. in the last six years, the pollster— important. in the last six years, the pollster has _ important. in the last six years, the pollster has gone _ important. in the last six years, the pollster has gone on - important. in the last six years, the pollster has gone on to - important. in the last six years, the pollster has gone on to win. important. in the last six years, i the pollster has gone on to win. in this title fight, verstappen has landed a heavy first blow, leaving hamilton on the ropes. the question is, can he recover? next to the premier league, where the top three all scored winning penalties. stephen gerrard returned to his former club liverpool for the first time as a manager, but left disappointed after a 1—0 nil defeat. the aston villa boss received a warm reception from the anfield crowd as expected. it took the home side over an hour to break the deadlock mo salah fowled in the box by tyrone mings. salah stepped up to convert the penalty, the win leaves liverpool in second place, a point behind manchester city.

we are on a journey, we are at the beginning of it. it is about belief and confidence. there's a lot of positives to take from the game today, in certain areas of the game. but this is the area we're striving for. liverpool were good at times today, but we have lost it, in our opinion, to a soft penalty. because when you watch it properly, tyrone failed first. ultimately, being failed, he led to a fallon salah, and the disappointing thing is the referee doesn't want to have a at that in both cases. one final question, there was much talk about steven gerrard coming back to liverpool, people say he would be a liveable manager of the future. was it important for you to win to show the still top dog? the rood thin win to show the still top dog? tie: good thing for win to show the still top dog? ti9: good thing for me win to show the still top dog? tt9 good thing for me as i have no problem with this kinds of things. i know i will not be here forever so they must be somebody to take over, i would be more than happy for it to be stevie. there was a 1—0 win for the leaders manchester city, too, who remain the team to catch at the top. raheem sterling's penalty giving them a 1—0 win at home to wolves, who played the whole

of the second half with 10 men. late drama at stamford bridge. chelsea are two points off the top after snatching a win against leeds. jorginho's penalty in stoppage time, his second of the game, giving his side a 3—2 win. it was a day of penalty winners. in the late game, cristiano ronaldo stepped up to give manchester united a 1—0 win at bottom of the table norwich. united are level on points with fourth—placed west ham. and after back—to—back defeats, arsenal returned to winning ways with a convincing 3—0 win over southampton. alexandre lacazette with the opener. stjohnstone dropped to the bottom of the scottish premiership after losing 1—0 at home to aberdeen. but the saints were livid about aberdeen's late winner as it looked to have struck the arm of teddyjenks' before he sent the ball beyond the keeper. but the goal stood, comdemning stjohnstone to the bottom of the table. top two rangers and celtic are both in action today. reading pulled off a big shock in the women's super league after beating the fa cup winners chelsea by 1—0. chelsea could have gone top,

but deanne rose broke away and combined with emma harries to score from their only shot on target. chelsea are a point adrift of the leaders arsenal, reading move up to fifth. and just before i go, it's a big big day for lewis hamilton. here's a message from one sportsman at the top of his game, to another. hi, lewis. just want to wish you a massive good luck, going into this weekend, you know, demanding how sport is, ijust want weekend, you know, demanding how sport is, i just want to sayjust go out there and when, man, and keeping great. keeping you in keeping rate and smash it and enjoy after. luck. lots of love for hamilton. can max verstappen spoil the party? verstappen spoilthe party? maybe smash the pocket _ verstappen spoilthe party? maybe smash the pocket is _ verstappen spoilthe party? maybe smash the pocket is not _ verstappen spoilthe party? maybe smash the pocket is not the - verstappen spoilthe party? maybe smash the pocket is not the best . smash the pocket is not the best choice of words.— smash the pocket is not the best choice of words. yes, let's not go with smash- _ choice of words. yes, let's not go with smash. we _ choice of words. yes, let's not go with smash. we get _ choice of words. yes, let's not go with smash. we get the - choice of words. yes, let's not go with smash. we get the sense . choice of words. yes, let's not go with smash. we get the sense of| choice of words. yes, let's not go i with smash. we get the sense of it. just when safely, that is the message. thanks. now it's time for the travel show.

this week on the travel show: heading back for the first time in over two years. let's go to gate! this aussie girl is finally going home. laying on a special treat as a thank you to thailand's monkeys. and how the aftermath of the second world war helped to create one of berlin's most famous takeaway snacks. but first, with the christmas holiday season beginning,

many will be crossing their fingers for a return to something more like normality when compared to this time last year. particularly those expats heading home to family. and for australians who have been abroad during the pandemic, which includes myself, reuniting with the family back home this year will be especially significant. there are few things you have to do to go to australia. first of all you need to be eligible to go to australia, it is not completely open, you have to be double vaccinated and be able to prove it, and then you get proof of that, you get an australia travel declaration, very similar to the arrival document you have to do the most places across the world now, and you have to do... one of these lovely pcr tests. so i will be dealing with that soon, you're not recording it. laughs.

i don't mind it at all, this is like an extra bit of my passport at the moment as far as i am concerned. so it went from a situation where you could easily travel around the world at the drop ofa hat, to... you need to have a long—term plan and a lot of money to get into your own home country as an australian. i think the first reaction was shock, like everyone around the world when the pandemic hit, and also feeling quite grateful when australia did shut its borders initially, because it felt like, well, everything is being done to keep my family and friends safe, and surely this is a sensible precaution. but it was this low—lying kind of stress because it meant that if something happened to someone at home, instead of being 24 hours away, 36 hours away maximum,

now you just couldn't get home. it wasn't possible unless you had very deep pockets. i am originally from the uk but i have lived in australia now for a number of years, i am married to an australian, we are all australian citizens, we have four kids. we came on holiday initially in early march for a three—week holiday to visit family in the uk, and we have been trapped here ever since, stranded. the main challenge is that we have a small house and there are six of us, so we are filming this, where we actually sleep, this is my dad's study in the shed in the garden. and the uncertainty of not knowing when that would stop has been particularly difficult. when the australians decided to put limitations on the number of people arriving because it put pressures on quarantine, the airlines have actually been forced to discriminate against the economy passengers,

and so we have actually been removed from a couple of flights. we have done everything in our financial means to get home, but we're just not able to. well, we did actually get back home eventually, here in tasmania. we had a three week holiday to the uk, which actually became a 6—month extended stay. we feel so blessed to be home, even here a year on, to be back here in hobart after such a time. we had instances in australia where some passenger planes were carrying maybe two, four or five passengers into australia. that's how bad it got. surprisingly, it usually supported, and for a long, long time, there is polling that shows consistently around two—thirds or three quarters of the australian public actually did support these very, very strict international border bans, even when it meant locking out their compatriots.

thankfully after a late start, australia really did a fantasticjob in terms of getting vaccinated. a bit of a heart... kind of. i won't be working as a barista anytime soon. victoria, my home state has already reached 90% vaccination, which... it is quite emotional for me because... it has meant i can go home. so... there's going to be a lot of tears over the next few days. this is very exciting, very exciting. although i have completely lost the knack of how to pack. i used to be like pow, pow, i could be packed in 15 minutes, and now it is like,

what is the weather going to be like? hot is the answer to that. i have to wait while my test gets checked, but i'm like ijust want to go. there has been a bit of a curveball in the last few hours. concern mounts as countries around the world ban flights from southern africa... a third case of the omicron variant... a confirmed case - of omicron variant... i have received notification that the quarantine has been reimposed to some extent, so it was quarantine—free travel, now it is 72 hours of quarantine upon arrival, and having to be isolated from my family, so thejoyous reunion is maybe off the cards.

i don't really know what is going to happen, how i will be isolated within my family home, if that's possible, do i need to get a hotel. i also need to get a permit to enter the state of victoria, which despite my research i have just found out about. so it is getting a bit complicated. i guess, thejoys of travelling during covid. well, let's go to gate. oh man, i am so excited! i don't even care if i have to quarantine, i don't care. that's me, of course. i havejust checked in, and i have just seen the melbourne on the sign.

welcome aboard qantas flight 10 down to darwin and onwards to melbourne. just about to head off, and i am so excited. jackpot! on a long haulflight, three seats to myself! yes! to date, the overall death toll in australia from coronavirus is just above 2000. so they have done extraordinarily well in protecting life. technically, the issue of stranded australians, or stranded aussies as it became known colloquially, that should have abated by now. although there are still government repatriation flights being put on by the australian government, because there are some places in the world where people didn't get vaccines that will be authorised

or recognised by australia. it makes it very challenging for them to get on commercial flights. i haven't left russia in two years coming up to february. i have given up on christmas, i think i will be lucky to get back by february next year if things go well for me. i have just been living this limbo existence where i don't know what next month is going to bring. i have been living with a constant dagger over my head of the russian government just saying "your visa is up", and i don't know what the hell i will do then, where do i go if that is the situation? because what country wants me at the current moment with everyone having covid, i am not properly vaccinated, and i have a status where i don't know when my own government will let me back into my country.

about 15 minutes away from landing now, after a very long flight. and a quick stop in darwin. we hope you have enjoyed your service on board today, we do look forward to seeing you on board our aircraft again very soon. laughs.

guess who's out of quarantine! yay! iam out! iam free! i am out of quarantine at long last, and it has given me a bit of a chance to reflect on what has meant to come home. i missed you guys! my word, we are lucky to live in a time where, in usual circumstances, you canjump on a plane, and 24 hours later be on the other side of the world, in my case i can be home. and i think the pandemic has sort of shown me that in past years i have really taken that for granted, it feels normal to be able to do that. and it is not necessarily something to be taken for granted, and i think going forward i will feel fortunate every time

i get on that plane. aunty christa! you are so big! still to come on the show: we are on the hunt for berlin's best currywurst. eaten by everyone from homeless people to the chancellor. and we are in thailand to see a monkey festival that has been helping bring back tourists to the region. what can i say? it is great to be home. but now we're turning around and heading straight back to europe, where sausages and curry sauce may not seem the most natural flavour combination. but in berlin, currywurst, as it is known, has become a street food favourite.

so we headed to the german capital to find out more about this dish and its surprising origins. in the '50s and the '60s, currywurst was one of the fast foods easily available and everyone grew up with currywurst. napoli has a pizza of spanish descent, paella, it's literally part of the culture of the city. voila. hello, my name is laszlo and welcome to curry 36, the most famous currywurst stall in berlin. it is actually pretty easy. you just get a sausage, you cut it in six or eight pieces. then you add the tomato sauce on top. and top it with curry powder and spices and that is it. you also need a fork. it is that simple. grazie mille.

bon appetito, ciao. we have customers from all over europe from asia, from the states, basically from everywhere. thank you for your patience, sorry for the inconvenience. enjoy it, have a nice day, you're welcome. l'una e l�*autre is con carne. i am actually only able to sell currywurst in a lot of different languages. i'm not fluent in italian or spanish or whatever. every region claims to have invented currywurst. the only true story is how it happened in berlin. after the second world war herta heuwer had a small food store and she always saw the gis eating out, having steak and ketchup. she wanted to replicate that but it was not possible to have a steak. it was really expensive after the war. and so she just tried it with local ingredients and one day she mixed up curry and ketchup by accident and tried to refine it with more spices, she put on a sausage,

customers tried it, they loved it and that was the birth of currywurst. there is currywurst with casing. it is a smoked sausage, a bit more salty, a bit more on the savoury side. and the local thing is currywurst without casing. it is a boiled sausage that is fried afterwards and just a little more softer and tender. currywurst without casing, it was born out of necessity because after the second world war, berlin was isolated, it was in eastern germany, so we did not have enough casing for sausages. there was no way to get the casing into berlin. it was just too expensive. one of the things that stands out is the purity of the ingredients, the tomato sauce is as important as the sausages. basically, it is what we are famous for. this is only about 200 litres of it and on a regular day we go through a ton of it in all three restaurants.

it is 87% tomato, some salt, sugar, spices, that is it. some curry sauces have less than 50% tomato. that is not a standard that we try to achieve. currywurst in berlin is eaten by everyone from homeless people to the chancellor. i think it is important. i think it is pretty important, it transcends social classes. everyone eats cu rrywu rst. and that is a taste of berlin. i would say it is down—to—earth and easy—going. but have a try yourself. next up we are in thailand, where tourists have gradually been returning after the government launched a quarantine—free travel scheme in november. and it isjust in time

for the lopburi monkey festival. once a year the resident macaques get to dine like kings. on the most elaborate displays of fruits and vegetables lovingly crafted by locals behind—the—scenes. we prepare the fruits. we have many, many kinds of fruits. tropical food, mostly. banana, papaya, grape, mangosteen, longan, mango and all kinds of vegetables. and we learn every year what they like most. we just know that they like durian the most. the feast costs over 100,000 baht — that's over £2000 — and is mainly sponsored by the lopburi inn, a local hotel.

the owner started it 33 years ago, offering a fruit buffet to the monkeys as a thank you for bringing in customers. and it has grown in size, taking on different themes each year. the monkey is an important symbol in buddhist tradition and as such they are revered and treated very well.

but a word of caution. you will be bargaining for more than just a selfie. these longtailed monkeys are very comfortable around people. that was the first time. it was a bit afraid but it was ok because it was worse for other people than for me so it was ok. and here we are. the moment they have all been waiting for. because of covid—19 there has been an two—year gap since the last festival and in general the pandemic has been hard on locals and these guys. the city is home to thousands

of monkeys and during the lockdown a lack of tourists and locals out on the streets resulted in frequent monkey battles over scraps of food, but things are looking up. they like the traditional dessert. this is made from egg, and he likes durian the most. more than 100,000 travellers took advantage of the thailand pass in november. it may not seem like a lot but that is as high as the number of arrivals from january to october combined. i can see that tourists are having fun, there are a lot of thai tourists here. families and little kids. they're having fun, but less people because of covid—19 but i think the event brings joy to lots of people.

well, now their bellies are full and locals are free to take the wheelchairs. 2000 kilos of food were prepared for the weekend festivities but nothing is going to waste. the leftovers are taken to monkeys living in the mountain temples outside the city. well, that is all we have time for on the programme this week. join us next week when rajan will be spreading some christmas cheer and revisiting some of our favourite stories from a year that, well, let's face it, has not been the best for travel. i have to be honest with you, that was a little bit frightening. we're in an all—electric revamp of an iconic british motor.

