hello, this is bbc news. heavy snow and freezing rain are causing widespread disruption across the uk — with amber warnings in place temperatures overnight fell as low as —11 celsius — leading to train delays and cancellations after earlier closures due to snow and ice, the runways at liverpool, manchester and leeds bradford airports have now reopened — but there are warnings of more delays and disruption to come. danny savage reports from scotch corner. at the extremes of today's weather, conditions were atrocious. blizzards created drifts here in north yorkshire and roads became impassable. the snowfall had been accurately forecast, and most people decided to stay put and try and make

the most of it. pennine areas of northern england seem to be one of the worst affected areas so far today. and from my sort of unofficial measurements here in this part of the yorkshire dales, we've got about 22cm of snow so far, and it's still falling. it's of course created difficult travel conditions. this bus struggled on the gradients in belmont in lancashire. the a1(m) came to a standstill at times through yorkshire and durham, and when things did clear, the outside lane remained snowbound and a 40—mile—per—hour speed limit was in place. airport saw diversions and cancellations earlier in the day. this was manchester this morning, but both here and leeds bradford have now reopened. there were delays on trains too — harrogate was typical of many places in northern england. a taste of winter had people changing their plans.

we're going to stay put. we've been driving from scotland down to brighton and we stopped off last night, looked at the the weather forecast, but we're going to stay put, just enjoy the weather, and then just travel safely back down south tomorrow. i can't get to the airport. i've booked to neuberg, but they've cancelled it. this was rotherham in south yorkshire this morning. there was snowfall in parts of wales too, where people in some areas were warned not to make non—essentialjourneys. but in the worst—affected areas, the drifts will need to be cleared tomorrow, along with checks on livestock which may be huddled beneath them. the us is bracing for a huge winter storm that could see the heaviest snowfall and coldest temperatures in decades. five states have declared a state of emergency but at least 25 more are under weather alerts as the storm is expected to begin in the centre of the country before spreading eastwards.

our north america correspondent rowan bridge is following developments — and told us the latest on conditions across the us. it really depends where you are in the united states. if you are somewhere like kansas, the weather conditions, the warnings, are pretty dire. the national weather service is warning of treacherous and potentially life—threatening conditions. talking of a white out. what you have is a combination of heavy snowfall, up to 35 centimetres being predicted in some places, and potentially high winds as well creating blizzard conditions. extremely treacherous and what you have seen is the knock—on effects. widespread disruption to travel, for example, we have seen amtrak, the american rail network has had widespread cancellations. flights which is the main way to travel round the us, something like 3,000 flights cancelled. we have had more delayed on top of that so widespread disruption to certain parts of the united states, five states have declared a state of emergency but those weather alerts go as far south as places like florida. the so—called sunshine state known for mild conditions, which gives you an idea of the extent of what we're talking about.

those weather conditions are heading eastwards. even here in washington where it is pretty cold, at the moment the weather is pretty clear. those conditions are due to get a lot worse and other major cities on the east coast of the us, places like baltimore are also likely to be affected severely over dangerous could it get? places that haven't been affected so far on the east coast are bracing themselves for worse to come. tell us what could happen in the next few days and how dangerous could it get? these weather conditions are serious. we are talking several centimetres of snow and the united states is used to dealing with cold weather and snow, certainly in northern states, but as you said, we are talking about potentially some of the worst weather conditions this country has seen in a decade. that is likely to cause widespread disruption over an extended period of time, affecting tens of millions of americans. that is a significant weather threat to a large part of the united states, and likely to show widespread disruption across many parts of the united states.

that is likely to cause widespread disruption over an extended period of time, affecting tens of millions of americans. that is a significant weather threat to a large part of the united states, and likely to show widespread disruption across many parts of the united states. rowan bridge reporting there. while life may be on pause for many as they hunker down for the storm, for the staff at kansas city zoo, there is no time for rest as they continue to look after the hundreds of animals on site. let's speak to aquatics curator at kansas city zoo in missouri, stuart clausen. you've been there for over 2a hours now looking after the animals with your team. how has it been?

bring us the latest. things... we've actually _ bring us the latest. things... we've actually been - bring us the latest. things... we've actually been here - bring us the latest. things... i we've actually been here since yesterday after noon and taking care of her animals, make sure the lights stay on in the heat stays on. —— our animals. currently, our weather is pretty severe. we are experiencing some white out conditions, a lot of our local highways and roads are closed because of the conditions. we are looking at probably hunkering down and staying safe and making sure our animals are taken care of for tonight. {iii taken care of for tonight. of course, the animals that will be hating the cold weather, but others would love it. tell us how are the animals at the zoo coping with what's happening a pillow sure, we have a wide ranue pillow sure, we have a wide range from _ pillow sure, we have a wide range from animals - pillow sure, we have a cg; range from animals everything, from elephants and giraffes. we have buildings constructed for them to make sure they're

