this is bbc news, i'm shaun ley — the headlines at seven. with 15 million new vaccinated — the goverment says it's hit the first covid vaccination target a day early. the prime minister is under pressure from some of his own mps to end covid restrictions by the end of april. ministers urge caution. anger in myanmar as armoured vehicles appear on the streets of yangon — there are reports of an overnight internet blackout. president trump, cleared

at his second impeachment trial suggests he could make a political comeback. and — skating on thin ice — a rare winter event could return to the netherlands thanks to the cold weather — but will covid restrictions sink it? good evening and welcome to bbc news. the prime minister has announced that 15 million people in the uk have now had theirfirst dose of coronavirus vaccine — hailing it as "an extraordinary feat". borisjohnson said jabs had been offered to everyone in the top four priority groups in england — that's all those aged 70 and over, care home staff and residents and the clinically extremely vulnerable.

some conservative backbenchers are now urging ministers to commit to lifting lockdown restrictions by the end of april. our political correspondent, jonathan blake reports. lining up in lancashire for the coronavirus vaccine — some of those getting their first jab today, and taking the total number to be offered an injection to 15 million across the uk. this country has achieved an extraordinary feat... in a video posted online, the prime minister confirmed the government had met its target of offering the four most vulnerable groups in england theirfirst jab by mid—february. it has been a truly national, uk—wide effort. we've done it together. and i want to thank each and every person who has helped make it happen. you can be incredibly proud of the part you played. hi, my name is libby. i'll do your vaccination today. the aim now is to offer everyone

over 50 a first injection by the end of april. then, some conservative mps argue, all legal restrictions should end. it's completely tied to the roll—out of vaccination programme. and the fact that you are then protecting the most vulnerable people from death and serious disease, from covid, from the fantastically successful vaccination programme the nhs has undertaken. while the pressure to lift the lockdown is on, as the vaccination programme continues apace, ministers are urging caution until the impact of the vaccines is clear. we share all of the ambition and the desire to get out of this lockdown. we want to do it responsibly and safely. and therefore, it's got to be based on the evidence. which is, of course, what we said from the outset. the prime minister is due to give details of a roadmap out of lockdown in england a week on monday, the 22nd of february. schools are expected to open to all pupils on the 8th of march. next, more outdoor recreation is likely to be allowed, followed by more shops being able to open and, finally, hospitality venues.

but some in that industry are eager to start trading sooner. we think we can open very safely for easter weekend. we understand, as i said, that there will be social restrictions in place, like they were injuly. and we will absolutely administer those to the letter. and we will ensure that we've got a responsibility for our customers and our staff. although there is urgency from businesses badly affected, there are risks if the government acts too soon. this lockdown has to be the final lockdown, by the way. the strategic aim is to do everything we can now, so we don't have to go back into a lockdown. there will be no shortage of speculation in the coming days about how and when a return to normal may come. but the stakes are still high. jonathan blake, bbc news. we can speak now to dr chaand nagpaul, a gp and the council chair of the british medical association — the trade union and professional

body for doctors and medical students in the uk. good to have you with us again and to talk about something which is very good news for all the people who have been vaccinated which means you can get onto the next ones. there are people who have declined to receive the vaccine, to be no enough about who those people are? we certainly know that people from black and ethnic minority backgrounds have taken up the vaccine at about half the rate of the white population and of course thatis the white population and of course that is of concern because what we have learned throughout pandemic is that people from ethnic minority backgrounds are at far higher risk from the virus, far higher risk of serious ill—health, hospitalisation and intensive care treatment and unfortunately higher risk of death so it is very important that the milestone is very important and we should be proud of it, the effort of

the nhs workforce, gps, nurses, volunteers, hospital staff and doctors. this has been a coalition in which the nhs usually proved itself in delivering quite uniquely a volume of vaccines that is much higher than any other european nation and it is a proud moment but equally, as you point out, we must make sure that we vaccinate all the high—risk people and community and that our concerns around the ethnic minority population. one of the reasons for that is not so much they are hesitant about the vaccine per se but they have felt lacking in confidence and trust of essential messaging for a while. we knew that backin messaging for a while. we knew that back injuly when sages suggested we needed more culturally competent messaging so i am pleased we are seeing some of those efforts to go out into the community, to pay —— to

