as russia continues to mass troops on the ukraine border, the pentagon has said 8,500 us—based troops are at a heightened readiness to deploy. president biden has spoken with european leaders to discuss a common response to the standoff. downing street admits that staff gathered inside number ten during the first lockdown in june 2020 to wish borisjohnson a happy birthday. the rules at the time banned most indoor gatherings of more than two people. the army in burkina faso has announced on television that it's removed the country's president from office and suspended the constitution. the governing party said the president and a government minister had survived assassination attempts. bob dylan has sold the master recordings to his entire back catalogue to sony music. the musician had previously sold his publishing rights to universal music for a reported $400 million.

hello, and welcome to our look ahead to what the papers will be bringing us tomorrow. with me are polly mackenzie, chief executive of demos, and claire cohen, women's editor at the telegraph. welcome back to both of you. let me bring you up—to—date with the front pages, got a few more in since our last review. the front page of the i focusses on the reports of another party in downing street during the first coronavirus lockdown — this one, a surprise birthday party for borisjohnson. the guardian also features the news of downing street lockdown parties, saying the prime minister is facing renewed anger from mps and bereaved families over the allegations. the times says about 30 guests sang and ate unionjack cake at the celebration organised by the pm's now—wife carriejohnson. the metro's front page reports that nato has ordered warplanes and battleshops to eastern europe, as borisjohnson accuses russia of planning

a "lightning war" on ukraine. the daily express also focusses on tensions with russia reporting the prime minister's words that any invasion is "going to a painful, violent and bloody business". the financial times reports that allies are prepared to impose sanctions on russia in the event of an attack. and the telegraph looks at the us�* plans for a deterrent, asjoe biden puts 8,500 soldiers on high alert. clea r, clear, do you want to kick us off this time with the mirror�*s front page, which has a rather pleased borisjohnson but not page, which has a rather pleased boris johnson but not that page, which has a rather pleased borisjohnson but not that birthday cake, this is another one he got earlier in the same day —— claire? this is the story dominating many front pages tonight, this birthday party that's come to light which was held only a month after the garden party we are also familiar with now in the gardens of downing street on 20 may. this one on 19june, 2020.

and it was a surprise birthday party, we are told, the prime minister was only there for ten minutes, downing street have omitted it happened, there was cake that came from schoolchildren and there was singing at a time when many of us are member we weren't allowed to sing in church, many people were upset they were allowed to sing hymns at funerals, etc. a lot of aggravating detail in the story that will have lots of people angry tonight, feeling like we are trapped in some sort of groundhog day, not least sue gray, who is busy compiling her report. but a lot of the details are the same, it might�*ve been a surprise party to the prime minister, there were e—mails sent out in advance, 30 people were there including boris johnson's wife, the principal private secretary was there. there's a sense that the frivolity was

happening behind closed doors whilst the rest of the country was doing its best to adhere to the rules. what do you make of it, polly? if what do you make of it, polly? if that word frivolity, it's incredibly important — that word frivolity, it's incredibly important that claire has just used. this is_ important that claire has just used. this is a _ important that claire has just used. this is a relatively normal thing that can — this is a relatively normal thing that can happen in a workplace, where _ that can happen in a workplace, where people gather at the cake relatively briefly. but the sense that ordinary work as usual was going _ that ordinary work as usual was going on— that ordinary work as usual was going on and downing street whilst everyone _ going on and downing street whilst everyone else was completely disrupting all their normal patterns, lots of us working from home: _ patterns, lots of us working from home, of— patterns, lots of us working from home, of course, but that wasn't appmpriate — home, of course, but that wasn't appropriate for downing street. but if you _ appropriate for downing street. but if you think about what was happening in schools or hospitals, or factories, warehouses— everybody was changing the way they interacted. common rooms, staff rooms— interacted. common rooms, staff rooms were — interacted. common rooms, staff rooms were closed so that people dhint— rooms were closed so that people didn't interact socially. and it's realty— didn't interact socially. and it's really clear that this specific party — really clear that this specific party was against the rules because

