time for a look at the weather news now and stav danaos has the details. it's been a cold start across england and wales, quite a hard frost in london in the south—east, mist and fog around too and that's how it will stay for the next few days with high pressure around, we'll continue to see mist and fog and some of it will continue to linger in places. you can see on the latest satellite picture, generally more cloud across scotland and northern ireland, it will remain rather grey throughout the day today. more of a breeze for the final for scotland, today. more of a breeze for the finalfor scotland, one today. more of a breeze for the final for scotland, one or two spots of rain but elsewhere a lovely sunny day, some wintry sunshine continuing for most of us. away from the fog patches, whetherfog patches linger thenit patches, whetherfog patches linger then it will be colder than these temperatures suggest but very mild across the north—east of scotland, 12 degrees into moray firth. patchy rain across northern scotland and quite a breakthrough tonight, fog becomes extensive across parts of england and wales and it will be cold, quite a hard frost across central and southern areas, a little bit cold for northern ireland where we could see clearer skies towards the end of the night. high pressure still with us across the south of the uk for friday. this weather front continues to bring some thick cloud and patchy rain to the north and north—east of scotland. elsewhere it's a sunny, cold start. we'll have the fog risk across central and southern areas, again some of it quite dense and stubborn to clear through the day and if it does linger then it really will feel cold, temperatures struggling to get above freezing. but when we have the sunshine, 4—9, quite mild across the north of scotland, with more of a breeze. some subtle changes as we head into the weekend. the area of high pressure begins to ebb away but it's influencing the south—east. further north and west, lower pressure, weather fronts trying to push in. more of a breeze but again like winds for england and wales that we could see further mist and fog through the morning and generally more cloud around. some glimmers of brightness here and there, temperatures of 4—9, pretty much where we should be looking at this time of year. for the next few days fog could be a problem, quite dense and stubborn in places. it could cause disruption to travel so stay tuned to bbc radio. be on saturday stronger winds pushing in from the north—west, more isobars on the charts and the weather front will think southwards, bringing a line of cloud and patchy rain which will clear away southwards. then it's a breezy day with some sunshine for sunday, so no problems with mist and fog for most of us, quite showery across the north of scotland. single digits for most but we could see io—ii across the south. that's all from me. a reminder of our top story. there is no letup in the pressure on borisjohnson as some tory mps say he should resign for attending a drinks party during lockdown. that's it, so goodbye from me. now on bbc, time for the news where you are. good afternoon. your latest spot. there is still no definite answer on whether novak djokovic will play at the australian open which begins on monday of their ongoing questions about his covid exemption. he has been training on court in melbourne, but australia's immigration minister is yet to decide whether to revoke his visa again. the world number one and defending champion was named in the draw which was made earlier and will face a fellow serbian in the first round. in will face a fellow serbian in the first round-— will face a fellow serbian in the first round. in keeping with this australian _ first round. in keeping with this australian open, _ first round. in keeping with this australian open, the _ first round. in keeping with this australian open, the draw- first round. in keeping with this australian open, the draw did l first round. in keeping with this l australian open, the draw did not first round. in keeping with this - australian open, the draw did not go off without a hint of drama when it was postponed indefinitelyjust two minutes before it was due to start with the australian prime minister scott morrison due to give a press conference, people started to put two and two together and perhaps we made five, because the draw eventually took place 75 minutes later. a friendly face for your beach in the first round match. other highlights, and it against... dan evans will play... he has been stuck in isolation, hitting tennis balls are big into his bedroom wall, having tested positive on arrival in adelaide. against another us open champion. by the county with little preparation for the australian open, having caught covid. stevens got married on new year's day. well warming up for the australian open, andy murray is through to the semi—finals of the sydney international, after his opponent david goffin was forced to retire with a knee problem. it's the first time in more than two years that murray's won three tour level matches in a row — he faces the fourth seed reilly opelka next. as russell mentioned, goffin is dan evans' first—round opponent at the australian open. dan evans is also through — he continued his unbeaten start to the season with a straight sets win over maxime cressy — evans will