be vaccinating in mosques and temples and synagogues, there was one today. i hope we will start to see much more vaccinations within gp practices because i can tell you as a gp, our local communities do trust their local practice. i had a patient two had declined the vaccine, and 85—year—old asian gentleman but after a short conversation with me, he was happy to have it. . , ., to have it. that is the important oint, to have it. that is the important point. because _ to have it. that is the important point, because people - to have it. that is the important point, because people have - to have it. that is the important i point, because people have turned to have it. that is the important - point, because people have turned it down, they have not missed their opportunity. they can contact their surgery and ask to get the vaccine. ijust wanted to extend this thought a bit, some people have received their first vaccine, those a bit, some people have received theirfirst vaccine, those priority groups, we then move into second jabs for some people so that 15 million figure, which is a great figure, we have to be cautious and

say that is 15 million people, but it is some people who had their second jabs as well, it is 15 million injections.— million injections. you're absolutely _ million injections. you're absolutely right. - million injections. you're absolutely right. full- million injections. you're - absolutely right. full protection will only occur after the second dose. it is not one doses sufficient, yet at the second dose. we need to be realistic. as the second doses will start from march onwards for all of those who had their first dose waiting up to 12 weeks, we're not going to be able to carry on at the same pace because many of the vaccines from march onwards will be vaccinating second doses rather than new first doses so we will not see the same pace. where we will not see the same pace. where we have got to in terms of total vaccine given is a remarkable achievement. i think it also shows what can be achieved when you resource the national health service to deliver a programme. if you contrast this for example to the whole outsourcing of test and trace.

actually all of his working in the nhs are absolutely committed to wanting to protect the nation. as we speak now, there are vaccination centres up and down the country that are vaccinating and protecting people now. are vaccinating and protecting peeple nova— are vaccinating and protecting --eole now. ., ~ , . so, how does the roll—out proceed from here, and who is next in line forthejab? you might be next in line for the job but some of those priority groups might be getting their second job. there also questions maintaining supply. there also questions maintaining supply. our science correspondent rebecca morelle reports. from margaret keenan in december, the first person to be vaccinated, to less than ten weeks later, 15 million people have had theirfirst dose. so, who will be vaccinated next, and when? the next stage starts with 65—69—year—olds. that's nearly 3 million people. and those with underlying health

conditions, an estimated 7 million. next up, it's 2 million 60—6li—year—olds. and then the 5 million 50—59—year—olds. that's a total of more than 17 million people who will be offered vaccines by the end of april. then, for phase two, another 21 million people, the rest of the adult population, should be vaccinated by the autumn. more than 1 million over—65s have already been sent letters this weekend, and some areas have even started delivering jabs. it's an indication of the different demographics of different parts of the country. obviously certain populations will have much higher proportions of those people who are over 70 or housebound, and that will take longer. in my practice, in north london, we are vaccinating already those people over 60 and 65. people with some medical conditions are also being invited. these include chronic lung disease, down�*s syndrome, diabetes, some cancers and morbid obesity.

so, how will we know if vaccination is working? it's likely that in about a week's time we may well see the beginnings of an effect in hospitalisations, particularly in older people, relative to the changes in younger people. cases it's going to be a little bit less clear, i think, because the vaccine doesn't necessarily stop mild cases. in the coming weeks, could there be any problems? there will be some bumps in supply, with pfizer overhauling its factory in belgium. new variants could also pose a problem, and booster shots may be needed to improve immunity. covid levels in the uk are still high, but vaccination should soon make a difference, helping us map a path out of lockdown. rebecca morelle, bbc news. let's have a look at the latest

government figures now and there were nearly 11,000 new infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period. an average of 13,200 new cases were recorded per day in the last week. 23,341 people are in hospital with coronavirus across the uk. in the last 2a hours, 258 deaths have been recorded — that's people who died within 28 days of a positive covid test. 672 deaths were announced on average every day in the past week.) the total number of people who've died is just over 117,000. as we've heard, the government has met its first target for the vaccination programme. over half a million people had a first dose of one of the three approved covid—19 vaccines in the latest 2a hour period.

