this is bbc news. a very warm welcome to our viewers in the uk and around the world. my name is mike embley. a landmark moment in the fight against coronavirus. the uk becomes the first country in europe two vaccines. a new beginning in britain's relationship with the european union. prime minister boris johnson's assessment as parliament backs the new post—brexit free trade deal. after a landslide, the search for those feed missing in buried houses in residential area outside norway's capital. the republicans raise more objections to the us election result. the trump administration still claims it was fraudulent.

hello to you. uk has the first country in europe to approve the use of two covid—19 vaccines. the medicines regulator gave the go—ahead for the oxford astrazeneca vaccines ignoring a landmark moment. other million doses will be made available next week. argentina and el salvador have also approved the vaccine. the us says it should have gone through its regulatory process by april. fergus walsh has this. the approval of the oxford astrazeneca vaccine, which is a fantastic achievement for british science. it's a great day, we're very proud. this is a really significant moment in the fight against this pandemic. it is, i think, a game—changing moment. this is the vaccine, more than any other, that will eventually bring coronavirus under control. unlike pfizer's, which needs ultra low temperatures, the oxford astrazeneca vaccine

can be transported in a fridge, meaning every care home in the uk should now be in reach. the medicines regulator said no corners had been cut. with this approval of the second vaccine, we are another step closer in helping to defeat this virus. our clear message is that you can have every confidence in the safety, in the effectiveness and in the quality of covid—19 vaccine astrazeneca. the vaccine uses a gene from the spike—shaped protein on the surface of coronavirus. this is put inside a modified, harmless virus. the vaccine instructs human cells to make the spike protein, which prompts the immune system to create antibodies which can recognise and destroy coronavirus. and it stimulates t cells, which should destroy cells that have become infected. so, just how effective is the vaccine?

the latest estimate is it gives 70% protection against covid three weeks after the first dose. the most pragmatic thing to do is to give as many at—risk people as possible the first dose of the vaccine because we know that from three weeks after that first dose, there's a very good level of protection and nobody in the clinical trials at that point, after their first dose, was in hospital with covid or experienced severe disease. this is now a race between the vaccine and the virus. that means getting millions of doses approved quickly. much of the production is done in the uk, like here in oxford, unlike the more expensive pfizer jab, which is produced in belgium. there are manufacturing facilities like this all over the world which are producing bulk quantities of the oxford astrazeneca vaccine. the aim is to have three billion doses of the vaccine by the end of 2021.

to deliver a safe and effective covid vaccine in less than a year is a stunning achievement. the challenge now — to ensure rapid roll—out to those who need it most. fergus walsh, bbc news. the vaccine approval made for a bittersweet day in the uk. for the second day in a row we have seen more than 50,000 people diagnosed positive. the surge in the virus has prompted the government to move more parts of the country into the highest level of restrictions. another 20 million will be had by this change. all areas in dark red ah—nau in tier 4. change. all areas in dark red ah—nau in tier4. it change. all areas in dark red ah—nau in tier 4. it means the closure non—essential retail, food venues moving to takeaway only, and the closure of gems and headdresses. dominic hughes reports from birmingham. in birmingham, just time for a last trim before tier 4 restrictions come in at midnight. after a tough year, it's another bitter setback for owner dale sampey. absolutely devastated again that we've just got going after reopening on 2 december. we're just getting back

on ourfeet again. how many more times can we be locked down? the bills keep rolling. it is really difficult to keep coming back. in england, more than three quarters of the population will be in tier 4, the highest level of restrictions. health secretary matt hancock told mps the new, more contagious covid variant was driving infections up. unfortunately, this new variant is now spreading across most of england and cases are doubling fast. it is therefore necessary to apply tier 4 measures to a wider area, including the remaining parts of the south east, as well as large parts of the midlands, the north—west, the north east and the south—west. this is a global crisis, but let us be clear, this is a national emergency. our national health service is becoming overwhelmed. i hope the tier 4 restrictions are enough but many believe even tougher restrictions are now inevitable.

but public health experts warn that restrictions and lockdowns can only do so much. the effect of any escalation in tiers lasts for maybe three orfour weeks, and then it wears off, so it is doubly important that, regardless of which tiers we go in, we continue to come forward for vaccines and take the test and, more importantly, maintain that social distancing and hand washing and two metre rules. rising case numbers are hitting the health service. already buckling under pressure in the south and east, infections are now growing in the north and west. burnley has already been hit hard by the pandemic this year but has again seen a rapid growth in cases, and it's not just businesses that will be affected by the new restrictions. the local hospice depends on the £650,000 raised each year by its charity shops. it has been a huge hit for us this year. we have been full throughout the whole of the pandemic. our hospice at home services are also caring for more patients in the community. to then close our shops

