by judy and peter bl kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. announcer: and now, "bbc world news". >> new code ine u.k. have reached a daily high. the u.s. cuts in half the isolation time for people without symptoms to five days. china says asteroids have been put on a collision course with satellites placed by elon musk. we begin in the u.k. where the government has defended its decision to hold off on new coronavirus restrictions before the new year. it says it will monitor the situation closely. data shows there have been record numbers of cases across the u.k.. france has also seen record highs in cases. the country has announced new restrictions. there have been demonstrations in eastern germany against new restrictions. >> a vaccination center in london. staff hearsay there is no shortage of demands. >> zero mitigations in place. i don't want to get sick. i don't want to pass it onto my loved ones. >> it's important because i am a recently retired senior head of ed

by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. announcer: and now, "bbc world news". laura: i am la. this is bbc world news america. former u.k. official says the government failed to help thousands who wanted to leave afghanistan. the u.k. government denies that staff partied at number 10 downing street last year when the public was banned. plus a bbc series on influential well meant -- women gets underway. rebel wilson talks about fighting her way to the top. welcome to world news america. as tens of thousands of russian troops sit on the border with ukraine, president biden warned president putin of strong economic and other measures if russia further invades ukraine. they spoke in a high-stakes video call. here's how the white house security advisor described the meeting. >> there was a lot of even take. -- give and take. the president was crystal clear on where the united states stands on these issues. there is a lot of work to do in the days ahead. we

byudany d peter umov kler foundation; puuirsng solutions for america'gls neecd teneeds. and by cibontrutnsio to tpbhis s atstion from ewviers like you ank you. announcer: and now, bc"b world news". ♪ >> a im laura trevelyan. this is c bbamerica. as governmenun arod eth globe brace omfor icn,ro britain sset rea cord for infonectis. in massive rescue effort underway in the philippines as a super typhoottn baerths e cotle.in also,he t sex trafficking trial gofuillain maxwenell te ars new phas te ashe defense calls witnesses. weille havthlae test on the strategy. chmarists aispproaching. wek looatne o placehe wre the holidays nerev end. ♪ laura: all com we toor nldews eramica on spb and around the globe. we staitrt wh e thomicron rivaant. e thwho says the newtr sain is spadreing at an unedprecendte .rate remo than 75 criountesav he s. in the u.k., top hhealt officisaals y e thvariant is prob tablyheos mt significant threat we have hadce sin the stofart t pheandemic. britais n hase aen record nbeumr ofnftiecons for a sdecon day ain row. >> what do you want for christmas?

by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. announcer: and now, "bbc world news". jane: this is s america. bracing for the surge. president biden announces measures to tackle the omicron variant sweeping across the u.s. more testing and more vaccines. ll it be enough? scientists in south africa are investigating if some of the new variance are being created inside people with damaged immune systems. a bbc investigation has uncovered the migrants that drowned last month when a boat capsized in the english chanl. and exploring the worlds of technology. and a new multimedia exhibition. welcome to world news america on pbs and around the globe. we start in washington where president biden has announced plans to step up the fight against the omicron variant. he stressed that americans should be concerned, but not panicked. the president made a flurry of commitments about creating new vaccination clinics and incrsing access to testing. he was also questioned b

by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. announcer: and now, "bbc world news". >> this is bbce latest headlines. no new coronavirus restrictions in england for the new year, despite a record number of cases on christmas day. the health secretary urges people to remain cautious on celebrating -- and celebrate new year's outside if possible. >> should in the future we need to act, of course we won't hesitate to do so. >> a sharp rise in the number of coronavirus cases in scotland, the highest yet, as new restrictions on bars and restaurant come into play. and in france, homework will become mandatory for at least three days a week where possible. in new york, children aged 12 and over will need to be fully vaccinated to going to restaurants and leisure facilities as infections rise in the city. cape town city hall is bathed in purple light to honor archbishop and -- archbishop desmond tutu, who died on sunday. and lost for almost a week, a happy ending

by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. announcer: and now, "bbc world news". laura: i'm larn new york city and this is b world news america. consvative lawmakers rebel against the u.k. prime minister over new covid rules. but boris johnson gets the plan through with opposition support. the u.s. house investigation lifts the lid on what donald trump's allies were thinking and textinguring the january 6 riot. his former chief of staff is in the hottest of hot seats. ♪ and one of the most influential genres of african music has made a key united nations list recognizing its cultural importance. welcome to world news america on pbs and around the globe. we start tonight in the united kingdom. dozens of members of britain's governing conservative party have voted against new coronavirus regulations in defiance of the prime minister boris johnson. this comes as health advisors in the u.k. have warned that there could be a million cases of the new omicro

