Of course sadly, of death. The newly elected leader of the Democratic Unionist Party accuses the eu of using Northern Ireland as a Play Thing to punish the uk for brexit saying its playing Fast And Loose with the Peace Process. Neighbours reunited the leaders of australia and new Zealand Meet for talks for the first time in 15 months after Coronavirus Border restrictions are lifted between the two countries. A new nationalflagship is to be commissioned by the government in a bid to boost british Trade And Industry overseas. Good afternoon. The vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi says the government will be cautious, and look at all the data, before deciding whether to end Covid Restrictions in england next month. His comments came as the Chief Executive of nhs providers said very, very few coronavirus patients in hospital in england have received two covid jabs, showing the vaccines provide very high levels of protection. But he warned hospitals are dealing with a heavy backlog of non covid cases. Our Health Correspondent Catherine burns reports. Ready, steady, go. Were in a race, vaccines against the virus, and this was the start on december the 8th. Maggie keenan was the first person in the uk to get vaccinated outside of clinical trials. That was less than six months ago. Now, about three quarters of adults have had their first dose, and almost half have had both. The Government Target has always been to offer a jab to all adults by The End ofjuly. Now theres a new ambition. We hope to be able to protect with two doses, all 1 9s, all the over 50s, before the 21st ofjune. We will make sure we vaccinate at scale but and heres the important thing we will share the evidence with the country on the 14th ofjune. Both dates are key, Becausejune 14th is when the government will tell us of the next stage of opening up will happen in england onjune the 21st. At that point, theyll want to meet four tests before going ahead. The first test is the Vaccine Roll out going well . The second are vaccines stopping people getting sick or dying with covid 7 the third test is about infection levels. Are they getting so high theyre putting too much pressure on the nhs . And the final test is about new variants of concern. Are they changing the Risk Level . The first two tests, about vaccines, are being met so far. Theres been a small rise in cases, though, still at a low level, but ost recent figures from the ons suggest that one in every 60,000 people will test positive for covid. In areas hit higher by the indian variant, numbers are much higher, though. In blackburn, there are more than 700 cases for every 100,000 people. But Health Bosses say Theres Pressure on the nhs across the country. Rates are low in the south west, but the Ambulance Service there has declared a critical incident because its so busy. Weve got these Big Care Backlogs that were, kind of, trying to get through as quickly as possible, and we are tackling the most complex cases to start with, and that means that those patients need to have overnight stays, because theyre are difficult cases. The next few weeks will give us a clearer idea of how or if this will affect plans to open up next month. Lets speak now to Professor Peter 0penshaw professor of experimental medicine at Imperial College London and also a member of the Uk Vaccine network. Very good afternoon. Good afternoon. With the data as it stands, what is your stance on the easing of restrictions on gene the 21st . I think we just need to be very cautious and we need to keep an eye on the figures in the moment. We would all love to be able to open up again but the last thing we want would be to see another major search because of the circulation of these new variants which appear to be more transmissible and to be able to escape to some degree the immune Response Induced by vaccines. Major search. Response induced by vaccines. Majorsearch. I Response Induced by vaccines. Major search. I think the good news is that vaccines are very good at preventing serious Injury And Death serious Illness And Dash death, major surge. Serious Illness And Dash death, majorsurge. I5 serious Illness And Dash death, major surge serious Illness And Dash death, major surge. Maor surge. Is there any merit in major surge. Is there any merit in looking major surge. Is there any merit in looking at major surge. Is there any merit in looking at local major surge. Is there any merit in looking at local or major surge. Is there any merit in looking at local or regional in looking at local or regional measures of is your view that we really have to be united in whatever restrictions and easing ultimately comes in . I restrictions and easing ultimately comes in . ~. , restrictions and easing ultimately comes in . ~. , comes in . I think we have seen before that comes in . I think we have seen before that when comes in . I think we have seen before that when these comes in . I think we have seen before that when these start i comes in . I think we have seen before that when these start to j before that when these start to emerge in certain parts of the country they spread quite quickly to other parts of the country. I think there are also clear problems with local restrictions people do tend to cross the border into areas that have fewer restrictions, even if thatis have fewer restrictions, even if that is not whats advised, so it is very difficult to succeed with local lockdown is what i think were all just really helping that we can get this Under Control, particularly if we can have very effective local tracing of infection. Absolutely, and one of tracing of infection. Absolutely, and one of the tracing of infection. Absolutely, and one of the key tracing of infection. Absolutely, and one of the key elements i tracing of infection. Absolutely, and one of the key elements of| tracing of infection. Absolutely, and one of the key elements of this for more than a year has been not to overwhelm the nhs, of course, and today we hear a call from the nhs saying, look, were finally trying to start get through the backlog of all those routine operations that were postponed, and making the point that if then those beds are suddenly needed for another covid wave, god forbid, yet again, the hip replacements, the knee replacements, or get postponed. Is that a valid argument . Is that something that policymakers really need to be paying attention to . Policymakers really need to be paying attention to . Yes, the nhs is caettin paying attention to . Yes, the nhs is getting busier paying attention to . Yes, the nhs is getting busier and paying attention to . Yes, the nhs is getting busier and busier paying attention to . Yes, the nhs is getting busier and busier with paying attention to . Yes, the nhs is getting busier and busier with all getting busier and busier with all those other things it was extremely busy doing before we had covid and thatis busy doing before we had covid and that is obviously good news for people who have been waiting to have operations and so on and, again, if we have to go back into some sort of lockdown or if the number of cases rises and we have to convert acute care or long Term Care into clothed wards again then everything will go backwards. Ijust do so hope that wards again then everything will go backwards. I just do so hope that we can keep this Under Control and do urge everyone to get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible to be vaccinated. G, soon as they are eligible to be vaccinated. Vaccinated. A striking Statistic Toda as vaccinated. A striking Statistic Today as well, vaccinated. A striking Statistic Today as well, when vaccinated. A striking Statistic Today as well, when we vaccinated. A striking Statistic Today as well, when we hear i vaccinated. A striking Statistic Today as well, when we hear about people who have both doses of the jab it is very, very rare to find someone who has had both doses actually needing Hospital Treatment for covid. I assume we take that as a positive sign about the Vaccine Programme. A positive sign about the Vaccine Programme a positive sign about the vaccine rorramme. ~ , ,. , programme. Absolutely, yes. That was not a ve , programme. Absolutely, yes. That was not a very. Very programme. Absolutely, yes. That was not a very. Very good programme. Absolutely, yes. That was not a very, very good thing programme. Absolutely, yes. That was not a very, very good thing and programme. Absolutely, yes. That was not a very, very good thing and we not a very, very good thing and we are seeing critical protection against the most severe types of disease in those people who keep getting vaccinated so that is great news. ,. ,. , getting vaccinated so that is great news, g ,. ,. ,. , getting vaccinated so that is great news. ,. ,. ,. ,. ,. , news. Just a final thought to do, do ou have news. Just a final thought to do, do you have concerns news. Just a final thought to do, do you have concerns do news. Just a final thought to do, do you have concerns do you news. Just a final thought to do, do you have concerns do you keep news. Just a final thought to do, do you have concerns do you keep a i you have concerns do you keep a watch and on potential future variants . Is that something that is absolutely part of the equation . I am afraid so. The virus doesnt seem to have run out of steam so far in terms of its ability to mutate and fill new variations and, of course, in the early days, the variations were going to be driven by enhanced transmission as people are more and more vaccinated or more people have been infected increasingly it is going to be the Immunological Escape Thatis going to be the immunological escape that is driving mutations and i dont think weve yet. That is driving mutations and i dont think weve yet. Thanks very much for your dont think weve yet. Thanks very much for your time dont think weve yet. Thanks very much for your time on dont think weve yet. Thanks very much for your time on