this is bbc news, the headlines. nearly 3 million people in texas are without power or heat in sub zero temperatures. the power grid has been crippled by deadly winter storms in america's top energy—producing state. a deadline of may the 1st for all international troops to be pulled out of afghanistan is set to be extended due to a surge in violence. nato defence ministers are discussing the future of its military mission in the country. facebook is to block australian users from sharing or viewing news content, in a dispute over planned social media laws. australia wants the tech giants to pay for content re—posted from news outlets. the queen's husband, the duke of edinburgh has been admitted to hospital after feeling unwell. buckingham palace says it's just a precaution and is not covid related. he's expected to remain there for a few days.

hello and welcome to our look ahead to what the the papers will be bringing us tomorrow. with me are the broadcaster henry bonsu and former trade minister, digbyjones. welcome back. tomorrow's front pages starting with... the guardian focuses on new research showing that covid infections have fallen by two—thirds in a month in england, but the virus is now spreading most amongst children. the telegraph reports how parents will be asked to test children for covid twice a week, alongside a picture of prince philip who's been admitted to hospital "as a precautionary measure", after feeling unwell for a few days. the daily mail has "now take the brakes off, boris" as it reports on the growing clamour for a speedier lifting of the lockdown. "small steps to normal life"

is the mirror's headline as the paper reports how health chiefs have urged the prime minister not to relax restrictions too quickly. the i reveals what it calls the nhs blueprint for tackling covid vaccine hesitancy, with medics working with faith groups in communities with lowerjab rates and the tackling of dangerous misinformation on social media. "£4,500 to get covid" is metro's headline on the world's first study, in which people will be deliberately infected with covid—19. it begins in the uk within a month. the times says the pandemic has prompted thousands of students to wantjobs in nursing, with interest surging by a third. the ft examines the content deal agreed with google and rupert murdoch's news corp — ending a long—running dispute with big tech companies over paying forjournalistic content — as facebook blocks internet links in australia.

a wide range of papers but as always most of the papers commit to the uk went focusing on the duke of edinburgh. at times, let's start with this one and will start with you henry. very much the word that we are focusing on, a precaution, the admitted to hospital not covid related and as i mentioned last time we all do wish prince philip the best. . , ., , , ., best. indeed, a number of visits to hos - ital best. indeed, a number of visits to hospital over _ best. indeed, a number of visits to hospital over the _ best. indeed, a number of visits to hospital over the past _ best. indeed, a number of visits to hospital over the past ten - best. indeed, a number of visits to hospital over the past ten years, . hospital over the past ten years, and less time with anna publicly was in november when buckingham palace leased a picture of him and the queen celebrate their anniversary. in the last couple of days he has felt unwelcome us on tuesday night he was driven from windsor for observation. out of an abundance of caution because of his age. nothing covid related they said, and apparently he's in good spirits. and

i saw one of the rail biographers saying he would have hated all of this fuss and he's always in good spirits, very much a no nonsense guy. he said that he sat next to him for dinner a couple of times but i have not come up but i have been welcomed to buckingham palace once or twice, and remember his words were, what's your name? i told him the radio station i was working with any said i was all very colourful here tonight. it was a special africa night. typical of the duke of edinburgh. africa night. typical of the duke of edinburuh. , ., ., , ., edinburgh. henry, thanks for sharing that. edinburgh. henry, thanks for sharing that digby. — edinburgh. henry, thanks for sharing that digby. i— edinburgh. henry, thanks for sharing that digby. i also — edinburgh. henry, thanks for sharing that. digby, i also have _ edinburgh. henry, thanks for sharing that. digby, i also have not - edinburgh. henry, thanks for sharing that. digby, i also have not sat- that. digby, i also have not sat next to him as such, talk us through. you mentioned that the duke would hate the amount of fuss we are all causing around this admission. the queen, her majesty herself was actually performing duties this morning, the morning after the night at the duke had been admitted as a precaution. the at the duke had been admitted as a recaution. ., , ., .,

