this is bbc news. i'm mike embley with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. as cases across america rise, the top infectious disease expert tells congress the next few weeks are critical. right now, the next couple of weeks are going to be critical in our ability to address those surgings that we are seeing. the fbi says bubba wallace was not the victim of racism after a noose was found in his nascar team's garage. opening up and getting closer — england relaxes social distancing to get the economy moving. we look at the science behind the new rules. we can now make life easier for people to see more of their

friends and family, and help businesses get back on their feet and people back into jobs. and novak djokovic tests positive for coronavirus, as pictures emerge of him dancing at a party during a much—criticised tennis event. hello to you. 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 in our ability to address those surges that we are seeing in florida and texas and arizona and in other states. they're not the only ones that are having difficulty. bottom line, mr chairman, it's a mixed bag — some good and some now, we have a problem with. barbara plett usher has more on mr fauci's testimony. he and others testifying also talked about the testing, he said that it was progress being made, that there was an

increase in the amount of testing, that they were going to do more and they certainly had not been instructed to do less, which seem to contradict what president trump had said. ata what president trump had said. at a rally at the weekend he told people he directed the administration to slow down the testing because the increase in testing because the increase in test cases it revealed made the country look bad. the white house said he was joking and he later told journalists he wasn't. later all m public—health testifying before congress said they were committed to testing and it was crucial for the pandemic. doctor fauci said he had a note of complement no optimism, he was cautiously optimistic a vaccine would be available for the american people by the end of the year or by the beginning of the year or by the beginning of next one. we can now speak to dr ashwin vasan from the columbia university medical center. hejoins us now from long island. thanks for your time. what do you make of the current surge in some states? it is very

worrying, mike. what this tells us worrying, mike. what this tells us is the virus hasn't gone anywhere and despite successes in some states and some parts of the country that have not only taken quick action but durable action in terms of lockdown, investment and social distancing policies, masking policies, and tracing and testing, you're seeing a wide heterogeneity in the response, and sadly i believe this is a result of the politicisation of very basic public health interventions, like masking, contact tracing, testing that have... the fact it has been politicised at the very highest levels has put the responsibility on states and local authorities to make decisions for themselves, and you're often seeing those

decisions fall along party lines, and that's having u nfortu nate lines, and that's having unfortunate and deadly consequences in those places. talking of the highest level, president trump is in arizona, one of the hot spot states at another big public rally and as oui’ another big public rally and as our correspondent was saying, he told a rally recently he was telling his officials to wind down and slow down testing because he didn't like the rise in cases the tests were showing, officials say he was joking, he says he wasn't now, what do you make of all that? i'm glad doctor fauci reiterate no rid has given him the directive or the director of the cdc to slow down testing, but the comments say that he has given up. he has taken in some way a swedish approach to allow the virus to pass through society and as we've seen in sweden and in states in the us that have been slower to respond or more lax in their response, that's having very deadly consequences, mainly on very vulnerable people already, those with pre—existing

conditions, those of colour and those in elderly homes or the elderly. this almost giving up that's happening in washington from the president is really putting a lot of responsibility on officials in states and local municipalities that don't have the resources to step up and mountand have the resources to step up and mount and galvanise the massive response the federal government has. we have seen it from the beginning and it's happening now. we are hearing doctor deborah birx, the co—ordinator of the white house task force, has told state governors in a phone call to mmp governors in a phone call to ramp up testing. this surge seems to be happening in states particularly quick to open up their economies, but there's no sign of them slowing down economies and distancing people any further. do you think we will have to do you think we will have to do you think we will have to start living with this virus, and, in many cases, dying from it? this is what public health people like myself have been saying from

the beginning, this can't be a choice between public health and reopening the economy, but investing in the economy is the only way to reopen the economy and unfortunately in the places you mentioned that opened up to quickly, now left in a position that, as the governor of texas said, re—lockdown is their last resort, it may be on the table for states where cases are rising so rapidly that it is stressing intensive—care rising so rapidly that it is stressing intensive—ca re unit capacity and hospital capacity which, as you recall, in the beginning of the epidemic, that was the biggest fear of everyone, that we wouldn't have enough hospital beds and care to provide once you tested positive and got sick. there are signs that might be happening in places like texas and florida and arizona, and that's very, very concerning. do we go back to lockdown? i cannot see how that is going to be successful in the long—term. rather, what we know more about

