this is bbc news with the latest headlines. a ban on travellers into the uk from south america and portugal has come into force. the transport secretary says the precautionary step was taken because of fears of a new variant of coronavirus. some of them which are a more easily transmitted, are obviously of greater concern and it's really as a precautionary principle. we are so close now, we have 3 million of these vaccine in people's arms in these vaccine in people's arms in the uk, we want to make sure we do not fall at this last hurdle. as the number of global deaths from coronavirus approaches two million — we'll be taking a closer look at the numbers. if you would like to get in touch about this or any of the stories we are covering today, you can tweet me @annita—mcveigh

using the hashtag #bbcyourquestions. the uk economy shrank by 2.6% in november as the second lockdown hit economic output after many businesses were forced to close. the slump was not as severe as the first lockdown restrictions, as more firms learnt to abide by the new rules but the chancellor warns it could get much worse before it gets better. celebrities, including the footballer marcus rashford, join campaigners demanding the government review its policy on free school meals. the government says it will assess the impact of a �*technical�* glitch which saw 150,000 records accidently deleted from a police database. us—president electjoe biden promises nearly 2 trillion dollars in a stimulus package to tackle the coronavirus pandemic and kick—start the american economy. an 18th test century forjoe root helps england

extend its lead over sri lanka in the first test in galle. and coming up this hour... it's one of the oldest tricks in the book — magicians are celebrating 100 years of sawing someone in half. good morning and welcome to the programme. a travel ban on arrivals from south america into the uk has come into force this morning because of concerns about the covid variant discovered in brazil. passengers from 13 south american countries including brazil, argentina and chile will be banned from entering the uk. the ban also applies to portugal which has strong travel links to brazil as well as the islands of the azores.

lorry drivers from portugal will be exempt. the travel ban was prompted by fears of how quickly the new variant could spread through the region since brazil borders 10 countries. brazil has the second highest number of deaths after the united states. the global death toll from coronavirus has almost reached 2 million. uk citizens and permanent residents will be exempt from the travel ban but they and their families will have to self—isolate for 10 days on arrival. our business correspondent theo leggett has this report. in a huge graveyard near sao paulo, the latest victims of the covid pandemic are being buried. the virus has swept through brazil, leaving more than 200,000 dead. now a new variant has emerged which it's feared could prove significantly more infectious than the original version. the british government wants to prevent it arriving here, and so it's announced a new wave of travel restrictions. from this morning, travellers

from 13 south american countries, including brazil, argentina and chile will be banned from entering the uk. the ban also applies to portugal, which has strong travel links with brazil, as well as the islands of the azores. but lorry drivers from portugal will be allowed in. the islands of cape verde, off the coast of west africa, are included in the ban as well. the new restrictions do not apply to british citizens or residents. there aren't that many flights going on. brits will still need to repatriate so it's not that nobody would be able to come in up until now, but of course everybody that has come here will have had to, by law, quarantine themselves for ten days. we don't want to trip up at this late stage, we're so close now that we want to make sure we do absolutely everything possible to give us the best chance of beating this virus which is why it's so important that we do act quickly on these things. for the embattled travel industry, it's yet another blow, although with relatively few flights currently coming into the uk,

it will make little difference in practice. a similar ban already applies to flights from southern africa, which is also home to a worrying new variant of the virus. meanwhile, as of monday, all passengers boarding planes, trains or boats to england will have to provide evidence of a negative covid test. the new rule had been due to come into force today, but was delayed to give passengers more time to prepare. anyone who fails to produce a test result will face a fine of £500. covid vaccines are holding out the prospect that one day, the pandemic could come to an end, but in the meantime, covid restrictions are becoming tighter than ever. theo leggett, bbc news. and speaking again this morning the transport secretary explained why the mutation from brazil has raised particular concerns. we had a look at this particular mutation as opposed to many thousands, very carefully, and we so there may be an issue not so much

that the vaccine will not work, in fact scientists think it will work but the fact it is more spreadable, as with the version we have got here and wanted to act as quickly as possible. as it happens, there haven't been flights coming from brazil in the last week. these latest restrictions are another blow for the aviation and travel and tourism industry. we can speak now to simon mcnamara from the international air transport association. simon, good morning to you. the restrictions around travel are getting tighter all the time as we learn more about these new variants of covid. i know the association has expressed frustration that testing that's come in is not replacing quarantine, that this testing and quarantine, that this testing and quarantine is in operation still, but given the number of deaths we have seen over the last few days, 1200 yesterday, 1500 the day before that, aren't these tight restrictions needed? i that, aren't these tight restrictions needed? ., ~ restrictions needed? i mean, ithink the first thing _

restrictions needed? i mean, ithink the first thing to _ restrictions needed? i mean, ithink the first thing to say _ restrictions needed? i mean, ithink the first thing to say is _ restrictions needed? i mean, ithink the first thing to say is we _ the first thing to say is we absolutely support the measures government is taking and that is globally. government is having to react very quickly to these challenges they are being faced with but what we are wanting to see is a consistent approach and a consistent approach globally. during this crisis period. it also, i think this is important, but we need to see is as the secretary of state said in your lead in peace, a pathway out, we are so close now, he said that, what is the mechanism for the escalating debt and allowing travel to restart when it is safe to do so? as is the case with lockdown at the moment, very few people are travelling because they aren't allowed to and rightly so but what is the plan in spring, when we do rule out the vaccine and are able to get this industry going again for the sake of the 850,000 jobs currently at risk as a result? let’s currently at risk as a result? let's talk about — currently at risk as a result? let's talk about consistency, _ currently at risk as a result? let's talk about consistency, i - currently at risk as a result? let's talk about consistency, i spoke to the boss of heathrow last week he was talking for a standardised international approach to allow people to move through airports if

it's safe to do so and if they have a negative covid test but we know not every country and every place has the facilities to make that work so how do you get to a more consistent approach?- so how do you get to a more consistent approach? what is your lan? we consistent approach? what is your plan? we have _ consistent approach? what is your plan? we have been _ consistent approach? what is your plan? we have been calling - consistent approach? what is your i plan? we have been calling globally, we work as a global trade body, for a consistent, systematic test on departure scheme that would replace quarantine. 0bviously, testing is improving all the time and countries are improving their testing mechanism so we think that's a realistic outcome that allows the industry to move forward globally and consistently.— and consistently. sorry to interrupt. _ and consistently. sorry to interrupt, to _ and consistently. sorry to interrupt, to be _ and consistently. sorry to | interrupt, to be absolutely and consistently. sorry to - interrupt, to be absolutely clear, is that a test at the airport or does it fit with the 72 hours before departure test? we does it fit with the 72 hours before departure test?— does it fit with the 72 hours before departure test? we would be looking at a test within _ departure test? we would be looking at a test within that _ departure test? we would be looking at a test within that window, - departure test? we would be looking at a test within that window, it's - at a test within that window, it's not a test at the airport necessarily because as volume start to come back and we have to look to the future, i think that's really important, we are not talking about now when we are in the midst of a

