this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. lawyers for prince andrew argue for the first time in court, that the sexual assault civil lawsuit against him, should be thrown out. they say he can't be sued, because of an agreement signed by his accuser. the us registers more than a million new coronavirus cases in the past 2a hours — setting a new global record for daily infections. president biden has urged americans to get booster shots. the uk also sets a new record — as it surpasses 200,000 new daily cases for the first time. borisjohnson had this message. we have a good chance of getting through the omicron wave without the need for further restrictions and without the need for lockdown.

and bye bye blackberry — as the software company is discontinuing service on all its classic smartphones that do not run on android software. prince andrew's lawyers have been trying to convince a us judge to dismiss the sexual assault civil lawsuit against him. they say his accuser, virginia giuffre, can't sue, in because of damages she accepted in 2009, from the paedophile, jeffrey epstein, in return for dropping her claims against him and any other "potential defendant". prince andrew has consistently denied her allegations. 0ur royal correspondent, jonny dymond, has the latest. she says she was sexually assaulted

by prince andrew three times. he denies every allegation and says he can't remember meeting her. today, his lawyers argued the whole case should be dismissed. the civil case rests partly on this meeting in london, a night when virginia guiffre, here aged 17, says she was forced to have sex with prince andrew. it �*s something the prince has consistently denied. you can say categorically that you don't recall meeting virginia roberts, dining with her, dancing with her at tramp or going on to have sex with her in a bedroom at a house in belgravia? i can absolutely categorically tell you it never happened. do you recall any kind of sexual contact with her, then, or at any other time? none whatsoever. today in new york the lawyers

battled in court for the first time. at the centre of their arguments, a deal struck between andrew's accuser and his former friend, jeffrey epstein. epstein paid virginia guiffre $500,000. their deal released any other person who could have been included as a potential defendant from further legal challenge by virginia guiffre. prince andrew's lawyers needed to persuade the judge that the 2009 deal covered the prince. the court heard...

the prince's lawyers demanded detail of the allegations against their client but they were slapped down by thejudge. finally, questions were raised as to whether the prince could even use the 2009 deal. he is a third party, the court heard. thejudge said... the argument put forward by ms giuffre roberts�* counsel, david boies, was strong. i thought the arguments put forward by prince andrew's counsel really met with what we call in america a "very hot bench." the judge was simply not buying what they were selling. even if this case is dismissed, the prince is, say veteran royal watchers, badly damaged. when it comes to the monarchy, the monarchy is obviously an institution that is big enough to rise above what has happened,

but when it comes to prince andrew, one has to say that one can see no role in royal life for him in the immediate future or the intermediate future. now, they wait. the judge in new york says a decision will come pretty soon. jonny dymond, bbc news. let's speak to nada tawfik who's in new york and has been following the case... that start with what e—mail in terms of the exchanges today. there is a lot of this that's been done in documentary form.— lot of this that's been done in documentary form. what is it that the hearing _ documentary form. what is it that the hearing today? _ documentary form. what is it that the hearing today? that's - documentary form. what is it that the hearing today? that's exactly| the hearing today? that's exactly riuht. the the hearing today? that's exactly right- the judge _ the hearing today? that's exactly right. the judge had _ the hearing today? that's exactly right. the judge had received - the hearing today? that's exactly| right. thejudge had received both sides arguments in advance and you really got the sense hearing this oral discussion that his questions were quite pointed to get both sides stands on key questions he still had. and some of those could be to reaffirm a position he already holds. it could be that he already knows which way he's going to go and certainly when we were all listening

to this hearing one got the sense that prince andrew's lawyers were not exactly mirroring their points where the judge was not too convinced by some of them and it's hard to see they would have walked away from this feeling very confident. thejudge really questions this idea that he was desk —— definitely a defendant in the settlement agreement but the judge brought up another point the party base —— expressed riches that one paragraph in the settlement agreement suggests that it can only be by virginia giuffre and jeffrey epstein and therefore prince andrew as a third party cannot rely on the settlement agreement even if he is considered to be a potential defendant. as i say, it was a very legal back and forth discussion and argument but i think both sides would be interested to see where the judge lands on this. and the judge

did not give any indication as to how long it will be before his judgment is released? he said he would not go into specifics that it would not go into specifics that it would just be soon. and i think what was also interesting to keep in mind was also interesting to keep in mind was that he did not delay the dates for discovery which is that period where both sides have to exchange evidence and he did not delay any of the schedule going forward in this case and he set a trial can be expected for the fall of 2022 and none of that has been put on hold so i think that's one former federal prosecutor said just that means he's more inclined not to dismiss this case specifically since he wants to move forward as scheduled with everything. thank you for talking to bbc news. that means the first about the

essence of prince andrew's motion to dismiss. what did he really have to prove in this case? the burden was very high for a prince andrew with regards to motion to dismiss essentially the argument is as a matter of law accepting all of the allegations in the complaint and all inferences in favour that he did not have a case as a matter of law. that's a hybrid in an penitentiary a number of arguments to support his motion to dismiss on the judge expressed scepticism about some of those arguments. is expressed scepticism about some of those arguments.— those arguments. is this easier for vir: inia's those arguments. is this easier for virginia's i — those arguments. is this easier for virginia's i precisely _ those arguments. is this easier for virginia's i precisely because - those arguments. is this easier for virginia's i precisely because there is no criminal aspect of this, this is no criminal aspect of this, this is a civil suit rather than potentially could result in any kind of criminal symptoms of a jail time

