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 where tourism has been blighted by covid. and in herfirst christmas broadcast since the death of prince philip, hello and welcome. 1.74 million people in the uk had coronavirus on december 19, according to survey by the office for national statistics — that's up by more than 400,000 people on the figure three days earlier. this equates to 1 in 35 people, or 2.7% of the population of the united kingdom. and in london this rises to around 1 in 20 people likely to test positive for covid—19, the highest proportion for any region in england. it comes amid news of "a glimmer of christmas hope" from the uk

health security agency's drjenny harries, who says new cononavirus data suggests that the 0micron variant may be less likely to lead to serious illness than the delta variant. but dr harries cautions that more information is needed, particularly about the impact on elderly and more vulnerable patients. elswhere, thailand has reported its first 0micron cluster — 21 infections have stemmed from a belgium couple who had travelled to the country earlier this month. in europe, italy has reintroduced mandatory face coverings outdoors, and greece is ordering people to wear facemasks both indoors and outdoors. here's our health correspondent, dominic hughes. that's it done. a christmas eve booster in basingstoke. here, they are getting jabs in arms up until christmas. it was good, it made sense to do it, doing my bit for the community and everybody else. in england, people will be able to get vaccinated

throughout the festive break. 200,000 slots for first, second and boosterjabs are available, including on christmas day and boxing day. people are so keen to come in. there was a big rush at the beginning of the week, it's slowed down a little bit, but in fact people are really positive about having theirjabs. people in scotland, wales and northern ireland are being encouraged to get a jab to with vaccination centres closed over christmas until the 27th. even as the push on boosters continue, experts are mulling over the latest more hopeful research on the 0micron variant, indicating it could be less severe than delta. potentially this is good news, if 0micron really is less nasty, and it is certainly shaping up to look less nasty, that's fantastic, what better christmas present could we have? but at the moment the data is small, mainly across the younger population so we are holding our breath. so, it is a cautious welcome, there are still some big unknowns, particularly how older people might be affected.

typically we are seeing omicron largely in young people and it's critically we are seeing omicron largely in young people and it's onlyjust now the cases are starting to tip into the older population, particularly in the 60 and 70 plus—year—olds. there are a number of different reasons why we need to continue to look at this data further. even if the virus causes less severe illness in most people, it is so contagious, hundreds of thousands are likely to catch it, including health service workers, raising concerns about a staffing crisis. some have already noticed shifts are getting busier. there is the increasing absence rates, the queueing at hospital, hearing our control staff call out for any ambulances available, and there just are not any left. that is taking a toll on front line staff.

so, the booster roll out forges on in all sorts of settings, here in an asian restaurant in bradford, an area where vaccine hesitancy has been higher than the rest of the country so they are trying to make the process as easy as possible. we are creating access where our communities are. a restaurant is the best place for this time of year, to come and bring the vaccines to make it as easy and as accessible as we can. the latest estimate by the office for national statistics is that by last sunday more than 1.7 million people in the uk were infected with the virus, around 1 in 35. it may be less severe than first feared, but the numbers catching the virus mean there will still be tough weeks ahead. dominic hughes, bbc news. dr muhammad munir is a virologist and lecturer in biomedicine at the university of lancaster. how concerned how concerned are how concerned are you about omicron

as a variant in light of these new statistics? ~ . ., ., . , statistics? what we have noticed is that all the variants _ statistics? what we have noticed is that all the variants we _ statistics? what we have noticed is that all the variants we have - statistics? what we have noticed isi that all the variants we have faced, omicron has been the most contagious, most transmissible, reaching through the existing immunity, which is pretty peculiar for this virus will stop we have seen these features in beta versions before. that means this virus can pass on the people who are vaccinated or exposed. that also emphasises the fact that we need to have a booster on a larger scale, which we are very successful in administrating two administering, to keep the level of antibodies high. to contain this,... we have to be extremely careful.— to contain this,... we have to be extremely careful. people have been encouraued extremely careful. people have been encouraged to _ extremely careful. people have been encouraged to have _ extremely careful. people have been encouraged to have the _ extremely careful. people have been encouraged to have the vaccine, - extremely careful. people have been encouraged to have the vaccine, to l encouraged to have the vaccine, to vaccines and a booster, there is even talk of a fourth. where will it

