this is bbc news. i'm lukwesa burak. the headlines at ten... the first shipment of american military aid to ukraine arrives in the country — amid warnings a russian invasion could be imminent. police will meet a conservative mp, who's accused government whips, of trying to "blackmail" politicians, who've tried to oust boris johnson. a man appears in court charged with the murder of an elderly woman, and the attempted murder of her husband. and at 10.30 — we'll be taking an in—depth look at the papers. our guests joining me tonight are — geri scott, political correspondent from the press association — and calum macdonald from times radio.

good evening and welcome to bbc news. a senior conservative mp says the uk must do more to support ukraine, as russian troops mass along its border. tobias ellwood, who chairs the commons defence committee, says he thinks an invasion could now be "imminent" — and that president putin is "taking full advantage of a weakened west". russia has denied it's planning an invasion. but the us has delivered 90 tonnes of what it calls �*lethal aid' to ukraine — the first shipment since a fresh promise of assistance from president biden. in a few mins, reeta chakrabarti will be here with a round up of the day's top stories — including the latest from our correspondent in kyiv. but earlier i spoke

to the economist's �*russia and eastern europe editor�* — arkady ostrovsky. i began by asking him whether he agreed that an invasion was imminent. well, to be honest with you, i must say i do not think anybody really knows what vladimir putin is going to do when he is going to do it. there is a lot of military, a lot of armour, there is a lot of parading of russian diplomats, there is a lot of diplomacy and ultimatums, those ultimatums being rejected understandably. there�*s a lot of activity, but ultimately vladimir putin holds all the cards and he holds an extremely close to his chest. i don�*t think that even the russian foreign minister, by the sound of his statements, really knows what vladimir putin is going to decide what his calculations are. it is an extraordinary story where in 2022, the 21st century,

the whole world is watching one man and trying to guess what he is going to do. there are obviously very alarming signs of, as you have said in your report, cyber attacks, disinformation campaigns, which have started again with a new force on russian state television, there are armour, soldiers, movements, drills which putin is preparing in neighbouring belarus. no one knows how long russian troops are going to stay there. there is enormous amount of chaotic movements which can be read as attack is imminent, which can be read as this is the game of nerves, and he is trying to unnerve the west to cajole us into some more concessions and talks. there is extraordinary story from bloomberg today, quoting a senior chinese diplomat i think, that putin was asked not to invade

during the beijing olympics. it is obviously extremely alarming, but i think we should be careful not to read putin�*s mind, which we can�*t. when you say he holds all the cards, what do you mean? how strong is his hand? his hand is very strong. he is an autocrat, russia is basically a tyranny. there are no checks and balances. there are no seemingly sort of constraining factors on him to make decisions, he does not need to consult russian parliament or foreign ministry, or anybody else for that matter. that said, he is constrained probably no more than ever probably now more than ever by the mood of discontent, building discontent and anger inside russia about falling living standards, people are tired of putin�*s foreign adventures.

they think you should spend more time on economy etc. i think the risk of provoking some sort of political process in russia where the war, if it becomes bloody and prolonged, actually backfires on him is probably the most important thing that is holding him back. but when i say he holds all the cards, it is nothing that ukraine has done or nato has done that brought this crisis. this crisis was completely engineered inside putin�*s head. it sounds as if it is almost a distraction to what is going on at home, but there is something, isn�*t there, in president putin�*s psyche about geographical territory, the geopolitics, spheres of influence? if he were to invade, what would he gain in terms of geographical territory? very good question and

very hard to answer. he can invade, he can strike, holding onto territory of a country that does not want russia�*s presence there is much harder. we have seen this in afghanistan, both during the soviet campaign in the 1980s and during more recent american campaigns. holding onto territory is very hard. 0ccupying kyiv i think is pretty impossible militarily. so what he gains is really not very clear, and also do not forget that for all these years since 2014, when russia annexed crimea bloodlessly, i must add, that was a very swift operation, definitely because of the symbolic importance of crimea, it was a jewel in the russian empire, a black sea resort, that played very well with the russian public. this probably will not.

but do not forget that for eight years putin has been telling the west and the russian people that russia is not the site in this conflict, in the east of ukraine. that was basically a civil war between russian speakers, ethnic russians in the east, and the pro—western neofascists in the west of ukraine. but russia has nothing to do with it. i think if we were to see a military scenario, it is more likely to be those russian proxies, the separatists, leading it, leading the charge, expanding their control, liberating, in their language, the rest of the donbas region, which currently russia only holds about 30% through separatists of the donbas territory. they could certainly go further. russia could then say, ok,

since kyiv is not going to implement the minsk agreements which it signed in 2015, russia will have to recognise the independence of this territory. again, not very clear what it gets him in terms of really dismantling ukraine or preventing it from development. or in terms of getting support from his own people.