for anyone she accuses? i think in this case prince andrew has a very big burden to dismiss the case at this stage. the court's inclination that the system is structured so that the system is structured so that plaintiffs have generally a right to bring the case and to pursue the case and in my estimation the case will proceed to the next stages. it the case will proceed to the next staues. , ., ., , stages. it is irrelevant for this case what _ stages. it is irrelevant for this case what happened - stages. it is irrelevant for this case what happened last - stages. it is irrelevant for this| case what happened last week indicating maxwell conviction for current criminal act for the behaviour that took place because prince andrew said he didn't witness anything as well as rejecting these claims about virginia herself. there ma be claims about virginia herself. there may be some _ claims about virginia herself. there may be some interplay _ claims about virginia herself. there may be some interplay between - claims about virginia herself. ii—iiff may be some interplay between the evidence that came off in the criminal case and the print —— materials that were produced publicly in the civil case here but the outcome does not dictate what

happens here where the standards are very different and the person looking at the potential trailer is very different. if looking at the potential trailer is very different-— very different. ifjudge kaplan re'ects very different. ifjudge kaplan rejects the — very different. ifjudge kaplan rejects the motion _ very different. ifjudge kaplan rejects the motion to - very different. ifjudge kaplan rejects the motion to dismiss| rejects the motion to dismiss because the prince have any grounds for appeal? because the prince have any grounds forappeal? he because the prince have any grounds for a - eal? ., because the prince have any grounds fora eal? ., ., ., , , ., because the prince have any grounds for a- eal? ., ., ., , , ., ., for appeal? he would not appear at this oint for appeal? he would not appear at this point so _ for appeal? he would not appear at this point so the _ for appeal? he would not appear at this point so the case _ for appeal? he would not appear at this point so the case would - for appeal? he would not appear at| this point so the case would proceed into that discovery where each side would have the opportunity to get documents from each other to depose witnesses and ultimately move forward into a summaryjudgment phase but they will not be an appeal available prince andrew at this point. available prince andrew at this oint. available prince andrew at this oint, . ., , ., available prince andrew at this oint. _, , ., .,, ., available prince andrew at this oint. , ., ., , point. the complaint was an battery and infection _ point. the complaint was an battery and infection of— point. the complaint was an battery and infection of emotional - point. the complaint was an battery and infection of emotional distress. | and infection of emotional distress. if they were to be a case is it inevitable that prince andrew would be subpoenaed as a witness? i

inevitable that prince andrew would be subpoenaed as a witness? i would exect be subpoenaed as a witness? i would exeeet them — be subpoenaed as a witness? i would exeeet them to _ be subpoenaed as a witness? i would expect them to move _ be subpoenaed as a witness? i would expect them to move to _ be subpoenaed as a witness? i would expect them to move to a _ be subpoenaed as a witness? i would expect them to move to a depose - be subpoenaed as a witness? i would | expect them to move to a depose him as part of this civil case and the allegations really centred around prince andrew's conduct with regard to mr dufresne and instances of sexual misconduct with a guide to back prince andrew took a very aggressive step in we can move to dismiss the complaint on the grounds that the allegations of the sexual conduct were not specific enough. judge kaplan rejected that concept that's not the standard here and it's not appropriate in allegations were specific enough to withstand that arguments by prince andrew's lawyers. it looks like that whatever happens this is a story that will continue to run. flan happens this is a story that will continue to run.— happens this is a story that will continue to run. ., ., ., continue to run. can i ask you about the reporting _ continue to run. can i ask you about the reporting of _ continue to run. can i ask you about the reporting of it _ continue to run. can i ask you about the reporting of it in _ continue to run. can i ask you about the reporting of it in the _ the reporting of it in the united states? has it been extensive? i

states? has it been extensive? i think this is a key that's been followed by people all around the world and i have noticed from my own media appearances and inquiries that increase from the uk outlets have been more focused on prince andrew than the outlets in the united states but this case is sent to me getting an incredible amount of coverage in the us as well. thank ou for coverage in the us as well. thank you forjoining — coverage in the us as well. thank you forjoining us. _ the uk and the united states have both registered new coronavirus records as the 0micron variant continues to spread rapidly around the world. the uk recorded 219—thousand new infections in the latest 24—hour period, the highest daily figure so far, although it covers four days' reporting in northern ireland and two in wales. the prime minister borisjohnson

says he hopes to "ride out" the rising wave of 0micron infections, without lockdown restrictions in england, despite warnings the nhs is under significant pressure. we'll have more on the us in a few moments but first here's our health editor, hugh pym with the latest in the uk. the nhs is always under strain at this time of year. now, there's a new variant. with london hospitals like this one, uch, caught up in the early wave. they're seeing an important difference from previous covid surges... it's all looking very good, nice and steady. well done. there's less pressure on intensive care but more elsewhere in the hospital... so, the numbers coming into intensive care are less and the numbers coming into general ward beds are more. there's a caveat.

we don't know as the older people start to get 0micron whether that will convert into more people coming into intensive care. caring for covid patients in general wards brings its own challenges. this bay has patients, all with different conditions, needing to see different consultants, but they are all together here because they have covid. one of them is dennis who had an underlying lung problem before he caught the virus. well, considering i was at death's door, they brought me back, ifeel good. i feel really good. i had two lung collapses and they brought me back twice. hi, tonight we've only got five. adam and jade, who run the ward, say staffing pressures are creating added stress. we have had quite acute staff shortages, a lot of staff of sick and isolating. patient wise, i think the numbers are increasing, but we are not at full capacity yet. it's fear of the unknown. you don't know which way it'is

going to go, even though right now it feels slightly better than it did this time last year. so, what might happen now? there was a chance to find out more at the downing street briefing. would you say it is now unlikely, or highly unlikely, that further restrictions will be introduced in england? i would say we have a good chance of getting through the 0micron wave without the need for further restrictions and without the need, certainly, for a lockdown. people need to stay home because they have — people need to stay home because they have covid—19 then he can afford — they have covid—19 then he can afford to— they have covid—19 then he can afford to do so. back at university college hospital, there are signs that numbers have stabilised but no certainty what'll happen next. we were increasingly worried before the new year and now at the beginning ofjanuary, we are seeing some very early signs

