replays. season by scrapping fa cup replays. as a burnley fan, i'm feeling particularly sorry about this because the last to bring the games have been cancelled the two hours before kick—off. at least there is clarity from the premier league of what's going on up the christmas period, and it is a busy period. it's extremely busy. yes, we do have clarity— it's extremely busy. yes, we do have clarity from _ it's extremely busy. yes, we do have clarity from the premier league. the question— clarity from the premier league. the question is_ clarity from the premier league. the question is whether they will be able to— question is whether they will be able to stick to that, because course — able to stick to that, because course the practical considerations of holding — course the practical considerations of holding these games may be affected — of holding these games may be affected by the number of people who are able _ affected by the number of people who are able to field full strength squads _ are able to field full strength squads. if an outbreak of covid reps ri-ht squads. if an outbreak of covid reps right through a squad committee put out the _ right through a squad committee put out the reserve team for instance? is not _ out the reserve team for instance? is not obliged? are you able to postpone? although they have been clear that _ postpone? although they have been clear that they want to carry on, i think— clear that they want to carry on, i think the — clear that they want to carry on, i think the devil will be in the detail, _ think the devil will be in the detail, as a derby county and supported him i firmly believe the entire _ supported him i firmly believe the entire season should be scrapped and we should _ entire season should be scrapped and we should start again afresh on zero points _ we should start again afresh on zero points i _ we should start again afresh on zero oints. ~ , points. i like it. there might be some burnley _

points. i like it. there might be some burnley fans _ points. i like it. there might be some burnley fans who - points. i like it. there might be some burnley fans who share i points. i like it. there might be i some burnley fans who share that view. we could certainly do it some wins. i'm not altogether displeased that they are doing away with the replays, although, i now financially for some of the smaller clubs, it's a lifeline, some of these replays, but i suppose it will be exciting over christmas nonetheless. it but i suppose it will be exciting over christmas nonetheless. it does rather interestingly _ over christmas nonetheless. it does rather interestingly show _ over christmas nonetheless. it does rather interestingly show the - over christmas nonetheless. it does rather interestingly show the power| rather interestingly show the power of the primarily, because they are the ones who are pulling rank and saying this is what we think should happen. so an institution like the fa cup as somehow being transferred by the primarily, and maybe the power and the money that they have. and went to stay with you, because i want your thoughts on this next story. raab's tailor—made excuse. so the deputy prime minister is saying that because this picture that appeared in the guardian yesterday at borisjohnson and i7 appeared in the guardian yesterday at borisjohnson and 17 others and his wife all drinking wine and tapping cheese and the downing street to garden in may of last year, because they were all in suits, it was quite clear that this

was a place of work and therefore nothing to see here. given that, we are asking people to be careful and to take guidance from the government over the coming weeks. does this help? over the coming weeks. does this hel ? ., over the coming weeks. does this hel? ., ., , over the coming weeks. does this hel? ., . , ., over the coming weeks. does this hel? ., ., , ., ., ., �* help? not really at all. i don't think anybody _ help? not really at all. i don't think anybody would - help? not really at all. i don't think anybody would have - help? not really at all. i don't i think anybody would have envied dominic raab's meeting to do the media around this morning because how could you, really, defend that photograph? but he tried and the excuse, as he said he gave was so clearly at business events because people were wearing suits, as if somehow, maybe ijust haven't read enough copies of bold or harper's bazaar, but i thought it was ok to wear suits at social functions as well, but i be sam wrong on that one, i deferto well, but i be sam wrong on that one, i defer to dominic raab's centrale expertise, but the idea that maybe carriejohnson was there, either at their dog is there or their baby is there, it's hard to see, the photo is blurry, and rather

undermines his perspective that it was a business meeting simply because they were all wearing suits. the argument that they are socially distant stand drinking some alcohol and no laptops, no ipad coming on taking minutes rather gives the impression that it was a social event. i impression that it was a social event. . . r' impression that it was a social event. . . ,~' ., , impression that it was a social event. . ., , impression that it was a social event. . ., event. i dare ask, has dealt up all done some pulling _ event. i dare ask, has dealt up all done some pulling on _ event. i dare ask, has dealt up all done some pulling on this? - event. i dare ask, has dealt up all done some pulling on this? does| event. i dare ask, has dealt up all i done some pulling on this? does the british public have a view on the christmas parties? isn't fairly one—sided, the result on this? christmas parties? isn't fairly one-sided, the result on this? there hasn't been — one-sided, the result on this? there hasn't been any _ one-sided, the result on this? there hasn't been any polling _ one-sided, the result on this? there hasn't been any polling yet, - one-sided, the result on this? there hasn't been any polling yet, but - hasn't been any polling yet, but there _ hasn't been any polling yet, but there wiii— hasn't been any polling yet, but there will be some forthcoming. i'm writing _ there will be some forthcoming. i'm writing the — there will be some forthcoming. i'm writing the questions at the moment. it's writing the questions at the moment. it's highly— writing the questions at the moment. it's highly likely that the public would — it's highly likely that the public would think of other events where they may— would think of other events where they may have seen people in suits, let's they may have seen people in suits, iet's sey— they may have seen people in suits, let's say weddings, funerals, so this is a big deal. i don't _ funerals, so this is a big deal. i don't think— funerals, so this is a big deal. i don't think that the person who told dominic— don't think that the person who told dominic raab to say that believed that it _ dominic raab to say that believed that it was true. i don't think dominic— that it was true. i don't think dominic raab believes that what he was saying was true, and i don't believe — was saying was true, and i don't believe that many people within the british— believe that many people within the british public would believe it was