did you see that?! this is wild. 11 lions. this is wild. until next time, from me, christa larwood at home finally here in australia and the rest of the travel show team it is goodbye and we will see you next time. good morning. welcome to breakfast with ben thompson and katherine

downes. our headlines today: further accusations of rule breaking after this picture shows the prime minister did take part in a christmas quiz while restrictions were in place last year. a boost for the booster programme as over 30—year—olds can book theirjabs tomorrow in england, but there are warnings the uk could face a record wave of infections. more than 100 people are feared dead, after powerful tornadoes hit six us states and reduced whole towns to rubble. one of the greatest formula one seasons comes to a climax today. it's a winner—takes—all abu dhabi grand prix, with lewis hamilton chasing max verstappen, who's in pole position. going the extra mile. two years after being diagnosed with mnd, we mark the incredible journey of former leeds rhinos player rob burrow and his best friend keven sinfield. and for many of us, a much milder

feeling to proceedings across the uk today. northern parts experiencing low pressure later on, i'll be back with the details. it's sunday, 12th december. our main story: the prime minister is facing further questions this morning about christmas gatherings at downing street a year ago, after a photo emerged of him taking part in a quiz. the picture, obtained by the sunday mirror, shows borisjohnson sitting next to two colleagues, at a time when social mixing between households was banned in london. downing street says he briefly attended the event, which was held virtually. our political correspondent chris mason has the latest. just a warning, there is some flash photography in this report. take a look at this. it's december 15 last year, inside 10 downing street. borisjohnson is hosting a round of a staff christmas quiz. two colleagues are either side of him, one with tinsel wrapped around him. some staff took part virtually from home.

others from around the building. a number ten spokesman told the bbc: the bbc had already reported that invitations for the quiz were sent out in advance via email, and many people wore christmas jumpers for the day. one source said people didn't seem to realise how ridiculous it was at the time. labour's deputy leader angela rayner has accused the prime minister of being happy to preside over a culture of disregard for the rules at the heart of government, and claimed he was unfit to lead the country. for day after day, the prime minister and his team tried to brush off or deny reports

of a party or get—togethers around government, when social mixing was banned a year ago. this is the latest in a torrent of stories that suggests otherwise. chris mason, bbc news. people in england aged between 30 and 39 can book their booster jab from tomorrow. the acceleration of the vaccination programme comes, as scientists warn that the uk could face record levels of infection, without further restrictions. our reporter simonjones has more. it's a national mission, the health secretary says, to getjabs into arms as quickly as possible. 22 million booster vaccinations have already been administered in the uk. it's important to get vaccinated so we can get back to our normal, semi—normal life at the moment. it's basically because of this new omicron, it's more worrying, i think, because we don't know exactly what's going to happen. so it's betterjust to be safe.

at the end of today i've got kids of my own, so i have to protectl myself to protect my family. from tomorrow, the national booking system will be open to people in their 30s in england. they will be able to go online and book an appointment two months after receiving their second dose. that's a month in advance of becoming eligible for that top—up. data from the uk health security agency suggests boosters give good protection against the new variant. government says there has never been a more important time to get a jab. a study from the london school of hygiene and tropical medicine has suggested the uk could face a substantial wave of omicron infections if there are no further restrictions, which might cause between 25,000 and 75,000 deaths in england by the end of april, depending how well the vaccines perform. but scientists say more data is needed before the true picture of where the uk is heading becomes clear. we have early evidence of vaccine efficacy in the uk against omicron

cases, and it does show that booster doses do provide a really substantial benefit. we don't know yet about the impacts on hospitalisations and deaths, but there's every reason to believe they would provide a real boost in terms of preventing those outcomes. there are almost 3,000 vaccination sites in england. labour is calling for pop—up sites to be put in shopping centres and high streets so that people can be boosted as they do their christmas shopping. simon jones, bbc news. a police watchdog is investigating the fatal shooting of a man by armed offices in london yesterday afternoon. offices in london yesterday afternoon-— offices in london yesterday afternoon. ' : , offices in london yesterday afternoon. a , :, afternoon. officers were cold to re orts afternoon. officers were cold to reports of _ afternoon. officers were cold to reports of a _ afternoon. officers were cold to reports of a man _ afternoon. officers were cold to reports of a man of— afternoon. officers were cold to reports of a man of the - afternoon. officers were cold to reports of a man of the fire - afternoon. officers were cold to reports of a man of the fire on i reports of a man of the fire on entering a bank and bookmakers before stopping a suspect vehicle a short time later. the metropolitan police say the incident is not being treated as terrorism.

the us presidentjoe biden has described the tornadoes that ripped through six states on friday night, as among the most devastating in the country's history. more than 100 people are feared to have died in the storms and thousands more are without power and water. our us correspondent nomia iqbal reports from kentucky, where a state of emergency has been declared. the scale of the disruption has been extraordinary. in the dead of night, dark funnel clouds roared across six states at huge speeds. they tore through a part of more than 200 miles in kentucky, hitting the small town of mayfield hard. workers on christmas shifts at this candle factory were buried by several tornadoes that came hurtling in the dark. it's thought up to 110 people were inside. 40 have made it out. this has been the most devastating tornado event in our state's history, and for those that have

seen it, what it has done here, and in grace county, it's indescribable. a state of emergency has been declared in kentucky, as a huge rescue operation gets underway. authorities are facing huge challenges. the police station in mayfield has been destroyed and firefighters have lost equipment. there is no power. nearly 200 troops from the national guard are helping and nearly half the population of this town are without electricity and water on one of the coldest months of the year. this used to be a petrol station, and the only reason we know that is because of a solitary petrol pump that is still standing in the middle of the forecourt. all the others have blown over. and the kiosk, where you go in to pay for your petrol, has completely disappeared.

it's lost underneath all this rubble. in the southern state of arkansas, a nursing home was badly damaged, killing at least one person, injuring several, and trapping more than a dozen others inside. in the midwestern state of illinois, an amazon warehouse with up to 100 people inside was ripped apart after the roof partially collapsed. at least six people are dead. president biden has called it an unimaginable tragedy. we still don't know how many lives are lost or the full extent of the damage. but i want to emphasise what i told all the governors, the federal government will do everything it possibly can do to help. forecasters say the storm has now weakened, but americans are being urged to get ready for more severe weather as the storms continue to sweep across the country. nomia iqbal, bbc news, kentucky. helen, how damaging are the christmas party allegations let's have another check on our top story this morning, more questions for borisjohnson and his government today after pictures emerged of the

prime minister taking part in a quiz at downing street last christmas. downing street have acknowledged he did briefly take part in the event which was held virtually. pictures of him with two colleagues either side of him in this morning's sunday mirror. let's get the thoughts of our political correspondence, helen carter, whojoins us now. —— correspondent, helen catt. further pressure on the prime minister at a time when we're hearing that could be very serious consequences this latest variant into the new year, warnings about infections, yet further evidence that there was a party, more parties, at downing street? . party, more parties, at downing street? , : :, , :, street? the timing is certainly not treat for street? the timing is certainly not great for downing _ street? the timing is certainly not great for downing street. - street? the timing is certainly not great for downing street. this - street? the timing is certainly not| great for downing street. this quiz has been reported before but of course now you have a picture, pictures often have a lot more impact than words, frankly. as you said, this is coming at a time when the government is bringing back some

restrictions already, the government asking people to work from home once again and bringing encoded passports. they want people to comply with these restrictions, but this is not going to help about. it is also not going to please conservative mps, who are already quite angry, lots of them, as the constant strip drip of allegations are coming out of downing street, they believe that is taking away from their work. there is a big vote in house of commons this week on his restrictions tuesday and that could be pretty sticky. labour is likely to buy things like over passports, but there are a lot of conservative mps who are very unhappy about those that are likely to make their feelings known.— that are likely to make their feelings known. and speaking of those conservative _ feelings known. and speaking of those conservative mps, - feelings known. and speaking of those conservative mps, we - feelings known. and speaking of those conservative mps, we will| feelings known. and speaking of. those conservative mps, we will be speaking to conservative mp steve baker about some of those issues raised by helen, especially of course ahead of what could be a very crucial week for the prime minister, so that isjust crucial week for the prime minister, so that is just a few minutes, we'll be speaking to steve baker.

space — it's the final frontier. but now, it's also a family affair. the daughter of the first us astronaut has followed in her father's footsteps, blasting off to the edge of space, 60 years after he made history. laura shepard—churchley, took off on—board a commercial aircraft which was named after her dad, and owned by amazon founderjeff bezos. i wonder if she enjoyed it. just because her dad liked it, doesn't mean showers really into being flung into space. mean showers really into being flung into sace. , , , into space. they probably asked her before she got _ into space. they probably asked her before she got in _ into space. they probably asked her before she got in it. _ into space. they probably asked her before she got in it. she _ into space. they probably asked her before she got in it. she does - into space. they probably asked her before she got in it. she does look. before she got in it. she does look like she is smiling, _ before she got in it. she does look like she is smiling, as _ before she got in it. she does look like she is smiling, as well. - before she got in it. she does look like she is smiling, as well. how i before she got in it. she does lookj like she is smiling, as well. how is it looking out there, owain? could for space this morning? i suppose so. you would have good views if you — i suppose so. you would have good views if you are _ i suppose so. you would have good views if you are going _ i suppose so. you would have good views if you are going up _ i suppose so. you would have good views if you are going up that - i suppose so. you would have good views if you are going up that high. you want to see something pretty, don't you? not just a lot

you want to see something pretty, don't you? notjust a lot of cloud, but there is quite a lot of that around today. i think some of us will see breaks on the cloud, so thatis will see breaks on the cloud, so that is good. what i can't promise everybody is wall—to—wall blue skies, but i think many of us will see more about compared to yesterday, potentially. there is the headline for today, it is going to be mild, but as the main feature of the forecast. we are going to see some rain as well. let's have a look at the big picture first. here is the pressure chart, this is an area of low pressure, and dangling away from this you have this weather fun. but will bring rain as we had away from this morning and into the afternoon, you can see these lovely colours moving from the south where the milder air yesterday, many of us felt that first thing this morning as well. the finer details shows that when front that i mentioned. moving into parts of northern england, north wales, and into scotland, below this we will see mist and merc lingering for a time, with some dry spells and often as we

head through this afternoon. temperature wise, we get to 13 or 14 celsius, actually started the day especially across parts scotland, where we could see a touch of frost, we could get 278 celsius, but most of us will be in double figures. hopefully we will see a bit of brightness, may some sunshine as well. let's return to the pressure chart, looking at this area of low pressure. this is likely to introduce strong winds as we head into tonight and tomorrow, especially across parts of scotland, the hebrides, the western isles and northern isles as well, especially across parts of northern ireland and northern england. but area of low pressure moves away to the north and then behind it we see some heavy, blustery showers, the potentialfor some of these to have a touch of wintriness to them. further south, eyes on this feature. some rain pushing into the south—west of england and parts of wales as well. those tonight, 11 or 12, further north, cooler, we will see some cool

skies across northern ireland and scotland. through the day tomorrow, this well—defined becomes very lethargic, it kind of stalls, doesn't really want to go anywhere, you can see it stretching across parts of the midlands, parts of east yorkshire and lincolnshire, down towards north wales straddling much of wales, parts of northern england seeing quite a bit of rainfall, potentially a couple of hours through the day tomorrow, because this will not want to go anywhere. to the north, clear and brighter, cloudier and milder, this little ridge of high pressure building as we head through the next couple of days. relatively mild until we see a bit of brightness. looking at those temperatures, it was yellow, it has just changed. how does that compare? it was felt that there has been some very cold days but on the whole it has been quite mild. : , ,:, y but on the whole it has been quite mild. : , :, but on the whole it has been quite mild. : ,,:, , :, :, :, mild. absolutely, and we have had this cold last _ mild. absolutely, and we have had this cold last over— mild. absolutely, and we have had this cold last over the _ mild. absolutely, and we have had this cold last over the past - mild. absolutely, and we have had this cold last over the past couple | this cold last over the past couple of days but now we are returning to something that is milder and a couple of degrees higher than what

we would normally see at this time of year. even with temperatures of 11 or 12 celsius by day, that will feel milder than what we have had of late. the main thing that most of us will notice this week is the fact that because high pressure is building, we will see quite a bit of high pressure but we will see a lot of cloud cover trapped underneath that. :. . :. of cloud cover trapped underneath that. :, , :, ,, ,, :, of cloud cover trapped underneath that. :, , :, ,, ,, that. that is what keeps it a bit warm, that. that is what keeps it a bit warm. isn't _ that. that is what keeps it a bit warm, isn't it? _ that. that is what keeps it a bit warm, isn't it? yes, _ that. that is what keeps it a bit warm, isn't it? yes, and - that. that is what keeps it a bit warm, isn't it? yes, and of- that. that is what keeps it a bit i warm, isn't it? yes, and of course we're having _ warm, isn't it? yes, and of course we're having this _ warm, isn't it? yes, and of course we're having this air— warm, isn't it? yes, and of course we're having this air mass i warm, isn't it? yes, and of course we're having this air mass to i warm, isn't it? yes, and of course we're having this air mass to the i we're having this air mass to the south because the jetstream we're having this air mass to the south because thejetstream is moving to the north. the jetstream is almost like a buffer. the heir to the north of it tends to be colder, the north of it tends to be colder, the heir to the south of it is milder but we will see movement to north and that pull at the milder to the south. : :. north and that pull at the milder to the south. : :, , :, , north and that pull at the milder to the south. : :, , :,, , :, the south. and have people started askinr ou the south. and have people started asking you about _ the south. and have people started asking you about christmas i the south. and have people started asking you about christmas week? | asking you about christmas week? 100%. they were asking me injune, to be honest. we are a little bit closer now. i think it is still a little bit too far away to tell what the detail will be, but of course i will keep you posted. qt

the detail will be, but of course i will keep you posted.— the detail will be, but of course i will keep you posted. of course you will, we will keep you posted. of course you will. we can — will keep you posted. of course you will, we can always _ will keep you posted. of course you will, we can always rely _ will keep you posted. of course you will, we can always rely on i will keep you posted. of course you will, we can always rely on owain i will keep you posted. of course you | will, we can always rely on owain to keep us posted. irate will, we can always rely on owain to keep us posted-— keep us posted. we will return to one of our— keep us posted. we will return to one of our top — keep us posted. we will return to one of our top stories _ keep us posted. we will return to one of our top stories this i keep us posted. we will return to i one of our top stories this morning, the latest news on the new variant. scientists are warning that without further restrictions, the uk is facing a substantial wave of new covid infections injanuary, as concern about the omicron variant continues to grow. it comes as the vaccination programme accelerates, with people in england aged between 30 and 39 able to book their booster jab from tomorrow. let's talk about all of this now with gp dr ellie cannon and professor sian griffiths, an epidemiologist and emeritus professor at the chinese university of hong kong. good morning to you both. it is great to have you with us. let's start with dr ellie, because so much has been made about the new variant and its rate of transmissibility, but also about the symptoms, about whether it is worse or a bit better than what we have seen in the past.

