the governing conservative party, retains the parliamentary seat of old bexley and sidcup — but the ukection victory, is with a reduced majority. days before her successor is appointed, germany's angela merkel is given a ceremonial send—off — after 16 years in office. tech and taxis — as kidnappings in cabs continue to rise in the democratic republic of congo — we investigate a new customised safety app. just hit the qr code scanner, bring it up to the qr code and inafew bring it up to the qr code and in a few seconds, up comes the picture of the driver and the car and you picture of the driver and the carand you are picture of the driver and the car and you are ready to ride. welcome to our viewers on pbs in america and around the globe. germany has announced major restrictions on anyone who's not vaccinated against covid 19, banning them from all but essential shops to try to fend off a fourth wave of the virus. and the chancellor angela merkel says vaccines may become compulsory from february. cases of omicron have now been confirmed in 2a countries. here's our medical editor fergus

the conservatives hold their seat in the old bexley and sidcup by—election, but with a massively reduced

the governing conservative party has retained the parliamentary seat of old bexley and sidcup, but thek by—election victory for louie french has been secured with a greatly reduced majority. the poll was caused by the death from cancer of the former cabinet minister james brokenshire. now on bbc news, it's hardtalk. welcome to hardtalk. i'm stephen sackur. if money is power, then one of the world's most powerful institutions is probably one you've never heard of. located in oslo and worth more than a trillion dollars, norway's sovereign wealth fund owes its existence to the country's vast reserves of oil and gas. it claims to be an ethical investor, so there was some consternation when it appointed my guest today, nicolai tangen, as its new boss. is a risk—taking, flamboyant hedge fund manager the right man to steer the world's biggest sovereign wealth fund? nicolai tangen, welcome to hardtalk. thank you very much. you currently manage a sovereign wealth fund which is worth roughly $1.1; trillion — an unimaginable sum of money which is not your money — it is actually the people of norw

the governing conservative party has retained the parliamentary seat of old bexley and sidcup, but the—election victory for louie french has been secured with a greatly reduced majority. the poll was caused by the death from cancer of the former cabinet minister, james brokenshire. thousands of people are facing a seventh night without electricity after storm arwen brought down power lines across the north of england and scotland. more than 100 soldiers were deployed to help out in aberdeenshire, and late this afternoon, durham declared a serious emergency and called on the government to send troops there, too. fiona trott reports. getting urgent help to the most vulnerable in the community, this fire station in ulverston has turned into an emergency hub. pylo ns pylons in cumbria still lying on the ground six days on. preparing them as a massive task. h. preparing them as a massive task. m, ., preparing them as a massive task. ., ., , ., ., task. the scale of devastation is something _ task. the scale of devastation is something we _ task. the scale of devastation is something we neve

applause and cheering the conservative party retains the parliamentary seat of old bexley and sidcup but with a greatly reduced majority. the american actor, alec baldwin, says he doesn't feel guilty over the fatal shooting on his latest film as he doesn't feel responsible. i feel that someone is responsible for what happened and i cannot say who that is but i know it is not me. i? but i know it is not me. # tonight. — but i know it is not me. # tonight, tonight, it all began tonight... #. and it's regularly voted the greatest musical of all time — can steven spielberg's remake of west side story improve on the multi—oscar winning original? hello and welcome. the world health organization is warning that all countries must prepare for coronavirus surges linked to the new omicron variant. the who says travel bans can delay but not prevent the variant from arriving in more countries. in germany, authorities have announced major restrictions on anyone who is not vaccinated against covid—i9, banning them from all but essential shops to try to fend off a 4th wave of the virus. and the cha

