welcome to bbc news. i'm david eades. our top stories: us covid infections reach an all—time high with hospitalisations doubling in just two weeks. a stark warning is issued to the unvaccinated. about a 20 times likelihood that you would be dead if you were unvaccinated. new revelations in australia as novak djokovic releases a new statement saying that his team did tick an incorrect box about where he'd visited before melbourne. president biden makes a passionate plea for reform of voting rights, describing it as a defining moment for us democracy. a helicopter with four people on board, including a two—month—old baby, crashes in philadelphia, narrowly missing

a church and powerlines. something you don't like the looks. ~ ,. ., ., , looks. we discovered a very larae looks. we discovered a very large comet- _ looks. we discovered a very large comet. headed - looks. we discovered a very i large comet. headed towards earth. and the hit satirical film about a comet hurtling towards earth: we'll be speaking to its director about why it's an allegory for the current climate crisis. the omicron variant of coronavirus is spreading rapidly around the world. in the us, the number of new covid infections and the number of hospital admissions have reached an all—time high. in europe, the world health organisation said it expects more than half the people there will be infected in the next six to eight weeks, with france, italy and turkey reporting new pandemic highs.

if we take a closer look at the us, we'll see cases there have soared over the past few weeks to an average of 737,000 per day. the number of americans in hospital with covid is over 142,000. it's never been higher and it's increased 83% in the last two weeks. the us chief medical advisor anthony fauci has been giving evidence to a congressional committee on the current state of play. here's his response to a question on the importance of vaccinations. if you look at vaccinated versus unvaccinated, there is a ten times chance that you would be infected and 17 times greater chance that you will be hospitalised if you are unvaccinated, and about a 20 times likelihood that that you would be dead if you were unvaccinated. when you look at every parameter, ten times, 17 times, 20 times, infection, hospitalisation, death.

that's the picture in the us. meanwhile, italy has reported more than 220,000 new covid infections — that's more than double the number on monday. the who director for europe says more than half the continent's population will catch covid in the next two months if infections continue at current rates. experts say vaccines still provide good protection against omicron, but because of the unprecedented scale of transmission, we're now seeing rising covid—i9 hospitalisations across europe. let's take a listen. at this rate, the institute for health metrics and evaluation forecasts that more than 50% of the population in the region will be infected with omicron in the next six to eight weeks. data collated in recent weeks confirms that omicron is highly transmissible, because the mutations it has enable it to adhere

to human cells more easily, and it can infect even those who have been previously infected or vaccinated. the who has quoted research from the seattle—based institute for health metrics and evaluation. we can speak now to its director, dr christopher murray. he is also a professor at the university of washington. thank you forjoining us. there is no hiding the speed with which these infection numbers are growing. it can sound extremely alarming for people. should we be alarmed? ida. extremely alarming for people. should we be alarmed?- should we be alarmed? no, i don't think— should we be alarmed? no, i don't think we _ should we be alarmed? no, i don't think we should. - should we be alarmed? no, i don't think we should. there | should we be alarmed? no, i. don't think we should. there is this huge wake of omicron moving across europe but we also know from south africa the uk and the us is that omicron

is much less severe than delta. in fact, one of our key messages as we shouldn't be panicking about the great wave of omicron. panicking about the great wave of omicron-— of omicron. what about the broader horizon, _ of omicron. what about the broader horizon, moving i of omicron. what about the l broader horizon, moving into africa, for example, parts of asia where perhaps vaccination levels are still significantly lower, what is the level of risk there, is it realistic to suppose that omicron is going to get everywhere? i suppose that omicron is going to get everywhere?— suppose that omicron is going to get everywhere? i think the only places — to get everywhere? i think the only places that _ to get everywhere? i think the only places that omicron - to get everywhere? i think the only places that omicron don't| only places that omicron don't get too, are those that maintain closed borders like new zealand, and even that is questionable as to whether managed isolation will keep omicron out. it is already throughout africa, central and south america, we have some countries in southeast asia without surges yet but we expect them in the next month or two weeks. very few places

