to the white house chief of writing to the white house chief of staff in real time urging the president to intervene in the january six right. in kentucky the search effort continues, the governor says the death toll from the weekend tornadoes remains at 7a. and why rocket scientists and brain surgeons might not be just as clever as you think. good evening. boris johnson good evening. borisjohnson has suffered the largest tory rebellion since he became premise. a hosted approve the government's stricter covid regulations with help from the opposition but a number of his backbenchers expressed real anger at the government's response to the spread of the omicron variant. there were four changes approved, the foreseeable future facemasks will be

compulsory in most public indoor settings in england. vaccinated people who come into contact with suspected omicron cases will no longer have to self—isolate, although they will be strongly advised to take lateral flow tests for seven days. front line nhs staff in england will need to be fully vaccinated. at the biggest rebellion came over the introduction of vaccine certificates, commonly known as vaccine passports. ioi conservative mps rebelled against the government there was discernible anger on the tory benches. i am very disappointed that we very quickly have gone into panic and emergency mode. with late night and sunday night broadcast. ., , ., , with late night and sunday night broadcast. . , ., , , , broadcast. scaring people witless. this is a plea _ broadcast. scaring people witless. this is a plea in _ broadcast. scaring people witless. this is a plea in order _ broadcast. scaring people witless. this is a plea in order to _ broadcast. scaring people witless. this is a plea in order to go - this is a plea in order to go forward as a nation we have to stop passing never—ending regulations and move forward in a voluntary,

community, public spirited way. what is the ongoing — community, public spirited way. what is the ongoing plan — community, public spirited way. what is the ongoing plan going forward? there _ is the ongoing plan going forward? there is— is the ongoing plan going forward? there is a — is the ongoing plan going forward? there is a set— is the ongoing plan going forward? there is a set of— is the ongoing plan going forward? there is a set of measures - is the ongoing plan going forward? there is a set of measures to - is the ongoing plan going forward? there is a set of measures to deall there is a set of measures to deal with the _ there is a set of measures to deal with the situation _ there is a set of measures to deal with the situation right _ there is a set of measures to deal with the situation right now- there is a set of measures to deal with the situation right now but. there is a set of measures to deal with the situation right now but if| with the situation right now but if this is— with the situation right now but if this is going _ with the situation right now but if this is going to— with the situation right now but if this is going to keep _ with the situation right now but if this is going to keep happening, i with the situation right now but if- this is going to keep happening, how do we _ this is going to keep happening, how do we avoid — this is going to keep happening, how do we avoid being _ this is going to keep happening, how do we avoid being sucked _ this is going to keep happening, how do we avoid being sucked here - this is going to keep happening, how do we avoid being sucked here in - do we avoid being sucked here in three _ do we avoid being sucked here in three months _ do we avoid being sucked here in three months' time _ do we avoid being sucked here in three months' time or— do we avoid being sucked here in three months' time or six- do we avoid being sucked here inl three months' time or six months' time _ three months' time or six months' time debating _ three months' time or six months' time debating the _ three months' time or six months' time debating the same _ three months' time or six months' time debating the same thing? i three months' time or six months' . time debating the same thing? what is the plan? if further restrictions are needed. _ is the plan? if further restrictions are needed, on _ is the plan? if further restrictions are needed, on the _ is the plan? if further restrictions are needed, on the evidence - is the plan? if further restrictions i are needed, on the evidence tonight there are limited options for the government and it would require a further vote and you sense it would drive a deeper wedge between the party. there is always concerned when a government relies on opposition for votes. you have to share the narrative of how that particular vote is cast and we saw plenty of that today across the despatch box.— plenty of that today across the desatch box. , ., ., , , , despatch box. these are not steps we will take lightly. _ despatch box. these are not steps we will take lightly, i— despatch box. these are not steps we will take lightly, i firmly _ despatch box. these are not steps we will take lightly, i firmly believe - will take lightly, i firmly believe in individual liberty and that the curbs should be placed on our freedoms in only the most gravest of circumstances so it is vital we act early and in a proportionate way, doing whatever we can to build our

defences and preserve greater freedom for the long—term. ida defences and preserve greater freedom for the long-term. no matter how dysfunctional _ freedom for the long-term. no matter how dysfunctional the _ freedom for the long-term. no matter how dysfunctional the conservative - how dysfunctional the conservative party _ how dysfunctional the conservative party has _ how dysfunctional the conservative party has become, the country can rely on _ party has become, the country can rely on labour. he will act in the national— rely on labour. he will act in the national interests, as we have done throughout— national interests, as we have done throughout the pandemic, putting public health before party politics, by supporting the motion is under consideration this afternoon. we can brina in consideration this afternoon. we can bring in lten — consideration this afternoon. we can bring in ben wright _ consideration this afternoon. we can bring in ben wright at _ consideration this afternoon. we can bring in ben wright at westminster. | bring in ben wright at westminster. interesting to hear mark harper, the first of those three mps that we showed you, a former chief whip, and for him it was more than the issue of the issue at hand, he was voting on what might be coming around the corner in the weeks ahead? that is ri . ht. corner in the weeks ahead? that is right- talking _ corner in the weeks ahead? that is right. talking about _ corner in the weeks ahead? that is right. talking about the _ corner in the weeks ahead? that is right. talking about the measuresl corner in the weeks ahead? that is. right. talking about the measures in front of him, he does not believe the evidence is there to necessitate the evidence is there to necessitate the need for covid passes, which is why he did not vote for them and he was relaxed about facemasks being mandated in more settings, he did

vote for those and other tory mps did not. 40, a large number. what he was saying and many of his colleagues were saying is we are drawing a line in the sand and we will not be voting for these measures today and we will not be voting for any more in the coming weeks. no matter how bad the omicron variant is, they have put down a marker and they have told boris johnson that there is no point in coming to us looking for support because we are not going to back it and if you want to go down the route of further restrictions, and public health measures, you will have to do this again and rely on labour support and that is something a conservative prime minister does not want to be getting into the habit of doing. i5 want to be getting into the habit of doinu. , . want to be getting into the habit of doin., ,., . ., want to be getting into the habit of doing. is a concern that it may not even come — doing. is a concern that it may not even come to _ doing. is a concern that it may not even come to a — doing. is a concern that it may not even come to a vote _ doing. is a concern that it may not even come to a vote and - doing. is a concern that it may not even come to a vote and while - doing. is a concern that it may not| even come to a vote and while they are in recess for the christmas period, things might advance so quickly that things are fought through without parliament being recalled? it through without parliament being recalled? , ., ., ., ., recalled? it is another reason that mark harper _ recalled? it is another reason that mark harper and _ recalled? it is another reason that mark harper and his _ recalled? it is another reason that mark harper and his colleagues i recalled? it is another reason that. mark harper and his colleagues voted in the numbers they did today

