ireland in memory of ashling murphy killed while running in broad daylight. the police say adam man has been arrested. a computer games company makes history as it is bought by microsoft for more than £50 billion. brilliant way to finish. and a stunning start for britain's emma raducanu at herfirst australian open. coming up on the bbc news channel, chelsea look to move back up to second in the premier league later. they're at brighton, on a night where covid again affects the fixture list. good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. the prime minister has categorically denied being warned that a gathering in the downing street garden during the first lockdown was against the covid rules. his former chief advisor, dominic cummings, has said he raised concerns with borisjohnson about it at the time, and accused him of misleading mps. a today, mrjohnson again apologised for misjudgements, after days of criticism. here's our deputy political editor vicki young. prime editor vicki young. ministers are surrounded by people prime ministers are surrounded by people offering advice. but in the end they have to use their own judgment. borisjohnson has admitted joining colleagues or drinks in the garden when the country was knocked down. something he now regrets. i carry full responsibility for what took place. but, nobody told me, absolutely categorically, nobody said to me this is an event which is against the rules.— against the rules. what about staff -a in: against the rules. what about staff partying into _ against the rules. what about staff partying into the — against the rules. what about staff partying into the early _ against the rules. what about staff partying into the early hours - against the rules. what about staff partying into the early hours the i partying into the early hours the night before prince philip's funeral? ~ . , night before prince philip's funeral? ~ ., ., ., ., , ., funeral? was having to apologise to the queen about _ funeral? was having to apologise to the queen about those _ funeral? was having to apologise to the queen about those parties - funeral? was having to apologise to the queen about those parties the l the queen about those parties the night _ the queen about those parties the night before she put her husband of over 70 _ night before she put her husband of over 70 years, she laid him to rest, was that_ over 70 years, she laid him to rest, was that a — over 70 years, she laid him to rest, was that a moment of shame for you? i was that a moment of shame for you? i deeply— was that a moment of shame for you? i deeply and _ was that a moment of shame for you? i deeply and bitterly regret that that happened, and i can only offer my apologies both to her majesty and to the country. for the misjudgments that were made. and for which i take full responsibility. mr that were made. and for which i take full responsibility.— full responsibility. mrjohnson was not there on _ full responsibility. mrjohnson was not there on that _ full responsibility. mrjohnson was not there on that occasion - full responsibility. mrjohnson was not there on that occasion but - not there on that occasion but questions remain about the drinks he did attend. he insists he thought it was a work event. but dominic cummings, his former top adviser who has turned against him since losing —— leaving thejob, said he wanted it was a party and he needed to grip his madhouse. not for the first time there are conflicting accounts of what went on here in downing street during the pandemic. the senior official sue gray is investigating and will look for written evidence but for now the prime minister's approaches the apologise at every opportunity, admit misjudgments, and hope that people can leave him. for now, support amongst senior ministers is holding up. he's a hero, according to the man in charge of party discipline. haste hero, according to the man in charge of party discipline-— of party discipline. we will split the difference. _ of party discipline. we will split the difference. answering - of party discipline. we will split - the difference. answering questions for the first time _ the difference. answering questions for the first time was _ the difference. answering questions for the first time was the _ for the first time was the chancellor, the man many think could succeed mrjohnson. d0 chancellor, the man many think could succeed mrjohnson._ succeed mrjohnson. do you believe the prime minister? _ succeed mrjohnson. do you believe the prime minister? of _ succeed mrjohnson. do you believe the prime minister? of course i - succeed mrjohnson. do you believe the prime minister? of course i do. | the prime minister? of course i do. the prime minister set out his understanding of this matter in parliament last week and i would refer you to his words. as you know, sue gray is conducting an inquiry into this matter and i would fully support the prime minister's request for patience while that inquiry concludes. for patience while that inquiry concludes— for patience while that inquiry concludes. ., , , . concludes. others are going public with their concerns. _ concludes. others are going public with their concerns. junior - concludes. others are going public with their concerns. junior health | with their concerns. junior health minister maria caulfield is the latest post online, saying she was very angry. it is clear, she says, there was a culture inside number ten where even the rules will not technically broken, the spirit of the rules were, and this is completely unacceptable. this evening the prime minister was spotted returning to the commons. just six conservative mps are publicly expressed no confidence in him. that certainly does not tell the whole story. what has been going on in private will be more of a worry for the prime minister with groups of mps meeting of the time to discuss the situation with a particular emphasis today on some of those elected in 2019. they have told the bbc that the mood is hardening against borisjohnson and some of them might be prepared to submit letters calling for a vote of confidence in him tomorrow. 