here are your top stories: england's education secretary becomes the first uk cabinet minister to back reducing covid isolation down from seven days to five. novak djokovic prepares for a court hearing — after saying he has a vaccine exemption to enter australia — because he had covid last month. russian troops arrive in kazakhstan as order is restored following six days of violence. the afghan baby separated from his parents in kabul during the chaos of the us withdrawal — is reunited with relatives. the duchess of cambridge at a0 — three new portraits will go on display in english towns where kate has lived to celebrate her birthday. and it's a draw for england and australia in the fourth ashes test. england trail three—nil in the series, with one test to play. the education secretary, nadhim zahawi, has backed cutting the covid isolation period in england from seven to five days. he said if there's evidence it's safe, the change could reduce staffing pressures on schools, hospitals and other important sectors. the uk health security agency is reviewing thelength of the isolation per

the education secretary becomes the first uk cabinet minister to back reducing covid isolation down fromen days to five. the afghan baby separated from his parents in kabul during the chaos of the us withdrawal is reunited with relatives. russian troops arrive in kazakhstan as order is restored following six days of violence. the duchess of cambridge at a0 — three new portraits will go on display in english towns where kate has lived to celebrate her birthday. and england bat their way through a nervous final session in sydney to draw the fourth ashes test. lawyers for the tennis champion novak djokovic are preparing for the next round of their legal fight to overturn the cancellation of his australian visa. the tennis world number one is currently being held in a detention centre — as he waits to see whether he can play in the australian open amid a row about his covid vaccination status. his team released documents yesterday and say he doesn't need a jab because he had coronavirus last month. djokovic is stuck in an immigration detention centre ahead of the court case on monday. his ca

england's education secretary becomes the first uk cabinet minister, to back reducing covid isolationown from seven days to five. the afghan baby separated from his parents in kabul during the chaos of the us withdrawal — is reunited with relatives. russian troops arrive in kazakhstan, as order is restored following six days of violence. and the duchess of cambridge at a0 — three new portraits will go on display in english towns where kate has lived to celebrate her birthday. time for the sport, now. hi, thank you. we will start with the ashes. it was tense and nervous. england clung on for a tense draw on the final day of the fourth test in sydney to end australia's hopes of an ashes 5—0 whitewash. needing to bat out the final day, england didn't make it easy — they rarely do — but with just one wicket in hand they got themselves over the line as patrick gearey reports. the relentless march of the australians — on day five, they hunt. ten wickets to get. all too often, haseeb hameed goes first. that's got him. yet there was a strange calm about sydney, and about zak crawley. under pr

the education secretary becomes the first uk cabinet minister to back reducing covid isolation down from

in the uk, two senior members of the cabinet say they want a full investigation into claims by a formern the victim of islamopbhobia. nus ghani says she was told she'd been sacked as transport minister two years ago in part because of her muslim faith. she also says that when she told borisjohnson what happened, he told her he couldn't get involved. a senior government figure has called her allegations "completely false" and downing street says the prime minister had invited her to make a complaint, but she didn't do so. here's political correspondent damian grammaticas. this is a critical week. his leadership already in question, borisjohnson�*s actions are now under even more scrutiny. what are you hoping to hear today? nus ghani is a senior backbencher. she's spoken out against the taliban, led a campaign to have china's repression of uighur muslims recognised as genocide, and is proud of this moment. i congratulate my honourable friend on her appointment... and she became the first muslim woman minister to speak at the dispatch box in the commons, to a cheer. minister nusrat ghani.

but several cabinet colleagues have backed mrjohnson. the uk's prince andrew is facing a civil trial in the united states over allegations of sexual assault after a judge refused to dismiss the case brought by virginia giuffre, accusing him of abusing her when she was 17. on the day of the draw for the australian open, —— both nato and russia have warned the situation in eastern europe remains dangerous after their first face—to—face talks in two years produced no breakthrough. russia says the way forward is still unclear. nato says there is still a real danger of armed conflict in europe. during the pandemic, thousands of dog thefts were reported across the uk and ireland. this is the story of molly, one of those stolen dogs, and the fight to bring her back home. are you good? i would actually rather know that she was dead than to imagine the sort of people that she's with right now. a miniature, bitch, two—year—old, lads. it's the smell that gets - you first and then hundreds of these eyes - looking back at you. i have seen people taking photog