which takes the number of people who have now had theirfirstjab to more than 15 million. they will get their second dose within 12 weeks we are told. britain's largest airport — heathrow — has tonight restated its concerns about the ability of border officials to cope when quarantine rules change tomorrow. in a statement saying that the airport had been "working hard with the government to support the successful implementation of the policy" it described queues of almost five hours as beiong "totally unacceptable" — and such problems could see the suspension of some arriving flights. a spokesperson said ministers needed to ensure there were adequate resources and effective processes at the border. i can now speak to simon calder who's the travel editor of the independent. it is good to speak to you again.

dare i say you're at home and not in an airport?— an airport? sadly, i have not been an here an airport? sadly, i have not been anywhere recently. _ an airport? sadly, i have not been anywhere recently. leisure - an airport? sadly, i have not been anywhere recently. leisure travel| an airport? sadly, i have not been. anywhere recently. leisure travel is simply illegal at the moment. who on earth is flying into the uk? mostly a mix of people who have been on long—stay holidays, some people have been on prolonged visits to family and other parts of the world and there is still a certain amount of professional people travelling so they are owed coming in for good reasons but as you say, an extraordinary statement tonight from heathrow where they say we are really worried. we have had five virtues this week's. given that uk border force trade union officials have been warning that it will get longer once the new hotel quarantine stuff starts. he threw tonight are saying you have to think about cancelling flights in order that the

keys do not tilt up. —— heathrow tonight. they arejust keys do not tilt up. —— heathrow tonight. they are just saying if you cannot go then you really have got to do something about it. the government i must stress says they have been working with airlines and airports involved. there are four english airports, heathrow, gatwick, london city and birmingham. scotland has three airports, aberdeen, glasgow and edinburgh where these hotel quarantines are taking place. the government says we have been working with them to allow for this to happen smoothly. actually one way of looking at this is the reason we are seeing so many people arriving in the past week is simply because... in the past week is simply because. . ._ in the past week is simply because... . , ., because... that is a good point. that is an _ because... that is a good point. that is an optimistic _ because... that is a good point. that is an optimistic view - because... that is a good point. that is an optimistic view of - because... that is a good point. that is an optimistic view of five virtues, those may vanish because people want to beat the quarantine

and that is understandable but there must be some concern about the enforcement of this over what is likely to be still some months? sure. it will be very very tricky. in the past few days the home secretary priti patel has said this policy could not be introduced overnight. the government has talking about for months. in australia, dated literally introduce a policy overnight between the 27th and 28th of march last year so lots to learn from then. there have been a couple of thorough reviews of it, everybody has to belie top from the officials who work with the plains to the drivers, to the security staff and hoteliers. they expressed concern about fresh air brakes. allowing people to go out under the watchful eye of a security guard actually increases risks all round

so they say it is not a risk—free process. the government says it is essential to stop the new brazilian and south african variants being imported into the ukjust and south african variants being imported into the uk just as the vaccine roll—out is going so well. simon calder, travel editor at the independent hopefully putting travel into that title in the not—too—distant into that title in the not—too—dista nt future. into that title in the not—too—distant future. thank you very much. donald trump has hinted that he could return to politics, after being acquitted in his second impeachment trial in the us senate. only 7 republicansjoined the democrats in voting to convict the former president, meaning the vote fell short of the required two—thirds majority. after the verdict, mr trump said the movement to �*make america great again' had onlyjust begun. nomia iqbal reports from washington. the yeas are 57, the nays are a3. more than 2a hours after donald trump was cleared of inciting a mob, the reaction was swift. much like his trial. it was nancy pelosi, the top democrat, who had been a target of the rioters that day.

what we saw in that senate today was a cowardly group of republicans who apparently have no options, because they were afraid to defend theirjob. the prime minister boris johnson also weighed in. i think the clear message we get from the proceedings in america is that after all the toing and froings, and all the kerfuffle, american democracy is strong. but as for the man himself, no public appearance, just a statement. there was no mention of january the 6th, and his acquittal, thanks to 47 republican senators, cements the enduring power he holds over the party. it means he could run for office again in 202a. spoke to him last night... one of his closest allies is republican lindsey graham,

who says mr trump will have influence over the midterm elections, which are only two years away. he is ready to move on and rebuild the republican party. he is excited about 2022. but mr trump's legal woes are not over. the state of georgia and new york are conducting criminal investigations into his actions, that could threaten his finances and possibly his freedom. happy valentine's day. there was also a statement from the actual sitting president, that felt like a speech. mr biden called the riots a sad chapter and that democracy was fragile. this trial was about donald trump's attempt to stopjoe biden from occupying the house behind me. and although he has been acquitted, his efforts failed. this isjoe biden's white house. and he doesn't want his legacy to be about the man he defeated, but about the ongoing coronavirus pandemic that he has promised this country he will beat. nomia iqbal, bbc news, washington.