this dont think weve yet. Thanks very much for your time on this bank i much for your time on this Bank Holiday sunday. Thanks very much, Professor Peter 0penshaw there from Imperial College London. The newly elected leader of the Democratic Unionist Party has accused the European Union of playing Fast And Loose with the Peace Process in Northern Ireland. Edwin poots said checks on goods entering Northern Ireland from great britain were having a devastating impact, and leading to violence on the streets. The European Commission says it rejects any suggestion that it no longer cares about the Peace Process. From belfast, Louise Cullen reports. The northern Ireland Protocol has caused political and practical problems since its inception. It creates a Trade Border in the Irish Sea, by keeping Northern Ireland in the eu Single Market for goods, enforcing Eu Customs rules at the ports, to prevent a hardening of the land border. And unionists view it as a threat to their place in the united kingdom. That fear was blamed for trouble on the streets at easter. The uk has delayed introducing some Food Checks until october, a move the eu has gone to court over. Technical talks continue. The new Dup Leader Edwin Poots claimed the Northern Ireland Peace Process was being damaged. I dont want to use a threat of violence in terms of this. 0ur Arguments are very clear, theyre very coherent. This is the European Union seeking to punish the united kingdom, and, as a consequence, Northern Ireland is being used as a plaything for the European Union. I can assure you, Northern Ireland should be nobody� s plaything. The Eu Commission Vice President rejected that. I think we are working absolutely flat out to make sure that the protocol operates as smoothly as possible. I think we have also to turn the table a little bit in this discussion and look at what the protocol brings as an opportunity to Northern Ireland. The current position of westminster is that the uk would like an Equivalence Arrangement in which the eu would recognise Uk Food production standards as equivalent to its own, but the eu says the protocol is the only solution. Louise cullen, Bbc News. The Prime Minister has returned to work after his secretly planned Wedding Yesterday to Carrie Symonds at westminster cathedral. The couple have released this image of them in the downing street garden. A spokesman said that following yesterdays small ceremony, the couple would celebrate again with family and friends next summer. Borisjohnson who has twice divorced is the first Prime Minister to get married while in office in nearly 200 years. A number of politicians have congratulated the couple including the Foreign Office Ministerjames Cleverly who tweeted this image of them. Media reports in israel say the main opposition leader, yair lapid, appears close to a deal with his rival, naftali bennett. Their aim to form a Coalition Government would bring together factions from the right, left and centre of israeli politics. Any deal would look to oust prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from power after 12 years, midway through his trial on corruption charges. Two people have died and more than 20 injured, in a shooting outside a Billiard Club near miami. Its being reported that three people emerged from a vehicle with Assault Weapons and handguns, before Opening Fire on a crowd that had gathered for a concert at the venue. Australia s Prime Minister is in New Zealand for the annual bilateral talks with his counterpart, jacinda ardern. The relative success in curbing the Coronavirus Pandemic was evident as neither leader wore a Mask And Scott morrison was welcomed with a traditional Maori Greeting. The two leaders are expected to discuss how to further ease tough covid 19 Border Controls and how the two South Pacific powers might further support smaller countries in the region. From sydney, Phil Mercer reports there are flashing images at the start of the report. A traditional Maori Greeting replaced elbow bumps and fist taps, as New Zealands Prime Minister welcomed her australian counterpart. Scott morrison said the meeting highlighted the success of two countries that have weathered covid 19 arguably better than any other. Both governments banned foreign nationals in march 2020, but they need a plan to eventually bring to an end their isolation from the rest of the world. A quarantine free Travel Corridor was opened last month. While flights to the australian state of victoria have been suspended due to a Snap Seven day lockdown, the bubble could be extended to other parts of the South Pacific, including fiji and vanuatu, to help revive their tourism industries. And New Zealand were family, but, like most households, there are disagreements. Canberras controversial deportation of New Zealanders convicted of crimes, including children, has strained the relationship. A Senior Australian Minister compared the policy to taking the trash out. It remains a very sore point between these