i can tell him what is going on in the cabinet room of his country. the uk government is bringing the west together. our foreign secretary and defense secretary to bring the west together to have the toughest possible package of sanctions for president putin, for reckless and catastrophic invasion. that is what this government is doing. we are getting on with the job and he needs to raise his game frankly. >> can i just say honestly to both sides, tensions are running high and what we need to do is people who are bothered to hear what is said on both sides. let's give the respect of constituencies. >> this as the prime minister went into hiding because of these allegations. talk to me about being around the allegations. >> i don't want to do this but i'm determined to make sure, the next person that stops me hearing will not be continuing in this debate. >> the prime minister's continual defense is wait for the sue gray report. on the eighth of december he told this house i am going to face a tough report in the house of commons. his spokesperson has repeate

but several cabinet colleagues have backed mrjohnson. the uk's prince andrew is facing a civil trial in the united states over allegations of sexual assault after a judge refused to dismiss the case brought by virginia giuffre, accusing him of abusing her when she was 17. both nato and russia have warned the situation in eastern europe remains dangerous after their first face—to—face talks in two years produced no breakthrough. russia says the way forward is still unclear. nato says there is still a real danger of armed conflict in europe. now on bbc news, it's time for click. this week, we are back! ces is 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

. _ the uk prime minister, borisjohnson has been meeting his cabinet borisjohnson has been discussingth his cabinet this morning, ahead of a statement in the commons this afternoon. yesterday, mrjohnson said he hoped the country could "ride out" the omicron wave, despite the uk recording a record number of positive daily cases. here's our political correspondent, jonathan blake. are you doing enough to help the nhs? the health secretary arrived in downing street this morning as ministers met to review the decision to keep current measures in place in england and go no further — for now. yesterday, the prime minister warned there were difficult weeks ahead, but said england could ride out the wave of omicron cases without new restrictions. i would say we have a good chance of getting through the _ omicron wave without the need for further. restrictions and without the - need, certainly, for a lockdown. over christmas, confidence has increased in government that england can cope with omicron without the need for further measures, but while that has eased political pressure on borisjohns

but several cabinet colleagues have backed mrjohnson. the uk'siuffre, accusing him of abusing her when she was 17. both nato and russia have warned the situation in eastern europe remains dangerous after their first face—to—face talks in two years produced no breakthrough. russia says the way forward is still unclear. nato says there is still a real danger of armed conflict in europe. now on bbc news, it's time for click. this week, we are back!

itv reports in june 2020 up to 30 people attended what it calls a birthday party in the cabinet room at the time the uk in a lockdown the johnson office said that the staff gathered briefly after the meeting and that he was there less than ten minutes. he faces calls to resign. >>> a woman is dead, three wounded after a 18-year-old german student fired at a university lecture hall. >>> the supreme court will hear arguments in a case that could end afoirmtive action admissions harvard and the university of north carolina are accused of discriminating several justices joined the court since it rejected a challenge back in 2016. >>> a world health organization official said immunity of omicron infections is a cause of hope. >> we can all hope for that. >> sure can. >> thank you. >>> let's check the markets. if you dare. send the children away all three indexes are down about 2% but that's not the half of it. it is the half of it if you think act it. one point the industrials down 1100 now 666. that's not a good number, is it? s&p 500 down 98. and the nasdaq which has been the one taking the big whomps dow

ukraine and i can tell him i can tell him what is actually what is going on in the cabinet room of this country is that the ukgether so that we have this government in this prime minister and the foreign secretary and defence secretary to bring the west together to have the toughest possible package of sanctions to deter president putin from what i think would be a reckless and a catastrophic invasion. that is what this government is doing. we're getting on with the job and i think he needs to raise his game, frankly. can ijust say, honestly... could ijust say to both sides, constituent watching it, tensions are running high on what we need to be able to do is allow the people out there who are bothered about their futures to hear what is said on both sides. so please let us give the respect constituents deserve. mr speaker, this was the prime minister who went into hiding for five days because of these allegations. talk, talk to me about being around for the allegations. mr speaker, i know... can ijust say i don't want to do this, but i am determined to make sure our constituents can hear — the next person t

