this is bbc news. i'm ben brown. our top stories... the oxford—astrazeneca vaccine offers limited protection against mild disease caused by the south african variant of covid—19, according to early trials. tens of thousands of protestors gather for a second day in myanmar�*s main city to condemn the military coup and demand the release of leader aung sann suu kyi. because of this military dictatorship, many of our lives have been destroyed. we cannot let our future generation meet the same fate. doctors in england are to be paid an additional £10 for each housebound patient they vaccinate against coronavirus. and covid testing is being offered to more companies in england, for staff who can't work

from home during lockdown. final preparations are made for the australian open as tennis players gear up for one of the world's biggest sporting events amid the pandemic. heavy snow could bring significant disruption to the south—east of england in the coming hours, with weather warnings issued by the met office for large parts of britain. hello, and welcome to bbc news. astrazeneca, which makes the oxford coronavirus vaccine, says a small study suggests it offers only limited protection against mild disease caused by a covid variant that emerged in south africa. the company said it had yet to establish how effective the jab is in preventing severe disease caused by the strain. tim allman reports.

day after day, dab after dab. the battle between virus and is waged. more and more people are getting theirfirst dose, but more and more people are getting their first dose, but covid—19 doesn't stand still. the financial times is reporting a study showing the oxford astrazeneca vaccine may not offer protection to all forms of the virus. a spokesperson for the drug company said, this was a relatively small test group and according to the financial times the data has not yet been peer—reviewed, but astrazeneca seems

confident its jab will offer protection against more severe forms of the virus as it creates neutralising antibodies. i do of the virus as it creates neutralising antibodies. i do think he coronavirus _ neutralising antibodies. i do think he coronavirus is _ neutralising antibodies. i do think he coronavirus is here _ neutralising antibodies. i do think he coronavirus is here with - neutralising antibodies. i do think he coronavirus is here with us - neutralising antibodies. i do think he coronavirus is here with us to l he coronavirus is here with us to stay, unfortunately, but on the optimistic side it has been wonderful to see that these vaccines do seem to prevent hospitalisations, which is the thing that we are most concerned about.— which is the thing that we are most concerned about. astrazeneca, along with other drug _ concerned about. astrazeneca, along with other drug companies, - concerned about. astrazeneca, along with other drug companies, is - with other drug companies, is looking at ways to adapt its vaccine and a new version, if needed, could be ready for delivery by the autumn, as the virus evolves, science reacts. tim norman, bbc news. —— back gorman. we're joined now by our health correspondentjim reed for more on this. how worried should be deeper this? we shouldn't be particularly surprised by this. this news backs up surprised by this. this news backs up what other vaccine manufacturers have also been saying, which is this mutation specifically in the south

african variant also called that south african variant disease, does mean some vaccines are becoming less effective. that doesn't mean vaccines are not working whatsoever, itjust means slightly less it just means slightly less effective. itjust means slightly less effective. as you heard that report there, some evidence in the small astrazeneca study in south africa is saying it is not working as well against mild forms of the disease, but importantly, crucially, the people behind that vaccine think when they look at other of that data on how well the immune system response, it should, they think, respond pretty well against more severe forms of the disease, so in terms of people going into hospital and people dying, these vaccines should still have effect. also, as you heard that report, all vaccine manufacturers are now looking at ways of tweaking their products so that the next generation of vaccines that the next generation of vaccines that should come on stream towards the middle or end of year should have better protection against all forms of these variants. jim reed, thank ou forms of these variants. jim reed, thank you very _ forms of these variants. jim reed, thank you very much _ forms of these variants. jim reed, thank you very much indeed. -

tens of thousands of people in myanmar have demonstrated for a second day against the recent military coup and in support of the ousted leader, aung san suu kyi. in the main city of yangon, protesters chanted slogans against military dictatorship. in the southern town of myawaddy, on the border with thailand, there are reports that shots were fired as police broke up an anti—coup protest. our correspondent jonathan head reports. once more they poured in along the main road from the north of yangon. more younger people this time, wearing the red colour of the national league for democracy, the party whose government was overthrown by the coup. others carrying pictures of hong sang sushi, the woman who for so many years symbolised resistance to military rule and who is once again under military detention. the —— of aung san suu kyi. the crowd slow down the sunday traffic, but drivers

