hello, this is bbc news. the headlines. the uk covid alert level has been increased to level 4, meaning there's widespread

pressure on health services because of the rapid increase in omicron cases. the prime minister will make a televised address this evening, focusing on the booster programme. it's as the first people in the uk have been hospitalised with omicron. new cases of the variant have increased 65% on yesterday's figure. there is concern inside the nhs about the level of hospitalisations that we might see but we really need to wait for a bit longer to really see exactly how severe the symptoms of people who catch this new variant are. meanwhile, days before an expected backbench rebellion, boris johnson faces fresh questions about christmas gatherings at downing street a year ago, after a photo emerges of him taking part in a quiz. he can't deliver the leadership that this country needs and we have got a very important vote coming up next week and he can't even discharge the

basic functions of government. he is the worst possible leader at the worst possible time. emergency teams continue the search for survivors in six us states, after more than 90 people die in the largest outbreak of tornadoes in us history. in sport — a new champion in formula 1. max verstappen takes the world title in a nail—biting race that came down to the final lap. coming up shortly on bbc news is the film review. now it's time for sportsday. hello and welcome to sportsday — i'm hugh ferris.

the top story this evening. a whole season distilled down to one moment. max verstappen�*s dramatic overtake wins the race and the formula one title on the final lap. it is incredible. i am still having a cramp. it's insane. mercedes are furious with how the race ended. they have lodged appeals that are being considered by the stewards late into the night in abu dhabi. and marvellous maddison stars for leicester as they thrash newcastle 4—0 in the premier league. hello again. they had raced approaching 4,000 miles in the formula one season, and it came down to the last lap.

max verstappen has become world champion for the first time after a race that he led for less than a minute. with lewis hamilton heading for a record eighth title, safety car drama and a controversial decision by the stewards led to verstappen overtaking his rival in a breathless finale. joe lynskey has the story. it is formula 1's ultimate finish, two drivers level with one race to go. lewis hamilton has the titles and max verstappen had dutch support. he started on pole position but titles can come down to a tenth of a second. but titles can come down to a tenth of a second-— of a second. lights up and away we no. of a second. lights up and away we 90- hamilton _ of a second. lights up and away we go. hamilton reacted _ of a second. lights up and away we go. hamilton reacted quickest - of a second. lights up and away we go. hamilton reacted quickest and | go. hamilton reacted quickest and took the lead. _ go. hamilton reacted quickest and took the lead. through _ go. hamilton reacted quickest and took the lead. through the - go. hamilton reacted quickest and | took the lead. through the season, there have been flashpoints and more here were certain. here was hamilton, forced wide but improvising, with such a short cut, he would often give back the lead but here, not so. radio: the short cut is ok step _ but here, not so. radio: the short cut is ok stop incredible. _ but here, not so. radio: the short cut is ok stop incredible. but - but here, not so. radio: the short cut is ok stop incredible. but this | cut is ok stop incredible. but this race would _ cut is ok stop incredible. but this race would have _ cut is ok stop incredible. but this race would have a _ cut is ok stop incredible. but this race would have a remarkable, i race would have a remarkable, breathtaking finish. when one of the

field crashed, the safety car comes out and punch the rest and when the all clear was given, there was one lap to go. it all clear was given, there was one la- to no. , . all clear was given, there was one [a . to .o_ , ., ., all clear was given, there was one [a . to io, , ., ., . all clear was given, there was one la-itoo. ., . ,y lap to go. it is a late lunch by verstappen — lap to go. it is a late lunch by verstappen who _ lap to go. it is a late lunch by verstappen who takes - lap to go. it is a late lunch by verstappen who takes the . lap to go. it is a late lunch by. verstappen who takes the lead! lap to go. it is a late lunch by- verstappen who takes the lead! in amazing drummer, verstappen made his move, the overtake a sport will never forget. move, the overtake a sport will neverforget. it move, the overtake a sport will never forget-— move, the overtake a sport will never forget. it is unbelievable, i mean, i never forget. it is unbelievable, i mean. i tried _ never forget. it is unbelievable, i mean, i tried the _ never forget. it is unbelievable, i mean, i tried the whole - never forget. it is unbelievable, i mean, i tried the whole race, - never forget. it is unbelievable, i mean, i tried the whole race, i i never forget. it is unbelievable, i i mean, i tried the whole race, i kept mean, itried the whole race, i kept fighting _ mean, itried the whole race, i kept fighting and — mean, itried the whole race, i kept fighting and then of course the opportunity in the last lap, it is incredible _ opportunity in the last lap, it is incredible. i'm still having a cramn _ incredible. i'm still having a cramp. it's insane. big congratulations - cramp. it's insane. big congratulations to - cramp. it's insane. egg congratulations to max and his team. i think we did an amazing job this year. my team, everyone back at the factory, all the men and women we have and here have worked so hard this whole year. it has been the most difficult of seasons. i am so proud of them, so grateful to be a part of the journey with them and, yeah, we gave it everything this last part of the season, we gave it absolutely everything that we never gave up, that's the most important thing. gave up, that's the most important thin. gave up, that's the most important thini. ., , ., ,