a woman who accused scotland's former first minister, alex salmond of sexual assault has said it has become "much harder" for women to make complaints in the aftermath of his acquittal. the woman — who cannot be named for legal reasons — has told the bbc a holyrood committee of inquiry has become so political, she's finding it "more traumatic" than the trial. here's our scotland political editor, glenn campbell. when alex salmond was cleared of all charges, he hinted at a political plot against him. that information, will see the light of day. as he has pursued claims of conspiracy, those who testified against him feel they are being implicated. prompting one of the women to speak out. her voice and appearance have been changed to protect her identity. it is utterly absurd to suggest that

nine women could be persuaded to lie to the police, to perjure themselves in court. mr salmond was acquitted of 13 sexual assault charges. by then he had won a separate case against the scottish government, challenging the process it used to investigate earlier harassment complaints against him. a holyrood committee is investigating the mistakes the scottish government made. the women i have spoken to thinks it has become too political. it is actually in many ways more traumatic than the experience of the high court trial. more traumatic? i think so because you actually now have what was a glimmer of hope in a committee, thinking they could be impartial. instead what has happened is they have taken your very personal experiences and they have exploited them further own

self—serving political interests. it was obviously a big decision for you to make a complaint. do you think that women are more or less likely to do that now before all of this? much less likely. i think that this has made it much harderfor women to be believed and for women to be able to come forward. the committee convener�*s offered a personal apology for any heart hurt the inquiry has caused and the hope that it will lead to better protection for women. what started with complaints about alex salmond is now heavily focused on how his successor as first minister, nicola sturgeon, and her administration mishandled those original complaints. the inquiry expects to call both politicians to give evidence in the next few weeks before holyrood breaks for the election. glen campbell, bbc news.

female protesters in russia are forming human chains in a show of solidarity with other women who've suffered political persecution. they're holding white ribbons, red flowers and heart balloons — all part of an attempt to draw attention to jailed activist leaders on valentine's day. in response, russia's federal youth agency is encouraging people to post messages of acts of kindess under the phrase, "russia — the country of love". in the last few hours in moscow, a flash—mob gathered, after mr navalny called for his supporters to come out with phone torches, to protest while avoiding confrontation with police. western embassies in myanmar have called on the country's military to "refrain from violence against demonstrators and civilians" after reports that security forces have opened fire to disperse a protest. in the last few hours, the us embassy in the main city, yangon, has tweeted to warn of military movements in yangon, and advised us citizens in myanmar to "shelter—in—place" during the 8pm to 4am curfew hours.

in another tweet, it warned of a possible internet outage, telling citizens to inform their loved ones of their status. reports suggest that blackout has now begun. armoured vehicles have been seen driving round the streets of central yangon for first time since the coup two weeks ago. many drivers expressed their anger by honking their horns. i'm joined now by soe win than from the bbc�*s burmese service.— thank you for being with us. what do we know apart from the tweet from the us embassy about the tanks on the us embassy about the tanks on the street? is this an ongoing form of control the army is considering

using? of control the army is considering usin: ? , of control the army is considering usin. ? , , . ., , of control the army is considering usinu? , , , , , using? yes, because untilyesterday we saw only — using? yes, because untilyesterday we saw only the _ using? yes, because untilyesterday we saw only the heavy _ using? yes, because untilyesterday we saw only the heavy police - we saw only the heavy police presence on the streets but since the early hours of today, residents in many cities sort tanks rolling into the streets and as night fell, the tanks drove around the city and asking residents to remove the blockage that they have in their residential area. blockage that they have in their residentialarea. in blockage that they have in their residential area. in the previous two or three days police went round to homes of the protest leaders and try to take them away for questioning but when the police turned up, the residents put a blockade and blocked the police from taking the people that they came to catch. so police are seen as not very effective in cracking down on the dissent and protest which is why tonight we saw a show forth by the military. people are very nervous