is a real sort of kick to us. parts of england that have seen relatively low case numbers in recent months, like taunton in somerset, now find themselves in tier 4. it's clear we're heading into the new year in the middle of a second wave that has yet to show any signs of subsiding. it's a place no—one wanted to be. dominic hughes, bbc news. just in the past hour in london, the speaker of the house of commons has told mps that queen elizabeth has signed a new trade deal agreed between the uk and the european union. that means the bill is now law. i have to notify the house in accordance with the royal assent act 1967, that her majesty has signified her royal assent to the following. the european union future relationships act 2020. earlier today the legislation passed through both houses of

parliament. meanwhile, boris johnson told the bbc‘s new trade deal means the country will have its cake and eat it but he refused to acknowledge that new barriers to doing business with the eu will come into force on the transition period ends. laura kuenssberg reports. signing on the dotted line over there, then a short hop for the 1,2a6—page document — the cargo of an raf plane to get back here. ready for boris johnson's signature. here it is. the man who campaigned for brexit became prime minister because of it, and now his deal, this day, scrolled into history. what this deal does is it satisfies the request of the british people to take back control, and what that meant was that we now have the freedom to do things differently and do things better if we choose. in the knowledge that there are no barriers to... but, prime minister, that's just factually not the case.

it's not true that there will not be more barriers. you have got more political control, but you can't sit there and say that there won't be extra friction. there will be changes, and we've been very clear with people that they'll have to get ready forjanuary the 1st, that things will work differently, and at the same time, we cannot only exploit the advantages of a zero tariff, zero quota deal with the eu. people said that that was impossible. and they said that that was having your cake and eating it. so i want you to see this as a cake—ist treaty. so you are having your cake and eating it? you've said it. but there will be new barriers because, if you don't admit that, honestly now, aren't people going to be pretty peeved when they find out? all we're doing is, i think, solving what everybody said was a kind of impossible, you know, contradiction in terms. the political screaming and shouting of the last few years only echoes in pa rliament‘s halls now.

the prime minister had his day. prime minister. perhaps brexit‘s opponents have only reluctance left. it's the only deal that we have. it is a basis to build on in the years to come. and, ultimately, voting to implement this treaty is the only way to ensure that we avoid no—deal. an awkward moment for labour, but only one mp voted against, and a sprinkling of labour mps quit the front bench to join others abstaining. i have the greatest respect for the result of the 2016 referendum, but this shoddy dealfalls short. only the smaller parties raging and officially voting against, even though no—deal was their worst case scenario. we now finally know what brexit means, we have it in black and white. it means a disaster of a deal. it means broken promises, it means economic vandalism.

but not a single tory mp voted against the deal. remember, europe ended the careers of several of the prime ministers whose portraits line this famous staircase. do you believe that you have ended the conservative party's agony over europe? well, i am very hopeful that that is the case. this is not the end of britain as a european country. because there will be people watching this who worry that it is. that is emphatically not the case. with the overwhelming backing of the commons, after years, it is the end of one profound relationship and — outwardly, at least — the calm start of another. but in the time to come, our relationship with the rest of europe may be no less complicated underneath. laura kuenssberg, bbc news, westminster. at least 26 people had been killed in an attack on the city of aidan's airport in yemen stop soon after a plane carrying the's new government landed. at least 50 people

winded. the administration has accused the houthi rebels of the assault. leicester south watched the incident. a live, televised event turned into tragedy. just as the plane landed. cameras broadcast the blasts. thick smoke shrouding satellite trucks, rising to the terminal of aden international airport. these images appear to show a missile striking the airfield. crowds fled the tarmac in panic, but many fell to the ground. does is dozens injured and dead. among the casualties, deputy ministers and aid workers. the plain's passengers, including the newly formed cabinet, made it to safety. not long after another

blast sounded at the palace, where they took refuge. they's flight where they took refuge. they's flight from neighbouring saudi arabia was meant to signal a new start, a new unity between two rival forces in southern yemen to take on houthis in the north aligned to ride. yemen's prime minister condemned what he called a cowardly terror attack. he reassured yemenis the government would not piscataway. government officials blamed the houthis for this latest violence. there are many spoilers in this long—running wall. the biggest loser‘s — the long—suffering yemenis, in a blighted land on the brink of famine. do stay with us if you can. still to come: arise sir lewis. the formula 1 world champion lewis hamilton is knighted in the queens new years honours list.

