help for key workers living with long covid. and a nail—biting day for nasa as it aims to land its perseverance rocket on the surface of mars. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. there's been a marked decline in levels of coronavirus infections in england since january, say scientists tracking the epidemic. a study by imperial college london found that infections have fallen by two thirds across england since the latest lockdown began, with an 80% fall in the capital itself. but it warns that levels are still high, particularly among primary school age children and young adults, with one in 200 testing positive between the 4th and 13th february. that's similar to levels seen in september. katharine da costa has the details. friends and family kept apart. many businesses kept on hold. lockdown has taken its toll on all of us, but researchers say it has helped to take infection levels in england down to those last seen in september. imperial college's react survey looked at 85,000 random swab samples taken between the 4th and 13th february. researchers suggest one in 200 had the virus, and while infections are still high, they are halving every 15 days. but it's a mixed picture. they suggest infections are falling more slowly in northern regions, while in london, levels have fallen significantly. in some ages, one in 25 were testing positive, so it started higher, and has fortunately come down quicker, so that's really good news. we're not quite sure why rates are slower in the north, but we did see that earlier, coming out of... in the early stages of the second wave, that rates were higher in the north, and that's what we're seeing again today. the survey suggests infections are falling in all ages, but are highest in primary age children and young adults. so, what might that mean for plans to reopen schools from march the 8th? we really, really want to get children back into school. there is work—in—progress looking at how testing can support schools to come back. there's already a level of testing going on in schools, where you have children of key workers and teachers in schools at the moment because schools aren't completely closed, and there is work going on about the details of the return to school, and more will be said next week about that. pressure in icus has eased slightly over the last month, but there are still close to 3000 covid patients on ventilators, similar to levels in the first wave. health officials want to see infections suppressed to very low levels to avoid another surge as restrictions are lifted. i think that is the big question, how low can we go to have some residual infection where we can open up safely? because getting back to zero is really... nobody sensible thinks that is achievable in the nearfuture. scientists think it may be another couple of weeks before we see the full impact of the vaccine roll—out on cases and hospital admissions. while the data seem to be heading in the right direction, ministers say they don't want to jeopardise the hard work it has taken to get us here. katharine da costa, bbc news. let's take a look at the latest government data. another 12,057 people have tested positive for the virus, down from last thursday when 13,494 positive cases were confirmed. a further a54 people have died within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test in the uk. 0n the same day last week, 678 deaths were reported, and the number of those receiving their first vaccine has climbed to almost 16 and a half million. i'm joined now by keith neal, emeritus professor in the epidemiology of infectious diseases at the university of nottingham. good afternoon, professor neal. looking at the figures from this study shows that infections have fallen quite starkly. what do you think of the implications of these findings for lifting the lockdown quiz although i think there's back things. -- i think —— i think we need to get the infections down for as much is possible because the less virus, the less chance of mutation occurring. i think one of the interesting factors was the highest rates in primary schools, yet they're not back at school. i think this means children are now being kept at their own homes and we do know one thing is household transmission is one of the key routes of infection. also, as you mentioned in your news item, primary school children of the workers, ie parents who are possibly acquiring covid, are being tested, and they would end up in the test numbers. they react study is only community—based, so this is that group with the most infections, but it's clearly not... that's occurred, despite schools not being full. so i suspect schools will be safe. that's really interesting _ suspect schools will be safe. that's really interesting because - suspect schools will be safe. that's really interesting because i - suspect schools will be safe. that's really interesting because i think i really interesting because i think some people have been assuming that this higher level among primary school age children is because there are a certain number, a fairly large minority of children of key workers, vulnerable children, who are at school. but you're saying it's not just them being tested here? the react study _ just them being tested here? tue react study is just them being tested here? tte react study is quite just them being tested here? ttj: react study is quite clearly not the ones being tested as part of the school testing programme. these are randomly selected people from the community who have been tested on their ongoing nature. my best idea would be that they're catching it at home between family members. we've known to be the main risk class for —— risk faster. so known to be the main risk class for -- risk faster-— -- risk faster. so you wouldn't exect -- risk faster. so you wouldn't meet it _ -- risk faster. so you wouldn't meet it be — -- risk faster. so you wouldn't expect it be infections - -- risk faster. so you wouldn't expect it be infections to - -- risk faster. so you wouldn'tj expect it be infections to rise? -- risk faster. so you wouldn't l expect it be infections to rise? if expect it be infections to rise? tt they do, there might be an alternative expiration in that the parents might be going out more when they're having to look after children at home. my experience looking at outbreaks in primary schools can be categorised into two groups. say five children in five different years in the primary school, two of whom are siblings, that can't be school spread. it's reflecting community transmission, orfour members of reflecting community transmission, or four members of staff, possibly among teachers or a people they didn't teach, was probably the kitchen staff because they find it hard to socially distanced. just lookin: hard to socially distanced. just looking at _ hard to socially distanced. just looking at the _ hard to socially distanced. just looking at the levels of people who had covid now, how protected are we as a population, would you say? t as a population, would you say? i think the term herd immunity has come in for a bad press at times. i do know that herd immunity doesn't have to be total. if 50% of the population is protected, then essentially, you would reduce the r by half. we do know that passing infection gives you about 95% protection against reinfection, and that infection was very mild. also, the antibody study that was published within the last week showed very high levels of antibodies in the over 70s, which is courtesy of vaccine. 25% in the 2229 —year—old, who have caught it themselves —— 20 to 29—year—olds. what do you think that means in terms of the population and what percentage might have this protection and this immunity? tt’s protection and this immunity? it's difficult protection and this immunity? it�*s difficult to be sure, but i think without looking at the age—specific rates, what is important is to protect the individuals with the vaccine, because we can only deliver so much. we're still doing a lot. we vaccinated one in four in the population. currently, the vaccine promises to stop people dying and some people getting seriously ill. phase two will be looking at stopping it more in the community. i think we had a lot of people in the 25—year—old age group, one in four have caught covid, but fortunately, we've seen very few serious cases. the prime minister is due to set out his road map for a gradual easing of restrictions next week. we know the watchword has been cautioned. what do you think he could cautiously opened up —— open up? t do you think he could cautiously opened up -- open up?