end? . , . even talk of a fourth. where will it end? . _,. even talk of a fourth. where will it end? . w. , ., even talk of a fourth. where will it end? . ,., ~ end? that is a critical question. at the moment _ end? that is a critical question. at the moment what _ end? that is a critical question. at the moment what we're _ end? that is a critical question. at the moment what we're seeing - end? that is a critical question. at the moment what we're seeing is| the moment what we're seeing is particular against omicron the level of antibodies after two doses and a booster are waning quite quickly after two and a half months. we are certain that the level of protection would be quite high against hospitalisation or unfortunate death. but the level of antibodies are very critical, and probably the only determinerfor are very critical, and probably the only determiner for efficacy of the vaccine that we have at the moment. we need to carry on until we have this virus... the only hope that we can see is that probably we will have more variant match the vaccines that are being developed, but not you really are yet ready, or to have a vaccine that would be applicable as any variant or future, but those are far to reach at the moment. there is talk that the booster, the

third though is that people are getting in the uk, fourth if you have got an autoimmune problem, it only has about a ten week effectiveness against omicron. are you suggesting that we are going to have to be vaccinated every few months? i have to be vaccinated every few months? ., �* ., , , ., months? i don't really see that we will be vaccinating _ months? i don't really see that we will be vaccinating every _ months? i don't really see that we will be vaccinating every few - will be vaccinating every few months, but the level of antibodies which are 15—25% just in attendance as against the symptomatically infections, so hopefully that would not stay, hold the ground for hospitalisations and deaths. moving forward, our best case scenario really is that we will have a seasonal vaccine that will be around a year, like the flu. moving forward, i think it all entirely depends on the level of antibodies that we will see, the kind of variant that will come next. if it will be more immuno evasive and not

the cellos compared to omicron, that will mean it needs to omicron is also becoming dominant in much of europe and as we've been hearing, a number of countries are introducing new restrictions on people's behaviour. let's look at that situation with professor ralf reintjes, an epidemiologist at the hamburg university of applied sciences in germany. professor, thank you forjoining us. how would you describe the situation in germany regarding covid compared with other parts of europe? yes. in germany regarding covid compared with other parts of europe?— with other parts of europe? yes, the situation here _ with other parts of europe? yes, the situation here in _ with other parts of europe? yes, the situation here in germany _ with other parts of europe? yes, the situation here in germany is, - with other parts of europe? yes, the situation here in germany is, we - with other parts of europe? yes, the situation here in germany is, we are | situation here in germany is, we are at the very early stages of the omicron way. we are still struggling with the delta wave. with current new measures, the numbers are slowly decreasing, but not as fast as we

would like them to decrease. we are waiting for the new developments with the new variant. h0??? waiting for the new developments with the new variant. how important has technology _ with the new variant. how important has technology been _ with the new variant. how important has technology been in _ with the new variant. how important has technology been in the - with the new variant. how important has technology been in the way - with the new variant. how important has technology been in the way that | has technology been in the way that jeremy has tackled coronavirus? —— germany has tackled coronavirus. like several other countries, we have a warning up, which is being used by lots of people, we also have an app that wherever you go you will need to sign in so that people can get informed. in this way, it has been an important component but is not the key issue.— not the key issue. what you think other countries _ not the key issue. what you think other countries could _ not the key issue. what you think other countries could learn - not the key issue. what you think other countries could learn from | not the key issue. what you thinkl other countries could learn from in the way that the german government has approached things? various governments are criticising different times for different things about their own voters. yes. different times for different things about their own voters.— different times for different things about their own voters. yes, one of the thins about their own voters. yes, one of the things probably _ about their own voters. yes, one of the things probably experienced - the things probably experienced with, which we saw in other

