hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. donald trump's legal challenges continue as ejean carroll returned to the witness stand today to testify in her damages trial as part of her defamation case against him.

unlike yesterday, the former president was not present in court. us forces have conducted strikes in yemen on two houthi anti—ship missiles today that were loaded and prepared to launch. us officials say they destroyed the missiles. that is the fifth round of attacks against the houthis in yemen since thursday. on wednesday, an american—owned vessel was hit by a drone near the gulf of aden, second time in a week that us vessels have been targeted by the houthis. also on wednesday, the white house re—designated the houthis as a terrorist organisation which will mean sanctions. the secretary of state said that status will be reviewed if the attacks stop. here'sjoe biden speaking at the white house. he was asked if the airstrikes in yemen were working. well, when you say working, are they stopping the houthis? no. are they going to continue? yes. of course all of this is causing

major disruption to shipping, most of it destined for europe. it's now being redirected around the cape of good hope. here's the ceo of maersk. it is the second biggest container company. having to reroute all of this cargo now south of the cape of good hope is going to create significant disruptions to the global supply chain for the duration in which we have to do that and probably a few months more as we have to get back to normal. shipping prices have shot up as a result, because of an anticipation of congestion and fear of lacking capacity in the short run. so, you see already that some of the costs that secretary blinken is talking about is starting to move towards being... to percolate all the way down to the end consumer, which in these times of inflation is really something that we need to try to avoid. kezia, it won't be what we saw

during the pandemic but nonetheless, it won't help. are you a supporter of the strikes in yemen. the president saying today it will continue but were how much longer and will it make any real difference?— and will it make any real difference? , . , , difference? yes, i am because i think the reality _ difference? yes, i am because i think the reality is _ difference? yes, i am because i think the reality is that - difference? yes, i am because i think the reality is that we - difference? yes, i am because i think the reality is that we have i think the reality is that we have groups dropping bombs, missiles, drone attacks on a commercial shipping lane of civilians and it is critical to the passage and general functioning of world trade. 15% of global maritime trade goes through this particular channel in the red sea and that is critical to the economy of many countries across the world and you heard that particular gentleman describe the additional cost going around africa and it is phenomenal, this area over the red sea and the prospect of many countries facing a recession this year so they had no choice but to take the action that has been described. there are consequences of

that, of course, by making the houthis a terrorist organisation again that has huge consequences for getting aid into yemen, one of the poorest countries in the world and there will be a lot of poor people in that country will be punished as a consequence of the actions of these particular rebels but i think it is fundamentally right to take this action. i it is fundamentally right to take this action-— it is fundamentally right to take this action. . , ~ ., ., ~ ., this action. i was keen to talk to ou this action. i was keen to talk to you about _ this action. i was keen to talk to you about this, _ this action. i was keen to talk to you about this, because - this action. i was keen to talk to you about this, because there i this action. i was keen to talk to - you about this, because there might be a slightly different situation for the united states because the container shipping that is coming from china, some of it is now starting to go across the pacific to the west coast of the united states, where you are in california. you starting to see at the ports in california and uptick in business, and are they ready to start tricking and are they ready to start tricking a lot of that aid across the united states, all that trade, across the united states?— states, all that trade, across the united states? you will recall that durin: the united states? you will recall that during the pandemic _ united states? you will recall that during the pandemic and - united states? you will recall that during the pandemic and in - united states? you will recall that during the pandemic and in the i during the pandemic and in the immediate post—pandemic period we had a _ immediate post—pandemic period we had a significant backlog at ports in california and in particular the ports— in california and in particular the ports of— in california and in particular the ports of long beach and los angeles

