clearing away but it's going to be lingering for longest towards the channel islands, the isles of scilly as well, the odd spot of drizzle there but for most of us clearer skies for the rest of the day, just the odd shower filtering in towards the odd shower filtering in towards the north and the west. temperature is only about three degrees in lowick but we are looking at highs of 10-11 lowick but we are looking at highs of 10—11 further south and the winds will ease out for the rest of the day and overnight, so with clear skies and light are winds tonight is going to be colder than last night. some pockets of mist and fog had quite a sharp frost in a few places. even some of our towns and cities temperatures down to freezing. it will be a touch colder than that in rural spots. starting the day tomorrow, high pressure in charge towards the south, but you can see this front pushing into the north. that's a warm front bringing milder air, rotating around the area of high pressure and pushing in from the south—west will stop things are turning milder but cloudier, breezy from the north—west with some outbreaks of rain at first for northern and western scotland and a few splashes for other northern and western areas later in the day but further east you are more likely to keep the blue, sunny skies. 8 degrees or so for norwich, up to ii in belfast. as we head towards the weekend things are not changing in a hurry because we have high pressure to the south and weather fronts trying to push in from the north. into saturday, some rain initially for northern and western scotland. that area of rain tending to peter out as it heads slowly further south. it's going to be mild in the south. it's going to be mild in the south with temperatures around 13-14, south with temperatures around 13—14, turning colder with one or two wintry showers from the north—west but what we will all notice, it's going to be a blustery day with gusts about 30 miles an hourin day with gusts about 30 miles an hour in the south, up to 60 miles an hour in the south, up to 60 miles an hourfurther north. heading hour in the south, up to 60 miles an hour further north. heading through the second half of the week ended sunday, some rain heading in for northern ireland and scotland proceeded for a time by some snow over the higher ground. drier towards the south and east but you will notice it's going to feel a bit colder by the time we get to sunday. a reminder of our top story. covert restrictions are going to be eased in care homes on monday with any number of family and friends able to visit.— able to visit. real positive news, breathin: able to visit. real positive news, breathing life _ able to visit. real positive news, breathing life back _ able to visit. real positive news, breathing life back into - able to visit. real positive news, breathing life back into the - able to visit. real positive news, i breathing life back into the homes, allowing people to see their loved ones where they have felt cut off. that's all from the bbc news that one so goodbye from me and on bbc one weekjoin the bbc�*s news teams good afternoon, it's 1.30pm and here's your latest sports news. hello, i'm hugh ferris. dropped catches undermined england's good start in the one—off women's ashes test. it's a crucial match that, were england to lose, they'd have no chance of winning the series. australia were 4—2 at one stage but they dug in and are on top after day one. jo currie reports. tests in women's it are rare, and ashes test therefore a special moment. england won the toss and opted to bowl, that bravery paid off, an early breakthrough, alyssa healy gone for naught. eight mooney fractured herjaw earlier, surgery later, she's back, but not for long. australia needed to rebuild, what could the best test cricketer in the world offer? herflare was short—lived. trench with a hat—trick of catches, england on top. just after lunch, a missed opportunity, heather knight dropping her australian counterpart, a moment they would come to rue as australia steadily added runs to be bored. australia had turned the tide, centuries were on the horizon, until finally, lanning was dismissed for 93, and followed almost immediately by haynes on 96. the runs kept coming and by close of play, the hosts were 327—7, england is into day two up against it. england's men are 2—1 down in their t20 series in the west indies after defeat in the third match in barbados. rovman powell did most of the damage, hitting a magnificent 107 offjust 53 balls as he recorded his first t20 international century. a 73 from tom banton was one of the highlights of the reply. phil salt also made a half century. but despite also making 200, they fell 20 runs short of their target. they meet again on saturday. ash barty took little more than an hour to do something no australian woman has done for four decades — the world number one is through to the final of the australian open, beating madison keys in straight sets. barty hasn't even looked close to losing a set in melbourne and wrapped up the first in just 26 minutes. it didn't take that much longer to wrap up the match and barty is the first australian through to the women's singles final of her home grand slam since 1980, with the last winner two years earlier. honestly, it'sjust incredible. i love this tournament, i love coming out and playing in australia. as australians, we're extremely spoiled we are a grand slam nation, we get to play in