countries, is don't wait too long. when you see a new developments coming. we had at the experience that we had in the crucial period late summer, early autumn, at general elections. our politicians went a bit reluctant, so we really got into a big delta wave in early autumn. ., ., u , ., got into a big delta wave in early autumn. ., , ., , ., , ., autumn. how accepting our germans of these various — autumn. how accepting our germans of these various stages _ autumn. how accepting our germans of these various stages of _ autumn. how accepting our germans of these various stages of restrictions - these various stages of restrictions which have to keep being brought back end? ., , ., which have to keep being brought back end? . , ., , back end? that is a very good question- _ back end? that is a very good question- it — back end? that is a very good question. it depends - back end? that is a very good question. it depends on - back end? that is a very good i question. it depends on different parts of society and different groups. i think the majority of people have a very good understanding. on a daily basis, currently, boosterand currently, booster and new vaccinations take place in more than 1 million doses per day. the majority i think is trying to get ready and be prepared for the next

wave. still, on the other hand, you also have varying the vocal anti—vaccine and anti restriction groups who, unfortunately, catch a lot of attention.— lot of attention. what sympathy do ou have lot of attention. what sympathy do you have for _ lot of attention. what sympathy do you have for people _ lot of attention. what sympathy do you have for people who _ lot of attention. what sympathy do you have for people who have - you have for people who have dutifully taken all of the vaccines that they have been asked to take but still find themselves under the same restrictions as those who have not had the vaccine? trio not had the vaccine? no restrictions, _ not had the vaccine? fir? restrictions, actually, ithink not had the vaccine? fir? restrictions, actually, i think it's not a good term to use for top they are measures to try to prevent further spread. unfortunately, the very contagious delta variant and even more contagious omicron variant, unfortunately, all the measures so far, vaccinations alone, are not sufficient. contact restriction or reduction is certainly needed in order to prevent further spread, this also applies for people who are vaccinated.

professor, thank you for your time. at least 39 people have been killed after a packed ferry caught fire in southern bangladesh. it happened near the town othalakati. the ferry had sailed from the capital, dhaka, and was bound for the southern town of barguna with hundreds of passengers on board. akbar hossein, from the bbc bengali service in dhaka, gave us this update. the death toll is increasing, actually, it is highly likely to increase in the hours to come, because many people have severe burn injuries and are now being treated in the local hospitals. but the problem is that hospitals are overwhelmed by patients, and the kind of patience they are getting in the hospitals in the rural areas, they are not equipped enough to treat them. that's why many victims' relatives are alleging that many patients are not getting proper treatment. it is a very challenging thing

for the doctors to cope with. on the other hand, the rescuers are still searching for dead bodies. when the fire broke out on the vessel, many peoplejumped into the river to save their lives, some of them drowned. the rescuers still believe there might be some people, that the number of deaths could rise in hours to come. so what happened on board this ferry, what was the cause of the fire? this is not clear yet. but one passenger who was rescued from the ferry was telling localjournalists that there were some issues in the engine room when the ferry started from dhaka to barguna, and the engine was overheating. the problem is that around 13 barrels of diesel were stored in at the engine room. when the fire broke out, it immediately spread

to the whole three—deck ferry. the cause is still unknown, but the government has formed an investigation committee to find out the reason for the fire. the luxury retail chain, selfridges, is being sold to thailand's biggest shopping mall owner and an austrian property company in a deal reported to be worth around five billion dollars. the group owns 25 stores worldwide — including its flagship department store on london's oxford street, that last week was revealed to be the most popular destination for uber passengers in the whole of europe. it has a colourful history. it opened in 1909, with a floor area of 42,000 square feet, which later was doubled. it was the brainchild of the american entrenpeneur, harry gordon selfridge. the store led to innovation in retail and aimed to make shopping fun. merchandise was displayed openly, allowing customers to examine it directly. the phrase "the customer is always right" is thought to have derived from selfridges. despite intense online competition, the brand of selfridges has

