This is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. Scientists warn a new variant of coronavirus appears to be more deadly. And here in the uk, new Research Shows a rise in the number of people dying from the new strain. There is some evidence that the new variant, the variant that was first identified in london and the south east, may be associated with a higher degree of mortality. Lockdown lowers the infection rate at last the r number across the uk is now between 0. 8 and 1. A Record Number of people are vaccinated in the uk in one day. More than 400,000 were given theirfirst dose. Articles of impeachment against the former us President Donald Trump will be
delivered to the senate on monday, paving the way for his trial to begin. And google threatens to disable its Search Engine in australia if new laws force it to Pay Media Companies for their journalism. And no time for release the latest bond film is delayed again. Industry chiefs say it underlines the need for ongoing support for the uk cinema sector. Hello and welcome if youre watching in the uk or around the world. Stay with us for the latest news and analysis from here and across the globe. The Prime Minister, borisjohnson, says there is some evidence that the new variant of coronavirus spreading across the uk could cause more deaths than the original strain. Government scientists gave
the example of a man in his 60s. With the old virus, out of every 1,000 people infected, around ten would be expected to die. With this new variant, that number has now risen to 13 or m. The scientists warned that hospital admissions and the death rate would remain high for a while. There was good news on the Vaccination Programme with a Record Number more than 400,000 first doses administered in the past 2a hours. But borisjohnson warned that the infection rate is still forbiddingly high and he said he cant consider lifting restrictions in england until the Vaccination Programmes are working. With more, heres our Health Editor hugh pym. Its been another frantic week for hospitals like this one at clacton in essex. More covid beds have been set up to try to meet the surge in patient numbers. While most pull through, some dont. Now, theres news that a new variant of the virus, which first spread in the south east of england, could be more deadly than the first strain. Weve been informed today that in addition to spreading more quickly, it also now appears that there is some evidence that the new variant, the variant first identified in london and the south east, may be more associated with a higher degree of mortality. In the light of the new information, do you expect the daily reported death toll to carry on rising for longer than youd first thought, and then fall more slowly . The death rates awful. And its going to stay, im afraid, high for a little while before it starts coming down. That was always what was predicted from the shape of this, as chris has said, and i think the information about the new variant doesnt change that. He said there was still uncertainty about the death rate with the new variant and more research was needed. She was all i had. My dad already passed away and me and my mum, we were the closest. Eleanor� s mother sandra died with covid in hospital last week. She was 61 and had an existing health condition. Eleanor says her mum took every precaution. Mum was doing everything she needed to do. She wasnt going out unnecessarily. She was always sanitising, wearing her mask. Im one of them people that thought it wouldnt touch my family, but here i am, absolutely devastated and without my mum. So, whats the outlook for new cases . A study by the office for National Statistics does random testing and includes people who dont know they have the virus as well as those with symptoms. The latest survey of Community Infections by the 0ns suggests that in england last week, one in 55 had the virus, with case rates having decreased. In wales, it was one in 70, with rates levelling off. In scotland, one in 100, again with case rates having levelled off. In northern ireland, one in 60 had the virus, with rates increasing. The r number range anything above 1 suggests
the virus is accelerating was between 0. 8 and 1, lower than the previous estimate. Police in north london have reminded people that covid is a deadly and dangerous disease, after being called to a wedding with more than 100 guests. Organisers are now facing a £10,000 fine. The school where the event took place says it was leased to an outside group and they didnt know a wedding was taking place. A new government ad Campaign Launched this evening aims to ram home the message to the public of the extreme pressures on the nhs and the impact of the virus. Well, hugh pym has more details on that new variant. Lets have a listen. This is very early days, its preliminary research, more work is needed, more data is needed. And that was the tone adopted by sir Patrick Vallance, the governments chief scientific adviser. He said it would have to be monitored. It could be a cause for concern. And its worth saying the slightly higher death rate shown by these preliminary figures applies to all infections. If you look at hospital data, there doesnt seem to be a difference. Now, the good news that we heard today was that work around the vaccines and how effective they might be suggests that with the new variant, they are just as effective as with the original strain of the virus. A little bit more concerning, sir patricks comment that with the other variants that have been recently uncovered in south africa and brazil, there may be a possible issue around the vaccines, though experts have always said the vaccines can be adapted. One other piece of news this evening, the Pfizer Vaccine, reports from israel that the first dose wasnt quite as effective as people had been led to believe sir patrick made it clear that was not a view that was actually widely shared
at the moment and there was no issue particularly there. 0ur Health Editor there, hugh pym. 0ur deputy Political Editor vicki young has more on that News Conference from downing street. How does that translate into what the government is going to do next . Thats what Everyone Wants to know. Now, on that, the Prime Minister said broadly, the package of measures and restrictions in place, he thought that they were enough, although he did hint very heavily that there will be more restrictions around the border, with lots of speculation about extended quarantine. But then, whats he going to look at when it comes to unlocking and lifting restrictions . Well, he said he would have to be confident that the Vaccine Programme is working. Now, theres incredible progress being made there but its not that alone, and thats what he was clear about. Its the infection rate that is clearly worrying him so much. Its still incredibly high. Yes, cases might be starting to come down in most places, but what hes very concerned about is starting to unlock and then the whole thing rebounding again. So, what we do know is that there will still be
that review on february 15, in just over three weeks time, but there will be no expectation of any restrictions being lifted before then. And hes been very clear, as he has all along, that schools will be first to reopen. He says everything will be done incredibly safely and cautiously. Well, the Opposition Labour Party has been reacting to the news about this variant. Lets have a listen to what they had to say. This is deeply, deeply worrying, alarming news about the new variant apparently being more deadly. We had been told by borisjohnson back in december, at a press conference, that he didnt believe the new variant would be more deadly. Hes obviously now got new evidence. I mean, our death tally has been devastating nearly 96,000 died, over 1,000 dying a day since the 10th of january, and what i think this brings home
is weve really got to go further and faster on vaccination. Weve got to get those vaccines rolled out to save people, but weve also got to put in measures to support people and break chains of transmission now, so i find it bewildering, bewilderingly negligent, that the government still isnt giving people proper sick pay and Financial Support to isolate. We thought we were going to get that today, but apparently Boris Johnson and rishi sunak have blocked it. I think that is extraordinary. Lets look at the latest figures for you here in the uk. There were 40,261 new Coronavirus Infections recorded in the latest 24 hour period. On average, the number of new cases reported per day in the last week is 38,270. There were 38,562 people in hospital with coronavirus over the seven days to tuesday. 1,401 deaths were reported thats people who died within 28 days of a positive covid 19 test. On average in the past week, 1,241
