Good morning. For many of us today we are going to see sunny spells, variable cloud and the odd shower. But later, the cloud will thicken in the west introducing patchy rain. Details later in the programme. Good morning. It s wednesday, 24thjuly. Seven labour mps have been suspended from the party for six months, after they rebelled against the government over the two child benefit cap. It s the first big test of sir keir starmer s authority as prime minister. He s said it s unaffordable at the moment to scrap the cap, but he was defied by a group of mps who backed a call from the scottish national party for it to be lifted. Here s our political correspondent, nick eardley. The ayes were 103, the noes were 363. So the noes have it, the noes have it. Unlock. Less than three weeks in power, the new government has had its first rebellion. It was small, but the prime minister has responded with his first show of force. Mps have been debating the king s speech, keir starmer s plan for his f
and palestinian militants fire rockets towards the city. the fbi says a group called darkside was behind a major cyber attack on the largest fuel pipeline in the united states, interrupting supplies. despite repeated efforts, the emergency services are unable to save a young whale trapped in the thames. good evening and welcome to bbc news. the uk s coronavirus alert level is being lowered from four to three which means that while the virus is still in circulation, transmission is no longer high or rising exponentially. and the prime minister has confirmed that restrictions in england will ease significantly from monday. pubs and restaurants will be allowed to serve people inside. for the first time in over a year, we will actually be allowed to hug one another though we will be told to do so cautiously. six people or two households will be able to meet indoors and stay overnight. outdoors the rule of six is scrapped and people will be able to meet in groups of up to 30. some
the argument over so called covid passports you may need it to travel abroad but you will definitely not need it for essential services. the disappearance of 19 year old richard okorogheye the met police say they are still trying to identify a body. the crowd should disperse immediately. in northern ireland, the stormont assembly s recalled after several nights of violence. the sky at night with less light pollution during the lockdown, we ve had some spectacular views. and and coming up on the bbc news channel. an audition for europe s most wanted as borussia dortmund s erling haaland prepares to face manchester city in their champions league quarter final first leg. good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. it s a question that s being asked both here and in the eu and today it was put again to borisjohnson is there a link between the astra zeneca covid vaccine and rare blood clots? speaking on a visit to the company s factory in macclesfield mrjohnson sa
a minute s silence to commemorate the life of a minute s silence to commemorate the life of sir tom and to respect the life of sir tom and to respect the lives the life of sir tom and to respect the lives lost through covid. remembering captain sir tom moore a minute s silence is observed in the house of commons. and the nation is urged to clap for him at 6pm tonight. good afternoon. the health secretary, matt hancock, says research suggesting the oxford astrazeneca vaccine may reduce the spread of coronavirus is superb and will help us all to get out of the pandemic. a study, which has yet to be peer reviewed, has shown the jab could cut the spread by two thirds. it s the first time a vaccine has been shown to reduce transmission. it comes as a new study shows that 88% of people who tested positive for the virus retained antibodies for the full six months of the trial. awarning, a warning, this report contains some flashing images. it s been the great unknown would va
ban on buying cigarettes, under a law to be enacted next year. england s dismal start in the ashes continues as australia s batsmen pile on the runs. and coming up on the bbc news channel: questions over the fitness of england s ben stokes, who appeared to pick up a knee and coming up on the bbc news channel: questions over the fitness of england s ben stokes, who appeared to pick up a knee injury on a tough day against australia in the first ashes test. good afternoon and welcome to the news at one. the government has confirmed the investigation into a party in downing street last december will also look at two other gatherings, allegedly held while restrictions on meeting indoors were in place. the inquiry was announced yesterday with regard to an event on december 18th. now a second downing street party in november and a gathering in the education department will also be considered. the health secretary, sajid javid, denied the government had lost credibility by breaking t