explain a little bit of what we know so far. . . explain a little bit of what we know so far. , , :, :, ., explain a little bit of what we know so far. , , :, :, :, , so far. the best data we have is cominr so far. the best data we have is coming out _ so far. the best data we have is coming out of — so far. the best data we have is coming out of south _ so far. the best data we have is coming out of south africa i so far. the best data we have is i coming out of south africa because they have had omicron really before they have had omicron really before the rest of the world. a lot of the data that comes out of south africa shows us that it is a milder version of the disease, but of course, we don't actually know yet what that will then translate into, because to develop severe disease and to go on to hospital admission and even to die takes time, and we still need that benefit of time. but in the main, it certainly seems like it is milder and the cases that we have had so far here, but of course there are a lot of variables because now we have a large part of the population who thankfully are vaccinated or who had previous infection with covid. dr vaccinated or who had previous infection with covid.— vaccinated or who had previous infection with covid. dr ellie, we are hearing _ infection with covid. dr ellie, we are hearing that _ infection with covid. dr ellie, we are hearing that omicron i infection with covid. dr ellie, we are hearing that omicron is i infection with covid. dr ellie, we| are hearing that omicron is likely

to become the more dominant variant over the next few days. anecdotally in your work as a gp, have you seen any cases? is that certainly becoming the case as you are aware? well, cases of covid generally are obviously very high at the moment, over 50,000 a day, and certainly seeing those types of coughs in general practice. when my patients get tested, some of them indeed do have covid and do have omicron. mostly we are seeing people who do have mild disease. but that could be a function of the fact they are speaking to a gp rather than calling an ambulance. i have to say anecdotally the people i am speaking to with symptoms are not vaccinated or even fully vaccinated, and i know a lot of gps around the country, a lot of doctors and nurses in a&e are seeing the same thing. the people getting symptoms or getting ill are not vaccinated.—

not vaccinated. professor, let us brinr ou not vaccinated. professor, let us bring you in _ not vaccinated. professor, let us bring you in at — not vaccinated. professor, let us bring you in at that _ not vaccinated. professor, let us bring you in at that point. i not vaccinated. professor, let us bring you in at that point. lots i not vaccinated. professor, let us| bring you in at that point. lots of speculation about what this could look like by the end of the year. should we be worried about these new projections? should we be worried about these new ro'ections? ,:, :, should we be worried about these new ro'ections? :, projections? good morning. the projections _ projections? good morning. the projections are _ projections? good morning. the projections are from _ projections? good morning. the projections are from a _ projections? good morning. the projections are from a study i projections? good morning. thel projections are from a study from the london — projections are from a study from the london school of hygiene, and they looked at modelling different scenarios. a call one optimistic, and there — scenarios. a call one optimistic, and there are a range of four scenarios. _ and there are a range of four scenarios, and one is pessimistic. they— scenarios, and one is pessimistic. they say— scenarios, and one is pessimistic. they say what is the best case, what is the _ they say what is the best case, what is the worst — they say what is the best case, what is the worst case, but they emphasise that this is modelling, indicative — emphasise that this is modelling, indicative rather than predictive. it is indicative rather than predictive. it is not — indicative rather than predictive. it is not what is going to happen, it is what— it is not what is going to happen, it is what could happen. they do show— it is what could happen. they do show that— it is what could happen. they do show that they will be large numbers of admissions to hospital, which will inevitably put pressure on the nhs and — will inevitably put pressure on the nhs and will inevitably lead to deaths. — nhs and will inevitably lead to deaths, particularly as ellie was saying _ deaths, particularly as ellie was saying in— deaths, particularly as ellie was saying in the unvaccinated people who are _ saying in the unvaccinated people who are the majority of people who end up— who are the majority of people who end up with the more severe disease. the problems that we face at the

moment— the problems that we face at the moment are that we still do not know everything _ moment are that we still do not know everything there is to know about omicron — everything there is to know about omicron. the science is still coming out and _ omicron. the science is still coming out and research studies are coming out, out and research studies are coming out. and _ out and research studies are coming out. and as— out and research studies are coming out, and as soon as they are ready. it is out, and as soon as they are ready. it is in _ out, and as soon as they are ready. it is in dribs — out, and as soon as they are ready. it is in dribs and drabs. it is like putting— it is in dribs and drabs. it is like putting together a puzzle and looking — putting together a puzzle and looking at the pieces as they become available _ looking at the pieces as they become available. the understanding of omicron — available. the understanding of omicron is not yet complete, and if it does— omicron is not yet complete, and if it does take — omicron is not yet complete, and if it does take over as predicted by the uk _ it does take over as predicted by the uk health security agency it will take — the uk health security agency it will take over from delta. the question— will take over from delta. the question is what is that impact going — question is what is that impact going to — question is what is that impact going to be. the scientists who modelled — going to be. the scientists who modelled this say the most likely impact _ modelled this say the most likely impact is — modelled this say the most likely impact is that they will be large numbers— impact is that they will be large numbers of cases, in the tens of thousands. _ numbers of cases, in the tens of thousands, and that is what will put pressure _ thousands, and that is what will put pressure on — thousands, and that is what will put pressure on the nhs and it will be difficult _ pressure on the nhs and it will be difficult to — pressure on the nhs and it will be difficult to cope with, so that they say that _ difficult to cope with, so that they say that we may then have to consider— say that we may then have to consider all the government may have to consider— consider all the government may have to consider what other measures might— to consider what other measures might be — to consider what other measures might be needed if that is the case. and how— might be needed if that is the case. and how much faith can we put in this modelling, because the scientists have been wrong before when it comes to forecasts and

predictions about rates of infections and hospitalisations. how much faith can be put in this latest projection? t much faith can be put in this latest ro'ection? .. .. , . projection? i think the key is in the words _ projection? i think the key is in the words you _ projection? i think the key is in the words you are _ projection? i think the key is in the words you are using. i projection? i think the key is in the words you are using. theyl projection? i think the key is in i the words you are using. they are predictions. — the words you are using. they are predictions, they are made in advance _ predictions, they are made in advance. they are made with as much knowiedge _ advance. they are made with as much knowledge as there is but it is inadequate because there are still bits of— inadequate because there are still bits of knowledge that are not there — bits of knowledge that are not there it — bits of knowledge that are not there. it is a matter of saying this is the _ there. it is a matter of saying this is the direction of travel. there are many— is the direction of travel. there are many things that can affect the direction _ are many things that can affect the direction of travel, be it the nature _ direction of travel, be it the nature of— direction of travel, be it the nature of the omicron virus itself or be _ nature of the omicron virus itself or be it _ nature of the omicron virus itself or be it the — nature of the omicron virus itself or be it the way that we respond to the restrictions that are coming into our— the restrictions that are coming into our lives, for example working from _ into our lives, for example working from home — into our lives, for example working from home when we can, and also on people _ from home when we can, and also on people coming forth to get boosters. it is fantastic that the booster programme is now open to the over 30s. _ programme is now open to the over 30s, because obviously that is a particularly vulnerable age group in terms _ particularly vulnerable age group in terms of— particularly vulnerable age group in terms of work and socialising, and they really— terms of work and socialising, and they really need to come forward, -et they really need to come forward, get their— they really need to come forward, get their boosters planned in. i know— get their boosters planned in. i know that _ get their boosters planned in. i know that they probably won't be

able to _ know that they probably won't be able to go tomorrow because it is a matter— able to go tomorrow because it is a matter of— able to go tomorrow because it is a matter of being planned, but it is great _ matter of being planned, but it is great the — matter of being planned, but it is great the booster programme is being rolled _ great the booster programme is being rolled out _ great the booster programme is being rolled out more, because things like having _ rolled out more, because things like having the _ rolled out more, because things like having the booster vaccines, getting fully vaccinated if you are not fully— fully vaccinated if you are not fully vaccinated, being careful how and where — fully vaccinated, being careful how and where you meet, wearing your mask. _ and where you meet, wearing your mask, washing your hands, keeping the windows open, all of those measures— the windows open, all of those measures are going to impact on how quickly— measures are going to impact on how quickly the _ measures are going to impact on how quickly the virus spreads. i think we heard — quickly the virus spreads. i think we heard patrick vallance last week saying _ we heard patrick vallance last week saying we _ we heard patrick vallance last week saying we are trying to buy time until— saying we are trying to buy time until we — saying we are trying to buy time until we understand the disease and understand how best to manage it. so yes we _ understand how best to manage it. so yes we need _ understand how best to manage it. so yes we need to listen to the scientists, a very reputable group of scientists, the london school of hygiene _ of scientists, the london school of hygiene is — of scientists, the london school of hygiene is one of the leading centres — hygiene is one of the leading centres in the world, and they are building _ centres in the world, and they are building on— centres in the world, and they are building on the knowledge they have already _ building on the knowledge they have already. but obviously the knowledge they have _ already. but obviously the knowledge they have is imperfect, because we 'ust they have is imperfect, because we just don't— they have is imperfect, because we just don't know yet some of the aspects — just don't know yet some of the aspects of— just don't know yet some of the aspects of the omicron variant which could _ aspects of the omicron variant which could make — aspects of the omicron variant which could make a difference to how

quickly — could make a difference to how quickly it — could make a difference to how quickly it spreads. the research su . . ests quickly it spreads. the research suggests that — quickly it spreads. the research suggests that these _ quickly it spreads. the research suggests that these boosters i quickly it spreads. the research i suggests that these boosters are really effective in the fight against omicron and protecting people against the worst symptoms. lots of uptake of boosters so far but a long way to go, would you say? yes, definitely. iwent but a long way to go, would you say? yes, definitely. i went to a vaccination centre yesterday myself with a relative, just for a walk—in appointment. it was actually great to see how busy it was. we waited about half—an—hour for a walk—in booster. we had friends that also did the same. i would really recommend if people do have the time and inclination to get a walk—in booster, you can look up in your local borough where they are doing walk—in vaccinations. we did it on our way out to do christmas shopping. there was a lot of people there, the staff were absolutely fantastic, and they had different types of vaccines available, both pfizer and moderna. so there is that

option out there. and as we have heard, getting that booster vaccination is probably our best bet in terms of preventing omicron and the devastation it is going to cause. : , :, , , cause. and should we be getting used to this, the idea _ cause. and should we be getting used to this, the idea that _ cause. and should we be getting used to this, the idea that boosters i cause. and should we be getting used to this, the idea that boosters will i to this, the idea that boosters will just become a way of life? we may have to have more and more vaccines, but they just become have to have more and more vaccines, but theyjust become something that we do may be ahead of winter every year. tt we do may be ahead of winter every ear. :, :, ~' we do may be ahead of winter every ear, ., :, " ., we do may be ahead of winter every ear. :, :, year. if we look at where we are with the flu. _ year. if we look at where we are with the flu, | — year. if we look at where we are with the flu, i think _ year. if we look at where we are with the flu, i think many i year. if we look at where we are with the flu, i think many of i year. if we look at where we are with the flu, i think many of us | with the flu, i think many of us will be — with the flu, i think many of us will be offered a flu vaccination every _ will be offered a flu vaccination every year. usually through our general— every year. usually through our general practice, we are very lucky to have _ general practice, we are very lucky to have an— general practice, we are very lucky to have an nhs in this country that actually— to have an nhs in this country that actually we — to have an nhs in this country that actually we can all sign into, so we can get— actually we can all sign into, so we can get called for our vaccines when they are _ can get called for our vaccines when they are needed. it may well be that we have _ they are needed. it may well be that we have a _ they are needed. it may well be that we have a rolling programme with covid _ we have a rolling programme with covid. no—one knows how long this coronavirus— covid. no—one knows how long this coronavirus will evolve. will the mutations — coronavirus will evolve. will the mutations gradually wear through so that it _ mutations gradually wear through so that it is _ mutations gradually wear through so that it is no — mutations gradually wear through so that it is no longer infectious or will we — that it is no longer infectious or will we always need to have a

vaccination against whichever coronavirus is around, or may more i think— coronavirus is around, or may more i think there _ coronavirus is around, or may more i think there is — coronavirus is around, or may more i think there is so much yet to learn but it— think there is so much yet to learn but it is— think there is so much yet to learn but it is a — think there is so much yet to learn but it is a matter of learning to live with — but it is a matter of learning to live with coronavirus, to make the right _ live with coronavirus, to make the right decisions and although the government can put in frameworks and laws, _ government can put in frameworks and laws. it— government can put in frameworks and laws. it is— government can put in frameworks and laws. it is up— government can put in frameworks and laws, it is up to us to actually think— laws, it is up to us to actually think about how we adapt our lives when _ think about how we adapt our lives when we _ think about how we adapt our lives when we are at greater risk, and hopefully— when we are at greater risk, and hopefully that will keep us safe and protect _ hopefully that will keep us safe and protect us— hopefully that will keep us safe and protect us and allow us to be with our loved — protect us and allow us to be with our loved ones at christmas this year. _ our loved ones at christmas this year. for— our loved ones at christmas this year, for example.— year, for example. yes, and dr ellie, speaking _ year, for example. yes, and dr ellie, speaking of— year, for example. yes, and dr ellie, speaking of christmas, i year, for example. yes, and dr ellie, speaking of christmas, if| ellie, speaking of christmas, if anyone... and the reason we're talking this particularly today is that a whole new age category will be eligible for the booster as of monday. if anyone is thinking about when they might book it, how long it takes to get effective, should they hold off until after christmas if they are worried about any side effects? what would you say? in they are worried about any side effects? what would you say? in the main, side effects _ effects? what would you say? in the main, side effects for _ effects? what would you say? in the main, side effects for most i effects? what would you say? in the main, side effects for most people i main, side effects for most people are really mild and last 24 to 48 hours at most, a sore arm, possibly