deaths were announced every day. The total number of deaths so far across the uk is 95,981. The uks programme of mass vaccinations continues to ramp up, with a new daily record for the roll out. More than 400,000 people have had their first dose of one of the three approved covid 19 vaccines in the latest 24 hour period. It takes the overall number of people whove had their firstjab past the half million mark to over 5. 3 million. We can speak now to dr Nicholas Davies from the London School hygiene and tropical medicine, whos been leading the research into the new variant of covid 19. Thank you so much for being with us. Firstly, can you just talk the viewers through the findings of the research that you have done that led to what borisjohnson had to say
about evidence showing that the new variant led to a higher mortality rate here in the uk . Variant led to a higher mortality rate here in the uk . Yes, so we looked at rate here in the uk . Yes, so we looked at rates rate here in the uk . Yes, so we looked at rates of rate here in the uk . Yes, so we looked at rates of mortality rate here in the uk . Yes, so we i looked at rates of mortality among people who were tested in the community for covid 19 and a subset of those tests get tested at labs that can tell whether the individual was infected by one of the old variance for this or the new uk variant. We basically followed up in the data with those subjects and compared the mortality rates of the two groups, finding that the mortality rates in the group of individuals with the new variant was around 30 higher than in the other group. Around 30 higher than in the other urou. � around 30 higher than in the other arou. � � , around 3096 higher than in the other urou. � � ,. , group. And theres of different factors here group. And theres of different factors here we group. And theres of different factors here we have group. And theres of different factors here we have to group. And theres of different factors here we have to bear i group. And theres of different | factors here we have to bear in mind, is there not, including the ethnic makeup of an individual, their social class, the geographical location as well . How does that marry into your findings . Absolutely, and in our analysis, we
controlled for age, ethnicity, deprivation, where the person lives, whether or not they live in a care home, gender, so we looked at the number of factors and found that finding of the increased mortality rate was robust when you include those covariance. Pare rate was robust when you include those covariance. Rate was robust when you include those covariance. Are you measuring desite those covariance. Are you measuring des ite the those covariance. Are you measuring despite the individual those covariance. Are you measuring despite the individual basis those covariance. Are you measuring despite the individual basis was despite the individual basis was make and if so, how confident are you this new evidence really alarming enough for us to conclude this is the state of affairs for some time to come . We this is the state of affairs for some time to come . This is the state of affairs for some time to come . ~. ,. ,. , ~. , some time to come . We are looking at it on individual some time to come . We are looking at it on individual basis. Some time to come . We are looking at it on individual basis. I some time to come . We are looking at it on individual basis. I would it on individual basis. I would stress we would own we were only would look at a subset of people in the uk who have covid 19, because the uk who have covid 19, because the data that we have, it is only those people who got a test in the trinity and later may have died, so i think further studies are needed looking at hospitalised patients in looking at hospitalised patients in looking at hospitalised patients in looking at outcomes with those patients to really complete the picture. Patients to really complete the icture. �. ,. ,. Patients to really complete the icture. �. ,. Picture. And then what advice can ou share picture. And then what advice can you share with picture. And then what advice can you share with us picture. And then what advice can you share with us with
picture. And then what advice can you share with us with regards. Picture. And then what advice can you share with us with regards to| you share with us with regards to those people that have been vaccinated that might be watching this, thinking, 0k, there is a new deadly variant out there and am i going to be protected from edge . From the evidence i have seen, we have evidence to suggest there is no difference in the vaccine efficacy in the new variant versus the old variant come as there is nothing literally concerned about there. I dig it underscores the need to continue on the Vaccination Programme, and the news we have had that 400,000 people a been vaccinated, its really great news. We did not hear much in terms of policy from the uk Prime Minister, more of, stay as you are and carry on with the measures. With that be your advice when you look at how this new variant is transmitting for one case to another . I this new variant is transmitting for one case to another . This new variant is transmitting for one case to another . I think that is a difficult question one case to another . I think that is a difficult question to one case to another . I think that is a difficult question to answer, a difficult question to answer, certainly from measurements of the r number, it seems that the lockdown is currently working and bringing down incidents, and that is taking
into account the increased transmissibility of this new variant. Nothing there to be some difficult policy questions coming up to do with how long to maintain this lockdown, whether to open schools after half term and so on, and they may be taking the increased fatality rate into account. {leia may be taking the increased fatality rate into account. Rate into account. 0k, we are crateful rate into account. 0k, we are grateful for rate into account. 0k, we are grateful for your rate into account. 0k, we are grateful for your time, rate into account. 0k, we are grateful for your time, dr rate into account. 0k, we are grateful for your time, dr nicholas gratefulfor your time, dr Nicholas Davies. Thank you very much for being with us. Dr Nicholas Davies. Lets speak to the policy issues. Lets get more on that now. We can speak to professor sir mark walport, who is a former government chief scientific adviser and is now a member of sage the committee that advises the government. Professor, welcome to bbc news. I do not know if you are able to listen to the question ijust posed there to the question ijust posed there to dr Nicholas Davies, but im wondering what advice you can share in terms of if we are expecting some kind of a policy change, or should there be one . The kind of a policy change, or should there be one . Kind of a policy change, or should there be one . The first thing to say is this virus there be one . The first thing to say is this virus continues there be one . The first thing to say is this virus continues to there be one . The first thing to say is this virus continues to be there be one . The first thing to say is this virus continues to be full is this virus continues to be full of very unpleasant surprises in this
variant is more transmissible, we know that, it is somewhere between 1. 3 to 1. 7 times more transmissible and it appears it is more deadly. Theres a lot of questions about that and there is certainly a lot of uncertainty about it, because as we heard from Patrick Vallance earlier, it does not appear the outcome for people once taken to hospital is any different, so maybe it is more people with the variant are coming to hospital or people dying outside hospital. In terms of the policy, the critical thing is the advice to people is the same as it always has been, which is that this virus can only get from one person to another through proximity, and so it is really important to work from home if you possibly can, keep. The news of a wedding with 100 guests is just extraordinary. What were they thinking . It is about not only, what are the rules, but how people adhere to them. The majority of people are