calls to delay compulsory covid vaccines for frontline nhs staff in england. as some workers took to the streets in protest — doctors say forcing people to get jabbed will exacerbate staff shortages. if we lose the staff, it will impact on the quality of care that we are able to provide

for patients, the access, and will put extra pressure on those staff who are remaining. us military hardware arrives in ukraine — america calls it �*lethal aid�* as russian troops remain camped on the border. the tory mp who says the government has tried to �*blackmail�* colleagues who want to oust borisjohnson will meet the police to discuss his claims. he dips, he dives, he is there! and dave ryding makes history winning britain�*s first ever gold in the alpine skiing world cup. good evening. the royal college of gps says there should be a delay to the introduction of compulsory covid jabs for frontline nhs workers in england — because of concerns over staff shortages.

staff must have a firstjab by february 3rd and be fully vaccinated by april 1st to continue in frontline roles — and around 80,000 health workers remain unvaccinated. hundreds of people marched in cities across england to protest against the policy — but the department of health says there are no plans to delay it. here�*s katharine da costa. save ourjobs! hundreds of health care workers gathered in london calling for the government�*s no jab, nojob policy in england to be scrapped. they were among large crowds of anti—vax demonstrators. nhs uniforms were thrown at police in protest. we�*ve all got choices. we�*re born with choices, yeah? i work for the nhs and i�*m the only member of staff in my workplace that has not been vaccinated. and i�*ve been threatened with losing myjob come april. and i will not be vaccinated. frontline nhs staff including gps and dentists as well as nonclinical

roles such as receptionists and porters will need to have had at least two covid vaccines by the start of april unless they are medically exempt. more than 90% of health care workers are double jabbed, but 70,000 to 80,000 are still thought to be unvaccinated. there are a small number of people... some want to delay the deadline, warning the health service can�*t afford to lose more people. the risks are very significant for the functioning of the nhs. we are already short of staff in all parts of the nhs. if we lose these staff, it will impact on the quality of care that we're able to provide for patients, the access, and it will put extra pressure on those staff who are remaining. staff have less than a fortnight to get theirfirstjab in order to be fully vaccinated by the deadline. health chiefs say mandating vaccines is the right thing to do to protect patients and are encouraging more staff to get their first, second and third jabs. it�*s so important as health care professionals that we are protected. but if you are not yet,

you know that there are options available for you to have conversations with senior clinicians within your trust or organisation to help make that really important decision. and people are coming forward all the time to make sure they are protected, their families are protected, and their patients are protected as well. a similar policy has already been brought in for those working in social care in england, with care homes warning it has exacerbated staff shortages. scotland and wales have decided against compulsory vaccination for health and care staff, while northern ireland is planning to consult on whetherjabs should be mandatory for new recruits. katharine da costa, bbc news. let�*s take a look at the latest government figures — there were over 76,800 new coronavirus infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period — but that figure does not include scotland or wales. on average just over 91,700 new cases were reported per day in the last week.

the latest figures show there were just under 18,000 people in hospital being treated for coronavirus on thursday. 297 deaths were reported in the latest 2a hour period — that�*s of people who died within 28 days of a positive test — though there will be some amongst this number who won�*t have died from covid. the figures doesn�*t include wales. on average in the past week — 270 deaths were announced every day. 0n vaccinations, over 36.8 million people have had a boosterjab, william wragg, the conservative mp who accused downing street of trying to blackmail some mps who want to oust borisjohnson, says he�*s due to meet the police next week to discuss his claims. downing street says it has not seen any evidence to support the allegations, but would look closely if proof were presented. it comes amid reports that gatherings in mrjohnson�*s flat are also part of sue gray�*s investigation into downing street parties. here�*s our political

correspondent damian grammaticas. already under pressure, the coming days could prove decisive for boris johnson. now, there is a new concern. the fact that one of the main rebel mps who�*ve already written letters of no confidence in him is due to talk to the police, possibly on monday. the mp william wragg this week alleged he had been told others had faced threats that they might lose funding for their constituencies if they didn�*t back the prime minister. the intimidation of a member of parliament is a serious matter. moreover, the reports of which i am aware would seem to constitute blackmail. cheering. on wednesday, mrjohnson was there when another of the rebels, christian wakeford, defected to labour. he claims he was told some time ago that funding for a school might not happen if he did not support the government on free school meals. today, a senior labour mp said he had heard more claims. i must have spoken to about a dozen tory mps in the last few days who have made similar allegations about whips either offering