precaution. the firm goes on to the business goes _ precaution. the firm goes on to the business goes on. _ precaution. the firm goes on to the business goes on. she's _ precaution. the firm goes on to the business goes on. she's given - precaution. the firm goes on to the business goes on. she's given her. business goes on. she's given her entire _ business goes on. she's given her entire life — business goes on. she's given her entire life to the service of our nation — entire life to the service of our nation and _ entire life to the service of our nation and her husband would not expect— nation and her husband would not expect anything different. maybe there _ expect anything different. maybe there are couple of people sitting in california right now that might 'ust in california right now that might just like — in california right now that might just like to remember that. he, i think— just like to remember that. he, i think it's — just like to remember that. he, i think it's interesting to hear nick witchet— think it's interesting to hear nick witchel on the main news saying that he is getting from all of the different context he has in the palace — different context he has in the palace and all of the off the record chat there's no sense of alarm on this _ chat there's no sense of alarm on this no — chat there's no sense of alarm on this. no holding head in hands in despair — this. no holding head in hands in despair. this is a super precaution. and he _ despair. this is a super precaution. and he is— despair. this is a super precaution. and he is 99 — despair. this is a super precaution. and he is 99. the nation is thinking, _ and he is 99. the nation is thinking, come on, get through to june and _ thinking, come on, get through to june and two 100. and unfortunate that my— june and two 100. and unfortunate that my mother died at 96, but one of my— that my mother died at 96, but one of my aunts — that my mother died at 96, but one of my aunts died at 104 and another at 100 _ of my aunts died at 104 and another at 100 and — of my aunts died at 104 and another at 100. and i know in the family the

99th year. — at 100. and i know in the family the 99th year, or should i say the 100th year, _ 99th year, or should i say the 100th year, there's this feeling of all, come _ year, there's this feeling of all, come on — year, there's this feeling of all, come on. and the country is probably feeling _ come on. and the country is probably feeling that _ come on. and the country is probably feeling that now. but its fortune, not privilege to sit next to him. he's_ not privilege to sit next to him. he's actually no nonsense guy. incisive — he's actually no nonsense guy. incisive in _ he's actually no nonsense guy. incisive in his questions, always ready— incisive in his questions, always ready to — incisive in his questions, always ready to prove, and asks to the awkward — ready to prove, and asks to the awkward question. it did not do it to he _ awkward question. it did not do it to be clever, it did it because he genuinely— to be clever, it did it because he genuinely interested. one of those i recall— genuinely interested. one of those i recall interested and interesting. and i_ recall interested and interesting. and i know i speak for the entire nation _ and i know i speak for the entire nation who— and i know i speak for the entire nation who would say come on, hope you get— nation who would say come on, hope you get well— nation who would say come on, hope you get well and come out of hospitat _ you get well and come out of hosital. ,., ., ., _ you get well and come out of hosital. ,., ., ., , ., hospital. important to say that her ma'es hospital. important to say that her majesty and _ hospital. important to say that her majesty and prince _ hospital. important to say that her majesty and prince philip - hospital. important to say that her majesty and prince philip had - hospital. important to say that her majesty and prince philip had the l majesty and prince philip had the vaccine injanuary this year, so we all wish him a speedy recovery. let's move on and look at covid

infections in the guardian. a big fall, but this trouble with the paper is focusing on is a study from imperial college london that points out there's been an increase in young children in particular. yes. out there's been an increase in young children in particular. yes, a massive fall _ young children in particular. yes, a massive fall by _ young children in particular. yes, a massive fall by two _ young children in particular. yes, a massive fall by two months - young children in particular. yes, a massive fall by two months in - massive fall by two months in england. a month or two ago we had 68,000 new infections a day, now it's down to about 12,700 or so. that's the good news from this one study. but prevalence remains high. around one or 200 people having covid between the 4th of february. another sock renews that children between ages five and 12 and between 18 and 24, so young adults all had the highest prevalence at the moment. i'm not sure whether or not that means their rate has increased over the last few weeks, that would