health crisis, we are talking about that spring when volumes come back, we need a system that is able to replace quarantine and allow systematic testing in a window before travel that allows people to safely travel and also, arrive at their destination and go about their business whatever that might be. have you had any conversation with the government about this or have they given you any indication about what they are doing to try and work towards a consistent approach you want? we towards a consistent approach you want? ~ ., towards a consistent approach you want? ~ . ., towards a consistent approach you want? ~ . . ., , want? we are engaged globally, we are absolutely _ want? we are engaged globally, we are absolutely engaged _ want? we are engaged globally, we are absolutely engaged with - want? we are engaged globally, we are absolutely engaged with the - want? we are engaged globally, we are absolutely engaged with the uk| are absolutely engaged with the uk government and they work closely with us and many other trades and the airlines, as well. what we have asked for and what we want is a pathway out of the current multi layer restrictions that we have now. and of course, we are not saying those are not the right restrictions now. but we need a pathway out so that in the spring, we can restart this business and people can start travelling again and the jobs that are vital to the economy of the uk,

can be preserved. fir are vital to the economy of the uk, can be preserved.— can be preserved. or some governments. _ can be preserved. or some governments, as _ can be preserved. or some governments, as you - can be preserved. or some governments, as you say, | can be preserved. or some i governments, as you say, you can be preserved. or some - governments, as you say, you are a global organisation, or some governments further ahead in this process than others? we governments further ahead in this process than others?— governments further ahead in this process than others? we have seen governments _ process than others? we have seen governments moving _ process than others? we have seen governments moving ahead - process than others? we have seen | governments moving ahead indeed, faster, we saw testing introduced much earlier by, for example, germany, in europe. and we've seen other governments going slower as well. all governments are reacting to a very fast changing situation but we absolutely want this government to lead and lead internationally as well because aviation is an international business, it operates across borders. in the uk has always been a leader in aviation. and we want the uk to set the standard and set a consistent implementable and sensible standard for testing. we saw and expression of interest in an uptick in bookings from tui

yesterday, hopefully a second vaccine will come online within the next couple of months but broadly speaking, is it too soon to talk about confidence yet or are you seeing the signs that all that pent up seeing the signs that all that pent up demand for travel is going to be able to come to fruition with the roll—out of vaccinations? we roll-out of vaccinations? we definitely — roll-out of vaccinations? we definitely see _ roll—out of vaccinations? - definitely see vaccinations as a game changer for travel, for allowing travel again. we know there is massive pent—up demand. so before christmas, we saw, for example, when the canary islands and dubai were added to the uk travel corridor scheme we saw demand increase overnight by over 100% so there are people who want to travel, maybe not now and i will keep repeating that, at the moment, we are in a health crisis but the pent—up demand is there and we must be ready to allow that and it's notjust leisure travel, its business travel. we saw the numbers today about the uk economy shrinking yet again. and the travel and transportation sector has

been absolutely hardest hit in this and that is contributing to that economy shrinking so if we are able to release some of that pent—up demand in the spring, as things start to improve, that will not only allow people to travel and give people that release their art probably, a lot of them, wanting but it will help the economy started to get back on its feet again.- get back on its feet again. simon, aood to get back on its feet again. simon, good to talk _ get back on its feet again. simon, good to talk to — get back on its feet again. simon, good to talk to you. _ lockdown restrictions in november pushed the uk economy back into decline, according to new figures out this morning. gross domestic product — gdp — is the sum of the value of goods and services produced in the economy. it shrank by 2.6 percent in november — showing that the closure of non—essential in england had a big impact on the whole economy. 0utput was 8.5 percent below its level last february — the final month before the pandemic hit britain. let's speak to our business presenter, ben thompson — he's on oxford street in london

for us this morning. pretty deserted there, just a view people behind you. how much can we tell from one month put figures. you're right, we cannot too much into one month �*s set of figures, we may get a clearer insight into what happened at the end of next year, in the figures that come next month, showing us the figures for one quarter but i think the figures for november tell us what we already knew, with retail and hospitality close, many businesses struggling to operate at any sort of normal fashion, the economy shrank by 2.6%. but it wasn't as bad as the first lockdown, that one way back in march of last year, when many businesses were caught unawares so they weren't quite sure how to operate at all or operate within the restrictions. this time around, for the second lockdown in november, firms have more of an idea what they could and

couldn't do and so manufacturing and construction, they were able to operate normally whereas the service sector, which accounts for three quarters of our entire economy, struggled and that's because places like this non—essential retailers, were forced to close. but also, hospitality which bought much of the brunt of those lockdown restrictions. and so, i think it's fair to say things will get worse before they get better. various different forecasts have told us that. indeed, the british retail consortium just this week saying 2020, as a whole, was the worst year on record for retail so that's why we've seen the economy contract but i think the more this goes on, businesses are getting a bit more adaptable, flexible, able to respond to these restrictions so that it doesn't mean an entire shutdown for them. but nonetheless, i think the forecast now for what happens next are pretty bleak. whether we are talking about the employment picture of the economic picture, i think

things as we heard, from the chancellor this morning, are likely to turn a little worse before things start to improve.— to turn a little worse before things start to improve. what can you say about the speculation _ start to improve. what can you say about the speculation around - start to improve. what can you say about the speculation around a - about the speculation around a double—dip recession? about the speculation around a double-dip recession?- about the speculation around a double-dip recession? yes, i mean, that would technically _ double-dip recession? yes, i mean, that would technically be _ double-dip recession? yes, i mean, that would technically be defined - double-dip recession? yes, i mean, that would technically be defined as| that would technically be defined as two consecutive quarters of negative growth, the economy shrinking and we had that at the start of last year, that's when those first lockdown restrictions to cold and then, you will remember, over the summer, there was a relative opening up, things like eat 0ut there was a relative opening up, things like eat out to help 0ut, firms operating as normal, the economy bounced back with pent—up demand but in the second lockdown in england, alongside the restrictions in wales and scotland, it meant the economy struggled and then again at christmas, and then, now, in this third national lockdown, ithink it's fair to say the economy will struggle again and we could see the economy kept back into recession, the idea of a double—dip recession. that is not good news for places like this. remember, they rely on us