to withdraw financial support for their constituencies, either from the political party, so, for campaining, or for their constituents. that conservative mps are airing this publicly, and one even says he will go to the police about his own party, tells you much about tensions in the ranks. here, downing street says it has seen no evidence, and would take it seriously if it did. so, the important question for the coming week, will any tory mps step forward and corroborate the claims? i have voted against the government on occasions when i�*ve thought it right, and i�*ve always had a very close relationship with the chief whip and a very productive relationship with the whips, so, i�*m waiting to hear more about this because it�*s not something i�*ve seen or been told about. but the inquiry by the civil

servant sue gray into downing street parties due this week poses the biggest risk to the prime minister. it�*s now reported she is also looking into events in his private flat, too. the question for borisjohnson, who�*s at the official country of chequers, can he survive it unscathed? he�*s thought to be busy plotting his strategy and calling his mps to try to secure their support. damian grammaticas, bbc news. damian joins me now. and another claim tonight against the government — this time from a former minister? yes this is a junior minister who lost herjob in 2020 and she told the sunday times she went to the whips to ask why she lost herjob and she said it may have been because she was a muslim. that she was making colleagues feel uncomfortable as a muslim woman. she said she tried to pursue this and received threats from the whips that she could be ostracised if she persisted and her reputation would be destroyed. the whips, a

spokesperson said that these claims are categorically untrue and the conservative party does not tolerate any form of discrimination but nadhim zahawi has come out to say there is no place for islamophobia or race is on the party and this must be investigated properly so that alone will ensure that this continues and that is right had of a make or break week for the prime minister. a senior conservative mp says the uk must do more to support ukraine as russian troops gather at its border. tobias ellwood, who chairs the commons defence committee, said he thought an invasion was now "imminent" — and that president putin was "taking full advantage of a weakened west". russia has denied that it�*s planning an invasion. but the us has delivered 90 tonnes of what it calls �*lethal aid�* to ukraine, the first shipment since a fresh promise of assistance from president biden. james waterhouse reports now from the ukrainian capital, kyiv. the friendship of nations arch,

built by the soviets to celebrate the closeness between russians and ukrainians. that crack was painted on by activists a few years ago as relations between the two countries deteriorated. and as talks intensify about a possible invasion, the hope is things don�*t break down completely. tensions are still rising on the border and today russian jets made their way to joint military drills with neighbouring belarus. ukrainian ministers have welcomed a delivery of american military equipment and now there�*s a call for the uk to step up its own support. the british government has delivered 2000 anti—tank missiles this week and says it is open to sending more weapons. as president putin continues to up the pressure. he has actually boxed himself into a corner. because so much effort has been put into this. but he also recognised he will never again be as strong as this to take

advantage of the west�*s weakness. i suspect invasion is now imminent. so does kyiv feel like a city preparing for an invasion? evelyn and lillian are too small to appreciate the power struggle surrounding their country, but their parents obviously aren�*t. it is definitely concerning. it definitely seems more tense than the past times that we were concerned about this. i would say it is definitely increasing anxiety and stuff, for sure. i don't feel good that i can come back to my hometown easily. because i always have to think whether i will be able to do it safely or not. and of course i am afraid. translation: if i see others do it, i'm ready to defend my country. - i�*m not going to run away, but then again there might not be anywhere to run away to. moscow denies it is planning an invasion. but it is easy to forget ukraine has

already endured eight years of russian aggression. it�*s brought fighting, cyber attacks, misinformation and constant uncertainty. next week the us will continue to discuss russian demands that nato will both scale back its military presence and rule out ever letting ukrainejoin. for the country at the heart of it, that uncertainty goes on. james waterhouse, bbc news. 0ur diplomatic correspondent paul adams is here. so, each side seems to be gearing up on the ground, and yet the diplomatic route isn�*t yet exhausted? 0n the face of it looks pretty bleak when you see all those arms and equipment pouring in. you get the feeling that at some point someone is going to use that power. and some like tobias ellwood think war is pretty much inevitable but there is a lot of diplomacy going on. nothing

was settled between the united states and ukraine but it is possible that the two men could decide to meet again. and others are involved such as the defence secretary ben wallace who is certainly going to go to washington for the first time in about nine years. so that would buy time for ukraine to get ready and for all these arms to colin and help them prepare and for this, for the west to repair this massive package of sanctions that we will be hearing about. but there is absolutely no sign yet that when mr blinken gives his reply to mr love ralph it will in any way meet the kind of enormous wooden demands that we heard about there. so then is there something there. so then is there something the americans could offer that would satisfy mr putin, that is the question. with all the sport now, here�*s lizzie greenwood—hughes