- do you think he could cautiously opened up -- open up? i would say let the primary _ opened up -- open up? i would say let the primary schools _ opened up -- open up? i would say let the primary schools go - opened up -- open up? i would say let the primary schools go back, . let the primary schools go back, because we know they are very much lower risk, and also all the children are more able to learn on computers. —— older children. 0utside activities, we know we're at low risk, so although we've had a... at the moment, if people mix outside and are allowed to, it may not break the rules inside as much. so, i think increase outside out to committees —— outside activities. i think there are other solutions and there is no correct answer here. good to talk to you, thank you so much. professor keith neal. restrictions in northern ireland will remain in place until the 1st of april after a review by the stormont executive. however, some primary children up to the age of seven will be going back to school from the 8th march. first minister arlene foster said the decision was ta ken �*relu cta ntly�*. we need our decisions to be both safe and sustainable, and i'm determined that through the proper sequencing of actions as we emerge from these restrictions, that we leave lockdowns in the rear—view and that we do not step backwards again. so our clear priority at this point is to continue to keep the r rate below one for our cases and to achieve this, it considered a full lifting of the current restrictions it is not possible at this point. so the executive has reluctantly accepted the analysis from our health advisers that the restrictions will need to be in place for four more weeks, and we will conduct another full review of the regulations on the 18th of march. and i know that will come as a disappointment, but it is a pragmatic and a sensible approach. millions of savers would be given a chance to invest in the uk's recovery from the coronavirus crisis, under proposals set out by sir keir starmer. the labour leader's british recovery bond scheme is the centrepiece of his alternative plan for "national recovery", ahead of next month's budget. he also proposed start—up loans for 100,000 new small firms, especially in areas outside the south—east. he explained more to our deputy political editor vicki young earlier. you talked about a bond in which people can invest and there are people can invest and there are people who want to have kept their jobs who have been able to save some money. how does that help those who haven't kept theirjobs, who really are struggling to make ends meet? the first thing i'd say is the chancellor is putting a lot of hope on the _ chancellor is putting a lot of hope on the idea that those who have saved _ on the idea that those who have saved during the pandemic are going to spend _ saved during the pandemic are going to spend all that money in the short term _ to spend all that money in the short term i_ to spend all that money in the short term i dont— to spend all that money in the short term. i don't think that's realistic and i_ term. i don't think that's realistic and i don't — term. i don't think that's realistic and i don't think the bank of england _ and i don't think the bank of england does, so what the problem is... england does, so what the problem ism find _ england does, so what the problem ism find a — england does, so what the problem is... find a way for people to invest— is... find a way for people to invest in— is... find a way for people to invest in the future of their country— invest in the future of their country in _ invest in the future of their country in a secure way which releases— country in a secure way which releases money for infrastructure projecte — releases money for infrastructure projects. obviously for those who haven't _ projects. obviously for those who haven't been able to save, there are other— haven't been able to save, there are other things — haven't been able to save, there are other things that i said this morning _ other things that i said this morning about universal credit, atrout— morning about universal credit, about the — morning about universal credit, about the pay for key workers. it's not either— about the pay for key workers. it's not either or, it's both. are about the pay for key workers. it's not either or, it's both.— not either or, it's both. are you sim -l not either or, it's both. are you simply saying — not either or, it's both. are you simply saying consumer - not either or, it's both. are you l simply saying consumer spending won't get people out of this? don't we need people to spend that much? t we need people to spend that much? i completely understand that, and i'm not saying _ completely understand that, and i'm not saying to people don't spend, but realistically, i am not convinced that people, particularly who have — convinced that people, particularly who have saved for the first time, are just _ who have saved for the first time, are just going to throw out and blow those _ are just going to throw out and blow those savings in a matter of weeks. the realism — those savings in a matter of weeks. the realism is a people are not going _ the realism is a people are not going to — the realism is a people are not going to simply go out and spend that money, recognise that and have a bond _ that money, recognise that and have a bond to— that money, recognise that and have a bond to put that money into and a secure _ a bond to put that money into and a secure part— a bond to put that money into and a secure part of the future of britain _ secure part of the future of britain. ~ _, , ., secure part of the future of britain. , ., ., ., ., britain. when it comes to taxation, this budget — britain. when it comes to taxation, this budget and _ britain. when it comes to taxation, this budget and longer _ britain. when it comes to taxation, this budget and longer term, - britain. when it comes to taxation, this budget and longer term, if- britain. when it comes to taxation, this budget and longer term, if the | this budget and longer term, if the government came forward with a cooperation tax rise on this budget, would you oppose that? you said business isn't there just to be tax. the argument i've made this morning is you _ the argument i've made this morning is you can't~~~ — the argument i've made this morning is you can't... which is what i think— is you can't... which is what i think would _ is you can't... which is what i think would happen with tax rises. it's think would happen with tax rises. it's hard _ think would happen with tax rises. it's hard to— think would happen with tax rises. it's hard to find a credible economist. do it's hard to find a credible economist.— it's hard to find a credible economist. , ., ~ economist. do you think the time will come to _ economist. do you think the time will come to balance _ economist. do you think the time will come to balance those? - economist. do you think the time will come to balance those? in i economist. do you think the time | will come to balance those? in the medium of — will come to balance those? in the medium of long — will come to balance those? in the medium of long term, _ will come to balance those? in the medium of long term, of - will come to balance those? in the medium of long term, of course i will come to balance those? in the i medium of long term, of course you have to _ medium of long term, of course you have to have — medium of long term, of course you have to have a sustainable economy, but the _ have to have a sustainable economy, but the first — have to have a sustainable economy, but the first step has to be a recovery— but the first step has to be a recovery and a thriving economy. have _ recovery and a thriving economy. have you — recovery and a thriving economy. have you thought about where that tax burden would lie when that time comes? ., ., , comes? there will have to be progressive — comes? there will have to be progressive tax _ comes? there will have to be progressive tax systems - comes? there will have to be progressive tax systems in i comes? there will have to be l progressive tax systems in due course — progressive tax systems in due course. we will lay out whatever we put forward — course. we will lay out whatever we put forward in the next general election. — put forward in the next general election, but very importantly in this recovery, to focus on what is needed _ this recovery, to focus on what is needed now. that is not tax rises and is _ needed now. that is not tax rises and is not — needed now. that is not tax rises and is not prosperity. therefore you haven't _ and is not prosperity. therefore you haven't even — and is not prosperity. therefore you haven't even got the foundational stone _ haven't even got the foundational stone down. haven't even got the foundational stone down-— haven't even got the foundational stone down. , ., , ., stone down. some in your party have su: rested stone down. some in your party have suggested that _ stone down. some in your party have suggested that you're _ stone down. some in your party have suggested that you're not _ stone down. some in your party have suggested that you're not old - suggested that you're not old enough, but you need to take more risks and that's not in your personality. what you say to that? everybody in the labour party is asking _ everybody in the labour party is asking themselves this question, do we go _ asking themselves this question, do we go back— asking themselves this question, do we go back or forward? do we go back to a system _ we go back or forward? do we go back to a system which i don't think was working? _ to a system which i don't think was working? 0r— to a system which i don't think was working? or do we go forward to something — working? or do we go forward to something that is secure and better? i'll something that is secure and better? i'll be _ something that is secure and better? i'll be judged on what i'm saying. how do _ i'll be judged on what i'm saying. how do you think it's going? a year auo in the how do you think it's going? a year ago in the leadership, _ how do you think it's going? a year ago in the leadership, people - how do you think it's going? a year ago in the leadership, people are i ago in the leadership, people are saying _ ago in the leadership, people are saying to — ago in the leadership, people are saying to me, "is the leader party even _ saying to me, "is the leader party even going — saying to me, "is the leader party even going to exist in the future? labour— even going to exist in the future? labour party?" now the question i'm facing _ labour party?" now the question i'm facing is _ labour party?" now the question i'm facing is when are you going to be ready— facing is when are you going to be ready to _ facing is when are you going to be ready to when the general election? ithink— ready to when the general election? i think that — ready to when the general election? i think that tells you that made significant progress in the last year~ — significant progress in the last year~ sir— significant progress in the last ear. ,, ,, ., ,, .,~ ., year. sir keir starmer speaking to vicki young- _ with me now is political commentator steve richards. afternoon to you. that interview by vicki was done after a speech by sir keir starmer, what did you think of the message of his speech and also of the timing?— the message of his speech and also of the timing? well, the message is the one that — of the timing? well, the message is the one that i _ of the timing? well, the message is the one that i think— of the timing? well, the message is the one that i think begins - of the timing? well, the message is the one that i think begins the - the one that i think begins the framing of an effective argument. that is all about active government working with others, including business, and it's a familiar argument. labour leaders and hope opposition have leave we use them —— use them many times. where he has gotten advantage now if he uses it effectively is that the sort of so—called battle of ideas have moved much more towards the state being a benevolent force. theresa may used to say let's talk about the good government can do, borisjohnson speaks of leveling up the left behind as a familiar phrase. implying agency to bring them back in. now, some people say that's a disadvantage for him because the conservatives are stealing these things, but so far it's just the use of the language but policies aren't at all clear. so, he has an argument there. in terms of the timing, it felt a bit awed. the speech while the pandemic is still raging —— a bit odd. he spoke a bit about himself as well as the policies vicki young was speaking about. that is a bit weird. but everything is weird in british politics at the moment. so, that is almost inevitable in the current situation. i wonder why you think he gave the speech and the terms that he did, and quite white now? was it for the general public orfor the and quite white now? was it for the general public or for the labour party? t general public or for the labour pa ? 4, general public or for the labour pa ? ~ ., , ., , general public or for the labour pa ? ~ ., party? i think it was a bit of both, as is often — party? i think it was a bit of both, as is often the _ party? i think it was a bit of both, as is often the case _ party? i think it was a bit of both, as is often the case with - party? i think it was a bit of both, | as is often the case with opposition leaders. the context in which he's had some difficulty recently is the opinion polls. they really matter, whether they're accurate or not, and the fact that labour is behind after a period of monumental issues around the government and the death rate in the government and the death rate in the pandemic is the context of which he makes his moves. why isn't he doing better is a question being posed. some think that the holy of and he probably does but i bet there's a bit that worries about those polls —— that's wholly unfair. so that's the broader context. how do you change that? you fought to framing arguments that would reach the wider electorate. —— you've got to. the problem for him at the moment is the wider electorate aren't listening to labour. they pose a single question, when are we out of the pandemic? inevitably, they turned to the government for that, so that is a big challenge for him, but he's not wholly unlucky in that context. it's the move towards what government does well, which is an opportunity for him. he did 0k today, i think, an opportunity for him. he did 0k today, ithink, and an opportunity for him. he did 0k today, i think, and framing the argument, but there's a lot more work to be done, and the policies have to be bombproof. this recovery bomb has been —— bond, what was meant by it, let's see when they work that out. policies in opposition, especially labour with a really critical media, need to be bombproof. really critical media, need to be bombproof-_ bombproof. so, this is a speech liven a bombproof. so, this is a speech given a week. — bombproof. so, this is a speech given a week, ten _ bombproof. so, this is a speech given a week, ten days - bombproof. so, this is a speech given a week, ten days before l bombproof. so, this is a speech l given a week, ten days before the budget, so there is a very specific economic message to it. are there questions about his style as well, do you think?— do you think? again, inevitably, when the labour _ do you think? again, inevitably, when the labour party - do you think? again, inevitably, when the labour party are - do you think? again, inevitably, i when the labour party are behind, they will. part of the art of being an opposition leader, and it is art, is to give a student of momentum —— a sense of momentum. using humour to mock your opponents. and that is difficult in a pandemic, but i don't think it's done enough in terms of total variety when you ask about style. it's very difficult in a pandemic because the leader of the opposition has to convey a sense of it excitement. how do you do that when delivering a speech in an empty room? nonetheless, he needs to find ways in doing so. in terms of the message on the budget, i think he was absolutely right to make an argument around not at the moment pursuing a kind of austerity type package in this budget with tax rises and spending cuts. that again times with the fashionable orthodox so different from 2010, when george osborne came in and delivered spending cuts to some approval within political media orthodoxy. that mood has changed, so he's 0k within political media orthodoxy. that mood has changed, so he's ok on that ground but stylistically, you've got to vary the tone and watch watch out about typing up speeches. i think there's been a bit of that over the last 2a hours. it's very difficult that the artistry is absolutely essential for a labour leader to win. 0nly absolutely essential for a labour leader to win. only two have. they're artist, and i don't mean that in a derogatory sense, it's a qualification of leadership. sir keir reminded us that he's only been labour leader for ten months, keir reminded us that he's only been labour leaderfor ten months, so not very long at all. as he became leader during the coronavirus pandemic. 