with another 65 centres opening across england, as more over—70s start to receive theirjabs. the education secretary says schools will be given a "two week notice period" before they reopen to pupils. and if you want to get in touch about any of the stories we are covering — you can contact me on twitter, @annita—mcveigh and use the hashtag #bbcyourquestions. we the hashtag #bbcyourquestions. will try to read 0 comments. nearly 200 flood warnings are in place across greater manchester and north wales. thousands were asked to evauate their homes. and coming up this hour, advantage united — paul pogba helps manchester united leapfrog manchester city back to the top of the premier league. hello and good morning to you and welcome to bbc news. "there is no time to waste", those were the words ofjoe biden as he made his way to the white house for the first time, following his inauguration to become the 46th president of the united states. the work to undo some of donald trump's key policies began soon after he arrived in the oval office. in total, mr biden signed 15 executive orders — these are written orders to the federal government, which do not require congressional approval. on coronavirus, the president is setting up a new office to respond to the pandemic. and he's also halting the process to withdraw from the world health organization, something started by donald trump. the us will also rejoin the paris climate agreement — from which president trump withdrew last year. other trump policies being reversed include ending the travel ban on some majority—muslim countries and stopping funding for the mexico border wall. kamala harris�* first job as vice—president was in the senate, where she swore in the new democrat senators, which give her party the slimmest possible majority in the upper chamber of congress. all of this came before a star—studded celebration in washington where mr biden said he had never been more optimistic about the future of america. our washington correspondent, nomia iqbal, reports. there was no traditional ball for president biden and vice president harris but they got bruce springsteen and tom hanks. now, it is my honour to introduce the president of the united states, joseph r bidenjr. this is a great nation, we're a good people. and to overcome the challenges in front of us requires the most elusive of all things in a democracy, unity. hours earlier, the new leaders of america were sworn in on capitol hill. so help me god. congratulations, mr president. soon, president biden headed into his new office and started signing away donald trump's legacy with a pen. he green—lighted 15 executive orders, some of them included calling for a nationwide facemask mandate and rejoining both the paris climate agreement and the world health organization. mr biden did receive a letter from his predecessor, though, which is a tradition. the president wrote a very generous letter. because it was private, i will not talk about it until i talk to him. but, you know, it was generous. that was the only tradition mr trump upheld on the day, though. he didn't attend the inauguration. instead, he flew home to florida with his wife, melania trump, who looked like she was ready for a holiday. # fireworks # come on, show them what you're worth# _ this administration says it wants to set a unifying and optimistic tone for america. we are bold, fearless, and ambitious. we are undaunted in our belief that we shall overcome, that we will rise up. but this new start comes just a few weeks after donald trump's loyal supporters stormed the capital. the stakes for what president biden does the next few years couldn't be higher. nomia iqbal, bbc news, washington. and we can speak to nomia in washington now. hello. let's talk about president biden getting straight to work, and doing some of president trump's key policies, the executive orders. it has to be said those policies were very popular with some americans. when president biden talks about reuniting the country, is he going to cause difficulties for himself? it's going to be a tricky one, i have to say. because, as you say, the policies were popular with americans. i've met a lot of donald trump's supporters, not all of them liked mrtrump a's trump's supporters, not all of them liked mr trump a's style of being a president, but they did like a lot of his policies such as the border war with mexico, the tough stance on immigration and standing up to lots of big establishments —— the border wall. president biden is on a mission to dismantle donald trump's legacy as quickly as possible but he was to unite people behind him. he constantly uses the words unify and unite. he knows this country is very politically divided. to be fair, it always has been but it has really become divided under donald trump. it will be interesting to see how many people he can get onto his side while, at the same time, removing a lot of the policies that made mr trump popular in the first place. 0k, trump popular in the first place. ok, nomia, thank you very much, in washington. scientists tracking the spread of coronavirus in england say infection levels in the community did not fall — and may have even risen — at the start of the latest lockdown. the past few days have seen a slowdown in the number of lab—confirmed cases reported daily by the government — but the imperial college london researchers say their data is more up to date. swab tests ta ken from 143,000 volunteers as part of the react study suggest that between the 6th and 15th of january, 1.58% had covid—i9 — or one in every 63 people. the highest level was in london — where 2.8% of people had the virus. ministers say the study does not yet reflect the impact of the national lockdown in england. let's speak now to professor paul elliot, director of the react programme. a professor at imperial college london. very good to have you with us, professor. is the takeaway from this that your data is the more up—to—date data in contrast to what the government says? it is saying that your study doesn't give the full picture and the very latest findings. full picture and the very latest findinus. ~ . ., , full picture and the very latest findinus. ~ ~ . , full picture and the very latest findinus. ~ . ., , ~ ., findings. well, certainly, you know, we have to — findings. well, certainly, you know, we have to look _ findings. well, certainly, you know, we have to look at _ findings. well, certainly, you know, we have to look at our _ findings. well, certainly, you know, we have to look at our study - findings. well, certainly, you know, we have to look at our study in - findings. well, certainly, you know, we have to look at our study in the l we have to look at our study in the context of all the data streams. clearly, there is the symptomatic testing, which has been coming down up testing, which has been coming down up until now. and there are other surveys. we are just one piece of the puzzle if you like. as you said in your introduction, we send out swabs to over 140,000 people. those people randomly selected in the population. so, some of them will have symptoms but many of them will not have symptoms and will not know that they are carrying the virus. we are picking up the early symptoms... some may get tested later. you think that is a more — some may get tested later. you think that is a more realistic— some may get tested later. you think that is a more realistic picture, - that is a more realistic picture, that is a more realistic picture, thatis that is a more realistic picture, that is basically what you are saying? that is basically what you are sa in: ? ~ ~ , , that is basically what you are sa in? ~ ~ , ., saying? we think we may need 'ust a little bit ahead — saying? we think we may need 'ust a little bit ahead offi saying? we think we may need 'ust a little bit ahead of the i saying? we think we may need 'ust a little bit ahead of the signal. h saying? we think we may need 'ust a little bit ahead of the signal. i h little bit ahead of the signal. i should say that there was a very, very high prevalence earlier, before we came back into the field. we were last in the field in the beginning of december, where we saw that upturn at the end of lockdown two, which turned out to be, actually, this new, more highly transmissible variant. clearly, rates got extremely high. the r rate now is high but not quite as high as they were a week or so ago when we weren't in the field but as reported from the office for national statistics. i think it's quite a complex picture. we saw a bit of a dip at the beginning of lockdown but now we see, essentially, a level... level with an r of around one. but we are not seen that fall that we really need to see from these very high prevalence levels. just really need to see from these very high prevalence levels.