new figures released in the uk show a 25% rise in coronavirus infections in the three days up to last sunday. if that trend continues, it will put pressure on hospitals, schools and business. the former south korean president park goon—hay, is to be granted a pardon by the government. ms park was impeached and removed from office in 2017, and jailed for twenty— two years on corruption charges. japan will not send government officials to the beijing winter olympics but says it's notjoining the diplomatic boycott of the games, in protest at china's human rights record.

now on bbc news, review 2021, the year in science. it was a year shaped by the global fight against the coronavirus pandemic but with significant developments in climate change and space exploration. our science correspondent pallab ghosh gives his analysis of the year. 2021 was the year that world leaders agreed on a new plan to save the planet. keeping no objections, it is so decided. scientists warn that it was now or never to stop damaging climate change. so make the difference between 1.5 and 2.4 it's really survival of millions and millions of people and species on

the planet. environmentalists chop down trees to save the planet. nasa's perseverance rover landed on mars. and there was a discovery of what might be another fundamental force of nature. welcome to the year in science. the other�*s climate dominated this year in science. for a long time scientists have warned that our current way of life would lead to dangerous and possibly irreversible damage to the earth's ecosystems. world leaders gathered at the un climate change conference, we are told, now is the time to act.

world leaders gathered in glasgow in november to hammer out a deal to reduce carbon dioxide levels to stop dangerous global warming. and one of the biggest disputes was over the future of coal. for a while, did like negotiators could not reach a deal. then, the man at the centre of the talks, had to appeal to all the parties to cooperate. this the talks, had to appeal to all the parties to cooperate.— parties to cooperate. this is a moment of — parties to cooperate. this is a moment of truth _ parties to cooperate. this is a moment of truth for - parties to cooperate. this is a moment of truth for our - parties to cooperate. this is a l moment of truth for our planet. parties to cooperate. this is a - moment of truth for our planet. and it is a moment of truth for our children and our grandchildren. it children and our grandchildren. it did the trick. an agreement was reached. by the end of 2022, countries will have to update their climate pledges at a faster pace than before. by 2024, a package of

long term financial aid for the poorest nations has to be agreed. and then, by 2030, to avoid the worst of global warming, carbon emissions should be halved. but that will be made harder by china and india's insistence that coal should be phased down rather than phased out. so, as things stand, polar isa will still melt faster than ever, raising sea levels and together with heavy rain, threatening millions of people were flooding. we have already warmed by 1.1 degrees since preindustrial times and world leaders say that by limiting the rise to one and a half is still possible but projections they were headed for 1.8 and that if is only of every promise is kept. more realistically we are on course for

