this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. uk government ministers meet to decide how to manage rising coronavirus cases in england, amid warnings that a ‘new variant‘ of the virus is causing faster transmission. it comes as more than two thirds of those living in england — 38 million people — are now subject to the toughest restrictions in tier 3. americans are to get a second coronavirus vaccine, as the moderna injection is approved in the us. italy imposes a nationwide lockdown over christmas and new year as it tries to halt the sharp rise in coronavirus infections. translation: we must intervene but i assure you this is not an easy decision.

and in cricket a devastated india crashed to their lowest ever score of 36 as australia ran riot to win the opening test in adelaide and in this week's travel show, the team soak up a bit of festive spirit in lapland and follow a couple who are reunited after months of enforced separation. that's in half an hour. hello, and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. and stay with us for the latest news and analysis from here and across the globe. ministers have been meeting to discuss how to contain the rising

number of coronavirus cases in england. government scientists are continuing to monitor the spread of a new variant of covid in the south east england amid "growing concerns" about its transmission. health bosses have warned the nhs is under significant pressure, with nearly 90% of hospital beds in england full. more than two thirds of people in england are now living under the toughest restrictions, as more areas moved into tier 3 overnight. and the moderna vaccine has been approved in the united states, making it the country's second jab, paving the way for millions of doses to be released. with more detail on the latest coronavirus restrictions, andy moore has this report. police officers on patrol in luton giving some friendly advice about protection from covid—i9. bedfordshire isjoining many of the home counties around london in moving up to tier 3. from midnight last night, that means 68% of the population

of england is now covered by the toughest restrictions. but one covid patient in the local hospital is worried about the easing of restrictions over christmas is. about the easing of restrictions over christmas. he believes he caught the virus from his teenage son. people are being told that the rules, i know is a few weeks ago it started, that they can travel all over the country to see their families. this is worrying the hell out of me. if you saw the look on my son's face when i was fighting for my breath, you would not be willing to send these children all over the country to see their family. routine operations were going ahead at this hospital and many others are struggling. ministers met yesterday to discuss the outbreak amid growing concerns about a new variant of coronavirus spreading widely in the south east. it is feared that it could be more infectious. what happens to viruses

is that they do naturally mutate all the time, and the ones that are likely to do well are the ones that increase transmission. and so, we know this is a new variant. it has been seen in other countries, but it seems to be quite widespread which suggests that it has got a transmission advantage. there are reports that ministers have discussed travel restrictions into and out of the south east over christmas, but a government source said nothing had been approved yet. andy moore, bbc news. our political correspondent jessica parker is here. jessica, as far as we know, ministers are looking and reviewing exactly what should happen even in the coming days. what we know, and i think it is important to be clear about what we do and don't know, there is a growing concern over this new variant over coronavirus and the growing transmission in london and the south—east. what does that mean in terms of net we come next week

and for christmas? there are reports today that travel restrictions were discussed yesterday. as we understand it, no changes have yet been made. boris johnson understand it, no changes have yet been made. borisjohnson as he and leaders of the devolved nations talked about toughening up advice, but not going so far as to actually change the law. you have to imagine this is what they are juggling with. there is a concern that if they change the law at this stage there is going to be an issue with compliance. so if travel restrictions are being discussed, how would that work and how would it be enforced? how would that work and how would it be enforced ? it how would that work and how would it be enforced? it will be interesting to see over the next couple of days to see over the next couple of days to see over the next couple of days to see if they toughen up the advice further to make people think again and hard as they have done this week about what they are going to do. that, they may feel, is the best way then to try and stop people spreading coronavirus over christmas. as you say, the four countries had agreed an approach.

