the bbc political correspondent ben wright has put the story to the | ben wright has put the story tofree tests. record numbers of tessa been delivered. the uk testing programme is the biggest in europe. testing continues to play an important role in helping people live their daily lives, keep businesses running and keep young people in school, so all of that is, they're going to be there, but we understand what the government is saying is no decision has been taken, which does not mean to say a decision won't be taken to that effect, so we will watch that one and i think the story, in the absence of a confirmation this is going to happen, lives to see sunday out. —— this is not going to happen. always a challenge! you can have them knocked down quite early on, but this one is going to fight on another day, i think. but this one is going to fight on another day, ithink. let's move another day, i think. let's move the observer. aubrey, this moves on neatly with what the times is saying. the former chief... making sure we had _ saying. the former chief... making sure we had enough _ say

. thank _ yet dig him out of trouble. 0k, ben wright, thank you, _ yet dig him out of trouble. 0k, benu, live _ yet dig him out of trouble. 0k, ben wright, thank you, live at - wright, thank you, live at westminster. novak djokovic�*s lawyers will appeal to a federal court in australia within the hour, to try to overturn a government decision to cancel his visa for a second time over covid rules. if they fail, the world number one, who isn't vaccinated, could be deported. 0ur correspondent, shaimaa khalil, has the latest from melbourne. this is 9 news... live from sydney... just moments ago, the immigration minister has cancelled novak djokovic�*s visa... it's a story that's made headlines here in australia and around the world. for days, novak djokovic has been on the court training and the government has announced its decision. the tennis star's visa has been cancelled again and, for the second time, he faces deportation from australia. in his statement, the country's immigration minister alex hawke said... "today, i exercised my power to cancel the visa held by mr novak djokovic on

we can talk to our political correspondent ben wright. ben, tell us more. the people that enforce party discipline. yesterday the senior tory mp william wragg alleged that conservative whips had threatened to withhold public money investments from the constituencies of some mps who were threatening to try and bring down borisjohnson. he is one of seven tory mps who has called for prime minister to quit, and said that this could amount to blackmail. but i have just spoken to mr wragg and he confirmed that after seeking a meeting with the met, he will meet officers at the beginning of next week to discuss his concerns. it doesn't mean the police are going to investigate, but it has certainly upped the anti around this story. so far, he has not produced any evidence to back up his claims and today the business secretary said even though these were serious allegations, they were unsubstantiated. 0f allegations, they were unsubstantiated. of course, this comes as the conservative party whips, as number ten try and shore up whips, as number ten try and shore up t

ben wright, bbc news. now on bbc news it's the travel show with lucy hedges.eek on the travel show. now, if you spent any part of lockdown dancing alone in the kitchen, this show is for you. now, for many of us, dancing offers a shortcut to happiness and escape. over the years on the travel show, we've picked up some pretty nifty dance moves all over the world — and have failed miserably at others. so here, for your entertainment and our eternal embarrassment, are our attempts to remain co—ordinated under pressure and in front of a camera. let's kick off with my trip to south africa back in 2018, when i tried to keep up with a truly talented group of performers who have made news all over the world thanks to an energetic form of dancing known as pantsula. they set the bar a little high for me, though. fast-paced singing this is pa ntsula. this style of dancing is absolutely incredible. it's fast paced, it's energetic, and it's technical. but for young south africans, it's so much more than this. it's a movement that encapsulates storytelling, fashion and socia

that report by ben wright.ial figures show covid infections climbed to a record high in the uk during the first week of january, with an estimated a5 million cases. london was the only part of the country to see a fall in infections during that period. health officials are concerned about the slower take—up of booster vaccines in some areas. here's our health editor, hugh pym. with restrictions in wales to be eased, six nations rugby fixtures with fans can go ahead in cardiff. there'll be no limit on spectators at outside events from january the 21st and, a week later, nightclubs can reopen, as long as covid cases are falling. over the course of this week, we have seen some early positive signs of improvement and they suggest that the measures we have taken are working and they give us hope that we may be turning a corner. the latest move by the welsh government follows a similar easing by scottish ministers, with more confidence about the weeks ahead, though virus infections remain high. the latest survey by t