true either. instead, it'sjust part of the _ true either. instead, it'sjust part of the game that we have to play. | of the game that we have to play. i think of the game that we have to play. think what of the game that we have to play. i think what angers people is, joe, that people have been fined for having business meetings and then finishing off the business meeting with a glass of wine or beer, they had actually been fined for that and it does look like it's one rule for them and one for the rest of us. this is the real dangerfor the this is the real danger for the government, that this narrative that the government doesn't play by the rules, _ the government doesn't play by the rules, doesn't play fairly, and worst— rules, doesn't play fairly, and worst of— rules, doesn't play fairly, and worst of all cannot be trusted is something that could really gain momentum, more than any of the individual— momentum, more than any of the individual events, became a native have _ individual events, became a native have affected that narrative could be extremely damaging to the government's public opinion position over the _ government's public opinion position over the next weeks, months and perhaps— over the next weeks, months and perhaps years. over the next weeks, months and perhaps years-— over the next weeks, months and perhaps years— over the next weeks, months and perhaps years. joel, lucy, thank you ve much perhaps years. joel, lucy, thank you very much indeed _ perhaps years. joel, lucy, thank you very much indeed at _ perhaps years. joel, lucy, thank you very much indeed at the _ perhaps years. joel, lucy, thank you very much indeed at the moment. i very much indeed at the moment. there are more pages coming in from the newspapers. we will come back at 11:30pm withjoe and lucy, we will have a second look at the papers. so dojoin us for that. forthe at the papers. so dojoin us for that. for the moment,

at the papers. so dojoin us for that. forthe moment, goodbye at the papers. so dojoin us for that. for the moment, goodbye for now. good evening. i'm chetan pathak with your latest sports news. premier league and efl clubs have chosen today to fulfil their festive fixtures despite ongoing covid—i9 disruption. there were a record 90 positive tests last week in the top flight with six games postponed at the weekend. matches in the efl and women's super league were impacted too. premier league clubs have been advised if they have 13 fit players, plus a goalkeeper, they should fulfil their games. no vote took place today so matches will go ahead as scheduled. to try and ease the backlog of fixtures, fa cup replays in rounds three and four have been scrapped. the efl�*s confirmed that football league and carabao cup games will go ahead where it's safe to do so. the premier league's released it's vaccination figures for players. 77% have had two covid

vaccination jabs. 84% have had one. in the efl a quarter of players say they don't intend to be vaccinated. today the england manager gareth southgate was asked what he'd say to players wondering whether to get vaccinated. i think everybody has that responsibility. we are notjust looking after ourselves, we are looking after other people and, actually, all of the restrictions and all of the devastation to health and the economy, down to the fact that we won't get clear unless the numbers are high. the league is a little bit complicated because we've got players who are fully vaccinated have also still caught the virus. so we know that is a complex situation for them, which games to play and which not. in the end, everybody has to pull together to get through something like this. tottenham are out of the europa conference league after uefa confirmed their postponed

match against rennes earlier this month must be forfeited. the game was due to be played in london on december the 9th, but was called off after a covid—i9 outbreak in the tottenham squad. spurs say they're disappointed by the ruling of the uefa appeals body and its refusal to allow more time for the match to be rescheduled." rennes have been awarded a 3—nil win meaning spurs fail to qualify for the knockout rounds. staying with european footbal, we've had the draw for the women's champions league quarterfinals. arsenal will face wolfsburg. the winner of the two legged tie will be in a semi—final against defending champions barcelona or real madrid. the full draw is on the bbc sport website. shaun maloney is the new hibernian manager. the former celtic and scotland player's signed a three—and—a—half—year deal. he's left his his role as belgium's assistant coach to replace jack ross and take on his first managerialjob. his first game in charge will be at home to aberdeen in the league on wednesday. hibs lost the scottish league cup

final against celtic yestersday and are seventh in the premiership. there was one game in the championship this evening, as the leaders fulham were beaten at home by sheffield united. and what a goal it was to win it — in the third minute — iliman n—jye's brilliant solo effort earning all three points for the visitors. that's four wins in a row for paul heckingbottom's side who are up to 11th. fulham are without a win in 5 games but they're still two points ahead of second place bournemouth. captainjoe root says england have to learn from their mistakes — after they slumped to another heavy defeat in the ashes. they were bowled out for 192 on the final day of the second test in adelaide. australia winning by 275 runs to go 2—up in the series ahead