by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. anuncer: and now, "bbc world news". >> i am jane o'brien in washington, and this is bbc america. europe continues shutdowns as the u.s. braces for a surge in covid cases. we will get the latest from around the globe. tensions rise arussian forces mass on the border with ukraine. our correspondent incow asks them to explain. >> we are reassessing the west expansion that the west has carried out against russian interests. enough is enough. >> a bbc investigation uncovers disturbing investigations -- gabriel boorish will be the youngest person to serve as the country's president. ♪ ♪ jane: welcome to world news america on pbs and around the globe. the omicron variant is spreading rapidly, but depending on which nation you look at, the situation can be radically different. some places like south africa and the u.k. started to feel the effects of omicron weeks ago, and there, the surge is more advanced. tonight,

by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. announcer: and now, "bbc world news". >> i'm nora travailing in washington, this is bbc world news america. new details about the world's latest covid threat. it turns out omicron was in europe earlier than previously thought. we will have the latest. after seven years of war in yemen, hundreds of thousands fled their homes. as houthi rebels gained ground, we report from the makeshift camps of people replaced by flighting -- fighting. >> war creates a crisis. the way this war ends is not in the hands of yemenis, because big regional powers have intervened. >> the head of britain's secret intelligence service goes public with concerns against china, russia, terrorism, and much more. the american born and activist josephine baker takes her place amongst the heroes of france, her adopted home. ♪ >> welcome to world news america on pbs and around the globe. the omicron strain of covid was already in europe over a

by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. announcer: and now, "bbc wld news". anchor: hello, t. here are the latest headlines. boris johnson says 90% of people in intensive care with covid have not had their booster job as cases in the u.k. hit a pandemic i over 183,000. >> we know a small percentage of people will be ill. that will be a small number of people admitted to the hospital over the coming week. anchor: record infection rates are reported across europe and the u.s., the world health organization warns of a strain on health services. >> i'm concerned that omicron, being more transmissible, circulating at the same time as delta, is leading to a tsunami of cases. anchor: the european court of human rights urges russia to suspend the shutdown of the country's oldest human rigs group. [singing] players -- prayers and thanksgiving as a south africa hold week of events celebrating the life of desmond tutu. ♪ >> hello, a very good evening to viewe

by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. announcer: and now, "bbc world news". laura: this is "bbc world news america." india braces for another covid surge after dozens of omicron cases are found there. the nation's top doctors are warning of a third wave of infections. amid somewhat reassuring signs from south africa, the number severe cases are lower than in past outbreaks so far. the governor of kentucky says more than 100 people are still missing after deadly tornado swept through the region. plus, the u.k. has become the place to make tv drama. we will look at why, and here's a hint. game of thrones had something to do with it. ♪ laura: welcome to "bbc world news america." the pandemic is entering its third year and death tolls of covid here in the u.s. are fast approaching milestone of 800,000, the highest in the world. the omicron variant has been found in more than 60 countries, including india, where hospitals were overrun during the secon

by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. announcer: and now, "bbc world news". ♪ >> this is bbc world news america. china is found guilty of genocide against minorities by an unofficial tribunal in the u.k.. we are here from those who accuse chinaf persecution. >> both my hands and legs were shackled. they started to punch me until i fainted. then they dragged me. >> president biden urges world leaders to champion democracy and defend against authoritarianism as he hosts a virtual summit. critics say america's democracy is fraying at the edges. the u.n.'s world food program suspends aid to several ethiopian towns after rebel forces lose warehouses. new zealand moves to stamp out smoking for good. a newlan would make it illegal for young people to ever buy cigarettes. ♪ >> welcome to world news america on pbs and around the globe. we begin with the finding that china carried out genocide against the muslim uyghur population. china has slammed the f

by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. announcer: and now, "bbc world news". >> i am rochelle fleury. this is bbc world news america. from lockdowns and china to the doses in israel. how countries are dividing their response to omicron and how america's actions stack up. concerns are being raised over the effects of pandemic lockdowns on the mental health of kids. we have a special report. we report on the damage to an island named one of the best in asia, devastated by the super typhoon that struck the philippines. to kyrgyzstan where we report on envinmentalists trying to save reindeer from the brink of extinction. ♪ >> welcome to world news america on p and around the globe. the omicron variant is fueng a new wave of covid infections in dozens of countries. while governments aroundhe world recognize the threat, there have been difrences in the way they have responded. some countries have prioritized vaccination and testing while others have rei

