this is bbc news and i'm kasia madera, with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. president biden lays out his strategy to tackle coronavirus on his first full day in office, warning it'll require a wartime undertaking to defeat the disease: there are moments in history where more is asked of a particular generation, more is asked of us as americans than other times. we are in that moment now. almost five million britons have now had their first coronavirus vaccination but there's still no date for the uk lockdown being lifted. i think it's too early to say when we'll be able to lift some of the restrictions. and wuhan — where it all started. a year after china's first

coronavirus lockdown — normality has returned. hello and welcome whether you're watching in the uk or around the world. we start in washington, where presidentjoe biden has launched a national stategy to tackle coronavirus in the us. he predicted that america's death toll would reach half a million by the end of next month. our north america editorjon sopel reports on his first full day in office. and the first order i'm going to be signing here... president biden is a man in a hurry. a slew of executive orders has been signed, reversing many trump—era policies. there'll be more later on. and today, the first full day in the newjob, a virtual church service.

prayers for the mission ahead, prayers for the united states. and look, everyone in the white house is wearing a mask now. it's obligatory. a big change, and deliberate. one of our 100—day challenges is asking the american people to mask up. unveiling his national coronavirus plan, president biden said the trump administration's vaccine roll—out had been a dismal failure so far and that things were going to get worse before they get better. the death toll will likely top 500,000 next month. the cases will continue to mount. we didn't get into this mess overnight and it's going to take months for us to turn things around. but let me be equally clear, we will get through this. # meet me in a land of hope #. last night, after a day of tension, amid concerns the inauguration could be disrupted, celebration.

with the new president pulling in the megastars for a socially—distanced concert. in the last few weeks and the last few years, we've witnessed deep divisions and a troubling rancour in our land. but tonight we ponder the united states of america. and there was the sense of a new dawn from those performing. # here comes the sun #. joe biden comes to the job with a mountain of problems, and under the watchful gaze of abraham lincoln, a man who led america through its civil war, spoke of the challenges he must now address. the question is, are we up to it? will we meet the moment like our forebearers have? i believe we must, and i believe we will. to donald trump's fury, he could never attract the big names to play for him four years ago. the new president had no such difficulties. while the biden family

tapped theirfeet, there was an important contribution from the three amigos, three former presidents going back nearly 30 years. but all of them still younger than the new occupant of the white house. well, i think the fact that the three of us are standing here talking about a peaceful transfer of power speaks to the institutional integrity of our country. and america's first woman vice president, first vp of asian and black descent, set out the dream. we shoot for the moon and then we plant our flag on it. we are bold, fearless and ambitious. # you just got toi ignite the light #. the evening ended with katy perry and fireworks shooting to the stars, and the first couple settling into their new surroundings. there had been a peaceful transfer of power, despite the troubling events leading up to this unique inauguration. jon sopel, bbc news, washington.

staggering pictures. new government data released onjoe biden�*s first day makes clear the scale of the employment crisis facing the president, as the country battles through the coronavirus pandemic. the us saw 900,000 new filings for unemployment benefits last week, a huge number which remains well above the single worst week of the 2008 financial crisis. let's talk about this in real terms. i'm joined now by heidi shierholz senior economist and director of policy at the economic policy institute. we hear ofjoe biden is $1.9 trillion coronavirus rescue plan, it is desperately needed when you look at the figures in terms of the job with vegas and in terms of everything that is happening given the coronavirus pandemic. it is

the coronavirus pandemic. it is absolutely _ the coronavirus pandemic. it is absolutely crucial, _ the coronavirus pandemic. it 3 absolutely crucial, we are seeing an increase in lay—offs as the virus surges. we are going into the few really dark months here and the relief that we have set up to go through so far, that wealth or millions of people off of it for example unemployment insurance in mid—march ifjoe biden and congress don't take more action. so, it is really, really critical at this point. really, really critical at this oint. �* �* , really, really critical at this oint. �* �*, . really, really critical at this oint. . point. and there's so much that's critical. point. and there's so much that's critical- he _ point. and there's so much that's critical. he needs— point. and there's so much that's critical. he needs to _ point. and there's so much that's critical. he needs to boost - point. and there's so much that's critical. he needs to boost the i critical. he needs to boost the vaccination programme, peoplejust vaccination programme, people just losing vaccination programme, peoplejust losing their homes, i believe it is about 12% of americans behind on their mortgage payments, where does he start and where is the priority in your view? the he start and where is the priority in your view?— in your view? the priority is caettin in your view? the priority is getting in — in your view? the priority is getting in control _ in your view? the priority is getting in control of - in your view? the priority is getting in control of the - in your view? the priority is i getting in control of the virus. in your view? the priority is - getting in control of the virus. the virus is a huge disrupter to the labour market and to people's lives, a major tax on economic activity, so getting that under control is top priority he has a huge plan in place to do that, and then it is get relief to people in the meantime,