— high prevalence levels. just to be clear, or high prevalence levels. just to be clear. or as _ high prevalence levels. just to be clear, or as clear _ high prevalence levels. just to be clear, or as clear as _ high prevalence levels. just to be clear, or as clear as we _ high prevalence levels. just to be clear, or as clear as we can - high prevalence levels. just to be clear, or as clear as we can with i clear, or as clear as we can with this, do you think in the latest data, we are seeing the impact of people mixing over christmas? combined with this new transmissible, more transmissible, variant? i transmissible, more transmissible, variant? ~ �* , ., transmissible, more transmissible, variant? ~ �*, ., , ., ., variant? i think it's a combination of factors- _ variant? i think it's a combination of factors. actually, _ variant? i think it's a combination of factors. actually, over - of factors. actually, over christmas, people... did pay attention to the rules. and, actually, from the mobility data that one can look at, there was a big fall at the end of december. and then quite a big rise again at the beginning ofjanuary as people then quite a big rise again at the beginning of january as people went back to work. we think we are seeing those patterns reflected in our data. the initialfall at the those patterns reflected in our data. the initial fall at the end those patterns reflected in our data. the initialfall at the end of december was feeding into the fall in the testing rates and now this increase in mobility has now fed back into the numbers that we are seeing. but you're right, there is this highly transmissible variant of this highly transmissible variant of this virus, which is now the predominant strain. certainly, we see, for example, in larger households, we see that the rates are higher. there is transmission going on in the household as well as through social mixing outside the household. �* , ., ., ~' through social mixing outside the household. �* , ., ., through social mixing outside the household. �*, ., ., , ., household. let's look at a couple of other areas — household. let's look at a couple of other areas of _ household. let's look at a couple of other areas of the _ household. let's look at a couple of other areas of the data. _ household. let's look at a couple of other areas of the data. one - household. let's look at a couple of other areas of the data. one on - other areas of the data. one on regional variations. according to what i've seen, it looks as though parts of the north of england, where there have been tighter restrictions for longer, there are signs of infection rates going down as opposed to the opposite in the south and around london with those tighter restrictions coming in later. yes. restrictions coming in later. yes, the upsurge _ restrictions coming in later. yes, the upsurge in — restrictions coming in later. yes, the upsurge in infections - restrictions coming in later. lei: the upsurge in infections that happened at the beginning of december, as i said, we detected it early on in the beginning of december, that was really driven from the south, southeast, london and the adjacent areas in essex and kent. it has moved forward from there. a lot of that probably was down to the new variant of the virus which started in the south. and you're right, rates did come down in the north. but what we are now seeing in the regional pattern in our most recent data is that pretty much everywhere we see the same pattern of either level... plateau or a slight rise except in the south—west, where actually there is good evidence that there has been a decline. ., , good evidence that there has been a decline. . , , ~ decline. really interesting. and away from _ decline. really interesting. and away from that _ decline. really interesting. and away from that discussion - decline. really interesting. and away from that discussion of. away from that discussion of regional variation, away from that discussion of regionalvariation, is away from that discussion of regional variation, is there anything notable when you look at this data about cases by age? yes. particularly — this data about cases by age? yes. particularly in _ this data about cases by age? yes. particularly in london, _ this data about cases by age? jazz particularly in london, we are seeing that the rates are really high right across the age range. and highest in the 18—24 year olds in london. one in 25 people, 4%, had detectable virus in our study in that age. but it was around 2% in the older people over the age of 55. that's quite worrying because, clearly, above the age of 55 and above the age of 65, these people are more vulnerable to the infection and they are going to put more pressure on the health services. the bottom line. — pressure on the health services. the bottom line, briefly and finally, is that people need to stick with the advice. do you believe that the lockdown ofs, the restrictions, need to continue? for lockdown ofs, the restrictions, need to continue?— to continue? for the time being, we've really _ to continue? for the time being, we've really got _ to continue? for the time being, we've really got to _ to continue? for the time being, we've really got to get _ to continue? for the time being, we've really got to get these - to continue? for the time being, | we've really got to get these high rates down because there is tremendous pressure on the health service, as you know, in terms of numbers of hospital admissions, people being admitted to intensive care. and, sadly, the numbers of deaths. so we have really got to get the numbers down and absolutely, we need to pay attention to the lockdown rules. i would stress that if people can work from home, they should work from home. because that is feeding into the mobility data. we know how this virus is transmitted. it is transmitted through social contact. professor paul through social contact. professor paul. really _ through social contact. professor paul, really good _ through social contact. professor paul, really good to _ through social contact. professor paul, really good to have - through social contact. professor paul, really good to have you - through social contact. professorl paul, really good to have you with us today, director of the react programme. the education secretary gavin williamson says he can't guarantee when schools in england will re—open to all pupils. he did say however that schools will get two weeks' notice before reopening. well, we're in a position where we had to close schools very much as a national decision, very much in the national interest, to relieve pressure on the nhs, reduce movement, as part of the actions of the national lockdown. as you and so many of your viewers will be wanting to see schools opening at the very earliest opportunity. but we had to do that on the basis of the very best scientific and health advice. we're not in a position to be able to say exactly when that date is, but what i can reassure you and your viewers is that we will give, you know, notjust schools and teachers time to be able to prepare but also, you know, we're giving children the time to get ready and parents enough notice to be able to get everything ready. so we will be hoping to give everyone two weeks' notice in order for them to be ready to return back to school. the education secretary. our chief political correspondent, adam fleming, is in westminster. interesting gavin williamson is talking about two weeks notice given he has been criticised for some 11th hour decisions on education.