probably adhering to them, so it is more unfairare probably adhering to them, so it is more unfair are those if others dont. ,. , , more unfair are those if others dont. ,. ,. , dont. Stage, the committee that uuides the dont. Stage, the committee that guides the government dont. Stage, the committee that guides the government dont. Stage, the committee that guides the government you i dont. Stage, the committee that| guides the government you are dont. Stage, the committee that i guides the government you are a guides the government you are a member of sage for have you. I think the new evidence reinforces the advice. It is not that the advices fundamentally changed. The advices fundamentally changed. The advice is if we are going the numbers down, the measures to keep people distanced are really important. People distanced are really important. People distanced are really important. Forgive me for interrupting. Important. Forgive me for interrupting. Does important. Forgive me for interrupting. Does that i important. Forgive me for. Interrupting. Does that mean important. Forgive me for interrupting. Does that mean that a National Lockdown has to continue. And if so, for how long . It National Lockdown has to continue. And if so, for how long . And if so, for how long . It has to continue for and if so, for how long . It has to continue for as and if so, for how long . It has to continue for as long and if so, for how long . It has to continue for as long as and if so, for how long . It has to continue for as long as is continue for as long as is necessary. Yes, it does have to continue, and decisions are going to have to be made on the basis of the evidence. A piece of good news is the reproduction number, the number of people averaging getting infected by individuals, is dropping, and thatis by individuals, is dropping, and that is clearly good news. Uk cases
are dropping. At the beginning of january, it was about 60,000 cases a day, now, it is 40,000, but clearly if the numbers dont continue to come down at a pace, than other measures may need to be taken. I dont know if you are privy to any information we might not know of with regards to how transmissible this new variant of covid 19 is, within particular groups, for example schoolchildren. Should schools still remain shut, and your opinion . It schools still remain shut, and your oinion . ,. ,. , schools still remain shut, and your oinion . ,. ,. , opinion . It appears to behave similarly in opinion . It appears to behave similarly in all opinion . It appears to behave similarly in all age opinion . It appears to behave similarly in all age groups, i opinion . It appears to behave similarly in all age groups, in| similarly in all age groups, in other words, similarly in all age groups, in otherwords, it similarly in all age groups, in other words, it is more transmissible in every age group, and so everyone has to look at every route of transmission full to with transmission full with this degree of lockdown, all numbers are coming down, but indicators lag, so hospital admissions may be beginning to flatten, deaths sadly continuing
to flatten, deaths sadly continuing to go up, because they happen a week or two, to go up, because they happen a week ortwo, maybe to go up, because they happen a week or two, maybe a little bit longer, after people come into hospital, and so we know that the nhs is under extreme pressure at the moment and it is having a knock on effect for people with other illnesses as well. It is clear that the measures have got to stay in place, but, frankly, ourjobis got to stay in place, but, frankly, ourjob is to write the evidence, and if the evidence shows the decrease in cases is not continuing, clearly, policymakers will have to consider tougher measures. Thank you for beinr consider tougher measures. Thank you for being with consider tougher measures. Thank you for being with us. Consider tougher measures. Thank you for being with us. That consider tougher measures. Thank you for being with us. That is consider tougher measures. Thank you for being with us. That is mark for being with us. That is mark walport with us. With more than five Million People now vaccinated against coronavirus in the uk, theres one vital question that scientists cant yet answer will the vaccine stop people whove had the jabs from passing on the virus . 0ur science editor David Shukman looks at the Current Evidence surrounding transmission. Rolling out the vaccines at a gathering pace marks the first
big turning point in the pandemic. Each one creating more protection against the disease. But theres something crucial we dont yet understand. If youve been vaccinated, can you still get infected . You would be safe if that happened, but could you spread the virus to others . We dont know for sure at this moment in time whether if an individual is infected after receiving the vaccine, they can transmit that to others. So the best thing to do is to presume that its possible. So if someone is pinged because theyve been in contact with somebody who has the infection, then they should self isolate in the same way that they would have to if they had not had the vaccine. We do know from the trials that the injections work remarkably well. They boost the production of antibodies that flow through the bloodstream to provide a key form of defence. So if the coronavirus does get in, the antibodies should block it from entering any of our cells. In addition to that, what are called t cells should provide another layer of protection. But there is no guarantee that any of this will stop an infection in the upper airway, with the virus taking hold and you releasing it. There is nothing confirmed about these risks after vaccination, but it is plausible you could still get an infection without symptoms. Thats when you dont feel ill but could still be a carrier. In that case, youll probably have lower levels of the virus inside you than if you hadnt had the vaccine, and a shorter infectious period when you are a risk to others. Even so, it is still conceivable you could spread the virus in your household, for example, to people you are close to and spend most time with. The vaccines coming off the production lines were tested for how they keep people from getting ill, not whether they will still be infectious, so the advice is to remain careful, even though there is a good chance of a positive effect. The most likely scenario is going to be that the vaccines will reduce how much virus is in a person, even if they get infected, and make it less likely the person will pass the virus on to anybody else. And this may be relevant to the lockdown and when we get out of it. Scientists who are trying to predict the spread of the virus say it is vital to know if vaccination slows that down. If it has a Significant Impact on transmission, then we would be able to relax measures faster than if it doesnt. I am hopeful that we will be able to see some relaxation, at least getting out of lockdown in the march timeframe, but it will be very much a gradual process from then through to the end of the year. So how the Vaccine Programme goes is crucial in so many ways. First, for saving lives, but also for helping to shape the future course of the pandemic. David shukman, bbc news. Astrazeneca, which manufactures the Covid Vaccine developed by oxford scientists, says that initial deliveries to the eu will fall short of the targeted volumes because of a glitch in production. European countries have already been hit by delays in the distribution of the Pfizer Biontech jab. The spanish capital, madrid, and its surrounding areas have had to temporarily halt inoculations, after receiving only half of the expected deliveries. Guy hedgecoe is in madrid for us and explained why some European Countries are worried about vaccine supply constraints. The decision by the Pharmaceutical Company pfizer to upscale its operations in belgium, where it has its european plant, which distributes the Pfizer Vaccine across europe, its upscaling those operations in order to be able to have a higher capacity by the end of february, early march. In the meantime, its had
