This is bbc news. Our top stories on his first full day in office, President Biden lays out his strategy to tackle coronavirus and warns itll require a wartime undertaking to defeat the disease. Its going to take months for us to turn things around but let me be equally clear we will get through this. A year after chinas first coronavirus lockdown, a special report from wuhan on how normality has returned, but honesty is a little further behind. The so called Islamic State says it was behind the twin Suicide Attack on baghdad, which was the deadliest to hit the capital in years. The release of new James Bond Film is delayed again the release of the new James Bond Film is delayed again
as hollywood continues to grapple with coronavirus disruptions. Hello and welcome to bbc news. In his first full day in office, President Biden has asserted federal control of all aspects of the fight against coronavirus, saying it would require a wartime effort to defeat the disease. Mr biden warned that the number of covid deaths could exceed 500,000 by next month. The new president renewed his promise to vaccinate 100 Million People in his first hundred days in thejob. 0ur north america correspondent peter bowes has more on the president s plans. Tackling covid, of course, has been top of the to do list since he ever
decided to start tackling the pandemic, at the end of campaigning last year. Hes described trump administrations efforts, especially as it applies to getting the vaccine out, as a dismalfailure. So he says he has a lot of work to do there. He is signing these executive orders and really, all it takes is a signature to make things happen. This isnt something that has to take a long time and has to get through congress. He can immediately order the compulsory wearing of masks in federal buildings, government buildings, also in transportation, on buses and trains, or on planes and other places as well that he has jurisdiction over. 100 million vaccines in 100 days it does sound ambitious. He was actually challenged on that by one reporter, who questioned whether it was ambitious enough, and he said, look, it is 100 million in 100 days. Lets start somewhere. Hes determined to make a dent in the growing crisis and, as you said just now, hes suggested it could get worse before it gets
better and by his side, ben, he has dr anthony fauci, the countrys top Infectious Disease expert who worked with President Trump for many months. It was a difficult relationship because they didnt necessarily see eye to eye. And what dr fauci is saying now is that, going forward, what President Biden wants to do will be, in large part, building or amplifying the work already done by the trump administration. Were certainly not starting from scratch because there is activity going on in the distribution, but if you look at the plan that the president has put forth about the things that he is going to do namely, get Community Vaccine centres up, get pharmacies more involved, where appropriate, get the defence production act involved, not only perhaps with getting more vaccine but even the things you need to get a good vaccine programme, for example, needles and syringes that might be more useful than that so its taking whats gone on but amplifying it in a big way. One of the things that dr fauci
has been talking about, ben, is the fact that still, Many Americans dont believe in the vaccine. They are either against vaccines or nervous about this one in particular. And, according to the doctor, a major outreach effort is needed, an educational effort, to try and change peoples minds if they have doubts about the vaccine. Peter bowes. Dr Mlamuli Hlatshwayo davis is an Infectious Disease physician at the Washington University school of medicine. Earlier, iasked her if President Biden� s aim of 100 million vaccinations in his first 100 days in office is achievable. We are happy to hear it. We are happy to see dr fauci at the helm and were happy to see dr walensky at the cdc, and seeing the science come to the forefront. We need these vaccines. The initial roll out was woefully inadequate. We are not nearly
where we need to be. And the most challenging area that we are having is being black and brown communities who are the fewest as far as who has been getting this vaccine even in healthcare workers. So what dr fauci says about communication, what President Biden says about vaccine is exactly what is needed. And why is that the case . Why are so few African Americans being vaccinated . This an issue of mistrust and vaccine hesitancy. Ive been on the show before talking about long standing history of mistrust and black and brown communities this goes way back, even as far even as slavery, where abhorrent things were done in the names of science and medicine to these communities. It has been persistent. The tuskegee experiment, henrietta lacks. Many, many, many examples that resulted it is not new. These black and brown communities, under represented in these trials, which again was seen. Those of us who have been have been calling for further Community Partnerships with trusted messages to the public trusts but really, this needs to be addressed and needs to be addressed now. And how should the administration go about doing that . I think ithinka i think a few things. The first is what i referred to, these Community Partnerships. We have in all of our local communities leaders who have earned the trust these communities. Representation matters. The reason i am even on the show, i am a scientist. It wasnt really my plan to do this sort of thing. Its because i understand how important it is for people in my community to see me and to see people like me speak to the science. Also on top of that, though,