will not have an omicron wave in coming weeks. i will not have an omicron wave in coming weeks.— in coming weeks. i appreciate the modelling _ in coming weeks. i appreciate the modelling and _ in coming weeks. i appreciate the modelling and working . in coming weeks. i appreciate | the modelling and working out the modelling and working out the way this will develop, and we take into account the fact that if you do contract this disease, if you get omicron, particularly, yes, you are off work and off work for seven to ten days depending on where you are in the world, and if you are in the world, and if you are in the healthcare field, thatis are in the healthcare field, that is a major hurdle to overcome for those left behind. do you think there could be changes quicker in terms of the length of isolation time?- length of isolation time? well, this is what _ length of isolation time? well, this is what we _ length of isolation time? well, this is what we think, - length of isolation time? well, this is what we think, because | this is what we think, because omicron is 95%, maybe even 98% less severe, in terms of death, than delta, one of the biggest challenges as disruption from people testing positive and having to quarantine. one of our views as that to minimise disruption of the health system, on schools and

essential services we should probably think about stopping testing the asymptomatic because omicron is a very large fraction of individuals with no symptoms. we need to rethink the whole strategy around omicron as compared to previous waves of covid—i9. it’s omicron as compared to previous waves of covid-19.— waves of covid-19. it's going off the charts _ waves of covid-19. it's going off the charts at _ waves of covid-19. it's going off the charts at the - waves of covid-19. it's going | off the charts at the moment waves of covid-19. it's going i off the charts at the moment in terms of infection rates, we do see that, and we come down the other side, see that, and we come down the otherside, how see that, and we come down the other side, how quickly do you think omicron will be part of our past rather than our present?— our past rather than our resent? ~ ~ , ., ~ present? we think the peak in most countries _ present? we think the peak in most countries in _ present? we think the peak in most countries in europe - present? we think the peak in most countries in europe will. most countries in europe will be sometime injanuary, the case numbers should come down quite quickly, perhaps not as rapidly as it went up but pretty close. by the time we get to march in europe, we should not really see much of an epidemic from omicron, we should be through the main part of it. 50 should be through the main part of it, ., �*, should be through the main part ofit. ., �*, ., . ., of it. so that's omicron. there are potential _

of it. so that's omicron. there are potential for _ of it. so that's omicron. there are potential for other - are potential for other variants, we don't have time to cover that right now. thank you very much indeed, doctorfor your analysis. let's get the latest on novak djokovic in australia, and the tennis world number one has issued a statement to, as he puts it, "address the continuing misinformation "about my activities and attendance at events "in the lead—up to my positive pcr covid test result." the statement also addresses the tennis star's incorrect travel declaration form for his entry into australia. he says, "this was submitted by my support team on my "behalf, and my agent sincerely apologises "for the administrative mistake in ticking the incorrect box "about my previous travel before coming to australia. "this was a human error, and certainly not deliberate." the australian immigration

minister is still considering cancelling his visas and say his lawyers have provided lengthy submissions and supporting documentation which will effect the timeframe for a decision. our held on a waiting line there. let's go back to the us now stop. president biden is calling it a defining moment for us democracy. he was in georgia today, calling on the us senate to create national rules for early voting and voting by mail and to restore state voting laws meant to prevent discrimination. this is one of the big drives of the biden administration after many republican—controlled states introduced tighter voting regulations after the last presidential election. jim crow 2.0 is about two insidious things — voter suppression and election subversion. it's no longer about who gets to vote, it's about making it harder to vote. it's about who gets

to count the vote — and whether your vote counts at all. it's not hyperbole, this is a fact. look, this matters to all of us. the goal of the former president's allies is to disenfranchise anyone who votes against them. simple as that. let's get some of the day's other news. north korea says the missile test it carried out on tuesday was of a hypersonic device. state media announced that the launch was attended by the country's leader, kimjong—un. it was the second missile test carried out by pyongyang in a week. the missile plunged into the sea east of the korean peninsula. cuba's president has accused the united states of carrying out horrific abuse against inmates held at the guantanamo bay prison since it opened 20 years ago. miguel diaz—canel made the remarks on the anniversary of the arrival of the first detainees at the us military base in cuba following the 9—11 attacks.