be very surprising, or she does not fallen in the same way that all the other age categories have fallen. it makes you wonder how and with whom they are mixing. we are meant to be on a national lockdown across the whole of the uk, and the opportunities to mix outside of school must be extremely limited. so it's very odd that this is happening. it's very odd that this is happening-— it's very odd that this is happening. it's very odd that this is ha eninu. �*, ., it's very odd that this is ha naenin. �*, ., ., , happening. let's look at the daily mirror as well. _ happening. let's look at the daily mirror as well. digby _ happening. let's look at the daily mirror as well. digby i _ happening. let's look at the daily mirror as well. digby i will - happening. let's look at the daily mirror as well. digby i will come l happening. let's look at the daily i mirror as well. digby i will come to you, but let's look at the idea that the spread of infections in children is growing and we are all hoping that schools will reopen. the mirrors talk about with boris johnson was saying, opening in small stages. small steps to a normal life he was focusing very much on the data rather than those dates that we are aiming towards. it i data rather than those dates that we are aiming towards.— are aiming towards. if i may 'ust conclude on fl are aiming towards. if i may 'ust conclude on henry's i are aiming towards. if i may 'ust conclude on henry's point. h are aiming towards. if i mayjust| conclude on henry's point. there might— conclude on henry's point. there might be — conclude on henry's point. there might be an awful lot of people breaking — might be an awful lot of people breaking the lock down, i don't think— breaking the lock down, i don't think everybody obeys the rules. the vast majority do it but not

everybody. the mirror is saying smatt— everybody. the mirror is saying small steps. i think that's a very good _ small steps. i think that's a very good headline. this is a newspaper review, _ good headline. this is a newspaper review, we — good headline. this is a newspaper review, we are reviewing things like headiines— review, we are reviewing things like headlines and i think is a very useful— headlines and i think is a very useful tool, headlines and i think is a very usefultool, because headlines and i think is a very useful tool, because the last thing on earth _ useful tool, because the last thing on earth to— useful tool, because the last thing on earth to any of us want and the prime _ on earth to any of us want and the prime minister certainly does not want _ prime minister certainly does not want is _ prime minister certainly does not want is a — prime minister certainly does not want is a return to lockdown after he let _ want is a return to lockdown after he let it _ want is a return to lockdown after he let it go — want is a return to lockdown after he let it go too quickly and inevitably runs off and infects each other— inevitably runs off and infects each other and — inevitably runs off and infects each other and back in you go. the last thing _ other and back in you go. the last thing they— other and back in you go. the last thing they want. little small things. _ thing they want. little small things, moving in the right direction. that's what the mirror headline — direction. that's what the mirror headline is — direction. that's what the mirror headline is leaning towards. of course — headline is leaning towards. of course with the contrast, the other side interestingly political equations, the daily mail very much labour, _ equations, the daily mail very much labour, and — equations, the daily mail very much labour, and in this they contrast with— labour, and in this they contrast with the — labour, and in this they contrast with the headline they take the brakes— with the headline they take the brakes off. in other words, come on, let's all— brakes off. in other words, come on, let's all get _ brakes off. in other words, come on, let's all get going. these figures

as henry— let's all get going. these figures as henry mentioned are so incredibly -ood as henry mentioned are so incredibly good its— as henry mentioned are so incredibly good it's all— as henry mentioned are so incredibly good it's all going in the right direction _ good it's all going in the right direction and it's excellent. come on then, — direction and it's excellent. come on then, take every thing off, let's io on then, take every thing off, let's go for— on then, take every thing off, let's go for it _ on then, take every thing off, let's go for it it — on then, take every thing off, let's go for it. it would be wrong to keep the nation — go for it. it would be wrong to keep the nation locked down to long, especially the mental health crisis that people are paying and they get so fed _ that people are paying and they get so fed up— that people are paying and they get so fed up they began to obey the rules— so fed up they began to obey the rules and — so fed up they began to obey the rules and you don't have rules that no one _ rules and you don't have rules that no one obeys, that's ridiculous. but on the _ no one obeys, that's ridiculous. but on the other— no one obeys, that's ridiculous. but on the other hand you don't want to let all— on the other hand you don't want to let all of— on the other hand you don't want to let all of the — on the other hand you don't want to let all of the levers go, everybody's off to the races probably literally and then what you have is _ probably literally and then what you have is local infections and back in the lockdown. so i think the male are pushing out too far one way and ithink— are pushing out too far one way and i think the _ are pushing out too far one way and i think the mirror has got it right. smatt— i think the mirror has got it right. small steps, get ready for those little _ small steps, get ready for those little small steps and whatever happens — little small steps and whatever happens all of us just obey the rules — happens all of us just obey the rules the _ happens all of us just obey the rules. the rules are not there to mess— rules. the rules are not there to mess up— rules. the rules are not there to mess up our— rules. the rules are not there to mess up our lives, they are not there _ mess up our lives, they are not there to — mess up our lives, they are not there to he _ mess up our lives, they are not there to be broken. the rules are there _ there to be broken. the rules are there to — there to be broken. the rules are there to keep it alive. and i think especiatty— there to keep it alive. and i think especially young people should understand that. this is not ho ho