by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. announcer: and now, "bbc world news". >> this is bbc world news. the latest headlines, a key witness speaks publicly after ghislaine maxwell was found guilty of grooming underaged girls to be abused by jeffrey epstein. >> i feel so that the jury believed us and sent a strong message that perpetrators of sexual abuse and exploitation will be held accountable no matter how much power and privilege they have. host: south africa says it is past the peak of the omicron-driven covered wave but the u.s. and europe continue to record record daily infections. afghanistan's former president defends his decision to flee the country just before the taliban takeover, saying he did it to vent the destruction of kabul. and it's the make or break moment for the james webb space telescope as it starts to unfold its tennis court-sized sun shield. ♪ hello and welcome to bbc news. a woman who gave key evidence in the trial of gh

by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. announcer: and now, "bbc world news". ♪ >> this is bbc world news america. south african officials say the omicron variant is driving a sharp increase in covid infections. the message: vaccinations are vital. >> the real problem is not lack of vaccines, it is the fact younger people seem very reluctant to get a jab. >> venezuela's health care system is collapsing. a special report from inside a hospital as doctors and nurses struggle with the impact of covid-19. the shadow of a shutdown looms over washington. lawmakers scramble to agree on how, or even if, to fund the federal government. finding inspiration from an eruption. how an icelandic artist turned the sights and smells of the volcano into an exhibit. ♪ >> welcome to world news america on pbs and around the globe. health officials in south rica say the new covid variant has become the dominant strain there. cases spiking in the country. infections ha

by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. announcer: and now, "bbc world news". laura: i am lan and this is "bbc world news america." the u.s. supreme court hears arguments in the most significant abortion case in a generation. the first case of omicron is found in the u.s. as the world scrambles to contain the spread of the variant. u.s. and allies carry out drills off the coast of japan in front of a very important audience, china. >> we are 500 km off the coast of japan on the island of iwo jima. laura: world aids day. we go to liverpool to remember those who were lost too soon. ♪ welcome to world news america on pbs and around the globe. the u.s. supreme court has been hearing arguments today in the most important case on a potion rights and half a century. mississippi bans abortion after 15 weeks. conservative leaning justices seemed to be minded to uphold the mississippi law and that would be a devastating blow to abortion rights activists. our

by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. announcer: and now, "bbc world news". laura: i am laura trevelyan in washington and this is bbc world news america. more cases of the omicron variant in the u.s., the u.k., and beyond. we speak to a top health official about what the biden administration is doing to vaccinate the world. u.k. adds nigeria to the red list of countries facing traveler restrictions. the biden administration announces a diplomatic boycott of the diplomatic games in china due to beijing's record on human rights. the athletes can still go. he has made millions laugh over the years with blazing saddles and producers. now director mel brooks is sharing his life story, all 95 years. >> all the stories are in the book and some of them are actually true. ♪ laura: welme to world news america on pbs and around the globe. ere is good news and bad news on the new coronavirus variant. a study from south africa suggested omicron may be causing

by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. announcer: and now, "bbc world news". >> i'm jane o'n washington, and this is "bbc world news america." omicron causes a global surge of covid infections as governments braced for the worst. our correspondence around the world tell us how their country is corresponding. voters in hong kong go to the polls this weekend, but a new controversial law alws a pro-china panel to vet the candidates. the united nations warns that all sites and if the o.p.s. -- all sides in ethiopia's civil war are committing problems. north korea marks 10 years since kim jong-un became supreme leader. we look at the impact of his time in office. ♪ jane: welcome to "world news america" on pbs and around the globe. we begin tonight with more evidence that the omicron strain of coronavirus is spreading rapidly across the globe. the worst figures are coming from europe, in particular the u.k. in the last one he for hours, the number of in

by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. announcer: and now, "bbc world news". >> this is bbc world news america. vaccines and variants. our first clues into just how effective or not jabs can be against the omicron strain of covid. prosecors in michigan charge the parents of the teenager accused of a deadly school shooting with involuntary manslaughter. an unusual step in the tragic case. ongoing drought in the horn of africa has left millions without enough food to eat. animals are struggling to stay alive. >> the drought is still ongoing. this calf is too weak to stand up. she has to be fed right here. >> remaking a musical classic. steven spielberg brings west side story back the big screen. how it compares to the original. ♪ >> welcome to world news america on pbs and around the globe. it's been one week since the omicron variant burst upon the world stage. tonight, the first real-world data is giving us clues into how dangerous it can be. scie