the authorities in ecuador say they're monitoring carefully the eruption of the tallest volcano on the galapagos islands, which began on friday, and could threaten the habitat of pink iguanas, an endangered species. the lava released from the wolf volcano has moved about 15 kilometres on isabela island. the pink iguanas live on the other side of the island and seem to be safe at this stage. it's being hailed as a miracle. a helicopter carrying four people, including an infant, to the children's hospital of philadelphia has crashed in a residential neighbourhood. thankfully, all of the passengers aboard avoided life—threatening injuries. mark lobel reports. this place of worship, scene of a miracle now the final resting place of between engine medical helicopter after it crashed on

the front lawn of the church carrying a two month old baby girl. but, for her and fellow passengers it's a story of survival. passengers it's a story of survival-— passengers it's a story of survival. ~ . ., . survival. we hear a crash i thought — survival. we hear a crash i thought it _ survival. we hear a crash i thought it was _ survival. we hear a crash i thought it was a _ survival. we hear a crash i thought it was a car - survival. we hear a crash i thought it was a car crash. the pilot weaved his ailing aircraft through this densely populated pennsylvania neighbourhood, dodging powerlines, and avoiding restaurants and schools, before landing on the ground and tumbling over. the best way to describe it is a miracle. i honestly, just, the pilot had a great command of the helicopter was able to land it safely. he took the best interests of the community at hand to make sure there were no injuries, no property damage. so he did an excellentjob. the pilot is being hailed a hero, notjust for his incredible landing, but for helping his passengers out safely, despite his own injuries, before emergency services came to their rescue. with the passengers out safely, firefighters worked to contain leaking fuel from entering drexel hill's water supply. my heart dropped. i was back at police headquarters, we heard the call out. and the first i said no way, then the second and third,

i knew there was a problem. my heartjust dropped. the fire chief and i responded here on location and this is what we saw. again, it was a true miracle that everyone was out. and they were out prior to us getting here. the baby then continued her journey from pennsylvania to the philadelphia children's hospital, but this time on the road after her miracle escape. as an investigation gets under way maybe can pleated itsjourney to the delphia hospital, but this time by road. stay with us on bbc news. still to come: the star—studded movie don't look up is a satirical look at the climate change crisis and misinformation. i'll be speaking to the film's director, adam mckay. day one of operation desert storm to force the iraqis out of kuwait has seen the most

intense air attacks since the second world war. tobacco is america's oldest industry, and it's one of its biggest, but the industry is nervous of this report. this may tend to make people want to stop smoking cigarettes. there is not a street that is unaffected. l huge parts of kobe - were simply demolished as buildings crashed into one another. i this woman said - she'd been given no help and no advice - by the authorities. she stood outside the ruins of her business. j tens of thousands of black children in south africa have taken advantage of laws, passed by the country's new multiracial government, and enrolled at formerly white schools. tonight sees the 9,610th performance of her long—running play, the mousetrap. when they heard of her death today, the management considered whether to cancel tonight's performance, but agatha christie would have been the last person to want such a thing.