indoor— party was against the rules because indoor gatherings that weren't reasonably necessary for work were not permitted. this is an indoor gathering, _ not permitted. this is an indoor gathering, having cake is not reasonably necessary for work, and also singing was very definitely against — also singing was very definitely against the rules. you may think that those — against the rules. you may think that those rules were silly, and it's perfectly reasonable to believe the rules _ it's perfectly reasonable to believe the rules were too much or badly designed- — the rules were too much or badly designed— but these were the people who wrote _ designed— but these were the people who wrote the rules, they wrote the rule teiiing — who wrote the rules, they wrote the rule telling people they could not sin- rule telling people they could not sing hymns at their loved ones's funerais— sing hymns at their loved ones's funerals because singing transmitted the virus _ funerals because singing transmitted the virus. and then, just before apparently a meeting about covid, they got— apparently a meeting about covid, they got into a room and they sang. that leyei— they got into a room and they sang. that level of frivolity, of contempt for the _ that level of frivolity, of contempt for the rules— even though in a way, this doesn't — for the rules— even though in a way, this doesn't add anything, we know so n1any— this doesn't add anything, we know so many parties, we've literally lost so many parties, we've literally iost count. _ so many parties, we've literally lost count, i don't think anyone

could possibly name them all, it's like trying — could possibly name them all, it's like trying to name the seven dwarves— like trying to name the seven dwarves in a minute, you just can't do it _ dwarves in a minute, you just can't do it but — dwarves in a minute, you just can't do it. but nevertheless, this adds something — do it. but nevertheless, this adds something because yet again, it's a new group— something because yet again, it's a new group of people to offend, to rile new group of people to offend, to rite up _ new group of people to offend, to rite up - _ new group of people to offend, to rite up - we — new group of people to offend, to rile up — we are seeing on social media _ rile up — we are seeing on social media now— rile up — we are seeing on social media now people are talking about the birthdays they missed. ijust think— the birthdays they missed. ijust think it — the birthdays they missed. ijust think it carries on the story for yet another day, it manages to stop us being _ yet another day, it manages to stop us being able to move on and talk about— us being able to move on and talk about the — us being able to move on and talk about the substantive issues of politics — about the substantive issues of politics. the government had heard things— politics. the government had heard things would go quiet for a bit before — things would go quiet for a bit before the sue gray report came out 'ust before the sue gray report came out just hoped — before the sue gray report came out just hoped. what this extra story tells us _ just hoped. what this extra story tells us is — just hoped. what this extra story tells us is that that drip, drip, drip— tells us is that that drip, drip, drip of— tells us is that that drip, drip, drip of extra news, extra detail, extra _ drip of extra news, extra detail, extra photos could possibly carry on even beyond the sue gray report. the mirror even beyond the sue gray report. mirror puts it in even beyond the sue gray report. tie:

mirror puts it in its headline, "another day, another party." the times has quite a lot more detail in it, same picture but a lot more text. is that extra text informative?— text. is that extra text informative? ~ .~ ., �*, informative? we make that's the thin with informative? we make that's the thing with this, _ informative? we make that's the thing with this, there's _ informative? we make that's the thing with this, there's so - informative? we make that's the thing with this, there's so much l thing with this, there's so much detail — one particular detail is lulu lytle, who was a whole separate scandal, decorating the minister's flat, we sought crisis from her pr team say she was invited to it as a party. team say she was invited to it as a .a _ �* , . ., team say she was invited to it as a party. but she came down from the flat two floors _ party. but she came down from the flat two floors away _ party. but she came down from the flat two floors away right _ party. but she came down from the flat two floors away right on - party. but she came down from the flat two floors away right on the - flat two floors away right on the other _ flat two floors away right on the other side of the building to the cabinet — other side of the building to the cabinet room, to the prime minister's birthday gathering, and she entered the room in order to speak— she entered the room in order to speak to — she entered the room in order to speak to the prime minister. we can presume _ speak to the prime minister. we can presume about some interior decorating crisis. who knows! perhaps — decorating crisis. who knows! perhaps she was encouraging him to pay the _ perhaps she was encouraging him to pay the bills for the interior decorating — we can only speculate. but again. — decorating — we can only speculate.

