Welcome to hardtalk. Im stephen sackur. Covid 19 is a Global Pandemic but its impacts have varied markedly. While countries like vietnam and south korea have effectively controlled the virus, others have been much less successful. Britain is back in nationwide lockdown as infection rates surge and the death toll approaches 80,000. The hope is that the roll out of vaccines will vanquish the virus but for now, the terrible cost of covid continues to rise. My guest is neil ferguson, an epidemiologist who has advised the uk government. Did britain get covid wrong . Theme music plays professor neil ferguson, welcome to hardtalk. Thank you for having me. How bleak would you say is britains covid situation right now . I think its probably second only to the situation we were in on 22nd of march before lockdown in terms of really the prospects going forward. And in some ways, bleaker still. The new variant of the virus everybody will have heard about transmits considerably more effectively tha
England wide lockdown, as borisjohnson warns of tighter coronavirus restrictions. I just want to find 11,780 votes. A recording has emerged of President Trump telling officials to find votes to overturn joe bidens election win. The new way of doing business the uks transition agreement with the eu has ended. Companies and consumers start the new year working out what it means for them. Ill take you through it. From professional rugby to world darts champion gerwyn price beats Gary Anderson to take the pdc title. He says its a dream come true. For most of us today it will be cold but sunny. There are still some wintry showers in the east, summer rain across the south east and gusty winds to boot but i will have all the details in ten minutes. Its monday the 4th of january. Our top story. The first doses of the Coronavirus Vaccine developed by Oxford University will be given to patients today just five days after it was approved. The Health Secretary, matt hancock, says its a Pivotal Mom
People were traditionally nomadic with their lives tied to their environment. Today, travellers come to explore its relatively untouched landscapes. I want to find out more of that is peoples relationship with nature today. So, im heading east to the fourth largest lake in the world, or at least that is what it was. Welcome to the dusty streets. If you can believe it, this used to be a bustling fishing village but if you come over here i looked down at the ground you can see what used to be the bottom of the sea. Not much fishing going on now. Its been called one of the worlds biggest environmental disasters. The seat which stretches the broader was once above the size of ireland. The immense stretch of water began to dry up, around 90 of it was washed off the map and with it was washed off the map and with it the livelihoods of many people. I heard that here in kazakhstan, the sea was actually coming back and it was bringing travellers to so off i go in search of the sea across miles
With some schools re opening on monday occasionally. After the christmas break, we are getting near the top there are concerns there what we are doing is to now and all my training wont be enough staff, because of worries over examine the rainforest, is being taxed to the limit now. The new variant of coronavirus. Which is a vital and very but i think i will make it. The biggest teaching union, the neu, is advising members only to hold classes for the children of key little understood environment. Workers, or those from vulnerable backgrounds. With more, heres our education correspondent, danjohnson. Robin and his family have now probably the richest passed the Halfway Point environment in the world and one which is disappearing and have reached the steepest part of the climb. With terrifying speed. Robins training so far has can the virus be never been further than a few controlled if these robin has chronicled his life classrooms fill up again . Of adventure through a series miles at
More. Rainfall totals will continue to talk up tot up in the south east. Rain across many southern counties of england and southern counties of england and southern ireland. A few showers further north in the eastern half of england and eastern scotland. A bit of snow over the higher ground. The further north we go, the higher the wind. In scotland and Northern Ireland that we have seen the best of the sunshine and temperatures willdip of the sunshine and temperatures will dip back. It will feel colder than temperatures suggest further south. A shallow stream into lothian and borders will produce significant snow over the hills. All ads into an icy risk for tomorrow morning with the widespread frost. Temperatures as low as 8 in scotland. A bit of sunshine here and there. Wintry showers eating a bit in eastern scotla nd showers eating a bit in eastern scotland and Northern England but it continues to rain. It will be another cold day, especially in that breeze across the south. The bree