the british dental association says nhs dentistry is "hanging by a thread" as some patients wait two years for check ups. and blisters put pay to the hopes of britain's emma radacanu at the australian open. good evening, and welcome to bbc news. borisjohnson says he hasn't seen any evidence to back up claims from a senior conservative mp that the government has attempted to "blackmail" colleagues who are opposing him. william wragg, who's one of those calling for the prime minister to resign over lockdown parties at downing street, said rebels had faced "pressures and intimidation". westminster is waiting for the report into lockdown parties by the senior civil servant, sue gray. it is now expected next week. here's our political editor laura kuenssberg. if it's not one thing, it turns out to be another. how will it turn out? for weeks, the prime minister has been having to explain himself. what's this... 7 and what happened in number ten during the pandemic made some of the public and his own mps mad, but there are claims now too his team have been intimidating tory backbenchers who want to speak out. i've seen no evidence, heard no evidence to support any of those allegations. what i'm focused on is what we are doing to deal with the number one priority of the british people, which is coming through covid, and we have made enormous progress thanks to the vaccine roll—out. back at westminster, there's nothing unusual about mps being subject to some pretty strong persuasion. in dark corners, around the corridors of power, party bosses work to keep backbenchers in line. but in front of the cameras this morning, a tory critic of borisjohnson�*s said it's gone far too far. a number of members of parliament have faced pressures and intimidation from members of the government because of their declared or assumed desire for a vote of confidence in the party leadership of the prime minister. the reports of which i'm aware would seem to constitute blackmail. the claims have raised eyebrows. william wragg's warning is probably timely, and i would very much hope that it would be heeded. in both ways. it's complete nonsense. it's attention—seeking behaviour, and it's disappointing. this brand—new labour mp, a defector... the labour mp for barry south, christian wakeford. ..says when he was still a tory, he was warned his constituency would lose out if he didn't vote a certain way. i was threatened that i would not get the school for radcliffe if i didn't vote in a particular way. how do you feel when holding back the education of the town for a vote, it didn't sit comfortably, and that was really that kind of starting to question my place where i was. politics is not for the faint hearted. conversations behind closed doors can be brutal, but what today's argument shows is the boiling tension inside the conservative party, fighting while everyone awaits the official verdict into what really happened in number ten during lockdown. but one conclusion is perhaps already being drawn, a member of the cabinet publicly admitting today that this saga is damaging our democracy. and the doubts about borisjohnson�*s leadership run deep. if this particular episode passes, there are still big changes that need to happen. downing street is not being run in the way that most of us would like to see. i think there needs to be a change in both the culture and the structure of downing street. much may stand between borisjohnson and any exit, yet, with a bright light shone on his government's conduct and character, the omens do not look good. laura kuenssberg, bbc news, westminster. let's speak to our political correspondent nick eardley. he has been taking the temperature over the last couple of days. do you detect a change of mood, or is this merely a stay of execution in terms of the plot to get rid of the prime minister? i of the plot to get rid of the prime minister? ~ , , ., , ., minister? i think this is a stay of execution until— minister? i think this is a stay of execution until next _ minister? i think this is a stay of execution until next week. - minister? i think this is a stay of i execution until next week. frankly, the moment, we have no idea how next week will pan out when that report from sue gray, the senior civil servant looking into all the allegations of parties, when that report comes out. i've spoken to several mps who have said that they want to nail their colours to the mast, but only after seeing the details of that report. in that group, they are almost two subgroups. there are some tory mps who are highly likely to say that borisjohnson should go and are frankly looking for an excuse to make that conclusion. and then there are those who are genuinely unsure. i think the latter group is far larger and it is probably the thing thatis larger and it is probably the thing that is going to determine boris johnson's fate, whether there are enough mps who will look at that report when it comes out and think that downing street did something seriously wrong and the prime minister needs to take the blame. honestly, it is a full game to try and guess at the moment. next week will be a massive one at westminster and it is not clear to me at all how it will go. figs and it is not clear to me at all how it will no. �* , , ~ and it is not clear to me at all how itwilluo. a , ~ �* it will go. as if this week wasn't busy enough- — it will go. as if this week wasn't busy enough. nick, _ it will go. as if this week wasn't busy enough. nick, please - it will go. as if this week wasn't| busy enough. nick, please don't it will go. as if this week wasn't - busy enough. nick, please don't get covid or go on holiday. we look forward to speaking to you all next week. nick eardley there at westminster. we will find out about how the latest allegations of done deeds and the rest on tomorrow's newspapers. i will be joined deeds and the rest on tomorrow's newspapers. i will bejoined by sonia and ciaran andrews. during a news as the... some of england's plan b measures have been scrapped today with people being told they no longer have to work from home and face coverings not required in secondary school classrooms. from next thursday, facemasks will no longer be compulsory in most settings and covid passes for large venues will be dropped. but there's concern that the move will increase pressure on the nhs. in wales, the latest figures show that more than a fifth of the entire population is now on an nhs waiting list. here's our health correspondent, dominic hughes. how many discharges have we got to do? i'm thinking four on this list. at the royal bolton hospital, clinicalstaff, nurses and therapists are working with the local council to try and get patients back home. any issues? no. no? 0k. one reason hospitals are so busy is that some patients face significant delays in getting home, even if they are well enough to leave. and it's a complicated process. there are so many services involved in one patient. there's equipment, there's package of care, there's access issues, there's family, there's transport, we need to make sure medicines are ready for home, so we need to make sure everybody is on the same page when we are aiming for that discharge. nhs england says 93% of all hospital beds are currently occupied. the impact of covid on staff and patients makes things more complex. we've been hit by workforce shortages for the last few months now, the omicron wave has obviously affected that as well. we've also had to work really closely with our care homes, so our care homes have been managing outbreaks with their staff, unfortunately, some of their residents as well, and that has affected their ability to take people directly from hospital. even though the number of covid infections is falling across the uk, hospitals remain under significant pressure, and those pressures can be seen right across the system, from accident and emergency departments to the amount of time people are having to wait for a cancer referral. today wales has seen a record backlog of patients waiting for routine hospital treatment. more than 680,000 people. nhs leaders say the months to come could be tough, but at the same time, as covid restriction in england are eased, the health secretary declared victory over the 0micron variant. today really is a new chapter in our fight against covid—i9, as we return to plan a. we said when we learned about 0micron, we needed to build our defences and buy time to do that. that was the purpose of plan b, and if you look at the data now, it is in retreat. tens of thousands of office staff in england have already been encouraged to return to work. next week will see the end of mandatory face coverings and covid passes, as well as the return of night clubs and large indoor events in scotland, the relaxing of rules for hospitality in northern ireland and a gradual easing of restrictions in wales. but in some parts of the uk, particularly in the north of england, infections are still very high. health officials are concerned that relaxing the rules has come to soon. enabling full mixing without any mitigation, such as wearing masks or social distancing, will mean that there will be, sort of, preventable transmission. it would've been slightly better had we got our case rates lower before we started to relax completely. the health service remains under pressure, but the immediate threat of 0micron seems to be receding. ministers have made a judgment call. the costs of restrictions now outweigh the benefits. dominic hughes, bbc news, bolton. let's get more on those record nhs waiting lists in wales and look at the figures in more details. the overall waiting list now stands at 682,279 just over a fifth of the population. the waiting list figure has been climbing month on month since may 2020, although this was the smallest monthly rise. the longest waits included over 50,000 people due for orthopaedic or trauma treatment although this figure has fallen over three successive months. the overall list has stayed about the same. the welsh government say... dr david bailey chair of the bma welsh council and gp in caerphilly. thank you forjoining us this evening. would you say that the nhs is right about that, that until 0micron hit, some progress was being made in reducing that? i omicron hit, some progress was being made in reducing that?