uk bills if ukraine is invaded. and finally, the mail reports the entire cabinet would back a tax hike delay to help those hit by the living crisis, according to an unnamed minister. so, plenty to get through. let's start straight away. we will start this one with the guardian. the headline there, prime minister pulled into row over tory party islamophobia. that's the headline. number ten can deeds returns with borisjohnson. why don't you kick us off, henry? boris johnson. why don't you kick us off, henry?— off, henry? this is a row which has been dominating _ off, henry? this is a row which has been dominating westminster - off, henry? this is a row which has| been dominating westminster since last night when the sunday times revealed that nusrat ghani, a well—respected conservative mp and former minister, said she had been told by government in 2020 that the reason she was sacked, somewhat surprisingly, related to her being muslim. she's obviously a very serious charge. she didn't actually name the the whip in question but mark spencer, the chief whip, in charge of keeping discipline in the conservative party, ide

thank you very much indeed- _ that is one big story here in the uk, here is the other one. borisjohnson�*s cabinetng support as he faces growing calls to quit as prime minister. on wednesday, he admitted to attending a drinks gathering at downing street when england was in lockdown 2020. and today, the message from his government was this... the prime minister himself said yesterday that, with hindsight, he regrets going out into the garden and thanking the staff rather than telling them to come back into the office. i think he was right to do that, recognising as he said — and it is something i've seen as well — is that not just the frustration, anger and upset as well that people have had around their view that there has been one thing being sent to people about what we should all do, as we were doing at the time, and what they perceive happening at number ten. it is also why it is right that we have got this investigation being taken forward. and once we've got the details of that, we will come back to parliament. obviously we will be publishing the findings of that report, he will be taking qu

uk, with westerly winds, expected to be relatively mild. goodbye for now. tonight at ten, two senior figures in the cabinetng sacked in part because of her muslim faith. if there is ever any complaint like this, particularly one as serious as this, a formal complaint should be made and it would then be investigated. ms ghani says borisjohnson told her he "couldn't get involved," and that she should complain to the tory party. also tonight... the foreign office says it has information that russia is plotting to install a puppet government in ukraine. we have a special report from romania

cabinet office. helen catt, bbc news, westminster. )i�*m joined now by our uk political correspondent ione wells.l be delivered?— are we any clearer when the report will be delivered? no one is exactly clear and we _ will be delivered? no one is exactly clear and we will— will be delivered? no one is exactly clear and we will not _ will be delivered? no one is exactly clear and we will not know - will be delivered? no one is exactly clear and we will not know until- will be delivered? no one is exactly clear and we will not know until it i clear and we will not know until it has been handed until number 10, but we know it is likely to be some point next week and that sue gray's team will not wait for the police inquiry to finish before they submit their report, which means it can be made public. we know that because they are not waiting for the police inquiry and because the police have said they would like her team to make minimal references to some of the events they are investigating, this may mean that certain omissions and changes may have to be made. hora and changes may have to be made. ho

brexit negotiator, is insisting that the uk will overhaul the post—brexit agreement over northern ireland if she cannot reach a solution with the eu. another cabinet writes in the sunday express — this time, the home secretary priti patel warning the house of lords not to water down new police powers in tackling knife crime. the online independent says that oil and gas firms were invited by the government to help write the rules on whether new drilling complies with the uk's climate targets. and the sunday mirror claims it's crisis time on albert square as danny dyer quits eastenders. let's begin, that. sian, do you want to because office hour with your paper, the sunday times? and of lateral flow tests?— lateral flow tests? yes, dramatic headline, lateral flow tests? yes, dramatic headline. as _ lateral flow tests? yes, dramatic headline, as the _ lateral flow tests? yes, dramatic headline, as the country - lateral flow tests? yes, dramatic headline, as the country is - lateral flow tests? yes, dramatic| headline, as the country is totally with covid stub is a really good story from our political editor caroline wheeler and our data project edito

brexit negotiator, is insisting that the uk will overhaul the post—brexit agreement over northern ireland whether or not the eu will do it as well. another cabinets in the sunday express — this time the home secretary priti patel, warning the house of lords not to water down new police powers in tackling knife crime. the online independent says that oil and gas firms were invited by the government to help write the rules on whether new drilling complies with the uk's climate targets. and finally, the sunday mirror claims its crisis time on albert square as danny dyer quits eastenders. now, how many stories like that have we had with different stars over the years, and eastenders keeps rolling along like all of the best soaps. let's begin with the sunday times. 0bviously sian�*s paper, but it is a very striking front—page story. the very striking front-page story. the sto here very striking front-page story. the story here is _ very striking front—page story. tue: story here is that very striking front—page story. tte: story here is that the very striking front—page story. t"te: story here is that the government very striking front—page story. tt