butagain. it— decorating — we can only speculate. but again, it —— i've seen people talk about— but again, it —— i've seen people talk about it _ but again, it —— i've seen people talk about it like the marvel universe, getting all the stories intersecting without continuity problems. in this honestly feels like problems. in this honestly feels iike it's— problems. in this honestly feels like it's written by a slightly mad screenwriter.— like it's written by a slightly mad screenwriter. . ~ , ., screenwriter. picking up that theme, clear, it screenwriter. picking up that theme, clear. it feels — screenwriter. picking up that theme, clear, it feels like _ screenwriter. picking up that theme, clear, it feels like it's _ screenwriter. picking up that theme, clear, it feels like it's crying - screenwriter. picking up that theme, clear, it feels like it's crying out - clear, it feels like it's crying out for some kind of satirical treatment, whetherfor for some kind of satirical treatment, whether for the stage, television or whatever that somebody needs to turn this into a nine act tragedy orfarce, or needs to turn this into a nine act tragedy or farce, or whatever —— claire. what the great, late lord ricks would've done, a farce about people coming out of their doors and encountering each other at parties they didn't know the other was happening. if there are already play lights dutch playwrights watching, just an idea. the details that we've

got, kate, party, food, people gathering around — in the end, it's hard to see and downing street doesn't seem to tried very hard to deny their gathering, they are saying it was incidentals of the meeting, itjust happened. it is not making much attempt to say it was ok under the rules. it making much attempt to say it was ok under the rules.— under the rules. it isn't, and it's interesting _ under the rules. it isn't, and it's interesting because _ under the rules. it isn't, and it's interesting because it _ under the rules. it isn't, and it's interesting because it has - under the rules. it isn't, and it's interesting because it has been | interesting because it has been trying really hard this week to get ahead of this narrative, ahead of the story, to own it ahead of sue gray's report. and one wonders whether this story, whether it's come from is an integral part of that report and has been leaked now to stop downing street, who of course get advanced sight of that report, being able to formulate any sort of considered response to it and they have been slightly caught off guard here. so the timing is very interesting. going back to comments about it being farcical, we went down to the definitions over what constitutes a party — one thing that caught my eye in the times

story is a quote from nadine dories, who's been tweeting and said people in the office by cake in the afternoon for some of their working with, they stop to sing happy birthday — when is that a prime democrat party was the pie minister was turning 36 —— 56, and any of us over 35 know that when you stop for kate, that's a party. —— stop for cake. there's lots coming out over the last few out the micro days and weeks, we can only hope that sue gray's report really cuts through when we see it. by, gray's report really cuts through when we see it.— gray's report really cuts through when we see it. a really interesting oint, when we see it. a really interesting point. there — when we see it. a really interesting point. there a _ when we see it. a really interesting point, there a danger— when we see it. a really interesting point, there a danger in _ when we see it. a really interesting point, there a danger in politics - point, there a danger in politics which you and not passing a story, can you pick it apart so much that you end up in a situation where the journalists are arguing on one side, than the politicians are defending themselves, and it begins a bit like

how many angels can you balance on the head of the pen? it doesn't matter because as some politicians are saying, it doesn't matter what you think of the sue gray report, you think of the sue gray report, you either think this is acceptable or you don't. it's quite hard to bury yourself in the details and it resolves the judgment for you. maybe it's a taste or morality thing— it's almost not a legal thing for many people, it's a judgment thing. there's two elements to this — the first is— there's two elements to this — the first is the — there's two elements to this — the first is the frivolity we talked about, and thus sent the microsecond is the _ about, and thus sent the microsecond is the sense _ about, and thus sent the microsecond is the sense of dishonesty. the prime — is the sense of dishonesty. the prime minister said before christmas that he _ prime minister said before christmas that he was— prime minister said before christmas that he was horrified to hear the video— that he was horrified to hear the video leak— that he was horrified to hear the video leak of his former spokesperson, allegra stratton, laughing — spokesperson, allegra stratton, laughing about a party that have been _ laughing about a party that have been held in downing street. he was 'ust been held in downing street. he was just as _ been held in downing street. he was just as appalled as everybody else. we now— just as appalled as everybody else. we now realise that just doesn't

