nearly 100 members of britain's governing conservative party have voted against new coronavirus restrictions in defiance of the prime minister, borisjohnson. however, the new restrictions were passed with the support of the opposition labour party. the world health organization has warned that the new omicron coronavirus variant is spreading at an unprecedented rate. the who director general says it's likely that omicron is already present in most countries around the world. the first major real—world study since the omicron outbreak suggests that two doses of the pfizerjab appear to provide 70% protection against hospitalisation, but only 30 % against actual infection. the us has led international condemnation of the 18—yearjail sentence imposed on the former opposition leader sergei tikhanovsky in belarus.

hello, and welcome to our look ahead to what the papers will be bringing us tomorrow. with me arejohn stapleton, who is a broadcaster, and sian griffiths, who is the education and families editor at the sunday times. tomorrow's front pages, starting with... we have gotten a few more in the most important one in terms of its potential impact is here. the daily mirror has an exclusive picture of what it says is a christmas party thrown by tory aides during coronavirus restrictions. to be clear and not in downing street but at the conservative party headquarters. the times focuses on the huge conservative rebellion as nearly 100 tory mps voted

against the party whip. the telegraph says it is "a hammer blow" tojohnson�*s authority as his party failed to support the introduction of covid passports in today's vote. the quote party leaders who said he could yet face a vote of no—confidence. the i paper leads saying omicron threatens a normal christmas as household bubbles and social distancing are under consideration. the daily mail reads "not again", reacting to the murders of star hobson and ella ros, which they say is due to social workers and doctors. so, let's begin. john, the daily mirror, well they have kept promising at a photo and we got the sort of quiz master photo of borisjohnson which was not exactly perhaps the party people were thinking of. this is not either but it is rather more damning photo and reasonably chosen tomorrow morning quite literally 2a hours

before the by election in north shropshire. before the by election in north shrapshire-_ before the by election in north shroshire. . , . shropshire. indeed and they have led the way understory _ shropshire. indeed and they have led the way understory from _ shropshire. indeed and they have led the way understory from the - shropshire. indeed and they have led the way understory from the very - the way understory from the very start and here is another scoop for them. it shows sean bailey, conservative candidate for mayor of london with colleagues at the tory headquarters as you rightly say when the country or at least london was in tier 2 and gatherings like that were not allowed. clearly enjoying themselves as a party in the company of a tory donor as well. and very embarrassing for all concerned. according to the writer of the story, leading the way on the story right from the very start, bailey has now resigned as chair of the police and crime committee at the london assembly and little wonder really. the story beneath the photograph on the front page refers to the quiz of course to which you rightly refer in which more shots and made a brief appearance, albeit in a different room, but next to

people who clearly were not distancing. and people taking part in the quiz were in another room. this story reveals that although they were in another room, they spent two hours looking after the event and were told to leave by the back door. need i say any more. h0. back door. need i say any more. no, that's very — back door. need i say any more. no, that's very interesting. the paper has devoted coverage of this with several pages inside but this is exactly the story the prime minister did not eat of the front page of the papers and what would be a matter of hours after seeing his authority so badly damaged by that big boat. 2a hours prior to the polls opening in north shropshire and on the day of prime minister's questions. you kind of think this is a bit of a gift to party in the mirror makes the secret of its political affiliations but i thought labour will be quite grateful the timing dye... labour will be quite grateful the timing dye-"— labour will be quite grateful the timing ihie-u— labour will be quite grateful the timing itire-u— labour will be quite grateful the timing dye... labour will be quite grateful the timin: l e... ., ~ ., , timing dye... you know it comes with the north shropshire _