Trans Tasman cousins. Phil mercer, Bbc News, sydney. The timejust coming the time just coming up to quarter past three. The headlines on Bbc News. Calls for the Uk Government to have an open debate with the public about Restriction Easing plans onjune the 21st. The group that represents Nhs Trusts in england warns of the pressures being faced by hospitals. The newly elected leader of the Democratic Unionist Party accuses the eu of using Northern Ireland as a Play Thing to punish the uk for brexit saying its playing Fast And Loose with the Peace Process. And. Borisjohnson marries his Fiancee Carrie symonds in a secret ceremony at westminster cathedral. Sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, heres katie sha na han. Good morning. Yes, chelsea have done it, crowned champions of europe. Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has challenged his players to maintain their hunger after winning the Champions League final against Manchester City last night. Chelsea have this afternoon begun theirjourney back to london from porto after their 1 0 victory last night, and Theirformer Winger Pat Nevin says theres much more to come. They keep on going the way they are and they they keep on going the way they are and they will add players who will be stronger than they are this season be stronger than they are this season because the maturing process at the season because the maturing process at the younger players and also the one or at the younger players and also the one or two at the younger players and also the one or two theyre going to bring in. I one or two theyre going to bring in iwont one or two theyre going to bring in. I wont be surprised if they are up in. Iwont be surprised if they are up to in. I wont be surprised if they are up to actually win the Premier League up to actually win the Premier League and, again, if you had asked me that league and, again, if you had asked me that two league and, again, if you had asked me that two or three months ago i would me that two or three months ago i would really have question your sanity city midfielder, Kevin De Bruyne suffered a fractured Nose And Eye socket in the game last night. He was involved in a nasty collision with Antonio Rudiger early in the second half. And although he says he feels ok on social media, he faces a race against time to be fit, as hes in the Belgium Squad for the euros which start in less than two weeks. So therell be Question Marks over his involvement for their first game against russia on 12th ofjune. The Play Off Finals continue at Wembley Today with blackpool taking on Lincoln City in the League One showpiece. Early stages still in this one, and its 1 0 to lincoln. Nightmare for blackpool as they scored an own goal after only 47 seconds. Lincoln are looking to reach the second tier for the first time in 60 years. There was a sombre mood surrounding the italian motogp. Its after the death of the swiss moto3 riderjason dupasquier. A Minutes Silence was held ahead of the main race. Dupasquier was struck by another Bike Afterfalling during qualifying at the Mugello Circuit yesterday. And died of his injuries today. He was just 19 years old. Polesitter Fabio Kuartaraaro won the race to claim his third win of the year and afterwards he dedicated his victory to dupasquier. Dan evans has a realfight on his hands if hes to reach the second round of the French Open, despite a blistering start at roland garros. The british Number One won the first set 6 1 against miomir kekmanovich. But the serbian hit back, taking the next two sets, and has just missed a chance to wrap up the match in set four. Evans breaking with Kekmanovich Serving for the match. Evans still trailing 5 4. Meanwhile, no such concerns for Naomi 0saka in the womens draw. The World Number two Beat Patricia Maria teeg from romania in straight sets. She did give an on Court Interview after her match, but didnt appear for her press conference, as she stated she wouldnt before the start of the tournament, a decision she says has been taken to protect her Mental Health. Now, after leading overnight great britain have slipped to second in the standings with just one event to go at the European Team championships in poland. Lawrence 0koye added maximum points to the tally by winning the discus. Its the first time hes represented great britain since the 2012 olympics. Hes returned to athletics after a spell in american football. He threw 64 metres and 22 centremetres, well short of the olympic Qualifying Standard of 66 metres. Thats all the sport for now, but you can find lots more on the bbc sport website, including the latest from the French Open and this afternoons rugby union. I dont know whether i can quite face The End of that Nailbiter Match but we will see later on a new nationalflagship is to be commissioned by the government to try to boost british Trade And Industry overseas. The royal Navy Vessel which will cost a reported £200 million and be in service for 30 years would be used