in california which were ill equipped to handle a lot of that volume — equipped to handle a lot of that volume and there were labour issues and shortages. other ports across the us— and shortages. other ports across the us are — and shortages. other ports across the us are better equipped but it does _ the us are better equipped but it does create a massive challenge for the infrastructure of the state of california, — the infrastructure of the state of california, for the infra structure of the _ california, for the infra structure of the us, — california, for the infra structure of the us, and if you talk about tracking — of the us, and if you talk about tracking we have seen shortages in the availability of truck drivers to actually — the availability of truck drivers to actually get the material on the trucks, — actually get the material on the trucks, load it so it can be transported from west to east, so the stippty— transported from west to east, so the supply chain constraints that are created by what is happening with respect to the houthi attacks have repercussions notjust in the us but— have repercussions notjust in the us but around the world but i think they will— us but around the world but i think they will be particularly acute in parts _ they will be particularly acute in parts of — they will be particularly acute in parts of the us and for certain things— parts of the us and for certain things and they will impact the economy— things and they will impact the economy here and the us and beyond. and if— economy here and the us and beyond. and if it _ economy here and the us and beyond. and if it does refocus on the west coast, is that a major problem? is most of the trade that comes into the us and china east coast and does that mean logistically you have to switch around and move trucks to different parts of the country? that

is a challenge _ different parts of the country? that is a challenge and _ different parts of the country? that is a challenge and after the pandemic some of that trade did rehatance — pandemic some of that trade did rebalance to other ports away from ports _ rebalance to other ports away from ports in _ rebalance to other ports away from ports in california, but there is no question— ports in california, but there is no question that ease of access is going — question that ease of access is going to — question that ease of access is going to be significant if it comes in from _ going to be significant if it comes in from long beach, la or oakland, which _ in from long beach, la or oakland, which of— in from long beach, la or oakland, which of the — in from long beach, la or oakland, which of the three major open water ports— which of the three major open water ports here _ which of the three major open water ports here on the west coast in california — ports here on the west coast in california at least. they can go up to seattle — california at least. they can go up to seattle but that is taking its farther— to seattle but that is taking its farther north, so there are really limited _ farther north, so there are really limited points of entry here in the us so— limited points of entry here in the us so if_ limited points of entry here in the us so if you constrain any of those points— us so if you constrain any of those points of— us so if you constrain any of those points of entry, or volume becomes significant. — points of entry, or volume becomes significant, it becomes a challenge but i significant, it becomes a challenge but i know— significant, it becomes a challenge but i know the ports have been doing work to— but i know the ports have been doing work to enhance their ability to take _ work to enhance their ability to take on— work to enhance their ability to take on more volume since the pandemic _ take on more volume since the pandemic. all take on more volume since the pandemic-— take on more volume since the andemic. . , ., ,, ., pandemic. all sorts of knock-on effects trying — pandemic. all sorts of knock-on effects trying to _ pandemic. all sorts of knock-on effects trying to get _ pandemic. all sorts of knock-on effects trying to get containers l pandemic. all sorts of knock-on i effects trying to get containers and shipped to the right parts of the world. it is a bit chaotic at the moment and will have a knock—on effect. we are of course focusing on the first primary in the nation that is coming up in new hampshire and there is five days left without an donald trump is starting to take on nikki haley and has been telling his

supporters that she is not up to the job last night and that if she wins president biden will win the presidency. nikki haley is counting on democrats to... booing think of that, she's... well, they want to run against her, they are putting a lot of democrats because they don't want to run against me. in response, nikki haley is stepping up her attacks on donald trump. she's reminding people that right now this is a choice between two men who will be over 80 while serving in the white house. the majority of americans have said they don't want their options to be two 80—year—olds for president. we've got to move past that. nikki haley is the only one campaigining today in new hampshire. donald trump is busy juggling his campaign with the many court cases that he is facing. he spent most of wednesday in a new york courtoom hearing e jean carroll testify against him in her civil defamation trial. donald trump clashed with the judge