to reduce its output slightly in order to go through that process. That is having a knock on effect, and were feeling that here in spain, with Health Care Professionals not able to get a vaccine since yesterday, were told, in the madrid region hospitals. But i should point out there is also an element of political infighting as well. The local government of madrid is accusing the Central Government of mishandling the distribution of the vaccine as well. And guy, are there any other European Countries that are facing similar roll out problems with the vaccination . Well, yes, there are. This is bound to affect other countries as well. In germany, the state of north rhine westphalia, the most populous state there, is having to prioritise giving people a second jab if theyve already had the firstjab over those who are still waiting to have the initial vaccination, so theyre having to make some tough decisions in some places. Were seeing similar scenes in some areas of italy as well. Theyre having to prioritise people who are waiting for the second jab over those waiting for the first jab, so this is a difficulty for a number of countries, and the European Commission is concerned about it and does want to try and get an explanation from pfizer about when things will get fully back to normal. I had guy hedgecoe reporting there. The first minister of wales has warned it will take five years for the nhs in wales to recover from the impact of the pandemic. Twice as many patients have been admitted in this second wave and doctors said theyve seen more deaths than ever in intensive care. But hospital admissions are now starting to stabilise. 0ur wales correspondent Hywel Griffith has been speaking to staff at swanseas morriston hospital. Dont be deceived by the calm, the composure. This is a covid front line suffering staggering loss. Normally the intensive care unit here would witness around a death a day. Now its up to five a shift. Nhs staff filmed these pictures for us as no visitors are allowed, not even for a patient� s final moments. The biggest thing thats bowled us over is the absence of family, particularly at end of life. When a nurse steps in and becomes that next of kin, almost, the person that sits there and holds their hand. New treatments have kept more patients out of intensive care, but the consultant here says it means people on his unit are now far sicker than those he treated in the first wave. Most patients at the moment who come to intensive care, to go on an invasive ventilator, sadly will not survive. These patients are mostly of working age, they dont have any significant medical conditions, and this is alien to us, as an intensive care unit. We would expect far more patients to survive. After a month of lockdown across wales, new admissions are starting to slow, but the wards are already full. There are now so many Covid Patients here that the health board has had to delay some planned treatments, building up problems for the future. But theyve also had hundreds of patients cancelling their own appointments for things like heart scans, believing theyd be better off staying away until theyve had a vaccine. Doctors here are also worried that people may start to lower their guard as the vaccines are rolled out. Robert, who made it through intensive care, has this warning. For goodness sake, follow the rules. Ive seen it first hand, and it isnt. Its an insidious disease, it creeps up on people. The pressures of this pandemic have left an indelible mark. It may take years for the system and the staff to recover. Hywel griffith, bbc news, swansea. We can speak now to helen maryjones, plaid cymru member of the welsh parliament, the senedd. Thank you so much for being with us. Can you just share with us what your assessment is of this situation currently in wales and the covid risk rate . We currently in wales and the covid risk rate . ~ ,. ,. ,. , risk rate . We seem to be, at last, headin risk rate . We seem to be, at last, heading in risk rate . We seem to be, at last, heading in the risk rate . We seem to be, at last, heading in the right risk rate . We seem to be, at last, heading in the right direction. It i heading in the right direction. It is variable across the country, with the rates going down faster in some places than others, but we are heading in the right direction. What needs to happen now is that the Welsh Government really needs to get a grip, in two ways, we think. 0ne a grip, in two ways, we think. One is, we have to ramp up the vaccine roll out, we have to make sure that wales is getting its first year of vaccines, because we have a higher proportion of older people and people with Underlying Health conditions in wales and we have to sort out our test, trace and isolate, so the testing and tracing isolate, so the testing and tracing is going well, but we know that many People Struggle to manage to
isolate. And you can see the challenge, particular if you are well in yourself but you need to isolate because it in your home has been exposed and you are on a zero hours contract, very low wage. But question of putting bread on the table were staying at home is a really difficult one, so we have been calling on the bus government to look at what can be done to improve payment support for those who need to isolate the most government. Who need to isolate the most government who need to isolate the most government. Who need to isolate the most rovernment. ,. , government. There were a number of oints ou government. There were a number of points you have government. There were a number of points you have made government. There were a number of points you have made there, government. There were a number of points you have made there, i government. There were a number of| points you have made there, i wonder if we could just talk but a couple of them. Particularly, you talked about ensuring the Vaccination Programme is rolled out correctly. What did you mean by that . We have had a lot of confusing what did you mean by that . We have had a lot of confusing messages. I had a lot of confusing messages. Thus we can, we have the first minister suggesting they were intending to hold back some of the vaccine stock, and the phrase he used was, so we dont have that status in two weeks sitting around doing nothing, and that really upset people, that we had a stock of axing
would not use. The government has corrected it now, made clear all the vaccines needed are going to get out, but there are some issues with the speed of that roll out, some issues in rural areas, some question about whether wales is getting its fair share because of use of legal by the population come in terms of numbers, and you dont take into account the higher percentage of people who are older, and that is also true in different regions of wales, so we need to make sure the vaccine is being to should be did. We have no reason to believe that a cycle to be the case but we are following that closely to see how that tier 4 restrictions in wales have been met with some criticism from Small Businesses, for example, that we have been speaking to who have had a prickly challenging time. This is due to end on the 29th of january, when there will be another review. What would you like to see happen . Review. What would you like to see ha en . , review. What would you like to see hauen . , review. What would you like to see hauen . ,. , happen . Certainly, some sectors in business are happen . Certainly, some sectors in business are saying happen . Certainly, some sectors in business are saying to happen . Certainly, some sectors in business are saying to us happen . Certainly, some sectors in business are saying to us they i happen . Certainly, some sectors in| business are saying to us they would prefer fruit
forto be for to be clear if it is shot longer, some certainty, and theyve like some additional business support to cemented that time. We think that is reasonable. We are expecting an announcement from the bus government next week on some additional business support and we want to make sure that is targeted to the business that needed most, those that cannot trade. There are some this is asking us to advocate for longer term security and just to say we are not due the able to trade into the march at the earliest, so give us support if that happens, and there is the soul issue around schools the whole issue around schools. We would appreciate the Welsh Governments priority, it is difficult forfamilies to Welsh Governments priority, it is difficult for families to plan when and which children are going to go back and we would like to see Medium Term Plan on that. This is an incredibly difficult and for everybody, Public Health has got to