and tell the vaccination —— until the vaccination is widely distributed and we can open up again. that is unemployment insurance, aid to local and state governments who have had to cut services, moratoriums on infections, the whole host of things that will get people through until we can really open up again. this get people through until we can really open up again.— get people through until we can really open up again. this idea that every american _ really open up again. this idea that every american is _ really open up again. this idea that every american is to _ really open up again. this idea that every american is to receive - really open up again. this idea that every american is to receive a - really open up again. this idea that| every american is to receive a check of $1400 us, just talk us through how important that is for regular families. it how important that is for regular families. , . , , families. it is incredibly important. _ families. it is incredibly important. we're - families. it is incredibly important. we're still. families. it is incredibly - important. we're still seeing a families. it is incredibly _ important. we're still seeing a huge amount ofjob loss right now, right now about 16% of the us economy either officially unemployed or otherwise out of work because of the virus, they had to drop out to take care of a kid who was in school went online and it is a young child or have kept theirjob but have seen a

drop in their hours and pay as a result of demand for the goods and services that they provide at their job just services that they provide at their jobjust dropping so services that they provide at their job just dropping so their employer doesn't need as much work from them. so, people are really hurting. we are seeing a wide swath of the labour market being affected. we have done a really good job in this recession of getting unemployment benefits to people but there are people who fall through the cracks. and so these kind of checks is another way to get money into the economy and get people at the relief they need until we can climb out of this virus. , ., , they need until we can climb out of this virus. , . ._ , ., they need until we can climb out of this virus. , . , ., , this virus. there is always a but, there is and _ this virus. there is always a but, there is and if _ this virus. there is always a but, there is and if in _ this virus. there is always a but, there is and if in this _ there is and if in this circumstance, ifjoe biden can get it approved by congress, what are his chances do you reckon? his chances are — his chances do you reckon? h 3 chances are pretty good, actually i'm getting more stimulus through congress and that is because when after the november elections things were up in the air but there were runoff elections in the senate and the democrats took control of the senate. and so that means it is a

slim majority of the democrats have in the senate so they won't be able to get everything through but the special procedures they will be able to get through additional stimulus. that is a really good thing for the economy. it means that the economy will be able to get the support it needs to have it set up so that when the virus and the vaccine is in wide distribution, will be able to just see things go, see economic activity really take off once people can get out there. a, really take off once people can get out there. �* . ., really take off once people can get out there. �* . . ., . out there. a change in the balance of ower out there. a change in the balance of power in — out there. a change in the balance of power in the — out there. a change in the balance of power in the united _ out there. a change in the balance of power in the united states. - out there. a change in the balance l of power in the united states. heidi shierholz, as always really good to talk to you. thanks for putting your perspective on that.— perspective on that. thank you. thanks so _ perspective on that. thank you. thanks so much. _ let's get some of the day's other news. a bomb attack on a busy market in the iraqi capital, baghdad, has killed more than 30 people and wounded at least 100. it's the city's deadliest attack in three years. witnesses say two blasts exploded in quick succession. no group has claimed responsibility. but authorities say it could be a possible sign of the reactivation of the islamic state group.

the french government is to recommend that people wear surgical masks in public. wearing a face covering is already the law there, but now officials say fabric face coverings don't provide enough protection from covid—19 transmission. the british prime minister borisjohnson has warned that it's too early to say when coronavirus restrictions in england can start to be lifted, with some scientists suggesting that pubs and restaurants should stay closed until may. the experts studying the spread of covid say reopening the hospitality sector too soon could lead to another wave and unsustainable pressure on the national health service. 0ur medical editor, fergus walsh reports. life in lockdown has become the new normal. most classrooms stand idle. shops, pubs and sport centres are locked up. holidays, a distant dream. protecting lives comes

at a heavy price, in ruined livelihoods and loneliness. and it seems there's no clear end in sight. i think it's too early to say when we'll be able to lift some of the restrictions. we're seeing the contagiousness of the new variant that we saw arrive just before christmas. there's no doubt it does spread very fast indeed. it's not more deadly but it is much more contagious. every month, imperial college london sends out coronavirus testing kits to 140,000—plus people across england. it picks up those with and without symptoms, and the latest findings are worrying. the swabs were carried out between january the 6th and the 15th. they suggest that one in 63 people in england was infected. and there was no apparent decline in cases during those ten days.