after speaking within earshot of the jury. judge kaplan threatened to eject him from the courtroom — "i understand you are probably eagerfor me to do that." donald trump replied, "i would love it." i think that really underlines how much the court cases are part of the campaign now. much the court cases are part of the campaign now— campaign now. yes, we have seen a blendin: campaign now. yes, we have seen a blending of— campaign now. yes, we have seen a blending of legal— campaign now. yes, we have seen a blending of legal matters _ campaign now. yes, we have seen a blending of legal matters with - blending of legal matters with political matters and i think that has been — political matters and i think that has been one of the things we have seen _ has been one of the things we have seen in _ has been one of the things we have seen in american politics over the last couple — seen in american politics over the last couple of years whether it is supreme — last couple of years whether it is supreme court decisions or anything else for— supreme court decisions or anything else for that matter. but it is interesting to see, i think these court _ interesting to see, i think these court cases really, if you look back at public _ court cases really, if you look back at public opinion survey and research _ at public opinion survey and research on the us election, and you look specifically at republican support — look specifically at republican support for donald trump, that republican support for donald trump really— republican support for donald trump really began to coalesce once these le-al really began to coalesce once these legal matters began for him. he is seen _ legal matters began for him. he is seen and _ legal matters began for him. he is seen and he presents himself to republican voters as a victim of persecution and i think that frame has been — persecution and i think that frame has been very helpful in boosting

his popularity with republicans and we are _ his popularity with republicans and we are now at a point where as you know, _ we are now at a point where as you know. the — we are now at a point where as you know, the new hampshire primary is 'ust know, the new hampshire primary is just a _ know, the new hampshire primary is just a few— know, the new hampshire primary is just a few days away and his numbers are only— just a few days away and his numbers are only solidified in the wake of his win _ are only solidified in the wake of his win in — are only solidified in the wake of his win in iowa, so this nominating contest _ his win in iowa, so this nominating contest is — his win in iowa, so this nominating contest is unfortunately, from my perspective, going to be a lot less interesting than it looked to have been _ interesting than it looked to have been as— interesting than it looked to have been as recently as a few months ago _ been as recently as a few months ago i_ been as recently as a few months ago ithink— been as recently as a few months ago. i think donald trump really is the person— ago. i think donald trump really is the person the republican party cannot— the person the republican party cannot quit. i the person the republican party cannot quit-— cannot quit. i will come back to that. ithink— cannot quit. i will come back to that. i think on _ cannot quit. i will come back to that. i think on our— cannot quit. i will come back to that. i think on our side, - cannot quit. i will come back toj that. i think on our side, kezia, cannot quit. i will come back to l that. i think on our side, kezia, a lot of people struggle to understand why he is so popular but looking at the polls today, 70% of americans think there is a two tier system of justice, a rigged system. so him playing the victim and saying look, i am fighting for you, if they can do this to me, they can do it to you as well. this plays well with a large section of american society. the irony of course is that it is a two tier system for white—collar workers and the elites like him and for the rest of the people. yes.

workers and the elites like him and for the rest of the people.- for the rest of the people. yes, it is astonishing _ for the rest of the people. yes, it is astonishing to _ for the rest of the people. yes, it is astonishing to me _ for the rest of the people. yes, it is astonishing to me that - for the rest of the people. yes, it is astonishing to me that he - for the rest of the people. yes, it is astonishing to me that he is i for the rest of the people. yes, it is astonishing to me that he is in | for the rest of the people. yes, it| is astonishing to me that he is in a position to once again holds the bannerfor position to once again holds the banner for the antiestablishment candidacy, given he is probably the best representative of the i% you can imagine, and he does it so successfully and he is absolutely right to say these court cases play absolutely to his advantage just as being able to sit out the tv debates and as a consequence sit out much of that scrutiny and the rough—and—tumble you would expect in a proper democratic contest with the best candidates will win. there is no doubt that donald trump will be the republican nominee in my mind but what is interesting about the new hampshire race is this good solidified nikki haley is the second best candidate and she needs to do well here too assert that. do best candidate and she needs to do well here too assert that.— well here too assert that. do you think this is _ well here too assert that. do you think this is the _ well here too assert that. do you think this is the moment - well here too assert that. do you think this is the moment she - well here too assert that. do you i think this is the moment she needs to put it all... you have campaign to put it all... you have campaign to be leader. is there a moment in that campaign where you are following a strategy and you think, you know, this is the moment where i have to put it all out there and i have to put it all out there and i have two, there are some risks i

