at six... tens of thousands teachers join the biggest day of strikes in a decade. up to half a million workers — from train drivers to border force staff — all walked out again today over pay as teachersjoined them for the first time in this dispute. i work with a lot of young teachers who have just come i work with a lot of young teachers who havejust come into i work with a lot of young teachers who have just come into the profession, they leave training and can't afford to move out of their homes, can't afford to feed themselves. they are having to take second jobs because they can't afford the petrol to drive to work. we've given teachers the highest pay rise in_ we've given teachers the highest pay rise in 30 _ we've given teachers the highest pay rise in 30 years. i am clear that our children's education is precious and they— our children's education is precious and they deserve to be in school today— and they deserve to be in school today being taught.

nearly one in ten schools had to close today. we'll the latest on the impact of the strikes. also on the programme... the funeral is about to take place of 29—year—old tyre nichols, who died in memphis after being beaten by police. the little girl who died after a dog attack yesterday, it is believed she was killed by the family pet. and why a theatre in oldham that launched the careers of comedy greats and hollywood stars is having to cancel all its shows. coming up on the bbc news channel. no trophy since 2017, but can manchester united make the league cup final tonight? they take on nottingham forest at old trafford. good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. up to half a million workers have walked out in what is being described as the biggest single

strike day in a decade. marches and rallies have been held in a number of cities across britain. the various disputes are mainly about pay. the national education union claims up the national education union claims up to 200,000 teachers in england and wales were striking today. thousands of schools were affected. some teachers in scotland were also on strike. university lecturers have been out on picket lines across the uk. 100,000 civil servants ranging from border force staff to the british museum also took part, as did train drivers who are members of aslef, impacting most train companies across england. some bus drivers have also been on strike. chris mason reports. birmingham at breakfast time. rush hour without much rushing. the barricades are out but not many passengers. the trains are going nowhere. it’s passengers. the trains are going nowhere. �* , ., passengers. the trains are going nowhere. �*, ., ., .,

nowhere. it's more of an inconvenience _ nowhere. it's more of an inconvenience because l nowhere. it's more of an - inconvenience because tomorrow nowhere. it's more of an _ inconvenience because tomorrow we are likely to be out because the trains went start to later so it almost gets me out for two days. staff in redditch is having to work from home and in bromsgrove ryan and harry are as well. from home and in bromsgrove ryan and harry are as well-— harry are as well. they've allowed me to work _ harry are as well. they've allowed me to work from _ harry are as well. they've allowed me to work from home. _ harry are as well. they've allowed me to work from home. it's - me to work from home. it's unfortunate you're missing another day of school, especially with the covid situation.— day of school, especially with the covid situation. molly is a student at birmingham — covid situation. molly is a student at birmingham university. - covid situation. molly is a student at birmingham university. her- at birmingham university. her lectures are cancelled. it’s at birmingham university. her lectures are cancelled. it's going to be considerably _ lectures are cancelled. it's going to be considerably disruptive - lectures are cancelled. it's going to be considerably disruptive to l to be considerably disruptive to learning, specifically because there are so many classes being disrupted in a row so it's really inconvenient.- in a row so it's really inconvenient. . ., ., ., ., inconvenient. in central london, a demonstration. _ inconvenient. in central london, a demonstration. whether - inconvenient. in central london, a demonstration. whether you - inconvenient. in central london, a demonstration. whether you are l demonstration. whether you are sympathetic to the strikers or not, the consequences of today are huge. you are one of the countries most senior trades unionists, what you say to the millions of people today inconvenienced, having time school

