this is bbc news: i'm tim willcox with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. america's leading infectious disease expert warns of a disturbing surge in covid—nineteen cases in parts of the country. right now, the next couple of weeks are going to be critical in our ability to address those surging means that we are seeing. england's most significant easing of restrictions yet —— people will soon be able to go to pubs, stay in hotels and visit hairdressers and cinemas. remembering the life of rayshard brooks. funeral services are held for the african american man shot dead as he fled police in atlanta. novak djokovic tests as pictures emerge of him dancing at a party during a much—criticised tennis event.

the top us official on infectious diseases, anthony fauci, has warned some parts of the country are seeing a "disturbing surge" in coronavirus cases. let's go through the figures. covid—19 has killed 120,000 people in the us and there are more than 2.3 million cases. in more half the states, the number of new cases is still rising. you can see that in the south and west, particularly in states which loosened their restrictions on business early on. texas for example recorded its biggest number of new cases on saturday.

and the number of people in hospital with the virus has risen for 11 consecutive days. california's infection rate has been surging in the last week — the number of people in hospital has surpassed the peak in april. florida is also seeing cases rising sharply — it's now the seventh state to reach 100,000 cases. earlier dr fauci was giving testimony to a congressional hearing. this is part of what he said. right now, the next couple of weeks are going to be critical and our ability to address those fauci that we are seeing in florida, and texas, and arizona, and in other states, they are not the only ones that are having difficulty. bottom line, mrchairman, it are having difficulty. bottom line, mr chairman, it is a mixed bag, some good and some now we have a problem with. earlier i spoke to lev facher, washington correspondent for stat, the health and medical news outlet about

the increase in cases. all states are very aggressive in reopening their economies and allowing businesses to go about life as it was before the pandemic, the states are now seeing really dramatic spikes in the number of new cases per day. that is starting to be reflected additionally in the people that are hospitalized in intensive care and sadly, it is expected to increase in the death rate. so doctor fauci was talking about how there are states in the us where the numbers, as you say, are alarming. there are others but their looking quite good and their looking quite good and the curves been flattened downwards, but even doctor faucl downwards, but even doctor fauci, certainly not the governors and the states are, they are not recommending the imposing any sort of lock down as we had seen previously. so, despite those numbers and the fa ct despite those numbers and the fact that it is really clear

that we have not emerged from the first wave of cases in the united states, there really isn't talk of re—imposing the kind of cause i locked down as we had seen previously. so, despite those numbers and the fa ct despite those numbers and the fact that it is really clear that we have not emerged from the first wave of cases in the united states, there really isn't talk of re—imposing the kind of qualified. us consular 20% of the new cases worldwide. he said he was cautiously optimistic about a vaccine. is that a part of the thinking behind backing a more aggressive lockdown? well, i think that there may be a vaccine towards the end of the yearin vaccine towards the end of the year in 2021 at some point, it would really be a phenomenal accomplishment in biomedical science of the develop a vaccine that quickly for an emerging infection disease. regardless of whether there is one in october or december or a year from now nextjune, one in october or december or a yearfrom now nextjune, there is not one would hope that a vaccine or a potential vaccine thatis vaccine or a potential vaccine that is not been developed or tested, does not plan to the public policy decisions as to how to keep americans and people around the world safe

today. just on the politics of this, how much implicit chris of teddy criticism was that —— criticism is that of donald trump. in the ability of wearing face masks. president trump is going into facilities such as factories and other public spaces where there is a requirement on the books that people who enter wear a mask and president trump has declined to wear a mask. he has been criticised by public health officials, and operate directly, today in the congressional hearing but he has been criticised for not submitting example by wearing a mask. there's been a lot of pushback from republican governors who prevented local officials from mandating the use of a mask, only to later resend those rules and now mayors in particular cities are allowed in many cases to require people to wear a mask. it is not just require people to wear a mask. it is notjust a mask issue, as we heard, there is this three ward conference in our president trump at a saturday

rally said that the number of positive tests that the us recorded essentially makes us look bad, so i tore my people to slow down the testing, those are his words. there is no evidence that that actually happened and no evidence of the name testing has slowed down as a result, but it is in opting for the president to have said and of course, the high volume of testing that is conducted in the united states absolutely does not account for the increase rates of positive tests among the tests that are being conducted is going up. borisjohnson has announced the most significant easing of coronavirus restrictions in england since imposing a lockdown in march. from july the fourth, the two metre social distancing rule will be reduced to one metre. pubs, restaurants, hairdressers, cinemas and museums will be allowed to reopen —— provided they follow safety guidelines. mrjohnson said he would take