- hour decisions on education. yeah, if ou aet hour decisions on education. yeah, if you get your _ hour decisions on education. yeah, if you get your phone _ hour decisions on education. yeah, if you get your phone calendar - hour decisions on education. yeah, if you get your phone calendar out, the english half term holidays are supposed to end on the 22nd... the 19th, with schools going back on the 22nd if this was the normal world. counting back two weeks from that, that takes you to the week of the eighth for a decision to be made to reopen in about two and a half weeks. fairly soon. gavin williamson is spelling out a personal aspiration. this is notjust a decision for him, there are other departments involved, the prime minister, scientists, head teachers of schools and the virus. what will the pandemic looked like in two and a half weeks' time? that combination will define when schools are opened. in terms of vaccinations for teachers, there is a campaign going, a petition going, for this, teachers and other school staff, tas and so on, did he have anything to say? he sa s on, did he have anything to say? he: says he would like school staff, teachers and support staff to be considered in the next set of prioritisation is for who gets the vaccine. that is a bit of a way off at the moment because what is happening at the moment is that the jcvi, thejoint committee on vaccination and immunisation, a group of scientific experts, has come up with that list of nine priority groups for phase one who should be getting it. at the moment, it is only the top half of that nine so people in care homes, care home workers, front line nhs staff, the over 80s and over 70s. the discussions amongst the scientists about who should be in phase two after all those groups of nine people have been done are still in the very early stages. i'm told by somebody involved in those discussions that they have been given a target of deciding mid february but even then, the scientists, will they come up with broad advice that is much less specific and then it will be up for politicians to interpret what that means for certain groups or not, we don't really know. what we are seeing for deaf and lots of lobbying from different government departments in different sectors of the economy that their people should be on that next list. so the economy that their people should be on that next list. 50 iii the economy that their people should be on that next list.— be on that next list. so if you add u a be on that next list. so if you add u- all of be on that next list. so if you add up all of those — be on that next list. so if you add up all of those pieces _ be on that next list. so if you add up all of those pieces of - up all of those pieces of information you have just been telling us, adam, and consider the data for the next half term and work two weeks back from that, you know, it is clear a decision will have to be made to... it will be tough to make a decision based on the infection rates as they are at the moment. these statistics around the number of deaths from covid. as we mentioned, there has been a lot of criticism directed at gavin williamson over his decision making throughout this process. and labour calling on him to resign. what did he say when he was asked about that? he has had a very difficult time over the last year. some of the abuse he gets his own team described as akin to bullying and the sort of thing that, if it happened in a school, it wouldn't be tolerated. look at the number of controversies he has been involved in. free school meals for vulnerable children, the closing and reopening of schools. yesterday, we saw a pause on one of the programmes that he once described as a milestone, which is this idea that you can test pupils who are identified as a contact of a positive coronavirus case every day for a week and that means they don't have to isolate at home. the scientists said because of the new variant, that changes the risk assessment so that has had to be paused. he didn't want to answer questions about his own future. he wanted to focus on what he's proposing today, which is a whole new set of reforms to technical qualifications, vocational and skills training at colleges. he would much rather we were talking about that. although people in westminster are already talking about that as his legacy, potentially the last thing he will do in the job as education secretary. do in the job as education secretary-— do in the job as education secreta . ~ . ., ~ do in the job as education secreta . ~ . ., ,, , ., do in the job as education secreta . �* ., . ~' , ., , secretary. 0k, adam, thank you very much. we secretary. 0k, adam, thank you very much- we will— secretary. 0k, adam, thank you very much. we will be _ secretary. 0k, adam, thank you very much. we will be talking _ secretary. 0k, adam, thank you very much. we will be talking to _ secretary. 0k, adam, thank you very much. we will be talking to hannah l much. we will be talking to hannah essex from the british chamber of commerce about that post—16 training later. stay with for that. 65 new covid—19 vaccination centres are opening today in england, as the roll out of the programme continues. in some regions, the over 70s are now receiving the jab, while in other areas those in their 80s are still waiting. here's our health correspondent, dominic hughes. in care homes, hospitals, gp surgeries and now pharmacies, the number of places where the covid—19 vaccine can be delivered are growing. the latest new venues coming online today include a mosque in birmingham and a cinema in aylesbury. but problems with the supply of the vaccine remain a challenge, leading to some frustration for those trying to deliver it. it is frustrating. you know, we've spent a lot of time and effort setting up centres, there's 15 across sheffield, gp practices working in partnership to make sure it's ready to go. now we can deliver, you know, 700, 800 vaccines a day, but the supply to us is really limited. we may face a whole week of not being able to give any vaccines, next week. there are some tough targets to hit for the roll—out of the vaccine. by mid—february, care—home residents, the over—70s, front line health and care staff, and the extremely clinically vulnerable should have had their firstjab. by the end of april, vaccines should have reached all those over 50 and young people with underlying health conditions. and by the autumn, the rest of the adult population. manufacturing the vaccine is a complex process subject to multiple safety and quality—control checks. ministers described the supply of the vaccine as "lumpy" and acknowledge this is the limiting factor on the speed of the roll—out. people are being reassured they won't miss out, and the vaccine remains our best way out of this crisis. dominic hughes, bbc news. thousands of homes across england and wales were evacuated overnight, after widespread flooding caused by storm christoph. rivers reached record high levels in parts of greater manchester and north wales. there are more than 190 flood warnings in place, four of them severe. andy moore reports. storm christoph started with strong winds and heavy rain but now temperatures are falling. many places are dealing with a difficult combination of rising water levels and falling snow. at didsbury, near manchester, the river mersey rose to record levels. we've been told to evacuate. however, during corona, where do you evacuate to? you don't want to impose yourself on other people. so, we're trying to hold on as long as we can and hopefully it will pass. it's risen slightly higher than its previous high so... but, clearly, at the moment, it's holding good, it's holding firm. we've been here in melington avenue - 33 years and we've never had it. quite as bad as this. and more alarming even when the river got to a record level. | this was a picturesque, but fortunately empty, cottage at chorley in lancashire before and after the floods. some places are expected to get two months of rain in just a few days. just a few miles from didsbury, severe flood warnings were in place overnight for the river bollin at heatley. and just across the welsh border at bangor—on—dee homes were evacuated. across england and wales, several severe flood warnings have been in place overnight. in north wales, police helped some people leave their homes in ruthin, while warning others not to come to the area for sight seeing of the floods. near machynlleth yesterday, this river burst its banks, sending half a metre of water through some nearby homes. the river came in throughout the garden, all of the garden, rather than just the odd little hole