by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. announcer: and now, "bbc world news". ♪ anchor: this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the u.k. on pbs, the u.s. and around the world. new records for covid in the u.k. the highest number of daily cases since the pandemic began. an estimated 1.7 million people are reported to have had the virus on a single day last week. millions around the world face travel disruption over christmas as the surgeon omicron cases sees more than 2000 flights canceled globally due to staff shortages. at least 39 people are killed after a packed ferry caught fire in southern bangladesh. the most powerful telescope to ever be launchednto space is due to blastoff on christmas day. and, the queen is expected to give a very personal christmas message this year. her first since the death of her husband, prince philip. amid christmas midnight mass is celebrated at the church of nativityn bethlehem. ♪ anchor: thank

by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank yo announcer: and now, "bbc world news". ♪ laura: i am laura trevelyan in washington and this is "bbc world news america." pfizer says it's booster will defend against the omicron variant. that is encouraging, but do we need three doses to be fully ccinated? the prime minister announces new restrictions for england as he is in hot water. the u.k. leader is doubling down on the new rules. a new era for germany as olaf scholz is sworn in as the country's new chancellor. he replaces angela merkel who held the post for 16 years. plus, his works are minuscule, but his message is global. we meet the artist whose autism helped shape his craft. ♪ welcome to world news america on pbs and around the globe. there is encouraging news tonight on the fight against the new coronavirus strain. pfizer says three shotsf its vaccine can neutralize the omicron variant. that is according to early data which is not been published or

by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. announcer: and now, "bbc world news". >> i am nada tk and this is "bbc world news america." mass famine in madagascar. u.n. is calling for urgent eight is a prolonged drought has left more than one million people on the brink of starvation. >> this used to be one of madagascar's biggest and longest rivers. but now, it is dry and turned into a dust bowl. nada: the u.s. supreme court allows legal challenges to a controversial abortion law in texas, but the measure itself remains in place. a british court rules that wikileaks founder julian assange can be extradited to face charges here in the united states. he plans to appeal the ruling. plus, they fled afghanistan but will never stop fighting for their country. we meet the women lawmakers who are still making a difference months after the taliban takeover. ♪ nada: welcome to "world news america" on pbs and around the globe. we begin tonight's coverage in madag

by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. announcer: and now, "bbc world news". >> hello. it this is bbc news -- this is bbc news. countries around the world are bringing in the new year with a bang but are holding scaled-back celebrations. this is the scene at the famous acropolis as the clock strikes midnight. enti neighborhoods in the u.s. state of colorado have been engulfed by flames as wildfis forced tens of thousands of people to leave their homes. >> many families having minutes to get whatever they could, their pets, their kids into the car, and leave. >> u.k. health service warns of significan pressure in the coming weeks as covert infections reach a new high. >> staff that are at work will be caring for more patients, trying to do more to cover for their missing colleagues, working extra hours, starting early, finishing late. the pressure will be immense. >> and goodbye to a golden girl. the american actress and comedian betty white has died

by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. announcer: and now, "bbc world news". ♪ >> i am laura trevelyan in new york city and this is "bbc world news america." destination in afghanistan. as winter sets in, millions are at risk of starvation. the u.k. records its highest number of daily covid cases ever dung the pandemic as britain's prime minister says booster shots are vital. president biden's goes to kentucky to see the devastation caused by this weekend's tornadoes. our reporter is on the scene. standing rescue in hong kong as first responders save more than 100 people trapped on the roof of a burning building. and this become the first country in europe to legalize the use of cannabis. the neighboring nations follow suit? we will have the latest. ♪ welcome to world news erica on pbs and around the globe. it has been four months since the taliban took control of afghanistan, and the economy is in freefall. according to the w.h.o., one million

by judy and peter blum kovler foundation; pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. announcer: and now, "bbc wld news". >> this is "bbc s america," from new york. in russia, president pruden insists on immediate guarantees that nato will not expand further to the east. in the u.s., a jury has found former police officer kim potter guilty of manslaughter over the shooting of daunte wright and in hong kong a statue commemorating the deaths of protesters in tiananmen square has been removed from a university campus. one of the few remaining memorials in the city. health officials are encouraging people to get booster shots in the face of omicron, but in many countries people are still struggling to get the initial vaccine. we have a special report. during the pandemic many people relocated to be closer to their families. for many in europe it meant moving to a whole other country. we report from poland. welcome to world news america on pbs, the u.k., and around the globe. tonight in russia vladim