welcome to bbc news. i'm freya cole. our top stories: president biden warns that the us economic crisis is deepening as he introduces his $2 trillion relief plan. articles of impeachment against donald trump will be delivered to the senate on monday. his trial begins early next month. new research suggests the uk variant of covid—19 may be more deadly than the original virus. and one of the all—time greats of us baseball hank aaron dies at the age of 86.

welcome to our viewers on pbs in america and around the globe. on his second day in office, president biden has declared the economic crisis in the united states is deepening. he says he will take action to help families struggling to afford food because of lost income due to the pandemic. mr biden wants to go much further. he's calling on congress to authorise a $1.9 trillion relief package. he says the time to act boldly is now. i don't believe the people of this country just want to stand by and watch their friends, their neighbours, co—workers, fellow americans go hungry, lose their homes or lose their sense of dignity and hope and respect. i don't believe that. especially in the middle of a pandemic that's so weakened and wreaked so much havoc and caused so much pain on america. that's not who we are. the bottom line is this. we're in a national emergency. we need to act like we're in a national emergency.

so we've got to move with everything we've got, and we've got to do it together. i don't believe democrats or republicans are going hungry and losing jobs, i believe americans are going hungry and losing their jobs. our north america correspondent peter bowes explains just how badly people are in need of financial aid. i think people are in desperate need of that financial aid and i think to a large extent, the economic fallout from this virus has rather been overshadowed in certainly recent weeks by the medical implications of the virus but also the politics that has been going on behind the scenes, the presidential election, of course, and the fallout from that. and a lot of people are saying — and i notice here in los angeles — the number of businesses that are falling left, right and centre. people being made unemployed.

and the number of people actually signing on as unemployed is actually increasing again now that surge, of course, at the beginning of the pandemic so so many people are saying it is perhaps with some relief that they are seeing again a focus on the economic side of the repercussions from this virus and a lot of people desperately hoping that this stimulus bill will go through. and on that note, congress is — remains divided. how likely do you think it will pass? i think this is certainly going to bejoe biden�*s first big test in terms of what he promised — to be the kind of leader, the kind of president that can actually bring the two sides, the republicans and democrats, together on this and of course, has a lot of experience in congress himself in the senate and certainly, a lot of democrats are hoping he has the negotiating abilities to bring the two sides together. but as you rightly say,

this is still a divided congress and there is a lot of resistance on the republican side for such a stimulus bill that is so big — almost $2 trillion. rememberjust before christmas, we had that $900 billion bill which stumbled, eventually went through — president trump refused to sign it initially — and that was difficult to get to get through. this is a much bigger measure and of course, it combines aid to americans on all sorts of different fronts and not least the coronavirus itself, sending out extra aid out to hospitals around the country. it is a huge undertaking. peter bowes there. the articles of impeachment against former president donald trump will be delivered to the senate on monday. the leader of the republican minority mitch mcconnell asked for a delay to the beginning of the trial to allow the defence time to prepare. the senate majority leader, chuck schumer, set out the timing. once the briefs are drafted,

presentation by the parties will commence the week of february eight. january six insurrection at the capital incited by donaldj trump was a day none of us will ever forget. we all want to put this awful chapter in our nation's history behind us. but healing and unity will only come if there is truth and accountability. and that is what this trial will provide. our washington correspondent lebo diseko explained what the delay to the start of the impeachment trial would mean. so they are still going to deliver the article of impeachment on monday. they will see, the people that will oversee its warning and the next day on tuesday and then there will be a gap and in that time, chuck schumer said they will continue the ordinary business of the american people so that coronavirus relief

bill, debating that, and also, crucially, confirming joe biden�*s cabinet so in a way, this is kind of win—win for both of them. the republicans had wanted for donald trump to have time to review the case against him and put together his case and certainly, joe biden was very concerned that he might not get his cabinet confirmed until this is all over, which could be weeks and weeks, so i think the last time weeks, so i think the last time we spoke we thought there might be some negotiations going through this weekend and it seems like they have already done that and reached something that sort of service both sides. �* ., ,, _, the uk prime minister says there is some evidence that the new variant of coronavirus spreading across the uk could be more deadly than the original strain. there was good news on the vaccination programme with a record number — more than 400,000 first doses — administered in the past 2a hours. but borisjohnson warned that the infection rate is still high, and he said he can't consider lifting restrictions in england until the vaccination programmes are working. with more, here's our