fridays�*, as the uk was facing strict curbs — a source claims the prime minister regularly popped in and encouraged colleagues to "let off steam". the times carries a warning from cabinetlaim partygate has left the prime minister drinking in the last chance saloon. the ft is of the same opinion, saying downing street's unprecedented apology to the queen has left the prime minister's future hanging by a thread. anger toward borisjohnson from the conservative grassroots is the focus for the guardian — but the front page also covers the latest in novak djokovic�*s visa saga — the world number one's participation in monday's australian open all hinges on a last—ditch appeal, after canberra cancelled his visa for a second time. the i claims leading conservatives liz truss and rishi sunak are preparing to swoop on a party leadership contest, as the pressure mounts on the prime minister. but the mail turns the spotlight on sir keir starmer — and carries a picture of what the paper claims to be the labour leader drinking beer at an indoor gathering in durham last april. the telegraph claims plan b covid restrictions in england are set to be lifted from 26th january — as the pr

uk withdraws staff from its embassy there. let's return to borisjohnson ordering a cabinet office inquiry into claims made by a muslim mp who sayse allegations refer to him, but that the claims are completely false. let's get more from our political correspondent, chris mason. chris, borisjohnson chris, boris johnson has chris, borisjohnson has also had a minister resigning, he has got the civil servant sue grey�*s report which is ongoing, he has had an mp go to the police today with allegations of blackmail. you must feel that it never rains but it pours. you macro that is absolutely right. it is the latest case study in the conduct and competence of boris johnson's in the conduct and competence of borisjohnson's government. we in the conduct and competence of boris johnson's government. we have seen several — boris johnson's government. we have seen several examples _ boris johnson's government. we have seen several examples of _ boris johnson's government. we have seen several examples of it _ boris johnson's government. we have seen several examples of it today. i seen several examples of it today. apparently unconnected, bu

uk's prime minister, borisjohnson, has insisted he will challenge any fight to his leadership, as the row surrounding social gatherings in downing street during lockdown continues. a former conservative cabinetter has joined the calls for mrjohnson to resign. one conservative mp even defected to the opposition labour party on wednesday. our political editor laura kuenssberg reports. the atmosphere in the prime minister's neighbourhood is full of risk. danger dangles all around for borisjohnson, uncertainty hanging in the air. downing street confronting the truth that some of his own mps want him gone. as ministers gathered to agree to ditch some covid rules this morning, some of his own side waiting and watching, thinking about ditching him. is it under control, chief whip? yeah. all is calm. all is calm 7 do you think you might be in denial about that if you think this is calm? i think we need to focus on propping up the country and dealing with covid and making sure we've got that right. but can it really go on like this? some of your mps are putting letters in. is it all overfor the prime minister, do you think? don't be ridiculous. it is not, perhaps, ridiculous, despite his allies�* cla

cannot contain the machinery of a sophisticated state of uk, it cannot so there's a whole series of buildings connected to downing street and the cabinet it’s a machinery of government and what makes the country take. it's a small thin but makes the country take. it's a small thing but an — makes the country take. it's a small thing but an interesting _ makes the country take. it's a small thing but an interesting thing. - makes the country take. it's a small thing but an interesting thing. it's i thing but an interesting thing. it's not really a house in a meaningful sense. it's got a front door and a number but behind that there is a bunch of offices which is notjust depending if the residence. it’s depending if the residence. it's like depending if the residence. it�*s like nothing i can my house. thank goodness my house is not like that. there are some parts that are really lovely, the staircase in the photos but you're right. this is a pleasure lots of people work and i guess i'm able to see this on television. the apartment where the promise to above the next one on nnn downing street and three floors and it's pretty big. but tha

cabinet minister and a prominient brexiteer. he has worked alongside boris johnson in delivering that here in the uk. here's how the prime minister responded. ithank my... shouting. i thank... order! prime minister. i must say to the right honourable mentleman, i don't know what he's talking about. but i can tell him, i don't know what quotation he is alluding to. but what i can tell him is that... and i think i've told this house repeatedly and throughout this pandemic, i take full responsibility for everything done in this government and throughout the pandemic. we have seen attitudes towards boris johnson harden to some degree after comments he made yesterday. he said that he wasn't told that a drinks party, held in the number 10 garden during england's first lockdown, would break covid rules. plenty of heated exchanges with leader of the opposition keir starmer about that. first he said there were no parties. then the video landed, blowing that defence out of the water. next he said he was sicker than furious when he found out about the parties, until it turns out that he himself was at the downi