to Host Trade Fairs and diplomatic meetings. It will be the successor to the royal Yacht Britannia, which was retired in 1997. Lord ricketts is a former british ambassador to france and is now a crossBench Peer. He told me he believes the Vessel Isnt Worth the money. Colossal waste of money, because i dont think its at all relevant to the way that modern business and modern contracts are negotiated. The government says it wants britain to be a Science And Technology superpower, which is great, but i dont think the corporate bosses of the worlds great High Tech Companies and financial companies are going to be all that impressed with an invitation to go to some distant port and have a cocktail On Board a ship in the harbour. So, i think it harks back generations to the Way Export Promotion was done many, many years ago and isnt relevant to promoting modern high Tech Britain in the modern world. So, how does an idea like that get signed off, then . Because, presumably, enough people must think that this is a terrific idea if that much money is going to be spent . Well, clearly some people think its a great idea inside the government and the conservative party. I wonder how many senior british Business Leaders have been consulted. I doubt that they would see this as a good idea. If they want a visiting leader to meet leaders of the Business Community in any another country then there is, of course, the british ambassador� s residence which is of course a much better and more convenient place to go in the Capital City than some distant port and i also wonder what the Royal Navy chiefs would think of this. If we already have a national flagship closed, and this extraordinary aircraft carrier, the Queen Elizabeth ii that we now have it seems to be an enormous waste of Navy Manpower to crew a ship that has no Defence Value at all. The government says it will be the first vessel of its kind in the world. It seems that they think it is innovative and different and if no other country does face the uk will stand out having this beautiful vessel . Is that part of the thinking, if no other country has it, its original, i suppose . Well, maybe another reason why no other country has one is perhaps because no other country thinks it is necessary. I mean, it really does hark back to a period when ships like the royal Yacht Britannia went and did promotion in great britain in a very different world. I think the fact no other country has a ship like this is because, honestly, that idea is now so long out of date and there are much more modern and professional ways of presenting a high Tech Face of britain to the world, so im afraid i dont think that the fact that its going to be the first of its kind is much comfort. In a way, i would say that its perhaps the last of its kind, and ought really not to have been pursued. Everyone keeps talking about it as a successor to the royal Yacht Britannia. I wonder whether you think that is fair or accurate. I mean, that was for the use of the Royal Family. I mean, we remember beautiful images from bygone years of royal receptions and honeymoons and much more besides and this is to be used for Business And Trade purposes and the government is very clear about this and i would if we are comparing two things, actually. I think that is a very good point. I havent heard any suggestion that the Royal Family think this is a good idea and i think the Royal Family probably want to keep this at Arms Length because they dont want to be seen as commissioning some very expensive asset for use of the Royal Family, and i think their instincts are probably good on that so, no. It harks back to those wonderful images of the royal Yacht Britannia and before that King Edward Vii conducting his royal, kingly diplomacy around the world, but those days are past. This isnt going to be a royal Yacht Britannia and i honestly dont see how it fits into promotion of modern, high Tech Britain. That was a Cross Bench appear and a former ambassador to france amongst many otherjob former ambassador to france amongst many other Job Titles former ambassador to france amongst many otherJob Titles talking about new vessel. Cross Bench Peer its an eyesore which blights alleyways, streets and fields. Were talking about Fly Tipping which is now happening 20 Thousand times a week in england alone, according to the local government association. Linsey smith reports on the misery theyre bringing to one street in grimsby. Eight years worth of rubbish. Mattresses, beds, peppered with needles, faeces and rats. The stench from this means theresa and her Family Cant Sit in their garden. But north east Lincolnshire Council say, if they want it cleared, do it yourselves. Its disgusting, absolutely disgusting. I cant get access to my side gate. Im a Mobility Scooter User and i cant get it out. Its just. You sit here thinking, whens the next fire . When are they going to set fire to it next . And its absolutely terrifying. Until last weekend, the waste went right