Hello and welcome to bbc news. The number of covid 19 deaths in the United States has passed half a million. Its the first country to do so. The bells on the National Cathedral in washington tolled 500 times to honour the victims. Bells toll. 500,000 lives are more than were lost by the us in both world wars and the vietnam war combined. The pandemic is still claiming 2000 americans every day, and there has been widespread economic hardship. President biden has ordered flags on federal buildings to be flown at half mast for five days as a mark of respect to those who have lost their lives. Just before he and the Vice President led a moments silence, he had these words for americans. As we all remember, i also ask us to act. To remain vigilant. To stay socially distant, to mask up, get vaccinated when its your turn. We must end the politics and misinformation that divided families, communities in the country. Its costing too many lives already. Its not democrats and republicans who are dying from the virus, its our fellow americans, our neighbours, our friends, our mothers, our fathers, our sons and daughters, husbands and wives. We have to fight this together as one people, as the United States of america. 0ur correspondent, larry madowo, is in washington. Very different approach from donald trump and it struck me of that speech he made to heal, we must remember. Absolutely, tim. He called we must remember. Absolutely, tim. He called the we must remember. Absolutely, tim. He called the last we must remember. Absolutely, tim. He called the last 500,000 lives heartbreaking, and said it amounted to more than the american death toll from the first, second and vietnam wars combined. In talked with this empathy which he is displayed to those who have lost loved ones in the coronavirus pandemic, so consistently about the empty chair that so many families here have had to contend with because of the loss of loved ones, many of whom he said had died alone. Such have been the averages of the coronavirus pandemic. He has talked about having everyone here vaccinated by the end ofjuly, tim. That is a very tall order, of course, and hes also talked about 100 million jabs hes also talked about 100 millionjabs in the hes also talked about 100 million jabs in the first, by the end of the first 100 days in office. But there is a shortage of vaccine, and there have been problems, of course, in recent days in distributing it because of the bad weather. So, its a very tall order and its the sort of thing on which he will bejudged. He basically ran for office claiming that there would be competency returned to the white house, particularly as far as this pandemic is concerned. I think its a 1396 pandemic is concerned. I think its a 1396 of pandemic is concerned. I think its a 1396 of americans pandemic is concerned. I think its a 1396 of americans who i its a 13 of americans who have so far had their first dose of a jab at the moment. I just wondered whether thered been some sort of healing between both political divides in the country about the vaccine at being at the right way to go now after the divisiveness that weve seen from joe biden� s predisaster. Its interesting. We know more about that and where the two parties are at as far as coming together. Laterthis parties are at as far as coming together. Later this week, the House Of Representatives is due to vote on that massive Relief Package put forward byjoe biden, 2 trillion which includes more money from vaccines and schools to reopen on time going into the winter period. Also money for those whove been thrown out of work here because of pandemic. Joe biden very conscious of the fact that the Economic Impact has been catastrophic, really. Quite apart from the health impact, and hes very keen to do something about that. He said hes open to compromise as far as the figures are concerned, but well know more about what sort of bipartisan level of support those proposals are to receive later this week. Proposals are to receive later this week proposals are to receive later this week. David, thanks very much. David this week. David, thanks very much. David willis. The first analysis in the uk of how effective the coronavirus vaccines are in reality as opposed to in trials shows that a single jab of the Pfizer Vaccine cuts the chance of Hospital Admission, of Hospital Admission and death by more than 75 among the over 80s. That study was by Public Health england. A separate study in scotland looking at both the pfizer and 0xford astrazeneca vaccines showed similarly positive results, as our medical editor fergus walsh explains. Put your faith in this a few millilitres of vaccine. One in three adults here already has, and that trust is being repaid. The first real world data from the uk shows the vaccines offer strong protection for the elderly, as well as younger adults. And thats you done, youve had your first vaccine. Right, thank you. We went from having no vaccine for Human Coronavirus Disease at all ever to having very effective vaccines in a period of a