timing dye. .. you know it comes with the north shropshire by— timing dye... you know it comes with the north shropshire by election - timing dye... you know it comes with the north shropshire by election at i the north shropshire by election at the north shropshire by election at the moment, the tories hold it with a several_ the moment, the tories hold it with a several thousand majority so if the liberai— a several thousand majority so if the liberal democrats when it it will be — the liberal democrats when it it will be an— the liberal democrats when it it will be an astonishing reversal and a blow— will be an astonishing reversal and a blow to — will be an astonishing reversal and a blow to borisjohnson possible authority — a blow to borisjohnson possible authority. the thing about these christmas — authority. the thing about these christmas parties is i think they are really— christmas parties is i think they are really cutting through people were find it for bricking lockdown rules _ were find it for bricking lockdown rules last — were find it for bricking lockdown rules last year. they refined up to £10,000 — rules last year. they refined up to £10,000 for holding illegal party and it's— £10,000 for holding illegal party and it's another case of don't... do and it's another case of don't. .. do as i and it's another case of don't... as i say not as i and it's another case of don't... drr as i say not as i do almost. and it's another case of don't. .. do as i say not as i do almost. exactly| as i say not as i do almost. exactly can a us and _ as i say not as i do almost. exactly can a us and another— as i say not as i do almost. exactly can a us and another rule - as i say not as i do almost. exactly can a us and another rule for- as i say not as i do almost. exactly can a us and another rule for you. | as i say not as i do almost. exactly| can a us and another rule for you. i think— can a us and another rule for you. i think when— can a us and another rule for you. i think when angela rayner says everyone — think when angela rayner says everyone else was making sacrifices to keep _ everyone else was making sacrifices to keep the community safe, i think people _ to keep the community safe, i think people feel that. this isjust not fain _ people feel that. this isjust not fain it— people feel that. this isjust not fain it is— people feel that. this isjust not fair. it is not right, endangering public— fair. it is not right, endangering public safety and if you want us to follow _ public safety and if you want us to follow the — public safety and if you want us to follow the rules and set an example. so i follow the rules and set an example. so i think— follow the rules and set an example. so i think for borisjohnson it's 'ust so i think for borisjohnson it's just been— so i think for borisjohnson it's just been one blow after another and

if he loses _ just been one blow after another and if he loses north shropshire i do think that — if he loses north shropshire i do think that there could well be a challenge to his leadership in the new yeah — challenge to his leadership in the new yeah l — challenge to his leadership in the new ear. , ., , ., new year. i should 'ust quote the conservative _ new year. i should 'ust quote the conservative party — new year. i should just quote the conservative party response - new year. i should just quote the conservative party response to l new year. i should just quote the i conservative party response to the photograph, senior conservative central office staff became aware of an authorised gathering in the basement of matthew parker street which is the party headquarters building in victoria in london. organised by the bentley campaign on the 40 organised by the bentley campaign on the a0 to december last year with disciplinary action was taken against for hq staff who were assigned to the campaign and this is assigned to the campaign and this is a sanctum of the apartment and we week ago so not clear to me from the statement whether or not they were told about it only last week or they were told about a year ago. that's not clear. that's the conservative party position. the difficulty with this is it started to look up pattern of behaviour. we had dominic cummings at bernard castle and matt hancock and that clench and now they have been later than the party and we have the christmas party. is this

part of the problem that kind of is just not on its own charisma if it was on his will be bad but it's much worse because it looks like a sort of sort of continuation of a sort indifference to the impact the rules were having on others? it indifference to the impact the rules were having on others?— indifference to the impact the rules were having on others? it smacks of arrouance were having on others? it smacks of arrogance and _ were having on others? it smacks of arrogance and people _ were having on others? it smacks of arrogance and people with _ arrogance and people with entitlement. you are quite right to say that it's one rule for them in one row for us. people were making all sorts sacrifices and i don't want to make too much of it but i only had two people at my wife's funeral. many or denied the right to see their parents dying in care homes. people could not go to hospital and we suited to the number of people you have in our houses and the vast majority, of woman majority of british public made you sacrifices during that period and it was not easy as christmas time was coming up and we all made sacrifices and decide this kind of thing as a smack in the face. and i think it really registered with people like nothing else was a people say it is a matter and there are more