against the government because of sending a signal to number 10 that in their view they should not think about trying to bring in further restrictions without a recall of parliament. parliament was off on their christmas break in a couple of days and i think the scale of the rebellion was definitely a signal to downing street that if they are thinking about further restrictions then parliament do think, i would be surprised if in the next two or three weeks, over the next two or three weeks, over the course of recess, downing street would want to come back with further proposals based on the rejection that tory mps have given number 10 today. and these words came about an hour after borisjohnson sat down with conservative backbenchers at the 1922 committee and trying to explain how grave the situation was. how he felt these were limited, proportionate measures to deal with the omicron variant, which is surging across the country. despite that appeal, we still saw the scale

of rebellion we did today. i think this is something about the prime minister'sauthority over his party. does an appeal become harder, does it land in a different way after all of the turmoil of the last few weeks? i of the turmoil of the last few weeks? . ., of the turmoil of the last few weeks? ., ,, ., ., ., of the turmoil of the last few weeks? ., ~ ., ., ., ., weeks? i talked to a handful of rebels in the _ weeks? i talked to a handful of rebels in the last _ weeks? i talked to a handful of rebels in the last hour - weeks? i talked to a handful of rebels in the last hour and - weeks? i talked to a handful of rebels in the last hour and ask| weeks? i talked to a handful of - rebels in the last hour and ask them that question and actually, there is disquiet, no question, on the conservative benches about the state of things. despair at the ongoing saga about what happened in downing street last year about christmas parties, there is an ongoing investigation. there is considerable anger after number 10 tried to tear up anger after number 10 tried to tear up the rules around parliamentary standards to try to protect one of their own, the former mp owen paterson. conservative mps are a pretty grouchy bunch at the moment. but the mp5 i was talking to in the last hour said this was a rebellion about the specifics of the measures

in front of us and the principal, in their view, the lack of evidence and also sending a signal that this is as far as they will go. they know that we are going to have to live with covid for a long time to come and those conservative mps are saying that they don't want to keep going down the road of restrictions being placed and then being put back in and eased again, they are saying enough and that is what tonight was about. �* ~ . ., enough and that is what tonight was about. �* ~ ., ,, i. the prime minister was in trouble about the christmas parties, more trouble ahead tonight on the front page of the daily mirror, this is a front page. 24 people, they have seen 24 people crowded into a room and the tories' westminster headquarters for an event organised

by shaun bailey's mayoral campaign, he was the candidate, on december 14 last year when london was in tier 2. that is not the front page that i wanted to show you. we will see if we can get you that. there is a new delhi mirror front page tonight that has pictures of shaun bailey's campaign gathered in this room and we hear he has quit the london assembly's police and crime commissioner an after being approached by the daily mirror on that story. do we have the front page? that is the picture that they are running tonight. at a time when people were not supposed together for christmas parties, that is sean dilley in the centre at the back with his team gathered around him and he has quit tonight as the chair of the police and crime commissioner. more to come. some other news to bring you quickly

on changes introduced today. the uk has removed all eleven countries from the red list — meaning hotel quarantine will no longer be necessary. the red list was controversial, some of the countries on it had fewer omicron cases than britain. the health secretary confirmed that those who were in quarantine can now leave so long as they test negative. the other news of note is that the chair of the thejoint committee on vaccination and immunisation thejcvi, said he expects an assessment here in the uk to be made before christmas on vaccinating children as young as five — they report tonight that decision could come within the next 10 days. the house select committee investigating the capitol insurrection has voted to hold donald trump's former chief of staff mark meadows in criminal contempt for defying the panel's subpoena. the full house will vote on it soon. liz cheney, the republican vice—chair of the committee, read some of the texts that meadows had received onjanuary 6th as the insurrection unfolded.

these texts were included in the 9000 documents that meadows turned over to the committee before ending his cooperation with investigators. and what these texts show is that those closest to the president were so alarmed by what they were seeing onjan 6th they were texting meadows in real time, urging him to get the president to do something. this text from donald trump this text from donald trumer... text from fox news anchors who also urged mr meadows to get the president to call off the rioters. laura ingram messaging... another fox news host, brian khalid, said... sean hannity texted... liz cheney presented some of that evidence to the rules committee in

the house and this is what you said about the former president's failure to intervene. $5 the about the former president's failure to intervene. . , ., . about the former president's failure to intervene. . , ., . ., , to intervene. as the violence was underway on _ to intervene. as the violence was underway on the _ to intervene. as the violence was underway on the sixth, _ to intervene. as the violence was underway on the sixth, was - to intervene. as the violence was l underway on the sixth, was evident to all. we know that for 187 minutes, president trump refused to act. he refused to act when his action was required and it was essential and it was compelled by his duty, by his oath of office. we can bring in our senior north american reporter. what was missing from this thread of what was going on in the white house at the time was the messages that were going back and forth and we now have some idea of the incoming. as i changed some people'sperceptions of how the oval office was dealing with it? ithink it how the oval office was dealing with it? i think it has reminded people of what that day was like. and the fact there was this extended period of silence from donald trump from

the administration in response to the administration in response to the attack on capitol hill. it also drives the point about how far we have come from that day, when even conservatives are even former donald trump supporters, were speaking out publicly about how wrong that attack was and how damaging it was. we have gotten to the pointjust 11 months later were you never hear any criticism from conservatives of donald trump because the reality is that donald trump is on a cold on the party is still very strong and they are much more comfortable looking ahead rather than talking about what happened because i think they can win elections byjust ignoring what happened. i they can win elections by “ust ignoring what happened. i don't want to psychoanalvse _ ignoring what happened. i don't want to psychoanalyse the _ ignoring what happened. i don't want to psychoanalyse the trump - ignoring what happened. i don't want to psychoanalyse the trump family i to psychoanalyse the trump family but it is interesting that donald trump jr had but it is interesting that donald trumer had to go through a proxy to get to his father. that, in a sense, as meadows is so important to the story. sense, as meadows is so important to