health editor hugh pym. it's been another frantic week for hospitals like this one at clacton in essex. more covid beds have been set up to try to meet the surge in patient numbers. while most pull through, some don't. now, there's news that a new variant of the virus, which first spread in the south east of england, could be more deadly than the first strain. we've been informed today that in addition to spreading more quickly, it also now appears that there is some evidence that the new variant — the variant that was first identified in london and the south east — may be associated with a higher degree of mortality. in the light of the new information, do you expect the daily reported death toll to carry on rising for longer than you'd first thought, and then fall more slowly? the death rate's awful and it's going to stay, i'm afraid, high for a little

while before it starts coming down — that was always what was predicted from the shape of this, as chris has said — and i think the information about the new variant doesn't change that. he said there was still uncertainty about the death rate with the new variant, and more research was needed. she's all i had. my dad's already passed away and me and my mum, we were the closest. eleanor�*s mother sandra died with covid in hospital last week. she was 61 and had an existing health condition. eleanor says her mum took every precaution. mum was doing everything she needed to do, you know? she wasn't going out unnecessarily, she was always sanitising and wearing her mask. i was one of them people that thought it wouldn't touch my family, but here i am, absolutely devastated and without my mum. so what's the outlook for new cases? a study by the office for national statistics does random testing and includes people who don't know they have the virus, as well as those with symptoms. the latest survey of community

infections by the ons suggest that in england last week, one in 55 had the virus, with case rates having decreased. in wales, it was one in 70, with rates levelling off. in scotland, one in 100, again with case rates having levelled off. in northern ireland, one in 60 had the virus, with rates increasing. the r number range — anything above i suggests the virus is accelerating — was between 0.8 and i, lower than the previous estimate. this week, the government tightened border controls and quarantine rules to try and limit the risk of new variants getting into the uk. crowded scenes like this at heathrow today will no doubt fuel the debate on whether further measures are needed. a new government ad campaign launched this evening aims to ram home the message to the public of the extreme pressures on the nhs and the impact of the virus. hugh pym, bbc news. a night—time curfew comes into force in the netherlands

for the first time on saturday as part of further measures to contain coronavirus. the stay—at—home order runs from 9 o'clock at night to 4:30 in the morning. anyone outdoors within those times will need a valid work reason, backed up with a letter from their employer, or it must be an emergency. anna holligan reports from the hague. this is a reflection of how serious dutch politicians see the threat posed by these mutated strains. they are now bringing in new rules they previously ruled out as too draconian and excessive for a rule—abiding nation. the curfew is designed to reduce social gatherings. since bars and restaurants closed last month, there's been a significant increase in the number of house parties and underground raves. flights are now banned from areas considered high risk, where the new variant was first detected, so the uk, south africa and south america.

this ban will stay in place for at least a month or until the law changes to make the ten—day quarantine period obligatory. there is one other exception to the curfew rule — people are allowed to walk their dogs on a leash. dog whines and barks. ..atany time. two million doses of the astrazeneca covid—i9 vaccine have arrived in brazil as health authorities prepare to administer the jabs. the vaccines were transported from india, where they're being made by the serum institute, the world's largest vaccine manufacturer. brazil's regulator gave the green light to two vaccines — the oxford—astrazeneca and china's sinovac — to be distributed among all 27 states. brazil has the world's second—highest death toll from coronavirus and cases are rising again across the country.

rescue teams in china say it will take at least 15 more days of drilling through rock and debris to reach a group of miners trapped deep underground in shandong province. 22 men were buried by a blast at the hushan gold mine onjanuary 10. rescuers have made contact with ten of the miners, who say another colleague who was injured in the explosion has died. the fate of the others is unknown. one of cinema's leading stuntman who appeared in six james bond films and the italianjob has died. remyjulienne, who'd spent a lifetime pulling off death—defying feats, passed away at the age of 90 after contracting covid—i9. paul hawkins looks back at his life. chances are you will not know remyjulienne's face but you will know his work. like this famous scene from the james