important things a lot but i think this does matter and it matters a great people because they feel insulted by it and quite rightly so. the difficulty i suppose that it's a lot of things you look at politicians who were working in politics and say as a judgment call but i think they got it wrong but i can kind of see the point that they got it wrong but a misjudgment. when this is happening at the same time as everyone else is doing something different, and you are involved in the business of told people to do something different, that's probably when it kind of looks that much worse almost because of the context as much as what the act itself is. let's move onto this because it is of the timing is interesting. it comes after that vote and before the by election and pm cuesjohn major will be what difficult for boris johnson tomorrow lunchtime. the telegraph with the rebellion story which is similar to lots of other

front pages but i mean it's got some quite important points in it. not least of course is this morning from one of the more mild that are members of the conservative point of entry party for sir geoffrey clifton brown telling sky news leadership challenge is on the cards. he has got to realise he has got to change. yes and as you say treasurer of the 22 backbench committee jeffrey clifton _ 22 backbench committee jeffrey clifton brown making it very clear that the _ clifton brown making it very clear that the size of the rebellion tonight— that the size of the rebellion tonight is so large that boris johnson _ tonight is so large that boris johnson really has to take it as a warning — johnson really has to take it as a warning and what he was saying is needs— warning and what he was saying is needs to _ warning and what he was saying is needs to consult mps more and needs to be more _ needs to consult mps more and needs to be more open about things come upon _ to be more open about things come upon entry— to be more open about things come upon entry sleaze has got to stop. so a lot— upon entry sleaze has got to stop. so a lot of— upon entry sleaze has got to stop. so a lot of demands being made. it was a _ so a lot of demands being made. it was a huge — so a lot of demands being made. it was a huge rebellion, so 100 tory mps, _ was a huge rebellion, so 100 tory mps, nearly refused to vote. boris johnson _ mps, nearly refused to vote. boris johnson puff at plan b going through and totally this point about legally

requiring — and totally this point about legally requiring events with large crowds, like football matches, to check attendees for proof of vaccination or a negative test. they did not like that— or a negative test. they did not like that and did not vote for that and so labour, only their votes that carried _ and so labour, only their votes that carried it _ and so labour, only their votes that carried it through. the biggest defeat — carried it through. the biggest defeat that boris johnson carried it through. the biggest defeat that borisjohnson has had in his premiership and i think there's a nice lie _ his premiership and i think there's a nice lie in— his premiership and i think there's a nice lie in the telegraph of want to be _ a nice lie in the telegraph of want to be heard — a nice lie in the telegraph of want to be heard to say wow when the size of the rebellion from a parent nobody— of the rebellion from a parent nobody thought it would be quite that big — nobody thought it would be quite that big. they agree with other things— that big. they agree with other things like facemasks and compulsory covid-19 _ things like facemasks and compulsory covid—19jabs for nhs things like facemasks and compulsory covid—19 jabs for nhs workers they did not— covid—19 jabs for nhs workers they did not agree with covid passports and i_ did not agree with covid passports and i made it very clear. and did not agree with covid passports and i made it very clear.— and i made it very clear. and it feels a bit _ and i made it very clear. and it feels a bit light _ and i made it very clear. and it feels a bit light with _ and i made it very clear. and it feels a bit light with a - and i made it very clear. and it feels a bit light with a story - and i made it very clear. and it | feels a bit light with a story that this is now the line in the sand and if he dares to cross it, he is very lucky to face the full wrath of his party. lucky to face the full wrath of his .a . ,, ., , lucky to face the full wrath of his party-- john- _