"full responsibility" if the relaxation of measures backfired. 0ur political editor laura kuenssberg reports. moving to a new sort of normal. in england, at least, from next weekend the pumps will flow, glasses will chink, a symbol there is life after lockdown — you will be able to raise a pint. i'm really happy and excited to reopen and see our regular customers. a sense of relief is the biggest thing. we're at a point where it was make or break, so, for us, really happy. are you taking a gamble with public safety, prime minister? exactly three months after the deadly virus derailed everything, the disease is judged by number ten to be fading enough to open many more of the country's doors. you could almost hear the relief in the prime minister's voice. thanks to our progress, we can now go further and safely ease the lockdown in england. at every stage, caution

will remain our watchword. hairdressers, hotels, libraries, playgrounds, a long list of venues will be back but you will still be asked to keep at least one metre distance, and still work at home if you can. 0ur principle is to trust the british public to use their common sense, in the full knowledge of the risks, remembering that the more we open up, the more vigilant we will need to be. a chance the prime minister desperately hopes, too, for him to turn the page. our long national hibernation is beginning to come to an end and life is returning to our streets and shops. the bustle is starting to come back and a new but cautious optimism is palpable. but i must say to the house that it would be all too easy for that frost to return.

compulsory legal instructions will become advice instead, and there are still complications ahead. there are no easy decisions to be made here. any unlocking carries risks, it has to be phased, managed and carefully planned. we will scrutinise the detail. we do want more clarity. but we welcome the thrust. but who we can spend time with, as well as where, is changing, too. hayley minn will be able to see her boyfriend anywhere for the first time in two months. friends and families reunited, but still a metre apart and just two households at a time. it's really good news that my boyfriend can now stay over and i can stay at his. 0bviously, annoying we can't touch still but it's better than just being able to see him for a few hours in the garden. but hold on, the different parts of the uk are moving at different paces. in wales and scotland the two metre rule is still in place. it's really important

not to see this as a binary, simple issue. there is no doubt if you go from two metres to one metre you increase the risk of transmission from something i think between two and ten times, so it's how you mitigate that increased risk in other ways. but for number ten, it's time to move on. five o'clock today the last occasion that this briefing will be routine. the two scientists sound notably cautious this afternoon, and opening up poses more risks to our health, will you take responsibility for whatever happens next? of course, laura, i take responsibility, the government takes responsibility for these decisions. we're indebted to our scientific colleagues for their advice continually, but it is our responsibility to choose. and professor whitty, you said previously very clearly you would like to see the two metre rule stay until the end of the pandemic. have you changed your mind?

the advice to stay at two metres if you can stay at two metres remains, and the one metre is a one metre plus, mitigations which bring it into line with other areas, and that's why people must take it incredibly seriously. personally, am i comforable with it? it's a balance of risk like many things in medicine, you don't go for an operation unless you have to, it's a balance of risk. so the risk has not gone and next weekend's changes have come too late for some. this pub in sheffield has already closed its doors for the final time. we're absolutely devastated about the closure but conditions here have just become too difficult to trade in the city centre. it's had a huge impact. we do not think this is a viable business. the end of the emergency phase may be, but from the lectern or your living room, the impact of the coronavirus is certainly not a thing of the past. let's get some of the day's other news north korean leader

kim jong un has suspended plans for military action against the south. state media says he made the decision at a meeting of the central military commission. his sister kim yojong gave orders to the army to be ready for action over a week ago. pyongyang has been escalating threats against seoul, angered over a cross—border leafleting campaign by defectors. a powerful earthquake has struck mexico's southern region of wahaca. the seven—point—four magnitute quake rattled buildings in mexico city, hundreds of miles away. the authorities are saying four people have been killed. quakes of such size can be devastating. a similar earthquake that struck central mexico in 2017 killed 355 people in the capital and the surrounding states. in atlanta, the funeral has taken place of rayshard brooks — an african—american shot dead by police in

a confrontation two weeks ago. his killing, following that of another black american, george floyd, provoked weeks of protest by anti—racism campaigners. on tuesday president trump called the protestors ‘vandals' and ‘anarchists'— and promised to reinforce the law to protect statues and monuments. long—term jail sentences for these vandals and these hoodlums and these anarchists and agitators and... ..call them whatever you want. some people don't like that language, but that's what they are. the fbi has concluded bubba wallace was not the victim of a racist act at talladega superspeedway, nascar has announced. an investigation was launched into the noose left in the garage of the association's only black full—time driver. dozens of drivers showed their support for wallace by pushing his number 43 car to the front of the field at the alabama speedway in an act of solidarity with the 26—year—old on monday.

stay with us on bbc news, still to come: we'll be looking at the possible long—term effects of covid—19 as experts warn that many people will need to be monitored for serious lung damage.