have two, there are some risks i have two, there are some risks i have two now take if i really want this. is this the moment for her? i think so and i think it is certainly high stakes and we know she is throwing a lot in new hampshire and she went straight there from iowa. ron desantis sat this one out largely so what it means in reality is she needs to see a bit of progress in new hampshire and see some results for that effort put in but if she doesn't get it, the question is what is she going to sit in the rest of this race and do, what is she that you achieve. the funders want to put cash binder and supporters still want to line up behind us though i think it is high—stakes for her. —— put cash behind. high-stakes for her. -- put cash behind. ~ ., ., ., behind. we had someone on the programme _ behind. we had someone on the programme last _ behind. we had someone on the programme last week _ behind. we had someone on the programme last week you - behind. we had someone on the programme last week you said l behind. we had someone on the l programme last week you said the media wants a race and that is why they are telling us nikki haley still has an outside chance. i think there is putting it politely and there is putting it politely and there is putting it politely and there is obviously media bias against donald trump. if she went anti—trump, does she start to look as if she is running from the left, and then if the race gets to south

carolina, which having been there, looks a lot more like iowa, she is in a very tough place because she has alienated the base? that in a very tough place because she has alienated the base?— has alienated the base? that is riuht. has alienated the base? that is right- you _ has alienated the base? that is right. you have _ has alienated the base? that is right. you have to _ has alienated the base? that is right. you have to understand i has alienated the base? that is - right. you have to understand here that if— right. you have to understand here that if the — right. you have to understand here that if the goal is to win the nomination, you will have to win it by appealing to voters who vote in nominating contests, and i don't think— nominating contests, and i don't think there are enough votes out there _ think there are enough votes out there for— think there are enough votes out there for her to win if she were to espouse _ there for her to win if she were to espouse a — there for her to win if she were to espouse a fully anti—trump of the leaf never— espouse a fully anti—trump of the leaf never trump point of view. so she does— leaf never trump point of view. so she does have to walk this very fine line and _ she does have to walk this very fine line and i_ she does have to walk this very fine line and i think she has done that so far _ line and i think she has done that so far -- — line and i think she has done that so far -- or— line and i think she has done that so far -- ora— line and i think she has done that so far. —— or a fully never trump. but _ so far. —— or a fully never trump. but i _ so far. —— or a fully never trump. but i think— so far. —— or a fully never trump. but i think she _ so far. —— or a fully never trump. but i think she has to adopt a slightly— but i think she has to adopt a slightly harder edge to her critique but not _ slightly harder edge to her critique but not go — slightly harder edge to her critique but not go so far that she alienates the very— but not go so far that she alienates the very people she needs to support her. the very people she needs to support her this _ the very people she needs to support her this is _ the very people she needs to support her. this is the challenge for everyone _ her. this is the challenge for everyone running in the republican party— everyone running in the republican party at _ everyone running in the republican party at this time, how do you appeal— party at this time, how do you appeal to _ party at this time, how do you appeal to an electorate who may not

be as— appeal to an electorate who may not be as pro—trump, when you know the nomination— be as pro—trump, when you know the nomination runs right through donald trump? _ nomination runs right through donald trump? |_ nomination runs right through donald trum? . . ., ., ., trump? i watched a lot of the debates running _ trump? i watched a lot of the debates running up _ trump? i watched a lot of the debates running up to - trump? i watched a lot of the debates running up to iowa, i trump? i watched a lot of the i debates running up to iowa, and trump? i watched a lot of the - debates running up to iowa, and i don't honestly understand what she stands for. if you said to me, what will a nikki haley presidency look like, how will the united states change, i really can't put my finger on it. if you look at the exit polls from iowa, 82% of people that say it is donald trump who cares about me, people like me, he is fighting for me. is that the problem for nikki haley that she is not really in people's minds what she will bring for them if she is the president? part of that is the connection but it goes— part of that is the connection but it goes beyond this issue of what i will do _ it goes beyond this issue of what i will do as— it goes beyond this issue of what i will do as president. having that is almost _ will do as president. having that is almost less of an important thing for boaters. i think what they want to know— for boaters. i think what they want to know is — for boaters. i think what they want to know is what will this do to make my life _ to know is what will this do to make my life better? iwill disposing connect — my life better? iwill disposing connect and relate to be somehow