through the side of the bank. and it didn't catch us by surprise, but the sheer volume of it and the persistence of it has caught us out. we are often told not to drive through flood water but this driver didn't get the memo. wrong speed, wrong speed! laughter. their experience showed that most cars, not even 4x4s, aren't built to negotiate deep floodwaters. andy moore, bbc news. let's get the latest situation from lee rawlinson from the environment agency. good morning to you. i know you are normally based in warrington but tell us exactly where you are right now. , ., ., ., tell us exactly where you are right now. ,., ., ., ., , now. good morning. i am in chester and yesterday _ now. good morning. i am in chester and yesterday i _ now. good morning. i am in chester and yesterday i was _ now. good morning. i am in chester and yesterday i was in _ now. good morning. i am in chester and yesterday i was in did _ now. good morning. i am in chester and yesterday i was in did beat - now. good morning. i am in chester and yesterday i was in did beat by i and yesterday i was in did beat by the banks of the river mersey, seeing its height and today i came to see some of the residents in cheshire. you can see from some of the streets behind me that the water has not yet receded from some of the urban areas around the town. we has not yet receded from some of the urban areas around the town.- urban areas around the town. we can 'ust see urban areas around the town. we can just see behind _ urban areas around the town. we can just see behind you _ urban areas around the town. we can just see behind you over _ urban areas around the town. we can just see behind you over your- just see behind you over your shoulder some water on the streets. i don't know if there is any way you can show us a bit more of what is in the immediate area. or the camera person can do that for us as we talk to you. just bring us up to date regarding evacuations of properties, you know, whether water levels are on their way down, a general update, lee, if you would. the on their way down, a general update, lee, if you would.— lee, if you would. the rain itself has stopped _ lee, if you would. the rain itself has stopped here _ lee, if you would. the rain itself has stopped here where - lee, if you would. the rain itself has stopped here where i - lee, if you would. the rain itself has stopped here where i am - lee, if you would. the rain itself has stopped here where i am in | has stopped here where i am in cheshire and equally in manchester. but it is still falling on some of the uplands. we are still being vigilant. the river levels have passed some of their peaks in some places but not in all. we had six severe flood warnings, which means a serious threat to life. they have now dropped down to five, we have taken some off and others on. we are asking people to remain vigilant for the next couple of days. in didsbury, where we have the river mersey, it reached a really high level, centimetres away from the top of the river but the fantastic work of the river but the fantastic work of the river but the fantastic work of the environment agency, the local authority and emergency services, we could use the sluice gates and get it into the flood basin using pumps and protect thousands of properties. over 10,000 properties have been protected across the whole of the country. we are not out of the woods yet, we need people to keep an eye on the environment agency website, logged on forflood on the environment agency website, logged on for flood warnings, flood alerts because the river levels are still high for the next couple of days. still high for the next couple of da s. ~ ~' ., still high for the next couple of das. ,., days. we know in situations like this from previous _ days. we know in situations like this from previous experience, i days. we know in situations like - this from previous experience, lee, that people will gather together in community centres, they would be helping each other out. but what happens when you have to leave your property under covid restrictions? that's right. we did a multi—agency, coordinated response, between the emergency services. we have been given flood warnings and flood alerts across the country. we have worked in conjunction with the police, fire, ambulance and local authorities to ensure that any properties that had to be a evacuated, we have to do it in the covid—safe way. but they have worked really well. many properties that we have evacuated have been put up in hotels and people have been kept as safe as possible.— safe as possible. good luck in the circumstances, _ safe as possible. good luck in the circumstances, lee, _ safe as possible. good luck in the circumstances, lee, obviously- circumstances, lee, obviously additionally difficult dealing with the flooding and covid restrictions. good luck to you and all the staff from the environment agency helping out with the areas that are flooded currently. thank you for that update, lee rawlinson, from the environment agency. very timely now. now it's time for a look at the weather with matt taylor. i'm looking in the wrong camera, i was looking to the wrong side of the studio, hallo over there, was looking to the wrong side of the studio, hallo overthere, hi, matt. some of the water levels are on their way down —— hello over there. more rain? hat their way down -- hello over there. more rain?— their way down -- hello over there. more rain? not as much rain around but the water _ more rain? not as much rain around but the water levels _ more rain? not as much rain around but the water levels will _ more rain? not as much rain around but the water levels will vary - but the water levels will vary across parts of the country. those areas worst affected last night, you will see water levels drop but other areas of the country, as all that water flows to the river catchments, you will see it arise. keep up—to—date with the latest flood warnings wherever you are. 230 at the moment including five severe ones in england and wales, the details on bbc weather. watch for what is happening in the north—east of scotland, the rain is relentless around the low level sites and coasts, that could cause flooding. appalling conditions on the hills with gale force winds and blizzards and drift from slow. some showers, rain and sleet and snow but brighter today. rain will return to the english channel and the channel islands later. in the south, the wind not as strong. gale force and severe gale force in the north and east and it will feel substantially colder than 4—9. subzero wind chill for the northern half of the country. windy tonight, sleet and snow flurries with wintry showers elsewhere but given the fact there is so much wet ground, tomorrow morning, temperatures around freezing, be prepared for the risk of some ice. a full forecast update throughout the morning. back to you. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines: getting to work — president biden starts by reversing a number of his predecessor's key policies and signs more than a dozen executive orders. i have never been more optimistic about america than i am this very day. there isn't anything we can't do if we do it together. in others news, coronavirus infection rates may have risen in england since the beginning of the lockdown, according to a study tracking the spread of the virus. the vaccination roll—out continues, with another 65 centres opening across england as more over—70s start to receive theirjabs. the education secretary says schools will be given a "two week notice period" before they reopen to pupils. let me bring you some news coming into us that pumps and sandbags were brought successfully protect supplies of the oxford astrazeneca vaccine from the risk of flood water at a warehouse in wrexham last night. the leader of the local authority mark pritchard told bbc wales that the company called on the counsel for assistance. he said, we didn't hesitate. we had pumps brought in. we worked with them and that has been successful. obviously, that has been successful. obviously, that could have had a huge impact on the whole of the uk, notjust wrexham in north wales, if supplies of the vaccine had been affected by flood waters. thankfully, that wasn't the case. that was from our correspondent hywel griffith. and for the sport. good morning. there were three different leaders of the premier league in the space of a few hours last night, with leicester starting on top before they were overtaken by manchester city, only for manchester united to then go clear thanks to their victory in west london. joe lynsey reports. football still has a challenge to play on through the lockdown, butjust like the players, the teams at the top are so hard to separate. it could make this title race the most exciting for years. manchester united lead it by two points, but they still show vulnerability. they went 1—0 down at fulham, but then the fightback came. fulham's goalkeeper was once edinson cavani's team—mate. he might have never made it easier for the striker to score. 