this is bbc news, the latest headlines. america's leading infectious disease expert has warned of a ‘disturbing surge' in covid— nineteen cases in parts of the country. anthony fauci told the congress the next couple of weeks are going to be critical. england has relaxed social distancing to get the economy moving. restaurants and pubs can re—open injuly and the government has eased its 2 metre rule.

so, people in england should still keep 2 metres apart where possible, but relaxing the distance to one metre plus, with extra safeguards such as face masks —— is a significant change. 0ur science editor david shukman looks at the science behind the change, and what measures can be taken to reduce the chances of infection. staying safe from the virus is notjust about distance, it also matters how long you spend close to other people. so, the question is how to manage that risk. scientists still don't know how much of the virus you have to receive to become infected so it's not as if you're automatically in danger at one metre and completely safe at two metres. the current state of the research cannot provide a definitive answer to that but the government's advisers are clear that if you're going to get closer then there are several key factors to watch out for. the first is making sure there is good ventilation to dilute the virus.

if an infected person coughs, air conditioning could circulate the infection. so even opening windows to bring in fresh air could make a difference. how about a supermarket? a major chain commissioned this study of the airflow. some aisles might be more at risk than others but the specialists who did the modelling say it is possible to take action. that sort of technology allows people to understand workspace and trying to work out how to arrange them better. and then perhaps with really innovative types of airflow we could look at situations in the future where you could make places much safer, even at much smaller social distances than two metres. next, the need for strict hygiene, of hands and surfaces, becomes even more important. an infected person can easily contaminate objects that other people then touch. on some surfaces, like plastic and steel, the virus can last for as long as 72 hours,

so how do the experts try to stay safe? when i go shopping i'm on the lookout, are they doing simple things like cleaning surfaces, cleaning the handles of shopping trolleys, cleaning on a regular basis? is there an adequate amount of fresh air being supplied to the environment in which i'm in and then, finally, are people staying a reasonable distance apart? and if people are close together, then physical barriers can stop the virus from spreading. plastic screens have been installed in many countries as shops have reopened. and face coverings can help, if people are infected without realising. some scientists believe that with the right measures the two metres rule can be relaxed, but others are worried, including a former chief scientific adviser. as soon as you drop it to one metre and at the same time open up restaurants and pubs, those are two places where people are very unlikely to wear masks and where again

the one metre rule is likely to slip out. in anglesey, north wales, a sign of how easily things can escalate, with 200 cases now confirmed at this meat processing plant. restrictions of some kind will be needed or months to come, according to the chief medical 0fficerfor england. i would be surprised and delighted if we weren't in this current situation through the winter and into next spring. i think then let's regroup and work out where we are, but i would expect there to be significant amount of coronavirus circulating at least until that time. germany is also dealing with an outbreak at a meat processing factory. it's led 300,000 people back into a version of lockdown. even a country with lower levels of infection than the uk, even a country with lower levels of infection than the uk is still threatend by the virus.

doctors say tens of thousands of patients who've had serious covid—19 infections in the uk —— will need to be recalled —— to check whether they have suffered permanent lung damage. specialists at the royal college of radiologists fear that a significant proportion of people could have scarred lungs —— which can result in life—long, irreversible breathlessness. 0ur health correspondent sophie hutchinson has the story. breathless after even a short walk. tony mchugh, a retired taxi driver, spent two weeks on a ventilator with covid—19. three months on, he's still struggling. even, like, having a shower still exerts you a bit, you know. so i have to sit down when i come out of the shower, just for a little bit. see, the silly thing, like, if i'm just watering the flowers at night, you bend down and you're picking something up and... he gasps. most people who have been breathless with the virus are expected to recover,

but doctors are concerned about tens of thousands of people who have been seriously ill with what's called covid—19 pneumonia and whether they have permanent lung damage. this is what healthy lungs look like, nice and black where they are filled with air. but in stark contrast, these are the lungs of a severely ill covid—19 patient, and you can see this white haze covering much of them. it's the air sacs filled with fluid. and it's this that doctors are concerned may lead to scarring, permanent damage, which could leave some patients breathless for the rest of their lives. this consultant radiologist has seen hundreds of abnormal scans throughout the pandemic. he's been shocked by how badly the virus can affect the lungs and says up to 30% of those he's re—examined could have scarring. i am concerned about it, because of the unusual nature of this infection and how much of both lungs it's affecting.

the other thing that's concerning me is the length of time it's seemingly taking based on the x—rays to clear the virus from your lungs — and when you have those two in combination, that is the ideal scenario for scarring. it's estimated that between 20% to 60% of survivors of other coronaviruses, sars and mers, have been left with lung scarring. 45 minutes, i have to stop because i can't breathe... this clinic in nottingham is one of a number in the uk that have begun monitoring for lung damage. it follows new guidelines from the british thoracic society that patients must be followed up. never before in our lifetime have so many people been subject...