0ne leader during the coronavirus pandemic. one could almost say he's at the tail end of the honeymoon period or he's just out of the honeymoon period. how long does he got, do you think, in order to prove himself? a, ., ., ., himself? more time than normal because of— himself? more time than normal because of the _ himself? more time than normal because of the pandemic. - himself? more time than normal because of the pandemic. you i himself? more time than normal - because of the pandemic. you cannot makejudgements. it's really tough. all the focus is on what the government's doing. they have the near daily press conferences, and just to be staying afloat in the context of the pandemic is something. no final defining judgement could be made until politics returns to normal, if politics returns to normal, if politics returns to normal. then, he has obvious challenges, some of which we've talked about, but an opportunity in which most voters wouldn't have paid much attention. there will still be a freshness about the leader of the opposition in the new context. leaders of the opposition can become stale very quickly. four, five years of speaking, not doing, it's tough. tony blair won partly because he got it halfway through, so he was still fresh by the general election. so, that will be the testing part, not yet. but inevitably, parties panic if they're behind in the polls when they feel on some grounds that they should be ahead, and that's sort of mood around keir starmer and his team at the moment the. fascinating, thank ou team at the moment the. fascinating, thank you so — team at the moment the. fascinating, thank you so much. _ team at the moment the. fascinating, thank you so much. steve _ team at the moment the. fascinating, thank you so much. steve richards, i thank you so much. steve richards, political commentator. australia's prime minister says his country won't be intimidated by facebook in the continuing row about news coverage on the social media platform. australia wants tech companies to pay for content which is reposted from other news outlets, and now facebook has blocked all its media content in the country. shaimaa khalil sent this report from sydney. this is what australians woke up to. empty news feeds on their facebook pages after the platform blocked all local and international media outlets. a dramatic escalation in a continued dispute with the government over paying for news content. facebook�*s change didn't just target news. it also denied australians access to many pages for charities and essential services, as well as several key government agencies. the ban prompted an immediate backlash, with many users angered by their sudden loss of access to trusted sources of information. i do use facebook. it seems to be a catch all and i can get all of my news in the one spot, so it will really impact me. they're so big and so widely used by australians that they'lljust... people willjust revolt against it. the government was also swift to react. this is an assault - on a sovereign nation. it is an assault on people's freedom, and in particular| it is an utter abuse of big i technology's market power and control over technology. the prime minister, scott morrison, slammed the social media company's action as, "arrogant and disappointing." under the proposed legislation, tech giants will be forced to enter into payment negotiations with news outlets over payment for content that appears on their platforms, and if they can't agree a government arbitrator would get involved. but facebook has criticised the law, saying it doesn't reflect how the internet works and unfairly penalises it for content it didn't ask for. this fallout is about facebook making a point. many are watching this closely and the social media giant knows that if it starts paying for news content here in australia, other nations could make similar demands. some experts have described it as anti—democratic and a dangerous turn of events. and while facebook asserts its power and influence with this move, the fear is that it may also do its reputation some serious damage. shaimaa khalil, bbc news, sydney. conservative mp damian collins investigated facebook in 2019 as part of an inquiry into disinformation and fake news. he's been explaining why he thinks the social media company's move to block its content in australia is irresponsible. if you think at the moment, what the world differently needs, reliable information during the global pandemic. australia will see on facebook this information, conspiracy sites flourishing. legitimate sources of news and information being denied, and it's important because a growing number of people principally get their news from social media. it's the shared links where they find their news, and that's been denied to them. people like mark zuckerberg go around the world saying set the rules, i think we see a democratic country setting rules in the best interests of free media in society and facebook is deliberately trying to flout them. good evening. as we move out if thursday into friday we are going to see a west east divide developing with our weather. we keep some clear skies across central and eastern half of the uk and that's going to allow the temperatures to fall away by contrast cloud wind and rain gathers out to the west. yes, low single figures, a chilly start and that's where we will see the best of the drier weather particularly across eastern england into the afternoon. the rain eventually moving into eastern scotland. it will always be heavy the further west you are. accompanied gailforced gusts of winds as well. gale force winds. so that is going to make it feel pretty miserable, i'm afraid. if you're sat underneath the cloud, the wind and the rain. the best of the dry weather further east and temperatures will peak through friday afternoon between eight and 11 celsius. into the weekend, we keep that west, east divide for saturday. it stays unsettled out to the west but increasingly milder with more sunshine into the east and it'll be a quieter day for all on sunday. take care. hello this is bbc news. the headlines. coronavirus infections drop by two thirds across england during the latest lockdown but scientists say infections still need to be lower. northern ireland's current lockdown has been extended to april1 but some primary school pupils will return to classes on march eight. the labour leader proposes british recovery bonds to help fund the renewal of communities and jobs after the lockdown ends. australia's prime minister says his country won't be intimidated — after facebook blocks the country's news feeds in a row over a new law. there's a call for more financial help for key workers living with long covid. and, a nail biting day for nasa — as it aims to land its perseverance rocket on the surface of mars. sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, good evening. it was a tearful farewell for serena williams — at this year's australian open. she was beaten byjapan's naomi osaka — in the semi—finals. so has to wait a little longer, if she's to equal the all—time grand slam record. the loss led to speculation about her future. as katie gornall now reports. it was a match up worthy of a final. the greatest of all time against arguably the greatest right now. serena williams has rediscovered some of her best form in melbourne. and an outfit inspired by track legend photo she burst onto the blocks. but naomi and sok out with three glance and titles of our own is not one to be over lord. calmly, ruthlessly she hits back and wrestled control to take the first set six —— three. at 39 years of age williams knows it's now time to add to a grand slam tally is running out. this was starting to feel like an opportunity missed. as the air is wrapped up osaka powerfully took full advantage. 