a bit of a temperature and a headache. i certainly would not let side—effects put people off before christmas, and in fact, if you got vaccinated now, it takes around two weeks for the vaccine and for your immunity to really hit that optimum, so you will be just in time for all the mixing at christmas. i certainly wouldn't let that put anybody off, and in fact it is a good reason to go and get your booster, alongside other mitigation measures if you want to have a lovely christmas with family. people can do testing before they meet up, you can get the windows open, make it a bit more ventilated, and we can all have a lovely and safe dr ellie cannon and professor sian griffiths, thank you for sharing that with us this morning. for sharing that with us this morning-— for sharing that with us this mornin.. , :,, :, , :,, morning. lets hope that christmas asses off morning. lets hope that christmas passes off without _ morning. lets hope that christmas passes off without a _ morning. lets hope that christmas passes off without a hitch i morning. lets hope that christmas passes off without a hitch and i morning. lets hope that christmas i passes off without a hitch and thank you to both dr ellie cannon and sian

griffiths for clarifying a few things there. the andrew marr show is on bbc one at 9:00am. iimagine many i imagine many more of the same measures will be discussed this morning. andrew, good morning to you. morning. andrew, good morning to ou. :, :, , you. you are absolutely right. peole you. you are absolutely right. people are — you. you are absolutely right. people are wondering i you. you are absolutely right. | people are wondering whether you. you are absolutely right. i people are wondering whether this new wave means schools closing down on the new year, and as you are talking about, boosters. an ideal guest is the former vaccines minister and current immigration secretary, who is indeed joining us on the show, as is, after a week of mayhem for downing street, the leader of the labor party, sir keir starmer, and the public health official. i have an interview with a redwall tory mp wondering about her seat and the editor of the mirror who is breaking a big news story this morning. stay with us here on breakfast. more news and sports coming up.

hello, this is breakfast, with ben thompson and katherine downes. a really big day in the world of sport. good morning, it is all about f1 today. it sport. good morning, it is all about f1toda . . sport. good morning, it is all about f1 toda . , ,, :, sport. good morning, it is all about f1toda. , ,, :, :, f1 today. it is, i know you have been watching _ f1 today. it is, i know you have been watching drive _ f1 today. it is, i know you have been watching drive to i f1 today. it is, i know you have| been watching drive to survive, which has introduced so many people

to formula one. for years we have heard it is boring, predictable and not interesting, hamilton has dominated everyone. today it is different because max verstappen could potentially win his first formula one title or lewis hamilton could make it eight. they are on the same number of points going into today's race in abu dhabi. we will be live there shortly. the pair are currently level on points, but vertsappen starts in pole position. it's a winner—takes—all fight, as nick parrott reports. as the sun goes down in abu dhabi, the pressure goes up. max verstappen felt it first in the crucial second session of qualifying that decides the tyres drivers race on. flat spot — massive. a flat spot makes tyres undrivable. it forced red bull and verstappen to change tactics for the race. he'll now start on the faster but less durable soft tyre. it's the final shootout for pole that really matters, though, and in a weekend that's being headlined by individuals, it was a teammate who got verstappen

through. sergio perez provided a slipstream to help the flying dutchman go faster, and it worked. mercedes didn't copy the tactic, and hamilton couldn't catch him. max did a great lap today, so we couldn't answer to that lap. that was a fantastic lap from him. but we're in a good position, i'd like to think, with our tyres tomorrow, and i hope we can have a good race. we definitely improved the car again in qualifying. because so far this weekend was a bit on and off, but incredibly happy with this. this is of course what we wanted, but it's never easy, especially with their form in these last few races. now i'm just looking forward to tomorrow, because that's the most important. in the last six years at yas marina, the pole sitter has gone on to win. in this title fight, verstappen has landed a heavy first blow, leaving hamilton on the ropes. the question is, can he recover?

a fascinating day lies ahead. our sports correspondent natalie pirks is in abu dhabi this morning. natalie, does it feel like this weekend you are at one of the biggest races in the history of formula one?— biggest races in the history of formula one? ~ , , ., i. formula one? absolutely, and if you seak to formula one? absolutely, and if you speak to anyone _ formula one? absolutely, and if you speak to anyone down _ formula one? absolutely, and if you speak to anyone down at _ formula one? absolutely, and if you speak to anyone down at the - formula one? absolutely, and if you speak to anyone down at the track, | speak to anyone down at the track, thatis speak to anyone down at the track, that is exactly what they are telling you. it is buzzing down at the track. the vips are in town and one of the staff members at the hotel we're staying at near the track said to me normally they can get tickets for the abu dhabi grand prix. not this time, this is the hottest ticket in town. it is because, as nickjust said, they are locked on points. it is the first time that has happened since 1974 going into the final race, both aggressive drivers with this fantastic style. max verstappen has more race wins than hamilton this season as well so if both were to fail to finish, it would be the dutchman who would win his first world title at. some have said red

bull could pull something here, they could take lewis out of the race. they have said that would be disrespectful to max verstappen and his racing style. i was speaking to alan prost, who knows plenty about rivalry, and he said he is worried there could be a crash. the governing body of formula one has said any shenanigans like that, anything that leads to a shunt, could see a driver being docked points. they are trying to get in the bud. 1— red bull as you saw, with max verstappen pulling out that amazing qualifying lap. different tires and strategy and tactics will come into play here. they are both aggressive, not going to yield an inch. it is going to be an absolutely fascinating race later today. absolutely fascinating race later toda . . . ' absolutely fascinating race later toda . ., ., ' ., , today. natalie, in f1, ultimately even netflix _ today. natalie, in f1, ultimately even netflix could _ today. natalie, in f1, ultimately even netflix could not _ today. natalie, in f1, ultimately even netflix could not have - even netflix could not have predicted this particular plotline.

more young audiences, more diverse audiences watching formula one at the moment and going forward with that spending, things will only get more unpredictable. i that spending, things will only get more unpredictable.— more unpredictable. i think what the are more unpredictable. i think what they are trying — more unpredictable. i think what they are trying to _ more unpredictable. i think what they are trying to do _ more unpredictable. i think what they are trying to do with - more unpredictable. i think what they are trying to do with the - they are trying to do with the changes next year is just level the playing field a bit more. as you alluded to earlier, it has been accused in the past of being a bit boring. it is the driver with the best car that wins. certainly this year we have seen max verstappen in the past have the ability but not have the car. he now has the car, and i think the changes that are coming are in a bid to try to make other teams and bring them in. it is notjust a rivalry between two racers, but may be between four next season. we have actually been followed around by netflix when we have been doing our interviews in the paddock. for the bbc to get access to formula one is quite rare. it is something that has pretty much only happened for this race, but they have welcomed us with open arms. they are really trying to change the fans that watch the race, being live on channel 4, will do just that.

being live on channel 4, will do 'ust that. , ., ., , ., just that. the new star of drive to survive, natalie _ just that. the new star of drive to survive, natalie pirks. _ just that. the new star of drive to survive, natalie pirks. it - just that. the new star of drive to survive, natalie pirks. it is - just that. the new star of drive to survive, natalie pirks. it is so - survive, natalie pirks. it is so good, and other f1 shows are available but it is amazing. it is available but it is amazing. it is the envy of _ available but it is amazing. it is the envy of all _ available but it is amazing. it is the envy of all sport. _ available but it is amazing. it 3 the envy of all sport. football has been doing it for a while, the reality show behind the scenes, but formula one has taken it to another level. and this race today should be fascinating. level. and this race today should be fascinatina. . ., level. and this race today should be fascinating-_ i i fascinating. channel 4 and 5live. i love f1 on — fascinating. channel 4 and 5live. i love f1 on the _ fascinating. channel 4 and 5live. i love f1 on the radio. _ fascinating. channel 4 and 5live. i love f1 on the radio. nothing - fascinating. channel 4 and 5live. i | love f1 on the radio. nothing beats that commentary. _ love f1 on the radio. nothing beats that commentary. jack _ love f1 on the radio. nothing beats that commentary. jack nichols - love f1 on the radio. nothing beats that commentary. jack nichols is i that commentary. jack nichols is brilliant, isn't he? that is impartiality, isn't it? we're here on the bbc news channel until 9:00am this morning, and coming up in the next hour: after the third landslide in two years happened on the norfolk coast this week, we'll speak to the british geological survey about what is causing them and the impact on the coastline.

but this is where we say goodbye to viewers on bbc one. bye for now. if you are still with us, welcome back. you made the right decision, to stay with us. as promised, we are going to talk about those landslides. residents of a seaside village in norfolk have been told to avoid the beach after a substantial landslide this week. it is the 3rd cliff all of its kind on the same stretch of coastline in just 2 years. if you needed reminding just how vulnerable parts of our coast are becoming, this is the latest example. people at monthly in north norfolk woke to find this. pc defences and much of the beach to sea covered. in 2019 a huge cliff

fall at side strand was filmed as it happened. last year it happened on the hill at training. trier? happened. last year it happened on the hill at training.— the hill at training. very tired thinkina the hill at training. very tired thinking about _ the hill at training. very tired thinking about it _ the hill at training. very tired thinking about it all, - the hill at training. very tired thinking about it all, going i the hill at training. very tired thinking about it all, going to the hill at training. very tired - thinking about it all, going to have to move, i reckon, now. just under 2 years ago, i think, that could happen here. it has already started, it is the start of the season of this weather. i am very nervous and agitated about any further. cliffs. agitated about any further. cliffs alon: agitated about any further. cliffs along much _ agitated about any further. cliffs along much of— agitated about any further. cliffs along much of the _ agitated about any further. cliffs along much of the east - agitated about any further. cliffs along much of the east anglia coast are vulnerable for 1 important reason. they are made up largely of sand and soil, which soaks up rainfall and can then share away. you've just got to be careful with our cliffs, you know? other parts of the country you get rock, whether cliffs are very stable. because of the nature of how hours i made up, with sand and soil, they are always vulnerable. this time of the year, lots of rain, it makes it worse. the coast guard _ lots of rain, it makes it worse. the coast guard wants people to stay

away from munsley beach. they say the landslide is so big it could leave people cut off at high tide. at the top of the quickest potentially very unstable. we're joined now by dr vanessa banks from the british geological survey. thank you for being with us. we've just been looking at some of those incredible pictures of that landslide, but did you make of it when you saw it? it is landslide, but did you make of it when you saw it?— landslide, but did you make of it when you saw it? it is certainly a very large _ when you saw it? it is certainly a very large rotational— when you saw it? it is certainly a very large rotational slide - when you saw it? it is certainly a very large rotational slide that i when you saw it? it is certainly a i very large rotational slide that has become a complex landslide, as it has moved towards the beach. share has moved towards the beach. are these things becoming more common? we seem to be seeing storms we and week at the moment. with an increasing ferocity of the seriousness and the seriousness of the weather. will be seen more landslides as a result? you the weather. will be seen more landslides as a result?- landslides as a result? you are

absolutely _ landslides as a result? you are absolutely right, _ landslides as a result? you are absolutely right, both - landslides as a result? you are absolutely right, both of - landslides as a result? you are absolutely right, both of those | absolutely right, both of those aspects. land sliding in coastal environments will be a consequence of the interplay between meteoric conditions and the marine environment. it is a very long thatch that is available for the wave sequences that impact on the munsley area, and with respect to the meteorological conditions, we are finding heavy rainfall, very intense rainfall events, seeming to impact quite significantly on land sliding. but further to the north, where we have a coastal landslide observatory which is run by the british geological survey at aldeburgh in yorkshire, there is not a direct correlation between rainfall and land sliding, although there is a tentative correlation. to

some extent, the conditions also influence the sensitivity of the land to subsequent rainfall and erosion. so for instance, if we have a series of dry summers, that enables incipient discontinuities in the sediments to develop over time. briefly, what does it mean for our coastlines? we are looking at some houses increasingly close to the edge, given everything you have told us, how vulnerable is our coastline? our coastline is particularly vulnerable in areas such as north norfolk, where the sediments are fairly recent. they underwent glaciation 450,000 years ago or so, and they are in an unconsolidated

state relative to our bedrock geology. therefore those sediments do erode more easily. in the munsley area they are in into layering of different screen sizes of sediment, which means water can be trapped in a more cohesive layers, protect similarly in the slight movement or groundwater pressure can build up in those slopes, which ultimately leads to a loss of cohesion in the sediments, and a weakening, effectively, giving way to erosion. doctor, thank you for explaining all of that. it is so much more complicated than it is my 1st appear, but doctor banks, from the british geological survey, thank you. owain is here in the studio with a look at the weather. we had storm arwen, then stormed barra. the storms are key to making the

landless table. how is it looking, but quite in the next or so? we have an area of low pressure moving it overnight which will affect western parts of scotland, moving up to the northern islands as we go into the next 12 hours. i think what most of us will feel is that it will be milder over the next couple of days. we don't have any main storms en route at the moment in the forecast, but we have some unsettled weather in northern parts which i will get to in a 2nd. there is your headline for the weekend. milder hour, but with that we will see milder cloud. having said that, many of us will see a bit of brightness so it isn't all bad news, if you are looking to see a of blue sky. i think we might get a bit of that trickling in here or there. this is what is going on in the big picture. there is the pressure chart. this is the area of low pressure that i mentioned. unsettled conditions through the end of the day today and into tomorrow. as we saw on the headline, it is going to be mild, and that is because we are importing this milder hermas, if you