thesto , , the story. absolutely. he is the linchin the story. absolutely. he is the linchpin and — the story. absolutely. he is the linchpin and that _ the story. absolutely. he is the linchpin and that is _ the story. absolutely. he is the linchpin and that is what - the story. absolutely. he is the linchpin and that is what these | linchpin and that is what these e—mails make clear, he was the person in the middle of this, the go—between between everyone on the outside world and donald trump, whether it was calling for action on january the 6th or people who trump to be more aggressive in attempting to be more aggressive in attempting to overturn joe to be more aggressive in attempting to overturnjoe biden's victory. anyone who was trying to reach donald trump was going through mark meadows. in some of his texts said he was pushing the president to speak out and do something and at other times he was dismissive about the attempts to overturn the election but the reality is, only he knows what donald trump was telling him and what he told donald trump and that is one of the main reasons why this investigatory committee wants to get mark meadows in front of them to ask these questions. thank you very much. earlier i spoke to david folkenflik,

media correspondent for npr and author of �*murdoch's world'. the texts from the anchors are quite extraordinary to me as a journalist. they were effectively acting as a feedback lab. they knew in real time this was a desperate moment, whatever they said since then on fox news. at that moment, that precise moment, they were really working as political functionaries? moment, they were really working as politicalfunctionaries? it moment, they were really working as political functionaries?— political functionaries? it gives the lie to the _ political functionaries? it gives the lie to the idea _ political functionaries? it gives the lie to the idea that - political functionaries? it gives the lie to the idea that there . political functionaries? it gives the lie to the idea that there is any separation of identity between fox news's most influential and successful figures and the political folks they are supposed to cover. let us grant that all people were talking about were accused of sending text, sean hannity, or ingram, on the opinion side and even opinionjournalists are ingram, on the opinion side and even opinion journalists are supposed to acknowledge acts against interest. in this case you had them imploring,

very grown—up way, the president to get out there through his chief of staff and to call it off, to tell them to back down. the insurrectionists onjanuary them to back down. the insurrectionists on january six. they were appealing to trump's vanity but laura ingram used the word way, what we have accomplished. it is going to kill it, brian talking about the idea of legacy being destroyed. this talking about the idea of legacy being destroyed.— talking about the idea of legacy being destroyed. this is hurting all of us. i being destroyed. this is hurting all of us- i don't— being destroyed. this is hurting all of us. i don't sense _ being destroyed. this is hurting all of us. i don't sense in _ being destroyed. this is hurting all of us. i don't sense in a _ being destroyed. this is hurting all of us. i don't sense in a statementj of us. i don't sense in a statement this is hurting america or american democracy, this is hurting us. it shows how invested they were in him. and it also shows insights they are not sharing with their viewers, millions who turn to fox prime—time every night and turned in that night on this tragic day and they did not hear that from laura ingram. there was speculation that antifa, questions about whether these were

left—wing agitators, plants, fbi informants who have been put there by deep state agitators to whip up sentiment and make things look bad for the president. fox news figures were talking about two things, they both sought to distance the president and his circle and supporters from any responsibility for what happened and they also sought to minimise the idea that any harm was caused. i don't know if there was a strategy orjust an approach but we saw this effort to dismiss, diminish, deny and denounce any idea that trump and his circle and his larger group of supporters who were there that day were responsible for what happened in the idea that they are not sharing that with their viewers tells you they are not operating in the public interest. these are not point of viewjournalist, they are acting as often as we suggest, as the president's advisers, his

cheerleaders, his message testers. sean hannity from the outset was one of the president was my closest outside advisers on the fox prime—time line—up and its opinion staff formed an outside cabinet for him throughout his presidency. thank ou. a court in belarus has sentenced the prominent opposition activist, sergei tikhanovski, to 18 years in prison. according to state media he's been sentenced, for organising mass protests and inciting social hatred, during the 2020 presidential election campaign. his wife, sviatlana, who now leads the opposition from exile, called the trial a sham, and thejudgement, revenge by president lukashenko. people in belarus continue to fight underground, we are building structures underground and people arejoining into a working movement and our planned victory. people have

created a lot of initiatives that aim to show the world what is going on in our wonderful country. how people are suffering because one person absorbed the country with the help of violence and to work every day to win small victories every day. day to win small victories every da . ,, ., day to win small victories every da _ ,, ., . ., ~ day to win small victories every da . ,, ., _, . , day. still to come... we will be live in kentucky _ day. still to come... we will be live in kentucky as _ day. still to come... we will be live in kentucky as residents i day. still to come... we will be i live in kentucky as residents pick up live in kentucky as residents pick up the pieces following that series of devastating tornadoes at the weekend. scotland's first minister nicola sturgeon has told people in scotland to limit their socialising before and after christmas to help combat the omicron coronavirus variant. she said, however, it was guidance rather than rules. in a statement to the scottish parliament, the first minister has set out the new advice to prevent the spread of the variant while the booster programme is rolled out. it's the toughest approach of any of the four uk nations. here she is in the scottish parliament explaining why she's introducing such measures —

and why limiting social gatherings will help stop the spread of omicron. one of the things we have already learned about omicron is that it has a very high attack rate. this means that if just one person in a gathering is infectious, that person is likely to infect many more people in the group than it is the case with the delta variant. so, by reducing the numbers of people in households gathering together, we help limit the extent of its spread. more than 100 people are still unaccounted for in kentucky as the search efforts continue. 74 people are known to have died in the tornadoes that ripped through 18 counties of the state. the governor confirming today that among the dead was a two—month—old infant and eight workers at the candle

factory in mayfield. this is what remains of that factory. there were concerns that the number of victims at that site would climb higher — but a company spokesperson said that the remaining 102 workers on duty at the time of the storms had all been accounted for. the governor described it as a �*miracle' that only eight lives were lost in that wreckage. i'm joined now from the town of mayfield by cally edwards of the american red cross. where are you standing? more of the same devastation we have seen so far. 5. same devastation we have seen so far. ,, ., ~., ~ same devastation we have seen so far, ,, ., n, �* x' far. s, i am in mayfield, kentucky, and what you _ far. s, i am in mayfield, kentucky, and what you see _ far. s, i am in mayfield, kentucky, and what you see behind _ far. s, i am in mayfield, kentucky, and what you see behind me - far. s, i am in mayfield, kentucky, and what you see behind me is - far. s, i am in mayfield, kentucky,| and what you see behind me isjust some of the devastation that has happened in kentucky with these large tornadoes. we are dealing with a multistate tornado response.