now, that's puzzling because if we look at uk—wide positive tests, there was a sharp decline during the same period, from around 60,000 cases a day, to around 40,000. i think it's shown us that the lockdown is partially working. there's been a change of behaviour and the epidemic isn't growing as fast as it would have done but we need it to be shrinking right now. kind ofjust keeping it level�*s not enough, given the pressure on hospitals and the number of deaths we have each day. that's why vaccination is the hot ticket. this cinema in aylesbury, buckinghamshire, is now a covid vaccination centre. no popcorn on offer, but the chance for people to get a jab in the heart of their community. this mosque in birmingham is the first in england to offer the vaccine. bame groups are at higher risk from covid, so centres like this could be important in increasing

uptake and countering misinformation about the jab. there's nothing to be worried about. the mosque is open to tell you that it is genuine and this is in line with the teachings of islam. is there any other way of tackling this pandemic than the vaccine? i don't see any other way. 200 covid vaccines a minute are being given across the uk. the aim, by valentine's day, to immunise all over—70s, front line health workers, and those shielding. so, in the race between the virus and the vaccine, it's covid which still has a commanding lead. fergus walsh, bbc news. throughout this week, our colleague clive myrie has been speaking to those on the front—line of the coronavirus pandemic here in the uk. in his final report from the royal london hospital, clive looks at the impact covid—19 is having on patients,

their families and the entire national health service. and a warning, some viewers may find some scenes upsetting. hello, am i speaking to shamima? my name is dr healy, i'm ringing from the royal london hospital. it's about your husband, asif. consultant marie healy�*s words will sting. one of her covid patients isn't doing well in intensive care. he is quite sick, he could die from this, by the way, i'm sorry to have to say that. we've only been married for two years. he's the light of your life. he is. you know, he's never been away from me for even a day. this is shamima, who already knows loss in this pandemic. on your wedding day? yeah... her brother—in—law was buried last month, a victim of covid—19, and this week her father—in—law died from the virus. it has, yeah...

now her husband's life hangs precarious. it is a feature of the second wave that whole families have been blighted. we feel so empty and for me not to have my husband by my side, life is too short and you want to spend it with your loved ones. because i have to be strong for my mother, i have to be strong for my sister—in—law. you know, they kind of rely on me and if i break down, then, you know, i don't know what's going to happen to the family. asif lies limp, one of close to 4,000 people across the uk now breathing with the aid of a machine due to covid—19. that's more than 4,000 families praying for the best, fearing the worst, lives on hold. the nhs is a family, too, and it's mourned its own. more than 200 front line staff have died in the pandemic.

and see you because they didn't want to get you tired. senior charge nurse dom wood at the royal london feared he wouldn't make it after contracting the virus over christmas. i was doing everything i could to try and deep breathe and everything that i tell everyone to do and that's quite a scary moment. because... you see... the trouble is, in the first wave and the second wave, i've seen what can happen. it's scary. we're all scared that things will get worse before they get better. we're all scared of the cruel ripples of the pandemic. lockdowns, mental health problems, economic shock.

next, please. salvation, then, at the end of a needle. and maybe soon we'll all be able to smile. it's true, the nhs is here for us from cradle to grave, part of the origin myth of post—war modern britain, but coronavirus has given us a glimpse into a dark future, a time when the men and women of the service can't help everyone as they would like. is that the true lesson of this pandemic — that to see the nhs crumble means losing a part of who we are? clive myrie, bbc news. stay with us on bbc news, still to come... it's been one year since the world's first covid lockdown in china. we revisit the city that was once the epicentre of the virus that transformed the world.

donald trump is now the 45th president of the united states. he was sworn in before several hundred thousand people on the steps of capitol hill in washington. it's going to be only america first. america first. demonstrators waiting for mike gatting and his rebel cricket team were attacked with tear gas and set upon by police dogs. anti—apartheid campaigners say they will carry on the protests throughout the tour. they called him the butcher of lyon. klaus altman is being held on a fraud charge in bolivia. the west germans want to extradite him for crimes committed in wartime france. there, he was the gestapo chief klaus barbie. millions came to bathe as close as possible to this spot, a tide of humanity that's believed by officials to have