that perhaps some of the demand is lessening but i would caution against thinking we are through the worst of this pandemic. we have a long way to go injanuary so we are planning very much for the worst and hoping for the best. the message to get vaccinated was also pushed again today by the prime minister. he said 61% of patients in intensive care units hadn't been vaccinated and 90% hadn't had a booster. borisjohnson added that people were dying needlessly because they hadn't had theirjabs. hugh pym, bbc news. stay with us on bbc news, still to come: we'll hear from president biden who's appealed for more americans to get the vaccine as the 0micron variant surges... the labour leader has been setting out his party's vision for power if they win the next general election. in his new year's speech sir keir starmer accused the conservatives of losing voters'

trust, promising that his party would govern based on the principles of "security, prosperity and respect". the briton i want is a country that those who contribute get something back because 2022 is also the first yearin back because 2022 is also the first year in which we tackle some really big challenges. combating climate crisis, making brexit work. i believe the best still lies ahead for this country but only if we have the courage to create a new briton. a country in which you and your family get the security, the prosperity, and the respect that you deserve. my contract with the british people will set out how we can create that new briton.

welcome back to the pandemic and in the us, where the global record for daily infections has been broken. more than one point nought eight million new cases were recorded on monday, that's the highest daily figure anywhere in the world. the country's top adviser on the pandemic, anthony fauci, has said the us is facing an almost vertical increase in cases, and it may be weeks before the number of infections peaks. the rapid rise in cases has led to some school districts postponing the return of students to classrooms after the winter break, due to increasing infections and staff shortages. speaking earlier this evening, president biden said the soaring numbers highlighted the needed for americans to get vaccinated — with tens of millions still unwilling to get their shot. we have reduced the number of american adults without any shots from 90 million to about 35 million in the past six months. but there is

still 35 million people not vaccinated. and that me be absolutely clear, we have in hand all the vaccines we need to get every american fully vaccinated including the booster shot. there is no excuse. no excuse for anyone being unvaccinated. this continues to be a pandemic of the unvaccinated. meanwhile, schools across the united states have reopened this week — despite a huge surge in people testing positive for 0micron. in a moment we'll look at how they've been coping but first... here in england and northern ireland, millions of pupils have gone back to school today, amid concerns over staff shortages caused by coronavirus infections. in england, secondary school students have taken tests on site before returning to lessons, and masks are being reintroduced in classrooms. but education unions warn it's likely some groups of pupils, will have to be sent home, to learn remotely. here's our education editor, bra nwen jeffreys.

both teachers, martyn and lucy, got covid at the same time last term. lucy ended up in hospitalfor a night. we had talked about the amount of risk we were in in comparison to other people, isuppose, so... children in different schools. myself and lucy have both been teachers. i think we're on plan c, d, e and f at the minute. mark, a secondary head teacher, had a third of his teachers off at one point, so they brought back facemasks in classrooms — a precaution reintroduced for teenagers across england. communication in classrooms is impacted. i've got a couple of classes that i take. i'm well aware of the difficulties that teachers and students face, but in my view it's a short—term measure for impact to deal with people's health so we will continue to adapt and be fleet of foot in our approach, i think. today, tests on offer

in england's secondary schools, then pupils are asked to test at home like the rest of the uk. for these teenagers in stoke, tests and masks are trade—offs. i think that face—to—face teaching is obviously always the most important aspect of school because we, you know, online you can't get the same sort of support from teachers. i think it'sjust a case of, like, cracking on with it cos, like, if it's going to affect our education, i think you should just wear it, yeah. it's a bit stressful _ because it's always on my face and i can't really breathe. but i mean, it's obviously got- a positive side because it's helping people to stay safe. no—one wants a repeat of last year's empty classrooms. the worry is rising cases among staff. there are some big differences from last year — so year—group bubbles have gone, which should mean fewer pupils being sent home. and, of course, more teachers

and pupils have either been vaccinated or had coronavirus. only a half of teenagers have had at least one jab. apart from scotland, where more are vaccinated. no masks for primary pupils, vaccines only for the most vulnerable. here, already some staff are off. so currently we have four members of staff that have tested positive over the holidays, so they are not in school with us today. we have had around 90% of our staff have actually had covid. as wales and scotland also return in the coming days, everyone waiting to see if schools can manage through the next peak. branwen jeffreys, bbc news. of baltimore city council.

we heard it from a doctor who was also involved in some of the schooling. 0nce been the impact of omicron and cultivate my generally in your city in recent weeks? much like most of— in your city in recent weeks? much like most of america _ in your city in recent weeks? much like most of america and - in your city in recent weeks? mm? like most of america and britain in your city in recent weeks? ij�*im�*i like most of america and britain we are seeing our icus and paediatric i see up and a huge spike in the amount of folks who are getting sick. i think there has been this strain is more variant and it travels easier and i would say it is getting a little less hard but at the same time because so many people are getting sick —— there are lots of ending up in hospital and dying. last thursday was a record amount of deaths for the state of maryland and we are very concerned about these next few weeks coming back from

christmas break. in next few weeks coming back from christmas break.— christmas break. in terms of the im act christmas break. in terms of the impact on _ christmas break. in terms of the impact on this. _ christmas break. in terms of the impact on this, i _ christmas break. in terms of the impact on this, i am _ christmas break. in terms of the impact on this, i am expecting i christmas break. in terms of the - impact on this, i am expecting some schools actually have to delay the return to the classroom? in schools actually have to delay the return to the classroom?- schools actually have to delay the return to the classroom? in the us, it's been a — return to the classroom? in the us, it's been a patchwork. _ return to the classroom? in the us, it's been a patchwork. new- return to the classroom? in the us, it's been a patchwork. new york - it's been a patchwork. new york is fully back in person and our neighbour is going to be online for the next few weeks in baltimore are delayed by a few days and we will be back this thursday and students will be back in the classroom. a few of my colleagues and some students and parents and teachers are working together to do a massive and 95 mask and vaccination drive and we know that young people are in particular are vulnerable if the unvaccinated and so it's critically important that our children who are in schools are vaccinated and we're all wearing the right masks because we know from doctor fauci and others at this