ho, rj _ understand that. this is not ho ho ho, rj clever, i broke the rules? no you are _ ho, rj clever, i broke the rules? no you are not — ho, rj clever, i broke the rules? no you are not-— you are not. the guardian was talkin: you are not. the guardian was talking about _ you are not. the guardian was talking about primary - you are not. the guardian was talking about primary school. you are not. the guardian was i talking about primary school age children so arguably they don't have much of a say if the parent says they're not going out you are not going out. butjust go back to this... going out. but 'ust go back to this... , , this... the parents might be saying let's no this... the parents might be saying let's go out. _ this... the parents might be saying let's go out, take _ this... the parents might be saying let's go out, take the _ this... the parents might be saying let's go out, take the kids - this... the parents might be saying let's go out, take the kids with - this... the parents might be saying j let's go out, take the kids with me. right. _ let's go out, take the kids with me. right. we _ let's go out, take the kids with me. right, we are not... moving to the daily mail and the mirror but thank you. a realjuxtaposition as henry already pointed out. the mirror talking about the small steps in the mail talking about asking in the comment section is given the prime minister is being sold are cautious in ending the lockdown. take the brakes off, they are encouraging the pm. ., , ., brakes off, they are encouraging the pm. .,, ., ., , brakes off, they are encouraging the pm. ., ., , pm. those two headlines crystallise very wealthy — pm. those two headlines crystallise very wealthy dumb _ pm. those two headlines crystallise very wealthy dumb them _ pm. those two headlines crystallise very wealthy dumb them of - pm. those two headlines crystallise very wealthy dumb them of that - pm. those two headlines crystallise i very wealthy dumb them of that boris johnson is facing and he is trying to read both horses at once. on the one hand talked about being cautious, but the other says

irreversible. people like baker and sir charles walker, a guy who is very vocal about the mental health toll that lockdown is having. but i think that some of the scientists who we've talking to today note this pressure on boris to open up is they would say too quickly. which is professor dame angela mclean who is the deputy scientific advisers that should be pushed by the data. which is actually right, and one in 200 people still in the last week had to covid, let's remember today 738 deaths, that's after a significant period of lockdown. no casual interactions between people. and i think borisjohnson does not want to be the guy who messes it up. this is going to be irreversible, we have to get it right because there are so

many known unknowns as digby said last hour. we don't know how far is going to bear down especially on transmission for people who have got the vaccine and those people who have not yet got it. even when can say by may, june from the vast majority of adults at the vaccine, there will still be a significant number of people who do not. the population is nearly 70 million, so evenif population is nearly 70 million, so even if 90% have the vaccine that still a few million people who did not and some of them may have underlying conditions. 50 not and some of them may have underlying conditions.— not and some of them may have underlying conditions. so rest on the science _ underlying conditions. so rest on the science and _ underlying conditions. so rest on the science and is _ underlying conditions. so rest on the science and is upping - underlying conditions. so rest on the science and is upping the - underlying conditions. so rest on i the science and is upping the metro was talking about. the four and a half thousand pounds that as you rightly picked me up last time it's not re—compensation or anything like that, its payments to get the vaccine, to get the virus. it's quite a feat when it comes to getting this challenger trial. in getting this challenger trial. in getting all of these people up to 90 volunteers to deliberately be