having money in our pocket and coming out to spend, there are very few commuters here because offices are closed, coffee shops, restaurants, even if open, would struggle. you might be able to make out debenhams, the flagship store, it of course is in administration, that store, one of five that will not reopen, even when restrictions are lifted, they will close the store entirely. just down the way from here, arcadia, that owns dorothy perkins, burton, miss selfridge, its future also in doubt and at the start of this year, this first quarter of 2021 is looking pretty bleak. we will get the confirmation of a double—dip recession when we get the final figures for the end of last year, remember, these figures tell us what has already happened, they are looking backwards but nonetheless, once again, the chancellor telling us this morning things will get worse before they start to improve. ben thompson, on 0xford worse before they start to improve. ben thompson, on oxford street for us this morning, thank you. labour is demanding a statement

from the home secretary, priti patel, after it emerged that 150,000 arrest records were accidentally wiped from police databases. the home office says it's assessing the impact of the glitch, which happened last week, but insists no records of criminals or dangerous persons were deleted. charlotte wright has this report. the police national computer is a vital tool for bringing perpetrators to justice. used to store and share criminal records information between forces in investigations across the country. but it has been revealed that 150,000 of its biometric entries, including dna and fingerprints, have been wiped by mistake, after the files were accidentally flagged for deletion. the home office says the missing entries relate to people arrested and released, where no further action had been taken. and not criminal or dangerous persons. but it's thought, if it's not recovered, it may hinder further investigations.

0ne anonymous source told the times newspaper that it was potentially catastrophic, saying, if the data has been deleted, police will not be able to connect evidence at crime scenes to the perpetrator. it's also reported that the deletion meant the processing of visa against the database. though the home office says it is operating as normal. the error has been attributed to a technical issue, and deliberate activity such as a cyber attack has been ruled out. but labour's shadow home secretary has described it as an extraordinarily serious security breach that presents huge dangers for public safety. the home office says the technical issue has now been resolved and it is working at pace to assess its impact. charlotte wright, bbc news. celebrity chefs, charities and campaigners, including the footballer marcus rashford, are pressing borisjohnson to overhaul the provision of free school meals.

in a letter to the prime minister, they call for a strategy to help end food poverty among children. this week, mrjohnson admitted that some food parcels being sent to families in england were "inadequate" after pictures were widely criticised. jon donnison reports. the campaign over free school meals, led by marcus rashford, has already forced the government into several changes of direction. ministers have been accused of coming up with temporary, short—term measures to deal with a long—term problem. now, a number of celebrities, including jamie oliver and emma thompson, havejoined the footballer and over a0 charities and educational leaders to write to the government to call for change. we've signed the letter because the last few months have really shown up the cracks in our school food system. whether it's the use of food parcels, or vouchers, or giving people cash during lockdown, or whether indeed to feed children during the school holidays.

and also, most importantly, making sure that every child that lives in poverty is able to access support. the letter calls for the government to conduct an urgent, comprehensive review into free school meal policy across the uk and to provide recommendations for the next spending review. this week, borisjohnson condemned as inadequate a number of meal parcels after images of them were shared on social media. but the government insists it is committed to making sure no child goes hungry, as a result of the pandemic. it is schools' choices how they deliver this support. the schools have the contracts with their caterers. we've given them the choice between doing a parcel, which has to produce the food for the five days for the child. or a local voucher, or a national voucher. on top of that, we've done masses and masses more. we've put in this covid

winter support fund, which is another 170 million support for children, young people and their families all through christmas with parcels and food packages. downing street says the prime minister will respond to the letter soon. jon donnison, bbc news. the us president—electjoe biden has set out a rescue plan worth nearly two trillion dollars to combat the pandemic and stimulate what he called a sinking economy. the plan includes one—off payments of 11100 dollars to all adults and extending unemployment benefits to millions more people. mr biden, who takes office next wednesday, is also promising a mass vaccination campaign. here's our north america correspondent, david willis. in the worst affected nation on earth, the coronavirus is having a devastating effect. hospitals are at breaking point as cases have spiralled to around 200,000 per day. food banks are inundated

as the collapsing economy has caused many businesses to lay off their workers. joe biden promised to make combating the coronavirus his number one priority, and less than a week to go until taking office, he's unveiled a plan aimed at containing the virus and getting the economy back on track. one that will cost this country nearly $2 trillion. we not only have an economic imperative to act now, i believe we have a moral obligation. in this pandemic, in america, we cannot let people go hungry. we cannot let people get evicted. we cannot watch nurses, educators and others, lose theirjob when we so badly need them. we must act now and act decisively. a month after the first shots were administered here, america's vaccination programme is off to a sluggish start. mr biden is pledging billions of dollars to expand testing and vaccination efforts,

and enable schools to reopen safely by the spring. he is also pledging larger sums to help individuals worst affected by the crisis, all of it paid for with borrowed money. but necessary, he believes, in order to prevent the world's largest economy from further slipping into the abyss. all this, of course, at a time of deepening political unrest. packed close together and mostly mask—free, last week's protests at the capitol building were not only another potential super spreader event, they also underlined the fact that many here still believe the virus is a hoax. forjoe biden, there is more than one kind of healing to be done. ironically, perhaps, the day that he is due to be sworn in, marks a rather grim anniversary, the anniversary of the first confirmed case of covid—19 in the united states. david willis, bbc news, los angeles. rescuers are searching

through the rubble of a partially—collapsed indonesian hospital after an earthquake struck the island of sulwesi, leaving 35 people dead. the 6.2—magnitude quake came just hours after an earlier, smaller tremor. hundreds of people were injured and thousands displaced by the quake, which hit towns on the west of the island the hardest. tanya dendrinos reports. searching through the rubble, this is the aftermath of a 6.2 magnitude earthquake which struck the indonesian island of sulawesi around 1 am on friday. hours after a smaller quake was recorded. the panic palpable here. authorities trying to create some space for medical teams after a person was pulled from the wreckage. thousands left their homes fleeing to safety when they felt the tremor, which lasted for around seven seconds.