point we really want and 95 mask especially in school buildings like baltimore where we have some of the oldest buildings in the state and ventilation is a challenge and our school system and mayor has done a phenomenaljob throughout this phenomenal job throughout this pandemic. phenomenaljob throughout this pandemic. i5 phenomenal 'ob throughout this andemic. , ., , pandemic. is there a problem in terms of the _ pandemic. is there a problem in terms of the history _ pandemic. is there a problem in terms of the history of- pandemic. is there a problem in | terms of the history of baltimore pandemic. is there a problem in i terms of the history of baltimore in terms of the history of baltimore in terms of segregation and in terms of is it a problem that affects some of the older black schools? communities of colours have _ the older black schools? communities of colours have been _ the older black schools? communities of colours have been hit _ the older black schools? communities of colours have been hit much - the older black schools? communities of colours have been hit much harder| of colours have been hit much harder than white communities in the city of baltimore and that's why we are being cautious in how we go back to school and we are trying to make sure that all of our young people as i said have a 95 masks were other teachers are vaccinated and boosted and exceeded life or death for our communities that i represent. we will get through it.—

will get through it. thank you. those are _ will get through it. thank you. those are the _ will get through it. thank you. those are the latest _ will get through it. thank you. | those are the latest headlines. hello. i'm guessing today came as a bit of a shock to the system after that exceptionally warm start that you experienced on new year's day, temperatures widely across the uk in the mid teens, up to 16 degrees in a few spots. this afternoon, barely a few degrees above freezing. much closer to how it should feel injanuary. the cold conditions continue tonight, more snow showers across the north of scotland, aided by strong gale force winds those winds easing a little bit. blustery nights across the board. more sleep, snow showers. northern ireland, wales, may be parts of the northwest midlands too. but away from that clear skies around. there could be some alliance with the ground is wet. there could be some ice where the ground is wet to keep

showers going through the night, but a more widespread frost returns to take us into wednesday morning. that said, for many a crisp and sunny start. a few showers in the north of scotland. not many across other western areas. there is a chance of rain showers getting close to eastern coast of england through the day. this is where the strongest winds will remain, adding a bit to the wind—chill factor. temperatures not far off the average for early january, around four to 7 degrees in most parts of the uk. with clear skies and sunshine to end the day, and lighter winds, it'll be an even colder night to take us into thursday morning. again, where a few showers linger late in the day, there could be a bit of ice around, but it is the sharp frost into thursday morning, —9 in some parts of as low as minus four and minus six degrees in some parts of england. eastern scotland. temperatures lift later in the night in ireland. slightly milder air coming in with these weather fronts but they will be pushing into that cold air so we are likely to see snow for a time. getting to lower levels in parts of scotland.

0n the hills in wales and increasingly so into northern england and the north midlands. turning back to rain as the temperatures rise temporarily, then drop later on, sunshine and showers in its wake. weather front not quite reaching east anglia until late in the day but even then it stays on the cold side after that frosty start, temperatures around four or five degrees. patchy frost to take us through into friday as that weather system clears. and then on friday, a day sunshine and showers. showers mainly across the western areas, but with the westerly win it mayjust drive them a little bit further east. southern parts should stay bright and dry and temperatures around three to eight degrees. that's how things are looking. goodbye for now.

don't this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. lawyers for prince andrew argue for the first time in court, that the sexual assault civil lawsuit against him, should be thrown out. they say he can't be sued, because of an agreement signed by his accuser. the us registers more than a million new coronavirus cases in the past 2a hours — setting a new global record for daily infections. president biden has urged americans to get booster shots. the uk also sets a new record — as it surpasses 200,000 new daily cases for the first time. borisjohnson had this message. we have a good chance of getting through the omicron wave without the need for further restrictions and

without the need for lockdown. more now on the pandemic and the uk's prime minister's downing street briefing. borisjohnson said around 100,000 critical workers are set to take daily covid tests in order to reduce the spread of the virus to colleagues. it will be for key industries including transport, border force and food processing. joining me now is nick allen, chief executive of the british meat processors association. spokein spoke in a number of times during this pandemic and some meat factories were hit hard by previous infections from covid—i9. you do not

know yet whether or not to be included in the scheme, but you must already be thinking about what it might mean if you are. that already be thinking about what it might mean if you are.— might mean if you are. that is riuht. i might mean if you are. that is right- i can — might mean if you are. that is right. i can understand - might mean if you are. that is right. i can understand that i might mean if you are. that is| right. i can understand that the logic behind what they're doing, trying to identify teams as key workers and make sure that if one of those spells go down, and are infected, they do not infect the others. i understand the principle behind it which i sincerely hope animal welfare will be higher on the priority list and therefore, meat plants will be considered critical parts. i my biggest concern here is that people across the industries that people across the industries that they're talking about, this is only very many and i would be a lot happier if they throw the net a little bit wider. a lot of our members are being complaining that they have not been able to access a lot of lateral flow tests for their workers. �* . ., . , lot of lateral flow tests for their workers. �* . ., ., , ., ,, ., workers. anecdotally talking to colleagues. — workers. anecdotally talking to colleagues, speaking _ workers. anecdotally talking to colleagues, speaking for - workers. anecdotally talking to i colleagues, speaking for myself,