their children, can't get a train? no one wants to inconvenience the public and the last thing any of these teachers or any public servant wants to do is to be taking industrial action but you've got people at the end of their tether who can't afford another year of real terms pay cuts. what do you need to compromise? we would love to be able to negotiate with the government to reach a compromise but the government are refusing to come to the table. in the government are refusing to come to the table-— to the table. in the commons it is rishi sunak's _ to the table. in the commons it is rishi sunak's 100th _ to the table. in the commons it is rishi sunak's100th day _ to the table. in the commons it is rishi sunak's100th day as - to the table. in the commons it is rishi sunak's100th day as primel rishi sunak's100th day as prime minister. ., , �* ., rishi sunak's100th day as prime minister. �* ., , �* minister. tory britain isn't working- _ minister. tory britain isn't working- is _ minister. tory britain isn't working. is the _ minister. tory britain isn't working. is the prime - minister. tory britain isn't- working. is the prime minister minister. tory britain isn't— working. is the prime minister going to get— working. is the prime minister going to get a _ working. is the prime minister going to get a grip and negotiate with working — to get a grip and negotiate with working people? gur to get a grip and negotiate with working neonate?— working people? our children's education is — working people? our children's education is precious _ working people? our children's education is precious and - working people? our children's education is precious and they| education is precious and they deserve to be in school today being taught. and actually the party opposite would do well to say that the strikes are wrong and we should be backing our school children. the labour leader said it was ludicrous to suggest the strikes were his fault. �* , ., , fault. after 13 years in power, t in: to fault. after 13 years in power, trying to blame _ fault. after 13 years in power, trying to blame labour- fault. after 13 years in power, trying to blame labour party. fault. after13 years in power, l trying to blame labour party for fault. after13 years in power, -

trying to blame labour party for his failure _ trying to blame labour party for his failure to— trying to blame labour party for his failure to sort out the strikes rank pathetic — failure to sort out the strikes rank pathetic. he failure to sort out the strikes rank athetic. .., �* failure to sort out the strikes rank athetic. .. �* , ., , ., failure to sort out the strikes rank athetic. �* , ., , ., , pathetic. he can't stand up to his union bosses. _ pathetic. he can't stand up to his union bosses. he _ pathetic. he can't stand up to his union bosses. he can't— pathetic. he can't stand up to his union bosses. he can't stand up| union bosses. he can't stand up for britain's schoolchildren to date. passion inside parliament, passion outside too. we passion inside parliament, passion outside too-— outside too. we don't want to be here. we want _ outside too. we don't want to be here. we want to _ outside too. we don't want to be here. we want to be teaching, i here. we want to be teaching, we love teaching young people but the government aren't listening. we've not government aren't listening. we've got people leaving _ government aren't listening. we've got people leaving the public - got people leaving the public sector in droves and we need people to deliver those services. what if millions— deliver those services. what if millions of people inconvenience today, _ millions of people inconvenience today, that's worth it, is it? that's— today, that's worth it, is it? that's the point of the strike, to inconvenience.— that's the point of the strike, to inconvenience. both sides remain miles apart _ inconvenience. both sides remain miles apart in so _ inconvenience. both sides remain miles apart in so many of - miles apart in so many of these disputes. there is every prospect of more days like this. chris mason, bbc news. thousands of schools were forced to partially close across england and wales today, as teachers took industrial action in their dispute over pay.

many parents only found out this morning whether their children could go to school. figures from the institute for fiscal studies show that most experienced teachers have seen a pay cut of up to 13% since 2010 but from next year, newly qualified teachers in england will be starting on £30,000. unions say there is a crisis in recruiting and keeping teachers in the profession. 0ur education editor branwen jeffries reports. a cold start for these teachers on strike in essex. some toots of support. for carla, it's notjust about her pay but also younger colleagues-— colleagues. having to take second 'obs in the colleagues. having to take second jobs in the evening because - jobs in the evening because they can't afford the petrol to drive to work. do can't afford the petrol to drive to work. , .,, can't afford the petrol to drive to work. , ., ., can't afford the petrol to drive to work. , . ., , work. do you personally know people who've taken — work. do you personally know people who've taken second _

work. do you personally know people who've taken second jobs _ work. do you personally know people who've taken second jobs on - work. do you personally know people who've taken second jobs on top - who've taken second jobs on top of being a teacher? who've taken second 'obs on top of being a teacher?— being a teacher? yes, my partner teacher and other _ being a teacher? yes, my partner| teacher and other teachers around school. i know teachers within my school who had to take second jobs outside of working hours at school because they can't afford to live. a few miles away, just a trickle of pupils arrive at the secondary. closed today to all but year 11 and a handful of others. by 830 head teacher could see the full impact. more of his teachers had joined the union in the last week. while in the sports hall, yet 11s heard many would have to study online. this isn't usually used as a classroom but none of the teachers for the year 11s are in, they are all on strike. their mock gcse exams are next week but today, instead of having normal classes, they arejust doing revision on their own. just over half the year group had come in. so, usually the kitchen caters for over 1000. today at lunch for fewer than 200. across essex, at least 35 schools closed, with 134