— made in reducing that? i think we certainly were _ made in reducing that? i think we certainly were making _ made in reducing that? i think we certainly were making some - made in reducing that? i think we - certainly were making some progress because of the proportionate restrictions that we had. but it is absolutely clear that 0micron has changed all of that and the big threat now that we have all been boosted essentially in the health service, the big threat now is keeping staff in work so that we can reduce those waiting lists and that is part of the issue. not so much that we are worried about staff being seriously ill, the booster programme was done extremely well in wales and they have done little that in very high —— delivered that in very high levels. we have also got a major issue was staffing and social care. we are trying to make that more attractive. at the moment, we have got huge numbers of patients fit for discharge that can't be discharged because of social care is not in place. fin discharged because of social care is not in place-— not in place. on the statistics. there will _ not in place. on the statistics. there will be _ not in place. on the statistics. there will be people _ not in place. on the statistics. there will be people that - not in place. on the statistics. - there will be people that surprised that as many as one in five people in wales is in need of nonurgent treatment. in wales is in need of nonurgent treatment-— in wales is in need of nonurgent treatment. , , , ., treatment. the numbers before we started on the _ treatment. the numbers before we started on the covid _ treatment. the numbers before we started on the covid outbreak- treatment. the numbers before we started on the covid outbreak were j started on the covid outbreak were around 450,000, so about 50% of that, which is a lot. but part of the problem as part of that proportion, far more out waiting over 36 weeks, the numbers were maybe 20,000 before the pandemic. it is now more like 200,000 who are waiting more than 36 weeks for treatment. an awful lot of people waiting for the hips, knees, cataracts and the like. that waiting for the hips, knees, cataracts and the like. that in part reflects the _ cataracts and the like. that in part reflects the ageing _ cataracts and the like. that in part reflects the ageing population - cataracts and the like. that in part reflects the ageing population in l reflects the ageing population in wales, is that there to say? it is fair to say- _ wales, is that there to say? it is fair to say. the _ wales, is that there to say? it 3 fair to say. the demographic in wales is older than other nations, and we do have lots of people with degenerative problems. what we need to do is try and protect the staff and make sure that they are not getting sick with milder versions of 0micron so that they can stay in work and actually try and deliver the services that citizens of wales really need. i the services that citizens of wales really need-— really need. i guess it underlines wh we really need. i guess it underlines why we try _ really need. i guess it underlines why we try and — really need. i guess it underlines why we try and be _ really need. i guess it underlines why we try and be as _ really need. i guess it underlines why we try and be as fair as - really need. i guess it underlines why we try and be as fair as we l really need. i guess it underlines l why we try and be as fair as we can to make comparisons, but comparing on a per capita basis doesn't always tell the story about how these. in terms of what could be done, is enough collaboration across the border with the health service in england, because some of the hospital facilities are available very close to the border. thea;r hospital facilities are available very close to the border. they are, but by large. _ very close to the border. they are, but by large, services _ very close to the border. they are, but by large, services provided - but by large, services provided within wales, its upper tertiary services. issue is still trying to make sure that we have enough staff and space to treat people as quickly as possible. 0ne and space to treat people as quickly as possible. one of the things we need to be doing is improving the protection for staff with masks and it is worrying, certainly to us in wales that some of the restrictions are being eased in england, completely understand the economic argument, but in terms of health settings, it is important to try make sure that we are not transmitting any more than we upset you have to do in order to protect the most vulnerable and keep stuff and work. �* , ., ., , and work. and they are also being eased in wales, _ and work. and they are also being eased in wales, though, - and work. and they are also being eased in wales, though, is - and work. and they are also being eased in wales, though, is that i eased in wales, though, is that something you didn't want to see? i think the ones being eased in wales, mainly refer to the outdoor rules and i think that is entirely reasonable. what we do know is that i didn't outdoor transmission rates alas. what we are keen to do is try and protect the critical situations with vulnerable patients, meaning health care settings and also try make sure that our workforce stay in work. vaccination is brilliant for preventing serious disease, but it does not completely stop transmission what we need to do is try make sure that the restrictions are proportionate to that so that we can deliver better and faster care for patients. the can deliver better and faster care for patients-_ can deliver better and faster care for patients. the chair of the bma welsh council. _ for patients. the chair of the bma welsh council. let's _ for patients. the chair of the bma welsh council. let's take - for patients. the chair of the bma welsh council. let's take a - for patients. the chair of the bma welsh council. let's take a look i for patients. the chair of the bma| welsh council. let's take a look at the coronavirus figures and the rest of the country. they show 107,364 first time infections were recorded in the last 24 hour period. and there were 330 deaths within 28 days of a positive test. let's ta ke let's take a pause and hear more about the disappointing news at the australian open. and all the other sport. here is gavin. how are you, gavin? very well. we will talk first about the take place. we are approaching half—time and there is about 15 minutes to go. it is all to do with the goals from the first leg and it all depends on chelsea next month. meanwhile, the draw for the semifinals of the women's league cup has been made. manchester city will play at home to tottenham while the holders chelsea have also been drawn at home, against manchester united. the ties will take place on the 2nd and 3rd of february. holders algeria are out of the africa cup of nations after losing 3—1 to ivory coast. frank cassie opened the scoring and it was then to now. that was that first goal there and then after the header, this final goal here putting ivory coast in control. if there ever was a sign that it might not be algeria's day, this year probably was it, with this player crashing a penalty against the opposing force, that meant that they were out. and equatorial guinea willjoin ivory coast in the knockout stages after beating ten—man sierra leone 1—0 in the other group e game. pablo ganea with the only goal of the game to send equatorial guinea through in second place. two more games this evening. in group f... mali have doubled their lead against mauritania, gambia and tunisia both in action. both sides there are already through. mali are currently topping the group. results could decide who tops the group this evening. emma raducanu has revealed she was advised not to play her