in the last few hours, the conservatives have held on to their commons seat in old bexley and sidcup ignifica ntly—reduced majority. the by—election was called following the death ofjames brokenshire from cancer in october. 0ur political correspondent, ione wells, joins us now from bexley. a significant result, isn't it? a smaller majority? that's exactly right _ smaller majority? that's exactly right this— smaller majority? that's exactly right. this has always been a really true blue _ right. this has always been a really true blue safe conservative seat here _ true blue safe conservative seat here in — true blue safe conservative seat here in bexley. in terms of the result— here in bexley. in terms of the result we — here in bexley. in terms of the result we had today, it followed the death _ result we had today, it followed the death of— result we had today, it followed the death of the conservative mpjames brokenshire. in terms of what we have _ brokenshire. in terms of what we have seerr— brokenshire. in terms of what we have seen happen overnight, the majority— have seen happen

the conservatives have held the seat of old bexley and sidcup in yesterday's by—election — but with anstituency, with labour in second. tens of millions of people are facing severe food shortages across a huge area of east africa, as the region faces the worst drought for many years. crops are failing and animals on which many communities depend are dying of thirst. there's been three years of poor rainfall in northern kenya, much of somalia and southern ethiopia. it's feared the drought will continue long into next year, putting millions of lives at risk. the bbc�*s senior africa correspondent anne soy reports from northern kenya. the devastating impact of drought. this is wajir in northern kenya. they've not had enough rain here for three consecutive seasons. water pans have long dried up. there are dead animals everywhere. even at ahmed ibrahim's home. he is 66, and tells me he's never witnessed anything like this. translation: the drought has been i going on for the last nine months. i i had 150 head of cattle, but now left with about 30, which are very weak. i also had 400 goats.

if you compare with the old bexley and sidcup by—election a few weeks ago which the conservatives held 10 is being run. t5 particular how number 10 is being run. , . particular how number 10 is being run, , ., , ., particular how number 10 is being run. , ., , ., ., , , run. is it a question of shaking up the staff or _ run. is it a question of shaking up the staff or looking _ run. is it a question of shaking up the staff or looking at _ run. is it a question of shaking up the staff or looking at who - run. is it a question of shaking up the staff or looking at who leads. the staff or looking at who leads the staff or looking at who leads the government?— the staff or looking at who leads the government? well, in terms of the government? well, in terms of the prime minister's _ the government? well, in terms of the prime minister's leadership, i. the prime minister's leadership, i think at the moment one of his saving graces is that there aren't that many of this alternative candidates with the same political reach he has. asjohn curticejust said, he's shown the ability to reach acros

to the uk now — where counting has begun in the old bexley and sidcup by election — with the ruling conservativeleft vacant by the death of former cabinet minister james broken—shire. the conservative party is facing a test of its popularity after allegations of sleaze. the final turnout was confirmed to be a low 3k per cent. our correspondent matt cole gave me an update from the count in bexleyheath. we don't have exit polls as such but what we are getting on the ground, people have been out and about in the constituency during the course of the day, reports that turned out in this by election could be very low. some people have been in polling station suggests maybe as a few as 11% of eligible voters. if that were replicated across the whole of the constituency that would be an incredibly low turnout indeed. counting is under way behind me. these are where the ballots are all being counted now. they've been under way for about an hour and ten minutes now. the far side of the gymnasium you could see the shutter doors, that's with the boxes are being brought through. they are verified and brough

. - polls have just closed in the old bexley and sidcup by—election.f mp and former cabinet ministerjames brokenshire. the results are not expected to be known until the early hours of tomorrow morning. at ghislaine maxwell's trial on sex trafficking charges, a former housekeeper forjeffrey epstein has testified that ghislaine maxwell was the "lady of the house" at epstein's palm beach estate. juan alessi, who's 71 and worked for epstein for 11 years, told the court he picked up one of maxwell's alleged victims, who's given evidence under the pseudonym jane, and the duke of york's accuser virginia roberts — and that he took them to epstein's estate when they appeared to be 1a or 15 years old. ghislanie maxwell denies all the charges against her. the duchess of sussex has won her legal fight against the publisher of the mail on sunday, after it printed extracts from a letter she wrote to herfather before her wedding to prince harry. the attempt by associated newspapers to have a trial in the privacy and copyright case was rejected by the court of appeal