2.4 degrees, level. the difference between 1-5 _ 2.4 degrees, level. the difference between 1.5 and _ 2.4 degrees, level. the difference between 1.5 and 2.4 _ 2.4 degrees, level. the difference between 1.5 and 2.4 is _ 2.4 degrees, level. the difference between 1.5 and 2.4 is really - 2.4 degrees, level. the difference between 1.5 and 2.4 is really the l between 1.5 and 2.4 is really the survival— between 1.5 and 2.4 is really the survival of— between 1.5 and 2.4 is really the survival of millions and millions of people _ survival of millions and millions of people and species on the planet. this is_ people and species on the planet. this is what is particularly true for the — this is what is particularly true for the islands.— for the islands. according to a government _ for the islands. according to a government adviser _ for the islands. according to a government adviser at - for the islands. according to a government adviser at the - for the islands. according to a i government adviser at the heart for the islands. according to a - government adviser at the heart of the talks, the worst outcomes can be averted. we the talks, the worst outcomes can be averted. ~ ., ~ , the talks, the worst outcomes can be averted. ~ . ~ , ' the talks, the worst outcomes can be averted. ., ~ , ' ., ., averted. we have kept 1.5 allowed but on the basis _ averted. we have kept 1.5 allowed but on the basis of _ averted. we have kept 1.5 allowed but on the basis of delivering - averted. we have kept 1.5 allowed but on the basis of delivering on l but on the basis of delivering on those commitments and that'll be our next task and this is for all the countries and it is on us to make sure that this is real. find countries and it is on us to make sure that this is real.— sure that this is real. and sir david attenborough - sure that this is real. and sir david attenborough said - sure that this is real. and sir david attenborough said the | sure that this is real. and sir - david attenborough said the richest nations had a moral responsibility to help the most vulnerable. it would be really catastrophic if the developed — would be really catastrophic if the developed nations— would be really catastrophic if the developed nations of— would be really catastrophic if the developed nations of the - would be really catastrophic if the developed nations of the world, l would be really catastrophic if the . developed nations of the world, the more _ developed nations of the world, the more powerful— developed nations of the world, the more powerful nations _ developed nations of the world, the more powerful nations of— developed nations of the world, the more powerful nations of the - developed nations of the world, the more powerful nations of the world | more powerful nations of the world simply— more powerful nations of the world simply ignored _ more powerful nations of the world simply ignored these, _ more powerful nations of the world simply ignored these, these - simply ignored these, these problems _ simply ignored these, these problem if— simply ignored these, these problems. if we _ simply ignored these, these problems. if we say, - simply ignored these, these problems. if we say, it - simply ignored these, these problems. if we say, it is i simply ignored these, these - problems. if we say, it is nothing to do— problems. if we say, it is nothing to do and — problems. if we say, it is nothing to do and across _ problems. if we say, it is nothing to do and across our _ problems. if we say, it is nothing to do and across our arms, - problems. if we say, it is nothing to do and across our arms, we i problems. if we say, it is nothing - to do and across our arms, we caused it. to do and across our arms, we caused it thousands— to do and across our arms, we caused it thousands of— to do and across our arms, we caused it. thousands of men, _ to do and across our arms, we caused it. thousands of men, women- to do and across our arms, we caused it. thousands of men, women and - it. thousands of men, women and

childrerr— it. thousands of men, women and children who — it. thousands of men, women and children who have _ it. thousands of men, women and children who have lost _ it. thousands of men, women andj children who have lost everything, lost everything. _ children who have lost everything, lost everything, can _ children who have lost everything, lost everything, can we _ children who have lost everything, lost everything, can we just - children who have lost everything, lost everything, can we just say i children who have lost everything, lost everything, can we just say it| lost everything, can we just say it is no _ lost everything, can we just say it is no business _ lost everything, can we just say it is no business of— lost everything, can we just say it is no business of ours? _ lost everything, can we just say it is no business of ours? pin- is no business of ours? an assessment _ is no business of ours? an assessment by _ is no business of ours? assessment by the is no business of ours?- assessment by the environment is no business of ours?— assessment by the environment agency said that the uk was not yet ready for the impact of climate change. in october, a in cardiff became a dangerous weather after a massive downpour. there was a similar scene in newcastle after torrential rain there. in america, europe, south america and siberia, there were raging wildfires. the biggest shock came in germany, injuly. a surge of water tour through communities. 200 people were killed. the water tour through communities. 200 people were killed.— people were killed. the weather events that _ people were killed. the weather events that we _ people were killed. the weather events that we saw _ people were killed. the weather events that we saw in _ people were killed. the weather events that we saw in europe i people were killed. the weather. events that we saw in europe this summer could happen here in england

and we need to be ready. to save lives. we need to recognise that it is adapt or die. young people were involved in protests across the world as they had the most to lose if we fail to get the impact of climate change under control. there were also the ones who can fix the problem. 5000 of them were involved in a scheme to understand and help solve the environmental crisis. we understand and help solve the environmental crisis.— environmental crisis. we are measuring — environmental crisis. we are measuring plans _ environmental crisis. we are measuring plans to - environmental crisis. we are measuring plans to see - environmental crisis. we are measuring plans to see how| environmental crisis. we are - measuring plans to see how there are growing _ measuring plans to see how there are growing outside. we measuring plans to see how there are growing outside-— growing outside. we have in learning about worms- _ growing outside. we have in learning about worms. this _ growing outside. we have in learning about worms. this is _ growing outside. we have in learning about worms. this is mustard - growing outside. we have in learning. about worms. this is mustard powder. you're going — about worms. this is mustard powder. you're going to _ about worms. this is mustard powder. you're going to mix _ about worms. this is mustard powder. you're going to mix the _ about worms. this is mustard powder. you're going to mix the mustard - you're going to mix the mustard powder into the water. this one is about learning the role of worms.

