hello, i'm ros atkins, this is outside source. the uk government says people with covid in england may no longer have to self—isolate by the end of this month. the current law says anyone who test positive has to self—isolate for at least five days or until they are negative. it is self-isolate for at least five days or until they are negative. it is my expectation _ or until they are negative. it is my expectation we — or until they are negative. it is my expectation we will _ or until they are negative. it is my expectation we will be _ or until they are negative. it is my expectation we will be able - or until they are negative. it is my expectation we will be able to - or until they are negative. it is my expectation we will be able to end the last— expectation we will be able to end the last domestic restrictions including the legal requirement to self—isolate if you test positive a full month early. but self-isolate if you test positive a full month early.— full month early. but there is pressure _ full month early. but there is pressure on _ full month early. but there is pressure on prime _ full month early. but there is pressure on prime minister l full month early. but there is - pressure on prime minister boris johnson after another photo emerged of christmas celebrations in downing street under covid restrictions during 2020. the police say they are

looking into it. we will report from paris, a man accused of the bataclan attack where hundred and 30 people dry as being examined in his trial. in protests growing in india over a ban on muslim girls wearing a hijab in school. ban on muslim girls wearing a hi'ab in school. ., , ban on muslim girls wearing a hi'ab in school. . , ., in school. india is a unified country — in school. india is a unified country so _ in school. india is a unified country so everyone - in school. india is a unified country so everyone is - in school. india is a unified| country so everyone is free in school. india is a unified i country so everyone is free to practice their religion. they are following their culture and i am following their culture and i am following mind. two big stories in the uk. first, england is due to end all of its legal covid—i9 restrictions — that would come nearly two years after they were first imposed. this was the prime minister in parliament. provided the current encouraging trends _ provided the current encouraging trends in — provided the current encouraging trends in the data continue, it is my expectation we will be able to end the _ my expectation we will be able to end the last domestic restrictions including — end the last domestic restrictions including the legal requirement to

self—isolate if you test positive, a full month — self—isolate if you test positive, a full month early. self—isolate if you test positive, a full month early. under the current rules anyone who tests positive must self—isolate for at least five days. now though from february 24th the law will be replaced with guidance — that's if the government is satisfied with the covid data at that point. there's been lots of reaction. first, here's the opposition labour party. we would want to see what the scientific advice on this is and we know he has got motivation is nothing to do with the signs are dull to do with protecting his political position to get some benefits for his backbenchers. the infection rates are still high. gfxon tuesday, 66,183 people tested positive for covid. and 314 people died. and there are currently close to ia,000 people in hospital with covid. peter 0penshaw is a member of nervtag — that's the group that advises the british government on new and emerging threats

from respiratory viruses. this is his reaction. i don't think this is a scientific decision. it is clear that the rates are still very high, especially in some sectors of the community, particularly in children and people who look after children, parents and teachers, and although most people do have antibodies now, the vast majority of people have antibodies either because of vaccination or infection, that does not mean to say they are completely resistant to infection and can't transmit it to those who have not been vaccinated or can't respond to the vaccine. so i would absolutely redouble our advice that everyone should make sure they are fully vaccinated at this stage. at the peak injanuary, the uk recorded 273,000 cases in a day. deaths that same day were 217. so while cases have dropped dramatically — the number of people dying from the virus — on average — are around the same. here's peter 0penshaw again.

i would say, it is very encouraging to see the number of people testing positive declining but then the number of people tested as declining as well, but we do see a fall in the number of people admitted to hospital and that is very encouraging also. i am very concerned still we are seeing about 300 deaths at day and every single death and every single person admitted to hospital as a personal tragedy for somebody. so is england fast approaching the point covid is treated like other respiratory illness? this is the bbc�*s health correspondent nick triggle. what we have seen is a huge amount of infection in the population this winter. now, combined with the high levels of vaccination, this immunity that has been built up and as i think there are nearly 98% of people test positive, as adults, test

positive for antibodies. so the system knows the spiders and how to fight it and that is a big part of the reason why we are seeing milder illness. it is clear, protection against infection does wane so we will see the spiders circulating forever, but what we are not seeing as it causing significant amounts of serious illness, even with this winter, we haven't seen more people dying across the whole of the population than we would in other winters, so it shows that in terms of protection, herd immunity against serious illness, we have got really good protection and we are going to see this infection spread. let's speak to a correspondent at westminster. assuming the direction of the data continues, is there a political consensus around what the government is proposing to mark when the prime minister made this

announcement it was an unexpected announcement it was an unexpected announcement and he chose to do so in the house of commons at the beginning of prime minister's questions. beginning of prime minister's questions-— beginning of prime minister's questions. ., , ., , ., , questions. certainly on his own side there was a — questions. certainly on his own side there was a sort _ questions. certainly on his own side there was a sort of— questions. certainly on his own side there was a sort of cheer _ questions. certainly on his own side there was a sort of cheer of - there was a sort of cheer of approval and we know a large number of conservative mps have chafed at some of the restrictions in place and not wanted them to continue for any longer than was necessary and he certainly had support their and labour saying essentially that they have a plan for living with covid that they think would be better than what the government is putting forward but essentially i think he would be able to push these through if the data shows the case. that would be able to push these through if the data shows the case.— if the data shows the case. that is one big story _ if the data shows the case. that is one big story in westminster. - if the data shows the case. that is one big story in westminster. youj one big story in westminster. you will know there is another one because the prime minister, as he was announcing changes to covid restrictions, was then facing questions about a picture of the daily mirror published, which shows borisjohnson and other members of

staff in downing street on december the 15th, 2020, one wearing tinsel and another a santa hat, and the police are questioning whether this online christmas quiz that we already knew about may have breached covid restrictions. 0n already knew about may have breached covid restrictions. on top of that i am also now seen reports that detectives investigating alleged breaches of regulations in downing street and whitehall will begin contacting more than 50 people believed to have taken part in the events by the end of the week. so a lot going on. talk to me first about the picture on the political reaction to that?— the picture on the political reaction to that? this was an interesting — reaction to that? this was an interesting feat, _ reaction to that? this was an interesting feat, the - reaction to that? this was an interesting feat, the prime i reaction to that? this was an - interesting feat, the prime minister on his feet and had made that announcement, the unexpected announcement, the unexpected announcement about the covid restrictions, and you can see that an frame that in the light, if you like, of the attempt by downing street to move the agenda back and take the focus onto something different. what we then had in the