year. That has never been done before for any other disease. Those vaccines, as we now know from the real world data coming out in the uk and also from israel, are very effective in practice. Early results from england suggest that after three weeks, one dose of Pfizer Vaccine reduced the risk of hospitalisation and death by at least 75 among the over 80s. A separate study in scotland, looking at the first dose of either the pfizer or astrazeneca vaccines, was similarly impressive. It found four weeks post immunisation, the risk of hospitalisation among the over 80s was cut by a combined figure of 81 . A separate study of Hospital Workers in england found that a single dose of the pfizerjab cut the risk of being infected with coronavirus by more than 70 , rising to 85 after the second shot. This shows vaccines may also reduce transmission, as you cannot spread the virus if youre not infected. The vaccines being rolled out now will give a good level of protection, particularly against severe disease. We think thats in the 75 to 85 ballpark in the short term. And as we get second doses and then new vaccines, that protection will only increase. The evidence on Vaccine Effectiveness is quite simply stunning. What matters most is keeping people out of hospital, and both the pfizer and astrazeneca vaccines offer strong protection. Itll be even better after two shots. So, its vital that if people are offered the jab, they turn up for both appointments. Hello, take a seat. Take up of the vaccine has been lower among black, asian and minority ethnic communities, and a drive is underway to encourage adults of all backgrounds to come forward. France, like several other european countries, does not currently recommend the Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine for the over 65s, citing lack of evidence of effectiveness. The data today clearly shows, for the first time, that the jab does provide strong protection for adults of all ages. Fergus walsh, bbc news. Borisjohnson has unveiled his so called � roadmap for the gradual lifting of the lockdown in england, a process that starts on march the 8th. Wales, scotland and Northern Ireland have their own separate arrangements. In england, if all conditions are met, the restrictions will all disappear by the 21st ofjune. The british Prime Minister said there could be no such thing as a covid free future, but the end of the restrictions was finally in sight. More from our Political Editor laura kuenssberg. Instructions from downing street have, for months, made life a vague reflection of what it used to be. Going out replaced with staying in, high streets closed, classrooms, for millions, Makeshift Ones at home. But the Kitchen Table will soon stop being the school desk, too. Six year old aidan and his mum and dad wont have to juggle theirjobs with times tables and he can wear his new uniform at last. Lovely new trousers, which you have not had the opportunity to wear. It will be really good for him to go back. What do you reckon . I actually wanted to be a teacher. I thank god i didnt pick that profession, because i dont think i would be any good at it. Getting children Back To School was the Prime Ministers priority, but a fast return to freedom is not. With every day that goes by, this programme of vaccination is creating a shield around the entire population. Which means we are now travelling on a one way road to freedom. Whenever we ease the lockdown, whether it is today or in six or nine months, we have got to be realistic and accept there will be more infections, more hospitalisations and therefore, sadly debts, just as there are every year with flu. And thanks to the vaccinations, that there is light ahead. Leading us to a spring and summer, which i think will be seasons of hope and from which, we will not go back. There will be some rules in place for another four months, when do you really hope to be able to say to the public, it is over . Laura, this isnt the end today, but it is a road map that takes us to the end and takes us on a one wayjourney. We will be guided by the data and by the progress that we make, and thats why it is important also to be cautious. There had been muted support of when, after weeks, he presented the plan to mps. We have to tread very carefully. So, i am glad the Prime Minister spoke today of caution and this being irreversible, assessing the data and following the evidence. Those are the right, Guiding Principles and its a welcome change. But some concerns want to know if the most vulnerable have been vaccinated, why not go faster . For what reason when they have been vaccinated and protected i from covid by the end of april at the latest, is there any need for restrictions to continue . We believe the protection is very substantial, but there will be a large minority he will not have sufficient protection. In six weeks, it will be easier to meet friends and family outdoors, accompanied by plants or food served from the middle of april, shops will open their doors, too. Pints or food. But rules of one kind or another will be with us until at leastjune. Theres nothing hard and fast about going back to the office, abroad or travelling between the four corners of the country. Clearly we will make our own judgments about the particular order and the particular timing of that, because the data is not identical in each of the four nations. Todays plans are the beginning and many businesses worried they will not make it until the end. The Famous Hippodrome Casino has been forced to close for 200 days out of the last year. The boss has made 250 people redundant to try to hang on, but wont be able to open for at least another two months. 