bond film view to kill with roger moore driving a renault taxi through paris. or was he? watch again. it is remy julienne, a man who could make ordinary cars do extraordinary things. and it wasn'tjust cars, this is him, not timothy dalton, driving an oil tanker in another bond film, licensed to kill. ~ ,, �* �* to kill. translation: after the stuntman bellamah _ to kill. translation: after the stuntman bellamah died, - to kill. translation: after the stuntman bellamah died, it - to kill. translation: after the stuntman bellamah died, it led| stuntman bellamah died, it led me to replace him when i was not a stuntman but i learned to do by watching others do it. in all, the french motocross champion worked on six bond films, part of a glittering career which started with the i964 career which started with the 1964 film centre mass when he doubled for french actorjean marais, riding a motorbike. but his international reputation was forged with the italianjob and that famous car chase scene with the minis around turin.

driven by remyjulienne. he once said during filming fear is necessary before and after but never during. i is necessary before and after but never during.— is necessary before and after but never during. i was always worried. the _ but never during. i was always worried. the guy _ but never during. i was always worried. the guy who - but never during. i was always worried. the guy who knows l worried. the guy who knows everything in advance, it was not me, i have always doubted and still doubt but if there is no doubt, if there is no fear, if it is not something to worry about, it means you are unconscious and from that moment on it is better to do something else.— moment on it is better to do something else. this can be a low point _ something else. this can be a low point came _ something else. this can be a low point came during - something else. this can be a low point came during filmingj low point came during filming for the french film taxi two in 1999 when the cameraman was filmed by a car that —— killed by a car that missed its landing spot and remyjulienne was given an 18 month suspended jail sentence for involuntary manslaughter and ordered to pay damages but his film career spanned 1400 films, tv shows and commercial and the bond produces were some of many who paid tribute to him, saying: as to his favourite scene? this

one from the italianjob. michael caine later saying he told remyjulienne my heart was in my mouth, to which he replied michael, it is mathematics. remyjulienne has mathematics. remy julienne has died mathematics. remyjulienne has died at the age of 90. stay with us on bbc news. still to come: safeguarding the sounds of the country — france passes a new law which aims to protect sensory heritage. 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 i 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 warns the us economic crisis is deepening — as he introduces his relief plan.

back to our top story now, and let's take a look at the top priorities on the biden administration's foreign policy agenda. in his first major foreign policy move president biden proposed extending a us—russia nuclear arms treaty for five years with the accord due to lapse on february 5, but there are plenty of challenges ahead. dr ronald granieri is the executive director of the centre for the study of america and the west, at the foreign policy research institute, hejoins me live from west chester pennsylvania. thank you so much for your time. we know president biden has a very strong background in foreign policy, of course, but there are challenges. what do you think will be his main focus? ~ ., , ., focus? well, rhetorically at least his — focus? well, rhetorically at least his main _ focus? well, rhetorically at least his main focus - focus? well, rhetorically at least his main focus has . focus? well, rhetorically at i least his main focus has been the idea of restoration, that he wants to restore relationships with america's

allies. he wants to restore the american place and certain international organisations, and so that, he has wrapped himself and that notion of restoration, which fits in with a general mood in the country that wants to somehow go back to a pre—2016 days. i don't know that that is actually going to be possible, but it is an understandable impulse. talk about restoring _ an understandable impulse. talk about restoring relationships with allies, but what about countries where the relationship with the us is currently very tense, like iran, for example.- currently very tense, like iran, for example. going to be a serious challenge for the biden administration because while biden himself and his staff have talked about the desire to get back to the nuclear deal that was negotiated during the obama administration, it is not clear that it administration, it is not clear thatitis administration, it is not clear that it is going to be that simple to go back, in the sense that the damage or, let's say,

damage could be too negative a word but the changes that have undergone in the relationship between the united states and iran during the drug administration have meant that it will be difficult to get them to come back to the negotiating table. and so, the biden team might want to restore some type international cooperation about iran, but it is going to take some significant work, especially with our european partners and our partners in the middle east to get them to be willing to do the kind of heavy lifting and the negotiations that were possible in the 2015joint comprehensive plan of action. find in the 2015 joint comprehensive plan of action.— plan of action. and 'ust briefly. i plan of action. and 'ust briefly, how i plan of action. and 'ust briefly, how do i plan of action. and 'ust briefly, how do you b plan of action. and just l briefly, how do you think plan of action. and just - briefly, how do you think he will balance the huge domestic challenges and foreign—policy? it is always difficult because the american public is interested in foreign policy intermittently stopping one of the odd things about american society, perhaps, is that for an imperial power like the