middle of prime minister's questions, that picture landed on the daily mirror website, mps looking at the photos and immediately a labour mp stood up on his feet and question the about it and it put him on the back foot again. that picture is a second one from a party we already knew about and the question has been put to the prime minister, that party didn't meet the threshold it seemed for investigation by the police but shouldn't now be investigated. 0n the very left—hand side of the screen viewers might be able to see there was an open bottle of what looked like sparkling wine of some sort. the prime minister saying this had been looked at but by the end of the day the police have said they are now reconsidering, so dragging it all back to that whole party scandal and as downing street attempted to move on, dragging attention back to this issue. to some extent you pre—empted what i was about to ask you because the

prime minister and his colleagues desire to move on is being pulled back to some degree by the police are now saying they are talking to 50 people or more. we are now saying they are talking to 50 people or more.— 50 people or more. we know that olice 50 people or more. we know that police were _ 50 people or more. we know that police were going _ 50 people or more. we know that police were going to _ 50 people or more. we know that police were going to comb - 50 people or more. we know that| police were going to comb through all the evidence and then contact those they wanted to question and we know that one of the questions they have for people as if they consider than might have been a breach of the rules is to go to people and say, what is your explanation for what has happened here, for your presence at some event, perhaps they are asking for some other sort of qualification, we don't know exactly, but it does suggest again from what we saw in the report, the initial details given last week, there are a lot of people are downing street involved in this, this is further confirmation and a number that the police are now seeking to talk to. let's turn back to the announcement

that in england all covid legal restrictions could be scrapped by the end of the month. last week denmark became the first country in the eu to lift nearly all of its virus restrictions. norway quickly followed. and today sweden joined them. vaccine passes won't be required for indoor events and there will be no longer be limits on indoor crowds. this is the reaction in stockholm. iamso i am so happy. finally the day has come. freedom, _ i am so happy. finally the day has come. freedom, we _ i am so happy. finally the day has come. freedom, we can - i am so happy. finally the day has come. freedom, we can go - i am so happy. finally the day has . come. freedom, we can go anywhere and not _ come. freedom, we can go anywhere and not think— come. freedom, we can go anywhere and not think about anything so we hope _ and not think about anything so we hope it— and not think about anything so we hope it is— and not think about anything so we hope it is still going to work 0k. and no— hope it is still going to work 0k. and no backlash. people should be more careful. the virus are staying here. and get vaccinated. so that's europe. in the us, the country's top infectious disease expert has declared the �*full blown' pandemic phase nearly over. here is the governor of new york. we had a here is the governor of new york. - had a vaccination requirement for businesses, it was an emergency temporary measure put in place only two months ago, and at this time we

say that it is the right decision to lift this mandate. for indoor businesses and let counties, cities and businesses make their own decisions on what they want to do to respect the mass vaccination requirement. in an interview with the financial times, anthony fauci said he hoped virus restrictions would end in the coming months — "decisions will increasingly be made on a local level rather than centrally decided or mandated." he would not repeat the assertion by some leaders that the virus is now becoming endemic but he talked about the possibility that it will soon reach an equilibrium where the government no longer has to pay such close attention to infection levels. as you can imagine there's been a lot of discussion about the point at which the world moves from pandemic to endemic, meaning infection rates are not rising orfalling. let's speak to someone who knows an awful

lot about the data of the pandemic. john burn—murdoch is the chief data reporter for the financial times. looking at the moment this becomes endemic, what data are you looking to to support this conclusion? the ke thin to to support this conclusion? tie: key thing really to to support this conclusion? tte: key thing really is to to support this conclusion? t"t2 key thing really is what to to support this conclusion? tt2 key thing really is what we to to support this conclusion? t“t2 key thing really is what we mean by endemic and what does that really mean for us as a society? you have the definition that anthony voucher was alluding to which as it is about static levels of infection because immunity levels are so high that the number of susceptible people in small and therefore you don't see these huge waves we have been seeing. by that definition i think we will probably say we are not endemicjust yet because we see numbers go up and go down. the other definition harks back to something your correspondent was saying earlier, that the sheer number of people who now have some degree of immunity to the virus means that even though case rates may still go slightly up or down over the next few months, the number of people

getting severely ill, there is much less room for movement in those numbers, because so many people have strong levels of antibodies now, so the exact point when we reach endemic city depends on the definition one uses but we are talking about the virus becoming very widespread, very large numbers of people now exposed either in the wild or through vaccination, and the result of that being that immunity levels in the population are very high. we are certainly very close to that point. high. we are certainly very close to that oint. ., ., ., ., ., ., that point. you have done a lot of excellent work _ that point. you have done a lot of excellent work comparing - that point. you have done a lot of excellent work comparing the - that point. you have done a lot of excellent work comparing the uk| excellent work comparing the uk experience with elsewhere and i wonder if you can help me with regards to omicron. for example, in south africa where it was first identified and then we know it spread quickly in england but other european countries like spain and germany followed suit, so what can we learn about the different positioning of these countries in the omicron experience? t positioning of these countries in the omicron experience?- positioning of these countries in the omicron experience? i think what we are really — the omicron experience? i think what

we are really seeing _ transmissibility of the omicron variant, its ability to seek out the most vulnerable, the last remaining vulnerable people in society, has meant that essentially pretty much everyone has been exposed to omicron over the last month or two in europe and across the world, so the differences we see are more than things like death rates rather than case rates, so case rates have set new records and pretty much every country omicron has hit but death rates have been markedly different from one country to another. in the uk there has been an increase in death but much smaller than it was last winter or indeed in the spring 2020 whereas any come to the united states death rates have risen quite substantially further, so death rates over the last month have been more than double in the us what they are in the uk and the uk has seen some of the lowest death rates during the omicron wave out of western european countries as well, so really that is about how many people with low levels of immunity

are still in each country when omicron took hold. find are still in each country when omicron took hold. and finally, would you _ omicron took hold. and finally, would you expect _ omicron took hold. and finally, would you expect when - omicron took hold. and finally, would you expect when all - would you expect when all restrictions go towards the end of february as the government is planning for england, would that have a visible impact on the data you are studying based on other ships and restriction seen in recent months? t ships and restriction seen in recent months? ., , . ., months? i would expect it would follow a pattern _ months? i would expect it would follow a pattern we _ months? i would expect it would follow a pattern we have - months? i would expect it would follow a pattern we have seen i months? i would expect it would - follow a pattern we have seen before now is that there may be some shift but it will be a gradual shift. there's been a tendency for us to think these policy changes are like opening or closing a door and that everything is shut down and then everything is shut down and then everything suddenly opens up again. that is not really what we have seen at any point in the data because people are making their own decisions all the time and there will be people after the restrictions go who continue to be cautious and there will be some people throwing caution to the wind before the restrictions change. on the balance of things that will probably mean there is a slight increase in transmission but i don't think we should expect some kind of

overnight surge so immodest and so change rather than anything sudden. we always appreciate your help, thanks for coming on the programme. the main suspect in the trial over the 2015 paris terror attacks has denied killing or injuring anyone. salah abdeslam made the statement in court, before being cross—examined for the first time. this was the aftermath of the 2015 attacks, when parisians grieved those lost in the attacks. 130 people were killed. a group of islamists carried out synchronised gun and bomb attacks on the bataclan concert hall, the national football stadium and six restaurants and bars. salah abdeslam is believed to be the only surviving member of the group. he's told the court "i didn't kill anyone, i didn't hurt anyone. i didn't cause even a scratch." let's go live to hugh schofield in paris.