certainly in mayfield, these are many of the images people are seeing on programmes like yours and wondering how they can help. talk to us about that. _ wondering how they can help. talk to us about that, priority _ wondering how they can help. talk to us about that, priority is _ wondering how they can help. talk to us about that, priority is to _ wondering how they can help. talk to us about that, priority is to get - us about that, priority is to get people into shelter as the temperatures drop. how easy is that when you have the communications or the transport to get them there? in areas where we currently have 16 different shelters that are open at this time, including one in mayfield in kentucky so we do have shelters available for people that are able to get to those shelters. but there is also people that are sheltering from family, friends and also just trying to do what they can do. but the red cross are currently offering 16 different shelters and offering comfort, food and a safe and warm place to stay. comfort, food and a safe and warm place to stay-—

place to stay. federal support will be critical- — place to stay. federal support will be critical. one _ place to stay. federal support will be critical. one of _ place to stay. federal support will be critical. one of the _ place to stay. federal support will be critical. one of the criticisms . be critical. one of the criticisms of federal relief programmes in the pastis of federal relief programmes in the past is why there is always the political will, past is why there is always the politicalwill, nobody past is why there is always the political will, nobody can faultjoe biden so far because he has reacted time. that does not always happen. what are they doing this time to put money and people'spockets? they have lost everything. that money and people'spockets? they have lost everything-— lost everything. at the american red cross we are — lost everything. at the american red cross we are a _ lost everything. at the american red cross we are a nonprofit, _ cross we are a nonprofit, non—government organisation. fema is a partner but we are a nonprofit organisation that relies on donations to provide the service delivery. right now we are providing the services but also we do need their help with financial donations from people to help provide the services and also help those that have been affected. right now, helping to get those funds for

people that are experiencing and living through this is very important. i cannot speak to fema and the government as to how fast those things go but after ten years with the red cross, i know that each disaster is a little different and so we are here, working with our partners and moving as fast as we can under these incredible circumstances. you see a lot of damage here but there is also small pockets in rural communities that are still inaccessible. but also the red cross and partners are trying to get to them as well. it is a process and right now the focus has been life safety and rescuing and right now the red cross, our part is to provide disaster relief by offering a safe place for people to stay, get a safe place for people to stay, get a meal and also provide important shelter. it a meal and also provide important shelter. , .,

a meal and also provide important shelter. ., ., ., shelter. it is so important the work ou are shelter. it is so important the work you are doing _ shelter. it is so important the work you are doing and _ shelter. it is so important the work you are doing and there _ shelter. it is so important the work you are doing and there are - shelter. it is so important the work you are doing and there are so - shelter. it is so important the work. you are doing and there are so many hundreds of people in need that help. if people want to donate then obviously you can donate to the american red cross. thank you very much for coming onto the show to show us the work you are doing. it's not rocket science, this job. how many times have you heard that? we take it for granted that a rocket scientist — must have a brain the size of a planet. but maybe not — because new research published in the british medicaljournal suggests that actually rocket scientists and brain surgeons are no more intelligent than the rest of us. i am serious. the researchers asked 329 aerospace engineers and 72 neurosurgeons to complete a series of tasks to test their learning capacity. and the results show that in fact there are very few differences between them and the rest of the british public. researchers said their study was partly carried out to see which profession had the intellectual edge. both sectors are predicted to be understaffed in coming decades,

researchers suggested that questioning stereotypes could benefit future recruitment in important scientific fields. so there you go, maybe we swap jobs. maybe i do a spot of that next week. if you need a brain surgeon — do get in touch. hello there. it's been a mild day again today thanks to south—westerly winds. some places were lucky enough to see a bit of sunshine. it's going to be in short supply over the next few days. through the rest of the week, there will be a lot of cloud around. it will stay mild. there will be some areas of mist and fog, and it should become dry. the rain that we are seeing at the moment will eventually push away. and the rain that we are seeing at the moment is mainly coming from this band of thicker cloud here that's been sat all the way across the atlantic and across northern parts of scotland. that is that wiggling waving weather front that will weaken as it runs southwards, down across western scotland to bring some patchy rain here, down into northern ireland later and into cumbria as well. now, ahead of that, there will be

a few more breaks developing across other parts of northern england, perhaps north wales, the north midlands and across east anglia. so, here, it will turn a bit cooler. temperatures down to 5 celsius, maybe some mist and fog patches too. it's pretty mild, though, across more southern parts of england and wales. we've got this blanket of cloud. it's still rather grey and gloomy for these areas during tomorrow. once that mist and fog goes, we've still got some sunshine across north wales, parts of the midlands, east anglia and northern england. i think for lancashire and particular cumbria, a bit of patchy rain here, some patchy rain for northern ireland and developing across southern parts of scotland as it turns brighterfurther north across the country with some sunshine. and all areas will be mild again, temperatures typically 11—12 celsius. now, there's not much rain in the forecast for tomorrow, what there is of it is going to get swept northwards again with that weather front, as high pressure starts to build in from continental europe. we've still got a little rain to head up towards shetland. otherwise a lot of dry weather again on thursday. again, it looks quite cloudy. some areas of mist and fog too, the best of any sunshine probably for eastern scotland, northeast england, perhaps into lincolnshire as well.

and we've still got those temperatures several degrees above average, really, for this time of the year. the wind is turning lighter, though, as that area of high—pressure starts to build and as we head towards the end of the week. that's going to stick around for quite some time. so, this is the story, really, for friday. we may have a bit more sunshine across northern parts of scotland. we've got a lot of cloud around elsewhere, mind you, and again, some mist and fog, perhaps particularly over the hills as that low cloud continues to lower. temperatures not quite as high on friday. and over the weekend, we will probably find those temperatures just dropping away a little bit more. it is going to turn a little bit cooler over the weekend, but high—pressure is going to keep it fine and dry.

this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. the world health organization says the omicron variant is spreading at an unprecedented rate. here in england, tighter restrictions are approved by mps. the voters of shropshire north have elected a conservative mp for the last 200 years. could that be about to change this thursday? mediterranean temperatures in the arctic as the region officially records a record high of 38 degrees celsius. and what have we let ourselves in for. mr blobby�*s been trying to get into the bbc all day. we'll explain why a little later.