our backyard. i am happy to play my best tennis here, i have done well before and now i have a chance to play for a title. and barty will face another american in the final. danielle collins could prove to be a formidable opponent, she beat the seventh seed iga swiatek in straight sets to make it through to her first grand slam final. she said taking on the world number one in her home country would be spectacular. it feels amazing, it's been such a journey and it doesn't happen overnight. are so many years of hard work from an early age on court. yesterday, i was talking about all the early mornings my dad would get up the early mornings my dad would get up with me and practice with me before school. it'sjust up with me and practice with me before school. it's just incredible to be on this stage, especially with the health challenges, i'm just so grateful. i couldn't be happier. players in the women's super league and championship will have guaranteed maternity and long—term sickness cover written into their contracts after the fa and pfa agreed to the change. west ham's dagny brynjarsdottir is one of the few mothers have played in wsl and because maternity cover has previously been at the discretion of clubs, many have decided to wait until they've retired before starting a family. fifa have introduced similar rules and one member of parliament told a recent debate to have the change implemented would be a massive step forward. that's all the sport for now. you can find more on all those stories on the bbc sport website. ad also the breaking news that the premiership rugby club exeter chiefs will drop all references to native americans in their branding from july. they'll still be called the chiefs but from this summer will only use imagery from a celtic iron age tribe. prime minister borisjohnson has dismissed claims he approved the controversial airlift of animals from afghanistan as total rhubarb. speaking during a visit to north wales, mrjohnson was also questioned about the controversy over the gatherings at downing street. in the last hour or so, the prime minister was asked if he himself is delaying sue gray's inquiry report. absolutely not, but you're just have to, i'm _ absolutely not, but you're just have to, i'm afraid, let the independent inquiries _ to, i'm afraid, let the independent inquiries go — to, i'm afraid, let the independent inquiries go on. to, i'm afraid, let the independent inquiries go om— inquiries go on. when you think it will be completed? _ inquiries go on. when you think it will be completed? i— inquiries go on. when you think it will be completed? i can't - inquiries go on. when you think it will be completed? i can't say - inquiries go on. when you think it l will be completed? i can't say more than i said yesterday. _ will be completed? i can't say more than i said yesterday. so _ will be completed? i can't say more than i said yesterday. so exactly . than i said yesterday. so exactly the report _ than i said yesterday. so exactly the report as — than i said yesterday. so exactly the report as sue _ than i said yesterday. so exactly the report as sue gray _ than i said yesterday. so exactly the report as sue gray dry - than i said yesterday. so exactly the report as sue gray dry you, | than i said yesterday. so exactly . the report as sue gray dry you, that will be made public. no retractions? i cannot answer more, is to compete with what— i cannot answer more, is to compete with what i_ i cannot answer more, is to compete with what i said to be house of commons _ with what i said to be house of commons. what i hope you understand is, while _ commons. what i hope you understand is, while we _ commons. what i hope you understand is, while we wait for all that to go on, is, while we wait for all that to go on. we've — is, while we wait for all that to go on. we've to _ is, while we wait for all that to go on, we've to get on and the government is getting on with our work _ government is getting on with our work that — government is getting on with our work. that is clearing the covid hackioq — work. that is clearing the covid backlog but also making sure that we help to _ backlog but also making sure that we help to fix _ backlog but also making sure that we help to fix the cost of living crisis. _ help to fix the cost of living crisis, help to address the issues with inflation by helping to move people _ with inflation by helping to move people off welfare into work. enter to authorise _ people off welfare into work. enter to authorise evacuating _ people off welfare into work. ernie" to authorise evacuating animals out of kabul? ., , ., , of kabul? no, in this whole thing is total rhubarb. _ of kabul? no, in this whole thing is total rhubarb. i _ of kabul? no, in this whole thing is total rhubarb. i was _ of kabul? no, in this whole thing is total rhubarb. i was very _ of kabul? no, in this whole thing is total rhubarb. i was very proud - total rhubarb. i was very proud of what _ total rhubarb. i was very proud of what our— total rhubarb. i was very proud of what our armed services did and it was an— what our armed services did and it was an amazing thing to me 15,000 people _ was an amazing thing to me 15,000 peorrie out— was an amazing thing to me 15,000 people out of kabul in the way that we did~ _ people out of kabul in the way that we did~ i_ people out of kabul in the way that we did. i thought it was also additionally a very good that we were _ additionally a very good that we were able to help those vets who came _ were able to help those vets who came out — were able to help those vets who came out as well. but i can tell you that the _ came out as well. but i can tell you that the military... so came out as well. but i can tell you that the military. . ._ the . that the military... so you... the military always — that the military... so you... the military always prioritised - that the military... so you... the military always prioritised human beings _ military always prioritised human beings and that was quite right. i think— beings and that was quite right. i think we — beings and that was quite right. i think we should be incredibly proud of what _ think we should be incredibly proud of what we — think we should be incredibly proud of what we achieved. on that afghan animal evacuation, a wildlife campaigner who was involved claimed that the prime minister was involved and should say he is proud of it. dominic dyer says he didn't speak to the prime minister directly, but that his his private secretary was keeping mrjohnson in the loop. i have said all along, from the end of august, when this operation completed, that it was something that the government had supported at the highest level. i don't think any one of your viewers would, in any way, think that on my own, or working with pen or a few volunteers, we could get an aircraft on the ground in afghanistan and undertake an evacuation of this kind in a very complex and dangerous situation with the withdrawal from afghanistan. it took a lot of support across whitehall, in defra, the home office, the foreign office, and in downing street itself. i'm not certain why the prime minister never embraced his role in this project, because it was humanitarian, primarily. the royal college of veterinary surgeons and the british vetrinary association wrote an open letter to him in the middle of august, when i started the animal rescuers campaign, which made it very clear that we have vets and ver nurses animal care assistants within the charity and other charities on the ground in afghanistan who were under threat, particularly the women, and we had manyjobs for them in the uk, where we have lots of vacancies across the veterinary care sector. the prime minister understood those arguments, accepted them, and did put those people on the evacuations, working with the home and foreign secretaries to get the wheels of whitehall working. we did inform him come that we had a billionaire in the us to fund the aircraft. and we did make sure that we worked through whitehall to get the flight approval to get that plane on the ground. there has been a turf war about differences of opinion between the foreign office, ministry of defence and downing street, and a blame game, but that tarnishes what was a wonderful operation which had huge public support. it wasn't pets before people, it was a combination of trying to help people in desperate need with some of the animals they cared for, and it was a wonderful operation and i'm proud to have been part of it. i am grateful the rime minister gave it the support he did. could ijust pin you down on that. we are talking about whitehall, you are talking about downing street, but did pen farthing have direct comms from the prime minister himself? borisjohnson has previously dismissed as nonsense claims that he intervened in the evacuation process, but now we have these e—mails leaked by a whistle—blower. is it specifically the prime minister himself? he played a role because he is the head of the government, and there were points in this process where the ministry of defence and the secretary of defence clearly had concerns about this operation and did not approve of what, to a degree, we were seeking to do. and i think sought to delay it, including the flight approval to get the plane on the ground. it took the prime minister to unlock that process. you don't have ministers working across whitehall as they were without approval of the highest level of government. this was not a rogue operation appearing out of nowhere, it took a lot of time to put together and a lot of work went on. i'm grateful to everyone involved. but this idea that it took away from other parts of the evacuation process is ridiculous. the plane was privately funded, the animals went in the hold. pen tried to get his people into the airport but the taliban didn't allow him to do so. he took them out by a land corridor two weeks later, and the foreign secretary welcomed them into pakistan, and then facilitated through embassy officials their entry into the uk. pictures being shared today by pen of the children evacuated going to school, and that's the most important thing. i get very distressed when i hear labour politicians, conservative politicians, talk about pets before people. this was not completed in august. 