thing. the teams and the drivers could barely _ thing. the teams and the drivers could barely believe _ thing. the teams and the drivers could barely believe it, - thing. the teams and the drivers could barely believe it, a - thing. the teams and the drivers| could barely believe it, a lifetime dream made in one lap. it was incredible but it was controversial. when the safety car came out, max verstappen was 12 seconds behind, and driver george russell said bunching the cars up was unacceptable. hamilton's team mercedes are protesting the result. for now, what is certain is it was unforgettable. a new world champion in the most extraordinary way. joe lynskey, bbc news. our reporter nesta mcgregor was at silverstone to watch the drama unfold. and he caught up with some fans of both max verstappen and lewis hamilton immediately afterwards, when — just like in abu dhabi — emotions were running high. iam i am shocked. i believe that that when of lewis was stolen from him. the championship should not have been decided that way. the rules that the race director claims about the lapping cars, i think that is wrong and i think hamilton should have no matter what.— wrong and i think hamilton should have no matter what. devastated, to see them,

have no matter what. devastated, to see them. do — have no matter what. devastated, to see them, do have _ have no matter what. devastated, to see them, do have those _ have no matter what. devastated, to see them, do have those five - have no matter what. devastated, to see them, do have those five cars i see them, do have those five cars let through, bringing max right up to the _ let through, bringing max right up to the last is ridiculous. it is just— to the last is ridiculous. it is just horrible, watching it like that — just horrible, watching it like that. a just horrible, watching it like that. , ., , , just horrible, watching it like that. , ., ,, ., that. max verstappen one! max verstappen. — that. max verstappen one! max verstappen, champion - that. max verstappen one! max verstappen, champion of - that. max verstappen one! max verstappen, champion of the i that. max verstappen one! max i verstappen, champion of the world! talk me through that, ten laps to lo, talk me through that, ten laps to go. hamilton— talk me through that, ten laps to go, hamilton was _ talk me through that, ten laps to go, hamilton was coasting - talk me through that, ten laps to| go, hamilton was coasting home, safety— go, hamilton was coasting home, safety car— go, hamilton was coasting home, safety car on _ go, hamilton was coasting home, safety car on the _ go, hamilton was coasting home, safety car on the track _ go, hamilton was coasting home, safety car on the track brought i go, hamilton was coasting home, i safety car on the track brought them closer— safety car on the track brought them closer together, _ safety car on the track brought them closer together, what _ safety car on the track brought them closer together, what was _ safety car on the track brought them closer together, what was your- safety car on the track brought them| closer together, what was your heart like as _ closer together, what was your heart like as they — closer together, what was your heart like as they both _ closer together, what was your heart like as they both went? _ closer together, what was your heart like as they both went? i _ closer together, what was your heart like as they both went?— like as they both went? i nearly flatlined. totally. _ like as they both went? i nearly flatlined. totally. we _ like as they both went? i nearly flatlined. totally. we were i like as they both went? i nearlyl flatlined. totally. we were ready like as they both went? i nearly i flatlined. totally. we were ready to io home. flatlined. totally. we were ready to go home- i — flatlined. totally. we were ready to go home- i had _ flatlined. totally. we were ready to go home. i had given _ flatlined. totally. we were ready to go home. i had given up— flatlined. totally. we were ready to go home. i had given up all- flatlined. totally. we were ready to go home. i had given up all hope i flatlined. totally. we were ready to i go home. i had given up all hope and then a miracle happened.— then a miracle happened. nicholas latifi se does! _ then a miracle happened. nicholas latifi se does! the _ then a miracle happened. nicholas latifi se does! the gods _ then a miracle happened. nicholas latifi se does! the gods knew i then a miracle happened. nicholas latifi se does! the gods knew that| latifi se does! the gods knew that max deserved _ latifi se does! the gods knew that max deserved it _ latifi se does! the gods knew that max deserved it this _ latifi se does! the gods knew that max deserved it this year, - latifi se does! the gods knew that max deserved it this year, he i latifi se does! the gods knew that max deserved it this year, he was | max deserved it this year, he was the best driver this year, iio%. he deserves that. it is after 10:30pm in abu dhabi. stuart appleby meeting with both teams after mercedes�* appeals relating to two particular matters during the safety car appearance towards the end of the race, it came out with five laps to go and some drivers were allowed to unlap themselves between verstappen and