hello and welcome. it's just been a matter of weeks since genome sequencers in south africa first identified the omicron variant. since then, thousands have come down with a new strain. hospitalisations 29% lower than the first wave. and take at look at this graph comparing the rates of people requiring acute hospital care during the beta and delta waves compared with the omicron wave. clearly lower.

let's talk to dr david boulware, who is an expert on covid treatments at the university of minnesota medical school. ijust i just wanted to talk to you about that study first. that some cause for optimism, isn't it? i that study first. that some cause for optimism, isn't it?— that study first. that some cause for optimism, isn't it? i guess so, some of those _ for optimism, isn't it? i guess so, some of those things _ for optimism, isn't it? i guess so, some of those things will - for optimism, isn't it? i guess so, some of those things will account| some of those things will account for why hospitalisations will be lower. even if it was not a new variant. . ., ., variant. the world health organization _ variant. the world health organization has - variant. the world health organization has been - variant. the world health - organization has been warning variant. the world health _ organization has been warning today that the variant is spreading faster than any previous strain.— that the variant is spreading faster than any previous strain. omicron is sreadin: than any previous strain. omicron is spreading at — than any previous strain. omicron is spreading at a _ than any previous strain. omicron is spreading at a rate _ than any previous strain. omicron is spreading at a rate we _ than any previous strain. omicron is spreading at a rate we have - than any previous strain. omicron is spreading at a rate we have not - than any previous strain. omicron is|

spreading at a rate we have not seen with any previous variant. we're concerned — with any previous variant. we're concerned that people are dismissing omicron _ concerned that people are dismissing omicron as— concerned that people are dismissing omicron as mild. surely, we will underestimate this virus without perit _ underestimate this virus without peril. even if omicron does cause less severe — peril. even if omicron does cause less severe diseases, the sheer number— less severe diseases, the sheer number of— less severe diseases, the sheer number of cases could once again overwhelm — number of cases could once again overwhelm health systems. that's the oint that overwhelm health systems. that's the point that it's — overwhelm health systems. that's the point that it's the _ overwhelm health systems. that's the point that it's the sheer _ overwhelm health systems. that's the point that it's the sheer volume - overwhelm health systems. that's the point that it's the sheer volume of - point that it's the sheer volume of cases. do you think that could be the case in the united states because you're a little bit behind on the programme? i because you're a little bit behind on the programme?— because you're a little bit behind on the programme? i think that's definitely the _ on the programme? i think that's definitely the case. _ on the programme? i think that's definitely the case. in _ on the programme? i think that's definitely the case. in the - on the programme? i think that's definitely the case. in the uk - on the programme? i think that's definitely the case. in the uk as i definitely the case. in the uk as well as the us. this spread faster, i think most people are done with

covid. they're tired of it. but covid. they're tired of it. but covid is not done with us. i think that's a major problem. even if it is a slightly more mild, if it spreads more rapidly, we could induct with more infections. i want to return to _ induct with more infections. i want to return to your _ induct with more infections. i want to return to your expertise, - induct with more infections. i want l to return to your expertise, because pfizer's new antiviral pill is nigh 90% successful they say and preventing hospitalisation and collation, if it's caught within the first three days. does that emphasise why testing is so important?— emphasise why testing is so important? emphasise why testing is so im ortant? . , ,, , important? certainly. ithink this is a treat important? certainly. ithink this is a great new— important? certainly. ithink this is a great new therapy. - important? certainly. ithink this is a great new therapy. even - important? certainly. ithink this is a great new therapy. even upl important? certainly. i think this. is a great new therapy. even up to five days was 88% effective, so certainly, getting tested and being able to get on therapy rapidly will be critically important. abshd able to get on therapy rapidly will be critically important.— able to get on therapy rapidly will be critically important. and we here

in the uk, a — be critically important. and we here in the uk, a few— be critically important. and we here in the uk, a few weeks _ be critically important. and we here in the uk, a few weeks ago, - be critically important. and we here in the uk, a few weeks ago, the - in the uk, a few weeks ago, the regulators approved a similar pill, which comes from ridge for use with elderly patients. that's not being approved where you are, why not? the approved where you are, why not? tie: effectiveness of approved where you are, why not? ti2 effectiveness of the merc 's drive effectiveness of the merc �*s drive was about 25% effective, so 90% is obviously quite a bit better. a panel reviewed this and has not issued any proclamations as part of approving or giving this authorisation.— approving or giving this authorisation. �*, ., ., authorisation. it's important to tell people _ authorisation. it's important to tell people now _ authorisation. it's important to tell people now that _ authorisation. it's important to tell people now that we - authorisation. it's important to tell people now that we have i authorisation. it's important to - tell people now that we have these antivirals, they're not to the exclusion of the vaccine. correct. pfizer did a _ exclusion of the vaccine. correct. pfizer did a study _ exclusion of the vaccine. correct. pfizer did a study on _ exclusion of the vaccine. correct. pfizer did a study on lower- exclusion of the vaccine. correct. pfizer did a study on lower risk. pfizer did a study on lower risk populations for people who are vaccinated, and the risk of hospitalisation was about three fold lower. it was about the same with a

70% reduction, overall there's less than 1%. but that medicine isn't available today, so that's protection against hospitalisation development, still vaccination. here in the uk, the _ development, still vaccination. here in the uk, the chair _ development, still vaccination. here in the uk, the chair of _ development, still vaccination. here in the uk, the chair of the _ development, still vaccination. here in the uk, the chair of the gcvi —— jcvi announced in the next ten days, they are likely to approve vaccinations or a decision will be taken. you've been at that for quite some time over there. what have been your findings about how the five to 12—year—olds react to the vaccine? to five to 12—year—olds are using a lower dose. it's about one third, so it's a lower dose so their immune systems can respond better. the first 5 million children are in no

major safety concern, so the 18 to 20—year—olds, inflammation of the heart is a concern rarely, but they have not seen that in the over five—year—olds. that's a really reassuring safety signal that there had not been any major concerns yet. really important to know. doctor david, thank you for being with us. north shropshire in the west midlands has had a conservative mp for nearly 200 years. on thursday voters will go to the polls to elect their new mp. the by—election was triggered by the resignation of owen paterson, who broke parliamentary rules on lobbying. our political correspondent, alex forsyth, has been talking to people in shropshire. in north shropshire, they're not necessarily used to all of this attention, but this constituency has been thrown into sharp focus. it's the centre of a political

