this is bbc news the headlines at five borisjohnson says he is "optimistic" ahead of announcing his plan for easing coronavirus restrictions in england — but warned he will have to be cautious people aged 70 or over who have not yet had a covid jab are being urged to come forward, as ministers aim to meet their vaccination target by monday. new developments in the impeachment trial of former president donald trump as the senate votes to allow witnesses some contraceptive pills could be sold over the counter in the uk for the first time, without the need for a gp appointment also, we'll be looking at the reason behind the disappearance of south africa's great white sharks.

prime minister borisjohnson has said he is "optimistic" ahead of announcing his lockdown—easing road map for england on 22 february. the pm said his "top priority" was the reopening of schools from 8 march. so far, more than 14.5 million people in the uk have had at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine, according to saturday's government figures. and people aged 70 or over who have not yet had a covid jab are being urged to come forward, in a final push by ministers to meet their vaccination target of 15 million people by monday. here's our political

correspondent nick eardley. after a year in which optimism has been in short supply, a dose of hope. the vaccine roll—out continues here in epsom and across the uk this morning. ministers are confident that, by the end of the weekend, those most at risk from covid — 15 million people — will have been offered the first jab of the vaccine. we're on target to meet the goal by monday, of offering a vaccine to everybody in group 1—4, and then by may, offering the vaccine to everybody in groups 1—9. we have a high degree of confidence in the supply we've got to meet those goals, but, of course, the exact speed of the supply is the limiting factor on how quickly we can vaccinate right across the uk. with the vaccine and better treatment for those who do fall ill, the health secretary has said covid could become like flu — still there, but manageable.

but some experts advising the government warn that may take time. i'm not sure that covid settles down to look like flu quite so quickly, and i think there's quite a long way to go between now and next winter. so, i think, in some ways, it's not the right time to make that decision. we need to see how low we can get the prevalence of covid, the prevalence of the virus in the community, as we exit the summer. how to get streets like these moving again? the prime minister will set out his plan for england later this month. it's likely to be a gradual process, starting with schools, before opening other parts of society. some of borisjohnson�*s mps hope that the vaccine can make shut downs a thing of the past. if it's the same level as flu, we don't think for a second of locking down the country over flu. there will come a point where there will be a death rate from covid,

but it's at a normal level, and then we have to cope with that. obviously, we still try and prevent it, but we accept it. i think we have to. experts, though, warn the health service is still under real pressure and are urging ministers to be cautious. as the political pressure to reopen increases, the government has a lot to weigh up. let's take a look at the latest government figures. a further 621 people have died — that's within 28 days of a positive test. 13,308 have tested positive for the virus — and as we've been hearing — over 1a and a half million people have received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine. speaking during a visit to the fujifilm plant in billingham, teesside, where the new novavax vaccine will be manufactured, the prime minister said

he although he was "optimistic" about announcing his "roadmap" out of lockdown in england later this month people had to remain cautious. we have made huge progress with the roll—out of the vaccine and that is great, but we've also got infection still running very high. as you know throughout the country, levels which last year we would've thought were very high indeed and there is still sadly a great many deaths in our hospitals although the number is coming down and perhaps starting to come down quite fast. the we need to look at the data very hard. so that is what we will be doing to the next few days and it will be seeing more on monday whether with the cohorts one to four and then on the 22nd, i will be setting out more of the road map about the way forward, starting with schools. we very much hope on

march the 8th, that's gotta be the priority of our children's education is the number one priority. but looking forward to getting nonessential retail open as well and in due course, as and when moved imprudently and cautiously. of course, want to be opening hospitality as well. and i will be trying to set out as much as i possibly can and as much detail as i can give. it always understanding that we have to be wary of the pattern of disease and we do not want to be forced into any kind of retreat or reversal.— retreat or reversal. could we be drinkin: retreat or reversal. could we be drinking in _ retreat or reversal. could we be drinking in public _ retreat or reversal. could we be drinking in public gardens - retreat or reversal. could we be drinking in public gardens in - retreat or reversal. could we be i drinking in public gardens in april? if you do not mind, i am going to ask you just to wait a little bit longer, give us some more time to look at the data of what is happening and look at the way that