these are babies. 0k? bab? about learning the role of worms. these are babies. 0k? baby worms! these are babies. 0k? baby worms! these are babies. 0k? baby worms! these are the _ these are babies. 0k? baby worms! these are the scientists _ these are babies. 0k? baby worms! these are the scientists of _ these are babies. 0k? baby worms! | these are the scientists of tomorrow and they've got to think about their future and their children's future and it is a long—term game. this is not something for a single generation, we have all got to play our part. 0ther generation, we have all got to play our part. other projects involve grabbing nature from the food. it is so important is a matter of our lives now and i think it should be important to everyone and this is why we've started the outdoor learning area so that we can protect the environment and trade, climate change. the young researchers took what they are discovered and presented their work to the politicians at cop 26. there was a new award for those trying to save the planet called the earth short prize. its name is a

reference to america's moonshot. an ambitious programme to get an astronaut on the lunar surface. but more than 50 years on, prince william told the bbc, saving the earth was an even bigger challenge. we need some of the words greatest brains and minds fixed on trying to repair this planet, not trying to find the next place to go and lead. but many scientists are the choice between earth space is a false one. the science museum gallery celebrates the heyday of space travel in the 19605 and 705 when humans went to the moon. and it was that, they say, that help draw attention to the planet's environmental plate. but, for many,

it is the beautiful images from space that most inspires. no more so than the pictures from the hubble space telescope. for more than 30 years, it is captured distant galaxies, stars being born and dying. images that have been as uplifting to the soul as they have been to the mind. hubble's successor as nasa's james webb telescope, unlike hubble, the signal her billion pound spacecraft will go beyond earth's orbit. 930,000 miles into deep space. 0nce 930,000 miles into deep space. once in space, it unfurls its deploys its giant mirrorand in space, it unfurls its deploys its

giant mirror and instruments. the space telescope is much more powerful than hubble and it will be able to analyse the atmospheres of worlds orbiting distant stars to see if there are signs of life. it will also be able to witness the birth of the very first stars. this is a simulation of that critical moment. be purple areas are clouds of hydrogen gas becoming ever denser until they form the star is. blazing like fireworks. james expected to capture images of this really happening. i capture images of this really happening-— capture images of this really - happening-_ why capture images of this really ha enin. ., . wh are happening. i am so excited! why are ou so happening. i am so excited! why are you so excited? _ happening. i am so excited! why are you so excited? it _ happening. i am so excited! why are you so excited? it is _ happening. i am so excited! why are you so excited? it is fantastic- happening. i am so excited! why are you so excited? it is fantastic that i you so excited? it is fantastic that as humanity _ you so excited? it is fantastic that as humanity a _ you so excited? it is fantastic that as humanity a tiny _ you so excited? it is fantastic that as humanity a tiny little _ as humanity a tiny little civilisation on planet earth, that we can— civilisation on planet earth, that we can create a telescope that

begins — we can create a telescope that begins and up into space and peer back begins and up into space and peer hack to _ begins and up into space and peer hack to the — begins and up into space and peer back to the universe as it was just a couple _ back to the universe as it was just a couple of— back to the universe as it was just a couple of hundred millions of years— a couple of hundred millions of years after the big bang. and a couple of hundred millions of years after the big bang. and some incredible views _ years after the big bang. and some incredible views from _ years after the big bang. and some incredible views from space - years after the big bang. and some incredible views from space were i incredible views from space were obtained from these aerials planted in the small field in hampshire. these pick up radio waves from distant galaxies. they may not look like much but astronomers have 52 sites just like this one spread all across europe. together, they have captured some of the most detailed pictures from space ever taken. in this image, the galaxies in the middle shooting out either side are jets of material across the expanse of space. it is because of a gigantic black hole inside of it. astronomers can now see things they have never been able to see before. this is a picture of a galaxy seem to a normal telescope. and here is a