second round match at the australian open because of large blisters on her hand. the british number one says she's learned a lot about herself after playing through the pain and taking her opponant danka kovinic to three sets before being knocked out. i was struggling with my hand before the match and some members of my team didn't want me to go out there but i wanted to fight through it and see how far i could get. i thought it was a good learning experience for me, i discovered tools about me and myself and my game that i didn't know i had before. i can take some positives even from this match. meanwhile, andy murray was disheartened after being knocked out by japanese qualifier taro daniel. murray looked tired from his previous five—set match against nikoloz basilashvili, but said that losing in straight sets to daniel wasn't good enough. i'm really, really disappointed, very frustrated. tough, tough loss for me, that's for sure. this is an important yearfor me for a number of reasons and i want to perform well in the big events. for me, tonight is not good enough. making the second round of slams is not something ifind particularly motivating. montell douglas will become the first british woman to compete at both the summer and winter olympics after being named in the team gb bobsleigh squad for beijing. she competed in the 100—metres at the beijing summer games in 2008, and she'll be brakewoman in mica mcneill�*s two—woman sled, four years after she was the team's reserve in pyeongchang. douglas says... she is excited to be returning to beijing. i definitely didn't expect to be doing a different sport and going to a winter olympics at that. 0bviously, honestly, my last five years in bobsleigh have been very challenging, but i have had a great team around me in thatjourney... to go back to beijing is exciting. bier? go back to bei'ing is exciting. very excitin: go back to beijing is exciting. very exciting indeed. _ go back to beijing is exciting. very exciting indeed. more for you on the bbc news channel later on. the prime minister has said any russian incursion into ukraine would be a disaster for both countries and the world. the us secretary of state has been meeting european counterparts in berlin to try to cordinate western strategy. around 100,000 russian troops are gathered on the ukraine border as president putin insists ukraine should never be allowed to join nato. today the first members of a 30 strong british military team arrived in ukraine to help train their forces in the use this of anti—tank weapons supplied by the uk. here's our diplomatic correspondent paul adams. american diplomacy is in high gear. antony blinken, the secretary of state, arriving in berlin this morning for talks with european ministers, looking for signs of unity among america's allies and appealing directly to the russian people not to go to war. you deserve to live with security and dignity, like all people everywhere, and no one, not ukraine, not the united states, not nato or its members is seeking to jeopardise that. but what really risks your security is a pointless war with your neighbours in ukraine, with all the costs that come with it. fresh satellite images appear to show the extent of russia's military build—up close to ukraine. now in excess of 100,000 troops with more on the way. russia still insists it has no plans to invade but ukraine's defence ministry today released pictures of its soldiers practising with multiple rocket launchers close to russian annexed crimea. in eastern ukraine where separatist have been in charge in 2014, it is sensed conflict is looming. the west fears moscow may try to expand its influence pushing beyond areas in rebel control. the scars of this frozen conflict are everywhere. a 72—year—old woman lives close to the front line, in a world ravaged by years of shelling and sniping. translation: it is a miracle we stayed alive, she says. i we could have died many times. she is pro—russian and fears a full—scale war. at the sight of russia's ominous build—up, as the troops and armour assemble, the question remains, what exactly does vladimir putin intend to do? paul adams, bbc news. with me is 0lga tokariuk, a journalist in ukraine. also i'm joined byjames sherr, who's a senior fellow at the estonian foreign policy institute in tallinn. did i get your name right? and if not, could you correct me, please. it's ok. ., y , not, could you correct me, please. it'sok. . a , ,., .,. not, could you correct me, please. it'sok. . a , ,., ., .., it's ok. that's very diplomatic of ou. it's ok. that's very diplomatic of yom plenty _ it's ok. that's very diplomatic of yon plenty of— it's ok. that's very diplomatic of you. plenty of diplomacy - it's ok. that's very diplomatic of i you. plenty of diplomacy intended, but how does it look from ukrainian point of view at the moment. does it feel like it's getting more tense or does it feel like this is another stage in a process that has lasted eight years now?— eight years now? actually. the anxiety here — eight years now? actually. the anxiety here in _ eight years now? actually. the anxiety here in ukraine - eight years now? actually. the anxiety here in ukraine has - eight years now? actually. the i anxiety here in ukraine has been mounting over the recent days and weeks. months ago, there was still a feeling that a new russian attack might not happen, this isjust putin's bluff. but we are seeing very worrying signals that russian troops are arriving now to the territory and neighbouring belarus and are now stationed around 90 kilometres from kyiv, ukraine is capital and so there is a feeling of an increase in excite with ukraine and the government and ukrainian president is trying to downplay the threat and has been trying to calm down the population. he made a video address yesterday, in which he said, the war has been going on to eight years and there is nothing special, nothing particular or new happening now. we receive all this news about the russian troops basically invading ukraine from the north, south and east. people know about that and they are aware of the diplomatic efforts undertaken globally and of course, ukrainians worry and prepare for the worst case scenarios. i worry and prepare for the worst case scenarios. ., . , ,., ~ , scenarios. i once spoke with my colleague _ scenarios. i once spoke with my colleague who _ scenarios. i once spoke with my colleague who was _ scenarios. i once spoke with my colleague who was based - scenarios. i once spoke with myj colleague who was based there, scenarios. i once spoke with my l colleague who was based there, a journey across ukraine all night and into the next morning, it underlines me how enormous this country is. is it notjust indigestible from russians point of view? they don't want to die — russians point of view? they don't want to die just. _ russians point of view? they don't want to die just. and _ russians point of view? they don't want to die just. and even - russians point of view? they don't want to die just. and even now, i i want to die just. and even now, i don't _ want to die just. and even now, i don't think— want to die just. and even now, i don't think they want to be in the business — don't think they want to be in the business of occupying territory, or fighting _ business of occupying territory, or fighting long war. —— digests. what russia _ fighting long war. —— digests. what russia wants is to be recognised as a state _ russia wants is to be recognised as a state that— russia wants is to be recognised as a state that decides what ukraine's independence means and what it does mean _ independence means and what it does mean and _ independence means and what it does mean. and they want the blessing of the west— mean. and they want the blessing of the west for that. and they have reached — the west for that. and they have reached a — the west for that. and they have reached a point for various reasons where _ reached a point for various reasons where i_ reached a point for various reasons where i believe they concluded a devastating show of military force that would shatter ukraine's armed forces— that would shatter ukraine's armed forces and — that would shatter ukraine's armed forces and destabilise the country will meet — forces and destabilise the country will meet that objective. and other objectives, they have expressed recently. — objectives, they have expressed recently, it is very inflammatory and uncompromising demands that they have made _ and uncompromising demands that they have made as well. that and uncompromising demands that they have made as well.