i wonder what else we heard from him. it i wonder what else we heard from him. , . , i wonder what else we heard from him. , ., , , him. it is really interesting because — him. it is really interesting because this _ him. it is really interesting because this is _ him. it is really interesting because this is the - him. it is really interesting because this is the first. him. it is really interesting i because this is the first time him. it is really interesting - because this is the first time it seems to me we have had the beginnings of the answer to a key question of the trial which is what was salah abdeslam planning, what were his intentions? as i say, he was the tenth man, and they will contest this, but he came down with the nine other attackers and it seems that he was projected to be one of them. he had a suicide vest and after delivering the bombers to the stadium that night, it is believed he was supposed to have blown himself up back in town. he didn't and he had left the jacket behind and excellent rated back to belgium. the key question has been, was that because there was a problem with the jacket because he had a change of heart? today for the first time, without saying explicitly, he very strongly implied he had a change of heart and a lot of what he

said today, the first time we have heard them talk at length about his role, but not the detail or the background to the attack, he said he should not bejudged in the background to the attack, he said he should not be judged in the same way as the attackers because he had not hurt anybody. he had not hurt a single person, not shut a gun or set himself up as a bomb and therefore it was wrong in principle but also in practice tojudge him in the it was wrong in principle but also in practice to judge him in the same way. i the future if a bomber like me came and was going to blow himself up and had second thoughts at the last minute, what incentive would he have to step back if he knew he was going to get the same length in prison as if he had actually killed people? so it is a kind of plea for leniency and he spoke again about remembering the moment and saying, should i have turned back? so a very strong hint

that he did turn back, had a change of heart for whatever reason and is using this moment today is a kind of plea to the court, although whether they will take it as such and respond to that is a very different question. we respond to that is a very different ruestion. ~ ., question. we will leave it there, thanks for _ question. we will leave it there, thanks for bringing _ question. we will leave it there, thanks for bringing us _ question. we will leave it there, thanks for bringing us that - question. we will leave it there, l thanks for bringing us that today. we bring you the bigger stories from around the world the next return to protest in india. the protests have spread from a southern state and entered other parts of the country. 15 people have been arrested in the protests and authorities in the state have cloud all high schools and colleges for three days. this video went viral on tuesday, of one muslim student defying the ban by arriving for school in a hijab with a crowd taunting her. the student, muskan khan was escorted by school staff safely inside. she gave a press conference

the following day. translation: india is a unified country so everyone is free to practice their religion. they are following their culture and i am following their culture and i am following mine.— following mine. this is all happening _ following mine. this is all happening in _ following mine. this is all happening in the - following mine. this is all happening in the south i following mine. this is all happening in the south ofj following mine. this is all - happening in the south of india in an area where muslims are a minority, the make up around 12% of the population in the state, majority hindu. hundreds of students in the indian city of kolkata have held a protest against a hijab ban in colleges in the southern state of karnataka. the students, most of them women wearing islamic headscarves, said their rights must not be taken away. hindu students have started wearing headscarves to school too. the saffron scarves here, are a symbol of their religion. here's one of them. translation: we asked them not| to wear the hijab when they attend. they knew what we had told them, yet today, they've come wearing the hijab. we are not allowed inside the college now, and that's unfair. the education activist malala yousefzai tweeted "refusing to let girls go to school in their hijabs is horrifying. objectification of women persists — for wearing less or more. indian leaders must stop the marginalisation of muslim women." here's the reaction

from karnataka state's minister of education, to that criticism from malala. india has not banned the hijab. we are allowing hijab to be followed everywhere except for the place where uniform has been proscribed. how can she react to such things? the custom of headscarves for women in islam is often cricitised on grounds of feminism and equal rights. one of the things that's interesting here is that more liberal voices find themselves supporting it here. this is thejournalist, barka dhutt. if you ask me as a feminist, i am i comfortable with any religious practice that is specific to women and not to men, i would say i am not and not to men, i would say i am not and that is across religions. if you asked me as a multiculturalist, should there be space for everybody to practice their religion, absolutely. and if you ask me as someone who cares very much about getting more and more girls enrolled in school i think that is where i

draw that line and so i think you are seeing for once a healthy democratic debate around this and you can't actually say there is a debate. i think the courts will have to decide whether the hijab in fact constitutes essential practice when it comes to islam. muslims i have been speaking to are divided but nobody at least among those that i believe in and respect believes that girls should be denied an education on the basis of this and it is absolutely shocking and appalling it is happening. anbarasan ethirajan is south asia editor for bbc world service. the govt says the school help me understand the circumstances in which this ban has been brought in. ~ , ., , , in which this ban has been brought in. muslim women students say it has been auoin in. muslim women students say it has been going on — in. muslim women students say it has been going on for— in. muslim women students say it has been going on for the _ in. muslim women students say it has been going on for the last _ in. muslim women students say it has been going on for the last few- been going on for the last few weeks. school authorities have been asking them to remove the hijab so that they can participate in classes but as the government argues they

have a way of stipulating certain uniform rules and all of these students started wearing the hijab and that is where the problem started. but we have to look at it from a broader context of why this is happening and why it triggered so much anger and anxiety among the minority muslim community. in india, muslims are a religious minority, constituting about 14—15% of the population, but what has been happening in india over the past two years, especially about the way the government has brought in certain laws, anti—conversion laws, and some muslims have been beaten for transporting cattle because the hindus consider cattle as sacred. muslim and hindu couples have been attacked and looked at with suspicion. this is all putting a strain on the muslim community and they are worried about whether there is anything to the uniform roadie government claims it wants to

introduce. government claims it wants to introduce-— government claims it wants to introduce. ., , , introduce. right-wing groups in india introduce. right-wing groups in lndia have _ introduce. right-wing groups in india have involved _ introduce. right-wing groups in india have involved themselves| introduce. right-wing groups in l india have involved themselves in this trying to nationalist sentiment. is there any basis for those claims?— sentiment. is there any basis for those claims? , , ., , those claims? there is been a number of riahts those claims? there is been a number of rights groups _ those claims? there is been a number of rights groups with _ those claims? there is been a number of rights groups with christian - those claims? there is been a number of rights groups with christian and - of rights groups with christian and muslim community leaders, they say some of the extremist groups and vigilante groups that have been behind some of these actions against the minority communities, for example. a number of attacks happened during christmas time among the christian community. three holes were disturbed and churches attacked by alleged hindu radicals and the think these groups are behind some of the incidents like the school incident. on social media there talking about outsiders, distributing shawls and saffron coloured hats so that they can go and protest. they launch a protest against women coming with the hijab so this was done by outsiders,