standard radio image of it. though it is a lot brighter, a lot of the detail has been lost. compare it with one of the new high definition images which is much sharper, showing features inside in unprecedented detail. the brightest area at the bottom shows the location of a gigantic black hole inside this galaxy. it is bright because of the energy released as it is sucking in material abounded. meanwhile, in the deserts of chile, telescope was able to see the universe as it really is. filled with the mysterious substance called dark matter. it can't be seen but this instrument detected dark matter by the way it distorts style light. this is a map of matter in the universe. this is a map of matter in the universe-— this is a map of matter in the universe. a ., ., , , ., . universe. astronomer is produced this map of _ universe. astronomer is produced this map of habit _ universe. astronomer is produced this map of habit spread -

universe. astronomer is produced this map of habit spread across i universe. astronomer is produced. this map of habit spread across the cosmos. permeate space, accounting for most of the mass of the universe. the brighter areas where dark matter is most clump together. it is here that galaxies form. it is our reality shining like gems on an unseen tangled cosmic web. but the map is not what astronomers expected. according to einstein's theories the matter should be slightly more clumps together and that it slightly more clumps together and thatitis slightly more clumps together and that it is smoother and more spread out. building on the work of einstein, carlos frank was among the scientists who developed the current theory of cosmology.— theory of cosmology. hearing now that there may — theory of cosmology. hearing now that there may be _ theory of cosmology. hearing now that there may be something - theory of cosmology. hearing now that there may be something not. that there may be something not quite right with disconcerting. it is very alarming. and, anyway, frightening. to see that maybe my whole life's work might crumble in front of me. but at the same time, it is immensely exciting. back

front of me. but at the same time, it is immensely exciting.— it is immensely exciting. back in our own solar— it is immensely exciting. back in our own solar system, _ it is immensely exciting. back in our own solar system, nasa's i our own solar system, nasa's perseverance rover landed on mars. ads, perseverance rover landed on mars. a first look at the service. these - first look at the service. these ictures first look at the service. these pictures are — first look at the service. these pictures are the _ first look at the service. these pictures are the spacecraft - first look at the service. these | pictures are the spacecraft and first look at the service. these . pictures are the spacecraft and its first few minutes of dissent as it nears the surface, clouds of dust and grit are thrown around as its thrusters are fired on from another camera angle we can see the vehicle lowered to the ground.— camera angle we can see the vehicle lowered to the ground. safely on the surface of mars! _ lowered to the ground. safely on the surface of mars! these _ lowered to the ground. safely on the surface of mars! these were - lowered to the ground. safely on the surface of mars! these were the - surface of mars! these were the scenes admission _ surface of mars! these were the scenes admission control. - surface of mars! these were the . scenes admission control. shortly after, a tweet from the rover. it has been drilling into the surface and storing some of the rocks for a future mission to bring back. some of the samples may contain fossilised evidence of life. i’m of the samples may contain fossilised evidence of life. i'm not talkin: fossilised evidence of life. i'm not talking about _ fossilised evidence of life. i'm not talking about martian _ fossilised evidence of life. i'm not talking about martian little - fossilised evidence of life. i'm not talking about martian little green| talking about martian little green man. we are looking for microbial life or microbes that made slime

that you might find at the bottom of a pond. there is a type of things that are likely to, well they did exist on a three and a billion years ago. the question is, did they exist on mars at the bottom of the lakes? 0n—board is a small helicopter ingenuity. it out the first of a powered flight on another planet. back on earth and boldly going where hundreds of people had gone before... star trek�*s captain kirk, william shatner, blasted off from a launch site in texas. it was a ten minute flight to 60 miles above the earth, enough time to float in zero

gravity. waiting for him on his return, amazon founderjeff bess asked whose company developed the rocket system. you asked whose company developed the rocket system-— rocket system. you have given me is the most profound _ rocket system. you have given me is the most profound experience - rocket system. you have given me is the most profound experience i - rocket system. you have given me is the most profound experience i can i the most profound experience i can imagine. i am so filled with emotion about whatjust imagine. i am so filled with emotion about what just happened, imagine. i am so filled with emotion about whatjust happened, ijust... it is extraordinary. that about whatjust happened, i 'ust. .. it is extraordinary.�* it is extraordinary. at the age of 90, william _ it is extraordinary. at the age of 90, william shatner— it is extraordinary. at the age of 90, william shatner finally - it is extraordinary. at the age of. 90, william shatner finally reached 90, william shatnerfinally reached the final frontier. 90, william shatnerfinally reached the finalfrontier. in physics, there was what could be one of the biggest steps forward for a generation. scientists believe that there are four fundamental forces of nature. 0ne there are four fundamental forces of nature. one for gravity, anotherfor electricity, and two nuclear forces which control the behaviour of atoms. together, they explain the

