Hundreds more Covid Testing Sites are to be set up across england to ensure Essential Staff can avoid Self Isolation and keep working. Hello, and welcome. The first gold medals of the Tokyo Olympics have been awarded china has won two of them, iran has also won one. The first went to chinese Air Rifle Shooter Yang Qian. 11 medals are up for grabs on the first full day of action, including in fencing, judo and weightlifting. Organisers are hoping that the Sporting Drama will spark enthusiasm among the japanese public and dispel some of the anxiety about holding the games in the midst of the pandemic. Lets cross to the bbc Sports Centre and speak to our Sports Reporter Mike Bushell whos there and has been watching the action in tokyo. A second gold for china . And what a start to these a second gold for china . And what a start to these games a second gold for china . And what a start to these games for a second gold for china . And what a start to these games for china. A second gold for china . And what a start to these games for china. As L Start to these games for china. As he was saying, yeah. Two of the first three gold medals going to the chinese, of the 11 that will be awarded on this open day. And living up awarded on this open day. And living up to her reputation as one of The Great World Weightlifters is the 24 year old hou zhihui. This is in the under 49 kilograms category, india taking Bronze And Indonesia the silver. Sorry, indonesia at the bronze, india at the silver. Dominant once again. This followed china winning the first gold of the games, that prestigious moment of getting the first gold of any olympics. The first one came in the shooting, and it was Yang Qian who won the womens ten metre rifle competition, after which he said that her coaches had created a nerve racking atmosphere in training, creating lots of distractions to help her deal with the pressure. And it worked, didnt it . Actually, the heat was another thing. 33 celsius, which all of the athlete in the shooting said really affected them. There she is. The opening gold medal. That is a bit of history for her. {gail opening gold medal. That is a bit of history for her history for her. Cool as a cucumber Des Ite History for her. Cool as a cucumber despite the history for her. Cool as a cucumber despite the heat. History for her. Cool as a cucumber despite the heat. A history for her. Cool as a cucumber despite the heat. A Bit History for her. Cool as a cucumber despite the heat. A bit of history for her. Cool as a cucumber despite the heat. A bit of a history for her. Cool as a cucumber despite the heat. A bit of a sad despite the heat. A bit of a sad ending for the japanese gymnast known as the king . Just ending for the japanese gymnast known as the king . Just consider the fine margins known as the king . Just consider the fine margins that known as the king . Just consider the fine margins that will known as the king . Just consider the fine margins that will decide known as the king . Just consider the fine margins that will decide your fine margins that will decide your fate in this sport, even if you are a defending champion. Let me tell you about one of japans most popular sporting icons. You about one of japans most popularsporting icons. Known, you about one of japans most popular sporting icons. Known, as you say, as the king, and for good reason. He became the first man in 44 years to win back to back olympic all around Gymnastics Gold is in rio, in 2016. After another jaw dropping acrobatic display, with all these somersaults going on, he then couldnt hold on to the Horizontal Bar and he fell into the pit. What a moment for him. The reigning Olympic Champion failing to qualify for a Gymnastics Apparatus final. And it ends a well storied olympic career. He said afterwards that he will retire after these games, but we should remember all he has achieved of course leading up to that moment. Has achieved of course leading up to that moment that moment. Crushing disappointment, that moment. Crushing disappointment, i that moment. Crushing disappointment, i can. That moment. Crushing disappointment, i can imagine. Britains Andy Murray has been in action. He britains Andy Murray has been in action. ,. ,. , action. He is a double defending ol mic action. He is a double defending Olympic Champion. Action. He is a double defending Olympic Champion. He action. He is a double defending Olympic Champion. He has action. He is a double defending Olympic Champion. He has won | Olympic Champion. He has won wimbledon, be Number One in the world. Recently, he has slipped down the rankings so this will go down as a bit of an upset, because along with Joe Salisbury they managed a bit of an upset, because along withJoe Salisbury they managed to knock out the much fancied number two seeds in the competition, in straight sets as well. So you feel that Andy Murray may be, if he has the appetite for more olympic medals. ,. ,. , the appetite for more olympic medals. ,. ,,. ,. , medals. Fingers crossed. For now, thank you elsewhere in tokyo, our Correspondent Mariko oi is on the streets of tokyo to gauge the athmosphere In The City where so many would rather the Spectacle Wasnt happening. Well, samantha, last night, when we were here for the opening ceremony, this Place Wasjam packed with not much social distancing taking place. And as you say, a lot of people still queueing up to take a picture with the olympic rings. I think its fair to say that some people are getting excited. Of course, we did have