the virus now than we did in march, with sensible social distancing policies, mandated and even enforced my sensible masking policies mandated and enforced, and investments in public health, testing, tracing, and support for those isolating, including economic relief, that can get our way out of the height of the epidemic and this has been the path forward for places like china and hong kong and singapore and italy that are now seeing — and much of europe — that is now seeing a durable decline. that's our roadmap out, we know the playbook but we have to have the leadership at the highest levels to implement it. doctor ashwin vasan, great to speak to you. thank you very much. thank you. we'll have more on coronavirus later in the programme. 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 . 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. we can now speak to north america correspondent peter bowes. how are you reading this, peter and what are the implications

of it all? this was certainly a very swift conclusion by the fbi, justice department an investigation 2a hours or so ago and they say they saw authentic video supplied by nascar that led them to believe that this news — at least a rope shaped in the form of a noose — wasn't deliberately left there as a form of intimidation, instead they said it was part of a pulley system for a garage door and in regards to the evidence they have seen, it has been in this particular garage since last 0ctober. since he hadn't been assigned the garage until last week, the conclusion is this wasn't a racially motivated attempt to intimidate a driver, attempt to intimidate a driver, a man who has become very prominent in the last few weeks because of his support of black lives matter and he was also of course a key figure in campaigning against the

confederate flag being shown at nascar events, he was very successful in that, and some people thought this was retaliation against his newfound profile, not only in the sport but more generally because of what's been happening in the states, the race protests over the last month or so. peter, if you can, give us more of a feel about nascar, huge inside the united states but not that well—known outside? yes, it is huge, and it's a mostly white sport and that's why, to a large extent, it's been at the centre of this controversy. he is the only lack driver, at least full—time, and i think that's why there's been a lot of focus on what's happened over the last 2a hours. we should say nascar has released a statement following the conclusions of the fbi, saying they are thankful to hear it wasn't an intentional racist act against

bubba, they say they remain steadfast in their commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all who love racing, and they also say their investigation will in fa ct say their investigation will in fact continue to see why this particular piece of rope was left, it seems, lying around in the form of a noose. peter, thank you very much that. britain's prime minister, borisjohnson, has announced the most significant easing of coronavirus restrictions in england since imposing a lockdown in march. from july the 4th, the 2—metre social distancing rule will be reduced to im. 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. 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 were kind of at a point where it was, like, 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 10 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 im distance, with extra precautions, 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, 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 im apart and only two households at a time. it's really good news that will can now — 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 2m 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 10, it's time to move on. 5pm today, the last occasion that this briefing will be routine. the chief 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 2m rule stay until the end of the pandemic. have you changed your mind? the advice to stay at 2m if you can stay at 2m remains, and the 1m is a 1m+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? this is a balance of risk. it's 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. laura kuenssberg, bbc news, westminster. stay with us on bbc news, still to come: novak djokovic tests positive for coronavirus, as pictures emerge of him dancing at a party during a much—criticised tennis event. members of the neo—nazi resistance movement stormed the world trade center armed

with pistols and shotguns. we believe that, according to international law, that we have a rightful claim in certain parts of this country as our land. i take pride in the words "ich bin ein berliner." cheering as the uk woke up to the news that it is to exit the european union, leave campaigners began celebrating. in total, 17.4 million people voted for the uk to leave the eu. the medical research council have now advised the government that the great increase in lung cancer is due mainly to smoking tobacco. it was closing time for checkpoint charlie, which, for 29 years, has stood on the border as a mark of allied determination to defend the city.