donald _ connect and relate to be somehow donald trump has rated and established that link. nikki haley is trying — established that link. nikki haley is trying to turn this into a referendum on donald trump's age and joe bidens— referendum on donald trump's age and joe biden's age, and what i think this argument applies to joe biden in some _ this argument applies to joe biden in some ways, i don't think most voters _ in some ways, i don't think most voters see — in some ways, i don't think most voters see it _ in some ways, i don't think most voters see it as applying to trump. i get that— voters see it as applying to trump. i get that they are the same age but i get that they are the same age but i don't _ i get that they are the same age but i don't speak most voters view this as donald — i don't speak most voters view this as donald trump being too old for the presidency. sol as donald trump being too old for the presidency. so i think the argument is a little bit askew of why most— argument is a little bit askew of why most people's minds are at. i think— why most people's minds are at. i think most— why most people's minds are at. i think most people think that donald trump, _ think most people think that donald trump, for— think most people think that donald trump, for all of his shortcomings, a lot— trump, for all of his shortcomings, a lot of— trump, for all of his shortcomings, a lot of people think the economy was better when he was president and the world _ was better when he was president and the world wasn't at war and a lot of these _ the world wasn't at war and a lot of these things are things that nikki haley— these things are things that nikki haley is — these things are things that nikki haley is running up against. —— askew— haley is running up against. —— askew of— haley is running up against. —— askew of where most. i haley is running up against. -- askew of where most.- haley is running up against. -- askew of where most. i think for a lot of them, _ askew of where most. i think for a lot of them. it _ askew of where most. i think for a lot of them, it does _ askew of where most. i think for a lot of them, it does come - askew of where most. i think for a lot of them, it does come down i askew of where most. i think for a lot of them, it does come down to issues. but kezia, you said that it was about trust and trust is running out for the conservatives. it doesn't seem to be an issue of trust and the united states and there is so much to distrust trump for at everything that has happened but it doesn't really come down to that. it

isissues doesn't really come down to that. it is issues —based, as he was saying, it is tax, immigration, withdrawing from conflicts around the world. those are the sort of things people want and they will vote for anyone who delivers it.— who delivers it. donald trump is a --oulist who delivers it. donald trump is a populist leader— who delivers it. donald trump is a populist leader and _ who delivers it. donald trump is a populist leader and what - who delivers it. donald trump is a| populist leader and what populists do the world over is appeal to emotion rather than rational, sense and reasoning. that is what is so powerful about donald trump is he speaks to what people feel. as he was describing, when he talks, people think their own life will get better because he understands them better because he understands them better than any other candidate that will appear on a ballot paper and that has been his unique strength as a politician throughout his tenure. i don't like pretty much anything he has done using the office he has had in recent years but i do understand the power of that emotional appeal and he is ready capitalised on that. yes, he is a superb communicator politically, isn't he? not everyone's taste, as you say. we

will focus on that as the boaters go to the polls in new hampshire. we will go to a quick break. —— as the voters go to the polls. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. adam hurst and his wife victoria were brimming with excitement because their daughter was due in the new year. i because their daughter was due in the new year-— the new year. i 'ust couldn't wait, he is so good _ the new year. i just couldn't wait, he is so good with _ the new year. i just couldn't wait, he is so good with children, - the new year. i just couldn't wait, he is so good with children, and i he is so good with children, and just you have its own finally, he was very excited. but just you have its own finally, he was very excited.— just you have its own finally, he was very excited. but 'ust before christmas. * was very excited. but 'ust before christmas, adam, _ was very excited. butjust before christmas, adam, who _ was very excited. butjust before christmas, adam, who was - was very excited. butjust before christmas, adam, who was a - christmas, adam, who was a bricklayer and new football coach was admitted to the hospital with severe stomach pains. his case wasn't treated as a priority in accident and emergency and it took an hour before his case was assessed and another two hours before a ct scan revealed he had a rare hernia requiring emergency surgery, he wasn't operated on in time, had cardiac arrest and died more than five and a half hours after being admitted. he five and a half hours after being admitted. .., �* , ., admitted. he couldn't sit down, he was on the — admitted. he couldn't sit down, he was on the floor— admitted. he couldn't sit down, he was on the floor screaming - admitted. he couldn't sit down, he was on the floor screaming and - was on the floor screaming and running around in pain and hejust