make _ we now realise that just doesn't make any— we now realise that just doesn't make any sense, that he could have been _ make any sense, that he could have been appalled in that way if he was at gathering after gathering like this _ at gathering after gathering like this. we've seen polling, it's not about— this. we've seen polling, it's not about whether i think he's telling the truth — about whether i think he's telling the truth or not, it's what the public— the truth or not, it's what the public think. 56% of conservative voters believe that he's not telling the truth _ voters believe that he's not telling the truth - — voters believe that he's not telling the truth — and it's the combination of that, _ the truth — and it's the combination of that, whilst of course there will be some _ of that, whilst of course there will be some people who still back the prime _ be some people who still back the prime minister, you take that prime minister— prime minister, you take that prime minister -- — prime minister, you take that prime minister —— take that nadine dories line minister —— take that nadine dories tine - _ minister —— take that nadine dories tine - that— minister —— take that nadine dories tine - that is— minister —— take that nadine dories line — that is a reasonable position for those _ line — that is a reasonable position for those people to take, but it is now very— for those people to take, but it is now very clear in the polls that it is a minority position. what really matters _ is a minority position. what really matters about these stories about another _ matters about these stories about another day, another party narrative is the _ another day, another party narrative is the way _ another day, another party narrative is the way it — another day, another party narrative is the way it keeps it going on, not that there — is the way it keeps it going on, not that there will be any new people who witt— that there will be any new people who will change their mind and say it's over— who will change their mind and say it's over because of the unionjack cake, _ it's over because of the unionjack cake, now—

it's over because of the unionjack cake, now it's a problem! you're not adding _ cake, now it's a problem! you're not adding any— cake, now it's a problem! you're not adding any hate divorce johnson, it'sjust _ adding any hate divorce johnson, it'sjust a — adding any hate divorce johnson, it'sjust a question of adding any hate divorce johnson, it's just a question of news management that they've completely lost control. | management that they've completely lost control. ~ . �* , management that they've completely lost control. ,, . �* , lost control. i think that's in part what's making — lost control. i think that's in part what's making so _ lost control. i think that's in part what's making so many - lost control. i think that's in part - what's making so many conservative mps so angry, the sense that this story could have been put together about two months ago, and instead it's ended up almost dictating the government's agenda. i only do this in passing as we go to the front of the guardian for the ukraine story there — just a note for those who are slightly confused by the premise are slightly confused by the premise are holding that cake, for the record that is not sue gray standing behind him, watchful as ever she is in downing street. she wasn't that precedent to have been monitoring every party from the distance. i think that's the head teacher making sure he didn't drop the cake, or possibly asking for the kickback afterwards because of budget cuts. joe biden pretty much said before

that he had no intention of sending troops into ukraine if there was... he pretty much said that. will this be a deterrent, do you think vladimir putin will believe that if 8500 troops are in standby in america, that maybe he should back off was yellow it certainly is a shift in strategy from the us, because it was very recent times thatjoe biden gave that speech. saying that if russia even made a minor incursion, his language, it into ukraine, the us wouldn't do terribly much. it was only if russian troops invaded. 8500, which doesn't sound like very many, he said he was prepared to deploy or alert another a5,000 should the situation escalate — whether it will act as a deterrent to vladimir putin, he still denying that he intends to invade, of course — this

kind of meeting of eu leaders and nato leaders in which borisjohnson was involved, as well, is obviously designed to be a deterrent and it's designed to be a deterrent and it's designed as a unified response, to use diplomacy to threaten russia with sanctions — whether any of it will be terribly forceful in terms of prudent�*s eyes, i doubt it —— vladimir putin's eyes. there's talk of this lightning war, him intending to quickly invade kyiv and install a progression leader — it seems like a situation coming to a boiling point that's been dominating the pages, more than the downing street birthday parties. and i think biden's intention, ifear it might be too little, too late and not taken seriously enough because of his previous comments.— taken seriously enough because of his previous comments. paige? what's his previous comments. poly? what's fascinatin: his previous comments. poly? what's fascinating here _ his previous comments. poly? what's fascinating here is _ his previous comments. poly? what's fascinating here is the _ his previous comments. poly? what's fascinating here is the way that nato, — fascinating here is the way that nato, which is a defeats democrat defence _

nato, which is a defeats democrat defence alliance at its core, is being — defence alliance at its core, is being accused of aggression by putin — being accused of aggression by putin. and anything to shore up the defence of— putin. and anything to shore up the defence of ukraine, including this, is then— defence of ukraine, including this, is then used as a propaganda tool by putin— is then used as a propaganda tool by putin to _ is then used as a propaganda tool by putin to suggest that the rest is making — putin to suggest that the rest is making moves against russia, and therefore — making moves against russia, and therefore that enables him to strengthen this narrative that he needs— strengthen this narrative that he needs to — strengthen this narrative that he needs to act to protect ukraine. you know, _ needs to act to protect ukraine. you know. it _ needs to act to protect ukraine. you know, it remains of the view that ukraine _ know, it remains of the view that ukraine and russia are essentially one people, one nation, and that annexation — one people, one nation, and that annexation is really his motive. not what nato _ annexation is really his motive. not what nato is doing. it's really difficult — what nato is doing. it's really difficult times, russia is an enormous power despite the way it's economy— enormous power despite the way it's economy and geopolitical role has evolved _ economy and geopolitical role has evolved over the last 30 years since the end _ evolved over the last 30 years since the end of— evolved over the last 30 years since the end of the cold war. and it is not to— the end of the cold war. and it is not to be — the end of the cold war. and it is not to be trifled with — on the other— not to be trifled with — on the other hand, if we don't take that aggression seriously, we allow them to annex _ aggression seriously, we allow them to annex crimea and in the end, we