0f confidence in him tomorrow. of course, that would be very bad news for the prime minister. this is a secret process, so remember, these threats do not always materialise. 0ne cabinet minister said tonight, that it 0ne cabinet minister said tonight, thatitis 0ne cabinet minister said tonight, that it is going to be bumpy, but we will get through it. micky young, thank you. —— vicki young. the health secretary, sajid javid, says he's "cautiously of the 0micron wave of infections. england's current measures including mandatory face masks on public transport and advice to work from home are in force until the 26th of january. 0ur health correspondent dominic hughes reports. just into lane one, here. in blackburn, which are still seeing very high covid infection rates, the push on vaccinations continues. some families have come for a first or second dose, but todayjeff and tracy are getting their boosters. haste tracy are getting their boosters. - planned it to come down and it has been smooth, easy, brilliant, super. i work with young children who carry everything _ i work with young children who carry everything so i want to make sure i'm protecting the children involved as well_ i'm protecting the children involved as well so— i'm protecting the children involved as well so it is a sacrifice we have -ot as well so it is a sacrifice we have got to— as well so it is a sacrifice we have got to make. just get on and do it, -et got to make. just get on and do it, get it— got to make. just get on and do it, get it over— got to make. just get on and do it, get it over with.— got to make. just get on and do it, get it over with. blackburn are some ofthe get it over with. blackburn are some of the lowest — get it over with. blackburn are some of the lowest vaccination _ get it over with. blackburn are some of the lowest vaccination rates - get it over with. blackburn are some of the lowest vaccination rates in - of the lowest vaccination rates in the country, only around 60% of adults have received a third booster jab so they are put in place drive—through centres like this to make it as easy and accessible as possible to try to bring those vaccination rates up. covid restrictions in scotland will be relaxed on monday, england looks likely to follow suit, but in regions like the north of england it feels like the pandemic is still in full swing and health experts are cautious when it comes to thinking about the beginning of the end of the pandemic. it about the beginning of the end of the pandemic— the pandemic. it may be wiser to think about _ the pandemic. it may be wiser to think about this _ the pandemic. it may be wiser to think about this as _ the pandemic. it may be wiser to think about this as the _ the pandemic. it may be wiser to think about this as the end - the pandemic. it may be wiser to think about this as the end of- the pandemic. it may be wiser to j think about this as the end of the beginning of a long road that we have ahead. because it is going to be with us for a long time. i think it is the truth that covid is not going to disappear. we are not going to completely eliminate covid from our communities. it is more about how we support communities and protect our economy whilst living —— learning to live with covid. nationally hospital admissions are flat orfalling and nationally hospital admissions are flat or falling and cases are plummeting. if fuse like things are moving in the right direction. that uk wide picture can mask what is happening in particular areas of the countries or regions like the north—west of england, leaders say it is important to get the right message across.— it is important to get the right message across. it is important to get the right messaue across. ., , ., message across. people will hear the andemic message across. people will hear the pandemic is — message across. people will hear the pandemic is over, _ message across. people will hear the pandemic is over, yes, _ message across. people will hear the pandemic is over, yes, of— message across. people will hear the pandemic is over, yes, of course, - message across. people will hear the pandemic is over, yes, of course, we| pandemic is over, yes, of course, we can be glad we are moving in a better direction, but there will still be a need for sensible measures.— measures. we are not yet finished with covid, — measures. we are not yet finished with covid, but — measures. we are not yet finished with covid, but we _ measures. we are not yet finished with covid, but we are, perhaps, l with covid, but we are, perhaps, moving towards a world where the virus becomes less of an immediate threat. managing that transition will be the next challenge. dominic hughes, bbc news, blackburn. restrictions put in place in scotland before christmas will be dropped from next monday. the first minister, nicola sturgeon, says scotland has turned a corner with the 0micron variant — with cases falling. 