infected with coronavirus. britain could hold his— infected with coronavirus. britain could hold his head _ infected with coronavirus. britain could hold his head up _ infected with coronavirus. britain could hold his head up high - infected with coronavirus. britain could hold his head up high at i infected with coronavirus. britain| could hold his head up high at the moment, — could hold his head up high at the moment, second in the world to israel— moment, second in the world to lsrael and — moment, second in the world to israel and population. and it's 23 and a _ israel and population. and it's 23 and a half— israel and population. and it's 23 and a half percent. the nearest is denmark— and a half percent. the nearest is denmark and 4% in slovakia. it's so incredibly— denmark and 4% in slovakia. it's so incredibly successful. and this is another— incredibly successful. and this is another quality way in which we are leading _ another quality way in which we are leading the world, and from genome tracing _ leading the world, and from genome tracing to _ leading the world, and from genome tracing to vaccination roll—out. and we should — tracing to vaccination roll—out. and we should be very proud of ourselves as a nation — we should be very proud of ourselves as a nation. these are young people who have _ as a nation. these are young people who have said i will be a guinea pig, _ who have said i will be a guinea pig, i_ who have said i will be a guinea pig, iwill— who have said i will be a guinea pig, i will actually be a human living — pig, i will actually be a human living test—bed to see that if you infect _ living test—bed to see that if you infect me — living test—bed to see that if you infect me deliberately with my blood tests all— infect me deliberately with my blood tests all the time, having a trial for how— tests all the time, having a trial for how it — tests all the time, having a trial for how it is that all is ijust

can't — for how it is that all is ijust can't get _ for how it is that all is ijust can't get a _ for how it is that all is ijust can't get a better feel for all of this _ can't get a better feel for all of this it — can't get a better feel for all of this. it will ultimately help us all, this. it will ultimately help us all. then— this. it will ultimately help us all, then with a live human being. some _ all, then with a live human being. some of— all, then with a live human being. some of the young people doing it for the _ some of the young people doing it for the money and there's nothing wrong _ for the money and there's nothing wrong with— for the money and there's nothing wrong with that. they say i but the money, _ wrong with that. they say i but the money, i— wrong with that. they say i but the money, i will give to charity, but i want _ money, i will give to charity, but i want to— money, i will give to charity, but i want to help help my country. some young _ want to help help my country. some young people will be doing it because _ young people will be doing it because they are inquisitive themselves. sol because they are inquisitive themselves. so ijust think it's so different. — themselves. so ijust think it's so different, there will be scientists all over— different, there will be scientists all over the world envious that they've — all over the world envious that they've got this ability to do so. one thing — they've got this ability to do so. one thing i would say is i think you will get _ one thing i would say is i think you will get your doomsayers and naysayers, you will get your bloke and political correctness gone wild about _ and political correctness gone wild about this — and political correctness gone wild about this and saying of the morals and ethics — about this and saying of the morals and ethics and everything else, but actually— and ethics and everything else, but actually when you think of the benefits — actually when you think of the benefits of this will bring the people — benefits of this will bring the people who are perfectly consciously committed not been coerced, they have not— committed not been coerced, they have not been bribed as such, it's

not a _ have not been bribed as such, it's not a fortune, and i think on that basis _ not a fortune, and i think on that basis, britain from a weld young people _ basis, britain from a weld young people and well done the scientists. henry— people and well done the scientists. henry you _ people and well done the scientists. henry you are laughing, we all chuckling. you brought up some history previously we had a bit of an update. history previously we had a bit of an update-— history previously we had a bit of an udate. ., �*, ., an update. that's right, i mentioned that the first — an update. that's right, i mentioned that the first trial _ an update. that's right, i mentioned that the first trial that _ an update. that's right, i mentioned that the first trial that we _ an update. that's right, i mentioned that the first trial that we know - an update. that's right, i mentioned that the first trial that we know of i that the first trial that we know of was conducted in 1796 by the vaccine pioneer edward jenner and who inoculate an eight—year—old boy called james fits with a live cowpox virus and i did wonder whether that boy survived. and apparently according to one of your twitter followers he did. so bravo. i was laughing because digby slept in a little dig at wokery, because the 18—year—old boy to be young lad who is the best known vaccine volunteer, or trial volunteer as a guy called alastair frazier and his 18 years