wasn't getting answered. they were just ignoring us. for wasn't getting answered. they were just ignoring us— just ignoring us. for more stories from across _ just ignoring us. for more stories from across the _ just ignoring us. for more stories from across the uk, _ just ignoring us. for more stories from across the uk, head - just ignoring us. for more stories from across the uk, head to - just ignoring us. for more stories from across the uk, head to the l just ignoring us. for more stories i from across the uk, head to the bbc news website. now it's time for the panel. we just have two or three minutes left, so let's pick out the stories that you want to talk about. us bound plane returns to tokyo after man bites flight attendant. what? you heard of dog bites man, now you apparently— you heard of dog bites man, now you apparently have man bites flight attendant. no, the escalation in off wall behaviour on aeroplanes is a bil wall behaviour on aeroplanes is a big problem in the united states and now it _ big problem in the united states and now it has _ big problem in the united states and now it has apparently gone beyond the united states, and so one of the things— the united states, and so one of the things we _ the united states, and so one of the things we have to ask ourselves is do we _ things we have to ask ourselves is do we need — things we have to ask ourselves is do we need to do more to make sure people _ do we need to do more to make sure people understand that in addition

to putting on the oxygen mask, if they come — to putting on the oxygen mask, if they come down, you should also not assault— they come down, you should also not assault the _ they come down, you should also not assault the people who are responsible for helping you to get to your— responsible for helping you to get to your destination safely. i would have _ to your destination safely. i would have thought that was a relatively easy concept people would understand but may— easy concept people would understand but may to _ easy concept people would understand but may to be stated in that littlem _ but may to be stated in that little... �* but may to be stated in that little... . ., ., little... an extra line on the fliuht little... an extra line on the flight manual? _ little... an extra line on the flight manual? don't - little... an extra line on the flight manual? don't bite i little... an extra line on the - flight manual? don't bite attendant. it is incredible. you flight manual? don't bite attendant. it is incredible.— it is incredible. you don't think it is because _ it is incredible. you don't think it is because in-flight _ it is incredible. you don't think it is because in-flight meals - it is incredible. you don't think it is because in-flight meals are i it is incredible. you don't think it is because in-flight meals are al is because in—flight meals are a thing of the past? is because in-flight meals are a thing of the past?— thing of the past? maybe it is because in — thing of the past? maybe it is because in the _ thing of the past? maybe it is because in the is _ thing of the past? maybe it is because in the is too - thing of the past? maybe it is because in the is too easy - thing of the past? maybe it is because in the is too easy to | thing of the past? maybe it is i because in the is too easy to get and that— because in the is too easy to get and that is— because in the is too easy to get and that is the problem. i think restrictions on that. —— in—flight alcohot — restrictions on that. -- in-flight alcohol. ., �* ., , alcohol. gordon brown has been asked about it today. — alcohol. gordon brown has been asked about it today, he _ alcohol. gordon brown has been asked about it today, he was _ alcohol. gordon brown has been asked about it today, he was asked _ alcohol. gordon brown has been asked about it today, he was asked whether. about it today, he was asked whether he would do a cameron style comeback. what did he say? he went on tv to talk — comeback. what did he say? he went on tv to talk about _ comeback. what did he say? he went on tv to talk about the _ comeback. what did he say? he went on tv to talk about the amazing i on tv to talk about the amazing anti—poverty work he is doing across the country but he cracked a joke saying he is too old to retire from british politics when he is 73 next

