The sound of a Covid Cough Scientists come up with a new technique to detect if someone has the virus. The belarus journalist arrest. More flight disruptions, as the standoff with the west continues. The leaders of Russia And Belarus are to meet later. 400,000 people flee their homes, as fears grow of a further volcanic eruption in the democratic republic of congo. Barack 0bama praises the anti Poverty Campaigning of England Footballer Marcus rashford. Hello and welcome, if you re watching in the uk or Around The World. The Uk Government is keeping a close eye on the rise in coronavirus cases driven by the indian variant. Eye on the rise in coronavirus cases according to data from public Health England, there are now almost 7,000 cases in the uk. Thats doubled in a week. And up to three quarters of new covid cases could be linked to the new variant. Hospital admissions with covid are also rising in some places, albeit from a very low level. There are concerns the increase in infections could delay plans to lift all restrictions in england On June 21st. 0ur Correspondent James Reynolds has the latest. In bolton, the race between the vaccine and the variant is fought at the pace of an average british queue. In recent weeks, up to several thousand people a day have waited patiently for their turn to be jabbed. In this town, the indian variant is hitting those who havent been vaccinated. The number of cases of the indian variant in england has more than doubled since last week, rising to almost 7,000. According to the Health Secretary, up to three quarters of new Uk Covid cases could be linked to the variant. The worst affected areas in england continue to be bolton, Bedford And Blackburn with darwen. Seven other areas in england each have more than 100 confirmed cases of the variant. The critical thing to watch is the link from the number of cases to how many people end up in hospital. The increase in cases remains focused in hotspots, and were doing all we can to tackle this variant wherever it flares up. The Prime Minister said we may need to wait for the lifting of all covid restrictions, but he added that there was nothing currently in the data from england to suggest that the easing couldnt go ahead as planned. The next two weeks, then, may be crucial. A decision is expected in mid june. James reynolds, Bbc News. Pressure continues on englands Health Secreatry, Matt Hancock, over the deaths of Care Home residents in the pandemic. It comes after the Prime Ministers former adviser, Dominic Cummings, Accused Him of lying in late March 2020 about Care Home residents being tested for covid before leaving hospital. Mr hancock says the allegations are unsubstantiated and untrue. He says ministers worked as hard as they could to place a Protective Shield around Care Homes. Nadra ahmed is the head of the national Care Association and disputes that. She was on Question Time Last Night. Absolutely not. Its absolute rubbish. There was no shield around. I think that was an utterance that came about in a form of embarrassment, perhaps, because nothing had been done for social care. Well, its an utterance that hes repeated a number of times, nadra. I mean, do you think. Do you think. A number of people have said this, but im just wondering, do you think he should resign, then . Well, i dont think its a resigning matter, and its not for me to decide. I think its about ensuring that we talk about the issues, rather than think about uttering things that are untrue. That is not true. There was no Protective Shield. We know that. We were working the floor. If there had been a Protective Shield, there would have been a plan to support the most vulnerable people, the people that we look after. 0ur Political Correspondent Ben Wright updated us on the situation. The Engine Variant as we call it is clearly surging in parts of england, but what is interesting is Hospital Admissions remain pretty flat the indian variant. That has not been a spike. And that is the link ministers and officials are really looking closely at at The Moment. The data is coming in all the time and they are not in a position yet to decide whether or not the final step On The Road map, the lifting of all social distancing restrictions and everything else, can happen or not onjune the 21st. Borisjohnson said yesterday we had to wait a bit longer to see what the data are saying. So i think there is a sense of caution around, understandably. This morning, but Business Secretary Kwasi kwarteng also said it was too early to say what would happen. Weve been very clear that well be looking at the scientific data before we rush to any conclusions. And weve said that, as far as i can see, Theres Nothing in the data that will delay the date, but weve said were always reviewing the data and well come to a final conclusion on whether to reopen on the 215t Ofjune, Onjune The 14th. And where are we with questions about Matt Hancock as Health Secretary, whether he pledged to the Prime Minister that everybody being discharged from hospital to Care Homes would be tested first and whether thats true or not . Well, that is a key whether thats true or not . Well, that is a key question whether thats true or not . Well, that is a key question that whether thats true or not . 11 that is a key question that remains hanging over Matt Hancock today, there are some pretty gruesome front pages that he will wake up to. He should abroad enable yesterday in the House Of Commons saying that they were these were substantiated claims by Dominic Cummings and he was honest in all his dealings, but he had a really tricky Press Conference where he was pressed on this question of Dominic Cummings claiming that Matt Hancock had really misled the prime Minister Backin had really misled the Prime Minister back in march when he claimed that people going into Care Homes from hospitals would be tested. Yesterday at his Press Conference, he said that, my recollection of events is i committed to delivering that testing when we could do it, then i went away and tried to build that testing capacity. So it wasnt the strongest rebuttal and i think there is now a lot of focus on precisely what he was saying then and what the broader policy was. We know that something went really terribly wrong in Care Homes at the start of this pandemic for several reasons and the question about the extent of transmission of people who had confirmed cases of Covid Covid cases from hospitals into Care Homes was part of that and i think there is clearly pressure on Matt Hancock and others in government to explain what happened. The government say this will all be answered and explained in the fullness of time when there is a fullness of time when there is a full Public Inquiry, they insist this is not The Moment to delve into these questions, whereas think Dominic Cummings has raised them now. And until there are fuller explanations, these questions will continue. Surgeons are calling for specialist hubs to be set up in england, to help tackle what they call the Colossal Backlog of non urgent operations that have been postponed because of the pandemic. In march, around Five Million patients were waiting for surgery thats the highest number since records began. The government says its working to accelerate the recovery of Services. 0ur Health Correspondent, Laura Foster, reports. When the pandemic began, Hospital Trusts had to cancel non urgent surgeries such as Hip And Knee replacements, so there were enough staff and resources to look after patients with Covid 19. But since then, Waiting Times and lists have only grown. 1a months on from the first lockdown, latest figures show almost Five Million people are on the waiting list. More than 400,000 of them have been waiting for more than a year. Well, these are the worst waiting time figures ever recorded, and we all understand that stuff had to be put on hold whilst there was the pandemic, but now the pandemic is beginning to recede, we need a serious approach to getting into this backlog. The college says the answer is to spend £1 billion over the next five years, and to carry out operations not at local hospitals, but at dedicated hubs. That way, these hubs would still function even if there was another wave of covid or, indeed, another pandemic. The college argues people are willing to travel further if it means surgeries happen sooner. Laura foster, Bbc News. There is a risk of an escalation after moscow forced an austrian plane to cancel a flight to the Russian Capital On thursday. Thats the warning of European Unions foreign Policy Chiefjosep Borrell this morning. The flight has now taken off, and belarus president himself Alexander Lukashenko is also flying to russia to meet russias leader Vladimir Putin later today. The delayed austrian flight happened after russia rejected a new Flight Path designed to follow Eu Guidance to avoid belarusian airspace, after a Ryanair Flight carrying an exiled belarusian journalist was diverted to minsk. He has now been detained. Mark lobel reports. Every day since roman protasevichs arrest in minsk is agony for his parents theyre pleading for anyone to help free their hero. Translation i want you to hear my cry, the cry of my soul, so you can understand how difficult it is for us right now. Then, a message for her son. Stay strong, son, stay strong. We will love you and we will get you out. Translation we have no idea where our son is. We still cant confirm his location. President lukashenko boasts hes captured a terrorist. Roman� s parents say their son was just speaking the truth. He helped broadcast protests like these, following a disputed election, using a dissident belarusian Media Network on the social media platform telegram. The Media Networks poland based Co Founder believes the stakes for the opposition could not be higher. Translation repressions continue in belarus. Last week, a political prisoner died in prison. Yesterday, we found out that another person who was politically persecuted died. After belarusian security boarded roman� s diverted flight to capture him, eu and Uk Leaders closed off airspace in retaliation, but there are fears those Flight Bans could hamper dissidents wishing to flee belarus. We demand the Land Borders of belarus to be opened for the free movement for belarusian citizens, since the regime cannot be allowed to turn the country into prison for Nine Million people. The eu says personal sanctions on senior belarusians are almost ready, alongside further economic ones. In retaliation, belarus warns europe to expect a wave of drugs and migrants crossing into their borders. As things escalate, all eyes are on what emerges from an imminent meeting between president s Putin And Lukashenko in russia. Mark lobel, Bbc News. 0ur Moscow Correspondent Steve Rosenberg explained how the papers are covering the belarusian president s visit. It is dominating the russian papers this morning. Let me show you some front pages. We can see Putin And Lukashenko here in a buggy. And the headline is, rush is expecting a very expensive guest. Why expensive . Well, the paper says that lukashenko doesnt conceal the fact that he is coming to discuss economic issues, to put it simply, the paper says, he is going to ask for money because western sanctions against belarus are a good reason to ask for new loans and financial advantages. And according to the paper, the conversation in such heat will go something like this. Lukashenko will ask putin to compensate belarus for all its losses because, according to lukashenko, the Steam Roller of western sanctions against belarus is partly the result of its alliance with russia and the brotherly ties between the two peoples so moscow has to pay for it. And the paper predicts that russia will pay and give money to mr lukashenko. This, we can see lukashenko speaking in Parliament Yesterday and the dramatic headline, he lies and he believes his lies. But again, an economist speaking to the paper suggests that moscow will continue to support kathrin Alexander Lukashenko. The economist says that russia is like a fire peter, a sword swallowing, it Swallows Everything that lukashenko throws at it, every sword, every grenade a firefighter. But a different view from this newspaper, which suggests, gives the impression at least, that the kremlin is getting fed up of kathrin Alexander Lukashenko. The paper says that russia wants a political transition in belarus, it wants to strengthen its influence there, but it wants a less toxic leader in belarus, someone it can do deals with, and it suggests ways in which moscow might try to force the exit of kathrin Alexander Lukashenko. Now, the most interesting question is, will it succeed in doing so if that is the plan . Because up till now, kathrin Alexander Lukashenko has been masterful in playing on the kremlin� s fears and phobias of the west, same to the kremlin, i know that you i depend on you, but you depend on me too, i am your defence, Nato And America are out to get me and then they will get you, vladimir, and up till now, the kremlin has believed that, but will it continue to believe that, we have to see. Here, Downing Street has criticised comments made by hungarian prime Minister Viktor 0rban, as Boris Johnson prepares to meet him today. Mr 0rban spoke about muslim invaders and described migrants as A Poison, prompting number 10 to call out the comments as Divisive And Wrong ahead of his arrival. The british government says it Condemns the remarks, but insists that cooperation with hungary is vital for Britains Properity and security. Mr 0rban will be only the second European Union leader to hold talks with borisjohnson since brexit. We can now speak to marton gergely, editor of hvg the biggest independent economic and political weekly magazine in hungary. Thank you for talking to us, why is Mr 0rban meeting with borisjohnson . Good morning, well, 0rban enjoys the limelight and number 10 Downing Street is the perfect setting for his own importance. However, on a foreign trip, the message to the voters in hungary is the most important for Mr 0rban and he can point to the fact that in britain, a strong and proud nation is actually better off outside the European Union. I am better off outside the European Union. Iam pretty better off outside the European Union. I am pretty sure hes going to speak about the british roll out, which he thinks was much faster because i did britain has left the European Union, unlucky little hungary has 0rban, who has both chinese and russian vaccines to achieve a miracle and lucky. And despite of the handling of the Vaccine Rollout by brussels, achieving a high Vaccination Rate in hungary. So he is actually pushing an anti european sentiment, i think, in london. And quite honestly, he likes the wayjohnson is doing his politics, so he admires the british Prime Minister. find politics, so he admires the british Prime Minister. Politics, so he admires the british Prime Minister. And you know it is not true that Prime Minister. And you know it is not true that our Prime Minister. And you know it is not true that our vaccine Prime Minister. And you know it is i not true that our Vaccine Programme has been so successful, because people voted to leave the eu back in 2016 and we were still in a transition period. {iii 2016 and we were still in a transition period. Of course not. But Ou Transition period. Of course not. But you have transition period. Of course not. But you have to transition period. Of course not. But you have to know transition period. Of course not. But you have to know that transition period. Of course not. I but you have to know that hungary has a limited Information Bubble because of a very strong hungarian propaganda which never ever mentions those things which 0rban doesnt like like, the media to be echoed. Will he be bothered by the fact Downing Street criticised his comments about muslim invaders, describing migrants as A Poison is divisive and drunk, or not . I dont think he really divisive and drunk, or not . I dont think he really bothers divisive and drunk, or not . I dont think he really bothers because i divisive and drunk, or not . I dont| think he really bothers because his media is not covering that Divisive And Wrong. 0n the other hand, he is proud to be anti migration, so he would be frank about it and he would say that johnson is obliged to say such things because Western Europe has mishandled migration, but Eastern Europe is still a Safe Haven and he can say whatever he wants. So europe is still a Safe Haven and he can say whatever he wants. 50 i can say whatever he wants. So i dont think can say whatever he wants. So i dont think it can say whatever he wants. So i dont think it bothers. And from the uks point of view, it makes sense for borisjohnson to meet and established and establish relations with people like Viktor 0rban in the eu to protect our security or maintain our security, particularly with what we have seen with belarus over the last week. Belarus is another issue where 0rban doesnt really want to speak out the truth, he wont do that unprompted. The hijack is indefensible and he knows that and he doesnt like to play out his cards. But actually, his Foreign Policy is entirely economical orientated so he is keen on any financial ties he can get with any other nation and he echoes the chinese, look at the words that we keep out of your domestic politics and we leave you alone. So he doesnt really like the thing is developing right now in belarus because it brings him into a more problematic way where he has to Condemn something he doesnt really want to Condemn. What Condemn something he doesnt really want to Condemn. Want to Condemn. What do you think is in it for the want to Condemn. What do you think is in it for the uk want to Condemn. What do you think is in it for the uk to want to Condemn. What do you think is in it for the uk to have want to Condemn. What do you think is in it for the uk to have good is in it for the uk to have good relations with Viktor 0rban . I is in it for the uk to have good relations with Viktor Orban . I dont know. Relations with Viktor Orban . I dont know You Relations with Viktor Orban . I dont know. You dont relations with Viktor Orban . I dont know. You dont know . Relations with Viktor Orban . I dont know. You dont know . That relations with Viktor Orban . I dont know. You dont know . That is know. You dont know . That is interesting. Know. You dont know . That is interesting, sorry know. You dont know . That is interesting, sorry to know. You dont know . That is interesting, sorry to interrupt. | know. You dont know . That is| interesting, sorry to interrupt. I mean, we are nato partners, that is for sure. Mean, we are nato partners, that is forsure. 0rban mean, we are nato partners, that is for sure. 0rban is devoted to nato, not to the eu. But this is again something written might be Interested In, 0rban was very generous to the united kingdom over the brexit talks. He even threatened some vetoes within the European Union to help borisjohnson. So if britain is now, in the eyes of mr johnson, Interested In a more economic focused European Union with Viktor 0rban, he has the best guest today. Viktor orban, he has the best guest toda. ,. , ~ ,. , today. Very interesting, thank you ve much today. Very interesting, thank you very much for today. Very interesting, thank you very much for talking today. Very interesting, thank you very much for talking to today. Very interesting, thank you very much for talking to us, today. Very interesting, thank you very much for talking to us, we. Very much for talking to us, we appreciate it. Very much for talking to us, we appreciate it jailed Hong Kong Media Tycoon and Beijing Critichmmy Lai has just been sentenced to 1a months in prison for his role in what the chinese government call An Unauthorised Assembly during one of the citys pro democracy rallies in october 2019. Lai is already serving a separate 1a Month Jail sentence for participating in demonstrations in august 2019. Earlier this month, lai along with nine others pleaded guilty. 