0ur correspondent, lorna gordon, is in glasgow. the first minister said that the rise in cases here in scotland driven by 0micron peaked in the first week injanuary driven by 0micron peaked in the first week in january and driven by 0micron peaked in the first week injanuary and while we have not yet moved from the epidemic to the endemic stage of covid, she was hopefulfor a calmer phase going forward, certainly from the beginning of next week most restrictions here in scotland will be dropped, night clubs can reopen, large indoor events can resume, social distancing rules being dropped, guidance against adults meeting with more than three households at a time is being scrapped, along with curbs on indoor contact sports. some restrictions remain. people are being asked to work from home where possible and that longer running measure to wear facemasks in public places and on public transport remains in force, as does the covid vaccination passport scheme. business groups have broadly welcomed the changes, as our political opposition parties in scotland although the scottish conservatives are calling for that vaccine passport scheme to be dropped entirely, while scottish labour says the scottish government must go further and getting promised financial support to businesses here. the latest government figures show that new infections keep falling — there were 94,432 new coronavirus infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period. on average 96,000 new cases were reported per day in the last week. the number in hospital remains steady — 19,500 people yesterday. there's been a big jump in daily deaths recorded — a38 in the latest 2a hour period. although tuesdays often see a spike in the numbers. on average in the past week, 272 deaths were announced every day. 0n vaccinations, 36, 546, 583 million people have had a boosterjab, which means, 63.6 per cent of people aged 12 and over, have now had three vaccine doses. a man in his 30s has been arrested in ireland on suspicion mother of 20 three road primary school teacher ashling murphy who was killed while running in broad daylight last week.— daylight last week. people have lined the streets _ daylight last week. people have lined the streets of _ daylight last week. people have lined the streets of county - daylight last week. people have. lined the streets of county offaly lined the streets of county 0ffaly to pay their respects as her funeral took place. sadness has engulfed this town over the killing of ashling murphy. today they stood together in despair and grief, struggling to understand. people from ashling murphy's —— pupils from her class formed a guard of honour as they are teacher's coffin passed by. # i will bring you home... # musicians and her team—mates paid tribute, she was a talented violinist, and she played the get export of camogie. she shared her assion, export of camogie. she shared her passion. gifts _ export of camogie. she shared her passion, gifts and _ export of camogie. she shared her passion, gifts and talents - export of camogie. she shared her passion, gifts and talents with - passion, gifts and talents with others, so generously. we pray for her friends, others, so generously. we pray for herfriends, colleagues others, so generously. we pray for her friends, colleagues and students. her friends, colleagues and students-— her friends, colleagues and students. . . . , her friends, colleagues and students. . . . students. the circumstances of her death have — students. the circumstances of her death have led _ students. the circumstances of her death have led to _ students. the circumstances of her death have led to an _ students. the circumstances of her death have led to an outpouring i students. the circumstances of her death have led to an outpouring of| death have led to an outpouring of sympathy around the world. she was attacked and killed in broad daylight whilst out jogging attacked and killed in broad daylight whilst outjogging on this canal path. this afternoon irish police arrested a man on suspicion of murder. among those who came to offer their sympathy to the family offer their sympathy to the family of ashling murphy, ireland's prime minister, the taoiseach, michael martin, whose government are intending to publish a new strategy on gender—based violence. intending to publish a new strategy on gender-based violence. this has asked questions _ on gender-based violence. this has asked questions of— on gender-based violence. this has asked questions of ourselves - on gender-based violence. this has asked questions of ourselves and i on gender-based violence. this hasj asked questions of ourselves and of our society. asked questions of ourselves and of oursociety. it asked questions of ourselves and of our society. it has questioned our attitudes and particularly our attitudes and particularly our attitudes towards women. mourners in tullamore have — attitudes towards women. mourners in tullamore have been _ attitudes towards women. mourners in tullamore have beenjoined _ attitudes towards women. mourners in tullamore have beenjoined by - tullamore have beenjoined by thousands around the world to held vigils in recent days. her loss will be felt most deeply here. this is a community still in shock, that has come together to agree, today. but, more widely, ashling's death has led to calls for this to be a watershed moment in ending violence against women. ashling's sister despite her today as the light of their lives, cut short by a brutal act. emma vardy, bbc news, tullamore. it's emerged that a man from blackburn who took four people hostage at a synagogue in texas was known to the security service, m15. malik faisal akram, who was shot dead by police, was no longer thought to be a risk when he travelled to the us late last month. 