the world health organization warns against complacency after a second firm announced successful trials of a covid—19 vaccine. i broke into an ear to ear grin when i heard the numbers was really exceeded our best hopes and it is an incredibly exciting moment for us. as coronavirus cases in the us top 11 million — president—electjoe biden warns more people could die if the trump administration doesn't co—operate with the transition. reporter: what do you see as the biggest threat to your transition right now, given president trump's unprecedented attempt to obstruct and delay a smooth transfer of power? more people may die if we do not co—ordinate. hurricane iota bears down on central america forcing thousands of people in nicaragua and honduras

to evacuate their homes. welcome to our viewers on pbs in america and around the globe. we could all do with some good news at the moment and there is more in the search for a covert vaccine. —— covid. after clinical trials in the united states, the firm moderna says its vaccine is almost 95% effective. it's one of around 50 vaccines now being tested on people worldwide, and its success, along with szier‘s announced last week, raises hopes that

others could also be effective. however, the world health organization has warned that with cases surging in europe and the us, now is not the time to be complacent. our medical editor fergus walsh reports. another dose of hope — and further evidence that vaccines will provide a way out of this pandemic. thank you. stunning early results from this trial, from us firm moderna, have eclipsed the strong ones just a week ago from pfizer biontech. i broke into an ear—to—ear grin when i heard the numbers. it really exceeded our best hopes, and it is an incredibly exciting moment for us as a company, and as a world, as we start to develop tools to fight the virus. 30,000 volunteers in the us took part in the trials. half had two doses of the vaccine a month apart, the rest, dummy injections. early analysis shows there were 90 covid cases in those given the dummy treatment and only five in the vaccinated group. moderna says this shows the vaccine is over 94% effective at preventing covid.

what's more, there were 11 cases of severe disease, but none among those who got the vaccine. moderna, like pfizer, have used a completely new method for creating vaccines which doesn't need the virus itself. it uses the genes for the coronavirus spike protein. this synthetic code, known as rna, is created in the laboratory and forms the vaccine. this teaches the body to recognise and build an immune response to coronavirus. before we can all throw away our facemasks and ditch social distancing, we're going to need to protect the world from covid. that will require billions of doses of coronavirus vaccine, and it's why clinical trials must continue. like this one, which began today in southampton and other sites across the uk. the jab from the belgian firm janssen is one of six covid vaccines pre—ordered by the government.

over time, we will learn which of those works better in different ages and different people with different conditions, and also how to use the vaccines in combinations to give people the best and longest—lasting immunity. caution is needed — we still need full safety and effectiveness data for the moderna and pfizerjabs. but there is a real sense that some of the most vulnerable to covid could be immunised before christmas. fergus walsh, bbc news. our medical editor fergus walsh there. taking you live to space. these are pictures coming in from the international space station in lower north —— low earth orbit whether dragon space capital has just docked after taking

off from florida palme kennedy space center. nasa's first flew —— fully fledged mission using a privately owned spacecraft. they will carry out expert —— experiments, raising the number in total on the iss 274. the idea is having a seven strong tea m idea is having a seven strong team on the iss will triple the amount of microgravity science experiments that can be conducted. among the crew,...

for a fora man for a man who logged hundred 95 daysin for a man who logged hundred 95 days in space, five space walks, six months commanding the iss, actually docking is quite a boring process for you at least, is it? yes, not the most exciting part of the mission but an important part. you go to the space station and have to get doctor so you can do your work. you waited a long time in soyuz which is much smaller. was it 52 hours waiting to doc? yes and it was a long 52 hours. what is it like? what was it like? we were planning on six hours and so we

had a software issue now —— on oui’ had a software issue now —— on our back grade three. we were not prepared in the sense of —— on our soyuz. we didn't have anything to do all the time so it was quite boring. at the same time, to save fuel on board the soyuz, we had pointed towards the sun. just doing circles around but slowly, it only takes about two minutes to doa only takes about two minutes to do a whole rotation. you can feel bad to see just going to a slow rotation for eight hours ata time slow rotation for eight hours at a time and that got old also at a time and that got old also at the same time so it was not at the same time so it was not a good time. very, very happy when i got to the space station. you are still not making it sound too boring, steve. what is it like when the hatch opened? wonderful because you are finally there and could start the next ‘s phase of your mission. a wonderful feeling to be on the space station. what lies ahead? you are well placed

to a nswer lies ahead? you are well placed to answer this was not what lies ahead for the new residents of the iss? well, lots of science, of course. they also have a lot of work to maintain the space station. that is one of the benefits now because they all have crewmembers on board and they can then spread around the maintenance aspect and do a lot more science with that many people on board. this phrase we hear, space taxi services, this new private service, what does it actually mean for experimentation and space exploration? a couple of things, one, nasa has come up with a new way that is probably more cost—effective to get people to space. i like that idea and the other is the company spacex in this case has the right to then use their vehicle for whatever purpose they want to so they can take other people to wherever they wa nt other people to wherever they want to, to the space station, whatever works out, and they have control of that. it really works out well for both people,