lucky to face the full wrath of his party--john- was- lucky to face the full wrath of his party.- john. was not - lucky to face the full wrath of his j party.- john. was not quite party. sorry. john. was not quite clear what _ party. sorry. john. was not quite clear what do _ party. sorry. john. was not quite clear what do you _ party. sorry. john. was not quite clear what do you talk _ party. sorry. john. was not quite clear what do you talk to - party. sorry. john. was not quite clear what do you talk to me - party. sorry. john. was not quite clear what do you talk to me or. party. sorry. john. was not quite l clear what do you talk to me or her but the certificate thing ijust read in one of the pieces was actually this was notjust read in one of the pieces was actually this was not just the awkward squad as people who regulate vote against government, this law also includes 13 former cabinet ministers. you can say they were met because they lost their jobs ministers. you can say they were met because they lost theirjobs but i suspect and i do think that many of these people who voted against these restrictions imposed by this government were voting against not just that but against the government's handling of various events including party gate to which you've alluded, including the refurbishment of 10 downing street and is attempt to get his pal owen patterson off the hook. it's been a very bad two or three weeks if not more for the government and it's little surprise really that he is dealing with this and the size though it is a process of everything i read today for an about experts and maybe ad but never nani and never nearly 100 people rebelling against it so i do think you have to

be said to worry about in the long term if not in the short term and as you said a little earlier, if he loses the violation in tomorrow, then they have a majority of 23,000, the liberal democrats are more or to connect with them in the last media poll i saw, to lose that they be in real trouble.— poll i saw, to lose that they be in real trouble. and interesting thing about this, we _ real trouble. and interesting thing about this, we have _ real trouble. and interesting thing about this, we have got _ real trouble. and interesting thing about this, we have got clifton - about this, we have got clifton brown quoted on the front of the times and in its version and saying it's striking the range of rebels who got ian smith former conservative party leader who is been around since 92, you have a louis french only became an mp over a week ago when he won sync up and i don't know if he has imbibed a bit of his inner ted heath and he will be as grumpy as sir ted was towards the end of his career with his leader, but quite seriously if you are the newest mp of the lot, you

are the newest mp of the lot, you are still finding your fee and you are still finding your fee and you are prepared to vote against your own prime minister. it's either brave or foolish but whichever way you look at it, is very significant. spectacular. all this after boris had spent some considerable time trying to spell out to his party members the importance of this and the way in which the minister is spreading in a dramatic pace and the nhs to be crippled by a less checks are made and with the whips of course i'm sure working overtime to try to persuade people to support the government and bullying many people who despite all that as you say, almost 100 of them still voted against these proposals. interesting times we believe it would _ against these proposals. interesting times we believe it would give - against these proposals. interesting times we believe it would give us i times we believe it would give us that we'll talk about this again tomorrow night with the reviewers then. let's move the front of the guardian if i may. omicron infections could reach 1 guardian if i may. omicron infections could reach1 million a day and i did hear professor castor bit of doubt whose job is public

understanding but not doubt but cautioning a little bit on the 200,000 infections a day figure which we kind of had a prediction of and he was a bit unsure about the basis for that. but nobody doubts that this is already becoming the dominant strain and quite likely it will be the only strain very soon because it seems to be so effective at suppressing the other strains. when they tried to jump it kind of bullies its way to the front of the queue for infecting somebody and leaves all in its path. we do not know whether that's good news because it's more mild or bad news because it's more mild or bad news because it's more mild or bad news because it is worse. fin because it's more mild or bad news because it is worse.— because it is worse. on that it was the world health _ because it is worse. on that it was the world health organization - the world health organization earlier— the world health organization earlier today say don't be fooled by this idea _ earlier today say don't be fooled by this idea that it's a milder variant _ this idea that it's a milder variant. and that we need to take this very— variant. and that we need to take this very seriously. in the guardian, the front page story is another— guardian, the front page story is another warning by this time a doctor— another warning by this time a doctor susan hopkins, and she told mps that— doctor susan hopkins, and she told mps that uk omicron infections could reach _ mps that uk omicron infections could reach1 million a day mps that uk omicron infections could reach 1 million a day and mps that uk omicron infections could reach1 million a day and if mps that uk omicron infections could reach 1 million a day and if they do reach _ reach 1 million a day and if they do reach a _ reach 1 million a day and if they do