way the world works but in recent years, astronomers began noticing things in space that cannot be explained by the four forces such as galaxy spinning faster than they should and they can't explain why the stars and planets and everything on them, including ours, exist at all. the new results suggest there might be a fifth force which could explain some of these mysteries. the result was from a particle accelerator from just outside chicago. scientist accelerated particles inside this giant been close to the speed of light. and they found something that cannot be explained by the current theory of physics at the subatomic level. i physics at the subatomic level. i think it is quite mind—boggling and it has the potential to turn physics on its head. and we have a number of mysteries that remain unsolved and this could give us the key answers to solve those mysteries. i'd bet you have heard of electrons, well, there are similar particles called new ones which are much happier and

spend like tops. in new ones which are much happier and spend like tops-— spend like tops. in the experiment, the were spend like tops. in the experiment, they were made _ spend like tops. in the experiment, they were made to _ spend like tops. in the experiment, they were made to rotate _ spend like tops. in the experiment, they were made to rotate using - they were made to rotate using magnets. the current theory states that they should rotate at a certain rate. instead, they rotated faster. this might be caused by a mystery fourth, fifth force which is created by another yet to be discovered particle. in february, a meteorite blazed across the night sky over the rooftops across the uk. a large chunk of it landed in the driveway of this family living in gloucestershire. ., ., ., gloucestershire. came out and we looked at this _ gloucestershire. came out and we looked at this pile _ gloucestershire. came out and we looked at this pile of _ gloucestershire. came out and we looked at this pile of what - gloucestershire. came out and we looked at this pile of what looked | looked at this pile of what looked like crushed coal. and so i started even then thinking perhaps it has come down from space.— come down from space. security camera footage _ come down from space. security camera footage captured - come down from space. security camera footage captured the - come down from space. security i camera footage captured the flight of the meteorite as it flew over nuneaton, somerset, wigan before it ended up at the natural history

museum for a study. it is ended up at the natural history museum for a study.— ended up at the natural history museum for a study. it is one of the most pristine _ museum for a study. it is one of the most pristine materials _ museum for a study. it is one of the most pristine materials that - museum for a study. it is one of the most pristine materials that we - museum for a study. it is one of the| most pristine materials that we have on earth _ most pristine materials that we have on earth to _ most pristine materials that we have on earth to study anything that is really— on earth to study anything that is really good about this particular case _ really good about this particular case is — really good about this particular case is that we saw it fall and so we can— case is that we saw it fall and so we can use _ case is that we saw it fall and so we can use that to train track back the trajectory work out where in the solar— the trajectory work out where in the solar system it came from. a study from _ solar system it came from. a study from the _ solar system it came from. a study from the natural history museum found _ from the natural history museum found that the uk is losing biodiversity so quickly that it is now one — biodiversity so quickly that it is now one of the most nature depleted places _ now one of the most nature depleted places in— now one of the most nature depleted places in the world. that now one of the most nature depleted places in the world.— places in the world. that is important _ places in the world. that is important because - places in the world. that is important because there i places in the world. that is. important because there are places in the world. that is - important because there are over long lost species that could be better suited to the extreme conditions caused by global warming. many of the crops we depend on such as this coffee plant won't thrive on the increased temperatures predicted by climate change. but these beans from 1873 could provide an answer. they were found in the collections at kew gardens here. not only are they more heat resistant but they make an excellent through with tones of honey and blackcurrant,

apparently. it is one example of many of how science, rather than taking us away from the natural world, is bringing us closer to solutions for some of humanity's greatest problems. millions of tonnes of sand were shifted to a stretch of coastline in north norfolk to see if a natural barrier could hold back rising sea levels. it seems to have worked. the homes and businesses i won the front line of rising sea levels. the sound barrier idea is cheaper than building a concrete seawall. this more natural solution could be used to protect more coastal communities. we are making space for water and allow— we are making space for water and allow natural processes to come back in places— allow natural processes to come back in places where we can do this. i think— in places where we can do this. i think that — in places where we can do this. i think that is _ in places where we can do this. i think that is the attitude we need to have _ think that is the attitude we need to have and that we're going to be able to— to have and that we're going to be able to keep building sea walls. in