this is bbc news. the latest headlines: new warnings that the pandemic is still gathering pace as the us suffers a new world record for daily covid cases and record numbers in hospital. new revelations in australia as novak djokovic releases a statement, apologising, saying his team ticked the wrong box on his immigration form. every week at this time we take a look at climate change, bringing you stories with big implications for our planet's future. this week we focus on the world's response to climate change — what the un calls an "existential threat to humanity". it's 33 years since nasa scientist james hansen told the world about global warming and the increasing risk of extreme weather. while the reaction�*s been far from what he hoped, attitudes are finally changing. a 2021 survey found more than 70% are now concerned

about the issue, a significant rise from 2015. while 80% say they're willing to make at least some changes to how they live and work. but less than half said they thought the international community was doing a good job of handling climate change. the new movie don't look up takes a satirical look at the issue — the earth threatened not by climate change but by a giant comet. it's been watched by millions, becoming netflix�*s second most successful film ever. let's take a look. there is something you don't like the — there is something you don't like the looks of? we have discovered a large comet. good for ou. discovered a large comet. good for you- it _ discovered a large comet. good foryou- it is — discovered a large comet. good for you. it is headed _ discovered a large comet. good for you. it is headed towards i for you. it is headed towards the earth _ for you. it is headed towards the earth-— for you. it is headed towards the earth. this comet is what we call a _ the earth. this comet is what we call a planet _ the earth. this comet is what we call a planet killer. - the earth. this comet is what we call a planet killer. at i we call a planet killer. at this we call a planet killer. git this moment i say we sit tight and assess. sit this moment i say we sit tight and assess-— and assess. sit tight and assess?! _ and assess. sit tight and assess?! sit _ and assess. sit tight and assess?! sit tight. i and assess. sit tight and assess?! sit tight. and | and assess. sit tight and i assess?! sit tight. and then it sa s.

assess?! sit tight. and then it says- you _ assess?! sit tight. and then it says. you need _ assess?! sit tight. and then it says. you need to _ assess?! sit tight. and then it says. you need to digestive. l says. you need to digestive. that is the assessment period. well, i'mjoined now by adam mckay, who wrote, produced and directed don't look up, and real—life climate scientist peter kalmus. thank you both very much indeed for your time. adam, let's start with you. not least because it has been such a huge and popular success already. i wonder, what is it that made you go for this was to mark what did you go for it? about four or five _ what did you go for it? about four or five years _ what did you go for it? about four or five years ago - what did you go for it? about four or five years ago there l four or five years ago there was an ipcc report from the un and also a book was written called the uninhabitable earth. i had run into both those pieces of information and they sent a chill down my spine. i went from being someone who was concerned about the climate to someone who was very, very afraid of the rate of change thatis

afraid of the rate of change that is happening without liveable planet and the total inaction from our world leaders. so rather than portray that in a dour sort of frightening way i felt like, given my background, the way to deal with it was through collective laughter at what a failure the world response has been to the climate crisis. and, obviously, the numbers tell the story don't they? a huge number of people are watching this and enjoying this but do you feel you achieved what you set out to achieve? do you think it makes people focus more on this impending doom? there is no way that one movie will change everyone's mind but we are heartened by the collective world response. we made a comedy that is about this and we have seen hundreds of millions of people respond passionately to it. so that is heartening. but at the same

time, you are right. it is stilljust a movie and what we need is for everyone to realise the urgency of this issue and it is right now. it is happening much faster than we thought and a lot of people thought and a lot of people thought it was something that was 80 years, 100 years in the future but it is not. so we see some people wake up to this as a result of the movie but is it enough? no. we need the powers that need to really feel impending doom in their bonus because it is clear by their actions that they do not. peter, bringing you in here. i am glad that that impending doom is notjust six months and a few weeks that they have for dealing with the meteorite of course. but i believe that you found the inconvenient truth, al gore's great work on this inspirational in your time. this is a far more populist approach. as a scientist, how