0ne charity, we did not get their people out, so we set up another operation that i helped to play a role in, that rescued another 92 men, women and children, including vets and people that worked for the military, and students, all of which are now in islamabad. again, we are talking to the british government about getting them access to the uk. this is about talking about people who are in desperate need, in a country where governments have let these people down. it was not people like us, that came forward privately with funding, and all the work we did to actually deal with a crisis situation. i hear your passion, and i do understand the frustration that you may feel, but when it comes to just where the permission was given, and who knew what, it's so important where we are right now, waiting to find out a report from a senior civil servant, for example, when it comes to what the prime minister knew, when he knew it. did, for example, can you categorically say whether the prime minister or his wife spoke to you, or to pen farthing, directly before or after the evacuation process? no, i dealt with ministers. trudy harrison who was the personal private secretary of the prime minister was part of the campaign team, and she was keeping the prime minister in the loop through the processes we were doing, and it was only right she had to do that. there was no question that the rime minister involved, had oversight, had an interest. i was supplying information to carriejohnson but i was not asking for responses back. i've campaigned with her and worked with her over the years on animal issues, i didn't want to bring her into a public debate about her views on this, but i wasn't underestimating her interest. i'm sure she had lots of discussions with the prime minister about this. jack doyle, the head of press in downing street, was talking to the media about this because there was a massive amount of coverage, and potentially, if pen couldn't get his animals and people out, this could have been a bad story for the government, so they had to manage this. the social media side of this was huge. my twitter feed in august reached over 70 million people, so there was a massive amount of interest. maybe it was a combination of the animals and the people coming together, but people really cared about this charity. they cared about pen farthing, who is a heroic and courageous man, who was speaking out, day in, day out, about the tragedy playing out in afghanistan. there is a documentary on this, there will be a film and book and everything else to follow. i can't tell you what the prime minister did at any one time, but i know he was involved and supported it. i can't tell you what every minister was doing, but i know many of them were working on it. at the end of the day, to me, it's sad that the prime minister doesn'tjust come forward and say, it was something i felt we needed to do and i'm proud of what we achieved alongside all the other people be evacuated, and now this has become a political football. there's a lot of criticism of the prime minister at the moment, but i actually want to praise him, as i have been doing interviews over the last 2a hours. he made the right call, did it for the right reasons, and because of that, some of those children are now going to school away from the horrors dominic dyer speaking earlier. now its time for across the uk. it's back to plan a when it comes to covid restrictions, with plan b measures lifted from today. it means face coverings are no longer mandatory in places such as shops, cinemas or on public transport. plus covid passport�*s are no longer required to enter nightclubs or large events. tamsin melville reports. it's all change again. the ends of plan b means mast are now compulsory in a bakery like this but the staff are carrying on wearing theirs is an plight we hope customers will too. there have been a couple of people who haven't but i believe a lot more people are comfortable to keep their masks on. a couple of people haven't realised it's today, maybe. itruiiiiii masks on. a couple of people haven't realised it's today, maybe.— realised it's today, maybe. will you be wearin: realised it's today, maybe. will you be wearing the _ realised it's today, maybe. will you be wearing the masks? _ realised it's today, maybe. will you be wearing the masks? are - realised it's today, maybe. will you | be wearing the masks? are wearing them. just be wearing the masks? are wearing them- just uo _ be wearing the masks? are wearing them. just up the _ be wearing the masks? are wearing them. just up the road, _ be wearing the masks? are wearing them. just up the road, the - be wearing the masks? are wearing them. just up the road, the ladies l them. just up the road, the ladies at this sewing _ them. just up the road, the ladies at this sewing get _ them. just up the road, the ladies at this sewing get together - them. just up the road, the ladies at this sewing get together knowl them. just up the road, the ladies i at this sewing get together know all about the rules lifting but... was to talk either on wearing one, especially that's busy in a shop, in supermarkets where you mix with a lot of people you don't know. especially in supermarkets and everything, you have a mask on, someone — everything, you have a mask on, someone comes up behind you, they've -ot someone comes up behind you, they've got no _ someone comes up behind you, they've got no mask, _ someone comes up behind you, they've got no mask, just breathing right over you — got no mask, just breathing right overyou. so, yeah, ithink i'd rather— overyou. so, yeah, ithink i'd rather keep— overyou. so, yeah, ithink i'd rather keep the mask on. over you. so, yeah, i think i'd rather keep the mask on. downstairs in the shop. — rather keep the mask on. downstairs in the shop. the _ rather keep the mask on. downstairs in the shop, the owner _ rather keep the mask on. downstairs in the shop, the owner is _ rather keep the mask on. downstairs in the shop, the owner is happy - rather keep the mask on. downstairs in the shop, the owner is happy to i in the shop, the owner is happy to be guided by customers.