those protests as well last night. But here, outside the stadium, people got very excited when they saw that Roving Globe created by 2,000 drones during the opening ceremony, which we could see from here as well. I also managed to get some newspapers for you, to show you some of the reaction here injapan. This one says delayed by a year no cheers but lets hope the power of sport will bring some joy. The paper wishes the athletes the best of luck, but also wishing them, hoping that they would stay healthy and safe. Also this newspaper. Whoops, apologies. This newspaper showing a picture of Emperor Naruhito who declared the opening of the Tokyo Olympics last night, just as his grandfather did for the 1964 games. And there were some people on twitter comparing the emperors speech, which was relatively short, to that of thomas bach, which went on for more than ten minutes. But i think its fair to say a lot of positive reaction to the opening ceremony, and some excitement as the games are finally under way. Yeah, and what is the situation . You said, as we can see, not that much social distancing going on behind you. Some excitement, but is there concern about what is happening with covid now, and what impact all those people gathering together will have . Yes, absolutely. That has always been the concern of those who were opposing the games to take place amid the pandemic. Concerns that this could become a super spreader event. And as sarah mentioned, there have been an increasing number of confirmed covid cases within the olympic village, including some athletes. But for the rest of tokyo as well, the number hit nearly 2,000 earlier in the week. So there are some concerns. Though, i have to say, tokyo is currently under the State Of Emergency, which you almost forget when you look around. Of course, this is not a strict lockdown, but at least for the first State Of Emergency last April People obliged, even though there is no penalty. But now, by the fourth time, people are rather fed up with it. Theyre not really taking those precautionary measures that the government wants them to. President biden has warned that the united states is facing a pandemic of the unvaccinated, as the Delta Variant of Coronavirus Spreads rapidly in areas where the Uptake Ofjabs has been low. Speaking in virginia, Mr Biden praised the governor of Alabama Kay Ivey who said it was time to start blaming the unvaccinated for the rise in infections. Heres our north america correspondent, david willis. With less than 34 of its population fully vaccinated, alabama is the least vaccinated state in this country. And thursdays remarks by its republican governor were well received by the white house. Theyre supposed to have common sense. But its time to start blaming the unvaccinated folks, not the regular folks because its the unvaccinated folks that are letting us down. In a speech, President Biden echoed governor kay ivey� s assertion that the recent rise in covid 19 cases was the fault of those who have refused to get vaccinated. What we have now is a pandemic of the unvaccinated. Heres the point. First of all, the covid 19 deaths and Hospitalisations Today are among the unvaccinated people. And i know, i know this has gotten a bit politicised but i hope it is starting to change. A Growing Number of republicans and conservative leaders have called on people to get vaccinated in recent days following a nearly three fold increase in coronavirus cases in the last two weeks. Most of them involving people who have not been vaccinated. 56 of americans, including children, have now received at least one jab, but a new poll suggests that the majority of those who are yet to be vaccinated still say they are unlikely to do so. David willis, bbc news, los angeles. A Marketing Agency that asked Social Media stars to spread disinformation to undermine public confidence in a Covid Vaccine is being shut down. In may, the company Called Fazze approached a number of Internet Personalities and offered to pay them to use their videos to promote fake claims about the safety of the pfizer jab. French and german authorities are investigating the firm, which claimed to be based in the uk. Charlie haynes reports. The deal was, in exchange for money, i had to talk about the Pfizer Vaccine, and the idea was that i had to say that the Pfizer Vaccine was three times more lethal than the astrazeneca vaccine. Theres nothing like Hello Or Something like that. The emaiL Starts with my name is daniel, im engaged in an Information Campaign regarding the covid 19 vaccine. The Data Leaks showed a significant number of deaths after the pfizer vaccination. We would like to invite you to share this information link. The articles that Youtuber Ashkar Techy shared contain dubious links falsely implying that the Pfizer Vaccine was dangerous. Hes removed the video, but wont comment. The bbc has been investigating who offered to pay Social Media stars to spread disinformation about covid jabs. Fazze, the Influence And Marketing firm which approached leo and marco, is actually part of a company called ad now, headquartered in moscow. Weve tried to contact both companies but have heard nothing back. Some people have asked questions about the russian connections to the scandal and linked it to the interests of the russian state in promoting its own vaccine, sputnik. Well, its clearly someone with a vested interest. So far, we know that the only State Actor with an interest of promoting its own vaccine at the expense of others is russia. But also, it could be anyone, really. The russian embassy to the united kingdom told us that Russia Treats Covid 19 as A Global Threat and, thus, are not interested in undermining global efforts in the fight against it. Weve now heard that fazze is being shut down. In the meantime, content creators need to be careful, as spreading disinformation about covid 19 could get you banned on some platforms. Charlie haynes, bbc news. Several people have been arrested in sydney as thousands of anti lockdown protesters breached covid 19 restrictions in the centre of australias biggest city. Thousands joined the protests after authorities suggested covid 19 restrictions could remain in place until october, a number of them clashed with the police and were arrested. Demonstrations have also taken place in melbourne and brisbane. 