1—1 and united fighting, so paul pogba went for something special. it was a game that needed a magic moment to separate the sides, and that is exactly that. we have always said paul can do anything. when you win tight games, we have done that a few times this season and those two extra points instead of a draw, that is vital. watching from home didn't seem so bad in manchester, city and aston villa would play in any weather. the home side were on for nine wins in a row, while villa's first team last played on new year's day. but for now out of isolation, they made city look out of practice. villa held them back for 80 minutes, but when the goal came, it was controversial. manchester city have finally broken through, and aston villa are unhappy about it. they rush to the referee. the problem wasn't the strike, but in the build—up. city's forward came back from offside to steal the ball. the official said that was fine. villa's boss said otherwise. sent off to the stands, he then watched his team concede a penalty and then a second goal. in his post—match interview, he wanted answers. can you clear it up for me? i'm watching, i've been involved 30 years in football and i see coming back from ten yards in an offside position and tackling a playerfrom behind and they score and is given. farcical. if the game can carry on, then it knows the reward. so many teams are in close contact, and this unique season could have a special finish. norwich city extended their lead at the top of the championship with a comfortable win over bristol city. jordan hugh—gill scored both of their goals. norwich are now seven points clear of second—placed swansea and nine points ahead of third—placed brentford, although they have played a game more than the swans and two more than the bees. celtic dropped more points as they try to reduce the huge gap on rangers at the top of the scottish premiership. the game at livingstone was one of their games in hand and they came from behind to lead thanks to nir bitton, who was on side here. but a slip in the wintry conditions cost celtic dear, as jay emmanuel thomas got the equaliser for the home side. the game finished with a layer of snow at the tony macaroni stadium, also known as the spaghetti ad. celtic are 20 points adrift withjust two games in hand now. in the last few hours, golf�*s european tour season has got under way over in abu dhabi. rory mcilroy didn't manage a win last season — only the third time that has happened in his professional career. he's made a good start today, though. a few moments ago, he was joint leader on 6 under par through 11 holes. england have won their first netball international since the beginning of november. it's only the fourth game that roses have played since the start of the pandemic. they won the first of a three—match series against a super league all stars team, played behind closed doors, by 70 points to 54 — the next game's at six o'clock tomorrow night. england had originally been due to playjamaica, but that series was cancelled because of coronavirus concerns. first, there was the food. now it's mice that the locked down players waiting to compete in the australian open are complaining about. "stop feeding them" — the mice, not the players — was the response from the australian police. but the enforced hotel room isolation has also prompted some of the players to be creative. here's what french player edouard roger—vasselin has come up with, a chain reaction obstacle course! reminds us of the mousetrap game. with 10 more days left of isolation ahead of the australian open, he made use of a pillow, tennis bag, bananas, racquets and tennis ball cans among other hotel room objects in a short video he posted on social media. if it was meant to catch a mouse, it didn't work. the mice are still about. that's all the sport for now. that is obviously a top tip for what we can do if we are feeling a bit bored, make up little courses from bananas and tennis rackets. thank you for that. president biden has taken up residence in the white house with what some have described as a herculean task ahead of him. top of the agenda will be providing a fiscal boost to the economy — a prospect that sent us markets to new highs on thursday. in his inaugural address, he outlined the biggest challenges facing his presidency — a devastating pandemic, massive job losses, a threatened environment, calls for racial justice and a resurgence in political extremism. but he got straight to work, signing no less than 17 executive actions, as michelle fleury explains. joe biden enters the white house facing several crises. on the economic front, the pandemic has deepened existing economic problems. the poor have become poorer and for the unemployed, rejoining the workforce will be a problem that lingers long after the health crisis has passed. congratulations, mr president. the urgency of the moment was not lost onjoe biden as he was sworn in as america's 46th president. i understand that many of my fellow americans view the future with fear and trepidation. i understand they worry about theirjobs. i understand, like my dad, they lie in bed at night staring at the ceiling and wondering, "can i keep my health care? can i pay my mortgage?" thinking about their families, about what comes next. i promise you, i get it. and with the stroke of a pen joe biden got straight to work, signing his first executive order reversing some of trump's policies. mr biden signed 17 executive actions, including extending a moratorium on evictions which was due to expire at the end of the month, and as part of his plan to address climate change, revoking the permit for the controversial keystone pipeline. exiting the presidential stage, donald trump leaves behind a divided nation whose reputation abroad is badly tarnished. marking a sea change from trump's go—it—alone america first approach, joe biden promised to repair fraying alliances. the world is watching, watching all of us today. so here's my message to those beyond our borders. america has been tested, and we've come out stronger for it. we will repair our alliances and engage with the world once again, not to meet yesterday's challenges, but today's and tomorrow's challenges. joe biden wants unity at home and abroad. he believes america will need its friends to thrive and outcompete a rising china. but a complete reversal in foreign policy is unlikely, leaving many us allies relieved and weary too. leaving many us allies relieved and wary too. the us infectious disease expert anthony fauci has been addressing the world health organisation a day after presidentjoe biden reversed donald trump's decision to leave the un agency. he told the meeting that the biden adminstration will fully engage with the global struggle against coronavirus. it is an honourfor me to be here, representing the united states of america on behalf of the newly inaugurated biden—harris administration. and as the chief medical adviser to president biden. i am also here to represent the scientists, public health officials, and front line health care workers and community health workers who have worked so heroically this past year to fight covid—19. developing medical countermeasures at a truly phenomenal speed, adapting policy responses as we learn more about the virus, and courageously treating the millions of people who have been stricken by this historic scourge. one year ago to this very day, the united states confirmed its first case of sars—cov—2 in the state of washington. today, in my country and around the world, we have surpassed 90 million cases, a devastating number that continues to