much do you appreciate that need to get it out to the masses? it need to get it out to the masses?— masses? it is the most important _ masses? it is the most important thing. i- masses? it is the most| important thing. i think masses? it is the most i important thing. i think we need more than1 billion climate activists, we need the whole world to wake up at what an absolute emergency this is. as a scientist i cannot overstate how serious this is and how irreversible it is, how fast it is happening and it is hard to convey that to the public because it seems slow but the timescales of the earth system, it is happening incredibly fast and what frightens me, in addition to societies inaction, is that there is no ceiling. it will continue to get worse every year as long as we keep the fossil fuel injury that make industry around. i fossil fuel injury that make industry around.— fossil fuel injury that make industry around. i will ask you about the _ industry around. i will ask you about the movie _ industry around. i will ask you about the movie itself - industry around. i will ask you | about the movie itself because it seems to me that what it does more than anything is absolutely nail the coffin lid

on the establishment, whether thatis on the establishment, whether that is government or the media. i think we have a little clip that i want to play to our audience now on the media's position in all this. we gonna do ten on _ position in all this. we gonna do ten on the _ position in all this. we gonna do ten on the nominee i position in all this. we gonna do ten on the nominee and i position in all this. we gonna i do ten on the nominee and then you will— do ten on the nominee and then you will come _ do ten on the nominee and then you will come on. _ do ten on the nominee and then you will come on. tind— do ten on the nominee and then you will come on.— you will come on. and can i set talk about _ you will come on. and can i set talk about my _ you will come on. and can i set talk about my single? - you will come on. and can i set talk about my single? a - you will come on. and can i set| talk about my single? a portion of the profit go to a sanctuary.- of the profit go to a sanctua . , , , sanctuary. yes, but first the breakup- — sanctuary. yes, but first the breakup. and _ sanctuary. yes, but first the breakup. and then - sanctuary. yes, but first the breakup. and then docked l sanctuary. yes, but first the l breakup. and then docked the mentor— breakup. and then docked the mentor you _ breakup. and then docked the mentor you will— breakup. and then docked the mentor you will come - breakup. and then docked the mentor you will come on i breakup. and then docked the mentor you will come on and i mentor you will come on and talk— mentor you will come on and talk about— mentor you will come on and talk about the _ mentor you will come on and talk about the planet - mentor you will come on and talk about the planet you i talk about the planet you discovered. _ talk about the planet you discovered.— talk about the planet you discovered. ., ~ ., talk about the planet you discovered. ., . ., ., discovered. comet. we found a comet. discovered. comet. we found a comet- they — discovered. comet. we found a comet. they do _ discovered. comet. we found a comet. they do know— discovered. comet. we found a comet. they do know what i discovered. comet. we found a. comet. they do know what we're here to talk about, _ comet. they do know what we're here to talk about, right? - here to talk about, right? science segment. keep it, light and fun, — science segment. keep it, light and fun, they— science segment. keep it, light and fun, they love _ science segment. keep it, light and fun, they love to _ science segment. keep it, light and fun, they love to have i science segment. keep it, light and fun, they love to have a i and fun, they love to have a good — and fun, they love to have a good time _ and fun, they love to have a good time-— and fun, they love to have a aood time. . , ., ., , good time. that is going to be a problem- — good time. that is going to be a problem. you _ good time. that is going to be a problem. you guys - good time. that is going to be a problem. you guys discover| a problem. you guys discover comet? that _ a problem. you guys discover comet? that is _ a problem. you guys discover comet? that is dope. - a problem. you guys discover comet? that is dope. i i a problem. you guys discover comet? that is dope. i have i a problem. you guys discover. comet? that is dope. i have had to have — comet? that is dope. i have had to have a — comet? that is dope. i have had to have a shooting star on my back — to have a shooting star on my back. ., , . to have a shooting star on my back-_ good i to have a shooting star on my| back._ good we back. that is terrific. good we sto ed back. that is terrific. good we stopped it _ back. that is terrific. good we stopped it right _ back. that is terrific. good we stopped it right there - back. that is terrific. good we j stopped it right there because the next bit would be unprintable. i wonder, the next bit would be unprintable. iwonder, however, from looking at that, peter, it