take on top seed aslan karatsev for a place in the final. and we could have two more britons in the main draw in melbourne — liam broady and harriet dart have both reached the final round of qualifying. it's been announced that crowds at the australian open will be capped at 50% capacity, amid rises in covid—i9 cases in melbourne. the restriction only applies to the two show courts but facemasks will be mandatory throughout and spectators will be required to socially distance while indoors. a similar cap was in place during last year's tournament before a snap five—day lockdown in the city was brought in to contain a new outbreak, when crowds were banned. staying in australia, england bowler mark wood says ben stokes and jonny bairstow are desperate to prove their fitness in time for the final ashes test, which starts tomorrow in hobart. both have injuries, and captain joe root�*s indicated, the pair could be used as specialist batsmen, leaving stokes, unable to bowl and bairstow giving up his hopes of keeping wicket. both are key figures in the england dressing room. they are still in good spirits. they are happy, which is good indication that they are still in a good mindset to potentially play the game. they are both fighters in the group and they toughed it out last game. i am sure they will both be desperate to play, but obviously it one little shot affect ben orjust picking up the ball forjohnny, little things like that, i hope it doesn't cause them future damage, and i am sure that will be weighed up and i am sure that will be weighed up by and i am sure that will be weighed up by the medical team. that's all the sport for now website but over on the bbc sport website you can watch the masters snooker quarterfinal between ronnie o'sullivan and neil robertson, and keep up to date with the latest transfer news. i'll be back with more later. nicola sturgeon says comments made by a senior uk government official towards the scottish conservative leader, shows the "utter contempt" westminster has for scotland. on wednesday, the commons leader jacob rees—mogg dismissed douglas ross as a "lightweight figure" after he called for borisjohnson�*s resignation when attending a party in downing street during lockdown. the snp leader and scottish first minister was taking questions in holyrood. i think as we have just seen, i have big political differences with douglas ross. but even i am not as derogatory about him as his own tory colleagues are being. "not a big figure, lightweight." these might be personal insults directed at the leader of the scottish conservatives, but actually they say something much deeper about the westminster establishment's but a contempt for scotland. if they can't even show basic respect for their own colleagues, what chance do the rest of us have? the fact is, westminster thinks scotland doesn't need to be listened to, can be ignored, and now we are being told we have to follow a prime minister that his own colleagues think is not fit for office. independence is fundamentally about empowerment and aspiration, but you know what? an added benefit of being independent is that we will no longer have to put up with being treated like something on the sole of westminster�*s shoe, and i suspect today even douglas ross finds that a really attractive proposition. angered relatives of people who died during the pandemic. this man lost his father to covid in 2020. i’zre his father to covid in 2020. i've lost my dad _ his father to covid in 2020. i've lost my dad in _ his father to covid in 2020. i�*e: lost my dad in april 2020. his father to covid in 2020. ice: lost my dad in april 2020. he was a key worker during the first lockdown. we believe he caught covid from work and because he was a healthy man, he was told to isolate at home until he recovered, but sadly he never did.— at home until he recovered, but sadly he never did. what was his “ob? he sadly he never did. what was his job? he worked _ sadly he never did. what was his job? he worked as _ sadly he never did. what was his job? he worked as a _ sadly he never did. what was his job? he worked as a day - sadly he never did. what was his job? he worked as a day carer i sadly he never did. what was his | job? he worked as a day carer for the charity _ job? he worked as a day carer for the charity mencap. _ job? he worked as a day carer for the charity mencap. working - job? he worked as a day carer for the charity mencap. working withi the charity mencap. working with vulnerable people during that first lockdown. find vulnerable people during that first lockdown. �* ., ., , , vulnerable people during that first lockdown. �* ., , ., ., lockdown. and how has his death from covid impacted — lockdown. and how has his death from covid impacted on _ lockdown. and how has his death from covid impacted on yourself _ lockdown. and how has his death from covid impacted on yourself and - lockdown. and how has his death from covid impacted on yourself and the - covid impacted on yourself and the rest of your family? it covid impacted on yourself and the rest of your family?