— have made as well. that is where we are. have made as well. that is where we are- older. — have made as well. that is where we are. older, when _ have made as well. that is where we are. older, when you _ have made as well. that is where we are. older, when you hear— have made as well. that is where we are. older, when you hear that - have made as well. that is where we are. older, when you hear that kind | are. older, when you hear that kind of analysis, does that give you any cause for hope? at least it raises the possibility of ukraine with no further territorial advancement by the russians, even if they have tried to establish some sort of military supremacy and basically sent a message to kyiv, you can't do anything unless we approve of it. ida anything unless we approve of it. iir> kind of russian attack or further russian aggression on ukraine is acceptable for ukrainians. ukrainians clearly in the polls have chosen the path of integration with the european and atlantic structures, they want integration into nato and the european union. and that is why actually russia does what it does. it applies military pressure on ukraine because it cannot subject it with other means. it feels that ukrainians are treated this way with russian sphere of influence. we don't know what will happen. different scenarios exist. it might be in an attempt for russia to extend territory. they might attempt to create a land reach the crimea, or maybe conduct air strikes to intimidate the ukrainian governments and put it in a position to accept concessions and change the constitution is, or even to lead to a change of government in ukraine. different scenarios exist, but i don't think any of them acceptable for ukrainians and i don't think the appetite in the ukrainian government that one the population to make concessions to russians. there re—ukrainians are ready to resist their sovereignty and the right to decide the future.— decide the future. james, is a roblem decide the future. james, is a problem that _ decide the future. james, is a problem that the _ decide the future. james, is a problem that the west - decide the future. james, is a | problem that the west doesn't decide the future. james, is a - problem that the west doesn't seem to be prepared to defend that sovereignty in terms of military terms? , , ., ., ., terms? the west is not going to get involved in a — terms? the west is not going to get involved in a grand _ terms? the west is not going to get involved in a grand war— terms? the west is not going to get involved in a grand war with - terms? the west is not going to get involved in a grand war with russia. what the _ involved in a grand war with russia. what the west can and must do, and what i _ what the west can and must do, and what i think— what the west can and must do, and what i think ukrainians expect the west to _ what i think ukrainians expect the west to do, is help them, create capabilities and a deterrent and make _ capabilities and a deterrent and make it — capabilities and a deterrent and make it absolutely clear to russia that they — make it absolutely clear to russia that they cannot destroy ukraine in a short— that they cannot destroy ukraine in a short war— that they cannot destroy ukraine in a short war and that a long war would — a short war and that a long war would he — a short war and that a long war would be fatal for them. if they attack — would be fatal for them. if they attack ukraine, they will be opening the door— attack ukraine, they will be opening the door to — attack ukraine, they will be opening the door to a people's war. veterans of conflict, _ the door to a people's war. veterans of conflict, special forces, insurgents, all agree that this is something the russians don't want to .et something the russians don't want to get involved in. they will attack mercilessly if they believe that such _ mercilessly if they believe that such an — mercilessly if they believe that such an operation will shatter ukraine — such an operation will shatter ukraine and panic the west into making — ukraine and panic the west into making the concessions they want. last thought then common james, is last thought then commonjames, is there a way to last thought then common james, is there a way to allow last thought then commonjames, is there a way to allow britain to back down while preserving his sense —— putin. down while preserving his sense -- putin. ., , ., , putin. no, he is not interested in that. the west _ putin. no, he is not interested in that. the west have _ putin. no, he is not interested in that. the west have offered - putin. no, he is not interested in that. the west have offered all i that. the west have offered all sorts _ that. the west have offered all sorts of— that. the west have offered all sorts of constructive things, but the russians have said that they are not interested in improving things or making — not interested in improving things or making the current state of affairs — or making the current state of affairs better. we want a new security— affairs better. we want a new security order in europe, a sphere of influence — security order in europe, a sphere of influence recognising ukraine. if you won't— of influence recognising ukraine. if you won't do it, we will do ourselves. that is where we are. it is, as— ourselves. that is where we are. it is, as he _ ourselves. that is where we are. it is, as he said. _ ourselves. that is where we are. it is, as he said, dangerous situation. and a _ is, as he said, dangerous situation. and a last _ is, as he said, dangerous situation. and a last word with you, you are in the country where everybody is talking about, sometimes it doesn't always feel like ukraine's voices always feel like ukraine's voices always heard. what you doing to prepare for this possibility? is anything that you feel you can do as anything that you feel you can do as an individual? has anything that you feel you can do as an individual?— an individual? as ajournalist, and an individual? as a “ournalist, and as an analyst. — an individual? as a “ournalist, and as an analyst. .— an individual? as a “ournalist, and as an analyst, i am— an individual? as ajournalist, and as an analyst, i am trying - an individual? as ajournalist, and as an analyst, i am trying to - an individual? as ajournalist, and as an analyst, i am trying to be i an individual? as a journalist, andl as an analyst, i am trying to be the voice of ukraine and very grateful for the opportunity to speak as well. i do what i can do, i talk to people, i tried to tell the world with the involvement i have and what is happening and what ukrainian sting, but also i'm trying to keep calm, to take care of myself. it might be a long battle, but ukrainians are very resilient, they are truly freedom fighters and we are truly freedom fighters and we are ready to defend our country, resist and we need your support with that. and just, to conclude your question to james, what could be done to stop putin? you know, it has been done more than once in history, that putin's russia only understand strength. what the west can do is demonstrate strengths, demonstrate that there will be severe costs and the west is standing with ukraine and supports now it's time for a look at the weather with nick miller. hello. under clearskies, quite a hard frost setting in in many areas tonight, so we're going to lose that chilly wind and the showers that have been hitting parts of the north sea coasts of england, northern ireland and western scotland, with some cloud increasing actually here. so, limiting the frost, whereas elsewhere, where you can see the clear skies, rural parts of central and southern england could be down to —6 in some spots. not far from —5 in the cardiff area as friday begins. cold, frosty, yes, but some sunshine continuing across southern and eastern england, eastern scotland. cloudy for western scotland and northern ireland, and cloud increasing to north west england, wales and later into the west midlands, especially through the afternoon. it is going to be chilly after that cold start. not as chilly a day, though, along this north sea coast without that brisk wind. actually a brighter day in eastern england compared with today. cloud becoming more widespread overnight and into saturday, limiting the extent and severity of frost. cloudier skies over the weekend. most dry, some rain at times in northern scotland. hello, this is bbc news with me, shaun ley. the headlines — the prime minister says he has "no evidence" of blackmail in his party after claims by one of his own mps. the intimidation of a member of parliament is a serious matter. moreover, the reports of which i'm aware would seem to constitute blackmail. i see no evidence, heard no evidence to support any of those allegations. back to the office and no masks in classrooms as england's covid measures ease. military drills in ukraine as the united states warns russia of grave consequences if any of its troops cross the border. and the british dental association says nhs dentistry is "hanging by a thread" as some patients wait two years for check—ups. pictures are emerging of the devastation in tonga caused by the eruption of an undersea volcano and tsunami at the weekend. today, the first aid planes landed with urgently needed drinking water, food and medicines. the queen has said she is "shocked and saddened" by the destruction to the pacific nation, which is part of the commonwealth. rupert wingfield—hayes reports. for the first time since last saturday's