allowed _ to annex crimea and in the end, we allowed it— to annex crimea and in the end, we allowed it to — to annex crimea and in the end, we allowed it to go ahead — i think there _ allowed it to go ahead — i think there are — allowed it to go ahead — i think there are democrat remains real guestions — there are democrat remains real questions about how russia will treat— questions about how russia will treat all— questions about how russia will treat all those ex soviet states and, _ treat all those ex soviet states and, unless the line is drawn somehow, _ and, unless the line is drawn somehow, it will turn into a very expansionist era for prudent. there is dan . er expansionist era for prudent. there is danger of — expansionist era for prudent. there is danger of them _ expansionist era for prudent. there is danger of them picking _ expansionist era for prudent. ii!” is danger of them picking them off one by one, notjust by invading but they are forced to move back into they are forced to move back into the line is drawn somehow, it will turn into a very expansionist era for prudent. there's danger of them picking them off one by one, not just by invading but they're forced to move back into russia's orbit. two lords of leaping out of government — the first lord today is lord agnew, he's resigned because he thinks the government isn't taking fraud seriously enough. he thinks the government isn't taking fraud seriously enough.— thinks the government isn't taking fraud seriously enough. he gave an extraordinary _ fraud seriously enough. he gave an extraordinary and _ fraud seriously enough. he gave an extraordinary and rather _ fraud seriously enough. he gave an extraordinary and rather surprising | extraordinary and rather surprising speech— extraordinary and rather surprising speech in— extraordinary and rather surprising speech in the house of lords, you know, _ speech in the house of lords, you know, amazing language, basically criticising _ know, amazing language, basically criticising the government for its complete — criticising the government for its complete failure to deal with the

fraud _ complete failure to deal with the fraud in— complete failure to deal with the fraud in particular around the covid schemes— fraud in particular around the covid schemes - — fraud in particular around the covid schemes — multiple billions of bounds — schemes — multiple billions of pounds lost and, in his view, far too much — pounds lost and, in his view, far too much of— pounds lost and, in his view, far too much of it hasjust been written off, he _ too much of it hasjust been written off, he says — too much of it hasjust been written off, he says 1000 firms were given bounce _ off, he says 1000 firms were given bounce back loans who weren't even trading _ bounce back loans who weren't even trading before the pandemic, just as an example. again, this is one of those _ an example. again, this is one of those stories that would be dominating, i think, those stories that would be dominating, ithink, would be a real blow to _ dominating, ithink, would be a real blow to a _ dominating, ithink, would be a real blow to a prime minister, to a chanceiior— blow to a prime minister, to a chancellor — a serving treasury minister— chancellor — a serving treasury minister basically accusing his chancellor and their department of allowing _ chancellor and their department of allowing multiple billions of pounds bein- allowing multiple billions of pounds being given out to criminals. and yet it's— being given out to criminals. and yet it's a — being given out to criminals. and yet it's a really told that's relatively small story because all we can— relatively small story because all we can talk about is what kind of cake _ we can talk about is what kind of cake boris— we can talk about is what kind of cake borisjohnson was we can talk about is what kind of cake boris johnson was eating. we can talk about is what kind of cake borisjohnson was eating. it�*s cake boris johnson was eating. it's uuite cake boris johnson was eating. quite clever, cake borisjohnson was eating. it�*s quite clever, and the reason i raised the other pier here is lord ashcroft, who resigned from the cabinetjust before christmas, came out in support of the tax hike campaign. it plays brilliantly into

the argument of many conservatives, why are we putting up taxes? because you can say you are putting them up, but lord agnew says you've just thrown away £5 billion, so much for being careful, good stewards of the nation's finances. politically it doesn't help the chancellor or the prime minister very much. certainly not, not prime minister very much. certainly not. not when _ prime minister very much. certainly not, not when their— prime minister very much. certainly not, not when their manifesto - not, not when their manifesto promises around the 2019 election was to keep more money and people bust my pockets. so it's hardly a surprise that you've got lord frost accusing them of being unconservative, almost, in the daily mail. he resigned in december because he didn't like the direction of travel, i think was the language he used. and interestingly, i was reviewing his resignation letter before we came on air, and he said he wanted a likely regulated low tax entrepreneurial economy, and that's what he thought the government should be pushing for. in these comments, that's what he's gunning for, and the national insurance rise