ben wright, bbc news. with all the sport now, here's sarah mulkerrin at the bbc sport centre.e third round of the fa cup — match of the day follows the news, so if you don't want to know what happened, then look away now. everton survived a scare to make it through to the next round — but they needed extra time to beat championship side hull city. ben croucher reports. watch your step in the fa cup third round, premier league teams must tread carefully, trouble lurks around every corner, and free kick... everton�*s blues deepen against hull, but the premier league team had demarai gray on their side, pressure, what pressure? just ask the manager, rafael benitez. could they find some respite from their woeful league form? andre gomes with his first goal in two years would help. but then this great goal equalised, time for a replay, well, not this year, straight to extra time, which meant andros townsend could do this. commentator: a wicked swerving shot. a goal worthy of winning any tie, a step in the right direction for everton. ben croucher, bbc news. the big upset of the day

ben wright with that report from westminster.of york of sexual abuse, are calling for two people based in the uk to give evidence in her civil case, including his former equerry. prince andrew denies all the allegations. our correspondent in washington, nomia iqbal gave me the details. one of the people that they are asking testimony from is a woman called shukri walker. this is a woman who claims to have seen prince andrew at a nightclub in london in 2001 with a girl, a young girl. and ms giuffre contends that it was the same night, after that club, that the prince allegedly abused her. now, as you mentioned there, the second request is for testimony from his former assistant, major rob olney, and ms giuffre�*s lawyers believe that he may have some information relating to the relationship that prince andrew had with the convicted sex offender jeffrey epstein. now, prince andrew has, as we know, consistently denied the allegations, his team have said this legal case is a marathon, it's not a sprint, but he has run out of legal ma

ben wright at westminster.reparing to carry out false sabotage operations to create a pretext for an invasion of ukraine. the pentagon said moscow had sent a group of trained operatives into eastern ukraine. they could then carry out acts of sabotage, against russia's own proxy forces there, which are concentrated in the donestk and luhansk regions. ukraine's defence ministry said russia was plotting to stage similar operations in the disputed moldovan region known as transnistria on the ukrainian border. there are quite a lot of russian troops on the ukrainian border there. the kremlin has denied the reports, but the pentagon says its intelligence showed the plans were well under way. we do have information that indicates that russia is already working actively to create a pretext for a pot...for a potential invasion. and, again, we've seen this kind of thing before out of russia. when there isn't an actual crisis to suit their needs, they'll make one up, and so, we're watching for that. ukraine has also accus

ben wright, bbc news. this week, we are back! on and we're in vegas to see the show, so strap in! it's going to be weird but it's going to be wonderful. how's that for you? it's got quite excitable. can i take my finger out? yes, you may! that's it from us from ces. we'll be back in vegas next year. echoes: next year... next year... not a casino or convention centre in sight! thundering, powerful music plays. welcome to ces 2022 from vegas! it's been touch and go but we made it, and there's plenty of tech here. yeah, not as much as we were expecting, though, to be honest. in fact, quite a few big names pulled out quite late in the day due to you—know—what, which does mean that the world's biggest tech show feels somewhat smaller, doesn't it? there are still plenty of gadgets, though. yep, true. i'll be looking at a few for the home in a minute but in the meantime, do you fancy a brew? i think it's time for a tea break, don't you? you've been working hard already, clearly. very hard, yeah! this is the bru tea maker. now, you can p

with the very latest, here's our political correspondent ben wright. it was a moment of national mourning, flags flying at half—mast in honour of prince philip, the duke of edinburgh. but inside number 10, on the evening of the 16th of april last year, two parties took place. there was drink and music at a time covid restrictions on indoor mixing in england were in place... ..restrictions the queen followed at the funeral of her husband the following day. when i heard about this, i was, of course, very, very concerned. and i understand that people across the country are angry about what has happened. earlier this week, the prime minister did apologise for mistakes that have been made. according to the daily telegraph, downing street staff were sent to a nearby shop with a suitcase to buy more booze. number 10 has not denied any of this. boris johnson himself was not there. itjoins the list of events being investigated by sue gray, a senior civil servant. as well as the two parties on the same night in april last year, back in december 2020, we know of