huge eruption, we're finally getting to see what has happened to tonga's main island. along the coast, the damage from the tsunami looks extensive, with many buildings destroyed. in tonga's capital, nuku'alofa, there is a lot of volcanic ash but the buildings are intact and the clean—up has begun. telephone services are also back, and that means for tongans living abroad, the agonising wait for news is finally over. my dad had told me that they're fine, no major damages to our homes. so, at the moment, i've got family over in the outer islands of ha'apai. i have heard from them, and they're doing 0k. who i haven't heard from is my father. i'm sure he's out there working hard, doing what he does. we've also learned of a remarkable survival story. this man says he was swept off a small island by the tsunami and was in the water for more than 24 hours before making it to land. help is now arriving. this is an australian c17 transport plane on final approach to tonga this afternoon. the crew quickly unloaded water and emergency supplies, but, because of covid, they were not allowed any contact with locals. tonga's government has decided that until covid is over, the islanders will have to deal with the aftermath of this disaster by themselves. rupert wingfield—hayes, bbc news, in tonga. unions have warned that nhs dentistry is "hanging by a thread", with some patients facing up to two—year waits for routine check—ups. bbc analysis dound 950 dentists left the nhs in the last year across england and wales. the dentists were covering a total of 2500 roles, as some worked in more than one region. the analysis shows about three quarters of practices in england have not updated their websites to indicate whether or not they are accepting nhs patients within the last three months. with me is laura stirling from the isle of wight, who has been waiting a whole year to get a appointment with her nhs dentist. also i'm joined by dentist dr alka, whose waiting list for appointments at her surgery in newcastle—under—lyme is up by 70%, made up of mainly nhs patients who cannot get an appointment at their nhs surgeries. thank you both forjoining us. just do you want to tell me your story and the stories that affect your family because it's notjust you, if your children and husband would've all been struggling with this. that's right. my last checkup appointment was in 2019 and that was for my two children as well. and then i tried to book an appointment in 2020 but obviously with covid—19 they said all checkups had been stopped. so early 2021, i try to book another appointment but they said no. so last november i finally managed to book an appointment but i could not do it over the phone, i had to do it via e—mail. and the soonest appointment they could give both me and my two children was a 22nd of august.— 22nd of august. sorry kelly 'ust to interru t, 22nd of august. sorry kelly 'ust to interrupt, so in i 22nd of august. sorry kelly 'ust to interrupt, so in november_ 22nd of august. sorry kellyjust to interrupt, so in novemberjust - 22nd of august. sorry kelly just to i interrupt, so in novemberjust gone but you were told you would have to wait until august this year, so that's nine months? you could have had a baby in that time. fight! that's nine months? you could have had a baby in that time.— had a baby in that time. and also the said had a baby in that time. and also they said the _ had a baby in that time. and also they said the reason _ had a baby in that time. and also they said the reason was - had a baby in that time. and also j they said the reason was because they said the reason was because they could only fit in three appointments per day. and it had to be in the morning. so it's ridiculous.— be in the morning. so it's ridiculous. ., ridiculous. let me ask you, doctor, ou are ridiculous. let me ask you, doctor, you are saying _ ridiculous. let me ask you, doctor, you are saying that _ ridiculous. let me ask you, doctor, you are saying that your private - you are saying that your private dentistry but you are now getting what would be nhs patients coming to you because they cannot do it any other way. so effectively it is in some ways nice to have after patients because inevitably generates extra income but it's having a knock on effect on the other patients.— having a knock on effect on the other patients. yes, it is not good for the patients. _ other patients. yes, it is not good for the patients. i _ other patients. yes, it is not good for the patients. i feel— other patients. yes, it is not good for the patients. i feel really - for the patients. i feel really sorry— for the patients. i feel really sorry for— for the patients. i feel really sorry for patients. i was telling the bbc— sorry for patients. i was telling the bbc earlier on that patients were _ the bbc earlier on that patients were actually having to do their own industry— were actually having to do their own industry and some are moving their own teeth _ industry and some are moving their own teeth so it's very sad for them. actually— own teeth so it's very sad for them. actually just — own teeth so it's very sad for them. actuallyjust want to help. it is not fair, — actuallyjust want to help. it is not fair, really.— not fair, really. what is your exolanation _ not fair, really. what is your explanation for _ not fair, really. what is your explanation for the - not fair, really. what is yourl explanation for the problem? not fair, really. what is your - explanation for the problem? where do you think... i can recall doing interviews on this on the radio about probably 15 years ago when the nhs content was being renegotiated. back then the labour government said it's all right and we were the problem out but the contract is renegotiated and it will be fine. it does not sound like things have gotten any better in the intervening period. gotten any better in the intervening eriod. ., ., ., , period. no, unfortunately during that time obviously _ period. no, unfortunately during that time obviously covid-19 - period. no, unfortunately during that time obviously covid-19 it i period. no, unfortunately during l that time obviously covid-19 it and that time obviously covid—19 it and for three _ that time obviously covid—19 it and for three months we could not open. so all— for three months we could not open. so all that— for three months we could not open. so all that backlog was gathered and then on top of that, then we did not have ppe _ then on top of that, then we did not have ppe to— then on top of that, then we did not have ppe to be able to then go fully fledged _ have ppe to be able to then go fully fledged ahead. so it wasjust backlog — fledged ahead. so it wasjust backlog after backlog and it just created — backlog after backlog and it just created a — backlog after backlog and it just created a lot of difficulty for patients to get seen, especially then they had feelings becoming emergency stand. that then they had feelings becoming emergency stand.— then they had feelings becoming emerren stand. ., , , , , emergency stand. that is presumably the thing that — emergency stand. that is presumably the thing that worries _ emergency stand. that is presumably the thing that worries you _ emergency stand. that is presumably the thing that worries you most - emergency stand. that is presumably the thing that worries you most as i emergency stand. that is presumably the thing that worries you most as a l the thing that worries you most as a professional as relatively easy problems become something much worse. , ., �* , problems become something much worse. , ., �*, ., ., worse. yes, that's so unfortunate and it just — worse. yes, that's so unfortunate and it just feels _ worse. yes, that's so unfortunate and it just feels like _ and itjust feels like something that could be a half an hour to fix but could now be an emergency. haste but could now be an emergency. have ou tried but could now be an emergency. have you tried to — but could now be an emergency. have you tried to complain _ but could now be an emergency. has: you tried to complain about this? but could now be an emergency. the: you tried to complain about this? no point honestly complaining to the surgery because you understand that's all they can offer but have you pursued it with your mp or the council or local health trust? i have not actually because it is only a checkup that i needed. this have not actually because it is only a checkup that i needed.— a checkup that i needed. as far as ou a checkup that i needed. as far as you know? _ a checkup that i needed. as far as you know? exactly. _ a checkup that i needed. as far as you know? exactly. but— a checkup that i needed. as far as you know? exactly. but what - a checkup that i needed. as far as you know? exactly. but what i - a checkup that i needed. as far as i you know? exactly. but what i would sa is that you know? exactly. but what i would say is that actually _ you know? exactly. but what i would say is that actually my _ you know? exactly. but what i would say is that actually my partner, - you know? exactly. but what i would say is that actually my partner, we i say is that actually my partner, we are not married, but...