this is bbc news, the latest headlines: america's leading infectious disease expert has warned of a disturbing surge in covid—19 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. ajudge in brazil has ordered presidentjair bolsonaro to wear a protective mask when out in public, or face a $400 daily fine. mr bolsonaro has been criticised for belittling the risk posed by coronavirus, calling it a "a little cold" at the start of the pandemic, and has repeatedly ridiculed social distancing measures. he has attended several political rallies in brasilia without a mask. brazil is still regularly recording more than 1,000 deaths a day. dr paulo lotufo is professor of medicine at university of sao paulo,

and director its center for clinical and epidemiological research. thank and epidemiological research. you for talking to us how thank you for talking to us. how has the wearing of a must become such an issue in brazil as it has in the united states? in brazil, the president is defying all efforts to contain the covid—19 epidemic. he has denied that it is a severe disorder. he stated that it is only a small flow. and the second moment the supporter has stated there are no courses

into the conference and that it isa into the conference and that it is a lie. —— coffins. recently he has said that the hospitals are empty and there are no patient for covid—19 and now he is defying the authorities to wear a mask so he loves to... to walk, wander to release with supporters without masks and all of them without masks also. that kind of fake news that you describe has been spread by people quite close to the president. 0ne blow to him about the order on the mask and another by an enquiry backed by the supreme court into fake

use. yes, until now, forjair bolsonaro, the fee that he will pay for not using a mask is not the most important problem. now, the opponents to fake news and the most important problem for him is related to his close friend who was arrested on thursday and both, they have a very old link with the scheme in rio de janeiro very old link with the scheme in rio dejaneiro where jair bolsonaro's son now is the man and his involved with sharing

the money of the employees of the money of the employees of the statehouse. —— mayor. the money of the employees of the statehouse. -- mayor. it sounds like this story is developing and we hope to be back to you again. thank you very much. 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 three other players also tested positive. players had not been obliged to follow social distancing rules, and the tournament saw stands packed with spectators. novak djokovic is opposed to vaccinations and has said he would refuse a coronavirus vaccine if one became available. 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.

infected 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 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. katie gornall, bbc news. more on the website for you. thank you for watching. hello there. on tuesday, the temperature reached 29 celsius around london. now, by the end of the week, we're likely to find the weather breaking down with a bang but, for the next couple of days, the heat and humidity will continue to build. we could get 90 fahrenheit. that heat and humidity coming in from continental europe, and spinning its way northwards to much of the country. that warmth coming in 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 atlantic, threatening to sweep some thundery downpours in from the west on friday. now, at the moment, we've still got some rain around, mainly for western scotland and northern ireland. elsewhere, dry with clearer skies, and quite a warm start to wednesday — 12 to 15 degrees.

now, the rain in the northwest will gradually peter out during wednesday. the cloud thins, skies brighten and they'll be some sunshine, particularly for southern and eastern scotland, where it should be quite warm. but it's across england and wales where we've got the gentle breezes and the strong sunshine and temperatures are continuing to climb. 30 degrees in birmingham, 31 in london. and you probably noticed, like i have, that the pollen levels are very high, not just across england and wales, but in across northern ireland and a good part of scotland as well. as we move into thursday, there could be some thundery showers towards the far northwest of scotland to move away. later in the day, maybe just a hint of things to come, with some showers in cornwall, but thursday is probably going to be the peak of the heat. the warmth will continue to push its way into scotland. we're not getting the extreme heat in northern ireland. 32 is 90 fahrenheit, that's in london on thursday. and then the change as we head into friday. it's always going to be

a little bit uncertain, but we do have that lowering pressure, and some of those thunderstorms are beginning to develop out towards the west. now, the potentialfor some very wet and thundery weather for a while across northern ireland and western scotland. and then these thundery downpours push their way eastward steadily through the day. could be a little bit more hit and miss towards 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. and that process will continue over the weekend. 20 or 21 will be the best we'll manage, i think, by sunday, and maybe a bit of rain around and it could be quite unusually windy for the time of year.

this is bbc news, the headlines: america's leading infectious disease expert has warned of a disturbing surge in covid—19 cases in parts of the country. anthony fauci told congress that 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 2m rule. mrjohnson said he would take "full responsibility" if the relaxation of measures backfired. the fbi says bubba wallace was not the victim of racism after a noose was found in his nascar team's garage. the agency said what had been assumed to be a noose was actually the garage door‘s pull rope, and had been hanging like that since last october. now on bbc news, click.