ben wright at westminster. this is bbc news., after his visa is cancelled again. lawyers for virginia giuffre, who's accused the duke of york of sexual abuse, are calling for two people based in the uk to give evidence in her civil case, including his former equerry. prince andrew denies all the allegations. our correspondent in washington, nomia iqbal, joins us now. who else are they asking? one ofthe who else are they asking? one of the peeple _ who else are they asking? one of the people they _ who else are they asking? que: of the people they are who else are they asking? <1>iez of the people they are asking testimony from is a woman called shukri walker, she claims to have seen prince andrew at a nightclub in 2001 with a young girl. and ms giuffre contends it was the same night, after that club, but the prince allegedly abused her. the second request is for testimony from his former assistant, and ms giuffre's lawyer believe he may have some information related to the relationship that prince andrew had with the convicted s

ros: ben wright is live for westminster.rime minister was joint but some of his senior scientific advisors. are they as one within? >> they are. they're not suggesting public-key that they are deviating from the prime minister's message. this is a moment of caution. the numbers clearly troubling in terms of infection. 200,000 new cases today. 15,000 people in hospital in england with covid, but they believe that is not because to increase restrictions at this stage and certainly not going to lockdown. they are clear that the severity of omicron is less than with delta. it is not translating into intensive care units getting filled up, not translating into higher numbers of deaths. but all three people said that plan b are enough for now and everybody must remain cautious and get a job. i thought you heard some of the same exasperation that you heard from president biden. he said it is crazy that 9 million egible britons still have not had their booster jab. ros: you emphasize the fact that the correlation betwee case numbers

with the latest, here's our political correspondent, ben wright. >> it was a moment of national mourningflying at half-mast in honor of prince phillip, the duke of edinburg. but inside number 10 on the evening of the 16th of april last year two parties took place. there was drink and music at a time when covid restrictions on indoor mixing in england were in place. restrictions the queen followed at the funeral of her husband, the following day. >> when i heard about this i was, of course, very, very concerned and i understand that people across the country are angry about what has happened. early this week, the prime minister did apologize for mistakes that have been made. >> according to the "daily telegraph," downing street staff was sent to a nearby shop with a suitcase to buy more booze. downing street has not denied any of. this boris johnson himself was not there it joins the list of allegations by sue grave, a senior political servant. as well as the two parties last year, back in september of 2020, we know of seval gatherings in downing street and government department, includin

we will bring in the bbc�*s ben wright to help us. felt like the prime minister holding his line?right he said it was a moment of utmost caution. it's clear why because of the first time there have been 200,000 daily infections recorded. there are 15,000 people in england with covid. the chief scientific officer said he couldn't say it now when the peak of the 0micron variant would be. couldn't tell along it would be in this critical phase of dealing with this new variant. but the prime minister does believe that the covenant that current measures in place a so called plan b that will pass just before christmas were enough to keep a lid on the 0micron variance now. he pretty much said there will be no further lockdown in the foreseeable future and no further restrictions to deal with the situation as it is at the moment. it's a sort of hold your nerve, steady as she goes press conference urging people to get the booster fault of the prime minister said there were 9 million eligible people who still haven't had their booster and he set out why there was a clear correlation between

here�*s our political correspondent, ben wright. you it�*s very secretive one.money investments from constituencies of some in were threatening to try to bring down borisjohnson. he is one of seven tory and of call for the prime minister to quit and said that it could amount to blackmail. and he confirmed that after speaking with the map, to discuss this, the police may not go to investigate but it certainly ups the ante around the story. so far, he has not produced any evidence to back up this claim in the business secretary says even though these are very serious allegations, they are unsubstantiated. but, this comes as number ten tries to shore up the prime ministers position as head of the expected report into the parties that we all expect to be published next week. tributes have been pouring in for the us rock star meat loaf, who has died at the age of 7a. in a career spanning six decades — he was known for his operatic voice and theatrical stage presence. our arts correspondent david sillito takes a look back at his music and life. # like a bat out of hel

ben wright in westminster dtl depending if that was not the only person to take part in that press conference. its conference. he was “oined by his advisers. ,, ., , advisers. its one with him? they are, but advisers. its one with him? they are. but they _ advisers. its one with him? they are, but they are _ advisers. its one with him? they are, but they are not _ advisers. its one with him? they are, but they are not suggesting | are, but they are not suggesting that they are deviating at all from the prime minister's message today which as far as he is concerned it is a moment of caution. utmost caution he said. the numbers clearly are troubling in terms of infection, 200,000 new cases today. 15,000 people in hospital in england with covid—19 but the prime minister and the scientific advisers believe that is not caused increased the restrictions in england at the state and certainly not go down the root of a lockdown. because they are clear that the severity of omicron is much less than the delta and it's not translating into intensive care units getting filled up and did not translating in