— are not married, but... sorry foruive are not married, but... sorry forgive me- _ are not married, but... sorry forgive me. that's _ are not married, but... sorry forgive me. that's ok. - are not married, but... sorry forgive me. that's ok. he i are not married, but... sorry. forgive me. that's ok. he was are not married, but... sorry - forgive me. that's ok. he was trying to net forgive me. that's ok. he was trying to get registered for _ forgive me. that's ok. he was trying to get registered for it _ forgive me. that's ok. he was trying to get registered for it and _ forgive me. that's ok. he was trying to get registered for it and it - forgive me. that's ok. he was trying to get registered for it and itjust i to get registered for it and itjust is a problem with this toothed as a feeling has come out and i called seven dennis on the isle of wight and not one was taking on new nhs patients and only one of them said they could see him privately. so even to try to get a private appointment was difficult. does that a- -l appointment was difficult. does that apply- -- obviously — appointment was difficult. does that apply... obviously unlike _ appointment was difficult. does that apply... obviously unlike the - appointment was difficult. does that apply... obviously unlike the isle i apply... 0bviously unlike the isle of wight, it is a bit easier to travel if you live on the mainland for people it's never sure if they can perhaps try other towns, but your understanding for the dentist your understanding for the dentist you know are in the area that this problem is the same whether you are in newcastle or outside of equipment normally will be able... brute in newcastle or outside of equipment normally will be able. . .— normally will be able... we be able to net normally will be able... we be able to set an normally will be able... we be able to get any page _ normally will be able... we be able to get any page in _ normally will be able... we be able to get any page in the _ normally will be able... we be able to get any page in the same - normally will be able... we be able to get any page in the same day i normally will be able... we be able to get any page in the same day or| to get any page in the same day or the next _ to get any page in the same day or the next day no problem but since all of _ the next day no problem but since all of this— the next day no problem but since all of this as happened, it is now trying _ all of this as happened, it is now trying to— all of this as happened, it is now trying to get people in and let them wait and _ trying to get people in and let them wait and see them because obviously we care, _ wait and see them because obviously we care, but— wait and see them because obviously we care, but the waiting list is about— we care, but the waiting list is about a — we care, but the waiting list is about a week or two weeks to see them _ about a week or two weeks to see them in _ about a week or two weeks to see them in a — about a week or two weeks to see them in a time slot. so even three weeks. _ them in a time slot. so even three weeks. it's— them in a time slot. so even three weeks, it'sjust become crazy. 0ne weeks, it'sjust become crazy. one of our— weeks, it'sjust become crazy. one of our dentist has a waiting list of seven— of our dentist has a waiting list of seven weeks, so it's quite horrendous. is seven weeks, so it's quite horrendous.— seven weeks, so it's quite horrendous. , ., :, horrendous. is there a way through this ou horrendous. is there a way through this you can — horrendous. is there a way through this you can see — horrendous. is there a way through this you can see because _ horrendous. is there a way through this you can see because i - horrendous. is there a way through this you can see because i guess i this you can see because i guess industry is suffering the staff shortages just like lots of other professions are at the moment and all of that goes back to whether or not people were trained in all that and we have all the other arguments about various things that we could spend all evening on but we are in a situation whether art is not enough dentists to start with. but allowing for that, dentists to start with. but allowing forthat, is dentists to start with. but allowing for that, is there anything that can be done to mitigate this problem, do you think was meant if somebody in the centre weather in the nhs nationally or just the centre weather in the nhs nationally orjust into regions, is there any way they could help reduce there any way they could help reduce the impact on patients?— there any way they could help reduce the impact on patients? perhaps they could set up — the impact on patients? perhaps they could set up and _ the impact on patients? perhaps they could set up and i _ the impact on patients? perhaps they could set up and i thought _ the impact on patients? perhaps they could set up and i thought about i could set up and i thought about this earlier on, could set up emergency centres for dental care so that at— emergency centres for dental care so that at least emergency treatment can be _ that at least emergency treatment can be stopped and there you can actually— can be stopped and there you can actually have longer term treatment and have _ actually have longer term treatment and have got time to deal with that. so perhaps— and have got time to deal with that. so perhaps emergency centres in each town, i_ so perhaps emergency centres in each town, i don't know how we would do that but _ town, i don't know how we would do that but obviously dentists can work at different times and get in and out. at different times and get in and out at— at different times and get in and out. : , :, out. a bit more flexibility, yet even if they — out. a bit more flexibility, yet even if they only _ out. a bit more flexibility, yet i even if they only did one hour, it might also help. 0ne even if they only did one hour, it might also help. one final point. i understand you are your own practice manager reduced to having do a bit of self care. manager reduced to having do a bit of self care-— of self care. yes, so our practice manauer of self care. yes, so our practice manager has _ of self care. yes, so our practice manager has a — of self care. yes, so our practice manager has a mother-in-lawi of self care. yes, so our practice i manager has a mother-in-law and with manager has a mother—in—law and with a tooth— manager has a mother—in—law and with a tooth that _ manager has a mother—in—law and with a tooth that he was very painful and she live _ a tooth that he was very painful and she live far— a tooth that he was very painful and she live far away from the practice. but she _ she live far away from the practice. but she could not get to us and she had to remove her own tooth with the help of— had to remove her own tooth with the help of the _ had to remove her own tooth with the help of the manager telling her how to do it _ help of the manager telling her how to do it. , :, help of the manager telling her how to do it-_ that - help of the manager telling her how to do it._ that was i to do it. over the phone. that was horrible! i — to do it. over the phone. that was horrible! i hope _ to do it. over the phone. that was horrible! i hope she _ to do it. over the phone. that was horrible! i hope she did _ to do it. over the phone. that was horrible! i hope she did not - to do it. over the phone. that was horrible! i hope she did not do i to do it. over the phone. that was horrible! i hope she did not do to. horrible! i hope she did not do to better 'ob horrible! i hope she did not do to betterjob but — horrible! i hope she did not do to betterjob but needless - horrible! i hope she did not do to betterjob but needless to say i betterjob but needless to say you would not advise this as another example you gave people superglue super gluing their teeth together when they are a bit wobbly. yes it was a crowns _ when they are a bit wobbly. yes it was a crowns on _ when they are a bit wobbly. yes it was a crowns on and _ when they are a bit wobbly. yes it was a crowns on and their- when they are a bit wobbly. yes it was a crowns on and their teeth i when they are a bit wobbly. yes it was a crowns on and their teeth and ithink— was a crowns on and their teeth and i think got— was a crowns on and their teeth and i think got her bed what is inside superglue — i think got her bed what is inside superglue is going inside their system — superglue is going inside their s stem. :, ~ superglue is going inside their s stem. :, ,, , superglue is going inside their s stem. :, ~' , : superglue is going inside their sstem. :, , . ., system. thank you both very much and i ho -e ou system. thank you both very much and i hope you get — system. thank you both very much and i hope you get better _ system. thank you both very much and i hope you get better news _ system. thank you both very