no tsunami warning was issued, but the damage from the earthquake is clear to see. multiple buildings have collapsed, including a hospital. the death toll has continued to climb and hundreds have been injured. for now, though, the focus remains on finding anyone still trapped. hoping for survivors. indonesia has a history of devastating earthquakes and tsunamis, and authorities have warned residents to remain wary. translation: the buildings were hit by two quakes and at least 28 aftershocks. and because the epicenter is near the beach, there's a possibility of underwater landslides. so there's still tsunami potential if the epicenter of the next aftershock is on the beach or near the coast. it's forced some to higher ground, doing all they can for now, hoping the worst is behind them. tanya dendrinos, bbc news.

a senior doctor has warned that myths about vaccines could lead to people of south asian heritage turning down their invitation to have a covid—19jab. dr harpreet sood is leading an nhs anti—disinformation campaign, and says there's growing evidence that many in these communities are being put off by false information. more than 100 mosques across england havejoined a campaign to convince their communities to take the vaccine. iman qari asim is chair of the mosques and imams national advisory board. thank you very much for your time today. it is deeply concerning, isn't it, that people might be putting themselves at increasing risk of covid longer than they need to be because of fake news and misinformation?— to be because of fake news and misinformation? ., . . misinformation? good morning. we are runnina a misinformation? good morning. we are running a campaign _ misinformation? good morning. we are running a campaign to _ misinformation? good morning. we are running a campaign to raise _ running a campaign to raise awareness of the vaccination process and also address some of the mixed and also address some of the mixed and fake news circulating.

scepticism and anxiety exists within the sections of the muslim community, regarding vaccines. scholars, muslim scholars and medical experts have looked into the vaccines and we are perfectly 0k vaccines and we are perfectly ok with it, we have said that the covid—19 vaccines are perfectly permissible from an islamic perspective, they are halal. we think —— we are saying the covid—19 vaccine will not result in things like dna mutation, this is such misinformation and it could result in someone losing their life. that's a really good _ in someone losing their life. that's a really good phrase, _ in someone losing their life. that's a really good phrase, verify - in someone losing their life. that's a really good phrase, verify before | a really good phrase, verify before you amplify, because people are looking at social media and are seeing fake news, we all know that

can be, a lie can be around the world before the truth has got its boots on, you know? it gets amplified very quickly. let's debunk amplified very quickly. let's debunk a couple of the chief myths, culprits come in all of this. the first is the claim circulating for example, the vaccine contains alcohol, what do you say to that specifically?— alcohol, what do you say to that specifically? medical experts and muslim scholars _ specifically? medical experts and muslim scholars have _ specifically? medical experts and muslim scholars have looked - specifically? medical experts and | muslim scholars have looked into specifically? medical experts and i muslim scholars have looked into it and we believe the vaccines that are being administered in the uk, that we use in the uk, astrazeneca and pfizer, they do not contain any alcohol and they do not contain any animal product or human embryo and therefore they are perfectly permissible, halal, within the islamic framework.— permissible, halal, within the islamic framework. permissible, halal, within the islamicframework. ~ ., . . islamic framework. alcohol and meat, that was the — islamic framework. alcohol and meat, that was the other _ islamic framework. alcohol and meat, that was the other myth _ islamic framework. alcohol and meat, that was the other myth going - that was the other myth going around. you are going to be using riding sermons, you and the imam is in your group will use friday sermons to deliver this message. what else will you be saying in

those sermons? irate what else will you be saying in those sermons?— what else will you be saying in those sermons? we are running a three level _ those sermons? we are running a three level campaign, _ those sermons? we are running a three level campaign, we - those sermons? we are running a three level campaign, we are - three level campaign, we are addressing the issues in our friday sermons are so online, where mosques have closed and those still operating, they will be addressing these myths but also, from an islamic perspective, we will be highlighting it is an ethical duty, moral obligation, to take the vaccine, do not miss the opportunity when you are called to take the vaccine and it can be an islamic obligation notjust to recommend, but an obligation to take it when one is living with someone who is vulnerable. someone who is elderly, experiencing underlying health conditions, it can be an islamic obligation to save their lives so evenif obligation to save their lives so even if you think you will be ok, please do not miss the opportunity to take the vaccine because we all, we have a moral duty towards ourselves but also towards others, to protect lives which is one of the

fundamental, core principles of islam and all other faiths. and fundamental, core principles of islam and all other faiths. and i cuess islam and all other faiths. and i guess one _ islam and all other faiths. and i guess one of — islam and all other faiths. and i guess one of the _ islam and all other faiths. and i guess one of the key _ islam and all other faiths. and i guess one of the key things - islam and all other faiths. and i guess one of the key things you can do is save when eventually, you will be offered the vaccine, you will be happy to take it?— be offered the vaccine, you will be happy to take it? absolutely. in the categorisation,, _ happy to take it? absolutely. in the categorisation, , what _ happy to take it? absolutely. in the categorisation, , what we _ happy to take it? absolutely. in the categorisation, , what we have - happy to take it? absolutely. in the categorisation,, what we have been doing is asking many imams who are elderly, who had been called to take the vaccine, they are actually videoing whilst being vaccinated so that it gives people reassurance and also inspires confidence in people that imams, who are really scholars, taking the vaccine and therefore we should not have any hesitation from a religious perspective to take the vaccine available, the vaccine is available in this country. we are lucky to have these vaccines in such a short period of time and i think this developing in such a short period has raised concerns among some communities, people think this is another myth, the fact the process has been accelerated and

must not have gone through the verification process, but that is not the case. we are not making these claims without having done our research. and we are very confident and we are grateful to our government to have rolled out the vaccines at such a large scale in such a short period of time. imam, thank ou such a short period of time. imam, thank you for— such a short period of time. imam, thank you forjoining _ such a short period of time. imam, thank you forjoining us _ such a short period of time. imam, thank you forjoining us to - such a short period of time. imam, thank you forjoining us to debunkl thank you forjoining us to debunk some of the myths around the covid vaccines. let's return to the news that celebrities and campaigners and charities arejoining celebrities and campaigners and charities are joining together in sending a letter to the prime minister, borisjohnson, to ask him to review the government's free school meals policy. anna taylor is the executive director of charity the food foundation, which organised the letter calling on borisjohnson to review the government's free school meals policy. thank you very much forjoining us, and this is not only about the contents of these food parcels,