contractor and nasa for this process. there were three astronauts already on board, four joining astronauts already on board, fourjoining them. they must be rituals, presumably, for new arrivals. you allowed to reveal them? you will hear it as it gets closer to docking. when they come aboard, there will be a couple of speeches, and exchange of gifts, stuff like this. and thenjust exchange of gifts, stuff like this. and then just get to work. it is the beginning of the day, the work day, and besides that, a lot of them have done it long durations on board so they are not rookies oi’ board so they are not rookies or new to this was not the only one who would be new to this whole aspect would be victor so they might have some jokes about, he will move differently to the others because this will be his first time because of it ta kes be his first time because of it takes about a week or two to

get your space legs down and i am sure he will do it quickly but it is always fun to watch that new person go through that process of learning. we are just seeing the live pictures of the docking now. there must be informal rituals as well. ranks allowed in space? 0h, ra nks ranks allowed in space? 0h, ranks are allowed in space, definitely. i guess they are not too public, put it that way. i get the message. it is a pleasure to talk to you, thank you very much. my pleasure. these pictures we are showing you are pictures that were taken a little earlier of the actual docking process. more than i million americans have been infected

with covid—i9 in the last week. there's a severe risk in the coming weeks that hospitals across the us will be overwhelmed by the numbers. despite this wall street was buoyant with the financial markets soaring because of the news that moderna's vaccine could be available before the end of the year. nada tawfik reports. the united states may be entering the most dangerous period of the coronavirus crisis. and this time, it's affecting the entire country. in north dakota, hospitals are so overwhelmed that covid—positive asymptomatic medical workers can continue to treat patients. it's a drastic change of fortunes for a state that was among the few to avoid a lockdown in the spring. now it's in emergency mode, breaking record after grim record of hospitalisations and deaths. 0ur situation has changed and we must change with it. in response, the republican governor, doug burgum, issued a mask mandate after resisting one for months and imposed other restrictions on large gatherings. but the move remains contentious. health officials are concerned that fatigue with the pandemic is sitting at the worst time as the cold weather and holiday season approaches.

it should have been done earlier. a heavy nationwide mandate, we could have curbed it down and write about now we could have been opening up. it is unconstitutional. call your local county sheriff. those other people that have to enforce this. health officials are concerned that fatigue with the pandemic is heading out the worst time as the cold weather and holiday season approaches. we have got to change... doctor anthony fauci has been back on tv, warning that another 200,000 people could die over the next few months if public health measures aren't followed until a vaccine is widely available. and that a smooth presidential transition is essential. the virus is not going to stop and call a timeout while things change. the virus is just going to keep going. we want a smooth process for that, and the way you do that is by essentially having the two groups speak to each other and exchange information.

yet the president's refusal to formally begin the transition process has left president—electjoe biden's team at a disadvantage and unable to talk to current officials such as doctor fauci. if we have to wait, it was is behind, over a month, if we have to wait, it was is behind, overa month, 1.5 months. it is important that it does and that there is co—ordination, now, as rapidly as we can get it done. joe biden's leadership will be tested notjust by his plan to stop the rampant spread of the virus but his ability to counter the messaging coming out of the trump camp. doctor scott atlas, one of the president's covid advisors, encourage people to "rise up" against new restrictions in michigan. the governor, gretchen whitmer, who has become a frequent target of the president and his supporters, was shocked by his statement. it actually took my breath away, to tell you the truth. we are in the midst of the worst weeks of this pandemic.

hope is dimming that the current occupant of the white house will prioritise the threat of covid. comejanuary, it's anyone's guess what kind of situation joe biden and the country will find itself in. nadia tawfik, bbc news. earlier, i spoke to republican evan mcmullin who's executive director of stand up republic. i asked him whether one reason trump has failed to concede the 2020 presidential election is the fact he cant acknowledge defeat personally. it isa it is a lot of things, at least a few things. he has an interest in protecting his persona as a winner, as he would say, within his base because that will impact his business and political prospects going forward even when he is outside, out of office. also it is clear that he is trying to raise more money for whatever purposes he is claiming to raise purpose —— raise money for, legal

challenges, but if you read the small print of his fundraising messages, it allows him to use that money for other purposes, unrelated to his legal challenges. i fear that there is another reason as well that he is behaving the way that he is andi he is behaving the way that he is and i think he is testing a system as he has done throughout our entire presidency does make his entire presidency does make his entire presidency to see that there isn't a possibility to hold onto power despite having lost selection and i think those three motivations would potentially cause him to behave in the same way and so there are those reasons why he is doing it, ithink. my hope are those reasons why he is doing it, i think. my hope is that our institutions and citizens and the media will continue to check the president and prevent him from furthering or exploiting any weakness in our system to remain in power despite having lost the election. a dangerous game to play and it doesn't really a nswer play and it doesn't really answer the question why the wider republican party is not standing up to the president.