the numbers are coming down in the study also very importantly, the efficacy of the vaccines. are they working in the way that we hope that they are and making sure that they are helping along with the lockdown to drive down the incidence? that is the key thing. and i'm optimistic but we have to be cautious. jonathan blake is with me. looking at the papers of the past few days, we have seen so many dates and suggestions of how lockdown easing is going to take place. what more do we learn today from the prime minister? fix, more do we learn today from the prime minister?— prime minister? a drink in the s-urin prime minister? a drink in the spring sunshine _ prime minister? a drink in the spring sunshine or _ prime minister? a drink in the spring sunshine or outside - prime minister? a drink in the i spring sunshine or outside seems prime minister? a drink in the - spring sunshine or outside seems a long way off at the moment and down downing street dismiss that is

extreme. lockdown might lift, schools are expected to open if possible on march the 8th and then beyond that, he said the sequence would be for nonessential retail to open up and subsequently when it was safe to do so, hospitality businesses after that. no dates from the prime minister but a little bit about the sequencing of when things might open and it probably is in line with what we would expect but we have seen after previous lockdowns for the prime minister saying that what he said previously is the government doesn't want to do anything to sooner open things up too quickly only to have to lug down again and i think that is of the prime minister will be mindful of for the scientific advice is been given from all signs and shapes of opinion politically from some backbenchers and a local minority are backbenchers that have been

urging them to lift the restrictions as soon as possible and make sure the current lockdown is absolutely the current lockdown is absolutely the last one it has to be so it is a good balancing act and the prime minister also be wary of the fact that previously, perhaps the government went too quickly to lift restrictions only to reintroduce them again later.— restrictions only to reintroduce them again later. very cautious, isn't it. them again later. very cautious, isn't it- and _ them again later. very cautious, isn't it. and an _ them again later. very cautious, isn't it. and an indication - them again later. very cautious, isn't it. and an indication of- them again later. very cautious, isn't it. and an indication of howj isn't it. and an indication of how long were going to be living with covid—19 as well. long were going to be living with covid-19 as well.— long were going to be living with covid-19 as well. yes, because the virus would — covid-19 as well. yes, because the virus would not _ covid-19 as well. yes, because the virus would not be _ covid-19 as well. yes, because the virus would not be eradicated. - covid-19 as well. yes, because the virus would not be eradicated. i . covid-19 as well. yes, because the virus would not be eradicated. i do j virus would not be eradicated. i do not think anyone expects that. there will be cases other than perhaps even deaths from coronavirus cycling through many years to come into the future and reflecting with the health secretary said this morning. the prime minister said also taking my living with coronavirus long—term and mentioned the artemis potential timescale for that to be something will use to when dealing with things

on a yearly basis perhaps that of the social distancing measures and protective equipment we are so used to using now, so a bit of a glimpse into the future and again, coming in with other things to go right. thank ou ve with other things to go right. thank you very much. _ with other things to go right. thank you very much, thank _ with other things to go right. thank you very much, thank you. - heathrow airport has expressed concern over the implementation of hotel quarantine plans, that are due to come into effect on monday. anyone arriving in england, from 33 high—risk countries, will be required to quarantine for 10 days. but the uk's busiest airport, says �*significant gaps' remain in the government's plan. in response the department of health said "we are working closely with airports and hotels to manage any issues that arise and ensure the new process runs as smoothly as possible. we are clear the safety of all staff and passengers is a priority." seven leading british scientists are warning that the pandemic will be prolonged

—— and might take years to bring under control —— if the vaccines aren't made available to poorer countries. writing in the lancet, they say that billions of people might not get inoculated this year, which could allow the virus to mutate further and become resistant to vaccines. the experts say production needs to be ramped up worldwide and vaccines have to be priced affordably. earlier, the lead author from the london school of economics and political science, dr olivier wouters, explained their concerns. if we don't treat this as a global problem and if the virus is allowed to continue to rage in some parts of the world, we might see continued risk of new mutations emerging is still there. so even if we end up vaccinating the entire population in the uk, us, other richer countries, the new variants might undermine the efficacy of vaccines and it