come first, but we do need clear messages coming out of the government so people know what to expect, and there has been confusion in recent weeks. We expect, and there has been confusion in recent weeks. In recent weeks. We should ust say, helen, in recent weeks. We should ust say, helen. Figures in recent weeks. We should ust say, helen, figures have i in recent weeks. We should ust say, helen, figures have been i in recent weeks. We should just say, helen, figures have been published, | helen, figures have been published, 30. 2 of the over 80s and 59. 9 of people in care homes have so far received their first dose of the vaccine, so those officials coming to us about the situation in wales, and again with a commitment for the first minister saying they are confident they would reach their target despite criticism they have overstated the progress of the vaccination roll out in recent statements. Vaccination rollout in recent statements. Vaccination rollout in recent statements. ~. , ,. ,. , statements. We absolutely have to hel the statements. We absolutely have to help the first statements. We absolutely have to help the first minister statements. We absolutely have to help the first minister is statements. We absolutely have to help the first minister is right. I help the first minister is right. This is one situation where all of us across the Political Community and every single citizen of wales once the Welsh Government to succeed in this. It is difficult to see, based on the figures youve just mentioned, how we can be confident in what he says by the end of the weekend, but lets hope hes right, lets hope that this does happen. Im certainly getting correspondence
from constituents in human 80s were saying to me, my mum is 91, she has not had a letter yet, let alone a date for vaccine. She does not know when is going to happen. And so we do need clarity in that messaging and we need to make sure that people understand when they can expect the vaccine, and also that they understand it is because of it has been vaccinated does not mean to say that life goes back to normal, because we have to have a much higher population percentage vaccinated before we constructed a back to more of a normal life again. Helen maryjones from played plaid plaid cymru. The release of the latest James Bond Film no time to die has been delayed, again, as the Entertainment Industry continues to be hit by the pandemic. Daniel craigs final outing as 007 has been pushed back for a third time. It is now due to reach cinemas
in october, rather than april. 0ur entertainment correspondent lizo mzimba reports. Its nearly two years since no time to die started filming, but fans still face a long wait for the film to be unveiled. Bond films cost a huge amount, and to make their money back, they need to take a huge amount at the global box office. The past isnt dead. With so many cinemas around the world closed, and no firm date for when they might reopen, the latest release date bond was aiming for, april of this year, was clearly becoming an impossible ask. Its disappointing for cinemas, who need films like bond as soon as possible, and for fans who have been waiting more than five years since the last 007 film. But its not all bad news. There is also a confident message to be taken from this for the cinema industry, which is that the producers of bond have pushed the film back, they have not put it onto streaming or video on demand. They know that putting that film on the big screen is the best thing for audiences and for the future of the industry. Today started out as i the best day of my life. Other movies have taken the route
of moving to streaming services. Pixarfilm soul missed out on cinemas completely to debut instead on disney . I did it, i got the gig while wonder woman 1984 chose to make the film available on streaming services only days after its release in the limited number of cinemas that were open over christmas. No time to die might be tempted, if a streaming service were to offer a massive sum of hundreds of millions of dollars, but elements like its complicated Product Placement deals make it much harder to make the switch from cinemas to streaming. 007 has saved the world many, many times. The cinema industry is still confident it can do the same for them, however long it might take. Liza mzimba, bbc news. On sunday sir richard bransons
rocket Company Virgin 0rbit succeeded in putting its first satellites in space. Ten payloads in total were lofted on the same rocket, which was launched from under the wing of one of the entrepreneurs old 747 jumbos. Sir richard is hoping to tap into what is a growing market for small, lower cost satellites. With me now is the Virgin Group Founder sir richard branson, and im alsojoined by dan hart he is the virgin 0rbit ceo. Gentlemen, he is the virgin 0rbit ceo. Thank you so much for joining gentlemen, thank you so much for joining us on bbc news. Richard, you must be particularly relieved and thrilled by the success of this launch. I relieved and thrilled by the success of this launch. Of this launch. I think my twoyearold of this launch. I think my i twoyearold granddaughter of this launch. I think my twoyearold granddaughter was of this launch. I think my twoyearold granddaughter was the two year old granddaughter was the most thrilled. She points up at the sky and says, pop on the moon well, we didnt quite get to the moon, but dan and the team had a picture perfect success. Every single goal that they were set, they met. It was the first ever air launch of a liquid rocket. All
satellites deployed in the exact orbit they were meant to deploy in. And nasa were absolutely elated because they are all now communicating back to earth, to universities, to scientists, yes, it was a historic day because its something that hasnt been done before and something that after eight years of hard work down and the team should be proud about. Dan. The team should be proud about. Dan, ou can the team should be proud about. Dan, you can have the team should be proud about. Dan, you can have that the team should be proud about. Dan, you can have that moment of glory now because we would be having a different conversation if it didnt go according to plan, but it has. Im wondering if you can, for our viewers come in the short time that we have, explain how space flights are conducted. You we have, explain how space flights are conducted. We have, explain how space flights are conducted. You know, unlace a round are conducted. You know, unlace a ground launch are conducted. You know, unlace a ground launch rockets are conducted. You know, unlace a ground launch rockets from are conducted. You know, unlace a ground launch rockets from our ground launch rockets from our rockets ground launch rockets from our rockets its ground launch rockets from our rockets its under the wing of a 747~ rockets its under the wing of a 747~ all rockets its under the wing of a 747~ all of rockets its under the wing of a 747. All of our equipment is portable 747. All of our equipment is portable and it goes to the runway. We prepare the rocket for flights by fueling we prepare the rocket for flights by fueling it. We prepare the rocket for flights by fueling it, and then we taxi off. We io fueling it, and then we taxi off. We go to fueling it, and then we taxi off. We go to about fueling it, and then we taxi off. We go to about 10,000 feet and check out our go to about 10,000 feet and check out our systems. On board the
airplane out our systems. On board the airplane are only four people. Two launch airplane are only four people. Two launch engineers controlling the rocket launch engineers controlling the rocket and toss my pilots finally fight rocket and toss my pilots finally fight rocket and toss my pilots finally fight flying the airplane. Really much fight flying the airplane. Really much different than the Technology Used for much different than the Technology Used for ground launch. We then fly up used for ground launch. We then fly up to used for ground launch. We then fly up to 35,000 feet, we go into a racetrack up to 35,000 feet, we go into a racetrack pattern, and then the pilot, racetrack pattern, and then the pilot, ai racetrack pattern, and then the pilot, at the right point, pulls up the airplane. The pilot pushes a button the airplane. The pilot pushes a button that releases the rocket in the rocket button that releases the rocket in the rocket detects that its left the rocket detects that its left the airplane and it goes along its way seeking its trajectory, and as richard way seeking its trajectory, and as richard mentioned, the flight was picture perfect. We hit all of our marks picture perfect. We hit all of our marks we picture perfect. We hit all of our marks. We have ten happy customers. With those marks. We have ten happy customers. With those happy customers, of course, against the backdrop of such a surreal strange time, and you know, i wonder, a surreal strange time, and you know, iwonder, sir a surreal strange time, and you know, i wonder, sir richard, a surreal strange time, and you know, iwonder, sir richard, if a surreal strange time, and you know, i wonder, sir richard, if you can tell us really, how much this means you in a personal level, but also, you know, during a pandemic when you are thinking about doing something of this epic nature, how that really translates into whats happening on the ground with your team then. Well, it was remarkable that they managed to do it during the worst pandemic in our history, or in our lifetime. A lot of them, a lot of people got ill during it. There were some delays, but they battled on and got it done. It was one of those few sort of bright stars that whats been really tough for everybody. You know, from the Virgin Group Point of view, you know, most of our companies are still grounded and have been for about a year, so whether its airlines, cruise companies, health clubs, hotels. You know, and so to have space, upright life for the virgin group and helping keep people injobs as possible, we are extreme the grateful for it and obviously virgin