much and i hope you get better news and i i i hope you get better news and i hope maybe somebody who is watching can help you with this. i really hope so. thank you both very much. good to talk to you, thank you for your time. that's a problem all over the country interesting to see what is done if anything you may be whether the sensible suggestion she made is taken up by anybody. figures released yesterday reveal that prices have gone up at their fastest rate in nearly 30 years, pushing up the cost of living. soaring food costs and the energy bill crisis drove inflation to 5.4% in the 12 months to december. joining me now is food writer and bloggerjack monroe, who just over ten years ago was struggling to feed herself and living on £10 a week. those even then inflation not as bad as it is now. what do you really are you worried about in terms of the impact on those people living on fixed incomes and maybe have been any way struggling to ensure that the money will stretch to provide enough meals for the week? i think the bi est enough meals for the week? i think the biggest concern _ enough meals for the week? i think the biggest concern is _ enough meals for the week? i think the biggest concern is 70 _ enough meals for the week? i think the biggest concern is 70 people i enough meals for the week? i think| the biggest concern is 70 people are stretched and unable to provide meals for themselves and the families for the week. i here for hundred people every day who are missing meals and are struggling to make ends meet and missing meals to feed their children and that was before the uplift to give her the credit was removed and before these inflation figures have come out. another 5.4% is actually misleading because that's an average across and actually it impact people on the bread line and on low incomes at a far greater rate and that's not really being put in.— far greater rate and that's not really being put in. because they take a basket _ really being put in. because they take a basket of _ really being put in. because they take a basket of goods _ really being put in. because they take a basket of goods and i really being put in. because they take a basket of goods and that l really being put in. because they i take a basket of goods and that does not necessarily reflect the sort of products of people are buying weather on the lowest incomes. ida. weather on the lowest incomes. no, that basket — weather on the lowest incomes. no, that basket of _ weather on the lowest incomes. iifr, that basket of goods includes leg of lamb, champagne, smartphones and television and does not include... that's not the essentials the anybody shots or by any trick of the imagination so they can from eyes as i have put up our basic loaves of bread, basic bag of rights and a basic 250 grams of mushrooms in a basic 250 grams of mushrooms in a basic bag of pasta and they are the things that are rising at a financial race. a bag of rights in a market last year was 45p for a kilo announced today that he was bag of rights in the same market is a pound for 500 grounds.— for 500 grounds. more than doubled 'ust like for 500 grounds. more than doubled just like that- _ for 500 grounds. more than doubled just like that. that's _ for 500 grounds. more than doubled just like that. that's a _ for 500 grounds. more than doubled just like that. that's a 34494. - for 500 grounds. more than doubled just like that. that's a 344% price i just like that. that's a 344% price increase just like that. that's a 34496 price increase on _ just like that. that's a 34496 price increase on one _ just like that. that's a 34496 price increase on one product. - just like that. that's a 34496 price increase on one product. you i just like that. that's a 34496 price increase on one product. you did | just like that. that's a 34496 price i increase on one product. you did say that the size — increase on one product. you did say that the size of _ increase on one product. you did say that the size of the _ increase on one product. you did say that the size of the bag _ that the size of the bag is different as well which is why it's even worse. visibly things like rights and pasta, less of bread but certainly rights and pasta are absolute basics when you're trying to make a meal stretch. you can get the metre and make a source but you can get more particularly for young family that at least will make them hungry for a little less a bit longer each day. hungry for a little less a bit lonuereachda . ~ , . longer each day. absolutely. when i was a single — longer each day. absolutely. when i was a single mum _ longer each day. absolutely. when i was a single mum and _ longer each day. absolutely. when i was a single mum and using - longer each day. absolutely. when i was a single mum and using food i was a single mum and using food banks and on benefits i relied on big bag of rice* impossible to make instant meals a month meals are basically made of carbs and that is true of quite a lot people in similar situations so those basics rise in price beyond what is affordable and something being 3.5 times the price it was if today is beyond affordable. more more people are going to be skipping meals making decisions should not feed themselves in order to feed other members of their family. you themselves in order to feed other members of their family.- members of their family. you are eloauent members of their family. you are eloquent campaigner— members of their family. you are eloquent campaigner for - members of their family. you are eloquent campaigner for as i members of their family. you are i eloquent campaigner for as you said try to stop universal credit being cut and all the extra taken off again. and you are very eloquent and the political campaign you do on this issue very prominently, but for those when you say i wish these things would change what they are not chanting at the moment, what advice do you offer to those who were in a situation you were in a decade ago?— were in a situation you were in a decade auo? :, , :, ., decade ago? ideally we would have livin: decade ago? ideally we would have living wages _ decade ago? ideally we would have living wages and — decade ago? ideally we would have living wages and benefits _ decade ago? ideally we would have living wages and benefits that i decade ago? ideally we would have living wages and benefits that went with the cost of living and everything like that but until those things happen, make sure you were getting everything you are entitled to. there are things like discretionary housing payments, loans and grants that are not advertised with the wp but they are available if you shout loudly enough for them. so make sure you get everything you are entitled to make sure you're getting healthy vouchers of food types as well and any pip claims can get and disability benefits anything that you can claim, it's yours to claim. that is a communal pot that we all pay into we can to take out of as we need. so basically makes people are getting everything that they are entitled to and that they are getting all of the help they can possibly get and then the next thing to do is to join the campaigns for living wages and put an increase in benefits in line with the cost of living because this is something i've been talking about for decades now and the only thing that's improving is statistics are getting bigger and the number of people that are going hungry is bigger and it's time for a change. aha, bigger and it's time for a change. a pleasure to speak to you despite the rather grim subject and i hope that thanks to your campaigning and that of others people will have to deal with what you dealt with a decade ago, nibbling on stock cues and wrecking formula milk.- ago, nibbling on stock cues and wrecking formula milk. grim. and i am not putting _ wrecking formula milk. grim. and i am not putting that _ wrecking formula milk. grim. and i am not putting that up-to-date i wrecking formula milk. grim. and i j am not putting that up-to-date but wrecking formula milk. grim. and i i am not putting that up-to-date but i am not putting that up—to—date but i am just shouting because that living in poverty is a shame that never quite leaves you. and i got hundreds of messages people and reply saying they were doing things like eating toothpaste with a teaspoon in the evening so they could for themselves they to eat and making themselves a cup of tea with a beef stock cube and a bit of tomato sauce. not something happening ten years ago but this is happening in every community in every neighbourhood right now and it's going to take something drastic to change and i hope we see that something drastic. think you very much for your time and for giving people a bit of an insight into something that many of us have not had to experience and hope we never have to experience and wish others did not have to either. thank you very much.