could cause problems in the uk. the efficacy of the oxford —astrazeneca vaccine in children is set to be tested in a new clinical trial. researchers will use 300 volunteers to assess whether the jab will produce a strong immune response, in children aged between 6 and 17. the university of oxford said, theirs was the first trial in the 6—17 age group. it said other trials had begun but only measure efficacy in those aged 16 and 17. dr grace li, from the university of oxford, is involved with the clinical trials. she explained to my colleague shaun ley why they are starting trials for this age range. so, it's almost 12 months ago since the initial trials were started in adults. and it was always intended for trials to be conducted in children. and we are very happy to be able

to start that this weekend. we know that the majority of admissions are of adults, and of older adults. there are a very small number of children who do get admitted who are very unwel. and it may be that a very select group of children would benefit from vaccination. yes, it's a great point. you're absolutely right. sadly, some children have died. but, statistically, it is a very small number. which doesn't in any way diminish the awful impact for the families that have lost children or have had children seriously affected and are living with the consequences of the infection. but presumably getting to this stage is almost, in a sense, a good sign of your confidence in the vaccine itself? yes, you're absolutely right. the trial so far, conducted across several countries, have given us great safety and efficacy data. which gives us more confidence when we are heading into a trial in this young age group. how do you find volunteers at that age? because, presumably, 16 and 17—year—olds are in a position to give informed consent.

but a six—year—old can't. no. here at the oxford vaccine group, we have a lot of experience in handling trials with children of all ages. and there are very specific and recognised guidelines about how to obtain consent. in all cases we provide information that is age—appropriate of the children, so that they have as much understanding as possible, given their age, what is going to happen to them. we also make sure that the parents are fully informed as well. so it's a collaboration between both the child and the parents. how long do you expect this particular trial is going to take before you have results that you can look on and feel that they give you a confident picture about the impact, if any, on children of that age? so, this trial is primarily looking at the immune responses. so, it's a relatively small trial compared to the adult trials. it's really looking at the response in the blood. we are taking blood samples over the course of approximately one year.

so, it will take us approximately one year to gain results. impeachment proceedings against donald trump have resumed in the us senate. mr trump is charged with inciting the violent attack on the capitol building by his supporters last month. in a dramatic twist in senators have voted to allow a debate on the calling of witnesses — a decision which could delay the outcome of whole process. a vote on whether to find mr trump guilty had been expected today, but that may not now happen. it comes after democrats decided they wanted to hear from a top congressional republican who was given details of a phone call between mr trump and the top house republican, kevin mccarthy, during the storming of the capitol. he mentioned my client

coming in to testify. that is not the way it's done. if he wanted to talk to donald trump, he should have put a subpoena down, like i am going to slap subpoenas on a good number of people. if witnesses are what is required here, for them to try to get their case back in order. which has failed, miserably, for four reasons. there is nojurisdiction here. there has been no due process here. they have completely violated and ignored, and stepped on the constitution of the united states. they have trampled on it, like people who have no respect for it. and if this is about nothing else, it has to be about the respect of our country, our constitution and all of the people that make it up. and so i ask, when considering or voting on this witness matter, and to be clear, this may be

the time to do it but, again, and everybody needs to know, backroom politics, i'm not so much into it all. i'm not too adept at it, neither. but there was a stipulation, they felt pretty comfortable after day two, until their case was tested on day three. now is the time to end this. now is the time to hear the closing arguments. now is the time to vote your conscience. the house impeachment manager jamie raskin asked to subpoena republicanjaime herrera beutler and her notes, believing there may be new evidence about a phone call between donald trump and house republican leader kevin mccarthy, while the capitol was under attack. here's what mr raskin had to say.

last night, congresswomanjaime herrera beutler of washington state issued a statement confirming that, in the middle of the insurrection, when house minority leader kevin mccarthy called the president to beg for help, president trump responded, and i quote, well, kevin, i guess these people are more upset about the election than you are. needless to say, this is an additional, critical piece of corroborating evidence, further confirming the charges before you, as well as the president's wilful dereliction of duty and desertion of duty, as commander in chief of the united states, his state of mind, and his further incitement of the insurrection on january six. for that reason, and because this is the proper time to do so under the resolution of the senate adopted to set the rules for the trial, we would like the opportunity to subpoena congresswoman herrera, regarding her conversations