galactic, the company that puts people into space its chronic readily well the last 12 months as well. ~. , readily well the last 12 months as wellr. , readily well the last 12 months as well. , ,. Readily well the last 12 months as well. , ,. ,. , well. What happens next . I want to talk to both well. What happens next . I want to talk to both about well. What happens next . I want to talk to both about a well. What happens next . I want to talk to both about a couple well. What happens next . I want to talk to both about a couple of well. What happens next . I want to talk to both about a couple of otherj talk to both about a couple of other issues, brexit being one of them, dont roll your eyes just yet, but i will come to that a moment. What happens next in terms of trying to predict the appetite for Something Like this in terms of bookings, for example. There is a term and some are going on in there is a term and some are going on in the there is a term and some are going on in the sector is to set up front with on in the sector is to set up front with the on in the sector is to set up front with the technology thats allowed satellites to be smaller, there are businesses popping up across the globe businesses popping up across the globe where countries can have satellites globe where countries can have satellites manufacturing that they never satellites manufacturing that they never had before. The governments are now never had before. The governments are now using small satellites because are now using small satellites because of the low cost for earth science, because of the low cost for earth science, interplanetary science, and national science, interplanetary science, and national security. So, all of these markets national security. So, all of these markets are growing in this area, and now markets are growing in this area, and now with our excitements, we have and now with our excitements, we have had and now with our excitements, we have had tremendous support through
now. Have had tremendous support through now we have had tremendous support through now. We have had quite a few satellites now. We have had quite a few satellites waiting to go on our system, satellites waiting to go on our system, and the phone has been off the hook system, and the phone has been off the hook now between all of those sectors, the hook now between all of those sectors, the commercial sector, certainly sectors, the commercial sector, certainly nassau who were so great to be certainly nassau who were so great to be with certainly nassau who were so great to be with us on this first commercial flight and the space forest. Commercial flight and the space forest, the raf we are working with as well forest, the raf we are working with as well as forest, the raf we are working with as well as other countries. It� s as well as other countries. Its really difficult, as well as other countries. Its really difficult, is as well as other countries. It� s really difficult, is to . I suppose, ambition and enthusiasm for something when sony people are experiencing loss and Uncertain Times and perhaps losing theirjobs and members of ourfamily. I know, sir richard that you tragically lost your own mother to covid 19 some weeks ago and our hearts and thoughts are with your family. What kind of impact if you can share with us has that been for you and trying to, in one respect, concentrate on the business and what dan and the team are up to but also coming to terms with your own personal loss. Yes, my mum was due to get the vaccine the day after she got covid. So i obviously know what its like for the thousands and thousands of families who have suffered. But she would have been very upset with me if i hadnt pressed on and concentrated on what was going on in the world and so, yes, we have done that. You know, one thing i would just like to say is, you know, we have got businesses in many countries, i think the only country thatis countries, i think the only country that is doing better in the vaccine roll out in the whole world is israel. Britain is doing fantastic. It seems that most Vulnerable People in britain will be vaccinated quite soon. And once all the Vulnerable People, the people, the old people, the people with diabetes, maybe some
of the people were slightly overweight and so on have been vaccinated, then i think we can you know, the country can start getting back to normality again, businesses can open, Small Businesses dont need to go bankrupt, restaurants can open whilst they are then vaccinating the remaining population. Anyway, ithink vaccinating the remaining population. Anyway, i think thats off to the government for the speed that they are moving. Off to the government for the speed that they are moving. There is much set about locked that they are moving. There is much set about locked on that they are moving. There is much set about locked on fatigue that they are moving. There is much set about locked on fatigue here i that they are moving. There is much set about locked on fatigue here in i set about locked on fatigue here in the uk, dan. Just wondering if you are feeling bad you know, you are obviously surging ahead with the business, but on a personal level, can you just talk me through how feeling at the moment as well . We had to redesign how we worked, you know. We had to redesign how we worked, you know, taking care of our people is a value you know, taking care of our people is a value that, frankly, richard holds is a value that, frankly, richard holds very is a value that, frankly, richard holds very high in all of his businesses, so following the science and distancing and air purifiers and
the smell and distancing and air purifiers and the smell of bleach and, you know, doing the smell of bleach and, you know, doing a the smell of bleach and, you know, doing a lot the smell of bleach and, you know, doing a lot in a room by yourself because doing a lot in a room by yourself because even though you are used to working because even though you are used to working together in a control room, everybody working together in a control room, everybody has to be spread out was a complete everybody has to be spread out was a complete different experience. Our team early on developed a ventilator, and we built several hundred ventilator, and we built several hundred ventilators because we needed hundred ventilators because we needed to find a way to channel all the Nervous Energy and to help. Sol think the Nervous Energy and to help. Sol think we the Nervous Energy and to help. Sol think we are the Nervous Energy and to help. Sol think we are all tired. I think we are all think we are all tired. I think we are all excited and hopefully with the vaccine and the changes that will bring the vaccine and the changes that will bring come it will be a new light will bring come it will be a new light for will bring come it will be a new light for everybody. I will bring come it will be a new light for everybody. Will bring come it will be a new light for everybody. I may ust say german, light for everybody. I may ust say german. We light for everybody. I may ust say german. We may light for everybody. I may ust say german, we may have i light for everybody. I may ust say german, we may have to i light for everybody. I may just say german, we may have to cut i light for everybody. I may just say german, we may have to cut the i german, we may have to cut the interview if we take see a new president take the stage. We are expecting him to appear to make an announcement regarding his stimulus package. So ijust want announcement regarding his stimulus package. So i just want to forewarn you that we might have to break away, but in the meantime, we will continue. Ijust want away, but in the meantime, we will continue. I just want to ask you particularly about brexit and in