otherwise students do not have the money or the time to go and buy these shawls or hats, so there is a suspicion that groups from outside, some of these hindu vigilante groups, might be behind it and that is what many political thinkers warned, that this is hate speech or even actions against the minority communities, that if they are not condemned now it could lead to further violence and where the hate speech becomes the mainstream. thank ou, we speech becomes the mainstream. thank you. we always — speech becomes the mainstream. thank you, we always appreciate _ speech becomes the mainstream. thank you, we always appreciate your help. just a quick reminder of the story that has broken this hour, all connected to those lockdown parties in westminster during covid restrictions. the met police now saying... so the police saying they are

contacting over 50 people in connection to those alleged events, more of that in the coming half hour. hello. they on date this week we have been watching arctic air creeping its way further south across the uk. wednesday we were still clinging on to my older atlantic air across southern counties of england, stilljust about clinging on over night but elsewhere arctic air is in and we will have a cold night ahead, quite frosty conditions for many. this area of low pressure running into the cold air, looks particularly troublesome for scotland. patchy rain and drizzle clearing southern counties but a bit of a lack any temperature falling away behind the weather front and we can avoid a frost on the whole. frosty start to thursday and for scotland a very windy start, this area of low

pressure and widespread gales and gusts of wind, 50—60 in exposure and some pretty frequent snow showers. the heaviest of the snow likely for high ground but we could see wintry conditions for low levels at a time. northern and western scotland feeling the impact of the low during the morning rush hour, starting to shift these words and eventually pulls to the north sea. the afternoon fine for many with a lot of sunshine and a few showers coming in of the irish sea. a blustery wind feature for all throughout the day. temperature in the arctic air noticeably colder across southern england where it has been so mild but for scotland, highs on the thermometer 2—3, add on the effect of the wind but what it will really feel like outsiders closer to —3 “4. through thursday evening and overnight into friday, the lower heads toward scandinavia, much quieter than the windfalls lighters are the ridge of high pressure builds and it sets us up for a very

widespread and hard for us to develop first thing friday. —10 possible with low lying snow on the scottish glens. could be freezing fog around first thing on friday but overall a fine start to the day and they called one with a lot of early sunshine and turning hazy out in the afternoon. feeling milder, up a couple of degrees and a lighter wind making all the difference but for the weekend, the wind set to make a feature once again, some heavy rain on the way and the temperature will come up relative to thursday and friday but the wet and windy weather will be dominant.

hello, i'm ros atkins, this is outside source. our lead story is that the uk government said people with covid in england may lead no longer have to self—isolate by the end of the month. —— may no longer. the current regulations say there who test positive have to self—isolate for five days. we positive have to self-isolate for five da s. ~ , ., , positive have to self-isolate for five da s. ~ , ., five days. we will be able to end the last domestic _ five days. we will be able to end the last domestic restrictions, i the last domestic restrictions, including the legal requirement to self—isolate, if you test positive, a full month early. but self-isolate, if you test positive, a full month early.— a full month early. but there is ressure a full month early. but there is pressure on — a full month early. but there is pressure on boris _ a full month early. but there is pressure on boris johnson - a full month early. but there is| pressure on boris johnson after pressure on borisjohnson after another photo emerged of christmas celebrations in downing street during covid restrictions. police have now put out a statement confirming they will question 50 people in their investigation. we

report from canada, truckers there protesting are partially blockaded the busiest border crossing with the us, we will update you on that. let's turn to canada now. for nearly two weeks, hundreds of truckers have brought canada's capital, ottawa, to a standstill. they are objecting to covid restrictions. and now, the truckers have partially blockaded the us—canada border — the busiest crossing in north america. they're calling themselves the �*freedom convoy�*. this is the scene on the us side. trucks started blockading the ambassador bridge late on monday. it's a vital trade route, linking the cities of detroit and windsor. business groups are worried about the impact this could have on the economy. it has a potential impact much larger than we are seeing right now. $300 billion worth of goods travel over that bridge every single day

between canada and the us, and equal value is going either direction. i guess the objective of these protesters, and i use that term loosely, is to disrupt as much of thatis loosely, is to disrupt as much of that is possible. federal covid—19 vaccine mandates are a key concern for the protesters but the demonstrations have morphed into some the broader, including anger towards prime minister trudeau's government more generally. this is from onejournalist in ottawa who says they are not going anywhere until the government lets all covid mandates and restrictions. there is no sign of the government doing that. you justin trudeau. we've been working with provincial premiers right across the country to bring in the kinds of restrictions, the kinds of mandates that have saved canadians�* lives. protesters have also cold for a meeting with all federal political leaders accept the prime minister to find a peaceful resolution to the crisis. —— have also cold for a

meeting —— called for a meeting. presumably having talks that the prime minister would be problematic? it would be difficult, though probably not a problem for the prime minister himself, who himself has said that neither he nor any of his ministers will sit down and meet with protesters, something he has been criticised for, originally by protesters before they decided they no longer wanted to meet with him. there was a lot of folks who are calling him currently and demanding he come and meet. he is also, i can tell you, getting some criticism from inside his own caucus on how he has chosen to handle the protest, not so much for refusing to meet with protesters but some of the language is chosen to use. they fear its more radicalising and that canadians who do not agree with protesters�* actors but arts are pathetic towards their angle about the ongoing, often serious restrictions in canada. —— but are sympathetic to stop especially in

places like quebec where there are still very much mass restrictions and best was onlyjust open, though those are provincial restrictions in canada, they are not made by the federal government. there�*s a feeling in the caucus that the prime minister should put at more of an olive branch, there worried by the extremist factions in this protest and don�*t think they should engage at all. —— others are worried by the extremist factions. but neither sigh, without the primaries are the protesters, are interested in meeting with each other and that poses a fundamental problem for what is a political question. it is a political question. it certainly does. what about the politics more broadly? do these truckers have political allies amongst other political parties in canada? , . ., , amongst other political parties in canada? ,~ ., , ., canada? they certainly do. the conservatives, _ canada? they certainly do. the conservatives, which _ canada? they certainly do. the conservatives, which are - canada? they certainly do. the conservatives, which are the i conservatives, which are the official opposition in canada right now, initially were kind of tiptoeing around support. they overthrew their leader last week, he was trying to run a moderate campaign in the last election, it obviously did not win. they have