is it that members of congress are so afraid of his supporters, afraid that they might face a challenge, the primaries, within their own party? it is that. that is the biggest reason. they also worry about their future prospects within the republican ecosystem which brings resinous opportunities and social opportunities and social opportunities and social opportunities and if you're, evenif opportunities and if you're, even if you're an retiring member of congress, you still have an incentive to maintain strong relationships with the party because you will probably be using those relationships, as many do, for your own personal business... stay with us if you can. benazir bhutto has claimed victory in pakistan's general election,

and she's asked pakistan's president to name her as prime minister. jackson's been released on bail of $3 million after turning himself into police in santa barbara. it was the biggest demonstration so far of the fast—growing european anti—nuclear movement. the south african government has announced that its opening the country's remaining whites—only beaches to people of all races. this will lead to a black majority government in this country and the destruction of the white civilisation. part of the centuries—old windsor castle, one of the queen's residences, has been consumed by fire for much of the day. 150 firemen have been battling the blaze, which has caused millions of pounds worth of damage.

this is bbc world news, the latest headlines: trials of a second vaccine for coronavirus bring promising results — the us firm moderna revealed the outcome of phase three trials showed its almost 95% effective. as coronavirus cases in the us top 11 million — president—electjoe biden says more people could die if the trump administration doesn't co—operate with transition process. the western edge of hurricane iota has made landfall over nicaragua forcing thousands of people there and in neighbouring honduras to evacuate from the coast. the category five storm is hitting parts of central america already badly damaged by hurricane eta two weeks ago. the us national hurricane centre has warned of catatrophic winds, a life—threatening storm surge and flash—floods. iota is the strongest atlantic hurricane of the year. both the government and several ngos are providing assistance to those who have been evacuated jorge hernandez is from unicef nicaragua.

earlier he told me what the situation is like in the country. the hurricane is hitting already the atlantic coast, the north carribean coast of nicaragua. it's a hurricane category five that we have not had in the last 20 years, it reminds us of the damage that was brought to us back in 1998, hurircane mitch — it was catastrophic. we expect this not to be different, so we are already preparing and we have been preparing for this. it must be difficult to prepare in an area which has already been hit so recently by another hurricane? yes, infact, i have to acknowledge that communities here have a very strong sense of community, and they organise

themselves in a very quick manner, and i have to say most of the communities that are in danger of being washed away by the rains and the winds, and have been evacuated to safer places. the paramount goal here is not to lose a life, we understand that livelihoods, infrastructure, and social economic infrastructure will be lost, but that can be restored eventually, with the work of the nicaraguans themselves, and with the help of the international community, but the definite goal here is that we don't have life lost to the hurricane. britain's prime minister, borisjohnson is self—isolating along with eight members of his team after

a breakfast meeting in downing street last thursday. one of the team tested positive for coronavirus after the 35—minute gathering. 0fficials insist that social distancing rules were observed. this report from our political editor laura kuenssberg contains some flash photography. the moment you might dread from your phone or inbox — a message from the coronavirus trackers to stay at home and stay away. the prime minister stuck in number ten too. they pinged me, and i've got to self—isolate, because somebody i was in contact with has developed covid. it doesn't matter that i'm fit as a butcher's dog, feel great — so many people do in my circumstances. and actually it doesn't matter that i've had the disease and i'm bursting with antibodies. we have got to interrupt the spread of the disease. on thursday, borisjohnson met with half a dozen mps, at least meant to be keeping their distance. but on saturday, lee anderson

from ashfield tested positive. the five others who were there are all self—isolating now too. meetings are allowed in person for work, but even in downing street, strict rules are meant to be followed to make sure it's safe. but now the prime minister's holed up between his desk and the downing street flat — not because he has the disease, but because he's spent time in close quarters to one who has. but after days of dizzying allegations about what has been going on in government, this was meant to be a moment for ministers to get back on track. the government, like all other businesses and organisations over the past few months, has been learning to do things differently. we're doing a lot of meetings online, the prime minister has already this morning, you've seen the video's he's put out. we're getting on with delivering people's priorities. like cracking on with rolling out a vaccine — which labour wants — and sticking to the rules. this is frustrating for the prime minister, i understand that. it's important that he self—isolates.