only partly open. we least 35 schools closed, with 134 only partly open-— only partly open. we serve this community _ only partly open. we serve this community and _ only partly open. we serve this community and we _ only partly open. we serve this community and we tried - only partly open. we serve this community and we tried to - only partly open. we serve this community and we tried to do | only partly open. we serve this - community and we tried to do what's best for them every day. we've also got to protect the future and that's part of the problem. but got to protect the future and that's part of the problem.— got to protect the future and that's part of the problem. but what about the kids who — part of the problem. but what about the kids who have _ part of the problem. but what about the kids who have missed _ part of the problem. but what about the kids who have missed out - part of the problem. but what about the kids who have missed out on - the kids who have missed out on fallen behind during covid? this is not ideal, not _ fallen behind during covid? this is not ideal, not something - fallen behind during covid? this is not ideal, not something i - fallen behind during covid? this is not ideal, not something i would i not ideal, not something i would wish on ourfamilies or community. these year 11's were revising while there was no teacher.— there was no teacher. it's a bit stranae, there was no teacher. it's a bit strange. we — there was no teacher. it's a bit strange, we are _ there was no teacher. it's a bit strange, we are not _ there was no teacher. it's a bit strange, we are not used - there was no teacher. it's a bit strange, we are not used to i there was no teacher. it's a bitj strange, we are not used to it. there was no teacher. it's a bit - strange, we are not used to it. it's a bit stressful because obviously we've _ a bit stressful because obviously we've got— a bit stressful because obviously we've got our— a bit stressful because obviously we've got our mock _ a bit stressful because obviously we've got our mock exams - a bit stressful because obviously we've got our mock exams nextl a bit stressful because obviously- we've got our mock exams next week and we _ we've got our mock exams next week and we really — we've got our mock exams next week and we really need _ we've got our mock exams next week and we really need our— we've got our mock exams next week and we really need our teachers - we've got our mock exams next week and we really need our teachers withl and we really need our teachers with us. and we really need our teachers with us obviously— and we really need our teachers with us obviously we— and we really need our teachers with us. obviously we know _ and we really need our teachers with us. obviously we know why they - and we really need our teachers with us. obviously we know why they are | us. obviously we know why they are doing _ us. obviously we know why they are doing it _ us. obviously we know why they are doing it in — us. obviously we know why they are doin: it. ., us. obviously we know why they are doin: it. . ., . ., , doing it. in england and wales, the first strike day _ doing it. in england and wales, the first strike day with _ doing it. in england and wales, the first strike day with more _ doing it. in england and wales, the first strike day with more to - doing it. in england and wales, the first strike day with more to come. | first strike day with more to come. the teachers' pay dispute in scotland continued with strikes in aberdeen. in manchester, this eight—year—old was at home with granddad. the strike and unwarranted disruption for her mum who runs a business. it’s disruption for her mum who runs a business. �* , , ., disruption for her mum who runs a business. 3 , . , , disruption for her mum who runs a business. 3 , . , �* business. it's very hard because i'm a sinale business. it's very hard because i'm a single parent. _ business. it's very hard because i'm a single parent, so _ business. it's very hard because i'm a single parent, so having _ business. it's very hard because i'm a single parent, so having my - a single parent, so having my

daughter at home, that does have a massive impact on my working day so i've had to call on family, on my father. . �* , ,. , father. her daughter's school is in a minority being — father. her daughter's school is in a minority being completely - father. her daughter's school is in | a minority being completely closed but many more opened for only a few pupils. the government says it is listening to teachers but it won't give what ministers argue are inflation busting pay rises. branwen jeffreys, bbc news, essex. it's not just it's notjust schools, university staff have also been on strike over pay and pensions. staff at glasgow and dundee were among those who walked out on the first of 18 days of industrial action in february and march that's taking place at 150 universities in the uk. rail services have also been significantly disrupted today, with more than 12,000 train drivers staging their first of two days of action this week. some operators ran no trains at all today. they'll strike again on friday.