0ur hong Kong Correspondent Martin yip explained the ruling. Todays court has given in real term an additional six months tojimmy lai, for this unauthorised Assembly Case which took place, as you said, on the ist of october 2019. That was the day when beijing was marking its 70th Anniversary, the 70th Anniversary of the Peoples Republic by the communist party. But at the same time, in Hong Kong, there was this protest, which was trying to oppose a proposal to rewrite Hong Kongs extradition laws. And that erupted into further clashes with the police between protesters all the way into the night. The iconic Tram Track in Hong Kong was set on fire. All those things happened in the day. So ten defendants in total, and probably even Judge Woodcock herself, Amanda Woodcock the judge, has somehow got herself confused. I she just recalled the court to readjust a sentence for one of the defendants. She says they got the maths wrong and she is quite a Veteran Legislator in Hong Kong. She was given 14 months injail, she is already serving an eight Month Sentence for another Case And Judge woodcock has now i given her 14 months in total. So its quite a chaotic thing. Well, Forjimmy Lai himself, given this additional six out of the 14 months, i he is now going to serve a 20 Monthjail Term in total. So that would mean he wont be seeing daylight, free daylight, l until around 2022, 2023. But the question is whether he would actually be walking free. It really depends on how the forthcoming trial on two other cases brought under the new national Security Law would go. If he is found guilty for at least two charges, including one of collusion with foreign forces, he could be given life imprisonment. As many as 400,000 people have had to leave the city of goma in the democratic republic of congo, over fears of another eruption from Mount Nyiragongo. Thats according to the un. A Bbc Reporter in goma says the city looks like a ghost town. More than 30 people are known to have died when the volcano first spewed our lava at the weekend. Rhal ssan reports. Once again, thousands are on the move in goma, in the democratic republic of congo. The evacuation of nearly a third of gomas 670,000 has been ordered, as authorities say Mount Nyiragongo could erupt again soon. As word spread, many more decided to leave. Translation authorities have said that people should follow the routesj and directions on where to go in the event of an eruption. They said people should leave without panicking, so as not to cause death or accidents. But unfortunately, when people see some fleeing, they go because theyre afraid. And this is what theyre fleeing. Last weekend, lava from the volcano destroyed countless homes and killed 32 people. In its wake, the lava left nothing. Since then, aftershocks have destroyed many more buildings in the city. Translation a crack appeared just behind my house, a very big one that had to be covered up by people with stones. This morning, the authorities said that wherever there are cracks, the inhabitants must move and leave these places. They told us to evacuate and go to sake. At first, we were reluctant, but then we saw that everyone was leaving. The rush to get out has caused long trafficjams, as the Citys Infrastructure struggles to cope. To avoid this, others are leaving the city by boat, such as these orphans all 127 of them who fled over lake kivu. For these people, who have already lost so much of the life they had, it seems their plight is not yet over. Rhal ssan, Bbc News. More now on the news that the head of the national Care Association has rejected a claim by the Uk Government that it placed a Protective Shield around Care Homes early in the pandemic. Nadra ahmed calls the claim absolute rubbish. It comes as Health Secretary Matt Hancock faces growing pressure over the deaths of thousands of Care Home residents last year. Amos walmanjoins me now his grandma died in a Care Home last april, after contracting coronavirus. Hello. Tell us what you know about the circumstances of your Grandmas Death. ~ ,. , death. Well, sadly, she was living Independently death. Well, sadly, she was living Independently for death. Well, sadly, she was living Independently for a death. Well, sadly, she was living Independently for a large death. Well, sadly, she was living Independently for a large part death. Well, sadly, she was living Independently for a large part of i Independently for a large part of her life, she became, although she is very mentally sharp, physically, she became a bit more vulnerable in the last few weeks of her life and she decided, as a surprise to all of us, that she wanted to go into a Care Home so she would be looked after. The arrangement was initially she was going to keep her flat to move in for a Trial Period of a few weeks and see how she got on. Initially, she found it hard to adjust, but soon after that, she began to improve and she seems to appreciate being fed and having activities and people around her. But very shortly after that, she became ill, we were told initially she had a water infection, she was being prescribed antibiotics. But after that, being prescribed antibiotics. But afterthat, it being prescribed antibiotics. But after that, it was very difficult to ascertain exactly what was going on in the Care Home, although we tried to contact her, there were no Video Calls at the time so it was impossible to see her Face To face. And the information we would being given was inconsistent, but we were told variously that she had a Chest Infection and she had a very high temperature and in hindsight, clear symptoms of Covid 19. And she deteriorated rapidly and i had a very haunting conversation with her in the days before she sadly passed away, in which she was pretty delirious and didnt make an awful lot of sense. Fortunately when i spoke to her, she didnt appear to be in much pain, but i know from otherFamily Members be in much pain, but i know from other Family Members including be in much pain, but i know from otherFamily Members including my mother who spoke to her that she was in an awful lot of pain at times, there was very little access to pain relief. Tonight before she passed away, she was given some palliative care in the way of morphine and that seems to have precipitated her Death Tonight before. But we heard anecdotally that there were members of staff who tested positive for Covid 19 and other residents who had also had to Covid 19 and it has been difficult trying to get answers as to what exactly was going on at the time because the barriers that seems to be erected around the Care Home. Although you do know, sorry to interrupt, on your Grandmas Death certificate, it does say cause of death was Covid 19. It certificate, it does say cause of death was covid19. Death was covid19. It was bronchopneumonia death was covid19. It was Bronchopneumonia And Death was covid19. It was Bronchopneumonia And Covid19 and death was covid19. It was Bronchopneumonia And Covid19 and we Bronchopneumonia And Covid 19 and we obtained by The Kona medical reports since. The coroner. And the catalogue of the symptoms she was suffering from were clearly Covid 19 and that was the decision the doctor made in completing the Death Certificate which the Care Home attempted to pressurise the doctor not to put on the Death Certificate. But that was certainly his view at the time. �. ,. , i. ,. , the time. And how do you feel about the time. And how do you feel about the circumstances the time. And how do you feel about the circumstances of the time. And how do you feel about the circumstances of her the time. And how do you feel about the circumstances of her death . The time. And how do you feel about the circumstances of her death . It. The circumstances of her death . It is tragic, absolutely tragic. She moved in, we thought she would improve, she was likely to improve with the care that was likely to be offered to her. So to see her initially find it difficult, to appear to improve and to rapidly deteriorate was heartbreaking and that hunting last Telephone Call that hunting last Telephone Call that i had with her in which she didnt make an awful lot of sense ended with me saying, grandma, we love you very much, you know that, dont you . And the only thing she appear to say as a direct response was, yes, i know, darling. And so that was particularly harrowing at the time. In terms of what has been set in the last 48 hours, Dominic Cummings said it was nonsense a Protective Shield was put around Care Homes and accused englands Health Secretary Matt Hancock of lying by saying to the Prime Minister and others that everybody being discharged from hospitals to Care Homes was being tested, Dominic Cummings said that was not true. Mr hancock has said the allegations made by mr cummings are unsubstantiated and untrue. How does it leave you feeling . This does it leave you feeling . Is bereaved families, we knew at the time that there certainly was no protective ring, and to hear it repeatedly parroted was a kick in the guts to people who have lost Family Members because there was no protective ring. A bottle of what Dominic Cummings said merely confirmed what we suspected all along, it has come to 80 Foot Touch Argument which is distracting from the real issue of what happened, what lessons can be learned, and in my view it has amplified the need for a Statutory Public Independent inquiry that must be held as soon as possible. Bereaved families for justice have called for a rapid Public Inquiry since last summer and we feel like if one was held at that stage, Tens Of Thousands of lives could have been saved, but it is important we start that process as quickly as possible so lessons can be learned and more unnecessary losses are not incurred. I be learned and more unnecessary losses are not incurred. Losses are not incurred. I dont know if you losses are not incurred. I dont know if you watch losses are not incurred. I dont know if you watch the losses are not incurred. I dont know if you watch the downing j losses are not incurred. I dont know if you watch the downing Street Briefing with Mr Hancock and Dr Jenny Harries yesterday, who made the point at two occasions that in terms of people being discharged from hospital back to Care Homes it accounted for a small number of the proportion of deaths in Care Homes and more it was about staff not being tested and bringing covid into the Care Homes, staff bringing it in rather than elderly people being discharged into Care Homes. What do you think of that . Bath discharged into Care Homes. What do you think of that . You think of that . Both are likely to be substantial you think of that . Both are likely to be substantial causes you think of that . Both are likely to be substantial causes of to be substantial causes of infections into Care Homes, there were undoubtedly Agency Staff who were undoubtedly Agency Staff who were not protected, not provided with sufficient Ppo Infection Control measures to prevent further infections, but there discharges from hospitals and nhs trusts, under pressure to make sure that patients and beds were cleared. Although there is a report, certainly having considered it relatively briefly, there are issues with the report, because that report is based on testing and there was a complete lack of testing at both hospital and Care Home and, at the office for national to was clear that there were a lot of undiagnosed people with Covid 19 and the Office For National Statistics was clear. 0ne National Statistics was clear. One of the definitions is that if you are admitted to hospital for two days before Testing Positive, in the 14 days prior to Testing Positive, that would not form the definition, so there are gaps in the definitions to me, and given the lack of testing there are serious questions to be raised, but these issues need to be explored in the round, Independently. Explored in the round, Independently. Explored in the round, indeendentl. � , explored in the round, indeendentl. � , Independently. And they will be, say the government, Independently. And they will be, say the government, just Independently. And they will be, say the government, jUst Starting Independently. And they will be, say the government, jUst Starting next l the government, jUst Starting next year. The government, Ust Starting next ear. ~. ,. ,. , the government, Ust Starting next ear. ,. ,. , year. We would say that is not good enou~h, year. We would say that is not good enough. We year. We would say that is not good enough. We have year. We would say that is not good enough, we have called year. We would say that is not good enough, we have called for year. We would say that is not good enough, we have called for it year. We would say that is not good enough, we have called for it since | enough, we have called for it since lastjune, after the first wave, and if that had happened lives would have been saved. You if that had happened lives would have been saved. If that had happened lives would have been saved. You think Matt Hancock should have been saved. You think Matt Hancock should be have been saved. You think Matt Hancock should be considering. Have been saved. You think matt | hancock should be considering his position . I hancock should be considering his osition . ~. , hancock should be considering his osition . ~. ,. ,. ,. , position . I think there are a lot of Eole Position . I think there are a lot of people who position . I think there are a lot of people who ought position . I think there are a lot of people who ought to position . I think there are a lot of people who ought to be position . I think there are a lot of. People who ought to be considering their positions in view of the multiple failings, certainly to say there was a protective ring, as i have said, it was completely inaccurate and inappropriate and if what Dominic Cummings has been saying about effectively misleading the Prime Minister and the cabinet about the testing that had been carried out and the ten to 15 other lies that he raised, clearly he needs to consider his position, but he is not the only one, there needs to be proper analysis of what happened so that blame can be attributed and assessed in the hole. Thank you very much for talking to us, amos. Thank you for your time. Amos waldman. The Footballer Marcus Rashford has discussed the power young people have to change society over zoom with Barack 0bama. They also spoke about shared experiences, including being raised by a single mum. Afterwards, the England Footballer and Child Poverty Campaigner said it had been surreal talking to the former us president from his kitchen. Watch this. Marcus, i think, is way ahead of where i was at 23. I was still trying to figure it out. Me being in sports, ijust knew my life could change very, very quickly. And if i wasnt like, mature enough, or at a certain level in my own head, it makes stuff like fame even more difficult. When you look at the history of big social movements and i big social change, it is usuallyl young people who initiated this. If you give someone a helping hand at a young age, they will go on to do things that even they didnt think was achievable to accomplish. The next episode of Prince Harrys new mental Health Series has been released on apple tv. Camera four, i am so sorry there you are the latest instalment called the me you can t see a path forward, it sees Prince Harry and Oprah Winfrey reunited with Celebrity Guests and experts, as they continue their conversations around Mental Health and Well Being. in this episode, the duke of Sussex And Robin Williams Son zak spoke about the difficulties of grieving a Family Member who was in the public eye. I didnt recognise that i needed to grieve privately. And so, im very thankful and appreciative that i did recognise how to set boundaries. I hope theyre healthy boundaries around grieving personally versus grieving as a community, grieving with the public, grieving with the world. And, you know, i needed that. And i didnt necessarily pick up on it initially. We have a lot of shared experience when you talk about that, when you see so many people round the World Grieving for someone they feel as though they knew better them than you did, in a weird way, because youre unable to grieve yourself. Like, how are you showing more sort of, er, how are you grieving more for someone who is my parent . In the uk if you are about to renew your home a Motor Insurance you will not pay any more than new customers from nextjanuary. New rules have been confirmed by the city regulator, the financial Conduct Authority. The fca says it will protect those of us from the so called � Loyalty Penalty� where prices are hiked up for existing customers. Earlier our Business Presenter Katie prescott told me more about the regulators plans. This is something that really gets peoplemy coat, you refer to this is a Loyalty Penalty, it is sometimes called a laziness penalty, the idea is that insurers tempt you with low prices and the longer you stay with them, the more they increase the price. You might think you would be rewarded for being loyal but the opposite is often true. The financial watchdog said that from the start of next year, no new customer will pay any less than a customer will pay any less than a customer renewing their policy, to stop this practice essentially of current customers funding cheap prices for new customers in order for them to real ban in. Prices for new customers in order for them to real ban in. What does that mean for for them to real ban in. What does that mean for customers, for them to real ban in. What does that mean for customers, will that mean for customers, will receive fewer discounted deals . I spoke to the financial Conduct Authority and they said in the margins we may well see fewer of these very cheap deals new customers get, but over the course of ten days they say it will save us all over £4 billion, which is quite extraordinary over the course of ten years. Continuing customers will see a real difference. The ten years. Continuing customers will see a real difference. See a real difference. The Laziness Enal , see a real difference. The laziness penalty. If see a real difference. The laziness penalty. If our see a real difference. The laziness penalty, if our premiums see a real difference. The laziness penalty, if our premiums are see a real difference. The laziness| penalty, if our premiums are going up penalty, if our premiums are going up ljy penalty, if our premiums are going up by staying with the same company, probably we should shop around . Thea;r probably we should shop around . They chance probably we should shop around . They chan. E the probably we should shop around . Iie change the rules quite probably we should shop around . Ii21 change the rules quite recently probably we should shop around . Ii21 change the rules quite recently so when you get your new premium it says how much you paid last year, so savvy shoppers might save able shop around, but really it hits vulnerable people, elderly people, people who find it difficult to shop around, that is why the authorities have changed the world. The tinkering around with pricing was going on, including trying to target people they thought would stick with them, that will come to an end. Scientists have created an artificial Intelligence Screening Tool which can detect signs of coronavirus, by the sound of someones cough. Researchers led by the University Of Essex say the programme was 98 percent accurate in spotting those who had the infection. 0ur science correspondent, Richard Westcott has more. Coughing. One key to Controlling Covid is a quick test to see whos got it. This is the Cough Sound of our non positive covid individual. Cough. And thats where this coughing comes in. This is the sound of someone who has Got Covid. Cough. Scientists in essex have analysed more than 8,000 coughs from hospitals Around The World and designed a Computer Programme that can tell whos got the virus. Its very difficult, almost impossible for Human Hearing to be able to distinguish when someone is a negative or positive. What these computers and Machine Learning can do is to scan the whole Frequency Spectrum of the Audio And Pick of many differences that combine to allow us to differentiate between someone that has covid and someone who has not covid. You can imagine this is the way it might work. So you would have a Qr Code outside perhaps an Office Building or a pub. You scan it and the website comes up and then you open the website. And cough into it, and it tells you potentially, if youve Got Covid if it comes up as a positive, then you would go off and have, say, a Pcr Test to make sure. Doctors in mexico are already using the app in remote places where they cant get swab tests. Javier found that, in controlled conditions, it could be 90 accurate. This is a boy who did not have covid. Cough. Today its covid, but you could potentially use apps to spot all kinds of problems. I think this is a first step that shows that, in the future, we could use our Mobile Phones to do many more things than to just communicate and just call our families and friend. We could use it for detecting different conditions and health states. Richard westcott, Bbc News, essex. Japan is set to extend a State Of Emergency in tokyo and several other areas for another three weeks because of a surge in coronavirus cases. The government says the measures will stay in place untiljune 20th, just a month before the olympics are due to start. Bbc sportss Alex Capstick has been examining the japanese organisers plans on how to ensure the games go ahead. The japanese public, the Opinion Polls there have regularly shown that at least 60 , up to 80 of the population want the games either cancelled outright or postponed, delayed, until next year or further into the future because of the pandemic, but it will look very different. We still dont know whether there are going to be any crowds. Internationalfans have been banned, a decision on domestic fans will be made next month, although the tone from miss hashimoto during her Press Briefing was that that might be doubtful that there will be any fans at all. The games will be. There will be bubbles for athletes, bubbles for officials, bubbles for the media. Nobody will be allowed out to party, to mix with the public. There will be very, very strict measures in place should these games go ahead. The opening ceremony, remember, is onjuly 23rd. When the pandemic hit Gran Canaria and tourists stopped coming, a british couple opened up their hotel to migrants and asylum seekers. So far, theyve taken in over 3,000 people, and will continue to help them even as holiday makers return. Nick beake reports. Across spains Canary Islands, so many hotels have stood empty, holidaymakers unable to visit because of the pandemic. But at the same time, record numbers of migrants have been reaching these shores after putting their lives at the mercy of the atlantic ocean. So last september, calvin lucock, originally from the uk, and his wife, unn tove, opened their hotel on Gran Canaria to the new arrivals. We didnt know what to expect. Who would walk through our door, how their behaviour would be, what chances wed have to interact or what contact we would have with them. Those fears and apprehensions went away very quickly. So far, more than 3,500 migrants have been given shelter here, including 0usman And Aliu from senegal. This was The Moment they saw land after nine days at sea. There is now the strongest of bonds. I think that, for me, it opened my eyes to see that in our cultures we have so much, and we can share. The vast majority of migrants arriving in the canaries end up stuck in camps. Spain doesnt want to move large numbers to the mainland, fearing it would encourage many more attempted sea crossings. Originally, the red Cross Paid Hotels for everyone they took in. The scheme ended in february, but the guests were allowed to stay on. Now, though, as tourists finally return, theyre moving to a house that Calvin And Tove have rented for them. I dont think any of us could have appreciated the actual poverty these people are living because they have nothing. Nothing. There has been some opposition to this on Gran Canaria, with a group of locals angry that arrivals had been rewarded with luxury accommodation, as they saw it. Aliu, 0usman and the others are hoping to leave the Canary Islands and find a job on the mainland if, that is, theyre not returned home. Nick beake, Bbc News. Germany has for the first time formally recognised that its colonial troops comitted genocide in whats now namibia at the start of the twentieth century. Aside from a formal apology, the country has agreed to pay 1. 