these free school meals, which are being delivered to children as they homeschool, although that is a very important aspect of it, you are talking about on a policy level a much deeper look at what is going on, tell us more?— much deeper look at what is going on, tell us more? that's right. the imaaes on, tell us more? that's right. the images that _ on, tell us more? that's right. the images that we've _ on, tell us more? that's right. the images that we've seen _ on, tell us more? that's right. the images that we've seen this - on, tell us more? that's right. the images that we've seen this weekl images that we've seen this week around the really completely inadequate food parcels which have been circulated to some children is just the latest in a series of crises that we've had over the last few months around free school meals. and it is disadvantaged children, of course, that pay the price of these failings within the system that we've currently got. and i think what we've seen is that the pandemic has revealed really some quite significant cracks and in some instances holes in our existing policy frameworks. and made it really abundantly clear where we need to act in the longer term. so what we're calling for two days for the government to do a comprehensive

review into free school meals so that we can really learn the lessons of the last few months, and importantly put in place a set of measures which are going to help our disadvantaged children recover from the pandemic, so that they actually always get access to good food, which keeps them fit and healthy and helps them to learn.— helps them to learn. when you talk about a root _ helps them to learn. when you talk about a root and _ helps them to learn. when you talk about a root and branch _ helps them to learn. when you talk about a root and branch review, - about a root and branch review, which the charity is saying, what exactly are you talking about? what do you want to be reviewed, is it the threshold for receiving free school meals, is it the way they are funded, give us a bit more detail on that? , ., ., , . ., that? so, three big areas which have been highlighted _ that? so, three big areas which have been highlighted during _ that? so, three big areas which have been highlighted during the - that? so, three big areas which have | been highlighted during the pandemic is, one, the eligibility, so, children who are living in poverty but not eligible for free school meals, and their need for them. the other area that has been heavily discussed is that the provision for children getting free school meals,

what they get during the holidays, because hunger does not stop in the holidays. and then the third area which has been revealed this week is the quality of the school meal provision. and really making sure that school food standards, which are well established now in law, are upheld and that children really have the best possible nutrition, particularly disadvantaged children, who rely on their free school meal is the most important meal of the day. and so it is those kind of areas which we think really need further investigation and we even think that the four uk nations have handled some of these issues differently, we think there are some real merits in sharing experiences across the uk so that we can get the right measures in place.— right measures in place. anna, thanks for _ right measures in place. anna, thanks for your _ right measures in place. anna, thanks for your time _ right measures in place. anna, thanks for your time today. - now it's time for a look at the weather with matt taylor.

and that is a really beautiful scene behind you. it certainly is, north yorkshire, where temperatures at the moment are —12. coldest night of the winter so far moment are —12. coldest night of the winterso far in moment are —12. coldest night of the winter so far in england. there is some dense fog in the midlands and the north—west, and some of that could linger all day long. but overall today, drierand could linger all day long. but overall today, drier and brighter than yesterday. just a few showers towards kent and shetland this afternoon but staying. a bit milder out towards the west. tonight, rain across northern ireland to begin with, and that will spread into wales and western england and scotland. but with temperatures below freezing, we will see snow once again over the higher ground in scotland and northern england. a cold start tomorrow morning, and we could even some have some snowfall in east anglia and the south—east tomorrow, before it turns back to rain, but for most, it will be drier

and brighter tomorrow, and a little bit milder. here with your sport now is mike bushell. good morning. captainjoe root is leading from the front on day two of the opening test in sri lanka. he's hit a century, to help england to a healthy lead. they did lose a wicket in the morning session — jonny bairstow out for a7. but his replacement was really impressive, dan lawrence scoring a half—century on his international debut. and root�*s been incrediby solid, he's now moved past the 150 mark. in the last few minutes, lawrence has been caught, out for 73 — england are 305—4, 170 runs ahead. a century from marcus labuschagne gave australia the edge after the first day of the deciding test against india

in brisbane. it was thanks in part to some missed opportunities, he was dropped twice, as india's fielders let down an inexperienced bowling attack. but labuschagne went on to make his fifth test ton as the home side reached 274—5 at the close. keep an eye out this weekend for how players celebrate goals after they were reminded of the coronavirus protocols that stress that they shouldn't hug, high five or shake hands after scoring. the fa, efl, premier league, and women's super league released a joint statement saying everyone involved needs to set an example and that the game is in a privileged position being allowed to carry on. cardiff boss neil harris says it's a joke and that if you're going to ban player celebrations, you might as well stop the season. no danger of any goal celebrations last night, as arsenal's winning run fizzled out in a goalless draw against crystal palace. the visitors came closest with this header, brilliantly saved by arsenal keeper bernd leno, but that was about the best of it. and palace boss roy hodgson was the happier manager at the final whistle. well, the amount of games that we are playing.

we played extra—time a few days back as well. you could see the freshness today wasn't there for many players and fatigue is paying the price. and then to attack spaces you need to be really fresh and have that connection. and today we lacked that in certain moments and when we did connect at the end, we didn't finish the actions like we should have done. the arsenal women's manager says the three players who travelled to dubai over christmas have apologised. london was under tier four restrictions at the time, london was under tier 4 restrictions at the time, and one player tested positive on their return, leading to the postponement of their last match. for me, it is all about actions now. it's all about making sure these players understand under these situations and these circumstances that they are all role models, they are people in the public eye and we won't able to tolerate these sort of decisions. the former manchester united manager sir alex ferguson has praised marcus rashford

over his free school meals campaign, calling it an "astonishing" achievement. rashford was given a tribute award by the football writers' association last night, recognising his work off the pitch. he's shown to young people in particular— he's shown to young people in particular that there is a different way of— particular that there is a different way of dealing with life. he's shown great _ way of dealing with life. he's shown great humility, he's shown courage to do— great humility, he's shown courage to do what— great humility, he's shown courage to do what he did, and so this achievement is well deserved, and it should _ achievement is well deserved, and it should be _ achievement is well deserved, and it should be recognised, so, marcus, well done, — should be recognised, so, marcus, well done, a — should be recognised, so, marcus, well done, a fantastic achievement. defending champion stuart bingham is through to the semifinals of the masters in milton keynes. he beat shaun murphy 6—3 with the help of this double on the pink. last year, bingham became the oldest winner to lift the trophy, at the age of a3. coverage resumes at one o'clock across the bbc.