grow. dr anthony fauci. let's return to the flooding caused by storm christoph. rivers reached record high levels in parts of greater manchester and north wales with around 200 flood warnings in place in england. i'm joined now by sarah—jayne robins, who lives in todmorden in west yorkshire. this is an area which has seen river levels rising in recent days. she can see the river calderfrom her house. she is also chair of the todmorden flood group. i hope it is not to close this morning. i hope it is not to close this morning-— i hope it is not to close this morning. i hope it is not to close this mornint. ., , ., ., morning. no, it is looking a lot betterthan— morning. no, it is looking a lot better than it _ morning. no, it is looking a lot better than it did _ morning. no, it is looking a lot better than it did previously, . better than it did previously, thankfully. i better than it did previously, thankfully-— better than it did previously, thankfull . ,, ., ~ thankfully. i know you were thinking ou miaht thankfully. i know you were thinking you might have _ thankfully. i know you were thinking you might have a — thankfully. i know you were thinking you might have a sleepless - thankfully. i know you were thinking you might have a sleepless night. you might have a sleepless night keeping watch on the levels. i did actually sleep _ keeping watch on the levels. i did actually sleep for _ keeping watch on the levels. i did actually sleep for a _ keeping watch on the levels. i c c actually sleep for a couple of hours last night, but the night before i definitely didn't. we were very close. but luckily, it didn't happen. close. but luckily, it didn't hauen. ~ close. but luckily, it didn't happen-— close. but luckily, it didn't hat-em. , close. but luckily, it didn't hauen.~ ,~ ., happen. when you say very close, do ou mean happen. when you say very close, do you mean very _ happen. when you say very close, do you mean very close _ happen. when you say very close, do you mean very close to _ happen. when you say very close, do you mean very close to the _ happen. when you say very close, do you mean very close to the river- you mean very close to the river topping its banks, or had already done that and it was getting close to your home? we done that and it was getting close to your home?— done that and it was getting close to your home? we already had one flood siren — to your home? we already had one flood siren going _ to your home? we already had one flood siren going off, _ to your home? we already had one flood siren going off, which - to your home? we already had one flood siren going off, which means| flood siren going off, which means the rail tracks can be affected badly. my house was fine, thankfully. however, iwas badly. my house was fine, thankfully. however, i was worried about other people's properties flooding. 50 about other people's properties floodint. , , ., about other people's properties floodint. , ., flooding. so i believe your home flooded in _ flooding. so i believe your home flooded in 2003 _ flooding. so i believe your home flooded in 2003 times _ flooding. so i believe your home flooded in 2003 times since - flooding. so i believe your home i flooded in 2003 times since 2010. what changes have you made since then to try to flood proof your house? ~ ., ., ., ., then to try to flood proof your house? ~ ., ., , ., house? we have got flood doors on both front and _ house? we have got flood doors on both front and back. _ house? we have got flood doors on both front and back. we _ house? we have got flood doors on both front and back. we have - house? we have got flood doors on | both front and back. we have raised all the electrics so that if floodwater comes in, it won't damage the electric circuits. we have totally minimised the downstairs area, so there is very little apart from the sofa and coffee table that is on the ground floor. it's very easy to move everything so that it's out of the way. and it's just trying to be as practical as possible about things, having practicalflooring which makes it easy to mop up. fiend which makes it easy to mop up. and the members _ which makes it easy to mop up. and the members of the flood group which you founded, how they all made similar adaptations to their homes and more generally in the area, do you think people have learned to live with the risk of flooding by doing things like this? fits live with the risk of flooding by doing things like this? as much as it is possible- _ doing things like this? as much as it is possible. obviously, - doing things like this? as much as it is possible. obviously, there - doing things like this? as much as it is possible. obviously, there is. it is possible. obviously, there is a money �*s constraint with doing that kind of work. some people have done a lot, some haven't done as much. but it depends how people feel about how badly they have been affected in the past and whether they think it will happen again. personally, i say do as much as possible, which is why the defra grants and the grants we had from the council were so important, but it didn't cover everything that needed to be done. so it didn't cover everything that needed to be done.— it didn't cover everything that needed to be done. , ., . , needed to be done. so you were able to use some — needed to be done. so you were able to use some of— needed to be done. so you were able to use some of that _ needed to be done. so you were able to use some of that money _ needed to be done. so you were able to use some of that money to - needed to be done. so you were able to use some of that money to make i to use some of that money to make the adaptations to the flood doors and changing the electrics that you mentioned. , , and changing the electrics that you mentioned._ so - and changing the electrics that you mentioned._ so it's - and changing the electrics that you j mentioned._ so it's good mentioned. definitely. so it's good that people — mentioned. definitely. so it's good that people hear _ mentioned. definitely. so it's good that people hear about _ mentioned. definitely. so it's good that people hear about what - mentioned. definitely. so it's good that people hear about what is - mentioned. definitely. so it's good that people hear about what is out| that people hear about what is out there to help them. i want to talk about covid as well. as they mention thepchaiya un nooh gas from the environment agency, normally in these situations —— as i mentioned when speaking to my guest from the environment agency, they normally help with sandbags etc, but in these times, you can't do that as readily, so how much of a strain has that been? 3 so how much of a strain has that been? �* , , so how much of a strain has that been? �*, , . , . ~' been? it's been heartbreaking. i have been _ been? it's been heartbreaking. i have been on — been? it's been heartbreaking. i have been on the _ been? it's been heartbreaking. i have been on the street - been? it's been heartbreaking. i have been on the street for - been? it's been heartbreaking. i have been on the street for overj been? it's been heartbreaking. i - have been on the street for over ten years in this particular place. we know our neighbours. we are an old—fashioned street, we know each other. in emergencies, we are normally in and out of each other�*s houses, making sure everyone is ok. and we haven't been able to do that. that isolation does not help with the whole mental health impact of flooding in itself. so it's really quite upsetting that we are not able to help each other like we normally do. i to help each other like we normally do. .., to help each other like we normally do. . . . to help each other like we normally do. .. ., ., ., , do. i can imagine in normaltimes, eo - le do. i can imagine in normaltimes, people are — do. i can imagine in normaltimes, people are going — do. i can imagine in normaltimes, people are going in _ do. i can imagine in normaltimes, people are going in and _ do. i can imagine in normaltimes, people are going in and out - do. i can imagine in normaltimes, people are going in and out of- do. i can imagine in normaltimes, | people are going in and out of each other�*s houses, moving furniture and that sort of thing. so for the moment, the danger seems to have passed? moment, the danger seems to have assed? ., .. , , , moment, the danger seems to have passed?