— in the shop, the owner is happy to be guided by customers. service we met somebody _ be guided by customers. service we met somebody come _ be guided by customers. service we met somebody come in _ be guided by customers. service we met somebody come in if _ be guided by customers. service we met somebody come in if they - be guided by customers. service we met somebody come in if they have j be guided by customers. service we i met somebody come in if they have a mask on, my masters in my pocket, so it will go one, because people are vulnerable. if they want to wear their masks, i will apply to put my mask on, i'm happy to do so. haifa their masks, i will apply to put my mask on, i'm happy to do so. how are ou mask on, i'm happy to do so. how are you feeling? — mask on, i'm happy to do so. how are you feeling? i— mask on, i'm happy to do so. how are you feeling? i am _ mask on, i'm happy to do so. how are you feeling? i am quite _ mask on, i'm happy to do so. how are you feeling? i am quite happy - mask on, i'm happy to do so. how are you feeling? i am quite happy and - you feeling? i am quite happy and relieved. some _ you feeling? i am quite happy and relieved. some people _ you feeling? i am quite happy and relieved. some people blindly - you feeling? i am quite happy and relieved. some people blindly sayj relieved. some people blindly say they don't want to wear a mask, and now it _ they don't want to wear a mask, and now it is _ they don't want to wear a mask, and now it is down to individual people so it takes— now it is down to individual people so it takes a lot of pressure off us. ., , so it takes a lot of pressure off us. ., , ., , so it takes a lot of pressure off us. ., , ., , ., , so it takes a lot of pressure off us, ., , ., , ., , ., so it takes a lot of pressure off us. people are being advised to wear coverinus us. people are being advised to wear coverings and — us. people are being advised to wear coverings and enclosed, _ us. people are being advised to wear coverings and enclosed, crowded - coverings and enclosed, crowded spaces and when meeting strangers. and... today's changes come as a pandemic milestone has been hit in cornwall —— the message from public health experts is for everyone to continue to be cautious and have the vaccine if they haven't already. there are fears a dramatic railway viaduct in cumbria that's 90 feet high could be forced to close if more than £100,000 can't be raised for urgent repairs. smardale gill, near kirkby stephen, is regarded as a shining example of the country's victorian heritage. it's now a popular walking route, offering spectacular views, as mark mcalindon reports. high above the narrow scandal beck valley, it's hard to prepare yourself for the splint of the weights here. high above the narrow scandal beck valley, straddling 1a sandstone arches, with views stretching across the eden fells. but time and the weather are taking their toll. water's getting through the cracks and seams in the concrete surface and destabilising the structure. putting it at risk? putting it at risk, absolutely. it's getting worse. we have had an engineer's report and they basically say the longer you leave it, the more it's going to cost to restore the rest of the viaduct, so we really need to get it serviced as soon as we can. the viaduct was built in 1861 to carry coal from the north east to the steel furnaces of south and west cumbria. it's a wonderful example of victorian engineering. it was closed in 1962 and later given grade—ii listed status, which means that while it cannot be demolished, access could still be lost. we'd be truly devastated. we see ourselves as custodians of the viaduct and we want to leave it in a better state than we took it over in, so it's really important to us. notjust personal importance, but it feels important for the local community and environment. and so a fundraising campaign has been launched to save this place. 1a peaks for 1h arches is a 90—mile walking challenge taking in surrounding fells. it would be tragic if this viaduct was closed, because it is unsafe, and the only thirst for it to climb the 1a 8,000—metre mountains, which is everest, k2, and all the others. and we have now got 1a mountains in cumbria to climb to help raise awareness and, well, help raise the money to repair this. the walking challenge can be adapted by those who can't do 1a separate peaks — try it in your garden or street, nigel says. whichever way you do it, there's a race on to save smardale gill. she's the oldest volunteer in the nhs and possibly the country. beryl carr, who turned 100 years old this month, has been volunteering at ealing hospital for the past 18 years. born in acton, she moved away but came back to the area to be near her daughter after her husband died. bhvanni vadde has been to meet her. can i have a cup of coffee? coffee ? she's a familiar friendly face at a volunteer run cafe at ealing hospital. would you like milk? i'd love some milk, thank you. beryl is now the oldest volunteer in the nhs — and possibly in the country — after celebrating her 100th birthday recently. she started volunteering when she moved back to london to be close to her daughter, when her husband died. it's my lifeline, and i enjoy coming, and it's a worthwhilejob. i'm helping people that's not as fortunate as i am or as well as i am. and you look really well. yeah, people say i don't look my age! you don't! no, i'm so lucky. # round and round and up and down we go again.