broken all records. this is bbc news. the latest headlines. president biden lays out his strategy to tackle coronavirus from the white house — warning americans the worst is yet to come. let's bring you some breaking news now: senate republican leader mitch mcconnell says he's proposing that the house of representatives present its impeachment charges against donald trump on january 28th, and give mr trump be given two weeks after that to prepare before his senate trial starts. that would delay the start of the trial until mid—february. some details about the possible timeline of the impeachment trial of donald trump. this week marks one year since

the world's first covid lockdown — when the chinese government confined almost 60 million people to their homes in the city of wuhan and the surrounding province. it was the first real glimpse of the devastation that was soon to sweep the world. but one year on, as our china correspondentjohn sudworth reports, it is a city now remembered not for a disaster, but as the scene of a great victory. nowadays in wuhan it's the mundane normality that's striking. with the traffic jams and the bustling streets — all such a far cry from this. in january last year, wuhan was ground zero, the place where the pandemic began and the first to experience lockdown. one year on the city's moved on and a remarkable new narrative has taken hold. "the virus came here from other countries," this stall owner tells me.

"china is a victim." where did it come from? "it came from america," this woman insists. there's even official backing for the idea the virus may have come from somewhere else. can you tell us why china is promoting this narrative, in the absence of scientific evidence? translation: your question reveals your prejudice against china. - reports have emerged from australia, italy and many other countries that the coronavirus was found in multiple places in the autumn of 2019. from the scientific consensus that the outbreak began here, to the more controversial theory that it leaked from this wuhan laboratory, all are now rejected with equal force. instead, this giant wuhan exhibition celebrates a great victory.

the allegations of cover—up, the suggestion the authorities hid the initial outbreak, rejected too, with one man centre stage offering lessons for the world. there may well be something to learn, of course. china's mass testing programme, for example. but other aspects of its approach — perhaps not so much. in the harsh enforcement of its lockdowns, the need to balance control with individual rights has been far less of a constraint on its model of success. the struggle of democratic countries to contain the virus is viewed here less with sympathy and more with a sense of vindication. for china, wuhan is not a reminder of a political disaster that allowed a virus to spiral out of control. it's a symbol of triumph.

we are going live to will hand to speak to our guests. joining me now is li kuang, who is a teacher and resident of wuhan. we first spoke to him when the city came out of lockdown back in april 2020. when we look at what is happening now with the rest of the world and what is happening in wuhan, how do you feel and how does it compare? it feels like complete role reversal. thank you. i think wuhan is quite normal now. we can do whatever we want and go to wherever we want as long as we wear a mask. so i think right now, ifeel long as we wear a mask. so i think right now, i feel really relaxed and feeling like things are getting back to normal before the year 2020. talk us throu . h to normal before the year 2020. talk us through that, just how normal and relaxed is everything, literally everything back to normal? yeah, i do think everything _ everything back to normal? yeah, i do think everything is _ everything back to normal? yeah, i do think everything is back - everything back to normal? yeah, i do think everything is back to - do think everything is back to normal because we can even go to

nightclubs or some concerts are being held. the voice of china, the finale just happened being held. the voice of china, the finalejust happened in being held. the voice of china, the finale just happened in wuhan a few months ago and we had a grand assembly in an iconic spot in wuhan to celebrate the new year and new year's eve, hundreds of thousands of people gathered around that place to celebrate. so, ithink people gathered around that place to celebrate. so, i think it is quite normal like before. hand celebrate. so, ithink it is quite normal like before.— celebrate. so, ithink it is quite normal like before. and what have ou been normal like before. and what have you been told _ normal like before. and what have you been told about _ normal like before. and what have you been told about the _ normal like before. and what have you been told about the origins . normal like before. and what have you been told about the origins of| you been told about the origins of coronavirus. because there was a lot of speculation about the market there? ., , , ~' of speculation about the market there? ., , , ~ ., of speculation about the market there? ., ~ ., , there? yeah, because i think that is a auestion there? yeah, because i think that is a question that _ there? yeah, because i think that is a question that relates _ there? yeah, because i think that is a question that relates to _ there? yeah, because i think that is a question that relates to the - a question that relates to the scientists because... many places the virus has been detected in many places. so whether it originated from wuhan is still a question that is left of the scientists. and from wuhan is still a question that is left of the scientists.— is left of the scientists. and when ou see is left of the scientists. and when you see what _ is left of the scientists. and when you see what is _ is left of the scientists. and when you see what is going _ is left of the scientists. and when you see what is going on - is left of the scientists. and when you see what is going on in - is left of the scientists. and when you see what is going on in the i is left of the scientists. and when l you see what is going on in the rest of the world. so many countries are struggling, reaching deaths of very