ben ainslie's ineos team uk, have made a great start in their bid to qualify for the america's cup. they won their opening two races of the challenger series in auckland, having struggled forform in recent weeks. ainslie and tactician giles scott helped beat crews from the usa and italy. that's all the sport for now. the supreme court will make a final ruling today on whether small businesses should receive insurance payouts for losses incurred during the first national lockdown. thousands of claims were made on business interruption policies, but firms were told that they were never intended to cover such unprecedented restrictions. the case involves around a billion pounds�* worth of payouts. our business correpsondent vishala sri—pathma joins me now. i heard one small business owner earlier saying that the result of this case today in the supreme court could mean life or death for many small businesses, so what are we expecting today in terms of the

judgment?— expecting today in terms of the 'udament? ~ , ,. judgment? absolutely, if you picture this, a pandemic— judgment? absolutely, if you picture this, a pandemic hits _ judgment? absolutely, if you picture this, a pandemic hits in _ judgment? absolutely, if you picture this, a pandemic hits in march - judgment? absolutely, if you picture this, a pandemic hits in march and i this, a pandemic hits in march and you have _ this, a pandemic hits in march and you have taken out this insurance policy _ you have taken out this insurance policy and — you have taken out this insurance policy and you are hoping it is going — policy and you are hoping it is going to — policy and you are hoping it is going to cover you. the interruption policies _ going to cover you. the interruption policies people might have heard of, it covers _ policies people might have heard of, it covers illness or bad weather, for example, but as you were saying, insurers _ for example, but as you were saying, insurers have — for example, but as you were saying, insurers have argued that this pandemic is unprecedented, and so therefore. — pandemic is unprecedented, and so therefore, it isn't covered. so, businesses _ therefore, it isn't covered. so, businesses phoning up their insurers back in_ businesses phoning up their insurers back in march and they have been told, _ back in march and they have been told. no, — back in march and they have been told. no, it— back in march and they have been told, no, it is not covered and you can't _ told, no, it is not covered and you can't get — told, no, it is not covered and you can't get the — told, no, it is not covered and you can't get the money and you can't pay those — can't get the money and you can't pay those costs. so, clearly a big blow _ pay those costs. so, clearly a big blow to _ pay those costs. so, clearly a big blow to them. and so, this ruling will be _ blow to them. and so, this ruling will be incredibly important. what is going _ will be incredibly important. what is going to happen at the supreme court, _ is going to happen at the supreme court, or— is going to happen at the supreme court, or what has happened, is that judges _ court, or what has happened, is that judges have — court, or what has happened, is that judges have been looking over wording — judges have been looking over wording. wording is clearly very important — wording. wording is clearly very important when it comes to a claim. they are _ important when it comes to a claim. they are going tojudge important when it comes to a claim. they are going to judge whether the wording _ they are going to judge whether the wording means that claimants can go ahead _ wording means that claimants can go ahead and _ wording means that claimants can go ahead and claim on those policies in respect _ ahead and claim on those policies in respect of— ahead and claim on those policies in respect of that first lockdown that we saw _ respect of that first lockdown that we saw in — respect of that first lockdown that we saw in march. {1.2 billion is up

for grabs. — we saw in march. {1.2 billion is up for grabs. as— we saw in march. {1.2 billion is up for grabs, as it were, 370,000 small businesses _ for grabs, as it were, 370,000 small businesses have been affected. we are due _ businesses have been affected. we are due to— businesses have been affected. we are due to hear from the court probably— are due to hear from the court probably in the next few minutes, so we will— probably in the next few minutes, so we will not _ probably in the next few minutes, so we will not be waiting long until we hear that— we will not be waiting long until we hear that ruling, clearly huge implication for small businesses up and down _ implication for small businesses up and down the country. anna smart, who runs smart photography, says she checked with insurer hiscox before the lockdown began and understood she did have business interuption insurance. shejoins me now. thank you for your time today, anna, how important could this ruling be for you and your business? this how important could this ruling be for you and your business?- for you and your business? this is hu:el for you and your business? this is hugely important _ for you and your business? this is hugely important for— for you and your business? this is hugely important for our - for you and your business? this is| hugely important for our business. and actually for our own mental health, because small businesses, i mean, everybody is under a huge amount of pressure at the moment,

and small businesses like ours are under massive financial pressure. we're closed, we can't earn money, there is no income into the business. and that is not a sustainable position for any business. so, we're feeling pretty desperate at this point in time. find desperate at this point in time. and how have you _ desperate at this point in time. and how have you managed without that insurance payout, which you had thought you would be do, however you managed to sustain yourselves financially over the last year? 50. financially over the last year? so, as soon as _ financially over the last year? so, as soon as hiscox _ financially over the last year? ’sr, as soon as hiscox told financially over the last year? 5r, as soon as hiscox told us that they were rejecting our claim, we made some really big changes in our business so that we could survive. so, we left our commercial premises that we were renting so that we could reduce that cost base and we built our own studio, we had a studio built in our garden, to bring our costs down so that we could ride things out. find

our costs down so that we could ride thins out. �* . ., ,., . things out. and that was the bounce back alone. — things out. and that was the bounce back alone, you've _ things out. and that was the bounce back alone, you've used _ things out. and that was the bounce back alone, you've used for - things out. and that was the bounce back alone, you've used for that? i back alone, you've used for that? yes, absolutely. 0therwise back alone, you've used for that? yes, absolutely. otherwise we would never have been able to have done it. and so, we've managed to get our costs down hugely by doing that. and on a personal level, we've got through by selling loads of stuff on ebay, which becomes a bit addictive. you start walking around your house and anything that isn't nailed down, you get it on ebay and start selling it. we have even sold one of our cars just so that we've got enough cash to keep going and keep the business ticking along, because businesses always have expenses, whether you are working in them or not, so, yes, it's been really difficult to get through. but there comes a point _ difficult to get through. but there comes a point when _ difficult to get through. but there comes a point when you - difficult to get through. but there comes a point when you have - difficult to get through. but there l comes a point when you have gone through all those options and there is nothing left to sell where you have to ask yourself, where do we go next? so, you're waiting on this ruling, if the ruling is that the

insurers have to payout, that will obviously be a huge relief to you, if not, what next?— if not, what next? erm, it's quite terrifying. _ if not, what next? erm, it's quite terrifying, actually. _ if not, what next? erm, it's quite terrifying, actually. because - if not, what next? erm, it's quite terrifying, actually. because we | terrifying, actually. because we were very lucky, we were open for october, we were open for december and we took some money in that time which will probably get us through until about the end of march. but if this ruling does not come through, if we don't know that we've got more income on the way in a reasonable time period, we have to think about what else we can do to earn money, so we kind of have to put our business to one side, almost furlough the business, put it on pause, whilst we look at, do we need to do something else, shall we start a new business that could be open? should we look at getting jobs for a while? we have to start thinking of what else we need to do to bring in income. we are already at the point where after 15 years trading, it is