reach a million a day that i'm guessing _ reach a million a day that i'm guessing and i think there's a story in the times on this or that could mean _ in the times on this or that could mean will mean people on christmas day are _ mean will mean people on christmas day are self isolating and spending christmas — day are self isolating and spending christmas alone. the other point that this — christmas alone. the other point that this story makes is that even if it is— that this story makes is that even if it is a _ that this story makes is that even if it is a milder variant and we don't — if it is a milder variant and we don't know that at the moment, 1 million is — don't know that at the moment, 1 million is a — don't know that at the moment, 1 million is a very large number so even _ million is a very large number so even a _ million is a very large number so even a small fraction ofi million if even a small fraction ofi million it lroth— even a small fraction ofi million it both had — even a small fraction ofi million if both had to be hospitalised, that is a big _ if both had to be hospitalised, that is a big number because of that could _ is a big number because of that could overwhelm the nhs. this is a big number because of that could overwhelm the nhs. this is the odd paradox — could overwhelm the nhs. this is the odd paradox that part _ could overwhelm the nhs. this is the odd paradox that part of _ could overwhelm the nhs. this is the odd paradox that part of the - could overwhelm the nhs. this is the odd paradox that part of the debate l odd paradox that part of the debate tonight was about conservative mps expressing a view i've heard quite widely which is we don't want the nhs to become the covid recovery service is a reversal of the fact that now the booster programme is going to tie up gps and we are worried that all these other essential treatments are being delayed because of covid and yet the paradox is if we all get infected, proportioned the wanting hospitalisation is only going to add to that potential problem.

absolutely fulsome and likewise if we don't have some restrictions on people going into nightclubs and places where many people are gathering, thus places will almost certainly have to be closed down. everyone wants to protect the businesses and make sure they don't lose them a money and they have lost millions over the last two years but without some kind of measure, they are going to be arguably at least an even worse trouble. the are going to be arguably at least an even worse trouble.— are going to be arguably at least an even worse trouble. the other story related to that _ even worse trouble. the other story related to that is _ even worse trouble. the other story related to that is the _ even worse trouble. the other story related to that is the telegraph. - related to that is the telegraph. warning thatjust related to that is the telegraph. warning that just at the point where we are able to move to a situation and that's part of these new rules whereby you don't have to isolate if you're paying to because someone you have been with has got covid—19 you can actually avoid some isolation mightily testing but the task running out.— mightily testing but the task runnina out. ., h . ., running out. that's true and we have seen the cues _ running out. that's true and we have seen the cues for _ running out. that's true and we have seen the cues for vaccinations - seen the cues for vaccinations today, some of them waiting for five hours and he will going to kill mr

dragon 0 flo testified in the chemist has run out. we are told that there is no shortage of lateral flow tests but that will be and chemist stores eventually. but i suppose is to be expected. again apologies for the government but the lesson they want from me but if you make an announcement that this is very serious situation, it's actually rather encouraging that so many people have gone to queue up. that's true. many people have gone to queue up. that's true-— that's true. clearly the nation are those members _ that's true. clearly the nation are those members who _ that's true. clearly the nation are those members who went - that's true. clearly the nation are those members who went today | that's true. clearly the nation are - those members who went today have taken it very seriously indeed is they should do, mind you. i taken it very seriously indeed is they should do, mind you. i wonder where in your— they should do, mind you. i wonder where in your education _ they should do, mind you. i wonder where in your education hat - they should do, mind you. i wonder where in your education hat how- where in your education hat how big an issue that has been for schools and colleges because a lot of them have been obviously testing at home but a lot of work settings and education have had to think about how is the impact of that and how do you take one child out and leave the rest of the men if they have been in the bible and all the rest of it equipment miserably it's been a kind