_ well. - moment, the danger seems to have passed?_ well, it'sl passed? thankfully, yes. well, it's been interesting _ passed? thankfully, yes. well, it's been interesting to _ passed? thankfully, yes. well, it's been interesting to talk _ passed? thankfully, yes. well, it's been interesting to talk to - passed? thankfully, yes. well, it's been interesting to talk to you. - passed? thankfully, yes. well, it's been interesting to talk to you. i l been interesting to talk to you. i am glad to hear you haven't been flooded on this occasion. good luck and stay safe to all of you. sarah—jayne robins, chair of the modern flood group in west yorkshire. —— the todmorden flood group. the foreign secretary, dominic raab, has called on wealthier countries to support global access to covid—19 vaccines. speaking in kenya at the start of a visit to eastern africa, mr raab said britain had provided half a billion pounds to aid the distribution of inoculations across the world. every country wants to vaccinate their own people, but we all have a shared interest in making sure that we are all safeguarded from this appalling virus. that's why we're collaborating on a bilateral level, astrazeneca oxford, with the trials you're having here in kenya. that's also why the uk is one of the leading funders of gavi and covax, which of course is the leading international body and organisation for making sure that we get the virus, a billion doses, to the countries that need it most, and that group that will benefit from covax includes kenya. the tour operator, saga, has said anyone going on one of its holidays or cruises this year must be fully vaccinated against covid—19. the company, which specialises in holidays for the over—50s, said it wanted to protect customers' health and safety. it will delay restarting its travel packages until may to give travellers enough time to getjabs. the headlines on bbc news... president biden gets to work by reversing a number of his predecessor's key policies and signs more than a dozen executive orders. coronavirus infection rates may have risen in england since the beginning of the lockdown, according to a study tracking the spread of the virus. the vaccination roll—out continues with another 65 centres opening across england — as more over—70s start to receive theirjabs. plans have been announced for changes to education and training for over—16s in england. the government wants to give employers a much bigger role in designing courses and to improve access to flexible student finance. but groups representing higher education providers say colleges will need much more funding to deliver the proposals. education secretary gavin williamson says he wants to improve opportunities for young people who don't opt for university. we don't have enough focus, whether it's in the media in terms of what you talk about, and in the past not enough focus even sometimes in westminster, on those 50% of youngsters who i often call the forgotten 50% who aren't going on to university. and what we've been outlining today is a plan to make sure that businesses, very much like you see in germany and switzerland, where they actually are really able to influence the courses that young people are able to take, getting chambers of commerce really involved in designing courses so that every course a youngster takes, or someone of any age, is giving them skills to be able to get a job. i'm joined now by hannah essex, co—executive director of the british chambers of commerce. we are told that employers and business groups like yourselves are going to be at the heart of the government's plans. do you have a sense that you are going to be consulted on these plans more than in previous attempts to change education and training for post—16? that seems to be the intention from the government's white paper and the conversations we have had with them. businesses have been reporting for many years that there is a gap between the skills they need to make their successful and the skills they find within their local communities. so this is about employers providers working together to identify the skills we need now and in the future, and that young people and people throughout their lives are encouraged to sign up to those courses which will lead to fruitful and fulfilling careers in the future. it and fulfilling careers in the future. ,., , and fulfilling careers in the future. , ., and fulfilling careers in the future. ~ and fulfilling careers in the future. ,, ., future. it sounds almost like a besoke future. it sounds almost like a bespoke approach _ future. it sounds almost like a bespoke approach to - future. it sounds almost like a bespoke approach to training i future. it sounds almost like a - bespoke approach to training people up bespoke approach to training people up in the skills that are specific areas need. do you think that is an admirable ambition, and is it practical? it admirable ambition, and is it practical?— admirable ambition, and is it ractical? , practical? it can be practical. if ount practical? it can be practical. if young people _ practical? it can be practical. if young people are _ practical? it can be practical. if young people are looking - practical? it can be practical. if young people are looking for l practical? it can be practical. if- young people are looking for work, we know we are going to be facing high levels of unemployment. young people will be badly affected by this pandemic, and they will be looking for work. so if we can identify what the skills gaps are and the jobs that businesses are creating and will need to create in the future to make their businesses successful and charge the recovery and get us out of the situation we find ourselves in as a result of the pandemic, but also where we were before that, and if we can match those things together, the young people's ambition and the needs of the business, that can help everybody to get back into work and get the economy going again. we are told employers _ get the economy going again. we are told employers will _ get the economy going again. we are told employers will have _ get the economy going again. we are told employers will have a _ get the economy going again. we are told employers will have a central- told employers will have a central role by 2030 in developing almost all technical courses. we have heard from further education providers that they need more money to deliver on this. talk to us about the different aspects of making this plan work, how you at the british chambers will be involved and what gaps need to be plugged? the chambers of — gaps need to be plugged? iie: chambers of commerce, gaps need to be plugged? tie: chambers of commerce, we are talking to the government about how we can work with all the employers, providers and stakeholders within those communities to set out what the skills needs are in that community, what employers need and how providers can step in to make sure people have the opportunity to train and retrain. ih sure people have the opportunity to train and retrain.— train and retrain. in other words, to help employers _ train and retrain. in other words, to help employers develop - train and retrain. in other words, to help employers develop those j to help employers develop those courses for what they need? that is the next stage. _ courses for what they need? that is the next stage, to _ courses for what they need? that is the next stage, to firstly _ courses for what they need? that is the next stage, to firstly identify i the next stage, to firstly identify what they need is and then have employers and providers work together to make sure the courses fit the needs of the business so that they lead to jobs at the end of it, ratherthan that they lead to jobs at the end of it, rather than people taking courses that don't help them get back into employment. ihthd courses that don't help them get back into employment.