With daily coronavirus infections passing the 100,000 mark - another new record - and early studies indicating the Omicron variant may be less severe than the earlier Delta strain, the situation is being watched closely by the UK government. The findings are good news, according to scientists, but fears remain that the volume of cases still has the potential to overwhelm the NHS. While No 10 says they’ll "continue to monitor the data", the prime minister is urging caution over the festive period as the Omicron variant continues to spread faster "than anything we have seen before". Unlike Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland which have set out new rules over the past few days, England is out of step with no changes planned. But Boris Johnson has not ruled out further curbs. This comes as some European countries reintroduce rules, the latest being Spain which says face coverings will have to be worn outside once again.
Although the early data from South Africa and studies in England and Scotland appear positive, there isn’t enough evidence to "dramatically change the modelling", says Prof Neil Ferguson from Imperial College London. The surge could still mean hospitalisations "in numbers that could put the NHS in a difficult position". Infections are creating staff shortages in various sectors with the latest being education. There are doubts that retired teachers, who have been asked to return to the classroom due to Covid-related staffing issues in schools, will be able to start when the new term begins. It's due to a backlog of criminal records checks. However, to minimise disruption and tackle Omicron, the UK continues to work at speed to ensure people get their boosters - the programme saw 968,665 doses administered on Tuesday. It’s meant that, as in the US - which has seen President Joe Biden denying he failed in his response to testing for the variant - and France, about three-quarters of the population have received a jab. But there are 98 countries that have not yet met the target of vaccinating 40% of their populations. This failure to distribute vaccines to poorer countries, according to former prime minister Gordon Brown, is "one of the greatest policy failures of our times", and a "stain on our global soul".

It’s been on display at a university campus for 24 years but a famous statue marking the Tiananmen Square massacre has been removed. The Pillar of Shame, featuring piled-up corpses to commemorate pro-democracy protesters being killed by Chinese authorities in 1989, was removed overnight from the University of Hong Kong’s site. It was dismantled behind barriers with security guards on hand if needed. The statue was one of the few public memorials left in the country, commemorating the massacre in which hundreds, possibly thousands, of peaceful demonstrators were killed by troops in Beijing. Beijing’s been increasingly cracking down on political dissent in Hong Kong however the university says it sought a risk assessment and legal advice about the future of the statue before making its decision. "The university is also very concerned about the potential safety issues resulting from the fragile statue," it added. Its removal is "really brutal", says creator, Danish sculptor Jens Galschiot. He’s looking at the possibility of suing the authorities and demanding compensation. The Pillar of Shame will be put in storage.

Usually only places in the UK can bid for city status, but an opportunity’s come up which means towns in British overseas territories and crown dependencies can apply. To mark the Queen's 70-year reign, her Platinum Jubilee, the competition’s been extended so there’s more than the likes of Milton Keynes in the running. This has led to the capitals of the Falkland Islands, Cayman Islands and Gibraltar being among 39 places hoping to be granted the status. They’ll find out if they’ve won in June next year. Read more here.

It’s official, reports the Daily Mail, the Omicron variant is "50% less severe". Studies confirm it’s weaker, "vindicating" Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s refusal to bring in new restrictions, the paper says. Research about the variant also appears on several other front pages this morning, including the Daily Telegraph which leads with senior government ministers claiming tougher restrictions can’t now be justified. The i points out that despite studies showing the strain is "lower risk", coronavirus infections hit a new record of more than 100,000 cases on Wednesday. There's a plea from frontline staff in the Daily Mirror who reveal "young people are dying in intensive care… they haven’t had their jabs", and if you’re planning to travel in the next few days the Daily Star uses some Chris Rea to let you know the state of play. "I’m driving, er, slowly home for Christmas", it says. Read the newspaper review in full here.

A news stand that sells almost 3,000 magazines and has done since 1994 struggled to survive during the pandemic. But with the help of loyal customers and Instagram, Casa Magazines in Manhattan, New York, soon began to thrive again. Take a look.
You’ll probably find the next one listed in a newspaper or magazine TV schedule and if you remember Morecambe and Wise this one might be for you. A long-lost episode from the comedy duo has been found by Eric Morecambe's son Gary in the attic of his mum’s house. It's going to be shown on Christmas Day. Read more here.
And finally, as Christmas nears that also means it’s almost the end of the year. So here are the 21 best albums and songs of 2021. Check them out.

We’re signing off until 2022 but before we do we’d like to wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year. BBC News Daily will be back in your inbox from 4 January. Thanks for reading.

From elsewhere