can imagine thejet importing this milder hermas, if you can imagine the jet stream, you can't see it on this graphics, committees appear, allowing for the milder air to move committees appear, allowing for the milderairto move up committees appear, allowing for the milder air to move up from the south, but thejet milder air to move up from the south, but the jet stream is a bit of a conveyor belt as well and it swings areas of low pressure around our way. 1 of those weather fronts is what you are seeing here. this moves into parts of northern ireland, northern wales, into england and scotland as we head through the day. further south we will see some wrist and merc across parts of wales in southern england, really on the hills wherever we are, as we go through this afternoon. temperature wise we get to 13 or 14 c across many parts today with some bright spells developing here or there as well. it will be brightening up later on but i think you will be reluctant to leave parts of scotland. that is what will cause problems as we move through tonight. the low pressure not only introducing that rain but also very strong winds. in fact, gusts of 80, 80 5 miles an hour along coastal parts, western parts of scotland, our bodies, the western isles and

northern isles as we move through tonight, and into northern parts of england and northern ireland as well. a bit of a contrast temperature wise, separate across scotland, further south temperatures will tend to rise, because we will be in at milder hour. tomorrow we have this weather front, this will be quite a lethargic feature, it is bringing rain but that is not going anywhere and hurry. it will be draped in these parts, south—western england, wales, northern england, quite a bit of rain here. turning wintry but milder to the south. is that christmas tree getting closer to you? i that christmas tree getting closer to ou? , . , , ., to you? i feel it is creeping up on ou! i to you? i feel it is creeping up on you! i feel— to you? i feel it is creeping up on you! i feel maybe _ to you? i feel it is creeping up on you! i feel maybe it _ to you? i feel it is creeping up on you! i feel maybe it is, _ to you? i feel it is creeping up on you! ifeel maybe it is, i- to you? i feel it is creeping up on you! ifeel maybe it is, i am- to you? i feel it is creeping up on i you! ifeel maybe it is, i am scared to touch it— you! ifeel maybe it is, i am scared to touch it because _ you! ifeel maybe it is, i am scared to touch it because yesterday - to touch it because yesterday started rotating.— to touch it because yesterday started rotating.- yes, | to touch it because yesterday i started rotating.- yes, it to touch it because yesterday - started rotating.- yes, it is started rotating. what? yes, it is motorised- _ started rotating. what? yes, it is motorised. let's _ started rotating. what? yes, it is motorised. let's get _ started rotating. what? yes, it is motorised. let's get some - started rotating. what? yes, it is motorised. let's get some of - started rotating. what? yes, it is motorised. let's get some of the j motorised. let's get some of the s - in motorised. let's get some of the sin on motorised. let's get some of the spin on it! _ motorised. let's get some of the spin on it! don't _ motorised. let's get some of the spin on it! don't tempt _ motorised. let's get some of the spin on it! don't tempt me, - spin on it! don't tempt me, honestly- — spin on it! don't tempt me, honestly. could _ spin on it! don't tempt me, honestly. could an - spin on it! don't tempt me, i honestly. could an christmas spin on it! don't tempt me, - honestly. could an christmas tree get more extra?—

honestly. could an christmas tree aet more extra? . , ., ,. get more extra? it wants more screen time, it is ageing — get more extra? it wants more screen time, it is ageing and, _ get more extra? it wants more screen time, it is ageing and, i'm _ get more extra? it wants more screen time, it is ageing and, i'm sure. - time, it is ageing and, i'm sure. thanks, owain. two years ago today, former leeds rhino's player rob burrow was diagnosed with motor neurone disease. at the time, he was told he would only have one or two years to live. since then he has spoken openly about living with mnd, while his best friend and former teammate kevin sinfield has pushed himself to the limit, raising more than £5 million to support people like rob. breakfast has been following his extraordinary challenges. the latest saw him run 101 miles in 24 hours. i know it's going to be horrific. i know it's going to be really, really tough, but it's supposed to be.

he's not going to sleep and there are serious risks. 100 miles in one day without no sleep?! you are crazy! people gravitate towards him - because he's so decent, humble. it sounds like i've - a massive man crush. i probably do! i want it to be raining and sleeting and windy and i want everything to get through on us that it can be, because there's people out there doing it really tough with mnd and people connected with mnd who are fighting a tough fight at the minute and we're just showing them that we care. probably a bit apprehensive.

i think you want to get started, you want to get going. my wife said i had to run from here to leeds, yeah, my wife suggested, "why don't you run with the both clubs that mean a fair bit to you," and you do the maths and work out the route. it's all inspired by rob and he will be in our heads and hearts. when we take on the run, we will go and do our best for him. you're going to leave from your current club, which is leicester... yep. ..and then you're going to run till you get to leeds. yes. yep, the tigers now, and work out the distance between leicester and leeds and you get to around that 100—mile mark and you go, well, we'll combine the two. should have six to nine months of training. but the reality is people who are diagnosed with mnd don't always get six to nine months, and we've just got to go for it. here is a very special message for you from rob. well, mate, another crazy

challenge is approaching. i would say good luck, but i know you will absolutely smash it. i often say i would do the same for you, but these challenges are beyond my means. i know my family will be behind you and i think the whole country is as well. on behalf of me and all the sufferers out there, thanks from the bottom of our hearts. you are so highly thought of in the land. i know you will smash some sort of record for 100 miles. good luck, kev. ps, i'm deleting this, might have to make this up again, so you better kill it. one of the first things kev spoke to us about when he arrived was when you play in successful teams and you play with your mates, you get a bond that lasts

a lifetime, the bond he has with his team—mates, the bond he has with the needs community and building that with leicester, and i think that shows him what he does, i think that inspires him to run. the sort of bloke that you'd want to go into the trenches with him because he'll do anything for you. everyone here at leicester tigers is proud of him. to be able to do what he does in terms of the hours - and the diligence that goes - into coaching a premiership team and then to be able to prepare for something like this - for your mate, only got admiration, so he'll have massive, _ massive support, yeah. running through the night, sleep deprived, glycogen depleted, fatigued, we've got to make sure that actually, you know, he doesn't injure or hurt himself. we've estimated his expenditure to be around 13,000 calories. we're going to feed him around 900 calories around every two hours. he motivates us to do things

that we don't think we can do and he does that by leading by example and doing things that nobody should be able to do. it's going to be tough and there are serious risks. kev will do it. he'll need the support of everybody, you know, both his support team and everybody in the country to get behind him, but he will absolutely do it. there'e so many unknowns in this, there's so many uncertainties for all of us. we're not quite sure what the body is going to do and how it will react at certain points, but, yeah, people with mnd don't have a choice. we won't have a choice when we start on monday.

morning. applause. how are you feeling? yeah, i'm good, thank you. ready to start, ready to get going. we're all freezing. cool as a cucumber, though, you, aren't you? no, no, no, no. it's a special day, and to have this support, to have both charities here represented and to have all our team ready to go. applause. five, four, three, two, one...go!

applause. what kevin is doing is absolutely brilliant. and. . .sorry. .. no, it is, it's, yeah... the whole club are absolutely brilliant in helping, and kevinjust epitomises all of that. applause. thanks, everybody! thank you! three, two, one...let�*s go! applause.

fish and chips! you've got fish and chips! well, we haven't. that'll be for the end of it. rob's got the same strain of motor neurone as my sister had, who passed away last year, so it's just great to see people raising awareness of the disease and getting it in the public eye again. applause. he is one incredible individual. i've not come across anybody so inspiring. tough one, that one. was always going to be, i think. number seven, rob's done it on purpose for us. the sun's still shining and we're still going and, yeah, we're all right,

we're all right. applause. if you are not drinking beer, you have got to run with me, all right? let's go! applause. band plays christmas carols

applause. thank you so much for coming out and supporting us. you have made a huge difference, so thank you. applause. three, two, one...let�*s go! applause. he is running on fumes, he is very emotional, very tired. we are so proud of him. i think he is really digging in, you can see that.

that is how he is. applause. morning. applause. just amazing, we are so proud of him. it means so much notjust for us, but all the mnd community, and just means the world.

just really tired. it has been really, really tough. and you have just got this extra mile, you are going to have macy and lindsay alongside you. it is going to be emotional, this bit, isn't it? well, it will be slow, i know that, but we will try and enjoy this even though i feel like i am walking on broken glass. and they are about to set off on that extra mile. they are heading your way, sally. one more mile to go! as he sets off on his final mile, you can see lindsay and macy with him, having run 100 miles already. he has one mile to go. can't really express... kevin is kevin, he has been in the game, he is a legend outside of the game. applause.

don't make me cry. i am not going to make you cry! you have done it. you have done it! that is all you need to know. how important is it for your friend, rob, what you have wanted to achieve today? yeah, he knows how much we love and care to him. it is wonderful and ijust whispered in his ear, it was very tough, but the seventh

one was horrendous... the seventh? coming out of nottingham, i said he has done it on purpose. number seven! it was an honourjust a moment, it was amazing. i can't thank you enough. it is so much, i didn't think he could do it, i but he did. he has a few words you want to pass on. go ahead, rob. thanks so much for this. the money raised, for people to get the great facilities and money for mnd to find a cure. today is an amazing day for the whole community and will benefit every sufferer. lastly, to my amazing friend, kevin. you don't realise the impact you have had on me and the whole mnd community.

good morning welcome to breakfast with ben thompson and katherine downes. our headlines today... further accusations of rule breaking after this picture shows the prime minister did take part in a christmas quiz while restrictions were in place last year. a boost for the booster programme — over 30—year—olds can book theirjabs tomorrow in england but there are warnings the uk could face a record wave of infections. towns flattened and more than 100 people feared dead after powerful tornadoes hit six us states. one of the biggest day's

in the history of formula one. winner takes all at the abu dhabi grand prix — lewis hamilton will have to chase down max verstappen if he's to win the world title. it was a night of twists and turns — professional dancer flavia joins us on the sofa to discuss who's waltzed their way to the top and who could be heading home. a much milderfeeling to proceedings across the uk today, but northern parts experiencing some low pressure later on. i will be back with the details. it's sunday 12th december. our main story. the prime minister is facing further questions this morning about christmas gatherings at downing street a year ago — after a photo emerged of him taking part in a quiz. the picture, obtained by the sunday mirror, shows borisjohnson sitting next to two colleagues, at a time when social mixing between households was banned in london. downing street says he briefly attended the event, which was held virtually.

our political correspondent chris mason has the latest — just a warning there is some flash photography in this report. take a look at this. it's december 15th last year, inside 10 downing street. borisjohnson is hosting a round of a staff christmas quiz. two colleagues are either side of him, one with tinsel wrapped around him. some staff took part virtually from home. others from around the building. a number ten spokesman told the bbc: the bbc had already reported that invitations for the quiz were sent out in advance via email, and many people wore christmas

jumpers for the day. one source said people didn't seem to realise how ridiculous it was at the time. labour's deputy leader angela rayner has accused the prime minister of being happy to preside over a culture of disregard for the rules at the heart of government, and claimed he was unfit to lead the country. for day after day, the prime minister and his team tried to brush off or deny reports of a party or get—togethers around government, when social mixing was banned a year ago. this is the latest in a torrent of stories that suggests otherwise. chris mason, bbc news. people in england aged between 30 and 39 can book their booster jab from tomorrow. the acceleration of the vaccination programme comes as scientists warn that the uk could face record levels of infection, without further restrictions. our reporter simonjones has more. it's a national mission, the health secretary says,

to getjabs into arms as quickly as possible. 22 million booster vaccinations have already been administered in the uk. it's important to get vaccinated so we can get back to our normal, semi—normal life at the moment. it's basically because of this new omicron, it's more worrying, i think, because we don't know exactly what's going to happen. so it's betterjust to be safe. at the end of today i've got kids of my own, so i have to protectl myself to protect my family. from tomorrow, the national booking system will be open to people in their 30s in england. they will be able to go online and book an appointment two months after receiving their second dose. that's a month in advance of becoming eligible for that top—up. data from the uk health security agency suggests boosters give good protection against the new variant.

the government says there has never been a more important time to get a jab. a study from the london school of hygiene and tropical medicine has suggested the uk could face a substantial wave of omicron infections if there are no further restrictions, which might cause between 25,000 and 75,000 deaths in england by the end of april, depending how well the vaccines perform. but scientists accept more data is needed before the true picture of where the uk is heading becomes clear. we have early evidence of vaccine efficacy in the uk against omicron cases, and it does show that booster doses do provide a really substantial benefit. we don't know yet about the impacts on hospitalisations and deaths, but there's every reason to believe they would provide a real boost in terms of preventing those outcomes. there are almost 3,000 vaccination sites in england. labour is calling for pop—up sites to be put in shopping centres and high streets so that people can be boosted as they do their christmas shopping. simon jones, bbc news.