hamilton, this is what is being discussed and even now, the teams have left the room where they were talking to the stewards and one of the protests lodged by mercedes has been dismissed but the second is still pending. we are expecting some kind of result at some point this evening. to football now — and just four days after going out of the europa league, leicester showed why newcastle might struggle to stay in the premier league. they won 4—0 in the match between the two at the king power stadium. michael redford was watching. after finally getting their first win of the season last week, christmas may have felt like it has come early for newcastle fans. for leicester, well, their season so far has left them feeling a bit blue. but the festive period is a time for giving and newcastle were in a generous mood. firstly, conceding a free kick in a dangerous position before getting themselves in a tangle and gifting leicester a penalty. youri tielemans, the grateful recipient.— grateful recipient. makes no mistake- — grateful recipient. makes no mistake. leicester - grateful recipient. makes no mistake. leicester needed l grateful recipient. makes no | mistake. leicester needed no grateful recipient. makes no i mistake. leicester needed no help with their second, _ mistake. leicester needed no help with their second, though, - mistake. leicester needed no help with their second, though, a i mistake. leicester needed no help| with their second, though, a clever flick and an unselfish pass and a

simple finish.— flick and an unselfish pass and a simple finish. patson daka double leicester simple finish. patson daka double leicester city _ simple finish. patson daka double leicester city lead. _ simple finish. patson daka double leicester city lead. newcastle i leicester city lead. newcastle offered little _ leicester city lead. newcastle offered little throughout i leicester city lead. newcastle offered little throughout but l leicester city lead. newcastle i offered little throughout but nearly got a present of their own, kasper schmeichel to the rescue, just about. moments later, schmeichel was celebrating with action down the other end, youri tielemans with his second of the afternoon. his team—mates, though, farfrom team—mates, though, far from finished team—mates, though, farfrom finished as three became four. team-mates, though, far from finished as three became four. james matheson! newcastle's _ finished as three became four. james matheson! newcastle's festive i finished as three became four. james matheson! newcastle's festive cheer| matheson! newcastle's festive cheer short lived, leicester— matheson! newcastle's festive cheer short lived, leicester producing i short lived, leicester producing something special at the most wonderful time of the year. michael redford, bbc news. it has been a challenging season for us with injuries and everything else. that sort of destabilised our collective in terms of our defending but yes, so please to come back from a tough week, european game, and to come here and keep the clean sheet, score four goals, i said before the game that our attacking play was actually good so that tells you the confidence of the team and the spirit of the team and the attitude but we just needed to tighten up and

refocus mentally in our defending and we had to do that today against top players that can give you a problem. a really harsh scoreline for us, i think _ a really harsh scoreline for us, i think it— a really harsh scoreline for us, i think if you _ a really harsh scoreline for us, i think. if you look at the scoreline alone, _ think. if you look at the scoreline alone, you — think. if you look at the scoreline alone, you probably get one thought of the _ alone, you probably get one thought of the game but the reality of the game _ of the game but the reality of the game i_ of the game but the reality of the game i think was very different. i think— game i think was very different. i think we — game i think was very different. i think we were 0k game i think was very different. i think we were ok for long periods of the match— the match without probably really clicking _ the match without probably really clicking in the final third. i thought— clicking in the final third. i thought for all of the ball we had around _ thought for all of the ball we had around their box, we never really opened _ around their box, we never really opened then up like we would have wanted _ opened then up like we would have wanted to— opened then up like we would have wanted to and then defensively for the goals, — wanted to and then defensively for the goals, obviously, big moments in the goals, obviously, big moments in the match— the goals, obviously, big moments in the match and we did not deal with their situations well enough. crystal palace have overtaken everton in the table after beating them 3—1 at selhurst park. palace had lost their last three league matches and had been on the slide but shortly before half—time conor gallagher put them ahead. with an hour of the match gone, they doubled their lead when the everton defence failed to spotjames tomkins. com pletely completely unmarked at the back post. but rafa benitez�*s side were soon