old and said he's not a guinea pig, signing up with the full of what's going to happen in 17 days with the royal hospital looking over london, he going to give his money to charity. he looks to me like the epitome of a young woke person who wants to help his fellow man and woman. just a minute. that's about 14 leaps of non—consequence. just because he's young doesn't mean it's accurate to or not wokery. i talking about the way he expressed himself on the radio this morning and its subsequent interviews. he looks precisely the kind of person. this turn wokery is thought about too easily. turn wokery is thought about too easil.�* , turn wokery is thought about too easil. , ., easily. anybody has the right to take offence — easily. anybody has the right to take offence about _ easily. anybody has the right to take offence about anything i easily. anybody has the right to | take offence about anything and easily. anybody has the right to i take offence about anything and then no platform everybody else. what i'm sa in: isi no platform everybody else. what i'm saying is i think _ no platform everybody else. what i'm saying is i think you _ no platform everybody else. what i'm saying is i think you are _ no platform everybody else. what i'm saying is i think you are wrong - no platform everybody else. what i'm saying is i think you are wrong to i saying is i think you are wrong to just throw out that aspersion that the work people are going to

complain that this is too dangerous. i don't think people well.— i don't think people well. before ou to i don't think people well. before you to start. _ i don't think people well. before you to start. in _ i don't think people well. before you to start, in case _ i don't think people well. before you to start, in case you - i don't think people well. before you to start, in case you to i i don't think people well. before you to start, in case you to startj you to start, in case you to start agreeing let's end on something that possibly you will not agree on. lets talk with the daily telegraph, sir keir starmer is issuing a call to arms, talk us through what he's going to say and what you think. being carried on the front page of the telegraph which he would not have thought was an place that wants to give _ have thought was an place that wants to give coverage the labour party. i also the _ to give coverage the labour party. i also the goods useful to the contribution of the debate. he's in a difficult — contribution of the debate. he's in a difficult position because he doesn't — a difficult position because he doesn't want to politicise the whole pandemic — doesn't want to politicise the whole pandemic. he does want to be seen to be supportive of government in its actions. _ be supportive of government in its actions, and at the same time he is paid by— actions, and at the same time he is paid by taxpayers, he gets money to beat the _ paid by taxpayers, he gets money to beat the leader of her majesty

public— beat the leader of her majesty public opposition and well done to board _ public opposition and well done to board a _ public opposition and well done to board a sign of a fabulous and mature — board a sign of a fabulous and mature democracy. he has this problem — mature democracy. he has this problem of how to he fight the government when he can't be seen to be politicising and always being the awkward _ be politicising and always being the awkward squad? to talk about a post pandemic— awkward squad? to talk about a post pandemic britton, to talk about when this is— pandemic britton, to talk about when this is over— pandemic britton, to talk about when this is over let us rebuild in the particular— this is over let us rebuild in the particular way he saying private and public _ particular way he saying private and public and _ particular way he saying private and public and talent and resource opportunity and lets to go forward, it the _ opportunity and lets to go forward, it the debate. and he could be seen as that _ it the debate. and he could be seen as that debate. he's under the cost from _ as that debate. he's under the cost from certain— as that debate. he's under the cost from certain members of his own party— from certain members of his own party because he seems to be veering to the _ party because he seems to be veering to the centre and corbyn fans waiting — to the centre and corbyn fans waiting for that and there's those in the _ waiting for that and there's those in the centre that no labour only when _ in the centre that no labour only when elections if they take the centre — when elections if they take the centre ground and he's under it saying — centre ground and he's under it saying don't go too far left and he's _ saying don't go too far left and he's got — saying don't go too far left and he's got to win back those eight—year—olds 30 royal seats that