the most ambitious financial and political change ever attempted has got under way with the introduction of the euro. tomorrow in holland, we're going to use money we picked up in belgium today, and then we'll be in france, and again, it'll be the same money. it's just got to be the way to go. george harrison, the former beatle, is recovering in hospital after being stabbed at his oxfordshire home. a 33—year—old man from liverpool is being interviewed by police on suspicion of attempted murder. i think it was good. just good? no, fantastic! that's better! bells toll

this is bbc news, the latest headlines: the the latest headlines: uk has become the first country the uk has become the first country in europe to approve two vaccines, said to be a landmark moment in the fight against coronavirus. the british prime minister has hailed a new era of uk eu trade. 10 people have been injured in a norwegian landslide north—west of the capital oslo. 11 people in the area are still unaccounted for. it is not clear if some were caught up in the landslide or were awake when it happened. an enormous dark crater in this town. in its steps, over a

dozen homes. a whole hillside collapsed in the landslide in the early hours of wednesday. it has left norwegians feeling insecure on the land they live. translation: first and foremost my thoughts are with those directly affected by this. there are many who have not been accounted for. this is a huge disaster. 900 people had been evacuated but as many as 1500 could need to leave the region because of safety concerns. rescue workers continue to search for people who may have been caught in the mud and debris. we are also providing support for the eva cu ees providing support for the evacuees in hotels. people have been lifted also out of the landslide either by helicopter. but we still have not have had the possibility to enter into the possibility to enter into the landslide due to the risk of their still being motion. during the day, holmes continued to top. these houses are built on quick play, a sort of clay are found in norway and sweden that can collapse and turn fluid when overstressed.

there was a quick clay slide earlier this year but this is one of the largest in recent history. the weather has been quite bad recently. there has been a lot of heavy rain. and there has been snow and as you know, there was a landslide earlier this year further up north. but a landslide this size is very rare. officials say it is unlikely that a number of large slide will happen in the area. meanwhile, sweden is sending specially trained personnel to help in the rescue effort. this is just this isjust coming in. a republican senator has declared he will raise objections to the us election result forcing both houses to debate before they can ratify the president—elect when. it backs former attempts to dispute his wind. he says...

he didn't cite any specific exa m ples he didn't cite any specific examples or allegations of fraud. all this in the wake of a move earlier this week by some republicans to sue vice president mike fans who will oversee the congressional certification. they are demanding they recognise an alternative approach from collector sent by local gop in swing states won byjoe biden. let's get more detail on this now. what do you make of all this? definitely january six is teaming up to be definitely a crazy day. the conservatives in the house now have a senator on board. you need to have a memberfrom each board. you need to have a member from each chamber to board. you need to have a memberfrom each chamber to be able to challenge election results only senator has made it very clear that he doesn't feel like the election was conducted fairly. he feels like pennsylvania didn't abide by its own voter laws. he has acute social media platforms of

twitter and facebook of interfering in the favour of democrats. now, the trump campaign has largely been u nsuccessful campaign has largely been unsuccessful in the courts and these conservatives are currently arguing that congress should havejurisdiction currently arguing that congress should have jurisdiction over providing, allowing different campaigns allow this case. you know that some out there in the trump campaign have b known that a lot of this is political theatre, in the sense that they wa nt to theatre, in the sense that they want to give the millions of people who voted for mr trump some idea of a fight going on, evenif some idea of a fight going on, even if they don't really expect to win. do you think this is a serious attempt to overturn the results or is it an attempt to keep those voters on—board? an attempt to keep those voters on-board? i think it's a little bit of both. i think conservatives publicly will absolutely you that they feel the election was unfair and this is a genuine attempts to try and change the results of what they feel was a rigged election. now there is no clear evidence of that. that being said, ithink evidence of that. that being said, i think all of them know this is going to be u nsuccessful. this is going to be unsuccessful. the republican leadership in the senate has made a very clear this entire

effort is dead in the water and it is going nowhere. i think republican leaders have kind of cautioned it could have a negative impact going forward in bitter elections and it could ultimately backfire on them. what is with suing the vice president, that is a strong move? congressmen gomert, a conservative from texas has filed this lawsuit in an attempt to support trump and ultimately this lawsuit is going nowhere. italked ultimately this lawsuit is going nowhere. i talked to sources behind this other effort trying to challenge the election results and they have said that it isn't correlated with their efforts and could model things. i think ultimately the lawsuits probably isn't going to have an impact. duty, of course, this is just around the run—off elections in georgia which will decide who controls the senate. asa timing decide who controls the senate. as a timing significant? yes, i think a big fear of republicans is that this kind of effort is

giving democrats a gift. now democrats can go after the senators there and accused them of, and republicans of essentially trying to overturn democracy by failing to accept the results of the election. so i think it will be definitely weaponised against them in the days moving forward. thank you very muchjudy. days moving forward. thank you very much judy. . thank you for having me. china is to ban all imports of solid waste from january one 20 31. it is to be the world's number one recycler rubbish. it used to feed its own industrial growth. stop the past few yea rs, growth. stop the past few years, china has been cutting back on the amount of waste it reports as the country becomes inundated with rubbish from western nations.