— he's got support on it, the institute for fiscal studies was saying there's enough wiggle room in the economy to postpone it at a moment when we know the cost of living is rising, record inflation, 30 year high inflation, an energy bill hikes coming. as was quite rightly pointed out, lord agnew accusing the treasury of schoolboy errors and essentially giving money to criminals. it'sjust errors and essentially giving money to criminals. it's just another example of a complete lack ofjoined up example of a complete lack ofjoined up thinking and joining up the dots within governmental treasury. thank ou both within governmental treasury. thank you both for — within governmental treasury. thank you both for speaking _ within governmental treasury. thank you both for speaking to _ within governmental treasury. thank you both for speaking to us, - within governmental treasury. thank you both for speaking to us, hope to see you again soon, thank you very much for your company. the papers will be back again tomorrow evening with lucy beresford and joe twyman. i mentioned the interventions of jeremy thorpe, just want to leave you with the abolition of the seat that was held by an a neighbouring conservative mp who was persuaded to

retire, and jeremy thorpe said, "i thought a gentleman gave up a seat for a lady." but those are old—fashioned times. have a good night. hello, i'm marc edwards, thanks forjoining us. watford have sacked their head coach, claudio ranieri, after 1a games and less than four months in charge. a run ofjust seven points since his appointment on four 0ctober, which culminated in 3—0 home loss to relegation rivals norwich on friday. that defeat saw them drop into the bottom three with 18 matches left, prompting ranieri's departure. the italian, who famously guided leicester city to the premier league title in 2016, managed just two wins in his time in charge at vicarage road. his dismissal means watford are now searching for their third permanent head coach of the season. they take on bottom club burnley on sunday. in the past, we've had

unknown names from abroad and some better—known names, people like nigel pearson. but yes, it's the 15th managerial appointment since the pozzo family took over in 2012 — and of the last 11 watford managers, only one has been in charge for 50 games. 0ne manager not going anywhere is brentford's thomas frank, who has extended his contract at the club until 2025. the dane, who took over as brentford manager in 2018, led the club to promotion to the premier league last season — ending a 7a—year wait for top flight football. blackburn are up to second place in the championship, after beating middlesbrough at ewood park. sam gallagher pounced on a mistake in the boro defence to score the only goal of the game. blackburn have now won eight out of their last ten games. hosts cameroon are through to the quarterfinals of the africa cup of nations, after narrowly seeing off tournament

debutants comoros 2—1. goals from karl toko ekambi and vincent aboubakar, his sixth of tournament, put cameroon in a comfortable position against a side that had a left—back in goal due to covid cases. but comoros did salvage some pride — a goal of the tournament contender from youssouf m'changama, ensuring that the minnows go home with their heads held high. and cameroon will face gambia in the quarterfinals, after they beat guinea 1—0. and cameroon will face gambia in the quarterfinals, after they beat guinea 1—0. musa barrow with the only goal of the game for the scorpions. derby county's administrators are expected to hold talks with the english football league tomorrow. it follows "positive developments" over the championship side's future, with the wealthy us—based binnie family submitting a bid in the region of £28 million to buy the club on friday. let's take you to the australian open, where day nine

is about to begin — rafael nadal among the star acts on show in the coming hours. daniil medvedev is into the last eight, after taking more than three—and—a—half hours to beat maxime cressy in four sets. stefanos tsitsipas was also put through the mill — he twice came from a set down to beat taylor fritz, who produced some stunning shots. tsitsipas has reached the semi—finals in melbourne twice and was a runner—up at roland garros last year, but he's still on the hunt for a first grand slam title. the crowd absolutely loved it — tsitsipas said the atmosphere was "overwhelming" — he meets jannik sinner next. in the women's draw, kaia kanepi has knocked out second seed aryna sabalenka in a final—set tie—break. it was one set all and 8—7 in the third, when kanepi edged in front — she thought the match was over and celebrated early — but needed another point.