none of this happens without funding or policy, so to hear him say that he now wants to go in the defence fund and to move forward with policy to reinforce it is exactly what we need to see. These are some of the things that need to start. Unfortunately, states have been doing this without a lot of support until now. So if the federal government steps up in a big way and gives them the support they need, i really think we can turn this around. Well as the us and much of the world continues to deal with the fallout from coronavirus, this week marks one year since the first covid lockdown, when the Chinese Government confined almost 60 Million People to their homes in the city of wuhan and the surrounding province. It was the first real glimpse of the devastation that was soon to sweep the world. But as our china correspondent John Sudworth reports, one year on, many there see it as the scene of a great victory. Nowadays in wuhan, its the mundane normality thats striking. With the traffic jams and the bustling streets, all such a far cry from this. In january last year, wuhan was ground zero the place where the pandemic began and the first to experience lockdown. One year on, the citys moved on and a remarkable new narrative has taken hold. The virus came here from other countries, this stall owner tells me. China is a victim. Where did it come from . It came from america, this woman insists. Theres even official backing for the idea the virus may have come from somewhere else. Can you tell us why china is promoting this narrative in the absence of Scientific Evidence . Translation your question | reveals your prejudice against china. Reports have emerged from australia, italy and many other countries that the coronavirus was found in multiple places in the autumn of 2019. From the Scientific Consensus that the outbreak began here to the more controversial theory that it leaked from this wuhan laboratory, all are now rejected with equal force. Instead, this giant wuhan exhibition celebrates a great victory. The allegations of cover up, the suggestion the authorities hid the initial outbreak, rejected too, with one man centre stage, offering lessons for the world. There may well be something to learn, of course
chinas mass testing programme, for example but other aspects of its approach, perhaps not so much. In the harsh enforcement of its lockdowns, the need to balance control with individual rights has been far less of a constraint on its model of success. The struggle of democratic countries to contain the virus is viewed here less with sympathy and more with a sense of vindication. For china, wuhan is not a reminder of a political disaster that allowed a virus to spiral out of control, its a symbol of triumph. With her brother one of the first to die from covid, ms wong who doesnt want to use herfull name believes the authorities should have warned people earlier. She shows me the letters shes written in her futile fight forjustice. China is celebrating what it calls a great victory over this virus. Do you think its a victory . Its their victory, she tells me. It has nothing to do with me. This citys past has been turned into propaganda and truth, just like the virus, is being brought under control. John sudworth, bbc news, wuhan. The Islamic State group says it carried out a double bomb blast in a crowded marketplace in baghdad on thursday. 32 people were killed and more than 100 injured in the attack, the worst in the city for three years. The extremists said they had targeted shia muslims. A warning that you may find some images in russell trott� s report distressing. This was iraqs Bloodiest Day for 18 months. Two suicide bombers detonating their explosives in this second hand clothes market. But what happened is disputed. 0ne military spokesperson said the attackers were chased by security forces. Other reports suggest that the bombers moved freely through the square. Translation we were there by the stands. One came, fell to the ground and started complaining my stomach is hurting, and he pressed the detonator in his hand. It exploded immediately. People were torn to pieces. A lot of people were in it. Many people died and were injured. This was the moment the second bomber then reportedly blew himself up as others came to help the victims. Explosion. Less than 3km away, relatives anxiously check lists outside the shaikh zayed hospital. Translation the injured are stable and doing well. | the Prime Minister is following up on the matter closely. We informed hospitals to be preparing icus to treat the wounded and the stable cases for free. In the immediate aftermath, no one claimed responsibility but the authorities had their suspicions. Translation the way and the enemy is clear. As far as i know. So there is no official declaration. But we think may be the terrorist organisation Islamic State is behind this criminal incident. More than 12 hours later, is finally claimed responsibility. A un report last year said more than 10,000 fighters remained active in iraq and syria. But suicide bombings here are relatively rare since is was defeated. None of that, however, will come as any consolation to the families of the dead more victims of iraqs paul hawkins, bbc news. Russell trott, bbc news. Police in italy have arrested almost 50 people in an anti fraud operation targeting the powerful � ndrangheta mafia group. Offences range from public procurement scams to issuing fake invoices for tax evasion. Among those under house arrest is the calabria regions finance minister. Google has threatened to disable its search function in australia if the government passes a law forcing digital giants, such as it and facebook, to pay local Media Outlets for news content. The legislation would make the Big Tech Companies negotiate payments with local publishers and broadcasters. If they couldnt agree, a government arbitrator would set the price. Australias Prime Minister Scott Morrison said it was for australia to make the rules and his country did not respond to threats. Stay with us on bbc news. Still to come, the long journey home the nepalese climbers who conquered k2 and have a tale to tell. Donald trump is now the 45th