used their horns to show their support. some also showing the mld flag. three thinkers, the new symbol of popular defiance borrowed from neighbouring thailand and from the hunger games. many of them are students. mindful of the role played by previous generations of students in protesting against the military, but hopeful that many more burmese willjoin this movement. translation:— willjoin this movement. translation: , , ., , ., translation: this is really unfair. des - ite the translation: this is really unfair. despite the landslide _ translation: this is really unfair. despite the landslide win _ translation: this is really unfair. despite the landslide win in - translation: this is really unfair. despite the landslide win in the - despite the landslide win in the election, the military staged a coup with false accusations. we thank the people for coming out on the streets. we have to fight together with respect for all. most streets. we have to fight together with respect for all.— with respect for all. most internet services have _ with respect for all. most internet services have been _ with respect for all. most internet services have been blocked - with respect for all. most internet services have been blocked in - services have been blocked in myanmar, but they are still finding ways to get these images out. and to show that the coup will not go unopposed. myanmar has a very

different country from when people ask him out to protest like this. this generation has experienced ten years of relative freedom, which they are not ready to give up. but never on�*s mines is one question. will the military resort to the terrible violence and repression of the past to enforce its will? underneath this show of courage there are good reasons to fear. jonathan head, bbc news, bangkok. the bbc�*s burmese service editor — soe win than — joins us for more on this. those demonstrators don't seem to be fearful, they don't seem to be intimidated. do you think these protests are gathering momentum? they are. since the previous few days, they are on the social media, on the phones, asking people tojoin in and rhys spoke to several young

people and these young people said that... they said, we don't understand much about politics, but we understand injustice. this is utter injustice. we have voted for the people who we want to see as rulers, but democracy has been robbed, so we are now known as tick—tock generation, but we are here to protest against the unjust military rule, so they are gaining momentum. there are also calls for the civil servants to join in this movement for civil disobedience movement, which calls for the civil servants not to co—operate with the military government, not to listen to them, not to take orders from them. but definitely they are gaining momentum. you can see the large number of people, notjust in the main city of yangon, but we heard that across myanmar, in different towns and cities, they are calling for this nationwide protest to stop this military machinery. so

the big question is how will the military respond to these protests? will be some sort of crackdown? exactly, . .. will be some sort of crackdown? exactly,... there is also the expectation thatjonathan head also mentioned that the country is not strange to the brutal military crackdown, but military also has been weighing less time but i think because the international community is watching they knew that the season of power is deeply unpopular, notjust in the country, also the international community is watching. but knowing myanmar�*s history, the prevalence of military power is very thin and so they are quite concerned that military could very soon start to crack down.— that military could very soon start to crack down. what is the latest on aunt san to crack down. what is the latest on aung san suu _ to crack down. what is the latest on aung san suu kyi — to crack down. what is the latest on aung san suu kyi and _ to crack down. what is the latest on aung san suu kyi and the _ to crack down. what is the latest on aung san suu kyi and the other - aung san suu kyi and the other politician to have been detained? aung san suu kyi is still in her residence. she is kept in the house, with charges against her. yesterday we heard that she has got the first

covid vaccination. the doctors from the main hospital went and gave her the main hospital went and gave her the first dose of covid—i9 injection. apart from that, we have heard very little about her and other leaders. some leaders who have been taken away from their homes since early monday morning. the families said they are quite concerned, they don't know where they are some people have to take their regular medicines, so they are also several dozens of the top leaders still in detention, who the families cannot contact or families do not know where they are. thank ou so do not know where they are. thank you so much _ do not know where they are. thank you so much for— do not know where they are. thank you so much for that _ do not know where they are. thank you so much for that update - do not know where they are. thank you so much for that update and i you so much for that update and analysis. that is the bbc�*s burmese service editor, soe win than. thank you. at least 150 people in india are missing in floods caused by a glacier crashing into a dam in the himalayas. the flash flooding started in uttarakhand state, but authorities are evacuating people living along nearby river banks, due to the rising water levels fed by the glacier.