.ave eight—year—olds 30 royal seats that gave birth _ eight—year—olds 30 royal seats that gave birth to the majority which i've gave birth to the majority which we never— gave birth to the majority which i've never been tory before. he's -ot i've never been tory before. he's got to— i've never been tory before. he's got to be — i've never been tory before. he's got to be seen patriotic union flag, difficult _ got to be seen patriotic union flag, difficult for some and his party and he's got _ difficult for some and his party and he's got to— difficult for some and his party and he's got to be seen to be embrace... we've _ he's got to be seen to be embrace... we've got— he's got to be seen to be embrace... we've got it. — he's got to be seen to be embrace... we've got it, we hear you are going with this. henry you've got 30 seconds to respond.— with this. henry you've got 30 seconds to respond. he's always got nothin: to seconds to respond. he's always got nothing to say? _ seconds to respond. he's always got nothing to say? what _ seconds to respond. he's always got nothing to say? what is _ seconds to respond. he's always got nothing to say? what is alternative i nothing to say? what is alternative going to be? he's talking about a new thing between the states and private enterprise. and that's what he thinks he can create clear red water between himself and boris johnson who from a he has embarrassed quite a lot of dispatch buyers that said johnson that is keptin buyers that said johnson that is kept in hindsight commander once the back of the government. i think keir starmer has been pretty good at pointing out the flaws in boris's covert plan —— covid plan. you

pointing out the flaws in boris's covert plan -- covid plan. you two are fantastic. _ covert plan -- covid plan. you two are fantastic, thank _ covert plan -- covid plan. you two are fantastic, thank you _ covert plan -- covid plan. you two are fantastic, thank you so - covert plan -- covid plan. you two are fantastic, thank you so much i covert plan -- covid plan. you two i are fantastic, thank you so much for spending your wednesday evening with me. pleasure to talk to the paper, have a very lovely rest of your evening. and yes if you would like to get involved in the conversation and some of our viewers did a little bit earlier that hashtag is bbc papers. hello, i'm tulsen tollett and this is your sports news where we start with football and manchester city have moved 10 points clear at the top of the premier league after a 3—1win over everton. with the match poised at 1—1 riyahd mahrez handed city the lead at goodison park just after the hour mark and with 13 minutes remaining it was bernardo silva who made sure of the result to make it 17 successive wins for pep guardiola's side. in the night's other match, burnley and fulham drew i—all at turf moor.

fulham took the lead through ola aina's rather unorthodox finish just after half time. it didn't last long though, ashley barnes equalised for the hosts just three minutes later. it's a result that suits burnley more than fulham, who remain 18th in the table. in scotland, celtic had a david turnbull goal to thank for their 1—0 win over 4th placed aberdeen which closes the gap on rangers but still leaves them 15 points adrift of their glasgow rivals while st mirren and hamilton academical played out a 1—1 draw. italian giantsjuventus will need to overturn a 2—1 deficit in the second leg of their last 16 champions league tie after losing to porto in portugal. while borussia dortmund despite struggling in the bundesliga domestically will take a 3—2 lead into the second leg of their tiie as erling haaland picked up a double in seville. darren drysdale, the referee that appeared to square up to an ipswich town player during their match against northampton in league one last night, has been charged by the fa with improper conduct. they had been investigating the incident that

involved the midfielder alan judge. drysdale apologised today saying he should have maintained his composure. the ipswich manager, paul lambert, says he spoke to the official at the final whistle. iasked him, did you put your head on my player? i asked him again, did you put your head on my player? he told me were to go basically. i said, if you did i think you're in trouble. i think it's unacceptable what happened. if he ran in and it was of the other way around there would be an absolute mayhem. after a couple of upsets at the australian open, the semi—final line up is complete the world number one and home favourite ashleigh barty says she was heartbroken to go out, while the 20 time grand slam champion rafael nadal says he would offer no excuses for his 5 set defeat. patrick gearey reports.