united states, most americans considerforeign—policy consider foreign—policy optional, so the considerforeign—policy optional, so the challenge the president biden is to get americans to think about our relationships with the world, not simply as we sort of skip from crisis to crisis but the idea of a long—term return to engagement, and that is going to take notjust practical policy choices, but it is also going to take a steady communication strategy, and thatis communication strategy, and that is going to be biden'sjob and also the job of the secretary of state and other members of his team. we secretary of state and other members of his team. we will be watchin: , members of his team. we will be watching, thank— members of his team. we will be watching, thank you _ members of his team. we will be watching, thank you so _ members of his team. we will be watching, thank you so much - members of his team. we will be watching, thank you so much for| watching, thank you so much for your time. the french parliament has passed a new law that aims to safeguard the sounds and smells of the countryside. senators voted in favour of the legislation — which it's hoped will protect what's being described as the country's sensory heritage. it follows a famous court case where a french rooster was cleared of disturbing his neighbours. the bbc�*s tim allman has more.

as countries go, france is, on the whole, pretty good—looking. renowned for its hills and pastures, fields and forest, it is truly a site to behold. what most people have ears, as well as eyes. moohin, quacking, crowing. is culturally important as any river or mountain. at least, that is according to french lawmakers. translation:— translation: this bill aims to reco . nise translation: this bill aims to recognise that _ translation: this bill aims to recognise that the _ translation: this bill aims to recognise that the sounds - translation: this bill aims to recognise that the sounds and l recognise that the sounds and smells characteristic of rural life comprise a sensory, intangible heritage that deserves to be recorded, studied and protect. it also aims to indirectly fight against abuse ofjudicial cases against abuse of judicial cases filed against abuse ofjudicial cases filed by those who view the countryside like an odourless, silent photograph. who

countryside like an odourless, silent photograph.— silent photograph. who might she be referring _ silent photograph. who might she be referring to, _ silent photograph. who might she be referring to, you - silent photograph. who might she be referring to, you may. she be referring to, you may ask? perhaps the enemies of maurice the rooster. his case became something of a cause celebre, where his neighbours complained of his early morning crowing. ajudge decided complained of his early morning crowing. a judge decided with his own sadly he is no longer with us but maybe his spirit large in the french senate where the law was eventually passed. france, undoubtedlya beautiful vista, and it comes with quite a soundtrack. henry 'hank�* aaron, the man who broke babe ruth's major league home run record in the face of rampant racism, has died aged 86. aaron made his last public appearance just two and a half weeks ago, when he received the covid—19 vaccine. he said he wanted to help spread the message to black americans that the vaccine was safe.

to discuss his legacy, let's speak to eno sarris, a baseball writer at the athletic, who's in california. think you so much forjoining us. forthose think you so much forjoining us. for those who perhaps don't follow baseball as much as yourself, why is he such a legend?— yourself, why is he such a leuend? , , , ., legend? he is probably a top three player _ legend? he is probably a top three player of _ legend? he is probably a top three player of all _ legend? he is probably a top three player of all time - legend? he is probably a top three player of all time and i three player of all time and what really kind of sums it up for him is that he was an all—star 25 times, that is a record that may never be broken again. the average career in baseball last five years, so he was an all—star five times in the time that an average player would even play in the league, he just would even play in the league, hejust combined would even play in the league, he just combined athleticism with great contact and patients at the plate, and longevity, which in the face of all the racism he encountered, is even more impressive.— more impressive. and do you think it was _ more impressive. and do you think it was natural _ more impressive. and do you think it was natural talent - more impressive. and do you think it was natural talent or| think it was natural talent or was it a lot of training? you