wales had tweeted about the family mixing, so two houses rather than three now. it would be possible, including the uk to do that for england. a lot of this is about advice rather than necessarily the law. if you start getting significant variance in the law in different parts of the uk that is going to bring logistical problems. in my present political issues as well. there are a public face pressure from conservative mps to face parliament and to get parliament to discuss that. they faced criticism for not toughening up faced criticism for not toughening up the rules to begin with. we had journals this week saying the relaxation this week is going to be a super spread of their virus and calling on the government to think again. an indication of how worried the prime minister is, as he was talking about a third lockdown for england after christmas. he did not

rule it out. we know how reluctant he was to do a second lockdown, rather than the third. —— let alone a third. dr chris smith is a virologist and presenter of the naked scientist podcast. i will say good morning. i'm iwill say good morning. i'm not sure how good morning it is certainly when you look at some of the news coverage today. certainly when you look at some of the news coverage todaylj certainly when you look at some of the news coverage today. i will say merry christmas, how about that? merry christmas, how about that? merry christmas, how about that? merry christmas to you and your family, chris. what you make of a change to advice over christmas but also the period beyond?” change to advice over christmas but also the period beyond? i think they might have too. they have left the door open to do that, because if you look at the wedding that was used earlier in the week by downing street, they said they have no plans at this time to change the guidance. but having no plans, doesn't mean that they weren't such a subsequently. there have been some advice in some of the other nations, nicola sturgeon in scotland asking

people to confine their activities to one day. in wales, to households. there has been a movement in recognition of the fact that the levels are rising. so, we might see some additional tweaking around the margins, buti some additional tweaking around the margins, but i think the core purses there is this christmas bubble and there is this christmas bubble and the opportunity to get together. mr johnson said he doesn't want to disturb people is long and well—made plans. a lot of people have been asking me and saying they are very worried by them numbers and when they look at the map and see people shifting tears and much of the country and tier 3 now. as a result, many people are adopting a common—sense approach and are changing their plans already. common—sense approach and are changing their plans alreadym terms of what we know about this new variant, how much research has it been possible to do thus far?m variant, how much research has it been possible to do thus far? is one of your clips quite rightly stated,

all viruses mutate. they gently change their genetic code because they make spelling mistakes when they make spelling mistakes when they are copying their genetic information as they grow. and some of those mistakes actually confer upon the virus a difference in appearance of the virus and those su btle appearance of the virus and those subtle differences mean in some cases that it is able to spread better. in other cases it is not recognised as the by the immune system quite so well. this new variant, which has got new changes in their code has been picked up in certain parts of the country. it mirrors changes that have been picked up in other countries. so, it is not completely novel in the sense that it is not completely novel in the sense thatitis is not completely novel in the sense that it is just popped up. it does appear to that it is just popped up. it does appearto map that it is just popped up. it does appear to map onto those areas of the country where there is the greatest rates of transmission change., in greatest rates of transmission change. , in other words greatest rates of transmission change., in other words because rates and the change of transmission. one possibility is that it transmission. one possibility is thatitis transmission. one possibility is that it is transmitting more. the other part stability is that if you go looking into places where you are

bound to see lots of virus activity you will see an increase in cases. it remains to be seen whether the virus has weaponised itself a bit more. it hasn't changed significantly enough to remain beyond the reach of the vaccines we are used to sing, and it doesn't seem to make people any earlier than the original coronavirus. it may just mean it is better at spreading, so just mean it is better at spreading, so you will get more cases, but not necessarily what ill cases.|j so you will get more cases, but not necessarily what ill cases. i will ask a blunt question and you can respond as you seem appropriate given your scientific background. do you think it would be wise for us to have an england wide lockdown after christmas? given the pressures the health services facing and places in germany and italy where they pretty much are doing that? we are going to have to wait and see because we don't want to have a situation, but

we have been here before. is this going to be the third time. time will tell, but the nhs is always under pressure at this time, and when you see 90% bed pressure, we normally do run the nhs at a very extreme bed pressure and we try to cope. winter is also a very hard time, and we are sailing into the headwind of winter. it is going to bea headwind of winter. it is going to be a hard time whichever way you look at it. please be as responsible as possible. let's hope the number of cases doesn't skyrocket. and if it does, let's accept the fact that we are going to have to put the country into a state of lockdown in order to gain control in the meantime. other countries across europe are really having a very difficult time at the moment. we are a bit behind the position in which they find themselves, but we may well get be in that position. pleasure to speak you.