points to this extraordinary level of frivolity that our world is living and revolving around at the moment. not entirely fair. to around at the moment. not entirely fair.— entirely fair. to me it is surreal— entirely fair. to me it is surreal to _ entirely fair. to me it is surreal to see - entirely fair. to me it is surreal to see the i entirely fair. to me it is l surreal to see the science entirely fair. to me it is i surreal to see the science and to see — surreal to see the science and to see a — surreal to see the science and to see a society that is collectively in denial about what — collectively in denial about what is _ collectively in denial about what is coming. it is a frightening thing. i think there _ frightening thing. i think there is— frightening thing. i think there is a purpose for panic in our brains _ there is a purpose for panic in our brains. panic and fear get us out — our brains. panic and fear get us out of— our brains. panic and fear get us out of a _ our brains. panic and fear get us out of a dangerous situation. we are on track, in my opinion, _ situation. we are on track, in my opinion, towards potential total— my opinion, towards potential total collapse. we can still -et total collapse. we can still get off— total collapse. we can still get off the track but only if we take _ get off the track but only if we take drastic steps at this point — we take drastic steps at this point to— we take drastic steps at this point to do so. we need to go into— point to do so. we need to go into what— point to do so. we need to go into what i_ point to do so. we need to go into what i call emergency mode and i_ into what i call emergency mode and i think— into what i call emergency mode and i think 2050 is not nearly fast _ and i think 2050 is not nearly fast enough and we have to stop this fantasy of net zero. we have — this fantasy of net zero. we have to _ this fantasy of net zero. we have to go to the heart of the problem _ have to go to the heart of the problem which is, like i said before, _ problem which is, like i said before, the fossil fuel industry. before, the fossil fuel industry-— before, the fossil fuel indust .�* . ., ., industry. adam, a quick word about the _ industry. adam, a quick word about the casting. _ industry. adam, a quick word | about the casting. presumably you went for those who were

utterly convinced in any case about the need to do more for the planet. i about the need to do more for the planet-— the planet. i think we know that the science _ the planet. i think we know that the science around i the planet. i think we know that the science around the climate crisis is settled, 100% of the climate scientists acknowledge that it is man caused and impending and we need immediate action and thank god there were a lot of great talented actors who felt that same sense of urgency and in some part or another that is why they all signed up for this project. and, you know, it is important that we point a finger at the media or media —— leaders or economy or the cmo -- ceo of leaders or economy or the cmo —— ceo of a company, the people take it personally. many people are working really hard to do the right thing for the climate but we also know, systemically we do fail. you look at the numbers, even though they have gotten better, the vast majority of people still fall under the category of somewhat

concerned and if anyone knew the real truth behind the climate they would be freaking out. so the movie has some fun with it. ithink it is with it. i think it is important with it. ithink it is important we laugh at our own foibles but at the same time the really clear and, thank god. millions and millions of people are responding to it which is this is urgent and right now and it demands action. i right now and it demands action. ., ., ., action. i want to ask you, peter. — action. i want to ask you, peter. we _ action. i want to ask you, peter, we often - action. i want to ask you, peter, we often talk i action. i want to ask you, | peter, we often talk about outrage in regard to climate change also optimism. there is a lot of optimism in this movie and i take on board what adam is saying. this is meant to be fun, it is a comedy but nonetheless, where is that little glimmer of hope that we might yet move in the right direction?— direction? the movie is not real life- — direction? the movie is not real life. it _ direction? the movie is not real life. it shows - direction? the movie is not real life. it shows us i direction? the movie is not real life. it shows us a i real life. it shows us a satirical— real life. it shows us a satirical version of where we're _ satirical version of where we're headed if we do not get off this — we're headed if we do not get off this track. to me, as a climate _ off this track. to me, as a climate scientist, someone who has been — climate scientist, someone who has been trying to wake up the world — has been trying to wake up the world to — has been trying to wake up the world to the real urgency of what — world to the real urgency of what is _ world to the real urgency of