chosen an interim leader who is very clearly backing the protest. we saw the former leader, he was kicked out, the former leader given the thumbs up to protesters on the way in. we see members of the conservative caucus posing with them. it is also splitting that caucus, as well, some call this an occupation and states volatile and dangerous and they want the protesters to go home. but it certainly seems like the position of the conservatives are making recently on who they are putting on the front bench are people who are much further to the right and supportive of the protesters. finally, just a question about the situation in ottawa, inevitably, tv cameras tend to point the lenses in the direction of the tracks and protests, what degree across the city more broadly are these protests really disrupting things? more broadl , really disrupting things? more broadly. not — really disrupting things? more broadly, not at _ really disrupting things? more broadly, not at all. _ really disrupting things? more broadly, not at all. but - really disrupting things? more broadly, not at all. but i - really disrupting things? more broadly, not at all. but i have | really disrupting things? more l broadly, not at all. but i have to explain to you that ottawa is a very small capital, especially for a g7 city, and downtown is very small. it's

city, and downtown is very small. it�*s a matter of blocks. and up to seven blocks on the major routes remain blockaded and impossible, so it�*s made it very difficult for downtown residents, which the downtown residents, which the downtown core turns from government buildings to residential within a couple of blocks, so it�*s absently impossible downtown in large areas still, people feel they are not able to go out and walk around, their consent to do that at night because of large roving groups of people. the hunting has died down because of an injunction but it�*s still very muchjohn downtown and there is an downtown to be essentially impossible with a vehicle. —— the honking has died down because of an injunction. honking has died down because of an in'unction. . , . from canada to the crisis around ukraine, more broadly, in eastern europe. british foreign secretary liz truss arrived in moscow in the last few hours, and will be delivering the message that russia must choose a peaceful path in

ukraine or face massive consequences from western sanctions. earlier today we also had this update from the german chancellor. translation: that�*s the task and i believe we will succeed. and you can see there is progress being made but it�*s too early to say the problems are solved. they are so serious and they will remain so for a while so they still deserve all our attention. european leaders have been pledging unity in their gold to avert war. we have seen in my days of shuttle diplomacy, primarily led by a macron, and the uk and us have sent further trips to bolster ukraine�*s eastern flank. these pictures show the border with belarus. next, the ukrainian�*s foreign minister�*s assessment of the situation. translation:— assessment of the situation. translation: ., , ., translation: the way the greater euro ean translation: the way the greater european community _ translation: the way the greater european community response - translation: the way the greater european community response to i translation: the way the greater i european community response to the press will determine the future of european security and of each individual state. the situation

remains tense but under control. diplomacy is continuing to lower tensions. , , ., , tensions. this is the mayor of kyiv, who many of— tensions. this is the mayor of kyiv, who many of you — tensions. this is the mayor of kyiv, who many of you will _ tensions. this is the mayor of kyiv, who many of you will recognise - tensions. this is the mayor of kyiv, who many of you will recognise as l who many of you will recognise as the former heavyweight champion of the former heavyweight champion of the world. we the former heavyweight champion of the world. ~ ., �* ., . the world. we don't have panic in our hometown, _ the world. we don't have panic in our hometown, we _ the world. we don't have panic in our hometown, we don't - the world. we don't have panic in our hometown, we don't have - the world. we don't have panic in i our hometown, we don't have panic the world. we don't have panic in - our hometown, we don't have panic in our hometown, we don't have panic in our country. _ our hometown, we don't have panic in our country, but we understand, we are a _ our country, but we understand, we are a friendly— our country, but we understand, we are a friendly people. we are a friendly— are a friendly people. we are a friendly nation. we are not aggressive to anyone. peaceful country — aggressive to anyone. peaceful country. but if somebody, if somebody will be aggressive to our country. _ somebody will be aggressive to our country, we don't have another choice. — country, we don't have another choice. we _ country, we don't have another choice, we have to defend vision. let's _ choice, we have to defend vision. let's look— choice, we have to defend vision. let's look at _ choice, we have to defend vision. let's look at what we know about how let�*s look at what we know about how european union citizens look at this. wooden pole serving people in seven major european countries, the majority of people in six of them believe an invasion by russia will happen this year, the exception was finland, and one in 60% of respondents thought that nato and the european union should defend

ukraine�*s 70 if need be. that�*s hear more from those behind the research. -- uk's more from those behind the research. —— uk�*s sovereignty. brute more from those behind the research. -- uk's sovereignty-— -- uk's sovereignty. we divided the data by age — -- uk's sovereignty. we divided the data by age in _ -- uk's sovereignty. we divided the data by age in order _ -- uk's sovereignty. we divided the data by age in order to _ -- uk's sovereignty. we divided the data by age in order to look- -- uk's sovereignty. we divided the data by age in order to look at - data by age in order to look at whether— data by age in order to look at whether this _ data by age in order to look at whether this was _ data by age in order to look at whether this was an _ data by age in order to look at whether this was an effect - data by age in order to look at whether this was an effect of. data by age in order to look at - whether this was an effect of those who had _ whether this was an effect of those who had experienced _ whether this was an effect of those who had experienced the _ whether this was an effect of those who had experienced the cold - whether this was an effect of those who had experienced the cold war| whether this was an effect of those i who had experienced the cold war era with russia, _ who had experienced the cold war era with russia, who— who had experienced the cold war era with russia, who were _ who had experienced the cold war era with russia, who were replaying i with russia, who were replaying history— with russia, who were replaying history in— with russia, who were replaying history in their— with russia, who were replaying history in their minds, _ with russia, who were replaying history in their minds, who- with russia, who were replayingj history in their minds, who were feeling _ history in their minds, who were feeling more _ history in their minds, who were feeling more strongly— history in their minds, who were feeling more strongly about i history in their minds, who were i feeling more strongly about about the prospect— feeling more strongly about about the prospect of— feeling more strongly about about the prospect of invasion _ feeling more strongly about about the prospect of invasion and i feeling more strongly about about. the prospect of invasion and indeed about— the prospect of invasion and indeed about what— the prospect of invasion and indeed about what europe _ the prospect of invasion and indeed about what europe should - the prospect of invasion and indeed about what europe should do- the prospect of invasion and indeed about what europe should do aboutj about what europe should do about that. about what europe should do about that but _ about what europe should do about that but what _ about what europe should do about that. but what was _ about what europe should do about that. but what was quite _ about what europe should do about that. but what was quite striking i that. but what was quite striking was to— that. but what was quite striking was to see — that. but what was quite striking was to see that _ that. but what was quite striking was to see that in _ that. but what was quite striking was to see that in a _ that. but what was quite striking was to see that in a number- that. but what was quite striking was to see that in a number of. was to see that in a number of member— was to see that in a number of member states _ was to see that in a number of member states it— was to see that in a number of member states it was - was to see that in a number of member states it was actually| was to see that in a number of. member states it was actually the younger— member states it was actually the younger people. _ member states it was actually the younger people, those _ member states it was actually the younger people, those aged i member states it was actually the younger people, those aged 18 i member states it was actually the younger people, those aged 18 to| member states it was actually the i younger people, those aged 18 to 29, who felt— younger people, those aged 18 to 29, who felt that — younger people, those aged 18 to 29, who felt that it — younger people, those aged 18 to 29, who felt that it was _ younger people, those aged 18 to 29, who felt that it was a, _ younger people, those aged 18 to 29, who felt that it was a, more - younger people, those aged 18 to 29, who felt that it was a, more likely- who felt that it was a, more likely that russia — who felt that it was a, more likely that russia would _ who felt that it was a, more likely that russia would invade - who felt that it was a, more likely that russia would invade and i who felt that it was a, more likely that russia would invade and be i who felt that it was a, more likely- that russia would invade and be more b, that russia would invade and be more b. more _ that russia would invade and be more b. more important— that russia would invade and be more b, more important that _ that russia would invade and be more b, more important that we _ that russia would invade and be more b, more important that we react i that russia would invade and be more b, more important that we react to i b, more important that we react to it, b, more important that we react to it. so— b, more important that we react to it. so it _ b, more important that we react to it. so it seems— b, more important that we react to it, so it seems younger— b, more important that we react to it, so it seems younger europeansl it, so it seems younger europeans have _ it, so it seems younger europeans have grown— it, so it seems younger europeans have grown up _ it, so it seems younger europeans have grown up with _ it, so it seems younger europeans have grown up with views - it, so it seems younger europeans have grown up with views about i have grown up with views about russia — russia. russial russia. i russia is russia. - russia is denying russia. — russia is denying it plans to invade ukraine but says itsjoint russia is denying it plans to invade ukraine but says its joint military drills with belarus will be larger than usual to current tensions. these pictures show a air defence systems in belarus, bordering ukraine. also airships are heading