with the very latest, here's our political correspondent, ben wright.t was a moment of national mourning, flags flying at half—mast in honour of prince philip, the duke of edinburgh. but inside number 10, on the evening of the 16th of april last year, two parties took place. there was drink and music at a time covid restrictions on indoor mixing in england were in place... ..restrictions the queen followed at the funeral of her husband the following day. when i heard about this, i was, of course, very, very concerned. and i understand that people across the country are angry about what has happened. earlier this week, the prime minister did apologise for mistakes that have been made. according to the daily telegraph, downing street staff were sent to a nearby shop with a suitcase to buy more booze. number 10 has not denied any of this. boris johnson himself was not there. itjoins the list of events being investigated by sue gray, a senior civil servant. as well as the two parties on the same night in april last year, back in december 2020, we know of se

our political correspondent ben wright is in westminster.ve been revealed are interesting. the? revealed are interesting. they certainly are. _ revealed are interesting. they certainly are. they _ revealed are interesting. they certainly are. they date - revealed are interesting. they certainly are. they date back. revealed are interesting. tie: certainly are. they date back to november 2020. an exchange of messages between borisjohnson and lord brownlow, a tory pier and donor to the conservative party. the message that we have seen today that has been published in the report was not available to lord geidt when it was investigated in the spring. it was investigated in the spring. it was seen by the electoral commission and lord geidt has been digging back through this and wondering why he has not been given this information. i will read you what borisjohnson sent to lord brownlow, hi, david, i am afraid parts of our flat are a bit of a tip. can i ask the decorator to get in touch with you. the interior designer and did the work on the downi

here's our political correspondent, ben wright.esterday the senior tory mp william wragg alleged that conservative whips had threatened to withhold public money, investments from the constituencies of some mps who were threatening to try and bring down borisjohnson. he is one of seven tory mps who had called the prime minister to quit, and said that this could amount to blackmail. i have spoken to william wragg and he confirms that after seeking a meeting with the met he will meeting with the met he will meet offices at the beginning of next week to discuss his concerns. it doesn't mean the police are going to investigate, and i think it's certainly ups the nt around this story. so far he has not produced any evidence to back up produced any evidence to back up his claims and today the business secretary said even though these were very serious allegations they were unsubstantiated stops of course this comes as the conservative party whips, as number ten try and shore up the prime minister's position ahead of the expected report by

our political correspondent ben wright is with me now: first, the question on self isolation, is kiteoking at this. he: would like to see the quarantine reduced to five days. it is something that has been discussed for a while. it shows concern in whitehall about how this is impacting on staffing levels in the public and private sectors. omicron is milder than previous variants, fewer people are ending up in hospital, the massive impact is on staffing levels, particularly in the nhs. a few days ago an interesting statement went out talking about the american move. they reduced isolation down to five days. the uk says it wouldn't be useful here, it would be counter—productive, they say, but are leaving it under review. i say, but are leaving it under review. :, , , review. i am sure they will get the hint about whether _ review. i am sure they will get the hint about whether they _ review. i am sure they will get the hint about whether they respond l review. i am sure they will get the | hint about whether they respond is down to them. in terms of the staff shortage question, we've had

ben wright, bbc news.f 12— to 15—year—olds are being urged to get their children vaccinated, as around half a million appointments are made available in england. the announcement comes after the news that 150,000 people in the uk have now died within 28 days of a positive covid test. let's take a look at the latest data. there were 146,390 new coronavirus infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period. 313 deaths were reported, that's of people who died within 28 days of a positive covid test. the total number of people who've died with covid now stands at 150,057. 0n vaccinations, more than 35.2 million people have now had a boosterjab, which means just over 60% of people aged 12 and over have now had three vaccine doses. danjohnson has this report. is the number of covid deaths reaches 150,000, more vaccinations are being offered to the young. half are being offered to the young. half a million slots have been made available at 300 centres across england, for children aged 12—15. senior doctors are urg