the pfizer/biontech vaccine has been authorised for use in switzerland following a two—month rolling review. swiss regulators have concluded covid—i9 vaccine is safe and that its benefit outweighs the risks. switzerland is due to introduce new coronavirus restrictions in the run up to the festive period, amid a rise in infections. americans will soon have a second coronavirus vaccine, developed by moderna, after it was approved by the food and drug administration. distribution of almost six million doses is expected this weekend, with vaccinations possible as early as monday. rural areas are likely to benefit in particular, because the vaccine doesn't need to be kept at ultra—cool temperatures. our washington correspondent, lebo diseko reports. one more hard—earned victory against coronavirus.

the moderna vaccine is now the second to get emergency use authorisation. nearly 6 million doses will be sent out around the country. deliveries could start as early as monday, with immunisation starting hours later. it is the second vaccine to be developed and approved in the us in less than a year, widely regarded as an incredible scientific feat. one that the head of the fda's director was based on science and need. this authorisation was guided solely by science and data. we worked quickly, based on the urgency of this global pandemic and not because of any external pressure. even though the process has been expedited, we have not cut corners, but rather adhered to customary red tape that can sometimes slow down the process. president trump marked the occasion with a tweet but around one third of americans say they would not take the vaccine. earlier, vice president mike pence did his bit to try and boost confidence. he was given the pfizer vaccine live on tv. with cases rising across the country, with hospitalisations rising across the country, we have a way to go.

but vigilance and the vaccine is our way through. that message of vigilance is one many will say has come too late. infection rates are rising around the country, and each week, a grim new record is reached. on wednesday, the country recorded the highest number of new cases and deaths since the pandemic began. 3,656 people lost their lives, more than the number who died on 9/11. in southern california, hospitals are now completely out of icu beds. patients queue on gurneys outside waiting to be treated. with christmas around the corner, there are fears that gatherings might lead to yet another surge in infections. the warnings are that things could still get worse before they get better. italy will go into lockdown over much of the christmas and new year period in a bid to prevent a third wave of coronavirus.

people living there will only be allowed to leave their homes for work or health reasons for four—day periods over christmas and new year — as well as a two—day period covering 12th night. shops, bars and restaurants will be closed and travel between regions will be banned. india has become the second country to record 10 million coronavirus cases. but the rate of infection in the country is continuing to slow. the deceleration comes despite india having some of the most densely populated cities and the lifting of many lockdown measures. india is considering seeking emergency authorisation for three vaccines. india has third highest life losses due to the pandemic with just over 145,000 deaths. the headlines on bbc news... a new variant of the virus is causing faster rates of

transmission. it comes as more than two thirds of the population are moved to tier 3. the united states are set to get a second vaccine. the uk is not fully ready for the post—brexit trade talks to end in no deal. that's according to the head of the commons brexit committee. the labour mp hilary benn, who chairs the cross—party group, has warned that the government still can't provide certainty about what will happen in all the areas affected by the negotiations. senior meps in the european parliament say an agreement needs to be made in the next 2a hours. that is if they are to ratify it before the end of the year. let's get more on this and speak to hilary benn, labour mp and chair of the committee behind today's report, whojoins me now. thank you very much for being with

us. thank you very much for being with us. in one way, you should be congratulated. you have managed to get cross—party agreement on the subject of brexit. possibly the most controversial one the uk scene for yea rs. controversial one the uk scene for years. how did you do that, and was it as ha rd—hitting years. how did you do that, and was it as hard—hitting as you would have liked? we took evidence. we took evidence from those making preparations, asking what the government need to prepare for. what they said to us, particularly those who move goods for a living is that there are going to be big changes on there are going to be big changes on the 1st of january as you know, whether there is an agreement or not, because we will leave the transition period and exit the rules of the single market and customs union. those exports from europe are going to face tariffs and cuts for the first time in many years. what they said to us is that the it systems they are going to need to

have come late and that has given little time to train their staff on how to use them. some of the infrastructure isn't in place. the government, and i welcome it, made a fund available for imports to build new infrastructure, but it was oversubscribed and they were only told of the successful bid in the last week or so. and of course the big question, what will ourfuture trading relationship be like with the eu? will we be facing terrace or not? this depends on the outcome of the talks that are happening as we speak. it's a very significant change one way 01’ speak. it's a very significant change one way or the other, and that has made it very difficult for businesses to plan and not all of them are as ready as they need to be. the government says that with just a few days to go, it is vital that businesses make their preparations now. is there any information available to help them do that, and perhaps too many are