0ur transport correspondent katy austin reports from kent. early this morning. no trains, no passengers at this station in kent, opposite the entrance, the now familiar sight of a picket line. rail workers on picket lines say they can't do interviews because it could put theirjobs at risk. but train drivers i've spoken to say this dispute is not just about pay for them, it's also about protecting their working conditions. i get the first train and obviously i start early. istart 7:30. many commuters can work from home, but not angelina, who normally gets the train from maidstone to shifts in london. today, that's not an option. as an agency nurse, full time. as all my colleague know, if you don't do the shift, you don't get paid. so basically i'm losing out because of the strike. there's been very little progress in the train drivers dispute, and without a breakthrough, more strikes are likely. their main union, aslef, firmly rejected an initial offer involving a 4% pay rise.

two years in a row. saying too many conditions were attached. i think it's getting increasingly difficult with high inflation, high cost of living when everybody wants to take everything you've got and give you nothing for it. it's a very difficult place to be in. the group representing train companies in negotiations insisted they and the union needed to keep trying to find common ground. we want to reemphasize the need for us to give our staff a pay increase, but we do, we cannot afford that without having levels of reform that can try and look and stop us having to take additionalfunding from the taxpayer, particularly in this challenging time. the industry hopes to arrange fresh talks next week. ultimately, any new offer needs approval from the government, which says it's facilitating reasonable conversations. separately, the rmt union is gathering feedback from its members on the offers it's received so far before deciding what to do next.

and there has been some progress in that wider rmt dispute and today there was an updated offer made by network rail which employs maintenance workers and signallers. the rmt has yet to decide on its next steps. the train drivers dispute has for some time now looked more stuck, bluntly. the question now is whether any more talks can lead to any movement. thousands of workers in wales and across scotland have also been striking today. we'll hear from hywel griffith in cardiff in a moment, but first to our scotland editor, james cook. well, scotland has been experiencing school strikes for quite some time. in november, teachers unions staged the first national walk—out over pay since the 1980s. and now we're in a series of rolling strikes today. teachers are out in aberdeen and clackmannanshire.

they want a 10% pay rise. around 5% is on the table for most teachers. but the scottish government insists that the offer and indeed teachers pay already is more generous than elsewhere in the uk. so nicola sturgeon, and her government, have been unable to avoid disruption in scotland's classrooms, but they have been more successful in preventing strike action in hospitals. two unions accepted a pay deal relating to last year, but three others, including those representing nurses, midwives and paramedics, rejected the deal. they agreed, though, to put strike action on hold while negotiations about this year's pay settlement continue. they are ongoing. they are said to be intensive and it is possible that strikes will be avoided entirely. it's also possible that if they collapse, they could still happen. the impact of the civil service strike here in scotland has been wide and varied. for example, coastguards in shetland walked out this morning. so too did workers at a variety

of scottish and uk government departments and other organisations. and the scottish parliament here was affected too, with pcs union members taking to the picket lines at holyrood itself. from lecturers to library staff, health workers too. at this rally in cardiff, they came to demand the right to keep on striking in a dispute being felt in every corner of wales. this primary school in powys is one of around 500 schools in wales completely closed today. that's about a third of the total. another 400 or so have been partially closed with some classes kept at home. college and university students have been impacted too. it's the welsh labour government responsible for setting teachers' pay here and while ministers say they're sympathetic to the strikers, they've struggled to come up with a solution.