— courses that don't help them get back into employment. and on the a- eal back into employment. and on the appeal from _ back into employment. and on the appeal from further _ back into employment. and on the appeal from further education - appeal from further education colleges for more money, that is a key part of it. i guess this can't be delivered with no new money? it all needs to be funded. further education colleges have said for years that there has been a funding gap between what they need to do and what is being provided by government. if the government is serious about its ambition, the money needs to come with it. they have set out what they could provide today in the white paper, but we need to see how much more funding might be needed in the future to live up to that ambition.- live up to that ambition. hannah essex, coexecutive _ live up to that ambition. hannah essex, coexecutive director- live up to that ambition. hannah essex, coexecutive director at i live up to that ambition. hannah i essex, coexecutive director at the british chambers of commerce, good to talk to you. police in naples have recovered a stolen 500—year—old painting — despite not being aware it had been stolen. the painting, a copy of the world's most expensive, leonardo da vinci's salvator mundi, was found in a bedroom cupboard, as tim allman reports. solving a robbery no one knew had actually happened, a 500—year—old painting unveiled by police after being discovered in a hidden room. this, a copy of leonardo da vinci's salvator mundi, saviour of the world, would normally be found at a chapel in naples. but due to the coronavirus pandemic, the collection was closed to the public and the paintings disappearance went unnoticed. it was found at the apartment of a local businessman, a 36—year—old man now accused of trafficking in stolen goods. translation: it's a person without a criminal record. it's very unlikely that this person could have a direct interest. $400 million is the bid, and the piece is sold. da vinci's original, itself only rediscovered 15 years ago, sold at auction in 2017 for more than $400 million, the most expensive painting ever sold. this is a lot less valuable, but it is, at last, back where it belongs. a british man who was diagnosed with a terminal form of cancer two years ago has completed the first stage of a bicycle ride that he is hoping will take him all the way to china. luke grenfell—shaw set off on a tandem injanuary. our correspondentjonah fisher caught up with him as he made it to ukraine. i am cycling with the knowledge that my cancer could come back at any time. in 2018, luke grenfell—shaw was told he had an advanced form of cancer that very few people survive. the primary tumour that was beneath my left shoulder blade, which was the size of an aubergine, it was enormous, that had spread to my lungs. the 24—year—old underwent chemotherapy and then surgery, keeping his spirits up by running and riding long distances — and dreaming of adventure. the day that i was diagnosed, i realised that if i could only do one more thing with my life, then i want to cycle around the world. adventure ahead. a year ago, the cancer in remission, luke set off from bristol, hoping to reach china. smooth roads. it's pretty nice. that's cold! in front of me is germany. behind me is the netherlands. i think it's fair to say that this tent is no longer particularly waterproof. then the coronavirus pandemic struck, closing borders and blocking luke's way east. i have no idea what we're going to do. with each passing minute, heading back to the uk just seems like a more sensible option. and that's what he did. but five months later, luke was back on the road again. we have no wheel. so we've got a bit of a problem right now. that is serbia right there. we're just crossing the danube right now. luke caught and recovered from the coronavirus in romania. and as he made his way across ukraine, i asked him the big question — why? if you can take good care of your body, if you can look after yourself, it doesn't give you any guarantees, but it puts you in a better position and, i guess, mentally, you also know that you are doing the things that you can do to improve your situation, even when there's so much uncertainty and there's so much that you can't control. how's your russian doing? after a two week slog across ukraine completed his europeanjourney, luke called his mum back home. i have felt for you with those icy cold headwinds on your own with that tandem and the trailer and all the weight of it. yeah, a massive achievement. i'm so proud of you, really, really an inspiration that you have just had the grit to keep going against a many odds. missing you! so far, luke's epic journey has raised £43,000 for cancer—related charities. all being well, he will ride across asia before arriving in china in about a year's time. jonah fisher, bbc news, eastern ukraine. now it's time for a look at the weather. hello. thankfully, the worst of storm christoph has now departed but not before dropping huge amounts of rain across the western half of the country. its wettest spots were snowdonia and in parts of yorkshire and lancashire, we saw well over a month's worth of rain fall in the space of two and a half days. understandable that river levels are high. check out the latest flood warnings, they're going to fluctuate throughout the day and indeed through the next few days. all the details on the bbc weather website. also watch today the north—east of scotland, persistent rain could start to cause some flooding here. lots of snowfall across the grampians being blown around by strong winds. appalling conditions on the mountains, with blizzards and drifting. wintry showers elsewhere across scotland, northern ireland, into western parts of england and wales. the odd rumble of thunder. pushed through by quite a stiff breeze, strongest of those winds, though, will be towards the north—east of the uk. touching 50, 60 miles an hour. that will have a big impact on temperatures. a cold day already, but with an added wind chill across the north, sub zero in places. you'll also notice this afternoon, more persistent rain arrives towards the english channel. that mightjust scrape those southern coastal counties of england and it will mainly affect the channel islands before clearing through tonight. there will be more in the way of wintry showers across the north and west, giving a further few centimetres of snow here and there. but, really, tonight, it's going to be a case of a widespread frost and given the fact there's so much water around at the moment, be prepared for ice just about anywhere into tomorrow morning. for much of england and wales, it will be a dry and bright day with some sunshine, a few showers south—west of the channel islands into north—west england. again, the further north you are, the more they will be wintry but the showers most frequent across northern ireland, north and west of scotland. but, overall, even better day than today in the east of scotland. still cold, though, round 4—8 degrees. as we go through into the weekend, we will see things start frosty again, dry and bright. sleet and snow flurries, the air is cold enough for a few centimetres of snow even to lower levels at times if you get some of the heavy showers go through. some of you will stay dry throughout the day on saturday, particularly to the south and east. temperatures, though, only around 2—6 c, that cold air is in place as we go through saturday night and into sunday. and as we start to see another little developing weather system work through into that colder air, there is perhaps a greater chance we will see some snow across england and wales, especially across, say, wales, the midlands and south. there could be a few centimetres, it may cause disruption. open to a bit of a question mark at the moment over where exactly that will fall, so keep up—to—date with the forecast. that's it from me, take care. this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. getting to work — president biden starts by reversing a number of his predecessor's key policies and signs more than a dozen executive orders. i have never been more optimistic about america than i am this very day. there isn't anything we can't do, if we do it together. coronavirus infection rates may have risen in england since the beginning of the lockdown, according to a study tracking the spread of the virus. the vaccination rollout continues with another 65 centres opening across england, as more over—70s start to receive theirjabs. the education secretary says schools in england will be given a "two week notice period" before they reopen to pupils. and if you would like to get in touch about any of the stories