— wish others did not have to either. thank you very much. thank you very much. a public apology to victims and survivors of historical abuse in institutions in northern ireland will be given in march. the devolved government announced the date today exactly five years after a public inquiry report documented physical, emotional and sexual harm to children between 1922—1995. campaigners say many victims have died waiting for the authorities to say sorry even though the inquiry recommended an apology. a report commissioned by the catholic church has found that the former pope, benedict xvi, failed to act over four cases of child sex abuse when he was the archbishop of munich in germany. lawyers who investigated the historical allegations say pope benedict, then called josef ratzinger, allowed priests who were criminally convicted of abuse to continue working for him. pope benedict denies the accusations. it's more than two years since covid—19 first emerged in china. several variants of the virus later, the country's authorities continue to take a tough approach to cases, even as the number of 0micron infections rises. the government's so—called "zero covid" strategy means just a small outbreak can see harsh restrictions on movement and whole cities forced into lockdown, with beijing keen to keep a lid on infections before the winter olympics in beijing next month. ros atkins takes an in—depth look at china's covid strategy and the government's attempts to eliminate all coronavirus infections. in europe, there are millions of cases of covid every week. in china, there are very few, and china's commitment to its zero covid strategy remains as strong as ever. translation: china's overall situation remains stable i and cases can be controlled within a short period of time. this is what effective control means in practice. they discovered three asymptomatic cases, and that has led within a very short period of time to a city of overi million people being shut down. zero covid means lockdowns and testing on a huge scare and it means disinfecting public transport ahead of a busy travel season and it means quarantine camps for those suspected of having covid. as well as that, officials are warning against ordering things from overseas. they believe 0micron may have arrived in beijing by a infected mailfrom canada. and there is a hamster cull because cases were traced to a pet shop. the virus may have been identified in china, but as you can see it wants to keep it out now and so far largely it has. there have beenjust over 100,000 cases reported in china since the start of the pandemic almost two years ago, and compare that to the us and the uk, where there have been tens of millions. and china's lower case numbers have meant a lower death toll, and here you can see china compared with the uk and the us, with the us heading towards a million deaths and china is in the low thousands. there has not been a covid death in china for months, and supporters of zero covid say that makes the case. they also point to the chinese economy. the official data shows the gdp grew by over 8% last year and that exceeded most expectations, but there are caveats. my colleague mariko 0i explains. china's strict policy meant that i some major cities static to go back into lockdown from last month due the omicron variant - and we have yet to see the full impact of that. j china believes this strategy has worked for the economy and for public health. but sooner rather than later, it faces a decision. how long to stick with zero covid? and it may have its hand forced. we know omicron is highly transmissible, and variants pose a challenge to zero covid policies. we have seen the arrival of the delta variant forcing the australian government to change tack. the prime minister abandoned that last year, saying australia would now live with the virus, while visiting new zealand from overseas remains in effect, the prime minister did say this last october. elimination was important because we didn't have vaccines. now we do. so we can begin to change the way we do things. vaccines are the routes out of zero covid. vaccinate the population, then ease restrictions. that is the theory, and according to chinese health over 1.2 billion people in china have been vaccinated. that's nearly 90% of the population. we also know two of china's vaccines have been approved for emergency use by the who. but there's an issue. when it comes to omicron, the reality is china will be reliant on zero covid strategy, as neither reliant on zero covid strategy, as neither vaccine gives a high degree of support against omicron or delta, which was still worried about. there is evidence that china's vaccines aren't as effective as western vaccines and a top chinese official admitted its vaccines don't have very high rates of protection. the same official later said he had been misinterpreted, but this person say this issue is real. we have seen many reasons why ending erupt covid—19 is not easy for china. succeeded in minimising it, but it also does not want to admit the limitations of its vaccines and limitations mean its population is less protected. as well as that because cases are no china has a population without any natural immunity from prior infection and because of all of these reasons and others as well a recent study concluded... keeping covid out remains a priority for china, and there are two other factors that are relevant to this. the first is the winter olympics in beijing this february. china doesn't want any covid disruptions during this moment on the world stage. foreign spectators are barred and tickets are not being sold and such measures appear to be popular. as beijing is the capital city, the prevention measures- here are a bit stricter. tickets not being sold is a way of epidemic i prevention, so i support it. the other key event is the national party congress. these pictures are from the last one in 2017. this congress decides to future leadership of the chinese communist party and in turn the leadership of china. the president is already the most powerful chinese leader since mao, but in 2018 he abolished presidential term limits and they are expecting him to be confirmed for a third term. that looks all but certain but it remains a sensitive moment and the president does not want rising cases to complicate that. he has talked of life beyond covid—19. translation: we must do i everything necessary to create a shadow of the pandemic and boost economic and social recovery and development. so that the sunshine of love brings light of the future of humanity. how to move clear of the shadow of the pandemic when that will involve eliminating the virus in with all the uncertainty that comes with that. the group can't see at this stage and being taken in the short term and it concludes... bear in mind what the world health organization recently said about the uk. i'm saying i can see where the end is and i can see light at the end of the tunnel. but i really do anticipate right throughout the world a bumpy journey ahead during 2022. light at the end of the tunnel, says the who. president xi talked of the sunshine of hope, of the sunshine of hope, but china and the rest are in two different places. the west has lost many more people, but it's edging towards a life not dominated by the management of this virus. china with its strict lockdown and travel restrictions is not, and for all the political pr and public health reasons we've considered, it's unlikely to make that move anytime soon. hello. under clearskies, quite a hard frost setting in in many areas tonight, so we're going to lose that chilly wind and the showers that have been hitting parts of the north sea coasts of england, northern ireland and western scotland, with some cloud increasing actually here. so, limiting the frost, whereas elsewhere, where you can see the clear skies, rural parts of central and southern england could be down to —6 in some spots. not far from —5 in the cardiff area as friday begins. cold, frosty, yes, but some sunshine continuing across southern and eastern england, eastern scotland. cloudy for western scotland and northern ireland, and cloud increasing to north west england, wales and later into the west midlands, especially through the afternoon. it is going to be chilly after that cold start. not as chilly a day, though, along this north sea coast without that brisk wind. actually a brighter day in eastern england compared with today. cloud becoming more widespread overnight and into saturday, limiting the extent and severity of frost. cloudier skies over the weekend. most dry, some rain at times in northern scotland. hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching context on bbc news. says there will be a severe and coordinated response to any invasion of ukraine. joe biden has been asked to clarify his speech after yesterday. what can he do to assure the american public that is still on the american public that is still on the running path. we speak to his covid advisor, doctor fauci. another problem for borisjohnson as he has been accused of blackmailing and intimidating rebel mps. we will talk to a lexical analyst in

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