doctors in england are to be paid an extra £10 by the nhs for every person who's housebound that they vaccinate. it's part of the uk government drive to protect everyone aged 70 and over, together with front line health workers, by february 15th. meanwhile, 18 new mass vaccine centres open tomorrow. here's our science correspondent, pallab ghosh gp george hobbs is headed out to give around 20 of his patients covid jabs at home. they're too ill or vulnerable to come in a for a vaccination. first up is diana garfield... right, ok. ..who has heart problems and is also losing her sight. there still is a hope in the back of my mind, however old i am, i still have that hope that... ..something will work out. right, cheerio, bye—bye! it's great because i have been

a gp for over 27 years and they know me, so i think when they see someone familiar coming it makes a difference to the experience. but quite a lot of them are quite nervous and then when they see someone they know, that is very reassuring. hello, i am calling - from ashtree surgery. ashtree surgery in carnforth in lancashire is on course to vaccinate its most vulnerable patients by the middle of this month, but that is not the case everywhere. so gps will receive an additional £10 on top of the standard fee for every housebound person they vaccinate. yes, this will be helpful. it does take significantly longer to go out and visit someone and to take the necessary time and precautions in each and every visit, that takes people away from a vaccination centre, where they can do more vaccinations in a similar amount of time. so we do need to recognise that and it is good that nhs england have done that and have provided this additional small amount of funding to enable practices to provide vaccinations to

this particularly vulnerable group of people as quickly as possible. the latest data shows that more than 11.4 million people have received their first dose. that is a rise ofjust over 494,000 on the previous 24—hour reporting period. at this rate of vaccination, the nhs would need to give jabs to an average ofjust under 393,000 people per day in order to meet the government's target of 15 million of 15 million 1st doses by the 15th of february. and the scottish government has said that it has met its target to vaccinate the over 80s by the 5th of february. there are to be 18 more vaccination sites opening from next week, like the one at blackburn cathedral. the new sites mean the jabs are now available from more than 100 large—scale centres, 1000 local gp services, almost 200 pharmacies and over 250 hospitals. pallab ghosh, bbc news.

workplace covid testing is being made more widely available in england, for staff who cannot work from home during lockdown. take up of the scheme has been low with just 112 businesses participating. the government says firms with more than 50 employees can now access the rapid—result testing. previously only firms with more than 250 staff qualified. let's ta ke let's take a look at our latest headlines on bbc news... the oxford—astrazeneca vaccine offers limited protection against mild disease caused by the south african variant of covid—19, according to early trials. tens of thousands of protestors gather for a second day in myanmar�*s main city to condemn the military coup and demand the release of leader aung sann suu kyi. doctors in england are to be paid an additional £10

for each house—bound patient they vaccinate against coronavirus. in belarus, the opposition leader svyatlana tsikhanouskaya has called on people across the world to support belarussian protesters byjoining the day of solidarity today. belarus has seen mass protests since august's disputed presidential vote, amid claims of poll—rigging. joining me now is poland's deputy foreign minister, marcin przydacz. thank you very much indeed for being with us. what is your view of these protests in belarus? they have been going on, as i say, for many months now, but do they look any closer to succeeding, to toppling the regime there? , , ., ., there? yes, very good morning to you and of course — there? yes, very good morning to you and of course the _ there? yes, very good morning to you and of course the situation _ there? yes, very good morning to you and of course the situation is - there? yes, very good morning to you and of course the situation is very - and of course the situation is very complicated in belarus. people have been protesting for the last couple of months without a positive result,