lots of people in the country say we've been trying with our local chemists and others to get more lateral flow tests we have not been able to get them and demand was huge of a christmas and people were hoping to travel, see family make sure that they are safe. schools have been off and so the requirement lateral flow tests for pupils, they are not coming back. but the government is going up to come up with regular reliable supplies if this is going to be. br; with regular reliable supplies if this is going to be. by identifying the hundred _ this is going to be. by identifying the hundred thousand _ this is going to be. by identifying the hundred thousand in - this is going to be. by identifying the hundred thousand in the - this is going to be. by identifying l the hundred thousand in the press release, tonight actually identifying and guaranteeing them for five weeks, that they will get to attest is good news and they will make sure that they get those tests. my make sure that they get those tests. my biggest concern is i'm not sure hundred thousand is wide enough. {lin hundred thousand is wide enough. on your industry at the moment, if in light of the previous wave of

infections, why it is that processing factories, and were processing factories, and were processing factories, and were processing factories are hit relatively hard?— processing factories are hit relativel hard? , , ,, relatively hard? divide bad press. i think we've — relatively hard? divide bad press. i think we've done _ relatively hard? divide bad press. i think we've done quite _ relatively hard? divide bad press. i think we've done quite as - relatively hard? divide bad press. i think we've done quite as bad - relatively hard? divide bad press. i think we've done quite as bad as i think we've done quite as bad as everyone says, but there are intensive places and there are a lot of workers were working quite close together we've had to introduce social distancing to keep them apart and they have to come here to do it. if take a lot of precautions to get things better and i think we've done particularly well but i think you haven't done particularly well but i think given them to bentley. and certainly, a lot of our members have said that they would like to get back to testing on a regular basis for our workers, we cannot get the lateral flow tests.— for our workers, we cannot get the lateral flow tests. meat processors association — lateral flow tests. meat processors association joining _ lateral flow tests. meat processors association joining us _ lateral flow tests. meat processors association joining us from - association joining us from hampshire. thank you very much.

and let's stay with boris johnson's news conference. and speak to our political correspondent in westminster is ben wrigthi. covid in the ukq2. ministers of already talked about the shortages of lateral flow test kits, how would they address this? the government said it's going to be working on the logistics of this with this sector is involved, but we know many people are facing problems for lateral flow tests of people, employees and the health service, i think it's twice a week that health bodies so just a couple days ago, they're struggling to get testing with people working in the health service of the moment and how precisely would immobilize this number of tests for the hundreds of thousands of key workers the prime minister identify today. but, mr johnson did say this would kick in from january the 10th and effort to

try to secure supply chains is the omicron wave continues to roll through the country. {lin omicron wave continues to roll through the country.— omicron wave continues to roll through the country. on a separate ruestion, through the country. on a separate question. tony _ through the country. on a separate question, tony blair's _ through the country. on a separate question, tony blair's name - through the country. on a separate question, tony blair's name has i through the country. on a separate i question, tony blair's name has come up question, tony blair's name has come up in the media in recent days because of reports that he is to receive an honorary knighthood which is not unusual, but the responses been quite interesting.— is not unusual, but the responses been quite interesting. became sir ton on been quite interesting. became sir tony on january — been quite interesting. became sir tony on january the _ been quite interesting. became sir tony on january the 1st _ been quite interesting. became sir tony on january the 1st when i been quite interesting. became sirl tony on january the 1st when he was in the new year's honours list was been a member of the select group of people. i think only 2a such knighthoods in such a personal appointment of the queen, but in the last few days, a petition is popped up last few days, a petition is popped up on the changed out or website news posted by an actor, someone saying that tony blair should have this honour removed and that he was not deserving of a knighthood and he cites iraq as the reason he feels

so. and many accounts of sign disagreeing with them. there is no sense that this will in any way, given the tony blair's honour will be rescinded, his speech that he made in birmingham, the current leader said in the speech that he did cite tony blair, approvingly in a way that labour leaders have not done saying that in his view, he was entirely deserving of this honour is a former prime minister who had done much good in governess at the same. i think this position is an expression of how some people clearly still feel about tony blair, who remains a divisive figure in british politics, there is no doubt, but westminster now, you didn't hear any voices of people saying that he should not of gotten this knighthood and interestingly, this petition is not put on the parliamentary website and just because it has this number signatures doesn't mean that it triggers any sort of debate with in the house of commons.

a tech entrepreneur, who became a billionaire by claiming her health company could diagnose a range of medical conditions with a simple blood test, has been found guilty of fraud. a jury in california convicted elizabeth holmes of tricking investors, when a newspaper revealed her blood test machines didn't work. here's james clayton. we'd like to see a world in which every person gets access to this type of basic testing. elizabeth holmes had a vision that turned her into a billionaire — that she could create a machine that she called the edison that could detect hundreds of diseases with just a few drops of blood. the pitch convinced some very important people. media tycoon rupert murdoch invested, bill clinton was a fan. behind me are theranos's former head offices — very plush, very expensive and in the heart of silicon valley. and the great and the good came to visit theranos.

evenjoe biden came to california and heaped praise on the company. success seemed inevitable. yet holmes is now facing a lengthy prison sentence as a convicted fraudster. an astonishing fall from grace. this is my certificate for theranos, showing my shares and it was actually signed by elizabeth holmes. eileen lepera was a secretary in silicon valley. she heard about this amazing new company. my boss had indicated that it was going to be, in his words, "the next apple," and that i should get as many shares as i could, and so i did. it was six figures, which was a large amount for me. what eileen didn't know was that elizabeth holmes was selling was a nightmare. the technology didn't work, but investors like eileen had no idea. she lost every cent of her investment. the retail giant walgreens had a contract with theranos to diagnose patients with its machines. however, the court heard that theranos wasn't

using its edison machines, but was instead using openly available diagnostic equipment. the court also heard that some patients had been misdiagnosed. and yet, it took years for the truth to unravel. whistle—blowers struggled to make themselves heard as holmes pushed the company forward. she almost has this reality distortion field around her that other people can get sucked into. even when i was working with the product every single day, and seeing it fail time after time after time, and i could go and have a five—minute conversation with elizabeth and feel like i was saving the world again. elizabeth holmes has argued at trial that she had always attempted to create a genuine product that worked and that she never intended to commit fraud. a new mother, some also believed that the jury might go easy on miss holmes. that did not come to pass. what happened behind those closed doors has led to a lot of introspection here in silicon valley. but there's still a culture