it's important for all of us to say we have got to comply with the advice and the guidance. rules may have never bothered some in government that much. burning downing street feuds have flamed into public in the last few days. dominic cummings — who couldn't ever resist playing the pantomime villain — walking off into the dark. a lot of metaphorical blood has been split on downing street's posh carpets of late, so the prime minister wanted to use this week to clean up — with announcements on the environment, meetings with mp5, no small matter of brexit talks that go on too. but an e—mail from the tracers has has seen him locked indoors. perhaps it's coronavirus that's still in charge. government's can plan for resets, relaunches, restarts, but no minister can plan for real life. laura kuenssberg, bbc news, westminster. a british diplomat has become something of a hero in china, after he saved the life of a student who was in danger of drowning in a river near chongqing,

in south—west china. stephen ellison, who took up his post as consul general only a month ago, jumped in to save the young woman. 0ur diplomatic correspondent james landale has more. a sunny day by the river, but look closely on the left. someone's fallen in. there is a moment of shock. no one moves. the woman's clearly struggling as she disappears under the bridge. she is beginning to lose consciousness. but step forward stephen ellison, her majesty's consul general in chongqing, with natty socks. the 61—year—old diplomat didn't hesitate. there is no time to think. there is no time to consider. there is no rational decision. there was a girl clearly in some great difficulties. ithink, you know, if no one had taken action she clearly would have lost her life. as he pulls for the bank, he lifts her face clear. for a short time, he feared the worst. but suddenly, she is breathing again.

i'm sure someone would have jumped in, i was just first to get my shoes off and jump in. after a struggle, they eventually haul her up and our sodden hero climbs out to the side. i have had a few comments from my friends on the socks, yes. unfortuately i didn't have time to take my iphone out of my pocket. so that's gone now, it's seen better days. mr ellison has been hailed a hero in china, where his courage has been shared with millions on social media and done much to improve britain's reputation. the woman, a 24—year—old student from wuhan, has recovered and invited her rescuer to dinner next weekend. james landale, bbc news. good going. let's go live to the space station. they are waiting for the hatch to lock.

they have been working together for a decade. that is it for now. thank you very much for watching. hello. we're all going to be sitting under a fairly hefty whack of cloud in the next few days. that cloud is being pulled in from the atlantic and it comes along with some very mild air. if it does thin and break in a few spots, which it may do with a little bit of help from the hills, we could see our temperatures in eastern regions shooting up today. but as we continue to pull in the south—westerly air into western scotland, there's going to be a lot of moisture around. here, some fairly relentless rain and across the hills, the totals keep adding up. i think we'll see perhaps some rain setting in from western wales and parts of northern ireland with the higher ground, especially through the day as well. a lot of cloud around, as i said, but some sheltered eastern spots will see the sun coming out and the temperatures could shoot up to 16,

even 17 degrees, but widely, we're in the mid—teens on tuesday, despite the grey skies. through tuesday evening over into wednesday, still lots of cloud around, still that rain across western scotland. it will be a mild start to wednesday in many areas, temperatures down no lower than the low teens. what will actually happen through wednesday is during the daytime, our temperatures will come down, some as this weather front advances from the west. yes, it will bring rain, it'll be another windy story on wednesday too. the east starts with some sunshine. we mayjust cling onto the mild air here into the afternoon with a little bit of brightness across east anglia, temperatures could get up to 16 degrees. behind the front, it's clearer, it's brighter but it's consequently colder. temperatures just 10—11, so chillier in the figures to start the day. this perhaps shows the transition best, though. wednesday into thursday, we sweep away the mild atlanta air and we're plunged into arctic air, a northerly blast setting up as our area of low pressure that's been

with us for quite some time gets replaced by a brief ridge of high pressure. very clear air coming down from the arctic. there'll be some beautiful sunshine around on thursday, some showers, though, for scotland, cold enough to be wintry. gales down the north sea coast. it will be particularly cold when we factor in the wind, and a few showers possible for wales and eastern england on that wind as well. the biggest change for thursday is how it will feel. for the likes of scotland, temperatures will feel closer to freezing when you factor in the wind.

this is bbc news, the headlines:

the world health organization has welcomed the announcement that a second company has developed a coronavirus vaccine, but the who is warning against complacency. the head of the agency has said he's extremely concerned by a surge in cases in europe and the americas. the us president—elect, joe biden, has warned that donald trump's refusal to begin the transition following his election defeat earlier this month could cost lives. mr biden said more people might die from covid—19 unless the president worked with the incoming team to co—ordinate vaccination programmes. thousands of people have been evacuated from the coasts of honduras and nicaragua as hurricane iota bears down on the region damaged two weeks ago by another storm. forecasters say the hurricane threatens to destroy many homes, wreck power supplies and make the area affected uninhabitable for months. now on bbc news, hardtalk.