with kevin mccarthy, and two subpoenaed a contemporaneous notes over what president trump told kevin mccarthy in the middle of the insurrection. our correspondent gary o'donoghue is on capitol hill. you have been following events for as long as they've taken place, what is happening at the moment? the?i is happening at the moment? they have taken a _ is happening at the moment? they have taken a timeout _ is happening at the moment? tie: have taken a timeout effectively is happening at the moment? tie1 have taken a timeout effectively to work out what to do next because the house managers, the democrats request for witnesses have thrown a huge spanner in the works of this trial and everyone was expecting things really do come to a conclusion today for donald trump to be acquitted with maybe a handful of

republicans voting with the democrats to convict him. but with this new development, this trial could go on for days and weeks because the democrats want to speak to the one republican member of the house who says she has evidence of a phone call the donald trump made to the leader of the house republicans kevin mccarthy on the devey attack when he appeared to be in different to the violence to what was going on in the halls. to be part of the record and the defence said that if you're going to do that, we're going to depose a hundred people and to draw this thing out and we are going to do this not on zumba but in our offices in philadelphia and 90 miles offices in philadelphia and 90 miles of the road from here. there is a furious debate and discussion going on behind the scenes about how to proceed and potentially we would

have to vote on whether to court each individual witness that wants to be heard from. they will try and avoid that, come up with some kind of package that satisfies both sides. whether or not they will be able to do that in the 45 minute break they've had now i think is a tall order. the for the rest of the day and try to figure it out behind closed doors. the only other example we can look to his of bill clinton's impeachment back in the 1990s when during the trial there was a vote for witnesses to be heard in the header weeks break before he sorted out how to do it, the depose those witnesses and private on video camera then brought backjust three of them. so the evidence could be heard in front of the impeachment trial. last year, there were no witnesses at his first impeachment trial and we are into largely uncharted territory and that is why there was chaos on the senate floor when this happened and everyone was

wondering, but did we just vote for? we will leave it there for now. we are waiting for the senate floor to open once again thank you. the government is considering making two types of contraceptive pill available over the counter without prescription. the uk medicines regulator the — mhra — will consult on the potential reclassification of two progestogen—only contraceptive pills. if they are reclassified, it will be the first time daily contraceptive pills are available over the counter at a pharmacy. michelle riddalls is the chief executive of the consumer healthcare association the pagb, which represents the manufacturers of branded over the counter medicines. thank you forjoining us here on bbc news. how shall we take this news?

it should be regarded as a very positive step. an opportunity going forward. it has been available for about 60 years and with competing priorities in the nhs and getting gp appointments, it is a real opportunity to utilise a pharmacist was very good and well trained health care professionals taking advantage of their knowledge and abilities to enable wider access for women to contraception going forward. ., , women to contraception going forward. . , , , ., forward. ultimately, this is a owerful forward. ultimately, this is a powerful medicine _ forward. ultimately, this is a powerful medicine and - forward. ultimately, this is a powerful medicine and when | forward. ultimately, this is a - powerful medicine and when you do go to the doctorforward, powerful medicine and when you do go to the doctor forward, you go through a raft of questions before it is prescribed. how, in terms of the process of reclassification, how do you guard insurer, rather, that it is protected? find

whenever people look at this and that in this context, this pill is been over 20 years old, and what you will see is the reclassification documentation is that pharmacy training would be required. that is specific training around this product and how to ensure it is given safely and supplied safely to women. but also there is a pharmacy checklist that includes all the relevant questions similar to what the doctor would go through the gp surgery so the form of proof or checking on the key safety information so they can supply the product safely and appropriately to the right people coming forward. hat the right people coming forward. not knowing the details, you've given us in education of the training and as a woman, you go through certain checks, particularly if you have migraines for example or certain

conditions. which have to go to that every time you try to go to the pharmacist and say, i would like the box of that behind you? it is not been approved _ box of that behind you? it is not been approved yet _ box of that behind you? it is not been approved yet this - box of that behind you? it is not been approved yet this is - box of that behind you? it is not been approved yet this is not. box of that behind you? it is not| been approved yet this is not the consultation process. but you would get asked all of those things. but like with some reclassifications, i feel there is an option that if it is a repeat use, that you have a little slip the can take back so you don't always have to go through every question they usually say has anything changed, have you experienced xyz before you are given your next supply and that is quite usual in this time. this your next supply and that is quite usual in this time.— usual in this time. this is all a art of usual in this time. this is all a part of a _ usual in this time. this is all a part of a public— usual in this time. this is all a part of a public consultation . usual in this time. this is all a i part of a public consultation they believe the public have until march the 5th before a decision is made.