a crisis on the borders of ukraine, and i can tell him what is going on in the cabinet room of this country is that the ukng high and what we need to be able to do is allow— and what we need to be able to do is allow the _ and what we need to be able to do is allow the people out there who are bothered _ allow the people out there who are bothered about their futures to hear what you _ bothered about their futures to hear what you said on both sides, so, please. — what you said on both sides, so, please, let's give the respect our constituents deserve. this please, let's give the respect our constituents deserve.— please, let's give the respect our constituents deserve. this was the prime minister _ constituents deserve. this was the prime minister went _ constituents deserve. this was the prime minister went into _ constituents deserve. this was the prime minister went into hiding i constituents deserve. this was the j prime minister went into hiding for five days because of these allegations. talk to me about being around for the allegations. cani can ijust can i just say, can ijust say, i don't want to

uk, dr iram sattar. thank you very much forjoining us. there will be meet now and enquiry carried out in the cabinet office.hat this is having once again. the message it sends out if you are considered an outsider unless you leave your muslim identity at the door and we are worried that decision—makers at the highest level of government hold such negative views about muslim women. it is notjust the conservative party because in 2016 muslim women's network looked at the discrimination muslim women face in standing for council. in terms of enquiry, professor singh diddling enquiry, professor singh diddling enquiry into islamophobia in the conservative party and those recommendations need to be acted upon and the most important thing about this inquiries it needs to be independent so that no scanning and others can be reassured that it will hold to account in a meaningful way those who sold such negative reviews about —— those who hold such negative views about muslim women in general. negative views about muslim women in ueneral. ~ , ., , ., negative views about muslim women in ueneral. ~ i. , ., , general. w

uk and around the world. pressure continues to mount on borisjohnson to resign after he admitted attending a downing street drinks party at the height of lockdown. but cabinetacross the uk — including relatives of people who died during the pandemic.

uk or around the world. scotland yard has given more details about its contact with the cabinet office team preparing the reportn lockdown gatherings at downing street. the findings of sue gray's inquiry are yet to be published and the metropolitan police say they aren't responsible for the delay. but they've confirmed they want "minimal reference" in that report to events they're investigating themselves. more from our political correspondent nick eardley. it basically says that the met had been in contact with sue gray and asked her to only include minimal reference to the event that they themselves are investigating. we had expected to get the report from sue gray earlier this week, perhaps tuesday or wednesday, but the announcement from the met on tuesday about their own probe really threw a spanner in the works, one that is still being dealt with and i think this latest statement will throw another spanner into the works. because it suggests that some of the more serious allegations will not be able to be fully explored in sue gray's report. the language they use in the statement is they want to avoid any

uk government ministers are meeting to consider changing the rules on covid tests in england — to ease staffing shortages by reducing self isolation periods. the prime minister will ask his cabinetision not to impose any further covid restrictions in england, despite soaring levels of infection. last night, boris johnson said he hopes the country could "ride out" the current wave, but accepted that part of the nhs would feel overwhelmed. it comes as a string of hospital trusts in england have declared critical incidents. in scotland, nicola sturgeon is expected to announce whether she will be cutting self—isolation time for those testing positive from ten days as the scottish parliament holds a special virtual session. the french president has caused controversy by using a slang term to annoy unvaccinated people in france into getting jabbed. and amid fury in australia, prime minister — scott morrison — has said tennis star novak djokovic would be "on the next plane home" if reasons for him being exempted from having a covid vaccine were "insufficient". the first of our reports from jon donnison is about the pressures facing the nhs in the uk. derriford hospital in plymouth is o

uk. a lot of that money is invested in london and we do now the fact that the mirror reported just recently that a quarter of the ministers attending cabinetsd protecting civilisation from this terrible tyrant. is protecting civilisation from this terrible tyrant.— protecting civilisation from this terrible tyrant. is there a problem with russian _ terrible tyrant. is there a problem with russian money _ terrible tyrant. is there a problem with russian money that - terrible tyrant. is there a problem with russian money that is - terrible tyrant. is there a problem with russian money that is going | with russian money that is going around in the uk which has found its way into the coffers of the establishment? i way into the coffers of the establishment?— way into the coffers of the establishment? i think it is a problem- _ establishment? i think it is a problem- i— establishment? i think it is a problem. i am _ establishment? i think it is a problem. i am not— establishment? i think it is a problem. i am not going - establishment? i think it is a problem. i am not going to i establishment? i think it is a i problem. i am not going to go est