contest that is particularly crucial for the conservatives. their candidate's trying to hold a seat that's been tory for decades, but for which he's having to fight. there's lots of distractions nationally, but what is important is i am talking to the voters see on the constituents and putting forward a positive message, and what i would say is that unlike some of my opponents, i'm the only candidate putting forward a positive message with solutions. this is a vast constituency. swathes of farmland scattered through market towns, and most people here back to brexit. a loss here would be a blow for the conservatives. this time, the lib dems are pitching themselves as the alternative. i think there's a strong sense that people have been taken for granted by the conservatives, and what we're saying is if they can send a message to the government that that's not acceptable any more and elect an mp that will listen to the people here and fight their corner for them nationally. everyone ready?

labour, too, is standing firm in the fight, hoping they can cause a political upset. it's great and you meet an awful lot of people who usually vote tory, as they do round here, who are frankly fed up and feel like they've been taken for granted. it's notjust the christmas party and barnard castle, it's about having no one around here who has been standing up for us. there is anger here at recent events. they're not abiding by their own rules and that is unacceptable. trying to keep conservatives i like, from a little boy village, _ a mining town that i like. but of course, perspectives differ. it's a distraction from what's going on. there are more serious things like a pandemic. i shall vote conservative. i write down the things that are good and bad and i think boris has done very, very well in adversity. this by—election is an important measure of the public mood and an important moment for boris johnson. there is unrest in his party, but for many conservatives, he is the man who has won them elections, so they'll be watching to see if it happens

here on traditional tory turf after a few turbulent weeks in westminster. the challenges are circling. the green party saying local services have been neglected. reform uk is out campaigning even though their candidate has covid, hoping to capture dissolution photos. ukip and the reclaim party pushing at that, too. for some, it is frustrating. i'm sick to death of it and i'm sick of them putting leaflets in my door because they go straight into the recycling bin. i'm a bit more tolerant than my wife, but what i do think is that parties need to think long and hard about how they treat their constituents. whatever colour people pick could determine how merry this christmas is for the parties in this race.

there are a total of candidates. here is a full list and you can find full details on our website/ news. the highest temperature ever recorded in the arctic, 38 degrees celsius, has received official recognition. the world meteorological organisation confirmed the record took place on the 20th ofjune last year, in the siberian town of verkhoyansk — which sits just inside the arctic circle — as the region sweltered under an unprecedented heatwave. the extreme heat fanned wildfires across the forests and peatlands of northern russia, releasing record amounts of carbon. it's not the only one the wmo has recorded. there were other very high temperatures and california and italy in the last 18 months. alice duvivier is from the national

centre for atmospheric research. welcome to the programme. where is verkhoyansk and why is it significant in this? 50. verkhoyansk and why is it significant in this? so, this city is in siberia. _ significant in this? so, this city is in siberia. it's _ significant in this? so, this city is in siberia. it's in _ significant in this? so, this city is in siberia. it's in continental| is in siberia. it's in continental russia, so not by the coast. it's relevant because it's an area seen more and more extreme temperatures every year. temperatures that used to be really extreme in the 19505 are becoming basically the average by the 20 305 and 20 405. i like are becoming basically the average by the 20 30s and 20 40s.- by the 20 30s and 20 40s. i like to be quite current _ by the 20 30s and 20 40s. i like to be quite current with _ by the 20 30s and 20 40s. i like to be quite current with the _ by the 20 30s and 20 40s. i like to be quite current with the news. - by the 20 30s and 20 40s. | like to | be quite current with the news. why are we recording on a temperature that comes from june 2020? why has it taken so long? the that comes from june 2020? why has it taken so long?— it taken so long? the wmo wants to veri the it taken so long? the wmo wants to verify the measurements _ it taken so long? the wmo wants to verify the measurements we're - it taken so long? the wmo wants to l verify the measurements we're taking and the conditions weren't affected by the location. if you're �*5 thermometer i5 by the location. if you're �*5 thermometer is in the sunshine,

will... there are very strict conditions they have for verifying these. i5 conditions they have for verifying these. , ~ . . . ., these. is the arctic circle heating and a faster way _ these. is the arctic circle heating and a faster way than _ these. is the arctic circle heating and a faster way than in - these. is the arctic circle heating and a faster way than in other . these. is the arctic circle heating i and a faster way than in other parts of the world?— and a faster way than in other parts of the world? yes. the arctic... the whole planet _ of the world? yes. the arctic... the whole planet is _ of the world? yes. the arctic... the whole planet is warming, _ of the world? yes. the arctic... the whole planet is warming, but - of the world? yes. the arctic... the whole planet is warming, but the i whole planet is warming, but the arctic is warming faster than the global average. this is called arctic amplification. a significant reason is the loss of the snow. if you imagine a sunny day in a dark t—5hirt, you would feel warmer than in a white t—5hirt, and this is because the dark t—shirt absorbs more sunlight. that same effect happens with the surface of the earth, and the ice in the snow is lost. the planet will end up warming more. . . lost. the planet will end up warming more, ., ., ., lost. the planet will end up warming more. . ., ., �* , lost. the planet will end up warming more. . . ., �* , ., lost. the planet will end up warming more. . ., ., �*, ., more. the damage that it's done, can an of that more. the damage that it's done, can any of that be — more. the damage that it's done, can any of that be reverse? _ more. the damage that it's done, can any of that be reverse? if— more. the damage that it's done, can any of that be reverse? if we - more. the damage that it's done, can any of that be reverse? if we had i more. the damage that it's done, can any of that be reverse? if we had a i any of that be reverse? if we had a cold 5nap, is there any cause for optimism? i cold snap, is there any cause for optimism?— cold snap, is there any cause for optimism? i think there's always cause for optimism. _