so, he is not ready to resign, mr lukashenko, he is not ready to start any dialogue with society, but what he is ready to is to ease the whole apparatus to repress the people, right? to put them into detention. so that is why my damn svyatlana tsikhanouskaya and the other opposition leaders are announcing the state of solidarity with belarus because in their opinion this struggle is not finished yet, so just to keep it high on the international agenda and just to help somehow to keep the spirits of freedom among the people today will we have this day of solidarity. but the people are really ready to fight for the freedom also in the future, only because of the weather condition because the repressions, maybe those brothers are in numbers a bit less visible, but the spirit

of freedom is still there. the s - irit of of freedom is still there. the spirit of freedom _ of freedom is still there. the spirit of freedom is - of freedom is still there. the spirit of freedom is still there, but as we say it has been many months now of protest. do you think the struggle, as you call it, can succeed? cannot be victoriousi am absolutely sure that the belarussian society is completely different compared to the previous years. this soviet society _ compared to the previous years. ti 3 soviet society has changed. i mean, there is awakening national and social awakening is a matter of fact. it is a fact that at this merry billie very moment, while there is no change it is mostly because of the support, economical, political, military from russia, which mr lukashenko got a couple of weeks and months ago, but i am pretty sure that the nation, the society will succeed because one cannot rule the country without any popular support, so in this case we

don't know when it happens, but it will happen. they changed —— make the change which society is struggling for will come. you talked about russia _ struggling for will come. you talked about russia and _ struggling for will come. you talked about russia and vladimir - struggling for will come. you talked about russia and vladimir putin. i struggling for will come. you talked j about russia and vladimir putin. he is facing protests of his own at the moment, so he is probably not going to change the support that he is giving to lukashenko in belarus. yes, he will not change probably because it would be very dangerous case for himself. i mean, changing the autocratic regime by the people on the street is a nice mark for putin himself. look at what is happening right now in moscow, pietersburg, other cities of russia, so of course the autocrats are helping each other. that is why the european union, the west, should push, not only belarus, but also on russia and should support the civil

society independent media in belarus. that is the only way we can do. people are still there, people are fighting for the freedom in belarus, but also right now in russia and they need our support of the free world. find russia and they need our support of the free world.— the free world. and for you in poland, of— the free world. and for you in poland, of course, _ the free world. and for you in poland, of course, what - the free world. and for you in . poland, of course, what happens the free world. and for you in - poland, of course, what happens in russia and belarus is absolutely strategically crucial? it russia and belarus is absolutely strategically crucial?— strategically crucial? it is, of course, strategically crucial? it is, of course. it— strategically crucial? it is, of course. it is— strategically crucial? it is, of course, it isjust _ strategically crucial? it is, of course, it isjust next - strategically crucial? it is, of course, it isjust next to - strategically crucial? it is, of course, it isjust next to our| course, it is just next to our borders for security reasons, but also for historical and cultural reasons. we are very close culturally. our language, for example, with our belarussian neighbours. so what is happening there is very important for us. the other factor is that we have a huge minority of polish people living in belarus, so it is important, but not only important for poland, it should be important for the whole of europe family, as i call it. the eu because they are a threat to our common security, but the violation of human

rights which is taking place right now in belarus and russia should be a matter of consideration also for all of us, for uk, us and elsewhere. that is why we are so active on the international platform just to keep the interest of the west to the situation in the eastern part of our continent. ., ., ., ., situation in the eastern part of our continent. ., ., ., ~ ., continent. there are good to talk to ou, continent. there are good to talk to you. thank— continent. there are good to talk to you. thank you _ continent. there are good to talk to you. thank you so _ continent. there are good to talk to you, thank you so much _ continent. there are good to talk to you, thank you so much for - continent. there are good to talk to you, thank you so much for your - you, thank you so much for your time. marcin przydacz there, the deputy foreign minister of poland, thank you. deputy foreign minister of poland, thank ou. . ~ deputy foreign minister of poland, thank ou. ., ~ i. deputy foreign minister of poland, thank ou. ., ~ ., ., heavy snow could bring significant disruption to the east and south east of england in the next few hours. an amberwarning — meaning possible travel disruption and power cuts — is in force until monday morning. snow has already fallen elsewhere across the uk, and with the bitterly cold temperatures, people are being urged to check in on the elderly and vulnerable. simonjones reports. it's been dubbed the beast from the east two. northern england and scotland have already experienced