0utplaying her idol in straight sets. t full advantage. 0utplaying her idol in straight sets.— in straight sets. i don't know there is any little — in straight sets. i don't know there is any little kids _ in straight sets. i don't know there is any little kids out _ in straight sets. i don't know there is any little kids out here - in straight sets. i don't know there is any little kids out here today - is any little kids out here today but i was a little kid watching her play. just to be on the court playing against her for me, is a dream. b. playing against her for me, is a dream. �* ., playing against her for me, is a dream. �* . ._ ., playing against her for me, is a dream. j . ., . ., , playing against her for me, is a dream.j . ., . ., , ., ., dream. a tame way for williams to go out. the difference _ dream. a tame way for williams to go out. the difference today _ dream. a tame way for williams to go out. the difference today was - out. the difference today was errors. out. the difference today was errors- just — out. the difference today was errors. just a _ out. the difference today was errors. just a bad _ out. the difference today was errors. just a bad day - out. the difference today was errors. just a bad day at - out. the difference today was errors. just a bad day at the l errors. just a bad day at the office. errors. just a bad day at the office- i _ errors. just a bad day at the office. i don't _ errors. just a bad day at the office. i don't know. - errors. just a bad day at the office. i don't know. i'm - errors. just a bad day at the i office. i don't know. i'm done. afterwards _ office. i don't know. i'm done. afterwards as _ office. i don't know. i'm done. afterwards as fans _ office. i don't know. i'm done. afterwards as fans question i office. i don't know. i'm done. i afterwards as fans question what office. i don't know. i'm done. - afterwards as fans question what the future held, williams offered no clues. thanking them on social media and wishing she could have done better. and so her search for that elusive 24th grand slam title goes on to stop no one yet knows how the greatest tennis story of all will end. williams conquerer osaka, will meetjennifer brady in saturday's final. in the men's final novak djokovic will line up against either daniil medvedev or stefanos tsitsipas on sunday. djokovic beat russian qualifier aslan karatsev in straight sets. the russian doubled his career earnings by getting this far in the tournament. djokovic meanwhile will be going for a record extending ninth title. moeen ali and dawid malan were among a group of england players who've been signed up to compete in this year's indian premier league following today's auction. if those players�* teams' reach the latter stages of the tournament it means some could miss england;'s two test matches against new zealand in june. jonny bairstow — who's been retained for sunrisers hyderabad this season — doesn't think the ipl adversely affects the fortunes of england's test side. i don't believe that there are priorities for them. look at our winning record i think we've gone six out of our last seven now. the test matches away from home. you looked at our performances that we've had in the performances we've had in team 20 cricket over the last 12, 24 months and those results don't come by prioritising one over the other. all three, fort matches of the games have been producing results. and the british horse racing authority is introduce saliva testing — to screen jockeys for any banned substances. the results would be immediate — meaning jockeys could be stood down from racing on the day. a pilot is due to begin this spring. no other major sport in britain uses oral swabs to provide on—the—day screening in this manner. there's been a shock in snooker�*s welsh 0pen. judd trump has been knocked out by hossein vafaei in the third round, the iranian winning by 4 frames to two. no problems at all though for ronnie 0'sullivan. he's through to the last sixteen and is yet to drop a frame. martin gould was the latest player to fall foul of 0'sullivan's great form. 0'sullivan is back in action this evening when he plays zhou yuelong. that's all the sport for now. you can find more on all those stories on the bbc sport website. plus all the build up to this evenings europa league matches where five brtish teams are in action. that's bbc. c0. uk/sport the uk's largest teaching union has raised serious concerns about the suggestion that parents could be asked to regularly test their children for covid—19 when they return to school in england. the government has refused to respond to reports that parents could be asked to carry out twice—weekly tests at home but the national education union said the idea was �*fraught with danger�*. our community affairs correspondent adina campbell is with me. where is this suggestion of testing come from? this where is this suggestion of testing come from?— come from? this is all speculation at the moment. _ come from? this is all speculation at the moment. testing _ come from? this is all speculation at the moment. testing seems i come from? this is all speculation at the moment. testing seems to | come from? this is all speculation i at the moment. testing seems to be one of the most talked about areas and one of the topics we need to drill down on before schools hopefully go back to school in england on that expected return date of march the 8th. so the leader of the uk�*s largest teaching union has said that if parents are required to do the testing, this could put undue pressure on parents. because they would have to carry out these swabs themselves. but also if their child does end up testing positive than that could have financial implications. so this is all up in the air. something the government will hopefully give more details about on monday. of course, there are other things to consider as well. things like the phase return into schools was up we saw back in september. logistically, how will this work? and hopefully two and half weeks�* time. because one—way in order to stop children mixing on day one, back at school is by doing more of a staggered return approach. that would mean year groups going back on different days. and that�*s a good way of easing children back into the normality of school. another issue at play is facemasks. that�*s something that is proven to be quite a contentious issue as wealth was up at the moment the world health organization advice is that children over the age of 12 she would wear a facemask. but at the moment, the government advised us that isn�*t necessary. this could be something that could be mentioned on monday. it's that could be mentioned on monday. it�*s also worth pointing out that children are vulnerable, key workers children are vulnerable, key workers children who have been at school as normal since christmas was up at wales and scotland children will be going bad, younger years will be going bad, younger years will be going back on monday. but in northern island of course, they�*ve been told schools there won�*t be reopening until march the 8th at the very earliest. you reopening until march the 8th at the very earliest-— reopening until march the 8th at the ve earliest. ., ., ., very earliest. you mention facemask. before lockdown _ very earliest. you mention facemask. before lockdown wasn't _ very earliest. you mention facemask. before lockdown wasn't the _ very earliest. you mention facemask. before lockdown wasn't the case - very earliest. you mention facemask. before lockdown wasn't the case in i before lockdown wasn�*t the case in some schools older children were wearing facemasks moving between classrooms?— wearing facemasks moving between classrooms? yes. it's at the schools discretion. — classrooms? yes. it's at the schools discretion. to _ classrooms? yes. it's at the schools discretion, to say _ classrooms? yes. it's at the schools discretion, to say whether _ classrooms? yes. it's at the schools discretion, to say whether or - classrooms? yes. it's at the schools discretion, to say whether or not i discretion, to say whether or not they want their pupils to wear a facemask. particularly in those indoor communal areas. canteens, assembly halls, that sort of thing. maybe sports halls as well. but the government advice as it stands at the moment, it�*s not necessary. 