terms of the virgin group, what does the brexit deal look like for you and your business now. Again, i was brought up by my mum that if i failed to move on. Yes. You know, ithought that if i failed to move on. Yes. You know, i thought brexit was a mistake, but now its a fact of life. We will work very hard with everybody in britain through all the various Virgin Companies to make it as successful as we can be, and, you know, but, you know, lets move to america, you know, it was wonderful to see president biden, the first thing he signed. I to see president biden, the first thing he signed. To see president biden, the first thin he sirned. , i. , thing he signed. I thought you meant lets all move thing he signed. I thought you meant lets all move to thing he signed. I thought you meant lets all move to America Thing he signed. I thought you meant lets all move to america in thing he signed. I thought you meant lets all move to america in terms i lets all move to america in terms of brexit, but that is not what you meant, was its . Meant, was its . Know. Sorry. Iwas meant, was its . Know. Sorry. Iwas trying meant, was its . Know. Sorry. Iwas trying to meant, was its . Know. Sorry. I was trying to get meant, was its . Know. Sorry. I was trying to get off meant, was its . Know. Sorry. I was trying to get off the i meant, was its . Know. Sorry. I i was trying to get off the subject of brexit and celebrates, you know,
before you do get off the subject of brexit. You know, ive got to ask you, again, this is in context of the pandemic that we are talking about here. In terms of the Aviation Industry and what we are seeing now with flights grounded International Travel really halted and the impact thatis travel really halted and the impact that is having on staff numbers, Airline Industry i mean, what is your challenge that you face now going into 2021, 2022. The your challenge that you face now going into 2021, 2022. The same as thousands and going into 2021, 2022. The same as thousands and thousands going into 2021, 2022. The same as thousands and thousands of going into 2021, 2022. The same as thousands and thousands of small. Thousands and thousands of Small Businesses, medium sized businesses and Large Businesses in the uk. Virgin atlantic has had its passenger planes grounded for nearly 12 months, and our team have done an absolutely magnificentjob and absolutely magnificent job and keeping absolutely magnificentjob and keeping the airline flying. I mean, our carbon team have managed to cargo team have managed to double the amount of cargo. They have been filling up the upstairs where there
used to be passengers with cargo as well as the whole. And our Magnificent Team has managed to get a private, you know financing to keep as manyjobs protected as possible. Yes, look, iwould say keep as manyjobs protected as possible. Yes, look, i would say the travel industry has been hit the hardest of all the industries, but there are plenty of other industries that have been, you know, hit very hard as well, and obviously you know, if you own a restaurant, my god, its tough and so on. But, you know, we will get through its commander think a lot of other people will get through it, and if they dont get through it, you know, my recommendation would to be just, you know, once this is all over, brush yourself down and start again, because thats what true entrepreneurs do. Brute because thats what true entrepreneurs do. Because thats what true entrereneurs do. ~. ,. , entrepreneurs do. We will have to leave it there, entrepreneurs do. We will have to leave it there, gentle entrepreneurs do. We will have to leave it there, gentle man, i entrepreneurs do. We will have to leave it there, gentle man, but i leave it there, gentle man, but thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us and for taking the time to talk to us. Joe biden didnt knock you off the air, so richard
and dan as well, thank you so much for being with us. Thanks so much. Cheers. Thanks so much. Cheers. ,. , thanks so much. Cheers. ~. ,. ,. , cheers. We are expecting to hear from president cheers. We are expecting to hear from president joe cheers. We are expecting to hear from president joe biden. Cheers. We are expecting to hear from president joe biden. And i cheers. We are expecting to hear from president joe biden. And as from president joe biden. And as soon as he takes the stage there at the white house, we will bring that News Conference to you. But there has been Political Developments as you might expect in us politics with the Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer saying that the house of representatives will deliver an impeachment measure charging measure charging former President Donald Trump with inciting insurrection to the senate on monday. This effectively marks the start of a trial that could ban mr trump him from Holding Office again. Republicans had argued for a delay, asking for more time to prepare. Heres what chuck shumer had to say. Now, as i mentioned, the senate will also conduct a second impeachment trial for donald trump. I have been speaking to the republican leader about the timing and duration of the trial. But make no mistake, a trial will be held
in the United States senate, and there will be a vote on whether to convict the president. I have spoken to speaker pelosi, who informed me that the articles will be delivered to the senate on monday. Now, i have heard some of my republican colleagues argue that this trial would be unconstitutional because donald trump is no longer in office an argument that has been roundly repudiated, debunked by hundreds of constitutional scholars, left, right and center, and defies basic common sense. It makes no sense whatsoever that a president or any official could commit a heinous crime against our country and then be permitted to resign so as to avoid accountability and a vote to disbar them from future office. It makes no sense. Regardless, the purveyors of this unusual argument are trying to delay the inevitable. The fact is, the house will deliver the article of impeachment to the senate. The senate will conduct a trial of the impeachment of donald trump. Republican leader Mitch Mcconnell said his party was asking for more time to prepare mr trumps defence. This impeachment began with an unprecedentedly fast and minimal process over in the house. The sequal cannot be an insufficient signage process that denies former President Trump is due process or damages the senate or the presidency itself. Senate republicans strongly believe we need a full and fair process where the former president can mount a defense and the senate can properly consider the factual legal and constitutional questions at stake. So so what will happen . I have been speaking to our correspondent in
washington. The article of impeachment that the house voted through a couple of weeks ago is now going to be transmitted to the senate. The house can send it over whenever it wants to come and they have been the house can send it over whenever it wants to, and they have been holding onto it for a while, and the house speaker, nancy pelosi, has been a bit oblique about when she was going to send it. Well, now Chuck Schumer has told us he is getting it on monday from her. This is the article that says that donald trump is responsible for inciting insurrection over the january six storming of the capital. What happens then is this senate is obliged to take up that article of impeachment and move to a trial pretty much straightaway. There are some formalities that have to take place before a trial begins. So, it wont start on monday as such, but it will be much quicker than republicans had hoped for. And this comes, gary, on a day thatjoe biden has promised a huge stimulus package for the us economy. Can you just talk us through what he is announcing . Well, his huge stimulus package is already been announced, that was the 1. 9 trillion hes