of faking it till you make it here, and until that changes, people worry that what happened in theranos could happen again. james clayton, bbc news. the ukjustice secretary has said victims of domestic abuse will get more time to report crimes to police to "plug gaps" in the law that risks offenders escaping justice. dominic raab confirmed a six—month time limit in cases of common assaults involving domestic abuse will be extended, after the bbc revealed almost 13,000 such cases in england and wales had been dropped in the past five years. 0ur political correspondent alex forsyth reports. asa as a crime behind closed doors that too often goes unpunished. reports of domestic abuse went up but many cases never make it to court and last year, the bbc revealed thousands were dropped because there wasn't enough time to bring charges.

now thejustice wasn't enough time to bring charges. now the justice secretary says the law should change to allow more than the current six months for people to report cases of assault that involve domestic abuse. it report cases of assault that involve domestic abuse.— domestic abuse. it takes time to -h sicall domestic abuse. it takes time to physically recover, _ domestic abuse. it takes time to physically recover, to _ domestic abuse. it takes time to l physically recover, to emotionally recover and to muster the confidence and the courage to come forward. want to make sure that the perpetrators of abuse cannot evade justice by being timed out. who; justice by being timed out. why would victims _ justice by being timed out. why would victims of _ justice by being timed out. why would victims of domestic abuse and violence more broadly feel comfortable in coming forward and so few people are getting charged with these crimes? this few people are getting charged with these crimes?— these crimes? this been a huge challenae these crimes? this been a huge challenge with _ these crimes? this been a huge challenge with this. _ these crimes? this been a huge challenge with this. and - these crimes? this been a huge challenge with this. and it i these crimes? this been a huge | challenge with this. and it dates back to a number of years now and all of the support is there, anyone who is threatening a woman in the home are out of the home will be brought tojustice. home are out of the home will be brought to justice.— home are out of the home will be brought to justice. erica has been campaigning _ brought to justice. erica has been campaigning for— brought to justice. erica has been campaigning for the _ brought to justice. erica has been campaigning for the law - brought to justice. erica has been campaigning for the law to i brought to justice. erica has been i campaigning for the law to change. she reported domestic abuse to the police but was told no one could be

charged because too much time had passed. for her, today marks a significant moment. it took three ears 'ust significant moment. it took three years just to _ significant moment. it took three years just to process _ significant moment. it took three years just to process what - significant moment. it took three years just to process what i've i significant moment. it took three i years just to process what i've been yearsjust to process what i've been through. _ yearsjust to process what i've been through. to — yearsjust to process what i've been through, to have this gives time for a survivor— through, to have this gives time for a survivor to— through, to have this gives time for a survivor to take the time to process— a survivor to take the time to process their ordeal, make sure that they are _ process their ordeal, make sure that they are safe before coming forward. the issue _ they are safe before coming forward. the issue against violence of women and girls has gained traction in high—profile cases as well as changing the rules for domestic abuse they make it illegal to stress women by taking pictures of them breast—feeding without their consent, something us campaigners have been pressing for. labourers save these changes are welcome but more is needed.— more is needed. we've seen a big dro in more is needed. we've seen a big drop in the _ more is needed. we've seen a big drop in the number— more is needed. we've seen a big drop in the number of— more is needed. we've seen a big. drop in the number of prosecutions from _ drop in the number of prosecutions from rain _ drop in the number of prosecutions from rain and — drop in the number of prosecutions from rain and prosecutions - drop in the number of prosecutions from rain and prosecutions of- from rain and prosecutions of domestic— from rain and prosecutions of domestic abuse, _ from rain and prosecutions of domestic abuse, so - from rain and prosecutions of domestic abuse, so there's . from rain and prosecutions of- domestic abuse, so there's much more that they— domestic abuse, so there's much more that they could — domestic abuse, so there's much more that they could and _ domestic abuse, so there's much more that they could and should _ domestic abuse, so there's much more that they could and should be - that they could and should be doing which _ that they could and should be doing which sets— that they could and should be doing which sets out — that they could and should be doing which sets out common _ that they could and should be doing which sets out common sense - that they could and should be doing| which sets out common sense plans and i_ which sets out common sense plans and i really — which sets out common sense plans and i really hope _ which sets out common sense plans and i really hope they— which sets out common sense plans and i really hope they will— which sets out common sense plans and i really hope they will listen i and i really hope they will listen and i really hope they will listen and go — and i really hope they will listen and go further. _

and i really hope they will listen and go further. it— and i really hope they will listen and go further.— and i really hope they will listen and go further. it may be a step in the riaht and go further. it may be a step in the right direction _ and go further. it may be a step in the right direction for— and go further. it may be a step in the right direction for some, i and go further. it may be a step in the right direction for some, but l the right direction for some, but for others, justice does remain out of reach. if you have been affected by any of the issues in alex forsyth's report, please visit the bbc action line for support and information, by searching bbc action line. stay with us on bbc news, still to come. it's bye bye blackberry as the once prominent smartphone maker runs out ofjuice with its once pervasive smartphone squeezed out of the market. let's return to the impact of the pandemic — and the effects it continues to have around the world. the authorities in china have put an entire city into lockdown — with residents not allowed to leave their homes — after the discovery ofjust three asymptomatic coronavirus cases. yuzhou has closed down its transport system,