3 billion towards development projects in affected communities in recompense for atrocities against the Herero And Nama people who were killed, tortured, and driven into the Kalahari Desert in their Tens Of Thousands between 1904 and 1908. The german Foreign Minister said germany would ask forgiveness from namibia and the victims descendants. But leaders of the Herero And Nama people have described the agreement as a sell out. The united nations human Rights Council has voted to investigate this Months Conflict between israel and the palestinians. It will look into whether crimes were committed in both the Palestinian Territories and israel. Hamas, which controls the gaza strip, has welcomed the decision. But israel described it as a moral failure and said it would not cooperate with the investigation. Here, a new � clean Air Zone comes into force in birmingham next week, with drivers of cars and vans considered high polluting warned theyll be charged to enter the City Centre. Its all part of plans to tackle high levels of pollution, but its not been welcomed by everyone as Phil Mackie reports. Birmingham from above. And everything you can see would be part of the citys clean Air Zone. That is from the beginning of next month. Older or more polluting vehicles will be charged to enter. It will cost £8 per day for cars and vans, £50 for coaches and lorries. If your vehicle was bought before september 2015, you will probably be charged. This marks the boundary of the clean Air Zone. As long as you stand on that side, youre 0k. If you come into the City Centre you will be liable for up to £8 a day if your vehicle is too old. Lcy ward has severe asthma. She has been better during the pandemic, because there has been less traffic. I am hoping its a real success, so they will widen it and do more campaigns. We do a lot of cycling, dont we . We only have one car. My husband cycles. We cycled to school today. We want to try our best as a family to contribute the best we can. But she is in a minority. Most people are against the clean Air Zone. This florist thinks its a good idea in principle, but after losing most of the regular business during the pandemic, she will have to replace her two Delivery Vans which are too old. We have two good vehicles, but we have to get rid of them. That is a 30, maybe £40,000 cost. At The Moment, just after the pandemic, we cannot afford it. Another potential problem is the way people a choice. The way people are charged. Fees will run from midnight to midnight, so if you want to come into the city for a night out, you may have to pay twice. The night time economy is really suffering. There is a fear people will be put off from coming out. A lot of our staff are students and do drive. They drive older cars. We have entertainment on, djs and live musicians, and they couldnt use public transport. There are exemptions. If you earn less than £30,000 per year, you wont have to pay. There is a Scrappage Scheme for people trading in older vehicles. We have a public Health Crisis where hundreds of people are dying prematurely because of illegal and unsafe levels of air quality. We have to introduce this to save those lives. There is a lot of opposition to this in birmingham. What do you say to people who object to it . I get that. 75 of the people that were driving to the clean Air Zone today would not be impacted at all. They are driving compliant vehicles. Traffic is back to 90 of pre pandemic levels in the city. It is hoped the clean Air Zone will mean it is never as bad as it was before. Phil mackie, Bbc News, birmingham. A new study has revealed French Cinema is still addicted to showing smoking on screen. The french league against cancer is calling for New Measures to kick the habit, as Tanya Dendrinos reports. They were the sultry stars of the silver screen, they were the sultry stars of the silverscreen, french they were the sultry stars of the silver screen, french actors appear of glamour, almost always with a cigarette in hand. We have come any way since the new wave movement, and while smoking habits might have changed in france, a new study shows it is still prominent when it comes to film. French league against cancer finds that smoking gets around to to have minutes of screen time perfilm. Around 2. 5 minutes of screen time. Translation the Film Industry of screen time. Translation ii2 Film Industry is an industry of leisure, health and pleasure, it must be freed from the marketing of an industry which kills a quarter of consumers. Aha, an industry which kills a quarter of consumers an industry which kills a quarter of consumers. A poll of young people found close consumers. A poll of young people found close to consumers. A poll of young people found close to 6096 consumers. A poll of young people found close to 6096 consider consumers. A poll of young people found close to 6096 consider these | found close to 60 consider these scenes to be an inducement to smoke. If you like the actor it makes you want to do the same. We want to do the same. Translation we are influenced want to do the same. Translation we are influenced by want to do the same. Translation we are influenced by what want to do the same. Translation we are influenced by what we want to do the same. Translation we are influenced by what we see, want to do the same. Translation we are influenced by what we see, even are influenced by what we see, even if we are are influenced by what we see, even if we are not are influenced by what we see, even if we are not aware of it, we always influence if we are not aware of it, we always influence. ,. ,. , influence. Campaigners are calling for New Measures influence. Campaigners are calling for New Measures to influence. Campaigners are calling for New Measures to cut influence. Campaigners are calling for New Measures to cut influence. Campaigners are calling for New Measures to cut to influence. Campaigners are calling for New Measures to cut to cut| for New Measures to cut to cut down the amount of smoking shown in french films and for Film Makers to ponder a new branch of french cool. The oscars have been delayed for a second year running, with the date for the 2022 Ceremony Being pushed back by a month, because of delays in releasing films due to the pandemic. This Years Ceremony was held at various locations, including Union Station in los angeles. But next years will be held at its usual location, the dolby theatre in la. Organisers also said that films released on streaming Services would again qualify for consideration. The event will take place on march 27th. There is a new Hill Walking Challenge for those hikers and climbers who are addicted to whats Called Bagging The Wildest Summits in the uk, such as the munros in scotland. The Peak District now has a group of summits called the ethels. Theyre named after ethel haythorn thwaite, a pioneering environmentalist who was a key figure in the preservation of the national park. Judy hobson reports. The Peak District is one of the countrys most popular national parks. But now there is another reason to head here. Just to our right, this high shelf stone, beyond that you cant actually see it, but its bleaklow, which is obviously one of the high points of the whole park. 95 hilltops with an altitude of 400 metres, and a few significant lower ones, have been named the ethels after the founder of a countryside charity, ethel haythornthwaite, who sought solace in the hills after the death of her husband. So from the depths of grief she embraced the countryside, and the countryside that she went into, the moorland that she went into, hugely impacted her physical and mental Well Being. It adds to the challenges, such as the Scottish Munros and the lakeland wainwrights, but the ethels are probably easier to achieve. Were absolutely passionate that the physical and mental Well Being that Ethel Drew from this countryside in the 1920s and 30s, is that we kind of try and promote people to engage with the hills. Its a bit of fun. Its a free app. A lot of the hills are quite accessible. Guidebook Writer Paul Bresley and his Guide Dog Scout have already ticked off most of the ethels. My favourite ethel is probably bleaklow head. It looks quite odd. Its in a wilderness area. Its quite isolated. It can get quite busy, but the last time i was there, there was no one around and i had fantastic views across the whole of the Peak District. Bleaklow, Kinder Scout and Black Hill are the highest of the ethels. The app, called ethel ready, has details of all 95 hilltops, enough to keep the keenest Hill Walker busy for months. There is a great tradition in the Walking And Mountaineering community about naming things. The first one was obviously munro. People do the wainwrights now, and its time that the Peak District had their own. And the ethels, its a fantastic name, its got a lot of Tradition And Heritage behind it and its perfect for the Peak District. Judy hobson, Bbc News. Now we can bring you the story of 96 year old margaret angell, who waited more than 70 years for an engagement ring. Her husband Cecil Couldnt afford one when they get engaged in the 40s, but promised he would buy her one if his club, leicester city, won the Fa Cup and last week they did. Look at that fantastic photograph sadly, cecil died some years ago so their son mike stepped in and bought his mum The Ring. Margaret told the bbc she wished The Ring could touch the trophy. This morning we have an update for you, because Leicester Fc got in Touch And Margaret has been invited to lift the cup next week of course, wearing The Ring which is a brilliant story. Thank you for your many E Mails on being discharged from hospitals to Care Homes. Jan says my mum and all elderly people in her Hospital Ward were transferred into their Care Homes without being tested for covid at the beginning of april last year. We had a meeting with staff who said they had been advised to clear the hospital because of the virus. It was such a panicked rush. Thank you for those. You are watching Bbc News. Sarah has the weather now. Hello, there. As we head through the final few days of may, things are going to turn warmer. Much of the Month Of May has been cool and it has certainly been quite a wet month, too. These are the highest temperatures we have seen so far this year. England, 24. 5. Now, that was way back in march. April and may have been cool months, but this weekend, eventually, we are starting to see those temperatures returning to something a little bit closer to average or even a little bit above as well, so up to the low 20s for many of us through the Bank Holiday Weekend. So some optimism in the forecast, but we have got a Weather Front that is bringing a bit of Rain Today to Western Parts of the uk, so light, patchy rain mainly towards the west. It is cloudier today than yesterday, but there will be some sunshine for parts of scotland and Eastern England as well through the course of the day. So patchy rain continuing for western england, wales, Northern Ireland and south west scotland. One or two isolated showers further east, but most places avoiding them. Temperatures in the warmest spots, 19, possibly 20 degrees, but a Bit Cooler under the cloud in the west, and for the likes of aberdeen, where we have got a bit of low cloud that is lingering for eastern Scotland And North East England as well. Overnight, in the west, under the cloud, temperatures are ten or 11 degrees, but under the clearer skies towards the east, seven or Eight Celsius First Thing Saturday Morning. Now, what about the Bank Holiday Weekend . Well, things are looking increasingly sunny and those temperatures are going to be on the up too. So we may well start on a bit of a cloudy note first thing saturday, particularly around some of these North Sea coasts, but the cloud in the west will thin and break, so plenty of spells of sunshine, just one or two sharp showers developing through the spine of britain, i think, through the day. Temperatures up to about 20 degrees for many of us, just a Bit Cooler across the north of scotland, particularly for the northern isle. Into sunday and widespread blue Sky And Sunshine with Light Winds too. Watch out for some high or very high levels of uv. The sun is particularly strong this time of year. Temperatures by sunday 20 to 23 degrees, a little Bit Cooler around some coasts. Heading through sunday and on into Bank Holiday monday, here is the High Pressure that is going to be driving our weather. Not many isobars on the chart, some fairly Light Winds. A Weather Front trying to push into the far North West, but it looks like it should remain out at sea. So, again, Bank Holiday monday, dry, fine, Light Winds, sunshine and it is looking pretty warm, with top temperatures up to about 23, possibly 24 celsius. Bye bye. This is Bbc News. The headlines at 11am people in the uk are urged to get their Covid Jab as cases of the indian variant nearly double in a week. Ministers continue to assess a further easing of restrictions. Theres nothing in the data that will delay the Date But Weve said were always reviewing the data and will come to a final conclusion on whether to reopen on the 21st Ofjune Onjune the 14th. Continued pressure on englands Health Secretary as Care Home leaders dismiss as absolute rubbish the claim there was a Protective Shield around homes in the pandemic. Surgeons call for dozens of new Hospital Hubs in england to tackle whats being called a Colossal Backlog of non urgent operations. Coughing. The sound of a Covid Cough Scientists come up with a new technique to detect if someone has the virus. New measures to stop whats called the Loyalty Penalty Thats Insurance customers being penalised for renewing rather than shopping around. Barack 0bama praises the anti Poverty Campaigning of England Footballer Marcus rashford. The Uk Government is keeping a close eye on the rise in coronavirus cases driven by the indian variant. According to data from public Health England, there are now almost 7000 cases of the indian variant in the uk. Thats doubled in a week. Up to three quarters of new covid cases could be linked to the new variant. Hospital admissions with covid are also rising in some places, albeit from a very low level. There are concerns the increase in infections could delay plans to lift all restrictions in england onjune the 21st. Our correspondentJames Reynolds has the latest. In bolton, the race between the vaccine and the variant is fought at the pace of an average british queue. In recent weeks, up to several thousand people a day have waited patiently for their turn to be jabbed. In this town, the indian variant is hitting those who havent been vaccinated. The number of cases of the indian variant in england has more than doubled since last week, rising to almost 7000. According to the Health Secretary, up to three quarters of new Uk Covid cases could be linked to the variant. The worst affected areas in england continue to be bolton, Bedford And Blackburn with darwen. Seven other areas in england each have more than 100 confirmed cases of the variant. The critical thing to watch is the link from the number of cases to how many people end up in hospital. The increase in cases remains focused on hotspots, and were doing all we can to tackle this variant wherever it flares up. The Prime Minister said we may need to wait for the lifting of all covid restrictions, but he added that there was nothing currently in the data from england to suggest that the easing couldnt go ahead as planned. The next two weeks then may be crucial. A decision is expected in mid june. Were joined now by professor adam finn, who sits on the Uksjoint Committee on vaccination and immunisation. Good morning. What the government is essentially saying is that the lifting of restrictions is finely balanced, do you agree . Absolutely. Its a lets wait balanced, do you agree . Absolutely. Its a lets wait and balanced, do you agree . Absolutely. Its a lets wait and see balanced, do you agree . Absolutely. Its a lets wait and see over balanced, do you agree . Absolutely. Its a lets wait and see over the its a lets wait and see over the next couple of weeks. As youve been hearing, it weve seen an increase in the overall number of cases and the majority of those of this new variant. The question is, to what extent does that rise translate into a rise in hospitalisations. If that really begins to start happening, because it is more infectious and finding those of vulnerable people who are still out there, im guessing will have to be some kind of readjustment if that takes place. So, at The Moment, it doesnt seem to be translating in any major way into more hospitalisations. There is an increase but only in certain areas. And the number of deaths, very sad though they are, remain very sad though they are, remain very small. Are you still saying this is too early to say . Absolutely, because there is always a lag time. We will see cases go up first then hospitalisations. When you get the infection, takes a week or two before you get sick enough to need hospitalisation, then if it progresses to a serious illness, Intensive Care or even death, that again takes time. We dont see these things going up in tandem, they go up things going up in tandem, they go up one after the other. What we dont know as to what extent the Vaccine Programme, it will to some extent have disassociated the number of cases from the number of hospitalisations, butjust how efficiently will have done that for this new variant is unknown. I5 efficiently will have done that for this new variant is unknown. Is a case to be this new variant is unknown. Is a case to be made this new variant is unknown. Is a case to be made for priority to be given to a second dose rather than giving the first is to younger people . Giving the first is to younger eole . ~. , giving the first is to younger neale . ,. , giving the first is to younger eole . ~. ,. , ~ people . We do need to think carefully about people . We do need to think carefully about what people . We do need to think carefully about what we people . We do need to think carefully about what we do. People . We do need to think. Carefully about what we do with people . We do need to think carefully about what we do with the vaccine are so weve got at The Moment. The first thing is to say that there is a built in delay, so after the first dose, you dont get protection for a period of up to three weeks. So if you are in a place with a lot of cases, giving young People Vaccine is not going to have any impact in what goes on for the better part of a month. The second dose, by contrast, you get that extra protection from the second dose much more rapidly, less than a week after you receive it. The second dose are going into older people who are more at risk of getting seriously ill. So from our point of view, the priority now is to get their second doses in as soon as possible to get the maximum protection against serious illness. So you still think the Governments Course of action is the right one, the priority to be given to the second dose. I simply ask that because, anecdotally, we hear it as younger people who are Testing Positive now, with the indian variant. ~ ,. ,. ,. ,~ variant. Where there is an Outbreak Auoin on, variant. Where there is an outbreak going on. Giving variant. Where there is an outbreak going on, giving first variant. Where there is an outbreak going on, giving first doses variant. Where there is an outbreak going on, giving first doses to going on, giving first doses to young people, in the very short term, is not a solution. The solution is to intensify Testing And Isolation locally to try and shut down the spread of the infection. In fact, the Vaccine Programme is doing second doses and Independently of that, doing first doses really rapidly at the same time, so its not an entirely either or situation. But in terms of us avoiding getting into a real predicament, getting the second doses into people who are due them is really the major priority at them is really the major priority at The Moment. fiut them is really the Maor Priority at the math them is really the Maor Priority at the mementh them is really the Maor Priority at The Moment. , ,. , The Moment. Out there has been some seculation The Moment. Out there has been some speculation that The Moment. Out there has been some speculation that the The Moment. Out there has been some speculation that the number The Moment. Out there has been some speculation that the number of The Moment. Out there has been some speculation that the number of cases. Speculation that the number of cases going up because we are doing more testing, there is Search Testing going on in hotspots, do you think thatis going on in hotspots, do you think that is partly why the numbers are increasing at the rate they are . Partly that and partly because weve already relaxed the restrictions on people and people are interacting with each other much more than before already. So you would expect the number of cases to go up at this point. Itsjust the number of cases to go up at this point. Its just that theyre going up point. Its just that theyre going up a little bit faster with this new variant that is ringing the alarm bells. , ~ variant that is ringing the alarm bells. ~ ,. , variant that is ringing the alarm bells. , ~ 1. , Y Variant that is ringing the alarm bells. ~ i. ,. Pressure continues on the Health Secreatry Matt Hancock over the deaths of Care Home residents in the pandemic. It comes after the Prime Ministers former advisor Dominic Cummings Accused Him of lying in late March 2020 about Care Home residents being tested for coronavirus before leaving hospital. But Mr Hancock says the allegations are unsubstantiated and untrue. Mr hancock says ministers worked as hard as they could to place a Protective Shield around Care Homes. Nadra ahmed is the head of the national Care Association and disputes that claim, she was on Question Time Last Night. Absolutely not. Its absolute rubbish. There was no shield around. I think that was an utterance that came about in a form of embarrassment, perhaps, because nothing had been done for social care. Well, its an utterance that hes repeated a number of times, nadra. I mean, do you think. Do you think. A number of people have said this, but im just wondering, do you think he should resign, then . I dont think its a resigning matter, and its not for me to decide. I think its about ensuring that we talk about the issues, rather than think about uttering things that are untrue. That is not true. There was no Protective Shield. We know that. We were working the floor. If there had been a Protective Shield, there would have been a plan to support the most vulnerable people, the people that we look after. Lets speak now to Ben Wright, our political correspondent. Very stinging remarks there. Interesting that the Health Secretary defended what hed done by saying that what mr cummings had said it was untruthful and unsubstantiated. There is Speculation Today that a lot hangs on that word, unsubstantiated. Unsubstantiated allegations around Unsubsta Ntiated allegations around honesty unsubstantiated allegations around honesty are not true, he said. It was very brought denial to a very large number of specific allegations that Dominic Cummings made at that extraordinary select committee appearance. Clearly, the one that is potentially most wounding to Matt Hancock, and upsetting, i think, to so many relatives of people whose friends or relatives died in Care Homes, the suggestion that he was not entirely truthful when he made a promise to the Prime Minister at a meeting in number 10 that people going from hospitals to Care Homes would be tested. He was pressed on that during a difficult Press Conference yesterday for the Health Secretary. He sent his recollection of events was that he was committed to delivering that testing when we could. He then went away to build that testing capacity. I dont think it was the strongest rebuttal and questions will continue to follow him for some time, perhaps even until we have the full Public Inquiry, which is not going to happen until next spring, according to the government. In the meantime, the government has a decision to make very soon about whether to relax restrictions completely at The End ofjune, the 21st Ofjune in england, that is the final date in the road map. There is doubt about that. Borisjohnson said yesterday would have to wait a bit longer to consider the data before that decision could be made to. This morning, the Business Secretary Kwasi kwarteng said this. We are very clear we will be looking at the we are very clear we will be looking at the scientific data before we rush at the scientific data before we rush to at the scientific data before we rush to any conclusions. Weve said that, rush to any conclusions. Weve said that, as rush to any conclusions. Weve said that, as far rush to any conclusions. Weve said that, as far as i can see, there is nothing that, as far as i can see, there is nothing in that, as far as i can see, there is nothing in the data that will delay the Date Nothing in the data that will delay the date but we will always be reviewing the data and come to a final conclusion on whether to reopen final conclusion on whether to reopen on final conclusion on whether to reopen on the 215t Ofjune Onjune The 14th ministers have always said they will be cautious when looking at the data and this is the link theyre trying to understand at The Moment, the fact that infections are rising, the Engine Variant is seeing something of a surge in parts of the country, but hospitalisations remain very flat, and thats the relationship theyre trying to understand. We will not know, even for perhaps a couple of weeks yet, what decision will be made on that really key dates, during the 21st. Will be made on that really key dates, during the 21st. Surgeons are calling for specialist hubs to be set up in england to help tackle what they call the Colossal Backlog of non urgent operations that have been postponed because of the pandemic. In march, around 5 Million patients were waiting for surgery, thats the highest number since records began. But the government says its working to accelerate the recovery of Services. Our Health Correspondent Laura Foster reports. When the pandemic began, Hospital Trusts had to cancel nonurgent surgeries, such as Hip And Knee replacements, so there were enough staff and resources to look after patients with Covid 19. But since then, Waiting Times and lists have only grown. 