0ur Balance Sheet is in tatters with a lot of debt and weve spent a lot of time with our staff trying to help them with the emotional challenges of not knowing when they can go back to work, or knowing if there is work to go back to. All the stuff thats been done In The Name Of Covid has a consequence and a cost. Its Business Owners like us that are suffering. For several months, the many costs of coronavirus continue to mount, but the world will start soon to look more like the one we knew. Laura kuenssberg, bbc news, westminster. A study of the coronavirus outbreak in nigeria suggests that Infection Rates are vastly higher than officialfigures. Researchers say as many as four Million People could have been infected in the city of lagos, where the Official Total is currently 54,000. More than 1800 people have died in the country from covid nineteen. Meanwhile in portugal, the devastating third wave of coronavirus is subsiding and the country now has one of europes lowest transmission rates. The government is aiming to have 70 of its population vaccinated by some point over summer. Just weeks ago, it was one of the worlds worst hit countries and fellow eu members were Despatching Emergency medical teams to help portuguese doctors. Stay with us on bbc news, still to come. Protestors take to the streets in unprecedented across myanmar, despite threats from the military that they could pay with their lives. Prince charles has chosen his bride. The prince proposed to Lady Diana Spencer three weeks ago. She accepted, she says, without hesitation. As revolutions go, this had its fair share of bullets. A climax in the night outside the gates of marcos� sanctuary, the name itself symbolising one of the cruelest regimes of modern asia. The worlds first clone has been produced of an adult mammal. Scientists in scotland have produced a sheep called dolly using a cell from another sheep. Warren beatty and faye dunaway announced to the world that the winter of best film was la la land. L the only trouble was it wasnt. The mistake was only put right in the middle of gushing speeches by the team behind the modern musical. Not for 20 years have locusts been seen in such numbers in this part of africa. Some of the swarms have been ten miles long. This is the last time the public will see this pope. Very soon, for the sake of the credibility and authority of the next pope, benedict xvi will, and his own words, be hidden from the world for the rest of his life. This is bbc news. The latest headlines. President biden holds a candle lit ceremony at the white house to honour the half a million american lives lost to covid 19. New data shows a single dose of Pfizers Covid jab cuts deaths and serious illness in the uk by more than 75 among over 80s. Nasa has released remarkable images of its space Rover Landing on mars. It shows the final minutes of last weeks tense descent, with clouds of dust and grit being blown around, as the vehicle is lowered to the floor of the crater. The rover, called perseverance, was sent to an ancient crater lake to search for signs of past life. Our global science correspondent Rebecca Morelle has the story. The parachute has deployed. From the release of a supersonic parachute, to the shedding of a heat shield. First look at the surface. An out of this world view mars as never seen before. As the rover nears the surface, the dust is kicked up, then a change of camera as perseverance is lowered on ropes before touchdown. Touchdown confirmed. Perseverance safely on the surface of mars . And the Landing System is jettisoned away. We cant test it on the earth, so this is the first time weve had a chance as engineers to actually see what we designed and ijust cant. Its hard for me to express just how emotional it was and how exciting it was. There are new still images, too a selfie of the rover. And a vista of the alien world it now sits in, providing a glimpse of the terrain its about to explore. Now has radar locked on the ground. This footage is already providing crucial information to scientists and theyll continue to study it as perseverance gets to work. Its just a taste of whats to come. Rebecca morelle, bbc news. Donald trump has been ordered by the Us Supreme Court to hand over his tax returns and other financial records to prosecutors in new york. The former us president has been refusing to release the documents for several years, despite a precedent