more than 200 members of the armed forces are being deployed across london and the thames valley today help plug the staff shortage caused by a surge in covid infections. both hospitals and ambulance services will be supported by troops. it comes as 17 hospital trusts in england are still in critical incident mode. here's more from our health correspondent katharine da costa. the nhs is on a warfooting, and it's calling out for reinforcements. london's hospitals have been hit hardest by covid—related absences — more than 5,000 staff in acute trusts were absent in the week up to boxing day. it's led to the armed forces once again being called on for support over the next three weeks. a0 military medics will assist with patient care. 160 personnel will carry out tasks including checking in patients and basic checks. separately, 32 military co—respondents will also be deployed to support south central ambulance service in the thames valley. this winter there is extraordinary pressure on our nhs. we are honoured, it is our duty to be a sticking plasterfor the nhs to help get through a time

constable oliver perry—smith — seen here on the left — is 38 and serves with the thames valley force. the police national computer. two men have been arrested in connection with the disappearance of a teenager who went missing 15 years ago. andrew gosden, from doncaster, was 1a when he was last seen travelling in the direction of london. the two men, aged 38 and a5, were arrested in london on suspicion of kidnap and human trafficking. both have been released under investigation. the actor gary waldhorn, probably best known for playing councillor david horton in the bbc sitcom the vicar of dibley, has died. he was 78. a statement from his family said they would miss him terribly and paid tribute to his acting career, which included stage appearances with the royal shakespeare company in the west end and on broadway. novak djokovic's defence of his australian open tennis title remains in doubt tonight, with australia's immigration minister still considering whether to cancel his visa. border officials are also investigating whether there was an incorrect declaration on djokovic's entry

military correspondents will also be deployed to support south—central ambulance service in the thames valleyred, it is our duty to be a sticking plaster for the honoured, it is our duty to be a sticking plasterfor the nhs to help through a time of extraordinary crisis. in normal times the nhs does not need our help because they are incredible people who do extraordinary work in that organisation every single day, but right now they do need our help and it is our great privilege to offer it. from distribute in ppe and assisting paramedics to bolstering teams at testing sites and vaccination centres, the armed forces have been called upon throughout the pandemic, while this latest support has been welcomed, some say it highlights the starting crisis within the nhs. the highlights the starting crisis within the nhs.— within the nhs. the prime minister has _ within the nhs. the prime minister has said - within the nhs. the prime minister has said the - within the nhs. the prime minister has said the nhs| within the nhs. the prime i minister has said the nhs will cope. this is a clear indication

military co—respondents will also be deployed to support south central ambulance service in the thames valleye is extraordinary pressure on our nhs. we are honoured, it is our duty to be a sticking plasterfor the nhs to help get through a time of extraordinary crisis. in normal times, the nhs doesn't need our help because there are incredible people who do extraordinary work in that organisation every single day. but right now they do need our help, and it's our great privilege to offer it. from distributing ppe and assisting paramedics, to bolstering teams at testing sites and vaccination centres — the armed forces have been called upon throughout the pandemic. while this latest support�*s being welcomed, some say it highlights the staffing crisis within the nhs. the prime minister has said that the nhs will cope. this is a clear indication that the nhs is not coping. this is too little, too late — it certainly does not go far enough to support the nhs in all the ways it needs at the moment. it will help, but it won't solve the problem. nearly 2,000 military personnel have already been deplo

thames valley police say the disappearance is "out of character", and is asking anyone with information to defend his title, but was deported because he hadn't been vaccinated against coronavirus. our australian correspondent, shaimaa khalil, joins us from melbourne. at last we can talk about the tennis, which has started, but it is tennis, which has started, but it is tennis without the world number one? there is a big, big absence in the australian— there is a big, big absence in the australian open. and yes, it is officially— australian open. and yes, it is officially under way. gates have opened — officially under way. gates have opened. people are coming. it is busy— opened. people are coming. it is busy on — opened. people are coming. it is busy on and off court. but yes, there _ busy on and off court. but yes, there is— busy on and off court. but yes, there is a — busy on and off court. but yes, there is a big absence here because there is a big absence here because the defending champion has left the countrv _ the defending champion has left the country. he has been forced out o