of heckuva learning curve for head teachers and staff. i of heckuva learning curve for head teachers and staff.— teachers and staff. i think that teachers and staff. i think that teachers have _ teachers and staff. i think that teachers have done _ teachers and staff. i think that teachers have done an - teachers and staff. i think that l teachers have done an amazing teachers and staff. i think that - teachers have done an amazing job actuallv _ teachers have done an amazing job actually in — teachers have done an amazing job actually in the panic because they have had — actually in the panic because they have had to do everything from as you say— have had to do everything from as you say bring in bubbles for their classrooms, they have had to do testing _ classrooms, they have had to do testing on— classrooms, they have had to do testing on site at times, they have had to— testing on site at times, they have had to socially distance in order to stagger parents coming to pick up childrerr— stagger parents coming to pick up children and all of that on top of that they— children and all of that on top of that they have had to learn how to do remote — that they have had to learn how to do remote teaching. they have done so much, _ do remote teaching. they have done so much, delivered food parcels and ithink— so much, delivered food parcels and i think it's _ so much, delivered food parcels and i think it's been really difficult and what _ i think it's been really difficult and what i'm hearing the moment from schools— and what i'm hearing the moment from schools is— and what i'm hearing the moment from schools is that staff members are really being hit by this. there is a lot of— really being hit by this. there is a lot of staff— really being hit by this. there is a lot of staff off sick, some children and some — lot of staff off sick, some children and some your ribs are being sent home _ and some your ribs are being sent home and — and some your ribs are being sent home and remote learning is back in some _ home and remote learning is back in some places. some schools have closed _ some places. some schools have closed completely on the advice of public _ closed completely on the advice of public health. and i think head teachers — public health. and i think head teachers are very worried about what's — teachers are very worried about what's going to happen injanuary. is it what's going to happen injanuary. is it going — what's going to happen injanuary. is it going to be business as usual or will— is it going to be business as usual or will there be a second start? there _ or will there be a second start? there is— or will there be a second start? there is a — or will there be a second start? there is a lot of uncertainty about where _ there is a lot of uncertainty about where the —

there is a lot of uncertainty about where the schools will go back and * as normal— where the schools will go back and * as normal in— where the schools will go back and * as normal in the new yearjust as we are coming _ as normal in the new yearjust as we are coming to— as normal in the new yearjust as we are coming to the end of this term. so let's— are coming to the end of this term. so let's ask— are coming to the end of this term. so let's ask one of the question because we talked about a so disgusted with us a few weeks ago. what about ventilation? has been much progress on that in schools? ihla much progress on that in schools? no and that's one of the things he had teachers _ and that's one of the things he had teachers are really calling for. they— teachers are really calling for. they want these air filtration devices _ they want these air filtration devices in schools. they want c02 monitors — devices in schools. they want c02 monitors. and they are saying that these _ monitors. and they are saying that these have — monitors. and they are saying that these have been really slow to come into schools may also say they are having _ into schools may also say they are having to — into schools may also say they are having to fund some of them out of their own budgets and they cannot afford _ their own budgets and they cannot afford them. so what is happening in schools— afford them. so what is happening in schools is— afford them. so what is happening in schools is that where they can they are opening doors and their opening windows and i've heard parents writing — windows and i've heard parents writing an — windows and i've heard parents writing an e—mail me saying my child is freezing _ writing an e—mail me saying my child is freezing. and sometimes they say she's— is freezing. and sometimes they say she's not— is freezing. and sometimes they say she's not allowed to wear her coding class because it's against school uniform — class because it's against school uniform rules what are supposed to do? you _ uniform rules what are supposed to do? you think oh my goodness and sometimes — do? you think oh my goodness and sometimes kids are also eating their hospital— sometimes kids are also eating their hospital dinners outside and you understand why schools are doing it