14 months on from the first lockdown, latest figures show almost 5 Million people are on the waiting list. More than 400,000 of them have been waiting for more than a year. Well, these are the worst waiting time figures ever recorded, and we all understand that stuff had to be put on hold whilst there was the pandemic. But now the pandemic is beginning to recede, we need a serious approach to getting into this backlog. The college says the answer is to spend £1 billion over the next five years and to carry out operations not at local hospitals, but at dedicated hubs. That way, these hubs would still function even if there was another wave of covid, or indeed another pandemic. The college argues people are willing to travel further if it means surgeries happen sooner. Tim mitchell is an ear, Nose And Throat surgeon and is the Vice President of the Royal College Of Surgeons in england. Good morning to you. Can we look first of all at your own area, ear, Nose And Throat surgery, what is the backlog there . Backlog there . There is a very large backlot of backlog there . There is a very large backlog of Patients Backlog there . There is a very large backlog of patients waiting backlog there . There is a very large backlog of patients waiting for backlog there . There is a very large backlog of patients waiting for ear, | backlog of patients waiting for ear, Nose And Throat surgeries, often called routine surgery but for each individual patient, this is farfrom routine. There are waiting for considerable periods of time. In my area as a ear surgeon, im starting cochlear implants into people have very little hearing. While waiting for those operations, they find it difficult to communicate, to become socially isolated, they struggle to work. The impact on them as individuals is a as a consequence of the pandemic, in my unit, we now have over 100 such patients waiting for operations. fiend have over 100 such patients waiting for operations for operations. And these people will have been for operations. And these people will have been waiting for operations. And these people will have been waiting for for operations. And these people will have been waiting for how. For operations. And these people will have been waiting for how long . Because the pandemic, that is added on an extra Waiting Period prior to the pandemic, there were still spoke of their potential problems with Waiting Times in the Health Service. We know that during the winter months, it was often that the operations would be cancelled. In 2018, in Nhs England asked hospitals to suspend routine surgery for about a month because of the pressures from the severe flu season. So we have always been struggling with waiting less and the pandemic is additive that. Of you have heard, there are now over 100,000 patients waiting more than 12 months for surgery. That is why the royal couege surgery. That is why the Royal College Of Surgeons of england is calling for significant investment. We have welcomed the billion pounds put into the collective Recovery Fund but believe that should be extended for at least another five years to help deal with the backlog of surgery are not to and beyond that, we feel the nhs as a whole require significant sustained investment to see an increase in the total number of hospital beds, which have reduced dramatically over the past decade, and an mp facts to support these Services. Support these Services. Sorry to interrupt. Support these Services. Sorry to interrupt. Support these Services. Sorry to interrupt, and support these Services. Sorry to interrupt, and Staff Support these Services. Sorry to interrupt, and staff to support these Services. Sorry to l interrupt, and staff to support interrupt, and staff to support the Services. As well as asserting yourself, you are president of the Royal College Of Surgeons in england and you must have concerns about the potential pressure there will be on staff trying to deal with these numbers . Staff trying to deal with these numbers . ,. ,. ,. , numbers . The most important thing to sa is that numbers . The most important thing to say is that the numbers . The most important thing to say is that the nhs numbers . The most important thing to say is that the nhs has numbers . The most important thing to say is that the nhs has performed say is that the nhs has performed magnificently during the Covid Pandemic and surgeons have been under particular pressure, theyve find it particularly difficult not being able to carry out routine surgery and having to maintain Emergency Surgery and for the most part, cancersurgery Emergency Surgery and for the most part, Cancer Surgery has continued. The challenge now is to address that backlog and we are certainly keen to see investment in order to increase the number of surgeons, anaesthetists and support staff, who are critical to perform surgery. Were also concerned about the issue of retention of staff. We know the pressures people are under, working through the pandemic, have meant a number of people have considered either retiring from the Health Service are late or reducing their commitment to the Health Service, and we want to put in place measures that help support them and ensure they dont do that, if possible. You talk about wanting it to see more doctors, more surgeons in the system, but these things take time, as you know, it takes years to train as you know, it takes years to train a surgeon. As you know, it takes years to train a surgeon a surgeon. They do take time, and that is why a surgeon. They do take time, and that is why this a surgeon. They do take time, and that is why this is a surgeon. They do take time, and that is why this is just a surgeon. They do take time, and that is why this is just part a surgeon. They do take time, and that is why this is just part of a surgeon. They do take time, and that is why this is just part of the l that is why this is just part of the new deal, there is a range of measures that are around investment but we also believe it is of the Health Service looks at new ways of working. We believe introducing surgical herbs, which are dedicated facilities for surgical procedures which can be kept separate, either in separate facilities or within a hospital separate from facilities being used to treat emergency cases, such as Covid Or Flu cases, being used to treat emergency cases, such as Covid Orflu cases, it being used to treat emergency cases, such as Covid Or Flu cases, it is critical to maintain activity through fervour pandemics, should they arise, or particularly bad flu seasons. , ~ they arise, or particularly bad flu seasons. ~ ,. , they arise, or particularly bad flu seasons. , ~ 1. , they arise, or particularly bad flu seasons. ~ ,. ,. People living in glasgow are expected to find out later whether the city will remain in level three of scotlands Covid 19 restrictions. The city has been under strict measures for 270 days, while the rest of the scotland has seen Restrictions Ease in recent weeks. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said there are reasons to be optimistic about the situation. The first minister will be giving a briefing at 12 15. You can watch that live, here on Bbc News. The headlines on Bbc News people in the uk are urged to get their Covid Jab as cases of the indian variant nearly double in a week. Ministers continue to assess a further easing of restrictions. Continued pressure on englands Health Secretary as Care Home leaders dismiss as absolute rubbish the claim there was a Protective Shield around homes in the pandemic. Surgeons call for dozens of new Hospital Hubs in england to tackle whats being called a Colossal Backlog of non urgent operations. President putin of russia and Alexander Lukashenko, president of belarus, are due to meet later after tensions with the eu after the cancellation of a Ryanair Flight. The flight was forced to land in minx and then the belarusian forces then detained journalist On Board. The family of the Opposition Journalist detained as a result say its desperate for his release. Every day since roman protasevichs arrest in minsk is agony for his parents theyre pleading for anyone to help free their hero. Translation i want you to hear my cry, the cry of my soul, so you can understand how difficult it is for us right now. Then, a message for her son. Stay strong, son, stay strong. We will love you and we will get you out. Translation we have no idea where our son is. We still cant confirm his location. President lukashenko boasts hes captured a terrorist. Romans parents say their son was just speaking the truth. He helped broadcast protests like these, following a disputed election, using a dissident belarusian Media Network on the social media platform telegram. The Media Networks poland based Co Founder believes the stakes for the opposition could not be higher. Translation repressions continue in belarus. Last week, a political prisoner died in prison. Yesterday, we found out that another person who was politically persecuted died. After belarusian security boarded romans diverted flight to capture him, eu and Uk Leaders closed off airspace in retaliation, but there are fears those Flight Bans could hamper dissidents wishing to flee belarus. We demand the Land Borders of belarus to be opened for the free movement for belarusian citizens, since the regime cannot be allowed to turn the country into prison for Nine Million people. The eu says personal sanctions on senior belarusians are almost ready, alongside further economic ones. In retaliation, belarus warns europe to expect a wave of drugs and migrants crossing into their borders. As things escalate, all eyes are on what emerges from an imminent meeting between president s Putin And Lukashenko in russia. Downing street has criticised comments made by hungarian prime Minister Viktor 0rban as borisjohnson prepares to meet him today. Mr 0rban spoke about muslim invaders and described migrants as A Poison, prompting number 10 to call out the comments as Divisive And Wrong ahead of his arrival. The british government says it Condemns the remarks, but insists that cooperation with hungary is vital for Britains Properity and security. Mr 0rbans will be only the second European Union leader to hold talks with borisjohnson since brexit. If you are about to renew your home or Motor Insurance, you will not pay any more than new customers from january. New rules have been confirmed by the financial Conduct Authority. The fca says it will protect those of us from the so called Loyalty Penalty, where prices are hiked up for existing customers. Lets speak now with malcolm tarling, chief Media Officer at the association of british insurers. Good morning to you. Do you support this move by the fca . Yes. Good morning to you. Do you support this move by the fca . This move by the fca . Yes, we do Su Tort this move by the fca . Yes, we do support it this move by the fca . Yes, we do support it we this move by the fca . Yes, we do support it. We have this move by the fca . Yes, we do support it. We have long this move by the fca . Yes, we do support it. We have long set this move by the fca . Yes, we do support it. We have long set for i support it. We have long set for customers to shop around, and the vast majority of insurance customers do that, they get very good deals in a competitive market. But we recognise that for some people who stay loyal and donT Shop around, they may not been getting the best outcome is. This is about redressing that balance and we support that. But its also important to remember to keep things the regulator has said firstly, insurers are not making excessive profits in the current system and secondly, some of the discounts available today for people shop around may not be sustainable in the future. It is shop around may not be sustainable in the future in the future. It is interesting to Su Tort in the future. It is interesting to support the in the future. It is interesting to support the move in the future. It is interesting to support the move because in the future. It is interesting to support the move because then | in the future. It is interesting to | support the move because then i in the future. It is interesting to support the move because then i am driven to ask why wasnt this done before . Itide driven to ask why wasnt this done before . ~. , driven to ask why wasnt this done before . ,. ,. , driven to ask why wasnt this done before . ,. ,. , before . We have long called for reforms in before . We have long called for reforms in the before . We have long called for reforms in the general before . We have long called for| reforms in the general Insurance Market to redress the balance here. Why the regulators had to act is because we need to those reforms to because we need to those reforms to be implemented across the whole market. People Buy Insurance in different ways, you dontjust go to an Insurance Company, you may go to an Insurance Company, you may go to a Price Comparison Website or an Insurance Broker and its only the regulator, financial Conduct Authority, that has the power to make sure these reforms or implement it across the whole of the market. We have actually is an association been acting on this. A couple of years ago, we launched an initial Industry Initiative where we have been looking at policies of customers on the books for more than five years to make sure they were getting the best possible outcomes, so we have been dealing with this, we recognise there is an issue and been actively tackling it, but we need the regulator time to make sure these reforms run across the whole of the market. 50 these reforms run across the whole of the market of the market. So your essentially Sa Int of the market. So your essentially saying one of the market. So your essentially saying one or of the market. So your essentially saying one or two of the market. So your essentially saying one or two insurance saying one or two Insurance Companies canjust go it saying one or two Insurance Companies can just go it alone because they will be undercut by other companies, it has to be a Market Wide . It other companies, it has to be a Market Wide . Other companies, it has to be a Market Wide . It has to be Market Wide, Market Wide . It has to be Market Wide. People Market Wide . It has to be Market Wide, people dont Market Wide . It has to be Market Wide, people dontjust Market Wide . It has to be Market Wide, people dontjust buy wide, people dontjust Buy Insurance through insurance, the maker to our Price Comparison Websites, make use a broker, so we need reforms and we need regulations that apply to the whole market so that apply to the whole market so that you know, however you Buy Insurance, these reforms and changes are going to apply to you. You insurance, these reforms and changes are going to apply to you. Are going to apply to you. You did mention that are going to apply to you. You did mention that the are going to apply to you. You did mention that the regulator are going to apply to you. You did mention that the regulator has i mention that the regulator has admitted it could spell The End of the cheapest deals for new customers, but it says that the vast majority of existing customers will benefit. I majority of existing customers will benefit. , � ~ � , majority of existing customers will benefit. , � ~ � , benefit. I dont think its saying donT Shop benefit. I dont think its saying donT Shop around, benefit. I dont think its saying donT Shop around, because benefit. I dont think its saying donT Shop around, because wej benefit. I dont think its saying donT Shop around, because we would always advocate people to shop around and buy the policy that meets their needs, dontjust be seduced on price alone. What the regulator is saying is that some of those discounts, some of those competitive discounts, some of those competitive discounts that are currently available, may not be available in the future because the money is going to be rebalanced, if you like, back to some of those existing customers. This is about redistributing the money between two customer groups, between new customers and existing customers. Thank you very much. An Erupting Volcano has forced thousands of people from their homes in goma, in the democratic republic of congo. More than 30 people are known to have died when the Nyiragongo Volcano first spewed out lava at the weekend. There are continuing earth tremors and fears it could erupt again. Rhal ssan reports. Once again, thousands are on the move in goma, in the democratic republic of the congo. The evacuation of nearly a third of gomas 670,000 has been ordered, as authorities say Mount Nyiragongo could erupt again soon. As word spread, many more decided to leave. Translation authorities have said that people should follow the routesj and directions on where to go in the event of an eruption. They said people should leave without panicking, so as not to cause death or accidents. But unfortunately, when people see some fleeing, they go because theyre afraid. And this is what theyre fleeing. Last weekend, lava from the volcano destroyed countless homes and killed 32 people. In its wake, the lava left nothing. Since then, aftershocks have destroyed many more buildings in the city. Translation a crack appeared just behind my house, a very big one that had to be covered up by people with stones. This morning, the authorities said that wherever there are cracks, the inhabitants must move and leave these places. They told us to evacuate and go to sake. At first, we were reluctant, but then we saw that everyone was leaving. The rush to get out has caused long trafficjams, as the Citys Infrastructure struggles to cope. To avoid this, others are leaving the city by boat, such as these orphans all 127 of them who fled over lake kivu. For these people, who have already lost so much of the life they had, it seems their plight is not yet over. Marcus rashford has discussed the power young people have to change society over zoom with Barack 0bama. They also spoke about shared experiences, including being raised by a single mum. Afterwards, the England Footballer and Child Poverty Campaigner said it had been surreal talking to the former us president from his kitchen. Lets have a look. Marcus, i think, is way ahead of where i was at 23. I was still trying to figure it out. For me, being in sports, ijust knew my life could change very, very quickly. And if i wasnt like, mature enough, or at a certain level in my own head, it makes stuff like fame even more difficult. When you look at the history of big social movements and i big social change, its usuallyl young people who initiate this. If you give someone a helping hand at a young age, theyll go on to do things that even they didnt think or believe was achievable to accomplish. A surreal experience indeed. Now its time for a look at the weather with sarah keith lucas. Hello there. With the Bank Holiday Weekend just around the corner now, the weather is looking pretty optimistic over the next few days. Some warmer, sunnier conditions on the cards. Today, there was quite a bit of cold around. We have got some patchy rain around in the west. The best of the Sunshine Today towards the east. So, weve got a weak Weather Front bringing Cloud And Patchy outbreaks of rain for western england, wales, Northern Ireland and south west scotland. Further east, the rest of the uk predominantly dry, with some sunny spells. Could be the odd isolated shower in the east lingering into the evening hours. Temperatures up to 18 or 19 in the warmest spots. Now, overnight, under the cloud in the west, temperatures falling to around 10 or 11 degrees. Its seven or eight under those clearer skies towards the east. Saturday dawns on a fairly cloudy note. Weve got some low cloud around eastern scotland, north East England. The cloud in the west tending to break up. Just one or two sharp showers building through the afternoon, though, as The Sunshine gets going. Temperatures doing quite well, 18 20. And then High Pressure brings us more sunny, dry, settled weather for sunday and monday. Bye bye. Hello, this is Bbc News with me, reeta chakrabarti. The headlines people in the uk are urged to get their Covid Jab, as cases of the indian variant nearly double in a week. Ministers continue to assess a further easing of restrictions. There