almost like we are back at the beginning, like those 15 years didn't happen, because anything that you built up in that time is gone, it is used up. so we are kind of in that start again situation, whichever way we look at it. there is none of — whichever way we look at it. there is none of that _ whichever way we look at it. there is none of that level _ whichever way we look at it. there is none of that level of _ whichever way we look at it. there is none of that level of comfort - is none of that level of comfort which you might expect if you were a well established business, and i guess it almost feels like, how long can we hold out for until hopefully the vaccinations make a difference, people can start booking photography sessions again? so clearly you really need this money to come through? really need this money to come throu~h? ., really need this money to come throu~h? . . , ,., , really need this money to come throuuh? . . , ,., , ., through? yeah, we absolutely do. the business is reliant _ through? yeah, we absolutely do. the business is reliant on _ through? yeah, we absolutely do. the business is reliant on that _ through? yeah, we absolutely do. the business is reliant on that at _ through? yeah, we absolutely do. the business is reliant on that at the - business is reliant on that at the moment to a degree. we have done everything since last march to help our business survive, do not have to rely on that money. so, it's not that our business will fold without it. it isjust that our business will fold without it. it is just that the financial pressures that we have are just

absolutely crushing at that point, without it. just getting a little bit of that pressure removed at this point in time would be huge. the vaccines are a massive part of that because if we can be open and do we know that basically everything is plain sailing from there. so, yes, this is crucial to us today.- plain sailing from there. so, yes, this is crucial to us today. anna, i know along _ this is crucial to us today. anna, i know along with _ this is crucial to us today. anna, i know along with us _ this is crucial to us today. anna, i know along with us you _ this is crucial to us today. anna, i know along with us you will - this is crucial to us today. anna, i know along with us you will be i know along with us you will be watching and waiting for that news from the supreme court which we expect pretty soon. and a smart there, co—founder of smart photography. it's expected today that the global death toll for coronavirus will exceed two million. but as the latest lockdown continues here there are signs that the coronavirus growth rate may be slowing in the uk, and the number of infections is starting to level off in some areas. yesterday professor neil ferguson, an epidemiologist at imperial college london whose modelling led to the first lockdown in march, told

the bbc that in some nhs regions there was a sign of plateauing in cases and hospital admissions. well, here to help us unpack the numbers, we can speak now tojohn burn—murdoch, a data specialist at the financial times. can you reflect first of all on the fact that we are expecting global deaths from covid to hit 2 million today? deaths from covid to hit 2 million toda ? , ., ., deaths from covid to hit 2 million toda ? , ~ . . deaths from covid to hit 2 million toda ? , ~' . . . , today? yes, i think what that really shows first of _ today? yes, i think what that really shows first of all _ today? yes, i think what that really shows first of all is _ today? yes, i think what that really shows first of all is just _ today? yes, i think what that really shows first of all is just how - today? yes, i think what that really shows first of all is just how grim . shows first of all is just how grim things have been over the last 12 months. but also that we are really not out of the woods on this by any stretch of the imagination. we had the news just a couple of days ago about the new variant that is now believed to have taken hold in brazil. and i think this isjust showing that although, as you just alluded to, with the comments from neil ferguson, in the uk it is starting to look a bit more promising now, however, on a global scale, large parts of the world are facing just as much of a challenge today as they have been at any point over the last year.— over the last year. talking of the new variants, _ over the last year. talking of the

new variants, what _ over the last year. talking of the new variants, what sort - over the last year. talking of the new variants, what sort of - new variants, what sort of explanation can you offer of the impact these variants have had and are having on the uk?— impact these variants have had and are having on the uk? obviously what we would hope _ are having on the uk? obviously what we would hope is _ are having on the uk? obviously what we would hope is that _ are having on the uk? obviously what we would hope is that the _ are having on the uk? obviously what we would hope is that the brazilian i we would hope is that the brazilian variant, for example, will not reach the uk. we have the news earlier this week that the requirement for a negative pcr test for arrivals in the uk has been delayed, but we will have that very soon. the fear with all of these variants is that a lot of them share this same mutation, which is believed, if they follow in the footsteps of the uk and south african variants, to increase transmissibility. what that means is that for any given level of social distancing and restrictions, it will be that bit harder to get the r—rate below one. the worst—case scenario is that one of these mutations means that the vaccines are no longer effective, but i think at the moment thatis effective, but i think at the moment that is a very slim possibility. so, really, the concern isjust that is a very slim possibility. so, really, the concern is just that the longer the viruses circulating, the more chance there is of these mutations, and they willjust make

it that bit harder to get things under control. bud it that bit harder to get things under control.— it that bit harder to get things under control. �* ., ., ~ . under control. and looking next at the numbers. _ under control. and looking next at the numbers, what— under control. and looking next at the numbers, what are _ under control. and looking next at the numbers, what are we - under control. and looking next at the numbers, what are we seeing | under control. and looking next at i the numbers, what are we seeing in terms of the number of cases in the number of deaths? are we seeing any levelling off, as has been suggested, in the number of cases and are you seeing certain regions levelling off more than others? yes. levelling off more than others? yes, so, in the levelling off more than others? yes, so. in the uk. _ levelling off more than others? yes, so, in the uk, certainly _ levelling off more than others? yes, so, in the uk, certainly over- levelling off more than others? ya: so, in the uk, certainly overthe so, in the uk, certainly over the last week or so, maybe ten days, it seems there has been a relative levelling off in terms of new cases and the percentage of tests coming back positive. that is obviously very promising news. but the concern is that the figures that we are seeing in hospitals today are a reflection of what was happening on the ground to weeks ago or so. so, for example, the numbers of covid patients in hospital and in intensive care is still going up, those numbers still went up even yesterday. and that intel will mean that number is of deaths in the uk will keep rising for at least a couple more weeks. the good news is