0ur security correspondent, frank gardner, is here. could this attack have been prevented?— could this attack have been revented? ., , prevented? you will remember christians _ prevented? you will remember christians raised _ prevented? you will remember christians raised by _ prevented? you will remember christians raised by this - prevented? you will remember christians raised by this attack| christians raised by this attack which has been branded by the foreign secretary here as anti—semitic because it targeted a jewish synagogue in texas, and it has been branded a terrorist attack ijy has been branded a terrorist attack by presidentjoe biden. the question is, could it have been prevented? he was on a watch list, he was subject to a short four week investigation in the latter part of 2020. at the end of that it was decided he did not present a serious risk to the public and he was put onto a kind of secondary list as it were, former subjects interest. there are over 40,000 individuals on that list. they did not pick up anything between the end of 2020 and the end of last year, when he flew. the second question is, how was somebody who had a criminal record, because he did, who had displayed erratic and bad—tempered behaviour, he had been involved in a drugs transaction, how did somebody like that get to the united states through emigration, spent two weeks there, by a weapon and carry out this attack? there are lots of questions to follow up there. the technology giant, microsoft, says it will buy the company that makes video games like call of duty and candy crush for more than 50 billion pounds. it will be the largest deal in its history. the company called activision blizzard has seen business soar during lockdown with millions around the world turning to gaming to relieve the boredom. here's our gaming reporter, steffan powell. you are call of duty, a multiplayer war game, one of the biggest and most profitable entertainment franchises in the world. made by us company activision blizzard, the studio which has 400 million people playing every month in a countries. and that kind of young fan base is one of the reasons why microsoft now itself a veteran technology firm have swooped. paying over £50 billion for the company. the largest acquisition in gaming history. but why? acquisition in gaming history. but wh ? ., ., acquisition in gaming history. but wh? ., ., , acquisition in gaming history. but wh? ., ., why? more and more companies are lookin: at why? more and more companies are looking at ways _ why? more and more companies are looking at ways to _ why? more and more companies are looking at ways to either _ why? more and more companies are looking at ways to either break - looking at ways to either break into or expand their gaming strategies, even netflix is doing the same thing. where they have launched a gaming footprint specifically around war games. gaming footprint specifically around war names. ~ . , ., gaming footprint specifically around war names. a , ., �* ., gaming footprint specifically around waruames. a �* ., war games. activision blizzard has been at the _ war games. activision blizzard has been at the centre _ war games. activision blizzard has been at the centre of— war games. activision blizzard has been at the centre of a _ war games. activision blizzard has been at the centre of a storm - war games. activision blizzard has| been at the centre of a storm after numerous complaints worked out in protest after sexual harassment claims and an allegedly toxic environment. the company ceo apologised and took a pay cut. but what does it mean for the gamers? at the moment microsoft's xbox consoles are lagging behind the sony playstation in terms of sales and by buying call of duty and the company behind it, microsoft are fighting back by winning more and more exclusive rights. the question many players want to know now is will they restrict their rival�*s access to these major titles? like many of the games themselves, tech companies are fighting their own battles. but for content, and gaming is fast becoming the most lucrative market in entertainment. the time is 6.17pm our top story this evening. the prime minister has denied categorically that a party he held during lockdown was against the rules. and still to come, do not feed the birds. the latest avian flu outbreak has seen 26 swans culled in windsor, we'll have the latest. coming up in sportsday on the bbc news channel, new names in the picture for england as they name their squad for the six nations. and a new captain at the helm for wales ahead of the tournament, which starts next month. job vacancies in the uk soared to a record high of more than 1.2 million between october and december. the new figures from the office for national statistics are the first to exclude the impact of the government's furlough scheme, which ended in september. but the figures also show that average pay rises are failing to keep up with the increase in the cost of living. 