optimism? i think there's always cause for optimism. so, - optimism? i think there's always cause for optimism. so, if- cause for optimism. so, if humans are able to reduce their emissions now, it can make a difference in the future, but there is some momentum in the system where the effects would take quite a bit of time to reverse. there won't be any quick fix, but people would like to see. it's notjust the arctic circle. i mentioned you've also set record temperatures in california, i think in death valley — 54.4 degrees, which is a worldwide record? the hottest ever recorded? i which is a worldwide record? the hottest ever recorded?— which is a worldwide record? the hottest ever recorded? i believe so. the pattern — hottest ever recorded? i believe so. the pattern of— hottest ever recorded? i believe so. the pattern of the _ hottest ever recorded? i believe so. the pattern of the extreme - the pattern of the extreme temperatures that we're seeing is happening elsewhere. it's also happening elsewhere. it's also happening outside. there was a really serious heat wave in the pacific northwest, areas like seattle, and these are definitely extreme outliers, but becoming more

routinized the climate shifts over time. �* routinized the climate shifts over time. . ., ,., routinized the climate shifts over time. . ., j~ j~ routinized the climate shifts over time. . ., bin, time. and also europe, 48.8 on sicily this— time. and also europe, 48.8 on sicily this year. _ time. and also europe, 48.8 on sicily this year. we _ time. and also europe, 48.8 on sicily this year. we have - time. and also europe, 48.8 on sicily this year. we have to i time. and also europe, 48.8 on sicily this year. we have to do l sicily this year. we have to do something about it. alice duvivier, thank you very much indeed. stay with us on bbc news. still to come... when big names talk, they talk to the bbc — we'll explain. head teachers are saying they are struggling to put... as they get off the bus, a squirt of 5aniti5er. schools ramping up precautions again across england and scotland, more pupils and teachers absent. mrs regan runs 30 schools

around darlington. she's determined to keep them open. we've already lost, in some ways, a generation. but she tells me covering for staff is hard. in recent weeks, we've had to close a year group in primary school because we simply could not cover it in terms of staffing and there were no supplies to be had. the supply agency also said that they were 50% down on the amount of supply teachers that they could provide to schools. hands up if you think air is a mixture. in the classroom, a c02 manager means open windows and in the classroom, a c02 monitor means open windows and energy bills or schools have scored. schools are trying to get through fully open until the end of term. already across this group of schools, more than half the teachers have had covid since the beginning of the pandemic, making precautions such as opening windows and ventilating classrooms all the more important. especially with christmas coming, there's a lot of push to do all of the testing and wearing mask5.

we've been told to keep the windows open and doors open, so i've decided to bring a jumper in. they want to be back in school after christmas. it's very important because children can see their friends and i think- keeping the windows open is a veryi small price to pay because it's much better than being poorly and getting covid. i almost time for the last bell of term, so are these picking upjust picking up just for christmas for the. plastic — it's everywhere. an unavoidable fact of modern day life. there is a new research that microbes are evolving to eat that

plastic. taking dna samples from all kinds of different habitats, they discovered some 30,000 different enzymes that have the capacity to degrade up to ten different types of plastic. professor alek5ej zelezniak is from chalmers university of technology in sweden. welcome to the programme. how do you know they've evolved? the welcome to the programme. how do you know they've evolved?— know they've evolved? the amount of lastic know they've evolved? the amount of plastic enzymes _ know they've evolved? the amount of plastic enzymes basically _ know they've evolved? the amount of plastic enzymes basically collates i plastic enzymes basically collates with amount of pollution. so, that would be kind of difficult, it seems to be corresponding to the amount of waste stuff like it sounds to me like it's a good waste stuff like it sounds to me like it's a goo— waste stuff like it sounds to me like it's a good thing, that there is something — like it's a good thing, that there is something breaking - like it's a good thing, that there is something breaking down i like it's a good thing, that there is something breaking down all|

like it's a good thing, that there i is something breaking down all this plastic that is out there. is it a good thing or to those microbes eventually end up in the food chain? i guess there are two things. it shows the impact what plastic basically... the impact of plastic to become a part of climate, or at least a good message perhaps there are also enzymes that can potentially degrade it and we can use these to maybe design and recycle processes. and we kind of always found all sorts of microbes, because of that's unavoidable. so ou because of that's unavoidable. so you are saying we can harvest in enzymes and then target areas of

over pollution?— enzymes and then target areas of over pollution? enzymes and then target areas of over ollution? ., ., , ., ., over pollution? that would be one of the characteristics _ over pollution? that would be one of the characteristics around _ over pollution? that would be one of the characteristics around it. - over pollution? that would be one of the characteristics around it. that i the characteristics around it. that requires a lot of work to put in, but there is the potential to do that. ., , ., , , that. could there be harnessed in industrial capacity for _ that. could there be harnessed in industrial capacity for recycling? l industrial capacity for recycling? at the moment, it would... one would need to do lots of testing and decide whether any kind of degradation would be identified. in principle, yes. degradation would be identified. in principle. yes-— principle, yes. that's the next ste- principle, yes. that's the next step- you're _ principle, yes. that's the next step- you're going _ principle, yes. that's the next step- you're going to - principle, yes. that's the next step- you're going to the i principle, yes. that's the next i step- you're going to the liberatory step— you're going to the liberatory now and finding which of these 30,000 enzymes are... fit for purpose? 30,000 enzymes are. .. fit for purpose?— 30,000 enzymes are... fit for --urose? i. ., ., , purpose? exactly. we are not trying to see whether— purpose? exactly. we are not trying to see whether these _ purpose? exactly. we are not trying to see whether these are actually i to see whether these are actually functional —— now trying.

to see whether these are actually functional -- now trying.- functional -- now trying. alekse' zereznrak. d functional -- now trying. alekse' zereznrak. id functional -- now trying. alekse' zelezniak, ithinki functional -- now trying. alekse' zelezniak, ithink i i functional -- now trying. alekse' zelezniak, i think i pronounce i functional -- now trying. aleksejl zelezniak, i think i pronounce that right, thank you for coming up the programme. right, thank you for coming up the programme-— right, thank you for coming up the programme-_ me - right, thank you for coming up the programme._ me very l programme. thank you. me very tuickl programme. thank you. me very quickly show _ programme. thank you. me very quickly show you _ programme. thank you. me very quickly show you some - programme. thank you. me very quickly show you some light i programme. thank you. me very i quickly show you some light fixtures we are seeing here. this is from the house of representatives. you will see that they are voting at the moment, and they are voting on whether to hold mark meadows in contempt of congress. formally one of the congressman who supplied 9000 documents to the house committee thatis documents to the house committee that is investigating the january the 6th riot, but he's refused to appear, so they will hold him in contempt of congress. we have had the intention for some time on this programme to go a bit more highbrow. more in—depth. i'm not really sure what prompted the booking of our next guest.