that president ial candidates should do so. With me is our news reporter, paul hawkins. Hes been fighting for a long time not to release these. Its a blow, but will it be made public . A blow, but will it be made ublic . ,. ,. , public . Not at the moment, because it public . Not at the moment, because it will public . Not at the moment, because it will be public . Not at the moment, because it will be released l public . Not at the moment, l because it will be released to a grand jury investigation, which will look into these and decide whether charges should be made. Theyll do that in secret. At the moment, they will be made public. We have the New York Times investigation last year which revealed some details of his tax affairs, but as you say, donald trump for years has been saying wait until my tax records have been audited and then you can see thats been then you can see thats been the response to every year when hes been asked byjournalists. But now, americas top court has said those records must be released to new york state prosecutors. In response, hes called it a fishy expedition, a witch hunt, which is essentially repeating what he said in the past when hes been asked about requests to see his task records. I paid my task. And youll task records. I paid my task. And youll see task records. I paid my task. And youll see that. Task records. I paid my task. And youll see that. Its task records. I paid my task. L and youll see that. Its under audit and youll see that. Its under audit and and youll see that. Its under audit and theyve been under audit audit and theyve been under audit for audit and theyve been under audit for a long time. The irs does audit for a long time. The irs does not audit for a long time. The irs does not treat me well. This is a continuation of the most disgusting witchhunt in the history disgusting witchhunt in the history of our country. Im always history of our country. Im always under audit, it seems, but ive always under audit, it seems, but ive been under audit for many but ive been under audit for many years. I have a responsibility to pay no more tax than responsibility to pay no more tax than is legally required, like tax than is legally required, like anybody else. What exactly are they looking for . ,. ,. , for . Initially, this was an investigation for . Initially, this was an investigation into for . Initially, this was an investigation into allegations of hush money for two woman who had a sexual relationship with donald trump. The scope is now whiter and theyre looking at allegations of fraud within Donald Trumps campaign, so theres quite a wide remit that theres quite a wide remit that the prosecutors have to look into. It can take up to years to make this decision, but according to us media, these records will be made available to them. Electronically over the next couple days. Thank you very much lets get some of the days other news. Italys ambassador in the Democratic Republic Of Congo has been killed in an attack in the east of the country. Luca attanasio died along with an Italian Military policeman and one other person who were travelling with him near the eastern city of goma. They were part of a un convoy when they were attacked and shot. They were transported to hospital but confirmed dead. President joe biden� s nominee to lead Thejustice Department has said that fighting domestic extremism would be his � first priority� if confirmed as attorney general. Judge Merrick Garland said that far right extremism today was worse than when he investigated the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing that left 168 dead. Mr garland also pledged to keep the Department Free of politics. The wife Ofjailed Mexican drug lord Joaquin El Chapo guzman has been arrested at Dulles International airport. Emma coronel aispuro, who is 31, is expected to appear in a federal court in washington. She� s been charged with drug trafficking. Eu diplomats say the bloc has agreed to impose sanctions against myanmar, which could involve targeting businesses owned by the army. Demonstrators have turned out in greater numbers than ever before in protest against the Military Coup of three weeks ago. And they do so in defiance of a clear threat issued on the state run tv channel, which declared that protestors will suffer the loss of life if they continued in what an Army Statement called the path of confrontation. From neighbouring thailand, Jonathan Head reports. There is no party or institution behind this movement, no central leadership either. Just hundreds of thousands of people organised through communities and professions into a remarkably coordinated show of opposition. The Military Government is trying to present these protests as the work of a few agitators hoodwinking young people intojoining. Today� s General Strike set out to prove that wrong. The crowds were big in yangon and in the capital naypyidaw, where they faced a formidable wall of Police Moving down the capital� s famously oversized highways. But these rallies were replicated