— rest of your family? it has been devastating- — rest of your family? it has been devastating. it _ rest of your family? it has been devastating. it has _ rest of your family? it has been devastating. it has left - rest of your family? it has been devastating. it has left us - devastating. it has left us rudderless. my dad was very much the leader of ourfamily. he rudderless. my dad was very much the leader of our family. he was supportive and encouraging and caring. he was a confidant and friend to all of us. his wife and children. and his sudden loss has been traumatic and very, very destabilising.— been traumatic and very, very destabilising. can i ask you what ou destabilising. can i ask you what you thought _ destabilising. can i ask you what you thought of — destabilising. can i ask you what you thought of what _ destabilising. can i ask you what you thought of what the - destabilising. can i ask you what you thought of what the prime i you thought of what the prime minister said in the house of commons yesterday? i minister said in the house of commons yesterday?- minister said in the house of commons yesterday? minister said in the house of commons esterda ? ~ ., commons yesterday? i think what the prime minister _ commons yesterday? i think what the prime minister said _ commons yesterday? i think what the prime minister said just _ commons yesterday? i think what the prime minister said just to _ commons yesterday? i think what the prime minister said just to me - prime minister said just to me speaks to a continued contempt for the public. as many people have said and as you stated from the messages we receive, it wasn't a real apology. saying sorry doesn't really mean anything if your behaviour doesn't change, i it doesn't seem to me like his attitude changed at all. the idea that the prime minister has taken responsibility for what happened yet somehow feels he should escape the consequence, i find it somewhat paradoxical. i don't understand how you can take responsibility for something and yet received absolutely no consequences. like many have said, it feels like a pr stunt so he can just say that he technically apologised. he operates on technicalities, whereas the rest of us have to deal with the practicalities of his decisions. we don't know yet of the consequence had begun to be out awaiting the report from this civil servant call sue gray. what do you think the consequences should be for boris johnson? i consequences should be for boris johnson? ., ~ , johnson? i think the prime minister has to resign- _ johnson? i think the prime minister has to resign- i— johnson? i think the prime minister has to resign. i don't _ johnson? i think the prime minister has to resign. i don't think - johnson? i think the prime minister has to resign. i don't think he - johnson? i think the prime minister has to resign. i don't think he can l has to resign. i don't think he can in good faith continue to be the leader of the party or the country at this point in time. he has been found to be dishonest and given a pitiful excuse for his behaviour. the idea that he didn't realise his party is laughable and if true is more concerning because it would suggest that the people in charge whilst we have been in this crisis thought it was ok to be drinking at work. i think most of the people would agree that if nurses and doctors were taking that same attitude, they would be in a much worse position then we are now. so i don't understand why the prime minister thinks he is fit to continue to lead this country through one of the biggest crises in living memory, when he clearly doesn't take the job seriously. for the past year, rugby league legend kevin sinfield has been pushing himself to the limits to raise millions of pounds for those living with motor neurone disease, following the diagnosis of his friend and former leeds rhinos teammate rob burrow. kevin has now been awarded an obe for services to sport and charity. graham satchell was with him when he went to receive the honour. kevin sinfield and his wife, jayne, at windsor castle as he prepares to receive his obe. huge honour, massively humbled by the whole experience. i think, to be here, absolutely, with the mnd community behind me, has been magnificent. it's also my wife's birthday, so i can't steal the limelight too much, and i can't thank people enough — the support has been brilliant. i were just trying to be a mate, and the response has been incredible. in the last two years, kevin sinfield has undertaken two epic, gruelling challenges. the first — seven marathons in seven days. and then going the extra mile — running between leicester and leeds — it was 101 miles in 2a hours. in many ways, we've had the easy bit of running. i know it sounds daft, that, but, like, the work that's gone on has been incredible. wejust had to run. and i understand that, you know, from my years in rugby league that we're given a platform, but it's... that's enabled us to try and tap into galvanising a community to get behind something that's so special to all of us — which is rob. and i think, whilst he has been so inspirational like he has, it's really easy to get off your backside and run. this is a sensational try — there aren't many in super league that can do that! rob burrow — a rugby league legend and kev�*s long—term team—mate on the pitch. rob was diagnosed with mdn in 2019. ever since, the two best friends have been raising awareness, raising money — now more than £5 million. the big thing for us is, we provided hope for a lot of people and, you know, whilst rob is willing to fight and show the courage he has, we'll continue to be good