0bviously the moment, it�*s not necessary. obviously it�*s eight logistical headaches because you got so many children in a very can stop buying space was up that could change. hopefully borisjohnson will make this very clear on monday along with whether there will be a staggered or phase return to learning. and of course how the testing will work as well. bit course how the testing will work as well. j ., , ., ., ,, well. all to be found out next week. thank ou well. all to be found out next week. thank you very _ well. all to be found out next week. thank you very much. _ the boss of the retailer next has told the bbc that slashing business rates could help to save the high street. lord wolfson believes that they should be reduced by 35%. although businesses are currently enjoying a rates holiday, that is due to end in april. lord wolfson says that unless the government sets rates at a level that is fair, a huge number of shops are going to have to close unnecessarily. lowering rates isn�*t going to save the high street long—term. internet is going to continue winning business from it. at the moment we had a dramatic drop in the value of retail properties because sales have dropped so far. and a lot of companies are on the edge of administration. and for those companies, particularly if they go into liquidation, whether or not they are new owners decide to take them on and keep their shops on or close them will depend on both rents and the rates they are being charged. so over the next year or two having the rate set at a level which is economic and fair is going to make an enormous difference to how many shops stay open in the short term. and it will be a shame for a huge number of shops to shut unnecessarily because rates are too high. let�*s get more on the lockdown restrictions in northern ireland that were due to end on the fifth of march but will now be extended until the first of april. there are to be some relaxations, with small numbers of people allowed to meet outside, and click and collect shopping will start again. let�*s speak to craftshop owner sinead mcmahon. good afternoon to you. how have you found this lockdown, have you been able to continue trading in any way? yes, we have continued to trade. it has been quite difficult. probably this one has been slightly more frustrating. so the simple fact that i�*m also a mum to stop of two kids. and i�*m trying to run a business while also home—schooling to stop it has been very problematic. but we had hoped that we were going to become on the other side with a wee bit positive news for us. unfortunately, we have another month that have to go. tt unfortunately, we have another month that have to go— that have to go. it must feel like a lona that have to go. it must feel like a long haul- — that have to go. it must feel like a long haul- i _ that have to go. it must feel like a long haul. i hear— that have to go. it must feel like a long haul. i hear the _ that have to go. it must feel like a long haul. i hear the pain - that have to go. it must feel like a long haul. i hear the pain in - that have to go. it must feel like a long haul. i hear the pain in your | long haul. i hear the pain in your voice was up the keeping the work going. we�*ve heard it repeatedly this last few months. what sort of trading have you been able to do? we trading have you been able to do? : have been quite lucky in the sense that last march when everything was happening and we got the dreaded news that we had to close down, i didn�*t know how i was actually going to continue on. i have always been running workshops in store. so i was lucky that i started doing craft boxes for kids during the lockdown. we continue those. and that has proven to be quite —— for us. also we use the time in the past year to get our e—commerce working properly. so we invested in getting our website working the way we wanted it to and that has definitely helped us through these months. whenever we didn�*t have football coming into the shop when we were close even if we relied, last time it was a life—saver for us. relied, last time it was a life—saverfor us. and i got us through some tricky situations. so the first minister said today that click and collect can start up again on march the 8th for certain shots. but i fear it�*s probably not you. stop doing shop selling baby equipment, footwear shops, electronics, that�*s not you, is a? no. i can understand the reasons why we had to shut down. and i accept those circumstances. but i really hope that the click and collect that is something for us. i wasn�*t expecting to be opening on the 8th of march but i had hoped that we would�*ve been able to get, start operating again. we had to live to the 18th of march that were given some sort of clay or guidelines when we can start operating. at the moment i�*m doing free deliveries. i�*m doing postal deliveries and that�*s great but for me and delivering all those parcels myself. and it is quite time—consuming. it�*s taking me away from my family for some but i have to do it to keep the business going. some but i have to do it to keep the business going-— business going. that's really interesting. _ business going. that's really interesting. you _ business going. that's really interesting. you are - business going. that's really interesting. you are allowed j business going. that's really i interesting. you are allowed to deliver parcels to peoples private addresses but people are not allowed to come to your shop for click and collect? ,., , ., ., ,, to come to your shop for click and collect? , ., ., ,, , , to come to your shop for click and collect? , ., .,~ , , ., collect? does that make sense to ou? collect? does that make sense to you? know. _ collect? does that make sense to you? know. it— collect? does that make sense to you? know, it doesn't. _ collect? does that make sense to you? know, it doesn't. but- collect? does that make sense to you? know, it doesn't. but at i collect? does that make sense to you? know, it doesn't. but at the you? know, it doesn�*t. but at the same time i understand the reasons why. so there isn�*t note mass collective of people coming in. so i understand the reasons behind it. but last november we had operated on a click and collect basis to stop and i did find that we were able to tell people that your parcel is ready for collection at 330. so the present word message me and i would arrange for them to clack at the door or bring it to the car. we did that here to the guidelines. and i made sure that not only myself but my staff and anybody else that i was in contact with work being protected. but unfortunately, it isn�*t a massive setback. in a way i have been preparing myself not to open. until easter. it is gut wrenching all the same. there is that small strand of business we did think we could be operating through. and so you will hope for better news on march the 18th when it�*s the date of the next review. on march the 18th when it's the date of the next review.— of the next review. yes. we are 'ust hoinr of the next review. yes. we are 'ust hoping that — of the next review. yes. we are 'ust hoping that we �* of the next review. yes. we are 'ust hoping that we do i of the next review. yes. we are 'ust hoping that we do get i of the next review. yes. we are 'ust hoping that we do get the i of the next review. yes. we are just hoping that we do get the thumbs i of the next review. yes. we are just| hoping that we do get the thumbs up to get operating again. it has been quite frustrating trying to run the business and trying to think all of the wwee bits and pieces that you have to do. but i have just maintained that i�*m trying to keep positive, trying to run my business was up every time they put us into lockdown i keep thinking versus my time and how i can develop or see what i can change in it. i have very much took the line of using this in a more positive way. but at the same time it is quite frustrating. it is quite frustrating. you time it is quite frustrating. it is quite frustrating.