month but he is far too young for a career in american politics. ads, career in american politics. a youngster in american terms, running for the senate, then the presidency, he can do it all.— he can do it all. plenty of time. you would _ he can do it all. plenty of time. you would no _ he can do it all. plenty of time. you would no doubt _ he can do it all. plenty of time. you would no doubt they i he can do it all. plenty of time. you would no doubt they could | he can do it all. plenty of time. i you would no doubt they could pick it impact as well. great mackie would no doubt make a bit of impact as well. i would no doubt make a bit of impact as well. . , . ~ would no doubt make a bit of impact as well. ., ., ,, ., as well. i was talking about the new prime minister _ as well. i was talking about the new prime minister in _ as well. i was talking about the new prime minister in france _ as well. i was talking about the new prime minister in france who i as well. i was talking about the new prime minister in france who was i as well. i was talking about the new i prime minister in france who was 34. could you imagine a leader in america who is 34? we were saying if you add president macron's age to be a step at all�*s age, you still don't get president biden's age. that is how old they are in america. ibe get president biden's age. that is how old they are in america. be like them old, like _ how old they are in america. be like them old, like our— how old they are in america. be like them old, like our wines, _ how old they are in america. be like them old, like our wines, i - how old they are in america. be like | them old, like our wines, i suppose. they— them old, like our wines, i suppose. they do— them old, like our wines, i suppose. they do age — them old, like our wines, i suppose. they do age well. it was lovely to have your company this evening. thank you for coming on the programme and those two great stories. i am off tomorrow but i hope you'lljoin us still. i will

see you the same time next week. thanks very much for watching. goodbye. hello and welcome to the bbc sport centre. let's start with the action at the australian open and an incredible match, where anna blinkova beat one of the tournament favourites elena rybakina, in a deciding set tie—break which broke records. 42 points between them meant it was the longest tie—break in a women's singles match in grand slam history, blinkova winning that 22—20, taking the match two sets to one. the unseeded russian, then, into the third round. world number one iga swiatek survived a scare against american danielle collins. she came through that match in three sets to reach the third round. the four—time grand slam champion is chasing a first title in melbourne, and she overturned a double break

deficit in the deciding set to win 6—4, 3—6, 6—4. emma raducanu's tournament is over, though. the british player struggled with sickness in an exhausting match lasting nearly three hours against chinese player wang yafan, who won 6—4, 4—6, 6—4. raducanu was playing only her fourth match after wrist and ankle surgeries which kept her out for eight months. to the men's singles now, where remarakably, the action finished late into the night. it was approaching 4am local time by the time the number three seed daniil medvedev managed to find his way through to the next round. he was pushed all the way by finland's emil ruusuvuori. the number 50 seed had a two set lead against the russian, who eventually fought back to win three sets to two, after four hours and 23 minutes. and there was a great

comeback for cameron norrie. the british number one was two sets down to guilio zeppieri, losing the second on a tie break. it was a gruelling match, with norrie needing medical time—outs, as well as the players coping with two rain delays. it's just the third time norrie has come back from two sets down to win at a grand slam in his career. up next for him, casper ruud, who came through his own five setter to make the third round. to the africa cup of nations now, where there's a crunch game under way between egypt and ghana in group b. ghana lost their opener, while egpyt could only draw theirs. egypt were dealt a double blow when first their talisman, mo salah, went down injured right at the end of the first half. the liverpool star decided that he was unable to continue. moments later, ghana's mohamed kudus put his side ahead before the break. he added a second after the break, one of three goals in five minutes as omar marmoush and mostafa mohamed

both scored for egypt. it is 2-2 it is 2—2 at the moment and you can follow that on the bbc sport website, and it is into stoppage time. at the asian cup, australia are into the last 16 after beating syria i—o earlier. jackson irvine scored the only goal of the game in the second half. the victory means the socceroos currently top group b. uzbekistan are likely to join them in the knockout stage with a 3—0 win against india. in group c, palestine kept their slim hopes of qualifying alive with a 1—1 draw against the uae. england midfielderjordan henderson has officaillyjoined ajax in a permanent move, bringing an end to his time in saudi arabia. his contract at al—ettifaq has been terminated. henderson signed a three—year contract with the saudi side when he left liverpool injuly. he linked up with steven gerrard, the al—ettifaq manager. but he's heading back to europe after just 17 appearances.