helen catt is in our london newsroom. how damaging are the christmas party allegations for the prime minister? given that we are hearing about rising infection rates through to the new year. aha, rising infection rates through to the new year.— rising infection rates through to the new year. a picture makes a certain impact. _ the new year. a picture makes a certain impact, doesn't - the new year. a picture makes a certain impact, doesn't it, - the new year. a picture makes a certain impact, doesn't it, and i the new year. a picture makes a certain impact, doesn't it, and itj certain impact, doesn't it, and it comes at a time when the government wants to reduce restrictions in the form of compulsory mask wearing, covid passes and asking people to once again work from home, so it is not ideal timing if you are trying to put out that sort of public health message. it is also speaking to conservative mps, many of them increasingly frustrated at what they see as downing street's inability to

get a grip on the story with this drip drip of allegations, photos, claims that they say it's taking away from the work that they want to do, and they will get their say this week. there is a vote in the commons on tuesday on plan b restrictions. more than 60 conservative mps have said they will not support at least some of those measures, particularly with concern around the idea of covid passes, vaccine passports as they have been known. in terms of becoming law, labour is backing though so it will pass the vote, it is almost guaranteed, on tuesday but you will hear from quite a lot of very cross conservative mps this week. , . , ~ very cross conservative mps this week. , ., , ~' ., ~' , ., week. yes, a big week, thank you very much. _ week. yes, a big week, thank you very much, helen _ week. yes, a big week, thank you very much, helen catt. _ the police watchdog is investigating the fatal shooting of a man by armed officers in london yesterday afternoon. officers were called to reports of a man with a firearm entering a bank and a bookmakers, before stopping a suspect vehicle a short time later. the metropolitan police

say the incident is not being treated as terrorism. the us presidentjoe biden has described the tornadoes that ripped through six states on friday night, as among the most devastating in the country's history. more than 100 people are feared to have died in the storms and thousands more are without power and water. our us correspondent nomia iqbal reports from kentucky — where a state of emergency has been declared. the scale of the disruption has been extraordinary. in the dead of night, dark funnel clouds roared across six states in four hours at huge speeds. they tore through a path of more than 200 miles in kentucky, hitting the small town of mayfield hard. workers on christmas shifts at a candle factory were buried by several tornadoes that came hurtling in the dark. it's thought up to 110 people were inside. 40 have made it out. this has been the most devastating

tornado event in our state's history, and for those that have seen it, what it has done here, and in grace county, and elsewhere, it's indescribable. a state of emergency has been declared in kentucky, as a huge rescue operation gets under way. authorities are facing huge challenges. the police station in mayfield has been destroyed and firefighters have lost equipment. there is no power. nearly 200 troops from the national guard are helping and more than half the population of this town are without electricity and water on one of the coldest months of the year. this used to be a petrol station, and the only reason we know that is because of a solitary petrol pump that is still standing in the middle of the forecourt. all the others have blown over. and the kiosk, where you go in to pay for your petrol, has completely disappeared. it's lost underneath all this rubble. in the southern state of arkansas, a nursing home was badly damaged,

killing at least one person, injuring several, and trapping more than a dozen others inside. in the midwestern state of illinois, an amazon warehouse with up to 100 people inside was ripped apart after the roof partially collapsed. at least six people are dead. president biden has called it an unimaginable tragedy. we still don't know how many lives are lost or the full extent of the damage. but i want to emphasise what i told all the governors, the federal government will do everything it possibly can do to help. forecasters say the storm has now weakened, but americans are being urged to get ready for more severe weather as the storms continue to sweep across the country. nomia iqbal, bbc news, kentucky. foreign ministers from some of the world's most powerful nations including the us, france and italy, are in liverpool this weekend for a g7 meeting. our diplomatic correspondent james landale is in liverpool this morning.

our diplomatic correspondent james landale is our diplomatic correspondentjames landale is in liverpool. james — what's likely to be discussed today? welcome to a damp morning outside the museum of liverpool where the ministers are already arriving. yesterday discussions were about the immediate issues of this week, the threat of conflict between russia and ukraine. today, the minister try to broaden things out and think more long—term. they will turn attention further east. the g7 is some european nations, canada and america and alsojapan, european nations, canada and america and also japan, they will be joined ljy and also japan, they will be joined by ministers from the association of southeast asian nations, and they will broaden their discretion to what is described sometimes as the three cs, covid, climate and china. we will see what is a trend within diplomacy of transatlantic nations trying to do more to cooperate with

nations in the far east. lots of issues to discuss, lots of statements to agree obviously on issues that are of importance, not just russia and ukraine but also what is going on in myanmar, conflicts in africa, things like that and at the end of it a little bit of fun, they were at the people's museum last night for supper and today in the rain they will be going off to see the home of liverpool football club. hal will be going off to see the home of liverpool football club.— liverpool football club. not all business. _ liverpool football club. not all business, then. _ liverpool football club. not all business, then. we _ liverpool football club. not all business, then. we will - liverpool football club. not all business, then. we will let - liverpool football club. not allj business, then. we will let you liverpool football club. not all - business, then. we will let you get out of the drizzle, james, thank you. there have been more uncomfortable headlines this morning for number 10, as pictures emerged of the prime minister taking part in a virtual christmas quiz last year, when social mixing was banned in london. at the start of a testing week, borisjohnson now faces more accusations of rule breaking, as well as a potential rebellion from his own mps,

when the latest covid measures are put to a vote in the commons. one of those expected to vote against the prime minister is tory mp, steve baker. hejoins us now. good morning to you. another day, another set of terrible headlines for the prime minister. what do you make of what you have seen in the sunday mirror, that picture of the prime minister not very distant from his colleagues at that point. we cannot no his colleagues at that point. , cannot go on like this and the time to sort it out is not much longer. the public should have confidence that there is one set of rules that applies equally to everybody and they should be clear we are all complying and if there are exceptions for a good reason that they are proportionate. whenever i induct new staff i warned them that politics is one minus the shooting and to survive the first thing we have to do is comply with all the rules so i wish that downing street would take just that approach. you would take 'ust that approach. you sa cannot would take just that approach. you say cannot go _ would take just that approach. you say cannot go on much longer like this, what does that mean? the prime minister needs — this, what does that mean? the prime minister needs to _ this, what does that mean? the prime minister needs to grip _ this, what does that mean? the prime minister needs to grip all— this, what does that mean? the prime minister needs to grip all of— this, what does that mean? the prime minister needs to grip all of these -

minister needs to grip all of these issues, he needs to be seen to comply with all of the rules, however tedious and detailed and he needs to make sure he gets back to theissues needs to make sure he gets back to the issues that he cares about, that we care about and start driving in the direction of freedom and personal responsibility which is what the conservative party is supposed to stand for, which is why today i am launching conservative way forward, asking people to support us through our website because we need to make sure there is a movement which says to boris and the party as a whole, people want us to stand for freedom and personal responsibility, enterprise, all those other good things they recognise as conservative. on the spectrum of issues right now it doesn't look like that. i do spectrum of issues right now it doesn't look like that.- doesn't look like that. i do not want to speculate _ doesn't look like that. i do not want to speculate but - doesn't look like that. i do not want to speculate but what - doesn't look like that. i do not| want to speculate but what you doesn't look like that. i do not - want to speculate but what you are telling me is that there is a growing division within the party and you are spearheading a division that says we want to do this thing quite differently to what we are being told by the prime minister. surely, when many members of the public look at the headlines today and where we are going as a country, of course they will agree with me we should be heading in a different

direction. we really can't go on with a government that is constantly mired in headlines of this kind. that requires very strict compliance by everybody. the very idea of holding a party when people have been a month unable to see loved ones at christmas or perhaps when they have been dying in care homes, it is an awful position to be in. he should never have had it arise, it can never arise again, but what i want to say today is that i want borisjohnson to rescue his position, but we have to be clear, it is a question of rescuing his position now.— it is a question of rescuing his osition now. , ., ., position now. things are not good. how will he — position now. things are not good. how will he rescue _ position now. things are not good. how will he rescue his _ position now. things are not good. how will he rescue his position - how will he rescue his position because my pressure to resign? i am because my pressure to resign? i am not callin: because my pressure to resign? i am not calling for— because my pressure to resign? i am not calling for that _ because my pressure to resign? i am not calling for that at _ because my pressure to resign? l—n not calling for that at all. the country wouldn't be well served by having a leadership contest right now. it is unclear who will take over. people overwhelmingly backed borisjohnson, gave him a large majority with which to govern the country and i would like to see him square things away and do things properly. he needs to get a team around him to make sure that he is

able to comply with every single rule that we impose on others, and rules which are imposed on him. that might mean some staff changes. but let's face it, it is a matter for him to decide how he wants to govern and with whom. i do think he needs to rely more on the cabinet, make sure that they have got the freedom to govern their departments as they want to, to deliver our manifesto. these are the basics that the prime minister needs to be gripping. at the crucial point is that we escape this position where we have got too many episodes of pantomime is that we escape this position where we have got too many episodes of pantomimes going on. what have got too many episodes of pantomimes going on. what we have heard over the _ pantomimes going on. what we have heard over the last _ pantomimes going on. what we have heard over the last two _ pantomimes going on. what we have heard over the last two weeks - pantomimes going on. what we have heard over the last two weeks is - pantomimes going on. what we have heard over the last two weeks is a i heard over the last two weeks is a lack of acknowledgement. there is no evidence as we have seen in the papers that these parties took place and we have not seen an acknowledgement that they happened nor an apology from the prime minister. you think that is where he may start to redeem, in your words, to redeem his position and could apologise? i to redeem his position and could a ”oloise? ~ to redeem his position and could a-ioloise? ~ to redeem his position and could apologise?— apologise? i think! said rescue, but es.

apologise? ithinki said rescue, but yes- if— apologise? i think! said rescue, but yes. if the _ apologise? i think! said rescue, but yes. if the rules _ apologise? i think! said rescue, but yes. if the rules are - apologise? i think! said rescue, but yes. if the rules are broken | but yes. if the rules are broken down needs to be an apology for appearing to have broken the rules, but let's not forget boris johnson stood at the last pm queues and started with an apology so credit him for that, he may have to repeat it to resolve this issue but let's face it, the prime minister did have to begin p cues with an apology. there may need to be further apologies. —— begin pmqs, but we that oppose rules and others need to be appear to be abiding by the spirit of those rules. the public exects spirit of those rules. the public exoects that — spirit of those rules. the public expects that from _ spirit of those rules. the public expects that from us. - spirit of those rules. the public expects that from us. a - spirit of those rules. the public expects that from us. a big - spirit of those rules. the public i expects that from us. a big week with voting on there further plan b measures, how would you be voting? i measures, how would you be voting? i expect four votes and i expect a very clearly no 23 of them, the fourth is moderately liberalising going over to test isolation but i will vote against vaccine passports, of course i will, i will vote against extending mast mandates and

against extending mast mandates and against mandatory vaccination as a condition of nhs employment. i think these things are wrong and disproportionate and there was disproportionate and there was disproportionate —— there is inadequate evidence that they required. what is on the table is what kind of society we are creating as we go forward, and that is why we are launching conservative way forward, and i want people to go to the website for that and support us. you will vote against those proposals and given what we have seen as far as modelling is concerned with the rates of infection you will see over the coming weeks and then to the start of january, when we coming weeks and then to the start ofjanuary, when we are coming weeks and then to the start of january, when we are told that the nhs will struggle to cope. i would encourage everybody to go to the spectator data website which includes using official data comparisons of what was modelled versus what happened, and they will see that the models are routinely extremely pessimistic. all of the incentives our own experts to make pessimistic forecast. that is why i and others have given the prime minister and number ten some practical, concrete things they can do to sort out the quality of

modelling, to get competitive, multidisciplinary expert advice so that the prime minister has a spectrum of choices, to make sure that parliament has its say on these rules and quite frankly i expect your viewers will see how frustrated i am that given detailed proposals to number ten months ago, and how we could have avoided getting intojust this position, here we are once again not only looking at additional costly restrictions on the public, but with rumours of going further. this really cannot go on. unless people have certainty in their lives about what the rules are going to be in the future, they cannot plan, cannot live their lives, cannot be happy, joyful cannot live their lives, cannot be happy, joyful and free and that at the end is what i want, a happy, prosperous and free public able to get on and live their lives. we have been vaccinated. the vaccines continue to be effective in preventing serious illness and death, this omicron variant is going to go through our population and i'm afraid that now is the time to accept that we have to live with covid like we live with the flu, and that means not panicking every time there is a variant, because there will be. ~ . , .,

there is a variant, because there will be. ~ ., , , ., ., will be. we may get a sense of what the ublic will be. we may get a sense of what the public thinks _ will be. we may get a sense of what the public thinks about _ will be. we may get a sense of what the public thinks about all— will be. we may get a sense of what the public thinks about all this - will be. we may get a sense of what the public thinks about all this in - the public thinks about all this in that shropshire north by—election, that shropshire north by—election, that was prompted by the resignation of owen paterson. how worried as the conservative party this morning? we are all conservative party this morning? , are all concerned about every by—election as it gives the public the opportunity to express a view. i would encourage everybody to vote conservative, i believe the conservative, i believe the conservative party is the only party capable of giving us good government and i hope the voters will back us, to turn things round. i am always going to want a conservative mp but we continue to be concerned, of course. ~ ., ,, course. we will find out, steve baker, course. we will find out, steve baker. good — course. we will find out, steve baker, good to _ course. we will find out, steve baker, good to have _ course. we will find out, steve baker, good to have you - course. we will find out, steve baker, good to have you with i course. we will find out, steve. baker, good to have you with us course. we will find out, steve - baker, good to have you with us this morning, thank you for spending some time with us. morning, thank you for spending some time with us— owain is here in the studio with a look at the weather. warmish and wettish? we should have

put that in the headline, that is exactly what we are going to see. there is more detail to put on than that. i will do that now. this morning, you may feel that it is not as cold out there, we are in a mild air mass. there is the headline, mild and mostly cloudy. the reason why we are seeing the change in the temperatures is because we have this area of low pressure moving towards us. thejet area of low pressure moving towards us. the jet stream area of low pressure moving towards us. thejet stream is kind of up here. i will speak more about this in a second. with the jet stream to the north under that low pressure, it is drawing up milder airfrom the cell. continuing that pattern over the next couple of days. it will be cold for many of us over the coming days. the boundary of the cold and warm to the north will change a bit so for the northern part of scotland it will be a chilly, frosty start on some of those areas. on the pressure chart we can see this area moving into northern ireland and the north

of england. it is slowly leaving the north of england and moving into scotland but still pretty chilly further north. 13 celsius in northern ireland, much of england and wales between 11—14, so higher than we have seen of late. the low pressure we saw earlier on is going to impact parts of scotland as we head through this evening, introducing some very windy conditions. in fact we could see gusts of potentially 85 mph across western parts, and it will turn windy across northern ireland and more northern parts of the uk, and it will bring rain as well, and the wind is the main feature of that. as the main low pressure area moves away, blustery showers come in from the west towards the western isles and western scotland. there is a boundary as far as the temperatures are going to notice, lose the night of eight across northern ireland and scotland and the very far north of england whereas further south, milder, at around 11—13. this is

going to linger as we head through the day tomorrow, this weather front. it is lethargic and slow moving, not going anywhere and a hurry, and because of that could generate quite a bit of rainfall across parts of wales, the midlands, the north of england as well. but to the north of england as well. but to the north of this it is clear, really, with some potentially wintry showers moving into parts of scotland but it will feel cooler and brighter across northern england, northern ireland and parts of scotland but further south, most of us are still in the mild air, with top temperatures of around 13 celsius. this area of high pressure builds over the next couple of days with some weather fronts to the north. remaining milderand with some weather fronts to the north. remaining milder and settled heading through the middle and end of the week and brightening up later on. that is how it is looking, you do. i on. that is how it is looking, you do. ., ., ~' on. that is how it is looking, you do. . ., on. that is how it is looking, you do. i am taking away brighter later on. that do. i am taking away brighter later on- that is — do. i am taking away brighter later on. that is the _ do. i am taking away brighter later on. that is the mantra, _ do. i am taking away brighter later on. that is the mantra, that - do. i am taking away brighter later on. that is the mantra, that is - do. i am taking away brighter later| on. that is the mantra, that is what we have to — on. that is the mantra, that is what we have to remember, _ on. that is the mantra, that is what we have to remember, hopefully i on. that is the mantra, that is what | we have to remember, hopefully the end of this week will be a bit

brighter. afghanistan is responsible for the vast majority of the world's heroin supply and now it's also emerged as a major manufacturer of crystal meth. as the country faces economic collapse since the taliban's rise to power, the drug trade there is booming. our afghanistan correspondent secunder kermani has this report. they are one of afghanistan's most lucrative exports. but these drugs are destroying lives here and abroad. first heroin, and increasingly now, crystal meth. around 80% of the world's heroin supply originates from here. afghanistan's opium poppy fields.