0ur economics editor faisal islam has more. another month where the jobs figures show a record number of vacancies as the economy recovers from covid and unemployment falls to levels at the start of the pandemic. but on the streets of the likes of eastbourne, the flip of that, spins uncollected as strikes amongst drivers and collectors spread from other towns. you should be respected and well paid and decent facilities. that a paid and decent facilities. at a icket at paid and decent facilities. at a picket at the _ paid and decent facilities. at a picket at the depot, _ paid and decent facilities. at a picket at the depot, the drivers have turned down a rise of 7% offered by the local council owned waste company, demanding a rise of 20%. ?’s:: waste company, demanding a rise of 2096. ' ., ., waste company, demanding a rise of 20x. , ., ., ., , waste company, demanding a rise of 20x. , ., ., ., y ., waste company, demanding a rise of 20x. ., ., y ., , waste company, demanding a rise of 20x. , ., ., ., y ., , ., 2096. 796 of the low hourly rate is a low percentage _ 2096. 796 of the low hourly rate is a low percentage which _ 2096. 796 of the low hourly rate is a low percentage which is _ 2096. 796 of the low hourly rate is a low percentage which is why - 2096. 796 of the low hourly rate is a low percentage which is why we . 2096. 796 of the low hourly rate is a | low percentage which is why we are saying, forget that, let's get to £13 50, that is the market rate, and pay what they are worth. you £13 50, that is the market rate, and pay what they are worth.— £13 50, that is the market rate, and pay what they are worth. you say the market rate — pay what they are worth. you say the market rate and _ pay what they are worth. you say the market rate and you _ pay what they are worth. you say the market rate and you say _ pay what they are worth. you say the market rate and you say that - pay what they are worth. you say the market rate and you say that is - market rate and you say that is because of a shortage of hgv drivers elsewhere in the commercial sector is question is yes, it's as that. eastbourne is well known for its retired residents in today's figure showed a new post pandemic factor shrinking the british workforce. the british jobs market has shrinking the british workforce. the britishjobs market has performed well, define the expectations of the debts of the pandemic, especially since the end of the fellow scheme in the autumn. unemployment has remained low but there is now a separate crisis as shortage of workers caused notjust by a lack of european labour but also the fact that many older workers have not got back to work since the pandemic. at the eastbourne allotments, a dietician is one of hundreds of thousands of workers across the country who have permanently left the workforce earlier than expected over the past two years. don’t the workforce earlier than expected over the past two years.— over the past two years. don't get me wrong. — over the past two years. don't get me wrong. i — over the past two years. don't get me wrong. i like _ over the past two years. don't get me wrong, i like my _ over the past two years. don't get me wrong, i like my job _ over the past two years. don't get me wrong, i like my job and - over the past two years. don't get me wrong, i like my job and i - me wrong, i like myjob and i consider myself lucky, but i've moved to a different phase of my life, earlier than expected. this afternoon _ life, earlier than expected. this afternoon the _ life, earlier than expected. this afternoon the refuse collectors who had been on strike pronounced victory, a pay rise agreed by the council and the union predicts that these demands will spread elsewhere. what we've seen in the last couple of years _ what we've seen in the last couple of years is— what we've seen in the last couple of years is that labour has become a sellers _ of years is that labour has become a sellers market and over a million vacancies— sellers market and over a million vacancies in— sellers market and over a million vacancies in the country and we siege _ vacancies in the country and we siege huge areas like social care, hgv drivers, gas fitters, there are shortages — hgv drivers, gas fitters, there are shortages and employers need to understand it and it is simply not acceptable that people are expected to see _ acceptable that people are expected to see a _ acceptable that people are expected to see a cut in their living while performing an essential service. today's — performing an essential service. today's figures show across the economy that pays increasing less than prices and wage hikes are limited to sectors with shortages. where that goes is the big unknown of the recovery. a man has gone on trial accused of killing a six year year old boy in peterborough more than 25 years ago. james watson who is 40 would have been 13 at the time when rikki neave disappeared in 1994. the old bailey was told he had been "exhibiting a grotesque interest in the subject of child murder." jo black reports: ricky neave was only six when he was murdered 27 years ago. he left home for school on the welland estate in peterborough but never returned. the following day his naked body was discovered in woodland, a place to familiar to children in the area. the court was told that he had most likely been strangled and the killer deliberately laid his body out in a star shape. there was no sign of his clothing, but