he's signed a two and a half year contract with the dutch side. great britain women's hockey team have lost their olympic qualifier semifinal against belgium in valencia. belgium won the match 3—2 despite a late comeback from gb, and so they were the side to secure their place in paris. great britain now face into a third place play off on saturday against ireland, the winner of which will take the last qualifying spot. meanwhile, the men's side have secured their spot in the qualifier semi—finals, with a comprehensive 6—0 win over china in theirfinal group match. the team will play new zealand on saturday. they must finish in the top three to qualify for the olympics. darts, and hot on the heels of his appearance in the world darts championship final last month, luke littler made his debut appearance in the wolrd series of darts at the bahrain masters. the teenager took on hong kong's man lok leung, and fought back from two legs down to eventually win 6—3

with his favourite double ten. the youngest ever player in the pdc world final turns 17 in three days' time. and that's all the sport for now. see you again soon. goodbye. hello there. good evening. staying very cold again today across the uk, but things are about to change weather—wise into the weekend. now, england, wales and northern ireland woke up to the coldest morning so far this winter. lots of weak, wintry sunshine around for most, but blizzard—like conditions across northern scotland, with brisk northerly to north—westerly winds and heavy snow showers. the focus for those snow showers tomorrow will change slightly, more towards the west with more of a westerly wind, staying cold and then turning milder, wetter and very windy as we head through the weekend and the start of next week. now, overnight tonight, there'll still be some snow showers across these western hills

in particular, perhaps driving further eastwards. icy stretches, brisk westerly winds blowing. a few wintry showers for northern areas of northern ireland, icy stretches certainly here. and there'll be some freezing fog patches forming, most likely, i think, across the east midlands, perhaps into eastern areas of wales. a sharp widespread frost yet again, but not quite as cold for most as it was last night. and then tomorrow, we start to draw in more of a south—westerly wind. it'll start to feel a little less cold through the day. still plenty of snow showers through the morning across these north—western hills of scotland, but turning increasingly back to rain and sleet to lower levels. still some hill snow, though, as we go through the afternoon. a few wintry showers maybe for northern ireland, but for most, it will stay dry and temperatures more widely will rise to between 4 and 6 degrees celsius, turning windier towards those western coasts later on through the day. and then as we head through friday night, our high pressure starts to spill away towards the east, allowing for these weather fronts to approach from the atlantic. they're going to drive their way eastwards, bringing strong winds — look at the squeeze in the isobars — and some heavy downpours of rain as we head through the weekend, but also some much milder air. so, in a little more detail,

i think many of us will wake up to temperatures just slightly above freezing as we head through the day on saturday, perhaps a little bit below towards the south—east of england. there'll be some heavy rain, particularly out towards western coasts, and some strong, gusty winds at times, too, but temperatures starting to rise. we could even see double figures for western areas as we head through the afternoon on saturday potentially. here's the outlook for our capital cities. already, met office weather warnings in force for heavy rain, for strong, gusty winds through the day on sunday as another front pushes its way eastwards. but much milder conditions, 12 or 13 degrees celsius, later in the weekend.

tonight at ten — we're live in belfast, as 100,000 people take part in the biggest strikes in northern ireland for 50 years. what do we want? fair pay. when do we want it? now. health care workers, bus drivers, road gritters, teachers — they are among those who have walked out in a dispute over pay. we're not looking at a fortune of money, so we are, but £1 an hour, £1.50 an hour would be huge and it would keep me on thejob i love. union leaders say workers are being used as pawns in negotiations with westminster about restoring power—sharing at stormont. also tonight... 3,000 jobs are at risk at tata steel, which plans to shut

two blast furnaces in south wales.