it's hoping to hold onto the parliamentary seat of old bexley and sidcup in a by—election being heldokenshire. let's talk to matt cole who's keeping an eye on the returns for us. great to have you on the programme. this is normally one of the safest seeds for the conservative party but possibly not this time. what are the exit polls telling us about how voters are feeling? we exit polls telling us about how voters are feeling?— exit polls telling us about how voters are feeling? we don't have exit olls voters are feeling? we don't have exit polls as _ voters are feeling? we don't have exit polls as such _ voters are feeling? we don't have exit polls as such but _ voters are feeling? we don't have exit polls as such but what - voters are feeling? we don't have exit polls as such but what we - voters are feeling? we don't have exit polls as such but what we are getting on the ground, people have been out and about in the constituency during the course of the day, reports that turned out in this by election could be very low. some people have been in polling station suggests maybe as a

phil mackie, thank yon — the conservatives have won the old bexley and sidcup by—election, holding ontoch reduced majority. the contest was triggered by the death of the former ministerjames brokenshire, who died of lung cancer at the age of 53. a local tory councillor, louie french, succeeds him, as our political correspondent ione wells reports. wrapped up warm to deliver ballot boxes. turnout was expected to be low in this cold december by—election, and only 34% of voters turned out. it meant the tories�* majority was cut from 19,000 to about 4500. but their candidate, louie french, still got more than half the vote, although there was a 10% swing to labour. and reform uk, formerly the brexit party, came third. 11,189. the result was not surprising in this safe tory seat, even if the opposition had hoped recent negative headlines about so—called sleaze could chip away at their strong majority. people look at the westminster issues, they see a number of issues and allegations being thrown around at different parties, you know? it wasn't something that was coming to me, people know i'm

.— the conservatives have held the seat of old bexley and sidcup in yesterday's by—election, but withsecond. but the conservatives' majority has been cut from nearly 19,000 votes to 4,500. mr french paid tribute to the mpjames brokenshire, whose death in october triggered the contest. the boss of the mercedes formula 1 team, toto wolff, has offered to meet survivors of the grenfell tower disaster, following anger from survivors of a sponsorship deal between his team and a company which made insulation used on the building. kingspan's branding is on the car that seven—times world champion lewis hamilton is driving at this weekend's saudi arabian grand prix. the firm's insulation was installed on a small portion of grenfell tower — but kingspan says it was used without its knowledge. the actor sir antony sher has died, aged 72. sir antony, who had cancer, was widely regarded as one of the country's finest contemporary classical actors, with a long association with the royal shakespeare company. his most legendary performance was of the villanious richard iii — his portrayal of an energe

many years they will spend in jail for killing the little boy the conservative party have won the old bexley sidcup by—election — but they've held on with a reduced majority. almost £5—billion may have been stolen from the government's pandemic loan scheme for small firms, because anti—fraud measures weren't good enough — according to the public spending watchdog alec baldwin says he does not feel guilt over the fatal shooting of cinematographer halyna hutchins on the set of his film, rust. ifeel that, that, someone is responsible for what happened and i can't say who that is but i know it's not me. if you want to get in touch this morning, you are very welcome. @vicderbyshire victoria@bbc.co.uk thousands of people are still without power in parts of scotland and northern england, a week after storm arwen battered the uk. 15,000 properties are waiting to be reconnected in the north east and north west of england — as well as the north east and south of scotland. the situation has been declared a �*major incident�* by durham county council which has called for more resources to support reside

the conservatives have won the old bexley and sidcup by—election — holding on to the stronghold in south—east who died of lung cancer at the age of 53. a local tory councillor, louie french, succeeds him — as our political correspondent ione wells, reports. wrapped up warm to deliver ballot boxes. turnout was expected to be low in this cold december by—election, and only 34% of voters turned out. it meant the tories' majority was cut from 19,000 to about 4,500. but their candidate, louie french, still got more than half the vote, although there was a 10% swing to labour. and reform uk, formerly the brexit party, came third. 11,189. the result was not surprising in this safe tory seat, even if the opposition had hoped recent negative headlines about so—called sleaze could chip away at their strong majority. people look at the westminster issues, they see a number of issues and allegations being thrown around at different parties, you know? it wasn't something that was coming to me, people know i'm not involved. i haven't been in westminster, you know? people have said, "louie, we need you to g