know, was it a lot of training? you know. he — was it a lot of training? you know, he had _ was it a lot of training? you know, he had a _ was it a lot of training? you know, he had a lot - was it a lot of training? you know, he had a lot of - know, he had a lot of athleticism. he had one year where he had 30 and stole 30 basis, so he was fast. he had triples, he was a good defender at first but really what set him apart was that he had this ability to know what pitch was coming, no if it was a fast ball, he had really good selection and i think that is something that he refined over time. he famously changed his batting stance and style in the minor leagues. he said, nobody watches for singles, he watches for home runs, so he did make some adjustments along the way to hit the power and famously had the homerun record for a long time before barry bonds broke it recently. find long time before barry bonds broke it recently.— long time before barry bonds broke it recently. and what is his legacy in terms of the fight for racial equality? he saw fight for racial equality? he: saw himself as taking up for jackie robinson and the first people that integrated baseball. he integrated some of the minor leagues himself, hank aaron did, but he famously said

thatjackie robinson set aaron did, but he famously said that jackie robinson set it aaron did, but he famously said thatjackie robinson set it up for him and he felt that he had to do what he had to do and keep that going. he said, i deal with bigotry and fast balls the only way i'll know how, i'd keep swinging. and that was the one thing that set him apart. he was classy and dignified but opposed to some of the others of his time like willie mays and the other players that helped him during that tough time in america, he was more outspoken. he talked about the racial threats that he had gotten. he talked about how his daughter did not leave her college dorm room during his chase for the homerun record and how his wife and he had to eat in different places than his teammates because he was worried for his own health, and he also talked about how he... ~ , :, and he also talked about how he... ~' , :, �* and he also talked about how he... �* ., ., he... think you, i'm afraid that's all— he... think you, i'm afraid that's all we've _ he... think you, i'm afraid that's all we've got - he... think you, i'm afraid that's all we've got time i he... think you, i'm afraid l

that's all we've got time for. stay with us on bbc news for all of today's top stories. hello there. we are staying firmly in the cold air mass this weekend. so, it means we'll continue to see very cold nights, widespread frost, some ice. but by day, there should be quite a bit of sunshine around. however, there is some snow in the forecast on sunday across southern britain and this could lead to some disruption. stay tuned to the forecast. more on that in just a moment. for saturday we have low pressure to the north, that brings a run of north—westerly winds and feeding in lots of wintry showers. quite breezy across the north—west and less further south. we start off with some showers from the word "go" across the north—west, a risk of ice, some early mist and fog clearing from the south and then we'll continue with the showers in western scotland, north west england, running through the cheshire gap into the midlands, perhaps running into parts of east anglia and the south east

where it will also be cloudier. it will stay brighter with sunshine for the north east and south west but it will be a cold day wherever you are. temperatures 2—5 celsius. showers continue on for awhile through saturday evening and central areas, further showers for northern and western scotland and then we turn our attentions to this feature running into wales and the south west of england during the early part of sunday to bring some rain, sleet, and snow. another very cold night to come for saturday night, subzero values for most and a risk of ice to watch out for. sunday, we look at this feature running into the south west, this weather front which will bring the rain initially and then some snow to wales, south west england, perhaps across into parts of the midlands, southern and south—eastern england as we move through the day. now, there's still some uncertainty but it looks like at this stage we could be looking at some accumulations of snow to parts of central and southern england, further north it will be brighter with further wintry showers across some western areas but it's going to be another really cold day

where we have the lying snow across the south. into next week, it starts off cold monday but then through the week, the milder air starts to spread up from the south west. it will be turning a lot milder across the board but with that mild moisture—laden air, we will see weather systems pushing in, too, with strong winds. this is pretty bad news after all the rain which we've seen across the north and west of the country. this could cause some issues. monday starts off cold, further wintry showers and gradually turns more unsettled, wetter and milder and windier as we move through the week, perhaps the risk of local flooding in places.

this is bbc news — the headlines: president biden has introduced an economic relief plan worth $2 trillion — to provide help to americans reeling from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. speaking at the white house, mr biden said the government needed to act "decisively and boldly" to help americans who are "barely hanging on." democratic leaders in the us congress have said the articles of impeachment against former president donald trump will be delivered to the senate on monday. however, the senate majority leader chuck schumer has said the trial will not begin in earnest until the second week of february. there is evidence that the new strain of coronavirus, which first emerged in england before christmas, could be more deadly than the original. the chief scientific adviser to the british government said the new variant could be 30 to 40% more deadly for men in their 60s.