talked about in the run up inauguration day. For example, putting 1400 in the pockets of americans earning under 75,000 year. Thats money for vaccine distribution, thats money for the individual states, money for education. What hes doing today is trying to sort ofjump start that process by signing some executive actions that will give money towards, for example, increasing food stamps and food parcels for the poorest, and indeed trying to get towards the goal of a federal minimum wage of 15 an hour, which is one of his aspirations. So, he is trying to get some of the help out there, because it could take some time before Congress Actually votes through the main package itself. The us senate has also confirmed president joe bidens nominee, retired army general lloyd austin, to serve as secretary of defense. Hes the first the first black american in the role. The vote was an overwhelming 90 votes to two in the 100 Member Chamber far more than the simple majority needed. Japans government has reaffirmed its commitment to hold the delayed summer olympics and paralympics following reports that the entire event could be cancelled. A 12 month delay was announced last year as the pandemic spread around the world. Much ofjapan is under a state of emergency due to coronavirus and public concerns over an influx of people have tempered some enthusiasm for the games due to start in six months time. The japanese Prime Minister yoshihide suga, had this to say to parliament. Translation the tokyo games will be a symbol of mankind overcoming the coronavirus and a chance to show japans recovery from the devastating earthquake and tsunami. We will be well prepared to tackle the infection. We are determined to work closely together with the tokyo metropolitan government, the 2020 organising committee and the International Olympic committee to achieve a safe and secure 0lympics. I spoke to chris grant, an independent board member appointed to sport england, whos worked for ten years preparing athletes for the olympic and paralympic games. Well, im inclined to believe that all of the statements that have come out today that say they are going ahead are true. Certainly, that represents the intention of the organizers, of course, as with so many things with this pandemic, you have to see what emerges. Im sure they are determined to put the games on. ~. , they are determined to put the games on. ~. ,. , on. With that in mind, though, how difficult is it on. With that in mind, though, how difficult is it for on. With that in mind, though, how difficult is it for the on. With that in mind, though, how difficult is it for the organizers i difficult is it for the organizers to plan anything at this stage in the middle of what we are seeing, this surreal world, this pandemic . Its hugely difficult. I think its
illustrated by what happened last year, where are the getting of march, the olympic flame was in greece, and it started itsjourney. Its got stopped just when it was beginning when it was due to start circling to circulate around japan, just nine or ten weeks from now, it will recommence thatjourney around japan. So i guess part of the challenges that we are notjust talking about the 23rd ofjuly which is the intended opening ceremony, the preparations for the games need to be in flow well before then. flit to be in flow well before then. Of course, you and i know when we looked back at london 2012 as an example of how much the nation has to get behind holding an event like this, but of course, Mass Gatherings of any kind are being dissuaded by governments when they are trying to keep the spread of the coronavirus under control. So, again, what kind of knock on effect do you think that will have on the lead up to the games . Will have on the lead up to the names . ,. , ~ will have on the lead up to the iames . ,. , ~ will have on the lead up to the names . ,. , i. , games . Yes, i thank you are right. I remember games . Yes, i thank you are right. I remember very games . Yes, i thank you are right. I remember very well games . Yes, i thank you are right. I remember very well here games . Yes, i thank you are right. I remember very well here in games . Yes, i thank you are right. I remember very well here in the i games . Yes, i thank you are right. I remember very well here in the uk, |
remember very well here in the uk, and particularly in london. There has been quite a bit of skepticism leading up to the games, and then at the beginning of the year, itjust never stopped raining. The beginning of the year, itjust neverstopped raining. By the beginning of the year, itjust never stopped raining. By march, people were beginning to worry about the games. But when the torch landed in cornwall and started going around these islands, the enthusiasm started to build. It never stopped building, to be honest. So i think the japanese want to be able to do that. They want to be able to have these Mass Gatherings. I think the most likely think, based on what we are hearing from the federation is that the games, if they do go ahead, which i believe they will, the bit that will be missing is the crowds. And particularly the international crowds, and that will be a massive pity. Crowds, and that will be a massive. | , ,. Crowds, and that will be a massive pity. Chris grant there. You are watchin pity. Chris grant there. You are watching bbc pity. Chris grant there. You are watching bbc news. Pity. Chris grant there. You are watching bbc news. Google i pity. Chris grant there. You are i watching bbc news. Google says they could. To pay Media Outlets for their news content. Google says it could withdraw its Search Engine from australia if the country pushes ahead with attempts to make it pay media
outlets for their news content. The government in canberra says the planned reforms will raise money for struggling publishers, so that they can continue to produce journalism in the public interest. Google and other tech giants believe such a law would set a dangerous precedent. Dont forget in touch with me on twitter. Tosha madeira is here with more. Forall of twitter. Tosha madeira is here with more. For all of our viewers in the uk, lets take a look at the weather. Good evening. Most places that have been affected by flooding this week should have something of a chance to dry out over the weekend, because we have change the weather type, we have changed to something colder. We will see some spells of sunshine, we will also see some snow in places. What we have is low pressure to the northeast, the remnants of storm christoph, which brought all the rain earlier in the week. With that low sitting to the northeast of us, its driving a northerly wind, and that is going to be feeding quite a few wintry showers in through tonight, those showers moving in from the northwest, some sleet and snow, even to quite low levels, and some widespread ice with temperatures dropping to freezing or below. We could well get to 8 or 9 celsius across parts of eastern scotland. So, a frosty, icy start to tomorrow morning with a covering of snow in places. A little bit of fog first thing as well for southern counties of england. As we go through the day, it turns into a sunshine and wintry showers day, really. Those showers through the afternoon lining up across western scotland into northwest england, merseyside, the midlands, perhaps getting into east anglia. These could be wintry, even to quite low levels, but certainly over the hills. Temperatures of 2 7 celsius, and it will quickly turn cold again during saturday night with a widespread frost. And then were keeping a close eye on this little weather feature pushing in from the west. Quite a small scale whether feature, and there is still some uncertainty about exactly it will behave and just how far east or how far north it will get across the british isles. Different computer whether models have slightly different ideas,
different computer weather models have slightly different ideas, but certainly during sunday, there is the chance for some snow across parts of england and wales, but dont take this chart too literally, there is uncertainty about how far east and how far north that sleet and snow will get. But some places could well see a covering of a few centimeters or more over high ground. Sunshine and wintry showers further north, certainly a very cold feeling day. Some places barely getting above freezing. We start next week in the cold air, but that will change. Milder air is going to surge in from the southwest, but with that milder air, well have rain bearing weather systems. So, more wet weather to come next week, worth staying in touch with the forecast because there could be further flooding. This is bbc news with the headlines. President biden is to outline his plans to tackle the economic crisis created by the coronavirus pandemic well bring it to you live. Articles of impeachment against the former us President Donald Trump, will be delivered to the senate on monday paving the way for his trial to begin. New Research Suggests the new uk strain of the coronavirus may be more deadly than the original virus. There is some evidence that the new variant, the variant that was first identified in london and the southeast, may be associated with a higher degree of mortality. And, the European Commission presses pharmaceutical giant pfizer over delays that have led to vaccine shortages in italy,
spain and germany