continued to endure. the main london branch is the only store to be named the best department store in the world four times. we can speak now tojonathan de mello, a retail expert at the consultancy firm, cwm. how great was the competition to buy selfridges? the how great was the competition to buy selfridres? _, , ., how great was the competition to buy selfridres? u, , ., ., , how great was the competition to buy selfridres? _, , ., ., , ., selfridges? the competition was a very intense- _ selfridges? the competition was a very intense. we _ selfridges? the competition was a very intense. we had _ selfridges? the competition was a very intense. we had to _ selfridges? the competition was a very intense. we had to queue - selfridges? the competition was aj very intense. we had to queue out selfridges? the competition was a l very intense. we had to queue out a bidding quite hard for the business and it really close to getting it, but central group and signa holding trump them in the last minute and managed to get the business. i think is it when when for those selling out and those buying in. it is a family business for a family so a great transaction. a good return as well. ~ ., , , , great transaction. a good return as well. ., , , , ., well. what did they buy it for if the are well. what did they buy it for if they are selling _ well. what did they buy it for if

they are selling it _ well. what did they buy it for if they are selling it for _ well. what did they buy it for if they are selling it for about - well. what did they buy it for if they are selling it for about £4| they are selling it for about £4 billion? they would ? ?macro2 watch it for about two inch of his and three and now have a sold out for about 4 billion. for three and now have a sold out for about 4 billion.— about 4 billion. for them, it is a treat about 4 billion. for them, it is a great return- — about 4 billion. for them, it is a great return. they _ about 4 billion. for them, it is a great return. they have - about 4 billion. for them, it is a i great return. they have expanded their portfolio from the london store to a number of stores in the uk. they have but other businesses in holland and ireland. we will hopefully see more selfridges across the uk and other markets as well. certainly in the uk in the last few years we have seen a number of department store chains disappear from our high streets. how high is selfridges flight where others have failed? ,, , ., ., , failed? selfridges have always invested in — failed? selfridges have always invested in at _ failed? selfridges have always invested in at the _ failed? selfridges have always invested in at the upmarket, l failed? selfridges have always i invested in at the upmarket, they have been a bastion for aspirational retailers for the last few decades. all the other department stores who have filled have been fairly mass—market and have been hit by the internet. selfridges has always had at the air of exclusivity, focus on tourism. they have really gone from

strength to strength. they have also highlighted the experience of retail, leisure and everything else in the store is all about the experience of a functional retail environment. i think that differentiation has really led to their success. it differentiation has really led to their success.— differentiation has really led to their success. it is a lovely place to wander _ their success. it is a lovely place to wander around _ their success. it is a lovely place to wander around even - their success. it is a lovely place to wander around even if- their success. it is a lovely place to wander around even if you - their success. it is a lovely place l to wander around even if you can't afford to buy very much. what is the key going to be in a future, when online shopping is so dominant? i think new markets. online is here to stay and it will only increase in terms of importance, so selfridges needs to focus on their website was not central group and signa holding have said they will very much invest in the business in that regard. even amazon have come to opening stores from being a purely online retailer from being a purely online retailer from before. from their perspective, having more targeted international stores will be key to the future, that will be the ingredient to their

success. but that will be the ingredient to their success. �* ., ., ., that will be the ingredient to their success. �* ., ., , �* success. but not too many, i'm guessing? — success. but not too many, i'm guessing? you _ success. but not too many, i'm guessing? you want _ success. but not too many, i'm guessing? you want to - success. but not too many, i'm guessing? you want to retain l success. but not too many, i'm i guessing? you want to retain that air of exclusivity?— air of exclusivity? having exclusivity _ air of exclusivity? having exclusivity is _ air of exclusivity? having exclusivity is important. | air of exclusivity? having | exclusivity is important. i air of exclusivity? having - exclusivity is important. i think it will work in key cities around the world but you don't want to be too far and opened in lots of different locations because of that premium name of the brand will be diverted. key cities are the focus, then online. christmas eve celebrations have begun in the west bank city of bethlehem, where hoteliers hoping for an influx of tourists have been disappointed by the renewed introduction of anti—covid measures. israel's borders have been closed to international travellers because of the pandemic and only a small number of people attended the procession in the city revered as the birthplace ofjesus. tom bateman sent this report. in manger square, they wait for the biggest night of the year — a christmas procession that will follow the route believed to have been taken by mary and joseph. it's a march of faith.