nearby on a leaf was a single, small, white shirt button. the next day his school uniform was discovered in a wheelie bin nearby. small toys and cards still in his pocket. six months later, ruth neave, was accused of his murder. she was unanimously cleared by a jury she was unanimously cleared by a jury but was jailed after admitting cruelty charges. the court was told that ricky was well known on the estate but was a venerable child, used by his mother to collect drugs and this neglect exposed him to great risk. 27 years later, james watson is now accused of the little boy's murder. in 2015, a new investigation was opened using techniques not available in the mid—19 905. scientific examination of an adhesive tape from ricky's plays were examined, and dna matched to james watson was allegedly made. james watson would have been 13 years old at the time of the death, and the court was told he had been seen with ricky on the morning of the 28th of november, 1994. the court heard his teachers told police at the time that he had a conspicuous reoccupation with ricky neave's death. james watson denies murder and the case is expected to last eight weeks. let's take a look at some of today's other news. a government contract given to a firm whose founders were friends of dominic cummings has been ruled lawful, overturning an earlier courtjudgement. last year, the high court ruled that the £550,000 contract awarded to pr firm public first was unlawful. the campaign group, the good law project says it plans to appeal. the 10 biggest us airlines have warned that the impending switch—on of 5g mobile phone services will disrupt planes�* navigation systems, particularly those used in bad weather. the airlines want 5g signals to be excluded from around two miles near affected airports. the bbc understands negotiations are continuing at the highest levels of the us government. the government in tonga has described the volcanic a 56—year—old from cumbria has pleaded guilty to a modern slavery offence after a vulnerable man told police he had been living in a shed for 40 years. the gangmasters and labour abuse authority say they have never witnessed such a traumatic case. fiona trott reports. it is impossible to imagine, but for 40 years, this is where someone lived, not a home, but a cell, with no heat and no light. on the floor where he slept, a soiled duvet to keep him warm, a place where he rested after working on farms for as little as £10 a day. as for his food and drink, there is some evidence here of what that was like. the condition has _ here of what that was like. tia: condition has improved, here of what that was like. t'ta: condition has improved, physically he is much healthier, but it has to be said there is still someone very traumatised by what he has suffered in the last 40 years. he will never lead a totally independent life. today, 56 rob peter swales pleaded guilty to conspiring to facilitate travel of another with a view to exploitation. he is due to be jailed later this month. as for the victim who was forced to live like this, he is in supported accommodation outside cumbria, no longer a victim, but still recovering after being treated so cruelly for four decades. he will need care for the rest of his life. 26 swans have been culled in berkshire as an outbreak of bird flu spreads across england. bird flu, or avian flu, is an infectious type of influenza that spreads among birds. in rare cases, it can affect humans too. local residents are being told not to feed the birds in and around windsor and eton. more than 2 million birds have been culled as a result of the ongoing outbreak. our environment correspondent, claire marshall, reports. the surviving windsor swans today, now living in an exclusion zone. more than two dozen have had to be killed after being infected with avian flu. some of them were being cared for at this bird sanctuary in eton. the entire flock had to be destroyed. eton. the entire flock had to be destroyed-— destroyed. some of the birds have been with us _ destroyed. some of the birds have been with us for _ destroyed. some of the birds have been with us for six _ destroyed. some of the birds have been with us for six months - destroyed. some of the birds have been with us for six months and i destroyed. some of the birds have i been with us for six months and they have come in either sick or injured and have been in intensive care and we have nursed them back. it's all about getting them ready for a release, so to do this was appalling. release, so to do this was appalling-— release, so to do this was appalling. release, so to do this was a- allini. ., ., ., , appalling. head north, and the virus is wreakin: appalling. head north, and the virus is wreaking havoc _ appalling. head north, and the virus is wreaking havoc on _ appalling. head north, and the virus is wreaking havoc on a _ appalling. head north, and the virus is wreaking havoc on a larger - appalling. head north, and the virus is wreaking havoc on a larger scale. | is wreaking havoc on a larger scale. these pictures were filmed by an rs pb officer on the solway coast in south—west scotland. the charity initially estimated 4000 barnacle geese were wiped out and now they believe it could be doubled that, which would make it a quarter of the world population. it’s which would make it a quarter of the world population.