1a million australians are under strict stay at home orders as the authorities struggle to contain a surge in Delta Variant infections. Phil mercer has more from sydney. Police minister, david elliott, he has described about 3,500 protesters here in sydney as Selfish Boofheads an australian colloquialism for idiots, and i think many australians will agree with his sentiments. Health officials say that the actions of these protesters could well cost lives, and senior Police Officers say the consequences could be catastrophic given that only about 15 of australians are fully vaccinated against covid 19. The authorities here are livid at the behaviour of these individuals. Of course, when you think more broadly about the lockdowns, notjust here in sydney and the surrounding areas, but also in the state of Victoria And South australia, clearly No One, or very few people, are happy being in lockdown. People are questioning the Governments Approach to this especially vaccinations but i suspect the vast majority of australians trying to do the right thing. Clearly, they dont like the lockdowns and theyll be looking at the actions of these protesters and thinking, what were they doing . Whats the truth in these rumours that lockdown could be extended . Well, we dont know yet, but the indications are that certainly sydneys Delta Variant crisis is getting worse. Today, weve had 163 new infections reported in the past 2a hours. That is a new Daily Record for this city thats been in lockdown now for a month. And its notjust The City Of Sydney and its Five Million residents. Also regions to the north, south and west, and also the entire state of Victoria And South australia, too. So the situation is far worse here in sydney than it is anywhere else. The lockdown is due to end on friday but No Ones really thinking that that will happen. How long its extended far, No One really knows. There is speculation that it could well be months rather than weeks. No doubt that has fuelled these protests today. But as i say, most australians are pretty compliant. They know the score, they know they have to stay home and do the right thing, but the authorities are as setting up a special Task Force of detectives to investigate those people who are demonstrating here in sydney and in two other cities. Briefly, has the Vaccination Picture improved in recent weeks . New south wales, sydney is the state capital, the authorities in New South wales were asking other states to send spare vaccines to sydney to try to quell this surge in Delta Variant cases. That was rejected by other state governments. They said they need the vaccinations themselves. Certainly, australias big challenge now is to get as many people vaccinated as possible. But very briefly, if you look at the figures, australia has recorded about 32,500 covid cases and 915 deaths since the pandemic began. Those numbers do stack up pretty well compared to other countries, but when it comes to vaccinations, australia is lagging well behind many other parts of the world. 200 more Covid Testing Sites are to be set up across england to ensure staff in critical sectors can avoid Self Isolation and keep working. A Government Scheme which had just been for Supermarket Depots and Food Manufacturers is being extended to include front Line Emergency Services Staff and some transport workers. Our political correspondent Helen Catt explained, the Growing Numbers of employees being told to self isolate has been putting more Growing Preasure on businesses and key sectors. Growing concern about the amount of people in england being told they have to stay at home because they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for a coronavirus, either to the Test And Trace system, or more controversially, through the app that people have on their phones that scans people if you have come into contact with a covid positive person. Record numbers were asked to isolate by that. Just over 600,000 people. That has caused huge concern. At the beginning of the week, the government announced a very small Scale Scheme that would allow named people to avoid self isolating if they tested negative, in certain sectors like water and energy. As the week progressed, there was more concern about getting food on the shelves in supermarkets. We started to see some of those pictures on the front page of the papers of empty shelves and stock not getting there. On thursday, the government announced it would open up to Food Distribution and supply is this a scheme where instead of isolating, people would have daily tests, and if they tested negative they could keep on coming to work. And that would apply to the Food Distribution sector. This latest step extends that