the governing conservative party in the uk retains the parliamentary seat of old bexley and sidcup, but

killing the little boy the conservative party have won a by—election in the suburban london seat of old bexleyt held on with a reduced majority. alec baldwin, says he does not feel guilt over the fatal shooting of cinematographer halyna hutchins on the set of his film, rust. ifeel that, that, someone is responsible for what happened and i can't say who that is but i know it's not me. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. an independent report looking at disorder on the day of the euro 2020 final has called it a day of "national shame" for england. the report's author, baroness louise casey, said there was a series of "very near misses" at wembley stadium which could have led to a loss of life. she said there'd been a collective failure by organisers, security firms and the police which allowed 2,000 ticketless fans, and "drunken thugs", to make their way into the stadium. our sports correspondent natalie pirks is outside wembley stadium. tell us about what this report said? essentially, that it was a near miss amid a perfect storm of all the covid—19 restrictions

the governing conservative party, retains the parliamentary seat of old bexley and sidcup — but the uk

turnout 46%, 12% higher than the recent by—election in old bexley and sidcup, and a majority of almostge rural constituency, and while the pm was clearly an issue on the doorstep, the lib dems have also tapped into the feeling that this true blue seat has been forgotten by the conservatives. their candidate, neil shastri—hurst, fighting a losing battle. we do need to reflect upon the result and i am sure, as a party, we will do that, but, i repeat it again, i'm sure you'll understand if we all go and get a bit of shuteye and i go and give my eight—week—old a bit of a cuddle. the winner was jubilant as she celebrated with the lib dem leader on the telephone, ed davey isolating at home with covid. and then the departure. lots of questions now for the prime minister. well the liberal democrat leader, sir ed davey, is isolating at home with coronavirus — but was stilljubilant when he spoke to the bbc earlier. it was a spectacular result. i think this is a watershed moment in british politics. i am so delighted for helen morgan, our new liberal democrat mp for north shropshire. i am so prou

turnout 46%, 12% higher than the recent by—election in old bexley and sidcup, and a majority of almostn the result and i am sure as a party we will. i am sure you will understand if we go and get a bit of shuteye. the understand if we go and get a bit of shute e. . , , ., understand if we go and get a bit of shute e. ., , ., .,, shuteye. the winner was “ubilant as she celebrated i shuteye. the winner was “ubilant as she celebrated with i shuteye. the winner was “ubilant as she celebrated with the i shuteye. the winner wasjubilant as she celebrated with the lib - shuteye. the winner wasjubilant as she celebrated with the lib dems i she celebrated with the lib dems leader on the phone. ed davey isolating at home with covid. and then the departure and lots of questions now for the prime minister. local issues play something of a part in this campaign will stop ambulance waiting times, transport links, but the lib dems effectively it seems put forward a message that people in this constituency felt left behind and taken for granted and that clearly resonated with voters. they will be looki

voters will head to the polls in a parliamentary by—election in the seat of old bexley and sidcup today close at 10 o'clock tonight. an art installation of a traditional irish pub has been unveiled as the winner of this year's turner prize. it was created by 11 belfast—based artists known as the array collective. they said the piece is in response to issues including abortion rights and mental health. it features photos, memorabilia and videos — some of them representing hidden political messages about sexuality and identity. there is always so much more than what you first see. that is the beauty of it. it is 11 minutes past six. cold again this morning. great everywhere. have you noticed on the roads? stay safe out there. it could be icy. sarah will tell us more. good morning. good morning. it is a cold start to the day. we have got sub zero temperatures in many areas. and some icy stretches. certainly on untreated surfaces. we have had showers already. more to come. they have been falling as sleet and snow for many. you can see snow showers in the north of scotland, down the east coa