how can you guard abusive access to the pill? how can you guard abusive access to the ill? ~ ., , how can you guard abusive access to the ill? ~ . , ., , the pill? well, really, as i mentioned _ the pill? well, really, as i mentioned it _ the pill? well, really, as i mentioned it does - the pill? well, really, as i mentioned it does have i the pill? well, really, as i mentioned it does have a| the pill? well, really, as i - mentioned it does have a good the pill? well, really, as i _ mentioned it does have a good safety profile in the government would've had to provided information to show that there has not been abusive and at the moment. of course, with this checklist, there are questions that a pharmacist has to answer and the woman as to give the right answers to to ensure that the supply was correct and if they are in any doubt, they would not supply the product and refer the woman back to the gp or to is different clinic where they would go through wider checks and so, the women have to fulfil their requirement within the checklist and that will help prevent it going to the wrong people going forward. be it going to the wrong people going forward. �* ., it going to the wrong people going forward. �* . , forward. be an interesting discussion _ forward. be an interesting discussion yesterday - forward. be an interesting i discussion yesterday because forward. be an interesting - discussion yesterday because this article came out in today's newspaper and we talked about it

last night and we spoke to some of the men in the newsroom, they were not even aware as to how women get the pill. could you just explain to us what it is currently like the benefits of what it will allow and how that differs from the morning after pill. how that differs from the morning after ill. , . , ., after pill. yes, currently, women have to go _ after pill. yes, currently, women have to go to _ after pill. yes, currently, women have to go to a — after pill. yes, currently, women have to go to a gp _ after pill. yes, currently, women have to go to a gp or— after pill. yes, currently, women have to go to a gp or sexual - after pill. yes, currently, women l have to go to a gp or sexual health clinic and get a prescription for it and if they want to carry on, they need to have repeat description. it is taking a gp time and for routine contraception which a lot of people take, widening the access and making it available as a real opportunity to empower women to go in the same way you mentioned and actually go indicated in place that is convenient and likely see with

covid—19, there have been more barriers to be able to doing that in the statistics out there showing that during this time it's gotten harderfor women to know that during this time it's gotten harder for women to know where to go for contraception. so the opening up us an opportunity that is really positive, both from the women's perspective but also for the nhs perspective. we are all trying to reduce the burden on the nhs of the moment and so this is just another way of doing that. it is moment and so this is 'ust another way of doing that._ way of doing that. it is a public consultation, _ way of doing that. it is a public consultation, i've _ way of doing that. it is a public consultation, i've seen - way of doing that. it is a public consultation, i've seen it - way of doing that. it is a public consultation, i've seen it on i way of doing that. it is a public| consultation, i've seen it on the government website, can any member of the public contribute to this? yes, there is a form in there and anybody can put forward their views and that is why it is out there and it is important for the group to ensure that all concerns are taken into account, the form is on the website for you to fill out. it is website for you to fill out. it is been fascinating _ website for you to fill out. it is been fascinating talk - website for you to fill out. it is been fascinating talk to you. thank you very much indeed. thank you. let's catch up with the weather.

overnight, some of that snow will start to turn to something that meteorologists call freezing rain hello. we've seen some snowfall today particularly across the western side of the uk. northern ireland seen some of the heavier snow. overnight some of that will start to turn to something meteorologists call freezing rain in scotland and this could leeds do to make lead to dangerous ice build—up with a widespread frost in the countryside publicly. this freezing rain is liquid rain that has a temperature below zero celsius and it turned straight to ice on any surface it touches so it could be very icy for a time for scotland and northern england with localised power cuts. through sunday will see bands of rain publishing eastwards across the uk with strong winds are particular across north—western errors with gusts of 60—70 miles an hour, may be stronger in the hebrides. eventually milder air pushing in from the west with highs of 12 in belfast but a little on the cool side for eastern scotland and central and eastern england.

welcome to our viewers here in the uk. the fifth day of the impeachment trial of donald trump. it's not quite going to wait most people expected it to go. we were expecting closing arguments today. possibly even a vote on whether or not to

acquit or convict donald trump. the democrats have thrown somewhat of a grenade into