president of the united states. He was sworn in before several hundred thousand people on the steps of capitol hill in washington. Its going to be only america first. America first. Demonstrators waiting for mike gatting and his rebel cricket team were attacked with tear gas and set upon by police dogs. Anti apartheid campaigners say they will carry on the protests throughout the tour. They called him the butcher of lyon. Klaus altman is being held. On a fraud charge in bolivia. The west germans want i to extradite him for crimes committed in wartime france. There, he was the gestapo chief klaus barbie. Millions came to bathe as close as possible to this spot, a tide of humanity thats believed by officials to have broken all records. This is bbc world news. Iam ben i am ben bland. Our main headline President Biden lays out his strategy to tackle coronavirus from the white house, warning americans the worst is yet to come. Throughout this week, my colleague clive myrie has been speaking to those on the front line of the pandemic in the uk. Clive looks at the impact covid 19 is having on patients, their families and the entire health service. A warning you may find some scenes upsetting. Hello, am i speaking to shamima . My name is doctor healy, im ringing from the royal london hospital. Its about your husband, asif. Consultant marie healy� s words will sting. One of her Covid Patients isnt doing well in intensive care. He is quite sick, he could die from this, by the way, im sorry to have to say that. Weve only been married for two years. He is the light of your life. He is. You know, hes never been away from me for even a day. This is shamima, who already knows her brother in law was buried last month, a victim of covid 19, and this week her father in law died from the virus. Now her husbands life hangs precarious. It is a feature of the second wave that whole families have been blighted. We feel so empty and for me not to have my husband by my side, life is too short and you want to spend it with your loved ones. Because i have to be strong for my mother, i have to be strong for my sister in law. You know, they kind of rely on me and if i break down, then, you know, i dont know whats going to happen to the family. Asif lies limp, one of close to 4,000 people across the uk now breathing with the aid of a machine due to covid 19. Thats more than 4,000 families praying for the best, fearing the worst, lives on hold. The nhs is a family, too, and it has mourned its own. More than 200 front line staff have died in the pandemic. And see you because they didnt want to get you tired. Senior charge nurse dom wood at the royal london feared he wouldnt make it after contracting the virus over christmas. I was doing everything i could to try and deep breathe and everything that i tell everyone to do and thats quite a scary moment. Because. You see. The trouble is, in the first wave and the second wave, ive seen what can happen. Its scary. Were all scared. That the gravediggers will keep working due to covid. This cemetery in North East London has had to expand because of the pandemic dead. Today, across the uk, more than 94,000 thats over 20,000 more than the number of civilians who died in our country in world war ii. Were all scared, that
things will get worse before they get better. Were all scared of the cruel ripples of the pandemic lockdowns, Mental Health problems, economic shock. So where is the light . Martin griffiths is a consultant trauma surgeon at the royal london, more used to dealing with gunshot wounds and stabbings. Now he is helping out giving people vaccine jabs. What do you think of anti vaxxers . They have my thoughts and prayers. Theyre wrong. Theyre so wrong. And either by a lack of knowledge, a lack of understanding, an unwillingness to accept reality of what we are seeing, they are actively contributing to the detriment of our society. Next, please. Salvation, then, at the end of a needle. And maybe soon well all be able to smile. Its true, the nhs is here for us from cradle to grave, part of the origin myth of post war modern britain, but coronavirus has given us a glimpse into a dark future, a time when the men and women of the service cant help everyone as they would like. Is that the true lesson of this pandemic that to see the nhs crumble means losing a part of who we are . Clive myrie, bbc news. The Glastonbury Festival one of the most famous music events in the world has been cancelled for the second year running due to the impact of the pandemic. The festival normally draws some of the Biggest International acts to a farm in south west england. The organisers said theyd taken the decision to cancel with great regret. The mayor of rio dejaneiro says his city will not be hosting its carnival injuly. The cancellation of the world famous event comes as brazil struggles under the latest wave of Coronavirus Infections with little prospect of an immediate campaign of mass vaccination. And the release of James Bond Film no time to die is to be delayed again as the Entertainment Industry continues to be hit by the pandemic. Daniel craigs final outing as bond will pushed to early october. It had been set to be released in april following multiple delays. Our reporter paul hawkins has more on the new release date. The official bond account has tweeted. October 8, 2021. That, by my reckoning, it will have been