he's not normally known as a big thinker. more crinkley bottom, but mr blobby did go on to become one of the uk's most famous faces in the �*905. star of noel�*s house party, he even had a number one christmas hit in 1993...called mr blobby. since then he has been somewhat of a recluse, but it is panto season here in the uk and this year mr blobby is making an unlikely come back at the chrysalis theatre in milton keynes in peter pan. and a little earlier, he forced his way into the building to tell me all about it. isaid to i said to the producers, get me someone big. it's fair to say i didn't entirely have you in mind. are we sure he got through security property? is he allowed to be here? hello! tgrate

property? is he allowed to be here? hello! ~ ., �* ., , ,, hello! we don't get many goodness, as it really been _ hello! we don't get many goodness, as it really been 20 _ hello! we don't get many goodness, as it really been 20 years since i hello! we don't get many goodness, as it really been 20 years since you i as it really been 20 years since you are top of the hit paris?— are top of the hit paris? blobby, blobb , are top of the hit paris? blobby, ltlobby. blobby. _ are top of the hit paris? blobby, blobby, blobby, blobby, - are top of the hit paris? blobby, | blobby, blobby, blobby, blobby, blobby, blobby, blobby, blobby, blobby, yes! you blobby, blobby, blobby, blobby, ltlobby. yes!— blobby, blobby, blobby, blobby, blobby, yes! blobby, blobby, blobby, blobby, blobb, es! ., ., �* , .,., blobby, yes! you haven't seem to age of ear. blobby, yes! you haven't seem to age of year- you're — blobby, yes! you haven't seem to age of year. you're in _ blobby, yes! you haven't seem to age of year. you're in pantomime - blobby, yes! you haven't seem to age of year. you're in pantomime in i of year. you're in pantomime in milton keynes at the chrysalis theatre. . �* , milton keynes at the chrysalis theatre-_ l- milton keynes at the chrysalis. theatre._ i suppose theatre. that's right! i suppose it's tood theatre. that's right! i suppose it's good you're _ theatre. that's right! i suppose it's good you're back— theatre. that's right! i suppose it's good you're back for- theatre. that's right! i suppose i it's good you're back for pantomime because a lot of people have missed you from the screen. you've been somewhat out of our records the pillow blobby. somewhat out of our records the pillow lhobby-— somewhat out of our records the i pillow blobby._ go pillow blobby. blob, blob, blob. go back on the — pillow blobby. blob, blob, blob. go back on the catwalk. _ pillow blobby. blob, blob, blob. go back on the catwalk. you're - pillow blobby. blob, blob, blob. go back on the catwalk. you're not i back on the catwalk. you're not allowed to be here back on the catwalk! peter pan. do you get

nervous when you're on live performances. nervous when you're on live performances-— nervous when you're on live performances. ila. are you a method performances. no. are you a method actor? no- — performances. no. are you a method actor? no. blobby,. _ performances. no. are you a method actor? no. blobby,. we _ performances. no. are you a method actor? no. blobby,. we spent - performances. no. are you a method actor? no. blobby,. we spent the i actor? no. blobby,. we spent the budtet on actor? no. blobby,. we spent the budget on mince _ actor? no. blobby,. we spent the budget on mince pies. _ actor? no. blobby,. we spent the budget on mince pies. there i actor? no. blobby,. we spent the budget on mince pies. there you. actor? no. blobby,. we spent the i budget on mince pies. there you go. one mince pie. not three! not three! no! i guess that's all the mince pies gone. best of luck, mr blobby. thank you. goodbye! blob, blob, blob. . . . thank you. goodbye! blob, blob, blob. ., ., , ., thank you. goodbye! blob, blob, blob. . ., , ., ., blob. that was the end of a fine journalistic career. _ blob. that was the end of a fine journalistic career. the - blob. that was the end of a fine journalistic career. the good i blob. that was the end of a fine i journalistic career. the good news is we did get the mince applies. the bad news is for those looking forward to seeing mr blobby, we have to wait just a forward to seeing mr blobby, we have to waitjust a few more weeks. the

production hasn't suddenly been postponed temporarily in light of the covid insurgents. we only have to wait a few weeks more. fingers crossed and thank you to mr blobby. i think. goodbye. we're going to find a block weather patterns and establishing by the end of a this week. but we can expect a lot of cloud through the rest of this week, mild until the weekend. mist and fog can be a problem, but it will be turning dry as weather fronts will get blocked off. that's not happening just yet. the high has not happening just yet. the high has not quite yet established. we are saying screen heading its way southwards. perhaps at the cumbria and lincolnshire. other parts of northern england into the mid—lives

in east anglia could get some sunshine for a while. across more southern parts, it still looks quite grey and gloomy, but mild everywhere actually. temperatures staying in double figures. during the evening and overnight, that patchy rain and cloud will get pushback up towards the northwest of scotland. we'll get a few more breaks in the cloud. down through lincolnshire and east anglia. that could lead to pockets of mist and fog. the reason is because we start to see pressure building and across the uk. otherwise generally dry and the best of sunshine in the east and perhaps down into ligature. double to figure

temperatures, there the high pushes of thursday, and it continues to move its way over to the uk, and that means a lot of cloud around and some mist and fog batches. temperatures are beginning to drop off on friday, and with clear skies we could start saturday with a frost here. thanks to the cloud, it should generally be frost free. more of a breeze in the far southwest. some sunshine again across northern and eastern scotland, perhaps into northern parts of england. for many parts, it's still cloudy and a bit dull. temperatures are leaking away during saturday and sunday. it's starting to feel a little bit colder. where we have some breaks in the cloud, could well be a touch of

frost. for many, it's still cloudy on sunday. still generally dry. the latest run still has high pressure sitting close to the uk, but it starts to drift its way further east. that's a bit of a change allowing these with her friends to approach from the atlantic —— these weather fronts. approach from the atlantic —— these weatherfronts. with approach from the atlantic —— these weather fronts. with these atlantic fronts trying to header what, signs of something heading our way... that could possibly had its way towards our shores, so there's a lot to play for, but the upshot is it's very quiet and dry and quite chilly, and there will be a lot of cloud around as well. that's it, bye—bye.