there has been a one off offer of a cost of living cash payment to education workers and to health workers. but so far they've failed to satisfy the unions. so, as things stand, there will be another wales wide teaching strike on february the 14th. but there is one glimmer of hope here with the nu in wales saying they have been talking again to ministers today and there are more talks scheduled for later this week. changing terms, conditions and working practices are all factors in these disputes, but at the heart of them is pay. average basic pay in the private but particularly the public sector is not keeping up with the rising cost of living. let's talk more about this with our economics editor, faisal islam. why is there no solution in sight? crafts we heard about different strikes in different sectors and different locations but the big picture that the unions broadly think their members deserve and need double—digit pay rises to make up for the high rate of inflation and

the cost of living crisis. the government says that unaffordable without tax rises and, furthermore, it would embed inflation and mean inflation would take longer to come down to strip there is some truth in both those arguments. it's a matter of where you draw the lines of whereas several months ago some unions were suggesting 14, 15% rises, the government was was its inflation target of 2%, that has closed a bit and you hear the government is talking about 45% and the union saying around inflation, 10% tip you don't need to be rocket scientist to work out where the landing zone for some sort of solution would be, perhaps six or 7% through various methods, but we are not getting there. there is an impasse. a couple of reasons, firstly, there are actually few real payment oceans happening just up instead, we have this independent pay review body process happening but that is in jeopardy. some unions are boycotting it and some

government departments and put in their submissions on time. on top of that, you have this perception from both sides that public opinion will be on their side. the government thinks the strikes will turn public opinion towards them but the unions are adamant, after the pandemic, when the kosovan crisis affects everybody, that public opinion is behind them like never before and, when you have that, you have an impasse, and that's where we are. our top story this evening... striking workers have held marches and rallies in a number of cities across the uk on what's thought to be the biggest day of industrial action in a decade. and action in a decade. a slice that british coming action in a decade. up in sports day on the bbc news coming up in sports day on the bbc news china will stop this time it's a good. seven—time super bowl winner tom brady says he is retiring a year on after reversing his initial

decision to retire. the funeral is taking place shortly of tyre nichols, who died after being beaten by police in the us city of memphis. footage released last month showed the 29—year—old was punched, kicked and hit with a baton after being stopped for an alleged traffic offence. five officers have been charged with his murder. 0ur north america editor, sarah smith, is in memphis. sarah. we expect the funeral to start in less than an hour with thousands of mourners turning out, and they will bejoined by mourners turning out, and they will be joined by the vice president, amala harris. the fact she is coming to memphis is a sign ofjust what an impact this tragedy has had right across america but, of course, as you know, it is far from across america but, of course, as you know, it is farfrom unique. the parents of other people killed by police, breonna taylor and george floyd, are attending the service as well. we will hear demands for

significant police and legal reform in an attempt to try and make sure that black people stop being killed by the police in the streets. a makeshift memorial has appeared on the spot where tyre nichols was brutally and fatally attacked by five police officers. some of the teddy bears have "justice for tyre" written on their tummies. today, tyre's family want to remember a young man who was a passionate skateboarder who they say had a beautiful soul and had his mum's name tattooed on his arm. mark jackson says he fears he or his son could be assaulted by the police, believing even black officers are more likely to attack black citizens. they would have never beat a white man like they beat tyre, even though they're black officers? exactly right. they would never beat an asian man like they would beat tyre because he was black. the perception is we have less value. we probably have less legal standing, and they probably felt they would get away with it. the five black officers who killed

tyre nichols have already been sacked and are facing charges of second degree murder. last night, the nichols family joined civil rights campaigners to demand significant police reform and changes to the law. what happened to tyre is a disgrace to this country. there's no other way to describe what has happened in this situation. a proposed tyre nichols law would compel police to intervene if fellow officers are assaulting a suspect and offer assistance to anyone who's been injured as a result. but no one here believes mr nichols will be the last unarmed black man to be killed by the police. will this finally bring about change, do you think? bring about a law change? try to make a change happen. change doesn'tjust drop out of the sky. it comes from the ground up. we've got to keep fighting. the peaceful but committed protestors in memphis are determined.