what is happening for 16 years and being largely ignored, i felt seen by this movie because it was— felt seen by this movie because it was mainstream and because of the _ it was mainstream and because of the reaction of the public so if— of the reaction of the public so if we _ of the reaction of the public so if we get more climate stories— so if we get more climate stories and if they go mainstream and we get figures and people making this their top priority we can have the massive _ top priority we can have the massive movement that we need to have _ massive movement that we need to have the rapid action to get us off— to have the rapid action to get us off this _ to have the rapid action to get us off this track. a to have the rapid action to get us off this track.— us off this track. a last fall, i adam, _ us off this track. a last fall, i adam, i — us off this track. a last fall, i adam, i know— us off this track. a last fall, i adam, i know quite i us off this track. a last fall, i adam, i know quite a i us off this track. a last fall, i adam, i know quite a few| i adam, i know quite a few critics have been lukewarm, let's say. do you care one jot on an issue like this? let's say. do you care one 'ot on an issue like this?i on an issue like this? this movie was _ on an issue like this? this movie was always i on an issue like this? this movie was always meant. on an issue like this? this. movie was always meant to on an issue like this? try 3 movie was always meant to be a popular movie for the people at large and boy did they respond. the response to the movie has been so passionate and you'd and god bless the critics. they have a job to do and we like disagreement and passion around this issue. it is so important. so, no, we're happy with the world response.— so, no, we're happy with the world response. adam and peter, thank ou world response. adam and peter, thank you both — world response. adam and peter, thank you both very _ world response. adam and peter, thank you both very much i world response. adam and peter, thank you both very much indeed| thank you both very much indeed for sharing your views on don't a look at my cup and

congratulations on the success that it has had in a matter of a few weeks. i am on twitter. always good to hear your views as well. you are watching bbc news. hello there. on tuesday, sunshine returned to the northern half of the uk. and through the rest of this week, we'll continue to see differences north—south. but we've got a milder, stronger breeze picking up across scotland and northern ireland. england and wales, the winds are going to be much lighter, so we're more likely to have some frost here and increasing amounts of mist and fog too. now, it was pretty damp and grey for many southern parts of the uk on tuesday, but all that low cloud and damp weather is heading out into the english channel, so clearer skies are following on behind. and whilst it's chilly across parts of scotland and northern ireland, a frost more likely in england and wales. not just that, but we're seeing some mist and fog developing, particularly in this area where we have the yellow warning from the met office. and within that area, there are some very busy roads.

so with some dense patches of fog, driving conditions could be tricky in the morning. that's when we'll still have some fog around, but it should gradually lift through the day, and for many parts, we should see some sunshine coming through. some sunshine across northern ireland, southern and eastern scotland, much more cloud across the north—west of scotland, although it should be largely dry. quite windy, mind you, and temperatures probably reaching double figures in the north of scotland, nearer 7 or 8 degrees, i think, for england and wales, even with some sunshine. and we've got milder conditions across northern areas because we've got these strong winds coming all the way across the atlantic, around the top of this area of high pressure. and underneath that area of high pressure, this is where we're seeing the frost and the fog. so we start with another frost again on thursday morning, we may well find the fog a little more widespread, not just across some southern parts of england and the midlands, maybe into parts of wales and across northern england for a while. some of that could linger into the afternoon, but for many places, again, we should see some sunshine coming out. and it's a similar story again across scotland and northern ireland — cloudier weather in the north—west of scotland,

a little bit damp, as well. still, those temperature contrasts really north—south across the uk. where that fog is slow to lift, it will be quite a cold day. all that cold air is stuck underneath this area of high pressure. stagnant air, really, so fog is tending to become more widespread. and it may well drift its way up into parts of northern ireland and southern scotland. most of the fog, though, on friday will be across england and wales, and it could linger into the afternoon. some sunshine away from that fog and low cloud. and again, it'll always be milder across more northern parts of scotland.

this is bbc news.

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