the match the tournament has way to far came a day too early. on thursday this classic would've had a crowd. on wednesday just a flock. for the first half it on only one winner rafael nadal strolled through the first two sets. tsitsipas a blur of day—glo energy. and only rarely did he forced nadal to bend his troubled back. tsitsipas, a man loves to travel looks lost and yet he was merely choosing his path. in the third set tie—break he found himself. nadal has lost his first set of the tournament. it made him suddenly older and angrier. he lost the fourth and the match hurtled into a decider. every shot loaded with meaning. game 11 tsitsipas force a break point nadal lost his grip and his serve. nadal had only twice before lost a match from two sets up. he fought to the last point but the last shot would be from tsitsipas. the last word was trickier. i'm speechless. i have no words to describe whatjust happened on the court.

my tennis speaks for itself. it's an unbelievable feeling to be able to fight at such a level. barty will surely have missed the company more than most. the world number one at her home slam. imagine what the crowds reaction would be when she did this to break muchova. barty won the first set and broke again in the 2nd. in the melbourne heat muchova's world started to spin. she took a medical timeout, got her blood pressure checked and returned renewed. despite everything, she seized back the break in one back a set. into a third and muchova broke again. the match turned on its head. with the fans in the arena should now be up against hundreds of australians. instead she faced only once. that makes everything simpler. and perhaps for barty, even tougher. it's heartbreaking, of course. but will it deter me in the fact that we had a really successful start? absolutely not. the sun will come up tomorrow.

after knocking out the favourite in reaching herfirst grand slam semifinal little wonder karolina muchova needed a minute. enjoy the peace, it won't stay quiet for long. the england cricket coach chris silverwood has apologised for the way that moeen ali's departure from the test squad for the remainder of the series against india was handled. captainjoe root says he didn't express himself clearly when telling the media yesterday that moeen had "chosen" to return home. the plan had always been to stand moeen down for the last two tests as part of their rotation policy but because he had played so little cricket, missing the sri lanka series with coronavirus and also the first test against india, he was given the option to stay on. it was a unique situation. the fact that he had spent so long in isolation and how he had just broken back into the team. the question was posed to him. we try to work as close as we can

with our players to make sure that we get the best opportunities as well as looking after them. so, he was asked but ultimately, we felt it was the right decision for him to go home. great britain's elliot giles ran the second—quickest indoor 800m in history, also breaking the british record held by sebastian coe since 1983. the 26—year—old clocked one minute 43.63 seconds to beat compatriot jamie webb in poland, for a third victory of the series with only four meets having been held to date. and the russian side rubin kazan's players have been keeping themselves busy as they prepare to return to action next weekend. they've been practicing this set—piece in their hotel corridor. they're just coming out of a three month winter break in russia and when it's cold and there's snow outside you have to get creative. everything else you can go to the bbc sport website. and that's all the sport for now.

quite a mixed bag out there at the moment. plenty of heavy rain across western and northern areas, and thursday is going to be a mixed bag as well. windy out towards the west, and there's a spell of rain on the way. so this is what it looks like for the early hours. the weather front is crossing western parts of the country, the heaviest of the rain will remain out towards the west through early thursday. eastern areas damp but not quite so wet. that weather front won't reach you until later on in the morning. i think all of us are in for at least a good dose of rain blessing a couple of hours. especially across england and wales. i towards the north more showers likely and then showers for the rest as well. a real mixed picture and will feel chilly in the strong winds blowing off the atlantic.

on friday another spell of wind on the way. the weekend is looking milder.

this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. i'm kasia madera. nearly three million people in texas are without heat or light — in sub zero temperatures. the power grid has been crippled in america's number one energy—producing state. nato debates the future of troops in afghanistan, after nearly 20 years of bitter conflict. are the taliban and willing to please? if not, the taliban should know that the international immunity will remain. ——commmunity will remain. facebook blocks users in australia from sharing or viewing news content — in a dispute over planned social media laws. the world's first — human trials — with people

deliberately infected with covid—19 — are given the go—ahead in the uk. and — buckingham palace says the duke of edinburgh is admitted to hospital as a precaution