second scheme to emergency services. So it will now be open to Front Line police, for example. Firefighters, borderforce. And they say initially 200 Test Centres will be set up for that. Theyll also include Rail Infrastructure and haulage firms, so things that are critical to keeping the country moving. Lets get some of the days other news. The annual gay Pride March is due to take place in the hungarian capital, budapest, later today. The organisers say they want to stand up for a diverse, open and inclusive society against what they call the stigmatising policies of the hungarys conservative government. This Years March comes weeks after parliament approved a law that bans the Depiction Or Promotion of Homosexuality And Transgender issues to anyone under the age of 18. Small, Counter Demonstrations in support of the Governments Stance are expected. Sierra leone has become the latest country in africa to abolish the death penalty. Capital punishment will be replaced with Life Imprisonment or a minimum term of 30 years. No one has been executed in Sierra Leone since 1998, but it was still on the Statute Book for crimes including treason, murder and mutiny. The american Baseball Team the Cleveland Indians have announced they are changing their name. From the end of this season, they will be known as the cleveland guardians. Theyre the latest us Sports Franchise to change their name after criticism some found it offensive. The bbc� s Tim Allman has the story. Tucson, arizona, a world i champion gets into the sun. The Cleveland Indians begin Spring Training under manager lou boudreau. For more than a century, they have been known as the Cleveland Indians. An illustrious, and every so often successful, Baseball Team. But, in recent years, that name has become increasingly controversial so its out with the old, in with the new. Were excited to usher in the next era of Professional Baseball in cleveland, as the cleveland guardians adding to our teams deep and rich history in our community. After being known, amongst other things, as the rustlers, the bluebirds, and the naps, they were first called the indians back in 1915. But the nickname and others like it is seen by many as racially insensitive, particularly to native americans. We ask ourselves why are we are the only race that are subjected to that . So if this were truly an honour, then why wouldnt other races be subjected to it . It is racially offensive, and we dont want to be the only group that is singled out for such an honour. Not everybody� s in favour former President Donald Trump issued a statement saying. And its notjust baseball. Last year, washingtons american Football Team retired the name redskins, and will announce a new name in 2022. The relationship between sport and politics can be difficult, but the owner of the team that will soon no longer be known as the Cleveland Indians says that, while the transition will be difficult for many, he hopes to unite the community. Tim allman, bbc news. Firefighters in miami have declared an end to their search for bodies at the site of a collapsed Apartment Block last month. The collapse at the the 12 Story Champlain towers south in surfside killed 97 people, with at least one more missing person yet to be identified. One of the largest Music Festivals in europe to be staged since the start of the pandemic is taking place this weekend in sheffield in the north of england. Around 40,000 people are expected to attend every day over the weekend. Masks and social distancing will not be required but to get into the grounds, Concert Goers will need to prove their covid 19 status. The bbc� s Corinna Wheatley explains how thats being done. Its a scene we used to take for granted during the festival season. Now it seems a little unfamiliar. Around 40,000 people are attending tramlines each day this weekend, and once theyre in, social distancing and masks are not required. There are measures in place around the site to try and keep people safe, like this one way system, for example. But the main thing thats changed this year is how you get in. If youre not double vaccinated, you have to do a lateral flow test, i did mine last night, for example, and then log the results on the government website, and then use the Nhs App to bring up your covid pass and show this along with the results of a Health Questionnaire at the entry points. Its extra hoops to jump through, but most people we spoke to say its worth it. Im quite happy to go along with everything if it means getting back into gigs and festivals and everything, Illjust Go along with whatever the organisers want to do. It just feels good to be actually doing something after two years of not doing anything. It just feels great to actually get out. Cant live in this lockdown forever and ever, so im happy for it, i and im chuffed to bits the performers, At Last theyre getting the revenue what they well deserve. The entry requirements mean a bit of extra organisation forfestival goers, but a huge amount of extra work for festival organisers. They had less than eight weeks from being giving the green light to go ahead, to opening the gates, but it all comes at a time of rising covid rates. Across the site, weve looked at more space, so weve moved the second stage into its own arena. Weve got better queuing, weve got more toilets. Weve got to balance what were doing, the positives against the risk. You know, were hugely important culturally, supportive of local businesses, and were trying to do it in a way that minimises the