pushed back three or four times now because of the ongoing pandemic and that is terrible for bond fans. Ive watched the trailer a million times now. Is the delayed release because they havent finished filming it, it is all there ready to go. Can they not go straight to streaming services and make money that way . Streaming services and make money that way . They could do, but the peeple money that way . They could do, but the people who money that way . They could do, but the people who make money that way . They could do, but the people who make the. But the people who make the bond film is a big fans of cinema and have recently signed a letter that was signed by a lot of other directors which went to the british government, asking for financial help for the uks cement chain industry, which has really been suffering. They believe cinemas will come back after the pandemic, but streaming services have been really popular while we were all stuck at home. Netflix, is on, disney have been making a lot of money. In the us it has been a similar story of Us Box Office takings, down 80 . So
whether cinema really comes back, whether we stay in our own homes with our fancy tvs and sofas remains to be seen. Paul hawkins there. Youll no doubt remember the team of nepalese climbers who became the first to reach the summit of the worlds second highest mountain, k2, in winter. Theyre continuing their journey home and have been giving more details about how they battled freezing temperatures and Hurricane Force winds. The bbc� s tim allman has more. The journey there was arduous. The journey back a lot more enjoyable. This team of nepalese climbers were given a heros welcome in islamabad. Garlanded with flowers and posing for selfies, their achievement is a source of pride. I think it was a great honour and a great team effort. I think it is emotional because we all walked the summit together and it is a clear message for everybody in the world to say that if you unite together, anything is possible. Not quite on top of the world but near enough. K2 has been called the Savage Mountain
the only one higher than 8,000 metres that had never been climbed in winter. That is until a few days ago. Hazardous conditions only making what they did all the more impressive. It was very cold, i almost quit the expedition and there was, like, a sunrise which warmed my body and it was fine again. And, imagine if this is the sort of welcome they received in pakistan, what will it be like when they finally get back home to nepal . Tim allman, bbc news. And you can read more about their extraordinary achievement on the bbc news website or on the bbc news an app. On the bbc news app. You can reach me on twitter im benmbland. Thanks for watching. Hello there. Flooding continues to be of concern but the weather certainly isnt going to make things any worse over the next few days. The Current Situation well, the number of flood and severe flood warnings has just started to edge down. So, things are slowly improving for some communities. Other rivers though taking longer to respond. For example, the ouse in york. Well, thats not going to peak until later in the day on friday. So, for some, it could still get worse before it gets better. Lots of snow around of course. That snow still with us at the moment across the high ground in scotland. Still some strong winds and further accumulations. Otherwise, its a cold night with the frost. The showers, there is a risk of icy stretches dotted around the country. So, it will be another cold start to the day as we edge into friday. Cold north westerly winds with us pulling in this chilly air. It will be a day of sunshine and showers for sure, but some of the showers
could be quite interesting. One of those particular showers that ive got my beady eye on is this clump of cloud you can see herejust west of ireland. Thats, i think, likely to push across ireland and then work into wales through the afternoon, and probably into the midlands as we head towards the evening. More about that in a moment. I think broadly speaking though for most of us on friday, its going to be a fine day with sunshine. Again, there will be showers around, wintry at times, a bit of snow mixed in still across the north west but conditions improving compared with recent days, i think its fair to say. Then, that clump of showers, well, i think it might go in across parts of wales as we head if theyre heavy enough, we might well see some sleet and some snow mixed in with that, and then that clump of showers if its still there may well edge into parts of the midlands for the evening time. There is a bit of uncertainty about that but that might be something that you see during the day on friday. Now, saturdays weather, again its a showery kind of set up. Showers wintry again, most frequent across the north west but we do have a low pressure system just going in close
to the south coast of england. That has rain and snow mixed in with it and its not far away from south east england. So, well have to keep a close eye on developments there if there are any. For most of the weekend, though, it isjust going to be a sunshine and showers kind of set up. On into saturday evening and night time though, weve got another trough thats going to be moving in. And that pushes in across england and wales and is more likely to bring a bit of snow even down to low levels. There could be some changes in the position of that feature. But nevertheless, a few of you will be seeing some snow at some point during the weekend. This is bbc news. The headlines in his first day in office, President Biden has asserted federal control over the fight against coronavirus. He promised to end what he called dismal progress in vaccinating americans, saying 100 million would be immunised in his first 100 days. Republicans in the us senate are asking the democrats to put off the trial of former President Donald Trump until around february 11. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the trial would show america hadnt forgotten the assault on capitol hill. European Union Leaders have decided to introduce tighter travel restrictions for the bloc� s internal borders to limit the spread of new coronavirus variants. Non essential travel is discouraged and some travellers will be required to take a test before departure. Now on bbc news, hardtalk with stephen sackur
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