they will keep fighting to bring about real change, however long it takes. sarah smith, bbc news, memphis. a vigil will be held this evening for a four—year—old girl who died in a dog attack in milton keynes. she is believed to have been killed by a family pet. thames valley police described the incident as tragic and isolated and have not made any arrests. the animal has been destroyed. outside the house, tributes for the four—year—old named locally as alice stones are placed. flowers, cards and soft toys lie by the cordons of summer left by strangers who didn't know her or the family felt compelled to come. today, officers in forensic suits have been working at this property and people who were nearby yesterday at 5pm have told us that there was a big emergency response, which included armed police officers. it was confirmed a short time later that the

four—year—old had died. it's believed the incident happened in a back garden. no one else was injured. for neighbours her, disbelief and sadness. it’s injured. for neighbours her, disbelief and sadness. it's so hard to hearthis- _ disbelief and sadness. it's so hard to hear this. it's _ disbelief and sadness. it's so hard to hear this. it's like _ disbelief and sadness. it's so hard to hear this. it's like somebody i i to hear this. it's like somebody i really know, i see every day, going to school, coming back, so it's so hard. i wish his mum the best and i know god will get her through, but it's not easy. you know god will get her through, but it's not easy-— it's not easy. you never expected, eseciall it's not easy. you never expected, especially by _ it's not easy. you never expected, especially by a _ it's not easy. you never expected, especially by a dog _ it's not easy. you never expected, especially by a dog who _ it's not easy. you never expected, especially by a dog who seems - it's not easy. you never expected, especially by a dog who seems so | especially by a dog who seems so nice _ especially by a dog who seems so nice. myself not having a dog, i don't _ nice. myself not having a dog, i don't know— nice. myself not having a dog, i don't know what to do with my schoolchildren now. the don't know what to do with my schoolchildren now. the family are bein: schoolchildren now. the family are being supported — schoolchildren now. the family are being supported by _ schoolchildren now. the family are being supported by specialist - being supported by specialist officers. i being supported by specialist officers. .., being supported by specialist officers. _, being supported by specialist officers. .., ., being supported by specialist officers. ., officers. i can confirm the dog was a family pet _ officers. i can confirm the dog was a family pet and — officers. i can confirm the dog was a family pet and has _ officers. i can confirm the dog was a family pet and has put down - officers. i can confirm the dog was a family pet and has put down by i a family pet and has put down by police at the scene yesterday and part of the family investigation is to establish the dog breed. aha, part of the family investigation is to establish the dog breed. a that ou will to establish the dog breed. a that you will heard _ to establish the dog breed. a that you will heard later— to establish the dog breed. a that you will heard later this _ to establish the dog breed. a that you will heard later this evening l you will heard later this evening the stop a police presence will remain for some time while

investigations continue into the tragic death of this little girl. the labour leader, sir keir starmer, has challenged rishi sunak over bullying allegations against his deputy prime minister. a union representing civil servants has called for dominic raab to be suspended from the government while an inquiry into his behaviour continues. mr raab denies the claims. here's our political correspondent, ione wells. please welcome rishi sunak. is deputy, is close ally and his latest political addict. questions are mounting for dominic raab over bullying allegations. leads to questions for the prime minister over whether to sack him. according to recent reports, _ over whether to sack him. according i to recent reports, some complainants were physically sick. 0ne says they were left suicidal. how would he feel if one of his friends or

relatives was being forced to work for a bully simply because the man at the top was too weak to do anything about it?— at the top was too weak to do anything about it? when i was made aware of formal _ anything about it? when i was made aware of formal complaints, - anything about it? when i was made aware of formal complaints, i - aware of formal complaints, i instructed a leading independent investigation, because i take action when _ investigation, because i take action when these things happen. number ten same rishi sunak _ when these things happen. number ten same rishi sunak was _ when these things happen. number ten same rishi sunak was not _ when these things happen. number ten same rishi sunak was not aware - when these things happen. number ten same rishi sunak was not aware of - same rishi sunak was not aware of any formal complaints about mr raab when he was appointed but will not confirm whether he was aware of informal ones. the head of the civil servants union says mr raab should be suspended. ih servants union says mr raab should be suspended-— be suspended. in any other employment _ be suspended. in any other employment context - be suspended. in any other - employment context somebody be suspended. in any other _ employment context somebody facing that level of accusation would be suspended pending an investigation, whether that was a permanent secretary or any other civil servant or in workplaces around the country. the investigation is looking at eight complaints from three government departments. at least three of the most senior civil servants who rent apartments with him have given evidence to the inquiry as witnesses to strip this investigation is set to conclude in a couple weeks and is trying to