not wanting to think about how complicated life can get so we are avoiding it if we can. in fairness, there is a lot of information available, but if you have never filled in a customs form before because you have only been sending your goods to the eu, you may need some help. and one of the issues we identify in the reporters are there enough customs agents. these are people who are exported —— who are expert in customs procedures to advise you on what you need to do. i think it is safe to say that big firms are better prepared than smaller businesses, but the changes are going to hit everyone, and in the last few days, we have a core seen the last few days, we have a core seen big queues of lorries in the 20. the changes has not happened yet, but that is because of difficulties in felixstowe, people wanting to stock up before christmas and so on, but the others who have looked at this, the national audit office for example have said there isa office for example have said there is a significant risk of delays from

the 1st of january. it's a very practical problem because of lorries turn up at calais and they don't have the right paperwork, there are parking spaces, i think about 300 in calais coming to put the lorries aside to sort things out. when they are full, they won't accept any lorries across the channel. that is when the back—up begins. there is a knock—on consequence of course, because the lorries stuck in the 20 cannot be in stuttgart or munich or paris to pick up parts of food and supplies of other things to bring them back to businesses and industries and then uk that are waiting for them. so, the system we have had has worked incredibly and efficiently. the lorries get on the ferries, moved to the other end loose in parts around. once you start saying hang on a minute, can i see your papers, can i check if you've got food, we need to do

sanitary checks. that is when the difficulties arise and it is a very big change and there are only a few short days to go. you are former secretary of state for food environment and rural affairs, you will remember all the late—night meetings over quotas. did you think it would come back down ultimately to fish. i always thought it would be the last thing, but it is something that the uk has that the eu once. but if you want an agreement, and i think both sides do, the country needs it, you have to meet somewhere in the middle middle. i hope that will happen over the next few hours if not in the next few days. thank you very much been with us this morning. a french modelling agent accused of supplying underage girls tojeffrey epstein has been charged

with rape and sexual harassment by prosecutors in paris. jean—luc brunel was detained at charles de gaulle airport on wednesday as he tried to board a flight to senegal and was questioned on his links to british socialite ghislaine maxwell and prince andrew. the paris prosecutor's office confirmed that brunel was detained as part of an investigation into " rapes, sexual assaults, association with criminals and the trafficking and exploitation of minors." an asian police officer is suing the met police for sexual harassment and discrimination after receiving "hundreds" of racist and sexist messages from a senior colleague. the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said she felt "groomed and violated" after stephen redgewell sent her sexual images over two years. det sgt redgewell represented her through his role as deputy general secretary of the met police federation.

the met said it had "zero tolerance" for racist and sexist behaviour, and had he not resigned in 2018, he would have been dismissed for gross misconduct. boeing has been accused of inappropriately coaching pilots, who took part in test flights to re—certify the 737 max airliner. the plane was grounded after almost 350 people died in two crashes. investigators accused boeing and officials from the federal aviation administration of "attempting to cover up important information". boeing said it was reviewing the findings and took them "seriously". the faa defended its conduct. most bosses and business owners want large firms to be forced by law to release statistics on the difference in pay between staff of different ethnicities. that's according to the leaked results of a consultation launched by theresa may in 2018. the government has still not published its response but says it will do so in due course. leila nathoo reports.