before the taliban takeover, opium traders paid off corrupt officials and sold the black paste secretly. now they've been allowed to open up stores in markets. we are driving through a bazaar where opium is being sold openly. much of it is then going to be processed into heroin. the taliban are not stopping drug production — in fact, they've been taxing it for years. they don't want journalists to see it being traded. that is why we are filming from inside the car. you call yourselves an islamic government but you are allowing drug production. isn't that hypocritical? translation: under the islamic emirate, before 2001, the growing and selling of opium dropped to zero. right now we're trying to find alternatives. we cannot take this away from people without offering them something else. eradicating this is good for us in the international community, so the world should help too.

for years, poorfarmers have relied on opium to provide for their families. now, as afghanistan's economy collapses without international support, and water levels continue to drop, many see it as the safest crop to grow. opium destroys a lot of people's lives. if opium is banned, what will happen to you guys and your families? the taliban regularly haul these addicts off to rehab centres. but many end up straight back here. for now, more drugs look set to hit the streets, both in afghanistan

and across the world. secunder kermani, bbc news, afghanistan. coming up in the next half hour... as the four remaining couples hope they've waltzed their way into next week's strictly final — we'll catch up with former pro flavia cacace—mistry to discuss all the action. stay with us, more news and sport coming up.

hello, this is breakfast with katherine downes and ben thompson. we've been talking this morning

about the testing week facing the prime minister. as accusations over covid rule—breaking in downing street continue to grow, he also faces a a potential rebellion from his own mps, when the latest covid measures are put to a vote. let's speak now to red box reporter for the times, mhari aurora and inews policy editor, jane merrick. thank you so much forjoining us this morning. you have seen the reports and the pictures in today's sunday mirror about borisjohnson hosting that quiz. numberten about borisjohnson hosting that quiz. number ten say it was a virtual quiz he only tended briefly but how damaging do you think that is on the back of a very trying week for the prime minister? i is on the back of a very trying week for the prime minister?— for the prime minister? i think it is ruite for the prime minister? i think it is quite damaging. _ for the prime minister? i think it is quite damaging. it _ for the prime minister? i think it is quite damaging. it is - for the prime minister? i think it is quite damaging. it is the i is quite damaging. it is the beginning of proof borisjohnson was aware of these parties and what was going on. i think that is the most significant thing rather than the picture himself on zoom call, he

said i wasn't aware of it, i will look into it and know you find he was perhaps more aware than we thought. this could be the beginning of another wave of damaging allegations about the prime ministers and there might be more photos and footage to come out in the following days and weeks ahead if things are leaked so this might not be the end of the series of pictures and videos damning the prime minister at number ten during lockdown. white might how difficult is it for the prime minister and cabinet to try to get us all to be the new rules if this vote gets passed as we believe it will. horse passed as we believe it will. how much is this _ passed as we believe it will. how much is this a _ passed as we believe it will. how much is this a distraction against the real business of trying to cope with this new wave of covid? i think

the prime minister _ with this new wave of covid? i think the prime minister has _ with this new wave of covid? i think the prime minister has lost - with this new wave of covid? i think the prime minister has lost some i the prime minister has lost some moral_ the prime minister has lost some moral authority on trying to get everybody to obey these rules. he said there — everybody to obey these rules. he said there were no parties but no seems _ said there were no parties but no seems to— said there were no parties but no seems to have been present as a christmas — seems to have been present as a christmas quiz. it is true that or mcron _ christmas quiz. it is true that or mcron is — christmas quiz. it is true that or mcron is rising very quickly in the country — mcron is rising very quickly in the country -- — mcron is rising very quickly in the country. —— omicron. we need to keep the numbers— country. —— omicron. we need to keep the numbers down. the prime minister has the _ the numbers down. the prime minister has the thought on tuesday and the shropshire — has the thought on tuesday and the shropshire by—election on thursday and to— shropshire by—election on thursday and to have — shropshire by—election on thursday and to have the health secretary with chris — and to have the health secretary with chris whitty and patrick balance, _ with chris whitty and patrick balance, they probably need to be the ones _ balance, they probably need to be the ones to lead. —— vallance. at

the ones to lead. -- vallance. at the ones to lead. —— vallance. git the beginning the story was dismissed as a kind of westminster bubble, but what has been the reaction from your readers, how people are perceiving the government and how they will behave when restrictions come in? i and how they will behave when restrictions come in?— and how they will behave when restrictions come in? i think it is cuttini restrictions come in? i think it is cutting through _ restrictions come in? i think it is cutting through a _ restrictions come in? i think it is cutting through a lot _ restrictions come in? i think it is cutting through a lot more i restrictions come in? i think it is cutting through a lot more than | cutting through a lot more than perhaps the owen paterson scandal. my perhaps the owen paterson scandal. my colleague has been reporting from shropshire and he was hearing all about the christmas party and everyone was furious about it. what kept coming up as they think we are stupid, they are laughing at us sol think it is cutting through a lot more than previous scandals we thought maybe would cut through and also lots of palling, notjust

westminster voting intention but the popularity of the prime minister all plummeting. i think the thing about the scandal compared to previous scandals as it is very emotive. christmas is an emotional time and people had a really tough time last year! people had a really tough time last year i know this is dredging up all those terrible memories and all those terrible memories and all those memories of suffering people in care homes sitting alone and loved ones who were lost and then you see images of number ten staff laughing at the fact that they were passing off this party as a business meeting when the new it really wasn't. and the fact it was so brazen and blase, perhaps, from the reporting we are seeing is also going to cut through because emotion is so role. the going to cut through because emotion is so role. , ., ., . , is so role. the palling is a far cry from the popularity _ is so role. the palling is a far cry from the popularity boris i is so role. the palling is a far cry| from the popularity boris johnson from the popularity borisjohnson enjoyed two years ago this weekend

when he arrived in downing street. there has been quite a reversal of fortune. dash—mac the opinion polls. it shows in the observer today a nine _ it shows in the observer today a nine point — it shows in the observer today a nine point lead for the labour party — nine point lead for the labour party a— nine point lead for the labour party. a lot of mps are elected two years _ party. a lot of mps are elected two years ago— party. a lot of mps are elected two years ago will be really concerned that the _ years ago will be really concerned that the wave of popular support they got— that the wave of popular support they got two years ago is now draining — they got two years ago is now draining away. i think this is probably— draining away. i think this is probably one of the most dangerous weeks _ probably one of the most dangerous weeks for— probably one of the most dangerous weeks for the prime minister of his premiership. do weeks for the prime minister of his premiership-— weeks for the prime minister of his --remiershi. ,., ~ , .., premiership. do you think this could sell the premiership. do you think this could spell the beginning _ premiership. do you think this could spell the beginning of _ premiership. do you think this could spell the beginning of the _ premiership. do you think this could spell the beginning of the end i premiership. do you think this could spell the beginning of the end of. spell the beginning of the end of the borisjohnson leadership? i think it is a very difficult time because _ think it is a very difficult time because we have the omicron variant where _ because we have the omicron variant where it— because we have the omicron variant where it is— because we have the omicron variant where it is rising very quickly and we need — where it is rising very quickly and we need to— where it is rising very quickly and we need to step back and look at the public— we need to step back and look at the public health situation but it is incredibly damaging. i think the vote will— incredibly damaging. i think the vote will pass on tuesday because it will have _ vote will pass on tuesday because it will have labour support but i think

if the _ will have labour support but i think if the rebellion gets close to 100 people _ if the rebellion gets close to 100 people will think of the prime minister— people will think of the prime minister no longer has a grip on his party— minister no longer has a grip on his party and _ minister no longer has a grip on his party and it— minister no longer has a grip on his party and if the conservatives lose the north— party and if the conservatives lose the north shropshire by—election on thursday. _ the north shropshire by—election on thursday, is a 23,000 seat majority to the _ thursday, is a 23,000 seat majority to the liberal democrats who are closing _ to the liberal democrats who are closing in — to the liberal democrats who are closing in quickly, he is in real trouble — closing in quickly, he is in real trouble. , . ., . closing in quickly, he is in real trouble. , . . . closing in quickly, he is in real trouble. , . ., . , trouble. the first chance we may see from voters — trouble. the first chance we may see from voters to _ trouble. the first chance we may see from voters to events _ trouble. the first chance we may see from voters to events of _ trouble. the first chance we may see from voters to events of the - trouble. the first chance we may see from voters to events of the last i from voters to events of the last few weeks and i know we can't read too much into a by—election because there are often local issues at play but it could give us an indication if the polls are right. i but it could give us an indication if the polls are right.— if the polls are right. i think it will be an _ if the polls are right. i think it will be an indication _ if the polls are right. i think it will be an indication of i if the polls are right. i think it will be an indication of the i if the polls are right. i think it i will be an indication of the public mood and how much it is cutting through and damaging borisjohnson. by—elections are notoriously difficult to predict and often wild cards and can bring surprises no one was expecting so we can't read too much into the by—election but definitely it will suggest the

public mood and the rebellion we will have this week is really interesting because we potentially will see resignations from parliamentary public secretaries against the new covid restrictions, very damaging especially if danny kruger resigns and also lots of red wall mps with very small majorities who are worried about the leadership and can't afford too many slip—ups are at the next general election they could lose their seats. thank ou so they could lose their seats. thank you so much _ they could lose their seats. thank you so much for— they could lose their seats. thank you so much forjoining _ they could lose their seats. thank you so much forjoining us i they could lose their seats. thank you so much forjoining us this i you so much forjoining us this morning to share your views on what looks like another tricky week for borisjohnson and the government going into next week. we will have

all the twists and turns for you across the bbc this week. now the sport. a big day in formula 1. when is the last time we had a three horse title race in the premier league? next to the premier league — where the top three all scored winning penalties. stephen gerrard returned to his former club liverpool for the first time as a manager — but left disappointed after a 1—0 defeat. the aston villa boss received a warm reception from the anfield crowd as expected. it took the home side over an hour to break the deadlock with mo salah fouled in the box by tyrone mings. salah stepped up to convert the penalty — the win leaves liverpool in second place, a point behind manchester city. the penalty decision left steven gerrard unhappy. we are on a journey,

we are at the beginning of it. it's about belief and confidence. there's a lot of positives to take from the game today, in certain areas of the game. but this is the level we're striving for. liverpool were good at times today, but we've lost it, in our opinion, to a soft penalty. because when you watch it properly, tyrone's fouled first. and ultimately, being fouled, he's led to fouling salah, and the disappointing thing is the referee doesn't want to have a look at that in both cases. there was a 1—0 win for the leaders manchester city too, who remain the team to catch at the top. raheem sterling's penalty giving them a 1—0 win at home to wolves — who played the whole of the second half with ten men. late drama at stamford bridge. chelsea are two points off the top after snatching a win against leeds. jorginho's penalty in stoppage time, his second of the game, giving his side a 3—2 win. it was a day of penalty winners. late in the game, cristiano ronaldo stepped up to give manchester united a 1—0 win at bottom of the table norwich. united are level on points with fourth placed west ham. stjohnstone dropped to the bottom

of the scottish premiership after losing 1—0 at home to aberdeen. but the saints were not happy about aberdeen's late winner as it looked to have struck the arm of teddyjenks' before he sent the ball beyond the keeper. but the goal stood, comdemning stjohnstone to the bottom of the table. top two rangers and celtic are both in action today. reading pulled off a big shock in the women's super league after beating the fa cup winners chelsea by a goal to nil. chelsea could have gone top but deanne rose broke away and combined with emma harries to score from their only shot on target. chelsea are a point adrift of the leaders arsenal, reading move up to fifth. well, one of the most thrilling formula one seasons in recent memory comes to a climax today and the two protagonists stuck to the script in qualifying for the abu dhabi grand prix, with max verstappen finishing in pole and defending champion lewis hamilton in second. the two are level on points meaning whoever wins or finishes ahead of the other in the points will be crowned champion. let's speak now to sports

journalist, claire cottingham. i quite can't quite remember anything like this. it is far max verstappen to lose but lewis hamilton, if he chases him down he can win it. �* . hamilton, if he chases him down he canwin it. �* . ~ . , can win it. red bull and mercedes are on completely _ can win it. red bull and mercedes are on completely different i are on completely different strategies. red bull are starting on the soft tyre which will run down more quickly so will have to change tyre more often than mercedes. hamilton is on the medium tyre which is the strategy mercedes wanted from the beginning. max verstappen locked up the beginning. max verstappen locked up during qualifying so they will have to change the strategy. a completely different strategy outlook from both teams so it will be fascinating. this outlook from both teams so it will be fascinating.— be fascinating. this rivalry is so intense but _ be fascinating. this rivalry is so intense but that _ be fascinating. this rivalry is so intense but that is _ be fascinating. this rivalry is so intense but that is a _ be fascinating. this rivalry is so intense but that is a shadow i be fascinating. this rivalry is so i intense but that is a shadow looming over this race, if max verstappen