is nothing in the data that will delay the date, but we have said we are always reviewing the data and will come to a final conclusion on whether to reopen on the 21st Ofjune On June the 14th. Continued pressure on englands Health Secretary as Care Home leaders dismiss as absolute rubbish the claim there was a Protective Shield around homes in the pandemic. Surgeons call for dozens of new Hospital Hubs in england to tackle whats being called a Colossal Backlog of non urgent operations. Coughing. The sound of a Covid Cough Scientists come up with a new technique to detect if someone has the virus. New measures to stop whats called the Loyalty Penalty Thats Insurance customers being penalised for renewing rather than shopping around. And Barack 0bama praises the anti Poverty Campaigning of England Footballer Marcus rashford. Sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, heres chetan. Good morning. There are renewed fears over whether this summers olympic games can go ahead. The japanese government is preparing to extend the current State Of Emergency in tokyo and other areas ofjapan untiljune the 20th. Thatsjust over a month before the games are due to begin. Organisers have also said that athletes from south asian countries will be allowed to compete but will be subjected to stricter measures amid concerns of the indian variant of covid spreading into japan. The players and fans of Manchester City and chelsea have been settling into porto ahead of their Champions League final tomorrow night. Both teams have now arrived in the portuguese city after the City Staff gave the squad quite a send off from the etihad complex. Theyre looking to add this trophy to the Premier League Title and League Cup Theyve already won this season. Fans continue to arrive in porto, some of them even caught sight of the team buses making their way to their hotels yesterday. Therell be a crowd of over 16,000 in total, and despite the testing, supporters are happy to be supporting their teams On The Road again. We got a holiday quite cheap, we got apartments quite cheap but the tests have cost more than the holiday. Getting here nightmare. Covid test before. Its not every day you get to see the Champions League final. Happy to do it to see the boys bring it home. Even if people dont get to the game, theres a Fan Place there, and we can go to a bar, i go to a pub, we can sit in there, the vibell be great, just watching the game together. Now, it could be one of the most sensational returns in football management. Tottenham have contacted Mauricio Pochettino over their Managers Job just 18 months after they sacked him. He took spurs to the Champions League final in 2019, but he was replaced Byjose Mourinho six months later. Pochettino is currently manager of Paris Saint germain. He only took over injanuary, and despite missing out on the french league title, talked about a great future there just the other day. But Theres Speculation his head could be turned. He said last year it was his dream to return to spurs one day. Well, massimiliano allegri could be about to return to juventus after the italian club sacked their manager Andrea Pirlo this morning, afterjust one season in charge. The 42 year old was a Surprise Choice to replace Maurizio Sarri last summer. Under pirlo, juventus finished fourth in serie a, failing to win the title for the first time since 2012, and onlyjust qualified for next seasons Champions League on the final day. Allegri is favourite to replace him. Theres been quite a bit of fallout from Naomi Osakas Declaration that she wont be doing Press Conferences after her matches at next weeks french open because of the effect they have on her Mental Health. Her decisions been supported by many players, but the Mens World Number one says osaka may have to face up to it being part of the job. I understand the Press Conferences sometimes can be very unpleasant, and its not something that you enjoy always especially if you lose a Match Or Something like this. But it is part of the Sport And Part of your life on the tour, and this is something we have to do otherwise we will get fined. The Womens Tennis Association has released a statment this morning, saying Mental Health is of the utmost importance to them and they have a Support System in place, and that they would welcome futher discussions with players over any concerns. They went on to say, professional athletes have a responsibility to their sport and their fans to speak to the media surrounding their competition, allowing them the opportunity to share their perspective and tell their story. Thats all the sport for now. Ryan giggs will go on trial next year accused of deliberately headbutting his Ex Girlfriend and controlling her throughout their relationship. The former manchester united star is accused of assaulting Kate Greville last november. The trial will take place at Manchester Crown Court injanuary. He denies the charges. As weve been hearing, surgeons are calling for specialist hubs to be set up in england, to help tackle what they call the Colossal Backlog of non urgent operations that have been postponed because of the pandemic. Around 5 Million patients were waiting for surgery in march thats the highest number since records began. Lets speak to dr wesley vernon. Hes been waiting for a Cataracts Operation for over a year. Good morning to you. You had your operation for cataracts cancelled twice, didnt you . Once by the surgeon and then again for a reason of your own. Then you had the operation booked again and then lockdown started. That operation booked again and then lockdown started. Operation booked again and then lockdown started. That is right. The cataracts were lockdown started. That is right. The cataracts were picked lockdown started. That is right. The cataracts were picked up lockdown started. That is right. The cataracts were picked up in lockdown started. That is right. The cataracts were picked up in 2018. I l cataracts were picked up in 2018. I was listed for the operation on the sist was listed for the operation on the 31st of january 2019, it was scheduled for the 23rd Of January and cancel. That was the night was cancelled because. Cancelled it and cancel. That was the night was cancelled it was then rescheduled for february or march, cancelled with no reason being given. Then it was rescheduled for march or april, cancelled again because of the anaesthetist unhappy giving me general anaesthetic because of my overall condition. I spoke to the anaesthetist on the 14th Of May 2020 and he was happy to continue under local anaesthetic, and he was happy to continue under localanaesthetic, i and he was happy to continue under local anaesthetic, i was told to expect a date soon and then it was five as to whether it was cancelled and then lockdown started. It was and then lockdown started. It was a vague as to whether it was cancelled. A vague as to whether it was cancelled a vague as to whether it was cancelled. . ,. ,. , cancelled. What effect is having on our cancelled. What effect is having on your qualityoflife . Cancelled. What effect is having on your qualityoflife . I cancelled. What effect is having on your qualityoflife . I had your qualityoflife . I had neurological your qualityoflife . I had neurological problems your qualityoflife . I had i neurological problems which your quality of life . I iec neurological problems which means that i tend to fall, stumble quite a lot, so i have been falling a lot and i am also unable to see as well while performing general tasks around the home. So i am normally clumsy, but i am even more clumsy now. Y. , clumsy, but i am even more clumsy now. ,. ,. ,. , now. Do you feel over this time that our site now. Do you feel over this time that your site has now. Do you feel over this time that your site has deteriorated now. Do you feel over this time that your site has deteriorated further . L your site has deteriorated further . Yes, definitely. My wife picks up on this more than me, but she will comment, she said six months ago you could have done this, but now you cant see so she will have to find things for me. Cant see so she will have to find things for me cant see so she will have to find things for me. Very difficult. You have any sense things for me. Very difficult. You have any sense of things for me. Very difficult. You have any sense of when things for me. Very difficult. You have any sense of when you things for me. Very difficult. You l have any sense of when you might this Operation East Renfrewshire now, i had do you have any sense of when you might get this Operation East Renfrewshire no, ive not heard anything. There East Renfrewshire no, ive not heard an hint. � ,. , East Renfrewshire no, ive not heard an hint. . , East Renfrewshire no, ive not heard an hint. �. ,. , East Renfrewshire no, ive not heard an hint. . , anything. Are you going to chase them u . Anything. Are you going to chase them up . Im anything. Are you going to chase them up . Im pretty anything. Are you going to chase them up . Im pretty patient, anything. Are you going to chase them up . Im pretty patient, i i anything. Are you going to chase i them up . Im pretty patient, i dont intend to chase them up . Im pretty patient, i dont intend to chase them them up . Im pretty patient, i dont intend to chase them and them up . Im pretty patient, i dont intend to chase them and i them up . Im pretty patient, i dont intend to chase them and i expect i intend to chase them and i expect they will be triaging everybody at their end and it will be according to the level of my condition. 2. 5 their end and it will be according to the level of my condition. As you have heard. To the level of my condition. As you have heard, we to the level of my condition. As you have heard, we are to the level of my condition. As you have heard, we are reporting to the level of my condition. As you have heard, we are reporting today| have heard, we are reporting today on the millions of people in your condition waiting for a routine operation. How do you cope psychologically with the fact this has happened to you, you have had to wait all this time and you may well have to wait indefinitely . Psychologically i am pretty robust usually, i have lots of other things going on fortunately, quite philosophical, expect things will deteriorate, i will have more falls, but i have just put my head into Waiting Mode and i am coping with things. Waiting mode and i am coping with thints. ~ ,. ,. ,. , things. Well, it is good to hear how resilient you things. Well, it is good to hear how resilient you are, things. Well, it is good to hear how resilient you are, thank things. Well, it is good to hear how resilient you are, thank you things. Well, it is good to hear how resilient you are, thank you for resilient you are, thank you for talking to us about your situation, thank you so much. Thank you. Scientists have created an artificial Intelligence Screening Tool which can detect signs of coronavirus by the sound of someones cough. Researchers, led by the University Of Essex, say the programme was 98 accurate in spotting those who had the infection. Our science correspondent, Richard Westcott, has more. Coughing. One key to Controlling Covid is a quick test to see whos got it. This is the Cough Sound of our non positive covid individual. Cough. And thats where this coughing comes in. This is the sound of someone who has Got Covid. Cough. Scientists in essex have analysed more than 8,000 coughs from hospitals Around The World and designed a Computer Programme that can tell whos got the virus. Its very difficult, almost impossible for Human Hearing to be able to distinguish when someone is a negative or positive. What these computers and Machine Learning can do is to scan the whole Frequency Spectrum of the Audio And Pick of many differences that combine to allow us to differentiate between someone that has covid and someone who has not covid. You can imagine this is the way it might work. So you would have a Qr Code outside perhaps an Office Building or a pub. You scan it and the website comes up and then you open the website. And cough into it, and it tells you potentially, if youve Got Covid if it comes up as a positive, then you would go off and have, say, a Pcr Test to make sure. Doctors in mexico are already using the app in remote places where they cant get swab tests. Javier found that, in controlled conditions, it could be 90 accurate. This is a boy who did not have covid. Cough. Today its covid, but you could potentially use apps to spot all kinds of problems. I think this is a first step that shows that, in the future, we could use our Mobile Phones to do many more things than to just communicate and just call our families and friend. We could use it for detecting different conditions and health states. Richard westcott, Bbc News, essex. Lets return to the news that the financial regulator has introduced New Rules which mean customers who renew their home or Motor Insurance with their existing provider will pay the same price as new customers. With us now is Consumer Champion helen dewdney, the self styled complaining Cow And Author of how to complain. Good morning to you, helen it is a strange state of affairs, isnt it . You get penalised for being loyal. Yes, it is a disLoyalty Penalty and a close back for many years, goes a close back for many years, goes back for many years and a close back for many years, goes back for many years and the Citizens Advice set up a super complaint in 2018, that is when the fca started the work to change this whole bizarre situation. fiend the work to change this whole bizarre situation. Bizarre situation. And it has required bizarre situation. And it has required the bizarre situation. And it has required the fca, bizarre situation. And it has required the fca, the bizarre situation. And it has required the fca, the regulator, to step in in orderfor this to be changed, has eight . Step in in order for this to be changed, has eight . Step in in order for this to be changed, has eight . Yes, it is now Sa Int it changed, has eight . Yes, it is now saying it must changed, has eight . Yes, it is now saying it must offer changed, has eight . Yes, it is now saying it must offer people changed, has eight . Yes, it is now saying it must offer people the changed, has eight . Yes, it is now. Saying it must offer people the same price for their renewal as it would to renew customer, but it needs to be clear that he could still get a better price if you switch. This will take a better price if you switch. This will take a little better price if you switch. This will take a little while to come in, what would you advise customers in the meantime . The meantime . Always look at switchint the meantime . Always look at switching anyway, the meantime . Always look at switching anyway, so the meantime . Always look at switching anyway, so when the meantime . Always look at switching anyway, so when it | the meantime . Always look at| switching anyway, so when it is the meantime . Always look at switching anyway, so when it is time for renewing your insurance, your house and soaring soil Motor Insurance, look on all comparison sites and also look directly. Your House Insurance and Motor Insurance. Look in comparison sites before you book because they will be different offers. Make sure you cancelled the auto renewal. When companies make it difficult for you to do that, you have to phone and then they make you go through all other paraphernalia to try and sell you it, but quite often you can just go to the Ceo E Mail website, get it off then that you cancelled in writing that you cancelled the renewal and if they still carry on, you can take it to the financial ombudsman. I you can take it to the financial ombudsman. Ombudsman. I can see people listenint ombudsman. I can see people listening to ombudsman. I can see people listening to you ombudsman. I can see people listening to you with ombudsman. I can see people listening to you with their ombudsman. I can see people| listening to you with their head ombudsman. I can see people. Listening to you with their head in their hands thinking, having to go through all that palaver to get that money off. We hear about this with utility bills, but the customer has to do the work and it should be that way. To do the work and it should be that wa. ,. , to do the work and it should be that wa. ,. , , way. Yes, and that is why the Citizens Advice way. Yes, and that is why the Citizens Advice set way. Yes, and that is why the Citizens Advice set up way. Yes, and that is why the Citizens Advice set up the way. Yes, and that is why the i Citizens Advice set up the super complaint a few years ago and people feel it is time consuming and it is time consuming, but you can save a good few hundred pounds so it is worth spending the ten or 15 minutes looking at different sites and seeing if you can get a cheaper price. It is easy but time consuming. Price. It is easy but timeconsuming. Price. It is easy but timeconsumint. �. ,. , timeconsuming. And what do you think of the timeconsuming. And what do you think of the principle timeconsuming. And what do you think of the principle of timeconsuming. And what do you think of the principle of dual think of the principle of dual pricing, one for new customers and one for loyal customers . It is dreadful. One for loyal customers . It is dreadful, you one for loyal customers . It is dreadful, you cannot one for loyal customers . It s dreadful, you cannot comprehend it really. You should be rewarding loyal customers, you should be giving them the discount for staying loyal to you instead of what they are doing, which is the complete opposite. Are doing, which is the complete o tosite. �. ,. , are doing, which is the complete o tosite. �. , are doing, which is the complete o tosite. �. ,. , i. Are doing, which is the complete o tosite. �. ,. , are doing, which is the complete o. Osite. �. ,. , opposite. And what do you do . Do you review and look opposite. And what do you do . Do you review and look around opposite. And what do you do . Do you review and look around all opposite. And what do you do . Do you review and look around all the opposite. And what do you do . Do you review and look around all the time . L review and look around all the time . Yes, every year. Review and look around all the time . Yes. Every Year Review and look around all the time . Yes, every year. Yes, yes, every year. Really . Yes, because yes, every year. Really . Yes, because you yes, every year. Really . Yes, because you save yes, every year. Really . Yes, because you save hundreds i yes, every year. Really . Yes, because you save hundreds of yes, every year. Really . Yes, because you save hundreds of pounds. It is worth doing. It is time consuming, but once you go into the site and they remember the details, you have to put in less each time so it gets easier and quicker as you get used to it. Good advice. Thank quicker as you get used to it. Good advice. Thank you. The headlines on Bbc News. People in the uk are urged to get their Covid Jab as cases of the indian variant nearly double in a week. Ministers continue to assess a further easing of restrictions. Continued pressure on englands Health Secretary as Care Home leaders dismiss as absolute rubbish the claim there was a Protective Shield around homes in the pandemic. Surgeons call for dozens of new Hospital Hubs in england to tackle whats being called a Colossal Backlog of non urgent operations. When the pandemic hit Gran Canaria and tourists stopped coming, a british couple opened up their hotel to migrants and asylum seekers. So far, theyve taken in over 3,000 people and will continue to help them even as holiday makers return. Nick beake reports. Across spains Canary Islands, so many hotels have stood empty, holidaymakers unable to visit because of the pandemic. But at the same time, record numbers of migrants have been reaching these shores after putting their lives at the mercy of the atlantic ocean. So last september, calvin lucock, originally from the uk, and his wife, unn tove, opened their hotel on Gran Canaria to the new arrivals. We didnt know what to expect. Who would walk through our door, how their behaviour would be, what chances wed have to interact or what contact we would have with them. Those fears and apprehensions went away very quickly. So far, more than 3,500 migrants have been given shelter here, including 0usman And Aliu from senegal. This was The Moment they saw land after nine days at sea. There is now the strongest of bonds. I think that, for me, it opened my eyes to see that in our cultures we have so much, and we can share. The vast majority of migrants arriving in the canaries end up stuck in camps. Spain doesnt want to move large numbers to the mainland, fearing it would encourage many more attempted sea crossings. Originally, the red Cross Paid Hotels for everyone they took in. The scheme ended in february, but the guests were allowed to stay on. Now, though, as tourists finally return, theyre moving to a house that Calvin And Tove have rented for them. I dont think any of us could have appreciated the actual poverty these people are living because they have nothing. Nothing. There has been some opposition to this on Gran Canaria, with a group of locals angry that arrivals had been rewarded with luxury accommodation, as they saw it. Aliu, 0usman and the others are hoping to leave the Canary Islands and find a job on the mainland if, that is, theyre not returned home. Nick beake, Bbc News. Here, a new � clean Air Zone comes into force in birmingham next week, with drivers of cars and vans considered � high polluting warned theyll be charged to enter the City Centre. Its all part of plans to tackle high levels of pollution, but its not been welcomed by everyone, as Phil Mackie reports. Birmingham from above. And everything you can see would be part of the citys clean Air Zone. That is from the beginning of next month. Older, more polluting vehicles will be charged to enter. It will cost £8 per day for cars and vans, £50 for coaches and lorries. If your vehicle was bought before september 2015, you will probably be charged. This marks the boundary of the clean Air Zone. As long as you stand or on that side, youre 0k. But if you come into the City Centre, you will be liable for up to £8 a day if your vehicle is too old. Leah wood has severe asthma. She has been better during the pandemic, because there has been less traffic. I am hoping its a real success, so they will widen it and do more campaigns. We do a lot of cycling, dont we . We only have one car. My husband cycles. We cycle to school today. We want to try our best as a family to contribute the best we can. But she is in a minority. Most people, when asked, are against the clean Air Zone. This florist thinks its a good idea in principle, but after losing most of the regular business during