in every corner of myanmar. In the northern state. To lashio. And the ancient temples of bagan. This was taunggyi. In the south, the streets of dawei packed with people and colour. In most places, the shops and markets were closed. Myanmar� s Economic Life is being badly disrupted, a price many people say they� re willing to pay. Translation today is a day for countrywide protests. We don� t want to stay under the control of a military dictatorship, so we came here to join the protest, regardless of the salaries we make. Nothing will happen to me if my salary is cut, but if we stay under the control of a military dictatorship, we will become their slaves. Three weeks after the coup, public anger is still burning bright in myanmar. The generals who seized power have little popular support, threadbare legitimacy, and their authority is being challenged every day on the streets. All they have is their guns. At some point, they� ll have to decide how far they� re prepared to use them against so many of their own people. Jonathan head, bbc news, bangkok. You� re watching bbc news. Just before we go, lots of pictures of freezing landscapes and cityscapes in the United States, especially the southern states, in dallas and elsewhere. Look at what the freezing temperatures have done to niagara falls. Pretty spectacular. Mounds of snow and ice forming all along the blanks. The banks. People visiting the new york side caught a glimpse of a rainbow while taking pictures. Looks like parts of the waterfall have frozen completely. The water doesn� t actually ever stop running beneath the surface, even though it looks as if those spouts of water have just stopped. At a closer look, you can see it� s still castigating through. From me and the team, bye bye. Hello there. Northern and western parts of the uk saw some of the best of the sunshine on monday. Have a look at this picture from one of our weather watchers in cumbria. Beautiful blue skies overhead. But i think on tuesday, it� s going to look very different because this slice of sunshine is being replaced by a bank of cloud pushing in from the west. And that cloud is going to bring a lot of rain across parts of Northern Ireland, wales, northwest england, some rain maybe into the Far Southwest of england. But the wettest weather of all is likely to be found across scotland, where there is a met 0ffice Amber Warning in force across parts of the Southern Uplands and the southern grampians. We could well see up to 120 mm of rain in the very wettest places falling on already sodden ground, so the very real risk of flooding and disruption. It� s going to be a windy day wherever you are, but particularly gusty for western areas. Gusts of 60, maybe 70 mph for exposed parts of Northern Ireland and scotland. Very mild, ten to 1a degrees, maybe up to 15 towards the southeast where we should stay dry with a little bit of sunshine. Through tuesday night and into wednesday, our stripe of cloud and rain just keeps on coming, moving very slowly southeastwards. It is going to be a very, very mild night indeed. Those are the minimum temperatures. Cardiff and plymouth may be no lower than 12 degrees. We head on into wednesday, the winds a little bit lighter, still fairly blustery out there, and ourFrontal System will still be bringing rain across non western areas. But to the southeast of that weather front, we will be tapping into some very mild air indeed. Given any lengthy spells of sunshine, temperatures will shoot up to around 16 or 17 degrees across parts of east anglia and the southeast. A band of cloud and rain still affecting the southwest into wales, northern england, parts of southern scotland, sunshine and showers to the northwest of that. But as i mentioned, the temperatures, 17 degrees possible in london, but it is another mild day wherever you are. As we move out of wednesday into thursday, this Frontal System will clear eastwards and High Pressure will start to build in from the south. We may see Weather Fronts just grazing the far northwest, bringing a little bit of rain, but for most of us, it� s going to be dry to end the week. There� ll be some spells of sunshine, still fairly mild by day but rather chilly at night. This is bbc news, the headlines. President biden has held a candle lit ceremony at the white house to honour the half a million american lives lost to covid 19. The pandemic is still claiming two thousand americans every day. Flags on federal buildings are to be flown at half mast as a mark of respect. Protestors have ta ken to the streets in unprecedented numbers across myanmar, against the Military Coup. The military rulers have warned that they will not allow the country to descend into chaos and anarchy. Eu diplomats say they� ll impose sanctions against myanmar, which could involve targeting businesses owned by the army. Nasa has released remarkable images of its Space Rover Perseverence landing on mars. It shows the final minutes of last week� s tense descent with clouds of dust and grit being blown around, now on bbc news, hardtalk