heavy snow in the past week but now it's going to be far more widespread. cold air is blowing in from russia, the south—east and east of england and expected to be hardest hit with an amber weather warning issued meaning travel problems and power cuts are likely but much of the uk will be affected with storm darcy bringing strong winds too, while there are several flood warnings in place. the gritters are primed, but with a stay at home message they've got their work cut out. there will be a lot less traffic out there so the snow will lay in places, even when we have been salting, etc, so it really means people have got to take extra care while out there because there will be snow across those roads. the aim is to keep vaccination centres open but in southend in essex some testing sites are being forced to close. it's going to be snowing all through sunday from what had

been predicted to us into monday, so we took that decision, basically to prevent people from coming out in the hazardous conditions. and there will be no quick respite. weather warnings are in place till the middle of this week. simonjones, bbc simon jones, bbc news. let's talk to simonjones who's just outside dover for us this morning. it looks absolutely frozen there, what is it like? it it looks absolutely frozen there, what is it like?— what is it like? it is absolutely freezina . what is it like? it is absolutely freezing. the _ what is it like? it is absolutely freezing. the snow _ what is it like? it is absolutely freezing. the snow has - what is it like? it is absolutely freezing. the snow has been l what is it like? it is absolutely - freezing. the snow has been coming down for several hours now. it has been blanketing the roads and pavements, it is pretty treacherous underfoot, turning pretty icy, but it is creating some lovely scenes here as well. an amber weather warning in place for kent, and large parts of the east of england. that is in place for all of today into tomorrow. in parts we could see up tomorrow. in parts we could see up to 30 centimetres of snow and the holder of the east of the uk has weather warnings in place for snow and ice from today into wednesday, so this is going to last quite a

period of time. and it is notjust the snow, we have also got storm darcy blowing through, bringing winds of up to 50 mph, and although on the phone and monitor it says it is around freezing, when you add in the wind—chill —— back on the thermometer it says it's around freezing, it feels more like —7. the advice is don't go out unless you have to do, really coinciding with the government's advice to stay at home because of coronavirus, but i think the reality is when people see a bit of snow a lot of them will want to come out and enjoy it. {lita want to come out and en'oy it. ok, simon, want to come out and en'oy it. ok, simon. keep * want to come out and enjoy it. ok, simon, keep warm, if you can! simon jones there. rather different weather in australia... the australian open tennis tournament starts on monday. it's the most ambitious sporting event since the beginning of the covid—19 pandemic. this event is only happening because australia has been able to control the spread of the virus. but not everyone is pleased. our australia correspondent shaimaa khalil reports from melbourne. it has been a bumpy ride for the australian open. but the stage is set now.

with the most unusual of build—ups, it is finally ready to go. even before the grand slam begins, tennis fans have come for the warm—up events. with the ongoing travel ban most spectators this year are locals, and after melbourne going through one of the longest and strictest lockdowns in the world, they are very excited to be here. the safety is the main thing i think everyone really wanted it to happen, but that it is able to go on like it has and, you know, like we are here, at melbourne park, it is pretty awesome. it's unreal, really. it feels like a new life. melbourne is a huge i sporting capital of the world and people love this sport here, it makes them happy. - actually you feel maybe more connected with the tennis because you don't have the big crowd. you actually can watch and enjoy the show. literally because this is what it is, it is a big show! getting to this stage has been controversial and often dramatic.