— world population. it's really quite serious for _ world population. it's really quite serious for wild _ world population. it's really quite serious for wild birds _ world population. it's really quite serious for wild birds and - world population. it's really quite serious for wild birds and that. world population. it's really quite serious for wild birds and that is l serious for wild birds and that is unprecedented in the uk. we have population level impacts on the barnacle goose population and that is a real cause for concern and it is a real cause for concern and it is new territory for us, so we don't really know where this is going to go at this stage. this really know where this is going to go at this stage.— go at this stage. this is what an infected bird _ go at this stage. this is what an infected bird looks _ go at this stage. this is what an infected bird looks like. - go at this stage. this is what an infected bird looks like. the - go at this stage. this is what an l infected bird looks like. the virus affects the nervous system and the creature loses coordination and eventually dies. this is the kind of place where wild birds love to come and rest. it's notjust wild populations affected, it is caged and penned birds as well. there are around 80 premises affected in the uk so far. last year, there were just 26, and so far around 2 million birds have had to be destroyed. while the disease, a strain of coronavirus, can be eradicated in individual sites, coronavirus, can be eradicated in individualsites, migratory coronavirus, can be eradicated in individual sites, migratory birds carrying it are continuing to arrive from russia and eastern europe. alan gosling from devon is the first person to be infected with bird flu. it is very rare but it shows the need to take it seriously. you don't want the virus _ need to take it seriously. you don't want the virus to _ need to take it seriously. you don't want the virus to change _ need to take it seriously. you don't want the virus to change or - need to take it seriously. you don't want the virus to change or give i need to take it seriously. you don't want the virus to change or give it. want the virus to change or give it the opportunity to change, and that is one of the reasons we go in and we cull the birds both to stop it spreading and infecting and killing more birds but also to stop the virus having more time to change. the heating climate is altering the migratory patterns of birds, and the fear is this is helping the virus to spread. claire marshall, bbc news. britain's emma raducanu has made a winning start australian open by beating the former us open champion at her first australian open, by beating the former us sloane stephens in three sets. —— 0pen champion sloane stephens in three sets. in fact it was a bumper day for the brits in melbourne — 0ur sports correspondent joe wilson was watching. just after 10pm in the melbourne evening, step forward the us open champion. could emma raducanu relocate that level of play? well, look — the power, speed and touch all on show. first set, 6—0. so good. her opponent was sloane stephens who once won the us open herself. far too good to be overwhelmed. yes, well done. how would raducanu respond? a brilliant way to finish. she won the third set 6—1. the bigger the occasion, the better her performance. already, incredibly, it's what we've come to expect from her. and it still what we see from andy murray. he was on court against a familiar opponent who is never predictable. nicoloz basilashvili can hit the ball anywhere. in the first set, he was at his worst. in the second, the georgian found his best form. intense tennis. murray's pivotal points often came from his opponent's forced errors. the longest game of the match. the biggest game of the match. yes, but in the fourth set, basilashvili, seeded 21, was perfect in the tie—break. murray driven to frustration. what would he have left? well, loads, actually. in the fifth set murray took that control. match point, yet another rigorous rally and another victory. the quality, the desire... 0n the very court where three years ago where we thought, he thought, he'd retired. truly, this is bonus time. joe wilson, bbc news. time for a look at the weather. here's ben rich. good evening to you after a cold start for many this morning, temperatures recovering quite nicely, particularly where we had some brightness but a few clung onto fargo all day long and that was essex early on and that really pegged the temperatures back and fog will be a problem for some south—eastern parts of england and further north and west things are moving more and the areas turning over and there will be outbreaks of rain and there will be a brisk breeze and windy weather in northern scotland but with the mix of low cloud and fog and strong winds it will probably stay frost free for most in frontal systems are pushing south, bringing showery rain and behind the various weather fronts, a cold north—westerly wind starts to kick in and it will feel chilly in that wind, so the weather fronts, particularly this band of cloud and patchy rain sinking south—east across england and wales through the morning and behind that spells of sunshine, some showers blowing in on the north—westerly wind and some of those wintry, even at low levels in the far north, just1 degrees in lerwick in the afternoon and elsewhere temperatures tending to come down as the day wears on. for thursday, cold and frosty staff and many will see many for —— in eastern coast and one or two in west wales in the far