and worried because they know in the past what the military is capable of. . , past what the military is capable of. ., , , of. there have been terrible massacres _ of. there have been terrible massacres of _ of. there have been terrible massacres of course - of. there have been terrible massacres of course during | of. there have been terrible i massacres of course during the of. there have been terrible - massacres of course during the 30 years ago, and also recently, and i suppose also some of the treatment of the rohingya muslims as well will have reminded them that the army can be quite brutal. presumably there is fear of the military because people have experience of this democracy and experienced a recent election, it as annexure element to the resistance of people. these are largely peaceful protests for the last two weeks. their options for regaining full control of the country are presumably limited? you mean the limit _ country are presumably limited? 7m, mean the limit —— the military. yes. yes. this is kind of united country. people had a taste of democracy in

the past ten years, then nowhere the country is going, the new what they wanted the country to be going. they voted for the party wanted to see in power which is led by aung san suu kyi. power which is led by aung san suu kyl but power which is led by aung san suu kyi. but this government was going to take office and the parliament was to swear and on the day the military took power so people felt that democracy was lost from then but they would not let this happen which is why people were galvanised, coming out in large numbers onto the street to do peaceful demonstrations. tomorrow they plan to have a nationwide strike which is probably the reason why the military is sending out tanks and troops to deter the public from coming out in large numbers again tomorrow. thank ou ve large numbers again tomorrow. thank you very much — large numbers again tomorrow. thank you very much for _ large numbers again tomorrow. thank you very much for speaking _ large numbers again tomorrow. thank you very much for speaking to - large numbers again tomorrow. thank you very much for speaking to us. an important story and we will keep watch on developments tonight. thank

you. a 22—year—old indian climate activist has been arrested after sharing a document intended to help farmers protest against new agricultural laws. disha ravi is accused of sedition and criminal conspiracy. the document she shared — a "toolkit" which suggests ways of helping the farmers — was first posted by the prominent campaigner greta thunberg. south asia editor for bbc world service anbarasan ethirajan told us more about people's reaction to the arrest. i'v e i've been watching social media for the past few hours, there has been outrage, shock and disbelief from her supporters because she belongs to one of those young activists who set up her own website where they were seeking climate justice and she was part of a number of environmental campaigns to protect the lakes in the city of bangalore and she was talking about this

unseasonal rain pattern which flooded the city a few months ago. her arrest is shocked many people. the government argues which gives document or toolkit which gives information about the farmers protest was instrumental in triggering violence during a tractor rally by the farmers on the 26 of january. tens of thousands of indian farmers have been protesting as you know on the outskirts of delhi, urging the government to repeal three laws which they say favours big private farms. this has got the interest of a lot of young people in india and got international attention after the swedish climate activist greta thunberg started tweeting about it. many people have described this as our witchhunt to silence dissent in india. one politician put it in this

harassment. this was damon keith last march. he was put into a coma and hooked up to our ventilator. was put into a coma and hooked up to our ventilator-— our ventilator. there is a high probability — our ventilator. there is a high probability you _ our ventilator. there is a high probability you don't - our ventilator. there is a high probability you don't exit - our ventilator. there is a high probability you don't exit thatj our ventilator. there is a high - probability you don't exit that but i probability you don't exit that but i was _ probability you don't exit that but i was lucky because of excellent care and — i was lucky because of excellent care and highly professional care at the hospital. it care and highly professional care at the hospital-— the hospital. it was a long road to recovery but _ the hospital. it was a long road to recovery but damon _ the hospital. it was a long road to recovery but damon says - the hospital. it was a long road to recovery but damon says comingl the hospital. it was a long road to - recovery but damon says coming close to death has inspired him to lead a healthier life. aha, to death has inspired him to lead a healthier life.— healthier life. a few very healthy, i am healthier life. a few very healthy, i am walking _ healthier life. a few very healthy, i am walking in _ healthier life. a few very healthy, i am walking in the _ healthier life. a few very healthy, i am walking in the part, - healthier life. a few very healthy, i am walking in the part, stop - i am walking in the part, stop smoking _

i am walking in the part, stop smoking. alcohol uptake is down so releasing _ smoking. alcohol uptake is down so releasing as a spur to move forward. as a thank_ releasing as a spur to move forward. as a thank you to people who