the pandemic, she will have to replace her two Delivery Vans which are four weeks too old. We have two good vehicles, but we have to get rid of them. That is a £35,000, maybe £40,000 cost. At The Moment, just after the pandemic, we cannot afford it. Another potential problem is the way people a choice. Fees will run from midnight to midnight, so if you want to come into the city for a night out, you may have to pay twice. The night time economy is really suffering. There is a fear people will be put off from coming out. A lot of our staff are students and do drive. They drive older cars. We have entertainment on, and djs and live musicians, and they couldnt use public transport. There are exemptions. If you earn less than £30,000 per year, you wont have to pay. There is a Scrappage Scheme for people trading in older vehicles. We have a public Health Crisis where hundreds of people are dying prematurely because of illegal and unsafe levels of air quality. We have to introduce this caz to save those lives. There is a lot of opposition to this in birmingham. What do you say to people who object to it . I get that. 75 of the people that will drive into the clean Air Zone today would not be impacted at all. They are driving compliant vehicles. Traffic is back to 90 of pre pandemic levels in the city. It is hoped the clean Air Zone will mean it is never as bad as it was before. Phil mackie, Bbc News, birmingham. Measuring the amount of squashed bugs on your car after a journey may be able to help scientists better understand insect populations in the uk. A new app is asking the public to gather the information to identify where certain species are thriving and where others are in decline. Heres our chief environment correspondent, justin rowlatt. Insect ageddon is how the global decline in insect populations has been described by some scientists. One Case Study in germany suggested there had been a 75 decrease in numbers over 27 years. Take the humble housefly. You may not like them, but like many insects, theyre one of the foundations of the whole food chain. If we lose them, we will lose lots of other species too. But there is actually very little data for many insect groups and species, even here in the uk, which is where this new app comes in. The hope is that in the hands of a small army of citizen scientists it will generate more accurate figures for insect populations. Its simple to use. You clean your Number Plate before you go on a journey, then when you arrive at your destination you use the app to photograph the bugs squashed on a section of it, using a Splat Ometer Grid you get when you download the app. The results . They become part of the nationwide survey. Justin rowlatt, Bbc News. The oscars have been delayed for a second year running, with the date for the 2022 Ceremony Being pushed back by a month, because of delays in releasing films due to the pandemic. This Years Ceremony was held at various locations, including Union Station in los angeles. But next years will be held at its usual location, the dolby theatre in los angeles. Organisers also said that films released on streaming Services would again qualify for consideration. The event will take place on march 27th. Now its time for a look at the weather with sarah keith lucas. Hello, there. As we head through the final few days of may, things are going to turn warmer. Much of the Month Of May has been cool and it has certainly been quite a wet month, too. These are the highest temperatures we have seen so far this year. England, 24. 5. Now, that was way back in march. April and may have been cool months, but this weekend, eventually, we are starting to see those temperatures returning to something a little bit closer to average or even a little bit above as well, so up to the low 20s for many of us through the Bank Holiday Weekend. So some optimism in the forecast, but we have got a Weather Front that is bringing a bit of Rain Today to Western Parts of the uk, so light, patchy rain mainly towards the west. It is cloudier today than yesterday, but there will be some sunshine for parts of scotland and Eastern England as well through the course of the day. So patchy rain continuing for western england, wales, Northern Ireland and south west scotland. One or two isolated showers further east, but most places avoiding them. Temperatures in the warmest spots, 19, possibly 20 degrees, but a Bit Cooler under the cloud in the west, and for the likes of aberdeen, where we have got a bit of low cloud that is lingering for eastern Scotland And North East England as well. Overnight, in the west, under the cloud, temperatures are ten or 11 degrees, but under the clearer skies towards the east, seven or Eight Celsius First Thing Saturday Morning. Now, what about the Bank Holiday Weekend . Well, things are looking increasingly sunny and those temperatures are going to be on the up too. So we may well start on a bit of a cloudy note first thing saturday, particularly around some of these North Sea coasts, but the cloud in the west will thin and break, so plenty of spells of sunshine, just one or two sharp showers developing through the spine of britain, i think, through the day. Temperatures up to about 20 degrees for many of us, just a Bit Cooler across the north of scotland, particularly for the northern isle. Into sunday and widespread blue Sky And Sunshine with Light Winds too. Watch out for some high or very high levels of uv. The sun is particularly strong this time of year. Temperatures by sunday 20 to 23 degrees, a little Bit Cooler around some coasts. Heading through sunday and on into Bank Holiday monday, here is the High Pressure that is going to be driving our weather. Not many isobars on the chart, some fairly Light Winds. A Weather Front trying to push into the far North West, but it looks like it should remain out at sea. So, again, Bank Holiday monday, dry, fine, Light Winds, sunshine and it is looking pretty warm, with top temperatures up to about 23, possibly 24 celsius. Bye bye. This is Bbc News. The headlines as cases of the indian variant of coronavirus double in a week, ministers consider the further easing of restrictions due next month. Theres nothing in the data that will delay the Date But Weve said were always reviewing the data and will come to a final conclusion on whether to reopen on the 21st Ofjune Onjune the 14th. Englands Health Secretary under pressure as Care Home leaders dismiss as absolute rubbish the claim there was a Protective Shield around homes in the pandemic. Surgeons call for dozens of new Hospital Hubs in england to tackle whats being called a Colossal Backlog of nonurgent operations. Coughing. Detecting covid from a cough scientists come up with a new technique to see if someone has the virus. New measures to stop whats called the Loyalty Penalty Thats Insurance customers being penalised for renewing rather than shopping around. Barack 0bama praises the anti Poverty Campaigning of England Footballer Marcus rashford. The government is keeping a close eye on the rise in coronavirus cases driven by the indian variant. Data from public Health England shows there are now almost 7000 cases of the indian variant in the uk. Thats doubled in a week. Up to three quarters of new covid cases could be linked to the new variant. Hospital admissions with covid are also rising in some places, albeit from a very low level. There are concerns the increase in infections could delay plans to lift all restrictions in england onjune the 21st. James reynolds has the latest. In bolton, the race between the vaccine and the variant is fought at the pace of an average british queue. In recent weeks, up to several thousand people a day have waited patiently for their turn to be jabbed. In this town, the indian variant is hitting those who havent been vaccinated. The number of cases of the indian variant in england has more than doubled since last week, rising to almost 7000. According to the Health Secretary, up to three quarters of new Uk Covid cases could be linked to the variant. The worst affected areas in england continue to be bolton, Bedford And Blackburn with darwen. Seven other areas in england each have more than 100 confirmed cases of the variant. The critical thing to watch is the link from the number of cases to how many people end up in hospital. The increase in cases remains focused in hotspots and were doing all we can to tackle this variant wherever it flares up. The Prime Minister said we may need to wait for the lifting of all covid restrictions, but he added that there was nothing currently in the data from england to suggest that the easing couldnt go ahead as planned. The next two weeks then may be crucial. A decision is expected in mid june. James reynolds, Bbc News. Dr deepti gurdasani is a clinical epidemiologist at Queen Mary University of london. Good afternoon. Much talk, then, but quite what the government should be doing. Were unlikely to know anything for a couple of weeks, what do you think about talk of unlocking . I do you think about talk of unlocking . Do you think about talk of unlocking . Do you think about talk of unlockint . , , � ,. , unlocking . I honestly think its a Distraction Unlocking . I honestly think its a distraction because unlocking . I honestly think its a distraction because it unlocking . I honestly think its a distraction because it is unlocking . I honestly think its a distraction because it is very unlocking . I honestly think its a L Distraction because it is very clear that the data now suggest we cant go ahead with unlocking. But the problem is that we are having experience arises in cases as well as rices and hospitalisations to a smaller extent, which we know will gather pace as the number of cases increases right now, and that is before the full impact of even the opening of the 17th Of May is felt. So we are in a public Health Crisis right now because that is not as localised as suggested, because there are outbreaks in North West in london and we are seeing many places and that has been reflected in the data. This is transmitting to increase hospitalisations, unlike suggestions that the current level of vaccinations is going to break this chain, it is not. Sage has told us very clearly that at this current rate of opening where heading towards a wave that is likely at the same level as january or even higher. That is the data is current, so its very puzzling the Prime Minister is saying the data doesnt suggest we need to change course. We need to change course now, not even in june. D0 need to change course now, not even in june. ~. ,. , in june. Do we know how transmissible in june. Do we know how transmissible this in june. Do we know how transmissible this new i in june. Do we know how transmissible this new indian variant is . Transmissible this new indian variant is . ,. ,. ,. , variant is . The latest data from Pubuc Variant is . The latest data from public Health Variant is . The latest data from public Health England variant is . The latest data from public Health England shows i variant is . The latest data from public Health England shows among contacts of people infected, there is a 60 higher chance of being affected compared to the kent variant, so looks like the increased transmissibility might be up to 60 . These figures are from the office of national statistics suggest actually the number of people estimated to have Covid 19 in england has stayed roughly the same, one in 1120 people in england had Covid 19 in the latest week and previously, that was won in 1110, so it is occurring very, very slightly less in england. Is that that much need for alarm . There is, and my concern over this data recently has been they dont present their estimates and are show declines in rates in scotland although we clearly know their expansion arises not only in cases but in hospitalisations in scotland so we know it is not a trick of testing, it is actually happening. So im not sure what the office of national statistics data is not reflecting that, when all sources is clearly showing a rise in cases in Scotland And England accompanied by rising hospitalisations. So Scotland And England accompanied by rising hospitalisations. Rising hospitalisations. So you think potential rising hospitalisations. So you think potential of rising hospitalisations. So you think potential of the rising hospitalisations. So you| think potential of the methods rising hospitalisations. So you think potential of the methods used by the ons are throwing up tricky results . ,. , by the ons are throwing up tricky results . ,. , by the ons are throwing up tricky results . ,. ,. , results . They actually said that when prevalence results . They actually said that when prevalence is results . They actually said that when prevalence is low, results . They actually said that when prevalence is low, the. Results . They actually said that i when prevalence is low, the data results . They actually said that when prevalence is low, the data is not reliable in showing trends, and we see problems recently ensuring estimates because the reliance on modelling. It is often a reliable but not always. Particulars clusters of data in regions, there might not be picked up by the owners, which is a more nationally representative data set. Picked up by the ons. If they are not showing the rises in scotland which we know is happening, thatis scotland which we know is happening, that is concerning because it shows that is concerning because it shows that the data is not reflecting what is happening. 50. That the data is not reflecting what is happening is happening. So, new cases are ttoin u is happening. So, new cases are going up but is happening. So, new cases are going up but the is happening. So, new cases are going up but the number is happening. So, new cases are going up but the number of is happening. So, new cases are i going up but the number of deaths has remained pretty flat. Has remained pretty flat. Actually, thats the case has remained pretty flat. Actually, thats the case either, has remained pretty flat. Actually, thats the case either, if has remained pretty flat. Actually, thats the case either, if you has remained pretty flat. Actually, thats the case either, if you look. Thats the case either, if you look at the public Health England data, there were a rise in hospitalisations and also in deaths, 14 higher. Hospitalisations and also in deaths, 14 higher 1496 higher. That is from a very small base. 1496 higher. That is from a very small base, to 1496 higher. That is from a very small base, to check 1496 higher. That is from a very small base, to check this, 1496 higher. That is from a very small base, to check this, there | 1496 higher. That is from a very l small base, to check this, there is a number of deaths was ten in the weekly average is seven, so it is very small. It weekly average is seven, so it is very small very small. It is very small but what is worth very small. It is very small but what is worth remembering i very small. It is very small but what is worth remembering is| very small. It is very small but i what is worth remembering is there is usually a lag between the rises in hospitalisations and cases. While the rise is small it does seem to be trying in that direction, so it is wrong to say it is completely flat. Also, we dont expected to rise immediately and turns in terms of cases, and given that cases have just started writing, we would expect to see a delay, as we have in the past. Expect to see a delay, as we have in the tast. ,. ,. , expect to see a delay, as we have in the ast,. , expect to see a delay, as we have in the tast. ,. ,. , expect to see a delay, as we have in the tast. ,. ,. ,. ~ the past. Good to talk to you, thank ou ve the past. Good to talk to you, thank you very much pressure continues on the Health Secreatry Matt Hancock over the deaths of Care Home residents in the pandemic. It comes after the Prime Ministers former advisor Dominic Cummings Accused Him of lying in late March 2020 about Care Home residents being tested for coronavirus before leaving hospital. But Mr Hancock says the allegations are unsubstantiated and untrue. Mr hancock says ministers worked as hard as they could to place a Protective Shield around Care Homes. Nadra ahmed is the head of the national Care Association and disputes that claim, she was on Question Time Last Night absolutely not. Its absolute rubbish. There was no shield around. I think that was an utterance that came about in a form of embarrassment, perhaps, because nothing had been done for social care. Well, its an utterance that hes repeated a number of times, nadra. I mean, do you think. Do you think. A number of people have said this, but im just wondering, do you think he should resign, then . I dont think its a resigning matter, and its not for me to decide. I think its about ensuring that we talk about the issues, rather than think about uttering things that are untrue. That is not true. There was no Protective Shield. We know that. We were working the floor. If there had been a Protective Shield, there would have been a plan to support the most vulnerable people, the people that we look after. Earlier, i spoke to our political correspondent Ben Wright. I started by asking him to tell us more about how the Health Secretary had defended himself. Unsubstantiated allegations around honesty are not true, he said. It was a very broad denial to a very large number of specific allegations that Dominic Cummings made at that extraordinary select committee appearance. Clearly, the one that is potentially most wounding to Matt Hancock, and upsetting, i think, to so many relatives of people whose friends or relatives died in Care Homes, is the suggestion that he was not entirely truthful when he made a promise to the Prime Minister at a meeting in number 10 that people going from hospitals to Care Homes would be tested. He was pressed on that during a difficult Press Conference yesterday for the Health Secretary. He said that his recollection of events was that he was committed to delivering that testing when we could. He then went away to build that testing capacity. I dont think it was the strongest rebuttal and questions will continue to follow him for some time, perhaps even until we have the full Public Inquiry, which is not going to happen until next spring, according to the government. In the meantime, the government has a decision to make very soon about whether to relax restrictions completely at The End ofjune, the 21st Ofjune in england, that is the final date in the road map. There is clearly doubt about that. Borisjohnson said yesterday that we would have to wait a bit longer to consider the data before that decision could be made. This morning, the Business Secretary Kwasi kwarteng said this. Weve been very clear that we will be looking at the scientific data before we rush to any conclusions. Weve said that, as far as i can see, there is nothing in the data that will delay the date but we we are always reviewing the data and come to a final conclusion on whether to reopen on the 215t Ofjune Onjune The 14th. Ministers have always said they will be cautious when looking at the data. And this is the link theyre trying to understand at The Moment, the fact that infections are rising, the indian variant is seeing something of a surge in parts of the country, but hospitalisations remain very flat, and thats the relationship theyre trying to understand. But i think we will not know, even for perhaps a couple of weeks yet, what decision will be made on that really key date, june the 21st. Surgeons are calling for specialist hubs to be set up in england to help tackle what they call the Colossal Backlog of nonurgent operations that have been postponed because of the pandemic. In march, around 5 Million patients were waiting for surgery, thats the highest number since records began. But the government says its working to accelerate the recovery of Services. Our Health Correspondent Laura Foster reports. When the pandemic began, Hospital Trusts had to cancel nonurgent surgeries, such as Hip And Knee replacements, so there were enough staff and resources to look after patients with Covid 19. But since then, Waiting Times and lists have only grown. 