because _ understand why schools are doing it because it's what they have been told to _ because it's what they have been told to do— because it's what they have been told to do to ventilate the classrooms as it was way to do but on the _ classrooms as it was way to do but on the other— classrooms as it was way to do but on the other hand if it's 20 even called _ on the other hand if it's 20 even called her— on the other hand if it's 20 even called her injanuary i'm not sure how bible much of that is. | called her in january i'm not sure how bible much of that is. i might have mentioned _ how bible much of that is. i might have mentioned before _ how bible much of that is. i might have mentioned before that - how bible much of that is. i might have mentioned before that i - how bible much of that is. i might| have mentioned before that i went how bible much of that is. i might. have mentioned before that i went to school on top of a big hill in devon or you could not open the windows because the windows would blow off in the winter. so the thoughts of insulating nebular space and fear rebuilt since then it is quite unnerving. a final thought from you. are you doing that home as well you have gas and stuff? i'm not probing but i'm just curious, are you saying windows are open to my front door open? windows are open to my front door 0 en? ~ ., windows are open to my front door oen? ~ ., ., ., , , ., open? me? no, i am not because of the freezing nature _ open? me? no, i am not because of the freezing nature of— open? me? no, i am not because of the freezing nature of it. _ open? me? no, i am not because of the freezing nature of it. never- the freezing nature of it. never mind the impact _ the freezing nature of it. never mind the impact of— the freezing nature of it. never mind the impact of climate - the freezing nature of it. never- mind the impact of climate change. thank you both very much it will be to see you both. good to have your company again and we will see you again no doubt very soon and i will see you again i hope for the papers

tomorrow night. have a good evening. good evening. i'm tulsen tollett with your sports news, where we start with football, and manchester city have moved four points clear at the top of the premier league after a 7—0 win over leeds united. phil foden had given city an early lead before jack grealish doubled the advantage with his first headed goal in the premier league. kevin de bruyne and riyadh mahrez extended the lead either side of half—time before de bruyne's second was an absolute stunner from distance. john stones made it six before nathan ake added a seventh on a night pep guardiola saw his team score for the 500th time in the premier league under him. meanwhile, steven gerrard's aston villa travelled to norwich, with jacob ramsey opening the scoring at carrow road. ollie watkins added a second three minutes from time for a fourth win in six under their new manager taking them ninth, while dean smith sees his side remain bottom,

three points from safety. i thought it was really strong performance. i thought first half we were outstanding. we played well in pockets of the second half but found our way at times. i asked the players before the game can we come here and and control part of the game and deliver a clean sheet? players delivered in every department and on the back of a really challenging week. one game in scotland, too, as the managerless hibernian hosted dundee. hibs narrowed the gap on sixth—placed aberdeen to a point with a paul mcmullan own goal the difference between the sides, leaving dundee tenth and just two points off the bottom. premier league players and staff will have to take lateral flow tests every time they want to enter their club's training ground. it's one of a number of new measures agreed by clubs to combat the rising numbers of coronavirus cases.

twice—weekly pcr testing will also be introduced, along with increased mask—wearing and social distancing, while time in treatment rooms will be limited. in the last week, two games have been postponed, with tottenham against brighton on sunday called off and tonight's match between brentford and manchester united also cancelled. tomorrow, fans attending matches will have to show proof of double vaccination or a negative test to attend if there will be crowds of more than 10,000 people. sports minister nigel huddleston today spoke about these increased measures and also refused to rule out reducing capacities or even closing venues to spectators in future. the plan b measures we have implemented at the moment were because we believe they're the right measures for now. in terms of the measures brought in, facemasks, vaccination certificates and so on for entry to major events, we believe they are proportionate and the goal is to try and reduce transmission. they're proportionate measures, and we don't want any of these things to be any longer than absolutely necessary, but the prime minister has said we're taking one day at a time and looking at the data and that will drive decisions.

arsenal have stripped pierre—emerick aubameyang of the club captaincy and said he won't be considered for selection against west ham tomorrow night. aubameyang was dropped for saturday's win over southampton for what manager mikel arteta described as a "disciplinary breach". reports suggest he returned late from a trip to france. we have made this decision that unfortunately is a really tough one, and obviously, if i had to choose, i wouldn't like to be sitting here talking about it, but we had to do it. the next one is for now he's not involved in the squad. we want to take our culture, our demands to a different level, and when those standards are not met, you know that you cannot participate in our daily basics. manchester united defender viktor lindelof is undergoing tests after he suffered breathing difficulties during their win at norwich on saturday. he was forced off during the second half, but the incident isn't believed to be connected to the covid—19 outbreak at the club.