hundreds of players flew in from around the world, some under tighter quarantine rules than others because of covid—19 cases recorded. on their planes. preparing as best they could. and then last week, another setback. more than 500 players and officials had to isolate and be tested after a coronavirus case at their hotel. not everyone in melbourne supports the tennis going ahead. some have argued that holding a tournament of that size in the midst of a pandemic isn't worth the risk. melburnians sarah and jackson won't be at any of the matches. they are stuck in the uk because of limits on international arrivals. they say there's not enough quarantine places, but then when it comes to sporting events, suddenly they can find more spaces and they can lift those caps. it makes me feel abandoned. it makes me feel as if i don't matter as much as these athletes or celebrities, even though i am a citizen. for the next two weeks, everyone here hopes the focus will shift from coronavirus

to the courts. but it will feel very different. crowds have been kept at half capacity and covid safety measures are everywhere. many will be watching this closely. notjust for the tennis, but also what it tells us about the future of holding major sporting events in this very different and difficult time. shaimaa khalil, bbc news, melbourne. as the lockdown continues and new variants of covid—19 emerge, the government is constantly looking at what restrictions are needed to bring the virus under control. one thing that's so far been ruled out is axing the bubble system — because, for many, bubbles have represented a lifeline during the pandemic. hope bolger has been taking a look at how they've helped. it's been a lifeline. i don't know how people are doing without it. the difference it has made it

to our quality oflife, to her quality of life, is huge. it has actually saved my life. coronavirus has caused many of us to feel isolated at times. during the first lockdown some people spend weeks without any real human contact. alex was one of them. the most meaningful conversation i had was with the lady in the co—op over the road about eggs. it was incredibly isolating, it got really, really lonely. when support bubbles were brought in lastjune, they offered people in similar situations a vital chance to reconnect. it has actually saved my life. had the situation of being on my own, being away from people, gone on for much longer, i don't know what state i would have ended up in. honestly, i owe my friends who said "come over" a world of gratitude. because without them, we might not be having the conversation. the rules across the uk differ slightly. in england, wales and scotland, you can

form a support bubble if you are the only adult in the house. separately, england has childcare bubbles for families with kids under 1a. scotland lets couples who live apart bubble, even if there are other people in their households and in northern ireland two households of any size can form a household bubble. it's even really difficult thinking back to work, just how much back to it, just how much of a struggle it was. with a tantruming really needy two—year—old it was so, so, so difficult. nessa runs a new business and is a university lecturer, all while looking after her toddler, jacob. she gets help from her mum, pam. it's been a lifeline, i don't know how people are doing without it. my business definitely wouldn't have been able to survive because we are a new business, i do need to go on to site quite often. at a time when schools are closed, shops are shut and pubs are empty some have raised concerns that bubbles contribute to the spread of

the virus, but would ditching them lead to more problems? in the last few weeks the government has dismissed rumours it might suspend bubbles. the bubbles that we have in place, the childcare bubbles, the support bubbles, are very important and we are going to keep them. experts say it's a case of weighing up the risks. so it's really important that you form the bubble with the right people to optimise your mental health and at the same time to reduce your chance of contracting the virus. what would you do if we couldn't come round and make your dinnerforyou? starve. 93—year—old margaret worked in the land army during the second world war. this support bubble has really allowed us to actually keep her independent in her home because the reality is if— it didn't exist she'd have to go into a home or she'd have to move in with us, which she vehemently does not want to do. as with everything during this pandemic, it's about finding the right balance, but for those in

bubbles their importance cannot be overstated. hope bolger, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with susan powell. we have a cold week ahead, particularly biting today, thanks to easterly winds, and we will also have those tomorrow. the fretful sum today of heavy, disruptive snowfall, and the met office have marked out and the met office have marked out an area across parts of east anglia and the south—east that could be at risk of up to 20 centimetres of snow falling. this is the tail end of storm darcy, bringing with it strong winds, so blizzard and drifting, and additional hazard. to the north, with a keen easterly, quite a few showers across northern england and into scotland as well. some areas will avoid them and see some decent sunshine, but even in the sunshine it will feel particularly raw. these are the temperatures you would read on the thermometer, but we have to factor in the chilling effect that

easterly wind and actually step outside and for many it will