mates, the best we can. mr kevin sinfield, for services to rugby league football, and to charitable fundraising. kevin received his award from prince william, the duke of cambridge. the two men spoke about kev�*s last challenge, and what kept him going. the last six hours, i'd say, were horrendous. my legs had pretty much stopped working and so mentally being able to understand that i had over a marathon to run, but my legs weren't working, which... i don't mind being in a fight and doing it tough at times, but to have six hours of it was...was a decent stint. once again, that's the beauty of friendship. and to be able to see rob at the finish line with his beautiful family and my own family there, was, like i said, memories for life and... and to be able to do something special along the way, which helps so many people and provides hope is what it's been all about. kev is already planning his next — and what he says is his final challenge. it'd probably make you laugh but it didn't take me too long to get on to what was next. nobody knows yet. my wife knows — she thinks i'm crazy, again — but she understands that there's so many people out there that need help. time for a quick message from kev�*s best friend. i could not think of anyone more deserving of the award. you have the heart of the nation for the achievements over the last couple of years and your unbelievably successful career. you have been an angel on my shoulder since forever and you have been heroic in your record—breaking attempts to raise the hopes through the fundraising. you are a special human being and i can't thank you enough for your help and support. next stop a knighthood — which i can't believe you have not received already! thank you. what do you think? it's great to see him. saw him just before christmas and we did a lot laughing, smiling, and it looks like he's growing a bit of moustache there, so we'll get a bit of stick next time i see him. but it's lovely, i think... you understand the reason behind it all. and it's friendship, and i've already mentioned, while he is willing to fight and show the courage and bravery like he has and open up the front door to the nation on such a difficult time for everybody, we'll do what we've got to do, as well. kevin sinfield obe — an honour that celebrates the power of friendship... ..and a day both he and jayne will remember forever. graham satchell, bbc news, windsor castle. now time for stories across the uk. community groups in stoke—on—trent are calling for urgent action to address rising levels of poverty. the city's among four areas of the uk where families are struggling most with heating their homes, while referrals to charities are increasing. a study by staffordshire university suggests the recent reduction in benefits for families could see the city's economy £30 million pounds worse off. ben godfrey reports... at the whitfield valley centre, families are enjoying craft activities, but they are also here for more formal support. that is because the cost of living in stoke—on—trent is pushing them to the breadline. this woman has two young children and her husband works full—time in a factory, but their bills are soaring and she is regularly borrowing money from relatives. i regularly borrowing money from relatives. .., �* regularly borrowing money from relatives. �* ., , ., ., regularly borrowing money from relatives. �* ., relatives. i can't afford to take the kids on — relatives. i can't afford to take the kids on day _ relatives. i can't afford to take the kids on day trips, - relatives. i can't afford to take the kids on day trips, gas - relatives. i can't afford to take the kids on day trips, gas and | the kids on day trips, gas and electric, i am constantly topping it up electric, i am constantly topping it up every two days. i am spending £3 every day on the gas. and then you have the fuel, because my husband drives. , ., ., , �* drives. the situation isn't getting any better- _ drives. the situation isn't getting any better. according _ drives. the situation isn't getting any better. according to - drives. the situation isn't getting - any better. according to government figures, 34% of all children in stoke—on—trent are now living in a household where there is very low income. 90% of the city's population receives universal credit, but they have seen their £20 pandemic uplift withdrawn. organisations say it has only highlighted a lack of planning and oversight to tackle the poverty crisis. mi and oversight to tackle the poverty crisis. �* , , ., . ., , crisis. all these small charities around the _ crisis. all these small charities around the area _ crisis. all these small charities around the area work- crisis. all these small charities around the area work together| crisis. all these small charities i around the area work together to crisis. all these small charities - around the area work together to try and help— around the area work together to try and help each individual in their best_ and help each individual in their best ability, but we are too small to reach— best ability, but we are too small to reach the whole community, and there _ to reach the whole community, and there are _ to reach the whole community, and there are so — to reach the whole community, and there are so many people out there that need _ there are so many people out there that need so much