uk, many places are going to be dry, hopefully we will see some tonight at ten... downing street admits that staff gathered inside during the first lockdown to wish borisjohnson a happy birthday. in the cabinethe — brought a birthday cake in at the end of the day— brought a birthday cake in at the end of the day and _ brought a birthday cake in at the end of the day and i— brought a birthday cake in at the end of the day and i don't- brought a birthday cake in at the end of the day and i don't thinki

the 17th — a leaving party at the cabinet office for the outgoing head of the civil service covid taskforce kate josephs. and another party at in the office of the uk's, however slimmed down it is. ., , it is. certainly within the next three and _ it is. certainly within the next three and a — it is. certainly within the next three and a half— it is. certainly within the next three and a half hours, i it is. certainly within the next i three and a half hours, because the prime minister is going to be up before mps at half past 3. that has been confirmed in the last few minutes by the speaker of the house of commons. we will get that moment where borisjohnson gives us his interpretation of what is in the report and opposition parties have been saying they need at least an hour to look over it. i think we are looking at early afternoon to see what is in sue gray's report and i would emphasise in the statement from the cabinet office confirming that this process was in motion, it says an update from sue gray. this isn't the full report, this isn't what we were talking about this time last week, because that police investigation into various things and t

uk and around the world. pressure continues to mount on borisjohnson to resign after he admitted attending a downing street drinks party at the height of lockdown. but cabinetisters rally round him.... but cabinet ministers rally round him. the fact is we have got an investigation that is doing that work to get the details and the facts about exactly what happened throughout that period, actually, not just that one period on may 20th. we are looking at that period of time as has been outlined. and when we have got those facts then we can have that conversation. the prime minister's behaviour has angered people across the uk — including relatives of people who died during the pandemic. it wasn't a real apology. saying sorry doesn't really mean anything if your behaviour doesn't change, and it doesn't seem to me like his attitude changed at all will stop. let me know what you think of the pm's defence, and particularly if you voted conservative at the last election, what you want to see happen next. @vicdebryshire on twitter and instagram. i'm martine croxall. also this hour — the lawyer representing virginia giuffre in her civil case alleging sexual assault

uk or around the world. borisjohnson is facing renewed anger following another revelation about gatherings in downing street during lockdown. number 10 has admitted that, injune 2020, staff met in the cabinet where they were served cake to celebrate the prime minister's birthday. itv news reported that up to 30 people attended thejune 2020 event, sang happy birthday and were served cake. rules at the time —19june 2020 — banned most indoor gatherings involving more than two people. the bbc has learned that sue gray, the senior civil servant compiling a report into gatherings on government premises during covid restrictions, already knew about the 19 june event. her findings are expected to be published later this week. 0ur political correspondent chris mason reports. the prime minister has long said, "my policy on cake is pro—having it and pro—eating it." so much so he had two on his 56th birthday injune 2020 — the first courtesy of a school in hertfordshire he visited in the morning... # happy birthday to the prime minister! ..and another when he got back here to the cabinet room in downing street — the very spot where the covid rules were signed off. his now wife carrie brought another ca

cabinet this morning. one of the other changes we have heard about is this test you have to do if you are abroad and you come into the ukd it any more. thank you for the update, lots of changes to keep - update, lots of changes to keep across. more hospital trusts in england have declared critical incidents, the highest state of alert, as the nhs comes under significant strain from rising covid infections. with uk daily cases at a record 219,000 yesterday, the prime minister has acknowledged that parts of the health service could be temporarily overwhelmed in the coming weeks. seven hospital trusts in england have reported serious problems so far, while in greater manchester, 17 hospitals are pausing some non—urgent surgery. and morriston hospital in swansea has limited services due to ongoing staff shortages. this report now from jon donnison. derriford hospital in plymouth is one of a growing number to declare a critical incident because of omicron pressures on staffing levels, as well as the growing burden of those needing care. hospitals in blackpool, norfolk, wiltshire, morecambe bay and lincoln have also raised th