shops and entertainment venues. people quarantined in the chinese city of xi'an are bartering supplies amid continuing worries over food shortage here's our china correspondent, robin brant. the contrast what life is like in a handful of cities across china today could not be more stark. home to 30 million people, there are two weeks into a locked out and people cannot leave their homes, there are reports of bartering going on, people exchanging cigarettes for food, other things for sanitary products and that is not going to change to the number of covid—19 cases reduced significantly. in the city closer to where i am, in the last few days, no one can leave their homes very few vehicles on the streets, and that's all they found three asymptomatic cases. in shanghai, it's a different story. this is what most of china's like. it is business as usual. yes,

you have to have a mask on and your temperature taken, but the government says that it is zero covid—19 strategy that has achieved this and now it includes things like this, a pop—up booster vaccination tent or you can win prizes as well, it can also include very harsh measures that can be imposed on a city in a matter of hours and that is what we are seeing and yuzhou. as the winter olympic games in beijing approach and chinese new year, the mass migration of the millions of people here, there is no evidence that china's government is going to change its mind. it remains committed to the zero covid—19 strategy for the foreseeable future. welcome back more people in england and wales will be entitiled to automatic pardons for past convictions, for consensual homosexual activity,

that is now no longer illegal. the uk home secretary, priti patel, says she hopes the revised scheme, "would go some way to righting the wrongs of the past." however, campaigners say the list of crimes for such pardons, is still too narrow. here's our home editor, mark easton. a0 years ago, terry stuart was fined £20 for chatting up gay men, importuning in the legaljargon of the time. he has always claimed he was framed for being an activist. the law itself has long been revealed, but as a sex offence, the conviction has stayed on his file from that day until this. i couldn't get work anywhere because i would be asked for a dvs, which was then called a criminal conviction record, and that was something that appeared on your record every time you went for a job. there is now a possibility you could be pardoned. how you feel about that? they are pardoning you for something you didn't do. the law itself was a homophobic law.

public attitudes towards homosexuality have changed beyond recognition since the late 70s and early 80s when police patrols in london's oh would target gay men. while people have been able to apply to have historical same sexual convictions and cautions disregarded since 2012, the government thinks the rules are still too narrow. they want the pardon scheme to be expanded to cover every effect, civilian or military, involving consensual sexual activity. david bonnie believes he is the last man ever to be jailed for being gay in britain. he was serving with the raf in 1993 when he was sent to prison for homosexual activity. he is unhappy that the proposed reforms required him to apply to clear his name. it is still down to me, who was the victim, bully, to go to the bully and asked the bully to forgive me. they can find me, i'm on the electoral register

and they can find me and seek me out and pardon me. the scheme became known as turing's law after alan turing, who killed himself after being convicted of gross indecency. launched in 2012, it was thought around 15,000 men might be eligible to have convictions disregarded, but almost a decade on, and almost a85 people have applied, of which only 198 have been officially pardoned. sadly, many men who have been affected by this will already have died, too late to receive a pardon and many thousands more will have retired and will no longer be in a position to benefit practically from this change. britain prides itself on the reforms it has made in normalising and celebrating same—sex relationships, but today's proposals are a reminder of how the scars of past intolerance and prejudice still burn. mark easton, bbc news. if you own a blackberry or know someone who does you may

want to turn up your monitor. that's because the smartphone will officially run out ofjuice. from today, devices will stop working as the company turns off support for its operating system. competition from the apple's iphone and android devices have left smartphone "berryed" in their wake. it will be most remembered for its distinctive qwerty keyboard and popular instant messaging service blackberry messenger. i'm joined now by chuck howitt — who has written a book on the history of the blackberry smartphone, called �*blackberry town' asa as a journalist and the time for all intents and purposes, he was there at the very beginning and now, you're here to report the very end. were you kind of shocked by this news? ., ~ ., ., news? you know, today the truth. it's 'ust news? you know, today the truth. it's just another _ news? you know, today the truth. it's just another in _ news? you know, today the truth. it'sjust another in a _ news? you know, today the truth. it'sjust another in a series - news? you know, today the truth. it'sjust another in a series of i it's just another in a series of negative stories about the blackberry smartphone. i'm not too

surprised. it's almost surprising that they've hung on as long as they have but, yeah, it wasn't a real surprise. have but, yeah, it wasn't a real surrise. ., have but, yeah, it wasn't a real surprise-— have but, yeah, it wasn't a real surrise. ., ., ., ., , .,, have but, yeah, it wasn't a real surrise. ., ., ., ., , , surprise. how revolutionary was this device, surprise. how revolutionary was this device. how — surprise. how revolutionary was this device, how excited _ surprise. how revolutionary was this device, how excited for _ surprise. how revolutionary was this device, how excited for you - surprise. how revolutionary was this device, how excited for you for i surprise. how revolutionary was this device, how excited for you for your| device, how excited for you for your colleagues and folks in the town in the waterloo region when this device was developed? with started being publicised? it was developed? with started being ublicised? ., , , was developed? with started being ublicised? . , , ., publicised? it was truly a revolutionary _ publicised? it was truly a revolutionary device. i publicised? it was truly a l revolutionary device. they publicised? it was truly a - revolutionary device. they really invented the smartphone industry and it was just mind blowing that it was based in her hometown and regarded as celebrities around here and just to see them in the event, everyone who was seeing them, it is very exciting for us to have blackberry based on her hometown. find exciting for us to have blackberry based on her hometown.- exciting for us to have blackberry based on her hometown. and it can be more of an endorsement _ based on her hometown. and it can be more of an endorsement that - based on her hometown. and it can be more of an endorsement that it - based on her hometown. and it can be more of an endorsement that it was i more of an endorsement that it was well—publicized of the time that