comfortable on cold winter days. we have everything from polar bears to penguins. they're outside and enjoying the snow. we released our penguins today so they could enjoy some of the weather and they had a great time. it was what we call enrichment, a way to get them send and now they are back inside. —— stimulation. now they are ready for afternoon meals. this stimulation. now they are ready for afternoon meals.— for afternoon meals. this is still dangerous _ for afternoon meals. this is still dangerous weather. . for afternoon meals. this is i still dangerous weather. how did you prepare for what's happening now?— did you prepare for what's happening now? we're really fortunate- — happening now? we're really fortunate. we _ happening now? we're really fortunate. we had _ happening now? we're really fortunate. we had a - happening now? we're really fortunate. we had a good - happening now? we're really. fortunate. we had a good series of forecasts coming in that we could prepare for. all of our staff took a lot of effort in building up supplies and making sure that doors were locked and windows were shut. all the windows were shut. all the windows had that heat sets. we did a lot of insulating, so we didn't have burst pipes. we did a lot of stalking of food. if a

commissary here and at the zoo, so have a long range of stock feed to be able to feed all of our animals. we did the same for our staff. we went to the stores a couple days in advance to make sure he had plenty supplies, so we're ready to go. stuart, i think we have pictures of the plough that i understand is working at the zoo. you've been getting support from other people in the community as well. just tell us about that. we actually have a wonderful _ tell us about that. we actually have a wonderful staff- tell us about that. we actually have a wonderful staff here i have a wonderful staff here that only takes care of the animals, but take care of our grounds. 0urfacilities and grounds. 0ur facilities and maintenance grounds. 0urfacilities and maintenance staff were all here through the night salting and clearing snow from the roads, allowing us to have access to the animals and the areas. stuart, i thank you very much and we wish you all the best. many us states are impacted by this winter storm. just to say we do have a life

page on our website following the uk and the us, and you can keep up—to—date and full of stories here on bbc news. now some news that's come to us in the past hour. the first—ever winner of the uk drag race — james lee williams, better known by their stage name �*the vivienne', has died, at the age of 32. we have a state that's coming fiona campbell, controllerfor fiona campbell, controller for youth fiona campbell, controllerfor youth audiences, saying we are currently processing the deeply sad news of the passing of james lee williams. we are fiercely proud of their achievements, including winning the first ever series of ripoll�*s drag race. the sisterhood and there many fans. that's some of the reaction coming in to the death of the

vivienne. my colleaguejosh parry joined me — and told us what we know so far. it's hard to overestimate how much of an impact the vivienne's presence on the drag seen half of the lgbt community. they sort of first started out drag in liverpool in local bars. the boudoir is to name one. it was really back in 2019 when she was a contestant on the first series of drag race uk. it was the first the programme as i said, and it was very anticipated, as the american series had many viewers before. but the vivienne went on to win the hearts of many and attracted a lot of people to drag. they then went on to appear again on another series of drag race seven, and really broken to the

mainstream. they were on dancing on ice, and more recently, they started to get a real name for themselves in the world of theatre. they were in the wizard of oz and performed a tour of chitty chitty bang bang. just this december in liverpool, they took part in homecoming charity gig and played a game called snatch game, popularwith played a game called snatch game, popular with race uk. they came back here to do that for local charities here. it was applauded, it was sold out, it gained many accolades from people who watched. a real big impact here in liverpool, in the uk and also internationally. let's get more on this — we can speak to andi herring — co—founder of the liverpool pride foundation. thank you so much forjoining

us on bbc news. first of all, what's your reaction to the vivienne's death? it’s what's your reaction to the vivienne's death? it's deeply shocking- — vivienne's death? it's deeply shocking. as _ vivienne's death? it's deeply shocking. as a _ vivienne's death? it's deeply shocking. as a young - vivienne's death? it's deeply shocking. as a young person| shocking. as a young person when i came to union liverpool, viv was a huge advocate for the safe places we know. even through my university days, but also professional career, working alongside viv and seeing the amazing things they've done and afterwards has been amazing to see. it's a huge shock and a huge loss for deliverable in the wider community.— deliverable in the wider communi . ., ~ , community. you knew james before they _ community. you knew james before they went _ community. you knewjames before they went on - community. you knewjames before they went on to - community. you knew james before they went on to the i community. you knew james i before they went on to the drag race uk. what was james like before the fame and after the famed? , .. , famed? they were exactly the same in terms _ famed? they were exactly the same in terms of _ famed? they were exactly the same in terms of a _ famed? they were exactly the same in terms of a person - famed? they were exactly the | same in terms of a person and they were always very welcoming. there was never a time when you would bump into

viv on the scene where they would be welcoming. walk into their bar walking to somewhere they worked core theyjust had a drink, they were more than happy to say hi to anyone and support anyone. and they did that draw their work as well. the fame didn't change if viv at all. viv was very much true and true viv from the start. what would you say their impact was on the dried culture in the uk and also around the world —— the drag of culture? it uk and also around the world -- the drag of culture?— the drag of culture? it was hue. i the drag of culture? it was huge. i know _ the drag of culture? it was huge. i know viv _ the drag of culture? it was huge. i know viv through i the drag of culture? it was l huge. i know viv through my the drag of culture? it was - huge. i know viv through my uni days. but we also worked through pride gone past. a person that was also on that stage of the time, would always be supportive of the community. but then also was set the tone, would always be the advocate for being welcoming and being a advocate for the community.

