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| | More rail strikes as people return to work | |  | | | | | | | | | As we resume our weekday emails and wish readers a happy new year, strikes are once again leading the news. And for those heading back into work, there are warnings to avoid the railways for the rest of the week. RMT union members employed by 14 train operators are taking action today and tomorrow, and again on Friday and Saturday, in the long-running dispute over pay, job security and working conditions. Meanwhile, train drivers represented by Aslef walk out over pay on Wednesday. Network Rail, which maintains the track, signals and stations, says about 20% of services will run - and typically only between 7:30am and 6.30pm, with many areas not seeing any trains.
While unions say salaries should increase to reflect rising living costs, the rail industry is under pressure to save money after the pandemic left a hole in its finances. Insisting members wanted a settlement, RMT general secretary Mick Lynch accused ministers of "sitting on their hands" and failing to help secure a deal. But the Department for Transport says the government "stands ready to faciliate a resolution". Daniel Mann, from the Rail Delivery Group - which represents the train operating companies, says the dispute will only be resolved by agreement over "long-overdue reforms to working arrangements". Read the full story.
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| | Ministers urged to act over NHS pressures | | | | | | | | | After a festive period during which several hospitals declared critical incidents, ministers are facing growing calls to respond to the "intolerable and unsustainable" pressure on the NHS. The chairman of the British Medical Association, which represents doctors, wants the government to "take immediate action". Read why he thinks patients are "needlessly dying". Winter illnesses are driving some of the pressures, with NHS England figures showing 13% of beds are taken by patients with Covid or flu. Meanwhile, in places such as Shropshire and Gloucestershire, people are being advised to only visit A&E in extreme circumstances. The government says it recognises the pressures and is providing the NHS and social care with an extra £14.1bn over two years. | | | | | |
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| | Deadly helicopter crash almost far worse | | | | | | | | | Authorities investigating a helicopter collision over Queensland's Gold Coast that killed a British couple and two Australians say it could have been worse. The victims - along with an adult and two children who were critically hurt - were in a helicopter that crashed within seconds of taking off, after its main rotor blade struck the other aircraft's cockpit, according to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB). The second helicopter landed upright on the sandbank - a "remarkable achievement", given the damage "where the pilot was sitting", says ATSB chief Angus Mitchell. Those on board sustained minor injuries. Pilot Ashley Jenkinson, 40, was among those killed. The British woman, 57, and man, 65, and an Australian woman, 36, have not been named. Read what happened. | | | | | |
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| | | | | | | | | | | It is baking hot - about 30 degrees in Santos, but it feels like the whole city is drawn to the heart of Vila Belmiro stadium where Pele's coffin lies. A steady stream of mourners pass through the centre to pay their final respects - sometimes a smattering of applause breaks out as they pass his coffin. People from all over Brazil - and the outside world - have come. I spot a Mexican flag, a Dutch pin. Outside the stadium, a queue of thousands snakes for kilometres across half a dozen city blocks.
It is a two-hour wait in the midday sun. Men have taken off their shirts to wrap around their heads like bandanas. Others are fanning themselves with the tribute newspaper printed just for the day. Some have come prepared with hats, umbrellas and their tributes. Sometimes a Mexican wave ripples through. There are occasional chants of Pele! Rei! But mostly, the crowds are patient in the heat, waiting for their turn to say goodbye. | | | | | | | | | | | | Frances Mao | | Santos, Brazil | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| | | | | | | Several papers lead on the Duke of Sussex's latest TV interviews, using variations on the Daily Mail's headline: "Harry: I'd like my father and brother back." The Daily Telegraph says trailers show the duke accusing the Royal Family of "betrayal" and being happy for himself and Meghan to be seen as villains. Sources quoted by the Daily Express say the clips hint the duke is holding the King, the late Queen and Prince of Wales responsible for the bitter rift. Meanwhile, the Daily Mirror leads on the British Medical Association chairman's warning that the NHS's future is "on a knife edge". Read our review. | | | | | |
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| | | | | Zelensky Russia plans to "exhaust" Ukraine with prolonged attacks | | | | | | | Brexit Mistakes were made on all sides, says Irish PM | | | | | | | NFL Play suspended, star critically ill after on-field collapse | | | | | | | Renner Avengers actor remains in intensive care after surgery | | | | | | |
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| | If you watch one thing today | | | | | | | | | | |
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| | If you listen to one thing today | | | | | | | | | | |
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| | If you read one thing today | | | | | | | | | | |
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| | Need something different? | | | | | | | | | If you want to fend off the January blues, then this video of cute puppies might help. But they aren't just endearing, they are in training to be guide dogs with volunteer Lisa Allison. Reporter Sean Dilley has been finding out why Lisa's work is especially important since the pandemic.
Lockdowns also meant big changes for another animal - albeit a much bigger one - in Thailand, where the elephant tourism industry has been drastically reshaped by both Covid and ethical concerns. Read Jonathan Head's report from villages where "nearly every house has one or more elephants chained up in their front yards". | | | | | |
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| | | | | 1993 The US and Russia agree to cut the number of nuclear warheads they have by between 3,000 and 3,500. | | | | | | |
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| | | Let us know what you think of this newsletter by emailing bbcnewsdaily@bbc.co.uk. If you’d like to recommend it to a friend, forward this email. New subscribers can sign up here. | | | | | |