they were having to wrench president 0bama's blackberry from him. that obama's blackberry from him. that was interesting. _ obama's blackberry from him. trust was interesting. yeah, smartphones are those things that, it takes a while to learn the idiosyncrasies and he was happy with it and so, he did not want to give it up. but, the blackberry is truly where good solid when the engineer devices, where they fell down was in the software, not having the touch—screen, they were laid on that one. fem not having the touch-screen, they were laid on that one.— were laid on that one. fern or erson were laid on that one. fern or person like — were laid on that one. fern or person like me, _ were laid on that one. fern or person like me, the _ were laid on that one. fern or person like me, the tactile i were laid on that one. fern or. person like me, the tactile was were laid on that one. fern or- person like me, the tactile was part of the charm but for younger people, the lack of a touch—screen would've seen old—fashioned. even though it only been around for less than 30 years. where do you think it went wrong? wasjust a lack

years. where do you think it went wrong? was just a lack of a touch—screen? was a just a touch screen? where theyjust not his fleet footed is of a touch—screen? was a just a touch—screen? where theyjust not was a just a touch—screen? where they just not as fleet footed as other tech companies? i they just not as fleet footed as other tech companies?- they just not as fleet footed as other tech companies? i think they suffer from — other tech companies? i think they suffer from a _ other tech companies? i think they suffer from a bit _ other tech companies? i think they suffer from a bit of— other tech companies? i think they suffer from a bit of complacency. l suffer from a bit of complacency. they work number one for about 99 to 2000. that a good seven to eight year run when i talk to people about that later, they always said, we were always expecting and were told that there will be of threats like microsoft is going to come in and take over and other companies and we fended off those threats and so, we got be complacent and we are going to be ok. and so, i think there are other companies that try to get in who weren't successful. and made them a bit overconfident. and the other thing that there lacking was the ageing operating system and they're using the same, original

blackberry and some of the need to upgrade the iphone, it was just not enough to park, said to build a new operating system and that took too long. operating system and that took too lon. _ . ., operating system and that took too lonu. ~ ., , operating system and that took too lonu. ~ ., . ., long. what is immune to the community _ long. what is immune to the community in _ long. what is immune to the community in the _ long. what is immune to the community in the region? i long. what is immune to the| community in the region? -- long. what is immune to the i community in the region? -- what does it mean- _ community in the region? -- what does it mean. it _ community in the region? -- what does it mean. it was _ community in the region? -- what does it mean. it was hard - community in the region? -- what does it mean. it was hard when i community in the region? -- what l does it mean. it was hard when they went down. the company still around as the software security company. but it was tough for around 2013 and 14, it but it was tough for around 2013 and 1a, it was sad and you really did, the tech community did weather the storm. and it is doing well with the total employment which is back up to where it was pretty blackberry and implosion. but yeah, he said blackberry was my thought involved in the tech community, so is quite

separate. in the tech community, so is quite se arate. ~ ., ., in the tech community, so is quite searate. ~ ., ., ., separate. will have to leave it there. thank _ separate. will have to leave it there. thank you _ separate. will have to leave it there. thank you very - separate. will have to leave it there. thank you very much i separate. will have to leave it. there. thank you very much for talking to was on bbc news. buried but not forgotten. but make after that run of exceptionally mild weather, it felt late january with snow in places, few problems across scotland as it combined with strong winds as well. as for the rest of the week, not too far off but as you can see from the jet stream pattern. small undulations of that means a much more changeable weather pattern as we go through the coming days. but enough of an undulation to say milder air briefly across our shores, punctuated by some colder moments too. a bit up and down, basically as we go to the rest of this week. on the downward side of things on wednesday with a northerly direction, still noticeable on the

eastern coast and possibly care, and sleet and snow down to the west and most are dry sunny days of temperatures not far off the january average and not the added wind for tuesday. in those ones are lighter, skies are clear, widespread frost to be expected and temperature should get his r and —5 to minus nine degrees and parts of eastern scotland in eastern england. a cold start to thursday but we send in the next little bit of milder air and suddenly a small slice of these weather fronts which will turn to snow plus the higher ground in scotland and certainly the higher ground with whales and other parts of england. his temptress briefly writes, that with herfriend never quite reaches east anglia and in its wake, sunshine and showers for those showers heavy infantry and during the afternoon, four in the middle part of the day, you will see

fresher air pushed its way back in front the north atlantic with the chances of friday with some sleet and snow showers once again and some of them will be heavy but ran across the kos but showers particular to the kos but showers particular to the west but pushing for the eastwards and some eastern southern parts will stay dry and temperatures in the region around three to 9 degrees. it will be a frost form and cried quickly and with the wave of water pushing its way and in slightly wider as we go into the weekend and with the rain around on saturday, for some, it's going to be heavy but particularly across wells and persist in northern scotland, a respect later in the day with temperatures in double figures in the southernmost counties, little bit above normal across parts of scotland and so temperatures lived relatively have the moment. and back into northwestern regions, cooler air is going to sunday, there will be a few showers continue through

the night into the day, the northwesterly breeze the irish sea and north midlands, ron cheshire, that area for north wales, a dry and sunny day and chilly start it can feel quite pleasant for the stage to around 10 degrees. mainly light through the afternoon. going into next week, the jet stream evens out a little bit and push us to the north of us and what that will do is up to try in that area of high pressure from the mid atlantic further and further north. to be? be how far north that gets because the closer you are to it, the drier weather will be in predominantly dry to come next week, with the chance of rain at times involved we will see some milder air pollution, the temperature is neverfar off temperature is never far off average.

tonight at ten, lawyers for prince andrew argue for the first time in court, that the sexual assault civil lawsuit against him should be thrown out. they say he can't be sued because of an agreement signed by his accuser, virginia giuffre. but will the court agree? thejudge was quite aggressive in his questioning of prince andrew's attorneys as they raised technical argument after technical argument, trying to get virginia's case dismissed. the judge did not seem to be having any of it. we'll have the very latest. also tonight... as millions return to school amid fears of rising infections, borisjohnson says he's confident there'll be no need for tougher covid rules. we have a good chance of getting through the 0micron wave without the need for further

restrictions and without the need certainly for a lockdown.