at the bbc sport centre. thanks, reeta. good evening. slalom skier dave ryding says he "never stopped believing" after he became the first briton to win an alpine world cup event. the 35—year—old, who learnt to ski on a dry slope in lancashire, will now head off to his fourth winter olympics. adam wild reports. british alpine skiing has never before reached such heights. in more than half a century of world cup competition, there isn�*t a brit who�*s done what dave ryding is doing here. sixth after his opening run, by the time he had reached the bottom of the second, ryding was on top. he dips, he dives, he is there! come on! yes! in the lead, now only one other skier could stop him. out of the gates, and dave ryding! great britain! it always happens when you don�*t expect it, you know. it�*s been a long road. it was more disbelief

when i realised i�*d done it. i didn�*t know what to say. it was just crazy. winning world cup gold seems a world away from the dry slopes of britain. this was how dave ryding learnt to ski, often having to dodge sheep. a skill that would come in useful on the slalom snow. now at 35, he has become the event�*s oldest ever world cup winner. yes! the winter olympics are less than a fortnight away and in the alpine snow, british skiing hopes are warming up nicely. adam wild, bbc news. match of the day and sportscene in scotland are on after the news, so don�*t listen if you want to wait for the football action. although the story at brentford�*s home defeat to wolves was mostly from matters off the pitch, with a drone causing a lengthy stoppage before brentford�*s manager was sent off at full—time for arguing with the referee. and at goodison park, a supporter was arrested after what appeared to be an object thrown at celebrating aston villa players. newcastle had a rare win at leeds.

manchester united beat west ham with virtually the last kick of the game. and southampton held leaders manchester city to a draw. hearts are safely through to the scottish cup 11th round after thrashing part timers auchinleck talbot 5—0. elsewhere, holders stjohnstone weren�*t so lucky, knocked out by league two leaders kelty hearts. britain�*s last hope in the singles at the australian open tennis has been knocked out. dan evans lost in straight sets in the third round in melbourne, beaten by the canadian 9th seed felix auger—aliassime. ulster rugby remain unbeaten in europe this season. they survived a late scare in theirfinal champions cup pool game against clermont auvergne to win it 34—31 and go through to the knock—out stages as joint pool winners. all the day�*s rugby scores are on the bbc sport website, as well as the latest from the cricket, as england�*s men play the west indies and the women continue their ashes series. but that�*s it from me. back to you, reeta.

that�*s all from me. the deputy prime minister, dominic raab, and the first minister of scotland, nicola sturgeon, are among sophie raworth�*s guests tomorrow morning at nine on bbc one. good night. the normal pattern of january temperatures was turned upside down on saturday, 12 degrees in northern scotland, for in southern england. a little bit of sunshine across parts of north—east england, most places have another cloudy day for part two of the weekend. despite the cloud, a lot of dry weather around, high—pressure close by, exerting unsettling influence on our weather. underneath the high pressure and around, all of this cloud coming in.

weather front approaching northern scotland, and that it does so it will strengthen the does mean e—mail start after a mild day, a hint of blue through parts of wales and england, laterwent blue through parts of wales and england, later went any chance of frost with clear spells. mist and fog patches to building, but will be more or less in the clear on sunday. a lot of cloud around, north—east scotland�*s parts of wales and eastern counties of northern ireland will save it, elsewhere if you break your breaks. a breezy day in northern england and northern ireland, especially scotland and north—west, keele is developing in the western isles. another mild day here, temperatures not as high as they have been. probably the lower temperatures are in for cloud hangs around all day through parts of central and southern england. 0vernight and into monday, rain turning heavier is that with different routes into northern scotland where the wind will be using. try elsewhere, a lot of cloud around. with any breaks in the cloud

through wales and england a touch of frost possible. 0utbreaks through wales and england a touch of frost possible. outbreaks of rain, further south and into northern ireland as we go into monday. barely any rain to register in northern ireland. ahead of that there may be a few sunny spells around, parts of northern england and north wales and the midlands, south of that a good deal of cloud, temperatures around 6-9 c. deal of cloud, temperatures around 6—9 c. by deal of cloud, temperatures around 6—9 c. by monday evening and night, perhaps a little patchy rain reaching towards northern england. tuesday looking mainly dry, rain living in scotland and northern ireland on wednesday, sweeping south on wednesday night, weakening as it does so. what that whether front doors to as sweep away a lot of the cloud that surrounds at the moment. not much rain moving south, but brighter skies following that system across much of the uk. a bit of breeze on thursday.

we�*ll be taking a look at tomorrow mornings papers in a moment first the headlines. the first shipment of american military aid to ukraine arrives there — amid warnings a russian invasion could be imminent.

police will meet a conservative mp who�*s accused government whips of trying to "blackmail" politicians who�*ve tried to oust borisjohnson.