towards the black sea. it is calling this a preplanned movement of resources. we�*ve heard from the white house in washington, it�*s been addressing all of this in the past hour. figs addressing all of this in the past hour. �* , ., addressing all of this in the past hour. a ., , ., ., hour. as we look at the preparation for these military _ hour. as we look at the preparation for these military exercises, i hour. as we look at the preparation for these military exercises, we i hour. as we look at the preparation | for these military exercises, we see this is certainly more of an as glittery, not a desk as a tory action, as it relates to those troops. that escalatory action, not a __ troops. that escalatory action, not a —— eight deescalatory action, we�*ve been speaking to the bbc�*s europe editor. we've been speaking to the bbc's europe editor-— we've been speaking to the bbc's euroe editor. �* , . , , ., europe editor. there's exercises are “oint europe editor. there's exercises are joint russian — europe editor. there's exercises are joint russian belarusian _ europe editor. there's exercises are joint russian belarusian exercises i joint russian belarusian exercises taking _ joint russian belarusian exercises taking place there, they have been preannounced since last year. and of course, _ preannounced since last year. and of course, after— preannounced since last year. and of course, after they are finished, the troops _ course, after they are finished, the troops will— course, after they are finished, the troops will return to their own stations _ troops will return to their own stations. ,, ., , , troops will return to their own stations. ,, . , , ., ~ stations. separately, there is talk of more than _ stations. separately, there is talk of more than 100,000 _ stations. separately, there is talk of more than 100,000 russian i of more than 100,000 russian

soldiers. can we expect to see fewer than our present at the moment? loath? than our present at the moment? why isn't anybody — than our present at the moment? why isn't anybody speaking of ukrainian soldiers? _ isn't anybody speaking of ukrainian soldiers? they have an army of more than a _ soldiers? they have an army of more than a quarter million and more than half of— than a quarter million and more than half of it— than a quarter million and more than half of it is— than a quarter million and more than half of it is placed directly facing russia — half of it is placed directly facing russia is— half of it is placed directly facing russia. , , , . , russia. is russia interested, thou . h, russia. is russia interested, though. in — russia. is russia interested, though, in diplomacy? i russia. is russia interested, though, in diplomacy? we i russia. is russia interested, i though, in diplomacy? we are certainly believe _ though, in diplomacy? we are certainly believe there - though, in diplomacy? we are certainly believe there is i though, in diplomacy? we are certainly believe there is stilll certainly believe there is still room — certainly believe there is still room for— certainly believe there is still room for diplomacy. russia is preparing _ room for diplomacy. russia is preparing a formal reply to answers that we _ preparing a formal reply to answers that we received from the us and nato, _ that we received from the us and nato, on — that we received from the us and nato, on russia's concerns of european _ nato, on russia's concerns of european security. the nato, on russia's concerns of european security.— nato, on russia's concerns of euroean securi . , ., ,, ., , european security. the focus appears to be in preventing _ european security. the focus appears to be in preventing nato's_ european security. the focus appears to be in preventing nato's expansion| to be in preventing nato�*s expansion further eastwards, preventing ukraine from becoming a member state of nato, and the west has already said, forget it. so where can diplomacy go now? hot said, forget it. so where can diplomacy go now? not going to foruet it, diplomacy go now? not going to forget it, first! _

diplomacy go now? not going to forget it, first! and _ diplomacy go now? not going to forget it, first! and we - diplomacy go now? not going to forget it, first! and we cannot i forget it, first! and we cannot afford — forget it, first! and we cannot afford to _ forget it, first! and we cannot afford to forget it. and _ afford to forget it. and if— afford to forget it. and if you want more background on the tensions around ukraine, it�*s a completed situation, there is a lot of it via the bbc news website, you can find that on... london�*s police chief — dame cressida dick — is under renewed pressure after the city�*s mayor sadiq khan said he wants a plan within weeks to "win back the trust and confidence" of the public. the police watchdog last week said it had found misogyny, discrimination, bullying and sexual harassment among officers based at a central london police station, charing cross. the met apologised, but nine of the twelve officers involved in sending offensive messages remain on the force. tom symonds reports. it has been nearly a year. the devastating murder of sarah everard by a serving police officer was a crisis for the met. we have been rocked. then, week after week with accusation after accusation.