up to this gate. Jeanette spent £180 hiring a skip to enable access to her garden. Why should it be at our expense to clear an alleyway that we did nothing, no dumping in . You know, other people did that. The smell, sometimes. The fact that theres cats and rats ok, i have cats, but theres tomcats living down there. Theyre digging through the rubbish. Theres needles, youre scared to let anybody out. Although north east Lincolnshire Council praised theresa and jeanette, they told Look North the council also say they will investigate reports of Fly Tipping on private land if residents have cctv. On this modest street, theyve invested in technology, but with little success. Ive repeatedly rang them up. Its just, like they dont care. As the pandemic worsened over the last year, Fly Tipping has blighted communities. The Big Question now is, whos going to clean it up . Lydnsey smith, Bbc News, grimsby. The three Peaks Challenge in which walkers tackle the highest points of scotland, england and wales, one after the other is one of britains most popular endurance events. But three mountains is not enough for a pair of fitness enthusiasts, who are planning to throw in a fourth climb in Northern Ireland. Oh, and theyre going to row between each nation. Alison freeman went to meet them. Theyre home for around six weeks. Katherine and martin will eat, sleep and travel on this Rowing Boat between the four nations of the united kingdom, before taking on their highest peaks on foot. A challenge thats never been attempted before. So this is our cabin, theres just enough legroom to be able to lie down. And im here, martins here, so its pretty cosy. Its the idea of catherine wilkins, who runs a Fitness Centre in northumberland. Despite the mammoth challenge ahead, she managed to get martin, who works for her, On Board. I like to try things that no ones ever done before. When catherine mentioned it to me, that shes got this challenge in mind and no ones ever completed it, i was instantly yes, im there, im doing it. The pair will start their challenge by climbing Mount Snowdon in wales before walking to caernarfon. Theyll then row to whitehaven, and from there walk up to the summit of scafell pike. After walking back to the coast, Theyll Cross the Irish Sea to Northern Ireland, where theyll tackle slieve donard. Theyll then take on the longest Rowing Leg of their expedition, by Sea And Canal to Fort William in the highlands of scotland. There, theyll climb ben nevis. The Irish Sea has a lot of challenges. Its got shipping lanes. It can be horrendously tidal and choppy. So we have everything crossed for a high Pressure System and a gentle crossing, but were not under any illusions. The pair will be raising money for the Mental Health charity mind. Me being a former marine, a veteran of the marines, some lads who leave struggle a lot with Mental Health, including myself. So, when ijoined the forces, the forces was my family. And then to go from that to civilian life is a bit of a shock. Its hard, really, to find that purpose, of where you stand in civilian life and what gets you up in the morning. Ijust want people to be able to talk about it, the benefits of being outside and pushing yourselves physically, and the benefits that can have on Mental Health. You are really going to be pushing yourself physically, arent you . Yes, i think we are we are definitely going to be pushing ourselves physically, and, you know, were probably talking 16 or 17 Hours Rowing a day. They will set off on their challenge onjune 3rd. Is it going to challenge yourfriendship, do you think . We had a couple of hairy moments on the Training Row last weekend and we got through that and said to ourselves, theres no one wed rather be in a boat with. Alison freeman, Bbc News. Wow, that is so impressive good luck to them. Now its time for a look at the weather with Chris Fawkes hello there. Cold and wet weather we have been enduring for most of this mate is now firmly behind us and how temperatures are sunny and warm. As of the temperatures. Some of this low Cloud And Matt lingered for much of the day where there is a disease well. For most of us the High Pressure did bring sunshine and overnight tonight were that low Cloud And Mist and fog will reform initially across eastern areas of both Scotland And England moving into more central areas late on in the night. Temperature 7 10 debate, not desperately cold, and Tomorrow Morning we will have mist, fog and low cloud that we start off with an initial sunshine pretty much across the board, not bad for a Bank Holiday and sheila grey, and as far as the temperatures go should be even warmer. There is Temperatures Peak at 22 in glasgow but up to 2a in london. Thats your weather. Hello this is Bbc News with mejane hill. The headlines. Calls for the Uk Government to have an open debate with the public about Restriction Easing plans onjune the 21st. The group that represents Nhs Trusts in england warns of the pressures being faced by hospitals