— time it is quite frustrating. it is quite frustrating. you sound like a tlass half quite frustrating. you sound like a glass half full _ quite frustrating. you sound like a glass half full person. _ quite frustrating. you sound like a glass half full person. we - quite frustrating. you sound like a glass half full person. we wish i quite frustrating. you sound like a | glass half full person. we wish you all the best whenever things get better, we wish you all the best. about a third of people who contracted covid—19 still experience. covid—19 still experience symptoms three months after their diagnosis, according to a study by the office for national statistics. now, a group of mps says key workers and frontline staff who are suffering long—term effects which means they�*re unable to return to work should receive compensation. andy moore reports. oh, no. 38.9. i don�*t know what to do. sophie is a 27—year—old nurse, but the only temperature she�*s taking these days is her own. ten months after first contracting the disease, she is still off work and feels ill every day. imagine running a marathon with no finish line at all, so ijust feel that i�*m running every single day, entirely exhausted, and i have no idea when this will end. iona is a secondary school teacher who is convinced she caught covid in the classroom last march. it�*s believed around one in ten people who get the disease are still suffering months later. that�*s tens of thousands of people. iona used to go running on a regular basis. now, just walking is difficult. it's sort of felt like being slowly erased, because all your plans and all the things you normally do in your life are just being taken away one by one. all my muscles hurt and ache all the time. an all—party group of mps says all front—line workers should be able to access a compensation scheme that would guarantee their livelihoods if they can�*t go back to work. my sincere hope is that just - like with the original compensation scheme that was announced for front line workers who pass away, - the government will now put this into place, - ensure that our front line workers, the nhs workers we went out - and clapped for every thursday, i are able to get that peace of mind that comes with knowing i that their livelihoods aren't going to be lost because they did lthe right thing and saved lives. i that proposal is backed by the doctors�* union, who say some of their members have already been forced to quit theirjobs. we would be looking at something similar to the armed forces compensation payment, which can be a one—off payment or can be a minimum income guarantee. what we don�*t know, of course, about covid — we are only a year into our first cases — is whether long covid and the symptoms that are lasting in one in ten people beyond 12 weeks, will carry on. the government says employers can make full use of the existing sick pay provisions to support staff. it says research is continuing into the understanding of long covid and how affected individuals can best be supported. but for those suffering with the condition, it�*s a nightmare with currently no prospect of an end. the headlines on bbc news. coronavirus infections have dropped by two thirds across england since january. the current lockdown has seen rates fall, but scientists say they still need to be lower. northern ireland�*s current lockdown has been extended to april1 but some primary school pupils will return to classes on march eight. australia�*s prime minister says his country won�*t be intimidated — after facebook blocks the country�*s news feeds in a row over a new law nearly 2 million people haven�*t worked in nearly six months because there for load that�*s according to there for load that�*s according to the think tank resolution foundation. it�*s going for their governments scheme to stay after several months at that lockdown disease. this couldn�*t happen right now. but before the pandemic this video promoted a viable, profitable one—stop wedding business and was a sheriff supplying everything from flower arrangements to disco floors to chair covers. the only thing that�*s made it unviable our governments restrictions to fight covid. and eight staff have been on furlough for much of the past year. as a business we�*ve lost over £300,000. we postponed over 200 weddings. yeah, it�*s mounting up day by day. the government supports ours has been really, really good so far. we manage almost freeze to the point we were six months ago.— we were six months ago. under government _ we were six months ago. under government plans _ we were six months ago. under government plans the - we were six months ago. under| government plans the furloughs we were six months ago. under government plans the furloughs game ends at the end of april. but weddings and other events from rock concerts two conferences are still likely to be subject to restrictions meaning they can�*t make the same money they were used to. tt the money they were used to. if the furlou t h money they were used to. if the furlough does _ money they were used to. if the furlough does end _ money they were used to. if the furlough does end in _ money they were used to. if the furlough does end in april - money they were used to. if the furlough does end in april and i furlough does end in april and weddings are back on and we are able to resume as normal will have to look at restructuring may be possibly redundancy. itrai’ith look at restructuring may be possibly redundancy. with the tandemic possibly redundancy. with the pandemic nearly _ possibly redundancy. with the pandemic nearly a _ possibly redundancy. with the pandemic nearly a year - possibly redundancy. with the pandemic nearly a year old i possibly redundancy. with the i pandemic nearly a year old long possibly redundancy. with the - pandemic nearly a year old long term businesses got worse. as of last month it was 700,000 people who�*d been employed or unemployed for six months was up half a million who have been furloughed for doing that full time in 700,000 who had moved between furlough and unemployment for at least six months. that�*s a total of 1.9 million who been worthless for at least a half year. for a half million people were on furlough injanuary. the resolution foundation report wants the withdrawing support for the once hit sectors is too soon.— sectors is too soon. there are still sectors is too soon. there are still sectors that _ sectors is too soon. there are still sectors that are _ sectors is too soon. there are still sectors that are badly _ sectors is too soon. there are still sectors that are badly hit - sectors is too soon. there are still sectors that are badly hit by - sectors is too soon. there are still sectors that are badly hit by the i sectors that are badly hit by the covid _ sectors that are badly hit by the covid epidemic. they will probably still be _ covid epidemic. they will probably still be largely carrying out their bills is— still be largely carrying out their bills is normally for that we think people _ bills is normally for that we think people who are furloughed in those sectors _ people who are furloughed in those sectors should be getting continued protection. because down the line those _ protection. because down the line those jobs — protection. because down the line those jobs are viable jobs. it's 'ust those jobs are viable jobs. it's just that — those jobs are viable jobs. it's just that they're not available to be done — just that they're not available to be done at the moment.- just that they're not available to be done at the moment. more than a fifth of those — be done at the moment. more than a fifth of those now _ be done at the moment. more than a fifth of those now on _ be done at the moment. more than a fifth of those now on furlough - be done at the moment. more than a fifth of those now on furlough are i fifth of those now on furlough are expected to lose theirjob at the next three module been told they will be made redundant. throughout the pandemic— will be made redundant. throughout the pandemic the _ will be made redundant. throughout the pandemic the government - will be made redundant. throughout the pandemic the government has i will be made redundant. throughout i the pandemic the government has been quite adaptable to theirjob protection package and protected millions ofjobs. will continue to look at that throughout the pandemic. look at that throughout the pandemic-— look at that throughout the pandemic. look at that throughout the tandemic. ., ,., pandemic. the government said it s tent pandemic. the government said it spent £280 _ pandemic. the government said it spent £280 fighting _ pandemic. the government said it spent £280 fighting the _ pandemic. the government said it spent £280 fighting the pandemicj pandemic. the government said it i spent £280 fighting the pandemic and protecting jobs. implants plan to spend billions more on schemes like kick—start