of the boxing day test in melbourne. patrick gearey reports. to bed, 2—0. astray they may be missing their captain and the best bowler in the world, england couldn't further inconvenience them. and had meet the aussies ran out of time. how the pope got there less than ten minutes, five wickets left. the biggest of them was ben stokes, so australia's the others made an enclosure around ten and sent in a lion. ., enclosure around ten and sent in a lion. . ., , , enclosure around ten and sent in a lion. . , . lion. oh, that was very close. nathan lane _ lion. oh, that was very close. nathan lane thought - lion. oh, that was very close. nathan lane thought he - lion. oh, that was very close. nathan lane thought he had i lion. oh, that was very close. i nathan lane thought he had an lion. oh, that was very close. - nathan lane thought he had an lbw, the umpire didn't. australia reviewed, then rejoiced. england reset. chris woke smita defiance 44, joss buttler, a natural cavalier relied on his shield. no wickets fell for more than two and half hours. say it quietly. maybe. but english optimism on this tour is no sooner formed english optimism on this tour is no soonerformed than english optimism on this tour is no sooner formed than shattered. the end of loucks, and ultimately help. england dragged us into the evening, still there, joss buttler, the adelaide barricade, for so long, he hardly put a foot until... watch the

lights on the bales hit wickets, the last in a series of backward steps. england day's fight fight was too little too late.— england day's fight fight was too little too late. australia when the test match- _ little too late. australia when the test match- i _ little too late. australia when the test match. i got _ little too late. australia when the test match. i got 2-0 _ little too late. australia when the test match. i got 2-0 in - little too late. australia when the test match. i got 2-0 in the - little too late. australia when the l test match. i got 2-0 in the ashes. test match. i got 2—0 in the ashes. the ijust leave it to the last day and expect to pull off an enormous feat, which is what it would have been today, but the disappointing thing about this week is that we need the same mistakes as last week. we just cannot afford to do that. gets 4000 days since they last won a test in australia to regain the ashes, they must now win three in a row. patrick geary, bbc news. and rafa nadal has tested positive for covid—i9 after making his comeback from injury in an exhibition event in abu dhabi last week. the 20 time grand slam champion returned the positive test on arrival back in spain. he said he's having "some unpleasant moments but hopes to improve little by little." nadal�*s not played a tour event since august. the australian open begins in melbourne in four weeks.

and that's all the sport for now. from me and the team here, good night. hello there. it's been a cloudy and chilly start to the week. things will change. from midweek, we'll start to see atlantic air coming our way. that means temperatures will be rising, but we're also going to find some rain. but what about christmas? well, i'll try and answer that question later on. we start, though, cold in many places on tuesday morning, particularly in the clearer skies in scotland, with a frost in the north. we could see some pockets of frost across some western parts of england and wales, with the prospects of some sunshine during tuesday, which will be good news on what is the shortest day of the year. it's the winter solstice. these are the sunrise and sunset times, but, of course, after tuesday, the days do get longer. we do have some sunshine across northern parts of scotland, some sunshine at times coming through across wales and western england, but more cloud further east. still that blanket of cloud in northern ireland, southern scotland that

will push its way into the central belt and make it feel quite chilly here. temperatures on the whole similar to what we had on monday, near—normal, really, for this time of the year. but it's from wednesday that the weather starts to change because high pressure that's kept it quiet for so long is moving away. and instead, we've got a big low out in the atlantic. that's going to push bands of rain our way. we start wednesday with a widespread frost in scotland, england and wales. some early sunshine, but it clouds over from the west. the wind starts to pick up. we've got this band of rain mainly affecting northern ireland, pushing into wales and southwest england and then into parts of scotland later on, bringing in some milder air for western areas. but for many parts of the country, it's still another chilly day. that band of wet weather moves northwards and eastwards overnight, and then with low pressure still out to the west, another band of rain sweeps around that as well. so we are going to find some wet weather moving northwards and eastwards again during thursday. could stay wet for most of the day across the northern half of scotland. elsewhere, that rain

does clear through. we get some sunshine following on behind. and with a south—westerly wind, just look at what it does to the temperatures. widely in double figures across northern ireland, england and wales. as the winds fall light, though, overnight, and if you're going to be travelling into christmas eve, it could be misty with some patches of fog around in the morning. and then we have that battle between the milderairand colderair that's in the north. now, for many, it looks like we will stay in the milder air christmas day, but if there is going to be a white christmas, at the moment, it only looks like it will be in northern parts of scotland.

welcome to newsday. reporting live from singapore, i'm karishma vaswani. the headlines: it's pretty good at evading immunity — the latest covid variant warning from the world health organization. it's more likely that people who have been vaccinated or have recovered for covid—i9 could be infected or reinfected. the british prime minister says no new covid restrictions for now, but he doesn't rule out bringing them in. "a predator who knew exactly what she was doing" — the prosecution in the ghislaine maxwell trial sums up its case. and the chinese tennis star peng shuai appears to have retracted her claim of sexual assault, as concerns persist

around her wellbeing.