but this season's greetings are mainly between the locals. the scout bands are a fixture of christmas in manger square and you can feel the energy. but what is missing are the international visitors and pilgrims that would usually be thronging the square here, and that is a devastating blow for the second year running because bethlehem needs tourism to keep surviving. the glimmers of tourism restarting last month have gone derailed last month have gone, derailed by border closures due to the new covid variant. people trying to find joy and happiness from nothing. so it's very interesting, very impressive to see such a gathering. bethlehem is relying definitely on tourism. since the beginning of the year 2020, everything is closed, all hotels are empty. it's very, very difficult -

for people, especially those who are working in tourism sector, they are selling some i of their land or houses. the characters of christmas come to life. in this factory, ibrahim is the only worker here today. normally, he'd be joined by four more. for palestinian christians in this part of the west bank, life's been a challenge, says nabeel, whose family has run this shop for decades. we could keep our workers for the moment, but i don't know. you know, it's hard. i have two shops, one is here, the one on the manger square. it's been like 24 months, zero income. it's sad, it's not normal to see bethlehem this way. but at christmas, there's always light to look up to. as this town celebrates, it remains a year of hope against the odds. tom bateman, bbc news, bethlehem. the queen is expected to give a very personal

christmas message tomorrow — her first since the death of her husband, prince philip. she will speak beside a framed photograph of the couple taken during their diamond wedding anniversary in 2007, and will wear the same sapphire brooch that she wore on her honeymoon. our royal correspondent, nicholas witchell, reports. for the queen, forced for a second year by covid to spend christmas at windsor rather than hosting herfamily at sandringham, this will be a moment to reflect on a year marked by sadness. her christmas broadcast, a still from which has been issued by buckingham palace, is expected to be a very personal one. prominently on the desk beside her, a photograph of her and prince philip taken in 2007 when they celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary. philip's death last april, two months short of his 100th birthday and after 73 years of marriage, was the emotional low point of the year for the monarch. apart from a reference to him in her address

to the cop26 conference, the queen has not so far spoken publicly about how much he meant to her. her broadcast may be an opportunity for her to do so. within the royal family, mindful that this will be the queen's first christmas without her husband, arrangements have been changed so that she won't be alone. clarence house has confirmed that the prince of wales and the duchess of cornwall willjoin her at windsor on christmas day. other members of the family may also be there. but absent, of course, will be the duke and duchess of sussex. from their home in california, they've issued this photograph wishing their supporters happy holidays. it shows harry and meghan with their son archie and their daughter lilibet, pictured for the first time. and so, at the end of a year touched by personal sadness, and some family tensions, thoughts will start to look ahead to next year and the celebrations to mark the queen's 70 years on the throne.

uppermost in the minds of the palace planners, of course, will be the question of the queen's health. it's always a sensitive matter. it has particular significance after the recent concerns, and given that next year is the year of her platinum jubilee. the queen will certainly want to be involved in thejubilee as fully as possible, and there will be another event of special significance to her — a service of thanksgiving for the life of the duke of edinburgh, which it has been announced will take place at westminster abbey in the spring. nicholas witchell, bbc news. the former south korean president, park geun—hye, is to be granted a presidential pardon. ms park — the country's first female president — was impeached and removed from office in 2017 after widespread public protests over her deals with big korean businesses. she was subsequentlyjailed for 22 years on corruption charges. here, rail passengers are facing major disruption today due to a strike by staff on cross country trains. rmt members have walked

out in a dispute over the role of guards. cross country say routes are affected from northern scotland to south—west england and advise passengers to check theirjourneys before travelling. a man from finland has taken the unusual step of blowing up his tesla car rather than pay a repair bill that came to $20,000. tuomas kat ainen was landed with the hefty bill afterfinding out he needed to replace a battery in his vehicle. his tesla dated back to 2012. it took 66 pounds of dynamite to destroy it. the christmas story has been told many times, but you've never seen it like this. one chapel near swansea has enlisted its congregation's dogs to perform this year's nativity. the cast includes finley and fearne, who played mary and joseph, margaret the jack russell pug—cross