2021, nearly 60 acres of trees were cut down in northumberland. to reduce carbon emissions. it sounds strange but it was done to save an ancient peat bog which traps far more carbon than trees ever could. the building blocks of the pete bog the stagnant — the building blocks of the pete bog the stagnant masses _ the building blocks of the pete bog the stagnant masses which - the stagnant masses which themselves, _ the stagnant masses which themselves, like _ the stagnant masses which themselves, like this - the stagnant masses which themselves, like this one, | the stagnant masses which i themselves, like this one, are absolutely— themselves, like this one, are absolutely full— themselves, like this one, are absolutely full of— themselves, like this one, are absolutely full of water. - themselves, like this one, are absolutely full of water. they. themselves, like this one, are i absolutely full of water. they are about _ absolutely full of water. they are about 90% — absolutely full of water. they are about 90% water. _ absolutely full of water. they are about 90% water. find _ absolutely full of water. they are about 9096 water.— absolutely full of water. they are about 9096 water. and that water is wh blo . s about 9096 water. and that water is why blogs are _ about 9096 water. and that water is why blogs are better— about 9096 water. and that water is why blogs are better at _ about 9096 water. and that water is why blogs are better at slowing - why blogs are better at slowing climate change than trees. when plants die in a book they don't release a low carbon into the atmosphere because they don't rot completely. which is why this... is good for the environment.

there is greater diversity among science students than ever before. an analysis in march by the royal society show that there was an unacceptably low number of black people among academic staff. 6.3% drop out in the postgraduate studies which compares to 3.8% of students. black people account forjust 1.7% of research staff in the uk whereas they make up 3.5% of the population. an out of 22,745 professors in academia, 155 are black. taste an out of 22,745 professors in academia, 155 are black. we know somethin: academia, 155 are black. we know something is _ academia, 155 are black. we know something is happening _ academia, 155 are black. we know something is happening within - academia, 155 are black. we know| something is happening within the university committees that culture that can be quite toxic. it is due to racism, all the statistics show that it to racism, all the statistics show thatitis to racism, all the statistics show that it is not due to class, it is notjude to what school you went to,

and that environment and that culture is carried on all the way through for student life cycle and into careers as well. in through for student life cycle and into careers as well.— into careers as well. in an effort to attract _ into careers as well. in an effort to attract more _ into careers as well. in an effort to attract more ethnic— into careers as well. in an effort| to attract more ethnic minorities into careers as well. in an effort i to attract more ethnic minorities a series of projects were launched across england to encourage them to phd is and to support them throughout their research careers. there was a surprising discovery at canterbury cathedral. inside, its stunning windows depict symbolic religious scenes. this series was thought to have been made on the 13th century. researchers discover that some of the panels including this one of the prophet nathan, were made much earlier. it has only come to light now because of this device, called a window relies there. it may not look like much, but it was developed by scientists to be used

on location without damaging the glass. a shine to beam onto the service causes material inside to radiate. this radiation contains a chemicalfingerprint to radiate. this radiation contains a chemical fingerprint to allow researchers to work at their age. same as we have been working on this detective story for some time, putting all the pieces in place, and then we finally get an answer, something new that brings together science and art into one story. it is fantastic. science and art into one story. it is fantastic-— is fantastic. these are all that were recorded _ is fantastic. these are all that were recorded at _ is fantastic. these are all that were recorded at the - is fantastic. these are all that were recorded at the time - is fantastic. these are all that. were recorded at the time they happened here. the were recorded at the time they happened here.— happened here. the discovery astonished — happened here. the discovery astonished leone _ happened here. the discovery astonished leone who - happened here. the discovery astonished leone who looks l happened here. the discovery . astonished leone who looks after stained glass windows inevitably the related panels could go back to the mid—11005 and were replaced during the great historical events at the cathedral including the assassination of the then archbishop thomas becket who features in many of the windows. thea;r thomas becket who features in many of the windows.— of the windows. they would have witnessed the _ of the windows. they would have witnessed the murder— of the windows. they would have witnessed the murder of - of the windows. they would have witnessed the murder of thomas j witnessed the murder of thomas becket — witnessed the murder of thomas becket. they would have witnessed