the queen's new year honours have been announced. the formula one world champion lewis hamilton gets a knighthood and the actress sheila hancock is made a dame. many of the honours have gone to members of the public, for their work and contributions during the pandemic. our entertainment correspondent lizo mzimba has more. after a record—equalling seventh world championship and the title of sports personality of the year, lewis hamilton has now received a knighthood. sheila hancock says she feels a real sense of responsibility after being made a dame for her drama and charity work. i hope i'll grow into it and i will pay back the honour that's been paid me. that's what i want to do. also becoming a dame, pat mcgrath, arguably the most influential makeup artist in fashion. award—winning actress lesley manville has been made a cbe, actor tobyjones an obe and singer craig david an mbe.

in sport, formerjockey bob champion, founder of the bob champion cancer trust, says he's chuffed to become a cbe. following a long campaign for every surviving member of england's 1966 world cup squad to receive an honour, ron flowers and jimmy greaves have both been made mbes. the majority of honours have gone to people who aren't in the public eye. tanya and nadim ednan—laperouse campaigned for a change in the law on food labelling after their daughter, natasha, died from an allergic reaction. in a way, we just did what we felt at the time we had to do. it's like we were on a wave, and we're still on that wave. we're just, you know, moving forward and really trying to make a difference for all those people. we know that's what natasha would want us to do. among those recognised for their work during the pandemic are health workers like nurse cath fitzsimmons, who came out of retirement to work at her local hospital. i said, "please, i can't be sitting at home knowing that my colleagues and patients and staff would be

potentially in a very, very difficult position." and at more than 100 years old, anne baker's been honoured for herfundraising for the nspcc. she's become an mbe. i think it's so important, really, to think of the children because they're the future. they're our future after all. so i really was thrilled to find this honour. making this a particular year of celebration for anne, who at 106, is the oldest person ever to be recognised with an honour. lizo mzimba, bbc news. there is more on that and all the news any time for you at the news any time for you at the bbc website and also on our twitter feeds. that's it the bbc website and also on our twitterfeeds. that's it now, thank you so much for watching.

hello. snow and ice continue to be hazards for some as we move into the final day of 2020. still very much in the cold air across the uk, temperatures widely well below freezing through the early hours of thursday morning, with the potential for some freezing fog across parts of england and wales. for new year's eve, it's a cold day wherever you are. for most, a mixture of wintry showers with some sunshine, but across scotland through the morning, a more general spell of rain, sleet and snow sliding its way southwards and also into northern ireland as well. as the morning wears on, that snow will tend to become confined to higher ground, just pushing to the far north of england through the afternoon. a few wintry showers for parts of northwest, southwest england, west wales. the further south and east you are, mainly dry with some sunshine once any freezing fog has lifted through the morning.

still a cold northerly wind, particularly biting for parts of western scotland and northern ireland. not quite as cold across scotland and northern ireland compared to wednesday, five or six celsius the top temperature here, compared to just two or three celsius further south. through the final hours of 2020, we see this band of wintry showers just continuing to sink their way southwards, but most of the snow by this stage should be over higher ground. bit of wintry mix across scotland, quite a few showers along the east coast, where temperatures will hold up to around four or five celsius at midnight. head inland, they'll be closer to freezing. a few showers developing across northern england, parts of northwest wales, maybe south—west england through the early hours of new year's day. but also once again, the potential for some freezing fog developing across central, southeastern parts of england and wales as we head through the early hours of 2021. another cold night but not quite as cold as recent nights, but some places still getting a few degrees below freezing. so here's how we start 2021, with still a fairly messy picture, low pressure to the east of the uk and frontal systems still just trying to slide their

way across. not much on them, but certainly through new year's day, there will be a fair few showers around, particularly for east and northeast coasts. and a few of those will penetrate their way a little bit further inland. still the chance they could be wintry, particularly over higher ground. the further south you are across the uk, much more cloud around, and temperatures still not much higher than five or six celsius. looking ahead, then, to the first weekend of 2021, it stays cold, we'll see fewer showers but still the risk of some ice and snow in places. bye— bye.

this is bbc news.

the headlines: the uk has become the first country in europe to approve the use of two over 19 vaccines. the medicines regulator gave the go—ahead for the oxford astrazeneca vaccine. it isa the oxford astrazeneca vaccine. it is a landmark moment in the fight against coronavirus. other million doses have been available —— made available next week. daw .5 years after britain voted in a referendum to leave european union by gems parliament in london have approved a new free trade deal finalised last week stop prime minister borisjohnson said britain is marking a new beginning in its relationship with the eu. ten people have been injured, one critically, in a landslide that buried houses in aim norwegian municipality north—east of oslo. 11 people are not accounted for. it's not clear if someone caught up in the landslide or simply away when it happened. -- if —— if somewhat well.