and restart to help the unemployed find work. whether the furloughs game comes to a stop in two months will be a big decision for the chancellor in next month�*s budget. nearly 16 million people across the uk have had their first covid vaccination — but there�*s still concern about the uptake in certain communities, including among members of some ethnic minority groups. now actors, comedians and politicians — including meera syal, romesh ranganathan and beverley knight — have taken part in a video which aims to dispel false stories about the jab, and urge people to get innoculated. lizo mzimba reports. namaste. sat sri akaal. assalaamu alaikum. they�*re some of the country�*s best known faces, leading figures across a range of areas. they all have the same message — to urge people from ethnic minorities to take the covid—19 vaccine when it�*s offered. just a bit sharp. more than 15 million vaccinations have been given so far, but it�*s believed that a significant proportion of individuals who are from ethnic minorities are currently unlikely to take it. all done. 0ne cause is people hearing things about the vaccine that actually aren�*t true. itjust feels so heartbreaking to me that people from ethnic minorities are sort of inflicting a degree of separation upon themselves from not trusting in this. i understand all the reasons why, i�*ve heard all the arguments, but i just feel so strongly that we need to make sure that we dispel some of these myths. recent research has shown that many ethnic minority groups were at greater risk of dying from covid compared to people from white british backgrounds, during the second wave of the pandemic. there�*s increasing concern about the reluctance of people from groups who are more at risk to take the vaccine. it's very, very rare for vaccines to have a long term side effect. that�*s what led to this campaign, which is aimed at individuals who are worried about vaccination. the covid—19 vaccines have gone through the same strict - processes and regulations. the new video, which has been produced independently of the government, combines celebrity star power with expert medical knowledge. i�*ve got an 18—year—old son and he would never take a message from me or a doctor but when i told him that i was going to be on tv with romesh, he was so excited about it, and i think that�*s the thing. i think we obviously have a place as doctors, but i think everybody has a place. it�*s a message seen as so important at such a crucial time during the pandemic that the three and a half minute video will be broadcast simultaneously just before 10pm this evening on the commercial broadcasters itv, stv, channel 4, channel five and a number of sky channels. the bbc has also pledged to cover the video on key tv and radio programmes throughout the day. lizo mzimba, bbc news. it�*s a nail biting day for nasa — as it attempts to put a space rover on the surface of mars. a 6 wheeled robot called perseverance is the first nasa mission since the 1970s to search directly for signs of life on the red planet but as our science correspondent rebecca morrelle reports, the vehicle first has to survive the landing. nasa calls it the seven minutes of terror — an approach to mars at 12,000 miles an hour. then, just at the right moment, a parachute opens, dramatically slowing it down before a complex landing system brings the perseverance rover down to the ground. that�*s the plan, but only half of all mars landings have worked. there�*s danger everywhere. right in the middle, there�*s a 60—80 metre tall cliff that cuts right through the middle of the landing site. if you look to the west, there are craters that the rover can�*t get out of — even if we were to land successfully in there. if you look to the east, there are large rocks. you know, landing on mars is not for the faint of heart. the landing site is an area called thejezero crater. it�*s dry and dusty today but billions of years ago it used to be a huge lake, and the main aim of the mission is to look for signs of life there. perseverance, the most advanced rover that nasa�*s ever built, will use its drill to collect samples of rock. the hope is that microscopic creatures may still be preserved in them. mars, certainly in the first billion years of its life, had a very conducive environment for life to be able to start — and potentially even flourish. and so now is absolutely the right time to go and really investigate this. we've got the right capabilities with the fantastic perseverance rover and so hopefully we'll get a conclusive answer. for the first time, nasa will also be testing a mini mars helicopter to provide a new bird�*s eye view of the planet. and back on the ground, the rover will store some of the rocks. a future mission will bring them back to earth. this mission provides our best chance to finally answer whether life existed on mars. first, though, nasa needs to get its rover safely down. there are some nerve—racking hours ahead. rebecca morrelle, bbc news. next it�*s the bbc news at six with sophie raworth. first it�*s time for a look at the weather with louise lear. good evening. early morning rain cleared away, and for many it was a case of sunny spells and scattered showers. and because it�*s mild out there, this time of year that�*s allowing the spring bulbs to bloom. it was a beautiful afternoon in central london. for many as you could see on the satellite picture. a rash of sharp showers piling into the north and west, but we keep those clear skies over the next few hours, and that�*s going to allow those temperatures to fall away particularly in sheltered eastern areas. by contrast, we�*ll see the cloud gathering and rain arrives into the west, some of it quite heavy with strengthening winds as well. so, temperatures will climb as we go through the night. in sheltered eastern areas with clearer skies, we�*ll see low single figures, and that�*s going to be a little bit of a shock to the system in comparison to recent mornings. but it�*s all going to be about the rain and the wind first thing on friday, moving in from the west. in fact, wind gusts could be in excess of 55, 60 mph on exposed coasts. and some of that rain really heavy and persistent, and it will linger for much of the day with the heaviest bursts across west facing slopes and tops of higher ground as well. so, we�*re going to start to see rainfall totals starting to tot up before the day is through. sheltered eastern areas particularly through eastern england will stay largely dry and fine, maybe clouding over a little into the afternoon with temperatures peaking between eight and 11 degrees. so, that�*s friday. moving into the start of the weekend, we�*ve got this nuisance weather front which is basically going to wriggle its way east and west throughout saturday and into sunday, feeding in moisture from time to time and still producing a lot of heavy rain, but still producing that southerly flow and that mild air right across the country. you�*ll notice the difference when you�*re outside over the next few days unless you�*re caught underneath this rain. going to be a bit of a nuisance over the next few days. it will tend to bring heavier rain perhaps into northern ireland and western scotland through saturday. but get some sunshine, you�*ll get some warmth, and favoured spots for that are going to be eastern england and south east england. moving out of saturday into sunday, that weather front is still with us, perhaps not quite as intense as it has been on sunday. 0n the whole, sunday should be a quieter day. and with a ridge of high pressure building into monday, we keep that dry weather for many of us. take care. tonight at six, lockdown is working, say british scientists who�*ve been tracking the pandemic. infection rates have fallen by two thirds in england since the start of the latest lockdown — now a campaign�*s launched to encourage those who are reluctant to have the vaccine. 0ne one of the key issues about vaccine uptake in some communities is trust — is this vaccine safe? we can categorically say that the vaccine is both safe and effective. almost 16.5 half million people have now had theirfirstjab. also tonight: small steps — some primary school children in northern ireland will return on march 8th, but lockdown has been extended to april 1st. facebook unfriends australia — the social networking site blocks access to news media in australia in a row over paying for content.