as the babyjesus, and three wise whippets played by edna, betty and topsy. another boxing day game is off in the premier league, with everton's squad depleted because of covid and a number of injuries forced up they were due to travel to burnley on sunday but that has now been postponed. rafa benitez expressed his frustration yesterday that it had not already been called off. he only had a nine for outfield players he said. it is the third pregnant picture to go on boxing day. matches across the football league are also. antonio conte said yesterday's premier league meeting with the managers and captains of all 20 sows

achieve nothing and like talking to achieve nothing and like talking to a brick wall. the virtual meeting was called with concerns about player welfare, the fixture pile—up and rising covid cases, but antonio conte was far from impressed. some coaches have — conte was far from impressed. some coaches have tried _ conte was far from impressed. some coaches have tried to _ conte was far from impressed. some coaches have tried to speak, - conte was far from impressed. some coaches have tried to speak, to - conte was far from impressed. fine coaches have tried to speak, to ask about solution, but i think that anything was decided. i think yesterday it was a wall. it anything was decided. i think yesterday it was a wall. it was a waste of time. _ yesterday it was a wall. it was a waste of time. i _ yesterday it was a wall. it was a waste of time. i think _ yesterday it was a wall. it was a waste of time. i think so. - yesterday it was a wall. it was a waste of time. i think so. the i waste of time. i think so. the encland waste of time. i think so. the england captain _ waste of time. i think so. the england captain joe _ waste of time. i think so. the england captain joe root - waste of time. i think so. the england captain joe root is i waste of time. i think so. the - england captain joe root is backing england captainjoe root is backing himself to lead by example in the third test as they try to keep themselves alive in at the ashes series. he was very critical of his players after heavy defeats in the first to test, leaving them needing to win all three remaining matches. that has never been done before. a 70,000 capacity crowd is expected at

melbourne was that it is a brilliant event to be involved in, it is something that every england player wants to be a part of, to get the chance to play in a boxing day test match, very special to stop where the they series is post correctly, it is a really exciting opportunity. clearly we are going to have to play a lot better than we have done in the first two games. but i expect us to do just that. the first two games. but i expect us to do just that-— to do just that. millie and michael vuni ola to do just that. millie and michael vunipoia have _ to do just that. millie and michael vunipola have signed _ to do just that. millie and michael vunipola have signed new - to do just that. millie and michael vunipola have signed new deals i to do just that. millie and michael| vunipola have signed new deals to stay at saracens, meaning they are still available for england selection. the brothers have been linked to a move in the france, which would have ended their international careers, with england's policy not to select anyone playing in affording league. 2022 can be very lucrative for golfers on the ladies tour, a record prize fund of over £20 million will be on offer. they have released their schedule, with the greatest number of tournaments in its history, 31 across 21 countries.

they will be two new events in europe and south asia. the tour starts in mid—february. that is all the support for now. i will be back later on bbc news with an update. until then, later on bbc news with an update. untilthen, have later on bbc news with an update. until then, have a look at the bbc sport website, lots of news on the net about all these football matches that have been called off. this is bbc news. the headlines: covid infections reach a record high in the uk — where an estimated 1.7 million people had the virus last week. at least 39 people are killed after a packed ferry caught fire in southern bangladesh. in her first christmas broadcast since the death of prince philip, the queen is expected to give a very personal address tomorrow. and, the little town of bethlehem marks christmas eve in a year where tourism has been blighted by covid. and, the little town of bethlehem marks christmas eve in a year where tourism has been blighted by covid.

now on bbc news: stephen sackur looks back at some of the biggest and most memorable interviews of the year in hardtalk�*s review of 2021. hello, the chances of seeing a white christmas this year are very limited. welcome to a special year—ending edition of hardtalk with me, stephen sackur. this is our chance and yours to look back at some of the drama, the passion, the emotion generated by our interviews in 2021. when the precedent is established against bad people, it then is used against good people. if afghanistan sinks into chaos, that will be a stinking spot in the conscience of the global community. if you want to sit behind a computer and write i terrible things to people, you're a coward. - this is hardtalk, right? your view of the american political system, i think, is not right. i think you're missing the elephant in the room.