a picture emerged of a police force with a culture problem, headed by a commissioner some believe can�*t fix it. racism, misogyny... now the mayor of london has ramped up the pressure. my expectation is the next time i see her i want to see what her response is to the examples, not of one officer, of 14 officers being involved in racist, sexist, misogynistic, homophobic, anti—semitic, islamophobic and the like behaviour, and secondly, what her plans are to win back the trust and confidence that has been knocked and shattered as a consequence. appalling behaviour recently revealed at charing cross police station appears to have pushed the mayor into demanding quicker change. he wants answers, he said there, the next time he sees the commissioner. and here they are feeling the pressure. i�*m told there was a meeting last week between dame cressida dick and the mayor of london. the met�*s plans for a review were discussed.

sadiq khan�*s reaction? "we can�*t wait for your review. "we need urgent, wide—ranging action." but can change happen in weeks? the met�*s review will take all year. perhaps it starts with mid—ranking officers. leroy logan used to be one and says it is about dealing with toxic attitudes openly expressed. they put it on social media, i whatsapp groups, and it spread, and that's how it has been picked up. i i'm not hearing supervisors coming out and saying, i "we caught this person, we dealt with them." i the commissioner is the force�*s ethical leader, appointed by the home secretary, but if the mayor no longer backed her, she would almost certainly have to go. stay with us on outside source — still to come... we will talk about west ham football club, it�*s find its defender kurt

zouma the maximum amount possible for mistreating his cat. —— it has fined kurt zouma. from friday, fully vaccinated british holidaymakers will no longer need to do a covid test when they arrive back home. but some families are cancelling half—term trips to spain because over—12s have to be double jabbed to get in. here�*s katy austin. ben and his family have great memories of the canary islands. they were looking forward to making more last year but restrictions forced them to postpone to this february. now children over 12 need two jabs to enter spain so the holiday is off. ., . , to enter spain so the holiday is off. ., ., , ' , ., ., off. unfortunately the 12-year-old has only just _ off. unfortunately the 12-year-old has onlyjust turned _ off. unfortunately the 12-year-old has onlyjust turned 12, _ off. unfortunately the 12-year-old has onlyjust turned 12, so - off. unfortunately the 12-year-old has onlyjust turned 12, so doesn't has onlyjust turned 12, so doesn�*t have the second vaccination yet. but yes, unfortunately we had to pull the plug. he yes, unfortunately we had to pull the -~lu. , ., ., yes, unfortunately we had to pull the -~lu. , . ., . ., the plug. he is far from alone. travel agents _ the plug. he is far from alone. travel agents say _ the plug. he is far from alone. travel agents say lots - the plug. he is far from alone. travel agents say lots of i the plug. he is far from alone. | travel agents say lots of people want to go away at the moment but

are having to keep their customers informed of an ever—changing international patchwork of covid rules. spain including the canaries is usually a half term hit. eg�*s rules. spain including the canaries is usually a half term hit.- is usually a half term hit. 50% of our bookings _ is usually a half term hit. 5096 of our bookings remove _ is usually a half term hit. 5096 of our bookings remove because i our bookings remove because actually. _ our bookings remove because actually, it's all families. they will move _ actually, it's all families. they will move destinations remove dates and plan _ will move destinations remove dates and plan for easter. it�*s will move destinations remove dates and plan for easter.— and plan for easter. it's a headache for tourism — and plan for easter. it's a headache for tourism businesses _ and plan for easter. it's a headache for tourism businesses in _ and plan for easter. it's a headache for tourism businesses in the - for tourism businesses in the canaries. they want the spanish government to relax the restrictions because of many brits are heading for places like turkey or mexico instead. from friday, it will get a lot easier to come into the uk. fully vaccinated travellers no longer have to take any covid tests to enter this country. people planning trips overseas still really need to know what the rules are at their destination, because every country has own requirements. and notjust country has own requirements. and not just for entry. country has own requirements. and notjust for entry. in france, every sixteens need a pass showing proof of vaccination to access certain activities including getting a ski

pass. —— over sixteens. activities including getting a ski pass. —— oversixteens. unvaccinated 12 to is—year—olds can take daily tests. tour operators still expect a bumper easter and summer but many families who hoped for winter sun are having to wait a little longer. this is outside source, live from the bbc newsroom. our lead story... the uk government said the requirement for people covid in england to self—isolate may be lifted by the end of this month. the footballer kurt zouma plays for the premier league club west ham. but he's attracted a social media backlash after video emerged of him kicking one of his pet cats at home. the rspca has now removed the player's cats from his home. the video is too shocking to show. but in it, the french international defender is seen kicking the cat and then slapping it, whilst apparently laughing. he later said sorry: "i want to apologise for my actions.

well, the rspca clearly didn't agree with that, it's taken the cats away. they are also speaking to the police about the incident. in a statement they said: despite the video going viral, zouma was still controversially picked for west ham's premier league game last night against watford. but he was booed by fans and after the game, west ham's manager david moyes was asked about the decision to play him. i'm a human being and i'm also a great animal lover so i understand how people feel. but again, as i said, i am a football manager here and i have to find a way of getting the results here, and kurt zouma is one of the key players to us. a number of ex—players

have criticised zouma, including ex—arsenal striker ian wright who branded him a " coward" and some players have questioned why zouma was allowed to play in the game against watford. former england striker gary lineker took to twitter and said he was: "shocked and appalled that west ham played zouma last night. a tone deaf decision." advertisers linked to west ham are not impressed by what's happened either. the insurance company vitality are suspending their sponsorship of west ham over the club's response to the video. they said... separately, german sportswear giant adidas has its no ended its relationship with kurt zouma after an investigation. west ham have now fined the player two weeks' wages. that's worth £250,000. joining us now is footballjournalist, marcela mora y araujo. good to see you. what is your reading of how west ham thought this

through? 50 reading of how west ham thought this throuuh? h reading of how west ham thought this throuuh? �*, ., , , through? so it's really interesting, i think, because _ through? so it's really interesting, i think, because outside _ through? so it's really interesting, i think, because outside england, | i think, because outside england, the story hasn't had as much cut through. i was talking to some people in south america, which is the patch i usually cover, and they were just full ofjokes and were just full of jokes and surprise. were just full ofjokes and surprise. but there is clearly... this expression we have now become quite used to here in england, which is cut through, i think the club perhaps didn't realise at first quite how controversial and how much cut through this is going to have among the fans. sol cut through this is going to have among the fans. so i think it is a really interesting development, not the incident itself, perhaps, which one could, you know, argue the details of animal cruelty and so on, butjust the tuning in that the sponsors and big brands are having to, how things resonate among consumers. i mean, many years ago,