it's a huge shock, but a huge person to live up to.- person to live up to. andi herring. _ person to live up to. andi herring. we _ person to live up to. andi herring, we are - person to live up to. andi herring, we are really- person to live up to. andi l herring, we are really sorry for your loss and thank you for speaking to us here on bbc news. before we move on — the bbc spoke to the vivienne back in 2019, the day after being crowned the uk's first winner of rupaul�*s drag race — and they explained how it felt to win the competition. it's absolutely crazy. 12 years of working in dive bars, i feel like _ of working in dive bars, i feel like it's— of working in dive bars, i feel like it's come to fruition. now i've got— like it's come to fruition. now i've got a _ like it's come to fruition. now i've got a crown and i'm drag royalty! _ i've got a crown and i'm drag ro al ! �* , a reminder this is the news coming in and of the death of james lee williams, also known as the vivienne, who has died at the age of 32. now it's time for a look at today's sport with chetan. hi catherine, thank you. despite overnight snow, both of sunday's premier league games went ahead —

including at craven cottage where fulham drew 2 all with ipswich and at anfield — where manchester united put in an improved performance to draw 2 all with the league leaders liverpoolruben amorim's side went into the game having lost their last four in all competitions, but were the first to score through lisandro martinez early in the second half. mohammed salah's penalty saw liverpool turn the game around, 2—1 they led with 20 minutes to go. minutes to go, only for amad diallo to snatch an equaliser ten minutes later. top of the table liverpool are six points clear of arsenal with a game in hand, united are 13th. i think it's really clear that we are focused, will he fight for every ball, when we suffer, we finish the game, we are really tired. i think we can be a good team. if you don't do that all the time, we are going to lose games, and i think that is clearfor to lose games, and i think that is clear for everybody. we have to start someday to be consistent, not in the way we play, the way we face the

competition. so, let's start today. i think it was during the whole game — i think it was during the whole game a — i think it was during the whole game a very close call. if you look — game a very close call. if you look back— game a very close call. if you look back at the whole game, we create _ look back at the whole game, we create more chances than them. but because we are 1—0 down and conceited — but because we are 1—0 down and conceited last minute, we had a bil conceited last minute, we had a big chance... yeah, maybe in the _ big chance... yeah, maybe in the end — big chance... yeah, maybe in the end of— big chance... yeah, maybe in the end of draw was a fair result _ celtic are thirteen points clear at the top of the scottish premiership after a 3—0 win over st mirren. that's after second—placed rangers were held to a 3—3 draw at hibernian. it's five defeats in a row for aberdeen who lost 2—0 at motherwell. hearts won 1—0 at third placed dundee united whilst there were also away wins for ross county and dundee. in cricket, australia surged to victory on day three of the fifth test in sydney to beat india by six wickets and win the five—match

series 3—1. fast bowler scott boland took 6 for 45 as india were bowled out for 157, while australia reached their target of 162 in just 27 overs to regain the border—gavaskar trophy. the result also sees pat cummins' side qualify for the world test championship final at lord's injune, where they'll face south africa. earlier, world number one aryna sabalenka won the brisbane international in an ideal warm—up for her australian open title defence. the belarusian didn't have things all her own way in the final but eventually prevailed over her russian in the final, but eventually prevailed over her russian opponent polina kudermetova in three sets for an 18th career title. later this month, sabalenka will seek to become the first woman to win three consecutive australian 0pens since martina hingis in the late 1990s. i'm definitely super happy to finally win this trophy. it's really important to head into the australian open, and the final match was a bit tricky. it was... everyone was... i'm

really curious about the speed of our shots. i'm really glad that i got this win. in the men's tournament, it didn t take long for czechia'sjiri lehecka to claim his second atp title as his final against reilly 0pelka in brisbane lasted all of 15 minutes. the american struggled with injuries throughout his whole career and was forced to retire due to back issues when he was 4—1 down in the first set. team usa won tennis�* united cup for the second time after beating poland in sunday's final in sydney. taylor fritz overcame hubert hurkacz 6—4, 5—7, 7—6 to give his team an unassailable 2—0 lead and take the trophy. earlier, coco gauff beat iga swiatek in straight sets in the first singles match. and that's all the sport for now. more reaction on the bbc sport website. catherine. thank you.

the first big film awards of the season take place later, with the 82nd golden globes in los angeles. a win at the globes can boost a film's profile just as bafta and oscar voters are preparing to make their nominations. emma vardy has more. sorry for that mistake. let's show you emma's tape now. actually, we don't have emma's tape. let's go live now to los 154