difficult numbers, very huge figures, what do you say to them, what is your message to them? i think you should really listen to what the government asks and especially what the doctors are saying because you have to wear a mask and keep social distances with people standing by for both your own and your families and other�*s sake. and wash her hands frequently so that you can be safe. and and wash her hands frequently so that you can be safe.— and wash her hands frequently so that you can be safe. and in the end how many people — that you can be safe. and in the end how many people died _ that you can be safe. and in the end how many people died in _ that you can be safe. and in the end how many people died in wuhan, i that you can be safe. and in the endj how many people died in wuhan, do you have that figure? i’m how many people died in wuhan, do you have that figure?— you have that figure? i'm sorry, i don't quite _ you have that figure? i'm sorry, i don't quite know— you have that figure? i'm sorry, i don't quite know that. _ you have that figure? i'm sorry, i don't quite know that. you - you have that figure? i'm sorry, i don't quite know that. you don'tl don't quite know that. you don't know that- _ don't quite know that. you don't know that. it's _ don't quite know that. you don't know that. it's just _ don't quite know that. you don't know that. it's just the - don't quite know that. you don't know that. it's just the most - know that. it's just the most important thing was what do you think was the most important thing than for the authorities to get on top of it and in control of it? i think the government once they realise the problem was getting severe, they acted really swiftly so that they walk the city down so that the virus couldn't spread and also when we are all locked in our own houses, we don't get into contact

with the outside world so the virus couldn't spread. aha, with the outside world so the virus couldn't spread.— couldn't spread. a very strict locked on — couldn't spread. a very strict locked on for— couldn't spread. a very strict locked on for some - couldn't spread. a very strict locked on for some li - couldn't spread. a very strict locked on for some li kuang| couldn't spread. a very strict - locked on for some li kuang inc. will hunt, thank you forjoining us and talking as to the situation there. and thank you forjoining us. hello there. flooding continues to be of concern but the weather certainly isn't going to make things any worse over the next few days. the current situation — well, the number of flood and severe flood warnings has just started to edged down. so, things are slowly improving for some communities. 0ther rivers though taking longer to respond. for example, the 0use in york. well, that's not going to peak until later in the day on friday. so, for some, it could still get worse before it gets better. lots of snow around of course. that snow still with us at the moment across the high ground in scotland. still some strong winds and further accumulations. otherwise, it's a cold night with the frost. the showers, there is a risk of icy stretches dotted around the country. so, it will be another cold start to the day as we edge into friday. cold north—westerly winds with us pulling in this chilly air. it will be a day of sunshine

and showers for sure, but some of the showers could be quite interesting. one of those particular showers that i've got my beady eye on is this clump of cloud you can see here just west of ireland. that's, i think, likely to push across ireland and then work into wales through the afternoon, and probably into the midlands as we head towards the evening. more about that in a moment. i think broadly speaking though for most of us on friday, it's going to be a fine day with sunshine. again, there will be showers around — wintry at times, a bit of snow makes things still cross the north—west but conditions improving compared with recent days, i think it's fair to say. then, that clump of showers, well, i think it might go in across parts of wales as we head through the afternoon. could be heavy showers. if they're heavy enough, we might well see some sleet and some snow mixed in with that, and that that clump of showers if it's still there may well edge into parts of the midlands for the evening time. there is a bit of uncertainty about that but that might be something that you see during the day on friday. now, saturday's weather, again it's a showery kind of set up.

showers wintry again, most frequent across the north—west but we do have a low pressure system just going in close to the south coast of england. that has rain and snow mixed in with it and it's not far away from south east england. so, we'll have to keep a close eye on developments there — if there are any. for most of the weekend, though, it is just going to be a sunshine and showers kind of set—up. 0n into saturday evening and night—time though, we've got another trough that's going to be moving in. and that pushes in across england and wales and is more likely to bring a bit of snow even down to low levels. there could be some changes in the position of that feature. but nevertheless, a few of you will be seeing some snow at some point during the weekend.

this is bbc world news, the headlines. president biden has signed another ten executive orders, aimed at tackling coronavirus in the us. among new measures announced on mr biden's first full day in office: all passengers flying to us will need to quarantine on arrival. mr biden called for americans to wear masks for his first 100 days in office, warning that the country's death toll would soon reach half a million. us infectious diseases expert anthony fauci expects most americans to be vaccinated by mid—2021 and a return to some normalcy by the fall. it comes as the us announced it will rejoin the world health organization. here in the uk, prime minister borisjohnson says it's "too early" to say whether england's covid restrictions will be lifted in the spring.