establish whether or not dominic raab bullied staff of the posse, as some have told us, very on staff and totally unsuitable for high office or, as otherformer totally unsuitable for high office or, as other former colleagues totally unsuitable for high office or, as otherformer colleagues have said, abrasive and demanding but not necessarily a belief that one serving minister tells us it might be difficult for the prime minister to keep mr raab in hisjob, the number of complaints. mr raab has said he is confident he has behaved freshly, denies wrongdoing and has no apologies for having high standards but whether he has met the standards but whether he has met the standards expected of him is under scrutiny. now some of the story is making the news. the bbc that british steel is considering cutting 800 jobs at its plant in scunthorpe. it's thought the company is developing the plans but has not yet submitted the paperwork required for a formal consultation on redundancies. british steel wouldn't comment. the social media influencer

andrew tait is to remain in custody in romania for at least another month after an appeal against his detention was rejected. andrew tate and his brother, tristram, were arrested last month that the police are investigating allegations of human trafficking and rape, charges both men deny. a tiny radioactive capsule lost in the australian outback last month has been found after a huge search operation. the device, which isjust eight millimetres long, was being transported by the mining company rio tinto and found by the side of the desert motorway using specialist equipment. from comedy greats to film stars, they all trod the boards at the oldham policy and theatre in greater manchester as they started in show business. it has been the launch pad for many glittering careers but now the—year—old theatre has cancelled all its shows from next month. the third has lost all its funding from arts council england, more than half £1 million,

in a recent shake—up. the oldham coliseum panto played to packed houses, 83 performances seen by 33,000 people. but the theatre can only make ends meet because of public funding. now its grant�*s being removed. managers say it'll have to close. it's more than just about producing plays and that being a commercialfactor. even our ticket prices are purposely kept low and and are able to be lower than many because of that subsidy. and that ensures that arts and culture is accessible to the town. that kind of is, i believe, the purpose of theatres like this in towns like oldham. the last performance on this stage will be at the end of march, and what happens after that is unknown. although the arts council has removed its subsidy from this theatre, it is ring fencing up to £2 million for culture in oldham. but those funds haven't been allocated yet.

i know i asked you to stay with me. julie hesmondhalgh played hayley in coronation street and is one of countless actors to have trodden the old and boards. she wants to see the theatre saved. there's an ownership about that theatre in that town that i've never experienced really in any other place. i do think that it has to exist as the coliseum or otherwise it will trickle away into too many different projects that won't appeal to its core audience in the town. and that theatre has always been for those people. oldham has had levelling up funding, but the local council says the theatre's closure will do the opposite and that a hammer has been taken to the arts here. judith moritz, bbc news, oldham. a newly—discovered comet is making its closest approach to earth for 50,000 years. astronomers say the object will look like a pale green smudge as it streaks across the sky. at its nearest point, the comet

will be about 25 million miles away. i'm not sure if we have to weather for it. not the best night, there could be some cloud breaks but generally a lot of cloud for the next few days because we are picking up milder air from the atlantic on south—westerly winds, moisture laden. this area of high pressure towards the south—west of the uk will be drawing this milder air across all areas as we head through thursday and friday. we still have a lot of cloud round and this weather front in the northern half of the uk continues to bring rainford up northern ireland, much of scotland, northern england, north and west wales for the midlands southwards, it will tend to stay drivers to there could be some cloud breaks there if you are lucky. generally, a mild night wherever you are at windy or breezy across the north. we start with quite a lot of

rain as we had through the day on thursday. northern and western scotland and the northern isles, quite breezy. further south, still quite breezy. further south, still quite a lot of cloud around but a lot of dry weather is well thought of some breaks in the cloud but very mild for the time of time of year. perhaps 14. that weather front still affecting the north of the country for friday. this is where we see the tickets cloud. most of the rain affecting western scotland. for northern ireland, wales, central and southern england, some good cloud breaks with some sunshine and temperatures up to the mid—teens in central and southern areas for up further north, double figures. very mild for early fabric. but it doesn't last. saturday, mild and cloudy but, by sunday, this area of high pressure bringing colder, clearer, drierair, so it high pressure bringing colder, clearer, drier air, so it will be more sunny, so best to view the comet. mild again on saturday and then, for sunday, much more sunny

but noticeably