henry— becket. they would have witnessed henry the _ becket. they would have witnessed henry the second come on his knees begging _ henry the second come on his knees begging for— henry the second come on his knees begging for forgiveness. they would have witnessed the conflagration of the fire _ have witnessed the conflagration of the fire that devoured cathedral in 1174 _ the fire that devoured cathedral in 1174 and — the fire that devoured cathedral in 1174. and then they would have witnessed all the british history. there _ witnessed all the british history. there is— witnessed all the british history. there is a — witnessed all the british history. there is a lot more in store next yearin there is a lot more in store next year in science. the large hadron collider will start at its highest power at the foot of the james webb telescope were sent back its first data which may include pictures of starlight in the universe. in europe and russia will send a rover surface to search for signs of life. but it is the oath we will need to focus on. it is changing climate means that the planet's fate hangs in the balance but science can provide of the solutions. and give us hope for the solutions. and give us hope for the future.

and give us hope for the future. hello, the chances of seeing a white christmas this year are very limited. for many, is looking quite grey and damp. that's how christmas eve is playing out so far across some spots. the forecast in the lead up to christmas has always been about milder, wetter weather trying feed in from the south—west into colder conditions to north—east — and that's exactly how the christmas weather is going to play out. the further north—east you are, the cold are a christmas it will be for you. the further south—west, the milder the christmas, with rain at times. in fact, we have got another weather system feeding in some rain at the moment across southern and south—eastern england, the midlands and wales. also another with cloud and patchy rain from southern scotland to over england, parts of northern ireland, maybe a few flurries to the highest ground out of that. the brightest conditions across northern scotland, but this is where it is coldest today, and a few wintry showers in the northern isles, especially for shetland. 0n through the night out into christmas day, this weather system with the rain will feed its way further north, it may eventually produce a few

flurries for the higher parts of the pennines. another system pushing into south wales and south—west england, with heavy bursts of rain and may be a rumble of thunder. mild here, but the coldest conditions in scotland with the clearer skies, down to —6 or —7 here in some spots, and a few wintry showers still around in the northern isles. with the cloud, as we start christmas day across southern areas, quite a bit of mist and fog around as well. more outbreaks of rain across england, wales, into northern ireland as we go on through christmas day, perhaps seeing some snow out of that into snowdonia, and later on into the peak district. quite windy to the west, breezy for all, the clearer spells in northern england, especially in scotland where it will be coders, amount to the far south—west, but for many christmas day is looking rather chilly, especially with this breeze. 0vernight into boxing day, as the wetter weather feeds into the cold air, will see some snow and out of that in at the peak district, pennines and southern uplands. this is where we have the lowest temperatures, again a few swiftly clear skies in scotland. that does bring then the potential

for some snow on boxing day, initial lead to relatively low levels across parts of northern england and southern scotland, more snow into the hills here as it feeds its way further north. plenty of cloud elsewhere come up with a few showers, the brightest weather on boxing day toward south wales and south—west england, this again where the mildest weather is going to be.

this is bbc news — broadacsting to viewers in the uk and around the world. i'm martine croxall — our top stories: covid infections reach a record high in the uk — where an estimated 1.7 million people had the virus last week. it's onlyjust now that the cases are starting to tick into the older population, particularly 60 and 70 plus year olds, and there are a number of different reasons why we need to continue to look at this data further. at least 39 people are killed after a packed ferry caught fire in southern bangladesh. south korea's former president, park geun—hye, jailed for 22 years on corruption charges, is to be pardoned by the government. the luxury retail chain, selfridges, is to be sold to thailand's biggest shopping mall owner and an austrian property company.

the little town of bethlehem marks christmas eve in a year