help. staffordshire university now has the country's first degree cost directly addressing community deprivation. it is called action on poverty and hardship. it is called action on poverty and hardshi -. , is called action on poverty and hardshi. , . ., is called action on poverty and hardshi. , ., ~ ., , is called action on poverty and hardshi-. , ., ~ ., , ., hardship. it is talking families who were £750 a _ hardship. it is talking families who were £750 a month _ hardship. it is talking families who were £750 a month behind - hardship. it is talking families who were £750 a month behind the - were £750 a month behind the national average in terms of salary, so being able to afford the practical things becomes incredibly complicated. this practical things becomes incredibly complicated-— practical things becomes incredibly comlicated. , . , complicated. this sculpture recently a - eared in complicated. this sculpture recently appeared in the _ complicated. this sculpture recently appeared in the park, _ complicated. this sculpture recently appeared in the park, a _ complicated. this sculpture recently appeared in the park, a powerful- appeared in the park, a powerful symbol depicting a mother laden down with bags and guided by a child. both are walking a tightrope. this balance, says charities, is getting harder to achieve. the first patients in wales have received antiviral tablets for covid to take at home. the hope is it will lessen the symptoms, and as a result reduce the numbers needing hospital treatment. gemma dunstan has the story. it was greeted with a flurry of excitement. the first antiviral drug for covid approved in the uk, with hopes it would change the course of the pandemic. the oxford university led trial is being rolled out here across wales. it is the first antiviral specifically for covid, which makes it different from other studies. . which makes it different from other studies. ,, , , , studies. see this? this is my negative _ studies. see this? this is my negative letter _ studies. see this? this is my negative letter of _ studies. see this? this is my negative letter of protest - studies. see this? this is my| negative letter of protest that studies. see this? this is my i negative letter of protest that i have kept as evidence that i survived covid.— have kept as evidence that i survived covid. �* , , survived covid. amy tested positive for covid. she _ survived covid. amy tested positive for covid. she was _ survived covid. amy tested positive for covid. she was one _ survived covid. amy tested positive for covid. she was one of— survived covid. amy tested positive for covid. she was one of around i for covid. she was one of around 1500 people in wales who have now taken the antiviral. thea;r 1500 people in wales who have now taken the antiviral.— taken the antiviral. they made such a hue taken the antiviral. they made such a huge difference. _ taken the antiviral. they made such a huge difference. i— taken the antiviral. they made such a huge difference. i started - taken the antiviral. they made such a huge difference. i started to - taken the antiviral. they made such a huge difference. i started to feell a huge difference. i started to feel better within 2a and was of starting them, and i genuinely think if i hadn't taken them, i would have ended up being hospitalised. shim? hadn't taken them, i would have ended up being hospitalised. amy was civen the ended up being hospitalised. amy was given the tablets _ ended up being hospitalised. amy was given the tablets due _ ended up being hospitalised. amy was given the tablets due to _ ended up being hospitalised. amy was given the tablets due to complex - given the tablets due to complex health issues rather than through the trial. but it is hoped the study which he has been running since the 8th of december will continue to see people sign up. to take part you need to be over 50 are 18 to a9, with an underlying health condition. you need a positive test and to start within five days of symptoms. the trout requires no face—to—face contact. the tablets are delivered to you and you will receive a phone call from a gp about how they work. the drug is absorbed by covid infected — the drug is absorbed by covid infected cells and blocks how the virus _ infected cells and blocks how the virus replicates in the body. they should _ virus replicates in the body. they should make it harder for the covid virus _ should make it harder for the covid virus to— should make it harder for the covid virus to reproduce and reduce the risk of— virus to reproduce and reduce the risk of developing serious disease. the study— risk of developing serious disease. the study is being delivered here by public health wales, health and care research wales and cardiff university, with a focus on making sure it is open to everyone. the boston clinical _ sure it is open to everyone. iie: boston clinical trials were sure it is open to everyone. ti2 boston clinical trials were done in very specialised centres, and it is a very particular type of person that goes into them, so we are really, really keen on making sure people live in rural areas have a chance to get involved and to take the drug which, if we went around the drug which, if we went around the hospitals, they wouldn't. vaccines and the booster programme still remained the most effective way to protect