might make radiologists feel the services can be may be overwhelmed by the number of support needed. novak djokovic, the men's world number one tennis player, has tested positive for coronavirus. he had been playing at a tournament he organised in serbia and croatia, which was scrapped after 3 other players also tested positive. katie gornall reports. it was an announcement that turned tennis into turmoil — the world number one novak djokovic revealed that he tested positive for coronavirus, becoming the fourth player involved in his adria tour event to be affected by the disease. in a statement, djokovic said... but djokovic has been accused of complacency for organising

a tournament that wasn't just tennis in front of crowds — there were hugs, handshakes, and even a pretournament basketball game. the players were pictured partying together, but the consequences have been serious. grigor dimitrov was the first to announce he'd tested positive for covid—19. and while the players were not required by law to observe social distancing in serbia and croatia, the lack of precautions drew forceful criticism. australian tennis player nick kyrgios called the event a "boneheaded decision". "speedy recovery, fellas," he wrote, "but that's what happens when you disregard all protocols. this is not a joke." and he was not alone. it's a poor example to set, i think — even if the guidelines in that country are not two metres, i think we should all... it's not a joke, is it? even if the guidelines were taken away in this country to normal, i still would be trying to keep myself out of the way. the rest of the adria tour events have now been cancelled.

tennis continues elsewhere, but in very different conditions. when andy murray plays his first match today since november, it will be behind closed doors in london. the two—time wimbledon champion is taking part in the battle of the brits tournament. his brother, jamie, is fronting it and accepts that after recent events, there will be scrutiny. it's not a good look for tennis, i don't think. and it also means that for our event, there is a whole lot more eyes on that and how this event is run, and how the players are conducting themselves. after this latest development, there are no genuine concerns concernsafter this latest development, there are now after this latest development, there are now genuine concerns that the rescheduled major tournaments could be in jeopardy. for now, the show goes on but the controversy will linger for the sport's biggest star.

that is it from us for a while and will be back with some more headlines and a couple minutes. hello there. on tuesday, the temperature reached 29 celsius around london by the end of the week, for the next couple of days, the heat and humidity will continue to build and we could get 90 fahrenheit. continental europe, spending its way northwards to much of the country. and that one area coming around an area of high pressure but by the end of the week, the pressure pattern looks very different. lowering pressure coming in from the atla ntic pressure coming in from the atlantic and threatening to sweep some country downpours in from the west on friday. we still around, mainly for western scotland and northern ireland. elsewhere, the driver of clear skies and warm start from 12 to 15 degrees in the

rain on the northwest will gradually peter out during wednesday and the cloud than states brighton and some sunshine for southern eastern parts of scotland were to be quite warm. across england and belts that should be a gentle breeze and a strong sunshine and the temperatures will continue to climb. 30 degrees in birmingham, 31 in london. and you're probably noticing like i have, that the pollen levels are very high, notjust across england and wales, but in across northern ireland and the good part of scotland as well. as he moved to thursday, there could be some thundershowers towards the far northwest of scotland to move away. later in the day, may be away. later in the day, may be a hint of things to come with some showers in cornwall but there's there's probably going to be the peak of the heat, the warmth will continue to push the scotland and we are not getting extreme he did northern ireland, 32 or 90 fahrenheit thatis ireland, 32 or 90 fahrenheit that is in london on thursday and then the changes we had and to friday, it's always going to bea to friday, it's always going to be a little bit more uncertain, but we do have that lowering pressure and some of those

thunderstorms are beginning to develop out towards the west and the potential for some very wet and thundering weather for a while across northern ireland and western scotland, and in this country downpours push their way eastward steadily to their way eastward steadily to the day it could be a little bit more hidden mist with the southeast and the last of the heat is really getting pushed more towards eastern parts of england. elsewhere, those temperatures are starting to drop away. in that process will continue into the weekend. 20 01’ continue into the weekend. 20 or 21 will be the best we will manage by sunday and may be a bit of rain around it could be quite unusually windy for the time of year.

and winter. this is bbc news, the headlines.

america's leading infectious disease expert has warned of a ‘disturbing surge' in covid— nineteen cases in parts of the country. anthony fauci told the congress the next two weeks would be critical to stop more infections in states such as florida, texas and arizona. the british prime minister boris johnson has announced a significant easing of coronavirus restrictions in england. restaurants and pubs can re—open injuly and the government has relaxed its 2 metre rule.mrjohnson said he would take "full responsibility" if the relaxation of measures backfired. the world's number one men's tennis player novak djokovic has said he is "so sorry", after becoming the latest tennis player to test positive for covid—19. he had been playing at a tournament he organised in serbia and croatia, which was scrapped after 3 other players also tested positive.