14 months on from the first lockdown, latest figures show almost 5 Million people are on the waiting list. More than 400,000 of them have been waiting for more than a year. Well, these are the worst waiting time figures ever recorded, and we all understand that stuff had to be put on hold whilst there was the pandemic. But now the pandemic is beginning to recede, we need a serious approach to getting into this backlog. The college says the answer is to spend £1 billion over the next five years and to carry out operations not at local hospitals, but at dedicated hubs. That way, these hubs would still function even if there was another wave of covid, or indeed another pandemic. The college argues people are willing to travel further if it means surgeries happen sooner. The russian president , Vladimir Putin, and the belarusian leader, Alexander Lukashenko, are due to meet later amid growing tensions with the eu over the interception of a Ryanair Flight on sunday. The aircraft was forced to land in minsk and an exiled Opposition Journalist and his girlfriend who were On Board were arrested. Several airlines are avoiding belarusian airspace in protest. Mark lobel reports. Every day since roman protasevichs arrest in minsk is agony for his parents theyre pleading for anyone to help free their hero. Translation i want you to hear my cry, the cry of my soul, so you can understand how difficult it is for us right now. Then, a message for her son. Stay strong, son, stay strong. We will love you and we will get you out. Translation we have no idea where our son is. I we still cant confirm his location. President lukashenko boasts hes captured a terrorist. Romans parents say their son was just speaking the truth. He helped broadcast protests like these, following a disputed election, using a dissident belarusian Media Network on the social media platform telegram. The Media Networks poland based Co Founder believes the stakes for the opposition could not be higher. Translation repressions continue in belarus. Last week, a political prisoner died in prison. Yesterday, we found out that another person who was politically persecuted died. After belarusian security boarded romans diverted flight to capture him, eu and Uk Leaders closed off airspace in retaliation, but there are fears those Flight Bans could hamper dissidents wishing to flee belarus. We demand the Land Borders of belarus to be opened for the free movement for belarusian citizens, since the regime cannot be allowed to turn the country into prison for Nine Million people. The eu says personal sanctions on senior belarusians are almost ready, alongside further economic ones. In retaliation, belarus warns europe to expect a wave of drugs and migrants crossing into their borders. As things escalate, all eyes are on what emerges from an imminent meeting between president s Putin And Lukashenko in russia. Lets go live to edinburgh, where scotlands first Minister Nicola Sturgeon is giving a Coronavirus Update with national clinical directorjason leitch. There are as of now 90 people receiving hospital care, that are seven more than yesterday, and six people are receiving Intensive Care, which is two more than yesterday. Sadly, two deaths were reported in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of deaths registered under the daily definition to 7668. As always, i want to convey my heartfelt condolences to everybody who has lost someone as a result of the pandemic. Let me also briefly update on the vaccination programme, i will slow down slightly here for the benefit of the signers, because there are some big numbers involved in this update. As of this morning, 3,196,051 people have received a first dose of the vaccine. That is an increase since yesterday of 21,244. In addition, 28,721 people got a second dose of the Vaccine Yesterday and that brings the total number of second doses now to 1,971,000 six. So, we continue now to make very good progress in the vaccination programme. I turn now to an overview of the current national situation, and then expend a decision at weve are reached in relation to glasgow for this week but also to give the city an indication of what we hope is the direction of travel. Now, in the interest of giving as frank and balanced an assessment as possible, which i come up with varying degrees of success, always try to do, aspects of what im about to report today give cause for concern, there no getting away from that, but other aspects also give us some real cause for optimism. And that reflects, i think, the phase that we are now in in this pandemic, which i very much hope is a transition phase, a transition to dealing with the virus in a way that allows us all a much greater normality. As i indicated earlier in the week, we do think that vaccination is changing the impact that the virus has and that it will therefore allow us to change the way we respond to the virus, and thatis the way we respond to the virus, and that is really positive and that is what gives us grounds for real hope. But, and this is the frustrating bits, our understanding of this is still developing. To get users, were literally learning more about this variant on the impact of vaccination on a daily basis, but our understanding is not complete, and that means, for now, we still need to exercise a reasonable degree of caution. Firstly, the national Picture Case numbers across scotland are rising now, they increase by more than a quarter in the past week and they are more than double than they were in the early part of may. Todays numbers highlight that point quite strongly, 641 new cases is the largest daily number we have seen it since the 25th of march. Some of that, of course, will be accounted for by increased testing. The latest estimate of our R Number is that it could now be as high as 1. 3. Again, i need to put that in context, because that will be quite significantly driven, probably, by the situation in glasgow, given how big the city of glasgow is as a proportion of scotlands overall population. A key factor behind the increases, which are also being seen increases, which are also being seen in other parts of the uk, this is not entirely unique to scotland, is that the new April 02 variants, which we think its more transmissible than other types of the virus, probably accounts for 50 or more of our daily cases. However, the increase in cases so far it does seem to be concentrated in younger age groups, and this may indicate that vaccination is having a protective effect for older people, which is what we want to see. On previous occasions, a rise in cases has led a few weeks later to a significant rise in hospitalisations and deaths, and the number of people in hospital with covid has increased in hospital with covid has increased in scotland from 68 people three weeks ago to 90 today, but again, that needs to be put in context. Are mentioned on tuesday, back in january, the peak of the second wave, there was more than 2000 people in hospital. So we are marching very carefullyjust know whether and to what extent the vaccines are breaking or at the very least weakening the link between rising Case Numbers and significantly rising cases of serious illness and death. And if we see a significant reduction in the health harms of covid, even as Case Numbers rise, then hopefully that will allow us to change our approach, because well be able to rely then on other public health measures rather than on blanket restrictions to keep the outbreaks under control. Mainland scotland, although we talk about glasgow separately, is currently due to move from level two to level one on the 7th ofjune. Many of those are already in level one mark. I am planning to confirm on tuesday whether and to what extent that will proceed on the issue i talked about is one of the issues that will influence that decision. It is also something we are taking into account when considering the situation in glasgow, thats what i want to talk about now. Critical part of this update is that, in glasgow, cases of also continued to rise in the last week by about 30 , from 112 per 100,000 of population to 146. Test positivity has hovered around the 4 Market But Weve seen a slight increase of eight in recent days as well, it is now around 4. 4 . However, as i will return to shortly, the national management Teams View is that the escalation of public health measures in glasgow is stabilising and indeed might be starting to improve the situation. Illjust give you a sense of the scale of the response that has been implemented in glasgow. Across greater glasgow and clyde, since the start of may, the level of Pcr Testing has more than tripled, up by 240 , and the speed of that can be master in the fact that, in one week alone, testing more than doubled, it was up 150 compared to the week before. And that is just Pcr Testing, in addition, more than 135,000 lateral floaters have testing, in addition, more than 135,000 lateralfloaters have been distributed across the city, enhance Contact Tracing is in place and we have also seen a remarkable effort to speed up vaccination. As of wednesday, thousands of people and make use of the open Vaccine Clinic at the glasgow central mosque. There is not a vaccine bus, a mobile Vaccine Clinic, providing hundreds of vaccinations every day, and additional drop in slots are planned for the hydro this weekend and there will be dropping vaccination clinics across the next week. Details of this will be advertised shortly but in particular, if you are over 40 and havent had a first associate or if your second dose is due, please look out for details of these drop in clinics. As i said, this time last week, measures like this always take time to work but there are some early signs that the situation is stabilising in glasgow. For example, i can tell you that in the postcodes were initially at the heart of the outbreak in the south side, new cases fallen in recent days and fewer of the new cases appear to be symptomatic, so that is appear to be symptomatic, so that is a hopeful sign that these efforts are paying off. And we also think, in recent days, are seeing a stabilisation in numbers across the city as a whole, so they have increased but not as fast as might have been expected. Also, the number of covid patients in hospital in glasgow has remained broadly stable in the past week in the number of patients in Intensive Care thankfully remains low. So, weighing up thankfully remains low. So, weighing up all these factors is inevitably really difficult. Case numbers in glasgow, I Cant say anything other than this, they are uncomfortably high but we are seeing signs of progress. The view of the national Incident Management Team is twofold, firstly that it would be premature to move glasgow out of level 3 immediately this week, while the situation remains fragile. However, and secondly, if incidents continue to stabilise and assuming levels of hospitalisation remain reasonably stable, the Incident Management Team has made it clear to me that they would support a move to level 2 from The End of next week, so this time next week. Of course, its necessary that we do see progress continue. We will be watching the critical statistics carefully every day, but if they massive public health efforts continue to have an impact, if our collective efforts to drive the virus back continue, then from next saturday, friday into saturday, the 5th ofjune, the plan would be for the city to move to level 2. But i want to be clear here, as i have always tried to be frank with everybody, we do need to see these positive signs continue to make that a reality. So, to give us as much Advance Notice as possible, because i know the lack of notice is one of the frustrations for people and businesses in particular, i tend to confirm any decision no later than wednesday of next week. My message to the people of glasgow is, dont lose heart. On the contrary, take heart from the progress that we are seeing. I live in glasgow so i know how hard this is, from my own personal life, but please, continue to help with all the public health efforts that are in place, because if we continue to do this, then we will make that move from level 3 down to level 2, and then hopefully get back on track, down the levels further. In particular, please come forward for the vaccine, and this is a key point you will hear me stressing more and more, notjust for your first stressing more and more, notjust for Yourfirst Dose stressing more and more, notjust for your first dose but your second dose as well. That applies to young people too, again, points will hear me stressed more and more. This virus can enter is make young people ill. Being young is not a Cast Iron Guarantee or protection against far from it, in fact, Guarantee Or Protection against far from it, infact, a high Guarantee Or Protection against far from it, in fact, a high proportion of the albeit relatively low number of the albeit relatively low number of hospital cases right now are amongst younger age groups, so please get vaccinated, whatever age you are. Im obviously well aware of the economic impact restrictions are having. The deputy first minister and the Finance Secretary met earlier this week with Glasgow City council and affected business sectors to discuss these difficulties, and we will continue to fund grants for lesser and hospitality businesses in glasgow but hopefully, if we keep doing this stuff, we will see glasgow getting back on track, hopefully, with the rest of the country in the weeks to come. Missing way very briefly from Glasgow City, we have also considered in recent days were ready to step up restrictions on some other areas with relatively high levels of new cases, in renfrewshire and clackmannanshire. All of these areas, however, have low absolute numbers of cases, they have relatively low populations, and public health teams are there consider these outbreaks are being controlled in other ways. In renfrewshire, for example, we have seen a rise in cases in recent days, the outbreaks are all tightly clustered in knock six are renfrewshire, like clackmannanshire renfrewshire, like Clackmanna Nshire and renfrewshire, like clackmannanshire and East Renfrewshire will remain in level 2 for now and next week, in common with the rest of country, we will discuss what will happen. Are concentrated so foreign specific decisions taken for areas with relatively high rates of covid but i want to end, and thank you for bearing with me, this has been quite lengthy, but i want to end with a message that applies to all of us, wherever you live in the country. Would all have a part to play, either in getting covid a bricks and control where there are outbreak or in other parts of the country, keeping cases low. That have been true for more than a year now and remains the case. The single most important Thing Everybody can do right now is get vaccinated when youre invited. I said before that take up rates have been exceptional, and that remains true, but we are now seeing some quite high numbers of people not attending appointments. I know of people not attending appointments. I know i will often be reasons for that, and some of these are for government to address, which we are doing, but please attend your appointment if you possibly can. If you cant make it, rearrange your appointment. But please make sure you get the vaccine. As i said earlier on, dontjust go for your first dose, get your second dose as well. It is the second dose that makes a real difference to how much protection you have, and thats why also you should continue to be extra careful until youve had both doses of the vaccine. If you havent received an Appointment Letter yet and think you should have done, going to the nhs website, arrange a new appointments, and if you are between 18 29, you can register online for the vaccination. You can get information had to do both these things on the Vaccinations Page of the nhs in Form Website or at wwe taught invitations dots vacs dot scott. If you get vaccinated and makes it less likely that you will get ill from covid but it is most important thing we can all do to help ourfamily and important thing we can all do to help our family and friends and neighbours by getting vaccinated, where helping reduce the overall harm and making it easierfor all of us to get back to normal. So, rolling up our sleeves not once but twice is part of our civic, public duty to each other and to the country right now. There are other ways we can help out, getting tested and through lateral flow tests available and they give quick results. And if they show you might have covid, they allow you to self isolate and get a Pcr Test. That is really helpful as we try to quickly break chains of transmission. Finally, rememberto transmission. Finally, remember to follow transmission. Finally, Rememberto Follow other public Health Advice and continue to take all of the sensible precautions. That is important for everybody, but particularly important for anyone who has not yet had both doses of the vaccine. So please get vaccinated when asked, test regularly and follow all of the public Health Advice. If we all do that, then despite these bumps in the road, we will remain on the rightjack overall and hopefully right jack overall and hopefully over this rightjack overall and hopefully over this summer get ourselves back to a much greater degree of normality. Right back overall. Thank you and we will move to questions. The first Question Today is stv. ,. , questions. The first Question Today is stv. , i. , questions. The first Question Today isstv. , ~ , is stv. Thank you, first minister, i was in restaurant is stv. Thank you, first minister, i was in restaurant in is stv. Thank you, first minister, i was in restaurant in glasgow is stv. Thank you, first minister, i | was in restaurant in glasgow where Case Numbers were low and the news that The End is in sight has been welcomed here. Hospitalisations are also at a low level, despite a slow rise today, im wondering what reassurances you can give to our moving away from a focus on restrictions and move out of level two would be a temporary measure and will not see areas like this Yo Yoing in and out of different levels. An to the professor, is it generally the case that those in hospital getting treatment now are those who have not had vaccines and are younger and therefore likely to have to need critical care . Have to need critical care . Thank ou, i have to need critical care . Thank you. I covered have to need critical care . Thank you, i covered that have to need critical care . Thank you, i covered that central have to need critical care . Thank you, i covered that central point| have to need critical care . Thank. You, i covered that central point in my remarks, but it is worth repeating. We really hope that what vaccination is doing is breaking the link between rising Case Numbers and rising hospitalisations and Intensive Care cases and ultimately people dying. We think there is evidence emerging of that and that is what is giving us real hope. It as i said earlier on, notjust in scotland, the whole world really is at a stage where we do not have a full understanding of this. If we take glasgow, we are reassured that notwithstanding the Case Numbers we have been seeing, hospital cases have been seeing, hospital cases have remained stable, they go up one day and up the next, but overall they are stable. But i want to know this time next week that this is still the case before that reassurance becomes as strong as it needs to be. So we are learning more every day, we are learning more about how this new variant is behaving and about the impact of vaccination. That is all reassuring, certainly the vaccination and less reassuring on the indian variant, but overall, we really do hope, and i spoke about this early in the week, this allows us to move into a different form of response so that we are not having to react in quite the same way to the rise in Case Numbers when we knew, as we have done all along up until now, that arise in Case Numbers one week was a rise in deaths to three weeks later. So if we can have greater confidence that the overall health impact of covid is reducing, then we can have move into a situation where we are not relying on these quickly applied and stringent blanket restrictions. Vaccination, testing, and simple precautions are the layers of protection that allow us to stay as safe as possible bearing in mind that in this World Nothing is 100 safe. That is what were trying to get to. I will hand over to jason on the question of young people. Young people should be complacent here, they can and do get ill from this virus. Get vaccinated and until you are vaccinated, be careful. Do not take everything we are saying here as a sign there is no risk to young adults in particular. I think that is an important point and an important note on which to hand over to jason. The important note on which to hand over to jason. ,. , important note on which to hand over to jason. ,. ,. , important note on which to hand over to jason. ,. ,. ,~. To jason. The basic answer to your T Uestion to jason. The basic answer to your question is to jason. The basic answer to your question is yes. To jason. The basic answer to your question is yes, the to jason. The basic answer to your question is yes, the group to jason. The basic answer to your question is yes, the group in i question is yes, the group in Hospital Question is yes, the group in hospital is different to the Group Injanuary hospital is different to the Group Injanuary and december, but they are in january and december, but they are in injanuary and december, but they are in hospital because they need hospitat are in hospital because they need hospital. We have not produced the bar for hospital. We have not produced the bar for admission. They are in because bar for admission. They are in because they are sick. They may be younger because they are sick. They may be younger and because they are sick. They may be younger and the virus as it increases younger and the virus as it increases in number will find the unprotected, the truly unprotected. Maybe unprotected, the truly unprotected. Maybe in unprotected, the truly unprotected. Maybe in their 505 and 605, those who have maybe in their 505 and 605, those who have not had a second dose, may be those who have not had a second dose, may be those who who have not had a second dose, may be those who did not go for a first dose be those who did not go for a first dose honest second dose, or it could be the dose honest second dose, or it could be the younger unvaccinated group, and it be the younger unvaccinated group, and it is be the younger unvaccinated group, and it is that group mainly. It is u5t and it is that group mainly. It is just your and it is that group mainly. It is just your best hope of protection. We talk just your best hope of protection. We talk last time about people who might we talk last time about people who might have died now being in hospital might have died now being in hospital vaccinated but will not die. And hospital vaccinated but will not die. And therefore all the way down, diseases die. And therefore all the way down, diseases are continuing, not a single diseases are continuing, not a single entity. The advice remains the same. Single entity. The advice remains the same, just as the first minister said the same, just as the first minister said get the same, just as the first minister said. Get vaccinated, get tested, even said. Get vaccinated, get tested, even if said. Get vaccinated, get tested, even if you said. Get vaccinated, get tested, even if you think you have no way of having even if you think you have no way of having the even if you think you have no way of having the virus, get tested. We are at the having the virus, get tested. We are at the transition point, but if we transition at the transition point, but if we transition to quickly and get it wrong. Transition to quickly and get it wrong, we will have to reverse and reverse wrong, we will have to reverse and reverse quickly. We wrong, we will have to reverse and reverse quickly reverse quickly. We spoke about it earl in reverse quickly. We spoke about it early in the reverse quickly. We spoke about it early in the year reverse quickly. We spoke about it early in the year and reverse quickly. We spoke about it early in the year and it reverse quickly. We spoke about it early in the year and it is reverse quickly. We spoke about it early in the year and it is really i early in the year and it is really true at The Moment, we are in a race between the vaccine and the virus. The problem we keep encountering, as we did with the new variant at the start of the year and this latest variant, the variants are learning to run faster and each one seems to run faster than the one before. At his why we have such an emphasis right now on trying to accelerate vaccination. That is why. We are constrained by limits of supply, but within that, we want to get vaccinated as quickly as possible and that is why it is so important to turn up for your vaccine and both doses, because the evidence against this new variant is a little bit of protection after one dose but perhaps not as much as one would want. It is after the second dose you get the significant protection to two doses are vital. Bbc. Iii. To two doses are vital. Bbc. Hi, could we to two doses are vital. Bbc. Hi, could we just to two doses are vital. Bbc. H , could we just drill down into those figures are little more . I think this is really interesting for people, especially when encouraging people, especially when encouraging people to get their vaccinations, as you have been doing today with younger people too. Professor, you are saying in hospital at The Moment there are different age groups to what there was. So the people in hospital are a different group to what we saw at the height of the pandemic, is it the case that this is mostly people in their 50s or 60s who have not had both vaccines or perhaps not have had any vaccines . Could you be clear at about that miss about that . We could you be clear at about that miss about that . Could you be clear at about that miss about that . We do not have all the data miss about that . We do not have all the data to miss about that . We do not have all the data to back miss about that . We do not have all the data to back it miss about that . We do not have all the data to back it up, miss about that . We do not have all the data to back it up, but all the data to back it up, but jason said that if you are in hospital, it means you are sick today as if you had been in hospital months ago. But there may be evidence that are not deteriorating as much, they are not staying in hospital for as as much, they are not staying in hospitalfor as long, as much, they are not staying in hospital for as long, they are not making, happily, Thats Transition from hospital to Intensive Care. We cannot be certain about that yet, but that is what we hope and think is the changing pattern that we are seeing. While we are being cautious about glasgow, we just need more time. Every day that passes, we get more confidence about these hopeful trends that we are seeing. I get asked for certainty trends that we are seeing. I get asked for certainty over trends that we are seeing. I g2t asked for certainty over time and the advice, the first minister is who asked us for certainty, so we can help businesses. We who asked us for certainty, so we can help businesses. Can help businesses. We simply cannot give can help businesses. We simply cannot give it. Can help businesses. We simply cannot give it. The can help businesses. We simply cannot give it. The viruss i cannot give it. The Viruss Incubation Period and ability to mutate. Incubation Period And Ability to mutate, this feels like last time we had a mutate, this feels like last time we had a big mutate, this feels like last time we had a big opening, and we got the variant had a big opening, and we got the variant it had a big opening, and we got the variant. It was 117 analysis 1167. The most variant. It was 117 analysis 1167. The most recent data, this is early data. The most recent data, this is early data. It the most recent data, this is early data, it suggests that the first dose data, it suggests that the first dose protected 51 against 117 and 33 against 1617. So you are still protected 33 against 1617. So you are still protected somewhat by your first dose. Protected somewhat by your first dose. But protected somewhat by your first dose, but not as much as you work, and then dose, but not as much as you work, and then your dose, but not as much as you work, and then your second dose protects you pretty and then your second dose protects you pretty much the same for both variants. You pretty much the same for both variants. 