from the virus. next, with its high flying acrobats and circus contortionists, cirque de soleil had audiences around the world holding their breath, but the pandemic very nearly bankrupted the group. tonight the performers are back at the royal albert hall in london, with a new show, and bhavani vadde's been taking a look behind the scenes. their future was up in the air, but now a comeback, and final rehearsals for the premier of luzia, a show promising a visual extravaganza set in an imaginary mexico. a glimpse behind—the—scenes shows us what it takes to be part of this troupe, something helena always dreamt of. i started when i was five years old. really, i think all of that add up to now as well, and to maintain the show and run the show at least a few hours a day coming up to the premier and getting everybody back together and be trained, we are working all day, year, six days a week. the latest show takes water and light as inspiration. trapeze artists twirling through pouring showers. contortionists twisting themselves into unimaginable positions. as well as plenty of other acrobatic stunts and surprises. we up the anti every time we come back with more spectacular, originalacrobatics, more special effects, a whole different concept, a whole different story, new costumes. and really they can expect to be moved off their seats. this year, cirque de soleil celebrate 25 years of performing at the royal albert hall, and it coincides with the venue's 150th anniversary celebration. it is really special to be here in the royal albert hall. for many of us it is the highlight of our career. i think it is something that a lot of us will look back on, and it is going to be that really special moment and one of the few we will have and really remember as the biggest. the company opened to a royal gala last time they were at the royal albert hall, but then coronavirus hit, which led to shows around the world being cancelled, 95% of staff being laid off and near bankruptcy for the company. we actually did a run through for the first time yesterday and we all wept a little bit. i don't think you expect how much it did hurt, how much it hurt... you come back to work, it's another day on the job, but to see the show come back to life, all of us come back to life after two years was quite an emotional moment for all of us. the global circus brand is hoping it to return to the capital is a bright light during a challenging time for theatres. now it's time for a look at the weather. a cold start for many, a widespread frost and fog patches. but mild across much of northern scotland. quite breezy. similar story over the next few days. high pressure, dry and settled, some fog across england and settled, some fog across england and wales and quite dense in places. for the rest of today, dry for most. plenty of sunshine. more cloud, stronger breeze across the north of scotland, and the highest temperatures could be around 12 degrees around the moray firth. mostly around six to 8 degrees. as we head through tonight, fog will return to england and wales, the company quite dense. further north, milder, breezy with variable amount of cloud. four to 7 degrees, but quite a widespread hard frost in places of england, wales and parts of northern ireland. the area of high pressure with us for friday. this weather front across the north, bringing thicker cloud and rain to northern scotland. quite breezy in the northern ireland. further south, a chilly start, frost and fog. plenty of sunshine but whether fog does linger it will stay pretty cold. temperatures not much above freezing. where you get sunshine, temperatures four to eight or nine celsius. still quite mild across the far north of scotland. subtle changes as we head into the start of the weekend. high—pressure eases, allowing lower pressure systems and weather fronts to slowly pushing from the atlantic. winds will be polite, starting with frost and fog. scotland and northern ireland, breezy and with showers, perhaps into the far south—west. temperatures for most around four to 8 degrees. quite a bit of cloud but also brightness. sunday, we see the weather front move its way south—eastward. more isobars so we did breezy. we shouldn't have any problem with fog for sunday. the weather front spread south—eastwards with showery breaks of rain, sunshine returns and further showers will push into the north and west of scotland. it will be a breezy day generally. temperatures not too bad in the sunshine. seven to 11 celsius. this is bbc news, i'm annita mcveigh. the headlines: no let up in the pressure on borisjohnson, as some tory mps say he should resign for attending a drinks party during the first lockdown. cabinet ministers rally round him, while labour says the facts are already clear. he accepts he ought not to have done that, looking back, but it was done in good faith. there was no possible malice or intention to do anything other than to give a heartfelt thank you to people who had been working incredibly hard. do they really think this behaviour is excusable? are they really going to defend him? are they really going to stand by him? because in the end, it's notjust the prime minister the voters will conclude is unfit to govern, it's conservative mps who stand by him. nhs waiting times in england reach a record high. six million people were waiting for planned operations