luckily her blushes were spared, taking the match to go through to a first australian open quarterfinal at the age of 36. france's alize cornet has made the quarterfinals of a major, at the 63rd time of asking. and she did it by knocking out two—time grand slam winner and 14th seed simona halep, admitting that she may have had some assistance. i had a little birthday present, i had a cake from the tournament. the cheesecake was amazing. i think that is why i had so much energy. that's why you won! i had so much cheesecake. i can tell you guys, i have energy for weeks now! and in rugby union, george ford has been handed a chance to revive his international career — he's been draughted in to replace injured captain 0wen farrell in england's six nations squad. with farrell out of the opener against scotland, head coach eddiejones will turn to ford after leaving him out of the initial 36—man squad. despite his outstanding club form, ford has been overlooked

since the autumn with marcus smith starring at number ten. to boxing — and anthonyjoshua says he has not signed a £15 million contract to step aside from his rematch with 0leksandr usyk, so the ukrainian can fight tyson fury in an undisputed heavyweight bout. tyson fury will face either 0leksandr usyk in a fight for the undisputed heavyweight title next, or defend his wbc crown against mandatory challenger dillian whyte. fury�*s promoters have been pushing for whyte to agree terms, but simultaneously speaking to anthonyjoshua's team about stepping aside so fury can fight usyk next. team gb have named their 50th and final memberfor the winter olympics. ellia smeding will be the first female long track speed skater to represent britain for 42 years at beijing 2022. smeding called it a "dream come true" and will race in the 1,000m and 1500m, having recently set

new national records in three distances in december. the games start on four february. and that's all the sport for now. from me, marc edwards, and the rest of the team, bye—bye. hello. tuesday promises more of the weather we've been so used to lately — largely dry, but often cloudy. the satellite picture shows this pale grey colour here — that's the sheet of low cloud that's been with many of us for the last few days. this bright white cloud out towards the west is the first sign of the frontal systems that will eventually get things moving and bring about something of a change. but for tuesday morning, most places starting off grey and cloudy, some mist and fog patches, too. the fog should tend to lift as the day wears on, as the breeze picks up a little. best chance of sunshine perhaps for north east wales, the west midlands, north east england, but more especially for northern ireland, for southern and eastern scotland, where the breeze really will be picking up, turning that cloud over and breaking it up.

some spots of rain into northwest scotland. temperatures ranging from just 3—4 celsius in parts of eastern england, to maybe 8—9 in western scotland and northern ireland. now as we head through tuesday night, we'll see one band of cloud and a few spots of rain pushing south towards — a very weak weather front. 0ur big area of cloud will start to retreat southwards, so we will see a few more clear breaks developing that could allow temperatures to drop relatively close to freezing — at the same time, there'll be more of a breeze. so i think quite a few places will stay frost—free, there'll be a few pockets of frost here and there. but wednesday morning starts under the influence of this area of high pressure — the high really has been with us for quite a few days now. but a weather system approaching from the northwest will start to get things moving and change things — and certainly, the wind will be strengthening through the day across northern ireland and scotland, gales in exposed northwestern areas later with outbreaks of rain pushing in. much of england and wales dry, a little more in the way of sunshine and slightly higher temperatures, as well, 8—10 celsius. now as we go through wednesday night

and on into thursday, we push this frontal system southwards, we'll see some really strong winds for a time around the far north of scotland. that weather front, as it gets into the south, well, not much rain left on it, but maybe a legacy of cloud and drizzle for a time across southwest england and the channel islands. however, for most of us on thursday, we will see quite a lot more in the way of sunshine, a few showers into the north of scotland. temperatures not doing too badly, actually, 7—12 celsius. friday will bring the return of the cloud, pushing in from the west — but it will be quite mild, quite breezy and dry for most.

welcome to newsday, reporting live from singapore. i'm mariko 0i. the headlines: as more russian forces make their way towards the ukraine border, the us puts thousands of troops on standby for potential deployment to eastern europe. new party problems for borisjohnson — downing street admits holding birthday events for the pm during lockdown but denies breaking any rules. announcing a coup on state tv, burkina faso's military detains the president, closes the borders and suspends the constitution. so exciting! really? and taking the temperature in beijing — what's it like to host the winter olympics amid some of the world's toughest covid restrictions?