86 versus 81. And the confidence variants. 86 versus 81. And the Confidence Interval statistically overlaps, so no statistical difference. That is why we are emphasising second doses, particularly in the over 505. I am 52, particularly in the over 505. I am 52. I particularly in the over 505. I am 52. I had particularly in the over 505. I am 52, i had my particularly in the over 505. I am 52, i had my first day six weeks ago and is 52, i had my first day six weeks ago and is soon 52, i had my first day six weeks ago and is soon a 52, i had my first day six weeks ago and is soon a site can get my second dose and is soon a site can get my second dose i and is soon a site can get my second dose i will. And is soon a site can get my second dose i will. That Group A5 and is soon a site can get my second dose i will. That group as soon as i dose i will. That group as soon as i can dose i will. That group as soon as i can get. Dose i will. That group as soon as i can get. That is the best way of protecting. The first minister is right. Of protecting. The first minister is right. 100 of protecting. The first minister is right, 100 people in hospital is still 100 right, 100 people in hospital is still 100 people in hospital. The nhs is still 100 people in hospital. The nhs is not overwhelmed, it is managing and it is breathing a sigh of relief. Managing and it is breathing a sigh of relief. At 1000 people in hospital of relief. At 1000 people in hospital is still 1000 people in Hospital Hospital is still 1000 people in hospital and that is what we must avoid. Hospital and that is what we must avoid. ,. , hospital and that is what we must avoid. ,. ,. , . , hospital and that is what we must avoid. ,. ,. , it i . , i i i avoid. You can go from 100 to 1000 re avoid. You can go from 100 to 1000 pretty quickly. Avoid. You can go from 100 to 1000 pretty quickly. Which avoid. You can go from 100 to 1000 pretty quickly, which is avoid. You can go from 100 to 1000 pretty quickly, which is why avoid. You can go from 100 to 1000 pretty quickly, which is why we i avoid. You can go from 100 to 1000| pretty quickly, which is why we must be cautious to avoid that sudden exponential growth that we have unfortunately experienced on two occasions. ,. Unfortunately experienced on two occasions. ,. , occasions. Thank you, first minister occasions. Thank you, first minister. What occasions. Thank you, first minister. What are occasions. Thank you, first minister. What are your. Occasions. Thank you, first i minister. What are your thoughts occasions. Thank you, first minister. What are your thoughts on the first minister. What are your thoughts on the first dose being improved in the uk . What the first dose being improved in the uk . What should we see fronts a single uk . What should we see fronts a single dose to sing two doses . From single dose to sing two doses . From a single dose to sing two doses . From a single dose. What is your understanding of the impact of the vaccine . Understanding of the impact of the vaccine . How long you think that can take given vaccine . How long you think that can take given Ourfour Vaccine . How long you think that can take given our four understandings of the take given our four understandings of the vaccines . Given our full understandings. | of the vaccines . Given our full understandings. Of the vaccines . Given our full understandings. I have been on the stee est understandings. I have been on the steepest of understandings. I have been on the steepest of steep understandings. I have been on the steepest of steep learning understandings. I have been on the steepest of steep learning curves i steepest of steep learning curves and one other thing that is difficult for a non clinician to accept is it is all about layers of protection and balances of risk. The other thing is we do not get to a day where we have 100 understanding of this. It is everydayjust now learning more and more about the new variant, but most importantly, we are learning more about the impact of vaccine. With every day that passes, we can start to make better judgments about whether that link between cases and hospitalisations is weakening, because if, as cases continue to rise, we are not seeing the same rise in hospital cases, literally we are seeing that every day that that must be the effect of the vaccine we want to see. It is not one day we understand it and another we do not, it isjust an ongoing development of that understanding and then we use that to inform the balanced decisions we make. The other thing that is really difficult for somebody like me to accept is that there is no 100 safe thing to do. Increasingly, this is going to be about layers of protection, what we can all do, get vaccinated, continue washing our hands, where face coverings, and moved to a situation where that is what we do, test ourselves regularly and not rely so much on blanket restrictions. That is the phasing we are in but we have to do it carefully and cautiously. The simple answer is the carefully and cautiously. The simple answer is the more carefully and cautiously. The simple answer is the more vaccines. I carefully and cautiously. The simple answer is the more vaccines. We. Answer is the more vaccines. We will leave that briefing now. Studio the main line coming out of it is that glasgow is going to stay in level three restrictions because Case Numbers in glasgow are, as the first minister put it, uncomfortably high, but she says there are glimmers of hope that the Case Numbers are stabilising and she is hoping to move glasgow down to level two by The End of next week. Some news just in. A single Shot Coronavirus Vaccine from Johnson Johnson has been approved for use in the uk. The vaccine should be available for use later this year. Moving on. If you are about to renew your home or Motor Insurance, you will not pay any more than new customers from january, when New Rules introduced by the financial Conduct Authority come into effect. The fca says the changes will protect those of us from the so called � Loyalty Penalty� , where prices are hiked up for existing customers. Earlier, i spoke to malcolm tarling, chief Media Officer at the association of british insurers, he told me they support the move by the fca. We have long said that customers who shop around, and the vast majority of insurance customers do so, they get very good deals and very competitive markets. But we recognise for some people who for whatever Reason Stay loyal and do noT Shop around, they may end up not getting the best outcome. This is about readjusting that balance and we support that. It is also important to remember the key thing is the regulator as said. Insurers are not making excessive profits from the current system and some of the discounts available today for people shopping around may not be sustainable in the future. It is interesting sustainable in the future. It is interesting you sustainable in the future. It is interesting you support their move because then i am driven to ask, why was this not done before . We because then i am driven to ask, why was this not done before . Was this not done before . We have lont called was this not done before . We have long called for was this not done before . We have long called for reforms was this not done before . We have long called for reforms in was this not done before . We have long called for reforms in the i long called for reforms in the general Insurance Market to readdress the balance here. Why the regulator has had to act is because we need those reforms to be implemented across the whole market. People buy their insurance in different ways, you do notjust go to an Insurance Company to buy your insurance, you may go to a Price Comparison Website or Insurance Broker. It is only the regulator, the fca, that has the power that to make sure that these reforms are implemented. We as an association had been acting on this. A couple of years ago we launched an Industry Initiative where insurers have been reviewing the policies of customers on their books for five or more years to make sure they are getting the best possible outcome. So we have been dealing with this, we recognise it is an issue and have been regularly tackling it, but we need the regulator to act to make sure it runs across the whole of the market. Companies can� t just go it alone because they will be undercut by other companies, it has to be a Market Wide . It has to be Market Wide, people don� tjust Buy Insurance through insurance, the maker to our Price Comparison Websites, make use of a broker, so we need reforms and we need regulations that apply to the whole market so that, you know, however you Buy Insurance, these reforms and changes are going to apply to you. You did mention that the regulator has admitted it could spell The End of the cheapest deals for new customers, but it says that the vast majority of existing customers will benefit. Yes, i don� t think it� s saying don� T Shop around, because we would always advocate people to shop around and buy the policy that meets their needs, don� tjust be seduced on price alone. What the regulator is saying is that some of those discounts, some of those competitive discounts that are currently available, may not be available in the future because the money is going to be rebalanced, if you like, back to some of those existing customers. This is about redistributing the money between to customer two customer groups, between new customers and existing customers. The family of a private investigator killed in south london has welcomed the announcement that a report into his unsolved murder will be released next month. Daniel morgan was attacked with an axe in a Pub Car Park in sydenham in 1987. An Investigation Panel had been due to release its findings on the 17th Of May, but this did not happen as the Home Office said it wanted to see the report first. The panel said it had now agreed a small team from the Home Office would be able to read the report in advance of its publication on the 15th ofjune. An Erupting Volcano has forced thousands of people from their homes in goma in the democratic republic of congo. More than 30 people are known to have died when the Nyiragongo Volcano first spewed our lava at the weekend. Spewed out lava. There are continuing earth tremors and fears it could erupt again. Rhal ssan reports. Once again, thousands are on the move in goma, in the democratic republic of the congo. The evacuation of nearly a third of goma� s 670,000 has been ordered, as authorities say Mount Nyiragongo could erupt again soon. As word spread, many more decided to leave. Translation authorities have said that people should follow the routesj and directions on where to go in the event of an eruption. They said people should leave without panicking, so as not to cause death or accidents. But unfortunately, when people see some fleeing, they go because they� re afraid. And this is what they� re fleeing. Last weekend, lava from the volcano destroyed countless homes and killed 32 people. In its wake, the lava left nothing. Since then, aftershocks have destroyed many more buildings in the city. Translation a crack appeared just behind my house, a very big one that had to be covered up by people with stones. This morning, the authorities said that wherever there are cracks, the inhabitants must move and leave these places. They told us to evacuate and go to sake. At first, we were reluctant, but then we saw that everyone was leaving. The rush to get out has caused long trafficjams, as the city� s Infrastructure Struggles to cope. To avoid this, others are leaving the city by boat, such as these orphans all 127 of them who fled over lake kivu. For these people, who have already lost so much of the life they had, it seems their plight is not yet over. Rhal ssan, Bbc News. Japan has extended a State Of Emergency in tokyo and several other areas for another three weeks, as hospitals in those regions remain overwhelmed with serious cases of Covid 19. The government says the measures, which mainly require bars and restaurants to close early, will stay in place untiljune the 20th, just a month before the olympics is due to start. Scientists have created an artificial Intelligence Screening Tool which can detect signs of coronavirus by the sound of someone� s cough. Researchers, led by the University Of Essex, say the programme was 98 accurate in spotting those who had the infection. Our science correspondent, Richard Westcott has more. Coughing. One key to Controlling Covid is a quick test to see who� s got it. This is the Cough Sound of our non positive covid individual. Cough. And that� s where this coughing comes in. This is the sound of someone who has Got Covid. Cough. Scientists in essex have analysed more than 8,000 coughs from hospitals Around The World and designed a Computer Programme that can tell who� s got the virus. It� s very difficult, almost impossible for Human Hearing to be able to distinguish when someone is a negative or positive. What these computers and Machine Learning can do is to scan the whole Frequency Spectrum of the Audio And Pick of many differences that combine to allow us to differentiate between someone that has covid and someone who has not covid. You can imagine this is the way it might work. So you would have a Qr Code outside perhaps an Office Building or a pub. You scan it and the website comes up and then you open the website. And cough into it, and it tells you potentially, if you� ve Got Covid if it comes up as a positive, then you would go off and have, say, a Pcr Test to make sure. Doctors in mexico are already using the app in remote places where they can� t get swab tests. Javier found that, in controlled conditions, it could be 90 accurate. This is a boy who did not have covid. Cough. Today it� s covid, but you could potentially use apps to spot all kinds of problems. I think this is a first step that shows that, in the future, we could use our Mobile Phones to do many more things than to just communicate and just call our families and friend. We could use it for detecting different conditions and health states. Richard westcott, Bbc News, essex. Measuring the amount of squashed bugs on your car after a journey, may be able to help scientists better understand insect populations in the uk. A new app is asking the public to gather the information to identify where certain species are thriving and where others are in decline. Here� s our chief environment correspondent, justin rowlatt. Insect ageddon is how the global decline in insect populations has been described by some scientists. One Case Study in germany suggested there had been a 75 decrease in numbers over 27 years. Take the humble housefly. You may not like them, but like many insects, they� re one of the foundations of the whole food chain. If we lose them, we will lose lots of other species too. But there is actually very little data for many insect groups and species, even here in the uk, which is where this new app comes in. The hope is that in the hands of a small army of citizen scientists it will generate more accurate figures for insect populations. It� s simple to use. You clean your Number Plate before you go on a journey, then when you arrive at your destination you use the app to photograph the bugs squashed on a section of it, using a Splat Ometer Grid you get when you download the app. The results . They become part of the nationwide survey. Justin rowlatt, Bbc News. Marcus rashford has discussed the power young people have to change society during an online call with ba rack 0bama. They also spoke about shared experiences, including being raised by a single mum. Afterwards, the England Footballer and Child Poverty Campaigner said it had been surreal talking to the former us president from his kitchen. Let� s have a look. Marcus, i think, is way ahead of where i was at 23. I was still trying to figure it out. For me, being in sports, ijust knew my life could change very, very quickly. And if i wasn� t, like, mature enough, or at a certain level in my own head, it makes stuff like fame even more difficult. When you look at the history of big social movements and i big social change, It5 Usuallyl young people who initiate this. If you give someone a helping hand at a young age, they� ll go on to do things that even they didn� t think or believe was achievable to accomplish. What a meeting this was. Now it� s time for a look at the weather with tomasz shafernaker. And some of us are stuck under the cloud again today, with some damp weather around, too, but this is only temporary and we are expecting the weather to improve through the weekend, becoming increasingly sunny and warm. Now, the latest Satellite Picture actually shows a lot of clear weather around the uk, but in the heart of the british isles, we have got this cloudy and damp weather, and that is because a Weather Front is stuck out towards the west. And it is stuck because of this High Pressure here, in fact, Weather Fronts are trying to come in off the atlantic but this High Pressure, think of it as a mountain, well, it is stopping the weather systems from moving through, they are slowing down as they approach the uk. So there is very little wind to move this Weather Front around we basicallyjust have to wait for it to rain itself out and for the clouds to break up. The best of the weather through friday eastern and northern areas. So this is what happens during the course of Friday Night into saturday. Still a lot of Cloud And Mist and murk out towards the west, some damp weather, too, and this does mean that for many of us, Saturday Morning is going to be quite grey. It will take time for the clouds to break up, and even if they do, for many of us, it may actually end up being a fairly cloudy day. We� ll have to waitjust that little bit longer, The Sun will come, i promise you. So this is what it looks like on saturday. Still a fair bit of cloud around, especially out towards the west. Might even be some showers around, but it� s turning warmer. 21 in london, 20 in hull and 20 expected in glasgow. Now, the High Pressure is right over us on sunday, there� s very little wind, very little cloud. In fact, the uv levels are high, so steady if you are out in the park, you could easily burn. Remember, whether you burn or not is nothing to do with the temperature, it is the amount of sunshine we get. But it will be warm temperatures 23 expected in liverpool. Now, this is Bank Holiday monday, High Pressure firmly in charge of the weather across a large chunk of europe, the Weather Fronts cannot come in any further, the High Pressure is intense, and in fact, that High Pressure is drawing in warmth from the south that� s spreading all the way towards the north, to scotland and even the northern isles. So our temperatures on monday, 18 degrees in the north of scotland, mid 20s in the south. As cases of the indian variant of coronavirus double in a week, ministers are still weighing up the next easing of restrictions. With up to three quarters of new cases believed to be caused by that variant, the government says it� s monitoring the situation. There� s nothing in the data that will delay the date, but we� ve said we� re always reviewing the data and we will come to a final conclusion on whether to reopen on the 21st Ofjune Onjune the 14th. Nicola Sturgeon Hasjust announced that glasgow is to stay at level 3 restrictions, describing cases as uncomfortably high. It comes as a fourth Coronavirus Vaccine has just been approved for use in the uk. Also this lunchtime. Tackling the backlog of non urgent operations surgeons call for hubs to be set up that could keep working,