you know, players might do shocking things but if the sponsors perceived this to not be something that would harm their brand standing, they would adhere to the big name player or the big—name athlete. and i think what is really interesting in today's developments is how quickly these brands have tuned in to the fact that this is really not going down well among the fans, and among the people at large. find i down well among the fans, and among the people at large-— the people at large. and i guess the surrise the people at large. and i guess the surprise might _ the people at large. and i guess the surprise might be _ the people at large. and i guess the surprise might be that _ the people at large. and i guess the surprise might be that west - surprise might be that west ham united, which is a premier league club presumably with its own marketing team, pr team, business team and so on, is not as tuned in is perhaps added as another sponsors were? ~ .,. , is perhaps added as another sponsors were? ~ .. , �* , is perhaps added as another sponsors were? , �*, ., is perhaps added as another sponsors were? .,, were? well, exactly. it's a really interesting _ were? well, exactly. it's a really interesting those _ were? well, exactly. it's a really interesting those of _ were? well, exactly. it's a really interesting those of you - were? well, exactly. it's a really interesting those of you have - were? well, exactly. it's a really i interesting those of you have david moyes explaining himself earlier and i heard him saying, myjob is to win for west ham. and for many years we have thought of football, the pitch

and the game, as a kind of though into itself, the space where normal conventions are suspended and players might do all sorts of things that people disapproved of off the pitch. —— resort of law unto itself. but they pitch. —— resort of law unto itself. they were tuned into winning the result, which is how we are used to thinking of football operating. but in a way, the sponsors, and he does on the one hand in its relationship with the player and vitality in its relationship with the club, have read the room better. —— adidas in its relationship with the player. which is arguably what west ham failed last night, but having said all this, this will pass, the player has apologised, we are in a country where pets are adored but other animals are not respected as much,

so it's difficult to know how long this can stay on. he has been fine, he has apologised and his infraction, albeit pulling to watch, is perhaps not on the same level as other social issues that have been emanating from footballers. —— albeit appalling to watch. and those others are attracting attention and a lot less response. so i think we are in a time where brands are responding to public outcry rather than rising public opinion, and it will be interesting to see how this plays out in the future with all sorts of issues.— plays out in the future with all sorts of issues. sorry to cut across ou sorts of issues. sorry to cut across you there. — sorts of issues. sorry to cut across you there, thank _ sorts of issues. sorry to cut across you there, thank you _ sorts of issues. sorry to cut across you there, thank you very - sorts of issues. sorry to cut across you there, thank you very much i you there, thank you very much indeed, some very interesting cultural comparisons to be made between the uk and other footballing nations. now, let's turn finally to a major breakthrough in nuclear fusion. it's bringing the possibility of almost unlimited carbon—free

energy a step closer. a uk laboratory has smashed the record for generating energy from a nuclearfusion reaction. here's justin rowlatt. two, one, zero. this is the record—breaking reaction. it is more than 150 million degrees celsius. ten times hotter than the heart of the sun. and it happened here, the world's most powerful fusion plant, jet fusion, in culham in oxfordshire. it is, says the team here, a landmark for this technology. these results are really significant because what we have managed to demonstrate insidejet is we can create a mini sun, the right kind of mini sun, hold it there for a sustained period and get really good performance levels, which is a major step forward in terms of our quest to get to fusion power plants. most nuclear reactors use fission. that's when big, unstable atoms like uranium are split in two, releasing lots of energy and radiation. fusion is different.

it involves forcing atoms of hydrogen together, fusing them to create one atom of helium. once again you get lots of energy and just a tiny bit of short—lived radiation. creating mini stars inside reactors like this is one of the greatest technological challenges humanity has ever faced. get it right and it holds out the potential for producing almost unlimited supplies of energy pretty much forever. that is because the hydrogen fuel fusion the key part of this reaction only lasts for five seconds and only generated enough powerfor 60 kettles but it is an important proof that scientists are on the right track. but there is still lots of work to do. do you think you'll see commercial fusion in your lifetime? yes, i am confident — i want to believe in it. so answer me this, why is it taking so long? it is hard, it is really hard, very complex but it's worth it and we just have to do it for the future. fusion energy is carbon—free,

but it is not going to be ready in time to get us out of the climate crisis. that shouldn't stop this research, say supporters. the enormous promise fusion holds means we have got to keep working on it. justin rowlatt, bbc news, oxfordshire. goodbye. hello. they own day this week we've been watching arctic air creep its way further south across the uk. wednesday, we were still clinging to some older atlantic air across southern counties of england. still just about clinging on overnight. elsewhere, though, the arctic air is in and we will have a cold night ahead, frosty conditions for many. this area of low pressure running into the cold air looks like it will be particularly troublesome for scotland was the patchy rain and drizzle clearing southern counties

through the small hours but a bit of a lag in temperatures fallen way behind the weather front, i think we will avoid a frost on the whole here. elsewhere, frosty started thursday and for scotland, a very windy start because of this area of low pressure, widespread gales, gusts of wind, 50 to 60 mph in exposure and some pretty frequent snow showers. obviously the heaviest of the snow is likely for high ground but we could see wintry conditions at lower levels for a time. northern and western scotland taking the impact of that low. during the morning rush hour it starts to shift eastwards and eventually goes out to the north sea by the middle part of the day. the afternoon fine for many, a lot of sunshine, a few showers coming in off the irish sea, a blustery wind feature for all throughout the day. temperatures in the arctic air, definitely a cold day, notably cold across southern england, where it has been so mild. for scotland, highs and the thermometer, two or three, but at on the effect of the wind and it will feel like concerted

-3 wind and it will feel like concerted —3 or —1i. thursday evening and overnight into friday, the low heads off to scandinavia, but gets much quieter, the windfall light as high—pressure bills, and that sets us up for a widespread hard for us to develop further thursday and friday from —10 possible where we have got lying snow in some of the scottish glens. could be some freezing fog around first thing on friday but overall, a fine start to the day, cold one, a lot of early sunshine, turning a bit hazy come in the afternoon. feeling milder, temperatures up a couple of degrees, a lighter wind making all the difference. forthe a lighter wind making all the difference. for the weekend, the wind set to be a future once again, heavy rain on the way, as well. temperatures will come up relatively thursday friday, but i think the wet and windy weather will be dominant.

this is bbc news. i'm lukwesa burak. the headlines at 8pm — the self—isolation rules for anyone with covid could be scrapped completely in england by the end of this month. provided the current encouraging trends in the data continue, it is my expectation that we will be able to end the last domestic restrictions, including the legal requirement to self—isolate if you test positive, a full month early. the metropolitan police say they will begin questioning more then 50 people by the end of this week as part of their investigation into alleged breaches of covid rules at downing street. the rspca removes two cats from the home of west ham's kurt zouma afterfootage emerged of him kicking one of them. ian stewart, who'd already been

convicted of mudrering his fiancee,