were to collide with hamilton, max verstappen whence. this rivalry has been so intense a season. and race director has given warnings before the race today in abu dhabi. that is a way nobody wants to see this title decided. ihe a way nobody wants to see this title decided. ,., a way nobody wants to see this title decided. ,. ., ~ ., ., , decided. he said we will take away oints if decided. he said we will take away points if this _ decided. he said we will take away points if this is _ decided. he said we will take away points if this is the _ decided. he said we will take away points if this is the case. _ decided. he said we will take away points if this is the case. i - decided. he said we will take away points if this is the case. i am i points if this is the case. i am still hopeful that does not happen. the teams don't want that and i don't think the driver is that and i don't think the driver is that and i don't think the driver is that and i don't think anybody wants to be decided that way. we had the boss of red bull sated he didn't want that to happen and lewis hamilton says i don't want to see the stewards and they don't want to see me. we saw them flush the british grand prix and the saudi arabian grand prix. dash—mac we saw them clash. lewis

hamilton is very good at damage limitation when he does clash. we have only seen it once at the italian grand prix this season so i hope that is not the case. the red bull boss said _ hope that is not the case. the red bull boss said it _ hope that is not the case. the red bull boss said it would _ hope that is not the case. the red bull boss said it would be - hope that is not the case. the red bull boss said it would be his i bull boss said it would be his greatest achievement f max verstappen does it today. for lewis hamilton it would be his eighth title that takes ahead of michael schumacher, where would place them in his great history of achievements? i in his great history of achievements? ~' , .. , achievements? i think high because we have seen _ achievements? i think high because we have seen such _ achievements? i think high because we have seen such a _ achievements? i think high because we have seen such a resurgence i achievements? i think high because i we have seen such a resurgence from lewis hamilton over the last couple of races. we saw him drop behind max verstappen at one point and in the last few races he has a hat—trick of wins and really clawed back an incredibly level on points for the first time in 47 years. i think even although it is his eighth, it will mean a lot to him but it is down to

the fact that he has really, really had to fight hard for this one. we have not seen a real battle like this for quite a few years but for lewis hamilton he has really dominated in this hybrid era so it is the fact that i think he has had to fight incredibly hard and it has gone down to the wire and they are level on points and i don't know what else to say because it will be brilliant. igrate what else to say because it will be brilliant. ~ . ,': :: what else to say because it will be brilliant. ~ . ;;:: , , . ., brilliant. we have 30 seconds. who do ou brilliant. we have 30 seconds. who do you think _ brilliant. we have 30 seconds. who do you think is _ brilliant. we have 30 seconds. who do you think is going _ brilliant. we have 30 seconds. who do you think is going to _ brilliant. we have 30 seconds. who do you think is going to get i do you think is going to get themselves over the line today? i don't know. i am speaking tojenson button about this the other day and i said would it be bittersweet? said it will be incredible whatever way goes, they both deserve it and they have put on such as shaw the season, to be honest, i don't care who wins it. dash—mac they have put on such a show. i

it. dash-mac they have put on such a show. ~ , it. dash-mac they have put on such a show. ~' , ., ., ., show. i think lewis hamilton will do it, he has show. i think lewis hamilton will do it. he has been _ show. i think lewis hamilton will do it, he has been so _ show. i think lewis hamilton will do it, he has been so good _ show. i think lewis hamilton will do it, he has been so good at - show. i think lewis hamilton will do it, he has been so good at doing i show. i think lewis hamilton will do it, he has been so good at doing it i it, he has been so good at doing it in the past. we will wait and see. space — it's the final frontier. but now, it's also a family affair. yesterday, the daughter of the first us astronaut followed in her father's footsteps — blasting off to the edge of space, 60 years after he made history. laura shepard—churchley took off on board a commercial aircraft — named after her dad. mark lobel reports. three, two, one. from rural texas to the edge of space. laura shepard—churchley following in her father's footsteps 60 years after his pioneering flight is the first american to make the journey.

in a spacecraft named after him. mission control has confirmed new shepard has cleared the tower and is on its way to space. it was a once—in—a—lifetime ride on board this fully autonomous six—storey tall commercial flight reaching an altitude of over 100 kilometres during a thrilling 10—minute trip. long enough to experience zero gravity, though. whoa! never seen anything like this. this tops an unforgettable year for human space flight, with private space companies aplenty, including space x and virgin galactic. blue origin launched its first crewed space flight injuly carrying its founder, amazon's jeff bezos. captain kirk himself! star trek�*s william shatner, the oldest person to make it into space, followed in october. this third flight is blue origin's first full capacity one with six people on board which descended safely back to earth.

the 74—year—old's verdict? awesome! awesome, she says. and following in her father's footsteps? i thought about daddy coming down, and gosh, he didn't even get to enjoy anything i enjoyed. he was working. he was all business. right, he had to do it himself. i went on for the ride. have you seen how small his capsule was? he wasn't doing somersaults, he didn't have your windows. the only way he knew he was weightless was his straps were flying. right, because he was strapped in. underlining just how remarkably space travel has changed since 1961. how it will evolve in 2022 and beyond for the next generation, well, that's anyone's guess.

mark lobel, bbc news. this is where we say goodbye to ben — he's off to read the news on andrew marr. owain is here in the studio with a look at the weather. iam taking i am taking you on quite an adventure for the next two minutes. it is going to be a very disappointing adventure we have had some lovely weather watcher pictures this morning. thank you is always for those. this morning. thank you is always forthose. some this morning. thank you is always for those. some of us saw some lovely sunrises this morning. i have been mentioning throughout the morning across parts of scotland it is pretty chilly and we have seen clear skies. is pretty chilly and we have seen clearskies. some is pretty chilly and we have seen clear skies. some of you probably thinking it is nothing like that here. it has been quite grey for some of us. this is how it looked

earlier in wales and we have some rain around as well. it will be milder and today more of us will feel the effects of that and it will be mostly cloudy. this is what is going on in the pressure chart. this area of low pressure will cause issues later on. we are bringing up the milder airfrom the issues later on. we are bringing up the milder air from the south which is here with us no end of the next couple of days, i think. we have an weather front across parts of northern ireland leaving parts of northern ireland leaving parts of north wales and the midlands and moving into scotland as we had through today. some clear spells i think. furthersouth through today. some clear spells i think. further south cloudy and some of that must quite slaughter clear. dash—mac some of the misty weather will be quite slow to clear. earlier on i mentioned the area of low pressure. as we head through tonight i think this will cause problems across parts of scotland introducing

very blustery winds and we could seek gusts of 80 mph to 85 mph, damaging dusts on the track of it will skim western parts of scotland and windy across northern ireland and windy across northern ireland and parts of england. the strongest winds in the northern isles and the hebrides and some heavy blustery showers behind that. some of these potentially turning wintry. low temperatures tonight range from six celsius but many parts of england and wales will get to 10 celsius. this weather front is very slow moving. as we move through tomorrow it doesn't want to leave us and hangs around introducing cloud and rain across parts of wales up through the midlands into the north of england and we are stalls, it means we will see quite a bit of rain fall through the day because it is not moving anywhere. to the north of this a better chance of

brightness, northern ireland and the very far north of england and part of scotland will still see heavy showers. furthersouth of scotland will still see heavy showers. further south milder and cloudier. this high pressure builds over the next couple of days. things will settle down a bit. remaining mild and brightening up for the end of the week. thank you so much for this morning and we will see you again soon. the four remaining couples battled it out in the ballroom last night, to try to waltz their way into next week's strictly come dancing final. there was added pressure with two dances to perform, but the glitterball trophy is now in touching distance for rose, aj, john and rhys. let's take a look at some of the highlights. applause.

what a way to open our show. thank you so much. i thought it was strong, it was powerful, it was emotional. i thought the number demonstrated so much about you, the man, as well as you, the dancer. i thought it was tremendous. well done. # ellie goulding - how long will i need you? # chrisette michele - like a dream.

0h! # coldplay - higher power. # argentine tango. that dance belongs in the final.

we're joined now by former strictly professional dancer, flavia cacace—mistry. first of all, let's cover how tricky is it to fit two dances into your training schedule, because so far it has just been one. they all talk about how hard it is on the first couple of days and something mid week clicks but you don't have to do that in the semifinal because you have to learn to. the that in the semifinal because you have to learn to.— have to learn to. the funny thing last niiht have to learn to. the funny thing last night as _ have to learn to. the funny thing last night as the _ have to learn to. the funny thing last night as the quality - have to learn to. the funny thing last night as the quality of i last night as the quality of routines went up, even though they were doing to routines and that is because in the quarterfinals you were so near that you threw everything into that one routine so you put loads of content in, a trick on a track we call it, so it lifts and you lose a little bit of quality and you lose a little bit of quality and things go wrong and we saw things go wrong last week. you push anything a little further to get to

the semifinal. then you have two routines and lots of things to learn but what they are dead, the advice i would always give, they kept the routine is a bit more simple so didn't put too much content are too many tricks on tricks so the quality immediately goes up so you get to appreciate the technique and the quality of the routine so it was a really, really good semifinal. often simle is really, really good semifinal. often simple is better. _ really, really good semifinal. often simple is better. let's _ really, really good semifinal. often simple is better. let's get - really, really good semifinal. often simple is better. let's get stuck . simple is better. let's get stuck into the nitty—gritty of what happened last night. who stood out for you? a very powerful couples choice from john and johannes. i saw from john a — choice from john and johannes. i saw from john a desire _ choice from john and johannes. i saw from john a desire to _ choice from john and johannes. i "— from john a desire to perform that number. he has been holding something in and he let go. i agree with craig could have been more fluid in the body but he is quite a muscular guys that will never be

easy but i feel he let go and i could see the happiness through him he had actually got to perform it, which was really lovely to see and going into hisjive as which was really lovely to see and going into his jive as well, which was really lovely to see and going into hisjive as well, he has this really natural way of making things look easy. sometimes he can come across like he is not trying hard enough or putting enough energy into it and that is actuallyjust the style. he has this laid—back cool style which i've really grown to love and it's not that he is not putting energy into it, that isjust the way he dances. we all have a natural style and that isjohns and i really like it. i natural style and that is johns and i really like it.— i really like it. i loved those t-shirts- — i really like it. i loved those t-shirts. super _ i really like it. i loved those t-shirts. super spangly - i really like it. i loved those - t-shirts. super spangly t-shirts. aj t—shirts. super spangly t—shirts. aj was the dance off last week, do you think bounced back? she was the dance off last week, do you think bounced back?— think bounced back? she always bounces back. _ think bounced back? she always bounces back. she _ think bounced back? she always bounces back. she has - think bounced back? she always bounces back. she has had - think bounced back? she always bounces back. she has had a - think bounced back? she always i bounces back. she has had a more up—and—downjourney than

bounces back. she has had a more up—and—down journey than anybody. the quickstep was fabulous, not the most difficult dance technically but if you make a mistake really tricky to get back into it because there are so many steps. i loved the outfits and music, everything, the choreography. the great thing about her second dance, which was a rumba as they kept it really simple but you could really see, and i think they mentioned it, how much she had worked on the technique. she has had some weeks she has had beautiful legs and pointy toes and lovely leg extensions and other weeks like last week, the samba was a little messy and this week she came back and did and this week she came back and did a difficult dance very well and not only one but she had to to do so she has proved she has a lot of talent and ability. i thought it was a beautiful rumba.— and ability. i thought it was a beautiful rumba. , , , beautiful rumba. rules, everybody sa inc beautiful rumba. rules, everybody sa in: she beautiful rumba. rules, everybody saying she is _ beautiful rumba. rules, everybody saying she is a _ beautiful rumba. rules, everybody saying she is a shoe _ beautiful rumba. rules, everybody saying she is a shoe in _ beautiful rumba. rules, everybody saying she is a shoe in for - beautiful rumba. rules, everybody saying she is a shoe in for the - saying she is a shoe in for the final because she was unbelievable

——rose. to final because she was unbelievable --rose. ., ~' , .,, final because she was unbelievable "rose. ., ~' , , ,, --rose. to think she has stepped up? for me she — --rose. to think she has stepped up? for me she has _ --rose. to think she has stepped up? for me she has pulled _ --rose. to think she has stepped up? for me she has pulled away _ --rose. to think she has stepped up? for me she has pulled away at - --rose. to think she has stepped up? for me she has pulled away at the - for me she has pulled away at the right time. she is always had an elegance and unease and i think the technique is incredible. i loved the argentinian tangle by dash—mac tangle dash—mac tango by rhys last week but what she did this week was really tricky to learn in a short space of time. lodge of traditional argentina tangle steps in their ——tango. argentina tangle steps in their --tan~o. , , ,

argentina tangle steps in their --tan~o. , , ., argentina tangle steps in their --tan~o. ,, , ., ., argentina tangle steps in their --tanuo. i, , . ., ., --tango. rhys is at the bottom of the leaderboard, _ --tango. rhys is at the bottom of the leaderboard, do _ --tango. rhys is at the bottom of the leaderboard, do you - --tango. rhys is at the bottom of the leaderboard, do you think - --tango. rhys is at the bottom of the leaderboard, do you think he | --tango. rhys is at the bottom of. the leaderboard, do you think he is the leaderboard, do you think he is the most likely to go out tonight? last week was a bit of a break for him with the argentina tango and i think it was the first week he had really let go and got relaxed watching him. to open the semifinals with that tango last night was brilliant. technically he is probably not the best. the hold was not the perfect but his performance was very strong and there were lots of technical things he got right, he was going to the knees and it was strong and flat and there was no bouncing. not the best hold but to open the semifinal i thought you did a greatjob. maybe he has left it a tad too late and is letting go a little too late because we are so far near the final, he might be a little at risk because the others are so strong. but mike ed will be

fascinating to see the public vote. thank you so much for coming in. and find out who makes the final of strictly come dancing on bbc one tonight, at 7:20.

this is bbc news, i'm lukwesa burak. our top stories... emergency teams search for survivors in six us states after more than 70 people die in the largest outbreaks of tornadoes in us history. uk prime minister borisjohson faces fresh questions about christmas gatherings at downing street a year ago — after a photo emerges of him taking part in a quiz. the public should be able to have confidence that there is one set of rules which apply equally to everybody, and they should be clear that we are all complying and if there are exceptions, that they are for a good reason and that they are proportionate. g7 foreign ministers warn iran time is running out to rescue the nuclear deal. afghanistan's drug trade is booming in the wake

of the economic collapse, with the country now a major