# beryl celebrated her milestone birthday in style, showing us age is no barrier to throwing some shapes on the dance floor. just likea dream. i couldn't believe it was all happening. it seemed to go on for days and days. it's been nonstop! beryl has been helping out at this hospital cafe for the last 18 years and during that time, she's gained lots of friends and plenty of fans. i think she is a complete inspiration. many of us look at her, she's always got a smile on her face, a swagger as she walks and you come back from a clinic or a ward round, you're absolutely tired and she just inspires you as soon as you see her. it gives me a lot of motivation, you know, thinking that- with hard times going on, i with the covid and all that, and if beryl can do it, i think, like i said, i it motivates all of us. and when asked the secret to a long and healthy life...? if i told you, it wouldn't be a secret. that's my answer! now, the man behind the spice girls has launched his latest pop group — this time with the help of the social media sensation, tiktok. is this the future of music? well, simon fuller thinks so. he held auditions on the app to form the seven—piece band called the future x. tiktok has become an increasingly essential tool, launching the careers of stars like lil nas x and doja cat. taylor lorenz is the new york times' internet culture reporter. she's been following the band's formation. all of these creators were found i natively on tiktok through basically an online competition _ where you were able to submit your portfolio essentially. through a tiktok video. tiktok dominates - the charts these days. if something is popular on tiktok it's also popular on spotify. - and the way that tiktok has| reshaped the music industry cannot be overstated. you also see stars likej lil nas x and doja cat. it really is the go—to place . for online talent these days. record labels can go to tiktok to scout out talent, _ but certainly it does flipi the dynamics a little bit. you used to have to get signed to a record label in order- to connect with fans. now you canjust produce music in your bedroom, i you can rack up millions- of followers on tiktok and make music directly for them. so i think it definitely balances out the power a little bit - between the artist and the label. now it's time for a look at the weather. at afternoon, last night was particularly windy for northern parts of the uk but those brisk winds are now easing and to the rest of today, quite a lot of dry weather. sunny spells around but blustery showers in the northwest. a few filtering into northern ireland in northwest england and wales. elsewhere, looking at clear skies through the last part of the afternoon. lake brightness before the sun sets. 0nce afternoon. lake brightness before the sun sets. once it does set, these temperatures towards the south and east under clear skies will be dropping quickly. 0ne and east under clear skies will be dropping quickly. one a day out towards the north and west. then try towards the north and west. then try to come out of the clear skies with light winds, pockets of frost and fog forming, critical across eastern england and wales and scotland. this could be a cold night, he few degrees below freezing in the countryside. a plant or towards the northwest come out because of this system approaching. but this high pressure will hold on further south. will be drawing on pretty mild air from the southwest through friday with those winds rotating around that area of high pressure. so quite chilly with pockets of mist and fog lingering in southern and eastern areas, turning milderfrom the west and northwest with some rain mainly for parts of scotland butjust some splashes further south across northern england and wales. temperatures mild in the west, 11 degrees, and just about single figures in parts of southern and eastern england. into the weekend, not much change in the setup, still high pressure towards the south and weather systems moving on from the north. heading into saturday, the frontal system brings rain initially to scotland, followed by wintry showers. the rain tend to peter out across england and wales, not much rain left in that. planter in the south, 30 degrees, culturing the north and on saturday you will notice it will be windy, up to about 60mph or more across the north of scotland but even 30mph further south. into sunday, the next low pressure brings more rain to northern ireland and scotland, preceded by some fairly heavy snow here. drive south and east with temperatures around 80 degrees. this is bbc news. the headlines: covid rules on care homes in england have been eased by the government — allowing unlimited visits from monday. resident campaign groups say they welcome the move. i could actually cry with willie. we have actually been asking our members to write to their mps asking for all the restrictions to be lifted. —— cry with relief. we know it is definitely safer now. face coverings are no longer mandatory in england from today, but some big retailers ask customers to continue wearing them. borisjohnson says human beings were prioritised over animals in afghanistan. it's after suggestions he was personally involved in rescuing animals from pen farthing's charity in kabul. this whole thing is total rhubarb. i was very proud