is there a hidden inequality in your workplace — a gap between what white staff and those from ethnic minorities are paid? in most organisations, employees don't know. there have been calls for larger companies to have to declare the disparity in earnings between workers in different ethnic groups. the professional services firm, deloitte, is one of those that publishes its data voluntarily. nadine is a consultant there, working with bosses to try to close their ethnicity pay gap, which last year was 14.5%. it's not fair that i could be sitting next to someone in the office and they're earning more than me just because of the colour of my skin. if you really think about it, it can be quite heartbreaking. but i think i use that to drive me forward. two years ago, the government launched a consultation on whether ethnicity pay gap reporting should be mandatory. ministers have still not responded. but the bbc has seen a summary

of the main findings. the document shows that three quarters of employers and business groups backed a legal requirement for larger organisations to have to publish their figures. what gets measured gets done. our members want to disclose their ethnicity pay gap because they know this is such an important issue, and if they address this issue, they will have companies that are more diverse, more inclusive, more profitable, more innovative. it makes business sense and it's the right thing to do. the department for business said it would respond to the consultation in due course, and was working with firms to understand issues around data and methodology. campaigners say openness around differences in pay between ethnic groups pushes conversations about inequality to the top of organisations and drives change. ministers are still weighing up whether to impose transparency on businesses, but many say it should have already happened. leila nathoo, bbc news, westminster.

india's cricket fans used to talk about the summer of 42, now they are going to have to talk about the summer going to have to talk about the summer of 36. the side could only muster 36 runs in the second innings against australia on the third morning of the five—day match. india's previous score was 42 at lord's in london in 1974 against england. for more than 150 years, the taylor's bellfoundry in loughborough has been casting bells that have rung throughout the land. but this year, it's been at risk of permanent closure. now, just in time for christmas, the historic foundry has been saved thanks to millions of pounds from the national lottery. jodie law has been to visit. there are taylor bells literally all around the world. where the sun is shining, you can hear taylor bell. with its rich history and bell making, taylor's bell foundry in loughborough has secured its future with an early christmas present, a grant of almost £3.5 million from the national lottery.

it will be used to carry out repair works on the grade two star listed building and improve the visitor experience. repair the roofs and the guttering where we have got walls trying to fall over. it will repair that. but the big thing, of course, is it will help us invest in the tourist part of the function here. we have a lot of tourists around every year. thousands of bells have been cast, turned and finished here for over 160 years. as britain's last remaining bell—making facility, the team here and now looking forward to training a new generation of bell makers. craft skills here are listed as skills at risk. we have to train up apprentices because this is the last place you can learn these skills and the last place that can perpetuate them as well. it is a very important site, and it is an important part of our heritage, and helping to support the company to remain on site and use the buildings that it has been in for a long time will not only mean that the skills

can continue into the future, but also that we can support tourism in the area, that we can give that we can give another investment. the works will begin next year. jodi law, bbc news, loughborough. it was called the "tintanic" — but when mick stanley decided to build a small boat out of corrugated iron, he might not have realised just what it could achieve. the retired army major has raised more than £30,000 for his local hospice by rowing the tin tub 100 miles up and down the chichester canal. sean killick went to see him cross the finish line. preparation for the final push. retired army major has manoeuvred his boat across the canal every day for the past few months. today he was completing his hundred and five mile voyage. quite happy to stop.

particularly in the cold. my fingers are getting a bit stiff in the morning, but i worked out it takes mea morning, but i worked out it takes me a thousand strokes of the oars to doa mile, me a thousand strokes of the oars to do a mile, so when i get into chester chester, i will have done 105,000 strokes with the oars. maybe thatis 105,000 strokes with the oars. maybe that is the reason they are death. for this special occasion, mick a tiny ten year third friend. his ten—year—olds grandson welcomed him with a rendition of what shall we do with a rendition of what shall we do with the drunken sailor. he has really enjoyed it and i have really enjoyed seeing and having so much fun. he has been quite consumed with this hasn't it? has it been quite difficult? it's much better when he is consumed to something. i'd hate to see him hanging around with nothing to do. let's do something

about it. his general attitude, let's get out and do it and raise some money with this boat hasjust been fantastic. the tint and it will been fantastic. the tint and it will be auctioned to raise more funds for their hospice, but will there be another campaign for major mick. i've got a book on history which i'm writing at the moment. i will finish that and then perhaps a project in the early next year. as i say, there is life in the old dog yet. so, lots of money raised and spirits too. mission accomplished. what a brilliant story. the good news is that that one really is unsinkable. now, the weather with matt taylor. hello. a lot more sunshine around at times this weekend, but it will be punctuated by some pretty nasty downpours. some very heavy showers around

today, we seen them already.