that it does seem that infection rates are stabilising. 0bviously what we need to do now is to get those much lower. it is likely that the r—number in the uk is very slightly below one at the moment. but the further we can get it below one, the more quickly we can get cases down to a level where the relaxation of restrictions might be possible. but relaxation of restrictions might be ossible. �* ., , relaxation of restrictions might be ossible. �* . , ~ ., relaxation of restrictions might be ossible. �* ~ ., , , possible. but as we know, numbers have one possible. but as we know, numbers have gone down. — possible. but as we know, numbers have gone down, restrictions - possible. but as we know, numbers have gone down, restrictions have i have gone down, restrictions have eased, and then numbers of cases have gone back up again. given that the vaccination programme is underway, do you think that the data that we are looking at will lead to the government saying, let's just stick with these restrictions, maybe even tighten them up in places, until more people are vaccinated? i certainly think keeping the restrictions in place for longer than we have done when we have come out of lockdowns in the past would be very sensible. and my hope would be, this is how it feels to me, that with the vaccination on the horizon, it will be that bit easier for

people to accept extended restrictions because we know that there really is light at the end of there really is light at the end of the tunnel now. but it remains to be seen exactly how the government will play that one. john seen exactly how the government will play that one-— play that one. john burn-murdoch, data specialist _ play that one. john burn-murdoch, data specialist at _ play that one. john burn-murdoch, data specialist at the _ play that one. john burn-murdoch, data specialist at the financial- data specialist at the financial times, thank you very much for that analysis. breaking newsjust coming to us from the supreme court on that story we were talking aboutjust a moment ago, that appeal brought by the financial conduct authority on behalf of owners of small businesses with regards to business interruption insurance, insurers had argued that many of these policies didn't cover the interruption to business caused by the pandemic, we are talking about the period of the first lockdown, well, we havejust heard in the last few seconds that the supreme court has substantially allowed, is the quote, an appeal brought by the financial conduct authority in a landmark £1.2 billion legal battle over businesses'

ability to claim on insurance for coronavirus related disruption. now, what we don't have yet is the detail on what substantially allowed means. but we will get that to you. as we heard from a small business owner just a few minutes ago, really, this decision, so many businesses, the survival of those businesses, has been riding on this decision. so we will try to find out exactly what this means. the supreme court has substantially allowed an appeal brought by the financial conduct authority in relation to the ability of businesses to claim on insurance for coronavirus related disruption. a senior american official has told the bbc that the united states is on track to pull 2,500 troops out of afghanistan by the end of the day. all us troops are due to leave this year as part of an agreement the trump administration signed with the taliban.

the pullout marks the beginning of the end of the us's 20—year war in afghanistan. 0ur correspondent yogita limaye is in kabul and she says there are concerns about what will happen when the troops leave. i think questions are really being asked about what lasting gains have been made in 20 years of war. this withdrawal is part of an agreement that the trump administration signed with the taliban last year. according to it, all us forces have to withdraw by spring this year. but many are questioning whether the conditions that were laid out in that agreement have been fulfilled on the ground. the nato chief has warned that this withdrawal is hasty, and if they do it too soon, there would be a heavy price to pay. i also asked that question to vice—president amrullah saleh, who believes that the mission that international troops came here on has not been accomplished. he talked about the threat of al-qaeda, violence has been surging over the past several months, and the humanitarian situation is really quite staggering. the afghan government is trying

to negotiate a peace deal with the taliban, but these are two parties that have really been sworn enemies of each other. the vice—president even now says the taliban is a terrorist organisation. when you have those two parties talking to each other, there are serious questions and doubts about whether a resolution can ever be reached which would be agreeable to both of those sides. the three options on the table are a power—sharing agreement between the afghan government and the taliban, a taliban—led government or some taliban members joining the existing government in afghanistan. but there is really no clear indication of whether a resolution with ever be reached, and that's really what the people here are worried about, that if all international forces were to withdraw before a sustainable peace deal is reached, the taliban could be back in power here in afghanistan.

we will have the weather forecast coming up for you in a few minutes. but first... it's one of the oldest tricks in the book — magicians are celebrating 100 years of sawing someone in half. hello, everybody, my name is michaelj fitch, magician, and this is my wife, helen. it's not quite las vegas, but for magician michaelj fitch and his wife and assistant, helen, a windy carport is at least a covid—safe space to show off a magic show classic — cutting a woman in half. whenever anyone says, you know, "oh, you're a magician," the first line, we hear it every day is, "oh, can you saw my wife in half?" 0r, "can you saw my husband in half?" for some reason, that illusion has stuck in everybody�*s mind and captured their imagination. ok, so, here we go.

now, i used to go do this to my sister, she's now my half—sister. 0k, check this out. so i take the blade, and i push the blade, there, right the way through the middle. there we go. now, it would only right for me to do this, and, now, my wife is twice the lady she used to be. ladies and gentlemen, my wife! thank you very much. michael and helen, and the 100th anniversary of a very famous illusion, sawing a woman in half. but this is also a celebration of something else. a magical partnership. and this is the man who created it. pt selbit, carrying out his famous illusion in the 1930s. he didn'tjust invent the trick, he was one of the pioneers of the type of magic that relies on a female assistant. and this is paul daniels

and debbie mcgee, re—enacting that original trick. but back in the '20s, not everyone was impressed. it was performed for the first time on stage without an audience to a bunch of agents and bookers, and nevil maskelyne, who was the owner of one of these, the owner of the very venue that the illusion was performed in for the first time, dismissed it. but the audience loved the illusion and pt selbit, real name percy tibbles, also created pincushion girl, stretching a woman, indestructible girl. it was clear that the female assistant was the key attraction and a big part of the magic. would i be right in saying that a lot of the work is going on inside the box? of course, yeah, all the hard work goes on inside the box. michaeljust has to stand there and put some blades in, put some knives in. what?! he gets the easy part. yeah, definitely. no, that's not true! it's magic, it's magic,

and it's all me, it's magic. so is this another example of men of men doing all the talking, claiming all the glory, while the woman... well, it's always the way, isn't it? always the way, it's always women who do the hard work, yeah. a hundred years on, it is a magical land mark, it is a magical landmark, and perhaps also a good moment to think about who is actually doing the magic. david sillito, bbc news, colchester.

this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. a ban on travellers into the uk from south america and portugal has come into force. the transport secretary says the precautionary step was taken because of fears of a new variant of coronavirus. some of them which are more easily transmitted, are obviously of greater concern and it's really as a precautionary principle. we are so close now, we have 3 million of these vaccines in people's arms in the uk, we want to make sure we do not fall at this last hurdle. us—president electjoe biden promises nearly 2 trillion dollars in a stimulus package to tackle the coronavirus pandemic and kick—start the american economy. a powerful earthquake on the indonesian island

of sulawesi has killed dozens and left thousands homeless.