risk for everyone. Tramlines is part of the governments Events Research Programme which also included things like wimbledon and a concert in liverpools sefton park. While there are strict guidelines to follow, the covid risk at these Events Cant be eliminated entirely. If people came to the event with infection than its obviously a very strong possibility of them transmitting it in that setting. From a public Health Point of view, i am concerned. We know mass gathering events are high risk for the spread of infection. I guess if people adhere to some simple measures, they can probably keep the risk manageable. It wont be zero risk but there will be a degree of risk there. For many people here, in the crowd and on the stage, it is a joyful return. And its certainly a Milestone Organisers say it is the biggest festival in europe since the reopening. The outcome of this and other events will be watched closely. And, before we go, a Record Number of people acquired pets during lockdown and might be wondering what to do with them now restrictions in many places are being lifted. One London Bar called the after bark is serving up cocktails for dogs. The owner says theyre trying to help people who became Dog Owners during the pandemic get back into the swing of after work pub life. Theres of course no alcohol in the drinks but i imagine the owners are probably indulging in a little bit of alcohol there. A reminder of our top story. The first medals of the Tokyo Olympics have been won. Chinas Yang Qian took gold in the womens ten Metre Air Rifle event. Russias Anastasia Galashina came second and switzerlands Nina Christen won bronze. There are another ten gold medals up for grabs on Day One of the games. The mens cycling Road Race is under way, with crowds lining the street in contradiction of official coronavirus advice. Japanese spectators have defied Coronavirus Advise to watch the mens cycling Road Race, one of the few events during which they can see the competitors in action. But the international tennis stars had to play before empty stands in a cavernous arena. Hello, everyone. I hope youre doing all right. Were turning a Page Weather wise at present. Some of us are seeing much less settled conditions with some thunderstorms around. Now, theyve been rattling around overnight and this morning and will tend to continue for a time as we head through today, and even into tomorrow. But its also turning cooler, so if the hot Weather Isnt for you, we will get a relief as far as that is concerned. Now, where we see those thunderstorms, we could see some Travel Disruption with a risk of flooding. Really, the areas of main concern are in Southern England and parts of south wales. Of course, well keep you posted. Lets have a look at the map, then. You can see the storms here, theyve been moving this morning. Gradually further north, but really, across parts of mid wales, the midlands and north, this is where well see the drier and brighter conditions as we continue through today. Its been a misty, murky day across some parts of scotland, eastern coastal fringes, and well hang onto that for a time through this afternoon. But central and northern parts hanging on to the warmer conditions. 24, 25 celsius. But it will be cooler further south where we see those thunderstorms. So were cranking down the temperatures now, gradually. The storms are a result of whats happening here. On the big picture, that area of low pressure, this Weather Front swirling around it. This is a very slow moving feature. Moving through tonight then further storms for a time. Again, slow moving with Hail And Thunder in the mix as well. A lot of rainfall within a short space of time. Potentially falling on a small area as well. It will be a Muggy Night with lows of 14 or 15 celsius. Through the day tomorrow, the low pressure very slowly will want to move towards the east, but its quite lethargic. Again, any storms that we see will be slow moving and persistent, and theyll tend to be focused tomorrow further south, potentially further east as well. So i think many parts of wales tomorrow, and parts of the south west, will probably see something drier and brighter, and its a similar story further north. Northern ireland, the north of england, scotland seeing more in the way of sunshine, with some scattered, heavy showers around. And you can see the temperatures here. We are turning them down a bit. Where we see the storms and near the low pressure, it will be quite windy as well over the next 24 hours and beyond. Low pressure remains nearby. On monday, a mix of sunny spells and scattered heavy showers. Again, those thunderstorms will tend to get going as we head through the day, with temperatures reaching 24 or 25 celsius. Turning down those temperatures over the next couple of days, unsettled at times. This is bbc news. The headlines a golden start in Tokyo China has picked up two gold medals on the first day of the olympics, with Yang Qian winning the first in the womens ten Metre Air Rifle. President biden has warned that the us is facing a pandemic of the unvaccinated, as cases of the Delta Variant of Coronavirus Spreads across the country. Several people have been arrested in sydney as thousands of anti lockdown protesters breached covid 19 restrictions after authorities suggested measures could remain in place until october. Hundreds more Covid Testing Sites are to be set up across england to ensure Essential Staff can avoid Self Isolation and keep working. Here in the uk, a number of airlines and some