back in the match when salomon rondon poked in his first goal for everton. palace though had saved their best for last. a glorious second goal from gallagher ended everton�*s resitance. elsewhere in the premier league, burnley and west ham was goalless. there have been a number of positive coronavirus cases in the manchester united squad, putting their premier league match at brentford on tuesday in some doubt. it is understood that all players tested negative before the norwich game. but the positive results came before training this morning. those individuals were then sent home. this afternoon�*s brighton v tottenham game was postponed after an outbreak in the spurs squad. celtic maintained a four—point gap behind scottish premiership leaders rangers, as tom rogic�*s strike earned them a narrow 1—0 home win over motherwell. that�*s after rangers beat hearts 2—0 at tynecastle. alfredo morelos giving his side an early lead. and they doubled it moments later. joe aribo with a superb finish.

hearts did have a man sent off late on, but it didn�*t affect the result. that�*s six straight league wins for rangers. manchester united returned to winning ways in the women�*s super league by beating brighton 2—0 at crawley. wales international hayley ladd opened the scoring just before half time. then norway midfielder vilde boe risa completed the victory as united ended a four—match winless run in the wsl. elsewhere, toni duggan secured a point for everton as they drew 1—1 with west ham. ellen white rescued a late win for manchester city against birmingham — she got the winner in the 89th minute. city had already come from behind twice through georgia stanway and lauren hemp. aston villa are drawing against tottenham — i—i there. and in the next few minutes, wsl leaders arsenal host leicester. sale sharks got their european champions cup campaign off to a winning start by beating ospreys 21—13. jean—luc du preez scored sale�*s third try of the first half

which was enough to secure the victory in swansea. the defeat came at the end of a difficult week for ospreys after hooker ifan phillips suffered life—changing injuries in a motorcycle crash. team—mates warmed up in special training jerseys which will be auctioned to raise money for his recovery. losing captain brad shields for this tackle on dave kilcoyne in the 25th minute left wasps exposed against munster. they were thrashed 35—14 at home. munster were missing 31! players due to covid. but 19—year—old patrick campbell shone on his senior debut with this try. there was defeat too for glasgow warriors. they did earn a losing bonus point though as they were beaten 20—13 by last season�*s runners—up la rochelle in france. in the day�*s other match, connacht beat stade francais. staying with rugby, in the women�*s premier iss, harlequins got an impressive win against saracens. a frantic final try from player of the match jade konkel

secured the 36—17 win, to end saracens�* unbeaten home run. the victory puts quins up to third, whilst saracenes stay second, two points behind leaders bristol bears. john higgins has it all to do if he�*s to win the scottish open. he�*s about to start the final evening session trailing luca brecel 6—2. the belgian, who�*s ranked 18th in the world, ended the first session with a century break in llandudno, which is hosting the final. higgins has won the tournament twice before, but not for 25 years. that evening session gets under way in the next ten minutes or so. we would encourage you to keep an eye on the website for any results come through late in the abu dhabi evening and early evening here. but for now, that is all the time we have. we�*ll have more throughout the evening. we will see you in just over an

hour. hello and a very warm welcome as ever to the film review on bbc news. taking us through this week�*s cinema releases, mark kermode is back. hello, what have you been watching? we have a modern folktale called lamb. steven spielberg�*s reimagining of west side story. and being the ricardos, revisiting lucille ball. really interesting week. good mixture. yeah. let�*s start with lamb. i want to sell this to you, ok? yeah, yeah, i�*m upforthis, yes. here�*s the thing, the trailer makes it look like a folk horror in the mould

of the witch or something. i�*m here to tell you it�*s not that, ok?