united said he had recovered well and was having a series of precautionary investigations. covid struggles in rugby union, too. one game in the champions cup was called off last weekend, and now there's doubts over another this weekend. leinster say an additional number of senior players have tested positive for covid ahead of friday's game against montpellier in france. this follows four positives last week at the province. and issues, too, for the hosts. they have reported a fifth positive test, with the team now training in separate groups with more testing to come. former yorkshire head coach andrew gale will not return to his position as assistant coach of men's hundred side northern superchargers in 2022. gale was one of 16 people sacked by yorkshire in the aftermath of racism allegations made by azeem rafiq. gale was on a one—year contract with the superchargers for the 2021 season, which will not be renewed. the second ashes test begins on thursday, and despite the capitulation

in the first, england captainjoe root believes there is reason to be optimistic. they may have lost by nine wickets and suffered two batting collapses, but root has stressed the positives heading into that day—night test match with australia in adelaide. without sounding too cliched, there were things there we just have to do for longer, and we could be looking at a very different scoreline. and that's the sort of confidence that you have to take forward. and i think that's why it doesn't feel like previous tours, leaving brisbane where we've been absolutely battered and completely on the wrong end of the result. i think we're actually leaving there from a slightly different perspective. three—time world gold medallist elise christie has announced her retirement from short track speed skating at the age of 31, but she insists this isn't the last we'll see of her in sport. in a statement, christie said she had been putting this decision off after the heartbreak of failing to qualify for the winter olympics in beijing next year.

she added that she still has sporting plans for 2026, insisting her olympic medal dream isn't overjust yet. christie suffered huge disappointment at the winter games in sochi and pyeongchang. and that's all the sport for now. hello. while the key message in the weather forecast is that the weather is going to be very settled over the next few days, a big area of high pressure is going to establish itself across the uk, and that means settled conditions, i think, in the run—up to christmas. and on the satellite picture, you can see that area of high pressure across spain, portugal and france. it's building here, and it's extending northwards. and as it extends northwards, it's going to push the fronts away to the north as well. but for the time being, we still have quite a few isobars, these pressure lines,

so a stronger wind and a weather front close to northern ireland and across western parts of scotland and the north, as well, during the course of wednesday. so, here, it will be at times cloudy, but it's mild with that cloudy, rainy weather, around nine, eight degrees celsius. to the south of that, very mild, too. ten degrees, but it is dry. now, the cloud cover on wednesday will vary considerably across the uk. we still have that weakening weather front in the north west here, so dribs and drabs of rain. and at the very least, it will be cloudy, but plenty of bright if not even sunny weather around merseyside, parts of the midlands, lincolnshire, also northern and eastern parts of scotland. in the south, we have thicker cloud because it's drifting in from the southern climes here. now, this high pressure really will be in place across the uk by thursday. you can see the weather fronts have been pushed to the north, so that means it's drying out right across the uk. still a little bit of rain maybe early in the morning flirting with the very far north west of scotland and the northern isles, but you can see the bulk

of the country is dry on thursday. and again, a lot of variation in the cloud cover, but wherever you will be on thursday, i think the temperature will be more or less the same, around 10—12 degrees celsius. now, this is what we call a blocking high, and this happens when the jet stream sort of wraps around it in the shape of the greek letter omega. so, you can just about make out that omega shape. when that happens in the atmosphere, things don't tend to move around an awful lot. they get sort of locked in, so that's why that high pressure will lock itself in across this part of world, across our shores. so, very little changes expected as we head through friday, through the weekend and into next week as well. that's it from me.

welcome to newsday, reporting live from singapore, i'm karishma vaswani. the headlines... most countries probably have omicron cases and it's very faster than previous variance. the world health organization warns the world to prepare. could overwhelm help prepare system. in the uk a blow to borisjohnson. authority as fellow conservatives rebel against covid restrictions.

two close friends who lost their lives in the english